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Modern Translation
The description of Malmesbury; or firstly Madalfsbury, a borough of north Wiltshire both ancient and famous, now in the possession and sole jurisdiction of a family of antiquity and honour, viz. Sir John Danvers of Dauntsey House, knight, a member of the House of Commons this parliament 1647. Which place is not only renowned for its natural strength, seated on a steep hill (unwinable by reason of the many rocks), extending unto, or containing, no more ground than what it standeth on, and (within less than pistol shot) surrounded with unfordable rivers, but also for its unconquered strength, and victory against the Danes after a long siege for Athelstan, a Saxon king, shut up within it: manifest by his charter extant there, who, for its services and fidelity, bestowed, besides several other privileges and immunities, very fair lands, which to this day it enjoyeth, and where, in testimony of his affection to so great a favour, his body at his desire was entombed. This shows the direct figure of the borough or garrison as it stood fortified the 23 of October 1646, the day it was demolished by the parliament's order, the whole kingdom being a little before reduced; when it had stood a firm garrison for the parliament of England under the commanding of Colonel Nicholas Devereux 2 years, 4 months, and odd weeks.Which description or draft, as proper, unto the said Sir John Danvers, the sole lord and owner of it together with the coat of arms of his family, the said colonel presented, as an acknowledgement of his many noble favours, this 10th of April 1648.
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