Coâ—quests in Italy In the Year 160 from tâ—â— building of Rome Elitovius chief of the Peopâ—â— of Maine and their Prince Belovesus made 〈◊〉 Eruption into the North-eastern part of Itaâ—â— whence they drove the Natives and thâ— built the Cities of Bresse Verona Trent Câ—â—â— Bergemo Mantoua and many others Thus is that the Poet John Baptist Ignatius exprâ—â—seth himself in their Favour Cenomanique acres non ignobile semen c. This Province was subject to the Gauls tâ—â— Romans the Francks and the English In tâ—â— middle of the eighth Century Pepin Head 〈◊〉 the second Stock of the French Kings gave thâ— County with 12 others to his Brother Grisâ— or Grippon But the Names of the succeediâ—â— Counts are not known till Hugh I. in 1020. 〈◊〉 fell by Inheritance to our K. Henry II. but 〈◊〉 confiscated by the French Monarchs upon oâ— K. John under pretence of the Murther of Aâ—thur of Brittany Since that time it has beeâ— several times detatched from and reunited â—gain to the Crown of France In 1674. Leâ—â—â— XIV made bold to give it as an Appanage oâ— Portion to one of his Bastards call'd Linâ—â— whom he had got on the Wife of the Marâ—â—â—â— of Montespan bestowing upon him the Tiâ—e 〈◊〉 Duke du Maine and the Charge of Colonel Geâ—eral of the Switzers The City of Mans or le Mans in Latin Ciâ—tas Cenomanorum Suindinum or Subdinnum is â—â—tituted upon the Confluence of the Sarte and â—e Huisne having the Title of a Bishoprick â—â—ffragan of Tours It is said that this City was â—uilt by Sarrhon Grandson of Samothes K. of the â—auls and being afterwards ruined by the Druides â—nd the Sarrhonides whilst they contested for it 〈◊〉 was rebuilt by Lemant King of the Gauls who â—ive to it his Name However it be for this â—ccount is look'd upon as fabulous le Mans is 〈◊〉 very Ancient City And in Charlemaign's time â—as one of the most flourishing in the Celtick Saul but the incursions of the Normans and â—he War with the English have much abated of â—s former Grandure It is now built upon a â—ountain which is raised up high beyond the â—irte between the North and the West and as a Bailiwick and a Presidial Seat with a Caâ—â—edral Church under the Name of St. Julian â—ho is esteem'd the first Bishop of it The â—rench Kings by a Prerogative of their Crown â—e Canons born in this Church It 's observed â—â—at the English during the Siege they laid to â—is City in 1425 were the first who made use â—f great Artillery in France Mayenne-la Juhel Meduana has its Name â—â—om the River Mayenne upon which it is seatâ—d and from the Lord Juhel who liv'd under â—he Reign of Philip August It lyes not far from 〈◊〉 Frontiers of Normandy being distant from le â—â—â—s about 18 leagues towards the North-west 〈◊〉 a Town very agreeable with the Title of a Dutchy under which Charles of Guise becaâ—â—â— so famous during the Wars of the Leagâ—â— whereof he was Head In 1661. Cardinal Mâ—zarin bought this Dutchy from the Heirs oâ— that House to give it in Portion to his Nâ—â—â— Hortensia Mancini Marry'd with Armand Charâ—â— de la Porte Duke of Mazarin it had before the Title of a Marquizate Laval or Laval-Guion Vallis-Guidonis is upon the River Mayenne in lower Maine about 〈◊〉 or 7 leagues from Mayenne towards the South It has the Title of a County and belongeth tâ— the House of la Trimouille it is famous foâ— the fine Cloth which is made there as alsâ— for a Council which was held there Aâ—â— 1242. La Ferté Bernard Firmitas Bernardi a Barâ—ny is situated upon the River Huisne beiâ—â— distant from le Mans about 9 or 10 leagues towards the East and the Frontiers of Percâ—â— there is a seat of Justice which resorts immediately to the Parliament of Paris It gaâ—â— Birth to Robert Garnier who at the end of thâ— last Age before Tristan Mairet and P. Corneilâ— arose was accounted the Prince of the Tragiâ—â— Poets amongst the French The Territory â—bout this Town is call'd by the Latin Authoâ— of the French Affairs Ager Firmitatensis Sablé a Marquizate is situated near the Sâ—â—â— between the little Rivers of Vergete and Erâ—â— about 10 or 11 leagues from Mans towards 〈◊〉 South-west Beaumont le Vicomte is a fine Towâ— with the Title of a Dutchy it lyes upon 〈◊〉 Sarte 6 leagues North of Mans and 5 South 〈◊〉 Alencon Raoul who was Lord of it Assâ—â—â— Anno 1093. at the Translation of the Reliques of St. Julian the first Bishop of Mans. Chateau du Loir a Barony is situated upon the River Loir in the Frontiers of Vendomois distant from le Mans about 8 or 9 leagues to â—â—wards the South-east There are other places of some Note as Lavardin Villaine-la-Juhel Gesvres Vibray Vassé Ballon and Galerande that are Marquizats Brulon Suze and Belin are Counties Bresseau is a Viscounty and S. Suzanne is a Barony Of the Country of Perche or Le Perche LE Perche hath Normandy on the North 〈◊〉 Maine to the West Vendomois and Blaisâ—â— on the South and towards the East it hath Beauce This Country seems not to have beeâ— known to the Ancients the reason of which I imagine to be that the middle-part of it was all cover'd with Woods and the borders belonged to the Neighbouring Nations And therefore it was that an Anchoret whom Posterity has since venerated under the Name of St. Avy S. Avitus retsred into these Forrests as into a wide and impenetrable Solitude The Country was yet for the most part Woody at the beginning of the third Race of the French Kings about 700 years ago and call'd for that reason Perticus Saltus the Forrest of Pearches perhaps because it consisted in great part of Fir-trees or other long and even Wood. And you may observe by the reading of the Latin Authors of the French History how they were fell'd down and the Country peopled by degrees which however is still Woody enough It s therefore labour lost to look for its Ancient Inhabitants since there were none for the Ilnelli and the Aulerci Diablintes were an Armoâ—ick Nation who seem'd to have dwell'd the â—irst in the Western Coasts of Normandy and the â—ast on the Southern of Brittany Le Perche is divided into higher and lower â—he higher part is the County and the lower â—s call'd Perche-Gouet or rather it 's divided inâ—o Grand Perche Perche-Gouet from the Name of its Ancient Lords Terre Françoise or French Country and Terres Démembrées or Dismember'd Lands 1. Grand-Perche contains Nogent-le Rotrou Mortaigne Bellesme Perriere the Barronies of Loupe Illiers Courville and Pontgoin Nogent le Rotrou Novigentum Rotroci or Rotroldi so call'd from Rotrou its Founder Count of Perche is seated upon the Huisne where it receives the Ronne and is the Capital of Upper Perche tho' it be commonly accounted a Burrough but one of the finest and richest in France by reason of its Manufactures of Serges
the curiosity of Strangers This Saint was the first Bishop of it at the end of the second Century he had for his successors many famous Prelates particularly St. Lidoire St. Martin St. Grâ—gory of Tours Since I have made mention of St. Martin I cannot forbear this History related by Du Chesne King Clovis soon after his Conversion to Christianity made an Offering of his own Horse to the Tomb of this Saint sending immediately an hundred pieces of Gold to redeem it but when he would mount it the Horse could not go until he had sent five-fold the Mony It seem'd says my superstitious Author as tho' its feet had been fastened to the Ground And so I believe they were or something very like it for I never read in the H. Scripture that God wrought Miracles only on purpose to enrich his Prophets or Apostles at the expences of Kings or People The French Papists have still an extraordinary veneration for this H. Man It were to be wish'd they would imitate his Christian moderation for this good Bishop would never communicate with Idacius and Ithacius who had procur'd the death of the Heresiarch Priscillian The Diocess of Tours is very large being distributed under three Arch-Deacons one of Tours another beyond the Loire and the third beyond the Vienne comprehending twenty great Abbies above an hundred Monasteries twenty Collegiate Churches fill'd up with Prebendaries four hundred Parochial Churches whereof sixteen are within the City Besides the famous Abby of Marmoutier and the fine Church of St. Ma tin on which six Abbotships depend viz. Beauieu Cormeri Villeloin Pruilly Noyers and Chinon But the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan is far much larger for the Bishops of Anger 's and le Mans and the nine Prelates of Brittany are his Suffragans Thâ—re is a Gate called corruptively la porte Fourgon whose right name is la porte du Roi Hugon King Hugon's Gate Some derive from thence the Nick-Name of Hugonots given to the French Protestants because they us'd to assemble at Night in subterraneous Vaults near the Gates of this City to avoid the rage of their Persecutors and therefore were called Hugonoti Hugonots as tho' they had been Disciples of King Hugon or Huguet This Hugon seems to have been an antient Count of Touraine who repair'd this Gate but it is now look'd upon by the superstitious Inhabitants as a kind of Hobgoblin that goes about the City Walls and beats the Night-Walkers he meets with Others feign a more illustrious original of this name pretending that it was imposed on the French Protestants when the League was most powerful And that as the House of Guise gave pâ—ivately out to have a better Title to the Crown than the Kings that then were as being descended from Charlemaign so the Leaguers nick-nam d the abettors of the Reformation Hugonots as favourers of the Posterity of Hugh Capet the head of the third Race of the Fr nch Kings However it be the Protestant Religion made at first great Progresses in this City and for this reason it was that it stood firm by the French Kings Henry III. and Henry IV. So that when the Parliament of Paris declar'd for the League the Loyalists that could make their escape râ—tir d to Tours and erected there another Court of Justice which cashier'd all the Edicts of the Parliament of Paris tending to promâ—te the Rebellion Near St. Martin the Fair is still shewn the Plain wheâ—e Charles Martel Duke or Generalissimus of the French defeated the Saracens in 726 kiâ—ling 375000 of their Men with their King Abderame tho' he lost but 1500. But some mâ—derate and very accurate Authors pretend that there is a mistake or overplus of 300000 in that Calculation Tours has a Bayliwick and Presidial-Seat an Election and a Generality to which those of Amboise Chinon and Loches all those of le Mayne and Anjou and some of Poictou do resort Here was formerly Mony coyn'd that went throughout all the Kingdom whence come still the names of Deniers Sous and Livres Tournois The form of Tours is somewhat oval the streets being long and clean and the Houses cover'd with Slates as well as the Walls of the City Near a Village called Columbiers two Leagues East of Tours is a subterraneous Vault called la Cave Gouttiere or the dropping Cave where the drops of Water freeze and petrifie as they fall along the Walls The cold is here extraordinary in Summer tho' this seems not to be the sole cause of it There is also the House and Castle of Plessis worthy to be seen for the fine Orchards and Gardens belonging to it But as to the Castle of Tours it is old and ruin'd Tours lies twenty five Leagues West of Anger 's and 46 South-East of Paris Amboise or Ambacia situated on the confluence of the Loire and Amasse having a Royal Castle built by Charles the Eighth to distinguish the place of his Birth which was also that of his Death This Town is pretty antient for Gregory of Tours says That Clovis and Alaric had an Interview in the Island nigh Amboise which Island is now within the Town The Normans afterwards ruined it but it was soon repair'd by Fulk III. Count of Anjou and is now a very fine Town tho' not very big The Healthfulness of the Air has oft drawn the French Kings hither and at such a time it was that some French Protestants designing to rid themselves of the Guisards who kept K. Francis II. in a manner Prisoner were discovered in their Attempt and paid for it with their Lives in 1560 Amboise belong'd a long time to the Counts of Anjou as to its Founders or Repairers then it had particular Lords Charles Vâ—I seiz'd it from Lewis Viscount of Thouars c. because he took part with the English Lewis XI Instituted here the Order of St. Michael August 1. 1469. Amboise lies 5 Leagues West of Turs and 9 East of Orleance It seems to owe its first Original to a Bridge of Boats which the Romans made here The Town of Loches Luccae or Lociae is scituated upon the River Indre Nine Leagues South-East of Tours Eustochius fifth Bishop of Tours founded here a Monastery whereof he constituted one Vrsus the first Abbot under the Reign of Alaric King of the Goths Lâ—ches was already a strong Place under the first Race of the Kings of France but Carloman and Pepin Brothers and Generals of the French took and rais'd it in 742. It was since repair'd and fortified with a Castle built on the top of an unaccessible Rock defended with Towers and Bulwarks and being 12000 Steps in Circuit so that it could not be taken by the English This Country was the Patrimony of the first Counts of Anjou there they kept their Prisoners of State But Charles the VII did make his ordinary Residence in it Louis the XI did add divers Appartments to the Castle particularly a dark Dungeon where he kept Cardinal de Balue Prisoner
and Chalosse on the VVesâ— and part of Chalosse and Armagnac on the Soutâ— It reaches 30 Leagues East and West from â—staffort on the Giers to beyond the Gelouse bâ— its greatest extent North and South is hardâ— 12 Leagues and in some places only 2 4 6 â— 7. However 't is subdivided in other smallâ— Countries as Mursan Gavardan Fesensagueâ— c. They say that Condomois yields all the nâ—cessaries for life and borrows nothing of iâ— Neighbours The most considerable Places aâ— Condom Bish Gondrin Corrensan Mezin Sâ— Rimbes Montreal Gabaret Cap. of Gavardaâ— Mauvesin Capital of Fesen saguet Mont de Maâ—san with Roquefort and St. Justin c. The City of Condom Condomium Vasconum is â—â—â—ted upon the Baise Balisa with a Bishopâ—â—er Suffragan of Bourdeaux three Leagues â—â—om Nerac it has a Presidial and Election â—â—â—e it was separated from the Bishoprick and â—â—â—schalship of Agen. The Pope John XXII ereâ—ed it into a Bishoprick in 1327. and gave it â—â—e revenues of an Abbey of St. Benedict conâ—â—crated to St. Peter which is now the Catheâ—â—al Raimond Gontard last Abbot of that Abâ—â—ey was the first Bishop of Condom and the â—anons were secularized in 1549. There are â—any other Churches and several Monasteries This City was taken in 1569. by Gabriel of â—â—tmorency Commander of the Protestants Of the Landes THE LANDES are along the Sea between the Country of Labourd on thâ— South Chalosse on the VVest and Bourdelois oâ— the North. This is a barren Country that haâ— in some places nothing but Heaths and Pastures where abundance of Cattel is feeding in somâ— other places it yields a little Corn and a greaâ— deal of Rye by the means of burnt Earth whicâ— mixed with the sandy Soyl fattens it and makeâ— it fruitful It 's extended 33 Leagues North East and South-West from Belin to Bayonne Buâ— only 12 in its largest breadth from Tartas oâ— the Adour to the Sea It was the Habitation oâ— the ancient Tarbelli whom Caesar and Strabâ— describe as living on the Sea-Coast of Aquitaâ— from Bourdeaux to the Pyrenees The Places tâ— be noted are Dax Bish Tartas Belin le Mâ—ret Magese Albret c. The City of Dax or Aqs Aquae Augustâ— or Aquae Tarbellicae lies upon the Adouâ— with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and a Sâ—neschal's Court 13 Leagues North-East of Baâ—onne It is a trading City rich and well builâ— with a Castle flank'd by many big rounâ— Towers with a Garrison in it it is famouâ— for its warm and healthful Bathes which werâ— in great consideration in the times of the Râ—mans whence comes its name of Aquae and that of Aquitain Of Labourd THE Land or Country of LABOVRD or rather Lapord Lapurdensis pagus lies on the Frontiers of Spain between Bearn on the East the Landes on the North and the Ocean on the West This Country has in most â—â—tees little Corn and Wine but is plentiful in Fruits especially Pears and Apples of which they make excellent Syder It yields a great deal of Millet and Physical Herbs of great Virtue Whales have been taken upon its Coasts and there are Mineral Waters good for several Distempers This Country reaches 17 Leagues East and West from Bidache to Fontarabie but his extent North and South is not above six or seven Leagues The chief Places are Bayonne Bish St. J hn de Luz Luisium that is muddy places Bidache Siboule c. The City of Bayonne Lapurdum Boatium Ciâ—itos and vulgarly Baiona lies on the Confluence of the Adour and Nive which three Miles after disburthen themselves into the Sea It has a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and is one of the Keys of the French Kingdom toward Spain it is very rich because of its Trading and very strong The word Bayonne comes from Baie a Port and from Juna which signifies gooâ— in the Bask or Country Language so that it as much as to say Good Port. 'T is in the Castâ— of this City called Lapurdum that the Tribâ—â— of the Novem Populan Cohort made his Residence it is under the Seneschal's Jurisdictioâ— of Dax Near this City is a Hill on the top 〈◊〉 which one may see part of three Kingdoms viâ— of France Castile and Navarre The Cathedral is dedicated to the blessed Virgin anâ— St. Leon There are many other Churches anâ— several Monasteries This Bishoprick was onâ—â— extended into three Kingdoms viz. France Nâ—varre and Castile but in 1565. Philip II. 〈◊〉 of Spain obtained from the Court of Roâ—â— the dismemb ing of it on behalf of Pampeluâ—â— This Country had formerly its own Viscounts Ships of any rate come up the River which 〈◊〉 very deep as far as the middle of the City Of Lower Navarre THE LOWER NAVARRE Borders on the Country of Labourd to the North-West and West on the Pyrenees to the South and the Viscounty of Soule to the East It is a Mounâ—â—inous Country which produces little Corn or Wine and yields only Millet Oates Pears and Apples of which they make Syder that is the usual drink of the Inhabitants Pasture ground is very good here the flesh of Cattel very delicate and the Wool very fine Game both small and great is likewise very common The most remarkable places are St. Palais the Capital St. John pie de Port S. Johannes â—â—â—pyrenaei Garris Garrucium la Bastide de Clarences S. Palais Fanum Sancti Pelagii is seated on the Rivers Bidouse almost 12 Leagues South-East of Bayonne It was the Seat of Chancery and Sovereign Justice before the Institution of the Parliament of Pau in 1620. it has still a Court of Mint c. Of Soule THE Viscounty of SOVLE Subola is 〈◊〉 little Country that makes part of Navarreâ— and lies betwixt it and Bearn There is no remarkable place but Mauleon of Soule which iâ— its chief Town called by the Latins Malleâ— Oppidum or Castrum and is seated in the hearâ— of it It 's the birth place of Henry Sponde Bishop of Pamiez who has continued the Annalâ— of Baronius Of Bearn BEARN or Benearnensis pagus with the Title of Principality lies near the Pyrenees bordering on the County of Bigorre to the East Lower Armagnac to the North the Precincts of the Provost of Acqs Lower Navarre and the Viscounty of Soule to the West and the Mountains of Arragon and Ronçal to the South The chief Town of this Province is Pau the other most remarkable are Benearnum now Lescar Lascurris Oleron Iluro Nay Ourtes or Ortez Navarreins Morrane Sauveterre Pontac Sanbege Salies and 434 Burroughs or Villages 2 Bishopricks and 3 Abbeys It lies betwixt 42 Deg. 50 Min. and 43 Deg. 40 Min. Latitude and between 18 Deg. 50 Min. and 20 Deg. of Longitude its greatest strength East and West being about 22 Leagues and 20 North and South There are two Principal Rivers called Gave one has its source in the Mountains of Bareges in Bigorre and is called the Gave of Bearn and the other is that of Oleron which is a compound of
such whose riches did not prosper Valerius Maximus assures that this Booty was found in Marshes and consisted in Wedges of Gold and Silver 15000 Talents worth Orosius fixes it to the value of 100000 Found in Gold and 110000 in Silver but Justin increases it to 110000 Pound of Gold and 5000000 of Silver and adds that it was the plunder which the Tectosages brought home from the expedition of Delphos which last account is altogether fabulous since such of the Tectosages who went into Greece and Asia never returned back to their own Country having either been kill'd or settled themselves there as Polybius Pausanias Livy and all the ancient Authors testifie So that the matter of fact is true viz. that there was a vast quantity oâ— Gold and Silver in or about Toulouse which was taken away by Cepio but it remains doubtful whence it came whether it had been extracted out of Mines they had in their Country or gathered up through the course of many years by this industrious and warlike People averse to Luxury and Expences as Valerius Maximus qualifies them Toulouse has twice had the honour to be the head of a Kingdom under the Wisigoths before Clovis and under Charibert to whom Dagobert his Brother King of France yielded the Tolosaâ— Quercy Agenois Perigord Saintonge and Gascony As to the State of the Church though the Cathedral be dedicated under the name of S. Stephen yet S. Saturnin is thought to have been the first Bishop of it in the second Age and to have been precipitated by the Heathens headlong the Capitole Pope John XXII erected this City into an Archbishoprick in 1317. and submitted to it the Bishoprick of Pamiez with six Monasteries that he chang'd into Episcopal Sees viz. Montauban Rieux Mirepoix la Vaur Lombez and S. Papoul of which the 5 last were formerly included within this Diocese The Parliament of Toulouse was instituted by the French King Philip the Fair in 1302 and made sedentary by Charles VII in 1442 or 1443 who subjected to it all Upper and Lower Languedoc and the 3 Countries of the Cevennes besides some part of Guyenne and Gascony as Quercy Rouergue Cominges Gaure Armagnac Estrac Lomaigne Magnoac and Bigorre This if we believe Du Chesne was occasioned by a difference between the King and Matthew of Fâ—ix Count of Chastelbon Husband to Jane Daughter to the Earl of Cominges and Boulogne The French Monarch pretended to be Heir to that Lady and on that account he summoned them both to appear before his Parliament of Toulouse in 1442 and at the same time fixed there the Seat of that Sovereign Court Besides the Parliament there is an Office of Chancery a Seneschalship and Presidial whose Chief justice is call'd Juge-Mage a Viguery that is the same Court which on this side the Loire is call'd Prevoté or Provostship General Treasurers and a Receiver General of the King 's Dâ—nesne Add to this the Court of the Capitouls who judg of all such things as belong to Police or the City Government as appears by that they have lately condemned * See the Journal des Savans Dec. 22. 1692. This happen'd on the 21 of July 1691. a pretended Hermaphrodite but a real Woman born in 1669 and call'd Margaret Mallaure to be from henceforth cloath'd as a Man and to bear the name of Antony Mallaure because when she became 14 years of Age it was given out that she had more of the Man than of the Woman This young Maid thus disguised against her will came to Paris last Winter 1693 where the Physicians of that great City more learn'd than those of Toulouse discovered that it was but a sort of broken Belly and having cur'd her of that Disease She presented a Petition to the French King in order to reverse the Sentence of the Capitouls against her and to restore her to he natural Cloaths and Fame which was granted The University for Civil and Canon Law waâ— instituted by Raimond VII Count of Toulouse and endow'd with many fine Privileges by Popâ— John XXII and by Innocent VI. who founded the College of S. Martial the others as thaâ— of Foix Narbonne Maguelonne Pampelune Perigord Ste. Catherine and Mirepoix have been founded by several Prelates and Noblemen Toulouse will not yield to any City in France for bigness magnificence or the number of Inhabitants and 't is not of late that it is grown so considerable for in the fourth Century Ausonius bestows on it the following Elogy Non unquam altricem nostri reticebo Tolosam Coctilibus Muris quam circuit ambitus ingens Perque latus pulchro perlabitur amne Garumna Innumeris cultam populis confinia propter Ninguida Pyrenes pinea Coebennarum Inter Aquitanas Gentes nomen Iberum Quae modo quadruplices ex se cum effuderit urbes Non ulla exhauste sentit dispendia plebis Quos genuit cunctos gremio complexa colonos I shall never forget Toulouse wherein I have been educated whose large circuit is surrounded with Brick-walls and wash'd with the fine River Garonne which is inhabited by a numberless People whose Borders reach near the Snow of the Pyrenees and the Pine-trees of the Cevennes being seated between Aquitain and Spain which when four Cities shall flock out of it it shall not feel the loss nor be exhausted of People if it but keep such Inhabitants as are born within its bosom If this be the true sense as it seems the most natural to me Toulouse was doubtless one of the greatest Cities in the Gaules Adrian de Valois pretends that these quadruplices Vrbes are four Countries which had newly modo been added to the Toulousan but he neither names them nor gives any proof for it Besides that the Poet does not speak as he supposes in an absolute sense or say that Toulouse has but lately set out four Cities on the contrary his expressions are hypothetical cum essuderit that though it should happen so however it would hardly feel the loss provided it should keep â—â—do complexa fuerit its native Inhabitants The Romans used to solemnize Floral Games at the beginning of May in honour of the Goddess Flora but accompany'd with very dishonest shews Those that the Toulousaans still celebrate under that name and at the same time are only attended with such circumstances as are most proper to stir up vertue and ingenuity A President and 4 Counsellors of the High Court of Parliament with the eight Capitouls and the other Magistrates of the City come in their Nobes on the 1. of May into the Council-hall to hear the Poets recite their Verses and on the 3d. day after a sumptuous Treat and a Sonnet to be made immediately by the pretenders to the Prizes who are included to that effect in a great Hall these Prizes are distributed by the plurality of Votes They are three in number and consist in so many golden Flowers each of the value of about 14 Pound the first is a
and Prince of Donzere and Chateauâ—â—f Annonay Annonaeum a Marquisate upon the â—all River Deume lies 3 Leagues West of the Rome and almost 19 North of Viviers in a very fruitful Soyl. It 's the Capital of Upper VIVARAIS and the Seat of a Bayliwick Some pretend that it was formerly a Store-house of â—he Roman Armies Most of the Inhabitants â—mbraced the Reformation in the last Age so â—hat it remain'd under the Protestants during â—he Civil Wars notwithstanding the attempts â—he Leaguers made against it in 1562 and 1563. Tournon Turno Castrum because it was formerly but a Castle seated on a neighbouring Hill lies upon the Rhone over against Thain iâ— Dauphine has the Title of a County and has given name to an Illustrious Family that has produc'd several Cardinals and many Prelates It 's one of the ancientest Baronies in that Country but is grown more famous and flourishing of late by a College of Jesuits that draws thiâ—her great numbers of Scholars It was Founded by Francis Cardinal of Tournon Archbishop of Lyons under Charles IX This Town has besides a Collegiate Church and several Monasteries and the County extends its Jurisdiction over 72 Parishes Aubenas Albenacum is an indifferent gooâ— Town upon the steep of a Mountain wash'd bâ— the River Ardesche almost 8 Leagues North West of Viviers Most of the Inhabitants werâ— Reform'd Villeneuve de Berg lies near thâ— source of the Rivulet Hibie 11 Miles West oâ— Viviers But though it be the Capital of thâ— little Country of Les Botieres yet 't is only coâ—siderable for its being the Seat of an inferioâ— Judge or Baily The other places of some note are Serriereâ— Andance Chasteaubourg Cornaz Crussol a Couâ—ty Soyons a principality belonging to the Bishoâ— of Valence in Dauphiné Charmes Beau-Chasteâ— La Voulte Poussin Bays sur Bays Meisse Roche Maurette Le Teil Le Bourg St. Andiol all seaâ—ed along the Rhone from North to South I the middle of the Country or near the Mountains you find upon the River Beaune Joyeusâ— a Dutchy and Peerdom erected by Henry IIâ— in 1581 I. ' Argentiere near the small Country oâ— Borne Vauguel Mirabel S. Laurent Boulogâ—â— l'Estrange Meyras Montpezat Rioutort neaâ— the Borders of Velay 3 Leagues down the sourcâ— of the Loire where that River is yet so narrow that a Lady having leap'd it over by putting foot on a Silver Plate she laid in the middle oâ— the Channel made the Italians believe she haâ— past over the Loire on a Silver-bridge The you meet with Pierre-ville Chalençon Le Cheâ—lars S. Agreve c. Of the Diocese of Uzès THis Diocese is included betwixt the Rivers Ardesche Rhone and Garden and the â—ountains Cevennes having the County Venaisâ— the Principality of Orange and the Tricaâ—â—is to the East Vivarais to the North and â—â—vaudan with the Diocese of Nismes to the West and South-West It s length and breadth â—e almost equal being about 12 or 14 Leagues â—t drawing a diagonal North-West and South-â—ast from Villefort near the Source of the Arâ—â—he on the Borders of Gevaudan to Monfrain 〈◊〉 the Gardon near its fall into the Rhone the â—reguoiâ— reaches above 18 Leagues VZES Vindomagus Volcarum Arecomicorum â—d in latter Ages Vcetia or Castrum Vâ—eciense 〈◊〉 near the Spring of the small River Aysene â—uch after a course of 5 or 6 Miles diâ—charges â— self into the Gardon Magus is an old Gauâ— word that signifies Habitation and because is oft chang'd into r and V into G as Caâ—â—elus for Carantonus la Charante so Vindo â—â—y have been said for Virdo or Vardo the Garâ— In the ancient Notices of the Gauls this â—â—thedral Church is put in the last place or 〈◊〉 one before the last but since the erection 〈◊〉 the new Bishopricks S. Pons de Tomiere's and Alet it is the 7th in order VZES had â— first the Title of a Barony then it was erecteâ— into a Dutchy and at last into a Dutchy aâ—â— Peerdom in 1572 for Antony of Crussol Bâ—sides this the Bishop is Count of the Town anâ— the King is also Conseigneur or Lord Partner anâ— has his Seat of Justice and his Viguier or Bayly so that the King the Bishop and the Duke havâ— each their Castle and their Jurisdiction whicâ— oft causes many disputes VZES is pretty biâ— rich and trading because of the Manufactory Cloaths the Serges of VZES being renown throughout all the Kingdom Most of the Iâ—habitants had embrac'd the Reformation foâ—lowing the example of their Bishop John of Gelais who turn'd Protestant with all his Chaâ—ter and â—ent for Ministers to Geneva in the laâ—â— age and there has been still a considerable Râ—form'd Church even till these latter times Thâ— City lies 4 Leagues of Languedoc or eleven Eâ—glish Miles South of Nismes and almost 8 coâ—mon Leagues of France North-West of Avâ—non Five Miles South-East of VZES upon tâ—â— River Gardon is to be seen the most sumptuoâ—â— remainder of Roman Antiquities that is extaâ—â— perhaps in all the World It 's called Pont Guard pons Vardonis and consists of three Briâ—ges built upon one another The undermâ—â— has 6 Arches and is the common road of Mâ— and Beasts the middlemost has eleven Aâ—ches and the uppermost 30 the whole reacâ—ing to the height of 82 Foot Under these Briâ—ges is a Canal 6 Foot deep and 3 broad câ—ver'd with large Stones through which tâ— Water of the Gardon was made to pass and to â—cend to the highest of those Bridges whence â— through an Aqueduct it was brought into â—â—smes to serve for their Arens Mills and other 〈◊〉 For Nismes being not seated on the bank 〈◊〉 a River and having but a small Fountain as â—s been observ'd in its proper place wants Water the most part of the Summer These â—ridges tho not so entire as to be of use are â—ll however a glorious Monument of the Roman â—â—â—andure On the North-East above 9 Leagues from â—ZES lies Pâ—nt S. Esprit a pretty strong â—own and an important passage upon the Rhone Wherefore it has a Cittadel and a parâ—â—cular Governor The Town has its name â—rom a Bridge that is a curious piece of Workâ—anship being under-propt by 22 Arches 1206 â—rench Toises or 7236 Foot long and 90 Foot â—ord The other places of note in this Diocese are â—â—amon Ville-neuve-lez-Avignon S. André Rocâ—â—emaure Condoules all upon the Rhone from South to North. Villefort and Chamhonas upon â—he Chassezat Salavas and Ayguese upon the â—â—desche S. Ambroise Monclus Cornillon Bagnols â—pon the Ceze Les Vens Bane Bezas Bargeac â—agnas La Bastide de Virac betwixt those two Rivers Genouillas and Chambourigaud near the â—â—vennes Couvillargues and Lodun upon the â—â—ve Lussan betwixt the Ceze and Tave Blanâ—u near the Gardon St. Laurens des Aubres near the Rhone c. Of GEVAUDAN THis Mountainous Country is separated from Velay and Vivarais by the Allier to thâ— East to the North it has Upper Auvergne tâ— the West Rouergue and to the South the Diocese of
and on Languedoc to the West It is about 13 or 14 Leagues from South to North and from West to East it is the first of the Pope's Legateships a fruitful and pleasant Country there are an Archbishoprick 3 Bishopricks 4 Baronies and 78 Towns Burroughs or Villages In the Romans time it was inhabited by the Cavares and Memini since it pass'd under the French and from them to the Marquesses and the Counts of Provence In 1228 the Estates of Raimond Count of Toulouse having been seiz'd from him because of his protecting the Albigeois it was agreed amongst the Usurpers that the Lands which Raimond had possest on the East of the Rhone should be settled in trust only for a time to Gregory IX as appears by the Letters of this Pope to the French K. Lewis IX and Queen Blanche his Mother in 1230 and 1233. It s modern name Venaissin comes from Venatione because of the vast quantity of Game that is in this Country Avignon and its Territory made up a separate Dominion which still belong'd to the Counts of Provence but in 1348 Jane Queen of Naples and Sicily Countess of Provence sold this City with its Suburbs and Territory for the Summ of 80000 Golden Florens that is 48000 French Livres to Pope Clement VI. and lest it should be said that this summ came not near the value of so considerable a City it was inserted in the Agreement that the Queen made a free gift of the over-plus to the Pope Hereupon the French Historians observe 1. That this Princess being born in 1328. was not yet out of Age no more than her second Husband Lewis of Tarante 2dly That the sale was made without the consent of the Guardians given her by K. Robert her Grandfather when he instituted her his Universal Heir against his express will 3. That some years after the same Pope to hinder Queen Jane of selling others of her Countries gave out a Bull declaring void all the alienations made or to be made by the said Queen both in the Kingdom of Naples and in the County of Provence against the will of the said K. Robert her Grandfather 4thly That in 1365 Queen Jane declar'd void the sale of Avignon and all the others she had made to that very time These are the Chief reasons on which the French Kings ground their pretensions over Avignon and County Venaissin and for which they never fail of seizing upon this City and County as soon as they are at variance with the Court of Rome as did Lewis XIV in 1663. and 1688. I leave the Reader to judge of them as he may do very impartially since they are both our Enemies only with this difference that the one viz. the Pope is irreconcilable to us as long as we are Protestants whereas within some years we may be at peace with the other The City of AVIGNON Avenio Cavarum is upon the Rhone 8 Leagues North of Arles almost as many South East of Vzès and 10 North East of Nismes with an University and an Archbishoprick only since the year 1475. under Sixtus V. It was before that time a Bishoprick Suffragan of Arles Pope Clement IV. removed the Pontifical See to Avignon in 1305. Clement VI. bought that City 37 years after his Successors lived there quietly till the year 1380. as also during the Schism that is to the Council of Pise in 1409. It has a Court of Inquisition a Mint where Money is coyned with the Pope's Arms its Walls are fine its Churches magnificent its Avenues pleasant The justice is administred by the Consuls and their Assessor who is the Judge of the City the Viguier who is like the Provost of Merchants in Paris or the Lord Mayor in London judges without farther appeal all Causes and Suits not exceeding four gold Duckets but in other Causes one may appeal to the Vice-Legate who commits the matter to the Rote which consists of five Auditors and from thence one may still appeal to Rome All the Canons of the Cathedral Church of our Blessed Lady are clothed in Red and the Chaplains in Purple seven Popes have seated there during 70 years from 1307. till 1377. viz. Clement V. John XXII Benedict XII Clement VI. Innocent VI. Vrban V. and Gregory XI who by the persuasion of St. Catherine of Sienne remov'd to Rome again together with three Antipopes Clement VII Boniface IX and Benedict XIII from 1378 till 1409. This is called by the Italians The Babylonian Captivity of the Church And well may they compare their Church to Babylon for 't is as like to the Mystical Babylon of the Revelation as two drops of Water are to each other Amongst other resemblances the following will not be unpleasant viz. that the number of Seven the number of the Heads of the Beast seems to be affected in the publick buildings of Avignon which is the Master-piece of the Popes for there are 7 Parishes 7 Monasteries 7 Hospitals 7 Colleges 7 Palaces 7 Markets and 7 Gates which make up 7 times 7. The City of Carpentras Carpentoracte Meminorum lies upon the Russe 5 or 6 Leagues from Antignon with a Judge in Ordinary an Office of the Pope's Exchequer and a Bishoprick Susfragan of Avignon It is seated on the foot of Mount Ventoux which is four Leagues high and on the ruins of Venasque or Vindausca in a fruitful Soil with good Walls about it This is properly the Chief City of the County Venaissin Cavaillon Cabellio Colonia lies upon the Durance in an Island form'd by that River the Calevon and the Durancole 9 Miles South West of Avignon It was formerly seated on a Hill where are still some remains of old Buildings but now it lies in a very fruitful Plain though for the rest it is small and ill built the Cathedral is dedicated under the name of S. Veran one of its Bishops in the 6th Century It belong'd to the Cavares Vaison Vasio is seated upon a Hill washed by the Louveze It 's mention'd by Pliny Ptolomy and other ancient Geographers as one of the Cities of the Vocontii and seems to have been pretty considerable But it has been so oft ransack'd and plunder'd by the Goths Vandales and Sarracens that there is but a heap of ruins where it formerly laid viz. in the plain about the Church of our Lady The other places of note are Mâ—rnas Chateau-neuf-du-Pape Barbentanes and Boulbon upon or near the Rhone Graveson Chateau-renard Noves Caumont and Valorges about the Durance Chateau-neuf L' Isle Pernes Pont de Sorgues near the River Sorgues Bedarides Sarrian Caron Flassan Mazan Venasque S. Didier about Carpentras Miolans Queyrane and Cameret about Vaison Of the Principality of Orange I Put here this Principality because it cannot be describ'd any where else since it 's included by the County Venaissin on all sides save on the West by the Rhone It is very small though its Territory be extraordinary fertil in Wine Corn Fruits c. for its greatest length
it Duricortorum and Duricortora Remorum and the Modern Remi and Remensis Civitas Besides the Cathedral that bears the Name of our Lady and the Abby of St. Remy there are three other Abbies and several Parochial Churches and Monasteries a Presidial and Baylwiâ— and an University founded by Charles Lorrain one of its Archbishops In 1677 was discovered at Rheims a â—mous Monument of Antiquity a triuâ—phal Arch which formerly was the Noâ—thern Gate of the City called the Port Mars This Arch is composed of three ther Arches 1. The Arch of the Seasons the middle represents the four Seasons four Children and a Woman who denoâ— Abundance sitting amongst them rouâ— about are drawn the Twelve Months in many Pictures with several Ornaments thâ— time has partly defaced 2. The Arch Romulus on the right side has a Square eâ—riched with Trophies including the Picturâ— of Remus and Romulus sucking a She-Wolf near which are two Figures having each Stick in their Hand but one is covereâ— with a Helm and the other with a Lawreâ— Crown It 's thought they were the Image of the Shepherd Faustulus and Acca Laurentia his Wife 3. The Arch of Leda on the left side represents Leda Castor and Pollux's Mother together with a Swan and Cupiâ— holding a Link in his Hand The Inhabitants are courteous and witty but they and the Briois are accused of being obstinate and headstrong in their Sentiments Going out of Rheims towards the South-west one finds a fruitful Soil good Meadows pleasant Gardens and plenty of Vines The City is Capital of a small Country called â—he Rhemois which contains Fismes Cormicy Pont-Favergue and Machauld 2. Precinct of Chalons and Troyes ON the South-East and South of Rhemois are the Precinct of Chalons and Troyes which make up Champaign properly so called There you will find the Towns or Boroughs of Chastillon Damery Dormans Condé Espernay Montmaur Ay Avesnay S. Menehoud Chalons Then you will meet with Vertus Fere-Champenosie Plancy Arcy Pont-sur-seine Mery Romeru Pongy Piney Vandeure Troyes and Villemaur Chalons THIS Town called Catalaunum by the Latins is one of the Chiefest of Champaign in Beauty Bigness Wealth and Priviledges It s Situation is very pleasant because the River Marn runs by its Walls and parts it from one of the Suburbs besides the Conveniency it gives them of transporting their Wares and Commodities to Paris Its Buildings are very neat the Streets wide and the Walks pleasant by reason of Trees planted on each side It has the Tiâ— of a County and its Bishop one the Twelve ancient Dukes and Peers France is Suffragan to the Archbishop Rheims The Cathedral of St. Stephen both great and well built as are likewiâ— its twelve Parochial Churches and thrâ— Abbies All this with the Fertility of 〈◊〉 Plains the Cheapness of Provisions and â—vility of the Inhabitants makes the Towâ— much frequented They that delight 〈◊〉 Whiteness shall find here besides the Hoâ—ses several Towers in form of Pyramiâ— and the very Walls all of that Coloâ— This Town is divided into three Parts caâ—ed the City the Isle and the Borougâ— and has a Generality of Treasurers and Presidial It was near this City that Mâ—roüee and Aëtius General of the Roman overcame Attila King of the Huns in 45â— and gave a total Overthrow to his Army whereof 90000 were killed on the Spoâ— Others affirm that this happened in Caâ—pis Secalaunicis at Solougne near Orlean However Chalons is a very ancient Towâ— since in the time of Julian the Apostate 〈◊〉 was already considerable Troyes SOme Authors affirm that this Town which is a Bishoprick under the Metroâ—olitan of Sens and Capital of all Chamâ—aign was built upon the Seine after the Deâ—ruction of the ancient Troy but without â—aving recourse to Fables sure it is that Troyes 〈◊〉 of great Antiquity and known to the ancient Historians and Geographers under the Names of Treca Tricassis Tricassium Augusta Tricassinorum and Augustobona It s advanâ—agious Situation with the Strength of its Walls and Courage of the Inhabitants veâ—y well train'd up to Arms renders it capable of maintaining a long Siege It has a very fine Palace pretty good Buildings â—wo Collegial and six Parochial Churches besides the Abby of S. Loup and of the Nuns of S. Bernard called our Lady of the Meadows Nôtre-dame des Prez and the Cathedral of St. Stephen which has forty Canons Here they make a shew of many fine Rarities as some of our Saviour's Hair a Piece of the true Cross a Dish used in his last Supper one of St. John's Fingers one of St. Peter's Teeth the Body of St. Helena c. not forgetting the Tomb of one of the Counts of Champaign It s Baylwick and Presidial have a large Jurisdiction and the last consists of eight Counsellors and a Register Money is coyn'd in this Town It 's thoughâ— St. Amateur was the first that Preached thâ— Gospel to its Inhabitants Troyes was ruineâ— by the Normans in the ninth Century bâ—â— since repaired by Count Robert The placâ— is pleasant enough and Provisions cheap 3. Senonois ON the South-West of Troyes is the Country of Sens whose Archbishop is onâ— of the Pretenders to the Primacy of Gaul anâ— Germany This City which the Latins call'â— Senones and Agendicum Senonum is very ancient and if not ancienter than Rome aâ— some pretend at least 't is sure that its Inhabitants were famous long before the coming of our Saviour for they sent Colonies intâ— Greece and Italy where they took Rome anâ— built Sienne and Senigaglia that retain yeâ— somewhat of their Founders Name Undeâ— the Second Race of the French Kings somâ— Lords erected Sens into a Sovereign County till King Robert made himself Master of it in 1005. The Town is large well built and washed with two Rivers Venne and Yonne that mix their Waters here The Cathedral of St. Stephen is a sumptuous Building adorned with two great Towers Aâ— the foot of the principal Altar is a Goldeâ— Table enrich'd with precious Stones upoâ— it are engrav'd in basso relievo the four Evangelists with a St. Stephen on his knees in the â—dle of ' em The Chapter has nine Digâ—ries a Dean five Archdeacons a Praetor a Treasurer and a Purveyor and in 〈◊〉 whole Diocese are reckoned above 900 â—ishes besides 25 Abbeys The Bishops of â—is Chartres Meaux and Orleans dependâ— upon this Prelate before the first was â—de a Metropolitan but now it has no â—re than Troyes Auxerre and Noyon for Sufâ—gans Sens has a Presidial and a Baylwick â—ich is one of the four Ancient of the â—gdom and the Country depending upon is 16 or 17 Leagues in length and 8 in â—adth There are several walled Towns and â—roughs as Pont sur Yonne Joigny that has the â—tle of County St. Floreâ—tin Tonnerre Chaâ—s a County between which and Fontenay â—s given a famous Battle among the Sons Lewis the Meek besides several places of â—ser Note as Ville-Neuve-l'Archevèque Villeâ—uve le Roy S. Julien du
Sant Câ—erny la â—rté Loupiere Aillant Brignon c. 4. Langres â—Ome put this Town in Bassigni and others account Chaumont for the Capital of it shall here follow the last in order to make particular Description of this ancient City â—lled by the Latins Lingonae and Andomainum Lingonum and famous ever since the Irruption of Sigovese and Bellovese iâ— Italy that is since 3464 of the World 164 of Rome Langres is seated upon Mountain near the source of the Marne aâ— its Territory which is not far from Bâ—gundy is accounted the highest of France bâ—cause five or six Rivers spring out of The Vandals wasted this City and put St. â—dier its Bishop to death in 704 but siâ— it was so well repaired that in the 12th Ceâ—tury Peter the Venerable calls it the Nâ—â— the Great and the Renowned and therefoâ— its Bishops were not forgotten in the Institâ—tion of the ancient Dukes and Peers France The Cathedral is dedicated 〈◊〉 St. Mammez Martyr but St. Savinian wâ— its first Bishop for ought we know about 〈◊〉 end of the fourth Age. 5. Of Bassigni Vallage and Perthois THE Country of Bassigni is included bâ—twixt that of Langres and Vallage 〈◊〉 the South and North the Dutchy aâ— County of Burgundy on the West and Eaâ— Vallage has Bassigni on the South the Pâ—cinct of Troyes on the East and North-Eaâ— Lorrain on the East Barrois and Rhemois 〈◊〉 the North. Perthois has Vallage on the Soutâ— the Dutchy of Bar on the East the Territâ— â—y of Rheims on the North and that of Troyes â—n the West Chaumont is the Capital of Bassigni and is situated upon a Hill near the Marne between Langres and Chalons It has 〈◊〉 very strong Castle built upon a Rock with a Tower called the Donjon There are likewise Montigni Gaeffi Nogente Roy Bourbonne-les-Bains Monteclar Andeâ—t Bisnay Choyseul Clermont with several â—thers that have strong Castles for their Deâ—ence Vallage for its chief Towns has Vassi â—nd Joinville erected into a Principality by King Henry II. for the youngest Sons of the House of Guise an 1552. It is situated upâ—n the Marne The other Towns of Vallage â—re Brienne County Vignoris Montirandel â—onlevand le Chasteau aux Forges Esclairon â—ar upon the River Aube which is renownâ—d for its excellent Wines and had formerly â—s particular Counts The Country of Perthois has Vitri 〈◊〉 François fortified the modern way or its Capital It was built by King â—rancis I. whose Name it bears in the Neighbourhood of Vitri le brulé that was 〈◊〉 former times a considerable Castle The â—ther less considerable Towns are Argilliers â—arzicourt Louvemain St. Dizier a strong â—own on the Frontiers of Barrois Serâ—aize c. 6. The Country of Brie and morâ— especially Brie Champenoise THis Country is included between thâ— Marne the Seine and the Diocese oâ— Chalons and is extended about 10 or 1â— Leagues in length and breadth It 's ferâ— in Fruits Meadows Corn and Wines thaâ— are delicate near Château-Thierry but morâ— rough about Meaux Brie is divided intâ— French Brie depending upon the Governmeâ— of the Isle of France and Champaigne's Brie divided again into Vpper Lower and Louâ— Brie or the Land of Glandevesse whereiâ— are the Boroughs of Gandelu Montmorâ— Tresmes Orbay c. The whole Province hâ— MEAVX for its Capital whose scituation upon the Maine is very pleasant and its Disposâ—tion or Order no less being divided in twâ— by a little River that runs through and separates the Town quite from the Markeâ— called otherwise the Fort. It 's so considerâ—ble that it deserv'd a Bishoprick Bailwicâ— and Election It s Cathedral is dedicated 〈◊〉 St. Stephen Besides that there is the Collegiate Church of St. Sanctin first Bishop 〈◊〉 Meaux the Abbey of St. Faron belonging 〈◊〉 the Benedictins of St. Maur and several Parochial Churches and Monasteries both iâ— the Town and the three Suburbs Meaâ— had formerly its particular Counts whose Country was united to the Crown with the â—est of Champaign During the Imprisonment â—f King John the Dauphin Charles V. his â—on fell at variance with the Parisians and â—etired to Meaux thence to Sens. The Parians would make use of the occasion to â—eize upon this Key of the Marne and sent â—ome Troops thither under the Conduct of a â—rocer but notwithstanding the Treason â—f the Mayor who opened them the Gates â—ey could not master the Market and â—aston-Phebus Count of Foix cut them inâ— pieces then ransack'd and burnt the Town However it was in few years so â—ell repair'd that it maintained a Siege of â—ree months against the English who at last â—ok it upon Charles VII then only Dauâ—hin of France in 1421. Meaux was one â—f the first Cities of that Kingdom wherein â—e Reformation was Preached for which â—ohn le Clerc and James Pavanes got the â—rown of Martyrdom the first being burnt 〈◊〉 Metz and the other at Paris about the â—ear 1525. CHATEAV-THIERRY is eight or ten â—eagues Eastwards of Meaux upon the same â—iver has the Title of a Dutchy a Bailâ—ick a Presidial Provostship and Election and 〈◊〉 accounted the Chief Town of Vpper Brie â—'s strong and pleasant by its situation has good Castle and several Churches The Duke of Mayenne took it in the last Age foâ— the League at which time it was plundereâ— by the Spaniards MONCEAVX is a Royal Castle anâ— Pleasure-house built upon the River Oâ—â— near its meeting with the Marn It 's adorâ—ed with Parks Forests Rivers and Gardeâ— that yield to none in the Kingdom for Beauty or Pleasure Queen Catherine of Mediâ— begun and Henry IV. finished it PROVINS Capital of Lower Brie anâ— formerly of the whole Province is situateâ— upon the little River Vuzie It has a Baiâ—wick and is renowned for its Roses and tâ— Conserve that is made of them The otheâ— Towns and Boroughs of Brie are Nogenâ— l'Artaud Vieux-Maisons Crecy Colommieâ— la Ferté-Gaucher and Sezanne all four upoâ— the Morin Nogent sur Seyne which has fine Bridge upon that River Montereâ—faut Yonne so called because the Yonne faâ— there and mixes with the Seine It has Bridge too upon which John Duke of Bâ—gundy was murthered by the Faction of Oleance in 1419. CHAP. IV. Of the Isle of France and its Dependencies ISLE of France is properly the Name of a small Country included between the Rivers Seine Oyse and Aysne Picardy Brie â—nd the Territory of Rheims but to make of it a Government somewhat suitable to â—he bigness of the Capital of so great a Kingdom part of the adjacent Countries have â—een taken from them and added to this Peninsula viz. out of Champaign part of Brie betwixt the Marne the Seine and the small River Yere with the Towns of Lagâ—y Ville-neuve-S George Brie-Comte-Robert built by the first Count of Champaign which â—as yet a Seat of Justice resorting to the Châteâ—et of Paris and Rosoy Out of Beausse have been taken three Countries namely Hureâ—oix on the South of the Seine with
adorned with cast Copper Trâ—phies of embossed Work representing thâ— most memorable Events of that Reigâ— The Statue is properly a Groupe or a Complâ—cation of three Figures namely of the Kinâ— in his Royal Robes of the Victory behinâ— him who puts a Crown on his Head anâ— of Cerberus or the infernal Dog kick'd under the Feet of this Sham-conqueror by the three Heads of which they would signifie the triple Alliance of England Holland and Swede or perhaps the House of Austria The Victory has one of her Feet on a Globe the other in the Air and with her two display'd Wings seems ready to fly There are besides a Hercules's Club a Lyon's Skin and a Helmet so that the whole weighs above thirty thousand though 't is said that it was all made at one Cast On the four Avenues or Sides of the Market are so many Marble-Columns adorned with Bassâ—-Relievo's of Brass representing this Prince's Actions Upon each of these Pillars is a Lanthorn of gilded Brass whereâ—â— Light is perpetually kept to venerate â—is new Idol which is sufficiently denoted â—y this Inscription amongst others Viro imâ—ortali to the immortal Man Paris as to its Form is rather square than â—ng and divided into three Parts the City 〈◊〉 ancient Town built in the Isle of the Paâ—â—ce formed by the Seine The new Town â—â—lled La Ville which is the Northern or â—â—west part of Paris and the University â—hich is the highest They were shut up â—ith seventeen Gates leading unto ten Subâ—rbs whereof that of St. Germain likes to â—e a goodly Town but some of their Gates â—ave been demolished These several Parts â—re joyned and communicate together by â—en Bridges most of which are filled with â—uildings Paris lies so convenient that Rouen supâ—lies it with what it has occasion of from â—ther Countries and the neighbouring Proâ—inces with all Home-Necessaries Besides â—his its Situation is so very advantagious â—hat there is no place in the Kingdom so fit â—or so great a City or such a Court. The Houses generally are high and spacious the Streets kept very clean Fountains wholesome and in great numbers The Air mild and healthful and Provisions cheap so that People may live there and spend much less than what is generally thought Besides these there is another great Convenienâ—â— in that City that Men may go any time 〈◊〉 the Night about their Occasions as safe 〈◊〉 by Day because the Watch are so exaâ—â— that no Thieves or Rogues can scape theâ—â— being Lanthorns very close that give greâ—â— Light and Chains in every Street to 〈◊〉 drawn up upon such Occasions Physiciaâ— have the Liberty of the Royal Garden 〈◊〉 the Suburbs of St. Victor where they wâ—â— find many rare Simples The Learned câ—â— visit the Royal Library at the Cordeliers of St. Victor in the Abby of that Name weâ—â— furnished with ancient and curious Manâ—scripts that of Navarre but especially thâ—â— of the President of Thou that is well looked after and in good Order Besides thesâ— each Religious House as poor as it is hâ—â— it s own particular Library I shall concludâ— this Article by mentioning Val de Grace thâ—â— sumptuous Monastery in the Suburbs 〈◊〉 St. James belonging to the Nuns of St. Beâ—net's Order and built by the Queen Motheâ— Ann of Austria It 's one of the finest Placeâ— of this great City which a famous Poet haâ— commended thus Vrbs orbi similis toto celeberrima mundo Musarum sedes Regina Lutetia salve Francigenae tu Metropolis pulcherrima Gentis Hospitio regum grato regis que ministros Excipis reliquas das jura suprema per urbes Towns and Places of Note in the Parisis or the Territory of Paris ON the South Side of Paris entring into the Deanship of S. Cel is the Village â—f Gentilly upon the River Bievre or des Gobelins where the Kings of the first and â—econd Race kept their General States and â—ometimes their Parliaments but it was â—estroyed by the Normans and is now onâ—y renowned for its many fine Gardens At â—he top of this Village was the Royal Castle â—f Winchester corruptly called Bicestre beâ—ause in the time of the English it belonged â—o John Bishop of Winchester It has been â—ft ruined and rebuilt King Lewis XIII â—aused there an Hospital to be built for Lame Souldiers who having been transfer'd â—nto another Place it was designed to shut up â—he Beggars of Paris On the South-West of the City in the Castelny of St. Maur are the Villages of Isi where the Goddess Isis was adored Vanâ—â—es which was heretofore inhabited by the Water-men of the River Seine and is now â—enowned for its Fountains Gardens and Meadows that furnish Paris with Milk and Butter Arcueuil formerly a Pleasure-House of the Romans whence Julian the Apostate brought Water through Lead-Pipes into his Palace that was built wheâ—â— now is the House of Clugny Farther to the West near the Seinâ— is the Village of Meudon two Leagues froâ— Paris with a strong Castle built upon 〈◊〉 Rock in the middle of a pleasant Foreâ—â— There is a Grotto that affords Water in abundance and is paved with Porphiry spoâ—ted with White Red Green and severâ—â— other Colours The Chambers of this Castle built by Cardinal Sanguin under Charâ—â—â— IX are adorned with Marble Statues fiâ—â— Pictures of the first Roman Emperors 〈◊〉 Aristotle Cicero Demosthenes c. and upoâ— one of the Chimneys is a Marble that reflects the Rays of the Light as a Looking Glass The Town of S. Clou Head of a Casteâ—ny on the West of Paris is situated upoâ— the Seine about two Leagues from the Câ—pital It was formerly a Village calleâ— Nogent and has gotten its present Naâ—â— from Cloüaud or Cloud Son to Clodonir Kiâ—â— of Orleance This Cloud for fear of his crâ—el Uncle Clotaire King of Paris who hâ—â— already murthered two of his Nephews râ—tired to Nogent where he built a Monastâ—ry and ended his Life There also dieâ— King Henry III. being stabb'd by James Câ—â—ment a Dominican Fryar The present King Brother has there a very fine House Versailles THIS Royal House about four Leagues Westward of Paris is become of late 〈◊〉 considerable that it deserves a particular â—escription The present King began to â—uild or beautifie it in 1661. It consists â—f the old Castle built by this Prince's Faâ—â—er of other Buildings of the same Symeâ—y which he has added for Lodgings and â—f a very stately Pile of Buildings that enâ—â—rons it on the Garden Side The House 〈◊〉 built upon a little height in the middle of 〈◊〉 Valley encompassed with Hills at the â—ottom of them on Paris side begin three â—â—e Walks formed by four delicate Sets of â—im the middle Alley being twenty Faâ—â—oms and the two side ones ten each wide â—hese end at the great Royal Place enviâ—â—ned with very regular Pavilions which â—e Princes and Lords of that Court have â—â—ilt there and with the other Houses that â—â—rm the new Town This Royal Place
and the Lord oâ— la None King Henry IV's Generals leaving Fifteen Hundred Men upon the spot Crespy Eleven Miles East of Senlis anâ— Thirteen Leagues North-East of Paris wâ— formerly a considerable City and the Capital of Valois It had the Title of a County or was the Seat of the Counts of Valâ—â— who are indifferently call'd by these Two Names This Title has likewise been borne by some Children of the French Kings In Castle which is now almost ruined is said to have been built by K. Dagobert and keeps still some remains of its Antiquity and of the greatness of the Town that haâ— not at present above Five Hundred Houses However it is yet the head of a Provostship and Castelny Francis I. concluded a Peace in this Town with the Emperour Charles V. on the Eighteenth of September 1544. La-Ferte-Milon upon the little River Oâ—â—e 4 Leagues South-East off Crespy and almost 6 North-East of Meaux is another Provostship and Castelity It is called in Latin Firmita Milonis that is the Castle or Fortress of Milon having been built by a Count of â—hat Name under the Reign of Lewis the Burly For as the Authors of the middle Age of the Latin Tongue said firmare for munire and firmitas for munimentum So the French who formed their Language upon this corrupted Speech call'd Ferte such places as were strong by Art and Nature and distinguished 'em from one another either by the Name of their Founder or by some particular circumstance of their scituation As to this it 's a pretty good Town with a Castle and Suburbs Villers-Costé-Res on the West-side on the Forest of Res Five Miles North of La Ferté Milon was formerly a Royal House where the French Kings often dwelt to take the pleasure of Hunting Pont St. Maixence is a considerable Burrough upon the Oyse Three Leagues North-East of Senlis Bethisy upon the River Ottenete a Mile Southwest of the Forest of Compiegne is a good Burrough which had formerly a strong Castle that is now almost ruined John of Bethisy Physician to King Philip the Bold was Famous under his Reign This Burrough is still the Head of a Provostship and Castelny as well as Pierrefons a Mile East of the same Forest Compiegne Compendium at the meeting 〈◊〉 the Rivers Aisne and Oyse above Eigâ— Leagues North-East of Senlis was built 〈◊〉 the Romans or at least before the Frenâ— master'd the Gauls It 's still a considerabâ—â— Town and hath often been the Residence oâ— the French Kings for Clotaire I. died aâ—â— was buried there in 564 and the Emperoâ— Charles the Bald repaired and increased iâ— and called it after his Name Carlopâ—â— Charles VI. took it from the Duke of Bâ—â—gundy in 1415 and Fifteen years after thâ— same Duke besieging this Town assisted by the English the Virgin of Orleans was takeâ— in a Sally Besides King Cloatire Lewis II and V. and Henry III. have been interâ—â—â— in this Town in which are made severâ—â— Manufactures and whence a great quantity of Wood is carried down to Paris Soissonnois The Diocess of Soissons above the River Aifne has the Dutchy of Valois on the West Laonnois and Champaigne on the West Brie on the South and Picardy on the North Soissons its Capital City is a very Antient City for in Caesars time it was already the Head of the Suessiones whose Jurisdiction was pretty large William the Britain a Latin Poet of France who lived in the Thirteenth Age says that it was built by some banished Sueves who imposed that Name upon it Whatever it may be sure it is that when Coesar subdued the Gauls Soissons had Twelve other Towns under it and could put Fifteen Thousand Men in Arms which were Smeden in their Capital During the Roman Emperors the Praetors of Belgick Gaule made their ordinary Residence in this City and under the French Kings of the first Race it has been some time the Capital of a Kingdom of that Name It is yet somewhat big and as a Bayliwick Presidial and generality and an Academy of Humane Learning which was the first that was associated to that of Paris It 's Bishop is the first Suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Rheims he has the right of anointing the French Kings in the absence of his Metropolitan and has sometimes performed that Office This Diocess has Seventeen Parochial Churches besides the Cathedral Six Abbyes in the Town and Eighteen in the Country thereabouts and several Monasteries It 's Territory is fruitful in Corn with which Paris is chiefly provided Laonnois Laon was but at the beginning a Castle seated on the top of a Hill and called by the Inhabitants Laudunum and Lugdimum Clavatum in the Territory of Rheims Cloviâ— the great increased it into a City and St. Remy Arch-Bishop of Rheims erected it into a Bishoprick making his Friend Genebaut Partner of the Gifts and Possessions he had received from that Prince Hugh Capet made this Bishop the Second of the Six Ecclesiastical Dukes and Peers of France because thâ—â— Prelate had betrayed into his hands Charles of Lorrain his Competitor This is related by Du Chesne but if it be true 't is a wonder how this Bishop is not mentioned among the Suffragans of Rheims in a Notice or Catalogue of Bishops ending at the year 1220 and that in others of latter Date all quoted by Valesius he is put in the last rank Whatever it may be this Prelate assumes still the Title of Duke of Laon Peer of France and Count of Anisy and it appears that he had already some Temporal Jurisdiction in 1112 since Waldric Bishop of Laon was then kill'd endeavouring to keep his Citizens from entring into an association they had sworn against the Kings Consent Another nam'd Roger far'd better in an undertaking of the same Nature for at the head of some Troops he routed his Diocesans who had sworn an Association with the French King Lewis the Burly's leave This Town was besieged Twice by Lewis IV. who was taken Prisoner there This Diocess has Two places renowned for many pretended Miracles The first is Nostre-Dame-de-Liesse or our Lady of Joy the second is called St. Marcoul whether the French Kings must needs undertake a Pilgrimage immediately after their coming to the Crown if they will get the power of curing the Kings-Evil Noyonnois Noyon is seated betwixt Three small Brooks called La Versette La Golle and La Marguerite near the River Oyse Nine Leagues East of Laon and almost Eight of Scissons It 's an Antient City called by the Latins Noviomagus The Bishoprick of St. Quentin was transferred thither in 524 after the Town had been ruined by the Vandals This Prelates Jurisdiction was formerly very great since all Flanders depended on him before Tournay was erected into a Bishoprick in 1146. However the Bishop of Noyon is still one of the Antient Counts and Peers of France This City has had several misfortunes for it was plunder'd by the Normans in 859 and
〈◊〉 Kings of England France and Portugal but fiâ—â—ly remained to the Counts of Auvergne Tâ—â— last of them called Bertrand the second exchâ—â—ged it with Lewis XI for the County of Laâ—â—gais in 1477 and that this Agreement migâ—â— never be broken the shrewd King preseâ—â— our Lady of Boulogne with it In 1544. Hâ—â— VIII King of England took Boulogne fortified 〈◊〉 lower Town of it and built several Forts iâ— the Countrey but seeing that the keeping 〈◊〉 this Town would cost him much more than 〈◊〉 was worth he agreed with the French King Henry II. to restore it to him for the Summeâ— 80000 Crowns to be paid in eight Years Thâ— Treaty was concluded in 1549 but I do not heâ—â— that is was ever performed as to the paying oâ—â—â— the money Boulogne Capital of this County is a Seâ—port formerly Renown'd for being the ordinary passage from Gaul into Great Brittain bâ—â— at present not very commodious some say thâ— it was spoil'd by a Bank that the Emperor Maximinian caus'd to be rais'd before it It is divided into upper â—nd lower Town and seated upon the River Liane sixteen leagues north of Abbeville It has a Bishoprick suffragan to Rheims since the year 1566 nine years after that Teroanne was razed But De Valois pretends that the Bishoprick was rather restor'd to that City or fired in it than instituted anew because those Prelates were styl'd Bishops of Boulogne and Teroanne that the first as well as the last are call'd Givitâ—â— Morinorum and that the name of City is never given by Ancient Authors but to an Episcopal See There was formerly near the Haven an Octogone Tower called in French la Tour d'Ordre and by the English the Old man it s said to have been built by Caesar It was eighty foot in Circuit and Charlemaign looking upon it as a fit place for a Beacon caused it to be repaired but his Successors given either to Wars or to Pleasures suffer'd it to decay so far that it fell some 20 years ago The most considerable Buildings of Boulogne are the Cittadel the Cathedral Church of our Lady to whom the French Kings at their coming to the Crown are bound to offer a Heart of pure Gold weighing 2000 golden Crowns There are besides the Parochial Churches of St. Nicholas and St. Joseph the Abby of St. Willmore and the Palace where the Baily keeps his Seat Some take Boulogne for the Portus Iccius of Caesar but Adrian de proves that it is the Gesoriacum of Pliny which name about Constantine the Great 's time chang'd into that of Bononia The other Towns and considerable Buroughs are Bournonville Monthulin upon or near the Liane four or five leagues East of Boulogne Ambleteuse a Sea-port two leagues north of the same it s the same that Beda calls Amfleat or Amfleot which denotes a place where the Sea ebbs and flows Estaples Stapulae upon the mouth of the Canche almost six leagues south of Boulogne De Valois believes it to be the Portus Iccius of Caesar because Ptolomy distinguishes Portus Iccius from Gesoriacum and puts them in the Countrey of the Morini 'T is a small Town well fortified famous for being the Native Countrey of James le Fevre who for his Learning did deserve the Praises of the Roman Catholicks tho he was one of the chief Promoters of the Reformation The Recover'd Countrey THat which the French call Pais Reconquis is a small Tract of Land that has not above five leagues in length North and South and as much East and West where it is broadest coming from Boulogne you enter into the Principality of Ardres Arda or Ardea the chief Town of which is seated upon a Hill and divided into upper and lower both well fortified Before the year 1067 it was but a Village erected into a Town out of the Ruines of the Castle of Selnesse by one Arnoul Lord of that place or as others pretend by one Arnold Lord of Ardres with the Consent of Baldwin Count of Guines by reason of the great number of Shepherds who resorted to that place for its excellent Pasture-ground In 1520 Francis I. and Henry VIII had an Interview near this Town their Court was so brisk and their Attendants so richly adorn'd that the place is yet called The Field of the Golden Cloth Cardinal Albert of Austria took this Town in 1596 but restored it to the French King Henry IV. three years after by the Treaty of Vervins Guisnes is a small Town 3 miles North-west of Ardres and above 3 leagues from the Sea It has the title of a County and formerly the Towns and Burroughs of Ardres Fiennes Witsant Andriae Bredenarde Sangate and Colemude depended on it Sifri a Dane took it from the Monks of Sithiu or S. Omer and made homage of it to Arnoul Count of Flandres who countenanced him Before the French took it from the English it was environ'd with strong Forts as Blanes and St. Inglevert It came in the hands of the English under King John of France the same way that a late Conquerer has usurped so many Towns The Governour of Guisnes being gone to a Festival of the Knights of the Star Edward K. of England bought the Town from his Lieutenant There was then a Truce between the two Monarchs and therefore the wronged King John would have resented this match as a breach of it But Edward answered That this Assertion was contrary to the doctrine of late Philip of Valois the French Kings Father for when an English Traytor that would have sold to him the Town of Calice was discovered this Prince coldly answered that such Negotiations did not break a Truce The County of Oyâ— is separated from that of Guisnes by a small River which Duchesne calls a Channel drawn from the Sea 'T is a Countrey of about 4 leagues in length and 3 in breadth Modern Geographers speak of some wavering Marshes and swimming Islands between this Countrey and that of Guisnes Calice is now one of the strongest Towns and the very Key of France towards England for its Fortifications consist in nine great Bastions besides those of the Cittadel and several Out-Works lin'd with stone It has a double Ditch very large and deep that can be filled with the River Hames that runs along its Walls There is also a Marsh and several Brooks that render the approach of this Town very difficult neither can one go to it but upon the Causey or madeway called the Bridge of Nieullay As to the Haven its Entry is defended by a Fort call'd the Risban and it is divided into two the smaller is called Cadegray the bigger is shut up by two Moles faced with stone Five years ago the present French King begun to build a Mole upon great piles droven into the sand beneath the low-Water-mark which will be 30 yards wide and make an Harbour fit to receive third or fourth Rates Men of War whereas a good Merchant-man cannot get into the present Havens This
Linnen and Leather and of its excellent Knives call'd also by the Name of the Country Coutaux Pergois The Inhabitants having rebell'd against the English the Count of Salisbury took it and caus'd many of them to be hang'd but the French King Charles VII retook it in 1449. It lyes 30 leagues South-west of Paris and almost 22 North-west of Orleance Mortagne Moritolium or Moritonium near the source of the Huisne 8 leagues North-west of Nogent le Rotrou is a goodly Town well peopled and adorned with several Churches It has a Castle and had formerly the Title of a County Perriere is now of little consideration having been ruin'd by the Wars â—eâ—me Bellismum or Bellissimum sup Castruâ— is seated on a Brook that encreases the Huifâ—â— la Ferte-Bernard and has near it a Mines Fountain as much esteem'd as those of Pougâ— and Forges The States of the Province use 〈◊〉 be kept in this Town which has the first Voâ—â— and is distant 6 leagues from Nogent le Rotrou 〈◊〉 the South-west The Barony of Pontgouin belongs to the Bâ—shop of Chartres and has several Lordships depending on it Conde sur Huisne Condate ad Egâ—â—nam is of some Consideration and lyes 2 leaguâ— North of Nogent le Rotrou 2. Perche-Gouet hath 5 Ancient Barronies tâ— wit Auton Monmirail Alluye Basoche and Brou 3. La Terre-Françoise consists in the Bailiwick of La Tour-Grise upon the River Aure over against Verneuil in Normandy 4. Les Terres â—membrées have the small Countrey of Timeraâ—â— the Town of Château-neuf and the Principality and Town of Senonches This little Province is about 18 leagues in length and almost as much in breadth It 's very fertile in Corn and well furnisht with Meadows and Pasture-ground which together with their Forrests and the Manufactures formerly mention'd make the Inhabitants subsist Remy Belleau a Lyrick Poet famous in the last Age was Originary of this Province Perche hath a dependance upon the Generallty's of Orleans and Alençon as to the Court of Exchequer on the Parliament of Paris for secular Justice and for the Spiritual it resorts to the Bishops of Chartres and Seez It had its â—articular Counts the most Ancient of whom â—s named Agombert or Albert in the time of Louis le Debonnaire in the IX Century But â—hey were call'd Counts of Bellesme Alençon or Mortagne and the first who took the Title of Count du Perche was Rotrou II. in 1149 that Country having been before of too little Consideration to give Title to a great Lord. Of Beauce DU Val and several other Geographers comprehend under the Name of Beauce Belsa or Belsia several small Countries as the Territory of Chartres le pais Chartrain that part of Gastinois which is annexed to the Government Orleanois besides Vendosmois Dunois Puisaye proper Orleanois Sologne and the Southern part of Blaisois which make up an extent of 35 leagues North and South from Dreux to Remorentin and above 50 leagues East and West from the borders of Champaign and Burgundy to the Frontiers of Maine being included with Berri and Nivernois on the South Perche on the North Maine and Touraine on the West and Champaign and Burgundy on the East These Countries taken together consist in large and fruitful Plains so very abundant in Corn that they are call'd the Granary of France The Learned Adrian de Valois following Ancient Authors gives to this Province an extent of 15 leagues and divides it into three parts Belsa Carnutensis le pais Chartrain Belsa Dunensis or Dunois Belsa Pitiverensis the Election of Pithiviers To avoid confusion I shall speak first of the County of Chartres or Pays Chartrain which is call'd by some Proper Beauce THis Country is situated between the Isle of France Perche Blaisois and Orleanois The City of Chartres call'd in Latin Autricum Carnutum from the River Autura Eure on which it lyes has a Presidial Seat and Bishoprick formerly suffragan of Sens and now of Paris since the Year 1622. This City is so Ancient that some Authors believed that the Issue of Gomer having pass'd into the Gauls some time after Noah did lay the Foundation of it Others maintain that the Druides and Sarrhonides the Ancient Priests of the Gauls did build it and foretold that a Virgin should one day grow big with Child without the Company of a Man It was this which obliged Prisâ—ns Governour for the Romans to erect a Temple to that Blessed Virgin with this Inscription Virgini Pariturae or to the Virgin who is to bring forth Thus it was that they ador'd at Athens an unknown God But whatever be of it the People of this Countrey made a long and bold Resistance to the Romans kill'd one Tasgetus tho' he was of the Royal Blood of their own King's because Caesar had set him over them and after that great Conqueror had subdued them he was glad that they would accept of the Alliance of the Romans and keep their Peace The Bishops of this City are thought to be of very Ancient Institution for Solemnis who informed K. Clovis in the Christian Religion is reckon'd its 14 Prelate by Duchesne At least 't is probable that under the French Kings of the first and second Race they were Lords Temporal as well as Spiritual of it if what the same Author relates be true that one Elias the 40th Bishop gave the Revenues of the Abby of S. Pere en Vallée to the Nobility of Chartres and that Hardwin the 50th Prelate was the first who Dismember'd the County from the Bishoprick to enrich a Nephew of his call'd Odo or Eudes I know not whether his Posterity forfeited their Estates but Hugh the Great Father to Hugh Capet the first French King of the 3d. Race being then very powerful in that Kingdom gave this Country together with those of Blois and Tours to a Kinsman of his call'd Theobald the Old or the Tricker His issue in process of time viz. in 1037. acquired the County of Champaign and had been the greatest Lords in France had they not weak'ned themselves by the Portions they gave to Youngest Sons In 1286. Lewis IX bought the County of Chartres from Jane of Chatillon the Heiress of it It has been since united to the French Crown and separated from it several times and now it makes part of the Portion of Monsieur Lewis XIV.'s Brother his Eldest Son bearing the Title of Duke of Chartres This City and Country have under gone several Revolutions for at the end of the sixth Age Thierry K. of Burgundy took it by Storm from his Brother Clotaire In 743. Hunold Duke of Aquitain took Chartres and burn'd it Francis I. erected it into a Dutchy in Favour of Madam Reneâ— of France Dutchess of Ferrara Anno 911. Rollon chief of the Normans besieged it and Anno 1019. it was almost quite burnt down Anno 1568. the Protestants laid Seige to it under the Reign of Charles IX and would certainly have taken it the Admiral
of Chatillon having defeated la Valette who came to relieve it and the Duke of Anjou not daring to ventuâ—e a Battle against that great Captain But the Protestant Nobility lured with the fair promises of Liberty of Conseience by that entreaguing Princess Katherine of Medicis rais'd voluntarily the Siege whereupon ensued the short Edict of Pacification at Longjumeau Ever since Chartres followed the party of the League till Anno 1591. Henry â—he Great took it and was there Crown'd and Anointed King of France the City of Rheims still persisting in its Rebellion If you ask whether they took Consecrated Oyl to perform that Ceremony Du Kerâ—â—er will answer you that there is another holy Ampull or Vial kept at Marmoutier an Abby near Tours for that purpose and that the Oyl of that Vial is no less Sacred than that of Rheims The River Eure divides Chartres into two inequal parts which lye partly on a Valley of difficult Access and partly at the end of a large Plain the Streets are generally narrow as â—t uses to be in Ancient Towns the Houses hoâ—eveâ— are fine the Walks pleasant and the Churches Magnificent The Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Virgin is very considerable its Quire the Church under ground and its 2 Steeples are the Admiration of all Strangers The Chapter hath 72 Canons 17 whereof are Dignitaries among whom are 6 Archdeacons viz. of Chartres Blois Dunois Vendome Dreux and Pincerais 4 Provosts namely those of Ingre Normandy Mesange and Anet In this Diocess are reckon'd 30 Abbies 257 Priories and more than 1300 Parishes the Churches of St. Julien and St. Agnan are very fine In a word 't is one of the biggest and richest Diocesses of France comprehending four other Cities the heads of so many Countries each of which might conveniently enough be made the Seat of a Bishop viz. Blois Chateaudun Vendome and Dreux if we believe De Valoâ—s In the City it self are 3 Abbies viz. those of St. Josaphat St. Pere en Vallée and St. Cheron besides many other Religious Houses Several considerable Manufactures are made at Chartres by reason of the waters of the River Eure which are esteemed very proper for that purpose This City lyes 14 leagues North-west of Orleance and 16 South-west of Paris Nogent le Roi is situated upon the Euâ—e 5 miles South of Dreux and 9 North of Chartres It 's call'd Novigentum Regis because as some say King Philip VI. dyed here or as others pretend because it was given by one Isaselle to K. Philip August Dreux Durocassae Carnutum and corruptively Drocae and Drocum lyes also upon the Eure 13 miles North of Chartres on whose Bishop it depends as likewise on the Governour of Orleanois tho' as to the Exchequer its Election resorts to the Generality of Paris It has the Title of a County and the precedency of Chartres in the Assembly of the General States it being one of the Ancientest Cities in the Kingdom Nay if we believe the suppositious Berose it was built Anno 410. or thereabouts after the Deluge by Drius IV. King of the Gauls and Founder of the Druides So much at least is sure that these Druides who were together the Priests the Teachers the Judges and the Physicians of that Nation kept here their Assemblies as esteeming this Place blessed and holy and the middle or Center of Gaul Here also it was that they gather'd the Misletoe from the Oaks with many Ceremonies after the solemn Sacrifice of two young white Bulls on the sixth day of the Moon the Priests cutting the Shrub with a Gold Sickle and the People receiving it on white Cloath For those crafty fellows made the Vulgar believe that the Misletoe was an heavenly Gift a Soveraign Remedy and preservative against all Diseases Robert Son of Lewis the Burly had the County of Dreux given him Anno 1137. when he marryed the Widdow of Rotrou Count of Perche He is the Stock of the Counts of that Name and the Dukes of Brittany descended from him His Grandson Peter of Dreux having married Guy Alix Heiress of that Sovereignty in 1250. About the end of the twelfth Century our K. Henry II. and his Son Richard burn'd this Town and Vendome because Count Robert of Meular their Kinsman and Vassal had made Homage of his Lands to the French K. Philip August This Town is likewise famous for the Battle which the Roman Catholicks gained over the Protestants Anno 1562. in which the Generals of both Parties the Duke of Monmorency Lord high Constable of France and the Admiral of Coligny were made Prisoners Gaillardon Galardo is scituted upon a little River which emptieth it self into that of Eure 3 leagues and a half from Chartres to the North-East It 's remarkable for the Birth of St. Hildeburg whose Life has been not many years since published by Don Luke d' Achery Espernon Sparno lyes 5 leagues North-East of Chartres and 5 Miles East of Nogent le Roy. It has a Priory under the Name of St. Thomas but is much more famous for having been erected into a Dutchy and Peerdom in 1582. by the French King Henry III. on behalf of John Lewis of la Valette Nogaret whom he rais'd to the highest Dignities in that Kingdom and madâ— him his chief Favourite Bonneval is scituated on the Frontiers of Blaisois in a fruitful Soil where the Loir receives the Mesuve 6 Leagues and a half South of Chartres There is a famous Abby of Benedictines of which one Arnauld an intimate Friend of St. Bernard was Abbot in the 13th Century Maintenon Mesteno 7 Miles North-East of Chartres and 3 South-East of Nogent le Roy upon the River Eure is now famous for giving the Title of Dutchess to the Widdow of the Poet Scarron Fransoise d' Aubigne the principal She-minister of State and Cabinet Counsellor of Lewis XIV There are some other Towns or considerable Burroughs in this County as Auneau Ouerville Voves Viabon c. In 1682. the Duke of Guise defeated the Germans near Auneau Of Vendomois VEndomois Vindocinensis or Vindusnensis Pagus hath Perche on the North Maine on the West Touraine on the South and Blaifois on the East Here is especially remarkable Vendome Vindocinum Castrum situated upon the Loir and the Capital of Vendomois with the Title of Dutchy and Peerdom erected by Francis I. in 1514. on behalf of Charles of Bourbon Father of Antony of Bourbon and this of Henry IV. During the first Race of the French Kings this Country made part of the Kingdom of Orleance and was since possest by the Counts of Anjou In 1342. Godfrey Martel one of them built here the Abby of the Holy Trinity after he had overcome William Count of Poictiers and Conquer'd from him the City of Saintes He fill'd it with Benedictine Monks and presented it with a pretended Tear of our Saviour said to have been wept on the Grave of Lazarus The Popes who never fail'd of gratifying the Monks at the Expences of the
City This Ceremony has been instituted to attone for the pretended Crime of the Archdeacon Berenger who opposed Transubstantiation in its birth At the solicitation of some studious Persons Lewis XIV instituted lately a Royal Academy at Anger 's with the same prerogatives as that of Paris save the right of Committimus that is the Priviledge of bringing the Suits wherein its Members are concern'd before his Masters of Requests at the first motion This Academy is compos'd of 30 Members who must all be Angevin Men born or at least settled Inhabitants of Anjou They are not to meddle with Matters of Religion and Divinity nor with Politicks unless it be by the King's Directions nor to judge of any Composures besides their own They have four Officers a Director a Chancellor and two Secretaries The Bishop the King's Lieutenant in the City and Castle of Anger 's the President Lieutenant General and King's Attorney in the Presidial and the Mayor of the City may assist at their Assemblies thô not at the time of the Elections Going out of the Suburbs towards Saumur you meet at a place call'd Grehan with some remains of a Roman Amphitheatre and several Medals have been extracted thence The French Kings are Canons of this Church by their very Title to the Crown The most Ancient Bishop of this Church was one Defensor who has beeâ— since related into the number of Saints and lived in the fourth Century Here are likewise many Collegiate Churches divers Parishes 3 Abbies viz. those of St. Aubin St. Nicholas and St. Sergius as also Monasteries and Seminaries and the Chappel of St. Saviour built in remembrance of a Victory gotten by the Inhabitants of Anjou on one Lord of St. Sauveur who together with the Normans had laid Siege to that City The Castle is flanked with 1â— great round Towers and a half Moon and built upon a Rock with a large Ditch at the foot of it There is a rare Engine by which they may lift up such things as they stand in need of However in 1585. the Protestants master'd this Castle but were soon expell'd by the Inhabitants By reason of the strength of this place Prisoners of State are oft sent thither This City of Anger 's is governed by a Mayor and 24 Sheriffs The University founded in the Year 1â—98 by Louis II. is famous for the Civil and Canon Law and has had famous Professors and bred up many Learned Scholars Anger 's lyes 17 leagues East N. E. of Nants 25 West of Tours and 66 South-west of Paris The Fathers of the Oratory have here a Colledge for Divinity and Philosophy Saumur is situated upon the River Loire about 10 leagues from Anger 's to the South-east it is as pleasant a place as can be seen and Strangers are mightily taken with it for the Town is seated at the foot of a Hill Wall'd iâ— and defended with Towers but commanded by a Castle fortify'd with three Bastions lin'd with large square Stones The prospect of the Castle on the Loire and the neighbouring Plains is very delightful The strength of this p ace gives occasion to the Learned De Valois to derive its name from the Latin Salvari becauâ—e its Fortifications preserve its Inhabitants from the attempts of their Enemies so that Saumur should have been said for Sauf-mur and Salmurus for Salvus murus Saumur is a new Town being not much above six hundred years standing There is a Chappel under the Name of Our Lady des Ardillers which has been much frequented by reason of pretended Miracles but since the Reformation that Trade being much decay'd Saumur which was then but a small place would not have grown considerable had it not been given to the Protestants for one of their Towns of Security It 's in that Quality that Phillip du Pâ—essis Mornay was Governour there in Henry IV's time that famous Assertor of the Christian and Protestant Religion whose Works are still the admiration of the Learned and did so puzzle the Roman Catholicks of his time that they would needs have all the Ministers of France to have contributed to their Perfection But what drew most People to Saumur was a Protestant University for Divinity and humane Learning Here have flourished about the end of the last Age and the beginning of this that renown'd Scotch Divine J. Cameron who was succeeded by 3 Professors the like neither France nor perhaps Europe ever saw read by turns in one Chair viz. Lewis Cappel Moses Amyrauld and John de la Place as famous for their Learning as for their mutual Friendship At the same time liv'd that great Critick Tanneguy le Fevre who has left a Daughter yet living Heiress of his knowledge in the Greek and Roman Antiquities and Tongues as appears by her Translations and Commentaries Stephen Gaussen liv'd not long enough to shew his Parts but by four small Treatises we have of his it may be judg'd what great man he would have been had God been pleased to grant him longer to the French Protestants In 1684 Lewis XIV pull'd down this University which together with the following Persecution depopulated Saumur at that rate that it looks now as a Solitude to what it was be ore The Fathers of the Oratory have here a fine Colledg and the Church of St. Peter newly built is considerable A Mile from the Town are subterraneous Vaults reaching half a League in length La Fleche Flecchia or Fixa is situated upon the Loir towards the Frontiers of Maine being twelve Leagues from Anger 's to the North-East There is a very fine Colledg of Jesuits founded by Henry the IVth Anno 1603. It consists of three bodies of Lodgings capablâ— to lâ—dge the King with all his Court The Heart of Henry the Fourth is buried in one of the Chappels under the Steps whereby they ascend the Altar according to his desire having order'd that the most noble Part of him after his death should be put in that Castle where he was conceived The Jesuits have another Colledg at Dole in the Franche-Conty at a place called Arc which gave occasion to this ingenious Distich alluding to the signification of Arc a Bow and la Fleche an Arrow Arcum Dola dedit Patribus dedit Alma sagittam Gallia quis funem quem meruere dabit Dole to the Fathers gave a Bow Kind France an Arrow gave Will none a String on them bestow They long deserv'd to have Lude Lusdum is situated on the River Loir about 14 Leagues from Anger 's to the North-East having the Title of a County since 600 years Pont de Se or Ponts de Ce Pons Sai or Pontes Caesaris is a Town and a Castle seated in an Island of the River Loire The Town consists of a long Street with a Bridge of half a Mile in length at each end towards Brissac and Anger 's from which it is at two Leagues distance Some pretend that these Bridges have been built by Caesar who kept here a
Kingdom Soulogne or Sologne Secalaunia or Segalonia is another small Country on the South of Blaisois between the Loire and the Cher. Some derive its Latin name Secalaunia from the abundance of Ry Secale that grows in the Country but de Valois takes it for a proper name just such another as the Segalauni of Dauphine the Inhabitants of Valence However it be Sologne depends for the Spiritual on the Bishop of Chartres and is the fourth in number among his six Archdeaconships and as for the Temporal it resorts to the Bayliwick of Blois as well as Dunois It abounds with Fruits and Corn and especially with Millet The City of Blois Blesum Blesae or Castrum Blesense is situated upon the Loire with the Title of County Bailiwick and Chamber of Accounts It is almost equally distant from Orleans and Tours being near thirteen Leagues from the former to the East and twelve from the latter to the West This Town has some Antiquity for tho' Caesar does not mention it and that there be no great reason to take it for the Corbilo of Strabo yet it appears by Gregory of Tours that the Inhabitants were already in some consideration in the V. VI. Centuries since in conjunction with the Orleanois they invaded the Dun is and Anno 584 kept Prisoner Eberulf in the Church of St. Martin at Tours The sight of Blois is very pleasant on the steep of a Hill on the North-side of the Loire the River running through the Town and Suburb Vienne that are joyn'd by a Stone-Bridge whereon is a Pyramid erected in 1598. With an Inscription to shew that Henry IV. rebuil'd it There is a sumptuous Castle begun by the Kings Lewis XII and Francis I. beautified by Queen Katharine of Medicis by the French King Henry IV. and by several Dukes of Orleans As also a curious Garden adorn'd with Water-spouts and antick Statues Henry III. call'd here twice the States of his Kingdom in 1577 and 1588 and during the last of these Assemblies caus'd Henry Duke of Guise and the Cardinal Francis his Brother to be murther'd The excellency of the Air and fertility of the Ground have given to Blois the Sir-name of The City of Kings or perhaps it was because in this Country they brought up the Children of the Fr. Kings and that some of the Kings themselves have resided there To which may be added That the first Counts of Blois were the Fore-fathers of Hugh Capet from whom the present Kings are lineally descended These Counts were as Sovereign as are now the Electors and other Princes of Germany for they coyn'd Mony with an Hebraick Letter a Flower de luce and their own Name on one side and on the backside a cross with a B. and these two words Castro Blesis Besides what has been alledged for the antiquity of Blois there are remains of an Aqueduc wherein three Men can ride on Horseback abreast and 't is the common Tradition of the Inhabitants that at a Village call'd Orchese almost 5 Miles West of the Town Julius Caesar kept his Magazines which they endeavour to confirm by the Ruins of some great Buildings Arches strong and thick Walls and the like Antiquities but have no other ground that I know of As to new VVorks besides the Castle and Gardens there is a Tennis Court esteemed the biggest in France being 57 Foot in length and 20 in breadth Between Blois and Orchese not far from that Village was discovered about a hundred Years since a Mine of Terra Sigillata or seal'd Earth which is pretended to be as good as that of Lemnos The Pasture Ground in the Valley of Loire and the Exhalations that come out of the Vaults of St. Gervais are so wholesome that the Milk of the Cattle that feeds thereabouts is excellent especially the Cream that is esteemed one of the Dainties of the Country The Boon-Christian-Pears and Perdigron Plums are also rare Fruits and amongst Handy-works the VVatches of Blois have got a Name through the whole Kingdom but that which is most taking with Strangers is the Purity of the French Tongue that is spoken here with a good Accent as well by Country Men as by Gentlemen and with all the charming Humour and singular Honesty of the Inhabitants I had almost forgotten that Peter l'Hermite the first Preacher of the Crusado's was a Native of Blois Tho' the Royal House and Park of Chambort or Chambourg be not antient Monuments yet they deserve a particular description The House lies almost seven Miles West of Blois on the South side of the Loire in the midst of the Park and of a pleasant Forest It was begun by King Francis I. at his coming out of the Prison at the same time that he built Madrid-Castle near Paris but tho' he employ'd eighteen hundred Workmen at the building of Chambort during twelve years yet it was not perfectly finished in his life time A small Brook abounding with Fish surrounds the Palace which is adorn'd with many little Towers and Chimneys that give a very fine prospect from far off and the Forest is so pierced through that it hinders not the view of the adjacent Meadows nor even of the Town of Blois from the top of the Towers The most remarkable thing is a Winding Stair-Case of 274 Steps so large that several persons can go abreast and so contriv'd that those who go up on one side and come down on the other cannot see each other tho' they can talk together Add to this that one may throw a Ball perpendicularly through the Newel from the top of the Stairs to the bottom At the end of the Queens Garden which takes up five hundred acres of Land towards the Forest of Blois is a Lane of six thousand great Elms a Mile in length and six Fathoms in breadth I pass over the other Curiosities to observe that the Park is encompass'd with a square-Wall lying as a Parallelogramm inclin'd along the Loire and cut through the River Cousson being three Italian Miles East and West two Miles North and South-West and one and two thirds North and South-East There are 6 other Towns of some consideration in the little extent of Blaisois Mer or Menars the Town and the Castle Suevre-cour-sur Loire and Die these two lie over against Chambort the former on the North the latter on the South-side of the Loire Onzain mid-way between Amboise and Blois Landes on the borders of Vendomois and Contres on the Frontiers of Soulogne Chateau-Dun Castellodunum is the Capital City of the little Country of Dunois 11 Leagues North of Blois It has its Name from the Hill on which it 's seated on the East-side of the Loir Dun in old Gaulish signifying a Hill but I know not where Duchesne has found that it was antiently call'd Rubeclara for Vrbs Clara because it may be seen from far off There is a Castle strong by its Scituation and Works but the Suburbs are larger and better built than the
into this City Latins Syrians and Jews proclaim'd his Praises each in his Tongue whether these different Nations were learned Men or foreign Merchants who inhabited or frequented this Town for the sake of Trade I shall not peremptorily determine tho' the latter seems to me the most probable However it be King Phillip the Fair sounded here an University for the Civil Law in 1312. to which Pope Clement the V. added the Cannon Law in thirteen hundred sixty seven The Scholars are divided into four Nations French Germans Normands and Piccards each of which has its particular Officers There are two common and well furnish'd Libraries This City has also undergone the various fate of War We have already seen how it was rid from the hands of the barbarous Attila In 1417. it stood out a long Siege against the English on behalf of the French King Charles VII The besieg'd were so weak'ned and famish'd that they had resolv'd to surrender themselves to the Duke of Burgundy but the English would not allow of it tho' this Prince was their Ally and then in their Army This refusal may be reck'ned one of the chief causes of the Expulsion of the English out of France as it was the fatal period of the progress of their Arms. For as on the one hand it gave a mighty disgust to this Duke one of the most potent Princes in Europe so on the other the French were not loath to make an advantage of it They set up a young Maid a Shepherdess of about eighteen years who pretending a Revelation to raise the Siege of Orleans and bring the King triumphing into Rheims in order to his Coronation so encourag'd their dis-spirited Army and fright'nd the Enemies that she perform'd her promises assisted by the Valour and Conduct of the famous Count of Dunois but perhaps more by the jealousies rais'd between the English and the Burgundians and then by the Civil Wars of the English The Day of the Raising of this Siege which was the Eighth of May 1418. is still kept as a Solemn Festival in Orleans and a Monument of this Victory has been erected on the Bridge of the City It represents the Bl. Virgin with our Saviour in her Arms as ready to be buried on one side lies King Charles VII upon his Knees and on the other the Virgin of Orleans as they call her now Booted and Spurr'd as a Trooper This Maid was call'd Jeanne d' Arc she was a Native of Vaucouleurs in Lorrain but her Family being Nobilitated by the French Kings had their Name chang'd into that of Lys Flower de Luce in memorial of her Services to that Crown During the Reign of Francis II. in 1560. the Duke of Guise under the pretence of the conspiracy of Amboise disarm'd the Inhabitants of Orleans fill'd the suspected Houses with Soldiers and then brought the young King as triumphing into the City And well he might triumph for he had gain'd his point so far as to cause the Prince of Conde to be sentenc'd to lose his Head But the Death of Francis II. forc'd him to alter his Politicks In 1562. the Protestants under the Command of the same Prince of Conde seiz'd upon this place and the Duke of Guise himself was kill'd besieging it However the Roman Catholicks retook it but La Noue one of the stoutest Commanders the Protestants ever had master'd it again five years after In 1588. it declar'd for the Leaguers by the Intreagues of one Rossieux Secretary to the Duke of Mayenn but it submited to the French King Henry IV. in one thousand five hundred ninety four The Name of Orleans comes undoubtedly from the Latin Aureliani by which the Roman Historians after the second Century do call this City There is still however some remains of the antient appellation of Genabum in a nick-name given to such Inhabitants as have not Travelled abroad viz. Guepin which I am apt to take for an abbreviation of Guenapin Genabinus This City is seated on the steep of an Hill on the Northern side of the Loire that washes its Walls and represents almost the figure of a stretched Bow In sight of the Town and the middle of the River is a pleasant Island cover'd with great Trees and Buildings This Island is joyn'd with a Bridge on one side to the Town and on the other to the Suburb of Pontereau This Bridge has 16 Arches and 't is upon it that the Monument of Jeane d' Arc is erected Orleans is large and well built the Streets are broad strait and neat being pav'd with a small square-stone Some of the Markets are fine spacious and overshadow'd with Trees The most Magnificent Churches are the Cathedral of Sainte Croix and the Collegiate of S. Aignan The body of the former is an hundred foot in length sixty in breadth and one hundred and two in depth It has fifty nine Canons and nine Dignitaries the latter has but thirty one Prebendaries whereof eight are dignify d. Both have been much defac'd during the Civil Wars of Religion but the Cathedral was repair'd by Henry IV. There are twenty two Parochial Churches The Town-House has a very high Tower whence the whole City and Suburbs may be discover'd The Chastelet or Pallace of the Justice is also a remarkable Building seated on the River The Town has eight Gates and is fortify'd with a Terrass and surrounded with a Wall defended by 40 round Towers fill'd with Earth Orleans has a Bailywick to which the Royal Seats of Bois-common Chateau-renard Yanville Yevre-le-Chastel La Neufvill-auxe Loges Gien Montargis Clery Meun Baugency Gergeau and Pluviers are resorting that is all Proper Orleanois and a great part of Gastinois But the Generality of Orleans reaches yet farther comprehending all Beauce in its greatest extent that is the Country Chartrain Dunois Vendomois Blaisois Proper Orleanois Gastinois Puisaie and Sologne and having under it the Elections of Chartres Chateau-dun Vendome Blois Baujenci Orleans Pithiviers Dourdan Montargis Gien and Romorantin The Diocess has six Arch-Deaconships whose Titles are Orleans Pithiviers Beausse Sologne Baugenci and Sulli Orleans lies twenty six Leagues North of Paris â—wenty nine West of Auxerre and twenty four East of Tours almost in the middle of the Course of the Loire with a Haven very convenient for Trade which is the cause that the delicate Wines its Soil produces and the excellent Brandies that are made here are easily carry'd to Nants and thence Transported into Foreign Countries Gergeau or Jargeau Gargogilum or Jargoilum was an antient and noble Castle and is still a pretty good Town on the South side of the Loire with a Bridge to pass that River belonging to the Bishop of Orleans four Leagues East of that City In 1420. the Count of Salisbury took it for the English but the year following it was retaken by John II. Duke of Alenson and the Virgin of Orleans who made the Count of Suffolk and several other Prisoners to the number of four
has been enjoy'd by the House of Seguier which has given several eminent Magistrates to France amongst others Peter Seguier made Lord Keeper by Lewis XIII in 1633 and then Lord Chancellor in 1635. There is a Stone-Bridge to pass the Loire but it was broken in 1650. to hinder the passage of the Army of the Princes Bâ—iare Brivodurum Briobodorum or Briodorum is so call'd from a Gaulish word Briva a Bridge over which the Loire is past Here ends the Canal of Montargis that keeps the communication between the Seine and the Loire Near this place it was that the Royal Army and that of the Princes fought in sixteen hundred and fifty It lies two Leagues South-East of Gien Cosne Cona Conada or rather Condate this last being a Gaulish word that signifies Confluence because the Lore receives here the small River of Nozaim after it has water'd Antrain and Donzi Some Geographers place Cosne in Nivernois but it belongs more properly to Beauce since it resorts to the Election of Gien and the Presidial of Orleans from which it 's twenty Leagues distant to the South-East Cosne is renown'd for good Knives St. Fargeau is a Dutchy and Peerdom Erected by Charles the Ninth in 1569. This Town is the Capital of the little Country of Puisaye and lies upon the Loing near a Forest seven leagues North of Cosne and twenty East of Orleans Between Cosne and Briare seven Miles from each lies upon the Loire the Burrough of Neuvi which seems to have been formerly a considerable Town since Caesar who gives it the Name of Noviodunum design'd to have besieg'd it had he not been prevented by the Surrender of the Inhabitants Aimoin calls it Novus Vicus upon which the French name of Neuvi has undoubtedly been fram'd The other places of Note resorting to this Election are Blesneau Ozouer on the Trezee Chatillon on the Loire Bonny St. Amand in Puisaye all depending on the Bishop of Auxerre for the Spiritual and the Generality and Bayliwick of Orleans for the Temporal Of Nivernois NIVERNOIS Nivernensis Pagus has Gastinois Puisaye and Auxerrois on the North the Dutchy of Burgundy on th' East Bourbonnois on the South and Berry on the West It 's Figure resembles a round somewhat flatted and irregularly bent being of the same length and breadth viz. above twenty leagues North and South from Tizy upon the Loire to Clamecy on the Yonne and as many East and West from Chateau-Chinon to La Guierche It 's subdivided into eight smaller Countries namely the Valley of Nevers upon the Loire the Amognes on the Nieure the Valleys of Montenoison the Vallies of Yonne the Moruan the Bazois the County between the Loire and Allier and the Donizois The whole abounding with Wood Pasture-Ground and Cattle being water'd with many Rivers besides the Loire the Allier the Yonne and the Cure and comprehending thirty good Towns Here are found some Silver-Mines many more of Iron and the best Free-Stone in France Before the Romans these Countries belong'd to the Autunois Aedui whose Territories extended from the Saone to the Allier and comprehended also the greatest part of Bourbonnois So that Samson mistakes when he pretends that the Vadicasses dwelt in Nivernois for they were the Inhabitants of Chalons as we shall shew in its due place Thence it came that during the decay of the French Monarchy Nivernois pass'd into the hands of the Dukes of Burgundy the third of whom call'd Richard le Justicier gave it to one Ratier in 890 whose Posterity has kept it till Cardinal Mazarin bought it together with the Dutchy of Rethel for Philip Mancini Mazarin his Nephew from Charles of Gonzague III. Duke of Mantoue c. This County having been in the mean while successively enjoy'd by many illustrious Houses as Burgundy Courtenay France Flanders Cleves Gonzague into which the Heiresses of Nivernois Married Nevers Noviodunum Aeduorum lies between the confluence of the Nieure and Allier into the Loire 30 Leagues South-East of Orleans and to of Cosne Caesar had made it his Store-House keeping there his Corn and Mony and the Horses he had bought in Spain and Italy but Eporedorix and Virodomarus two Commanders Autunois having surpriz'd and kill'd the Garrison took away the Mony and Horses and put the Town into Flames This dependance upon Autun is the cause that the Bishoprick is not antient nor mention'd in any Notices of the Gauls before the VI. or VII Century The name of Nevers Nivernum is also new and most probably deriv'd from the Rivulet Nieure Niveris Gregory of Tours calls Nevers Nivernum but gives it only the Title of Oppidum a Town so that it seems not to have been a City or Bishop's Seat in his time that is in the VI. Age. Nevers is a pretty strong place having no manner of Suburbs and both the City and Town being included within the Walls that are defended with many thick and high Towers and surrounded with deep Motes fill'd up with Water The most considerable Buildings are 1. The Palace of the Dukes where amongst other Goods is a great Marble-Table upon which is another of less size that appears transparent at the light of the Sun or a Candle and shews most delicate Pictures 2. The Bridge upon the Loire consisting of twenty Arches and as many Pillars all of Free-Stone with a Drawing-Bridge on each side and Towers to defend them 3. The Cathedral dedicated first under the name of St. Gervais and St. Protais and then under the name of St. Cyr hath a Steeple enrich'd on the outward side with many emboss'd figures of Stone Nevers has besides Eleven Parishes an Abby of Augustinian Monks another of Nuns and several Religious Houses It has a Bayliwick resorting to the Presidial of St. Pierre le Moustier a Chamber of Accounts and an Election depending on the Generality of Moulins Nevers was Erected into a Peerdom in 1459. by Charles VII which Erection was confirm'd by Lewis XI in 1464. by Lewis XII in 1505 by Francis I. in 1521. That King rais'd it to the Dignity of Dutchy and Peerdom in 1538. which Cardinal Mazarin got ratifi'd by Lewis XIV in 1660. Abundance of Earthen wares but especially Glass-works are made in this City because most of the Inhabitants meddle with those Trades the last being no disparagement to a Gentleman in France Decize Decetia lies in a rocky and rugged Island of the River Loire where it receives the Airon seven Leagues South-East of Nevers and is the Capital of the Country of Bazois That learned Lawyer and Antiquary Gui Coquille who flourish'd from the middle of the last Age to the beginning of this was a Native of this Town He pretends in the History of Nivernois that this Island was cut off from the Continent and call'd Decize from Decisus But Aethicus in his Itinerary calls it Dececia that seems to be its antient name and Decize a corruption of it Whatever be of that Decize is a Town of some Antiquity as
Abbot was the first Bishop of it but the Seat has been transfer'd to Rochel in 1648. Lusson Lucio was another Ancient Monastery of St. Bennet's order whose Abbot Peter de la Voirie Pope John XXII rais'd likewise to the Dignity of a Bishop in 1317. Lusson is situated in a Maishy Place 8 Leagues West of Maillezais and two North of the Sea whence it draws many conveniencies so that it belongs to Lower Poictou Fontenay-le-Comte Fontenaium or rather Rontanetum Comitis is seated upon the Venace that begins there to be Navigable and discharges it self into the Sevre Niortoise at Port-Marans Fontenay-le-Comte is an indifferent good Town and well-Built It has a Seat of Royal Justice and is accounted the Capital of Lower Poictou Pluviaut a Protestant Captain took it in 1568. but having quitted it the next year the Famous Francis de la Noue lay Siege to it in 1570 and had there his left Arm broken They fitted to him an Arm of Iron at Rochel But as this accident did not abate his Courage and he still made a shift to keep the Bridle of his Horse with his artificial Arm he got from thence the sirname of Bras de Fer or Iron Arm. In the mean while the Siege of Fontenay went on and Soubize who succeeded rhe Wounded la Noue had the honour of taking the Place This Town is 6 or 7 Leagues distant from the Sea 6 Leagues East North-East of Lusson and four North-West of Maillezais La Roche-sur-Yon Rupes ad Yonnem is a Burough with the Tittle of Principality seated near the source of the small River Yon twelve Leagues from Fontenay and 8 from Lusson Elizabeth of Beauveau Lady of Champigny and la Roche-sur-Yon brought these two Lordships into the House of Bourbon by her Marriage with John II. Count of Vendome in 1454. Since that time this Principality has oft been the Portion of Youngest Sons of that Family as it was in 1684. the title of the second Son to the Prince of Conde whose eldest Brother dying in 1685. he took the name of Prince de Conti. Tiffauges Taifalia lies on the South side of the Sevre Nantoise near the borders of Britain 13 Leagues North North-West of Fontenay-le-Coute This place is a Colony of the Teitali a Scythian People who apparently came into the Gauls with Adolph King of the Goths under the Empi e of Honorius or with Goar King of the Alains under the Emperor Valentinian Honorius's successor and settled themselves in Poictou and Anjou along the River Loâ—re But as they were Heathens and addicted to a vice against Nature they incurr'd the hatred of the Natives as well as the Romans and the French who ioyned together it seems to exterminate ' em So that there is no remainder of them besides the name of this place and the Country about it Gregory of Tours in the life of the Abbot Senochus says that he was a Teifalian by Race whence it may be inferr'd that in process of time the remaining Teifalians imbrac'd Christianity and were confounded with the Natives Talmond or Talemond Turris Talemundi lies on the Sea-coast of Poictou 12 Leagues West of Fontenay-le-Comte The Franco-german name of Talemond like to that of Pharamond Theudemond Sigismond c. shews that it had some of the Ancient French Lords for its founder Under Lewis VII it was still of the French King's Domeshes Then it was seiz'd upon by the Lords of Mauleon and at last fell to the share of the House of La Trimouille which enjoys it as yet under the Title of Principality Olonne Olona lies upon the same Coast two Miles West of Talmond It has the title of a County with an indifferent good Haven but there are dangerous Sands too hard by call'd les Sables d'Olonne It s territory bears abundance of Wine and has likewise some Salt-Pits The other places of some note in Poictou are la Garnache Gasnapia Aspremont Aspermons Bellus Visus Beauvoir sur Mer Tremosia Trimouille Castanetum Chastaigneraye Luciacum Castrum Lussac-le-Chasteau Fontenay-le-Battu Marsillae a Principality Roche-Chouart Rupes Cauardi which gives name to an Illustrious Family c. Of Aunis I Would have gone on in the same method as I have describ'd the other Governments especially the Isle of France Picardy Normandy Britanny and the several Provinces of Orleanois hitherto and have divided this Description into two Volumes But the Book-Seller who only design'd to have a Book of a lesser bulk has so strongly oppos'd it that I have been forc'd to comply with him what ever reasons I could alledge or resistance I could make during several Months So that I am compell'd to cut short with the remaining Provinces and Governments and leaving out the remotest and most curious Antiquities and Histories to content my self with a Geographical Description of the Principal Cities and Towns and some hints here or there of History By this unwelcome accident all the observations I had made or collected in the space of many years are altogether useless either to me or to the Publick than which nothing can be more intolerable to an Author However I shall enlarge somewhat more upon Languedoc and Dauphine then upon other Provinces Aunis is a small Country of 9 or 10 Leagues extent North and South and 4 5 6 7 or 9 East and West having the Figure of a Triangle whereof the Sevre Niortoise and the Sea make the right Angle and the Charante with a line drawn from Tonnay-Charante in Saintonge to Fontenay-le-battu in Poictou make the basis or subtending Vulgar Latin Authors call it Alnetum and Alnetensis Pagus as tho one should say a Grove of Alders or the Land of Alder-trees But 't is more probable and agreeing with Antiquity to derive this appellations from Aunay a place in Poictou that is now inconsiderable but was formerly the Capital of the County of Aunis and is mention'd in the Tables of the Emperor Theodosius publish'd by the Brothers Peutingers under the name of Avedonacum and by Aethicus under that of Aunedonacum Thence comes Pagus Avedonacensis or Aunedonacensis le Pays d'Aunis which in time past made part of Saintonge then of Poictou and is now one of the Provinces of the Governement Orleanois Rochel or la Rochelle Rupella for Repecula so call'd from the Rocks that are near its Haven is now the head of the Country of Aunis It formerly depended on the Counts of Poictiers for the Temporal and the Prelate of Saintes for the Spiritual but has now a Bishop of its own Suffragan to the Archbishop of Bourdeaux It has been a very considerable and well traded City especially since its Inhabitants did put themselves in a condition to resist the Normans It was subjected to the English by the treaty of Bretigny against the will of the Inhabitants Afterwards it returned to the Dominion of France In the XVI Age the Inhabitants of Rochelle embrac'd the Reformation and Anno 1567 they put the City in the hands of those of
1212. Raimond Count of Toulouse made it side with the Albigenses Simon Count of Montfort storm'd and plunder'd it the English did utterly destroy it and it suffered much during the Wars against the Protestants so that this Town is very different from what it has formerly been though it has yet a very famous Abbey of St. Bennets Order where as 't is said have been near 1000. Monks at once The Abbot is Joynt-Lord of it with the King which was regulated by a Sentence in 1229. c. Of Rouergue ROVERGVE Rutenicus Ager Borders to the East upon the Cevennes to the North upon Auvergne to the West upon Quercy and to the South upon Languedoc It lies between 43 Deg. 30 Min. and 44 Deg. 46 Min. of Lat. and betwixt 22 Deg. 22 Min. and 24 Deg. 15 Min. of Long. So that it takes up 37 Leagues East and West from S. Jean de Breuil to S. Antonin in its greatest length and 28 North and South from Mur de Barrez to Brusquez This Province is divided into three Parts viz. the County the Upper and Lower Marche the chiefest City of the first is Rodez of the second Milhau of the third Villefranche The Country is very plentiful in some places but barren in others There are Mines of Iron Antimony Copper Brimstone Alum Silver and as Strabon says of Gold too The greatest revenue of Rouergue consists in Cattel Wools Fruits Cheeses Hemps and Lines the only Trade of Mules that are bought there for Spain brings in every Year above 200000 Crowns It s Principal Rivers are the Tarn the Lot and the Aveirou It depends on the Parliament of Toulouse and boasts of 25 Towns and 50 great Burroughs 2 Bishopricks and a Elections under the Generality of Montauban There are ordinarily commended Rodez for his People Conques for its Gate Milhau for plenty of Almonds Nerac for Vitriol St. Antonin for Plunis Roquefort for Cheeses Monsalvi for its delicate blew and green Peases Vouse and Espaliou for excellent good Bread the Abbey of Aubrac for its Hospital and Alms Severac for its Castle Marcillac a Principalty for the Cave or den call'd Bouche-Roland that is near it and reaches four Leagues under ground The Inhabitants are both Couragious and Honest The Nobility there is very Generous and much respected by the Common People The City of Rhodez Segodunum or Ruteni is seated on the Aveirou 24 Leagues South East of Cahors and has the title of a County a Seneschalship and Bishoprick Suffragan of Albi. It is very Ancient but it has lost its former Ancient greatness having been often ruin'd by the Goths Saracens French c. The Cathedral is under the name of our Lady there are many others Churches and Monasteries and a fine Colledge of Jesuits Its first Bistop was as 't is believ'd St. Amand. The Counts of this City were of the House of Carlat and possessed that part which is called the Borrough and the Bishops were Master of the other that bears the name of the City The County belonged to the Counts of Toulouse Alfonsius the I. having resolv'd to take the Cross and to make a Journy into the Holy Land sold it in 1147. to Richard Son of Raimond Viscount of Carlat Richard left it to his Son Hughes I. Count of Rodez c. It was afterwards annexed to the County of Armagnac by a Marriage and a Judgment in the year 1312. John I. Count of Armagnac had a Grant of the French King Charles V. in 1375. that the four Juridictions of Rouergue should be Annexed to the County of Rodez which are St. Geniez la Roque-Valsergue Castagnes Begonimez and la Guiole After that all the Estates of the House of Armagnac came into that of Albret and the French King Henry the IV. carried to the Crown the County of Rodez as being the Patrimony of the House of Armagnac There is near that City the Mountain of Cansac which burns in the rain There are Mines of Copper Arsenick Azur and Silver Two Leagues from that Place is an Abyss called Tindoul 60 Paces broad and 200 deep On the side of that Abyss is to be seen a hole without Bottom The City of VABRES Castrum Vabrense is a Bishoprick and County Suffragan of Alby It was formerly a Famous Abby of St. Benets Order which Pope John XXII in 1317. Erected to a Cathedral Church The Abbot Peter Orlageo was its first Bishop It is 12 Leagues South of Rodez MILHAV Amilianum or Aemilianum is the Chief Town of the Upper Marche being upon the Tarn toward the Frontiers of Gevaudan 14. Leagues South-East of Rodez There are a great many Almond-Trees This Town has been famous during the Wars of Religion it being a strong hol'd but is Fortifications were razed in 1629. The Country depending on it is call'd Aemilianus-Pagus VILLEFRANCHE is the Chief Town of the Lower March with a Seneschalship and Presidial 12 Leagues West of Rodez The People is there very Civil and serviceable and provisions plentiful and cheap Saint Antonin lies upon the Confluence of the Aveirou and Bonnete 18 Leagues West South-West of Rodez with high Walls round it In the year 1226. Guy of Montfort yielded to the French King the Right he had on that Town Raimond Count of Toulouse protested against that Gift but in 1229. he approved by an Act of the Arbitrators Sentence pronounced by the Popes Legate and the Count of Champagne upon the Matter So that St. Antonin was adjuged to the Crown in 1245 Besnard Hugonis Son to Frocard Viscount of St. Antonin having sold to the French King Lewis IX what ever Right he had upon it The Protestants had Fortified themselves there but Lewis XIII turned them out of it in 1622. This Town is famous for its Plums There are besides others considerables Places as St. Just Estain Entraigues St. Come St. Geniez the Town and County of Espaliou Severac le Castel la Guiole the Abby of Anbrac c. Of Limosin LIMOSIN Lemovicinus Pagus Borders upon Auvergne to the East upon la Marche to the North part of Poictou Angoumois and Perigord to the West and Quercy to the South It lies between 44 Deg. 52 Min. and 45 Deg. 45 Min. of Latitude and between 21 Deg. 40 Min. and 23 Deg. 20 Min. of Longitude which make from South-East to North-West about 38 Leagues from Port-Dieu on the Frontiers of Auvergne to la Roche-chouart in Angoumois in its greatest length and 24 North and South from S. Priech on the Confluence of the Vienne and Taurion and the Borders of la Marche to Beaulieu on the Dordonne near the Province of Quercy This Country is generally cold and barren there is scarce any good Wine Save in the Lower Limosin and little Wheat but plenty of Rye Barley and Chestnuts of which the poorer sort make bread and because when they first go out of that Country and meet with good bread they eat it most greedily thence bread-gluttons have gotten in French the Sirname of
navigable besides the Snow-water of the neighbouring Mountains that might be spar'd in Reservers Ponds and Sluces None of these things has been forgotten for a canal has been digg'd of 127600 Toises which make above 63 common Leagues of France in length upon 30 foot or 5 Toises in breadth every where There are several surprising works as the Reserver of S. Ferreol which has above 2000 Toises in Circuit and is 90 Foot deep in some places It 's used to receive and to keep the Waters of the black Mountain which are detain'd there by a Causey and 3 strong Walls These Waters fall into the Bason of Naurouse which is 200 Toises long and 150 broad and lin'd all over with Free-stone This Bason is digg'd in the highest place of the Canal so that the included Waters may be let loose on both sides and go each a contrary way The Bridge of the Torrent Repudre is also considerable by the novelty of its use for while Boats somewhat large row over this Bridge which is 70 Toises long built with Free-stone and cover'd every where with 7 Foot of Water the Rivulet runs under the Bridgeâ— The Vault of Malpas is yet more surprising for it is a Rock pierced through to give way to the Waters that has eighty Toises in length four in breadth and four and a half in heigth and on both sides is a rais'd way to draw on the Boats Of Toulousan THis Country included between the Rivers Aveyrou Garonne and Arriege the County â— Foix and Albigeois is 26 Leagues North and â—outh but hardly 10 or 12 East and West It â—ontains the Diocese of Toulouse Montauban La â—â—ur and S. Papoul or the Country of L' Auraâ—â—â— of which I shall speak in the same order Of the Diocese of Toulouse THE ancient Inhabitants of Toulouse the Volcae Tectosages filled up a far greater Country than this Diocese and even the Toulousan for their Dominions reached as far as the Northern end of the Cevennes they confin'd to the very Santones or Saintonge if we believe Caesar and had the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees on the South Their Territory abounded with Gold which having raised a sedition amongst 'em such as prov'd the weakest went in search of a new Land under the Conduct of Brennus and having landed in Phrygia conquered the best part of it which afterwards was call'd from them Galatia and Gallograecia But a difference arising about the division of their Conquests 20000 parted from Brennus and went back to Thracia now Romania headed by two of their Kings Lomnorius and Lutatius These were as successful as their Confederates for they overcame such as withstood them made the others their Tributaries and took Byzanice now Constantinople the chief Town of that Country Some time after hearing of the riches of Asia they past the Hellespont or Streights of Gallipoli and taking hold of a Civil War betwixt Tit. Liv. l. 38. Nicomedes and Zybaen who disputed the Kingdom of Bithynia they assisted the first who remained victorious by their help then pursuing their Conquests farther into Asia tho from 20000 they were reduced to 10000 yet they brought such a terrour upon the neighbouring Nations even beyond Mount Taurus that they all submitted to their Empire As they were issued from three Gaulish Nations * The two first are unknown it seems they were neighbours or a branch of the Tectosagi who perhaps after their departure seiz'd upon their Country and thus came the name of both to be lost It may be that they liv'd in the Diocese of Alby for the Albigeois Albienses are not mention'd by any ancient Geographer Trocmi Tosistobogii and Tectosagi so they divided Less Asia into 3 parts the Trocmi had the Borders of the Hellespont the Tolistobogii Aeolis Ionia and the Tectosagi the inland Country taking Aâ—cyra for the Seat of their Kingdom These became so powerful that they put even the Kings of Syria under contribution and remain'd in that State till they were overcome by a Roman Consul Cneus Manlius Vulso in 565. of Rome Ptolomy ascribes eight Capital Cities to the Gaulish Tectosages viz. Toulouse Collioure or Illiberis Roussillon or Ruscino Narbonne Carcassonne Beziers Cessero esteem'd by some Castres and by other S. Tubery and Agde or Agatha Speaking of Languedoc I have observed the several changes of Masters and Governments which Toulouse as the head of this Province has undergone so that I have but to mention that even long after the French had conquer'd all Septimania as under the Reign of Lewis the Meek the Toulousan Pagus Tolosanus made up a distinct Country as having been in the French hands long before the rest of Septimania Toulouse and its Latin name Tolosa are very ancient for Caesar makes mention of the Tolosates but the time of its foundation is altogether uncertain for those who ascribe it to one Tolus Grand-child to Japhet are fabulous Authors As it came early under the domination of the Romans so they pleased themselves in beautifying it with several stately Buildings as a Palace an Amphitheater and a Capitole which last honour they made common with Rome to two other Towns only viz. Narbonne and new Carthage or Carthagena but there are no remains of any of ' em All what we know of that of Toulouse is that it was dedicated to Jupiter built in a very high place and still in being in the middle of the XIII Century but made use of as a Town-house for the Senators or Magistrates assembled there in Council as Peter Maurice Abbot of Cluny relates in a Letter against the Petrobrusians Thence probably it is that the Sheriffs of this City are yet call'd Capitouls Anciently they were 24 in number who were reduced to 12 under Alfonse of Poictiers last Count of Toulouse 6 for the City and as many for the Burrough and again to 4 and then to 6 in 1390. by an Edict of the French King Charles VI. to which two others were added 1392 5 for the City and 3 for the Burrough In 1401 they were increased to 12 8 for the City and 4 for the Burrough but in the very same year they were again reduc'd to 8 and 2 only left to the Burrough which diâ—ision has ever since subsisted Aulu-Gellius relates that Q. Servilius Cepio a Roman Consul having taken and plunder'd Toulouse in 648 of Rome found a great quantity of Gold in its Temples but that all those who were partakers of this Booty came to a Tragical end For Orosius says that he sent this Treasure to Marseille but caus'd all the Leaders to be put to death in the way that he alone might enjoy it which perfidious cruelty so meens'd the Romans against him already inrag'd at his having been defeated by the Cimbres that they confiscated his Goods and bought Lands of it for the People As for him he dy'd most miserably in Exile whence came the Proverb habet aurum Tolosanum he has of Toulouse's Gold said of
Columbine call'd by the French Ancolie and by the Languedocians Eglantine the second iâ— a Mary-gold and the third a Violet The institution of those Games is variously reported â— some ascribe it to a great Lady call'd Clemence Isaure who bequeathed the greatest paâ—t of her Estate to the Town-house upon that account and whose Statue of white Marble is yet to be seen in the great Hall but the Registers of Toulouse attribute it to seven Noble-men in 1324. Howsoever it be this Solemnity is not only laudable but even worthy to be imitated by Princes Commonwealths and great Cities for besides that it would give an honest diversion and emulation to the ingenious it would be as a Touch-stone to know the several degrees and abilities of understanding Men for extraordinary Poets are for the most part uncommon Genius's and might successfully be employ'd in weightier undertakings Toulouse is divided into two parts by the River Garonne and into 8 Wards in reference to its 8 Capitouls The first is the Daurade so call'd from a very ancient Church under the name of our Lady that was formerly a Temple of the Sun This Precinct comprehends several Churches Monasteries and Colleges the Pest-house and the Suburb of S. Cyprian with the great Hospital of S. James The second Ward bears the name of S. Stephen the Metropolitan Church built in a great Market adorn'd with a fountain upon which is rais'd a fine Obelisque In 1609. this Church was all burn'd except that part which is call'd the Cloyster and has 'till some Gothick Statues of half emboss'd work It has since been rebuilt statelier than before with a great and high Tower wherein hangs the Bell Ardaillac which is so very big that they dare not ring it lest the Belfrey should fall besides 14 vaulted Chappels round about the Quire There are also the Archbishop's Palace the Town-house or Capitole adorn'd with the Pictures of the Entries of the French Kings within Toulouse and of the Capitouls in their Robes the Arsenal the Chappels of the white and blew Penitents with several Churches Convents and Colleges The Old-Bridge gives its name to the third Ward and is but a course piece of Building worthier of the Goths than of the Romans The New-bridge which is far finer doth hardly yield to that of Paris and no wonder since it was begun in 1544 and but ended about the middle of this Age. In this Precinct are the Exchange the Court of the Provost and Consuls of Merchants and the Cage wherein Blasphemers are included to be drown'd into the Garonne The fourth Ward call'd La Pierre or the Stone has nothing considerable The fifth takes its name from the Church Dalbade enjoy'd by the Fathers of the Oratory since the year 1620. There are besides the Inquisition a place well known by the cruelties against the Albigeois near which is a round Castle esteem'd by Du Chesne to be a remainder of the ancient Capitole the Island S. Antony form'd by the Garonne and inhabited by Handicraft-men The sixth Ward call'd S. Pierre des Cuisines has among other Churches and Monasteries that of the Franciscans sirnamed Observantins which exceeds all the rest in bigness and sumptuosity but is especially renowned for a Cave which consumes Dead-bodies without anointing the Skin and displacing the Joynts Here is the University with the College of Foix founded by Peter Cardinal of Foix and endow'd with two Libraries one of Mss and the other of Printed Books that of Narbonne founded by Gambert Archbishop of Arles and Narbonne in 1342 that of L'Equille begun in 1561 and ended 1608 at the expences of the Town for teaching the Hebrew Greek and Latin Tongues Here are also the Mills of the Basacle whose Workmanship is esteem'd one of the greatest curiosities of Toulouse This place in Latin Vadaculum that is small foord gives likewise its name to a Bridge and a gate hard by the Castle The seventh Ward call'd S. Bartholomew has the Castle Narbonnoise which was the ordinary Residence of the Counts of Toulouse and a very strong place before K. Charles VII Now it is the Palace of the Parliament with the Hall of the Pleas the Marble-Table the Prisons call'd Hauts-murats the Court of the Exchemier and the Mint where Money is coyn'd and mark'd at the Letter M. The eighth Ward under the name of S. Sernin or Saturnin an ancient Collegiate Church defended by Guns at the top of it so plac'd that none of the many Pillars which underprop the Building can cover a Man from their Shot This they do because of the great Treasure that is included in this Church for there are above 50 Silver-skreens wash'd over with Gold besides the Jewels and Church-ornaments Here are the Tombs of the ancient Counts of Toulouse of its Prelates and Nobility Five Miles North-West of this City lies the Village or Lordship of Pibrac which I mention here for having giv'n its name to a Toulousan Gentleman Gui du Faur Lord of Pibrac President of the Parliament of Paris and Ambassador of France to the Council of Trent and then to Poland under Charles IX and Hen. III. He has left several loose Discourses and pieces of Poetry but the most renown'd are his Moral Quatrains which for their brevity majesty and if I may so speak sententiousness may still challenge the first place among all which has been written in this kind by uninspired Men. It appears by several passages of this golden Book that the Author was not at all addicted to the Superstitions of Rome though he never publickly embraced the Reformation no more than divers other Great and Learned Men of his time who seem'd to approve of the Doctrine but did not like the manner of propogating it Seven Miles South-west of Toulouse lies the Village of Plaisance so call'd from the goodness of its Air Soyl and Situation Adrian de Valois supposes it to be the Vernus Sol of Aethicus but I rather take it for a place call'd Vernouse which lies just 15 Italian Miles South-west of Toulouse as the Vernus Sol of that Geographer I find nothing considerable of the other places of this Diocese as Montoriol Vieille Toulouse S. Jori Columiers Castel-moron Ville-Longue Ville-neuve Montagut Montgaillard Verseuil Lenta Carmain with the title of a County Of the Diocese of Montauban MOntauban Mons Albanus is one of the 6 Bishopricks of Pope John XXII's erection It was formerly a Monastery founded by Theodard Archbishop of Narbonne and when it was made a Cathedral the Abbot Bertrand du Puy was the first Bishop of it As to the Town it was but at the beginning a very strong Castle which in process of time increas'd into a considerable City by the fertility of its Soyl and the conveniency of its Situation upon a Hill and the Rivers Tescounot and Tarn on the high way from Toulouse to Limoges and thence to Paris It was built or repair'd in 1144 and united to the French King's Domesne in 1171
for the Helvii of Caesar who are rather those of Vivarais and Sanson for the Fleutheres or Heleutheres subject to the Auvergnats as well as those of Quercy Gevaudan and Velay adding withal that the Cambolectri whom Pliny places in Aquitania inhabited the Diocese of Alby and the Cambolectri Atlantici the Diocese of Castres But as he grounds his conjectures upon no certain foundation so they are rejected by De Valois We have already seen that the Tectosages fill'd up all the Western part of Languedoc to the very Cevennes and the Mediterranean Sea and consequently that the Albigeois might well be the ancient Tolistobogii or Trocmi Neighbours Allies or Subjects to the Tectosages I have observ'd in the first part of this Book how the Disciples of Vigilantius spread in Guyenne and Languedoc were for a long time as a Bank that stopp'd the overflowing superstition But when this Torrent grew so strong that this Barrier prov'd too weak God rais'd new Defensors to his Church At the beginning of the XII Century Peter of Bruys a Native of Dauphiné Preached and writ successfully against the prevailing Errors and was happily seconded by Henry a Monk of Toulouse The Papists had recourse to their usual Arms Fire and Sword by which means they both got the Crown of Martyrdom But their Blood prov'd as well as that of the first Christians the Seed of the true Church so that after the Dispersion of Valdo's Disciples about 1160 some ofâ—â—em retiring in those parts they were kindly receiv'd The vulgar had so good an Opinion of them that they commonly call'd them les Bons Hommes the Good Men and even Raymâ—â—d the old Count of Toulouse Peter King of Arragon the Counts of Foix Comminges and the Viscounts of Bearn spoused their Cause And as Error and Vice are always timorous so the Popes began to fear that their fatal day was come and publish'd a Croisade against those pretended Hereticks as though they had been Heathens or Mahometans The Albigeois under the Wings of their Lords and Protectors defended themselves almost an Age but at last they were over-pow'red by the number the French King 's catching hold of that opportunity to deprive those petty Soveraigns of their Principalities Then it was that such as had escap'd the Sword in the Field of Battel fell in the bloody hands of the Inquisitors who at long run made an end of them however not so as wholly to root the seeds of the truth out of their heart which sprouted out again when our first Reformers appear'd in the last Age for then the Provinces of Languedoc and Guienne the ancient Seat of the Albigeois produced more Converts than all the others of France taken together We have hardly any Account of the Albigeois then by such as were their sworn Enemies Accusers or rather Executioners so that upon the plain confession of Popish Authors that the Albigeois held almost all the same Doctrines with the Protestants and that they rejected the same Superstitions for which the last are still divided from the Church of Rome we might look as Calumnies some Manichean Tenets ascrib'd to them as to deny the Divinity of the Old Testament to admit a good and a bad Principle c. But to clear these Christian Hero's for ever we have but to observe that the Manicheans having been banish'd the East by the Greek Emperours they first spread themselves into Germany thence they passed into Italy and France where meeting with a People averse from Persecution they readily crept and skulk'd amongst them and the malicious Inquisitors catching some of these Hereticks took hold of this occasion to defame the true Albigeois The R. D. Allix has given such incontestable proofs of these Matters of Fact that I cannot imagine that a Roman Catholick of any sincerity will ever renew such notorious Calumnies ALBY Albia or Albiga Capital of this Country lies upon the River Taâ—n 17 Leagues North-East of Toulouse and 14 South-East of Montauban It s Foundation and Antiquity are unknown for no antient Geographer remembers it and the first mention of it that De Valois could find is in an old Notice of the Gaules which puts Civitus Albiensum in the fourth place among the 8 Cities of the first Aquitain though some of latter date name it but the seventh in Order Gregory of Tours testifies that one Salvius was Bishop of Alby under the Children of Clovis and another call'd Sabinus subscrib'd to the Council of Agde in 506. but whether S. Clair a Martyr planted there Christianity and was the first Bishop of that Town is uncertain Charlemaign having erected Aquiâ—â—â—â— into a Kingdom on behalf of Lewis the Meek his Son establish'd Counts in the Principal Cities who together with the Bishops were to be the young Prince's Counsellours and Aimoin was nam'd the first Count of Alby All these Counts having made themselves Soveraigns during the decay of the French Monarchy the Estate of the Counts of Alby pass'd by marriage into the House of Toulouse and then both returned to the French Kings by the 〈◊〉 I have hinted speaking of Languedoc Alby has been a long time a Suffragan to Bourâ—â—â— and one of the richest Bishopricks in France being about 50000 Crowns worth but 〈◊〉 it was made a Metropolitan by Pope â—â—cent XI in behalf of Hyacinthe Serroni a Roman Gentleman and the Dioceses of Rodez Castrer Cahors Vabres and Mende detached from Bourges to whose Prelate has been given a recompence of some additional Revenues The Archbishop of Alby is still Lord temporal of that City and the King has but there a Viguier for his Chief Justice The Cathedral under the name of S. Cecile has one of the finest Quires in that Kingdom The other Towns or considerable Burroughs of this Diocese are Pennes upon the Aveyrou Cordes Monestier and Caramous upon the Ceron Pampelone upon the Biaur Gaulene and Valence near the source of the Ceron Tais Maillat Ville-neuve Cajousac Castelnau de Montmirail and Peucelsy upon the Vere Rabasteins l'Isle Gaillac la Bastide de Lenis Lescure and Trebas upon the Tarn on the North side Grioussens Cadelens Denat Albain on the South of that River Lombers on the Assou Realmont on the Dadou c. Gaillac is famous for its white Wines whose Drunkenness is not felt but an hour after the Debauch At Rabasteins was fought a memorable Battel between the Duke of Berri and the Count of Foix in 1381. Castres the second Bishoprick contain'd in Albigeois is seated on the Agout nine Leagues South of Alby and 16 East of Toulouse Both the Town and the Bishoprick are new for we find no mention of the Town in ancient Geographers only the Historians of the Albigenses as Peter the Monk mention it as an illustrious Castle under the name of Castra and as the head of the Country of Albigeois As to the Bishoprick it was erected by Pope John XXII in 1317 instead of the Abby of S. Vincent whose body was secretly convey'd from
of Foix presented the Abbots of S. Antonin with the Town and Castle of Pamiers and that in 1296 Pope Boniface VIII erected this Abby into a Bishoprick in behalf of Bernard Saisseti the Abbot The French King Philip the Fair did not like this election and gave the Bishoprick to one Lewis of Provence who dy'd in 1298 After his death he consented to the reinstallation of Saisseti but was so incens'd at a Speech this Prelate made to him that he caus'd him to be arrested in 1301 and put under the guard of its Metropolitan the Archbishop of Narbonne who was then at Court Pope Boniface took fire at it sent John of Normandy Archdeacon of Narbonne to get Saisseti at Liberty but he was deny'd it and the Holy Father's Thunderbolts despis'd so that after Boniface's death the imprison'd Prelate was fain to beg the King's pardon upon which he was releas'd Some years ago a late Bishop of Pamiers has been a great Confessor of Jansenism and of free Elections maintaining the Rights of his Church under the Protection of Pope Innocent XI against Lewis XIV and the Jesuits This Town was submitted to the new Archbishop of Toulouse by Pope John XXII and in the last Age fell under the Power of the Protestants It is divided into 6 Wards each of which has his Consul or Sheriff You have besides in this Diocese the Towns of Mazeres upon the Lers Maceriae so call'd from the slight Buildings they were made of at first as well as Maizieres in Rhetelois Maziers or Mazerocles in Ponthieu and Mezieres en Brenne It has a ruin'd Castle which has been sometime the Residence of the Counts of Foix. Montaut lies 3 Miles South of Mazeres and 5 North of Pamiers Sabaudun or Saverdun is made up of 4 little Towns most of them ruined its situation is pleasant and the Earls of Foix have oft dwelt in it Barilles Vatillae S. Paul Tarascon Castrum Tarasco different from Tarascon upon the Rhone and Acqs from Dax or Acqs upon the Adour are seated upon the Arriegue On the South-side of that River you meet with Chateau-verdun vic de Soz whence the best Iron in France is extracted Saurac Castelnau le Mas d' Azil Azilium or Mansum Azili with an ancient Abby of Benedictins which Du Val puts in the Diocese of Rieux Then you find Serberat les Bordes Carlac and S. Ibar Mirepoix Castrum Mirapicis or de Mirapice one of the new Bishopricks lies upon the Lers 11 Miles South-East of Pamiers 12 North-East of Foix and almost 15 South-West of Castel-naudary In 1210 Simon Count of Montfort took this Town from the Albigeois and bestow'd it upon Guy Lord of Levi with the Title of Marshal of the Faith whose posterity has ever since enjoy'd Mirepoix and its Territory erected first into a Barony and then into a Marquisate In 1390. Roger Bernard of Levis yielded to the King of France one half of the Jurisdiction he had upon the Castle of this Town and some of its dependencies for which he got some other Lands These Gentlemen pretend to be a kin to the Blessed Virgin as issued from the Tribe of Levi but I do not know how they prove it On this Diocese are farther depending Belpuech that is Fair Hill for Puy Puech and Pit signifie as much as Mountain or Hill Laurac Le Carlat Fagnaux Fanum Jovis Rieucros Libertat Leyran Chalabre le Peyrat Mirabel Bellestat near the source of the Lers has a Fountain which ebbs and flows Rieux Rivi has taken its name from its Situation on the fall of the Rize into the Garonne It is one of the Bishopricks of Pope John XXII's Foundation of which Pilefort of Rabastens Cardinal was the first Prelate in 1318. This Diocese has besides the Town of Fueillans upon the River Touche with an Abby Chief of the Order of Cisteaux Calers another Abby of Cisternian Monks Lezat of Benedictins Salangues of Cisternian Nuns Carbonne Montesquiou de Volvestre S. Sulpice c. CHAP. XIV Of LOWER LANGUEDOC Of the Precinct of Narbonne NARBONNOIS as comprehending the Dioceses of Alet Narbonne Carcassonne and S. Pons de Tomieres has Albigeois on the North the Precinct of Beziers on the East the Mediterranean Sea on the South the County of Foix and Lauragais on the West Alet Electa or Alecta upon the Aude is both a new Town and a new Bishoprick as are most of the others erected to that Dignity by Pope John XXII This Pope establish d the See of the Prelate to Limoux in 1317. but it was transferr'd hither two years after Petrarcha seem'd not to like these foundations when speaking of this Pontise he says that France still complains of his dividing many Dioceses and lodging the new Prelates in unfit places whereas before none but great and wealthy Cities enjoy'd the Privilege of being Bishopricks Rerum memorand Lib. II. Alet lies above 9 Leagues South-East of Mirepoix and 15 South-West of Narbonne Limoux two Leagues North-West of Alet upon the same River is renown'd for its White Wines It is call'd Limosum Castrum because seated in a muddy Soyl and is often mention'd in the Wars of the Albigeois As this Diocese Borders on the Pyrenees and the County of Foix so it is most mountainous De Valois reckons in it Tonnens Mazerolles Ville-Longue and Montferrand famous for its Bathes but I find none of 'em in Sanson's Maps and I doubt whether those this Learned Man perus'd were of the best sort Sanson only mentions Coustaussa Quilla and Bugarach with two Villages Cauvissan and Arques As to Sault Pagus Saltus which the said De Valois places in this Diocese it is a separate Country lying on the South-West according to Sanson NARBONNE Narbo Martius Decumanorum or Atacinorum so call'd because the Romans sent thither a Colony out of the tenth Legion that bore the Sirname of Martial and that this City is built near the Mouth of the River Aude Atax The first Plantation was made by Licinius Câ—assus that famous Orator under the Consulate of Q. Martius and M. Porcius Cato in 636 of Rome wherefore some Antiquaries derive from the first Consul the Sirname of Martius given to Narbonne though Ausonius calls it Martie in the Vocative Case and not Marci as he ought to have done if it came from a Man's name Julius Caesar sent thither another Colony under the conduct of Tiberius Claudius Nero Father to the Emperour Tibere whence this City got the names of Colonia Julia Paterna Narbo Martius exprest by these five Letters C. I. P. N. M. in an ancient Monument The Roman Proconsuls Senate and Emperors took a particular delight in beautifying Narbonne and endowing it with fine Privileges They built there an Amphitheatre and a Capitole all of Marble which subsisted yet in Ausonius and Sidonius Apollinaris's time that is in the IV and V Centuries nay we find yet mention of it in the XIIIth Age though not so precise that we can just tell in what
a Metropolitan from the time of Constantine the Great in 309. and though the erection of Toulouse into an Archbishoprick has restrain'd its Jurisdiction into narrower Limits yet it has still ten Suffragans viz. Beziers Agde Lodeve Maguelonne now at Montpellier Nismes Vsez Carcassonne Elne now at Perpignan S. Pons de Tomieres and Alet This City has been much bigger and larger than it is now as appears by the ruins of the Palace of the Gaulish Kings that are without the Town However it is still considerable especially for its Fortifications which render it one of the Keys of France on this side the Pyrenees In Pliny's time it was seated upon the River Aude twelve Italian Miles South of the Sea but is now nine or ten Miles only distant from it which shews that either the Sea has not gain'd upon the Land or that this City has been rebuilt near the Shore It is properly the Aude that goes through Narhonne and divides it into two Parts the City and the Burough but a Channel drawn from it call'd La Robine The Cathedral Church under the Name of St. Just and St. Saviour is renowned for it's Organs and the Picture of Lazarus rising from the dead There are 5 Parishes besides of which the most famous is the Collegiate of St. Paul The whole Diocese contains 4 Archdeaconships that of Narbonne Corbieres Le Razès and Fenouillet an Abby of Augustinians call'd Our Lady of forty Notre-Dame de quarante another of Osternians under the name of Notre-Dame de la Fon-frede Our Lady of the cold Fountain and several Monasteries The Palace of the Archbishop is not that of the Kings of the Wisigoths or Westgoths which was demolish'd in 1451. Hard by at a place call'd Pontsorme are the remains of an ancient Bridge built by the Romans The Air hereabouts is not extraordinary wholsom Leucate Leucata keeps still its ancient name that was given it as it seems by the Inhabitants of Marseille a Colony of the Phoceans because of the whiteness of the steep and naked Rocks wherewith it is environ'd for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies white and glistering Round about the Hill which is the Seat of Leucate lies a Pond in the form of a Peninsule so that this Town is very strong by Nature Francis I. built there a Fort to which other Fortifications having been since added Serbellon General of the Spaniards besieg'd it in vain and was defeated by the Governor of Lâ—nguedoc Charles of Schomberg Duke of Halluyn September 29 1637. The other Towns or considerable Burroughs of this Diocese are Capestan Caput-stagni so call'd because it 's seated at the head of a Pond wherein the Aude discharges it self Colombier Puy-serguier Podium Sericarium North-East of Narbonne Rieux Azillac and Lesignan on the North-West Bages Peyriac Ville-Salce and Sigean on the South the second and last of these have Salt-pits four Leagues and a half North of Narbonne and five West of Bezuil lies a Village nam'd Quarante at the foot of a Mountain whence both Towns may be discover'd which has given occasion to this pleasant equivocation the one may see quarante deux Villes forty and two Towns Quarante the name of that Village signifying forty Carcassonne Carcasso or Carcassum Volcarum Tectosagum above 13 Leagues West of Narbonne and almost 20 South-East of Toulouse It 's seated upon the River Aude which divides into two parts the Town and the City both wall'd in and joyn'd by a Stone-bridge but having each their particular Magistrates and Government The City is higher than the Town and incompassed with a double Wall Towers and deep Moats It has a Castle with a Garrison kept by the King in ordinary pay a Presidial-seat and the first Seneschalship of the Province Both parts of Carcassonne make together a pretty big City which seems somewhat ancient by reason of the old Mss Acts that are found there written on the bark of Trees on fine Linnen and the like stuff besides the great many old weapons Harnesses and other Warlike Engines that are in its Arsenal That part which is called the Town is built along the River and though most of the Houses he made of Wood yet they give a fine prospect because the Streets are strait-right and end at a Square whence the 4 Gates of the Town may be discover'd It is surrounded with Bastions and Rampiers that make it capable of some defence The Chief Trade of the Inhabitants consists in Box-combs Serges and Cloaths whereof there are several Manufactures The Bishoprick is not so ancient as the City for the old Notices of the Gauls do not mention it and the first Prelate of Carcassonne that we find upon record is one Sergius who subscrib'd in that quality to a Council held at Narbonne in 590 the 4th year of Recarede King of the Westgoths Whereas Pliny Ptolomy and the Tables of the Emperour Theodosius speak of the City whose Cathedral is dedicated to S. Nazaire The Gottish Monarchs had extraordinary fortify'd this Town in which they kept their treasure and as 't is pretended the spoils of Rome The French besieg'd it in vain after they had routed Alaric in 507 but Gontran King of Orleance having taken it by intelligence was forced to retire and leave it having received a notable overthrow from King Recarede in 587 or 588. However the French having at last expell'd the Wisigoths beyond the Pyrenees became absolute Masters of Carcassonne The Emperor Charles the Bald gave it to Bernard II. Count of Toulouse in 871 but 't is not certain who were his Successors till the year 974. that Arnauld Count of Carcassonne was succeeded by several other during above two Centuries The extinction of that family or the loss of their Soveraignty came from the protection Raymond Roger the last Count gave to the Albigeois for the Croisado's Army incens'd at it besieg'd and took Carcassonne in 1209 the Council of Latran approv'd of and confirm'd this Usurpation in 1215 and invested Simon of Montfort with the Estates of the depriv'd Count. However Amaury his Son not being able to keep his Father's Conquests yielded them to the French King Lewis VIII in 1222 and in 1247 Raimond Trincavel the true Heir and Lord of Carcassonne as only Son to Raymond Roger yielded likewise his lawful pretensions to Lewis IX Round about Carcassonne are some other Towns and Burroughs that make up his Diocese call'd le Carcassez as Montreal Alzone Montolieu Seyssac Mas de Cabardes Penaultier Trebes Marseillettes Montlaur Coffosens c. S. Pons de Tomieres was but an inconsiderable Village where Raimond III. Count of Toulouse founded an Abby of Benedictins in 937 under the name of S. Pons Martyr and Bishop of Cimele or Nice Thence it was that Raimond took the Sirname of Pons and that Latin Authors call this Town Pontiopolis as well as Tomeriae Pope John XXII turn'd this Monastery into a Bishoprick Suffragan to Narbonne in 1318 and the Monks were made Secular
confirm'd this gift or sale so that Montpellier remain'd to his Posterity who because of the increase of their Town and the consideration it came to be in allied themselves with very illustrious Houses as the Kings of Jerusalem and of Aragon the Dukes of Burgundy and the Counts of Foix and became at last Kings of Majorca But this small Kingdom was the ruine of their Patrimonial Estate for James III. King of Majorca and Lord of Montpellier having been depriv'd of his Realm by Peter of Arragon his Brother in Law was compell'd by want and misery to sell his Lordship to the French King Philip of Valois in 1349. Physick has the precedency in the University of Montpellier yet both parts of the Law are taught in one of its Colleges by four Royal Professors with power of making Licentiates and Doctors There are besides a generality of the King's Treasurers a Court of Aides a Chamber of Accounts a Mint and a Presidial-seat Montpellier was one of the Towns of security which Henry IV. had granted to the Protâ—stants but Lewis XIII designing the ruin of this part of his Subjects forc'd them by Arms to surrender this pledge of his protection and took this City after a long Siege and a vigorous defence in the Month of October 1622. Then it was that the Roman Catholicks got again into their hands the Cathedral of S. Peter for the Bishoprick of Maguelonne had been transferred thither in 1536 with the consent of Pope Paul III. Soustancion being now but a ruin'd Village However they were still fewer in number and have been so till this last Persecution Montpellier is govern'd by six Consuls or Sheriffs who are also Viguiers or Baylies of the Town and have a great attendance The Merchants have likewise their Consuls under the came of Consuls of the Sea to distinguish 'em from the Sheriffs call'd Consuls Majours There is a particular Court for Debts whose Judge sirnamed of the little Seal has jurisdiction over them who submit to him by contract Besides the University the Churches and the Palace of the Justice there are other Buildings worthy to be taken notice of as the Royal College for Humane Learning the Cittadel rais'd since the taking of Montpellier from the Protestants and flank'd with four Bastions two within and two without the Town Near to its Wall is the Royal Garden of Simpâ—es extraordinary well kept and furnished The Ceremonies us'd in taking the degree of Doctor in Physick is worth seeing were it only for their putting seven times on and off the Back of the new Doctor the old Gown of Rabelais The Confection of Alkermès is likewise made in a solemn manner before the Magistrate and one of the Professors of Physick Their Triacle is in as great esteem as that of Venice and their Powders of Cypre Queen of Hungary's Waters Essences and Scent-waters are vended through alâ— Europe The Inhabitants of Montpellier are also famous for making Verdegreese whitening Wax working upon Silk with Mills and severaâ— other Manufactures Add to this that theiâ— Soyl is one of the best and the Air one of the wholsomest in France Lates mention'd by Pomponius Mela undeâ— the name of Castellum Latara and by more modern Authors under those of Castrum de Latis and Castrum de Palude is seated in an Island made by the Mouth of the Lez Ledum which discharges it self into a great Pond call'd by Pliny Laterna and by Mela Stagnum Volcarum This Island lies but a Mile South of Montpellier and is reck'ned its Haven A League more Westwards on the Mouth of the Caulazon lies the Town of Ville-neuve over against Magueloune and 4 Leagues South-West upon the same Lake or Pond of Lates the Town of Frontignan so famous for its Muscadine Wines De Valois takes it for the Forum Domitii of the Antients so called from Cn. Domitius Aenobarly who having vanquished the Allobroges and Auvergnats was carry'd in triumph upon an Elephant through the whole Province Three Miles North-West you meet with the small Town of Balaruc renown'd for its Bathes Lunel Lunate 5 Leagues East of Montpellier gives its Name to a Bridge upon the Vidourle over against the Town It has a Monastery under the Name of S. Peter but is more renown'd for being the Birth-place of a Learned Jew Rabbi Salomon who took from thence the Sirname of Jarchi The other places of this Diocese are Montferrand Murvieil Pignan Fabregues Sanson mentions a great many other but he marks them all for Villages NISMES Nemausus Volcarum Arecomicorum lies seven Leagues North-East of Arles and ten and a half North-West of Montpellier in a fertil Plain overshadowed with Fruit-trees and at the foot of Hills cover'd with Vineyards It 's a very ancient City though the time of its foundation be uncertain Stephanus and Suidas after him ascribe it to one Nemausus of Hercules's posterity whence Du Chesne infers that it is a Greek Colony of the Marseillois but as there have been many Hero's of that name and that the Descendants of the Greek Hercules have been long in repute this does not precisely determine the time of its first Building De Valois derives it from a Fountain springing hereabouts which Ausonius calls Nemausus but it will still be doubtful whether the City has given its name to the Fountain or the Fountain to the City and whence both have got this appellation It will be more useful and diverting to consider the rise and various fortunes of Nismes and withal the precious remains of its Antiquities It owes its first increase to a Colony of Roman Soldiers who return'd with August from the Conquest of Egypt as appears by an ancient Inscription which this City has taken for its Arms COL NEM Colonia Nemausensis the Colony of Nismes Before that Julius Caesar had put a Garrison in this Town to defend it against the incursions of those of Reuergue and Querci The Volcae Arecomici were already one of the most powerful Nations of the Gauls in the time of Hannibal according to Livy and under the Empire of August and Tibere Strabo * L. 21. L. 4. testifies that Nismes was the Metropolis of the Volcae Arecomici and that tho it was not to be compar'd to Narbonne as to the number of Strangers and Merchants yet it exceeded this Capital of the Province as to the State of its Government for it had 24 Villages or Commonalties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under it inhabited by considerable Persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who enjoy'd the privileges of the Latins so that one might find at Nismes Rom. Citizens who had discharged the Offices of Edile or City Surveyor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of Quaestor or Treasurer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore this Plantation did not answer before the Tribunal of the Governors that were sent thither from Rome But though they were so favoured by the Senate and Emperors a particular hatred they had against Tiberius †Suetonius made 'em throw
Italian Poets ascribe to their Troubados or Trouveres the invention of Rythm'd Poetry and they make still indifferent good Rythms in their Country Language The Protestants have not been veâ—y many in PROVENCE since the barbarous Murther committed on the Vaudois of Merindol and Cabrieres When I liv'd there that is 15 years ago they had but 7 or 8 Churches which are since destroy'd with all the others of France In those days they already complain'd of their exorbitant Taxes with a very expressive Proverb Lou Languedoc is ruinad La Prouvence es accoumencade The ruin of Languedoc is finished and that of PROVENCE is begun but now I believe they have but little reproach one another PROVENCE is divided into Upper and Lower The Upper lies on the North side of the River Durance Verdon and Esteron nearer to Dauphiné and the Lower on the South side along the Sea-coast but lest I should forget some part of it I shall treat of each Diocese after one another and begin with Aix the Capital Of the Diocese of AIX THis Diocese is included betwixt those of Marseille Arles Apt Riez Frejuls and Toulon and is the biggest of all reaching 26 Leagues East and West from beyond Cotignac near the Diocese of Frejus to the Plains of la Crau and about 10 North and South This Country was anciently inhabited by the Salians Salyes Salyi or Saluvii and 't is in this Territory that C. Marius gave a total overthrow to the Cimbres killing 150000 of them The City of AIX Aquae Sextiae or Aquensis Civitas is within a Musket-shot of the little River Arc 5 Leagues of Provence North a Marseilles It is very Ancient Caius Sextus a Proconsul carried thither a Roman Colony in 632 of Rome and made the warm Bathes from which it draws its name though the Bathes be not longer in being It is graced with an Archbishoprick a Parliament a Court of Accounts a Court of Aydes the first Seat of the Seneschal of Provence a Generality a Chamber of Mint a Lieutenant General of the great Seneschal of the Province an Ordinary Judge for the Town and another for the King called Viguier besides an University for the Law and Physick it has been plunder'd by the Longobardi and Saracens in the 4th and 7th Centuries The Counts of Provence who lived there did inlarge it but 't is much altered for the better upon all accounts since that time and is one of the pleasantest and best built Cities in France S. Saviour is the Metropolis where is a high Hexagon Tower to be seen the Font is of an admirable Structure and all of white Marble supported by fufile Columns round about like a Dome The Chappel of our Lady of Grace is very rich and that of S. Maximin very Ancient and Holy The Chapter consists of a Provost an Archdeacon a Capiscol a Sexton a Penitentiary and 15 Canons there are also some Incumbents or Prebendaries and a most delicate Musick two other Parishes viz. S. Magdalen and the Holy Ghost divers Monasteries and a College of Jesuits S. Maximin above 9 Leagues East of AIX is the Seat of a Baily but much more famous for a pretended S. Ampulla and the Body of S. Mary Magdalen said to be kept here in a Collegiate Church serv'd by Dominican Fryers Many amongst us would rather chuse the Case than the Relick for the Case is all of pure Gold being the figure of a Woman held up by two Angels and Crown'd with a golden Crown enriched with Diamonds whereas the Relick may be for ought I know the Skeleton of some old Bawd Nine Miles South West of S. Maximin lies in the midst of a thick wood the Cavern of la S. Baume where the Legendaries say that S. Mary Magdalen passed 33 years in a retir'd and penitent life after she was arriv'd thither from Palestina in a rotten Ship without any Pilot in company of Lazarus S. Martha and Cesidonius pretended to be that young Man Born blind whom our Saviour cur'd This Cavern is spacious being near 500 Foot high and the Rock wherein 't is digg'd is all of white Marble The place belongs to the Diocese of Marseille Brignole Brinonia so famous for its Pluims is likewise the head of a Bayliwick as also Barjols or Barjoux The other places of note are Esparonde de Pallieres Rians Tonques S. Paol Sambuc Peyroles Lambese Pelissane Alencon Aguiles Fuveaux Peinies Trets Porrteres Torrevez La Val Carces a County Cotignac and Foz Of the Diocese of Riez THis mountainous and small Country borders upon the Dioceses of Aix Apt Sisteron Senez and Frejus and is water'd by the Verdon It was the habitation of the ancient Albici Reii Segoregii or rather Segoreii who from the Worship of Apollo were sirnam'd Apollinares Their Capital Alebece Reiorum Apollinarium is ancienter than Aix which as it has been observ'd was a Roman Colony whereas this City seems to have been built by the Natives who before that time did often wage War with the Salians and Massilienses It is a little Town well built seated on the Source of the Auvestre almost 16 Leagues North East of Aix The Bishop is Lord Temporal of it and the second Suffragan of Aix The Cathedral is dedicated to our Lady The famous Semipelagian Faustus Rejensis was Bishop of it There have been found many ancient Inscriptions The most considerable places are La-Palu where is the famous Hermitage of S. Maurin Monstiers a Bayliwick Pymoisson Valencole Allemagne Montpezat Of the Diocese of SENEZ THis Country is also very mountainous and small and water'd by the Verdon It 's included betwixt the Dioceses of Riez Sisteron Digne Glanderez Vence Grace and Frejus This Diocese made part of the Province call'd Maritim Alps and was anciently inhabited by a People nam'd Vesdiantii by Ptolomy and Vendiantii Cemenelii by Pliny so that there was another Bishoprick Cemenelium which is perhaps Castellane The City of SENEZ Sanitium Vesdiantiorum Civitas Sanitiensium or Sanitio is very small and little inhabited its Bishop is Suffragan of Ambrun it is seated betwixt Mountains on the source of the Asse It s Prelate resides now at Castellane upon the Verdon The Chapter that was of the Order of S. Austin was made Secular by Innocent X. in 1647. it is composed of a Provost an Archdeacon a Sexton and 5 Canons of which one is Chamberlain The Cathedral is consecrated under the name of the Assumption of the B. Virgin The places of some note are Castellane a Bailywick Colmars Mevoiles Clumeng Lembrusche and Barremes Of the Diocese of DIGNE THis Diocese is one of the smallest and of the least revenue in France bringing hardâ—y 3 or 400 l. to its Prelate and having not â—bove 27 Baptismal Churches It lies betwixt â—hose of Senez Sisteron and Ambrun It is veâ—y mountainous and water'd by two small Riâ—ers the Issolet and the Bleone It was formerly inâ—abited by the Bodiontii and Sentii who had DIGNE Dinia or Dina for their
on the North the Bishoprick of Touloâ— on the East and the Sea on the South The City of MARSEILLE Massilia or Massalia is upon the Mediterranean Sea with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Arles an Admirality a Seneschal's Court a Bayliwick and other Jurisdictions its Port is sheltered from Winds and so good that it has never been heard a Ship has perished in it And therefore it 's the usual abode of the Gallies and where most Merchant-men of the Levant do resort which render it very Populous and Trading The Phoceans or Phocenses who came from Phocea a Colony of Athens in that part of Asia called Ionia were its Founders In Caesar's time this City was flourishing was a kind of Republick and had a famous University The Romans had a great esteem for it and made an Alliance with it It has undergone many revolutions and sustained many Wars it has had its Viscounts and divers other Sovereign Lords and was at last united to the Crown at the same time as the rest of Provence viz. in 1481. This City has been the Mother of many great Men and is now one of the biggest finest and best built of the Kingdom since it has been inlarged by the French King's order The Port the Arcenal the Cittadel the Gallies many other Buildings the South Walk or Race the New Streets the Markets the neat and stately Houses Churches Monasteries Seminaries Hospitals the College of the Fathers of the Oratory the Fountains c. are worth the curiosity of Strangers I would have spoken here of the Original of MARSEILLE of its Foundation by the Phoceans and Cenomani of its Government Laws Academy of Humane Learning of its Manufactories Trade Wars Conquests Colonies of its Alliance with the Romans of the Changes and Revolutions it has undergone under the Goths Sarracens the French Kings the Counts of Provence and its own Viscounts The other places of note in this Diocese are Aubagnes Roquevayre Oriols Cassis La Cioutat famous for its Muscadiâ—e Wines and for the Fabrick of Polacres a kind of Vessels us'd on the Mediteâ—ranean Sea Olliols La Cadiere le Castelet c. Of the Diocese of TOULON THE Diocese of TOVLON lies also upon the Sea-coasts to the East of that oâ— Marseille to the South of that of Aix and to the West of that of Frejus The City of TOVLON Telo Martius lies upon the Mediterranean Sea almost 15 Leagues Easâ— of Marseille with a very fine Port and Road a great Arcenal a Bailywick and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Arles It is very ancient Hen. IV fortified it with good strong Walls and builâ— there two great Moles of 700 Paces each which do almost cover all the Port. This present King has finish'd this Work begun by his Grandfather whose description would require a greaâ— Volume there are fine Houses a great many Churches and Monasteries the Cathedral has many Relicks its first Bishop is esteem'd to be S. Honoratus and Hyeres is a little Town four Leagues East of TOVLON on the Sea over against the Isles Hyeres It has a Viguery and many Burroughs and Villages depending on it The other places are Sifours Cenari Solyes La Valette Turris Cuers Le Puget Pierrefuec Bormes c. Of the Diocese of FREJUS THis Diocese lies also upon the Sea-Coast betwixt those of Toulon Aix Riez Senez and Grace reaching 15 Leagues East and West and 17 North and South This Country was anciently inhabited by the Suelteri or Selteri The Capital Frejus Forum Julii or Civitas Foro-Juliensis is a Colony of the Romans and had formerly so good a Haven that the Emperor August kept there his Fleet for the defence and security of the Gauls This City lies now in a Fen half a League from the Sea on the River Argens with an indifferent Port and a Bishoprick the 4th Suffragan of Aix there are some remains of Antiquity to be seen for this City is very ancient and was very considerable heretofore as may be seen in many famous Authors The other places of note are S. Tropès a good Sea-port Town seated on Golfe de Grimaut Sinis or Plagia Samblacitana Draguignan another good Town upon the River Pis 6 Leagues and a half North West of FREJVS the Seat of the Viguier of this Diocese Callian Fayence Seillans Bargemes Comps Bargamon Caillas Eigueniere Taurene Flayose Lorgues Trans Les-Arqs Le-Muy Le-Luc Cogolin Grimaut Roquebrune La-Napole Of the Diocese of GRACE THE Diocese of GRACE lies on the East of that of Frejus on the West of that of Vence and the South of that of Senez It was anciently inhabited by the Deciates one of the Ligurian Nations that liv'd on this side of the Alps. The City of GRACE Grassa lies on a small River two Country Leagues North of the Sea with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ambrun a Viguery or a Court of Justice The Episcopal See was transferr'd thither from Antibes by Pope Innocent IV. in 1250. by reason of the bad Air and the Incursions of Pyrates it is a pretty Town fortify'd with a good Cittadel c. The most considerable places are Antibe Antipolis a good Sea-port Town and a Colony of the Marseillois Canes upon Cape de la Croix Mogins Cesari Cipieres Le Bar Chateau-neuf Of the Diocese of VENCE THis Maritim Country the ancient habitation of the Nerusii has the Diocese of Grace to the West that of Glandeve to the North and the County of Nice to the East The Dioceses of Grace and VENCE are very small and afford but little Revenue The City of VENCE Vintium lies five Leagues North East from Grace and two North of the Sea It has a Bayliwick and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ambrun It is very ancient the temporal Dominion is divided between the Bishop and the Baron of VENCE The Cathedral is dedicated to our Blessed Lady The famous Poet Godeau who has made a Paraphrastical Translation in French Rythms of the Psalms and the Canticle of Solomon written a Church History c. was Bishop of Grace and VENCE for these two Dioceses are oft joyn'd because of their nearness and smalness There are but four places of note in the Diocese of VENCE viz. Cagne and S. Laurens near the Sea S. Paol on the South side of VENCE and Le Broc near the Var. Of the Diocese of GLANDEVE BEfore the Romans and French this Country was inhabited by a Ligurian Nation call'd Velauni It lies now about the Var and Vaine having the Bishopricks of Grace and Vence to the South the County of Beuil to the East part of Embrunois to the Noâ—th and the Dioceses of Digne and Senez to the West The City of GLANDEVE or Glannateva on the South side of the Var with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ambrun is now almost ruin'd for the Bishop makes his residence at a Burrough called Entrevaux which has been built on the other side of the River with the Ruins of the City c. The other places of note are Guilleumes the Seat of
the Viguier for this Diocese It lies at the foot of a Mountain on the North side of the Var Colmars upon the Verdon Annot upon the Vaine these three are accounted Towns the others are but Burroughs or good Villages viz. Toramenes Le Poget La Pene c. Of the Diocese of SISTERON THis Diocese seems to have had no particular Inhabitants but to have made part of the Country of the Cavares however it be it borders on the Bishoprick of Digne to the East on Gapencois and the Baronnies to the North on the County Venaissin to the West and on the Dioceses of Apt and Riez to the South The City of Sisteron Secustero or perhaps Acusio Colonia lies extended in length upon the confluence of the Buech and Durance with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Aix in the Upper Province it has a Bayliwick a small Cittadel and a Castle The most considerable places are Forcalquier Forum Calcarium or Fons Calcarius This Town was the Portion of the youngest Sons of the Counts of Provence It has a good Cittadel a Viguier and several Privileges The French King is call'd in the publick Acts issued from the Parliament of Aix Count of Provence and Forcalquier Manosque is another pretty Town lying on the Durance 11 Leagues South of Sisteron and belonging to the Knights of Maltha The other are but Burroughs or Villages as Rosset Castelet Puy-michel Orezon La Brelhane Luiz les Meez Peyruis Montfort was formerly a Barony belonging to the Counts of Provence and had then a very strong Castle but it has been demolished and the place is now an inconsiderable Village However its Territory is still very large and it has a Forest of 6 Leagues in circuit depending on it and call'd La Combe de S. Donat. In the Viguery of Forcalquier are S. Michel Manne Simiane c. Of the Diocese of APT IT was anciently inhabited by the Vulgientes and is now included betwixt the Viguery of Forcalquier the County Venaissin and the Archbishoprick of Aix The City of APT Apta Julia Vulgientium is a little Town on the River of Calevon with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Aix and a Bayliwick It is very ancient for it was one of the biggest and most famous Towns of the Celtes and the chief of the Vulgientians under the Romans Julius Caesar or rather some of his Successors liked it so well that he encreas d it made it a Roman Colony and gave it the name of the Conqueror of the Gauls The Bishop of APT is the first Suffragan of Aix and its first Prelate is S. Auspicius a Martyr The Bishops of this City call themselves Princes of APT and had heretofore the privilege of coyning Money There is to be seen a vast Treasure of Relicks especially of S. Auspicius and S. Mark the Abbot in the Cathedral of S. Anne And of Count Eleazar of S. Delphine his Wife both Virgins and of S. Margaret their Maid-servant in the Church of the Franciscans Saut is an ancient County near the source of the River Sorgues belonging to the Dukes of Lesdiguieres The other places are Lambez S. Savornin Gordes Reilhane Beaumont Mirabeau Tour d'Aygues a strong hold with one of the finest Houses in the Province Lourmarin Merindol Menerbe Aupede and Cabrieres were good Burroughs whilst inhabited by the Vaudois but since their barbarous Murther they are but inconsiderable places I shall give here a more faithful account of it than that partial Scribler Morery who says enough however to make appear the unheard Cruelties of the Roman Church It must b◠observed before all that time out of mind the Lords of France were not properly Subjects but only Vassals to the King and Sovereigns under him and that their Fees Castles Mannors could not be ransack'd or pull'd down nor their Subjects abused or kill'd unless it were for Crime of High Treason Now the places of Merindol Cabrireres La Coste c. whether the Vaudois resorted belong'd to a Lord who protected them and all the Crimes they were found guilty of was to profess the same Religion that was persecuted in other Parts of France and to give retreat to such as escaped the bloody Hands of their Murderers The French King Francis the I. prevailed upon by the Monks gave out a severe Edict against all the Protestants in 1535 and the Parliament of Aix condemned to be burned 19 Inhabitants of Merindol and the neighbouring places most of whom were Ministers but the first President Chassanée a learned Lawyer superseded the Execution of it He was suceeded by a most cruel Man John Meynier Baron of Oppede or Auppede who making use of the absence of the King's Lieutenant the Count of Grignan put himself at the head of the Troops that were in that Province accompanied by a Capt. called the Baron of La Garde the second President two Counsellors and William Guerin Advocate General of that Parliament Thus they went on to Merindol and were reinforced in their way by the Troops of the Pope's Legate from Avignon The poor Vaudois retired into Woods and Mountains so that the Persecutor's Army found nothing in their Villages and Buroughs but old and sick Men Women and Children however they had the Barbarity of Murdering every one of them and burning and razing all their Habitations nay even of hanging 30 of them who had surrendred themselves upon Terms Maimburg confesses that there were 3000 murdered 600 sent to the Gallies 24 Villages and 900 Houses burnt but others make it amount to a far greater number This hapned in 1546 when Francis the first had Notice of it he was sensible of the injustice they had done saying that they had made use of his Name to destroy the most honest Men in his Kingdom and therefore ordered at his Death which happened some Months after to his Son and Successor Henry the Second that he should not leave those Barbarities unpunished Accordingly this Prince immediately after his coming to the Crown named Commissaries to judge of this Affair but the Mony and power of the Clergy stopped their Mouths so that the King was forced to remove the Suit before the Parliament of Paris by his Patents of 1551. Then the Persecutors not being able to avoid Justice any longer threw the hatred of all this horrid and unlawful Executions upon some Soldiers who were dead or whom they had caused to make their escape and upon the Advocate General Guerin who was beheaded in the place of Greve As to the Baron of Oppede tho his Credit sav'd him from the hands of Humane Justice yet it could not deliver him from the hands of God who called him before his Tribunal in 1558 by the most painful Death that ever was as you may see in Thuanus Dupleix and other Roman Catholick Historians Of the County Venaissin THE County Venaissin that is now a dependency of the Papal See borders on Provence to the East on Dauphiné to the North on the Durance to the South
of the antientest Towns in the Gauls and even in all Europe and therefore its original is very uncertain for 't is not likely that it should have been built by Vennerius an African Exile and called Bienna because it was raised in two years for the Latin Tongue was not yet so far spread as to derive the Etymology of such an antient Town from one of its compounded Words Neither is the Original related by Stephanus less fabulous for he pretends that the Inhabitants of Biennus a Town of Crete or Candie which no body mentions but himself being driven out of their Country by a great drought came by the direction of the Oracle to a marshy place along the Rhone where they built this Town and call'd it Bienna from the name of one of their Virgins who had been swallowed up by the ground whilst she was dancing But as this Town is named Vienna Allobrogum by the antient Geographers who used to give to Cities the name of their Founders so it is apparent that it has been built by the Natives of the Country the Allobroges However 't is stiâ—l very difficult to determine the time of its Foundation only we know that about the year 366 of Rome when the Senenois passed over Italy they built two Temples at Vienna one dedicated to Mars and the other to the Victory This Town has flourished a long time under tho Romans Tiberius Graâ—chus built there a Bridge in 566 of Rome and fortified the two ends of it with a strong Castle Caesar made it his Store-house for Arms. Tiberius built there that high Tower which the People call the Tower of Pilate as though he had died in this place There is another antient Building now named Notre Dame de La Vic. Our Lady of Life which was formerly a Heathen Temple where the Romans used to render Justice for which reason the People calls it the Pretory or the Palace of Pilate as though he had sate there as Judge during his Banishment They add that he was a Native of Vienne but there is no proof of his being born or ever exil'd thither and this fabulous Tradition seems to take its Original from Humbert Pilati Secretary to the last Dauphin who had a Country-House near St. Vallier which the vulgar also calls the House of Pilate The Emperor Galba granted many Privileges to this Town in requital of the affection of its Citizens who had declared for him against Nero whilst those of Lyons held still for that Tyrant wherefore he also confiscated their Goods During the Civil Wars of Otho and Vitellius a Captain of the last took Vienne in his possession and while this Emperor was sitting on the Tribunal Seat a Cock light'd on his shoulders and then on his head signifying as the Augures explain'd it that he should fall into the hands of a Gaulish Man and so it happened for the first who defeated him was one Antony of Tolosa Nickname Becco or Cock-beak Diocletian and Maximian who strove to perpetuate their memory through the most famous Cities called one of this Town-Gates Herculia Besides all this Vienne is remarkable for the Banishment of Archelaus Herode the Great 's Son and Successor for being the Native Country of Valerius Asiaticus who was twice Consul which shews that the Viennois were a Roman Citizens born and might become Senators in that Capital of the World There also it was that Julianus Caesar began his Consulship by the Celebration of solemn Games that the Emperor Valentinian the young was kill'd by Count Arbogast Constant the Usurper by Gerontius and Godegile Prince of Burgundy by his Brother Gondebaud The Romans had adorned Vienne in which they much delighted with several Magnificent Buildings as an Amphitheatre an Aqueduct a Palace c. whereof there are still considerable remains and this is not at all strange since Vienne was the Capital of the Narbonnoise which they first conquered and beautified above the rest The Burgundians were the first who took this Town from the Romans and made it the head of their Kingdoms but after they had been subdued by the French Vienne remained united to that Monarchy till it became part of a second Kingdom of the Burgundians in Charles the Simple's time At the dismembring of this new Realm it passed under the Power of the Dauphins who intitled themselves Dauphins of Viennois and Counts of Albon a Castle along the Rhone between Vienne and Valance It will be worth our enquiry to see how this great Town is by degrees fallen to the low State it is now in for 't is hardly extended a Mile in length from Lyons Gate to that oâ— Avignon and its breath comes not near it Vienne was then at first the Capital City of the Narbonnoise that is of Savoy Dauphine Provence and Languedoc and when it was converted to Christianity its Metropolitan had under him the Bishops of all their Provinces And indeed the first Christians of Vienne besides the Dignity of their Town seem'd to desâ—rve that honour for they not only confessed the name of our Saviour in the middle of a cruel Persecution under the Emperor Decius but also encouraged the other faithful by their Writings and Examples as may be seen by a Letter which Eusebius has inserted in his Ecclesiastical History Soon after the Narbonnoise was subdivided into 5 Provinces of which the Viennoise had the honour to be the first and had 13 Episcopal Cities depending on it In process of time Arles one of its Suffragans growing in Wealth and bigness was erected into an Archbishoprick and deprived its Metropolitan of seven of its Suffragans of which however it kept but 4 viz. St. Paul Trois Chasteaux Orange Marseille and Toulon the Popes making afterwards their dear Avignon an Archbishoprick and subjecting to it the Cities of Vaison Cavaillon and Carpentras so that the Metropolitan of Vienne has now but 5 real Suffragans viz. Valence Die Viviers Grenoble and St. John de Maurienne to which may be added the Titular Bishop of Geneve But the greatest unhappiness of Vienne came from that which was designed to keep the lustre of its Metropolitans namely the Gift which the Emperors made to them of the Sovereignty of the Town for this caused several broils betwixt these Prelates and the Dauphins which by succession of time much depopulated this ancient City so that in 1448 the Archbishops were forced at last to yield up their Right to Lewis the XIth then Dauphin and afterwards King of France The name of this easie Prelate was John of Poictiers whose Successors have been ever since in a little esteem whereas his Predecessors made a great figure in the World Vienne has had the Privilege of coyning Money as appears by several pieces bearing its name under the first and second race of the French Kings Thirteen Miles North East of Vienne lies upon a Mountain the Village of Ponay which Mr. Chorier esteems to be the place where the Epaâ—nense or Ponense
Charges in France especially the Lieutenancy of Provence You have yet in this Diocese Donzere Pierre-Latte La Palu Suze Mondragon c. CHAP. XIX Of the Government Lyonnois THE most ancient Authors especially the Greeks us'd to call Gaule Celtick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then that appellation became proper to that part that was included betwixt the Rhone the Seine and the Marne the Ocean and the Garomne but Augustus took off that which lay betwixt the Garomne and the Loire to ineâ—ease Aquitain and gave it the name of Lyonnoise from Lyons its Capital City At this present the Government Lyonnois is far narrower comprehending only 6 Provinces viz. Lyonnois properly so call'd Forez and Beaujolois that are very little and make scarce together 25 Leagues North and South and 35 East and West The other three are Bourbonnois La Marche and Auvergne which reach all together 52 Leagues North and South from Germigny in Bourbonnois over against Dun-le Roy in Berry to Entraygues in Auvergne on the River Lot and 76 East and West from Belle-ville on the Rhone in Beaujolois to Availle on the Vienne in the Country of La Marche Most of the Rivers that water this Government belong more properly to others where you will find their course described as the Vienne the Creuse and the Indre in Orleannois the Dordonne in Languedoc the Loire and the Rhone in the General Description and the Saone in Burgundy Remains then only the Allier Elaver which rises in the Cevennes on the Borders of Gevaudan and Velay waters Les-Chazes Langeac Peyrusse La Voute Brioude Auzon Issoire Vic-le Comte Pont du Chateau Vichis S. Germain des fossez Varennes Mâ—ulins receives in its way the Alagnon near Auzon the Duore or Dore and the Siolle or Sioulle increas'd with the Bouble near Maringues betwixt Pont du Chateau and Vichy Then falls into the Loire 3 Miles South West of Nevers after it has separated Nivernois from Bourbonnois during 10 Leagues Of Proper LYONNOIS LIONNOIS properly so called is about 12 Leagues in length and 7 in breadth it is situated between Dauphine from which 't is separated on the East by the Rhone it has Bresse and Beaujolois on the North Forez on the West and Vivarais on the South It s Soil about Lyons is more proper for Wine than Corn in other things it is abundantly fertil affording great quantity of excellent Fruits and some Mines of mixt Mettals Besides the Rhone and the Saone which carry abundance of things to Lyons there are some small Rivers the Azargues the Mornance the Brenne and the Giez which have not 15 Leagues in their whole Course Lyons the chief City of this division and of the whole Government is seated on the Confluence of the Rhone and the Saone Its Situation is very pleasant its Original antient and its Trade the greatest in the Kingdom so that Lyons is generally esteem'd one of the Principal Cities of Europe Here is an Archbishop who is Primate of the Celtick Gaulae the Archbishops of Rouen Tours and Sens depending by right upon him as Metropolitans of the second third and fourth Lyonnoise to whom may be now added the Archbishop of Paris as the head of a 5th Province The Diocese of Lyons extends through all Proper LYONNOIS Forez and Beaujolois Here are also a Count of the Treasury of France a Presidial Seat a Seneschals Court an Election a Tribunal of Commerce which is annext to the Consulate under the Title of the Conservation of Lyons Authors vary very much about the Foundation of Lyons and the Original of its Name Some say that Lugdus King of the Celtes was the Founder of it so that from Lugdus and Dunum which signifies a Mountain did arise Lugdidunum or Lugdunum some will have it to come from Lug which in the Cimbrique Tongue signifieth Fortune and Dunum a Hill that is the Hill or Mountain of Fortune others from two Gaulish words Lugo-dunum which they interpret the Mountain of the Raves And others again from Lucius Plancus who by order of the Senate brought thither a Roman Colony from Vienne It is sure that before that time that is before the Triumvirate Lyons was already a considerable City though not so famous as it became afterwards In 744 of Rome 60 Gaulish Cities contributed towards the erection of an Altar dedicated to Augustus and built on the confluence of the Saone and Rhone at a place call'd Ainay where is still a famous Abby of Benedictins Here Caius Caesar celebrated Games and Prises were given to those that deliver'd the best Discourse in Greek and Latin Under the Empire of Nero a great part of this City was burnt down to whose rebuilding this Emperor gave out of his Exchequer 400000 Sesterces as much as they themselves had contributed before in troublesome times This made the LYONNOIS so faithful to his interest that they withstood Galba and stuck to the false Nero until they were undeceiv'd In Antonine's time there was an Amphitheatre which according to an ancient Chronicle had been built by the Emperor Trajan at a place call'd now Serviere where stands the Collegiate Church of S. Thomas In the Collegiate Church of S. John the Canons have the Title of Counts and the Dean that of Duke Pontius Pilate who condemn'd our Lord was a Native of Lyons and confin'd thither for his Concussions as well as Herod Antipas and his Miss Herodias the Murtherers of S. John the Baptist and starv'd there Pierre-Cize is an old and strong Castle where Prisoners of State are kept It has its name from the Rock in which it is built there is no Author who speaks of this City without giving it great Elogies In antient Inscriptions it is term'd Colonia Claudia Copia or the Colony of Claudius and the abundance of Gaule because the Emperor Claudius was born there he mixt that Colony with that of the Viennois and order'd that Lyons should be the Granary of the Gauls as being situated between Bresse Bourgogne Auvergne Velay Vivarais Dauphine Bugey c. from whence it receives all sorts of commodities by the means of the two Rivers that water it Herodian call'd it great and happy City Ptolâ—my gave it the name of famous Metropolis Sidonius Apollinaris call'd it Rhodanusia or the best City on the Rhone Scaliger term'd it un Nouveau â—â—nde dans le vieux un vieux dans le Nouveau â— new World in the old and an old in the new The Country about that City is extraordinary â—leasant The other places of some note in LYONNOIS are Chavaney Coindrieu renown'd for its Wine Vimy Chasselay Anse along the Rhone â—arare Chazal La Bresle S. Genis-l'Argentier S. Genis-la-Val S. Saphorin le Chastel Monâ—agny Revirie S. Andiol S. Martin en Jarez â—â—ive de Giez S. Chaumont a Marquisate known 〈◊〉 the Manufactory of Silk S. Jean de Bonneâ—â—s c. Of FOREZ FOREZ Segusianus Ager or Pagus Forensis hath as great an Extent as