Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of BritaineHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of Britaine
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- To 1485; Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603
Hauing thus described Anglesei, it resteth to report furthermore, how
that in our circuit about the same, we met with other little Ilets, of
which one lieth northwest thereof almost ouer against Butricke mouth, or
the fall of the water, that passeth by Butricke. The Britons called it
[Sidenote: Adar.]
[Sidenote: Moil.]
[Sidenote: Rhomaid.]
[Sidenote: Ysterisd.]
[Sidenote: Adros.]
[Sidenote: Lygod.]
Ynis Ader, that is to say, the Ile of birds in old time, but now it
hight Ynis Moil, or Ynis Rhomaid, that is the Ile of porpasses. It hath
to name likewise Ysterisd, and Adros. Being past this, we came to the
second lieng by north east, ouer against the Hilarie point, called Ynis
Ligod, that is to saie, the Ile of Mise, and of these two this latter is
the smallest, neither of them both being of any greatnesse to speake of.
[Sidenote: Seriall.]
[Sidenote: Prestholme.]
Ynis Seriall or Prestholme, lieth ouer against Penmon, or the point
called the head of Mon, where I found a towne (as I told you) of the
same denomination. Ptolomie nameth not this Iland, whereof I maruell. It
is parcell of Flintshire, and of the iurisdiction of S. Asaph, and in
fertilitie of soile, and breed of cattell, nothing inferiour vnto
Anglesei hir mother: although that for quantitie of ground it come
infinitelie short thereof, and be nothing comparable vnto it. The last
Iland vpon the cost of Wales, hauing now left Anglesei, is called
[Sidenote: Credine.]
Credine, and although it lie not properlie within the compasse of my
description, yet I will not let to touch it by the waie, sith the causey
thither from Denbighland, is commonlie ouerflowne. It is partlie made an
Iland by the Conwey, and partlie by the sea. But to proceed, when we had
viewed this place, we passed foorth to S. Antonies Ile, which is about
two or thrée miles compasse or more, a sandie soile, but yet verie
batable for sheepe and cattell, it is well replenished also with fresh
wels, great plentie of wild foule, conies and quarries of hard ruddie
stone, which is oft brought thence to Westchester, where they make the
foundations of their buildings withall. There are also two parish
churches in the same, dedicated to S. Antonie and S. Iohn, but the
people are verie poore, bicause they be so oft spoiled by pirats,
although the lord of the same be verie wealthie thorough the exchange
made with them of his victuals, for their wares, whereof they make good
peniworths, as théeues commonlie doo of such preies as they get by like
escheat, notwithstanding their landing there is verie dangerous, and
onelie at one place. Howbeit they are constreined to vse it, and there
to make their marts. From hence we went on, vntill we came to the cape
[Sidenote: Hilberie.]
of Ile Brée, or Hilberie, and point of Wyrale, from whence is a common
passage into Ireland, of 18. or 20. houres sailing, if the wether be not
tedious. This Iland at the full sea is a quarter of a mile from the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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