Certain other observations .

There is a faire Library , and a well founded Almes-house within the Town , also two Gaoles , two houses of Correction , and for mad and frantick people . Also it is reported , that when King Richard the Third went from Leicester , to fight the battaile neer Bosworth , that then there was a man of mean calling ( some say he was a Weaver , and some say a Plough-wright by his Trade ) hee had a spirit of divination or Prophecie , of whom the Tyrant King Richard demanded some questions , what the event of that dayes fight might be to him , to whom the other ( most bluntly answered , Marke my words King Richard , that as thou dost ride out of this Towne of Leicester , this morning thou shalt hit thy right foot against a stone , and as thou returnest thou shalt knocke thy head against the same : which proved true , for as he road , he did strike against the corner of a wall his foot , and after hee was slain in the field , hee was stript , and his body layd crosse behind a man on Hors-back , ( like a Calfe ) and in that vile and ignominious manner , as they brought his corps back to Leicester , his head did knocke against the aforesaid wall or stone , which place I saw there ; also I went eight miles to see Red●●re field , where the King fell , which is a moorish kinde of ground , altogether unfruitfull , and the water doth seem red , which some foolish people do suppose to be the staine of K. Richards bloud ; but it is onely the colour of the red earth that makes the water seeme so , and the ground close adjoyning is very fertile for Corne and Pasturage , but in the lower parts it is boggy and moory : by nature , and not either barren or bloudy by any reason of the Kings death .

Another observation is concerning the alteration of the measures of Miles , and good sufficient Pots or Jugs of drink , but the further I travelled Northward , the more the miles were lengthened , and the Pots shrunke and curtald ; but indeed , what the liquor wanted in measure it had in strength : the power of it being of such potencie , that it would fox a dry Traveller , before he had half quencht his thirst .

In this County of Leicester , I observed a piece of extream justice , executed upon three Geese , which was thus .

At a Village called Dadlington , eight miles from Leicester , there dwelsa Gentlewoman a Kinswoman of mine , who the last Trinity Tearm 1639 was at London , about some businesse in Law , which much concern'd her : and in her absence , the Pinder of Dadlington , finding three of her Geese innocently grazing upon the Common , for to shew the full power , force , vertue , and marrow of his office and authority , drave the Geese into the Pound or Pindfold , and because they could procure no Bayle for their Release , nor sureties for their true imprisonment , hee put all their three necks into a Horslock , which Engine or Neck-fetter was so strait , close , and pinching , that the Geese were all strangled : Now the question is whether Willy , Tilly , ( the Pinder so silly ) were the cause of their deaths , or whether the Geese did desperately cast away themselves : all which I humbly refer to the discretion of the Jury .

But some Readers may muse why I do write so much of Leicester , in this little Book ; the reason is that I lay there from the 17 of July , to the 20 of August , which was five weekes , but in the mean space , I road to Coventry , and return'd in a day to Leicester again , of Coventry I have little to say , but that it is a faire , famous , sweet , and ancient City , so walled about with such strength and neatnesse , as no City in England may compare with it ; in the wals ( at severall places ) are 13 Gates and Posterns whereby to enter , and issue too and from the City : and on the wals are 18 strong defensible Towers , which do also beautifie it : in the City is a faire and delicate Crosse , which is for structure , beauty , and workmanship , by many men accounted unmatchable in this Kingdome : although my selfe with some others , do suppose , that of Abington in Berkeshire will match it , and I am sure the Crosse in Cheapside at London doth farre out-passe it . I have bin at this City foure times , and have written of it before , and therefore at this time ( my stay being so short there ) I have but little to say , onely this that some are of opinion , that at the first itwas called Coventry , from the French word Trey Covent , because there were founded three Covents , for three severall Orders of Friers , namely , the Franciscan Friers , the Augustine Friers , and the Dominicans : It matters not much who erected the said foundations and Covents , but it is certain , that the renowned King Henry the Eighth did suppresse and demolish them , whose memories now is almost quite buried in their owne ruines . Coventry is a County of it selfe , it hath been grac'd and dignified much by the Grant and Priviledges given to it by former Kings , a● King Edward the Third , and King Henry the Sixt ; The Majors name ( at my being there , wa● Master Thomas Forrest a Vintener ) and Maste Thomas Phineas Sword-bearer there dyed at th● beginning of the Sessions ( much about the tim● of my being there ) he was a man of that comel● bulke and corpulency , that his Coffin was a ful● yard wide at the shoulders , and it is said , that i● his life time hee could have been ( at one meale the consumption of a large shoulder of Mutton , but he and his good stomack being both deceast , I left Coventry , because it was Sessions time , and returned to my Randevouze at Leister .

The eleventh day of August I road from Leister to Nottingham , where I lodged at the signe of the Princes Armes ; but I was wel entertained at the house of the Right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Hutchinson Knight , himselfe and his good Lady made mee welcome , and did expresse their bounty to mee in good Cheere and Money : for the which I am heartily thankfull .

The Towne of Nottingham is seated on a Hill , which Hill is almost of one stony Rocke , or a soft kinde of penetrable sandy stone ; it hath very faire buildings , many large streetes , and a spacious Market place : a great number of the inhabitants ( especially the poorer sort ) doe dwell in vaults , holes , or caves , which are cut and digged out of , ( or within ) the Rocke : so that if a man be destitute of a house , it is but to goe to Nottingham , and with a Mattock , a Shovell , a Crow of Iron , a Chizell , and Mallet , and such instruments , he may play the Mole , the Cunny , or the Pioner , and worke himselfe a Hole , or a Burrow , for him and his family : Where , over their heads the grasse and pasture growes , and beasts do feed ; faire Orchards and gardens are their coverings , and Cowes are milkt upon the tops of their houses . I was much befriended by Master Palmer the Iaylor there ; for he went with me , and shewed me the ( sometimes ) strong and defencible Castle , but now much ruined : yet still there are many faire and sumptuous roomes in reasonable reparation and estate . On the lofty Battlements of the said Castle , there is a most spacious prospect round about : for from thence I could see the most stately Castle of Belvoyre or Bever Castle , which doth ( as it selfe ) belong to the Right Honourable the Earle of Rutland : and nearer hand , within three miles , I saw the ancient Towne of Gotham , famous for the seven Sages ( or Wise men ) who are fabulously reported to live there in former ages .

In the aforesaid Castle of Nottingham , I was shewed divers strange wonderfull Vaults , cut or hewen out of the Rocke , whereof one is said to be the place where David King of Scots was detained many years in captivity : where the said King , with his owne hands ( without any other instrument than the nayles of his fingers ) did with the said tooles engrave and claw out the forme of our Saviours Life , death , and passion ; which Worke is there to bee seene upon the Walls .

Also there is another Vault or passage through the Rocke , whereby men may descend or ascend out , or into the Castle ; which vault is called Mortimers Hole , through which hole ( as report goes ) the great Roger Mortimer , Earle of Wigmor , and Lord of Wallingford had egresse and regresse to the Queene , wife to King Edward the second , or the infortunate Edward of Carnarvan .

Thus having seene as much of Nottingham Towne and Castle as is related ; on the twelfth of August , I road to the ancient towne of Darby : On the thirteenth of August I left Darby , with an intent to retire to Leister ; but after I had road halfe a Mile , I met with an acquaintance of mine , who was travailing towards the Peake in Darby shire , to a Towne called Wirksworth , and from thence to Chiesterfield , I returned with him . The Country is very Mountainous , and many Lead Mines are found thereabouts : the best and most richest is called Dove Gany , within a mile or little more of Wirksworth ( corruptly called Wortsworth : ) and two Miles from thence are most dangerous wayes , stony , craggy , with inaccessible Hils and Mountaines : the grounds there are lawfull ( as they told me ) for any man to dig or mine in for Lead , be they of what condition soever : for the Laws of mining is , that those that will adventure their Labours shall have all the profits , paying the tenth part to the Lord or Landlord , of all the Lead which they get . If it happen that they take pains , a yeare or two in sundry places to finde a Myne if their fortune be so hard to finde none ( as it often falls out so ) they do work all that while for nothing , and finde themselves as they are able , and in the end their toyle and labour is all lost : but if they doe hit upon a good Myne that doth hold out , and yield plentifully , then they may quickly enrich themselves ( if they be good husbands . ) I was told of a poore Thatcher that left his Trade , and venturing his time and pains , he found so rich a Lead Myne , that he would turn Gentleman , and he kept men in Liveries , living at the rate of the expence of 100 pound a week ; so that he supposing that Leaden , Golden World would never be ended , took no care to save any thing , but after a while , the Myne failed , and hee spent that little which hee had left in digging for more , could finde none , so that for a conclusion , he forsook the Peake , and turnd Thatcher again .

That part of the Peak , which is called the Devils Ars , is at or neere a Towne named Castleton , or Castle Towne , so stiled from an ancient ruined Castle on a Hill , at the end of the Town , it is 30 miles from Darby , the Castle stands on the top of a Hill , and under it is a Cliff or Riffe in the said Hill , which is as wide at the entrance as three Barn doores , but being entred in it is enclosed again so narrow , that a man must stoop to passe further , but after that straight passage is past , there is rooms of incredible and wonderfull greatnesse , with strange and intricate turnings and windings , which no man can see without great store of lights , and by reason that those things are naturall , and formed without any attor labour of man , and with all so dismall hotrid , darke , and hideous , that place is called the Devils Ars a Peak , at or upon which I have ( according to my promise ) given three jerks with my pen , at the latter end of this Book .

From thence I returned towards Leicester 30 miles , on the 15 of August , and lodged at a Market Towne called Narbury , and the next day I came all tyred and weary ( both man and beast to Leicester ) and on the 20 day , I took my journey 64 miles into Norfolke , to the famous Town of Linne , and three miles from thence , at a Village called Wooton , I was there well welcomed by Master Richard Miles ( to whom I am and must be a thankfull Brother in Law ) whose loving kindnesse to me was shewed in such extraordinary manner , which because I cannot expresse , I will remayn gratefull with silence .

Concerning Linne , it is an excellent Sea-town and strong Port , it is gravely and peaceably governed by a Major , 12 Aldermen , and a Recorder . It hath bin honored by divers , but chiefly by King John 440 yeares since , and by King Henry the Third , the first gave them a faire gilt Cup , which is there to be seene , as a witnesse of his Royall liberality : and who so will know more of Linne , let them goe thither and look the Records of the Town , or else let them read Master Camdens Britania , or the painfull labours of Master Iohn Speed . The troth is , mine Hoast Noble , was a noble Hoast to me , at whose house , my brothers kindred and friends , gave me a friendly farewell . On Tuesday the 27 of August , from Linne to Boston in Lincolnshire 24 miles , where I dined with the right Worshipfull Sir Anthony Thomas Knight , from Boston I road 14 miles to Horn Castle , where I lodg'd the 28 of August . But I crave pardon of the Reader , for I had almost forgotten a merry passage or two which hapned in Norfolke , not farre from Linne : and thus it was .

At a place called Priors Thorns , neere to two Towns , namely , Northbery and Sapham , there dwelt a man named Frier , who was rich in substance , but very poore and miserable in his conditions : belike hee had read or heard of a Play that was written 40 years since by Master Benjamin Iohnson , the Play is extant , and is called Every Man out of his Humour , in which Play was acted and personated a mizerly Farmer , that had much corne in his Barnes , and did expect a scant or barren Harvest , that through want and scarcity hee might sell his corne at what deare rates hee pleased , but ( contrary to his wicked hopes ) the Harvest proved abundantly plentifull , wherefore hee being in an extraordinary merry or mad veine , put himselfe to the charge of the buying of a two penny halter , and went into his Barn as secretly as he could , and putting the halter about his neck with a riding knot , he fastned the other end to a beam , and most neatly hang'd himself : But ( as ill luck would have it ) his man presently came into the Barne , and espyde his Master so bravely mounted , the unlucky Knave drew his Knife and cut the halter , crying out for help as lowde as he could , rubbing and chafing his Master with all care and diligence to recover him to life again ; at the last he awak'd out of his traunce , and fetch'd a deep groan , began to stare and look about him ; and taking the end of the cut halter in his hand , his first words to his man was , Sirrah , who did cut this , O Master ( said the fellow ) it was I that did it , and I thank God that I came in good time to doe it , and I pray you to take God in your minde , and never more to hazard your soule and body in such a wicked manner : to which good counsell of the poor fellow , the Caitiffe replyde , Sirrah , If you would be medling ( like a sawey busie Rogue ) you might have untyde it , that it might have serv'd another time , such an unthristy Rascall as thou will never be worth such a halter , it cost me two pence , and I will abate the price of it in thy quarters wages . And when the quarter day came , hee did abate the said two pence , for the which the fellow would dwell no longer with him , but went and got him another service : This was acted really and lately at the place aforesaid , in imitation of that part in the Play , of Every Man out of his Humour .

After the said Frier had some Hogs which were like to die with the Murrain , which Hogs he killed and powdred , and his wife , children , and Family , as many as did eat of the Porke , fell sick and dyed all : for the which the slave deserv'd a hanging , and a Hangman , but hee yet lives for some worse purpose .

Concerning a paire of Brewers , and a piece of justice . Another short Norfolk Tale is not impertinent . There was one Master Fen a Brewer at Fensham , and one Master Francis Dix a Brewer at Sapkam , this Dix was riding in the Countrey amongst his Customers ( the Inkeepers and Victuallers ) and he call'd for a pot of Ale or Beere as heroad by ; ( now that Ale-house was a Customer to Fen , as soon as Dix had drank , hee asked who brewed that drink , to whom the Hoastesse sayd , that Master Fen of Fensham brewed it ; well said Dix , I dare lay a wager , that I will give my Marc but a peck of Mault , and she shall pisse better drink than this : at the last these words came to Fens hearing , for the which disparagement , he sued Dix , and recovered from him twenty pound damage besides costs , at the Assizes last at Norwich 1639. And now to returne to the narration of my Travels , from whence I have digrest , since I lodg'd at Horne Castle in Lincolneshire .

From thence on the 18 of August , I road 30 miles to Barton upon Humber , and the next day ( being Friday ) I tooke a Boat for my selfe , my Squire , and my two Palfreyes , down to Hull , or Kingstone upon Hull , the strength and scituation of which Towne I have formerly written of : and I had no new thing there whereof to make any new Relation : let it suffice , that it is absolutely accounted the strongest and most defensible Town in the Kingdome of England , and for good goverment inferiour to none : I might speak somewhat of their good fellowship ; but my Book would swell big with it , therefore I will pay them with thinking and thanking of them , both my old friends and new acquaintance all in generall .

The 31 of August I left Hull , and road to Holden 16 miles , and on the morrow I road to Cowood Castle , to see the most Reverend Doctor Neale , the Lord Archbishop of Yorke his Grace , whom in all humility I do acknowledge my self much bound in duty daily to pray for , and remember him with unfained reverend thankfulnesse , not only for the undeserved favours and bounty which his Grace extended towards mee now , but for many other former approvements of his Graces love and liberality , when his Grace liv'd neere mee at Winchester House . At Dinner with his Grace , I had the happinesse to renew my Acquaintance with the Noble and Worthy Knight Sir Francis Wortley ? who most courteously invited and commanded me to visit him in my journey , of which more followeth .

My humble thanks rememberd to the right worthy worshipfull Knight Sir Paul Neale , with his fair and vertuous Lady , as also my Gratefull remembrance to all my Lords Gentlemen and Servants , to whose loves and for whose friendships I shall ever acknowledge my selfe an ingaged Debter .

Thus having past the Sunday with my Lords Grace , and those other before named Gentlemen . On Munday the second of September , I took my Breakfast and my leave both of Cowood , and road to Yorke , where I visited the worthy Knight ( my old acquaintance ) Sir Arthur Ingram , with whom , I thank his Worship , I dined , and also had some other token of his love and bounty , for the which I remayn thankfull .

Of Yorke I have but little to say , though it be a great , a faire , and the second City in England , built 989 years before our Saviours Birth , by Ebrank King of this Land , from whom the City is called Eboracensis , this Ebrank is said to have 21 Wives , by whom he had 20 sonnes , and 70 daughters : he raigned here when as King Solomon Raigned in Ierusalem ; hee overran France , he builded Alclaid , or Dumbritton in Scotland , hee founded York , hee erected a Temple there , and therein plac'd a Flamine to Diana : but after ( in King LUCIUS time ) Elutherius pull'd downe the said Idolatrous wooden Temple , and displac'd the Flamine , and caused tho Minster to be built in that magnificent manner of free stone , placing there an Archbishop ; severus the Roman Emperour dyed there , and also there dyed the Emperour Flavius Vallerius Constantius ( which some call Chlorus ) those that will know more of York , let them reade Chronicles and larger Volumes .

The Lord Major of Yorke was ( at my being there , one Sir Roger Iaques Knight , a Gentleman of approved wisdome and government : myself did not stay three houres , and myne Hoast Master Corney at the Talbot , told mee all the news which I heard there , which was a fellow , that ( amongst other offenders ) was the first that was hang'd , and the last that was cut down , and being put into the grave or pit , with his fellows , when the earth was cast upon them , he began to stir and recover life , and was return'd to the Gaole is now there living , and able to report truly what hanging is , Probatum est .

From Yorke I rode after Dinner to Tadcaster , and so to a place called Kidell , where at a poore Ale-house I was glad of entertainment , and had the company of a Tinker who made pretty Musique with his Banbury Kettle-drum , there was also with him two Drovers and 35 Hogs , which were to be driven on the morrow seven miles further to Leeds Market , this good lodging and company , I past the night with all , and on the morrow , I road to the Town of Leeds ; of which Towne I must say somewhat . This Town is ( for the bignesse of it ) one the most populous Towns in England , it hath in it above 12000 people , and having but one Church there , it was not halfe capable to receive so great a Congregation , they were extremly thronged and dangerously crowded ( especially in the heat of Summer , or sultry contagious weather ) that the most part of the people were inforc'd eyther to go two or three miles severall ways to other Village Churches , or else to stay at home and want the hearing of Gods Word , and the meanes of their salvation . The care and consideration of these Grievances entred into the pious minde of one Master John Harrison Gentleman there , ( now living ) so that God opened his heart , that of his owne proper costs he caused a Church to be built ( though it have but the name of a Chappell ) which is so large , that it will contain 4000 people , it is so neatly compacted and framed , with exquisite art of carving and Masonry , with painting , gilding , polishing , embellishing , and adorning , with a most stately Roofe , a fair losty Tower or Steeple , a sweet Ring of Bels ; besides the admirable and costly Joyners and Carvers Workmanship in the Font , Pulpit , Pewes , Chancell , Communion Boord , and all other things and ornaments for the decent adornment of such a House consecrated and dedicated to the Service of God . I do absolutely affirme , that neither the Church or the Founder hath any fellows to be found .

This Chappell is called by the name of Saint Iohn Evangolist , it hath a faire Churchyard for Burials , well and strongly walled about , and at the West end of the Church-yard , the said Gentleman hath founded a faire Almse-house , and therein placed 21 poore aged people ; also hee hath founded and finished a faire School-house for the instruction of youth , and a fine sweet street hee hath built on both sides in a uniforme and faire manner , with Houses : the Rents whereof are for the mayntenance of the Almes-houses , the Schoole , and Reparations of the Church to the end of the World . And I leave this worthy Founder to God for a blessing , and to the World for imitation .

From Leeds I went to Wakefield , where if the valiant Pinder had been living , I would have play'd Don Quixot's part , and challenged him ; but being it was so happy that he was dead , I past the Town in peace to Barnsley , and so to Wortley , to Sir Francis Wortleyes ancient House . The entertainment which himselfe , his good Lady , and his most faire and hopefull daughter gave mee there , as I never did or can deserve , so I never shall be able to requite , to talke of meat , drinke , money , and free welcome for Horse and Man , it were but a meer foolery for me to begin , because then I should run myself into a Labyrinth , out of which I should hardly finde the way : Therefore to his Worship , my humble thanks remembred , and everlasting happinesse wished , both to him and all that is his . Yet I cannot forbeare to write a little of the further favour of this Noble Knight . Upon the fourteenth of September afternoon , he took horse with mee , and his Lady and daughter in their Coach , with some other Servants on horseback ; where three miles we rode over Rocks and Cloud-kissing Mountains , one of them is so high , that ( in a cleere day ) a man may from the top thereof see both the Minsters or Cathedrall Churches , Yorke and Lincolne , neere 60 miles off us ; and as it is to be supposed , That when the Devill did looke over Lincolne , as the Proverbe is ) that hee stood upon that Mountaine ) or neer it : Sir Francis brought me to a Lodge , the place is called Wharncliffe , where the Keeper dwels , who is his man , and keeps all this Woody , Rocky , Stony , Vast Wildernesse under him , for there are many Deere there , and the Keeper were an Asse if he would want Venison , having so good a Master .

Close to the said Lodge , is a Stone in burthen at the least 100 cart loads , the top of it is foure square ( by Nature ) and about 12 yards compasse , it hath three seats in the forme of Chaires , made by art ( as it were in the front of the Rocke ) wherein three persons may easily sit , and have a view and goodly prospect over large Woods , Towns , Corn-fields , fruitfull and pleasant Pastures , Valleyes , Rivers , Deere , Neat , Sheep ; and all things needful for the life of man : contayned in thousands of Acres and all ( or the better part , belonging to that Noble Knights Ancestors , and himself . Behinde the Stone is a large Inscription ingraven , where in an old character is described the ancient memory of the Wortleys ( the Progenitors to Sir Francis now living ) for some hundreds of yeares , who were Lords and Owners of the said Lands and Demaynes which hee now holds as their right Heire . About a Bow shoot from thence ( by the descent of many rungs of a ladder ) his Worship brought mee to a Cave or Vault in a Rocke , wherein was a Table with feats , and Turfe Cushions round , and in a hole in the same Rock , was three Barrels of nappy liquour , thither the Keeper brought a good Red Deere Pye , cold roast Mutton , and an excellent shooing-born of hang'd Martimas Biefe : which cheer no man living would thinke such a place could afford : so after some merry passages and repast , we returned home .

On the fifth of September , I hired a Guide , and rode to Hallifax 16 miles , the ways were so rocky , stony , boggy and mountaynous , that it was a days journey to ride so short a way . At Hallifax I saw the fatall Engine , wherewith they do behead pilfering Thieves , which Sir Francis Wontley told me was set upon this occasion following .

This Towne of Hallifax hath ( for time out of minde ) liv'd and subsisted by the rich and laudable Trade of Cloathing , and oftentimes their Cloathes were stolne from the Tenterhooks , ( or Tenters ) whereupon the King ( then Raigning ) upon their humble suite had priviledge granted to the Town for ever : That if a Thiefe were taken , either of these three ways , which is , Handnapping , Back-bearing , or Tongue-telling , that is , either about to steale , or carrying it away , or confessing , that then the party offending ( after triall by a Jury of Townsmen ) if the goods , be it cloth , cattell , or whatsoever is valuable , is judg'd to have their heads struck off with the said Engine , without any Assize or Sessions . Now the Engine is two high pieces of Timber , an ell or yard asunder , fixed and closed on the top , with a crosse piece like a Gallowse ; in the inner sides of the two standing pieces are two gutters , and on the top ( or crosse piece is a pulley through which they do put a small Line or Rope , and fastning it to another heavyer piece of wood of 100 weight ( in which they doe fix the sharp-edge-toole ) then they doe pull or hoyst up the said weight , and the stolne goods is brought to the place of execution with the Malefactor ; now one end of the Rope is made fast to a pinne or stake , which being cut , the Engine fals so ponderously and speedily , that it sovers the head from the body in a moment , but there is no man will or must cut the Line , but the Owner of the stolne goods , which if he do , hee hath all again : if he will not cut it , then he must lose all , and it is employed to some charitable uses ; by which means the Thiefe escapes ; and this is Hallifax law .

The sixt day I left Hallifax , and road oversuch wayes as are past comparison or amending , for when I went downe the lofty Mountaine called Blackstone Edge , I thought my selfe with my Boy and Horses had been in the land of Break-neck , it was so steep and tedious , yet I recovered 12 miles to Rochdale , and then I found smooth way to Manchester , and to Sandy Lane end 13 miles ; and to Chester 14 miles , which was the furthest place of my tedious travell .

For my short stay at Chester ( which was but one day and two nights , I had good and friendly entertainment , of many Gentlemen , to whom I must rest thankfull , especially to the Worshipfull Master Alderman Edwards , and to Master Wright and his Wife . It was my fortune to see and rejoyce at the sight of the Noble , Right Honorable Earle and Knight of the Renowned Order of Saint George , William Earle of Darby : And although I have no relation to his Lordship or acquaintance with him , yet for the reverend reverend respect which I doe owe and beare to Nobility , it did me good to see so grave and honourable a Peere .

The City of Chester , is of ancient erection and fame , it was the Royall Seat of Kings , and there are yet some ruines left of the memorable Pallace of King Edgar , to which Mansion the said King was rowed in a Barge by eight Captives ( or Tributary Kings from Saint Johns ) on the River of Dee , which River there is spoyled and impeached by a bank of stones all over it , onely for theemployment of a Mil or two , which River other ways would be both passable & profitable to the whole Country , for many miles , for the carriage of goods in Boats & Barks . Chester itself is a fair City four square , well walled , with an old ruin'd Castle , which hath beene a strong Fabrick , but now a Gaole , the streets are spacious , the buildings sumptuous , and so contrived , that four or five men may walk in the most parts of a breast , dry from the injury of Raine , or any falling Weather : it is gravely and peaceably governed by a Major and his 12 Brethren , it hath foure Gates and three Posterns , goodly Churches , and chiefly painfull and learned Preachers . And so much for Chester .

Onely a merry Tale , of a late true businesse which hapned there ; There dwelt a Bricklayer , a good Workman ( but a good husband ) whose name was Iohn Tilly , who had the good hap to spend all that he got in his lifetime , except two sonnes and one daughter : And being sicke and in his death-bed , there came a poore neighbour to visit him , whom he desired to make or write his last Will and Testament ; the poor man ( having Ink and Paper ) asked him what hee should write ?

Quoth honest John Tittle , my estate is but little , but I pray thee write thus .

IMprimis , I give and bequeath to my Wife ( for her solace and comfort ) my little Dog , for it is a pretty nimble active Curre , and wil make her some sport which may delight her , and put the grief of my death out of her sad remembrance .

Item , I give and bequeath to my eldest sonne John , all my working Tools belonging to my trade of Bricklaying , which as hee may use , may be as available to him , as they have beene to me , and this is the summe of my Will.

His youngest sonne standing by , sayd , Father , have you nothing to give mee ? Yes sonne ( quoth hee ) I had almost forgotten thee , but I will leave thee somewhat .

Item , I give and bequeath to my sonne George seven foot of ground vnder the Gallowse .

Good father take comfort ( said George ) for my hope is that you will recover , and live to enjoy that Legacie your selfe .

Then the daughter pray'd him to give her somewhat whereby she might remember his fatherly love , Yes , quoth he , I pray write .

Item , I give and bequeath to my onely daughter a Whores conditions and qualities , which as shee may use them , she may live in such estate and fame that she may be mistaken for a Gentlewoman .

Lastly , I doe make and ordaine my Neighbour here , my full Executor : and for his paines for writing my Will , I do give him and his heires male for ever , an old shooing-horn .

The ninth of September I turn'd my back upon Chester , ( almost without taking leave ) and road 15 miles to Nantwich , the tenth I rode to Stone and to Lichfield , 22 miles .

Of the Ancient Town of Lichfield I can say nothing ( by reason of my short stay ) onely there is a faire and curious old Cathedrall Church or Minster .

And the Towne hath that priviledge ( as mine Hoast told me ) that they can draw and hang one another , and never trouble any other Judge , Assize , or Sessions .

The eleventh I rode to Faseley , Abersom , Hinckley and Dadlington , eighteen miles , where all weary and almost worne out with age and travell , I rested untill Saturday the fourteenth of September , and then rode eight miles to my brother Miles , at my old welcome lodging at Leicester .