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 in this maner bréefelie touched this noble riuer, and such
brookes as fall into the same; I will now adde a particular description
of each of these last by themselues, whereby their courses also shall be
seuerallie described to the satisfaction of the studious. But yer I take
the same in hand, I will insert a word or two of the commodities of the
said riuer, which I will performe with so much breuitie as is possible.
Héereby also finding out his whole tract and course from the head to the
fall thereof into the sea. It appeareth euidentlie that the length
thereof is at the least, one hundreth and eightie miles, if it be
measured by the iourneies of the land. And as it is in course, the
longest of the thrée famous riuers of this Ile, so it is nothing
inferiour vnto them in aboundance of all kind of fish, whereof it is
hard to saie, which of the three haue either most plentie, or greatest
varietie, if the circumstances be duelie weighed. What some other write
of the riuers of their countries it skilleth not, neither will I (as
diuerse doo) inuent strange things of this noble streame, therewith to
nobilitate and make it more honorable: but this will I in plaine termes
affirme, that it neither swalloweth vp bastards of the Celtish brood, or
casteth vp the right begotten that are throwne in without hurt into
their mothers lap, as Politian fableth of the Rhene, Epistolarum lib. 8.
epi. 6. nor yéeldeth clots of gold as the Tagus dooth: but an infinit
plentie of excellent, swéet and pleasant fish, wherewith such as inhabit
néere vnto hir bankes are fed and fullie nourished.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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