The Inhabitants Of These Parts Assert, That
The Waters Of This River Change Their Fords Every Month, And, As It
Inclines More Towards England Or Wales, They Can, With Certainty,
Prognosticate Which Nation Will Be Successful Or Unfortunate During
The Year.
This river derives its origin from the lake Penmelesmere,
{182} and, although it abounds with salmon, yet none are found in
the lake.
It is also remarkable, that this river is never swollen
by rains, but often rises by the violence of the winds.
Chester boasts of being the burial-place of Henry, {183} a Roman
emperor, who, after having imprisoned his carnal and spiritual
father, pope Paschal, gave himself up to penitence; and, becoming a
voluntary exile in this country, ended his days in solitary
retirement. It is also asserted, that the remains of Harold are
here deposited. He was the last of the Saxon kings in England, and
as a punishment for his perjury, was defeated in the battle of
Hastings, fought against the Normans. Having received many wounds,
and lost his left eye by an arrow in that engagement, he is said to
have escaped to these parts, where, in holy conversation, leading
the life of an anchorite, and being a constant attendant at one of
the churches of this city, he is believed to have terminated his
days happily. {184} The truth of these two circumstances was
declared (and not before known) by the dying confession of each
party. We saw here, what appeared novel to us, cheese made of
deer's milk; for the countess and her mother keeping tame deer,
presented to the archbishop three small cheeses made from their
milk.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 136 of 195
Words from 38105 to 38381
of 54608
