JOHN NORDEN'S MAP OF ESSEX.
43
The large figures in the map denote the hundreds, which are thus
classified :—
It may be interesting to many of our readers, who have had no
opportunity of consulting Norden's book, to have a few extracts,
more particularly on matters relating to the natural productions of
the county. Norden thus speaks of Essex generally :—
" This shire is moste fatt, frutefull, and full of profitable thinges, exceding (as
farr as I can finde) anie other shire, for the generall com'odeties, and the plentie
Thowgh Suffolke be more highlie contended of some wherwith I am not yet
acquaynted : But this shire seemeth to me to deserue the title of the englishe
Goshen, the fattest of the Lande : comparable to Palestina, that flowed with
milke and hunnye. But I cannot com'ende the healthfulnes of it: And espe-
ciallie nere the sea coastes, Rochford, Denge, Tendering hundredes and other
lowe places about the creekes, which gaue me a moste cruell quarterne feuer. But
the manie and sweete com'odeties counteruayle the daunger.
" It is to be noted how the perticuler comodeties are, as it were, quartered out,
and possess seuerall places wthin the shire.
" The hundreds of Rocheforde, Denge, Dansye, or Dansing, which lye on the
sowth-easte of the shire, yelde milke, butter and cheese in admirable aboundance :
in those partes are the great and huge cheeses made, wondred at for their massiue-
ness and thicknes. They are made also in Tendringe hundred, wher are manie
wickes or dayries. But in that hundred are also manie barren groundes.
" Ther are in this shire some especiall groundes noted generallie in regarde of
their fertilletie, by this comon Rime or Prouerbe : —
" Lord Morleyes
In Layr Marney pk
In Wigboro
Parcell of Peldo hall
Baron Parke is frutefull and fatt;
How feild is better than that;
Copte hall is beste of them all ;
Yet Hubble down : may wayre the crowne,