THE HISTORY Of the Principality of WALES: In Three Parts: Containing, 

I. A brief Account of the Ancient Kings and Princes of Britain and Wales till the final Extinguishing of the Royal British Line.  
II. Remarks upon the Lives of all the Princes of Wales, of the Royal Families of England, from K. Edward the First to this Time.  
III. Remarkable Observations on the most Memorable Persons & Places in Wales, & of many considerable Transactions & Passages that have happened therein for many hundred years past.   Together with the Natural and Artificial Rarities and Wonders in the several Counties of that Principality.  
By R. B.  
LONDON, Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside. 1695.   


john the French King taken Prisoner by Edward the Black Prince of Wales at the Battle of Poitiers in France  F.H. van. Hove. Sculp   

To the READER.  
IN a small Tract formerly published, Entitled; Admirable Curiosities, Rarities and Wonders in every County in England, I added at the end some brief Observations upon the Counties in Wales, but they being defective for want of room, and finding that the Subject would afford sufficient matter for a Book of the same value, I have now been more large and copious in giving an account of this Principality, having omitted nothing material that I could meet with concerning it, as well before the reducing and annexing thereof to the Crown of England, as since I have likewise added some short Remarks upon the Princes of Wales of the Royal Families of England, and several other Observables in the several Shires thereof, which I doubt not will be Novelties to many Readers, and diverting to all, and thereby answer the design in the Collecting and Publishing of them from Historians of the best Authority, which is the hearty wish of  
R. B.   

The History of the Ancient Kings and Princes of Britain and Wales.  
PART. I.  
IT is recorded in History, that after the Universal Flood, the Isles of the Gentiles were divided by the Posterity of Japhet the Son of Noah; and it is probable, that this Island, among the rest, was then peopled by his Progeny; the History of whom may be easier wished for than recovered: And therefore it may seem unnecessary to relate what some Ancient Authors have recorded with much uncertainty of the Successors of Japhet, whom they have named Samothes, Magus Sarron, Druis and Bardus: But rather to follow the Authority of Geoffery, Archdeacon of Monmouth, in his History written in the British Tongue, and translated into English about five hundred years since, and gins his Chronology with Brute, who after the Posterity of Japhet, seems to be the first Discoverer, Ruler, and Namer of this Island: Yet by the way we may observe, That Pomponius Mela, a Roman Historian writes, that one Hercules killed Albion a Giant about the mouth of the River R●●s●e in France; from whence some have concluded, that Albion Reigned King here, (the Greek Monuments likewise, always calling this Isle Albion) and that after his death Hercules came hither: And Solinus another Roman Historian reports, that by an Inscription upon an Altar found in the Northern part of Britain, about 1600 years since, it plainly appeared that Ulysses in his ten years' Travels after the Destruction of Troy, arrived in Britain before the coming of Brute.  
We shall now give a brief Account of what is commonly received concerning Brute, and the Race of the Kings of Britain that proceeded from him, though, with my Author, I shall not impose upon the belief of any in these Narrations. Brute the Son of Silvius, the Son of Ascanius, the Son of Aeneas, after the Ruin of Troy, and the Death of his Father, being banished into Greece, he there by his Valour rescued and delivered the remainder of the Trojans his Countrymen, from the Captivity which they had been for many years' sufferers under the Grecians, with whom he departed to seek some new habitation, and associating to himself Corineus, whom with another Band of exiled Trojans he found in the way, after a long and tiresome Journey, and many notable encounters and achievements, he arrived in this Island then called Albion, and landed at Totnes in Devonshire, in the year from the Creation of the World 2855. which was about the time that Jeptah and Samson Judged Israel, and before the Birth of Christ 1116 years; and being made King or Governor of the Land, he called it by his own name Britain, according to the opinion of many ancient Authors; He also built the City of London which he named Troynovant or New Troy; At his Death Brute divided the Country among his three Sons, unto Locrine his Eldest he gave the middle part between Humber and Severn, which from him was called Loegria; To Camber his second he bequeathed all the Region beyond the River Severn, which from him was called Cambria, now Wales; To Allanact the youngest he left all the Land beyond Humber Northward, which was after called Albania, now Scotland; After which partition he deceased, having reigned 24 years, and was Buried at London. Locrine's succeeded his Father, and Humber King of the Hums or Scythians Invading his Brother Albanact's Country, he and his Brother Camber assisted Albanact so successfully, that they utterly defeated his Army, himself, and abundance of his Soldiers being Drowned in the River, from thence called Humber; Madan his Son reigned in his stead, than Mempricus, Ebrauh, Brute Greensheeld, Leil who is said to have built Carlisle; Bladud a great Necromancer who is reported to have made those hot Baths at Bath, and to magnify his skill, undertook to fly in the Air, but his Art failing, he fall upon the Temple of Apollo in London, and broke his Neck. Lear his Son was King after him, who was very unfortunate in two unnatural Daughters, whose Husbands strove to deprive him of his Kingdom, but their designs being defeated, his youngest Daughter whom he had slighted was admitted Queen after him, to whom succeeded her two Nephews, Morgan and Cunegad, between whom differences arising, Morgan was slain and Cunegad reigned singly 30 years; Many other Kings of Britain are reckoned up after him, as Dunwallo D. of Cornwall, Belinus and Breanus who are said to have Conquered France, Italy, Germany, and at last to have taken the City of Rome itself. King Lud who much beautified Troynovant, fortifying it with Walls and Gates, particularly Ludgate called after his name, and founded a Temple where it is thought St. Paul's now stands, and changed the name of the City from Troynovant to Luds Town, now London; He left two Sons Androgeus and Theomantius under Age, whereupen Cassibilane their Uncle was admitted Governor, in whose Reign Julius Caesar first Invaded this Island in the year from the World's Creation 3913. and 54 years before the Birth of Christ, the Land being then not under one sole Monarch or King, but divided into 28 petty Kingdoms or Provinces; Caesar being landed at Deal in Kent, the news thereof was so welcome to the Senate of Rome, that they Decreed a Thanksgiving should be kept for 20 days together; Cassibilane was only King of the Trinobantes who inhabited Middlesex, Essex and Hartfordshire, but in this common danger the other Princes mutually agreed that he should command in Chief to withstand the Roman Invasion, which he did with very great courage, beating them twice off from the British shore; his chief City was Verulane near St. Alban.  
Theomantius the Son of Lud succeeded Cassibilane, who paid the three thousand pound a year Tribute to the Romans which his Uncle had agreed to, when notwithstanding the utmost Efforts for their Liberty, the Britain's were obliged to submit to the Conquering Romans; Yet did not Caesar wholly subdue Britain, for he never came towards the North, (which several of his Successors afterwards endeavoured to bring under) but subjected only those parts of the Island lying next to France, which our Countryman Roger Bacon relates, that Caesar discovered by setting up Prospective Glasses on the Coast of France from whence he saw all the Havens and Creeks in England; So that he may rather seem to have discovered than reduced to the Roman Power. Kymbeline or Cunobeline the Son of Theomantius reigned next, whose principal seat was at Carnolodunum now Malden in Essex; He is said to have refused to pay the former Tribute, upon which Augustus, who fucceeded Julius Caesar, designed thrice to make an Expedition hither to recover his Right, but was as oft diverted by Insurrections in divers parts of his mighty Empire. Guiderus was King after his Father, and being very valiant, refused Tribute to Caligula the Roman Emperor, who therefore resolved, as his Predecessors Augustus and Tiberius had done, to reduce Britain, as being the utmost bounds of the Roman Monarchy, making great provision for this Noble Enterprise, being encouraged therein by Adminius the Son of Cunoboline, who being banished by his Father, fled with some few followers to Caligula for protection; Guiderus expected, and provided for his Arrival, who bringing down his Forces into Flanders, put them in Battle Array upon the Sea shore, planting his Engines of War, as if ready for an Engagement; after which the Emperor himself in a Galley launched into the Sea about two Bow-shots from the Land, and then presently returned, and getting into a Pulpit provided for him, he by found of Trumpet caused his Soldiers to prepare for Battle, and then charged every Man to fill his Helmet with Cockle and Muscle Shells, which he called, The Spoils of the Conquered Ocean, and gave as great Rewards to them for these trifles, as if they had performed some notable Service in War; and against the place he built a Tower as a Trophy of his Victory, the Ruins whereof (saith my Author) remain to this day, and is called, The Britain's House. He carried many of these Shells to Rome, boasting of this honourable Voyage, and requiring a Triumph, which the Senate seeming unwilling to allow, he threatened to murder them all.  
Claudius' succeeded him in the Empire; and having leisure, resolved to make War upon the Britain's, who had long neglected to pay their Tribute, being invited thereto by certain British Fugitives, ordering Aulus Plautius' a Roman Senator, to transport the Veterane Soldiers out of France thither, to which they were very unwilling, complaining, That they must be forced to make War out of the World, for so they accounted this Island to be; but at length being Embarked, they Landed unexpectedly upon the Britain's, who were encamped in the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, and defeating them, took the City of Camolodunum in Essex, and subdued the East-part of the Island. Jeffery of Monmouth writes, That Claudius' Landed at Rochester, near Portsmouth, which he Besieged, and Guiderus coming to relieve it, fought and prevailed against the Romans, till one Hanno, Armed like a Britain, pressing through the midst of the Troops till he came where Guiderus was, he instantly slew him, which Arviragus the King's Brother perceiving, to prevent the Britain's from being discouraged, putting on the Royal Robes, fought so courageously, that the Romans were routed, Claudius flying to his Ships, and Hanno to an adjoining Forest, whom Arviragus pursued and killed ere he could get to the Haven, from whence it is said to have the name of Hanno's Haven, than Hampton, now Southampton: After his Death the Land was many years under Roman Governors and Lieutenants, but the Silureses or Inhabitants of South-Wales would not endure the Romish Yoke, relying much upon the Courage of their Prince Corvactacus, who encamping his Army on the top of an Hill, and stopping all the passages thereto with heaps of Stones, he expected the approach of his Enemies, striving in the mean time to animate his Soldiers with encouraging Speeches, telling them, That day and that Battle would either restore them to their former Liberties, or else reduce them to perpetual slavery, and that they should remember the valour of their Ancestors, who formerly had driven Caesar the Dictator out of their Country, and thereby delivered themselves from Roman Taxes and Axes, and freed their Wives and Daughters from being debauched by their implacable Adversaries; The Soldiers were much encouraged and echoed out their hopes of Victory, with so great a shout as much disturbed the Romans, who thought the Fortifications the Britain's had raised to be impregnable, but Ostorius marching forward, though opposed by a shower of Arrows, he at length broke down that rude ill compacted Fence, and coming to handy strokes with the Britain's who had more courage than Armour, having neither Headpiece nor Coat of Mail, they were so fore galled with the Javelins and two-handed Swords of the Romans, that they soon fled; This Victory was unexpected by the Romans, and more considerable by the taking the Wife, Daughter and Brethren of Cataractus Prisoners, he himself flying to the brigants, or those that Inhabited Lancashire, Cheshire, etc. for succour, but was by Cartismunda the Queen treacherously delivered into the hands of the Conquerors, after nine years generous resistance, and his fame having reached even to Rome itself, Cataractus was carried thither and led in Triumph through the Roman Legions with his Brethren, Wife and Daughter, whose great Courage and strange Attire filled the People with admiration and delight; His Body was almost naked, Painted over with Figures of divers Beasts, he wore a Chain of Iron about his Neck, and another about his middle, his Hair hanging down in Curls covered his Back and Shoulders, and the Hair of his upper Lip or Whiskers parting in the middle reached down to his Breast, he neither hung down his head as daunted with fear, nor asked mercy as the rest, but with an undaunted Countenance coming before the Imperial Seat, he made the following Speech to the Emperor on the Throne.  
Great Caesar, If my moderation in prosperity had been answerable to the greatness of my Birth and Estate, or the success of my late attempts agreeable to the resolution of my mind, I might have come to this City rather as a Friend to have been entertained, than as a Captive to be gazed upon; Neither would you have disdained to have accepted the terms of Peace that I should have offered, being a man of royal descent, and a Commander of many Warlike Nations; But though the Clouds have darkened my present Fortune, yet have the Heavens and Nature bestowed that upon me in Birth and Mind, which none can vanquish or deprive me of; I plainly perceive that you make other men's miseries the subject and matter of your Triumphs, and in this my Calamity, as in a Mirror, you now contemplate your own Glory; Yet remember that I was a Prince furnished with strength of men, and habiliments of War, and that it is no such wonder I am now deprived of them all, since daily experience shows that the events of War are uncertain, and the success of the best Policies are guided by uncertain Fates; And thus it was with me, who presumed that the deep Ocean like a Wall enclosing our Land, which is so situated by Divine Providence as if it were a World by itself, might have been a sufficient security and defence to us against any Foreign Invasion; but I now observe that the desire of Dominion admits of no Limitation, neither hath the Roman Ambition any bounds, for being desirous to Command all, it seems all must obey them; For my own part while I was able I made resistance, being unwilling to submit my Neck to a servile Yoke, since the Law of Nature allows every man to defend himself being assaulted, and to withstand force by force; Had I yielded at first, neither your Glory nor my Ruin would have been so remarkable; Fortune hath now done her worst, we have nothing left us but our lives, which if you take from us, our miseries will have an end, and if you spare us, we shall live the objects of your Clemency.  
Caesar admiring at the Courage and Resolution of so free a mind in a Captive condition, he pardoned him and the rest, who being unchained from the Triumphal Fetters, they then did reverence to Agrippina the Empress, who sat aloft on a Throne Royal; And afterwards continued at Rome to their Deaths for any thing we read to the contrary.  
After Ostorius was recalled, Paulus Suetonius was sent hither by the bloody Nero, during whose Government the Britain's made several attempts to regain their Country, and free themselves from the insupportable slavery and misery wherein they lived; for Arvivagus having made Nero the Emperor and his two Daughters his Heirs, hoping thereby to secure the Kingdom to his Family it happened otherwise; For the Land was ruined by the Roman Soldiers, Voadicia his Queen beaten and abused, her Daughters Ravished, the Nobles deprived of their Estates, and the People in a most deplorable servitude; Voadicia made such sensible Remonstrances of these unsufferable wrongs to the People, that she raised an Army of an hundred thousand men, who willingly submitted to her Conduct, and with whom, being confident in her numbers, she engaged against the Romans at some disadvantage, and was vanquished by them with the loss of fourscore thousand Britain's; And after she had showed all the courage of a gallant Commander, and had made so notable an attempt for redeeming her Country from bondage, doubting to fall one time or other into her Enemy's hands, she like another Lucretia fell upon her own Sword and Died. In the 73 year from our Saviour's Birth.  
If the Reader desire to know more of the former Kings of Britain, the Invasion of the Romans, and the Life of this renowned Queen Voadicia, I have published a Book called Female Excellency or the Lady's Glory, wherein there is a full account of all these particulars, being of the same value with this.  
About this time Historians report that Christianity was first planted in this Island, certain Disciples being sent by Philip the Apostle out of France into Britain, whereof Joseph of Arimathea that Buried the Body of Christ was chief, who first laid the Foundation of the true Faith at a place called Avalon, now Glastenbury in Somersetshire, where with his twelve Assistants he Preached the Gospel of Salvation to the Islanders, and left there Bodies Buried in that place.  
Galgacus a valiant Commander of the Caledonians was the last Prince that resisted the Roman Dominion, and was made General of the Britain's against the Invasions of Agricola in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian, he with the chief of the British Nobility made a very valiant defence for several years, but the Romans seeming to be decreed by Heaven to reduce the World under their obedience vanquished all that opposed them, and in a bloody Battle defeated him and his Forces, and laid all in ruins before them, whereby the whole Island was subjected to the Roman Emperors, 136 years after the entrance of Julius Caesar. Jeffery of Monmouth the Welsh Historian doth here bring in a succession of British Kings, and amongst them Marius who Conquered Roderic King of the Picts and Scots, whose Monument erected near Carleile, wherein his Victory was inscribed, remained a long time; After him Corlus his Son is said to succeed, who being carried to Rome and Educated there in his Youth, upon his return to his own Country, he gratefully paid the Romans their Tribute without constraint, but we must leave these relations as doubtful as we find them.  
The Picts and Northern Inhabitants of Britain continuing to Invade and Destroy the Britain's who were now become Tributary to the Romans, the Emperor Adrian in 124. came hither in Person for their relief, and drove the Picts out of the plain Country into the Woods and Mountains where the Roman Horsemen could not attack them, but finding the Air too severe for his Soldiers, and the Country barren, instead of leaving the Britain's a Roman Garrison, he built a strong Wall or Fortification of Earth for their defence against their Enemies; It was composed of Stakes driven deep into the Ground, and bound together like a hedge, which being filled up with Turf and Earth, became a strong Rampant against sudden Incursions. It began at the River Eden in Cumberland near Carleile; and ended at the River Tyne near Newcastle, being eighty miles in length. After which the Britain's continued for many years in peace without opposition, time and castom causing them to bear the Yoke of subjection patiently, especially considering they were obliged to the Romans for assistance against their own Barbarous Countrymen.  
After the Romans had Conquered the greatest part of the World, the succeeding Emperors politicly permitted Kingdoms and Provinces to be governed by Kings and Governors of their own Nation, thereby the better to keep them in obedience to their Empire; Among others Antoninus Pius constituted Lucius to be King of Britain, who disliking the Idolatry and Paganism of his People, and being much affected with the holy lives of the Christians, and with the Miracles wrought among them, and encouraged by the Emperor's Edicts in their favour, he allowed the public Profession thereof, being the first Christian King in the World, and Britain the first Kingdom that embraced the Gospel by public Authority; After this he sent two Persons to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome, to desire the form of some Laws to Govern his People by; To which the Bishop replied, You desire us to send you the Roman and Imperial Laws, for the Reformation of the People, and Guidance of the King and Kingdom of Britain; The Roman Laws we altogether mislike, but the Law of God by no means; By the Divine Clemency you have of late received the Law and Faith of Christ into your Kingdom; You have with you the Old and New Testament, out of them (in God's name) by the advice of your Counsellors, take you a Law, and therewith by God's permission Govern your Kingdom, for you are God's Vicar therein, etc. By this we may see the vast difference between the humility and piety of the Roman Church in the Primitive times, and the Pride, Cruelty and Usurpation of the present Synagogue of Satan.  
This Epistle with two Preachers, Fagianus and Daniranus whom the Bishop sent to King Lucius, prevailed so much upon him, that being Baptised into the Christian Faith, he converted the Heathenish Temples of the Arch- Flamens and Flamines into so many Bishops Sees, whereof London, York, and St. David's in Wales were made the Metropolitans; A Table that remains in St. Peter's Church in Cornhill London Records, that King Lucius founded that Church for a Cathedral, and likewise St. Peter's Westminster, now the Abbey, and likewise Dover Castle; He reigned 12 years and lies buried at Gloucester, and dying without Children left the Roman Emperors his Heirs, of whom Commodus succeeded, in whose Reign the Roman Legions in Britain fell into divers mutinies, because the Emperor instead of Senators and Consuls, who used to Command them, put inferior Persons over them, but Helvius Pertinax being sent hither quieted all dissensions with the severe punishment of the Offenders, and at length by his policy he obtained the Imperial Dignity; Severus Reigned after him, whom Albinus Lieutenant of Britain opposed, and assisted by the British Youth, fought a Battle with him in France, where Albinus was defeated, and Severus confirmed in the Empire, and then coming over into Britain, endeavoured to secure the Country to himself by erecting several Walls and Forts in the Inland Parts, and repairing those with Stone which were formerly of Turf or Earth, and finding the Northern Britain's or Scots very troublesome, he built a Wall or Fortification for defending the more Civilised from the Savage and Barbarous Inhabitants; this Wall crossed the whole Island from Sea to Sea, beginning at the Frith of Solney in Scotland and ending at Timnouth, in length 132 Miles, it was built with Turfs and Timber with strong Bulwarks at a convenient distance, near, if not upon the Foundation of the former, called Adrian's Wall, the ruins whereof are yet visible through the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland, for which act he Surnamed himself Britannicus, and after 18 years' Reign died at York in 212. not so much of Sickness, say some Authors, as of Discontent and Grief; Others say of a Mortal wound given him by Fulgence Captain of the Picts; Bassianus Garacalla his Son succeeded him, and hastening to Rome offered very easy conditions of Peace to the yet resisting Britain's, who being tired with the long Wars accepted thereof, and Hostages were given for conserving the same. And now the Royal Title of Kings of Britain being annexed to the Roman Emperors, they by their continual divisions for gaining the Imperial Dignity, gave a long breathing time of Peace to this harassed Island, so that little of action happened here till the reigns of Dioclesian and Maximin, in whose time Carausius being by the Romans made Admiral of the British Seas to guard them against the Piracies of the Saxons and Belgians, he by conniving at their Robberies became rich and popular, so that having notice the Emperor had ordered him to be secretly killed, he by the aid of the Picts and Northern Britain's took upon him the Title of Emperor of Rome, and valiantly defended his Dignity for seven years; At length Maximin Marched to the British Ocean with a powerful Army, but hearing of the strength of Carausius and wanting Seamen, he Encamped on the French Shoar, and concluding a Peace with him, returned back to Rome; Carausius Governed the Britain's with Justice and Peace for seven years, repairing the Roman Wall, and defending them from their brutish Enemies, but was at length Murdered by his treacherous friend Alectus, who took upon him the Imperial Purple.  
The Romans after the Death of Carausius resolved to attempt the recovery of this Island, and Constantius with a Potent Army Landed here in a great Fog, without observation or hindrance, at which Alectus being surprised was slain with most of his Army, the rest escaping toward London designed to Plunder and Burn it, but the Romans made such speed that they prevented them, killing Gallus their Leader, and throwing his Body into a Brook that ran through the City, which was after called Gallus his Brook, now Walbrook.  
After this, these two Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximin raised a dismal Persecution in all the parts of the Roman Empire, whereby 17000 Christians, Men and Women were Crowned with Martyrdom, within the space of one Month, and in Britain the Churches were demolished, their Bibles and other Writings burned, and for 10 years together the poor People were continually tormented without intermission, or any place being free from the Blood of Martyrs, who were constant in the profession of the Faith; Among others St. Alban was beheaded at the Town bearing his name, whom Fortunatus Priscus mentions.  
Albanum egregium faecunda Brittannia profert.  

Britain fruitful of all good,  
Washed with glorious Alban's Blood.   
His Instructor in the Christian Religion Amphiole or Britain was afterward taken, and being brought to the same place was whipped about a Stake whereto his Entrails were fastened and so wound out of his Body, and was lastly stoned to death; Several others suffered, as Julius and Aaron at Leicester, or rather Coverleon in Monmouthshire, and so many at Lichfield that the place became a Golgotha, or Field of Dead Corpse, and therefore the Seal of Arms of that City is charged with many Martyrs to this day; But these two bloody Emperors enjoyed their honours a very short time, for within a year after this bloody Persecution, they were both of them by the hand of God (saith Eusebius) struck with such a mad humour, that they renounced the Empire, and laying aside the Imperial Robes, Dioclesian retired into Dalmatia where he died raging of a terrible disease; And Maximinus hanged himself at Marseilles in France.  
Gallerius and Constantius succeeded them, the last of whom was a Prince of singular Piety towards God, and Clemency towards men, being very kind to the Christians, and rebuilding their Churches, for which God so blessed him, saith Eusebius, that this virtuous Father left a more virtuous Son Constantine called the Great, the Heir of his well-gotten Empire; He Married Helena the Daughter of Coilus a British Prince; She is reported to have removed the Pagan Idols out of Jerusalem, and to have built a Temple in the place where our Saviour suffered, and to have found out the Cross so highly venerated by Ancient Writers, and the Crib or Manger where Christ was born; And they say she was the chief instrument of her Husband's Conversion, persuading him to renounce all Superstitious and Idolatrous Worship, and to acknowledge one God and Jesus Christ his only Son, and encouraging the Christians who had been hid in Caves and Dens from the fury of their Enemies, to come forth and freely to exercise their Religion. Constantius after two years' Reign, returning from an expedition against the Picts and Scots, fell sick at York being his Imperial Residence: About which time his Son Constantine escaping from Gallerius at Rome (where he had been left Hostage) he by Horses laid on purpose, arrived in a short time at York, with whose presence his Father was so comforted, that sitting up in his Bed he spoke thus to him in the presence of his Counsellors.  
Death is not now terrible to me, since I am well satisfied that those actions which I have left unaccomplished will be performed by you my Son, in whom I doubt not but my name and memory will be preserved; I advise thee to govern thy Empire with Impartial Justice, protect the Innocent from Oppressors, and wipe away all Tears from the Eyes of the Christians, for therein I am sure thy happiness will consist; To thee therefore I leave my Diadem and their Defence, desiring that my faults may be buried with me in my Grave, and leaving my virtues (if I ever had any) to revive and live in thee; Having thus said he expired in 306.  
His Son Constantine the Great succeeded, being joyfully proclaimed Emperor by the Britain's, being as it is said was born of a British Princess; He prosecuted the War his Father had begun against the Caledonians, Picts, and Britain's, in the remote Islands of Scotland; He than made War with Maxentius a wicked Usurper, Necromancer and Tyrant, and being sensible that success depends much upon the blessing of Heaven, yet doubting what God to Invocate to his assistance (as not yet fully settled in the Christian Faith) he devoutly cast up his Eyes to the East, and (saith Eusebius) thereupon the Sign of the Cross, or the first Greek Characters of the Name of Christ were visibly presented to his sight, the Stars like Letters being so placed that this Sentence might be read in Greek, In hoc Vince, In this shalt thou overcome, which Promise of Victory gave him such encouragement, that engaging the Tyrant Maxentius, he utterly defeated his Forces, himself being drowned, by the fall of a Bridge, into the River Tiber; After this Constantine obtained several other Victories, and then to complete his worthy actions, he laid the Foundation of the Christians security, by bringing them under the protection of Kings and Princes, which could never since be shaken, though often attempted by several Heathen Emperors his Successors; At his Death he divided his large Empire among his three Sons, Constantine the Eldest having France, Spain, part of Germany and Britain for his Lot; After him several other Emperors succeeded without making any great alteration in the British affairs, neither were there any considerable Transactions; The last of them was Theodosius in the year of Christ 423. about which time the Goths who had faithfully served the Romans about 20 years, being disobliged and slighted, to revenge their wrongs, they chose for their Leader a valiant Goth called Alaricus, who proved the scourge of Rome; for the Vandals, alan's, and Suecians joining with him, they began a fierce War in Austria and Hungary, increasing their forces into such vast Multitudes, that the World stood amazed, and trembled at them. For soon after two hundred thousand Goths more resorted to them, who with these united Forces overrun Thracia, Hungary, Austria, Sclavonia and Dalmatia, ruining and destroying all things in so dreadful a manner that it seemed rather the Ravage of Devils than Men. The Roman Empire thus declining, they drew their Forces out of Britain: But a while after the Britain's were extremely distressed by the continual disturbers of their Peace, the Scots and Picts; therefore they sent their Ambassadors to Rome, with their Garments rend, and Dust upon their Heads, bewailing their most miserable condition, and begging Assistance; whereupon the Emperor sent a Regiment of Soldiers into Britain, under Gallio, who for a while defended them, but was soon called back with his Legion into France, to secure the Country about Paris. At his departure he advised the Britain's to stand upon their Guard; and for the future to provide for their own safety, and not to depend upon any succours from the Romans, who had their hands full of troubles nearer home.  
Thus the Romans, after they had commanded in Britain above five hundred years, took their last farewell thereof. During their continuance here, they have levied so many Companies of stout Britain's for their Wars in Armenia, Egypt, and other Frontier Countries, that they had much dispeopled the Nation. Some of these British Soldiers, after they were worn out in the Wars, had Armorica in France assigned them by Constantine the Great for their good Service in the Wars, from whom it was called Little Britain. Unto this Country, in the time of Gratian the Emperor, was Ursula the Daughter of Dinoth Regent of Cornwall sent with eleven thousand Virgins, who were to have been married to their Countrymen the Britain's; but they all perished  they arrived; some being drowned in the Sea by Tempest, and the Remainder put to the Sword by the barbarous Huns and Picts, because they would not yield to their filthy Lusts.  
The Southern or more Citilized Britain's being extremely weakened by the Romans exporting so many of their valiant Soldiers, and then forsaking them, and likewise by Scarcity and Famine; their inveterate Foes, the Scots and Picts, take this unhappy Opportunity to infest them with all manner of Cruelties and Barbarities: So that being no longer able to defend and secure themselves, they supplicate for Aid from Germany, inviting the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons, who then inhabited Jutland, Holstein, and the Coasts along the River Rhine, to come to their Assistance. Their proposal was readily embraced, and nine thousand of them, under the command of two Brethren, Hengist and Horsa, entered the Land at Ebsfleet in the Isle of Thanet in Kent, where they were received with great Joy, and entertained with Songs, according to the custom of the Britain's, who allotted them that Island to inhabit, and a while after Vortigern then King of the Britain's, allowed Hengist so much Land as he could encompass within a Bullhide cut out into Thongs, wherein he built a Castle, which from thence had the Name of Thong-Castle; when it was finished, Hengist invited the King to see it, who there fell in love with Rowena, the Daughter or Niece of Hengist; upon which Match Hengist grew more bold, contriving to make the Island his Inheritance; and thereupon sent for fresh Forces, who at their arrival caused several Quarrels among the Natives, dispossessing the people of their estates, every Commander reckoning that part of the Country his own where they could over-match the Britain's, where they commanded as absolutely as Princes; whereby the Country was burdened with seven Kings at once, each of them having Sovereign Command within his own limits, though still one seemed to be Supreme over all the rest.  
This was usually called the Saxons Heptarchy, or seven Kingdoms; The first and chiefest, was that of Kent only governed by Hengist and his Successors for three hundred seventy two years. The next was the Kingdom of the South Saxons, containing the Counties of Sussex or Surrey, continuing a hundred and thirteen years. 3. That of the West Saxons, comprehending the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, Berks, and Hampshire; it lasted three hundred years. 4. The East Saxons Kingdom, which was Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hartfordshire. 5. The Kingdom of Northumberland, containing the Counties of Northumberland, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham, York and Lancaster, continuing three hundred seventy nine years. 6. The Kingdom of Mercia, which was composed of the Counties of Oxford, Gloucester, Worcester, Salop, Cheshire, Stafford, Warwick, Buckingham, Bedford, Huntingdon, part of Hartfordshire, Northampton, Rutland, Lincoln, Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham, continuing two hundred and two years. 7. The last Kingdom was that of the East-Angles, containing the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, which lasted three hundred and fifty three years.  
Yet during the time of this Heptarchy, many of the British Princes valiantly defended their lawful Inheritances, and with great courage endeavoured to prevent the Saxon Yoke from being imposed upon their Necks: Among whom was Vortimer, the Son of Vortigern aforementioned, for Vortigern after sixteen years' Reign deposed from the Government, for his kindness to the Saxons, his Son Vortimer was chosen King of the Britain's, and presently engaged against the Saxons, gaining so much in four famous victories over them, that they were almost extirpated. He erected a Monument in the Isle of Thenta, in the place where the Saxons were overthrown, which to this day is called the Stowers, wherein he commanded his Body to be buried, that the Saxons might be terrified with the sight thereof. He restored the Christian Religion, then much decayed, and rebuilt the Churches destroyed by the Pagan Saxons. Rowena procured his Death by Poison, after which his Father Vorfigern was reestablished in the Government: But being oppressed by the Saxons, and pursued by Aurelius, he fled into Wales, where, in a Castle which he built by Merlin's Directions, in the Mountains, he, with his Daughter, whom he had taken to Wife, were burnt to ashes.  
Aurelius Ambrotius was likewise very successful against the Saxons. He is said to have built Stonehenge near Salisbury, in remembrance of the Massacre of three hundred of the British Nobility, who were there slain by the Treachery of the Saxons. Uter Pendragon, who succeeded him, was no less fortunate. He was named Pendragon, either because at his Birth there appeared a fiery Comet like a Dragon's Head, or from his Royal Banner, wherein was the Picture of a Dragon with a Golden Head. He died of Poison put into a Well wherein he used to drink. Arthur his Son and Successor won twelve Battles against the Saxons, and chased Colgern their Captain from his Camp in Northumberland to York, from whence he escaped into Germany. The Relics of Arthur's Round Table are to this time shown in Winchester, with the Twenty four Seats. After him reigned Constantine, Aurelius, Conantus, Vortiporus, Malgo, Canonus, and Careticus. This last King raised a Civil War among his own Subjects the Britain's, which made them forsake him, and leave him to the Mercy of the Saxons, who pursuing him, he fled to Cirencester in Berkshire for safety; but his Enemies taking several Sparrows, fastened fire to their feet, and let them fly into the City, who lighting upon straw, and thatched houses, burned the City to the Ground; but Careticus escaped, and fled for security to the Mountains of Wales, where he died.  
After twenty four years Civil Dissension Cadwan was made King. During these Troubles, Austin the Monk, who was sent hither by Pope Gregory to convert the Britain's carrying himself very insolently at a Meeting with the British Bishops, at a place thence named Austin's Oak in Worcestershire, they could come to no Agreement; whereupon it is thought, Austin contrived this cruel Revenge.  
Cadwallo was victorious over the Saxons, slaying Edwin King of Northumberland, and his Son Osfride in a bloody Battle. He died in peace, say the British Writers, and was buried at St. Martin's Church in London; his Statue on Horseback in Brass being set upon Ludgate, for a terror to the Saxons.  
CAdwalloder the Son of Cadwallo fought manfully against the Saxons; but the distractions among his Nobility much hindered his proceed. There was likewise a dreadful Famine in his Reigh, so that the common People reckoned Roots and Herbs to be dainty Food: This was followed by a woeful Mortality, which was so raging and sudden, that great numbers of People were surprised by Death while they were eating, drinking, walking and speaking. These calamities lasted near eleven years, so that the Country was almost depopulated, the King and his British Peers being forced to leave the Land, who went to his Cousin Alan, King of Little Britain in France. The Saxons taking advantage of these severe miseries, lamentably oppressed the wretched Britain's, to whose Aid Cadwallader, with the Assistance of his Cousin Alan, did once design to return, but being diverted by a Dream which he had, he went on Pilgrimage to Rome, and according to the Superstition of that Age, he there turned Monk, where he soon after died and was buried; with whom died all the hopes of the Britain's, he being the last King of the British Blood, whereby the Saxons became Sovereign Lords and Masters of this Island. And thus was this unhappy Country a second time conquered by Strangers, which happened about the Year of our Lord 689.  
The Britain's being thus outed of their Country by the Conquering Saxons, retired beyond the River Severn, and therein fortified themselves, which Country thereupon came to be called Wales, and the People Walsh or Welshmen; not that the word Walsh signified in the Saxon Language a Foreigner or Alien (for how could they be called Aliens in their Native Country) but Wales and Walish from Galls or Gallish by changing G into W according to the custom of the Saxons; The Britain's being descended of the Gauls kept their own name still, though somewhat altered in the Letter, as is said before; and to this day the French call the Prince of Wales by the name of Le Prince le Galls; At first their Chiefs were honoured with the Titles of Kings of Wales, and are these that follow. 1. Idwallo in the year of Christ 688. called Iror the Son of Alan. 2. Roderick. 3. Conan. 4. Mervyn. 5. Roderick Surnamed the Great, who left Wales between his three Sons, allotting unto each his part, the Country being divided into North-Wales, South-Wales and Powys-Land, which had their several Lords and Princes; North-Wales fell to the share of Amarawd the eldest Son of Roderick Mawr, or the Great, the last King thereof, with a superiority of Power over both the rest, who were but Homagers to this; It containeth the County of Merioneth, part of Denbigh, Flint, Carnarvan, and the Isle of Anglesey, which being the more Mountainous Parts, and of difficult access, consequently preserved their Liberty longest, and do still keep their Language from the Incursions of the English; Aberfraw in the Isle of Anglesey was the Prince's Palace, who were thence sometimer called Kings of Aberfraw.  
South-Wales in the division of the Country fell to Cadel the second Son, comprehending the Counties of Glamorgan, Pembroke, Carmarthen, Cardigan and part of Brecknock, which though the rich●● and most fruitful part of Wales, yet Pembrok● and Brecknock having their several Kings, there remained only Cardigan and Carmarthen under the immediate subjection of the Princes of South-Wales, whose principal Seat was at Dynefar or Dynevor Castle, not far from Carmarthen, who thence were called by their Subjects, the Kings of Dynevor.  
Powys-land was bestowed by Roderick upon his youngest Son Mervyn, containing the Counties of Montgomery and Radnor, with part of Denbigh, Brecknock, Merioneth and Shropshire; His chief Palace was Matraval in Montgomeryshire, from whence the Princes thereof were so called; This Country continued in the Line of Mervyn a long time together, but much afflicted and dismembered by the Princes of North-Wales who cast a greedy eye upon it; The last that held it entire was Meredith, who left it to his two Sons Madoc and Griffith, of which Madock died at Winchester in 1160. and Griffith was by King Henry I. created Lord Powys, the residue of Powys-land which pertained to Madock, depending still upon the fortune of North-Wales.  
In these several Divisions were different Kings and Princes, who long struggled with the Saxons for their Liberties; But because we find very little mention of their Actions in our Chronicles, I shall proceed with the History of the Saxons and Danes, and afterward give an account of the actions of some of the Welsh Kings and Princes, till that Principality was wholly subdued to the Crown of England.  
The Saxons, according to the common fate of conquerors, after they had subdued their Enemies, disagreed among themselves, and several of their Princes encroached upon the Territories of each other, and so became petty Monarches of some part of Britain: These were reckoned to be ●ourteen in number, till at last Egbert, the eighteenth King of the West Saxons, got command over all the seven Kingdoms of the Saxons, and so became sole Monarch of England, which none of his Predecessors before ever obtained. He had War fourteen years with the Cornish and Welsh, and took West-chester, their chief hold, from them, making a strict Law against any Welcoman that should pass over Offa's Dike, or set one Foot within his English Dominions. He slew Bernulf King of Mercis in Battle, and drove the King of Kent out of his Kingdom. The East Angles and East Saxons submitted to him, and likewise the South Saxons; whereupon he caused himself to be crowned absolute Monarch at Winchester: And this Monarchy continued in the Saxons, till the Danes first got, and then lost it again; and the Saxons Issue failing upon their next entrance, it than fell to the Normans, as by the Sequel will appear. In the fourteenth year of Egbert the Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England, to whom he gave Battle, but had the worst of the day, losing two of his chief Captains, and two Bishops; but the Danes returning two years after into Wales, and joining with the Welsh, Egbert overcame both Danes and Welch together.  
Ethelwolph his Son succeeded; after whom reigned Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Ethelred, and then Alfred, in whose time the Danes, under Roll a Nobleman, came over with a great Army, but by the Valour of Alfred were beaten. This virtuous Prince divided the twenty four hours of the Day and Night into three equal parts, which he observed by the burning of a Taper set in his Chapel, Clocks and Watches being not then in use: Eight hours he spent in Contemplation, Reading, and Prayer, other eight, for his Repose, and the Necessaries of Life; and the other eight in Affairs of State. He divided the Kingdom into Shires, Hundreds, and tithings, for the better Administration of Justice, and suppressing of Robbers and Felons; which had so good effect, that the People might Travel with all manner of security: yea, saith my Author, if Bracelets of Gold had been hung in the Highways, none durst have presumed to have taken them away. He commanded all his Subjects who possessed two Hides of Land, to bring up their Sons in Learning till they were at least fifteen years old, asserting, That he accounted a man Free born, and yet Illiterate, to be no better than a Beast, a Sot, and a Brainless Creature: Neither would he admit any into Office that were not so. He translated the Holy Gospel into the Saxon Tongue, was devout in the Service of God, and a great Protector of Widows and Orphans.  
Edward his eldest Son succeeded him, against whom his Nephew Ethelwald rebelled. His Sister Elfleda had very hard Travel of her first Child, whereupon she ever after forbore the Nuptial Embraces, alleging it to be an over-foolish Pleasure which occasioned such bitter Pains; and listing herself a Soldier under her Brother, she performed many valiant exploits against the Danes; against whom Edward obtained a great Victory near Wolverhampton, wherein two of their Kings were slain, with many of the Nobility and a multitude of Common Soldiers, which procured him both Fear and Love from the People.  
After his death Ethelstane reigned, who is said to be the first Anointed King of this Island: He enlarged his Dominions farther than he received them. He overthrew Godfrey the Danish King of Northumberland, Howell King of Wales, and Constantine King of Scotland, forcing them to submit to his pleasure; after which he again restored them to their Dignities, glorying, That it was more Honour to make a King, than to be a King. These actions procured him much renown from his Neighbour Princes, who courted his Friendship, and sent him curious Presents. Othy the Emperor, who married his Sister, sent him a curiosity richly set with Precious Stones, very artificially contrived, wherein were Landscapes with Vines, Corn, and men seeming so naturally to move, as if they had been real. The King of Norway sent him a sumptuous Ship, richly guilt, with Purple Sails. The King of France sent him a Sword, which was said to have been Constantine's the Great, the Hilt whereof was all of Gold, and therein, as they said, was one of the Nails which fastened Christ to the Cross: He likewise sent the Spear of Charles the Great, reported to be the same wherewith our Saviour's side was pierced; also a part of the Cross, a piece of the Crown of Thorns, and the Banner of St. Maurice. It is related, That this King Ethelstane, or Athelstane, in the third year of his Reign, was so harassed by the Danes, that he was forced to shut himself up in Winchester City; who propounded to him, either to submit, and hold the Realm of them, or to determine the Quarrel between two Champions of each side. The King was much perplexed at these Propositions, because his three valiant Knights, Guy Earl of Warwick, (who lived in his Reign, or not at all) one Herand another courageous Knight, and Earl Rohand Guy's Father-in-Law, were gone to the Holy Land. In this straight, after he had prayed for Deliverance, it is said, he had a Vision, wherein he was directed to rise early the next morning, and taking two Bishops with him, to get up to the top of the North Gate of that City, where he should see a likely Man, clothed as a Pilgrim, barefoot, and on his bare Head a Chaplet of White Roses, and that this should be the man that should conquer Colebrand the Danish Gaint (for so was his Name) and free the English from the Danish Bondage. The next day the King thus attended at the Gate, sees Earl Guy so habited, being newly arrived from Jerusalem; whereupon Athelstane addressing himself to him, desires him to accept the Combat, as being ordained by Heaven to acquit this Realm from Tyranny. Guy replied, My Lord, you may easily perceive that I am not in a Condition to take upon me this Fight, being harassed and weakened by daily Travel; lay this task therefore upon your stout and hardy Soldiers, whom you were wont very much to esteem. Ah, said the King, such indeed I had, but they are gone; some to the Holy Land, as one valiant Knight, called Guy, who was Earl of Warwick: I had also a courageous Servant, named Sir Herand de Ardene; Would to God they were now here, for than would this Duel be soon undertaken, and the War quickly finished. In speaking which Words the Tears trickled down his Cheeks, which made such impression upon the Pilgrim, that he engaged to undertake the Combat. Upon the day appointed, Guy putting on the King's best Armour, the Sword of Constantine the Great, St. Maurice his Lance, and one of the King's best Coursers, he road through Winchester, appearing like a most accomplished Knight, and went to the place appointed, which was in a Valley called Chiltecumb, where Colebrand soon after came, so loaded with Armour, that his Horse could scarce bear him, and a Cart driven before him, filled with Danish Axes, great Clubs with knobs of Iron, squared Bars of Steel, and Iron Hooks to pluck his Adversary to him. Thus marching disdainfully along, and seeing Sir Guy in the height of Pride, he commanded him to come off his Horse, and throw himself with submission at his Feet: But the gallant Pilgrim disregarding his Words, commending himself to Heaven, put Spurs to his Horse, and at the first Encounter pierced the Giant's Shield with such force, that his Lance broke into Shivers, which so enraged the Giant, that coming up furiously, he killed Guy's Horse, who being dismounted, dangerously wounded Colebrand. The Combat having lasted for some time, the Giant fainted and fell with loss of Blood, and Guy immediately cut off his Head, threeby freeing England at present from the insulting Dane. After all which he offered his Sword in the Cathedral of Winchester, which was long after kept in the Vestry, and called Colebrand's Axe. The other Relics of Guy, Mr. Drayton thus describes: 
Thy Statue, Guy, Cliff keeps, the Gazer's Eyes to please;  
Warwick thy mighty Arms, (thou mighty Hercules)  
Thy strong and massy Sword, that never was controlled,  
Which, as her ancient Right, her Castle still doth hold.   
Thus much for Earl Guy, who lived in the Year of Christ 929. This King Ethelstane, by the insinuation of his Cupbearer, became incensed against his Brother, as if he had contrived Treason against him, who therefore ordered him to be put into a small Vessel without Tackle or Oars, and so be exposed to the mercy of the Sea; wherewith the young Prince was so overwhelmed with sorrow, that he threw himself headlong into the Sea; whose Ghost the King endeavoured to appease, by a voluntary Penance of seven years, and building two Monasteries. Neither did the treacherous Cupbearer escape Vengeance; for on a Festival day, as he was busy in waiting, one of his Feet slipping, he recovered himself by the help of the other, and thereupon pleasantly said, You may see now how one Brother can help another: This Speech suddenly recalled to the King's Mind the Death of his Innocent Brother; whereupon he caused the Cupbearer, who was the Procurer thereof, to be immediately executed.  
Edmund the fifth Son of King Edward succeeded, and after him, Edred, his sixth Son: Then Edwy, or Edwin the eldest Son of Edmund was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames, who was of a lascivious temper; for it is related, That on the very Day of his Coronation, he suddenly left his Nobility, and went into a private Room, to debauch a great Lady, his near Kinswoman, whose Husband he soon after slew. St. Dunstan who was present, and then Abbot of Glastenbury, followed the King into his Chamber, and leading him out by the Hand, accused him before Odo Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom he was severely reproved, and forbidden him the Company of that woman. The King was hereat enraged against Dunstan, and banished him out of the Land, and became so great an Enemy to the Order of Monks, that he expelled many of them out of their Monasteries, and put married Priests in their Places. The People having a great Opinion of the Holiness of Dunstan, and being offended at the King's severity toward him, and other Irregularities; they turned their Affections to Edgar his Brother, and removing Edwin from his Princely Dignity; Edgar was made King in his stead: for very grief whereof he soon wasted away; and died in 959.  
Edgar was called the Peaceable: He maintained the Kingdom in great Glory and Prosperity. His Navy Royal is said to consist of three thousand six hundred Ships, with which he every Summer sailed round his Land, to secure the Sea from Pirates. He caused Ludwal Prince of Wales to pay him three hundred Wolves yearly, instead of a former Tribute in Money, whereby England and Wales, which were formerly very much overrun, were now so freed, that there was scarce a Wolf to be found alive. he was very severe upon his Judges, if he found them guilty of Bribery and Partiality, riding the Circuit himself every Year for that purpose; Yet among all these Virtues, he is said to be very Voluptuous, especially toward Women, not sparing the very Nuns; which sounded so ill, that Dunstan took the boldness to reprove him for it; and coming into his presence, the King in Courtesy risen from his Royal Throne, to take him by the Hand, and seat him by him. But Dunstan refusing the King's Hand, with a stern Countenance and contracted Brow spoke thus to him: You that have not been afraid to corrupt a Virgin dedicated to Christ, how can you presume to touch the Consecrated Hands of a Bishop? You have defiled the Spouse of your Maker, and do you now think by your flattering service to pacify the Friend of the Bridegroom? No Sir, do not mistake yourself; for I will be no friend to him who hath Christ for his Enemy. The King thunderstruck with these dreadful Words and touched with remorse of Conscience, fell down at the Feet of Dunstan; who raising him up, began to aggravate his Crime, and finding the King pliable to his Instruction, he enjoined him the following Penance for satisfaction; That he should wear no Crown for the space of feven years; That he should fast twice a week; That he should distribute his Treasure left him by his Ancestors liberally to the poor; That he should build a Monastery for Nuns at Shaftsbury, that since he had rob God of one Virgin by his Transgression, so he should restore to him many again for the time to come; Likewise, That he should expel Clerks or Priests of evil life (meaning those who were married) out of the Churches, and place Monks in their room. All this Edgar performed, and the seven years being past, Dunstan (saith the Historian) calling the Nobility, with the Bishops, Abbots, and Clergy together, he before all the People set the Crown upon the King's Head at Bath, in the thirteenth year of his Reign; Dunstan, who it seems ruled all, having hitherto hindered it. The Nun here mentioned was Wilfrid a Duke's Daughter by whom he had a Daughter called Editha: He had a Son likewise by Elfrida, the Earl of Devonshire's Daughter, which Dunstan being now grown good natured, Christened: The words of the Historian are these. The Child also which was gotten of the Harlot he Baptised in the Holy Fountain of Regeneration, and giving him the name of Edward, adopted him to be the King's Son. There are abundance of ridiculous miracles related of this Dunstan: One among many others was, That a Vision appearing to him, required him to take up the Body of Editha the Bastard and Canonize her for a Saint; her Tomb being accordingly opened in the Church of Wil●on, where she was buried, her whole Body (saith the Monkish Historian) was consumed to Dust, save only her Thumb, her Belly, etc. whereof she herself shown the meaning, declaring That her Thumb remained entire, because she so often used to cross herself therewith, and the other Parts did signify the extraordinary Abstinence and Chastity. With such stuff were the People then abused, and persuaded to worship for Saints the dead Carcases of those that were many times of very profligate Lives while on Earth. In King Edgar's Reign there was a great Famine, wherein Ethel walled Bishop of Winchester sold away all the Church-Plate, and Vessels of Gold and Silver, to relieve the Poor, saying, There was no reason that the senseless Temples of God should abound in Riches, and the lively Temples of the Holy Ghost to be in want of them.  
After the Death of Edgar there was great Diviston, many of the Nobility being for Etheldred, the true and only legitimate Heir of Edgar; but the other Nobles, and the Clergy, especially Dunstan, fearing the Married Clergy should again prevail, he, with several other Bishops, meeting together, and carrying the Cross before Edward, brought him to the Lords, and by many Persuasions prevailed with them to accept him for their King. He was accounted a just, meek Prince, and very charitable to the Poor: Yet enjoyed he the Crown but a short space; for in the fourth Year of his Reign, as he was Hunting near Corf-Castle, where his Brother Etheldred and Queen Elfrida his Mother resided, while he was discoursing and drinking on Horseback, as the Cup was at his Mouth, a Servant of the Queens, by her contrivance, struck him into the Back with a Knife or Dagger; at which setting Spurs to his Horse to get away, and fainting with loss of Blood, he fell from his Horse with one Foot in the Stirrup, and was dragged up and down the Woods, till at last his Body was left dead at the Gate of Corf-Castle. When this Fact was committed the Queen was so struck with remorse, that to expiate her Gild, she built two Monasteries, Almsbury and Wormwell: For, as Mr. Fox observes, most of these Religious Houses were founded either upon the account of some Public or Private Murder.  
Edward the Martyr, as he was called, being thus slain, Etheldred his younger Brother, the Son of Edgar and Queen Elfrida, succeeded. He reigned thirty eight years, but was very unfortunate, and full of Troubles all his time. It is related, That when Archbishop Dunston Christened Etheldred as he held him over the Font, the Child was not very cleanly, whereupon the Bishop swore, By the Mother of God, this Boy will prove an unhappy and slothful Prince; which happened accordingly. At his Coronation a Cloud appeared, half like Blood, and the other half like Fire. In his third Year the Danes Invaded the Kingdom in several places, and the King paid them forty thousand pound yearly for his Quiet, which much disobliged his Subjects; yea, the English were so low, that the Danes commanded their Houses, Wives, Daughters, and all they had: Whereupon Etheldred contrived, that all the Danes were massacred in one day: But this did more enrage them, so that first Swain and then Canutus, came with two hundred Sail of Ships, and landed in Cornwall, burning, and destroying all before him, and killing Nine hundred Monks and Nuns at one time, the King's Counsels being all betrayed by the Traitor Edrick: Whereupon he fled, with his Queen Emma and her two Sons into Normandy, to Richard, Duke thereof, who was her Brother. But Swain being soon after killed by his own men, they made his Son Canutus King. After which Etheldred returns again to England, and perceiving the several Treasons against him, and being unable to withstand their Fury, he soon after died.  
Edmund, the eldest Son alive of Etheldred, succeeded, surnamed Ironside, from his great Strength and Courage. He was Crowned at Kingston: But the Danes were then so powerful in England, that Canutus was accepted King at Southampton, many of the Clergy and Laity swearing Allegiance to him; but the City of London stood firm for Edmund, who fought several Battles against the Danes, and routed Canutus four times in the plain Field, and would in likelihood have freed the Nation from the Danes, had not the ever-false Edrick and other perfidious persons of the Clergy and Laity, prevented it. At length, to avoid further Bloodshed, they made an Agreement to divide the Kingdom betwixt them; but Edmund enjoyed the benefit of this Accord a very short time, being soon after murdered as he was easing Nature, by Edrick, and his Head presented to Canutus, who, though he loved the Treason, yet commanded the Traitor to be beheaded.  
By the Death of Edmund, the Saxon Monarchy came to a Period; for Canutus, after his Death, seized upon the other half of England, none being able to withstand; whereby the Danes made themselves sole Masters of this Island, after it had been in possession of the Saxons about 566 Years: The English Nobleses owning Canutus for their lawful King, and swearing Fealty to him at his Coronation at London in the year of Christ 1017. Though Canutus had never the better Opinion of them, considering, that most of them had sworn Allegiance to Edmund their Natural Sovereign, and likewise that they were English Natives: He therefore judged them treacherous Persons, and used them accordingly; for some he banished, others he beheaded, and many by the Just Judgement of Heaven died sudden Deaths. Canutus, to establish his Government, called a Parlaiment of Bishops, Lords, and Barons, in London, wherein many laws were ordained, and, among others, this following: We admonish diligently all Christian Men, that they do always love God with an inward heart, and be diligently obedient to Divine Teachers, and do subtly search God's Learning and Laws often and daily, to the profit of themselves: And we warn, that all Christian men do learn to know at leastwise the right Belief, and a right to understand the Lord's Prayer and the Creed, for that with the one every Christian man should pray unto God, and with the other show forth right Belief. He also ordained in another Parliament at Oxford, That both English and Danes should observe the laws made by King Edgar, as judging them to be above all others most just and reasonable. He married Emma the Widow of King Etheldred, and Sister to Richard Duke of Normandy, with this Condition, That the Issue of her Body by him should inherit the Kingdom of England. He went to Rome to complain of the excessive Extortions of the Pope from the English Archbishops, upon receiving their Palls: And having reigned twenty Years over England, he died.  
Notwithstanding the former Agreement, yet Harold the Son of Canutus by Elgina his first Wife, (in the absence of Hardiknute the Son of Queen Emma) succeeded his Father; and the better to secure himself, he, by the assistance of the treacherous Earl Goodwin, who had married Canutus' Daughter, endeavours to get into his Power Edward and Alfred the two Sons of Queen Emma by King Etheldred, whom he knew had more Right than himself; and to that purpose they sergeant a Letter in Emmas name, whom Harold had abused, and rob of her Jewels, the Contents whereof were to this purpose.  
EMMA, in Name only Queen, to Edward and Alfred her Sons sends Motherly Greetings. Whilst we severally bewail the death of our Sovereign, my Lord, and your Father; and yourselves (Dear Sons) are still more and more dispossessed from the Kingdoms of your lawful Inheritance; I much wonder what you intent to do, since you know that delays in Attempts give the Usurper more leisure to lay his Foundation, and more safely to fix thereon his intended Building; never ceasing to post from Town to City, to make the Lords and Rulers thereof his Friends, by Threats, Prayers, or Rewards: But notwithstanding his Policy, yet they privately signify, that they had rather have one of you, their Native Countrymen, to reign over them, than this Danish Usurper. Therefore my advice is, That either of you do with all speed repair to me, that we may advise together what is to be done in this so great an Enterprise. Fail not therefore, but send me word by this Messenger what you intent to do herein. And so far ye well.  
Your Affectionate Mother Emma.  
Messengers being sent to Normandy with this Letter, they met only with Alfred, (Edward being gone into Hungaria) to whom delivering their Message, he was very joyful, and made all possible haste to England, accompanied with divers Norman Gentlemen, and arriving at Southampton, was received by the villainous Earl Goodwin with much pretended Kindness and Friendship, who made as if he would bring him to London; but being come to Gilford in Surrey, Goodwin commanded his men to kill all Alfred's Company, and then carrying him to the Isle of Ely, ordered his Eyes to be put out: Then opening his Body, they took out his Bowels, and fastening one end of his Guts to a Stake, they drove him round it with Iron Darts and Needles, till all his Bowels came clear away. Thus died innocent Alured, or Alfred, the true Heir to the Crown, by the Treachery of Godwin, to the great disgust of the English Nobility, who vowed Revenge. This Harold, called Harefoot for his great swiftness, did not long enjoy his usurped Dominion; for after four years he died.  
After which Hardiknute, the Son of Canutus and Queen Emma, who was by his Father made King or Denmark, is now by the States of the Land, both Danes and English, invited over hither to take upon him the Government. He was a great Oppressor of the English by heavy Taxes, which so enraged them, that two of his Collectors were slain at Worcester, for which their City was burnt, and their Bishop Alfred expelled his Office, till with Money he had purchased his peace. Though this King was very vicious, yet it is said, he was more kind to Edward his Half-brother, and made Earl Godwin purge himself for the death of Prince Alfred, though it is thought his bountiful Gifts to the King prevailed much more for clearing him, than his Innocence. One present especially is very remarkable, that is, A Ship whose Stern was of Gold and fourscore Soldiers, all richly habited, within her; on their Heads they all wore gilded Burgonets, and on their Bodies a triple gilt Harbergeon, about their Wastes Swords girt richly guilt, a Danish Battle-ax on their left Shoulders, a Target with gilt Bosses on their left Hand, a Dart in their right, and upon their Arms Bracelets of Gold of great Value. After two years' Reign Hardiknute died in the midst of his drunken Debaucheries, and in him ended the Danish Race in England, three Kings only of that Nation Reigning here. This third Conquest was but of a short continuance, yet were the Danes very insolent toward the English during that time; for if an Englishman and a Dane met at a Bridge, or at a Door, the Englishman must stand still till the Dane passed by, and if he did not then bow down very low to the Dane, he was certainly beaten and abused: Yea, it is related, That while the English were drinking, the Danes would stab them, or cut their Throats; to prevent which, when the Englishman drank, he desired his next Companion to be his Surety or Pledge, from whence it is said the Custom of Pledging one another did first arise. For these, and abundant greater Insolences, after the Death of Hardiknute, the Danes were utterly driven out of England, and never again returned.  
Edward called the Confessor, succeeded next, in 1042. who was an absolute Englishman, and the youngest Son of Etheldred and Queen Emma; being invited from Normandy by all the English Nobility, who disdained the Danish Subjection, and was entertained with great Joy. He first remitted that heavy Danish Tax of Forty thousand pound a year, called Dane gilded, imposed by his Father, and paid forty years by all but the Clergy, who are exempted, Because the Kings reposed more confidence in the Prayers of the Holy Church, than in the Power of Armies. It is reported, Edward forgave that Tax upon this occasion: A great Sum of that Treasure being brought into his Chamber, and laid in a heap, he being called to see it, was at first sight much affrighted, protesting he saw the Devil dancing with great Joy upon the same; and therefore commanded it should be again restored to his Subjects, and released them from it for ever after. He married Editha Earl Godwin's Daughter, but never had any Conjugal Society with her, though she was a Lady accomplished with all excellent Endowments both of Mind and Body, so that this old Ve●●●●● written on her; 
Sicut Spina Rosam, Genuit Goduinus Editham.  

From prickled Stalk as sweetest Rose,  
So Editha fair from Godwin grows.    
Edward himself confessed upon his Deathbed, That openly she was his Wife, but in secret Embrace as his own Sister: But whether it were Infirmity or Chastity, it seems he was willing to have her accused of Incontinency, whereof if she were guilty, he could not be innocent, it being a great injury to put his Wife's virtue to so Tyrannical a trial. After this, some differences arose between him and Earl Godwin, and Forces were raised on both sides, but by the Intercession of the Nobility, an Agreement was made: Yet Godwin escaped not Divine Vengeance; for being charged by the King for the Munder of Alfred, he wished if he were guilty he might never swallow down a bit of Bread again; which happened accordingly; for the first bit of Bread he put into his Mouth choked him; as he sat with the King at Table: A dreadful Instance of God's Severity against Perjury. This King is blamed for his Cruelty to his Mother, in forcing her to pass over nine burning Blow shares, barefoot and blindfold, for a Trial of her Continency; which yet she performed without the least damage. He is said to be the first King that cured the Disease called the King's-Evil.  
It is related, that this King lying on his Bed one Afternoon, with the Curtains drawn, a pilfering Courtier coming into his Chamber, and finding the King's Casket open, which Hugoline his Chamberlain had forgot to shut, he took out as 〈◊〉 Money as he could well carry, and went away: But finding success, he came a second, and a third time, still carrying off more. At which the King, who had observed all, called to him to be gone with all speed, since he had enough, if he could be contented; For, said he, if Hugoline should come and catch thee, thou wilt go nigh to lose all thou hast got, and may'st get a Halter into the Bargain: The Fellow was no sooner gone, but Hugoline came in; and finding the Casket open, and a great deal of Money taken out, he was much incensed: But the King bid him not be moved; For, said he, he that hath it, hath more need of it than we.  
When this King Edward was hastening out of Normandy with a great Army to recover England from the Danes, being ready to give Battle, his Captains assured him of Victory, and that they would not leave one Dane alive: God forbidden, said Edward, that the Kingdom should be recovered for me, who am but one Man, by the death of so many thousands; better it is that I should live a private and unbloody Life, than to be a King by such a Slaughter and Butchery. This King having no lisue of his own, sent for Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside out of Hungary, who for his long absence was called the Outlaw; but he dying soon after, he declared Edgar the Outlaw's Son, to be Heir, and surnamed him Atheling, or Adeling, a Term appropriated to the presumptive Heirs of the Crown. He had also a Daughter named Matilda, who was married to the King of Scots, and was Mother to David King of Scotland, and Maud Queen of England.  
When King Edward was on his Deathbed he observed all present weeping and lamenting for him, to whom he said, If you loved me, you would forbear weeping and rejoice; because I go to my Father, with whom I shall receive the Joys promised to the Faithful, not through my Merits, but by the free mercy of my Saviour, who showeth mercy on who he pleaseth.  
After the Death of Earl Godwin, Harold his Son grew into great Favour with King Edward, and was by him made Lieutenant of his Army against the Welsh; who, with his Brother Tosto, or Toston, utterly subdued that Rebellion. After which, Harold still increasing more in favour with the King, there grew such hatred between the two Brethren, that Tosto coming to Hereford, slew all his Brother's Servants, and cutting them in pieces, salted them, and put them into powdering-tubs. It happened afterward, that Harold going beyond Sea, was by Tempest ●●●ven into Normandy, and being seized, and carried before Duke william, he made him promise, That after the death of King Edward, he would secure the Kingdom for him, according to King Edward's Will: Which Oath having taken, Harold came back, and told King Edward what he had done, who seemed well content therewith, saith the Historian; which, if it were true, he had surely forgot his former Declaration concerning Edgar Atheling.  
However, after the death of King Edward, Harold neither regarding his Oath to Duke William, nor Edgar's Right, whom he despised for his tender Age, caused himself to be Proclaimed King, without any great Ceremony or Celebration, none much approving or disapproving thereof: and to ingratiate himself with the People, he eased them of several severe Taxes laid upon them by his Predecessor, and was affable and kind to all: But this was a short calm before a great storm; for soon after Duke William sent his Ambassadors to him to mind him of his Oath; but he returned answer, That it was extorted from him in his Imprisonment, and therefore was no way obliging. At this Answerthe Duke was much enraged and prepared Forces for gaining the Kingdom by force. Neither was Harold idle, but made provision to withstand him: At which time a dreadful Comet appeared in the Heavens, which was then judged and after proved to be a fatal Omen.  
During these Preparations, Tosto Brother to Harold, and Harfager King of Denmark, with three hundred Ships, invaded the Country; landing in Yorkshire, Harfager claiming the Crown as Son of Canutus; but the Nobility of those parts opposing them, were routed: which Harold hearing, marched against them, and at Stamford-Bridge he encountered them, where his whole Army was withstood by one single Dane, who slew forty of his men and made good the Bridge, till a Soldier in a Boat rowing under the Bridge, thrust his Spear through a crevice and so slew this valiant Champion: After which, the King fell upon the Danes and got an entire Victory over them, killing King Harfager, and Tosto his own Brother: Olave the Son of Harfager, and Paul Earl of Orkney, were taken Prisoners, with abundance more, who begging their Lives, the King ordered 20 of their 300 Ships to carry them to Denmark, with the sad news of the loss of their King and his whole Army.  
No sooner was this Storm over, but a worse began; for Duke William having prepared a great Army and Navy, resolved for England, having the free consent of his Nobility for his Voyage, many of them assisting him therein. But first he sent to Pope Alexander to confirm his Title to the Crown, who did it readily, and withal sent him a Consecrated banner, an Agnus Dei, and a Hair of St. Peter, with a curse to all opposers to carry in the Ship wherein he himself failed. Being thoroughly furnished he and his Men embarked at St. Vallery, where they stayed a long time for a Wind; at length setting Sail, Sep. 28. 1066. he arrived with his Fleet at Pevensey in Sussex, where as soon as he landed, it happened one of his Feet stuck so fast in the Sand that he fell to the ground; whereupon one of his Attendants catching him by the Arm, and helping him up, said, Stand up my Lord; and be of good Courage, for now you have taken fast footing in England; and observing that he had taken up Sand and Earth in his Hand, he added, You have now taken Livery and Seisin of the Country; it being the custom, that when Possession is taken of Land, a piece of Earth is given to the Possessor. A Wizard or Necromancer had told Duke William, That he should safely arrive in England with his whole Army, without any hindrance from Harold; which after it came to pass, King William sent for this Conjurer, to confer further with him; but it was told him, That he was drowned in that Ship which alone of the whole Navy miscarried; whereupon the Conqueror said, He would never put confidence in that Science which was of more benefit to the Ignorant than the Skilful therein; for it seems he could foresee my good fortune, but not his own misfortune.  
After his Landing, the Duke set all his Ships a fire, to assure his men that they must either conquer or die. He then marched towards Hastings, declaring the cause of his coming to be to inherit the Kingdom, which was given him by King Edward, and strictly charging his Soldiers not to wrong any of the People in the least, since they were so soon to become his Natural Subjects. He then sent Messengers to Harold, either to deliver him up the Country, and be subject to him, or to fight it out in the sight of both Armies in single combat; or lastly, to stand to the Pope's Determination: But he returned answer, That unless he did suddenly departed, he would give him cause to repent this his rash Invasion; and that the next day it should he tried by more Swords than One. Accordingly Harold marcheth courageously against Duke Widiam, who put himself into a posture to receive him. It happened, that the Morning before the Battle, William's Armourer by mistake put on his Back-piece before, and his Breastplate behind; which being observed by some of his Attendants, was judged an ill Omen, and therefore they advised him not to fight that day: To whom the Duke replied, I value not such Fooleries; but if I have any skill in Soothsaying, (as in truth I have none) I am of the opinion if doth foretell, that I shall change my Condition, and of a D. shall this day become a K.  
The Armies being Marshaled, Harold placing the Kentish-men with their heavy Axes or Halberds in the Van, the Battle began, both Parties fight bravely, one for the Liberty of their Country, and the other for a Kingdom. The Normans perceiving they could not break the united strength of the English, pretended to fly, which the English believing, pursued them in disorder, whereupon the Normans taking the advantage, rallied, and charging them furiously in that disjointed Posture, made a very great slaughter among the English; and among the rest, King Harold, his Brother, and most of the English Nobility, fell that day; and of the Common Soldiers, Sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four. Others report, an hundred thousand were slain. Duke William had three Horses killed under him, yet received not the least wound, his Loss being only, as is said, Six thousand Men. Thus died King Harold, after only nine months' Reign, and was buried at Waltham Abbey in Essex. And it is very remarkable, That whereas Harold, with his Father Godwin, had cruelly murdered Alfred the true Heir to the Crown, and his Normans, he was now by a Norman Wounded in the left Eye with an Arrow, whereof he immediately died. This great Battle was fought at Hastings in Sussex, on Saturday, October 14. 1066. The English after this vast loss had designed to make Edgar Atheling King, but it was prevented by their private Animosities. And thus ended the Saxon Monarchy in England, which from Hengist in 475 to this Year, had continued (save only some short interruptions by the Danes) Five hundred ninety one years.  
During these stupendious Revolutions in the State and Government of England, we do not read of much action between the Welsh, and the Saxons, Danes and Normans; It is recorded they had still a Succession of Kings and Princes, and among them Leoline ap Sytsill who lived about the year 900, in the Reign of Edward Surnamed the Elder, a Valiant Saxon King, and yet free from Pride or Ambition, (saith the Historian) as appears by the intercourse betwixt him and this Leoline, who after several Skirmishes thought fit to Treat of Peace; The King lay at a place called Austeline, and the Prince at Bethesly not far distant; Leoline thought it below him to cross the Severn to wait upon Edward, whereupon the King went into a Boat to come over to him; Leoline observing it, and surprised at this great condescension, upon the King's approach to the opposite shore, threw off this rich Robe he had on, prepared on purpose for that Royal Assembly, and entered the Water Breast high, where embracing the Boat he submissively said, Most Prudent and Worthy King, your Humility hath overcome my Insolence, and your Wisdom hath Triumphed over my Folly, Come, tread upon my Neck which I have foolishly lifted up against you, and enter into my Country this Day with all freedom, since your generosity hath made it all your own. Having said this, he took the King upon his Shoulders, and carrying him ashore caused him to sit down upon his Royal Robe, and so putting his hands jointly into his, acknowledged Homage and Allegiance to him.  
Ethelstane his Successor had Wars with the Welsh, whose Princes and Rulers he brought to be his Tributaries, who at Hereford entered into Covenants to pay him yearly twenty pound weight in Gold, three hundred weight of Silver, and two thousand five hundred Head of , with a certain number of Hawks and Hounds; Toward the payment of which, by the Statutes of Howel Dha, the King of Aberfraw was charged at sixty six pounds, the Prince of Dynever and the Prince of Powys the like Sums. This Ethelstane confined the Britain's (who hitherto had enjoyed the City of Exeter with the same right as the Saxons) into the furthest Promontory of Cornwall, enlarging his Dominions beyond any Saxon King before him.  
In the time of King Edward the Confessor 1053, the Irish with 36 Ships entered the River Severne, and with the assistance of Griffith King or Prince of North-Wales, burnt and destroyed all they met with; Against whom Alfred Bishop of Worcester marching with considerable force, was defeated, many of his Soldiers being slain, and the rest put to flight, which much elevated the Welsh, so that Rice the Brother of Griffith made many Incursions into the English Territories, and carried away great Booties, till at length he was routed and slain at Bulenden, and his Head presented to King Edward at Gloucester. Two years after the King having banished Algar the Son of Leofrike Earl of Chester without cause, he with the assistance of the Welsh and Irish under Grissith, who had Married his Daughter, much endamaged the English, defeating Rodulf Earl of Hereford with the slaughter of five hundred men, defacing that City, and burning the Minster, with many other mischiefs; Against whom Harold Son to Earl Godwin (afterward King, and slain by William the Conqueror) was sent, who prosecuted the War with much courage and conduct, pursuing his flying Enemies and passing through North-Wales Encamped upon Snowdon Hills; but the Earl and Griffith not daring to come to an Engagement, fled from thence to South-Wales, and again took possession of Hereford, of which Harold having notice marched thither with all diligence, and soon recovering the City fortified it with a deep Trench and an high Rampire, and for preventing of Bloodshed, and ingratitude to Algar, who had freely resigned his Earldom to Harold upon his return from Exile, a peace was concluded, and at Harold's request King Edward pardoned both him and Griffith; But Algar raising fresh disturbances, and again assisted by his old friend Griffith, recovered his Earldom of Chester by Arms, at which the King was highly offended, especially with Griffith, who was always ready to appear against him, and Harold was a second time made General, and with a great Army entered North-Wales without sight of an Enemy, whereupon he burned down the stately Palace of Prince Griffith, and so returned to the King; But the Welsh were not long quiet, and Griffith inflamed with revenge, with the greatest strength he could raise, made Inroads into ihe English Borders; Upon which Harold is sent a third time against them, who burst into Wales with such mighty Forces, that Prince Griffith doubting the Success withdrew secretly from his Camp, leaving his Soldiers to fight for themselves if they pleased; who finding their Prince had deserted them, the whole Army yielded themselves to Harold's mercy, and having seized upon Gaiffith, they cut off his Head and sent it to Harold, giving him Hostages for their future obedience, and for payment of the ancient Tribute, which for some time had been denied. After which King Edward kept a severe Eye over the Welsh, making a Law that if any of that Nation should pass armed over Offa's Ditch, his Right Hand should be cut off.  
In the Reign of William the Conqueror, Roger Earl of Hereford raising a Rebellion against him in that Country, was assisted by the Welsh, but it being soon suppressed and the Earl taken and banished into Normandy, the King used great severity against the Welsh, putting out the Eyes of some, Hanging others upon Gibbets, and they that escaped best were forever banished their Country; and afterwards entering Wales with a great Army, he obliged the Princes thereof who were unable to resist, to do him Homage at St. David's, and taking Hostages for their peaceable demeanour, he returned as a Victorious Conqueror.  
In 1095. William Rufus finding the Welsh often attempting mischief against the English, resolved to make a full Conquest of them, and redoubling his usual Forces drew into the Marshes of Wales, and their Encamped, calling a Council of War to consult how to prosecute his design against them, who finding their own weakness to oppose, they according to their usual manner secured themselves in their Woods and Mountains, and other inaccessible places; Upon which the King sent Hugh Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury and Hugh Lupus Earl of Chester into the Isle of Anglesey, who there executed great cruelty, on the People, cutting off the Hands, Noses and Arms of the Resisters, sparing neither Age, Sex, nor place Sacred or Profane from Destruction; At which very time M●gous King of Norway landed there, in hope to Conquer the Island, whom the English Earls opposed with all their might, armed at all points, yet Montgomery through the sight of his Beaver was shot with an Arrow into the right Eye, whereof he died.  
In 1107. those Flemings which his Brother Rufus had settled in Cumberland, whose Lands the Seas had overwhelmed some years before, were by King Henry I. removed into Ross in Wales, both to free the Inland Country from such a burden, and to keep the Welsh in obedience, which project answered his expectation; For, saith Giraldus, they were a Colony of stout men, enured to the Wars, and likewise Clothiers and Husbandmen, as time and place required, and most loyally devoted to the Crown of England, whereby they kept the Country in subjection for some time. Yet 1114. Griffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales, and Owen ap Cadogan Prince of South-Wales made Inroads upon the Lands of Gilbert Strangbow, Hugh Earl of Chester and other English Gentlemen, and so incensed the King by these Outrages, that in a rage he vowed he would not leave one alive in North or South Wales, and going thither in Person divided his Army into three parts, to catch if possible these nimble Combatants, who at his approach were got again to their old Recesses, however with much difficulty he pursued and killed many of them in their Hills and Woods, and the rest yielded to King Henry, who returned home with much satisfaction.  
In 1121. King Henry was again disquieted by the Welsh under Meredith ap Beldin Prince of Powis-Land, and the three Sons of Cadogan, who broke into the Marshes of Cheshire and burnt two Castles, against whom the King marched with strong Forces, sending the main of his Army and Carriages the Common Road, but himself with a select company, took a nearer way through the straits and Mountains, which the Welshmen having notice of, they laid an Ambush who courageously set upon them and reigned down Showers of Arrows on them, from the higher grounds whereby many of the English were slain, and one Arrow aimed at the King shot him on the Breast, but by his Armour was hindered from doing farther mischief, whereat he was little concerned, only swore, By our Lord's Death, his usual Oath, that he was sure that Arrow was shot by own of his Followers and not by a Welshman; At length finding he should gain little, and might lose much of the honour he had gained in this barren Country, he concluded a Peace with the Welsh Princes, giving them a thousand head of , and so returned to London.  
In 1138. Owen and Cadwallader the Sons of Griffith ap Conan Prince of Wales, made an Irruption into the Pale, and did much damage, carrying away much spoil of Goods, Horses, Arms, and other Habiliments of War, which King Stephen was not able to revenge, being sufficiently encumbered in defending his Crown, which Maud the Empress upon pretence of a better Title endeavoured to deprive him of, under the Conduct of her Brother in Law Robert Earl of Gloucester. King Stephen Besieged Ramilph Earl of Chester and Earl Robert in Lincoln, who issued out of the City resolving to give the King Battle, being assisted with a great number of Welsh as well as Englishmen. Before the fight the Earl of Chester animated his Soldiers by telling them, That he gave them unfeigned thanks for hazarding their lives in so just a cause against a faithless King, and that he himself would lead them amidst the strongest Troops of the Enemy, and seemed already in his own thoughts to be breaking through them, and trampling on the necks of their Chief Captains, yea piercing with his Sword the very Heart of King Stephen himself, not doubting but they would follow their Leader, and by his example quickly put their  adversaries to flight; On the other side Baldwin, King Stephen's General, told his men, That the Justice of their Cause, obliged them to defend their valiant King to whom they had sworn Allegiance, and whose Presence, Courage and Conduct aught more to encourage them than thousands of men; What is Robert the Bastard their General, says he, but a boasting Coward who can speak big, but perform little, hath a Lion's Voice, but the Heart of an Hare? and what is Chester's Earl but an hare-brained audacious man, without Judgement or Courage? and what are the Welshmen which he has with him, are they not fit for our contempt than fear? who being naked, unarmed and without any military Discipline, run headlong like wild Beasts upon the Javelins and Spears of the Hunter; and the rest are only stragglers and runagates, who will never endure the force of your puissant Arms. After this a bloody Battle was fought, but at length King Stephen's Horse giving way, and the Foot being thereby exposed, they allfled together, leaving the King almost alone in the Field. A strange sight it was (saith the Historian) to see King Stephen left almost alone, and yet none durst approach him, who grinding his Teeth and foaming like a furious wild Boar, with his Battle Axe drove whole Troops before him, cutting down great numbers of them to the eternal Renown of his Courage, so that if but an hundred like himself had stood by him, a whole Army had not been able to surprise his Person: yet he still defended himself, till first his Battle-ax and then his Sword flew in pieces by his irresistible blows, so that being left Weaponless he was struck down with a great Stone and taken Prisoner. Yet he afterward regained his Liberty and his Crown, and Died a King after having Reigned near 19 years.  
In 1170. The Welsh surprised the Town of Cardigan under Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales, and took therein the Governor Robert Fitz Stephens a valiant Norman, who could not procure his Liberty upon any other terms than by forever renouncing all Right and Title to his Estate and Possessions in the Principality of Wales, which hard condition he was obliged to accept, and joining with Dermot one of the five Kings of Ireland, who at that time came over to crave aid from King Henry II. was instrumental in conquering that Kingdom, and annexing it to the Crown of England.  
In 1199. King Richard I. resolving to make a Voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land or Jerusalem, he resolved to leave all quiet at home, and Rice ap Griffith Prince of South-Wales being then in amity, came as far as Oxford to wait upon him: but because the King who was there, went not out of the City in Person to meet him as his Father Henry had done, (though Earl John the King's Brother had conducted him from the Marshes with all the marks of honour and esteem) this haughty Welsh Prince took it in such great scorn and indignation, that he presently returned back into his Country without once seeing or saluting King Richard, who by this disrespect lost Rice's love and favour; As upon the like omission and superorlousness, the stately Monk Austin formerly lost the affections of the Monks of Bangor, Rice's own Countrymen, in another part of Wales.  
In 1211. Leolin ap Jorwith Prince of Wales (though he had a while before made his submission to King John) plundered several English Towns in the Marshes, which caused the King to raise a great Army to reduce him to obedience, whereupon Leoline ordered all his People to convey their  and Goods of Value, to the almost inaccessible places upon Snowdon Hills: however the English pursued them with so much speed, vigour, and revenge for their continual losses, that their Prince and Chief Lords were compelled to accept of what terms the King would allow them, whereby they were obliged (both by Oath, Homage and Hostages, and likewise by granting all their Lands to the King, to be held of him forever) to buy their peace, and save themselves from being utterly extirpated out of their Country.  
In 1230. King Henry III having given the Castle of Montgomery to his great Favourite Aubert de Burgh, the English Garrison issued out with intent to root up all the Trees near a Wood about five Mile long, where Travellers used to ●erobbed and murdered, which the Welsh would by no means permit, falling upon the Soldiers and driving them into the Castle; Upon which the King Marches thither, and not only suppresseth these Mutineers, but sets the whole Forest in a Flame; From hence he pierceth farther into Wales, and burns a place called Cridia, and then gins to raise a new Fort for bridling the Natives, which whilst he was doing David Prince of Wales marched toward him with his Forces, being encouraged by many great men in King Henry's Army, who were confederates with him, and a great Battle was fought where many were slain on both sides, and afterward by the treachery of these English Barons, Provisions grew so very scare that the King was compelled to yield to a dishonourable Peace, namely, To raze to the ground the new Fort, now almost finished, That William Bruce a valiant Commander taken in the Fight, should continue Prisoner during Prince David's Pleasure, Lastly, That David should pay the King only three thousand Marks toward the charges of the War.  
About a year after Prince David made another Insurrection in revenge of those Welshman's Heads whom Hubert the Burg had caused to be struck off in cold Blood, and presented to the King, for which David burned several Churches and many Ladies in them, whereupon he was solemnly Cursed and Excommunicated at Oxford in the presence of all the Nobility, and Clergy, and the King raising a great Army went to repress the Welsh, but returned without effecting it; So that they continued their ravages more than ever; Complaints whereof coming daily to the King, the Lords of his Council told him how pernicious it would be to him to suffer it, who replied, That he was not able to suppress them for want of money; They being envious at his kindness to Hubert de Burg, boldly replied, He might well be poor who gave away his Estate to make others Rich and Great, and thereupon they drew up many Articles against de Burg, one whereof was, That he had stolen out of the King's Jewel Office a precious Stone of wonderful value, which had virtue to make him that wore it Invincible in Battle, and that he had given this Stone to David Prince of Wales, the King's Enemy; Another was, That he by his Letters had caused Prince David to hang the gallant William Bruce; But he defeated all their designs against him, and recovered the King's favour.  
Afterward Prince David joined with the Earl Martial in a Rebellion against the King, and defeated his Forces; But the King at length recovering his power there, and giving himself up to Works of Charity and Hospitality caused Prince David to use this notable expression, I more fear saith he, the Almsdeeds which the King doth than all the men of War that he hath, and the whole Clergy put together; After this having taken Homage of all his Nobility, Prince David voluntarily offered to hold his whole Principality of the Kings of England, (though with the dislike of his People) that he might thereby strengthen himself against the attempts of his Son Griffith, who used great endeavours to deprive him of his Royalty.  
Griffith succeeded him, and being taken Prisoner by King Henry was committed to the Tower of London, from whence endeavouring to make his escape over the Walls, by tying the Sheets and Blankets of his Bed together, the weight of his heavy Body loosed them, and falling down upon his Head he broke his Neck.  
Afterward his Son David being provoked by the many injuries received from the Earl of Hereford, made an Inroad into the English Marshes, and designed to have freed himself from all Homage to the Kings of England, exhibiting his complaint to the Pope, and alleging, That he was by force and violence unjustly compelled to hold his Principality and Estate of them; But the King's Credit and Power prevailed against the weak Allegations of this poor Prince, who thereupon continued his depredations; Against whom King Henry sent three hundred men at Arms under the Command of Sir Hubert Fitz Matthew, but through his own rashness, and the valour of the Welsh, he and his Party were totally defeated; At which the King being much troubled, resolved to go against them in Person, and after he had fortified the Castle of Grennock in North-Wales, and wasted the Isle of Anglesey he was forced by the rigour of the Wether to return home, endeavouring to starve the Welsh, by prohibiting the Irish and Cheshire men under severe penalties to furnish them with any provisions; and if any of them ventured out of their Fastnesses on Snowdon Hills, to satisfy their hunger the Garrison of Grennock were ready to surprise them; Yea the two Welsh Lords Powys and Bromfield joined with the King against them, insomuch that they were in miserable distress, about which time Prince David died.  
In 1255. The Welsh being oppressed by Geoffrey Langley Governor of the Marshes fled to Arms, whereupon Prince Edward (afterward King Edward I.) to whom his Father had given that Principality, raises an Army to subdue them, and wanting Money borrowed large sums of his Uncle Richard, and then Marches against Prince Leoline, whose Forces consisted in about Ten Thousand Country Horsemen, and many more Foot, who took a Solemn Oath, That they would stand together for the recovery and defence of their Ancient Laws, Liberties and Country, counting it better to lose their Lives with Honour, than to live in Ignominy and Slavery; And indeed they had already performed very notable enterprises under the conduct of their valiant Prince, having recovered all the Inland Country of North-Wales, and in one Battle killed above a thousand English, putting the rest to flight, and making Eruptions to the very Walls of Chester; Neither had Prince Edward any better success, for Leoline fell upon his Army with such Courage as obliged them to retire and not attempt any thing farther against him, who complaining to his Father of the disgrace he had received; What's that to me (says K. Henry) I have given the Country to thee, and thou must use thy courage to defend it, and thereby gain such honour in thy Youth, that afterward thine Enemies may stand in fear of thee; As for me I have somewhat else to do. In the absence of Prince Edward, Leoline and his Welsh Forces continued their ravages on the Marshes; He likewise Confederated with the English Barons then in Arms against King Henry whom they had defeated and taken Prisoner in a bloody Battle at Lewes in Sussex, and carried into Wales with them, destroying the Lands of the English in the Counties of Monmouth and Glamorgan, under the command of Prince Leoline and Simon Montfort Earl of Leicester. Prince Edward perceiving that he must use his utmost power for the recovery of his Father's Liberty, and the Kingdom, resolved with the assistance of the People of Cheshire, Herefordshire, Worcester and Shropshire (who had been great sufferers in these public calamities) to give the Rebel's Battle, which he did accordingly in a large Plain near the Town of Eversham in Worcestershire, where the Army of the Barons was utterly discomfited with a very great slaughter, especially of the Welsh; Simon Montfort called the Great Earl of Leicester was also slain; at which very minute there was such terrible Thunder, Lightning and Darkness as caused much amazement. After the Death of Montfort, Prince Leoline who had given him great assistance, thought fit to make a reconciliation with King Henry, and by paying thirty thousand pound Sterling, four Welsh Counties taken from him in the Wars, were restored to him.  
In 1275. King Edward I. sent for Prince Leoline to attend at his Coronation and do him Homage, which he excused or modestly refused; He was afterward summoned to appear at the Parliament at Westminster, which he likewise declined, standing upon terms of safe Conduct, doubting to be used, as he pretended, like his Grandfather Griffith, whom he intimated was murdered in the Tower of London, and not killed by accident: yet he sent a message to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, That if the King pleased to appoint Commissioners to receive his Oath and Homage he was very ready to give it, or if he would name some indifferent place and give Prince Edward, the Earl of Gloucester, and the Lord Chancellor as Hostages for his safe return, he would wait upon him in Person; The King dissembled his anger at these arrogant demands, but a while after coming to the Castle of Chester on the Border of Wales, he again sent for him, and Leoline again denied to come; At which the King resolved, for preventing all future disturbances on that side, to make an absolute Conquest of the Country; And on the contrary the Welsh having always a custom at every change of Princes in England to try conclusions, expecting one time or other to change their Yoke of Bondage into Liberty, were in great hopes of doing it at this time, having now a valiant Prince to command them; But an accident happened which somewhat took off their edge, for the Lady Eleanor Daughter of Simon Earl of Montfort, whom Prince Leoline extremely loved Sailing out of France into Wales, was by the way taken by some English Ships, and brought to King Edward, and for the Love of her, Prince Leoline was willing to submit to any conditions, so that besides his Promise of submission to the Government, he agreed to pay down Fifty thousand pounds Sterling, and a thousand pound a year during life; Upon these Terms he Married his beloved Lady, and the Wedding was solemnised in England, the King and Queen being present thereat; Three years Leoline continued faithful and obedient, in which time David one of his Brothers, staying in England, and being found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit, was much honoured by him, Knighted and Match to a Rich Widow, Daughter of the Earl of Derby, to which the King added the gift of the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pound a year, though it was at length discovered that he lived here only as a Spy; For Prince Leoline's Lady dying soon after, and he contrary to his engagements taking up Arms, his Brother David notwithstanding these favours from the King, went and joined with him, and they together enter into England seizing the Castles of Flint and Ruthland with the Person of the Lord Chief Justice Clifford who was sent thither as a Judge, and in a great Battle the Welsh overthrew the Earls of Northumberland and Surrey with the Slaughter of many English.  
King Edward was at the Vizes in Wiltshire when news coming of this revolt and overthrow, he raises an Army to revenge it; In his way he goes to visit his Mother Queen Eleanor, who lay at the Nunnery of Almesbury, with whom while he was discoursing a Person was brought into the Chamber, who pretended that being formerly blind he had received his Sight at the Tomb of King Henry III. When the King saw him, he knew him, and that he was a most notorious lying Villain, and entreated his Mother not to give the least credit to him: but the Queen who was glad to hear of this Miracle for the glory of her Husband, finding her Son unwilling that his Father should be a Saint, fell suddenly into such a rage, that she commanded him out of her sight, which the King obeys, and going forth meets with a Clergyman to whom he tells the story of this Impostor, adding merrily, That he knew the Justice of his Father to be such, that he would rather pluck out the Eyes, being whole, of such a wicked wretch, than restore him to his sight.  
In the mean time the Archbishop of Canterbury went of himself to Prince Leoline and his Brother David, endeavouring to persuade them to submission, but in vain: for Leoline was so animated with an old British Prophecy of Merlin's, That he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute, that he had no Ear for Peace, and shortly after no head, for the Earl of Pembroke first took Bear Castle which was his usual residence from him, he then gave him Battle, and his Party being defeated, his Head was cut off by a Common Soldier and sent to King Edward, who caused it to be Crowned with Ivy, thereby in some part unluckily fulfilling his Welsh Prediction. And this was the end of Leoline the last of the Welsh Princes, betrayed, as some writ, by the men of Buelth. Soon after his Brother David flying into Wales, and being destitute of help or relief, he was at length taken with two of his Sons and seven Daughters (as some Authors writ) all which were brought before the King; David was committed to Chester Castle, and afterward in a Parliament at Shrewsbury was convicted of Treason, and sentenced to an ignominious death, namely, to be first drawn at a Horse Tail about the City of Shrewsbury, then to be beheaded and quartered, his Heart and Bowels burnt; His Head to accompany his Brothers was put upon the Tower of London, and his four Quarters were set up in four Cities, Bristol, Northampton, York and Winchester; A manifold Execution and the first shown in this kind in this Kingdom, in the Person of the Son of a Prince, or any other Nobleman that we read of in our History. Some have observed that upon King Edward's thus totally subjecting Wales, he lost his Eldest Son Alphonsus a Prince of great hopes, about twelve years of Age, and had only left to succeed him his Son Edward lately born at Carnarvan, and the first of the English Royal Families that was Entitled Prince of Wales, but no Prince worthy either of Wales or England.  
After this, the rest of the Welshmen as well Nobles as others submitted themselves to King Edward, and all the Country and Castles therein were surrendered to him, who then annexed that Country to the Crown of England, and built two strong Castles at Aberconway and Carnarvan to secure their obedience; He also gave several Lands and Castles to Englishmen, as the Lordship of Denhigh to Henry Lacie Earl of Lincoln; Of Ruthen to Reginald Lord Grey, and divided Wales into Counties and Hundreds, establishing the Government thereof agreeable to the Laws of England; This happened in the twelfth year of his Reign, 1284.   

Remarks upon the Lives of the Princes of Wales of the Royal Families of England.  
PART. II.  
THough King Edward I. had subjected the Principality of Wales, and afterward annexed it to the Crown of England, yet he could never induce that People freely to own him as their King, but upon condition that he would come and reside among them, or at least appoint them a Prince of their own Nation to Govern them; for the Welshmen having experienced the rigorous and severe Treatment of the English Governors, and being sensible that the King would rule them by an English Deputy, they could not with patience bear the thoughts of it, so that oftentimes when the King charged them with affronting his Lord Lieutenants, they unanimously answered, That they were very willing to be subject to any Prince he should nominate, provided he were a Welshman born.  
The King perceiving their inflexible temper, resolved to gratify them by a Politic Stratagem; He thereupon sends secretly to the Queen who was then big with Child, that she should come to him with all speed to Carnarvan, and when she was nigh her time of Delivery, He ordered all the Welsh Nobility and Gentry to appear before him at Ruthland Castle to consult about the Public welfare of their Country; When they were come he detained them till he had notice that the Queen was delivered of a Son at Carnarvan, and then calling them together, he told them, That they having often Petitioned him to have a Prince to rule them, he being now going out of their Country would nominate one to them, provided they would promise to accept and obey him. The Welshmen answered they would be willingly obedient to him, provided he were their own Countryman; Ay, says the King, I will assure you that he was born in Wales; That he can speak never a word of English, and that he never did any wrong to man, Woman or Child; The Welshmen were very joyful of their good fortune, promising true subjection to him; Whereupon he named his own new born Son Edward, firnamed Carnarvan from the place of his Birth, and from that time the Eldest Sons of the Kings of England have been Entitled Princes of Wales.  
This Prince succeeded his Father by the name of King Edward II. He was a comely Person, and of great strength, but much given to Drink, which made him often disclose his Secrets; For his other conditions, his greatest fault was his inordinate love to Garestone and the Spencers, who being Persons of lewd Lives, endeavoured to debauch him with Wine and Women, and occasioned many mischiefs and grievances in the Kingdom, of which the Nobility and People were so sensible, that when they found him irreclaimable, they resolved to depose him and set his young Son Edward on the Throne, his Queen likewise joining with the Lords therein, who going over to France, she there Contracted a Marriage between her Son Edward and Philippe Daughter to the Earl of Heynault, by whom being aided with Forces, she landed at Orwell near Harwich in Suffolk, The Lords immediately resorted to her, and the Londoners inclining to take her part, the King found his evil Counsellors the Spencers and others could do him little service; Therefore Shipping themselves for the Isle of Lundy, they were by Tempest cast upon the Coast of Wales, and the King secured himself in a Monastery in Glamorganshire; But soon after both he and his Favourites were taken from thence. They were Hanged and Quartered, and he himself was deposed by Parliament, having been first persuaded to make a formal resignation of the Crown; And at length he was committed a Prisoner to Berkley Castle near Bristol, where he was miserably murdered, by having a red hot Iron or Spit thrust up into his Body.  
II. Edward of Windsor, so called from the place of his Birth, the Son of this unfortunate King was the second Prince of Wales of the English Royal Blood. Upon the Deposing of his Father by the Parliament, it was resolved that he should be advanced to the Throne, which this young Prince refused, unless his Father resigned the Government, which he was obliged to do, and so his Son was Proclaimed King by the name of Edward III. who afterward proved a Glorious and Renowned Prince. His Minority (being but four years old when he was Crowned) though it may Palliate, cannot so take off the scandal of not preventing his Death who gave him Life, but that there remains a great blemish upon his memory; For being a Master of so much reason as to pause upon it, as he did, upon the first motion of putting his Father to Death, it may be thought he had power enough to have prevented the execution, it being a violation of the Law of Nature, and likewise of ill example, since the People might use him in the same manner if he outlived their affections, or his own discretion; But his revenge upon Mortimer seems to declare him really innocent, or that he abhorred the World should think otherwise; Whereby he so far reconciled himself to the opinion of the Vulgar, that he seldom wanted Friends during his long Reign, as he never wanted an occasion to make use of them.  
He was a Prince of that admirable composure of Body and Mind, that Fortune seemed to have fallen in love with him, elevating him so far above the reach of Envy or Treachery, that all the Neighbour Princes dazzled with the splendour of his Glory gave place to him, who from the very first Ascent to the Throne, had a prospect of two Crowns more than he was born to; The one placed within his reach, which was Scotland, The other that of France which was more remote; To the attaining the first there was a fair opportunity offered by the irreconcilable contest of two Rival Kings, David Bruce, and Edward Balliol whose Right and Interest were so evenly poized, that King Edward's power could easily turn the Scale; To the recovery of France there was yet a fairer opportunity given him by the revolt of Philip of Artois a Prince of the Blood Royal, and Brother in Law to Philip of Valois the present French King, who upon discontent came over and discovered all the Secrets of the French Counsels to King Edward, assuring him of the Affections of several of the French Nobility; And now the two Kings set up their Titles to the Kingdom of France; Edward was nearest by Blood, but drew his Pedigree from a Female; Philip was farther off but descended of all Males, and because the Law Salic, which excludes Women from Reigning in France, was conceived as well to exclude all Descendants from Females, therefore was Philip's Title accepted, the French obstinately declaring, That they would never tie the Succession of that Crown to a Distaff; To which King Edward replied, That he would then tie it to his Sword; With the English took part the Emperor and the chief Princes of Germany; With the French the King of Bohemia, the two Dukes of Austria, the Earl of Flanders, the Duke of Savoy and divers Princes of Italy; together with his enraged Neighbour David Bruce King of Scots, a weak but restless Enemy, against whom King Edward had set up Edward Balliol as Competitor; and to whose assistance he sends an Army toward Scotland, and at Hallydown Hill near Berwick, the Scots are utterly defeated, about Thirty Two Thousand Soldiers being slain, with a great number of Nobility and Gentry, After this King Edward gained a Glorious Victory over the French at the Battle of Cressy, and another at Poitiers, wherein John King of France was taken Prisoner; And David King of Scots with an Army of Threescore Thousand men a second time Invading England, his Army is routed and himself taken Prisoner.  
King Edward III was of Stature indifferent tall, with sparkling Eyes, and of a comely and manly countenance, no man was more mild when there was submission, nor none more fierce if opposed; He had a command over his Passions as well as People, being never so loving as to be fond, nor so angry as to be irreconcilable; But this must be understood of him when he was a man, for in his old age he became a Child again, and was Master of neither; He was Fortunate and Valiant, both which were heightened in the estimation of the World as reigning between two unfortunate Princes, his Father to whom he was Successor, and his Grandson Richard II. to whom he was Predecessor; His disposition was so martial that his very Recreations were Warllke, for he delighted in none more than in Justs and Tournaments; and among the rest in the fourth year of his Reign a solemn Tournament was held in Cheapside, between the great Cross and the great Conduit, which lasted three days, where his Queen Philippe with many Ladies fell from a Stage erected for them to behold the just, and though they were not hurt at all, yet the King threatened to punish the Carpenters for their negligence, till the Queen entreated pardon for them upon her Knees, as she was always ready to do all good Offices of mercy to all People. To discover his Devotion one example may be sufficient, for when neither Cardinals nor Counsellors could move him to make Peace with France, a Tempest from Heaven did it; To which may be added, That he never won a great Battle but he presently gave the Glory of it to God by public Thanksgiving; He outlived the best Wife and the best Son that ever King had, and to say the truth, he outlived the best of himself, leaving all Action, and bidding adieu to the World Ten Years before he went out of it, declining so fast from the Fortieth year of his Government, that it may rather be said his Son the Prince Reigned than he: and happy 'twas for him that when his own Understanding failed him he had so good a supporter. And the grief for the loss of him, besides the Fatigues of War, was thought to hasten his Death, together with the trouble for the loss of the benefit of his Conquests in France, of all which he had at last little left but the Town of Calais. Being oppressed thus in Body and Mind, he was drawing his last breath when his Concubine Alice Pierce (who was so confident sometime before, as to sit in Courts of Justice, and overawe the Judges) packing away what she could catch, even to the Rings of his Fingers, left him; and by her example others of his Attendants seize on what they could meet with, and march away; yea all his Counsellors and Courtiers forsook him when he had most occasion for them, leaving his Bedchamber quite empty. Which a poor Priest in his Palace observing, approached to his Bedside, and finding him yet Breathing, called upon him to remember his Saviour, and to beg Mercy for his Offences, which none about him before would do; But now moved by the Voice of this Priest, he shows all signs of Contrition, and at his last Breath he pronounceth the Name of Jesus. Thus died this Victorious King at his Manor of Sheen (now Richmond) June 21. 1377. in the 64 year of his Age, having reigned above 50 years; His Body was conveyed from Sheen by his four Sons (having had seven in all, and five Daughters) and the Nobility, and solemnly interred in Westminster Abbey, where his Monument is to be seen, and likewise his Sword which it is said he used in Battle being eight pound in weight, and seven foot in length.  
III. The Third Prince of Wales of the Blood Royal of England,, was Edward commonly called the Black Prince, but why so named is uncertain, for to think it was because of his dreadful actions (as Speed saith) has little probability, neither do the Historians of that Age ever give him that name, nor mention that he was so called; He was eldest Son to King Edward III. by the fair Philippe Daughter to William Earl of Henault and Holland, and born at Woodstock, July 15. 1329. in the third year of his Father's Reign; He was afterwards created Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitain and Cornwall, and Earl of Chester; He was likewise Earl of Kent in the right of his Wife Joan Daughter of the Earl of that Name, and Brother by the Father's side to King Edward II. the most admired beauty of that Age. King Edward was very careful of his Education, providing him the most able Tutors to educate him both in Arts and Arms.  
When he was but fifteen years old, his Father passing over into France with a gallant Army, took his Son along with him, making him a Soldier before he was a Man, being willing to try his Metal, and loath to omit any thing that might give reputation to that Battle wherein two Kingdoms were laid at Stake. In 1345. King Edward with a Fleet of about a Thousand Sail, landed an Army of Two Thousand Five Hundred Horse and Thirty Thousand Foot most of them Archers, in Normandy, making devastation of all before him even to the very Walls of Paris.  
In the mean time Philip the French King was not idle, having raised as brave an Army as France had ever seen, consisting in near an Hundred and Twenty Thousand Fight Men; K. Edward's Army being loaden with the rich Spoils of the ruined Country, he was unwilling to retreat, neither indeed was he able being got into the Heart of the Enemy's Country, between the two fine Rivers of Scin and Soan, so that he began to inquire how he might find a passage out of these straits, which the French having notice of, looked upon as an intended flight, and King Edward was willing they should nourish that opinton; The River Soan between Abbeville and the Sea was fordable when the Tide was out, of which the French were ware, and therefore guarded the passage with a Thousand Horse, and Six Thousand Foot commanded by Gundamar de Foy a Valiant Norman Lord. King Edward coming to this place plunges into the River, crying out, He that loves me will follow me; as resolving either to pass or die; This so animated his Soldiers that the Passage was won, and Du Foy defeated by the undaunted courage of the English, almost before he was fought with; carrying back to King Philip. Two Thousand less than he brought beside the terror of the English Arms, the Soldiers resolving to live and die with such a gallant Sovereign; King Edward was now near Crescy in the Province of Pontheiu between the River's Soam and Anthy (a place unquestionably belonging to him in right of his Mother) where he provided all necessaries for a Battle; King Philip enraged at the late defeat, and by his numerous Forces growing confident of success, marches furiously to fall upon them without any stop till they came within view of the English Colours.  
King Edward having implored the aid of the Almighty, full of hopes of obtaining Victory, without the least disturbance of mind, divided his Army into three Bodies; The Front was commanded by the young Lion of Wales our brave Prince Edward, assisted with several of the most experienced Generals consisting of Eight Hundred Men at Arms, Two Thousand Archers, and a Thousand Welshmen. The second Battalian was commanded by the Earls of Northampton and Arundel with other Lords, being Eight Hundred Men at Arms, and One Thousand Two Hundred Archers; The third and last being about Seven Hundred men at Arms, and Three Thousand Archers, with the rest of the Nobility, the King led himself, and being mounted upon a white Hobby he Rid through the several Ranks, reviving and encouraging his Soldiers with cheerful words to fight like Men for his Right and their Honour. He then ordered the Rear of the Army to be Barricadoed with Trees and Carriages, and likewise commanded the Troopers to dismount and leave their Horses behind them, so that all means of flight being taken away, they must now resolve either to Conquer or Diego  
In King Philip's Army were the King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, the Duke of Lorraine, the Duke of Savoy, the Earls of Flanders, Nevers, Sancerre, with many other Dukes, Earls, Barons and Gentlemen Volunteers, both French, Dutch and Germans; and just the Night before the Battle Ann of Savoy joined him with a Thousand Men at Arms; So that all things seemed to conspire to elate the French Pride and assure them of Victory; They divided their Army likewise into three Battalia's: The Van was led by the Duke of Alonson the King's Brother, and the King of Bohemia; The Rear by the Duke of Savoy; And the main Battle the King Commanded himself; He was so impatient of delays that He would scarce stay to call a Council of War to consider how to manage the Fight; He likewise caused the Banner of Auriflamb to be erected, which was of red Silk and Hallowed by the Pope, of which the French had as high an opinion as if it had fallen from Heaven; The King of Bohemia hearing of the posture of the English Army, (contrary to the proud conceit of the French) said, Here will the English end their Days or Conquer.  
A little before the Fight, happened a very terrible Tempest of Thunder and Rain, and a bright Rainbow appeared in the Heavens; And soon after the Sun broke forth, shining full in the Faces of the French and on the Back of the English; and at the same time great numbers of Ravens and other Birds of Prey flew over the French Army; All which accidents were judged ominous, and presaging mischief to the Enemy; The signal of Battle being given by King Philip, it was entertained by a shout from his Army, the Drums beat, the Trumpets sounded, Banners flew in the Air; Glittering Swords were seen threatening Death and Destruction, and all the horrors of War appeared in their most dismal Colours. The ruin of the French began at the Genoeses, who being all Cross-Bow Men were ordered to open a way for the French Horse, but it happened that their Bowstrings being Wet by the late great Shower, and their Bodies weary with a long March, after the English had received the first Volley of their Arrows with their Targets, their Ranks were opened in many places by the fall of their slain Fellows, who were killed by the English Bowmen, and at length most outrageously scattered and trampled under foot by the Duke of Alencon (by Command of the King himself) who bringing up the Horse in a full Career, cried out; On, on, let us make our way upon the Bellies of these Genoeses, who do but hinder us; And instantly Rides through the midst of them, followed by the Dukes of Lorraine and Savoy, never staying till they came to that Body of the English commanded by the Gallant Prince of Wales; These French Gallants half out of breath with their Post haste, and terribly disordered by the perpetual Storms of our Whistling Arrows, came now to handy strokes with the Prince's Squadron with Battle Axes, Swords and Lances; The Fight was very bloody while each earnestly contended for Victory. The old King of Bohemia resolving to die honourably, thrust himself into the first Ranks of his own Horsemen, and furiously charging the English he was slain with Sword in hand, the Troop of his faithful Followers with their slaughtered Bodies covering him even in Death, and his fate was soon perceived by the fall of the Bohemian Standard.  
King Philip in Person, with a strong Party, hastened to the relief of his Brother and Friends who were also much distressed by the English Valour, and great numbers slain, though the Prince of Wales was in danger in the encounter, had not his Soldiers rushed in courageously among their Enemies for the preservation of their worthy Prince.  
King Edward stood all this while upon Windmill-Hill (with his Helmet on, which he never pulled off till the Fight was ended) judiciously surveying the whole Field of Battle to observe the success, being ready to bring down his Party which lay hover like a Black Cloud, where necessity should require. In the mean time the brave Prince of Wales was contending with the whole power of France, whereupon some of his Generals seeing the great inequality, and doubting the worst, they sent to the King, requesting his assistance; The King asked the Messenger, whether his Son were slain or hurt; who replied, No, he was safe, but like to be over powered by the multitude of his Enemies; Well then, said the King, go back to them that sent you, and tell them that so long as my Son is alive, they send no more to me whatever happen, for I design that the honour of this day shallbe his if God permit him to survive, and am resolved that he shall either win the Spurs or lose his life.  
This resolution of the King's though it brought no assistance, yet seemed to inspire new Life and Spirits into the English, so that they fought like Lions; On the otherside King Philip whose Kingdom lay at Stake, performed the Duty of a good General, and a gallant Soldier, fight so long in his own Person, till his Horse was killed under him, himself twice dismounted, and wounded both in the Neck and Thigh, and in danger of being trodden to death; had not the Earl of Beaumond rescued and remounted him, and the French out of their Loyalty to save him (almost against his Will) conveyed him out of the Field, who seemed rather desirous to end his days in such noble Company. His departure was quickly known to both Armies, and as suddenly put an end to this bloody Carnage, wherein hitherto none had quarter, but were all put to the Sword; The French King himself with a small Company fled to Bray in the Night, and approaching the Walls the Guard demanded who was there, He replied, The Fortune of France; By his Voice he was Known, and thereupon received into the Town with the Tears and lamentations of his People; The rest of his Army strove to save themselves by flight, whom the English did not pursue, but stood still upon their Guard, according to the true Rules of Martial Discipline, being unwilling to hazard so glorious a Victory by following them in the Night, knowing there were so many of the Enemy escaped as might yet overwhelm their tired Army with multitude.  
King Edward seeing the Field clear of the French, came down from the Hill with his Troops entire toward his Victorious Son, whom most affectionately embracing and kissing he said, Fair Son, God send you good perseverance to such prosperous beginnings, you have acquitted yourself right Nobly, and are well worthy to have a Kingdom entrusted to your Government for your Valour; To which the most Noble and Magnanimous Prince replied, with silence, humbly falling on his Knees at the Feet of his Triumphant Father; After this Victory King Edward marched with his Army through France, and Besieged Calais.  
In 1355. King Edward was informed that Philip of France being dead, King John his Son and Successor had given the Duchy of Aquitain to Charles the Dauphin his Eldest Son, whereupon the King being much incensed, conferred the same upon his own Son the Prince of Wales, commanding him to defend his Right therein with his Sword against his Adversaries; He was likewise appointed by Parliament to go into Gascoin with a thousand men at Arms, Two Thousand Archers, and a great number of Welshmen who accompanied their Prince; and soon after with Three Hundred Sail of Ships, attended by many of the English Nobility, he landed in France, and with his Victorious Arms Marched into Aquitain, recovering a great number of Cities and Towns, and releasing a multitude of Prisoners; He than entered Guienne, passing over Languedock to Tholouse, Narbone and Bruges without opposition, and loaden with Plunder returned to Bourdeux; Afterward he made a second Course through Perigort and Limosin into the Bowels of France, even to the very Gates of Bruges in Berry, the terror of his name preparing his way, and then wheeled about designing to return by Remorantine in Blasois, which Town he took, and so through the Country of Tourain, Poictou and Xantoign to his Chief City of Bourdeux.  
But King John having raised a very Potent Army followed him in the Rear, and about the City of Poitiers he overtook our Invincible Prince, where the Armies approached each other, the French exceeding the English six to one; Two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement (as before the former Battle) mediated to take up the Quarrel, but the French King supposing he had his Enemy now at his mercy would hear of no conditions, but that the Prince should deliver him four Hostages, and as Vanquished render up himself and his Army to his discretion; The Prince was content to restore to him all the places he had taken, but without prejudice to his Honour, wherein he said, he stood accountable to his Father and his Country. But King John would not abate any thing of his first demands, as judging himself secure of Victory, and thereupon was ready to attack the Prince, who in this exigency politicly got the advantage of the ground, by obtaining the benefit of certain Vines, Shrubs and Bushes upon that part where he was like to be assaulted, whereby to imbarass and disturb the French Horse whom he saw ready to fall furiously upon him; The success answered his expectation, for the Enemy's Cavalry in their full Career were so entangled and encumbered among their Vines that the Prince's Archers galled and annoyed them at pleasure; For the French King to give the Honour of the day to his Horse, made use of them only, without the aid of his Infantry; And they being thus disordered, the whole Army was thereby utterly defeated; Here, if ever, the Prince of Wales and his Englishmen gave full proof of their undaunted Courage and Valour, never giving over till they had wholly routed all the three French Battalions, the least of which exceeded the number of the Prince's Forces. King John himself Fight valiantly, and Philip his youngest Son (who by his undaunted Prowess so defended his distressed Father, that he gained the Surname of Hardy) were both taken Prisoners. The most remarkable of the Prince's Commanders for Courage and Conduct were the Earls of Warwick, Suffolk, Salisbury, Oxford, and Stafford; The Lords Chandois, Cobham, Spencer, Berkley, Basset, etc. and particularly James Lord Audley signalised himself, receiving many wounds, and was rewarded by the Noble Prince of Wales, with the gift of Five Hundred Marks Land a year in England, which he instantly divided among his four Esquires, who had stood by him in all the fury and brunt of this bloody Battle; Whereupon the Prince asked him if he did not accept of his gift; He answered, That these men had deserved it as well as himself, and needed it more; With which reply the Prince was so well pleased, that he gave him Five Hundred Marks a Year more. A rare example, where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strove to exceed each other. He vowed to be foremost in the Fight and made good his word.  
It was the misfortune or rather glory of the French Nobility in these disastrous times, that the loss commonly fell very heavy upon them, for in this fatal overthrow the French confess that Fifty Two Lords, and about One Thousand Seven Hundred Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen were slain; The chief were, the Duke of Athens, the High Constable, Great Marshal, and High Chamberlain of France, the Bishop of Chalons, th● Lords of Landas, Pons and Chambly; Sir Reginald Charney who that day carried the Consecrated Standard Auriflamb was slain also, and of the Common Soldiers about Six Thousand. So wonderfully did the great God of Battles fight for the English in those days. There escaped from this bloody fight Three of the French King's Sons, (for he brought them all into the Field) Charles the Dauphin, Lewis Duke of Anjou, and John Duke of Barry. The French Prisoners taken were John King of France, and Philip his Son, the Archbishop of Sens, the Earls of Ponthieu, Eu, Longuevil, Vendosme, Tankervile, Salbruch, Nassaw, Dampmartin, La Roch, Vaudemont, Estampes, etc. With many other Lords and Two Thousand Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen, that bore Coats of Arms.  
After the Battle a Contention arose who was the Man that took King John Prisoner. At length the King himself decided the Controversy by declaring that one Sir Dennis Morbeck of St. Omers had made him Prisoner. For which service the Prince of Wales rewarded him with a Thousand Marks, This great Battle was fought Sept. 19 1357. and is thus described by Mr. Thomas May in his Poem on the Life of King Edward III.  
The first hot charge  
The valiant Lord, renowned Audley- gave,  
Who to perform a noble Vow, in Deeds  
Almost the Prowess of a Man exceeds,  
And like the strokes of Jove's resistless Thunder  
Shoots forth, and breaks the strongest Ranks  
Here in the thickest throng of Enemies,  
Like Thracian Mars himself, Black Edward plies asunder.  
Death's fatal task. Here Noble Warwick gives  
A furious onset. There brave Suffolk strives  
T'out 〈◊〉 the foremost: Emulations fire  
Is kindled now, and blazes high: Desire  
Of Honour drowns all other Passions there;  
Not in the Chiefs alone: Each Soldier  
In that small Army feels bright Honour's flame,  
And labours to maintain his proper Fame.  
ne'er was a Battle through all parts so fought,  
Nor such high wonders by an handful wrought.  
White Victory, that soared above, beheld  
How every English hand throughout the Field  
Was stained with Blood: Amazed to see the Day,  
And that so few should carry her away.  
The Fields no more their verdure can retain,  
Enforced now to take their Purple stain,  
And be obscured with slaughter, while the wounds  
Of France manure her own unhappy Grounds.  
Where mixed with Plebeian Funerals  
Her greatest Princes die: There Bourbon falls,  
And Marshal Clermont welters in his gore,  
There Noble Charney's beaten down, that bore  
The Standard Royal that sad Day: Here dies  
Athens Great Duke: There Valiant Eustace lies,  
Who as a badge of highest Honour wore  
A Chaplet of bright Pearls, that had before  
(Won by King Edward, in a skirmish, near  
To Calais he was taken Prisoner)  
As testimony of his Prowess showed  
Been by that Royal Enemy bestowed.  
Great are the French Battalia's, and in room  
Of those that fall, so oft fresh Soldiers come.  
So oft the bloody Fight's renewed, that now  
The English weary with subduing grow.  
And begin to faint, oppressed with odds so great;  
When lo, to make the Victory complete,  
Six hundred Bowmen (whom to that intent,  
Before the Battle, the brave Prince had sent  
Abroad, well mounted,) now come thundering o'er  
The Field, and charge the French behind so sore,  
As with confusion did distract them quite:  
And now an Execution, not a Fight  
Ensues. All routed that great Army flies,  
A Prey to their pursuing Enemies.  
With his disheartened battle, Orleans  
Forsakes the Field: with him the Heir of France,  
Young Charles of Normandy, and thousands more  
Not overthrown, but frighted by the foe.  
Nor are the English, tho' enough to gain  
The day, enough in number to maintain  
So great a chase: And not so well suffice  
To follow, as subdue their enemies.  
Nor yet (which more declared the Conquest sent  
From Heaven alone, to strike astonishment  
in overweening Mortals, and to show  
Without that help how little Man can do).  
Are all the English, Conquerors in the Field,  
Enough to take so many French as yield;  
Nor to receive the Prisoners that come  
Tho' some in fields are Ransomed, and sent home;  
Yet more from thence are Captive born away,  
Then are the Hands that won so great Day, etc.  
And now though King John had the misfortune to fall into the Hands of an Enemy, yet he had the happiness to be made Captive to a Noble Enemy; For Prince Edward, having conquered his Person by the Fortune of War, endeavoured now to overcome his Mind by his Courteous demeanour, addressing him with such an humble Grace, yet generous deportment, as a Person of so gallant a Soul as this noble Prince was capable of, which so alleviated the King's affliction, that he could not find much difference between his Captivity and Liberty, which the same Poet thus expresses.  
THE chase together with the day was done,  
And all returned. In his Pavilion  
Brave Edward feasts his Royal Prisoner;  
At which as Noble did the Prince appear  
As erst in battle, and by sweetness won  
As great a Conquest as his Sword had done.  
No fair respect, or Honour that might cheer  
That King's afflicted breast was wanting there.  
No Reverence, nor humble courtesy,  
That might preserve his state and dignity,  
But Edward showed at full. And at the Feast  
In Person waited on his captive Guest.  
But what content, what Object fit could Fate  
Present, to comfort such a changed State  
— For him;  
Whose State the Morning Sun had seen so high,  
This night beholds in sad captivity;  
His restless passions rolling to and fro  
No calm admit: when thus his noble Foe,  
Prince Edward spoke, (Great King, for such you are  
In my thoughts still, whate'er the Chance of War  
Hath lately wrought against you here) forgive  
Your humble Kinsman's service, if I strive  
To ease your sorrow, and presume to do  
What is too much for me, to counsel you.  
Do not deject your Princely thoughts, or think  
The Martial Fame that you have gained, can sink  
In one successless Field: Or too much fear  
your Nation's Honour should be tainted here.  
men's Strength and Honour we most truly try,  
Where Fields are fought with most equality.  
But God was pleased to make this days success  
The more miraculous, that we the less  
Might challenge to ourselves; and humbly know,  
That in so great and strange an overthrow  
Some secret Judgement of our God was wrought,  
And that the Sword of Heaven, not England, fought, etc.  
And for yourself, Great King, all History,  
That shall hereafter to the World make known  
Th' event of Poitiers Battel, shall renown  
Your Personal Prowess, which appeared so high,  
As justly seemed to challenge Victory,  
Had not God's secret Providence opposed:  
But though his Will (Great Sir) hath thus disposed;  
Your State remains, your Person, and your Fame,  
Shall in my humble thoughts be still the same.  
And till my Father see your Face, to show  
How he respects your Worth, and State, to you  
As to himself, were he in Person here,  
In all observance, Edward shall appear.  
The Noble King, a while amazed to see  
Victorious Youth so full of Courtesy;  
At last replies: Brave Cousin, you have shown  
Yourself a Man built up for true Renown;  
And, as in Action of the Wars, to be  
This Age's Phoenix in Humanity.  
Why do you wrong me thus, as to enthral  
Me doubly? Not insulting o'er my Fall,  
You rob me, Cousin, of that sole Renown,  
Which I, though vanquished, might have made mine own,  
To bear Adversity. I might have showed,  
Had you been proud, a Passive Fortitude;  
And let the world though I am fallen, see  
What spirit I had in scorning misery.  
But you have robbed me of that Honour now,  
And I am bound in Honour to allow  
That Noble Theft, content (since such are you)  
To be your Captive and your Debtor too;  
And since my Stars ordained a King of France,  
Armed with such odds; so great a Puissance  
Must in a fatal Field be lost, to raise  
So great a Trophy to another's Praise,  
I am best pleased it should advance thy Story,  
And John's dishonour be Prince Edward's Glory.  
After the Battle, Prince Edward led King John and the Captive Nobles Prisoners to Bourdeaux, the Archiepiscopal See, and chief City of his Dominions in France, where he retained them till the Spring following: But sent present News of this Victory to his Father, who thereupon ordered a Thanksgiving to be celebrated all over England for eight days together.  
The Prince, having refreshed his Men, the May following set sail for England, with his Prisoners, and safely arrived at Plymouth, and was with great joy and acclamations received every where. At his coming to London where at that time, a magnificent Citizen, Henry Picard (he who afterwards at one time so Nobly Feasted the four King's of England, France, Scotland, and Cyprus) was Lord Major, he received him with all imaginable Honour. And the multitude of People, that came to see the Victorious Prince, with the King of France, his Son Philip, and the other Prisoners, was so great, that they could hardly get to Westminster between three a Clock in the Morning, and twelve at Noon: Great Edward, saving that he forgot not the Majesty of a Conqueror, and ●f a King of England, omitted no kind of civility towards the Prisoners. King John, and his Son, were lodged under a Guard at the Savoy, which was then a goodly Palace belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster; and the other Prisoners in other places.  
Some time after Prince Edward, by dispensation, married the Countess of Kent, Daughter to Edmund, Brother to King Edward the second, and his Father invested him with the Duchy of Aquitain: So that he was now Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitain, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester and Kent. And not long after, he with his Beloved Wife, passed over into France, and kept his Court at Bourdeaux.  
The Prince of Wales was now grown famous over all the Christian World, and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to Appeal, and to fly for relief. For which end there came at this time to his Court James, King of Majorca, and Richard, King of Navarr, just when his Lady brought him a Son, for whom these two Kings undertook at his Baptism, giving him the Name of Richard.  
The Soldiers, most of whose Captains were English, either by Birth, or Obedience, wanting employment, because the Wars of Britain were quieted for the Present, ranged tumultuously up and down France: But about this time Sir Bertram de Glequin (having paid his Ransom) found employment for them, drawing the greatest part of that Military Pestilence into another Coast. For by the assistance of Peter King of Arragon, and the Power of Glequin, with his floating Bands, called The Companions, or Adventurers, Peter King of Castille and Leon (a cruel Tyrant) was driven out of his Kingdom, his Bastard Brother Henry being chosen in his room, and Crowned King of Spain at Burgos. This Peter was Son to Alphonsus the eleventh King of Castille, and had to Wife a French Lady called Blanch, Daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon, who was Father also of Joan, the French King's Wife. His Tyrannical cruelties were so many and so foul, that the Spanish Stories, scarce allow Nero or Caligula to go beyond him: For which, by his Subjects he was deposed.  
Peter thus driven out of his Kingdom, by the aid of the French, applied himself to Prince Edward, craving his assistance for his restoration, making many and large Promises to him upon the accomplishment thereof. The Prince out of Charity to secure a distressed Prince, and out of Policy to employ his Soldiers, having got leave of his Father, marched with a gallant Army of thirty thousand men, upon confidence of good pay for his men, and other benefits when Peter should be reestablished in his Throne; He made his way through the famous straits of Rouncevallux in Navarre, by permission of that King, who yet suffered himself to be carried Prisoner, into Castille, that he might not seem to cross the French King's designs, who favoured Henry the Usurper. Our Prince had ●n his Company, besides most of all the principal Captain of the English, two King's, Peter of Castille whose the quarrel was, and the King of Majorca; As also John Duke of Lancaster, who after Don Pedro's death, having married his eldest daughter, wrote himself King of Castille and Leon.  
On the other side, King Henry for the defence of his new Kingdom, had raised a very great Army, consisting partly of French, under Glequin their famous Captains, and of Castilians and others, both Christians and Saracens to the number of about an hundred thousand. And upon the Borders of Castille it came to a bloody battle, wherein the valaint Prince of Wales obtained a very great victory, having slain many thousands of his enemies. Henry himself fight valiantly, was wounded in the Groin, but yet escaped. There were taken Prisoners, the Earl of Dene, Bertram de Glequin (who yet shortly after, by paying a great Ransom was set at liberty.) The Marshal Dandrehen, and many others. Neither was this Victory less worth to Peter than a Kingdom: For our most Noble Prince left him not, till at Burgos he had set him upon his Throne again.  
But this unworthy King's falsehood and ingratitude were odious and monstrous. For the Prince notwithstanding this great success was enforced to return to Bordeaux without money to pay his Army, which caused great mischiefs to himself, and the English Dominions beyond the Seas, as if God had been displeased with his succouring such a Tyrant. The Prince himself, though he returned with Victory, yet he brought back with him such a craziness, and indisposition of Body, that he was never throughly well after. And no marvel, considering the Country, the Season, and the action itself, and it may be more wondered at, that his Soldiers came home so well, then that he returned so ill: Being come home, discontent of Mind was added to his indisposition of Body. For not having Money to pay his Soldiers, he was forced to wink at their preying upon the Country, for which the Country, to stop whose murmuring, his Chancellor the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of levying a Frank for every Chimney, to continue for five years to pay the Prince's debts. But this Imposition (though granted in Parliament) made their murmurs increase; For though some part of his Dominions, as the Poictorians, the Xantoigns, and the Limosins, seemed to consent to it, yet the Counts of Armigniac and Cominges, the Viscount of Carmain, and divers others, so much distasted it, that they complained thereof to the King of France, as unto their Supreme Lord: Pretending that the Prince was to answer before King Charles, as before his Superior Lord, of whom (they said) he held by homage and fealty: whereas King Edward and his Heirs by the Treaty at Bretagny were absolutely freed from all manner of Service for any of their Dominions in France; King Charles openly entertained this Complaint, and hoping to regain by surprise and policy, what the English had won by dint of Sword, and true Manhood, he summoned the Prince of Wales to Paris, to answer such Complaints as his subjects made against him.  
Our valiant Prince returned answer, That if he must needs appear, he would bring threescore thousand men in Arms to appear with him. And now began the Peace between England and France to be unsettled and wavering. For while King Edward rejoiced in the excellent Virtues and Actions of his Son and People, Charles the French King, warned by so many calamities as his Dominions had sustained by the English War: and earnestly coveting to recover the Honour of his Nation, betook himself to secret practices. Never adventuring his own Person in the Field, but executing all by his Deputies and Lieutenants, especially by the valour and service of Bertram de Glequin, Constable of France, who from a low estate was raised to this height for his prudent and magnanimous Conduct in War. And our truly Noble King (without suspicion of craft) reposing himself upon the Rules of Virtue and Magnanimity, did not reap the stable effects of so great and important victories, nor of the Peace so Ceremoniously made, that (in the World's opinion) it could not be broken, without the manifest violation upon one side, of all Bonds both divine and humane.  
The Prince of Wales by Letters advised his Father not to trust to any fair words, or overtures of further Amity made by the French, because (as he said) they entertained Practices underhand in every place against him. But his counsel was not harkened to, because he was judged to write out of a restless humour, delighting in War, though the event shown that his words were true. For now King Charles, having by quick payments, and other means got home all the Hostages which had been delivered for performance of the Articles of Peace, set all his wits on work to abuse the King of England's credulity. He courted him with loving Letters and Presents, and in the mean time surprised the County of Ponthieu (our King's undeniable inheritance) before King Edward heard thereof. Who hereupon calls a Parliament, declares the breach, craves aid, and hath it granted. And then again claims the Crown of France, and sent over his Son John, Duke of Lancaster, and Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, with a great Army to Calais to invade France.  
Among the States and Towns made over to the English at the Treaty of Bretigni, which had revolted to the French, was the City of Limosin: Thither did the Prince march, and sat down with his Army before it: And not long after came unto him out of England, his two Brethren the Duke of Lancaster, and the Earl of Cambridge, with a fresh supply of Valiant Captains, and Soldiers. The City held out to the utmost, and was at last taken by storm, where no mercy was showed by the enraged Soldiers, but Sword and Fire laid all desolate. After this Service, the Prince's health failing him more and more, he left his Brethren in Aquitain to prosecute the Wars, and himself taking Ship, came over to his Father in England, his eldest Son [Edward] being dead a little before at Bourdeaux, and brought over with him his Wife and his other Son Richard.  
The Prince having left France, his Dominions were either taken or fell away faster than they were gotten, Gueschlin entered Poictou, took Montmorillon, Chauvigny, Lussack and Moncontour. Soon after followed the Country of Aulnis, of Xantoyn, and the rest of Poictou: Then St. Maxent, Neel, Aulnay: Benaon, Marant, Surgers, Fontency, and at last they came to Thouras, where the most part of the Lords of Poictou, that held with the Prince, were assembled. At this time the King, Prince Edward, the Duke of Lancaster, and all the Great Lords of England set forward for their relief: But being driven back by a Tempest, and secure not coming, Thouras was yielded upon composition. In fine, all Poictou was lost, and then Aquitain, all, but only Bordeaux, and Bayon. And not long after Prince Edward died, and with him the Fortune of England. He was a Prince so full of Virtues as were scarce to be matched by others. He died at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday, June 8. in the forty sixth year of his Age, and the forty ninth of his Father's Reign: and was buried in Christ's-Church there, 1376.  
Among all the Gallant men of that Age this our Prince was so worthily the first, He had a sumptuous Monument erected for him, upon which this Epitaph was engraven in Brass, in French, thus Englished.  
Here lieth the Noble Prince Monsieur Edward; the Eldest Son of the thrice Noble King Edward the third, in former time Prince of Aquitain, and of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester, who died on the Feast of the Trinity, which was the eighth of June, in the year of Grace 1376. To the Soul of whom, God grant mercy. Amen.  
After which were added these verses in French, thus Translated according to the homely Poetry of those times.  
Who so thou art that passest by  
Where these Corpse entombed lie:  
Understand what I shall say  
As at this time speak I may.  
Such as thou art sometime was I:  
Such as I am, such shalt thou be.  
I little thought on the hour of Death  
So long as I enjoyed Breath.  
Great Riches here I did possess  
Whereof I made great Nobleness.  
I had Gold, Silver, Wardrobes, and  
Great Treasures, Horses, Houses, Land.  
But now a Caitiff Poor am I,  
Deep in the Ground, lo here Ilye:  
My beauty great is all quite gone,  
My Flesh is wasted to the Bone:  
My House is narrow now, and throng;  
Nothing but Truth comes from my Tongue.  
And if you should see me this Day  
I do not think but ye would say,  
That I had never been a Man,  
So much altered now I am.  
For God's sake pray to th' Heavenly King,  
That he my Soul to Heaven would bring.  
All they that Pray and make Accord  
For me unto my God and Lord;  
God place them in his Paradise,  
Wherein no wretched Caitiff lies.  
The Death of this Prince, saith an ingenious Historian, was a heavy loss to the State, being a Prince of whom we never heard ill, never received any other note but of goodness, and the Noblest performance that Magnanimity and Wisdom could ever show, insomuch as what Praise could be given to Virtue, is due to him.  
I shall only add this short Remark, That the Captivity of two Kings at the same time, namely John King of France, and David Bruce King of Scotland, demonstrated at once the Glory and Power of King Edward, and his magnanimous Son; The French King continued Prisoner in England five years, enough to have determined the fortune of that great Kingdom, and dissolved their Cantoned Government into Parts, had it not been a body consisting of so many strong Limbs, and so abounding with Spirits that it never fainted, notwithstanding all its loss of blood, but scorned to yield though King Edward came very near the Heart, having wounded them in their most mortal part the Head. At length he recovered his liberty by paying three millions of Crowns of Gold, whereof six hundred thousand were laid down presently, four hundred thousand more the year after, and the remainder the next two years following. The Scots King could not gain his Freedom in twice the time, being the less able to redeem himself, for that he was upon the matter half a King, the other half being in the possession of Edward Balliol, but at length he was ransomed for ten thousand Marks, and restored to his Kingdom.  
iv The forth Prince of Wales of the English Royal Line was Richard of Bourdeaux, so called from the place of his Birth. The Black Prince his renowned Father, whose Wisdom doubtless was no way short of his Courage, knowing how apt they who stand near the Throne are to step into it, was so intent to prevent any disorder of that kind that might be feared from the well known ambition of his aspiring Brothers, the Eldest of whom Henry Duke of Lancaster, (afterward King Henry iv) having the Title of King of Castille in the Right of his Wife, but without any Kingdom, might reasonably be suspected to affect one so much the more his own Right, and to take advantage of his Nephew Richard's weakness. He therefore made it his dying request to his declining Father, to inaugurate his Son whilst he was yet alive, that by being committed to the Parliaments care, he might have public security against all private supplantations, and without further dispute enjoy all those Prerogatives which either his own Right, or his Father's Merit entitled him to. Whereupon he was set upon the Throne at Eleven years of Age, and in the life time of his Grandfather Edward III began to Reign by the name of Richard II. with this happiness, that at the same time he took upon him to Govern them, the Parliament entered into Consultation about the Persons fittest to Govern him; And because the safety of the King as well as of the Kingdom, consisted in the multitude of Counsellors, they designed to add to his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster, (who was ambitious of being Protector) the two other Brothers Edmund Earl of Cambridge, and Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester, with whom they conjoined several Spiritual and Temporal Lords of known Wisdom and Integrity. This so offended the Duke, as seeming a reflection on his Ambition not to be trusted solely, that he refused the charge, and retiring into the Country, so played the King at his own House, that a poor well meaning Friar thought himself obliged in point of Allegiance to accuse him of an Intention to Usurp the Crown, and consequently to destroy the King. Neither wanted he matter enough, 'tis thought, to make out that charge, but his Innocence being overmatcht by Power, and having none to second his accusation, the Crime w●● cast upon the Accuser, who being friendless wa● 〈◊〉 into Prison, and inhumanely murdered by his Keepers, who tying one end of a Cord about his Neck, and the other to his Privy Members, hung him up on a Pin, and with the weight of a Stone laid upon his Belly, burst his back, and so all further proof deceased with him.  
This being known among the People, and no punishment inflicted upon the Murderers, derogated very much from the young King's Justice and Honour among his Subjects, who not being able to distinguish betwixt the want of Skill, and want of Power to punish, began thenceforth to Worship the Duke of Lancaster, as the Indians do the Devil for fear. And as the King's Father Prince Edward never recovered the health which he lost in the last expedition into Spain, so his Son never recovered this and other disadvantages, put upon him by his ambitious Uncle, and particularly that the very first day he took his Grandfather's Seat in Parliament as Heir Apparent to the Crown, he taught him to demand a Subsidy, purposely to alienate the People's Affections from him, who were before sufficiently disgusted with the heavy Taxes they had already paid: And likewise his ommitting no occasion of propagating Tumults and Factions, whereby he at length deprived his Nephew first of his Crown, and then of his Life.  
Richard II. was the comeliest Person of all the Kings since the Conquest, being Tall, well Limbed and Strong, and of so amiable a Countenance, that he might well be the Son of such a beautiful Mother. As to his Temper of Mind, it proceeded more from his Education than his natural Humour, for he seemed to have many good Inclinations, which might have grown into Habits, had they not been perverted by corrupted Flatterers in his Youth. He was of a credulous disposition, apt to believe, and therefore easy to be abused, and it was his great weakness that he could not distinguish between a Parasite and and a Friend. He seemed to partake both of a French and English Nature, being violent at the first apprehension of a thing, and calm upon deliberation. He never shown himself so worthy of the Government, as when he was Deposed as unworthy to Govern. For it appeared that the Royal Dignity was not so pleasing to him, as a quiet retired Life, which if he might have enjoyed, he would never have complained, that Fortune had done him wrong. He lived thirty three years, and reigned twenty and two months, and was Murdered at Pomfreh Castle in the place of his Birth.  
V Henry of Monmouth the Son and Successor of King Henry iv was the Fifth Prince of Wales, of the Royal Blood of England. He was bred a Student in Queen's College in Oxford, and from thence being called to Court, the Lord Piercy Earl of Worcester was made his Governor. But coming afterward to be at his own disposing, whether being by nature valorous, and yet not well stayed by time and experience, or whether incited by ill Companions, and emboldened by the opinion of his own Greatness, he ran into many Courses so unworthy of a Prince, that it was much doubted what he might prove if he should come to be King. For it is recorded that he with some other young Lords and Gentlemen, lay in wait in disguise for the Receivers of his Father's Revenue, whom they rob of their Money to maintain their riotous Living, though sometimes they miss their Prize, and were sound beaten in prosecuting such attempts, and when upon his return to Court he had heard the Receivers complain of their great losses, he would give them Money to make them part of amends, but rewarded those best that had made the stoutest defence, and from whom he had received the most blows. It happened that one of his Companions was arraigned at the King's Bench Bar in Westminster Hall for Felony, of which the Prince being informed, he by the advice of the rest, came in a great rage to the Bar, and attempted to take away the Prisoner by force, commanding that his Fetters should be taken off, and he set at Liberty. All present were much amazed, but Sir William Gascoign then Lord Chief Justice mildly desired him to forbear, and suffer the Felon to be Tried by the Laws of the Land, and that he might afterward get his Pardon of his Father, if there were occasion. The Prince grew more inflamed at these words, and endeavoured to take him away himself. But the Judge charging him upon his Allegiance to withdraw out of the Court, the Prince furiously stepped up to him, and struck him over the Face: Whereat the Judge not at all disturbed, risen up and told him, That the affront he had offered, was not done to him, but to the King his Father, whom he did there represent. And therefore I charge you, saith he, to desist from proceeding any further in your Lawless designs, and I commit you to the King's Bench, there to remain during your Father's pleasure, for the abuse you have committed, and the ill example you have given to those that may hereafter be your own Subjects. It was wonderful to see how calm the Prince was in his own cause, who had been so violent in that of his Companion, for laying aside his Dagger which he had in his hand, and with which the People feared he would have killed the Judge, he quietly submitted to his Order, and went to the King's Bench. At which his Attendants being in a great fury, ran instantly with mighty complaints to the King giving him an account of the whole matter. King Henry appeared at first a little surprised, but recollecting himself, he seemed ravished with joy, and holding up his hands to Heaven, cried out, O merciful God, how much am I bound to thy Infinite goodness, that thou hast given me a Judge, who is of such Courage as not to be afraid to administer Justice, and a Son of such humility that he will submit thereunto. However for these and some other Pranks he removed him from being Precedent of the Council, and put his younger Brother Lord John in his place. This made the Prince so sensible of his Father's anger, which some of his Enemies endeavoured to heighten, that he thought it necessary to use all means to recover his good opinion, which he endeavoured to do by a way as strange as that by which he lost it. Of which I shall give an account in the words of the Larl of Ormond, who was an Eye and Ear witness of the same.  
During the sickness of the King, faith he, some ill disposed people endeavoured to raise dissension between him and his Son, reproaching the Prince both with the Frolicks of his Youth, and for the great concourse of People that continually attended his Court far exceeding those of his Father, whereby they insinuated, that he designed to usurp the Crown during his Life, which raised much jealousy in the King's Mind, and greatly alienated his affections from him. The Prince had notice thereof by some of his Friends in Court. Whereupon he attired himself in a Garment of blue Satin, wrought all with Eyelet holes of black Silk, at every hole a Needle hanging by which it was sowed, and about his Arm he wore a Hound's Collar studded with S S. of Gold. Thus strangely apparelled, with a large Retinue of Young Noblemen, he came to his Father at Westminster, and his Attendants staying in the Hall by his Order to prevent suspicion, he himself with the King's Officers went to wait upon his Father. Being admitted into the Presence, after due obeisance, the Prince desired that he might have Audience of his Majesty in the Privy Chamber. Upon which the King caused himself to be carried thither in a Chair, where in the Presence of only three or four of his Privy-Council, he demanded of the Prince the Cause of his unwonted Habit and Coming.  
The Prince kneeling, replied, Most honoured Lord and Father, I am come to throw myself at your majesty's Feet, as your most Loyal Subject and Obedient Son, to whom nothing is more afflicting than that your Majesty should entertain the least jealousy of my designing any thing against your Royal Dignity, or to imagine me so horridly undutiful and ingrateful to a Father who hath always showed such tender love and affection to me, as your Highness hath always done, so that I should deserve a thousand deaths, if I durst imagine the least harm or damage against your Sacred Person. And if it be my bounden duty, to hazard my life in your defence against any, even the greatest Traitor whatsoever, then much more ought I to Sacrifice myself to free your Grace from the fear of any peril or danger from me, and upon that account, I have this day by confessing my Sins, and receiving the Sacrament prepared myself for another World. Therefore, most Honoured Father, I beseech you for God's sake to put an end to my life, now lying at your Feet, with this Dagger, (delivering his Dagger to the K.) for I had rather be out of the World, than continue a day longer in it, to give any disturbance to your mind. And dear Father, in the doing hereof I freely forgive you, as I shall do the same before God at the Day of Judgement.  
The King was so moved at these words, tha● throwing the Dagger away, he fell upon his Neck and embracing him, said, My dear and truly be loved Son, I must confess I had entertained some suspicions, but I now find they were altogether causeless on your part, and since I am now sensible of your fidelity and obedience, I do assure you upon my honour, I will never hereafter harbour any ill opinion of you, whatsoever may be suggested against you. And hereupon he was fully restored to the King's former Grace and Favour.  
The King's weakness of Body increasing daily, he ofttimes took occasion to give some useful instructions to his Son, for the future Governing of his Kingdom, to this effect. Dear Son, I am much concerned for fear that after my decease some difference may arise betwixt you and your Brother Thomas Duke of Clarence, whereby great mischiefs may happen to the Kingdom, you being both of great Spirits, and he of an Usurping Temper, which I am sure you will never endure. And as often as I think of it, I hearty repent me that ever I charged myself with the troubles of a Crown. The Prince replied, Gracious Sovereign and Father, I pray God continue long your Life and Reign to Govern us both, but if it please the Almighty that I shall succeed you in the Kingdom, I shall honour and love my Brethren above all others, so long as they be true and faithful to me their Sovereign Lord. But if any of them shall conspire or rebel against me, I do assure you, I shall as soon execute justice on them as upon the meanest and most inconsiderable Person in the Nation.  
The King was extremely pleased with this answer, and then proceeded. My well beloved Son, Thou hast much eased my troubled Mind, and I charge thee to do as thou hast said, To administer Justice impartially, but to be always ready, and speedy in relieving the Oppressed. And let not Flatterers, whose hands are full of Bribes, withdraw thy Mind therefrom. Delay not to do Justice to day if thou be able, lest God should execute Justice upon thee, and deprive thee of thine authority. Remember that the happiness of thy Soul, thy Body, and thy Kingdom depends thereupon. Yet in some Cases let Justice be tempered with Mercy, lest thou be accounted a Tyrant, but be sure that thou take great care to redress the Grievances of thy Subjects, and severely punish those that wrong them. Hereby shalt thou gain the Englishmen's Hearts, and reign prosperously: for so long as they freely enjoy their Liberties and Estates, thou may'st be sure of their Loyalty and Obedience, but if thou strive to slave or impoverish them, they will certainly rebel against thee, for such is their nature that they will rather choose to die Freemen, than to live Slaves and Beggars. Therefore if thou Govern thein with a mixture of love and fear, thou wilt be King over the most Pleasant and Fruitful Country, and the most Loving, Faithful, and Valiant People in the World, whereby thou wilt be a terror to all thine Enemies. My Son, when it shall please God to take me out of the World, which is the Common Lot of all men, I must leave my Crown and Kingdom to thee, and I would earnestly advise thee, that of all things thou wilt avoid Pride, neither be thou bewitched with worldly honour, so as to be exalted in thine own imagination, but always remember that the higher thy Dignity is, so much greater is the burden that lies upon thee for the security of thy Kingdom, and of every particular Subject therein, as being like the Head and Heart in the Body, from whence all the Members receive Life and Nourishment. Whereby thy People finding they receive so many benefits from thee, will be always ready to assist and defend thee, for their own preservation, as the Members do the Head and Heart. But above all things be careful to serve God sincerely, and ascribe to him the Glory of all thy Successes against thine Enemies, as coming from his goodness and not any merit of thine.  
These and many other good Instructions the King gave to his Son. And soon after being at his Prayers at St. Edward's Shrine in Westminster-Abbey, he was suddenly taken with an Apoplexy, and thereupon removed to the Abbot of Westminster's House, where recovering himself, and finding he was in a strange place, he asked where he was; and being told in the Abbot's House, in a Chamber called Jerusalem (where an ginger had formerly told him he should die;) He said, Nay then I am sure I shall die, though he before thought it would have been in Palestine, and was therefore preparing to make a Voyage thither. And here he died indeed March 20. 1413. It is observable that during his sickness he always required to have his Crown set upon his Bolster by him, and one of his Fits being so strong upon him, that all thought him absolutely dead, the Prince coming in, took away the Crown, when suddenly the King recovering his senses and missing it, was told the Prince had taken it, who being called, came back with the Crown, and kneeling down said. Sir, to all our Judgements, and to all our griefs, you seemed directly dead, and therefore I took the Crown as my Right, but seeing to all our comforts you live, I here deliver it more joyfully than I took it, and pray God you may long live to wear it yourself. Well (said the King sighing) what Right I had to it, God knows. But says the Prince, If you die King, my Sword shall maintain it to be my Right against all Opposers. Well, replied the King, I leave all to God, and then turning about said, God bless thee, and have mercy upon me. And with these words he gave up the Ghost.  
After his Father's Death, the Prince was Proclaimed King by the name of Henry V and proved a better Man of a King than a Subject, for till then he was not in his right Orb, and therefore no marvel he was exorbitant. Those that have taken the height of him, paralleled him with Alexander for Magnanimity, and Caesar for his being Invincible, and Affectation of Glory: but he had something of Caesar that Alexander the Great had not, That he would not be Drunk nor Intemperate, and something of Alexander that Caesar had not, That he would not be flattered: and both were short of him in this, that Conquering others they could not Conquer themselves, but even when they were Lords of the World, became Slaves to their own Passions. He advanced the former Title of the Right of the Kings of England to the Kingdom of France, and sent Ambassadors to King Charles VI to demand a peaceable surrender of that Crown to him, offering to accept his fair Daughter Katherine with the Kingdom, and to expect no other Pledge for his Possession till after Charles' Death. But the French King being sick, his Son the Dauphin, who managed the Government, instead of another answer, scornfully sent the King a Present of Tennis Balls; as an intimation that his Youth was better acquainted with the use of them than of Bullets. The King, whose Wit was as Keen as his Sword, returned him this answer. That in requital of his fine Present of Tennis Balls, it should not be long  he would toss such Iron Balls amongst them, that the best Arm in France should not be able to hold a Racket against them. Neither was he worse than his word, though his Army seemed very disproportionate for so great a work, being only (as some Writ) nine thousand Horse and Foot, with which small number he met with the French Army at a place called Agincourt, where though the Enemy were above five to one, he fought them with such resolution, that he took more Prisoners than his own Forces consisted of, and killed ten thousand of them, the Dauphin himself dying soon after of grief, with the loss only of six hundred English; nay one Author says, of not above twenty six in all, which made the Victory almost miraculous: And which the Religious young King was so sensible of, that he caused the Clergy in his Army to sing that Psalm of David, When Israel went out of Egypt, &c, and the Soldiers in their Arms responded at every Verse: Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be all the Glory. And upon his return to England with his Prisoners, he commanded that no Ballad or Song should be sung, but those of Thank sgiving to God for his happy Victory and Safe return, without any reflections upon the French, or extolling the English Valour.  
Soon after he returned back to France, where many great Cities and Towns were Surrendered to him, and the French being unable to make any resistance, at length a Treaty of Peace is concluded, and he married his beloved Lady Katherine, Daughter to the French King Charles, being Proclaimed Regent of France during that King's Life, and Heir Apparent to that Crown after King Charles his Death.  
He was tall of Stature, lean of Body, and his Bones small, but strongly made, somewhat long Necked, black Haired, and of a very comely Countenance. So swift in running, that he with two of his Lords would run down a Wild Buck or Do in a Park. He delighted in Songs and Musical Instruments, and used some English Psalms turned into verse in his private Chapel. And indeed it may be said of him, that he had scarce his equal both for Virtue and Valour. For he seldom fought a Battle where he got not the Victory, and never got Victory whereof he gave not the Glory to God with Public Thanksgiving. He was indeed a great Affector of Glory, yet not of the Glory of the blast of men's Mouths, but of that which fills the Sails of Time. He died of full years, though not full of years. If he had lived longer, he might have gone over the same again, but could not have gone further. He fell sick in France, and having given necessary instructions to the Nobility about him how to manage affairs, he then returned thanks to the Almighty for his many favours and blessings, and in the midst of saying a Psalm of David he gave up the Ghost: who might have justly prayed God with David, Lord take me not away in the midst of my days, for he died about the age of thirty six, which in David's account is but half the life of Man. Being dead, his body was imbalmed, closed in Lead, and laid in a Chariot Royal richly apparelled in Cloth of Gold, and then conveyed from Boys de Vincennes where he died, to Paris, Rouen, Calais, Dover, and so through London to Westminster Abbey. Upon whose Tomb Queen Katherine caused a Royal Picture to be laid, covered all over with Silver Plate gilt, but the Head all of Massy Silver, which was afterward all stolen away. He died Aug. 31. 1422. having reigned about nine, and lived about thirty eight years.  
VI Henry of Windsor, his Son and Successor, was the sixth Prince of Wales of the English Royal Line, but so unlike his Father, that had not the virtues of his Mother been so well known as they were, the Virtues of his Father would have rendered this Prince justly suspected not to have been his Son, and that his Mother begat him all of herself by imagination. His Father seemed to have some Prophetic Revelation of the future unhappiness of his Reign, and it was thought the knowledge thereof was not the least cause of shortening his days. For 'tis credibly reported, that at the news of the Birth of this Son born at Windsor, he in a Prophetic rapture cried out, Good Lord, Henry of Monmouth, shall small time Reign and get much, and Henry of Windsor, shall long time Reign and lose all. But God's Will be done.  
And yet no doubt Henry VI. was a Prince of excellent parts, though not of kindly parts for a Prince, being such as were neither fit for the Warlike Age he was born in, nor agreeable to the Glory he was born to; but such rather as better became a Priest than a Prince, so that the Title which was sometimes given to his Father with relation to his Piety, might better have been applied to the Son, That he was Prince of Priests. Herein only was the difference betwixt them, that the Religion of the one made him bold as a Lion, that of the other made him meek as a Lamb. Whereas if he had less of the Dovelike Innocence, and more of the Serpentine subtlety, 'tis probable he had not only been happier whilst he lived, but more respected after he was dead: whereas now, notwithstanding all his Indulgence to the Church and Churchmen, there was none of them so grateful, (after he was Murdered by the Bloody Duke of Gloucester) to give him Christian Burial, but being brought from the Tower to St. Paul's in an open Coffin bare-faced where he bled, thence to Blackfriar, where he also bled: he was carried from thence by Boat to Chertsey Abbey, without Priest or Clark, Torch or Taper, Mass or Mourner. Indeed his Burial was so without regard to his Person or Dignity, that if his Funerals were any whit better than that which the Holy Writ calls the Burial of an Ass, yet they were such, that his Competitor and Successor King Edward IU. who denied him the Rights of Majesty living, thought him too much wronged being dead, and to make him some kind of satisfaction, he removed his Corpse to Windsor Chapel, and there erected a fine Monument over him.  
In this King we may see the fulfilling of that Text, Woe to that Nation whose King is a Child, for he was not above eight months old when he succeeded his Father in the Kingdom, though this Text may be meant as well of a Child in understanding as years. The first defect may be supplied by good Governors or Protectors, but the last is hardly to be repaired, of which in this Prince we have a pregnant instance, For so long as he continued a Child in years, his Kingdoms were kept flourishing by the Providence of his careful Uncles, but so soon as he left being a Child in years, and yet continued a Child in Ability of Ruling, having not the judgement to conceal his own weakness, then presently Faction and Ambition broke in upon the Government, so that all things went to wrack both in France and England, and we were forced to surrender tamely all our Foreign Acquisitions, which we had obtained with so much Reputation and Glory. This King being Crowned King of France at Paris in 1431.  
He was tall of Stature, spare and slender of Body, of a comely Countenance, and in all parts well proportioned. For endowments of his mind, he had Virtues enough to make a Saint, but not a King. He was sensible of that which the World calls Honour, accounting the greatest honour to consist in humility. He was not so stupid not to know Prosperity from Adversity, but he was so devout as to think nothing adversity which was not an hindrance to Devotion. He had one privilege peculiar to himself, that no man could ever be revenged on him, seeing he never offered any man injury. He was so modest, that when at Christmas a show of Women was presented to him with their naked Breasts, he presently departed, saying, Fie, Fie for shame, forsooth you are to blame. So pitiful that when he saw the Quarters of a Traitor over Cripplegate, he caused them to be taken down, saying: I will not have any Christian so cruelly handled for my sake. So free from swearing, that he never used any other Oath but forsooth, and verily. So patiented, that to one who struck him when he was taken Prisoner, he only said, Forsooth you wrong yourself more than me to strike the Lord's anointed. So Devout, that on principal holidays he used to wear Sackcloth next his Skin. In fine, let his Confessor be heard, who in ten years' Confession never found that he had said or done any thing worthy of a Reprimand. For all which Christian Virtues King Henry VII. would have procured him to be Canonised for a Saint, but that he was prevented by Death, or perhaps because the charge would have been too great, the Canonization of a King being much dearer than that of a private Person. He reigned thirty eight, and lived fifty nine years, and was murdered in the Tower of London, in 1472.  
VII. Edward the only Son of King Henry VI by Queen Margaret Daughter to the King of Sicily, was the seventh Prince of Wales of the Royal Blood of England. He Married Anne the Daughter of Richard Nevil called the Great Earl of Warwick; After his Father's Army was defeated by King Edward iv at Tauton Field in Yorkshire, he with his Mother were sent into France to pray aid from that King. This Battle was the bloodiest that ever England saw, King Henry's Army consisting in threescore thousand, and King Edward's in about forty thousand men, of which there fell that day thirty seven thousand seven hundred seventy six Persons, no Prisoners being taken but the Earl of Devonshire. Afterward the Queen returns from France with some Forces, but before her coming King Edward had defeated the Earl of Warwick (who with some other Lords had raised a Party for her assistance) at Barnet, wherein near ten thousand were slain. So that when it was too late she landed at Weymouth, and from thence went to Bewly Abbey in Hampshire, where the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Devonshire, and divers other Lords came to her, resolving once more to try their Fortune in the Field. The Queen was very desirous that her Son Edward Prince of Wales, should have returned to France, there to have been secure, till the success of the next Battle had been tried, but the Lords, especially the Duke of Somerset, would not consent to it, so that she was obliged to comply with them, though she quickly repent it. From Bewly she with the Prince and the Duke of Somerset goes to Bristol, designing to mice what men they could in Glocestershire, and to march into Wales and join Jasper Earl of Pembroke, who was there assembling more Forces. K. Edward having intelligence of their Proceed resolves to prevent their conjunction, and follows Queen Margaret so diligently with a great Army, that near Tewksbury in Glocestershire he overtakes her Forces, who resolutely turn to engage him. The Duke of Somerset led the Van, and performed the part of a Valiant Commander, but finding his Soldiers through weariness begin to faint, and that the Lord Wenlock who commanded the main Battle moved not, he road up to him and upbraiding his treachery, with his Pole-ax instantly knocked out his Brains, but before he could bring this Party to relieve the Van, they were wholly defeated, the Earl of Devonshire with above three thousand of the Queen's Men being slain, the Queen herself, John Beufort, the Duke of Somerset's Brother, the Prior of St. John's, Sir Jervas' Clifton and divers others were taken Prisoners. All whom, except the Queen, were the next day Beheaded. At which time Sir Rich. Crofts presented to King Edward, King Henry's Son Edward, Prince of Wales. To whom King Edward at first seemed indifferent kind, but demanding of him how he durst so presumptuously enter into his Realm with Arms? The Prince replied, though truly, yet unseasonably, To recover my Father's Kingdom and my Inheritance. Thereupon King Edward with his hand thrust him from him, or as some say, struck him on the Face with his Gauntlet, and then presently George Duke of Clarence, Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset, and the Lord Hastings standing by, fell upon him in the place and murdered him. Others writ, that Crook-backed Richard ran him into the Heart with his Dagger. His Body was Buried with other ordinary Corpse that were slain, in the Church of the Monastery of the Black Friars in Tewksberry.  
VIII. Edward eldest Son of King Edward iv was the eighth Prince of Wales of the English Royal Blood, Of whose short Reign and miserable Death, there is an account in a Book called England's Monarches.  
IX. Richard only Son of King Richard III was the ninth Prince of Wales. His Mother was Ann the second Daughter of Richard Nevil the Great Earl of Warwick, and Widow of Prince Edward Son of King Henry VI aforementioned, who was Married to King Richard though she could not but be sensible that he had been the Author both of her Husband's and Father's Death, but women's Affections are Diametrically opposite to common apprehensions, and generally governed by Passion and Inconstancy. This Prince was born of her at Midleham near Richmond in the County of York. At four years old he was created Earl of Salisbury by his Uncle King Edward iv At ten years old he was created Prince of Wales, by his Father King Richard III. but died soon after.  
X. Arthur eldest Son to King Henry VII. was the tenth Prince of Wales of the Royal English Families. He was born at Winchester, in the second year of his Father's Reign. When he was about fifteen years old, his Father proposed a Marriage for him with the Princess Katherine Daughter to Ferdinando, King of Spain, which being concluded, the Lady was sent by her Father with a gallant Fleet of Ships to England, and arrived at Plymouth. Soon after the Princess was openly espoused to Prince Arthur, they were both clad in white, he being fifteen, and she eighteen years of age. At night they were put together in one Bed, where they lay as Man and Wife all that Night. When morning appeared, the Prince (as his Servants about him reported) called for Drink, which was not usual with him. Whereof one of his Bedchamber ask him the cause, he merrily replied: I have been this Night in the midst of Spain which is a hot Country, and that makes me so dry. Though some writ, that a grave Matron was laid in Bed between them to hinder actual Consummation. The lady's Dowry was two hundred thousand Ducats, and her Jointure the third part of the Principality of Wales, Cornwall and Chester. At this Marriage was great Solemnity and Roval Justings. Prince Arthur after his Marriage was sent into Wales, to keep his Country in good Order, having several prudent and able Counsellors to advise with, but within five Months after, he died at his Castle at Ludlow, and with great solemnity was Buried in the Cathedral of Worcester. He was a very ingenious and learned Prince, for though he lived not to be sixteen years old, yet he was said to have read over all or most of the Latin Fathers, besides many others. Some attribute the shortness of his Life to his Nativity, being born in the eighth month after Conception.  
XI. Henry the second Son to King Henry VII. was the eleventh Prince of Wales, of the Royal English Line. He was born at Greenwich in Kent. After the Death of his eldest Brother Prince Arthur, the Title of Prince of Wales was by his Father's Order not given to him, but his own only, of Duke of York, till the Women could certainly discover whether the Lady Katherine were with Child or not. But after six months when nothing appeared, he had his Title bestowed upon him, and King Henry being loath to part with her great Portion, prevailed with his Son Henry, (though not without some reluctancy in one so young as himself, for he was scarce twelve years of age) to be contracted to the Princess his Brother's Widow, for which Marriage a Dispensation, by advice of the most Learned men at that time in Christendom, was by Pope Julius II. granted, and so the Marriage was Solemnised soon after at the Bishop of Salisbury's House in Fleetstreet. After the Death of his Father he succeeded to the Crown by the name of King Henry VIII. His reign was long, and full of action, but the greatest was his renouncing the Pope's Supremacy, and suppressing of many unnecessary Abbeys, and Monasteries, and thereby laying a Foundation for the happy Reformation that followed.  
He was exceeding tall of Stature, very Strong, and fair of Complexion. A Prince of so many good Parts, that it may be wondered he had any ill, reither indeed had he many, till flattery and ill Counsel in his latter time prevailed upon him. His cruelty to his Wives some endeavour to excuse, by saying, that if they were Incontinent he did but Justice: If they were not so, yet he thought it sufficient to satisfy his Conscience that he had cause to believe them so, and if Marriage be honourable in all, in Princes it is sacred. In suppressing of Abbeys he shown no little Piety but great Providence, for though they were excellent things being rightly used, the most pernicious being abused; and then may the use be justly suppressed, when the abuse can scarce possibly be restrained. To think he suppressed them from Covetousness, is to make him extremely deceived in his reckoning, for by comparing the profit with the charge, he must needs be a great loser by the bargain. He was so far from Pride, that he was rather too humble. At least he conversed with his Subjects in a more familiar manner than is usual with Princes. So Valiant that his whole Life almost was exercises of Valour, and though performed among his Friends in Jest, yet they prepared him against his Enemies in earnest, and they that durst be his Enemies, found it so. It may be said, the complexion of his Government for the first twenty years was Sanguine and Jovial, for the rest, choleric and bloody, so that it is a question, whether in the former he were more prodigal of his own Treasure, or in the latter part, of his Subjects Blood. For as he spent more in Masks, Shows, and Fictions, than any other King did in reality, so in any Distempes' of his People he used no other Physic but to open a Vein.  
But it will be injurious to his Memory to charge all the Blood spilt in his Reign to his account. They were the Popish Bishops that made those Bloody Laws, and the bloody Bishops that put them in execution, the King oftentimes scarce knowing what was done. Certain it is, when Bishop Gardiner put a Gentlewoman (I suppose Mrs. Ann Askew) a second time on the Rack, the King hearing of it, extremely condemned him for such Barbarous cruelty. As for Religion though he brought it not to a full Reformation, yet he gave a good beginning thereunto. They that charge him with the Vice of Lust, let them show such another example of Continence as was seen in him, to lie six months by a young Lady and not to touch her, for so he did by the Lady Ann of Cleve. It is recorded of him, that in his latter time he grew so fat and slothful, that Engines were made to lift and remove him up and down, but however in the fifty sixth year of his age, either by a Dropsy or an Ulcer in his Leg he fell into a languishing Fever, which brought him into such extremity, that his Physicians utterly despaired of his Life, and yet none durst acquaint him with it, till Mr. Denny of his Privy Chamber ventured to tell him of his danger, and put him in mind of preparing for Death. To which he answered, that he confessed his Sins to be exceeding great, yet he had such confidence in the Mercy of God through Christ Jesus, that he doubted not of forgiveness though they had been much greater. And being asked whether he would have a Divine, he answered he would willingly have Archbishop Cranmer, but not till he had taken a little rest. The Archbishop being then at Croyden was sent for, but before he came the King was grown speechless, only seemed somewhat sensible, putting out his hand. And the Archbishop desiring him to show some sign of his Faith in Christ he then wrung him hard by the hand, and immediately gave up the Ghost. Jan. 28. 1547. in the fifty sixth year-of his age, and of his reign the thirty eighth. His body with great solemnity was Buried at Windsor under a very stately Tomb, begun in Copper and Gilt, but never finished.  
XII. Edward the only Son and Successor of King Henry VIII. was the twelfth Prince of Wales of the English Race. He was an excellent Prince, in his tender years, being committed to the Tuition of Dr. Cox, he profited in Learning to admiration, attaining in a short time to speak freely several Languages, namely, Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch, and likewise had great knowledge in many other Sciences, so that he seemed rather to be born than to be brought up to them: for he was not ignorant of Logic, natural Philosophy, nor Music, and in the midst of his youthful Recreations be would be always sure to observe his hours for study. So that the famous Cardanus coming into England, and having often conference with him, gives this Character of him, That he had an extraordinary insight into the Politics, was well read in Philosophy and Divinity, and in a word a Miracle of Art and Nature. He would answer Ambassadors on the sudden, either in French or Latin. He knew the state of Foreign Princes perfectly, and his own more. He could call all the Gentlemen of Quality in his Kingdom by their Names, and all when he had scarce yet attained to the age of fifteen years. He was extraordinary zealous in the True Religion, banishing Popery and perfecting that Reformation which was but just began in his Father's Reign. He was very merciful, and averse from taking away the Lives of his Subjects, for proof whereof there is this instance. One Joan Butcher being condemned to be burnt for notorious Blasphemy and Heresy, his whole Council could not persuade him to sign the Warrant for her execution, but were fain to get Archbishop Cranmer to prevail with him, who using many arguments to persuade him, What said he, would you have me send her quick to the Devil in her Error. But when the Bishop shown him the necessity of it, he signed it weeping, and saying, Well, my Lord, I will lay all the blame upon you at the Day of Judgement. He was very Charitable, and upon a Sermon preached by Bishop Ridley of the excellency of Charity, he gave and endowed three Hospitals for the Poor in the City of London: 1. Christ's Hospital, for poor Children and Orphans. 2. St. Bartholomew's Hospital for poor, maimed, diseased People and Cripples, etc. 3. Bridewell, for employing and correcting Vagrants, Harlots, and Idle Persons.  
He was a Comely Person, and of a sweet Countenance, especially in his Eyes, which seemed to have a starry liveliness in them. In the sixth year of his Reign, which was the year before he died, he fell sick of the Measles, and being fully recovered, he road a Progress with greater magnificence than ever he had done before, having in his Train no fewer than four thousand Horse. The January following, whether procured by sinister Practice, or growing upon him by natural infirmity, he fell into an indisposition which centred in a Cough of the Lungs. Whereupon it was reported that a Poisoned Nosegay had been presented him for a New years Gift, which brought him into this slow but mortal Consumption. Others said, it was done by a venenous Clyster. However it was, he grew so ill that his Physicians dispaired of his Life. After which a Gentlewoman, though to be provided on purpose, pretended to cure him, but did him much hurt, for with her applications his Legs swelled, his Pulse failed, his skin changed colour and many other symptonis of approaching death appeared. An hour before he was overheard to pray thus by himself: O Lord God, deliver me out of this miserable and wretched Life. O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee, yet for thy Chosen's sake, if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee. O Lord God save thy chosen People of England, and defend this Realm from Papistry, and maintain thy true Religion that I and my People may praise thy name, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake. Then turning his Face and seeing some by him, he said, I thought you had not been so nigh: Yes, said Dr. Owen, we heard you speak to yourself. Then said the King I was Praying to God, O I am faint, Lord have mercy upon me, and receive my Spirit, and in so saying he gave up the Ghost, July 6. 1553. in the sixteenth year of his age, when he had reigned six years-five months, and nine days, and was solemnly buried at Westminster Abbey.  
XIII. Prince Henry eldest Son to King James I. was the thirteenth Prince of Wales, of the Royal Family of England. He was born at Sterling Castle in Scotland, and in his Childhood gave promising signs of an Heroic and Noble Spirit, no Music being so pleasant to his Ears as the Trumpet and Drum, and the roaring of Cannon, and no sights so acceptable as that of Muskets, Pistols, and any kind of Armour: and at nine years of age he learned to ride, shoot at Archery, leap, and manage the Pike, all which manly exercises he performed to admiration in such young years. He was tall of stature about five foot eight inches high, of an amiable, yet Majestic countenance, a piercing Eye, a gracious smile, and a terrible frown, yet courteous and affable to all. He was naturally modest and patiented, and when most offended, he would by overcoming himself say nothing, very merciful, very just, and very true to his promises, very secret and reserved from his youth. He was most zealous in his love to Religion and Piety, and his Heart was bend if he had lived, to have endeavoured to compound those differences that were among Religious men. He shown his love to good men, and hatred of evil in encouraging good Preachers, and slighting the vainglorious, in whom above all things he abhorred flattery, loving and countenancing the good, and never speaking of the slothful Preachers without anger and disdain. He was very Conscientious of an Oath, so that he was never heard to take God's name in vain, or any other Oaths that may seem light, much less such horrible Oaths as are now too common. He never failed to sacrifice daily the first of his actions to God by Prayers and Devotions. He was so resolved to continue immutable in the Protestant Religion, that long before his death he solemnly protested, That he would never join in Marriage with a Wife of a contrary Faith, for he hated Popery with all the Adjuncts and Adherents thereof, yet he would now and then use particular Papists kindly, thereby showing that he hated not their Persons but Opinions. He was obedient to his Parents, careful in the affairs of his Family and Revenue, loving and kind to Strangers, and in a word he had a certain extraordinary excellency that cannot be expressed in words. In the nineteenth year of his age he was visited with a continual Headache, and had two small Fits of an Ague, which were afterward followed with very had symptoms, which daily increasing, Dr. Abbot then Archbishop of Canterbury went to visit him, and finding the extreme danger he was in, discoursed to him of the vanity of the World, the certainty of Death and the Joys of Heaven, ask his Highness, whether he were well pleased to die now if it were the Will of God, he replied, Yes with all my Heart, farther declaring, That he hoped for the pardon of his sins only from the merits of Christ. In his best moments he continued in a Christian frame of Spirit, and Novemb. 6. 1612. quietly yielded up his Spirit to his blessed Saviour and Redeemer, being attended with as many Prayers, Tears, and strong Cries as ever any Soul was.  
XIV. After his death Charles his Younger Brother succeeded, being the fourteenth Prince of Wales, and afterward King of England by the Title of King Charles I.  
XV. Charles the eldest Son of Charles I. was the fifteenth and last Prince of Wales of the Royal Family of England, and after King of England by the Title of King Charles II.  
I have been very brief in relating the Actions of several of the Princes of Wales, having already given an account of them in some other Books which I have formerly published. As for instance.  
In a Book called, Admirable Curiosities, Rarities and Wonders in every County in England, in the Remarks upon the County of Gloucester, you may find all the particulars of the Murder of King Edward the second. In another called Historical Remarks upon the Cities of London and Westminster, there is a full Relation of the deposition and miserable death of King Richard II. In another entitled, The young Man's Calling, or the whole Duty of Youth, the Lives of King Edward, VI and Prince Henry Son to King James I. are related at large. In another called England's Monarches, is an account of the Lives and Actions of all the Kings of England, from William the Conqueror to this time, and among them, of those Princes of Wales who were after Kings of England, and are mentioned in the preceding Remarks. In another called, The Wars of England, etc. There is a full account of the Life of King Charles I. with his Trial and Death. In another called The History the two late Kings, is a Relation of the Life and Death of King Charles II. To all, or any of which Books I refer the Reader for farther satisfaction, being unwilling to repeat, or that any should pay twice for the same matter.   

Remarkable Observations upon the most Memorable Persons and Places in Wales. And an account of several considerable Transactions and Passages that have happened, for many hundred years past. Together with the Natural and Artificial Rarities and Wonders in the several Counties of that Principality.  
PART III.  
GReat Britain comprehends the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and is an Island in the Ocean divided by Antiquity into three Parts, the first and greatest called Loegria, is contained within the French Seas, the River Severne, Dee and Humber to the Germane Ocean, now called England. The second containeth all the Land Northward from Humber to the Deucalidonian Seas, now called Scotland. The third lies between the Irish Seas and the River's Severne and Dee, and was called Cambria now Wales. Some Authors add a fourth division, called Cornubia, now Cornwall, the Inhabitants of all four differing in Language humour and Customs among themselves.  
My design at present is to give an account of Wales, having already treated of England in a Book called Admirable Curiosities, Rarities, and Wonders in every County thereof. And I intent to proceed in the same method in this Principality.  
Wales is situated on the West and Northwest part of England, over against the Kingdom of Ireland, and appears like a Promontory o● Foreland, being surrounded by the Sea almost on every side, except on the Southeast part, where it is divided from England by the River Severn, and by a Ditch drawn from the Mouth of the River Dee to the mouth of the River Wye, being an hundred Miles from East to West, and an hundred and twenty Miles from North to South. The forenamed Ditch is called Claudh Offa because made by Offa King Mercia, of a great depth and breadth, thereby to confine the Welsh into narrower limits who enacted, That if any Welshman were found on the East side of this Ditch he should forfeit his right hand, but that Law is long since repealed, and the Loyal and Valiant Welsh have for several ages passed enjoyed the same Liberties and Privileges with the other Subjects of the Crown of England.  
It was divided into three parts, that is North-Wales, South-Wales and Powis-Land, by Roderick the Great in 877. as you have heard, which proved the confusion of Wales; their Princes being commonly at War with the English or among themselves to enlarge and defend their several Dominions Of these three, North-Wales was the chief, being left to Amarawd the eldest Son of Roderick, the Princes whereof by way of eminency were styled Princes of Wales, and sometimes Kings of Aberfrow their Chief Residence, and paid to the King of London, (as well as the Princes of South-Wales and Powis-Land) sixty three pounds yearly as a Tribute. Yet South-Wales, called by the Inhabitants Dehenbarth, or the right side, as being nearer the Sun, was the largest, most fruitful and rich, but more subject to the Invasions and Depredations of the English and Flemings, and therefore North-Wales being secured by its Hills and Mountains was preferred before it, and retaineth more of the purity of the Welsh Tongue. However this makes the soil lean and hungry, but that is supplied by the large quantity thereof, which occasioned this pleasant passage. An English Gentleman in discourse with a worshipful Knight of Wales, boasting that that he had in England so much ground worth 40 s. an Acre, the Welsh Gentleman replied, You have ten yards of Velvet, and I have two hundred yards of Freeze, I will not exchange with you.  
There are likewise in Wales very pleasant Meadows Watered by fine Rivers, and as the sweetest Flesh is said to be near the Bones, so the most delicious Valleys are interposed betwixt these Mountains. The Natives are generally, healthy, strong, swift and witty, which is imputed to the clear and wholesome Air of the Mountains, the cleanly and moderate Diet of the People and the hardship to which they are enured from their Childhood. The Ancient Britain's painted their naked Bodies with Pictures of living Creatures, Flowers, Sun, Moon and Stars, thereby as they imagined to appear terrible to their Enemies, yet some more civil were clothed, and as a great Ornament, wore Chains of Iron about their Wastes and Neck, and Rings on their middle Fingers. They wore the Hair of their Head long, which was naturally curled in many. All other parts they shaved, only wore long Whiskers on their upper Lip. They had ten or twelve Wives a piece, who lived in common among their Parents and Brethren; yet the Children were only accounted his who first married the Mother while she was a Maid: They were brought up in common among them. They were moderate in their Diet, as Milk, Roots, and Barks of Trees, and a little thing no bigger than a Bean, which for a great while took away both Hunger and Thirst; Neither would they eat Hens, Hares, Geese, nor Fish; yet would often Dine upon Venison and Fruits. Their usual Drink was made of Barley. They are reported by Plutarch to have lived very long, many to an hundred and twenty years.  
They were Idolatrous Heathens as to their Religion, using Man's Flesh in their Sacrifices, and adoring a multitude of Idols. Their Priests were called Druids, who managed their Sacrifices, and likewise acted as Temporal Judges in all Civil Matters; and it was highly criminal not abide by their Judgement. They were excused from the Wars, and all contributions. They had a Primate, who commanded over them in chief. Their Divinity was, That the Soul is immortal, and passeth from one Body to another: which Doctrine they taught not out of Books, but by word of Mouth. Their Buildings were low mean Cottages, like those of the Gauls, or Boors of France; yet they fortified several thick Woods with Rampires and Ditches, which they called Towns. Brass and Iron Rings were the Coin they used, which were of a certain weight; but afterward they grew more civil by Traffic, and had both Gold and Silver Money. Their chief Trade was in Chains, Wreaths, Ivory Boxes, Bits and Bridles, with some Toys of Amber and Glass. Neither was their Shipping more considerable, their chief Vessels being made of light wood, covered over with Leather: Their usual way of Fight was in Military Chariots; neither did they engage in great bodies, but had still fresh men to succeed those who retired, or were weary. Their weapons were Shields and short Spears, at the lower end whereof was fastened a round Bell of Brass; with which they terrified their Enemies. Many times they fought under the Conduct of Valiant Women, who were extraordinary courageous. They managed their Chariots so dexterously, that running downa steep Hill with all speed, they could stop them in the middle of their course.  
The Principality of Wales produceth Mines, and among others, Royal Mines of Silver in Cardiganshire in the Mountains of Cosmelock, Tallabant, Gadarren, Bromfloid, Geginnon and Cummerrum. The Romans began to Mine here, as appears by their Coins found in the Trenches wherein they worked about twenty four fathom deep, and found plenty of Lead. The Danes and Saxons wrought an hundred farhom deep, and gained mhch Lead till the Waters drowned their Works. Sir Tho. Smith discovered Silver in Cosmelock in the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's Reign. Which design was prosecuted after his Death by Sir Hugh Middleton, Coining the Silver to his great charge at the Tower of London, as his Predecessor had done. Next Sir F. Godolphin of Cornwall and Tho. Bushel Esquire undertook it, having power from King Charles I. to Coin it at Aberruski in that County. Sir Francis dying and Cosmelock being deserted, Mr. Bushel adventured on the other five Mountains, and at last these Mines yielded an hundred pound a week, and half so much more in Lead. The Silver was Coined into Pence, Groats, Shillings and Half Crowns, and had the Ostrich Feathers, being the Arms of the Princes of Wales, stamped on them for distinction. They had an ingenious invention to supply the Miners with fresh Air, which was done by two men's blowing Wind with a pair of Bellows on the outside of the entrance into a Pipe of Lead, which was daily lengthened as the Mine grew longer whereby the Candle in the Mine was daily kept burning, and the Diggers were constantly supplied with a sufficiency of Breath. But the Civil Wars in 1642. discomposed all the Work. Lead is found in many places in Wales, but the best in Carnarvonshire. There are plenty of Goats in Montgomeryshire. As for Manufactures, the British generally valuing themselves more upon their Gentile Birth and Extraction, are better pleased in employing their Valour than Labour, and therefore they had but few Commodities, as Cottons and Frieze, of which King Henry V. when Prince of Wales having a suit, and being checked by a bold Courtier for wearing the same many weeks together, I wish, said he, that the Cloth of my Country would last forever. Then they have Cheese very tender and palatable, the Pedigree whereof was by one thus merrily derived.  
Adam's nawn Cusson was by her Birth ap Curds, ap Milk, ap Cow, ap Grass, ap Earth. They have likewise Metheglin, first invented by Matthew Glin their own Countryman, it is compounded of Milk and Honey, and very wholesome. Pollio Romulus being an hundred years of age, told Julius Caesar," That he had preserved the vigour of his Mind and Body by taking Metheglin inwardly, and using Oil outwardly. It is like Mead but much stronger, Queen Elizabeth, who by the Tuders was of Welsh Descent, much loved this her Native Liquor.  
The Buildings of Wales, are generally like those of the old Britain's, neither large nor beautiful, the Italian humour of Building not having affected (not to say infected) the British Nation. About the year 800 Hoell-Dha Prince of Wales built a Palace for his own Residence of white Hurdles or Wattles, and therefore called White-House, or White-Hall if you please. However there are brave buildings in Wales, though not Welsh buildings, which the English erected therein as Bridles to keep the People of that Country in obedience some Authors derive the name of Wales from Idwallo the Son of Cadwalladar, who with the small remainder of his British Subjects defended the dangerous places of this Country against his Enemies, and first was called King of Wales. Neither was the Conquest of them to be attributed to their want of Valour, since King Henry II. in a Letter to Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople gives this Testimony of them, The Welsh Nation is so adventurous that they dare encounter naked with armed men, ready to spend their Blood for their Country, and pawn their Life for Praise.  
Thus far of Wales in general, I shall now give an account of the most memorable Persons, Places, Accidents, Rarities and Wonders in every County thereof, particularly, in Alphabetical Order, (as I have formerly done in the Counties of England) the names whereof are Anglesey, Brecknock, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Carnarvan, Denbigh, Flint, Glamorgan, Merioneth, Monmouth, Montgomery, Pembroke and Radnor, of all which I have made some few Remarks in the Tract aforementioned, but shall now be more large and copious, not omitting any thing that I can meet with remarkable. And first of  
ANGLESEY called by the Britain's Tir Mon or the Land of Mon, in Latin Mona, and by the English Anglesey or the English Island, being separate from the Continent, and surrounded on all sides by the Irish Sea, save on the South, where it is joined by a small and narrow straight of the River Menai, and almost square, containing twenty Miles from Beumaris to Holy-Head East and West, and from Llanbaderick North to the Point of Menai South seventeen, in the whole Circuit about seventy Miles. The Air is generally healthy, and the Soil seemingly barren, but really fruitful, affording Corn and  sufficient both for the Natives and their Neighbours, and therefore the Welsh Proverb is, Mon Mam Cymbry, Anglesey is the Mother of Wales, because when other Countries fail, this plentifully feeds their Markets, and is said to afford Cormenough to supply all Wales. This County produceth likewise the best Millstones to Grind it: Also Alum and Coperas, and in divers places in the low Fields and Champain Grounds, there are several Trees digged up, black within like Ebony, and are used by Carvers for inlaying Cupboards. yea Haslenuts are found under ground with found Kernels in them. It is hard to resolve how they came hither, some imagine the Romans cut them down as being Coverts for their Enemies. Others think they fell of themselves, and with their own weight were buried in those Marshy places, and that the clammy Bituminous substance which is found about them, keeps them from putrefaction.  
The Ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovices, and this very Island that ancient and renowned seat of the British Druids, the Conquest whereof was first attempted by Paulinus Suetonius in the reign of the Tyrant Nero, who making preparation to Invade the same, the Inhabitants that were strong and numerous, by the assistance of many Fugitives, raised all the Forces they were able, and stood ready upon the Shoar to resist and hinder his Landing, their Women running about with their Hair about their Ears, and Firebrands in their hands, in mourning Garments like Furies of Hell, and their Druids or Priests with Hands and Eyes lifted up to Heaven, uttered many direful Curses, and Imprecations, and cried for Vengeauce against their Enemies. The strangeness of the sight so amazed the Roman Soldiers, that they seemed to offer themselves as a prey to the Swords of the Britain's, had not their Captain suddenly roused them out of their surprise, by reminding them of their ancient Valour which seemed now to be lost, only at the sight of a fearful Flock of weak Women, and a crew of rude, undisciplined, frantic men: This brisk reprimand awakened their courage, so that displaying their Eusigns and Marching toward them, the Britain's were instantly defeated, slain, and put to flight, and the Romans became Masters both of the Field of Battle and the whole Island also, yet were they not wholly subdued till the Reign of Julius Agricola.  
When the Roman Empire in Britain began to decline several Irish, came secretly over and settled here, and certain sinal Hills and Mounts are yet to be seen, entrenched about, which are called the Irish-men's Cottages, and another place named of the Irishmen Hiercy Gwidil, because it is said they here put the Britain's to flight under the conduct of Sivigus. Afterward the Normans  infested this Isle, but in the year 1000 King Etheldred set out a Fleet which scoured the Seas round about it, and wasted the Country in a more hostile manner than either the Irish or Norwegians. Then Hugh Earl of Chester and Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury both Normans did grievously afflict Anglesey, at which very time Magnus the Norwegian arriving here, shot Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury through with an Arrow, and after he had plundered the Island departed. Next, the English continually vexed the Inhabitants, making several descents upon them even to the time of King Edward I. when they were totally subjected to that Crown.  
The chief Town Beumaris formerly called Bonover, built by this King Edward I. (together with a strong Castle) is governed by a Mayor, two Bailiffs, two Sergeants at Mace, and a Town Clerk. At Llanvais not far from hence, was formerly a Monastery of Friars Minors, richly endowed by the Kings of England, where a Daughter of King John, and the Son of a Danish King, with several other persons of Dignity were Buried that were slain in the Wars between the English and Welsh.  
Guido de Mona, or of Anglesey was Bishop of St. David's, and Lord Treasurer of England to King Henry IU. though the Parliament moved that no Welshman should be a State Officer in England. He died 1407. Arthur Bulkley Bishop of Bangor, though bred Doctor of the Laws, either never read, or else he had forgot the Chapter against Sacrilege, for he spoiled the Bishopric, and sold the five Bells of the Cathedral, being so over officious that he would go down to the Sea to see them shipped away. He was suddenly deprived of his sight, and died 1555. William Glyn D. D. bred in and Master of Queen's College was made Bishop of Bangor in the second year of Queen Mary, an excellent Scholar being constant to his own and not cruel to the Professors of the Protestant Religion, there being no Persecution in his Diocese. He died the first year of Queen Elizabeth, whose Brother Jeffery Dr. of Laws, Built and Endowed a Free School at Bangor.  
Madoc Son to Owen Gwineth Brother to David Prince of North-Wales was born probably at Aberfrow in this County, than the principal Palace of their Royal Residence, who upon the Civil Dissensions in his own Country in 1170 adventured to Sea, and leaving Ireland on the North came to a Land unknown, where he saw many wonderful things, this by Dr. Howel, and Mr. Humphrey Lloyd is judged to be the main Continent of America, being confirmed therein as well by the saying of Montezuma Emperor of Mexico, who declared his Progenitors were strangers as well as the rest of the Mexicans, as by the use of divers Welsh words among them, as Cape de Breton, Norwinberg, Penguin, a name they give to a bird with a White Head. The story adds, that Madock left several of his People there, and coming home returned back with ten Sail full of Welshmen who continued there, and Peopled the Country. Which relation if true, redounds much to the Glory of Madoc, who discovered this vast Region near three hundred years before the renowned Columbus first Sailed thither. This Isle had anciently three hundred sixty three Villages therein, and is still well Peopled, having two Market Towns, seventy four Parish Churches, and is divided into six Hundreds. It gives the Title of Earl to James L. Annesly.  
BRECKNOCKSHIRE, so called say the Welsh, from Brechanius the Father of an Holy offspring, whose twenty four Daughters were Saints. It hath Radnorshire on the North, Caermarthen West, Glamorgan South, and Hereford and Monmouthshire East, in breadth twenty eight, and in length twenty Miles. It is full of Hills, and difficult in Travelling. The Mountains of Talgar and Ewias on the East seem to defend it from the excessive heat of the Sun, which makes an wholesome and temperate Air, from whence likewise rise many curious Springs that render the Valleys fruitful both in Corn and Grass, and thereby make amends for their own barrenness. The Silureses were the ancient Inhabitants of this County, who valiantly opposed the Roman servitude, and were first subdued by Julius Frontinus, who found it more difficult to encounter with the Hills, Streights and Mountains than with the People, whereof one Mountain in the South is of such an height and occult quality that faith Mr. Speed, I should blush to relate it, had I not the Aldermen and Bailiffs of the Town of Brecknock for my Vouchers, who assured me, that from this Hill called Mounch-denny they had ofttimes cast down their Hats, Cloaks and Staves, which yet would never fall to the bottom, but were with the Air and Wind still returned back and blown up again, neither will any thing but a stone or hard Metal fall from thence: and the Clouds are oft seen lower than the top of it. There is likewise Cadier Arthur, or Arthur's Chair, a Hill so called, on the South side of this Country, the top thereof somewhat resembling the form of a Chair, proportionate to the dimensions which the Welsh imagine that great and mighty Person to be of. Upon the top thereof riseth a Spring as deep as a Well, four square, having no streams issuing from it, and yet there are plenty of Trout to be found therein. They also told him, that when the Mere Lynsavathan two Miles from Brecknock hath its frozen Ice first broken, it yieldeth a dreadful Noise like Thunder. And it is reported that where this Mere now spreadeth its Waters, there formerly stood a fair City which was swallowed up by an Earthquake, and it seems probable, both because all the Highways of this County lead thither. And likewise the Learned Camden judgeth it might be the City Loventrium, which Ptolemy placeth in these parts, and Mr. Camden could not discover, and therefore likely to be Drowned in this Pool, which the River Levenny running hard by farther confirms, the Waters whereof run through this Mere without mixing with them, as appears by the colour, and breadth of the Stream which is the same through the whole length of the Pool. This Shire had formerly two Towns called Hay and Bealt pleasantly situated, both which in the Rebellion of Owen Glendour were unwalled, depopulated and burnt, under whose ruins many Roman Coins are found, and therefore thought to be two of their Garrisons. Bealt was formerly possessed by Aurelius Ambrose and Vortigern, and afterward Leoline the last Prince of the Britain's was therein betrayed and slain.  
Brecknock still retains some beauty in its Building, it had formerly three Gates for entrance, and ten Towers for defence, with a very since Castle. The Town is seated on two Rivers, and is governed by two Bailiffs, fifteen Aldermen, two Chamberlains, two Constables, a Town Clerk, and two Sergeants.  
This County boasts of Canock and Cadock Sons, and Keyne Daughter to King Brechanius aforementioned, who were all three Saints, (though he had twenty four Daughters and all Saints also, who all died young, so that Keyne only survived) who flourished about 492. of whom St. Cadock is said to be a Martyr, and his name highly venerated by the People of South-Wales. St. Cli●tank was King of Brecknock it happened that a Noble Virgin declared, That she would never Marry any Man but him, who was a zealous Christian, whereupon a Pagan Soldier resolving to disappoint her, killed this King, who left behind him the reputation of a Saint. Giles de Bruse Bishop of Hereford was born in this County, and in the Baron's Wars sided with the Nobility against King John, upon which he was banished, but after restored to the King's Favour. He was also Lord of Brecknock, which honour with his paternal Inheritance he left to his Brother Reginald, who Married the Daughter of Leoline Prince of Wales. His Effigies on his Tomb in Hereford Church holdeth a Steeple in his hand, whence it is judged that he built the Belfree of that Cathedral. He died 1215.  
Nesta Daughter to Griffin Prince of Wales, and Wife to Bernard of Newmarch a Noble Norman, and Lord by Conquest of this County, was debauched by a young Gentleman. Mahel her Son having got this Gallant into his hands, used him very severely, at which Nesta being enraged came into open Court, and on her Oath before King Henry II. publicly deposed that Mahel was none of the Lord New-marches Son, but begotten on her in Adultery. This if true declared her dishonesty, if false her perjury, but whether true or false her matchless impudence. Hereby she disinherited Mahel, and settled a vast Estate on Sybyl her only Daughter, Married afterward to Milo Earl of Hereford.  
The Welsh are reproached by the English with the Byword of Croggen, Croggen, the original whereof was in the Reign of King Henry II. the Welsh then obtaining a memorable advantage at Croggen-Castle under the Conduct of their Valiant Prince Owen, in defence of North-Wales and their countries' Liberty, with extreme danger to King Henry's own Person, his Standard Royal being Cowardly abandonded, and the King reported to be slain. The Standard Bearer Henry de Essex for this ignominious action was afterward challenged by Robert Monford his near Kinsman to a combat, and In single Battle within Lists at Reading was vanquished by him, whereupon Essex was shorn a Monk and put into a Monastery (according to the custom of those times) where he ended his days. The English afterward used this word Groggen as a Provocative to revenge, when they had the Welsh at an advantage, and it is still without cause uttered in disgrace of the Welsh, though originally it was expressive of their honour.  
The County of Brecknock was formerly fortified with nine Castles. It is divided into six Hundreds, hath three Market Towns, Brecknock, Bealt and Hay, and fifty two Parish Churches. And gives the Title of Earl to James Lord Butler, who is also Duke of Ormond in Ireland.  
CARDIGANSHIRE is parted on the North from Merioneth-shire by the River Dovi, from Brecknockshire by the River Tory, on the South from Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire by the River Tiry, from Montgomery-shire East by the Plinillimon Hills, and on the West is wholly washed by the Irish Sea. The ancient Inhabitats were the Dinietae who likewise possessed Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire, and in their struggle much depended on the Valour of their Warlike Prince Cataractus beforementioned, from whose name some will have this County called Cardigan, but was after subdued and the Prince being taken and carried to Rome, after he had throughly viewed the magnificence of that City, I cannot but wonder, said he, that you Romans having such stately buildings of your own should covet our poor Cottages. After the Norman Invasion William Rufus assailed this Country, as well to gain so fair a Possession, as to secure those Seas from any Invasion against him, and therefore though it was the most remote from England, yet being nearer to the Sea, which afforded the English a more convenient passage who were potent in Shipping, it was soon reduced to the English Dominion. Henry I. bestowed the whole County entirely upon William de Clare●. The Air is open and sharp, for besides the great and high Mountain of Plinillimon it hath a continued range of lesser Hills. The Valleys are rich in Pasture and Corn, and well Watered with Pools and Springs. In the River Tivy beaver's were formerly found, a Creature living both by Land and Water, having the two fore feet like a Dog wherewith he runs on the Land, and the two hinder like a Goose with which he Swims, his broad Tail ferving for a Rudder, but now none are found, the Salmon seeming to succeed, who coming out of the Sea into fresh Waters, and meeting with some downright Water-falls in this River, he bends himself backward, and putting his Tail in his Mouth gives a Spring up those alcents, which are called the Salmon's leap, many of which are caught in this River.  
Cardigan is the Shire Town, and was Fortified by Gilbert de Clare with a Wall and a strong Castle, the ruins of which remain to this day. Land Badern the Great was formerly an Episcopal Seat, till the Citizens cruelly flew their Bishop, after which both City and Bishopric dwindled to nothing, from whence risen that Welsh Proverb, Ni difanco y Beriglaver, that is, Vilify not thy Parish Priest. Llandevibrevi was also famous, being built by David Bishop of Mereria, where in a Synod holden by him; he resuted the Pelagian Heresy then sprung up in Britain, both by the Holy Scriptures, and by Miracle, for it is reported that while he was Preaching, the Earth suddenly risen up a great height under his Feet, that the People might the more conveniently hear his Doctrine. The Welsh use a word, Talaeth, Talaeth, that is, Fine, Fine, which was thus occasioned, when Roderick divided Wales betwixt his three Sons, he ordered that each of them should wear upon his Bonnet or Helmet a Coronet of Gold set with Jewels, called in British Talaeth, and they from thence were named Ytritrwysoc Talaelteioc, The three Crowned Princes. It is now applied to the uppermost part of the head attire in Children. Yea the English call the top of she Cap or Hat the Crown. They have a Proverb, But Arthur and troth fu; that is, Arthur was not but whilst he was. It is honourable for old men if they can say, we have been brave Fellows. They have another Proverb, Ne Thorres Arthur Nawd gwraig, that is, King Arthur did never violate the Refuge of a Woman. For that King was the mirror of Knighthood. By the Woman's Refuge we may understand her Tongue, and no Valiant man will revenge her words with his blews.  
John Lewis Esquire, a Justice of Peace at Glaskerrigg near Aberystwith in this County, in the year 1656. by several Letters to Mr. B. a late worthy Divine deceased, gives an account of several strange Apparitions in Caermarthen, Pembrokeshire and this County about that time, confirmed by divers Persons of good Quality and Reputation, the substance whereof are as followeth. A Man and his Family being all in Bed, he being awake about midnight perceived a Light entering the little Room where he lay, and about a dozen in the shapes of Men, and two or three Women with small Children in their Arms following, they seemed to Dance, and the Chamber appeared much wider and lighter than formerly. They seemed to Eat Bread and Cheese all about a kind of a Tick upon the Ground, they offered him some, and would smile upon him, he heard no voice, but calling once upon God to bless him, he heard a Whispering Voice in Welsh bidding him hold his peace. They continued there about four hours, all which time he endeavoured to awake his Wife but could not. Afterward they went into another room and having danced a while departed, he then arose, and though the room was very small yet he could neither find the Door, nor the way to Bed again until crying out his Wife and Family awaked. He living within two Miles of Justice Lewis he sent for him, being a poor honest Husbandman, and of good report, and made him believe he would put him to his Oath about the truth of this Relation, who was very ready to take it.  
This Gentleman adds a second account of the strange and usual appearance of Lights (called in Welsh) Canhwyllan Cyrth, Corpse or Deadman's Candles, which are so ordinary in these Counties, that scarce any dye, either young or old, but this is seen before death, and often observed to part from the very bodies of the Persons all along the way to the place of Burial, and infallibly death will ensue. There is that evidence for these Candles, that few or none of any age but have seen them, and will depose it. A while since (saith this Gentleman) some of my Family saw two Candles, one less than the other passing the Church way under my house, my Wife was then big with Child, and it caused much apprehension both in us and her, but just a week after, herself came first to me, as something joyed that the danger might be over, with the news that an old Man and a Child of the Neighbourhood were carried that way to be Buried.  
Mr. John Davis a Minister in this County confirms the same Relations with the addition of the following Circumstances and Instances. We call them saith he, Corpse Candles, not that we see any thing besides the light, but yet it resembles a material Candle-light as much as Eggs do Eggs, only they sometimes appear and instantly disappear: for if one comes near them, or on the way against them, unto him they vanish, but presently appear behind him and hold on their course. If it be a little Candle pale and bluish, then follows the Corpse either of an Abortive or some Infant. If a big one, than the Corpse of some one come to age. If two, three or more, great and little are seen together, then so many and such Corpse will follow together. If two Candles come from divers places and be seen to meet, the Corpse will do the like. If any of these Candles seem to turn out of the way or path that leads to the Church, the following Corpse will be found to turn in the same place, for the avoiding of some dirty lane, plash, etc. Now for the particulars. At Lanylar late at night, some of the people saw one of these Candles hover up and down along the River's bank which they continued to view till they were weary, and at last left it so, and went to Bed. A few weeks after came a proper young Woman from Montgomeryshire, to see her Friends who dwelled on the other side of that River Istwyth, and thought to ford the River at that very place where the Light was seen, but being dissuaded by some standers by (who probably had seen the Light) not to venture on the Water which was high by a sudden Flood, she walked up and down the River's Bank as the Light had done, waiting for the falling of the Water, which at last she went into, but too soon for her, for she was therein drowned.  
Of late, (saith the same Author) my Sexton's Wife, an aged understanding Woman, saw from her Bed a little bluish Candle upon her Table's end, two or three days after comes in a Fellow enquiring for her Husband, and taking something from under his Cloak, claps it down directly upon the Table's end where she had seen the Candle, and what was it but a dead born Child. Another time the same Woman saw such another Candle upon the other end of that very Table, within few days after a weak Child, by myself newly Christened, was brought into the Sexton's House, where it presently died. And when the Sexton's Wife who was then abroad came home, she found the Woman shrouding of the Child on that other end of the Table where she had seen the Candle. On a time myself and a Kinsman coming from our School in England, and being three or four hours benighted  we could reach home, we met with such a Candle, which coming from an house we well knew held its course the highway to the Church, shortly after the eldest Son in that House deceased, and was brought the same way. Myself and Wife in an Evening saw such a Candle coming to the Church from her Midwife's house, and within a Month she herself did follow. Mrs. Catherine Wyatt an eminent Woman in the Town of Tenby, being in an Evening in her Bedchamber saw two little Lights just upon her Belly which she endeavoured to strike off but could not, within a while they vanished of themselves. Not long after she was delivered of two Stillborn Children. A Neighbour's Wife of mine being great with Child, and coming in at her own door met two Candles, a little and a big one, and within a while after falling in labour she and her Child both died. Some years ago one Jane Wyatt my Wive's Sister, being Nurse to Baronet Rudds three eldest Children, and his Lady being dead, his Housekeeper going late into a Chamber where the Maid Servants lay, saw five of these Lights together: a while after that Chamber being newly plastered, a great Grate of Coal Fire was kindled therein to hasten the drying of it. At night five of the Maid Servants went there to Bed as they were wont, and in the morning were all found dead and suffocated with the steem of the new tempered Lime and Coal. This was at Llangathen in Carmarthenshire.  
About the same time, I myself, saith Mr. Davis, coming home from Cardigan, where I had been enjoined to Preach the Session's Sermon, about Evening (though it was as light as noon) and I had nine long miles to ride, there seemed twice or thrice from behind me, on my right side, and between my shoulders and hat to fly a little whitish thing about the bigness of a Walnut, which appeared once in seventy or eighty paces. At first I took no notice of it, thinking it to be only the glimpsing of the little Ruff which I then wore, but by degrees it grew redder, even like fire both for light and colour. At length I turned my Horse twice to see from whence it came, but could see nothing, yet as I went on it flashed again as before, till I came to a Village called Laureslid, and coming to the Door where I designed to Lodge the fire did flash again upon or very near the threshold of the house, and there I think it stayed. At that very Sessions one John William Lloyd a Gentleman who dwelled, and whose Son now dwells within a mile of Glasterigg fell sick, and coming home was able to ride no farther than this House where I left my Fire to entertain him, and there he lighted, lodged, and died within four days after. Some Candles have been seen come to my Church within these three weeks, and the Corpse not long after. Thus far of Candles.  
Another kind of Apparition we have, which we usually call Tanwee, or Tanwed, because it seems to be fiery. We judge it to be in the lower Region of the Air, straight and long, and shoots directly and level, but far more slowly than a falling star, as we call it, for it often passeth over three or four miles of ground, or more it may be, for no man sees the rise or beginning of it. When it falls to ground it sparkleth and lightens all about. The Freeholders' or Landlord's upon whose ground it falls, will certainly die in a short time after, and we scarce bury any such here with us, be he but the Owner of an House or Garden, but some of the Neighbourhood have seen this fire fall upon some part of his House or Lands. Two of these I have seen myself, but the interposition of the grounds hindered that I could not observe where they fell, but where I guest they fell there died in one place an aged Gentleman, and in the other a Freeholder.  
To come nearer home (saith Mr. Davis) my Mother's first Husband walking about his grounds saw one of the Darts or Piles aloft, which fell down hard by him, shone far, and sparkled round about his body, he took it for a warning piece, made his Will, and having lived in good health, some four or five months after died. A little before the decease of my own Father aged 96. a Son in Law of his who dwelled two Miles off, but upon higher ground, saw such another fall in a Close behind the Old Man's House, which gave such a light, that by it he did clearly see the house, the Hedges and the Oaks in the Wood adjoining. As to the causes of these strange Omens, whether they proceed from Good or Evil Angels or Spirits, it must be left to the disquisitions of the Learned, who it may be after all will be puzzled to give a satisfactory account thereof.  
In this County also, in the Silver and Leaden Mines, nothing is more ordinary than that some Subterranean Spirits called Knockers (where a good Vein is) are often heard and seen in the shape of men little Statured, about half a yard long. And living men's Ghosts are commonly seen in these parts, unawares to the Party. We hear that a Man's Daughter fetching Water at a Well, had a blow given her, and a Boy coming towards her she charged him with the blow, who denied he was so near, but bid her look upon her Father that stood not far off, and with that she could see her Father fling a Stone at her, which passed with a mighty violence by her Face, and the Stone was found with prints of Fingers in it, but no such thing as the Father was there, neither was he at home the night before.  
The County of Cardigan is divided into five Hundreds, wherein are four Market Towns, Aberstwyth, Cardigan, Llanbeder, and Tre●aron: With sixty four Parish Churches, and gives the Title of Earl to Robert L. Brudenel.  
CARMARTHENSHIRE so called from the chief Town therein, hath Brecknock and Glamorgan-shires on the East, Cardigan on the North, Pembroke on the West, and on the South the Severn Sea. In length thirty five, breadth twenty, and circumference an hundred and two Miles. It is not so Hilly as others in Wales, and therefore affords plenty of Corn, , Grass, Wood, Pit-coal, Fowl and Fish, especially Salmon which is very great and plentiful. It was anciently possessed by the Silureses, and subdued to the Roman yoke by Julius Frontinus who long struggled to gain it, being reckoned the strongest part of South-Wales. At Kilmanloid sometime since there was found an Earthen Pot filled with Roman Coins of course Silver, which stamped with the Image of several Emperors and Empresses, makes it probable that some of their Legions were quartered in these Parts. Carmarthen the Principal Town is pleasantly seated near the River Tovy, which runs through the midst of the Shire, and falls South into the Sea, where was formerly a good Haven for Ships, but now so choked up with sands that only small Vessels can come up to the Bridge, which is built of Free Stone, and over it on an hanging Rock a large Castle from whose Stone-Wall another mingled with Brick encompassed the whole Town, being in circuit 1400 paces. Upon the entrance of the Normans this Town was reduced to their obedience, and suffered much damage, but was after the Chancery or Exchequer of the English Princes for all South-Wales. It is governed by a Mayor, two Sheriffs, sixteen Burgesses all in Scarlet, a Sword-bearer, a Townclark, and two Sergeants with Maces.  
East from this Town on an high Hill are the ruins of Carreg-Castle, under which are many deep, spacious Vaults and Caves, wherein it is thought the poor Natives, unable to resist, secured themselves from the fury of the Wars. Giraldus reporteth that there is a Well or Fountain in this place which conformable to the Sea, Ebbs and Flows tw●●e in twenty four hours.  
The People of this County do much glory in their Ambrose Merlin, who they say was born in Carmarthen, the Son of a bad Angel or Incubus, the Britain's great Apollo, whom Geoffrey ap Arthur compares with the Southsaying Seers, yea with the true Prophets themselves, yet it is thought he was a mere Seducer and Fantastical Wizard, and though Alanus hath by his Comments endeavoured to disclose the dark and hidden Prophecies wherewith his Book is filled, yet the reading thereof was by the Council of Trent, and afterward by Queen Elizabeth deservedly prohibited as vain, and not worth minding. As to his birth Humphrey Lloyd a Welsh Writer affirms, that his Mother before Marriage was a Noble Virgin, and that his Father for his great knowledge in the Mathematics and other abstruse Learning, was in those ignorant times reputed by the Common People to be a Conjurer, and his Son Merlin to be begotten by an Evil Spirit or Male Devil, who in the likeness of Men are said to have the Carnal use of Women. Many wonderful things are attributed to Merlin, as that by his assistance Aurelius Ambrose erected that stupendous Monument near Salisbury called Stonehenge, those vast Stones being brought by Magic Art from afric into Ireland, and from thence to this Plain through the Air. That Uter Pendragon the Brother and Successor of Ambrose falling in love with the Duke of Cornwall's Wife, Merlin by his Necromantic skill made Uter appear to her in the exact form and shape of her Husband Duke Gorlois, by which means he enjoyed this fair Lady, on whom he begot the renowned King Arthur. At the birth of this Uter, it is reported, a Comet appeared somewhat like the Head of a Dragon, whereupon Merlin declared that it presignified the Birth of Uter then new born, and from thence he was called Uter Pendragon. Others to his honour relate that many of his Predictions were fulfilled, as that which runs thus, 
Since Virgin gifts to Maids he gave,  
'Mongst blessed Saints God will him save.   
This is interpreted to be meant of King John, who built several Monasteries for Nuns in divers parts of the Kingdom. Another says, The sixth shall overthrow the Walls of Ireland, and reduce their Countries into a Kingdom. This was thought to be accomplished under King James VI of Scotland, and I. of England, who dismantled their Fortresses and Castles, which were the Irish Walls, and Courts of Justice were set up through all the Land. Though the Welsh Proverb contradicts this foreknowledge which says, Namyn Dduw nid oes Dewin, that is, Besides God there is no Diviner.  
Robert Ferrar Bishop of St. David's was made a Martyr in this County. He was preferred by the Duke of Somerset Lord Protector in the Reign of King Edward VI a man not unlearned but somewhat indiscreet, or rather uncomplying, so that he may be said, with St. Laurence, to be broiled on both sides, being persecuted both by Protestants and Papists. Some conceived that his Patron's fall was his greatest guilt and encouraged his Enemies against him. In the Reign of Q. Marry he was sent for, and examined about his Faith by Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, who told him that the Queen and Parliament had altered Religion, and therefore required him to embrace the same. To which he answered, That he had taken an Oath never to consent or agree that the Bishop of Rome should have any Jurisdiction in this Realm. At which the Bishop of Winchester called him Knave and Forward Fellow, and so returned him to Prison again. He was afterward examined before Henry Morgan pretended Bishop of St. David's, who requiring him to subscribe to several Articles, he absolutely refused it or to recent any thing, whereupon the sentence of degradation was read against him, and he was delivered to the Secular Power, by whom he was carried to Carmarthen to be burnt. A while before his Execution there came one to visit him who much lamented the painfulness of his death, to whom Bishop Ferrar answered, If you see me once stir or move in the pains of my burning, than never give any credit to the truth of the doctrine which I have formerly taught. And he was as good as his word, standing so patiently in the midst of the Flames that he never moved, holding up the stumps of his Arms, till one with a Halberd dashed him on the head, whereby he fell down and quietly resigned up his Spirit to God.  
Sir Rice ap Thomas, little less than a Prince and called the Flower of the Britain's, was born in this Shire. When the Earl of Richmond (afterward King Henry VII.) landed at Milford Haven with contemptible Forces, this Sir Rice with a considerable accession of choice Soldiers joined and marched with him to Bosworth Field where he behaved himself with much Courage; and in reward of his good service was made Knight of the Garter. He rebuilt Emeline in this County and called it Newcastle, being one of his Principal Seats, and one of the latest Castles in Wales. In the fourth of King Henry VIII he conducted 500 Horse to the Siege of Theroene in France.  
Walter Devereux created Earl of Essex by Q. Elizabeth, was born in the Town of Carmarthen. Being a Martial Man he Articled with the Q. to maintain such a number of Soldiers at his own cost in Ireland and to have the fair Territory of Clandebuy in the Province of Ulster for the Conquering thereof. To maintain this Army he sold his fine Inheritance in Essex. Over he goes into Ireland with a noble Company of Kindred, Friends and Supernumerary Volunteers above the proportion of Soldiers agreed on. Sir William Fitz William's Lord Deputy of Ireland doubting he should be Eclipsed by this great Earl, solicits the Q. to maintain him in the full power of his Place. Hereupon it was ordered that the Earl should have his Commission from this Lord Deputy, which with much importunity and long attendance he hardly obtained, and that with no higher Title than Governor of Ulster. After many attempts not very successfully made in Ulster, he was ordered to march to the South of Ireland, where he spent much time to little purpose. From Munster he was sent back to Ulster, where he was forbidden to make use of the Victory he had gotten, and soon after his Commission was Vacated, and he reduced to be Governor of 300 men. He received all these affronts with undaunted constancy. Pay days in Ireland came very quick, Money out of England very slow, his noble Associates began to withdraw, common men to mutiny, and himself was soon after recalled home. He was afterward sent back with the Title of Earl Marshal of Ireland, where he fell into a strange Flux, not without suspicion of Poison, and died 1576. of his Age 36. His Estate much impaired, descended to his Son Robert, his body was brought over and buried in Carmarthen. His Father and Grandfather died about the same age, to which his Son Robert never attained, being beheaded by Q. Elizabeth on the Tower Green, on Ash-wednesday, Feb. 25. 1600.  
Carmarthenshire hath 28 Rivers and Rivulets, is divided into six Hundreds, hath six Market Towns, 87 Parish Churches, and had formerly nine Castles, and gives the Title of Marquis to the Lord Osborn eldest Son to the D. of Leeds.  
CARNARVAN-SHIRE hath Merioneth on the South, Anglesey divided by the River Menai on the North, Denbighshire on the East, and the Irish Sea on the West, from North to South 40, from East to West 20, and in compass 110 miles. The Air is sharp and piercing by reason of the high Mountains, which may be properly termed the British Alps (for steepness and cragginess not much unlike those that divide France from Italy) all tow ring into the Air, and some far higher than the rest called Snowdon Hills, or Snowy Mountains, being all the year round crusted over with Snow though liable to the Sun and Wind. This made them a secure refuge to the Britain's against their Enemies, no Army though never so potent, nor any Traveller never so lightly clothed being able to find a passage among so many rough and hard Rocks, so many Pools, Vales and Sloughs, as are to be encountered with in the middle of this County. Yet it is sufficiently fruitful, for the Mountains are so rank with Grass that it is become a Proverb among them, Craig Eriry, or Snowdon will yield sufficient Pasture for all the  of Wales put together. And it is certain that there are Ponds and Standing Waters upon the tops of them, though generally covered with Snow, and if a man sets his foot any where upon the top of them, he shall perceive the Earth to move at a considerable distance from him. Penmen-maur, or the great stony head is an exceeding high and steep Rock or Hill in this County, which hanging over the Sea, when it is Flood affordeth a very narrow Way for Passengers, huge Stones hanging over head as if ready to fall upon them, and the Tempestuous Ocean lying under of a very great depth. But after the passing this, and Penmen-bidam, the less stony head, there is a great open Plain reaching as far as Aber-Conway in which River are found a sort of shell fish, conceived as they say by the Heavenly Dew, which are thought to bring forth Pearl, formerly much valued.  
The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Ordovices who had a City which the Emperor Antovinus calls Segontium, the ruins whereof are still visible hard by a River called to this day Sevont, and near a little Church Consecrated to the Memory of St. Publicius. Some Author's name it Caer Custenith or the City of Constantine saying that in 1283. the body of Constantius was found here, which K. Edw. I. caused to be sumptuously buried in the Church of the new City, that he raised out of the ruins of the old, and called Carnarvan, which now gives a name to the whole Shire. This Town hath a fine Prospect toward the Sea, and was encompassed with the Walls of the Castle. The Government was formerly administered by the Covernour of the Castle, who was always Mayor by Patent, assisted by one Alderman, two Bailiffs, two Sergeants at Mace and a Town-Clerk. The Townsmen much glory that K. Edw. II. was born in a Tower of their Castle called Eagle Tower, and Surnamed Carnarvan, being the first Prince of Wales of the English Race.  
The Welsh report that the Corpse of 20000 Saints are interred in a small Island called Berdsey lying within a Mile of the South Promontory of this County. It is I confess more easy to find Graves there for so many Saints, than Saints for so many Graves.  
Bangor is a Bishops See of ancient standing, but by whom founded is not yet known, the Cathedral is dedicated to the Memory of St. Daniel who was Bishop here about the year 516. It is now but a small Town, yet was formerly so large that the Welsh called it Banchor Vaur or great Bangor, which Hugh Earl of Chester fortified with a Castle, long since so throughly demolished that the very ruins are now invisible upon the severest search. This Diocese containeth in it the whole County of Carnarvan and Anglesey, and part of Denbigh, Merioneth, and Montgomery-shires, and in them 107 Parish Churches, and three Archdeaconries. The ancient Cathedral was defaced and set on fire by Owen Glendour and his Associates, who had a design to have destroyed all the Churches in Wales whose People submitted to the King of England, but was afterward repaired by one Henry Dean Bishop thereof in the Reign of King Henry VII. yet hath scarce recovered the resemblance of its pristine dignity.  
There was formerly a Town called by the Roman's Canonium near the River Conway, from whence it took its name, which is now utterly extinct, only there is a poor remembrance of it in the new name of a mean Village standing in the rubbish thereof called Caer-hean, that is, The ancient City. Out of the ruins thereof King Edward I. built a new Town at the River's Mouth called Aberconwey, that is the Mouth of Conwey, it was formerly fortified by Hugh E. of Chester with strong Walls and a Castle, and seems rather a City than a Town were it but more populous. Newin a small Market Town is famous for a great Triumph made there by the Nobility of England in 1284. in memory of the renowned K. Arthur, after the subduing of Wales by K. Edward I. Over against Conwey where it runs into the Sea, sometimes stood an ancient City named Diganway, which many years since was consumed and utterly destroyed by Lightning. It is reported there is a Fish in the Pool Linperis called Torcoch with a red Belly, no where else to be found. And that on the High Mountains there are two Meres or Ponds, in one of which are store of Fish that have only one Eye, and in the other a floating Island, which when trod on moveth a great way off, whereby the Welsh are said to have often escaped their Enemies.  
John William's was born at Aberconwey, bred Fellow of St. John's College in Cambridge, was preferred to be Dean of Worcester, Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and at last Archbishop of York. He died March 25. 1649. Richard Vaughan was born at Nuffrin, bred at St. John's College in Oxford, became successively Bishop of Bangor, Chester, and London, a very corpulent man but spiritually minded, an excellent Preacher and Pious Liver, a pleasant man in Discourse, especially at his Table, using frequently this expression, At Meals be glad, f●● sin be sad. And indeed he was a very mortified man, and zealous in Religion. He died March 30. 1607. Henry rowland's bred in Oxford was Consecrated Bishop of Bangor Nou. 12. 1598. he bought four new Bells for the Tower of St. Asaph, whereof the biggest cost an 100 pound. He also gave to Jesus College in Oxford, a revenue for maintenance of two Fellows. He died 1615.  
The County of Carnarvan hath five Market Towns, Aberconwey, Bangor, Carnarvan, Newin and Pullhely, and 68 Parish Churches. It gives the Title of Earl to Charles Lord Dormer.  
DENBIGHSHIRE bath Carnarvan and Merioneth-shire on the West, part of Flintshire and the Sea on the North, Cheshire and Shropshire on the East, and Montgomery-shire on the South. It is generally Mountainous, Cold and Barren: Yet not without some fruitful Valleys, by the industry of the Husbandmen, who may be said to fetch their Bread out of the Fire, by cutting up Turfs, which being burnt in great heaps, the ashes spread on these hungry grounds, cause them to bring forth a kind of Rye in very great plenty. The ancient Inhabitants were the Ordovices, as the Romans named them, who being armed with want and cold, were made bold against the force of their Enemies, and continued longest free both from the Roman and English Dominion. This Shire is 31 Miles long, and 17 broad, and in circuit 114. The Mountains abound with Oxen, Sheep and Goats. The middle of it hath a Valley 17 miles long and five broad, lying open to the Sea, encompassed on all other sides by Hills, among which the highest is Moilleally Hill, on the top whereof is a Fort ●●d Warlike Trench and a spring of clear Water. From these Mountains the River Cluyd riseth & runs into the Valley in the Parish of Llan-sanan in the side of a stony Hill, there are 24 seats cut out of the main Rock, some bigger than others, where youth come to tend their  & make their sports, which to this day is called Arthur's round Table. After the beheading of David brother to Luellin the last P. of Wales for High Treason, K. Ed. I. bestowed the Town of Denbigh upon Hugh Lacie E. of Lincoln, who fortified it with a strong Wall, a fair Castle, and several high Towers, but had not fully finished the Work before his only Son was drowned in a Well therein, which caused the sorrowful Father to leave it off, and proceed no farther. This Town is reckoned the most beautiful in all North-Wales, and this is remarkable that in 1575. a great Earthquake which much terrified the People and damaged the Cities of York, Worcester, Gloucester, Bristol, Hereford and the parts adjacent, and caused the Bell in the Shire Hall of Denbigh to Toll twice with shaking of the Earth, yet no farther mischief happened. This Town is Governed by two Aldermen, two Bailiffs, 25 Burgesses, a Recorder, a Town-Clerk, and two Sergeants at Mace.  
Wrexham in this County is much admired for the Church, which is a fair and spacious structure, having a stately Tower or Steeple without, and a fine Organ within it, being built according to the most exact Rules of Architecture. Holt Castle in this County was formerly in the possession of William Lord Stanley, whose ready Money and Plate therein, besides Jewels and Rich Householdstuff, amounted to four thousand Marks, got by the plunder of Bosworth Field where King Richard III was slain, but this Lord upon discontent afterward conspiring against King Henry VII. was beheaded for High Treason, and it was all confiscated to the King's Exchequer.  
Leoline ap Llevellin was born in this Shire, and made Bishop of St. Asaph by King Edward I. At his death he left a great Estate, besides Plate, rich Vests, and Books to the Canons of that Church and his Chaplains, dying in 1313. Godfrey Goodman was born of wealthy Parents in this County, and afterward Bishop of Gloucester, yet was no friend to the Reformation constantly complaining of the first Reformers, amongst whom he noted Bishop Ridley as a very odd man. One present, My Lord, says he, Ridley was a very odd manindeed, for all the Popish Party in England could not match him, with his equal in Learning and Religion. He died a Roman Catholic and left most of his Estate to pious uses. His Uncle Gabriel Goodman was Dean of Westminster for 40 years, and the Bible was translated into Welsh at his cost. He founded a School and an Almshouse for 12 poor People at Ruthen with a competent Salary. He purchased a fair house at Cheswick in Middlesex wherewith his own hands he planted a fair row of Elms for a retiring place to the Masters and Scholars of Westminster School. He employed Mr. Camden to make an actual Survey of all England at his expense. He died 1601. and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Sir Hugh Middleton was born at Denbigh and bred in London. This is that worthy Knight who fetched into London the New River Water at his own cost more than 24 Miles, encountering all the way with an Army of oppositions, grappling with Hills, struggling with Rocks, and fight with Forests, till in defiance of difficulties he had brought his Project to perfection. Robert Earl of Leicester in the reign of Q. Elizabeth, by his bounty advanced the building of a new Church in Denbigh.  
Denbigh. In 1660. a very great Well in Chick-Town was dried up. Richard Clough born at Denbigh, was a Chorister at Chester, whence he removed to London, where he was Apprentice to, and after Partner with Sir Tho. Gresham: Having lived some time at Antwerp, he traveled to Jerusalem, where he was made Knight of the Holy Sepulchre: Some affirm that he disbursed several thousands of pounds in building the Royal Exchange, and that it was agreed betwixt them, the Survivor should be Heir to the other; on which account, they say, Sir Tho. Gresham carried away the main of the Estate: He gave 100 pound a year to the Free-School in Denbigh, besides his Benefaction to the New Church there.  
This County is divided into twelve Hundreds, had formerly 5 Castles, hath 3 Market-Towns, Denbigh, Ruthen and Wrexham, and 57 Parish-Churches: It gives the Title of Earl to L. Fielding.  
FLINTSHIRE hath Cheshire on the East, the Sea on the North, Shropshire on the South, and Denbighshire on the West: It is the least Country of Wales, not so mountainous as other parts, but lies pleasantly along by the River Dee: The Air is healthful, and the Soil plentiful of Corn and ; the Rivers abound with Fish: There are not many Woods or Trees in this, as well as other parts of Wales, the frequent Rebellions of the Inhabitants having occafioned the English to make great devastations of them to prevent their being the retreats of these unquiet people. Fruits are not very common, but of Milk, Butter, Cheese and Honey there is plenty: Of the last of which they make great quantities of a Drink like Muscadine, called Metheglin: There were formerly several strong Castles in this Shire, as Flint, Hawarden or Harden, Treer, Rudland, Mold, Yowley and Hope; the first was the most famous, being founded by K. Henry 2. and finished by K. Edward the first. Afterward K. Richard 2. going over to Ireland to suppress the Rebels there, his Uncle Henry Duke of Lancaster returning from his Banishment into England at the same time, and being joined by several of the Barons, who were much displeased at K. Richard's Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government, raised an Army of 60000 Men against him. The King returned in hope to suppress this Insurrection, and coming to Flint-Castle, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Earl of Northumberland were sent to him from the D. of Lancaster, to whom K. Richard made a Proposition, That if himself and eight more whom he would name, might have an honourable allowance, with the assurance of enjoying peaceably a quiet life, he would resign his Crown: This the Earl of Northumberland assured him should be performed, whereupon the King surrendered himself into the Duke's hands. When K. Richard came first to this Castle, they let lose one of his Greyhounds, as was usual  the King got on Horseback, which Greyhound used to leap upon the King's shoulder, and fawn very much upon him, but at this time he leapt upon the Duke of Lancaster; and fawned upon him as on his Master; the Duke asked the King what the Dog meant or intended; It is an ill and unhappy Omen to me, said the King, but a fortunate one to you, for he acknowledges you to be King, and that you shall Reign in my stead: This he said with a presaging mind upon a slight occasion, which yet in short time came to pass; for K. Richard was deposed, and after murdered at Pomfret Castle, and the D. of Lancaster advanvanced to the Throne by the name of Henry the 4th.  
This County hath not any River of note within it, but near Rudland-Castle is a famous Spring, called Holy Well, or St. Winifred's Well, of which Antiquity gives this Account; That St. Winifred a virtuoun Christian Virgin, having by her exceeding Beauty inflamed the mind of Carodocus, a lustful Prince of this Country, he attempted to allure her to his pleasure both by large promises, and rich gifts, but finding he could by no means prevail upon her Chastity, at length he resolved to obtain his desires by force; and having surprised her in a place of advantage, he ravished her weak body, notwithstanding the utmost resistance she could make, and afterward to prevent her complaints and exclamations, he killed her, and then cut off her head: And in that very place (saith my Author) there suddenly arose a pleasant Spring, which continueth to this day, running with so strong a Current, that the like is not to be found in Christendom: Over the head of the Spring there is built a Chapel of Freestone, supported with curious wrought Pillars, on the Chancel and Glass-window whereof is painted the Picture of this Virgin, and the Story of her suffering and death. To this Well Romish Pilgrims resort to this day, and others  therein, supposing that there is much Virtue in the Water. In the bottom of it are many Red Stones, which the superstitious People believe are spots of this Lady's blood, which all the Water in the Spring can never wash away; and that the green Moss which grows on the sides of the Well is her Hair, which though every Stranger almost carries away a part of, yet they say it never wastes; and the truth is, the Moss smells exceeding sweet, which confirms these weak Believers in their fond Opinion.  
St. Beno the Instructor of St. Winifred in the Christian Faith, is of special account is this Country, who it seems was a Surgeon to a Miracle; for after Winifred was beheaded by the lustful Carodocus, he set her head on again, she living 15 years after.  
In the South part of this County divided from the rest, is a place formerly called Bovium, now Banchor, or Bangor; first a City, and afterward a famous Monastery anciently very renowned for the pious Monks that resided there, they being called by some Authors, The College of Divine Philosophers, and Bangor the Mother, or first of all the Monasteries in the World, the Foundation thereof being ascribed to King Luctus; it was situated in the fruitful Valley now called, The English Mailor, upon the Bank of the River Dee, being encompassed with a great Wall containing a Mile and a half of ground, two of whose Gates, Port Hogen to the North, and Port Clais South, are yet discernible; the River Dee, which hath since changed its course, now running through the midst betwixt both Gates, which stand 500 paces asunder: This Monastery, in memory of the 7 Churches of Asia, was divided into 7 Classes or Wards, every one consisting of about 300 Souls, and all maintaining themselves by the labour of their hands: They are said to have received their Christianity from the Eastern Church, dissenting in their Rites and Doctrines from that in the West, neither would they acknowledge that the Bishop of Rome had any authority over them in matters of Religion or the service of God. They continued 438 years before Austin the Monk came to pervert them by introducing Roman Ceremonies, Superstition and Servitude. Many of these Monks assembled at Caer Legion now West-Chester to pray for the good success of their Friends the Britain's against the Heathen Saxons, and continuing three days in Fasting and Prayer. Ethilfrid the Saxon King seeing them so fervent in their Devotions, asked what kind of People they were, and being told that they prayed against him and his Army, Then, said he, though they carry no weapons, yet they fight against us, and with their Prayers and Preaching prosecute us, and presently fell upon Brockmall a man at arms that was their Guard, who to save his own life left theirs to the Sword, and the Soldiers assaulting the unarmed Monks murdered 2000 of them, and likewise defeated the Army of the Britain's, only 50 escaping. But God left not their deaths long unrevenged, for this cruel King was soon after killed in the Field by the Christian King Edwin, who succeeded him in the Kingdom of Northumberland. Many of these Monks were buried in their own Monastery, whose bodies (saith Leyland the Historian) have been found in the memory of man among the rotten Weeds wherein they were slain. This famous place hath been long since utterly ruinated so that scarce the remains of a City or Monastery are now to be discerned.  
Another Monastery called lan Elwy formerly stood in the Vale below Varis, a little City built by the Romans between this and Denbighshire upon the Banks of Elwy and Cluyd. The English named it Asaph of the Founder a Person of honourable birth, who was educated by Kentigern Bishop of Glasco. This Bishop in the year 560. flying from the Persecution in Scotland to this place, erected it into a Bishop's See and built a Monastery near it, wherein he placed 663 Monks, whereof 300 that were more unlearned than the rest, were employed in Husbandry and other business about the Convent, the rest devoted themselves to Prayer and Divine Meditation. Among the rest who attended Divine Service, Asaph was conspicuous for Piety and Learning, insomuch that Kentigern being recalled to his own Country, resigned both his Convent and Cathedral to him. Here he demeaned himself with so much sanctity that lan Elwy was after his death called from him St. Asaph. He was an assiduous Preacher, having oft this saying, That such as are against the Preaching of God's Word, envy man's Salvation. He is thought to have died about 569. After which his See was vacant above 500 years until Jeffery of Monmouth was placed therein. It is still a Bishopric, and contains in it no one whole County, but part of Denbigh, Flint, Montgomery, Merioneth, and some Towns in Shropshire, wherein are 121 Parishes. It was not at first very rich, but made much poorer in the Reign of King Edward VI for whereas the Bishop had before five Episcopal Houses he hath now but one, the rest with the Lands belonging to them being alienated from the Church for ever.  
Another Monastery of great account was at Basing-wark in this County near the famous Ditch made by Offa K. of the Mercians, which begun in this place, running through North-Wales nigh the mouth of the River Dee, and from thence along the Mountains in the South, and ended near Bristol at the fall of the Wye. The Tract whereof is yet to be seen, and called to this Day Clawed Offa, or Offa's Ditch. Congellus or Comgallus is challenged by the Welsh for their Countryman as being first Abbot of Banchor, though Archbishop Usher makes him the first Abbot of Bangor in the North of Ireland. He was of a pious life, wrote Learned Epistles and Died in 600. Elizabeth the seventh Daughter of King Edward I. and Queen Eleanor was born at Ruthland Castle where anciently a Parliament was kept. This Princess at 14 years of age was Married to John Earl of Holland, Zealand, etc. and after his death to Humphrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex, High Constable of England, by whom he had a numerous Issue she died, 1316. and was buried in the Abbey Church of Saffron Walden in Essex.  
Owen Glendour Esquire was born in his ancient Patrimony of Glendour Wye in this County, was bred in London a Student of the Common Law till he became a Courtier and Servant to King Richard II. after whose death being on the wrong side of preferment he retired into Wales, where there arose a difference between him and the Lord Grey of Ruthen about a Common, upon which many spurred on his posting ambition, by telling him he was the true Heir of all North-Wales, and he was likewise encouraged therein by those who pretended to interpret some Prophet's of the famous Merlin in his favour, persuading him the time was come wherein he should recover the Welsh Principality. All these allurements meeting with an aspiring mind, and the English being at variance among themselves, He in 1402. and the third year of K. Henry iv endeavoured to draw the Welshmen to a general defection: assuring them they had now a fair opportunity to shake off the English Yoke, and to resume their own ancient Laws and Customs. To whose persuasions the Welshmen harkening, they constituted him their Prince and Captain General. Having got some Forces together, he falls first upon his old Adversary Reynold Lord Grey, and takes him Prisoner, yet with promise of releasement, if this Lord would Marry his Daughter; which offer though the Lord Grey at first not only refused but scorned, yet was at last obliged to accept thereof, though his treacherous Father in Law delayed his enlargement till he died.  
The Welsh much animated with this first success break furiously into the Borders of Herefordshire, plundering and destroying all before them, being opposed only by the Lord Edmund Mortimer who had formerly withdrawn himself to the Castle of Wigmore. He having assembled what Forces he was able, gave them Battle, and was taken Prisoner, and then fettered & cast into a deep and filthy Dungeon. It was thought that if Glendour had as well known how to use his Victory as to get it, he might at this time have much endangered the English Dominion over the Welsh: But having killed 1000 English he thought he had done enough for that time, and so giving over the pursuit retired. The inhumanity of the Welsh Women was here memorable, who stripped the dead Carcases of the English, and then cut off their Privy Parts and Noses, whereof the one they thrust into their Mouths, the other they pressed between their Buttocks.  
King Henry was compelled to suffer these affronts at this time from the Welsh, being engaged in a dangerous War with Scotland, that K. having Invaded England with a great Army, but with very ill success, his Forces being first defeated by the Earl of Northumberland: And afterward by Henry Piercy his Kinsman called Hotspur, and George Earl of March who at a place called Hamilton killed 10000 Scots, and took 500 Prisoners.  
In the mean time Glendour had solicited the French King for aid, who sent him 1200 men of quality, but the Winds were so contrary that they lost 12 of their Ships, and the rest returned home. The English deriding this ill success of the French, so exasperated the French K. that presently after he sent 12000 more, who landed safely and joined with the Welsh, but when they heard of the approach of the English Army, whether mistrusting their own strength, or suspecting the Welshman's faithfulness, they ran to their Ships & disgracefully went home.  
Although King Henry iv was advanced to the Crown by the Parliament of England who Deposed King Richard II. for his misgovernment, yet many of those who were instrumental therein, grew in a short time discontented upon one account or another, as is usual in such cases, insomuch that several Conspiracies were made against him. Among others the Peircies' Earls of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur began about this time to fall off from him, one reason whereof was, because the King at their request, as well as of several other Noblemen, refused to redeem their Kinsman Mortimer from Glendour's slavery, for Henry was deaf of that Ear, and could rather have wished both him and his two Sisters in Heaven, for than he should be free from concealed Competitors. And another cause was, his denying them the benefit of such Prisoners as they had taken of the Scots, whereupon they went of themselves, and procured Mortimer's Delivery, and then entered into a League Offensive and Defensive with Glendour, and by their Proxies in the House of the Archdeacon of Bangor, they agreed upon a Tripartite Indenture under their Hands and Seals, to divide the Kingdom into three parts, whereby all England from Severn and Trent South and Eastward was to be given to Edmund Mortimer Earl of March. All Wales and the Land beyond the Severn West were assigned to Owen Glendour and all the remaining Land from Trent to the North to be the Partition of the Lord Piercy. Wherein Glendour persuaded them they should accomplish an old Welsh Prophecy against the Mole or Mouldwarp of England. That K. Henry was this Mouldwarp cursed of God's own Mouth, and they were the Lion, the Dragon, and the Wolf which should divide the Land among them.  
At this time King Henry, utterly unacquainted with this Conspiracy, published a Proclamation intimating that the Earl of March had voluntarily caused himself to be taken Prisoner, to the end that the Welsh Rebels having him in their custody might have some pretence for their Insurrection, and therefore he had little reason to be concerned for his Redemption. Upon this the Piercy's assisted with some Scots, and drawing to their Party the E. of Stafford, Rich. Scroop Archbishop of York, and many others, they drew up certain Articles against King Henry, and sent them to him in writing, namely, That he had falsified his Oath given at his landing, That he came but only to recover his Inheritance, and would not meddle with the King or the Crown, That most Traitorously he had taken arms against his Sovereign Lord, imprisoned him, and then most barbarously caused him to be murdered. That ever since the death of K. Richard II. he had unjustly kept the Crown from his Kinsman Edmund Mortimer Earl of March to whom of right it belonged. That upon no occasion he had imposed divers large Taxes upon the People. That by his Letters he procured Burgesses and Knights of Parliament to be chosen. For which Causes and many others they defied him, and vowed his destruction, and the restoring the Earl of March to his Right.  
K. Henry could not but know that much of this was true, yet since it did not hinder him from seeking to get the Crown when he had it not, it could less hinder him from seeking to keep it now he had it, and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King, he was likely to be more able now to keep it from a private man. And for any objections that Conscience could make, he had enough to answer them all. For if his Title were good against K. Richard II. by his Resignation, it was good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance, Upon these grounds he satisfied himself, and raised an Army against these Lords, whom he prevented from joining with the Welsh, and near Shrewsbury engaged them, where though Henry Hotspur shown sufficient Courage, yet he was slain, and the K. obtained the Victory, taking several Prisoners of note, and among others the Earl of Worcester whom he caused to be Beheaded, and many of the rest to be Hanged and Quartered, and their Heads to be set upon London Bridg. There fell 6000 of the Rebels that day, whereof K. Henry killed 36 with his own hands. And the young P. (afterward Henry V) though wounded in the Face with an Arrow, yet was not wounded in his Courage but continued fight till the end of the Battle. After this the K. sent his Son Henry P. of Wales with his whole Army into that Country, but before his coming Owen Glendour was forsaken by all his Company, and lurking about the Woods was there famished to death for want of sustenance. Such was the miserable end of this aspiring ambitious Britain. After this Rebellion was suppressed, K. Henry enacted several rigorous Laws for preventing the like in time to come, as 1. That no Welshman should purchase Lands or be chosen into office in any City, Town or Burrough, or wear arms within any City. 2. That if a Welshman should sue an Englishman the cause should be tried by an English Jury. 3. That all English Burgesses who married Welshwomen should forfeit their Liberties. 4. No meeting nor Council to be permitted to the Welsh but in the presence of the Officers of the L. of the Manor. 5. No Victuals to be carried into Wales without Licence of K. or Council. 6. No Welshman should possess any Castle, or Fortified House. 7. No Welshman to be capable of any Office of State, or in any Court of Judicature. 8. No Englishman marrying a Welshwoman should enjoy any office in Wales.  
Thomas ap William ap Thomas ap Richard ap Howel ap Vaughan Esquire was born of an ancient Family at Moston in this County. This Gentleman being called at a Panel of a Jury by all these names was advised by the Judge in the reign of K. Henry VII. to contract them, whereupon he nominated himself Moston. A leading case to the Gentry in Wales, who leaving their Pedigrees at home, carry one Surname only abroad with them.  
Flint though the Shire Town is no Market Town, no nor St. Asaph though a City and Bishop's See till made so very lately. But it is near West-chester the Market General of these parts, and besides every Village hath a Market in itself, as affording all necessary commodities. This County was part of the County Palatine of Chester, paying 2000 Marks (called a Mize) at the change of every Earl of Chester till the year 1568 for then upon occasion of one Thomas Radford committed to Prison by the Chamberlain of Chester, this County disjoined itself from that Earldom, and united to the Principality of Wales. It is divided into five Hundreds, had seven Castles, hath only one Market Town Calerwis, and 28 Parish Churches. Near Kelkin a small Village in this County is a little Well whose Water riseth and falleth according to the motion of the Sea Tides.  
GLAMORGAN SHIRE (so called as is thought from P. Morgan the Possessor thereof, or from Morgan Abbey founded by William. E. of Gloucester upon the Seashore on the South of this County) is bounded on the East by Monmouth-shire, on the North by Breck-neck, on the West, by Carmarthenshire, on the South, by the Severn Sea, in length 40. in breadth 20. and in circumference 112 Miles. The North part of this Shire is Mountainous, the South Plain and very fruitful, being called the Garden of Wales, abounding with , pleasant Springs, and Fruits. Tare is the chief River, upon the Eastern Shoar of which, Cardiff the fairest Town of all South-wales is situated, which Fitz Hannon fortified with a Wall and Castle in the reign of William Rufus, when he and his Norman Knights had conquered Rhese or Rice Prince of these Parts, and deprived Jestine of his legal Inheritance. After which he made it his own Court of Justice, ordaining his Followers, to whom he disposed of the Lands, to hold them in Vassalage of him. The Castle was strong in which K. Henry I. Surnamed Beuclark kept his Elder Brother Robert called Courthose twenty six years' Prisoner, they being both Sons of K. William the Conqueror.  
The City and Bishopric of Landaff is seated in this County, being one of the most ancient Bishops Sees either in England or Wales, and claimeth a direct succession from the Archbishops of Caerleon upon Vsk. The first Bishop we read of was St. Dubritius, confearated by Lupus and Germanus when they came hither out of France for extirpating the Pelagian Heresy. The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Telian successor to Dubritius, founded upon the River Tassi or Tear, and thence called Landaff, lan in Welsh being a Church. This Church was formerly well endowed, so that it might have been reckoned one of the richest in Christendom, but now enjoys not the Tenth of the former revenue, the ruin thereof coming in the time of Bishop Dunstan alias Kitchin. This Diocese contains most part of Glamorgan and Monmouth-shire, wherein are 177 Parish Churches.  
Giraldus Cambrensis reports that in the Island of Barrey in this County there is a chink in a Rock, to which if you lay your Ear, you will hear a noise like that of Smiths at work, one while blowing the Bellows, then striking with the Hammer on the Anvil, sometimes the noise of a Grindstone grinding Tools, afterward the hissing of Iron quenched, and the puffing sound of Flames under a Furnace. Clemens Alexandrinus writes of a place in Britain, which is thought to be this, That on the top of an Hill there is a gaping Chink, into which when the Wind is gathered and moved to and fro in the hollows thereof there is heard above a musical sound like that of Cymbals.  
Likewise near Newton on the Bank of the River Ogmore near the Severn, there is a Well the water whereof is so low at the flowing of the Sea that you can hardly get a dishful, but at the Ebb and Fall of the Tide it riseth amain, which may be occasioned by the wind or air, which not finding a passage out stops up the passages of the springs, but when the water is gone and the air has room to vent itself the water boils up abundantly. On the the same shoat of Severne on the top of an Hill called Minyd Morgan is erected a Monument inscribed with strange Character and the People thereabout have a tradition, that if any man read the same he shall die soon after, meaning, I suppose, that it is impossible to be read.  
At Lavellin in Goversland in this Shire, happened many very strange Passages in 1656. as they were sent in several Letters to Mr. R.B. an eminent Divine lately deceased, the substance whereof I shall briefly relate. In this place dwelled one Bowen a Lieutenant Colonel in the late Wars, who by his Valour obtained a good repute, but the War being over, his case and preferment led him to a careless sensual life, and at length he grew so vain and notional that he was Cashiered from his Command, and being then at liberty to sin without restraint, he became an absolute Atheist, denying Heaven and Hell, God and Devil, acknowledging only a Power like that which the ancient Heathens called Fate, accounting Temporal Pleasures all his expected Heaven, so that at last he became hateful, and hating all civil society, though before he had been famous for Profession of Religion. He said he would give ten thousand pound to know the Tru●h about God, and denied the Being of the Spirit of God. In Decemb. 1655. he went over to Ireland, and some time after his Wife a very religious Woman living in his House in Glamorganshire was very much troubled one night with a great noise much like the sound of a Whirlwind, and a violent beating of the doors and walls, as if the whole House had been falling down. She being in her Chamber with most of her Family, after praying to God, accounting it sinful incredulity to yield to fear, and being naturally of a courageous temper, went to bed, when suddenly one in the likeness of her Husband, and in his very posture, presented himself, and asked her whether he should come to bed, she sitting up and praying to God told him, that he was not her Husband and he should not. He urged more earnestly, What! not the Husband of thy bosom? What! not the Husband of thy bosom? She replied, Christ was her Husband, at which it vanished, without having any power to hurt her. Upon this she with some other good People spent the rest of the night in Prayer being very often interrupted by this Apparition.  
The next night Mr. Miles a Pious Minister and four other good Christians came to watch and pray with her, in which holy exercise they continued all night without any disturbance. But the night following Mrs. Bowen with several other Devout Women being in the House, the noise of the Whirlwind began again with more violence than before, and the Apparition walked in the Chamber, attended with an unsufferable stench like that of a putrified Carcase, filling the Room with a thick smoke smelling like Brimstone, darkening the light of the Fire and Candle but not quite extinguishing it. Sometimes going down the Stairs, and coming up again with a dreadful noise. Disturbing them in their Prayers, one while with the sound of words which they could not understand, then striking them, so that the next Morning their Faces were black with Smoke and their Bodies swollen with bruises.  
Another Night was very remarkable, and had not the Almighty defended the Gentlewoman and her two Maids they had probably been destroyed. As Mrs. Bowen was going to bed, by the impression thereon she supposed that some body had lain in it, and opening the bed he smelled the smell of a Carcase somewhile dead, however she went to bed, and presently perceived upon the Tester which was of cloth something rolling from side to side, and being forced out of her bed, she had not time to dress herself, such lamentable cries and noises so much amazing her. Yet having scarce any  on, she with her two Maids got upon their Knees at the bedside to beg God's help and assistance, but were extremely assaulted. Oftentimes the Gentlewoman would, by something which felt like a Dog under her Knees, be lifted up a foot or more from the Ground. Some were heard to talk on the other side of the bed, which the Maid harkening to, she had a blow upon the back. Divers assaults would be made by fits. It would come with a cold breath of wind, there were horrible screeching howl and cries heard, and both within and without the House horrid suffocating smells of Brimstone and Gunpowder. This continued from nine at night till about three next morning, Mrs. Bowen and her Maids all smelled of this filthy Sulphur. At other times Fires have been seen upon the House and in the Fields, Mr. Bowen's Voice hath been heard, luring his Hawks, a Game he delighted in, as also the Bills of Hawks. His tread, his posture, sighing, humming were heard frequently in the Parlour. In the day time often the shadow of one walking would appear upon the Wall. I could wish (saith my Author) that they who question the existency of Spirits had been but one night at Lavellin to receive satisfaction to their objections.  
These disturbances continued so violent that Mrs. Bowen and her Family left the house, lest they should tempt God by their overbold staying in such danger. She sent the Atheist her Husband the sad news of this Apparition, who in May following coming to England expressed more love and respect to his Wife than formerly, yet telling her that he could not believe her relation of what she had seen, as having not a power to believe any thing but what he himself saw. But he had not the Courage to go to his House and make Trial of the certainty thereof. However he continued as Atheistical as ever, all his Religion being comprised in the acknowledging of a Power which, he saith, we may call God, and waiting for some miraculous appearance to verify to him all the rest which we own as our Religion. Sure if ever a Blasphemer was unworthy to live (saith my Author) this is the man. He afterward returned again to Ireland, and shut up himself in a small Castle without any company but one Boy, who reported that he risen in the night, and talked as if some body were discoursing with him. Others relate that he was continually haunted with Ghosts and Apparitions, but what his end was my Author does not mention. However, the former surprising Accidents have sufficient confirmation from Mr. Jones and Mr. Bedwell, two worthy Ministers in that Country, from Mrs. B●wen herself, a Woman much praised for her true Piety and Courage. From Colonel Wroth Rogers then Governor of Hereford, from Mr. Samuel Foley, Colonel John Bridges, and many other Persons of honesty and reputation.  
Sir Edward Carne descended from a good Family flourishing at Wenny in this County. He was bred in Oxford Dr. of the Civil Law, and Knighted by Charles V Emperor of Germany. He was dispatched to Rome by K. Henry VIII. to remonstrate to the Pope, That if he cited his Master to appear at Rome, as he had intelligence was intended, that his Highness was not bound by Law to appear, This he effectually performed, pleading that the Emperor was so powerful at Rome that he could expect no Justice there in the matter of the Divorce, Q. Katherine being of the House of Austria: Declaring that if the Pope persisted in this arbitrary way, the King must appeal from thence to some able men in some indifferent Universities, and if this were refused, he protested against all Proceed in that Court as null and void. A behaviour that discovered this Gentleman to have as much courage as ability. Queen Marry highly prized him, and no whit the less for his Cordial appearing for K. Henry in the matter of her Mother's divorce, imputing it to the discharge of his Employment in him who was otherwise a through paced Romanist, and whom she afterward sent Ambassador to the Pope.  
After her death he still resided at Rome, and by command of Q. Elizabeth had audience of Paul iv to acquaint him that his Mistress was advanced to the Crown of England. To whom the Pope returned answer, That England was a Fee of the Church of Rome, and that she could not succeed as being Illegitimate. This Pope would allow no Prince to be his Equal, but that all should be subject under his Foot. Besides he commanded Sir Edward to lay down his Character of Ambassador, and under pain of the greater Excommunication, and Confiscation of his Goods not to go out of the City of Rome, but take upon him the Government of the English Hospital there. So that Queen Elizabeth cannot justly be taxed by the Papists for a Schistmatick, being thrust from the Church of Rome by the Pope himself, so unreasonably treating her Ambassador before she had made any alteration in Religion. Though some think the crafty old Knight was well contented with his restraint, wherein he died, 1561.  
The County of Glamorgan is the furthest bounds of South-Wales, and lying exposed to Foreign Invasions was anciently fortified with 25 strong Castles, which Time and Storms have so entirely ruined that the very names of them are almost obliterated. It had likewise three Monasteries besides Landass, called Neath, Margan and Cardiss, which fell in the general Whirlwind upon Abbeys in the Reign of King Henry VIII. This Shire is divided into ten Hundreds, wherein are six Market Towns, and 118 Parish Churches. It gives the Title of Earl to Henry Somerset Duke of Beufort.  
MERIONETH-SHIRE hath Denhigh and Carnarvanshires' on the North, Montgomery on the East, Cardig an shire on the South, and the Irish Sea on the West, whose raging Waves, it is thought, have swallowed up great quantities of Land in former Ages. The form of the County is like a Welsh Harp, though it yields but dull music to the Inhabitants, being the roughest and most barren Shire of all Wales as Giraldus the Welsh Historian acknowledges, the Air giving little pleasure, unless to those that admire the furious and blusting Winds that roar from the adjacent Hills and Mountains, which are so high, and yet so near together that it is reported men may discourse from the tops thereof one to another and yet hardly meet in a day's time, so that if the Shepherds should fall out in the morning and challenge one another to fight, before they can come together, the day will be spent, and the Heat of their fury abated after they have slept till Morning. These Mountains did formerly abound with Wolves which much annoyed the People, to prevent which King Edgar Surnamed the Peaceable imposed a yearly Tribute of 300 Wolves heads upon Ludwall Prince of Wales, where by in three years' time they were utterly destroyed, and now the Hills are covered with Flocks of Sheep which are the only Riches of this County, for by reason of the unevenness and rockiness of the Soil the Blow cannot go, nor the Corn thrive here, though some have causelessly imputed the sacarcity of Grain to the sloth of the People.  
The Inhabitants were formerly the Ordovices already mentioned, who by the advantage of these Mountains long defended their Liberties against the Romans, and were never wholly subdued till the time of King Edward I. There are only three Market Towns in this Shire, Bala, near which is a Pool called Pimble Mear, or Lin Tegid in Welsh, covering near an hundred and Sixty Acres of ground, of which it is reported that the Land Floods though never so great do never cause it to rise or swell, whilst a blast of Wind will quickly make it mount above its bounds and banks. Into the South part of it runs the River Dee with a swift stream, and glides through the same without any mixture of its Waters as the People imagine, because the Salmon usually taken in Dee is never found in that Pool, and on the contrary th● Fish called Guiniad bred in that Mear is never seen in the River Dee.  
Delgethe is another Market Town in this Shire, of which I know not whether it be worth relating what is known for a Truth. 1. That the Walls thereof are three Miles high, that is, the Mountains which surround it. 2. That men come into it over the Water, but go out of it under the Water: Because they go in over a fair Bridge, but the Water falling from a Rock is couveyed in a wooden Trough under which Travellers make shift to pass. 3. The Steeple thereof doth grow therein, since the Bells if they have more than one, hang in a Yew-Tree. 4. There are more Alehouses than Houses, for Tenements are divided into two or three Tippling Houses, and Barns without Chimneys are used to that purpose.  
Harlech is the last Market Town, standing on the Seashore, cold and barren enough but only of Fowl and Fish, having few houses and meanly built. Here is a little decayed Chapel and out of use, wherein Sir Richard Thimbleby an English Knight lies buried, who for the delight he took in Fishing and Fowling removed his dwelling from a far better Soil. Here likewise was erected a strong and beautiful Castle upon an Hill, with a double Bulwark walled about, commanding the Sea, to impede the entrance of all Invaders. Near this are two great Inlets into the Sea which People pass over at low Water, and upon the Shoar, as upon all the Sea coasts in this Country abundance of Herrings are caught, and are therefore much frequented at the season of the year by People of several Nations.  
St. Thelian, educated by Dubritius Bishop of Landaff aforementioned, was born in this Shire. He was much envied for his Holy Life by one of the Pictish Princes who harassed this Country. This Captain sent two lewd Strumpets to him, supposing that by their Tempting Tricks this Devout man might have been enticed to folly. These Women counterfeited madness that they might take the more liberty to themselves of filthy discourse, but returned Distracted indeed, not having sense nor understanding enough to relate the cause of their sad misfortune, which had such effect on this Commander, that he received the Christian Faith (saith my Author) and was Baptised, retaining ever after a great veneration for this our Saint, who asterward accompanied St. David Bishop of Menerin to Jerusalem and returning into his own Country by his fervent Prayers freed Scotland from the Plague wherewith it was then much infested He died about 563.  
Mr. Camden takes special notice of the beauty and comeliness of the Inhabitants of this Shire. During the differences betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster, David ap Jenkig, ap Enion stout Gentleman on the Lancastrian side, resolutely defended the Castle of Harlech against King Edward iv until Sir William Herbert, afterward Earl of Pembroke, so furiously stormed it that he was obliged to surrender. This County is divided into six Hundreds wherein are 37 Parish Churches.  
MONMOUTH-SHIRE hath Hereford-shire on the North, Glamorgan on the West,  on the East, and the Sovern Sea on the South. It is 24 Miles in length, 19 in breadth, and 77 in compass. The Air is temperate, clear and healthful, the Soil hilly, woody, and fruitful of , Corn and all other accommodations of Life. It was anciently inhabited by the Silures whose chief City is called by the Emperor Antoninus Venta Silurum, by the Welsh Caerwent, and now Caerleon, and was by Tathai the British Saint made an Academy and a place of Divine Worship, where the second Roman Legion called Augusta resided, (as appears by their Coins, Altars, Tables and Inscriptions sound there daily in digging up old Foundations.) Giraldus saith, That King Arthur kept his Court in this City, whither the Roman Ambassadors resorted to him, and that there was a School or Academy, of 200 Philosophers skilful in Astronomy and other Sciences erected therein. St. Aaron a wealthy Citizen of Caerleon was Martyred under Dioclesian the Roman Tyrant in 3031 Note that the three first British Martyrs, namely Alban, Amphibalus and Aaron, have, the first a Latin, the second a Greek, and the third an Hebrew name. St. Julius of Caerleon, suffered with Aaron aforesaid. St. Amphilalus the Instructor of St. Alban in the Christian Faith, was also a Citizen of Caerleon. This Town though now but small, was once a great City reaching a Mile in length, and comprehending St. Julian's a house of late Sir William Herbert's, now a Mile distant from the Town. But as all humane Glory hath its period, so this City formerly renowned for beauty, circuit and magnificence is now deplorably decayed.  
Monmouth is a Market Town in this County, and had anciently a very strong Castle with many lofty Towers, as the ruins do still demonstrate. The Town is pleasantly situated between the River's Monnow and Wye, and hath an handsome Church with three Isles. And at the East end of the Town is another decayed one called the Monk's Church. Monmouth is in good repair, and well frequented, governed by a Mayor, two Bailiffs, 19 Common-Council men, a Town-Clerk, and two Sergeants. Several Monasteries were erected and suppressed in this County, the most memorable being at Caerleon, Chepstow, God-cliff, Monmouth and Llantony, which last stood so solitary among the high Hill that the Sun did shine upon it not above two or three hours in a day. As for Manufactures the best Caps were formerly made at Monmouth, where the Cappers' Chapel doth still remain. In Q. Blizabeth's Reign an Act of Parliament was made, enacting that all Persons should wear Monmouth Caps, but about twenty five years after it was repealed.  
Geoffrey of Monmouth the Welsh Historian was born in this County, and in the Monk's Church aforenamed is said to have written his History of Britain, having translated, compiled and collected the various British Authors into one Volume. He had many things from the British Bards or Poets, which though improhable may not be untrue. His Book was prohibited by the Pope whilst the lying Legend of Romish Saints is permitted to be read without control. If Geoffrey be guilty of mistakes they are such as make not for the Pope's advantage, and therefore it seems a great mistake in those who avouch that the Pope made him a Cardinal. He flourished 1160 under King Henry II.  
Walter Cantilupe Son to William Lord Cantilupe, whose chief Residence was at Abergavenie in this County, was made Bishop of Worcester by King Henry III. He would not yield to the Pope's Legate, who complained of many Clergymen, keeping their Live against the Canons, intending to make room for the Pope's Favourites, or force such irregular Incumbents to a composition. He was of a keen temper, whose two edged Spirit did cut on both sides against the King and Pope. Against the former he fided with the Barons to whom he promised Heaven for the reward of their Rebellion against their Prince, though it cost him an Excommunication from the Pope, who was the more forward in denouncing that fatal sentence against him, because the Bishop had told Rusland his Legate, That he would prefer him to be hanged on the Gallows rather than ever consent to such expilation of the Church as aforesaid. He died in 1267. Thomas of Monmouth wrote an History of St. William, the Child that was Crucified by the Jews at Norwich in hatred of our Saviour. He flourished 1160 in the Reign of King Henry II.  
Richard de Clare, alias Strongbow, born probably at Stringule Castle was Earl of Stringule and Pembroke. It happened that Ma● Murrugh in 1167. being expelled his Territories for several Tyrannies by the Lords of Meath and Connaught repaired to King Henry II. and invited him into Ireland. That politic King sent over this Rich. Strongbow with 1200 men, who soon possessed himself of the Ports of Leinster and Munster, with large Lands thereunto belonging, insomuch that the King growing jealous of his greatness recalled him home, commanding him to surrender his Acquisitions into his hands, which done, he received them back by a Grant from the King, who only reserved the City of Dublin for himself. He was commonly called Domitor Hibernia, The Tamer of Ireland. Yet some of the Great Lords there, did still retain the Power and Title of King. Witness the Preface to the Commission, whereby King Henry II. made William Fitz. Adelme his Lieutenant of Ireland, which was directed, To all Archbishops, Bishops, Kings, etc. Health. This Earl died at Dublin, 1177.  
Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was born in Monmouth Castle the chief Seat of his Barony. He is commonly Surnamed The Wryneck, and by others more rightfully, The good Duke of Lancaster. He founded Corpus Christi College in Cambridg, and was buried at Leicester 1361. Henry V the victorious Conqueror of France was likewise born in this Castle, of whom I have already given an account. Sir Roger William's born of an ancient Family at Penress, was first a Soldier of Fortune in the Netherlands ander the Duke of Alv●●, and afterward served Queen Elizabeth. He was a man extremely forward to fight. When a Spanish Captain challenged Sir John Norris to fight a single combat, which he could not accept, as being below him who was a General, this Sir Roger undertook the ●on. And after they had fought for some time, in the view of both Armies, without any hurt, they pledged each other a deep draught of Wine and so friendly departed. Another time at midnight he assaulted the Camp of the Prince of Parma nigh Venloe, slew some of the Enemy's Soldiers, and pierced to the very Tent of the General. Byron Marshal of France once saying, That he did not like the March of the English Drum because it was so slow; Sir Roger hearing him, sharply replied, As slow as it is, yet it hath gone through all France. He bravely defended the Town and Fort of Sluice in Flanders, whilst there was any hope of relief, but as length being forced to surrender it, he returned to the Court, whom some of Queen Elizabeth's Ladies of Honour reproached and pointed at, crying, That's the Valiant man that delivered up Sluice. Ay Ladies, said he, and if you had been so hard put to it as I was you would have delivered up your Sluices too.  
William Herbert Earl of Pembroke with Sir Richard his Brother were both vassant men, and as fast friends to King Edward iv as professed Foes to Richard Nevil the Great Earl of Warwick. Leading the Army of the Welsh in the Battle of Banbury, these two Brothers with their Pole-axes twice made way through the Battle of the Northern men which sided with King Henry VI without any mortal wound. There passeth a Tradition in the Noble Family of the Herbert's of Cherbury, that this Sir Richard their Ancestor slew that day 140 men with his own hands, in passing and repassing through the Army. Guns not being then in fashion the Poll axe was the next mortal Weapon especially in such a dead doing hard as this Knight had. He is likewise reported to be of a Giant's Stature, the Peg or Pin being yet to be seen in Montgomery Castle, whereon he used to hang his Hat at Dinner, which no man of an ordinary height can reach with his hand at this day. It is recorded that by the courage of these two Brothers the Battle of Banbury had certainly been won, had not John Clapham Esquire, and Servant to the Earl of Warwick 〈◊〉 played his Lord's Colours, and from an high Hill cried out, a Warwick, a Warwick, whereat the Welshmen were so terrified, supposing Warwick with the whole Army to be there that they turned their backs and fled, knowing how unable they were to withstand Warwick's Forces, since upon a quarrel the Night before between the Earl of Pembroke and the Lord Stafford the last had withdrawn his Party from them, so that the General and his Brother were left alone in the Field, who valiantly fight were encompassed and taken, with the Neath of 5000 of their Men. The Earl with his Brother Sir Richard Herbert were brought to Banbury where (with ten other Gentlemen) they lost their Heads, the Earl was buried at Tinterne, and Sir Richard at Abergavenny in this County.  
William Jones born at Monmouth was forced to fly his Country for not being able to pay ten Groats. Coming to London he became first a Porter and then a Factor, and going over to Hamburg had such a vent for Welsh Cottons that he gained a very considerable Estate in a short time. He founded a fair School in Monmouth allowing 50 pound yearly to the Master, and 100 pound Salary to a Lecturer, besides a stately Alms house for 20 poor People, each of them having two Rooms and a Garden, and half a Crown a week. All which he left to the oversight of the Company of Haberdashers in London, who discharge their trust therein to this day.  
William Evan's of this Shire was two yards and an half in height being Porter to King Charles I. He was somewhat lame, knocking his knees together, and going out squalling with his feet, yet he made a shift to Dance in an Antimask at Court, where he drew little Jeffery the Dwarf out of his Pocket. The Moor or Marish near Chepstow suffered great loss in 1606. by the River Severn overflowing its banks, drowning many , some People, and overthrowing divers Houses.  
Monmouthshire may be called an English Welsh County. For whereas formerly all Welsh Counties sent but one Knight to Parliament this has the privilege of two, and is not subject to the Welsh Jurisdiction but to the governance of the Itenerant Judges who ride Oxford Circuit. It was subdued by King Henry II. who passed the Nant Pen-carne a small Brook, and of no danger, yet held fatal by the Welsh, who were over credulous of a Prophecy of Merlin's that predicted, That when a stout King with a freckled face should pass over a Ford called Rydpencarn in a River called Nant pencarn the Welsh should be conquered, and therefore when King Henry who was freckle faced passed over it, the Welshmen remembering this Prophecy submitted themselves, and became an easy Conquest to the English, and it may be the King being sensible of their credulity, thinking their Hearts might fail them, chose to go over this Ford to facilitate his Conquests. Monmouth was made a Shire in the reign of King Henry VIII. It hath six Market Towns, 127 Parish Churches, is divided into six Hundreds, and had formerly 14 Castle. It gives the Title of Earl to Charles Lord Mordant.  
MONTGOMERY-SHIRE hath Denbighshire on the North, Radnor and Cardigan on the South, Merioneth on the West, and Shrop-shire on the East. In this County are many high Hills, and divers Vales, Springs and Rivers, of which the Soverne is the Chief, being the second River in the Kingdom, whose head rising from the vast high Mountain Plymlimon, and being joined with other smaller streams runs through the East part of this Shire. It is said to have taken its name from Abren the beautiful natural Daughter of King Loerinus, begotten out of Wedlock upon Estrildis the Daughter of Humber the Seythian King, who invaded this Land, both of them being drowned by Gwendolena the surviving Widow of Locrine, the Daughter in this River, and the Father in the other bearing his name. Of this Jeffery of Monmouth writes, 
Fair Abren headlong thrown into this stream,  
As a Memorial left to them her name,  
From whence at length the name of Severn came.   
The ancient Inhabitants were the Ordovices, who also peopled the Counties of Merioneth, Carnarvan, Denhigh and Flint, whose Hearts and Hills kept them free a long time, both from the Roman and English Yoke, opposing themselves against the first till the reign of Domitian, and the other till their total Conquest by King Edward I. They are a generous and affable People, comely and fair of body, courteous to strangers, and very Loyal to the English Crown.  
Montgomery is the chief Town, and is one of the new Shires taken out of the Marches of Wales, and made a County of King Henry VIII. so called from Roger de Montgomery a Noble Norman, Earl of Shrewsbury, who gaining much Land hereabout from the Welsh, first built it to secure his Conquests, as likewise a very fine Castle standing not far from the banks of the River Severn upon the rising of a Rock, from whence it hath a very pleasant prospect into a curious Plain that lieth beneath it.  
There is a Proveb in this County, Y Tair Chiwiorydd, in English The three Sisters, whereby was meant the three Rivers of Wye, Severn, and Rhiddial, arising all three in this County. The Tradition is, That these three Sisters were to run a Race which should be first Married to the Ocean. Severn and Wye having a great Journey to go, chose their way through soft Meadows, and kept on a Traveller's pace, whilst Rhiddial, presuming on her short journey, stayed before she went out, and then to recover her lost time runs furiously in a distracted manner with her mad stream over all opposition. It is applicaple to Chidrens of the same Parents, but of different dispositions and courses of life, so that their Cradles were not so near, but their Coffins are as far asunder. There is another Proverb, Pywys Paradwys, Cymri, that is, Powis is the Paradise of Wales. This Proverb referreth to Teliesten the Author thereof, that Powis contained all that pleasant Land lying betwixt Wye and Severn. A third Proverb is, Gwan di Brwlin Hafren, Plafren fydd hifel cynt, that is, Fix thy Pale in Severn, (with intent to fence out his Water) Severn will be as before, that is run its course, applied to those who undertake projects above their power to perform.  
Hawis Gadarn a Lady of remark, sole Daughter and Heir to Owen ap Griffith Prince of Powis-land, was justly Surnamed Gadarn, that is, The Hardy. Her four Uncles, Leoline, Griffith, Vaughan and David detained her inheritance from her. Give, said they, A Girl a little Gold and Mary her, God and Nature made Land for men to manage. Hereupon Hawis complained to King Edward II. who commiseraring her condition consigned his Servant John Charlton born at Apple in Shrepshire, a vigorous Knight to Marry her, creating him in her right Baron of Powis. Being assisted with the King's Forces, he took three of her Uncle's Prisoners, and brought the fourth to composition. And finally recovered all his Wife's Estate, procuring also the Lands of her Uncles in default of their Issue Male to be settled on her.  
George Herbert born at Montgomery-Castle, was bred Fellow of Trinity-College in Cambridge, and Orator of the University, where he made a Speech of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain. Waving Wotldly Preferment he served at God's Altar. Of so Pious a Life, that as he was a Copy of Primitive Christianity, so he might be a Pattern of Sanctity to Posterity. He never mentioned the name of Jesus but with this addition My Master. Next God the Word, he loved the Word of God, being heard often to protest, That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole World. By his good example he gained much to the Church. He was Preacher at Bemmerton nigh Salisbury, where he built a fair House for his Successor, and Prebendary at Leighton in the Diocese of Lincoln, where he built a fair Church with the assistance of some Friends free Offerings. When a tfriend of his went about to comfort him with the remembrance hereof as a good work, he returned, It is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ.  
Edward Herbert his Brother was Knighted by King James I. who sent him over Ambassador to France King Charles I. created him Baron of Castle-Island in Ireland, and after Baron of Cherbury in this County. He was a most excellent Artist and a rare Linguist, Studied both in Books and Men. He wrote a Treatise of the Truth in French, extant with great honour in the Vatican Library at Rome. He Married the Daughter of Sir William Herbert of St. Julian's in Monmouthshire, with whom he had a large Inheritance both in England and Ireland. He died in 1648. and was buried in St. Giles' in the Fields London. A fair Monument of his own Invention was begun and almost sinisht in the Church of Montgomery.  
In the Year 1661. Dec. 20. about Sunsetting the Inhabitants of Weston in Montgomeryshire, discovered a great number of Horsemen about 400 paces from them, marching two a breast in Military order upon the Common, and were half an hour before the Rear came up, seeming to be about 500 in all; the spectators were amazed, thinking them to be an Army of Roundheads going to release the Prisoners at Montgomery, (there being at that time several Ministers and Gentlemen in Prison) and therefore several of them went to the top of the next Hill, where they had another full view of them, and could distinguish their Horses to be of several Colours, as white, grey, black, etc. and that they marched in three Companies, and betwixt every Division they had two Horse colours flying; but as they drew toward them they still marched from them, so that they could not come nearer than 100 Yards; they asked a man (who was thatching a House all that day, which they judged the Horsemen went by) whether he saw all those Soldiers which marched by, who said that he saw none, neither was there any Tract of the Horses to be seen that night, nor the next morning, so that they concluded it to be a wonderful Apparition, and deposed the Truth of these particulars before the Lord Herbert, and several other Justices of the Peace of this County; at the same time a Women coming from Bishop's Castle over the same Common, fell off her Horse, being much terrified with the sight of a blazing Star, which she and six men with her saw, sometimes white and sometimes red, with a Tail like an Arrow, which seemed to hang just over their heads from Bishops Mount to this Common, being three Miles, and the People of the house where the Woman fell, when they came out, saw the Star also.  
This County is very plentiful of Cattle, especially Horses, which for their shape and swiftness are much valued. It is divided into seven Hundreds, wherein are six Market Towns, and forty seven Parish Churches, and gives the Title of Earl to Thomas Lord Herbert, who is likewise Earl of Pombroke. Cherbury the Title of Baron to Henry Lord Herbert.  
PEMBROKESHIRE is bounded by Carnarthen on the East, and Cardigan shire on the North-East. On all sides else it is surrounded by the Sea. In length 26. in breadth 20. and in circumference 93 Miles. It was anciently Peopled by the Dimetree, as well as Cardigan and Carmarthen-shires, part of this County was after inhabited by the Flemings sent thither by King Henry I. who lost their Country by the breaking in of the Sea, whereby a great part of Flanders was drowned, and whose Posterity continue there to this day, and speak so good English that their Division is called, Little England beyond Wales. The Commodities of this shire are Corn, , Sea-fish and Fowl, and in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis, they had Wines for sale, the Havens being so commodious for Traffic, particularly Tenby and Milford, the last of which is so large a Port that sixteen Creeks, five Bays, and thirteen Roads, distinguished by particular names are all contained within it.  
Pembroke is the Shire Town, which appears more ancient than it is, it was formerly Walled and had three Gates, with a large Castle, and a Causey leading over to the decayed Priory of Monton. The Town consists principally of one long street, on a long narrow Point of a Rock, and hath within the Walls thereof, two Churches. St. David's is a Barren old City, having neither Trees to defend it, nor is it pleasant with Fields or Meadows, but lies exposed to Winds and Storms. It is now the seat of a Bishop, but was once an Archbishopric in the British Church. At the first planting of the Gospel in the reign of King Lucius there were three Archbishops Seats appointed, London, York, and Caerleon. The last in the Reign of Arthur King of the Britain's was translated from thence to St David's as being farther off from the Saxon's fury. Twenty seven of them retained the Title of Archbishops; the last whereof was Samson who removed the Archi-episcopal Dignity to D●le in Bretaign a Province in France. Yet his Suceessors though they lost the name, retained the power of the Archbishop, the Welsh Bishops being consecrated by him till the Reign of King Henry I. when Bernard the 47th Bishop of this See was forced to submit himself to the Church of Canterbury. The Cathedral here hath been often ruined by the Danes, Norwegians and other Pirates, as standing near the Sea in an extreme Corner of this County, that which we now see was built by Bishop Peter, and by him dedicated to St. David. In the middle of whose Choir Edmund Earl of Richmond Father to King Henry VII. lies buried, whose Monument secured the Church from being defaced in the Reign of King Henry VIII. The roof of this Church is higher than any in England.  
Calphurnius a British Priest (who Married Concha Sister to St Martin, and had St. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland to their Son, was born at St. David's. Likewise Justinian a Noble Britain, with his own Inheritance built a Monastery in the Island of of Ramsey in this County, where many Monks dwelled happily under his Jurisdiction, until three of them Murdered him out of envy and emulation for his Ploughs Life. His Body was brought to 〈◊〉 or St. David's, and there interred, and his Tomb afterward much famed for many supposed Miracles. Giraldus Cambrensis whose Surname was Barry (some writ Fitz Girald) the Welsh Historian, was born at Tenby in this County, being Son to William Barry an Englishman by his Wife Angareth, daughter of Nesta, Daughter of Rhese, or Rice Prince of South-Wales. He was Nephew to David the second Bishop of Saint David's, by whom he was made Archdeacon of Brecknock. He was wont to complain, That the English did not love him because his Mother was a Welshwoman, and the Welsh hated him because his Father was an Englishman. Though by his excellent Writings he deserved of England well, of Wales better, and of Ireland best of all, making an exact description of all three, and acting in the last as Secrety to King John, with great industry and expense. Having Traveled to Jerusalem he writ a Book of the Wonders of the Holy Land. He had no great success at Court, and therefore attained to no considerable Dignity, till at length he was offered a very mean Bishopric in Ireland, and his highest Preferment was to this of St. David's, of which he gives the true reason, That he was looked upon with a Jealous Eye, because being a Welshman by the Mother, the furer side, he was thought to have a natural antipathy against the English, since it was believed no good Subject could come out of Walee. Being now Bishop of St. David's he went to Rome, and there was very importunate for an exemption of that Diocese from the Authority of Canterbury, whereby he highly offended Hubert the Archbishop thereof. Whereupon being rather overborne with bribes than overcome in his Cause, he returned without effecting it, and dying was buried in his own Cathedral about 1215.  
When King Henry II. was at St. David's in this County, and from thence in a clear day discovered the Coast of Ireland, in an huffing bravado he said, I with my Ships am able to make a Bridge thither if it be no farther. Which Speech of his being related to Murchard King of Lemster in Ireland, he asked whether he did not say, He would do it with the help of God: and being told no, he cheerfully answered, Then I fear him the less, since he trusted more to himself than to the help of God. The same King Henry coming back from Ireland arrived at St. David's where being told that there is an old Prophecy of Merlin's, That the Conqueror of Ireland returning that way should die upon a stone called Lechlaver near the Churchyard. He thereupon before a multitude of People passed over it unhurt, and reproving the Welshmen said, Now who will hereafter credit that Liar Merlin.  
The County of Pembroke hath been fortified with sixteen Castles, besides two Block-houses or Forts Commanding the Mouth of Milford Haven, and hath five Market Towns, is divided into seven Hundreds, wherein are forty five Parish 〈◊〉 It gives the Title of Earl to Thomas Lord Herbert, who is also Earl of Montgomery.  
RADNOR-SHIRE hath Monmouth on the North, Hereford and Shropshire on the East, Brecknock on the South, and Cardiganshire on the West. In length twenty four, in breadth twenty two, and in circuit ninety miles. The Air is sharp and cold, as generally it is through all Wales, whereby the Snow lies long unmelted under those vast Mountains, Hills and Rocks that overshadow the Valleys, yet the East and South parts are somewhat fruitful, indifferently stored with Woods, and watered with Rivers and Mears. The riches of the North and West consist chief in the  which they produce. The ancient Inhabitants were the Silureses, who by their own courage and the assistance of their inaccessible Mountains preserved their freedom very long against all the attempts of the Romans. These Rocks are so dreadful (saith Mr. Speed) that I feared to look down from them into those deep and dark Valleys through which I passed, which seemed to be the entrance into the Kingdom of Darkness. Among these dismal Vales Historians say that unhappy Prince Vertigern, (who invited in the Saxons to the ruin of his Country) was with his incestuous Wife consumed with Fire from Heaven in his Castle called Guartiger Maur. Though others writ it was near Beshkelleth in North Wales. Fatal was this place also to Leoline the last Prince of the British Race, who being betrayed by the men of Buelth, fled into these vast Mountains of Radnor, where by Adam Franston he was slain, and his Head Crowned with Ivy set upon the Tower of London.  
Radnor is the Chief Town in this County, from whence it receives its name, called anciently Magis, where the Pacensian Legion of the Romans lay, and thought to be Magnes mentioned by me Emperor Marcus Antoninus. It had formerly a Wall, with a large and strong Castle. Prestayn is the best Town in this Shire for handsome Buildings, and good Trading. Knighton is also a Market Town, under which is to be seen the Tract of Offa's Ditch along the Edge of the Mountain. The fourth place remarkable is, Raihader Gewy, from which word Raihader the English, It is thought, named the County Radnor. It is also called Meliveth, from the yellowish Mountains thereof, which stretch from Offa's Dyke to the River Wye, which River cutteth overthwart the West corner of this Shire, where meeting with some Rocks that impede its passage, for want of ground to glide on it hath a violent downfall, with a continual noise, and is called The Fall of Wye. At this Town the Market day was formerly kept on a Sunday; but is since altered. This Shire is divided into six Hundreds, wherein are three Forests, four Market Towns, and fifty two Parish Churches, and formerly six Castles. It gives the Title of Earl to Charies Lord Roberts.  
There are several other Proverbs in Wales besides those already mentioned, as 1. Her Wash Blood is up: and 'tis no wonder that a very ancient Gentleman being deprived of his Country, should digest his losses with great difficulty. 2. As long as a Welsh Pedigree, and as high too, seeing commonly a Welsh Gentleman can climb up to a Princely Extraction. 3. Give your Horse a Welsh Bait. That is stop on the top of the Mountains, where the poor Palfrey is forced to make shift with Cameleons Commons, the clear Air. 4. Calen y Sais wrah Gimro. That is, the Heart of an Englishman toward a Welshman; This was invented while England and Wales were at deadly feud, and applied to such as are possessed with prejudice, and only carry an outward compliance without cordial affection. 5. Ni Che●w Cymbro oni Golle, That is, The Welshman keeps nothing until he hath lost it. When the British recovered their loft Castles from the English, they doubled their Diligence and Valour, keeping them more tenaciously than before. 6. A foe Pen, bid Bout, That is, He that will be a Head let him be a Bridge. This is of a ficticious Original, for Benigridan a Welsh General is said to have carried his Army (one by one, we must imagine) upon his Back over a River in Ireland, where there was neither Bridge nor Ferry, and therefore deservedly was made their Prince. 7. There was an ancient Play in Wales wherein the stronger put the weaker into a Sack, from whence came the Proverb, He is able to put him up in a bag. The Princes of Wales are very ancient and numerous, yet they never had any Coin of their own, as Mr. Camden observes. In the reign of King William the Conqueror, upon the Sea shore in Wales was found the body of Gawen, Sister's Son to Arthur the Great K. of Britain reported to be fourteen foot in Length. In 1662. July 2. were seen above an hundred Porpoises together near Newport, which seemed very strange and prodigious to the Inhabitants. Walter Brute was born in Wales, A Siuner, Layman, Husbandman and a Christian: They are his own words in a certain Protestation which he made. He was bred in Oxford, and being accused to the Bishop of Hereford, he by a solemn subscription submitted himself, principally to the Evangely (or Gospel) of Jesus Christ, to the determination of the General Councils of Holy Kirk, to Austin, Ambrose, Jerem and Gregory: And lastly to his Bishop, as a Subject aught to his Bishop. It seems this Walter was the first that was vexed about the Doctrines of Wickliff.  
To conclude, the principality of Wales was modelled into Shires in the reigh of King Henry VIII. In the thirteen Counties whereof aforementioned are reckoned one Chase, thirteen Forests, thirty three Parks, two hundred thirty Rivers, an hundred Bridges, four Cities, fifty five Market Townt, forty one Castles of old erection, four Bishoprics, and a thousand and sixteen Parish Churches, and elects thirty Parliamont Men.  
FINIS.   

A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch, at the Bell in the Poultry; near Cheapside.  

History.  
1. ENgland's Monarches: Or, A Compendious Relation of the most remarkable Transactions, from Julius Caesar to this present; adorned with Poems, and the Picture of every Monarch, from K. Will. the Conqueror to the Sixth year of the Reign of K. Will. and Q. M. With a List of the Nobility, and the number of the Lords and Commons who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament; and many other useful particulars. Price one shilling.  
2. THE History of the House of Orange: Or, a Brief Relation of the Glorious and Magnanimous Achievements of his majesty's Renowned Predecessors, and likewise of His own Heroic Actions, till the Late Wonderful Revolution. Together with the History of K William and Q. Marry, etc. Being an Impartial Account of the most Remarkable Passages from their Majesty's Happy Accession to the Throne to this time. By R. B. Price one shilling.  
3. THE History of the two late Kings, Charles the II. and James the II. being an Impartial account of the most remarkable Transactions, during their Reigns, and the secret French and Popish Intrigues in those Times. Together with a Relation of the happy Revolution, and the Accession of Their Majesties, K. William and Q. Mary to the Throne, Feb. 13. 1689. Pr. 1 s.  
4. THE History of Oliver Cromwell, being an Impartial Account of all the Battles, Sieges, and other Military Achievements, wherein he was engaged in England, Scotland and Ireland; and likewise of his Civil Administrations, while he had the Supreme Government, till his Death. Relating only matters of Fact, without Reflection or Observation. By R. B. pr. 1 s.  
5. THE Wars in England, Scotland and Ireland, containing a particular and impartial Account of all the Battles, Sieges, and other remarkable Transactions, Revolutions and Accidents, which happened from the beginning of the Reign of K. Charles I. The Trial of K. Charles I. at large, with his last Speech; and the most considerable matters till 1660. With Pictures of several Accidents. Price one shilling.  
6. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancient and Present State of London and Westminster, showing the Foundations, Walls, Gates, Towers, Bridges, Churches, Rivers, Wards, Halls, Companies, Government, Courts, Hospitals, Schools, Inns of Courts, Charters, Franchises, and Privileges thereof; with the most remarkable Accidents, as to Wars, Fires, Plagues, and other occurrences, for above 903 years past, Pr. 1 s.  
7. ADmirable Curiosities, Rarities and Wonders in England, Scotland, and Ireland; or an account of many remarkable persons and places; and likewise of the Battles, Sieges, prodigious Earthquakes, Tempests, Inundations, Thunders, Lightnings, Fires, Murders and other Occurences and Accidents for many hundred years past: Together with the Natural and Artificial Rarities in every County in England With several curious Sculptures. Price one shilling.  
8. THE History of the Kingdom of Ireland, being an Account of the Ancient Inhabitants, and of all the Battles, Sieges, and other considerable Transactions both Civil and Military in that Country, from the first Conquest thereof, under King Henry II. till its entire Reduction, by His Majesty's Arms. Together with the most remarkable Passages, that have since happened there to this time. By R. B. Pr. 1s.  
9 THE English Empire in America, or a prospect of His Majesty's Dominions in the West-Indies, namely, Newfoundland, New-England, New-York, New-Jersey, Pensylvania, Mary-land, Virginia, Carolina, Bermudas, Barbadus, Auguila, Monserrat, Dominica, St. Vincent, Antego, Mevis or Nevis, St. Christopher's. Barbadoes and Jamaica: With an account of their Discovery, Situation and Product: The Religion and Manners of the Indians, and other excellencies of these Countries: To which is prefixed a relation of the discovery of this New World, and of the remarkable Voyages and Adventures of Sebastin Cabot, Sir Martin Frobisher, Capt. Davis, Capt. Weymouth, Capt. Hall, Capt. Hudson, Sir Tho. Cavendish, the E. of Cumberland, Sir Walter Raleigh and other English Worthies, to divers places therein. Illustrated with Maps, and Pictures of the strange Fruits, Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Infects, Serpents and Monsters found in those parts of the World. Price one shilling.  
10. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea and the East-Indies: With an Account of the Religion, Government, Wars, strange Customs, Beasts, Serpents, Monsters, and other Observables in those Countries. And among others, the Life and Death of Mahomet the Grand Impostor, with the Principal Doctrines of the Turkish Religion as they are displayed in the Alcoran. Two Letters, one written by the Great Mogul, and the other by the King of Sumatra in the East-Indies, to our K. James I. of an extravagant stile. The cruel Executions in those parts, with the manner of the women's burning themselves with their dead Husbands. Together with a description of the Isle of St. Helena, and the Bay of Souldania; intermixed with pleasant Relations. Pr. 1s.  
11. THE English Hero: Or, Sir Francis Drake. Revived. Being a full Account of the dangerous Voyages, admirable Adventures, notable Discoveries, and Magnanimous Achievements of that Valiant and Renowned Commander. As, I His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies, where they saw a Pile of Bars of Silver near 70 foot long, 12. foot broad, and 10. foot high. II. His encompassing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in two years and ten months, gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver. III. His Voyage into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago, St. Domingo, Carthagena, and St. Augustine. iv His last Voyage into those Countries in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial. Revised, Corrected, and very much enlarged reduced into Chapters with Contents, and beautified with Pictures. By R. B. Price One Shilling.  
12. TWo Journeys to Jerusalem, Containing first, An account of the Travels of two English Pilgrims some years since, and what Admirable Accidents besel them in their Journey to Jerusalem, Grand Cairo, Alexandria, etc. 2. The Travels of 14 English-Merchants in 1669. from Scanderoon to Tripoli, Joppa, Ramah, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, the River of Jordan, the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah, and back again to Aleppo. To which is added, a Relation of the great Council of the Jews, assembled in the plains of Ajayday in Hungary, 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ. By S. B. an Englishman there present: With the notorious delusion of the Jews, by a counterfeit Messiah, or false Christ at Symrna, in 1666, and the event thereof. Lastly, The Extirpation of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Epistle of Agbarus to our Saviour, with our Saviour's Answer: Beautified with Pictures. Pr. 1s.  
13. EXtraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men: With the strange Events, and signal mutations and changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious places and persons in all Ages; being an acount of a multitude of stupendons Revolutions, accidents, and observable matters in divers States and Provinces throughout the World; With Pictures. Pr. 1 s.  
14. THE History of the Nine Worthies of the World: Three whereof were Gentiles: 1. Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy. 2. Alexander the great King of Macedon, and Conqueror of the World. 3. Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome; Three Jews. 4. Joshua Captain General and Leader of Israel into Canaan. 5. David King of Israel. 6. Judas Maccabeus a valiant Jewish commander, against the Tyranny of Antiochus. Three Christians. 7. Arthur King of Britain, who courageously defended his Country from the Saxons. 8. Charles the Great K. of France, and Emperor of Germany. 9 Godfrey of Bullen King of Jerusalem. Being an account of their glorious lives, worthy actions, renowned Victories and Deaths. Illustrated with Poems and the Pictures of each Worthy. By R. B. Price One shilling.  
15. FEmale Excellency, or the Lady's Glory, Illustrated in the Worthy Lives and Memorable Actions of nine Famous Women, renowned either for Virtue or Valour, in several Ages: As 1. Deborah the Prophetess. 2. The valiant Judith. 3. Q. Esther. 4. The virtuous Susannah. 5. The  Lucretia. 6. Boadicia Q. of Britain, in the Reign of Nero, with the Original Inhabitants of Britain. Of Danus and his fifty Daughters, who murdered their Husbands in one Night: Of the valour of Boadicia, under whose conduct the Britain's slew 70 thousand Romans, with many other remarkable particulars. 7. Mariam Wife of K. Herod 8. Clotilda Queen of France. 9 Andegona Princess of Spain. The whole adorned with poems and pictures to each History. By R. B. Price One Shilling.  
16. Wondered Prodigies of Judgement and mercy, discovered in above 300. memorable Histories; containing, 1. Dreadful Judgements upon Atheists, Blasphemers, and Perjured Villains. 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians, etc. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching Death, and how the event has been answerable. 4. Fearful Judgements upon bloody Tyrants, Murderers, etc. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers & deplorable distresses at Sea and Land. Lastly, Divine goodness to penitents, with the dying thoughts of several famous Men, concerning a future state. Pr. 1 s.  
17. Unparallelled Rarities, or the Mathchless Actions and Passions of Mankind; displayed 〈◊〉 near 400 notable Instances and Examples, discovering the transcendent Effects; 1. Of Love, Friendship and Gratitude. 2. Of Magnanimity, Courage and Fidelity. 3. Of Chastity, Temperance and Humility: And on the contrary, the Tremendous consequences; 4. Of Hatred, Revenge and Ingratitude. 5. Of Cowardice, Barbarity and Treachery. 6. Of Unchastity, Intemperance and Ambition. Embellished with Proper Figures. Price 1 s.  
18. THE Kingdom of darkness: Or, The History of Demons, Spectres, Witches, Apparitions, Possessions, Disturbances and other wonderful and supernatural Delusions, Mischievous Feats and Malicious Impostures of the Devil. Containing near 80 memorable Relations, Foreign and Domestic both ancient and modern. Collected from Authentic Records, Real Attestations, Credible Evidences, and asserted by Authors of undoubted Verity. Together with a Preface obviating the Common Objections and Allegations of the Sadducees and Atheists of the Age, who deny the Being of Spirits, Witches, etc. With Pictures of several memorable Accidents. Pr. 1 s.  
19 Surprising Miracles of Nature and Art, in two parts; containing, 1. The Miracles of Nature, or the wonderful Signs, and prodigious Aspects and Appearances in the Heavens, Earth and Sea; with an account of the most famous Comets, and other Prodiges, from the Birth of Christ to this time. 2. The Miracles of Art, describing the most Magnificent Buildings, and other curious Inventions in all Ages, at, the seven Wonders of the World, and many other excellent Structures and Rarities throughout the Earth. Beautified with Pictures. Price 1 s.  
20. THE General History of Earthquakes: or An Account of the most Remarkable and Tremendous Earthquakes that have happened in divers parts of the World from the Creation to this time, and particularly those lately in Naples, Smyrn● 〈◊〉 maica, England and Sicily; With a Description of 〈…〉 Burning Mount Aetna, and the seve●●● dreadful Conflagrations thereof for many Ages. To which is added an Appendix, containing several other late strange Accidents and Occurences. As I. A Surprising Account of Angels Singing Psalms in the Air over the Ruins of the Protestant Church at Orthez, a City in the Province of Bearne, and other places in France in the year 1686. with the Words they Sang in the hearing of many hundred Auditors at once, Papists as well as Protestants, II. The Life of a Great Person of near an Hundred years old, who is now an Hermit in a Forest in France, with the Devotions, Clothing, Diet and Subsistance of him and his Companions, etc. III. The wonderful Army of Locusis or Grasshoppers that were seen near Breslaw in Silesia, Septemb. 7. 1693. and in other parts of Germany; which in their March took up 16. Miles devouring every Green thing. iv Three Miraculous Cures wrought by Faith in Christ, in 1693. As 1. Of Mary Maillard the French Girl, suddenly healed of an extreme Lameness. 2. The Wife of Mr. Savage Cured of a Lame Hand. 3. A Shepperd near Hitchin in Hartfordshire instantly healed of the King's Evil, under which he had languished Twenty Years. Price one shilling.  
21. MEmorable Accidents and Unnheard of Transactions, containing an account of several strange Events: As the Deposing of Tyrants, Lamentable Shipwrecks, Dismal Misfortunes, Stratagems of War, Perilous Adventures, Happy Deliverances, with other remarkable Occurrences, and select Historical passages, which have happened in several Countries in this last Age. Printed at Brussels in 1691. and Dedicated to His present Majesty, William King of England, etc. Published in English by R.B. Pr. 1 s.  
22. Martyr's in Flames, or Popery in its true Colours being a Brief Relation of the horrid Cruelties and Persecutions of the Pope and Church of Rome, for many hundreds of years past, to this present time, in Piedmont, Bohemia, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, and England; with an abstract of the cruel Persecutions lately exercised upon the Protestants in France and Savoy, in the year 1686, and 1687. Together with a short account of God's Judgements upon Popish Persecutors. Price 15.   

Miscellanies.  
23. DElights for the Ingenious, in above Fifty Select and Choice Emblems, Divine and Moral, Ancient and Modern, curiously Engraven upon Copper Plates, with 50 delightful Poems and Lots, for the more lively Illustration of each Emblem, whereby instruction and good counsel may be promoted and furthered, by an honest and pleasant Recreation; to which is prefixed, A Poem, entitled, Majesty in Misery, or an Imploration of the King of Kings, written by K. Charles I. with his own hand, during his Captivity in Carisbrook Castle in the Isle of Wight, 1648. with a curious Emblem. Collected by R. B. Price 2 s. 6 d.  
24. EXcellent Contemplations Divine and Moral, written by the Magnanimous A.L. Capel Baron of Hadham; together with some account of his Life, and his affectionate Letters to his Lady the day before his Death, with his Heroic Behaviour and last Speech at his Suffering. Also the Speeches and Carriages of of D. Ham, and the Earl of Holl, who suffered with him: With his Pious Advice to his Son. Price 1. s.  
25. Winter Evenings Entertaintment, in two parts, Containing, 1. Ten Pleasant Relations of many Rare and Notable Accidents and Occurrences: 2. Fifty Ingenious Riddles, with their Explanations, and useful Observations and Morals upon each. Enlivened with above 60 Pictures, for illustrating every Story and Riddle. Excellently accommodated to the Fancies of Old or Young, and useful to cheerful Society and Conversation. Price 1 s.  
26. DElightful Fables in Prose and Verse, none of them to be found in Aesop, but collected from divers Ancient and Modern Authors, with Pictures and proper Morals to every Fable. Several of them very applicable to the Present times. by R. B. Price bound one shilling.   

Divinity.  
27. THE Divine Banquet, or Sacramental Devotions, consisting of Morning and Evening Prayers, Contemplations and Hymns for every day in the Week, in order to a more Solemn Preparation for the worthy Receiving of the Holy Communion, representing the several steps and degrees of the Sorrows and Sufferings of our blessed Saviour, till he gave up the Ghost: As, 1. His Agony in the Garden. 2. His being betrayed by Judas. 3. His being falsely accused, smitten, buffeted, and spit upon before Caiaphas the High Priest. 4. His condemnation, scourging, crowning with Thorns, and being delivered to be crucified by Pontius Pilate. 5. His bearing his Cross. 6. His crucifixion. 7. Our Saviour's Institution of the Blessed Sacrament. Together with brief Resolutions to all those scruples and objections usually alleged for the omission of this important duty. With eight curious Sculptures proper to the several parts, with Graces. Imprimatur Z. Isham, R. P. D. Hen. Episc. Lond. a Sacris. Price 1 s.  
28. A Guide to Eternal Glory: Or, brief Directions to all Christians how to attain Everlasting Salvation: To which are added several other small Tracts: As, 1. Saving Faith discovered in three heavenly conferences between our Blessed Saviour, and, 1. A Publican, 2. A Pharisee, 3. A doubting Christian. 2. The threefold state of a Christian: 1. By Nature: 2. By Grace: 3. In Glory. 3. The Scriptures concord, compiled out of the words of Scripture, by way of question and answer, wherein there is the sum of the way to Salvation, and spiritual things compared with spiritual. 4. The Character of a true Christian. 5. A brief Directory for the great, necessary, and advantageous duty of Self-examination whereby a serious Christian may every day examine himself. 6. A short Dialogue between a Learned Divine and a Beggar. 7. Beams of the Spirit, or Cordial Meditations, enlivening, enlightening, and gladding the Soul. 8. The Seraphic Souls Triumph in the Love of God; with short remembrances and pious thoughts. 9 History improved, or Christian Applications and Improvements of divers remarkable Passages in History. 10. Holy Breathe in several Divine Poems, upon divers Subjects and Scriptures. Price one Shilling.  
29. Youth's Divine Pastime; Containing Forty Remarkable Scripture Histories, turned into common English Verse. With Forty Pictures proper to each Story; very delightful for the virtuous, employing the vacant hours of Young Persons, and preventing vain and vicious Divertisements. Together with several Scripture Hymns upon divers occasions. Pr. 8 d.  
30. THE Young Man's Calling, or the whole. Duty of Youth, in a serious and compassionate Address to all young persons to remember their Creator in the days of their Youth. Together with Remarks upon the Lives of several excellent young Persons of both Sexes, as well Ancient as Modern, who have been famous for Virtue and Piety in their Generations. With twelve curious Pictures, Illustrating the several histories. Price 1 s. 6 d.  
31. THE Vanity of the Life of Man represented in the Seven several Stages thereof; With Pictures and Poems exposing the Follies of every Age. Price Eight pence.  
32. DIstressed Zion Relieved, or, the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness. A Poem, Wherein are discovered the grand Causes of the Church's trouble and misery under the late dismal Dispensation. With a complete History of, and Lamentation for those Renowned Worthies that fell in England, by Popish rage and cruelty, from the Year 1680. Humbly Dedicated to Their Present Majesties. By Benjamin Keach, Author of a Book called, Zion in Distress, or the Groans of the true Protestant Church. Price one shilling.  
33. ANtichrist Stormed, or the Church of Rome proved to be Mystery Babylon the Great Whore, Rev. 17. by many and undeniable Arguments, Answering all the Objections of the Papists, and all others. Together with the Judgement of many Ancient and Modern Divines, and most Eminent Writers concerning the rise and final Ruin of the Beast and Babylon, proving it will be in this present Age with an Account of many strange Predictions relating to these present Times. By Benjamin Keach. Price one shilling.  
34. THE Devout Souls Daily Exercise in Prayers Contemplations and Praises, containing Devotions for Morning, Noon, and Night, for every day in the week; with Prayers before and after the Holy Communion: And likewise for Persons of all conditions, and upon all occasions: With Graces and Thanksgivings before and after Meat. By R. P. D. D. Price bound Six Pence.  
35. SAcramental Meditations upon divers select places of Scripture, wherein Believers are assisted in preparing their hearts, and exciting their affections and graces when they draw nigh to God in that most awfal and solemn Ordinance of the Lords Supper. By Jo. Flavel Minister of Christ in Devon. Price One Shilling.  
36. JACOB Wrestling with GOD, and prevailing: Or a Treatise concerning the Necessity and Efficacy of Faith in Prayer: Wherein divers weighty Questions and Cases of Conscience about praying in Faith, are stated and resolved: For comforting and satisfying of weak and scrupulous Consciences: The Conviction of formal Hypocrites, awakening of all Saints both weak and strong, great and small, to this great Duty of Prayer. By Tho. Taylor, formerly at Edmund Hury, now Pastor to a Congregation in Cambridg. Price one Shilling.