A DESCRIPTION OF FRANCE IN ITS Several Governments TOGETHER With the most considerable Cities Sea-Ports and Rivers of that Kingdom as also the Distances with the Longitudes and Latitudes of each Place c. With many other Remarks necessary to the Knowledge of that Kingdom By J. S. Gent. Illustrated with a Map LONDON Printed for Tho. Minors in the Inner-Temple-Lane 1692. Licensed July the 18th 1692. R. M. To the Illustrious Mainard Duke of Leinster May it please your Grace THE following Treatise would not be so familiar as to presume upon so high a Patronage were not your Grace so immemediately interessed and concerned therein Neither was it without some serious Reslexion and Debate that I could resolve to make this Present to your Grace For though Dedications are lately grown so Epidemical that no Person of Quality either sooner or later can avoid the Infection yet methought your Grace was as much above the common disturbances that attend your Quality as you are exalted above the common Level of it But my Lord you are now going General of an Expedition in whose very Name encounter an admirable Policy and a certain Glory for the Service of which was principally intended this ensuing Description This it is which made me conclude I should have done a great Injustice had I put this Tract under any other Protection than yours And indeed at whose Feet can a Subject of this Nature be so fitly placed as at your Grace's You being so experienc'd a Commander and about to perform such vast important Actions My Lord it would but argue me of the meanest Impertinence to pretend here an Harangue of those Encomiums you deserve For he who acquaints the World whose Son you are has said enough to those who do not know you Your Grace being the best Panegyrick upon your self The Son of the Great the Immortal Schomberg whose stupendious Actions and invincible Courage together with his unspotted Zeal for the most rational Religion of the World at a time when the Thorns of Persecution forced him from his Estate and Dignities have rendred him even above the Turennee's the Montecuculli's and the Condees that is to say the Caesars of our Age. Go on my Lord and prosper And whilst your glorious Father's Blood inheres in you where 's the considering Man that questions Victory ordares dispute Success Methinks I hear the Men of Gaul declare amazed upon the Notice of your Landing He comes 't is Schomberg's Son why do we defer to yield We read in English History of the prodigious Actions of the Mighty Talbot whose very Name at last was of sufficient force to defeat whole Armies The Case being parallel to the great Exploits of your Renowned Father of whom your Grace is a compleat Resemblance how can it be that we should fear a Victory The Present that I make bold to send your Grace is a Geographical Description of France considered in its several Provinces the most considerable Cities and Sea Ports their Distances one from another their Longitudes and Latitudes what they are most remarkable for together with many other observable things that necessarily occur in a Treatise of this Nature But lest I prove tedious I will conclude this Epistle with assuring you that not only this Book but the Author of it are both Dedicated to your Grace's Service with hearty Prayers for the Success of your Expedition by him who in all imaginable Humility subscribes himself My Lord Your Grace's Most Obedient Servant J. S. ERRATA PAge 25. line 19. after Besanson read and Cambray p. 27. l. 15 for Boulonis r. Boulonois p. 35. l. 4. r. Vexin Normand p. 37. l. 23. before King r. the and l. 26. for Government r. Governour p. 47. l. 8. for Rhetelor r. Rhetelois p. 52. for Bree r. La Brie p. 57. l. 10. for more r. most p. 58. l. 19. r. Families p. 61. l. 10. r. Poitou p. 65. l. 11. r. Bretagne p. 66. l. 1. r. covered with Slat p. 83. l. 14. r. Charente and l. 26. after Guyenne r. is p. 90. l. 3. after Modern r. Authors p. 93. l. 2. r. advancing p. 101. l. 14. r. It should not be p. 108. l. 5. r. in one part p. 109. l. 18 after Venâ—issin r. which encircles p. 112. l. 1 r. most p. 115. l. 9. r. Roman AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Geographical Description OF FRANCE THE Romans gave the Name of Gaul to that extent of Land which is between the Alpes and the Pyrenaeans the Mediterranean-Sea the Ocean and the Rhine At present with an exception of the Low-Countries and some other Parts which do as it were depend upon the Empire of Germany it is called France from the Name of the French who made it subject to their Power Julius Caesar had finished his Conquest of it about Forty Eight Years before the Nativity of Jesus Christ insomuch that when the French had absolutely established themselves therein it had been near Five Ages under the Laws of that Empire Now without reckoning the Country which the Gauls had subdued beyond the Alps from these Mountains as far as the little River of Rubicon and which was named Cisalpine Gaul in respect of the Romans It was first divided by Augustus into Four Parts Narbonoise Gaul which they called Province because they had subdued it first and reduced it into a Province Aquitanick Gaul Gaul Celtick and Gaul Belgick To these three last they gave the Name of Gaul Cheveliie and when Gaul was absolutely spoken Celtick was understood Then by Succession of time and under divers Emperors it was divided again into Seventeen Provinces to wit Five Viennoises in which number were computed the First and Second Narbonoise Three Aquitains Five Lyonnoises comprehending the Sequanoise Four Belgick Two of which were called German because some People of Germany had long since inhabited those parts and Two Belgick properly so called Each of these Provinces had its Metropolis to wit the Five Viennoise Vienna Narbonne Aix Tarentaise and Embrun the Three Aquitains Bourges Bourdeaux and Eaulse the Five Lyonnoises Lyon Rouën Tours Sens Besancon The Two German Mentz and Cologne the Two Belgick Triers and Rheims Under these Seventeen Metropolitans there was above a Hundred Cities or Towns Heads of People in which the Church has since constituted Episcopal Sees Under these Cities there was a much greater number of other Towns which they called Oppida When the Romans conquered Gaul there was no less computed than Twelve Hundred with Walls but they pulled down the Enclosures of the greatest part or let them fall to ruin As to the Governments of these Seventeen Provinces Six of them were Consular and Eleven under Presidents commissioned by the Emperor Constantine the Great put Counts into the Cities and Dukes into some of the Frontier Towns Judiciary matters were performed according to the Roman Law but some Municipal Customs it 's probable were kept up They were not much disturbed by the Soldiery because the Legions lived with sufficient
it exceeding pleasant and the Inhabitants have the glory of making the best Compasses and most exact Quadrants of the World as also all other Instruments necessary to Astrology as well as the Sea It is about 35 Miles from Roüen and 62 from Hastings in England Lon. 20.4 Lat. 49.59 Havre de Grace HAvre de Grace is a Fortress built by Francis the First to oppose the English and to make a Haven of to serve as a Retreat for the Merchants of the Nation and a Magazine of Ships of War 'T is said that it is capable of holding 2000 Sail and more if so it must be one of the most considerable Ports in Europe It has a strong Castle and stands nigh the Mouth of the River Seine about 48 Miles from Roüen Lon. 28.44 Lat. 44.42 Bayeux BAieux the Civitas Baiocassium of Antoninus remarkable of a long time for a Bishops See One of the Bishops whereof called Odo Brother to William the Conqueror by the Mothers side was by him created Earl of Kent and afterwards upon some displeasure made Prisoner for which when reprimanded by the Pope the Clergy being then exempted from the Secular Authority he returned this Answer that he had committed the Earl of Kent not the Bishop of Baieux by which distinction he avoided the Pope's Displeasure It stands nigh the Sea about 16 Miles off Caen 45 off Coutances and 84 off Roüen Lon. 17.49 Lat. 49.28 Coutances COutances and Auranches are both memorable upon the account of their Episcopal Sees from the former the Country thereabouts hath the Name of Coutantin The latter is Situate upon a Rock with a fair prospect over the English Channel within 28 Miles of each other The Lon. of the former is 16.45 the Lat. 49.9 Evreux EVreux and Lisieux are Bishops Sees the former being the Mediolanium of Ptolomy and still a rich and flourishing Town being the Third in estimation of all this Province The First is about 27 Miles from Roüen and 58 from Paris The last about 45 from Roüen and Evreux Seez also is an Episcopal See and stands on the Fountains of the River Orne about 13 Miles from Alenson 33 off Lisieux and 64 off Roüen The Lon. of the former is 20.4 Lat. 49.2 What the Revenues of this Dukedom might amount to in former times is not easie to affirm That they were very fair and large appears by the Testimony of Philip de Comines who says that he had seen raised in Normandy 95000 l. Sterling which was a Prodigious Sum of Mony in those times Now they amount to as much as the King's Toll-Masters are pleased to exact 3. Of the Isle of FRANCE IF this Government is the least exteâ—sive of the Twelve which we haâ—â— observed in the Division of France yâ—â— it is without contradiction the most aâ—â—vantagious and charming not only uâ—â— on the account of its natural Beauâ—â— and the stately Houses of Pleasure whiâ—â— are to be met with therein but also 〈◊〉 the advantage of enjoying for the mâ—â— part the Presence of the King aâ—â— Court The Isle of France to speak wiâ—â— propriety is comprised between the Pâ—â— vers of Seine Marne Oise and Aisneâ— but there is added to in some parts 〈◊〉 the adjoyning Provinces whereof iâ— Government is composed to accompanâ— somewhat better the Metropolis of thâ— Kingdom It is 〈◊〉 the Isle of Francâ— to distinguish it from the main Contâ—nent of 〈◊〉 and is made to extenâ— 10 〈…〉 from East to West viz. fro◠〈…〉 upon the Aisne to Gisonâ— and as many from North to South from beyond Noyon to Courteny in Gâ—stinois It is bounded on the North with Picardy Bounds on the East with Champagne and la Brie on the South with Gastinois and la Beausse and on the West with Normandy The Soil is very Fruitful in excellent Corn Soil and produces a sufficient quantity of Wine and Fruits A Country generally very Delectable and so Fertile withal that the Hills are equal to the Vallies in most Places of Europe Amongst the Rivers are remarked the Seine which receives the Marne Rivers and the Oise which is encreased by the Waters of the Aisne which runs by Soissons and the Terrain which washes the Walls of Beauvais It was formerly part of the Province of Belgica Secunda and Lugdunensis quarta Division and is now divided into Four parts namely 1. The Dukedom of Valois 2. Gastinois 3. Heurepois and 4. That which is properly called the Isle of France by some the County of Paris Paris PAris in the Isle of France properly so called is the Metropolis not only of this Government but of the whole Kingdom It is in Compass about Eighâ— Miles of an Orbicular Form agreeablâ— seated on the Divisions of the Seine a Fair Large and Populous City but faâ— short of the Ostentations of the French one of whose Authors coming to mention London says that it is with as Emphasis as large as Paris the Suburâ— comprehended Whereas if the trutâ— were impartially delivered Londâ—â— would be found to exceed the other 〈◊〉 was thought in Lewis the Eleventh time time to contain 500000 People 〈◊〉 all sorts of Ages which must be considerably encreased since that Kingâ— time The Fortifications are of nâ— good assurance insomuch that when once a Parisian bragg'd that their Town was never taken by Force an English-Man replied that the reason of iâ— was because on the least Calamity iâ— used to Capitulate It has the conveniency of Boats and Barges served by the River Seine as the Thame Westward doth London It has anâ— Arch-Bishop and an University of great repute consisting of 52 Colledges whereof 40 are of little use It is aâ— Parliament City and the usual Seat of the French King when absent from Versailles It is about 170 Miles from Antwerp 208 from London 250 from Amsterdam 600 from Vienna Lon. 21.30 Lat. 48.45 Soissons THE City of Soissons is very ancient and was heretofore of great Repute It is seated upon the River Aisne in a very agreeable Plain encompassed with Fruiful Mountains Ptolomy calls it Augusta Suessonum and before him Caesar in his Commentaries speaks of Galba one of its Kings and says that in his time it was very powerful commanded Twelve Cities and could set our an Army of 50000 Men. It is easie to judge that it was the most considerable of Gaul Belgick since the Praetors made it their residing Place It is a Bishops See a Generality a Bayliwick a Presidial c. about 28 Miles from Rheims 33 off St. Quintin and 48 off Paris Lon. 22.32 Lat. 49.19 Laon. LAon is an Episcopal City the Bishop whereof is one of the Twelve Peers of France and Earl of Laon in Latin Laodunum situated upon a Mountain of difficult access about 24 Miles from Rheims 15 from Soissons and 66 from Paris Long. 22.48 Lat. 49.30 Noyon near the River Oyse Beauvais upon the Terrain and Senlis on the River Nonette are also Bishops Sees 4. Of the
the East one â—â—nds le Cominge to which may be joyned le Conserans Bourdeaux UPon the Garomne is the Capital of the Government of Guyenne a very ancient large and beautiful City wherein is made a very considerable Commerce by reason of the conveniences of its noble Port. It has all the Qualities and all the Prerogatives that may render a City remarkable It is the See of an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primate of Aquitaine it has a Parliament a Gonerality a Mint an University and Admiralty It is one of the most noted Empories of all the Kingdom and used to be very much frequented by the Dutch and English for Gascoign Wines About 84 Miles from Rochelle and 120 from Toulouse Lon. 17.50 Lat. 44.50 Agen UPon the River Garomne the Capital of Agenois holds the first Rank after Bourdeaux and is situated in a Soil whose Fertility makes the Inhabitants idle It is a Bishops See 〈◊〉 bears the Title of Earl but he has 〈◊〉 other Lordly Right in the City 〈◊〉 Lords of Exale descended from 〈◊〉 Princes of Verone have had their Râ—dence in Agen. About 20 Miles 〈◊〉 Condom and 35 from Aux Long. 〈◊〉 12. Lat. 44.13 Bazas upon the Vâ—sane is the Capital of Bazadois a haâ—som City and stands about 25 Mâ—â— from Bourdeaux Cahors THE River Lot during its course 〈◊〉 this Province forms Six or Seâ— indifferent large Peninsula's in one 〈◊〉 which stands Cahors the Capital 〈◊〉 of all Quercy Henry the Great gaâ— here some Testimonies of his Condoâ— and Valour by a Battle which he oâ— stinately fought during three days 〈◊〉 cessively to render himself Master 〈◊〉 the City Some look upon it as 〈◊〉 ancient Vxelodunum which defended â— self a long time against Julius Caesaâ— Pope John the 22d was born heâ— who was called before James of Câ—hors 'T is a very ancient City honou◠〈◊〉 with an Episcopal See a Presidial 〈◊〉 a famous University It has also 〈◊〉 Remainders of an Amphitheatre 〈◊〉 Bishop takes upon him the Title of â—arl Near to Cahors is to be seen the â—sidue of an Aquaeduct which was â—eretofore above Nine Miles in Length About 38 Miles from Alby and 55 from Toulouse Lon. 20.6 Lat. 44.23 Rhodez UPon the River Aveyron is received for the Capital of all Roüergue It is a very ancient City but has lost much of its Grandeur and Beauty by the Prisals and Reprisals which the Goths Sarrazens and French have made in different times It has a Bishop and a Presidial and stands about 48 Miles from Mende 74 from Toulouse and 80 from Narbone Long. 21.20 Lat. 44.7 Perigueux UPon the River Lille the Capital of Perigort is more ancient than it is fine as one may judge by the Remainders of an Amphitheatre which is 〈◊〉 be seen there with many other Monâ—ments of Antiquity In its Neighbouâ— hood Pepin the Short obtained a signâ— Victory over Gayfer Duke of Aquitaiâ— Anno 768. It is honoured with an â— piscopal See and a Presidial It is moâ— sweetly situated in a pleasant Valleâ— about 42 Miles from Limoges and 6â— from Bourdeaux Longitude 19.18 Latitude 45.12 Limoges UPon the River Vienne is the Capitaâ— of all Limosin with a Bishoprick and a Generality The City is very populous and rich by reason of it Trade Its Artisans are particularly famous for curious Enamel-Work ' Tiâ— a neat but no large City inhabited by a People of so great Industry that they compel every one to work and is there fore termed by the French the Prison of Beggars At the taking of it wheâ— revolted Edward the Black Prince could by no means be allured to pity the unfortunate Citizens till pursuing his Enemies he saw Three French Gentlemen oppose his whole Army the consideration of whose Courage and Bravery induced him to Compassion whereas before he had vowed Revenge About 68 Miles from Poitiers and 100 from Bourdeaux Lon. 20.00 Lat. 45.40 Tulles seated in a rough and hilly Country is a Bishop's See it stands about 33 Miles from Limoges Saintes BY Ptolemy called Mediolanium seated upon the Charente isâ— the Capital of Saintonne 't is a very ancient City and is honoured with an Episcopal See and a Presidial It is about 32 Miles from Rochelle and 40 from Angoulesme Lon. 17.44 Lat. 45.42 Aux UPon the River Gez anciently called Augusta Ausciorum an Archbishops See The Income whereof is said to be greater than any Prelates of France reckoned at no less than an Hundred Thousand Livres per annum It stands about 38 Miles from Toulouse 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 320 from Paris Lon. 18.50 Lat. 43.40 Lectoure A Bishops See called in our Modeâ— Lectodurum of old Lestoracium â— Town so well fortified when in thâ— possession of the Earls of Armagnac thaâ— it maintained it self three Months against the Strength of France But since iâ— came into the Power of the French Kings so strengthened according to the Modern Art of Fortifications that it 〈◊〉 esteemed the strongest Bulwork of the Kingdom on this side and securest Fortress against Spain It stands upon aâ— Hill about 14 Miles from Condon 〈◊〉 from Agen and 20 from Aux Longitude 19.4 Latitude 43.58 Aire upon the River Adour is an Episcopal City and stands about 38 Miles from Dax and 44 from Condom Condom SItuated on the Confluence of the Rivers Baise and Gele is the Capiâ—â—l of Condomois It is an Episcopal City whose last Bishop has been acnowledged as a Person of an extraorâ—inary Merit insomuch that he was â—hosen for the Dauphin's Tutor by the King It has also a Senechalsy and a Presidial About 20 Miles from Agen and 22 from Aux Long. 18.48 Lat. 44.00 Dax and Bayonne are also Biâ—â—op's Sees seated upon the River Aâ—dour within 32 Miles of each other the former being the Capital of Les-Landes the latter of the Country of Labourd There is a Mountain near Bayonne from whose top 't is said one may discern three Kingdoms to wit France Spain and Navarre Pau THE Principality of Bearn is situated at the Foot of the Pyrenees where they joyn to Languedoc and has the Glory of giving Life to King Henry 〈◊〉 Great Pau upon the River Gave is 〈◊〉 Principal of all the Province honouâ—â— with a Parliament or Court of Judicâ— ture for all the Country and a fair Pâ—lace built by Henry of Albret King 〈◊〉 Navarre and Lord of Bearn It stanâ— 26 Miles from Aire and 86 from Boâ—deaux Lon. 17.40 Lat. 43.23 Olerâ—â— mounted upon an high Hill and Laseâ—â— upon the Gave are also Bishops Sees Gathe UPon the River Ardour is the Capital of the Earldom of Begorre It is honoured with a strong Castle and Episcopal See and the Senechalsy for aâ— the Country of Begorre It is abouâ— 24. Miles from Pau and 26 from Auâ— Lon. 18.14 Lat. 43.18 Saint Beâ—trand upon Garomne Capital of Comingeâ— is also a Bishops See as is likewise Sainâ— Lizer upon the River Salat and Lombez upon the Save this last but of late erection 10.
order and besides there was hardly any but in the Adjacent Provinces Yet as the Country was agreeable and fertile and the People extreamly subject they were imposed upon by all manner of Exactions insomuch that their Abundanceâ— encreased their Misery and their Obedience heigthned their Oppression In the Year 330 when Constantine the Great divided the Charge of Prefeâ—du Pretoire into Four Gaul enjoyed one who had under him Three Vicars one in Gaul it self one in Spain and one in Great Britain The First who had this Charge was the Father of St. Ambrose bearing the same Name as his Son This Praefect usually resided in the City of Triers which for this reason was the Capital of the Gauls till having been Four times sack'd by the Barbarians the Emperor Honorius would transfer this Prerogative to the City of Arles which was at length taken off from Vienna and made up the Eighteenth Metropolis From Augustus to Galien the Peace of these Provinces was disturbed by Two Revolts that of Sacrovir and Florus in the Twenty Third Year of Jesus Christ and that of Civilis Tutor Classicus which was much more dangerous in the Year 70. After the Death of the Emperor Decius the Barbarians began to torment them by frequent Incursions For the First Hundred Years there were none but French and Germans that were concerned in them on this side the Rhine but afterwards the Misfortune was redoubled by the horrible Devastations of Vandals Bourguignons Sueves Visigoths and Huns which did not end but with the ruin of the Empire in the West As to the Original of the French the common opinion is that they are natural Germans and that France is the name of a League which in their Language signified Free or as others say Fierce Insuperable 'T is certain that the Authors of the Third and Fourth Ages by the name of German almost always mean the French As for the time in which they began to appear it was exactly Two Years after the great Defeat of the Emperor Decius in Mesia which happened in the Year 254 by the Goths and other People of Seythia The Goths had begun to make themselves known but Twelve Years before they went out of their own Country which was European Scythia between the Euxin Sea and the River Tanais to ransack the Provinces of the Empire They were divided into Ostrogoths and Visigoths that is to say according to some Eastern Goths and Western Goths After this Defeat all the Fences of the Roman Empire being ruinated on that side there broke out Torrents of all sorts of Barbarians who had not been so much as heard of till then 'T is for this reason amongst others and because the French had also much of the Behaviors and Customs of the Scythians as to use Darts to exercise Hawking c. that one is apt to conjecture that they are originally Scythians But it is not poâ—ible and it would be super uous to say of what Place because all the Scythians were Vagabonds and that in a little time they were found Two and Three Hundred Leagues distance from the Country which they inhabited a little before The First time then that there is mention made of them is in the Year 256 under the Empire of Gallus and Volusian when they passed the Râ—ine near Mentz and when Aurelian who was yet but Tribune of a Legion killed Seven Hundred of them in an Encounter and made Three Hundred Prisoners who were sold at the publick Sale From this first Irruption to the time when they conquered or besought of the Romans the Possession of some Lands in Gaul to wit in the Countries of Cologne Leige and the Neighbouring parts there passed near 180 Years which was in the Year 416. There was lodged a Party in Brabant in the time of Julian the Apostate towards the Year 358 but it is not known whether they were permitted to establish themselves there During these Two Ages they continued their Incursions with divers Successes always retiring with their Booty into Germany They possessed there the most part of those Lands which are between the Mein and the Rhine the Weser and the Ocean sometimes more sometimes less extended according as they were weak or powerful and as theâ— were pressed by other Nations particularly by the Germans towards thâ— Mein and the Saxons towards thâ— Sea These last proceeding from a Counâ—try which we now call Holstein seiseâ— upon Friesland and the Marine partâ— on this side the River Elbe then aâ— the French established themselves iâ— Gaul they succeeded in the possession of the greatest part of those which they had enjoyed beyond the Rhine The French Nation was divided into several People (a) West-Friesland Great and (b) North-Holland Little Frisons (c) Zeland Salians (d) Bishoprick of Munster Brucheri (e) Bishoprick of Osnaburg Angrivarians (f) Bishoprick of Minden Chamaves (g) Dutchy of Westphaly Sicambres and (h) Hesse Catti And it had as I suppose divers others in its Alliance and others also under its Dominion Oftentimes the Romans went to assault them in their Woods and Marshes and thought to extirpate them Two or Three times particularly Constantine the Great but they repulsed them always They had several Captains or Commanders Kings Princes Dukes or Generals who had no absolute Authority but in War Sometimes they served as Stipendaries to the Romans sometimes became their Subjects but as soon as the time was changed and that they found an occasion to pillage they supposed themselves no longer obliged to entertainâ— Treaties for which Reason the Authors of those times accuse them of Inconstancy Lying and Perfidiousness So that we at this time need not give our selves the trouble of admiring at their Treacherous Practices and unmanly Attempts since they have them from their first Original and since they seem to be carried on thereto as it were by Natural Instinct deriving their Unworthy Qualities from their Predecessors The last Day of the Year 406 the Alains and Vandals seducing along with them the Bourguignons the Sueves and several other Barbarous People passed the Rhine and made an irruption into Gaul which was the most furious and severe that had been yet seen These Barbarians having ransacked all the First Germany and the Second Belgick transferr'd themselves into Aquitain In the Year 409 some Bands of Vandals and Sueves passed from thence into Spain Two Years after the others being consternated at the March of Ataulfe King of the Visigoths who came from Haly took the same Road and followed them There remained notwithstanding some of the Alains in Dauphine and upon the Banks of the Loire who enjoyed a Succession of Kings for above Sixty Years together but in the end they underwent the Dominion of the Visigoths and Bourguignons The Vandals and Sueves seized upon la Galice the Silinges la Betique and the Alains part of Lusit ania and the Province of Carthagene Sixteen Years after the
to it is that of the Year 1627 where Cardinal Richlieu ordered the Erection of that famous Bank in the Sea which has served as an Admiration to the whole World The remainders of it are yet to be seen when the Sea retires It stands on thâ— Ocean where is an excellent Bay About 68 Miles from Nantes 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 230 from Paris Lon. 17.17 Lat. 46.7 Angouleme THe Capital City of Angomois very ancient and strong both together Francis the First erected it into a Duchy for his Third Son This King was Earl of Angouleme when he came to the Crown The Bishop stiles himself Arch-Chaplain to the King and Baron de Lâ— Paine which is a Lordship within the City It has this advantage as well as Poitiers that its Mayor and Sheriffs are enobled with their Descendents by the Priviledges which King Charles the Fifth has granted to them It stands on the River Charente 65 Miles from Rochelle and 210 from Paris Lon. 18.14 Lat. 45.46 7. Of the Government of BURGUNDY THis is but the Eighth part of the Antient Kingdom of Burgundy although this alone has vulgarly retained â—he Name This Kingdom compreâ—ended Savoy Suisserland the Dutchy of Zeringhen Provence Dauphine Lyonnois the Dutchy and County of Burgundy known under the Name of Franche-County Now there is but Two Provinces that bear the Name of Burgundy both which are at present French Dominions viz. that which belonged to the Spaniard which is called Franche-County Vpper Burgundy and even Imperial Burgundy by the Germans and French Burgundy which has born the Title of Dutchy time out of Mind and is called the Royal and Lower Burgundy The Name of Burgundy proceeds from the Burgundiones Name a People of Germany who took the place of the antient Adui the sincere Friends of the Romans in this Province Some Etymologists make it come from the Town of Ougne which is to be found towards the Source of the River Tille 'T is of the Dutchy and la Bresse which is annexed to it that I design 〈◊〉 speak It s antient Dukes were formerly very powerful and able to sustain long and vigorous Wars against their Neighbours They possessed this Province for almost Six Hundred Years The last was killed before Nancy in 1477 and left no other Issue than a Daughter who was Married to Maximilian Arch-Duke of Austria who since was Emperor So Lewis the Eleventh King of France re-united this Flower to his Crown as a Masculine Fee It extends it self from East to West above 90 Miles Extent from Fontaine-Francoise towards the Franche-County to Güaine in Auxerrois and about 135 from South to North from Semeur in Briennois to Chaleau-Villain in Champagne without comprehending la Bresse which yet advances near 30 Miles more towards the South It is bounded in the North by Champagne in the East by Franche-County Bounds and Savoy in the South by Dauphine and Lyonncis and in the West by Bourbonnois and Niverneis It s Situation makes it one of the Largest most Fruitful and most Populous Province of the Kingdom The Wines are incomparable Quality and the other Conveniencies of Life are so considerable here that it is called the Mother of Corn Wines and Waters There are also many pleasant Woods and Forests where there is most excellent Hunting The delicious Medows and sine Pasture-Grounds nourish a sufficient number of Cattel Here is to be found some Mines of Iron c. The most considerable of its Rivers is the Saone the Yonne passes by Auxerre Rivers the Ain through Bresse the Seine Armenson and Arroux take their Originals from hence Dijon UPon the River Ouche Capital is the Capital of the Province 'T is a very antient City adorned with a Parliament a Generality and a Mint but it has no Bishop and depends upon that of Langres in Bassigny for the Spirituality Near this City is to be seen the Village of Fontanes where St. Bernard was Born amongst the chief Edifices oâ— Dijon they make great account of â— Holy Chappel and several Halls buiâ— in the time of the Dukes of Burgundy for the Lords of the Neighbourhood It is about 40 Miles from Autun 55 from Besanson 146 from Paris Lon. 24.5 Lat. 43.37 Autun UPon the River Arroux is an Episcopal City very antient and that of all France which has the finest Relicks of Antiquity It is also famous for the Institution of the Order of the Fleece It s Bishop presides over the States of Burgundy which are held every Three Years Near this City Julius Caesar overcame the Switzers who designed to establish themselves in Gaul about 32 Miles from Challon 50 from Nevers and 145 from Paris Lon. 23.20 Lat. 46.38 Auxerre Chalon and Mascon are considerable for their Episcopal Sees the first renowned for its excellent Wines La Bresse to which I will add the Bayliwick of Gex is bounded on the East with Savoy on the West with Lyonnois on the North with Charolois in the Dutchy of Burgundy and some part of the Franche-County and on the South with Dauphine The Country is very Fruitful and pleasant embraced between the Rivers Saone and Rhône with which 't is plentifully Watered Bourg en Bresse THE Capital of the whole Province was heretofore a Bishops See Its Cittadel was so strong a Fortress before it was demolished that it was esteemed little inferior to St. Katharines or Montmeillan in Savoy The Church of Brou is an Admirable Structure It contains the Tombs of several Dukes of Savoy it stands on the River Resouse about 34 Miles from Lyons and 48 from Geneva Lon. 24.31 Lat. 45.54 Bellay THE Capital of Bugey is a Bishops See who stiles himself Prince of the Empire and Temporal Lord of his City One of its late Bishops has been one of the most Copious Writers of France It stands on the River Rhone 18 Miles from Chambery and 40 from Lyons Lon. 25.8 Lat. 45.28 The Principality of Dombes lies within the bounds of Bresse Mademoiselle d'Orleans to whom it belongs has coined Mony in the City of Trevoux upon the Saone which is the Capital thereof 8. Of the Government of LYONNOIS BEhold the ancient Celtick Gaul or at least the greatest part whereof M. d'Vrfe has said so many Wonders in his Romance of Astraea Its Druids and the exactness wherewith they observed here the antient Religion of the Gauis has rendered it famous in these remote â—â—es One comprehends in this Government Lyonnois in particular Beaujolois Forez l'Auvergne la Marche and Bourbonnois It extends it self from East to West Extent about 210 Miles from Lyons to the extremity of La Marche even beyond the River Vienne and above 150 from South to North from the extremity of Auvergne to Neron de la Guierche towards Berry It is bounded in the North by Berry and Nivernois Bounds in the East by Bresse and Dauphine in the South by Cevennes and Rouergue and in the West by Quercy Limosin and Angoumois
The Soil is not generally Fertile Quality by reason of the great Number of Mountains and Forests which are to be met with in some of its Provinces The Rhône the Saone the Loire Rivers and the Allier are the most celebrated Rivers that water the extent of this Government Lyonnois is one of the most agreeable Countries of France being diversified with Plains and delicious Hills which produce very good Corn excellent Wines and great store of different Fruits particularly Chesnuts which ar◠transported all over Europe Lyons ONE of the most ancient and celebrated Cities of Gaul is a Noble City since its Situation is exceeding pleasant its Climat very Healthful its Places and Edifices most Magnificent It is at present one of the Richest and most Populous Cities of the Kingdom in Merchants Trading in several Places by means of the Loire the Saone and the Rhône There are Banks and Correspondencies for Africa Asia and all the principal states of Europe all sorts of Manufactures and Impressions of Books It was formerly a Colony of the Romans It s Mayor and Sheriffs are ennobled and transmit their Honour to their Posterity The Canons of the Cathedral Church are to be Noble in the Fourth Race and bear the Title of Earls It has an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primat of the Gauls There is also a Generality a Mint and a Presidial See It is seated on the Confluence of the Rhône and the Saone about 16 Miles from Vienne 70 from Geneva 150 from Turin 200 from Orleans and 230 from Paris Lon. 24.8 Lat. 45.24 Beaujeu UPon the Ardiere is the Capital of Beaujolois There is nothing recommendable in this City but a very antient work of Embroidery which represents the Sacrifice of a Hog a Sheep and a Bull which is to be seen over the Portal of the Principal Church The Romans called these Sacrifices Suovetauralia It stands on the Brow of a Hill about 30 Miles from Lyons and 14 from Mascon Lon. 23.50 Lat. 45.50 Mont-Brison UPon the Vezise passes for the Capital of Forez It is famous for an Admirable Piece of Clock-work about 43 Miles from Lyons Lon. 23.10 Lat. 45.14 Clermont THis City is not only the Capital o◠Lower Auvergne but of the whole Province It is renowned in History for the holding of several Councils Under King Philip the First the Voyage of the Holy Land was here resolved on Here is said to be a Fountain which has the vertue to Petrify for with the single course of its Waters which seem to be thick and bituminous it has made a Wall 200 Yards long and 4 yards high with a Bridge which they are obliged to cut down sometimes to prevent its too great encrease King Charles the Ninth had the curiosity to go and see it in his Journy to Bayonne It is an Episcopal See and stands on a little Hill about 50 Miles from Moulins 90 from Lyons and 200 from Paris Lon. 22.00 Lat. 45.28 Saint Flour is the Capital of Upper Auvergne remarkable for its Bishops See about 45 Miles from Clermont Riom Capital of the Dutchy of Auvergne holds the Second Rank after Clermont It is adorned with a Generality a Mint Presidial and other Prerogatives about 7 Miles from Clermont Moulins THis City is the Capital of the Province of Bourbonnois accompanied with a Castle considerable for its strength and building It has likewise very sine and large Suburbs where is made the best sort of Knives and Scissars which are Transported from thence It has a Generality upon which depend the Elections of Montlucon Gannat and Esvaon and some others of Nivernois and the Upper Marche The Inhabitants have the reputation of being Civil and Officious It stands nigh the Center of all France on the River Allier about 28 Miles from Nevers 96 from Lyons and 90 from Dijon Lon. 22.14 Lat. 46.16 Gueret with its Royal Jurisdictions is the Capital of the Upper Marche it stands on the River Cruse about 32 Miles from Limoges Dorat is the Capital of the Lower Marche about 26 Miles from Limoges and 47 from Poitiers 9. Of the Government of GUYENNE THis Country was antiently called the Kingdom of Aquitain ab Aquis because of the great number of Springs and Fountains of Hot Water Eleanor Inheritrix of this Province and Wife of Loüis the Young King of France having been Divorced espoused Henry King of England to whom she brought for a Dowry this Guyenne which Loüis had rendred to her This was a Firebrand that kindled between the Two Crowns a War which lasted near 300 years and finished but in 1443. The Government of Guyenne is full as spacious as Orleanois Extent since it extends it self from East to West above 240 Miles from St. John de Breüil Frontier of Languedoc to the Sea and from South to North above 225 from the Port of Albe in Cominge to Niort in Poitou It is bounded in the North by Poitou Angoumois Bounds and la Marche in the East by Auvergne and Languedoc in the South by the Pyrenaean Mountains which separate it from Spain and in the West by the Ocean The Air is generally wholesom enough Quality the Soil fertile in Corn Wine and Fruits except in the Lands towards the Coasts and the Pyrenaeans where it produces nothing but Broom and Pasturage which feed a good number of Cattel Fountains of hot Water are generally to be found here It is watered with a great Number of Rivers Rivers amongst which is remarked the Garomne the Lot the Dordonne l'Adour and the Charnte The Confluence of the Garomne and the Dordonne which is made at the Mouth of Ambez is very dangerous It is to be observed that from the Mouth of Ambez to the Sea this River is called Gironde and not Garomne as Sanson has marked in all his Maps It is divided into two principal Parts whereof one that is towards the North retains the Name of Guyenne and the other which is towards the South is called in general Gascogne Guyenne distinguisht into Eight little Countries First of all one observes observes Guyenne properly so called and Bazadois about the Garomne Agenois Quercy and Roüergue which are to be found in order upon the Lot in ascending to its Rise on the Northern side Limosin is seated to the North of the Dordonne Perigord about the same River and Xaintogne about the Charente and upon the Coasts of the Ocean Gascogne is likewise divided into several little Countries First Armagna◠is distinguished in the midst which extends it self to the Pyrenaean Mountains and is subdivided into several little Jurisdictions as the Upper and Lower Armagnac the Countries of Riviere Verdun Lomagne c. towards the North Condommois and les Landes towards the West the same Lands and the Land of Labourd on the South one meets with in order along the Pyrenaeans the lower Navarre with the Vicounty of Soul Bearn and Bigorre after which one rejoyns the upper Armagnac and towards
Country and remarkable for the notable Resistance it made against the whole Forces of Lewis the Thirteenth in the last Civil Wars concerning Religion It is about 37 Miles from Arles 5â— from Orange and 60 from Narbon Lon. 22.52 Lat. 43.8 Le Puy IS accounted the greatest City of Languedoc after Toulouse The Bishop who stiles himself Earl of Vellay where of it is Capital depends immediately oâ— the Pope and is subordinate to 〈◊〉 Archbishop It stands on the River Loyre about 30 Miles from Mende 56 from Viviers and 68 from Lyons Lon. 22.58 Lat. 44.33 Mende and Viviers in the Province of les Cevennes are remarkable for nothing but their Episcopal Sees the Bishops whereof are stiled Earls 11. Of the Government of DAUPHINE THis Province which made part of the ancient Allobroges was afterwards comprised in the Kingdom of Burgundy which Charlemagne joyned to the other Members of France The Emperor Henry the Fourth being at Variance with Pope Gregory the Seventh was so persecuted by his own Children that divers Lords taking the Advantage of their Divorce and deriding him as a deprived King carried away each a Piece of this Kingdom Oâ—â—o Earl of Flanders had Franche-County Berald of Saxoâ—y possessed himself of Savoy Provence fell to Bâ—enger and Dauphiné to the Occupation of Guigue le Gras who gave to it this Name Name upon the account of Dauphin Earl of Viennois whose Daughter had espoused his Son It should be incongruous methinks Original of the Name of Dauphin to intimate here the original of the Name of Dauphin which has been the Title of the Eldest Son of France for above 300 Years Imbert or Humbert Earl Dauphin of Viennois having lost his Son in the faral Battel of Crecy and unhappily let his last Child fall out of a Window of which he dyed seeing himself insulted by Amedée Earl of Savoy his irreconcilable Foe and finding himself unable to resist him resolved to procure him a more powerful Neighbour For this effect he offered his Country to Philip of Valois King of France for him and his Successors upon condition that the Eldest Son of France should bear the Title of Dauphin and that his Armâ— should be quartered with those oâ— France Which Proposal was accepted of by the King to the great Displeasure of the Savoyard So Charles the Fifth the Grand-Son of Philip was the first that bore the Name of Dauphin in the Year 1350. Dauphiné extends it self from East to West Extent about 129 English Miles from Pignerol to Valence And 111 from North to South from Lanieu upon the Rhône in Bresse to le Buis in las-Baronnies It is bounded in the North by Bresse and Savoy Bounds In the East by Piémont In the South by Provence And in the West 't is separated by the Rhône from Languedoc and Lyonnois The Soil Quality although very Mountainous produces excellent Wine and very good Corn in some Places as in those Parts about Greenoble and Die and along the Rhône but in general it brings forth Rye Oats Barley and a little Wine There is one thing here particular enough in respect of a certain Holâ— which is in a great Rock near Nions There goes out a Wind which one is scarce sensible of when near it and even boisterous at 20 or 30 Paces distance It s greatest Rivers are the Isere Rivers which receives the Drac below Grenoble and the Durance which takes its Rise from hence and runs toward Provence Dauphine is divided into Upper and Lower The First Division which is towards the East comprehends Gresivaudan Diois lés-Baronies Gapensois Ambrunois and Briansonois The other which extends it self towards the West along the Rhône comprises Viennois Valentinois and Tricastin Grenoble UPon the River Isere in Gresivandan is the Capital City of the whole Country in Latin Gratianopolis the chief Seat heretofore of the Accusiani 'T is a very ancient populous and well-built City embellished by the Emperour Gratian who gave it its Name It is much resorted to by the Noblity upon the account of the Court of parliament erected here in the Year 1453. It has been an Episcopal See for above 1200 Years and has besides a Generality and a Mint Equally distant viz. abou 30 Miles from Vienné Die and Valence Lon. 25.4 Lat. 44.54 Ambrun THE Capital of Ambruncis an Arch-Bishops See seated upon a very high Rock in the midst of a pleasant Valley surrounded with Mountains under which runs the River Durance The Arch-Aishop here shares the Jurisdicton with the King insomuch that their Judges in the Bayliwick are alternative The hilly Country hereabouts is the highest of France About 48 Miles from Pignerol 46 from Susa c. Lon. 26.5 Lat. 44.10 Vienne SEated upon the Rhône is a famous and very ancient City as one may see by divers Monuments of Antiquity whose Vestigia are still in being It is honoured with an Archiepiscopal See and a Bayliwick It had a Bridge over the Rhône which is broken and whose Passage is very dangrrous for Boats It is situated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 17 M. from Lyons 43 from Grenoble and 68 from Geneva Lon. 14.8 Lat. 45.7 Valence UPon the River Rhône is a handsome and populous City the Capital of Valentinois Its Bishoprick is united to that of Die The Bishop qualifies himself Bishop and Earl of Valence and Die and the Bayliwick is depending upon this Prelate It has given honorary Title to two Persons of more Fame than Honour The first of which was Caesar Borgia the Son of Pope Alexander the Sixth who was made Duke of Valentinois by Charles the Eighht The other Madam Diana the Mistress of Henry the Second who governed the Affairs of France under him and honoured with the Title of Dutchess hereof About 38 Miles from Vienne and 43 from Grenoble Lon. 27.12 Lat. 44.32 Brianson THE Capital of Briansonpis is seated upon a very high Mountain It is a Bishops See and a Bayliwick It stands about 22 Miles from Ambrun and 36 from Pignerol Lon. 26.22 Lat. 44.30 Saint-Pol-Trois-Châteaux is the Capital of Tricastin It is a flourishing City seated in the lower Dauphiné upon an advanced Cliff near the Rhône It is a Bishops See who stiles himself Earl under the Arch-Bishop of Arles It stands about 16 Miles from Orange and 72 from Grenoble Lon. 24.2 Lat. 43.53 Gap THe Capital of Gapensois is adorned with an Episcopal See and a Bayliwick It s Bishop is qualified Earl It has a very strong and noble Cittadel It stands about 18 Miles from Ambrun and 23 from Sisteron Lon. 25.40 Lat. 44.6 Die upon the Drome was an ancient Colony of the Romans heretofore the See of a particular Bishop but at present joyned to that of Valence It is seated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 36 Miles from Grenoble Le Buis upon the Aurese is the Principal City of les Barronies and a Bayliwick 12. Of the Government of PROVENCE THis
Province made part of Gaul Narbonois and was the First Conquest of Caesar in Gaul He called it the Province 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by excellency Name over the other Parts which he had reduced under the Obedience of the Romans It was the First of the ancient Kingdom of Burgundy some of whose Kings have born the particular Title of Kings of Arles It extends it self from East to West above 150 Miles Extent from the Mouth of the Var to the Rhône And from South to North near 120. From the Cape Ceerchiez towards Toulon as far as the Durance 9 Miles beyond Ambrun It is bounded in the North by Dauphine in the East in part by Piemont Bounds from which it is divided by the Alps and the County of Nice and in part by the Mediterranean Sea In the South by the same Sea and in the West by the Rhône which separates it from Languedoc The whole is much of the same nature with Languedoc Quality but is one part thereof to wit between Marseilles and Arles different from all the rest of France By the French usually called le Crau by the elder Writers Campi Lapidei because all in a manner overspread with Stones In this Province is said to be made the best Oyl of the Kingdom and very good Salt at Berre and Pecais Besides the Rhône Rivers one observes amongst its Rivers the Durance which receives the Verdon and the Hubaye the Argens the Var and the Arc which take their Original all Three from hence Here are also several Gulphs as that of Marseille Hyeres Grimaut Lerins c. Between la Crau and the Durance is to be found Five or Six Lakes The Mouths or Channels of the Rhône are called Graus in the Language of the Country Upon the Coasts one meets with the Iâ—ands of Martegue Pomegue Hyeres or Stecades the Isles of Lerins in their Gulf which were heretofore renowned by the Conquest which the late Earl of Harcourt made here with a handful of Men. Although Provence is divided into Vpper Middle and Lower Division yet it will be better distinguished by its Diocesses which I will endeavour to put in the easiest order imaginable First of all in the Middle one finds the Diocesses of Aix Riez Senez and Digne the First about the Durance the other Three about the Verdun in ascending to its Spring which is in the last Upon the Coasts the Diocesses of Arles Marseille Toulon Trejuls Grace and Vence which are to be met with thus in order going from West to East The Diocess of Glandeve is about the Var. Towards the North those of Sisteron and Apt with the County of Venaissin with the Principality of Orange Aix Near the little River of Arc is the Metropolis of Provence and was that of Narbonensis Secunda and at that time called Aquae Sextiae from Cajus Sextius who brought hither a Roman Colony and the Hot Baths here It is now and has been of a long time an Archbishops See and adorned with a Court of Parliament for this Country An. 1501. also a Generality and a Mint It is a very neat and populous City memorable in History for the great Defeat of the Cimbri by C. Marius Eâ victoriâ visus meruisse ne ejus nati Rempublicam poeniteret by this Victory and this alone obliging the Romans as Vellejus has it not to be sorry for his Birth About 14 Miles from Marseille and 36 from Toulon Lon. 24.40 Lat. 43.4 Arles UPon the Rhône by Ausonius called the Rome of France and in those times so highly valued that Constantinus Flavius being chosen Emperor by the British Legions in the declining times of the Western Empire designed to have made it his Imperial Seat It is a very ancient City where the Romans established their Sixth Colony It has yet the Remainders of an Amphitheatre an Obelisk all of Stone and some other Monuments It s Bridge of Boats over the Rhône passes for a very Noble Work It has a low and marshy Situation which natural Strength seconded by the new Works of King Henry the Fourth have made it one of the most assured Bulworks of France on this side the Kingdom It has been the Regal Seat of the French Kings of Burgundy who from hence were stiled Kings of Arles Between this City and the Sea but on the other side of the River runs a deep Channel cut with infinite Charge and Industry by C. Marius for Conveyance of Victuals into his Camp in his War against the Cimbri before mentioned It is an Archbishops See c. about 44 Miles from Aix as many from Marseilles and 16 from Nîmes Lon. 33.38 Lat. 43.5 Marseille A Known Port on the Mideterranean and a very ancient City which flourished in the time of Caesar by whom it was forced and made a Colony It was governed as a Republick and had a famous Academy It is an Episcopal See and one of the Admiralty It s Port passes for one of the securest of the Mediterranean See the Ships of France retire hither for the mosh part 't is a place of the greatest Resort by the Levantins and has a very considerable Traffick For which reason it must be very populous It stands about 14 Miles from Aix 38 from Toulon and 44 from Arles Lon. 24.35 Lat. 42.47 Coulon IS also an Episcopal City by Ptolemy called Tauroentium and by some Tholone beautified with a fair and capacious Haven one of the best of the Mediterranean which serves also for a Retreat to the French Ships of War Gallies and many other Vessels It is well stored with Oyl great quantity of Salt conveyed hither from the Isle of Ere 's about 9 Miles off and a sort of Almonds called Provence Almonds made by this means one of the most frequented Ports of the Miditerranean About 38 Miles from Marseilles 43 from Aix c. Lon. 25.22 Lat. 42.34 Salon A Little City which is renowned for being the Birth-place of the famous Nostradamus whose Tomb is still to be seen here enclosed in the Wall of the Church with his Pourtraiture upon it Of the County of VENAI SIN THis Country has been in the Dependance of the Holy See ever since the Year 1228. Pope Clement the Fourth having translated the Pontifical See to Avignon in the Year 1305. Clement the Sixth purchased this City 38 Years after together with the County and his Successors made their Peaceble Residence here to the year 1380. when Gregory the Eleventh returned again to Rome Avignon UPon the Rhône is the Capital of the County the ordinary Seat of the Popes Vice-Legat an Archbishop aâ— Inquisition and an University In this City are said to be Seven Palaces Seven Parish-Churches Seven Monasteries Seven Nunneries Seven Inns and Seven Gates There is one thing remarkable in Relation to this City and very necessary to be known by Travellers which is very incommodious about Avignon Namely that the Gates of this City are exactly shut at Sun-set