Wales

Sources from old books

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

WALES.

THE Island of great Britain, in ancient time, was severed into three Parts; the first, fairest, and greatest, contained all within the French Seas, the Rivers of Severn, Dee, and Humber, and was called Lhoyger, which name in Welsh it still retaineth; and in English, England. The second took up all the Land Northwards, from the Humber to the Orkney Isles, and was called Mare Caledonium, or Deucaledonium, and now Scotland: And the third lying between the Irish Seas, the Rivers of Severn and Dee, was anciently called Cambria, and now Wales; to which the Britains being outed of their Country, were forced to retire, and there fortified themselves.

This Country of Wales is bounded on all sides by the Sea, except towards England, from which it is severed by the River Dee, and a Line drawn to the River Wye; but anciently it was extended to the River Severn Eastward, for Offa King of the Mercians forced them to quit the Plain Countries beyond that River (which now is called the Marches of Wales,) and to betake themselves to the Mountains, which he caused to be separated from England by a great Ditch, called Offa's Dike; in Welsh, Claudh Offa; in many places yet to be seen; which Dike beginneth at the influx of the Wye into the Severn, and reacheth unto Chester, which is about 84 miles; where the Dee disburthens it self into the Sea. And over this Dike (by a Law made by Harald) no Welshman was permitted to pass with a Weapon, upon pain of losing his Right hand.

The whole Country is Mountainous and Barren, yet affordeth several good Commodities, and is not without many fertil Valleys, which bear good Corn, and breed great abundance of small Cattle, with which they furnish England, as also with Butter, Cheese, Woollen-Cloths, called Welsh-Frizes, Cottons, Bays, Herrings, both White and Red, Calve-skins, Hides, Hony, Wax, &c. and the Country is well stored with Quarries of Free-stone for building, and Millstones; as also hath Mines of Lead, Lead-Oar, Coals, and some of Silver and Tin. And these Commodities are generally brought to Shrewsbury, Oswestre, Bristol, Worcester, and other adjacent parts, and thence dispersed into England.

About the year of Christ 870, Rodericus Magnus, King of Wales, divided this Country into three Regions, Territories, or Talaiths, which were so many Kingdoms, to wit, Gwineth, Venedotia, or North-Wales; and this part he gave to Anarawd, his eldest Son; Deheubarth, or South-Wales, which he gave to Cadelh, his second Son; and Powis, or Powis-Land, which he gave to Mervin, his third Son: and in each of these three Kingdoms he appointed a Royal Palace, as at Aberffraw, in the Isle of Anglesey, for North-Wales; at Dynefar, or Dynevowr-Castle, not far from Carmarthen, for South-Wales; and at Matravan, in Montgomery-shire, for Powis-Land.

But at present, according to Act of Parliament, made in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, it is severed into two Parts, to wit, North-Wales and South-Wales, both which have as it were devoured all Powis-Land; and in each of these parts there are 6 Counties; in the North, those of Anglesey, Caernarvon, Denbigh, Flint, Merioneth, and Montgomery; and in the South, those of Brecknock, Cardigan, Carmarden, Glamorgan, Pembroke, and Radnor.

Again, Wales (like unto England) is divided into four Circuits for the Administration of Justice; and then the first shall contain the Counties of Denbigh, Flint, and Montgomery; the second, those of Brecknock, Glamorgan, and Radnor; the third, those of Cardigan, Carmarden, and Pembroke; and the fourth, those of Anglesey, Caernarvon, and Merioneth.

But to proceed to the description of these Counties, and first of North-Wales.

NORTH-WALES.

THe Island of ANGLESEY is severed from Caernarvon-shire by a narrow Streight of the River Menai, and on all other parts it is washed with the Irish Seas. It was the ancient Seat of the Druids, and brought with no small difficulty under the Roman Scepter by Julius Agricola. It is so fertil, and abounding in all things, as Corn, Cattle, and Provisions, that the Welsh term it the Mother of Wales, supplying its defects; although for fight it seemeth dry, stony, and hilly. It produceth a sort of Stones called Molares, very fit and good for Mill-stones, and Grind-stones.

In this Isle were formerly seated 360 Towns and Villages, but at present but 74, and hath intercourse of Traffick with two Markes Towns, and hath several good Ports and Harbours, as also divers Ferries, for the conveyance of Passengers to and fro. Its chief places are,

Beau-Morish, seated on a Moorish-ground, but commandeth a fair prospect into the Sea, where it hath a very good Harbour for Ships. It was built by King Edward the First, the better to secure his Conquest, who fortified it with a powerful Castle, now in good repair. It is a pretty good handsom Town Corporate, governed by a Major, Recorder, 2 Bailiffs, who are Justices of the Peace, and 21 Common Council, called Burgesses. It is the chief Shire-Town, where the Assizes and Sessions are held, sends a Burgess to Parliament, is indifferently well inhabited and frequented, as being the usual place for the reception of Passengers from London to Ireland, before their taking Shipping at Holyhead. It hath weekly two Markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are indifferent good.

Newburgh, seated near Brant River, where it formeth a Bay, and falleth into Menai River; a small Borough Town, governed by a Major, 2 Bailiffs, and a Recorder, and hath a Market on Tuesdays.

The County of CAERNARVON, before Wales was divided into Shires, bore the name of Snowden-Forest from the principal Hill therein seated, which is of a very great height and extent, and affordeth excellent sweet Mutton; on the top of this Hill floateth a Meer, and maketh a River, and falleth into the Sea at Trathe-Mawer. It is a County of a sharp Air, very Mountainous; yet not unfertil, and feedeth good Herds of Cattle.

In this County are seated 68 Parish Churches, and hath six Market Towns:

Caernarvon, commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar, where it hath an excellent prospect into the Isle of Anglesey. It was a place of good account, where the Princes of Wales had their Exchequer and Chancery for North-Wales; and is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art, being encompassed on all parts (except towards the East) with the Sea and two Rivers, and had a strong Castle, where, in a Tower thereof called Eagle-Tower, Edward the Second, the first Prince of Wales was born. It is a place of no great extent, having but one Parish Church; its Houses and Streets are well built and ordered, is well inhabited, enjoyeth several Immunities, sends a Burgess to Parliament, is governed by the Constable of the Castle, who is ever Major, and hath for his assistance an Alderman, 2 Bailiffs, a Town-Clerk, with Sub-Officers; and its Market on Saturdays, is very good for Corn and Provisions.

Bangor, lowly seated on the Sea-shoar; a Town in Ancient time so large, that it was called Bangor the Great, and was defended by a powerful Castle, which long since was laid level to the ground. It is at present but a small City, or rather a Town, yet dignified with the See of a Bishop; its Cathedral is large and well built, its Houses indifferent good, is pretty well inhabited, is governed by the Bishops-Steward, who keepeth Court-Leets and Courts-Baron for the Bishop; and hath an indifferent good Market on Wednesdays.

Nigh unto Bangor is Penmaen-maur, that is, the Great Stony-head, being an exceeding high and steep Rock, which at High-Sea so hangeth over, that it affordeth a very narrow and dangerous passage; but having passed this, and Penmaen-byehan, that is, the Lesser Stony-head, the Country openeth it self in a broad Plain as far as the River Conwey.

Aberconwey, seated at the Mouth of the Conwey, raised out of the Ruins of the ancient Canonium of Antonine, being strongly fenced both with Walls and a Castle. It is a pretty good Town, governed by an Alderman and 2 Bailiffs, which for largeness and good Buildings, doth rather deserve the name of a City than a Town, especially were it thicker inhabited, and better resorted unto; yet its Market, which is on Fridays, is well served with Provisions and several Country-commodities.

Pulhely, seated on the Sea-shoar, and between two Rivers; a pretty large and indifferent well-built Bailiwick Town, which hath a good Market on Wednesdays for Corn and Provisions, and enjoyeth a good Trade by Sea.

DENBIGH-SHIRE, a Country very Hilly, several of which are of so great a height, that they retain Snow, and the tops thereof in the Summer season are the Country-mans Morning-Almanack, to denote a fair day by the rising of certain Vapours.

It is of a different Soil; the Western part being Heathy, is much inclined to sterility, and but thinly inhabited, except the part which lieth towards the Sea; the Eastern (beyond the Valley) is much more barren; and the middle, where it lieth flat, is a pleasant and fertil Vale, and well inhabited with Gentry.

Here are seated 57 Parish Churches, and is traded unto by four Market Towns.

Denbigh, seated on the hanging of a Rocky-Hill, and on a branch of the Cluyd; once a place of good strength, when fortified with a strong Wall, and an impregnable Castle. The Town is indifferent large, well built, inhabited by Glovers and Tanners, enjoyeth a good Trade, by some esteemed the best Town in North-Wales; is governed by 2 Aldermen, 2 Bailiffs, and 25 Capital Burgesses, with sub-Officers; electeth a Parliament man, and hath a good Market for Corn, Cattle, and Provisions, on Wednesdays.

Ruthin, seated on the Cluyd, which washeth a rich Vale, of note for its once large and fair Castle. It is a large, well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate, governed by 2 Aldermen and Burgesses, hath a large Hospital, and a Free School, governed by a Warden; and hath a very considerable Market for Corn and Provisions on Mondays, which is esteemed the best in the Vale.

Wrexham, seated in a good Soil, affordeth plenty of Lead, and on a small River which falleth into the Dee. It is an indifferent large, well-built and inhabited Town, graced with a fair Church, whose Steeple is not inferiour to any in England; and hath two Markets weekly, viz. on Mondays, which is but small, and on Thursdays, which is very great for Corn, Cattle, and Provisions.

In this County is Llansainan, seated on the River Aled; a small Town, but of note for its Cave made in the side of a Rock or Stony-hill, wherein are 24 Seats, some bigger and some lesser, known by the name of Arthur's Round-Table; a place much frequented by Shepheards and Heardsmen.

The County of FLINT is not over Mountainous; and those that are being interlaced with fertil Valleys, affordeth plenty of Corn and Pasturage; it hath great abundance of Hony, but is very defective of Wood and Fruits. It is indifferently well watered, hath several safe Harbours for Ships to Ride and Anchor in; and this part of the County hath plenty of Mines of Pit-Coal, and the adjacent Mountains have store of Lead-Oar.

This Shire is famous for St. Winfrids-Well, not far from Cajervis, in English, Holy-Well; a place of great note, and much resorted unto, as well by those to Bath in, as being esteemed very good for several Diseases; as by Pilgrims, out of their devotion in memory of that Christian Virgin Winfrid, who was there ravished by a young Lord or Prince of the Country, and to stop her Acclamations, cruelly slew her and cut off her Head; out of which place (according to Report) did immediately gush forth a Spring, which is of so rapid a Stream, that at a small distance it is able to drive a Mill. Over the Head of this Spring or Well there now standeth a Chapel built of Free-stone, of curious workmanship; and in the Chancel, on the Glass-window is lively pourtraied the History of St. Winfrid; of her life, and how her Head was cut off, and set on again by St. Reuno. In the Well there groweth Moss, of a most sweet and pleasant smell, which is said to be St. Winfrids-hair.

Here are seated 28 Parishes, and hath two Market Towns.

Flint, well seated on the Dee•, of chief note for its now old and ruinous Castle; and although the Shire-Town is but small, and hath no Market; but as a Borough-Town, electeth Parliament man.

St. Asaph, seated on the Elwy, where it receiveth the Cluyd, over each of which there is a Bridge; a place of more fame for its antiquity, than largeness or beauty, being an ancient Episcopal See, founded by Kentigerne, a Scot, Bishop of Glasco, in Anno 560, of which about 300 that were unlearned, employed their times in Husbandry within the limits of the said Monastery, and the rest to a Holy life. By this it may be judged their Bounds were exceeding large; and upon his return into Scotland, he ordained Asaph (a godly man) to be his Successor, from whom the Town or City took its name, which at present is not large, not its Buildings very good, chiefly glorying in its Cathedral. It hath a small Market on Saturdays.

The County of MERIONETH is exceeding Mountainous and Rocky, very unpleasant, and for the generality much inclined to sterility, bearing but thin Crops of Corn; yet is found to feed good flocks of Sheep, and Herds of Cattle, from which the Inhabitants draw their chief Maintenance. It is observed, that these Mountains are of so great an height, that in many places two men may stand and discourse together, each upon a several Mountain, but must travel some miles before they can come to meet. It is well watered with Rivers, and is well provided with red Deer, Fowl, and Fish; and as this County is thus Mountainous and barren, so is it as thinly inhabited, numbring but 37 Parishes, and those but ordinary, and hath but three Market Towns.

Harlech, seated on a Rock on the Sea-shoar; a small Borough Town, which is but thinly inhabited, nor its Houses over well built, although the chief of the County. It is governed by a Major for its chief Magistrate, sends a Burgess to Parliament, and hath a mean Market. This Town was once of a greater account for its strong and beautiful Castle, highly seated, commanding both Sea and Country adjoyning; but was reduced to Ruins in the late unhappy Wars by the Parliamentteers, this being a Garrison of the Kings.

Bala, seated near Pimble-Meer, which is of a large extent, through which the Dee is said to run, but not to mingle with its water, which is proved for that the Salmons, plentifully taken in the Dee, are not found in this Meer; and likewise the Fish called Gwyniaid, much like unto Whitings, which is in as great plenty taken in this Meer, are never found in the Dee. This Town is Incorporated, enjoyeth some Immunities, is governed by Bailiffs, hath an indifferent Market on Saturdays; but the Town is mean and small.

MONTGOMERY-SHIRE, very Hilly and Mountainous, but interlaced with fertil Valleys both for Tillage and Pasturage, and was in ancient time of note for its good breed of Horses.

Here are seated 47 Parish Churches, and is traded unto by 6 Market Towns.

Montgomery, the Shire-Town, so called from Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, the first builder thereof. It is well seated amongst rich grounds, and on an easie Ascent of a Hill; a place once fortified with a powerful Castle, and fenced about with a Wall, which was dismantled in the late Wars. It is an indifferent large Town Corporate, governed by Bailiffs, sends a Burgess to Parliament, and its Market, which is on Thursdays, is well resorted unto, and hath a good Shambles.

Welch-Pool, seated on the Severn, and in a rich Vale; the greatest and best built Town Corporate in the County, governed by Bailiffs, is well inhabited, enjoyeth a very good Trade for English Commodities from Bristol, and its Market on Mondays is very considerable for Cattle, Provisions, and Flannels. Its Castle, called Powis-Castle (which within the compass of its Wall containeth two Castles,) is of late a large and stately Pile of Building.

Llanvilling, scituate in a Flat amongst the Hills, and between the Cain and the Ebir; it is a good Town, and hath a considerable Market for Cattle, Corn, Wool, and Provisions, on Thursdays.

Within three miles of this Town is Matravan-Castle, sometimes the Royal Seat of the Princes of Powis-Land.

SOƲTH-WALES.

PEMBROKE-SHIRE, called in Welsh, Brechinean, is said to take its name from one Brechanius a Prince, who had a great Off-spring of 24 Daughters, and all Saints. It is a County for the generality very Mountainous, some of which are exceeding high, especially Monuchdenny-Hill, not far from Brecknock, which exalteth it self above the Clouds; and although thus Hilly, yet is not without many large and fertil Plains and Valleys, both for Corn and feeding of Cattle; and the more by reason of the Rivers, Ʋske and Wye, which receive those many Streams that so plentifully water the County, and afford to the Inhabitants great abundance of Fish, especially Salmon and Trouts, in the Wye.

Here are seated 61 Parish Churches, and 4 Market Towns.

Brecknock, seated at the meeting of the Rivers Hodney and Ʋske, over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge. It is a place of good antiquity, and at present a very large Bailiwick Town, containing 3 Parish Churches, one of which is a Collegiate Church; its Houses are well built, was once strengthned with a stately Castle, as also with a strong Wall, which gave entrance by 3 Gates. It is governed by 2 Bailiffs, 15 Aldermen, 2 Chamberlains, a Town Clerk, &c. amongst its Immunities sends a Burgess to Parliament; is a place well inhabited, and the rather as being the Shire-Town where the Assizes are held. It enjoyeth a good Trade for Clothing, and hath weekly two Markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are very well served with Cattle, Corn, and Provisions.

About two miles from this Town is a large Meer or Pool some miles in compass, called Brecknock-Meer, where in former times stood a fair City, which was swallowed up by an Earthquake.

Hay, seated between the Wye and the Dulas; a Town of good note in the time of the Romans, being then sortified with a Castle and a Wall. It is at present a good Town, and hath a very great Market for Corn, Cattle, and Provisions, on Mondays.

Bealt, pleasantly seated amongst the Woods, and on the Banks of the Wye, over which it hath a very large Wooden-Bridge, which leads into Radnorshire; at present a pretty small Town, enjoying a considerable Trade for Stockings, and hath weekly two very good Markets, on Mondays for Cattle, and on Saturdays for Corn and Provisions.

CARDIGAN, a County of a different Soil, and ill clothed with Wood; the Southern and Western parts being plain and very fertil (yet not without some Hills,) and its Eastern and Northern parts are Mountainous, and not so fertil, amongst which is the Plinillimon-Hill, a Mountain of a very great extent and height.

Here are numbred 64 Parish Churches, and hath 4 Market Towns.

Cardigan, formerly strengthned with a Wall, and a fair and spacious Castle, built on the side of the Tywye upon a Rock, long since brought to ruin. It is a Town no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the said River Tywye, over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge, sustained by several Arches, and is of no great distance from its influx into the Sea; and being the Shire-Town where the Assizes are held, and the County-Gaol kept; is well inhabited and frequented, being a large Town, though containing but one Church, which is a fair Structure, and is graced with a well built Shire-Hall, with several good Buildings; and as a Town Corporate, is governed by a Major, Aldermen, Common Council, with sub-Officers; enjoyeth several Immunities, electeth a Parliament man, and hath an indifferent good Market on Saturdays.

Llanbeder, seated on the Tywye, over which is a Bridge which leadeth into Caermarden-shire; an indifferent good Town, governed by a Port-Reive and Steward, and hath a Market on Tuesdays, which is well resorted unto for Grain and Provisions, and from the latter end of April to the beginning of July, is very great for Sheep, Heifers, Cows and Calves.

Aberysthwy, seated on a Rising-ground, and on the Banks of the Ridall, near its influx into the Sea; a Town once strengthned with a Wall and Castle, now ruinated. It is a long and ill-built Town, governed by a Major, with sub-Officers, hath a very great Market for Corn, Wool, Cheese, and Provisions, on Mondays, and is a place much resorted unto by reason of its Fishing-trade, and would be more were its Inhabitants industrious.

Near unto this Town is Lhan-Badernvaur; a well-built Town, graced with a fair Church, which was formerly an Episcopal See, and is now the Parish Church of Aberysthwy.

CAERMARDEN-SHIRE is generally of a fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage, as not being so Mountainous as its Neighbouring Counties, and is well watered with Rivers, as the Tovye, Taoy, Lough, or Taff, which (with others) discharge themselves into the Sea, plentifully serving the Inhabitants with Fish and Fowl; and in many places are dug Pit-Coal.

Here are seated 87 Parish Churches, and is traded unto by 8 Market Towns.

Caermarden, pleasantly seated on the Towy, over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge, and is navigable for small Vessels, having a good Key for the lading and unlading of their Merchandizes. It is a place well inhabited and traded unto, and as a Town Corporate is governed by a Major, 2 Sheriffs, elected out of 16 Burgesses or Aldermen, all clad in Scarlet, with other sub-Officers. Amongst its Immunities electeth a Parliament man, keepeth Courts for the trial of Causes, is the place where the Assizes are held, and hath weekly two Markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are very great for Corn, Cattle, and Provisions, both Flesh, Fish, and Fowl, in great plenty. This Town glorieth in giving birth to Merlyn, that famous British Prophet, or South-sayer.

Llancharn, or Llangharne, seated on the Towye, near its influx into the Sea; a well-built Town, of some Trade, having several Vessels belonging to it, and its Market, which is on Fridays, is very good for Corn and Provisions.

Near unto this Town is a Wich, or Salt-work, where good quantity of Salt made.

Llanelly, seated on a Creek of the Sea; a pretty good Town, which is well traded unto for Sea-Coal, and hath a Market on Thursdays, of good account for all sorts of Cattle, Corn, and Provisions.

Llandilovawre, seated on the Towy, over which it hath a fair Bridge; a pretty good Town, having two Markets weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, for Cattle, Corn, and Provisions; and the Parish to which this Town belongeth is about 13 miles in length, and 7 or 8 in breadth.

Llanymdofry, seated amongst Rivers; a pretty fair Bailiwick and Town Corporate, and hath two very great Markets weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, for Provisions, and the greatest in the County for Cattle and Sheep.

The County of GLAMORGAN is of a temperate and healthful Air, and of a different Soil and Scituation, the Northern parts being extreamly Mountainous, full of thick Woods, very barren, and thinly inhabited; yet are found to feed good Herds of Cattle, and to send forth several fresh Streams, the chief amongst which are the Tavye, Taff, Ogmore, Rumney, Elay, Nid or Neath, &c. and the Southern part, which is washed by the Severn Sea, and receiveth the said Rivers, is more upon a level, is very fertil both for Corn and feeding of great quantities of Sheep and Cattle, is well inhabited, and thick beset with Towns and Houses of the Gentry.

This County numbreth 118 Parish Churches, and hath the accommodation of 8 Market Towns.

Cardiff, the fairest Town in all South Wales, well seated on the River Tave, or Taff, over which it hath a fair Bridge, to which Vessels of small burthen do come to lade or unlade their goods; and in a rich and fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage. It is a large and well built Town, with good ordered and clean Streets, containing within its Walls two Parishes, but hath but one Church; without the East-Gate is a large Suburb called Crockerton, without the North-Gate stands the White-Friers, and without the West-Gate a small Suburb adjoyning to the Black-Friers, and in this part is seated the Castle, which is a strong, spacious, and stately Building. It is a Town Corporate, governed by a Constable, 12 Aldermen, as many Capital Burgeffes, a Steward, Town-Clerk, with sub-Officers, enjoyeth several Immunities, electeth a Parliament man, is the place where the Assizes are kept; is well frequented and traded unto, its Inhabitants having a great intercourse of Traffick with Bristol, and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are very good, especially that on Saturdays, which is the best in the County, and very considerable for Gattle, Corn, Swine, Sheep, and all sorts of Provisions in great plenty, and at easie rates.

Llandaff, a City seated on the Taff, but of a small extent, scarce comparable to an indifferent Town, having not so much as a Market kept, which is occasioned by its vicinity to Cardiff. Its Cathedral is a spacious and superb Structure, and near adjoyning are the Ruins of an Old Castle, which was the ancient Palace of the Bishops.

Neath, seated on a River so called, over which it hath a Bridge, to which small Vessels come for the lading of Coals here had in great plenty to the profit of its Inhabitants. It is a Town of great antiquity, and of a good extent, yet is it indifferent large, is governed by a Port-Reve, and hath a good Market for Provisions.

Swansey, commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar, an ancient Port-Reve Town, which is large and well built, which for Riches and Trade is esteemed the chief in the County, and that by reason of their Coal-Pits, and the great industry of its Inhabitants. It hath weekly two Markets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are very well frequented and traded unto, affording great plenty of Commodities and Provisions.

PEMBROKE-SHIRE, is of fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage, is well stored with Cattle, and replenished with Rivers, which (with the Sea) plentifully serveth the Inhabitants with Fish and Fowl, and in the bowels of the Earth are plenty of Pit-Coal.

It is well inhabited and garnished with Towns, numbring 145 Parish Churches, and is traded unto by 8 Market Towns.

Pembrook, the chief Shire-Town, seated on the Eastern and innermost Creek of Milford-Haven, over which it hath two fair Bridges for the conveniency of passage. It is a place of good account, well frequented and inhabited by Gentlemen and Tradesmen, is much resorted unto by Shipping, by reason of which they have a Custom-house. It is a place of good strength, being fortified with a Wall, on which are several Towers, having three Gates for entrance, and also with a strong Castle seated on a Rock. It is a large Town Corporate containing two Parish Churches, is graced with well built Houses, is governed by a Major, with other sub-Officers, enjoyeth several Immunities, sendeth a Burgess to Parliament; and its Market, which is on Saturdays, is very good, and well served with Provisions, &c.

This Milford-Haven is esteemed the best in all England, not only for its largeness, being capacious enough to give entertainment to about 1000 Sail of Ships at one time, and to ride secure at a good distance one from the other; but also for its variety of deep and safe Creeks and nooked Bays for Ships to harbour in, having within it 13 Roads, 16 Creeks, and 5 Bays, all which are known by their several names.

St. Davids, seated within a mile of the Sea in a barren Soil, and very destitute of Wood. It was once a City of good account, but at present is very small, but thinly inhabited, and its Market disused; yet is it the See of a Bishop, and its Cathedral kept in good order, but the Bishops Palace is much ruinated.

Near unto St. Davids is a Promontory called St. Davids Land or Head, from whence in a clear day Ireland may be seen; and on the Rocks in these parts the Falcons have their Airies and breed. Also here is Whitesand-Bay, and at the extream point of the Promontory Ramsey Isle sheweth it self, nigh to which are several small ones, which together bear the name of the Bishop and his Clerks.

Haverford-West, a Town and County of it self, commodiously seated on the side of a Hill, and on a Creek of Milford-Haven, over which it hath a good Stone-Bridge which leadeth to Prendergast, where there is a Church. It is a very large and fair Town Corporate, containing three Parish Churches, is beautified with good Houses, is well inhabited, enjoyeth a good Trade, having several Vessels belonging to the Town; is the place where the Assizes are held, and the County Gaol kept, and hath weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which are very great for Cattle and Provisions. It is governed by a Major, a Sheriff, and Common Council, with Justices of the Peace; it enjoyeth several Immunities, keeping Courts, and sending a Burgess to Parliament; and near to this Town divers Gentlemen have their Seats.

Tenby, seated on the Sea-shoar, where it hath a commodious Haven or Road for Ships, being formerly much frequented, especially by Fishermen, having a good Key, enjoyeth a considerable Trade, and its Inhabitants were wealthy; but the Spoils it suffered in the late Wars hath much impoverished it, notwithstanding it keeps its two Markets weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which are very well resorted unto for Corn, Provisions, and Fish.

Newport, seated near the Sea-shoar, and on the foot of a high Hill; a large, but ill built and inhabited Town, governed by a Port-Reeve and a Bailiff, and hath a good Market for Corn, Cattle, and Provisions; and here is a Wear for Fishing.

RADNOR-SHIRE. This County is of a sharp and piercing Air, and very ungraceful to the Husbandman, as being so Mountainous and Rocky; yet is it well watered with Rivers.

It hath but 52 Parish Churches, and is traded unto with three Market Towns.

New Radnor, well seated near the Spring-head of the Somergil, and in a pleasant Valley, at the foot of a profitable Hill for the feeding of Sheep and Cattle, called the Forrest of Radnor. It is a very ancient Town Corporate, whose Jurisdiction reacheth 10 or 12 miles in compass, is governed by a Bailiff and 25 Burgesses, enjoyeth large Immunities, and hath the election of a Parliament man. It had formerly a Market on Tuesdays, but now disused.

Prestaine, seated on the Lug, and in a pleasant and rich Vale, which from a small Village in former days, is now become a fair large and well built Town, with paved Streets, is well inhabited and frequented, where the Assizes are held, and the County Gaol kept; and its Market, which is on Saturdays, is very good for Provisions and Grain, especially Barly, of which they make good store of Mault.

Knighton, seated in a Valley, and on the Teme, over which it hath a Bridge; a very fair and well built Borough Town, of a good resort, whose Inhabitants enjoy a good Trade, and its Market on Tuesdays is very well served with Cattle, Corn, Provisions, Iron-ware, Hops, Salt, Linnen and Woollen, and other Commodities.