The History of the Worthies of England, County 8
GLAMORGAN-SHIRE.
GLAMORGAN-SHIRE hath the Severn Sea on t…e South, Carmarthen on the West, Brecknock on the North, Monmouth-shire (severed by the River Remney falling from the Mountains, which in the Brit…sh Tongue signifieth, to drive) on the East thereof. The North of this County is so full of Mountains, that almost nothing is to be had, the South is so fruitful a Valley, nothing at all is wanting therein. Indeed it is the Garden of Wales, and I am informed, that at Saint Donats in this Shire (an ancient house of the right Worshipful Family of the Stradlings) groweth as good fruit, and as soon ripe as in any part of England.
Mr. Cambden will have it so called (though others affirm one Morgan a Prince thereof gave his name thereunto) from Mor the British word for the Sea, as agreeing … its scituation.
Wonders.
Giraldus Cambrensis reports that in the Island Barrey (termed so from Baruch an Holy man that was there buried) three miles from the mouth of Taff, there appeareth a chink in a Rock or Cliff, to which if you lay your ear, you may easily discover a noise, not altogether unlike to Smiths at work, one while blowing of the Bellows, another while striking of the Hammer, the grinding of Iron Tools, the hissing of Steel Gads, yea the puffing noise of Fire in a Furnace. I must confess my self at a loss for the reason thereof; for it cannot proceed from the close stealing in of the Sea water (as some have supposed) seeing the same noise continueth even at a low Ebb, when the Sea is departed.
There is also at Newton on the bank of Ogmore west-ward, a Well, the water whereof is so low at the flowing of the Sea in Summer, you can scarce get up a dish full of the same; whereas at the ebb thereof you may easily recover a pail or bucket full. *In … … in this County.Mr. Cambden doubting of the truth, made his own eyes Witnesses herein, finding it true according to the common relation, adding withall that it is the same (thoughnot so discernable by reason of the accession of much rain water) in Winter.
Civilians.
Sir EDWARD CARNE is here placed with confidence, because assured to be a *Camb. …. Anno 1559.Welsh-man, and I find his Family flourishing at †Gwillims ….Wenny in this County. He was bred (I believe in Oxford) Doctor of the Civil Law, and was *Camb. Eliz. Anno 1561.Knighted by Charles the fifth, Emperor.
The first publick service he eminently appeared in was, when King Henry the eight having intelligence of the Popes intention, shortly to cite him to appear at Rome, either in Person or Proxie, d…spatched him thither for his *Lord Herbert in the life of K. Hen. 8.Excusator, to remonstrate that his Grace was not bound by Law so to appear.
This he effectually performed, pleading, that the Emperor was so powerful at Rome, that he could not expect Justice; declaring, that unless they desisted, he must appeal thence to the able men in some indifferent Universities; and if this were refused, he protested a nullity in all that they did. A behaviour which spake him of no less Valour than Ability.
Queen Mary highly prized him, and no whit the less, for his cordial appearing for King Henry in the matter of her Mothers Divorce, imputing it to the discharge of his C…edit and Calling, in him who otherwise was a thorow paced Romanist, and whom she employed her Embassador to the Pope.
After her death he still resided at Rome, and by command from Queen Elizabeth, repaired to Pope Paul the fourth, to give him an account, that his Mistress was called to the Crown of England. To whom the *Hist. Council of Trent. lib. 5. 1558.Pope returned, That England was a Fee of the Church of Rome, and that she could not succeed as Illegitimate. A str…nge reply …o a civil Message, and fitting his mouth with whom it was a usual saying, *Ibid. Paulo ante eod.That he would have no Prince in his Compagnion, but all Subject under his Foot.
Besides, he commanded Sir Edward Carne, to lay down the Office of an Embassador, and under the pain of the greater *C…mb. E…iz. A…no 1559.Excommunication, and confiscation of all his goods, not to go out of the City, but to take on him the Regiment of the English Hospital therein. So that I see not how Queen Elizabeth can be taxed by the Papists for a Schismatick, and wilful breach from the Church of Rome, being thrust away thence by the Pope himself, so barbarously treating her Embassador (whilest as yet she had made no alteration in Religion) against the Law of Nations; though I confess, some conceive, that the crafty old Knight was (such his addiction to Popery) well contented with his restraint, wherein he died, 1561.
The Farewell.
I heartily congratulate the return of the Name (and with it of the See) to Landaff in this County. Sure I am, our Civil Wars had deprived it of the better moity of its appellation Land, leaving bare aff, thereunto. I am not Ignorant that Landaff, in British, is the Church by Taff, though that Church I fear will not stand long that hath lost its ground. Happy therefore is it, that now Landaff may be truly termed Landaff, having through Gods goodness, (and long may it possess them) regained its ancient Lands and Revenues.