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
castell, we went abroad into the maine, and found ourselues at libertie.
When we were past Pole hauen, we left the Handfast point, the Peuerell
point, S. Adelmes chappell, and came at last to Lughport hauen, whereby
and also the Luckeford lake, all this portion of ground last remembred,
is left in maner of a byland or peninsula, and called the Ile of
Burbecke, wherein is good store of alum and hard stone. In like sort
going still westerlie, we came to Sutton points, where is a créeke. Then
vnto Waie or Wilemouth, by kings Welcombe, which is twentie miles from
Pole, and whose head is not full foure miles aboue the hauen by
northwest at Vphill in the side of a great hill. Hereinto when we were
entred, we saw three falles, whereof the first and greatest commeth from
Vpweie by Bradweie, and Radipoole, receiuing afterward the second that
ran from east Chekerell, and likewise the third that maketh the ground
betwéene Weimouth and Smalmouth passage almost an Iland. There is a
little barre of sand at the hauen mouth, and a great arme of the sea
runneth vp by the right hand; and scant a mile aboue the hauen mouth on
the shore, is a right goodlie and warlike castell made, which hath one
open barbicane. This arme runneth vp also further by a mile as in a
baie, to a point of land where a passage is into Portland, by a little
course of pibble sand. It goeth vp also from the said passage vnto
Abbatsbirie about seauen miles off, where a litle fresh rondell
resorteth to the sea. And somewhat aboue this, is the head or point of
[Sidenote: Chesill.]
the Chesill lieng northwest, which stretcheth vp from thence about
seauen miles, as a maine narrow banke, by a right line vnto the
southeast, and there abutteth vpon Portland scant a quarter of a mile
aboue the Newcastle there. The nature of this banke is such, that so
often as the wind bloweth vehementlie at southeast, so often the sea
beateth in, and losing the banke soketh through it: so that if this wind
should blow from that corner anie long time togither, Portland should be
left an Iland as it hath béene before. But as the southwest wind dooth
appaire this banke, so a northwest dooth barre it vp againe. It is
pretie to note of the Townelet of Waimouth, which lieth streight against
Milton on the other side, and of this place where the water of the hauen
is but of small breadth, that a rope is commonlie tied from one side of
the shore to another, whereby the ferrie men doo guide their botes
without anie helpe of Ores. But to procéed with our purpose. Into the
mouth of this riuer doo ships often come for succour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account