1598 SPECVLI BRITANIAE Pars
The descripsion of Hartford-shire By John Norden
Amplissimo honoratissimo (que), D. Edwardo Seamor militi, Baroni Beauchamp, Comiti Hertfordiae literarum fautori maximo.
SI hoc tibi (ornatissime) itinerarium, alicuius nouitatis pretextu, vel rei non anteactae vel praefatae obferreviderer: Nonnè tempus & veritas ipsa hac in me sapientis irruant sententia: Nihil esse sub sole nouum? Imò vero mille homines in me testes insurgant, asserentes hoc opus meum tardé post non nullorum proficisci. Fac sit. Ego post omnes, hoc meum incultissimum in lucem duco. Et cúm summi honoris tui tituli typum, in publicum secum fert▪ Officio me vinctum putabam tuae amplitudini primùm libēter exhibere, tuumque & in opus & operarium, vt praesidium digneris instanter obsecrare. Summis honoribus viuas, Summisque consolationibus a deo opt. max.
To Gentlemen well affected to this trauaile.
FOrasmuch as many men are borne to many misteries, and they bende their endeuours to sundry ends. My lot lighting vpon this labour, for which many other are more fitte, am not perchaunce so well furnished with such necessary varieties as wil please all men. And therefore I wil thankfully accept, any gentle reformation of my wantes and imperfections, And who so will lende his assistance to further my simple endeuours, according to the course and method herin intended, I shal most willingly repay him his owne with aduantage, and yeelde euerie coadiutor his condigne commemoration in the worke.
Thinges to be considered in the vse of this booke and Mappe.
THe figures and letters, which followe the names of the places in the alphabeticall tables, are a ready meane whereby to find, any place desired in the Mapp, by referring them to meet, in the squares, very familiarly: without which helpe a place vnknown would be long to find in the Mappe.
Betweene the lines is 2. miles, by which a distance may bee found without compasses
Corrections.
- In pag. 2. line 36. for oppiden read oppidum.
- In pag. 3. Among the market townes, Hatfeyld is omitted.
- In pag. 6. line 18. for Wendod read Wendon.
- In pag, 6, line 26. for Laue read Luye.
- In pag. 6. line 42. for nosome read noysome.
- In pag. 12. line 30. for tromules read tremulis.
The Discription of Hartfordshire.
HARTFORDSHIRE takethThe denomination of the Shire. name of the Towne called HARTFORDE and the Towne of the passage ouer the Riuer.
The passage as (M. Camden supposeth) is HERVDFORDE, Vadum rubrum. Vadum ceruinum.
It may be also, both consonant to the sounde and to the nature and scituation of the place, vadum ceruinum. THE PASSAGE OF DEERE of that kinde whereof the chiefe males were ealled Hartes, in former ages: at this day Stagges. The disposition of this part of the countrie, to forrest and weldish groundes, fitte for the fostering of such kinde of wilde beastes, doth much more argue it to be HARTESFORDE, then HERVD, for THE RVDFORD. As I coniecture.Hartingfordberye.
Moreouer, not farre from the towne, is a place called HARTINGFORD, which signifieth vadumad ceruinum pratum, or ad ceruinum pascuum.
This Shire was part of that countrey where Ptolomey placed theCattieuctani Cattieuctani: who possessed the greatest part of this Buckingham and Bedfordshires. Situs.
It hath on the East Essex, on the north Cambridshire and Bedfordshire, West and South Buckinghamshire and Middlesexe.
As touching vicecountile iurisdiction, before and long after theSometime annexed vnto Essex, time of Edw. 3. it was annexed to Essex. And one Sheriffe supplied both Countics, as did also one Eschetor.
Concerning the Soyle:The Soyle. It is for the most part, chalkie, though the vpper cruste in the South and West parts, be for the most part of redde earth mixed with grauell, which yet by reason of the white marle vnder it, yeeldeth good wheat and oates: But of it owne nature most enclined to [...]ood, and coupisses, affording also faire wayes. In the North part of the Shire, as in the hundreds of Hitche, and Oddesey, the soyle is very apt to yeeld corne, and dertie wayes, especially that part which is accompted parcell of a vayle [Page 2] called of the countrie men the vayle of Ring-tayle or Wring-tayle orThe vayle of Ringtayle. rather Ringdale, which extendeth it selfe also into Cambridg-shire. And affordeth no small store of wheat and malte towards the prouision of London.
This Shire at this day is, and more hath beene heretofore, much repleat with parkes woodes and riuers. But for deepe feedinges orParkes, woods & riuers. Sheepe pastures. Meadowes. large sheepe pastures, I could take notice of fewe, and they especially about KNEBWORTH the best sheepe gates within the Shire,
Meadowes here and there, are dispersed vpon the riuers sides: But many of them colde and mossye, especially about RICKMANSWORTH. The LEA challengeth the commendation for the best meadowes, the North parte of the Shire is much vnfurnished.
To speake of the Soyle as in deede it is most generally, for my part I take it but a barraine countrie, in respecte of some otherThe soyle most generally barraine. Thorrowfares the cause of good markets. Shires, without the industrious toyle & charge of the thirstie husbandman.
It is much benefited by thorrow fares to and from London Northwardes, and that maketh the markets to bee the better furnished with such necessaries, as are requisite for Innes, for th'intertainement of trauaylers. And I take it (though it be one of the least) no one Shire in England for the quantitie commes neere it for thorow-fare places of competent receit.
The ayre for the most partis very salutarie, and in regard thereof,The ayre. many sweete and pleasant dwellinges, healthfull by nature and profitable by arte and industrie are planted there: And aboue other Shires there are many auncient Sites, houses in former ages famous, commonly called BERYES, which are in other ShiresBerryes. called Halls, Courte-houses, and Mannorplaces. The most part of these BERRYES are Mannors or Lordshippes of themselues, the worde BERRYE sodem significat: a dwelling place or place ofBERRY quid. aboad, inde Connie beryes, a refuge for Connyes.
But the worde Berye is often confounded with Burrough, Burye and Berge: euery of which haue their distinct significations: BVRROWBerye often confounded. Borrough, Burye, Berge, quid Beryes why decayed. The diuision of the Shire into hundreds. oppidem: BVRYE, sepulchrum: BERG, montem significat: And BERYE sometime is taken pro castro▪ et exercitus castrametatione. And therefore in regard of the antiquitie of these Beryes, I thought it not superfluous, to obserue the most of name, and to insert them in the Mappe, though now they carrie not equall glorie in outward shewe, with som of inferiour condition: for the most part of them hauing lost their auncient Lords, or the Lords let them for so loftie rentes, as that they are sackt of their antique royalties, and bereft of their former beautie.
This Shire is deuided into 7. hundreds and ½ namely:
ODDESEY hundred, which taketh name of an auncient [Page 3] house called ODDESEY GRAVNGE which standethOddesey. neere old WATLINE-STREET, and abutteth parte on Bedfordshire, and part on Cambridgshire, and aboundeth especially with corne.
EDWINESTRE hundred bordereth vpon Essex.
BRAWGHING hundred taketh name of a parishe of thatEdwinestree. Brawghing. Hartford. name, and boundeth vpon Edwinestree.
HARTFORD hundred is named of Hartford the prouincial towne of the Shire.
BROADWATER hundred, so tearmed of a little hamletBroadwater of 2. or 3. houses neere Steuen edge.
COISHOO hundred, or CAEGSHOO, is named ofCaishoo Cassij. an anncient Berye, called Caishoo-berye, de CASSIIS of a people mentioned by Caesar resident in this hundred as M. Camden affirmeth. See more of this vnder that name in the table of parishes.
DACORVM hundred, (as I am out of doubt) de Dacis of theDacorum. Danes, who in this hundred, after many spoiles committed by them were ouerthrowne by Adelnulph, and Adelbalde his sonne about the yeere of Christ 8 29. And in memoriall of their ouerthrow, and stoppe of their further passage that way at that time, the place where the fight was is to this day called DANE ENDE Dacorum clades. And neere it in the highway towardes Steuen edge, areDACORVM clades. Hitch. many burials, great heapes of earth, vnder which are enterred, such as were slaine, at that conflict as may be supposed.
HITCH halfe hundred, so called of a wood called HITCHWOOD, and not of Hitchin towne, which indeed is HITCHENDE, terminus de Hitch, and not Hitch-ing, as it is corruptly tearmed, and the hundred is HITCH-HAVLFE hundred not Hitchnie nor Hitching haulfe hundred.
This Shire is well furnished with market townes, the most of them plentifull of all thinges necessarie for the peoples reliefe: namelie.
- SAINT ALBONS, which hath market on theMarket townes.Saterday.
- BARNET on the Munday.
- BARKHAMSTED on the Munday.
- BALDOCK a little market on the Thursday.
- BVNTINGFORD on the Munday.
- BARKWAY on the Fryday.
- HEMSTED on the Thursday.
- HARTFORD on the Saterday.
- HODDESDON on the Thursday.
- HITCH-END on the
- [...]RYCKMANSWORTH on the Saterday.
- ROYSTON on the Wednesday.
- [Page]STORTFORD, a very good market on the Thursday
- SABRIDGWORTH on the Wednesday,
- TRINGE a little market on the Fryday.
- WAYRE on the Tuesday.
- WATFORDE on the In number 18.
- 2 At RICKMANSWORTH on Ladie day in haruest: and onRickmansworth, Watfordthe second of Iuly.
- 2 At WATFORD on Trinitie Munday, et per duas dies proximè sequentes, and on the decolation of Iohn Baptist.
- 2 At BARKHAMSTED on sainte Peters day, and sainteBarkhamstedIames day.
- 1 At TRING S. Peters day.Tring
- 1 At HEMSTED at the day of Holie-crosse.
- 3 At saint ALBAN on Michaelmas day, on Th'annunciation ofS. Albans.Mary, and vpon saint Albans day, which is 3. dayes after Midsommer,
- 1 At the PREE, called Sancta Maria de pratis, on ItThe Pree.is held sometime in the towne of S. Albans, or in Keyfeild neere Sop well.
- 3 At HITCH-END on the Wednesday in Easter weeke, onHitch-end.Michaels day, and on S. Edw. day.
- 1 At BENNINGTON on S. Peters day.Bennington Hatfeild. Hartford.
- 1 At HATFEYLD on S. Georges day.
- 4 At HARTFORD on S. Iohn Baptist day, on Simon and Iudes day, on the fryday before Passion sunday, and our Lady day 4. September.
- 3 At BALDOCKE on S. Matthyas day, sainte Androwes day,Baldockeand on saint Matthewes day.
- 2 At SABRIDGWORTH on S. Georges day, and on saintSabridgeworth. StortfordeDionise day.
- 3 At STORTFORD on Michaels day, on Ascention day, and on corpus Christi day,
- 1 At WAYRE on the natiuitie of Marie. Wayre. Hoddesdon Royston.
- 1 At HODDESDON S. Peters day.
- 3 At ROYSTON on Ashwednesday, on the Wednesday in Whitsun weeke, and at Thomas Beckets day.
- At Chipping Bernet on
- At S. Giles onBernet.
The deuision of the Shire.
THe Iustices of the Shire for the more ease of themselues andThe Shire deuided into 3. parts the cōmon people, haue by consent deuided the whole Shire into 3. partes or deuisions, for the determination of matters of meanest moment.
- 1 The first deuision is of CAISHOO and DACORVM hundreds, and for this the Iustices of that limitte meete sometime at Welwine and sometime at Steuen-edge.
- 2 BROADWATER and HITCH haulfe hundred meete at S. Albans.
- 3 HARTFORD, BRAWGHING, ODDESY and EDWINESTREE meete at Hartford or Hoddesdon.
But for matters of greatest importance the Iustices meete all at Hartford, where is also the common gaole for the Shire, and in theHartford the Prouinciall towne and most generall place of meeting. Castle the gaole deliuerie, except onely for the libertie of S. ALBANS which both for ecclesiasticall & eiuill gouernement, hath peculiar power within it selfe, whose Iurisdiction reacheth into these parishes, namely:
- S. ALBANS. wherein are parishes.
- S. Michaels
- S. Steuons.
- S. Peters.
- WATFORD.
- RICMANSWORTH.
- NORTON neere Baldocke.
- NEWNHAM.S. Albans libertie.
- RIDGE.
- HEXTON.
- WALDEN abbottes.
- SARRET.
- LANGLEY abbottes.
- ELSTRE or Eglestre.
- BVSHIE.
- CVDYCOT. or Casticot, of some Caudecot.
- SHEPEHALE.
- SANDRIDGE.
- REDBVRNE.
- BARNET.
- S. ANDROWES in S. Albans. Goole and gaole deliuerie for the libertie. The Deanrie of S. Albans, Brawghing
These haue gaole and gaole deliuerie at S Albans, 4. times in the yeere, namely the thursday after the quarter Sessions, at Hartforde, which is alwayes on the Munday.
For Ecclesiasticall gouernement, these former belong to the Diocesse of LONDON, and is called the DEANERIE OF S. ALBANS, together also with the Deanerye of Brawghing.
[Page 6]The rest of the Shire belongeth to the sea of LINCOLNE and conteineth the Deanries of
- BARKHAMSTED.Deanries belonging to the Sea of Lincoln. Riuers. Stort.
- HITCH-END.
- HARTFORD.
- BALDOCK.
To speake something of the Riuers that water this Countrie, the STORT may be first mentioned, because it lyeth farthest in the East, and is the Bound betweene this Shire and Essex: But that this Shire steppeth ouer the riuer, both at Stortford, and neere Sabridgworth, and fetcheth within her limits about Stortford, the Castle of Waymore Hockerell, the parsonage of Stortford, with other thinges in Essex side, and at Sabsworth or Sabridgeforde it depriueth Essex of a house called HYDE-HALL.
Some, as I take it in tearming this Stort the STOVR are notStour. meerely mistaken, for though the Stowrē parteth Suffolke and Essex, and riseth at STOVR-MER, the Stort riseth in Essex also neere WENDON LOWGHES and signifieth Wendod water, and beginnes to deuide the two Shires betweene Stortford and Fernham about a mile aboue Stortford: And may in deede not amisse be called Stowret, THE LESSER OR LITTLE STOWR.Stowret. And the passage ouer the riuer neere Waymore Castle is called STOWRETFORD, briefely STORTFORD, whereof the Towne taketh name, and is called STORTFORD for Stowretsord. And vnder the name of the Stowret or Stort, it maintainethStowretford. that deuision, till it come beneath an auncient house called the REE, where it meeteth with the LEA or LAVE, who as theThe Ree. more worthie bereaues the little Stort of her title and glorie, and vnder the name of the Lea, they both in one hasten to WALTHAM ABBEY, and there bidde HARTFORDSHIRE vale, continuing her most milde course as stickler betweene Essex and Middlesex, vntill she present her selfe to famous Thames.
The LEA is the most famous Riuer within this Shire: AndLea. bringeth as it were a testimoniall of her worh from the Saxons, who entitled her LIGEAN or LIGEAM Lea water. And it mayLigean. be supposed & probably gathered, that she yeelded in those pristine ages, some prayse-worthy fruites vnto that antique nation, as her free entertainement of boates and shippes, from the Thames euen to Hartford, for the more easie entercarriage of thinges betweene London & it, though now, & many yeers past, (as discontent) sheBoates to Hartford. hath refused that publique seruice affording onely, of late, accesse for small boates or barges to WAYRE, a benefite necessary and no way no some.
This Riuer hath many braunches, but her head first seemeth to looke into the light, not farre from an auncient house, called of the spring there, LEA-MER, corruptly LAMER, which signifietheamer. [Page 7] the head, spring or well of LEA. As the Stowre which passeth betweene Suffolke and Essex, beginneth at STOVR-MER, theStour-mer. head or spring of Stoure.
The Lea coasteth as it were through the Center of the Shire, deuiding it neere into two equall partes, and in her passage, amongWhitwell. Marran. Bene. Benefician. other, she receyueth the WHITWELL riuer, whose auncient name is MARRAN. Entring the Lea west off Hartford, and betweene that and Wayre, the BENE or auncient BENEFICIAN, a riuer that riseth not farre from BEINENTON or BENINGTON increaseth the Lea, not farre from a place alluding also to that name called BENGEHOO or rather BENEHOOBenge koo. the riuer of Bene by interpretation.
A third braunch, which first riseth about Barkeway, Austie, and Buntingford, maketh way by Brawghing, and neere Bengehoo entereth the Lea.
A fourth braunch, riseth about the Pelhames, making way by the Hadhames, and East off Wayre greeteth the Lea.
The RFDBVRNE riuer riseth not farre from Flamsted anRedburne. auncient Baronie, and thence passeth by Redburne, and in her way towardes the decayes of old Verlam, it greeteth the Lady of Pree S. MARIA DE PRATIS a Nunnerie and a kind neighborSancta Maria de pratis. to Albans Abbey. This fall of water, was called VERLAME, as Antiquaries obserue, and thereof VEROLANIVM, and VERLAMECESTER: whereby it may be gathered that the former Flamsted where this Verlame water first appeareth, should be rather VERLAMSTED then Flamsted: Flamsted being moreFlamsted for Verlamsted. fortè. easie to be pronounced, and so drowning verlam with flam, as in many wordes f. is taken for the u. consonant, and that u. fot f. especially among the common people, that pronounce vather sometime for father. This Verlam riuer or the Redbourne was the foode that relieued that famous great poole which was betweene Verlamcester and Holmehurst hill where Albans towne standeth: Of which poole so many coniectures hauebeene, that it should be part of the flowing Thames, whereof is spoken hereafter in S. Albans.
This Verlame or Redburne Riuer not much belowe Albans towne, offereth her selfe to the COLNE, a riuer that there imbracethColne. her, and drowning both the names of Verlame and Redbourne, vsurpeth the whole ritle and glorie to her selfe, and immediatly begetteth COLNEY and COLNEY-STREET, and passing on sheColney. Colney-street visiteth WATFORD or WATLINGFORD, the auncient ruynes of Morhouse, Rickmansworth, Vxbridge and another of her begotten called COLN-EBROOKE, and so without stay sheeColnebrooke. submitteth herselfe to the Thams, the mained euouring gulfe of all these petite streames.
This riuer ere it commes to Riokemansworth deuoureth Caishoo riuerCaishoo. and another that falles out of Buckinghamshire.
Beacons or Beaukens within the Shire.
THe Steeple of S. Peters in S. Albans. Beacons.
- Graueley Beacon.
- Tharfield Beacon.
- Amwell Beacon.
Hartford Towne hath long. 20. degrees and latitude 52. degrees. ⅙′Longit. & lat. Parishes in number.
Within this Shire are 120. parishes and 15. Chappels of ease, yet in vse, some of them carrying the name of parishes. In the whole 135.
Joannes Norden perambulaunt & descripsit 1598
Wilhelmus kip Sculpsit.
An alphabetical Table of the townes Parishes and Hamlets for the most part within the Shire.
AYOT. h. 18. called Ayot Lawrence, neere which place Adelnulph and Adelbaide his sonne gaue theAnno. 829. Danes an ouerthrow: the place to this day where they were slayne, is called DANE-ENDDacorum clades. Dacorum clades.
AYOT h. 20. called Ayet Mountfitchet or little Ayot.
ALDBERIE d. 30. Villa vel aula antiqua.
ALDBERYE i. 18. eiusdem significationis.
AFFLEY e. 14.
ALDNHAM m. 18. Idem quod ALD-BERYE.
S. ALBANS. k. 18. Villa Albani. ALBANS TOWNE first founded by Offa K. of the Mercees, in perpetuall memorie ofAlbans towne founded. 790▪ or 793. Holmchurst. Dours-waldt Alban in the 33 yeere of his raigne. The Towne is said to be builded in the place where Alban was martyred, namely vpon a hill in a wood called HOLMEHVRST of Beda DOVRSWALDT: which is the wood neere the water, meaning the great Stagne, which was betweene Verlame and the place of Alban execution. Alban was a Cittizen of Verolame, and by bloud a Romane, and gaue entertainement to Amphibal at his comming to that citie. by whom he was from Paganisme conuerted to the Christian faith,Capgraue. for which he suffered as Capgraue affirmeth, whose further friuolous reportes of the miracles wrought by this holy Conuert, liuing and dead, I leaue as idle or needelesse▪ onely it seemeth probable that such a man there was executed at that place, and for his eternall commemoration, this Albans Monasterie was founded, and consequently the towne, both consecrate to his owne name. And endowed with many large priuiledges and dayly augmented and successiuely confirmed, by the charters of many Kings of this LandThe Kings auncient confirmation of charters. The Monasterie enlarged. The priuiledges of S. Albans. whereof I haue seene and read not a sewe; signed onely signo crucis without further ceremonie of sealing.
This Monasterie hath bene enlarged by sundrie Abbots of this place, as especially by Eldred and Edmer about Eadgars time, and in Edward 3. time, who gaue the then Abbot Licentiam ad confirmardam et kernellandam Abathiam de calce et petra: in the 31. yeere of his raigne ouer England, and of his raigne ouer Fraunce the 18.
Such were the priuiledges of this place, that the King coulde make no secular officer ouer them, but by their owne consent.
They were acquitted of all Toll through England.
They made Iustices ad audiendum et terminandum, within themselues, [Page 10] and no other Iustice could call them for any matter out of their libertie.
They made also Bayliffes and Corroners.
No Bishoppe had any Iurisdiction to correct any person among them for any matter spirituall or temporall.
They had the execution and returne of all writs, and the goodes of all Outlawes: and that is yet continued to the Towne by thePresent Priuiledges of the town graunt of Edward 6. And no man may bee impanelled out of the Towne.
They had gayle and gayle deliuerie within the towne: and the towne at this day hath the like, namely one gayle for the libertie,Gayle and gayle deliuerie. Th'incorporation. and another for the towne. For the gayle deliuerie, the Steward of the towne is alwayes in commission, but not by their Charter.
The towne is gouerned by a Maior and 10. Burgesses, a stewarde and a Chamberlaine.
There are in the towne 4. Wards and in euery Ward a Constable and 2. Churchwardens.
In the Abbey church of this place is a Font of brasse brought out of Scotland by Sir Richard Lée: as may appeare by a circumscription about the same font, as if the font did proclaime the same in it owne person in these wordes.
In this Abbey church lyeth buried famous Sir Iohn Mandeuile Sir Iohn Maundeuile. liuely formed in a marble stone: whose trauayles in forraine regions and rare reportes, are at this time admired through the world.
There lie also many Nobles, who lost their liues in the conflictesNobles buried. in and neere this towne, betweene the houses of Lancaster and Yorke.
In the North-west ende of the towne was sometime a stately castle, and called KINGSBERRIE, which is as much, as theKingsberie castle. Kinges house or castle, for BERRYE castrum et castrametationem significat: the ruines thereof doe yet somewhat appeare, the place now supplied with a farme house. The Abbot of that place in the time of K. Stephen made suite vnto the K. to ouerthrowe and supplant the same castle, for that (as he suggested) Antiquis temporibus latebant quidam regales nequam homines, Abbatis minus infesti et damnosi. At whose instance the castle was forthwith ouerthrowne.A graat Meere betweene Verlame and S. Albans.
There was sometime a great Meere or stagne, betweene this towne and olde Verolamium▪ and many haue constantly, but idlely affirmed, that the Thames hath had issue that way, and nauigable so farre, a thing meerely fabulous, though it be true, that an ancker [Page 11] was sometime founde there. It was indeede Stagnum maximum an ample and large fishpoole of the Kinges, and belonged to his castle of Kingsberie before spoken of: And the Kinge for his recreation, and delight lying there, did often passe by boate, to and fro within the same, according to the order of the noble men and gentlemen of Rome, who did vsually, make fayre fishpondes aboute their houses, to recreate themselues therein: and these with exceeding cost, as Marcus Varro wryteth especially of the wonderfull large and costly fishpondes of Hortentius, Hircius and Lucullus. And of these, and such other princely Romans, did these Verlame Citizens, take president for this great ponde, which comming afterwardes to the king of the land, he often tooke his repasle therein, accompanyed commonly with no smalle troupe of his nobles, and therefore the boates, were prouided of large hull, furnished with cable and ancer, that at the kings pleasure, the boate might be moared in any parte of the poole, whereby, how easie it is to loose an ancre in the meere reason may iudge, and this was the occasion of the losse, of the ancre doubtlesse that was found there, and not ordinarie recourse of shippes as some vainely suppose. And yet as Ouid sayth: & vetus inuenta est in montibus anchora summis. This fishpooleThe ponde bought of the king & drained dry continued in this pryde, till the time of Alfric the seuenth Abbott of this Monastery, who bought the same of the king, and by industry and charge caused it to be drayned drie: And the more to argue it to be but a fishpoole there remayneth yet one witnesse, a streete in the towne lying towardes it called FISHPOOLESTREETE.Fishpoole streete.
If any boates in former times, came thither, they came from Staenes and vp the Colne riuer to Rickmansworth, to Watforde and so to S. Albans, but in no sence to the place where the ancre was founde, for that the fall of the water there was such as it coulde yeelde no accesse for shipping against the same. There is indeede a feilde belowe S. Albans called key feyld, and belowe Rickmansworth, a place vpon the riuer called Westhythe, which may in sort argue some such passage for boates, but for the first it may bee aswell pascuum, vaccinum a pastour for kye, or kyne, as a strande for fastening of boates or ships & more like. And Westhithe may be as wel taken for a house as for a harbour of ships. And yet these simple probabilities might worke that conceite in Gildas, who was the authour of this error.
In and about this towne, haue beene sundry battelles conflictesS. Albans spoyled. and spoyles, as in the time of Henrie 3. one Falcatius de Brent a notorious robber, with a companie of wicked persons came too this towne by night, spoyled the same and murthered many: and would haue set the Abbey on fire, But the Abbot feed him with 100 pound to depart.
This was a dangerous time when theeues and murtheres must be hyred for rewarde and not constrayned by iustice, to desist from [Page 12] violence and bloud.
In the same yeare it was ransackt againe by the souldiees, that went vnder the conduct of Earle Patric, Sayre and others to remoueThe 2 spoile of S. Albans. the seidge of Mount Sorrell.
Moreouer, about the yeare 1455. Henrie 6. of the famelie of Lancaster with many of his nobles, at this towne mett with Richard Duke of Yorke, and his adnerentes, where the king was taken, andA batte'l at S. Albans. a great slaughter made vpon his men, euen of best accoumpt. But afterwardes within 4. yeares neere the same, at a place called by the inhabitants BERNET FEYLD but I take it rather Brentes feild, of the former Falcatius de Brent, such as stood affected to the famely of Lancaster, vnder the conduct of Margaret the Queene, mightily preuayled against the complices of the house of Yorke, to the infranchesing of the Captaiue king, and ouerthrowe of many ofThe 2. battel neere S. Albans. the aduerse parte.
In the middle of this towne is a crosse, verie stately erected about the yeare of Christ 1290. by Edward 1. as in many other places, in memoriall of the death and dolefull carriage of his Queene, from. Herdbie nere Lincolne where shee dyed, towardes Westminster where she was buryed.
At this place was executed that Libellor aud stirrer of the commons named Iohn Ball in the time of Richard the 2.Iohn Ball executed.
The terme is sometime kept in the Abbey chutch where all places are orderly prouided for the same.
AMWELL. h. 28. which signifieth fontem amnensem a well by the riuers side.
ANSTIE. b. 30. At this place are the ruynes and deepe trenches of a stronge castle, scituate aloft on a steepe hi [...]l, and was called HANST-HYE castle depraecipitio. I take it of the stepenesle of it.Hanst-hye castle.
ASPENDEN. d. 24. so called eyther detremules of the Aspe trees, or for that it hath beene cauerna viperina a place of venemous wormes.
ASTON. f. 22.
ASHWELL. b. 20. fons inter fraxinos. M. Camdtn taketh it to be, that which Antoninus termth in his ltenerari MAGIOVINIVM Magiouiniū. And he prooueth it by the signification of the worde Magionirdum, chaunging only n. for u. which then signifieth a nurserie for Ashes, and so much doth the nature of the place fitly import▪
ASHRIDGE. i. 10. Iugum fraxinium, at this place was an hermitage built by Edward Beanforde Earle of Cornewall, wherein (so it1291. was esteemed) Edward 1. kept a royall Christmas. Wherein also our moste worthie and euer famous Queene Elizabeth lodged as in her owne, (being then a more stately house) at the iime of Wyatts 2. Elizabeth attempt in Queene Maryes dayes. And from this place she was in all post sent for to the courte, by such seuere Commissionars, that [Page 12] though she were then sicke, she was forced to take her iourney with them. The worthy history whereof to our perpetuall ioy, for that the high Iehouah seeing her innocencie preserued her to the regall throane, is at large set downe in our Chronicles.
This place is lately beautified by the Lord Cheyney.
B.
BARHAMSTED. k. 8. or rather BERGHAMSTEDT villa sita inter montes BERG in the Saxon tonge is a hil, HAM a towne, and STEDT or STADT a place or seat, and theBerg quid hom quid stedt quid scituation of this place agreeth to the former interpretation.
Nere vnto this towne was a stronge castle, the ruynous walles and some buildinges thereof yet remaine. It was builded (as M. Camden affirmeth) by the Normans.
The Conqueror, in deede stayd there, as histories report, as he passed through the country, And thither resorted vnto him many Lordes and nobles of the Realme, At which time, it is like, he gaueBarkhamsted castle. order for the erecting of the castle, if it were not a castle when he made stay there, the beauty and strength of the castle, is now aduaunced on a loftie hill, stataly and pleasant not farre from the olde site, not holding the former forme of a castle, but is become with addition and charge a beautifull house, by Sir Edward Carry knight M. of her maiesties lewell house.
Lewes of Frauncè beseiged this castle against Henrie 3. the first yeare of his raigne, in the time of which seige certayne knightes and souldiers salied out of the castle, adn depriued the aduersary ofThe castle beseiged. sundry pillage, and safely returned. But afterward at the kinges commaundement it was yelded vp to Lewes.
Richard king of Almane dyed in this castle who was also Earle of Cornewall, and brother to Henry 3. And Cicelie mother to Edward the fourth. And wife too the Duke of Yorke, too whome theRich. king of Almain died castle belonged, ended her dayes in this place in the time of Henry 7. after she had seene the deserued fall of vsurping Richard▪ who was also borne in this castle, some say at Fotheringay.
There is in the towne of Barkhamsted a fayre free Schoole built of bricke, by doctor Incent sometime deane of Paules, the stipendRic. 3. borne A free schoole. of the Master is 20. pound per annum, of the vsher 10. pound confirmed by acte of parliament.
It is a market towne, and standeth most vpon making of malt, it hath two fayres in the yeare.
BARKHAMSTED. i. 26. or Berghamsted vt supra.
BARKEWAY. b. 28. I haue seene it in an auncient recorde BERGWANT which is as much as viain montem the way to theBerg-want. hill, it is a market towne. In Nouember last much defaced wtih sire.
BARLEY, a. 28▪ or BERGLEG ager montosus.
[Page 13]BARFEYLD b. 24. I haue read it in the Saxon Berȝfeldt, and signifieth the same that Bergleg doth.
BALDOCK d. 20. a market towne standing betweene the hils, little furnished with any matter of moment, onely it yeeldeth maltmakers not a few, the prayse of the place is the chalkie soyle fitte for corne.
BAYFORD i. 26.
BERNET n. 26. or BERGNET monticulus, called high Bernet of the scituation on a hill, and chipping Bernet of the market famous for cattle, there bought and sold euery munday.
BERNET n. 18▪ called East Bergnet.
BERNET feyld k. 16. a place vulgarly so called, but corruptly as I take it, it should be rather Brentes feyld, of that Fulcatius de Brent Brentes-feyld. spoken of before in S. Albans, who with a troupe of wicked men, about this place robbed and murthered many.
In this feyld, was the matter handled by deadly blowes, betweene Queene Margaret leading the fauourers of the house of Lancaster, Queene Margarets victorie. and the complices of the house of Yorke, & where she redeemed the king that was taken before at the battell of S. Albans, And gaue the kinges and her enemies a sound requitall.
BENINGTON e. 24. or BENIGNTON villa Benigna, eyther of the bountie of the inhabitantes, or the pleasent and profirable scituation of the place. As Blithe in the North partes de iucunditate of myrth and good fellowship.
But it may bee BENETON of a riuer called BENE, orBene. Benefician. BENEFICIAN which riseth neere it, which carryeth greate probabilitie.
BENGEHOO h. 26. or rather BENEHOO which is rightly enterpreted the riuer of Bene, BENEHOO for Benegoe in the Germaine tongue, HOO with vs being pronounced for GOWGow & Hoo. idem. which is in the French EAV, with vs water.
BEDMONT l. 16. a hamlet called Bedmont ponde de Stagno of the poole neere it
BELLBARR l. 24.
BIGRAVE c. 20. a parishe wherein is onely the Berye, of Mannor house and none other.
BOVRNE-END k. 10.
BOVINGDON m. 10.
BROAD-WATER f. 20. a little hamlet whereof Broad-water hundred taketh name, so called not of the continuall water for the place is commonly drie: But at great flouds the fall of the land water maketh it a great Sea.
BRAGBERG-END f. 22.
BRADFEYLD a hamlet sometime a chappell of ease nowe ecayed.
BRANFEYLD k. 24. It was giuen by one Hardewine de Sealeris [Page 14] and Odell his wife to th'aduancement of Albans Monastery.
BROWGHING d. 28. or BRAWGHING, A libertie hauing other members, And thereof Brawghing hundred taketh name.
BEOX-BORNE i. 30, or BROOKES-BORNE de aqua.
BVSHIE o. 18. aptly so called de Dumis of the Bushes, and woodes there, heretofore abounding.
BVRWELL f. 24. or BVRGHWELL
BVNTINGFORD a. 26. a large hamlet and a good thorowfare: also a market towne, standing as it is sayd in foure seuerall parishes, namely in Layston, Widiall, Throcking, and Aspenden. And hath two fayres in the yeare.
BVCKLAND b. 26. fortè de fagis.
C.
CALK-COTE b. 18. rightly so called de creta vel calce, and signifieth cretaceam casam, a house standing in a chalkie soyle.cretacea casa.
CAISHOO n. 16. or CAEGSHO, M. Camden deriueth the name de Cassijs of a people mentioned by Caesar who had their aboad in this part as is supposed.
Caishoo should import a water, called CAIS or Caegs the name,Cassij. it may bee, of the riuer that passeth through this hundred, called CAISHOO or Caegeshoo hundred, called of Hollenshed GADES and giues name to the Gadesdens, where the riuer riseth: And so by corruption of pronunciation they call it Caishoo for Gadeshoo, Gades Gades. Cais. Gaegs. riuer or else is GADES mistaken for CAIS or CAEGS and so for Caisden or Caegsden pronounced Gadesden, for doubtlesse the riuer giueth name to Caishoo or Caegshoo, or Gadeshoo-berye.
Offa king of Mercia gaue vnto the monasterie of S. Albans, a place by the name of Caegshoo, whether it were the whole hundred Caegshoo-bery or some place else now decayed, I can not affrime. But I take it most like to be the whole hundred for that the most of it belongeth to the libertie of S. Albans.
CHIPPERS FEYLD m. 12.
COLNEY l. 20.
COLNEY-STREET l. 18, these take name of Colney streame, which giueth name also to Colnebrooke, a towne standing both in Buckinghamshire and Middlesex.
CODERYD a. 24. or Caude-rydge iugum frigidum.
CHESFEYLD e. 20. forte CHOISFEYLD Ager delectus, for the rich scituation in so fertile a corne soyle.
CHESTON l. 30. cur non Chestin? castanetum of chessenut trees.chestin.
CORNERHALL a hamlet so called for the suddaine turning in it from Hemsted way to Barkhamsted.
[Page 15]CLOTHALL d. 20.
- COLGREENE h. 24.
- COLLIERS-END f. 26.
COLSEHILL greene o. 8, a hamlet of Hartfordshire, yet within Buckinghamshire foure miles from the neerest parte of Harifordshire▪
CVMBERLOW greene d. 22.Casa frigida.
CVDICOTE g. 20. or CAVDE-COTE casa frigida.
D.
DANE-END i. 26. terminus velclades Dacornm.
DANE-END h. 16. of these see more in the definition of the hundred DACORVM.
DIGSWELL h. 22.
DATCH-WORTH g. 22.
E.
EAST-WIKE g. 32. vicus orientalis.
ELSTREE n. 20. in OFFAES grant EAGLESTRE
Nemus aquilinum: a place wherit may be thought Eagles breddNemus aquilinium. in time past, for though it be nowe hilly and heathy-it hath beene replenished with stately trees, fit for such fowle to breede and harbour in. It is parcell of the libertie of S. Albans.
EPPALETS e. 16, or HIPPOLETTS, vulgarly PALLETS, this place was dedicate to a supposed Saint of that name,Eppalets was a good horseleach. that in his life time was a good tamer of colts, and as good a horseleach: And for these qualities so deuoutly honored after his death, as all passengers by that way on horsebacke, thought themselues bound to bring their steedes into the church, euen, vp to the high aulter, where this holy horseman was shryned, and where a Priest continually attended, to bestowe such fragmentes of Eppolettes myracles, vpon their vntamed coltes and olde wanton, and forworne Iades, as hee had in store, And did auaile so much the more or lesse, as the passengers were bountifull or hard-handed, but he that was coy of his coyne had but a colde and counterfeite cure.
ESENDEN i. 24. or EAVSENDEN.
F.
FLAMSTED i. 14, It may be VERLAM-STED, a placeVerlamsted. vpon the riuer Verlame for there it riseth, which of the auncients was called Verlame water, of vs Redburne streame which runnes betweene the Ruines of Verlamcester and S. Albans, Verlamsted is more tedious in pronunciation then is Flamsted, and therefore [Page 17] Flamsted held in vse, and soundeth locum Flamenus. And was somtime a baronie so called.
FLAVNDEN n. 10.
FINCHES-END e. 22.
G.
GADES-DEN i. 10. or CAIS-DEN called GADESDEN magna. It taketh name of the Riuer Gades or Cais see more of this before in Caishoo.
GADES-DEN i. 10. called Gades-den parua.
GELDS-DEN g. 32.
GRAVELEY e. 18. or GRAVESLEY terra praepositi, theGraueley cum Chesfeyld. Reeues land: Chesfeyld is annexed vnto it, and in al charges is called Graueley cum Chesfeyld.
GRAVES-END d. 32. limes prepositi the Reeues end or the bound of the precincte of the Reeues office, this officer at this day in many partes Westward is yet in force, especially in anncient demeisne Land.
H.
HARDING h. 16. in record HARPEDEN or HARPENDEN.
HATFEYLD k. 22. or HAVTFEYLD Campus alius called Bushoppes Hautfeyld for that it did sometime belong to the Bushoppe of Elye.
It is now her Maiesties, and will bee for euer famous, for that itQueene Elizabeth. first offered forth our most worthy Elizabeth to the Regal diademe, and to recelue the triumphant cepter of this Realme, happie in her Royal Maiestie. And therefore let Hautfeyld be euer famous.
HARTFORD h. 26. after M. Camden HERVDFORD for the THE RVDFORD.
But vnder correction (reuerenoing his iudgement) Irather take it vadum ceruinum. HARTSFORD a passage for Deere, moreVadum ceruinum. like then Oxeford should be de vado Boum, where in deed it is Ous-ford A passage or forde ouer the Riuer Ouse, which giueth name to Owsney. More is sayd of Hartford before in the definition of the Shire.
There is in this towne a Castle neuer of great strength, buylt asThe castle is thought by Edward 1. and much increased by the houses of Clare and Lancaster, and is at this day accompted parcell of the Duchie of Lancaster.
Rogerus de Clare was created Earle of this place in the time ofRoger de Clare. Henrie 2.
The Castle and Towne standeth vpon the Lea, which is sayde toPassage for Shippes. haue yeelded passage for shipping euen to the walles of the Castle, which I dare, neither to affirme or denie, hauing seene no record to [Page 18] prooue the one or impossibilities for the other, more is sayde of the Lea and of the passage for ships, before in handling the Riuers.
This Towne hath beene of greater state, estimation and beautie then now it is, And had foure parish churches; namly S. Michaells, & S. Maryes decayed, onlie All Saintes and S. Androwes stand.
It hath beene most rob-d of her glory, by Wayres aduancementThe cause of Hartfords decay. The corporation. which since the turning of the high way through it hath flourished more and more, and this dayly withered.
It hath a corporation, a Bayliffe, elcuen Burgesses, and a Sergeant, the gayle for the Shire is in this towne, and the gayle deliuerie in the castle, and vpon occasion, namely when the sickenes visiteth London, the terme for the most part is kept here in the castle, to theThe terme. great reliefe of the poore towne.
It hath market Saterday, and 4. fayres in the yeare.
HARTINGFORD-BERY h. 24 whereof see in the definition of the Shire.
HAVT-WICK c. 24. de alto situ.
HADHAM f. c2 called Hadham magna where the Bishop of London hath an auncient house.
HADHAM c. 32. called Hadham parua.
HADHAM c. 30. called Hadham on ash a hamlet, standing on a brooke of that name.
HEMSTED k. 12. or Hempsted locus cannabinus forte of hempe. Etheldred graunted it to the monasterie of S. Albans by the name of HENAMSTED.
HENXWORTH b. 20.
HYDE o. 12. called West-hide or hithe.
HIGH-STREET l. 14.
HITCHING c. 16 or HITCHINE more rightly HITCHEND, because it lyeth at the end of a famous wood called HITCHHitch wood of which also the hundred of Hitch, called HITCH HAVLFE HVNDRED taketh name, and not of the towne which is quasi terminus the vtter edge or end of that woode, though time haue extinguished that parte of the woode, which laie towardes the towne.
It cannot be Hitch-ing which soundeth de pratis, vnlesse it bee in that sence, as Lucus is a thicke wood de lucendo of yelding light being altogether darke. So Hitch inge of meadow ground because it hath no meadowe, and yet standeth in a valley betweene the hils.
The towne is the Queenes, and a very bountifull corne Market.
It is gouerned by a Bayliffe, and foure Constables, whereof two are called for the towne, and two for the forraine.
In the towne is made great store of Malt.
About the towne is a kinde of chalke, which they call Hurlocke aHurlock. stonie Marle, more fit to make lime then to soyle the grounde, yet beeing mixed with a more fragile and gentle Marle, which also aboundeth there, they find it very helpfull to their corne feilds.
[Page 19]HITCH-WOOD f. 16,
HILL-END h. 16.
HIGH-BRIDGE o. 16 a bridge neere Moar house ouer Colney streame.
HOW-END g. 18. or HOO-END the head of the Riuer.
HIGH-CROSSE f. 26▪
HORMEADE c. 28. or HORMEHEAD magna as the head of the riuer or brooke so called.
HORMEAD c. 28. or HORME-HEAD parua.
HODDESDON i. 30. a market towne and a thorow fare from the north partes to London.
HOCKERELL c. 36. a little hamlet belonging to Stortforde on Essex side but in Hartfordshire.
HVNSDON i. 32. This place giueth vnto the R. Ho. Syr George Carey knight, nowe Lord Chamberlaine to her Ma. the title of BARON of HVNSDOD. It is an auncient house, and lately begunneBaron of Hunsdon. to be inlarged with a stately gallery, fayre lodginges and offices, by the right honourable. Hen. late Baron of the same place, and in his life time, also Lord Chambersaine to her Maiestie.
HICKLINGFORD d. 16. of some HITCH-INGFORD of some ICKLINGFORD.
I.
ICKLINGFORD vide Hicklingforde.
K.
KENSWORTH h. 12.
KELSHVLL b. 24▪ in record KELSWALDE.
KNEBWORTH g. 20.
KEMPTON g. 16. or KIMETON.
KINESBVRNE k. 14 or KINESBOVRN of the riuer soKime riuer. called whose head is neere it.
L.
LAYSTON c. 26.
LANGLEY m. 12. called KINGES-LANGLEY.
At this place Richard 2. and Queene Anne his wife, with manieRichard 2. buried Edmond of Langley. of their nobles kept a Royall Christmas. And when the king decea sed he was buryed in the church there, But afterwardes hee was remoued to Westminster by Henrie 5. At this house Edmond Duke of Yorke was borne, and thereof called Edmond of Langley, where also he was buried and many other of that famelie.
LANGLEY m. 14. called ABBOTESLANGLEY.
[Page 20]LANGLEY f. 18.
LADWELL d. 16.
LEVESDEN m. 16.
LETCHEWORTH d. 18.
LONGE MEERSTON i. 4. So called for that it is terminus extremus huius Hartfordiensis agri.
LVLLEY f. 12. or rather Low ley, de solo depresso, of the lowgroūd
M.
MAGIOVINIVM see Ashwell.
MARKAT h. 13. corruptly so called for MER-GATE which is Scatebra an issue or outgate of water called in Sussex and Surrey a Bourne that breaketh out of the earth, at sometimes,A Bourne. foregoing (as hath beene obserued) some dismall accident as yelding teares for the euils to come, And of all men held malum omen and this is termed WOMERE, a water presaging sorrowe toWomere. Malum omen. come▪ as in the time of Edw. 4 when it brake forth 19. February & ran till the 14. of Iune following, But for these kind of waters some willyeeld natural reasons of the cause, but for my part I will not deny but some diuine mistery may be hidden therein.
MICHAELS k. 16. called S. Michaels neere S. Albans.
MYMS l. 22. called North Myms.
MEERSTON vide Longe Meerston.
MVNDON e. 26. called MVNDON furniuall and great MVNDON.
MVNDON e. 26. called Mundon frewell and litle Mundon.
MVNKES-WOOD f. 22.
N.
NAST-HIDE k. 20.
NORTH-CHVRCH k. 8.
NORTON c. 10.
NEWN-HAM c. 20. villa noua.
NORTH-HALL l. 26. corruptly for North-haw nemus boreale. The famous and rightly honourable Henrie Earle of Warwick deceased, there raised a stately house from the ground, and contriued it in verie beautifull order, gracing it with delightfull gardens aud walkes with sundrie other pleasant and necessary deuises, now held and possessed by that moste vertuous his Lady, the Countisse of Warwick.
NEW-GATE-STREET k. 26. derianoua.
P.
PERITON d. 14. or PIRTON.
PREE k. 16. or the Prey called Sancta Mario de pratis, of the meadowes, and was a house of Nunnes a sweete neighbor to the Munckes of S. Albans.
PVNCHIN-END k. 10.
POTTERS crowche l 16.
PVCKERIDGE e. 28. a thorowe fare, called of Lealande PVLCHER CHVRCH.Pulcher church.
PELHAM c, 32. called Stoken Pelham.
PELHAM b. 30. called Pelhamarsa, burnt Pelham, some fragmentes doe yet appeare of the foundations of sundry buildinges, which were consumd by that fire, wherofit taketh the adiuncte arsa.
In the walles of this church lyeth a moste auncient monument,A monumēt a stone wherein is figured a man, and about him an Eagle, a Lyon, and a Bull hauing all winges, and a fourth of the shape of an Angel, as if they should represent the foure Euangelistes: vnder the feete of the man is a crosse Flourie, and vnder the crosse a Serpent, he is thought to be sometime the Lord of an auncient decayed place, wel moated not farre from this place called SHONKES.
PELHAM c. 30. called PELHAM furnix.
All these Pelhams seeme to take name de scatebris, of the pells and Pelham vndedicta. water springes, which abound about and within them.
PVTNHAM i. 4. It signifieth a towne of welles and water springes.
R.
REDBVRNE i. 14. aquarubra.
Before the Conquest by the Normans, it did belonge to the Abbey of S. Albans, and at that generall spoyle and confusion of thinges it was taken away, and Lanfranck being afterwards Archbishoppe of Canterbury wrought the restauration of it againe, about the beginning of Rufus raigne.1089.
This Church was defaced and spoyled, with many other there aboutes in the time of Henrie 3.
At this place were founde the reliques of Amphiball, who is saideThe reliques of Amphiball. to be the instructour and conuertour of Alban from Paganisme, of whose reliques such was the regard, that the Abbottes of the monastetie of Alban had, that they should be deuoutly preserued, that a1366. decree was made, by Thomas then Abbott, that a pryor and three munckes should be appointed to this holie function, whose allowance [Page 22] in those dayes amounted yearely to 20. pound or vpwardes, as much as three hundred pound in this age. Such was the price andSeca deuotio. estimation of the lothsome reliques of dead mens bones.
RADWELL c, 18.
RICKMANSWORTH o, 14. or Rich mans worth I haue redd it Rickmersford And as I take it the truest title, for that in former ages the d was pronounced th as ath for ad quoth for quoth and forth for forde, and so for Richmansforde is pronounced Richmansforth, not Rickmansworth.
It standeth in a lowe grounde watered on all sides, yet not highly to be commended for great fertiletie, for the lowest and best meadowes are but a blacke moarish earth colde and mossie, for the most parte, And the higher groundes especially on the north side of the towne stonie and barraine, king Ethelred graunted it to the monasterieK. Ethelred of S. Albans by charter.
It is a market towne but of no great repayre.
The towne is gouerned by two constables and two headborowes.
ROYSTON a, 24. Roisiae oppidum, Royes town, this Royes about the time of king Stephen, was Countisse of Norff. and erected a crosse of stone in the high way, where Royston now standeth. And the place was called CRVX ROISIAE, Roys crosse, and vnder that nameCrux Roisiae. t continued vntill Eustachius de Marke built a cloyster there. And from that time it began to be more and more peopled, and to be furnished with houses and Innes. And Rich. I. made it a market towneMade a market. now famous for corne, standing in a very plentifull soyle: And is a verie fitte receptacle for traueilers that from the North partes haue recourse to London.
The towne was almost consumed with fire in the time of Henry the fourth.
In the time of Henrie 6. such was the plentie of corne, that in thisWheare tweluepéce the quarter place the best wheare was sould for twelue pence the quarter, three halfe pence the bushell.
The price was not then so lowe as it is now aloft, for it is at this present in the same place at eight shillinges the bushell.
RIDGE m, 22. de iugo of the hill or Ridge wheron it standeth
REED b, 26. de loco arundinoso.
RVSHDEN c, 24. vallis Scirpina a lowe rushie ground.
S.
SARRET n, 14. It was granted by Ethelred, to S. Albans by the name of SYRET.
SANDON c, 24. mons arenosus. It belongeth to Paules.
SANDRIGE k, 18. It diffreth not in signification from Sandon.
SAWCOMBE f, 26.
SABS-WORTH f, 34. or SABRIDGE-FORDE a [Page 23] market Towne, standing neere the Stort.
SLEPES HIDE k, 20. a little hamlet.
SHENLEY m, 20.
SHEEPES HALE f, 22. Ager ouibus salutaris.
SPELBROOKE e, 34.
STEPHENS l, 16. called S. Stephens neere S. Albans.
STEVEN-EDGE e, 20. or STEPHEN-EDGE, de accliuitate of the steepe standing of it on the edge of a hill, of some Steuen-haut or Stepen-haut.
The principal parte of this towne is from the church. ½. mile, and is a pretie thorrow fare.
There hath beene in time past a market.
It is a libertie and belongeth to the Bishoppe of London, hauingA libertie pillory and gallowes within it selfe, but howe farre the power for execution extendeth, mihi latet.
STAPLEFORD g, 24. or STABLEFORD.
STANDON e. 28. or STENEDON mons saxosus there is a free Schole for the towne, the stipend yet in suspence, the FishmongersA freeschole of London contribute twentie pound vt ferunt.
STANSTED h, 32. or STENSTEDT locus glariatus of the grauely soyle, called Abbotes Stansted.
STANSTED h, 32. in time past called Le Veyle, nowe Olde Lee veyle Stansted and corruptly Stansted Theele.
STORTFORD e, 34. so called of the passage or forde ouer the Riuer Stort.
There is neere this towne, on the east side of the riuer a little ruynousWaymore castle. castle, called the Castle of Waymour standing in an Iland, vpon a little firme artificiall mount verie steepe aud though of small circuit, yet in former dayes stronge, within it is a dungion deepe and darke, called the Conuictes pryson, arguing some great priuiledges inConuictes prison. Giuen by William the Conqueror time past to belong thereunto.
William the Conqueror gaue both the towne and the Castle to the Bishoppe of London, and to this day it belongeth to that Sea, and thereof is called Bishoppes Stortforde.
The towne standeth on the side of a hill, declyning towardes the riuer, And some fruitefull groundes are about the same.
It hath market on the Thursday and three faires in the yeare.
SVLLONIACA n, 22. the ruynes of an olde cittie or famous place, mentioned by ANTONINVS in his Itenerary, which he placeth twelue miles a Longidinio from London, and nine miles a verolamio a citie sometime neere S. Albans: And where others haue heretofore placed this Sulloniacae at Chipping Barnet, regarding onely the foresayde distances M. Camden by dilligent obseruation hath founde that it should stand vpon Brokeley hilles West of Bernet, wherby I being occasioned made inquisition thereof in my trauaile, and was informed of the place where these snpposed ruynes appeare, [Page 22] [...] [Page 23] [...] [Page 24] namely some fragmentes of the scituation of some decayed buildings, where sundry peeces of Romish coyne haue beene taken vp, as was informed me. This place indeede neere agreeth with the former distances of Antoninus, and standeth east of a regall auncient highway called Watlingstreet or via consularis.
T.
THOMAS Chappell c, 14. called S. Thomas chappell.
TEWING h, 22. or TWEY-ING de binis pratis.
TRINGE k. 6. a little market towne on the Fryday.
THROCKING c, 24.
THVNDREDGE f, 28.
THORLEY f, 34. or THORNLEY terra spinosa.
TOTTER-EDGE f, 28. parcell of the hundred of Broadwater yet eight miles from the neerest parte of that hundred. Londoners haue much beautified this place with their neat buildings.
TWO-WATERS i, 13. a little hamlet so called de binis aquarum fluctibus, of the two riuers that meete there.
V.
VEROLAMIVM k, 18. the ruynes of a most auncient citie called of the Britons Cair Maricipit, Cair Municip, Cair Watteline of Ptolomey Verolanium, of the Saxons ƿerlamcester [...], a Citie vpon the riuer Werlame or Verlame.
This auncient decayed Citie seemeth at this day to publishe her pristine state and strength, on the west side of S Albans, by the reliques of her defensiue walles, And at this day although Seges sit vbi erat Werlamcester, yet the sundry Roman coyns tumbled out of theirRomane coyne. obscure denns, by the painefull plough, doe, as it were, proclaime vnto vs, so many hundred yeares after her fall, that it is no fable that is written of her antiquitie.
The brasse monies whereof I haue much but seeme farre more, Import the antique names, and pictures, not only of sundry Emperors, but of some of their Empresses also: which in those ages swayd the Romane monarchie, which argueth it to bee quondam, CAIR MVNICIP or Municipium, a citie, enfranchized and endowed,Municipium quid. not only, with the ayde of the Romans by mony, but with their Romishe priuiledges also, the inhabitantes, for the most part being of the auncient britishe line: who deseruing well at the handes of the Romans▪ were made Municipes as it were free denizens of Rome, hauing their Lawes orders and officers, free among them, permitted to liue vnder their ayde and protection, vntill through the furyThe subuersion of Verlame. of the Saxons and Danes it was sackt and subuerted, and of a hautie citie made an heape of stones, which as a Caos layd afterwards long [Page 25] smothered in the ashes of her owne rubble and ruynes, without regard, what it was or had beene. At length one Eldred Abbot of theEldred searched the ruynes of Verlame. new Monasterie of S. Albans, coueting to aduance the state of his monasticall sea, began to embowell this ruynate heape, to search what curious conceites, hee might finde to beautifie S. Albans sell. And founde in short time great varietie, of stone worke of sundrie kindes, and pillers of mettall as of Brasse, and Latton, towch and Allablaster. All which laide in heapes Eldred beheld to his no small ioy, but imploide them not according to his purpose intended, for death preuented him: But as curious a searcher as hee succeeded him one Eadmere, who had both a will and workemen, to sound furtherEadmere continued the search. An argumēt of Verlams paganisme. into the bottome of this vnknowne gulfe, not ceassing till hee saw the very entrayles of this confused Caos, in whose most hiddenvautes, he found sundry Idolls, and aulters not a fewe, superstitiously adorned for the honour of these vnknown gods of the Pagans, some of these Idols were of pure golde, some of other metall, and withall he founde great store of housholde stuffe, and other thinges witnessing the glory both of the citie and the cittizens of the same. Besides sundry pottes of gould, brasse earth, glasse and other mettall,Pottes with ashes of the dead. some frawght with the ashes of the dead, some with the coyne of the auncient Britons and Romane Emperours. And in a stone were found certayne Brytish bookes, whereof one imported the historie of Albans martyrdome.
In the ruynous walles of this Citie groweth licoras.Licoras.
There are within the walles at this day the ruynes of an olde church called S. Germans. S. Germans.
The cause why it was called of the Brytons CAIR WATTELINE was an auncient high way, begun by Dunwallow and finished by Guitheline, called as some thinke GVITHELINSSTREET corruptly WATTELINE-STREET which camWatteline streete. by this citie from Douer leading Northwards.
About 70. yeares paste this high way, was founde at this place (though mentioned in historie many years before) 18. foote broad and 10. foote deepe, now almost leuell with the feyldes as is also the Citie.
And as Plato sayth.
Alban was a citizen of this cittie, and being hoste vnto Amphiball Albana citizen of Verlame. became conuerted, from paganisme to the knowledge of Christ, and for the same was condemned and suffered, as is set downe before in S. Albans.
W.
WALDT-DEN f. 16. called kinges Walden, vallis siluestris the woody deane.
WALDT-DEN f. 18. called Walden S. Paul.
WATFORDE o. 16. cur non WATELINEFORDE for that the Watteline-streete crosseth the Colne nere this place, andWat telineforde. so coasteth to old Verlame as is sayd before.
This towne hath market on the tuesday well repleat with country necessaryes, and hath two fayres in the yeere.
There is an almes house erected by the Ladie Bryget Countisse of Bedford.
WALK-HORNE c. 22. or Wake-hurne.
WALLINGTON c. 22. de aquarum scatebris.
WATTON f. 24. called Watton at stone.
WARE h. 26. or WAYRE de Cataractis of the wayres and water stoppes nere it, rather then de Mercimonijs as some will hauewayre drow ned. it of wares or marchandize, It was drowned in anno 1408. by the great inundation of waters that from the vpland passe by the town, and since, and before, there was great prouision made by wayres and slcuces, for the better preseruation of the town, and the groūds belonging vnto the same.
It began to bee moste famous in king Iohns time, in the furiouswhen it began to be famous. broyles of the Barons, for being then but a hamlet of small moment the high way towardes the North partes, was laid through it by the meanes of the Lord de Wake, and by little and little by that meanes, increased and much obscured, auncient Hartford.
Edward the first gaue first order and direction for the founding ofFrst founded. it about anno 914.
WAADESNELL g. 28.
WALTHAM crosse m. 30, or WALDT-HAM de cruce of the crosse which Edward 1. erected in memoriall of his Queenes death, and conveyance of her corpes from the place where she dyed to westminster.
WALSWORTH d. 16.
WATTELINE-STREET See Verolamium▪
WAYMORE Castle See Stortford.
WESTWIKE k. 14. vicus occidentalis in regard of Eastwike before mentioned.
WELBERIE k. 14. called also welles, of the springe called Owghton head.
WESTON d. 20.
WESTMILL d. 26.
WHEATHAMSTED i. 18. locus frumentarius inde Ioannes de loco frumentario, famous in the time of Henry 6.
[Page 27]WILSTERNE k. 4.
WIGGINGTON k. 6.
VVHITEWELL i. 8. fons albus a hamlet that giueth name to the riuer that ryseth there, and passeth by Welwine Digswell, &c. and so to the Lea.
VVHORWELL a decayed hamlet in Kelshull parish, furnished in time past with many howses.
VVYMLEY l. 18. or WIMONELEY magna, where are the ruines and ditches of a castle which did sometime belong to the fitz-Taeces.
WYMLEY e. 18. or wimonly parua.
WILLION d. 18.
WYDYALL c. 28. of some Wythiall of some Wiggell.
VVIDFORD g. 30. or-VVYDEFORD so rightly termed de vado spatioso.
Wood-greene l. 30.
VVORMELEY k. 30.
Y.
YARDELEY d. 24. belonging to Paules.
An Aphabetical Table of the Houses, and Anncient Beryes of name for the most part in Hartfordshire, according to the vulgar names.
- ANsaberie. f. 18.
- Alsewike. d. 28.
- Abbottes-berye. a. 28.
- BEeche-woode. h 12.
- Bournehall. n. 16.
- Beamondes k. 18.
- Bibswell. h 18.
- Broket-hall. i▪ 20.
- Bersted, m. 10.
- Bedwell parke k. 24.
- Beachames. c. 26. or Beauchampe.
- Bigging. b 28.
- Bartrames. f. 28.
- Bace. k. 30. called le Base.
- Briggens h. 32.
- Bleakswayre g. 30.
- Beaches. b. 32.
- CHandoys. l. 12.
- Casio-berie. n. 16. vide definitionem Centuria
- CAISHOW.
- Corney-berye. d. 26.
- Coken-hatche. a. 28.
- Cassalberie. f. 28.
- [Page 29]DArnells. d, 20.
- FRyers. e. 28.
- GRoue. n. 14.
- Gorehamberie. k. 16. Gowr-ham, or Guer-hambery. A house raysed from the foundation by the right worthie Syr Nicholas Bacon knight deceased, sometime Lord keeper of the great seale of England to our most mighty Queene Elizabeth, who for his excellent vertues and rare wisedome liueth yet, in honorable memory amongst the most honorable.
- Gubhyns l, 24.
- Saint Gyles. l. 28.
- HIde. k. 14.
- High - ouer. d. 16.
- Harpesfeyld-hall. k. 20.
- Hatfeyld-wood-hall. i. 22.
- Holmeley. e. 22. An auncient decayed place, sometime famous as appeareth by the ruynes.
- Hide-hall. c. 24.
- Holwell. i. 24.
- Haley. h. 28.
- Hetesham-hall. c. 32. or Hetcham hall.
- Kinges-wood-berie, d. 22. An auncient place, sometime dowble moated.
- THe Lea. m. 16.
- Laomere. h. 18. or Leamere. A house very auncient standing not farre from the heade of famous Lea riuer, it is corruptly called Lammer.
- Ludwike hall. i. 24.
- MIchelfeyldhall. o. 12.
- Mayden crofte. c. 16.
- [Page 30]Mereden. h. 24.
- Minsing-berye. a. 26.
- Mutforde. c. 28.
- Mattockes. g. 30.
- NEw-barne. l. 18.
- New fells. 3. 28.
- New-hall. g. 28.
- New-place. g. 32.
- ODdesey-graunge. b. 22. Thereof doth Oddesey hundred take name.
- Owles. d. 28,
- PVtteridge. f. 14.
- Penley. k. 6.
- Pansanger. h. 24.
- Popes. k. 24.
- Potterells. l. 24.
- Punsbourne. k. 26.
- Pissoberie. f. 36.
- Patmere hall. d. 32.
- QVickswood. d. 22.
- Quenberye. d. 28.
- ROse hall. m. 12.
- Romerwike. e. 14. Itlyeth within Bedfordshire, but is of Hartfordshire.
- Ricknesse. g. 26.
- Reuells. g. 26.
- Redgewells. c. 28.
- The Rye. i. 32. or le Ree.
- SHandoyse vide Chandois.
- Sincklees. o. 18.
- Sopwell. l. 18.
- [Page 31]Salsberie. m. 20.
- The Seale. h. 26. Lee seele
- Satrydge. f. 28.
- Shingle hall. f. 34.
- THibauldes. l. 30. or Theobalde, A most stately house erected from the firste foundation by the right honourable Syr William Cicill knight, Lord Theasoror of England. To speake of the state and beuty thereof at large as it deserueth, for curious buildinges, delightfull walkes, and pleasant conceites within and without, and other thinges very glorious and ellegant to be seene, would challenge a great portion of this little treatise, and therfore, least I should come shorte of that due commendation that it deserueth, I leaue it as indeed it is, a princely seate.
- Temple. g. 26.
- Temple. e. 16.
- Tittenhanger. l. 20.
- Tannys. d. 24
- Tunwall. g. 26.
- Tidnhamberie. f. 34.
- VPhall. c. 28.
- WElde. m. 20. or Weldt
- Woodhall. f. 24.
- Waterforde hall. h. 26.
- Widborow-hill. k. 28.
- White-barnes. e. 30.
Many other houses and beries, there are within this Shire, but for that they haue no known proper names, but termed of the parishes wherein they are, as Langley bery, North hawe, and such like. I haue omitted the mencioning of them in this catalogue, being easelie found by the table of parishes, with reference to the places wherein they may be found in the mappe, though without further name added vnto them, then the name of the parish wherein they stand, which doth sufficiently distinguish them.