[Sidenote: Humber.]
There is no riuer called Humber from the hed. Wherfore that which we
now call Humber, Ptolomie Abie, Leland Aber, as he gesseth, hath the
same denomination no higher than the confluence of Trent with the
Ouze, as beside Leland sundrie ancient writers haue noted before vs
both. Certes it is a noble arme of the sea, and although it be
properlie to be called Ouze or Ocellus euen to the Nuke beneath
Ancolme, yet are we contented to call it Humber of Humbrus or Vmar, a
king of the Scithians, who inuaded this Ile in the time of Locrinus,
thinking to make himselfe monarch of the same. But as God hath from
time to time singularlie prouided for the benefit of Britaine, so in
this businesse it came to passe, that Humber was put to flight, his
men slaine: and furthermore, whilest he attempted to saue himselfe by
hasting to his ships (such was the prease of his nobilitie that
followed him into his owne vessell, and the rage of weather which
hastened on his fatall daie) that both he and they were drowned
togither in that arme. And this is the onelie cause wherefore it hath
béene called Humber, as our writers saie; and wherof I find these
verses:
Dum fugit obstat ei flumen submergitur illic,
Déque suo tribuit nomine nomen aquæ.
This riuer in old time parted Lhoegres or England from Albania, which
was the portion of Albanactus, the yongest sonne of Brute. But since
that time the limits of Lhoegres haue béene so inlarged, first by the
prowesse of the Romans, then by the conquests of the English, that at
this present daie, the Twede on the one side, & the Solue on the
other, be taken for the principall bounds betweene vs and those of
Scotland. In describing therefore the Humber, I must néeds begin with
the Ouze, whose water bringeth foorth a verie sweet, fat and delicat
samon, as I haue béene informed, beside sundrie other kinds of fish,
which we want here on the south and southwest coasts & riuers of our
land, whereof I may take occasion to speake more at large heerafter.
[Sidenote: Vre aliàs Ouze, or Isis.]
The Vre therfore riseth in the furthest parts of all Richmondshire,
among the Coterine hilles, in a mosse, toward the west fourtéene miles
beyond Midleham. Being therefore issued out of the ground, it goeth to
Holbecke, Hardraw, Hawshouse, Butterside, Askebridge (which Leland
calleth the Askaran, and saith thereof and the Bainham, that they are
but obscure bridges) then to Askarth, through Wanlesse parke,
Wenseleie bridge (made two hundred yeares since, by Alwin, parson of
Winslaw) New parke, Spennithorne, Danbie, Geruise abbeie, Clifton and
[Sidenote: Burne.]
Masham. When it is come to Masham, it receiueth the Burne, by south
[Sidenote: Wile.]
west (as it did the Wile, from verie déepe scarrie rockes, before at
Askaran) and diuerse other wild rilles not worthie to be remembred.
From Masham, it hasteth vnto Tanfield (taking in by the waie a rill by
southwest) then to another Tanfield, to Newton hall, and Northbridge,
at the hither end of Rippon, and so to Huickes bridge. But yer it come
[Sidenote: Skell.]
there it méeteth with the Skell, which being incorporat with the same,
they run as one to Thorpe, then to Alborow, and soone after receiue
the Swale.
[Sidenote: Swale.]
Here (saith Leland) I am brought into no little streict, what to
coniecture of the méeting of Isis and Vre, for some saie that the Isis
and the Vre doo méet at Borowbridge, which to me dooth séeme to be
verie vnlikelie, sith Isurium taketh his denomination of Isis and Vro,
for it is often séene that the lesse riuers doo mingle their names
with the greater, as in the Thamesis and other is easie to be found.
Neither is there any more mention of the Vre after his passage vnder
Borowbridge, but onelie of Isis or the Ouze in these daies, although
in old time it held vnto Yorke it selfe, which of the Vre is truelie
called Vrewijc (or Yorke short) or else my persuasion dooth faile me.
I haue red also Ewerwijc and Yorwijc. But to procéed, and leaue this
superfluous discourse.
From Borowbridge, the Ouze goeth to Aldborough, and (receiuing the
Swale by the waie) to Aldworke, taking in Vsburne water, from the
southwest, then to Linton vpon Ouze, to Newton vpon Ouze, and to
Munketun, méeting with the Nid yer long, and so going withall to the
[Sidenote: Fosse.]
Redhouses, to Popleton, Clifton, Yorke (where it crosseth the Fosse)
to Foulfoorth, Middlethorpe, Acaster, & Acaster, Kelfléet, Welehall,
Barelebie, Selbie, Turmonhall, Skurthall, Hokelath, Hoke, Sandhall,
Rednesse, Whitegift, Vslet, Blacketoft, Foxfléet, Brownfléet, and so
into Humber.
[Sidenote: Ouze.]
The course of the Ouze being thus described, and as it were simplie
without his influences, now will I touch such riuers as fall into the
same also by themselues, contrarie to my former proceeding, imagining
a voiage from the Rauenspurne, vntill I come néere to the head of
These, & so southwards about againe by the bottome of the hillie soile
vntill I get to Buxston, Sheffeld, Scrobie, & the verie south point of
Humber mouth, whereby I shall crosse them all that are to be found in
this walke, & leaue (I doubt) some especiall notice of their seuerall
[Sidenote: Hull or Hulne.]
heads and courses. The course of the Hull, a streame abounding with
sturgeon and lampreie, as also the riuers which haue their issue into
the same, being (as I say) alreadie described, I thinke it not amisse,
as by the waie to set downe what Leland saith thereof, to the end that
his trauell shall not altogither be lost in this behalfe; and for that
it is short, and hath one or two things worthie to be remembred
conteined in the same.
The Hulne (saith he) riseth of thrée seuerall heads, whereof the
greatest is not far from Driefield, now a small village sixtéene miles
from Hull. Certes it hath beene a goodlie towne, and therein was the
palace of Egbright king of the Northumbers, and place of sepulture of
Alfred the noble king sometime of that nation, who died there 727, the
ninetéene Cal. of Julie, the twentith of his reigne, and whose toombe
or monument dooth yet remaine (for ought that I doo know to the
contrarie) with an inscription vpon the same written in Latine
letters. Néere vnto this towne also is the Danefield, wherein great
numbers of Danes were slaine, and buried in those hils, which yet
remaine there to be séene ouer their bones and carcasses. The second
head (saith he) is at Estburne, and the third at Emmeswell, and
méeting all togither not farre from Drifield, the water there
beginneth to be called Hulne, as I haue said alreadie.
From hence also it goeth through Beuerleie medowes, and comming at the
last not farre from an arme led from the Hulne by mans hand (and able
to beare great vessels) almost to Beuerleie towne, which in old time
either hight or stood in Deirwald, vntill John of Beuerleie (whom
Leland nameth out of an old author to be the first doctor or teacher
of diuinitie that euer was in Oxford, and (as it should séeme also by
an ancient monument yet remaining) to be of an hostell where the
vniuersitie college now standeth; & therfore they write him, Somtime
fellow of that house) began to be of fame, of whom it is called
Beuerleie (as some affirme) to this daie. Indéed all the countrie
betwéene the Deirwent & the Humber was sometime called Deira, and the
lower part Caua Deira in respect of the higher soile, but now it is
named the east Riding. But what is this to my purpose? The Hulne
therefore being come almost to Beuerleie towne, & méeting thereabout
[Sidenote: Cottingham.]
also with the Cottingham becke comming from Westwood by the waie, it
hasteth to Kingston vpon Hulne or Hull, and so into the Humber without
anie maner impeachment.
[Sidenote: Fowlneie.]
The Fowlneie riseth about Godmanham, from whence it goeth by Wighton,
Hareswell, Seton, Williams bridge, and soone after spreading it selfe,
[Sidenote: Skelfléet.]
one arme called Skelfleet goeth by Cane Cawseie to Brownefléet and so
into the Ouze. The other passeth by Sandholme, Gilberts dike, Scalbie
chappell, Blacketoft, and so into the aforesaid Ouze, leauing a verie
pretie Iland, which is a parcell (as I heare) of Walding fen more,
though otherwise obscure to vs that dwell here in the south.
[Sidenote: Darwent.]
The Darwent riseth in the hilles that lie west of Robin Whoodes baie,
or two miles aboue Aiton bridge, west from Scarborow as Leland saith:
and yer it hath run farre from the head, it receiueth two rilles in
one bottome from by west, which ioine withall about Longdale end.
Thence they go togither to Broxeie, and at Hacknesse take in another
water comming from about Silseie. Afterward it commeth to Aiton, then
[Sidenote: Kenford.]
to Haibridge, and there crosseth the Kenford that descendeth from
Roberteston. After this also it goeth on to Potersbrumton where it
taketh in one rill, as it dooth another beneath running from
Shirburne, and the third yet lower on the further banke, that
descendeth from Brumton. From these confluences it runneth to
Fowlbridge, Axbridge, Yeldingham bridge, & so to Cotehouse, receiuing
by the waie manie waters, & yéelding great plentie of delicate samons
to such as fish vpon the same. Leland reckoning vp the names of the
seuerall brookes, numbreth them confusedlie after his accustomed
order. The Darwent (saith he) receiueth diuerse streames, as the
[Sidenote: Shirihutton.]
[Sidenote: Crambecke.]
Shirihutton. The second is the Crambecke, descending from Hunderskell
castell (so called Tanquam à centum fontibus, or multitude of springs
[Sidenote: Rie.]
that rise about the same) and goeth to Rie, which comming out of the
[Sidenote: Ricoll.]
Blackemore, passeth by Riuers abbeie, taking in the Ricoll on the left
[Sidenote: Seuen.]
[Sidenote: Costeie.]
[Sidenote: Pickering.]
hand, then the Seuen, the Costeie, and Pickering brooke.
The Seuin also (saith he) riseth in the side of Blackemoore, and
thence goeth by Sinnington foure miles from Pickering, and about a
mile aboue a certeine bridge ouer Rie goeth into the streame. The
Costeie in like sort springeth in the verie edge of Pickering towne,
at a place called Keld head, and goeth into the Rie two miles beneath
Pickering, about Kirbie minster. Finallie, Pickering water ariseth in
Blackemoore, and halfe a mile beneath Pickering falleth into Costeie,
[Sidenote: Pocklington.]
meeting by the way with the Pocklington becke, and an other small rill
or two, of whose names I haue no knowledge. Hitherto Leland. But in
mine opinion, it had béene far better to haue described them thus. Of
those waters that fall into the Darwent beneath Cotehouse, the first
commeth from Swenton, the second from Ebberston, the third from
Ollerston, the fourth from Thorneton & Pickering, and the fift on the
other side that commeth thither from Wintringham. For so should he
haue dealt in better order, and rid his hands of them with more
expedition, referring the rest also vnto their proper places.
But to procéed after mine owne maner. Being past Cotehouse, & yer the
[Sidenote: Rie.]
Darwent come at Wickham, it crosseth the Rie, which riseth of two
heads, and ioining west of Locton they run through Glansbie parke.
[Sidenote: Costeie.]
Finallie, receiuing the Costeie, it méeteth at the last with an other
streame increased by the fals of six waters and more yer it come into
the Darwent.
[Sidenote: Seuen.]
The most easterlie of these is called Seuen, and riseth (as is
aforesaid) in Blackemoore, from whence it goeth by Sinnington, Murton,
[Sidenote: Don or Done.]
Normanbie, Newsound, How, and so into the Rie. The second named Don
hath his originall likewise in Blackemoore, and descending by Rasmore,
[Sidenote: Hodgebecke.]
Keldon and Edston (where it receiueth the Hodgebecke, that commeth by
Bernesdale, Kirkedale, & Welburne) it goeth to Sawlton, and there
[Sidenote: Ricoll.]
taketh in first the Ricoll, that goeth by Careton, and whereof Ridall
[Sidenote: Fesse.]
(as some think, but falslie) doth séeme to take the name. Then Fesse,
which riseth aboue Bilisdale chappell, and méeteth with the Rie at the
Shaking bridge, from whence they go togither vnder the Rie bridge, to
Riuis abbeie, and thence (after it hath crossed a becke from the west)
through a parke of the earle of Rutlands to Newton, Muniton, and so to
[Sidenote: Holbecke.]
Sawton or Sawlton, as I doo find it written. Here also it taketh in
the Holbecke brooke, that commeth thither from by west by Gilling
castell, and Stangraue, from whence it goeth on to Brabie, next into
the Seuen, then into the Rie, and so into the Darwent, which from
thence dooth run to Wickham.
Being past Wickham, it méeteth with a water that commeth thereinto
from Grinston to Setterington at southeast, and thence it goeth on to
Malton and Malton (where the prouerbe saith that a bushell of rie and
an other of malt is woorth but sixpence, carie awaie whilest you may,
so as you can kéepe them from running through the sackes) Sutton,
Wellam, Furbie, and Kirkeham, receiuing by the waie one rill on the
one side and an other on the other, whereof this commeth from
Burdfall, that other from Conisthorpe. From Kirkeham it goeth to
Cramburne and Owsham bridge (crossing by the waie an other brooke
comming from saint Edwards gore, by Faston) then to Aldbie, Buttercram
(aliàs Butterham) bridge, Stamford bridge, Kerbie bridge, Sutton,
Ellerton, Aughton, Bubwith, Wresill, Babthorpe, and so into the Ouze,
wherewith I finish the description of Darwent: sauing that I haue to
let you vnderstand how Leland heard that an arme ran some time from
the head of Darwent also to Scarborow, till such time as two hils
betwixt which it ran, did shalder and so choke vp his course.
[Sidenote: Fosse.]
The Fosse (a slow streame yet able to beare a good vessell) riseth in
Nemore Calaterio, that is, Galters wood or Cawood, among the wooddie
hilles, and in his descent from the higher ground, he leaueth Crake
castell, on his west side: thence he goeth by Marton abbeie, Marton,
Stillington, Farlington, Towthorpe, Erswijc, Huntington, & at Yorke
[Sidenote: Kile.]
into the Ouze. The Kile riseth flat north at Newborow, from whence it
goeth by Thorneton on the hill, Ruskell parke, Awne, Tollerton, and so
[Sidenote: Swale.]
into the Ouze about Newton vpon Ouze. The Swale is a right noble
riuer, & march in some places betwéene Richmondshire and Westmerland,
it riseth not far from Pendragon castell in the hilles aboue
Kirkedale, and from this towne it goeth to Kelde chappell, Carret
[Sidenote: Barneie.]
house, Crackepot, Whiteside, and neere vnto Yalen taketh in the
Barneie water, which commeth from the north east. Thence it goeth by
[Sidenote: Arcleie.]
Harcaside to Reth (where it méeteth with the Arcleie) and so to
[Sidenote: Holgate.]
Flemington, Grinton, Marrike (taking in the Holgate that commeth from
[Sidenote: Mariske becke.]
by south: and in the waie to Thorpe, the Mariske becke, or
peraduenture Applegarth water, as Leland calleth it, that descendeth
from the north) then to Thorpe, Applegarth, Richmond, Easbie and
Brunton.
Here by north it interteineth two or thrée waters in one chanell,
[Sidenote: Rauenswath.]
called Rauenswath water, whereof the two furthest doo ioine not farre
from the Dawltons, and so go by Rauenswath, Hartfoorth, Gilling, and
at Skebie méet with the third, comming from Richmond beaconward. By
[Sidenote: Rhe.]
west also of Brunton, the Swale méeteth with the Rhe, running from
Resdale, and being past Brunton, it goeth to Caterijc bridge beneath
Brunton, then to Ellerton, Kirkebie, Langton parua, Thirtoft, Anderbie
[Sidenote: Bedall aliàs Leming.]
stéeple: and before it come vnto Gatenbie, it meeteth with the Bedall
brooke, aliàs Lemings becke, that commeth west of Kellirbie, by
Cunstable, Burton, Langthorpe, Bedall, and Leming chappell. From
[Sidenote: Wiske.]
Gattenbie likewise it goeth to Mawbie, & at Brakenbirie receiueth the
Wiske, which is a great water, rising betwéene two parkes aboue
Swanbie in one place, and southeast of Mountgrace abbeie in another;
and after the confluence which is about Siddlebridge, goeth on
betwéene the Rughtons to Appleton, the Smetons, Birtbie, Hutton
Coniers, Danbie, Wijc, Yafford, Warlabie, and taking in there a rill
from Brunton Aluerton, it procéedeth to Otterington, Newlie, Kirbie
Wiske, Newson, and Blackenburie, there méeting (as I said) with the
Swale, that runneth fr[=o] thence by Skipton bridge, Catton,
Topcliffe, and Raniton, and aboue Eldmire méeteth with sundrie other
[Sidenote: Cawdebec.]
rilles in one bottome, whereof the northwesterlie is called Cawdebec:
[Sidenote: Kebecke.]
the south easterlie Kebecke, which ioine est of Thorneton moore, and
so go to Thorneton in the stréet, Kiluington, Thruske, Sowerbie,
Grastwijc, and soone after crossing another growing of the mixture of
[Sidenote: Cuckwolds becke.]
the Willow, and likewise of the Cuckewold beckes, which ioine aboue
Bridforth, and running on till it come almost at Dawlton, it maketh
confluence with the Swale, and go thence as one with all their samons
by Thorneton bridge, Mitton vpon Swale, and so into the Ouze.
[Sidenote: Skell.]
The Skell riseth out of the west two miles from Founteines abbeie, and
commeth (as Leland saith) with a faire course by the one side of
Rippon, as the Vre dooth on the other. And on the bankes hereof stood
the famous abbeie called Founteines or Adfontes, so much renowmed for
the lustie monks that sometimes dwelled in the same. It receiueth also
[Sidenote: Lauer.]
the Lauer water (which riseth thrée miles from Kirbie, and meeteth
withall néere vnto Rippon) and finallie falleth into the Vre, a
quarter of a mile beneath Rippon towne, & almost midwaie betwéene the
North and Huicke bridges.
[Sidenote: Nidde.]
The Nidde, which the booke of statutes called Nidor (anno 13. Edw. 1.)
and thereto noteth it to be inriched with store of samon, as are also
the Wheof and Aire, riseth among those hilles that lie by west
northwest of Gnarresborow, fiue miles aboue Pakeleie bridge, and going
in short processe of time by Westhouses, Lodgehouses, Woodhall,
Newhouses, Midlesmore, Raunsgill, Cowthouse, Gowthwall, Bureleie,
[Sidenote: Killingale.]
Brimham, Hampeswale, and soone after méeting with the Killingale
becke, it goeth after the confluence by Bilton parke, Gnaresbridge,
Washford, Cathall, Willesthorpe, Munketon, or Nonmocke, and so into
the Ouze, fouretéene miles beneath Gnaresborow, being increased by the
waie with verie few or no waters of anie countenance. Leland hauing
said thus much of the Nidde, addeth herevnto the names of two other
[Sidenote: Couer.]
[Sidenote: Burne.]
waters, that is to saie, the Couer and the Burne, which doo fall
likewise into the Vre or Ouze. But as he saith little of the same, so
among all my pamphlets, I can gather no more of them, than that the
first riseth six miles aboue Couerham by west, and falleth into the
Vre, a little beneath Middleham bridge, which is two miles beneath the
towne of Couerham. As for the Burne, it riseth at More hilles, and
falleth into the said riuer a little beneath Massham bridge. And so
much of these two.
[Sidenote: Wharfe aliàs Gwerfe.]
The Wharffe or Gwerfe ariseth aboue Vghtershaw, from whence it runneth
to Beggermons, Rosemill, Hubberham, Backden, Starbotton, Kettlewell,
Cunniston in Kettlewell, and here it meeteth with a rill comming from
Haltongill chappell, by Arnecliffe, and ioining withall northeast of
Kilneseie crag, it passeth ouer by the lower grounds to Girsington,
and receiuing a rill there also from Tresfeld parke, it proceedeth on
to Brunsall bridge. Furthermore at Appletréewijc, it méeteth with a
rill from by north, and thence goeth to Barden towre, Bolton, Beth and
Misleie hall, where it crosseth a rill comming from by west, thence to
Addingham, taking in there also another from by west, and so to
Ikeleie, and receiuing yer long another by north from Denton hall, it
hasteth to Weston Vauasour, Oteleie, and Letheleie, where it taketh in
the Padside, & the Washburne (both in one streame from Lindleie ward)
and thence to Casleie chappell, and there it crosseth one from by
north, and another yer long from by south, and so to Yardwood castell,
Kerebie, Woodhall, Collingham, Linton, Wetherbie, Thorpatch, Newton,
[Sidenote: Cockebecke.]
Tadcaster, and when it hath receiued the Cockebecke from southwest,
that goeth by Barwie, Aberfoorth, Leadhall, and Grimston, it runneth
to Exton, Kirbie Wharfe, Vskell, Rither, Nunapleton, & so into the
Ouze beneath Cawood, a castell belonging to the archbishop of Yorke,
where he vseth oft to lie when he refresheth himselfe with change of
aire and shift of habitation, for the auoiding of such infection as
may otherwise ingender by his long abode in one place, for want of due
purgation and airing of his house.
[Sidenote: Air.]
The Air or Arre riseth out of a lake or tarne south of Darnbrooke,
wherein (as I heare) is none other fish but red trowt, and perch.
Leland saith it riseth néere vnto Orton in Crauen, wherfore the ods is
but little. It goeth therefore from thence to Mawlam, Hamlith, Kirbie,
Moldale, Calton hall, Areton, and so foorth till it come almost to
[Sidenote: Otterburne.]
Gargraue, there crossing the Otterburne water on the west, and the
[Sidenote: Winterburne.]
Winterburne on the north, which at Flasbie receiueth a rill from
Helton, as I heare. Being past Gargraue, our Air goeth on to Eshton,
Elswood, and so foorth on, first receiuing a brooke from southwest
(whereof one branch commeth by Marton, the other by Thorneton, which
meete about Broughton) then another from northeast, that runneth by
Skipton castell. After this confluence it hasteth by manifold
windlesses, which caused thirteene bridges at the last to be ouer the
same within a little space, to Newbiggin, Bradleie, and Kildwijc, by
south east whereof it méeteth with one water from Mawsis, and
[Sidenote: Glike.]
Glusburne or Glukesburne, called Glike; another likewise a little
beneath from Seton, beside two rilles from by north, after which
confluence it runneth by Reddlesden, and ouer against this towne the
[Sidenote: Lacocke.]
[Sidenote: Woorth.]
[Sidenote: Moreton.]
Lacocke and the Woorth doo meet withall in one chanell, as the Moreton
water dooth on the north, although it be somewhat lower. Thence it
goeth to Rishfoorth hall, and so to Bungleie, where it taketh a rill
from Denholme parke to Shipeleie, and there crossing another from
Thorneton, Leuenthorpe, and Bradleie, it goeth to Caluerleie, to
Christall, and so to Léedes, where one water runneth thereinto by
north from Wettlewood, & two other from by south in one chanell,
wherof the first hath two armes, of which the one commeth from Pudseie
chappell, the other from Adwalton, their confluence being made aboue
Farnesleie hall. The other likewise hath two heads, whereof one is
aboue Morleie, the other commeth from Domingleie, and méeting with the
first not far southwest of Leedes, they fall both into the Air, and so
[Sidenote: Rodwell.]
run with the same to Swillington, and there taking in the Rodwell
becke south of the bridge, it proceedeth to Ollerton, Castleford,
[Sidenote: Went.]
Brotherton & Ferribridge, there receiuing the Went, a becke from
Pontefract or Pomfret, which riseth of diuerse heads, wherof one is
among the cole pits. Thence to Beall, Berkin, Kellington, middle
Hodleseie, Templehirst, Gowldall, Snath, Rawcliffe, Newland, Armie,
and so into the Ouze with an indifferent course. Of all the riuers in
the north, Leland (in so manie of his bookes as I haue séene) saith
least of this. Mine annotations also are verie slender in the
particular waters wherbie it is increased: wherfore I was compelled of
necessitie to conclude euen thus with the description of the same, and
had so left it in déed, if I had not receiued one other note more to
ad vnto it (euen when the leafe was at the presse) which saith as
followeth in maner word for word.
There is a noble water that falleth into Air, whose head (as I take
it) is about Stanford. From whence it goeth to Creston chappell, to
Lingfield, and there about receiuing one rill néere Elfrabright
[Sidenote: Hebden.]
bridge, and also the Hebden by northwest, it goeth to Brearleie hall,
and so taking in the third by north, it procéedeth on eastward by
Sorsbie bridge chappell (and there a rill from southwest) and so to
Coppeleie hall. Beneath this place I find also that it receiueth one
rill from Hallifax, which riseth from two heads, and two other from
southwest, of which one commeth by Baresland, and Staneland in one
chanell, as I read. So that after this confluence the aforesaid water
goeth on toward Cowford bridge, and as it taketh in two rilles aboue
the same on the north side, so beneath that bridge there falleth into
it a pretie arme increased by sundrie waters c[=o]ming from by south,
as from Marsheden chappell, from Holmesworth chappell, and Kirke
Heton, each one growing of sundrie heads; whereof I would saie more,
if I had more intelligence of their seuerall gates and passages.
But to procéed. From Cowford bridge it runneth to Munfeld, and
receiuing yer long one rill from Leuersage hall, and another from
Burshall by Dewesburie, it goeth on northeast of Thornehull, south of
Horbirie thornes, and thereabout crossing one rill from by south from
Woller by new Milner Dam, and soone after another from northwest,
[Sidenote: Chald.]
called Chald, rising in the Peke hils, whereon Wakefield standeth, and
likewise the third from southeast, and Waterton hall, it goeth by
Warmefield, Newland, Altoftes, and finallie into the Aire, west of
Castelworth, as I learne. What the name of this riuer should be as yet
I heare not, and therefore no maruell that I doo not set it downe, yet
is it certeine that it is called Chald, after his c[=o]fluence with
the Chald, and finallie Chaldair or Chaldar after it hath ioined with
the Air or Ar. But what is this for his denominations from the head?
It shall suffice therefore thus farre to haue shewed the course
thereof: and as for the name I passe it ouer vntill another time.
[Sidenote: Trent.]
The Trent is one of the most excellent riuers in the land, not onelie
for store of samon, sturgeon, and sundrie other kinds of delicate fish
wherewith it dooth abound, but also for that it is increased with so
manie waters, as for that onelie cause it may be compared either with
the Ouze or Sauerne, I meane the second Ouze, whose course I haue
latelie described. It riseth of two heads which ioine beneath Norton
in the moore, and from thence goeth to Hilton abbeie, Bucknell church,
[Sidenote: Foulebrooke.]
and aboue Stoke receiueth in the Foulebrooke water, which commeth
thither from Tunstall, by Shelton, and finallie making a confluence
they go to Hanfleet, where they méet with another on the same side,
that descendeth from Newcastell vnder Line, which Leland taketh to be
the verie Trent it selfe, saieng: that it riseth in the hils aboue
Newcastell, as may be séene by his commentaries.
But to proceed. At Trentham, or not farre from thence, it crosseth a
riueret from northeast, whose name I know not, & thence going to Stone
Aston, Stoke Burston, the Sandons and Weston, a little aboue Shubburne
& Hawood, it receiueth the Sow, a great chanell increased with sundrie
waters, which I will here describe, leauing the Trent at Shubburne,
[Sidenote: Sow.]
till I come backe againe. The Sow descendeth from the hilles, aboue
Whitemoore chappell, and goeth by Charleton, and Stawne, and beneath
Shalford ioineth with another by northeast that commeth from bishops
Offeleie, Egleshall, Chesbie, Raunton. After this confluence also it
runneth by Bridgeford, Tillington, & Stafford, beneath which towne
[Sidenote: Penke.]
it crosseth the Penke becke, that riseth aboue Nigleton, & Berwood, &
aboue Penke bridge vniteth it selfe with another comming from
Knightleie ward, by Gnashall church, Eaton: and so going foorth as
one, it is not long yer they fall into Sow, after they haue passed
Draiton, Dunstan, Acton, and Banswich, where loosing their names, they
with the Sow & the Sow with them doo ioine with the Trent, at
Shubburne, vpon the southerlie banke.
From Shubburne the Trent goeth on to little Harwood (meeting by the
waie one rill at Ousleie bridge, and another south of Riddlesleie)
thence by Hawksberie, Mauestane, Ridware, and so toward Yoxhall; where
I must staie a while to consider of other waters, wherewith I méet in
this voiage. Of these therefore the lesser commeth in by south from
Farwall, the other from by west, a faire streame, and increased with
two brooks, whereof the first riseth in Nedewood forrest, northeast of
[Sidenote: Blith.]
Haggersleie parke, whereinto falleth another west of Hamsteed Ridware,
called Blith, which riseth among the hilles in Whateleie moore, aboue
Weston Conie, and thence going to the same towne, it commeth to
Druicote, aliàs Dracote, Painsleie, Gratwitch, Grimleie, Aldmaston,
Hamstéed, Ridware, and finallie into the Trent, directlie west of
Yoxhall, which runneth also from thence, & leauing kings Bromleie in a
parke (as I take it) on the left hand, and the Blacke water comming
from Southton and Lichfield on the right, goeth streightwaie to
[Sidenote: Tame.]
Catton, where it méeteth with the Tame, whose course I describe as
followeth.
It riseth in Staffordshire (as I remember) not farre from Petteshall,
and goeth foorth by Hamsted, toward Pirihall and Brimichams Aston,
taking in by the waie a rill on each side, whereof the first groweth
through a confluence of two waters, the one of them comming from
Tipton, the other from Aldburie, and so running as one by Wedburie
till they fall into the same. The latter commeth from Woolfhall, and
ioineth with it on the left hand. After this, and when it is past the
aforesaid places, it crosseth in like sort a rill from Smethike ward:
[Sidenote: Rhée.]
thence it goeth to Yarneton hall, beneath which it méeteth with the
Rhée, and thence through the parke, at Parke hall by Watercote,
[Sidenote: Cole.]
crossing finallie the Cole, whose head is in the forrest by
Kingesnorton wood, and hath this course, whereof I now giue notice. It
riseth (as I said) in the forrest by Kingesnorton wood, and going by
Yareleie and Kingeshirst, it méeteth betwéene that and the parke, with
a water running betwéene Helmedon and Sheldon.
Thence it passeth on to Coleshull, by east whereof it ioineth with a
[Sidenote: Blith.]
brooke, mounting southwest of Golihull called Blith, which going by
Henwood and Barston, crosseth on ech side of Temple Balshall, a rill,
whereof one commeth through the Quéenes parke or chase that lieth by
west of Kenelworth, & the other by Kenelworth castell it selfe, from
about Haselie parke. After which confluences it procéedeth in like
maner to Hampton in Arden, and the Packingtons, and so to Coleshull,
where it méeteth with the Cole, that going a little further, vniteth
[Sidenote: Burne.]
it selfe with the Burne on the one side (whereinto runneth a water
comming from Ansleie on the east) and soone after on the other dooth
[Sidenote: Rhée.]
fall into the Tame, that which some call the Rhée, a common name to
all waters that mooue and run from their head. For [Greek: reo] in
Gréeke is to flow and run, although in truth it is proper to the sea
onelie to flow. Leland nameth the Brimicham water, whose head (as I
heare) is aboue Norffield, so that his course shuld be by
Kingesnorton, Bremicham, Budston hall, till it fall beneath Yarneton
into the Tame it selfe, that runneth after these confluences on by
Lée, Kingesbirie parke, and going by east of Draiton, Basset parke, to
Falkesleie bridge, it méeteth with another water called Burne, also
comming from Hammerwich church, by Chesterford, Shenton, Thickebrowne,
and the north side of Draiton, Basset parke, wherof I spake before.
From hence our Tame runneth on to Tamworth, there taking in the Anchor
by east, whose description I had in this maner deliuered vnto me.
It riseth aboue Burton, from whence it goeth by Nonneaton, Witherleie
and Atherstone. Yer long also it taketh in a water from northeast,
which commeth by Huglescote, Shapton, Cunston, Twicrosse (vniting it
[Sidenote: Anchor.]
selfe with a water from Bosworth) Ratcliffe, & so to the Anchor, which
after this confluence passeth by Whittendon, Crindon, Pollesworth,
Armington, Tamworth, & so into Tame, that hasteth to Hopwash,
Comberford hall, Telford, and soone after crossing a rill that riseth
short of Swinfield hall, and commeth by Festirike, it runneth not
farre from Croxhall, and so to Catton, thereabout receiuing his last
[Sidenote: Mese.]
increase not worthie to be omitted. This brooke is named Mese, and it
riseth in the great parke that lieth betwéene Worthington, and
Smethike, from whence also it goeth by Ashbie de la Souche,
Packington, Mesham, and Stretton, and therabout crossing a rill about
Nethersale grange, from Ouersale by east, it proceedeth by Chilcote,
Clifton, Croxall, into the Thame, and both out of hand into the maine
riuer a mile aboue Repton. Leland writing of this riuer (as I earst
noted) saith thereof in this wise. Into the Thame also runneth the
Bremicham brooke, which riseth foure or fiue miles about Bremicham in
the Blacke hils in Worcestershire, and goeth into the aforesaid water
a mile aboue Crudworth bridge. Certes (saith he) this Bremicham is a
towne mainteined chieflie by smiths, nailers, cutlers, edgetoole
forgers, lorimers or bitmakers, which haue their iron out of Stafford
and Warwijc shires, and coles also out of the first countie. Hitherto
Leland. Now to resume the Trent, which being growen to some
greatnesse, goeth on to Walton, Drakelow, and there crossing a water
that commeth by Newbold hall, it runneth to Stapenell, Winshull,
Wightmere, and Newton Souch, where it receiueth two chanels within a
short space, to be described apart.
[Sidenote: Dou.]
The first of these is called the Dou or Doue, it riseth about the
thrée shires méere, and is as it were limes betweene Stafford and
Darbishires, vntill it come at the Trent. Descending therefore from
the head, it goeth by Earlesbooth, Pilsburie grange, Hartington,
Wolscot, Eaton, Hunsington grange, and aboue Thorpe receiueth the
[Sidenote: Manifold.]
Manifold water, so called, bicause of the sundrie crinckling rills
that it receiueth, and turnagaines that it selfe sheweth before it
come at the Dou. Rising therefore not farre from Axe edge crosse (in
the bottome thereby) it runneth from thence to Longmore, Shéene,
Warslow chappell, and Welton.
[Sidenote: Hansleie.]
Beneath Welton also it taketh in the Hansleie water, that commeth out
of Blackemoore hilles to Watersall, where it falleth into the ground:
and afterward mounting againe is receiued into the Manifold, north of
Throwleie (as I heare) which goeth from thence to Ilam, and aboue
Thorpe dooth cast it selfe into Dou. Hauing therefore met togither
after this maner, the Dou procéedeth on to Maplington, beneath which
it crosseth one water descending from Brassington by Fennie Bentleie,
and another somewhat lower that commeth from Hocston hall by Hognaston
and Ashburne, and then going to Matterfield, Narburie, Ellaston,
[Sidenote: Churne.]
Rawston Rowcester, it meeteth with the Churne, euen here to be
described before I go anie further. It riseth a good waie aboue
Delacrasse abbie, and comming thither by Hellesbie wood, it taketh in
[Sidenote: Dunsmere.]
the Dunsmere, betwéene Harracrasse and Leike.
[Sidenote: Yendor.]
Thence it goeth to the Walgrange, and a little beneath receiueth the
Yendor that commeth from aboue Harton, thence to Cheddleton, and
[Sidenote: Aula Canuti.]
[Sidenote: Ashenhirst.]
hauing crossed the Ashenhirst brooke aboue Cnutes hall, it runneth by
Ypston, Froghall, Below hill, Alton castell, Préestwood, and at
Rowcester falleth into the Dou, which yer long also receiueth a rill
[Sidenote: Teine.]
from Crowsden, and then going to Eton méeteth first with the Teine
that commeth thither from each side of Chedleie by Teinetowne,
[Sidenote: Vttoxeter or Vncester.]
Bramhirst and Stranehill. Secondlie with the Vncester or Vttoxeter
water, and then going on to Merchington, Sidberie, Cawlton, it
crosseth a brooke from Sidmister college, by Saperton. From this
confluence in like sort it passeth foorth to Tilberie castell,
Marston, and at Edgerton méeteth with the water that commeth from
Yeldersleie by Longford (whereinto runneth another that commeth from
Hollington) and so to Hilton. These waters being thus ioined, and
manie ends brought into one, the Dou it selfe falleth yer long
likewise into the Trent, aboue Newton Souch. So that the maine riuer
being thus inlarged, goeth onwards with his course, and betwéene
Willington and Repton meeteth with two waters on sundrie sides,
whereof that which falleth in by Willington, riseth néere Dawberie
Lies, and runneth by Trusselie and Ashe: the other that entereth aboue
Repton, descendeth from Hartesburne, so that the Trent being past
these, hasteth to Twiford, Inglebie, Staunton, Weston, Newton, and
[Sidenote: Darwent.]
Aston, yer long also méeting with the Darwent; next of all to be
dispatched. The Darwent, or (to vse the verie British word) Dowr gwine
(but in Latine Fluuius Dereuantanus) riseth plaine west, néere vnto
the edge of Darbishire, aboue Blackwell a market towne, and from the
head runneth to the New chappell, within a few miles after it be
risen. From hence moreouer it goeth by Howden house, Darwent chappell,
[Sidenote: Neue.]
Yorkeshire bridge, and at Witham bridge dooth crosse the Neue or
Nouius that commeth from Newstole hill, by Netherburgh, Hope (crossing
there one rill from Castelton, another from Bradwell, and the third at
Hathersage, from Stonie ridge hill) and so goeth on to Padleie,
Stockehall, receiuing a rill by the waie from by west, to Stonie
[Sidenote: Burbroke.]
Middleton, and Baslow, and hauing here taken in the Burbrooke on the
one side, and another from Halsop on the other, it goeth to Chatworth
and to Rowseleie, where it is increased with the Wie comming from by
west, and also a rill on the east, a little higher. But I will
describe the Wie before I go anie further.
[Sidenote: Wie.]
The Wie riseth aboue Buxston well, and there is increased with the
[Sidenote: Hawkeshow.]
[Sidenote: Wile.]
Hawkeshow, and the Wile brooke, whose heads are also further distant
from the edge of Darbishire than that of Wie, and races somwhat
longer, though neither of them be worthie to be accompted long. For
the Wile, hauing two heads, the one of them is not farre aboue the
place where Wilebecke abbeie stood, the other is further off by west,
about Wilebecke towne: and finallie ioining in one they runne to
Cuckneie village, where receiuing a becke that commeth downe from by
west, it holdeth on two miles further, there taking in the second
[Sidenote: Rufford aliàs Manbecke.]
rill, and so resort to Rufford, or the Manbecke. Vnto this also doo
other two rills repaire, wherof the one goeth through and the other
hard by Maunsfield, of which two also this latter riseth west about
foure miles, and runneth foorth to Clipston (three miles lower) and so
likewise to Rufford, whereof I will speake hereafter. In the meane
time to returne againe to the Wie. From Buxston well, it runneth to
Staddon, Cowdale, Cowlow, New medow, Milhouses, Bankewell, and Haddon
[Sidenote: Lathkell.]
hall, beneath which it receiueth the Lath kell, that runneth by
[Sidenote: Bradford.]
Ouerhaddon, and the Bradford, both in one bottome after they be ioined
in one at Alport. And this is the first great water that our Darwent
dooth méet withall. Being therefore past the Rowsleies, the said
Darwent goeth to Stancliffe, Darleie in the peake, Wensleie,
Smitterton hall, and at Matlocke taketh in a rill by northeast, as it
dooth another at Crumford that goeth by Boteshall.
From Mattocke, it procéedeth to Watston, or Watsond, Well bridge,
[Sidenote: Amber.]
Alderwash, and ioineth with another streame called Amber comming in
from by north by Amber bridge, whose description shall insue in this
wise, as I find it. The head of Amber is aboue Edleston hall, or (as
Leland saith) est of Chesterfield, and comming from thence by
Middleton to Ogston hall, it taketh withall another brooke, descending
from Hardwijc wood, by Alton and Streton. Thence it goeth to Higham,
Brackenfield, and aboue Dale bridge meeteth with a brooke running from
[Sidenote: Moreton.]
Hucknalward to Shireland parke side, there crossing the Moreton becke,
and so to Alferton, except I name it wrong. From Dale bridge it goeth
by Wingfeld, to Hedge, Fritchlin, and so into Darwent, taking the
water withall that descendeth from Swanswijc by Pentridge, as Leland
doth remember. From this confluence likewise it runneth to Belper,
where it méeteth with a rill comming from Morleie parke: thence to
[Sidenote: Eglesburne.]
Makenie, and at Duffeld, receiueth the Eglesburne, which ariseth about
Wirkesworth or Oresworth, but in the same parish out of a rocke, and
commeth in by Turnedich. From Duffeld, it passeth to Bradsall, Darleie
abbeie, and at Darbie taketh in a rill comming from Mirkaston by
Weston vnderwood, Kidleston and Merton. If a man should say that
Darwent riuer giueth name to Darbie towne, he should not well know how
euerie one would take it, and peraduenture therby he might happen to
offend some. In the meane time I beleeue it, let other iudge as
pleaseth them, sith my coniecture can preiudice none. To proceed
therefore. From Darbie it runneth on by Aluaston, Ambaston, the
[Sidenote: Sora, or Surus.]
Welles, and so into Trent, which goeth from hence to Sawleie, and
north of Thrumpton taketh in the Sore, a faire streame, and not
worthie to be ouerpassed.
It riseth in Leicestershire aboue Wigton, and thence goeth to
Sharneford, Sapcote, and beneath Staunton taketh in a rill that
commeth by Dounton and Broughton Astleie. Thence to Marleborow, and
before it come to Eston, crosseth another on the same side (descending
by Burton, Glen, Winstow, Kilbie and Blabie) then to Leircester towne,
Belgraue, Burstall, Wanlip; and yer it come at Cussington or Cositon,
[Sidenote: Eie.]
crosseth the Eie, which riseth néere Occam aboue Bramston, going by
[Sidenote: _Leland_ calleth one of these rilles Croco.]
Knawstow, Somerbie, Pickwell, Whitesonden; and beneath (a litle)
receiueth a rill on the right hand, from Coldnorton. Thence to
Stapleford, & soone after crossing a brooke from aboue Sproxton,
Coson, Garthorpe and Sarbie, it runneth to Wiuerbie, Brentingbie; and
yer it come at Milton, meeteth with two other small rilles, from the
right hand whereof one commeth from about Caldwell by Thorpe Arnold,
and Waltham in the Would; the other from Skaleford ward, and from
Melton goeth by Sisonbie, there méeting with another from northeast
ouer against Kirbie Hellars, after which time the name of Eie is
[Sidenote: Warke, Vrke, or Wreke.]
changed into Warke or Vrke, and so continueth vntill it come at the
Soure. From hence also it goeth to Asterbie, Radgale, Habie,
Trussington, Ratcliffe; and soone after crosseth sundrie waters not
verie farre in sunder, whereof one commeth from Oueston, by Twiford,
Ashbie, and Gadesbie; another from Losebie, by Baggraue, and Crawston,
and ioining with the first at Ouennihow, it is not long yer they fall
into the Warke. The second runneth from Engarsbie, by Barkeleie, and
Sison. But the third and greatest of the thrée, is a chanell increased
with thrée waters, whereof one commeth from Norton by Burton, Kilbie,
Foston and Blabie, the other from Dounton by Broughton and Astleie,
and méeting with the third from Sapcoth, and stonie Staunton, they run
togither by Narborow, and soone after ioining aboue Elston, with the
first of the thrée, they go as one by Elston to Leircester, Belgraue,
Wanlip, and aboue Cussington doo fall into the Warke, and soone after
into the Soure. The Soure in like sort going from thence to mount
Sorrell, & taking in another brooke southwest from Leircester forrest,
by Glenfield, Austie, Thurcaston and Rodelie, ioineth with the Soure,
which goeth from thence to mount Sorrell, and Quarendon (where it
taketh in a water comming from Charnewood forrest, and goeth by
Bradegate and Swithland) and then procéedeth to Cotes, Lughborow and
Stanford, there also taking in one rill out of Nottinghamshire by
northeast; and soone after another from southwest, comming from
Braceden to Shepesheued, Garrington, & Dighlie grange, and likewise
the third from Worthington, by Disworth, long Whitton, and Wathorne.
Finallie, after these confluences, it hasteth to Sutton, Kingston, and
Ratcliffe, and so into the Trent.
These things being thus brought togither, and we now resuming the
discourse of the same riuer, it dooth after his méeting with the
[Sidenote: Erwash.]
Soure, procéed withall to Barton, where it taketh in the Erwash, which
riseth about Kirbie, and thence goeth to Selston, Wansbie, Codnor
castell, Estwood, and crossing a water from Beuall, runneth to
Coshall, Trowell (and there taking in another rill comming from Henor
by Shipleie) it proceedeth on to Stapleford, long Eaton, and so into
the Trent. This being doone it goeth to Clifton, and yer it come at
Wilford, it méeteth with a brooke that passeth from Staunton by Bonnie
and Rodington, and thence to Notingham, where it crosseth the Line,
which riseth aboue Newsted; and passing by Papplewijc, Hucknall,
Bafford, Radford and Linton, next of all to Thorpe & Farmdon, where it
brancheth and maketh an Iland, and into the smaller of them goeth a
brooke from Beuer castell, which rising betweene east Well and Eaton
[Sidenote: Dene.]
in Leircester is called the Dene, and from thence runneth by Bramston
to Knipton, & beneath Knipton méeteth with a brooke that commeth by
west of Croxston, and thence holdeth on with his course, betwéene
Willesthorpe and Beuer castell aforesaid, and so to Bottesworth,
[Sidenote: Snite.]
Normanton, Killington, Shilton, there receiuing the Snite from by
south (whose head is néere Clauston, & course from thence by Hickling,
Langer, Whalton, Orston, and Flareborow) and yer long another comming
from Bingham, and Sibthorpe. Thence our Trent runneth to Coxam,
Hawton, Newarke castell, and so to Winthorpe, where the branches are
reunited, and thence going on by Holme to Cromwell (and soone after
taking in a brooke comming from Bilsthorpe, by Kersall, Cawnton,
Norwell and Willowbie) to Carlton, and to Sutton, there making a litle
Ile, then to Grinton, where it toucheth a streame on ech side, whereof
one commeth from Morehouse by Weston & Gresthorpe, another from
Langthorpe, by Collingham, and Bosthorpe. From hence likewise it
passeth to Clifton, Newton, Kettlethorpe, Torkeseie, Knash,
Gainsborow, Waltrith, Stockwith; and leauing Axholme on the left hand,
it taketh withall Hogdike water out of the Ile, and so goeth foorth to
Wildsworth, Eastferrie, Frusworth, Burringham, Gummeis, Hixburgh,
Burton, Walcote, and at Ankerburie into the Humber, receiuing the
swift Doue by the waie, which for his noblenesse is not to be
ouerpassed, especiallie for that Anno 1536 Hen. 8, 28, it was (by Gods
prouidence) a staie of great bloudshed like to haue fallen out
betwéene the kings side and the rebelles of the north, in a quarrell
[Sidenote: A miracle.]
about religion. For the night before the battle should haue béene
stricken, and without anie apparent cause (a little showre of raine
excepted farre vnpossible vpon such a sudden to haue made so great a
water) the said riuer arose so high, & ran with such vehemencie, that
on the morow the armies could not ioine to trie & fight it out: after
which a pacification insued, and those countries were left in quiet.
Secondlie, the description hereof is not to be ouerpassed, bicause of
the fine grasse which groweth vpon the banks thereof, which is so fine
and batable, that there goeth a prouerbe vpon the same; so oft as a
man will commend his pasture, to say that there is no better féed on
Doue banke: that maketh it also the more famous.
[Sidenote: Doue.]
The Doue therefore riseth in Yorkeshire among the Peke hilles, and
hauing receiued a water comming by Ingbirchworth (where the colour
thereof is verie blacke) it goeth to Pennistone, which is foure miles
from the head: then by Oxspring to Thurgoland, and soone after
(ioining by the waie with the Midhop water, that runneth by Midhop
chappell, and Hondshelfe) it méeteth with another comming from
Bowsterston chappell. Then goeth it by Waddesleie wood to Waddesleie
bridge, and at Aluerton receiueth the Bradfeld water. Then passeth it
to Crokes, and so to Sheffeld castell (by east whereof it receiueth a
brooke from by south that commeth through Sheffeld parke.) Thence it
procéedeth to Westford bridge, Briksie bridge; and southwest of
[Sidenote: Cowleie.]
Timsleie receiueth the Cowleie streame that runneth by Ecclefield.
[Sidenote: Rother.]
Next of all it goeth to Rotheram, where it méeteth with the Rother, a
goodlie water, whose head is in Darbieshire about Pilsleie, from
whence it goeth vnder the name of Doleie, till it come at Rotheram, by
north Winfield church, Wingerworth, and Foreland hall, twelue miles
[Sidenote: Iber.]
[Sidenote: Brampton.]
from Rotheram, to Chesterford, where it méeteth with the Iber, and
Brampton water that commeth by Holme hall, both in one chanell. Thence
it runneth to Topton castell, and yer long crossing one water comming
from Dronefeld by Whittington on the one side, and the second from
aboue Birmington on the other, it goeth through Stalie parke, and
soone after méeteth with the Crawleie becke, whereof I find this note.
[Sidenote: Crawleie.]
The Crawleie riseth not farre from Hardwijc, and going by Stanesbie
and Woodhouse, it receiueth aboue Netherthorpe, one water on the one
side comming from the Old parke, and another from Barlborow hill on
the other, that runneth not farre from Woodthorpe. After this
confluence likewise they run as one into the Rother, which hasteth
from thence to Eckington (there crossing a rill that runneth by
Birleie hill) and so to Kilmarsh, in the confines of Darbieshire,
[Sidenote: Gunno.]
where it taketh in the Gunno from by east. Thence to Boughton, vniting
it selfe therabout with another by west from Gledles, called
[Sidenote: Mesebrooke.]
Mesebrooke, which diuideth Yorkeshire from Darbieshire, and so runneth
to Treton, Whiston, there taking in a rill from Aston, and so to
Rotheram, where it méeteth with the Doue, and from whence our Doue
(yéelding plentie of samon all the waie as it passeth) hasteth to
Aldwarke, Swaiton, Mexburge, there taking in the Darne, which I will
next describe, and staie with the Doue, vntill I haue finished the
same. It riseth at Combworth, and so commeth about by Bretton hall, to
Darton ward, where it crosseth a water that runneth from Gonthwake
hall, by Cawthorne vnited of two heads. From hence it goeth to Burton
grange, then to Drax, where it toucheth with a water from southwest, &
then goeth to Derfield and Goldthorpe: but yer it come to Sprotborow,
it vniteth it selfe with a faire riuer, increased by diuerse waters,
before it come at the Doue, & whereinto it falleth (as I heare)
northeast of Mexburgh. After this confluence likewise the Doue goeth
by Sprotborow, to Warnesworth, Doncaster, Wheatleie, (there méeting
[Sidenote: Hampall.]
with the Hampall créeke on the northeast side, which riseth east of
Kirbie) thence to Sandall, Kirke Sandall, Branwith ferrie, Stanford,
Fishlake, and so to Thuorne or Thurne, where it crosseth the Idle
(whose description followeth) and finallie into Trent, and so into the
Humber.
But before I deale with the description of the Idle, I will adde
somewhat of the Rume, a faire water. For though the description
thereof be not so exactlie deliuered me as I looked for; yet such as
it is I will set downe, conferring it with Lelands booke, and helping
their defect so much as to me is possible. It riseth by south of
Maunsfield, fiue miles from Rumford abbeie, and when the streame
commeth neere the abbeie, it casteth it selfe abroad and maketh a
faire lake. After this it commeth againe into a narrow channell, and
[Sidenote: Budbie.]
[Sidenote: Gerberton.]
so goeth on to Rumford village, carrieng the Budbie and the Gerberton
waters withall. From thence, and with a méetlie long course, it goeth
to Bawtrie or Vautrie, a market towne in Nottinghamshire, fiue miles
from Doncaster, and so into the Trent. Beneath Rumford also commeth in
[Sidenote: Girt.]
the Girt, which goeth vnto Southwell milles, and so into the Trent.
Now as concerning our Idle.
[Sidenote: Idle.]
The Idle, which some call Brier streame, riseth at Sutton in Ashfield,
from whence it runneth to Maunsfield, Clipston & Allerton, where it
taketh in a water that riseth in the forrest, one mile north of
Bledworth, and runneth on by Rughford abbeie, till it come to
[Sidenote: Manbecke.]
Allerton. The forresters call this Manbecke, whereof Leland also
speaketh, who describeth it in this maner. Manbrooke riseth somewhere
about Linthirst wood, from whence it goeth to Blisthorpe, and so to
Allerton. But to procéed. The Idle hauing taken in the Manbecke, it
runneth to Bothomsall, by Boughton, & Perlethorpe: but yer it come
[Sidenote: Meding becke.]
there, it méeteth the Meding Maiden, or Midding brooke, which rising
about Teuersall, goeth to Pleasleie, Nettleworth, Sawcan, Warsop,
Budleie, Thursbie, Bothomsall, and so into the Idle. After this it
proceedeth to Houghton, west Draiton, but yer it touch at Graunston or
[Sidenote: Wilie.]
Gaunston, it taketh in the Wilie, which commeth from Clowne, to
Creswell, Holbecke, Woodhouse, Wilebecke, Normenton, Elsleie,
Graunston, and so into the Idle. Being thus increased, the Idle
runneth on to Idleton, Ordsall, Retford, Bollam, Tilneie, Matterseie
abbeie, and so to Bawtrie, where it méeteth another from the shire
Okes, that riseth aboue Geitford, passeth on to Worksop (or Radfurth)
[Sidenote: Blith.]
Osberton, Bilbie, and Blith, there vniting it selfe with thrée rilles
in one bottome, whereof one commeth from Waldingwell to Careleton, and
so thorough a parke to Blith towne, another from by west Furbecke
thrée miles, and so to Blith: but the third out of the White water
néere to Blith, and there being vnited they passe on to Scrobie, and
so into the Idle.
From hence it runneth on to Missen, to Sadlers bridge, and next of all
[Sidenote: Sandbecke.]
to Santoft, where it méeteth with the Sandbecke, which rising not
farre from Sandbecke towne, passeth by Tickhill, Rosington bridge,
Brampton, Rilholme, Lindholme, and one mile south of Santoft into the
Idle water, which runneth from thence to Thorne, where it méeteth with
the Doue, and so with it to Crowleie. Finallie, inuironing the Ile of
Axeholme, it goeth vnto Garthorpe, Focorbie, & so into the Trent.
Leland writing of the Wilie, Wile, or Gwilie (as some write it) saith
thus therof. The Wile hath two heads, whereof one is not farre aboue
the place where Wilbecke abbeie stood; the other riseth further off by
west aboue Welbecke or Wilebecke towne: finallie ioining in one, they
runne to Cuckeneie village, where crossing a becke that commeth in
from by west, it holdeth on two miles further, there taking in the
second rill, and so resort to Rufford. To this riuer likewise (saith
he) doo two other waters repaire, whereof the one goeth hard by
Maunsfield (rising foure miles from thence by west) and then commeth
thrée miles lower to Rufford; the other (so far as I remember) goeth
quite through the towne.
OF SUCH FALLES OF WATERS AS IOINE WITH THE SEA, BETWEENE HUMBER AND
THE THAMES.