CAP. XVII.

Fro Bethlehem.

FROM Ebron men go to Bethlehem in halfe a daye, for it is but five myle, and it is a fayre waye & thorow [¹] woddes full pleasaunt. Bethlem is but a little citie long and narowe, and well walled, and enclosed with a great diche and it was wont to be called Effrata as holy wryte sayth Ecce audivimus eum in Effrata &c., That is to saye, Lo we herde him in Effrata. And toward the ende of the citie toward the East, is a ryght fayre churche and a gracious and it hath many toures, pinacles and kirnelles [²] full strongly made & within that Church is xliiii great pyllers of marble & betwene this church the field [³] florished, as ye shall here.

[1:] Through woods.

[2:] Battlements.

[3:] The flowered field.