division of the Kings Court place it in this Province of the Land of Lavoro or happy Campania Livy saith that the said City was made at one and the same time a Colony of the Romans with Alba which was of the Territory Vestino but possest by the Samnites This which Livy saith that Sora should be of the Territory Vestino is true for this reason that the City Vestina being near Garigliano in the Plain of Sessa that which was from the mouth of the River even to Sora by the River Garigliano all under one only name of Vestini became so called and Garigliano and Sessa were comprehended under the self-same of Vestini Livy saith that the Sorani becoming rebels and joyning with the Samniti went against them with all their force and saith that in this rebellion the Sorani cut in pieces the Roman Colonies that were there which stirred so great desire of revenge that at length the City was taken by Treason one of Sora bringing in ten Romans secretly into the Castle whereupon the Citizens broke up the Gates in the night and fled away and the Roman Army freely entred in and there were taken 325 of the Sorani Authors of the Rebellion and the death of the Roman Colonies and were carried bound to Rome and cruelly beaten in the Market-place and afterward put to death to the great contentment of the people which desired as their proper interest that in their Colonies their Citizens might be secure But within awhile following the Romans sent another Colony to Sora under the Consulship of L. Genutio and of Servio Cornelio the which for a long time remained there peaceable But in the time afterward of Gregory the ninth was destroyed by the Emperor Frederick the second and for all this was by the same Citizens repaired and in process of time increased in much honour and riches and is now reputed one of the best Cities in all that Province and is adorned with the Title of a Dukedome The said City on the one side is compassed with a stately and strong Wall and the other is defended with the River Fibreno which hath its beginning under the Mountains of Capistrello which is a Country in the Apennin eight miles above Sora which River entreth into Garigliano called in old time Liris near the Monastery of St. Dominico of Cisterniensi This River aboundeth with water and seemeth to be that which according to Pliny cometh from the Lake Fucino which in the beginning is divided into two branches whereof that on the left hand by means of the high and steep Mountains is very swift but that on the right hand running by a Rock and falling not from that hight as the other passeth with a pleasant current very calm and beautifull These two branches being joyned again together under Sora make an Island very delightfull and of much traffick which the Ancients have called Interamina Following the course of these Rivers are these Countries following Torre Campolato Isoletta and Colledrago Now above the Isle before named which with those two Arms makes Garigliano there are very high Hils and almost wholly disinhabited and on the right hand there is a Country above those rough and cragge Hils very pleasant called Comino which is invironed with very high Hils and hath seven Countries wel inhabited that is Vicalvo Alvito Santo Donato Settefrati Piacinisco Gallinaro and Casalviero This Country was in old time called Comino of a City which was there so called whereof Livy speaketh in many places and chiefly in the tenth Book where he saith that it was taken by Spurio Carvillo Consul being entred within it and his Souldiers retired which had the Guard of the Market-place there was given to Papirio the Consul eleven thousand and thirty men the first being killed by four thousand three hundred and eighty In this same Country on the right hand under the Hils is Atina an ancient City which was one of those five which made Arms for the aid of Turnus against Aeneas according to Virgil in the seventh of Eneidos Quinque adeo magnae positis incudibus urbos Tola novant Atina potens c. At the side of the said City runneth the River Melfa which riseth in the Apennin Hils and entreth into Garigliano near Pontecorvo a City whereof Virgil and Livy make mention Coming down into the bottom of this Country on the side of the said River under the Castle of Casalviero on the left hand is a little Country which they call Schiavi and yet lower upon a very rough and craggie Hill is Arpino a famous City whose stately Walls yet standing declare the greatness thereof and although it hath been the natural Country as well of Caio Marius as of Marcus Tullius the one the mirror of Chivalry the other of Eloquence yet that preferring Learning before Martial Affairs used for the Arms M. T. C. Under Arpino on the left hand near the River Melfa is Fontana a little Country and hard by is Arce a worthy City the Territory whereof aboundeth with great store of excellent Fruits and hath a goodly Fortress and is beautified with the Title of a Dukedom Not far off followeth the City Aquino called in old time Aquinum which is almost ruinated whose Reliques manifestly declare what great estimation it had in former times where apparently are seen the ruines of stately Buildings with goodly Statues of Marble Both now and ever Aquino hath received much honour by Giovenale a Satyrical Poet and Victorino an excellent Geometrician who flourished in the time of Leo the first according to the opinion of some he found the computation of Easter according to the course of the Moon at the perswasion of Pope Hillary Moreover Pescenio Negro Emperor of Rome hath honoured this Country as Herodian declareth in his second Book of his Cesars And although the said City be almost ruinated nevertheless it hath the dignity of a County Here Robert Guiscardo the Norman was created with great solemnity Duke of Apuglia and Calauria by Gregory the seventh Bishop of Rome in the year 1073. as Biondo writeth in his Histories and Platina in the life of the said Gregory But above all that Angelical Doctor St. Thomas hath most honoured Aquino the which though born in Naples is sirnamed of Aquino because his Ancestors possest that Country with other Cities and Lands Iohn Menardo saith that the said Angelical Doctor was of the House of Frangipane others say that he was of the Noble Family of Sammacula and that afterward from that Seignory as we have said which they had of Aquino they were sirnamed of Aquino the which Family was much advanced by Adinolfo County of Aquino for as much as by the common consent of the Gaetani he was created Duke of their City among the ancient Poets Rinaldo of Aquino hath been very excellent of whom Monsignor Pietro Bembo maketh mention in his Epistles
Now coming again into our former order leaving the ancient City of Aquino there is on the left hand Roccasecca and on the right hand upon a high Hill is the famous and worthy Monastery of Monte Casino builded upon the ruines of the noble City of Casino an ancient Colony of the Romans and a worthy City of the Latâ—nes which as Livy writeth had a Colony brought together with Minturn the which in the time of the Romans was very famous for that noble and stately Temple of Apollo which had a hundred and fifty high and mighty Pillars The said Monastery was builded by St. Benedict Norsino for his Monks in the year of Christ 5â—0 where Totila King of the Goths going to visit him understanding he had a spirit of Prophesie and purposing to make tryal if that which had been reported were true put on Lackies apparel causing another to go before him cloathed in Kingly Ornaments which feigned himself to be Totila but the Saint knowing of God the deceit sent unto him with a cheerfull countenance to stay with the rest of his company and pointing to the King which was basely appareled requesting him to come into the Monastery But neither this nor other the like signes of sanctity which St. Benedict declared to the Lombards were sufficient to restrain the unbridled fury of these Barbarians that they might not destroy this Monastery the which was foretold to the Monks by their Father St. Benedict It was afterward repaired again upon the first foundations and also enlarged 112 years after by Petronio Petronasso Bresciano through the perswasion of Pope Gregory the second as Paulo Diacono writeth and Elia Capriolo in his third Book of the Brescian Histories The Revenue of these Monks yearly was more then fifty thousand Crowns There lieth with great devotion in the said Monastery the bodies of many Saints and blessed people especially that of S. Benedict Norsino the Founder and Head thereof and of St. Scolastica his sister whose holy bodies were there found in the year 1443. whereby it seemeth that that cannot be true which Paulo Diacono writeth of them saying that in the year 694 in the time of Gisulfo Prince of Benevento the said holy bodies were carried by certain Frenchmen into France where to the honour both of the one and the other were builded two Royal Monasteries The which opinion is so much the less true as that Pope Zachary affirmeth to have seen the bodies of these two Saints with his own eyes in the Mount Casino many years after wherefore we will give more credit to the report of a chief Bishop and to the bodies which were found and seen in the year 1443. then to the opinion of Paulo Diacono Pliny declareth in the fourth Chapter of his seventh Book that in the said City of Casino in the time of the Consulship of Licinio Crasso and of Caio Cassio longo a girl in a certain house bâ—â—â—me a boy which by commandment and advice of their Southsayers was carried 〈◊〉 left in an Island abandoned At the foot of the Mount Casino is Saint Germano a new City so called by the name of a holy Abbot which built it Going farther is Theano called by Pliny and Strabo Theanum Sidicinum a City whether Augustus sent a Colony and not far off is Calvi an ancient City which was builded by Calai the son of Borea which came into these places after the return of the Aragonanti as Silio declareth in his eight book although Livy and Festo affirm that the first Inhabiters were the Ausoni Afterward we come to Piedemonte of Alife a good and a plentifull Country and full of worthy people where through the commodity which they have of the water is made good Cloth of Wooll out of this Country hath risen many excellent men indued with much Learning among the which these are of the greatest note Philippo Francisco of Piedemonte which commented the Poetry of Horace Lodovico Paterno an excellent vulgar Poet but in these our daies the said Country is much renowned by means of certain Gentlemen which being contented with their retired estate live vertuously employing the time in the exercise of Divine Learning and some of them in giving councel to others in the profession of the Laws Of the same Country was Nuntio Tatiaglia which composed the practice of the Civil and Criminal Lieutenantship Following the same way is Lauro situate in a pleasant and delightfull place This City was builded by Ruberto Orsino Count of Nola as Cantalitio the Poet writeth in his fourth Book where he saith that the said Count built it because that great Captain Consalvo Ferrando of Cordova received in the said place the Crown of Laurel after he had the victory of the French This Country hath the title of a Marquis the Lord whereof is Don Scipio Pignatello a most worthy man and of very honourable and vertuous qualities A little farther is Palma which belongeth to the said Marquiss the which Castle was also builded by the said Count of Nola and to this intent I will not omit to speak of the Plain of Palma so much commended for the hunting there where that great Alfonsus the first of Arragon King of Naples built to this purpose a sumptuous Palace which afterward was destroyed by Charls the eight King of France although the reliques are yet to be seen Hard by is the ancient and noble City of Nola so called by Strabo in his fifth book This City was builded as Trogo affirmeth by the Giapigii but according to Solmo by the Tirii It was very great in old time this City as Ambrogio Leoni declareth in his first book of Nola that the Wals thereof as he saith were in compass 2017 paces having twelve parts and was built round Nola may boast that the Emperor Octavius Augustus the Monarch of the world died therein in honour of whom Tiberius his successor in the Empire builded in the said City a stately Temple the reliques whereof are yet to be seen There are also to be seen in this place many reliques of ancient and stately buildings now it is not so great though it be very populous The amorous Flora was of this City who dying left her only heir of all her Jewels and Riches the people of Rome and so much money was there found in her house with the Iewels which they sold as were sufficient to build the Walls of Rome and also to redeem the Commonwealth Wherefore the Romans because she had her beginning at Rome and also had left all her goods to the Commonwealth built a most sumptuous and stately Temple in memory of her from whose name they called it Floriano wherein every year on that day which she died they celebrated the Feast of the Goddess Flora. Suetonio Tranquillo saith that the first Feast which the Emperor Galba celebrated in Rome was the Feast of amorous Flora in the which
is the cause that all the discents and banks are very pleasant and delightfull through the many Vaâ—lies There are also many Gardens full of fruitfull Trees and especially Oringes Citrons Limons and other fruit Pliny saith in his 9. book and cap. 53. that in this pleasant Hill Cesar had a very beautifull house with Fish pools wherein was cast a Fish by Pollione Vedio which lived 60 years Pollione was Lord of the said place and dying bequeathed it as Dion saith to Augustus This house was near to the highest part of the said Hill in the place which is now called the fatal Cave where at this present are to be seen the Baths which Cesar had there whereupon by this it may be judged how pleasant this excellent Hill hath been and especially for the banishing of sadness and melancholy from frail and feeble minds for which cause it hath that Greek name for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth in Latine queis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much as to say sadness Near the side of this pleasant and delightfull Hill are to be seen round about infinite buildings of Antick stately workmanship which time hath utterly defaced and on the side towards Naples is the fair Village of the Prince of Stigliano called Serena and towards Chiaia at the foot of the Hill is the pleasant place of Morgilino so named by the swimming of the fishes where the learned Iacobo Sannazaro the darling of the Muses composed his divine Egâ—ogues and reedified a Church to St. Mary of the birth in whose honour he composed Latine Verses a most excellent and rare work of the deliverance of the said Virgin in which Church in a goodly Tomb of Marble with his picture carved thereon is he buried on the which Sepulchre the Cardinal Pietro Bembo caused this Epitaph to be ingraven D. O. M. Da sacro cineri flores hic ille Maroni Syncerus Musa proximus ut tumulo At the foot of the Hill on the side towards the Sea is the delightfull place of St. Mary of Piedigrotta and on this side lieth the Cave of Cocceio which some attribute to Basso and some to Lucullus made after the manner of that of Cuma the which is wholly cut artificially out of the Rock Upon the hill in the right side towards the entrance of the Cave in the way towards Naples is Virgils Sepulchre the which neither Biondo nor Razzano could find But being found in these daies I went to see it with that excellent Lawyer Fabio di Giordano a worthy Poet and a great Herbalist and a searcher of Antiquities and with us also went the Lord Geronomo Colonna and Paolo Portarello persons of great judgment and wisdom Being come to the place we found upon the said Cave a Chappel smoothly vaulted round about with Marble and within were places for Images to stand in the midst was a Tomb of Marble with four little Pillars likewise of white Marble the which supported a Coffin whereon were ingraven these Verses MANTVA me genuit CALABRI rapuere tenet nunc PARTHENOPE cecini paseua rura Duces Opposite thereto without the Chappel was an Epitaph of white Marble with these modern Verses ingraven Qui cineres tumulo haec vestigia conditur olim Ille hoc qui cecinit pascua rura Duces After we had well considered the place and among other things worthy to be noted which we beheld looking up to the top of the said Chappel was a great Bay-Tree naturally growing for the roots thereof took hold through the chinks and crevises of the Wall Whereupon I presently thought that this was the very true Sepulchre of Virgil and that nature had caused that Bay-Tree to grow as a signe to discover unto us that here lay the ashes of that great Poet So Seignieur Colonna said my masters this requiâ—â—th matter for us to do something worthy memory and he would not deâ—ert from thence till every one of us had made certain Verses and because I was the youngest of the company he said unto me Seignieur Scipio by the rule of the Law you ought to begin first And so presently we made those Verses Quod sacrâ— Vaâ—is cincres tumulamque Maronis Sponte sua hic viridis laurus adulta tâ—gat Indicat musis diâ—is sâ—â—iper amicum Virgilium speret cui fore nemo parem Then said the worthy Fabio Busta ubi grandi loqui sâ—eterant tumulumque Maronis Vastaque saculorum pondera saxa ruunt Delphica formosis increvic frondibus arbor Atque injussa sacras explicat alta comas Ne tanti cineres vatiâ— sine honore jacerent Ossicium praestat laurus amica suum Seignieur Fabio having ended D. Paolo began to say Quod super hunc tumulum crevit Parnasia laurus Sponte sua manesque pios atque essa Maronis Atque loci genium viriâ—antâ— protegat umbra Divini vdâ—is signat reverenter honores Vt quoniam nemo ante illum nec post erit unquam Qui sid ruris opes tali vel carmine reges Diceret illius vigat per secula nomen Laurus ut haec tumulo foliis frondentibus extat Observatque memor sacri monumenta poetae Sarno is a Hill so called of the City of Sarno which is situated at the foot of the Hill where also a River taketh its name which runneth hard by near to the mouth whereof was Pompey and not far from the Hill Voscoâ—o as Pliny saith they were named the Pompeians as Solino affirmeth by Hercoles which brought thither his oxen with great pomp from Spain The Pompeians had a long Country full of goodly Villages The said Country began at the point where is now the Tower of the Annuntiation and stretcheth even to Castello à mare beyond the River Sarno In old time as Strabo declares in these places did first inhabit the Osci and after the Toscani the Peligni and also the Sanniti the which were driven out by the Romans This pleasant Country yieldeth excellent Wines Pliny writeth in the 6. cap. of the 14 book that the said Wines grew still to their greatest perfection and goodness even till ten years age not any thing impairing them This fair and pleasant Country of the Pompeians was for the most part destroyed by an Earthquake in the time of Nero which was one of the best parts of the Province of Campania felix Taburo is a high Hill near Capoa in old time it was called Mons Taburnus as Virgil declareth in the 2 of the Georgicks Neu segnes jaceant terrae juvat Ismara Bacco Conserere atque olea magnum vestire Taburnum And elsewhere of the said Hill and particularly in the twelfth book is made mention saying At velut ingenti Sylvae summoque Taburno Trifolino is a Hill which joyneth even with the City of Naples and called by the common people the Hill of St. Hermo and sometimes of St. Martino because upon the top of the said Hill there is a very fair
easily be taken Moreover it falleth out sometimes that he which roweth is wounded in the boat so great is the sword of the fish and his fierceness that this labour is no less dangerous then the chasing of the wild Boar. Some say that this fishing was learned in the time of Vlysses which came into these places Afterward appeareth upon a great Rock Sciglio by Pliny called Scylleum Oppidum which also holdeth the name of Scilla the daughter of Forco which while the Ancients say should be turned into a Rock according to the Fable was a horrible and hideous Monster which devoured ships noting that great danger of Pharaoh where the roaring and terror of the waves and the fearfull aspect of the sands represent very often to passengers which there sail the great horror and dreadfull fear oftentimes bringing death it self This place was fortified by Anasilao against the Tuscans where Spartaco was overcome by Marco Crasso he in vain purposing to escape in the dead time of the night And the said City is adorned with the dignity of a Prince Continuing the beautifull Coast of this Country we may behold the ancient Cemi now called Coda della Volpe and Catona with Fiumara di Muro and Regio called of the Latines Regium Iulium which is one of the most ancient Cities of all Italy builded as hath been said by Eschenes the Nephews son of Noe to whom the Greeks gave this name because from that place Sicilia was separated from Italy through the violence of an Earthquake the which Virgil confirmeth in his third book of Eneidos saying Haec loca vi quandam vasta convulsa ruina Tantum aevi longiqua valet mutare vetustas Dissiluisse ferunt cum protinus utraque tellus Vna foret venit medio vi pontis undis Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit arvaque urbâ—â— Lictore deductas angusto interluit aesto This City maintained the Commonwealth thereof a long time and was destroyed by Dionisius of Siracusa but being afterward repaired and beautified by Iulius Cesar suffered many ruines and last of all by Ariadeno Barbarossa that famous Captain of the Turkish Navy In the Territory of this City on the right side the Grashoppers make a wonderfull noise and on the left they are still the which by Poets is attributed to the cursings of Hercoles being therewith disquieted in his sleep but more truly it so hapneth by the dew which falleth there in the night because those creatures receive not so much heat to make a noise although some affirm they have another kind of voice then the other where also they declare the Fable which chanced to Ariston and Eunamo the Musician of the Grashopper supplying to the one the sound of the string which he brake in his Citaren the which the Ancients kept in remembrance a long time In Regio is made the best silk and excellent Wine whereof Atheneo in his first book thus saith Vinum Rhegium cum Surrentino pinguius sit usque ad annum quintumdecimum est utile The earthen Vessels that are there made are much commended and in old time also were made excellent dishes and vessels as Pliny reporteth in his 35. book saying Rhegium inquit siglina plastice nobilitatur And in another place saith nobilitatur Rhegium patinis This City had in old time many excellent Philosophers and learned men as Aristides Aristocrates Demostenes Athosione Calais Eurchyde Eliacone Hipporco Mnesibolo Obsimo Phytio Selinusio and Theocle of the which Eliacone Hipparco and Phytio were excellent Philosophers to Hipparco Plato entituled a book de studio lucrandi Androdamo and Theetheo were also of Regio two Philosophers and Lawyers Now going a little further we come to the Promontory of Leucopetra so called by the shining stones that are there which Mariners now call the Cape dell arme Afterward appeareth the Promontory of Hercules which the Countrey-people at this present call the Cape of Partivento A little further is Mendalaia afterward Brancaleone Bruzzano this Cape in old time was called Zeffiro where the Moors arived in the year 1126. which afterward destroyed a good part of the Kingdom Strabo speaking of this Cape thus saith Zephirum Promontorium agri Locri à quo Locrenses Zephiri dicti sunt Pliny saith that in this Promontory is included the first Harbour of Europe from the which the Seas have their name Then follows Bianco from whose Country is had great store of Wine going a little further is discovered Potamia which aboundeth with great store of the best hony and a little below is Motta Bovalina whose Territory is very fertile yielding good Wines and there is gathered no small quantity of Manna and in the pleasant fields do naturally grow great plenty of medicinable hearbs here through the amenity of the air is seen as it were a perpetual Spring and in every place is excellent fowling for Partridges Quails and other Fowls Gismondo Loffredo possesseth this Country which by the grace and favour of King Philip hath besides it newly obtained the Title of a Marquiss Not farr off is to be seen Condoianni called in old time Vria the which Country hath the dignity of a Count. And a little distant from hence is the ancient and noble City of Geraci called in old time Locri. By whom the said City should be built Writers hold divers opinions for Dionisius Aphro in his book de situ orbis writeth that Locri was builded by the Queen of the Locresi and thus saith Hinc ab boream Zephiri quae summa vocatur Sub qua sunt Locri celeres qui tempore prisco Illuc Reginam propriam venere secuti Ausoniamque tenent qua currit slumen Halecus Others hold opinion that it was built by Aiace Oileo or by the Naricii his companions confirming it with the words of Virgil in his third book of Eneidos saying Hic Nariiti posuere moenia Locri This first City used of all others the written Laws of the Greeks and were a long time governed by that commonwealth and grew very famous for the Government of Zeleuco their Lawgiver who was so severe against Adulterers that he refused to pardon his own son taken in adultery he would to the end the rigor of his Laws should be observed which commanded that the proof of this crime should be deprivation of both the eyes he reputing these two as it were one thing was himself first deprived of one eye and his son of another This City also was very famous through Timeo the Philosopher and Eunomo the Musician and Eutimo Atleta who was so strong that he did bear upon his shoulders a stone which two Oxen were scant able to draw Likewise this City hath been very glorious for the sumptuous and admirable Temple of Proserpina whereof Livy maketh such honourable mention in his 29 and 31 book The said Temple was spoiled for the riches therein by Pyrrhus and by Dionisius the Tyrant and last
part of men therein are imployed in Learning and Arms. The Arms of this Province is or four pales gu a Dolphin proper in his mouth a Cressent argent The original of the which Arms was in the year 1481. At the time that Alfonsus of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Ferdinando the first King of Naples drove away the Turks from the city of Otronto and other places whereupon the men of this Province willing to shew that great service which the King had done for them in delivering them from the hands of the wicked Tyrant Mahumet the second Emperor of the Turks for this cause devised the said Arms declaring by the four pales gu in the field or the Arms of the King Fardinando of Aragon The Dolphin was no new invention but very ancient for so much as the monuments declare that the Dolphin with Neptune were the proper ensignes of the country of the Salentini but only they added the half-moon in the mouth of the Dolphin noting thereby that the new Seigniory which the Tyrant Mahumet endeavoured to hold in this worthy Province was by the care and diligence of the valiant Alfonsus and the vertue of the Inhabitants thereof taken from him The Countrey of BARY The eighth Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fertile and fruitfull Province of the Country of Bary was in old time called Apulia Pucetia of Pucetio the brother of Enotrio and son of Licaone which with many followers departed from Greece 375 years before the Wars of Troy and setled themselves in this place the which people were sometimes called Pucetii and sometimes Pedicoli and were the first men sent out of Greece to dwell elsewhere Also the said people which inhabited between the Territory of Taranto Brindesi and the River Aufido were named Etoli of Etolia of Greece the people whereof came into these places to inhabit as certain Writers affirm the Pediculi being droven from thence remained therein What these Pediculi were Strabo declares in his sixth book and Pliny in the third and say that they were nine youths and as many wenches which departed from Illiria and here inhabited from whom descended 13 people and to the end they might dwell the more securely built many Castles and were called Pediculi that is to say boys or children At this present it is called the Land of Bary from the city of Bary anciently called Iapigia and Baretum the head of this Province in the which city in a stately church wherein with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Nicholas sometimes Bishop of Licia from whom continually issueth as is said a certain liquor called by the Citizens Manna which is an admirable thing and the Priests which have the keeping thereof use to bestow on those that come thither little viols of glass full of the said Manna The said Church is served by a hundred beneficed Priests The bounds of this Province was according to Strabo and Pliny from the Territory of Taranto and of the Brindesi along unto the River Fortoro from thence by the Mount Gargano and towards the Adriatick Sea or rather Ionian according to Ptolomy even to the Lucani and the Irpini and the Sanniti and so the said bounds have on the South the Salentini Lucani and Irpini on the North the coast of Ionian and Adriatick on the West the River Fortoro the limit of the Caraceni and Ferrentani now called Abruzzo The goodness and fertility of this Province is very great for it yields Grain Wine Oyl Barley Beans Fitches Annis Comin Coriander Saffron and Bombace There are great Woods of Almons and Olives so bigg-bodied and so high that it seems that nature hath brought them forth as a wonder unto men And to be brief so great is the difference of these Trees from those which grow elsewhere as is between the wild Olives and those which are planted and also of the greatness of the bodies and their admirable height with the fashion of their boughs whereupon the Ancients have said that they were dedicated to Minerva and have also feigned that in these places was hanged Filida the Nymph and is no less plentifull of Oringes Limons and other the like fruitfull Trees as well for the benefit of living creatures as for pleasure besides there is excellent hunting both for fowls and also wild beasts The Sea thereof hath great store of good fishes the air is very chearfull and temperate but the waters are otherwise for they are gross and brackish There are on the side of the Sea these Cities and Countrys following Barletta of later Latinists called Barolum a worthy City rich and full of people built by the inhabiters of Canusio but inlarged by the Emperor Frederick the second In the midst of the Market-place of this noble City is a great Statue of Mettal of ten yards high of the Emperor Frederick although the Barletani affirm that it is the Image of the Emp. Heraclio nevertheless the first opinion is truest There is also a very strong castle which is accounted one of the four that are so famous in Italy Presently follows the fair city of Trany named by Pliny Trinium built by Terreno the son of Diomides and repaired by the Emperor Trajan Hard by is Molfetta a city full of civility which with the title of a Prince is possest by the Lord Don Ferrant Gonzaga chief Justicer in the Kingdom Nicolo sirnamed of Giovenazzo companion of St. Dominick gave the name to this City to whom was revealed the manner of conveying his bones as is to be read in the book of the famous men of the Order of Preachers Walking along we come to Mola Saint Vito Polignano St. Stefano and Villanova Farther within the land are these cities Monopoli built by the ruines of Egnatia to which City hath grown great honour by Bartholomeo Sibilla of the Order of Preachers an excellent Philosopher and Divine and Câ—millo Querno a singular Poet who lived in the time of Pope Leo Ostuno Ceglie Conversano Gioia Rotigliano Altamura Acquaviva Cassano Monorvino Modugno Terlizzi Rutigliano Quarato Pulignano and Biseglia called in old time Vigile a noble city and full of Traffick wherein was found the bodies of St. Mauro Bishop of Sergio and Pantaleone martyred for the Christian faith being revealed to Francesco del Balzo d' Andri Lord of this city who caused them to be put with great reverence in an honourable Sepulchre from which riseth as they say continually a precious liquor called Manna After follows Bitetto Ruvo and Gravina a great city very fair and civil the which with the title of a Duke is anciently possest by the worthy Family Orsina Don Antonio Orsâ—no is the present Duke thereof a young man which is very likely to imitate the honourable steps of Duke Ferrant his father of worthy memory And the said Gravina was the Garner and Store-house of Puglia for the inestimable quantity of corn which was gathered in
duckets and a half for a hundred and others 22 and a half and some 18 duckets and three quarters the hundred whereupon the said receiver satisfieth to the Masters of the herbage according to the quality and goodness of the pasture as it falleth out As in the year 1592. there was allowed to the said custom four millions four hundred seventy one thousand and four hundrey ninty six sheep and of greater cattel nine thousand and six hundred Of which sheep and cattel in general is paid unto the Kings receit six hundred and two and twenty thousand and a hundred seventy three duckets and seven carlins of the which sum is abstracted 380492 duckets for the payment of the herbage to divers particular persons with the alms bestowed upon the poor and other charges yielding to the Kings Exchequer 241264. the which sum of money was carried into the Kings general Treasury This kind of payment of custom hath been very ancient for the like was paid in the time of the Romans as it appears by Varro and other ancient Writers But this Kingdom being invaded by divers Nations the custom decayed through the extremity of long wars untill the time of the worthy and renowned Alfonsus of Aragon first of this name King of Naples who newly restored it in an excellent order and constituted Francisco Malubre Commissary for the reformation thereof and was the first receiver to whom he allowed for his pains 700 duckets with the pasture of a thousand sheep as Marino Trezza in his second book de sub feu the which the excellent Lawyer Carlo Tapia Neapolitan relateth with great learning and eloquence in the first book of his Commentaries in the Rubrick and final Law Fâ—de constitutionibus Principium num 98. This worthy man liveth with much admiration for his vertue and honourable qualities and at this present with general applause exerciseth the office of the criminal Judge of the great Court of the Vicaria Departing from Foggia 12 miles appears upon a little hill situated in a Plain the fair City of Luceria in the which city in the time of Strabo was the stately Temple of Minerva where were many and rich gifts the which city was the ancient seat of the Daunii and was also built by Diomedes It is true that it was destroyed in the time of Strabo whose ruines even at this present declare how great it was and what power and authority it had it was afterward repaired with the fragments of the old ruinated buildings and so continued even to the time of Constantius the son of Constantine the third Emperor of Constantinople who destroyed and spoiled it in the time of Vitaliano Bishop of Rome as Paolo Diacono writeth in his fifth book and Biondo in his ninth book of Histories Where having slain all the Citizens sackt it and afterward burnt it yet within a little time following it was reedified but nothing so fair and magnificent as at the first The which city being given by the Emperor Frederick the second to the Saracins was so strongly fortified that it became very powerfull commanding and domineering over all the bordering places neither was any man able to expel them untill the year 1271 Charls the second King of Naples after many conflicts confounded them and inforced them to forsake their hold The Territory of the said city is very plentifull and yieldeth all sorts of victuals To the which city twice in the year do assemble almost all the Merchants of Italy Grecia Sicilia and Slavonia and from other countries to traffick and sell their wares and this city is the head of the whole Province for there resides the Kings Audit with his Vice-roy In the Church of St. Dominicho which is therein lieth the body of St. Augustine the Hungarian of the Order of Preachers sometime Bishop of the City where he is highly reverenced by the people and was canonized by the holy Church naming him St. Augustine by consent and agreement of the Apostolick Colledg God shewing to his creatures as they they say how acceptable the merit of this man was unto him in the bestowing upon them infinite favours by the means of his Sepulchre From Luceria eight miles upon a small hill is the noble and rich city of Troia which hath a fertile and plentifull soil under the North side of this little hill runneth the river Chilone which flows from the Apennine this city was builded by Bubagano Catapano of Greece and not a Captain of the Greeks as Frier Leandro affirmeth Of the original thereof Leo Bishop of Ostia maketh mention after whom Carto Sigonio a diligent writer of Histories in our time following accounteth the building thereof about the year 1016. Some hold opinion that it was the ancient Esana which was beaten down by the Emperor Constantine There are in the said city these noble Families De Claritiis del Vasto Lombardo Palonibo de Tucciis Gioioso de Rubeis Sangro Saliceto Silvei Sassone Tancredo and others Here was held a Councel in the year 1092. by Pope Vrban the second for to reform certain customs of the Clergy as Biondo and Platina declare in the life of the said Bishop In the principal Church that is therein lies the bodies of Eleutherio Martyr St. Pontiano Bishop St. Secondino and of St Anastasio Walking along by the fields we may see the castle Carignola where the French men were overcome the Duke of Nemors their Captain General and Vice-roy of Naples for Lewis the twelfth King of France and Naples being slain by Consalvo Ferrando of Cordova Captain of Ferdinando the Catholick King of Spain having in his company the valiant Captains Fabritio and Prospero Colennesi Romans in the year 1503. as we have written at large in the lives of the Kings of Naples Going a little farther in the descent of the Apennine appeareth Orsara and afterward the city of Bovino the Lord whereof hath the title of a Duke Four miles farther is Dellicito and from hence seven miles is the ancient city of Ascolo innobled with the dignity of a Prince And this city is sirnamed by Writers Ascolo Satriano as a difference from that of Abruzzo This city was ruinated by Ruggiero the Norman having understood they purposed to rebel against him his father being then in Dalmatia the which was afterward repaired again by his father but not with that greatness Walking then towards the Sea we come to the sumptuous and stately Church dedicated to St. Leonard by the Emperor Frederick the second where is a worthy Monastery assigned to the Dutch Knights of the Order of St. Mary of Prusia allowing them great revenues who governed the said holy Temple a long time with great religion and devotion In the â—nd they decaying the said Monastery was given in commendum whereby at this present it is very ill governed This worthy Church is in great reverence not only with the people near inhabiting but also among all the
Near Naples is the Greek Tower first called Herculea of Hercules which came thither with many Ships after he left Nontiata near the ancient Stabie At this place standeth aloft that famous Hill of Somma called Vesevo and Vesuvio about which are situated many pleasant Villages except in the top where the Poets feign remain the shoulders of the Giant Porfirius In the time of the Emperor Titus with a general fear to all those in the fields and destruction of them which were nearest it cast out from the top thereof great flames of fire and Balls of Sulphure Mine and burning stones where Pliny died the great preserver of the Latine tongue whilst he desired to see the great exhalations of that Hill which cast the ashes even into Africa Going a little farther is the City of Castel by the Sea of Stabia so named by the City Stabbia which was not far off which had been destroyed by L. Silla this Castle is situated in a corner of the Mount Gauro where it beginneth to stretch towards the West which maketh the Promontory of Minerva Here about the distance of a mile through the delight of the place King Charls the second builded a Royal Palace calling it for the sweetness of the air the Wholsome House which afterward King Rubert enlarged giving it greater beauty and ornament which place is now possest by the Noble Family Nocera King Ferrant the first having bestowed it on Pietro Nocera his chiefest favorite which for his great valour was afterward by King Ferrant the second made General of the Gallies This Country aboundeth with great plenty of clear water and great store of the best Fruits and for the facility and easie access of the place hath much Traffick According to the division of Strabo of Ptolomy and of Sempronio this City should be placed in the Country of the Picentini which is now called the Province of Principato but we have thought best to confine it in the Land of Lavoro because it is situated in the Gulf of Cratero Within a little is the beautifull City Vico builded by the people Equani then followeth the City Sorrento very ancient and Noble situated on the top of the Hill whose prospect is the Sea Although it be not of that greatness as formerly it hath been it hath a very fertile and delightfull Territory garnished with Vines and Oringes and other fruitfull Trees This City was builded by the Greeks and was called Petra Syrenum In this City lived Antonio the Abbot a most holy man and famous for his miracles whose body remaineth even now as a testimony of his divine Miracles as they say towards those which are oppressed with Spirits Then from Sorrento a mile is the City of Massa newly named to the which Paolo Portarello that excellent Poet and great Humanist hath now and alwaies giveth everlasting glory From hence then is seen the solitary Hill Atheneo the which because it joyneth not with any other Hill passeth along towards the West and is otherwise called the Hill Massa it was also called Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano in the top of the Promontory is to be seen a great part of the Temple of Minerva builded by Vlisses Under the side of the said Promontory are certain desart and stony Islands called the Sirenes in one whereof from that part which lieth towards Surrento in ancient time was a rich Temple where were certain very ancient gifts long since presented by the Inhabitants of the Country for the worship and reverance of that holy place the Reliques whereof are now to be seen Here endeth the Gulf called Cratera included within two Promontories Miceno and Ateneo which lie towards the South which Gulf is almost wholly planted with Houses and goodly Gardens opposite to the which riseth out of the Sea the Isle of Capri the first delightfull place of Tiberius Caesar but now ordained for Exiles and banished people Here twice in a year are Quails taken Directly against Miseno is the Isle of Prochita now called Procita the which according to Strabo is a part of Pitecuse Procita was so called as Pliny saith by the depth thereof for by miracle the said Isle rise of it self out of the bottom of the Sea But as Dionisius of Alicarnaseo affirmeth that it was named by a beautifull young man a Trojau called Procita which came thither to inhabit Whereof Servio upon these Verses of Virgil saith in his 9 Book Tum sonitu Prochyta alta tremit c. Saith that it had that name from Protheus which signifieth spread or dispersed to the which opinion agreeth the Greeks and almost all the Latines Silio the Italian in his 12 Book speaking of Procida saith thus Apparet Prochyta saevum sortita Numanta Apparet procul Inarime quae turbine nigro Fumantem premit Iapetum flammasque rebelli Ore rejectantem si quando evadere detur Bella Iovi rursus superisque iterare volentem Within this Isle is a fair Country well replenished with people which hath the same name and is very famous for the abundance of Corn that is gathered within it and for the taking of Partridges and Pheasants whereof there is great plenty The Lord of this Isle in former time was Iohn of Procida a Phisitian a man very famous who fearing not the power of King Charls of Angio to revenge a great injury took Sicilia with that famous slaughter of the French commonly called the Sicilian evening and he had done greater matters if he had been permitted This Iohn was in great esteem with Iames King of Arragon after whose death King Peter his son knowing the valour of Iohn Le dio dice il Zurita en el Reino de Valencia para el y sus successores las Villas y Castillos de Luxer Benyzano y Palma con sus alquerias He gave him as saith Zurita in the Kingdom of Valentia to him and his successors the Towns and Castles of Luxer Benyzano and Palma with their bordering Villages From this man descended the Family called Procita which are now very great in the Kingdom of Catalogna and enjoyeth the Countie of Almenare In the said Isle in a fair Church with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Margarite the Virgin and Martyre which was carried thither from Antiochia Salvo Selano the Phisician honoureth much this Isle now living in Naples with great renown who hath written upon the Aphorismes of Hyppocrates The said Isle is distant from Naples twelve miles and in composs seven A little from Procita lieth the Isle Ischia formerly called Inarime Pithecusa and Enaria very famous not only for the Fable which the Greeks feigne of the Giant Tipheo strucken with Iupiters Thunder-bolt but also for a Fortress there being so great that it is held the second Key of the Kingdom The said Castle was builded by Alfonsus of Medina King of Arragon first of this name King of Naples who because
have been many learned as Bartholmew of Donato which writ a discourse de Corporeitatis Luca Prassitio which subtilly and wittily writ ten Disputations against Augustine Nifo of Sessa very learned are these Treatises De immortalitate animae and de prestantia literarum supra arma wherein he exprest great learning and in these daies together with these the reverend Father Alfonso of Marco of the reformed Order of Preachers who for his good and examplary life shineth as the Sun in darkness he hath learnedly writ upon Logick natural Philosophy the soul Metaphysick and de ente rationis and he is now commenting the same of St. Thomas and if God permit him life we may expect other learned Works to proceed from him In the aforesaid City are these Noble Families Altimaro Cutinario Gargano Grimaldo Landulfo Pacifio Scaglione Silvestro Simonello Tufo Ricardo Della Valle and others Not far from Aversa is Marigliano in a good Soil and is wholly walled about and by the Ancients called Merlianum and Marianum the Citizens whereof say that it was so called by C. Marius the Founder thereof and it is now indued with the dignity of a Marquiss under the jurisdiction of the House of Montenegro Innocentius the third Bishop of Rome hath much honoured this Land being born there and at this present R. D. Iacobo Marotta a learned Philosopher who hath written upon the predicables and predicaments of the Logick of Scotus de triplici intellectu Humane Angelical and Divine and read in the common Schools of Naples the Metaphisicks with a wonderfull concourse of Students Afterward appeareth the City Acerra called by Strabo Acerrae which was burnt by Hannibal the Carthaginian But was again newly re-edified by the Romans whereof Livy often maketh mention and Virgil calleth the Territory thereof very good and fertile Near to which City runneth the River Glanio very hurtfull to the Country through the continual inundations and therefore is almost disinhabited Acerra was builded by the people Nasamoni who in honour of Iupiter Feretrio made a high Altar after the fashion of a little Ship whereupon they burnt great abundance of sweet Odours wherefore it was called Acerra by the Nasamoni which opinion Alexander of Alexandro Neopolitan confirmeth in the 7 Chapter of his third Book speaking of their Gemali Acerra erat ara constituta ubi odores incenderet quae acerra dicta erat à Nasamonibus populis Some are of opinion that an Altar so called was only devised by the Nasamoni but that Numa Pompilius erected the Temple of Iupiter Feretrio Festo believeth that Feretrio was so called by bringing of peace although Plutarch saith that he should be so named by the wounding of enemies whereupon Propertio writeth a learned Elegy of Iupiter Feretrio thus Nunc Iovis incipiam causas aperire Feretrii Armaque de ducibus trima recepta tribus To which Temple the Ancients when they obtained victory of their enemies consecrated all their best and richest spoils Departing from Acerra is the River Glanio which springeth from the Hill above Sessua by ancient Writers named Clanius whereof Virgil maketh mention in two of his Georgicks thus Talem dives arat Capua vicina Vesevo Ora jugo vacuis Clanius non aequus Acerris Probus writeth that the River Clanio took that name from the Giant Clanio Afterward is seen Sessula distant from Acerra four miles called by Strabo Suessula and by Livy in many places and in his seventh Book sheweth that in this City was a great battel between the Romans and the Samnites where the Samnites were put to flight by M. Valer. This City is almost now ruinated Afterward appeareth from the North part the Hils of Capoa called by Livy Tifata these Hils are above Capoa and above all this Country the which pass along even to the Territory of Nola. Afterward is the River Isclero and the River Sorritello and not far off upon a fair Hill is the Aierola an excellent Country honoured with the dignity of a Dukedom under the Family Caracciola From Aierola five miles is in a fair Plain Arienzo a Country full of worthy and honourable people called of the Latines Argentum the Territory whereof is very fertile and full of Fruit and especially of Percope where they grow more common in this Country then any other verily these fruits are to be preferred before all others for their delicacy and great goodness these said Trees live not above five years and it is necessary that the seeds or carnels thereof be sowed towards the East in a place where the cold cannot hurt them for cold is a great enemy to these Trees the Fruit thereof is of the colour of Gold with red spots and a slender rine and weighs a pound and more according to the place where they be planted Not far off upon a steep and pleasant little Hill is the City of Caserta replenished with worthy and honourable people the original whereof is uncertain the Citizens of it affirm by ancient tradition that it was builded by the Sessulani and Galatini others believe from the reliques of the second Capoa in the Hill Trifisco and last of all others say that it should be builded by the Longobards and was made a Cathedral Church by Alexander the fourth Bishop of Rome The Lords of Aquino ruled this City a long time afterward it came under the Counts of Tilesia of the Noble Family Siginulfa and lastly Giulio Antonio Acquaniva a noble Lord possest it with the Title of a Prince The noble Family of Santori hath much honoured this City of which that excellent Doctor of Law Lonardo hath been much renowned who left to the world a worthy and honourable issue from whom descended the famous and reverend Giulio Antonio Santoro Cardinal of the Church of Rome and Francesco Antonio Archbishop of Severin◠his brother men no less famous for Learning then for sincerity of life Going a little farther is Mataloni of some called Magdaloni and of others Metalionis which hath the dignity of a Dukedome subject to the noble Family of Carrafi Near which upon a Hill is the fair City of Venafro named by Strabo Venafrum the Plain whereof Pliny calleth fertile and full of Olives whereupon Martial praising the Oyle saith Hoc tibi Campani sudavit bacca Venafri Vnguentum quoties sumis istud oles This City in the time of our Ancestors had the Title of a County under the Pandoni Gentlemen of Naples after the which it came under the Dominion of the worthy Lords of Lanoia Princes of Sulmona but now it is in the Kings hands Going a little farther is the noble ancient City of Sora so called both now and in old time which in the time of the Romans was the principal City of all Sannio Pliny placeth it in the first Region and Ptolomy in Latium and Strabo describeth it in happy Campania We following the
all the Romans both men and women might lawfully commit any lascivious dishonesty which then was accounted the most holy that which that day was most dishonest St. Felix Bishop hath given great honour to this City whose body lieth in it and as they say there riseth continually Manna out of his holy bones whose life was written by St. Paulino Bishop of this City St. Paulino was the inventor of the use of Bels an Instrument utterly unknown to the Ancients which is now so necessary in the Church of God He gave it the name of Campane because he invented it in Campania where is the aforesaid City of Nola of the which he was Bishop and that the Citizens ever since glorying therein as rightly they may have alwaies used to give a Bell for the Arms of the City And to say something of the famous Counts of Nola Monsignieur Guido da Monforte was the first thereof a most noble and valiant Gentleman of France which came with Charls the first of Angio to the Conquest of the Kingdom with whom he was in great estimation and having one only daughter called Anastasia married to Romano Orsino chief Justice of the Kingdom who by the death of his Father in Law succeeded in the County which was the first of the Family of Orsina which had Seigniory in the Kingdom The posterity of this man have proved all worthy men and very valiant but the matchless Paragon of all was Ramondo which florished in the time of Charls the second for being chased away and forsaken by his Father went into Soria after he had in a journey into the Holy Land done many valiant exploits against the Moors and overcome in a private combate a most fierce and mighty Saracin who carried a Rose upon the top of his wreathed Turbant returned home into the Kingdom with great honour and for a token of that Victory joyned it with much glory to his Arms whereupon through his great magnanimity and valour was made Prince of Taranto That Principality hath been continued even to this present one of the most important Members of the Kingdom for it contained very much land and Cities of greatest importance which for brevity I omit to name so that Ramondo being a very mighty and great Lord the House of Orsina was very famous through all Italy Râ—mondo married the Lady Mary of Eugenio of an honourable proginy in France who after the death of her husband having the tuition of her children became Queen of Naples at such time as King Ladislao besieged her in Taranto who being not able to subdue her resolved to take her for his wife and so by that means to possess the Inheritance of the children of Ramondo of whom the first was Iohn Antonio who redeemed the Principality of Taranto with money from Iames husband of Queen Ione This Iohn Antonio increased much his Patrimony with Lands of great importance and was highly favoured by Alfonsus of Arragon King of Naples who made him great Constable which is the chiefest of the seven Offices in the Kingdom with a hundred thousand Duckets yearly for a Pension And to return to the Counts of Nola they were great Lâ—rds for they possest Sarno Tripalda Palma Avella Lauro Forino Ascoli and other Lands But afterward Felice Orsino Prince of Salerno succeeded in the County who having little experience in worldly affairs through the dâ—â—â—ension and division of the Kingdom lost his State in 〈◊〉 time after the death of his Father And King Ferrant the first gave Salerno to Robert 〈◊〉 and Nola Tripalda Ascoli Lauro and Forino to Orso Orsino 〈…〉 great Chancellor of the Kingdom and partner with him in the Wars against Iohn Antonio Orsino whereupon the line of Romano Orsino which had ruled Nola almost two hundred years was extinguished and the Principality of Salerno rose of the House of Orsino 24 years after he had it But this line afterward of the Count Orso continued but a small time for the Lady Santola a Citizen of Nola by whom he had two sons the one Duke of Ascoli and the other a Knight lost all their Inheritance through the wicked means of their mother who lewdly justified of her own accord that they were not begotten by the Count Orso were deprived of all their right by King Ferdinando who gave the County of Nola with Cimitino Avella Monforte Lauro Palma and Ottoiano to the Count Nicola Orsino of Pitigliano whose successors possest it untill the year 1528. the which Don Arrigo in serving the French lost his life and his state also and so ended the line of the Counts of Nola which were so famous in this Kingdom Now returning to our former order I say that from the City of Nola are also sprung many other famous men as well adorned with Learning as with Military Discipliâ—e which would be too teadious to repeat and therefore I reâ—er the reader to Ambrogio Lione who very exactly nameth and describeth them all But for us it shall be only sufficient to name the Noble Families which the said Leone writeth of which are in the said City and are these following Albertino Alfano Barone Caposâ—rosa Candido Cesarini Coriale Carmignano Campobascio de Ferrariis de Elia Freccia Fellecchia Fontana Rosa Del Iodice Ioseph Infante de Gennaro Maffei Marifeulo Morra Mastrilâ—o Mazzeo Notariis De Palma Perarii Perrigioanni Rehi Risi Santori Sassolani c. and at this present the Bishop of this City Fabritio Gallo Neopolitan a Prelate besides his learning a man of sincere and pure life who with much diligence composed a Sinodal Book of his Diocess There are many other places the which I think not fit to recite all but the greatest and most important I have not omitted any but the small and little as those which are thought to be of little or no account I have neglected assuring you that to the integrity and soundness of the Work it shall not fail in any momentary matter The Arms of this Noble Country is in a Field Asurâ—â— Cornucope in salter thorow the middle of a Crown the first of â—eres the other Bacchus or the which Arms signifie the great fertility and abundance of the Country which as it were Queen of every other Province exceeds them in all the benefits of Nature Whereupon in confirmation of what I have said I will concluded with L. Floro who speaking thereof thus writeth Omnium non modo Italia sed toto orbe terrarum pulcherrima Campaniae plaga est Nihil mollius coelo nihil uberrius solo nihil hospitalius mari Denique bis floribus vernat ideo Liberi Cererisque certamen dicitur Hic illi nobiles portus Caieta Misenus tepentes fontibus Baiae Lucrinus Avernus quâ—dam maris otia Hic amicti vitibus montes â—aurus Falernus Massicus Pulcherimâ—s omnium Vessuvius Aetaeni ignis imitator Vrbes ad mare Formiae Cumae Neapolis Herculanium Pompei ipsa
borders of the Province of happy Campania and the said City is invironed by two little Rivers the one called Atro and the other Tempsa the which are full of fish and the Territory thereof is part plain and part hilly where are thick Woods of Oak and therefore very good hunting both for Fowls and Beasts the plain thereof is almost all full of Olive Trees and Vines and in the desert Hils are often taken goodly airs of strange Falcons Of this City was the holy man St. Antonio a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict who in the year 625 being created by his Monks Abbot in the Monastery of the City Sorrento went thither where living godly there died afterward whereupon in token of his good life God shewed after his death many miracles and in particulars towards those which are visited with evil spirits whose holy body the Sorentini with great reverence keep within their City neither stick they to say that he was their Citizen There are in the said City these noble Families Bernalla Campanino Ciminello Greco Guerrieri de Nigris Viviano Tercasia and others Now liveth with much honour to this City Augustino and Detio Bernalli both Doctors of the Law and very learned and great lovers of vertue The said City was in the time of the ancient Kings indued with the dignity of a Count but in the year 1530. the Emperor Charls the fifth advanced it to the Title of a Marquiss in the person of Honorato Grimaldo Genoway Lord of Monaco under the enstalement to speak like a Lawyer to hold it as a feuditory liegman and not with the succession of inheritance whereby he that is Lord of the Castle of Monaco and shall defend it at the pleasure of the King of Naples doth succeed to the said Marquiship Eight miles distant is the Country of Conturso the which is compassed with the Rivers Sele and Negro it hath a most pure Climat and a plentifull Territory of the said Country was that excellent and learned man Antonio Pepi called by his sirname Peperone which was judge of the great Court of the Vicaria in Naples and writ a book de omni vero officio Iohn Cola Pepi was very inward with the King Farnando which for his great skill and experience in the Laws was by the said King made his Counceller and to Iames his brother he gave the Bishoprick of Capaccio No less learned in these daies is Sertorio Pepi a man singularly qualified and very faithfull This Noble Family hath for a long time ruled the said Country with other Castles Going then four miles is Quaglietta a little Castle and no more then 12 miles distant but from Salerno 18. we come to the fair and ancient Country of Evolo by Ptolomy called Ebulum which was builded by the people Eborini so naming it by the first son of Iupiter King of Athens the said City stands not far from the River Sele and the River Tusciano the current or stream passeth along by the Walls thereof named by the Country people Toliero which Virgil calleth Tanagro when he saith Sicci ripa Tanagri The River Sele called by Strabo Siler riseth in the Apennine where the River Aufido hath his beginning which runneth by Apulia and falleth into the Ionian Sea near Barletta three miles but Sele runneth towards the South and leaving Campania by Basilicata in the end falleth into the Tirrene Sea The said River according to Strabo Pliny and Sillio Italico hath the property to change into a stone whatsoever is put therein keeping the colour and the first form thereof It is reported by grave and credible Authors that in the time of Ione of Angio the first of that name Queen of Naples took the Scepter of the Kingdom a woman of Evâ—li having brought forth a son became her self a man It is also verified that in the year 1460 in the same City a woman called Emilia maried to one Antonio Sponsa after she had lived 12 years with her said husband was changed to a man and Pontano which knew her testifieth that afterward she exercised the office of a man and besides took a wife and that allowing her a dowry by commandment of King Ferdinando the Judge inforcing the said Antonio to yield it her The same Iohn Pontano a man rather divine then mortal witnesseth in his tenth book of Celestial things which Antonio Panormita reciteth that a woman of Gaera after 14 years she had been used by her husband her natural member suddenly altered and she became a man wherefore to avoid the scorns that were made thereof both by men and women became a Frier and so lived all the remainder of her life where the said Pontano affirmeth to have known her and that she was buried in Rome in the Temple of Minerva Therefore that seemeth not so wonderfull which Pliny writeth in the fourth Chapter of the seventh Book of his natural History which things with all that appertain seem rather impossible then miraculous nevertheless for my self I cannot deny the authority of such persons and especially that which Philosophy cannot only not deny but also approve for that according to Philosophers and Phisicians the man differeth not nor is known from the woman by any member but by being either too hot or too cold because the nature of man without all doubt is more hot then that of women and by the power of this heat it so falleth out that nature driveth out that member in men which in women by reason of their coldness remaineth inward whereupon it may be that after some certain time or by some meat or the air or by some other occasion that coldness may be so inflamed and heated that it may now do that which in the birth it could not But returning to Evoli the said City hath very fertile Territories and spacious fields abounding with all good things beneficial for the use of living creatures whereof the said City glorying beareth for Arms the four Elements The bones of St. Berniero lie with great reverence in it in a glorious Church dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle at whose Sepulchre as they say God sheweth wonderfull miracles towards those which are possest with evil spirits From the said Country eight miles near to the River Silare is the reverend Church of St. Vito where resteth his said holy body together with Modesto and Crescentia the Nurse whereupon all those which are bitten with mad-dogs repair hither and by the intercessions of the said St. Vito as they say are presently healed There are in the said Country these noble Families Caravita Clario Corcione Christophero Crispo Fulgione Fiorenza Gentilcore Granato Giuliano Ligoro de Loisio Malacarne Marcancione Mirto Monaco Millone de Novellis Orso Della Porta Perretta Ragoni Raghi Russo Saceo Troiano and others Going from Evoli no more then twelve miles is Aquaro a good Country so called for the abundance of water which invironeth it
round about That R. Padre Matthia Iuono sirnamed Aquario of the Order of Preachers hath given great honour to this Country of the learning of this man many Works written by him are sufficient testimony that is to say certain learned discourses upon all the principles of Logick natural Philosophy Metaphisick and the Soul upon the four Books of Sentences and another book in particular of the exquisite learning of the controversies between St. Thomas and all the other Doctors and Philosophers with a brief discourse de memoria artificiali de significationibus terminorum juxta doctrinam Sancti Thomae The said learned man died in the year 1591. Walking a little forward is the Country of Olivito the natural Country of Camillo Borrello an excellent Lawyer Olivito was so named because the Territory thereof is full of Olives But leaving these Mediterranean places and walking the ruinous way by the shore we come to Agropolo where is reported that through the delicacy of the air women at twelve years of age are capable of husbands like to the Cipriots which at that time lose their virginity After we come to the Castle of Abbate is the Cape of Licosa first called the Promontory of Possidoniate hard by is the Castle of Bruca a relique of old Velia with the River Electe which taketh the name from the City of Elea and hither the Romans sent to celebrate their accustomed sacrifice to Ceres their Goddess Before the Country of Elia are the two little Isles of Enotrie which have two little artificial Havens the one called Isacia and the other Pontia Afterward appeareth upon a high hill Cammerota in a small circuit of ground builded as some affirm by the reliques of the ancient City of Molpa which standeth but a little distant Going afterward some few miles is a goodly Fortress Near Policastro with the Gulf which the Ancients call the Haven Saprico is the City of Sapri now named Bonati Within the Land is Capaccio Novi and the Valley of Diano a litle from whence upon a hill is a Country called Atane on the other side is Polla Tito and Sala so called because the hils are full of Sage whereupon because in this Valley riseth a great Spring of water which the City of Diano takes the name from Atane of Atteone Tito of Titan which is the Sun Apolla of Apollo it seemeth from the resemblance and near affinity of these names and from the pleasantness of the Country the Fable might here have had its beginning of Atteone the son of Aristeo with Diana After followeth the Fenn with the rich Monastery of St. Laurence possessed by the Carthusian Monks and not far distant is Laurino Saponara and Marsico with many other places But to conclude touching this Province it remaineth that I now declare the disposition and nature of these people which are of a strong constitution and naturally merry ready in arms desirous of learning wary in their affairs and given both to pleasure and profit they are also painfull and industrious and inclined to Traffick the Gentlemen are comely and neatly attired nothing differing from the manner of the Neopolitans but the common people respect not so much civility for as much as they cloth themselves with cloth made of course wooll and base attires on the head All the men in general are very jealous both of their honour and their wives whereupon proceeds the old Proverb Picentinorum Zelotypia In bargaining and contracting their affairs it behoveth a stranger to be very wary for what with deceitfull and flattering speeches and many oaths they easily deceive those that buy any thing of them The Arms of this Country is per fesse ar Sa unto a Sea-compass four wings extended and fixed in Salter with the North-star in chief sinister or The which said arms declare unto us that in this Province was found as hath been said the Mariners Compass with the vertue of the Adamant stone and the Sea-card by Flavio di Gioia whereupon the two fields the one signifieth the day the other the night the four wings which are joyned to the Sea-Compass declare the four Cardinal Winds and chiefest in the world that is to say the East the West the North and the South the shining Star signifieth the North Star wherewith through that excellent invention Pilots and Mariners might sail both day and night with any wind The PRINCIPALITY On the other side the third Province in the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe people of the Principality on the other side are part of the ancient Irpini and derive this name from Lupo which conducted them into this Province to inhabit for so much as the Sabines call Lupo Irpo the which Strabo declareth in the end of his first Book saying Ordine de hinc sunt Hirpini ipsi Samniticae gentis Qui quidem ex Lupo nomen adepti fuerunt qui eis in deducenda Colonia Dux oblatus est Samnites enim Lupum vocant Hirpum The limits of these people were on the East Lucania at this present called Basilicata on the South a part of the said Basilicata with the Picentini and the happy Campania on the West the Sabines and the Vestini on the North the Apennine Hils and the Plain Apuglia now called Capitanato with the Saracins and the Peligni There is also contained in this Province a Country now called the dale of Beneventana the principal part of all Sannio where have been done greater exploits and more in number then in any other part of Italy This Country hath higher hils then the Apennine from whence proceed in certain places little brooks and from almost immeasurable Cliffs and Rocks which is the cause of many Rivers Streams Lakes and Springs it stretcheth in length going along by the Apennine 80 miles from the head of Vulturno to the beginning of the River Silare in Basilicata and of so many Rivers which water this Valley except some few all first fall into the River Sabato and afterward into Vulturno so that from the lower part Sabato seemeth a snag or a branch of a Tree among all the other boughs thereof In Matese which is a Promontory of the Apennine did inhabit the most valiant people of all Sannio Of these people which remained upon these hils Livy saith that they were alwailes faithfull to the Sannites neither could the Roman Army go much before them The principal City of this Region is Benevento edified as Servio affirmeth by Diomedes the Greek and Livy saith that it was first called Malvento and that it was made a Colony of the Romans at the same time with Arimino under the Consulship of P. Sempronio and Ap. Claudio The said City was maintained many years in great peace under the Government of the Romans untill the coming of Tottila King of the Goths into Italy who destroyed it with great slaughter and so remaining ruinated for certain years was afterward repaired
Controviero a man of Princely behaviour was in great account with Paul the sixth by whom he was created Bishop of the City of Penna and Vice-Legat of Bologna and had been advanced to greater honour if the death of the Pope had not hindred it Gabriel de Blasio being a man of great vertue was made Judge of the Vicaria and of the Kings Councel Two men of the Family Bilotta have carried great honour in their Country which florished in the time of our fore-fathers the one called Iohn Camillo the other Sâ—ipio of whom the first being a man much learned in many Sciences was by the King imployed in divers honourable affairs and was created the first Exchequer-Advocate of the Vicaria and afterward of the Sommaria And the second was a most vertuous and a good man and was general Commissary of the Kingdom against Malefactors which through his good Government brought them into peace and tranquility and in reward had the Office of Exchequer-Advocate of the Vicaria which his brother held and had enjoyed if untimely death had not prevented it This famous City hath also brought forth many excellent men in Arms of whom omitting to speak I refer the Reader to the Histories which largely discourse thereof among whom two have been very famous in the time of our fore-fathers as Hectore Savariano a valiant Souldier of his age of whom Giovio in the life of Leo the tenth maketh honourable mention And Andrea Candido Prior of Barletta Knight of the Rodes There are in the said City these Noble Families Aquino Avolos Bilotti Bottini Candidi Capassi Calendi Capobianchi Caraccioli del Leone Contestabili Controvieri Del ' Aquila Di Blasio Di Enea Del Sindico della Vipera Egittii Filingieri Grisi Laurentii Leoni Mascambroni Mazzei Mazzilli Monforti Morri Pesci Sallaroli Savariani Tuâ—i Vico Vintimiglia Vitro the Arch-Bishop of this City hath 24 Bishops his Suffraganes which number no other place of Christendom hath equalled This City is situate in a plain place near a Plain full of little brooks of water with many hils round about very plentifull and distant from Naples 30 miles Writers affirm that in the division that was made of the Roman Empire between Charls the great and F.L. Nicesero the Greek the Dukedom of Benevento and the City of Venice were appointed as the limits and confines between the one and the other Now because we have sufficiently discoursed of Benevento we will declare the quality of this Country the which although it be full of hils is nevertheless very pleasant through the variety of the situation high low plain and very commodious for tillage because the Country is wholly inhabited and aboundeth with all good things The Hils are covered with Vines and fruitfull Trees the Dales and Plains with Corn and Gardens there are also thick Woods and watered with many Rivers and store of Cattel of Corn Wine Oyle Flax Apples Chesnuts both great and small Nuts Pears and other fruits of great goodness and perfection whereby in time of Harvest it doth appear that it contends in equal comparison with other plentifull Provinces and above all there is excellent hunting both for fowles and beasts The Aire is subtle and wholsome although cold There are moreover in this Country in the Territory of Prata Mines of Gold and Silver which for that they yield no great profit are not much regarded Distant from Benevento little less then ten miles is the Valley of Caudina where was the ancient City of Caudio the reliques whereof yet appear and not far from thence is the ancient Harpino now called Arpata which is very near to the Gallows of Caudine very famous for the overthrow which the Romans had there where the Consul and the Roman Army by deceit inclosed were constrained by the Sannites to pass shamefully under the yoke the which place the Country-people now call the streit of Arpaia which stands but a little distant from the City the which is indued with the dignity of a Marquiss subject to the house of Guevara On the other side of the Valley Caudina are these Countries St. Martino St. Angelo a Scala afterward cometh the same River which joyneth with the River Sabato which riseth from Montevirgine a high and spacious place in the Valley whereof the first Country which is there is Altavilla afterward is the Castle of Montefredano and near the Valley is the ancient City of Avellino which is now written in the Exchequer Roll Avellinensis but in the Books of the Roman Court Avellinus Episcopus and the Territory thereof aboundeth with great store of small Nuts and therefore by the Latines they were called Avellanae nuces The said City is dignified with the Title of a Prince which the family Caracciola the Red possesseth Then followeth Mercuriale now called Mercugliano the Country of the holy Hospital of the Annunciation of Naples and above that Hill is the noble Church and Monastery of Montevirgine of white Monks of the Order of St. Benedict which was builded in old time in honour of Cibele mother of the Gods but changed by the Christians into the honour of the glorious mother of God our Saviour the Virgin Mary a place of so much beauty and sanctity which not only excelleth in fame through all this Kingdom but through all Italy and beyond whereupon at two several times of the year that is to say at Whitsontide and our Lady day in September there concurs and flocks together from far and near places innumerable people bringing all sorts of Presents This Monastery is the head of the said Congregation of Montevirgine and therein are continually resident 200 Monks In the Church there is a Reliquary which the Monks of the same place say that a greater is not in all Christendom for so many bodies of Saints and other reliques that are therein among which there are to be seen as they say the entire bodies of the three children which were put into the flaming furnace There are other notable things as the Sepulchres of Kings and other Princes The Founder of this holy place was William of Vercelli of whose life manners and miracles and of the things abovesaid who desireth to have a full and true satisfaction thereof he may read the History of the Original of the notable things of Montevirgine Six miles from Benevento upon a very high Hill is seen the Country of Montesuscolo where resideth the Kings Audit of the Province and every Sunday is held a Market with great concourse of people And a little distant is the Castle and Montemileto which hath the Title of a County Afterward we come to the Hils of the Apennine which are called Monti Tremoli where ariseth the River Sabato which passing by low places in the end is joyned with the River Vulturno Antonio in his book of remembrance calleth this River Sabbatum but the people of the Country name it the River of Benevento
followeth Castiglione the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus disbarked himself coming from Sicilia after cometh St. Eusemia which Stephano saith is called Lametia where is a Gulf so named very full of Coral and the best Tunny and a little distant lieth Nicastro and here the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa made for delight and pleasure convenient Baths and excellent hunting both for wild beasts and fowles the first which began in Italy to be delighted in hauking with Falcons which in former time was unknown although some write that Anasilao was the first Not very far is Tiriolo the reliques of old Tirio where the Apennine is drawn into so narrow a point that the rain-water which descendeth from the ridg of some one house falleth on the left side into the Terrene Sea and on the right into the Adriatick And coming now to an end of this Province which hath for the Arms thereof a Cross bastonesa in a field Ar. the which Ensignes and Arms had its original in the time that Boemundo the Norman Duke of Calauria came with twelve thousand choice souldiers in aid of the holy Land whereby through his prowesse and valour was afterward made Prince of Antioche and forsomuch as the enterprise was very famous and honourable therefore I believe the said Province gave these Arms representing thereby the great Voyage which the said Duke made CALAURIA On the other side the Sixth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES CALAVRIA on the other side is a Province which containeth a good part of Magna Grecia and of the Brutii and passeth from the one and the other side of the Apennine to the Ionian and Terrene Seas and is divided from Calauria on this side by the Mediterrane above Cosenza going by a direct line to the one and the other Sea into the Ionian near Stromboli and into the Terrene at the Gulf Ipponiate which is the Gulf of St. Eufemia and these are only the Confines of the said Province where the Brutii sometimes inhabited From that part which lieth towards the North except a little is wholly compassed with the Sea on the East is the Ionian on the South Sicilia and on the West the Terrene which is the utmost limits of the Kingdom It is partly plain and partly mountainous it hath fair and fruitfull Hils Woods Rivers and Fountains great plenty of Corn Vine Olives and every other thing necessary for the sustenance of living creatures There are horses and heards of cattel very plentifull and great abundance of woll and of the best and finest silk In this Province are pits of gold of silver and great plenty almost of all mettals it hath many hot baths which cure divers infirmities and to conclude it is a Country indued with all good things for the which it may be called a most happy Region The men of this Country as also of all Calauria after other ancient names which they had were called Bretii and they were so called from Brettio the son of Hercoles as Stephano writeth in his book of the City and Ermolao upon Stephano and as it appeareth by many Greek Monuments which are declared with great Learning by Pierio Valeriano and by many Antiquaries Iustine and Trogo say that they were called Brutii of Brutia a maid Iohn Annio affirmeth that they were so called by Bruto Ombrone a most valiant Captain Calepino and Nicholas Perotto say they are called Brutii A Brutis moribus but this is a vain thing and an idle conjecture of them Guarino not well understanding Strabo addeth to his translation many things of his own conceit Strabo saying that Brutii fuerunt rebelles Lucanorum he addeth here that they were fugitives a name which was given to servants but we finding in Histories and principally in Iustine that these were children and not servants of the Lucani forsomuch as the Lucani were accustoâ—ed to bring up and foster their children in the field after the manner of the Sâ—arâ—ans but their children misliking that manner of education opposed themselves against their fathers that is to say the Lucani and went to inhabit in Calauria These people in process of time became so mighty that they feared not any whereby for as much as their Country was not well able to contain them they made spoil of the places near unto them and expel'd the natural inhabitants the which they often attempted being allured through the sweetness of the booty The ancient limits of the Brutii were the River Lavo or Lao now called the River Laino measuring along the shore of the Sea and the streight of Sicilia the space between these bounds is according to Strabo 1350 furlongs which contains 169 miles but according to the description of Ptolomy these were the limits on the West the River Lavo with the Lucani on the South the Terrene Sea with Faro of Messina on the East part of the Ionian Sea on the North Magna Grecia with the River Chrati And to make a description of this Province I will begin from the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus King of the Epirots coming from Sicilia disbarkt himself Not far off is Triolo the reliques of old Tiro where the Apennine Hils are very narrow and then is Malda built by the Saracins which hath a very fruitfull Country From hence on the Sea at the mouth of Amato is Angitola where Dionisius often desired to unite the said Haven with that of Squillia Afterward appeareth Pizzo in a very spacious and pleasant place with the little Islands Itacensi which perhaps had this name because Vlysses arrived there Then cometh Bevona planted with goodly Gardens of Citrons and Oringes the ancient Harbour of Hipponio which the Countrey people now call Monteleone which lieth in a pleasant prospect with many fields round about the said City was founded by the Greeks and they called it Hipponium because it was builded according to the likeness pnd similitude of a horse for that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek tongue signifieth a horse the which City as the Histories thereof recite was in compass eight miles wholly built with bricks the ruines whereof are at this present to be seen this noble City had very pleasant and delightfull fields which compast it round about Poets have feigned that when Ceres travelled in search of her daughter Proserpina that was stoln away remained here that Winter to gather Roses and other pleasant Flowers where also continues the three Festival daies which the Tyrant Agatocles so long since ordained Pestino a famous Writer was of this City which is celebrated by Macrobio in his sixth book de Saturnali in this word Transmicto Dominico Pizzimetti a learned Philosopher was also of the same City which translated out of Greek into Latine the predicaments of Archita Tarentino The ancient Vibo was destroyed by the Agareni in the time of blessed Nilo and the like ruine sustained Terino Tauriano and Trischene And this noble
Territory is very fertile for it bringeth forth Grain Barley Beans Fitches and other Corn there are also planted great store of Sugar Canes a thing very rare in Italy This Country is adorned with the dignity of a Duke After followeth Soriano whch hath the Title of a Count. Then cometh Arena and ascending up the Apennine is the goodly Monastery of St. Stephen del Bosco built by Rugiero the Norman where is kept as we have said with many other reliques the body of St. Bruno From hence on the right hand appeareth Borrello and Melito an honourable and an ancient City which was builded by the Milesii a people of Asia for as Herodotus writeth in his sixth book Mileto a City of Asia being conquered and overcome by Darius the inhabiters which departed from the ruine thereof being deprived of their natural Country came with their wives and children together with the Sanni into Regio where they were received by Anasilao Lord of the Country to whom he gave so much Territory as they built therein a City to inhabit the which they called as we have said Melito these in process of time the Country being too little many of them went into Messina but being expel'd by the inhabiters of the Country went to the Isle of Malta There is to be seen in the said City of Melito a stately and magnificent Church under the name of the Trinity which is beautified with stately Pillars of Marble which the Duke Ruggiero the Norman caused to be transported from the ancient Hipponio the said Church was by the mediation of the said Duke consecrated by Pope Calisto the second in the year of our Lord 1122. where at this present is to be seen the fair and costly Tomb of Marble of the Duke Ruggiero That holy Paolo of the Order of Preachers was of the said City Walking towards the shore of the Sea is Briatico which hath the Title of a Marquisat and Tropea hath this name from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that ariving there the Current of Faro is turned back very dangerous to Sailers near which Hercoles arived coming from Spain whereupon that place was afterward named the Harbour of Hercoles Here butteth out into the Sea the Cape of Vaticano and near at hand is Ioppolo and Nicotera augmentned by the ancient ruins of Medama and Rosarno there is the River Metramo in whose waves according as the Ancients were accustomed feeling themselves opprest with any sin were freed by their washing themselves therein as Orestes who thought hereby to be purged from the murther of his mother a little farther was the ancient Metauro which boasted much of Stesicoro though with little right the Sicilians challeng him to themselves and after is discovered Tauriano and from hence on the Sea is Gioia A little distant remaineth Seminara a Countrey well inhabited in whose Territory the Frenchmen were overcome by Consalvo Fernandes of Aghilare in the time of Lewis the 12 King of France And near the Mediterrane under a great descent of the Apennine called by the country-people Aspromonte riseth as it were a rock between two Rivers the Country of Sinopoli is adorned with the ancient dignity of a Count the jurisdiction whereof is from the house of Ruffa There was born in this Country that holy man Paolo of Sinopoli Fryer of the Order of Saint Francis called the Minori of Osservanza whose reliques are reverendly preserved in the City of Nicotera Going a little farther is Oppido which hath the Title of a Count and Terranovo a populous City which is adorned with the dignity of a Dukedom Not very far is Polistena against the Castle whereof lie the Isles Eolie the which have this name from Eolo which the Poets feign to be the God of the winds knowing by the nature of the place their change and alteration of these Isles Lipare was only inhabited whose circuit is 16 miles sometimes a Colony of the Gnidii which were very strong at Sea and made long resistance to the improvident assaults of the Toscans and of their first fruits they oftentimes consecrated to the Temple of Apollo at Delphus The said Isle is distant from Sicilia 20 miles Strabo and Pliny call this Isle Meligone which is very famous as wel for the fruitfulness of the ground as also for the delicacy and sweetness of the fruits and the great plenty of Alume which it yieldeth the said Isle was at the first â—nhabited by Lipareo the son of Ausonio King of Italy who being at discord with his brothers came hither with divers soeldiers to remain and here built a City which by his own name was called Lipari the which City was alwaies faithfull to the Kings of Naples from whom in recompence it obtained many priviledges and freedoms but finally in the month of Iuly 1544 it was destroyed with sword and fire by Ariadeno Barbarossa Captain of the Turkish Army but it was suddenly repaired again by the Emperor Charls the fifth The other Isles are not manured nor inhabited whereby their ancient names yet continue that is to say Stromboli and Vulcano from whence continually riseth smoke and sometimes flames of fire with horrible noise and thundring Here we may see Bagnara where the women for their beauty and comliness appear like Nymphs and here is the general fishing for the Sword-fish called by Pliny Xiphia the which is done as Strabo declareth in his first book of Geography in this manner following which manner is also recited by Polybius First of all one is appointed as a spie to stand in a high place being as a common guard or defence for all the fishers the which are dispersed into many little boats of two oars remaining in every one two of them one which guideth the boat with two oars the other to wound the fish with an armed Sphear which he standing on the fore-deck or head of the boat holdeth in his hand so soon as the spie maketh a signe that the fish is discovered rising with the third part of his body above the water he with the oars roweth near the boat and the other preparing his blow wounds him with a wonderful agility then snatching out the sphear the iron remans behind which being broad-headed and so wel accommodated that easily a man may wound with it and as easily leave it in the wound to the iron is tied a long little cord which goes so far with the wounded fish that beating himself and labouring to escape becometh weary Then they draw the fish to the shore or get him into one of their little boats if he be not over-great and if it so fall out the sphear be cast into the Sea it cannot therefore be lost because that being made part of Oak and part of Firr so well joyned together the weight of the oak drawing one end under the water the lightness of the firr causeth the other end to rise up so that it may
born in this Country and Telesiano the Philosopher the which hath learnedly writ eight books of disputations against the Peripateticks in favour of Berardino Telesio and is now at this present writing De sensu rerum where he shews he understands all things A little distant is Santa Caterina and Badolato a Country very delightfull where is made excellent Wines Oyl Hony and very fine Silk and also is gathered great store of Manna to the which Country Giulio Berlingiero and Giovandomenico Greco excellent Lawyers at this present yield much honour After followeth Satriano called of the Ancients Caecinnum from whom the River taketh the name which runneth but a little from thence of the which Thucidides in his third book maketh mention saying Laches Atheniensis egressi è navibus nonnulla loca locridis juxta caecinnum amnem Locrenses ad arcendam vim occurrentes cum Proxeno Capatonis silio circiter trecentos caeperunt detractisque armis abierunt Afterward is to be seen Petrito a little Castle situate in a pleasant seat where is made excellent good Wine not very far is Claravalle which for the goodness of the Flax contends with Alexandria for the precedence Then followeth Soverato whose Territory is garnished with beautifull Gardens of Citrons Limons and Oringes where near to the Fountain Meliteo is to be seen an Oak whose leaves never fals And afterward is Squillaci a noble and an ancient City built as some affirm by the Ausoni or by the Enotri Of this City thus writeth Strabo Scyllaceum Atheniensium Colonia qui Menestei comites fuere From the name of this City the Gulf of Squillaci taketh its name so perilous to Sailers whereof grows the Proverb Naufragâ—â— Scyllaceus Squillace was a Colony of the Romans as C. Velleio Patercole writeth in his first book to the which City Cassiodoro Munk of the Order of St. Benedict hath given great ornament which writ many books upon divers matters and among others composed the Tripartite History in 12 books and a book de ratione animae and another upon the Canticles he writ another book of Etimologies with a Catalogue of all the Roman Consuls He lived in the time of Iustine the old Emperor and died in the year of our Lord 575. The said City is honoured with the title of a Prince subject to the house of Borgia wherein with much reverence is preserved the body of St. Agatio Here leaving the River Crotalo and Roccella upon a high Hill is Catanzaro a noble and populous City the which was builded by Fagitio Lieutenant in Italy for the Emperor Nicephero And Catanzaro was so called of the Greek word Catizo which in Latin signifieth sedeo to which the excellent situation and the workmanship of Silk and Cloath bringeth great profit it is one of the fairest and principal Cities of Calauria and at this present it is the head of this Province and in it resideth the Kings Audit In the chiefest Church thereof lie with great reverence the bodies of St. Vitaliano and Theodoro Martyrs whose holy lives are written by the reverend Paolo Regio Bishop of Vico. Hard by is to be seen the City of Taverna which standeth near the Wood Sila This City had its original from the ancient Treschinesi the which being in the year 1068. ruinated by the Saracins was afterward reedified within the land in a most strong and inpregnable place but sustaining afterward divers calamities was again newly built by the Citizens thereof two miles distant under a most delicate temperature of air In the Territory of this City groweth the odoriferous Turpentine which Macedonia Damasco and Syria so much esteemed the having thereof This City hath received much honour by Iohn Lorenzo Anania an excellent Divine and Cosmographer which hath writ the Universal Fabrick of the world and a learned discourse of the nature of devils Towards the Sea-side is to be seen Simari and a little distant is the City Trichenesi which had very stately buildings in the old time but at this present the reliques are scant to be seen Then followeth the City Belcastro which some say was the ancient Chona This City boasteth much of St. Thomas of Aquin affirming that he was there born where they say he did the miracle of the Roses for which they cease not to contend with the Neopolitans saying he was of their City this worthy Saint died in the Monastery of Fossanova in the Territory of Terracina in the year of our Lord 1274. Near unto it is Mesuraga called in old time Reatinum builded by the Enotrii of the which Country was the worthy Matteo Vidio of the Order of the Minori whose body with honour lieth in the City of Taverna Not far distant standeth Policastro called by the Ancients Petilia which was builded by Philotete the son of Piante companion of Hercoles Of this City Virgil in the 3. book of Aeneid saith thus Hic illa Dulcis Melibaei parva Philoctetae subnexa Petilia muro This City was a Colony of the Romans the which was many times defended with much valour against the assaults of Hannibal by whom being at length taken was destroyed Then follows Siberna an ancient and an honourable City now called Santa Severina which is situate on a high Hill in the mids between two famous Rivers very strong by nature and after is the Rock where are digged great hils of Salt From hence leaving the River Tacina appears Cutro which aboundeth with excellent Flax and a little above is the Castle which some say should be the place named by the Latines Castra Hannibalis Then appeareth the Isle and the Cape of Pillars before called the Promontory Lacinio and was so called of Lacinio a famous Pirat which went robbing up and down and was afterward slain by Hercules who built there a sumptuous Temple to Iuno which Eneas honoured with a Cup of Gold this place was very famous for the School of Pithagoras and for the ashes of Filotete which laid upon the Altar was not dispersed with the wind This Cape of Pillars in these latter times was so called by the many and great Pillars which are there standing of the said ruinated Temple Leaving this Cape where beginneth the second gulf of the Mediterrane is the famous City of Cotrone in old time one of the greatest and chiefest Cities of Maegna Grecia The opinions of Writers are divers by whom the said City should be builded for some affirm that it was built by Lacinio Corcireo Ovid and Strabo say it should be Misilo Pithagoras more ancient then these writeth that Hercules built it This City was very famous because the Philosopher Pithagoras was a Citizen thereof from whose School proceeded more Philosophers then were Captains in the Trojan horse and also for Orpheus the Poet and Democides the Phisician so much esteemed of the King of Persia besides the beauty of the women have been much
many Villages well inhabited as Compotosto and Poggio which is a Castle and Massione on the left hand of Vomano and within the Country are situated these Castles Motola Monteverde and Montegualco and here endeth as Pliny saith the Precutini And following the same course we come to speak of the Marrucini which Livy saith caused themselves voluntarily to be enrolled among the Souldiers that went with Scipio into Africa Now then after the River Vomano comes another River called Piomba where is another Castle which is called Porto d'Adria and a little higher is a Country called Silva five miles within the Land and almost in the midst between the said two Rivers upon a high Hill is the City of Atri called in old time Hadria which was a Colony of the Romans Here was born as Celio the Spartan writeth the Roman Emperor Adrian P. Vittore believeth that the Adriaetick Sea had its name from this City the which also Sesto Aurelio affirms in his book of Cesars Above Atri or Hadria upon the right hand of the River Piomba is the Castle of Celino and above where this River springeth is the Country of Schiarano on the left side of Piomba two miles within the Land is Civita S. Angelo which Pliny and Ptolomy names Angolo above the said Country near the River is the little Country of Hece From Piomba three miles from the Sea is another River called Salino on the right hand whereof on the shore is a Castle called Porto S. Angelo and a little above within the Country entreth into Salino another River called Sino which floweth from the Apennine at the foot of the Hill Corvo on whose right side are eight Countries and Castles the which shall be named the one after the other Cassilento Montesicco Pignano Bisento Corvignano Serra and Valviano and a little below the mouth of the River Sino doth also run into Salino another River called Tavo which riseth near Corvo in the Apennine In the midst of these Rivers five miles distant from the Sea is Civita di Penna an excellent Country and very famous in old time Pliny calleth this City Pinna and placeth it among the Vestini Of this City was the most valiant young man Pluton of whom Valerius Maximus maketh mention but much more it is honoured for bringing forth that famous Lawyer called Luca of Penna who learnedly writ upon the three books of the Code wherein appears his great knowledg both in Divinity and the Law and particularly of the constitutions in the municipial Laws and customs of this Kingdom as he sheweth to be very judicious and skilfull in divers places and especially in Law-Causes de senten advers fiscum latis retractandis lib. 12. In the Rubrick C. de Magistris sacr scrinioruus lib. 12. where he teacheth the Office of a principal Secretary of the Kingdom And in the l. à palatinis C. de privilegiis corum qui in sacro palatio militant where very diffusedly he disputeth of one of the prinâ—ipal constitutions of the Kingdom alleadging Andrea of Isernia Prince of the Feudists All this I thought good to declare what a worthy man hath been of this City although otherwise modern writers have fasly christned him for a Frenchman defrauding his Country where at this present in the Hall of the publick Palace is to be seen his ancient Picture with the late named young Pluton and besides yet standeth his house where he dwelt Afterward not much distant from the River Tavo appears above the Hils the pleasant country of Laureto and the Hill Corvino Then cometh near upon the shore the mouth of the river Aterno now called Pescara which is one of the principal rivers of the country and near the Monastery of Casanova runneth into it another river which riseth on the right hand on the side of the Apennine called Nuria on whose right side are Montesilvano Spotorio Moscuso Pianello and Capogatto all Castles and under the fountain of the said river is the noble Monastery of Casanova of the Order of Cistello which is not only beautified with sumptuous buildings but with great riches Above Nuria on the right hand of Pescara are Rossano Alendo Petranico the Towers of Antonello and a little above is Castiglione And coming down from thence we incounter a river called Capod ' acqua who hath a very great spring and near the fountain is Offena and on the left hand is Busso between the which two Castles but two miles distant is Capistrano the natural place of the holy Iohn Capistrano of the Order of the Minors of St. Francis who in his life did many miracles Above Capistrano within the Land is Carapello and at the ascent of the Hils near to the river Pescara is Vetorito and Raiano and going but a few miles higher upon the ridg of a Hill is to be seen the ruinated City of Amiterno by Strabo named Amiternum whose magnificent buildings both of the Theatre and certain great Churches and mighty Towers declare what greatness it was in old time and Livy writeth that Spurio Cornelio Carvilio the Consul took Amiterno and there were cut in pieces 2800 Citizens and 4280 made prisoners and notwithstanding the same Livy addeth that L. Scipio going into Africa they voluntarily offered themselves to go with him in that action with the Umbri Norcini and the Reatini Amiterno is called by Virgil full of Towers There are to 〈◊〉 among the ruines of the said City graven in Marble the triumph of the Sannites when they caused the Roman Army to pass under the yoke at the Gallows of Caudine and the Sepulchre of the daughter of Druso and near to the Theatre is the Temple of Saturn the founder thereof This City had among other famous Citizens Caio Crispo Salustio Proconsul for Cesar in Africa and the first writer of the Roman History and the Bishop Vettorino who died for the faith of Christ as Ptolomy and Lippomano saith in the Empire of Nerva whose name remaineth in a Castle built 〈◊〉 the stones of those ancient ruines where are his bones and 83 Martyrs by whom the said City was destroyed I cannot yet understand Going from hence two miles 〈◊〉 Civita Tomassa a little Castle in whose circuit are to be seen many ruines of ancient buildings with many inscriptions which apparently shews that here was the ancient City of Foruli celebrated by Virgil in his seventh book of Eneid and of Silio Italico in his eight book and Strabo maketh also mention thereof and placeth it among the Sabines And following that way about three miles there are to be seen great foundations of square stones which the country-people call Furconio whereupon it is not to be doubted that there stood the City of Furconio the which was not so ancient nor populous nor so rich as Amiterno but of greater dignity and honour in the time of the Christians for in all the Councels for the space of
800 years following which had been in Rome or any other place of Italy we read the Bishop of Forconio Here was thrown down from a high Tower that young and holy man Massimo whose miracles moved Pope Iohn the 16. and the Emperor Otho to visit his reliques giving to the Bishoprick twenty thousand crows yearly of the which it is almost wholly deprived and by Alexander the fourth bestowed upon the City Aquila In this place is the Furnass wherein Giusta a most holy Virgin was condemned to be burnt but by the providence of God was delivered by an Angel and inclosed in the Mount Offido which is now called Bazzarano The said City was destroyed by the Longobards the people whereof being dispersed were united with the Amiternini Abiensi and the people Duronii which likewise fled the wrath and fury of the Longobards and so under the conduct of an Amiternin their Captain called Aquila they built in a pleasant place upon the ridge of a plain and low Hill a City called by the name of their Captain Aquila which in process of time increasing with people was beautified and afterward inlarged by the Emperour Frederick the second King of Naples to the greatness which now it seems a City truly very worthy famous and rich and the head of this Province Here Pope Nicolas the second being much molested by the Roman Barons came to the Parliament with Robert Guiscard the Norman who restoring Benevento and all that which he held of the Church was by the said Pope created Duke of Puglia and Calauria the which as we have also declared in the lives of the Kings of Naples was in the year 1060. The said Citie is in compasse four miles and without the walls it hath a very pleasant vally of excellent pasture compassed with trees and watred with crystalline and fresh Springs besides the profit which proceeds from the river Aterno which dividing it with a pleasing current yeelds also a great commodity by the Mills The length of this plain is not above four and twenty miles and three in breadth but every where fruitfull It hath great abundance of all sorts of wood and plenty of corn wine oyl and every other thing which serveth for the use of living creatures their Orchards are such as neither through cold or the heat of Summer they ever fail in yeilding their fruits Whereupon Martial saith Nos Amiternus ager felicibus educat hortis The wares and Merchandise wherein this Citie most abounds are very fine flax saffron silk cloth wooll great plenty both of great and small cattell that it serves the most part of Italy with flesh the horses are excellent coursers and very swift There are in this City an hundred and eleven Churches all richly beneficed and besides they have many Reliques of Saints among the which are the four Protectors of the Citie carefully and richly kept and faithfully worshipped And within a Coffin of silver of the value of 1800 crowns is to be seen the body of St. Bernardino Senesi of the order of the Minors of St. Francis the first reformer of the regular life of that religion And in the Church of Collemaggio are to be seen the bones of St. Pietro of Marrone called Celestino the fifth The other two Protectors that is to say St. Massimo in Duomo and St. Equitio in St. Lorenzo and every one of these had a statue or Image from the middle upward of their naturall bigensse of pure silver Moreover there is besides the said Churches twelve magnificent and stately Monasteries of religious Nuns This Citie is much commended for the Conserves and Preserves that are there made The Citizens thereof for the most part exercise merchandize and making of cloth and in every thing shew prompt and ready wit In Arms they are fierce and cruell and very costly and magnificent in civil matters they are courteous in their apparell and conversation very civill The Lady Margarite of Austria the naturall daughter of the Emperour Charls the fifth governed this Citie many years the Citizens for the benefit they received by her made her a stately palace in length 256 hands breadth and in breadth an hundred and sixty with an hundred windows round about a very costly building But it is not fit that I should omit the remembrance of the strong wel fortified Castle which is in the said Citie for to them that know it it seems one of the goodliest Forts in all Italy This Citie by the tolling of a Bell is able to arm 15000. men It hath a great county rich and much exercised in Arms the situation is for the most part mountainous and strong Pontano speaking of this Citie thus saith Auctus post civibus atque opibus prolatis etiam confinibus facta est Aquila urbs quidem ipsa civibus auctoritate opibus clara regionisque totius caput And in another place speaking thereof saith the like words Nam populus ipse quamquam lanificio deditus ac texture maxime tamen bellicosus est finitimisque undique formidini nec minus regibus qui Neapoli imperant And Iohn Albino in his 5. book de Bello intestino Alphonsi 2. Aragonei Ducis Calabriae declaring the riches and great power thereof thus writeth Reges praeterea urbes caeterosque primores per tot annos tributo exaustos veteri quodam odio in regem Apostolicae sedis signa intrepide secuturos populis insuper quotidianis injuriis supra modum lacessitis invisos rerum omn ium egenos undique bello cintos brevi regno ejici posse praesertim quod ditissima ac populosissima urbs Aquila totius regionis caput Apostolicae sedis Imperium datis obsidibus subire deposcit cujus urbiâ— defectionem ad Aragonci nominis internecionem satis esse putaret c. Aquila was made as we have said a Bishops Seat by Pope Alexander the fourth in the year of our Lord 1257. the which Bishop besides many other prerogatives which he hath acknowledgeth not any other Metropolitan or any other superior except the Bishop of Rome Basilio Pignatell a Neopolitan Gentleman is now Bishop of this City a most carefull and vigilant Prelat and of great sincerity of life There are in this City many noble Families which are these following Angisili del Cardinale Antonelli Alfieri Angelini Baroni Baroncelli Branconii Bucciarellis Camponeschi Caselli Carli called Cardicchi Caprucci Castiglioni Colantonii Crispo Dragonetti Emiliani Eugenio de Matteis Emiliani Franchi Gigli Lucentini Piccolomini Legistis Lepidi Lepori Maneri Mariani Mattucci Micheletti Nardi Oliva Orsegli Pasquali Porcinarii Prati Pica Paoli Perelli Rustici Rosis Rivera Simconi Vgolini Salvati Trentacinque Valla Vetusti Vinio Zechieri The Families extinguished are these following Bonaginiti Findazi Roiani Pretatti Camponeschi Gaglioffi Mozzapiedi Todini Miraluce Cocci and Orsegli There are besides many other honourable Families of strangers indued with all true nobility which being more then
we purposed to speak we will at this time omit The said City hath brought forth many excellent men and famous as well in Arms as in Learning as Ansalda of Aquila General of the Army of William the evil King of Naples and Sicilia Antonuccio Camponesco General of King Ladislao and Captain of the Venetians and was afterward by Pope Eugenio the fourth created General of the holy Church Minicuccio Vgolino Captain of King Alfonsus of Aragon Guelfallione Fonticulano was General of the Perusini against Braccio and took in battel Nicolo Piccinino and to his great honour defended Padova from the fury of the Venetians Geronimo Gaglioffa was a Colonel of Charls the eight King of France and Master of the Camp of King Lewis the twelfth in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples Francesco Rustico was Captain of the Crossbow-horsmen of King Ferdinando the second In Learning there have been very famous men as Pietro called Scotello of Aquila a religious Frier of the Order of St. Francis which learnedly writ upon the four books of the Master of Sentences Iohn Aquilano a Frier also of the Order of Saint Francis a famous Preacher of his time he composed a book which he entituled Vitiâ—rum lima Francesco Vivio a most famous Lawyer who now liveth and hath lately publisht the Forest of divers opinions and hath done many things besides and of the decisions of the Kingdom of the Audience of the Country of Bary where he was the Kings Auditor whose works are very profitable to the professors of the Law Giovanni Crispo called de Monte writ three books of Law one de Gradibus the other de Haered qui ab intest de and the last de actionibus Gioseppo Rustici a Doctor of great account which is now a Counceller of the great Duke of Tuscane hath written and published a Treatise An quando liberi in conditione positi vocentur and very shortly he is to publish another discourse De utraque conditione si sine liberis decesserit ad L. cum avus F. de cond demonst Iacopo Carli a learned Doctor hath written in Law a book entituled Gemmatus Pavo in quo juris canonici civilis materiae tanguntur Alexander Trentacinque a most noble and renowned Doctor of Law writ de Substitutionibus with other subtile and witty advisements Iohn Aquilano a famous Phisician writ a discourse de sanguinis missione in pluritide Bernardino Cerillo writ the Annals of the City of Aquila his natural Country and the History of his time Serifino Aquilano was the mirror of his time for Poetry whose Works are well known over whose Sepulchre Aretino caused these Verses to be ingraven Qui giace Serafin Partirti hor puoi Sol d' haver visto il sasso che lo serra Assai sei debitore a gli occhi tuoi Here lieth Serafin depart in peace Enough thou art indebted to thy eyes To have seen the stone under which he lies Sebastian Aquilano a Phisician hath published a discourse de Morbo Gallico and another de febre sanguinis Cesar Campana which now abideth at Vicenza hath writ with an eloquent stile in the vulgar tongue the History of the World Iohn Angelo Contecelli hath published a discourse de differentiis febrium and another de Sanguinis missione Blasio Pico a Phisician hath writ the contemplative Grammer Angelo Fonticulano a worthy Historian writ very eloquently in the Latin tongue the Wars of Braccio of Montone with the Aquilani There remain many other noble and learned men which have much ennobled this City as I have understood but because I have no true information thereof I think it not amiss to omit them The Territory of this City brings forth besides other things great abundance of Saffron which as the Aquilani themselves affirm there is made thereof every year more then â—0000 crowns Above Aquila in the Apennine under the River of Pescara is Monte Reale called in old time Monte Pireo but inlarged and beautified by King Charls the second of Angio abandoning the first name it is a city very fair civil and rich compassed round about with a very strong Wal here with great reverence lieth in the church of St. Mary of Piano the body of Saint Dâ—minick of whom the Chronicle of St. Francis maketh mention and in the church of St. Augustine is to be seen the body of St. Andrew which in token of his holy life it pleaseth God as they say to shew many miracles There now liveth with much honour to this country Peâ—tio Pompeo and Iohn Circii all three Doctors of Law and great learned men of whom there is much commendation by Vivio in the Forest of common opinions The Territory of this country is very fertile for the spacious vallies and pleasant hils yield grain wine fitches beans slax hemp and other fruits A little distant from the said country is the River Pescara and at the mouth thereof on the left side is the city called Pescara named by Plâ—â—y and Ptolomy Aterno a most ancient city which they also so called the said River which according to the common opinion was held the swiftest and coldâ—st of all the Rivers in Italy The said country is honoured with the dignity of a Marquisat subject to the house of Avolo Somewhat higher in Pescara runs another River called Alba and into Alba cometh two little streams which flow from the Mount Maiella between the which is Manopello and a little higher on the side of Maiella is the Fort of Molise and underneaâ—h is Cosano and upon the bank of Pescara is Torre a little country and on the side of the River Pescara is Lucolo a populous country and not very faâ— is Caramanico a very good country and hard by lieth Cantalupo in whose Territory riseth under a Hill a quick spring of Petronical Oyl Near the bank of Pescara is the country of Tocco which hath an excellent Territory whâ—re is made the best Oyl in all Abruzzo and the purest Wine and four mile 〈◊〉 Popoli a most noble and populous country which hath the title of a Dukedom it is very strong every way partly by the Rivers which cannot be past as a plâ—sh of water and also by the Forts which guard it as a Wall And going certain miles we come to Tagliacozzo a country well inhabited and very rich but not very ancient it hath the title of a Dukedom governed by the Family Colonna But we are now come to the country of the Marsi destroyed long since by Hannibal with all the other people round about in this country was a city called Valeria the natural country of Pope Boniface the fourth who obtained of the Emperor Phocas the Temple Pantheon in Rome dedicated to all the gods of the Genâ—iles which he dedicated to all the Saints This city in the time of the Longobards had the name of Marsi changed into Valeria Pliny saith that Marsi was a city
other side not only because it is on this side Tronto but also for that in former time it was under the jurisdiction of the Kings of Naples but Queen Ione the second restored it to the church The said city is situate upon a very strong place fortified with a good wall and compassed with high hils it aboundeth with all things necessary for the sustenance of living creatures Bettutio Barro a most eloquent Orator was born in Ascolo to whom Cicero gave the honour of the victory above all the Poets of that age as it appears in Bruto and Ventidio Basso the victorious Captain of the Romans which went with an Army against the Parthians of whom were written these words but too nipping Now he is made a Consul which lately was a Mule-keeper forasmuch as before he had the command of Mules of whom the Satyrical Giovenal saith in the seventh Satire Si fortuna volet fies de Rhetore Consul Si volet haec cadem fies de Consule Rhetor. Ventidius quid enim quid Tullius an ne aâ—iudque Sydus occulti miranda potentia fati Ascolo had also Pope Nicholas the fourth a learned wise and a vertuous man as Petrarck and Platina among the Pontifical Bishops declares although Biondo saith he was the third likewise Cecco de Ascolo was a Citizen thereof an Astronomer a great Philosopher and a famous Negromancer And Enoc an eloquent Orator indued with the Greek and Latine tongues through whose diligence were found out Marco Celio Apitio and Pomponio Porfirione upon Horace in the time of Pope Nicholas the fifth The same City hath also brought forth Gratiadio of the Order of Preachers an excellent Divine and Philosopher which writ the Commentaries upon the old art eight books of natural Philosophy and three of Aristotle de anima wherein he sheweth his great learning Afterward going along from Vallecastellana we come to the rich and populous country of Amatrice situated under the fountain of Tronto Then followeth Civitella lying not far off among the hils in a country very strong through the nature of the place and the strong wall that compasseth it round about which country was valiantly defended by the Duke of Guise Now being come to Tronto in the which place are not only the bounds of the Pregutini and Sanniti which are in Abruzzo but also of the Territory of the Kingdom of Naples I am now forced to finish the description of this Province somewhat noting the nature of the inhabitants which are of a bigg and tall stature strong bodied of a white complexion fierce countenance and a resolute mind courteous towards strangers in bargaining simple accustomed to the mannaging of Arms and much inclined to Wars and very cruel to their enemies They are also very forward in learning The men which inhabit in the city are seemly and civilly apparelled but those that live abroad in the hils and mountains are very barbarous and unhandsom for they cloath themselves with very course and base cloath The Arms of this Province is Azure upon three mounts united and fixed in bass or an Eagle displayed arâ— crowned of the second The which Arms some think that the Eagle signifieth the Standard which was taken in battel from the Romans although others suppose it signifies the Emperor Adrian which was born in Hadria a city of the Province and say that three Hils or declares the fertility and riches of the country neither are their opinions to be mistaken which say that the Eagle signifieth the city of Aquila it self the head and principal of all the country The County of MOLISE The eleventh Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe County of Molise is the least Province in the Kingdom for it is part of Sannio wherein is Esernia and Boiano This Province was so called from the city of Molisia from whence they also had their name which governed this country and Pontano witnesseth that in his time there was also standing the noble house of Molisia the which he setteth down in his fifth book of the History of the Neopolitan War Cui adjungitur ab iisdem quaestoribus Sannii quoque pars ea in qua est Bovianum Aesernia qui ager recenti nomine est Molisius Molisio ab oppido à quo originem duxere qui agro quondam imperaverunt Qua re familia quoque Molisia hodie agnoscitur The inhabiters of this country are the Sanniti Frentani and Caraceni the confines of the which people anciently were according to Ptolomy the river Fortoro on the East the river Sanguine on the West the Adriatick Sea on the North and the Apennine Hils on the South At this present the bounds thereof extend not so far in respect of the new division made by the Kings Exchequer of which country now a great part is under Capitanato the Principality on the other side the country of Lavoro and Abruzzo Pliny declaring the confines of the Frentani writeth thus Flumen portuosum Frento Teanum Apulorum itemque Larinum Cliternia Tifernus amnis inde regio Frentana and in another place saith In ora Frentanorum à Tifeâ—no flumen Trinium portuosum Oppida Histionium Buca Ortona Aternus amnis Intus Anxatini cognomine Frentani Câ—rentini supernates infernates Lanuenses These people were so named of the Citie Frentana neer to Teano of Puglia the which Citie at this present is called Francavilla These people becoming very puissant made war against the Romans but being overcome as Livy writeth by the Consull Q. Aulio in the year 433. with one battell were sworn to the keeping of their faith and so obtained peace from the Senate Caesar maketh mention of the Frentani in the first book of his Commentaries and also Polybius And Cato writeth that these people had their originall from the Liburni and Dalmati and afterward from the Toscous and their principall Citie was Larino This Province is almost wholly plain and hath a very plentifull Territory for it yeildeth grain in great abundance and all other sorts of corn there is also flax silk bombace saffron annice corianders hony and good wines and very fruitfull trees and great plenty the air is temperate and healthfull sweet rivers and great store of cattell there is excellent hawking and hunting but no ravenous creature is therein except Wolves I will begin to describe this Countrey from Campobasso a City built in the midst of the Hills on this side the Apennine from Boiano twelve miles distant for here begins the first countrey of Puglia The said countrey is very populous and rich from whence the counties of Campobascio have had their originall and surname Going from this countrey towards Luceria four miles is Campo di Pietra which hath a good Territory and following that way no more then six miles appears upon the top of a high hill the Castell Pietra and from hence five miles is Macchia which hath the title of a County And from
river Lofanto on the South the Apennine with the Irpini and Sanniti on the West the Ferentani and Carraceni with the river Frontone and on the North the Adriatick or Ionian Sea Iohn Pontano in his second book of Histories handling many things saith that in the time of the first Normans and afterward the Greeks this Province was called Catapaniata because those that were sent to rule here by the Emperors of Constantinople were called in the Greek tongue Catapini and that afterward by corruption of the word it was called the Province of Capitanata and those that governed it Capitani The words of Pontano are these Apuliae pars ea que ab â—rentone flumine hodie Fortorium est ab Aufidi ripas sua nunc appellatione est Capitanata quae Normanorum prius ac Graecorum temporibus fuerat Catapaniata quòd qui ejus moderatione esset ab Imperatore Constantinopolitano praepositus diceretur Graeco nomine Catapanus quae vox contractis atque immutatis literis recentioribus versa est in Capitanatam quique Catapanus fuerat in Capitinium Quae verò Calabriae pars olim fuit in qua Tarentum Brundusium ac Salentinorum maritima est ora ea ab Hydrunto oppido ad quod est ab Macedonia Epiroque quam brevissima ad navigatio Hydruntina hodie terra dicitur At qui est ab Auâ—ido tractus ad Calabriae hoc est Hydruntinae fines terrae quo intractu sunt ad mare posita Barolum Tranum Vigilae Melficta Iuvenatium Barum Polygnanum Monopolis ab urbe Baro quae caput olim regionis fuit Barensis vocitata est terra regiorum quaestorum constitutione ac jussu Post eam montana loca quaeque olim fuere illinc Lucaniae hinc Apuliae iisdem illis temporibus vocari coepta Basilicata Quae appellatio unde potissimum ducta sit jure anceps est ac dubium Sunt enim qui existiment haud satis tamen certis auctoribus Constantinopolitano olim ab Imperatore regionem eam filiae ac genero traditam dotis nomine veri autem aliis videtur esse similius à Basilio quodam fortissimo viro dictam qui per illa tempora loca ea tenuerit deque regione ipsa tractumque omni Salentino Graecos industria sua pepulerit atque Poenos c. This Province as is said was in old time called Iapygia of Iapyge the son of Dedalus as Herodotus affirmeth but as Servio saith upon this verse of Virgil Victor Gargani condebat Iapygiis agris He saith that Iapygia was a part of Puglia wherein standeth the Hill Gargano which reacheth even to the Adriatick Sea It was also called Mesapia of the people Mesapii which inhabited in a part thereof although others say that it was so named of King Mesapo the son of Neptune Being afterward possest by Dauno the son of Pilumno and of King Danae the Grandsire of King Turnus all that country was called Daunia After him Diomedes coming with a great number of the people Etoli there to inhabit he divided the country between himself and Diomedes Afterward it was named Apulia of Apulo a most ancient King of these places which came hither to inhabit a long time before the Wars of Troy Ptolomy divideth Puglia the one part from Tiâ—erno to the city of Bary called Daunia and from thence unto the Salentini which are the people of the couâ—try of Otronto called Peucetia Puglia came to the knowledg of the Romans rather through Wars then friendship for as Livy writeth with the rebellion of the Sannites the Romans had also Puglia their enemy whose Territory was laid waste and spoiled by them and at sundry times after as it appears in Livy came into the power of the Romans All this region was from the beginning in great prosperity but Hannibal and other Wars that succeeded him destroyed it and left it desolate the which Strabo confirms in his sixth book when writing thereof he saith Priori tempore universae hujus terrae secunda fortuna florebat postea vero Annibal sequentia bella desertam illam reddiderunt This most fruitfull Province bringeth forth great store of wheat barley and other corn and more plentifull then any other part of Italy although many fields are reserved for the pasture of sundry flocks of sheep which are brought from Abruzzo The earth or soil although it be sandy and light and the grass which grows thereon be small and slender it is nevertheless very fruitfull and storeth Naples Slavonia Venice and Tuscane with plenty of flesh This region indureth much water whereupon the Poet Horace saith that Apulia is full of silk and in some places it wanteth trees the air is temperate but in the summer season it is so much 〈◊〉 â—ith heat that it is not only hurtfull to strangers but even to the natural 〈◊〉 of the country All this region is very plentifull of every thing both horses and excellent sheep the wool is softer then that of Taranto but not so fine the hony there is much commended the vallies which lie by the plains makes it a very pleasant country whereby all the Province is much inhabited so that it hath in all ten cities and 52 towns and castles the cities are St. Angelo Manfredonia Siponto Lesina Vieste Ascoli Bovino Volturara Teâ—mole Troia This Province containeth the Hill Gargano with the appurtenances thereof which stretching out as it were an arm of the Apennine towards the Adriatick Sea compasseth in the lowest descent thereof which ends in the plain â—00 miles where appears all the riâ—hes of Puglia with plenty of water it is also very well garnished and also richly furnished with trees and phisical herbs for the which there repairs from far countries iâ—finite Herbalists and Simplisâ—â— whereupon it seemâ— that nature hath indued it with so great perfection 〈◊〉 â—or the pâ—eâ—â—denâ—e and pâ—imaâ—y with all the other Hils of the Orient Diomedes purposed to make the said Hill an Island because the Istmus thereof is no more then two miles broad but this and other works he undertook were left imperfect because he returned home to his own house where he ended his life although some write that he remained here during his life Others feigning report that he vanished into the Isle of Diomedes and that his companions were transformed into fowls In this Country is bred the Tarantola whose venom as is before declared is cured with sounds and singing Here also breeds the Chersidri or the Cavalette which the country people call Brucoli which being dispersed here and there do feed and wholly devour all the fields with infinite hurt and spoil In the top of the said hill is the famous and noble city of St. Angelo from the which at this present for the most part the hill is so called for the Archangel St. Michael which appeared there where is to be seen the most devout and honourable Cave and holy Temple
Beccarini Gentile del Avantaggio Caverletta Minadois Nicastro Visco Tontoli and others But first before I proceed any farther to declare what the Monte Gargano is here towards the sea I will finish that which lieth upon the River Fortore Above Sanseverino four miles is Torre the great which is a Country that hath the title of a Dukedom subject to the house of Sangro which lieth from Fortore twelve miles and as much above Torre the great is Castelluccio and a little from thence is Monte Rotano and somewhat higher is Celenza which hath a very fruitfull Territory and is adorned with the title of a Marquisat the Lord whereof is Carlo Gambacorta a Neapolitan Gentleman a very famous and worthy Lord whose honourable actions are well known having many years with so much wisdom and valour governed through the grace and favour of King Philip the two Povinces of Principato and Basilicata and at this present with great honour ruleth and governeth this present Province Not far from Cilenza is a country called St. Marco and near that is Volturara which hath a good Territory and the Lord thereof holdeth the title of a Marquiss and not far off is the country of St. Gaudio and a little above is Rosseno and beyond that near the river of Fortore is the Castle Montefalcone The River Fortore runneth into the Sea near the Lake of Lesina which contains 40 miles in compass and a mile from this Lake and four from the Sea is the city of Lesina from whence the Lake hath taken its name the which city was built by the men of the Isle of Lesina of Slavonia some say that the Saracins spoiled the said city Leandro Alberti believeth that the aforesaid Lake is named by Pliny in the 10. chapter of his third book Lacus Pantanus which breeds good fishes and great Eels and at all times there is good fowling for wild Geese Mallards and Swans Within the land four miles above Lesina and within a mile of Fortore upon a high hill is Cerra Capriola in a populous and a civil country the which is well known through all the Kingdom for the toll or custom of cattel which pass through it from divers countries to winter in Puglia and for the custom of sheep where they pay in that place so much for every beast by the head Somewhat higher are these countries and castles St. Martino Colletorto S. Guilian Macchia which is adorned with the dignity of a Count subject to the house of Regina and not farr off is Petra di Cratello Campo di Pietra Geldono and in the top is Circomaggiore near the which springeth the river Fortore then on the left hand of Fortore is St. Nicandro five miles from the Sea and near the Lake of Cesina on that side which is nearest the Mount Gargano then farther within the land is Porcina a populous and a civil country where is also a very stately magnificent Palace made by the Emperor Frederick the second for a retiring house of pleasure after his sports of hunting in those parts Going six miles forward we come to St. Seniero a country very rich noble civil and populous whose Territory is so fertile that it is not inferior to any in this Province the said country hath lately been innobled by the Kings favour with the dignity of a Prince which the Family of Sangro possesseth Strabo writeth in his sixth book that in the Territory of Daunio although that imperfect and corrupt book nameth it Saunio at a hill named Drio in the manner of a Wood was in his time two Temples the one in the very top assigned to Calcante that whosoever came to demand any thing of the Oracle sacrificed a black ram lying down themselves upon the skin The other Temple was dedicated to Podalirio below at the very foot of the Hill distant from the Sea a hundred furlongs From the which Temple did spring a little brook very wholsom and comfortable to cure the infirmities of cattel therefore it may the better be believed that such Temples have been in these places hereabout for Strabo saith In agro Daunio circa tumulum quem Drion nominant basilicae monstrantur una quidem Calchantis in summo â—ertiâ—è cui petentes oracula ingrantâ—m imâ—lant arietem strata in pelle dormiunt Altera Podalirii in insima montis radice posita abest à mari stadiorum circiter C. Ex ea rivulus manat ad omnis pâ—corum morbos salutaris Now it is time to return to the Mount Gargano or rather St. Angelo to the end I may the better describe certain places which are there In the midst then of the said hill where is the fair and spacious plain of â—lorishing and pleasant pasture is to be seen the country of St. Iohn Ritondo where every year on the 11 of Iune are assembled the Bailiffs and Officers thereabout a chief and principal magistrate coming thither in the name of the King the which after they have well considered the store of grain barley and other corn with a general consent they proclaim a price of all victuals Not far from the said place are Cagnano and Carpino which have a fruitfull Territory the Baron thereof is Antonio Nava so honourable and worthy a Lord and so vertuously given as he is generally honoured and loved of every one and hath been the special occasion that this work is published the second time At the foot of the said hill near Manfredonia is St. Vito a very great country but wholly abandoned for the great abundance of Serpens that are therein Not far off is the Castle Arignano and St. Nocandro Departing then from the foot of the Mount Gargano and leaving the places near adjacent we come to Foggia in a populous country which hath a very fertile and fruitfull Territory yielding great plenty of grain barley and other sustenance Some say that it was built of the ruines of the ancient city of Argirippa the which as Straboâ—aith â—aith was in old time one of the greatest cities in Italy and was first called Argostippium afterward Argyripa and at the last Arpe and saith that it was builded by Diomedes At this present liveth with great honour to the said city Giovanbattista Vitale a very plausible and pleasant Poet of our age But it is not fit I should smother in silence the custom of the sheep of Puglia which is one of the greatest revenues that the King hath in the Kingdom and consisteth in the rents of the herbage which cometh every year into the Kings Exchequer by the Officers for the pasture of sheep and greater cattel of the which rents in truth some pay 13 duckets for a hundred sheep and some 12. and some 10 and a half and some 9. and some 6. and some 3. and some 15 carlins for a hundred and others 12 crowns for a thousand But of greater cattel some pay 37
The River Calabrice entreth into the River Sibare and runneth near Pagiano The River Clanio called also Glanio runneth near Cerra The River Canne runneth three miles distant from the City of Venosa and entreth into the River Lofanto near the which Rive was in old time the beautifull City Canne called of the Latines Canusium the which place is so famous both by Poets and Historians so much named for the great overthrow which Hannibal gave to the Romans thorough the timâ—rity and presumption of Terentius Varro as Livy apparently declares in his 21 book and Sillio Italico in his 9 book Plutarch in the life of Hannibal and of Scipio with many other Writers in the which overthrow was slain the Consul P. Emilio L. Ascilio L. Furio Bicacculo Treasurers of the Wars 21 military Tribunes and many Pretors Councellers and Ediles whereof were Gn. Servilio and Gn. Minutio Numantio the which had been the year before Master of the Cavaliery and 80 Senators There was slain in this great overthrow 40000 footmen and 2700 of the Roman Cavalry and as many of their friends and conâ—edâ—rates and many prisoners taken Ptolomeus otherwise nameth this place Canusium and Martial making mention of Canne thus saith Haec tibi turbato Canusina simillimamulso Munus erit gaude non fiet cito anus The River Clanto runneth near Loriano The River Cosano runneth near Asserolo The River Casinio now called Sanguino runneth near Venafro The River Cales runneth near the ancient City of Cales now called Calvi The River Cerbalo runneth near Civitella in Puglia The River Calabrice runneth near Fagliano and entreth into the River Sibare D THe River Diama passeth near to Cerella E The River Esaro runneth near the City of Corrone The River Eterno passeth near Teano The River Evoli passeth near Evoli F THe River Fâ—â—miceilo runneth near the City of Termole The River Fâ—umiculo runneth near Civitella The River Fiterno now called Salino passeth near the City of Sâ—lino The River Freddo passeth near the City of Freddo The River Frento otherwise called Fortore runneth near Larino a ruinated City The River Furore passeth near Vieteri The River Fanes called also Siris runneth near the City of Benevento The River Fineto passeth near Regina The River Fibrena runneth between the City of Arpino and Sora G THe River Glanco passeth near Valerosa The River Gineto called also Thieto runneth near the said Country The River Gronde passeth near the territory of Balbino in Calauria The River Garga runneth two miles distant from the Country of Summoranno The River Grande runneth near Altomonte The River Galesso runneth into the haven of Taranto called the little Sea The River Garigliano called in old time Ganicus and now Liris passeth near the ancient City of Minturna destroyed long since I THe River Isauro passeth near the City of Nieto now called Donato The River Isclaro passeth near the City of Caserta The River Isauro runneth near the City of Agatha The River Ispica passeth near the City of Pietra Fitta The River Ipoleto passeth near Nicastro L THe River Lite called in old time Liris and sometime Glanicus is now called Garigliano the said River runneth between Arce and Sora Pliny saith that this River hath its original from the Lake Fucino The River Librata of the Ancients and among others Pliny calleth it Albula for the whiteness thereof the said River passeth into Abruzzo and runneth not far off from Civitella of Tronto This River springeth from the Apennine The River Leudo runneth near the Country of Paolo The River Lavo called also Laino runneth near Scalea The River Lento passeth near the Monastery of St. Liberatore and the City of Frantana now called Francavilla this River springeth from the Hill Maiella The River Lucinio passeth near Rossano The River Linterno passeth not very far from the River Vulturno The River Lofanto called also Aufido runneth near Canosa by Pliny it is named Aufidus and it is also so called by Strabo by Pomponius Mela and by other ancient writers This River riseth from a little Fountain of the Apennine hils among the Irpini not far distant from the City of Nosco and from hence descendeth as a little brook of water which in summer the course or current thereof can hardly be perceived to run 30 miles but in the winter season it is so much augmented by other Rivers and streams which pass into it and besides through the showers and dews that are very often in that season it overfloweth the greatest fields of Puglia so comforting and watering the Country that it seems a large long and great sea The River Larasca springeth in Taranto M THe River Melpi runneth near the City of the ancient Atinagia now ruinated The River Moscano passeth near Piesco The River Metauro runneth near Maida The River Mesina runneth near Policastro The River Moro passeth near Ortona to the Sea The River Moncata runneth near Lacania and Maida in Calauria in the Territory of which Country grow the Plantane Trees a thing very rare in Italy The River Medama passeth near Belloforte The River Metauro passeth near Nicotera The River Marno passeth near Terranova The River Melfa runneth near the ancient City of Atina which was one of the five Cities which were built for the defence of Turnus against Eneas as Virgil saith in the seventh book of his Eneidos The River Musanio springeth in the mountains of Crepacore N THe River Nursa passeth near the Abby of St. Clement The River Neta passeth near Torana and Regia The River Neeto passeth neere Crotrone O THe River Ocinaro called also Sabatio passeth near Martorano The River Obvio passeth near Capestrano P The River Piomba runneth near Toritto The River Paola runneth near the City of Paola The River Pratello passeth near Piedemonte The River Petrace runneth near Gioia Lhe River Pesipo runneth near Nicastro The River Panopleto passeth near Maida The River Pitornio runneth near the Lake Fucino The River Plumba passeth near Hadria R THe River Rufeo runneth near Caramanico The River Raino runneth near Paleno The River Reatio runneth near Messuraca called in old time Reatium S THe River Sabuto passeth near Nocera and the ancient City of Teberina which was destroyed by Hannibal of Carthage and as the Ancients do affirm Ligia one of the Sirenes inhabited upon the mouth of the said River The River Sebeto called by the Latines Sebethos is a little River which passeth without the walls of the noble City of Naples which the Neopolitans call the River Magdalena by reason of a Church dedicated to the said Saint near which the said River passeth Papin Statio makes mention of the said River uâ— his first book de Selve saying Et pulchra tumeat Sebethos alumna It is also named by Virgil by Statio and by Colomella and by many other writers The River Senno called in old time Siri runneth near Amendolara and the ancient City of Sino which was afterward named Heraclea where the Statue of Minerva is very
famous which rouled the eys against the Ionii which sackt the City not respecting it The River Sapre runneth near the ancient City of Sapri now ruinated The River Semiro runneth near Squillace The River Seminara runneth near the said Country The River Sebatio called also Ocinaro passeth near Abatio The River Salinello called also Suino passeth near Villanto The River Sino runneth near Corvignano The River Sarno called also Scafato passeth near the City of Sarno The River Soricella runneth near Grotta The River Sabaro called by the Latins Sibaris runneth near the ancient City of Turia in Calauria the water whereof being drank by oxen sheep and other cattel makes their skins to become black where very near is the River Crate which worketh the contrary effect The River Saro now called Sangro passeth near Fossa Ceca The River Sento runneth near the hill Zalario The River Scosa passeth near Niceto The River Sagara very famous in Calauria for the cruel battel between the Locresi and the Crutonesi T THe River Targine passeth near Crotone The River Tauro passeth near Civita di Penna The River Tara riseth under Massafra near Taranto The River Tordino called by Pliny Vivantium runneth near the ancient City of Flaviano now called Castello nuovo The River Trinio runneth near Vasto aimone The River Tamaro passeth near Castello franco the City of Morcone The River Tiro runneth near the Territory of Baldino in Calauria The River Trero passeth near Ceccano The River Tavo runneth near the City of Tavo The River Tinnaria runneth near Paola The River Turbido passeth near Torano The River Triferno called also Piferno passeth near Termole The River Tropoalto runneth near Ariano The River Trigno hath his beginning from Vasto and fetching a compass divideth Puglia from Abruzzo The River Tronto called by Ptolomy in his third book Truentinum and by Strabo Druentum and by Pomponius Mela is named Truentium this River riseth from the Apennine Strabo and Pliny saith that in old time was builded the Castle Truento near the mouth of the River by the people Tiburni of Dalmatia and called it Truentium which at this present remains not any mention thereof neither can it be known whether the River was named from it or it from the River this River runneth within 5 miles of Crapolle V THe River Ufente called in old time Ansure from the ancient City of Ansure now called Tarracina The River Viciola runneth near Canzano The River Vomano called also Homano runneth near Calvano The River Volturno passeth near the ancient Volturno now it is called the River of Capua because it runneth by the said City The River Variano passeth near Cusano The River Verre runneth near Bello-monte The River Vado runneth near Sinopoli The River Verde springeth in the Hill Maiella between the Monastery of St. Martine and the Castle Faran of the Peligni now called Abruzzo the said River runneth near the City of Casale and of Colle Macine Vpon the bank of the said River was the body of Manfred King of Naples buried by the commandment of the Pope and upon his Tomb was ingraven this Epitaph Hic jaceo Caroli Manfredus Marie subactus Caesaris haerede non fuit urbe locus Sum patris ex odiis ausus confligere Petro Mars dedit hic mortem Mors mihi cuncta tulit Of the Hils which are in the Kingdom ABuceto is a very high Hill in the Isle of Ischia called in old time Enaria Inarime and Pithecusa upon the which Hill springeth a River of the same name Aburno is a Hill in the Province of Lucania now called Basilicata which was a part of Calauria This Hill is called of the Latines Alburnus because it is all white Virgil makes mention of the said Hill in the third of his Georgicks saying Primus Alburnum Volitans Atheneo a Hill called in old time Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano and now it is called the Hill of Massa from the City of Massa which stands but a little distant from the City of Surrento There is to be seen on the said Hill towards the Sea a great part of the ancient Temple of Minerva Astruno is a high Hill which standeth but a little distant from Pozzuolo in the midst of which Hill is a Plain very low reduced into a circle two miles in compass where is a little Pool with Sulphure-water which issueth out on every side very comfortable and wholsome for those that are diseased and feeble Savonarola maketh mention of the said Baths calling them Astrana Vgolino cals them Struna balnea Circello named by the Latines Mons Cerces and Circeus and of Ptolomy Girceum promontorium This Hill lieth near to Gaeta and was so called of Circes the daughter of the Sun and the Nymph Perse sister of Aethe King of the Colchi the great Magitian who being married to the King of the Sarmatians poisoned him through the desire she had to domineer and bear rule her self the which was the cause that she was chased away by all the people and so she came to inhabit in this Hill which did abound with great plenty of excellent hearbs and there made her residence with the which hearbs the Ancients have feigned that she transformed men into beasts There was upon the said Hill in old time a very beautifull and goodly City of the same name with the Temple of Circes and the obscure Cave of Minerva where was shewed in the time of Strabo for the truth thereof a Cup wherein Vlisses drank Into the said City Tarquin the proud brought many inhabitants because the fields Pometini very large and fair were near the Sea subject to the said Plain as Dionysius of Alicarnassus writeth in his fifth book and Livy in the first Much is written of the said Hill in many places both by Dionysius Strabo Livy Pliny Pomponius Mela Solina Procopio and also Virgil in his seventh book The said City being afterward ruinated in place thereof was made a very strong Castle which was a secure passage for many Roman Bishops The Hill Carcino now called Capo di Stilo and by Ptolomeo named Promontorium Carcinum is the longest Promontory in all Italy as Pliny writeth by opinion of others Barbaro in the corrections of Pliny saith that it ought to be called Cocintum as the ancient books of Pliny declare and also of Polybius Barbaro besides saith that the book of Pliny was corrupted when he saith the Castle of Carceno was near to Petilia because he should have said Caecinum of which speaketh Filisto saying thus Caecinum est oppidum non multum à Sicilia distans The Cape of Squillace is a Hill upon the which in old time was the City of Squillac◠called by Pliny Scyllatius and by Strabo by Solinus and by Pomponius Mela Scyllatius The said City was builded by the Atenesi the companions of Menestro which arived there Crepacore is a great back or brow of the Apennine the which for the steepness and difficult
ascent hath been so called yet in old time it was called Grumo from the which flowes the River Moscano The said Hill is near to the Cave Menarda Cecubo is a Hill which joyneth to the Gulf of Gaeta and near Castellone the said Hill is very famous for the excellent Wine it yields for it bringeth forth the strongest Grape the Wines of Cecubo are accounted with the best as the Fondani and Setini whereof Martial saith Caecuba fundanis generosa coquuntur Amydis Vitis in media nata palude viret Casino is a high Hill which is not very far from the City of Aquino and the Castle Secca both being in Campania felix In the said Hill was in old time the City of Casino a Colony of the Romans as Titus Livius writeth in his ninth book declaring that thither was brought a Colony at the same time with Minturn And also Antonio in his Commentary speaketh likewise thereof in his 36 book And Strabo saith that in his time there was the glorious City of the Latines And Sillo nameth it thus in his twelfth book Nymphisque habitata Casini rura evastantur Here was the Temple of Apollo where was afterward builded the Stately Monastery of Casino so named by the ruinated City The said Monastery was built by St. Benedict for his Monks although the buildings of the Monastery at this present are not those which the Father St. Benedict builded for not long after his death all things were ruinated by the Longobards Totila King of the Goths moved by the sanctity of St. Benedict went up into the said Monastery purposing to try if that were true which he had heard say of him that is to say that St. Benedict through a prophetical spirit did know any secret or hidden thing apparelled himself like a page causing another to go before him cloathed in Kingly attire who feigned himself to be Totila but the Saint knowing of God the deceit requested him with a cheerfull countenance to come in with the rest of his followers and pointing to the King which was so basely attired to come foremost into the Monastery But neither this nor any other signes of sanctity which St. Benedict shewed to the Longobards were sufficient to bridle the fury of these Barbarians from the spoil of this Monastery the which had been foretold to the Monks by the Father St. Benedict It was afterward reedified upon the first foundations and also enlarged about a 112 years after by Petronio Petronasso Bresciano through the perswasion of Pope Gregory the second as Paolo Diacono writeth in his sixth book of the Histories of the Longobards and Elia Capriolo in his fifth book of his Brescian Histories The Monks thereof have more in revenue every year then fifty thousand duckets In the said Monastery do lie the bodies of many Saints and chiefly that of St. Benedict the Founder and Head thereof and of St. Scolastica his sister whose bodies were found in the year 1543. Pliny declares in the fourth chapter of his seventh book that in the said City of Casino in the time of the Consulship of Lucinius Crassus and of Caio Cassio Longo a certain girl was converted to a male kind which by advice of the South-sayers was carried away into a desert Island Caulo called in old time Caulon is a high Hill in Calauria upon the which is situated the City of Caulonia near Locri the said Hill is very full of Vines whereupon the Ancients consecrated it unto Bacchus Virgil speaketh of this Hill in the third of the Eneidos saying Caulonisque arces naufragum Scyllaceum Pliny in the third Book and tenth Chapter also discourseth of the said City Strabo in his sixth Book Pomponius Mela in his second and Stephano of the City cals it Caulonia Christs Hill is a high Hill which is near the City of Pozzuolo in the very same place which was called the Bath of Trepergole It is said that in the time that our Saviour Jesus Christ arose from death to life and descended into Hell at his resurrection he took the said great Hill and stopt the hole or mouth of Hell which he made coming from thence and for this cause they say it was called Christs Hill whereupon the Poet Eustasius thus saith Est locus Australis quo portam Christus Averni Fregit eduxit mortuus inde suos Haec domus est triplex hinc jure Tripergula dicta Vna capit vestes altera servat aquam Vtilis unda satis multum sudantibus aufert Defectum mentis cum gravitate pedum Haec stomachi varias facit absentare querelas Flebile de toto corpore tollit onus Debilis atque piger quibus est non multa facultas Consulimus tali ut saepe fruatur aqua Hujus amator aquae symptomata nulla timebit Incolumi semper corpore laetus erit But I believe with the holy Catholick and Apostolick Church that our Saviour Jesus Christ the son of the omnipotent God descended into Hell as all the Prophets and holy Apostles have said and I also believe that he arose the third day from death as the Scriptures verify unto us but that he should rise from this place or any other I am not so foolish to affirm it or say that which I know not For which thing I think better as St. Augustin saith in the 8 upon Gen to doubt de occultis quam litigare de incertis Cibele is a Hill near the City of Mercogijacono on the top whereof was in old time a stately Temple dedicated to the honour of Cibele Mother of the Gods Antonio Pio in his Commentary maketh mention of this Hill describing the way from Benevento to the Pillars he placeth first Mercuriale and afterward Cibele Mother of the Gods The said Temple was afterward dedicated by St. William unto the Virgin Mary the which hill after the consecration above-said the name of Cibele was changed into the name of Virgine as it is called at this present and the Congregation of the Fathers which are there is called de monte Virgine This high Hill is separated from the Apennine and also from the other Hils except they touch a little at the bottom In the great Altar of the said Church are preserved the bodies of the three children which by the commandment of Nechadonozor King of Babylon were put into the burning Oven because they would not adore the golden Image In the said Church is a Reliquary of so much beauty and ornament for the gilding of the place and for the many Reliques put in fair Vessels of silver and gold that it would be very difficult to find a better and perhaps not the like in all Christendom as all strangers say which come thither from far Countries In the said hill whether by the will of God whom it pleaseth many times to work marvailous effects in sundry particular places or by any other accident neither within the Monastery nor
Church and a Monastery of Carthusian Monks under the name of St. Martin the other Church of St. Hermo stands within the Castle which was builded by Charls the first of Angio King of Naples for a defence and guard of the said City The said Castle was newly fortified by the Emperor Charls the fifth All this Hill is beautified with goodly buildings and other worthy edifices this pleasant Hill yieldeth excellent Wines which are much commended by Galen 5 Salubrium 1 de antid and Martial in Xenia speaking of the Wine Trifolino thus saith Non sum de primo fateor Trifolina Lyaeo Inter vina tamen septima vitis aero It is called the Hill Trifolino by reason of the three-leafed grass which growes there very plentifully Tifata is a Hill which lies above Capoa whereof Sillio speaketh Tifata umbrisico generatum monte Calenum Titus Livius likewise nameth it in the seventh and twentisixth book describing that Hannibal departing from the Brutii came into these places to relieve Capoa besieged by Q. Fulvius and Appius Claudius the Roman Consuls and pitcht his Camp in a Valley but a little distant from the said Hill with the greatest part of his Army and with 30 Eliphants Vesevo or Vesuvio is a hil that stands over against Naples and opposite to the Pompeians divided on every side with high hils and hath at the foot thereof round about many pleasant Woods but in the top is very dreadfull hideous and unpassable in the midst whereof is a great hole made with fire which seems as a Theatre digged even out of the bowels of the Hill from whence in old time did ascend great abundance of fire Of these flames Beroso the Caldean in his fifth book of Antiquities maketh mention saying that in the last year of the King Arli the 7 King of the Assirians the said Hill burned Suetonius in the life of Titus saith that in the time of the said Emperor it yielded also great abundance of fire Of the like fire in the same manner relateth Dion the Greek the said fire burned two Cities that stood near unto it that is to say Erculanio and Pompey After the fire had continued three daies and three nights it cast so many ashes with so great violence that they were carried with the force of the wind even into Africa into Syria and into Egipt whereupon Pliny being desirous to see the cause of these fires went even to the Tower Ottavi and there was stifled with the smoke which rose from the said hill This burning was the cause that the Curati were created in Rome for the Country of Lavoro whose office was to provide for those inconveniencies in all that Country Vesevo is now much tilled and yieldeth excellent Greek Wine and great store of Corn and there is also gathered great plenty of good fruits it is now called the Hill of Somma because it standeth over against Naples On the one side it hath the Fields on the other the Sea at the foot of the hill is the fair City of Somma which is adorned with the Title of Duke Of the said Hill thus saith Sillio Italico in the 12 book Monstrantur Veseva juga atque in vertice summo Depasti flammis scopuli fractusque ruina Mons circum atque Aethnae satis carentia saxa And Martial in the 4 book of his Epigrams Hic est Pampineis viridis vesuvius umbris Praesserat hic madidos nobilis uva locus Haec juga quam Nysae colles plus Bacchus amavit Hoc nuper satyri monte dedere choros Haec veneris sedes Lacedaemone graâ—ior illi Hic locus Herculeo nomine clarus erat Cuncta jacent flammis tristi mersa favilla Nec superi vellem hoc licuisse sibi Some say that Vesuvio was so called for the sparkles of fire which in old time it cast out as it were full of sparkles for in old time a sparkle was called Vesuvia Others say that it was also named Vesbio of Vesbio Captain of the Pelasgi which did domineer and command the said Hill Servio was deceived in expounding those words of Virgil in the 7. saying Et vicina Veseva ora jugo because he saith that Vesevio is not the same that is Vesuvo and that the first standeth in Liguria from whence the River Po floweth and that the second is in Campania felix Nevertheless by the authority and testimony of excellent and grave Writers that hill of Liguria hath been called Vesuvio FENNS THe Fenn Pontana called of the Latinists Palus Pontina was so named as Strabo saith from the City of Pometia sometimes a Colony of the Romans made at the same time with Suessa according to T. Liviâ—s in his 9 book It proceedeth of two Rivers the one called Aufido the other Vfente of the first Virgil maketh mention saying Et in mare volvitur Vfeus And in the 7. Vfeus insignis fama Now it is vulgarly called Aufente and also Baudino This Fenn is so large that as Pliny saith with the authority of Mutiano that there were 24 Cities Titus Livius writeth in his 47 book that the said Fenn was dried up by the Consul Cornelio Cethego and the ground became solid and firm to sow corn But in process of time care being not had thereof it returned to its pristinate state and was all filled with water the which Theodorico King of the Goths noting caused it to be made drie another time At this present the said fields are become for the most part so moorish as well by the means of the said Rivers as the great flowing of the waters which spring from the bottom of the bordering hils round about and there settle and remain their ancient passages being stopt whereby they were wont to depart and pass into the Sea So by this means there is to be seen a great Moor Upon this Fenn or Moor was the City of Terracina called in old time Ansure which was the chief and head City of the Vlosci Strabo saith that in former time it was called Trachina which is to say sharp and rough by reason of the stony â—ils where it is situate Servio saith that in Terracina was adored a little Iupiter called Ansurâ— which in Greek signifies as it were not shaven because he had no beard by reason of his youth whereupon Martial in the 10 of his Epigrams writing to Faustine thus saith O nemus ò fontes solidumque madentis arenae Lictus aequoris splendidus Anxur aqueis And Horace in hâ—s Poetry saith Sterilique diu palus aptaque remis Vnicas urbes alit grave sentit aratrum Servio also saith that not very far from Terracina was a City called Satura Suetonius Tranquillus writeth that Tiberius being invited to a Feast at Terracina in a place called Pretorio suddenly fell from aloft many great stones which kild many of his friends and followers and himself hardly escaped Spartiano saith that Antonino Pio repaired the Haven
of Terracina This City had also the immunities and priviledges of Anzo and of Hostia the which were likewise suspended at the coming of Asdrubale into Italy Acherusa is a Fenn or Moor which is now called Coluccia and are certain waters of a rusty iron colour which amaze whosoever see them and overspread much ground between Capoa and Aversa infecting the air and making the earth unfruitfull through the great abundance in that Plain whereby the Country becomes altogether unprofitable It stretcheth even to Cuma overflowing every place the which is so plain that the water runneth not but in summer is accustomed to be drie Of the which water none in old time would taste believing it was an infernal water which distilled from the near adjacent waters through the great heat of Flâ—giton whereupon they builded there a Temple to Pluto the God of Hell The Ancients have also said that Hercules at his departure from Hell took the Crown from the head of Oppius and planted it for a memorial on the side of the said Moor whereupon the Poets afterward feigned that all the Poppies that grew there had black leaves Pliny makes mention of this Moor in his 3 book Strabo in the 5 book Sill. in the 8. Virgil in the 6 of Eneid saying Vnum oro quando hic Inferni janua regis Dicitur tenebrosa palus Acheronte refuso Of LAKES ANsanto of the Latinists called Amsanctus is a Lake which lieth between Lucania and the Irpini the water whereof yieldeth a stinking savour like Brimstone and therefore all the fowles that fly over it fall down dead to the earth Cicero nameth this Lake in the 1 of Divinat saying Mortifera quaedam pars est ut Amsancti in Hirpinis in Asia Plutonica quae vidimus And Virgil in the 7. of the Eneid Est locus Italiae in medio sub montibus altis Nobilibus fama multis memoratus in oris Amsancti valles Agnano is a Lake which lieth near Pozzuolo and is invironed with high Rocks the said Lake is very deep and yieldeth not any thing but Frogs In the Spring time there are often seen many heaps and bundles of Serpents which are smothered and stifled in the water by divine providence the which permitteth not that they multiply and increase being so pernicious to humane nature Averna is a deep Lake which is three miles distant from Cuma and is called of the Latinists Avernus it was so named as Nonio Marcello saith for the mortal and deadly savour of the water against birds and fowles which incontinently die if they fly but over it It is compassed round about with high Hils except at the entrance Round about it are very delightfull and pleasant places in this Lake were men sacrificed and here also as Homer declareth was Elphenore slain by Vlisses and sacrificed and likewise Miseno by Eneas The water of this Lake hath a brackish and salt taste and a black colour In old time the said Lake was invironed with thick Woods through the shadow whereof it was alwaies obscure and fearfull whereupon Augustus caused all the Woods to be cut down On the left hand in the turning of the Lake is the Cave of Sibilla and a little farther near the water is the Temple of Mercury the ruines whereof are yet to be seen Of this Lake Aristotle maketh mention de admirabilibus mundi Valer. Flac. lib. 2. Seneca in Troade 9. Curt. lib. 8. Dion in 5. of Antiquities Vibio Sequestre Nonio Marcello Strabo Pontano in the 2. and especially Virgil in the 6 saying Inde ubi venere ad fauces graveolentis Avernâ— Tollunt se celeres And a little farther Quam super â—aud ullae poterant impune volantes Tendere iter pennis talis sese halitus arris Faucibus effundens supera ad convexa fetebat Vnde locum Grai dixerunt nomen Averni Very near the Lake Averno is the Lake Lucrino whereof we will speak in its place Andoria is a Lake in Puglia and named by Pliny Mandarium and by Boccas in his book of Lakes Andurium from a Castle very near unto it called Andurio the said Lake is not very far from the shore The Lake Fucino named by Strabo Lacus Fucinus and likewise by other Writers the said Lake is commonly called Celano This lake is in the Country of the Marsi now called Abruzzo on the other side it is in compass 30 miles and is very full of excellent fishes where is also great fowling for Mallards wild-Geese and Swans Round about the Lake are the Castles of St. Apetito and St. Iona and these other places and Cities also Paterno Transaco Giagano Avezzano Magliano and Celano is under the title of a Count a very rich and populous Country from whose name this Lake was also called Celano The River Giovento entreth into the said Lake and runneth upon the water easily to be perceived in such manner that as it entreth in and runneth upon it so also it returns without mingling it self with it In the said Lake was swallowed up the magnificent City Archippa built by Marsia King of the Lidi Iohn Pontano declareth in his book de Magnificentia that the Emperor Claudius maintained eleven years continually 30 thousand men to dam up this Lake the which water Martia in his Edileship conveyed to Rome and called it by his name which was esteemed and commended before any other water that was brought thither Martial besides makes mention of this Lake saying Fucinus pigri taceantur stagna Neronis Lusina is a Lake so called of Lusina a City of Capitanata this Lake is distant from the said City little less then a mile near to the which the River Forâ—ore runneth into the Sea This Lake is forty miles in compass and by Pliny is called Lacus Pantanus which breedeth excellent fishes Lucrino is a Lake near the Gulf of Bain in Campania felix directly against Pozzuolo it is commonly called the Lake of Licola This Lake Lucrino was fortified by Hercoles to keep his oxen he brought from Gerion It was afterward much better amended and ordered by Agrippa Strabo saith that he made it in that sort that boats might pass into it some say that this Lake Lucrino was so called de Lucro that is to say from the gain and commodity that arise of the fishes that are therein taken and from this Lake there goeth a way to Averno In this Lake Lucrino there is plenty of Oysters whereof Martial speaketh Non omnis laudem preceumque Aurata meretur Sed cui solus erit Concha Lucrina cibut And in another place saith Ebria Baiano veni modo Conca Lucrino Nobile nunc sitio luxuriosa Garnum Pliny writeth in the 9 lib. cap. 8. that in the time of Augustus there was a Dolphin in this Lake Lucrino and that a poor mans son which daily went to school to Baia by Pozzuolo seeing him began to call him Simon and very often with pieces of bread which
hand Pontanus in the fourth book of his History of Naples speaking of the office of the Constable refused that word as too base and abject and not Roman and so named him in Latin Magnus militiae Magister the great Master of the Militia Some would liken the office of great Constable to the Praefectus Praetorio yet there seems to be a difficulty in it seeing the Praefectus Praetorio was always created out of the Knightly order which Rule is not observed in the High Constable who is alwayes selected from among the greatest and most illustrious Barons of the Kingdom I believe their opinion was grounded upon this that the Praefectus Praetorio was next to the Prince a supream office depending upon none else over all the Militia just as the high Constable is amongst us he hath 219â— Duckets a year pay and pretends in time of service when the war is without the kingdom he ought to have it double Whereupon there is a consultation depending in the Royall Chamber which is yet undecided High Admirall THe High Admirall is the second Office of the kingdom And though the Great Iustice have pretended to have the second place yet there arising many years ago a controversie for precedencie between the Duke of Somma high Admirall and the Duke of Amalfi chief Justice and the question being which of them should at that time precede it was thus judged That for the present the Duke of Somma as high Admirall should precede the chief Justice and this was done in a summary kind of judgment for the Viceroy who was at that time having called together the Regents before he went to the Chappell on a Sunday morning he caused this question to be resolved standing so far that the Usher was commanded to say That his Excellency commanded the High Admirall should go before the chief Justice not debarring howsoever the chief Justice of any reasons which he might hereafter alledge for himself Signior Agnolo of Costanzo told me that one of those Regents being called by the Viceroy that very morning wherein he had commanded the Usher to publish that Order had told him they were moved to give sentence on the high Admirals behalf because there was a very ancient Record sound in the Kings Chancery by which it plainly appeared that in a Parliament held in the time of Charls the third King of Naples Thomas Marzano Count of Squillace high Admirall preceded Rogger Acclocciamuro chief Justice And this Record is likewise made mention of by Martin Frezza in his first book de Subseudis pag. 54. num 35. And though in the Parliament held by King Alphonso in Benevento they seemed to sit in another order yet because there was no authenticall Record thereof extant as of that of Charls the third judgement was given on the high Admirals side and so much the rather because it seems to be very just that the Generall of the Sea who is the Admiral should immediatly follow the Land Generall which is the Constable This Office alone of all the other seven retains to this hour its jurisdiction which all the rest have lost And from this also hath been taken away the Generalship of the Gallies of the kingdom though there yet belongs unto him a very large jurisdiction both in Naples and elswhere through all the kingdom over all those which any way by industry live upon the trade of the Sea The great Court of Admiralty hath its name of Great even just as that of the Vicaria and its Tribunall is governed by one or more Judges according to the high Admirals pleasure He chuses his Lieutenant who carries in his hand the staff of Jurisdiction as the Regent of the Vicaria doth And he as well as the Judge hath a place in the Royall Chappell next to the last Judge of the Civill Vicaria as Frezza saith lib. 3. pag. 432. num 23. He may likewise appoint fifty men for the guard of his person with fifty Constables on Horseback and 25 Commensali or fellow Boorders and other persons as is contained in his priviledges which may go armed in the Citie of Naples and all the kingdom over with any manner of Arms though they be prohibited by the law He hath also all his houshold Officers and such Officers also as belong to his Court He appoints in every Sea-town a Vice-Admirall a Register and two Marshals and in every Province a Provinciall Vice-Admirall with six Marshals and all subject to his jurisdiction All shipwracks either of Infidels or unknown masters are his When he purposes to keep Court for execution of justice he sets up his Flag hath a Captain of the guard and his Marshals His stipend is besides six Duckets a day which all the other six Officers have which comes every year to 2160 Duckets every moneth a hundred Duckets as he is Generall of the Sea He hath for every Bark or Boat a Carline by reason of their Pennons which are certain little Flaggs with the high Admirals Arms upon them which every master of Boat or Bark is bound to carry by his Lanthorn none can put any vessels to sea against the Infidels without his license for which he is to pay a certain rate and of the prizes also when any are taken there belongs a share to the high Admirall He hath also all the bodies of the vessels which are taken with other pledges and those which by chance are sunk in the sea he hath also I know not how many barrows of Salt of the old measure for his house provision He pays no Custome or Toll nor gives no account for any thing he exports out of the kingdom by sea though others pay for such things He hath moreover very many other prerogatives and preheminencies which may be read in the Orders of the Office of the high Court of Admiralty which for brevity I omit of which to this day the high Admirall is possessed Chief Iustice. THe third Office is that of Chief Iustice which hath the supream place of exercising Justice as well Civill as Criminall in the whole kingdom of Naples His Lieutenant is called the Regent of the Vicaria and hath his Judges both Criminall and Civill and his Tribunall is the Court of the Vicaria The Chief Iustice his stipend is two thousand one hundred and ninety Duckets and the Regent hath six hundred Duckets he hath also the profits of the licenses of the Sword which are two and twenty grains and half for every license which may come every year to two thousand Duckets High Chamberlain THe fourth Office is that of High Chamberlain is so called by reason he hath partciular care of the Royal Chamber and every thing else therby belonging to his King His Lieutenant hath his Tribunall called the Chamber of the Summaria where there is nothing treated of neither by his Lieutenant nor by the Presidents but of such differences as arise between private men and the Kings Treasury or
Barbary And this the holy Ferdinand did so a little after that he had receivd the Title of Catholic King from the Apostolicall See nor do I think King Almansor that you ever heard or read of an Act of more infidelity and ingratitude by Saracen Infidel or Pagan Almansor went on and sayed truly I have conversd with divers Chronicles wherin I have met with many odd foul traverses of State done by ambitious Princes in hope to raigne But touching this Act of Ferdinand I do not remember to have read any that can parallell it Naples sayed again but O King Almansor if your Nation kept fast Spain so many yeers in that Chain what way did they use to shake it off Almansor sayed that cursed Union which was made twixt Castile and Aragon by the nuptials of Ferdinand and Isabella was the cause of my ruine and of my Successors after me as also of the servitude wherof you complain a most fatall union which all the Potentates of Europe specially of Italy have as much cause to curse to this day as I have for the jealousies twixt the Castilians and Aragonians securd alwaies my Kingdom of Granada Add hereunto that the countenance and succours which the Popes gave to Ferdinand did accelerat the work Hold there King Almansor sayed Naples for since you were cast out of Spain the Popes have sufferd more by the ambitious designes of the Catholick Kings then they did before for nothing could be so disadvantagious to Rome as to have so potent a Prince so neer a Neighbour unto her witness that Siege and lamentable sack which she sufferd so soon after my servitude by the Spaniard Bourbon being his General wherby he hansomly payed her for that assistance she gave him for the Conquest of Granada since which time the ambition of Spain hath bin felt in Italy and in other places so that it had bin more for the tranquility of Europe that the Moors had still continued in Spain Add hereunto that these new additions of power to Spain have tended much to the disorders ever since that have hapned unto you in matters of Religion The jealousies that Germany had of the growing greatness of Charles the fift were the cause that many Princes revolâ—ed from him and Rome but since the Spaniards have taken such firm footing in Italy the main reach of their policy is to joyn me and Milan in one entire peece by subduing all the interiacent Territories which if it happen farewell the freedom of all Italy as well as mine But sayd Almansor how are the Milaneses usd your Conterranean fellow Subjects Naples answerd that they of Milan were washd only with dashes of Rain water but a whole deluge hath over-whelmd me Moreover the disposition of the Lombard differs from mine for the Noble-men and Gentry there are more free and resolute and more far from vice they are better Patriots and carefull of their Countries liberty insomuch that I dare say if there were but one tru Cremona brain among my Napolitan Barons it wold be enough to dash that forcd Donative which is exacted of me ever and anon which brings me often to feed upon bread and Onyons Add hereunto that the confines of the Grisons of the Duke of Savoy and the Venetian who are all jealous of the King of Spains growing power makes him proceed with more discretion and caution in his Territories in Lombardy This dialog twixt Naples and Almansor being ended the same Author faignes all the States of Europe to be summond before the oracle at Delphos to be weighd in a great balance held by Lorenzo de Medici where the Monarchy of Spaine making her apparance in a high majestic garb among other passages there was a Book presented unto her by one of the Witts the substance wherof was to discover a way for Spain to reduce to her ancient splendor and freedom the most noble Parthenope and the once most florishing Kingdom of Naples wheras by plundrings of the Soldiers the corruption of the Iudges the fleecing of the Barons the rapacity of the Viceroys who are sent thither as Hoggs to a sty only to fatten the former lustre of that delicate Countrey is quite decayd The Author receavd twenty Crowns of the Spanish Monarchy for a guerdon for this Book promising that she wold deliver that discours and avisos to her Confessor to consider of Another pure Polititian presented Her with a Treaty clean contrary shewing her a way how the Napolitan Courser might be brought to bear a Pack-Saddle of a heavier burden and to be made so docil that he might be fitt to draw her Coach upon ocasion To the Author of this discours the Monarchy gave 12000 Crowns and a little after he was Grandee of Spain At this great Assembly in Delphos ther was a Contrasto happend twixt Rome and Naples who shold have the precedency it was decided that for the Majesty of a Citty Naples must eternally vayle to Rome and Rome to Naples for a delicat situation that Rome must confesse there are more people in Naples but that Naples must acknowledg ther are more men in Rome Moreover it was necessary that the Witts and Wines of Naples shold be transported to Rome to receave perfection it was also decreed that Naples had more skill to break Colts and Rome to tame Men It was confessd further that ther were more Cavaliers in Naples and more Câ—mendums in Rome That among the Romans they were only calld Knights who carried a red Crosse upon their Garments but in Naples all men indifâ—erently might be calld Knights because the Spaniard made them carry Crosses upon their very skins Thus this ingenious Italian doth descant upon the comportment of the Spaniard in Italy and his Book kept a great noise in the World but the Spaniard owing him a revenge and after a strict and long inquisition not lighting upon him in any of his own Dominions there were two Valentones two Banditi two Hirelings for bloud found him out in Verona and watching their oportunity they went to his Lodging under colour of a visit and every one of them having a bagg of Sand in his pockett they so crushd his bones that they rattled within his skin and having so dispatchd poor Boccolini out of this World they fledd having stoned him to death with Sand. PHILIP The Fourth of AVSTRIA xxix King OF NAPLES PHILIP the third left behind three Sons and two Daughters the Sons were Philip who succeeded him in all his Dominions with Charles and Ferdinand who was Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Toledo they both dyed young in the Meridian of their yeers one in Spain the other being Governour of Flanders The two Daughters were Anna of Austria and the Infanta Donna Maria the first was married to Lewis the thirteenth King of France yet living the other to the Emperor Ferdinand now Raigning King Philip was but young when he took the Reins of the Government being but sixteen yeers of age There was
entire continent having intelligence how well their Neighbours and Fellow-subjects had sped the tother side by that popular Insurrection thought that they were as free born people as the Sicilian and did contribute more to the Spanish greatnes their Donatives therfore they might very well deserve and expect as good usage as they There had bin not long before a new Tax layd upon all Fruits green dry which amounted to about eighty thousand Duckets yeerly The Duke of Arcos then Vice-roy was often told that there was an universall muttering at this Tax which might beget dangerous consequences Hereupon som Commissioners were appointed to consult how som other way might be taken to raise monies for the King as also to repay those sums that had bin imprested and already lent upon the credit of the sayed Fruit Tax At that time there was in Naples a young fellow about four and twenty yeers old who got his living by retayling of Fish up and down he was of a stirring and spritfull humor of a confident speech and utterance This poor Retayler of Fish calld Thomas Anello and by contraction Masanello observing what discontents and mutterings raignd in every corner about this Tax upon fruit with divers others and the next day meeting with a great company of boyes in the Market-place he made them follow him up and down the streets with sticks and Canes in their hands making them cry out Let the Pope live let the King of Spain live but let the ill Government perish This and such like Doctrine being infusd by Masanello into his young Schollers the Shop-keepers laught at him as he went asking him whether he were not frantic or foolish but he told them yee laugh at me now but you shall see shortly what Masanello can do let me alone if I do not free you from the Slavery of so many Taxes let me be held infamous for ever At which Speech the laughter encreasd but Masanello grew more and more intentious about the work so that he enrolâ—d the names of divers boyes twixt 16 17 and 18. yeers old so that at last he made a Regiment of two thousand the next day being a Festivall he marchd with his brigade of boyes after him and it chancd that being in the Market-place the Fruiterers and Costermongers or Shop-keers fell out about the paying of the new Tax and the baskets of Fruits were thrown down and the boyes fell a gathering and eating of them in the streets Masanello encouraging them all the while hereupon the Lord Anaclerio the elect of the people threatning him with whipping and the Gallies not only the Fruiterers but other people threw Apples and Pears into Lord Anaclerios face and Masanello gave him a good thump upon the breast with a stone So with much ado the Lord Elect broke his way in a Coach through the crowd and leaping into a Boat or Feluca he scapd Upon these hopeâ—ull beginnings the Rabble flockd together in many places protesting to pay no more Gabell and crying still let the King live and the ill Government dy So now Masanello began to be attended with men as well as boyes and leaping up upon a stall which was in the Market-place among the Fruiterers he sayed with a loud voice to this effect making this noble Speech as if he had bin inspird Rejoyce my dear Companions and Country-men give God thanks and the glorious Virgin the time of our redemption draws neer This poor Fisher-man barefooted whom you see shall aâ— another Moses who freed the Israelites from Pharaohs Rod free you in like manner from all Gabels and Impositions It was a Fisher-man I mean Saint Peter who reducd Rome from Satans slavery to the liberty of Christ Now another Fisher-man who is Masanello shall release Naples and with the City of Naples a whole Kingdom from the tyranny of Tolls From henceforth yee shall shake off your necks the intolerable yoke of so many grievances which have depressd your spirits hitherto To effect which I do not care a rush to be torn in peeces and dragd up and down the gutters of Naples Let all the blood of my body spin out of my veins let this head skip off my sholders by a fatal steel be pearchd up in this Market-place upon a Pole yet I shall dy contented and glorious it will be an honor and a triumph unto me that my life and blood perishd in so glorious a Conquest This Speech did wonderfully work upon the people whose hearts were ready to cooperat with him so for a handsom beginning the Toll-house for Fruit with all the books of accounts were burnt to the ground with much of the Customers goods which were shewd there Hereupon the Shops were shut up and down almost through all the City and the Keepers of them went to other quarters of the City where the Toll-houses for Corn Flesh Fish Salt Wine Oyle Cheese and Silk stood all which they burnt to the very earth withall the writing and Custom house books as also all the Hangings and Houshold-stuff were hurld into a great Straw-fire together with som Chests of moneys and Plate and all burnt And in this confusion there was this strickt point of Government already that it was deâ—th for any one to pourloin or take away any thing out of the fire for his own use The people all this while having met with no opposition at all grew to be above ten thousand in number and they made towards the Vice-roys Palace many of them holding loafs of bread upon the tops of their Pikes which was then very deer because of the Toll upon corn There were som among the Brigads of boyes who carried black clowts upon the tops of their Canes crying out in dolorous notes as they passd Have pitty upon these poor Souls in Purgatory who not being able to endure so many grievances seek how they may escape away O brothers joyn with us O sisters assist us in so just a cause In such dolefull tones they went about and coming to Saint Iames Prison they freed there all the Prisoners and admitted them to their Society At last they came under the Vice-roys window and made a hideous cry that they wold be freed not only of the Fruit Gabell but of all other specially that of Corn The Vice-roy out of his Balcone promisd them very fair to take off quite the Fruit Tax half of that of Corn but this not suffizing they rusht into the Vice-roys Palace notwithstanding the German and Spanish Guards which were there and breaking through all the Rooms they came at last to that Room where the Vice-roy was shut up under lock which they broke open but the Vice-king was fled and thinking to go to the Castle where his Lady was retired he found the Draw-bridg up and so came back and fled to a Franciscan Monastery while the Rabble was in his Palace they did much mischief and pursuing him still and understanding that he was retired to
Instruments of a King XXX The late Kings Declaration in Latine French and English XXXI Bella Scoto-Anglica or the Traverses of War twixt England and Scotland XXXII Mercurius Hybernicus XXXIII The Process and pleadings in the Court of Spain for the death of Mr. Ascham in Fol. Three of all which Books are Translations the rest his own Compositions Vfent is a River near the City of Ansure now called Terracina for the roughness thereof It was builded by Ansurus the son of Iupiter The Provinces of the Kingdom of Naples See Virgil in the end of the fifth Book of Aeneidâ—s where he saith Iamque adeo scopulos syrenum c. The Isles of Diomedes called by Cornelius Tacitus in his 4 book Trimerus The praise of the Kingdom Men and women endued with divers Sciences St. Thomas Aquinus see lib. of Metheora Turia is a Country of Calauria anciently called Metaâ—tos Marinus florished in the time of the Emperor Hadrian and writ many questions of Philosophy as Suida noteth See Stasius in the end of his 3 Book to Claudia The length and breadth of the Land of Lavoro Campania Felix why it was so called The nature of the Land of Lavoro Trees flourish twice a year in this Province The great plenty both of fowls and wild beasts in the Land of Lavoro The fishes which the Sea of this Province bringeth forth Mines and Baths Of the Wine Oyle and living creatures which are in this Province See Plutarch The praise of this Province The excellent Conserve of Naples The nature condition of the people of this Province Fondi Pliny lib. 14. cap 6. The Lake Fondano Mamurry Gaeta Galasius second Bishop of Rome Mola Formia The Village of Scipio and Lelius See Martial lib. x. epigâ—a The Castle Honoratus Horace lib. pr. The River Garigliano The overthrow given to the Saracins by Pope Iohn the 10. Consalvus Ferrandus grand Captain of Cordova Tratetto Minturne The Land of Lavoro Garigliano Trifano Sinope called Sinuessa Turpillus the Comical Poet. The Hill Massico The Fort of Mondragone The Villages of Sessa The City Sessa Why it was called Sessa Augustine Nifo Carinola The Fields Falerni what they were and how far they stretched The Fields Stellato Calvi Cajazza Tiano Caianello Vulturno Patria Of the Fountain Acidula and the property thereof The City Cuma The Town of Servilio Vacia Miseno Trumpeter of Aeneas Bana the Lake Averno and Pizzolo why they were so named Soffatara The Hil Asturno Listroni The Village of Cicero where the Emperor Adrian was buried Hot-Houses The soul of Pascasio Cardinal See also Iohn â—â—kiâ— in his 2 book of Purgatory Pausilipo a most delightfull place which according to Dion was possessed by Vedio Pollione a Roman a man famous for no other cause then his wealth and cruelty because in that place he had certain Fish-ponds wherein he used often times to cast in men as food for his fishes and dying leâ—t Augustus his heir of Pausilipo Virgil his Sepulchre Chiaia Giacomo Sanazaro The Castle of Vovo Naples alwaies faithful to the people of Rome The praise of the City of Naples The Gulf Cratera The Arms of the City of Naples The Tower of Greece and of Nuntiata The Hill Somma casteth out fire The death of Pliny The Wholsome House a most delightsome place builded by King Charls the second The City Massa The Temple of Minerva The Isle of Sirenuse see Virgil in the end of his 5 Book of Eneâ—dos now these Islands are called under one name Gallo where is the Isle of Capri. Procita why it was so called Dyonisius of Alicarnaseo in the first of the Histories of Rome Iohn of Procicla Author of the Sicilian Evening Ieronimo Zurita in the History of Arragon The Family of Procita in Catalogna The Isle Ischia Of the Giant Tipheo the Poets speak diversly for Virgil in the 9 of Aeneidos saith that here he was strucken with lightning by Iupiter in the which opinion agreeth Lucan but Ovid saith it wâ—s in Sicilia Alfonsus King of Arragon and Naple was of the House of Medina so saith Laonico Calcondile Athenian in the History of the Turks in his fift Book Gironda an ancient City of the Isle Bartholmew Perdice Genoway The Book of the Antiquities of Pozzuolo written by the Author of this Work The body of St. Restituta Virgin The Isle Nisita why it was so called Gaiola why â—t was so called The City Capoa Capoa destroyed The Sepulchre of Capi the builder of Capoa Capoa destroyed by Genserico King of the Vandals Capoa newly builed The Lombards destroy Capoa Capoa re-edified Conradus King of Naples cast the Walls of Capoa to the grâ—und Capoa sacked by the French The Land of Lavoro why it was so called F. L. Sosipatro Charisso Vittore Bishop Peter of Vineis Iohn Antonio Campano The City Atella The City Aversa by whom it was built Aversa destroyed by Charls of Angio King of Naples Don Pietro Orsino The famous men of Aversa Marigliano The City Acerra why it was built Acerrr why it was so called The Temple of Iupiter Feretrio Propertio in 4. The river Glanio and the originall thereof Sessula The river Isclero Aierola The City Caserta by whom it was built Lonardo Santoro Mataloni Venafro The City Sora. The Sorani cut in pieces the Roman Colonies The Romans take Sora. The Romans send another Colony to Sora. Sora destroyed by the Emperor Frederick the second The River Fibreno and the beginning thereof The River Liris now called Garigliano An Island a most beautiful Country called by the Ancients Interamnia Comino a pleasant Country was â—o called by an ancient City of the same name The City Atina The River Melfa The City Arpino The Arms of Arpino The City Arce The City Aquino Giovenal a Satyrical Poet. Victorino a Geometrician Pescenio Negro Emperor St. Thomas of Aquin. Gio Menardo in the 6 book of epistles in the 5 epistle Adinolfo Count of Aquino and Duke of Gaeta Monte Casino Totila King of Goths Paulo Diacono in his 6 book of histories The City Theano The City Calvi The City Lauro by whom it was built Palma The Plain of Palma The City Nola. The death of the Emperor Octavius Augustus Flora and her Riches The Temple of Flora. St. Felix Bishop St. Paulino the Inventer of Bels. The Arms of Nola. The first Counts of Nola Romano Orsino was the first of that Family that had Lordship in the Kingdom Wherefore the Rose was adjoyned to Arms of the House of Orsina Iohn Antonio Orsino Prince of Tarento Counts of Nola. The names of the Noble Families of Nola. The Arms of this Province of Lavoro Arechi Duke of Benevento in the year 755. The Confines of the Picentini Where the Picentini dwelt Why the Picentini were driven away by the Romans The City Picentia Sundry opinions of the Picentini The fertility of the Province Noceria Sanseverino The water of Mela. Cava and the beginning thereof in the year 910. Adalferio
in Calauria The sundry names of Calauria The City Pandesia King Italo King Morgete Why it was called Magna Grecia Why it was câ—lled Calauria The ancient situation of Calauria Bretia The river Laus The River Turbolo The Isle of Dim Scalea Lanio The Hill Apollonio Morano The River Sibari Saracena Altomonte Hils of Salt St. Mark A Proverb Foscaldo Lattarico Torano Regina Montalto Paula St. Nocito Castellofranco The death of Alexander King of Molossi foretold by the Oracle Cerisano Cosenza The Wood Sila Bisignano Tarsia Fiumefreddo Bellomonte Amontea Aiello Martiâ—anâ— Nocera Castiglione St. Eusemia Nicastro Tiriolo The Arms of this Province The fertility of this Province Brutii why they were so called The error of some writers about the name Brutii The bounds of the Brutii Triolo Malda Pizzo Bevoua Montelâ—one Soriano Arena Bâ—rrello Melito Bâ—iatico Trâ—pea Nicotera Metauro Tauriano Gioia Seminara Sinopoli Oppido Terranova Polistena The Isles Eoli Lipare Bagnara The taking of the sword fish how it is done and by whom it was invented Sciglio Coda della Volpe Fiumara di Muro Regio Grashoppers their natures The worthy men of Regio The Cape of Partivento Potamia Motua Bovalina Of Zeleuco the Law giver his â—everity Timeo the Philosopher Eunomo the Musician Eutimo atleta The Temple of Proserpina What Manna is and how iâ— cometh The temperature of Manna Livy lib 9. Siderono Grotteria Mottagioiosa Roccella Mottapaganica The Promontory of Cocinto now â— called the Cape of Stilo The Ionian Sea where it beginneth to be so called Stilo Badolato Satriano Petrito Soverato Squillaci A Proverb Catanzaro Taverna Treschinesi Simari Trischenesi Belcastro The Calaurâ—si say that S. Thomas of Aquin was born in Belcastro Mesuraga Policastro S. Severina Cutro The Cape of Pillars Castra Hannibalis Cotrone See Plutarch in Communio and St. Thomas in the 1 book of the Metheâ—ra of Aristotle Rossano Longobucco Turio The quality and disposition of the men of this Province The form and figure of this Province The circuit of this Province The quality of the earth The great plenty of fruit in this Province Why the disease of the leprosie reigneth in this country Chirsidri The description of the country Taranto Archita the Mathematician The river Galesio The situation of the city of Taranto Cesaria Gallipoli Vgento Castro Otranto The distance between Otranto and Greece Where the Adriatick Gulf beginneth Why it was called the Gulf of Venice The Lake of Liminiti Brindesi Plato and Aristotle how great they would have a City to be The Haven of Brundesi By whom Brindesi was built Matera The Mine of Boalearmonack The Poet Eustachio Motola Misagne· Otra Leccie The Epitaph on the Tomb of the Poet Ennius Bembo in the â— book of the History of Venice This Leonardo Prato Guicciardino and others say was of Naples but it is not true Ogento St. Pietro in Galatina Galatena Cosmo Pinelli Marquiss of Galatena Paravita Nardo Casalnovo Mandurio The nature quality of the inhabitants of this Province The arms of the region of Otranto The limits fertility of this country of Bari The fable of the nymph Fillida Barletta The city Trani Don Ferrant Gonzaga Prince of Molfetta Nicola di Giovenezzo companion of St. Dominick Monopoli The city Gravina why it was so called The batel which the stork makes with the serpent Bitonto Cornelio Musso Bishop of Bitonto Adri. Canosa The tarantole and their nature see Alexander of Alexandria in the 2 lib. of thes Geniale cap. 17 The quality and condition of the men of this Province The arms of this Province and the signification thereof The Sanniti their inhabiters How long the war continued between the Sannites and the Romans The valley of Caudine The confines of the country of the Sannites Who were the worthiest people of the Sannites Why it was called Abruzzo The limits of Abruzzo Where Abruzâ—â— hath its beginning Peligni the most valiant people of all Italy Civita di Chieti the chief city of this Province Pepin the sâ—n of Charls the gâ—eat for what cause he destrâ—yed Civita di 〈◊〉 Gotfredo the the Norman made Civita di Chieti the principal city of Abruzzo Orton The body of St. Thomas the Apostle The light of St. Heramo which appeareth to sailers when they are in great danger The city Ferentana now called Francauilla Lanciano The river Foro Tollo Miglionico Fara Rapino Penna The river Lento Villamaina Petrono The sort of Montepiano Castel Menale Bucchianicho The city Sulmona the natural place of the Poet Ovid. The River Aterno now called Pescara The stony oyl which riseth in the territory of Cantalupo Caramanico Cusano The mines of pitch which are in Manupelli The nature condition of the people of this Province The arms of this Province and what they signifie The limits of Abruzzo on the other side The fertility of this Province Montepagano The river Viciola The river Tordino Teramo Campio Bisigno Rugnano Murro Locaristo Guardia di Vomano Caste Vecchio Transmondo Cautiano Forcella Miano Rapino Montorio Compotosto Poggio 〈◊〉 Monteverde Montegualco The river Piomba Porta d'Adria Silva Hadria now called Atri where the Emperor Adrian was born From whence the Adriatick Sea had its name Celino Schiarano Civita St. Angelo Ilece The river Salino Porto St. Angelo The river Sino Cassilento Pignano Serra The river Tavo Civita di Penna Valerius Maximus de pietatâ— erga parentes Luca de Penna Laureto The 〈◊〉 Corvino The river Aterno now called Pescara The river Nuria Montesilvano Moscuso Pianello Capogatto Rossano Alendo Castiglione Offena Busso Capistrano Carapello Vettorito Raiano Amiterno Livy lib. 10. Virgil. lib. 7. Crispo Salustio Civita Tomassa Foruli Furconio The hil Offido The City Aquila Robert Guiscard the Norman created Duke of Puglia and Calauria 1060. The number of the Churches of Aquila The natureâ— and manner of the Aquitani Pontano de bello Neapolitano The noble families in Aquila Monte Reale The river Pescare Pescara called in old time Aterno The river Alba Manopello The foot of Mâ—lise Tâ—rre Luculo Caramanico Cantâ—lup◠〈…〉 Bâ—nâ—face the 4 Popâ— When the nâ—me of the Mâ—rsi were changed The Marruvii Virgil lib. 7. The Agnitii Virgi lib. 7. Livy lib. 2. M.T. Cicero abandoned the wars and applied himself to the study of learning The lake Fucino now called Celano The water Martia brought to Rome The city Archippa drowned in the lake Celano Pliny lib. 2. Vibio Sequestre Paterno Transacco Giviano Celano Wherfore the Emperor Frederick destroyed Celano The city Alba. Livy lib. 10. Cesa Pietro Marso The river Castellano The river Tronto Ascolo Ascolo restored to the church by Queen Ione the second Bettutio Barro a famous Orator The famous men of 〈◊〉 Ventidio Baâ—â— Pope Nicholas the 4. Amatrice Civitella The nature quality of this Province The arms of this Province Pontano lib. 5. The ancient bounds of this country Plin. lib. 3. c. 11 The originall of the 〈◊〉 The things