A TALE OF TWO Swans.  
Wherein is comprehended the original and increase of the river Lee commonly called Ware-river: together, with the antiquity of sundry places and towns seated upon the same.  
PLEASANT TO BE READ, and not altogether unprofitable to be understood by W. V.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON.  
Printed by Roger Ward, for john Sheldrake. 1590.   

TO THE READER  
THe reasons be manifold (good reader) that moved me to publish this present Tale. First, that I might (in what I was able) illustrate or make better known to the world, my country or place of birth: to which (as Cicero saith) each man doth owe the third part of his life, & for which there is no good man, but will jeopard his life, adventure his safety, and hazard the dearest things he doth possess: neither yet was there ever any man so brutish, but rejoiceth to hear his country commended, and is delighted when he heareth the same well spoken off and praised: such is the affection that every man beareth to it: that Ovid expressing the same, said, he could not tell how it came to pass, nor whence it should proceed. His words be these: 
Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos  
Ducit, nec  Hence it came to pass that antiquity gave divine honour to such as had deserved well of their country: either in peace, by inventing something to the profit or wealth thereof: or in war, by adventring their bodies in defence thereof.  
Another reason was, that albeit neither my writing, nor other endeavour whatsoever, be able to perform any thing that might either beautify or adorn the places I speak of: Yet hereby I would animate, or encourage those worthy Poets, who have written Epithalamion Thamesis, to publish the same: I have seen it in Latene verse (in my judgement) well done, but the Author I know not for what reason doth suppress it: That which is written in English, though long since it was promised, yet is it not performed: so as it seemeth, some unhappy Star envieth the sight of so good a work: which once set abroad, such trifles as these would vanish, and be overshadowed, much like the Moon and other stars, which after the appearing of the Sun are not to be seen at all.  
Thirdly, being fully resolved to leave my country, I held best before my departure Cigneum aliquid canere: not unlike the Swans, who before their death do sing as Ovid, Virgil, Martial, Horace with all the poets do constantly affirm. The Philosophers say, it is because of the spirit labouring to pass thorough the long and small passage of her neck, makes a noise as if she did sing. Pythagoras did think their souls were immortal, and saith, how before their death, they rejoice and sing as going to a better life. The manner of their singing M. Thomas Watson in his Odes expresseth thus: 
Qualis ubi longo moerore Castrius ales confectus senio gravi. etc.  Which verses A. F. hath englished on this wise.  
Like to the silver Swan, who seeing death to be coming,  
wandereth alone for a while through streams of lovely Caister:  
Then to the flowering banks all faint at last he repairth,  
Singing there sweet bird, his dying song to Caister:  
giving there sweet bird, his last farewell to Caister:  
Yielding up, sweet bird, his breath and song to Caister.  
The last, and not the least motive was my friends request, whose importunate demand without breach of amity, I could not gainsay: to whom, as also to thy favourable construction (curtcous and friendly reader) I commit the same.  

JOHN TURNER of the work.  
TO tell a Tale, and tell the truth withal,  
To write of waters, and with th●…m of land.  
To tell of Rivers, where they rise and fall▪  
To tell where Cities, Towns and Castles stand.  
To tell their names both old and new,  
with oth●…r things that be most true.   

Argues a Tale that tendeth to some good.  
Argues a Tale that hath in it some reason.  
Argues a Tale, if it be understood,  
As look the like, and you shall find it geason.  
If when you read, you find it so,  
Commend the work and let it go.   
I. T.   

A TALE OF TWO SWANS.  

WHen nature nurse of every living thing,  
Had clad her charge in brave and new array:  
The hills rejoiced to see themselves so fine:  
The fields, and woods grew proud thereof also:  
The meadows with their party coloured coats,  
Like to the Rainbow in the azur'd sky,  
Gave just occasion to the cheerful birds,  
With sweetest note, to sing their nurse's praise▪  
Among the which, the merry Nightingale  
With sweet and sweet, (her breast against a thorn)  
Rings out all night the never ceasing lands  
of God, the author of her nurse and all.   

About this time, the Lady Venus viewed,  
The fruitful fields of Hartfordshire:  
And saw the river, and the meads thereof  
Fit for to breed her birds of greatest prize.  
She calls in haste for winged Mercury,  
And sends him to Cayster, silver stream:  
Fetch me (saith he) two cygnets of the best,  
And in the Land, hard by the park of Ware,  
Where Fanshawe builds for his succeeding race,  
Thy speedy coming I will there await.  
The messenger of all the heavenly court,  
Makes haste away to do his mistress quest:  
And from the brood two cygnets of esteem  
He sleely takes, unseen of any swans,  
Which in that river be so plentiful.   

To Ware he comes, and to the Launde he flies,  
Where Venus, like the Goddess of great Love,  
Sat lovely by the running river side,  
Tuning her Lute unto the waters fall,  
Wherewith she did record the love and arms  
Of mighty Mars, the God of dreadful war.   

The present come, she layeth down her Lute,  
And takes these cygnets of so great esteem,  
Throwing them both into her river Lee:  
And posted strait up, to the throne of jove,  
Where lovely, like to very love itself,  
She set herself, upon her yielding knee,  
And craves of him but only this request,  
That her two Swans might prosper in the stream,  
And rule the rest, as worthy King and Queen.   

The mighty jove, unwilling to deny  
His daughter's suit, for fear of further ill,  
Grants her request: and more to pleasure her,  
Saith, that these two so fruitful shall become,  
That all the Swans, yea, the very Thames  
Shall be replenished with their princely race.  
Venus' yields thanks, and hastes herself away,  
To mount Troclya, where she took her rest.   

Long lived these Swans in Lee, with great increase  
Of honour, royalty, and in high estate:  
Enriched with issue of the fairest breed,  
That lives in Severne, Humber or in Trent,  
The chiefest floods that water English ground.  
Three times had Venus used them for to draw  
Her ivory Chariot, through the lofty air.  
A special favour (as the Poets say)  
Granted to such, as she holds in account.   

Now as these Swans began to waxed old,  
As time out wears each creature that doth live:  
It pleased them to send throughout their realm,  
For all their subjects of the highest blood:  
With full intent to make a progress clean,  
Throughout their land to see the bounds thereof,  
And every brook that harbours any Swan,  
With all the Isles that unto them belong.  
No sooner was this message known abroad,  
But there resorted to their being place,  
Such troops of milk-white swans, as well beseemed  
The royal state of two such princes great.  
Among which troops, the King and Queen made choice  
Of forty swans of high and royal blood,  
For to attend upon their Majesties.  
Then look how Cynthia with her silver rays,  
Exceeds the brightness of the lesser stars,  
When in her chiefest pomp she hasteth down,  
To steal a kiss from drowsy Endymion:  
So do these princes far excel in state,  
The swans that breed within Europa's bounds.   

And in this pomp, they hie them to the head,  
Whence Lee doth spring, not far from Kempton town,  
And swiftly coming down through Brooke-hall park,  
Leaves Whethamsted, so called of the corn:  
By Bishops-Hatfield than they come along,  
Seated not far from ancient Verolane:  
His City, that first did spend his blessed life,  
In just maintaining of our Christian faith.   

When they had past Harting fordbury town, 
The first arm of increase.   
A quite contrary course they do find out:  
And though it were some labour 'gainst the stream,  
To trace this River, feeding crystal Lee:  
Yet worthily they hold their first resolve,  
And up by Tewing, wide of Butler's house,  
To Digswell haste, where Horsley dwelled of late:  
And then to Welwine, passing well beknowne,  
And noted for a worthy stratagem:  
I meame the Danes, who on S. Bryces night,  
Were stoutly murdered by their women foes:  
To Whitwell short, whereof doth burbling rise  
The spring; that makes this little river run.   

Thence back again unto the chiefest town;  
Of all the shire, and greatest of account,  
Defended with a Castle of some strength,  
Well walled, dyched, and amended late,  
By her, the only mirror of the world,  
Our gracious Queen and Prince ELIZABETH.   

Not far from hence, stands many a milkewhite Swan,  
Attending for to entertain their Prince:  
Among the which, was one of chief account,  
That busked up his wings in greatest pride,  
And so salutes this worthy company:  
And with a speech that well did him beseem,  
He tells how that near Walkhorne Capulets seat,  
The Bene doth rise, and gives his proper name 
The second.   
To B●…gton, and so to Watton runs:  
And then by Staplef●…rd, to Beneghoo here,  
Where we, with all the swans and cygnets both,  
That live in Bene, do rest at your command.  
Right graciously the Princes took his speech:  
And so departed towards Edward's Ware,  
But ere they come unto the Mead●… or Land,  
Where Venus first did put them in estate,  
They passed up a river of good depth, 
The third.   
The greatest branch that feedeth crystal Lee:  
With speedy pace (as swans do use to swim)  
They pass to Wadesmill, and to Thundrich Church,  
And so to Standon, honoured with the house  
Of worthy Saddler Knight, and Counsellor  
To all the children of King Henry seventh:  
Whose son surviving, holds the very path,  
That leads to virtue and to honour's throne.  
By Puckhridge likewise they do swif●…y pass:  
And so to Hornemeade more and less, and then  
To With●…hall, to Buckland and to Barckway both,  
Where is the head and very utmost bound  
Of this surpassing clear and goodly stream.   

Returning back again, the company  
Were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉?  
And this was done lest that 〈◊〉  
They should pass by the guested town of 〈◊〉▪  
Thus ordered, they come by 〈◊〉 house,  
That whilom was the ●…rothers 〈◊〉 place.  
Then by the Crown, and all the 〈◊〉 of Ware.  
And so approaching to the late built bridge,  
They see the barges lading malt 〈◊〉▪  
And people wondering at so great a troup:  
Among the which, a man whose 〈◊〉 hears  
Seemed to excel the whiteness of the rest,  
Bespoke them thus.   

Long have I lived, and by this bridge was bo●…e,  
Yet never saw I such a company:  
So well beseen, so ordered, and so fair:  
Nay (as I think) the age that is by past,  
Nor yet the same that after shall in●…  
Never beheld, nor looked upon the like,  
The people listened to this aged man,  
As one they loved, and held in 〈◊〉. 
A ri●… let or rill.    

And as they stood, behold a sudden 〈◊〉▪  
From Southside of the bridge, hard by the same,  
Two goodly Swans, with cygnets full fifteen  
Presents themselves, and theirs unto the Prince:  
Excusing well their slackness, and offence  
In not appearing at their first command.  
The Queen beholding such a goodly brood,  
Received them all, and pardoned every miss:  
Demanding where they used▪ and all their state,  
After a beck in sign of humble thanks,  
The Cock made answer with a modest grace.   

A place there is, not far from hence (O king)  
A chalky hill, beneath the same a hole,  
Called Chadwell head, whence issues out 〈◊〉 strea●…e,  
That runs behind broad Mead that you see here:  
A little rill, yet great enough for us,  
And these our breed, yet (gracious Prince) 〈◊〉  
A tale there is delivered unto us  
From hand to hand, how that a hunted duck,  
Diving within this Chalk-well head or hole,  
Was forced underneath the hollow ground  
To swim along by ways that be unknown:  
And afterward at Amwell spring (they say)  
Was taken up all fetherlesse and bare.   

The King and Lords took pleasure at the tale:  
And so made haste quite through the arched bridge,  
To Amwell, when they easily did espy  
The spring and rill that comes out of the hill: 
The fifth.   
And is supposed to rise at Chadwell head.   

Beneath the same comes down a little stream  
That fosters swans, and comes from Haddam small:  
And so by Haddam, where the Bishop's house  
Hath been of long, and so to Wydford town: 
The sixth.   
And here at Amwell falls into the river Lee.   

Then troops this train to Stanstead, called Le Thele,  
And Stanstead where as Bashe did lately build,  
Whose son yields hope of virtue worth the place,  
And livings which his father purchased him.   

And here again out of the kingly stream  
They pass by Raydon through little Estwyke quite: 
The seventh.   
Then they salute Hunsdon the nursery  
And foster house of thrice renowned swans:  
Whose honour, and whose noble progeny  
Gives glory to that honourable house:  
Lord, how they live all glorious as the sun,  
With types, and titles fit for their degree,  
As kinsmen to our most redoubted Queen,  
And men of high desert unto the state.   

From hence to Sapsford, and to Starford, called  
The Bishops: then to Farnam and to Maundes,  
And so to Clauering, where it riseth first,  
And then comes down again into the Lee.   

From S●…sted unto Hodsden go these swans,  
From 〈◊〉 to Broxborne, and to Wormley wood  
And so salute the holy house of Nuns,  
That late belonged to captain Edward Dennie,  
A knight in Ireland of the best account  
Who late made execution on our foes, 
1588.   
I mean of spaniards, that with open arms  
Attempted both against our Queen and us:  
There now lord Talbot keeps a noble house:   

Now see these swans the new and worthy seat  
Of famous Cicill, treasoror of the land, 
Thebals.   
Whose wisdom, counsel, skill of Prince's state  
The world admires, than swans may do the same:  
The house itself doth show the owner's wit,  
And may for beauty, state, and every thing,  
Compared be with most within the land.   

Down all along through Waltham street they pass,  
And wonder at the ruins of the Abbay,  
Late suppressed, the walls, the walks, the monuments,  
And every thing that there is to be seen:  
Among them all a rare devise they see,  
But newly made, a waterworke: the lock  
Through which the boats of Ware do pass with malt,  
This lock contains two double doors of wood,  
Within the same a Cistern all of plank,  
Which only fills when boats come there to pass  
By opening any of these mighty doors with sleight,  
And strange devise, but now decayed sore.  
And as they stayed here, thy chanced to see  
The stately cross of Elinor, Henry's wife.  
Then Enfield house that longs unto our Queen,  
They all behold, and with due reverence  
Salute the same.   

From hence by Hackney, Leyton, and old-Foord,  
They come to Stratford, called also the Bow:  
And underneath the bridge that thwarts the stream  
And parts the shires of Middle sex, and E●●●● both▪  
At last (though long and weary was the 〈…〉  
They come unto the mouth of river Lee  
Where all the swans of that part of the Th●●●  
Attend to see this royal company:  
So that from Woolwich to Blackwall was seen  
Nor water, nor the meadows thereabout▪  
For look how in a frosty night or day.  
When Snow hath fallen thick upon the ground,  
Each gazing eye is dazzled with the sight,  
So Lillie-white was land and strand beseen  
With these fair swans, the birds of lovely love.   

After a noise in sign of passing joy,  
A Swain of Thames invites the King and Queen  
Upon a day prefixed, to see and celebrate  
The marriage of two Rivers of great name.  
Which granted, every one departs his way,  
The King and Queen again into their Lee:  
Where yet they live 〈…〉 and happy state,  
Or if not so, they die 〈…〉 ate.   
FINIS.   

A COMMENTARY OR EXPOsition of certain proper names used in this Tale.  
HArtfoord-shire: so called of the town. 
Hartfoord.  King Alfred was the first that divided this Land into Shires, Hundreds, 〈◊〉 Te●…, ●…hereby he repressed the ●…ges and ●…s which the English men (following therein the Danes) committed one upon another. He appointed that every man should 〈◊〉 in some hundred or tenth, and if he were accused of any offence, if he found not in his hundred or tenth a sucr●…ie or pledge for hunself, he was grievously punished: hereby he brought to pass, that hanging golden bracelets by cros-ways, there was none du●…st steal or take them away. This Shire aboundeth in p●…enty of corn, pasture, meadows, water and woods: and hath 〈◊〉 120 Parishes.  
Lee, called also Lygan, Lygean and Luy. 
Lee. Caister.   
Caister. A river in Boetia, where is supposed the ●…airest and largest Swans do breed.  
Fanshaw. One of the remembrancers of her majesties court 
〈◊〉.  of ●…er 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…er, and one that especially tendereth the 〈◊〉 of Ware, whereof he hath purchased the Lordship.  
Ware. ●…ded in the year of our Lo●…d 914. by R. Edward 
Ware.  the son of R. Alred. This town since th●… 〈◊〉 the●…eof, hath greatly increased, and by procuring to themselves the free passage of their bridge, greatly hindered the Shire-towne of Hartford: For in old time the bridge was chained and kept by the Bailiff of Hartford, but in the time of King john, when the Barons warred one against another, and against the King himself. The townsmen trusting to their Lord Wake, broke the chain, and have ever since enjoyed their passage, whereby it is greatly increased, and is likely still to do aswell, for that by means of the Lord Treasaurer, the river is made passable for boats and barges, as also through the diligence of the Townsmen, who, with help of M. Fanshaw have erected a new market house, with intent to procure certain Fairs to be held there yearly. The Bridge was re-edified lately, and the arches made of stone at the charges, viz. 140. pounds given by her Majesty. The rest by the town and Country.  
Thames, the chiefest river of England: the name is derived 
Thames.  of Tame and Isis, which rising in Gloucestershire, runneth to the town of Ta●…e, where joining together, they make the Thames, whereof read Leland or M. Harison in his description of Britain.  
Severne, a river that arriseth in Wales, passeth by Mountgomery, 
Severne,  Shrewsburie, Brydgenorth, Bewdly, Worcester▪ Gloucester, and Bristol: it parteth Wales and the West country, and falleth into the sea betwixt Mylford haven and Padstow: The course of this River, as also the rest require a special treatise,  
Humber, or rather Hull, falleth into the Sea at Rauenspur, 
Hum●…er,  and ariseth out of sundry Rivers, whose confluence make a mighty water▪ etc.  
Trent is one of the most excellent rivers in England, and 
Trent.  as M. Harison saith, increased with so many Waters, as it seemeth, it may becompared with Severne or Owse●…, of which River, whosoever is desirous to see or read more, may find the same in M. Harisons works, and therefore I omit to speak further of it.  
Cynthia, the Moon.  
Endymion, a shepherd, who (as the Poets feign) was cast 
Cynthia,  a sleep upon the hill Latmos an hundred years by the Moon, to the intent she might enjoy his love.  
Uerolane, called by Antonine, Uerolanium, of Tacitus, Uerulanium, of Ptolemy, Uerolanium: The Sarons called it 
Verolane.  Watlingchester of the highway called Watlingstreete, & Werlanchester of the river Werlam that ran by it. And yet it's called Verulam, albeit there be nothing left but the ruins and rubbish of the walls. It hath been a city in old time of great and especial account, well walled, and defended with a great fishing pond, which well near did compass it. There is yet to be seen (as M. Camden saith) ancient coin with this inscription, Tasc Verul: which Doctor powel interpreteth to be Tributum Verulamij for Tasc in welsh signifieth tribute, and Tascia a tribute penny. This city was greatly distressed in the time of Nero the Emperor, by the wars which Bundwica the Queen made against the Romans, as may easily appear to such as be any thing at all conversant in reading the Roman histories: yet did it flourish again, and continued in good estate, and among other things famous, for bringing forth to the world, Albon the Prothomartir, or first martyr of this land, of whom M. Gerard Leigh in his accidence of armory writeth. Albon was knight of the Bath, and Lord of Uerolane, now called Saint Albon: who in his youth, for the honour of this realm made a royal challenge of Iustes at Rome, and did there other Knightly disports in Armour, where he had only the prize, and was made Knight by Dyoclesian then Emperor of Rome, who had this Realm then in subjection.  
This Albon was Prince of Knights, and sovereign Steward of Britain's: and after was converted to the faith of Christ by Amphybalus that holy Knight, who went to Rome with Bassianus the Son of Severus in the company of 1500 of the chief Lords sons of Britain and Cornwall, where Zepherinus then Bishop, privily instructed him in the faith of Christ, which, at his return, he taught to Albon in such sort, that openly professing the same, they were in the time of the 〈◊〉 D●…sian ●…th martyred. Whereof you may read in G●…ldas and Bede. After this, the City was yet in good estate, until the time of the 〈◊〉, when Oct●… and Oesa taking it for their refuge, were besieged by Uther Pendragon, w●… broke the ●…es and defaced it. A●…ter this, by L●…tle and Little it lang●…shed, so that it became a deane or harbour of thieves and 〈◊〉 until King Offa, about the year of our Lord 793. ●…ded an A●…ey in honour of S. A bon, in a place called 〈◊〉: hencefo●…rth the old city decayed, and S. A●…bons flourished. And Alfricke the seventh Abbot of the house, bought the fishing pond of the King: and for that the Fishermen daily endo●…aged the religious people, it was with great ●…st dray●…ed, & made dry. There remaineth at this day a street in S. Albon, called Fishpo●…le street: and for that there hath been fou●…d about the City, AAnchors keles of beats, old nails and such trash, some have supposed the Thames to have run that way, which error grew by corruption of Gyldas book, where he mentioneth of S. Albon's death: but it is not so: but hear what ancient records do testify concerning the same.  
In the tune of K●…ng Edgar, when Aegelred was Abbot, he caused the ruins of Verolane to be searched, the vaults to be uncovered, and the pavements to be digged up: where he found Pillars, pieces of antic work, thresholds, door-frames, pillars for windows of fine masonry work, some of Porphyrte, some Touch, some Alabaster, all which were verte convenient for his purpose: beside, he found sockets of Lattyn, and of brass, with divers other things which he reserved towards the foundation of a new abbey, which he intended to build. But being prevented by death, Edmerus his successor digged again, and found Idols, Altars richly covered, jugs and cruses wi●…h puts, some of wood, some stone, and some gold, artificially wr●…ught and ca●…ed. And proceeding farther, he found pots of gold, silver, and some of brass, some with coin, and some with bones and ashes of such as have been burned or buried: all which were reseru●…d, and the mettles melted, and kept for this new▪ 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 at last 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 great store of ●…ges and ●…old p●…leges, and the new town of S. Albon's daily more and more increased, famous as well for the 〈◊〉, as also for two not●…ble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fought there, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 betwixt the two great h●…uses of York●… and 〈◊〉: Thus much of Vero●…ne whereof more might be said, which for 〈◊〉 sa●… 〈◊〉.  
Bishop●… Hatfield or Hethfield. john Morton bishop of Ely 
Bishops Hatfield, o●… Hethfield H●…don.  builded there a house which now belongeth to her 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Leland▪ 〈◊〉 belonged once to th●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ber●…yers from the●… to the Howards, Th●…. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 suspect●…g that a tow●… of the house would ●…all by reason of the height, took down a part thereof. And king Henry the eight making an exchange with the Duke, newly reed●…ed the house sinc●… whose time it is hon●…red with the title of a Bar●…, which Henry Cary, Lord Chamberlain of her Muest●… household, ●…efetenant of Norfolk and Suffolk, and Captain of Barwike at this day enjoyeth.  
Hartford called by Antonine & the Romans, Durocobrivas, 
Hartfoord.  the 〈◊〉 or Wel●…en call●…ed wa●…er Du●… Co●…, & Briva, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them as also 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth over the water, as Briua Odera, Briva I●…ara which signify passages over rivers of the same name. The Saxons called it Herudford as in one book remaining with john Stowe (a diligent ●…earcher and ●…reseruer of anti●…ties, it is written H●…ford. Bed●… in the fourth book of his 〈◊〉 history ●…neth how Theodorus Archbishop of Canterb●… held 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or pro●…ciall counsel at Herudford, Anno. 670. but now it is corruptly (as I think) called Hartford, which Leland interpreteth Cer●… vad●… the toord of 〈◊〉 it hath 〈◊〉 in old time of good account, as well by 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 also, of the 〈◊〉 the castle was 〈◊〉 first by Ed●…ard 〈◊〉 in the ninth year of his rage as Henry Hun●…gton saith, whose words 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 Anno. 〈◊〉 sui construx●… H●…refordium castrum no●… 〈◊〉 sed pulcheri●…um tamen inter 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉, & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sed clarissima tamen. This castle hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Clares, and then by the Dukes of Lancaster, for Roger de Clare in Henry the second his time was created Earl of Hartford. And Robert Fitzwalter that came of the same house in king Steuens time did boldly affirm that the keeping of the Castle did of right belong unto him: Henry the third gave the Castle with the honour belonging to it to William Ualence Earl of Penbroke, Anno. 1247. After it fell to the Dukes of Lancaster, who used to lodge at it very often. In the year of our Lord 1357, the Queen of Scots, sister to king Edward the third departed this life, lying at Hartford with her sister in law, the Queen of England, and in the year 1458 for a fray made in Fleetestreet in London, the king sent the principals of Clifford, Furnivall, and Barnard's In, as prisoners to Hartford castle. King Henry the sixth used often to keep his Christmas there: and to conclude, king Edward the sixth was nursed and schooled there.  
The priory was builded by Ralph Lord Lymesoy, who came into England with William the Conqueror, and was (as the Monks reported) his sister's son.  
The townsmen of late have procured to themselves a new corporation, and have on the Saturday a good market and every year three fairs. In Edward the 3. time, as I have seen in an old record, they had two markets in the week and but two fairs.  
In the time of Henry the eight viz. 1507 there was a paper Mill at Hartford, and belonged to john Tate, whose father was Mayor of London.  
Waltham, a market town: the Abbay was builded by king Harold, who shortly after he had built it was slain by 
Waltham  William the conqueror, his mother with great and earnest si●…e obtained his body, and intoumbed the same in the Abbay.  
Aelners' Cross commonly called Waltham cross. K. Henry the first set it up in memory of his wife (who died in Lincolnshire) 
A●…lnors Crosse.  and wheresoever her body was carried, there he erected a cross with the arms of England, Castille and Pontoys, given ●…n the same, of which the cross in Cheap, and Charing cross be two of the fairest.   

TO HIS BELOVED FATHER JOHN Valans, W. U. wisheth the grace of God with health and prosperity.  
THe duty (dear Father) I own unto you, the regard of my promise, together with the remembrance of your reasonable request, do not a little move me to write a few words concerning the matter whereof, at my being with you last, we●…th certain of our friends talked, A●… 〈◊〉 am well assured that you re●…member what a stir N. B. kept, when I said that shippe●… had been at Ware, affirming, how it was unpossible that that river which but of late was scarce able to bear a small whyrrie, should in times past bear: big and mighty ships. Truly his words were many & great, but his reasons were small. And since that, at that time I promised to send you in a letter a plain and evident proof of those words which there I uttered, I doubt not but in these few lines fully to satisfy, not only your request, but also your mind, and confirm you in that opinion which few men (unless such as be altogether ignorant of the matter, and of the place) will deny. And for so much as the cause for which the ships went thither, and what they did there, then will I plainly prove both by authority and examples, that it is likey that they were ther. last, I will (as my promise was) show you about what time and by whom Ware was builded.  

That Ships have been at Ware  
THe Danes (who as Polidor Virgil saith) dwelled in old time beyond Ister, but now be they inhabitants of the German Ocean or Denmark, perceiving how that their Country was overmuch pressed with the great multitude of people that in habited the same, determined to subdue the land, to drive out the Englishmen, and to plant themselves and th●…ir posterity for ever 〈◊〉 the same: for performing and accomplishing. whereof, they armed great store of chosen soldiers: who about the year 832. in 34. ships entered the river of Thames, landed by great force, spoiled, fired, & wasted the country so far, that Egbert who then was king of the more part of England, was fame with an host of men to secure and relieve h●…s d●…stressed subjects. But such was the will of God for the punishment of sin that then was rise, that the king joining battle with the Danes, was by them discomfited and put to flight. After this batt●…ile, the Danes were so encouraged, that they 〈◊〉 out of the●…e country like f●…armes of Bees, 〈◊〉 that if 〈◊〉 one week there were five thousand of thei●… 〈◊〉, yet in the work following there would come eight thousand more to supply their rooms. They were oftentime discomfited, and the greater part of them driven b●…ke by divers ●…akant kings and princes, bu●… yet by reason of their often arrival, therr force was still increased and maintained. One while they arrived in one place, & then in another, spoiling, burning, & killing all they could come by. I●… were too long to tell, and very grievous it is to think how religion was decayed, learning forgotten, all parts & quarters of the Realm wasted and spoiled: how cities, towns, churches, abbe●…s & religious ●…ouses were consumed with fire & flame, how miserably the Commons were afflicted, how pitifully men, women and children, and all forts of people went to wrack, how wonderfully the kings themselves were amazed, the con●…ing of their enemies being both sudden and violent: how cr●…elly fire and sword, famine and death raged thorough out the land heaven and earth intending as it were the fatal destruction and utter dcay of the realm. This misery continued the space of 300 and ddde years, within which years, namely about the year of our Lord 217 the 23 year of King▪ alfred's r●…ns a great army of Danes having received an overthrow at a place ca●…ed Bu●…tington beside Sevethe, fled into east England, and there wintered, and prepared a great host again out of Northumberland and other places, leaving there their wives and children, together with their money, ships and munition, in east England, and with great speed got to the City of 〈◊〉 (which at that ●…e was de●…late, the inhab●…tes having for fear of the Danes forsa●…en it) or ever king Alfred & Ethered the under king with their armies could overtake the●…. And yet such was the 〈◊〉 that king Alfred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this purs●…, that or ever his enem●…es had 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉, he w●…th h●…s company took a great deal of their c●…riage with all the booties of 〈◊〉 and other things that they in their journey by robbing and spoiling had obtained and driven away. He also besieged the city two or three days, but perce●…uing it would finally avail, he was fa●…ne (a grievous thing to hear) to burn up the greatest pate of the corn that grew there abouts and bestow the rest amongst his horses, lest his enemies should have the fruit and commodity thereof. The Danes perceiving that, and seeing there was nothing left whereof they might live in those parts, departed from thence, and in great has●…e got them to north Wales, where they spoiled and hartied the country far and near, driving away great booties of Cartel, and caring with them rich spoils. From hence they departed And because for fear of the Mercians they durst not travail that way, they coasted along the country till they came to Northumberland, and so through middle England, taking the●… ships their w●…ues & children out of cast England with them, they arrived at a little Island sc●…uate in the Sea, in the east part of Essex called Merseyge. From thence they departed and came into the river of Thames, and seeing that Winter was now at hand, they drew or rowed their ships up the river Lygean. And twenty miles from London they began to build a Fort, which being finished, they tarried there all that winter, spoiling, robbing and burning those quarters without mercy. When Winter was past, a great part of the Citizens of London, with those that inhabited near thereabouts travailed thither, and by force minded to break down the Fort or munition which they had there builded. But the Danes stoutly resisted them, and not far from the place gave them a sharp battle, where the Christians were put to flight, and four of King alfred's men were slain.  
Thus the pagan or heathen Danes remained Lords or masters of those quarters, compelling the husbandmen to ear and till the ground, meaning themselves to reap the commodity of it. But the good King Alfred, who always was careful for the welfare of his subjects, gathered an army, and before harvest time pitched his tents near to the place of their abode. By whose coming, the enemies were so afraid, that they durst not once peep out of their hold to fetch either cattle or corn out of the fields by force. In this space, it happened on a time, as the King road alongst by the river side, he viewed the water, and perceived how that in some places of it, the channel might easily be stopped, and the stream made less. Whereupon he (as Huntingdon writeth) caused it to be cut into three several branches or arms: but howsoever it was, he so weakened the stream, that the Danes could not bring back their ships the same way they came. Which thing the Danes perceiving, and knowing well it was in vain for them to abide any longer there, they left their Ships, and fled by land as fast as they could to Quatbridge, sending their wives and children again into east England. After this the king departed, and the Londoners and Countrymen seeing the Danes were gone, burst down their Holde●…, and got some of their ships back again to London, and the rest they burned and broke all to pieces.  
But here peradventure you will ask me, how I should come by the knowledge of these things, being done so many hundred years ago. To this I answer, that in things that were done long before any man that is now living can remember, we must credit that our Fathers have committed to writing concerning the same. And in my opinion, the nearer the reporter liveth to those times in which the things he speaketh or writeth of were done, the more credit is to be given to him.  
And as concerning this matter, it is confirmed by the report of a very ancient, reverent and and learned Writer, namely Asserus Menevensis, Bishop of Saint Davies, that lived in the very self same time when these things were done, and Maryanus Scotus who lived and wrote a chronicle at least 500 years ago, as Florentinus a Monk of Worcester, who continued it, doth witness and declare. Besides divers others of great antiquity and credit as Henry of Huntingdon, Matthew of Westminster, and many more, who d●…e all confirm that which is before declared. Besides there remaineth yet the ruins of an old Castle or Fort between Hartford Castle and the Mill, which I do undoubtedly believe was the very self same Fort that the Danes builded.  
Moreover, O. Cross did credibly en●…rine me that at the building of Stansted bridge, there were found within the river, pieces of broken ships or Craets, nails and other things which seemed to belong to some great ships or vessels. All which things considered, together with the parting of the stream before remembered, me thinks should be sufficient to confirm your mind, and cause you to believe that there have been ships at Ware and Hartford.  
Hereunto may be added that it was a common use of the Danes to row or draw up their ships into some smaller creak or river where that they might ride all winter with least danger. And time worketh some alteration both by water and by land, that where great rivers did sometimes run, now it is utterly dry, and in stead of main waters we have goodly & flourishing Meads. And in like sort, where goodly cities and castles some times did stand, there now groweth corn. For examples of this we need not seek far, since that in London not above 277. years ago namely in the year of our Lord 1300. when Henry Waleys was Mayor of the city there ran a river through Walbrook with two bridges over it, whereof William jordan and john de Beaver were masters and governors. What is become of the river Wer. that ran by S. Albon of which the great city that in old time stood there, took the name and was called Werlamchester, whereof Leland in his commentaries maketh mention, concerning cities the diligent reader of chronicles shall meet with the names of many, of which there is at this day no rubbish nor ruin to be seen, as Andres Chester▪ that stood in Sussex on the edge of the great wood called Andreds' weal of I●…hancester, that stood in the 〈◊〉 Panta i●… Essex; 〈◊〉 of in●…nite ●…e, of which as I said, ther●… is left n●… t●…ken, but as the Poet saith Est 〈◊〉 vb●… 〈◊〉. Thus have you heard (dear father) both the doings of the Danes not only in Engl▪ ●…ut ●…lso what they made in those 〈◊〉 of the ●…d whereof ●…e talked, and where you dwell. There 〈◊〉 now to write 〈◊〉 ●…ou as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, how k●…g 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 Ware was built, ●…nd in what ●…ges d●…ies the same was ●…e, of which I 〈◊〉 to say no more than that which hath been already written by such as have in their histories and chro●…les made me●…tion o●… s●…h 〈◊〉 as were builded by king Edward 〈◊〉 aboute●…; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I cannot but much mislik●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that affirm that the town of Hartford was 〈◊〉 by king Edward the ●…rst before the conquest: Seem●… 〈◊〉 by the very words of Huntingdon it appeareth that it was ●…ut the Castle that he builded, for we read in Beda his histo●…y 〈◊〉 a counsel of Bishops that was b●… at Hartford l●…g bef●… Edward's time, this castle I mean of Hartford was builded 〈◊〉 the year of our Lord ●…12, by Edward the s●…e of king Al●…, and two years after he builded a tow●…e ●…n the North 〈◊〉 of Lee which is the same th●…t I do take 〈◊〉 be Ware and w●…s in hand when Witham in Essex was also beg●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye●…res since. Thus much (father) for this time. I thoug●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unto you concerning this matter; ●…thing doub●… bu●… 〈◊〉 hereafter when all things be finished that by 〈◊〉 of the Lord Treasurer, master Fanshaw and other 〈◊〉 m●… 〈◊〉 in hard for the amendment and sc●…ing 〈◊〉 river, you and I both shall see, though not ships, yet 〈◊〉 b●…g boats and vessels pass too and fro betw●…xt London 〈◊〉 Ware to the commodity and profit of the whole country, wh●…h God grant.  
Your obedient son W. Vallans,   
FINIS.