thence A profitable water changeth yron into good copper with the losse of the fourth part if the waight of the yron be in small pieces and the third part only if the pieces be great and thick This countrey yeelds also good store of graine howbeit scarce sufficient to furnish those laborious painefull pioners there being there such a number of them maintained at worke Next unto it is Nericia Nericia where although there be a silver myne yet yeelding but small benefit is therefore neglected The mynes of brimstone yeeld also store of alum and copperas It would seeme that all the inhabitants of this countrey are borne naturall Smiths for they send abroad into all the neighbouring countries all manner of yron implements They have but one citty called Orebregia The last is Sudermannia Sudermannia which is neyther destitute of mettalls nor yet of good store of yron especially the parts adjoyning to the great lake Melerus The chiefe city of this countrey is Nycopia Nycopia a famous port for traficke and withall adorned with a faire castle where the Duke of this countrey most commonly had his abode Next is Strengosia Strengosa an Episcopall Sea with a Cathedrall Church graced with the dead corps of Charles the 9. of that name and father to the most famous and victorious King great Gustavus now raigning There are yet some other Townes belonging to this teritory to wit Tolga Torsilia and Trosa Telga Torsilia Trosa all very rich and commodious for trafficke and commerce The other part of Sweden is properly called by the name of Northland Northland Of this Northland there are two Provinces Gestricia Helsingia Gestricia Gestricia had corne enough to supply the inhabitants wanrs and besides is well furnished with yron mynes It hath in it one very good City called Gervalia Gerralia seated by the Sea-side as well for exportation as importation of all manner of commodities and about halfe a daies journey from the coper mynes By ancient records it appeareth that this Helsingia in former times Helsingia sometimes a kingdome was a generall name comprehending the rest of the Northern Provinces and the Scanzian Histories doe testifie that this same country in former times was graced with the Title of a kingdome and was governed by Kings until such time as Iugellus King of Vpsalia and father to Olavus Tretelias King of Vermelandia at his coronation burnt to ashes Helsingians an ancient people the last Helsingian King with some other moe whose kingdome hee after incorporated to that of Vpsalia Many other things concerning the antiquity and valour of this Nation for brevity I purposely let passe Among all the Swedish people these are most remarkable for their great hospitality and besides Affectionate to learning they are so affectionate to learning that although publike Schooles for good literature be but rare among them yet are private persons who have attained to any learning so forward to instruct their neighbours that it is a hard mattter to find one going at plough but hee can read The inhabitants of this country are either Helsingians properly so call'd or Laplanders Of the Helsingians then the Provinces or these Helsingia properly so called Medelpadia Angermania and Bothnia This Hesingia properly so called Helsingia properly so called was formerly caled Sundhede and Nordslegh The soyle of this country is fruitfull enough and the inhabitants much addicted to grazing of cattle and many of them are very industrious in making of linnen cloth and not unskilfull in many other manuall trades some being also addicted to fishing It containeth one good city Hudinswaldia Hudinswaldia whose inhabitants transport into other countries great store of butter tallow hides and skins pitch and rozen masts for ships clap-boord and the like Medelpadia Medelpadia is much of the same nature quality with Helsingia but that it is somewhat narrow and fuller of woods It is furnished with 2 good rivers well stor'd with exceeding good fish as Salmons especially and it is supposed that in former times the Helsingian Kings kept their Court in this Countrey Angermannia Angermannia although it be full of high and steepe rockes yet are the vallies so fruitfull that if but once in ten yeeres compassed Fertility of the soyle they bring forth every yeere exceeding good corne if the unseasonablnesse of the weather doe not sometimes frustrate the husband-mans expectation It is as it were divided into two armes the one more southerly running towards the West the other towards the Sea and further to the North. It is watered with one faire river abounding with divers sorts of good fishes Salmons especially there is in it also one faire city Bothnia Bothnia is not so hilly as this Angermannia and yet by reason of the sandy soyle and the coldnesse of the climat the countrey is not so fruitfull as the former which defect notwithstanding is well supplyed with the abundance of other commodities It is very well watered with divers great rivers abounding with very good fish Salmons especially It hath in it no city howbeit every Parish is as it were a towne of trafficke and commerce for in sommer they provide store of corne and such other commodities as their neighbour Laplanders want which they buy of such as trafficke into their countrey which commodities in the winter they carry into Lapland where all rivers and rivers and lakes are hard frozen and bring again backe from thence great abundance of rich furres fishes dryed and hardened with the frost and many the like commodities Lappīonia or Lappic Next followes Lapponia or Lappia called commonly Lapland and the inhabitants Lappones Laplanders This is the northermost Province belonging to this potent Prince a large and vast countrey but hath neyther corne-fields cities nor townes The countrey is full of hills woods rivers lakes and pooles and in many places very good pastures The people are ingenious enough and civill living most by hunting and fishing Their manner of life They live like unto the Tartars travelling in great troupes together with their cattell and settle about some river or lake where there is good pasture for their cattell and when that is all eaten up Their innocencie remove to another place Adultery and murther is scarce heard of among that people nor yet any theft and merchants travelling that way ordinarily leave their wares covered onely with some old cloth to keepe off the snow and after divers daies at their returne never misse any of their goods Their apparrell Their apparell is made of skinnes of beasts and wollen cloth brought to them from other countries as for linnen cloth they have none but to sew their clothes they make thred of the nerves or sinewes of beasts dryed beaten and dressed like flaxe Strange thred with the which they both sew their garments cover the same also with tinne as we doe with silver and so
countrey both ancient and of latter times with some of their chiefe acts and the latter Kings alliances In the last place is something more particularly said concerning this great Gustavus Adolphus now raigning and his chiefe acts both before and since his expedition into Germany briefly handled The King of Sweden or Swethland call it as you list although untill now of late yeeres not so much taken notice of in these parts of the world as many other Princes and Potentates yet may it well appeare that hee is no meane Prince nor of small power His chiefe countrey and from which he takes his chiefe denomination is called by some Suconia Suconia and the people from thence Sucones as also and with us most frequently Suevia Suevia and the people Swevi now there is in high Germany another countrey founding somewhat like it called Suevia the people Suevi and in high Dutch Swaben bordering on Bavaria being a colonie in former times come out of this countrey of Sweden of whom my purpose is not here to speake This potent King then hath under his dominion not onely this country of Sweden properly so called but also Gothland Flintland and a great part of Lapland besides some Territories in the dominion of the great Duke or Knez of Russia or Muscovia as hereafter shall appeare This countrey is a very fruitfull soyle a land flowing with milke and honey and yeelding corne in great abundance besides the great abundance of mettalls digged out of the bowells of the earth and the excellency of the pastures of this land may from hence appeare that some countrey people of Holland removing their habitation into Sweden affimed that they made as much butter of 60. measures of milke there as they did in Holland of a hundred the like measures This pleasant countrey is replenished with innumerable lakes furnished with most dainty fishes out of these same lakes do run and issue out many pleasant and profitable rivers This country is in the South parts more plain even but towards the North and West more mountainous not without great store of woods very usefull for the fining of those mettals in so great abundance digg'd out of many of those mountaines The maritane parts not of Swethland onley but of Finland also are for the most part environed with high and steepe rocky hils Ilands many of them being scarce covered with greene grasse and this is the cause why it is so hard and difficult a matter for strangers without some skilfull Pilot of the naturall inhabitans to saile neere their shore and strangers at their first approaching wonder that such a country should afford the inhabitants meanes to sustaine life until such time as they are better acquainted with the inner parts of the countrey and this land hath likewise commerce with the I le of Brittaine Denmarke Norway Poland Russia and such other Notherne Regions beyond the 50 or 51 degrees of Northerly latitude that it bringeth forth none of that noble liquor of the grape which is notwithstanding in great abundance brought from other countries and besides they are well furnished with good ale and beere for their ordinary drinke 2. Division of the kingdome of Sweden The Kingdome of Sweden is divided into Sweden Gothland Finland Ingria and Esthionia Sweden or Swethland called Suecia or Sucovia into Sucovia properly so called and the Northlands Nordlandias Of Sucovia properly so called Sucovia and the parts thereof are these parts or Provinces following Vplandia Vestmania Dalecharlia Nevira and Suedermania This country Vplandia Vplandia hath most commonly bin graced with the pre-eminence above the rest and where the King hath most commonly kept his Court. Conmodities of this countrey This country is very well furnished with plenty of very good corne the which is liberally imparted to these daily diggers of mettalls upon the mountaines Mines in this countrey Division of Vplandia It is not destitute of good mines of yron and leed especially and in some places of silver also although not very much It is againe divided into three folk-lands as they call them that is shires or Provinces of three people and these againe sub-divided into smaller parts much answerable to our division of hundred and which name they also attribute unto them Of all the cities and townes not only of this but of all the other Provinces of the Swedish dominions Stackholme Stockholme is the chiefe and where the King most cōmonly makes his abode and residence seated in an Iland among the waters as Venice for the which cause it had this name imposed By meanes of the lake Melenus it hath brought from the inland al maner of grain butter cheese and such other commodies usefull for the life of man as also copper yron and other mettals and again by the same way sends them back such cōmodities as are brought from remote regions and by the sea it is supplied with wine oile salt c. It is much of the same degree of northerly latitude with the city Aberden in the north of Scotland it being seated in the South part of Sweden to wit betwixt the 58. and 59. degree Next unto it is Vpsalia Vpsalia somtime the royal seat of the adjacent northerne parts for there was kept the Kings Court the supreme court of justice and there was also the Archbishops sea with a faire cathedrall Church the which onely of all the rest continueth yet untill this day There there is also a famous Vniversity of the which more hereafter This City is seated as it were in the very center of this rich Province on the banke of the River Sala Besides these there are yet in this Province some others of good note howbeit inferiour to the former to wit Enecopia Sigrundia Oregrundia The next Province of Sneonia is Vestmania Vestmania in fertility nothing inferiour to Vplandia but in mettalls farre exceeding the same for in it is a very rich silver mine called Salbergh as for good yron and steele there is there also great abundance Rich Mines where mines of copper lead and brimstone are not also wanting The chiefe Citty thereof is called Grosia and commonly Westeras adorned with a Bishops sea and a cathedrall Church where is also a saire stately castle to be seene and heere may one see great store of copper and lead brought from the hils of that countrey There are yet besides this the Townes Arbogia and Koping abounding with the same mettalls but yron especially The Province of Dalecharlia Dalecharlia although it be not inferiour to the former in the abundance of mettalls and mineralls yet in the abundance of good copper digged out of these deepe vaults and cavernes to the no small amazement of such as are not acquainted with such sights it doth farre exceede any other and besides copper the same myne yeeldeth yet great store of brimstone alum and copperas And the water which is drawne from
adorne their garments therewith as we doe with silver and gold lace In former times they were much addicted to sorcery and witchcraft howbeit that is now well reformed Their tents In stead of houses they use tents made of the barke of birch sowed together Their tents In the winter time they meete togther at certaine places and faile not where both these aforementioned merchants find them to trafficke with the Kings customers The meetings to demand their tribute and the Churchmen were wont to come to catechize them and to baptize their children c. But Charles the 9. and father to this famous and great Gustavus now raigning built in severall places of this country certaine chappells and churches for the exercise of Religion Nature of the people This people is ninble active and very good souldiers which if envy it selfe should deny yet that memorable battell fought neer Leipzig will witnes to the worlds end Good soldiers Diamonds Topazes and Amethists among them some of the hils of this country yeeld precious stones viz. Diamonds Topazes and Amethists At this day these Laplanders are subject to 3. Kings of Sweden Denmark and the great Duke of Russia The greatest the best part of this country viz. all the South mediterranian part belongs to the King of Sweden a very huge vast countrey extending from the 69. to the 71. degree of northerly latitude being above 400. miles in length and above 360. in breadth Diuision of this countrey This country is diuided into 5. several territories or jurisdictions called Lapmarchia to wit Vmalapmarck Pitalapmarck Tornlapmarck Kimilapmarck whose inhabitants pay tribute to none but to the King rf Sweden To Norway now under the danish King belongeth that tract running along the sea-coast called Finmarchia and the inhabitants Siofuni or maritime inhabitants living upon fish onely The rest belongs to the Russian Prince from the castle of Vardhus to the mouth of the milbrie sea in the Swedish tongue called Trennes in the Laplanders language Prihinienni and in the Russian speech Tarchanavolech even at this day Now next after the country of Sweden followes in order Gothia Gothia or Gothland as if one should say a good land being also subect to the Crowne of Sweden divided from the same by a great wood only This is the ancient country and naturall soile of so many warlike people which in former ages have made their names famous to future generations which honour many other nations would willingly assume unto themselves the which subject for brevities sake I must here passe This countrey is divided into two parts Division of this country East and West Gothland To West Gothland belong these Provinces following Vestrogothia Dalia and Vermelandia vnto which some joyne Hallandia Vestrogothia Vestrgothia as it is somewhat inferiour to the most fruitfull parts of Sweden in regard of corne so doth it againe in good pastures for cattle exceed them wherein consists their chiefe riches as the others in their tillage increase of corn It is also watered with many rivers yeelding great store of fish besides divers Citties and Townes The Citties Citties are Gotheburgum a great and rich staple for trafficke Slara an Episcopall Sea Mariesladum and Lidecopia The townes Townes thereof Fabropia Sbredni Hin Bogesurd Beretta and Lindosia the old Dalia Dalia is a mountainous countrey in most places hath many fishie rivers and lakes and pasture for cattell in no small abundance in so much that there are farre greater oxen found in that countrey then in other places Vermelandia Vermelandia among all the Gothish Provinces best inhabited and colonies first carried thither by Olaus Trekelius It is a hilly and wood-land countrey yet not unfurnished of yron mynes and one of copper reasonable rich but lately found aut In it is one citty called Carolostadium Carolostadium built by Charles the 9. in a place before called Tingualla Hallandia a little countrey adjoyning thereto because belonging to the King of Denmarke I there of set purpose passe by The Provinces of East Gothland are Ostrogothia Smalandia and Oelandia with which in former times were also reckoned Gotlandia Scania and Blockingia Ostrogothia Ostrogothia is for the most part a plaine champian countrey and so fruitfull that it exceedeth many other Provinces of Sweden and by some thought Fertility of the soyle not to equall onely but even to exceede Vpland it selfe the principall Province of the whole Swedish dominion It is exceeding pleasant and very well furnished with many fishie rivers abundance of wild beasts and wild fowle and finally whatsoever is useful for mans sustnance except wine and salt Neither is it unfurnished of mynes in the mountanous parts of Godegard Hellestaberg and Vangaberg In it is seated the City Vadstenan adorned with a faire castle and an Abbey dedicate to Saint Brigeta There is besides it Scheningia sometimes of great fame and note but now reduced to the forme of a Towne Laenicopia an Episcopall Sea Norcopia and Sudercopia two famous staples or Townes for trafficke Smalandia Smalandia a large country above 300. miles in compasse and is for the most part full of great woods and yet for good pastures nothing inferiour to many of the neighbour countries Good pastures insomuch that they send many very great fed cattle into Denmarke which are from thence yeerely in great abundance sent into all high Germany and the lowcountries In it are also great store of great rivers lakes wel stored with abundance of excellent good fish Mines of copper and steele In that part called Tinstia there are copper mines newly found out In Taberg there are good steele mynes and besides out of their lakes they gather a certaine rude matter which with very small labour is made very good yron This countrey is divided into divers parts the principall whereof are Ticherad Verandia Tinstia Division of this country as also Finberdia and Mantingia famous for the Longobards expedition Cities for the largenesse of the countrey it hath not many the chiefe are Calmarnia Ievecâ—pias Vexio an Episcopall Sea Elresio and Vestervile Olandia Olandia is a rich and fruitfull Iland abounding in many rich commodities But because this Iland as likewise Hallandia and Bleckingia are at this present under the obedience of the Danish King Occasion of warres betwixt the two neighbouring Princes .. I will here passe by it And yet shall it not be out of purpose to take notice that these Ilands have beene the cause of great quarrells and controversies betwixt these two neighbouring Princes Sweden and Denmark and no lesse cotnrouersie hath it caused among Writers some pretending a right some a long prescription of time to corroborate the Title of their Prince whose right they tooke upon them to maintaine Finlandia Next in order followes Finland which some thinke so to be called in comparison of Sweden as though it did
in fruitfulnesse farre exceed it who are foulely deceived VVhy so called for it is more probable that it was first called Fiendland by reason of the great hostility those Finlanders exercised against this nation so long as they were commanded by a King of their owne This countrey abounds in corne pastures fish and fowle and finally in such things as are most necessary for the life of man this people is very laborious and able to endure hardship Nature of this people Of old they were esteemed the mildest among all those Scanzian people howbeit at this day they be somewhat harsher and their valour in warre was well witnessed in this last memorable battle fought neere Leipsig in Misnia They have a peculiar language of their owne in the which are some singularities to be observed namely that some letters they cannot pronounce as B D G Singularities in their languagess and that they want the letter F neyther have they any word beginning with two consonants and therefore when they pronounce any such word in other languages they leave out such letters and for this cause if they be not sent abroad while they are yet young they can never learne to pronounce forreigne languages and thus for gratus they pronounce ratus for spes pes for Dominus tominus for bonus ponus c. And this is the reason why the Nobles Merchants and others of ability send their youth to be instructed in the Swedish tongue by which meanes they are afterwards fitted for the learning of any other Againe in their language they observe no genders having one onely articles se which they attribute to both sexes and to all genders Some others for brevity I here willingly passe by These Finlanders in former times When and by whom first subdued had Kings of their owne nation great warres with the Swedish untill such time as being by Ericus King of Sweden subdued in the yeere 1130. they were also forced to embrace the Christian faith Now this King subdued not the whole countrey but afterwards Birgerus Ieri subdued Tavastia and againe Turgillus subdued Runts or Carelia and about the yeere 1193. the better to keepe them in obedience and withall to inhibit the incursions of the Russians hee built the castle Viburg Finland is dived into the South North Caiania Savolaxia Tavastia Nylandia and Carlia The Northerne part is divided from the Southerne by the river Amarokei Division of the country running hard by the Episcopall sea Abo. In the Westerne part thereof is that old castle Gusto now ruinated in the East part the castle Raseberg Cities towns and castles together with the jurisdiction thereto belonging The Northerne part thereof extends it selfe towards the Bothnicke gulfe Northward comprehending the one and the other Salagundia Vienio and Maseo In it is a famous river called Cumo-elffe abounding with Salmons and many other dainty fishes and neere the Episcopal City Biornebegh falling into the Sea Betwixt this city and Abo are the townes Raumo Nystadh and Nadhandill where was of old that famous Monastery called the valley of grace Caiania Caiania called also the Easterne Bothnia is furnished with many goodly fishie rivers It hath lately built there in the towns Townes Vla and Vasa as also the castles Caianoburgum and Vloburgum Sauolaxia Savolaxia abounds with goodly lakes and rivers and almost all of them disburden themselves by the river Vox into that great lake Ladoga This lake Togetha together with these rivers among all the rest of this Scanzian country doe onely breed the seacalfe Lake-Ladoga called Phoca and Vitulus Marinus They are likewise furnished with abundance of other good fishes Sea-calfe and among others great Iackes and Pikes which are from thâ—nce being first dryed with the frost in great abundance transported to Viburgum In it is also a very faire strong castle built in the yeere Nystat 1475. by one Ericus Axelson Master of the Kings houshold and by him called Saint Olanus castle Tavastia is a mediterranean countrey Tavastia Nystat or New-castle and in it that famous and renowned lake Peiende The strong castle of Tavastia was built by Borgerus Ieri to curbe and keepe under these Tavastians by him newly conquered and subjugated under the Crowne of Sweden having withall compelled them to embrace the Christian religion In the North parts of this countrey the inhabitants fish out of the bottomes of their lakes a certaine rude matter which Yron made of water with small labour and paines and as little charges they make veny good yron and very serviceable for mans use Nylandia not that it was so called as though in former times it had beene without any inhabitants Nylandi but by reason that those who doe now inhabite the same in comparison of other were but newly come thither for the Helsingians and other people of Sweden sent thither their colonies The countrey is fruitfull enough and well furnished with store of fish fowle wild beasts for hunting It hath in it two townes Townes Borgo and Hefingfors Carelia is a large and vast Region and seemeth that the old inhabitants lived most by their sheepe and cattell for Curia in their language signifieth sheepe or cattell So long as the Finlanders had a King of their owne nation over them all this countrey of Carelia belonged to Finland but since the Swedish did so much by warre annoy the inhabitants that by little and little they brought many of the Provinces of that country to become tributary to them the Russians much suspecting the power arising of so potent a neighbouring Prince thought in time to anticipate his enemies designes for the which cause this Russian Prince by force of armes made himselfe Master of this whole countrey And this same country was for many yeeres after the common theater of warre betwixt those two potent Princes of Sweden and Russia and that for a long tract of time with various and doubtfull event sometimes the one and sometimes again the other party prevailing untill such time as Magnus surnamed Smek King of Sweden and George Duke of Novegardia divided it equally betwixt them setting appointing their limits and bounds in Systerbecke Now how it came wholly within these few yeeres under the crowne of Sweden shall hereafer in its proper place appeare In this Carelia is that strong city Wiburg VViburg a famous staple or mart towne for merchants exceeding well fortified with strong walls and deepe large motes round about and a strong castle in the same This same City have the Russians often but in vaine besieged with 100000. armed men Rexholmia Rexholmia by the Swedish corruptly so called and by the Russians Carologored or the fort or fortresse of Carelia is seated very strongly in two little Ilands at the mouth of the river Wexen in the one of which is seated the city and in the other the castle The soyle is very fruitfull
abdication of this king this condâ—tion was inserted that if within sixe moneths after the finishing of the last Parliament holden at Lincopia this king Sigismund would send over into Sweden his son Vâ—sladislaus to be governed and ruled by his Vncle prince Charles and to be educâ—ted in the relligion then professed in the kingdome of Sweden that assoone as he were come to yeeres capable of government they would receive and acknowledge him for ever afterwards for their lawfull king and governour the which motion not being entertained nor yet any answer within this space returned their former decree of abdication of him and his seed was there solemnly ratified and confirmed Sigismund marryed first Anna daughter to Charles Archduke of Austria by whom hee had 1. Anna Maria. 2. Katharine 3. Vladistaus designed for King of Polonia 4. Christopher cut out of his mothers wombe and shortly after both he and his mother dyed Sigismund thus solemnely reiected and put besides the Crowne and Kingdome of Sweden his brother Iohn next unto him according to the ordinary course and custome should have succeeded but by reason hee was suspected to bee too much addicted to his elder brother king of Poland and therefore assigning him large and ample meanes sutable to his birth and parentage they made choice of the youngest brother Charles to take upon him the government of the kingdome who notwithstanding would not for a good while accept of the regale title Charles therefore at length 147 Charles 9. at the earnest sollicitation of the whole estates tooke the government upon him borne in 1550. and at first Duke of Sudermania Nericia and Verulandia and after three yeares government without the regale title at length in the yeare 1607. accepted of the same This noble and worthy Prince swore to the maintenance of religion and the lawes and constitutions of the kingdome as hath beene lately declared all which hee did accordingly performe The Peere of the kingdome for his worth and valour and many good offices he had performed for the peace and preservation of the State were not onely contented this dignity should be conferred upon himselfe but consented also that the fame should be confirmed to his heires and successours for ever which fayling then was the same to return to his elder brother Iohn and his heires male It was also agreed upon that by reason of divers inconveniences arising from this root that sometimes the kings of Sweden have accepted of another kingdome and by that meanes often residing in another countrey it was therefore likewise enacted and agreed upon that no hereditary Prince and heire apparant to the crowne of Sweden An act against the accepting of a forreine kingdome unlesse he refine himselfe in Sweden His warres against Denmarke and Russia shall hencefoorth accept of any forreine kingdome unlesse he resolve neverthelesse to live and continue in the same kingdome of Sweden This noble king after he came to the Crown waged warre with the king of Denmarke and at one and the same time with the Russian also For Iuan Wasilieuitz Suski with many of the Peeres being in his chiefe City Mosco very straitly besieged by the Polonians hee sent for aide and succour to this Charles king of Sweden there being then great danger not of the losse of the king and his Nobles onely but even of the utter overthrow and ruine of his whole dominion This Prince therefore sent with great expedition under the command of Iairus de la Garde Earle of Leccho and Arch-marshall of the kingdome of Sweden a great army wherewith he raised the siege overthrew the enemies forces and set at libertie this distressed Prince and all his Peeres The aforenamed Suski making shew of a gratefull acknowledgement of so great a kindnesse received not onely promised but also sealed some deeds whereby hee freely gave unto this king Charles and to his heires and successours kings of Sweden for ever certaine territories and lordships together with the townes castles and forts thereunto belonging But the performance was not answerable to promise for this unthankfull persidious Prince sent secretly to the captaine of one of his castles wishing him with some forces to intercept those deeds together with the money agreed upon for the souldiers pay King Charles by such an iniury irritated and blame him not raises againe new forces invades the countrey the Polonian having now likewise seized upon Mosco the chiefe City he takes in Rexholme and possesses himselfe of a great part of the countrey round about But while he is now in the middest of his good successe behold cruell Aâ—opus suddenly cuts the thread of his life end so by this meanes together with his hereditarie dominions leaves likewise this warre to be finished by his sonne Gustavus Adolphus at this time king of Sweden whereof more hereafter He dyed of a great sicknesse in a warre against Denmarke An. 1611. Octob. 30. His first wife was Mary daughter to Lewes Elector and Count Palatine of Rhene whom he married An. 1579 and had by her 1 Margaret Elizabeth and died at the age of 5. yeares 2 Elizabeth Sabina who dyed also young 3 Lewes who died instantly after his birth 4 Katharine borne in 1584. and in 1614. marryed to the illustrous Prince Iohn Casimir Prince Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bavaria 5. Gustavus who dyed a child 6. Mary who dyed also young This vertuous Queene dyed of her selfe in the yeere 1580. His second wife was Christina daughter to Adolphus Duke also of Holsatia who bare to him 1 Christina who lived not long 2 Gustavus Adolphus the illustrious and victorious king of Sweden and born in anno 1594 Decemb. 9. 3. Mary Elizabeth 1596. who in the yeare 1612. was marryed to Iohn an hereditary Prince of the kingdome and Duke of Ostrogothia 4. Charles Philippe a hereditary Prince and Duke of Sudermania Nericia and Vermelandia 1601. He dyed in Livonia unmarried CHAP. X. Of the Noble Illustrious and invincible Prince great Gustavus Adolphus the 2. King of Sweden Goths and Vandals c. and some of his Acts before his entring into Germany 148 GVstavus Adolphus 148 Gustavus Adolphus 2. borne the ninth of Decemb 1594. as said is being but of a tender age for the swaying of the scepter royall his father dying in 1611. he being then but 17. yeares of age was crowned in 1617. Considering then his young yeares and laying them in one scale and the waight of affaires lying on his shoulders in the other we may most iustly wonder and admire at Gods might and power in making him a sit instrument to effect such matters as I doubt not but after-ages shall admire the same In the yeare 1620. he marryed Mary Elinor sister to the illustrious Prince George William Marquis of Brandenburg one of the Princes Electors of the sacred Empire who although she bare him some children yet lived they not long In the yeare 1624. she bare him a daughter 1. Christina but dyed
the same yeare The next yeare after she bare him againe another daughter called also 2. Christina yet living and in the yeare 1627 she was in a Parliament then holden at Stockeholme declared nere apparent to the crowne of Sweden It hath been a little before related how his father Charles the ninth of that name died during his warre with Denmarke and withall hath beene shewed how at the same time the same Prince had hot warre with the Prince of Russia by which may easily appeare into what a labyrinth of troubles was this young king at his first comming to the crowne involved In both these warres he carryed his affaires so well that thorow the helpe of Almighty God he hath procured himselfe ever since a firme and inviolable peace with that great Prince His war with the king of Denmarke He had with the Dane divers conflicts yet alwayes demeaned himselfe so worthily that he came off with great honour and credit so that at length that great king seeing hee had to meddle with his match was willing to accoÌ„odate his Martiall thoughts to entertaine a treatie of peace and so these two greaâ— Princes of mortall enemies became loving and kind friends and have since confirmed a strait league of amity and friendship As for the Russian Prince he had with him yet some greater difficulty to undergoe there resting some strong and almost impregnable places to be taken and the evidences concerning such territories as the Russian had for good consideration assigned his father to bee recovered And although my purpose bee not particularly to enlarge my selfe upon all the severall occurrences of this warre yet are there in the same some things to be obserued not unworthy the râ—â—ders consideration whereof I will give but a touch After his fathers decease then His war with the Russian Prince having setled the affaires of his kingdome at home although he had to deale with so patent an enemie as the king of Denmarke as hath beene said already yet did he not neglect this warre against the Russian and for this purpose prepared a great army to prosecute that which his father had left unfinished Now it is to bee understood that these forts and places hee tooke in from the Russian Prince are the strongest holds 〈…〉 it were the very keyes of all the Russian dominion That countrey is corruptly called Reaholme The countrey of Carelia corruptly called Reaholme taken in from a strong City and Castle seated in two little Ilands in the mouth of the river Woxen in the one of which the Castle and in the other the City is seated although the right name of this countrey among Historians be knowne by the name Carelia But among all these strong holds castles none is to be compared with the strong fort Notreburg The invincible force of Notrebugh which hath therefore hitherto ever beene holden invincible untill now of late experience hath taught us the contrary It is built in a little Iland in the mouth of the swift river Nerva and by reason of the breadth of the river could not be battered with ordnance This strong castle therefore being of so great importance was never unfurnished But the great God of heaven who according to his good will and pleasure disposes of all these sublunary things and infatuates the wisedome of the wise delivered this inuincible fort into the hands of an invincible Prince a presage no doubt of his future great and glorious victories But the manner is yet more admirable for within the souldiers were not unfurnished of sufficient foode and the enemies force as said is they needed not much to feare The strange manner of taking in the Castle of Notreburg but within their mouthes and throats there grew so many great warts that although they had food sufficient yet could they not feed on the same nor yet swallow down any sustenance for the which cause they were forced to surrender this strong fort into his maiesties hands And so he that made the walls of Iericho at the sound of a rammes horne to fall downe to make a way for his owne people of Israel to enter this City found out this way to take in this invincible fort And whosoever sees not the same providence accompanying prospering him in this so great a warre now undertaken against the whole power of the Austrian house and the Catholike league I thinke is more then pur-blind There is in that same countrey another strong Castle Iuanogorod The taking in of the strong fort Iuanogorod seated on the top of a high rocke in an Isthmus or narrow plaine a great part thereof being environed with this swift river And although on the west side as it looketh towards the river it might be batered yet both that way as likewise both the south and north parts were well defended by this river and on the east there was a low valley digged by natures owne industry where the people had theâ—r habitation the countrey about being plain and levell and so high that the ordnance could touch onely the tops of the turrets and goe no lower Neither yet was there any undermining by reason of that soile which was altogether rockie This fort notwithstanding together with the former 2. and many more were by this same king taken in the yeare 1617 in so much that this great Prince was then put in no small feare of loosing all or the greater part of his dominion whereof there was then no small danger Wherefore the great Knezor or Duke Michael Feodoronitz sonne to the former perfidious Iuani Vasilienitz Suski earnestly suing for peace it was at length by the mediation of king Iames of famous memory effected and in the yeare 1618. fully finished and agreed upon And thus were those aforementioned townes and forts and divers others belonging to this Carelia Ruthenica or countrey of Rexholme together with all the deeds and evidences thereunto pertaining resigned over and delivered into the hands of this king and for ever annexed unto the Crowne of Sweden and all other places during this warre taken from the Russian againe to him restored as in the articles of agreement in 18. more at length is to be seene Neither was this king then past 21. yeares of age when he had brought to a happy end two so great and important warres Now after this happy and peaceable conclusion having established peace in al his Prouinces he gave not himselfe over to his lustfull pleasures as is often too customary with young Princes nor to drowne himselfe with sinnefull delights but gaue himselfe wholly to beautifie and adorne this peaceable kingdome whereof shee was now fully possessed which could no better be effected then by nonfirming the ancient good and wholesome lawes and constitutions of the kingdome adding some others as occasion required Confirmation of the ancient lawes concerning trafficke and commerce betwixt the sea townes And therefore as was already touched he not
the civill law but that by this controverted cases are far speedilier ended But before we speake any thing concerning their lawes we will premit some generalities In this kingdome therefore there are severall principall colledges or societies The whole government of this kingdome comprehended in certaine societies or colledges which comprehend the whole government of the same The first of these is called the Colledge of Iustice 1 Colledge or societie of Iustice in the wihch are three degrees or rankes the supreame the middle most and lowest of all In this supreame or highest ranke or order are the noble Senators of the kingdome in the next are such as they call Lagman and in Latin Nomophylaces as if we should say Recorders or Registers In the third ranke or order are the Iudges of particular cities or townes being men of good esteeme and of honest life and conversation and not unskilfull in the lawes of the land In this supreame court are iudged causes of the whole kingdome as well criminall as ciuill and to this supreame court the subiect may from any inferiour Court of the kingdome appeale whereas they determine and iudge whether the inferiour court hath iudged right or no and from this court there is no appeale unlesse it be to the king himselfe in whose power it is either to qualifie the punishment or to remit the offence Vnder this suprame court are immediatly subiected and subordinate two others that of criminall causes and that of the court or chamber The next to this colledge is the colledge of war wherein are handled all Martiall or Military affaires and is called the Court marshall or martiall 2 Colledge or societie is that of warre or court Marshall To this court belongs the Councell of War wherein are all military matters deliberated and discussed and over this court presides the great Marshall of the kingdome His office is when the king cannot be present in his owne person as generall to command over the whole army This great officer hath with him ioyned diuers other associates and collegues amongst whom is chiefly he whom they call Riick-scirs Siigmeister as much to say as master of the Ordnance Besides there is also a field marshall and under him many other commanders both of the horse and foot forces The third colledge or court is that of the Chancerie 3 Colledge the court of the Chancery in which are handled all manner of causes both civill and ecclesiasticall In this Court presides the Lord Chancellour of the kingdome The Lord Chancellours office who hath the chiefe charge of the broad seale receiveth and readeth all letters sent to the king and dispatcheth answers Besides in the counsell he propoundeth such heads as they are to consult about and withall he hath the charge of setting downe and publishing all Proclamations all decrees and acts of Parliament Hee is also Iudge of al private complaints and appeales from inferiour courts to the King and finally he hath the oversight of all the Secretaries Clerkes Religious persons and ecclesiasticall ceremonies and all controversies and negotiations with forreine Princes war peace and truce receiving messages from forreine Ambassadors and dispatching their answers This great officer hath ioyned with him for associates or collegues a Vice-chancellour and divers counsellers of the Chancerie besides the kings Secretaries with divers others The fourth Colledge or Court is that of the Admiraltie 4 Colledge the Admirall court over which is the great Lord Admirall whose office is to oversee the Navy royall and to see that it be in a readinesse with all things thereto belonging against the time of need He hath under him a Vice-admirall besides Captaines and Commanders of every ship To his court belong all causes concerning trespasses against constitutions made for the preservation of the Navy-royal and many other things concerning maritime affaires The fifth and last is the Exchequer 5 Colledge is the Exchequer or as the French call it the chamber of accounts where are received all the revenues belonging to the crowne tributes customes subsidies c. Over this Court presides the Lord Treasurer of the kingdome who hath also ioyned with him in commission two others of the Nobility and to this court belong also a number of clerks who are chosen out of the inferiour ranke of people He hath also under his custodie the royall ensignes of the kingdome the apple the crowne the scepter and the sword He payes also all the kings armie and so doth hee all the kings servants their wages In a word hee takes all and payes all being accomptable to no body but to the king himselfe Amongst all the great officers of the kingdome the Lord Marshall is accounted the chiefe The Lord Marshals office being master of the kings houshold and administrator or orderer of the great counsell who by the kings authority hath power to assemble the whole States of the land to command silence and attention to give leave to speake in Parliament to welcome ofrreine Embassadours and to provide things necessary for their entertainment To his office also it belongeth to remove out of the counsell such as belong not thereunto and to see the kings decrees concerning matters of defamation and punishment of death duly put in execution Hee supplyes also the place of the master of the ceremonies and suppresseth all tumults and disorders To him belongeth also the oversight of the kings houshold and domesticall servants and to correct the offenders And finally in all publike meetings he beares the great staffe before the king Next unto him in dignitie is esteemed the great Lord Constable the field Marshall the great Sewer the Lord Chamberlaine c. Particular division of he Provinces into smaller parts Moreover this whole kingdome is not onely divided into severall Provinces Duchies and Counties but besides each Province is againe subdivided into certaine territories or iurisdictions commonly called Haradh of the which some containe moe and some fewer parishes Each Province againe hath its governor or lieutenant called Landz-herren Severall Iudges or State-haller and each territorie or iurisdiction hath a Iudge called Leensman and besides each parish hath a Iudge called Nembdarius or Nembdemannus Now all these are distinct offices and subordinate one to another and so may the plantife appeale from one inferiour court to a next superiour in due order and forme The supreame governour or magistrate of the Province is called Legifer The supreame Iudge Legifer as it were a law-giver and iudge and are esteemed in dignity next unto the king as being his iudges and uice-gerents Now as many as are the Provinces as many are there of these supreame iudges to eleven under whom are againe above 300. Vicounties or particular iurisdictions not unlike the courts of Parliament of France and the multitude of presidiall courts But the difference is that these supreame Iudges visit every yeare a great part of their Province untill
plate and other mooveables unto the which neverthelesse the king may adde at his pleasure as he seeth occasion And whensoever the king permits any of his Court deserving subiects to any preferment he commonly assignes him a certaine number of country people who are esteemed as his vassalls and subiects and are to doe him homage and pay him tribute and certaine duties CHAP. VII Of the Kings of this countrey of Sweden with some of their chiefe and memorable Acts. MOst of the Northerne nations have time out of mind had their Kings by election as the Dane Swedish Polonian and Bohemian The kings of Sweden have beene untill of late yeeres electiue And although it was a matter of no small difficulty among barbarous nations where Mars was more honoured then Minerva and good literature the meanes to eternize heroicall worth scarce heard of in these remote regions to finde out any thing concerning their kings worth the writing yet have we the names of divers kings of that nation recorded of old howbeit a constant and continued succession without any interruption wee cannot reade of 1 In the first place then they tell us that Magog 1 King Magog sonne to Iaphet Noahs son the founder of the Scythian nation in Europe having passed over the Venedicke gulfe into Gothland by the Latines afterward called by the name of Scythia reigned over those people called Gete Others and that of the more learned ascribe rather the originall of the Goths to Gomer Iaphets eldest sonne and make those two nations Goths and Gete different and distinct nations 2 Vnto Magog as they write succeeded Swennus 2 Swennus from whom the nation tooke the name 3 Gethar 3 Gethar 4 Vbbo 4 Vbbo who as they write builded Vpsalia before Abraham was borne And from that time untill our Lord and Saviour they reckon up 35. kings and distinguish them all by their severall names and many of those for their sanctitie of life and conspicuous and eminent vertues were by the rude rimes of those dayes highly commended And besides these divers other kings are yet recorded to have reigned ouer those who under the command of one Berico for feare of intestine warre fled their owne countrey and among those mention is made of one king of the Getes in order 22 Colison by name to whom Augustus Cesar betroathed his daughter Iulia about the which time also Antonius demaunded his daughter in marriage as may cleerely appeare by Suetonius in the life of Augustus Moreover about the time of our Savior reigned Ericus the third surnamed Diserius who for his worth and merit attained to this government To this Ericus 40 Ericus the 3. succeded to the government of the Swedish nation 41 Godrichus 41 Goodrichus his sonne and next to him 42 Haldanus 42 Haldanus during the reigne of this king lived that monster of strength for the same cause called Starcherus who is said at singular combats to have killed that great champion Ham which afterwards gave denomination to that famous City Hamburg After those is a long catalogue of their kings recorded but nothing concerning their acts worth the reading recorded that nation then standing more upon the point of valour and honour then upon penning of them for posteritie But farre more fortunate have they beene in their forreine expeditions and transmigrations when as like a great deluge and inundation they overflowed a great part of the world under the names of Ostrogoths and Westrogoths and under the commandement of Theodoricus Attalariake Iotila Ataulphus c. whose martial and heroicall exploits the Romans highly advancing and lest they should conceale their owne worth have pubâ—ished to all posteritie Vnder Biorno 100 Biorno their 100 home-bred king Lewes sonne to Charles the great swaying the scepter of the Westerne Empire this nation of Sweden first received the Christian faith Sanctus Augerius a monke of Gorbey much furthering then this so worthy a worke Author est Ludolphus de Bebenburg in libro de zelo religionis Christianae CHAP. VIII 124 ERicus Sanctus 124 Ericus Sanctus 4. or the holy after whom the posteritie of Suercherus and Ericus by turnes with much contention as the one or the other grew strongest usurped the gouernment This pious Prince notwithstanding his great agnitie and pietie and paines taken in an expedition to convert the Finlanders to the faith had but a slender reward being bulled by a conspiracy of some of his Nobility Henry King of Denmarke and Magnus his sonne being the ring-leaders of this faction An. 1160. 125 Charles 125 Charles 7. sonne to Stercherus having raigned two yeeres during the raigne of Ericus over the Ostrogoths who in the election of a king dissenting from the Swedish had chosen one of their owne and afterwards for the space of 8. yeares very religiously and vertuously ouer both kingdomes but being now hated by reason of his friendship with the Dane was at length by Canutus sonne to S. Ericus being by some perswaded that this Charles with the helpe of the Dane had contriued his fathers death killed in in the Iland of Visnuga 1168. 126 Canutus 129 Canutus sonne to S. Ericus having done penance for killing king Charles and being by the discreet counsell of the Bishop of Lunden diverted from assailing the Dane dyes 1192. 127 Stercherus 117 Stercherus sonne to Charles a martiall man wise and eloquent itching for revenge on the posterity of Canutus having altered his former nature gathered great forces out of Denmarke was at length with his whole army utterly overthrowne and againe in another bloudy battle himselfe killed 1210. 128 Ericus 128 Ericus 3. sonne to Canutus having escaped Stercherus his hands raigned very prosperously for the space of 7. yeares the which 7 yeares histories mention to have been exceeding fruitfull but in the eight yere with the death of their king this fruitfulnes was also finished 1216. 129 Iohn 129 Iohn 1. sonne to Stercherus a very pious young man of exceeding great hopes dyed notwithstanding within three yeares after 1222. 130 Ericus Balbus 130 Ericus Balbus sonne to the nephew of S. Ericus Against him conspires his kinsman Folchingus expelling him out of his kingdome but within a short space the tyde turning he being killed he left Ericus the peaceable possession of the kingdome after this he converts his forces against the Tavastians sending against them the Prince of the Ostrogoths a man of very eminent vertues whom after hee had subdued and converted he dyes 1150. 131 Valdemarus by meanes of a valiant souldier Iuanus Blaa during his fathers absence was elected king The father being returned from this expedition against the Tavastians alledged that the crowne was rather due to himselfe then to his sonne but beeing terrified by the stout answer of this brave souldier who affirmed that he could shake a king of Sweden out of his ierkin if as Birgerus alledged there should want one to succeed he was
with all meanes of necessary provision for his countrey into Denmarke supplyed his present necessitie granting him free leave to returne without any trouble or molestation But this so great a curtesie and kindnesse was but ill reâ—uited For foure yeares after A great ingratitude having about some matters of great importance as he pretended desired private conference with Steno hee had almost yeelded to goe aboard the enemies ship Being then thus prevented he wished Steno to send him some men of note as Ambassadors to conferre with him and having sent Gaddus and Gustavus sonne to Ericâ—â— and after king against his oath and promise carries them both captive into Denmarke This was but the beginning of the next yeres Tragedie Having then the next yeare gathered together a farre greater army then the former he invaded the country of the Vestrogoths and the battell being fought upon the ice Steno being shot thorow the thigh with a gunne dyes shortly after of this wound upon which followed the dissipation and dispersing of the Swedish army Immediately sfter was Christierne by the Danish faction in the principall city Stockeholme elected and crowned king having also after a solemne manner sworne the confirmation of all their priviledges and promised immunitie and pardon for whatsoever was past But the same day fearing lest afterwards in his absence the sonnes of Steno might by the contrary faction be elected having first commanded the gates of the City to be shut up and invited to a feast the chiefe of all the Nobility of the contrary faction in the fight of all the people now trembling and quaking for feare slew 94. of them leaving their dead bodies in the great Court before the towne hall for the space of three dayes for a terrour to the people The dead body of Steno was by the tyrants command taken out of the grave Extreame barbarous crueltie and as some write after he had like a dogge torne it with his teeth commanded to burne is to ashes with the others lately killed The inhabitants were also by the rude souldiers without any regard of sexe or age cruelly killed and murdered and young children being hung up their heads were cut off from their shoulders The City was rifled and spoiled by the souldiers and no manner of outrage and insolency omitted After his departure from thence as some write he went into a monasterie More then â—haunce â—â—eltie where he was entertained after the best manner the Monkes were able but after service being Candlemasse day he commanded to take the Abbot and all his Monkes tying them hand and foot and threw them into a deepe river running by the Abbot having by some meanes untyed himselfe was swimming a shore which being by him perceived he caused to follow him with a boat and kill him Having thus committed many outrages and insolencies the people of the land being much therewith distasted tooke courage and about some 30000. in armes pursued him now fleeing and marching more by night then by day untill at length he came into Denmarke Boing now so embrued in bloud he could not refraine from crueltie even against his owne kindred he was at length assaulted by Frederick Prince of Holstein ane those of Lubecke and his conscience now affrighting him with his wife Isabella the Emperours sister and his children flees into Zeland which was the third yeare after the massacre of Stockeholme 1523 CHAP. IX 143 Gustavus Erickson 1. 124 GVstavus 1. called Erickson or sonne of Ericus after long imprisonment escaping out of prison fled speedily out of Denmark and was at length by the generall consent of the States now surviuing accepted for king of the Realme being thereunto well furthered by those of the City of Lubecke which supplyed him with store of money This noble and praise-worthy Prince liued and reigned very peaceably with the love and good liking of his subiects the whole space of 38. yeares and dyed in 1560. The most memorable of his acts and was it not memorable indeed Reformation of religion in the kingdome of Sweden An. 6560 was that hee banished out of his whole kingdome and dominions the superstitious worship of the Church of Rome and thorow his whole dominions caused them to professe the reformed religion according to the confession of Ausbourg or Augustane confession And because we account the Danes usurpation to haue beene no right possession therefore according to Historians we make him to follow in order 143. immediatly after Steno whose daughter some say he marryed howbeit if he so did we reade of no issue he had by her The first wife therefore by whom he had any issue was Katharine daughter to Magnus Duke of Saxony and by her he had 1. Ericus who succeeded him in his government His second wife was Margaret daughter to a noble knight Abraham Loholu governour of Vestrogothia whom he marryed An. 1536. who bare unto him these children following 1 Iohn afterwards king of Sweden 2 Katharine marryed to the Earle of East-Freezland 1559. and bare to him Enno Gustavus Iohn and Christopher Earles of East Friezland 3 Cecilie marryed to Christopher Marquesse of Badâ—n 1564. to whom she bare Edward called the Fortunate Christopher Constans and Philip 4 Maguus Duke of Ostrogothia and dyed 1595. 5 Steno and dyed a child 6 Anna marryed to George Iohn Count Palatine of Rhene and Duke of Bavaria 1564. to whom she bare George Gustavus Iohn Ruphel Anna Margaret and Vrsula marryed to the Duke of Wirtenberg 7 Charles who presently dyed 8 Sophia marryed to Magnus Duke of Saxonie 1568. and bare to him Gustavus Duke of Saxonie who dyed at Holmin 1597 9 Elizabeth marryed to Christopher Duke of Meckelburg who had by her one only daughter called Margaret married to the Megapolitane Duke 10 Charles Duke of Sudermania c. This fruitfull Queene dyed in the yeare 1551. After her decease he married againe Katharine daugther to Gustavus Olaus Baron of Torpa 1552. but had by her no children 144 Ericus 144 Ericus 8. succeeded his father Gustavus and was crowned in Stockeholme 1561. This king for a certaine time waged warre against the Danes and city of Lubecke and drew upon himselfe the hatred and evill will of all his neighbours and as though this had yet beene but a small matter he irritated his own people whom he exceedingly discontented His brother Iohn who had marryed Katharine sister to Sigismund king of Polands widow did altogether mislike his brothers turbulent courses and enterprizes who in his returne from Revalia into Livonia left with the Polonian king his kins man a great summe of money for the which this being put into his hands as a pledge certaine castles and commanderies in the countrey of Livonia This fact his brother otherwise very suspicious interpreted in the worst sense as though his brother had beene combined and ioyned in league with the Dane and Polonian and for this cause with his whole forces assaults his brother
especially such places as adjoyne next unto the great lake Ladesco Ozera but 15. or 20. miles further from the lake it is so marshie and fenny that the mountainous and hilly parts thereof will onely beare corne for the which cause the inhabitants there live most vpon fish and wild beasts and this aforementioned lake is one of the greatest of all Europe Greatest lake of all Europe as being above 190. miles in length and about 80. in breadth and of this lake about the fifth part onely belongs to the Russian Prince and all the rest to the Crowne of Sweden In this great lake besides the great abundance of Salmons and other fishes there is there caught a little fish also little bigger then a hering and in their language called Ladog no where else in all Russia but there to be found from whence this lake takes the denomination In the countrey of Rexholme A peculiar fish Rubies are some rubies found Next Carelia followes both in the order of nature and situation the countrey called Ingria Ingria which was but lately annexed to the Crowne of Sweden The soile is very fruitful in the which are many rivers full of good wholesome fish Besides in that country is great store of wild fowle and wild beasts of severall kinds and among these they hunt most that wilde beast in Latin called Alce Alce Elgh or Elent in the Swedish language Elgh and in high Dutch Elent These beasts twice a yeere in great troopes passe over the river Nieva for in the spring they passe in great number out of Russia into Carelia and in harvest againe returne the same way into Russia This countrey hath in it many strong forts and castles which have hitherto beene accounted the keyes of the Russian kingdome and no other in all his dominious with them to be compared Notteburg Notteburg is the chiefest and strongest hold of all the rest and therefore held impregnable howbeit at length taken in by the victorious King now reigning as hereafter shall appeare In the same counry are also Capurio Courio Iamagâ—rod Iamarod Castles not onely strong by nature but very well furnished also by the art of man The last of all the Provinces belonging to this Crowne and Kingdome of Sweden is called Esthonia being a part of that vast countrey called Livonia and hath not beene vnder the Swedish gouernment above 60 and odde yeeres and by this meanes came first under that iurisdiction Esthonia How it came first under the Swedish Crowne Certaine Nobles who tooke upon them to propogate the Christian religion being sent for into Livonia forgetting the errand they came about gave themselves wholly over to carnall lust and gluttonie and drunkennesse and withall keeping the inhabitants in such a base and slauish subiection that they seemed rather to command ouer beasts then men And for this cause God the auenger of all wrongs and punisher of all wickednesse stirred vp Basilius the tyrant of Muscovia to suppresse their insolencie and punish their pride who subdued a great part of Livonia destroying all in their way that made resistance with fire and sword These poore Livonians now perceiuing themselves put to such a strait implored the ayde of the Emperour Charles the 5. keeping then a dyet or generall meeting of the whole estates of the Empire at Ausbourg 1551. this countrey then being a member of the Empire The Emperour then distracted with other warres not being able to send them any succour wished them to seeke for succour and and ayde of the king of Sweden and other neighbouring Princes The Revalians therefore and the Oselians demand ayde of the king of Denmarke Revalia being heretofore built by Valdâ—â—â—arius a King of Denmarke and from him received their priviledges howbeit to no end And therefore fiâ—ding no sudden succour against so mighty and potent a Pâ—inâ—e they were constrained to implore ayde of Ericus 14 king of Sweden and therefore in the yere 1561 freely submitted themselves under his obedience which petition of theirs notwithstanding his father Gustavus had in his life time denied and therefore some are of opinion that this king Ericus brought vpon himselfe and successours a great deale of trouble His sonne Iohn was as wel successour to this quarrell as to the kingdome and tooke from the Russian many of his strong holds Provinces of this countroy The Provinces of this countrey of Esthionia are Revalia towards the North seated neere vnto the Finnicke gulfe vizia in which are these places Rosenburgh Tolsburgh and Borholme Alentakia where is that famous merchant staple Naruia and Nystot Iervia where is Wittensleyn and Lais and Vickia where are Hapsal Lebal and Lode And to this Esthionia belong these Islands also Dagho Orinso Nuko VVrango Odensholme Nargo Vlfso and the one and other Nogho the inhabitants of which places as also of Osilea and most of the maritime parts of the continent speake the Swedish lâ—nâ—uage In this great countrey of Livonia besides the Swedish Fâ—ve severall languages in Livonia there are yet foure other seuerall languages spoken the German or high Dutch vsed by the Nobles and better sort in the North-parts towards the Finnicke gulfe the Estthionian or Finnicke in the mediterranean parts the Livonians being now almost quite worne out and finally in the South parts thereof they vse the Letticke speech or of the countrey of Lettow which the people Eureles likewise vse the which is as it were a hodge-podge of many severall languages mingled together And these languages differ not onely in dialects but wholly and totally one from another This whole countrey of Livonia Commodities of the countrey and consequently this Esthionia abound with all such things as are necessary for the life of man and are vsually to be found in these Northerne climats And so much shall suffice shortly to haue said concerning the description of the countrey of Sweden and Provinces subiect to the Swedish dish crowne CHAP. III. Of the nature manners and customes of the Suecians or Swedish and into how many rankes or degrees all these people are diuided THis people is reasonable wittie and vnderstanding Nature of the inhabitanâ—s and that not onely for learning and vnderstanding of any mechanicall trade but even for the learning of the arts and sciences as also any outlandish tongues whatsoeuer For such as are of any eminent ranke and degree or competent meanes content not themselves with their Latine tongue and knowledge of the liberall arts but give themselves also very much to the learning of the Germane or high Dutch French tongues In former times their maners conditions were very plaine and homely and although now somewhat declining from former simplicitie yet are they farre from that height of luxurie and pride whereunto many other nations are now so much addicted Not so vicious as many other Nations Apparell of this people Their buildings The apparell of the vulgar sort is but