<P_154>

From thence I went 8 mile to Ely which were as long as the 12 I came
from St. Edmundsbery , the wayes being very deep (FIENNES-E3-P1,154.2)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} mostly lanes and low moorish ground ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,154.3)

for 4 miles together I passed over a low ground on each side deffended
by the fendiks which are deep ditches with draines ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,154.4)

the Fens are full of water and mudd ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,154.5)

these also encompass their grounds , each mans part or a dozen acres a
piece or more , (FIENNES-E3-P1,154.6)

so these dicks are the fences , (FIENNES-E3-P1,154.7)

on each side they plant willows (FIENNES-E3-P1,154.8)

so there is 2 rows of trees runns round the ground which looks very
<P_155> finely to see a flatt of many miles so planted ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,155.9)

but it must be ill to live there ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.10)

all this while Ely Minster is in ones view at a mile distant you would
think , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.11)

but go it is a long 4 miles ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.12)

a mile distant from the town is a little hamlet from which I descended
from a steep hill and so cross a bridge over water which enters into
the Isleand of Ely , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.13)

and so you pass a flatt on a gravel Causey which way the Bishop is at
the charge to repaire (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.14)

else there would be no passing in the summer ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.15)

this is secured by some dikes which surround more grounds as the former
, full of rows of trees , willows round them which makes Ely looke
finely through those trees , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.16)

and that stands very high . (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.17)

In the winter this Caussey is over flowed (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.18)

and they have no way but boates to pass in ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.19)

they cut peate out of some of these grounds ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.20)

the raines now had fallen so as in some places near the Citty the
Caussey was covered (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.21)

and a remarkable deliverance I had , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.22)

for my horse earnest to drinke ran to get more depth of water than the
Caussey had , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.23)

was on the brinke of one of these diks (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.24)

but by a speciall providence which I desire never to forget and
allwayes to be thankfull for , escaped ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.25)

that bridge was over the River Linn which comes from Norfolke and does
almost encompass the Island of Ely , which is mile in bigness in which
are severall little towns as Wisbech and many others .
(FIENNES-E3-P1,155.26)

There is another river that joyns with the Linn which composes this
land into an Island ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.27)

at this bridge is a gate (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.28)

but by reason of the great raines the roads were full of water even
quite to the town which you ascend a very steep hill into ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,155.29)

but the dirtyest place I ever saw , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.30)

not a bitt of pitching in the streetes so $it $'s {TEXT:its} a perfect
quagmire the whole Citty , (FIENNES-E3-P1,155.31)

only just about the Palace and Churches the streetes are well enough
<P_156> for breadth (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.32)

but for want of pitching it seemes only a harbour to breed and nest
vermin in , of which there is plenty enough , so that tho' my chamber
was near stepps up I had froggs and slow-worms and snailes in my roome
- (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.33)

but suppose it was brought up with the faggotts -
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.34)

but it $can $not {TEXT:cannot} but be infested with all such things
being altogether moorish fenny ground which lyes low ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.35)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} true were the least care taken to pitch their
streetes it would make it looke more properly an habitation for human
beings , and not a cage or nest of unclean creatures ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.36)

it must needs be very unhealthy , tho' the natives say much to the
contrary which proceeds from custom and use , (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.37)

otherwise to persons born in up and dry countryes it must destroy them
like rotten sheep in consumptions and rhumes . (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.38)

The Bishop does not care to stay long in this place not being for his
health ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.39)

he is the Lord of all the Island , (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.40)

has the command and the jurisdiction : (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.41)

they have lost their Charter (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.42)

and so are no Corporation (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.43)

but all things are directed by the Bishop (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.44)

and $it $'s {TEXT:its} a shame he does not see it better ordered and
the buildings and streetes put in a better condition ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.45)

they are a slothful people and for little but the takeing care of their
grounds and cattle which is of vast advantage : (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.46)

where the yeares prove drye they gaine so much that in case 6 or 7 wet
yeares drown them all over the one good yeare sufficiently repaires
their loss . (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.47)

There is a good palace for the Bishop built of stone ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.48)

but it was unfurnished ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.49)

there are two Churches , (FIENNES-E3-P1,156.50)

Ely Minster is a curious pile of building all of stone the outside full
of carvings and great arches and fine pillars in the front
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.51)

and the inside has the greatest variety and neatness in the works ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.52)

there are two Chappels most exactly carved in stone
(FIENNES-E3-P1,156.53)

all sorts <P_157> of figures cherubims (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.54)

and gilt and painted in some parts ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.55)

the roofe of one Chappell was one entire stone most delicately carved
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.56)

and hung down in great poynts all about the Church ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.57)

the pillars are carv'd and painted with the history of the Bible
especially the New Testament and description of Christs miracles ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.58)

the Lanthorn in the Quire is vastly high and delicately painted ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.59)

and fine carv'd worke all of wood in it , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.60)

the bells used to be hung five , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.61)

the dimention of the biggest was so much when they run {COM:sic} them
it shooke the Quire so and the carv'd worke that it was thought unsafe
, (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.62)

therefore they were taken down ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.63)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} odd steps to the top of the Lanthorn and steps round
in compass . (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.64)

There are very good monuments and abundance of niches in the walls
where statues have been , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.65)

there is one of white marble laying at length and so exactly cut that
the hand lookes extreamely natural the sinewes and veines and very turn
of the fingers so finely done as to appear very proper ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.66)

there is another that was a Bishop {COM:Cox} made by Queen Elizabeth ,
whose garments and all are marble and so finely embroydered carv'd and
painted and gilt , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.67)

and a verge all down before and round the neck with the figures of the
apostles done in embroydery as it were , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.68)

all marble very fine ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.69)

there was 4 or 5 more good marble statues ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.70)

there was on one of the pillars the shape of the seameless coate which
Christ wore , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.71)

in another place there is a great red cross very high on some of the
arches (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.72)

and $it $'s {TEXT:its} very dangerous to go or climb round the pillars
to it being of a vast height , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.73)

and this used to be a pennance to the people in the tyme of Popery ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.74)

there is one Chappel for Confession with a roome and Chaire of State
for the priest to set to hear the people on their knees confess into
his eare through a hole in the wall ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.75)

this Church has the most Popish remaines in its walls of any I have
seen , (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.76)

there still remaines a Cross over the alter (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.77)

the Candlesticks are 3 quarters of a yard high (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.78)

massy silver gilt very heavy . (FIENNES-E3-P1,157.79)

The Font is one entire piece of white marble stemm and foote ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,157.80)

the Cover was carv'd wood with the image of Christs being baptised by
John and the holy Dove descending on him , all finely carved white wood
without any paint or <P_158> varnish ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.81)

they draw up the Cover by a pully (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.82)

and so let it down again which shutts close unless against rains
(FIENNES-E3-P1,158.83)

then it swells open as it did now , (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.84)

and I believe in that Citty $it $'s {TEXT:its} usually annoy'd with wet
. (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.85)

This Cathedrall was much frequented by the priests in King James the
$Second $s {TEXT:Seconds} tyme and many of their Relicts washed faire
to be seen (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.86)

and the woman told me the priest use to shew $her {TEXT:here} where
every thing was (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.87)

and they hoped quickly to be in possession of it ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,158.88)

and made many promises how kind they would be to them their retainers
to the Church , (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.89)

but blessed be God that put a tymely stop to the Protestants utter ruin
and the hopes of the Papists ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.90)

when I was upon the Tower I could see Cambridg and a great prospect of
the country which by reason of the great rains just before laid under
water , all the fenny grounds being overflow'd which I could see for a
huge tract of ground being all on a flatt , unless it be one side of
the town which is all the high dry grounds into which they drive up
their cattle to secure them in the wet seasons ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.91)

there is no tradeing in the town , (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.92)

their maine buissiness and dependance is on draining and fencing their
grounds and breeding and graseing cattle ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.93)

there is a fine gate of stone arch'd like a church which is called the
Abbey but no remaines of the Abby left only as $it $'s {TEXT:its} built
into houses for the Doctors and Clergy , within which is the Palace for
the Bishop which is their temporall as well as spiritual prince or lord
. (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.94)

<heading>

2 . (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.96)

THROUGH PETERBOROUGH AND LEICESTER TO WOLSELEY (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.97)

</heading>

From this Citty I passed over those higher grounds on which was some
good corn (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.99)

but mostly is for grass for their cattle , (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.100)

you see many pretty little towns 4 or 5 in view together 2 or 3 mile
distant ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.101)

I went to Sutton one of them 6 miles off the Citty ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,158.102)

this was a little Market town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,158.103)

thence on <P_159> the fenn banks on the top of which I rode at least
two miles with the fenns on both sides which now were mostly under
water , a vast tract of such grounds which are divided by the Dikes
without trees as those I observ'd before , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.104)

and these high banks are made to draine and fence out the water from
the lower grounds and so from one banck to another which are once in
many acres of land so that at length it does bear off the water ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.105)

but in the winter it returns , so as they are forced to watch and be
allwayes in repaireing those bancks , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.106)

and considering the vast allowance yearly for draining those fenns at
least +L per annum I wonder they have not perfectly runn off the water
, and so barracadoed it as not to (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.107)

soe it often overflows it againe as it does in many places -
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.108)

but they are all a lazy sort of people (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.109)

and are afraid to do too much ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.110)

here I see the many swans nests on little hillocks of earth in the wett
ground that they look as if swimming with their nests ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.111)

some were with their young signetts 3 or 4 in a troope with their damms
hovering over them for their security ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.112)

this brought me to the Armitage along 8 mile in all from Ely town
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.113)

and here I repass'd the River Lin {COM:the_Ouse} on a wooden bridge
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.114)

and so went out of the Island of Ely which was in Cambridgshire
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.115)

and entred into Huntingdonshire . (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.116)

There was another bridge over a deep place of the river under which the
boates and barges went , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.117)

and this bridge was in the water , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.118)

one must pass thro' water to it , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.119)

and so beyond it a good way , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.120)

and the road was so full of holes and quick sands I durst not venture ,
the water covering them over , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.121)

and a stranger then $can $not {TEXT:cannot} easily escape the danger ,
tho' I see the Carryers went that way to save the expence of the ferry
, (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.122)

but I rather chose to ride round and ferry over in a boate <paren> 2
pence a horse </paren> to a little town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.123)

this river runs along by St. Ives which was an old monastery and a rich
one ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.124)

from this ferry $it $'s {TEXT:its} 8 mile to Huntingdon town ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.125)

one goes much in sight of the river and the severall places built on
its bancks which looks well , (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.126)

these are pretty long miles . (FIENNES-E3-P1,159.127)

From Huntingdon town I went to Stillton 9 mile more ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,159.128)

<P_160>

and thence I went to the Citty of Peterborough in Lincolnshire which
was 5 long miles , the wayes deep and full of sloughs ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.130)

it stands very high and to be seen at a great distance , the towers of
the Minster being all in view (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.131)

one would think it but a quarter of a mile when you have a mile or two
still to it ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.132)

the whole Citty looks very well and handsomely built
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.133)

but mostly timber worke ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.134)

you pass over a long stone bridg ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.135)

the streetes are very clean and neate well pitch'd and broad as one
shall see any where , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.136)

there is a very spacious Market place a good Cross and Town Hall on the
top ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.137)

the Cathedrall is a magnificent building standing in the midst on
advanced ground all stone the walls very neately wrought ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.138)

the front is in 3 great arches full of small stone pillars smoothly
turn'd (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.139)

and halfe paces as it were in the 2 side arches ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.140)

the head is with no high tower but 5 little ones 3 of which in the
middle are higher and bigger than the other , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.141)

between each are 3 peakes like great Canteliver windows
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.142)

but all finely carv'd in stone ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.143)

the middle arch is the entrance which is exceeding lofty as is the
roofe of the whole and so well painted that it appears to be hollow
carving , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.144)

this seems to be the two remarkable things in the whole ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.145)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a spacious place (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.146)

but one large Isle which is in the middle leading up to the Quire where
I observ'd they put the seate of any of their deceased dignatorys of
the Church in black with an Escutcheon , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.147)

here was one so now ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.148)

here was the statue of the person that was last Abbott and first Bishop
of the place , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.149)

there was also the 2 monuments of 2 Queens that of Catherine of Spain
King Harry the $8th $s {TEXT:8ths} Queen and also the statue of the
Queen Mary of Scotts - that was both beheaded and buried here ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.150)

and there is also the picture of an old man with the inscription of the
whole matter which was the Sexton and dugg both their graves ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.151)

here is a Pallace for the Bishop of stone building very neate , and the
Doctors houses all in a space called the Colledg very neate but nothing
curious , (FIENNES-E3-P1,160.152)

the river Linn washes the town almost round it ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,160.153)

looks like <P_161> a very industrious thriveing town ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.154)

spinning and knitting amongst the ordinary people .
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.155)

I went thence to Wansford (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.156)

and passed by Mr. St. Johns house {COM:Thorpe_Hall} son to Oliver Lord
St. John which stands on a hill a mile from the town in a fine parke ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.157)

there was no gates to Peterborough town , (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.158)

and as I pass'd the road I saw upon the walls of the ordinary peoples
houses and walls of their out houses the cow dung plaister'd up to drie
in cakes which they use for fireing - (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.159)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a very offensive fewell (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.160)

but the country people use little else in these parts ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.161)

Wansford is 5 mile from Peterburough , where I passed over the Bridge
which entred me into Northamptonshire , the town being part in that
shire which is towards London , the other in Lincolnshire which a mile
or two farther joyns with Rutlandshire at Stamford <paren> which town
stands in the 3 Countys </paren> where I lay at the Swan in
Wanstead-in-England {COM:Wansford} , being a jest on a man makeing hay
fell a sleep on a heap of it (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.162)

and a great storme washed the hay and man into the River ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.163)

and carry'd him to the Bridge , where he awoke and knew not where he
was , (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.164)

called to the people in the grounds (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.165)

and told them he liv'd in a place called Wanstead in England , which
goes for a jest on the men of Wanstead to this day .
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.166)

Thence I went to Durant {COM:Duddington} 5 miles
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.167)

and passed over a very good stone bridge ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.168)

here we are neare the quarrys of stone (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.169)

and all the houses and walls are built of stone as in Glocestershire ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.170)

this river and bridge enter'd me into Leicestershire which is a very
rich country , red land , (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.171)

good corne of all sorts and grass both fields and inclosures ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.172)

you see a great way upon their hills the bottoms full of enclosures
woods and different sort of manureing and herbage , amongst which are
placed many little towns , which gives great pleasure of the travellers
to view ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.173)

the miles are long but hitherto pretty hard good way
(FIENNES-E3-P1,161.174)

to Coppingham {COM:Uppingham} 5 mile more , which is a neate market
town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.175)

Satturday is their market which is very good affording great quantetys
of corn leather yarne and cattle , (FIENNES-E3-P1,161.176)

such a concourse <P_162> of people that my Landlord told me used to
have horse set up at his inn , (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.177)

and there were many publick houses here ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.178)

you see very large fine sheep and very good land but very deep bad
roads ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.179)

from hence to Leister {COM:Leicester} which they call but 13 mile
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.180)

but the longest 16 I ever went and the most tiresome , being full of
sloughs , clay deep way , that I was neer 11 hours going but 25 miles -
as they reckon it - between Wansford and Leicester town ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.181)

a footman could have gone much faster than I could ride ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.182)

their fewell here is , as I said but now , cowdung , or coale which
they are supplyed with out of Warwickshire . (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.183)

Leicester town stands on the side of a little riseing ground tho' at a
distance from the adjacent hills it looks low , (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.184)

but $it $'s {TEXT:its} a good prospect ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.185)

it has 4 gates , (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.186)

the streetes are pretty large and well pitch'd ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.187)

there are five parishes , (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.188)

the Market place is a large space (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.189)

very handsome with a good Market Cross and Town Hall ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.190)

the river Sow {COM:Soar} which runs into the river Reeke {COM:Wreak}
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.191)

and both empts themselves into the Trent ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.192)

I went to the Bow Bridge which is one arch over into the Priory , which
King Richard the Third pass'd over out of the Priory when he went to
fight in Bosworth field with King Henry the Seventh ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.193)

but the Stone he struck his heel at , and against which his head was
struck at his return when brought athwart the horse dead , I could not
see , it being removed ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.194)

but I saw a piece of his tombstone he lay in , which was cut out in
exact form for his body to lye in , that remains to be seen at the
Grey-hound in Lecester but is partly broken ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.195)

there I saw a piece of the jury {COM:Jewry} wall as $it $'s {TEXT:its}
called being in arches (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.196)

and was a place where the Jews burnt their sacrifices .
(FIENNES-E3-P1,162.197)

There are two Hospitalls {COM:Holy_Trinity_and_Wigston's} one for old
men the other women 24 in number , (FIENNES-E3-P1,162.198)

they are <P_163> allow'd 2s. 8d. per weeke , candle , fewell , oatmeale
, butter and salt ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.199)

I saw the Library which is pretty large (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.200)

there was two large Divinity Books the Arch-Bishop gave them lately ,
and the names of all their Benefactors , (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.201)

there was one book all written hand by a scribe before printing was
found out , (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.202)

it was a fine vellum ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.203)

and there was another Book of the New Testament in Chineaze Language
and Caractour ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.204)

the town is old timber building except one or two of brick ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,163.205)

there is indeed that they call the Newark , which is encompass'd with a
wall off a good thickness and two great gates with towers as the town
gates are , in which they keep their arms and ammunition ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,163.206)

the walls now are only to secure gardens that are made of the ruin'd
places that were buildings of strength ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.207)

in this Newark which is a large space of ground are severall good
houses some of stone and brick in which some lawyers live franck
{COM:free} , (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.208)

there is also a new pile of building all of brick which is the Guild
Hall where the Assizes are kept twice in the yeare and the session
quarterly . (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.209)

St. Martins Church which is one of the biggest (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.210)

<paren> there is none very big and none fine </paren>
(FIENNES-E3-P1,163.211)

but here I saw Hyricks {COM:Heyrick} tomb who was Major of the town and
was married to one wife 52 years , in all which tyme he buried neither
man woman nor child tho' most tymes he had in his family ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,163.212)

his age was 79 and his widdow 97 at her death , (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.213)

she saw 142 of her posterity together . (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.214)

They have a water house and a water mill to turn the water into the
pipes to serve the town , as it is in London , (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.215)

it comes but once a day (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.216)

so they save the water in deep leaden tubbs or cisterns for their use ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,163.217)

there are wells in some streetes to draw water by a hand wheel , for
the common use of the town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.218)

the major and alderman goes about in procession on Holy Thursday which
was the day I was there ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.219)

here are a great many Descenters in this town . (FIENNES-E3-P1,163.220)

<P_164>

This Country as I said was all rich deep land (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.222)

and they plough their land all with ploughs without wheels as they do
in Oxfordshire and other deep lands ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.223)

from thence I passed to Bosworth {COM:Market_Bosworth} 8 miles
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.224)

and went by a Gentlemans {COM:Mr._Dixie's} house {COM:Bosworth_Hall}
and thro' a little parck where the deer were very tame ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.225)

and passed through Bosworth and over the ground where was the battle
between King Richard that lost his life by the hand of the Earle of
Richmond , afterwards King Henry the Seventh , who was crown'd in this
Bosworth Field with the Crown taken off from King Richards head , who
being dead was ignominiously cast across a horse and carried to Leicter
{COM:Leicester} and buried there as a just judgment of God for killing
his two nephews and reigning in their stead . (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.226)

This is a great flatt full of good enclosures ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.227)

near this is Narsby {COM:Naneby} where was the great battle fought
between King Charles the First and the Parliament of England ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.228)

from thence I went to Fallmouth {?Fazeley} 7 miles more
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.229)

and so into Warwickshire over a bridg ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.230)

this is a little market town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.231)

thence 3 miles more to Tamworth a neate town built of brick and mostly
new - (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.232)

in sight at its approach it look'd like Litchfield but not a quarter so
big a market town , (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.233)

it stands halfe in Warwickshire and halfe in Staffordshire -
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.234)

and so to Litchfield over a large stone bridg that crosses the Tamworth
river that gives name to the town ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.235)

to Litchfield is 5 mile more , (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.236)

all very good way mostly gravel (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.237)

I went it in an hour ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.238)

this side entring the town I came by a large good Almshouse which I saw
not before ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.239)

they have in this town a custome at Whitsontide the Monday and Tuesday
call'd the Green Bower feast by which they hold their Charter ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.240)

the Bailiff and Sheriff assist at the Cerimony of dressing up Baby's
with garlands of flowers and greens (FIENNES-E3-P1,164.241)

and carry it in procession through all the streetes
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.242)

and then assemble themselves at the Market place
(FIENNES-E3-P1,164.243)

and so go on in a solemn procession through the great streete to a hill
beyond the town where is a large Bower made with greens in which
<P_165> they have their feast ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.244)

many lesser Bowers they make about for the conveniency of the whole
company and for selling Fruite Sweetemeetes and Gingerbread which is a
chief entertainment . (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.245)

Thence I went to Woolsely (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.246)

7 mile farther to Sir Charles Woolsley where I staid 6 weekes , it
being my Aunt his Lady who engaged my stay ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.247)

his Seate stands very finely by the river Trent ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.248)

there is also a moate almost round the house ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.249)

the house is old timber building (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.250)

only a large parlour and noble staircase with handsome chambers Sir
Charles has new built ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.251)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} built round a Court with a gate house which leads to
the outward court that has a paved walke (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.252)

broad stone the same as the first court is paved with ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.253)

there are green spaces and a fine green banck with box or philleroy
{COM:phillyrea} hedge cut round , (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.254)

there are very good gardens abundance of fruite of all sorts and the
finest dwarfe trees I ever saw , so thick like a hedge and a huge
compass every single tree and very full of fruite of apples pears and
cherries ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.255)

there are fine flowers tuber roses white and yellow ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.256)

there was a fine sena tree that bears a great branch of yellow flowers
; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.257)

the ground lyes all well about the house , (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.258)

and a fine park by the end of it part of which is on a high hill the
side of which the deer sports themselves , which looks just on the
house and is wonderfull pleasant ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.259)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a large parke 6 miles round full of stately woods
and replenish'd with red and fallow deer , (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.260)

one part of it is pretty full of billberryes which thrives under the
shade of the oakes , (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.261)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a black berry as big as a large pea
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.262)

and are ripe about harvest ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.263)

there is a very ill Custome amongst them , now not to be broken ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.264)

when they are ripe the Country comes (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.265)

and makes boothes and a sort of faire the outside of the parke
(FIENNES-E3-P1,165.266)

and so gather the berries (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.267)

and sell them about the Country ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.268)

the greenes they call Wissums (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.269)

and on these Wissums the deer browse in the winter and on holly of
which there is great quantetys . (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.270)

In Kank wood {COM:Cannock_Wood} just by there is also great quantetys
of ferne , which tho' it overuns {COM:sic} their ground and so spoiles
the grass where $it $'s {TEXT:its} much , yet the usefullness of it
renders it necessary to be preserv'd ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,165.271)

when $it $'s {TEXT:its} at its maturity <P_166> which happens just
before harvest or hay tyme the whole Country are employ'd in cutting it
up and burning it in heapes for the sake of the ashes , which they make
fine and rowle them up in balls and so sell them or use them all the
year for washing and scouring , (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.272)

and send much up to London , the ashe balls being easily sent about ;
without which they would have no ashes in the country for such uses ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.273)

for their fewell is altogether coales which indeed are very good and
plenty , (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.274)

you might have a load for 3 or 4 shillings brought home that would
serve a poore mans familly the winter ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.275)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} in great pieces (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.276)

and so cloven burns light , so as the poorer sort works by it
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.277)

and so it serves for heate and light ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.278)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} very shineing coale all about this country tho' they
complaine they have lost the vein of the best sort which they call
Channell {COM:Cannel} Coale , and is the sort they have still in Wales
and Lancashire , which burnt much lighter and less waste ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.279)

but this I thought to be very good no better than it ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.280)

I have in London given for such a load . (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.281)

In this parke is severall ponds which affords good fish , as does the
moate and the Trent , as trouts eeles tench perch etc. -
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.282)

the largest perch I ever saw just caught and dress'd immediately which
eates in perfection - (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.283)

the hill in the parck called Harts Hill is so high that from the top of
it you see near miles round , (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.284)

shews all the Country which in this part of Staffordshire is full of
woods and inclosures and good land except the Kanck-wood
{COM:Cannock_Wood} , which is but a barren heath ground but good wood ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.285)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} fine for Hawking in the heath ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.286)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} full of little brookes and rivulets which abounds
with crawfish (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.287)

and they were the sweetest and largest I have seen any where .
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.288)

<heading>

3 . (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.290)

WOLSELEY AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.291)

</heading>

From hence to Stafford town is 5 mile (FIENNES-E3-P1,166.293)

you go by the banck of the Trent most of the way
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.294)

and passing over two Rivers on stone bridges called the Sore {COM:Sow}
and the Pink {COM:Penk} which both empt themselves into the Trent -
(FIENNES-E3-P1,166.295)

and so enter <P_167> the town through a gate ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.296)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} an old built town (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.297)

timber and plaister pretty much in long peaked rooffes of tileing ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.298)

3 gates to the town , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.299)

there was another which leads to the Castle which now is ruinated ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.300)

and only remaines on a hill the fortification trenches that are grown
over with green , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.301)

the streetes are pretty large and well pitched ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.302)

a broad space for the market place wherein is a good Market House on
stone pillars with a handsome Town Hall over it ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.303)

some of the houses are pretty good ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.304)

this country is much for entertainments (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.305)

in every house you must eate and drinke . (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.306)

From thence back to Woolsley againe 5 mile , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.307)

from thence to Heywood {COM:Haywood} Parke , which was 2 mile , where
lived a Daughter of my aunt Woolsley marryed Mr. Wedgewood ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.308)

a little neate box they live in ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.309)

from thence back againe 2 mile , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.310)

to the Kank wood {COM:Cannock_Wood} is pleasant rideing ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.311)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} mile long (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.312)

belongs to the Lord Paget , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.313)

there are 4 lodges in it a great deale of wood and deer and goates ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.314)

I went to Furnes Coppice which is 4 mile on , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.315)

it a fine covert of tall trees on a hill (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.316)

and a mile farther was a fine wood called Hedgford ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.317)

$a poole a quarter of a mile long full of good fish ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.318)

thence home 5 mile ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.319)

another day I went to Stiles Coppice 3 mile off which is on a high hill
and a fine tufft of trees , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.320)

it looks but little at a distance (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.321)

but is a fine covert for the sheep and cattle , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.322)

I went quite round it , from whence could see the Country a good
distance and see into 7 Countys together , Warwickshire Leicestershire
Gloucestershire Derbyshire Staffordshire Shropshire and Cheshire ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.323)

so home againe by Ridgly {COM:Rugeley} a mile aboute ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.324)

so it was 4 mile . (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.325)

Another day I went to Boudezworth {COM:Beaudesert} the Lord Pagets
house , 4 mile off , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.326)

and passed by the Coale pitts where they were digging ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.327)

they draw up the coale in baskets with a little wheele or windless like
a well , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.328)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} very good ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.329)

Lord Paget's house is old brick built , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.330)

the front is uniforme and very handsome with towers
(FIENNES-E3-P1,167.331)

but there is no good rooms but a long gallery $that $'s {TEXT:thats}
worth seeing ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.332)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a fine parke , (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.333)

just by it is a high hill on which is the remaines of an old
fortification (FIENNES-E3-P1,167.334)

<P_168>

they call it the Castle Wall , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.336)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} of very greate antiquity but now grown over with
grass ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.337)

from thence the prospect of the Country is great ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.338)

this parke is of large extent (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.339)

and some of those pitts are in it , the Channell Coales ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.340)

but the water has overflow'd some of them and spoyl'd their digging ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.341)

thence I went home againe 4 miles . (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.342)

Another day I went to Panckeridge {COM:Penkridge} Race over the
Kankwood 7 mile , where were most of the Gentlemen and Ladies of the
Country , severall coaches and six horses ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.343)

indeed the miles are long and the wayes bad in the winter
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.344)

that obliges them to drive more horses , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.345)

these were persons of good estates also , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.346)

there appear'd only one horse to run for the plaite which was a salver
; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.347)

thence to Woolesley again 7 mile more ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.348)

$it $'s {TEXT:its} a fine country hereabout for rideing
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.349)

one has a pleaseing prospect every way , especially on any advanc'd
ground . (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.350)

I went to Brinsy Coppice {COM:Brindley_Heath} which was 4 mile thence ;
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.351)

could see towards Shrewsbury and the high hill the Reekee {COM:Wrekin}
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.352)

and in a cleare day could see something of Chester ,
(FIENNES-E3-P1,168.353)

and so home againe 4 mile more ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.354)

another day I went upon Itching Hill {COM:Etchinghill} 4 mile which is
a sort of rock (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.355)

but the stone is of a red coullour (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.356)

and looks like a sandy stone by its moldring , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.357)

but they tell me when $it $'s {TEXT:its} wrought in a wall and have
been season'd with the weather it grows very hard and serviceable in
building ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.358)

from thence I went a compass round to Heywood Parke {COM:Haywood} 4
mile off (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.359)

and then home againe 2 mile ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.360)

and another day I went the same tour about to Heywood Parke and back
which was 6 mile more ; (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.361)

while I stay'd at Woolsley I went twice directly to Heywood Parke above
what I mentioned before (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.362)

and returned home which was in all 8 miles , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.363)

and another day I went to a poole in the Kanckwood 3 mile to fish and
from thence to Heywood Parke thro' a very fine coppice of trees on a
hanging brow of a hill which look'd very fine , (FIENNES-E3-P1,168.364)

and so home <P_169> 2 mile more . (FIENNES-E3-P1,169.365)

I name the number of miles I went only to see the whole account of
miles I travell'd this yeare . (FIENNES-E3-P1,169.366)

These coppices there are many of them which is a good shelter for the
cattle . (FIENNES-E3-P1,169.367)