Tide it walloweth up amain The cause may be as Polibius reports of the like at Cadys Wherein the windy air when it is deprived of his â—onted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping up the paâ—sages and veins of the Spring whereby the waters are kept in But contrariwise when the surface thereof is void and empty of water the veins of the Source or Spring are unstopped and set free which then boileth up in great abundance 8 And upon the same Shoar more North and by West on the top of an Hill called Minyd-Margaâ— is erected a Monument inscribed with a strange Character and as strange a conceit held thereof by the by-dwellers whose opinions are possessed that if any man read the same he shall shortly after die This Shire as it is the furthest Coast of South-Wales and lay open to forrain Invasion so was it fortified with twenty five stronger Castles whereof times and storms have devoured the most such were Barry Saint Dâ—neits Denispowis Morlashe Meneshe Loghâ—r Llanddeny Llanquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ogmor Pile Porkery Pennarth Winston Newcastle Caersly Coche Peullyn Kethligarâ—â— Kenfeage Tallavan Treer and Cothy Neither was the County so ill seated for sufficiency of Life or barren of Grain but that therein were planted places for divine piety such were Neath Margan and Caerdif besides the Episcopal See of Landaf which last still remaineth the other three suppressed among the fall of their like under King Henry the eight This Shire is divided into ten Hundreds wherein are seated six Market-Towns and one hundred and eighteen Parish-Churches Mounmouth Shire MONMOUTH-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII MONMOUTH-SHIRE from Monmouth Town and that from Monnowe-water bearing name is altogether inclosed on the North and is separated from Hereford-shire with the same River upon the East both it and Wye divides this County from Glocester-shire The South-side is wholly waâ—hed by the Severne-Sea and some of her Weâ—t part by Rempney is parted from Glamorgan and the rest lyeth bordered upon by Brecknock shire 2 The form thereof is Scallop-wise both long and broad shooting her North point to Llantony and her South to the fall of Rempney betwixt which two are twenty four English miles and from Chepâ—tow East to Blanagwent West are not altogether nineteen miles the whole in circuit draweth somewhat neer to seventy seven miles 3 The Air is temperate healthful and clear the Soil is hilly woody and rich all places fruitful but no place barren The Hills are grased upon by Cattel and Sheep the Vallies are laden with Corn and Grass never ungrateful of the Husbandmans pains nor makes frustrate his hope of expected increase whose Springs abundantly risâ—ng in this County with many Streams do fatten the Soil even from side to side 4 Anciently the Silures inhabited this Shire whose chief City by the Emperour Antonine is named Venta Silurum by the Welsh-Caerâ—â—ent and was by Tathaie the British Saint made an Academy and a divine place for Worship So likewise Caer-lion now once Isâ—a was where the second Roman Legion called Augusta lay as by their Coins Altars Tables and Inscriptions there found and daily therein digged up doth evidently appear By the report of Giraldm in this City was the Court of great Arthur whither the Roman Embassadors resorted unto him and as Alexander Elsebiensis writeth therein was a School of two hundred Philosophers skilful in Astronomy and other Arts. Which is the more credible for that Amphibalus S. Albant Instructer was therein born and Iulius and Aaron two noble Proto-Martyrs of great Britain in this City received the Crown of Martyrdom where their Bodies were also interred But as all things find their fatal period so this City for beauty circuit and magnifical respect is laid in the ruines of her own decay neither may any more lament the loss of glory than Monmouths Castle which Captive-like doth yield to conquering Time Her down-cast Stones from those lofty Turrets do shew what beauty once it bare standing mounted round in compass and within her Walls another Mount whereon a Tower of great height and strength is built which was the birth place of our Conquering Henry the great Triumpher over France but now decayed and from a Princely Castle is become no better than a regardless Cottage In this Town a beautiful Church built with three Isles is remaining and at the East-end a most curiously built but now decayed Church stands called the Monks Church In the Monastery whereof our great Antiquary Geoffery surnamed Monmouth and ap Artâ—ur wrote his History of Great Britain whose pains as they were both learned and great so have they bred great pains among the learned both to defend and to disprove The Towns situation is pleasant and good seated betwixt the Rivers Monnow and Wye three Gates yet stand besides that Tower or Lock of the Bridge and a Trench or Tract of Wall running betwixt them on each side down to the River containing in circuit about eight hundred paces The Town is in good repair and well frequented governed by a Mayor two Bailiffs fifteen Common-Coâ—â—ellors a Town-Clerk and two Sergeants for their Attendance It is in Latitude removed from the Equator 52 degrees and 8 minutes and from the West point of Longitude is set in the degree 17 36 minutes Religious Houses erected and suppressed in this Shire for greatest account have been in Caerlion Chepstow Gold-cliff Monmouth and Llantony which last stood so solitary and among Hills that the Sun was not seen to shine there but only betwixt the hours of one and three This Shire is strengthned with fourteen Castles traded with six Market-Towns divided into six Hundreds wherein are situated one hundred twenty and seven Parish-Churches and is not accounted among the Welsh-shires being subdued by Henry the Second who passing the Nant-Peâ—-carne a small Brook and of no danger yet held fatal by the Welsh over credulous to a Prophecy of Merlyn Sylvester the British Apollo who had fore-shewed that when a stout and freckled fac'd King such as Henry was should pass over that Ford then the power of the Welshmen should be brought under whereby their stout courage was soon abated and the whole County the sooner in subjection to the English Montgomerie Merionidh Shires MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE CHAPTER IX MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE in the British speech called Siretrefaldwin and that of the principal Town Mountgomery lyeth bounded upon the North with Denbigh-shire upon the East with Shrop-shire on the South with Radnor and Cardigan-shires and on the West with Merioneth shire 2 In form it somewhat resembleth a Pear or Pine-apple as it were growing out of the West and rising thence with many high Hills and plentiful Springs which water and make fruitful the Soil every where whose searching rills with a longing desire haste ever forward to find an increase and to augment their growth into a bigger body whereof the Severne is the chief and the second River in the Land whose Head rising from the spired Mountain Plynillimon runneth not far without
Kent and the East-side thereof is altogether washed with the German Seas 4 The Air is temperate and pleasant only towards the waters somewhat aguish the soyl is rich and fruitful though in some places sandy and barren yet so that it never frustrates the Husbandmans hopes or fills not the hands of her Harvest-labourers but in some part so fertile that after three years glebe of Saffron the Land for eighteen more will yield plenty of Barley without either dung or other faâ—ning earth 5 Her ancient inhabitants known to the Romans were by Caesar called the Trinobants of whom in the former Chapter we have spoken and in our History shall speak more at large But this name perished with the age of the Empire the Saxons presently framed a new and with Hertford and Middlesex made it their East-Saxons Kingdom until that Egbâ—rt bought this and the whole into an entire and absolute Monarchy the Danes after them laid so â—ore for this Province that at â—â—â—mfleet and Havenet now Sâ—â—bery they fortified most strongly and at Barklow besides the hills mounted for their burials the Danewort with her red berries so plentifully grow that it is held and accounted to spring from the blood of the Danes which in that place was spilt and the herb as yet is called from them the Danes-bloud neither yet were they quelled to surcease that quarrel but at Ashdowne abode the Iron side in â—ight wherein so much blood of the English was spilt that Canutus their King in remorse of conscience built a Church in the place to pacifie God for the sins of his people but when the Normans had got the garland of the whole many of the Nobles there seated themselves whose posterities since both there and else-where are spread further abroad in the Realm 6 The Commodities that this shire yieldeth are many and great as of Woods Corn Cattle Fish Forrests and Saffron which last groweth with such gain and increase upon her North parts that from a split Clove much like unto Garlike a white blewish Flower shortly springeth from whence fillets of Saffron are gathered before the Sun and dried are sold as spice with great gain From the Islands Canvey Mersey Horsey Northly Osey Wallot and Foulness great store of Fish and Fowl are daily gotten and so from their Cattle have they continual increase which men and boys milk as well the Ewe as the Kinâ— whereof they make great and thick Cheese sold abroad in the Land much thereof transported unto other Countries Their Oysters which we call Walfleet the best in esteem and are thought from Pliny to have been served in the Romans Kitchins But least we should exceed measure in commending or the people repose their trust in the soyl behold what God can do to frustrate both in a moment and that by his meanest creatures for in our age and remembrance the year of Christ 158. an Army of Mice so over ran the Marshes in Dengey Hundred near unto South minster in this County that they shore the grass to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murtain fell upon the Cattle which grazed thereon to the great losse of their owners 7 The chiefest City for account at this day in this Shire is Colchester bâ—ilt by Collus the Brittish Prince one hundred twenty four years after the birth of our Saviour Christ if he of Monmouth say true wherein his son Luâ—ius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the World were born which made Nechâ—m for Constantinâ— to sing as he did From Colchester there rosâ— a Star The Rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright And the Romans to the great honour of Helena inscribed her Piissima Venerabilis Augustâ— But of these we shall be occasioned to speak more hereafter This City is situated upon the South of the River Coln from whence it hath the name and is walled about raised upon a high Trench of earth though now much decayed having six gates of entrance and three Posterns in the West wall besideâ— nine Watch-Towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980 paces wherein stand eight fair Churches and two other without the walls for Gods divine service S. Tenants and the Black Fryers decayed in the Suburbs Mary Magdalens the Nunnery S. Iohns and the Crouched Fryers all suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines upon a Trench containing two Acres of ground whereas yet may be seen the provident care they had against all ensuing assaults The trade of this Town standeth chiefly in making of Cloth and Bayes with Saies and other like Stuffs daily invented aâ—d is governed by two Bayliffs twelve Aldermen all wearing Scarlet a Recorder a Town Clerk and four Sergeants at Mace Whose position for Latitude is in the degree 52 14 minutes and for Longitude in the degree 21 and 50 minutes 8 Places of Antiquity and memorable note in this County I observe the most Famous to be Camolodunum by us Maldon which was the Royal Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobants as by his money therein minted appeareth about the time of our Saviours birth which City afterwards Claudius won from the Britains and therein placed a Colony of Souldiers which were called Victriâ—â—nsis This City Queen Boduâ— in revenge of her wrongs razed to the ground what time she stirred their people against Nero with the slaughter of seventy thousand of the Romans Of some later and lesser account was Ithaâ—chester now S. Peters upon the wall where the Fortenses with their Captain kept towards the declination of the Roman Empirâ— In the East promontory in this County in the Reign of Richard the second the teeth of a Giant were found if they were not of an Elephant of a marvellous size saith Ralph Coggeshall and not far thence in the reign of Elizabeth more bones to the like wonder were digged up 9 I purposely omit the message of a Pilgrim from S. Iohn Baptist by whom he sent a Ring to King Edward Confessor for which cause his house took the name Havering seeing the Monks of those times made no great dainty daily to forge matter for their own advantage who in this Shire so swarmed that they had houses erected at Waltham Pritelewel Tiltey Dunmow Lecyâ— Hatfield-Peverel Chelmesford Coggâ—shall Maldon Earls coln Colchester S. Osiths Saffron-Walden Hatfield-Bradockâ— and more with great revenues thereto belonging all which felt the Axes and Hammers of destruction when the rest of such foundations fell under the flail of King Henry the Eighth who with Hezekiah brake down all these Brazen Serpents 10 This Shire is divided into 23 Hundreds wherein are seated 21 Market-Towns 5 Castles 5 Havens 2 of His Majesties Mannours and 415 Parish-Churches SVFFOLCK SUFFOLK CHAPTER XVI SUFFOLK in regard of them which were seated in Northfolk is a County most plenteous and pleasant for habitation It is
West-point about 80 miles from thence to her North-west about 70 miles and her East Coast along the Irish Sea-shore eighty miles the circumference upon two hundred and seventy miles 3 The air is clear and gentle mixt with a temperate disposition yielding neither extremity of heat or cold according to the seasonable times of the year and the natural condition of the Continent The soil is generally fruitful plentiful both in fish and flesh and in other victuals as butter cheese and milk It is fertil in Corn Cattle and pasture grounds and would be much more if the husbandman did but apply his industry to which he is invited by the commodiousness of the Country It is well watered with Rivers and for the most part well wooded except the County of Divelin which complains much of that want being so destitute of wood that they are compelled to use a clammy kind of fat turff for their fuel or Sea-coal brought out of England 4 The Inhabitants of these parts in Ptolomies days were the Brigantes Menapii Cauci and â—lani from which Blani may seem to be derived and contracted the latter and modern names of this Country Lâ—in Leighnigh and Leinster The Menapii as the name doth after a sort imply came from the Menapians a Nation in Low Germany that dwelt by the Sea-Coasts These Brigantes called also Brigants Florianus del Campo a â—paniard labours to fetch from the Brigants of his own Countrey of whom an ancient City in Spain called Brigantia took the name But they may seem rather to derive their denomination from the River Birgus about which they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The commodities of this Country do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowl and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three sisters Shour Neor and Batraeo which issue out of the huge Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers womb and from their rising tops descending with a downfal into several Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand altogether in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certain flats and shallows in the Sea that lie over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lie a great way in length opposite to Newcastlâ— which over looketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many fair and wealthy Towns as Kilkenny which for a Burrough-Town excels all the midland Burroughs in this Island Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopal See and much graced in the first infancy of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Brigid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginity and devotion as who was the Disciple of S. Patrick of so great fame renown and antiquity also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish term Oustmans a Town though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any so that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it self unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a Captain worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimity 9 But the City which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Towns in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolomy Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dubliniâ— the West-Britaines Dinas Dublin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authority of Ptolomy That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous wars of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Edgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble City of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seem to be Harold Harsager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awful obedience unto him we read in the life of Griffith ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yielded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrival into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gotard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyalty to the Crown of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the Royal Seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautiful in her buildings and for the quantity matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffick and intercourse of Merchantâ— In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royal Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a Store house about the year of Christ 1220. Not far from it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinity which Queen Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priviledges of an University The Church of S. Patrick being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin born at Evesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the year 1191 It doth at this day maintain a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twenty two Prebendaries This City in times past for the due administration of Civil Government had a Provost for the chief Magistrate But in the year of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them liberty to chuse every year a Major and two Bailiffes and that the Major should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixth to heap more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffs afterwards into Sherifâ—s so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a City most flourishing 12 As the people of this Country do about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come nearest unto the civil conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man slaughter one upon another and working their own mischiefs by mutual wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Towns in the same Province in the year 1294. And in the year 1301 the men of Leinster in like manner raised a war in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdoâ— and others working their own plague and punishment by burning
those Countries but what may be dispatcht in a few words The Inhabitants are not many in either and those barbarous In the Terra Magellanica they go naked In the Land del â—eugo there is much smoak In 〈◊〉 Region there are great Parrats In Bâ—ach Gold In Maletur Spices 25 Of the rest severally I shall nor need here to enlarge my discourse since the particular Map of every Region may justly challenge is their proper right and will be I hope very shortly extant for my Reader to peruse ASIA The Description of ASIA THe method propounded in our general Description of the World gives Asia the prerogative as well for worth as time Europe shall not want her due in her due place It will suffice her if she be at this day most famous for the acts of men and so it is allowed by most But in Asia did God himself speak his miraculous work of the Creation There was the Church first collected there was the Saviour of the World born crucified and raised again indeed the greatest part of Divine History was there written and acted And if we should as well compare her to the rest in that earthly glory of Kingdoms Empires and Nations which sounds fairest to mans sense she would still keep her rank For was not the first Monarchs and Monarchies of the World in Assyria Persia Babylonia Media Did not the first People of the World receive their Being in Mesopotamia And had not the several Tongues of the World their original in Babylonia These are parts of Asia and were in the first Ages blest with Gods own holy preâ—ence Exod. 3. and the footing of Angels Exod. 14. however now it is left for her infidelity to the punishment of a Prophetical curse that long before past upon her and is delivered up into the hands of Tâ—rks and Nations that blaspheme their Creator and therefore doth not â—ourish in that height as heretofore Consider that Gods hand is now upon her and the rest will follow without much wonder 2 In respect of both Europe and Africa it is situated Eastward But if we compare it to the Aequator it lieth almost wholly in the Nâ—rthern Henisphere I need except none of the main Continent only a few Islands which are as it were retainers to Asia and lie partly Southward beyond the Line It is divided on the West from Europe 〈◊〉 the River Tanais Pontus Euxinus and part of the Mediterraneum Sea From Africa by that 〈◊〉 which divides the Red-Sea from the Mediterraneum and is above 72 miles long On the other three sides it is begirt with the vast Ocean which in the East is called Pontus River on the North Mare Scithicum the Tartarean Sea and in the South the Indian Sea Through the middle runs the Mount Taurus at full length with the whole Continent of Asia and divides it toward the North and South into Asiam Exteriorem and Interiorem with so many windings that the length is reckoned by Gâ—adus to be 58060 stadia by Maginus 45000 stadia and that is 5625 Italian miles those of our own Nation account it 6250 English miles The breadth as Strabo reports it is in most places 3000 stadia as our own Geographers 375 miles From the North-shore cometh the Mountain Imaus directly South almost and divideth it toward the East and West into Scythia intra Imaum and Scythia extra Imaum By these bounds the length is set to be 5200 and the breadth 4560 miles 3 Now add together that this Region was at fiâ—st the Paradise of the World and indeed still enjoyeth a fertile Soil and temperate Air and that it exceeds in compass the two other parts of the old World to which she was the Mistreâ—s for Arts and Sciences yet is not at this day so well peopled in proportion as this little Europe which came after many hundred years For this we need search no farther cause than Gods just anger 〈…〉 he not exercised upon her only by miraculous and immediate punishment from Heaven but hath â—uffered as it were her own creatures over which at first Man had the rule to turn head upon â—heir Lords and possess their habitation For it is so over-run with Wild Beasts and cruel Serpents that in 〈◊〉 places they live not without much danger 4 In this though the Nation suffer for their monstrous irreligion yet the Earth which did not offend reserves her place and abounds with many excellent Commodities not elsewhere to be had Myrrhe Frankincense Cinnamon â—loves Nutmeg Mace Pepper Musk Iewels of great esteem and Minerals of all sorts it breeds Elephants Camels and many other Beasts Serpents Fowls wild and â—ame and some have added such monstrous shapes of men as pass all belief 5 And thus from the general view of Asia we will glance upon her several Regions Kingdoâ—s and Provinces as it hath been heretofore divided In this we find difference of Authors that follow their several placita all perhaps true enough in their own sense though not alike if they be compared These we will not so much as name but insist upon one that may best fit my short Description Her parts are Asia the less and Asia the greater and the Islands near about 6 Asia the less is that that lieth next to Europe and began East-ward from thence it was called by the Geographers there residing by a special name Anatâ—lia corruptly Natolia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 On the west therefore and toward the North is Greece full West is the Archipelagius on the East is the River Euphrates on the North the Pontus Euxinus and on the South the Mediterraneum It is included betwixt the Meridians of the 51 degree of Longitude and the 72. so Maginus and in the Latitude it is â—eated almost betwixt the same parallels with Italy 7 A Countrey it was once of singular fertility exceeding rich in fruits and pasture auratisque omnibus and indeed all things else that either mans necessity commodity or pleasure could requite It was mother to many of our learned Ancients The Dorica Ionica and Aeoliâ—a Dialects of the Greek Tongue had here their Originals It was the Seat of the Trojane Kingdom and many other Nations famous in Histories as well Christians as Ethnicks though now there remains no face of so excellent a Region Cyrus first began the spoil then the Macedonians and Alexanders Captains 〈◊〉 them the Romans and last of all the Turks miserably rent in pieces and have left the ruines to shew of four thousand Towns and Cities The residue have lost both their names and memory of their Predecessors And the people are fallen from the Knowledge Industry and Religion of their Fore-fathers For before Christ when they were at worst that Histories report of them they were for the most 〈◊〉 learned and laborious in ordering of their Soil to the best advantage Afterward they became good Christians for with them were the seven Churches which Saint Iohn mentioneth in the
Apocalyps Now scarce is it inhabited but toward the Sea-side and that by a base and abject people such as are both lazy in their life and odious Idolaters in their Religions For the most part Mahumetans 8 Let my first division of this Asia the Less be into two Regions of these one hath the particular appellation of Asia propria and contains the several Regions of 1 Caria 2 Ionia 3 Doris 4 Aeolis Phrygia 5 Lydia 6 Minor 7 and Major The other hath no one name as I find among Geographers but is known by her Provinces of 1 Cilicia 2 Pamphilia 3 Lycia 4 Bythynia 5 Pontus 6 Paphlagonia 7 Galatia 8 Cappadocia 9 Lycaonia 10 Pisidia and 11 Armenia minor 9 Asia propria was the scene of many noble actions much celebrated among our Historians First in Caria stood the City Mindum upon which Diogenes brake his Iest That the Citizens should take heed lest it run out at her Gates And Halicarnassus the birth place of Dyonisius and Herodotus and of this was Artemisia Queen that erected the miraculus Monument in honour of her Husband Mausolus The second Province is Ionia and here stood Miletum where Paul made his Oration to the Elders of Ephesus and here Ephesus it self the Star of Asia that as well for her Religion as her miraculous Temple set the World at a gaze upon her It was raised in the middle of the City modelled out by Ctesiphon but was 220 years in building and was ordered in such a ground that no Earth-quake should move it it was 425 foot long and 220 broad and had an hundred twenty seven Pillars given by so many several Kings saith Vadianus whereof twenty seven were most curiously graven all the rest of Marble polished In this City Saint Iohn the Evangelist is said to have gone down into his Grave alive there be who yet question his Death and Irenaeus reports that he lived in Trajans time This with the third and fourth Provinces of Doris and Aeolis were only accounted Greeks the other Nations of Asia were called Barbarians 5 Lydia was the fifth named in our Division and in her are many Cities which we have mentioned in Scripture and are common among other Writers Of these the chief are Laodicea Thyatira Philadelphia Sardis where Croesus kept his Court and Pergamus the Seat of Attalus that made the Romans his Heir and where Galen the great Physician was born and lived 140 years 6 The first was phrygia minor it is called Troas by the Inhabitants and those are now Greeks Turks and Arabians heretofore they were the antient Trojans that gave Homer his subject for his admired Poem Here is that Adramittium named in the Acts. and Trajanopolis and the Mount Tmolus that sends down a River into Lydia with abundance of Gold and Silver And lastly the Mount Ada famous for the judgment of Paris past upon the three Goddessâ—s 7 The last was Phrygia major and on this was Gordion the very Town where Gordius hampered his Plow-tacklings in such a knot that none might unty but he that should possess the Monarchy of the World and indeed it proved true enough in Alexander the Great Another was Midaium where Midas son to this Gordius turned all to Gold with a Touch. A third Coloss the place of the Colossians to whom Saint Paul directs an Epistle And all these were contained within the compass of that one part which bears the name of Asia propria 10 The other Provinces of Asia minor have their Stories worth the Memory 1 The first was Cilicia now called Garamania whose People in times past were noted for grand Pirats till overcome by Pompey and when by force they were turned honest they gained the repute of a warlike Nation especially in Sea-fights So Lucan Itque Cilix justâ non jam pirata Carinà It was a rich Province to Rome when Cicero was Proconsul and still it is full of pleasant places but withal hath many wild and waste grounds that are no mans peculiar but who will may there freely feed his Goats which afford them good commodities as well by their milk as their hair of which are made most curious Chamlets In this Province was Tarsus the City of Saint Paul and Nicopolis aâ—d Pompeiopolis and Alexandria 2 The second Pampbilia The People were once called Soli and used a rude kind of Idiom from whence the very word Solaecismus and here was Perga Sida and Attalia Sea Towns mentioned in the Acts. 3 The third was Lycia a fruitful Country in the Plains and was heretofore of great fame The Metropolis was Patara Saint Nicholas his birth-place and where sometimes Apollo's answers were returned 4 Pontus and Bythinia were the fourth and fifth though once severed yet afterward they made but one Province and was governed by Mithridates that first found out the Medicine that bares his name He had many years war with Rome but at last with much adoe was overcome Her Cities were Chalcedon the place of the fourth General Counsel and Nice of the first as also Nicomedia Apamia c. 6 The sixth Paphlagonâ—a and from hence had the Venetians their original and were at first called Heneti but being driven out by sedition they followed Antenâ—â— into Italy and there it seems changed a letter of their name 7 Galatia the seventh and to the Inhabitants Saint Paul directed one of his Epistles It was the seat of King Deiotarus Client to Cycero as appears by an Oration in his behalf In this Province were many Iews disperâ—ed after the Passion the chief Cities are Iuliopolis and Ancyra where a Synod hererofore was held called Synod Ancyrana 8 The eigth Capadocia heretofore Leucosyria Here is the City Amasia which receiveth the Turks eldest Son after their circumcision till their Father's the Emperor's death And here Mazaca where St. Basil lived that first gave himself to a Monastical life and the flourishing City of Trepizand heretofore a Seat Imperial 9 Ninethly Lycaonia In the South of this Region is the Hill Câ—imaera that gives occasion to a Poetical Fiction of a Monster with a Lions head a Goats body and tail of a Serpent for so on the top of this Hill were Lions in the middle Goats and in the valley Serpents Bellerophou â—id it and first made it habitable and thence this Fable Here was Iconium and Lystra where Timothy wâ—s born and Paul and Barnabas adored as Gods 10 Pisidia was famous for the Cities of Antiochia and Lysinia 11 Lastly Armenia Minor is by most thought to be the Land of Ararat where the Ark rested And there is great store of Oyl and excellent Wine 11 Hitherto our Tract hath been of Asia the less or Anatolia It resteth that we proceed to Asia Major which lieth remote from Europe toward the East And of this we can make no large description in so small a scantling we will only mark cut the Provinces and refer my Reader to more particular Relations in our several Maps that contain the Turkish
Empire Tartaria Persia and China all Kingdoms of Asia the great The parts as for the present we will divide it are these 1 Syria 2 Palestina 3 Armenia Major 4 Arabia triplex 5 Media 6 Assyria 7 Mesopotamia 8 Persia 9 Chaldea 10 Parthia 11 Hircania 12 Tartaria 13 Chin 14 India 12 Syria is the first and hath in it the Provinces of Phaenicia Caelosyria and Syrophaenicia In Phaenicia was Tyre and Sydon Sarepta and Ptolemais where two Kings of England have laid their Siege Richard and Edward the first In Câ—losyria stands Hieropolis and Damâ—scus Aleppo Tripolis c. The second Palestina which Ptolomy reckons into Syria It is in length 200 miles in breadth not above 50. It contained the Provinces of Samaria Idumaea Iudea where Ierusalem was and not far thence Bethlehem Galilaea both the higher called Galilaea Gentium and the lower and in this was Nazareth and Mount Tabor where Christ was transfigured 3 The third is Armenia Major or Turkomania In this was Colchus whence Iason fetcht his golden 〈◊〉 now it is inhabited by Turks 4 Arabia is the fourth and that had three parts Arabia deserta where the Children of Israel were fed with Manna forty years Arabia petrosa where mount Sinai was and the law given The last Arabia felix counted the fruitfullest Countrey in the world In this Arabia is the City Medina where Mahomet is intombed in an iron Chest supported only by a roof of Adamant without other Art â—o keep it from falling to the ground 5 The fifth Media it was once a large Empire and one of the first The fruits of the Countrey are said to be alwayes green 6 The sixth Assyria a very pleasant and temperate Countrey and here was the City Niniveâ— whither Ionas was sent 7 The seventh Mesopotamia in whose lower part Chaldaeâ— stood as our latest Writers affirm and Babylonia 8 The eighth Persia a mighty Empire governed by a Sophy The people are Mahumetans vet differ somewhat from the Turks Their Language passeth currant through the whole Eastern world The Metriopolitane is Persepolis 9 The ninth Chaldaea often mentioned in the Scripture and here was the fifth Sybil called Erythraea that prophesied of Christ. 10 The tenth Parthia a Province of note for its continual hostility with Rome and excellent Archery for the Inhabitants used their Bow with as much dexterity in their retreat as in the Battle and by that means oftentimes won advantage upon the enemy by their slight 11 Hircania the eleventh an illustrious Country and hath many Cities of note abounds with Wine and Honey 12 Tartaria called heretofore Scythia the Inhabitants Scythians and before that Magâ—zins from Magog the son of Iapheth that first Inhabited these parts It was once possessed by the Amazons a Nation of women after their dissolution came the Scythians among whom Tomyris is ennobled by Iustine for her victory over Cyrus Upon them came the Goths and those were driven out by the Tartars which began their Empire 1187. so Maginus It is a large Countrey and the people stout They have no Cities nor Houses but live in Tents by troops which they call herds Their Prince is named Cham and obeyed with great reverence 13 The thirteenth is China by Ptolomy Sinarum Regio it hath in it 240 Cities of note In this Region is Quinsay the greatest City in the world It hath on the North a wall of 100 miles in length 14 The last is India and the largest portion of earth that passeth under one name Strabo writes that there were 50000 Towns quorum nullum Cominus fuit In the middle runneth the River Ganges and divides it into India intra Gangem the part that lieth toward the West and India extra Gangem which is the part toward the East The Scripture calleth it Havilah This Region hath very many precious Commodities Medicinal drugs and Merchandise of great estimation The chief place is Goa where the Viceroy of Portugal resides and with a Councel of the King of Spain exercises a power over all these quarters 13 The Islands of Asia at they are of less account than the Main so they must be content with a shorter Surveâ— We will rank them into the same order with the Continent 14 The first are of Asia the less and lie more West-ward toward Europe They only worth note are two Rhodes and Cyprus 1 First Rhodes is in the Sea over against Caria In the chief City of this Isle stood the Colossus in the form of a man erected in a kind of Religion to the Sun that once a day at least breaks out upon the Isle howsoever cloudy it be in other places Graeians heretofore possest it and when the Christians had lost the Holy Land the Emperour of Constantinople gave this Isle to the Knights of Saint Iohn in Ierusalem in the year 1308. But now the Inhabitants are most Turks and some Iews sent thither out of Spain As for Christians they may not stay in the City in the night time 2 The second is Cyprus a place heretofore consecrated to Venus to whom both men and women peformed their sacrifice naked till by the prayer of Barnabas the Apostle the Temple was ruined Trogus reports that the fathers of this Isle were wont to prostitute their Daughters to Mariners for money whereby to raise them a portion against they could get them husbands but Christianity corrected those barbarous Customs In time it was made a Roman Province and in the division of the Empire was assigned to the Emperor of Constantinople So it continued till Richard the first of England in his voyage put into this place for fresh water but being incensed by the discourteous usage of the Cyprians turned his intent into an invasion took the King prisoner and bound him in silver fetters Afterwards he sold it to the Templers for a time but recovered it again and exchanged it for the title of Ierusalem 15 Lastly the Islands of Asia the great lie most in the Indian or Eastern Ocean and indeed are innumerable but the chief of account are these Ormus Zeilan Summatra Avirae Insulae Bocuro Iava Major and Minor Iapan and Moluccoes and the Philippian Isles The first is Ormus exceeding barren and yet of it self a kingdom and full of Trade 2 Zeilan so happy in pleasant â—ruits that some have thought it was the place of Paradise 3 Summatra lying directly rectlâ— under the Aequator the Inhabitants are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 And so are the Inhabitants of the Avirae Insulae that lie West from Summatra 5 Bocuro so large an Isle that the compass is said to be three months sail 6 Iava major called by Scaliger the Compendium of the world The Inhabitants feed on Rats and Mice it yields much Spice 7 And so doth Iava Minâ—r 8 Iapan aboundeth so with Gold that the Kings Palace was covered with it in the time of Paulus Venâ—tus They enter not into their Dining Room with their shooes on 9 The Molâ—ccoes are
Tillage This in general 10 Time hath not given way to many divisions of this America I find one only in the best Authors and that it seems nature marked out to their hands For she hath severed the Continent into two Peninsulae The one lieth North-ward from the Aequinoctial and is called Mexicana The other for the most part South-ward toward the Magellanick Straits and is called Peruviana Each of them are subdivided into their Provinces 11 Mexicana is the first and her bounds on the East and West are the Atlantick Ocean and Mare del Zur By the first it is severed from Europe and by the last from the Regions of China and Tartaria in Asia and is distant not above 250 miles if we measure the passage at the shortest cut On the South it hath the Peninsula Peruviana and North-ward we are not sure whether Sea or Land It comprehends in compass 13000 miles The quality of the Inhabitants and the riches of her soyl shall appear in her several Provinces which are numbred thus 1 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria 2 Quivira 3 Nicarugua 4 Iacutan 5 Florida 6 Virginia 7 Norumbega 8 Nova Francia 9 Terra laboratoris or Corterilalis 10 Estotâ—landia 12 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria is the largest Province of this North part of America and gave the name Mexiacana to the whole Peninsula which her self received from her chief City Mexico Her bounds South-ward is the Isthmus that joyns the Continents North-ward the same with the Peninsulaes on the West Califormia or Mar Viriniglio and on the East Incutan It was first possest by the Spaniard 1518. But it cost them much bloud to intitle their Kings Hispaniarum Reges It is an excellent Country full of all variety almost in every kind usual with us and exceeds in rarities full of wonder There is one tree which they dress like our Vine and order it so that it yields them almost all useful necessâ—ries The leaves serve them instead of Paper and of the Vine â—ark they make Flax Mantles Mats Shoes Girdles and Cordage She hath in her four principal Regions of note 1 Nova Galicia found out by Nunnus Gusmannus 1530. Her Cities are Compostella now a Bishops See Sancte Espritte and Guadalaiara The inhabitants lived at large heretofore without any government But since the Spaniard came they have endured incredible servitude and cruelty 2 Mechnacan a fertile Region the Inhabitants comely and witty Her chief Cities Sinsonse the place of their native Kings Pascuar and Valudolit the Bishops See 3 Mexico or Tomistian which contains in it the City of Mexico in compass six miles the seat of an Arch-Duke and the Spanish Viceroy and in it is an University a Printing-house and a Mint for coynage Other Cities there are Tescuvo and Angelorum Civitby 4 Ganstecan lying open on the East near Mare del Nort. It is but barren and the people poor but cunning The Spaniards have here two Colonies Panuce and S. Iames in the vallies 13 Quivira bordereth upon the West of the Continent towards Tartary It is temperate and fertile But the chief riches is the Kine which feed them with their flesh and cloath them with their Hides Her Provinces are Cibola and Nova Albion The last was discovered by our noble Sir Francis Drake and voluntarily yieded to the protection of our admired Queen of England Elizabeth 14 Nicarugua on the South-east of Nova Hispania had a kind of setled Common wealth before they knew Christianity and is reported to have a tree that withereth at a mans touch The chief Cities are now Granado and Leo a Bishops See 15 Incutan is situated over against the Isle Cuba upon the East of the Peninsula The people adored the Cross before they heard of Christ. The Country is indifferent fertile though that indeed as in all other places of this new World have proved worse for the Inhabitants for it hath drawn upon them their forraign Invadour 16 Florida lyeth near the Gulf of Mexico and bordereth upon the Mare del Nort. A pleasant Region it is and was discovered by our English under Sebastian Cuhbot 1497. out left for the Spaniard to posses which for a while he did and after him the French but neither in quiet For they warred upon each other till they left neither of them men enough to hold it The French built the City called Ara Corobina The Spanish Est Hevens and S. Matthews and planted there three Forts Saint Iames Saint Philip Saint Augustine which was burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. but recovered again 17 Virginia carries in her name the happy memory of our Elizabeth On the East it hath Mare del Nort on the North Norumbega Florida on the South and Westward the bounds are not set It was first entred by Sir Walter Raleigh 1584. and some at that time left there to discover the Country till more were sent but they perished before the second supply Since there have been many Colonies planted out of England which have there manured the ground and returened good Commodities to the Adventurers For indeed it is a rich Country in Fruits Trees Beasts Fish Fowle Mines of Iron and Copper Viens of Pitch Allum and Tar Râ—zin Gums Dies Timber c. The Plantation went on with good success till the year 1622. And then by the treachery of the Inhabitants there were murdered near upon three hundred of our men The Natives are very vile people horrible Idolaters adore the creature which they most fear and hate them which keep them not in awe they were kindly entreated by our English and invited by all friendly means to Christianity The North parts are most inhabited by our men and is therefore called New Eâ—gland It hath but one entrance by Sea at a fair Bay Her Capes are called Cape Henry and Cope Charls The chief Towns are Ianus Town Regnoughton and Balesguift 18 Norumbega on the North of Virgiâ—ia lyeth toward the Mare del Nort and is a very fertile Region It is inhabited by the Spanish and French The Seas are shallow and endanger many ships So full of Fish that the Boats cannot have free passage saith Maginus 19 Nova Francia is further North-ward from Norumbega a barren Country and the people barbarous some Anthropophagi A few French there are besides the Natives 20 Terra Laboratoris or Conterialis still more North-ward upon the Sea-coast and is divided from Norumbega by the River Lanada It reacheth into the Sea in form of a Pâ—niusula The men are barbarous live in Caves run swiftly and are good Archers The chief places are Bresto Cabo Marzo and South Maria. 21 Estotiland the last Province of the Northern Peninsula still creeps by the edge of the Atlantick and on the North hath the Straits called Fretum Daveissii an English man who this way attempted the North-west unto Cathai and China And in regard it was adventured in the name of our Queen the Promontory is called Elizabeths Fore-land and the Sea running by
peaceably enjoy till he had vanquished his corrival and then he soon fastned himself in the right to that Kingdom and not long after pâ—ssest it about the year of the world two thousand seven hundred eighty seven It would not be much to our purpose to lead you down step by step through the succession till we come to Romulus All before him were before this Empire had Being and therefore outâ—eacht the line of my story yet this in brief we may recount here that he was the 17 from Aeneas and founded Rome in the year 3198. 3 The plat-form was first cast in a figure of a quadrangle upon the mons Palatinus for the other six noted hills were not then taken in but added in after ages by their several Kings It was began it seems but sleight and the walls raised not very high when Rhemus could skip them over in contempt of his brotâ—ers poor enterprise but the mock cost him his life he was slain by Roâ—ulus and he now left the sole founder to give name to this new building 4 Romulus then is their first King and takes upon him the government of such discontented and masâ—erless young Shepherds as he had raked together to people his Common-wealth a crue so scorâ—ed of their neighbours that their daughters denyed to joyn in marriage with such â— refuse of men so that by this means this up-start Nation was like to sink in the birth for meer want of issue to continue their succession And without doubt themselves had seen their last man born had not their own wit bestead them more than the womens love For when they saw â—heir worth was not sufficient to woe fairly with effect they proclaimed a day for solemn sports which they presuâ—ed and rightly too would call in their borders of both sex and for that purpose had made provision of strength to force the women to their lust whom theâ— could not entiâ—e to their lawful eâ—braces The plot held and the Sabiâ—â—s bear the name to have suffered most in that brutish treacheâ—y yet others it seâ—â—s â—â—d their part too in the injury and joyntly beset them round with strong enemies which the Râ—mans notwithstanding shook off with that ease and undaunted courage that the rest were glad at last to yield them truce for their own quiet and assist them too in their â—nsuing Conquest 5 The City at this time was not above two miles in circuit the Inhabitants not much above the proportion of that little ground till Romulus had built an Asylum a Râ—fuge for debaucht people where the servant might secure himself from his Master the â—urderer from his Magistrate the debtor from his arrest and each fault from his punishment and then he soon called in incredible swarms such as they were of Latines Tuscaines Trojans Arcadians and made up a Miscellany of people each brought in the proper sins of his own Country and have there left them as a testimony of their ancest â—rs to this day 6 This policy might seem good at first to make up his number For who else but such would leave a setled state though mean in a well ordered Kingdom to apply himself to novelâ—es of so uncertain event But in a few years their King found that there was more need of a Pistrinum to correct than an Asylum to shelter his offenders and therefore was foâ—ced to make setled Laws for his Common-wealth and cull out a certain number of the best ordered to assist him with their câ—unsell and see execution duly performed upon the rest These be called Patres or Senatores and wâ—re at first not above one hundred chosen out of the elder wâ—althâ—er and gravest Citizens who were either called Patricii for that they had mâ—st of them many children or Patroni as being the Patrons of the Plebeii or poorer sort which were therefore oft times called Clients as having no business of actâ—on in the Common-wealth scarce so much as to require their own right unless under the protection of some one or other of the Patricii yet afterward both the number of Senators was encreased to 200 and at last 300. and the Plebeii too in time had the priviledge to be elected into their society 7 No sooner Romulus had thus set the form but while he was yet in speech to the people at a set assâ—mbly a tempest rose the skies darkned and â— trick was found to juggle him clean out of their â—ight as if at this instant he had been rapt into the Heavens He past not it seems to lose his life so that he might gain the opinion of a God For so the Romans believed and it was confirmed by one Proculus who pretended to have seen him after his change and received a charge from his deiâ—y that he should be thence forward honoured in Roâ—e as her tutelare In brief the more likely surâ—ise of his manner of death is that in the storm he was cut in pieces by some of his Senators who had either suffered under his tyranny or at least had hope to â—aise themselves by his fall 8 Their second King was Numa Pompilius religious in his kind beyond all others and ordained in Rome a set form to worship their gods invested Priests and South-sayers to perform their rites and fortel things to come committed the Vestal fire to Virgins to be kept aâ— a perpetual watch over the Empire in an emulation to the bright stars of heaven which were never extinguisht and in brief civilized the people so far as they began now and scare till now to have a sense of moâ—ral goodness a moderate love to themselves mixt with some equity towards others 9 Their third Tullus Hostilius stirred them up first with the desire of true honour and enabled them by martial discipline to provoke the Albanes a Nation then of long standing and great fame thâ—ough most parts of Italy yea so equal was their prowess that open war might well lessen their several strengths but not determine the conquest till by the tried fortune of the Horatii and Curiatii brothers on each party it stoopt at last to Rome beyond her own hope for she had at last but one Champion left of her Horatii against the three others who were notwithstanding by a feigned flight of their own adversary drawn severally out into single combate and successively fell by the sword of the Roman victor Alba was now carried captive to Rome and gave up her honours as a Trophy to this new born Empire 10 Ancus Martius their â—ourth King enlarged her walls joyned those parts of the City which were before served by the River Tyber with a large bridge Their next Tarqâ—inius Priscus was a Corinthian and knew well how to use his Greek wit with a Roman valour Nor peace nor war could â—ver-march him He triumpht over the Tuâ—cains and was the first which entred the City in Chariotroyal drawn with four horses and first indeed that ordained the vestments and ensigns of
note are Troys and Brye and Auxerre and Sans an Arch-Bishops See c. 6 Burgundia both the Dutchy and Country The Dutchy or Burgundia suferiour and Western lieth on the South of higher Germany Her principal places are Digion Saint Bernards birth-Town Antun Bealne Sologue and Aliza once the famous City of Alexia The County of Burgundy or Burgundia Ihperior yields not to the choicest Garden in France for fertility of soil nor to the most renowned for stoutness of Inhabitants They acknowledge not as yet the French command no more than Savoy and Lorain They were under divers Generals and are called Walloons corruptly for Galleâ—s a trick of the Dutch Her principal Cities are Besanson the Metropolis of both Burgundies Salives Arboys Gray and Dola 7 Lugdunense Territorium Lione an illustrious City The center of Europe I mean where Merchants meet for Traffique from all quarters All these Provinces belong either wholly or at least in part to Gallia Lugdunensis For indeed some lie divided and stretch into their neighbours Territories as Campania into Belgica and this last Lugdunense is in part under the Government of Savoy 14 Narbonensis Gallia on the West hath the Comitatus Armenaici and Comminges Eastâ—ward part of the Alps North-ward the Mountain Cemenus and South-ward the French Seas It is generally a fruitful Country not inferior in the esteem of Pliny to Italy it self it comprehends the Provinces 1 of Languedo supposed from Languegotia language of the Goths it reacheth from the bounds of Armenia and Comminges to the Mediterraneam Her chief Cities are Narbon from whence this whole Region receives her appellation and is reckon'd the first Roman Province in Europe and Mons pessulame Mont-Pellein an University most famous for the study of Physick Nimes where there is at this day many reliques of Antiquity and Pons Sancti Spiritus c. 2 Provence provincia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divided from Languedoc by the River Rhodanus Rhoan It belongs part to the Crown of France part to the Pope and a third to the Prince of Orange In the Kings portion are Air a Parliamentary City â—rles and Maâ—silia the last built in the time of the Roman Tarquin To the Bishop of Rome belongs â—â—enian a City and Arch-bishops See with the whole Comitatus Venissimus To the Prince of Orange the chief City Aurangia or Orange on the River Meine Estang Boys de S Poll c. 3 Dâ—â—lphine on the North of Provence regio Allobrogum and is divided in Delphinatum superiorem and inferiorem The first contains in it Embrum where Agaric and Manna is plentifully gathered and Valentia c. The latter Grinnoble Vienna Daulphin Romans 4 Savoy Sabadia on the East of Daulphin a Dukedome without whose limits stands the well known City Geneva which entertains people from all Countries of any Religion But yet enforceth a Law upon fugitives not common elsewhere For whatsoever malefactor is there apprehended for mischief done in his own Countrey suffers as if he had been there condemned The principal Cities besides are Tarantise Bele Moustire Maurience c. To this Dukedom belong Cambrey on the West side of the Alps and the Countrey of Bresse whose heir is intituled Prince of Piemont a part of Italy at the very East foot of the Mountains which â—ever her from this Countrey 15 Gallia Belgica the last is the Eastern tract toward Germany and as much as belongs to this Kingdom contains only Picardy which is divided into the higher and lower The first portends towards the British Seas and here stands Calice distant but thirty miles from Dover It is that which Caesar called Portus Iâ—cius won from the French by our Edward the third lost by Q. Mary Upon her Confines toward England is the Country of Bononia and Guinnes which contain sundry Towns and Villages The chief â—â—lloin conquered by our Henry the Eighth but delivered back in the reign of Edward the Sixth In this Picardy stands Terwin besieged by King Henry in person where the Emperour Maximilian served under his Coulours and received pay as his Souldier In the lower Picardy stands Ambianum Amiens the Metropols Here are the Dutchy of Terache whose chief City is Guisa which gave name to the family of the Guises and the Country of Vermindois where Saint Quintin stands Retelois and Retel her Metropolis Artelois and Laâ—erre her 's Ponthein and Aberille 16 The Islands which are reckoned properly French are only those which lye neer in the Atlantick Ocean They are but few and of no great account The principal Dame de Bovin L'ille de Dieu Marmotier Insula regis A NEW MAPE OF Y E XVII PROVINCES OF LOW GERMANIE P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of BELGIA IN this we continue still the Description of Belgia begun in the Map of France For the title is common as well to those Territories as indeed to all the North-East Tracts of the old Gallia The portion hereditary to the French King was marked out among the rest of his Dominions The residue since it hath been by length of time chance of war or at least chance of Fortune dispersed into the power of several Princes is better known to us by the familiar names of the Low-Countries than Netherlands Flandars c. 2 In the search of her Original we may have reference to our precedent Discourse For questionless it was possest by the Gauls as the other parts were aud if trust may be given to those Antique Stories whose truth is almost worn out with age she reacheth her pedegree as high as any and likely enough did partake in the Spoils of Rome when the Capitol was ransaked by the Gauls under the conduct of our two â—nglish Brothers For her chief Captain â—elgius whose memory she preserves to this day in her name is mentioned by Qâ—adus andother as companion to Brennius in his expedition toward Macedonia after they were intreated from Rome 3 In the first times they were a stout people and practised to continual wars by the bordering Germans which made them as well expert as hardy It seems Caesar found them so in his tryal â—or he gives them in his Commentaries the honour of a valâ—ant Nation above any other part of Gallia Yet at last he brought them under and in time they were expulsed by the Germans who for their neerest speech and customs are sâ—pposed and justly too the Predecessors to the now Inhabitants 4 For her first name I find no other likely account given than from a City built by their â—elgius in the Province of Hannonia where now stands Bavaria The râ—st Germania inâ—erior the Low Countries and Netherlands require no long search for without doubt they have little other ground than her low situation upon the Seas and indeed it is such as hath oft times endangered her by inundations and sunk many hundreds of their Towns and Villages which to this day in some places shew their tops above water at a dead low ebb Lastly Flanders
hour and caused them to cast off the Spanish clog which they did in the year 1581. and declared by their Writings that Philip the second King of Spain had forfeited his Government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to return to their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchess who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interested in the Government and therefore in the quarrel 11 To her there belongs of the 17 Provinces 1 The Dukedoms of Lutzenburg 2 Limburg and 3 Brabant 4 The Earldoms of Flanders 5 Artoyse 6 Hannault 7 Namurcia 8 The Barony of Mechlin 9 The Marquisate of the holy Empire To the States are reckoned 10 Dutchy of Geldria 11 The Earldoms of Zutphen 12 Zealand and 13 Holland 14 The Baronies of Vtrech 15 Overissell 16 Frizeland 17 And Groyning 12 We begin with the Dukedomes entailed to the Spanish Faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lie from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joyns upon a part of France Her chief City is Lucenburg called by Ptolomy Angusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240 miles and contains in it many other Towns which have been much battered in the Wars betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselves Thâ—onville among others is of note for the stronger Bostâ—nachum for the chief Merchandise It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedom It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500 miles in compass now about 90. Near to Ardenna is the Spaw Baths of great fame for the cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholicks Maginus reckons into this Region 1168 Villages besides Castles with several Earldoms many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peer of France 2 Limburg on the North East of Lutzenburg divides the Government between her own Duke and the Bishop of Luick who commands the Western Tract as much as contains 24 walled Towns and 1800 Villages and hath under him 52 Baronies Luick the chief City of the Bishoprick is an University memorable for this one story above any other in Christendom That at one time there studied 9 Kings sons 24 Dukes sons 29 Earls sons c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that fame either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under territories In the year 1293 the heirs male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other commodities it abounds with a kind of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis Calaminani The principal City Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Brachlant as if a barren soil but it is otherwise reported unless towards the North. The people are very jolly ut veri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that methinks should argue plenty Her chief Cities are Loraign an University which contains 20 Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuits Bruxels and this is the Dukes seat strengthened with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memory and mouths since the siege 1622. Bolduc whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more than any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoil they were forced to set their best strength forward as well for their lives as the Victory and were blest with a success beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soon followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earl of Oxford And lastly within the compass of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chief City is Antwerp a Town heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every year qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seized and questionless this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedom of traâ—tique elsewhere 14 The Earldoms are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteem as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himself Comes Dei gratiâ it is the very North west tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonican Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are Gandadâ—m Gaut the birth place of our Iohn Duke of Lancâ—ster She is severed by the River Shead and lets into 26 Islands and hath passage from one to another by 98 Bridges Her walls are seven miles in compass Her other Towns are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkirk Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honourably maintained the right of the States against the Archâ—Duke Flandria Imperatoria is but a small parcel and borders upon Brabant is called the Earldom of Hulit which is the chief City within her Territoties Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief Towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an University Orchais Tornai taken by King Henry the Eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chief City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lieth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12 Cities and 852 Villages The chief of name beside their Mother Town Arras are Ayre Pernes S. Omer S. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60 miles long broad 48 contains 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitful Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but four Cities 182 Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemont
the Romans in Citeriorem which lay nearest to their Territories and Vlteriorem which was all the extent beyond the River Iberus ad fretum usque Herculeum The second was by them too in Baeticum the whole tract beyond the River Ana South-ward 2 Lusitanium Northward toward the Cantabrick Ocean and 3 Terraconensem Eastward joyning upon France When the Moors enjoyed it they rent it into twelve parcels a multitude of petty royalties Arragon Catalonia Valentia Castile Toledo Biscay Leon Gallicea Murcia Navarre Corduba and Portugal And these yet retain the name of Kingdoms but their government was long ago recovered into the hands of five which bare the titles of Castile Arragon Granada Navarre and Portugal It was of latter times contracted into the three Kingdoms of Arragon Castile and Portugal but is in the power of one King called the Catholick King of Spain We stand to this last division as most proper for our times and best befitting my brief Discourse Give me leave to add the Islands which lie near to each Kingdom 11 The present state of Arragon comprehends three of those Kingdomes as it was scattered by the Moors and Sarazens 1 Arragon it self which lieth on the South of Navarre on the East of Castile on the North of Valentia and the West of Catalonia The ancient Inhabitants were the Iaccetani Lutenses and Celtiberi her chief City Caesar Augusta 2 Catalonia It lieth betwixt Arragon and the Pyrenâ—an hills It is supposed a mixt name from Gothi and Alani people which heretofore possest it after the Vandals had lost their hold The Region is but barren yet it hath in it many Cities the chief Terra cona which gave name to the whole Province called by the Romans Terraconenses 3 Valentia which on the East is touched with the Mediterraneum on the North with Castile on the South with the Kingdom of Murcia It is reported for the most pleasant and fruitful Region in all Spain it hath her name from her chief City and as Maginus relates admits as yet of 22 thousand Families of Moors In this is the University where S. Dominick Father of the Dominicans studied and the old Saguntum besieged by Hannibal now Morvedre 12 The state of Castile as now it stands comprehends all the rest of those scattered Governments as were possest by the Moors Portugal only excepted And first Castile it self both the old which joyns with Arragon on the East of Portugal and the west of Navarre and the new which toucheth her upon the South The first abounds not much with fruits but yet it breeds many Cattel The Metropolis is Burgos and the other chief are Salamanca an University and Valadolit once the seat of the Kings of Spain Now Castile abounds more with Corn is watered with the River Tagus and Ana And in this stands the Kings chief Cities Madrid and Toledo which was heretofore a propriatory of it self The rest that belong to Castile are 2. Toledo however now but a City of new Castile yet in the division her Territories spread themselves over a large compass The City is in the midst of Spain It was the seat of the Gothish Kings and successively of the Moorish Princes now of the Arch-Bishops who exceed in Revenues any other Prelate in the world except the Pope Here hath sate eighteen National Councils in the time of the Gothish Kings 3. 13 Biscay heretofore Cantabria on the North of old Castile toward the Ocean it was the last people which yielded to the Romans and after to the Moors A Mountainous Countrey but affords excellent Timber for ships and good Iron Her Cities are S. Sebastian Fonterabia and Bilbao which stands but two miles from the Sea and is noted for excellent Blades some have been tried by the English upon their own Crests 4. 14 Leon heretofore Austria on the East hath Biscay on the West Gallicia on the North the Cantabrick Ocean and on the South old Castile The Region is reported to yield plenty of Gold Vermilion red Lead and other Colours else she is barren her inhabitants not many and those live most upon Hunting and Fishing It is the title of the eldest Son of Castile as Wales is to our Prince of England Her chief City is Oveido which bears part with her in the name of a Kingdom and indeed was the Title of the first Christian King after the Moors Conquest 15 Gallicia on the East joyns upon Leon on the West it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the North with the Cantabrick and on the South with the River Mingo It breeds Iennets in abundance insomuch that they have been Poetically feigned to be conceived by the wind Niger writes that here hath been an incredible plenty of Gold Lead and Silver that the Rivers are full of a mixt earth and that the Plough could scarce wag for clods of Golden Ore There appears now no such matter The principal Cities are Saint Iago where S. Iames the Apostle lieth buried his Reliques kept worshipped and visited by Pilgrims And the other of note especially with us is Corugna an excellent Port for Ships and mentioned oft in our wars with the Spaniards by the name of the Groyne Here likewise is the Promontory Nerius called by our Mariners Capo de finis terrae 16 Murcia on the North hath new Castile on the South and East the Spanish Seas It is not much peopled but yet is famous for several commodities especially for pure earthen Vessels and fine Silk Heretofore it enriched the Romans with a daily supply of 25000 Drachmae of silver Her chief places are Alicante whence our Alicant Wines come and new Carthage oft commended by our Travellers for her large and safe Haven and lastly Murcia a Town which gives name to the whole Region 17 Navarre lieth close to the Pirenaean Hills and as Maginus gives it is enclosed with Mountains and so it is North and East on the West it hath the River Ebro and on the South Arragon The Vascones are said to have lived here who afterward placed themselves in France and kept there their name to this day of Vascones corruptly Gascoigns The chief Towns are Bampelme the Metropolis and Viana the title of the Navarran Prince Maginus sets the Revenue annual of this Kingdom at 100000 Duckets 18 Corduba now a City only heretofore a Kingdom and included Andaluzia Granada and Estremadura Equalized almost the whole Province which the Romans in their second division called Baetica Andaluzia hath lost but one Letter of her name since she was possest by the Vandales From them she was first called Vandalicia since Andalicia corruptly Andaluzia It lieth on the west of Granada and is a very fertile Countrey In this Region is the chief City Corduba whence we receive our Cordavan Leather The second of note is Sevil the Metropolitan of Andaluzia and the fortunate Islands esteemed the goodliest City in all Spain and though as Corduba it was not honoured with the Title of a Kingdom
of Millain is of circuit not much short of Florence and her chief Town is Mantua who may still glory in the birth of that excellent Pot Virgil. It is very strongly situated and fenced on three sides with water a quarter of a mile broad and the rest is guarded by a firm wall And to this Principality belongs the Dukedome of Mount-ferrat in the South East of Piedmont 24 The Dukedom of Vrbin in the midst of the Papal Territories and upon the North side of the Appennine Mountains Her principal City is Vrbin the birth-place of another Virgil though not of equal â—ame yet one in whom we have somewhat more interest for he writ an English History being at that time here resident and Collector of the Popes Peter-pence Besides this here are two hundred Castles The rock of Sâ— Leo Marivol c. Some other Towns as Cabo Pisanco c. 25 The Principality of Parma on the South of Mantua and the North of the Appennine East of Millain and West of Medena Besides other commodities which she yields in equal plenty with other parts of Italy sends a pleasant Cheese into other Countries which we call Parmasans And her chief City is Parma This Principate carries with it Mirandula and her Territories a place heard of by the common mention which is made of learned Picus de Mirandula 26 The state of Genoa is contracted now from that large compass which heretofore it fetcht in It contained once Liguria and Capua with the Taurica Chersonesus Hetruria and a fair company of Islands in the Greek Seas Little left at this time upon the main Land besides Liguria and that lieth betwixt the Rivers Varus and Marca hath the Alps on the West which divide her from Provence Hetruria on the East on the North of the Appennine Mountains and on the South the Tyrrhene Seas She hath her name from the chief City built by Ianus It is in compass eight miles and the houses for two stories high are built with marble The people noble minded and forward to any honourable action be it in Wars by the Land or hazzard by Sea One Christopher Columbus is sufficient to make good this Elogy for whose birth she deserves to be honoured to the Worlds end The women of Genoa are the most happy of any in Italy for they may see a man and speak and be courted if not too boldly without suspition of their friends or jealousie of their husbands 27 The state of Luca is in Tuscania and comprehends the Territories and City Luca built by Lucumâ— King of Italy upon the River Serchius It was once the rendezvouz of Pompey Caesar and Crassus Here they joyned their forces in their great attempt This hath been the Emperours the Genoa's the Vâ—netians the Mâ—llanois and the Florentines in their several turns They now rest under the protection of the King of Spain HUNGARIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdom of HUNGARY IT is not without example of good authoriy if I take into this Description not only that part which is now more peculiarly known by the name of Hungary but the whole Country likewise of Darcia which was once one with it though time and fortune have at last severed them so that each hath now its own Princes Laws Customes Language and Religion different from other I the rather take to my self this leave to avoid both the charge and trouble of ordering for every one a several Table 2 First then the Kingdom of Hungaria is on the South-East of Germany and joyns upon the Dukedom of Austria They heretofore divided betwixt them the Countrey of Pannonia Austria was the superior and this the inferior Pannonia The government and titles are now dis-joyned and Austria hath got the start in power for she is the mother of many German Princes and hath drawn the crown Imperial almost into a succession 3 Yet is Hungary still an absolute Kingdom and if not so rich and populous as heretofore it must not take from her honour since her fortunes sunk not through want of valour and fault of her former Inhabitants but we have been for a long time exposed to hazzard in the defence of Christendome against the mis-believing Turks and for that it hath been by some stiled the Coâ—k-pit of the world where once in a year at least a prize is played and some ground either won or lost by either party 4 The first Inhabitants of this Country were the Pannones those were expulsed by the Gothes And when the Gothes went into Italy it was leâ—t to the possession of the Hunni a Scythian people which lived before near the Palâ—s Mâ—otis and when they saw their time changed their seat and about the year three hundred seventy three brake by great multitudes into these parts of Europe which they held till they were displaced by the Lombards These last were the Winnili which lived in Scandia or Scandinaria a Northern Peninsula betwixt the German and Hyperborean Seas Their seat it seems was too barren for their number and meer want of Victuals forced them to seek better sustenance in some other quarter They over-ran many Countries e're they could find any one to their content Among the rest the Parnonia had her course and here they continued till they marched into Italy under the command of Alboinus where after 200 years their Kingdom was ruined by Charlemain 5 When it was thus left by Lombards the Hunnes returned to their former seat and after some time of rest grew up to a great Nation able to encounter the Roman Macrinus to break his forces and return victors from the battel About the year 439. they chose for their King Attyla whose inscription was Attyla Mundizi filius Magni Nim nepos Engadiae natus divinâ benignitate Hunnorum Medorum Gothorum ac Danor um metus orbis Deique flagellum An insolent title but indeed he was victorious over most parts of the then known world and bethought himself of enlarging his Territories in Asia and Africa But that design was drowned in wine and Lust which at length brought him to a most miserable destruction For in the night time when he had filled himself with both as he lay by his Concubine with his face upward in a dead sleep his nose gusht a bleeding and châ—ked him being not able to recover himself from his back to give it pasâ—age 6 Since this setling they were once more disturbed by the Lombards and after by Charles the Great so that they were not well â—astned in their possession of this Countrey till the time of the Emperour Arnulphus about the year 900. And indeed at this day hardly enjoy it by reason of the incredible spoils and massacres which the Tartars commit amongst them This last name of Hâ—ngaria without doubt had the Original from their present Inhabitants and their Predecessors which at times have peopled this Countrey above 1200 years 7 This Hungaria propria is bounded on the West with
Sibenburgen which she yet keeps as a remembrance of her residence in these parts The Country is populous and fertile It breeds fair and fierce Horses wild Bulls Indeed their men in some parts are not very tame Toward the North in the Province Zaculcia they live most upon the spoil maintaining continual war with the Turks and Germans and acknowledge no difference of worth or degrees among themselves Their Government or rather want of government is compared to the Helvetian Three places they have Hâ—sdy Corbay and Sceply whither they resort to determine of their State busines The chief Towns of Transylvania are Harmenstad Alba Iulia or Weisingburg Claneenburg Schlesburg Millenbachium Coronae or Cronstant 15 Moldavia lieth in the North of Transylvania and reacheth as far as the Euxine Sea on the West it hath part of Ruthenia This Country hath been by course in the several possessions of the Emperour of Germany the King of Poland and sometimes the Turk thereafter as it was cast by chance of war It was a Vayvodate and her chief Cities Occazonia Fuchiana and Falezing To this Moldavia belongs the Countrey of the Bessi mentioned by Ovid in his 6 de Tristibus Vivere quà m miserum est inter Bessosque Getasque They were a people of Thrace not far from Pontus who lived most by theft and pillage and after possest the Mountain Haemus and a part which lies betwixt it and Lituania and from the Inhabitants bears the name of â—essaralia Their principal Towns are â—ilim and Chermem This last is the seat of the Turkish Sanziack for the whole Province became subject to his tyranny in the year 1485. 16 Walachia is supposed rather to have been first named Flaccia by the Roman Flaccus who placed here a Colony which have continued the Latine tongue to this day among the Inhabitants though in a corrupt idiome such as can hardly be understood Near to this over the River Danubius stands Pons Trajanus built by the Emperour Trajanus Nerva a work worth admiration as appears by those ruinous parcels which are yet standing It hath puzzled the best Artificers to find out how such a vast foundation could be framed in so deep and fierce a stream which could not be turned into any other course to give way to the building The Country abounds with good commodities Gold Silver and Iron Salt-pits Wine Cattel and excellent great Horses The chief Cities are Sabinivus Prâ—ilaba and Tergoresta 17 Servia lies divided from Hungary and Rascia with the River Savus on her North and Bosnia on her West It was the seat of the ancient Triballi who met with Philip King of Macedonia and took from him the spoils which he had brought from Maeteas King of the Sarmatians It was it seems but a barbarous people and therefore Aristophanes in one of his Comedies among his mock-gods names Marathane-triballos Her chief Cities are 1 Taurunum which Pliny placeth in the utmost bounds of Pannonia It is commonly known by the name of Belgard and Alba Graeca It is not so great as glorious nor is it fortified so much with walls as Rivers it lieth open for a siege only one way which the Turk often attempted and returned with great loss yet at last in the year one thousand five hundred twenty one it gave up to Solyman and became a Province to his Empire It stands near where the Rivers Danubius and Savus are dissevered and is the Town which the Hungarians report to have been once delivered by the admirable industry of Ioannes Capistranus a Franciscan who is much honoured for the action by those of his own Society But Ioannes Huviades thaâ—t great Souldier and terrour to the Turk challengeth the glory as his peculiar Vadianus 2 Samandria and 3 Stoniburg 18 Rascia is on the North of Danubius where it parts with the River Savus and lieth betwixt Servia and Bulgaria In her chief City Boden there is kept a Fair once every year and much people resort for enterchange of commodities from most Countries thereabout 19 Bulgaria somewhat North-East from Rascia and is bounded with Danubius upon the South Theophylact was here Bishop and was called Bulgarius Near this is the City Tomos where Ovid lived in Banishment as himself mentioneth in his 3. de Tâ—istibus The principal Cities at this present are 1 Sophia the seat of the Berlegbeg of Greece And 2 Nicopolis The ornament of their King was imperial a Crown of gold attire of silk and red shoes Their title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a tearm allowed by the Greek Emperours to those only which might wear this habit the rest they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as much as Reges 20 Bosnia on the West of Servia and South of the River Savus had her name from the Bossi or Bessi the people of Bulgaria within the memory almost of our Fathers it was governed by Kings and as yet retains the title of the Kingdom of Bosnia The chief Towns are Cuzachium and Iaâ—iga the first is the place of residency and the second of burial for the Bosnian Kings Heretofore the City Sinderoria had that honour which some suppose to be the same that was once called Dardanum DANIA The Description of the Kingdom of DENMARK THE Kingdom of Denmark strikes into the Sea upon the North of Germany as Italy on the South the manner of both is not much unlike and the glory of this heretofore was not inferior For however in these latter ages the pride of Rome hath pranked up her Territories in gay apparel yet the day was when both she and they stooped to the Inhabitants of this Country though then known by another name of Cimbria Chersonesus Three Roman Consuls Manilius Sillanus and Cepio fell by their sword and the Empire it self it seems was in a shrewd hazzard when their own Historian reports that Actum esset de imperio nisi illi saecul Marius contigisset 2 The people were then and had been from their beginning the Cimbri a Progeny of Gomer first son of Iapheth who before they removed into this quarter of the world dwelt in the inner Asia near the straight which passeth from the Pontus Euxinus to the Polus Maeotis there we yet find the Bosphorus Cimmericus in Ptolomy which took name from the Cimmerii for so they were called at large and by contraction Cimbri 3 From thence they were in time disturbed by the Scythians and forced to seek them a new sea for their habitation which after long travel here they found fittest for their security as being a Peninsula fenced almost round with Seas from the force of all foreign Enemies Yet here too they met at last with a worse danger which they could less resist For the main Ocean brake into a great part of the Countrey displaced many of their Colonies and sent them Petitioners to Rome for a dwelling within her Dominions but their entreaty being with some neglect denied it kindled the sparks which to this time had lain as it were
Novogardia and whose primary City of the same name was besieged in vain by Steven King of Poland with an Army of 10000 men One remarkable thing is reported of this Countrey namely that the Cattel of what coloured hair soever that are brought into it after a short while turn perfectly white The Volsks or people of this Countrey have a Language peculiar to themselves 21 Corelia a Province separated toward the East with a long tract of Hills from Finland its chief Towns are Corelâ—burgh according to the name of the Province and Nordenburg seated at the entrance of the River Warfuga into St. Nicholas-Bay besides Hexholm in possession of the Swedish King to whom therefore as Lord of Finland this Province is tributary 22 Biarmia or West-Lapland for it is accounted a part of Lapland though subject to the Great Duke since the people of this Countrey called Dikilâ—ppâ— are a sort of wild Laplanders Tude and barbarous without setled habitations in Towns or Cities but living most in Caves some in scattered sheds toward the Sea-side withal bruitish Idolaters but performing strange things by sorcery 23 Bieleiezioro a Dukedom increasing the Titles of the Czar or Great Duke It is named from the Lake Biolisero or the White Lake on which it is situated extending 36 German miles in length and as many in bredth This Countrey is almost all over fenny and full of woods 24 25 26 and 27 Four Provinces comprehended in a vast Promontory which lying on the other side of the Bay of Granvick or St. Nicholas over against Biarmia shoots Northward into the Arctick Region all won from the Tartars of late years to the Russian Empire namely Petzora with its chief Town so nam'd from the River on which it is situate near its influx into the Sea and girdled with a parcel ridge of those Hills called Hâ—perborei Condora more Northward whose chief Town is Pustozera so calâ—ed from the Lake Ozera near which it stands Obdora lying on each side of the River ob from whence it is so nam'd Iugria between the Provinces of Petzora and Duina the original habitation as some Writers affirm of the Pannonians or Hungarjans as is conjectured from the resemblance of the Language or as others say of the ancient Iaâ—yges often mentionâ—d in History 28 wiathca a barren Countrey and much taken up with large woods lying beyond tâ—e River Cammâ— Eastward taken from the Tartar by the Great Duke Basilius yet still inhabited according to the Tartarian manner of Hoords and movable Habitations excepting one City built by the Moscovites since their taking of this Countrey whereof it bears the name serving as a Fortress being garrison'd to deâ—end it against those from whom they took it but that which hath given greatest advantage to the Russian over the Tartar hath been the taking of 29 Casan and 30 Astracan heretofore two Potent Kingdoms of Tartaria Deserta from the Nothacensian Tartars They were first conquered by Bâ—silius but revolting totally subdued about the year 1553 by Iohn Vasilovich annex'd to the Russian Empire and give Royal addition to the Style of the Czar Homonymous with these two Kingdoms are their Capital Cities besides which there are most taken notice of in Casan the Cities Sâ—iatski 20 versts from the City that is within a fourth part so many Italian miles Tetus 120 versts distant Samara 350. Soratof as many from Samara In the Kingdom of Astacan Zarisa 350 versts beyond Saratof towards Astracan Tzornogar 200 versts from Sariza Before the first Conquest of these two Kingdoms by Basilius Casan and the total subduing of them by Ioannes Bâ—sâ—â—ides and the winning of those Provinces before mentioned The Tartarian yoke was shâ—ken off by Iohn the third before whose time the Russians were so slavishly tributary to the Tartars that the Czar was obliged once a year to feed an Horse of the Cham's which was kept at Mosco for the purpose with Oats out of his own Cap. On the Northern or frozen Ocean there lie two Islands towards the Coast of Russia and therefore supposed to belong to the Russian Empire viz. Nova Zembla and Willoughby's Island so called as being first discovered in the year 1553 by Sir Hugh Willoughby who in a second Voyage the next year his Ship being fix'd in the ice was in these Seas frozen to death with all his Company FINIS