town of North Wales, in the county of Flint. It is a place of great note, for the well of St Winnifred, who is reputed a virgin martyr; and it is much frequented by people that come to bathe in it, as well as by pious pilgrims out of devotion. The spring

(a) A reference was inadvertently made to this article for a description of BAMBOROUGH, as if it had been situated upon, or belonged to, Holy-Island.—BAMBOROUGH lies several miles to the south, and is situated on the main land. The town is now an inconsiderable village; but it once was a royal borough, and sent two members: it even gave name to a large tract extending southward, which was called Bamboroughshire. It had also three religious foundations; a house of friars founded by Henry III., a cell of canons regular of St Austin, and an hospital. Its very ancient castle stands on an almost perpendicular rock close to the sea, and accessible only on the south-east side, on a spot where, according to the monkish historians, there stood the castle or palace of the kings of Northumberland; built, as it is said, by king Ida, who began his reign about the year 559. Part of the present ruins are by some supposed to be the remains of king Ida's work. The ancient name of this place was, it is said, Bebbanborough; whose name Cambden, from the authority of Bede, imagines borrowed from Bebba, Ida's queen; but the author of the additions to that writer is of a contrary opinion, as in the Saxon copy it is called Cyncheanberg, or the "royal mansion." According to Florilegus, king Ida at first fenced it only with a wooden inclosure, but afterwards surrounded it with a wall. It is thus described by Roger Hoveden, who wrote in the year 1192: "Bebba is a very strong city, but not exceeding large; containing not more than two or three acres of ground. It has but one hollow entrance into it, which is admirably raised by steps. On the top of the hill stands a fair church; and in the western point is a well curiously adorned, and of sweet clean water." This castle was besieged anno 642 by Penda, the Pagan king of the Mercians, who, as the story goes, attempted to burn it: for which purpose he laid vast quantities of wood under the walls, and set fire to it as soon as the wind was favourable; but no sooner was it kindled, than by the prayers of St Adian, the wind changed and carried the flames into his camp, so that he was obliged to raise the siege. In 710, king Offred, on the death of Alfred his father, took shelter in this castle with Brithric his tutor or guardian; one Edulph having seized the crown, by whom, with his partizans, they were unsuccessfully besieged. Brithric made so gallant a defence, that the siege was turned into a blockade, which gave the loyal subjects time to arm in defence of their young king. On their marching hither to his relief, Edulph fled, but was followed, taken, and put to death by Brithric, who thereby securely seated Offred on the throne, when this castle became his palace. In the reign of Egbert, Kenulph bishop of Lindisfarne was confined here 30 years from 750 to 780. In 933, it was plundered and totally ruined by the Danes; but being of great importance in defending the northern parts against the continual incursions of the Scots, it was soon after repaired, and made a place of considerable strength. It is said to have been in good repair at the time of the conquest, when it was probably put into the custody of some trusty Norman, and had in all likelihood some additions made to its works; and this is the more probable, as the present area, contained within its walls, measures upwards of 80 acres, instead of three, as when described by Hoveden. About the year 1095 it was in the possession of Robert de Mowbray earl of Northumberland, who engaging in some treasonable practices against William Rufus, that king laid siege to it, and obliged it to surrender. In the next reign it was entrusted by Henry I. to Eustace Fitz John, who was dispossessed of it and his other employments by king Stephen. Holyoak, spring gushes forth with such impetuosity, that at a small distance it turns several mills. Over the spring is a chapel built upon pillars, and on the windows are painted the history of St Winnifred's life. There is a moss about the well, which some foolishly imagine to be St Winnifred's hair. W. Long. 3. 15. N. Lat. 54. 23.

HOLYOAK (Francis), author of the Latin dictionary, became rector of Southam in Warwickshire in 1604; and being greatly esteemed, was chosen member of the convocation in the first year of Charles I.'s reign. He suffered much for the king; and died in 1653, aged 87. His son Thomas made enlargements to the said Dictionary.