steade of Iohn because hee ended not his life with martirdome Phillip after hee had preached through the whole Countrie of Scythia and conuerted a great part thereof in the space of 20 yeares was at the last in the Cittie of Ierapolis when hee had there extirped the heresie of the Hebeonits fastened to the crosse and so died Bartholmew went to preach in India and afterward cam to Albania a Cittie of Armenia the greater where he conuerted the King of that Cittie and destroyed the idols wherefore by the commaundment of Astiagus brother to the King Polemius whom hee had conuerted hee was flead quicke His bodie was afterwards brought to Italie and is as some say at Rome Andrew Simon Peters brother went first to preach in Achaia and afterward preached in Scithya but lastly hee was taken at Patras a Cittie of Achaia by Egeas Proconsull of that Prouince who because he had conuerted his wife Maximilla cast him in prison where he was sore beaten and lastly stretched out and bound on a slope crosse to augment his torment and so died Thomas preached the Gospell to the Parthians Medes Persians Hyrcanians Bragmans and conuerted a great part of India He was by the infidells throwne into a burning furnace and came out vnhurt Finally because he prayed God to destroy the idole of the sonne which the infidells would haue compelled him to worship hee was by them thrust through with speares and swords Mathew after he had preached much in Iudea he went into Ethiopia there conuerted the greatest part of that Countrie Finally hauing newly ended his prayers and lefting vp his hands to heauen by the altar certaine spies came behinde him and ranne him through with their swords which was donne by the commaundment of a King of those Countries Iudas called also Thadeus after the assention of our Lord was sent by Thomas to heale Abagar King of Edissa afterwards he preached in Ponte and Mesopotamia and conuerted many cruell and barbarous people Lastly hee came to Persia where for counfounding of their idols was suddenly runne vppon and murdered by the Paymin Bishops of that Countrie He is buried at Netre a Cittie of Armenia Simon called Chananeus brother to Thadeus and Iames the lesse after he had preached in Egipt returned to Ierusalem whereof by the consent of the Apostles he was made Bishop after the martirdome of his brother Iames. As touching his death and martirdome some say that he sufferred with his brother Iudas Thadeus in Persia others that he was through the enuie of Heretikes accused to bee a Christian afore the Consull Atticus and therefore crucified as his maister was Mathy after the ascention of Christ chosen by the Apostles to supply Iudas â—ome was borne at Bethlem descended of the Tribe of Iuda he preched altogether in Iudea where lastly he was accused by his enemies of periurie or rather blasphemie and therefore hee was condemned to be stoned to death by two men during which torment one smote him with a hatchet and so he suffered martyrdome The tenne persecutions vnder the Romaine Emperors THe first beganne in the 13 yeere of the raigne of Nero in such sort that the Christians were faine to hide theÌ„selues in caues of the earth The second began in the 12 yeere of the raigne of Domician who caused S. Iohn the Euangelist to be put in a vessell of burning oyle whereof he receiued no hurt The third began in the tenth yeere of the raigne of Traian which ceased afterwards by the pitty and meanes of Plinie 2. prefect of the Empire The fourth beganne vnder Marcus Antoninus and Aurelius Commodus Empire The fift began at the commaundement of the Emperour Seuerus The sixt began by the indignation of Maximinus who especially persecuted the Clergie The seauenth began vnder the Emperour Decius and continued cruelly The eight began vnder the Emperor Valerius who though at the first he were a Christian yet afterwards beeing corrupted by certaine herericks he became a most cruell persecuter of Christ his Church The ninth began vnder the Emperour Aurelianus The tenth began by the commandement of the Emperors Dioclesianus and Maximianus Herculeus this persecution was farre more cruell and generall then any of the rest insomuch that Dioclesianus in the orient and Maximianus in the occident destroyed all Churches and tormented the Christians with all strange torments The eyght times that Rome hath beene taken ROme was first taken by the Gaules vnder the conduct of theyr captaine Brennus the yeere of the foundation of the Cittie about 365 the yeere of the world 4835 the yere before Christ 364. This Brennus is by the Britain English Chronicles reported to be a Britain and brother to Belinus king of Britain but neither the Chronicles of Rome nor of Gaule doe speake of any such matter Rome was secondly taken by Alaricke king of Gothes after he had held his siege to it the space of two yeeres which befell the yeere of the foundation of the Citty 1164 the yere of our Lord 412 and the 25 yeere of the Empire of Honorius It is written in the Chronicles of Constantinople and in other places that as Alaricke beeing a Christian marched with his host towards Rome a certaine Munck of holy life and great authority came vnto him who hauing audience admonished and counsailed him to breake of that euill purpose and to remember that he was a Christian and that for Gods sake hee would moderate his wrath and that he should not take pleasure in the shedding of Christian blood sith that Rome had not in any respect offended him Vnto whom Alaricke aunswered him Thou must vnderstand man of God that it proceedeth not of mine owne will that I goe against Rome but contrarily I assure thee that euery day there commeth vnto me a man which constraineth and importuneth me thereunto saying vnto me Hasten thee goe against Rome destroy it vtterly and make it desolate At which wordes the religious man beeing astonished durst not reply and so the King followed his enterprise Rome was thirdly taken by Gensericke king of Vandales the yeere of the foundation of the citty 1208. the yeere of Christ 456. who sacked and burned it in many places which befell in the Empire of Marcian Rome was fourthly taken by Totila King of Gothes vvho because hee could not obtaine peace of the Emperour Iustinian who trusted too much in the power of his Lieutenant Bellisarius commaunded the Cittizens to auoyde the Cittie and afterward burned sacked and destroyed almost all the Cittie walls and the Capitall and made it altogether desolate in so much that neuer since it could be repayred according to the first forme although a while after Bellisarius peopled and repaired a great part thereof and calling againe the old inhabitants fortified and strengthned much the walls This desolation and of all other most lamentable happened the yeare after the foundation of the Citty 1300 afther Christ 548 the 21 yeare of the Empire of
Iustinian Rome was fiftly taken by the same Totila King of Goths after that Bellisarius had repeopled repayred it but whereas before he had almost destroyed it hee now called againe the Cittizens which were fled at his comming and trauailed all he could to restore and repaire that which he had destroyed and behaued himselfe towards his subiects and especially towards the Romaines not like a stranger but a father This happened but three yeares after he had destroyed it Rome was sixtly taken by the Mores Sarrazins followers of Mohomet his law which in great multitude came into Italy and in the yeare of our Lord 833 sitting in Rome Gregorie the fourth gouering the Empire Lewis the first besieged tooke and sacked Rome prophaning the Temple of Saint Peter which donne they returned to their shippes charged with prayes and prisoners Rome was seauenthly taken by Henry the fourth of that name Emperour of Germanie sitting in Rome Gregorie the seauenth this time Rome was most cruelly destroyed by reason that both the armies of the Pope and the Emperour scurmished and fought long within the Cittie and the Capitole which had beene before destroyed was now againe repayred which befell the yeare of our Lord 1082 authors write that Rome neuer was so much endomaged at any thing as at this for the lamentable destruction that was donne by the Normans on the Popes side and Germaines for the Emperour Rome was last taken by Charles the last Duke of Bourbon who being slaine as he scaled the walls at the first assaut and by that chance the souldiers being in libertie and without a head pittifully destroyed the Cittie and committed all kind of enormities and barbarous cruelties sauing that they burned not the Churches although they spoyled and robbed them to the vttermost for a great part of the armie were Germaines and most of the Germaines Lutherans This aduersitie happened to Rome the yeare of our Sauiour 1527 sitting at Rome Clement the seauenth and gouering the Empire Charles the fift The seauen Electors of the Emperour of Germanie THree Ecclesiasticall that is to meane the Archbishoppe of Magonce called the Archchancelour of Germanie the Archbishoppe of Colen called the Archecancelour of Italie and the Archbishoppe of Treues called the Archechancelour of France Foure Temporall the Marquis of Brandebourg great Chamberlaine of the Empire the Duke of Saxonie beareth the sword before the Emperour the Earle Palatin of Rhene Dapifer of carrying the plate the King of Baeme Taster to the Emperour or Karuer These Electors were first ordained by the Emperour Othon third of that name in the yeare of our Lord 1000 to take away the dissention which before times had beene for the choosing of Emperours and ordained moreouer that being chosen by these seauen Electors he should be called Caesar but being afterwards crowned by the Bishop of Rome he should be called Augustus The three crownes of the Emperour THe first Crowne is of siluer for the Realme of Germaine and is kept at Aix the Chappell The second Crowne is of yron for the Realme of Lombardie and is kept at Modene a little Towne not farre from Milan And the third of gold for the Empire of Rome where it is kept The xij Peers or Pairs of Fraunce IN the Realme of France to be a Peer is the greatest dignitie vnder the King for that in many thinges they haue almost equall authority with the King for Peer in the French tongue signifieth equall But because it might be too prolixe a matter to speak of theyr prerogatiues it shall suffice to number them and each of theyr offices at the sacring or coronation of a new King These ancient Peers are twelue in number whereof sixe are of the Clergy and sixe are Lay men the sixe of the Clergie with theyr offices at the corronation are the Archbishop and Duke of Reins which hath his accustomed charge to oynt and consecrate the King the Bishop and Duke of Laon who office is to bring the holy Ampoule or diuine water wherwith the King is annointed the Bishop and Duke of Langres whose office is to bring the scepter the hand of iustice the Bishop and Earle of Beauuais bringeth the Kings cloake the Bishop Earle of Chaalons bringeth the Kings Ring the Bishop and Earle of Noyon bringeth the Kings gyrdle The sixe temporall Peers with theyr offices at the corronation are the Duke of Burgundie Deane or chiefe of the rest whose office is to bring the kings crowne the Duke of Guyen bringeth the first square banner the duke of Normandie bringeth the second square banner the Earle of Earle of Tolowze bringeth the Kings spurres the Earle of Champaine bringeth the kingly banner or the standart of warre and the Earle of Flaunders bringeth the Kings sword And although the fiue first temporall Peerdoms be vnited to the crowne and the sixt bee subiect to another Prince yet at at the Kings corronation there are other noble men appointed to supply theyr roome and offices These be the twelue ancient Peers although since theyr creation others haue been made which though they haue like authoritie to iudge in the Court of Parliament yet they want offices at the Kings coronation and beare not that maiestie that the other Pees doe for that they are not of so great antiquitie The eyght Parliaments of Fraunce THE chiefe generallest iustice of the realme of France is continually kept in eyght Citties wherein are Pallaces made expresly for that purpose and this generall kind of iustice is deuided into eyght parts according to the eyght Citties and euery of them are called Parliaments which differ very little from our Termes but whereas these are but foure times in a yeere those are continually kept each of them hauing in stead of our Lord Chancelor a chiefe President The first and chiefest of these Parliaments is that of Paris called the Court of the Peers of Fraunce and to the equitie and iudgement of this Parliament many forraine Kings and Princes haue submitted themselues in matters of greatest importance as to the most venerable and chiefest Senate of iustice in the world Such were the Emperor Fredericke the second called Barberousse king of both Sicils when he submitted himselfe to the iudgement of this Court of Parliament as touching all the controuersies of his Empire and kingdoms which he had against Pope Innocent the fourth Philip prince of Tarente and the Duke of Burgundie who sumbitted them selues to this Parliament for the controuersie betwixt them vpon the expences of the recouery of the Empire of Constantinople The Duke of Lorraine subiect to the Empire and the Lord Guy of Chastillon who submitted thēsēlues to the iudgement of this Court as concerning the limitation of their lands and possessions the Daulphin of Vienne the Earle of Sauoy summitted themselues to the iudgement of this Parliament concerning the sute betwixt them for the homage of the Marquisat of Saluces Moreouer without the consent of this Parliament it hath
Hebrues 1656 yeeres which agreeth with the saying of Saint Hierom Bede Filo and the common text of the Bible The Seauentie two Interpreters and Eusebius hold that it endured 2242 yeeres and Saint Austine is of opinion that it endured 2272. Of this age few or no things are recited worthy of memory The second age from Noe his floud till the birth of Abraham endured according to the 72 Interpretours Eusebeus and the greatest part of writers 942 and according to the Hebrewes but 292 yeares Saint Austin counteth 172 yeares In this age was builded The tower of confusion the Empire of the Assirians beganne and the great Citty of Niniue was builded which contained in circuit three daies iourney The third age from Abraham to Dauid endured by the agreement of all Authors 942 yeares During this age was the peregrination of Abraham the beginning of the Amazones Sodom and Gommorre were destroyed Ioseph was sold to the Egiptians Moises passed the red Sea Iob the iust Iason conquered the golden Fleece the destruction of Troy the Latins beganne to raigne in Italie The fourth age from the beginning of the raigne of Dauid till the peregrination of the Iewes into Babilon endured 485 yeares during this age the Empire of Assirians was translated to the Medes the Olimpiades of the Grecians beganne Carthage was builded by Dido Rome by Romulus Byzance was also builded the distruction of Ierusalem by Nabucodonozor and thereupon the captiuitie of the Iewes The fift age from the transmigration of Babilon to the comming of Christ endured by the agreement of all 589 yeares During this age Cyrus beganne the Monarchie of the Persians the 70 yeare of this age the Iewes returned to their Countrie Consuls began to rule in Rome Zerxes inuaded Greece with an armie of 1000000 men Plato Aristotle and Demostenes flourished with many other worthy Philosophers Alexander wonne the Monarchie of the world the distruction of Carthage by the Romaines Caesar vsurped the Empire of Rome The Sixt age beganne at the birth of our sauiour Christ which yet endureth and shall endure to the end of the world The seauen wonders of the world THe first were the walls of Babilon built by Semiramis of stone ioyned together with a strange kind of slimie and gluish morter which groweth in the mines of those Countries and especially in the lake where stoode in time past Sodome and Gommorre now called Asfaltide These walls according to the towne were built in quadrangle and contained in circuit as sayeth Plinie in the 26 Chapter of his sixt booke 60 miles so that euery square was fifteene mile long they were 200 foote high and fiftie foote thicke and to builde these walls were hired by Semiramis out of diuers Countries for a long space 300000 men The second was the Piller of the sonne offered by the Gentiles vnto Iupiter This Piller stoode in the I le of Rodes and was made of yron in the forme of a man of incredible greatnesse in so much that a man might scarce fadom the great finger thereof After it had stood 56 yeares it fell downe by reason of an earthquake and so lay till the Iland was wonne by the Souldan of Egipt who carried so much mettell away as loaded 900 Camels The third were the Piramides of Egipt among the which there is one especially noted about the Cittie of Memphis now called the great Caire this Piramis couered about 40 acres of land at the foote or foundation thereof it was all built of marble stone and in the building thereof were imployed continually for the space of 20 yeares 3600000 men and for the sustenance of these workmen was disburst in radish and such other rootes 1800 talents which according to our reckening is the summe 1880000 crownes this might seeme vncredible were it not that it is affirmed by so many authors of authoritie The fourth was the Mausol of Mausol King of Caria and husband to Artemisia so called this woman for the great loue she bare to her spouse burned his dead corps and dranke the pouder thereof thinking no Sepulcher so worthy thereof as her owne body and the rest of the pouder she buried in this famous Tomb the stone whereof was of an excellent kind of marble it was 411 feete in circuit and 25 cubits high and was enuironed about with 36 Pillers of stone wonderfully well carued The fift was the Temple of Diana builded by the Amazones it was 455 foote long and 220 foote broad and in it stood 127 marble Pillers each of them being 70 foote high the worke thereof was so wonderfull curious that it was 220 yeares a making The sixt was the image of Iupiter Olimpique in Achaie all of Porfire an infinite number of little peeces ioyned together this image beside the excellencie of the worke is especially noted for the greatnesse thereof and was the more famous by reason of the gamigs called Olimpiades there kept The seauenth was the Tower Faros nigh vnto Alexandria in Egipt builded by Ptolomée Philadelphe King of Egipt to direct the passengers which came to take hauen thereabouts by burning of pitch or other like things in the toppe this Tower was of a meruailous height and singuler workmanship the building whereof cost according to our money 480000 crownes Some authors put for the seauenth wonder the Gardens and Orchards vpon the walls of Babilon Others put the Obelisque of Semiramis which differreth in nothing frō a Piramis sauing that it is all of one stone the Obelisque Semiramis caused to be wraught and taken out of the mountaines of Armenia it was a hundreth and fifty foote high and euery square was foure and twenty foote braod at the bottome so that it contained in circuit 96 foote The seauen wise men of Greece Blas borne in the hauen Towne of Prieme in the Countrie of Ionia Solon borne in the Iland of Salamine Chilo borne in Lacedemonia Cleobulus borne at Lind in the I le of Rhodes Pittacus borne at Mycilene in the I le of Lesbos Thales borne at Mileto in Greece Periander King of Corinth The tenne Sibylles THe first was of Persia called Samberta which among other Prophecies sayd The womb of the Virgine shall be the saluation of Gentiles The second was of Libia one of her Prophecies were The day shall come that men shall see the King of all liuing things and a Virgine Lady of the world shall hold him in her lap The third was Themis surnamed Delphica because shee was borne and prophecied at Delphos A Prophet shall bee borne of a Virgine The fourth was Cuméa borne at Cimerie a Cittie of Campania in Italia who prophecied that God should be borne of a Virgine and conuerse among sinners The fift was the famous Erithraea borne at Babilon who especially prophecied a great part of our Christian religion in certaine verses recited by Eusebeus the first letters of euerie which verses being put together make these words Iesus Christ Son of God Sauiour These verses are translated
THE VARIETIE of Memorable and worthy matters By Walter Owsolde Imprinted at London by I. R. for Ieffery Charlton and are to be solde at his shoppe at the great North doore of Paules 1605. To the Right vvorshipfull Sir William Romney Knight and Alderman of the Cittie of London RIght Worshipfull you may iustly thinke I am very bold being in respect a stranger vnto you to offer vp these lines to your fauorable censure yet the loue good affection which I owe to your worship for some sufficient causes may fully excuse my rashnes in that behalfe and considering withall your gentle disposition hoping you will take in good part this meane gift not respecting the value therof but the good will of the giuer as did that woorthy King accepting with gentle hart a draught of water of a simple hind so I expecting you will curteously vouchsafe the patronizing of these simple collexions although there be nothing woorthy your reviewing contained therein yet if you grant it but the reading you may finde some matter which may eyther delight you by bringing into your remembrance such memorable worthy things as haue hapned in former ages or driue other drousie thoughts out of your mind which if it so come to passe I shall haue the ful scope of my desires and be the more bolde an other time to offer to your view some thing of better worth And so I leaue you to the mercifull protection of Almighty God whom I beseech to blesse you with increase of worship long life and eternall happines Yours to commaund Walter Owsold To the curtious Reader WHen I consider with my selfe gentle Reader of the sundry kinds of delights which men of diuers natures take pleasure in as som in reading ancient histories whereof there are many sorts and kinds containing the amorous discourses of young gallants with the liues of their enamored Mistresses liuely disciphering foolish dotage in old men stale widdowes with the inconuenience of matching old age and wilfull youth together and againe some take pleasure in reading Chronicles declaring the famous and worthy acts of valiant Captaines and famous Gouerners with the changes and alterations of former times which may much profite men of all sorts Therfore I thought good to publish this small Treatise taken and collected out of diuers ancient learned and well approoued authors not vnnecessary to be had in remembrance which I hope the learned will take in good part because it saueth them a labour in perusing ouer diuers volumes to find the time and place where and when the matters heerein expressed were begonne performed continued and ended and as for the other sort I hope they cannot mislike it treating of matters which without this booke they should neuer haue knowne and so I leaue it to your fauourable censure Yours as you like this Booke W. O. The Table THE foure parts of the World page 1. The foure Monarchies page 1. The sixe ages of the World page 2. The seauen wonders of the World page 4. The seauen Wisemen of Greece page 5. The tenne Sibylls page 6. The twelue Apostles with theyr martyrdoms page 9. The ten persecutions of Christians vnder the Romaine Emperours page 11. The eight times that Rome hath been taken page 11. The seauen Electors of the Emperours of Germanie pa. 14. The three Crownes of the Emperour page 14. The twelue Peers or Pairs of Fraunce page 14. The eyght Parliaments of Fraunce page 15 The seauen Saxon Kingdoms that England was once deuided into page 17 Fiue Orders of Chiualrie which continue at this day among Princes page 8 The xiij Cantons of Swisserland pag. 22. The foure parts of the world ASIA so called of the Daughter of Ocean and Thetis or as some say of Asia the son of Maneé King of Lidia is seperated from Europe by the riuer Tanais nowe called Don by the sea called in time past Palus Meotides now Mare de Zabache and by Pontus Euxinus now Mer maiour and by part of the Mediterranian sea and frō Africk by the riuer of Nile Europe that old Writers coniecture to be so called of Europa daughter of Agenor King of Libia is seperated from Asia as is already showne and from Africk by the Mediterranean Sea Africke which some say is so called of one Affer of the line of Abraham is seperated from Europe by the Mediterranean sea and from Asia by the riuer of Nile America or West-India so called of Americus Vespusius but first found out by Christopher Columbus of Genua the yere of our Lord 1492. It is in manner of an Iland round about enuironed with the great Ocean sea The foure Monarchies THE first Monarchie was of the Assirians founded by Ninus about the yere of the World 2220. augmented by the Queene Semiramis and after it had endured the terme of 1300 yeeres it was translated by Arbactus vnto the Medes and there hauing endured 350 yeeres it was lost by Astiages and conquered by Cyrus The second Monarchie was of the Persians founded by Cyrus the yeere of the World 3425 which after it had endured 191 yeere was lost by Darius and subdued by Alexander the great The third Monarchie was of the Grecians founded by Alexander the great in the yeere of the world 3634 and before Christ 320 yeeres after whose death it was deuided among the Prefects which in his life time he had appointed in diuers countries by which diuision Seleucus was King nf Syria Ptolomeus of Egipt Antigonus of Asia Cassander of Macedonia Greece all which coūtries were after subdued by the Romans The fourth Monarchie or Empire was of the Romans founded by Iulius Caesar the yere of the world 3914 after the building of Rome 706 yeeres and before Christ 47 yeeres This Monarchie florished about the space of 470 yeeres till that after the death of Theodosius the great it was deuided by his two sons into two Empires Arcadius was Emperour of Constantinople which Empire endured though afterwards much diminished by the inuasions of barbarous nations vntill the yeere of our Lord 1453 and then was quite lost by Constantine and conquered by Mahomet second king of Turks Honorius was Emperor of Rome which Empire shortly after in the yeere of our Lord 475 about the ninth month of the raine of Augustus was vtterly ruinated by Othacar king of Goths And long after the yere of our Lord 801 it was restored by Charles the great and by him vnited to the crowne of France and by his successors translated into Germanie where it yet remaineth as a shadow onely or representation of the greatnes and maiestie of the ancient Romaine Empire The sixe ages of the World IN the deuiding of these ages there is great contrarietie of opinions among Writers for that some follow the computation of the 72 Interpreters some follow the Hebrues and the cōmon text of the Bible The first age from the creation of the world till the vniuersall flood endured according to the
image of our Lady and of an Angell saluting her and for that occasion is called the Order of the Annuntiation This Earle ordained this Order in memory of Amé the great Earle of Sauoye which succoured the Knights of Saint Iohn when they conquered the I le of Rhodes vpon the Turkes in the yeare of our Lord 1310. The third in antiquitie is the Order of the golden Fleece founded vpon the fable of the golden Fleece that Iason with the other Argonautes went to seeke in the I le of Colohos which is to meane that hee went to the mine of gold and ordained by Phillip the second surnamed the good Duke of Burgundie in the yeare of our Lord 1430 the complete number of which Order are 24 Knights and weare their cloakes and hoods of Scarlat garded with imbroderie made with flames of fire and a Collor of gold made with fire stones sparkling out fire whereat hangeth a Fleece of gold and appointed for the celebrating of that Order Saint Andrewes day being the 30 of Nouember But the Emperour Charles the fift heyre of the house of Burgundie and chiefe of that Order changed their apparell and ordained that their clokes should bee of crimson Veluet and their hoodes of violet coullor Veluet and that vnderneath they should were a Cassoke of cloath of siluer The fourth in antiquitie is the Order of Saint Michaell the Archangell instituted by Lewis the 11 King of France the first day of August in the yeare of our Lord 1469 and ordained that of that Order there should be 36 Knights gentlemen of name and of armes without reprooch of whom hee himselfe was chiefe and Soueraigne and after him his successors Kings of Fraunce And the brothers or companions of this order were bound at the receiuing thereof to forsake and leaue all other Orders if any they had either of a Prince or any companie onely excepting Emperours Kings and Dukes which beside this Order might weare that Order whereof they weare chiefe with the agreement and consent of the King and confrarie of the sayd Order and in like manner the sayd Kings of Fraunce might weare beside his owne the Order of other Emperours Kings and Dukes And for the connoissance of this Order and the Knights thereof hee gaue to euery of them a Coller of gold wrought with Cocquell shells enterlacing on another with a double pointing Ribon of silke with golden Tagges which King Francis the first because his name was Francis changed into a white Friers or Franciscans girdle made of a twisted corde and hangeth on that Collor a tablet of Saint Michaell vppon a Rocke of the institution of this Order is made a booke containing 98 Articles wherein are set downe the things wherevnto the Knights of this Order are subiect The fift Order is that of the holy Ghost instituted by Henry the third King of Fraunce at this present on New yeares day in the yeare of our Lord 1579 of this also is written a booke containing the Articles whereunto the Knights thereof are bound Among the which I haue principally noted one that is to defend and sustaine the Clergie for the king doth giue to euery of them the rent of certaine Abbeys religious houses or other spiritually Lands whereof they shall alow a certaine stipend to the entertaining of a certaine number of religious persons in euery religious house vnder him and for that benefite are sworne at their entring into the sayd Order alwaies to defend the spiritualitie and maintaine the Clergie in their priuiledges but how they keepe their oath it is well seene in euery place of their spirituall possessions and thereof my selfe haue often times had oculare experience for trauelling in that Countrie and passing often times by goodly religious houses I haue sometimes for recreation hauing wel tried the curtious demeanor that cōmonly religious men vse towards strangers that come to view their houses entred into sundry of them where I haue diuers times beene sufficiently enformed by the religious how the king had giuen the rents and possessions of their houses to the Knights of his Order with the conditions already rehearsed which Knights alow them such bare exhibitation that by reason it is not sufficient to entertaine the fourth part of the number by them appointed almost all of them are constrained either to forsake their houses begge or else there to starue through which occasion many goodly religious houses are of late fallen in decay for want of reparation trimming vp and inhabiting and will doe more and more without a redresse And this haue I learned in diuers religious houses beside the common murmering of the Clergie and so wee may see how these Knights called of the holy spirit for to defend and maintaine the spiritualitie doe vnder pretence thereof rob and prodigally wast the spirituall possessions so that it may seeme only to be a pollicie vnder the correction of better iudgement put in the kings head to diminish spirituall liuings which in that Country are wonderfull great satisfie his prodigall minde in rewarding by that meanes his flatterers because through his exceeding lauishnesse hee is scarce able otherwise to reward them The Bishop of Rome considering what dismembring of Church-lands and decay of Gods seruice commeth through this Order in the Realme of Fraunce will not grant the confirmation thereof although the King hath beene instant for the same but notwithstanding the Popes misliking thereof the Order is maintained though to the great weakening of the religion in that Country Yea at the last celebration thereof which was on New-yeeres day eeuen 1581 I saw three Bishops were admitted into that Order the connissance wherof is a Doue representing the holy Ghost wraught in Orenge tauny Veluet garnished about with siluer beames which the Knights of that Order weare cōmonly vpon their clokes before their hart The 13 Cantons of Swisserland THE inhabitants of Heluetia or Swisserland after they had emancipated themselues from the yoke of the Empire and expelled the nobilitie of the Emperiall faction began to make leagues and confederacies one towne with another to fortifie themselues by that meanes against forraine inuasions if any hapned And in processe of time within little more then an hundred yeeres are increased to the number of 13 which they call Cantons by which the whole Country of Swisse is gouerned and defended And heere according to theyr antiquitie I place them the first that confederated together and gaue example to the rest were Vri Swits Vnderuard Villages and these three by little and little haue drawne to theyr faction all the rest that followeth Lucerne Zurich Citties Glaris Zug Villages Berne Fribourg Soullcurre Basle Schaffouse Citties Appensel village Whereof 7. professe the Romish religion j. Vri Swits Vnderuard Zug Lucerne Fribourg and Soullcurre the rest are Zuinglians which diuersitie of religion hath caused dissention and mortall warres of late yeeres among them although they be all sworne together to defend theyr liberties against strangers FINIS Non munus sed animus