I haue seene or reade of from whence also it proceedeth that the dyet or great assembly of the German princes is most vsually held in Regensburge another cittie of Bauaria one dayes iorney distant from Ingolestate wherein I my selfe liued eight weekes in the yeare of our Lorde 1594. when the Emperour with all his traine and the most parte of the greatest princes of Germany remayned in the towne many of them with three thousand and foure thousand horse apeece yet was there neuer found any want or scarsitie of victuals therein nor the price of corne or any other prouision in the market any one iot enhaunced wine onely excepted of which the country yeeldeth no great aboundance but that want is by the Rheine and Mecchar supplyed for the possession of this city was that calamitous and bloudy warre raysed remembred yet by the name of bellum Bauaricum which so much troubled all the prouinces of Germany in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and foure Erforde ERforde called of ancient writers Erphelfurt is the metropolis of Thuring an old and memorable citty abounding with wine corne and other necessaries In the middest of this cittie ariseth a little mountain called S. Peters hill wherein in times passed stood a goodly castell in the place whereof Dagobertus king of France founded a cloyster for Fryers of the order of S. Benedict which was consecrated to S. Peter after him Boniface Archbishop of Ments layed the foundation of our Ladies Church on the same hil and erected there a Bishopricke euen in the infancie of the Gospell among the Germans as plainly appeareth in an Epistle of his which he wrote to Zachary high Bishop of Rome Scias sayeth hee per gratiam Dei Germaniae populum adviam veritatis reductum ordinauimusque apud eos tres episcopos vnum locauimus in Castellum Wirtzburge alterum in Buraburge tertium in Euphesfurt In this church is a bell of most huge and incredible circumference which the Citizens shewe to all straungers repayring thether as the thinges most remarkable in their Cittie about the yeare 1066. was this Cittie first enuyroned with a Wall and fortified with Towers and beautified with manie rich and sumptuous aedifices both diuine and prophane at which time it was made the metropolis of Thuringe because it lyeth in the middest thereof An Vniuersity was therein instituted in the yeare 1391. which with many priuiledges confirmed authorized by Pope Boniface the 9. Pius the 2. In this Academy haue liued many sage men much renowned for their singular learning among the which are numbred Nicholaus de Bibera Henricus de Erfordia Conradus de monte puellarum and many others When the German professors oppressed by the multitude of Hussites departed from Prage many of them retyred themselues to Erforde There is no citty in Europe hath so often made experience of the calamities and irreparable damages which fire vsually bringeth with it as Erforde hauing many times therewithall beene vtterly wasted and consumed The last fire therein happened in the year 1392. on the festiuall day of S. Geruasius whereby the third part of the cittie perished which incredible losse it is not yet recouered of for at my being there some 5â— yeares since it was scarsely with low and slender buildinges of wood reedified Out of this Vniuersity issued Martin Luther Leiptzige Liptzige is a citty as some say in Ostland others would haue it to lye in Misina both territories now gouerned by the noble and puislant Family of Saxony thogh of no great circuite yet for pride and statelines of building and excessiue traffique of Merchants scarce inferior to the best adorned citty of Germany three times euery year are therein held certaine famous Martes or Fayres whereof one writeth saying Mercibus augetur ter Lipsia magna quotannis The houses of this citty are re ared al of free stone within richly paued and without curiously paynted with great artifice and maiestie the streetes are builded in excellent proportion and vniformitie The Senate hereof consisteth not as in other cities of mechanicall and vnlearned citizens but of men skilfull and well seene in the artes who haue full power and authority to heare decide and determine of all lites causes and controuersies depending in Meissen Thuringe and the nether Sazonie About the yeare 1480. when the Hussites began to domineere tirannize in Prage then was the vniuersitie from thence remoued hither and the yeare following confirmed by Pope Pius the 2. and Alexander the 5. It was afterward much augmented and repaired by the worthy Prince George Duke of Sazonie in the yeare 1554. This Vniuersitie at this day most exceedingly flourisheth through the innumerable multitudes of Germaine students which dayly repaire thither because they liue therein with lesse charge and expence then in any other citie by reason of the admirable fertilitie of the soyle whereof one saith Gratus immenso lucro concredita terrae Semina reddit ager The inhabitants of this Citie haue one innated vncorrigible vice which custome hath drawen into a nature amongst them that is they almost continually wallow in immoderate drunkennesse in so much that he which can euacuate the greatest number of pottes and can in receiuing his drinke hold out longest without any swimming or perturbation in his braine is accounted a personage among them of greatest qualitie and worth Enaeas Siluius writeth that when one Leonardus a noble gentleman came to visite a certaine kinsman of his that was then a student in Leipzig enquiring among students how hee had profited in learning he was answered by one of the yong mans companions that he had profited himselfe exceedingly for quoth he among 1500. good swallowers that are in this Vniuersitie he hath deserued the name and title of the best and most noble drinker Not farre distant from this place is Dresden where the Dukes of Saxonie electors of the Empire do most commonly reside Wittenberge WIttenberge is a conspicuous well knowne Citie in the vpper Saxonie the seate and court of the Dukes Electors situated on the banke of the Elbe a riuer which springing among the mountaines of Bohemia passeth through Germany receiuing into it selfe or as it were drinking vp by the way many other riuers as the Muldaue the Sall the Spre c. and at last being growne to an immeasurable greatnesse and nauigable for ships of the greatest burthen disgorgeth it selfe into the Germaine Ocean not farre from Stoad where late was a Staple of English Marchants This city receiued his name as some imagine from Wittikind Duke of Angria Saxonie which was baptized in the yeare 785. being compelled thereunto by Charles the great who first caused the Saxons to embrace the Christian religion Duke Fredericke the son of Ernestus Elector erected in this citie an Vniuersity about the yeare 1502. which since in this latter age is growen famous by reason of the controuersies and
first embraced Christian religion Nauclerus writeth that Vrbane the fourth of that name being seated in the Papall chaire was much grieued to see the course of studies in the Romaine Academie intermitted and all good discipline neglected wherefore immediately he caused to bee sent for that famous and most learned Clearke Thomas of Aquine to direct and gouerne it who setting aside all care and respect of worldly promotion applyed his mind wholly to reforme restore adorne the same during which time at the Popes entreatie he did write many excellent commentaries vpon diuine and humane Philosophie We reade also concerning the ratification of this Vniuersitie of a decree sancited and enacted by Pope Innocent the 4. as followeth Whereas infinite multitudes of people from sundry parts and regions of the world haue recourse to the sea Apostolique as their common mother wee of our fatherly care minding the profit and commoditie as well of them as all other in generall to the end that by their staying here they may by bettering their vnderstanding benefite themselues haue prouided that here from henceforth besides the inferior artes the studies of humane and diuine that is ciuill and Canon law shall publikely bee taught and professed Wherefore we decree and ordaine that these schooles shall receiue and enioy all manner of priuiledges liberties immunities which haue beene giuen and granted to any other lawfull allowed Vniuersitie Pope Clement the fift in a councell held at Vienna ordained that at Rome or wheresoeuer the Pope in person should be resident the Hebrew Arabicke and Chalde tongues should publikely be taught Pope Eugenius the fourth a man zealously affected to the loue of learning restored many decayed Vniuesities in sundry parts of Christendome but heespecially gaue testimonie of his great bountie and singular munificence in setting forth and adorning the Romaine Academie Pope Nicholaus the fift being himselfe a learned Prelate highly fauouring all learned men did more labour in repayring and beautifying the glorious Academie then any of his predecessors in so much that in Rome since the first foundation thereof neuer were letters held inso great veneration nor learned men so much honoured and esteemed as appeareth by the testimonie of Perotus a man then liuing What is saith he the cause why learninges schooles are now more vsually then heretofore frequented Verily because thou Pope Nicholaus the fift art become their prince and gouernour who as thou art thy selfe in all kinds of learning excellent so thou doest receiue nourish honour and embrace all such whose mindes are studiously enclyned c. This worthy Prelate hauing finished his daies his sepulcher was adorned with this glorious Epitaph Hic sita sunt quinti Nicholai pontificis ossa Aurea qui dederit saecula Roma tibi Consilio illustris virtute illustrior omni Excoluit doctos doctior ipse viros Vnder this stone Pope Nicholas is interde By whome Rome golden dayes enioyde of yore More learn'de himselfe he learned men prefer'de Famous for counsell much for vertue more Pope Leo the tenth to his incredible charge called from forth forraine nations sundry graue and leatned men vnto whome he liberally exhibited pensions and annuities which by their paines and industry vphelde and maintained the maiesty of this renowned Academy The Grecian language being among the Latines almost quite forgotten and abolished was againe by this Bishop restored and brought in vse as appeareth by an epistle of his written to Marcus Masurus a Grecian in the yeare of our Lorde one thousand fiue hundred and thitteene wherein among sondry other requests he entreateth him to bring with him certaine young men out of Greece from whome the Romans might receiue the true vse and pronountiation of Greeke Characters Pope Iulius the third founded in Rome the German Colledge an aedifice stately and magnificent wherin at this day are educated maintayned a greate number of Almaines vnder the tutele and gouernmeÌ„t of the sesuites The Colledge of Wisedome was first erected by Claudius the Emperour and called Alhemeum wherein as saveth Saint Hierome all manner of doctrine did in his time greatly flourish it was afterwarde restored and brought to perfection by Pope Alexander the 6. wherein the professors of all artes are most bountifully prouided for There is also in Rome another fayre and beautifull colledge belonging to the Iesuites which is deuided into two schooles or partes the one is called Parthenia into the which they onely are admitted that haue passed 18. yeares of their age and are of sufficient learning and capacity to frequent the lectures of Philosophy or Diuinity the other serueth for a Seminarie to the former and therein is professed onely Rhetorique and Humanity This colledge hath for armes Theology in forme of a royall Queene seated in a rich stately temple hauing on eyther side of her a Ladie kneeling whereof the one is Phisica or naturall Philosophy holding betweene her handes a terrestriall Globe the other Mathematica holding in like manner a celestiall Sphere between them is this Motto or inscription Leges impone subactis Pope Pius the fifte conuerted an ancient house in Rome belonging to Englishmen to a goodly Colledge wherein a greate number of English youthes doe at this day receiue their education the praesidentes and Rectors wherof are alwayes esuites Of the Libraries in Rome The ancient Romans foreseeing that the onelie meanes whereby learning might euerlastingly be preserued and letters with good discipline vndefiled and incorrupt be transmitted to their succeeding posterity was by the especiall preseruation and safe keeping of bookes containing the heroicke actes of their progenitors which had beene compiled by sondry graue and learned men they vsed therein extreme trauaile and industry which gaue occasion to the first erecting of Libraries in Rome The first that designed in Rome a place for the conseruation of Bookes was Tarquinius Superbus for the workes of Sybilla Wee find recorded in the ancient Annales of Italy that a certaine olde woman disguised and vnknowne presenting herselfe before Tarquinius offered him nine volumes to be solde wherein as she saide diuine oracles were contayned but she set vpon them so immense and incredible a price that Tarquinius imagining the woman to be distract and â—unatike could not withholde himselfe from laughter wherewithall shee seeming to be displeased cast immediately three bookes of the nine into a burning flame demaunding of the king whether he would buye the other six not diminishing one iot of the former price whereat the king much more exceedingly laughed making now at all no question of her phrenesie shee forthwith cast other three into the fire and with a pleasant countenance asked the king whether hee would yet buy those three remayning as dearly estimated as the former nine Tarquinius wondring from whence so confident and resolute a determination should proceede beganne now more seriously to attend her strange demaund and bought of her those three
hauing long in Italy beene forgotten and extinguished beganne to bee againe reuiued taught at Venice from whence as it were from an other Troian horse did issue many excellent wits which againe restored schooles and discipline Sabellicus affirmeth that he professed in Riuoaltino Gymnasio Anthonius Cornelius being then Rector of the Vniuersity After the Latine tongue was againe restored Emanuell Chrysolor as beganne to teach the Greeke Many other singular schollers haue in this Cittie taught and liued as Hermolaus Barbarus Guarinus Varonensis Anthonius Mancinellus Iohn Babtista Egnatius Caelius Secundus Curio Peter Bembus Aldus Manutius and Paulus his sonne c. Bessarion Cardinall of Rome and Patriarch of Constantinople bestowed on a librarie which he caused in Venice to be erected 30000. Crownes which afterward the Dukes thereof exceedingly augmented and adorned Petrus de Assisio maister to Bartholus the famous ciuill Lawyer builded in this Academie the Colledge of pierie for the education of poore mens children and such Orphanes as in the street should happen at any time to be taken vp Padua ALthough Padua saith Strabo what by reason of the vertue and sincere integritie of the inhabitants what by the dayly exercise of learned sciences hath long continued in a most prosperous and flourishing condition yet most Antiquaries are of opinion that Charles the great about the yeare of our Lord 791. was the first that granted priuiledges to the vniuersitie therein Leander writeth that in Padua is a free and publike Academie wherein all studies and sciences vniuersally are professed erected by Frederike the 2. in contempt of the Bononian students Sarabellus saith that in Padua by a long continued custome hath beene a general exercise and profession of the liberall artes Concerning this Academie Iason the Lawyer writeth as followeth If there be any man who will be moued neither with the long continued antiquitie of Padua which resteth beholding to Antenor the Troian for her first foundation neither with the spatious greatnes thereof nor the circumference of her triple wals hauing the Poe for pleasure sweetly passing by them Neither with the stately and most sumptuous magnificencie of her Senate house then which Europe enioyeth not a worthier nor more excellent peece of workemanship yet let him be moued with the world amazing glorie of her farre renowned Academie which in fame and dignitie surmounting all other Italian Vniuersities is as it were an other Athenian Areopage which hath alwayes carefully nourished and studiously brought vp men excellently learned in the liberall sciences There is no citie in Italie which for beautie and statelinesse of edifices may with this place worthily be paragoned And although it be most true that Antenor after his flight from Troy first erected this citie yet are all her buildinges both publike priuate new and of no long continuance For we reade that it was often by the Hunnes vnder Attila their King and the Lumbardes vnder Fredericke Barbarossa their Captaine ruinated and laide waste The Cathedrall Church therein was founded by the Germaine Emperour Henrie the fourth and the State-house or Councell hall then which the worlde hath not at this day a more curious or beautifull plot of Architecture when it was by casualtie set on fire and thereby much decayed and damnified was againe by the Venetians in most sumptuous sorte repaired in the highest and most conspicuous place whereof were laide the bones of Titus Liuius the learned writer of the Romaine historie Erasmus calleth this Academie the most illustrious and renowned Emporie of good letters ingenious artes In this Vniuersity are many goodly colledges deputed onely for the vse of such studentes as are of poore and meane abilitie Three principall causes are alleadged why this Academie adorned with so many priuiledges and prerogatiues hath obtained so great splendor and celebritie The first is the opportune sweet and fruitfull situation of the place which ministreth to the studentes great aboundance of all things necessarie Constantinus Paleologus as writeth Rhodogine was wont to say that were it not for the testimonie of the holy and learned fathers which affirme that Paradise was in the East he verilie would belieue it no where could be found but in the amene and fruitfull fieldes of Padua The bread of that countrey is more pure and white then in any other place of Italie and the wine Plinie esteemeth to be of the best and noblest sort The second cause why it hath so long flourished is because it alwaies hath beene found faithfull firme constant to the commonwealth of Rome and euen in their greatest calamities and most pernurious warres hath assisted them with men money and muuition wherefore the Romaines a people euer thankful to their friends of singular faith constancie to their confederates omitted nothing that might serue to further promote the glorie emolument of the Paduans Finally the third and last cause of the preseruation of their happie estate is because the Paduans beyond all other haue euer beene full of humanitie and curtesie whereby they did often winne the heartes of all men and moued great Princes and Potentates to fauour them and become their benefactors Chastity was of them euer held in so great esteeme that it grew into a prouerbe As chaste as one of Padua whereunto Martiall in these verses alludeth Tu quoque nequitias nostrilususque libelli V da puella leges sis Patauina licet Many learned professors and teachers haue laboured in this fruitfull vineyard The first that reuealed vnto this people the arcane and secrete misteries of Christian religion was Prosdocimus the disciple of S. Paule After him was Saint Anthonie of Padua Also Caietanus a learned Diuine a profound Philosopher most excellent Phisition long flourished in this vniuersitie Thomas Penketh an Englishman for his admired learning and eloquence was with much follicitation and entreatie called out of Oxford to gouerne and direct in Padua their scholasticall discipline Sabellicus writeth how the students of Padua vnderstanding that Iohn Campegius a personage for his grauity and great learning much in those dayes admired and esteemed was in person approched neere their towne the Rector Rulers and Maysters of the Vniuersitie together with the Magistrate of the Citie with pompe went out to meete him on the way which thing they onely are accustomed to do to high mightie Princes going on foot before him they conducted him into their towne Whereby of all men easily may bee perceiued the dignitie honour respect they beare vnto worthy professors of learned sciences It were no question to be wished that in al other places men would doe the like then would letrers and good discipline againe beginne to flourish for as the old Prouerbe is Honos alit artes there is nothing that wil more encourage students to perseuere in their painefull and laborious course then to attribute due worship and respect to such
the French king besieged before hee was taken prisoner by Charles the Emperour for Arnolde Ferronus writeth in his seuenth booke of French histories how Anthonius Leua being by Charles the fifte appointed Captaine and gouernour of Pauia he conuerted vnto his owne vse euen the siluer maces which vsually were accustomed to bee borne before the Rector or President of the Vniuersity the better to giue his souldiers paye Also a goodly Library which as Iason sayeth was placed in the Castell was then much perished notwithstanding afterwarde by the singular bounty and liberality of the Bishops of Rome and other princes it was againe repayred and restored Pope Pius the 4 â—ounded herein a fayre and sumptuous colledge Bernardus Saccus affirmeth the ayre about Pauia to bee pure and piercing whereby the wittes of schollers are sharpened and excited to the desire of studie He sayeth moreouer that the first teacher and professor of Christianisme therein was Syrus of Aquilegia In those dayes that Saint Peter did teach at Rome whose doctrine because euen vntill this daye they haue with greate constancie kept and mantayned it was decreed that this Cittie shoulde no more bee called by her auncient name Ticinum from the riuer passing by it but Papia quasi piorum virorum patria Turin TVrin a Cittie of Piemonte was as writeth Caelius Secundus who was therein borne in former ages called Augusta Taâ—rinorum because it was the heade Cittie or Metropolis of the Nation and people so called who by Iulius Caesars gifte were made free Denizons of the citty of Rome This Cittie was by the Gothes ruinated and ouerthrowne and afterwarde againe reedified though not of so greate circumference as before it was yet in better for me and fashion It taketh name from the riuer Duria which runneth through the same It is situated in a smooth playne hauing on the east side thereof a mile distant from the town the riuer Poe on the North and West the Alpes on the South a fertile champion contayning fiue miles in bredth In this cittie was wont to bee helde the courte and residence of the princes together with the whole councell of Riemont It was afterwarde by the Pope graced with the title of an Archbishopricke A goodly Vniuersity was here instituted by the Dukes of Sauoy which excelled all other Italian Academies for their exquisite perfection in Tipography or the arte of Printing Erasmus Roterodamâ—s did in this Vniuersity proceede Doctor of Diuinity where hee after became a publike professor of the same For the possession of this place was fought between the Emperour Charles the fift and the king of France in the yeare 1544. that fierce and bloudy battell wherin of the Emperours side 12000. or as some write 13000. souldiers were put to the sword Florence FLorence is a strong and beautifull cittie in Hetruria sited in a play n betwixt the foot of a mountaine and the riuer Arno It was first begunne by the people of Fiesole enlarged afterwardes by the Romaine Colonies It had then to name Armina and from whence this name of Florence should bee deriued diuers men doe diuersly hold opinion Some suppose it to bee so called from Florino one of the chiefe of the Colonie Others will not consent that it was called Florentia at the beginning but Fluentia because of the riuer Arno flowing neere the walles thereof and they alledge the authoritie of Plâ—â—â—â— where he saith that the people Fluentini be neere vnto Arno which may be false saith Machiauel the Florentine because Plinie maketh mention where the Florentines were seated not how they were called and that word Fluentum must needes be corrupted because Frontinus and Cornelius Tacâ—tus who wrote almost in the time of Plinic doe call the Towne Florentia and the people Florentini saying that long since in the time of Tiberius they were gouerned according to the custome of other citties in Italie Cornelius also reporteth that the Florentines had sent Embassadors vnto the Emperour praying that the waters of the Chiane might not descend vppon their countrey It seemeth not then to stand with reason that the citie should at one time haue two names It is therefore most credible that it was alwaies called Florentia For what cause soeuer it was so named or for what cause soeuer it had the beginning most sure it is that vnder the Empire of Rome it had the first foundation in the raigne of the first Emperors writers did make mention thereof Long time it continued base and obscure not being able to doe any thing worthy of memorie for the authoritie of them vnto whome they were subiect but being at length wearie of that yoke in the yeare 1010. on the day of Saint Romulus a solemne feast with the Fiesolan they surprised Fiesole demolished the same Afterward all Italie being deuided into open factions betweene the Popes and Emperors they alwaies held on the strongest side by which meanes Florence being now much enlarged well replenished with buildings men other things necessary for ciuill life began to bee numbred among the principall Citties of Italie And had no question growen to as much celebritie as any cittie of Europe had not the ciuil discords and intestine factions of the cittizens hindered her greatnesse But so exceedingly was it alwaies pestered with mutuall dissentions that it neuer could attaine vnto any height of glory vntill Cosmio de Medices obtained the principalitie thereof reduced it from an Aristocraticall gouernment to a Monarchie Who hauing passed in the beginning of his greatnesse many troubles and calamities after hee had exceeded fortie yeares of his age liued most happily in so much as not onely they which ioyned with him in publique actions but all other men also that managed his treasure in euery place of Europe did participate of his felicitie and euery man depending vpon his counsell and fortune became wealthie He was the most esteemed and most famous citizen being no man of warre that euer had beene in the memorie of man eyther in Florence or any other cittie because he did not onely excell all others of his time in authoritie and riches but also in liberalitie and wisedome For amongst other qualities which aduanced him to be chiefe of his Countrey he was more then other men bountifull and magnificent His chiefest care and endeuour was to preserue adorne and beautifie this Cittie For which cause hee builded and erected in the same many sumptuous edifices He builded the Abbeyes and Temples of Saint Marke Saint Laurence and the Monasterie of Saint Veridiana and in the mountaines of Fiesole Saint Gerrolano with the Abbey thereto belonging Also in Mugello hee did not onely repaire the Church for the Fryers but tooke it downe and builded it a new Besides those magnificent buildinges in Saint Croce in Saint Agnoli and in Saint Miniato hee made Altars and sumptuous Chappelles besides the building of them were by him paued
are sondry opinions Lelandus imagineth that it first was called Ouseforde from the riuer Ouse in Latine Isis but the most true and probable coniecture is that it was named of the Saxons Oxenford in the same sense that the Grecians named their Bosphoros and the Germans Ochensfurt a cittie standing at this day on the banke of the riuer Odor from a fourde or shallownes of the riuer in that place through the which cattell might safelie passe for which cause it is at this day of the auncient Brittaines called in their language Rhyddichen We find written in our chronicles that this cittie was in the time of the Brittaines the first inhabitantes of this Iland consecrated vnto the Muses whose names and memorie were afterwarde during the furie of the Saxon warres therein vtterly extinguished and the cittie much obscured knowne onelie for certaine Reliques of S. Frideswid a religious Votaresse therein reserued and with much deuotion often visited But in succession of time 873. yeares after our Sauiours incarnation Alfred a holy and religious Saxon king restored againe the Muses to their former dignity which had beene thence so long exiled who the better to encourage their abode therein caused three colledges to bee erected one for Grammarians another for Philosophers and a thirde for professors of Diuinity but this felicity not long endured for the Danes in the time of Ethelred consuming all with fire and sworde burned a great parte of the cittie and not long after Harald Lightfoote exercised in the same such immane and batbarous cruelties that the students flying from their colledges and habitations left the Vniuersity desolate and forsaken in which estate it remayned vntill William the Norman by his conquering arme obtayned the regal Diadem after which prince his entrance Robert de Oilgi a Gentleman of Normandie in guerdon of his valour trauell and expence receyuing of the Conquerour a grant of certaine landes neare the wals of this citty erected at the west end thereof a strong well fortified castell which after was by king Stephen during the warres betweene him and Maude the Empresse long in vaine besidged hee also as some thinke enuironed Oxford with a wall which now by long continuance is decayed Robert his brothers sonne in the yeare 1130. founded neare vnto this cittie a spatious and goodly Priorie which from the riuer before mentioned enuironing the same hee called Ousney the ruines of whose walles remain onely at this day to be seene in these times the cittie being againe with many fayre and goodly aedifices adorned newly beganne to flourish and great multitudes of students from euery parte and corner of the realme for their better encrease in learning beganne to repayr thether and now the fountaines of the Muses which had long seemed to be drie or stopped vp were againe all obstructions of Barbarisme being taken away opened and reuiued for the which much doth this noble Vniuersity remaine indebted to the worthy memorie of Robert Polenius a learned man by whose onely laborius and painefull industry it hath recouered the place and dignity which at this day it holdeth among other Academies in our Christian world vnto so happie effect did sorte the labours of this worthy man that in the raigue of king Iohn three thousand studentes were numbred in this Vniuersity All which in short time after departed some to Reading and some to Cambridge for certaine iniutious wronges offered vnto them by the Cittizens which dissention being not long after againe appeased they all returned others affirme the cause of this secession to haue beene because the king caused three students to be apprehended in their colledges presently hanged for the murther of a certaine woman of which fact they all were innocent and guiltlesse Not long after I mean in the times of the next succeeding princes sondrie vertuous and well disposed persons beganne to lay the foundations of diuers goodly Colledges intending therby to leaue some monument of their name and worthinesse to all posterities by whose example since many famous princes and reuerent Prelates haue beene excited to doe the like so that it comprehendeth at this daye sixteene fayre and goodly Colledges all endued with large tenements possessions and eight Hals Merton Colledge was in the time of Henry the thirde or as others write in the beginning of Edward the first founded by Walter Merton sometime Canon of Salisbury and after Bishop of Rochester Not long after or as some think before during the raigne of William the Conquerour was the auncient foundatiō of holy Alfred renued by one William Archdeacon or as other say Bishop of Durisme and called Vniuersity Colledge In the yeare of our Sauiours incarnation 1263 during the raigne of Edwarde the first was founded Balioll Colledge by Iohn Balioll king of Scots or rather as others imagine his parents Iohn and Deruorguidis about this time as writeth Armachanus were numbred in Oxford 30000 students In the yeare from our Sauiours Natiuity 1126. in the time of Edward the second Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester layed the foundation of Excester Colledge and Hart hall which Colledge lately hath beene much augmented in the days of our Soueraign Lady Queen Elizabeth by Sir William Peter knight King Edward the second desirous to imitate the worthy example of this reuerend Praelate erected Oriall Colledge so called because it was indeede a worke which most worthily might beseeme a king thereto he added S. Mary hall Lady Philip wife vnto king Edwarde the thirde layed the foundation of a goodly Colledge which shee named the Queenes Colledge about the year of our Lord 1340. William Wicham a famous and worthy Prelate for his singular wisedome highly esteemed of king Edwarde the third and by his meanes made Bishoppe of Winchester in the yeare 1358. layed in Oxford the foundation of a magnificent and sumptuous colledge now called New Colledge into the which yearely are sent many rare and excellent wits from the Colledge neare Winchester a most sertile Seminarie of good letters founded by that thrice worthy Bishoppe and by him committed to the tutele and protection of the blessed Virgin Mary Richard Fleming Bishoppe of Lincolne in the dayes of Henry the fift about the yeare of our Lorde one thousand foure hundred and thirty founded Lincolne Colledge which was afterward in Richarde the thirdes time in the yeare of our Lord 1479. by Thomas Rotheram Bishoppe of the same sea much augmented and encreased Henry Chichley Archbishoppe of Canterburie in the yeare 1439. layed in Oxforde the foundation of two goodly Colledges the one dedicated to the memory of all soules the other to S. Bernard which being afterwarde suppressed by king Henry the eight was of late in the raigne of Queene Mary restored and reedified by Sir Thomas White Lord Maior of London and by him named S. Iohns Colledge Durin the raigne of Henry the sixt about the yeare of our Lord 145◠William
Wainsflet Bishop of Winchester builded Magdalen Colledge hee builded also a great parte of Eaton Colledge before begunne by king Henry the sixt William Smith Bishop of Lincolne during the raigne of king Henry the seauenth layed the foundation of Brasen nose in the yeare 1513. the which hath beene lately by that reuerende olde man Alexander Nowel Deane of S. Paules Church in London much helped increased During the raigne of the saide king Henry the seauenth Richarde Foxe Bishop of Winchester founded Corpus Christi Colledge himselfe hauing before beene a fellow of Pembrooke hall in Cambridge the which colledge of his in the yeare 1516. hee endowed with forty pound eight shillinges two pence yearely rent for euer In the time of king Henry the eight Thomas Wolsey Cardinall of Rome Archbishoppe of Yorke and Lorde high Chancelor of England beganne in sumptuous manner to lay the foundation of a most ample and spatious Colledge but falling into the kinges heauie displeasure before the same could bee brought to perfection the king after his decease enriched the same with many goodly reuenewes annexing thereunto Canterburie colledge which had beene before erected in the time of Edward the 3. by Simon Islep Archbishop of Canterburie This worthy King of famous memory the more to grace adorne the citie erected therein a Bishops sea and out of his treasurie appointed yearely to be paid certaine annuities for the perpetuall maintenance of publique readers in each seuerall schoole In the raigne of Queene Mary Sir Thomas Pope reedified Duresme Colledge which was in former ages erected by Thomas of Hatfield Bishop of Duresme and now by continuance of time exceedingly decayed by which knight the name therof being altered it is now called Trinitie Colledge Not long since Hugh Prise Doctor of the ciuill law hath founded a new colledge which in honour of our Sauiour is knowne by the name of Iesu colledge Many other rare and excellent ornamentes there are wherewith this famous and farre renowned Academie exceedingly is beautified as churches libraries publique schooles and many sumptuous priuate edifices the which to auoid prolixitie I will omit imagining that such triuiall things must of necessitie bee famialiarly knowne to euery learned reader wherefore with this assertion I will finally conclude that more pietie in religion more profoundnesse in learning more strictnes in discipline more integritie in life is not to be found in any one vniuersitie in whatsoeuer part or region of the world Cambridge COncerning the first originall and foundation of the cittie and vniuersitie of Cambridge among the learned searchers of antique lustories two seuerall and discrepant opinions strongly are maintained Iohn Caius in his booke of the antiquity of Cambridge with many arguments laboureth to proue the foundation thereof to haue beene laide and the name deriued from one Cantabar a Prince of Spaine brother to Partholinus King of Ireland and sonne in law to Gurguntius king of Britaine in the yeare 4317. after the worlds first creation which was 539. yeares before our Sauiours natiuitie For proofe of which opinion hee alleadgeth the authoritie of Iohn Lidgat Monke of Berriâ— and scholler to that famous Poet and onely Homer of our English nation Geffrey Chaucer whose verses in old English as I found them written I haue here vnderneath set downe By true record of the Doctor Bede That sometime wrote so mickle with his hand And specially remembring as I reade In his Chronicles made of England Among other things as we shall vnderstand Whom for mine author I dare alleadge Sith the translation and building of Cambridge With him according Aâ—fred the chronicler Seriously who list his bookes for to see Made in the time when he was Thresurer Of Beuerley an old famous cittie Affirme and saine the vniuersitie Of Cambridge and studie first began By their writing as I report can He rehearsing first for commendation By their writing how that old cittie Was strongly walled with towers many one Built and finished with great libertie Notable and famous of great authoritie As their authors according saine the same Of Cantabar taking first his name Like as I find report I can none other This Cantaber time of his liuing To Partholine he was Germane brother Duke in those daies in Ireland a great king Chiefe and principall cause of that building The wall about and towers as they stood Was set and built vpon a large floud Named Cantebro a large broad riuer And after Cante called Cantebro This famous citie this write the Chronicler Was called Cambridge rehearsing eke also In their booke these authors both two Touching the date as I rehearse can Fro thilke time that the world began Foure thousand complete by account cleare And three hundred by computation Ioyned thereto eight and fortie yeare When Cantebro gaue the foundation Of this Cittie and this famous towne And of this noble vniuersitie Set on this riuer which is called Cante And fro the great transmigration Of Kings reckoned in the Bible old Fro Ierusalem to Babilon Two hundred winter thirtie yeares told Thus to write mine author maketh me bold Then Cantebro as it well knoweth At Athens schooled in his youth All wits greatly did apply To haue acquaintance by great affection With folke expert in Philosophie From Athens he brought with him downe Philosophers most soueraigne of renowne Vnto Cambridge plainely this is the cause Anaximander and Anaxagoras With many other mine authors doth fare To Cambridge fast can him speed With Philosophers and let for no cost spare In the schooles to studie and to reede Of whose teaching great profit that gan spread And great increase rose of his doctine Thus of Cambridge the name gan first shine As chiefe schoole and Vniuersitie Vnto this time fro the day it began By cleare report in many a far countrey Vnto the raigne of Cassibelan A worthy prince and full knightly man As saine chronicles who with mighty hand Let Iulius Caesar to arriue in this land Fiue hundreth yeare ful thirty yere twenty Fro Babilons transmigration That Cassibelan raigned in Britaine Which by his notable royall discreation To encrease that studie of great affection I meane of Cambridge the Vniuersitie Franchised with many a libertie By meane of his royall fauor From countries about many a one Diuers schollers by diligent labour Made their resort of great affection To that studie great plentie there came downe To gather fruites of wisedome and science And sundrie flowers of sugred eloquence And as it is put eke in memorie How Iulius Caesar entring this region One Cassibelan after his victorie Tooke with him Clearkes of famous renowne FroÌ„ Cambridge led them â—â— Rome towne Thus by processe remembred heretoforne Cambridge was founded long ere Christ was borne Fiue hundred yere thirty eke nine In this matter ye get no more of me Rehearse I will no more at this time These remembrances haue great authority To be preferd of long antiquitie