WIGHT-ISLAND, (Isle of Wight) over-against Hampshire, the most E. point being opposite to Portsmouth, the most W. point to
Christchurch, and 'tis about 2 or 3 hours sail to it from Southampton or Portsmouth. 'Tis 20 m. long, 12 m. in the middle,
where broadest, and 60 m. in com. The sides lie N. and S. but the sea breaks so far into it on the N. side, that it almost
divides it into two parts, whereof that on the W. is called Freshwater, and that on the E. Binbridge-Isle. The T. and r.
of Newport, or Medina, being in the centre of the island, 'tis from thence distinguished by E. and W. Medina. It has 4
Mt.-Ts. of which 3 are parliamentary-Bors. 4 castles, 52 ps. above 3000 houses, near 27,000 souls, and 5000 of the inh.
are reckoned fit to bear arms. The militia here is divided into 11 bands, over each of which is an officer, called a
centurion, though he commands more than 100 men; and the inferior officers are called vintons. There are several beacons
on the isle, where continual watch is kept, to give notice of the approach of an enemy; and upon urgent occasions, 3000 of
the Hampshire and 2000 of the Wiltshire militia are appointed to be always ready, to assist the islanders. Here are two
deer-parks, but only one small forest; so that they are forced to fetch their wood out of Hampshire. A ridge of hills run
through the middle of the island; on which feed great flocks of sheep, whose wool is reckoned the best, next to the
fleeces of Leominster and Coteswold. Here is a milk-white tobacco-pipe-clay, the best in its kind, which they export
together with fine white sand, of which drinking-glasses are made as good as those that came formerly from Venice. The
inh. says Camden, used to make themselves merry with this proverbial boast, That they had no "Monks, Lawyers, nor Foxes;"
but this must be meant only of the time after the Diss. of the abbeys; for before it here were 2 mons. and, doubtless,
their geese and their bubbles could witness they had foxes and attornies. The Gt. of this island, which is a post of the
highest trust and honour, is always conferred on some general, or admiral, or on some personage of the first rank; and
under him are all the governors of the forts and castles of the island, where is commonly a whole regiment in garrison,
and sometimes more. In matters ecclesiastical it is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bp. of Winchester, in whose diocese
it is, and in civil affairs to the Co. of Southampton. Henry de Beauchamp, whom Hen. VI. had created primier E. of
England, and afterwards D. of Warwick, was in 1445 crowned K. of this island, and those of Jersey and Guernsey, by that
monarch's own hands; but he dying without issue. male, the regal title expired with him, and the Lp. of the isle reverted
to the crown; in which it rested 44, years, till Edward IV. gave it to Richard Ld. Woodvile, with the title of Ld. of the
Isle of Wight; but on his death this title fell also. The island, in short, is very healthy and pleasant; and so fruitful,
that 1 year's crop will serve the inh. 7 years, who therefore send the surplus over to Portsmouth, &c. It abounds
particularly in corn, cattle, hares, rabbets, partridges, pheasants, lapwings, wild fowl, fish, &c. It is supposed to have
been formerly joined to Hampshire, it being not above 1 m. from Hurst-Castle to the W. part of the island. There are
several dangerous rocks about it, which being marked in the maps and charts of the island and the channel, for the notice
of sailors, we need not so much as name them.