Illustration: Oxfordshire
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          the county of Oxford, called by the Saxons Oxenfordschyre, commonly Oxfordshire, which I before observed did belong to the Dobuni; on the West, borders upon Gloucestershire; on the South, where it is broadest, the River Isis divides it from Berkshire; on the East it is bounded by Bucks; and upon the North, where it ends as it were in a cone, on the one side it has Northamptonshire, on the other Warwickshire. It is a rich and fertile country, the lower parts are cultivated into pleasant fields and meadows; the hills are covered with great store of woods. Nor is it only fruitful in grass and corn, but abounds with all sorts of game both for hunting and hawking, and rivers well stocked with fish. The Isis (afterwards called Temisis) in a long course washeth the South side of this county. Cherwell a small river, famous for plenty of fish, after it has divided this shire for some space from that of Northampton, flows gently through the middle of the county, and divides it as it were into two parts. The river Tame waters and makes fruitful the eastern parts, till at last both of these rivers, with several other little streams, are received into the Isis.

            the Isis, when it has just touched upon Wiltshire, is upon its first entrance on this county restrained by Radcot Bridge; whence it passes by Bablock, famous for Robert de Vere the great Earl of Oxford, Marquess of Dublin, and Duke of Ireland; who being highly in favour and authority with King Richard the Second, and for that reason no less envied and hated by his fellow-barons, has taught us this lesson, that no power has force enough to secure those that enjoy it. For being here defeated in a skirmish with the nobles, he was constrained to take the river, and swim over for his life, which was the sad catastrophe of all his greatness and glory: for he presently fled the realm, and died in ignominious banishment. In the poem of The Marriage of Tame and Isis we have these verses of him:

—hic Verus notissimus apro,
dum dare terga negat virtus, & tendere contra
non sinit invictae rectrix prudentia mentis;
undique dum resonat repetitis ictibus umbo,
tinnituque strepit circum sua tempora cassis,
se dedit in fluvium, fluvius laetatus & illo
hospite, suscepit salvum, salvumque remisit.
here Oxford's hero famous for his boar,<210>
while valour prompts behind, and prudence calls before;
while clashing swords upon his target sound,
and showers of arrows from his breast rebound,
prepared for worst of fates, undaunted stood,
and urged his beast into the rapid flood:
the waves in triumph bore him, and were proud
to sink beneath their honourable load.

            after this the Isis now and then overflowing the lower grounds, receives its first addition from Windrush, a small brook, which flowing out of the Cotswold salutes Burford standing on the banks of it, in Saxon Beorford, where Cuthred King of the West Saxons then tributary to the Mercians, not being able to endure any longer the cruelty and base exactions of King Ethelbald, met him in the open field with an army, and beat him; taking his standard, in which we read was the portraiture of a golden dragon. From hence it runs to Minster Lovell, heretofore the seat of the Lords Lovell of Titchmarsh, who being descended from one Lupel a noble Norman, did long bear a considerable figure in these parts, and received a great addition to their fortunes by matches with the heirs female of Titchmarsh, of the lords Holland, of d'Eyncourt, and the Viscounts Beaumont. But this family was extinct in Francis Viscount Lovell Lord Chamberlain to King Richard 3, who was banished by Henry 7 and at last slain in the battle of Stoke, taking part with Lambert the impostor prince. His sister Fridiswide was grandmother to Henry, the first Lord Norris. Passing hence, the Windrush visits Witney, an old town, which before the Conquest belonged to the Bishop of Winchester. Near adjoining is Cogges the head of the barony of Arsic, the lords of which, descended from the Earls of Oxford, have been long extinct. Hard by, Wychwood Forest is of a large extent, though the bounds of it were once much wider: for King Richard 3 disforested a great part of Wychwood between Woodstock and Brighstow, which King Edw. 4 had taken into the limits of that forest, as we are informed by John Rous of Warwick. The River Isis when it has received the Windrush, passes unto Eynsham, in Saxon Eignesham, formerly a royal ville, seated very commodiously among most delightful meadows. This place Cuthwulph the Saxon first took from the conquered Britons: Ethelmar a noble man adorned it with a monastery, which Ethelred King of England in the year 1005 confirmed, and signed the privilege of liberty (to keep to the words of the charter) with the sign of the holy cross. But this house of religion is at present turned into a private seat, and belongs to the Earl of Derby. Below Eynsham, the Evenlode a small rivulet, runs into the Isis, which flowing from the Cotswold, in the utmost borders of this county, leaves nigh its own banks a great monument of antiquity, a number of vastly great stones placed in a circular figure, which the country people call Rollright Stones, and have a fond tradition, that they were once men thus turned into stones. The figure of them, however rudely drawn, I shall here represent to the reader's eye.

Illustration: The Rollright Stones

They are irregular and of unequal height, and by the decays of time are grown ragged and very much impaired. The highest of them all, which lies out of the ring toward the East, they call the King; because they fancy he should have been King of England, if he could have seen Long Compton, a village within view at three or four steps farther: five larger stones, which upon one side of the circle touch one another, they pretend were knights or horsmen, and the other common soldiers.

            I should think this monument to have been raised in memory of some victory here obtained, perhaps by Rollo the Dane, who afterward possessed himself of Normandy. For at the same time when he with his Danes and Normans infested England with depredations, we read that the Danes and Saxons had a fight at Hook Norton, and another engagement at Scierstane in Huiccia [Sherston in Wiltshire], which I should take for that great boundary stone that stands hard by, and divides four counties or shires: for so the Saxon word scierstane does plainly intimate. As to Hook Norton, the inhabitants were formerly such clowns and churls, that it passed into a proverb, for a rude and ill-bred fellow, to be born at Hog's-Norton. But this place is chiefly memorable for the fatal slaughter of the English in a fight with the Danes under Edmund the Elder. It was afterward a barony of the D'Oilys, an honourable and ancient family of Normandy. The first of that name who came into England, was Robert de Oily, who for his great service in that expedition, was rewarded by William the Conqueror with this village and many other lands, some of which he gave to his sworn brother Roger Ivery; and this part was afterwards the barony of St. Walery. But this Robert deceasing without issue male, his brother Nigel succeeded in his estate, whose son Robert the second was founder of the monastery of Osney. Registry of Osney Abbey. At last an heir female of this family of D'Oily was married to Henry Earl of Warwick, by whom she had Thomas Earl of Warwick, who died without issue in the reign of Henry 3, and Margaret who died likewise without issue, though she had two husbands, John Mareschal and John de Plessis, both Earls of Warwick. Upon this (as the charter of donation runs) King Henry 3 granted Hook Norton and Cudlington to John de Plessets or Plassy, 37 Hen. 3. Which were the inheritance of Henry D'Oily, and fell into the King's hands upon the death of Margaret Countess of Warwick, wife of the foresaid John, as an escheat of the lands of the Normans, to have and hold till such time as the lands of England and Normandy should be made common. But of this ancient and honourable family of D'Oily, there remains still a branch in this county, who have yet the honour of being knights.

            Evenlode runs by no other place remarkable; but after a long course takes in a small brook, upon which is seated Woodstock, in Saxon Wudestoc, i.e. a woody place, where King Etheldred heretofore held an assembly of the states, and enacted several laws. Here was a magnificent palace built by K. Hen. 1, who adjoined to it a large park enclosed with a wall of stone, which John Rous affirms to have been the first park in England, though we meet with these words, Parca sylvestris bestiarum,<211> several times in Domesday Book. But afterwards they increased to so great a number, that there were computed more in England than in all the Christian world besides; so great delight did our ancestors take in this noble sport of hunting. Our histories report that King Henry 2 being deeply enamoured with Rosamund Clifford, whose extraordinary beauty and other great accomplishments, drove the thoughts of all other women from his heart, and made her commonly called rosa mundi, the rose of the world; to secure her from the restless jealousy of his Juno Queen, built in this place a labyrinth, where the many windings and turnings made an inextricable maze: yet at present we see no remains of it. The town having now nothing else to be proud of, does boast of the honour of being the birth-place of our English Homer, Geoffrey Chaucer: to whom, and some other of our English poets, I may apply what the learned Italian sung of Homer and other Greeks.

— hic ille est, cujus de gurgite sacro
combibit arcanos vatum omnis turba furores.
this he, to whose immortal spring of wit
each water poet owes his rivulet.

            for he defying every rival in wit, and leaving all our poetasters at a long distance from him,

— jam monte potitus,
ridet anhelantem dura ad fastiga turbam.
sits down in triumph on the conquered height,
and smiles to see unequal rivals sweat.

            the Isis, when it has taken in the Evenlode, divides its own channel, and cuts out many pretty islands, among which stood Godstow, i.e. The place of God, a nunnery founded by one Ida a rich widow, improved and annually endowed by King John, to the intent those holy virgins might (according to the devotion of that age) pray for the souls of King Henry 2, his father and Rosamund his concubine, who was here buried with this rhyming epitaph;

hac jacet in tumba rosa mundi; non rosa munda,
non redolet, sed olet, quae redolere solet.
rose of the world, not rose the fresh pure flow'r,
within this tomb hath taken up her bow'r:
she scenteth now and nothing sweet doth smell,
which erst was wont to savour passing well.

            the Isis, before its streams are again united, meets with Cherwell, which coming out of Northamptonshire, flows almost through the middle of this county. It first watereth Banbury, formerly Banesbyrig, where Kynric the West Saxon overcame the poor Britons (when they fought for their liberties and country) in a memorable battle. And in latter times, Richard Neville Earl of Warwick fighting for the Lancastrian interest, gave such an absolute defeat to the York party, that he soon after took the distressed King Edward 4 and carried him off prisoner. The town, which at present is most famous for making good cheese, has a castle built by Alexander Bishop of Lincoln, (for this manor belonged to that see) who in his way of living consulted more his state and grandeur than his ease and safety, and brought very many mischiefs on himself by his vain and expensive buildings. Give me leave to add one remark, that the coins of Roman Emperors found here, and in the fields adjoining, are a fair argument for the antiquity of this place.

            I must not here pass by Broughton the seat of Rich. Fiennes or Fenis, to whom, and to the heirs of his body, our potent monarch K. James, in the first year of his reign, granted and confirmed the name, style, title, degree, dignity, and honour of Baron of Saye and Sele; he being descended in a right line from James Fiennes Lord Saye and Sele, High Treasurer of England in the reign of Hen. 6. The Cherwell, for many miles after it has left Banbury, sees nothing but well cultivated fields, and most delightful meadows; among which stands Islip, formerly Ghistlipe, the birth-place of King Edward (whom, for his piety and chastity, our ancestors honoured with the title of Confessor,) as he himself witnesses in his original charter, whereby he gives this his manor to the church of Westminster: and at a small distance is Headington, which K. John gave for a barony to Thomas Basset.

            at Islip the Cherwell is joined from the East by a small brook which runs by Bicester, in Saxon Burenceaster and Bernaceaster, a town of ancient name, but where I have observed nothing of antiquity; only that Gilbert Basset, and Egeline de Courtney his wife, in the reign of Hen. 2 built here a monastery in honour of St. Edburg; and that the barons Le Strange of Knockin were lately lords of this place. Toward the West we meet with some few remains of an old deserted station, which they call Alchester, perhaps instead of Aldchester, or the old Castrum, through which a military way led from Wallingford, as the neighbours believe, to Banbury. They call this Akeman Street Way, a ridge whereof does still appear for some miles together on the deep plains of Otmoor, often overflowed in winter.

            but where the Cherwell flows along with the Isis, and their divided streams make several little sweet and pleasant islands, is seated on a rising vale the most famous university of Oxford, in Saxon Oxenford, our most noble Athens, the seat of the English muses, the prop and pillar, nay the sun, the eye, the very soul of the nation: the most celebrated fountain of wisdom and learning, from whence religion, letters, and good manners, are happily diffused through the whole kingdom. A delicate and most beautiful city, whether we respect the neatness of private buildings, or the stateliness of public structures, or the healthy and pleasant situation. For the plain on which it stands is walled in, as it were, with hills of wood, which keeping out on one side the pestilential South wind, on the other, the tempestuous West, admit only the purifying East, and the North that disperses all unwholesome vapours. From which delightful situation, authors tell us it was heretofore called Bellositum.<212> Some writers fancy this city, in the British times, had the name of Caer Vortigern and Caer-vember, and was built by God knows what Vortigerns or Mempries. Whatever it was under the Britons, it is certain the Saxons called it Oxenford, in the same meaning, no doubt, as the Grecians had their Bosphorus, and the Germans their Ochenfurt upon the River Oder; that is, a ford of oxen. In which sense it is still called by the Welsh Rhid-Ychen. Yet Mr. Leland, with some show of probability, derives the name from the River Ous, in Latin Isis, and believes it to have been heretofore called Ousford, especially since the little islands which the river here makes, are called Ousney.

            wise antiquity (as we read in our chronicles) even in the British age, consecrated this place to the muses, whom they transplanted hither, as to a more fertile nursery, from Cricklade, now a small town in Wiltshire. Alexander Necham writes thus, Italy does challenge the glory of civil law; divinity and the liberal arts make Paris preferable to all other cities; wisdom too and learning have long flourished at Oxford; and according to the prophecy of Merlin, shall in due time pass over thence to Ireland. But in the following Saxon age, remarkable for the continual ruin and subversion of towns and cities, this place underwent the common fate; and during many years, was famous for nothing but the relics of St. Frideswide, a virgin of great esteem for the sanctity of her life, and first reputed a saint on this occasion; that when by a solemn vow she had devoted herself to the service of God and a single life, Earl Algar courted her for a wife, and pursuing her in her flight, was miraculously (as the story goes) struck blind. This lady (as we read in William of Malmesbury) built here a religious house as a trophy of her preserved virginity, into which monastery, when in the time of Ethelred several Danes sentenced to death were fled for refuge, the enraged Saxons burnt them and the house together. But afterwards the penitent King cleansed the sanctuary, rebuilt the monastery, restored the old endowment, and added new possessions: and at last Roger Bishop of Salisbury gave the place to one Wimund, a very learned canon regular, who there setled a perpetual society of such regular canons for the service of God. But leaving these matters, let us return to the university. The Danish storms being pretty well blown over, the pious prince K. Alfred restored the muses (who had suffered a long exile) to their former habitation, and built three colleges, one for grammarians, another for philosophers, and a third for divinity. But you have a larger account of this in the old annals of the monastery of Winchester: In the year of our Lord's incarnation 806, in the second year of St. Grimbald's coming over into England, the university of Oxford was founded; the first regents there and readers in divinity, were St. Neot an abbot and eminent professor of theology, and St. Grimbald an eloquent and most excellent interpreter of the holy scriptures: grammar and rhetoric were taught by Asserius a monk, a man of extraordinary learning: logic, music, and arithmetic, were read by John, monk of St. Davids: geometry and astronomy were professed by John a monk and collegue of St. Grimbald, one of a sharp wit and immense knowledge. These lectures were often honoured with the presence of the most illustrious and invincible monarch K. Alfred, whose memory to every judicious taste shall be always sweeter than honey. Soon after this, as we read in a very fair MS. copy of that Asserius, who was himself at the same time a professor in this place, there arose a sharp and grievous dissension between Grimbold and those learned men whom he brought hither with him, and the old scholars whom he found here at his coming; for these absolutely refused to comply with the statutes, institutions, and forms of reading prescribed by Grimbold. The difference proceeded to no great height for the space of three years, yet there was always a private grudge and enmity between them, which soon after broke out with the utmost violence imaginable. To appease these tumults, the most invincible K. Alfred being informed of the faction by a message and complaint from Grimbold, came to Oxford with design to accommodate the matter, and submitted to a great deal of pains and patience to hear the cause and complaint of both parties. The controversy depended upon this; the old scholars maintained, that before the coming of Grimbold to Oxford, learning did here flourish, though the students were then less in number than they had formerly been, by reason that very many of them had been expelled by the cruel tyranny of pagans. They farther declared and proved, and that by the undoubted testimony of their ancient annals, that good orders and constitutions for the government of that place had been already made by men of great piety and learning, such as Gildas, Melkin, Nennius, Kentigern, and others, who had there prosecuted their studies to a good old age, all things being then managed in happy peace and quiet: and that St. Germain coming to Oxford, and residing there half a year, what time he went through all England to preach down the Pelagian heresy, did well approve of their rules and orders. The King with incredible humility and great attention heard out both parties, exhorting them with pious and importunate entreaties to preserve love and amity with one another. Upon this he left them, in hopes that both parties would follow his advice, and obey his instructions. But Grimbold resenting these proceedings, retired immediately to the monastery at Winchester, which K. Alfred had lately founded: and soon after, he got his tomb to be removed thither to him, in which he had designed his bones should be put after his decease, and laid in a vault under the chancel of the church of St. Peter's in Oxford; which church the said Grimbold had raised from the ground, of stones hewn and carved with great art and beauty.

            this happy restoration of learning received two or three interruptions in few years. For in the reign of K. Ethelred, the Danes sacked and burned the city. And soon after, Harold surnamed Harefoot, was so incensed against the place for the death of some of his friends in a tumult, and prosecuted his revenge in so barbarous a manner, that the scholars were miserably banished from their studies, and the university, a sad spectacle, lay as it were expiring till the time of the Conqueror; when too (as some say) he besieged and took this city: but those who write so, have been imposed upon by reading in faulty copies Oxonia instead of Exonia.[Exeter] Yet that it was even then a place of study, we may learn from the express words of Ingulph who flourished in that age: I Ingulph being first placed at Westminster, was afterward removed to the study of Oxford, where in the learning of Aristotle I improved beyond most of those who were of equal years with me, &c. For what we now call universities they called studies, as I shall by and by observe. However, about this time the city was so impoverished, that whereas (according to the general survey) there were reckoned within and without the walls 750 houses, besides 24 mansions upon the walls, 500 of 'em were not able to pay the geld or tax. When (to speak from the authority of Domesday Book) this city paid for toll and gable and other customs, yearly to the King, twenty pounds and six sextaries<212> of honey, and to Earl Algar ten pounds. Soon after, Robert D'Oily, a noble Norman before-mentioned, when for the reward of his services he had received from the Conqueror a large portion of lands in this county, he built a castle on the West side of the city, fortified with large trenches and ramparts, and in it a parish church dedicated to St. George; to which the parishioners not having free access, when the Empress Maud was closely besieged in this castle by King Stephen, the chapel of St. Thomas hard by was built for that purpose. He is supposed likewise to have beautified the city with new walls, which are now by age sensibly impaired. Robert his nephew, son of his brother Nigel, Chamberlain to King Hen. 1, by persuasion of his wife Edith, daughter of Furn, who had been the last concubine of that prince, in the island meadows nigh the castle, built Osney Abbey, which the ruins of the walls still show to have been very large.

            at the same time (as we read in the register of the said abbey of Osney) Robert Pulein began to read the holy scriptures at Oxford, which were before grown almost out of use in England: which person, after he had much profited the English and French churches by his good doctrine, was invited to Rome by Pope Lucius 2, and promoted to the dignity of Chancellor of that see. To the same purpose John Rous of Warwick writes thus. By the care of King Henry the First, the lecture of divinity, which had been long intermitted, began again to flourish, and this prince built there a new palace, which was afterward converted by King Edward 2 into a convent for Carmelite friars. But long before this conversion, was born in that palace the truly lion-hearted prince, King Richard 1, commonly called Coeur de Lion, a monarch of a great and elevated soul, born for the glory of England and protection of the Christian world, and for the terror and confusion of pagans and infidels. Upon whose death a poet of that age has these tolerable verses:

viscera Carleolum, corpus fons servat Ebrardi,
et cor Rothomagum, magne Richarde, tuum.
in tria dividitur unus, qui plus fuit uno,
nec superest uno gloria tanta viro.
hic Richarde jaces, sed mors si cederet armis,
victa timore tui, cederet ipsa tuis.
great Richard's body's at Fontevrault shown,
his bowels at Carlisle, his head at Rouen,
he now makes three, because too great for one.
Richard lies dead; but death had feared his power,
could this proud tyrant own a conqueror.

            the city being thus adorned with beautiful buildings, many students began to flock hither as to the common mart of civility and good letters. So that learning here quickly revived, chiefly through the care of the foresaid Robert Pulein, a man born to promote the interest of the learned world, who spared no trouble and pains to cleanse and open the fountains of the muses (which had been so miserably dried and dammed up) under the favour and protection of King Henry 1, King Henry 2, and Richard his son, whom I mentioned just before. And he met with such fortunate success in his endeavours, that in the reign of King John, there were three thousand students in this place, who went away altogether, some to Reading, and some to Cambridge, when they could no longer bear the abuses of the rude and insolent citizens: but when these tumults were appeased, they soon after returned. Then and in the following times, as divine providence seemed to set apart this city for a seat of the muses, so did the same providence raise up a great number of excellent princes and prelates, who exercised their piety and bounty in this place for the promoting and encouraging of arts and all good literature. And when King Henry 3 came hither and visited the shrine of St. Frideswide, which was before thought a dangerous crime in any prince, and so took away that superstitious scruple, which had before hindred several kings from entering within the walls of Oxford: he here convened a parliament to adjust the differences between him and the barons, and at that time confirmed the privileges granted to the university by his predecessors, and added some new acts of grace and favour. After which the number of learned men so far increased, as to afford a constant supply of persons qualified by divine and human knowledge for the discharge of offices in church and state. So that Matthew Paris expressly calls Oxford, the second school of the church after Paris, nay the very foundation of the church. For the popes of Rome had before honoured this place with the title of an university, which at that time in their decretals they allowed only to Paris, Oxford, Bononia, [Bologna] and Salamanca. And in the council of Vienna it was determined, that schools for the Hebrew, Arabic, and Chaldaic tongues should be erected in the studies of Paris, Oxford, Bononia, and Salamanca (as the most eminent) that the knowledge of those languages might be hereby propagated and encouraged: and that out of men of the Catholic communion, furnished with sufficient abilities, two should be chosen for the profession of each tongue. For the maintenance of which professors in Oxford, all the prelates in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and all monasteries, chapters, convents, colleges exempt and not exempt, and all rectors of parish churches should make a yearly contribution. In which words one may easily observe, that Oxford was the chief school in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland; and that those places which we now call academies and universities, were in former ages fitly called studies: as St. Hierom speaks of the flourishing studies of France. For the name of university for public schools of learning, obtained first about the reign of King Henry 3. And, if I am not mistaken, this word did not at first so much signify the place of study, as the society of students. But perhaps this may seem out of my road.

            now the worthy patrons and favourers of learning began to furnish the city and suburbs with stately colleges, halls, and schools, and to endow them with ample revenues, (for before this time the greatest part of the university stood without Northgate.) Then in the reign of King Henry 3 John Balliol of Bernard Castle, who died in the year 1269, father of John Balliol King of Scots, founded Balliol College. And soon after Walter Merton, Bishop of Rochester, transferred the college which he had built in Surrey, to Oxford in the year 1274, endowed it and called it Merton College . Then William Archdeacon of Durham repaired and restored the foundation of King Alfred, which we now call University College. About which time the scholars having been somewhat rude to Otto the Pope's legate, (or rather his horse-leech, sent hither to suck the blood of the poor people) they were excommunicated, and treated with great severity. At which time, as Richard of Armagh tells us, there were reckoned in this university no less than thirty thousand students.

            Under King Edward the Second, Walter Stapledon Bishop of Exeter built Exeter College and Hart Hall; and the King, after his example, a royal college, commonly called Oriel, and St. Mary Hall, about which time the Hebrew tongue began to be read by a Jewish convert, for whose stipend every clerk in Oxford contributed one penny for every mark of his ecclesiastical revenue.

            After this Queen Philippa wife of King Edward 3 built Queen's College: and Simon Islip Archbishop of Canterbury, Canterbury College. The scholars now abounding in peace and plenty, grew insolent upon their good fortune, and divided into the factions of the Northern and Southern men, carrying on the quarrel with open arms and all manner of hostility; upon which the Northern men retired to Stanford, and there set up public schools. But after a few years, when the storm was blown over, and the feuds forgot, they all returned hither again, and statutes were enacted to prohibit all persons from professing at Stanford to the prejudice of Oxford. About that time William Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, built a magnificent structure called New College, into which the ripest lads are every year transplanted from his other college at Winchester. Then Richard Angerville, Bishop of Durham, called philobiblos, or the lover of books, began a public library. And his successor Thomas de Hatfield built Durham College for the benefit of the monks of Durham: and Richard Fleming, Bishop of Lincoln, founded Lincoln College. About the same time the Benedictine monks built Gloucester College at their own proper cost and charges, where were constantly maintained two or three monks of every house of that order, who afterwards should profess good letters in their respective convents. To speak nothing of the canons of St. Frideswide, there were erected no less than four beautiful cells of friars in the suburbs, where there often flourished men of considerable parts and learning. In the next age, during the reign of King Henry 5 Henry Chichely Archbishop of Canterbury, founded two eminent colleges; one of which he dedicated to the memory of All-Souls, and the other to St. Bernard.

            Not long after William Wainflete, Bishop of Winchester, built Magdalen College, remarkable for building, fine situation, and pleasure of adjoining groves and walks. At the same time the divinity school was erected, a work of such admirable texture and beauty, that the saying of Xeuxis may justly be inscribed upon it, it is more easy to envy, than to imitate this work. And above this school was a library furnished with one hundred twenty nine choice volumes procured from Italy at the great expense of Humphrey the Good, Duke of Gloucester, a chief patron and admirer of learning. But most of these books are long since embezzeled and converted to private uses. But now (may all happiness attend the generous design) the worthy Sir Thomas Bodley Kt. formerly a member of this university, with extraordinary charge, and indefatigable pains, is furnishing a new library in the same place with the best books procured from all parts of the world: that the university may enjoy a public arsenal of wisdom, and he himself an everlasting honour. And since it was a good custom of the ancients in all their libraries to erect statues of gold, silver, or brass, both to those who had instituted them, and those who had adorned them with excellent writings, that time and age might not triumph over benefactors, and that the curiosity of mankind might be satisfied, while they enquired after men of worth and public spirit: for this reason the present chancellor of the university, at the same time providing for the memorial of himself, has in this library erected a statue of Sir Thomas Bodley that great friend and patron of learning with this inscription:

THOMAS SACKVILLUS DORSETTIAE COMES, SUMMUS ANGLIAE THESAURARIUS, ET HUJUS ACADEMIAE CANCELLARIUS, THOMAE BODLEIO EQUITI AURATO, QUI BIBLIOTHECAM HANC INSTITUIT, HONORIS CAUSSA PIE POSUIT.

            that is,

THOMAS SACKVILLE EARL OF DORSET, LORD HIGH TREASURER OF ENGLAND, AND CHANCELLOR OF THIS UNIVERSITY, PIOUSLY ERECTED THIS MONUMENT, TO THE HONOUR OF SIR THOMAS BODLEY KNIGHT, WHO INSTITUTED THIS LIBRARY.

            in the reign of Henry the Seventh, for the better advancement of learning, William Smith Bishop of Lincoln, built new out of the ground Brazenose College, which was well endowed by the pious and good old man Alexander Nowell Dean of St. Paul's. About the same time Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester, founded Corpus Christi College. After these, Cardinal Wolsey Archbishop of York, on the site of the monastery of St. Frideswide, began the most noble and ample foundation of all others, which King Henry 8 with addition of Canterbury College, did richly endow, and gave it the name of Christchurch. The same mighty prince, at the expense of his own exchequer, honored the city with an episcopal see, and the university with public professors. And in our own age, that the muses might still be courted with greater favours, Sir Thomas Pope Kt. and Sir Thomas White Kt. citizen and alderman of London, have repaired Durham and Bernard colleges (which lay almost buried in their own dust,) have enlarged their buildings, endowed them with lands, and given them new names, dedicating the former to the Holy Trinity, this latter to St. John Baptist. Queen Mary built from the ground the public schools. And lately Hugh Price Dr. of Laws, has happily laid a new foundation called in honour of our saviour, Jesus College. These colleges in number sixteen, beside eight halls, all fairly built, and well endowed, together with their excellent and useful libraries, do so raise the credit and esteem of Oxford, that it may be justly thought to exceed all other universities in the world. Nor does it yield the precedence to any in living libraries, (for so with Eunapius I may term the men of profound learning,) nor in the admirable method of teaching all arts and sciences, nor in excellent discipline, and most regular government of the whole body. But why this digression? Oxford is very far from standing in need of a panegyric, having already gained the universal esteem and admiration of the world. Nor would I by any means seem extravagant in the commendation of my mother university. Let it suffice to say of Oxford, what Pomponius said of Athens, it is so eminent that there needs no pointing at it. But by way of conclusion take this passage, which begins the history of Oxford, from the proctor's book. Chronicles and histories do assure us, that several places in different parts of the world, have been famous for the studies of arts and sciences. But of all such places of study among the Latins, Oxford appears to be of the most ancient foundation, to profess a greater variety of knowledge, to be more firm in adhering to the Catholic religion, and to enjoy more good customs, and greater privileges. The astronomers observe this city to be in twenty two degrees of longitude or distance from the Fortunate Islands; and in the northern latitude of fifty one degrees and fifty minutes.

            as soon as Isis and Cherwell have joined their streams below Oxford, the Isis with a swift and deeper current passes on to the South, to find out the Tame, which it seems long to have sought for. Nor does it run many miles, before the said Tame, rising in the county of Bucks, comes and joins with it; which river upon entrance into this county, gives its own name to a market town of pleasant situation among rivers: for the River Tame washes the North part of the town, and two little brooks slide by it on the East and West sides. This place has been in a flourishing condition ever since Henry Bishop of Lincoln in the reign of Henry 3, brought the great road, which lay before upon one side of the town, through the middle of it. Alexander that munificent Bishop of Lincoln, lord of this manor, to alleviate the public odium he had contracted by his extravagant expenses in building of castles, founded here a small monastery. And many years after, the Quatremans, a family in former times of great repute in these parts, built here an hospital for the maintenance of poor people. But neither of these foundations are at present to be seen, though instead of them Sir John Williams Kt, (advanced to the dignity of a peer of this realm by Queen Mary, under the title of Baron Williams of Tame) has here founded a beautiful school, and an alms-house.

            from hence the Tame runs near Ricot, a neat seat, which belonged formerly to the Quatermans, upon whose failure of issue male, it was sold away by the Fowlers and Hernes, till it came at last into the hands of the Lord Williams before-mentioned, and by his daughter to the Lord Henry Norris, whom Queen Elizabeth advanced to the dignity of a peer, by the title of Baron Norris of Ricot; a person as well eminent for his honourable descent (being derived from the Lovells, who were allied to most of the great families in England,) as more especially for his stout and martial sons, whose valour and conduct are sufficiently known in Holland, Portugal, Bretagne, and Ireland. The next place visited by the Tame is Dorchester, called by Bede Civitas Dorciniae, and by Leland Hydropolis, which is a name of his own invention, but well adapted to the nature of the place, dour signifying water in the British tongue. That this was formerly a station of the Romans, several of their coins found frequently in this place do sufficiently attest: and our histories tell us it was once a bishop's see, founded by Birinus the apostle of the West Saxons; who having baptized Cinigilse a petty King of the West Saxons (to whom Oswald King of Northumberland was godfather,) the two kings (as Bede tells us) gave the bishop this city to constitute here his episcopal see. This Birinus (as we learn from the same Bede) was esteemed in that age as a miracle of piety and strictness of life: whence an old poet, who wrote his life in verse, does thus extol him;

dignior attolli quam sit Tyrinthius heros,
quam sit Alexander Macedo; Tyrinthius hostes
vicit, Alexander mundum, Birinus utrunque.
nec tantum vicit mundum Birinus, & hostem,
sed sese bello vincens, & victus eodem.
alcides less than thee shall men proclaim,
and Alexander own thy greater fame,
though that his foes, and this the world o'ercame.
with foes and world Birinus did subdue
himself, the vanquished and the victor too.

            this see after four hundred and sixty years continuance, (lest the name and authority of a bishop might grow contemptible from so mean and inconsiderable a place, against which a council of bishops had lately provided) was translated to Lincoln by Remigius in the time of William the Conqueror. At which time (says William of Malmesbury who flourished in that age) Dorchester was a small and unfrequented village, yet the beauty and state of its churches was very remarkable, as well for the ancient work, as the present care taken of them. After this removal of the bishop's chair it began sensibly to decay, and of late the great road to London which lay through the town, being turned another way, it is so weakned and impoverished, that though it was formerly a city, it scarce now deserves the name of a town. Nor has it anything to boast of but the ruins of its former greatness, of which we find some signs and tokens in the adjacent fields. Near this place Tame and Isis with mutual consent join as it were in wedlock, and mix their names as well as their waters; being henceforth called Tham-Isis or the Thames, in like manner as the Rivers Jor and Dan in the holy land, and Dor and Dan in France, from which composition are Jordan and Dordan [Dordogne]. This seems to have been first observed by the author of the Eulogium Historiarum. Of the marriage of Tame and Isis I present you here with some verses from a poem of that title, which you may read or pass over as you please.

hic vestit Zephyrus florentes gramine ripas,
floraque nectareis redimit caput Isidis herbis,
seligit ambrosios pulcherrima Gratia flores,
contexit geminas Concordia laeta corollas,
extollitque suas taedas Hymenaeus in altum.
naiades aedificant thalamumque thorumque profundo
stamine gemmato textum, pictisque columnis
undique fulgentem. Qualem nec Lydia Regi
extruxit Pelopi, nec tu, Cleopatra, marito.
illic manubias cumulant, quas Brutus Achivis,
quas Brennus graecis, rigidus Gurmundus Hibernis,
bunduica Romanis, claris Arthurius Anglis
eripuit, quicquid Scotis victricibus armis
abstulit Edvardus, virtusque Britannica Gallis.
hauserat interea sperati conjugis ignes
tama Cateuchlanum delabens montibus, illa
impatiens nescire thorum, nupturaque gressus
accelerat, longique dies sibi stare videntur,
ambitiosa suum donec praeponere nomen
possit amatori. Quid non mortalia cogit
ambitio? Notamque suo jam nomine Tame villam
Linquit, Norrisiis geminans salvete, valete.
cernitur & tandem Dorcestria prisca petiti
augurium latura thori, nunc Tama resurgit
nexa comam spicis, trabea succincta virenti,
aurorae superans digitos, vultumque Diones:
pestanae non labra rosae, non lumina gemmae,
lilia non aequant crines, non colla pruinae:
utque fluit, crines madidos in terga repellit,
reddit & undanti legem formamque capillo.
en subito frontem placidis e fluctibus Isis
effert, & totis radios spargentia campis
aurea stillanti resplendent lumina vultu,
jungit & optatae nunc oscula plurima Tamae,
mutuaque explicitis innectunt colla lacertis,
oscula mille sonant, connexu brachia pallent,
labra ligant animos: tandem descenditur una
in thalamum, quo juncta Fide Concordia sancta,
splendida conceptis sancit connubia verbis.
undique multifori strepitat nunc tibia buxi,
flucticolae Nymphae, Dryades, Satyrique petulci
in numeros circum ludunt, ducuntque choreas,
dum pede concutiunt alterno gramina laeti,
permulcent volucres sylvas modulamine passim,
certatimque sonat laetum reparabilis Echo.
omnia nunc rident, campi laetantur, Amores
fraenatis plaudunt avibus per inania vecti:
personat & Cythara quicquid videre priores,
pronuba victura lauro velata Britona.
haec canit, ut toto diducta Britannia mundo,
cum victor rupes divulserit aequore Nereus.
et cur Neptuni lapidosa grandine natum
albionem vicit nostras delatus in oras
Hercules illimes libatus Thamisis undas:
quas huc adveniens aras sacravit Ulysses:
utque Corinaeo Brutus comitatus achate
occiduos adiit tractus: ut Caesar anhelus
territa quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis: &c.

            and after a few other verses:

dixerat: unito consurgit & unus amore
laetior exultans nunc nomine tamisis uno,
oceanumque patrem quaerens jactantior undas
promovet. —

here, with soft blasts, obliging zephyrs pass,
and clothe the flowery banks with long-lived grass.
the fragrant crown, that her glad hands have made,
officious Flora puts on Isis' head.
the beauteous graces have their business too,
they brush the weeping flowers from their ambrosial dew:
which joyful concord does with pleasing care
weave into chaplets for the God-like pair:
while Hymen's mounted taper lights the air.
in a fair vault beneath the swelling stream,
the marriage-bed the busy Naiads frame:
where brightest gems the painted columns grace,
and doubly shine with their reflected rays.
no such great Pelops' kingdom could afford,
nor lavish Cleopatra for her Lord.
on this the virgins in vast numbers pile
proud spoils and trophies of the conqu'ring isle;
what Bundwic, Gurmund, Brennus, Brutus brought home,
from Greece, from Gaul, from Ireland, and from Rome:
what mighty Arthur from the Saxons won,
what Edward from the Scots, and from the French his son.
now had fair Tame sighed for her promised spouse,
while down the Catechlanian hills she flows,
and scarce saluting her old banks runs by,
bearing no load, but long virginity:
and this she seems ambitious to lay down,
and see her lover's stream augmented by her own.
with a faint kiss she mocks the walls of Tame,
and leaves behind her nothing but her name.
yet though impatient Isis arms to fill,
she stops to bid the Norrises farewell.
old Dorchester stands wondering at her speed,
and gladly bids the happy match succeed.
now does the joyful bride new dressed appear,
fresh blades of corn tie up her golden hair,
her shining gown plays with the purled air.
blushing Aurora to her hand gives place,
nor proud Dione boasts so fair a face.
her lips the rose, her eyes bright gems outdo,
her hair the lilies, and her skin the snow.
in state she swims, her careful hand throws back
her floating tresses on her silver neck.
proud Isis now his comely head displays,
and cheers the drooping fields with golden rays.
nor stays he to admire his Tama's charms,
but throws himself (sweet load) betwixt her arms.
ten thousand kisses do ten thousand meet,
and with their breath the lovers souls unite.
hence to their bed the happy pair go down,
where Faith and Concord speak them into one.
the pipes and cornets echo all around,
while the pleased stream returns the grateful sound.
in joyful rings the merry nymphs advance,
and sportive satyrs drive the wanton dance.
while choirs of winged songsters of the air,
the woods and groves with tuneful numbers cheer.
eccho, contented now that she's all tongue,
sounds quick replies to their delightful song.
all things rejoice, and nature's self is glad,
the painted flowers o'er smiling meadows spread
to th'universal joy consent, and nod their head.
the wanton loves their harnessed birds drive on,
and clap to see their winged chariot run.
auspicious Juno with a graceful smile
begins the ancient glories of the isle;
on her fair brows unwithered bays appear,
and thus she sings, and tunes her trembling lyre.
how Neptune's spear the wondering isthmus shook,
when their long hold the parted cliffs forsook.
what crimes, what vengeance, brought Alcides o'er,
to dye the crystal Thames with Albion's gore,
and spread his monstrous carcass on the shore.
how hither his wild course Ulysses steered,
what altars to the angry gods he reared!
how Brutus with Corinaeus came to land,
and made the savage nations own their new command!
how Caesar's drooping legions homeward stood,
glad to escape from those they had in thought subdued, &c.

            and after some verses interposed, the poet proceeds;

thus sang the goddesss! Strait the joyful stream
proud of the late addition to its name,
flows briskly on, ambitious now to pay
a larger tribute to the sovereign sea.

            hence the Thames passes on to Benson, formerly Bensington, which Marianus calls a royal vill; and reports it took from the Britons by Ceaulin in the year 572, and possessed by the West Saxons for 200 years following. But then Offa King of Mercia thinking both his interest and reputation concerned, that they should hold nothing on this side the river, won this town by force, and joined it to his own kingdom. At present it is a small village, and shows at a little distance from it a house of our kings, which has been formerly a beautiful structure, but is now much decayed by reason of the unhealthy situation near low and wet ground. This seat, called Ewelme, commonly New Elme, from the elms here growing, was built by William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk, who, by marriage with Alice only daughter of Thomas Chaucer, obtained a large estate in these parts; and besides this house, built a neat church (in which the said Alice lies interred) and a fair hospital. But John Earl of Lincoln, his grandchild by John his son, in a manner utterly ruined this family. For being engaged in a conspiracy against K. Hen. 7, his honours were lost by attainder, and his estate confiscated to the King, and he himself soon after slain in battle. After this, K. Hen. 8 with the addition of some neighbouring manors, made an honour of this estate: among these manors was Wallingford, which had long time pertained to the Dukes of Cornwall.

            from hence the Thames fetches a large and winding compass round the hundred of Henley, hilly and woody, which some think to have been the country of the Ancalites, who submitted themselves to Caesar. In this hundred stands Grey's Rotherfield, where is a noble house, given heretofore by Walter Grey Archbishop of York, to his nephew William Grey, whose estate fell to the Lovells by the Lord D'Eyncourt. It is now the seat of William Knollys Treasurer of His Majesty's Household, whom King James, in consideration of his faithful services to Queen Elizabeth, and his readiness to perform the like to him, advanced to the honour and title of Knollys Baron of Rotherfield.

            Near this place, upon the Thames, in the utmost limits of the county, stands Henley formerly Hanleganz, where the greatest part of the inhabitants are bargemen, and get their livelihood by carrying wood and corn to London by water. This town has nothing ancient to boast of, only that it belonged formerly to the Molins; from whom, by the Hungerfords (who obtained from K. Hen. 6 a licence for two fairs yearly) it descended to the illustrious family of the Hastings. The bridge over the Thames, which is now of timber, they report to have been heretofore of stone, and arched. But whether this was the bridge which Dio makes the Romans to have passed over in pursuit of the Britons in these parts, who had forded the river a little lower; is not so easy to determine.

            from Henley the Chiltern Hills run into a continued ridge to the North, and separate this county of Oxon from that of Bucks: at the foot whereof are seated many little towns, of which the most remarkable are Watlington a small market town, belonging formerly to Robert D'Oily. Shirburn, where was heretofore a small castle of the Quatremans, now a seat of the Chamberlains, descended from the Earls of Tancarville, who bearing the office of Chamberlain to the Dukes of Normandy, their posterity, laying aside the old name of Tancarville, called themselves Chamberlains from the said office, which their ancestors enjoyed.

            the title of Earl of Oxford has long flourished in the family of Vere, who derive their pedigree from the Earls of Guisnes, and their name from the town of Vere in Zealand. They owe the beginning of their greatness in England to K. Henry the First, who advanced Alberic de Vere for his great prudence and integrity to several places of honour and profit; as to be Chamberlain of England, and Portreeve of the City of London: and to his son Henry Duke of Normandy (son of the daughter of King Henry, and right heir to England and Normandy, this was the title he used before his establishment in this kingdom) to divert him from King Stephen, who had usurped the crown, and to oblige him to his own party, he granted and restored the office of Chamberlain which he had lost in those civil wars, and offered him the choice of these four earldoms, Dorset, Wilts, Berks, and Oxon. And after this, Maud the Empress, and her son Henry, then in possession of the throne, by their several charters created him Earl of Oxford. Of his posterity, not to mention every particular person, the most eminent were these that follow: Robert de Vere, who being highly in favour with King Richard the Second, was by him advanced to the new and unheard of honours of Marquess of Dublin, and Duke of Ireland, of which he left (as one well observes) nothing but some gaudy titles to be inscribed upon his tomb, and matter of discourse and censure to the world. For soon after, through the envy of the other courtiers, he was degraded, and miserably ended his life in banishment. John de Vere, a man of great ability and experience in the arts of war, and as eminent for his constant fidelity to the Lancastrian party, fought often in the field against K. Edward the Fourth, for some time defended St. Michael's Mount, and was the chief assistant to King Henry the Seventh in obtaining the crown. Another John in the reign of Henry the Eighth, in all parts of his life so temperate, devout, and honest, that he was distinguished by the name of John the Good. He was great grandfather to the present Earl Henry, the eighteenth Earl of this family, and grandfather to the two noble brothers Francis and Horatio Vere, who by their admirable courage and military conduct, and their many brave and fortunate exploits in the Low Countries, have added no small lustre to their ancient and honourable family.

            this county contains 280 Parish churches.

additions to Oxfordshire.

            the county of Oxford, called by the more early Saxons Oxna-ford-scyre, and afterwards Oxen-ford-scyre, does by its situation (particularly the North-east parts of it, Otmoor and the adjacent places) exactly answer the original of Dobuni, as lying low and level. Though most parts of it bear corn very well, yet its greatest glory is the abundance of meadows and pastures, to which the rivers add both pleasure and convenience. For beside the five more considerable ones, the Thames, Isis, Cherwell, Evenlode, and Windrush, it has at least threescore and ten of an inferior rank, without including the smaller brooks. What our author says of the hills being clad with woods, is so much altered by the late civil wars, that few places (except the Chiltern country) can answer that character at present: for fuel is in those parts so scarce, that 'tis commonly sold by weight, not only at Oxford, but other towns in the northern parts of the shire.

            to follow our author; Burford, in Saxon Beorgford (not Beorford,) as it is famous for the battle mentioned by our author (fought probably on the place called Battle Edge, West of the town;) so also for a council convened there by the kings Etheldred and Berthwald, an. 685, at which among many others Aldehelm Abbot of Malmesbury, afterwards Bishop of Shirburn, being present, was commanded by the synod to write a book against the error of the British churches in the observation of Easter. Which I the rather take notice of here, because Sir Henry Spelman calls it only Synodus Merciana, an. 705, without fixing any certain place, or the exact time: whereas both are evident from Malmesbury, and the ledger-book of that Abbey.

            there has been a custom in the town of making a dragon yearly, and carrying it up and down the streets in a great jollity on midsummer-eve; which is the more remarkable, because it seems to bear some relation to what our author says of Cuthred's taking from the enemy a banner wherein was painted a golden dragon: only, to the townsmen's dragon there is a giant added; for what reason not known.

            next is Eynsham, in Saxon Egonesham, the eminence whereof in those times is confirmed by the early mention of it, and by Ethelred's charter mentioned by our author, which terms it locus celebris.<214> Here it was that in the year 1009 the same King Ethelred (by the advice of Alphege Archbishop of Canterbury, and Wulfstan Archbishop of York) held a general council, wherein many decrees were established relating to the government of church and state; it is called by Sir Henry Spelman, Aenham.

            our next guide is the River Evenlode, not far from which, near Chastleton, is a fortification, which the learned Dr. Plot imagines might be cast up about the year 1016 when Edmund Ironside met Canute the Dane; but if that conjecture be built purely upon its being near the four-shire-stone (which generally goes for the old Deorstan where the battle was fought) the place of the battle being (as it probably ought) removed from this place, that opinion is destroyed.

            more to the North is the monument of Rollright stones, a single circle of stones without epistyles or architraves, and of no very regular figure. Except one or two, the rest of them are not above four foot and a half high. What the occasion of this monument might be, is not hinted to by any inscription upon the stones, or by any other marks about them: which seems to make it probable at least that it was not erected in memory of any persons that were buried there. For if so, we might hope (as in other places of this kingdom) to meet with a cross or something of that kind implying the design, if Christian; but if pagan, one would expect to find barrows at some small distance. Besides, that curious antiquary Ralph Sheldon Esq. making a diligent search in the middle, after anything that might lead us to the first design of it, and particularly bones; found himself disappointed. Though if we may take an estimate of this from another of the like nature, the bones (if there are any) may more probably be met with without the circle, as they were some years ago at a little distance from that at Kynet in Wiltshire, and have been formerly at the famous Stonehenge.

            how true soever our author's opinion of its being erected in memory of some victory, may be in the main; yet the relation he makes it have to Rollo the Dane, will not agree with the engagement either at Hook Norton or Sherston. For the Saxon annals tell us, that it was in 876 this Rollo made inroads into Normandy, and that was after he had been in England; whereas the battle of Hook Norton was in 917, and that of Sherston a hundred years after this. Nor does that passage of Walsingham, telling us of the assistance which Rollo sent to King Athelstan, and insisted upon by a later author, clearly take away the difficulty: unless we can suppose (what is hardly to be imagined) that Rollo could be of age to plunder England in the year 875. To make incursions into Normandy, in 876. And the same Rollo live to assist King Athelstan, who came not to the crown till the year 925. But if this rub did not lay in the way, and the matter of fact were supposed to be true; yet unless it appeared at the same time that the supposed defeat was in those parts, there is nothing to support the conjecture beside the bare affinity of names.

            what our author observes of the common story about the King and his army, though it be upon the whole ridiculous enough, yet may it (as we very often find in such traditional tales) have something of truth at the bottom. For why may not that large stone at a little distance, which they call the King, be the kongstolen belonging to the circle of stones raised usually for the coronation of the northern kings (as Wormius informs us:) especially since the learned Dr. Plot has observed from the same Wormius, that this kongstolen, though ordinarily in the middle, was yet sometimes at a distance from the circle?

            not far from hence is Hook Norton, which Florence of Worcester calls villa regia, i.e. a royal village; and makes the battle, mentioned by our author, to be in the year 914, Contrary to Brompton and Huntingdon, who tell us it was an. 911, and to the Saxon Chronicle, which has it in 917. The barrows of Tadmarton and Hook Norton, the former large and round; the other smaller, and rather a quinquangle than a square, were probably cast up upon this occasion; the round one by the Danes, and the square by the Saxons.

            South from hence is Great Tew, near which was ploughed up an opus tessellatum, or pavement cut into squares, somewhat bigger than dice, and of four different colours, blue, white, yellow, and red, all polished and orderly dispersed into works. As was another at Steeple Aston hard by, which consisted likewise of squares of divers colours, and set in curious figures; though not cubic, like the former, but oblong squares.

            more to the South is Woodstock, where our author observes King Henry 1 built a royal palace. But not to insist upon King Etheldred's calling a council there, it must have been a royal seat long before King Henry's time, since it was here that King Alfred translated Boethius' De Consolatione Philosophiae,<215> as Dr. Plot has observed out of a MS. In the Cottonian library.

            and Godstow, where the religious house was built by Ida; but her name was really Editha, an eminent and devout matron, who upon a plot of ground given by John de St. John, erected it at her own charge: and at the latter end of December an. 1138. It was dedicated by Alexander Bishop of Lincoln, to the honour of the Virgin Mary and St. John Baptist. The additional endowment, here mentioned by King John, may probably be a mistake for Richard 1 who we find in the first year of his reign gave a large charter to this abbey. If it be an error, 'tis likely it arose from Thomas Walsingham's attributing the whole foundation to King John, and the occasion of it to a prophecy of Merlin.

            the next river that flows into the Thames is Cherwell; near which is Banbury, made famous by our author for the victory of Kinric. But if the Saxon name of the place be (as he tells us) Banesbyrig, it cannot lay claim to this battle, which the Saxon annals expressly say was at Beranbyrig; and this we have proved before to be most probably in Wiltshire. But wherever it was fought, the success of it does not seem to belong so entirely to the Saxons, as Mr. Camden intimates. 'Tis true, before that, they had been too hard for the Britons in several engagements: but here all the strength of this people in the midland parts, was united, and they were so numerous as to divide their army into nine battalions; so that by the assistance of their numbers and resolution, our historians confess they bore up so well, that when night came, the battle was depending. And 'tis more than probable, if our writers would but speak out, that they had the better of the Saxons at this turn. For whereas this happened in 556, we find they held their garrisons in this county till the year 571, or as some writers say, 580. Which they could hardly be supposed to do, had the victory been so complete. But what seems of greatest moment in this matter, is the manner by which the Saxon Chronicle delivers this engagement. The only objection perhaps that lies aganst the authority of it, is partiality to the Saxons against the poor Britons, in the course of those wars; and yet upon this occasion it is content barely to tell us that Cynric and Ceawlin fought with the Britons at Beranbyrig, which (as we may gather from other instances) had not likely been let go without express mention of the victory, if it had fell to the share of the Saxons.

            The battle between the houses of York and Lancaster, was fought on a fair plain called Danesmoor nigh Edgcote in the county of Northampton, within three miles of Banbury. But neither here do our historians tells us, the fortune of the day was decisive; but the Earl of Pembroke and Lord Stafford taking up their quarters at Banbury, quarreled for an inn; which gave the Earl of Warwick an opportunity to set upon them, and to take the Earl of Pembroke and Sir Richard Herbert prisoners; who were barbarously beheaded. So after, upon a treacherous overture of peace, the Earl of Warwick surprised the King at Wolvey, and carried him prisoner to Warwick.

            there is a credible story, that while Philemon Holland was carrying on his English edition of this Britannia, Mr. Camden came accidentally to the press, when this sheet was working off; and looking on, he found that to his own observation of Banbury being famous for cheese, the translator had added cakes and ale. But Mr. Camden thinking it too light an expression, changed the word ale into zeal; and so it passed to the great indignation of the Puritans of this town.

            upon the same river lies Islip, called in the pipe-rolls of Henry 2, Hiltesleape, in a charter of Henry 2 Ileslepe, and in a presentation of the abbey of Westminster, 6 Henr. 3 Ighteslep. We meet with nothing of the original charter mentioned by our author, in Dugdale; notwithstanding which Dr. Plot is inclined to believe there was really such an one extant, and a palace here, from the footsteps of that ancient building, and of the chapel; as also the town's still belonging to the church of Westminster. But of late, the Saxon copy of the greatest part of it has been discovered by that excellent antiquary Mr. Kennet, who designs shortly to publish this (among many other original instruments) in his Parochial Antiquities of Ambrosden, Bicester, &c. The place is there called Gidhslepe, which is easily melted into Islep or Islip, by casting away the initial g, in the same manner that Gypeswic is changed into Ipswich, and Gifteley near Oxford into Isley.

            in the chapel there, which is called the King's chapel, there stood not many years since a font, the very same (as tradition has constantly delivered it down) wherein Edward the Confessor was baptized. But this, being put to an indecent use, as well as the chapel, was at last piously rescued from it, and removed to the garden of Sir Henry Brown Baronet, of Nether Kiddington in this county.

            the church continues in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Westminster; the present rector is Dr. Robert South, who at his own expense has built a new decent chancel, a beautiful parsonage-house, a spacious barn, &c. to the interest of the church, the credit of the clergy, and his own immortal honour.

            next is Headington, which tradition says was in the Saxon times a nursery of the King's children: and it seems likewise to have had a royal seat where K. Ethelred resided; particularly, when he granted a charter to the monastery of St. Frideswide, wherein the date is thus mentioned, (this privilege was idith (sic) in Headington,) and afterward in Latin (scripta fuit haec cedula jussu praefati regis in villa regia quae appellatur.<216>) Another argument of a royal seat here, was a free-chapel, exempt from all customs due to the Bishop of Lincoln and archdeacon of Oxford; which Maud the Empress confirmed to the Church of St. Frideswide.

            hence going by Weston, the seat of Sir Edward Norris, we come to Bicester, where is a fair and spacious church; and in the division of Kingsend stands a pleasant and convenient seat of Mr. John Coker Lord of that manor. Most of the lands in market-end are part of the estate of Sir William Glynne Baronet, whose beautiful seat is within two miles, at Ambroseden; where the parish church is neat and well-adorned, and the vicarage house adjoining of great strength and good prospect, built in the year 1638 at the sole charge of Dr. John stubbing, the then worthy vicar.

            a little way from hence is Alchester, the bounds of which quadrangular camp or garrison are still visible; though the area or site of it has been for a long time a part of the common field of Wendlebury. The reason of the name is an evidence of its antiquity, whether we make it (with our author) Aldchester, or Allecti Castrum, from the Roman Allectus; an opinion ingeniously delivered, and maintained with much show of truth in a short history of Alchester, the original MS. whereof is in the hands of the learned and pious Mr. Samuel Blackwell, B.D. late vicar of Bicester, now rector of Brampton in the county of Northampton.

            but a better mark of its antiquity is the situation upon the Akeman Street, the consular way, which does not (as our author has it) pass thither through Otmoor; but coming down from Tuchwic Grounds in the common road from Aylesbury to Bicester, and passing over that marshy vale, which gave name to the neighbouring town of Marsh, it leaves there some tracts of a stony ridge yet visible and useful, and crosses the rivulet at Worden Pool or Stanford; where it enters the county of Oxford and Parish of Ambroseden, whence it ascends to Blackthorn Hill, and passing cross Wretchwick Green, extends on the northside of Graven Hill wood, over the brook at Langford, and so leads close by the North bounds of Alchester, as far as Chesterton: whence it goes to Kirtlington town's end, and so over Cherwell near Tackley to Woodstock park, which it enters near Wooton Gate, and passes out again at Mapleton Well near Stonesfield Stile, whence it holds on again as far as Stonesfield; and all this way in a raised bank. But here breaking off (though still keeping its name) it goes over the Evenlode to Wilcote, and so to Ramsden: a little beyond which village, at a place called Witty Green, it may be seen again for a little way; but from thence to Asthally, over Asthall bridge, and so through the fields till it comes to Broadwell grove, it is scarce visible; but there 'tis as plain again as any where else, holding a straight course into Gloucestershire, and so towards Bath, the old Akeman-Ceaster.

            there is indeed, an old way which seems to have lead from Alchester to Wallingford, part whereof is to be seen at this day running quite cross Otmoor; but is not by any means the Akeman Street, though the people hereabouts call it by that name: and this error of theirs seems to have made our author fix upon the wrong road. There are in this county several branches running from this great road, which are described at large by the curious Dr. Plot in his Natural History of this county; to whom I refer the reader for a more distinct information.

            at a little distance is Merton, where was found a Danish spur, answering the figure of that in Olaus Wormius; which, together with the meeting of two military ways near it, induced a late author to believe that this is the very place where Ethelred and Alfred fought with the Danes, in the year 871.

            our next place is Oxford, the oldest Saxon name whereof is Oxnaford. The antiquity of this famous place has deservedly employed several eminent pens; and to give so much as an abridgement of the controversy between the two universities in this point, as it would be extreme difficult, so would it be too large for a work of this general nature. Let it be sufficient for us, to follow our author by the light of clear history from the time of King Alfred; who (as he observes) built here three colleges. He seems to have had the story from John Rouse of Warwick; who farther asserts, that the first was founded at the East end of High Street, endowed with competent salaries for 26 grammarians, and called Little University Hall: the second in School Street, for the maintenance of 26 students in logic and philosophy, and called the Less University Hall: and the third in High Street, near to the first, but higher to the West, with endowment for 26 divines, and called Great University Hall, now University College.

            the occasion upon which Matthew Paris gave the university such an honourable title, an. 1256, was the Bishop of Lincoln's encroaching upon the liberties of the university. Whereupon they sent delegates to the King at St. Albans; to whom he made this remarkable address in behalf of them: Domine pro Domino curam habe de ecclesia jam vacillante. Universitas enim Parisiensis, tot altrix & magistra sanctorum praelatorum, non mediocriter perturbatur. Si similiter uno tempore perturbetur Oxoniensis universitas, cum sit schola secunda ecclesiae, imo ecclesiae fundamentum, timendum est vehementer ne ecclesia tota ruinam patiatur.<217>

            the design of Balliol college was only laid by Sir John Balliol, who settled yearly exhibitions upon some scholars, till he should provide them a fit house and other accommodations. And at his death, a little before Whitsuntide, an. 1269, he recommended to his wife and executors this pious project. Upon which, his relict Dervorguill settled those exhibitioners in a tenement which she hired of the University in Horsemonger Street now Canditch, and prescribed statutes for their government, an. 1282. Afterwards in the year 1284, she purchased another tenement near the same place, called Mary's Hall; and when she had repaired it, the society were here settled by her charter, confirmed by her son Sir John de Balliol, afterwards King of Scots, and by Oliver B. of Lincoln.

            Merton College was first founded at Maldon in Surrey, in the year 1264, and being translated to St. John Baptist Street in Oxford, an. 1267, received the last statutes of the wise founder in the year 1274.

            the restoring of K. Alfred's foundation is by Stowe and Holinshed ascribed to William Carilef B. of Durham, in the reign of William the Conqueror: and by Leland as falsely to William Shirwood Chancellor of Lincoln. But our author has here rightly assigned it to William Archdeacon of Durham, who dying in the year 1249, left 310 marks to the Chancellor and masters of the university for the maintenance of 10, 11, or 12 masters; with which money, about 30 years after the donor's death, a society was here established an. 1280. And their statutes prescribed by the university in the year 1292.

            Walter Stapledon b. of Exeter, upon his first design of a foundation for scholars, purchased Hart Hall and Arthur Hall in the year 1314 and there instituted a society for a rector and 12 scholars. But finding the place too narrow for his design, he bought ground for a new site in the Parish of St. Mildred, and having built convenient lodgings, translated his society to this house, called at first Stapledon's Inn, then Exeter College.

            the honour of the foundation of Oriel College is attributed to K. Edw. 2, though he did little more than  grant licence to Adam de Brome his almoner (Apr. 20. 1324.) to build and endow a college to be called by the name of St. Mary's House. To this society K. Edw. 3 in the first of his reign, gave a tenement called Le Oriele; on which ground stands the college so called. The present St. Mary's Hall was a long time the parsonage house to the rectors of St. Mary's; which church, with its appurtenances, being appropriated by K. Edw. 2 an. 1325 to the college then founded by Adam de Brome, the house came also into their possession, and was soon after allotted to the residence of students.

            queen's College owes its name to Queen Philippa, but its foundation to her chaplain Robert de Eglesfield rector of Burgh under Stanmore in Westmorland; who, by the Queen's favour, in the year 1340 purchased the ground and erected a collegiate hall to be called Aula Scholarium Reginae de Oxon. <218> The revenues of it have been much improved by several benefactors; and there is now, under the government of Dr. Timothy Halton, a very stately library in building. It was begun upon occasion of the legacy of Dr. Thomas Barlow the late learned Bishop of Lincoln, and formerly provost of this college, who by will bestowed upon it the greatest part of his books; giving the rest to Bodley's library, whereof he had been keeper.

            that munificent prelate William de Wykeham laid the design of New College in the year 1369. And having at several times purchased ground sufficient for it, obtained the King's licence, June 30th an. 1379, 3 Rich. 2; and on the 5th of March following, laid himself the first stone. It was finished an. 1386, Apr 14th, wherein the warden and fellows were admitted with solemn procession.

            Lincoln College was begun an. 1427, 6 Hen. 6, for a seminary of divines to confute the doctrines of Wycliffe, and slightly endowed only with the appropriation of 3 parish churches in Oxford: and therefore wanted another founder, Thomas Rotheram Bishop of Lincoln, who in the year 1475, finished the building of the college, increased their revenues, and gave them statutes an. 1479.

            Gloucester College was not built, as our author affirms, at the charge of the monks, but by John Gifford Baron of Brimsfield, who in the 11 Ed. 1 for the good of his soul and that of Maud de Longespée his wife, founded this cell for the maintenance of 13 monks from the Benedictine convent of Gloucester. At the suppression of religious houses, it was given by Hen. 8 for a palace to the bishops of Oxford; but reverting to the crown, was at last purchased by Sir Tho. White, founder of St. John's; and being transmitted to the use of principal and scholars, is now called Gloucester Hall.

            All Souls College was begun by Henry Chichele (after the foundation of a college and hospital at Higham Ferrers, the place of his nativity) in the year 1437. He endowed it for a warden and 40 fellows, chiefly with the lands of priories-alien<218> dissolved in 2 Hen. 5.

            Magdalen college was founded an. 1458 on the site and lands of the dissolved hospital of St. John's, with so large endowments, and such conveniences of all kinds, that it is justly esteemed one of the most noble foundations in the Christian world.

            The design of the public library was first laid by Sir Thomas Bodley Kt. in the year 1597. By him the old library of Duke Humphrey was repaired, and fitted for the reception of books, 1599, and an additional East gallery begun in the year 1610. Another gallery on the West, projected by him, was raised, with a house of convocation under it, an. 1638; but all these being now too narrow to contain the vast accession of books, there have been new galleries erected over each side of the middle aisle, chiefly to receive the generous legacy of Thomas Barlow Lord Bishop of Lincoln, who had been elected keeper of this library, an. 1652. When one views the catalogue of printed books by Dr. Hyde, and the other of manuscripts by Dr. Bernard, he must admire the prodigious treasure, and neither envy Rome her Vatican, nor India her gold.

            Brazenose college (so called from a hall distinguished by that name) was founded by William Smith Bishop of Lincoln and Richard Sutton esquire, 3 Hen. 8. It is of late years adorned with a beautiful chapel, library, and cloisters, the elegant structure whereof was begun in the year 1656, and the chapel consecrated by the Bishop of Oxford an. 1666.

            The foundation of Corpus Christi College was designed by that great prelate and wise politician Richard Fox, for a seminary of monks to the priory of St. Swithin in Winchester, an. 1513, but diverted from that, and assisted by Hugh Oldham Bishop of Exeter, he established it for a society of students, an. 1516, with endowments so ample, and statutes so admirable, as have made very many of its members men of singular piety and learning.

            As for Christchurch; after Cardinal Wolsey had procured from Pope Clement 7 a bull for dissolving 22 religious houses, and converting them to the use of two colleges (one to be founded at Ipswich his place of nativity; the other at Oxford, to which he owed his education) he obtained the King's licence to institute a college on the site of the priory of St. Frideswide, to be called Cardinal College, which he first designed for a dean and 18 canons, and projected much greater things. But before any settlement, came his fatal ruin an. 1529, when among his other vast possessions, this college fell into the King's hands. Who, in the year 1532 restored most of the allotted revenues, and had it called Henry the Eighth's college. But this he dissolved in 1545, and the year following erected it into a cathedral church for a bishop, a dean, and 8 canons. The beauty and honour of this college have been much advanced by the industry, piety, and bounty of the late excellent dean, John Fell, Lord Bishop of Oxford.

            The dissolved Durham College, now Trinity College, mentioned by our author, was granted by K. Edw. 6 to his physician George Owen of Godstow; of whom, in the year 1554, it was purchased by Sir Thomas Pope Kt. and repaired and endowed the year following. Under the present government of Dr. Ralph Bathurst, it has been adorned with fair additional buildings, and a chapel of exquisite beauty, consecrated Apr. 12th 1694.

            The site of Bernard college was in the year 1555 obtained from the crown by Thomas White alderman of London. This he enlarged and endowed an. 1557 by the title of St. John Baptist's college; which in buildings and revenues has received great augmentation from the liberal piety of Archbishop Laud and Archbishop Juxon.

            Of Jesus College, Dr. Hugh Price, treasurer of the church of St. David's, is by our author justly styled the founder. For he began to build, and competently endowed it an. 1571; but the society, to assume the honour of a royal foundation, acknowledge Qu. Elizabeth their founder; who furnished them with some timber out of two adjoining forests. The wise and pious Sir Lionel Jenkins, late secretary of state, was so great a benefactor, as to be in a manner justly esteemed a second founder.

            Sixteen colleges and 8 halls, was the number when our author wrote; but the colleges are now 18, and the halls but 7. For Wadham College, designed by Nicholas Wadham, and completed by Dorothy his relict an. 1613. is since built: and Broadgate Hall converted into Pembroke College, whose foundation is owing to the charity of Thomas Tisdale, and the industry of Richard Wightwick.

            But above all other buildings, this university justly boasts of Sheldon's theatre, a work of admirable contrivance, and exceeding magnificent, built by the most reverend father in God Gilbert Sheldon Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of this university, an. 1668; who, besides an infinite expense upon the structure, gave 2000l. to purchase lands for the perpetual repair of it. The area, within which it stands, is round the walls of it adorned with inestimable relics of Grecian and Roman antiquities; of which the greatest part is owing to the bounty of Hen. Howard Earl of Arundel; some also to the executors of Mr. Selden; others to Sir George Wheeler, &c.

            on the West side of the theatre, stands Ashmole's  Museum, a neat and curious edifice, of which the lower part is a chemical elaboratory, the first floor on a noble ascent is a spacious hall, and the upper chamber a repository of natural and artificial curiosities. The greatest part of these are owing to the generosity of Elias Ashmole Esq., who has prescribed statutes for the custody of them; and has reposited in this place the excellent collection of MSS. made by himself and by his father-in-law Sir William Dugdale.

            The town of Tame (though our author mentions nothing of it before the Conquest) seems yet to have been of some note in the Saxon times; for we find that in the year 970. Archbishop Oskytel ended his days in it. The abbey mentioned by our author, of the Cistercian order, was founded at the village of Oddington (and as Mr. Leland says, upon Otmoor) by Sir Robert Gait knight; who endowing it with five virgates<220> of land in Oddington, called it from an adjacent wood Ottelei. But the low site making it altogether unfit for a monastery, it was removed to Tame, and the church there dedicated to St. Mary, on July 21st 1138, 3 K. Steph; of which the bishop was afterwards reputed the founder, though he only translated it, and gave part of his park at Tame for the site of it, with some other lands which had belonged to Nigel Kyre.

            Next is Ricot, which still continues in the family of the Norris's, and is now part of the possession of the right honourable James Earl of Abingdon, who had that honour conferred upon him, Novemb. 29th 1682, and having married Eleanora, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir Henry Lee Baronet, by her has issue his eldest son and heir apparent Montague Lord Norris, who has married the heiress to the family and estate of the ancient and honourable Venables Barons of Kinderton.

            South and by West of Dorchester, are two banks with a trench between them (therefore called Dyke Hills,) which, in the opinion of Dr. Plot, cannot be part of any Roman way, because extended only as a string to the great bow of the River Thames; but rather a fortification, such as P. Ostorius is said by Tacitus to have raised on the Rivers Antona and Sabrina: or else some of the out-works of the fortifications on Long Wittenham Hill, on the other side the water, which perhaps was the Sinnodunum of the ancient Britons. So he.

            Not far from hence is Ewelme, the rectory whereof (with a canonry of Christchurch) King James 1 in the third year of his reign, annexed to the office of Regius Professor of Divinity in Oxford; as he did at the same time, the government of the hospital here, to that of Professor in Physic. Which prince, however represented as of a mean spirit, for his inclinations to peace; was yet one of the highest patrons to learning, and the greatest benefactor to this university; and deserves to have his memory vindicated from the common aspersions cast upon it by men of ignorance, and men of arms.

            Then the Thames runs forward to Henley, which Dr. Plot takes to be the ancientest town in the whole county; so called (says he) from the British hen, which signifies old, and lley a place; and perhaps might be the head town of the people called Ancalites, that revolted to Caesar.

            At some distance is Watlington, which by the name one would imagine to be of no less than British antiquity, as seeming to point out to us the old way of making their towns or cities, an account whereof Strabo has left us, viz. Groves fenced about with trees cut down, and laid cross one another, within which they built them sheds, for both themselves and cattle. The same way of fencing, the Saxons called watelas, hurdles, or wattles, from whence the town probably enough might have its name.

continuation of the Earls.

            Henry, the last Earl mentioned by our author, married Diana, second daughter to William Cecil Earl of Exeter, and died at the siege of Breda, an. 1625, without issue; upon which Robert Vere, son and heir of Hugh, son and heir of Aubrey de Vere, second son of Earl John the fifth, was in the parliament held at Westminster, an. 2 Car. 1 restored to this title of Earl of Oxford; who taking to wife Beatrix van Hemmema of Friesland, had issue by her Aubrey the present Earl, knight of the most noble order of the garter; who married Diana daughter to George Kirk Esq. but by her has no issue.

more rare plants growing wild in Oxfordshire.

<131>

            anagallis foemina flore coeruleo. Female or Blue-Flowered Pimpernel. At Battle near Oxford. Park. p. 554.

            arundo vallatoria foliis ex luteo variegatis. Painted or Gilded Reed. Found by Mr. Bobert in the River Thames not far from Oxford. Though it be but an accidental variety it deserves to be mentioned, being very ornamental in gardens.

            atriplex vulgaris sinuata spicata. D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. It is found commonly on dunghills, growing together with Goose-Foot Orache.

            geranium columbinum maximum foliis dissectis D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. Columbinum majus, foliis imis longis, usque ad pediculum divisis. Moris. Hist. The Greatest Doves-Foot Cranes-Bill with Dissected Leaves. In hedges about Marston, and on that part of Botley causeway next Oxford in great plenty.

            gramen caninum aristatum, radice non repente sylvaticum. Dogs-Grass with Awns. Found plentifully growing in Stokenchurch woods. Mr. Bobert.

            gramen secalinum majus sylvaticum. Gr. secalinum majus Park. An Gr. hordeaceum montanum sive majus C.B. Wild rye Grass of the Woods. In Stokenchurch woods also. Idem.

            gramen cyperiodes minimum, ranunculi capitulo rotundo. Cyperus-Grass with a Round Crowfoot Head. Frequently found on the bogs on the West side of Oxford. Idem.

            gramen bromoides maximum hirtum Park. Festuca graminea perennis hirsuta, gluma longiore dumetorum, spica divisa. In Godstow copse near Oxford. Idem.

            helleborine flore albo vel damasonium montanum latifolium C. B. Ger. Damasonium alpinum seu elleborine floribus albis J.B. Elleborine minor flore albo Park. White-Flowered Bastard Hellebore. In the woods near Stokenchurch, not far from the way leading from Oxford to Lond[on].

            hordeum nudum seu Gymnocrithon J.B. Zeopyron sive Tritico-Speltum C.B. Park. Hordeum nudum Ger. cujus figura huic plantae minime respondet. Naked Barley. It is sown in the fields about Islip in Oxfordshire and other places. It is really a species of wheat, and no barley: only its ear resembles the Hordeum dystichum.

            orobanche verbasculi odore D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. Birds-Nest smelling like Primrose Roots. At the bottoms of trees in the woods near Stokenchurch.

            saxifraga anglica annua alsines folio D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. Annual Pearlwort. In the walks of Balliol College gardens, and on the fallow-fields about Hedington and Cowley, plentifully; and in many other places.

            stachys fuchsii J.B. Ger. major germanica C.B. Park. Base Horehound. Nigh Witney Park in Oxfordshire and thereabouts, plentifully.

            tilia foliis molliter hirsutis, viminibus rubris, fructu tetragono. Mr. Bobert. 'Tis known by the name of the red lime, and grows naturally in Stokenchurch woods.

            tormentilla reptans alata, foliis profundius serratis. Pentaphyllum minus viride, flore aureo tetrapetalo, radiculas in terram e geniculis demittens Moris. Hist. Creeping Tormentil with deeply indented leaves. In the borders of the corn-fields between Hockley and Shotover-woods, and elsewhere.

            triticum spica multiplici C.B. Ger. Park. Many-Eared Wheat. It hath been sown about Bicester, and Weston on the Green.

            viola martia hirsuta major inodora D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. & Moris. Hist. trachelii folio D. Merret. Violet with Throatwort Leaves. In Magdalen College copse, Shotover Hills, Stowe Wood, and many other places plentifully. It is found in most countries.

            viola palustris rotundifolia D. Plot. Hist. Nat. Oxon. Round-leaved Marsh Violet. In the bogs about Stowe Wood, and on the banks of Cherwell between Oxford and Water Eaton, but sparingly.

            clematis daphnoides major C.B. daphnoid. latifolia seu Vinca pervinca major Park. The Greater Periwinkle. In the highways between Wolverton and Yarnton, and in several hedges thereabout. I am not yet fully satisfied, that this is a native of England, though it be found in the places mentioned, because possibly it might owe its original to roots thrown out of gardens.

            sambucus fructu albo Ger. Park. White-berried Elder. Observed by Mr. Bobert in the hedges near Watlington.

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