3 As touching the reducing of euery Shire into one equall Scale , howsoeuer it may seeme to please some , it wil not agree with the opinions of the most : for that some Shires of the greatest magninitude , will require two sheetes of paper Royall , when some other will not containe ¼ of a sheete . And therefore I take it better to admit equall proportion in magnitude , then equalitie of Scale .

4 Such as would haue the true obseruation of the miles to answere some certaine content , haue reason to propounde it ( I confesse . ) But such as haue but speculation in the Arte , much more , such as are practisers , howsoeuer easie it bee deemed by geometricall theoremes to bee performed ( as in deede it is ) yet by practise they do or may find such a difficultie in the accomplishing thereof exactly , as doth straine euen the mechanicall conclusions , beyond that which is required in plotting of land , which by application of the line or rod , may bee performed by the instrument , without intersecting of lines , which this work requireth . And the better able , & more skilfull then my selfe , wold with me acknowledge vpon proofe that the absolute performance of such an expected geographicall description , after such proportion of miles as may bee propounded , doeth require dimensuration betweene euery station , aunswerable to the measure propounded , that by the intersecting lines the distances may bee gathered according to the same proportion . And so many stations of necessitie ought to be , as the obscurity of the places ( whose viewe is often intercepted , by woodes , mountaines &c ) may in arte require , which are so infinite , and intricate , vnlesse in open leuell as to obserue them singularlie and precisely , will require the whole time of a mans ripe yeares , to effect the description of England , Hoc patet expertis . But if there were an instrument , that would giue any farre distance at one station , without dimensuration : it were to be performed with more facilitie . Such an instrument I knowe in some measure may be effected , that woulde yeeld some little distance , founde true by Arithmeticall & geometricall probation , & nothing seemeth defectiue therein , as touching these artificiall conclusions , onely the sightes impediment bewrayeth imperfection of the instrument . Such an instrument I haue heard M. Blagraue hath effected , & such a one hath beene promised by others , how performed I yet know not . But such an instrumente I haue framed , which will giue a distance at one station nere ¼ of a mile , and farther as the opposite may cleerely offer it selfe to the eye , which instrument will also laye out any thing vpon his true pointe , for the apte protracting of many thinges obserued at one station . An instrument fit for some purposes , but comes short to answere the necessity of this busines . In regard therefore of the former difficultie , the miles may be obserued without offence ( as by all men in like trauailes of so generall a worke they haue euer beene ) according to the accustomed account of euery cuntrey ( although they bee diuers in diuers quarters of this lande ) and according to such miles to proportion the places within view at euery station : and thence to extract the miles of whatsoeuer computation giuen . For the ordinary miles of Englande ( especially such as are remote any way 30 miles from London ) contain neer 1 1/2 mile of the greatest account . There be sundrye computations of a miles longitude . And the true content of an English mile , is not any where extant that I know , but receiued by tradition , whereof one is of 8. furlonges , euery furlong 17.1/2 perch , euery perch 8. yardes , of 3. foot the yard : a second of 8 furlongs . 28. perches the furlong , 5. yards the perch . a third of 1000 paces geometrical 5. pedum . And lastly of 8 furlongs , euery furlong 40. perches , euery pearch 16 1/2 foote the perch . The first contayneth 140 perches , 672 paces geometrical , 1120 yardes , 3360 foot . The 2. although vnlike the first in composition of yardes and perches , yet it is one with it , in the number of yards , paces and feet . The 3 contayneth 151 17/33 perches , 1000. paces , 1666 2/3 yardes , 5000 foot . The 4. & : last containeth 320 , perches , 1056. paces . 1760. yardes , 5280. foote , So it exceedeth the first and seconde , by 1920. foot , which is 384 paces , 43 2/33 perches after 16 1/2 foot the perch ; which amounteth neere to 3/16 of a mile . This last I take to be chiefly receyued , and is fittest for all the Realme , for that it best agreeth with the statute measure of an acre of land : for 2. acres in longitude is 320. perches , and so is this mile : After which if England were measured , it would be founde neere 450. miles in length , and as much in breadth , which mile may be extracted out of the common miles .

5 As touching the conceite of some that would haue the distinction of the limits of euery parishe , I holde it not so needefull as impossible , and I thinke the most of iudgement wil affirme the same .

6 Where it is obiected by some that I obserue too many perticularities . Some againe thinke I cannot obserue more than necessarie . And where it seemeth also to offend som that I obserue houses & other things of small moment , and that I omit some of greater worth to be remembred . So it may be , and my selfe to be excused , who passe as a straunger guided by the direction of such , as by discretion of men in Aucthoritie are thought fit to yeelde me direct information , who yet thorogh their simplicitie or partialitie , may miscarrie the most prouident obseruer , holding that to bee in their conceites of moment , and of the contrarie , as their affections leade them , for hath not the poorest man his partiall humor ? And what I obserue is from them , if the thing be hidden ( as some time it is ) from mine own view , for it were not possible to haue accesse to all . And therefore if I doe obserue things of no great importance among the rest , and omit the greater , it is my fault perforce . But I take it the offence can not be great to obserue the most things , for the meanest may sometime haue vse in the Mappe . And can the shadow of it administer greater offence in hauing place in the plot , them the thing it selfe in the field ? The more things ( as I take it ) are obserued , the more like is the discription to the thing discribed . And my fault were great to omit any , were it possible to obserue all : But it may be that some deeming best of their owne and their friendes , couet only what they affect and reiect the rest . And how to moderate the worke herein , and yeelde euerie man his desire , is a worke of greater skill then I pretend , I would gladly please the wise . And then I hit what I ayme at .

7 To the ouer-curious inspectators that seeme to bring with them a preiudicate censure of the worke , I presume not to say much : Because euerye publique worke , is alwaies publiquely considered , and it is lawfull ( I confesse ) for all men , to vtter their opinions thereof freely as they finde it , and to call a fault a faulte . And because I cannot iustifie all the Liniaments of so rude a body , I will saye with him that findes the fault ( though in Art he can not mend the same . ) Sir it is a fault and I will mend it if I can : But I haue not yet seene the worke of the most absolute artist so perfect . But some will hold it as the Shoomaker did Apelles picture , who did yet like a workeman , in that he reproued the imperfection of the thinge belonging to his owne skill , but could not take the Pensill and reforme it , if a Paynter had founde the faulte , and coulde mend the same , there were his praise . And hee doeth well ( I acknowledge ) that findeth a fault , and not ill in condemning the workeman , if hee can take in hand the worke and performe it , so as none shall reproue it . But admit ( Gentlemen ) that you in the seuerall places of your abode , bee able iustly to controule mine obseruations , either in regarde of the vncertaine distances , vntrue denominations of places , curuing of Ryuers and such like , which ( I confesse ) are faultes worthie to be called faults . Yet hold me thus farre excused , that as I cannot haue accesse to euerie perticular , nor see record for euerie name : But resting perforce vpon the information of other , in many thinges , by whome I may ( as your selues might , ) be miscarried . So in courtesie in your owne knowne quarters , reforme the errors , or informe me of them , for howsoeuer I may little regarde the vnprofitable reproofes of common reprouers , I yeelde with all my heart thankes for the kinde controulment of such as thereby seeke a reformation , and wish a perfection in the worke , of loue , and not the disgrace of the workeman in mallice . There are many men of rare perfection in Geographie , and of the Mathematikes in this land , and by the industrie of many they increase dayly , whose kind reproofes I accept as necessarie documents vnto me . But I bewayle the ouermuch emulation , so vniuersally growne amongst many , euen by a vaine conceite of selfe singularitie , whereby they strugling to gaine the start one of another in fame , discouer more imperfections of the minde , which should mannage all their affections , then they gaine credite among the discreete by their greatest vauntes . Arte noscitur artifex . Some hauing but speculation , will sit at home and sende forth their rash reprouing censures , more resolutely against a worke and the workeman then the practicioner , that by experience hath approoued the Mechanicall conclusions , wherein howsoeuer they pretend the augmentation of their owne fames , they shall finde their owne labors wounded with the like weapons . It may be obiected and ( indeede ) it cannot bee , but that I must erre sometimes in the denominations of places , as any man maye doe in so generall a Catalogue . But vnder patience I will yeelde a reason why without most speciall regarde , the most skilfull may erre therein . The affinitie of sundrie determinations of the names of places , and the ignorance of their significations may ( besides the vulgar vnskilfull instruction , ) miscarrie men from the truth in this case . As Berye may bee taken for Bury , Burye for Burrow , Burrow for Berge , Ton for Don , Den for Don , Lee for Ley or Leigh , and infinite others may be , and are often mistaken of such as pretende great knowledge therein . And therefore it is not vnfit for such as will truely pronounce them , to consider their significations , which although it bee not alwaies the waie to finde the truth , yet a light which will guide in many things . Berye signifieth a seate or place to dwell in , as Newberie ; Burye a Sepulchre or burying place , as Malmesburye , Caunterburye , &c. Burrow , is a Cittie or towne , as Attleburrow , Starburrow , Peterburrow , and that is it that the Germaines call Burg , as Strasburg , which is sometime mistaken in pronouncing it for Berg which is a hill , as Wittenberge , Dewsberge , and as our Salisberg or Ceysarsberge of the hill where olde Sarum stoode , although we pronounce Salesburie . The situation of the place is sometime a more certaine euidence then tradition : for the inhabitants call Appledore in Sussex , Appledrum , Appledurham , Appledrayn which indeede is Appledowre , of the situation vppon the water . Lewes is Lewatch the watry place . Newbidding in Sussex is truely New Bigging . Noua structura new building , for the old English word for building was Bigging . Barkshire called of antiquaries Bareokeshire of an olde Oke in Windsore forrest : but I am not perswaded that a Countie shoulde take name of a rotten tree , but Bergscire a hilly Shire , which agreeth wel with the qualitie therof , infinite such like there are , manie places determining in Don , Ton & Den , are often robde of their right , one of another , by reason of their affinities and neglect of their significations , Don signifieth a down or a hill , Ton a towne and Den a Deane , as Wellingdon , Taunton , Pangden , Ouenden of the depression betweene two hils . And it is to be noted that there are three sortes of places of much like qualitie , yet differ in name , as a Valley , a Deane and a Combe , and it is not from the purpose to consider it , for a Vale or valley is a place depressed betwene two hils with a ryuer or brooke . A Dean is a depression betweene two or more hils , which giueth passage to raine water only , & becommeth drie againe , a Combe is that lowe place betweene hils , which hath no fall for the out-gate of any water course , and this no doubt is not straunge to the sensible Reader . Moreouer there is mistaking of Lee for Ley , or leigh , and they import diuers things ; for Lee signifieth a colde ayre , as Bletchinglee , Hellinglee , Chittinglee , and Ley or Leigh a soyle , as Dowrley a watrie soyle , Fairleigh a beautifull ground , Hurstley a woody soyle , Bentley rushie , Okeley , Quercetum , Stoneley , and many other . Manye wordes take name of the quallitie of the place , and mispronounced by custome , as Tarring for Terring , arriuall or landing , Fering , transporting . Sometime we finde names in England giuen of the French , and mispronounced , as Blackboys for Blanckboys , white woode , Beaulye for Beaulieu , a faire seate . Sometime of a thinge done at a place , as Warnecampe neere Arondell , as of the Sentinell or Scoutwach , Tirrelsforde of a passage of a man of that name . There are also names compounded , and the abbreuiation of the sound alters the name , as Milton for Middleton , Chensforde for Chelmersforde , Awston in Sussex for Alesiston , and Awston in Dorset for Aldestown , Amersham for Agmondesham , those words that end in Ham , and Ton , haue almost like signification , for they both import a dwelling place , but in diuers manners , for Ton idem est quod Pagus , and Ham may bee taken for one home or dwelling place , as a ferme in the Countrie , Victum suppeditandi gratia . But Pagus ( as Glareanus saith ) 20000 Hominum continebat , but taken now for a lesse multitude . Ham sometime is compounded with a word importing the nature of the place , as Bromeham , Dowrham , Woodham , Frytham , sometime the quantitie as Michelham , Littleham , Midleham , somtime of the situation , as Eastham , Westham , Sowtham , Northam . Norton is a common name , yet mistaken often , for there is both Noreton a Towne on a hill , and Northtowne , as Noreham a dwelling on the hill , and Northam . Ham is taken somtime for Am a ryuer , as Twineham for Twineam situate betweene two ryuers , as Twineam in Sussex , and Christ-church Twineam in Hamshire , Inter binos amnes . There is also I forde or Eaforde one passage , or Forde , Twyforde of the two Fordes , Treforde of the three Fordes . Worth is a vsuall termination , and importeth ( for the most part ) the inclination of the soyle , as whervnto it is aptest , as Beech-worth , Bentworth , Sedgeworth , Elmesworth , Haselworth . The like is Sted , or Stow , which signifie one thing , as Okested , Holmested , places of Oke and Holme , Hemsted locus cannabaceus of Hempe . Greenested de Viriditate : But Greenwich in Kent , seemeth not to take name de viriditate , but rather it is Groynewich , a towne neere , or vpon the Groyne : for a Groyne is it that is made for a defence against the force of water , as an Elbow eiected out beyond the rest to preserue the land at any place , where the force of the water worketh it away , as it appeareth the water , by his curuing , both at ebbes and floodes , did at that place ; for the situation argueth no lesse . In Sussex as also in other places , there is a vulgar determination in Vold or Fold , as Couold , Chiddingfold , Dunsfold , Burningfold , which is mistaken for Waldt or Weldt , which signifieth a woode , and ought to be pronounced Couewaldt , Chiddingwaldt , Dunswaldt , Burningwaldt , &c. So is Waldtham in Essex , and Waldtden . And of this word , Waldt or Weldt , commeth our vulgar worde wilde , as a wilde Horse , a wilde Bore , or a wild man , vsed for Weldt , as of the woode , wherein they liue sauagely . Infinite denominations there are , which through ignorance of their significations are indirectly pronounced and written . Moreouer sundrie hundreds in England take names of places , nowe vnknowne , and thence springe indirect determinations , both in speach and in record , as Goldspore hundred in Sussex , so called corruptlye through the ignoraunce of the place whence it is named , which is a peere or Rocke neere Guldford , called Guldespere , as the Forde or passage is called Guldesforde . The like is Thurstaple hundred in Essex corruptly so termed for Staplehurst , which signifieth Staple-wood , which Staplehurst is a place , at this day so called in Tiptre heath West of the Pryorie , and by corruption of speach called . Thurstaple , for Staplehurst . These thinges being considered are in themselues manifest , and very probable , although wilfull ignoraunce will hardly admit any reason , but simple tradicion taketh place with the most , who hearing the true denominaton of a place , will finde fault because they know it not . And by these means may the most carefull obseruer , bee led in the Mist by vulgare instruction , which maye robbe also a hundred of his antique title , by the ignoraunce of the place , whence it is deriued , and attribute vnto it some other more notorious place within the same hundred , as the hundred of Godley in Surrey , is of the common multitude for the most part termed Chertsey hundred , because Chertsey is the more famous place , and parcel thereof in the same hundred . Many other words might bee examined to good purpose , as Wike , thorpe , & Vile , vsuall termniations of many places in this land , and els where . Wike idem est quod vicus , and vicus ( as Varro defineth it ) Multis domibus constat nullo muro clausis , after Vadianus . Vicus in oppido via est domorum seriem complexa : whereby it appeareth , ●hat a wike containeth certain houses orderly builded together , as in Rome there ●s , Vicus Affricus , vicus Ciprius , vicus Celera●us : But there are many that may determine in wick , & so may be of one house : which in Essex are dayries , and they called wickes , which differeth from wike , though of a mutuall resemblance in pronouncing . Thorpes there are infinite , especially northward , which is that which the Germanes call a Dorpe , the Saxons ðorpe , and that wee call villam , of the like qualitie with vicus , wherein Vadianus taketh vs to bee deceyued , who affirmeth villam to be domum ruri seorsum extructam , & suo fundo attributam , as a ferme , fermeholde , or as it is in the west , a bargaine : whereof yet there may bee many together , and so may become vicum , or a Dorpe , or thorpe ; for dorpe and thorpe is all one , onely ð which is th , is taken for the simple d· These and many other thinges , being to bee considered in this my poore pretended buysines , I thought good to touch these fewe particulars briefly , vnder the correction of learned antiquaries , not intending thereby to preuent any mans better iudgement , protesting that I acknowledge many more worthy then my selfe , to vndertake the worke , and I the weakest to support the burthen of so waighty a businesse . But sith it is allotted vnto me , my desire and endeuour is , and shall bee to performe it though not as I woulde , yet as I may . And forasmuch as the worke is so generall , and the accomplishing thereof , must perforce depend much vpon information , beare with small faults , and giue me light in what you can , to reforme the greater . And withall for that it requireth a twofold industry , I craue the aide of all frendly affected to the worke , by whose collections , obseruations and aduertisementes , I may bee the better enabled to performe both the topographicall & historicall purposes , to the more generall good liking of all , wherein as I haue the steppes of former labourers in the like , in great measure to walk in , so had they their former , & all merite good opinion . And as I shall receiue your kinde assistaunce in whatsoeuer manner of measure , I wil gladly render euery welwiller his deserued recompence , which is acknowledgement of his paines , and the fruites of theirs & mine , to the good of all men in general . And because the true and auncient denominations of sundry places are vncoth to many , I haue , and do purpose to obserue in the mappes , onely the vulgar names , and in the bookes aswell the antique , as the moderne , wherein the helps of recordes , and information of the skilfull well affected , may much further the trauayle , whose number and goodwill I wish to increase , for the good of our cuntrey , for which we were borne .