The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 46 · Section 1 – Section 4
Naturall Commodities.
Geat.
A word of the name, colour, vertues and usefulness thereof. In Latine it is called Gagates, (as different in nature, as alike in name to the precious stone called Gagites, onelyonly found in an Eagles nest) whence our English word Geat is deduced. But be it remembred, that the Agate, vastly distinct from Geat, is also named Gagates.
It is found in this County towards the sea side, in the *Camdens Brit. in this County.clefts of the rocks, whose gaping chaps are filled up therewith. It is naturally of a reddish and rusty colour, till it becomes black and bright by polishing. Indeed the lustre consists in the blackness thereof, (Negroes have their beauties as well as fair folk,) and vulgar eyes confound the inlayings made of black Marble (polished to the height) with Touch, Geat and Ebony, though the three former be stones, the last a kind of wood.
The vertues of Geat are hitherto conceal'd. It is the lightest of all solid (not porous) stones, and may pass for the Embleme of our memories, attracting trifles thereto, and letting slip matters of more moment. Rings are made thereof, (fine foyles to fair fingers;) and bracelets with beads, here used for Ornament, beyond sea for Devotion; also small utensills as Salt-cellars, and the like. But hear how a *Marbodaeus in suo de Gemmis Libell….Poet describes it.
Nascitur in Lycia lapis, a prope gemma Gagates,
Sed ge…us eximium faecunda Britania mittit,
Lucidus & niger est, levis & laevicssimusi idem:
Vicinas paleas trahit attritu calefactus,
Ardet aquâ lotus, restinguitur unctus olivo.
Geat a stone, and kind of gemm,
In Lycia grows, but best of them
Most fruitfull Britain sends, 'tis bright
And black, and smooth and very light▪
If rubb'd to heat, it easily draws,
Unto it self both chaffe and straws.
Water makes it fiercely flame,
Oyle doth quickly quench the same.
The two last qualities, some conceive, to agree better to our sea-coal, then Geat, whence it is, that some stiffly maintain, that those are the Brittish Gagates meant by forraign Authors; and indeed, if preciousness of stones be measured, not from their price and rarity, but usefulness, they may be accounted precious. But hereof formerly in the Bishoprick of Durham.
Alume.
This was first found out nigh Ge…burgh in this County, some sixty years since, by that worthy and learned Knight Sir Thomas Chaloner (Tutor to Prince Henry) on this occasion. He observed the leaves of trees there abouts more deeply green then elsewhere, the Oakes broad-spreading, but not deep-rooted; with much strength, but little sap; the earth clayish, variously coloured, here White, there Yellowish, there Blew, and the ways therein in a clear night glistering like glass; symptoms which first suggested unto him the presumption of Minerals, and of Alum most properly.
Yet some years interceded betwixt the discovery and perfecting thereof; some of the Gentry of the Vicinage, burying their estates here under earth, before the Alum could be brought to its true consistency. Yea, all things could not fadge with them, untill they had brought (not to say stolń) over three prime workmen in Hogsheads from Rochel in France; whereof one, Lambert Russell by name, and a Walloon by birth, not long since deceased. But when the work was ended, it was adjudged a Mine Royal, and came at last to be rented by Sir Paul Pindar, who paid yearly,
| To | |
| The King | 12500. |
| The Earl of Moulgrave. | 01640. |
| Sir William Penniman | 00600. |
Besides large salaries to numerous Clarks, and daily wages to Rubbish-men, Rockmen, Pit-men, and House-men or Fire-men; so that at one time (when the Mines were in their Majesty) I am credibly informed he had in pay no fewer then eight hundred, by sea and land.
Yet did not the Knight complain of his bargain, who having the sole sale of the commodity to himself, kept up the reputation thereof, and the price of Alum at six and twenty pound the Tun. This he did the easier, because no better, and scarce other (save what from Rome and Rochel) Alum in all Europe.
But the late long-lasting-Parliament, voted it a Monopoly, and restored the benefit thereof to the former Proprietaries, who now pursue the work at five severall places.
1. Sands-end, belonging to the E. of Moulgrave.
2. Ash-holme, belonging to the E. of Moulgrave.
3. Slapy-wath, Sir William (formerly Penniman's) Darcey's.
4. Dunsley, Mr. Tho. Fairfax's
5. Whitbay Sir Hugh Cholmley's.
Such now the emulation betwixt these Owners, to under-sell one another, that the Commodity is fallen to thirteen pound the Tun. Great the use hereof in Physick and Surgery, as a grand Astringent; besides, much thereof is daily employed by Clothiers, Glovers, Dyers, &c. so that some will maintain, that another thing in England as white and far sweeter then Alum, may of the two be better spared, with less loss to the Common-wealth.
Lime.
I am credibly informed that within few miles of Pontfract, no less then twenty thousand Pounds worth of this Coarse Commodity is yearly made, and vended in the Vicinage. It is a great Fertilizer of Ground if judiciously disposed of. Indeed the laying of Lime on light and sandy ground (like the giving hot cordials to persons in high feavours, enough to drive them into a Frenzy,) will soon burn out the heart thereof, which bestowed on cold and chill ground, brings it to a fruitfull consistency, and prudently ordered, it will for a long time retain the same.
Horses.
These are Mens wings, where with they make such speed. A Generous creature an Horse is, sensible in some sort of honour, made most handsome, by (that, which deformes man most,) Pride. The Kings of Israel, were not forbidden (as some may mistake) the having, but the *Deu…. 17. 19.multiplying of them; cheifly, because they were a Forraign, yea, an Egyptian Commodity, and God would cut off from his children all occasion of commerce with that Country, which was the Staple-place of Idolatry.
Our English Horses have a mediocrity of all necessary good properties in them, as neither so slight as the Barbe, nor so slovenly as the Flemish, nor so fiery as the Hungarian, nor so aery as the Spanish Gennets, (especially if, as reported, they be conceived of the wind,) nor so earthly as those in the Low-countries, and generally all the German Horse. For stature and strength, they are of a middle size, and are both seemly and serviceable in a good proportion. And whilst the Seller praiseth them too much, the Buyer too little, the indifferent Stander by, will give them this due commendation.
It is confessed, that our English Horse, never performed any eminent and signall Service beyond the Seas, in comparison of the Atchivements of their Infantry. Partly, because our Horses sent over many together in Ships, beat and heat themselves, and are not for suddain use in the field, after their Transportation, so that some time of rest must be allowed them, for their recovery. Partly, because the Genius of the English hath always more inclined them to foot-service, as pure and proper Man-hood indeed without any mixture, whilst in a Victory on horse-back, the credit thereof, ought in equity to be divided betwixt the Man and his Horse.
Yorkshire doth breed the best race of English Horses, whose keeping commonly in steep and stony ground, bringeth them to firmness of footing and hardness of hoof. Whereas a Stud of Horses bred in foggy fenny ground, and soft rotten morasses (delicacy marrs both Man and beast,) have often a Fen in their feet, being soft and soon subject to be foundred. Well may Philip be so common a name amongst the Gentry of this County, who are generally so delighted in Horsemanship. I have done with this subject, when I have mentioned the monition of David, An Horse is *Psal. 33. 17.but a vain thing to save a man, though it is no vain thing, to slay a man, by many casualties, such need we have whether waking or sleeping, whether walking or riding, to put our selves by Prayer into Divine Protection.
Manufactures,
As for CLOATHING, so vigorously followed in this County, we refer it to our FARWELL in this our description, and here insist on,
Knives.
These are the teeth of old men, and usefull to those of all ages. For, though some think themselves scarce Gentlemen with Knives, as good as they, conceive themselves scarce men without them, so necessary they are on all occasions. The most of these for common use of Country-people, are made in this County; whereof the bluntest, with a sharp stomack, will serve to cut meat, if before them. Sheffeild, a remarkable Market, is the Staple Town for this Commodity, and so hath been these three hundred years, witness Chaucer speaking of the accoutrements of the *Folio 15.Miller.
A Sheffeld whitel bare He in his hose.
One may justly wonder how a Knife may be sold for one penny, three trades anciently distinct concurring thereunto, Bladers, Haft-makers, and Sheath-makers, all since united into the Corporation of Cutlers. Nor must we forget, that though plain-knife-makeing was very antient in this County, yet *Stow▪ Chro. pag. 1038.Thomas Mathews on Fleet-bridge London, was the first Englishman, who Quinto Elizabethae made fine Knives, and procured a Prohibition, that no more ships-lading of Hafts should be brought from beyond the seas.
Pins.
A Pin passeth for that which is next nothing, or (if you will) is the terminus a quo, from which something doth begin, and proceed from a Pin to a pound, &c. However it is considerable both as hurtfull and usefull; Hurtfull, if advantagiously placed it may prove as mortall, as a Poneyard; the life of the greatest man lying at the mercy of the meanest thing; Usefull, not onelyonly to fasten our ornaments, but fill up the c…ks betwixt our cloathes, lest wind and weather should shoot thorough them.
Many and very good of these are made in this County, a Commodity not to be slighted, since the very dust that falls from them is found profitable. We commonly say that it is not beneath a proper person to stoop to take up a Pin, untill he be worth Ten thousand pounds, according to the thrifty rule in Latine: Qui negligit minima nunquam ditescet. Such who admire, that so many millions of Pins, made, sold, used, and lost in England, should vanish away invisible, may rather wonder how so many that wear them, (being no more then Pins in the hand of their Maker,) doe decay, die, and slip-down in the dust, in silence and obscurity. I will adde, that the world is well altered with England, as to this Commodity, now exporting so much of them into forraign parts, whereas formerly *Idem ibide….Strangers have sould Pins in this land to the value of threescore thousand pound a year.
Medicinall Waters.
About a mile and a half from Knares-borough Westward, in a morish boggy ground ariseth a spring of a Vitrioline tast and Odour. It was discovered by one Master Slingsby, about the year 1620. and is conceived to run paralell with the Spaw waters in Germany.
Not far off, is a sulphur-well, which hath also the qualities of saltness and bitterness; The stench whereof though offensive, (Patients may hold their nose and take wholesome physick) is recompenced by the vertues thereof. Insomuch, (as my *Jo. French Doctor of Physick in his Yorkshire Spaw pag. 113.Author saith) It heateth and quickneth the stomack, bowels, liver, spleen, blood, veynes, nerves, and indeed the whole body, insomuch that it consumes crudities, rectifieth all cold distempers in all parts of the body, causeth a good digestion, cureth the dropsy, spleen, scurvy, green-sickness, gout. And here it is high time to hold still, for if this last be true, let that disease which formerly was called dedecus medicinae, be hereafter termed decus fontis Knaresburgensis.
In the same parish over against the Castle (the river Nid running betwixt) ariseth a spring which runneth a little way in an entire streame, till dammed at the brow of the discent with ragged rocks, it is divided into severall trickling branches, whereof some drop, some streame down, partly over, partly through a jetting rock, this is called the Petrifying well, (how grammatically I will not engage) because it converteth spungy substances into *Vide what I have form…ly write of wonders in Northamptonshire.stone, or crusteth them over round about.
We must not forget Saint Mungus his Well which some have slighted as an ineffectuall superstitious relique of Popery, whilst others maintain it hath regained its reputation, and is of Soveraign vertue. Some will have the name thereof mistaken, for Saint Magnus, which in my opinion was rather so called from Saint Mungo (Kentigernus in Latine) a Scotish Saint, and much honoured in these Northern parts. I believe no place in England can shew four springs so near in scituation, so distant in operation.
Such as desire to know more of the nature and use of these springs, of the time, manner and quantity, wherein the Waters are to be taken, and how the Patient is to be dieted for his greater advantage, may inform themselves by perusing two small Treatise, one set forth, Anno 1626. by Edmund Dean Doctor of Physick, living in York, called Spadsacrena Anglica. The other written some six years since by John French Doctor of Physick, and is very satisfactory on that subject.
The Buildings.
The Church of Beverly is much commended for a fine Fabrick, and I shall have a more proper occasion to speak hereafter of the Collegiate Church in Rippon, but amongst antient Civil Structures we mu… not forget,
Wrese… Castle.
It is sealed in the Confluence of Derwent and Owse. In what plight it is now I know not, but hear how Leland commendeth it in his Itinerary through this County. It is built of square stone, which some say was brought out of France, it hath four fair Towers, one at each corner, and a Gatehouse (wherein are Chambers five stories high,) which maketh the fifth. In Lelands time it looked as new built, though then 100. years old, as being erected by the Lord Percy Earl of Winchester, in the raign of King Richard the second. Without the Walls (but within the Mote,) gardens done Opere Topiario. In a word, he termeth it one of the properest buildings North of Trent.
But that which most affected him, was a study, in an eight square Tower, called Paradise, furnished with curious and convenient Deskes, loaden with variety of choice books; but as Noahs floud is generally believed of learned men, to have discomposed the Paradise in Eden, so I shrewdly suspect that the Deluge of time hath much impaired, if not wholly defaced, so beautifull a building, then belonging to the Earl of Northumberland. Amongst many fine and fair Houses now extant in this County, we hear the highest commendation of Maulton late the house of the Lord Euers.