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
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
order he proceedeth euen vnto the entrance or porch of the cathedrall Church where the clergie meeting him demand of him by their Deane what he desireth who answereth that hee being most vnworthy is there at hand readie to vndertake and with all diligence to execute that charge whereunto he is called Vnto whom the Deane immediately replyeth I in the name of the whole Chapter commit vnto thy care and charge this church of our Sauiour and the Dukedome thereunto belonging In the name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost Amen Whereupon hee presently followeth the Cleargie returning into the church where putting on his pontificall ornamentes he is present at diuine seruice which ceremonies being finished he departeth accompanied with the clergie such neighbour princes as had beene purposely inuited together with the principal men chiefe nobilitie of Franconia towards our Ladies castle which hauing entred he casteth gold and siluer vp downe in great aboundance and entertaineth the whole companie with a most royal bountifull costly banquet Againe when the same Prelate departeth this life his bodie presently is opened his bowels taken thence are buried with great solemnitie in the Chappell of our Ladies castell on the hill his hart is apart reserued in a glassen vessell prepared for that purpose The day following the corse adorned with the pontificall robes is laid vpon a rich and costly beere hauing in the one hand his crozier staffe as a Bishop in the other a sword in token of his Dukedome he is catied with great pompe and maiestie from the castle to Saint Iames his monasterie which is without the towne in the farther side of the Meine where that night he remaineth the next day with great solemnitie and many ceremonies hee is conueied ouer the bridge into the towne and through the market place into the Cathedrall Church where for that night it resteth the Cleargie enuironing the hearse with many Psalmes and orisons expect the ensuing morning which being come they remoue the corps into the temple of the new monasterie where after many Dirges prayers for the saluation of his soule the same is againe reduced into the Cathedrall Church where in his Episcopall attire with a naked sword in his hand he is at length enterred his heart is laide in a wagon and with an honorable conuoy of knights brought to the Cloyster of Ebrach where by the Abbot Monks it is with great honour laide into the ground before the high Altar Trier TRier is a goodly Citie on the banke of the Riuer Mosell exceeding famous as wel for the incredible antiquitie thereof as for sundry notable gests exploits by the inhabitants atchieued performed It is as Eneas Siluius writeth 1300 yeares ancienter then Rome and was founded in the time of Abraham 1947. yeres before the comming of Christ by Trebeta the sonne of Ninus which was founde engraued on a stone in the yeare of grace 1200. They say that Trebeta being wrongfully excluded from the kingdome of Babilon by his mother in law Semiramis when she vsurped the rule gouernment of the realme after long and tedious trauaile endured on the seas arriued at last at the mouth of the Rheine and passing vp the riuer hee entred the Mosell where finding a sweet and pleasant valley he there remained and began to build a cittie which after his owne name he called Treberis In the Cathedrall Church of Trier in an old peece of tapestrie is to be seene the type and figure of this citie wrought with cunning artifice and great curiousnesse and about the same in great letters ALTERA ROMA Vnderneath the which are these verses following Nini Semiramis quae tanto coniuge foelix Plurima possedit sedplura prioribus addit Non contenta suis nec totis finibus orbis Expulit è patrio priuignum Trebetam solo Insignem profugus nostram qui condidit vrbem Which may thus be englished Semiramis great Ninus wife so happie in her chance Possessing much desired more her glory to aduance The world her mind could not content much lesse one kingdomes bound Wherefore she chased Trebeta far froÌ„ his natiue ground Who liuing here in exile did this famous Citie found Wherefore it is euident that this Citie may more iustly glory in her antiquitie then in any other in all Germany It was first conuerted vnto Christianitie by Saint Materne the disciple of Saint Peter and his companions Eucharius and Valerius Marcellinus calleth this Citie Clarum domicilium Principum because that Constantine etected therein a most royall and sum ptuous pallace the ruine whereof are at this day visible Wherein it is credible that the succeeding Emperors of the Romaines had often their residence Trier was in Iulius Caesars time a most warlike Citie furnished continually as himselfe writeth with more troupes of horse and squadrons of footmen then any other Citie or region of Fraunce The vniuersitie in this citie is thought to be one of the oldest Academies in Europe but when it was first erected I cannot reade neither haue the citizens any recorde thereof by reason of the manifold and often chaunges their citie hath endured For Saluianus Bishop of Marseile in his sixt booke of the true iudgement and prouidence of God writing much of the magnificencie and opulencie of this citie seemeth at last with great griefe and anguish of mind to bewaile and lament the drunkennesse gluttonie and lasciuious dissolute liues of the inhabitants which he imputeth to be the cause why their citie was foure times ouerthrowen and ransacked Vidiego Triuires saith he virosetiam sublimes calamitatibus suis factos peiores Lugubre est referre quae vidimus senes honor atos Christianos immineÌ„te iam ciuitatis excidio gulae ac lasciuiae seruientes Iacebant in conuiuijs obliti honoris oblitiaetatis professionis nominis sui Principes ciuitatic cibo confects in vâ—nolentia dissoluti clamoribus rabidi bacehatione suriosi c. Et cùm haec ita essent plus multo est quod dicturus sum finem perditioni huic nec ciuitatis excidiasecerunt nam expugnata est quater vrbs GalloruÌ„ Treuiris opulentissima c. For this cause also we cannot learne who first instituted the Archiepiscopall dignity in this Cittie being one of the greatest and most ancient Archbishoprickes of Germany That all studies vniuersally did in this citie flourish in the time of Gratian the Emperour appeareth manifestly by an epistle written from the saide Emperour to Antonius Prefect and Regent of Gaule where hauing set down donations of prouision for sundry Vniuersities hee allotted greater proportion to Tryer then to any of the rest because therein remained a greater number of students and professors Which Vniuersity being by the Vicissitude and iniury of time exceedingly decayed was by the reuerend Fathers Iohannes de Lapide Iacobus ab Else and Iobannes Hugo late Archbishops thereof againe restored who therein placed
Moone whereupon the Turke diuerted his ordinance from thence the Citizens kept their word In this Citty are yet to be seene the ancient ruines of a goodly Basilique erected by Charles the great in honour of S. Peter Henry the first Duke of Austria founded herein an Abby to the vse of the Scottes Richard the first surnamed Ceur de Lyon king of England being by Lupoldus Duke of Austria taken prisoner about the yeare 1192. in a small village neere to Vienna called Erdpurge as he returned from the holy land was enforced by the sayde Duke if their owne Chronicles be true to enuiron this cittie with a new wall which included the former About that time also was therin an Empory for marchāts constituted wherby the citizens increasing dayly in wealth obtayned of the Emperour Fredericke the 2. liberty and were adorned with the emperiall Armes and numbred among the free towns of the Empire THE VNIVERSITIES of the Low Countries Louaine LOuaine one of the fower townes of the Marquisate of the sacred Empire is the principall and mother of all the townes in Brabant and maketh the first member of the third estate of that Prouince It is builded in figure round contayning fower miles compas within the walles and sixe in circumference without among many other beautifull and sumptuous aedifices therein the church of S. Peter and the publike pallace are wrought with greatest magnificence and most curious arte It was called Louaine as some say from the Dutch word Louen which signifyeth to praise or honor because the Idoll Mars was there helde in time of Paganisme in great honor and estimation This towne is situated neare to the riuer Dele the houses and streetes thereof are not closely compacted together but wide open and scatteringly builte by which meanes there are within the same many fayre gardens valleis mountaines medowes springes and vines the land about this towne is pleasant and fruitefull and the ayre temperate for which cause our auncesters not without great iudgement and discretion chose out this place as most fitte for the habitation of the Muses We finde written in the Chronicles of Colen that Iohn Duke of Brabant obtayned of Pope Martin the fift the approbation of an Vniuersitie in this Cittie that letters and good discipline beganne there publikely to be taught about the yeare 1426. Afterwards Pope Eugenius the 6 licensed therein the profession of Theologie This Academy in processe of time by the bounty and magnificence of Popes Emperours Kinges Cardinals and Bishops whereof some graunted thereto ample priueledges and prerogatiues some erected therein stately and magnificent Colledges others bequethed to the same for the vse of the students goodly landes and legacies is now growne to that higth of glory and celebrity that it worthily hath vsurped the name of a most flourishing Academy and renowned Empery of learning Iohannes Goropius affirmeth that no Vniuersity of Italy France or Germany may with this bee compared for pleasant ayre and delectable walkes And that although Salamanca in Spaine farre excelleth all other Christian Academies in magnificent and sumptuously builded Colledges yet it is farre inferior to Loucine for the delightsome and beautifull situation thereof Pope Adrian the 6. erected in Louaine whereof himselfe had beene Rector and Chancelor a goodly colledge for studentes and professors of Diuinity Charles the fift Emperour of Germany and Philip the second king of Spaine did extend the vttermost of their endeuors to encrease amplifie and a dorne this royall Vniuersity In it are for the vse of the studentes 20 Colledges the principall whereof are fiue Lilium Castrum Porcus Falco Trilingue This Cittie is the first that receiueth and giueth oath to the Prince It was sometimes an Eatledome but in the yeare 1247. Henry the second of that name Earle of Louaine deceasing Henry his successor vsurped the title of Duke of Brabant Douay DOuay is a good and strong town in Flanders Gallicant one mile distant from Cambray It was founded as some write by one Arcanalkus in the yeare of our Lorde 500. it is now a Chasteleny hauing iurisdiction ouer a good country and a great number of villages it is accommodated with many fountaines and adorned with many fayre sumptuous aedifices the manner and forme of building therein is an inuincible argument of the great antiquitie thereof In this Cittie not long since was erected a famous Vniuersitie by Philip late king of Spaine and authorised with the priuiledges of Louaine where Theologie Philosophy and the inferior artes are learnedly professed At Douay is a staple of corne brought thether out of sondry regions wherof as also of diuerse other marchandizes in this cittie is great traffique Leige LEige is a citty fayre and large comprehending within the walles thereof many hils vallies riuers and vine groundes which Philip de Comines Lorde of Argenton accounteth to containe in circuite foure Italian miles and maketh it in circumference equall with Rouen It is situated on the side of the riuer Mouse which entreth into it with 2 branches and maketh therein many pleasant Isles all which are frequented and enhabited Many other little riuers passing through this towne doe clense the streetes thereof namely the Leige from which riuer the cittie is thought to haue receiued her name Also three litle brookes Vte Vese Ambluar all three replenished with exceeding store of excelēt fish especialy Vte wherin are taken certaine delicate fishes named by the inhabitants Vtins these people speake a kinde of barbarous French and are of the Frenchmen called Ligeois of the Germans Lutticherne and Luicknarren Leige is a cittie imperiall but their tenure is onely to furnish the Emperour with some few men at armes in his wars against the Turke The Bishop thereof is Lord spirituall both of the towne and countrie but the people haue so large priueledges that they liue almost in perfect liberty and freedome Their appeales spirituall go to Collen The Archbishop thereof is their Primate and from thence to Rome Their temporall appeales goe to the Emperiall chamber at Spire In this Citie flourished in times passed a most famous and renowned Academie wherein as Hubert Thomas writeth were studentes at one time the children of 9. kings 24. Dukes 29. Earles besides the sons of many Barons and gentlemen This worthy vniuersitie by the iniurie of time often subuersion of the citie it is at this day decaied and almost vtterly extinguished onely some triuiall schooles for the institution of youth in the inferior studies are there remayning In this cittie are 8. collegiall Churches the Canons whereof are inestimable rich and held of the citizens in great reuerence and reputation especially the Canons of the Collegiall Church of S. Lambert the patron of the towne who are ioyned with the Bishop in gouernment of the state and haue so great libertie that they may at pleasure giue ouer their places and marrie before they haue taken the
at no lesse a rate then shee at first demanded for the whole and forthwith commanded that they should be reposed in the Capitoll in which place they were reserued as most religious sacred thinges vntil Cornelius Sylla his time when together with the Capitoll they were consumed with fire Iulius Caesar afterward as Suetonius writeth vsed great care and diligence in erecting of libraries the charge whereof he committed to Marcus Varro Marlianus in his sixt book and second Chapter maketh mention of two goodly libraries erected by Paulus AEmelius and Octauia the sister of Augustus and wife of Anthony Blondus writeth how that famous library of Apelico wherein were found the bookes of Aristotle and Theophrastus was by Lucius Sylla when he subdued Athens from thence remoued vnto Rome But all those learned workes of so many excellent wits with painefull and laborious trauaile acquired in forraine nations by Romes victorious captaines and there layed vp for monumentes consecrated vnto euerliuing sempiternity were by the impious and detestable fact of Nero when he set the citty of Rome on fire to the inestimable losse and detriment of Europe vtterly consumed which pernitious deede of his is the onely cause why we at this day want so many antique histories of forepassed times neither had there now beene left vnto vs any memory of sondry commonweales many hundred yeeres ago with greatest policy and wisedome gouerned had not the succeeding magistrates and Emperours of Rome with industrious and carefull diligence and incredible expence of treasure caused the dispersed reliques of defaced histories to be searched out and againe compiled by sondry wise and learned men Suetonius writeth that Vespatian vndertaking againe to restore the Capitoll disdayned not among the meanest Labourers with his owne shoulders to exporte such ordure and filth as long had lyen therein and that by searching out obscure fragments of olde exemplars he againe recouered 3000. brasen tables wherein were contayned the seuerall actes of sondry Roman magistrates the decrees of their Senate and priueledges of their Cittizens Domitian also carefully repayred such libraries as by fire in former times had beene consumed and caused to be sent for from Alexandria skilfull pen men which might againe write ouer and amend such olde blotted copies of sondry authors as he had with long search recouered Great care and diligence was concerning this matter vsed by sondry other Emperours as Traian Adrian Valens Valentinian and Gratian c. yet neuer did the Roman libraries attaine vnto any perfection vntil the high Bishops had gotten the principality and dominion of the citty Pope Hilary the first left behind two goodly libraries of his own erection Pope Zacharie the first restored Saint Peters librarie Pope Nicholaus the fift sent sondry excellently learned schollers into all quarters of Europe to search and seeke out the workes of antient authors and by edicte did make promise of 5000. Duccats to any man that could bring vnto Rome the Gospel of S. Mathew written in the Hebrew tongue Leo the tenth sent into Turky Iohn Lascarus who robbing all the heathen Vniuersities of their best and worthiest authors did therewith plentifully furnish adorne the Roman libraries Sixtus the fourth builded in Vaticano that famous and renowned librarie called Palatina then which the world hath not at this day a place of greater worth and admiration hee with maruailous expence of his treasure made search and inquiry throughout all Realmes of Christendome for bookes of greatest esteeme and rarity all which he placed in this pretious librarie whereunto hee appointed sondrie keepers and Gardians allowing monthly greate summes of money for the perpetuall maintenance thereof Much was this goodly Library defaced and endamaged when Rome was by the Duke of Burbon Charles the fifte possessing the Emperiall Diademe conquered and ransacked But by the carefull prouision of succeeding Popes it hath againe recouered in full proportion the beauty and celebrity which it before enioyed Raphaell Volaterranus in his sixt book of Geography sayeth that there were in his time 24. Libraries in Rome the principall whereof were Vlpia which was that founded by Traian and Palatina which is this in Vaticano Venice WEe reade that king Attila at such time as hee besiedged Aquilegia the inhabitantes of that towne hauing long defended themselues and dispayring fledde with their goodes to the rockes within the pointe of the Adriaticall sea The Paduans seeing the fire at hand and fearing that Aquilegia being wonne the barbarous enemie would not so desist but prosecute his warres on them carried all their moueables of greatest value neare the same sea into a place called riuo alto whither they also sent their wiues children and aged men leauing the youth to defend the Cittie walles Aquilegia being taken Attila defaced Padua Vincenza and Verona the Paduans therefore and the chiefe of the other Citties to auoide the hostile and furious pursute of their enemies seated themselues about riuo alto Likewise all the people of that prouince which was anciently called Venetia being driuen out by the same misfortune did flie thither for reliefe and beganne there to builde as well strong and inuincible fortresses for defence as beautifull and sumptuous Pallaces for pleasure which in short time growing to a well ordered Cittie was by them named after their forsaken territorie Venetia Thus constrayned by necessitie they abandoned fayre and fertile countries to enhabite these sterill and paludious places voide of all commodity and yet because great numbers of people were at one instant come thether they made that place not onely habitable but also pleasant ordayning among themselues lawes and orders which amiddest so great ruines of Italy they obserued and within short space so much increased in force and reputation that in the time of Pipin king of France when at the Popes request hee came to driue the Lumbardes out of Italy it was agreede in capitulations betwixt him and the Emperour of Greece that the Duke of Beneuento and the Venetians should be subiect neither to the one nor to the other but among themselus enioy liberty in continuance of time they grew to such greatnes that their name by sea became terrible vpon the firm land of Italy vene rable so that at this day their citie is become the most rich and renowned Empory of Christendome and they are admired of all other commonweales for their opulency and manner of gouernment They vse not as in other places the ciuill law but liue and are gouerned by their own lawes and peculiar course of iustice which liberty was as Blondus writeth first granted thē by Charles the great the high Bishop of Rome thereto giuing his assent When the Vniuersity therein was priuiledged I do not reade onely this I find that many men excellently learned in Rhetorique Philosophy and Theology haue there florished and professed Volaterranus writeth that Iohannes Rauennas who liued about that time when the memory of letters
brasen gates not farre from which is a tower of rare and admirable artifice which on the outside bendeth downeward so exceedingly that a stranger would continually feare the fall thereof but within it standeth perpendicularly right The thing of greatest wonder and admiration in this Cittie is the Churchyard whose earth doth in foure houres consume and conuert into it selfe the deceased carkase of a man Sienna WE find recorded in auncient histories that Sienna was once one of the Romaine Colonies which since in successe of time hath beene of much greatnesse and command hauing subiected vnto her dominion many lands and territories Others write that when Bremius led his armie of Gaules called Senonenses into Italie about 382. yeares before Christes natiuitie this Citie was by them founded and so named Some other number among the new and latest erected Citties of Italie because therein appeare no markes or footsteppes of antiquitie Whensoeuer or by whomsoeuer the first foundation thereof was laide I finde for certayne that it is a most fayte and spatious Cittie well fenced and munited with Towers and Fortresses The Countrey thereabout being full of pastures and herbage exceeding all the neighboring prouinces in fruitfulnes and fertility doth cause in the Citty great plenty and aboundance of corne wine oyle sheepe and oxen and whatsoeuer else is necessarie to sustaine the life of man That an Vniuersity was herein long since erected appeareth by the autentique testimony of sondry learned Historiographers Cardinall Sarabellus a learned ciuill Lawyer affirmeth that this Academy did in the first beginning thereof suffer so many vexations and indignities that it no sooner beganne a little to flourish but it was againe depressed and extinguished which I the rather am induced to belieue when I reade of the implacable hatred and irreconciliable enmity that was betweene them and the Florentines during the furious outrages committed in Italy by the factions of the Guelphy and Gibellini They were also much vexed and molested by Spanish Garrisons maintayned in the towne which in the yeare 1552. shee violently expelled thence it enioyed afterwardes much peace and tranquility vnder the protection of the Almaine Emperours but in the yeare 1558. it was wholy rendred to the Duke of Florence vnder whose iurisdiction it now continueth Petrus Ancoranus confesseth that himself being sent for by the Counsell of Sienna in the yeare 1357. did in this Vniuersity three yeares publikely professe the ciuill law Volaterranus writeth that in the time of Pope Iohn the second a great enemy to the Bononian Academy Dinus came to Sienna where then al manner of studies exceedingly did flourish Panormitanus Paulus Gastrensis Bartholomeus Soenius Philippus Decius Hugo Senensis Augustinus Dathus and many other of great learning and singular wisedome did with their liues adorn and make famous this renowned Academy Franciscus Philelphus being at variance with Cosmio de Medices left Florence where before he had professed Rhetorike and taught at Sienna Pope Iulius the third and Marcellus the second were both schollers in this Vniuersity In this Citty was borne A Eneas Siluius who afterwarde aspiring to the Papacy was named Pius the second by whose bounty and beneuolence this Academy was with many priuiledges adorned This Vniuersity sayeth Panormitane enioyeth the priuiledges of Panonia Therin as writeth Cacciolupus is a goodly colledge called Domus Sapientiae where the studentes by daylie practise and disputations and priuate exercises are greatlie profited Modena AZo a learned professor of the ciuill law writing of the liberall sciences studied with priuiledge professed in Rome and Constantinople sayeth that it was at first onely lawfull for the ciuill law to be taught publikely in those imperiall citties notwithstanding the same was afterward by the Popes and Emperours licensed openly to bee reade and expounded in sondry other citties especially in the Vniuersities of Banonia and Modena When this Cittie was erected or by whome the Vniuersitie was priuiledged I do not remember that I haue reade in any Author THE VNIVERSITIES of France Paris PAris the Metropolis of France was founded as some say by Iulius Caesar and first called Iulia others referre the originall thereof to further antiquitie and contend that the foundation thereof was layed by one Parise descended of the line of â—aphet from whence they will haue the cittie to bee named Whomsoeuer we shal imagine to haue been the first author thereof the discussion of which matter I will leaue to more learned Antiquaries this is most certaine that shee may at this day worthilie contend for soueraignity with the proudest citie of the world Shee surmounteth far all other citties not of France onely but of Europe for huge and incomparable greatnes for concourse of Marchantes no Emporie of Christendome is more frequented for the commodiousnes of the Vniuersity no studentes in this vast and wide circuite of the world are better accommodated It was called Lutetia from the latine word Lutum which signifieth durt because that the streets in her for mer age being then not paued with stone abounded with durt and myte by reason of the innumerable multitude of people that repayred from all quarters corners of the world The riuer Sequana deuiding this cittie in the middest maketh thereof two partes or sides The first side contayneth the Vniuersity and Colledges of the studentes The other side onely beareth the name of the cittie The Emperour Charles the great to his eternal memory and euerlasting praise did first ordayne and institute this reuerend and most worthy to bee renowned mother of so many forrain Vniuersities at the earnest suite and instigation of Alcuinus whose scholler he had beene For wee reade in ancient Chronicles that when venerable Bede sent ouer into France those two learned Fryers of whome we had occasion to speake in the description of the Pauian Vniuersity Alcuinus perceyuing the prompt and ready minde the Emperour did beare vnto men skilfull in learned studies made earnest request vnto him to design in Paris some conuenient place for publike profession of the artes whereunto the Emperour condiscending immediately this new erected Academic exceedinglie beganne to flourish and is at this time the most renowned Nursery of the arts that euer was in Europe planted Since the time of that renowned Emperour it made great experience of the bounty and liberality of the kinges of France who haue beautified it from time to time with many sumptuous aedifices adorned it with many high and noble priuiledges and endued it with many rich and princelie reuenewes King Lewes the ninth imitating the fact of Iulius Caesar to the end that the number of studentes dayly might be encreased in this renowned seminarie of good letters graunted vnto them by Charles tl ese ample priuiledges We will and command that all and euery person or persons borne in whatsoeuer climate or nation of the world being or willing to be of the body and incorporation of the Parisian
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