[Sidenote: Loch.]
Portlochbaie, whither commeth a water named Loch that descendeth from
[Sidenote: Durus.]
Stokepero, Lucham and Portloch without increase. Thence to Dunsteir
brooke, which runneth from about Wootton, and Courtneie by Tunbercombe
and Dunsteir, then to another that commeth west of Old Cliffe, leauing
[Sidenote: Vacetus.]
a parke on the west side, next of all to Watchet water, whereof one
head commeth from the Quantocke hils south of Bickualer by
[Sidenote: Williton.]
Westquantocke head, and almost at Doniford, receiueth the Williton
becke, then to east Quantocke brooke (omitting a créeket) & next of
[Sidenote: Doddington.]
all to Doddington water, that goeth by Holford, Alfoxton, and
afterward into the sea. From hence we go by Bottesall point, to Stert
point, where two noble riuers doo make their confluence, which I will
seuerallie describe, as to my purpose apperteineth.
[Sidenote: Iuelus.]
The first of these is called the Iuell, or (as I find it in an ancient
writer) Yoo, who saith that the riuer Yoo dooth runne from Ilchester
to Bridgewater, and so into the sea. It riseth aboue Oburne, and at
Shirburne receiueth a water, whereof Leland saith thus. There are
[Sidenote: The seuen sisters.]
seuen springs in an hill called the seuen sisters, north east from
Shireburne, which gather into one bottome, & come into the Mere.
Another brooke likewise commeth by Heidon from Puscandell, three miles
from thence by flat east, betwixt the parke and the Mere full so great
as the streame of the Mere, and ioining at the lower mill of
Shireburne, with the Mere water, it is not long yer it fall into the
Euill. Thence our Euill goeth on towards Glasen Bradford, and yer it
come there taketh in a forked rill from by south, descending from
about west Chelburie and Chetnall in Dorsetshire, beneath which towne
the other head falleth into the same, so that they run foorth by
Bearhaggard and Thorneford (till they méet with the Iuell) and so to
Clifton, Euill a proper market towne, Trent, Mutford, Ashinton, and
[Sidenote: Cade.]
east of Limminton it méeteth with the Cade that runneth from
Yarlington, by north Cadbirie, and soone after crossing a rill also
from by east, that commeth from Blackeford by Compton, it hasteth to
south Cadbirie, Sparkeford, Queenes Camell, west Camell, and so into
Iuell, which runneth on to Kimmington, Ilchester, Ilbridge, long
Sutton, and yer it come at Langport, taketh in two famous waters in
one chanell, next of all to be remembred before I go anie further. The
first of all these riseth southeast betwéene the Parrets (where it is
[Sidenote: Parret.]
called Parret water) and goeth to Crokehorne, and at Meriot taketh in
a brooke from the east, which consisteth of two courses vnited at
Bowbridge, whereof the one descendeth from Pen by Hasilburie, the
other from aboue the thrée Chenocks, as I doo vnderstand.
From hence also they go as one with the Parret water, toward south
Pederton (taking in at east a becke comming from Hamden hill) thence
to Pederton, Lambrooke, Thorneie bridge, and Muchelneie where it
[Sidenote: Ill.]
méeteth with the second called Ill or Ilus, whose head is aboue
Chellington, & comming downe from thence by Cadworth, before it come
at Dunniet, it taketh in a rill that runneth by Chascombe and Knoll.
Thence leauing Ilmister on the east side, it meeteth with another from
by east, descending from about Whitlakington. Then it goeth to
[Sidenote: Ilton.]
Pokington (where it crosseth the Ilton water by west) next to
Ilbruers, and there it ioineth with a rillet that riseth by west at
Staple, and runneth by Bicknell and Abbats Ilie, and after this
confluence goeth on toward Langport. And here after some mens opinion,
the Iuell looseth his name, and is called Parret: but this coniecture
cannot hold, sith in the old writers it is called Iuell, till it fall
into the sea. Neuerthelesse, how soeuer this matter standeth, being
past Langport, it goeth by Awber toward saint Anthonies, where it
méeteth with the Tone next of all to be described.
[Sidenote: Tone.]
The Tone issueth at Clatworthie, and goeth by west of Wiuelscombe, to
Stawleie, Ritford, Runton, Wellington and Bradford, beneath which it
taketh in a faire water c[=o]ming from Sanford Combe, Elworthie, Brunt
Rafe, Miluerton, Oke and Hilfarens. After this confluence also it
runneth to Helebridge, and there below méeteth with one water that
runneth by Hawse, Hethford, and Norton, then another from Crokeham by
bishops Slediard, and the third & fourth at Taunton, that descendeth
from Kingston by north, and another by south that riseth about
Pidmister. And thus is the Tone increased, which goeth from Taunton to
Riston, Crech, Northcurrie, Ling, and so by Anthonie into the Iuell,
[Sidenote: Chare or Care.]
that after this confluence méeteth yer long with the Chare, a pretie
riuer that commeth by east from Northborow, by Carleton, Badcare,
Litecare, Somerton, Higham, Audrie moore, Audrie, and Michelsborow.
From whence going on betweene Quéenes moore and North moore, it
[Sidenote: Peder.]
receiueth one brooke called Peder from by southwest, that runneth
through Pederton parke and North moore; and likewise another that
passeth by Durleie, yer it doo come at Bridgewater. From Bridgewater
it goeth by Chilton directlie northwest, and then turning flat west,
it goeth northward towards the sea, taking in two waters by the waie,
[Sidenote: Camington.]
whereof one runneth by Coripole & Camington, and beareth the name of
Camington, the other by Siddington and Comage, and then receiuing the
[Sidenote: Brier.]
Brier before it come at Start point, they fall as one into the Ocean,
whereof let this suffice for the description of the Iuell, whose
streame dooth water all the west part of Summersetshire and leaueth it
verie fruitfull.
[Sidenote: Brier.]
The Brier, Bruer, or Bréer, riseth of two waters, wherof one is in
Selwood forest, & commeth downe by Bruecombe, Bruham, and Bruton. The
[Sidenote: _Leland_ writeth the first Brieuelus and the second
Mellodunus or the Milton water.]
other which Leland nameth Mellos, is northest of Staffordell towne,
and going by the same, it runneth by Redlinch, to Wike; where it
méeteth with the other head, and thence go on as one to Awnsford,
[Sidenote: Dulis.]
Alford (where it taketh in a water called Dulis from by north that
riseth néere Dolting, and commeth by Euerchurch parke) then to the
Lidfords, Basborow wood, the Torhill, Pont perilous (whereinto they
fable that Arthur being wounded to death did throw Calibur his sword)
by Glastenburie and so into the Méere. Beside this riuer there are two
other also that fall into the said Méere, whereof the one called
[Sidenote: Sowaie or Stowaie.]
Sowaie commeth from Créechurch parke, and Pulton by Hartlacke bridge,
[Sidenote: Cos.]
the other named Cos or the Coscombe water, from aboue Shepton, Mallet
(which east of Wike taketh in a water comming from Welles) by Wike,
Gedneie, and so into the Méere. Finallie, returning all into one
chanell, it runneth to Burtlehouse, and soone after diuiding it selfe,
one arme goeth by Bastian aliàs Brent bridge, to High bridge, leauing
Huntspill a market towne by southwest, the other by Marke to Rokes
bridge, Hebbes passage, and so into the sea, leauing a faire Iland,
wherin beside Brentmarsh are seuen or eight townes, of whose names I
haue no knowledge.
Now as touching the water that commeth from Welles, which falleth (as
I said) into the Coscombe water on the right hand of the Cawseie; you
shall vnderstand that as manie springs are in Wels, so the chiefe of
them is named Andres well, which riseth in a medow plat not farre from
the east end of the cathedrall church, and afterward goeth into the
[Sidenote: Milton.]
[Sidenote: Golafer.]
Coscombe, in such place as I haue noted. Leland speaketh of the Milton
& Golafer waters, which should fall likewise into the Brier: but
whether those be they whereof the one riseth aboue Staffordell, and in
the descent runneth by Shipton, Pitcombe, and so to Awnsford on the
one side, as the other dooth rise betwéene Batcombe and Vpton noble on
the other halfe; or vnto whether of them either of these names are
seuerallie to be attributed: as yet I doo not read.
[Sidenote: Axe. 2.]
The second Axe which commeth by Axe towne in old time called Vexa,
issueth out of Owkie hole, from whence it goeth by Owkie towne,
[Sidenote: The Chederbrooke, driueth twelue miles within a quarter of
a mile of his head.]
afterward meeting with the Chederbrooke that commeth from the Cheder
rocks, wherein is an hole in old time called Carcer Æoli, wherof much
hath béene written & surmised past credit. It runneth by Were,
Ratcliffe, and after a little compasse into the northeast branch of
the aforesaid riuer last described, betweene Rokes bridge and Hebbes
passage, as I haue beene informed. From the fall of Axe we come to an
[Sidenote: Bane.]
other called Bane, northeast of Woodspring, whose head is about
Banwell parke, or else in Smaldon wood. Then to an other, and to the
[Sidenote: Artro.]
third, called Artro, which riseth about Litton, and going by the
Artroes, Vbbeie, Perribridge (receiuing a rill yer it come thither
from by south) beneath Cungesbirie, or (as I learne) betwéene Kingston
and Laurence Wike, it méeteth with the sea.
[Sidenote: Sottespill.]
Sottespill water riseth betwéene Cheueleie and Naileseie, howbeit it
hath no increase before it come into the sea at Sottespill, more than
[Sidenote: Cleueden.]
the next vnto it, which is named Cleueden water, of a certeine towne
neere to the fall thereof. It riseth southeast of Barrow, goeth by
[Sidenote: Auon. 3.]
Burton Naileseie, and so vnto Cleuedon. The Auon, commonlie called the
third Auon, is a goodlie water, and growne to be verie famous by
sundrie occasions, to be particularlie touched in our description of
Bristow. Yet thus much will I note héere thereof as a rare accident,
how that in king Edgars daies, the verie same yeare that the old
monasterie of Euesham fell downe by itselfe, a porpasse was taken
therein neere to the said monasterie, and neuer anie before or since
that time heard of to haue béene found in that streame. And euen so
[Sidenote: Sturgion taken in Rochester water.]
not manie yeares before I first wrote this treatise, a sturgion was
taken aliue in Rochester streame, which the bishop gaue vnto your
honor, and you would as gladlie haue sent it to the quéenes maiestie,
if she might haue béene presented withall aliue as it was taken.
Certes both these rare occurrents gaue no lesse occasion of strange
surmises to the inhabitants of both places, than the blockes of
Brerton, when they appeare, doo vnto that familie; of which the report
goeth that they are neuer séene but against some mischéefe or other to
befall vnto that house. But how farre am I gone from my purpose?
The Auon therefore riseth in the verie edge of Tetburie, and goeth by
long Newton to Brokenton, Whitchurch, and Malmsburie, where it
receiueth two waters, that is to saie, one from by west comming by
Foreleie and Bromleham, which runneth so néere to the Auon in the west
suburbe of Malmsburie, that the towne thereby is almost made an Iland.
Another from Okeseie parke by Hankerton, Charleton, and Garesden.
After this confluence it hasteth to Cole parke, then goeth it toward
the southeast, till it méet with a water comming from southwest
(betwéene Hullauington and Bradfield) by Aston: and soone after with
another at the northside from Binall by Wootton Basset (through the
parke to Gretenham, and Idouer bridges) and after the confluence to
Dauntseie, Segar, Sutton, Christmalford, Auon, Calwaies house, and
then to west Tetherton. Beneath this towne also it taketh in a water
increased by two brookes, whereof one comming from Cleue by Hilmarton,
Whitleie house and Bramble (and there receiuing another that commeth
by Calne) passeth on by Stanlie into the Auon, which from thencefoorth
[Sidenote: Cosham.]
goeth to Chippenham, Rowdon, Lekham, and then receiuing Cosham water,
goeth to Lacocke, Melsham, and yer it come at Whaddon, crosseth two
other in one chanell, whereof one riseth about Brumham house, and
goeth to Sene, the other about the Diuizes, and from thence runneth to
Potterne wood, Creeke wood, Worton, Maston, Bucklington, and ioining
with the other aboue Litleton, they run by Semmington, and north of
Whaddon aforesaid into the maine streame, whereof I now intreat. From
hence our Auon runneth to Stauerton, and southwest of that towne
[Sidenote: Were.]
méeteth with the Were that commeth from Vpton by Dilton, Brooke parke
[Sidenote: Westbirie vnder the plaine,
neuer without a théefe or twaine.]
(there crossing a rill called Bisse from Westbirie vnder the plaine)
then to north Bradleie, Trubridge, and so into Auon that goeth from
thence to Bradford, & within a mile or thereabouts, before it come at
Freshford, it méeteth with the Frome, whose description dooth insue.
[Sidenote: Frome.]
The Frome riseth in the east part of Mendip hils, and from thence
runneth by Astwijc, the Cole pits, Lie vnder Mendip, Whateleie,
[Sidenote: Nonneie.]
Elmesbridge, and soone after taketh in the Nonneie water, comming from
Nonneie castell, thence to Walles and Orcharleie bridge, where it
receiueth a pretie brooke descending from Frome Selwood west of
Brackleie, increased with sundrie rils, whereof two come out of
Selwood forrest (and one of them from the Fratrie) another out of Long
lead parke, from Horningsham, and the fourth from Cosleie. Hence our
Frome goeth to Lullington, Beckington, Farleie castell, Bord and Fresh
[Sidenote: Silling.]
foord, and taking in the Silling brooke, falleth into the Auon beneath
Bradford, and east of Freshford. From thence going beneath Stoke, it
receiueth on the left hand a water comming from southwest, increased
by sundrie brookes, whereof one commeth from Camelet by Litleton, and
Dankerton, the other from Stone Eston, Midsummer Norton, by Welston,
Rodstocke, Wrigleton, Foscot, and Wellow, and there (taking in a rill
from Phillips Norton) it goeth by Clauerton to Hampton, and there it
méeteth with another water comming from Barthford, whose head is at
Litleton from whence it runneth by west Kineton to Castell combe
(where it ioineth with a rill rising by north from Litleton drue) and
thence commeth south to Slaughtenford, Haselburie, Box, Baithford, and
so into the Auon, which turning plaine west, hasteth to Baithwijc, and
(meeting with another in his passage from Caldaston) to Bath, the
Tiuertons, and Coston.
Héere also it taketh in a rill by the waie from Markesburie by
Wilmerton and Newton, and then going on to Sawford, it méeteth with
[Sidenote: Swinford.]
one rill soone west of Northstocke, named Swinford, and another by
Bitton, from Durhain by Wike, and so procéedeth still holding on his
[Sidenote: Swinford parteth Summerset & Glocestershires in sunder.]
way to Caimsham, a towne in Summerset shire (so called of Caim an
English saint, by whose praiers, as the countrie once beléeued, all
the adders, snakes and serpents were turned into stone, their formes
reserued, and for a certeine space of ground about the said towne, and
whereof some store as yet is to be found in those quaries. But this
miracle is so true as the historie of Hilda, or that S. Patrike should
chase all venemous creatures out of Italie, with his staffe; or that
maid Radegund should driue the crowes to the pound, which did annoie
hir corne while she went vnto a chappell to heare & sée a masse) where
it crosseth the Chute, which issueth at Winford, and goeth by bishops
Chue to Penford, and there receiueth the Clue comming from Cluton, and
from thence to Chute, & so into the Auon. The Auon likewise after all
these confluences goeth to Briselton, and so to Bristow, beneath which
it receiueth a rill on each side (wherof one commeth from about Stoke
lodge in Glocestershire, being a faire water and running by Acton,
Frampton, Hambroch, Stapleton, and through Bristow, the other by south
from Dundreie hill and towne, by Bisport and Bedminster) and so
descending yet lower, goeth to Rawneham passage and Clifton, then by
S. Vincents rocke and Laie, next of all to Crocampill, and finallie
into the sea, whither all waters by nature doo resort.
[Sidenote: Alderleie.]
Beside this water, Leland maketh mention of Alderleie brooke, which in
some ancient records is also called Auon, and runneth by Barkeleie. In
[Sidenote: Douresleie.]
like maner he talketh of Douresleie becke, whose principall head is in
Douresleie towne: howbeit he saith no thing of it more, than that it
[Sidenote: Torworth.]
serueth sundrie tucking lucking milles, and goeth by Tortworth or
foure miles further, before it come at the Sauerne. Finallie, making
mention of an excellent quarrie of hard stone about Douresleie, he
telleth of the Tortworth becke, that runneth within a flight shot of
Barkeleie towne, and falleth on the left hand into Sauerne marches,
taking with all the Alderleie or Auon, except I mistake his meaning,
which may soone be doone among his confused notes.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE SAUERNE, & SUCH WATERS AS DISCHARGE THEMSELUES
INTO THE SAME.