whose Inhabitants trusting to the benefite of their Lakes did refuse to acknowledge obedience to the Kings of Denmarke though of late they have beene compell'd thereunto The chiefest River of note which watereth this Countrey is Egidora or the Eidera there are also some others the most whereof may rather be called Brookes or Rivulets than Rivers but the Bâ—ltick Sea in that part where it washeth the Dukedomes of Holsatia and Sleswick hath safe and pleasant Bayes which are safe harbours for Merchants and weather-beaten ships In some places also it affordeth great store of fish and especially of Salmons It is a plaine Countrey seldome raised with any mountaines yet one it hath betweene Lubeck and Hamburg of a pleasant situation and famous for the ornaments of peace and warre with which Henry Rantzovius did adorne it It hath an ancient Castle seated on it famous for the antiquitie and first builder thereof and at the foote of the hill a Towne adjoyning to it Heere are many woods with which the Countrey of Holsatia is beset replenished but especially Dithmars as the woods of Borcholt Burgholt Alverdorpenholt Resenwalde and many others The Holsatians had heretofore 48 men who were Presidents and Governours of the whole Countrie to these they made their appeale out of the severall Parishes and they did judge all matters But they being subdued and the Countrie now divided into two parts in each of them there are twelve speciall and principall men together with a Prefect who for the most part is a Doctor or Licentiate at Law These have all yearely pensions from the Princes and they have a Clerke joyned to them as also an Overseer or President out of the Holsatian Nobilitie The one of these Prefects which is for the King is called the Prefect of Steinburg and the other being for the Duke the Prefect of Gottorpe Yet the Subjects have leave to appeale or make suite to the Princes and Senators of either Dukedome as well of Sleswick as Holsatia but not further They had heretofore a written Law which now by degrees is changed and reformed according to the Common Law compiled by Henry Rantzovius the Kings Substitute by Sigefrid Rantzovius heretofore Lord of Nienhs the Lord Adam Trazigeriu and the Lord Erasmus Kirslemius according to which Law all causes are decided and punishments pronounced against delinquents offenders Holsatia hath foure Orders or degrees of people The Nobles the Clergie the Citizens and the Countrie-men whereof there are two kindes for some possesse goods of their owne being hereditarie and free others hired goods or lands for which they pay rent and doe certaine services The Nobles have Castles and Lands together with the royalty of hunting fishing and hawking which for the most part are hereditarie unto them The whole Countrie hath not above 24 Families whose names are mentioned in the Holsatian Chorographie but divers Families there are that are descended from the same stock as the Rantzovians doe at this time possesse an hundred and fiftie Castles and divers other possessions The Aleseldians and Powischians have almost as many Holsatia hath one Bishoprick namely Lubeck for the Bishoprick of Hamburg is subject to the Bishoprick of Breme The contentions which happen among the Nobles are judged by a Senate of Dukes the Princes for the most part sitting Presidents in judgement as it is provided by their priviledges and Lawes From the order of Senators any one putting in a sufficient caution may appeale to the Imperiall Chamber The Citizens enjoy priviledges peculiar to themselves and use the Roman Law or else the Lubeck The Subjects may appeale from the judgement of the Senate of their owne Citie to the judgement of foure Cities appointed to judge and determine of all speciall matters From them againe they are permitted to appeale to the Princes and Senators of Holsatia and also further even to the Imperiall Chamber so that fit securitie be put in Countri-mens cases or suites are pleaded by their Lawyers even in the open fields where are present the Noble-men thereabout the Prefects and two Assistants There they come forth doe make their appearance who have any suit one against an other the Defendant and Plaintiffe being both heard the whole company or assemblie of Countrie-men are bidden to goe forth and then their causes being diligently weigh'd on both sides they returne againe and the suiters being called in they give sentence in their case according to Law and right THE FOVRTH TABLE OF DENMARKE CONTAINING FIONIA WITH THE ISLANDS LYING ROUND ABOUT IT SO much according to our Method concerning the Dukedome of Sleswicke and Holsatia Fionia followes with the Isles lying round about it Fionia commonly called Fuynen is the chiefe of all other Isles lying in the Bay of Codonus from Zeland It taketh its name from the beautie thereof both in regard of the forme and situation It is separated from the Continent of Denmarke by so small and narrow a Sea flowing between them called Middlesar that it seemeth almost to cleave unto the Continent This Iland as it looketh on the West toward Iutia so on the East toward Zeland It is 48 miles in length and 16 in breadth The Land that I may omit the Sea which is full of fish is a fruitfull soyle and very profitable to the husbandman For it aboundeth with such plentie of corne that it sends store thereof yearly to other farre Countries especially Wheate and Barley And the ground albeit it be very fruitfull and endowed with the gifts of Ceres yet it is never dunged Whence the Cities and Townes thereof are annoyed with filthy smells of the dung of cattle which is cast out being thereof no use as Munster writeth This Countrie aboundeth with so many Droves of Oxen and breedeth such a number of Cowes and Horses that it sends yearly into Germany great Heards and Droves of them And in regard of the many woods which are in the Island there is great store of game for hunting as Harts Hares and Foxes In the middle of it is the Metropolis or mother Citie called Ottania or Ottonium commonly called Ottensel being a Bishops Seat built as it appeares by many testimonies by Otto the first about the time when he compeld King Herald to receive the Christian faith This Citie is a famous Mart for the whole Island in which about Epiphanie or Twelfetide there is a great meeting of the Islanders and especially the Nobles as there is at Kile in Holsatia Fionia is divided into five and twentie Prefectures sixteene Cities and six royall Castles The other cities are in a manner equally distant from Ottonia which is as it were the Center and are so built of the Sea shoare that in regard of the conveniencie of the Havens they traffique not onely in the Balticke Sea but also exercise their negotiations throughout all Swethland and Norwey Russia the Low-countries and Germany the chiefe amongst them are Niburch Swynburch
Krimpen Out of this Nobilitie is chosen the Praefect or Master of the Court which is such an office as the Governour of the Kings House in France Hee dwelleth for the most part at Haffnia being as it were the Kings Substitute and doth dispatch matters as hee is directed by the King Next to him is the Marshall which in the time of warre and peace doth provide those things which appertaine to expedition In the third place is the Admirall which doth build new ships repaire the old and every year order the seaâ—matters for the securing of the coasts He hath under him an other Admirall appointed and in every ship a Captaine who must bee borne a Gentleman There is also the Chancellour of the Kingdome to whom out of all the Provinces and Isles they appeale and make suite unto and from whom appeale is also made to the King and the Senate of the Kingdome All the Provinces are divided into Haeret as they call them or into Dioceses under which are many Parishes heere if there be any controversies matters are first tried And from hence they appeale to the Judge of the Haeret. Afterward to the Chancellour and last of all to the King and Senatours where it hath a determinate and finall Judgement They have a written Law composed by Woldemare the first together with the Bishops and Senators which is very agreeable to the law of Nature and not much differing from the Roman Lawes and that causes and suites may sooner have an end and judgement be given and put in execution It is provided that Judges if they doe any wrong or give false judgement are condemned to lose halfe their goods whereof the King hath the one part and the injured partie the other Woldemare the first except I be deceiv'd added the Bishops to the Senators whom Christianus the third for rebellion and certaine other causes did put out againe The Kings Chancellour who for the most part followeth the King in the Court hath seven or eight Noble men adjoyned unto him as Assistants besides Secretaries and Clerkes and all businesses are dispatch'd by the King himselfe But if it be some matter of consequence as concerning peace or warre entring into league with forraine Nations or into consultation concerning the defending of their owne Territories then the King calleth a Councell of Senators Neither can the King impose any taxe upon the Kingdome or Countrie without their consent and the consent of the Nobles There is also in this Kingdome a Master of the Exchequer who collecteth and gathereth all the Revenues of the whole Kingdome both of Castles Farmes and Customes as well by Sea as by Land Hee taketh account of them enquireth into them and giveth acquittances for the receit of them Hee hath two Assistants of the Nobilitie and many Clerkes under him and for his office hath a yearely stipend or pension The third State is of the Clergie in which there are seven Bishops as the Bishop of Lunden the Bishop of Roâ—schild the Bishop of Otthon of Rip of Wiburg of Arhuse and the Bishop of Sleswich to whom the other Canonicall persons have relation These have the Tenths of the Kingdome which in divers Countries are divided in a divers manner for the Bishops have an halfe part of the Tenths and the King an halfe part the Canonists and Preachers have a part and a part is contributed toward the building and repairing of Churches And as concerning the Popes authoritie in this Kingdome as also in France the ordination of Prelates and Bishops have beene alwayes in the Kings power as may appeare by the answer of Woldemare the first King of Denmarke which heere I have annexed When the Pope required these and the like priviledges from the King it is reported that the King writ back unto him Wee have our Kingdome from our Subjects our life from our Parents our Reliligion from the Romish Church which if you will take from us I send it you by these presents And as the wise Decree of Charles the fifth is praised prohibiting Ecclesiasticall persons from buying any immoveable thing without the consent of the King so Christian the third as wisely did ordaine that the Clergie should not sell any thing without the Kings expresse commandement In other matters the Clergie-men through the whole kingdome are well provided for by Christian the third of famous memorie and many Schooles erected in many places as also two in Iseland where they have likewise a Printing-House There is but one Universitie in the whole kingdome called the Universitie of Haffen or Hafnia founded by Christerne the first by permission of Pope Sixtus in the yeare of Christ 1470 which Frederick the second although hee were seven yeares incumbred with the Swethish warres did so enrich that the yearely revenues thereof are very much The fourth State is of the Citizens and Merchants dwelling in Cities and Townes These have proper and peculiar priviledges which they enjoy besides certaine fields and woods that belong to them and these doe traffique both by Sea and Land in all parts of Europe Out of these as also out of the Countrey-people the Bishops the Canonists the Preachers and Senators of Cities the Clerkes of Bands the Lievtenants of Towres and the Masters of Ships are chosen and some of them are Masters of the Customes or Tributes lastly of these all lesser Councels of Justice doe consist one of the Nobility for the most part sitting as President The fifth State is of the Rustick or Countrey-people and there are two sorts of them the first they call Freibunden that is Free-holders These doe hold Lands of Inheritance yet paying for the same some little free-rent every yeare These doe also use merchandise and fishing They are not opprest with doing services neither doe they pay any taxes unlesse the Senators of the kingdome doe grant it as a subsidie The other sort is of those who doe not possesse goods of inheritance but doe farme them of the King the Nobles or Ecclesiasticall persons and are constrained to doe many services for their Lords in such manner as they shall covenant with their Land-lord These are the chiefe things which I thought good to declare concerning the State politick of Denmarke whereby it appeareth that the Danish Monarchie was for the most part well framed for the free election of the Kings being in the hands of the Nobilitie and yet notwithstanding out of the royall Progenie as wee said before it followeth that the Danes have no civill warres or dissentions unlesse those which are betweene such as bee of the Blood Royall which are quickly composed by the mediation and helpe of the Nobles but especially seeing the Kings younger Sonnes can have no part of the kingdome Moreover as they are all stiled but Nobles and know not the titles and names of Barons Earles and Dukes so there are none that have so much wealth and power as that reposing trust therein they dare oppose themselves against
mans life Yet it hath not vines everywhere but where wine is wanting it supplies the defect thereof with drinke made of fruits This for here I cannot refraine from praising it is the mother of the Conquerours of the World Here Macedon did heretofore bring forth Alexander Italie the Romanes who in a certaine succession God in his Eternall Providence so decreeing did conquer the whole World so farre as it was knowne and Germany doth at this day bring forth Princes of great Prowes Have not here beene borne many noble Heroes which have added to their Empire America unknowne as the most do suppose to the Ancients and the better and stronger parts of Asia and Africke Is it not the onely mother of many Kings and Princes fighting in Christs cause This our Europe besides the Romane Empire hath above eight and twentie Kingdomes instructed in Christian Religion if we adde the foureteene which Damianus à Goes reckons to be in Spaine whence wee may estimate the dignitie of this Countrie what shall I speake of the populousnesse and renowne of the cities thereof Heretofore Africa hath beene proud of her Carthage Asia hath beene puffed up with her three Cities Babilon Ninivie and Hierusalem America doth glory at this day in Cusco and new Spaine in Mexico but who seeth not in these times the like and greater almost in every Countrie of Europe Let any one in his minde onely walke over Italy for this doth afford an example of all the rest the sumptuous magnificence of Rome the Royall wealth of Venice the honourable Nobilitie of Naples the continuall commerce and traffique of Genoa the happie and fertile pleasantnesse of Millaine and the famous wonders and commodities of other places So that the other parts of the World may be silent for none are equall to Europe The Countries in it as they are now called are Spaine France Germanie Italie Hungarie Transilvania Dalmatia Greece Poland Lithuania Moscovie Russia Denmarke Swethland Norway besides the Isles in the Northerne Ocean which are England Scotland Ireland Island Frisland and others in other places and those in the Mediterranean Sea as the Baleares which are two Isles in the Spanish Sea called Majorica and Minorica also Corsica Sardinia Sicilia with the Isles of Malta Corfu Creete and many others And as for the Lakes standing Pooles Rivers and Waters having diverse vertues in them which beside their fish whereof they yeeld an incredible company are as it were a wall unto Countries who can number them What should I mention the Seas it would be tedious in this place to reckon up their commodities profits and delights these things shall therfore be unfolded in their proper places Europe doth not want Mountaines among which the Pirenean hills and the Alpes are alwaies white with continuall snow and it hath many woods and forrests which afford pasturage for cattell and have few harmefull beasts in them What should I speake of the private or publique workes both sacred and profane that are in this part of the World Here are innumerable magnificent Temples innumerable Abbies many famous Pallaces of Kings innumerable faire and magnificent houses belonging to Noble-men and Princes and many rare buildings both publique and private We have here Justice and Lawes we have the dignitie of Christian Religion we have all the delights of mankinde we have the strength of Armes innumerable Senators Men venerable both for Wisedome and Learning and if you please to compare famous men together there was never so great a company of Heroes and Noble men in other parts of the World as in any one part of Europe Besides this part of the World is so studious of Arts and Sciences that for the invention and preservation of many things it may worthily be called the Mother and Nurse of Wisedome In this are many excellent and flourishing Universities but in other Countries there is nothing but meere Barbarisme It would be too much to reckon up the vertues of the Inhabitants but as for the vices as who is without some they are noted in some short sayings which I will here adde The people of Franconia are foolish rude and vehement The Bavarians are prodigall gluttons and railers The Grisons are light talkative and braggers The Turingi are distrustfull and contentious The Saxons dissemblers craftie selfe-willed The Low-country-men are horsemen delicate and tender The Italians proud desirous of revenge and wittie The Spaniards haughtie wise covetous The French eloquent intemperate and rash The People of Denmarke and Holsteine are great of stature seditious and dreadfull The Sarmatians great eaters proud and stealers The Bohemians inhumane new-fangled and robbers The Illyrians unconstant envious seditious The Pannonians cruell and superstitious The Greekes miserable And there is another saying no lesse pleasant A Bridge in Poland a Monke of Bohemia a Knight of the South a Nunne of Suevia the Devotion of Italie the Religion of Prutenicks the Fasts of Germans and the Constancie of Frenchmen are nothing worth AFRICKE AFRICKE followes which was so called if we beleeve Nisias from Afer a companion of Hercules who accompanied him even as faire as Calis But if we trust Iosephus and Isidorus from one of the posteritie of Abraham whose name was Afer or as Festus doth suppose from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies cold for it is free from cold because the most part of it is situated betweene the Tropicks The Arabians doe call it Fricchia from the word Farruca which with them signifies to divide for Africke is almost divided from the other parts of the Earth Or else it was so called from Ifricus a King of Arabia Foelix who they report did first inhabite this Country The Greekes call it Libya either from Libya the daughter of Epathus or from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies stonie or because Libs or the Southwest-wind bloweth from thence In the Scriptures it is called Chamesia the Arabians and Aethiopians doe call it Alkebula and the Indians Besechath The Aequinoctiall Circle doth almost cut the middle part of Africke The AFRICKE AFRICAE DESCRIPTIO Tropicks passe not beyond it either Northward or Southward but it is stretched out beyond either of them ten degrees and more It is bounded towards the North with the Mediterranean Sea and the Streights of Hercules towards the East with the Arabian Bay or the Erythraean Sea and with the Isthmus which is betweene the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Bay to the South it is washed with the Aethiopian Ocean and on the West with the Atlanticke It hath the forme of a Peninsula which is joyned to Asia by the Isthmus above mentioned And though the length thereof which lyeth from West to East is shorter then the length of Europe yet the length thereof from the North toward the South is such as Europe can hardly be compared with it for it taketh
also the Gothes subjecting of Spaine the Longobards establishing of a Kingdome in Italie the Normans seating themselves in France the erecting of the Kingdome of Naples and Sicilie and the attempt of Godfride upon Freseland against Charles the Great Canutus the Great his holding five Kingdomes a long time For he was King of Denmarke Swethland Norwey England and Normandy and sonne in law to Henry the third Emperour of whom these verses are yet extant Desine mirari quos garrula laudibus effert Graecia quos jactat Roma superba duces c. Cease thou to wonder at those Captaines bold Of which both Greece and Rome did boast of old For now the Danish Land hath brought forth one That is in vertue second unto none By my atchievements I much fame attain'd Five Kingdomes subject were to my command And me he chose his sonne in Law to be Who was third Emperour of Germanie My Iustice famous was I shew'd the way How powerfull Kings should their owne Lawes obey By which it appeares as also by the following warres which divers Kings of the Familie of the Oldenburgs happily waged that it is a warlike Nation and fortunate in vanquishing their enemies both by Land and Sea The Noble men and Senatours of the Kingdome have a free power to elect the Kings but for the most part they chuse the Kings eldest sonne unlesse there be some sufficient cause for the contrary However they alwayes chuse one of the Royall bloud and they doe not suffer the Kingdome to be divided unlesse they be compelled thereunto by civill warres They send the younger sonnes or brothers into other Countries seeing they cannot participate in the government of the Kingdome and hence it is that so many expeditions are undertaken by them Moreover seeing all the Nobles and Common-people cannot live conveniently in their owne Countrie therefore they seeke out to get themselves a more fit seate For the Northerne people have abundance of children in regard of their abundance of bloud and heate they are quarrellers and fighters they drinke and eate much for the cold Ayre excites their appetite and yet digest it well whence it is that they live long they are faire complexioned of great stature crafty and faithfull And an argument that they are long liv'd is that their Kings have raigned very long many of them thirty yeares some forty and some longer The Politicall government THere are five States or Orders in the Common-wealth of Denmarke The first is of the Kings Familie the second of the Nobles among which there are neither Earles nor Barons yet all of them can shew how their Nobilitie descended to them by a long pedigree of Ancestours They carry Bucklers which they will not change nor alter because they anciently used them There are some Families yet living whose Ancestors were present at the Parley between Charles the Great Hemmingus King of Denmarke upon the River Egidora or Eider as the Familie of Vren and others These hold their goods and lands in Capite and they have free liberty to hawke and hunt in their owne lands as the Counts have in Germany Their goods are not feudatory but hereditary All the Castles lands and goods as well moveable as immoveable left them by their parents are equally divided among the brethren and the sisters by a speciall priviledge have a share also yet so that the brother hath two parts with the Castles and places of strength and the sister but one By this meanes the eldest sonnes have not much lands yet some of them comming of a good Familie and being endued with vertue through the Kings favour doe advance themselves to great possessions by marriage Out of this order the Senatours of the Kingdome are chosen who are seldome more then 28. These Senatours have a certain allowance from the King and Kingdome for they have Castles so long as they bee Senatours for which they pay no rent to the King but are charged to keepe certaine horses both in peace and warre and whensoever the King calls them they are to be ready at the proper charge of the Kingdome If they be sent on any Embassage out of the Kingdome they have allowance out of the Exchequer that they may performe their journey in a Princely manner as becommeth a Kings Embassadours The other Nobles also have sufficient maintenance from the King whether they live at Court or not For the King hath lands which in the Danish speech are called Verleghninge or Benefices and out of these hee giveth maintenance either for terme of life or for yeares to those who have done him or the Kingdome any service And those who hold these Benefices of the King are charged to keepe certaine horses and to pay yearely a certaine summe of money into the Exchequer yet so as they may gaine something in reward of their labour and service There is also a good Law Institution in the Kingdome of Denmarke whereby the King is prohibited and restrained from buying any immoveable goods of the Nobles least any dissention should arise betweene the King and them For otherwise the King might by violence take into his hands those lands which the Nobles would not sell yet the King may change any immoveable goods with the Nobles though on the contrary the Nobles cannot buy any of them of the Kings Farmers many of which have hereditarie and as it were free lands Here followes the names of the speciall Families of the Nobility in the Kingdome of DENMARKE THe Lords of Kaas the L. Guldensteen the Lords of Munc of Rosencrantz of Grubbe of VValkendorp of Brahe of Schram of Pasberg of Hardenberg of Vlstant of Bing of Below of VVepfert of Goce of Schefeldt of Ranzow of Schelen of Frese of Iul of Bilde of Dresselberg of Green of Brockenhusen of Holke of Trolle of Knutzen of Biorn Schested of Iensen of Steuge of Mattiesse of Lunge of Banner of Luc of Rastorp of Krusen of Fassi of Lindeman of Suvon of Stantbeke of Quitrowe of Lange of Gelschut of Glambeke of Krabbe of Marizer of Kragge of Achsel of Beâ— of Ruthede of Negel of VVirfelt of Split of Ofren of Appelgard of Iuenam of Poldessen of Reuter of Podebussen who were all in times past Barons in the Dukedome of Pomerania and some of whose Familie are still remaining there Also the Lords of Vren who lived in the time of Charles the great Also the Lords of Bliâ— of Galle of VVogersen of Bassi of Solle of Daac of Bax of Basclich of VVensterman of Hoken of Lindow of Bille of Reutem of Hundertmarâ— of Heiderstorper of VVolde of Papenhaimb of Spar of Falster of Narbu of VVorm of Bilde of Bocholt of Budde of Swaben of Santbarch of Gram of Lutken of Vhrup of Spegel of Bammelberg of Rosenspart of Duve of Hube of Schaungard of Must of Gris of Falcke of Brune of Laxman of Duram of Baggen of Norman of Goss of Matre of Rosengard of Tollen of Ronnoun of
the West even to the Celtick Promontorie divide Spain into that part which lyeth on the hither side of the mountaines and that which is on the further side thrusteth forth a mountaine neare the fountaine of Iberus towards the South through the breadth of Spaine Strabo and Ptolemie do name it Idubeda But it is commonly called Saltus Aucencis and Monte d' Oca from the ancient Citie Auca some ruines whereof may be discerned at Villa Franca beyond Burgos Also there is the mountaine which ariseth out of Idubeda called by Strabo Orospeda by Ptolemie Otrospeda Yet hath it not one certaine name for all the whole mountaine for whereas Alvarius Gomecius calleth it Sierra Vermigia Florianus Sierra Mollina and Clusius Sierra Morena these names are but names to part of it Calpe is reckoned with Orospeda For so this mountaine is called by Ptolemie and others It is neare to the Bay of Hercules which is commonly called the Bay of Gibraltar Part of Orospeda is high and â—ockie and reaching from the Citie of Hispalis to Granada it doth lift up it selfe neare Archidona It hath its name and deserveth still to be famous by reason of a memorable example of love which was shewed thereon for the Spaniards call it La Penna de les Enamorades or the Lovers Mountaine Paulinus calleth it Bimaris because it looketh on two Seas the Inward and the Outward Strabo saith that the mountaine Calpe is not very large in compasse but that it is so high that to those who are farre off it may seeme an Island some do fabulously suspose it to be one of Hercules Pillars and Abela over against it in Africke to be the other both being the bounds of Hercules labours they say that it was heretofore one mountaine and that Hercules digged it through and so altered the shape of it Out of Alcarassum do arise the mountaines called by Pliny Montes Mariani by Ptolemie in the singular number Marianus and by Antoninus mons Mariorum They are now called Sierra Morena The noble river Baetis doth water the bottomes of their mountains on the left side Neare to Barcinon or Barcilona there is a mountaine which the Inhabitants call Mon-Iui some do translate it Iupiters mountaine and some do better render it the Iewes mountaine for that they were heretofore buried in this place where many of their Graves and Sepulchers do yet remaine On the top thereof there is a Towne from whence a watchman by setting up a linnen flagge in the day time and a fire in the night doth give notice to the Citie Barcinon of the approaching of any ships Spaine is every where full of woods and trees bearing singular and excellent kindes of fruit which it would be too long to recite in particular There is a wood neare unto the Towne called Monte Majore in which Nature alone hath planted Oakes Chestnut-trees Nuts Filberds Cherries Prunes Peares Figges wild Vines and all kinde of fruit-trees very high and fairely spred Not farre from the Towne Beiar or Bigerra is a most pleasant wood where Lucius Marinaeus Siculus writeth that hee hath measured Chesnut-trees which have beene fortie foot about It hath many woods also to fell and cut which do afford the Spaniard wood enough for the building of ships What shall I speake of the publike or private workes in this kingdome here are many magnificent Temples many Abbeys Friaries Monasteries Hospitals for strangers and for the sicke Here are many famous Kings Pallaces many magnificent and faire houses belonging to Noble-men and Knights and innumerable other publike and private edifices The King of Spaine is borne not chosen or elected to the Crowne yet is hee inaugurated and sworne to defend this people and their priviledges when hee taketh the oath of alleagiance of them The Kings children are called Infantaes Among whom the eldest sonne who in his fathers life is declared King by the consent and oath of the Nobles the Cittizens and people is called Prince of Spaine Although the King have supreme power over all persons and over all causes yet hee seldome decreeth any thing but with the consent and by the counsell of twelve men who being the chiefe of the whole Kingdome do make a royall Senate By them matters of moment are discussed and determined but matters of more secresie are consulted of by a Privie Counsell which consisteth of the King the Dictator of Leon the President and the third part of the Kings Counsell Those things which concerne the Indies and their government are handled in the Senate which they call the Indian Senate by one President and twelve Counsellers Matters of warre are handled in the militarie and warlike Senate which the 12 Royall Senators the Dictators of Leon and Castile with others doe make up Besides these there are also in Spaine three Prefectureships of Right and Justice which they call Places of hearing or Chanceries one being in Castile the other in Granada and the third in Gallicia Every one hath a President and 12 Senators and if that Suiters receive no satisfaction or redresse of their greevances from them their causes are brought before the Royall Senate Lastly there is the Treasurer of Castile having foure Questors under him whose office is to receive the Kings Treasure and to take and give accompt thereof There is a great company of Dukes Marquesses and Earles in Spaine Besides the Prince of Asturia and others I finde that there are about 23 Dukes as the Friensian Duke the Duke of Medina-Rivi-Sicci of Alua of Alcala of Albuquerqua of Scalona of Osuna of Averi of Bejar of Gandia of Sessa of Infantasg of Medina Caeli of Medina Sidonia of Maqueda of Najar of Feria of Segorbia of Sonna of Villa-Formosa of Verragua Pastrana and Franca-Villa And these have for their yearely revenues some fortie some an hundred thousand Duckets The Dukes of Infantasg and Medina-Sidonia have a farre greater revenue for the latter hath 130000 and the former 120000 Duckets per annum These are the Marquesses the Marquesse of Villa Nova of Astorga of Aquilar of Denia of Mondejar of Navares of Savia of Velleza of Comares of Aiomonte of Altamir of Veladra of Vearina of Carpio of Camarassa of Cortes of Monte-Majore of Guardia of Monte-Clare of Las Navas of Poza of Steppa of Tanara of Villa-Franca of Drada of Cavietis of Falcis of Fomesta of Molina of Ciralva of Valesis of Vallis of Zaara of Ardalis of Tarifa of Alcanisa and others the greater part having annuall revenues from ten thousand to 40000 Duckets There are also about an hundred Earles whose yearely revenues are from ten thousand to 25 thousand Duckets the chiefe of them are the Earles of Benaventum of Albua Miranda and Oropoza It would be too tedious to the Reader to reckon up the Vicounts which are ten in number the Barons the long roll and Catalogue of Vice Roys Governours Prefects of Provinces and of the Sea and lastly the
West Algarbia on the North it cleaveth to that part of Portugall which is called Magistratus S. Iacobi And the other part toward the South is enclosed with Gades and the Mediterranean Sea It is in a temperate and flourishing Climate and is miraculously fertile in bringing forth Corne Wine Oyle and all kindes of fruits with which it replenishes forraine Countries Spaine in these parts that are encompassed with the Sea as Pliny saith may be compared with Italy which commendations wee suppose may be chiefly understood of that part which looketh toward Hispalis as being exposed to the Sea and the gentle Westerne gales of winde And indeed this Countrie so aboundeth with all kind of things therein so farre excells all the Provinces of the World that Pliny had worthily preferred it before Italie but that he being an Italian would not disgrace his owne Countrie Here is great store of all kindes of Cattell and especially of Cunnies Wee said before that Andaluzia tooke that name from the Vandalls because they being driven out by the Gothes seated themselves in this place though afterward being thrust out from hence they went into Africke Thus it was Rodericke the 25 King of the Gothes in whom the line of the Kings of the Gothes was extinguisht did send one Iulianus an Earle to Mauritania Tingitana as Governour thereof and in his absence did violate his daughters chastitie making a whore of her which when her father heard he called the Saracens out of Africke thinking thereby to ease his just sorrow by revenging it on the King who was the cause thereof These Saracens comming in by the Straits of Hercules in the yeare of Christ 714. under the conduct of their Captaine Muzamissus in two yeares space got possession of all Spaine except Asturia which was fortified by the naturall situation of the place In this little time there were slaine on both sides 700000 men The Saracens having gotten the Empire and having rooted out the Christian Religion as much as they could they divided the Kingdomes among themselves The first Kingdome that they instituted was at Corduba which they called Abenalibeticum The other was at Hispalis and the third at New Carthage But at last being driven out of these parts by Ferdinand the third they went unto Granada in the yeare 1216. and afterward by Ferdinand the sixt were quite thrust out of Spaine in the yeare 1494. The Metropolis of this Countrie is that which Pliny calls Hispalis Ptolemie Ispalis Silius Hispal Gratianus Spalis and which now is called Sevill Arius Montanus thinketh that Hispalis is a Carthaginian name derived from Spila or Spala which signifies a plain or greene country Some among whom is F. Tarapha do referre the name thereof to Hispalis the son of Lybian Hercules but Isidorus as in many other things is ridiculous in this matter for when he had noted that this Citie was built by Iulius Caesar and so called from his name and the Citie of Rome Iulia Romula he saith that it was so named Hispalis from Piles or Stakes upon which hee supposed either all or part of the Citie to be built as being situate in a moorish place It is a Citie neare Baetis pleasantly seated great in compasse round in forme beautifull and adorned with Temples and many houses So many things may be declared concerning it that there is an ancient Proverbe of it Quien no ha Visto Sevilla no ha visto Maravilla It hath beene the mother and fosterer of many happie wits among which was Benedictus Arias Montanus a great Divine and very skilfull in divers languages as his workes set forth by him do witnesse Having spoken something of the Metropolis I will describe some of the other Cities not keeping any certaine order yet so as that which is nearest to the Metropolis shall be placed first Five leagves from Hispalis is Palatium or Palantia which is commonly called Palacios from an ancient Castle that standeth on one side of it It is seated in the way which leadeth to S. Lucar and the Gaditane Straits Next unto this is Cabaca a little Town seated in the entrance of the mountaines which do extend themselves Southward toward Malaga and Cabecis three leagves off toward the North-East commonly called Lebrixa by Ptolemie Nebrissa and by Pliny Veneria The builder thereof is supposed to be Liber Pater It is a pleasant and a prettie little Towne with an ancient Castle encompassed round about with pleasant fields and is famous by reason of Aelius Antonius once a citizen thereof and an ornament and honour to all Spaine Moreover the Towne which is commonly called Carmona by Strabo Carmon by Antoninus Carme and by Ptolemie Chermenia and Marchena heretofore as saith Onuphrius called Martia this Towne is seated on a little hill which hath a plaine on every side for its prospect There are also these townes Loja on the right hand banke of Baetis Axalita built of old stone as Clusius witnesseth and called Flavium Axalitanum as appeareth by an ancient inscription Moron heretofore called by Clusius Arucci Ossuna called by Appianus Orsona by Strabo Orson by Pliny Vrso and Genua or Gemina Vrbanorum by ancient Inscriptions Vrsaon and by Hirtius Vâ—sao The towne Eceja by the river Singulis Xenil or Chenil called by Ptolemie Astygis and by Pliny Augusta Firma is a little Towne 13 leagues from Hispalis Penastor in the mid way betweene Hispalis and Corduba on the right hand banke of Baetis which Ptolemie thinketh to be Illipula magna but Pliny Ilpa Italica in the Iurisdiction of Hispalis and not ANDALVZIA ANDALUZIA many miles hence on the banke of the same River Corduba commonly called Cordova Pliny saith it was named Colonia Patricia and Moralis doth also prove the same by inscription on an ancient marble Iohannes Gerundensis saith that it was called Corduba quasi Cor Batis that is the heart of Baetis It hath bred famous Souldiers and great Schollers And it is happie in her fruitfull fields pleasant gardens and beside many other gifts in her wholesome waters Silius the Italian Poët lib. 3. calleth the soile of Corduba a golden soile when he saith Nec decus auriferae cessavit Corduba terrae Corduba's soile is of so rich a mould It will not yeeld to that which beareth gold Five leagues from Corduba Southward is Mons Major commonly called Monte Major Ptolemie thinketh it to be Vlia a Citie in Hispania Baetica and so doth Antoninus Some few leagues from Corduba is Montoro Antoninus supposeth it to be Epora Ptolemie erroneously calleth it Ebura instead of Epora when notwithstanding the former is not a Towne of Baetica but of Lusitania but worst of all Pliny who nameth it Ripepora Foederatorum Not farre from Lucar is the Towne which the Spaniards call Xeres de la Frontera as though it were the beginning and bound of Spaine on that side where it standeth This towne Navagierus thinketh to be the same with that which Livie and
the Delphinate After this the Province of the Delphinate became subject to Provinces who ruled it untill the time of Philip Valerius King of France who annexed it to his Crowne about the yeere of Christ 1348. which was the cause that Humbert Delphine of Vienna having lost his eldest Sonne in the Battell of Cressey and his yonger Sonne dying by sicknesse when hee was provoked to warre and set upon by Amades the 6. of that name he determined to put himselfe into the Kings protection and to leave him Heire to his Dominions on this condition that from thenceforth the eldest Sonnes of the Kings of France during their Fathers life time should beare the Armes and Title of the Delphinate And so this Country came into the Kings hands who thought fit to annex so noble a Prince neighbouring on Italy for ever to his Kingdome The Delphinate therefore being one of the chiefe Countries of France is devided as I said before into the higher and lower part and hath many faire Cities and Townes in it In the higher there are Ebrodunum which hath a Prelate also Valence Dium and S. Pauls Church In the lower is Vienna which was formerly the Metropolis and Mother City of the whole Delphinate which is now Gratianopolis there are also Romanium Brianconium Mons-Limartium upon Rhodanus a Towne much frequented by Merchants where there are also many Monuments of Antiquity also S. Antonies Church Valerians Church and the Monastery Gratianopolis was so called from the Emperour Gratian who reedified it and beautified it with many Buildings now it hath a Parliament and a President with Senators and other Officers belonging thereunto and it hath a Prelate who is one of the chiefe men of the Province under the Metropolitan of Vienna But Vienna venerable for Antiquity hath a long time had a Metropolitan Bishop Valence is converted and raised to a Dukedome and hath a Bishop and a University in which the Romane Lawes are read and declared in which Iames Cuyacius taught who was the Prince of all those Lawyers which flourished in former times whose name shall live as long as Lawes continue in the world Here are found Romane Inscriptions and other ancient Romane Monuments King Francis intended to have newly fortified Gratianopolis against the invasion of enemies but hee left it undone THE DELPHINATE OF FRANCE DAVPHINE Par IEAN de BEINS THE DVKEDOME OF LOTHARINGIA THE SOVTHERNE PART whereof is painted forth in this Table AFter Pictavia according to my method the Dukedom of Lothariâ—gia followeth Lothoringia according to the Latines was so called from Lotarius the Sonne or Nephew of the Emperour Ludovick King of France Truely Ludovick Pius had foure Son who warring like Parracides against their Father having shut him up into a Monastery among the Suesâ—ons they devided his Principalities amongst themselvs so made it a Tetrarchie Afterward by the meditation of the Nobles of the Empire the matter came to that passe that Lotarâ—us the eldest Sonne should enjoy the Title of the Empire with Italy Gallia Narbâ—nensis and those Territories which were called by the name of Lotharingia and that Ludovick should possesse Germany Charles should have France from the River Mosa to the Ocean and lastly Pipin or his Sonne should have Aquitaine Lotarius had besides Ludovick who succeeded him in the Empire a Sonne named Lotarius King of Lotaringia And as the Germanes as first called it Lotar-rijck or Lot-reych that is the Kingdome of Lotarius so the Latines afterward called it Lâ—tharingia The Inhabitants and the other French doe call it Loraine as it were Lotregne The French Writers doe report that the bounds of Lotaringia were heretofore larger and that it was heretofore called Austrasia or Austria or Oost-reych having Westrasia or Westria now called West-reych and corruptly Neustria a Westerne Kingdome lying over against it and that being devided into the higher and the lower and contained betweene the Rivers Rhene Scaldis and Mosa the lower part hath divers names and is subject to divers Princes and that the higher part which is called Mossellanica and Tullingia is all except some parts thereof under ones command so that on the East of Lotaringia there lyeth Alsatia and Westrasia on the South Burgundy on the West Campania on the North it is bounded with the Wood Arduenna the Leuceburgians Treverians and other people bordering thereon which were heretofore the chiefest parts of Lotharingia Lotaringia although it be full of high Mountaines and thick Woods yet it needeth not the supplies of forraigne Countries for it hath good store of Corne and Wine It hath divers kinde of Mettalls as Silver Brasse Iron Tinne and Lead It hath also Pearles for which there THE DVKEDOME OF LOTHORINGIA LOTHARINGIA is excellent fishing at the foote of Vâ—gesus There are also certain Stones found which the Inhabitants in regard of their â—â—lac colour doe call Lazuli and doe make great benefit of them There is also a certain substance of which they make Looking-glasses the like wherof is not found in other Provinces of â—urâ—â—â— Here are also Calâ—iâ—â—nes of great bignesse so that great cups are made of small pieces thereof It produceth divers kindes of living Creatures especially excellent Horses like to Neapolitan and Turkish Horses Lotaringia was heretofore a Kingdome as appeareth in the French Writers But there are not mentioned above two or three Kings thereof For Câ—arâ—â—s the Bald presently after the decease of his Unckle Lotarius invaded his Territories and joyned them to his Principalities And not long after it was made a Dukedome The first Dukes are scattringly mentioned by Historians and divers Writers In the raigne of Henry the 4. â—â—tâ—fridus held Lotariâ—gia hee who afterward having sold his Dukedome â—â—uâ—â—gnâ— together with his Brothers Baldwin and Eustathius made a memorable expedition to the Holy Land and carried his conquering Army thorow Asia and Syria even to the City of Hierusalem and was created King of Hierusalem After him succeeded Baldwin and after Baldwin Eustathius Afterward King Henry the fifth gave the Dukedome to William Earle of â—â—vaniâ— after whom Theodore Theoâ—â—â—â— Frederick others were created Princes of Lotariâ—gia whom from the â—â—â—â—edome was passed to Frederick Earle of Vadimomium from whom the Dukes of Lotaringia are descended Mercator doth plainely dâ—scrâ—be be it in two Tables in one whereof he painteth out the Northerne part in the other the Southerne part Heretofore the Medâ—â—maâ—â—ices and Leuâ—â— did inhabit Lâ—taringia Lib. 4. Tacitus Pliny Strabâ— and Ptolemy doe call them Medâ—â—maâ—â—ices and Caesar also Lib. â— calleth them Medâ—â—matriâ—â— whose Metropolis is called Dâ—vodurum and â—ow Mâ—tz In the Register Booke of the Provinces of Belgia it is called â—vâ—â—as Medâ—â—â—aâ—riâ—um or le Evesâ—he de Metz le Pays Mâ—ssin Caeâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Lu an lib. 1. and Pliâ—y doe call the Leuâ—tâ—â—beri Ptolemy also calls them Leuâ—â— and maketh their Metropolis to be â—uâ—â—um And so 〈◊〉 called in the Register Booke of the Provinces of Belgia Civitas
containeth many Acres it was begun by the Sfortians but is not yet finished Also there is the Church of S. Gothard in which are the Tombes and Sepulchres of many noble Vicounts There are many ancient Inscriptions in the Citties and many other Monuments of Antiquity It hath an ancient University where it is thought that Virgil studied And Leander writeth that it hath a famous Library There are so many diversities of Tradesmen that it is a common Proverb Che chivolesse rassettare Italia siruma Milano which is to say Mediolanum scilicet destruendo Italiam instrui posse That is if Millan were destroyed all Italie might be furnished with all kinde of Tradesmen and Artificers It is said that the King of Spaine receiveth yeerely from hence 80. thousand crownes The ridding and determining of civill and criminall causes belongeth to the Senate of Millan in which there are 16. Doctors and some Prelates and Patritians of Millan Millan is an Archbishoprick the Archbishoprick whereof hath these Suffragans under him Bergomensis Brixiensis of â—remona Landensis Novaria Vercellensis Ipporegtensis Vigleviensis Astensis Aquensis Albensis Terdonensis Saonensis Albingaunensis Vintimeliensis Placentinum Papiensis and Ferrara are exempted THE DVKEDOME OF MILLAN THis is the greatest and most potent Dukedome of all Europe which heretofore the Insubrians inhabited betweene the Rivers Abdua and Ticinus The chiefe Citties in it are Millan Lauda Ticinum which is now called Papia and Novarra The soyle is every where fruitfull pleasant and watered with many Streames and Rivers the chiefe Citty hereof is Millan built by the Frenchmen for when Tarqumius Pristus raigned at Rome King Bellonesus having passed over the Alpes with a great band of Frenchmen and having expulsed the Hetruscians he built a Citty in that place which Leander saith was called Subria and he called this Citty Mediolanum or as some are perswaded Meydlandum as it were the Virgin Land perhaps from Minervas Temple who was worshipped in this place which is now consecrate to S. Tecla whence Alciat thus Quam Mediolanum sacram dixere puellae Terram nam vetus hoc gallica lingua sonat Culta Minerva fuit nunc est ubi numine Tecla Mutato Matris Virginis ante domum Mediolanum the Virgin Land they name For in the French it signifies the same 'T was sacred to Minerva now they adore Tecla and the Virgin Mother heretofore Some thinke it was so denominated from a Sow that was halfe cover'd with wooll which Alciat seemes to glance at thus in his Emblemes when he saith Laniger huic signum Sus est animalque biforme Acribus hinc setis lanitio inde Levi. Their armes a Sow a creature most uncouth Th' one side bristled 'tother woolly smooth So also Claudian in the marriage of Honorius and Maria. ad maenia Gallis Condita lanigerae suis ostendentia pellem The wall built by the French which yet doe show The skin and shape of their wooll-bearing Sow THE DVKEDOME OF MILLAN MEDIOLANVM Ducatus This Country was reduced to the form of a Province and was subject to the Romanes as Polybius and Livie report And many Emperours taking delight in the conveniency of the place did make the Citty of Millan their seate of residence and adorned it with many publike Aedifices and Buildings whence Ausonius Mediolani mira omnia copia rerum Innumerae cultaeque domus tum duplice muro Amplificata loci species populique voluptas Circus inclusimoles cuneata Theatri Templa Palatinaeque arces All things at Millan are most wonderfull There 's plenty and the houses beautifull A double wall the Citty doth augment The People in the Cirque take much content And in the Theaters they doe delight There are Temples and faire Palaces most bright But when the Emperour decayed it was oftentimes vexed by the Huns Gothes and Langbards It was taken and destroyed by Fred. Barbarossa It was a long time governed by Vicounts Iohn Galcatius was first created Duke by the Emperour Wenceslaus and from thence it descended to the Aurelians and Sfortians and at length Charles the fifth did bring it into his owne Family In this Citty there is the royall Castle of Porta Iovia the strongest in all Europe It is full of Artificers especially Smiths who forge out of Iron Swords Brest-plates Bucklers and other Military instruments Hence ariseth that saying Qui Italiam armis instruere totam velit eum destruere Mediolanum oportere That is Hee that would furnish all Italie with armes must destroy Millan But I conclude with this eloquent Elogie of a Divine Writer This Land a people did first entertaine From whom this Kingdome at the first began The French Italians both all'yd did grow And gave new lawes unto the ancient Po. Then Germany joyned in so great affaires And Fame her golden Trumpet now prepares Let one poore honour some poore Towne advance While threefold honour doth unto me chance THE PRINCIPALITIES OF VERONA VICENTIA AND PATAVIVM And the Territories of the chiefe Citties of MARCA TARVISINA are amplie described IN this Table the Territories of three chiefe Citties of Marca Tarvisina are delineated and described Verona Vicentia and Patavium The first is the Territory or Country of Verona The length of it from the Towne Bruchelius unto the River which cometh out of the Lake Bevacum is 65. Miles the bredth from the Castle on the Frontiers even to Rivoltella is forty Miles The soyle in some parts is stony and therefore untilled and some part of it is very good It hath abundance of Wheate Oyle Wine Cattell Wooll and other pretious commodities It hath also famous Quarries of Stone And many wholesome medicinall hearbes especially on the Mountaine Baldus whether Phisitians doe often resort to gather them The Tuscans are supposed to have built Verona others thinke that the French Cenomanians did build it who being expulsed it was a long time subject to the Romanes and Cn. Pompeius Strabo the father of Magnus brought thither a Colonie Afterward being wasted by Auila King of the Hunns it was afterward subject to many Tyrannies first to the Kings of the Gothes the Langbards did expel them and the Frechmen under the conduct of Charles the great did expell the Langbards after whom the Berengarians being droven out of Italy by the Emperour Otto the first it enjoyed some quiet and rest under the authority and Protection of the Romane Empire Actiolinus Romaninus having got it by force did change the Praefectorship into a Lordship having expulsed Azo Atestinus whom the Senate and People of Verona had made Praetor Hee dying obout the yeare 1259. the Saligerians by the suffrage and common consent of the Cittizens were entituled Princes of Verona almost 128. yeares who being droven out and partly made away by poison the Galleatians got possession of it and afterward the Cariensians whom the Venetians did drive out under whose jurisdiction it constantly and peceablely continueth The Citty which Ptol. calleth Verona and Overona doth still retaine that name The Germanes
Ilands are these Anegada Anguilla Antigua Barbadoes St. Bartholmews St. Christophers d'Esienda S. Dominico S. Estasia Granada Guadalupe S. Lutia the White Ilands Maregalante St. Martine Mantinina Montferrat Redonda Saba S. Crucis Sombrera All-Saints S. Vincent the Virgins Iland and also the Ilands called the Bermudas from their first Discoverer which lye in 33. degrees of Northerne Latitude and are 3300. English miles in length they have abundance of Cedar and the English of late have begun to plant Tobacco in them THE ILANDS CVBA HISPANIOLA JAMAICA S. Johns Iland and Margarita THE Ilands Cuba Hispaniola Iamâ—ica S. Iohns and Saint Margarites are next to be unfolded and described according to the order of our method The Iland Cuba was so called by the Inhabitants and the Spaniards doe call it Fernandina and Ioanna also Alpha and Omega if we beleeve Peter Martyr On the West it is parted with the Sea from Iucatana on the East with the Sea from Hispaniola on the South is Iamaica The length of it from the East to the West is 300. miles or rather Spanish leagues and it is 15. and in some places 20. in breadth The Tropick of Cancer cutteth thorow the midst of it Those that have seene Cuba doe liken it and resemble it to a Willow leafe because it is longer than broad The Country is very temperate but in some places coulder and it hath a kinde of course Gold and it is very rich in Brasse It bringeth forth great store of Madder for Dyers Also great store of Sugar Wheate Corne and other fruits and Hearbes Moreover it beareth Cassia Ginger Mastick Aloes and Cinamon Serpents of which there are a great number are counted great dainties And the woods doe breed and feed great store of Hogs and Oxen. It hath 6. Citties the chiefe whereof are S Iames Towne and Havana the former was built by Iames Valasius and is a Bishops seate It is the Mart Towne and Haven for the whole Iland here the Kings Ships doe usually ride untill the time of the yeere and the winde standing faire doe promise them a good voyage for Spaine There are now some Galleyes in it which defend all the Coast from Enemies This Iland hath many Gold-bearing Rivers the water whereof is sweet and pleasant to drinke It hath also many sweet and salt Lakes so that there is plenty of Salt here The Country is rugged high and Mountainous And the Mountaines have veines of Gold in them There is also in the same Iland a Mountaine not farre from the Sea out of which there runneth good Pitch for Ships Gonzalus Ovetanus doth describe another strange thing in this Iland That there is a Valley between the Mountaines that is two or three Spanish miles long the ancients did call it the Stone field as that in Gallia Narbonensis which hath such a number of round stones that many Ships might be loaden with them being naturally made in such a Sphaericall round forme that nothing can be made rounder with a paire of Compasses The people of this Country are content with the bounty of nature neither doe they know what belongs to mine or thine or money but have all things in common even as nature bestoweth the light of the Sunne and water on all men equally therefore their Gardens are open and unfenced and nature teacheth them that which is right without lawes They went commonly naked And in their marriages they observed a strange kinde of custome for the Bridegroome did not lye with his Bride the first night but if he were a Gentleman a Gentleman did supply his place but if the Bridegoome were a Merchant or Country-man than a Mercbant or Country-man did supply their places The men did repudiate and put away their Wives for any light cause But the Women could not put away their Husbands for any cause the men were very lustfull and obscene The Spaniards found it well inhabited with people but now it is inhabited onely by Spaniards because the native Inhabitants are all dead partly by famine and labour and the veneriall disease and besides after that Cortes had subdued and planted himselfe in this Iland they carried the most part of the Inhabitants into new Spaine so that there is scarcely one Indian now upon the whole Iland HISPANIOLA THe Inhabitants did heretofore call this Iland Haity and Quisqueja and afterward also it was called Cipangi The Spaniards called it after their owne name Spaniola or Hispaniola and from Dominick St. Domingo or St. Dominicks Ile and built a Citty in honour of him which is the chiefest Citty of the Iland The compasse of this Iland is 1300. miles or 350. leagues The length is 500. miles the breadth of it in respect of the many Bayes and Promontories is various and different Peter Martyr calleth it the Mother of all other Ilands The middle of the Iland is distant from the Aequinoctiall Line almost 19. degrees It is long Northward and the breadth of it is from East to West It hath a temperate ayre so that the trees are continually greene and it is more pleasant and fruitfull than the rest They say that here are Sugar Canes that are higher and thicker than any where else Besides this is an Argument of the fertility thereof for wheate being sowed yeeldeth an hundred fold increase At Valentia in Spaine one Cane will scarcely fill 7. Pots but in Hispaniola one Cane will fill 20. or 30. Moreover this Country doth yeeld Cassia Ginger Mastick Aloes and Cinamon It hath also great store of Salt There are rich Mines of Gold and Silver and other Mineralls especially of a blue kinde of colour Before the Spaniards comming there were onely three kindes of beasts but now it is so stored with beasts that have beene brought thither so that great store of Hides and Skins are yeerely transported from thence into Spaine There are many Citties in this Iland the chiefe is St. Dominico at the mouth of the River Ozama where the Bishop and the Vice-Roy are resident There are other lesse Citties as St. Iohns Meguma Portus Platae the Kings Porte Canana Xaragua and others For there are in this Iland many Rivers Lakes and Springs very full of Fish But there are 7. great Rivers which affoord most pleasure and commodity to the Inhabitants CVBA HISPANIOLA c. HAVANA PORTUS IAMAICA I. S. IOANNIS I. MARGARETA CUBA INSUL HISPANIOLA which running out of the high Rocks which are in the middle of the Iland doe spread abroad divers wayes Iuna runneth to the East Attibunicus to the West Iacchus to the North Natabus to the South and that the Iland is devided into foure parts Moreover there is in Bainoa a great Lake the Indians doe call it Hagveigabon and we the Caspian Sea which is enlarged every where with infinite Rivers yet it never emptieth it selfe but is devoured in its hollow Channell it is conjectured that the spongie Rocks doe receive