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
since over-shadowed by the height of Beckets Tomb that for glory wealth and superstitious worships equalized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracle of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Ark of God This City hath been honoured with the presence and Coronations of King Iohn and Queen Isabel his wife with the marriages of King Henry the third and of King Edward the first and with the interments of Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and of Queen Ioan his wife as Feversham is with the burials of King Stephen and of Maud his Queen and wife But as in glory so in adversity hath this City born a part being divers times afflicted by the Danes but most especially in the dayes of Ethelred who in that revenge of their massacre made havock of all and herein slew forty three thousand and two hundred persons the tenth besides reserved to live Afterward it recovered breath and beauty by the liberality of Bishop Lanford Characters and priviledges by King Henry the third strength in Trench and Fortifications from King Richard the second and lastly Walls for her defence by Simon Sudbury Arch-bishop of that See whose Graduation is placed for Latitude 51. 25 and parallelized for Longitude 22. 8 her sister Rochester differing not much in either degree 9 Which City as Beda saith was built by one Rof Lord of the same though some ascribe the foundation of the Castle to Iulius Câ—sar and hath been often ruinated by the injuries of war both in the times when the Saxons strove for superiority among themselves wherein this City was laid waste Anno 680. as also in the assaults of their common enemy the Danes who about the year 884. from France sailed up the River Medway and besieged the same so that had not King Elfred speedily come to the rescue it had been overthrown by those Pagans And again in Anno 999. the Dâ—nes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither haâ—n it stood safe from danger since though not defaced so much by war for twice hath it been sore endamaged by chance of fire the first was in the Reign of King Henry the first Anno 1130. himself being present with most of his Nobility for the consecration of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew And again almost wholly consumed about the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the second Anno 1177. Yet after all these calamities it recovered some strength again by the bounty of King Henry the third both in buildings and in ditching her about for defence 10 Civil broyls and dissentions hath this County been burdened with and that not only under the Saxons and Danes whose desolations were many and grievous but also by other rebellions since the Normans Conquest both in those infamous insurrections called The Barons Wars in the reign of King Henry the Third wherein much harm was done as also under King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler Captain of a dreadful commotion assembled at Black-heath Mile-end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly struck down by William VVallworth then Mayor of the City and worthily slain for his notorious treasons Again upon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeney with their Cornish Rebels were overthrown by King Henry the Seventh Anno 1497. 11 Kent in the time of Iulius Caesar was governed by four several Kings Under Vortigern the Britain by a Lieutenant called Guoronge from whom the said King gave it to Hengist the Saxon in favour of his Daughter Howen who seeking to make himself absolute King thereof eight years after his first entrance fought a victorious battel against the Britains near unto Crayford and thenceforth accounted that Province his own Yet afterward Vortimer the valiant Britain gave him battel at Aylesford in the which both Horsa and Catigern brethren to both the Generals were slain and the Saxons driven into the Isle of Thanet their first assigned habitation not daring to enter the Continent so long as Vortimer lived Catigern was interred upon that plain where to this day remaineth his Monument being 4 stones pitched in manner of the Stonehenge and is vulgarly called Citscotehouse The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which stormes and time have now devoured Hengist made this Province a Kingdom for himself and successors which name and power it retained the space of three hundred and twenty years when Egbert King of the West-Saxons subdued and joyned it to his own in which subjection it stood untill the time of the Normans Then it was given under the title of an Earldom by the Conquerour unto Otha Bishop of Bayeux his half brother whose successors in that dignity were those most honourable families whose Arms and Names within this plot are blazed and expressed It is divided principally into five Lathes subdivided into 66 hundreds and them again into 398 Parishes and wherein had been seated twenty three Religious Houses SUSSEX SUSSEX CHAPTER IV. SOUTH-SEX a word compounded of the site thereof Southward lieth stretched along the British Seas The North confronts upon Surrey and Kent and the West butteth upon Hampshire 2 For form it lieth long and narrow so that all her Rapes do run quite through the Shire and containeth from Westharting in the West to Kent ditch that divides it from Kent in the East sixty four miles but in the broadest part little above twenty the whole circumference about one hundred fifty eight miles 3 The Air is good though somewhat clouded with mists which arise forth of her South bordering Sea who is very prodigal unto her for Fish and Sea-fowl though as sparing for Harbours or Ships arrivage and those which she hath as uncertain for continuance as dangerous for entrance 4 Rich is the Soil and yieldeth great plenty of all things necessary but very ill for travellers especially in the winter the Land lying low and the ways very deep whose middle tract is garnished with Meadows Pastures and Corn fields the Sea-coast with Hills which are called the Downs abundantly yielding both Grain and Grass and the North side over shadowed with pleasant Groves and thick Woods where sometimes stood the famous wood Andradswald containing no less than an hundred and twenty miles in length and thirty in breadth taking the name of Andexida a City adjoyning both which were won from the Britains by Ella the first Saxon King of this Province and the place made fatal to Sigebert King of the VVest-Saxens who being deposed from his Royal throne was met in this Wood by a Swine-herd and slain in revenge of his Lord whom Sigebert had nurdered 5 The ancient people in the Romans time were the Râ—gni of whom we have spoken and who were subdued by Vespasian the Leader of the second Legion under Aulus Plautius Lieutenant in Britain for Claudius the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this with Surrey was made the South â—axons Kingâ—ome yet that giving place to the VVest-Saxons as they
upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbetton Bay maketh the Southern part a province unto the Roman Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expence drew back these limits almost sourscore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne which he fortified with a wall of admirable work unto Carlâ—le where stood the Lands border while it was a Roman Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread again over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Cross standing upon a Bridge over the water of Frith appeareth I am a free Mark as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britains and to English men 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolm King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Cross upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there near to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Cross there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the County of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last known borders were from the Sulway in the West bay along the Cheviot hills unto the water of Tweed by Barwick in the East to maintain which on each part many Laws have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of God is cut off and by the rightfull succession of King Iames our Soveraigne who hath broken down the partition of this great Island and made the extreames of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first province appearing in the South of this Kingdom is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extending from Langley in the West unto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53 English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine Northward the breadth is not much above 26 and the whole circumference about 160 miles 2 In form it somewhat resembleth the head of a Hammer or Battle-axe and lieth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Pâ—olomy called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner or of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or VVoods whereof that County in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Air though not very clear because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctial and the furthest from the North Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The soil towards the East is uneven rising into little hills the West more level and Woody in all places fruitful and in plenty equals any other of the Realm yea and in some things hath the best esteem as in broad cloths Fruits and feeding for Cattel Onely Mines except Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigal heart and liberal hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the shire in the midst is chief in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royal the walls of the Land and terrours of the Sea besides ten other of name and account that open with twenty Creeks and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land four of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places oâ— great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monk the lock and key to the whole Realm of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatal only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein happening 6 A conceit is that Goodwin Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lie on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firm ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befel in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the year 1586 the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Town eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sink and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compass fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it doth find no bottom 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteem themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that their King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596 yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Sees strengthened with 27 Castles graced with 8 of His Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24 Market-Towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest Ciâ—y thereof the Motropolitane and Arch-bishops See is Canterbury buiâ—t as our British Historians report 900 years before the birth of â—hrist by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first School of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for hiâ— foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia thirty years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austin the Monk had made this City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianiâ—y and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments
foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâ—s and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauâ—y that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whâ—rwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâ—sis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are â—eated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a City rather in shew than the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of King Richard of the Romans Earl of Cornwall which the Londoners in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobility Knights and Centlemen as also of the Worshipful Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Near unto Thamesis entrance into this County is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance over Thamesis by the name of Coway-stakes stuck fast in the bottom to impeach his designs and further at Stanes a Maire-stone once stood for a mark of Iurisdiction that London had so far upon Thameâ—is 7 Which City is more ancient than any true Record beareth fabuled from Brute Troynovant from Lud Ludstone But by more credible Writers Tacitus Ptolomy and Antonine Londinium by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augustâ— the great title that can be given to any by Britains Londayn by Strangers Londra and by us London This City doth shew as the Cedars among other Trees being the seat of the British Kings the Chamber of the English the model of the Land and the Mart of the World for thither are brought the silk of Asia the Spices from Africa the Balms from Grecia and the riches of both the Indies East and West no City standing so long in fame nor any for divine and politick government may with her be compared Her walls were first set by great Constantine the first Christian Emperour at the suit of his Mother Queen Helen reared with rough Stone and British Brick three English miles in compass thorow which are now made seven most fair gates besides three other passages for entrance Along the Thameâ—is this wall at first ranged and with two gates openedâ— the one Doure-gate now Dowgate and the other Billingsgate a receptacle for Ships In the midst of this wall was set a mile-mark as the like was in Rome from whence were measured their stations for carriage or otherwise the same as yet standeth and hath been long known by the name of London Stone Upon the East of this City the Church of S. Peters is thought to be the Cathedral of Restitutâ—â— the Christians Bishops See who lived in the reign of great Constantine but since St. Pauls in the West part from the Temple of Diana assumed that dignity whose greatness doth exceed any other at this day and spires so high that twice it hath been consumed by lightning from heaven Besides this Cathedral God is honoured in one hundred twenty one Churches more in this City that is ninety six within the walls sixteen without but within the Liberties and nine more in her Suburbs and in Fitz Stephens time thirteen Convents of relgious Orders It is divided into 26 Wards governed by so many grave Aldermen a Lord Major and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King Iohn in whose time also a Bridge of stone was made over Thames upon nineteen Arches for length breadth beauty and building the like again not found in the World 8 This London as it were disdaining bondage hath set her self on each side far without the walls and hath leâ—t her West gate in the midst from whence with continual buildings still affecting greatness she hath continued her streets unto a Kings Palace and joyned a second City to her self famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Gates of Iustice that termly there are opened only once a Bishops See whose title died with the man No walls are set about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is Whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do impute their strength in their men and not in their walls how strong soever Or else for their multitude cannot be circulated but as another Ierusalem is inhabited without walls as Zachary said The wealth of this City as Isa once speak of Nilus grows from the Revenues and Harvest of her South bounding Thames whose trafique for merchandizing is like that of Tyrus whereof Ezekiel speaks and stands in abundance of Silver Iron Tinn and Lead c. And for London her channel is navigable straitned along with meadowing borders until she taketh her full liberty in the German Seas Upon this Thamesis the Ships of Tharsis seem to ride and the Navy that rightly is termed the Lady of the Sea spreads her sail Whence twice with lucky success hath been accomplished the compassing of the universal Globe This River Câ—nutus laying siege against London sought by digging to divert and before him the Danes had done great harmes in the City yet was their State recovered by King Elfred and the River kept her old course notwithstanding that cost In the times of the Normans some civil broyles have been attempted in this City as in the days of King Iohn whereinto his Barons entred and the Tower yielded unto Lewis And again Waâ— Tyleâ— herein committed outragioâ—s cruelties but was worthily struck down by the Major and stain in Smithfield This Cities graduation for Latitude is the degree 51 45 minutes and in Longitude 20 degrees 29 minutes 9 In this County at Barnet upon Easter-day a bloudy battel was fought betwixt Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth wherein was slain one Marquess one Earl three Lords and with them ten thousand Englishmen 10 The division of this Shire is into seven hundreds wherein are seated two Cities four Market-Towns and seventy three Parish Churches besides them in London where in the Church of Gray-â—ryâ—rs now called Christ-Chuâ—ch three Queens lye interred which were Queen Margaret the D. of Phil. the hardy King of France second wife to King Edward the first the second was Queen Isabel wife to King Edward the second and D. to Philip the fair King of France and the third was Queen Ioan their daughter married to David King of Scotland ESSEX COUNTY ESSEX CHAPTER XV. ESSEX by the Normans Excessa and by the vulgar Essex is a County large in compass very populous and nothing inferiour to the best of the Land 2 The Form thereof is somewhat circular excepting the East part which shooteth her self with many Promontories into the Sea and from Horsey Island to Haidon in the West the broadest part of the Shire are they by measure forty miles and the length from East Ham upon Thamesis in the South to Sturmere upon the River Stow in the North are thirty five miles the whole in circumference one hundred forty six miles 3 It lyeth bounded upon the North with Suffolk and Cambridge-Shires upon the West with Hertford and Middlesex upon the South by Thamesis is parted from
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
Colchester declareth that a Fish in all parts like a man was taken near Oxford and for six months was kept in the Castle whence after he escaped again to the Sea As strange but most true was a crop of Pease that without tillage or sowing grew in the Rocks betwixt this Oxford and Aldebrough in the year 1555 when by unseasonable weather a great dearth was in the Land there in August were gathered above one hundred Quarters and in blossoming remained as many more where never grass grew or earth ever seen but hard solid Rocks three yards deep under their roots 8 Places separated from common use and devoted to God and his service by religious Princes were at S. Edmunds Ipswich Ikleworth Blithborow Clare Ieston Burgh Castle wherein Sigebert King of the East Angles entered the profession of a Monk but was thence forced by his people to fight against the Mercians in which Battle he was slain And Dunwich where Foelix founded his Episcopal See These with many others in this County were suppressed in the fall of the Monasteries and their Revenues assumed by King Henry the Eighth 9 This Shire is principally divided into three parts which are called Celdable S. Edmunds and S. Andreys Liberties subdivided into twenty two Hundreds and them again into 575 Parish-Churches wherein are seated seven Castles and twenty eight Market-Towns NORFOLCKE NORTHFOLK CHAPTER XVII NORTHFOLK is an Island inclining to an oval form closed on the South part with the Rivers of Wavenay and the lesser Ouse which divides it from Suffolk On the East and North with the German Ocean on the West toward Cambridge-shires with some branches of the greater Ouse toward Lincolis-shire with that part of the Neve which passeth from Wisbitch into the Washes It containeth in length from Tarmouth to Wifbitch about fifty miles In breadth from Theâ—ford to Wells about thirty The whole Circuit is about two hundred forty two miles The Name ariseth from the situation of the people who being the Norther-most of the Kingdom of East-Angles are therefore called the Northfolk as the Souther-most Southfolk The Air is sharp and piercing especially the Champion and near the Sea therefore it delayeth the Spring and Harvest the situation of the Countrey inclining thereto as being under the 53 degree of Latitude The Soil diverse about the towns commonly good as Clay Chalk or fat Earth well watered and with some Wood upward to the Heaths naked dry and barren Marsland and Flegge exceeding rich but Marsland properly for Pasture Flegge for Corn. 2 The parts from Thetford to Burneham and thence Westward as also along the Coast be counted Champion the rest as better furnished with Woods Woodland The Champion aboundeth with Corn Sheep and Conies and hesein the barren Heaths as the Providence of our Ancestors hath of old disposed them are very profitable For on them principally lie our Fould courses called of the Saxons whose institution they therefore seem to be Paldyocum that is Liberty of fold or foâ—â—dage These heaths by the compasture of the sheep which we call Tathe are made so rich with Corn that when they fall to be sown they commonly match the fruitfullest grounds in other Countries and laid again do long after yield a sweeter and more plentiful feed for Sheep so that each of them maintain other and are the chiefest wealth of our Countrey The Woodland fitter for grass is maintained chiefly by feeding of Cattel yet well stored with Corn and Sheep The Coast is fortunate in Fish and hath many good harbours whereof Lynn and Tarmouth be the mother-ports and of great traffique Wells and Blackeney next in estimation The whole County aboundeth with Rivers and pleasant Springs of which the Ouse is the chiefest by whose plentiful branches the Isle of Ely the Towns and Shires of Cambridge Huntington and the County of Suffolk vent and receive Commodities The next is Hiâ—rus or Yere passing from Norwich to â—armouth where it receiveth the Bure coming from Aylsham both of them of great service for water carriages but very notable for their plenty of fish for some one man out of an hold upon the Bnrâ— hath drawn up ordinarily once a year between two Nets above five or six score Bushels of Fish at one draught The Waveney and the lesser Ouse are also Navigable and of great use The residue I omit 3 The people were anciently called the ICENI as the also of Suffolk Cambridge-shire and Huntington-shire and supposed to be of them whom Caesar nameth Cenimagni Ptolomy Simeni some Tigeni Their manners were likely to be as the rest of the Britains barbarous at those times as appeareth by Caesar and Tacitus Neither can I otherwise commend their successors the Saxons for so also their own Countreyman Ethelward termeth them Since the entry of the Normans they have been counted civil and ingenious apt to good Letters adorning Religion with more Churches and Monasteries than any Shire of England and the Laws and Seats of Iustice for many ages with some excellent men from whom most of our chief Families and some of the greatest Nobility of the Kingdom have taken advancement And herein is Northfolk fortunate that as Crete boasted of an hundred Cities so may she of an hundred Families of Gentlemen never yet attainted of high Treason How the Government of this County was about Caesars time is uncertain but agreeable no doubt to the rest of the Britains under some peculiar Toparch or Regulus as Tacitus termeth him The latter Romans held it by two Garrisons one at Gariannum neer â—armouth the other at Branodunum now called Brancastre both of horse and commanded by the Comes Maritimi Tractus as Mercellinus calleth him and termed after Comes Littoris Saxonici Upon the entry of the Saxons this County with Suffolk fell in the portion of the Angles and about the year five hundred sixty one were together erected into a Kingdom by Vffa of whom the succeeding Kings were tituled Vffines But having suffered many Tempests of Fortune it was in the year 870 utterly wasted and extinct by Hungar and Hubba the Danes who overthrew the vertuous King Edmund about Thetford and after martyred him at S. Edmundsbury Yet they did not long enjoy it for King Edward shortly recovered it from them and annexed it to his other Kingdoms The Daâ—es notwithstanding inhabited abundantly in these parts so that many of our Towns were sounded by them aâ—d a great part of our people and Gentry are risen out of their bloud 4 This Kingdom of East-Angles was after allotted to an Earldom of that name by William the Conqueroâ—r who made Radulph a Britain marrying his Kinswoman Earl thereof but gave the greatest parts of this County about Wimonham Keninghall Lenn Burnham Fulmerstone c. to W. de Albany Pincerne and W. de Warranna Forrestario who to strengthen themselves according to the use of that time with the homage and service of many Tenants divided large portions of the same amongst their friends and
followers so that most of the Mannors and Lands in the parts aforesaid were in those days either mediately or immediately holden of one of them And as Northfolk and Suffolk were first united in a Kingdom then in an Earldom so they continued united in the Sheriff-wick till about the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth 5 The Towns here are commonly well built and populous three of them being of that worth and quality as no one Shire of England hath the like Norwich Lynn and Yarmouth to which for ancient reputation as having been a seat of the Kings of East-Angles I may add Thetford known to Antoninus Ptolomy and elder ages by the name of Sitomagus when the other three were yet in their infancy and of no esteem For I accept not the Relations of the Antiquity and State of Norwich in the time of the Britains and Saxons though Alexander Nevil hath well graced them Her very name abridgeth her Antiquity as having no other in Histories but Norwich which is meer Saxon or Danish and signifieth the North-Town or Castle It seemeth to have risen out of the decay of her neighbour Venta now called Castor and as M. Cambden noteth not to have been of mark before the entry of the Danes who in the year 1004 under Swane their Captain first sackt and then burnt it even in her infancy Yet in the days of Edward the Confessor it recovered 1320 Burgesses But maintaining the cause of Earl Radulph aforesaid against the Conquerour they were by famine and sword wasted to 560 at which time the Earl escaping by Ship his wife upon composition yielded the Castle and followed In William Rufus time it was grown famous for Merchandise and concourse of people so that Herbert then translated the Bishoprick from Thetford thither made each of them an ornament to other In variety of times it felt much variety of Fortune By fire in Anno 1508. By extreme plagues whereof one in Anno 1348 was so outragious as 57104 are reported to have died thereof between the Calends of Ianuary and of Iuly By misery of war was sacked and spoiled by the Earl of Flanders and Hugh Bigod Anno 1174. In yielding to Lewis the French against their natural Lord King Iohn Anno 1216. By the disinherited Barons Anno 1266. By tumult and insurrection between the Citizens and Church-men once about the year 1255. which if Henry the third had not come in person to appease the City was in hazard to be ruined the second time in Anno 1446 for which the Mayor was deposed and their Liberties for a while seised In Edward the sixths time by Ketts rebellion whose fury chiefly raged against this City Since this it hath flourished with the blessings of Peace Plenty Wealth and Honour so that Alexander Nevil doubteth not to prefer it above all the Cities of England except London It is situate upon the River Hierus in a pleasant valley but on rising ground having on the East the Hills and Heath called Mussold for Musswould as I take it In the 17 year of King Stephen it was new founded and made a Corporation In Edward the firsts time closed with a fair Wall saving on a part that the River defendeth First governed by four Bayliffs then by Henry the fourth in Anno 1403 erected into a Majoralty and County the limits whereof now extend to Eatonbridge At this present it hath about thirty Parishes but in ancient time had many more 6 Lynn having been an ancient Borough under the government of a Bayliff or Reve called Praepositus was by King Iohn in the sixth year of his Reign made Liber Burgus and besides the gift of his memorable Cup which to this day honoureth his Corporation endowed with divers fair Liberties King Henry the third in the Seventeenth year of his Reign in recompence of their serviâ—â— against the out-lawed Barons in the Isle of Ely enlarged their Charter and granted them further to choose a Major Loco Praepositi unto whom King Henry the eighth in the sixteenth year of his Reign added twelve Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Mayor But the Town coming after to the same King he in the ewenty ninth of his Reign changed their name from Maior Burgensis Lynn Episcopi to Maior Burgenses Lynn Regis 7 â—â—rmouth is the Key of the Coast named and seated by the mouth of the River â—ere Begun in the time of the Danes and by small accessions growing populous made a Corporation under two Bayliffs by King Henry the thrid and by his Charter about the fifteenth year of his Reign walled It is an ancient member of the Cinque Ports very well built and fortified having only one Church but fair and large founded by Bishop Herbert in William Rufus days It maintaineth a Peer against the Sea at the yearly charge of five hundred pound or thereabout yet hath it no possessions as other Corporations but like the Children of Aeolus and Thetis maria 4 ventos as an Inquisitor findeth Anno 10. H 3. There is yearly in September the worthiest Herring fishing in Europe which draweth great concourse of people and maketh the Town much the richer all the year but very unsavory for the time The Inhabitants are so courteous as they have long held a custom to feast all persons of worth repairing to their Town 8 The Bishoprick of Norwich had first her seat at Dunwich in Suffolk and was there begun by Faelix who converted this County and the East-Angles to the Faith Being brought out of Burgundy by Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Angles he landed at Babingley by Lynn and there builded the first Church of these Countries which in his memory is at this day called by his Name The second he built at Sharneburn then of wood and therefore called Stock Chappel After Faelix and three of his Successors this Bishoprick was divided into two Sees the one with eleven Bishops in succession continuing at Dunwich the other with twelve at Elmham in Northfolk Then united again in the time of King Edwin the entire See for twelve other Bishops remained at Elmham and in the Conquerours time was by his Chaplain Arfastus being the thirtieth translated to Thetford from thence by Herbert his next Successour save one bought of W. Rufus for 1900 pounds and brought to Norwich This Herbert sirnamed Losinga a Norman builded the Cathedral Church there and endowed it with large possessions Not far from thence he also builded another Church to S. Leonard a third at Elmham a â—ourth at â—ynn S. Margarets a very fair one and the fifth at Yarmouth before mentioned By the Cathedral Church he builded a Palace for the Bishops and founded the Priory there now converted to Dean and Chapter and another Priory at Thâ—tford Since his time the Bishops See hath immoveably remained at Norwich but the ancient Possessions are severed from it and in lieu thereof the Abbey and Lands of
S. Benedict of Holme annexed to it The Commodities of this County I have contained in these four Verses Ingenio populi cultu Norfolcia clara est Hinc fluviis illinc Insula clausa mari Qua ratis vellus frumenta cuniculus agnus Lac scatet pisces pabula mella crocus This Description of Norfolk I received from the Right Worshipful Sir HENRY SPELMAN Knight CAMBRIDGE SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CHAPTER XVIII CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE lyeth bounded upon the North with Lincoln shire and Northfolk upon the East with Northfolk and Suffolk upon the South with Harâ—fordâ—shire and Essex and upon the West with Bedford and Huntington-shires 2 This Province is not large nor for air greatly to be liked having the Fens so spread upon her North that they infect the Air far into the rest from whose furthest point unto Royston in the South are thirty five miles but in the broadest is not fully twenty the whole in Circumference traced by the compass of her many indents one hundred twenty and eight miles 3 The Soil doth differ both in Air and Commodities the Fenny surcharged with waters the South is Champion and yieldeth Corâ— in abundance with Meadowing Pastures upon both the sides of the River Câ—me which divides that part of the Shire in the midst upon whose East-bank the Muses have built their most sacred Seat where with plenteous increase they have continued for these many hundred years 4 For from ancient Grantcester Camboritum by Antonine now famous Cambridge the other brest and Nurse-mother of all pious literature have flowed full streams of the learned Sciences into all other parts of this Land and else where ancient indeed if their story be rightly writ that will have it built by Cantaber a Spaniard three hundred seventy five years before the birth of our Saviour who thither first brought and planted the Muses This City Grantcester by the tyranny of time lost both her own beauty and her professed Athenian Students so that in Beda's days seven hundred years after the word became flesh it is described to lie a little desolate City and as yet retaineth the name without any memory of circuit by walls Of this City in the year of Christ 〈◊〉 as the Monk of Button doth report nine Scholars received their Baptism and became Preachâ—â—â— of the Gospel among the Britains which as he saith happened in the Reign of Hadrian the Emperour But when the Picts Scots Hunnes and Saxons had laid all things waste and with their savage swords cut ouâ— the leaves of all civil learning this as the rest yielded to destruction and so lay forlorn till the Saxons themselves became likewise civil when Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Anglâ—s from the example of France whither he had been banished built Shools in his Kingdom and here at Grancester the chief recalling thither the Profâ—ssors of Arts and Sciences as the Story recordeth and Traditions do hold But afterwards as it seemeth their increase being straightned the Students complained as thâ— Prophets did to Elisha that the place was too little for them to dwell in therefore enlarging more North-ward seated themselves near unto the Bridge whereupon the place began to be called Grantbridge though others from the crooked River Came will have it named Cambridge This place though sacred and exempted from Mars as Sylla once spake when he spared Athens the Danes in their destructions regarded no whit wherein they often wintered after their spoyls and left the scars of their savage sores ever behind them And in the year 1010 when Suen in his fierceness bare down all before him this place was no place for Scholars to be in Warres loud Alarum ill consorting the Muses mild Harmonies Yet when the Normans had got the Garland on their heads and these Danish storms turned into Sun-shine days Gislebert the Monk with Odo Terricus and William all three of the like Monastical Profession in the Reign of King Henry the first resorted unto this place and in a publick Barn read the Lectures of Grammar Logick and Rhetorick and Gislebert Divinity upon the Sabbath and festival days From this little Fountain saith Peter Blessensis grow a great River which made all England fruitful by the many Masters and Teachers proceeding out of Cambridge as on t of a holy Paradise of God The first Colledge therein endowed with Professions was Peter-house built by Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the year of Grace 1284 whose godly example many others followed so that at this day there are sixteen most stately Colledges and Halls for building beauty endowments and store of Students so replenished that unless it be in her other â—ister Oxford the like are not found in all Europe But at what time it was made an Vniversity let Robert de Remyngton tell you for me In the Reign saith hâ— of King Edward the first Granâ—bridge of a School by the Court of Rome was made an Vniversity such as Oxford is Lastly the â—eridian Line Cutâ—ing the Zenith over this City is distant from the furthest West Point according to Mercator 20 degrees 50 scruples and the Arch of the same Mâ—ridian lying between the Aequator and Vertical point is 52 degrees 20 scruples 5 Another City formerly in great fame is Ely had in account for the repute and holiness of Votary Nuns there residing built first by Audry wife to one Tombrot a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry she having departed from her second Husband â— Egbert King of Northumberland devoted her self to the service of God and built here a Monastery whereof she became the first Abbess This in the Danish desolations was destroyed but soon after re-edified by Ethelwood Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks unto whom King Edgar granted the jurisdiction over four hundreds and a half within these Fenns and the East Angles limits which to this day are called The liberties of S. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so enriched it with large Revenues that as Malmesbury saith The Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers a thousand and four hundred pounds And of later times the Monks thereof became so wealthy that their old decayed Church they renewed with new and most stately buildings which is now the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty giveth place to no other in the Land Eight other foundations set apart from secular use in this Province were at Thorney Charteres Denny Elsey Beach Barnwell Swasey and Shengey all which in the days of King Henry the Eighth came to the period of their surpassing wealth and left their Lands to the dispose of his Will 6 The general Commodity of this Shire is Corn which in the South and Champion part doth abundantly grow as also Saffron a very rich Spice Some Woods there are and Pasture both pleasant and profitable The North part thereof is Fenny but withal fruitful whereof Henry of Huntington and William of Malinesbury thus do write
which last was built with great cost by Richaâ—d Earl of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himself and his Dutchesse was interred Their Son Earl Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that whicâ— Christ shed upon his Cross. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought and worshiped till time proved it a meer counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospel revealed to eye-sight such gross Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were were turned up to the shew of her ownâ—shame 12 Dukes and Earls that have born the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Arms and Names expressed ever fatal to their Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas VVoodstock son to King Edward the third who in Callis was â—mothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fifth by the fraudulent practice of the malignant Cardinal and Queen made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battle by King Henry the Second 13 This Shires division is principally into four parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and thâ—m again into two hundred and eight Parish-Churcâ—es Hereford SHIRE HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIV HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated upon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shires upon the East with Malvern Hills is parted from Glocester-shire upon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and upon the West in part with the Haiterall Hills is divided from Brecknock and the rest confined with Radnor-shire 2 This Counties climate is most healthful and temperate and Soyl so fertile for Corn and Cattle that no place in England yieldeth more or better conditioned sweet Rivers ruâ—ning as veins in the body do make the Corn-bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be termed the Golden Vale and for Waters Wool and Wheat doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Leâ—ster Irchenfield the banks of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people known to the Romans whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolomy in this Tract and branched further into Radnor Breckâ—ock Monmouth and Glamorgan shires at this day by us called Southâ—wales and by the Welsh Deheubarth Their Original as Tacitus conjectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled hair was out of Spain and both as he and Pliny describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of servitude which well they shewed under Caratacus their Captain and nine years scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose only conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more than a usual Aspect and with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their own Writers evermore term it a dangeâ—ous War For the Legion of Marius Valence they put to â—light and that with such havock of the Associates that Asterius the Lievtenant of Britain for very grief gave up the ghost and Veranius under Nero assaulted them in vain But when Vâ—spasian was Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in every Province Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures unto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians â—ime 4 The Saxons then made themselves Lords of this Land and this Province a part of their Mercians Kingdom yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of the old Ariconium now Kencâ—ester shaken in pieces by a violent earthquake grew to great fame thorow a conceived sanctity by the burial of Etâ—elbert King of the East-Angles slain at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to have espoused his Daughter whose grave was first made at Merden but afterwards câ—nonized and removed to this City when in honour of him was built the Cathedral Church by Milfrid a petty King of that County which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishâ—â—an rebelling against Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remelâ—n was restored as now it is at what time the Town was walled and iâ— so remaining in good repair having six gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence extending in compass to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North Pole is observed to be raised 52 degrees 27 minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17 degrees and 30 minutes being yearly governed by a Mayor chosen out of one and thirty Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he ever after is known for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof four of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and four Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this City received was in King Athelstans days where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of â—ales by way of Tribute to pay yearly besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Silver by weight but how that was performed and continued I find not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone-well a Spring not faâ— from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a â—in seen and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in veins thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the work of the Omnipotent even in our own remembrances and year of Christ â—esus 1571 when the Marcley Hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it self out of a dead sleep with a roaring noise removed from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from her first â—ite to the great amazement and fear of the beholders It began to journey upon the seventh day of February being sunday at six of the Clock at night and by seven in the next morning had gone forty paces carrying with it Sheep in their coats hedge-rows and trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West were set in the East in which remove it overthrew â—â—â—â—aston-Chappel and turned two high-ways near an hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling was about twenty six Acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it for four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage overspread with Paâ—turage Lastly overwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelve fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel remaining his mark that so laid hand upon this Rock whose power â—ath poysed the Hills in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the devotions of Princes and
was resumed by Henry the eight and now by the Heir of Darcy matched to the Lord Clifton is become the seat of the Barony This Hundred had in it no house of Religion but Stolney a Priory of seven black Cannons of the order of S. Augustine founded by the Bigrames and at the Suppression valued at 62 l. 12 s. 3 d. ob It stood within the reach of the great Mannor Kimbolton once an Hundred which was the Land of Earl Harold the Usurper after by grant it came with the Chase of Swinesheved to Fitz-Peter from whom by Magâ—avil to Bohum who in time of the tumulâ—uous Barons built there a Forcelet and so to Staffard by whose attainture forfeited it was given by Henry the eight to the Family of Wingfield that now possesseth it At Bugden the See of Lincoln hath a seat and was Lord of Spaldwick and the Soke given in compensation from the Church of Ely when rent from them it was by the first Henry made a Bishoprick until of late that Church gave up their interest in Spaldwick to the Crown Brampton was given by King Iohn at Mirabel to Earl David and by Ada his youngest Daughter fell to Hastings Earl of Pembroke and now is reverted to the King To the same Earl David by gift of the former King came Alcumesbury and by the bounty of Iohn Scot his son to Segrave and so the Lord Barkley the late possessor To Serlo de Quincy Earl of Winchester was Keston by Henry the second given by whose Heir general â—errars it came to the late Earl of Essex and by exchange to the Crown 10 TOULESLANDHUNDRED taketh name likewise of a Town therein situate in the out Angle of this to the memory of S. Neotus a Monk of Glastenbury but the supposed son to Ethelwolfe King of the VVest-Saxons whose body from Neostock in Cornwall was transferred to Arâ—alphesbury then of Arnulphus a holy man now Enesbury named Earl Alrick and Ethelsteda turned the Palace of Earl Elfred into a Monastery of black Monks which was razed by the Danes but out of the ashes of this Roisia wife to Richard the son of Earl Gilbert to God our Lady de Becco and S. Neot as a Cell to the Abbey of Becco in Normandy erected up of black Monks in the year 1113 the late Priory of S. Nedes suppressed by Henry the eight and valued at 256 l. 15 d. q. At Southo the Land of Eustachius the Sheriff Lovetote made the seat of that Seigniory on which in this Shire 13 Knights Fees and a half depended but from his line by gift of Verdon and Vesâ—y drowned were these in the honour of Gloucester Near to this at Cretingsbury dwelt Sir Adam de Cretings famous in Edward the thirds wars of France whose Heir General Wautoâ— doth now possess it Staunton given by the first VVilliam to Gilbert de Gaunt after the death issueless of De Rupes escheated to the King who gave it to Iohn his â—ister Queen of Scots She on the Abbey of Tarant bestowed part the rest reverting being given to Segrave descended to the Barons of Berkly Godmanchester or Gormanchester so named of that Dane to whom Aelfred at his conversion granted some regiment in these parts was the old Land of the Crown now the Inhabitants in Fee farme by grant of King Iohn pro Sexies viginti libris pondere numero It is flat seated by as fruitful and flowry Meadows as any this Kingdom yieldeth and is the most spacious of any one Parish in fertile tillage oft having waited on their Soveraign Lords with ninescore Ploughs in a rural pompe Some from the name Gunicester which this often beareth in record suppose it the City where Machutus placed his Bishops Chair But for certain it was the Roman Town Durosipont of the Bridges named so many hundred years until the light of our Britain story overshone it forgotten Thus as this City so the old Families have been here with time outworn few onely of the many former now remaining whose sirnames before the reign of the last Henry were in this Shire of any eminency But Non indignemur mortalia Nomina solvi Cernimus exemplis Oppida posse mori Let 's not repine that Men and Names do die Since stone-built Cities dead and ruin'd lie This Description I received from a right worthy and learned Friend RVTLANDE SHIRE RUTLAND-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIX RUTLAND-SHIRE the least of any County in this Realm is circulated upon the North with Lincoln-shire upon the East and South with the River VVeland is parted from Northampton-shire and the West is altogether held in with Leicester-shire 2 The Form thereof is round and no larger in compass than a light horse man can easily ride about in a day upon which occasion some will have the Shire named of one Rut that so rode But others from the redness of the Soyl will have it called Rutland and so the old English-Saxoâ—s called it for that Roet and Rut is in their Tongue Red with us and may very well give the name of this Province seeing the earth doth stain the wool of her Sheep into a reddish colour Neither is it strange that the stain of the Soyl gives names unto places and that very many for have we not in Che-shire the Red Rock in Lanca-shire the Red Bank and in Wales Rutland Castlâ— To speak nothing of that famous Red Sea which shooteth into the Land betwivt Egypt and Arabia which gave back her waters for the Israelites to pass on foot all of them named from the colour of the Soile 3 The longest part of this Shire is from Caldecot in the South upon the River Ey unto Thistleton a small Village seated in the North not fully twelve miles and from Timwell East-ward to Wissenden in the West her broadest extent is hardly nine the whole circumference about forty miles 4 The Air is good both for health and delight subject to neither extremity of heat nor cold nor is greatly troubled with foggy mists The Soil is rich and for Corn and tillage gives place unto none Woods there are plenty and many of them imparked Hills feeding heards of Neat and flocks of Sheep Vallies besprinkled with many sweet springs Grain in abundance and Pastures not wanting in a word all things ministred to the content of life with a liberal heart and open hand Only this is objected that the Circuit is not great 5 The draught whereof that I may acknowledge my duty and his right I received at the hands of the right Honourable Iohn Lord Harrington Baron of Exton done by himself in his younger years Near unto his house Burley standeth Okam a fair Market-Town which Lordship the said Baron enjoyeth with a Royalty somewhat extraordinary which is this If any Noble by birth come within the precinct of the said Lordship he shall forfeit as an homage a shooe from the horse whereon he rideth unless he redeem it at a price with money In witness whereof there are
the Commons who at Hardby near Bullingbrooke his birth-place ended her life 8 Trade and commerce for provision of life is vented thorow thirty one Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Lincoln the Counties Namer is chief by Ptolomy and Antonine called Lindum by Beda Linde-Collina and by the Normans Nichol. Very antient it is and hath been more Magnifical as by her many overturned ruines doth appear and far more populous as by Doomesdayes Book is seen where it is recorded that this City contained a thousand and seven mansions and nine hundred Burgesses with twelve Lage-men having Sac and Soc. And in the Normans time saith Malmesbury it was one of the best Cities of England being a place of traffick of Merchandize for all commerce by Land or Sea Herein King Edward the third ordained his Staple for the Mart of Wools Leather and Lead and no less than fifty Parish-Churches did beautifie the same but now containeth onely fifteen besides the Cathedral Some ruines yet remain both of â—riariâ—s and Nunneries who lie buried in their own ashes and the City conquered not by war but by time and very age and yet hath she not escaped the calamity of Sword as in the time of the Saxons whence Arthur enforced their Host the like also did Edmund to the destroying Danes and by the Normans it suffered some damage where King Stephen was vanquished and taken prisoner and again by the third Henry that assaulted and waâ— it from his rebellious Barons By fire likewise it was for defaced wherein not only the buildings were consumed but wihal many men and women in the violence thereof perished as also by an Earth quake her foundation was much weakened and shaken wherein the fair Cathedral Church dedicated to the Virgin of Virgins was rent in pieces The government of this City is committed yearly to a Mayor two Sheriffs twelve Aldermen in Scarlet a Sword a Hat of Estate a Recorder Sword-bearer and four Serjeants with Maces whose situation on a steep hill standeth for Longitude in the degree 20 10 scruples the Pole elevated for Latitude from the degree 53 and 50 scruples 9 Much hath been the devotion of Princes in building of religious houses in this County as at Crowland Lincoln Markby Leyborn Grenfeld Alvingham Newnersby Grymmysby Newsted Elshaw Stansfeld Syxhill Torkesey Bryggerd Thorâ—eholme Nuncotten Fosse Hovings Axholme Isle Gokewell S. Michaels near Stamford Swyneshed Spalding Kirkested c. 10 Commotions in this shire were raised the eight and twentieth of King Henry the Eight where twenty thousand making insurrection violently sware certain Lords and Gentlemen to their Articles But no sooner they heard of the Kings power coming but they dispersed themselves and sued for pardon And again in the third year of King Edward the Sixt in ease of Inclosures Lincoln rose in seditious manner as did they of Cornwall Devonshire York-shire and Norfolk but after some slaughters of their chiefest men were reduced to former obedience The Shires division is into three principal parts viz. Lindsey Kesteven and Holland Lindsey is subdivided into seventeen Hundreds Kesteven into eleven and Holland into three containing in all thirty one wherein are situated thirty Market-Towns and six hundred thirty Parish Churches NOTTINGHAÌ„ SHIRE NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXII NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE from Nottingham her chiefest Town hath the Name and that somewhat softned from the Saxons Snoddenzaham for the many Dens or Caves wrought in her Rocks and under ground lyeth bordered upon the North and North-west with York-shire upon the East a good distance by Trent is parted from and with Lincoln-shire altogether confined the South with Leicester-shire and the West by the River Erwash is separated from Darby-shire 2 For Form long and Oval-wise doubling in length twice her breadth whose extreams are thus extended and distance observed From Feningley North of Steanford in the South are thirty eight English miles West part from Teversal to Besthorp in the East are little more than nineteen whose circumference draweth much upon one hundred and ten miles 3 The Air is good wholsome and delectable the Soyl is rich sandy and clayie as by the names of that Counties divisions may appear and surely for Corn and Grass of fruitful that it secondeth any other in the Realm and for Water Words and Canell Coals abundantly stored 4 Therein groweth a Stone softer then Alabaster but being burnt maketh a plaister harder than that of Paris wherewith they floor their upper Rooms for betwixt the Ioysts they lay only long Bulrushes and thereon spread this Plaister which being throughly dry becomes most solid and hard so that it seemeth rather to be firm stone than mortar and is trod upon without all danger In the West near Worksop groweth plenty of Liquoâ—ice very delicious and good 5 More South in this Shire at Stoke in the Reign of King Henry the seventh a great baâ—te was fought by Iohn De-la-Poole Earl of Lincoln which Richard the Uâ—urper had declared his heir apparent but Richard losing his life and De-la-Poole his hopes in seeking here to set up a Lambert fell down himself and at Newark after many troubles King Iohn got his peace with the end of his life 6 Trade and Commerce for the Counties provision is frequented in eight Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Nottingham is both the greatest and best a Town seated most pleasant and delicate upon a high hill for building stately a number of fair streets surpassing and surmounting many other Cities and for a spacious and most fair Market-place doth compare with the best Many strange Vaults â—ewed oâ—t of the Rocks in this Town are seen and those under the Castle of an especial note one for the story of Christs Passion engrâ—â—en in the Walls and cut by the hand of David the second King of Scots whilst he was therein detained Prisoner Another wherein Lord Mortimer was â—upprized in the non-age of King Edward the Third ever since bearing the name of Mortimers Hole these have their Stairs and several Rooms made artificially even out of the Rocks as also in that Hill are dwelling Houses with Winding-stairs Windows Chimneys and Room above Room wrought all out of the solid Rock The Castle is strong and was kept by the Danes against Burthred Ethelred and Elfred the Mercian and West-Saxon Kings who together laid their siege against it and for the further strenght of the Town King Edward sirnamed the Elder walled it about whereof â—ome part as yet remains from the Castle to the West-gate and thence the foundation may be perceived to the North where in the midst of the way ranging with this bank stands a Gate of Stone and the same Tract passing along the North part may well be perceived the rest to the River and thence to the Castle are built upon and thereby buried from sight whose circuit as I took it extendeth two thousand one hundred twenty paces 7 In the wars betwixt Stephen and Maud the Empress by Robert Earl of Glocester these Walls were cast
the degree of Latitude 54 yet the warmth from the Irish-Seas melteth the Snow and dissolveth Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholsome for life that the Inhabitants generally attain to many years 4 The Soyl is fat fruitful and rich yielding abundantly both profit and pleasures for Man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers The Meadows imbroydered with divers sweet smelling Flowers and the Pasture makes the Kines Udder to strout to the Pail from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwick-shire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselves further into this County as in Ptolomy is placed and the Cangi likewise if they be the Ceaâ—gi whose remembrance was found upon the Shore of this Shire on the surface of certain pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AU. GER DF CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula immediately before his great Victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deva he built a Fortress at the back of the Ordovices to restrain their power which was great in those parts in the Reign of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this Province became a Portion of the Saxon-Mercians Kingdom notwithstanding saith Ran Higdan the City it self was held by the Britains until all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the fince Inhabitants hear Lucan the Monk who lived prelently after the Conquest speak They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equal In feasting they are friendly at meat chearful in entertainment liberal soon aâ—gry and soon pacified lavish in words impatient of servitude merciful to the afflicted compassionate to the poor kind to their kindred spary of labour void of dissimulation not greedy in eating and far from dangerous practises And let me add thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath never been stained with the blot of Rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crown whose loyalty Richard the Second so far found and esteemed that he held his Person most safe among them and by the Authority of Parliament made the County to be a Principality and stiled himself Prince of Chester King Henry the Third gave it to his eldest Son Prince Edward against whom Lewlin Prince of Wales gathered a mighty Band and with them did the County much harm even unto the Cities Gaâ—es With the like scare-fires it had oft times been affrighted which the ylastâ—y defenced with a Wall made of the Welsh-mens Heads on the South side of Dee in Hambridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentility and the producer of many most ancient and worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field than Chess-shire hath done who by a general speech are to this day called The chief of Men and for Natures endowments besides their nobleness of minds may compare with any other Nation in the World their Limbs straight and well-composed their complexions fair with a chearful countenance and the Women for grace feature and beauty inferiour unto none 6 The Commodities of of this Province by the report of Ranulphus the Monk of Chester are chiefly Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Salt Mines Metals Mears and Rivers whereof the Banks of Dee in her West and the Vale-Royal in her midst for fruitfulness of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in grain or gain from the Cow 7 These with all other provision for life are traded thorow thirteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A City raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix was sent by Galba to restrain the Britains but grown themselves out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their General by Vespasian as appeareth by Moneys then Minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britains the place waâ— called Cder-Legion by Ptolomy Denanâ— by Antonine Dena and now by us West-Chester but Henry Bradshaw will have it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaver a Man beyond the Moon and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Over Deva or Dee a fair Stone-bridge leadeth built upon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadrant-wise the Walls do incompass the City high and strongly built with four fair Gates opening into the four Winds besides three 〈◊〉 and seven Watch-Towers extending in compass one thousand nine hundred and forty paces On the South of this City is mounted a strong and stately Castle round in form and the base Court likewise inclosed with a circular Wall In the North is the Minster first built by Earl Leofrike to the honour of S. Werburga the Virgin and after most sumptuously repaired by Hugh the first Earl of Chester of the Normans now the Cathedral of the Bishops See Therein lyeth interred as report doth relate the body of Henry the Fourth Emperour of Almane who leaving his Imperial Estate lead lastly therein an Hermites life This City hath formerly been sore defaced first by Egfrid King of Northumberland where he slew twelve hundred Christian Monks resorted thither from Bangor to pray Again by the Danes it was sore defaced when their destroying feet had trampled down the beauty of the Land But was again rebuilt by Edelfleada the Mercian Lady who in this County and Forrest of Delamer built two fine Cities nothing of them now remaining besides the Chamber in the Forrest Chester in the daies of King Edgar was in most flourishing estate wherein he had the homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from S. Iohns to his Palace himself holding the Helm as their Supream This City was made a County incorporate of it self by King Henry the Seventh and is yearly governed by a Major with Sword and Mace born before him in State two Sheriffs twenty four Aldermen a Recorder a Town-Clerk and a Serjeant of Peace four Sergeants and six â—eomen It hath been accounted the Key into Ireland and great pity it is that the Port should decay as it daily doth the Sea being stopped to secure the River by a Causey that thwarteth Dee at her bridge Within the Walls of the City are eight Parish-Churches St. Iohns the greater and lesser in the Suburbs are the VVhite-Fryers Black-Fryers and Nunnery now suppressed From which City the Pole is elevated unto the degree 53 58 minutes of Latitude and from the first point of the West in Longitude unto the 17 degree and 18 minutes 8 The Earldom whereof was possessed from the Conquerour till it fell lastly to the Crown the last of whom though not with the least hopes is Prince Henry who to the Titles of Prince of VVales and Duke of Cornwall hath
the Authority of Ptolomy and Antonine and by many ancient Inscriptions that have been found there In this City the Emperor Severus had his Palace and here gave up his last breath which ministers occasion to shew the ancient custom of the Romans in the military manner of their burials His body was carried forth here by the Souldiers to the funeral fire and committed to the flames honoured with the â—usts and Turnaments both of the Souldiers and of his own Sons His ashes bestowed in a little golden pot or vessel of the Porphyrat stone were carried to Rome and shrined there in the Monument of the Antonines In this City as Spartianus maketh mention was the Temple of the Goddess Bâ—llona to which Severuâ— being come thither purposing to offer Sacrifice was erroniously led by a rustical Augur Here Fl. Valerius Coâ—stantius surnamed Choruâ— an Emperour of excellent vertue and Christian Piety ended his life and was Deified as appears by ancient Coins and his Son Constantine being present at his Fathers death forthwith proclaimed Emperour from whence it may be gathered of what great estimation York was in those days when the Romans Emperours Court was held in it This City flourished a long time under the English-Saxons Dominion till the Daâ—es like a mighty Storm thundering from out of the North-East destroyed it and distrained it with the blood of many slaughtered persons and wan it from Olbright and Ella Kings of Noâ—thumberland who were both stain in their pursuit of the Danes which Alcuine in his Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland seemed to presage before when he said What signifieth that raining down of blood in St. Peters Church of York even in a fair day and descending in so violent and threatning a manner from the top of the roof may it not be thought that blood is coming upon the Land from the North parts Howbeit Athelstane recovered it from the Dantsh subjection and quite overthrew the Castle with the which they had fortified it yet was it not for all this so freed from Wars but that it was subject to the Times fatally next following Nevertheless in the Conquerors time when after many woful overthrows and troublesom storms it had a pleasant calm of ensuing Peace it rose again of it self and flourished afresh having still the helping hand of Nobility and Gentry to recover the former dignity and bring it to the perfection it hath The Citizens senced it round with new Walls and many Towers and Bulwarks and ordaining good and wholsome Laws for the government of the same Which at this day are executed at the command of a Lord Mayor who hath the assistance of twelve Aldermen many Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk six Sergeants at Mace and two Esquires which are a Sword-bearer and the Common Sergeant who with a great Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword The Longitude of this City according to Mercators account is â—9 degrees and 35 scruples the Latitude 54 degrees and forty scruples 10 Many occurents present themselves with sufficient matter of enlargement to this discourse yet none of more worthy consequence than were those several Battels fought within the compass of this County wherein Fortune had her pleasure as well in the proof of her love as in the pursuit of her tyranny sometime sending the fruits of sweet peace unto her and other whiles suffering her to taste the sowreness of War At Conisborough in the Britain Tongue Caâ—r-Conan was a great Battel fought by Hengist Captain of the English-Saxons after he had retired himself thither for his safety his men being fled and scattered and himself discomfited by Aurelius Ambrosius yet within few days after he brought forth his men to Battel against the Britains that pursued him where the field was bloody both to him and his for many of his men were cut in pieces and he himself had his head chopt off as the British History saith which the Chronicles of the English-Saxons deny reporting that he died in peace being surcharged and over-worn with the troublesom toils and travels of War Neer unto Kirkstall Oswie King of Northumberland put Pâ—nda the Mercian to flight the place wherein the Battel was joyned the Writers call Winwid-Field giving it the name by the Victory And the little Region about it in times past called by an old name Elmet was conquered by Eadwin King of Northumberland the son of Aela after he had expelled Cereticus a British King in the year of Christ 620. At Casterford called by Antonine Legiotium and Legetium the Citizens of York slew many of King Ethelreds Army and had a great hand against him in so much as he that before sat in his Throne of Majesty was on a sudden daunted and ready to offer submission But the most worthy of memory was that Field fought on Palm Sunday 1461. in the quarrel of Lancaster and York where England never saw more puissant Forces both of Gentry and Nobility for there were in the Field at one time partakers on both sides to the number of one hundred thousand fighting men When the fight bad continued doubtful a great part of the day the Lancastrians not able longer to abide the violence of their enemies turned back and fled amain and such as took part with York followed them so hotly in chase and killed such a number of Nobles and Gentlemen that thirty thousand Englishmen were that day left dead in the Field 11 Let us now loose the point of this Compass and sail into some other parts of this Province to find out matter of other memorable moment Under Knausbrough there is a Well called Dropping Well in which the waters spring not out of the veins of the earth but distill and trickle down from the Rocks that hang over it It is of this vertue and efficacy that it turns Wood into Stone for what Wood soever is put into it it will be shortly covered over with a stony bark and be turned into Stone as hath been often observed At Giggleswick also about a mile from Settle a Market-Town there are certain small Springs not distant a quaits cast from one another the middlemost of which doth at every quarter of an hour ebb and flow about the height of a quarter of a yard when it is highest and at the ebb falleth so low that it is not an inch deep with water Of no less worthiness to be remembred is St. Wilfrids Needle a place very famous in times past for the narrow hole in the close vaulted room under the ground by which womens honesties were wont to be tried for such as were chaste pass thorow with much facility but as many as had plaid false were miraculously held falsâ— and could not creep thorow Believe if you list The credible report of a Lamp found burning even in our Fathers remembrance when Abbeys were pulled and suppressed in the Sepulchre of Constantius within a certain Vault or little Chappel under the ground wherein he was
or ever become the ruin of time which is much feared for the merciless underminings of the Sea that with her daily and forcible irruptions never ceaseth to wash away the Foundations of the Key The People of this Town are well approved for courtesie and also Civil Government which is administred by the Constable of the Castle who is ever Mayor by Patent having the assistance of one Alderman two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mace and one Town-Cleâ—k The Townsmen do not a little glory that King Edward the Second was born there in a Tower of the Castle called Eagle-Tower and surnamed of Caer-nar-von he being the first Prince of Wales of the English Line The site of this Town according to Mathematical observation is in the degree of Longitude 15 and 50 scruples from the first West point and the Pole elevated in Latitude 53 and 50. Bangor the Bishops See though it be now but a small Town yet it was in time past so large that for the greatness thereof it was called Banchor-Vaur that is Great-Banchor which Hugh Earl of Chester fortified with a Castle But it hath been long since utterly ruinated and laid level with the ground insomuch as there is not any footing to be found or oâ—her monuments left thereof although they have been sought with all diligent enquiry This Bishops See hath been the Diocess of ninety six Parishes But the ancient Church which was consecrated unto Daniel sometime Bishop thereof was defaced and set on fire by that notorious Rebel Owen Glendowerdwy who had a purpose also to destroy all the Cities of Wales for that they stood for the King of England And though the same Church was since repaired about the time of King Henry the seventh yet hath it scarce recovered the resemblance of her former dignity The River Conwey which limiteth this Shire on the East-side is in Ptolomy by corruption or ignorance of Transcribers called Toissonius instead of Cononius whence Canonium a Town mentioned by Antonine took name and albeit both it and its name be now utterly extinct yet is there a covert remembrance thereof in the new name of a poor Village standing among the rubbish thereof called Caer-hean that is the ancient City Out of the Spoil whereof King Edward the first built a new Town at the Rivers mouth termed thereupon Aber-Conwey that is the mouth of Conwey which being formerly fortified by Hugh of Chester and strongly situate and senced both with Walls and a fair Castle by the Rivers side deserves rather the name of a City than a Town if it were more populous and traffiqued with Inhabitants Neither must I here forget Nowin though but a small Market-Town for that it pleased the English Nobles Anno 1284 to honour it and the memory of King Arthur with triumphant celebrity after they had subdued the rebellious Ringleaders of Wales 7 Other matters of memorable note this Country affordeth not much unless perhaps this That just over-against the River Conwey where it issueth into the Sea there sometimes stood an ancient City named Diganwey which many years ago was consumed by Lightning and so made utterly desolate as many other Monuments have been of ancient and worthy memory As likewise that in the Pool Lin-Peris there is a kind of Fish called there Tâ—rcoth having a red Belly no where else seen For touching these two other miracles famoused by Giraâ—dus and Gervasius that on those his high Hills there are two Pools called the Mears the one of which produceth great store of Fish but all having only one Eye and the other there is a moveable Island which as soon as a man treadeth thereon it forthwith floateth a great way off whereby the Welsh are said to have often scaped and deluded their Enemies assailing them these matters are out of my Creed and yet I think the Reader had rather believe them than to go to see whether it be so or no. It is traded with five Market-Towns fit for bargaining buying and selling fortified with four Castles and hath sixty eight Parish-Churches in it where the Inhabitants concur and meet together for the celebration of Divine-Service THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND SCOTLANDS General Description CHAPTER I. SCOTLAND the second Kingdom of Great-Britain and the North part of the Island hath on the East the German-Ocean on the North the Orkneys and Deucalidon-Sea the West affronted with Ireland and the South hath the River Tweed the Cheviot-Hills and the adjacent Tract reaching to the Sulway-Sands whereby it is separated from England 2 This Kingdom is fair and spacious and from these South borders spreadeth it self wide into the East and West till again it contracts it self narrower unto the Northern Promontories furnished with all things befitting a famous Kingdom both for Air and Soil Rivers Woods Mountains Fish Fowl and Cattel and Corn so plenteous that it supplyeth therewith other Countries in their want The People thereof are of good feature strong of body and of couragious mind and in Wars so venturous that scarce any service of note hath been performed but that they were with the first and last in the Field Their Nobility and Gentry are very studious of learning and all civil knowledge for which end they not only frequent the three Universities of their own Kingdom S. Andrews Glasco and Edoâ—borough the Nurseries of Piety and Mansions of the sacred Muses but also much addict themselves to travel into forain Countries The South ê‘ t of ScotlaÌ„d wherin are contayned Edinbrough St. Andrew and Glasco Archbishoâ— 4 Yet in the mean while lest I should seem too defective in my intendments let me without offence in this third though short Book give only a general view of that Kingdom upon observations from others which to accomplish by mine own survey if others should hap to fail and my crazy-aged body will give leave is my chief desire knowing the Island furnished with many worthy remembrances appertaining both unto them and us whom God now hath set under one Crown and the rather for that their more Southern People are from the same Original with us the English being both alike the Saxoâ— branches as also that the Picts anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdom were the inborn Britains and such as thither fled to avoid the Romans servitude whose names began first to be distinguished under Dioclesian the Emperor when they were termed Picts for painting their Bodies like the Britains as saith Flavius Vigetius which is more strengthned for that the Northern Britains converted by Saint Columb are called Britain-Picts 5 But the Highland-men the natural Scot indeed are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland left both their issue there and their manners apparent in the Wild-Irish even to this day And from Scytha as is thought the name of Scot grew for so the Netherlanders by Scutten express indifferently the Scythian or Scot so Gildas called the Irish-Britains Scythians so King Elfred in translating the History of Orosius
turneth Scotos into Scyttan and so saith Walsingham from one and the same original Scythae Scytici Scota Scotici take their names as from Geta Getici Gothi Gothici have done The Southren parte of Scotland wherin is y e strange Lake Lomund Petrus Kaerius caelavit 6 Their Manners were alike saith Diodorus Siculus and Strabo and their Garments not much different as by Sidonius Apollinaris may be gathered where he seemeth rather to describe the modern Wild-Irish than the antike Gete Notwithstanding this Nations Original by some hath been derived from Scota the supposed Daughter of the Egyptian King Pharaoh that nourished Moses afterwards married unto Gaithelus the Son of Cecrops Founder of Athens who first seating in Spain passed thence into Ireland and lastly into Scotland where his Wife Scota gave Name to the Nation if we believe that they hit the mark who shoot at the Moon 7 But that the Scythians came into Spain besides the Promontory bearing their name Scythicum Silius Italicus a Spaniard born doth shew who bringeth the Concani a Nation therein seated from the Massagetae which were the Scythians and the Sarmatae whom all confess to have been Scythians were the builders as he saith of the City Susanna in Spain And how from Spain they possessed themselves of Ireland at the time when the Kingdom of Iudah flourished Ninius the Disciple of Elvodugus doth tell and their own Histories of Nemethus and Delas besides Cisnerus and others do shew who were first known by the name of Scots as is gathered out of Porphyry alledged by S. Ierome in the Reign of Aurelianus the Emperour Gildas calleth them the Irish-Spoilers Giraldus A Scottish Nation descended from Ireland which in regard of them by Eginhardus is termed The Isle of Scots by Beda The Isle inhabited by the Scots and by other Historians Scotland the great as their seat in Britain was called Scotland the less The Eastern part of Scotland wherin ther are diuers Shires and the Vniversity of Aberdyn Petrus Kaerius caelavit 9 Scotlands South-part in Galloway washed with the water of Solway-Bay toucheth degree 56 of Latitude and thence imbosoming many Loughs and Inlets upon the East and West extendeth it self unto the degree 60 and 30 minutes whose Logitude is likewise laid betwixt the degree 13 and 19 and the same grown very narrow being so near the North-Pole as lying directly under the hinder-most Stars of the Greater Bear 10 The which Kingdom is divided into two parts by the great River Tay the South whereof is the more populous and more beautified in manners riches and civility the North more rude retaining the customs of the Wild-Irish the ancient Scot in whose several Territories these Counties ensuing are contained South Teifidale Merch Laudier Liddesdale Eskedale Anuandale Niddesdale Galloway Carricke Kyle Cunningham Arrar Cluidesdale Lennox Stirling Fife Stratberne Menteith Argile Cantire Lorne North. Loquabrea Braidalhin Perth Athol Anguis Merns Mar Buquhan Murrey Rosse Sutherland Cathanes Strathnavern Part of Scotland it is called of the înhabitance Stranauerne with his borderers Petrus Karius caelavit 1599. 11 And these again are subdivided into Sheriffdomes Stewardships and Bailiwicks for the most part Inheritory unto honourable Families The Ecclesiastical Government is also subject under two Metropolitan Arch-Bishops which are of S. Andrews the Primate of Scotland and of Glasco whose Iurisdictions are as followeth S. Andrews Dunkeld Aberdon Murray Dunblan Brechin Ross Cathenes Orkney Glasco Galloway Argile Iles. Amongst the things worthy of Note of Antiquity in this Kingdom most memorable was that Fortification drawn from Abercorne upon the Frith of Edenborougâ— unto Alcluyd now Dunbritton opening upon the West-Sea where Iulius Agricola set the limit of the Roman Empire past which saith Tacitus there was no other bounds of Britain to be sought for and that here the second Legion Augusta and the 20 Legion Victrix built a part of the Wall certain Inscriptions there digged up and reserved at Dunloyr and Cader do witness as also an ancient coped Monument of an high and round compass which as some think was a Temple consecrated unto the God Terminus others a Trophy raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seven Castles as Ninius doth declare The Iles of Hebrides w th ther borderers Petrus Kaerius caelavit 13 Ninian a Britain is recorded to have converted the South-Picts unto the Faith of Christ in the Reign of Theodosius the youâ—ger and the Church in Galloway bearing his name doth witness it so likewise in the same age Palladius sent from Pope Celestine became an Apostle unto the Scots whose Reliques lay enshrined at Fordon in Mernis as was verily supposed but that Christianity had been formerly planted in this uttermost Province is testified by Tertullian in saying the Britains had embraced the Faith further than the Romans had power to follow or persecute them whereupon Peter Monk of Clun in Spain concludeth their conversion to be more ancient than the Southern Britains 14 But touching things observable for the present surely admirable is the report of the plenty of Cattel Fish and Fowl there abiding their Neat but little yet many in number Fish so plentiful that men in some places for delight on Horse-back hunt Salmons with Spears and a certain Fowl which some call Soland-Geese spreading so thick in the Air that they even darken the Suns light of whose Flesh Feathers and Oyl the Inhabitants in some parts make great use and gain yea and even of Fishes brought by them abundant Provision for Diet as also of the Sticks brought to make their Nests plentiful provision for Fuel CATHANES and ORKNAY INS Petrus Kaerius caela 16 No less strange than any the fore-mentioned waters but more lamentable is the remembrance of the great inundation hapning by the sudden rising of Tay which bare away the Walls and Town of Berth and with it the Cradle and young Son of King William into the Sea wherein the Royal Infant with many others perished the King and his Courtiers hardly escaping the danger with life The ruine of this Town raised another more famous and more commodiously seated even Berth since called Saint Iohns-Town 17 Islands and Ilets yielding both beauty and subjection to this Scottish-Kingdom are the Western the Orkneys and the Shetlands reckoned to be above three hundred in number the Inhabitants for the most part using the frugality of the ancient Scot. 18 The Western lying scattered in the Deucalidonian Sea were anciently ruled by a King of their own whose maintenance was out of their common Coffers and the Regal Authority never continued in lineal succession for to prevent that their Kings were not permitted to have Wives of their own but might by their Laws accompany with other mens as the like Law was in the other parts of Scotland that the Virginity of all new Wives should be the Landlords prey till King Malcolme enacted that half a mark should be paid for redemption The residence of those fore-mentioned Kings was chiefly
in Ila Bunals and Iona now Columbkill where as Donald Munro who travelled through these Islands reporteth are three Tombs having the several Inscriptions of the Kings of Scotland of Ireland and of Norway 19 Among these Western Islands the Hebrides Skie Mula Ila and Arran are the greatest All of them plentiful of Corn Woods Salmons and Herrings as others of Conies Deer Horses and Sheep where in some they are wild and in others without any owners but the People uncivil and lacking Religion they rather live rudely in state of necessity than as Lords of these portions which God hath allotted them and with a sufferable ease ignorant of ambition enjoy those contentments which some others though they no great sum do more laboriously attain unto by the Precepts of Philosophy for feeding themselves with competency without any excess they return all the over-plus unto their Lords as do the Inhabitants of Hirta and Rona but alas Religion not known among them these penurious vertues are rather the curses of Cham than the followings of Christ who forbids us to be too careful for the morrow 20 The â—sles of Orkenay upon the North of Scotland lying in a most raging and tempesâ—uous Sea are about three and thirty in number whereof thirteen are inhabited and the other replenished with Cattel in these are no venomous Serpents nor other ugly vermin the Air sharp and healthful and the Soil apt to bear only Oats and Barley but not a stick of Wood among these Pomonia is the greatest accounted and called the Main-Land affording six Minerals of lead and Tin and in her chief Town a Bishops See wherein are seated twelve Parish Churches one of them very magnificent for so remote a Country 21 Of all the Romans Iulius Agricola first discovered the Orkenays yea and subdued them if we will believe Tacitus but Pomponius Mela that wrote thirty years before him doth mention them and Iuvenal in Hadrians time after him tells us the Romans had won them and lastly Claudian nameth Saxons that were slain in them and so doth Ninius name Octha and Ebissus Saxou Commanders who in their roving Pinnaces wasted the Orknays These Islands Donald Bane the Usurper of the Scottish Crown gave the King of Norway for his assistance and by the Norwegians were they held the space of an hundred and sixty years until that Alexander the third King of Scotland with Sword and Composition got them from Magnus the Fourth King of Norway which afterward King Haquin confirmed unto King Robert Bruce but lastly Christian the First King of Norway and Denmark utterly renounced all his right to those Islands when he gave his Daughter in Marriage unto King Iames the Third which deed was further ratified by the Pope who openeth the way to the possession of Kingdoms with his own Key 22 More North and further than this Chart could well express lie the Isles of Shetland of some thought to be Thule and by the Commenter upon Horace the Fortunate Island where as Tzeâ—zes fabuleth the Souls of good Men are ferryed into those Elizian Fields that ever grow green and whence Iulius Caesar could hardly be drawn as Muretus had written but their Fictions intended only that the vertuous Souls of the dead passed the uttermost bounds of earthly abode and attained to an ever-pleasing repose and ever-flourishing happiness which whether they borrowed from the description of Paradise taken both for a fair Garden and the Souls happy rest I cannot define but sure they would not have made those Fields always green if they had seen how they lie ever covered with Ice and Snow being in the 63 degree of Latitude as Ptolomy hath placed it where for the most part is a continual Winter but for proof that this was the Thule besides Ptolomies Positure Saxo Grammaticus betwixt Norway and Scotland hath placed it and Solinus two daies sailing from the point of Caledonia and Tacitus saith that the Romans kenned Thule afar off as they sailed about Britain by the Orcades and lastly Mela maketh it to face Berge a City in Norway THE KINGDOME OF IRLAND IRELAND Described CHAPTER I. THe Traditions of time have delivered unto us divers names whereby this famous Island is recorded to have been called yet none of more fair probabiliâ—y than that of Ortheus Aristotle and Claudian by whom it is named Ierna by Iuvenal and Mela called Iuverna by Diodorus Siculus Iris by Martian of Heraclea Ioyepnia by Eustachius Oyernia and Bernia by the native Inhabitants Erin by the Britains Yverdon the Welsh Bards in their Ballads Tirvolas Totidanan and Banno and by the Engâ—ish Ireland But from whence these diversities were derived arise many opinions Doubtless it is that Hibernia Iuverna and Overnia came from Ierna spoken of by Orpheus and Aristotle and the same Ierna as alâ—o Iris Iverdhon and Ireland from Erin the term that the Inhabitants now usâ— From this Erin therefore a word proper to the Nation the original is most likely to be deduced 2 Some derive Hibernia from Hiberno tempore that is from the Winter season some from Hiberus a Spaniard some from a Duke named Irnalph some again from the ancient River Iberus and some from Hiere an Irish word which signifieth the West or a Western Coast whence Erin may also seem to fetchâ—he derivation for it lieth furthest Westward of any Region in ail Europe As also for that the River running in the most remoâ—e West-part of this Island is in Pâ—olomy called Iernus like as the furthest Western Promontory in Spain from whence our Irish-Men came is by Strabo called Ierne and the River next unto it by Mela Ierna yea and Spain it self for the Western situation is called Hesperia the West-Cape of Africk Hesperium and in Germany Westrich and Westphalen from their position have their names Postelius a man that rather followed his own fancy than the judgement of others fetcheth the original of Ireland from the Hebrews as if Iâ—in should be as much as Iurin that is the Iews land which opinion I hold no better than those that would have it from the Winter-like storms although upon every Wind the Air is cold there 3 Festus Avienus in that little Book which he entituled Orae Maritimae calleth Ireland Sacram Insulam that is The holy Island to which opinion the people are soon drawn by reason of the many Saints that the Island is said to produce and the blessed Soil that affords no venomous Creatures to retain Life It is thought that Plutarch meant Ireland by his Ogygia for her great antiquity and of latter times by Isidore and Bede it was called Scotia of those Scots that inhabited it and that thence the name of Scotland together with the Scots themselves came into Britain 4 For largeness and circuit in times past this Island challenged the third place in rank of all the Isles of the then known World for thus have Geographers left us that the Indian Taproban for greatness was the first the Isle
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
concealed it ever since Yet to satisfie in some measure such as are more inquisitive I will touch at the several conjectures which hath passed upon the place of this earthly Paradise Rog. Higdâ—n Monk of Chester and with him Iohn Trevisa set it in the field of Damascus and many others probably enough have thought it was in the Land of Canaan for that in divers places it is noted with attributes proper to the garden of Eden She was seated in the midst of Nations Ezek. 5. It was a Land of Wheat Barley and Vines Fig-trees and Pomgranates a Land of Olives and Honey a Land whose stones were Iron and out of whose hills might be digged brass Deut. 8. She was pleasant above all Lands Ezek. 20. Yet Franciscus Iunius D. Willet Sir Walter Raleigh and others make it a part of Mesopotamia North-west from Babylon about the degrees of 78 in Longitude and of Latitude 35 where still the Rivers meet mentioned in Genesis and where Ptolemy hath his Audanites a corrupt name as is supposed from Edâ—n Certainly it was about the middle of the Earth and abounded by a peculiar blessing of God with all kinds serviceable for the use of man 8 But Adam soon lost this possession by his disobedience and was cast out on the East-side of the garden where he placed himself Moses makes no more particular relation Cain is specified to have gone out of the presence of the Lord into the Land of Nod and there built him a City and named it after his sons name Henoch this was the first City and was seated some thing about Mount Libanus As the place so the time when it was found is uncertain but the common conjecture gives it to be about 2 or 3 hundred years after the Creation when the world was replenished as well it might be within that compass if we compare it to our known stories Abraham in 215 years had 600 thousand of his own stock in the blessed line besides women and children And in this number we omit his other seed of whom came twelve Princes Questionless after this proportion the people multiplied in the beginning and so for 1656 years forward and that must needs 〈◊〉 a large portion of the earth most likely those parts of Asia that lay nearest to their first seat For they wandred no farther than necessity of room compelled them 9 But now as man so the sin of man was grown to a height For this the wrath of God fell upon them in a flood that destroyed the whole earth saving eight persons Noah and his family who were commanded into an Ark built by Gods own direction and is held to have been the pattern for all Ships to all posterity 10 When the anger of the Lord was ceased and the waters abated after 150 days float the Ark rested upon the Mountains of Arrarat in Armenia They are supposed by most to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Montes Cordios about the degree in 75 Longitude and in Latitude 39. Master Cartwright a Traveller of our own Nation reports himself an eye-witness of many ancient and ruinous foundations there which the inhabitants have believed through all ages to be the work of those first people that for a long time durst not adventure into the lower Countries for fear of another flood 11 But God blessed the remnant which he had preserved and when he had given them the Rainbow for a sign of his mercy that he would no more break up the fountains of the great deep nor open the windows of heaven upon them to root out all flesh by degrees they descended from the hills Eastward and seated themselves upon a plain in the Land of Shinar This was the lower part of Mesopotamia which compassed Chaldea and Babylonia lying under the Mount Singara a hill neer the degrees of 77 in Longitude and of Latitude 36 and stands in the direct way from Arrarat or the Moutes Cordios towards Babyâ—on 12 There when their number increased and they forced still to seek new Colonies they were ambitious to leave a name behind them for posterity and therefore adventured upon a building whose top should reach Heaven and so indeed in did for it fetcht from thence Gods second vengeance He confounded their speech that they no longer understood one the other Thus they were broke off from their impious attempt and scattered upon all the earth about an hundred years after the Floud into seventy two several Nations as some have punctually numbred â—hem 13 Whether Noah himself were present or to what place he removed is uncertain He had yet two hundred and fifty years to live and is thought to have had his habitation in Phenicia North-ward from Palestine about the degree of 66 and 33. 14 His Sons Sem Ham and Iapheth possest their several Provinces of the World From Iapheth came the Isles of the Gentiles of which we are a part to him Europe is by most allotted Sem not guilty questionless of that proud enterprise rested himself in the land of Canaaâ— which he knew as it was revealed to Abraham should be given to his posterity Yet part of his issue the Sons of Iocktan were divided and lived remote toward the East To him was Asia But Cham by his fathers curse for discovering his nakedness roved to the utmost parts of the earth and peopled with his Progeny especially those Countries which are most toucht in Histories for Barbarism and Idolatry As indeed how could it otherwise be since himself had lost his father that should instruct him and therefore could deliver no precepts to his children but left every one to his own inventions And those that at the confusion spread where ever they came this diversity of Customs and Religions that possess the world at this day To him was Africa 15 America too doubtless had her portion in the division though not so soon or so immediate but seemed rather of later times to have received her people from the bordering parts of Asia and those are thought by most to have been first inhabited by Iocktan and his thirteen Sons the issue of Sem. It is â—aid in the Text they possest the East-part from Mesha to Sephar Iosophus takes the first for a Countrey and the second for a Mountain in India insomuch as that he strictly bounds out their possession from the River Cephew to Ieria which is now called the East or Portugal Indies Indeed many of those Eastern Regions are noted to bear the name as yet of Iocktans sons The Shabeans found as if they had Sheba to their Father And from Havilah is a Country in Ieria From Shaphira Iosephus derives Ophir both of especial fame for their plenty of Gold But it is Doctor Willets opinion that Ophir was rather the same Region in the West Indies which is now called Peru. To say truth we have little certainity of the first Inhabitants which were seated in America or the Parts of Asia near about her whether
â—â—ey were so long since known I must doubt For the bestowing of Iocktan and his sons it was toward the East from Mesha to Sephar but where those are Saint Hierome confesseth himself at a stand And for my part I will travel no farther in these hidden Mysteries than I find a path beaten before me 16 This may satisfie the ingenuous that I have as far as I might in this little room trac't the first Nations from their first Founders which they had in the beginning But to draw the direct line of every people mixt as they now are I think a work impossible to me I am sure it is For besides our several translations and promiscuous commerce that puzzle us in the knowledge of our selves we have of late found and as yet are in search of a new people that know not their own Original nor have we any means to examin it but conjectural such as may fail To Moses time the Scripture affordeth us a certain truth for as many as he mentioneth and since we have some light from such as have laboured in the search of Antiquities The Families as Iosephus gives time are truly and curiously brancht forth and placed among the Genealogies before our Bible of the last Translation by our well-deserving Countrey-man Mr. Iohn Speed 17 Thus far it was requisite we should know at large the growth of the world from the beginning and how the whole earth which at first knew but one Land-lord hath been since rent into several parcels which Kings and Nations call their own and maintain their claim by force of Arms. This little compass will not admit a more particular relation of their affairs For that I must refer my Reader to their Historians and now desceâ—d to the Geographical Description and division of the world as in after Ages it was found by our first Artists and hath been since more at large discovered by the experience of our later Travellers 18 And in this we may still observe our method For questionless by the same degrees almost as it was inhabited so it grew into the knowledge of our ancient Geographers And therefore our first Authors in this Science bounded their Descriptions within a less compass and divided the world into those three parts only which you see lie closest about the point of the earth where the first men first Religion first City first Empire and first Arts were For in Prolomy's time about an hundred and forty years after Christ we hear not of either Land or Sea known more than was contained in Asia Africa and Europe 19 And of that he never knew the East and North parts of Asia nor the South of Africa no nor the most Northerly parts of Europe but placed the end of the world that way in Vltima thule about sixty three degrees from the Aequator And Southward the other way not above 17 degrees Prasso Permotorio which at this day is called Mosambique Râ—cks So the whole Latitude of the world then known did not reach the fourth part of the Compass In the Longitude indeed they came not so far short yet leâ—t they just half to the search of their posterity For they placed their first Meridian in the Fortunate Islands and ended their reckoning in Region Sinarum of the Eastern Indies and that is distant but 180 degrees toward the 360 which is the compass of the whole 20 But God in these later times hath enlarged our possessions that his Gospel might be propagated and hath discovered to us Inhabitants almost in every corner of the earth Our later Geographers have set their mark beyond Ptolomy's 60 degrees Eastward And Westward to the utmost parts of America So that there are already known 340 of the earths Longitude Toward the North Pole we have gained more in proportion as far as Nova zembla and the Sea is known to be navigable to the eighty first degree whether the rest be Land or not it never yet appeared to any â—s I hear of but an Oxford Frier by a Magick Vâ—yage He reports of a black rock just under the Pole and an Isle of Pygmies Other straâ—ge miracles to which for my part I shall give little credit till I have better proof for it than the Devils word Now of all the Southern course is most unknown aud vet Arâ— hath not been Idle nor altogether lost 〈…〉 in the search it hath discoverd Countries â—bout the 52 degree toward the Pole but so â—ncertainly that it may well yet keep her name of Terra incognita 21 Admirable was the wit of that man that first found out the vertue of the Load-stone and taughtâ— us to apply it in the Art of Navigation And indeed the industry of them is much to be honoured that have since venâ—ured born their means and persons upon dangerous attempts in the discoveries of People and Nations that 〈…〉 God nor had apparent means for their Redemption without this help Among these though the Genâ—â— Spaniard and Portugal carry the first name we have noble spirits of our own Nation not to be ranked in the last place Stupenda fuit revera industria Anglorum saith Keckerman And indeed we may justly enough requite him with his own Elogy The Dutch to have done their parts to joyn a new World to the old 22 To us it may well be called a new World for it comprehends in it two Continents either of them larger than two parts of the other are The one is that Western Hemisphere that bears the name America from Americus Vesputius but was indeed discovered seven years before he knew it by Christopherus Columbus in the year 1492. And the other is the Terrâ— Magellanica seated about the South Pole and first sound out by Ferdinand Magellanus some twenty yearâ— after or thereabout and is thought to be greater than the whole earth beâ—ides Hitherto it is but conjectural and some few Provinces have been rather descried than known You shall find them named in their several Regions upon the Sea-Coasts Nova Guinea Terra del Feugo 〈◊〉 Regio Lucach Beach and Malâ—tur 23 With these additions the World by some is divided into six parts Europe Asia Africa America Septentrionalis incognita and Terra Australis Magellanica which are thus disposed in the Globe of the Earth Asia in the Eâ—stern Hemisphere And being the first part which was inhabited shall be the Point unto which I will direct the rest paâ—t on the West and part on the South is Africa siâ—uated on the North and West Europe more toward the West America uâ—raque full North Septenâ—rionalis incognita and full South the Terra Magellanica 24 Those we will reduce in our method to the four common parts which generally pass in our deâ—criptions of the World Europe Asia Africa America utraque in this last include the Terra Setâ—entrionalis and Magellanica as others have before done and allow it not a several part by it self in regâ—rd that little can be reported of
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
earths Longitude but now it is removed into the next Islands more North which are the Azores and belong properly to Europe as lying neerer Spain than any other Continent The number of the Canaries are seven The chief Canary next Palus where our Ships touch to refresh themselves in their voyage toward â—merica Then Tanariffa which hath no water but from a cloud that hangs over a tree and at noon dissolves and so is conveyed into several parts The other four are Gomera Hieior Lansarat and Fuâ—rlâ— ventura some few other not worth note or name The men lend their Wives like Horses or any other Commodity 5 Lastly the Hâ—sperides not far from the Gorgadâ—s they are often mentioned by our ancient Poets in the fable of Atlas his Daughters It was supposed to be their seat of their blessed which they called the Elizian field And indeed it is a very happy soyl the weather continually fair the seasons all temperate the air never extream To conclude Africa affords not a sweeter place to rest in EUROPA P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of EUROPE EVROPE may perhaps think her self much injured to be thus cast back into the third place of my Division and reckoned the last of the old World but my promise shall be here made good to give her her due And though Chronology will not allow the precedency yet compare her present estate with the rest and you may take her rank here to be ad Pompam as most commonly in our solemn Triumphs those of most worth are â—â—arshalled forth last Yet were she so minded to quarrel for Antiquity she should not want abettors such as would have some parts of Europe flourish within thirty years after the conâ—usion of Tongues The original of the Germanâ— Kingdom is drawn by Aventinus Helcrus and others form Tuiscâ— the son of Noah and he began his Reign in the year 1787. after the Creation and that was but one hundred thirty one years after the Deluge not above thirty from the time that they were dispersed out of Babel But to pass by those uncertain sâ—ories which may admit dispute we have to this day the Germane Triers a City standing from the time of Abraham and bears as yet the marks both of the Art and ambition of the Babylâ—nians As if here they strove to reach eternity as they did before in the plain of Shinar to top Heaven 2 Sure I am what ever part of the world was first famous Europe soon got the start and took the Scepter of the earth into her hand she had the name with Pliny of Orbis domitorum genitrix and well she might if we but read her story since first she came in view In the Greek Monarchy Alexander was her Champion In the Latine Empire the Romans bare the sway and scarce left a corner of the earth then known unconquered And to this day the Princes of Eurâ—pe enlarge their D ominions upon the Regions of the other three A small portion as we are of this little Isle in respect of their vast Continent yet have we a part too in America for our peculiar and hope still to bring more into our prossessions that we may bring them unto Christ. 3 In respect of the two other quarters in the Eastern Hemisphere Europe is partly West and partly North for she is situated North-ward betwixt the Tropick of Cancer and the Polar Artick and Westward hath no Continent betwixt her and America but is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean On the East toward Asia she hath the Mare Aegeum which the Italians call Archipelagus and the Pontus Euxinus or Mare Magor And the Palus Meoris and the River Tanais South-ward it hath the Mediterraneum and Fretum Herculeum So that it is almost encompast with the Seas and hath the form of a Peninsula whose Isthmus that joyns it ot the rest of the Continent is to be reckoned that part which lyeth betwixt the branches of the River Tanais and the Mare Glaciale These are her out bounds 4 If we view her within we shall find that Nature has not spent her store nor was she close handed when she allotted her portion And though Europe indeed be the least yet is she furnished in all points with the like variety her Rivers as commodious as those of Asia and Africa and her Mountains no less famous than Taurus or Atlas Her measure indeed is not comparable to any of the other three She bears in Longitude but 3800. miles from S. Vincent in Portugal to Constantinople And in Latitude at most 1200. and that too from the Aegean to the frozen Sea by some account not above 900. 5 But by her extent as it is small it adds to her glory that in exiguo res numerosa jacet that yet sheexceeds those vaster Regions and bears the name of the most happy Country in the world both for plenty of Corn Plants Fruits for Rivers and Fountains of admirable vertues for beauty as well of Cities Castles and Horses as men and women of excellent feature For the study of Arts for sincerity in Religion and what-ever else God hath pleased to bless his Church with from the beginning 6 She wants nothing but what she may well spare wild beasts which cause Deserts in the parts where they breed hot Spices which fit not our temper and rather corrupt our manners than mend our diet precious Iewels and the like which have brought in a degree of vain and useless pride not known before by our Predecessors yet too of gold silver and other commodious Metals she hath her portion And in brief is of a very prosperous temper yet of so strange variety that it is admirable to think that there is no place in this quarter but is fit for any man to live in Insomuch as every corner is inhabited as is confirmed by our later Travellers though heretofore it hath been questioned by reason of the extream cold toward the Pole This in general 7 In her division we will begin from her Western parts that lye towards the first Meridian of Longitude and so on till we come to her Eastern limits which joyn her to Asia The order is 1 Spain 2 France 3 Belgia 4 Germany 5 Italy 6 Denmark 7 Hungary 8 Polonia 9 Sclavonia 10 Greece 11 Dacia 12 Norwegia 13 Suevia 14 Muscovia 8 Every least Region of Europe merits a peculiar description at large and shall in its turn partake of my pains such as it is In the mean time I will here instruct my Reader in the general knowledge of each and direct him principally to their situation that he may with ease find their propinquity and distance in respect of each other which cannot be so aptly exprest in their several Maps nor so easily scanned as in this which presents to his eye all at one view 9 Spain is the first and the amplest Region of Europe for in breadth in numbreth 10000 stadia saith Appianus and little less as it seemeth in
fashion the rest which are under the Venetian observe them in their apparel for they are slaves to both in their whole course 9 Yet they retain still a shew of the Christian Religion which was here setled by Timâ—thy to whom Saint Paul wrote two Epistles and was after in the Primitive time professed by divers learned and reverend Divines of their own Nation which are with us received as Authenick Fathers of the Church S. Chrysostom Basil the Gregories Nysene and Nazianzen were all Grecians The government Ecclesiastical is in the power of four Patriarchs 1 of Constantinople and his extends over all Greece Muscovie Sclavonia Dacia part of Poland and all the Islands of the Adriatick and Aegean Seas 2 Of Alexandria and his over Aeâ—â—pt and Arabia 3 of Hierusalem and his over the Greeks in Palestine 4 Of Antioch and his over Syria Armenia and Cilicia 10 The people of this Country were heretofore distinguished by their principal dialects And those were the Attike Ionike Dorike and Aeolike A fift there was which was called a mixt or common dialect Each differed from other no more than we do from our selves in several parts of our Kingdom But this division will hardly reach the limits which bounds Greece according to our description we will adhere rather to that of our modern Geographers whith reckon to Greece six Provinces 1 Thrace 2 Macedonia 3 Albania 4 Epirus 5 Achaia 6 Pelâ—ponnesus and 7 The Islands 11 Thrace is the most Northern tract of all Greece and lyeth on the South of the mountain Hemus on the North of the Aegean Sea on the West of the Pontus Euxinus and East of Macedonia It hath the name from the sharpness of the air and indeed it is very unpleasant for the most part and too unnatural to its own fruit that it scarce ever ripens what it brings forth The people are many and those very strong â—ierce and heady and most impatient of government or discipline and by this means they have seldom had success in their battles whereas if they could have been brought to a joynt force it is said they would have been invincible 12 Part of this Nation was heretofore perswaded that their ancestors did not at all die neither should they but pass only out of this world into another to their supposed god Zaâ—mâ—xis once a scholar of Pythagoras who when he had perswaded them into this Religion seemed wonderfully to vanish out of their sight and appeared not any more but left them fully possest that he was the deity which must after a time entertain them And this they expected with that great joy that as oft as one died in stead of mourning they set forth games and feasts to congratulate his freedom from the troubles of this earthly condition and the wife only whom he loved best for they had many was thought worthy to be killed by her best friends at her husbands grave that she might bare him company in the other world the rest bewailed their neglect and the residue of their life was to them as a disgrace When a child was born neighbours were called to bemoan his entrance into a multitude of calamities and in course they reckoned up what he was to pass before he could go to their goâ— Zalmoxis for they acknowledged no other but blasphemed and shot arrows against the Heavens as oft as they heard it thunder 13 Their Kings saith Quadus are chose by suffrage and those especially which are best known to be most mild not young nor yet a Father of any children for they will not by any means admit that their government should become hereditary If the Prince himself offend he shall not escape their Laws even to death yet no man may set a hand to his execution but by a common desertion he is allowed no necessaries to live and therefore must needs die Here once reigned Polymnestor which murdered Priam's younâ— est son Polydorus And Tereus and Diomedes c. 14 This Province is now called Romenia and takes that name from her chief City Constantinopolis or Roma nova heretofore Bizantium of great fame from her first building and that was six hundred threescore and three â—ears before the Incarnation her founder Pousanias a Lacedemonian She stands so commodiously and commands the Euxine Sea the Propontis and Hellespont that there can hardly be any passage to or fro betwixt Europe and Asia in those parts without her leave And likely enough that for this cause Constantine the great when he divided the Empire chose this for his Eastern feat and in the year three hundred fifteen enlarged it with magnificient buildings and deckt her in the appaâ—el of old Româ— from whence he translated hither many ancient and costly monuments and fain would have removed her name but that his Subjects out of their endeared affâ—ction to their Prince would hear no other than Constantinopolis the City of Câ—nstantine It is in compass eighteen miles contains commonly seventy thousand Inhabitants though almost every third year she be visited with a great Pestilence The other eminent Cities of Thrace are Abdera Nicopolis Philopolis Hadrianopolis Trajanopolis Phinopolis Pemithus c. The Chersonesus over against Troas in Asia is called Saint George his Arm and in it stands Sestos where the love passed betwixt Leander and Here 15 Macâ—donia is on the West of Thrace East of Albania North of Epirus and Achaia and Soâ—th of Mysia superior It had this name from Macedo grand-child to Deucalion as Solinus gives him The Land is fertile and pleasant rich with Miâ—â—â— of gold and silver and the quality of the Inhabitants were heretofore answerable Their disposition noble and free Their Laws good and those their own their attempts great and their Kings valiant and victorious The most renowned were Philip and the greatest one that ever the world knew Alexander his son which conquered the world and set here the Throne of the third Empire 16 There are many under-Provinces in Macedonia The principal is Thessalia and here stands Triaeca the Bishops See of Heliodorus author of that excellent fiction of Theagines and Cariclea though he were too much wedded to a youthful fable when he chose rather to forgo his charge than disavow his work And here likewise is the Pharsalis famous for the great battel betwixt Caesar and Pompey The other Provinces are Aemathia Biâ—â—ia Pelasgia Eshotis and Phthiotis which yield matter for many of their stories and are famous for divers Hills and Rivers often mentioned in our ancient Poets The chief are Olympus Pelion and Ossa with their delicious valley Tempe Piâ—dus Nymphaus Atâ—â—s c. The Rivers Axius and Erigonius The chief City in the whole Region was in Augustus his time Thessalonica now Salonike comparable they sâ—y in state and merchandise to Naples in Iâ—aly 17 Albania is on the West of Macedonia and East of the Adriatick Sea North of Eâ—irus and South of Sclavonia Her chief Cities Albanopoâ—is and Duractinum heâ—etofore
called Epidaâ—num and Croya The whole Country was invaded by Amurath â—nâ— recovered by George Castriot or Scanderbeg the terriblest enemy that ever the Turk had 18 Epirus in her name carries no more than a firm land and is a part as most esteem it of Albania but indeed lies somewhat more South-ward than Abania propria on the East she is divided from Achaia by the River Achelous and on the West is bounded with Monâ—es Acroceraunii on the South with the Ionian Sea It was of old divided into Câ—aonia which took her name from Chaon the brother of Helenus and Acarnania which is now called Graecia the less The Country was fertile and populous but at this day lies wast and breeds better Cattel than men especially Buls Sheep and Dogs of wonderfull bigness among the rest extraordinary Mares which from thence were called Eporiticae It was the Kingdom of Pyrrhus and of later years was governed by George Castriot 19 Achaia is upon the South of Thessalia East of the River Achelous West of the Aegean Sea and North of Peloponnesus It contains many famous Provinces the chief are 1 Attica and her prime City was Athens now Setines she had her first name from Minerva whom they honoured as their peculiar goddess as being at that time accounted the best learned among the Heathens and excelled as well in Martial affairs In a word they came short to noâ—e in wealth State-policy aâ—d what else might make a people happy above expression so Pliny sets her forth The second Priovince is Daris a tract near Parnassus Mount and mother to the most elegant Greek Dialect 3 Aetolian and in this the City Câ—lynan 4 Locris and Regio Opuntiorum her chief City Naupactus and the famous Lepanto 5 Phocis which can glory in nothing more than the City Delphi where the Oracle of Apollo gave answer for many years to the silly Idolaters 6 Beotia and in this stood Thebes 7 Megaris her principal City Megara and from hence was the Seâ—ta Megarica of which Euclide was chief 20 Pâ—loponnesus is a Peninsula on the South of Graecia and joyned to the rest by an Isthmuâ— which is not above 5 miles in breath from one Sea to the other insomuch that it hath been sometimes attempted to be digged through and was began by Nero but the work was found not worth the charge and trouble It waâ— fenced cross with a strong wall and five Castles which being once destroyed was the second time by many hands erected in five days and called Hexamillium 21 This Peninsula is indeed the fortress of all Greece and though it wants much of the ancient glory which it might well vaunt in the time of Agamemnon Menelaus Ajax and the rest yet is she not so much to be contemned as other parts of this ruinated Coâ—ntry However the Turk is her Master and she his now called generally Morea 22 Her Provinces were 1 Corinthia neer the Isthmus and is named from her chief City Corintâ—us which being â—â—red melted sundry metals into a confused medly and made up the Aes Corinthium held more precious than any other of its own simple nature 2 Argia her Common-wealth was heretofore of great note and her City Argos is at this day held pleasant and well seated And in this likewise stood Epidamnus 3 Laconia to the South of the Peninsulae her Chief City was Lacedemonia once Sparta when Lycurgus gave his Laws and is now called Misithra 4 Messeniâ— and her chief Cities are Messene Methone Corone c. 5 Elis. 6 Achaia propria and here stood Aegina and Aegium and Patras 7 Arcadia once Pelasgia in the Centeâ— almost of Peloponnesus full of pleasant Mountains fit for pasture and is therefore made the Shepâ—erds scene in our renowned Sir Philip â—idney's poetical story Her principal City is Megalopolis 23 Thus have we passed the Continent of Greece and want coâ—ing only to give mâ— Reader a brief survey of the Islands which lie round in the Adriatique Mediteraneâ—n Ionian and Aegean seas But by reason the compass is so large and the number so great the little space which is left me will scarce admit more than their bare names which I will set down with reference to their next neighbouring Provinces as I have described them in the Continent 24 First then near Pelepâ—â—â—esus and the Ionian sea toward Macedonia and Epirus the chief â—re Aegina Cithera the Stâ—ophâ—des Zâ—â—ynâ—bus Cephalonia Ithacâ— Eâ—â—inades Corcyra or Corphin and Saphâ— c. In the Aegean sea belonging to Greece are the Cyclades and Sporades and over against Thrace Thassus Samothracia Imbrus and Lemnos Vulcani Neer Macedonia Pepanthos Scopelos Scyathos Scyros Aâ—â—onnesus Cycinnethus Dromus Seraquinus Neer Achaia is Euboea now Megreponte a very large Island and not far distant Andros Tenos Delos Rhene Melos and many others THE ROMANE EMPIRE Petrus Karius Caelavit The Description of the Roman Empire VIRTVTE Duce comite Fortunâ is the word of most Historians upon the low birth and quick growth of the state of Rome For had not matchless prowess and infallible success joyned in their full strength to make up an Empire for the world to admire I see not how she could in so few years raise her self from so small grounds to so high a pitch of luâ—tre as set the whole earth at a gaze and found us all business enough for a time to do liâ—tle else but obâ—erve her actions Look back to Romulus her first founder you shall find him no better man than the base son of a licentious Vestall his father not truly known to this day but simply surmised to be Mars the god of War His mother Rhea burnt by law for that very fact in which she conceived him and himself an out-cast exposed with his brother Rhemus to be torn by the wild Beasts Little hope we see left for such a Nation to spring from their loins had not Fortune lulled them in her own lap and delivered them by meer chance into the hands of one Faustulus the Kings Shepherd when thâ—y were thus found the best Writers afford them no better Nurse than the Shepherds wife a known Strumpet who for her insatiate lust was called Lupa and might perhaps occasion the fable of the Shâ—wâ—lf She suckled them with no choicer milk than she did her own home-spun brats nor were they bred under Faustâ—lus to any better fortune than the Sheep-hook yet no sooner the yonkers were start up to the knowledge of their true birth but they stript themselves out of their disguise revenged their mothers death upon their usurping Uncle Aeâ—ilius Sylvius restâ—red the Latine Kingdom to the rightful Numitor and erected a new Empire for their own posterity 2 These were the progeny of Aeneas who arrived here from the Trâ—jan War and made love to Lavinia daâ—ghter to Latinus King of the Laureâ—tiâ—i The great combat betwixt him and Turnâ—s the Rutilian grew upon no other terms than for her fair looks which he could not nor did he
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
honour which were after in frequent use to stir up the souldier to deserving actions 11 Their sixth Servius Tâ—llius was so dâ—xâ—erous in his rule that no person past him almost without equity of his wealth years worth employments for which special purpose he distinguished the people by several Tribes and overlookth all by this method with as much ease as a nimble housewife doth her private family 12 Tarquinius Superbus was the seventh and last King proud and cruel yet that too though it cost him his Crown enlarged the Kingdom to the Romans for it prevailed upon many strong Provinces of Italy which they after enjoyed with better hearts and ruled with more equity than he used in the unjust oppression of his neighbours His name was grown odious when the lust of his Son Tarquinius wronged the chaste Lucretia both together stirred the people to disâ—obe him of his Title and bethink themselves of some other form of government which might sound more of the Romaâ— liberty 13 This variety had took up hitherto scarce 245. years since the City was first built a time too short for her greatness if we compare her with the progress of other Nations yet to her own ensuing fortunes it is esteemed but her child-hood her infancy while she had not yet spake nor the world well heard of her actions farther than her own home and her Countries near about She began now to feel her strength and when she had first freed her self from the oppression of her home bred Tyrant she soon after spread her Arms over all Italy and her fame through most parts of the world Her power was now no more at the disposing of one King but designed over into the hands of two aged and wise Citizens of their own though the best rank and this they were to use rather as â—eoâ—â—es in trust than free possessors wherefore the Romans baulkt their insolency which their last King had before practised both in the name of their new Governours for they were called only Consules à Consulendo and in their term of Government for it became now annual which was not before limited unless by death and lastly by their ensigns of state their twelve lictors and fasces which were not allowed to both but to each in turns for their several month And this went on without breach almost six years till the Romans thought fit to correct their Laws by the Greek Copy and therefore deputed three of their best esteemed subjects to see Athens to peruse their orders and customs of which the world had then a great opinion for it was indeed the mother of learning 14 They returned them written at first in ten tables made of brass two more were soon after added and together were distinguished from their own municipal laws by the name of Leges 12. tabularum The Consuls power was now taken off and thus was their rule of justice put into the hands of ten whom they called Decemviri Each ruled in his turn and for that course had a power well-nigh as large as their Kings or Consuls else differed little at other times from a private Romane This began some 303 years after their first founder and had continued but three when Appius laid false claim to Virginia for his bond-maid that indeed he might dishonour her as his strumpet By this means he doubly provoked the Commons both with her injuries and her fathers sorrow who was forced to murder his own daughter to quit her from the lust of the Decemviri and therefore they took revenge not upon him only but his office abrogated the Decemviratus and returned the authority into the hands of Consuls as before yet so as oft times by intercourse the Tribuni militum put in for a consulary soveraignty and was admitted to the same dignity though not the name which the Patricii only referred to themselves as their royalty It was first procured by the importunate motion of the Commons that they might be equally capable of the Consulship To this though the nobility would not give their full assent in all circumstances yet they were constrained for their own peace to yield in effect and mince it with another title of Tribuni plebis Consulari potâ—state 15 Under these forms of government for three hundred years after the fall of Tarquinnius to Appius Claudius and Q Fulvius Coss. They were still in growth but not yet come to their state of honours and therefore Florus rightly styles it the youth of Rome in comparison to the age of man In this while their most famous stories are the war with Porsenna some eight years after their first Consuls the creation of Dictators and Tribunes of the People within twenty the injuries of M. Coriolanus and attempt against his own Country not long after the construction of many set Laws which continued in force to after ages the Lex agâ—aria Publia de Aventino Tarpâ—ia of the twelve Tables Clodia Aeâ—â—ilia de Ambitu de Mulctis c. The Censors fiâ—st created about 68 years after the Regifugium the conspiracy of the servants some 92 after many victories in the interim and Rome her self at last taken by the Gaules but freed by Camillus about the 120. Marcus Curtiâ—s casts himself into the pit to preserve his Country more Laws are made the first Punikâ— war waged all within 120 and odd years after Rome was surprised some 28 after that the Bellum Ligusticum and Ianus Temple the second time shut then the Bellum Illyricum Gallicum Ciâ—alpinum and the last of this age the second Punike war 16 By this time Italy was subdued and now she swept on with full sayl and confirmed strength and about twenty after was able to resist the Macedonian made war with Perses set on to the third Punike war wasted Carthage and then Numantea took Arms against Iugurtha all in less compass of years than one hundred and about this time was the Eagle took up by Marius for the Roman ensign Soon after was the Bellum Marsicum and Mithridaticum Catilines conspiracy and the noble acts of those great Heroes Scylla and Cicero Câ—sâ—r and Pompey and the rest which removed the Greek Empire to Româ— and made her the seat of the fourth Monarchy about seven hundred and three years after the City was built forty eight before Christ. 17 Hitherto though with some change and curb they continued the succession of Consuls till Iulius Caesar returned from Spain with victory over Pompeys sons and then the Senate expressing more worship to him than foresight of their own future mischief invented new titles of singular honour call him Pater patriae Câ—nsul in Decennium Dictator in perpetuum Sacrosanctus and Imperator all which himselfe made good not in bare name only as perhaps they meant but in short space gathered a power equal to their flaâ—tery and by his own strength kept what was only theiâ—s to give till by Brutus and Cassius he was slaiâ— in the Senate and
then the rule fell for a short while to a Triumviratus which began and ended with Octavius Caesar Aâ—tonius and Lepidus After ten years the whole Empiâ—e was left to Octtavius and his tiâ—les were Aâ—gâ—stus Caesar and Imperator they continue to his successors to this dâ—y 18 Rome as yet sinks not in her glory but goes fairly on with full victory till the Imperial seat was removed to Bizaâ—tium and after divided into the East and Wesâ— by Thedoâ—ius Betwixt these whiles was a great part of the world still called in to enlarge their Dominiâ—ns and our selves among the rest though with some difficulty were forced to yield Britâ—in a Province to Câ—sar and the Roman Empire For let us take her limits at their best advantage and she was on the West bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with the Rivâ—r Tigris in Asia on the North with Rhene and Danubius in Europe and on the Sâ—uth with the Mount Atlas in Africa They contain these several Provinces almost in order of time as they were subdued Italy parâ—s of Africa Spain and Germany Britain Illiricum Liburnia Dalmatia Achaia Macedonia and Dardania Mesia and Thracia Pontus Armenia minor Mesopotamia Parthia Arabia Iudaa Cilicia Syria Aegypt Cantabria Austria Alpes Maritimae Rhetium Noricum Panonia Armenia major and the Islands round so Ortelius Marshals them 19 We mâ—st omit for want of space many emiâ—ent turns of Fortune which Rome suffered in these interims and take her now as at that time she was in her â—ull height of honour in compass â—â—fty miles seated on the River Tyber fifteen from the Sea on her walls were raised 740 turrets fit to receive provision in war for defence of the City in time of siege Livy numbers her 37 gates and her foundation was pitcht upon seven hills 1 Palattinus which as some say gave the name to our Kings Palaces 2 Capiâ—olinus upon which was built the Capitoll delivered from the Gaules by the gaggling of Geese 3 Vimiâ—alis 4 Aventinus from whence their condemned persons were cast into the River Tyber 5 Esquilinus 6 Coelius where once stood the chief Councel-house for the Senators 7 Quirinalis You may not expect here an exact description take at large the speech of the Emperour Constantius when with wonder he beheld the Campus Martius the Sepulchre of Augustus the Forum Temples Bathes Theaters the Arâ—us triumpbales Aquaducts stateness and infinite other Monuments he gave a brief epitomy of her antique glory that Nature had spent her self in the making up of that one City as if we might not hope to see the like in after-ages and true enough it is that she could not long support her self in that state of honour but as a string stretcht to the utmost cracks on the sudden 20 No sooner she was once divided but she lay open as a prey to the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards all now left of the Empire is almost a naked title and that scarce heard of in Rome for it hath its seat in Germany and is conferred upon some Christian Prince by the suffrages of the seven Electors The spiritual 1 Arch-bishop of Meâ—tz Chancellour of the Empire through all Germany 2 Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Iâ—aly 3 Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through all France The Temporal 4 Count Platine of Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour 5 Duke of Saxony Lord Maâ—shal 6 Marquess of Brandenberg chief Chamberlain and 7 in case of equality of voyces among the other â—ix the King of Bohemia casts the Diadem into whose lap he pleaseth 21 For the state of Rome as now it is and what else concerns the Empire since the removall of the seat royal I refer my Reader either to the descriptions of Italy and Germany or at least to some other modern Authors who have scope to write more at large my intent here was briefly to set down the beginning increase top and limits of the ancient Roman government GERMANIA Petrus Caerius Caelavit The Description of GERMANY GERMANY is continued with Belgia and lyeth next East-ward in our course toward Asia We shall find them oft times no otherwise distinguisht than by the tearms of higher and lower greater and lâ—sser Germany And indeed as this is the largâ—st portion of the whole Region which is known by that name so is it the largest Region of our whole quarter which is known entirely by any one name 2 As for her antiquity it doth not only compare her to the rest of Europe but compares Europe her self with any oâ—her part of the second world which accounts her years but from Noahs Flood or the confusion of Tongues For this purpose we had before occasion in our general Descriptions to mention the original of the German Kingdoms and that as you may remember was drawn by Chronologers from Tuiscâ— some say the son of Noah which lived soon after the world was repaired and began his Empire about thirty years from the fall of Bâ—bel 3 It appears sufficiently upon the record of received Historians that in the time of their Idolatry they worshipped one Thyst or Tuisco as a God which sprang from the earth and to this day as I hear there is a street about Culleâ— called Deutsâ—h and is thought as yet to retain a sound of the name of Tuisco for there he is supposed to have kept his residency Whether thus or no I leave to â—y Authors proof and my Readers judgement to believe or reject as it shall seem best All I can enforce iâ— that doubtless the Germans were an anient people and that they might challenge had they no other testimony 〈◊〉 shew for it than her very names of Tuiscia or Tâ—â—â—scke Theusâ—hland Alâ—ania and Teâ—toniâ— by which she was known in several ages long before the Romans gave her this last appâ—llaâ—ion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Tuisciâ— Teutsch or Teuschlant was received from her first King and Almania from her second the son of Tuiscâ— who as their story gives it with equal credit as it doth the rest was likewise worshipâ—ed for a God by the name of Mannus The same account is rendred for Tutonia from Tâ—to a Captain of the Germans and their ninth from Tuisco Under these they continued till the Romans â—ntred after their Conquest over the Gauls for whose likeness to them both in feature and câ—ulor in goodly portraiture and carriage of their wars they were from that time called 〈◊〉 as if brothâ—rs to the Gauls Yet there are too which compound the name of the 〈◊〉 words Gâ—r or Gâ—r which signifieth all or wholly and Maâ— which retains with us its prime significaâ—ion of 〈◊〉 as if they were all men to the proof or as other interpret as if they were a mixt Nation oâ— all sâ—rts of men from several Countries 5 But this last agrees not with the conjecture of some Gâ—ographers that 〈◊〉 hath not châ—nged hâ—r Inhabitants since she was first possest 〈…〉 And this indeed differs not muâ—h
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia
12 Brunswick and Lunenburg 13 Franconia 14 Palaltinus Rhâ—ne 15 Wittenburg 16 Aâ—sper 17 Bayden 18 Mentz 19 Bamberg 20 Weirstberg 21 Saxonia 22 Anâ—â—â—t 23 Mansfield 24 Swevia 25 Bavaria 26 Brandenburg 27 Lusatia 28 Tirolum 29 Misnia 30 Bohemia 31 Silesia 32 Moravia 33 Pomeranea 34 Mecklinburg 35 Austria 15 East-Frezeland is on the West side of Germany and bounded with the North Sea Her chief Town is Embden 2 Wesphalia is on the South of East Frizeland It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon which is esteemed with us one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast Part of it belongs to the three next Bishops of Cullen Munster and Triers 3 Cullen her Arch-Bishop is an Elector The chief Town was called Vbiopolis afterward Agrippina and lastly Cullen from a Colony which was there planted by the French It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants that the bodies of the Wisemen which came from the East to worship Christ are here interred None almost but hath heard of the three Kings of Cullen 4 Munster Her chief City is Munster notable since the year 1533 at which time a company of brain sick Anabaptists named it Ierusalem and raised them a new Governour by the title of the King of Sâ—â—â— 5 Triers Her Arch bishop an Elecator Her chief City Tâ—iers of great antiquity founded by Trebeta the son of Nâ—â—ius and â—â—pport sackt by our Earl Richard King of the Romans 16 6 Clivia or Cleeveland a Duke dome of that name Her chief Cities are Wesell Emrick and Cleve Her commodity the Tophus-stone of which they make Cement 7 Iuliacum Gulick a Dutchy Her principal City is Aken or Aquiseranum where the Emperour receives his Silver Crown for Germany and doth great worship to a clout which they take to be our Saviours Mantle in which he was wrapped 8 Hassia a mountainous Country but fruitful Her Metropolis Marpurgum an University and the chief place of her Lant-grave is Cassels It comprehends likewise the Counties of Nassâ—w and Hanaw 9 Alsatia Her chief City is Strasburg famous for a Clock of wonderful art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high Other Towns here are of note as Bing Worms Confluence and Andernach 10 Helvetia Swetzerland on the East of France and North of Italy It contains thirteen Cantons Zurich Berne â—â— ucerne Vrenia Glavis Zugh Basell Friburg Vnderwalt Soâ—oâ—r Shasâ—haâ—â—en Apeâ—sol and Suits Her chief Cities are Zurike or Tigurum where Zuinglius was martyred and Sengâ—ll or Civitas Sancti Galli and Baâ—ell where a general Council was decreed to be above the Pope in the year one thousand four hundred thirty one 17 Tariâ—gia Her Prince a Lant-grave Her ground though not of large extent nor above twelve German miles either in length or breadth saith Maginus yet it is very rich it comprehends twelve Counties as many Abbies a hundred fourty four Cities as many Towns above two thousand Viliages two hundred and fifty Castles Her Metropolisis Eâ—â—ord 12 Brunswick on the East of Wâ—sâ—phaliâ— a Dukedom whose principal Citiâ—s are Brunswick Hâ—lâ—erstâ—de Wolâ—heiton and Luneburg which gives title to an other Dukâ—dom whose chief Seat is Cella â—18 13 Franconia Iâ— lyeth on the West of Tâ—ringia and joyns to Hossia Northward The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface In this Province stands Francfort famous for her â—wo Marts every year and Noremâ—erge within the Territories are comprehended the seven other which â—elong to this section 18 The Palatine of Rhene some seventy two miles from North to South and from East to West nienty six Her chief City is Heidelberge Her Prince an Elector and hath many more priviledges than the other six In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany â—â— Wâ—tteâ—â—â—rge The chief Towns are Tubing an Vniversity Stâ—dgard c. 16 Aâ—spech a Marquiâ—aâ—e Her chiâ—f Town Aâ—â—pech 17 Badâ—n a Marquisate pleasant and fruitfull betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Nâ—ccar Her chief Cities are 〈◊〉 and Baden in which there be Bathes that cures many diseases 18 Mentâ— Mâ—guntia a Bishoprick The Prince is a Spiritual Elector and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour 19 Bamberg a Bishoprick of it self of large revenues In this stands Fochia where they say Pontius Pilate Was born 20 Weirstberg Her Bishop is entituled Duke of Franconia 19 21 Saxony on the East of Hassia and South of Brunswick and North of 〈◊〉 In this Province was Luther born at Isâ—eben Within her bounds are likewise comprehended tâ—ese two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield 22 Anhalt whose Governour with great courage and power bore Arms in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdom of Bohemia 23 Mansâ—â—eld an Eâ—rldom the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count who to this day wars upon the Emperours party in the behalf of the illustrious Pâ—latine and his unparrelled â—ady Elizabeth Sister to his royal Maâ—esty of England 20 14 Swevia on the South of Franconia It is a Country full of people and those 〈◊〉 goodly personage great wit and valiant In this Province is the head of Danubius and runs through the middle of the Country Her chief Towns are Vlme Lendawe and Auspurg or Augusta Vindelicorum Norlingen c. 25 Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and Franconia There is both the upper and lower Bavaria Of the first the chief Cities are Muchen Ingolstade Frising and about thirty four Towns more equal to the most Cities of the lower Bavaria the principal are Ratisbone Patâ—vium Pâ—ssâ—n Lanshutum and Saltâ—pâ—rge In this City lyeth â—uried Paracelsus 26 Brandenburg on the East of Saxoâ—y a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compass It was heretofore inhabited by the Vandales The Metropolis is Brandenburg and Francfort ad Oâ—iâ—um for so it is distinguisht from the other Francfort in Franconia and Berlium Herâ— are fifty-five Cities and sixty-four Towns 27 Lusatia it looks West-ward toward Saxony The chief City is Gorlitâ—ia 28 Tyrolum on the South of South of Bavaria and East of Helvetia Her cheif Cities are Oonipus Inspruck Brâ—ixen Tridentum Trent where the general Council was held one thousand five hundred forty six 29 Misnia on the East of Lâ—satia a â—ruitfull Region Her chief Ciâ—ies are Misnia Dresden Lipsin a place of learning and Torga many Writers place this Province with Saxony 21 30 Bohemia on the South of Saxony and Misnia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia a â—ruitfull and pleasant Country It may deserve a particular description of it self and therefore I wilâ— mention it here with no other solemnity then I do the rest of Germany Her Metropolis is Prague which was taken by the Impâ—rialists in thâ—â— last quarrel the King and Queen being at that time in the Church celebrating Gods service were forced suddenly to flie for their safety into Sileâ—ia 31 Silâ—sia Eastâ—ward from part of Bohemia two hundred miles long and eighty one broad a fruitfull Country the people valiant Her principal Cities
he was heir in general by marriage of a daughter But the truth is we have been ever easie to part with our hold there or at least forced to forgo it by our civil dissentions at home else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors we might have had some Power more to shew there as well as Title 11 There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdom more than will find room here for their full Descriptions in several and therefore we will reduce as well this new France as the old Gallia to the four parts of Ptolomies division 1 Aquitania 2 Lugdunensis 3 Narbonensis and 4 Galâ—ia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâ—Territories shall be mentioned as Maginus ranks them 12 Aquitania lieth on the West of France close upon the Pyrenean Mountains and Countries 1 Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Map of Spain and indeed differeth from that but very little 2 Gascoign and Guien The first to this day keeps its name with a very little change from the Spanish Vascones The chief City is Burdigala or Burdiaux a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopal Seat and University of good esteem was honoured with the birth of our Richard the Second Another City of note is Thoâ—ouse a seat Parliamentary and supposed to be as ancient as the rule of Deborah in Israel This Gascogin contains in it the Earldomes of Fory Comminges Armeniaci and the Dutch Albert. 3 Pictavia Poictou on the north of Guien a pleasant Region and a plentiful It contains three Bishopricks Poâ—tiers Lucon and Mailazai Her chief Cities are Poictiers an ancient and the largest next Paris in all France Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earls of Hamildon In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our black Prince and Iohn of France where with eight thousand he vanquished forty thousand took the King Prisoner and his Son Philip 70 Earls 50 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen 4 Sonictonia severed from Poictiers but by the River Canentell and so differs but little from her fertility Her Metropolis Saints Her other chief Bourg Blay Marennes S. Iohn D'angely and Anglosme Betwixt this Country and Poictiers stands â—ochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiâ—â—e possest by those of the reformed Religion where they stand upon their guard and defend their freedom of conscience against the Roman Catholicks of France 5 Limosin in Limo sita say some Maginus takes 〈◊〉 from Limoges her chief City toward the North which revolted and was recovered by our black Prince Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca and Chalaz where our Richard the first was shot It hath been by turns possest of French and English till Charies the Seventh since we have had little hold there 6 Berry regio Biturigum from her chief City Bituris now Burges an Archiepiscopal See and University It is exceedingly stored with sheep and sufficiently well with other Merchandise of value 7 Burbone from her chief City Burbone heretofore Boya a Dukedom aâ—d much frequented by Princes and the Nobility of France by reason of her healthful air and commodious Baths 8 Turiene the Garden of France Her chief Cities â—loys Amboyse Taurs and a little higher upon the Layre stands Orleance 13 Lugdunensis or Celtica lieth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chief City This Province comprehends 1 Brittany heretofore Armoâ—ica till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the year 367 since it hath had the name of Britanny and for distinction from this of ours it is commonly stiled Minor Britannia There is yet remaining a smack of the Wâ—lch tongue which it seems the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophy of their Conquests that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants they cut out their wives tongues as many as were Natives that no sound of French might be heard among their children It hath few Rivers but that defect is in some measure made up by the neighbourhood of the Sea insomuch that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France for Corn Wine and Wood. It breeds good Horses and special Dogs Iron Lead c. Her chief Cities are Nants Rhenes S. Breny and Rohan It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem the base or lower Britanny West-ward and nearest England and Superiorem toward the Loire East-ward Her chief parts are S. Malo and Breste 2 Normandy a part of the Region which was heretofore called Newstria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians Their first Duke was Rollo and the â—ixth from him our William the Conquerour It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn Her chief Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis Constance and Cane memorable for the siege of our English Henry the fifth And Verveile besieged by Philip the second of France in the time of our Richard the first which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster it is said he sware he would never turn his back to France till he had his revenge and to make good his oath brake through the walls and justly performed his threat upon the besieger Her principal parts are Harflew the first which King Henry the fifth of England assaulted and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queen Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintain wars with the King in defence of Religion And Diep c. 3 Anjove regio Audegarensis a fertile Country and yields the best Wine of France excellent Marble and other fair stone for buildings Her chief City is Anjours which Ortelius takes to be Ptolomy's Iuliomagum It is now an University To this Dukedome there are four Earldomes which owe a kind of homage Manie Vandosm Beauford and Laval 4 Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdom and received it her self from the German Francones which before inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircinia Her chief City and the glory of France is Paris or Luteâ—ia quasi in luto sita in compass twelve miles is reckoned the first Academy of Europe consists of 55 Colledges And here was Henry the sixth crowned King of France and England In this Province stands S. Vincent where Henry the fifth died and Saisons and the Dukedome of Valoys c. 5 Campaigne and Bye partners in the title of Earldom it is severed from Picardy only with the River A fertile Country and hath many eminent Cities The principal is Rheimes where the Kings most commonly are crowned and anointed with an Oyl sent they say from Heaven which as oft as it hath been used never decreaseth It is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and University of note especially with our English Roman Catholiques who have a Colledge there appointed for their Fugitives And others 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
Inhabitants there of Spain after the Syrians and indeed the first which affords us any Story worth observing were the Carthaginians and the first cause of their entrance was to defend the Islanders of Cales but when they had once got firm footing and sucked the sweetness they were not to be removed by the easie term of friendship but there kept hold till a people stronger than themselves dispossessed them The attempt was made by Scipio and the Roman forces but they withstood their assault with so resolved a courage and so strong a hand that it might oft times be questioned Vter populus alteri esset pariturus and so held play almost 200 years and could not be fully subdued into the form of a Province till the Reign of Augustus Caesar yet after they were held to it till Honorius 3 About his sixth year was there a second Invasion made by the Vandales and soon after by the Gothes which bare sway for above 300 years The last King was Rodericus who lost both himself and Kingdom for a rape committed upon the Daughter of Iulian a Noble Gentlemen and at that time Embassadour with the Moors in Africa When the Father had understood of his Daughters unworthy injury he brought back his revenge with him 30000 Horse any 180000 Foot of Moors and Sarazens which discomfited the King overthrew all the ressistance which he could make and bespread the Countrey with their Forces where they and their posterity stood firm till within the memory of some which yet live 4 This change of State was before prophesied and concealed in a large Chest within a part of the Palace which both the last King and his Predecessors were forewarned not to discover But the hope of an inestimable treasure made him transgress and when he had entred there appeared nothing but the Portraictures of armed Moors with a presage annexed that when the part of the Palace should be forced open such enemies should ruine Spain It is now at last but one people but yet retains the mixtures of those many Nations which have heretofore possest it Goths Sarazens and Iews who were partly banisht hither by Hadrian the Emperour and partly sent hither by Vlider Vbit the Caliph after the Moors conquest 5 In all this discourse touching the beginning and setling of the State of Spain it appears not from whence she derives her several names of Iberia Hesperia and Hispania It seems they are more ancient than the entrance of the Carthaginians and therefore they allow us no certain Story nor other reason indeed more than likely conjecture and in some scarce that Her first name of Iâ—eria was given by her ancients from a River that runs almost through the middle of the Countrey So saith Maginus and relies upon Pliny and Iustin for his Authors Others give it rather to the Iberi the ancient people of Asia thas came in under Panus from toward Syria and possest it before the Carthaginians Her second name admits as much question Some fetch it from Hesperus the brother of Atlas and their twelfth King from Tubal Others beyond the Moon from the Evening star because it is situate upon the West of Europe The last Hispania is supposed from one Hispanus or Hispalus who reigned in those parts and was the third in the account of some from Tubal or else from Hispalis now Seril rather we may take it from the fore-mentioned Panus Captain of the Iberians by the prefiction of an S. for so the Greeks give it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and since by their own addition and corruption it is made Espania Hispania 6 Her whole compass is reckoned to be 1893 English miles and her bounds are Seas on every side unless on the East towards France from which she is severed by the Pyrenaean Mountains On the West the Atlantick Ocean on the North the Cantabrick and on the South the Fretum Herculeum and other of the Mediterraneum which divide her from Africa Her Rivers of note are specially 1 Minius of Mingo 2 Dorio now Duerus 3 Tagus now Taio famous for her golden sands 4 Botis or Guadilquiver 5 Iberius now Ebro and 6 Ana or Guadiana which in one place glides under ground for fifteen miles together and gives the Spaniard an occasion as he will catch at any to brag that they have ten thousand Cattel daily feeding upon one bridge Yet give them their own sense the truth may be questioned For they have not such plenty of meat as they have of sawce 7 It yields indeed abundance of Oranges Lemmons Capers Dates Sugar Oyl Honey Licorish Horses It hath been heretofore noted for rich Mines insomuch that Hannibal received daily 3000 from one Mine in Spain The number is not answerable in proportion to other Regions of Europe Their Cities not so great nor so many The reason may be because indeed their Women are not so fertile to multiply among themselves and their usage of strangers so uncivil that very few of other Countries seat themselves there as in France England and Germany And yet they have of late times sent many Colonies abroad into both Indies 8 They are extreamly proud and the â—illiest of them pretend to a great portion of wisdom which they would seem to express in a kind of reserved state and silent gravity when perhaps their wit will scarce serve them to speak sense But if once their mouths be got too open they esteem their breath too precious to be spent upon any other subject than their own glorious actions They are most unjust neglecters of other Nations and impudent vain flatterers of themselves Superstitious beyond any other people which indeed commonly attends those which affected to be accounted religious rather than to be so For how can hearty devotion stand with cruelty lechery pride Idolatry and those other Gothish Moorish Iewish Heathenish conditions of which they still savour 9 Yet it hath yielded heretofore men very famous for their excellent endowments both of wit and Religion The Apostle himself expresseth a great desire to see Spain as hoping to do much good among those which had entertained the name of Christ. Osius a learned Bishop in the time of Constantine the Great And Pacianus mentioned by S. Hierome Isidore â—ulgentiuâ— Arius Montanus Tostatus and 〈◊〉 were all Spaniards Sâ—neca Quintilian the Orator Lumen Romanae elâ—quentiae as Valla stiles him Martialis Lucan Silius and Pomponius Mela were Spaniards Trajan the Emperour Theodosius Ferdinand the Catholick and Charles the Emperour were Spaniards To this day it breeds good Souldiers â—low but sure and successful in their Conquests Yet such as prevail more by art than valour Their continual scarcity of victuals inureth them to hunger and other hardness which oft times wearieth out their enemy and makes him yield at least to their patience if not to their strength 10 She hath been subject to many divisions according to the humour of those that have been her Lords The first of note was made by
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
yet it honoured a Kingdom with her Title in the opinion of some which derive Hispania from her former appellation Hispalus From this shoar they lanch forth toward the Indies and from hence they send their Sevil Oranges The Arch-bishop of Sevil is second to Toledo as well in Revenues as degree Near to Andaluzia is the Island of Gades by which the Carthaginians entred into Spain Since it is called Cadis and commonly Cales The English have had their turn in the possession of that Isle Now again fortune hath cast it upon the Spaniard On the very South edge of this Region stands one of Hercules Pillars which answers to the other Promontory in Mauritania The Sea betwixt both is called Fretum Herculeum and Straits of Gibralter The second Province of Corduba was Granada on the East of Andaluzia the West of Mâ—rcia and South of new Castle toward the Spanish Seas It hath been far more fertile than now it is yet it still reserves a shew of her former beauty affords as excellent Sugar Silk and Wines The principal Towns of note are Granada and Malaga the first for Stockins and the other for good Sacks The third Province of Corduba â—stremadura lieth on the South of Castile and is watâ—ed through the middle with the River Ana. And in this stands the City Merida once a Roman Colony and named by them Augusta Emerita from the Inhabitants which were there planted by Augustus and câ—lled out of his ancient tryed Souldiers 19 Portugal is the third Kingdom in our last division of Spain and it may well be esteemed one of her largest Territories for it runs along the Atlantick Ocean from the borders of Gallicea as Andaluzia on the North it is limited with the River Mingo on the South with part of the Mediterraneum the West with the Atlantick and on the East with the Castiles Andalâ—zia and Estremadura Her name some derive à portu Gallorum Maginus rather à portu Cale a Haven of that name which was much frequented by Fishermen It is almost the same portion of Spain which was heretofore Lusitania and her people were esteemed the most valiant crafty and agile Souldiers of the whole Region yet now they are held to be simple ad proverbium usque But it is their neighbour Spaniards ceâ—sure who indeed have over reached them in cunning and brought them under the subjection of their Catholick King which were before a free State of themselves and carried with them another Kingdom of the Algarbi which stands in her very South and shews the Cape of St. Vincent into the Atlantick Ocean Give them their due they are excellent Sea-men and the best alive to atchieve adventurous actions For they added to their Dominions many Territories of Africa Asia and America could they have been so fortunate as to have kept their Kingdoms and themselves out of the reach of the cogging Spaniard 20 The Country affords not much Corn but fruit reasonable store and Mines of several metals Allum Marble good Silks c. The chief City is Lisbone in Latine Vlissipona supposed to have been built by Vlisses And from hence they set sail towards the East Indies to Aethiopia Brasill c. Insomuch that this very City yields more revenue than the rest of the whole Kingdome Another eminent place of this Region is the Metropolis and Academia of Conimbria called before Moâ—da And this briefly is the whole Continent of Spain but doth not terminate the Spanish Dominions which commands as well the Islands which lye near in the Atlantick and Mediterraneum as many other parts of the World besides interminate with other Regions The Kingdom of Naples in Italy Dutchy of Millain Isles of Sicily and Sardinia the Canaries Towns and Castles and Havens in Barbary In the West Indies Mexico Peru Brasil large portion in the East 21 The Islands near Spain in the Atlantick chiefly the Tarsarae In the Mediterraneum are the Balears and those are two principal Majorica commonly called Mallorca and Minorica commonly Minorca Other less Islands are Dragonera Cabrera Pytussa Erisa Vedraw Gonorello Dragomago and Scombraria ITALIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of ITALY ITaly is divided from France and Germany by the Alpes and stretcheth her self South-East betwixt the Tyrrhene and Adriatick Seas almost in just proportion of a mans leg I may spare my Reader her lavish attributes which he can hardly baulk if he will but look into any Author where her name is mentioned She must for me and well may be content here with the brief Elogy of Pliny to which I think the wit of man can add but little Certainly the most blessed seat of man upon earth can deserve no more Italia terrarum omnium alumna eadem Parens numine deorum electa quae câ—lum ipâ—um clarius faceret sparsa congregaret imperia ritus molliret tot populorum discordes linguas sermones commercia ad colloquia distraâ—eret humanitati hominem daret 2 Yet to speak truth we cannot abate her much of this title The mother of Countries we may call her since most writers agree that she was first inhabited by Ianus or Noah as some would report him the Father of Nations It was doubtless a very long time since the World was honest and deserved the name of a golden age yet then was she peopled as Iustin delivers out of Trogus by the Aborigines whose King was first Ogyges then Saturn a man so just that under his Government there was known no tyranny from their Prince no disloyalty from the Subject no injury from the Neighbour They had all one Patrimony one possession and where all acknowledge no peculiar there can be but little cauâ—e of strife 3 I presume not to set down the just year when men were thus ordered But if you will believe the story of the Gentiles compared in Chronology by some of late years and better trust as Munster Quade c. Ianus pater hominum deorum immediate predeceâ—â—or to Saturn was in Italy within 200 years after the floud and received the aged Chronus into part of his Kingdome with him being expulsed by his son Iupiter out of Crete Each of them built a City and left â—â—ound of his name for their remembrance the one Ianua which to this day hath suffered no farther change than to Genus and the other Saturnia and both in their times gave name to the whole Region which are not yet fully worn out though others have since took place as Latium quia hic latebat Saturnus Italia ab It alo Siculorum Rege Hesperia from the Western star Auâ—onia and Oenotria from her excellent Wines 4 But this is the largest scope which we can give to her Antiquity Helvicus and other authentick observers of time cuts off well nigh a thousand years from this account of the Aborigines and placeth their Dynastia 2622 years after the creation 966 after the flood and before Christ 1327. 5 The first change of Inhabitants
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
pass the â—aws of that narrow strait The Inhabitants are as greedy of Rhâ—nish French and Spanish Wines the Spices of Portugal and the fruits of Andaluzia as they again are needy of the Wax Honey and Skins which are brought thither from Prussia Livonia Muscovia and the bordering Nations The other chief riches of Denmark are goodly Horses great store of Cattel and Corn enough sent to the supply of divers other parts of Christendome It hath been observed that 50000 Oxen have been driven out of these Provinces into Germany for which toll hath been paid at Guttaorp Such incredible plenty of Herring near the Isle of Scania that the Ships they say are searce able by main strength of Oars to row out of the Harbour Besides these here are furniture for War both by Sea and Land Armour Masts Cables Steel Saddles c. 11 Their chief person of fame in course of Learning was Ticho Brahe an excellent Mathematician memorable for his artificial Tower in the Isle of Fimera In Religion the greatest part of them are now Lutherans but were first converted to Christianity by Ansuerus 12 We are come to her division which the Sea almost hath made to our hands For her several Provinces are well-nigh so many Islands at least Peninsula The chief are 1 Iuttia or the old Cimbria Chersonesus 2 Diethmarsia 3 Scania 4 Hollandia 5 Blesâ—ide 6 The Islands in the Sinus Codanus which lye betwixt Iuttia and Scanta That is the West and this is the East limits of the Danish Dominions North and South are the Ocean and the River Esdora or Hever 13 Iuttia as it was the first so it is the principal part of this Kingdom Her bounds upon the West and East and North are the Bâ—ltick Seas and upon the South it â—s joyned to Holjatia and the Istumes of Dithâ—arsex It is in length 〈◊〉 Muginus eighty German 〈◊〉 from the River Albis to the Cimbrick Promontory called Seagen and in breadth twenty It is a fruitful Region for Wheat Rie Barley c. And in the North-west there is good pasture though more North-ward it becomes sandy and barren and puts the Inhabitants to fish for their victuals by which they make a shift to live though hardly enough God Knows in poor sheds sleightly clapped together and of a slender stuff such as if need be they can remove at their pleasure upon very short warning and bear them away almost upon their back They transport into other Countries great store of good Horses for service besides Barley Cheese Butter Suet Hides and rich Skins Nuts and Fish In this Province are twenty eight Cities twenty Castles and four Bishops Sees Ripensis Arthusienses and AElburga all near to the Sea-side wilburga in the up-land Country From this Province came the Iuits who joyned in with the Saxons and Angles to conquer England Her chief Towns are Rincopen Hoine and Achausen 14 Diethmarsia is situated betwixt the Rivers Albis and Eidera They were a parcel of the old German Saxons and the Country it self is by some yet reckoned the lower Saxony but it is in subjection to the King of Denmark for it is the seat and title of his first Son and heir apparent as the Dauphinate is to the Son of France and Wales to the Son of England Her Metropolis is Breme the rest Meldorp and Heininckst and Tellinckst and other rich Towns yet the soyl cannot be very fertile by reason of the moist air and her many Marshes especially toward the North which makes it unfit for tillage and indeed impassable for travellers Upon which impediments the Inhabitants have made this advantage to keep out all forein Invaders and appropriate what wealth they have to their own secure possession 15 Scania or Scandinaria in the largest compass comprehends more than belongs to the Kingdome of Denmark and is invironed round about with Seas except on that side where it is joyned to Muscovy On her West â—s the Kingdom of Norway on her East Swethland and upon the South of that is this Scania which gives place to no Region at least within these Dominions either for wholsome air or fertile soyl for commodious Havens and plenty of Merchandise for dainty Rivers of store of Fish for Cattel Mines of Iron Lead Silver and Gold fair Towns and civil Customs The Metropolis is Lumpis This whole Province is some eighteen miles in length and in breadth about twelve in some places in others not above six 16 Hollaudia on the North of Scania and South of Suecia is bounded with the Seas upon the West and on the East with vast Woods which divide her from Gothland It is a fertile Region and not much unlike unto Scandia but that it comes somewhat short of her happiness in soyl Her chief Town is Hallausoc 17 Blescida or Blicker is bounded on the East and South with Baltick Ocean and on the North is parted from Scania by a little patch of the Sea It is a Region full of Rocks Woods and Mountains Her chief City and Castle is Culmaria a strong defence against the Swethelander and the next Town of note is Malmagia the birth-place of Casparus Bartholinus a late approved Writer in the Arts. 18 In the Sinus Codanus near to the Cimbria Chersonesus there are numbred 35 Islands The chief are 1 Zealand in length 64 miles in breadth 52 it contains in it 13 Cities 7 Castles with divers pretty Towns and Villages The Metropolis is Haâ—â—nia the single University within the King of Denmarks government And here is his chief place of reâ—idency which by the Germans is called Koppâ—nhagen the Merchants Haven Her other Towns are Roschilt a Bishops See and heretofore a strong Fortress well furâ—isht for war and honoured with the Sepulchres of some of their Kings but yet it is now at a lower ebb and of little respect Elsner or Helsinura is a Sea-town That in Helsinura is called Croneburgh well furnished with all provision The other in Scania Hepsigburgh of equal strength to cause the best Ship to cast Anchor and satisfie their King before they shall have the way open out of the Baltick into the Ocean 19 2 Fionia or Fimera is second to Zealand both in bigness and plenty of rich commodities It is in length 12 miles and 4 in breadth A pleasant Region fertile and fruitful Here are in this Island 8 Cities the chief is Ottonium Odensch or Oâ—sell in the very middle almost It was a Bishops See well built but ill fenced for it hath been oft times wasted and burnt by the Enemy The other Towns are upon the Seaâ— coast and their names are Neburgh Sinborgh Feborch Ascens Eorgena Middlesar and Kortemunde beside some Castles many Villages and Noble-mens houses 20 3 Laglant 7 miles in length and hath in it many Villages and fair buildings The City Râ—theopinga and the Castle Trancura 4 Loilant near Seelant It is full of Hazels that they fraught Ships with Nuts and traffique for them into many other
Cambaia a spacious Land it is and contains from East to West 38 degrees and about 20 from the North to South 11 This variety of distance in respect of the Heavens must needs cause as much difference in the qualities of her several Regions In some places there is that fertility which makes her equal to any part of Asia in others again she is so barren unfruitful and unprofitable that the Land is left waste as being not able to nourish an Inhabitant Ora maritima saith Quadus aestuosa est ac ventosa fructuum inops praeterquam palmarum mediterranea regio Campestris est omnium ferax pecorumque optima nutrix stuminibus lacubus plena Maxime autem suppeditat Araxes plurimas commoditates It abounds much with metals and stones of great price 12 The ancient Persians were warlike and ambitious of rule for not content with their own which they freely posses in Asia they attempted the nearest parts of Africa and Europe which cost them the first fall from their Monarchy Nec enim petituri Macedones Persidem vide bantur in priores Persae Graeciam provocassent faith Vadianus Their customes are most of them superstitious but they held nothing almost in so great reverence as water it might not lawfully be soyled so much as with a soul hand but to piss or cast rubbish or a dead carcass into the Rivers was a kind of Sacriledge They had many Wives and more Concubines for they were exceeding desirous of increase and great rewards were appointed by their King himself for him that could most augment the number of his subjects in one year They seldome entred into any consultation of State till they had well armed themselves with drink for then they thought they should be more free to speak what they most thought To spit or laugh before their Prince was a crime well nigh unpardonable some say that they bury not their dead but cast them forth to be devoured by wild beasts and thought him most happy which was soonest torn to mammock the rest their friends bewailed as such who had lived impurely and were therefore by this sign declared worthy of hell only without any redemption 13 Their Philosophers were called Magi and studied principally the art of fore-telling things to come from whence we have our tearm of Magick and usurp the word only in the worse sense whereas questionless it was no other with them than the Greeks Philosophy Philosophi or Sapientes with the Latines for it is by most thought that such were those good Magi which came from the East to worship Christ and Saint Chrysostome directly names Persia to be that East from whence they were led by the Star 14 They have now put off most of their antique barbarism and are become good Politicians excellent Warriour sgreat Scholars especially in Astrology Physick and Poetry Those which apply themselves to Mechanick trades are not inferiour to any almost in our quarter they deal most in making of Silks which they send into all the Eastern Countries in great abundance They are mild and courteous to Strangers yet jealous of their Wives which for the most part are very fair and richly attired not withstanding their affection to them usque ad insanam Zelotypiam yet are they much addicted to that beastly sin of the Turks and have their Stews on purpose whither they resort without controul or shame Their language is elegant and in use in most of those Eastern Countries The Christian Religion was once planted here both by Saint Thomas and Saint Andrew yet are they now fallen to Mahametism and differ but as Schismaticks from the Turks which occasioneth much hatred and perpetual war betwixt them 15 The Regions which belong to the Empire of Perfia are 1 Persii 2 Media 3 Assyria 4 Susâ—ina 5 Mesopotamia 6 Parthia 7 Hyrcania 8 Bactriana 9 Parapomissus 10 Aria 11 Drangiana 12 Gedrosia 13 Carmania and 14 Ormus 16 Persis had her name from Perseus which came hither out of Greece and this gives it to the whole Empire It is now called Faâ—st or Farsâ—stâ—n and was heretofore Panchaia It lieth betwixt Media on the North and the Sinus Persicus on her South on her West Susiana and East Carmania Her Metropolis is Siras once Persepolâ—s and is built toward the mid land near the River Araxis it was surprized by Alexander and many thousand talents of gold sent into Greece with other rich spoâ—l and trophies of Victories which the Persians had before gotten from most parts of the then known world Upon the Sea-coast stands Cyrus a City which was built by their first absolute Monarch and called by the Inhabitants Grechaia It was the Bishop seat of the learned Theodoret who lived here about the year 450 and in this Region is Laodicea built by Antiochus and Passagarda where Cyrus had his Sepulchre 17 2 Media now Servania on the North of Persis and South of the Caspian Sea hath Armenia major and Assyria on her West and on her East Parthia and Hyrcania It was before Cyrus the seat of the Empire and mother to a warlike potent Nation Their Kings had many wives seldome fewer than seven and their women thought it a great calamity to have less than five husbands In this stands the Territory of Tauris which was called by our ancients Erbathana and doth stand some eight dayes journey from the Hyrcinian Sea it is rich and populous and was the seat of the Sophies till it was removed to Casbin which lieth somewhat more South Betwixt both stands the City Turcoman and elsewhere in this Province are many others dispersed of good note especially Suliana Symmachia Nassinum Ardovil Marant and Saucazan c. 18 3 Assyria now Arzeram on the West of Media South of Armenia North of Susiania and East of Mesopotamia it was the seat of Ninus his Kingdome lost by Sardanapalus and here stands the most famous City Nineveh near the River Tigris larger than Babylon containing full threescore miles in compass for the community which the Babylonians had with them in course of government they were oft times promiscuously used by Historians both had this custome to sell their Virgins which were fair and most desired and tender the price into the common treasury The homelier sort were placed in marriage with that money to those which would accept of them for gain at least if not for beauty They were much addicted to Astrology and were questionless led to it by the opportunity of their situation which gives them a more perfect view of the Heavens and several course of the Planets than any other part of the world besides 19 4 Susiana now Cuceston seems to have her name from Cus upon the South of Assyria West of Persia East of Babylonia and North of the Persick bay It is severed by Pliny from Elemauss the great by the River Euleus of whose waters only the Persian Kings were wont to drink as being more sweet and pure than any other
the top to the bottom of the Page and use all one Character through the whole Kingdom though several parts differ much in their language or at least in their idiomes Their special skill which we much admire but cannot imitate is in making the Purslain dishes white as very snow and transparent as glass formed up only of Cockles found in the Sea-shore mixt with Egg-shells but lie buried in the earth many years before they come to perfection and are seldome took up by the same artificer which kneads them but are left as a portion to some of his posterity 10 Their fashions in private Houses are not much unlike to those of Europe at board they sit in chairs and upon forms not loll on the floor as most of the Asiaticks do they touch not their meat with the Hand but use the Silver fork or else some stick of Ivory or Ebony not much unlike it they eat thrice in one day but sparingly enough when they travel over the plains they use a kind of Coach yet not drawn with Horses or other beast but driven by the wind under sayl as a Bark on the Sea which the people are as perfect to guide which way they please as the Mariner is to direct his course unto any coast whither he is bound as they sail upon Land as if it were Sea so they dwell as frequently upon the Sea as if it were land for they have an incredible number of ships and boats which are in many places ranked like streets upon the waters and filled with Inhabitants such as are here born live traffique marry and die Mr. Purchas reports that upon one River from Nanquin to Paquin they are thus ordered for 300 leagues No marvel then if their number exceed any part â—roportionably of the whole earth since their Land is not sufficient but is forced to borrow room out of the Sea for their Habitation yet are they all governed by one Monarch whom they call the Loâ—d of the World son to the Sun For they are a proud Nation and admit not equal comparison with any other earthlings but cast it as a Proverb into their teeth that they have but one eye to see with in respect of the Chinoys who alone as themselves boast see with two the truth is in matters of State they are very politick in peace wary and in war valiant crafty and excellent Engineers 11 Their Laws are for the most part just and severely executed especially against idle droans which set not a hand to advance their State or maintain themselves They will not cherish the very blind by alms since without eyes a man may be fit for some corporal imployment but to the maimed and lame they deny not a charitable maintenâ—nce The son is bound to exercise his Parents occupation so that no pretence almost is left for wanderers and briefly as far as humane Laws can provide all other vain occasions for mis-expence of time are taken off for within the Cities no Stews are allowed or lewd persons to withdraw them adultery is punished with death but yet they have liberty to take many wives one they keep at home the rest are disposed of abroad where they best please Their Marriages they chiefly solemnize at the new Moon and for the most part in March which begins their year 12 For their Religion they are Gentiles but have a confused knowledge of God Heaven and the Creation which they ascribe to one Trine who first say they made Pauson and Pausona and their posterity continued for 90000 years but were then for their wickedness destroyed and a new race was created The first of their second was one Lutitzan who had two horns from the right come men as they fondly imagine and from the left women when they would descipher their great god they express him by the first letter of their Alphabet and in their devotions they worship him as their chief but not only preserver for they have their prayers to the Sun Moon Stars and to the Devil himself that he would not hurt them Their Priests are distinguisht into the black and white Friars as we call them for they much resemble Friars in their course of life some are clothed in white their heads shorn and their victuals in common others in black long hair and live apart neither are married but both take their liberty to live obscenely as the debauchedst swaggerers 13 The Empire is divided into 15 Provinces 1 Canton 2 Feguien 3 Olam 4 Sisnam 5 Tolench 6 Causaie 7 Minchien 8 Ochiam 9 Horan 10 Pagino 11 Zaiton 12 Quinchien 13 Cheguem 14 Susnam 15 Quinsay All of large extent and contain in them many Towns and Cities in number more in compass bigger and in wealth more eminent than the best of ours 14 1 In the Province of Canton are 190 Towns and 37 Cities 2 In Feguien 99 Towns and 33 Cities 3 In Olam 130 Towns and 90 Cities 4 In Sisnam 150 Towns and 44 Cities 5 In Tolench 235 Towns and 51 Cities and this is governed immediate by the Emperour himself without any substitute as all other Provinces have except Pagina 6 Causaie hath 122 Towns 24 Cities 7 Minchien 29 Towns 25 Cities 8 Ochiam 74 Towns 19 Cities 9 Honan 102 Towns and 20 Cities 10 Pagina 150 Towns and 47 Cities 13 The chief of this is Paquin where he hath his continual residence and scarce at any time leaves the City unless upon occasion of war for it is seated near to the Tartars who oft-times make assaults upon the Chinoyse and force the King to gather his strength into that quarter and he himself present to withstand their entry lest if they should once get footing into any part of his Countrey they might encroach farther and enable themselves by his spoils to follow their blow upon his other Provinces His Palace here is compassed with a triple wall carries the bulk and face of a fair Town for indeed his retinue are no fewer than might well people a large City among the rest he hath 16000 Eunuchs daily attending such as their own parents have emasculated in their infancy to make them capable of this Court preferment The seat Imperial was heretofore at Nanquim where still remains a golden testimony of her past glory It is a fair City thirty miles in compass seated nine leagues from the Sea upon a fair and navigable a River where there rides commonly at least 10000 of the Kings Ships besides Merchants It hath three brick walls the streets are six miles in length of a proportionable breadth and trimly paved 16 11 Zaiton hath 78 Towns and 27 Cities the chief Zaiton which hath a fair harbour and is seldome without 500 ships 12 Quinchien hath 113 Towns and 45 Cities 13 Chaguean 95 Towns and 39 Cities 14 Susnam 105 Towns and 41 Cities 15 And lastly Quinsey 114 Towns Cities 17 The Metropolis is Quinsay or Suntien the largest City of the world for it contains 100
several noted Rivers the chief whereof are Iames River formerly called Powhatan the denomination of a very potent King of this Countrey at the time of the English first adventuring thither this River is found navigable 50 leagues or thereabout 2. York River otherwise Pamaunke in the language of the natives which lies about 14 miles Northward from the other and is navigable 26 Leagues 3. Rapaâ—anock or Topahanock the last River of Virginia Northward and navigable 40 leagues 4. Patowmec River mentioned in the Description of Mary-Land to which part of the Countrey this River also belongs Besides these greater Rivers there are some others of lesser note which fall into them as into Poâ—hatan or Iames River Southward Apameâ—uck Eastward Quiyonycohanuc Nansamund and Chesopeac Northward Chickamahania into Pamaunkee Payankatank The English Plantation here is divided into 22 Counties on the Eastern shore Northampton County in Acomac on the Western shore Carotuc Iames Henrico Charles York Glocester Surry Hartford Warwick Lancaster New Kent Surrey Middlesex Nansemund Lower Norfolk Northumberland Westmorland Northampton Warwick Isle of Wight and Rappahanoc in each of which are monthly held those inferior County Courts where matters not of highest concernment or relating to life are tried and from whence appeals are made to the Quarter Court at Iames-Town where all criminal and Civil Causes are determined and where the Governor and Counsel sit as Iudges The Metropolis or chief Seat of the English here is Iames-Town or rather Iames-City so denominated in honour of King Iames where the Quarter Courts General Assemblies and Secretaries Office are kept This Town adorned with many fair Brick-houses and other handsome Edifices is situated in a Peninsula on the North-side of Iames River The other Towns and Places of chief note are Elizabeth City seated nearer the mouth of the same River on the same side near which at a place nam'd Green-spring Sir William Berkley the present Governor hath a very pleasant Mansion-house built of brick Henricopolis or Henry's Town so denominated from Prince Henry living when it was first built seated in a commodious place about 80 miles from Iames City Dale's gift so named from Sir Thomas Dale Deputy Governor of the Place in the year 1610 at whose charge it was built and a Colony here planted besides others of less note some whereof still retain the Indian names as Wicocomoco c. which doubtless are by this time increased to a very considerable number in regard of the amplitude and grandeur to which by the continual access of people this Plantation is of late arrived VIRGINIA and MARYLAND The Description of Mary-Land IT was in the year 1631 that his late Majesty gave a grant to George Lord Baltimore for the possessing and planting the Southern part of New-Netherland now New-Yorkshire lying toward Virginia when upon his Embassy to the States of Holland they declared by publick writing their dissent to what-ever had been acted by any of their subjects in prejudice of his Majesties Right and Title in those parts as hath been already mentioned Crescentia was the name first in designation for this Countrey but it being left to his Majesty at the time of his signing of the Bill to give it what denomination he judged fittest he was pleased in honour of his Royal Consort Queen Mary to erect it into a Province by the name of Mary-Land which Patent upon the death of his Lordship before the final ratification thereof was not long after confirmed under the Broad-Seal of England bearing date Iune 20 Ann. 1632 to his Son and Heir Coecilius the now Lord Baltimore investing him his heirs and successors with the Sovereignty attended with all Royal Prerogatives both Military and Civil as absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province saving only the Allegiance and Sovereign homage due to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors of whom they were to hold it as of his Majesties honour of Windsor for the yearly payment at the Castle of the said honour of Windsor on every Easter Tuesday of two Indian Arrows of those parts and the fifth part of all the Gold and Silver Oar which should happen to be found there The next year after this Patent had past viz. in the year 1633 a Colony of about 200 in all Servants and Planters whereof some persons of quality was sent over by the Lord Proprietor under the Conduct of his Lordships two Brothers Mr. Leonard and Mr. George Calvert the first of whom was made Governor of the Province for his Lordship and from thence forward this Plantation hath prospered and by the several supplies since sent very much increased to which good success the good Government of the said Mr. Leonard and his strict observance of his Lordship's prudent instructions very much conduced The first place they pitch'd upon to plant themselves in was Yaocomaco now St. Maries which the Governor purchased of the Natives for never hath any forcible or violent invasion of any mans right been made here by any of his Lordships Ministers with such commodities as they brought from England though at so much the more easie rate in regard of their pre-intentions to leave this place as thinking it their safest course to remove farther off from their too potent and valiant Neighbours the Sesquehanocks After the happy restauration of his present Mâ—jesty viz. in the year 1661 the Lord Proprietors only Soâ— Mr. Charles Calvert went over into these parts his Fathers Lieutenant in which charge he hath continued ever since in great tranquility and prosperity and with general contentment and satisfaction by his obliging carriage to all that live under his Government or have any interests or concerns in the Province This Province according as it is bounded and set out by the forementioned Patent extends one way from the most Northernly part which bounds it to the South and from which it is parted by the Southernly bank of the River Patowmeck to New-York or the most Southernly part of New-England which bounds it Northward and from the Atlantick Ocean and Delaware-Bay Eastward to the true Meridian of the first Fountain of the River Patowmeck Westward The Climate here in Summer time inclines to an extraordinary heat and in Winter is very cold but both the heat of the Summer is very much allayed by cool Breeses and the cold of the Winter is of short continuance so that the Country is accounted sufficiently healthful and of late agrees well enough with English bodies since the abatement and almost extinction through the regulation of diet felling of the woods c. of that distemper called the Seasoning which used to be very fatal to the English at their first landing This Countrey is for the most part champain the Soil fruitful and abounding with many sorts of fruits and other commodities which are common in our parts of the World and for those that are peculiar it cannot be imagined that in so small a distance and even in the same Country as
Merhamed the Great Mogul The others of most note are Moltan Scheâ—â—us for antiâ—uity Polymbothy the Palibothra of Ptolemy 4 Delly so nam'd from its Mother City sometimes the Seat of the Great Moguls where many of them had their Sepulchral Monuments many other great Towns and Cities there are in this Province among which Tremer is particularly culiarly mentioned and also Doceti made the more remarkable by the great overthrow given by Merhamed to Badurius 5 Agra whose Supreme City of the same name is the present Imperial Seat and ordinary residence of the Great Mogul ever since the time of Ecâ—ar it stands on the Eastern-bank of the River Iemâ—na and not above 18 miles the way being stag'd with Mahometan Temples from Fatepore once a stately City to which Echebar removed his Court from Caximir and built him here a Royal Palace with sumptuous Gardens but much demolished since the removal of the Imperial Seat to Agra whither the materials of the said Palace were conveyed Hendee adorned with a Regal Castle which serves for a Prison of State hewn out of the main Rock as also two Hospitals for maimed Commanders Biani the most peculiar place in all East-India for the manufacture of Indico all the way between Lahor and Agra which is reckoned 400 miles is set with rows of Mulberry and other fair trees on each side the way and at every ten miles end fair houses for the entertainment of Travellers Within this Terrritory is included the Kingdom of Gualiar with its grand City of the same name where the Mogul hath a rich Treasury of Gold and Silver and a strong Castle for Prisoners 6 Sanga once a Kingdom whose Regal City Citor of 12 miles circuit and seated on a Rocky Hill with a narrow access shews the ruines of 100 Temples since its being taken first from Queen Crementina by Badurius King of Cambaia afterwards from him by the Great Mogul 180 miles from Agra is Azimere remarkable for the Pillars erected by Echebar between that and Agra one at the end of every mile and half and at 15 miles end a Caravansera or Inn for Travellers Into this division is reckoned the Kingdom of Nagracut with its Metropolis of the same name in which is a Chappel seel'd and pav'd with Plates and adorn'd with figures of massy Silver 7 Cambaia divided into 3 Provinces Sinda Gusarate Cambaia properly so called Of Sinda a great part whereof is a wast sandy Desartâ— the chief Towns or Citi 's are Tutta a Town well Traded by the Portugheses Lauribander supposed very near if not in the same place with that ancient Aâ—exandria Calwalla given by Echebar for the maintenance of a race of Women-dancers Radempoor a large City at the entrance of the Desart fortified with a strong Castle Nuraquemire a grateful retreat for such as have past a wearisome journey of ten daies through the Desart at the farthest end whereof it is seated Sarrama the center of the Province to which it belongs as it is usually accounted Of Guasarate whose ancient Inhabitanâ—s are the Râ—sboochs yet unsubdued by the Mogul Diu a Town of great importance to the Portughâ—ses by whom it hath been long possest and so well fortified that it held out and baffleda strong Siege laid against it by the Admiral of the Great Turk Solyman the Magnificent in the year 1537. Sauran a Town of the forementioned Resboochs which fortified with a strong Castle defies the whole power of the Mogul Boldra a Town more neat and handsome than large Amadabat accounted by some the chief City of Gusarate Sâ—rkâ—ff adorned with the Sepulchres of the ancient Cambaian Kings Ardovat Saringo and Periano Of Cambaia properly so called the Metropolitan City of the same name for its populousness term'd the Caire of the Indies Baracho where the best Calicuts are made Swally giving name to a very commodious Bay Surat a pleasant well-built and well-fortified City and at present a very eminent Factory of English Merchants Neriand a Town of all the East-Indies second only to that of Biani for the manufacture of Indico's Daman a neat and well-fortified Town in possession of the Portugheses Campanel once the usual Râ—sidence of the Cambaian Kings being encompassed with a seven-fold wall and seated on the top of an high Hill Dacaiotote a place whose strength rendred it capable to capitulate with the Mogul for a King or Governor of their own Netherby a Town trading in Aâ—mory and brasen Ware Tanai and Bandore 8 Decan having a City of the same name whose Inhabitants are very wealthy though Bider was rather made choice of for the Royal Residence at least it was the Seat of Mamutâ—a as Danager of Niâ—almoxa and Visapore of Idalcan Goa the most flourishing Emporium of the Portugheses in the East-Indies and therefore the Seat of their Vice-Roy and an Arch-Bishops See and so impregnably fortified that Idalcan attempted in vain with all his force to take it in the year 1573. Chaul a Sea-port Town in possession also of the Portugheses by them no less strongly fortified and no less vainly assaulted by Nisamolocco another King of Decan Brampore once the Royal Seat of Chanlis taken from Miram the then King by the Mogul in the year 1600. Sintacora and Balagnate the native people of this Countrey were formerly called Venazarari who still hold out in some parts against the Mogul as the Resboochs in Cambaia 9 Canara ancient accounted a part of Decan but now almost wholly in the power of the Kings of Narsinga except what the Portugals possess of it The now most flourishing Towns belonging to it are Meâ—inde Onor Sea-Port Towns Baticalia Mayendre Mongalor recovered from the Portugals by the King of Narsinga Lispor chiefly remarkable for the Quarries of Adamant near it Salsette seated in a Peninsula under the subjection of the Portugals 10 Malabar divided into 7 Provinces some whereof are Kingdoms viz. Calecut Granganor Cochin Caicolam Coulan and Travancor The most memorable Towns or Cities of Calecut are the Metropolitan from whence it takes denomination and whence that sort of linnen-Cloath which had here its first manufacture is called Calicut Of Cranganor there is only of note one City of the same name in which are said to be no less than 70000 Christlans of the race of those converted by Sr. Thomas Of Cochin Angamale an Archiepiscopal See of these Thomasian Christians and Cochin an Episcopal See Of Caicolam one only of remark giving name to the Province Of Coulam the like accounted by some the Soveraign City of all Malabaâ— and once the peculiar Residence of the Cobâ—itin or Arch-Priest of the Bramines Of Travancor the denominating City and Quilacare which a petty King of Travancor holds of the King of Narsinga by a most bloody tenure being obliged at 12 years end to sacrifice himself in a horrid manner to a filthy Idol 11 Narfinga or Bisnagar in which are many Cities worth notice as Cael whose Inhabitants the Paravi a sort of Christians live
Empire of the Romans in Britain began to decline and go downward some out of Ireland entred into this Isle by stealth and â—estled themselves there as may be gathered by certain mounts of earth entrenched about and yet to be seen which they call the Irish-mens Cottages as also by a place named of the Irish-men yâ— Hiericy Gâ—idid who did there as is recorded put the Britains to flight under the leading of Sirigus The Norwegians also were often infestuous to this Island but King Ethelreds Fleet having in the year 1000 scoured the Seas round about this Isle far exceeded all both Irish and Norwegian depopulations for they wasâ—ed the Country in all hostile manner 7 After this two Hughs both Normans did greatly afflict this Island The one being Earl of Chester the other of Shrewsbury at which very time Magnus the Norwegian arriving there shot Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury through with an Arrow and departed afâ—er he had ransacked the Island It was afterwards grievouslâ— infested by the Englishmen who never gave over from time to time to invade it until in the Reign oâ— King Edward â—â—e first it was wholâ—y broâ—ght under his subjection 8 The principal Town in this Isle is Beaumarish which the said King Edward the First built in the East-side thereof and for the fâ—â—r situation thâ—uâ—h in a Mooâ—ish-place gave it the name which it now beareth whereas in times past it was called Bonover which â—e also fortified with a goodly Caâ—tle 9 The Mayor is the chiefest Magistrate of the Town who is yearly chosen and hath the assistance and help of two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mâ—ce and one Town-Clerk by whose careful diligence the affairs of this Town are orderly managed and commanded whose Latitude is 54 and Longitude 15 45 minutes 10 Not far from hence is Lhaanvais in times past a fair Religious House of the Friers Minors which although it be now in a manner rased out of memory yet antiquity maketh mention that it hath been of great regard among the Kings of England who hâ—ve shâ—wed themselves very bountiful Patrons unto that Covent both in respect of the sanctimonious life of such as conversed there as also because there the Bodies of very eminent persons as the Daughter of King Iohn the Son of a King of the Danes as likewise of many great Lords Knights and Squires were enterred that were slain in the Wars againâ—t the Welsh in the time of many illustrious Kings of England 11 This Isle is reckoned to have had anciently many Villagâ—s in it even to the number of three hundred threescore and three and the same even at this day is very well peopled The division of this Isle for disposition of affairs that belong either to the state of the Crown or to the condition of the Country is into six Hundreds in which are seated two Market-Towns and seventy four Parish-Churches for Gods Divine Honour and Worship CAERNARVON-SHIRE CHAPTER XIV CAERNARVON-SHIRE in Welsh Sire Caer-ar-vâ—n so called because it is just over against Anglesey which the Britains call Mon and in composition was termed also Snowden-Forrest before Wales was laid into Shires the North-side whereof and the West butteth upon the Irish-Sea the South-side is inclosed with Merioneth and the East with Denbigh shires from which it is severed by the River Conwey 2 The form thereof is much like a wedge long and narrow towards the South and growing still wider towards the North so that from Pevâ—nkel-point Southward to Orms-head-point Northward are forty miles from the River Conwey Eastward to the River Llâ—noy Westward miles twenty and the whole circumference one hundred and ten miles 3 The Air is sharp and piercing by reason that the Country hath not natural Provision to ensconce her self against the extremity of Winds and Weather but especially as may be thought through the continuance of the Snow on the Hills which also exclude the Suns aspect and warmth 4 The Soil cannot be much commended for the fertility except those parts of the Sea-coasts which lie on the West towards Ireland but for the heart of this Shire it is altogether mountainous as if nature had a purpose here by rearing up these craggy Hills so thick together strongly to compact the joynts of this our Island and to frame the Inland part thereof for a fit place of refuge to the Britains against those times of adversity which afterward did fall upon them for no Army though never so strongly or scarce any Travellers though never so lightly appointed can find passage among those so many rough and hard Rocks so many Vales and Pools here and there crossing all the ways as ready obstacles to repel any Inroads of forrain assailants These Mountains may not unfitly be termed the British Alps as being the most vast of all Britain and for their steepness and cragginess not unlike to those of Italy all of them towring up into the Air and round encompassing one far higher than all the rest peculiarly called Snowdon Hills though the other likewise in the saâ—â—e sense are by the Welsh termed Craig Eriry as much as Snowy Mountains taking their name as doth by Plinies testimony Niphates in Armenia and Imaus in Scythia For all the year long these lie mantelled over with Snow hard crusted together though otherwise for their height they are open and liable both to the Sun to dissolve them and the Winds to over-sweep them 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Oâ—â—ovices of whom we have sufficiently spoken in the description of the former Provinces neither need I insist either upon the pleasures or profits that this Country yieldeth by reason of the great affinity it hath both of Climate and Commodities with Denbigh-shire and Flint-shire before mentioned But this beyond the other in some places breeds certain Shel-fishes which being conceived by an heavenly dew bring forth Pearls in ancient times more reckoned of than now they are 6 Touching places of note that City is very ancient which the Emperour Antonine callâ—â—h Segontium taking name of a River running by which at this day is called Sâ—â—ent some Reliques of the Walls whereof do yet appear neer unto a little Church consecrated to the honour of Saint Publicius This City Ninius calleth Caer Custenith which some interpret the City of Constantine Indeed Matthew Westminster saith how true I know not that Anno 1283. here was found the body of Constantius Father to Great Constantine which King Edward thâ— first caused to be sumptuously bestowed in the Church of the new City which he raised out of the ruins of the old and is now called Caernarvon which giveth name to this whole Shire The Town it self yieldeth a most excellent prospect towards the Sea and is incompassed in a manner round with the Walls of the Castle so as we may say it is a City within a Castle which taketh up the whole West-side of it and great pity it is that so famous a work should not be perpetuous