A tale of tvvo swannes VVherein is comprehended the original and increase of the riuer Lee commonly called Ware-riuer: together, with the antiquitie of sundrie places and townes seated vpon the same. Pleasant to be read, and not altogether vnprofitable to bee vnderstood. By W.V.

A TALE OF TWO Swannes .

Wherein is comprehended the original and increase of the riuer Lee ●ommonly called Ware-riuer : together , with the antiquitie of sundrie places and townes seated vpon the same .

PLEASANT TO BE READ , and not altogether vnprofitable to bee vnderstood by W. V.

printer's or publisher's device

LONDON .

Printed by Roger Ward , for Iohn Sheldrake . 1590.

TO THE READER

THe reasons be manifold ( good reader ) that mooued me to publish thys present Tale . First , that I might ( in what I was able ) illustrate or make better known to the world , my countrie or place of byrth : to which ( as Cicero saith ) each man doth ow the third part of his life , & for which ther is no good man , but wil ieopard his life , aduenture his safetie , and hazard the dearest things hee dooth possesse : neither yet was there euer any man so brutish , but reioyceth to heare his countrie commended , and is delighted when he heareth the same wel spoken off and praised : such is the affection that euery man beareth to it : that Ouid expressing the same , said , he coulde not tel howe it came to passe , nor whence it should proceede . His words be these : Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Ducit , nec Hence it came to passe that antiquity gaue diuine honor to such as had deserued wel of their countrie : either in peace , by inuenting something to the profit or wealth thereof : or in war , by aduentring their bodies in defence thereof .

Another reason was , that albeit neither my writing , nor other indeuour whatsoeuer , be able to perfourm any thing that might either beautifie or adorne the places I speake of : Yet hereby I would animate , or encourage those worthy Poets , who haue written Epithalamion Thamesis , to publish the same : I haue seen it in Latene verse ( in my iudgment ) wel done , but the Author I know not for what reason doth suppresse it : That which is written in English , though long since it was promised , yet is it not perfourmed : so as it seemeth , some vnhappy Star enuieth the sight of so good a work : which once set abroad , such trifles as these would vanish , and be ouershadowed , much like the Moon and other starres , which after the appearing of the Sunne are not to be seene at all .

Thirdly , being fully resolued to leaue my country , I held best before my departure Cigneum aliquid canere : not vnlike the Swans , who before their death do sing as Ouid , Uirgil , Martial , Horace with all the poets do constantly affyrme . The Philosophers say , it is because of the spirit labouring to passe thorow the long and small passage of her necke , makes a noise as if she did sing . Pithagoras did thinke their soules were immortal , and saith , how before their death , they reioice and sing as going to a better life . The maner of their singing M. Thomas Watson in his Odes expresseth thus : Qualis vbi longo moerore Castrius ales confectus senio graui . &c. Which verses A. F. hath englished on this wise .

Like to the siluer Swan , who seeing death to be comming , Wandreth alone for a while through streams of louely Caister : Then to the flowring bankes all faint at last he repairth , Singing there sweet bird , his dieng song to Caister : Geuing there sweete bird , his last farewell to Caister : Yeelding vp , sweet bird , his breath and song to Caister .

The last , and not the least motiue was my friendes request , whose importunate demaund without breach of amitie , I could not gainsay : to whom , as also to thy fauourable construction ( curtcous and friendly reader ) I commit the same .

IOHN TVRNER of the worke . TO tell a Tale , and tell the trueth withall , To write of waters , and with th●…m of land . To tell of Riuers , where they rise and fall ▪ To tell where Cities , Townes and Castles stand . To tell their names both old and newe , with oth●…r things that be most true . Argues a Tale that tendeth to some good . Argues a Tale that hath in it some reason . Argues a Tale , if it be vnderstood , As looke the like , and you shall find it geason . If when you reade , you find it so , Commend the worke and let it goe . I. T.

A TALE OF TWO SWANNES . WHen nature nurse of euery liuing thing , Had clad her charge in braue and new aray : The hils reioyst to see themselues so fine : The fields , and woods grew proud therof also : The medowes with their partie coloured coates , Like to the Rainebow in the azur'd skie , Gaue iust occasion to the cheerefull birdes , With sweetest note , to sing their nurses praise ▪ Among the which , the merrie Nightingale With swete and swete , ( her brest against a thorne ) Ringes out all night the neuer ceasing landes of God , the author of her nursse and all . About this time , the Lady Uenus viewd , The fruitfull fieldes of Hartfordshire : And saw the riuer , and the meades thereof Fit for to breede her birdes of greatest prise . She calles in haste for winged Mercurie , And sendes him to Cayster , siluer streame : Fetch me ( saith he ) two Cignets of the best , And in the Laund , hard by the parke of Ware , Where Fanshawe buildes for his succeeding race , Thy speedie comming I will there await . The messenger of all the heauenly court , Makes haste away to doo his mistresse quest: And from the brood two Cignets of esteeme He sleely takes , vnseene of any Swannes , Which in that riuer be so plentifull . To Ware he comes , and to the Launde he flies , Where Uenus , like the Goddesse of great Loue , Sate louely by the running riuer side , Tuning her Lute vnto the waters fall , Wherewith she did record the loue and armes Of mightie Mars , the God of dreadfull warre . The present come , she layeth downe her Lute , And takes these Cignets of so great esteeme , Throwing them both into her riuer Lee : And posted straight vp , to the throne of Ioue , Where louely , like to verie loue it selfe , Shee set her selfe , vpon her yeelding knee , And craues of him but onely this request , That her two Swannes might prosper in the streame , And rule the rest , as worthie King and Queene . The mightie Ioue , vnwilling to denie His daughters sute , for feare of further ill , Graunts her request : and more to pleasure her , Saith , that these two so fruitfull shall become , That all the Swannes , yea , the verie Thames Shall be replenisht with their princely race . Uenus yeeldes thankes , and hastes her selfe away , To mount Troclya , where she tooke her rest . Long liued these Swannes in Lee , with great increase Of honour , royaltie , and in high estate : Inricht with issue of the fayrest breede , That liues in Seuerne , Humber or in Trent , The chiefest floudes that water English ground . Three times had Venus vs'd them for to draw Her Iuory Chariot , through the loftie ayre . A speciall fauour ( as the Poets say ) Graunted to such , as she holdes in accompt . Now as these Swannes began to waxen old , As time out weares eche creature that doth liue : It pleased them to send throughout their realme , For all their subiectes of the highest bloud : With full intent to make a progresse cleane , Throughout their land to see the boundes thereof , And euery brooke that harbours anie Swanne , With all the Isles that vnto them belong . No sooner was this message knowne abroad , But there resorted to their being place , Such troupes of milke-white Swannes , as well beseem'd The royall state of two such princes great . Among which troupes , the King and Queene made choise Of fortie Swannes of high and royall bloud , For to attend vpon their Maiesties . Then looke how Cynthia with her siluer rayes , Exceedes the brightnesse of the lesser starres , When in her chiefest pompe she hasteth downe , To steale a kisse from drousie Endymion : So doe these princes farre excell in state , The Swannes that breede within Europaes boundes . And in this pompe , they hie them to the head , Whence Lee doth spring , not farre from Kempton towne , And swiftly comming downe through Brooke-hall parke , Leaues Whethamsted , so called of the corne : By Bishops-Hatfield then they come along , Seated not farre from antient Verolane : His Citie , that first did spend his blessed life , In iust maintaining of our Christian faith . When they had past Harting fordbury towne , The first arme of increase . A quite contrarie course they doe finde out : And though it were some labour gainst the streame , To trace this Riuer , feeding christall Lee : Yet worthily they holde their first resolue , And vp by Tewing , wide of Butlers house , To Digswell haste , where Horsley dwelt of late : And then to Welwine , passing well beknowne , And noted for a worthie stratagem : I meame the Danes , who on S. Bryces night , Were stoughtly murdred by their women foes : To Whitwell short , whereof doth burbling rise The spring ; that makes this little riuer runne . Thence backe againe vnto the chiefest towne ; Of all the shire , and greatest of accompt , Defended with a Castle of some strength , Well walled , dyched , and amended late , By her , the onely mirror of the world , Our gracious Queene and Prince ELIZABETH . Not far from hence , stands many a milkewhite Swanne , Attending for to entertaine their Prince : Among the which , was one of chiefe accompt , That busked vp his winges in greatest pride , And so salutes this worthie companie : And with a speeche that well did him beseeme , He tels how that neere Walkhorne Capels seate , The Bene doth rise , and giues his proper name The second . To B●…gton , and so to Watton runnes : And then by Staplef●…rd , to Beneghoo heere , Where we , with all the Swannes and Cignets both , That liue in Bene , doe rest at your command . Right graciously the Princes tooke his speeche : And so departed towardes Edwardes Ware , But ere they come vnto the Mead●… or Laund , Where Venus first did put them in estate , They passed vp a riuer of good depth , The third . The greatest branch that feedeth christall Lee : With speedie pace ( as Swannes doe vse to swimme ) They passe to Wadesmill , and to Thundrich Church , And so to Standon , honoured with the house Of worthie Sadler Knight , and Counseller To all the children of King Henry seuenth : Whose sonne suruiuing , holdes the verie path , That leades to vertue and to honours throne . By Puckhridge likewise they doe swif●…y passe : And so to Horne-meade more and lesse , and then To With●…hall , to Buckland and to Barckway both , Where is the head and verie vtmost bound Of this surpassing cleere and goodly streame . Returning backe againe , the companie Were 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ? And this was done least that 〈◊〉 They should passe by the guested towne of 〈◊〉 ▪ Thus ordered , they come by 〈◊〉 house , That whilom was the ●…rothers 〈◊〉 place . Then by the Crowne , and all the 〈◊〉 of Ware . And so approching to the late built bridge , They see the barges lading malt 〈◊〉 ▪ And people wondering at so great a troope : Among the which , a man whose 〈◊〉 heares Seem'd to excell the whitenesse of the rest , Bespake them thus . Long haue I liued , and by this bridge was bo●…e , Yet neuer saw I such a companie : So well beseene , so ordered , and so faire : Nay ( as I thinke ) the age that is by past , Nor yet the same that after shall in●… Neuer beheld , nor lookt vpon the like , The people listened to this aged man , As one they loued , and held in 〈◊〉 . A ri●… let or rill . And as they stoode , behold a sodaine 〈◊〉 ▪ From South-side of the bridge , hard by the same , Two goodly Swannes , with Cignets full fifteene Presents themselues , and theirs vnto the Prince : Excusing well their slackenesse , and offence In not appearing at their first command . The Queene beholding such a goodly broode , Receiu'd them all , and pardoned euerie misse : Demanding where they vs'd ▪ and all their state , After a becke in signe of humble thankes , The Cocke made answere with a modest grace . A place there is , not farre from hence ( O king ) A chalkie hill , beneath the same a hole , Cal'd Chadwell head , whence issues out 〈◊〉 strea●…e , That runnes behind broad Meade that you see heere : A little rill , yet great inough for vs , And these our breede , yet ( gratious Prince ) 〈◊〉 A tale there is deliuered vnto vs From hand to hand , how that a hunted ducke , Diuing within this Chalk-well head or hole , Was forced vnderneath the hollow ground To swimme along by waies that be vnknowne : And afterward at Amwell spring ( they say ) Was taken vp all fetherlesse and bare . The King and Lordes tooke pleasure at the tale : And so made haste quite through the arched bridge , To Amwell , when they easilie did espie The spring and rill that comes out of the hill : The fifth . And is supposed to rise at Chadwell head . Beneath the same comes downe a little streame That fosters Swannes , and comes from Haddam small : And so by Haddam , where the Bishops house Hath bene of long , and so to Wydford towne : The sixth . And here at Amwell falles into the riuer Lee. Then troupes this traine to Stanstead , called Le Thele , And Stanstead where as Bashe did lately build , Whose sonne yeeldes hope of vertue worth the place , And liuinges which his father purchast him . And here againe out of the kingly streame They passe by Raydon through little Estwyke quite : The seuenth . Then they salute Hunsdon the nurserie And foster house of thrise renowmed Swannes : Whose honour , and whose noble progenie Giues glorie to that honourable house : Lord , how they liue all glorious as the sunne , With tipes , and titles fit for their degree , As kinsmen to our most redoubted Queene , And men of high desert vnto the state . From hence to Sapsford , and to Starford , cald The Bishops : then to Farnam and to Maundes , And so to Clauering , where it riseth first , And then comes downe againe into the Lee. From S●…sted vnto Hodsden goe these Swannes , From 〈◊〉 to Broxborne , and to Wormley wood And so salute the holy house of Nunnes , That late belongd to captaine Edward Dennie , A knight in Ireland of the best accompt Who late made execution on our foes , 1588. I meane of Spanyardes , that with open armes Attempted both against our Queene and vs : There now lord Talbot keepes a noble house : Now see these Swannes the new and worthie seate Of famous Cicill , treasoror of the land , Thebals . Whose wisedome , counsell , skill of Princes state The world admires , then Swannes may doe the same : The house it selfe doth shewe the owners wit , And may for bewtie , state , and euery thing , Compared be with most within the land . Downe all along through Waltham street they passe , And wonder at the ruines of the Abbay , Late supprest , the walles , the walkes , the monumentes , And euerie thing that there is to be seene : Among them all a rare deuise they see , But newly made , a waterworke : the locke Through which the boates of Ware doe passe with malt , This locke containes two double doores of wood , Within the same a Cesterne all of Plancke , Which onely fils when boates come there to passe By opening anie of these mightie dores with sleight , And strange deuise , but now decayed sore . And as they stayed here , thy chaunst to see The stately crosse of Elnor , Henries wife . Then Enfield house that longes vnto our Queene , They all behold , and with due reueuerence Salute the same . From hence by Hackney , Leyton , and old-Foord , They come to Stratford , cal'd also the Bowe : And vnderneath the bridge that thwartes the streame And partes the shires of Middle sex , and E●●●● both ▪ At last ( though long and wearie was the 〈…〉 They come vnto the mouth of riuer Lee Where all the Swannes of that part of the Th●●● Attend to see this royall companie : So that from Woolwich to Blackwall was seene Nor water , nor the medowes thereabout ▪ For looke how in a frostie night or day . When Snowe hath fallen thicke vpon the ground , Eche gasing eye is daseled with the sight , So Lillie-white was land and strand beseene With these faire Swannes , the birdes of louely loue . After a noyse in signe of passing ioy , A Swane of Thames inuites the King and Queene Vpon a day prefixt , to see and celebrate The marriage of two Riuers of great name . Which granted , euerie one departes his way , The King and Queene againe into their Lee : Where yet they liue 〈…〉 and happie state , Or if not so , they dy 〈…〉 ate . FINIS .

A COMMENTARIE OR EXPOsition of certaine proper names vsed in this Tale .

HArtfoord-shire : so called of the town . Hartfoord . King Alfred was the first that deuided this Land into Shires , Hundreds , 〈◊〉 Te●… , ●…hereby hee repressed the ●…ges and ●…s which the English men ( following therein the Danes ) committed one vpon another . Hee appointed that euery man should 〈◊〉 in some hundred or tenthe , and if he were accused of any offence , if he found not in his hundred or tenth a sucr●…ie or pledge for hunself , he was grieuously punished : hereby he brought to passe , that hanging golden bracelets by cros-waies , there was none du●…st steale or take them away . This Shire aboundeth in p●…enty of corne , pasture , medowes , water and woods : and hath 〈◊〉 120 Parishes .

Lee , called also Lygan , Lygean and Luy. Lee. Caister .

Caister . A riuer in Boetia , where is supposed the ●…airest and largest Swannes doo breede .

Fanshaw . One of the remembrancers of her Maiesties court 〈◊〉 . of ●…er 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…er , and one that especially tendereth the 〈◊〉 of Ware , whereof he hath purchased the Lordship .

Ware . ●…ded in the yeare of our Lo●…d 914. by R. Edward Ware . the sonne of R. Alred . This towne since th●… 〈◊〉 the●…eof , hath greatly increased , and by procuring to themselues the free passage of their bridge , greatly hindred the Shire-towne of Hartford : For in old time the bridge was chained and kept by the Bailiefe of Hartford , but in the time of King Iohn , when the Barons warred one against another , and against the King himselfe . The townesmen trusting to their Lord Wake , brake the chaine , and haue euer since enioyed their passage , whereby it is greatly encreased , and is likely still to doo aswell , for that by means of the Lord Treasaurer , the riuer is made passable for boates and barges , as also through the diligence of the Townesmen , who , with helpe of M. Fanshaw haue erected a newe markette house , with entent to procure certaine Fayres to be helde there yeerely . The Bridge was reedified lately , and the arches made of stone at the charges , viz. 140. poundes geuen by her Maiestie . The rest by the towne and Countrie .

Thames , the chiefest riuer of England : the name is deriued Thames . of Tame and Isis , which rising in Glocester-shire , runneth to the towne of Ta●…e , where ioyning together , they make the Thames , whereof read Leland or M. Harison in his description of Britaine .

Seuerne , a riuer that arriseth in Wales , passeth by Mountgomery , Seuerne , Shrewsburie , Brydgenorth , Bewdly , Worcester ▪ Glocester , and Bristoll : it parteth Wales and the West countrey , and falleth into the sea betwyxt Mylford hauen and Padstow : The course of this Riuer , as also the rest require a speciall treatise ,

Humber , or rather Hull , falleth into the Sea at Rauenspur , Hum●…er , and ariseth out of sundrie Riuers , whose confluence make a mighty water ▪ &c.

Trent is one of the most excellent riuers in England , and Trent . as M. Harison saith , increased with so many Waters , as it seemeth , it may becompared with Seuerne or Owse●… , of which Riuer , whosoeuer is desirous to see or read more , may find the same in M. Harisons workes , and therefore I omit to speake further of it .

Cynthia , the Moone .

Endymion , a shepheard , who ( as the Poets faine ) was cast Cynthia , a sleepe vpon the hill Latmos an hundred yeares by the Moone , to the intent she might inioy his loue .

Uerolane , called by Antonine , Uerolanium , of Tacitus , Uerulanium , of Ptolomy , Uerolanium : The Sarons called it Verolane . Watlingchester of the high-way called Watlingstreete , & Werlanchester of the riuer Werlam that ran by it . And yet it 's called Verulam , albeit there be nothing left but the ruines and rubbish of the walles . It hath bene a citie in olde time of great and especiall account , well walled , and defended with a great fishing pond , which wel neer did compasse it . There is yet to be seene ( as M. Camden saith ) ancient coyne with this inscription , Tasc Verul : which Doctor Powell interpreteth to be Tributum Verulamij for Tasc in walsh signifieth tribute , and Tascia a tribute penie . This citie was greatly distressed in the time of Nero the Emperour , by the warres which Bundwica the Queene made against the Romans , as may easily appeare to such as be any thing at all conuersant in reading the Romane histories : yet did it flourish againe , and continued in good estate , and among other thinges famous , for bringing foorth to the world , Albon the Prothomartir , or first martyr of this land , of whome M. Gerard Leigh in his accidence of armorie wryteth . Albon was knight of the Bath , and Lord of Uerolane , nowe called Saint Albons : who in his youth , for the honour of this realme made a royall chalenge of Iustes at Rome , and did there other Knightly disportes in Armour , where hee had onelye the prise , and was made Knight by Dyoclesian then Emperour of Rome , who had this Realme then in subiection .

This Albon was Prince of Knightes , and soueraigne Steward of Brittaines : and after was conuerted to the faith of Christ by Amphybalus that holy Knight , who went to Rome with Bassianus the Sonne of Seuerus in the companie of 1500 of the chiefe Lordes sonnes of Britaine and Cornewall , where Zepherinus then Bishop , priuily instructed him in the fayth of Christ , which , at his returne , he taught to Albon in such sort , that openly professing the same , they were in the time of the 〈◊〉 D●…sian ●…th martired . Wherof you may reade in G●…ldas and Bede . After this , the Citie was yet in good estate , vntill the time of the 〈◊〉 , when Oct●… and Oesa taking it for their refuge , were besieged by Vther Pendragon , w●… brake the ●…es and defaced it . A●…ter this , by L●…tle and Litle it lang●…shed , so that it became a deane or harbour of theeues and 〈◊〉 vntill King Offa , about the yeare of our Lord 793. ●…ded an A●…ey in honor of S. A bon , in a place calld 〈◊〉 : hencefo●…rth the olde citie decaied , and S. A●…bons flourished . And Alfricke the seuenth Abbot of the house , bought the fishing pond of the King : and for that the Fishermen dayly endo●…aged the religious people , it was with great ●…st dray●…ed , & made drie . There remaineth at this day a street in S. Albons , called Fishpo●…le street : and for that there hath bene fou●…d about the Citie , AAnchors keles of beates , old nailes and such trash , some haue supposed the Thames to haue runne that way , which errour grewe by corruption of Gyldas booke , where he mentioneth of S. Albons death : but it is not so : but heare what ancient recordes doo testifie concerning the same .

In the tune of K●…ng Edgar , when Aegelred was Abbot , he caused the ruines of Verolane to be searched , the vaultes to bee vncouered , and the pauements to be digged vp : where he found Pillers , peeces of antique worke , thresholds , door-frames , pillers for windowes of fine masonrie worke , some of Porphyrte , some Touch , some Alablaster , all which were verte conuenient for his purpose : besides , hee found sockets of Lattyn , and of brasse , with diuers other thinges which hee reserued towardes the foundation of a new abbey , which he intended to build . But being preuented by death , Edmerus his successor digged againe , and found Idols , Altars richly couered , Iugs and cruses wi●…h puts , some of wood , some stone , and some gold , artificially wr●…ught and ca●…ed . And proceeding farther , hee found pots of gold , siluer , and some of brasse , some with coyne , and some with bones and ashes of such as haue bene burned or buried : all which were reseru●…d , and the mettels melted , and kept for this new ▪ 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 at last 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great store of ●…ges and ●…old p●…leges , and the new towne of S. Albons dayly more and more increased , famous as well for the 〈◊〉 , as also for two not●…ble 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fought there , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 betwixt the two great h●…uses of York●… and 〈◊〉 : Thus much of Vero●…ne whereof more might be said , which for 〈◊〉 sa●… 〈◊〉 .

Bishop●… Hatfield or Hethfield . Iohn Morton bishop of Ely Bishops Hatfield , o●… Hethfield H●…don . builded th●…re a house which nowe belongeth to her 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Leland ▪ 〈◊〉 belonged once to th●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ber●…yers from the●… to the Howards , Th●… . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 suspect●…g that a tow●… of the house would ●…all by reason of the height , tooke downe a part therof . And king Henrie the eight making an exchange with the Duke , newly reed●…ed the house sinc●… whose time it is hon●…red with the title of a Bar●… , which Henry Cary , Lord Chamberlaine of her Muest●… houshold , ●…efetenant of Northfolke and Suffolke , and Captaine of Barwike at this day enioyeth .

Hartford called by Antonine & the Romans , Durocobriuas , Hartfoord . the 〈◊〉 or Wel●…en call●…ed wa●…er Du●… Co●… , & Briua , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them as also 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifieth ouer the water , as Briua Odera , Briua I●…ara which signifie passages ouer riuers of the same name . The Saxons called it Herudford as in one booke remaining with Iohn Stowe ( a diligent ●…earcher and ●…reseruer of anti●…ties , it is written H●…ford . Bed●… in the fourth booke of his 〈◊〉 history ●…neth how Theodorus Archbishop of Canterb●… held 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or pro●…ciall counsell at Herudford , Anno. 670. but now it is corruptly ( as I thinke ) called Hartford , which Leland interpreteth Cer●… vad●… the toord of 〈◊〉 it hath 〈◊〉 in olde time of good account , as well by 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 also , of the 〈◊〉 the Castel was 〈◊〉 first by Ed●…ard 〈◊〉 in the ninth yeare of his raige as Henry Hun●…gton saith , whose wordes 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 Anno. 〈◊〉 sui construx●… H●…refordium castrum no●… 〈◊〉 sed pulcheri●…um tamen inter 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 sed clarissima tamen . This castle hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Clares , and then by the Dukes of Lancaster , for Roger de Clare in Henry the second his time was created Erle of Hartford . And Robert Fitzwalter that came of the same house in king Steuens time did boldly affirme that the keeping of the Castle did of right belong vnto him : Henry the third gaue the Castle with the honour belonging to it to William Ualence Erle of Penbroke , Anno. 1247. After it fell to the Dukes of Lancaster , who vsed to lodge at it verie often . In the yeare of our Lord 1357 , the Queene of Scottes , sister to king Edward the third departed this life , lying at Hartford with her sister in law , the Queene of England , and in the yeare 1458 for a fray made in Fleetestreet in London , the king sent the principals of Clifford , Furniuall , and Barnardes In , as prisoners to Hartford castle . King Henry the sixt vsed often to keepe his Christmas there : and to conclude , king Edward the sixt was nursed and schooled there .

The priorie was builded by Ralfe Lord Lymesoy , who came into England with William the Conquerour , and was ( as the Monkes reported ) his sisters sonne .

The townesmen of late haue procured to themselues a new corporation , and haue on the Saterday a good market and euery yeare three faires . In Edward the 3. time , as I haue seene in an olde record , they had two markets in the weeke and but two fayres .

In the time of Henry the eight viz. 1507 there was a paper Mill at Hartford , and belonged to Iohn Tate , whose father was Mayor of London .

Waltham , a market towne : the Abbay was builded by king Harold , who shortly after hee had built it was slaine by Waltham William the conqueror , his mother with great and earnest si●…e obtained his body , and intoumbed the same in the Abbay .

Aelners Crosse commonly called Waltham crosse . K. Henry the first set it vp in memory of his wife ( who died in Lincolnshire ) A●…lnors Crosse. and wheresoeuer her body was caried , there hee erected a crosse with the armes of England , Castile and Pontoys , geuen ●…n the same , of which the crosse in Chepe , and Charing crosse be two of the fayrest .

TO HIS BELOUED FATHER IOHN Valans , W. U. wisheth the grace of God with health and prosperitie .

THe dutie ( deare Father ) I owe vnto you , the regard of my promise , together with the remembrance of your reasonable request , doo not a litle mooue me to write a few words concerning the matter whereof , at my being with you last , we●…th certaine of our friendes talked , A●… 〈◊〉 am well assured that you re●…member what a styr N. B. kept , when I said that shippe●… had bene at Ware , affyrming , how it was vnpossible that that riuer which but of late was scarce able to beare a smal whyrrie , shold in times past beare : big and mighty ships . Truly his wordes were many & great , but his reasons were smal . And since that , at that time I promised to send you in a letter a plaine and euident prooffe of those words which there I vttered , I doubt not but in these few lines fully to satisfie , not only your request , but also your mind , and confirme you in that opinion which fewe men ( vnlesse such as be altogether ignorant of the matter , and of the place ) wil denie . And for so much as the cause for which the ships went thether , and what they did there , then will I plainly prooue both by auchoritie and examples , that it is likey that they were ther. Lastly , I wil ( as my promise was ) shew you about what time and by whome Ware was builded .

That Shippes haue bene at Ware

THe Danes ( who as Polidor Virgill saith ) dwelled in olde time beyond Ister , but now be they inhabitants of the Germane Ocean or Denmark , perceiuing how that their Country was ouermuch pressed with the great multitude of people that in habited the same , determined to subdue the land , to driue out the Englishmen , and to plant themselues and th●…ir posterity for euer 〈◊〉 the same : for perfourming and accomplishing . whereof , they armed great store of chosen souldiers : who about the yeare 832. in 34. shippes entered the riuer of Thames , landed by great force , spoiled , fired , & wasted the country so far , that Egbert who then was king of the more part of England , was fame with an hoast of men to succour and relieue h●…s d●…stressed subiectes . But such was the will of God for the punishment of sinne that then was rise , that the kinge ioining battaile with the Danes , was by them discomfited and put to flight . After this batt●…ile , the Danes were so encouraged , that they 〈◊〉 out of the●…e countrie like f●…armes of Bees , 〈◊〉 that if 〈◊〉 one weeke there were fiue thousand of thei●… 〈◊〉 , yet in the werke following ther would come eight thousand more to supply their roomes . They were oftentime discomfited , and the greater part of them driuen b●…ke by diuers ●…akant kinges and princes , bu●… yet by reason of their often arriuall , therr force was still increased and maintained . One while they arriued in one place , & then in another , spoiling , burning , & killing all they could come by . I●… were too long to tell , and verie grieuous it is to thinke how religion was decaied , learning forgotten , all partes & quarters of the Realme wasted and spoiled : howe cities , townes , churches , abbe●…s & religious ●…ouses were consumed with fire & flame , how miserablie the Commons were afflicted , how pitifully men , women and children , and all fortes of people went to wracke , how wonderfully the kinges themselues were amased , the con●…ing of their enemies being both suddaine and violent : how cr●…elly fire and sword , famine and death raged thorow out the land heauen and earth intending as it were the fatall destruction and vtter dcay of the realme . This miserie continued the space of 300 and ddde yeares , within which yeares , namely about the yeare of our Lord 217 the 23 yeare of King ▪ Alfreds r●…ns a great armie of Danes hauing receiued an ouerthrow at a place ca●…ed Bu●…tington beside Seuethe , fled into east England , and there wintered , and prepared a great hoast againe out of Northumberland and other places , leauing there their wiues and children , together with their money , shippes and munition , in east England , and with great speed got to the Citie of 〈◊〉 ( which at that ●…e was de●…late , the inhab●…tes hauing for feare of the Danes forsa●…en it ) or euer king Alfred & Ethered the vnder king with their armies could ouertake the●… . And yet such was the 〈◊〉 that king Alfred 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this purs●… , that or euer his enem●…es had 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 , he w●…th h●…s companie tooke a great deale of their c●…riage with all the booties of 〈◊〉 and other thinges that they in their iourney by robbing and spoyling had obtained and driuen away . Hee also besieged the citie two or three daies , but perce●…uing it woulde finally auaile , he was fa●…ne ( a grieuous thing to heare ) to burn vp the greatest pate of the corne that grewe there aboutes and bestow the rest amongst his horses , least his enemies shoulde haue the fruit and commoditie thereof . The Danes perceiuing that , and seeing there was nothing left whereof they might liue in those partes , departed from thence , and in great has●…e got them to north Wales , where they spoyled and hartied the countrie farre and neere , driuing away great booties of Cartel , and carrieng with them rich spoiles . From hence they departed And because for feare of the Mercians they durst not traueile that way , they coasted along the countrie till they came to Northumberland , and so through middle England , taking the●… shippes their w●…ues & children out of cast England with them , they arriued at a little Island sc●…uate in the Sea , in the east part of Essex called Merseyge . From thence they departed and came into the riuer of Thames , and seeing that Winter was now at hand , they drew or rowed their shippes vp the riuer Lygean . And twentie miles from London they began to buylde a Fort , which being finished , they taried there all that wynter , spoyling , robbing and burning those quarters without mercy . When Winter was past , a great part of the Citizens of London , with those that inhabited neere thereaboutes traueiled thether , and by force minded to breake downe the Fort or munition which they had there buylded . But the Danes stoutlye resisted them , and not far from the place gaue them a sharpe battaile , where the Christians were put to flight , and foure of King Alfreds men were slaine .

Thus the pagane or heathen Danes remained Lordes or maisters of those quarters , compelling the husbandmen to eare and till the ground , meaning themselues to reape the commoditie of it . But the good King Alfred , who alwaies was carefull for the welfare of his subiectes , gathered an armie , and before haruest time pitched his tents neer to the place of their abode . By whose comming , the enemies were so affraid , that they durst not once peepe out of their hold to fetch either cattell or corne out of the fields by force . In this space , it happened on a time , as the King rode alongst by the riuer side , he viewed the water , and perceiued how that in some places of it , the chanell might easily bee stopped , and the streame made lesse . Whereupon he ( as Huntington writeth ) caused it to bee cut into three seuerall braunches or armes : but howsoeuer it was , hee so weakened the streame , that the Danes could not bring back their ships the same way they came . Which thing the Danes perceiuing , and knowing well it was in vaine for them to abide any longer there , they left their Shippes , and fled by land as fast as they could to Quatbridge , sending their wiues and children againe into east England . After this the king departed , and the Londoners and Countrimen seeing the Danes were gone , burst downe their Holde●… , and got some of their ships backe againe to London , and the rest they burned and brake all to peeces .

But here peraduenture you will aske me , howe I shoulde come by the knowledge of these thinges , beeing done so many hundred yeares agoe . To this I answere , that in things that were done long before any man that is now liuing can remember , wee must credit that our Fathers haue committed to writing concerning the same . And in my opinion , the neerer the reporter liueth to those times in which the thinges he speaketh or writeth of were done , the more credite is to bee geuen to him .

And as concerning this matter , it is confirmed by the reporte of a verie auncient , reuerent and and learned Wryter , namely Asserus Meneuensis , Bishop of Saint Dauies , that liued in the verie selfe same time when these thinges were done , and Maryanus Scotus who liued and wrote a chronicle at least 500. yeares ago , as Florentinus a Monk of Worcester , who continued it , doth witnesse and declare . Besides diuers others of great antiquitie and credite as Henry of Huntington , Mathew of Westminster , and manie moe , who d●…e all confirme that which is before declared . Besides there remayneth yet the ruines of an old Castle or Fort betweene Hartford Castle and the Mill , which I doe vndoubtedly beleeue was the verie selfe same Fort that the Danes builded .

Moreouer , O. Crosse did credibly en●…rine me that at the building of Stansted bridge , there were found within the riuer , peeces of broken ships or Craets , nayles and other thinges which seemed to belong to some great shippes or vessels . All which thinges considered , together with the parting of the streame before remembred , me thinkes should be sufficient to confirme your minde , and cause you to beleeue that there haue bene ships at Ware and Hartford .

Hereunto may bee added that it was a common vse of the Danes to row or drawe vp their ships into some smaller creeke or riuer where that they might ride all winter with least danger . And time worketh some alteration both by water and by land , that where great riuers did somtimes run , nowe it is vtterlie drie , and in stead of maine waters we haue goodly & florishing Meades . And in like sort , where goodly cities and castels some times did stand , there now groweth corne . For examples of this we need not seeke farre , since that in London not aboue 277. yeeres ago namely in the yeere of our Lord 1300. when Henry Waleys was Mayor of the citie there ran a riuer through Walbrook with two bridges ouer it , whereof William Iordan and Iohn de Beuer were maisters and gouernours . What is become of the riuer Wer. that ran by S. Albons of which the great city that in old time stood there , took the name and was called Werlamchester , whereof Leland in his commentaries maketh mention , concerning cities the diligent reader of chronicles shal meet with the names of many , of which ther is at this day no rubbish nor ruin to be seen , as Andres Chester ▪ that stood in Sussex on the edge of the great wood called Andreds weale of I●…hancester , that stood in the 〈◊〉 Panta i●… Essex ; 〈◊〉 of in●…nite ●…e , of which as I sayd , ther●… is left n●… t●…ken , but as the Poet saith Est 〈◊〉 vb●… 〈◊〉 . Thus haue you heard ( deare father ) both the doings of the Danes not only in Engl ▪ ●…ut ●…lso what they made in those 〈◊〉 of the ●…d wherof ●…e talked , and where you dwel . There 〈◊〉 now to write 〈◊〉 ●…ou as 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , how k●…g 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 Ware was built , ●…nd in what ●…ges d●…ies the same was ●…e , of which I 〈◊〉 to say no more then that which hath bene alreadie written by such as haue in their histories and chro●…les made me●…tion o●… s●…h 〈◊〉 as were builded by king Edward 〈◊〉 aboute●… ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I cannot but much mislik●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that affirme that the towne of Hartford was 〈◊〉 by king Edward the ●…rst before the conquesh : Seem●… 〈◊〉 by the very wordes of Huntington it appeareth that it was ●…ut the Castell that he builded , for we read in Beda his histo●…y 〈◊〉 a counsel of Bishops that was b●… at Hartford l●…g bef●… Edwardes time , this castle I meane of Hartford was builded 〈◊〉 the yeare of our Lord ●…12 , by Edward the s●…e of king Al●… , and two yeares after hee builded a tow●…e ●…n the North 〈◊〉 of Lee which is the same th●…t I doe take 〈◊〉 be Ware and w●…s in hand when Witham in Essex was also beg●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ye●…res since . Thus much ( father ) for this time . I thoug●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto you concerning this matter ; ●…thing doub●… bu●… 〈◊〉 herereafter when all thinges be finished that by 〈◊〉 of the Lord Treasurer , maister Fanshaw and other 〈◊〉 m●… 〈◊〉 in hard for the amendement and sc●…ing 〈◊〉 riuer , you and I both shall see , though not shippes , yet 〈◊〉 b●…g boates and vessels passe too and fro betw●…xt London 〈◊〉 Ware to the commoditie and profite of the whole countrey , wh●…h God graunt .

Your obedient sonne W. Vallans ,

FINIS .

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