The description of England. Here followeth a little treatise the which treateth of the description of this land which of old time was named albion And after britain And now is called England and speaketh of the nobleness and worthiness of the same.  
  

¶ Hit is so that in many and diverse places the common chronicles of England been had and also now late imprinted at Westmynstre. And for as much as the description of this land which of old time was named Albyon/ and after britain is not described ne comynly had/ ne the nobleness & worthiness of the same is not known. Therefore I intend to set in this book the description of this said Isle of britain & with the commodities of the same.  

¶ In the first shall be told the names of the island. Ca j  
¶ Of the ●ettynge bounding length and breed. ca ij.  
¶ Of the worthiness and prerogatives. ca iij.  
¶ Of the marvels and of the wonders. ca iiij.  
¶ Of the chief parties of the same land ca v.  
¶ Of the islands that been thereto adjacent. ca vj.  
¶ Of the kings high ways and streets. ca seven.  
¶ Of the famous Rivers and streams. ca viij.  
¶ Of ancient cities & towns. ca ix.  
¶ Of provinces & shires. ca x.  
¶ Of the laws and the names of the laws. ca xj.  
¶ Of kingdoms of bounds & marks between them. ca xij.  
¶ Of bysshoryches & their sees ca xiij.  
¶ Of how many manner people have dwelled therein. ca xiv.  
¶ Of the languages of manners & usage of the people of that land. ca xv.  
¶ Of the land of Wales. ca xuj.  
¶ Of the name and why it is named Wales. ca xvij.  
¶ Of the commodities of the land of Wales. ca xviij.  
¶ Of the manners and rites of the welshmen. ca nineteen.  
¶ Of the marvels and wonders of Wales. ca xx.  
¶ Of the description of scotland sometime named Albania. ca xxi.  
¶ Of the description of ireland. ca xxij.  
¶ Of the bounding of ireland. ca twenty-three.  
¶ Of the greatness and quality of that land. ca xxiv.  
¶ Of the defaults of the land. ca xxv.  
¶ Of them that first inhabited ireland. ca xxuj.  
¶ Of the conditions and manners of irishmen. ca xxvij.  
¶ Of the marvels and wonders of ireland. ca xxviij.  
¶ Of the marvels of saints of ireland. ca xxix.   
¶ Explicit tabula.   

¶ The names of this island. Ca j  
first as Galfrydus saith this land was named albion after the name of Albyne the oldest daughter of dioclesian/ and had xxxij. sisters. And they were first that inhabited this land. And by cause she was the oldest sister she named this loud albion after her own name as the chronicle rehearseth. Other say that this land was named albion as it where the white land of white rocks about the clives of the see that were seen fro far. afterward Brute conquered this land & called it britain after his own name. And then Saxons or englishmen conquered this land & called it Anglia that is England. Or it is called Anglia of a queen that owed this l●nde/ sthat was named Angela & was a noble duke's daughter of the Saxons. Or as Ysyd saith Ethi xu Anglia hath that name as it were an angle and a corner of the world. Or else as Beda saith li. j Saint Gregory saw english children to sell at Rome & he accorded to the name of the land/ and said they been soothly angles/ for her face shined as angels/ for the noblyte of the land shone in the children faces. ¶ Alfre. The Bryttysshe Anglia is called the other world/ & for great plenty of all good the great Charles called it his own chambre. ¶ Solinus The edge of the french clyt should be the end of the world/ if the Ylonof britain ne were not/ which is worthy to have the name of an other world. ¶ Alfre. This island is called Insula for it is in salo/ that is the see/ & is beaten of with diverse course of waters with streams & with wawes of the s●e.   

¶ Of the setting bounding length & breed of this land. ca ij.  
THis britain is accounted a noble land both in our stories & also in the stories of G●ekes/ & is set against Germania. Gallia. France & Spain between the north & the west and the see between. This land is thirty mile from the cliff of the men that be called morim gessorico. ¶ Beda li. j And for this island byeth under the north heed of the world/ & it hath light & bright nights in the summer tyme. So that oftentime at midnight men have questions & doubt whether it be even tide or dawynge/ that is for the time of the year that the son goth not far under the earth by night but passeth by the north side & cometh soon in to the east again. And therefore in the summer been thyr days full long of xviij hours/ & the nights of uj hours. And after in the winter been long nights of xviij hours & short days of uj hours. Also in Armenia. Macedonia. Italia and in other lands of the same line the longest day & longest night also is of. rv. hours/ & the shortest day or night is ofix. hours. ¶ Pliuus in mewe. That island is chief of black men there/ is the longest day twelve hours. In Alexandria in Egypte of xiiij hours. In Italia of xu hours. In britain of xviij hours. In the island named tile all the uj summer months is day/ & all the uj winter months is night. ¶ Ysid li. xiij. britain is set within Ocean as it were without the world/ & is set against France & Spain. ¶ Giraldus. britain is endlong and larger in the middle than in th'ends. ¶ Orosius. britain stretcheth in length out of the south in to the north/ & in the southest side it hath France/ in the south Spain/ in the noth norway/ & in the west His bernia/ that is ireland. When shipmen passen the next cliff of that land they see a city that heat Ru●py mouth. ¶ Beda li. j That city is now called shortly of Englishmen Reptacestre/ ¶ Solinus. Brytane is. viij. hundred mile of length & it be moten from the cliff of Totenesse to the angle of Calydon ¶ Alfre. That is from Penwith street xu mile beyond Michel's stowe in cornwall unto Catenesse that is beyond Scotlonde/ & britain is more than two hundred mile broad from Menevia that is the uttermost place in Wales unto Yarmouth in Norfolk. ¶ Beda. only outake the longest out sheting of diverse forlondes with the which britain is all about. xlviij. sith lxx thousand pace.   

¶ Of the worthiness and prerogatives. ca iij.  
AS France passeth britain so britain passeth ireland in fair weather & noblyte/ but not in health. ¶ Beda li. j for this island is best to bring forth trees and fruit/ Ruthern & beasts. And wine groweth therein in some place. The land hath plenty of fowls & of beasts of diverse manner kind. The land is plenteous & the see also. The land is noble copious & rich of noble wells & Rivers with plenty of fish. There is great plenty of small fish of salmon & of celes. ¶ Wilhel. de 'pon. li. iij So that the people in some place feedeth their swine with fish. ¶ Beda li. j There be● oftentimes taken Dolphins. See calves/ & Balaynes' great fishes as whales kind/ and diverse manner shelfysshe/ among the which 〈…〉 been muscles that within 〈…〉 Margery peerless of all manner of colour and hew of tody & reed purpur & of blue/ and specially & most of white. There is also plenty of shelfysshe that men dyen therewith sign reed/ the redness thereof is wonder fair & stable/ and staineth never with cold ne with 〈◊〉/ with w●et ne with dry/ but ever the ●lder the colour is the fairer. There ●en also salt wells and hot wells/ thereof runnen streams of hot baths departed in to diverse places 〈◊〉. For man & woman of all manner age old or young. ¶ Basilius saith. That the water that runneth & passeth by veins of certain metal taketh in his course great heat. This island is plenteous of veins of metals/ brass of iron/ of lead/ of tin/ & of silver also. ¶ Plinius li. vj. ca vj. In this island under the turf of the land is good merle founden/ the thrift of the fatness drieth himself therein. So that ever the thick the field is merled the better corn it will bear. There is also an other manner white merle/ that the land is the better four score year that therewith is merled. ¶ Solinus. In this island groweth a stone that is called Gagates/ if ye will know his fairness/ it is black as genunes been/ if ye will know his kind/ it brenneth in water & quencheth in oil and as to his might/ if the stone be frotted and chafed it holdeth what him neigheth as Succuns a stone that is so named. ¶ Ysydorus li. xv. There been sheep y● beren good wulle. There been many hearts and wild beasts & few wolves/ therefore sheep been the surer without keeping left in the field. ¶ R. In this island also been manner cities and towns fair & noble & rich/ many great Rivers and streams with great plenty of fish/ many fair woods & great/ with right many beasts tame & wild. The earth of that land is copious of metal oor/ and of saltwelles/ of quareyes of marble of diverse manner stones/ of reed of white of soft & of hard/ of chalk & of white lime. There is also white day & reed for to make pots crokkes/ stenes/ and other vessel/ & brent tile to cover with houses & churches/ as it were in the other samia/ that is named samos also. ¶ flanders loveth well the wulle of this land. And holland the skins & fells of all manner of beasts. Guyan the iron & the lead. ireland the oor and the salt. All Europa loveth and desireth the white metal of this land. ¶ Alfredus. britain hath enough of matter that there needeth to buy and sell, or is needful to man's use/ there lacketh neither salt ne iron. Therefore a versifier in his metre praiseth this land in to this manner. England is a good land fruitful of wulle/ but it is a comer England is full of play/ free men/ well worthy to play/ free men/ free tongues/ free hearts/ and free been all their things/ their hand is more free and better than their tongue. Also England is beautevous of land/ flower of lands all about/ that land is full paid with fruit & good of his own/ that land relieveth strange men that hath need thereto. And when hunger grieveth other lands that land feedeth them. That land beareth fruit and come good enough. That land is well at case/ as long as men live in peace. east and west in each land/ been known well the havens of England. Her ships foundes and oft helpeth many lands. Their meet & money/ men have there more common alway. And for to learn men gladly give gifts. In land and sronde/ wide speak men of England. Land honey milk chest this island thereof shall bear the price. This island hath no need of other lands all lands must seek help at this alone. Of the liking of their woun●● might wonder king Solomon. The richesse that there is an/ would desire octavian.   

¶ Of the marvels and of wonders. ca ●●  
IN britain been hoot wells well arrayed and a dressed to the use of manhood/ marshesse of th●●ke wells is the great spirit of 〈◊〉 In her house the fire endureth always that never changeth in to ashes but there the fire slaketh/ it changeth in to stone clots. ¶ Alfre. In Bretayne been many wond●es nevertheless four been most wonderful. The first is at Pecton there bloweth so strong wind out of the chines of the ●●the that it casteth up again clothes that men cast in. The second is at stonehenge besides Sal●sbury/ there been great stones & wonder huge/ and been re●ed an high as it were yates set upon other rates. Nevertheless it is not known clearly ne apperceived how and wherefore they been so are●ed and so wonderfully hanged. The third is at Cherdhoke/ there is a great hollowness under the earth/ often many men have walked therein & have seen Rivers & streams/ but nowher can they find none end. The fourth is that rain is seen raised upon hills and anon sprung about in the fields. Also there is a great pond that containeth. lx. islands covenable for men to dwell in/ that pond is be●lypped about with six score roches and upon every roche an eagles nest/ and three score rivers rennen in to that pond/ and none of them all run in to the see but one. There is a pond closed about with a wall of tile and of stone. In that pond men wash and bathe well oft/ and every man feeleth the water hoot or cold right as he will himself. There been salt wells far from the see and been salt all the week long unto saturday at noon/ and fresh fro saterdaye noon unto monday. The water of these wells when it is sudden turneth in to small self fair and white. Also there is a pond/ the water thereof hath wonder working/ for though all an host/ stood by the pond and turned their face thitherward the water would draw him violently toward the pond & wet all their clothes/ so should horse be drawn in the same wise. And if the face be turned away fro the water the water noyeth not. There is a well that no stream runneth fro/ neither thereto/ and yet four manner fishes be taken therein/ that well is but twenty foot long and twenty foot broad/ and not deep but to the knee/ and closeth with high banks on every side. In the country about Wynchestre is a den or a ca●●/ out of that cave bloweth alway a 〈◊〉 wind/ so that no man may endure to stand tofore that den or cave. There is also a pond that turneth tree in to iron if it be therein a year. And so trees been shapen in to whestones. Also there is in the top of an hill a buryels every man that cometh and meeteth that buryell/ he shall find it even of his own length & measure. And if a pilgrim kneel thereto anon he shall be all fresh and feel no grief of weariness. ¶ Gir. in top. Fast by the minster of Wynburney that is not far fro bathe is a wood that beareth moche fruit/ if the trees of that wood fall in to water or ground that is neigh and lie there all a year/ the trees tornen in to stones. ¶ Gir in itinere. Under the city of Chestre runneth that river Dee/ that now departed England and Wales. That river changed every month his fords as men of the country tell/ & leaveth often the channel/ but whether the water draw more toward England or toward Wales to what side that it be/ that year men of that side have the worst end & be overset/ And men of that other side shall have better end and been at their above. When the water so changeth his course it bodeth such haps. This river Dee runneth and cometh out of a lake that heat Pymblemere. In this river is great plenty of salmon/ nevertheless in the lake is never salmon founden. ¶ Wilhel. de re. li. ij. Take heed how great light and brightness of god's mildness hath be showed upon englishmen sithen they first turned to right believe. So that of no men in one province been founden so many hole bodies of men after her death in likeness of everlastingness that shall be after the day of doom/ as it well seemeth in these holy saints. As Edeldrede. Edmonde/ the king Elphege. Edgar. Cutherd & saint Edward and many other. I trow that it be do by a special grace of god almighty for the nation that is set as it were without the world should take heed to burying of bodies without corruption and rotynge/ and been the more bold and steadfast for to trust on the final arising of deed bodies for to last evermore after the day of doom.   

¶ Of the chief parties of the same land. ca v.  
AFter the first Brutes time the island of britain began for to have the principal parties/ that been Loegria Cambria that is Wales. And Albania that is now Scotlonde Loegria hath that name of Locrinus that was Brutus' oldest son/ and heat Loegria as it were Locrine's land/ but now Loegria is called England The bounds and merkes were thereof some time the french see both by East and by south ¶ Beda li. j ca ij. And by north two arms of the see that breaketh far in to the land either against other But they reach not together/ the east arm of tylke twain beginneth about a two little mile fro the minster of Ebburcuring. In the west side of Penulton in that arm is a town that is called Guydy. The west arm of thilk twain hath in the right side a strong city that heat Aldiud which in her language is called Clyn●stone and standeth upon a river that is called Clynt also. ¶ R. Some men would mean that Loegria endeth at Humbre/ & stretcheth no ferther north ward. The second party of britain is called Albania that is Scotlonde and hath that name of Albanactus' Brutes sone and stretcheth fro the foresaid two arms of the see northward unto the see of Norway. Nevertheless the south parties of Albama where as Pictes dwelled sometime lieth from the water of tweed unto the scottish see. All that longed some time to the kingdom of Northumberland Brenycon the north side of Northumberlonde fro the first time of english kings to that time wha● Kynadius king of scotland that was Alpinus son died away the Pictes/ and so joined that con●ee to the kingdom of scotland. The 〈◊〉 party of britain is Wales Wallia that heat Cambria also and hath that name Cambria of Camber Br●tes sone for he was prince of Wales. In the East side Severn departed some time between England and Wales. But now in the north side the river Dee at Chestre/ & in the south the river that is named Vaga at the Castle of Strygelyn departeth England and Wales. Also king Offa for to have a dystynceyon for evermore between the kings of Englond● & of Wales made a long dyche that stretcheth forth out of the south side by Brystowe under the bills of Wales northward and passeth the Rivers Severn and Dee all most to the heeds and unto the mouth of the river Dee beyond Chestre fast by the castle it runneth between Colehylle & the minster of Basyngwerk in to the see. This dyche is yet in many places seen. In saint Edward's time Walsshe men should not pass that dyche which weepen upon a great pain. And that was at earl harold procuring as it shall be said here after. But now in either sides both ayonde half & a this half the dyche & specially in the shires of Chestre of Shrowesbury & of Herforde in many places been englishmen and welshmen meddled togethers.   

¶ Of the islands that been thereto adjacent. ca vj.  
britain hath three islands that been nigh & longen thereto all without the islands Orcades/ as it were answering to the three chief parties of britain. For ye isle of Wight longeth & lieth to Leogria that is England. The island Man that is called Angleseya also longeth to Wales/ And the island Eubonia that hath two other names & is called Menevia and Man also which longeth to scotland. And all these three islands Wight Mon & Man been almost alike much & of the like quatyte/ of the which three all a rue now followeth our speech. ¶ Beda li. j ca iij. Claudius sent Vespasianus/ & Vespasianus wan Wight/ and Wight stretcheth out of the East in to the west xxx mile long And out of the south in to the north twelve mile/ & is in the east side uj mile fro the south cliff of britain/ and 〈◊〉 mile in the west side. ¶ Beda li. 〈◊〉 ca v. The measure of this island as englishmen guess is a thousand households & two hundred. ¶ Gir. in itinere. Mon that is called Angleseya also is departed from North-Wales by a short arm of the see as it were two mile broad. In Mon been. iij. hundred/ towns. lxiij. and been accounted for candredes that been. iij. hundreds/ the island is as it were xxx mile long & twelve mile broad. Candredus is so moche land as containeth an hundred towns/ that name candredus is made out of two languages of Brytysshe and of irish. In praising of this island welshmen he wont to say a proverb & an old saw. Mon man kembry/ that is to say in english/ that land is so good that it seemeth that it would find corn enough for all the men of Wales. Therefore Virgyls verses may be according thereto/ as moche as guawes/ beasts long Inneth daws. So moche eft/ bringeth cold dew in a night. In that arm of the see that departed this land & north-wales/ is a swallow that draweth ships to it that saylleth by & swoloweth 'em in/ right as doth Scylla and Carybdis that been two perilous places in the see of middle earth. Therefore men may not sail by this swallow/ but slily at full see. ¶ R. Of the marvels and wonders of the island Man thou shalt find tofore in the chapter of Wales ¶ Gir. in itinere. The third island that is called both Eubonia & Meneuia that is Man standeth in the middle between the irish ulster & the scottish gallewaye/ as it were in the navel of the see. ¶ Beda li. ij. ca ix This island Man containeth as it were two islands The first is southward the more country and the better corn land/ & containeth ix hundred and lx households. The second containeth the space of. CCC. and moo as englishmen guess. ¶ Gir. iij top. Sometime was strife whether this island Man should long to britain or to ireland. And for as much as venomous worms that were brought thy● lived there/ it was judged that the island Man should long to britain. ¶ R. In that island is jortylege & witchcraft used. For woman there sell to shipmen wind as it were closed under three knots of thread/ so that the more wind he will have/ the more knots he must undo. There often by day time men of that land seen men that been deed ●●fore hand beheaded or hole and what death they died. Alyens' set their feet upon feet of the men of the land for to see such sights as the men of the land done. ¶ Beda li. ij. Scots dwelled first in this island. ¶ Thanatos that is Tenet & is an island besides ●ente/ and hath that name Thanatos of death of serpents/ for there been none/ And the earth thereof sleeth serpents yborn in to other lands. There is noble corn land & fruitful. Hit is sapposed that this island was hallowed & blessed of saint Austen the first doctor of englishmen for there he arrived first.   

¶ Of the kings high ways and streets. ca seven.  
MOliuncius king of Brytons was the xxiij of 'em and the first that gave hem law. He ordained that plowmen follows/ god's temples & high ways that leaden men to cities & towns should have the freedom of succour/ so that every man that went to any of them for succour or for trespaas that he hath do should be sauffor poursute of all his enemies. But after ward for the ways were uncertain & strife was had. Therefore Belinus the king that was the foresaid Moliuncius son for to put away all doubt & strife/ made four high kings ways privileged with all privilege & freedom. And the ways stretch through the island. The first & greatest of the four ways is called Fosse/ and stretcheth out of the south in to the north & beginneth from the corner of cornwall & passeth forth by Devenshyte by somerset & forth besides Tetbury upon Cottes would beside coventry unto leicester/ & so forth by wild plains toward Newerke & ended at Lyncoln. The second chief kings high way is named Watlyngstrete & stretcheth thwart over Fosse out of the southeast in to the northwest & beginneth at Dover and passeth by the middle of Kente over Temse beside London by west westminster & so forth by saint Albon in the west side by Don staple by Stratforde by Toweetre by Wedon by south Lylleborn by Atheryston unto Gilbertes hill that now is called Wrekene & forth by Severn & passeth besides Wrokcestre & thenne forth to Stratton & so forth by the middle of Wales unto Cardykan & endeth at irish see. The third way is called Erynnugestrete & stretcheth out of the west northwest in to erst southeast/ & beginneth in Men●uia that is in Saint david's land in west Wales & stretcheth forth unto Souhthampton. The fourth is called Rykenyldestrete & sretcheth forth by Worchestre by Wycombe by Byrmyngeham by lichfield by Derby by Chestrefelde by York & forth unto Tynmouthe.   

¶ Of the famous Rivers and streams. ca viij.  
Three famous Rivers rennen through britain by the which three Rivers merchants of beyond the see comen in ships in to britain well nigh out of all manner of nations & lands. These three Rivers been Temse. Severn/ and humbre. The see ebbeth & floweth at mouths of these three Rivers/ & departeth the three provinces of the island as it were the three kingdoms a sondre/ The three parties been Loegria. Cambria/ & Northumbria. That been middle England. Wales/ and Northumberlonde. ¶ R. These name Temse seemeth made one name of two names of two Rivers that been Tame & Ice for the river Tame runneth besides Dorchestre & falleth in Ice/ therefore all the river fro the tyrite heed unto the east see is named Tamyse or Temse Temse beginneth besides Tetbury that is three mile by north Malmesbury. There the Temse springeth of a well that runneth eastward & passeth the Fosse & departeth Glouce●tre shire & wilshire/ and draweth with him many other wells & streams & waxeth 〈◊〉 at grecestre & passeth forth th●n 〈◊〉 Hampton & so forth by 〈◊〉 by Wallynforde by reading and by London. ¶ 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 ca ij. at haven of Sandwhiche it falleth in to the test see/ & holdeth his name xl mile beyond London and departed in some place L●c●te & Essex West●ex & Mercia/ that is as it were a great deal of middle England ¶ R. Severn is a river of britain & is called Habern in Brytona/ & hath that name Habern of Habe●en that was Estryldes daughter. Guendolon the queen drenched this Habren therein/ therefore the Brytons called the river Habren after the woman that was drowned therein/ but by corrupt latin it is called Sabrina Severn in english. Severn beginneth in the middle of Wales & passed first toward the east unto Shrowesbury/ & thenne tomed southward unto Bryggenorth Wyrcestre & Gloucestre & falleth in to the west see besides bristol/ & departed in some place England & Wales. ¶ Wilhel. de 'pon. li. iiij. Severn is swift of stream/ fish craft is therein/ woodness of the swolowing & of whirling water casteth up & gathereth to heap great heaps of gravel. Severn oft ariseth & overfloweth the hankes. ¶ R. Humbre hath that name of Humbre king of H●●es for he was drowned therein. And runneth first a crook out of the southside of York/ and then it departed the province of Lyndeseye that longed sometime to the Merces from the other country Northumberlonde. Trent & Ouse rennen in to Humber & maken the river full great. ¶ Treuisa. The Merces were men as it were of middle England as it shall be said here after.   

¶ Of ancient cities & towns. ca ix.  
THe kingdom of britain was some time made fair with. xxbiij. noble cities without right many Castles that were walled with towers with yates & with bars strongly builded. ¶ Alfre. These were the names of the cities. Ca●rlud that is London. Caerbranck that is York/ Caerkente that is Caunterbury. Caergoraugon that is Wyrcestre. Caerlirion that is leicester. Caerclon that is Gloucestre. Caercolden that is Colcestre. Carrei that is Chichestre. Saxons called it sometime Cyssoncestre. Caer-ceri that is Cyrcestre. Caerguent that is Wynchestre. Caergraunte that is Cambrygge. Caerleyll that is Lugubalia & Karlyll. Caerperis that is Porchestre. Caerdrom that is Dorchestre. Caerludcoit that it Lyncoln & Lyndecolyn. Caermerthyn that is Merlyns city. Caersegent that is Sycestre & is upon Temse not far from reading. Caerthleon that is Caerlegyon also & height first Legecestre & now is named Chestre. Caerbathon that is Bathe & height sometime Athamannus city. Caerpaladour that is Septon that now height Shaftesbury. ¶ R. Other cities been founden in chronicles for understanding of stories/ of whom it shall follow. ¶ Wild 'pon. London is a rial and a rich city upon Tamyse/ of burgeysses of tychesses' of merchants of chaffer & of merchandise. Therefore it is that sometime when dearth of victuals is in all England commuly at London it is best cheap by cause of the buyers and sellers that been at London. ¶ Gaufre Brute the first king of Brytons builded & edified this city of London the first city of britain in remembrance of the city of Troy that was destroyed & called it Troyeneweth & Trinouantum that is new Troy. After ward king Lud called it Caerlud after his own name/ therefore Brytons had great indignation as Gyldas telleth afterward Englishmen called the city London/ & yet after the Normans called it Londres/ & is named in latin Londonia. Rudhudibras king Leyle'S son was the eight king of Brytons/ he builded Caunterbury the chief city of Prente/ & called it Caerkente. After ward englishmen called it Do●oberma/ but that is not Dover that standeth upon the cliff of the french see & is from this Dover twelve english mile. afterward this Doroberma was & is called Caunterbury. The same king Rudhudibras burlded W●nchestre & called it Caerguent & 〈◊〉 Englishmen called it Went & W●nchestre after the name of one wine an englishman that was bishop the●e All westsaron was subject to him the same king builded Paladour that is Septon that now is called Shaf●e●bury. Brytons tell that an Eagle prophesied there sometime. Bladud Le●les son a necromancer was the. it. king of Brytons/ he burlded Bathe & called it Caerbathon. Englishmen called it after Athamannus city but at last men called it Bathoma that is Bathe. ¶ Wilhel. de 'pon. li. ij. In this city welleth up & springeth hoot baths & men ween that julius Cezar made there such baths. ¶ R. But Gaufre. monemutensis in his brytons book saith that Bladud made thilk baths because william hath not seen that brytons book wrote so by telling of oath men/ or by his own guessing as he wrote other things not best any sedly. Therefore it seemeth more soothly that Bladud made not the hoot baths/ ne julius Cezar died such a deed though Bladud build & made the city/ but it accordeth better to kindly reason that the water runneth in the earth by veins of brimstone & sulphur and so it is kindly made hoot in that course & springeth up in diverse places of the city. And so there been hot baths that wasseth of tetres soores and scabs/ ¶ Treuisa. Though men might by craft make hoot baths for to dure long enough/ this accordeth well to reason & to philosophy that treateth of hot wells & baths that been in diverse lands though the water of this bathe be more trobly & sourer of savour & of smell than other hot baths been that I have seen at Akon in almain. And at eyges in Savoy/ which been fair & clear as any cold well stream I have been bathed therein and assayed them. ¶ R. Claudius Cezar married his daughter to arviragus king of Brytons. This Claudius cezar builded Gloucestre in the wedding of his daughter. Brytons called this city first after Claudius name/ but afterward it was called Gloucestre after one Glora which was duke of that country & standeth upon Severn in the march of England & Wales. Shrowesbury is a city upon Severn in the march of England & Wales ysette upon the top of an hill/ and it is called 〈◊〉 wesbury of shrobbes & fruit that 〈◊〉 there sometime on that hill. Brytons called it sometime Pengwern that is the heed of a fair tree. Shrowesury was sometime the heed of powesye that stretcheth forth thwart over the middle of Wales unto the irish see Notyngham standeth upon Trent & sometime heat Snotyngham that is the woning of dens/ for the Danes dwelled there sometime & digged dens & caves under hard stones & rocks and dwelled there. ¶ R. Lyncoln is chief of the province of Lyndesaye & was called sometime Caerludcoit/ & afterward Lyndecoln. It is uncertain who builded first this city but if it were king Lud/ & so it seemeth by meaning of the name/ for Caer is brytysshe & is to say a city & coit is a wood and so it seemeth that Caerludcoit is to say Lud'S wood town. King Leyr was Bladuddes son & builded leicester/ as it were in the middle of England upon the river Sos & upon Fosse the kings high way.  

¶ Wilhel. de 'pon. li. iij.  
YOrke is a great city in either side of the water of Ouse that seemed as fair as Rome unto the time that the king William had with brenning & fire defouled it & the country about. So that a pilgrim would now weep & he saw it/ if he had known it tofore. ¶ Gaufre. Ebrancus the. v. king of Brytons builded York and called it after his own name Caerbranck/ he builded also two other noble cities one in scotland & is called Edinburgh/ & an other toward scotland in th'ends of England & is called Alcluid. ¶ R. Edinburgh is a city in the land of Pictes between the river of tweed & the scottish see/ & heat sometime the castle of Maidens & was called afterward Edinburgh of Edan king of Pyctes that reigned there in Egfridus time king of Northumberland. Alcliud was sometime a noble city/ & is now well nigh vnknowe to all englishmen/ for under the Brytons & Pyctes and Englishmen it was a noble city unto the coming of the Danes. But afterward about the year of our lord eight C. lxx. it was destroyed when the Danes destroyed the contrees of Northumberlonde. But in what place of britain that city Alcliud was builded. auctors tell diversely. ¶ Beda li. j saith that it was build by west that arm of the see that departed between the Brytons & the Pyctes sometime there Severus famous wall endeth westward/ & so it seemeth by him that it is not far from caerleil for that city is set at the end of that wall. Other writers of stories written that the city of Alcliud is that city that now is called Aldburgh/ that is to say an old town/ & standeth upon the river Duse not far fro Burghbrygge/ that is. xv. mile westward out of York/ & it seemeth that he proveth that by Gaufryde in his book of deeds of Brytons/ he writeth that Elidurus' king of Brytons was lodged at the city Alcliud by cause of solace & hunting/ and found his brother Argalon masking in a wood nigh there beside that height Calatery/ but that wood Calatery which is caltres in english reacheth almost to York & stretcheth toward the north by Aldburgh in length by space of twenty myly/ the most deal of that wood is now drawn down and the land ytylled Other men would suppose that Alcliud was that city that now is called Burgham in the north country of Westmerlond fast by Comberlonde/ & standeth upon the river Eden/ the city is there wonderly seen. deem ye now where it is build. ¶ Treuisa. It is not hard to assoil if men take heed/ that many towns bear one name/ as Cartage in Affryca and Cartago in Spain. Newporte in Wales & Newporte in the parish of Barkeley. Wotton under egg & wotton passeth. Wykwar wick pain & wyk in the parish of Barkeley. And two shire towns either is called Hampton/ as Southampton & Northampton so it seemeth by the stories that one Alcliud was in yorkshire/ an other in Westmerlonde/ & one fast by the right side of the west arm of the see that departeth England & scotland. But that Alcliud was a right strong city as Beda saith/ And that city standeth fast by a river that is called Cliud. And there is no such river in yorkshire neither in Westmerlonde as men of the country tell me. Some men say that the river Cliud is now named Sulwach. Sulwach is but five mile fro Caerl●yll which is a city in the country of north England toward the north west/ & hath an other name which is Luguball. Leyll the vij king of Brycons builded Caerleyll. ¶ R. In this city is somewhat of that famous wall that passeth Northumberlonde. & Wilhel. de 'pon. In this city is yet a three chambered house made of vault stones that never might be destroyed with tempest of weather ne with brenning of fire/ Also in the country fast by in westmerlonde in the front of a three chambre place is written in this manner. Marij victory. What this writing is to say I doubt somewhat/ but if it were so that some of the Cumbres lay there some time when the consul Marius had put 'em out of italy/ but it seemeth better that it is written in mind of Marius' king of Brytons that was arviragus son. This Marius overcome in that place Rodryke king of Pyctes. So saith Gaufre. in his brytysshe book. ¶ William malmesbury saw never that book. At Hagulstaldes' church is a plac. mile out of York northwestwarde the place is as it were destroyed/ so saith Wilhel. li. iij. de 'pon. That place longed sometime to the bishopric of York/ there were sometime houses with vice arches & voutes in the manner of Rome. Now that place is called Hestoldesham & Heglesham also. ¶ Beda li. three ca j saith. That that place is fast by the long wall of the work of Rome in the north half. ¶ R. There is difference between the province of Lyndeffar & the church Lyndefarne. For the province of Lyndeffar & Lyndeseye is all one/ & lieth by east Lycoln/ & Lyncoln is the heed thereof/ of the which saith Beda li. iiij. ca xj. that Sexwulfus was first bishop there. But Beda li. four ca twenty-three. saith. That Lyndeffarn church is an island that is called holy island in the river Twede next Berwyk. And so it is gathered of Bedaes' saws that tweed runneth in to the famous arm of the see that now departeth Englishmen & Scots in the east half 〈◊〉 in the arm been three islands. That one is Maylroes that now is called Menros. then above toward the west is Lyndeffarn church that is called holy island. then the third is above upward & is the island Farne/ & is called also Farny island. then upward above that two mile is a rial city upon the brink of tweed/ that sometime height B●banburght that is Bobs city/ & now is called Bamburgh and hath a right strong castle. ¶ Gir. in itinere. Two cities there been either is called Caerlegion and Caerleon also. One is Demecia in South-Wales that is named Caerusk also/ there the river Vske falleth in to Severn fast by Glamorgan. belinus king of Brytons sometime builded that city & was sometime the chief city of Demecia in southwales. afterward in Claudius Caesar'S time it was called the city of legions when at prayer of Genius the queen Vespasianus and arviragus were accorded and legions of Rome were sent in to ireland/ though was Caerleon a noble city & of great authority/ and by the romans rially builded & walled about with walls of brent tile/ great nobley that was there in old time is there yet in many places seen/ as the great palaces/ giants towers/ noble baths/ relief of the temples places of theaters/ that were places high & rial to stand & sit in/ and to behold about. The places were rially closed with rial walls that yet somedeal standeth right nigh close. And with in the walls & without is great building under earth/ water conduits & ways under earth and stews/ also thou shalt see wonderly made with straight side ways of breathing that wonderly cast up heat. In this city were sometime three noble churches/ one was of saint julius the martyr and therein a great company of virgins/ That other was of saint Aaron that was of the order of black Canons/ that church was right nobly adorned. The third church was the chief mother church of all Wales and the chief see. But afterward the chief see was turned out of that city in to Menevia that is saint david's land in westwales. In this Caerleon was Amphibalus born that taught saint Albone. There the messengers of Rome come to the great Arthur's court/ if it is leeffull to trow Treuisa/ if Giraldus was in doubt whether it were leeffull for to trow or not/ it were a wonder shown as men would ween for to have evermore in mind/ and ever be in doubt if all his books were such what lore were therein & namely while he maketh none evidence for in neither side he telleth what moveth him so for to say. ¶ R. There is an other city of legions there his chronicles was bytravaylled as it is clearly known by the first chapter of this book. ¶ Treuisa. That is to understanding in the latin writing For he that made it in latin turned it not in to english/ ne it was turned in to english in the same place that it was first in latin. The understanding of him that made this chronicle is thus written in latin in the beginning of this book. ¶ Presentein cronican compilavit frater Ranulphus Cestrensis monachus. That is to say in english. Brother Ranulph monk of Chestre compiled & made this present chronicle. ¶ R. The city of legions that is Chestre standeth in the march of England toward Wales between two arms of the see that been named Dee & Mersee. This city in time of Brytons was heed & chief city of all Venedocia/ that is North-wales. The founder of this city is unknown. For who that seeth the fundaments of the great stones would rather ween that is were romans work or work of Giants/ than it were made by setting of Brytons. This city sometime in Brytysshe speech heat Caerthleon Legecestria in latin and chester in english & the city of legions also. For there lay a winter the legyons' of knights that julius cezar sent for to win ireland. And after Claudius' cezar sent legions out of that city for to win the islands that be called Orcades/ what ever William Malmesbury by telling of other men met of this city. This city hath plenty of livelihood of corn of flesh of fish/ & specially of price of salmon/ this city receiveth great merchandise & sendeth out also. Also nigh this city been salt wells/ metal & oor. Northumbres destroyed this city sometime. But afterward Elfleda lady of Mercia builded it again and made it much more. In this same city been ways under the earth with vowtes and stone work wonderly ywrought/ threchambred works/ great stones ygraven with old men's names therein. There is also ●ulius Caesar'S name wonderly in stones ygrave and other noble men's also with the writing about. This is the city that Ethelfryde king of nurthumberland destroyed/ and slew there fast by nigh two thousand monks of the minster of Bangor. This is the city that king Edgar come thither some time with vij kings that were subject to him. A metrer breaketh out in this manner in praising of this city. Chestre castle town as it were/ name taketh of a castle. It is unknown what man builded this city now. though Legecestria cheese/ heat now town of legiones Now Walsshe and english/ hold this town of great price. Stones on wall/ seemeth work Herculis all. There long with might/ to dure that heap is height. Saxon small stones/ set upon great been atones. There under ground/ loting double vout is found. That helpeth with sondes/ many men of western lands. fish flesh and corn low/ this city town hath enough. ships & chaffer/ see water bringeth enough there. Godestalle there is/ that was Emperor ere this. And forth Henry king/ earth is there right dwelling. Of king harald/ powder is there yet y halde. Bacchus and Mercurius. Mars and Venus/ also Lauerna. Protheus and Pluto/ regnen there in the town. ¶ Treuisa. God wot what this is to mean/ but poets in her manner of speech feign as though every kind craft & living had a diverse god everich from other. And so they feigned a god of battle and of fighting and called him Mars/ and a god of covetise of richesse andmar chaundyse and called him Mercurius And so Bacchus is called god of wine Venus' goddess of love and beauty/ ●auerna god of theft and of robbery 〈◊〉 god of falsehood and of guile and Pluto god of hell. And so it seemeth that these verses would mean/ that these foresaid gods reign and been served in Chestre. Mars with fighting and cokking. Mercurius with covetise & richesse. Bacchus with great drinking. Venus with love lewdly Laverna with theft and robbery. Protheus with falsehood and guile. Thenne is Pluto not unserved that is god of hell ¶ R. There babylon lore more might hath truth the more.    

¶ Of provinces & shires. ca x.  
TAke heed that England containeth xxxij shires and provinces that now been called Erldoms reserved cornwall and the islands/ ¶ Alfre. These been the names of the Erldoms and shires. Kente Southsex Sothery Hampshyre Barokshyre that hath his name of a bare ooke that is in the forest of windsor/ for at that bare oak men of that shire were wont to come together and make their treaties/ and there take counsel and advise. Also Wyldshyre that heat some time the province of Semeran/ somerset Dorsete devonshire that now is called deuonia in latin. These ix south shires the Tamyse departed from the other deal of England which were sometime governed and ruled by the westsaxons law. Eestsex Myddelsex Southfolke Norfolk Hertfordshyre Huntyngdon shire North hampton shire Cambryggesyre Bedfordshyre Buykynghamshyre Leycestreshyre Derbyshyre Notynghamshyre lincolnshire yorkshire Durhamshyre Northumberlonde Caerleylshyre with Cumberlonde Appelbyshyre with Westmerlonde. Lancastershyre that containeth five little shires. These xu North and east shires were sometime governed and ruled by that law which is called Danelawe. But Oxenfordshyre Warwykshyre Gloucestreshyre Wyrcestreshyre Herfordshyre shropshire staffordshire Chestreshyre. These eight middle and west shires were sometime governed and ruled by the law called Mercia in latin and merchene law in english It is to weet that yorkshire stretcheth from the river of Humbre unto the river of Teyse. And yet in yorkshire been xxij hondredies hundred & candred is all one. Candred is one word made of welsh and irish/ and is to meaning a country that containeth an hundred towns/ and is also in english called wepentak/ for sometime in the coming of a new lord tenants were wont to yield up her weepen in stead of homage. Duramshyre stretcheth from the river Teyse unto the river Tyne. And to speak properly of Northumberlonde it stretcheth fro the river of Tyne unto the river of tweed that is in the beginning of scotland. Then if the country of Northumberlonde that was sometime from Humbre unto tweed be now accounted for one shire and one earldom as it was sometime. then been in England but xxxij shires/ but if the country of Northumberlonde be departed in to vi shires/ that been Euerwykshyre Duramshyre Northhumberlonde Caerleylshyre Appelbyshyre and Lancasshyre. then been in England xxxvi shires without cornwall & also without the islands. King William conqueror made all these provinces and shires to be described and moten. Then were founden xxxvi shires and half a shire Towns two and thirty thousand and four score. parish churches xlv thousand and two. Knights fees .lxxv. thousand/ whereof men of religion have xxviij thousand and xu knights fees. But now woods been hewn down and the land new tilled and made moche more than was at that time and many towns and villages builded/ and so there been many more villages and towns now than were in that tyme. And were as afore is written that Cornewayle is not set among the shires of England it may stand among them well enough for it is neither to Wales neither in scotland but it is in England and is joineth unto Devonshire/ and so may there been accounted in England xxxvij shires and an half with the other shires.  

¶ De legibus legumque vocabulis.  
DVnwallo that heat Moliuncius also made first laws in britain/ the which laws were called Moliuncius laws/ and were solemnly observed unto William conquerors tyme. Moliuncius ordained among his laws that cities Temples and ways that lead men thereto/ and plowmen solowes should have privilege and freedom for to save all men that would flee thereto for succour and refuge. Then afterward Marcia queen of Brytons that was Gwytelinus' wife of her the province had the name of Mercia as some man suppose. She made a law full of right of wit and of reason/ and was called merchene law. ¶ Gyldas that wrote the chronicles & histories of the Brytons turned these two laws out of Bryton speech in to latin. And afterward king Aluredus turned all out of latin in to Saxons speech/ and was called merchene law. Also the same king Aluredus wrote in english and put to an other law that heat westsaxon law. Then afterward Danes were lords in this land/ and so come forth the third law that heat Danelawe. Of these three laws saint Edward the third made one common law that yet is called saint Edward's law. I hold it well done to write here and expone many terms of these laws. Myndebruche hurting of honour and worship. In french bleschur dhonnour. Burbruck in french bleschur de court ou de cloys Grithbruch breaking of peace. Myskenning changing of speech in court. Showing setting forth of merchandise/ in french disploier de merchandise. Hamsokne or Hamfare a rese made in house. Forstalling wrong or bet down in the kings hyghwaye. Frythsoken surety in defence. Sak forfeit. Soka suit of court and thereof cometh soaken. Theme suit of bondmen fighting wite. Amersement for fighting. Blodewyte. Mersement for shedding of blood. Flytwyte amends for chyding of blood. Leyrwyte amends for dying by a bond woman Gul●wyte amends for trespass. Scot●●●rynge to work of bayllyes. Hydage tallage for hides of land. Daneghelde tallage given to the Danes that was of every bona taterre/ that is of every ox land three pens. A wepentak and an hundred is all one. For the country of towns were wont to give up weepen in the coming of a lord Lestage custom challenged in chepynges fairs and stallage/ custom for standing in streets in fair tyme.    

¶ Of kingdoms of bounds & marks between them. ca xij.  
THe kingdom of britain stood without departing hole and all one kingdom to the Brytons from the first Brute unto julius Caesar'S time/ and fro julius Caesar'S time unto Severus time this land was under tribute to the romans. nevertheless kings they had of the same land from Severus unto the last prince gracian successors of Brytons failed and romans reigned in britain. afterward the romans left of her regning in britain by cause it was far from Rome/ and for great business that they had in other side. Then Scots and Pyctes by misleading of Maximus the tyrant pursued britain and warred there in with great strength of men of arms long time unto the time that the Saxons come at the praying of the Brytons against the Pyctes/ and put out Gurmonde the irish king with his Pyctes and the Brytons also with her king that heat Careticus & drofe hem out of England in to Wales/ and so the Saxons were victors and every province after his strength made them a king. And so departed England in to seven kingdoms. nevertheless afterward these seven kingdoms every after other come all in to one kingdom all hole under the prince Adelstone. Nevertheless the Danes pursued this land fro Adel wolfys time that was Aluredes father unto the third saint Edward's time about hundred lxx year that reigned continually therein. After the Danes xxx year the third saint Edward reigned therein xxiij year and a little more/ And after him harald held the kingdom ix months. And after him Normans have reigned unto this time But how long they shall regne/ he wot/ to whom no thing is unknown. ¶ R. Of the foresaid seven kingdoms and her marks meres & bounds when they began and how long they endured here shall I somewhat shortly tell. ¶ Alfre. The first kingdom was the kingdom of Kente/ that stretcheth fro the east Ocean unto the river of Tamyse. There reigned the first Hengistus/ and began to regne by the acompting of Dyonyse the year of our lord four hundred lu that kingdom dured three hundred & lviij year under xu kings unto the time that Baldrede was put out and Egbert king of westsaxon joined that kingdom to his own. The second kingdom was of southsaxon/ that had in the east side Kente/ in the south the see and the isle of Wight/ in the west Hampshyre/ and in the north sothery/ there Ella reigned first with his three sons/ and began to regne the year after the coming of the Angles even xxx But that kingdom within a short time passed in to the other kingdoms. The third kingdom was of eestsaxon/ and had in the east side the see/ in the west the country of London/ in the south Tamyse and in the north southfolk. The kings of this country of westsaxon fro the first Sebertes time unto the time of the Danes were there ten kings the which were subject somedeal to other kings. Nevertheless oftest and longest they were under the kings of Mercia/ and unto that time that Egbert the king of westsaxon joined that kingdom to his own/ The fourth kingdom was of east Angles and containeth Norfolk and Suffolk/ and had in the east side and in the north side the see/ & in the northwest Cambrygeshyre/ in the west saint Edmondes' dyche and Herfordshyre/ and in the south Estsex. And this kingdom dured under twelve kings unto the time that king Edmonde was slain. And thenne the Danes took wrongfully both the kingdoms of east Angles and of Eestsaxon afterward the Danes were put out and driven away or made subject/ And then the elder king Edward joined both the kingdoms to his own. The fifth kingdom was of Westsaxon and dured longest of all these kingdoms/ and had in the east side Southsaxon/ in the north Tamyse/ in the south and in the west the see Ocean. In that kingdom reigned Serdryk with his son Kenryk and began to regne the year of our lord five hundred and xix and then after the coming of Angels lxxi so saith Denys the other kingdoms passed in to this kingdom. The sixth kingdom was of Mercia & was greatest of all. The marks & the meres thereof were in the west side the river Dee fast by Chestre and Severn fast by Shrowesbury unto bristol/ in the east the east see/ in the south Tamyse unto London/ in the north the river Humbre. And so westward & downward unto the river Mersee unto the corner of Wyrhall/ there Humbre falleth in to the west see. Penda Wybbes son reigned first in this kingdom in the year of our lord Ihesu christ vi hundred xxvi so saith Denys. And fro the coming of Angles an hundred .lxxv. year. This kingdom dured under. xviij. kings about two hundred lxiij year unto the last Colwulf/ to the which Colwulf the Danes betook that kingdom to keep when Burdred the king was put out/ but the elder Edward the king put out the Danes & joined the kingdom of Mercia to his own kingdom. nevertheless at the beginning this kingdom of Mercia was departed in three/ in west Mercia/ in middle Mercia/ & east Mercia The. seven. kingdom was Northamhymbrorum that is the kingdom of Northumberland/ the meres and marks thereof were by west & by east the see of Ocean/ by south the river of Humbre & so downward toward the west by th'ends of the shires of Notyngham & of Derby unto the river of Mersee & by north the Scots see/ that heat forth in Scots/ weirs in Brytysshe 〈◊〉 scottish see in english. This 〈◊〉 of Northumberlonde was first dealt in two provinces/ that one was the south side & heat Deyra/ & that other was the north side & heat Brenicia/ as it were two kingdoms/ & the river departed these two kingdoms that time/ for the kingdom of Deyra was from the river of Humbre unto the river of Tyne. The kingdom of Brenicia was fro Tyne to the scottish see. And when Pyctes dwelled there as Beda saith li. iij. ca ij That Ninian that holy man converted men of the south side. Ida the king reigned there first & began to regne the year of our lord five hundred xlvij so saith Dyonyse. In Deyra reigned king Elle the year of our lord five hundred. xlix. These two kingdoms were otherwhile as it is said departed between two kings & sometime all hole under one king/ & dured as it were twenty english kings. CCC xxi year. Atte last Osbertus & Elle were slain in the ix year of her kingdom the Danes slew them/ & Northumber land was void without king. viij. year. Then afterward the Danes reigned in Northumberlonde. xxxvi. year unto the ooning of the kyngdons Adelstone/ he made subject the kings Danes scottish & Walsshe & reigned first alone in England & held the kingdom of England all hole and all one kingdom that was the year of our lord eight C. xxviij. That river of Mersee was sometime the mark & mere between the kingdom of Mercia & the kingdom of Northumberlonde/ that may be showed in two manners/ first by the property of this Mersee/ that is as much to say as a see that is a bound & a mere for it departed one kingdom from an other. Also it is written in chronicles of Henry and of alfred that king Edward the elder fastened a castle at Mamcestre in Northhumberlond/ but that city Mamcestre is fro the river of Mersee scarcely three mile.   

¶ Of bisshopryches & their sees ca xiij  
LVcius was the first king crystened of the Brytons/ in his time were three archbishops sees in britain/ one was at London/ an other at York/ & the third at Caerusk the city of legions in Glamorgan/ that city is now called Caerleon. To these archbishops sees were subject xxviij bishops & were called flames. To the archbishops see of London was subject cornwall and all middle England unto Humbre. To York all Northumberlonde from the how of Humbre with all scotland. To Caerleon all Wales/ there were in Wales. seven. bishops/ & now been but four. though Severn departed England & Wales. ¶ Wilhel. de 'pon. li. j But in the Saxons time though saint Gregory had granted London the privilege of tharchebysshops see. nevertheless saint Austen that was sent in to England by saint Gregory turned tharchebysshops see out of London in to Caunterbury. After saint Gregoryes days at the prayer of king Athelbryght and citizens & burgesses of Caunterbury/ there tharchebysshops see hath dured unto now save that in the mean time Offa king of Mercia was wroth with men of Caunterbury/ and benam them that worship/ and worchyped Adulph bishop of lichfield with the archbishops pall by assent of Adryan the pope upon case by yefts sent. nevertheless vn● Kenulph the king it was restored to Caunterbury again. The worship of the see of York hath dured there alway & dured yet though scotland be withdraw fro his subjection by passing of tyme. ¶ Gir. in itinere. li. j The archbishops see was turned out of Caerleon in to Menevia that is in the west side of Demecia upon the irish see in Saint david's time under king Arthur. From saint david's time unto sampson's time were in Meneuia. twenty-three. archbishops. afterward fill a pestilence in all Wales of the yellow evil/ that is called the jaundys. And then Samson the archbishop took with him the pall and went in to britain Armonica the lass britain and was there bishop of Dolensis. From that time unto the first Henry's time king of England were at Menevia which is called Saint david's xxi bishops all without pall/ whether it were for uncunning or for poverty. nevertheless alway fro that time the bishops of Wales were sacred of the bishop of Menevia of saint david's/ and the bishop of Menevia was sacred of the bishops of Wales as of his suffrygans and made no professyonne subjection to none other church. Other bishops that come afterward were sacred at Caunterbury by compelling and heest of the king/ in token of that sacring and subjection Boneface archbishop of Caunterbury that was Legate of the Cross song in every Cathedral church of Wales solemnly. Amas he was the first archbishop of Caunterbury that so died in Wales/ & that was done in the second Henry's tyme. ¶ R. But now been but two primates in all England of Caunterbury & of York. To the primate of Caunterbury been subject. xiij. bishops in England &. iiij. in Wales The primate of York hath but two suffrygans in England that been the bishops of caerleil & of Durham. Of all these sees & changing of her places I shall show you here following Take heed in the beginning of holy church in England bishops ordained their sees in low places & simple that were covenable for contemplation for prayers & devotion. But in William conquerors time by done of law Canon it was ordained that bishops should come out of small towns in to great cities. Therefore was the see of Dorchestre changed to Lyncoln. Lychfelde to Chestre. Tetforde to Norwyche. Shyrborn to Salesbury. Welles to Bathe. cornwall to Exestre/ & Seleseye to Chichestre. The bishop of Rochestre hath no parish but he is the archbishops chapelayn of Caunterbury. sith the see of Caunterbury was first ordained by saint Austen/ it changed yet never his place. Chychestre hath under him only Southsex & the isle of Wight/ and had his see first in Seleseye in the time of the archbishop Theodore/ & the see dured there. CCC. xxxiij. year under twenty bishops fro the first Wilfrede unto the last S●ygande/ at the commandment of king William conqueror changed 〈◊〉 see fro Seleseye to Chichestre.  

¶ De episcopis occidentalibus. Wilhelmus.  
Have mind that all the province of westsaxon had alway one bishop fro the beginning unto Theodorus time/ by grant of king Islo king of westsaxon the first Birinus ordained a see at Dorchestre that is a simple town by south Oxenford beside Walyngforde between the meeting together of Temse and Tame when Birinus was deed Kenwalcus the king ordained a see at Wynchestre as his father had purposed/ there Agile bert a Frensshman was first bishop of all the province of westsaxon/ fro that time the city and the see of Dorchestre pertained & longed to the province of Mercia/ for that city standeth within Temse. And the Temse departed between Mercia & westsaxon/ After that Agilbert was put out of Wynchestre that tho height wynton/ Thenne was there an english bishop there that was called Wine. Some men suppose that the city hath the name of this Wine/ and is called Wynchestre as it were wines city. At the last he was put out/ and after him come Leutherius the foresaid Agelbertes nephew. After Leutherius Hedda a while was bishop there. when he was deed Theodorus the archbishop ordained two bishops to the province of westsaxon. Danyell at Wynchestre to him were subject two countries/ Sothery and Southampshyre. And Adelme at Shyrborn/ & to him were subject six countries. Barkshyre Wilt shire somerset Dorseteshyre Deven shire & cornwall. ¶ Treuisa. It seemeth by this that westsaxon contained Sothery. Southamshyre. Barkshyre wiltshire somersetshire Dorseteshyre devonshire & Cornewyle/ ¶ Wilhel. Afterward in elder Edwarees time to these two sees were ordained by commandment of Formosus the pope three other sces. At Welles for Somerfete. At Kyrton for devonshire/ & at saint german for cornwall/ Not long afterward the sixth see was set at Rammesbury for wiltshire. At the last by commandment of king William conqueror all these sees save wynchestre were turned & changed out of small towns in to great cities for Shyrborn & Rammesbury were turned in to Salesbury. Now to that see is subject Barkshyre wyltshyre & Dorsete The see of Welles was turned to Bathe/ thereto is now subject all somerset. The sees of Kyrton & of cornwall were changed to Exestre/ thereto is subject devonshire & cornwall   

¶ De orientalibus episcopis.  
IT is known that the east saxons alway fro the begin to now were subject to the bishop of London But the province of east Angles that containeth Norfolk & Suffolk had one bishop at Donwyk/ the bishop heat Felix & was of Bourgon & was bishop. xvij. year/ after him Thomas was bishop. v. year/ after him Boneface. xvij. year. then busy afterward was ordained by Theodorus and rules the province while he might endure by himself alone/ after him unto Egbertes time king of west saxons an hundred. xliij. two bishops ruled that province one at Donwyk/ and an other at Elyngham. nevertheless after Ludecans' time king of Mercia left & was only one see at Elyngham unto the. v● year of William conquetour/ when Herfastus the xxiij bishop of the estrene changed his see to Totforde/ & his succesour Herbertus changed the see fro Tetforde to Norwhiche by leave of king William the reed. The see of Ely that is nigh thereto the first king Henry ordained the ix year of his regne/ & made subject thereto Cambryggeshyre that was tofore a part of the bishopric of Lyncoln. And for quyting thereof/ he gave to the bishop of Lyncoln a good town called Spalding.   

¶ De episcopis merciorum. Whilhelmus.  
HEre take heed that as the kingdom of Merci● was alway greatest for the time/ so it was dealt in more bishoprics and specially by great heart by king Off a/ which was xl year king of Mercia/ he changed the archbishops see fro Caunterbury to lichfield by assent of Adryan the pope. then the province of Mercia & of Lyndeffar in the first beginning of her christendom in king W●lfrans time had one bishop at Lychfelde/ the first bishop that was there hee● Dwyna/ the second hee● C●lath & were both Scots/ after them the third Trumpher/ the fourth jarmuanus/ the fifth Chedde. But in Edelfredes time that was Wulfrans brother when Chedde was deed. Theodorus the archbishop ordained there Wynfrede Cheddes deken. nevertheless apud Hydon after that for he was unbuxom in some point/ he ordained there Sexwulf abbot of Medamstede that is named Burgh. But after Sexwulfus fourth year Theodorus th'archbishop ordained five bishops in the province of Mercia. And so he ordained Bosell at Wyrcestre. Cudwyn at Lychfelde/ the foresaid Sexwulf at Chestre. Edelwyn at lindsay at city Sidenia/ & he took Eata monk of the abbey of held at Whythy and made him bishop of Dorchestre besides Oxenford. though this Dorchestre heat Dorking/ & so the see of that longed to westsaxon in saint Birines time longed to Mercia from Theodorus the archbishops tyme. Ethelred king of Mercia had destroyed Kente/ this bishop Sexwulf took Pyctas bishop of Rochestre that come out of Kente & made him first bishop of Herforde. Atte last when Sexwulf was deed Hedda was bishop of lichfield after him/ & Wilfred flemed out of Northumberlonde was bishop of Chestre. nevertheless after two year alfred king of Northumbrelonde died & Wilfred turned again to his own see Hagustalden/ and so Hedda held both the bishoprics of lichfield & of Chestre. After him come Albyn that heat Wor also/ & after him come three bishops. Torta at Chestre. Witta at Lychfelde/ & Eata was yet at Dorchestre. After his death bishops of Lyndeseye held his see. iij. hundred. liiij. year/ unto Remigius changed the see to Lyncoln by leave of the first king William. But in Edgar's time bishop Leofwinus joined both bishop riches together of Chestre & Lyndeffar while his life dured.    

¶ De episcopis Northumbranis. Wilhel. de 'pon. li. ca xi.  
AT York was one see for all the province of Northumberlonde. Paulinus held first that see & was ordained of the bishop of Caunterbury/ & held that see of York. seven. year afterward when king Edwin was slain & things were disturbed paulinus went thence by water away in to Kente from whence he come first & took with him the pall. ¶ Wilhel. li. three And so the bishopric of York ceased. thirty. year/ & the use of the pall ceased there an hundred. xxv. year unto that Egbert the bishop that was the kings brother of the land recovered it by authority of the pope. ¶ R. when Saint oswald reigned Aydanus a Scot was bishop in Brenicia that is the northside of Northumberlonde/ after him Finianus/ after him Salmanus. ¶ Wilhel. ubi ●. Atte last he went in to scotland with great indignation/ for Wilfred undertook him for he held unlawfully Eesterdaye. thirty. year after that Paulinus was gone from thence Wilfred was made bishop of York. ¶ Beda li. iiij. But while he dwelled long in France about his sacring at exciting of quartadecimanorum/ that were they that held Eesterdaye the. xiv. day of the moan. Chedde was tale out of his abbey of Lestynge & wrongfully put out in to the see of York by assent of king Oswy. But three year afterward Theodorus th'archbishop died him away & assigned him to the province of Mercia/ & restored Wilfred to the see of York. But after Wilfred by cause of wrath that was between him and the king. Egfryde 〈◊〉 put out of his see by Theodorus help th'archbishop that was corrupt with some manner meed/ this was done after that Wylfred had been bishop of York. x. year. then at instance of the king Theodorus made Bosam bishop of York/ & Cumbert at Hagustalde church/ & Eata at Lyndeffar church that now is called holy island in the river of tweed. Aydanus founded first the see/ & Theodorus made Eadhedus bishop of Repoune that was comen again out of Lyndeseye. Wilfred had be abbot of Repoune/ Theodorus sent Trunwynus to the land of Pyctes in th'ends of England fast by scotland in a place that heat Candida casa/ & Whyterne also/ there saint Ninian a Bryton was first founder & doctor. But all these sees outake York failed little & little/ for the see of Candida casa that is Galewaye that longed tho to England & dured many years under. x. bishops unto that it had no power by destroying of the Pyctes. The sees of Hagustalde & of Lyndeffar was sometime all one under. ix. bishops about four score year and ten & dured unto the coming of the Danes. In that time under Hyngar & Hubba Ardulf the bishop go long about with saint Cuberts' body unto king Aluredes time king of west saxon/ & the see of Lyndeffar was set at Kunegestre that is called Kunyngysburgh also/ that place is called now Vbbesforde upon tweed. At the last the. xvij. year of king Egbert king Edgar's son/ that see was changed to Durham/ & saint Cutbert● body was brought thither by the doing of Edmoude the bishop/ & fro that time forward the see of Hagustalde & of Lyndeffar faileth utterly. The first king Henry in the. ix. year of his reign made the new see at caerleil.  
THe archbishop of Caunterbury hath under him. xiij. bishops in England &. iiij. in Wales/ he hath Rochestre under him/ & that see hath under him a part in Kente alone London hath under him Estsex Myddelsex & half Herfordshyre. Chychestre hath under him Southsex & the isle of Wight. Wynchestre hath under him Hampshyre & Southerye. Salesbury hath under him Barkshyre Wyldshyre & Dorsete. Exetre hath under him devonshire and cornwall. Bathe hath under him Somerseteshyre alone Wyrcester hath under him Gloucestreshyre Wyrcestreshyre & half Warwykshyre. Herforde hath under him Herfordshyre & some of shropshire. Chestre is bishop of coventry & of lichfield/ & hath under him Chestreshyre staffordshire Derbyshyre half Warwykshyre some of shropshire & some of Lancastreshyre fro the river of Mersee unto the river of Rypyll. Lyncoln hath under him the provinces that been between Tamyse & Humbre that been the shires of Lyncoln of leicester of Northampton of Huntyngdon of bedford of Bokyngham of Oxenford & half Herdfordshyre. Ely hath under him Cambrygeshyre outake Merlonde. Norwyche hath under him Merlonde Norfolk & Suffolk. Also th'archbishop of Caunterbury hath four suffrygans in Wales that been Landafsaynt Davies Bangor & saint Assaph The archbishop of York hath now but two bishops under him that been Durham & Caerleyl. ¶ R. And so been but two primates in England/ what of 'em shall do to that other & in what manner point he shall be obedient & under him. It is fully contained within about the year of our lord Ihesu cryst a thousand. lxxij. tofore the first king William/ & the bishops of England by commandment of the pope/ the cause was handled & treated between the foresaid primates & ordained & deemed that the primate of York shall be subject to the primate of Caunterbury in things that longen to the worship of god & to the believe of holy church/ so that in what place ever it be in England that the primate of Caunterbury will hot & constrain to gather a counsel of clergy/ the primate of York is holden with his suffrygans for to be there & for to be obedient to the ordinance that there shall lawfully be ordained. When the primate of Caunterbury is deed the primate of York shall come to Caunterbury & with other bishops he shall sacre him that is chosen/ & so with other bishops he shall sacre his own primate If the primate of York be deed/ his successor shall come unto the bishop of Caunterbury & he shall take his ordinance of him & do his oath with profession & lawful obedience. After within about the year of our lord. xi. C. lxxxxv. in the time of king richard been reasons let for the right of the party for either primate/ & what one primate died to that other in time of Thurstinus of Thomas & of other bishops of York from the conquest unto king Henry's time the third. Also there it is said how each of them start from other. This place is but a forspeking & not a full treaties thereof/ therefore it were noyful to charge this place with all thilk reasons that there been made.   

¶ Of how many manner people have dwelled therein. ca xiv.  
BRytons dwelled first in this island the. xviij. year of Hely the prophet/ the. xi. year of Solinus posthumus king of Latyns. xliij. after the taking of Troy/ tofore the building of Rome. CCCC. xxxij. year. ¶ Beda lio. i They come hither & took her course from Armoryk that now is that other britain/ they held long time the south countries of the island/ it befell afterward in Vespasianus time duke of Rome/ that the Pyctes shipped out of Scicia in to Ocean/ & were driven about with the wind & entered in to the north costs of ireland & found there Scots & prayed to have a place to dwell Inn & might none get. For ireland as Scots said might not sustain both people. Scots scent the Pyctes to the north sides of britain & behyght them help against the Brytons that were their enemies if they would arise/ & took 'em wives of her daughters/ upon such condition if doubt fill/ who should have right for to be king/ they should rather cheese hem a king of the mother side than of the father side/ of the women kin rather than of the men kin. ¶ Gaufr In Vespasyan the Emperors time when Marius arviragus son was king of Brytons. One Rodryk king of Pyctes came out of Scicia & 'gan to destroy Scotlonde. then Marius the king slew this Rodryke & gaf the north party of scotland that heat Cathenesia to the men that were come with Rodryk & were overcome by him for to dwell ●nne. But these men had no wives ne none might have of the nation of Brytons/ therefore they sailed in to ireland & took to their wives Irysshmen daughters by that covenant that the mother blood should be put tofore in succession of heritage ¶ Gir ca xvij. nevertheless Sirinus sup Virgilium saith that Pyctes been agatyrses that had some dwelling place about the waters of Scicia/ & they been called Pyctes of painting & smiting of wounds that been seen on her body. So that they seemed as men were painted with wounds/ therefore they were called Pyctes as painted men. These men & these goths been all one people. For when Maximus the tyrant was went out of britain in to France for to occupy th'empire. then Gracianus & Valentinianus that were brethren & fellows of th'empire brought these goths out of Scicia with great gifts with flattering & fair behests in to the north country of britain. For they were stalworth & strong men of arms/ & so these thieves & brybo●●s were made men of land & of country/ & dwelled in the north countries & held there cities & towns. ¶ Gaufre. Carancius the tyrant slew Bassianus by help & treason of the Pyctes that come in help & succour of Bassianus/ and gave the Pyctes a dwelling place in Albania that is Scotlonde/ there they dwelled long time afterward & meddled with Brytons. ¶ R. then sith that Pyctes occupied first the north side of scotland. It seemeth that the dwelling place that this Carancius gave hem is the south side of scotland that stretcheth from the thwart over wall of romans work to the scottish see/ & containeth Gallewaye & Lodovia that is Codewaye. ¶ Thereof Beda li. iij. ca ij. speaketh in this manner. Ninian the holy man converted the south Pyctes. afterward the Saxons come & made that country long to Brenicia the north party of Northumberlonde unto the time that Kynadius Alpinus son king of scotland put out the Pyctes/ & made that country that lieth between tweed & the scottish see long to his kingdom. ¶ Beda li. j ca j afterward long time the Scots were led by duke Renda & come out of ireland that is the proper country of Scots & with love or with strength made 'em a place fast by the Pyctes in the north side of that arm of the see/ that breaketh in to the land in the west side the departed in old time between Brytons & Pyctes. Of this duke Renda the Scots had the name & were called Dalrendines as it were Rendaes' part/ for in her speech a part is called dal. ¶ Gir ●. The Pyctes might have no wives of Brytons/ but they took 'em wives of irish Scots & promised 'em fair for to dwell with 'em/ & granted 'em a land by the see side/ there the see is narrow/ that land is called now Gallewaye. Marianus irish Scott● landed at Argayll/ that is scotten cliff for Scots landed there for to do harm to the Brytons/ or for that place is next to ireland for to come a land in britain. ¶ Beda. And so the Scots after the Brytons and Pyctes made the third people dwelling in britain. ¶ R. then after that come the Saxons at praying of the Brytons to help 'em against the Scots & Pyctes. And the Brytons were soon put out in to Wales/ & Saxons occupied the land little & little/ and eft more to the scottish see. And so Saxons made the fourth manner of men in the island of britain. ¶ Beda. li. v. ca ix. For Saxons and Angles come out of Germania/ yet some Brytons that dwellen nigh callen hemshortly germans. ¶ R. nevertheless about the year of our lord. viij. hundred Egbertus king of westsaxon commanded & had all men to call the men of the land Englishmen. ¶ Alfre. then after that the Danes pursued the land about a two hundred year/ that is for to say fro the foresaid Egbertus time unto saint Edward's time/ & made the fifth manner of people in the island/ but they failed afterward. At the last come Normans under duke William & subdued english men/ & yet keep they the land and they made the sixth people in the island. But in the first king Hemryes time come many flemings & received a dwelling place for a time beside Maylroes in the west side of England/ and made the seventh people in the island. nevertheless by commandment of the same king they were put thence & driven to Haverfordes side in the west side of Wales. ¶ R. And so now in britain Danes and Pyctes fayllen all out/ & five nations dwellen therein that been Scots in Albania/ that is Scotlonde. Brytons in Cambria that is Wales/ but that flemings dwell in that is west Wales. And Normans and englishmen been meddled in all the island/ for it is now doubt in stories how & in what manner they were put away and destroyed out of britain. Now it is to declare how the Pyctes were destroyed and failed. ¶ Gir. ●. ca xvij. britain was some time occupied with Saxons/ & peace was made & stablished with the Pyctes/ then the Scots that come with the Pyctes saw that the Pyctes were nobler of deeds & better men of arms though they were lass in number than the Scots. then the Scots having thereof envy turned to their naturel treason that they have oft used For in treason they pass other men & been traitors as it were by kind/ for they prayed all the Pyctes & specially the great of 'em to a feast/ and waited her time when the Pyctes were merry and had well drunk/ they drew up nails that held up hollow benches under the Pyctes & the Pyctes unware and suddenly fill in over the hams in to a wonderful pytfalle. then the Scots fill on the Pyctes and slew them & left none alive. And so of two manner people the better marry ours were ho●ly destroyed. But the other that been the Scots which been traitors all unlike to the Pyctes took profit by that falls treason/ for they took all that land & hold it yet unto this time & call it Scotlonde after her own name. In king Edgarus time Kynadius Alpmus son was duke & leader of the Scots and warred in Pycte land & destroyed the Pyctes. he warred six scythes in Saxon and took all the land that is between tweed & the scottish see with wrong & with strength.   

¶ Of the languages of manners & usage of the people of that land. ca xv.  
AS it is known how many manner of people been in this island/ there been also so many languages & tongues. nevertheless Walsshe & Scots that been not meddled with other nations keep nigh yet their language & speech But yet the Scots that were sometime confederate & dwelled with Pyctes draw somewhat after their speech. But the flemings that dwell in the west side of Wales have left her strange speech & speaken like to Saxons/ also englishmen though they had fro the beginning three manner speeches. southern northern & middle speech in the middle of the land as they come of three manner of people of Germania. nevertheless by commixion & meddling first with Danes & afterward with Normans in many things the country language is appaired/ for some use strange wlaffing chytering harring garring & grysbyting. This apayring of the language cometh of two things/ ones by cause that children that gone to school learn to speak first Enlysshe/ & than been compelled to constrewe her lessons in french & that have been used sin the Normans come in to England/ Also gentlemen's children been learned & taught from their youngth to speak french/ & up londesshmen will counterfete & liken 'em self to gentlemen. & arn busy to speak french for to be more set by/ wherefore it is said by a common proverb. jack would be a gentlemen if he could speak french/ ¶ Treuisa. This was much used to for the great death/ but sith it is somedeal changed/ for sir johan cornwall a master of grammar changed the teaching of grammar school & construction of french in to english. And other school masters use the same way now in the year of our lord a. M. Ccc..lxxxu.the. ix. year of king richard the second/ & leave all french in scoles & use all construction in english wherein they have advantage one way that is that they learn the sooner their grammar/ & in an other disadvantage/ for now they learn no french ne can none/ which is hurt for them that shall pass the see. And also gentlemen have much left to teach their children to speak french. ¶ R. Hit seemeth a great wonder that Englishmen have so great diversity in their own language in sown & in speaking of it which is all in one island. And the language of Normandye is comen out of an other land & hath one manner sown among all them that speaketh it in England/ for a man of Kente. Southern. Western & Northern men speaken french all like in sown & speech/ but they can not speak their english ●oo. ¶ Treuisa. nevertheless there is as many diverse manner of french in the ream of France as diverse english in the ream of England. ¶ R. Also of the foresaid tongue which is departed in three is great wonder/ for men of the East with men of the west accord better in swooning of their speech/ than men of the north with men of the south Therefore it is that men of Mer●● that been of middle England as it were partners with the ends understand better the side languages northern and southern than northern & southern understand either other ¶ Wilhel. de 'pon li. iij. All the languages of the Northumbers & specially at York is so sharp shutting froting & unshappe/ that we southern men may uneath understand that language. I suppose the cause be that they be nigh to the aliens that speak strangely. And also by cause that the kings of England abide & dwell more in the south country than in the north country. The cause why they abide more in the south country than in the north country/ is by cause that theridamas is better corn land more people moo noble cities & moo profitable havens in the south country than in the north.  

¶ De gentis huius moribus. ¶ Gir. in itinere.  
FOr the manners & the doing of welsh men & of Scots been tofore somewhat declared. Now I purpose to tell & declare the manners and conditions of the meddled people of England. But the flemings that been in the west side of Wales been now all turned as they were englishmen by cause they company with english men. And they be mighty & strong to fight/ & been the most enemies that welshmen have/ and use merchandise & clothing and been full ready to put themselves in adventures & to peril in the see and land by cause of great wynnyuge/ & been ready sometime in the plough and sometime to oedes of arms when time & place asketh. It seemeth of these men a great wonder that in a bone of a wethers right shoulder when the flesh is sudden a way & not roasted they know what have be done/ is done/ & shall be done/ as it were by spirit of prophecy & a wonderful craft. They tell what is done in far countries/ tokens of peace or of war/ the state of the royalme/ slaying of men/ & spousebreche/ such things they declare certainly of tokens and signs that is in such a shoulder bone. ¶ R. But the englishmen that dwell in England been meddled in the island & been far fro the places that they sprung of first/ tornen to contrary deeds lightly without enticing of any other men by her own assent. And so unesy also full unpatient of peace/ enemy of business/ & full of sloth. ¶ Wilhel de 'pon. li. iij. saith. That when they have destroyed her enemies all to the ground/ then they fighten with 'em self & sleeth each other as a void and an empty stomach worketh in hit self ¶ R. nevertheless men of the south been e●yer & more mild than men of the north. For they be more unstable more cruel & more uneasy. The middle men been somedeal partners with both. Also they use 'em to gluttony more than other men & been more costle we in meet and clothing. Men supposeth that they took that vice of king Hardeknot that was a Dane. For he heat set forth twice double mess at dinner & at souper also. These men been speedful on horse and a foot. Able and ready to all manner deeds of arms/ and been wont to have victory & mastery in every fight where no treason is walking/ and been curious & can well tell deeds and wonders that they have seen. Also they gone in diverse lands uneath been any men richer in her own land or more gracious in far & in strange land/ they can better win and get new than keep her own heritage/ Therefore it is that they be spread so wide & ween that every land is their own. The men be able to all manner sleight & wit/ but tofore the deded blondering & hasty. And more wise after the deed than tofore/ & leaven of lightly what they have begun ¶ Solinus li. vi. Therefore Eugeniꝭ the pope said that englishmen were able to do what ever they would/ and to be set & put tofore all other/ ne were that light wit letteth. And as Hanyball said that the Romayus might not be overcome but in her own country/ so Englishmen may not be overcome in strange lands/ but in her own country they be lightly overcome. ¶ R. These men despisen her own & praise other men's. And uneath be pleased ner apaid with their own estate/ what befalleth & becometh other men/ they will gladly take to himself. Therefore it is that a yeoman arrayeth him as a squire/ a squire as a knight/ a knight as a duke/ a duke as a king. Yet some go about & will be like to all manner state & been in no state. For they take every degree that be of no degree/ for in bearing outward they been mynstrals and herowdes. In talking great speakers. In eating & drinking gluttons/ In gathering of cattles hucksters and taverners. In array tormentors. In winnings argi. In travail tantali. In taking heed dedaly. In beds sardanapali. In churches mawmetes. In courts thunder/ only in privy lege of clergy and in prebends they knowledge himself clerks ¶ Trevisa As touching the terms of latin as argi/ tantaly/ dedaly/ sardanapaly/ ye must understand them as the poets feigned of them. Argus was an herd and kept beasts/ he had an hundred eyen. And Argus was also a ship/ a shipman and a chapman/ and so Argus might see before & behind & on every side. Therefore he that is wise and ware and can see that he be not deceived may be called Argus. And so the chronicle saith in plural number that englishmen been argi/ that is to say they see about where as winning is. That other word tantali/ the poet feigneth that Tantalus flew his own son wherefore he is dampened to perpetual penance and he standeth alway in water up to the nether lip/ and hath alway type apples and noble fruit hanging down to the overlip/ but the fruit ne the water may not come within his mouth/ he is so hold and standeth between meet and drink and may neither etene drink and is ever an hungered & a thirst that woe is him a live/ by this manner likeness of Tantalus/ they that do right nought there as moche is to do in every side been called tantali. It seemeth that it is to say/ in travail they been tantali/ for they do right nought thereto. The third word is dedali/ take heed that Dedalus was a subtle and a sly man. And therefore by likeness they that been subtle and sly they be called dedali. And the fourth word is sardanapali/ ye shall understand that Sardanapalus was king of Assyryens and was full unchaste/ and used him for to lie soft And by a manner of likeness of him/ they that live unchastely been called sardanapali. ¶ R. But among all english meddled togethers is so great a changing and diversity of clothing and of array and so many manners and diverse shapes that well nigh is there any man known by his clothing and his array of what some ever degree that he be. Thereof prophesied an holy Anchor in king Egelfredes time in this manner. Henri. li. vi. englishmen for as much as they use them to dronkelewnes/ to treason and to retchlessness of god's house/ first by Danes and then by Normans/ and at the third time by the Scots that they hold the most wretches and lest worth of all other they shall be overcome. then the world shall be so unstable and so diverse and variable that the unstableness of thoughts shall be bytokened by many manner diversities of clothing.  
¶ Here followeth the description of the land of Wales.    

¶ Of the land of Wales. ca xvi.  
NOw this book taketh on hand  
Wales after England  
So take I my tales  
And wend in to Wales  
To that noble blood  
Of pryamus blood  
Ernowleche for to win  
Of great Jupiter'S kin  
For to have in mind  
Dardanus kind  
In these four titles I fond  
To tell thestate of that land  
Cause of the man I shall tell  
And then praise the land and well  
Then I shall write with my pen  
All the manners of the men  
then I shall fond  
Te tell marvels of the land   

¶ Of the name and why it is named Wales. ca xvij.  
WAles now is called Wallia  
And sometime it heat Cambria  
For Camber Brutes sone  
Was prince and there died won  
Then Wallia was to mean  
For Gwalaes' the queen  
King Ebrancus child  
Was wedded thither mild  
And of that lord Gwalon  
Withdraweth of the sound  
And put to l. i. a.  
And thou shalt find Wallia  
And though this land  
Be moche less than England  
As good glebe is one as other  
In the daughter as in the mother   

¶ Of the commodities of the land of Wales. ca xviij.  
THough that land be luyte  
It is full of corn & of fruit  
And hath great plenty iwies  
Of flesh and eke of fish  
Of beasts tame and wild  
Of horse sheep oxen mild  
Good land for all sedes  
For corn grass and herbs that spreads  
There been woods and medes  
Herbs and flowers there spreads  
There been Rivers and wells  
Valleys and also hills  
Valleys bring forth flood  
And hills metals good  
cool groweth under land  
And grass above at hand  
There lime is copious  
And slattes for house  
honey and milk white  
There is dainty and not light  
Of braket meet and ale  
Is great plenty in that vale  
And all that needeth to the live  
That land bringeth forth rive  
But of great riches to be draw  
And close many in short saw  
Hit is a corner small  
As though god first of all  
Made that land so feel  
To be selere of all hele  
Wales is dealed by  
A water that heat twy  
North wales from the south  
Twy dealeth in places full couth  
The south heat Demecia  
And the other Venedocia  
The first shooteth and arrows bears  
That other dealeth all with spears  
In Wales how it be  
Were sometime courts three  
At Carmerthyn was that one  
And that other was in Moon  
The third was in Powysy  
In Pegwern that now is Shrowesbury  
There were bishops seven  
And now been four even  
Under Saxons all at hand  
Sometime under princes of that land   

¶ Of the manners and rites of the welshmen. ca nineteen.  
THe manner living of that land  
Is well diverse from England  
In meet and drink and clothing  
And may other doing  
They be clothed wonder well  
In a shirt and in a mantel  
A crisp breach well fain  
Both in wind and rain  
In this clothing they be bold  
Though the weather be right cold  
Without sheets alway  
Evermore in this array  
They go fight play and leap  
Stand sit lie and sleep  
Without surcot gown cote & kirtle  
Without jopen tabard clock or bell  
Without lace & chaplet that her laps  
Without hood hat or caps  
Thus arrayed gone the sedges  
And alway with bare legs  
They keep none other going  
Though they meet with the king  
With arrows and short spears  
They fight with them that them deres  
They fight better if they needen  
When they go than when they riden  
In stead of castle and tour  
They take wood & mareys for succour  
When they seen it is to do  
In fighting they would be ago  
Gyldas saith they been variable  
In peace and not stable  
If men axe why it be  
It is no wonder for to see  
Though men put out of land  
To put out other would fond  
But all for nought at this stand  
For all many woods been at groaned  
And upon the see among  
Ben castles builded strong  
The men may dure long un eat  
And love well conume meet  
They can eat and been mury  
Without great cury  
They eat breed cold and hot  
Of barley and of oat  
Brode cakes round and thin  
As well seemeth so great kin  
seld they eat breed of wheat  
And seld they done ones eat  
They have gruel to pottage  
And lekes kind to companage  
Also butter milk and cheese  
Y shape endlong and corner wese  
Such messes they eat snell  
And that maketh 'em drink well  
Meet and ale that hath might  
thereon they spend day and night  
Ever the redder is the wine  
They hold it the more fine  
When they drink at ale  
They tell many a lewd tale  
For when drink is an handling  
They been full of jangling  
at meet and after eke  
Her solace is salt and leek  
The husband in his wise  
Telleth that a great price  
To give a cauldron with gruwele  
To hem that sitten on his meal  
He dealeth his meet at meal  
And giveth every man his deal  
And all the overpluse  
He keepeth to his own use  
Therefore they have woe  
And mishaps also  
They eaten hot salmon always  
All though physic say nay  
Her houses been low with all  
And made of yerdes' small  
Not as in cities nigh  
But far a sunder and not to high me  
When all is eaten at home  
Then to her neighbours will they to  
And eat what they may find & see  
And then torn home aye  
The life is idle that they ledes  
In brenning sleeping & such deeds  
welshmen use with her might  
To wash their guests feet a night  
If he wash her feet all and some  
Than they know that they be welcome  
They live so easily in a rout  
That seld they bear purse about  
At her breach out and home  
They hung their money and comb  
It is wonder they be so hende  
And hate crack at nether end  
And without any core  
Make their wardrobe at door  
They have in great mangery  
Harp tabor & pyp for mynstralcy  
They bear corpse with sorrow greet  
And blow loud horns of gheet  
They praise fast Trojan blood  
For thereof came all her broad  
nigh kin they will be  
Though they pass an hundred degree  
Above other men they will hein dight  
And worship priests with her might  
As angels of heaven right  
They worship servants of god almight  
Oft guiled was this broad  
And yearned battle all for wood  
For Merlyns prophecy  
And oft for sortelegye  
Best in manners of Brytons  
For company of Saxons  
Ben turned to better right  
That is known as clear as light  
They tyllen gardyns field & downs  
And draw 'em to good towns  
They ride armed as will god  
And go y hosed and you  
And sitten fair at her meal  
And sleep in beds fair and feel  
So they seem now in mind  
More english than welsh kind  
If men axe why they now do so  
More than they wont to do  
They lyven in more peace  
By cause of their riches  
For their cattles should slake  
If they used oft wreck  
dread of loss of her good  
Make them now still of mode  
All in one it is brought  
Have nothing and dread nought  
The poet saith a saw of preef  
The foot man singeth tofore the thief  
And is bolder on the way  
Than the horse man rich and gay   

¶ Of the marvels and wonders of Wales. ca xx.  
there is a pole at Brechnok  
Therein of fish is many aflok  
Oft he changeth his hew on cop  
And bere above a garden crop  
Oft time how it be  
Shape of house there shalt thou see  
When the pole is frore it is wonder  
Of the noise that is there under  
If the prince of the land hot  
Birds sing well merry note  
As merrily as they can  
And singen for none other man  
Besides Caerleon  
Two mile fro the town  
Is a roche well bright of leem  
Right against the son beem  
Goldclyf that roche height  
For it shineth as god full bright  
Such a flower in stone is nought  
Without fruit if it were sought  
If men could by craft undo  
The veins of th'earth & come thereto  
Many benefice of kind  
Ben now hid fro man's mind.  
And been vnknowe yet  
For default of man's wit  
great treasure is hid in ground  
And after this it shall be found  
By great study and business  
Of 'em that comen after us  
That old men had by great need  
¶ Treuisa.  
We have by busy deed  
In books ye may read  
That kind faileth not at need  
When noman had craft in mind  
Then of craft halpe god and kind  
When no teacher was in land  
Men had craft by god's hand  
They that had craft so then  
Taught forth craft to other men  
Some craft that yet come not in place  
Some man shall have by gods grace  
¶ R. An island is with noise & strife  
In west Wales at Kerdyf  
Fast by Severn strand  
Barry height that island  
In that hither side in a chene  
Shalt thou here wonder dene  
And diverse noys also  
If thou put thine ear to  
Noys of leaves and of wind  
Noys of metal thou shalt find  
Froting of iron & westones thou shalt here  
heating of ovens then with fire  
All this may well be  
By wawes of the see  
That breaketh in there  
With such noys and far  
At Penbrok in a stead  
Feudes do oft quede  
And throweth foul thing inn  
And despiseth also sin  
Neither craft ne beads may  
Do thence that sorrow away  
When it grieveth so  
To the men it bodeth woe  
At crucynar in west wales  
Is a wonder buryals  
Every man that cometh it to see  
Seemeth it even as much as he  
Hoole weepen there a night  
Shall be broken ere day light  
At nemyn in north wales  
A little island there is  
That is called bardysay  
Monks dwell there always  
Men live so long in that hur'st  
That the oldest dieth first  
Men say that Merlin there buried is  
That height also syluestris  
There were Merlyns twain  
And prophesied beyne  
One hyte Ambrose and Merlin  
And was ygoten by goblin  
In demecia at carmerthyn  
Under king Vortygeryn  
He told his prophecy  
Even in snowdonye  
Atte heed of the water of coneway  
In the side of mount eryry  
Dynas' embreys in welsh  
Ambrose hill in english  
King Vortygere's sat on  
The waterside and was full of won  
Then Ambrose Merlin prophesied  
¶ Treuisa  
Tofore him right tho.  
What wit would ween  
That a fiend might get a child  
Some men would mean  
That he may no such work weld  
That fiend that g●th a night  
〈◊〉 full oft to guile  
〈◊〉 is named by right  
And gyleth men other while  
Succubus is that wight  
God grant us none such vile  
Who that cometh in it guile  
Wonder hap shall he smile  
With wonder deed  
Both men and women seed  
fiends will keep  
With craft and bring an heap  
So fiends wild  
May make women bear child  
Yet never in mind  
Was child of fiends kind  
For withouten eye  
There might no such child die  
clergy maketh mind  
Death sleeth no fiends kind  
But death slew Merlin  
Merlin was ergo no goblyn  
An other Merlin of Albyn land  
That now is named scotland  
And he had names two  
Silvestris and Calidonius also  
Of that wood Calydonye  
For there he told his prophecy  
And heat Silvestris as well  
For when he was in battle  
And saw above a grisly kind  
And fill anon out of his mind  
And made no more abood  
But ran anon unto the wood  
¶ Treuisa. Silvestris is wood  
Other wild of mode  
Other else  
That at wood he dwells  
¶ R. Silvestris Merlin  
Told prophecy well and fyn  
And prophesied well sure  
Under king Arthure  
Openly and not so close  
As Merlin Ambrose  
There been hills in snowdonye  
That been wonderly high  
With height as great away  
As a man may go a day  
And heat eryry on welsh  
Snowy hills in english  
In these hills there is  
Leese enough for all beasts of Walis  
These hills on cop bears  
Two great fish wears  
Contained in that one pond  
moveth with the wind an island  
As though it died swim  
And neyheth to the brim  
So that herds have great wonder  
And ween that the world moveth under  
In that other is perch and fish  
Every one eyed is  
So fareth all well  
In Albania the mylwell  
In Rutlonde by Tetyngelle  
There is a little well  
That floweth not alway  
As the see twice a day  
But sometime it is dry  
And sometime full by the eye  
Theridamas is in Norwallia  
In Mon that heat Anglesia  
A stone according well nigh  
As it were a man's thigh  
How far ever that stone  
Be borne of any money  
On night it goth home his way  
That he found by assay  
Hugh th'earth of Shrowesbure  
In time of the first Harry  
For he would the sooth find  
That stone to an other he 'gan bind  
With great chains of iron  
And threw all yferen  
Y bound at one heap  
In to a water deep  
Yet a morrow that stone  
Was say early in mon  
A churl held himself full slyghe  
And bound this stone to his thigh  
His thigh was rotten or day  
And the stone went a way  
If men done lechery  
nigh that stone by  
Swote cometh of that stone  
But child cometh there none  
There is a roche right wonderly  
The roche of hearing by country  
Though there cry one man born  
And blow also with an horn  
Noise there made though thou abide  
Thou shalt here none in this side  
Theridamas is an other island  
Fast by Mon at hand  
hermits there been rive  
If any of 'em done strive  
All the mice that may beget  
Come and eat all their meet  
then cesseth never that woe  
Till the strife cease also  
As men in this land  
Ben angry as in ireland  
So saints of this country  
Ben also wretchefull alweye  
Also in this land  
In ireland and in Scotlonde  
Been bells and staves  
That in worship men haves  
And been worshipped so then  
Of clerks and of lewd men  
That dreaden also  
To sweren on any of though  
Staff either bell  
As it were the gospel  
At Basyngwerke is a well  
That Sacer heat as men tell  
Hit springeth so sore as men may see  
What is cast in it throweth aye  
Thereof springeth a great strand  
It were enough for all that land  
Seek at that place  
Have both hele and grace  
In the welmes ofter than ones  
Ben found reed spercled stones  
In token of the blood red  
That the maid wenefred  
Shad at that pit  
When her throat was kit  
He that died that deed  
Hath sorrow on his seed  
His children at all stounds  
Berken as welpes and hounds  
For to they pray that maid grace  
Right at that well place  
Either in Shrowesbury street  
There that maid rested sweet   

¶ Of the description of scotland sometime named Albania. ca xxi.  
IT is a common saw that the country which is now named scotland is an outstretching of the north party of britain/ & is departed in the south side from britain with arms of the see/ & in the other side all about be clipped with the see. This land heat some time Albania & had that name of Albanactus' that was king Brutus' sone/ for Albanactus' dwelled first therein/ or of the province Albania that is a country of Scicia & nigh to Amazona/ therefore Scots been called as it were scyttes/ for they come out of Scicia. afterward that land heat Pictavia for the Pyctes reigned therein a. M. lxx. year/ or as some tell a M. CCC. lx. year. And at last heat Hibernia as ireland height ¶ Gir. in top. For many skills/ one skill is for affinity & ally that was between them & irishmen/ for they took wives of ireland & that is openly seen in her believe/ in clothing/ in language & in speech/ in weepen & in manners. another skill is for irishman dwelled there sometime ¶ Beda li. j Out of ireland that is the proper country of Scots come irishman with her duke that was called Renda. And with love & with strength made 'em chief sees & cities besides the Pictes in the northside. ¶ Gir. Now the land is shortly called scotland of Scots that come out of ireland & reigned therein. CCC. xv. year unto the read Williams time that was Malcolins broad ¶ R. Many evydencꝭ we have of this Scotlonde that it is oft called & height Hibernia as ireland doth. ¶ There for Beda li. ij. ca xi. saith that Laurence arch bishop of Dunbar was archbishop of scott's that dwelled in an island that heat Hibernia & is next to britain Also Beda li. iij. ca xxvij. saith. Pestilence of moreyn bore down Hibernia Also li. iij. ca ij. saith That the Scottis that dwelled in the south side of Hibernia Also li. iiij. ca iij. he saith that Clad was a youngling & learned the rule of monks in Hibernia. Also li. iiij. ca xxij Egfridus king of Northumberlonde destroyed Hibernia. Also li. iiij. ca xv. the most deal of Scottis in Hibernia/ & in the same chapter he called Hibernia properly named/ that west island is an hundred mile from everich britain/ & departed with the see between & called Hibernia that country that now is called Scotlonde/ cheer he telleth that Adamuan abbot of this island sailed to Hibernia for to teach irishmen the lawful esterdaye. And at last come again in to Scotlonde. ¶ Icy. ethi. li. xiiij Men of this scotland been named Scots in their own language & Pictes also/ for sometime her body was painted in this manner/ they would sometime with a sharp egged toll prick & carve her own bodies & make thereon diverse figures & shapes and peynte hem with ink or with other painture or colour/ & by cause they were so painted they were called Picti/ that is to say painted. ¶ Erodotꝭ Scots been light of heart/ strange & wild enough/ but by meddling of Englyshmen they been much amended/ they been cruel upon their enemies & hateth bondage most of any thing/ and hold for a foul sloth if a man die in his bed/ & great worship if he die in the field/ They been little of meet & mow fast long/ & eaten seld when the son is up/ & eaten flesh fish milk & fruit more than breed. And though they be fair of shape they been defouled & made unseemly enough with their own clothing. They praise fast the usages of their own forfaders & despisen other men's doing/ her land is fruit full enough in pasture gardyns & fields ¶ Gir. de ●. ca xviij. The princes of Scots as the kings of Spain been not wont to be anointed ne crowned. In this scotland is solemn & great mind of saint Andrew th'apostle For saint Andrew had the north contrees of the world Scytes & Pyctes to his lot for to preach & convert the people to Crystes believe. And at last he was martyred in Achaia in Grecia in a city that was named Patras/ & his bones were kept. CC. lxxn. year unto Constantinus themperours time/ and then they were transleted in to Constatynople & kept there. C. x. year unto Theodosiꝭ themperours tyme. And thenne Vngus king of Pyctes in scotland destroyed a great part in britain & was beset which a great host of Brytons in a field called Merke/ & he heard saint Andrewespeke to him in this manner. Vngus ungus here thou me crystes apostle. I promise the help & succour/ when thou hast overcomen thine enemies by my help/ thou shalt give the third deal of thine heritage in alms to god almighty & in the worship of saint Andre we/ & the sign of the cross went tofore his host & the third day he had victory & so turned home again & dealed his heritage as he was boden And for he was uncertain what city he should deal for saint Andrew/ he fasted three days/ he & his men prayed saint Andrew that he would show him what place he would cheese. And one of the wardens that kept the body of saint Andrew in Constanstinople was warned in his sleep that he should go in to a place whereout an angel would lead him & so he come in to scotland with. un. fellows to that top of an hill named Ragmonde. The same hour light of heaven beshone & beclipped the king of Pyctes that was coming with his host to a place called Carceuan. There anon were heeled many seek men There met with the king Regulus the monk of Constantynople with the relics of saint Andrew. There is founded a church in worship of saint Andrew that is heed of all the churches in the land of Pyctes that is Scotlonde. To this church comen pylgryms out of all lands. There was Regulus first abbot & gathered monks. And so all the tyenthe land that the king had assigned him he departed it in diverse places among abbeys.   

¶ Of the description of ireland. ca. xxij  
HIbernia that is ireland/ & was of old time Incorperate in to the lordship of britain so saith Gir. in sua top. Where he descryveth it at full. Yet it is worthy & seemly to praise the land with larger praising/ for to come to clear & full knowledge of that land these titles that follow open the way Therefore I shall tell of the place & stead of that land how great & what manner land it is/ whereof that land hath plenty & whereof it hath default/ also of what men that dwelled therein first. Of manners of men of the land. Of the wonders of that land/ & of worthiness of hallows and saints of that land.   

¶ Of the bounding of ireland. ca. xxiij  
ireland is the last of all the west islands & height Hibernia of one Hiberus of Spain that was Hermonius brother/ for these two brethren gate & wan that land by conquest. Or it is called Hibernia of that river Hiberus that is in the west end of Spain/ & that land height Scotlonde also/ for Scots dwelled there sometime ere they come in to that other Scotlonde that longed to britain/ therefore it is written in the Martyloge. Such a day in Scotlond saint bride was born/ & that was in ireland This land hath in the southest side Spain three days sailing thence a side half/ & hath in the est side the more britain thence a days sailing/ in the west side the endless Ocean/ & in the north side Yselonde three days sayllynge thence. ¶ Solinus. But the see that is between britain & ireland is all the year full of great wawes & uneasy/ so that men may seld sail sickerly between/ that see is. C. xx. mile broad.   

¶ Of the greatness and quality of that land. ca xxiv.  
ireland is an island greatest after britain/ & stretcheth north ward from Brendas' hills unto the land Columbina & containeth eight days journey/ every journey xl mile/ & from Develyn to patrick's hills & to the see in that side in breed four journeys/ & ireland is narrower in the middle than in th'ends/ all otherwise than britain is/ as ireland is shorter northward than britain/ so is it longer southward/ the land is not plain but full of mountains of hills of woods of mareys & of mores/ the land is soft rainy windy & low by the see side & within hilly & sondy. ¶ Solinus There is great plenty of noble pasture & of lose/ therefore the bestis must be oft driven out of their pasture lest they eat overmuch for they should shende 'em self if they might eat at their will/ ¶ Gir. Men of that land have commonly their health/ & strangers have oft a perilous flux because of the moisture of the mete. The flesh of kyen is there wholesome/ & swines flesh unwholesome. Men of that land have no fever but only the fever ague & that right seld. Therefore the wholesomeness & health of that land & the cleanness out of venom is worth all the boost & richesse of trees of herbs of spycer of rich clothes & of pretyous stones of the East lands. The cause of the health & wholesomeness of that land is the attemperate heat & cold that is therein. In ●bz rebz sufficit. In this land been more kine than oxen/ more pasture than corn/ more grass than seed/ there is plenty of salmon/ of lampreys/ of celes & of other see fish. Of eagles/ of crane's/ of peacocks of curlewes/ of sperhaukes'/ of goshawks & of gentle falcons. Of wolves & right shrewd mice There been attercoppes/ blood soukers' cettes y● done none harm/ there been heirs little of body & full hardy & strong/ there been bernacles fowls like to wild ghees which grown wonderly upon trees/ as it were nature wrought again kind. Men of religion eateth bernacles on fastyndayes because they been not engendered with flesh/ wherein as me thinketh they err/ for reason is against that. For if if a man had eaten of Adam's leg he had eaten flesh/ & yet Adam was not engendered of father & mother/ but that flesh come wonderly of the earth/ & so this flesh come wonderly of the tree. In this land is plenty of honey & of milk of wine & of vyneyerdes ¶ Solinꝭ & Ysid. written that ireland hath no bees nevertheless it were better written that ireland had bees & no vine yerdes' ¶ Also Beda saith that there is great hunting to roobuckes/ & it is know that there been none. It is no wonder of Beda for he saw never that land but some man told him such tales. Also there groweth that stone Saxagonus & is called Iris also as it were the rainbow if the stone be hold against the son anon it shall shape a rainbow/ there is also founden a stone that is called Gagates & white margery pearls   

¶ Of the defaults of the land. ca. xxv  
Wheat corns been there full small uneath yclensed with man's hand/ reserved m●n/ all beasts been smaller there than in other lands. There lacketh well nigh all manner fish of fresh water that is not gendered in the see/ there lacken unkind faucons gerfaucons/ partrychis/ fesaunte nyghtyngals & pies/ there lacken also roe & buck & Ilespiles wonts and other venomous beasts. Therefore some men feign & the favourably that saint patrick cleansed the land of worms & of venomous bestis but it is more probable & more skilful that this land was from the beginning alway without such worms for venomous beasts & worms dyen there anon if men bring 'em thither out of other lands. And also veyyme and poison brought thither out of other lands losen their malice as soon as it passeth the middle of the see. Also powder & earth of that land cast & sown in other lands driven away worms ●o farforth that if a turt of that land be put about a worm it sleeth him or maketh him thrylle the earth for te●cape away In the land cocks crow but little tofore day/ so that the first crowing of cocks in that land & the third in other lands been like far tofore the day.   

¶ Of them that first inhabited ireland. ca xxvi.  
O Iraldus saith the Casera noah's niece dread the flood & fled which three men & thirty women in to the island & dwelled therein first the last yeretofore noah's flood. But afterward Bartholanus Seres son that come of japhet noah's son come thither with his three sons by hap or by craft. CCC. year after noah's flood & dwelled there & increased to the number of ix M. men & afterward for stench of kareyns of giants that they had killed they dieden all save one Ruanus that lived a. M. v c. year unto saint patrick's time/ & informed the holy man of the foresaid men & of all their doings & deeds. Then the third time come thither Nymeth out of Scicia with his four sons & dwelled there. CC xvi year. And at last of his offspring by diverse mishaps of wars & of moreyne they were clean destroyed & the land left void. CC year after. The fourth time five dukes that were brethren Gandius. Genandus. Sagandius. Rutheragus Slaviꝰ of the said Nymethes successors come out of Grece & occupied the land & dealed it in five parties/ & every party containeth xxij candredes. A candrede is a country that containeth. C. towns/ & they set a stone in the middle of the land as it were in the navel & beginning of five kingdoms. At the last Slavius was made king of all the land. The fifth time when this nation was xxx year together they wax feeble Four noble men that were Millesius the kings sons come out of Spain with many other in a navy of lx ships And two of the worthiest of these four brethren that heat Hiberus & Hermon dealed the land between 'em twain/ but afterward covenant was broken between hem both & Hiberus was slain then Hermon was king of all that land. And from his time to the first 〈◊〉 time were kings of that nation. C xxxi And so fro the coming of the Hibernensis unto the first patrick were. M eight year. They had that name Hibernenses & Hibernia of the foresaid Hiberus/ or else of Hiberus a river of Spain. They were called also Gaytels & Scottus of one Gaytelus that was Phenis' nephew. This Gaytelus could speak many languages/ after the languages that were made at Nemproths tower & wedded one Scotta Pharaoh's daughter. Of these dukes come the Hibernensis Men say that this Gaytelus made the irish language & called it Gaytelaf as it were a language gathered of all languages & tongues. At the last Belinus king of britain had a son & height Gurguncius. As this Gurguncius come out of Denmark at islands Orcades/ he found men that were called Basclensis & were come thither out of Spain/ these men prayed & besought for to have place to dwell inn. And the king sent 'em to ireland that was tho void & waste/ & ordained & sent with hem dukes & captains of his own/ & so it seemeth that ireland should long to britain by right of old tyme. From the first saint patrick unto Fedliundius the kyngus tyme. CCCC. year reigned xxxiij. kings everich after other in ireland. In this Fedliundius time Turgesius' duke & captain of Norway's brought thither men of Norway & occupied that land & made in many plac● deep dyches & castles single double & triple & many wards strongly walled & many thereof stand yet all hole/ but irishmen reach not of castles/ for they take woods for castles & mareys & mores for castle dyches/ but at last Turgesius died by guileful wiles of women / & englishmen say that Gurmundus wan ireland & made thilk dyches/ & make no mention of Turgesius/ & irishmen speak of Turgesius & know not of Gurmundus. Therefore it is to wete that Gurmundus had won britain & dwelled therein/ and sent Turgesius with great strength in to ireland for to win that land. & because Turgesius was captain & leader of that viage & journey & seen among them/ therefore irishmen speak moche of him as a noble man that was sern in that land & known. Atte last when Gurmundus was slain in France. Turgesius loved the kyngus daughter of ireland/ & her father behyght Turgesius' that he would send her him to the low larherin with xu maidens/ & Turgesius promised to meet there with xu of the noblest men that he had/ & held covenant & thought no guile/ but there come. xv. young berdles men clothed like women with short swords under her clothes/ & fill on Turgesius & slew him right there/ & so he was traitorously slain after he had reigned thirty. year. Not long after three brethren Amelanus Siracus & juorus come in to ireland with her men out of Norway as it had been for love of peace & of merchandise & dwelled by the see sides by assent of irishmen that were alway idle as Paul's knyghtus/ & the Norway's builded three cities Develyn Waterforde & Lymeryche & increased & after wax rebel against men of that land & brought first sparths in to ireland. So fro Turgesius' time unto Roderyks time king of Connacia that was the last that was king of all the land were xvij kings in ireland. And so the kyngus that reigned in ireland from the Hermons time unto the last Roderyks time were in all an. C lxxxi kyngus that were not crowned neither anointed ne by law of heritage/ but by might mastery & strength of arms. The second Henry king of England made this Roderyk subject the year of king Henry's age xl and of it regne xvij the year of our lord xi hundred lxxij   

¶ Of the conditions and manners of ireland. ca xxvij.  
sOlinus saith that men of this land been strange of nation houseles & great fighters & acounte ●yght & wrong all tor one thing/ & been single of clothing scarce of meet cruel of heart/ angry of speech/ & drinketh first blood of deed men that been slain & then washen their visages therewith & hold 'em paid with flesh & fruit in stead of meet & with milk in stead of drink/ & usen moche playing idleness & hunting/ & travail but little. In their chilhode they been hard nourished & hard fed & they be unseemly of manners & of clothing & have breach & hosen alone of wool & straight hodes that stretcheth a cubit over the shoulders behind & foldynges in stead of mantles & of cloaks. Also they use no saddles boots ne spurs when they ride/ but they drive their horse's with a chambered yard in the over end. In stead of bits with trenches & of bridles of reest/ they use bridles the let not their hois to eat their meet/ they fight unarmed naked in body/ nevertheless which two darts & spears. & with broad sparths they fight with one hand. These men forsaken tilling of land & keepen pasture for beasts They use long beards & long locks hanging down behind her hedes/ they use no craft of flax/ of wool/ of metal/ ne of merchandise/ but give 'em to idleness & to sloth/ & reckon rest for liking/ & freedom for riches. And though Scotlonde the daughter of ireland use harp timber & tabor. nevertheless irishman be cunning in two manner Instrumentis of music/ in harp & timber that is armed with wire & strenges of brass. In which Instruments though they play hastily & swiftly they make right merry harmony & melody with thick tewnes werbles & notes & begin from bemoll & playen secretly under dime sown in the great strenges/ & torn again unto the same so that the greatest party of the craft hideth the craft/ as it would seem as though the craft so hid should be ashamed if it were take. These men been of evil manners in her living/ they pay no tythyngꝭ/ they wed lawfully/ they spare not their alyes/ but the brother wedded the brothers wife/ they been busy to betray her neighbours & other/ they bear sparths in their hands in stead of staves & fight against them that trust most to them/ these men been variable & unsteadfast trechours & gyleful who that dealeth with them needeth more to beware of guile than of craft of peace than of brenning brands/ of honey than of gall/ of malice than knighthood/ they have such manners that they been not strong in war & in battle ne true in peace/ they become gossybs to them that they will falsely betray 〈◊〉 gossybrede & holy kindred. everich drinketh others blood when it is shed/ they love somedeal her nurse & her playferes which that suck the same milk that they soaked while they were children. And they pursue their brethren/ their cousins/ and their other kin/ & despisen their kin whiles they live/ & avenge their death when they been slain. So long hath the usage of evil custom endured among them that it hath gotten the mastery over them & turneth treason in to kind so farforth that they been traitors by nature. And aliens & men of strange lands that dwell among them followen their manners that uneath there is none but he is besmetted with their treason also. Among them many men pyssen sitting/ & women standing. There been many men in that land foul shapen in limbs & in body/ for in their limbs they lack the benefice of kind. So that nowhere been none better shapen than they that been there well shapen & none worse shapen than they that been evil shapen. And skilfully nature hurt & defouled by wickedness of living bringeth forth such foul grooms & evil shapen of 'em that with unlawful dealing with foul manners & evil living so wickedly defouled kind & nature. In this land & in Wales old wives & women were wont & been yet as men say oft for to scape themselves in likeness of hares for to milk their neighbours kine & steel her milk/ & oft greyhounds rennen after them & poursewen them & weenen that they be hares. Also some by craft of necromancy maken fat swine for to be reed of colour & sell them in markets and feyres. But as soon as these swine pass any water they torn in to their own kind whether it be straw hay grass or turfs. But these swine may not be kept by no craft for tendure in likeness of swine over three days Among these wonders & other take heed that in the uttermost end of the world falleth oft new marvels & wonders. As though kind played with larger love secretly & far in th'ends. than openly & nigh in the middle/ therefore in this island been many grisly wonders & marvels.   

¶ Of the marvels and wonders of ireland. ca xxviij.  
MAny men tell that in the north side of ireland is the land of life. In that island noman may die but when they been old & been vexed with great sickness/ they been borne out in to the next land & die there. There is an other island in ireland that no woman therein may bear a child/ but yet she may conceive. Also there is an island in which no deed body may rotten. In vltonia that is Ulster is an island in a lake wonderly departed in twain In that one party is great disturbance & discomfort of fiends/ & in that other party great liking & comfort of holy angels. There is also saint patrick's purgatory that was showed at his prayers to confirm his preaching & his lore when he preached to mysbleved men of sorrow & pain that evil men should suffer for her wicked works. And of joy & of bliss the good men shall receive for her holy deeds/ he telleth that who that suffereth the pains of the purgatory/ if it be enjoined him for penance he shall never suffer the pains of hell/ but he die finally without repentance of sin/ as the ensample is set more full at this chapters end. ¶ Treuisa. But truly noman may be saved but if he be very repentant what somever penance he do/ & every man that is very repentant at his lives end shall be sekerly saved/ though he never here of saint patrick's purgatory. There is an island in Connacte Salo/ that is in the see of Conaccia/ hallowed by saint Brandan that hath no mice/ there deed bodies been not buried/ but been kept out of the earth & rotten not. In Mamonia is a well/ who that washeth him which that water of that well he shall wax hoar on his heed/ There is an other well in Vltoma/ who somever is washen therein he shall never wax hoar afterward. There is a well in Mounstre or Mamoma ●f any man touch that well anon shall fall great rain in all the province & the rain shall never cease till a priest that is a clean maiden sing a mass in a chapel fast by & bless the wa●er & with milk of a cow that is of one here bell prynge the well/ & so reconcile the well in this strange manner. At Glyndalcan about the oratory of saint ●eywyn withges berith apples as it were apple trees & been more wholesome than savoury That holy saint brought forth these apples by prayers for to hele his child that was seek. There is a lake in Ulster & moche fish therein/ which is xxx mile in length and xu in breed The river Ban runneth out o● that lak● in to the north Ocean/ and men say that this lake began in this manner. There were men in that countr●e that were of evil living/ 〈◊〉 cumbrutis. And there was a well in the land in great reverence of old time/ and alway covered/ & if it were left uncovered the well would rise & drown all the land. And so it happened that a woman went to that well for to fetch water & hied her fast to her child that wept in the cradle/ & left the well uncovered/ then the well sprang so fast that it drowned the woman & her child & made all the country a lake & a fish pond. For to prove that this is south it is a great argument/ that when the weather is clear/ fisher's of that water see in the ground under the water round towers & high shapen as steeples & churches of that land. In the north side of ireland in the country of Ossyryens every vij year at the prayer of an holy Abbot/ twain that been wedded a man & a woman must needs been exiled & forshapen in to likeness of wolves & abide out vij year. And at end of vij year if they live they come home again & take again their own shape/ and then shall other twain go forth in their stead & so forshapen for other vij year. There is a lake in this land if a pool of tree be pight & sticked therein that part of the shaft or pool that is in the earth shall torn in to iron/ & that part that abideth in the water shall torn in to stone/ & the part that abideth above shall be tree in his own kind Also there is a lake that turneth hazel in to ash & ash in to hazel if it be done therein. Also in ireland been three salmon leaps there as samons leap against a ●●che a long spears length. Also in 〈◊〉 is a pond there be seen 〈◊〉 birds/ the birds been called certell●● & come homely to man's hand but if men do hein wrong or harm. thry gone away & come not again/ & the water there shall wax bitter & stink/ & he that died the wrong shall not a start without wretch & mischief but if he do amends. ¶ R. As touching patrick's purgatory. Ye shall understand that the second saint patrick that was abbot & not bishop while he preached in ireland laboured & studied for to torn thilk wicked men that lived as beasts out of her evil life for dread of pains of hell/ & for to comferme 'em in good life/ & they said they would not torn but some of them might know somewhat of the great pains/ & also of bliss that he spoke of. then saint patrick prayed to god almighty therefore/ & our lord Ihu cryst appyred to saint patrick & took him a staff & lad him in to a wild place & showed him there a round pit that was dark within & said/ that if a man were very repentant & stable of believe & went in to this pit & walked therein a day & a night/ he should see the sorrows & the pains of evil men/ & the joy & bliss of good men. then Cryst vanished out of patrick's sight/ & saint patrick arreared & builded there a church & put therein canons regular & closed the pit about with a wall/ & is now in the church yard at cest end of the church & fast shit with a strong door. For no man should nicely go in without leave of the bishop/ or of the prior of the place. Many men went in & come out again in patrick's time & told of pains & joy that they had seen/ & the marvels that they saw been their yet written/ & by cause thereof many men turned & were converted to right believe. Also many men went in & come never again. In king Stephen's time king of England a knight that height Owayne went in to saint patrick's purgatory & come again & dwelled ever after during his life in the needs of th'abbey of Ludensis that is of thorder of Chystews & told many wonders that he had seen in patrick's purgatory. The place is called patrick's purgatory & the church is named Reglis. Noman is enjoined for to go in to that purgatory/ but counseled that he should not come therein but take upon him other penance. And if a man have avowed & be stable & will needs go therein/ he shall first go to the bishop & thenne he shall be sent with letters to the prior of the place & they both shall counsel him to leave and if he will needs go thereto he shall be in prayers & in fasting xu days & after xu days he shall be houseld & lad to the door of the purgatory with procession & tyranny/ & yet he shall be counseled to leave it/ & if he be steadfast & will enter/ the door shall be opened & he blessed & go in on god's name/ & hold forth his way/ & the door shall be fast shut till the next day/ and when the time is the prior shall come & open the door/ & if the man be comen he leadeth him in to the church with procession/ & there he shall be xu days in pryers & fasting.   

¶ Of the marvels of saints of ireland ca xxix.  
HEre Giraldus maketh mind that as men of this nation been more angry than other men and more hasty for to take wretch whiles they been a live/ so saints and hallows of this land been more wretchefull than saints of other lands. Clerks of this land been chaste & say many prayers & done great abstinence a day/ & drinketh all night/ so is accounted for a miracle/ that lechery reigneth not there as wine reigneth/ & they that been evil of them been worst of all other. So good men among them though they been but few been good at the best/ prelate's of that country been full slow in correction of trespass/ & busy in contemplation & not in preaching of god's word. Therefore it is that all the saints of that land been confessors & no martyr among them/ & no wonder for all the prelate's of this land been chosen out of abbeys in to the clergy & done as monks should/ what clerks & prelatis ● should do is to them unknown Therefore when it was put against the bishop of Cassyll how it might be that so many saints been in ireland & never a martyr among them all sithen that the men been so shrewd & so angry/ & the prelate's so reckless & ●●owe in corrections of trespass. The bishop answered frowardly enough & said/ our men been shrewd & angry enough to themselves/ but to god's servants they leye never hand but do 'em great reverence & worship/ but english men come in to this land that can make martyrs/ and were wont to use that craft. ¶ R. The bishop said so because that king Henry the second was though new comen in to ireland freshly after the martyrdom of saint Thomas of Caunterbury. ¶ Gir. In this 〈◊〉 in Wales and in Scotlonde been be●●es & s●aues with crooked hedes and other such things for relics in great reverence & worship/ so that men of this land droden more for to swear up on one of thilk bells & gold staves than upon the gospel. The chief of all such relics is holden Ihus staff that is at Develyn/ with the which staff they say that the first saint patrick drofe the worms out of ireland ¶ Augꝭ. de ci. dei ca seven. If men axe how it may be that diverse manner beasts & of diverse kind that been kindly gotten between male & female come and been in islands after noah's flood. Men supposen that such beasts swam in to islands about/ and first to the next & so forth in to other. Or else men sailing in to islands brought with 'em such beasts for love of hunting/ or angels at god almyghtyes commandment brought such beasts in to islands about/ or the earth brought them forth first & fulfilled though god's commandment/ that commanded the earth to bring forth grass & quick beasts.  
¶ Here endeth the description of britain/ the which containeth England Wales and Scotlonde/ and also by cause ireland is under the rule of England & of old time it hath so continued/ therefore I have set the description of the same after the said britain/ which I have taken out of Polycronycon. And by cause it is necessary to all englishmen to know 〈◊〉 properties commodities and marvelled of them/ therefore I Williain 〈◊〉 have them set first in enprynte 〈…〉 to the 〈…〉 〈◊〉/ which at request of the lord Barkeley translated the book of Polycronycon in to english.   

¶ finished and imprinted at westminster by me winken de word/ the year of our lord a. M. CCCC. and four score and xviij