for its Salt-Pits or Wiches having three Fountains that afford great plenty of Water for the making of Salt which is excellent white and good for which here is drove a good Trade Sturbridge Sturbridge seated on a Flat and on the Stower over which it hath a Bridge it is a good and well-built Town hath the accommodation of a good Free-School with a Library and its Market on Fridays is well furnished with Corn Provisions and Swine Kidderminster Kidderminster feated under a Hill and on the Severn where the Stower loseth it self dividing the Town in twain an ancient Bailiwick-Town beautified with a fair Church hath well-built Houses is well inhabited and much traded unto for its Stuffs called Kidderminster-Stuffs and its Market which is on Thursdays is considerable for Corn Gottle Provisions and several Country-commodities Bewdley Bewdley a Bailiwick-Town which sends Burgesses to Parliament pleasantly seated on the Severn and near the Forest of Wire which in former time was a place of great delight and much resorted unto It is a neat and well-built Town enjoyeth a good Trade for Mault Leather and Caps called Bewdley-Caps here made and hath a Market on Saturdays chiefly considerable for Barly YORK-SHIRE County of York describ'd the largest County in England being above 300 miles in compass and although thus spacious for the generality is indifferent fertil yielding good plenty of Cattle Corn Fowl and Fish for if one part is stony sandy and barren other parts make amends and although there are great store of Heaths and Moors which are barren ground yet are they profitable to the Inhabitants for the feeding of Cattle In this County the Romans had several Stations and here were abundance of Abbeys Monasteries and Religious Houses many of which were of great note eminency and wealth The chief Manufactures of this Shire are Stockings Alum Jett Lime Knives Pins c. but above all Cloth in great plenty It is fevered into three distinct parts and called the North-Riding the East-Riding and the West-Riding which said Ridings or Parts are subdivided into 26 Wapontacks or Hundreds viz. the North into Eleven the East into Six and the West into Nine and in all these Wapontacks are numbred 563 Parish Churches besides abundance of Chapels of Ease by reason of the largeness of the Parishes many of the Chapels being as large as Parishes in other parts of England The North-Riding of Yorkshire may not improperly be divided into Richmondshire Cleaveland a fertil part North-Allerton and Blackmore very Mountainous Craggy and Moorish The chief places in this Riding are York City of York which next to London claimeth the Priority of all others in the Kingdom a place of great antiquity and fame having its rise from the Romans who had it in such great esteem that Severus their Emperour had here his Palace and here ended his days and had those Funeral Rites solemnized on his Corps according to their custom And here Fl. Valerius Constantius surnamed Chlorus bid adue to the World and in his room his Son Constantine was here proclaimed Emperour Nor did this City thus flourish only in the time of the Romans but was of great repute in all succeeding Ages and hath in all the revolutions and changes under the Saxons Danes and Normans preserved its ancient lustre and is at present a fair large and beautiful City adorned with many splendid Buildings both publick and private is very populous much resorted unto and well inhabited by Gentry and wealthy Tradesmen and numbreth about 30 Parish Churches and Chapels besides its Cathedral or Minster a most stately Structure dedicated to St. Peter Amongst its publick Buildings of note these may be taken notice of The Bishops-Palace its Chapter-House a curious piece of Architecture the Princes-House called the Mannor and the Courts of Judicature held for the Neighbouring Marches according to that of Ludlow It is a City and County within it self enjoyeth large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Lord Major 12 Aldermen clad in Scarlet 2 Sheriffs 12 Common Council 8 Chamberlains a Recorder Town Clerk Sword-Bearer and Common Serjeant with other sub-Officers It is a place of great strength being well fortified and enclosed with a strong Wall on which are many Turrets or Watch-houses and hath for entrance 4 Gates and 5 Posterns It s scituation is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the Owse which severeth it in two parts but joyned together by a fair Stone-bridge and to conclude its Markets on Thursdays and Staturdays are very considerable and well served with Flesh Fish Fowl c. as are its Shambles on the Week-days with Provisions Malton or New-Malton seated on the Derwent Malton over which it hath a good Stone-bridge It is composed of two Towns the New and the Old Malton and both containing 3 Parish Churches it is a place well inhabited and accommodated with good Inns hath weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which is one of the best in the County for Horses living Cattle Provisions and most Country-commodities especially Vtensils for Husbandry and as a Borough Town which is but meanly built electeth Parliament men Pickering or the Honour of Pickering a pretty good Town Pickering belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster hath a famous Old Castle now ruinous in which they keep their Courts for the hearing of Causes under 40 s. in the said Honour which includeth several Villages which as it were encompass it so that the adjacent Country is called Pickering-Lith the Forest of Pickering and the Liberty of Pickering It s Market which is on Mondays is well served with Corn and Provisions Scarborough a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art Scarborough being seated on a steep Rock with such craggy Cliffs that it is almost inaccessible and beareth so into the Sea that it is washed on all parts except on the West where it yieldeth access by a strait passage Cliff or Gullet where it hath a strong Wall On the top of this Rock is a very fair green and large Plain containing about 60 Acres of ground and hath a little Well of Fresh-water springing out of the Rock and for its further defence hath a strong Castle now made use of by his Majesty for a Garrison This Town is not very large but well built and inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade having a commodious Key with several Vessels belonging to it which are employed by them and during the Herring-season for the Fishing Trade they being plentifully taken on this Coast This place is of note for its famous Spaw much resorted unto as well by Foreigners as the English It is a Town Corporate electing Parliament men is governed by two Bailiffs and a Common Council and hath two Markets weekly on Thursdays which is of good account and on Saturdays which is but small Not far from this Town is Robinhoods-Bay so called from Robinhood that noted Robber in the Reign of
It s chief places are 1. Genoua seated on the Sea-shoar at the foot of high Mountains between two Rivers built by Janus the first Inhabiter of Italy it is as also its whole State governed in form of a Republick The City for its stately Buildings makes it to be termed by the Italians Genoua la Superba having beautiful Palaces with delightful Gardens it s Strada Nova being a spacious long and strait Street on each side imbellished with stately Palaces which for the most part are supported by vast Pillars of Marble not to be parallel'd in the World amongst which may be reckoned the Jesuits Colledge than which nothing can be more polite The Palace of the Prince d'Orta with its famous Bird-cage deserves a particular mention nor is its new Mould to be forgotten which hath made the Port twice as capacious and much safer than before The City is in circuit about eight miles defended besides its Walls by a strong and fair Castle it is exceeding populous and rich its Inhabitants being observed to be the greatest Vsurers and Money-mongers in the World which is a great obstruction to its Trade 2. Savona of note for the interview between Ferdinand of Spain and Lewis the 12th of France Anno 1507. 3. Sarzana 4. Arbengue and 5. Vintimiglia Estate of Montferat The Estate or Country of MONTFERAT doth in part belong to the Duke of Mantoua and the rest to the Duke of Savoy a Mountainous Country but of a fertil Soyl. It is encompassed with the Appenine Hills Millain and Piedmont the River Tenarus parts the possessions of the Duke of Mantoua from that of Savoy its chief places are 1. Alba where Pertinax the Roman Emperour was born 2. St. Vas built by the first Duke of Mantoua 3. Casal and 4. Trin fair Cities with some others In the Lower LOMBARDY we have placed the Estates of Venice Mantoua Modena Parma Placenza and Trent of which in order Estates of Venice The Estates of the Duke of VENICE may be divided into several Parts or Provinces as they lye on firm Land and on the Sea which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of Italy the chief of which I shall here only name as I have occasion to treat of the Cities 1. Trevigi seated in the Province of Marche Trevisane a City of some account as commodious for an Inland Trade 2. Bressia seated in the Province of Bressan esteemed the second City for largeness and beauty in all Lombardy it is more famous in her Archbishop who is Earl Marquess and Duke than in any matter of trade 3. Brescello in the Province of Bressan famous for the death of Otho the Roman Emperour 4. Este in the Province of Padouan from whence came the late Dukes of Ferrara 5. Crema in the Province of Cremase seated on the River Serio and in a very fertil Soyl a beautiful and rich City adorned with stately Edifices and about two Furlongs from the City towards the Castle is a stately Temple called Sancta Maria del la Cruce a structure of great beauty and richly adorned with Pictures c. a place much frequented for Devotion sake this City may be termed a strong Fortress against the Millanois upon which it borders 6. Vicenzo in the Province of Vicentin seated at the bottom of a Hill which commands the City being well watered with Rivers which uniting themselves not far distant from the City form a Navigable River capable to receive Vessels of a considerable burthen which passing by Padua falls into the Sea by Venice It is about four miles in circuit beautified with stately Palaces Temples and Publick buildings it is very populous and inhabited by Nobility and Gentry who contrary to the custom of the Italians delight to Travel here is a famous Theater capable to receive five thousand People whose Stage is so represented by Prospective that it seems a stately City being modelled by the famous Architect Andreo Paladio then its Piazza a spacious and beautiful place 7. Verona in the Province of Veronois a fair large and beautiful City seated on the Athesis a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art and boasteth chiefly of its yet standing Amphitheater capable to receive about 80000 Persons 8. Padua in the Province of Padouan seated in the midst of a spacious Plain about 20 miles distant from the Sea It is a place of good strength being inclosed with double Walls and deep Ditches besides its Bulwarks and Fortifications it was built by Antenor Brother to Priam King of Troy whose Tomb is here yet to be seen to this City do belong seven Gates several Stone-Bridges and five spacious Piazza's it is every where beautified with many splendid Edifices as well private as publick also its Churches are no less beautiful and rich of which the Domo or Cathedral is chief its Hall of Justice is a spacious and stately structure near to which are the Schools for Learning but this City is now most famous for its Vniversity of Physicians 9. Bergamo in Bergamasse adjoyning to Cremase 10. Feltri in Feltrin towards the Bishoprick of Trent and 11. Rovigo in the Polesine of Rovigo far engaged towards the Estates of the Church And these Provinces may properly be comprehended under one part to wit Marche Trevisane The chief Rivers in this Country are Addua Athesis Breuta and Olius Estates of Frioli The second part in this Estate of Venice is FRIOLANI encompassed with Histria the Alpes Trevigiana and the Adriatick Sea Its chief places are 1. Aquilegia seated on the Natisco a place not very well inhabited 2. Cuidad de Austria built by Julius Caesar 3. Palma la Nova the best fortified place in all Italy and 4. Tergestum or Treist seated nigh the Sea-shoar The chief Rivers are Natisco Risanus and Lizonsus The third and last part of this Estate shall be ISTRIA of an unhealthful Air. It s chief places are 1. Cabo d'Istria 2. Polo 3. Cita Nuova and 4. Parenzo But to proceed to Venice the principal City of this Republick City of Venice The City of VENICE is seated at the bottom of the Adriatick Sea or Gulph of Venice built on 72 Islands being distant from the main Land five miles and defended from the fury of the Sea by a Bank of sixty miles in length through which in seven places there are passages broken for small Vessels save only at Malamocco and the Castle of Leo which are strongly fortified it is about eight miles in circuit having for the conveniency of the Inhabitants about 4000 Bridges amongst which that of Rialto is the chief built over the Grand Canal which for length breadth and height may compare with any in the World and for the passage of People to and fro here are said to be employed about 10 or 12000 Gondelos all its Buildings are fair and beautiful here are 200 particular places built of Marble adorned with Columns Statues and Pictures of great
value erected by the Senators which for their Grandure are fit to lodge and entertain any Prince in Christendom most of which are seated on the Grand Canal Also the Royal and proud Palace of the Duke deserves a particular description which for its largness beauty and riches as well in its fabrick without as in its Pictures and Statues within exceeds all others then the Tribunals or Courts of Justice the Senate-house or great Hall Its Arsenal or Magazine of War being about two miles in circuit encompassed with high Walls and the Sea having but one place or Gate for entrance and only one Channel for Ships to pass in and out at and here is kept always in readiness about two hundred Gallies with all things fit for a Voyage or fight also here are kept a thousand Coats of Plate garnished with Gold and covered with Velvet but above all its Church of St. Mark which for its exteriour and interiour beauty and richness of its Ornaments have deservedly made this City famous and in this Church according to report lyeth the body of St. Mark the Patron of this City which was brought hither from Alexandria In this City are seventeen rich Hospitals 56 Tribunals 67 Parish Churches 26 Monasteries of Nuns 54 Convents of Fryars 18 Chappels and six Free-Schools for the increase of Learning It s Piazza or broad place of St. Mark adorned with sumptuous Fabricks Statues c. is a place much frequented by the Gentry This City is the only place where Policy Warfare and Merchandize have embraced one another the Gentry are here held in such esteem that it is held for the greatest honour they can bestow upon the best deserver to make him a Gentleman of this City and from them the Sonatours are chosen and out of them the Duke who in a manner is only titular not having the Regal power his Salary which is paid him out of the Common Treasury is forty thousand Duccals yearly In this Estate are two Patriarchs and 34 Bishops Dukedom of Mantoua The Dukedom of MANTOVA seated Northwards of the Estates of Venice It s chief City is so called a place of good strength encompassed on the sides with Water about a quarter of a mile broad and on the other side with a Wall it is seated on a River which emptieth it self into the Po. In this City Virgil that famous Poet was born Dukedom of Modena The Dukedom of MODENA formerly joyned to that of Mantoua hath for its chief City Modena famous for the Battle between Anthony and Augustus where Hirtius and Pansa the two Consults were slain and Anthony lost the day This place is the residence of its Dukes as Mantoua is of hers Dukedoms of Parma and Placentia The Dukedom of PARMA and PLACENTIA Northwards of Mantoua hath for its chief place Parma seated in a fruitful Plain five miles from the Appenuines It is about four miles in circuit adorned with many rich and stately Structures is very populous and well inhabited by Gentry who are much addicted to Learning and Arms it hath a fair and spacious Campagnia which feeds abundance of Sheep and here the Duke hath his Palace which is a place of great delight and state This Country boasts of its Parmasan-Cheese so much esteemed by some The chief place of Placenza is so called it is seated on the Po comodious for Traffick and famous for its Fairs in Exchanges here quarterly kept which are much resorted unto it is about five miles in compass a place of good strength and beauty being adorned with many fair and rich Structures and Churches Bishoprick of Trent The Bishoprick of TRENT whose chief City bears its names it is seated in a Plain and surrounded with Mountains of an excessive height being always covered with Snow by reason of which it is more fit for Wines than Corn. The City is not large but indifferent strong its Houses are fair and stately its Streets large its Churches beautiful and richly adorned and its Royal Palace sumptuous and stately This City is famous for the general Council there held for the establishment of the Roman Catholick Religion ITALY particularly so called The second part of Italy according to our method will contain the Estates of the CHVRCH and TOSCANE which may again be subdivided into others which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of which in order Territory of Ferraresse The Territory of FERRARESSE about 160 miles in length and 50 in breadth had once Dukes of its own but now belongs to the Pope its chief place is Ferrara so called from the Iron-Mines about it it is seated on the Po which serves as a Rampire to defend it on the one side as doth a strong Wall well fortified with a spacious Mote on the other side it is about five miles in compass beautifully built and adorned with superb Edifices and is accounted one of the pleasantest Cities in Italy having in the midst thereof a spacious Green into which doth open about 20 Streets most of which are about half a mile in length and so even and uniform that from thence the utmost ends of each may be easily discovered It is well inhabited rich and dignified with an Vniversity Province of Bolognois The Province of BOLOGNOIS Eastwards of Modena hath for its chief place Bologna once the head of 12 Cities it is seated on the River Aposa and in a large and fertil Territory for Corn Wine Fruits and Olives it is about five miles in circuit and begirt with a Wall This City is adorned with many fair and proud Buildings in which they observe a uniformity amongst which is the Pope's Palace for his retirement which for grandure and statelyness is fit to give entertainment to any Prince in Christendom It is dignified with the chief Vniversity of Italy famous for the study of the Civil Law it is proudly built having spacious Courts Province of Romandiola ROMANDIOLA or ROMAGNE Eastwards of Bolognese hath for its chief places 1. Ravenna seated on the Adriatick and once a place of good account having one of the fairest Havens in the World which is now choaked up This City was the seat of the Emperour Honorius and his Successors then of the Gothish Kings and lastly of its Patriarch but now as its Haven is choaked up so is the Land covered with water which makes it become useless 2. Rimini seated on the mouth of the River Rubicon 3. Cervia seated on the Adriatick Sea a place where so great quantity of Salt is made that the Popes part is valued yearly at 60000 Crowns and 4. Faenza Dukedom of urbin The Dutchy or Dukedom of VRBIN not long since fallen to the Holy Seat it lying in the midst of his Territories It s chief places are 1. Vrbin seated at the bottom of the Appennine formed like a Miter 2. Belfort seated in the Midland 3. Fano a Sea-port Town to Vrbin where the English do
to make it a perfect place of pleasure its Courts are fair and its Gardens spacious and delightful having therein excellent Fountains Groves Labyrinths and Walks besides a place where all sorts of wild Beasts are kept Besides this Palace here are several fair and superb Edifices being a place so extraordinary beautiful that Charles the Arch-Duke used to say It was fit to be seen only on Holy days Here are 44 Parish Churches about 50 Nunneries 14 Fryeries 12 Priorates and about 30 Hospitals This City was built by Sylla that bloody Dictator and was made a Colony by the Triumviri It was razed by the Lombards re-edified by Charles the Great bought its Liberty of Rodolphus and now continues subject to the Medices Dukes of Florence This City enjoys a great Trade by reason of the Priviledges and kind entertainment which they find all sorts of Merchandize being here landed free from all Imposts Duties and Customs an advantage not found in many places 2. Pisa seated at the entrance of the River Arno into the Sea It was once a very large City and had great Territories Corsica Sardinia and Baleares having been under its subjection being very rich and powerful both by Land and Sea but the many shocks of Ill-fortune have reduced it within one half of its Ancient limits yet it s many good Buildings shew its ancient splendor 3. Sienna in Sanase built by Brennus the Gaul an Inland-City seated in a large pleasant and fertil Territory adorned with beautiful Buildings both publick and private 4. Pistoya a City though small yet rich and well built famous for its beginning that bloody faction of the Neri and Bianchi as of the Guelfes and Ghibillines And 5. Ligorne seated at the mouth of the Arno a fair and beautiful City being accounted the strongest and one of the principal Towns of Trade in the Mediterranean Seas This City not many years past was purchased by the Florentines of the Genois for 120000 Duckets before which it was a place of no great note nor beauty being a reception for Thieves Murtherers Pirates and all sorts of Religions or rather Irreligious people but now it is well inhabited and resorted unto by Merchants abounding in several rich Commodities Common-wealth of Lucque c. The Commonwealth of LVCQVE the Signiory of PIOMBINE the Isle of ELBE and the Principality of MASSA make up the rest of Toscany This last is but small in circuit but yeilds abundance of white Marble and is beautified with the Cities of Massa and Carrara the last oftner the residence of the Prince the former strengthned with a stately Castle both beautified with excellent Marble Statues LVCQVE comprehends the Territory and Town of Lucca which is seated on the River Serchius in a Plain about three miles in circuit a place of good beauty being replenished with many fair Edifices and stately Churches amongst which that of St. Martin is the chief and the Walls are so adorned with Trees that at a distance it seems a City in a Wood. It is of note for being the meeting place of Pompey Caefar and Crassus all three famous Commanders where they consulted and joyned into a Confederacy for the enlarging their Possessions and gaining more honour Isle of Elbe Next the Isle of ELBE seated nigh the shoar and opposite to the Isle of Corsica It s chief places are 1. Cosmopoli and 2. Porto Longone And opposite to this Isle on the Toscane shoar is the small Signiory of PIOMBINE Kingdom of NAPLES Kingdom of Naples The third and last part of Italy in general we have comprehended under the Kingdom of NAPLES which by some have been divided into 6 parts viz. Terra di Lavoro Calabria Superiour and Inferiour Abruzzo Pugia or Capitanata and Terra di Otranto It is enclosed on all parts with the Sea except towards the Lands of the Church it is every where very fertil and by some accounted the richest in all Italy abounding in excellent Wines Silks both raw and wrought into many Fabricks in Oils Saffron Almonds Anniseeds Argal Brimstone Mines of several Metals c. It is well water'd with Rivers and fresh Streams affords plenty of Cattel Fowls and Grains and is throughout replenished with fair pleasant and beautiful Cities and Towns Its parts are 1. TERRA DI LAVORO in which part is seated Naples the Metropolitan City in this Kingdom and one of the fairest of Europe calied by the Italians Napoli la Gentile as being inhabited by so many Nobles and Gentlemen It is seated on the Mediterranean shoar amongst pleasant Hills and fruitful Fields a City of great antiquity being said to be built by Hercules it is about 7 miles in compass fortified with 4 strong Castles a strong Wall with Towrs Ditches c. so that it is in a manner impregnable it is beautified with many superb Structures and magnificent Churches Monasteries Colledges Courts and Palaces of Princes and Nobles adjoyning to pleasant and delightful Gardens its Port and Haven is commodious and good where are kept store of Gallies This place of late years hath been famous for its strange Rebellion under Massanello a poor Fisher-man here is an Hospital endowed with 60000 Crowns yearly for the maintenance of the sick maimed and impotent People The second City is Cajeta commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar a place of good strength 3. Potzol a fair and beautiful City seated on the Sea-shoar enjoying a commodious Port. 4. Capua seated on the Banks of the River Vulternus a place of great antiquity and once very beautiful 5. Nola where Hannibal received an overthrow by Marcellus and 6. Euma once a fair and beautiful City but now nothing but a heap of Ruins nigh to which is the Lake Avernus much famous amongst the Poets whose unwholsom sulphureous stink so infecteth the Air that Birds flying over it lose their lives and hereabouts according to fiction the Poets descend into Hell and here Aeneas went down into Hell to talk with his Father Part of Calabria Superiour 2. CALABRIA Superiour hath for its chief places 1. Tarentum built by the Lacedemonians and is the Birth-place of Architas the Philosopher 2. Cotrone whose Inhabitants were noted for their activity in the Olympick Games 3. Sybaris built and peopled by the Grecians after the destruction of Troy 4. Amycle formerly peopled by the Pythagoreans and 5. Cosenza a fair City being the chief of these parts Part of Calabria Inferiour 3. CALABRIA Inferiour whose chief parts are 1. Peste or Pessidonia where Roses grow thrice a year 2. Regio Rhezo or Rhegium so called because that here it is thought that Sicily was by the Sea broken from Italy 3. Salernum famous for the study of Physick and 4. Nicotera seated on the Sea-shoar Part of Abruzzo 4. ABRVZZO hath for its chief places 1. Aquila seated near the Appennine 2. Aquino the Birth-place of that famous School Divine Thomas Aquinas 3. Sulmona the Birth-place of Ovid the famous Poet. 4. Benevento
inclining to cold than heat yet by reason of the famous Cities of Constantinople Adrianople and others here seated renders it the chief and best inhabited of all Greece It s chief places are Adrianople so called by the Emperour Hadrian who repaired it it was added to the Kingdom of the Turks by Bajazet Anno 1362 and continued the Seat of their Kings till Mahomet the Great took Constantinople from Constantine Palaeologus the last of the Eastern Emperours about 90 years after Blunt in his Voyage to the Levant in his description of this City saith That it is seated on three low Hills of which that in the midst is the largest and fairest on the top of which is a stately and magnificent Mosque and in the Churchyard are about 30 or 40 Cocks under a stately Fountain for People to wash before Divine Service as also at the bottom of this Building on the North and South sides are 20 Conduits with Cocks and on the East side are the Priests Lodgings and Gardens and round the Church-yard are Baths Cloysters and a Colledge for the Priests with other useful Offices all covered with Lead In this City are several Besestines or Exchanges some of good account as likewise many fair Hanes To this City are four stately and lofty Bridges of Freestone which make a pleasant shew and is a fair large and well composed City 2. Gallipoli seated near the Hellespont but within the Sea of Marinora This was the first City that the Turks possessed in Europe it being surprized by Solyman Son to Orchanes in Anno 1358. Here the Beglerbegh of the Sea hath his residence A little below Gallipoli is the streightest passage of the Hellespont a place formerly famous for Xerxes his Bridge but especially for the two Castles of Sesto on the European side and Abydo opposite to it on the Asian shoar of note for the Loves of Hero and Leander which Castles are now called the Dardanelli and command the passage and are the security or Bulwark of Constantinople on this as those on the Thracian Bosphorus are on the other 3. Caridia seated on the Thracian Chersonese opposite to the Isle of Lemnos as also to Troas in Asia and therefore now called St. George's Arm. 4. Abdera the Birth-place of Democritus who spent his time in Laughing 5. Pera a Town of the Genoueses opposite to Constantinople 6. Galata also opposite to Constantinople from which it is parted by a River wherein is found a good Harbour for Shipping and here all the Western Christians as English French Dutch and Venetian Merchants have their common residence intermixed with Jews Grecians Armenians and some few Turks And lastly Constantinople the now Metropolitan City of all Greece the Seat of the Grand Signior and formerly of the Emperours of the East first built by Pausanias a LÃ cedemonian Captain about 660 years before the Birth of Christ It is a City very commodiously seated for an Universal Empire overlooking Europe and Asia commanding the Euxine or Black Sea the Hellespont and Sea of Marinara or Propontis on the upper part of which and near the Thracian Bosphorus it is seated where it hath a Haven so deep and capacious that the Turks for its excellency call it the Port of the World so that for strength plenty and commodity no place can compare to it This City is in form Triangular its Walls are composed of Stone and Brick equally intermixed to which it hath 24 Gates for entrance whereof 5 regard the Land and 19 the Water being about 16 miles in compass and supposed with Pera and Galata adjoyning to it and Scutari on the Asian side to contain about 700000 living Souls good part of which are Christians and Jews and it would be far more populous were it not for the Plague which like a Tertian Ague here reigneth every third year and sometimes oftner This City is adorned with many magnificent Buildings both publick and private as also with curious Statues and other such like Ornaments which were brought out of Rome and other parts There is no City in the World makes so stately a shew if beheld from the Sea or adjoyning Mountains as this doth whose lofty and beautiful Cypress Trees are so intermixed with the Buildings that it seemeth to represent a City in a Wood whose seven aspiring Heads for on so many Hills it is seated are most of them crowned with magnificent Mosques all of white Marble in form round and coupled above being finished at the top with guilded Spires some having two some four and some six adjoyning Turrets of a great height and very slender so that there is no City in the World hath a more promising Object and being entred so much deceiveth the expectation having many vacant places several rows of Buildings consisting only of Shops the Houses not fair lofty nor uniform the Streets exceeding narrow and ill contrived yet here are many stately Houses where the Great persons reside also many Canns for Merchants and abundance of Mosques amongst which that of Sancta Sophia is the chief once a Christian Temple To every one of the principal Mosques doth belong publick Bagâio's Hospitals with Lodgings Santons and Ecclesiastical Persons which are endowed with competent Revenues the inferiour Mosques for the most part are built square many of them Pent-houses with oper Galleries where on extraordinary times they pray The number of Mosques of all sorts including Scutara Para Galata and the Buildings that border the Bosphorus are said to be about 8000. This Temple of St. Sophia is almost every Friday which is their Sabbath visited by the Grand Signior by reason of its being so near his Seraglia which is divided from the rest of the City by a lofty Wall containing in circuit about three miles wherein are stately Groves of Cypresses intermixed with delightful Gardens artificial Fountains variety of Fruits and curious Plains The Buildings are low but rich and stately with several fair Courts one within another and to the South-side doth joyn the Grand Signiors Palace in which are also several large Courts and stately Structures On the left hand of one of the Courts the Divano is kept where the Bassa's of the Port administer Justice out of the second Court is a passage into a third into which Christians are not permitted entrance but upon great favour on the North-side stands the Grand Signiors Cabinet in form of a stately Summer-house having a private passage from his Seraglio and from this place he takes Barge to delight himself on the Water Not far from the Palace is a spacious place encompassed with Houses called the Hippodrom by the Ancients and by the Turks Almidan where every Friday the Spachies of the Court play at Giocho di Canni that is they are mounted on Horses and ride after one another throwing Darts at each other which they endeavour to avoid by their hasty turning The Black Sea is distant from Constantinople about 15 miles it is much troubled with
Anthony and Augustus on the other The chief places in this Province are 1. Armiro now the Seat of a Turkish Sangiac 2. Larissa seated on a fair River which at a small distance falls into the Gulph of Salonichi 3. Tricca and Pharsalis Province of Epire. The Province of EPIRE now called CANINA is very Mountainous hath for its chief places possessed by the Turks Praveza and Lartâ both Sea-Towns and the chief places in the Venetians possessions are Torre de Butrinto and Perga both Sea-Towns and places of good account opposite and nigh to which is the Isle of Corfou Mount Pindus In this Province is Mount Pindus sacred to Apollo and the Muses and here are also the Acroceraunean Hills so called for their being so subject to Thunder-claps Province of Achaia The Province of ACHAIA now called LIVADIA washed on the East with the Aegean Sea it is divided into these parts viz. Aetolia Attica Baeotia Locris Megaris Doris and Phocis in which parts are several good Cities and Towns amongst which are 1. Athens now Sitines more famous for its Antiquity than any thing else being now scarce any other than a Fishers Town but formerly a large rich and stately City the Nursery of Learning and a place from whence all Arts and Sciences spread themselves all over Aeurope 2. Thebes now Stives seated on the River Gephisus famous for the Wars here made between Polynices and Eteocles Sons to Prince Oedipus it was sack'd by the Macedons after which it was re-edified by Cassander but of no account nor beauty to what it was formerly Next to this City are the Streights not above 25 foot broad 3. Lepanto chief of Aetolia seated in the bottom of a Gulph so called and where Augustus and Anthony sought for the Empire of the World and where more lately was that signal Battle between the confederate Christians and the Turks This City enjoyeth a good Trade and affordeth several good Commodities as Silk Oils Cottons Galls Anniseeds Wax Hony Currans Wines c. 4. Marathon of note for the Victory of Miltiades gained against the powerful Army of Darius which consisted of 100000 Foot and 10000 Horse 5. Megara where Euclid taught Geometry 6. Platea nigh to which was fought an exceeding great Battle between the Grecians and the Persians 7. Delphos famous for the Temple of Apollo which was destroyed by the Phocians who took from it 60 Tuns of Gold 8. Sparta formerly of great Account and 9. Micenae famous for the Temple of Juno as also for the habitation of Agamemnor Nigh to this City was the Lake of Lerno where Hercules slew the Lernian Seven-headed Hydra In this Province is the famous Temple of Aesculapius where is also the Mount Helicon and Parnassus much famoused by the Poets and here are also those pleasant Arcadian Plains and the places where the Olympian Games were solemnized with several other memorable places of Antiquity Peloponnesus or the Morea PELOPONNESVS now called MOREA is a Peninsula bounded with the Sea except where it joyneth to Achaia by an Isthmus of about six miles in breadth the whole Peninsula is about 600 miles in compass and contained once many flourishing Provinces as ARCADIA ARGORIS ACHAIA PROPRIA ELIS LACONIA and MESSENIA but at present it is one sole Turkish Province The People were accounted the chief of all the Grecians and gave Rules to the rest as subordinate unto them The chief places are 1. Corinte seated at the foot of the Acrocorinthian Hills hard by the Fountain Pyrene a small Town and of little note to what it was being out of the ruins of the ancient and famous Corinth which was a place of great strength and power 2. Misistra once of good account 3. Thalana nigh unto which is Mount Tenarus from whence Hercules drew Cerbenus as also the Lake Lerna where the said Hercules slew the Monster Hydra 4. Selassia where Antigonus vanquished Clâomenus 5. Nemaea where Hercules slew the Lions 6. Olympia very famous for the Statue of Jupiter Olympicus which was 60 Cubits high and of a proportionate thickness being made of Gold and Ivory and in honour to this Jupiter were the Olympick Games instituted by Hercules and performed on the Plains of this City 7. Megalopolis the Birth-place of that eminent Historian Polybius 8. Mantinea nigh unto which the Theban Army which consisted of 30000 Foot and 3000 Horse routed the Army of the Athenians and Spartans which consisted of 2000 Horse and 25000 Foot where that gallant Leader Epaminondas received his deaths wound 9. Lacedemon 10. Argos 11. Thebes now ruinated but the chief places for Traffick now remaining arâ 12. Modon 13. Petras and 14. Coron all three Cities seated on the Sea-shoar subject to the same Customs and found to afford divers good Commodities the product of Turkey The ISLES seated in the GRECIAN or AEGEAN IONIAN and ADRIATICK Seas IN these Seas there are several Isles many of which are of good note and well frequented by Merchants most of which are in part if not altogether in the possession of the Grand Signior yet the Venetians are not quite expunged But the Turk hath divided all or most of them into eight Beglerbyats and 60 and odd Sangiacats that is into general and particular Governments The AEGEAN or GRECIAN ISLES Isle of Negroponte The chief of the Aegean Isles are 1. NEGROPONTE in the power of the Turks in circuit 365 miles It s chief places are 1. Negroponte seated in a Gulph so called 2. Caristo and Dion a Sea-port Town Isle of Stalimene 2. STALIMENE of old LEMNOS about 100 miles in circuit well peopled by Grecians except three Towns which the Turks keep strongly fortified to keep them in awe It s chief Town is Lemnos or Mirina but of no great note Here is a Sovereign Mineral against infection called Terra Sigillata the Earth thereof is made into small Pellets and sealed with the Turks Stamp and so dispersed and sold to Merchants for an excellent Antidote Isles of Sporades and Cyclades 3. The SPORADES and CYCLADES are a great body of several small Isles dispersed about this Sea or Archipelago and lie so thick that they oft-times become dangerous to Sea-men especially in Storms The chief of these Isles are 1. Milo so called for its abounding in Hony it is about 60 miles in compass very fertil and affordeth store of Grain and Oil but no Wine its chief place is so called 2. Tira 3. Tiresio 4. Nio 5. Stapalia about 50 miles in circuit whose chief place is so called 6. Morgo 7. Nicsia about 75 miles in compass 8. Livila 9. Zinara 10. Raclia 11. Siphano 12. Micone 13. Teno 14. Helena 15. Engia in a Gulph so called all small Isles 16. Fermenia about 60 miles in circuit 17. Zea about 50 miles in compass 18. Andri about 80 miles in compass not far from Negroponte and is found to afford the same Commodities its chief place bears the same name 19. Coos more
Province of Angoumois ANGOVMOIS South of Guienne hath for its chief place Angoulesme Province of Berry BERRY very fertil and hath rich Pastures on which are fed abundance of Sheep of whose Wool the Inhabitants make store of Cloth It s chief places are 1. Burges dignified with a flourishing Vniversity 2. Issoudun 3 Chasteau Roux 4. Argentum and 5. Sancerre Province of Dutchy of Burgundy BOVRGOGNE or BVRGVNDY which is subdivided into several less parts hath for its chief places 1. Dijon built by the Emperour Aurelian proud in her Parliament and for giving birth to St. Bernard 2. Autun once the chief City in the Province and dignified with an Episcopal See 3. Beaune famous for its stately Hospital equalizing many Princes Palaces and these places are in Bourgogne particularly so called 4. Challon in Challonnois belonging to the House of Orange 5. Mascon in Masconnois where the Devil made his visits and disputes to a Minister which story is sufficiently known being at large treated of in a Book entituled the Devil of Mascon 6. Semur in Auxois and 7. Chastillon on the Seine in the Country of Montagne Several small Countries Adjacent to this Province of Burgundy are the Countries of Charollois Auxerrois Bresse Balliage Beugey and Veromey The chief place of CHAROLLOIS is Chorolles of AVXERROIS Auxerre of BRESSE Bourge a Town so well built and so strongly fortified that it is esteemed impregnable of BALLIAGE which bordereth upon the Swisses and Savoy Gex which is not far distant from Geneve and of BVGEY and VEROMAY bordering upon Dolphin and Savoy Belly which is a place of some account Province of Lionnois LIONNOIS hath for its chief places 1. Lions seated upon the conjunction of the Roane with the Soane by some esteemed the second City of France a famous ancient Mart Town and the See of an Archbishop who is Primate of all France 2. Treveux in the Sovereignty of Dombes Mombrizon in the County of Forez and 4. Ville Franche in the Country of Beaujolois Province of Auvergne AVVERGNE hath for its chief places 1. Bourbon the Archambaul 2. Molins seated on the Elaver of note for their neat Cases of Knives and Scissers both in the part or Country of Bourbonnois 3. St. Pierre le Montier in Nivernois 4. Cleremont the Seat of Vercingetorix who so bravely opposed Caesar 5. Riom 6. Monferrand 7. Vic le Comte and 8. St. Flour all in Auvergne particularly so called 9. Gueret and 10. Dorat in the Part of La Marche Government of Guienne and Gascogne In the Government of Guyenne and Gascogne are several Provinces and Countries in which are seated many good Towns and Cities In GVYENNE are 1. the Province of Saintonge whose chief place is Sainctes 2. Guienne which hath for its principal City Bourdeaux seated on the Banks of the Gerende famous for being the Birth-place of King Richard the Second at present honoured with an Vniversity and a Parliament It is a place of a very great Trade and plentifully furnished with divers good Commodities especially Wines and Paper 3. Prigort hath for its chief place Perigueux seated on the Banks of Ila 4. Agenois whose chief place is Agen 5. Limosin hath for its chief places Limoges and Brive 6. Quercy in which are seated Cahors a rich and beautiful City built on the ascent of a Hill and Montalbon scituate on the Garond a place of good strength and 7. Rovergue whose chief places are Rodez and Vabres Provinces in Gascogne In GASCOGNE are also divers Provinces which with its chief places are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of the four Governments beyond the Loire beginning with Guienne and Gascogne Province of Languedoc LANGVEDOC may be divided into three quarters in which are several parts In the higher Langnedoc are the Cities of Toulousa in Toulousan a fair large City though of no continuance and is a place of a considerable Inland-trade 2. Alby in Albigeois 3. Castellan darry in Auraguais and 4. Foix in Foix. In the lower Languedoc are 1. Narbone the first Colony planted by the Romans next to Carthage out of Italy 2. Aleth 3. Limouth all in Narbone 4. Beziers 5. Agde and 6. Pemenas in the quarter of Beziers 7. Montpellier esteemed the healthfullest place for a pure Air in all France 8. Nismes and 9. Beaucaire all in the quarter of Nismes In the other part called Sevennes are 1. Mende in the quarter of Gevaudan 2. Le Puy in Velay 3. Viviers and 4. Vzes in the part of Vivarais Province of Daulphine The Province of DAVLPHINE is watered with the Roane and other Rivers and honoured with the title of the Princes of France It may be divided into three great parts which are subdivided into others viz. in the part or quarter towards the Roane are the Parts and Cities of Vienne in Viennois of some esteem for its excellent Sword-blades here made 2. Valence a fine City watered with the Roane 3. Romans 4. St. Marcellin 5. Crest and 6. Montelimar all in the higher and lower Valentinois and St. Pol Trois Chaux in the part of Tricastin In the quarter in the midst of the Province are 1. Grenoble in Grisivanden 2. Die in Diois and 3. le Bujiz in Baronies And in the quarter towards the Alpes 1. Embrun in Embrunois 2. Gap in Gapensois and 3. Brianson in Briansonnois Province of Provence PROVENCE washed by the Mediterranean Sea hath for its chief places towards the Roane Arles a Town well fortified by Henry the Fourth and Tarascon Upon the Sea 1. Marseille once a Colony of the Phoenicians commodiously seated on the Mediterranean shoar enjoying an excellent Haven and Road for Shipping which renders it a place of a considerable Trade and is well frequented by Merchants 2. Thollon the best Sea-port Town on the Mediterranean in all France having a capacious and safe Haven and is well resorted unto by Merchants 3. St. Tropes 4. Grace and 5. Vence In the midst of the Province are 1. Aix honoured with a Parliament 2. Salon 3. Apt and 4. Riez And towards the Alpes are Sisteron Digne Senez Glandeeve c. To the Province of PROVENCE doth belong the Country of Avignon and the Principality of Orange In Avignon are many walled Towns and some Cities the chief of which is Avignon a fair City seated on the Roane famous for being the ancient Seat of the Popes till removed to Rome This City is worthy of observation in that here is said to be 7 Parish Churches 7 Monasteries 7 Nunneries 7 Inns 7 Palaces and 7 Gates to its Walls as also for being made a Vniversity Principality of Orange In ORANGE are several good Towns and Cities the chief of which is Orange seated on the Meine of note for the wonderful and excellent Antiquities that are here to be seen and this Country belongs to the Prince of Orange To the twelve Governments we ought to add LORRAINE where are the Cities
part where are The Dutchies of And the Charollois in part Charolles Brabant Leuvain Brusselles Limbourg Limbourg Luxembourg Luxembourg Thionville Guelderland in part Ruremonde The Counties of Flanders Gand or Gaunt Lille Artois Arras St. Omer Hainault Mons Valenciennes Namur Namur The Marquisate of the Empire where is Anvers or Antwerp The Signieury of Malines Malines And near the LOW COUNTRY The Archbishoprick and Signieury of Cambray Cambray The County of Linghen Lighen To the R t Hon John Egerton Earle of Bridgewater Visc Berckley Bar t of Elsmere L d Leiutenant Buckingham Shire one of L d of his Matys most Hon. Privi Councell c. This Mapp is Humbly Dedicated by R B A GENERALL MAPP OF THE EMPIRE OF GERMANY with its severall Estates Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King c. GERMANY AND BELGIUM Or THE Low Countries Its Bounds Latitude and Longitude GERMANY is in the midst of those three parts which we have placed in the middle of Europe and extends it self from 45 ½ unto 54 ½ degrees of Latitude and from the 28th unto the 41 of Longitude This position shews that it lies in the middle of the Temperate Zone This Germany may be considered in three great parts of which each may be subdivided into three others We will call the great parts Germany about the Rhine Germany about the Danube and Germany about the Elbe and the Oder all which with its lesser parts are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of Germany according to which method we will proceed and then the first will be the Franche County or BVRGVNDY which is bounded with Bress Switzerland Lorraine and Champaine It s ancient Inhabitants were the Hedui who first called Julius Caesar into France and its People are at present esteemed warlike marching under the Colours of divers Princes and are known by the name of Walloons It is a Country so fertil that it hath been called the Flower of France within whose bounds some do esteem it It hath for its chief places 1. Besanson the Metropolis of Burgundy seated on the banks of the Doux a City of good strength and beauty and made an Vniversity by the commands of Charles the Fifth and Pope Julio the Third 2. Dole in the Balliage of Dole a Town of great strength riches and beauty famous for its Colledge of Jesuites 3. Gray in the Balliage of Amont and 4. Salius in the Balliage of Aval of some account for its rich Salt Fountain Besides these places in Burgundy are numbred 20 walled Towns and about 160 Lordships Province of Lorrain LORRAINE bordering on Burgundy famous for having had for its Duke Godfrey Sirnamed Bulloigne the Recoverer of the Holy Land from the Turks its Dukes now enjoy little else save the Title the Country being seized by the French It is of a fertil Soil affording plenty of Corn and Wine and hath store of Salt It s chief places are 1. Nancy in the Balliage of Francois once dignified with the Seat of the Duke 2. Vandrevange 3. Mirecourt 4. Vancoleur the Birth-place of Joan de Pucelle 5. Pont-a-Mason so named by reason of its Bridge over the Mosa 6. Metz and 7. Toul Country of Barrois Between this Province and Champaine lieth the Country of BARROIS and belongeth to Lorrain whence the eldest Sons of these Dukes were styled Princes of Barri It s chief places are Bar-le-Duc and St. Michael The several parts of the Catholick Low Countries The Catholick LOW COVNTRIES may be contained under the Dukedoms of Brabant Limbourg and Luxembourg the Earldoms of Flanders Artois Haynaut and Namur the Marquisate of the Empire the Signiory of Malines c. The whole Country is exceeding fertil yet found not very advantagious to the Spaniards who are Masters of it Dukedom of Brabant BRABANT for the most part of an ungrateful Soil yet well inhabited and stored with walled Towns and Villages the chief amongst which are 1. Lovaine a fair and large City being about four miles in circuit within its Walls and six without wherein are many delightful Gardens and Meadows and is of note for its Vniversity where there is a Seminary for English Jesuits 2. Brussels a City for its fairness and elegancy of its Buildings its extent being as large as Lovaine giveth place to few in the Netherlands It is at present the residence of the Spanish Governour for the Low Countries and 3. Breda once the Seat of the Prince of Orange till taken by the Spaniards City of Antwerp To the Dukedom of Brabant doth belong the Marquisate of the EMPIRE whose chief place is Anvers or Antwerp seated on the Schelde out of which it hath eight Channels cut the biggest of which are capable to receive about 100 great Ships which doth much facilitate its Trade it is a fair and large City being about seven or eight miles in circuit within its Walls which are strong high and broad enough for Coaches to pass on which the Nobility and Gentry commonly use to recreate themselves In this City are abundance of Painters and Gravers whose work is well received abroad To this Dukedom doth also belong the Signiory of Malines whose chief place bears the same name likewise the Archbishoprick and Imperial City of Cambria of good account and the Bishoprick and Imperial City of Liege seated on the Meuse a Town of good beauty being so filled with fair Abbies and Monasteries that it is called the Paradice of the Priests Dutchy of Limbourg LIMBOVRG hath many good Towns the chief of which are 1. Limbourg seated on the Banks of the Weser and giveth name to the Dutchy 2. Mastrich a place of great strength being held almost impregnable yet was gained lately by the French but through the assistance of the English under the command of his Grace James Duke of Monmouth 3. Dalen fortified with a Castle c. Dukedom of Luxembourg LVXEMBOVRG Northwards of Lorrain said to contain about 1000 Villages and 23 walled Towns the chief of which are 1. Luxembourg seated on the Elze 2. Thionville which with the other places suffered much in the time of the Wars betwixt France and Spain Forrest of Ardenna The Spaw In this Province is the famous Forrest of Ardenna once about 500 miles in compass now scarce 90 and in it or on its edges is the no less famous Waters of the Spaw so much frequented by the Europeans in and about the Month of July being found exceeding good for several Diseases in the body Man FLANDERS Earldom of Flanders described FLANDERS should be the most famous of all these Countries since it communicates its name to them all it is divided into Tutone Wallone and Imperiale The chief Cities and places in this Earldom are 1. Ghent whose Walls are seven miles in compass and was once of great beauty but now through the Seditiousness of its Inhabitants it is much ruinated a good part of it being
toleration of all Religions It is seated on the Tay which like a large but calm Sea floweth on the North-side and the River Amster taking its course from the South through three Lakes entreth the City passeth through it and falleth into the Tay. This City may be said to be the greatest Haven Town in the VVorld where there are commonly to be seen about a 1000 Sail of Ships to ride and by reason of its vast Trade to Foreign parts is found to have great plenty of all known Commodities as being general Traders to most places of Traffick 2. Rotterdam famous for giving Birth to Erasmus 3. Delft inhabited most by Brewers and their Relations 4. Harlem where Printing was first invented and the first Book that ever was Printed was Tully's Offices 5 Leyden dignified with a famous Vniversity the Town consisteth of 41 Islands the passage from one to the other being by Boats and Bridges there being about 40 of Wood and 110 of Stone 6. Dort where in Anno 1618. was held a National Synod against the Arminians 7. Brille 8. Alemar 9. Incluse and 10 the Hague a Village but the largest in the VVorld equalizing many fair Cities numbring about 2000 Houses and is very populous it is adorned with the Palaces of the States General who have here their Assemblies It will not be improper to speak of the power of these States by Sea which is so great than in Holland Zeland and Friezland they are able to put forth to Sea about 2500 Sail of Ships for burthen and war Nor can it be forgot how Margaret A strange Birth of 365 Children Sister to Floris the Fourth Earl of Holland had at one Birth being 42 years of Age 365 Children which were all Christned in two Basons in the Church of Lasdunen by Guido Bishop of Vtrecht who named the Males all Johns and the Females Elizabeths and the Basons are yet to be seen in the said Church The Earldom of ZELAND quasi Sea and Land Zeland consisting of seven Islands the remainder of fifteen which the Seas are said to have swallowed up in which were abundance of good Towns and Villages The seven Isles yet remaing are 1. Walcheren whose principal Towns are Middlebourg once enjoying a good Trade by the residence of the English Merchant-Adventurers and Flushing the first Town that the States took from the Spaniards being now a place of good strength and held to be the Key of the Netherlands The second Isle is South Beverland whose chief Town is Tergowse The third Schoven where are Sirexee and Brevers Haven The fourth Tolen whose principal place is Tertolenâ the other three Islands are North-Beverland Duveland and Wolferdike This Country is destitute of Fresh-water and Wood but in recompence is very fertil in Grains Earldom of Zutphen The Earldom of ZVTPHEN whose chief places are Zutphen seated on the Yssel a place of great strength Barony of utrecht The Barony of VTRECHT North of Holland hath 70 Villages and 5 walled Towns the chief of which are 1. Vtrecht a City commodiously feated for passage by Boats to divers other Towns which with the benefit of the common Ferries one may go in a day from hence to any of the 59 walled Towns equally distant from it and to Dinner to any of the 26 Towns and return at Night 2. Rhenen 3. Amsford 4. Wicket and 5. Montfort Barony of Overyssel The Barony of OVERYSSEL bounded on the East with Wesphalia its chief places are Deventer and Swoll in the quarter of Saland Oldenzee in the quarter of Tuente and Goevorden in the quarter of Drente Westfriezlands The Barony of WEST-FRIEZLAND is bounded on the VVest and North with the Sea is said to number 340 Villages and 10 Towns the chief of which are 1. Louvarden where there is held the Common Council for the Province 2. Harlingen a Maritim Town 3. Franicker of late made a University and 4. Dockum Groningue The Barony of GRONINGVE is a Town in West-Friezland having under its Jurisdiction 145 Villages of which the chief are Groningue Old Haven and Keykerke Under the name of Germany beyond the Rbine we comprehend Franconia Hessia and Westphalia Province of Franconia The Province of FRANCONIA is divided into three parts viz. into Ecclesiasticks or Bishopricks Laicks and Imperial Cities the Bishopricks are those of Writzberg Bamberg and Mergetheim Cites of good account the Laicks are the Marquisates of Cullembach and Onspach and the Counties of Holas whose chief place is Weickersheim and Wertheim whose chief place bears the same name and the Imperial Cities are 1. Nuremberg seated in a barren Soil yet by reason of the Industry of its Inhabitants is a place of good Riches and well frequented by Merchants for their Wares known by the name of Nuremberg-Wares 2. Francfort seated on the Moene which severeth it into two parts but joyned together by a fair Bridge It is encompassed with a strong double Wall it is a Free City of the Empire and famous for the two Fairs or Marts for Books here annually held the one in Lent and the other in September and 3. Schweinfurt Lantgravedom of Hassia The Lantgravedom of HASSIA Eastwards of Saxony its chief places are 1. Cassel a City seated in a fertil Soil yet of no great beauty 2. Marpurg an Vniversity and the Seat of the Second House of the Lantgraves and 3. Dormestad the Seat and Inheritance of the youngest House of the Lantgraves To this Province doth belong the Country of WALDECK whose Earls are subject to the Lantgraves its chief place is Gorbach Likewise to this Province belongeth WETTERAVIA whose chief places are Nassau Solins Hanâu and Isenbourg Province of Westphalia The Province of WESTPHALIA is divided into three parts to wit Ecclesiasticks Counties and Imperial Cities This Province was the ancient habitation of the Saxons the Soil is very fertil wonderfully stored with Acorns which makes their Swines-flesh excellent and so much esteemed The chief places in the Ecclesiasticks are those of Paderborne Minde and Arensberg also the Bishopricks of Collen Munster and Triers The Bishoprick of COLLEN taketh up a great part of Westphalia Bishoprick of Collen c. and hath for its chief place Collen a City well stored with Schools for the education of Youth and here according to Report were interr'd the Bodies of the three Wise-men which came from the East to worship our Saviour vulgarly called the three Kings of Collen The Bishoprick of MVNSTER hath its chief place so called seated on the River Ems where there is a Monastery so called built by Charles the Great 2. Warendrop and 3. Herwerden The Bishoprick of TRIERS hath for its chief places 1. Triers an ancient City seated on the Moselle 2. Bopport seated on the said River and 3. Engers The Counties belonging to Westphalia The Counties belonging to the Province of Westphalia are 1. EMBDEN whose chief place is Aurick 2. OLDENBOVRG whose chief place is
chief places 1. Amberg seated amongst Silver-Mines 2. Newbourg usually the portion of some of the younger Palatines 3. Castel where the Palatinates of the Rhine when they sojourn in this Country use to keep their Court 4. Sultzbach 5. Burglenfelt 6. Aichstet and 7. Pfreimt Dukedom of Austria with its parts The Arch-Dukedom of AVSTRIA is seated on both sides of the Danube and hath united to it as Horeditary possessions of that House the Provinces or Dukedoms of Stirie Carinthie Carniole the County of Cilley and the Marquisate of Windischmarch The particular Dukedom or Province of AVSTRIA is separate from Hungaria on the East by the Leite Austria its chief places are 1. Vienna seated on the Danube at present the Seat of the German Emperours as being the Metropolitan fairest and most beautiful City in all Germany being adorned with many magnificent Temples and stately Monasteries but above all with a most sumptuous and Princely Palace where the Emperour keeps his Court. It is esteemed the Bulwark of the Country against the Turks being of note for the repulse they gave the Turks in Anno 1526 when besieged by about 200000 under the conduct of Solyman the Magnificent and were thence repulsed with the loss of about 80000 Men. 2. Ems so called from the River on which it is seated 3. Wells 4. Crems seated on the Danube 5. Home 6. Newstat and 7. Bade Dukedom of Stirie The Dukedom of STIRIE is contiguous to Austria on the South hath for its chief places Grecz Pruck and Pettau Dukedom of Carinthie c. The Dukedom of CARINTHIE is South of the Alpes and hath for its chief places 1. St. Veit the Metropolitan City of this Country 2. Lavemunde and 3. Grucz The Dukedom of CARNIOLE adjoyning on Italy Westwards hath for its chief places Laubuch Gorice Gradisque and Czirknitz The Country of CILLEY whose chief place bears the same name The Marquisate of WINDISCHMARCH which hath for its chief places Metling and Radolfswred Germany about the Elbe and Oder contains Bohemia and the Higher and Lower Saxony To Bohemia are incorporated the Dukedom of Silesia and the Marquisates of Moravia and Lusatia BOHEMIA Kingdom of Bohemia THe Kingdom of BOHEMIA is encompassed with the Hercynian Forests which for a long time was a fence against the Romans it hath on the East Moravia and Silesia on the South Austria on the West Bavaria and on the North Luisatia The whole Kingdom contains 550 miles in circuit in which are said to be 780 Cities walled Towns and Castles and about 32000 Villages Its Inhabitants are much addicted to Drunkenness and Gluttony but the Nobility and Gentry for the most part are of another temper The Soil of the Kingdom is extreamly fertil and enriched with Mines of all sorts of Metal except Gold It is severed into 15 Provinces and hath for its chief places 1. Prague the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom and seated in the midst and on the River Mulda This City consisteth of four several Towns and every one of them have their peculiar Magistrates Laws and Customs to wit the Old Prague beautified with a famous Senate-house a large Market-house and several fair Structures then the New Prague separate from the Old by a deep and broad Ditch also the little Town so called which is divided from the Old Prague by the Mulda to which it is joyned by a fair Bridge In this City is the Hill Rachine on the sides of which are many beautiful Houses inhabited by the Nobility and on the summit thereof is a magnificent Palace and is the residence of the Bohemian Kings and later Emperours the fourth and last part is the Town of the Jews as by them inhabited where they have five Synagogues and live according to their own Laws 2. Coln 3. Jaromirz 4. Churdin 5. Hora 6. Tabor 7. Pisen 8. Ziatecz 9. Rakonick 10. Melnisk and 11. Nimburg all places of good account The Provinces Incorporate to Bohemia are the Dutchy of Silesia the Marquisates of Moravia and Lusasia Dutchy of Silesia SILESIA is Eastwards of Bohemia and is severed into two equal parts by the River Oder which hath here its beginning it is divided into three Dutchies fifteen Principalities and four Baronies whose names with their chief places I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Bohemia It s chief places are 1. Breslaw so called from a Duke of this Province who built it In the year 1341 it was totally burnt but since the rebuilding is become one of the neatest Towns in this part 2. Gros-glogaw 3. Jawer 4. Lignitz 5. Breslaw 6. Breig 7. Monsterbeg 8. Neiss 9. Oppelen 10. Ratibor 11. Troppaw and 12. Wartenberg Marquisate of Moravia The Marquisate of MORAVIA West of Bohemia is esteemed the most fertil Country for Corn in Germany abounding also in Myrrhe and Frankinsince not growing on Trees but out of the ground It is severed into three parts viz. Olmutz Brinn and Znaim and hath for its chief places 1. Brinn dignified with the Seat of the Marquiss 2. Olmutz seated on the Morava from whence the Country takes its name and is dignified with an Vniversity 3. Iglaw 4. Znaim 5. Kremsir 6. Krumlow and 7. Polna all places of good account Marquisate of Lusatia The Marquisate of LVSASIA South of Bohemia is divided into the Higher and Lower Lusasia a Country though but little yet able to Arm 20000 foot It hath for its chief places 1. Baudissen 2. Gorlitz 3. Sittaw 4. Soraw and 5. Guben The County of Glatzko and the Signiory of Egra belong likewise to the Kingdom of Bohemia SAXONY Saxony with its parts THE Lower part of Germany about the Elbe and Oder is taken up by Saxony which is divided into the Higher and Lower in the higher are the Estates of the Dukes of Saxony the Estates of the Marquisate of Brandenburg and the Dutchy of Pomerania In the Lower Saxony are several Archbishopricks Bishopricks Dutchies and Imperial Cities which I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Germany about the Elbe and the Oder Higher Saxony and its parts The Higher SAXONY for the most part belongs to the Duke and Elector of Saxony It is bounded on the East with Lusatia and Brandenburgh on the South with Bavaria and Bohemia on the West with Hassia and Franconia and on the North with Lower Saxony and Brandenburgh It is divided into the Dutchy of Saxony the Marquisate of Misne the Dutchy of Voitland Turinge with its several parts and the Principality of Anhalt The chief places in the Dutchy of Saxony are 1. Wittenberg seated on a plain and Sandy barren ground once dignified with the Seats of the Dukes of Saxony famous for the Sepulchers of Luther and Melancthon it is dignified with an Vniversity and of this Town there is a common Proverb That a man shall meet nothing but Schollers Whores and Swine which last is their food and 2. Worlets seated on the Albis
Province of Misne The Province of MISNE hath for its chief places 1. Dresden seated on the Albis the residence of the Duke and Prince Elector of Saxony it is a place of great strength having on its Walls and Bulwarks 150 Peeces of Ordnance being the Dukes Magazin for Arms and Men where upon a days warning he can make ready 30000 Horse and Foot 2. Dipsick seated in a fruitful Plain for Corn a fair Town graced with large Streets and beautified with many lofty Buildings of Freestone and is of some account for its University for the study of Philosophy and it is observed that these Philosophers amongst other Secrets in nature find Beer so good that the Duke gains by the Custom thereof drunk by them and the Inhabitants who follow their steps about 20000 l. per annum sterling Dutchy of Voitland The Dutchy of VOITLAND is of no large extent and of as little note its chief places are Altembourg and Zuickaw Province of Turinge The Province of TVRINGE about 120 miles in length and breadth is divided into several parts and hath for its chief places 1. Erdford a fair and large City 2. Jeve an University of Physitians 3. Smalcald famous for the Lutheran League here made in Anno 1530 by the German Princes which in a short time was propogated over all Christendom 4. Cobourg 5. Quedelimberg 6. Salsfeldt 7. Mulhausen and 8. Northausen which two last are Imperial Cities The Principality of ANHALT hath for its chief places Dessau and Bernebourg Anhalt Marquisate of Brandenbourg The Marquisate of BRANDENBOVRG East of Poland is in compass about 520 miles is separated into the parts of Altmark Mittle Mittlemarck Marche and Newmarck its chief places are 1. Havelberg scituate on the River Havel the Seat of a Bishop 2. Brandenbourg which communicates its name to the Country 3. Berlin seated on the River Spre the ordinary residence of the Marquiss 3. Francfort seated on the Oder to distinguish it from the other on the Meine and in a fertil Soil for Corn and Wine it is dignified with an Vniversity and a great Mart Town but not comparable to the other Francfort and 5. Landsberg Province of Pomerania The Province of POMERANIA South of Brandenbourg is divided into nine Dutchies whose names are set down in the Geographical Table It s chief places are 1. Stettin the residence of the Prince which from a poor Fisher Town is now become the chief of the Country 2. Walgast once a famous Mart Town where the Russians Vandals Danes and Saxons had their particular Streets of abode for Trade but now it is lost and from thence removed to Lubeck 3. Gripsvald an University 4. Straelsond 5. Bergen 6. Stargart 7. Colberg 8. Stolpe and 9. Lowenbourg That part of the Country about Stettin belong to the Swede and that towards Colberg to the Marquisate of Brandenbourg Lower Saxony with its parts The Lower SAXONY is divided into the Archbishopricks Bishopricks divers Dutchies with some Imperial Cities the names of all which are set down in the Geographical Table of Saxony In this Lower Saxony are divers good Towns and Cities the chief of which are 1. Magdebourg a City which gives name to its Territory 2. Breme which also gives name to its Territory or Archbishoprick is one of the Hans-Towns so called from the freedom of Traffick here used it is commodiously seated on the Visurge which runneth through the City and at five miles distance falleth into the Sea 3. Ferden 4. Hiddelshein 5. Halberstat which three last are all Cities which give name to their Territories or Bishopricks The several Dutchies are HOLSTEIN or HOLSATIA where are the Cities of Kyell Segelberg and Gluckstad Dutchy of Lunebourg The Dutchy of LVNEBOVRG hath for its chief places 1. Lunebourg said to be so called from the Moon which the ancient Inhabitants worshipped it is an Imperial and Free City of good strength being well fortified with thick Mud-walls and deep Ditches and its Buildings are fair a place well known for its salt ââuntain here found over which is built a spacious House containing 52 Rooms in every one of which are placed eight Chaldrons of Lead in each of which are boiled a Tun of Salt every day the profit of which is divided into three parts one to the Duke another to the City and the other to the Monastery and some adjoyning Earldoms And 2. Celle the Seat of the Duke of Lunebourg Dutchy of Brunswick c. The Dutchy of BRVNSWICK hath for its chief places 1. Brunswick seated in a fertil Soil for Corn a free Imperial City strongly fenced about with Walls besides the River of Ancor which encompasseth it this place is famous for its Mum which the Inhabitants are so much addicted unto that they commonly spend the Forenoons about their Affairs and the Afternoons in good Fellowship 2. Wolfenbutten the Seat of the Dukes of Brunswick The Dutchy of GRVBENHAGEN whose chief place is Limbeck The Dutchy of GOTTINGEN whose chief place is Gottingue The Dutchy of LAWENBOVRG whose chief places are Lawenbonrg and Hadler The Dutchy of MECKLENBOVRG West of Pomerania hath for its chief places 1. Wismar so named from Wisamarus a King of the Vandals Father of Rhadaguse who with Alarick the Goth sacked Rome 2. Rostock an University and 3. Scierin Amongst the Imperial Free Cities or Hans-Towns which are about 72 most of which are seated on the Sea-shoar or navigable Rivers enjoying large Immunities and able to put to Sea about 100 Sail of Ships these following are of most note 1. Lubeck seated on the Trane which on the North-side divides Germany from Denmark and on a spacious Hill on the top whereof is a beautiful Church from whence lead Streets to all the Gates of the City besides which there are nine other Churches it is encompassed with a double Wall one of Brick and the other of Earth and in some parts deep Ditches where Ships of about 1000 Tuns are brought up to Winter from Tremuren its Maritim-Port seated on the Baltick Sea from which it is about a miles distance The Buildings of this City are of Brick and very beautiful to which they have many pleasant Gardens and the Inhabitants are to be commended for their civility to Strangers as also for their strictness in the execution of their Justice 2. Hambourg seated on a large and Sandy plain and on the banks of the Albis where it divides Germany from Denmark it is a strong City encompassed with a deep Ditch and on the East and North-sides with a double Ditch and Wall and hath six Gates for entrance the Haven being shut up with Iron-Chains and strictly guarded It is adorned with many fair buildings as the Senate-house the Exchange c. hath nine Churches for Divine Worship and its private Houses are for the most part neatly built it is very populous well Inhabited and frequented by Merchants especially by the English who have here a Factory
together extend from about the 48th degree of Latitude unto the 57th which are about 225 French Leagues and from the 38th of Longitude unto the 61 and have near as much Continent again as France They are bounded on the East for the most part by Moscovy Bounds and part of the Petit Tartars on the South the Mountains oâ Caprack and the River Neister divide them from Hungaria Transilvania and Moldavia on the West by Germany and toucht in part on the Balticâ Sea and on the North they are bounded part by Livonia and Moscovy Ancient Inhabitants The Ancient name of Poland was Sauromatia from its Inhabitants the Sauromatae afterwards by Lechius the first Duke hereof in Anno 550 it was called Poland which signifies a plain Country as generally it is It was made a Kingdom by the Emperour Otho the Third Anno 1000 Boleslaus being Duke and hath ever had its Dukes and Kings elected by the States who by reason of their vicinity to the Turks generally chuse a Warriour Fertility Commodities c. The Country is plain well clothed with Firs and other Timber-Trees the Air is so cold that they have neither Wine nor Grapes instead of which having store of Barly they make use of the Old drink of England viz. Ale The Country is well furnished with Grains and Fruits but they are but lean their chief Commodities are rich Furs Horses Hony Wax Bow-staves Buff-hides Ambergreese Flax Linnen-cloth Masts Cordage Boards Wainscot Timber Rozin Tar and Pith of both kinds Match Iron Stock-fish Salt digged out of the Earth Pot-ashes Rye in great plenty for which it hath made Dantzick famous It is well furnished with Flesh Fowl and Fish and to waâds the Carpatian Mountains of Hungaria are found Mines of Gold and Silver as also Iron and Brimstone To the R t Worship Full Sr Robert Clayton of the Citty of London Kt and Alderman and Lord Mayr thee of Anno 1680 This Mapp is D D by R B P of the ESTATES of the CROWNE of POLAND where are the KINGDOM of POLAND withits Palatinates the DUTCHES of RUSSIA-NOIRE CUJAVIA MOZOVIA PRUSSIA âIA VOLHYNIA PODOLIA c Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King The Revenue of the King The Revenue of the King is not great for so large a Country and that which is he receiveth from them quarterly the Kingdom being divided into four Parts every one of which keepeth the King and Court a quarter which Revenue is not certain but more or less according to his occasions by War Marriage of his Daughters or the like Poland with its parts and chief places The Kingdom is divided throughout into Palatinates and Castlewicks Poland taken particularly is divided into the Higher and Lower in the Higher are the Palatinates of Cracou Sandomirz and Lublin Places of most note in these parts are 1. Cracou or Cracovia seated in a Plain and on the Banks of the Vistula dignified with the residence of the King It is in form round the Houses fair and lofty and built of Freestone in the midst of the City is a large Quadrangle Market-house where is seated the Cathedral Church and the Senate-house for the Citizens about which are several Shops for Merchants The City is encompassed with two strong Stone Walls and a dry Ditch on the East-side of the City is the Kings Castle being fair well built and pleasantly seated on a Hill as also the Kings and Queens Lodgings on the West is a Chappel where the Kings are interr'd and on the North-side Lodgings for Entertainment and Feasting the South-side being without Buildings but as to matters of Trade this City is of small account Also Sandomirz and Lublin both chief Cities of their Palatinates are in the higher Polonia or Poland Lower Poland In the Lower Poland are the Palatinates of Posna Kalisch Sirad Lencinâ Dobrzin Ploczk and Rava whose chief Cities or places bear the same name and are the residence of their Palatines Besides which there are several other Towns of good note which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of the Kingdom and in chief Posna and Gnesna dignified with the See of an Archbishop who during the Interregnum of the King holdeth the Supream Authority in the Kingdom and summoneth the Diets To Poland doth also belong the Dutchies of Russia Noire Cujavia Mazovia Prussia and Polaquie Russia Noire RVSSIA NOIRE hath for its chief places Loewenberg and Belz both chief of their Palatinates OVJAVIA hath for its principal places Brzesti and Vladislau Cujavia both chief of their Castelwicks Mazovia with its places MAZOVIA hath only one Palatinate viz. Czersk under which is comprised several Cities and Castlewicks the chief of which is Warzaw one of the fairest in the Kingdom it oft-times being the residence of the Kings of Poland a place noted for its excellent Metheglin here made PRVSSIA is considered in two parts Prussia which are called Royale and Ducale Prussia Royale is immediately subject to the Crown of Poland and hath its Palatinates in the Cities of 1. Dantzick seated on the Vistula at its influx into the Baltick Sea and at the foot of a great Mountain which hangs over it it is the fairest best and of the greatest Trade of any in Prussia Through this City runs a River very commodious to the Inhabitants whereon are many Mills for the grinding of Corn which is here found in great plenty as also a Water-Mill for the conveyance of water in Pipes to their Houses and by reason of its great Trade for Corn with England and other parts they have a great many Granaries or Store-houses for the same which is hither brought them from Poland 2. Elbin though but small yet a fair City and indifferently well frequented by the English Merchants 3. Marienburg the Seat of the Masters of the Dutch Knights 4. Culne and 5. Thorn which though it hath no Palatinate is esteemed by many next to Dantzick Prussia Ducale belongs to the Marquess of Brandenbourg who holds it from the Crown of Poland It hath only one Palatinate at Koningsberg seated on an Inlet of the Baltick Sea and washed with the River Pegel it is a fair City a famous Mart and a good University and before its Coast is gathered great quantity of Ambergriece This Ambergriece is the juyce of a Stone growing like Coral on a Rock in the North-Sea continually covered with Water and in the Months of September and December by the violence of the Sea is rent from the Rocks and cast into the Havens of the Neighbouring Countries POLAQVIE is a small Province between the Estates of Poland and Lithuania Polaquie and seems to have belonged to Mozavia Bielsk is the Seat of its Palatinate And hitherto we have treated of the Estates of Poland almost all on the Vistula or the Rivers that fall into it on which are seated the three fairest Cities of these Quarters viz. Cracow towards its Spring
Dukedom of Holstein HOLSTEIN or HOLSATIA a woody low and Marshy Country is severed into the Parts of Holsatia especially so called Wagrie Stormarch and Dilmarch HOLSTEIN or HOLSATIA hath for its chief places 1. Kiel seated on a navigable Arm of the Baltick where it hath a large Haven being a Town of a good Trade 2. Rendesborg said to be the strongest Town in all the Province 3. Wilsted and 4. Nienmunster WAGRIE hath for its chief places 1. Lubeck an Imperial and free City enjoying the priviledges of a Hans-Town it is pleasantly seated on the confluence of the Billew and on the North-banks of the Trane severing it from Germany and empty themselves into the Baltick being capable to receive Ships of a great burthen which they lade and unlade at Tremuren the Maritim Port at about a miles distance it is built on all sides upon a rising Hill on the Summit whereof is placed a fair and beautiful Church called St. Maries being the Cathedral from whence on an easie descent there are Streets which lead to all the Gates of the City which afford a fair prospect to the Eye besides which it is adorned with 9 other Churches one of which being a decayed Monastery is converted to an Armory to keep their Ammunition for War It is about 6 miles in compass encircling within its Walls divers fair and uniform Streets beautified with good Brick-buildings is very populous and well inhabited by Citizens and Merchants who drive a considerable Trade on the Baltick Seas But this City as also Hamburgh is esteemed rather part of Lower Saxony in Germany where I have also treated of them 2. Segeberg 3. Odesloe 4. Niestad and 5. Oldenborg STORMARCH hath for its chief places 1. Hambourg an ancient City built by the Saxons since made an Imperial City enjoying the Priviledges of a Hans-Town seated on the North-banks of the Albis which divides it from Germany of which it is reckoned a part or member and there treated of in the description of the Lower Saxony to which I refer the Reader 2. Krempe seated on a River of the same name which emptieth it self into the Store a strong and well fortified Town being reckoned for one of the Keys of the Kingdom 3. Bredenberg a Town of great strength belonging to the Rantzoves 4. Gluckstade seated on a Bay or Creek of the German Ocean and therefore well fortified to command the passage up the Elbe and 5. Tychenberg seated on the Elbe being so well fortified that it is now held the strongest Town in this Kingdom DILMARCH or DITMARCH hath for its chief places 1. Meldrop seated on the Sea a place of some account and the chief of the Province 2. Heide and 3. Lunden a Haven Town seated on the Eider which rising in this Peninsula here emptieth it self into the Ocean The BALTICK ISLES THese Islands which are between Juitland and the Coast and farther in the Baltick Sea are in number 35 and are so called as being dispersed in these Seas The Baltick Sea begins at the narrow passage called the Sound and interlacing the Countries of Denmark Poland Germany and Sweden extendeth to Livonia and Lithuania The reason according to the Opinion of many why this Sea which is so large doth neither ebb nor flow may be as well from its Northern scituation whereby the Celestial influences have the less predominancy as also from the narrowness of the Streight which receiveth the Ocean The chief of these Isles I have set down in the Geographical Table of this Kingdom of which a word or two and first with Zeland ZELAND anciently Codanonia from the Codani its Inhabitants Zeland the Isle is very fertil the greatest and of most importance of any in the Baltick to the King of Denmark as lying not above three miles from the main Land of Scandia which narrow Streight is called the Sound through which all Ships must pass that have any Trade into the Baltick all paying to the said King a certain Toll according to the bigness or Bills of Lading by which ariseth a great Revenue unto him and for the security of this passage there are built two exceeding strong Castles the one in this Isle called Cronenberg and the other in Scandia called Hilsemberg of which more anon In this Isle are 7 strong Castles and 13 Cities or walled Towns the chief of which are 1. Copenhagen or Haffen the chief of the Isle seated near the Sea having a commodious Port it is built orbicular of a good strength being defended by a powerful Castle its Houses are but meanly built yet it hath a spacious Market-place and is dignified with the residence of the King for the Winter season whose Palace is built of Freestone quadrangular but of no great splendor as also with the only Vniversity in the Kingdom 2. Elsenour seated on the Sea side of it self but a poor Village were it not for the great resort of Sea-men in their passage through the Sound into the Baltick this being the place where they pay their Toll and in this Village is the stately and well fortified Castle of Cronenburg built in the very Ocean and bravely resisting the fury of its Waves now the ordinary residence of the King being a pleasant prospect into the Sea on the South-side of this Castle is a large and commodious Road for Shipping 3. Roschilt once a rich City now only famous for being the Sepulchre of the Danish Kings where in the Cathedral Church they have their Tombs it is also dignified with the See of a Bishop 4. Fredericksbourg a Fortress built in a pleasant Plain often visited by the King in his retirement where he hath a delightful House seated in a Park 5. Warborg 6. Ringstede 7. Holbeck 8. Slages c. FVINEN or FIONIE seated betwixt Zeland and Juitland Fuinen and almost joyning to the Main-land it is of a fextil Soil and pleasant scituation being in length about 12 Dutch miles and 4 in breadth It s chief places are 1. Osel or Ottonium so called from Otho the Great who founded here an Episcopal See seated in the midst of the Isle from which the other Towns are of an equal distance which renders it very commodious for Traffick it is not large having but two Churches and its Buildings are neat and ornamental enough 2. Niborg 3. Swinborg 4. Kartemunde 5. Woborg and 6. Ascens all or most of them seated on some convenient Creek or Haven FIMERA a very fertil and well peopled Isle Fimera and here it was that Tycho Brache the famous Mathematician built an Artificial Tower in which are or were many rare Mathematical Instruments its chief place is Petersborne of some importance to the King of Denmark ALSEN a small Isle appertaining to the Dukedom of Sleswick Alsen is very populous contains 13 Parishes and 4 Towns viz. Osterholme Gammelgard Norbarch and Sunderburg dignified with the residence of the Duke of Sleswick TVSINGE a very small Isle Tusinge and of
no great account by reason of its dangerous scituation its chief place is Niburg ARROE a small Isle belonging to the Duke of Sleswick Arroe it contains three Towns the chief of which is Koping fortified with a Castle so called LONGLAND an indifferent long Isle but not very broad Longland its chief place is Rudkoping of some account LALAND not far distant from Zeland abounds in Corn and Chesuuts Laland fraighting therewith many Vessels yearly it is very populous for the bigness contains 3 Towns viz. Maxcow Rodby and Maribo besides a great many Villages and some Castles FALSTER a small Isle fertil in Corn seated near to Laland Falster its chief places are Nikoping of a pleasant scituation and Stubekoping In the Baltick and between the Lands of Sweden are also several Isles the chief amongst which are BORNHOLME Bornholm seated not far from Gothland an Isle very fertil feeding abundance of Cattle It hath many gooâ Towns and Villages the chief of which are Nex Rottonby and Suomneckier GOTHLAND Gothland an indifferent large Isle in form round and narrow noâ in the possession of the Swedes It yields white Marble excellent for building the City of Wisby seated in the midst of the Isle was once so famous foâ Traffick that it gave Maritim Laws to the Baltick Sea That which the King of Denmark possesses as particularly belonging to thaâ Crown on the Coast of Scandinavia is part of the ancient Gothland thâ most Southern of which that we are now treating of is divided into Westro-Gothland and Ostro-Gothland which are again subdivided into the Provincâ of Hallandia which takes up Westro-Gothland and into the Provinces oâ Scania and Blecking which takes up Ostro Gothland and first of Hallandia HALLANDIA Hallandia now in the possession of the Swedes this Country oâ Province for fertility of Soil sweetness of Air store of Fish plenty of Leaâ and Brass Mines and thickness of Towns and Villages which are well inhabited is not inferiour to any It s chief places are 1. Warborg seated on thâ Sea-shoar and defended by a strong Castle built on the summit of a Hill sâ that it hath a great command over the Country 2. Laholm 3. Helmstââ 4. Falkenborg and 5. Hallandia or Katterop SCANIA Scanrâ or SCONEN hath on the North Hallandia and on all otheâ parts the Sea also now in the Swedes possession It is about 70 miles long and 48 broad the pleasantest Country in all Denmark most abundant iâ Fruits and richest in Merchandize and on the Sea-side are sometimes such great sholes of Herrings that they are found troublesom to Vessels It s chieâ places are 2. Lunden an Inland City dignified with the sole or Metropolitaâ Archbishop of Denmark the chiefest beauty in this City is the Cathedraâ Church a magnificent Structure beautified with excellent pieces of Art thâ chief whereof are the Clock and the Dial the Clock being so composed bâ Artificial Engines that whensoever it striketh two Horsemen give one another as many blows as the Clock striketh times also upon the opening of ãâã Door there is represented a Theatre where the Virgin Mary is seated on ãâã Throne with Christ in her Arms to whom the three Kings with their severâ Trains come in order and with reverence present their Gifts to her during which time two Trumpeters continually sound And next the Dial wherâ the year month week day and hour of the day throughout the year as also the motions of the Sun and Moon through each degree of the Zodiack thâ moveable and fixed Feasts c. are to be distinctly seen being neatly set forââ in variety of delightful Colours 2. Helsinborg fortified with an impregnablâ Castle and one of the Forts defending the Sound 3. Christiana a place ãâã great strength and 4. Malbogen a Port-Town opposite to Copenhagen BLECKLINGE Blecklinge also belonging to the Swedes hath on the East anâ South the Baltick Sea It is a Mountainous and barren Country and hatâ for its chief places 1. Malinogia the Birth-place of the famous Mathematiciaâ Gaspar Bartholinus who was said to be the inventer and maker of the afore said Clock and Dial. 2. Colmar an important Fortress against the Swedes until they gained the Province The Soil of Denmark is naturally better for Pasture than Tillage and feed such multitude of Oxen that at least 50000 are said to be yearly sent hence tâ Germany Their other Commodities are Fish Tallow Furniture for Shipping Armour Ox-hides Buck-skins Wainscot Fir-wood Furrs Pipe-staves Copper Wheat Rye c. A Generall Mapp of Scandinavia Where are the Estates and Kingdomes of Danmarke Norwaye and Sweden by Monsieur Sanson To the R t Worshippfull S. r Thomas Fitch of Eltham and Mount Mascall in the parish of North Cray in Kent K. t This Mapp D. D by R. B. NORWAY It s scituation temperature fertility Commodities c. THe Country of NORWAY is bounded on the North with Lippia on the East with the Dofrine Mountains which divide it from Sweden and on all other sides with the Sea on which with a disproportionate breadth it stretches its Coasts for 1300 miles in length The Country is extreamly cold being partly under the Frozen Zone and partly so near it that it all suffers under the inclemency of bitter Colds It is for the most part Mountainous full of vast Woods and of a Soil so barren and ungrateful to the Husbandman affording so little Corn that on many places the people live on dried Fish instead of Bread known to us by the name of Stock-fish but the richer sort of people buy Corn of such Merchants as come to Trade with them The principal Commodities that this Country affordeth is great plenty of Firrs Deal-boards Timber Tar Masts and Furniture for Shipping also Stock-fish Train-oyle rich Furrs Copper Pipe-staves c. which the Inhabitants exchange for Corn Cloths Kersies Lead Tinn Stockings c. The Country is exceedingly annoyed with certain small Beasts about the bigness of a Mouse by them called Lemmers which at a certain time are so innumerable that like Locusts they devour all the verdure of the Earth and at a certain time die in heaps which proves very noisom to the people infecting the Air and the Sea is as bad troubled with Whales The Inhabitants are said to be just Dealers punishers of Theft and other Vices and were accounted formerly great Warriors Norway divided into five Governments viz. This Kingdom is divided into five Governments which take their names from the places where the Governours reside in all which the Towns are exceeding thin and the Houses as poor The five Parts are as followeth BAHVS belonging to the Swedes is the most Southward Bahus the chief places are Bahus the residence of the Governour to which are subject the Towns of Congel seated on the Sea and of some Trade and Marstrand seated in a Demi-Island of note for the great quantity of Herrings here caught AGGERHVS
mounting towards the North Aggerhus whose chief place or Castle is so called to which these Towns following are subject 1. Opslow or Asloya dignified with an Episcopal See as also with the Courts of Judicature 2. Schou of good account for its Copper and Iron-Mines and 3. Frederickstad BERGENHVS or BERGEN whose chief place is so called Bergenhus dignified with an Episcopal See and the residence of the Governour once a famous City of Trade and one of the ancient Mart-Towns of Europe yet still by reason of its scituation at the bottom of a deep Arm of the Ocean called by them Carmefunt where it hath a commodious Port is well frequented by Merchants who bring them Corn Bread Wine Beer Aquaâvitae and the like Commodities to supply their wants and in exchange take Stock-fish Furs Deals Firrs Cordage Pitch Masts c. TRONTHEINHVS or TRONDENHVS Trontheinhus whose chief place and Castle where the Governour resideth is so called it is dignified with the Metropolitan Archbishoprick of all Norway once a fair City as being the Seat of their Kings till the Danes became Masters of this Country who have reduced this City to a small Town WARDHVS seated beyond Cape Nort Wardhus which is the most Northern point of Europe It s chief place and Castle where the Governour resideth except during the absence of the Sun which is for about three Months in the year is so called This Town is serviceable to the King because it was the Luppians their Neighbours as also commandeth the Natives and profitable because all the Ships going to Moscovy must of necessity touch here To the Norwegian King do belong divers Lands and Isles in the Northern Sea and in America Artick the chief of which are Groenland Izland Farre c. which I shall treat of in the Description of America SWEDEN THe Estates of the Swede are all on the Baltick Sea and take up all those Regions which are on the West East and North of this Sea and is Southwards of Poland Germany and Denmark The Estates of the Swede are bounded on the West and North by the Estates of Denmark The Bounds of Sweden with its parts on the East by those of Moscovy and on the South by the Black Sea Poland and Denmark they comprehend six principal Regions viz. Sweden Lapland Gothland Finland Ingra and Livonie SWEDEN Sweden particularly so called is divided into the parts of Sueonie and Norland in both which are several Provinces which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Sweden It is bounded on the East with Sinus Bodicus on the West the Dofrine Hills and on the South Gothland The Country is very fruitful and delicious unless in some places occasioned by the cragginess of the Mountaine the great Marishes yet undrain'd and the vast Woods yet standing The places of most note in this part are 1. Stockholm seated in a watry Marish in part upon the Lake Meller and in part on the East Sea out of which the great Trade for Shipping to this City doth come its Port being capacious and safe which is defended by two powerful Forts as also the City by an impregnable Castle well furnished with Ammunition This City being the residence of the King as the Metropolitan City whose Palace is more renowned for its Antiquity than Magnificence makes it to be a place of a considerable Trade and well frequented 2. Vpsal seated not far from the Bay of Bodner dignified with a See of an Archbishop as also with an Vniversity and beautified with a Cathedral Church no less large than fair formerly the Burial place of the Swedish Kings 3. Nikoping a Maritim Town of good strength 4. Copordel famous for its abundance of Brass 5. Westeras or Arosia of note for its rich Mines of Silver which are exceeding profitable to the King 6. Hudwickswalde seated on the Sea or Gulph of Botnie 7. Orebrog 8. Gevala 9. Indal 10. Hernosand and 11. Torne LAPLAND is the most Northern part of Scandinavia the People are barbarous Lapland rude void of Arts or Letters great Idolaters Sarcerers and Witches for which the place is famous or rather infamous of stature they are low but strong and active expert in the Bow with which they kill their wild Beasts in hunting eating the Flesh and clothing themselves with the Skins which they tie about them to preserve them from the pinching Cold. Lapland is divided into five parts viz. Vina-Lapmarck Pita-Lapmarck Luna-Lapmark Torne-Lapmarck and Kimi-Lapmarck and these parts are but thinly beset with Towns contenting themselves with Sheds and Cabins which they remove from place to place as occasion serveth It s chief places I have set down in the Geographical Table of Sweden GOTHLAND is divided into Ostro-Gothland and Westro-Gothland that is Gothland the Land of the Eastern and Western Goths and these two parts are subdivided into several Provinces viz. Ostro-Gothland Smalandie and Oelald in the first part and Westro-Gothland Dalie and Vermeland in the other part This is the richest and best Province of the North and very fertil in Corn and Cattle in it is the famous Lake Wenir or Werett which receiving 24 Rivers disburthens it self at one Mouth and with such noise and fury that it beareth the name of the Devils-head The places of most note in Ostro-Gothland are 1. Wadstein seated on a Lake 2. Calmar on the confines of Denmark seated on the Baltick Sea a large City enjoying a good Trade having a commodious Port defended by a strong and beautiful Castle 3. Linkoping and 4. Vexio both Episcopal Sees 5. Westerwick commodiously seated on the Baltick Sea In Westro-Gothland are the places of 1. Gotheburg or Lodusia a Town of great Trade by reason of its fair and commodious Haven 2. Scara an Episcopal Sea 3. Daleburg a fair Town well fortified with a strong Castle and 4. Carolstad FINLAND hath on the East Sinus Finicus Finland on the South the Baltick Sea on the West Sinus Bodicus and on the North Bodinus The Inhabitants according to Tacitus are very barbarous and poor being destitute of Arms except Bow and Arrows Horse and Houshold-goods contenting themselves with Herbs for their food the Skins of Beasts for their clothing and the Ground for their Bed yet it is said to be very populous in Towns and Families the chief amongst which are 1. Abo seated at the bottom of the Bay of Finland which separates this Province from Livonia dignified with the See of a Bishop 2. Bienborg 3. Raumo 4. Hadhendal and 5. Castleholm in the Isle of Aland United Provinces to Finland Provinces united to Finland are 1. CAJANIE whose chief places are Vla Wassa and Cajaneborg 2. SAVOLAX whose chief place is Nislot 3. TAVASTE which hath for its chief place Tavasthus 4. NYLAND whose chief places are Borgo a place of great strength near to which within the confines of Moscovy are the two strong Frontier Towns of Viburg and Rivallia the keeping
him to instruct the Child to have a devotion to his Saint Ecclesiastical Government Their Ecclesiastical Government consists of a Patriarch which is the Head of the Church and as it were Pope who hath under him several Metropolitans Archbishops Bishops Arch-Deacons Proto-Popes and Priests The Grand Duke of Moscovy is absolute Lord both of the Lives and Estates of his Subjects whom he treats little better than Slaves his chiefest aim being for what he can get more than the good and welfare of his People being not subject to Laws but makes what seemeth good unto him which though never so tyrannical are strictly obeyed yet he will seem to take advice of his Knez and Bojares who are as his Privy Council His Revenues and Riches cannot but be great from the several ways from which he raiseth it as by Illegal Taxes Customes his Lands and what he taketh from his Subjects at pleasure He is apparelled like a King and a Bishop wearing with the Royal Robes a Miter and a Crosiers-Staff and observeth a great deal of state and grandure The Estates of MOSCOVY comprehend 3 Kingdoms about 30 Dutchies or Provinces and about 20 People or Nations who live by hoords or Communalties all which I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Moscovy The Country is not so populous as spacious nor very well frequented by Strangers so that I cannot give so good account thereof as otherwise I would of which in order Province of Dwina DWINA a Province of a large extent but very barren hath for its chief places Dwina seated on the River so called which falls into the Northern Ocean and on the Mouth of the said River on the Sea-shoar is seated the City of St. Michael commonly called Arch-Angel a place of note for its great Trade and much resorted unto by the English PLESKOW Pleskow a large Province whose chief place is so called being large and fain and the only walled City in the Empire a place of great strength very populous and dignified with an Episcopal See NOVOGRODECK Novogrodeck very Northernly seated a Province also of a large extent whose chief place is so called seated on the River Naf dignified with and Episcopal See a City which for fairness and largness might once compare with any in Russia being formerly one of the Mart-Towns of Europe which is now removed to St. Nicholas a Port-Town more convenient for the Moscovian Trade CARGAPOL WOLOGDA and BIELEZERO whose chief places bear their names are Provinces of this Dukedom Province of Moscovia MOSCOVIA is one of the largest Provinces in all Russia and seated in the midst of this large Estate so called from Mosco its Metropolitan City seated on a River so called dignified with the Imperial Seat as also with the See of the Patriarch This City before its firing by the Tartars was 9 or 10 miles in circuit but now not above half the compass it is very populous and hath for Divine worship 16 Churches of which about half are made of Wood and Dirt as are most of the Houses The Palace of the Great Duke is seated in the heart of the City a large Structure well fortified with 17 Turrets and 3 great Bulwarks which are always guarded with about 25000 Souldiers which with two Castles seated in the outward parts of this City is its only defence being without a Wall or Ditch WOLODOMIRE is a Dutchy very fertil in Corn Wolodimire its chief City being so called once dignified with the residence of the Great Duke till removed to Mosco from which it is distant 36 Leagues now dignified with an Episcopal See T WER is a fair T wer fertil and populous Province washed by the Volga its chief place is so called dignified with the See of a Bishop which for beauty and largness may compare with Mosco from which it is distant about 140 miles RESCHOWA Reschowa a Dutchy Bielski which takes its name from its chief City as doth the Dutchy of BIELSKI from Biela REZAN is a Dutchy so fertil that its fellow cannot be found in all these parts yielding Corn to admiration Rezan it s chief City also hears the same name which is seated on the River Occa dignified with an Episcopal See WOROTIN Worotin a Province also so called from its chief City seated on the said River Occa and defended by a strong Castle PERMSKI Permski a Province of a large extent its chief City is so called seated on the River Vischora WIATKA Wiatka a barren and woody Country and much pester'd with the Incursions of the Crim Tartars its chief place being so called PETZORA is a Province fenced on all sides by losty Mountains and Rocks Petzora its chief place takes the name of the Province seated on a River so called near its fall into the Sea and on these Mountains are found excellent Hawks and Sables which bring some profit to the Inhabitants Other Provinces INHORSKI CONDORA OVSTIOVGA SVSDAL ROSTHOW and JAROSLAV are Provinces of this Dukedom Towards the South Cason and about the Don and the Volga are several Cities People and Fortresses as are mentioned in the Geographical Table as are several Provinces or Estates upon and beyond the River Oby Besides these Provinces the Grand Duke holds at present towards Asia the Kingdoms of Casan Bulgaria and Astracan CASAN is a Kingdom in Tartaria Deserta Bulgaria whose chief place is so called seated on the Volga now dignified with the See of a Bishop is in the Kingdom of BVLGARIA whose chief place is so called ASTRACAN lieth on the Volga Astracan whose chief place is so called enjoyeth a good Trade especially by the Armenians by reason of its commodious scituation on the branches of the Volga about 20 Italian miles from the Caspian Sea The ISLES of GREAT BRITAIN with the Territorles thereto belonging are those of GREAT BRITAIN where are at this day two Kingdoms and one Principallty to wit The Kingdom of ENGLAND which according to the SAXON HEPTARCHY hath had Seven Kingdoms viz. Kingdom of KENT Canterbury Rochester Kingdom of SOUTH SAXONS Southwards Chichester Winchelsey Kingdom of EAST ANGLES Norwich Ipswich Cambridge Ely Kingdom of EAST SAXONS Colchester London Kingdom of WEST SAXONS Exeter Bristol Rath Salisbury Southampton Dorchester Kingdom of NORTHUMDERS York Lancaster Durham Carlifle Barwick Kingdom of MERCIA Leicester Lincoin Nortingham Darby Oxford Gloucester Worcester Leichfield Chester Hereford The Principallty of WALES as it was divided into SOUTH WALES Brecknock Cardigan Cardiff Monmouth NORTH WALES Flint Denbigh Carnarvan Mongomary The Kingdom of SCOTLAND which hath once had the Kingdoms of the SCOTS beyond the Tay Cromartly Eigin Aberdone Perch Dunkeldon PICTS on this side the Tay Dunslafag Dunkirton St. Andrews Dunblain Sterling Edinburgh Glasco IRELAND or The Kingdom of IRELAND with its Provinces which were formerly so many Kingdoms viz. ULSTER Donegal Dungannon Armagh Tredagh MUNSTER Cassile Lymerick Kinsale Corke
accommodation of its Inhabitants is traded unto by 8 Market Towns Cambridge seated in an Air somewhat unhealthful Cambridge occasioned through the Fenny-grounds near adjoyning and on the River Cam or Grant navigable for Barges which separates it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a Bridge 'T is a place of great antiquity being said to derive its name from Cantabar a Spaniard who about 375 years before the Incarnation of Christ had there setled the Muses Seat but more certain it is that Sigilbert the first Christian King of the East Saxons established here several Schools and of no less fame for its University or Seminary of true Learning which is its chiefest ornament being adorned with 16 Colledges and Halls many of which are superb Buildings and by reason of these Seminaries it is a place of a large extent numbring 14 Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses its Streets are paved and well ordered is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and its Market on Saturdays is sufficiently furnished with Provisions which are had at easie rates It is a Town Corporate endowed with ample Immunities and sendeth 4 Burgesses to Parliament viz. two for the Vniversity and two for the Town Nigh unto Cambridge Southwards are Gogmagog-Hills which are of a great eminency and yet retain the remembrance of the Danish Station and of these Hills the Country people tell fine stories Ely seated in a fenny and waterish place and on the banks of the Owse Ely which rendreth it very unhealthful it is a City of more antiquity than beauty being but meanly built nor overmuch frequented or inhabited and would be far less were it not for being the See of a Bishop whose Palace is so ruinous that it is uninhabitable but its Cathedral or Minister is a lofty structure and beautified with a stately Lenthorn of curious Architecture It is a City that enjoyeth ample Immunities for in the Isle of Ely the Bishop hath all the rights of a Count Palatine and beareth chief sway therein appointing a Judge for the hearing of Causes within the said Isle he also holdeth Assizes Goal-delivery and Quarter-Sessions of the Peace and hath his chief Bayliff and other Officers and although the City is but meanly inhabited yet its Market on Saturdays is well served with Provisions New-Market New-Market seated part in this County and part in Suffolk and in a large and pleasant Heath so called a place of some largness containing two Parish Churches and is well inhabited and much resorred unto by the Gentry by reason of its commodious scituation for Horse-races and Hunting being both Recreations that his Majesty taketh so great delight in that he hath there his Palace for his reception which adds no small advantage to the Town often honouring it with his Royal presence It s Market is on Tuesdays which is not very considerable by reason of its vicinity to Bury and Cambridge Caxton seated in the Clay and on the North-road a small Town Caxton and hath a little Market on Tuesdays Royston seated on the high Road to Huntington in a bottom amongst Hills Royston and part in this County and part in Hartfordshire It is a large well inhabited Town and hath a considerable Market on Wednesdays for Provisions especially for Mault here and in parts adjacent made in great quantities Cheshire described CHESHIRE a County Palatine of a rich and fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage feeding abundance of Cattle and affording plenty of Corn Fish especially Salmon Fowl Butter Cheese and Salt which is their staple commodity and here had in great plenty and out of the Rocks and Quarries broad Slates and fair Stones for building are dug as are Mill-stones out of Moucop-Hill It is well furnished with Timber and Fuel from its Woods and Forests of Delamer and Maxfield is plentifully watered with Rivers Meers and Pools hath several Heaths and Mosses The ancient People were the Cornavii of Ptolomy and afterwards became part of the Kingdom of the Mercians In this County are seated 86 Parish Churches besides 38 Chappels of Ease and hath Traffick with 13 Market Towns Chester Chester or West-Chester a City of great antiquity said to be raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour and of a pleasant scituation on the Dee over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge sustained by eight Arches at each end of which is a Gate but the Channel is now so choaked up with Sand that it is scarce navigable for small Vessels so that all Ships now come to a place called New-Key about 6 miles distant It s form is Quadrangular and taketh up about two miles in circuit within its Wall on which are 7 Watch-Towers and which gives entrance by 4 Gates and 3 Posterns and of these Gates the East-Cate is esteemed one of the stateliest Gates in England For its further defence it hath a large Castle seated on a Rocky Hill where the Shire Hall is which something resembleth that of Westminster where all matters concerning the County Palatine are tried by their peculiar Officers The City is large numbring to Parish Churches beside its Minster or Cathedral a large structure adjoyning to which is the Bishops Palace it is beautified with divers fair Buildings both publick and private is graced with large and well ordered Streets is well frequented and inhabited by Gentry and Assizes are kept as also for being the usual place of taking Shippipng for Ireland with which it hath a great intercourse and hath a considerable Trade It is governed by a Major 2 Sheriffs 24 Aldermen a Recorder and Sub-Officers enjoyeth ample Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament which no other Town in the County doth It is well served with Provisions for besides its Shambles it hath two considerable Markers weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays Not far from this City is the Forest of Delamer where Aedested the Mercian Lady built a small City long since reduced to ruins which place is now called The Chamber in the Forest Nantwich Nantwich seated on the Wever the largest and best built Town next to Chester in the Country and is graced with a goodly spacious Church It is a place well inhabited and frequented chiefly occasioned for its Salt-pits or Salt-wich for the making of white Salt here had in great plenty and its Market which is on Saturdays is sufficiently provided with all Provisions and necessaries especially Corn and Cattle Malpas Malpas scituate on a great eminency and on the River Dee a fair Town containing 3 Streets which are paved and well ordered it hath an Hospital and Grammar School and its Market on Mondays is of good account Middlewich Middlewich seated between Nantwich and Northwich a large Town containing several Streets and Lanes its chief place being called the Kings-Mexon The Town is of note for its Salt-pits and making of Salt and hath a good Market for Provisions on
Derwent which River severeth the County into East and West and it is observed that on the East-side Coal is generally dug and on the West Lead The Inhabitants were the Coritani of the Romans and was afterwards part of the Kingdom of the Mercians It is severed into 6 Hundreds and contains 106 Parish Churches besides several Chappels of Ease and is traded unto by 9 Market Towns Derby Derby well seated on the Derwent over which it hath a goodly Stone-bridge a Town of good Antiquity and is at present a very large populous well frequented and rich Borough Town numbring 5 Parish Churches of which All-Saints which is the chief is a curious structure and beautified within with several Monuments It is a Borough Town electing Parliament men is honoured with the Title of an Earldom enjoyeth ample Immunities is governed by a Major 9 Aldermen 14 Brethren 14 Common-Council a Recorder Town-Clerk c. is well traded unto especially for Barley which they make into Mault which finds good vent and its Market which is on Fridays is very considerable for Cattle Corn and all sorts of Provisions besides a small Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays Here is lately built a fair Hall of Free-stone aâ the Counties charge where the Assizes are constantly kept Chesterfield Chesterfield pleasantly seated between two small Rivers and in a good Soil a Borough Town of great antiquity is dignified with an Earldom enjoyeth large Immunities is governed by a Major 6 Aldermen a Recorder 6 Brethren 1â Counsellors c. and hath weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are very considerable for Corn Lead and most Country Commodities Wicksworth seated in a Valley a pretty large and populous Town beautified with a fair Church Wicksworth hath a Free-School and Alms-houses and its Market on Tuesdays is well served with Provisions and Apples especially for Lead where the Merchants have their meetings for the Sale thereof Bakewill Bakewill seated amongst Hills and on the banks of the Wye an indifferent large Town and hath a good Market on Mondays for Lead and Provisions In the Peak Forest is a Well that obbâ and flows 4 times in one hour keeping its exact Tides At Buxton out of a Rock in 24 foot compass 9 Springs arise of which 8 are warm and one cold and the Waters are found very good to bath in and for the Stomach And in this County is Eldenhole being a Cave worthy of note Devonshire described DEVONSHIRE of a sharp and healthful Air very hilly and generally of an ungrateful Soil without great pains and charges in manuring it yet is it not without many fertil Valleys and its sterility is recompenced by the rich Mines of Tin and Lead as also by the great plenty of Herrings Pilchers and other Fish taken on its Sen-Coast from which the Inhabitants reap good profit which with its Clothings Saerges and Bone-lace are the chief Commodities of the County The ancient Inhabitants were the Dannionii and was afterwards part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons It is very well watered with fresh Streams as the Ex Tamar Tave Tawe Pline Dart Turridge Tinge Plime Culme and Ottery which are found very advantagious to the Inhabitants It is divided into 33 Hundreds in which are 394 Parishes and for the accommodation of its Inhabitants hath about 30 Market Towns Exeter a fair sweet and well compacted City of great Antiquity Exeter and no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the top of an easie Ascent and on the Ex whence it took its name over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge 'T is a place of a good largeness containing within its Wall and Ditches about a mile and half in circuit in which and in its Suburbs which are large are numbred 15 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral or Minster founded by King Aethelstan a fair and beautiful structure It enjoyeth a considerable Trade being much inhabited and resorted unto by Merchants and Tradesmen having several Ships and Vessels belonging unto them and is in a flourishing condition enjoying ample Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is honoured with the Title of an Earldom is governed by a Major 24 Aldermen or Brethren a Recorder and other sub-Officers and hath two very considerable Markets weekly viz. on Wednesdays and Fridays for Provisions and Searges in great abundance Plymouth seated on the Plime and near the Tamer Plymouth at both their Influxes into the Sea which from a poor Fishing-Village is become a very fair large well inhabited and frequented Town resembling rather a City than a Town although it hath but two Parish Churches 't is a place of great importance by reason of its commodious Haven and excellent Port which doth occasion it to be so well resorted unto by most Ships both outward and inward bound and is of great strength as well by Nature as Art being defended by a strong Fort a Cittadel and other Fortifications It is a Borough and Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and Common Council hath the election of Parliament men enjoyeth a great Trade for most Commodities and its Markets on Mondays and Thursdays are extraordinary well served with all sorts of Provisions as also have living Cattle Dertmouth seated on the Dent near its fall into the Sea Dertmouth where it hath a commodious Haven a large well inhabited frequented and traded Port-Town containing 3 Parish Churches and its Market on Fridays is very well served with Provisions 'T is an ancient Town Corporate is governed by a Major and his Brethren and amongst its Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament Totnes seated on the Dert and on the descent of a Hill Totnes a Town of great antiquity and of greater account than now it is yet doth it retain several of its Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and is governed by a Major and his Brethren The Town is large and hath a very great Market on Saturdays for all live Cattle Corn Mault and Provisions both Flesh and Fish Ashburton seated in a rich Soil under the Moor a large Borough Town Ashburton composed of several Streets is beautified with a fair Church electeth Parliament men and hath a very good Market for Corn Cattle Sheep and Provisions on Saturdays Okehampton seated betwixt the River Okement and a branch thereof Okehampton a Borough Town which electeth Parliament men is governed by a Major Burgesses Recorder and sub-Officers and hath a very good Market for Corn Provisions and Yarn on Saturdays Bediford Bediford commodiously seated for the reception of Vessels on the Towridge over which it hath a large Stone-bridge of Arched-work consisting of 24 Peers 'T is a large well inhabited and traded Town and its Market on Tuesdays is well served with Corn and Provisions Barnstable Barnstable commodiously seated on the Tawe over which it hath a large Stone-bridge 'T is a fine Borough Town which electeth Parliament men is a place of some Trade and hath
Flesh Cattle and most Commodities Blandford a fair large and well compacted Town seated on the Stower Blandford over which it hath a Bridge which leadeth to St. Mary Blanford It is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and the rather as being neighboured by so many Gentry and its Market on Saturdays is well provided with all things necessary but chiefly with Corn Sheep and Cattle Pool enclosed on all parts with the Sea except on the North Pool where it admits entrance only by one Gate A Town by reason of its commodious Haven from a small Village is become a very large Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers electeth Parliament men and hath two Markets weekly on Mondays and Thursdays which are indifferent well served In the Haven contrary to all Ports in England the Sea ebbs and flows four times in 24 hours Worham Worham esteemed the ancientest Borough Town in the County seated between the Frome and the Biddle at their falling into Luckford Lake where it had a good Harbour for Ships and was a very considerable large place containing several Churches which are now reduced to 3 and its Haven being choaked up doth much eclipse its Trade It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major c. sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath an indifferent good Market on Saturdays Lulworth-Castle Lulworth Castle the Seat of Hum Weld Esquire esteemed one of the best Houses in the County as well for beauty and largeness as for a pleasant scituation and prospect into the Sea The Isle of Purbeck Purbeck Isle or rather the Peninsula so called hath veins of Marble running under the Earth It is about 10 miles in length and 5 in breadth in which tract are seated divers Towns amongst which is Corfe-Castle seated on a River and in a barren Soil between two Hills upon one of which standeth the Castle It is an ancient Borough Town governed by a Major and Barons enjoyeth ample Immunities electeth Parliament men and hath a small Market on Thursdays County of Durham described DVRHAM a Bishoprick and County Palatine of a sharp and piercing Air but through the plentifulness of Sea-Coal the Cold is not so offensive unto the Inhabitants It is of a different Soil the Eastern part being Champain the Southern most fertil and well inhabited and the Western hilly barren and thin of Woods and Towns but is recompenced by the store of Coals Lead and Iron-Mines The ancient Inhabitants known to Ptolomy were the Brigantes and in the time of the Saxons became part of the Kingdom of the Northumbers This County was formerly called St. Cuthberts Patrimony from one St. Cuthbert who was Canonieâd a Saint and was born in this County It is divided into 4 Wards viz. those of Chester Darweton Easington and Stockton in which are numbred 118 Parishes and is traded unto by fix Market Towns Durham Durham a City of good Antiquity dignified with the See of a Bishop and sends Burgesses to Parliament It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on an easie Ascent and almost encompassed by the River Weare over which it hath two large and spacious Stone-bridges which give entrance into it which with its Wall and spacious Castle make it to be a place of good strength This City is fair and neatly compacted containing 6 Parish Churches besides its Abby or Cathedral dedicated to St. Cuthbert a large structure with a lofty Tower in the midst and two Spires at the West-end adjoyning to which are the Houses for the Dean and Prebends It is beautified with fair Buildings hath well ordered Streets a spacious Market-place which is well resorted unto every Saturday is much inhabited and frequented by the Gentry of these parts enjoyeth a good Trade and its Shop-keepers are well furnished with Commodities Hartley-pool Hartley-pool commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar which encompasseth it except towards the West and surrounded with Rocks and Hills 'T is an ancient Town Corporate governed by a Major and sub-Officers is indifferent large but poor and its Market at present disused and were it not for its Harbour which is good it would be less frequented Bishops-Aukland Bishops-Aukland well seated on the side of a Hill and between the River Weare and the Rivulet Gaunless of chief note for its Castle which is the Bishops Palace for the Summer season now beautifully repaired It s Market is on Thursdays which is indifferently well provided with Corn and Provisions Darlington Darlington seated in a flat and on the Skerne which falleth into the Tees a Town of a good largeness consisting of several Streets hath a spacious Market-place and its Market on Mondays is very considerable and well furnished with Corn Cattle and all sorts of Provisions At Oxenhall near Darlington are 3 deep Pits called by the Inhabitants Hell-Kettles which are said to be made by an Earthquake Stocton Stocton seated on the Tees near its fall into the Sea a place of great trade for vending and exporting of Corn and Butter to London and other parts It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major and sub-Officers is well inhabited and by reason of its commodious Port it enjoyeth a good Trade County of Essex described ESSEX a County of a large extent and very populous is well watered with Rivers besides the Sea which sendeth forth several of her branches as the Stower Blackwater where those excellent Oysters called Walfleet are caught Crouch Ley c. The Soil may be esteemed fertil though in some places it is sandy and barren it is well clothed with Wood hath variety of Parks great plenty of Fish and Fowl nor is there any want of other Provisions And for its Commodities affordeth Cloths Stuffs Hops Butter Cheese Gunpowder Oysters and Saffron It is severed into Hundreds in which are seated 415 Parish Churches and for the conveniency of its Inhabitants hath 21 Market Towns Colchester Colchester a place of great antiquity said to be built by Collus the British Prince An. Dom. 124. and in former times of no less fame than largeness numbring 15 Parish Churches many of which are now reduced to ruin with abundance of its Houses It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the Colne which after about six miles course loseth it self in the Sea It is governed by 2 Bailiffs 12 Aldermen who are clothed in Scarlet a Recorder with other sub-Officers it enjoyeth several Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Provisions and its Inhabitants many of which are Dutch and have their Church for divine Worship drive a good trade for Sayes Bares and other Draperies here made It is also of some note for the great quantities of excellent Oysters here taken This place gave birth to Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empress and Emperour in the World Harwich Harwich a Haven Sea-port and Borough Town which electeth
very large yet hath it for Divine worship 12 Parish Churches besides its Abby or Cathedral dedicated to St. Peter a fair and beautiful building consisting of a continued Window-work and hath large Cloysters and an excellent Whispering-place It is also beautified with a handsom Colledge and many neat Buildings being a place well inhabited and frequented enjoying a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well furnished with all Provisions and very great for Corn and Cattle This City is the See of a Bishop to which belongs a Dean and 6 Prebends 't is a County within it self enjoyeth large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and is governed by a Major 2 Sheriffs 12 Aldermen a Recorder with other sub-Officers Circester Circester seated on the Churn over which it hath a Bridge and in the Woulds very commodious for Mills 'T was a City once large and of great account in the time of the Romans at present it is a good Borough Town enjoying large Priviledges and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath weekly two considerable Markets on Mondays chiefly for Corn and on Fridays for Wool Yarn and Provisions Tewksbury commodiously seated on and between 3 Rivers Tewksbury the Severne Avon and Swilyat over which are as many Bridges a fair large well inhabited and frequented Borough and Town Corporate electing Parliament men of good account for making of Woollen-cloth and for the best Mustard in England and hath a very good Market on Saturdays for Corn Cattle and Provisions Stroud seated on a River so called over which it hath a Bridge Stroud and on the banks of the said River are placed abundance of Fulling-Mills It is a well built Town which is of chief note for making and dying of Cloths and especially for good Scarlets and hath a good Market on Fridays for Provisions and Yarn Tedbury an indifferent good Town beautified with a fair Market-house Tedbury and its Market on Wednesdays for Corn Cattle Cheese Mault Tarn Wool Provisions and other Country Commodities is esteemed one of the best in these parts Barkley a place of good antiquity honoured with a Barony Barkley and gives title to the Right Honourable Lord Berkley c. It is seated on a branch of the Severne and hath an indifferent Market on Tuesdays Dursley seated on or near a branch of the Severne a good Town Dursley much inhabited by Clothiers and hath a small Market on Thursdays Chipping-Sodbury seated in a bottom of the Downs and in the Road Chipping-Sodbury an indifferent good Borough Town which hath a very great Market for Cheese on Thursdays and is also well served with Corn and Provisions Hantshire described HANTSHIRE of a fertil Soil for Corn hath rich Pastures which feed store of Cattle is well clothed with Wood affordeth plenty of Iron which is here wrought from the Mines also excellent Hony and of their Wool they make abundance of Cloths and Kersies It s Southern parts are washed with the Sea and by reason of its of its several good Ports and Havens it is well resorted and traded unto affording most Transmarine Commodities The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Segoutians in the North part and the Belgae and the Regni in the South In this County is New-Forest about 30 miles in compass and a place which affordeth great variety of Game within this tract of ground was formerly 36 Parish Churches which with the Houses thereto belonging were pulled down by command of William the Conquerour that it might be a place for wild Beasts to harbour in It is severed into 40 Hundreds wherein are seated 253 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 18 Market Towns besides those in the Isle of Wight being part of this County which I shall anon treat of Winchester Winchester a City of great antiquity and famous in the time of the Romans Saxons and Normans it being the Sepulchre of divers of their Kings and Queens and was of note in the time of the Romans for making the rich Embroideries for their Emperours It is a place pleasantly seated in a Valley betwixt Hills and on the banks of a delightful River which after about 10 miles course falleth into an Arm of the Sea on which Southampton is seated It is a fair City of about a mile and a half in circuit within its Walls which gives entrance unto its Suburbs by 4 Gates for Divine worship it hath five Parish Churches besides its Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity a large and beautiful structure It is garnished with good Buildings amongst which are the Bishops Palate the Prebends houses and the Town-Hall where the Assizes and Sessions for the County are kept It is a place well inhabited and frequented and its Markets which are on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well provided with all sorts of Provisions especially that on Saturdays It enjoyeth several Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament Without the City in the Suburbs is a fair Colledge bearing the name of the City having a Warden Masters and an Vsher and is undowed with a liberal Mantenance Near unto this City pleasantly seated on a fair River is St. Crosses Hospital for the relief of 12 Poor men called Brothers having a Master Steward and sub-Officers and according to the Institution of the House Bread and Drink is given to all Travellers that will require the same Southampton Southampton commodiously seated on an Arm of the Sea capable to receive Ships of a considerable burthen to its Keys which are fair and very convenient for the lading and unlading of Goods by reason of which it is a place well inhabited by Merchants and Shopkeepers who drive a good Trade It is a large Town numbring 5 Parish Churches besides its Hospital called Gods-house It is garnished with well built Houses and is fenced about with a double Ditch and Walls which gives entrance by 7 Gates It is a Town and County of it self governed by a Major Bailiffs and Burgesses enjoyeth large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is dignified with the title of an Earldom and its Markets on Tuesdays and Thursdays are not very great except for Provisions Portsmouth Portsmouth at present one of the best Garrisons and Sea-port Towns in England by reason of its commodious scituation which makes it to be exceedingly resorted unto by Shipping and is one of the usual stations for the Navy Royal where his Majesty hath his Store-houses and Docks for the building and equipping his Ships which adds no small benefit to the Town which is large well built very populous enjoyeth a good Trade is well provided with all necessaries and its Markets on Thursdays and Saturdays are very considerable for Provisions This Town is seated in the Isle of Porsey so made by the Sea and its two Arms which are joyned by a River It is a Town Corporate sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and being a place of such concernment is exceedingly fortified
with two Castles and other Fortifications Here they make Salt of the Salt-water Basingstoke seated on the Road Basingstoke a great thorough-fare Town for the Western partt It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 7 Aldermen as many Burgesses a high Steward a Recorder c. and the Market on Wednesdays is very good for Corn especially Barley Silchester a place of great antiquity and of a large extent Silchester said to be the ancient City Vindonum built by Constantius Son of Constantine the Great and before it was destroyed by the Danes was of a large extent Here the warlike Arthur was Crowned The Isle of WIGHT part of Hantshire Isle of wight of which it may part for from Hurst Castle which is seated on a Languet of Land which runneth forth into the Sea it is not above a mile to the Western part of this Isle and from Portsmouth not above six And its Southern part lieth opposite to France from which it is distant about 35 Leagues The form of this Isle is long being about 20 miles in length and where broadest 12 and hath about 60 miles of Sea-Coast It is blest with a healthful Air and is of a fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasture and hath plenty of Conies Hares Partridges Sea-fowl and other Game and for excellent Fish may compare with any Country whatsoever nor is it wanting in any thing either for pleasure or profit except Wood and that they are supplied with from Hantshire It is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art for besides its Castles Block-houses Forts and Militia it is fenced about with a ridge of craggy Rocks and Cliffs with dangerous Banks amongst which those of most note to Sea-men are the Needles Shigles Brambles the Mixon c. It is very populous and garnished with 36 Parish Churches and hath for its chief places Newport a large populous and well frequented Major Town Newport which hath the election of Parliament men is dignified with the title of an Earldom and at present the only Market Town in the Isle which is here kept on Wednesdays and Saturdays both very considerable for Provisions Corn Cattle and other Commodities It is seated within 4 miles of the Sea and on a navigable Creek for small Vessels to the Key which doth much facilitate its Trade Yarmouth a fair Borough Town which electeth Parlament men Yarmouth and had formerly a Market is beautified with well built Houses which for the most part are of Free-stone and covered with Slate It s scituation is in the Western part of the Isle on the Sea-shoar with which and its Arms it is now encompassed and hath 3 strong Fortifications raised with a Draw-Bridge and the West end is defended by a powerful Castle on the Key The Cows seated at the entring in of the Creek that goeth to Newport a place very eminent for the harbouring of Ships About this Isle are several other small ones or rather Rocks as those called the Black-Rock the Mixon the Don Moss Challorne Goss Warden Atherfield and Chalk-Rocks and on the North part between it and Portsmouth as dangerous Sands as the Brambles the Horse and Nomans Lands Hartfordshire described HARTFORDSHIRE blest with a wholsom Air and for the generality is of an indifferent fertil Soil for Grain affording good store of Wheat and Barley of which they make Mault especially in the Vale of Ringtail or Ringdale and hath plenty of Meadows and Pastures which feed store of Cattle but of its own nature it is apt to bear Wood and Copses It is well stored with Parks and hath many pleasant and ancient Seats of Gentry commonly called Beryes that is Mannor-Houses Court-Houses or Halls It is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Lea Stower Stratford Redburne Flamsted Colne c. The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Trinobantes and the Cattieuchlamans and became afterwards part of the East Saxons It is severed into 8 Hundreds in which are seated 120 Parish Churches besides 15 Chappels of Ease and is traded unto by 18 Market Towns most of which are of good account Hartford Hartford seated on the Lea said to be formerly navigable once a place of a larger extent and of more beauty strength and esteem than now it is yet is it the Shire Town where the County Goal is kept and as a Borough Town electeth Parliament men It is governed by a Major 9 Burgesses 16 Assistants a high-Steward who is always a Noble-man a Steward of the Court of Records and other sub-Officers and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well frequented and served with Commodities St. Albans St. Albans seated on the Colne a Town of great antiquity being raised from the ruins of that famous City Verulam so splendid in the time of the Romans as may appear by the Pillars Pavements Arched-Vaults Idols and Coins oft digged up at which time it enjoyed ample Priviledges and Immunities many of which it yet keepeth being dignified with the Title of an Earldom and as a Borough Town electeth Parliament men For its chief Magistrates hath a Major 10 Aldermen a Steward and Chamberlain It is a fair large well inhabited and frequented thorough-fare Town divided into four Wards for Divine worship hath 3 Parish Churches in one of which was if not is a Font of solid Brass brought out of Scotland which was there made use of for the baptizing the Scottish Kings Children and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Commodities c. Barnet Barnet or high Barnet a large dry and pleasant Town highly seated and on the Road a place of some account for its Medicinal-waters as also for its Swine-Market on Mondays which makes it to be well frequented and to be well accommodated with Inns. here was fought a bloody Battle between the Competitors of the Houses of York and Lancaster on Easter-day in which Edward the Fourth became Victor Watford Watford seated on the Colne a large and well inhabited Town whose Market on Tuesdays is well frequented affording all necessaries especially Corn in great plenty Not far from Watford is Langley Abby where was born Nicholas Surnamed Break-Spear who was afterwards Bishop of Rome and called Pope Hadrian the 4th He taught the Norwegians the Christian Faith he was of so proud a Spirit that he had his Stirup held by Frederick the Roman Emperour Berkhamsted hath a fair Free School Berkhamsted and a pretty good Market on Mondays chiefly for Mault And here it was that the English Nobles met in Council for the shaking off the Normans Yoke Hatfield Hatfield a place of great delight and recreation by reason of its Parks and other places of pleasure once dignified with a Royal-house of the Kings which now belongeth to the Earl of Salisbury it hath a Market on Thursdays Ware Ware a large well frequented and inhabited thorough-fare Town seated on the
from hence furnished with Coals Ramsey Ramsey seated in the Fenny part amongst rich grounds both for Tillage and Pasturage and near the Meers of Ramsey and Whitlesey which with the Rivers that plentifully water it afford excellent Fish and wild Fowl in great plenty It is a good Country Town which was held in great esteem for its rich Abby so called and its Market on Wednesdays is well frequented County of Kent described KENT a County of a large extent and although very hilly for the generality is of a rich and fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasture and is well stored with Cattle Fish Fowl and Fruits The Air is temperate and good except in the Weald and Marshes which are Aguish It is well watered with Rivers many of which are Navigable as the Thames which washes its Northern parts the Medway which in a manner divideth the Shire in the midst and is the station for his Majesties Navy Royal which said River loseth it self under ground and riseth again near Cox-heath besides 10 others of considerable account which opening with several Creeks and Havens are found commodious for Ships to ride in of which four bear the name of Cinque Ports viz. Dover Sandwich Rumney and Hith and on the banks of these Rivers which are crossed by divers Bridges are seated several good Towns This County boasteth it self for being the first Kingdom of the Heptarchy of having a particular King to it self that it was never subdued but yielded upon Articles to the Normans and to keep their ancient Customs That their Kings and Commons amongst all the Saxons were the first Christians This County is enriched with two Cities and Episcopal Sees is strengthned with several Castles is graced with 4 of the Kings Palaces beautified with many splendid Buildings well replenished with Gentry sufficiently stored with safe Roads and secure Harbours for Ships plentifully garnished with good Towns is a place of a considerable Trade affording Corn and other Grains Cloth and several Draperies Fullers-Earth Madder Flax Iron Wood Fruits both Apples and Cherries in great plenty and by reason of its vicinity to France is well known and frequented by Strangers As to its division it hath 14 Bailywicks 17 Franchises and Liberties which have Courts of Record to hold plâa of all Actions real personal and mixt and 14 Corporations For the names of all which see the Volume of Britannia pag. 122. lately published by me It is severed into 5 Laths and 64 Hundreds in which said Hundreds are numbred 400 and odd Parishes and hath intercourse of Traffick with 28 Market Towns Lath of Sutton with its chief places The Lath of Sutton or SVTTON at Hone is severed into 8 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Sevenoke Sevenoke a Town of good resort so called from its Founder Will. Sevenoke Lord Major of London Anno 1418. who erected a Free School and an Hospital hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Corn and Previsions Dartford Dartford seated on the Darent not far from its influx into the Thames and on the high Road from London to Canterbury 't is a good large Town full of Inns and Houses of Entertainment and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well stored with Corn and Provisions and is much frequented by Corn-Chandlers and Meal-men Greenwich Greenwich a large well built and very pleasant Town seated on the Bank of the Thames being much inhabited and frequented by Gentry and enobled with a once stately Palace of the Kings out of the Ruins of which is now erecting a curious Pile of Buildings and adjoyning to this Palace is a small but pleasant Park which affords a delectable prospect And here it was that Queen Elizabeth with divers other Princes were born Adjoyning to Greenwich is Black-heath a place of note in former times for Military Affairs and it is supposed that here might be dug excellent Sea-Coals but is not encouraged for fear of hindring the Newcastle-Trade Eltham seated on the South-side of Shooters-Hill amongst Woods Eltham a well built Town neatly scituated well inhabited by Gentry and was once honoured with a Palace of his Majesty said to be built by Anthony Beck Patriarch of Jerusalem who gave it to Queen Eliantor wife to King Edward the First Aylesford Lath described The Lath of AYLESFORD is of a large extent reaching from North to South is serveed into 15 Hundreds is divided into 3 divisions of the Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Rochester an ancient City and once larger than now it is Rochester being at present but small having but one principal Street which is of a good length and for the most part inhabited by Tradesmen and Inn-keepers and graced with well built Houses besides its Cathedral built by Ethelbert King of Kent dedicated to St. Andrew a fair structure to which belongeth a Deanary and 6 Prehendaries It is a City no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Medway over which it hath a stately Stone-bridge sustained by divers Arches which leadeth unto Stroud a good fair and well inhabited thorough-fare Town from London to Canterbury as is Rochester This City enjoyeth several Immunities is dignified with the Title of an Earldom governed by a Major Court of Aldermen with other sub-Officers hath the election of Parliament men is well resorted unto and its Market on Friday is well served with Provisions Adjoyning to this City is Chetham also seated on the banks of the Medway a long thorough-fare Town which is chiefly inhabited by Sea-men and those that have alliance thereunto and the more as being the station of the Navy-Royal and where there is a stately Dock for the building and equipping of his Majesties Ships Graves-end Graves-end seated on the banks of the Thames a place of great resort as being the common Landing-place for Strangers and Sea-men in their passages to London as likewise the accustomary place for the taking of Shipping and the ready Road to France which doth occasion it to be well furnished with Inns Taverns and Houses of entertainment and its Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays to be well provided with Victuals yet all things here want for no price And here is seated one of the Block-houses the other being opposite unto it in the County of Essex which said Blockhouses are for the securing the passage of the Thames up to London Maidstone Maidstone seated on the Medway over which it hath a fair Bridge which with the branch it sendeth forth severeth the Town It is a large fair sweet populous and well built and frequented Borough Town which electeth Parliament men enjoyeth several Priviledges and as the Shire-Town here is one of the Prisons for the County and where they keep their Sessions and Assizes It s Market is on Thursdays which is very considerable and well provided with Corn and all sorts
of Provisions Tunbridge Tunbridge seated on a branch of the Medway over which it hath a Bridge and is said to take its name from its many Bridges It is a well frequented Market Town which is on Fridays for Corn and Provisions and is of chief note for its healthful and Medicinal Waters near adjoyning which are much visited by the Gentry in the Summer season Lath of Scray described The Lath of Scray taketh up the mid-part of the County is divided into 16 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Feversham Feversham not far from the Isle of Shippey so made by the Medway which with the Sea encircleth it out of which said River there cometh a Creek up to the Town by reason of which it is well frequented by Hoyes and such like small Vessels which here drive a good Trade it being the principal Port-Town for all this part of Kent The Town is large well built and inhabited by Tradesmen Inn-keepers and Victualers and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well served with Provisions Near this Town are very deep Pits which are narrow at the mouth and broad below with Chalk Pillars as it were to support them and have partitions or rooms within them Queenborough Queenborough seated in the Isle of Shippey which is about 21 miles in circuit and of an exceeding fertil Soil feeding great flocks of Sheep from whence 't is said to take its name a Borough Town of great antiquity but is very small and mean For the defence of the passage up the River of Thames here was a very strong Castle now reduced to ruin but of late his present Majesty hath caused a powerful Fort to be raised at Shyreness the better to secure the passage up the Medway to Gellingham and Chetham where the Navy Royal rideth In the Isle of Shippey there are no Moles and if any be carried thither they are said to die Ashford Ashford not far from the Stower hath a well frequented Market on Saturdays and in this Town is kept a Court of Record upon every Tuesday three weeks for Actions wherein the debt or damages do not exceed 20 Marks Lath of Shepway The Lath of SHEPWAY is severed into 13 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Hyth Hyth once a place of good note and largeness as being one of the Cinque-Ports but now not much frequented by reason of the Seas forsaking it and its Haven being choaked up yet doth it still retain its priviledges as other Cinque-port Towns and hath a Market on Saturdays which is indifferently well furnished with Provisions and here are yet two Hospitals which are both under the government of the Major and Jurats of the Town Rumney another of the Cinque-Port Towns seated in a Marsh so called Rumney of about 14 miles in length and 8 in breadth now more famous for the fertility of the Marsh in grasing of Cattle than for the goodness of the place by reason of the Seas leaving it and for its unwholsom Air the Town being not large nor the Buildings good yet is it the chiefest Market Town in the Marsh which every Thursday is indifferently well served with Provisions yet doth it still enjoy the priviledges of other Cinque-port Towns Lath of St. Augustine The Lath of St. AVGVSTINE is washed on the North and East with the Sen it is severed into 12 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Canterbury a City of great antiquity Canterbury being said to be built 900 years before the birth of Christ and in former time was held in great fame and much resorted unto and the more for being the Burial-place of St. Thomas Becket there slain a person so greatly reverenced by the Romanists This City is encompassed with a Mote and Wall on which are or were several Cittadels or Watch-Towers without which are its Suburbs in which and within the City are numbred 14 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a large and superb structure not inferiour to St. Pauls at London when in its pristine grandure and splendour having two lofty Towers which much add to the prospect of the City and within its bounds or limits are several fair Edifices belonging to the Dean and Prebends as also a Free School called the Kings School It is a City graced with divers good Buildings and a fair Market-house over which are Rooms made use of by the Major and Aldermen for the publick concerns of the City It is dignified with an Episcopal See who is Primate of all England is governed by a Major and Court of Aldermen and hath a Recorder and other sub-Officers It enjoyeth several Immunities electeth Parliament men is well inhabited and traded unto for its Stuffs made by Walloons there inhabiting and is well provided with Provisions for besides its Shambles it hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which it the most considerable Dover commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar Dover which together with its strength as well by Nature as Art being loftily scituated between high Cliffs commanding both Sea and Country adjacent and defended by a strong Castle and other Fortifications as also the commodiousness of its Haven for being one of the Cinque-port Towns and for its short and ready passage into France being about 21 miles makes it a place of considerable note It also enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well frequented and furnished with Provisions It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major and other Officers enjoyeth ample Immunities and was of a larger extent than now it is having formerly 7 Parish Churches which are reduced to 2. It s Castle built by Julius Coesar is esteemed a place of great importance to the Nation and is strongly guarded At the west part of the Peer is a Fort called Archliff-Fort and in the Cliff under the Castle is a Fort called Motes Bulwark and at the other side of the Castle-hill is a Tower or Light-house made use of for direction of Ships called Breden-stone and by some the Devils drop of Mortar Along the Shoar going towards Sandwich are St. Margarets-bay Kingsdown Walmer Castle Deal Castle and Sandown Castle Sandwich another of the Cinque-port Towns being incorporated Sandwich and amongst its Immunities electeth Burgesses It is a place of good strength both by Nature and Art but by reason of the ill-commodiousness of the Harbour is not well frequented yet hath it weekly 2 Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays Isle of Thanet The Isle of THANET doth here present it self which is about 9 miles long and about the same breadth where broadest It is very populous and plentifully stored with Provisions especially Corn and hath in it several Towns whose names appear in the Map County of Lancaster described The County Palatine of LANCASTER for
inhabited by Gentry and Persons of Honour as are Hampsted Highgate Hornsey Tottenham-Highcross Muswel-Hill Edmonton c. Towns near adjacent to London London London the epitomy and glory of the Kingdom was the Seat of the British Empire as now the Royal-Chamber of our Kings a City of great antiquity said to be built by Brute the Trojan but all agree it was re-edified by King Lud in Anno Mundi 5131 who called it Luddestown It is seated in a healthful Air and no less pleasantly than commodiously on the banks of the Thames which severeth it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a stately Stone-bridge so covered with Houses that it seemeth rather a Street than a Bridge This City is begirt with a Wall first built by Constantine the Great at the suit of his Mother Helena and hath for entrance 7 principal Gates but now as contemning bondage it hath enlarged it self on all sides with spacious Suburbs insomuch that she hath joyned her self to the City of Westminster which name is now swallowed up all passing under the general name of London The City of Westminster according to Mr. Norden in his description of Middlesex was in time past called Thorney or Dorney and was an Isle encompassed with the Thames which divided it self and one branch passed between Chairin-Cross and Kingstreet through St. James's including Tut-hill which said Isle was so called as being overgrown with Briars and Thorns but in the time of King Lucius it is said to be cleansed and the foundation of the great Temple of St. Peters was laid which was raised out of the ruins of a former delicated to Apollo where the Trinobantes or Troinovantes did sacrifice Bulls Bullocks Stags and such like Beasts to Diana Tauropolia whom the Gentiles called the Queen of Heaven This City or part of London is the noblest though not the longest being taken up by the King the Nobility Gentry and such as have their dependancy on the Court or Law being sufficiently graced with fair and beautiful Edifices as 1. The Palaces of his Majesty Whitehall and St. James's to which is joyned a small but delightful Park wherein is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Christendom 2. The Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now all known by the general name of Westminster-hall and was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England 3. It s Collegiate-Church of Westminster which was formerly the Temple of St. Peter and now renowned for its Chapel built by King Henry the Seventh being beautified with the Tombs of the Kings and Queens and many of the Nobility of England nor is it less famous for the Inauguration of our Kings and Queens 4. The Palace of her Majesty Somerset-house and 5. The Houses of the Nobility And thus much for the City of Westminster The Eastern part or Suburbs of London beyond the Tower is taken up by those that have relation to the Sea and the whole City thus taken is now of a great extent being in length from Black-wall in the East to Tuttle-fields in the West about six miles in breadth 1 2 and in some places 3 miles and is said to make in circuit about 14 or 15 miles in which extent are numbred about 500 Streets and Lanes and contains according to computation about 75000 Houses and by the great number of Houses the Inhabitants may be guest at which without doubt are very numerous and if we consider its great Trade and Commerce with other Nations its Riches Jurisdiction bounds and populousness its good Government the ingenuity of its Inhabitants in Letters Arts and Manufactures c. it may deservedly be numbred with any City of the highest rank in the World The Buildings of note belonging to this City are its Inns of Court and Chancery Guildhall a stately Structure where the Courts of Judicature are held and where the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council meet for the negotiating the Affairs of the City The Royal Exchange built quadrangular now said to be the best in the known World The Tower a place or large extent well furnished with a Magazin or Arsenal of warlike Munition both for Sea and Land-service and doth contain according to observation a Kings Palace a Prison an Armory a Mint a Wardrobe and an Artillery each having their peculiar Officers and for Buildings resembleth a Town having a Parochial Church exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop Gresham Colledge given to the City by Sir Tho. Gresham with the allowance of liberal Salaries to professors of several Arts and Sciences to read Lectures for the advancement of Learning amongst the Citizens The Colledge of Heralds called the Heralds Office where the Records for the Arms Descents and Pedigrees of the Nobility and Gentry are kept Doctors Commons which is taken up by the Civilians The Colledge of Physitians The Halls of the several Incorporated Companies The Houses of Correction amongst which that of most note is Bridewell a large Building The Hospitals viz. St. Bartholomews Christ-Church and the Charter-house or Suttons Hospital being the noblest Hospital in the Kingdom in which are well maintained 80 Old men and 40 Boys The Sessions House for the trial of Malefactors and lastly its Churches and Free Schools This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Wards and the Government thereof committed to the care of so many Aldermen each having the overseeing of his several Ward and besides these Aldermen there are 2 Shoriffs which are yearly chosen as also a Lord Major who is the principal Magistrate To the making a compleat City there are several principal parts or helps required for the supportation thereof and without which it cannot well stand to wit Husbandry and Artificers for the providing Food and Rayment for its Inhabitants Arms and Ammunition for its defence the Priesthood for Divine worship Judges Councellors c. for the administration of Justice and Traffick for the bringing in of Riches In all which this City in a liberal measure is blest with County of Monmouth MONMOVTHSHIRE This County formerly part of Wales is blest with a healthful Air and although very hilly and woody yet is exceeding fertil especially the Eastern parts which are not so hilly as the Western the Hills feeding abundance of Cattle and Sheep and the Valleys bearing great crops of Corn and Grass and the rather for its being watered with so many fresh Streams the chief of which are the Vske Wye Munow Ebunith Scoway and the Rumney which fall into the Severn Sea It is divided into Hundreds in which Tract are seated 127 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 7 Market Towns Monmouth Monmouth no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Wye and Munow which doth almost encircle it over each of which is a Bridge In the midst of the Town near the Market-place standeth a once stately but now ruinous Castle It is a fair large well built and inhabited
and frequented Town enjoying large Immunities and sendeth a Burgess to Parliament It is governed by a Major 2 Bailiffs 15 Common Councellors a Town Clerk and other sub-Officers and hath a considerable Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays Chepstow Chepstow seated on the side of a Hill which is washed with the Wye near its fall into the Severn a Town formerly very famous and of great resort being said to be raised out of the ruins of Venta Silurum the chief City of the Silures It is a large well built inhabited and frequented Town and hath a Market on Saturdays which is very good for Corn and Provisions and very considerable for Swine Carlion or Caerleon an ancient and flourishing City of the Romans Carlion which is evidenced by the ruins of its stately Buildings as Palaces Temples and Theaters enclosed within fair Walls the Water-pipes Vaults Hot-houses and Roman Coins oft digged up And here the Noble Arthur kept his Court and here was a famous Colledge for 200 Students in Astronomy and other the liberal Arts and Sciences This Town which is indifferent large is commodiously seated on the banks of the Vske over which it hath a large wooden Bridge yet its Houses for the generality are built of Stone and its Market which is but indifferent is on Thursdays Vske seated on a River so called a large Town uske beautified with well built Stone-houses and hath a very good Market on Mondays and Fridays Abergavenny seated at the meeting of the Vske and the Keveny Abergavenny once a place of great strength It is a large Town hath well-built Houses enjoyeth a good Trade for Flanels and Straw-Hats here made in great plenty and its Market which is on Tuesdays is very considerable for Cattle Provisions c. County of Norfolk The County of NORFOLK is of a different Soil but may be comprised under two heads to wit Champain and Wood-land yet notwithstanding about the Towns it is of a Claiey Chalkey and fat Earth and not without Wood. That which is comprised under the head of Champain is along the Sea-Coasts and from Thetford to Burnham and so Westwards and affords great plenty of Corn and on the Heaths great flocks of Sheep are fed The Wood-land part is chiefly for grasing yet not without Corn ground The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Iceni and afterwards became part of the Kingdom of the Angles The Commodities that this Country plentifully affordeth are Worsteds Stockings Norwich Stuffs and Herrings The chief Rivers that water this County are the Owse Waveny Yare and the Thryne It is generally well inhabited with Gentry is very populous and full of Towns and Villages numbring 660 Parish Churches which are the most of any County in England and is traded unto by 27 Market Towns Norwich a City of great antiquity Norwich and formerly of as great splendor when the Seat of the East Angles since which it hath undergone several calamities by Fire Sword and Pestilence and notwithstanding all its shocks of Ill fortune it is at present a fair large and populous City and enjoyeth a great Trade especially for their Stockings Stuffs and Manufactures here made It is commodiously seated on the banks of the Yare which severeth it but is joyned together by several Briges and in a pleasant Valley It is about a mile and half in length and almost of the like breadth and is encompassed with a Wall except on the side seated on the River and hath 12 Gates for entrance and for Divine worship 32 Parish Churches bisides Chapels It s chief buildings are the Cathedral the Bishops Palace the Palace of the Duke of Norfolk the Market-house the Cross and the House of Correction made of Free-stone Here is an Hospital where 100 poor Men and Women are maintained This City may not improperly be called an Orchard in a City or a City in an Orchard by reason of the pleasant intermixture of the Houses with Trees It was first governed by 4 Bailiffs but in the Reign of Henry the Fourth it was incorporated into a Majoralty and made a County whose limits extend to Eaton-Bridge It enjoys several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and is the See of a Bishop Its Markets on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays are very great and well stored with Corn living Cattle Leathen Yarn Worsteds and all sorts of Provisions Lynn Lynn or Lynn Regis seated almost at the influx of the Owse into the Washes a fair large and well-built Borough Town numbring 3 Parish Churches of good antiquity enjoying ample Immunities which were granted them for their good service against the outlawed Barons in the Isle of Ely It is governed by a Major 12 Aldermon hath a Recorder Sword-Bearer and other sub-Officers sendeth its Representatives to Parliament for its defence is encompassed about with a Wall and a deep Trench is well watered having 2 Rivulets which run through the Streets which are passed over by 15 Bridges It is well inhabited by Merchants and Tradesmen having a commodious Haven and its Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays are well served with Commodities and Provisions Yarmouth Yarmouth seated on the Yare at its influx into the Sea It is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being esteemed the Key of this Goast The Town is large yet hath but one Church but that is so large that it serveth for two Ministers Its Buildings are good it is a place of a great resort is well inhabited and traded unto and the more as being the ready passage to Holland for the Packet-Boat and other Vessels About this Coast great abundance of Herrings are caught in September and as great quantities of Mackerels in the Summer season It is a Town Corporate having for its chief Magistrates 2 Bailiffs it enjoyeth several Immunities and sends Burgesses to Parliament It s Market is on Saturdays which is very great for Corn Fish and Provisions Windham Windham seated in a dirty bottom hath an indifferent good Market for Corn and Provisions on Fridays but chiefly for Stockings Wooden-Spoons Yapps and Spindles which are here made and sold by the Inhabitants in great abundance Swasham Swasham seated on a Hill a large and well built Town full of Inns end well inhabited by Shopkeepers who drive a good trade It s Market which is on Saturdays is very well served with Corn and Provisions being esteemed one of the best Market Towns in the County North Walsham North Walsham seated in a level not far from the Sea a fine Market Town which on Thursdays is well provided with Corn Flesh and other Commodities County of Northampton described NORTHAMPTON an Inland County of a fat and rich Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage every way recompencing the Husbandmans pains and industry both for its excellent Grain and for feeding and breeding of store of Sheep Horses and Cattle insomuch that here is observed to be less wast
sometime defended against a certain Soldan or Heathenish Prince Through the Picts Wall runneth the Tyne which watereth two Dales each having their Hills so boggy with standing Water on the top that no Horse-man is able to ride through them and yet in many places are great heaps of Stones called Laws supposed to be cast up in memory of some persons there slain The chief places are Newcastle Newcastle scituate on an Eminence and on the North banks of the Tyne over which it hath a fair Bridge This Town before the Conquest was called Monk-chester as being in the possession of Monks which name was changed to Newcastle by Robert Son to William the Conquerour from a Castle there built by him It is a Town and County of it self being incorporated and governed by a Major 12 Aldermen a Recorder and other sub-Officers and amongst its Immunities sends its Representatives to Parliament 't is a place of good largeness numbring 4 Parish Churches besides one in Gates-head it is beautified with good Buildings and by reason of its deep and secure Haven is much inhabited and frequented by Merchants and Tradesmen having several Vessels belonging to the Town but is of chief note for its Coal trade It is a place of great strength for besides its Castle now something ruinous it is begirt with a strong Wall on which are many Turrets and hath for entrance 7 Gates Here are weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are both very considerable for all sorts of Provisions Morpeth Morpeth scituate on the Wensbeck a very fine incorporated Town governed by 2 Bailiffs and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament It is strengthned with a Castle and hath a Market on Wednesdays which is esteemed the best in the County for Corn Cattle and Provisions Barwick Barwick commodiously seated betwixt England and Scotland but on the North or Scotish side of the Tweed over which it hath a stately Bridge sustained by 14 or 15 Arches being a Town and County of it self It is a Place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being almost encompassed with the Sea and the Tweed and strongly fenced about with Walls a Castle and other Fortifications as being a place of such great importance to England It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major Bailiffs and Burgesses and hath the election of Parliament men It is large and populous its Houses well built enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Salmon and Corn and its Market on Saturdays is very considerable Along the Coast of this County are the Isles of Cockes Fern and Holy Isle which are small Isles of a barren and ungrateful Soil and but thinly inhabited NOTTINGHAM a County blest with a wholsom Air County of Nottingham its Soil is different the South-east part which is watered with the Trent and other fresh Streams is most fertil and apt for Corn and Grass and is called the Clay part and the Western part wherein is the Forest of Shirwood a large tract of ground which is well clothed with Wood and provided with Game and this part from the temperature of the Earth is called the Sandy part This County produceth a Stone softer than Alablaster but being burnt maketh a Plaister harder than that of Paris with which they floor their upper Rooms The form of this Shire is oval doubling in length twice its breadth It is severed into 8 Hundreds or Wapontacks in which are numbred 168 Parish Churches and hath intercourse of traffick with 9 Market Towns Nottingham commodiously feated on an Eminence and on the banks of the Leane Nottingham which at a small distance loseth it self in the Trent over each of which Rivers there is a fair Stone-bridge besides two others over two Ponds called the Cheney Bridges It is a large Town numbring 3 Parish Churches is replenished with well built Houses its Streets are fair and graced with a spacious Market-place on the West side of the Town is the Castle which before its defacement in the late Wars was a place of great strength and importance It is a Town of good antiquity and amongst its places of remark here are many strange Vaults hewed out of the Rocks especially under the Castle which are descended by divers steps and have their several Rooms and Stairs artificially made also in the Hill are Houses with Rooms Chimneys winding Stairs and Windows wrought out of the solid Rock This Town enjoys several Immunities electeth Burgesses for Parliament is governed by a Major 6 Aldermen 2 Sheriffs a Town Clerk and other sub-Officers it enjoyeth a good Trade is well inhabited and frequented and hath weekly 3 Markets viz. on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays which is very considerable for Cattle Corn and Provisions Newark scituate on the high Road to York and on the Trent Newark over which it hath a Bridge It is a good large Town Corporate governed by an Alderman and 12 Assistants is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and hath a considerable Marker for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Wednesdays Mansfield scituate in the Forest of Sherwood a well inhabited Mansfield well built and large Town enjoying a good Trade for Mault and hath a very considerable Market for Corn Cattle Mault Swine and Provisions on Thursdays Redford scituate on the River Idel an ancient Town Corporate Redford which electeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by 2 Bailiffs 6 Aldermen and a Steward and hath a great Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays The County of OXFORD is blest with a delectable Air County of Oxford described which doth occasion it to be much inhabited by Gentry and the rather as being of a fertil Soil for Corn and Fruits well stored with Cattle and interlaced with pleasant Hills wherein and in the Downs are found variety of Game It is well watered with Rivers as the Owse or Isis the Tame Cherwel Windrush and Ebenlode It is divided into 14 Hundreds in which tract is seated 280 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 12 Market Towns and graced with a beautiful and stately City Oxford the Seat of the Muses exceeding all Universities in the World Oxford except her Sister Cambridge It is a place of great antiquity said to be consecrated unto Learning in the time of the Old Britains and was much cherished and countenanced by King Elfred who sent thither his Son Ethelward on purpose to invite the young Nobles to study the Arts and Sciences It is a City commodiously seated both for pleasure and profit between the Isis and the Charwel which encompasseth three parts of the City over which for the convenience of passage it hath several Bridges The City is large numbring 14 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a large Structure and is at present a fair and stately City adorned with well-built Houses and beautified with divers curious Structures as the Kings Palace now the Mannor House the 16 Colledges 8 Halls the Schools wherein is a stately Library
Danes It is at present a place of a large extent numbring 12 Parish Churches besides St. Georges Chapel and for its abundance of Streets which are clean and neatly ordered its populousness and good trade that its Inhabitants drive both by Sea and Land it may be ranged in the number of Cities It is a Town Corporate well Priviledged sends Burgesses to Parliament and is governed by 2 Bailiffs chosen out of 12 Port-men and 24 Common Council also a Recorder Town Clerk and other sub-Officers It is well served with Provisions for besides its Shambles here are weekly 3 Markets viz. on VVednesdays and Fridays for Fish and Butter and on Saturdays for Provisions of all sorts in great plenty And this Town gave birth to Cardinal Wolsey who here began a magnificent Colledge which still bears his name Bury or St. Edmonds-Bury so called from King Edmond the Martyr Bury here interr'd who was shot to death at Hoxon by the Danes for not renouncing the Christian Faith This Town is very pleasantly seated and in an Air so healthful that makes it to be much inhabited and frequented by Gentry It is a Town Corporate governed by an Alderman for its chief Magistrate besides a Recorder and other sub-Officers and sends its Representatives to Parliament It is of a large extent yet consisteth but of two Parish Churches hath well built Houses its Market-hill Fair-sted and Corn-Cross are spacious and handsom but its Streets are ill paved chiefly occasioned by the heavy Carriages which come to its Markets on VVednesdays which are much resorted unto being the chief Market Town in the County for Grain and is also well furnished with fresh Fish Pigeons wild Fowl and most sorts of Provisions This Town was famous for its Abby which for fairness and Prerogatives exceeded all others in England Here is kept the Quarter Sessions for the liberty of St. Edmond and in the Abby-yard stands the Shire-house where the Assizes are ordinarily held for the County New-Market composed of a well built Street Newmarket a great thorough-fare Town full of Inns it consists of two Parish Churches the one in this County and the other in Cambridgeshire but its Market-place and Street is wholly in Suffolk It s Market is on Tuesdays which is well frequented and served with Fish wild Fowl and other Provisions and by reason of the scituation of the Town near the spacious Heath which bears its name so commodious for Horse-races and in a part of the Country so fit for Field-sports it is much resorted unto by his Majesty where he hath his Palace and the Nobility and Gentry Mildenhall Mildenhall seated on a branch of the Owse a large Market Town graced with a fair Church with a tall Steeple and very populous having distant Streets called Rows as Beck-row How-row c. to the Fenward belonging to it as big as some little Towns It hath a well frequented Market especially for Fish and wild Fowl on Fridays Sudbury Sudbury seated on the Stower over which it hath a fair Bridge leading into Essex an ancient good large Town containing 3 Parish Churches and by reason of its trade of Clothing is well frequented It is a Borough Town electing Parliament men and is governed by a Major 7 Aldermen 24 Burgesses and other sub-Officers It s Market which is on Saturdays is well resorted unto Hadleigh Hadleigh a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen Council c. hath the accommodation of two Markets weekly viz. on Mondays very considerable for all Provisions especially Meat and a smaller on Saturdays It is graced with a sumptuous Church was a place of great Trade in former times for Clothings but at present hath lost much of its trade for Turky-ware as also for Bays and Says Stow-Market Stow-Market seated in the center of the County and between the branches of the Gypp or Orwell a large and beautiful Town graced with a spacious Church on whose Steeple is a lofty Pinacle not easie to be parallel'd It hath a Market on Thursdays which is well served with Provisions and Retail-wares and the grand Trade of the Town is now in Tammeys and other Norwich-Stuffs being the only Town in the County considerable for that employment Woodbridge Woodbridge a large Town watered with several fresh Springs having a pleasant prospect down the Channel chiefly at High-water being about 6 miles from the Main a Town of good Traffick by Sea and Land it is well enough built excepting the lowness of the oldest Houses and part of the Streets are well paved it hath a fair Church in which are several Monuments It s Market which is on Wednesdays is of considerable resort and well traded unto for its Commodities viz. Pouldavis Sack-cloth Plank Butter Cheese but chiefly for its Hemp. As to its Sea-trade they have several Vessels both great and small which are imployed by them and have here 4 or 5 Docks for the building of Ships Aldborough Aldborough a Coast Town pleasantly seated in a Dale a large long and plain built Town composed of two or three Streets of low Houses all in a row At a small distance from this Town is Slaughden where they have a commodious Key with Ware-houses or Fish-houses the only employment of the Town being for Fish having great conveniences for drying their North-Sea Fish in which Fishing-trade with a little in the Coal-trade they employ several Vessels but not so many as formerly It is a Town Corporate governed by two Bailiffs 10 Capital Burgesses with 24 Inferiour enjoyeth ancient Priviledges and sends its Representatives to Parliament For their defence Sea-wards they have about 20 great Guns planted It s Market is on Saturdays which is but small Dunwich Dunwich an ancient Town Corporate sending Burgesses to Parliament and is governed by two Bailiffs and other sub-Officers and hath a small Market on Saturdays It is a Town of great antiquity being in the year 640 made an Episcopal See by Felix the Burgundian in the reign of William the Conquerour it contained 236 Burgesses had a Mint and its Inhabitants were rich but through the removal of its Episcopal See and the encroachment of the Sea which hath swallowed up a great part of it and decay of its Shipping and Trade it is rather the Remains of a Town than one Bungay Bungay sufficiently watered by the Waveney which severeth it from Norfolk It is a good large Town containing two Parish Churches one of which is fair and between both in the midst of the Town is to be seen the Ruins of a famous Nunnery It s Market is on Thursdays which is great and well resorted unto especially by those of Norfolk Beckley seated also on the Waveney a very large Town Beckley having a considerable much frequented and well served Market on Saturdays and hath a Passage-trade by Water to Yarmouth the Town is but plain built having several Thatched Houses but graced with a fair
Church and a bulky tall Steeple on a Hill County of Surrey described SVRREY a County of a different Soil not over fertil especially in the midst yet the parts near the Thames which is plain and Champain is grateful to the Husbandman and the parts called Holmesdale by reason of the aspiring Hills Rivers Parks Meadows Groves and Fields is a place of great delight The Air is very healthful It is garnished with the Seats of several Gentlemen and is better stored with Game than Grain Here are seated 140 Parish Churches and hath the accommodation of 9 Market Towns Southwark or the Borough of Southwark Southwark on the South-side of the Thames opposite to the City of London to which it is joyned by a stately Stone-bridge and is a member thereof being annexed by King Edward the Sixth but doth still enjoy several of its ancient Priviledges as electing Burgesses holding of Courts within themselves c. It is a place which for largeness of good Buildings and quantities of Inhabitants may be ranged with Cities enjoying a good Trade and is well resorted unto Croydon seated low near the Spring-head of the River Wandle Croydon and in a manner begirt with aspiring Hills which for the most part are well clothed with Wood of which great store of Charcoal is made for which this place is of note It is a large Town dignified with the Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury is beautified with a large and fair Church hath an Hospital for the relief of Poor people and a Free-School for the Education of Youth The Town is large its Houses well built and its Market which is on Saturdays is considerable and well served with Corn and Provisions From this Town to Farnham runneth the Downs called Banstead-Downs which affordeth great diversion for Hawking Hunting and Horse-Races Kingston a large and ancient Town Corporate Kingston enjoying large Immunities and is of chief note for being the place where upon a Stage in the open Market-place stood the Chair of Majesty where Aethelstan Ethelred and Edwin were Crowned Kings and received their Imperial Scepters from whence 't is said the Town took its name being before called Moreford It is pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Thames over which it hath a fair Bridge which leadeth to Kingstonwick in Middlesex about a mile from Hampton-Court the Palace of his Majesty Its Houses are well built and hath several Inns and Taverns it is the usual place for the Assizes and its Market on Saturdays is very considerable for Corn and Provisions Reygate seated in the Vale of Homes dale Reygate of note for its bloody Battles here sought against the Danes in which they were vanquished and also for its ancient but ruinated Castle where in the midst of a large Court there is a Vault of a great depth and length at the end of which is a spacious Room where according to report the Barons met in Council in their War against King John Here is Fullers-Earth dug up in great plenty It is a large Borough Town which sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very considerable Market on Tuesdays being well served with Corn and Provisions Not far from this Town are Blechingley and Gatton two ancient Borough Towns which electeth Parliament men once places of good account especially Gatton Guilford no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Wey Guilford which is navigable for Barges very commodious to the Inhabitants for the conveyance of their Goods by water to London It is an ancient Borough Town governed by a Major and other sub-Officers hath the election of Parliament men and was a place of a larger extent when the English-Saxon Kings had their Palace here than now it is yet is it a fair neat well built and large Town containing three Parish Churches one of which is a fair Structure It is a place well inhabited and frequented where the Assizes are oft kept and as seated on a High-road is well furnished with Inns and Taverns for the reception of Travellers and its Market which is on Saturdays is of good Account and well served with Corn and Provisions Farnham Farnham said to be so called from the great store of Fern here growing It is a good Town seated on the River Wey of note for being the place where King Elfred with a small Power subdued the Danes with a great slaughter and for its spacious Castle highly seated It hath a great Market on Saturdays for all Provisions but chiefly Oats and Barley County of Sussex described SVSSEX a large County in form long and narrow which with its extent bounds division into Rapes scituation c. may appear by the Table The Air though clouded with Mists and thick Vapours which arise from the Sea yet is it good and healthful It is well watered with Rivers which fall into the Sea which washeth its Southern parts and although its Sea-Coast is of so large an extent yet it is but thin of Harbours and those not very good being dangerous for entrance by reason of its Rocks and Shelves The Soil is fertil the Sea-Coast called the Downs is hilly but very pleasant and feedeth good store of Cattle The North-part is overshadowed with Woods and Groves where in times past was that famous Wood Andradswald being about 120 miles in length and 20 in breadth and in these parts are many Iron-Mines The Commodities that this County affordeth are Iron unwrought and wrought into Guns c. Corn Cattle Sheep Wool and Wood. This County is severed into 6 Rapes all which traverse the Shire and have each of them their particular River Forest and Castle and in these Rapes are 65 Hundreds in which are numbred 312 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 16 Market Towns In Chichester Rape are 7 Hundreds and its chief places are Chichester Chichester seated on the Banks of the Levant which at a small distance falleth into the Sea It is an indifferent large City containing 5 or 6 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral it is graced with good Buildings and spacious Streets especially the 4 which lead from the 4 Gates of its Wall and cross one another at the Market-place which is a fair Stone-Building sustained with Stone-Pillars It is dignified with an Episcopal See and Seat of a Bishop It is a City endowed with many Priviledges electeth Parliament men is governed by a Major Aldermen Recorder with sub-Officers is a place of pretty good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well provided with Corn Cattle and all sorts of Provisions both Flesh Fish and Fowl Nigh unto this City is Selsey-Isle or rather a Peninsula as being almost encompassed with the Sea and its Arms and Branches at present of chief note for its Cockles and Lobsters here taken in great plenty but in former time was of note for its City so called now devoured by the Sea where there was an Episcopal See which afterwards
was removed to Chichester Arundel Arundel pleasantly seated near a Forest so called and on the Banks of the Arum over which it hath a Bridge It is an ancient Borough Town governed by a Major and sub-Officers and amongst its Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament it was once of note for its ancient and strong Castle which flourished in the time of the Saxon Empire The Town is indifferent large and its Houses well built and hath a Market Horsham Horsham seated near St. Leonards Forest said to be so called from Horsa Brother to Hengist who were the first Leaders of the English Saxons into this Isle It is a large Borough Town governed by Bailiffs sends Burgesses to Parliament is the place where the County Goal is kept as also the Assizes and hath a very great Market on Saturdays for Corn and all sorts of Provisions especially Fowl which is bought up by London Haglers New Shorham seated on an Arm of the Sea Shorham which renders it to be a place of some Trade and would be more had it but a good harbour for Ships It is a Town Corporate governed by a Constable and Burgesses electeth Parliament men but hath not the benefit of a Market Lewes scituate on the banks of the Arun a Town of good antiquity Lewes where King Athelstan appointed the Mintage of his Money It is a Town Corporate governed by 2 Constables enjoys several Immunities electeth Parliament men and hath a very good Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays This Town for fairness of Buildings and Streets populousness of Inhabitants both of Gentry and Tradesmen and largeness numbring 6 Parish Churches and having large Suburbs may be esteemed one of the best Towns in the County At the entrance of the River Arun into the Sea is New-haven of late made a pretty secure Harbour for Ships which hither put in in Foul weather which these Seas are subject unto East-Grinsted seated on an Eminence Grinsted a small Borough Town on the confines of the County towards Surrey is graced with a fair Church hath the election of Parliament men is governed by a Bailiff and Burgesses is the place where the Assizes are often held and hath a good Market on Thursdays Winchelsey of good antiquity Winchelsey and once of far greater account than now it is and that occasioned by the Seas unkindness in forsaking it yet doth it still enjoy its Priviledges as keeping of Courts in being a Member of one of the Cinque-Ports in sending Burgesses to Parliament and by being governed by a Major who is Lord of Yarmouth for the Fishing-Trade and Jurats The Town is seated on a Rock or sandy Cliff and on an Inlet of the Sea where it makes 4 Cataracts and were its Haven not choaked up it would be a place of Trade It was formerly a large Town numbring 18 Parish Churches which are all reduced to ruin except one and its Buildings also wasted and ruinous for want of Inhabitants so that its Market is now disused Rye one of the Cinque-Port Towns Rye which began to flourish upon the decay of Winchelsey being walled about where the Cliffs defend it not in the Reign of King Edward the Third It is at present a fair and well-built Town with paved Streets is well inhabited and frequented chiefly by Fisher-men being of note for its excellent Herrings here taken and for being the ready Port-Town to Normandy It is governed by a Major and Jurats hath a commodious Haven and hath weekly 2. Markets viz. on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are very well served with Corn and Provisions Hastings of good antiquity being Incorporated Hastings governed by a Major and Jurats is one of the Cinque-Ports enjoys large Immunities and is of note for being the place where William the Conquerour set up his Fortress at his Landing at Balver-hith not far distant where he caused his Fleet to be burnt It is a large Town containing 2 Parish Churches chiefly composed of as many Streets in each of which there being a Church and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well resorted unto and served with Corn and Provisions especially Fish which is here had in great plenty As to the scituation of this Town it is couched between a high Cliff Sea-wards and as high a Hill Land-wards County of Warwick described The County of WARWICK seated as it were in the midst or heart of the Kingdom and participates with her in the best both for richness of Soil pureness of Air and pleasure to its Inhabitants It may be divided into two parts the one called Feldon and the other Woodland and these are in a manner separated by the River Avon which in a crooked passage runneth through the County That called Feldon is more Champain affording rich Meadows feeding store of Cattle and is exceeding grateful to the Husbandman in their Crops of Corn That called Woodland of old Arden took its name from the great plenty of Wood which is now much wasted by the Iron-works and this part is more ungrateful to the Husbandman It is severed into 5 Hundreds in which are numbred 158 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 17 Market Towns Coventry Coventry well seated for an Inland City being esteemed the chief place of Trade in these parts a place very well inhabited and frequented and the more for the great quantities of Cloaths here made and vended It is a fair neat and large City containing 3 Parish Churches of which that of St. Michael and the Holy Trinity are loftily built and is beautified with good Buildings and well ordered Streets and its Cross now lately repaired is composed of curious work and delightful to behold Here it was that Godiva wife to Leofrick Earl of the Mercians for the purchasing the Citizens freedom and to be eased from those heavy Taxes which he imposed upon them for some Offence about Noon-day rode naked through the chief Streets of the City It is a place which enjoyeth several Immunities being a County incorporate of it self having within its Liberties several Towns is governed by a Major 2 Sheriffs and other sub-Officers keepeth Courts for the hearing of Causes and trial of Felons having a Goal for Offenders and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament It is a place well served with Commodities and its Market on Fridays is very great for Corn Cattle Provisions c. Warwick VVarwick a Town of great antiquity said to be built by Gurgunstus almost 400 years before the birth of Christ and in the time of the Romans it was in a very flourishing condition large and populous where they kept a Garrison which was a Band of Dalmatian Horsemen It is at present a Town of good account seated on a steep Rock and washed on the River Avon over which it hath a strong and well-built Stone-Bridge It is indifferent large containing 2 Parish Churches besides several demolished its Houses are well built its Streets well-ordered and large
England is divided into four Circuits for the Administration of Justice and then the first shall contain the Counties of Denbigh Flint and Montgomery the second those of Brecknock Glamorgan and Radnor the third those of Cardigan Carmarden and Pembroke and the fourth those of Anglesey Caernarvon and Merioneth But to proceed to the description of these Counties and first of North-Wales NORTH-WALES Isle of Anglesey THe Island of ANGLESEY is severed from Caernarvon-shire by a narrow Streight of the River Menai and on all other parts it is washed with the Irish Seas It was the ancient Seat of the Druids and brought with no small difficulty under the Roman Scepter by Julius Agricola It is so fertil and abounding in all things as Corn Cattle and Provisions that the Welsh term it the Mother of Wales supplying its defects although for fight it seemeth dry stony and hilly It produceth a sort of Stones called Molares very fit and good for Mill-stones and Grind-stones In this Isle were formerly seated 360 Towns and Villages but at present but 74 and hath intercourse of Traffick with two Markes Towns and hath several good Ports and Harbours as also divers Ferries for the conveyance of Passengers to and fro It s chief places are Beau-Morish Beau-Morish seated on a Moorish-ground but commandeth a fair prospect into the Sea where it hath a very good Harbour for Ships It was built by King Edward the First the better to secure his Conquest who fortified it with a powerful Castle now in good repair It is a pretty good handsom Town Corporate governed by a Major Recorder 2 Bailiffs who are Justices of the Peace and 21 Common Council called Burgesses It is the chief Shire-Town where the Assizes and Sessions are held sends a Burgess to Parliament is indifferently well inhabited and frequented as being the usual place for the reception of Passengers from London to Ireland before their taking Shipping at Holyhead It hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are indifferent good Newburgh Newburgh seated near Brant River where it formeth a Bay and falleth into Menai River a small Borough Town governed by a Major 2 Bailiffs and a Recorder and hath a Market on Tuesdays County of Caernarvon described The County of CAERNARVON before Wales was divided into Shires bore the name of Snowden-Forest from the principal Hill therein seated which is of a very great height and extent and affordeth excellent sweet Mutton on the top of this Hill floateth a Meer and maketh a River and falleth into the Sea at Trathe-Mawer It is a County of a sharp Air very Mountainous yet not unfertil and feedeth good Herds of Cattle In this County are seated 68 Parish Churches and hath six Market Towns Caernarvon Caernarvon commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar where it hath an excellent prospect into the Isle of Anglesey It was a place of good account where the Princes of Wales had their Exchequer and Chancery for North-Wales and is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being encompassed on all parts except towards the East with the Sea and two Rivers and had a strong Castle where in a Tower thereof called Eagle-Tower Edward the Second the first Prince of Wales was born It is a place of no great extent having but one Parish Church its Houses and Streets are well built and ordered is well inhabited enjoyeth several Immunities sends a Burgess to Parliament is governed by the Constable of the Castle who is ever Major and hath for his assistance an Alderman 2 Bailiffs a Town-Clerk with Sub-Officers and its Market on Saturdays is very good for Corn and Provisions Bangor lowly seated on the Sea-shoar a Town in Ancient time so large Bangor that it was called Bangor the Great and was defended by a powerful Castle which long since was laid level to the ground It is at present but a small City or rather a Town yet dignified with the See of a Bishop its Cathedral is large and well built its Houses indifferent good is pretty well inhabited is governed by the Bishops-Steward who keepeth Court-Leets and Courts-Baron for the Bishop and hath an indifferent good Market on Wednesdays Nigh unto Bangor is Penmaen-maur that is the Great Stony-head Penmaen-maur being an exceeding high and steep Rock which at High-Sea so hangeth over that it affordeth a very narrow and dangerous passage but having passed this and Penmaen-byehan that is the Lesser Stony-head the Country openeth it self in a broad Plain as far as the River Conwey Aberconwey seated at the Mouth of the Conwey Aberconwey raised out of the Ruins of the ancient Canonium of Antonine being strongly fenced both with Walls and a Castle It is a pretty good Town governed by an Alderman and 2 Bailiffs which for largeness and good Buildings doth rather deserve the name of a City than a Town especially were it thicker inhabited and better resorted unto yet its Market which is on Fridays is well served with Provisions and several Country-commodities Pulhely seated on the Sea-shoar and between two Rivers Pulhely a pretty large and indifferent well-built Bailiwick Town which hath a good Market on Wednesdays for Corn and Provisions and enjoyeth a good Trade by Sea County of Denbigh described DENBIGH-SHIRE a Country very Hilly several of which are of so great a height that they retain Snow and the tops thereof in the Summer season are the Country-mans Morning-Almanack to denote a fair day by the rising of certain Vapours It is of a different Soil the Western part being Heathy is much inclined to sterility and but thinly inhabited except the part which lieth towards the Sea the Eastern beyond the Valley is much more barren and the middle where it lieth flat is a pleasant and fertil Vale and well inhabited with Gentry Here are seated 57 Parish Churches and is traded unto by four Market Towns Denbigh seated on the hanging of a Rocky-Hill Denbigh and on a branch of the Cluyd once a place of good strength when fortified with a strong Wall and an impregnable Castle The Town is indifferent large well built inhabited by Glovers and Tanners enjoyeth a good Trade by some esteemed the best Town in North-Wales is governed by 2 Aldermen 2 Bailiffs and 25 Capital Burgesses with sub-Officers electeth a Parliament man and hath a good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Wednesdays Ruthin seated on the Cluyd which washeth a rich Vale Ruthin of note for its once large and fair Castle It is a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by 2 Aldermen and Burgesses hath a large Hospital and a Free School governed by a Warden and hath a very considerable Market for Corn and Provisions on Mondays which is esteemed the best in the Vale. Wrexham seated in a good Soil affordeth plenty of Lead Wrexham and on a small River which falleth into the Dee It is an indifferent
large well-built and inhabited Town graced with a fair Church whose Steeple is not inferiour to any in England and hath two Markets weekly viz. on Mondays which is but small and on Thursdays which is very great for Corn Cattle and Provisions In this County is Llansainan seated on the River Aled Llansalnan a small Town but of note for its Cave made in the side of a Rock or Stony-hill wherein are 24 Seats some bigger and some lesser known by the name of Arthur's Round-Table a place much frequented by Shepheards and Heardsmen Flintshire described The County of FLINT is not over Mountainous and those that are being interlaced with fertil Valleys affordeth plenty of Corn and Pasturage it hath great abundance of Hony but is very defective of Wood and Fruits It is indifferently well watered hath several safe Harbours for Ships to Ride and Anchor in and this part of the County hath plenty of Mines of Pit-Coal and the adjacent Mountains have store of Lead-Oar This Shire is famous for St. Winfrids-Well St. Winfrids-Well not far from Cajervis in English Holy-Well a place of great note and much resorted unto as well by those to Bath in as being esteemed very good for several Diseases as by Pilgrims out of their devotion in memory of that Christian Virgin Winfrid who was there ravished by a young Lord or Prince of the Country and to stop her Acclamations cruelly slew her and cut off her Head out of which place according to Report did immediately gush forth a Spring which is of so rapid a Stream that at a small distance it is able to drive a Mill. Over the Head of this Spring or Well there now standeth a Chapel built of Free-stone of curious workmanship and in the Chancel on the Glass-window is lively pourtraied the History of St. Winfrid of her life and how her Head was cut off and set on again by St. Reuno In the Well there groweth Moss of a most sweet and pleasant smell which is said to be St. Winfrids-hair Here are seated 28 Parishes and hath two Market Towns Flint Flint well seated on the Deeâ of chief note for its now old and ruinous Castle and although the Shire-Town is but small and hath no Market but as a Borough-Town electeth Parliament man St. Asaph seated on the Elwy St. Asaph where it receiveth the Cluyd over each of which there is a Bridge a place of more fame for its antiquity than largeness or beauty being an ancient Episcopal See founded by Kentigerne a Scot Bishop of Glasco in Anno 560 of which about 300 that were unlearned employed their times in Husbandry within the limits of the said Monastery and the rest to a Holy life By this it may be judged their Bounds were exceeding large and upon his return into Scotland he ordained Asaph a godly man to be his Successor from whom the Town or City took its name which at present is not large not its Buildings very good chiefly glorying in its Cathedral It hath a small Market on Saturdays County of Merioneth described The County of MERIONETH is exceeding Mountainous and Rocky very unpleasant and for the generality much inclined to sterility bearing but thin Crops of Corn yet is found to feed good flocks of Sheep and Herds of Cattle from which the Inhabitants draw their chief Maintenance It is observed that these Mountains are of so great an height that in many places two men may stand and discourse together each upon a several Mountain but must travel some miles before they can come to meet It is well watered with Rivers and is well provided with red Deer Fowl and Fish and as this County is thus Mountainous and barren so is it as thinly inhabited numbring but 37 Parishes and those but ordinary and hath but three Market Towns Harlech Harlech seated on a Rock on the Sea-shoar a small Borough Town which is but thinly inhabited nor its Houses over well built although the chief of the County It is governed by a Major for its chief Magistrate sends a Burgess to Parliament and hath a mean Market This Town was once of a greater account for its strong and beautiful Castle highly seated commanding both Sea and Country adjoyning but was reduced to Ruins in the late unhappy Wars by the Parliamentteers this being a Garrison of the Kings Bala Bala seated near Pimble-Meer which is of a large extent through which the Dee is said to run but not to mingle with its water which is proved for that the Salmons plentifully taken in the Dee are not found in this Meer and likewise the Fish called Gwyniaid much like unto Whitings which is in as great plenty taken in this Meer are never found in the Dee This Town is Incorporated enjoyeth some Immunities is governed by Bailiffs hath an indifferent Market on Saturdays but the Town is mean and small County of Montgomery described MONTGOMERY-SHIRE very Hilly and Mountainous but interlaced with fertil Valleys both for Tillage and Pasturage and was in ancient time of note for its good breed of Horses Here are seated 47 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 6 Market Towns Montgomery the Shire-Town so called from Roger de Montgomery Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury the first builder thereof It is well seated amongst rich grounds and on an easie Ascent of a Hill a place once fortified with a powerful Castle and fenced about with a Wall which was dismantled in the late Wars It is an indifferent large Town Corporate governed by Bailiffs sends a Burgess to Parliament and its Market which is on Thursdays is well resorted unto and hath a good Shambles Welch-Pool seated on the Severn and in a rich Vale Welch-Pool the greatest and best built Town Corporate in the County governed by Bailiffs is well inhabited enjoyeth a very good Trade for English Commodities from Bristol and its Market on Mondays is very considerable for Cattle Provisions and Flannels It s Castle called Powis-Castle which within the compass of its Wall containeth two Castles is of late a large and stately Pile of Building Llanvilling scituate in a Flat amongst the Hills Llanvilling and between the Cain and the Ebir it is a good Town and hath a considerable Market for Cattle Corn Wool and Provisions on Thursdays Within three miles of this Town is Matravan-Castle sometimes the Royal Seat of the Princes of Powis-Land SOVTH-WALES County of Pembroke described PEMBROKE-SHIRE called in Welsh Brechinean is said to take its name from one Brechanius a Prince who had a great Off-spring of 24 Daughters and all Saints It is a County for the generality very Mountainous some of which are exceeding high especially Monuchdenny-Hill not far from Brecknock which exalteth it self above the Clouds and although thus Hilly yet is not without many large and fertil Plains and Valleys both for Corn and feeding of Cattle and the more by reason of the Rivers Vske and
Wye which receive those many Streams that so plentifully water the County and afford to the Inhabitants great abundance of Fish especially Salmon and Trouts in the Wye Here are seated 61 Parish Churches and 4 Market Towns Brecknock seated at the meeting of the Rivers Hodney and Vske Brecknock over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge It is a place of good antiquity and at present a very large Bailiwick Town containing 3 Parish Churches one of which is a Collegiate Church its Houses are well built was once strengthned with a stately Castle as also with a strong Wall which gave entrance by 3 Gates It is governed by 2 Bailiffs 15 Aldermen 2 Chamberlains a Town Clerk c. amongst its Immunities sends a Burgess to Parliament is a place well inhabited and the rather as being the Shire-Town where the Assizes are held It enjoyeth a good Trade for Clothing and hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are very well served with Cattle Corn and Provisions About two miles from this Town is a large Meer or Pool some miles in compass called Brecknock-Meer where in former times stood a fair City which was swallowed up by an Earthquake Hay seated between the Wye and the Dulas Hay a Town of good note in the time of the Romans being then sortified with a Castle and a Wall It is at present a good Town and hath a very great Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Mondays Bealt pleasantly seated amongst the Woods and on the Banks of the Wye Bealt over which it hath a very large Wooden-Bridge which leads into Radnorshire at present a pretty small Town enjoying a considerable Trade for Stockings and hath weekly two very good Markets on Mondays for Cattle and on Saturdays for Corn and Provisions County of Cardigan CARDIGAN a County of a different Soil and ill clothed with Wood the Southern and Western parts being plain and very fertil yet not without some Hills and its Eastern and Northern parts are Mountainous and not so fertil amongst which is the Plinillimon-Hill a Mountain of a very great extent and height Here are numbred 64 Parish Churches and hath 4 Market Towns Cardigan Cardigan formerly strengthned with a Wall and a fair and spacious Castle built on the side of the Tywye upon a Rock long since brought to ruin It is a Town no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the said River Tywye over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge sustained by several Arches and is of no great distance from its influx into the Sea and being the Shire-Town where the Assizes are held and the County-Gaol kept is well inhabited and frequented being a large Town though containing but one Church which is a fair Structure and is graced with a well built Shire-Hall with several good Buildings and as a Town Corporate is governed by a Major Aldermen Common Council with sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities electeth a Parliament man and hath an indifferent good Market on Saturdays Llanbeder Llanbeder seated on the Tywye over which is a Bridge which leadeth into Caermarden-shire an indifferent good Town governed by a Port-Reive and Steward and hath a Market on Tuesdays which is well resorted unto for Grain and Provisions and from the latter end of April to the beginning of July is very great for Sheep Heifers Cows and Calves Aberysthwy Aberysthwy seated on a Rising-ground and on the Banks of the Ridall near its influx into the Sea a Town once strengthned with a Wall and Castle now ruinated It is a long and ill-built Town governed by a Major with sub-Officers hath a very great Market for Corn Wool Cheese and Provisions on Mondays and is a place much resorted unto by reason of its Fishing-trade and would be more were its Inhabitants industrious Near unto this Town is Lhan-Badernvaur a well-built Town graced with a fair Church which was formerly an Episcopal See and is now the Parish Church of Aberysthwy County of Caermarden CAERMARDEN-SHIRE is generally of a fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage as not being so Mountainous as its Neighbouring Counties and is well watered with Rivers as the Tovye Taoy Lough or Taff which with others discharge themselves into the Sea plentifully serving the Inhabitants with Fish and Fowl and in many places are dug Pit-Coal Here are seated 87 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 8 Market Towns Caermarden Caermarden pleasantly seated on the Towy over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge and is navigable for small Vessels having a good Key for the lading and unlading of their Merchandizes It is a place well inhabited and traded unto and as a Town Corporate is governed by a Major 2 Sheriffs elected out of 16 Burgesses or Aldermen all clad in Scarlet with other sub-Officers Amongst its Immunities electeth a Parliament man keepeth Courts for the trial of Causes is the place where the Assizes are held and hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are very great for Corn Cattle and Provisions both Flesh Fish and Fowl in great plenty This Town glorieth in giving birth to Merlyn that famous British Prophet or South-sayer Llancharn Llangharn or Llangharne seated on the Towye near its influx into the Sea a well-built Town of some Trade having several Vessels belonging to it and its Market which is on Fridays is very good for Corn and Provisions Near unto this Town is a Wich or Salt-work where good quantity of Salt made Llanelly seated on a Creek of the Sea a pretty good Town Llanelly which is well traded unto for Sea-Coal and hath a Market on Thursdays of good account for all sorts of Cattle Corn and Provisions Llandilovawre seated on the Towy over which it hath a fair Bridge Llandilovawre a pretty good Town having two Markets weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays for Cattle Corn and Provisions and the Parish to which this Town belongeth is about 13 miles in length and 7 or 8 in breadth Llanymdofry seated amongst Rivers Llanymdofry a pretty fair Bailiwick and Town Corporate and hath two very great Markets weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays for Provisions and the greatest in the County for Cattle and Sheep County of Glamorgan described The County of GLAMORGAN is of a temperate and healthful Air and of a different Soil and Scituation the Northern parts being extreamly Mountainous full of thick Woods very barren and thinly inhabited yet are found to feed good Herds of Cattle and to send forth several fresh Streams the chief amongst which are the Tavye Taff Ogmore Rumney Elay Nid or Neath c. and the Southern part which is washed by the Severn Sea and receiveth the said Rivers is more upon a level is very fertil both for Corn and feeding of great quantities of Sheep and Cattle is well inhabited and thick beset with Towns and Houses of the Gentry This County numbreth 118 Parish Churches and hath the accommodation
was soon after with above 8000 of his Men flain not far distant Carlingford Carlingford another good and well frequented Port-Town Lough Lough a fair Town conveniently seated on the River Warren Ardeth Ardeth a good Inland dry Town County of Armagh described ARMAGH a County of an exceeding fertil Soil and not inferiour to any in the Kingdom It is severâl into five Baronies viz. Fowes Orrior Tawrane Onelan and Armagh And hath for its chief places Armagh Armagh scated on or near the River Kaisin an ancient but ruinated City yet dignified with the See of an Archbishop who is Primate of all Ireland which name it is said to receive from Queen Armacha and is supposed to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Dearmach And here according to St. Bernard St. Patrick the Apostle of the Irish ruled during his life and when he departed this World was here Interr'd in honour of whom it was a place greatly reverenced Not far from Armagh is Owen Maugh the ancient Seat of the Kings of Vlster Owen-Maugh and on the River Blackwater are two Forts one which beareth the same name and the other called Fort Charles Mount Norris Dornous Mount Norris another Fort And Dornous County of Monoghan described MONOGHAN a County very hilly and well clothed with Wood is severed into four Baronies viz. Monoghan Trough Bartrey and Cremorne And hath for its chief places Clogher seated on the River Blackwater Clogher Monoghan a large Fort Churchland and Lishanahan Monoghan County of Cavan described CAVAN a small County and of less account yet is divided into seven Baronies viz. Clonehy Tulloghgarvy Casterahan Clonmoghan Tullahagh Tullabonobo and Loughtee And hath for its chief places Cavan and Kilmore Cavan and Kilmore the one seated on the Lake Cane the other on the Lake Nivity both which are joyned to the Lake Earne by the River Blackwater County of Fermanagh described FERMANAGH a County well clothed with Wood and very boggy in the midst having several Lakes or Loughs the chief amongst which is that of Earne which is the largest and most famous in all the Kingdom having therein seated divers small Isles and in this Lough are such great store of Salmons Trouts and other Fish that they are oft-times found troublesom to the Fishermen by breaking their Nets This County is severed into three Baronies viz. Magherestrephana Maghereboy and Clanawly And hath for its chief places Bal-Tarbet Bal-tarbet seated on the same Lake Inis Killing Inis Killing the principal Fort in this Tract which in Anno 1593. was defended by the Rebels but taken from them by the valiant Captain Dowdall and near unto this place is a great downfal of water called the Salmon-leap CONNAUGH Full of Bogs and Woods THis Province called by the Irish Conaughty is full of Woods and Bogs yet not unfertil nor wanting in Provisions In this Province at Knocktoe that is the Hill of Axes the greatest rabble of Rebels that ever were seen together in the Kingdom were gathered together and commanded by William Burk O-Brien O-Carrol and Mac-nemare grand Rebels in that time but were discomfited by the noble Valour of Girald Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare and his party And about the Year 1316. upon the occasion of two Princes or Lords falling at odds there were said to be slain on both sides about 4000 Men and so great misery came amongst them through Famine being forced to eat one another and other calamities that of about 10000 there were left alive not above 300. Its Bounds This Province hath for its Eastern Bounds Leimster for its Southern Monster for its Northern Vster and for its Western the Sea where it hath many commodious Bays Creeks and Navigable Rivers It s Extent It s Extent from Tromer in the East to Burrag-Bay in the West being the breadth is about 80 miles and from the River Shennon in the South to Eniskelling in the North being the length is about 120 and in circumference about 400 miles and for its division is parted into sir Counties viz. Mayo Slego Galloway Clare or Twomond and Letrym all which are subdivided into several Baronies as hereafter shall be named And of these in order County of Mayo described MAYO apleasant and fertil County stored with Cattle Deer Hawks and Hony and well watered with the two large Loughs of Meske and Garogh in which are several Isles which with the Rivers that fall into the Sea where are seated several Isles the Inhabitants are plentifully supplied with Fish and Fowl It is severed into nine Baronies viz. Tirrawly Eris Gallin Coragh Burishoole Muriske Kilmaine Clonmoris and Castello And hath for its chief places Killaloy Killaloy dignified with an Episcopal See which formerly was at Mayo where according to Bede there was a Monastery for 30 English men built by an Irish Bishop and was in a flourishing condition in the Reign of King John Refraint Stackby Refraine and Stackby both seated on the Sea-shoar SLEGO a County full of rich Pastures which breed and fatten store of Cattle County of Slego described and is well watered with the Sea and the Lough Earne already treated of It is divided into six Baronies viz. Carbury Corran Leny Tirrarill Tirreragh and Coolavin And hath for its chief places Slego Slego seated on a Bay of the Sea so called where it hath a commodious Road for Ships and is defended by a Castle Dundroes Dunbroyle Dundroes and Dunbroyle both Maritim-Towns GALLOWAY a large and fertil County both for Tillage and Pasturage whose Western part is washed with the Sea County of Galloway described which thrusteth forth several Arms and hath lying on its Shoars divers Isles of which the three largest which bear the name of Aran are Great-Island Ifor-Island Small-Island all seated in the Mouth of Galloway-Bay It is separated into fifteen Baronies viz. Moycullin Ballinananen Clare Downamore Bealamo Killehane Kilconel Clanemactonene Longford Tiaquin Athenry Dunkillin Kilcartan Lough-Reagh and Letrim And hath for its chief places Galloway Galloway a fair large and strong City dignified with an Episcopal See and is commodiously seated for Traffick on a spacious Bay of the Sea so called by reason whereof it is well inhabited frequented and enjoyeth a good Trade Nigh unto this City is the Lough Carble or Carbles about 20 miles in length and 3 or 4 in breadth in which are abundance of small Isles Inis-Ceath Inis-Ceath a place in times past well known for its Monastery Inis-Bovind Inis-Bovind which Bede calleth White-Castle-Isle Aterith Clan-Ricard Kilmaculo and Clonfert Aterith or Athenry once a place of good strength Clan-Ricard Kilmaculo and Clonfert County of Clare described CLARE or TWOMOND a County shooting it self far into the Sea towards the West with a tapred Promontory which with the River Shannon and the Lough Derg both full of small Isles doth almost encompass it
most exposed to the North to wit Pontus Bithynia Galatia and Cappadocia by the appellation of Rumla The more Meridional parts they call Cottomandia which are Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia The Little Asia Minor which is on the Archipelago hath no other name than that of Anatolia But all these Names are little known amongst them much less those which are attributed to the lesser parts of Anatolia The Turks division of Anatolia The Turks divide it into four Beglerbeglies which are as our Lord Lieutenancies under which are 35 or 34 Sangiacats which are as our particular Governments The Beglerbeglies are of Anatolia of Caramania of Toccat and of Aladuli The two first compose all the Western part of Anatolia the two last all the Eastern part The Beglerby of Anatolia hath under him eleven or twelve Sangiacks The Beglerby of Caramania hath only seven or eight he of Toccat likewise seven or eight and he of Aladuli five or six The Cities where the Beglerbies keep their residence are Cuitage or Cutage formerly Cotyaeum for him of Anatolia Cogna once Iconium others put Caesaria once Caesaria penes Anazarbum for him of Caramania Amasia which keeps its ancient name and sometimes Trebizonde formerly Trapezus for him of Toccat and Maraz for him of Aladuli But to proceed to the Provinces of Anatolia The Province of Pontus described PONTVS is a Country of a large extent and taketh up all the length of Anatolia and was by the Romans anciently separated into four parts viz. Polemoniacus Pontus Galaticus Pontus Cappadocius and Metapontus or Pontus especially so called POLEMONIACVS hath for its chief places Nixaria formerly Neo-Caesarea which is the Metropolis Zela enlarged by Pompey and called Megalopolis Barbanissa and lastly Sebastia so called in honour of Augustus whom the Greeks called Sebastos a place for strength very considerable and contended against Tamerlane which was no sooner taken by him but to satisfie his Revenge he caused most cruelly to be buried alive in great Pits about 12000 Men Women and Children Nigh to this City is Mount Stella where Pompey gave Mithridates his fatal overthrow Here Mithridates had his overthrow This Mithridates was a great and eminent King of Pontus who for 40 years withstood the Romans not more excellent in War than in Learning and Memory who spake 22 several Languages who invented that Counter-poyson from him named Mithridate who at last by the Rebellion of his Son and the Valour of L. Sylla Lucullus and Pompey was vanquished where Pompey upon a small Island at the entrace of the Euxine Sea erected a Pillar which at this day bears his name and is by the Inhabitants shewed to Strangers as a memorial of his Victories in these parts In this part of Pontus on the rise and fall of the River Thermodon and on the Banks thereof the Amazons a sort of Warlike-Women were here said to reside so called either because they used to cut off their right Breasts which otherwise would be an impediment to their shooting or because they used to live together They were at first Scythians and accompanied their Husbands to these parts about the time of the Scythians first coming into Asia in the time of Sesostris King of Egypt These People held a great hand over the Themiscyrin who inhabited this Region and the Nations round about them and at last by Treachery were murthered A short account of the Amazonian Women who here inhabited but their Wives being grievously angred as well through Grief and Fear as Exile and Widdow-hood set upon the Conquerors under the conduct of Lempado and Marpesia who not only overthrew them but also much added to the largeness of their Dominions and for a considerable time continued in great reputation The Names of the chiefest of the Amazon Queens were Lampedo Marpesia Ortera Antiopa and Peuthesilea who with a Troop of gallant Virago's came to the Aid of Priamus King of Troy who at last was slain by Pyrrhus Son to Achilles These Amazons in matters of Copulation used to go to their neighbouring Men thrice in a year and if it happened that they brought forth Males they sent them to their Fathers but if Females then they kept them and brought them up in the Discipline of War and Courage Chief places in Pontus Galaticus PONTVS GALATICVS is Eastward of Pontus its chiefest Cities are viz. 1. Amasia remarkable for the Martyrdom of St. Theodorus also being the Birth-place of Strabo the famous Geographer and in these latter times for being the residence of the eldest Sons of the Grand Signior fent hither as spon as circumcised who are not to return till the death of their Father It is a great City about 4 days Journey from the Black-Sea 2. Themiscyra now Favagoria seated on a large Plain near the Sea 3. Diopolis remarkable for the great Overthrow Lucullus gave to Mithridates 4. Sinope of note for being the Birth and Sepulchre of Mithridates 5. Castamona the chief City of the Isfendiars which for strength and scituation is by them preferred before Sinope Chief places in Pontus Capadocius PONTVS CAPADOCIVS hath for its chief places viz. 1. Cerasâs from whence Cherries were first brought into Italy by Lucullus after he had finished his War with Mithridates 12. Pharnacia built by Pharnaces a King of Pontus 3. Trebezond the Metropolis of the Comneni famous for the Trade of Fish caught by the People on the Euxine-shoars here salted and then transported in great quantities to Constantinople Cassa and elsewhere In this City did anciently reside the Deputies of the Grecian Emperours for the security of the Out-parts against the Incursions of the Persians and now is the place of such Gallies as by the Grand Signior are appointed for the scouring and securing their Trade on the Coasts of the Euxine Sea The chief places of Metapontus METAPONTVS whose chief places were 1. Flaviopolu so called in honour to Flavius Vespasianus 2. Claudiopolis in honour to Claudius Emperour of Rome 3. Juliopolis in honour of the Julian Family all which are Mid-land Towns 4. Diospobis of grent resort on the Euxine Sea so named from a Temple consecrated to Jupiter 5. Heraclia a Colony of the Phocians remarkable for being the Seat of a Branch of the Imperial Family of the Comneni But above all is Tocat a good fair City built at the foot of a very high Mountain spreading it self round about a great Rock that is in the midst of the Town on the top of which is seated a Castle with a good Garrison It is well inhabited by Armenians Greeks Jews and Turks who have the command thereof its Houses are well built but its Streets are narrow and amongst its Mosques there is one very stately Here the Christians have 12 Churches hath an Archbishop under whom are 7 Suffragans Here are two Monasteries for Men and two for Women the greatest part of the Christians are Tradesmen and generally Smiths this is the
Monastery of Bethlem the Monastery of the Holy Cross And at Bethlehem over the place where Christ was born the vertuous Helena erected also another fair and goodly Temple which is possest by the Franciscans of Jerusalem being called by the name of St. Maries of Bethlehem Nigh to Jerusalem is the Desart of St. John Baptist where is yet the Ruins of a Monastery over his Cave and the Fountain as also the Mountains of Judah where is the Church of St. John Baptist the Fountain and the House of Elizabeth also the Sepulchre of Zachary a part of the Pillar of Absalon and the Cave of St. James At Bethania two miles from Jerusalem is the House of Simon the Leper the House of Lazarus as also his Sepulchre where is the Mount of Olives where is the Sepulchre of the Virgin Mary where Christ was often and from whence he ascended up into Heaven Joppa or Jaffa serves for a Port to Jerusalem from which it is 10 miles distant and it was thither that the Wood and Stones taken from Mount Libanus and destined to the building of the Temple of Solomon were brought by Water and from thence by Land to Jerusalem This is the Port where Jonah embarked to flie from the face of the Lord. From this History the Heathens made the Fable of Andromeda and pretended to shew in the Rock which is before the Port the marks of the Irons to which Andromeda was chained and exposed to the Sea-Monster After Jerusalem there rests yet Gaza now Gazere greater and better inhabited than Jerusalem 1. Jericho seated on the River Jordan about 30 miles distant from Jerusalem a City once of great fame being in the time of Christianity an Episcopal See also noted for her beautiful Palms but especially for her Balsâmum but now turned to Ruins in the place whereof stands a few poor Cottages inhabited by the Arabians 2. Samaria once the Seat of the Kings of Israel hath now nothing left but the Ruins of some proud Buildings And 3. Sichem now Naplouse hath some Samaritans and remains the Capital of that Quarter and the best inhabited but with many Ruins and to speak truth there is now scarce any place of mark in all the Holy Land whereas under the Cananites under the Hebrews under the Jews there were so many People so many Kings so many Cities so rich and so powerful that throughout the whole Continent of the Earth there was no Country might compare with it Jerusalem is at present governed by a Bassa and Naplouse by another which obey the Beglerby of Damascus DIARBECK Diarbeck and its Parts DIARBECK taken particularly answers only to Mesopotamia which is but part of the ancient Assyria taken in general it answers to the three parts of that Assyria of which the particular Assyria is now called Arzerum Mesopotamia Diarbeck and Chaldea or Babylonia or Yerack The first is the most Oriental and almost all beyond the Tygris the second the most Occidental and is between the Euphrates and the Tygris the third the most Meridional and lies on both sides the Tygris It s fertility and People This Country of Chaldea now Yerack is for the most part exceeding fruitful yielding ordinarily 200 fold the blades of their Wheat and Barly being about four fingers broad having yearly two Harvests The People anciently were much given to Divinations South-sayings and Idolatry Places of most note are 1. Babylon formerly Babel the ancientest City in the World seated on the Bank of the Euphrates It s chief places first built by Nimrod and much enlarged and beautified by Nebuchadnezzar so that it was accounted one of the nine Wonders of the World This City was so vast that its Walls stretcht in circumference 365 Furlongs in height 66 Yards and in breadth 25 scituate on both sides of the Euphrates which also ran through the City emptying it self into divers Rivolets over this River Euphrates there was a stately Bridge at each end of which there was a sumptuous Palace beautified also with the Temple of the Idol Bell the whole City being adorned with fair Buildings stately Palaces and Temples with a number of fair and large Streets famous for its Tower of Babelâ which exalted it selt 5164 Paces in height which is something above 5 miles having its basis or circumference equal to its height A City once esteemed the Mistress of the World and so rich that it is said that Alexander at his taking it found treasured up 200000 Talents of Gold a Talent of our Money being esteemed at 4500 Pounds a vast Treasure but the sins of the People drew the wrath of God upon it and by reason of its Invasions by the Medes Persians and Macedonians who subdued it so ruâned that it soon lost its pristine glory and magnificence being reduced to Ruins out of which was raised a new City called Bagdad Babylon now called Bagdad so named from its many Gardens therein contained but not to compare to the old Babylon neither in largeness nor glory being not above 7 miles in compass but yet remains to this day a place of great Trade between which and Aleppo are found many Caravans to travel with many thousand Camels laden with rich Commodities brought from India and elsewhere abounding with the same Commodities as Aleppo doth At this place they make use also of Pigeons as they do at Alexandretta and Aleppo which serve instead of Posts which when occasion serveth as upon the arrival of Ships Caravans or the like they take these Pigeons and tie an Advertisement which they write in a little piece of Paper about their Necks which done they carry the Pigeon to a high place and toss it up and immediately it flieth to the other place to which it is designed which gives notice to them The Palaces in this City most worthy of note are the Mosque a large and rich Structure built of Free-stone resembling Marble in form orbicular then the Sultans Palace adjoyning to the Buzzar or great Market-place is a rich large but low Fabrick next the Bridge whose passage is over Boats which are chained together which upon occasion may be separated having resemblance to that of Roan in Normandy and lastly its Coho-houses which are Houses of Good-fellowship being in the nature of Coffee-houses with us which in this place are many to which a great resort of People cometh to sip Coffee which by them is highly esteemed as indeed by most People in these Regions 3. Balsera the Port-Town to Bagdad seated near the place where Tygris loses it self in the Persian Gulph which is likewise called the Gulph of Balsora and Ormus This City is said to have 10000 Houses and answers to the ancient Teredon 4. Coufa was sometime the Seaâ of the Califfs and near it was Ali interr'd whence it hath likewise been called Masad-Ali or Merat-Ali the House of Ali and there is always a Horse kept ready to mount Mahomet Mahadin the Son of Almansor the Son of
Gulph on the right and the Oriental or Indian Ocean which is there called the Sea of Arabia on the Front It s fertility and commodities Arabia the Happy may aptly be so called by reason of the fruitfulness and richness of the Soil which produceth plenty of Corn Wine Fruits Odoriferous Spices great increase of Cattle also abounding in Gold Pearls Balsom Myrrhe Frankinsence several sorts of Drugs together with divers useful and beneficial Commodities Also seated in an exceeding healthful and temperate Climate and inriched with many pure and pleasant Streams and Fountains whose Waters are Medicinal It s People These People are very faithful and punctual in their Promises boasting of their Nobility as being descended from Jupiter hating any base or mechanical Art but applying themselves some to grasing of Cattle and others to Merchandize Here it is held Adultery for a Man to enjoy any Woman save those of his own Kin as his Sisters Mother Cousins and the like whom also they take as Wives Here in this Country are great quantities of Ostriches which for the most part abide in the Desarts The Ancients mentioned a great number of different People Cities and Kingdoms and we at this day find the same The Turks possess one part the Persians another but much less than the Turks The Sultan or Xecque or Mecca another and divers Princes People and some Republicks the rest It s chief Places It s chief Cities towards the Red Sea are Medina or Medina-Elnabi or Talnabi that is the City of the Prophet and Mecca this last the Birth-place that the Burial-place of Mahomet Medina though scituated in a barren and desolate place adjoyning on Arabia the Stony yet by reason of its being the Sepulchre of that vile Impostor Mahomet is become a fair City though not containing above 6000 Houses being a place of great Trade and resort by reason of the Pilgrims which hither flock to pay their blind Devotion This Sepulchre or Tomb wherein their Prophet lieth Mahomets Tomb. is enclosed within an Iron-Grate and covered with Green Velvet having the supply of a new one every year from the Grand Signior and the old one being the Fees of the Priests they cut into little shreds and pieces which they fell for great Relicks to the Pilgrims which brings a great Revenue to them In this Temple there are about 3000 Lamps of Gold and Silver wherein is Balsom and other such rich Odours Oyntments and Oils which are continually kept burning Thus much for his Tomb now a word or two concerning his Life He was as I said before born at Mecca distant from Medina about 60 Leagues seated also in a barren Soil but of great resort and Traffick abounding in the Commodities of Persia and India which from hence are transported on Camels to Egypt Palestine Syria and other parts of the Turks Dominions The City is very fair filled with about 6 or 7000 well built Houses having a very sumptuous Temple the place not Walled except by Mountains between which there are four passages which give entrance and issues to the City Here it is made death for any Christian to approach within five miles But to proceed A story of the life and death of the Impostor Mahomet The Father of this Impostor was an Idolatrous Pagan and his Mother as perverse a Jewess at the age of two years he was left to the tuition of his Uncle who after he had kept him to the age of 16 years to quit himself of further charge and trouble sold him to the Ishmaelites who in their Markets sold him again to a rich Merchant who at first was employed about servil work till at last the Merchant perceiving him to be of so ripe a wit and solid judgment advanced him from his Kitchin to be his Factor sending him with his Camels laden with Merchandize into Egypt Persia Syria and other places in which he was so fortunate that he gained his Master a great Estate together with no small fame and credit to himself He was of personage low but comly with which his Mistress was so much taken that upon the death of her Husband his Master she soon married him and endowed him with her wealth He was much troubled with the Falling-sickness which he said were Heavenly raptures in which he had conversion with the Angel Gabriel he was well skill'd in Magick by which he taught a white Pigeon which he kept to feed at his Ear where he put Barly-corns and this Pigeon he reported was the Holy Ghost which instructed him in the Law he afterwards published which was a new Religion whereby he might bring the Jews Gentiles and Christians into one form of Religion where in a Cave not far from Mecca with the help of Sergius a Nestorian Monk and the aid of a certain Jew he made the Alcoran a Book so highly adored by them that on the Cover is written Let none that are unclean touch this Book 3. Ziden seated on the Red Sea and in the midst of all the Coast of Arabia serves for a Port to Mecca from which it is distant 40 miles well built rich and of great resort which hath been walled and fortified since the Portugals have made themselves known and are become powerful in the East 4. Egra by the Arabians called Algier seated on the Red Sea serving for a Port-Town to Medina from which it is distant about three days Journey Mecca Medina and a good part of Arabia the Happy doth belong to Xeriff descended from Hascem great Grandfather to Mahomet and for this reason both the Turks and Persians do much respect him suffering him freely to enjoy his Estates without his paying Tribute to either for on the contrary the Turk causeth to be given him a third part of the Revenues of Egypt that the Pilgrims which go to Mecca may be protected against the Arabs Beduins who by their incursions much trouble those quarters and not only Pilgrims but likewise Emperours Kings and Mahometan Monarchs often make him great Presents 5. Zibit near the Mouth of the Red Sea is fair rich well built and of a good Trade in Drugs Spices Perfumes c. It was once the Seat of a Kingdom till the Turk seized it when he did Aden causing the King of this place to be hanged at the Yards-arm of his Ship and the others head to be strucken off Seated nigh the Red Sea in a large Plain being the residence of the Turkish Beglerbeg Aden and its great Trade 6. Aden is the strongest fairest and most pleasant City of all Arabia enclosed with Walls towards the Sea and Mountains towards the Land On the top of these Mountains are many Castles of a curious prospect it hath about 6000 well built Houses and inhabited by a miscellany of People as Arabians Turks Indians Persians and Ethiopians which here reside for the benefit of that great Trade which is here driven from several parts of the World It
is scituate without the Red Sea at the beginning of the great Ocean and by the industry of the Inhabitants is made an Island fortified with a strong Castle which commands the Road. This City or Island is now become the Magazine for the Commodities of India Persia and Arabia Other Cities in Arabia Above Aden and farther in the main Land are many fair Cities as Laghi Agiaz Almachazane Sanaa and others subject to the Xecque of Mecca Laghi is not far from the Sea Agiaz or Hagias sometime gave its name to these quarters Almachazane is seated on the top of a very high Mountain and of a difficult access it hath a Cistern capable to hold Water to furnish a 100000 Men The Xecque ofttimes keeps Court here Sane or Sanaa stands at the foot of a Mountain and is one of the greatest fairest and strongest of Arabia having many Vineyards Meadows and Gardens within its Circuit Its Houses are well built its Vineyards and Gardens well cultivated its Walls 10 Cubits high and its Ramparts 20 Cubits thick It s Territory is watered with many Fountains produceth excellent Fruits and feeds the best Horses of Arabia Kingdom and City of Fartach its People and Trade Towards the East and almost 150 Leagues from Aden is Fartach a Kingdom and City near the Sea and having a Cape of the same name The Tarquins are valiant and their King defends himself couragiously against the Turks having seen their treatment to his Neighbours of Aden and Zibit The Ports of Dolfar which is the Turks and Pescher are the most renowned of this Coast and send forth the best Frankinsence of Arabia in great quantity Higher on the Coast and farther on the Land are the Cities and Kingdoms or as they call them the Sultanies of Gubel haman Alibmahi Amazirifden and others Other Cities and Kingdoms The rest of the Coast unto Cape de Raz-al-gate is very barren from Cape de Raz-al-gate unto that of Moccandon the Soil is the best of all Arabia and some would here alone confine the name of Hyaman which signifies Happy There are here many fair Cities both on the Sea-coast and higher in the Land one of chief Traffick between the East and Arabia the Happy was formerly called Sohar but this Trade was after transported to Ormus on the Persian side In our time it was restored to the Arabian side to wit at Mascates held by the Portugals Sohar and Mascates are between the Capes of Raz-al-gate and Moccandon and are not above 20 Leagues distant from each other Within the Land are Masfa a City and Kingdom Mirabat Sour or Lyr and others Beyond the Cape Moccandon and advancing towards the Mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates among many other places we have Elcatif or El-Catif a famous Port and which communicates its name to the adjacent Gulph which the ancients called Sinus Bersicus and we at present the Gulph of Balsora and Ormus Near Elcatif is Bahar whose Territory is called Bahareim or Baharem and the Isle and City before Baharem farther in the land is Mascalat a City and Kingdom Jemen likewise a Kingdom and City according to some Lazach or Lassach likewise a Kingdom and City where are of the best Horses of Arabia as at Sanaa Lassach Elcatif and some other are the Turks Elcatif is the ancient Gerra and that part of the Gulph nearest the City called Gerraticus Sinus and the Isle of Barem is the ancient Tylos There yet remains some Cities of which some have their Kings or Sultans others live in Republick which is very rare in Asia The Arabs Bengebres a free People Towards the middle of Arabia are the Arabs Bengebres a free People and which live only of the Prey and Tribute they force from their Neighbours yet possess they 200 or 250 Leagues of Country and are for the most part in the Mountains The Beduins towards Mecca are of the same nature bound about Arabia are a great number of Isles which belong unto it which are dispersed either in the Southern Ocean Red Sea or the Persian Gulph Arabian Isles in the Southern Ocean In the Southern Ocean are found three Isles which bear the name of COCCONATI seven by the name of ZENOBII and two by the name of Insulae AGATHOCLIS and lastly CVRIA and MVRIA where there is found white Tortoises whose Shells are great curiosities In the Red Sea In the Red Sea these Islands 1. CANARAN very hot but fruitful 2. DALAQVA being the largest of all in length 125 miles and not above 12 broad having a City of the same name where they gather Pearls And 3. and lastly the Samaritan Islands In the Persian Gulph In the Persian Gulph these Islands are found BAHAREM the most famous because it hath the Pearl-fishing the best in the Oriental parts This Isle is between Balsora and Ormus about a 100 or 120 Leagues from Balsora and 150 from Ormus It is near the Coast of Arabia and directly opposite to the Coast of Elcatif which is the Turks but the Isle of Baharem which is still the Persians once belonged to the Kingdom of Ormus The Waters here are almost all salt but near Manama the Capital City of the Island there are Springs of Fresh-water at the bottom of the Sea which the Divers go and fetch gathering it into Borracho's or Goats-skins with much cunning and bringing it forth of the Sea do afterwards sell it The Pearls of this Isle are very much esteemed both for their largeness and roundness and this fishing is yearly worth 500000 Ducats besides the value of 100000 and more which is diverted Those of the Isle of GIONFA are of no great value those of the other neighbouring Isles are less except it be at MASCATES 60 Leagues from Ormus They fish here all June July and August if they begin sooner the Pearls are unripe and not hard enough The Air of all Arabia is very healthful but not nor Rains it in some places above twice or thrice in 3 or 4 years but the abundance of the Dew makes their Fruits excellent The People of Arabia their Manners c. The People for the most part are of a mean stature lean swarthy complexioned effeminate voices very swift of foot and expert in the Bow and Dart. They first exercise themselves in Manufactures using all sort of Trade and Traffick far off and some addict themselves to Learning particularly to Philosophy Physick the Mathematicks and to Astrology there have been amongst them many Grammarians Rhetoricians Historians and Interpreters of the Alcoran which is in their Tongue and which hath made the Arabick Language spread itself through all the East at least in the most Southerly parts of Asia and part of Africa but little in Europe Those which range the Country are great Wanderers and greater Thieves they are divided into many Families which know each other and how to distinguish the one from the other Every Family how numerous soever it be hath a
Ebony so curiously wrought in winding knots that it may sooner stay than satisfie the eyes of the Beholder To which stately Structure there is joyned a no less pleasant and delightful Garden wherein are no less then 1000 several Fountains Brooks and Rivolets furnished with store and variety of curious Fruits together with what else may make a place delightful The great place of the City is before the Palace where the Sophy ordinarily resides The Fruits in and about this City are the best in the World their Vines yield in nothing to those of the Canaries Their Horses and Mules are fair and good their Camels so strong that they carry almost twice as much as those of other places They have permitted in this City some Monasteries of Christians as of Carmelites Augustine Fryars Capuchins and others The Inhabitants of this City negotiate their affairs on Horse-back Hispahan and its Commodities The Inhabitants do all their affairs on Hors-back as well publick as private in the buying and vending of their Commodities But the Slaves never ride which makes the difference betwixt them This City being the residence of the Sophy and being inhabited by so many eminent persons which always attend this Monarch makes it to have a great Trade and be much frequented by Merchants almost from all places as English Dutch Portugals Arabians Indians Turks Jews Armenians c. whereby it is furnished not only with all the Native Commodities of Persia as Gold and Silver Raw Silk in such great quantity that they furnish most part of the East as also other places some Drugs and Spices Wine Fruits c. Also sundry curious Manufactures as Carpets Arras-work Hangings c. Cloth of Gold and Silver Fine Cotton Cloths with several other Commodities which are here made but also with those of Arabia India China and Turky which hither are brought in exchange for theirs by Caravans or Camels Dromedaries and Mules by reason they want the benefit of the Sea They had formerly the benefit of several good Ports as Tauris and Balsora but now in the custody of the Grand Seignior together with some others The Ports that they now enjoy and make use of are Ormus and Jasques In this City is erected a Column or Pillar composed of the Heads or Skulls of Men and Beasts being about twenty foot in circumference at the Basis and exalting it self near sixty foot in height Now the reason of erecting of this terrible and horrid Column and Monument was this The People surfeiting with Luxury through their Pride and Impudence denied their duty to their Soveraign not only in refusing to contribute a small sum of money being towards the extirpation of the Turks and Tartars who did much annoy the Kingdom but also audaciously opposed his entrance whereupon he vowed revenge And having made a forcible entrance in his rage fired a great part of the City pillaged each House and in two days he put to the Sword near 30000 and to terrifie others erected a Column or Pillar of their Heads Province of Chorazan its chief Cities Commodities c. The Province of CHORAZAN is the greatest of all Persia some divide it into Cohazan Chorazan and Chowarazan which others esteem to be the same It hath every where a great number of brave Cities as Kahen on Kayem which yields great store of Saffron 2. Thou abounds in Silk Manufactures 3. Mesched or Mexat is the chief of Chorazan and shews the Tombs of many Persian Kings It is about twelve miles in compass and hath about 100000 Inhabitants It s Territory is fertile its Inhabitants well made strong and warlike 4. Herat is likewise called Salgultzar that is The City of Roses it producing greater quantities then any City in the World besides It yields likewise Rhubarbe and Vines which last a long time and so much Silk that there are sometimes 3 or 4000 Camels loaden in one day 5. Nichabour so near to Rhoemus that some conceive it belonging to it others make it a particular Province The City hath been much better peopled then now it is Tamerlane here and hereabouts put to death in one day about 400000 persons 6. Bouregian is near a great Lake of the same name This Lake receives many Rivers but like the Caspian Sea sends not one to the Ocean But let us return to the more Southerly parts of Persia we will say nothing here of Yerack since the Turk at present holds it with several others Province of chusistan it s chief places c. The Province of CHVSISTAN answers to the Ancient Susiana the Soyl is so fruitful that it often yields 100 or 200 for one Its Cities are Souster Ardgan Hawecz Asker-Moukeran and others 1. Souster is the Ancient Susa Here the Prophet Daniel had the Vision concerning the determination of the Persinn Monarchy and the beginning of the Grecian and where Ahasuerus kept his great Feast which continued 183 days for his Princes and Lords imitated to this day by the Sultans of Persia who do annually entertain their Nobles where Ahasuerus kept his Court when Esther demanded grace in favour of the Jews an dt here where Mordecai was exalted to the place and charge of Haman who was hanged on the same Gibbet which he prepared for Mordecai The Persians observe great Feasts It is held that the ancient Palace was built by Memnon Son of Tithonus who in the Trojan Wars was slain by the Thessalans of the spoyls of the Great Thebes in Egypt and that with such expence and magnificence that the stones were bound together with Gold but whether this be true or false without doubt it was very rich for it is said that Alexander found here 50000 Talents of uncoyned Gold besides Silver Wedges and Jewels of an inestimable value This City is of about 25000 paces in circumference and is the residence of the Sophy in the Winter season 2. Ardgan a fair City on the borders of this Province and not far from Hispahan 3. Hawecz called by the Arabian of Nubia Ahuaz and made chief of the Cities of Chusistan which he calls Churdistan He places next to it Askar-Mocran alias Askar-Moukeran on the River Mesercan where there was a Bridge supported by twenty Boats 4. Tostar with a River of the same name And 5. Saurac with some other The heats in these parts in the Summer season are so great especially towards the South part of the Mountain that the Inhabitans are forced to forsake the Cities and retire themselves into the Mountains for coolness Province of Fars its chief places fertility c. The Province of FARS or FARC formerly Persia now a particular Province hath a great number of large rich and beautiful Cities As 1. Chirdef which is said to be about 20000 paces in circumference where sometimes the Sophy hath made his residence scituate in a large and pleasant Plain well built and beautified with fair Gardens and magnificent Mosques Two of which are larger than
having no places worthy of note SORET is seated between the Kingdoms of Tatta on the West Soret of Guzurate on the East It hath for its chief City Janagar the Province is but of little extent but very fruitful rich and well Peopled Cassimere Bankish Kakares Naugracut CASSIMERE or QVERIMVR BANKISH KAKARES and NAVGRACVT are between the River Indus and Ganges all encompassed with the Mountains of Bimber towards the Indus of Naugracut towards the Ganges of Caucasus towards Tartaria of Dalanguer which crosses them and separates the one from the other and they the Forests of these Mountains which yielded so much Wood for the Vessels which Alexander the Great caused to be builded to descend the Indus And these are at present those Forrests which give so much divertisement of chase to the Great Mogoll Sizinaket or Sirinakar though unwalled is the chief City of Cassimere Beishar of Bankish Dankalar and Purhola of Kakares and Naugracut of Naugracut In this last the Temple of the Idol Marta is paved Wanscotted and Seiled with Plates of Gold And in Callamacka there are Fountains very cold and near to Rocks from whence seem to flash out flames of fire The Province of SIBA hath for its chief City Hardware Siba which gives its rise to the River Ganges and Serenegar on the River Mansa The Province of JAMBA gives name to its chief City Jamba The Province of BAKAR lieth on the West of the Ganges Bakar and hath for its chief City Bikaner The Province of SAMBAL takes its name from its chief City so called Sambal This Province is likewise called Doab that is two Waters its scituation being between the Ganges and Semena which together with the three Provinces last mentioned are without or on this side the Ganges reaching almost from its Spring-head unto the River Semena or Gemeni The Province of GOR takes its name from its chief City Gor. and gives its rise to the River Perselis which falls into the Ganges the Province being very Mountainous The Province of KANDVANA hath for its chief City Karakantaka Kanduana This Province and that of Gor which is beyond the Ganges doth end the Estates of the Mogoll towards the North meeting with the Tartars of Turquestan The Province of MEVAT is very barren whose chief City is Narval Mevat which ends it towards the People called Maug and others which we esteem to be in the Peninsula of India which is in the Ganges The Province of VDESSA Udessa is the utmost of the Mogolls Territories towards the East which is also within the Ganges its chief place is Jebanac The Province of PITAN is on the West of Jamba Pitan being very Mountainous whose chief City gives name to the Province The River Randa runs through the City and Province and falls into the Ganges The Province of PATNA is fruitful whose chief City is so called Patna seated on the River Persely but we have a very feeble and incertain knowledge of all these Parts or Kingdoms but those which are towards the South and particularly Guzurate or Cambaya and Bengala are better known Gusurate or Cambaya exceeding rich and fertil The Province of GVSVRATE by the Portuguese called the Kingdom of CAMBAYA hath more than 30 great Trading Cities and is without doubt the noblest greatest richest and most powerful Province of all the Mogolls Country yielding a yearly Revenue of 15 or 20 Millions of Gold and its King hath brought into the Field 150000 Horse and 500000 Foot 1000 Camels c. The Country likewise is esteemed the most fertil of all India producing all sorts of Grains Fruits and living Creatures quantity of Drugs Its Commodities and Trade Spices and precious Stones not having any Mines of Gold or Silver but three Plants which bring it an inestimable quantity as well from the Gulph of Persia and the Red Sea as from all the Coasts of India and China These Plants are Cotton Anniseed and Opium besides which there are varieties of other rich Commodities as Oil Sugar Indico Ambergreece Soap Comfits Medicinal Drugs Paper Wax Hony Butter Salt-Peter Manufactures of Cotton Linnen-Cloth Carpets Cabinets Coffers Cases with a thousand other curiosities which its Inhabitants know how to make and sell being the ablest Merchants of India Its Inhabitants They are likewise of a good Spirit and addicted to Letters serve themselves of all sorts of Arms yet know nothing of Nobility but by abundance of Riches They are all Pagans or Mahometans The Pagans for the most part are Pythagoreans holding the immortality of the Soul Pythagoreans and that it passes from one body to another for which reason they so much honour Beasts that they eat them not but keep Hospitals to receive such as are sick and lame The Cows here are in such esteem with them that a Merchant Banian according to the report of Texera spent 10 or 12 thousand Ducats at a Nuptial marrying his Cow with his Friends Bull. This Kingdom is in part Peninsula between the Gulphs of the Indies and Cambaya and in part on the Main which stretches it self towards Decan It s extent by Sea This Province though of a large extent yet hath above 120 Leagues of Sea-Coast on which it hath several fair and rich Cities and of a good Trade As also great quantities of Inland Towns and Cities the chiefest whereof are viz. Surat Surat seated on the River Tapta which falls into the Sea 12 miles below the City It is a City no less great and rich than populous and famous and enjoyeth as great a Trade as any City in India being much frequented by the English and Dutch where they have their Presidents and Factories and where they have their Houses for the negotiation of their affairs which are spacious and well built This City is built four square its Houses flat after the Persian mode and reasonably beautiful having the benefit of pleasant Gardens It hath several Mosques but none deserves commendation it is defended by a strong Castle and hath a strong Wall on all sides except on that which is seated on the River and for its entrance hath three Gates Its Port is six miles from the City where the Ships are unladen and the Commodities brought to the City by Land The Inhabitants are either Benjans Bramans or Mogolls but there are several other Nations which here reside as Persians Turks Arabians Armenians Jews c. driving a Trade but none comparable to the English or Dutch It s other places of note are 1. Brodra Brodra seated on a sandy Plain upon a small River well fortified with Walls and Forts the Inhabitants being for the most part Dyers Weavers and other workers of Cottons for which it is the chiefest place in the whole Province The Governour of this City hath also under its Jurisdiction about 210 Towns and Villages Baroche 2. Baroche 12 Leagues from Surat and 8
from the Sea seated strongly on a Mountain with Walls of Free-stone it is well Peopled most following Dying Weaving and making of Cottons as they do at Brodra About this City are very fertil Fields which bring forth Wheat Barly Rice and Cotton in great abundance and out of the Mountains they find the Agats Cambaya 3. Cambaya seated on a River and on a Sandy place encompassed with a Wall of Free-stone about 10 Leagues in circuit its Streets are strait and broad its Houses fair and large having 12 Gates for entrance 3 large Market-places and 4 stately Cisterns large enough to keep Water for the Inhabitants all the year long They have also about this City 15 or 16 publick Gardens for the recreation of the Inhabitants being places of great pleasure and delight The Inhabitants are for the most part Pagans Benjans or Rasboutes This City is at the bottom of its Gulph and so famous and of so great Traffick that the Kingdom sometimes bears its name being frequented by most Nations where the English and Dutch keep a Factory Amadabad the Metropolis of Guazarete 4. Amadabad is the Metropolis of Guzurate being about 7 Leagues in compass a place of good strength the Buildings are very stately and fair especially the Mosques the Governours House and other publick Places the Streets are large and many is very populous and of a great Trade abounding in divers Indian Commodities It is seated on a small River which falls into the Indus about 45 Leagues from Surat and is by the English compared to London Here the Merchants pay no Custom the Governour of this City is Vice-Roy of all Guzurate being answerable for what he doth to none but the Great Mogoll he liveth in a greater state than any King in Europe his Court large and stately his attendance great not stirring abroad without great pomp and state as in his attendance of Nobles and others in his Guards of Horse and Foot in his Elephants with brave furniture together with several playing on certain Instruments of Musick His Revenue is exceeding great which by some is accounted to be about Ten Millions of Gold yearly out of which he is at great expences as in the maintaining the charge of the Kingdom his own expences and the keeping 12000 Horse and 50 Elephants for the Mogolls service In and about this City there are great quantities of pleasant Gardens plentifully stored with variety of Fruit-trees 5. Diu is in an Island of the same name The City of Diu its Trade and Commodities and lieth about 20 Leagues from the River Indus and not far distant from the main Land It is now subject to the Portugals who have strongly fortified it This City is well built indifferent big and hath a great and good Haven being a place of great Trade and having a concourse of Merchants of divers Nations by reason of which it brings a great profit to the King of Portugal whose chief Commodities are Cotton-Linnen of sundry sorts which we call Callicoes Cocos-Oil Butter Pitch Tar Sugar-Candy Iron several sorts of curious Desks Chests Boxes Standishes which they make of Wood neatly carved guilded and variously coloured and wrought with Mother of Pearl also excellent fair Leather which is artificially wrought with Silks of all colours both with flowers and figures which is there and elsewhere used instead of Carpets and Coverlids 6. Bisantagan by reason of the fertility of the Country there adjacent is of good repute well peopled having in it about 20000 Houses 7. Cheytepour is seated on a small River the Inhabitants being Benjans who by Profession are Weavers who make great quantities of Cotton-Linnen Here are also several other Cities of less note as Nassary Gaudui and Balsara which are under the jurisdiction of Surat Agra a pleasant City and much frequented by the Mogoll from which they are not far distant 8. Agra seated on the River Gemini which falls into the Ganges of a very large extent and strongly fortified with a Wall and a great Ditch Its Houses are fair it Streets spacious several being inhabited by those of one Trade each Trade having its Street alloted it It hath a fair Market-place and hath for the accommodation of Merchants and Forreigners about 80 Caravanseraes or Inns which are large Houses wherein are good Lodgings and Ware-Houses for their Goods In this City there are about 70 great Mosques or Churches besides divers little ones in the greatest of which are several Tombs of their Saints Here are also a great quantity of Baths or Hot-Houses which are much used amongst them The Great Mogoll doth often change his dwelling so that there is scarce any City of note but what he hath abode in and where he hath not Palaces but there is none which hath his presence so much as this it being the most delightful of all others where he hath a sumptuous Palace as also several Gardens and Houses for his retirement without the City His Palace is seated upon the River Gemini and if some Authors may be credited is about 2 Leagues in compass it is very strong being encompassed with a strong Wall and a great Ditch or Moat having at every Gate a Draw-bridge which are strongly guarded For the description of this Palace I must be beholding to J. Albert de Mandelslo in his Book of Travels where he saith That being entred in at the Gate there is a spacious Street with Shops which leads to the Mogolls Palace to which there is several Gates which are called by several names Under the Gate called Cistery is the place of Judicature to which is adjoyned a place where all Ordinances and other Writs are sealed and where the Records are kept At the entrance of this Gate is the spacious Street aforesaid The Gate called Achobarke Derwage is a place of great respect with them and it is the place that the Singing and Dancing Women are lodged at who are kept for the diversion of the great Mogoll and his Family these Women dance before him naked There is another Gate which they call Dersame which leads to a River to which he comes every morning to worship the Sun at his rising Near this place it is that his Nobles and Officers about his Court come every day to do their submission to him to which place he comes every day except Fridays which is set apart for their Devotions as Sunday is with us to see the fighting of Lions Elephants Bulls and the like fierce Beasts which are here used for his recreation He speaketh of another Gate which leadeth into the Guard-Hall through which at the farther end of a Paved Court under a Portal there is a row of Silver Pillars where there is a continual Guard also kept to hinder all people except great Lords to enter any farther it leading to the Mogolls Lodgings which are exceeding rich and magnificent but above all is his Throne which is made of massie Gold and inriched with
Diamonds Pearls and other precious Stones Above the place where this Throne standeth is a Gallery where he sheweth himself everyday and receiveth the complaints of those who have received any injury but they must be sure to prove it else he runs a great hazard of his life to trouble him vainly But in his inner Lodgings there is no person to enter save the Eunuchs who wait upon the Ladies in his Seraglia which is about 1000. Among the several fair Structures which are within this great inclosure there is one great Tower rich without being covered with Gold but not to compare to the wealth within in which are 8 spacious Vaults which are filled with Gold Silver and Precious Stones of an Inestimable value Province of Agra This City of Agra gives name to a Province or Kingdom which is of a fertile Soyl and well peopled and frequented and ows its beauty and enlargement to Ekebar Emperor of the Mogolls The Palace of the Great Mogol as I said before is of 2 Leagues circuit the other Palaces of Princes and Lords which are also seated along the River stretching towards the North are all proudly built but not of so large an extent that of the Great Mogolls being the fairest richest and most magnificent of all the East On the other side is the City of Secandra about 2 Leagues long almost all inhabited by Merchants Fetipore that is Desire accomplished 12 Leagues from Agra and towards the West is likewise one of the works of Ekebar who having obtained Children to succeed his Estates caused this place to be built for pleasure with a very stately Palace and Musqueito or Temple but its ill Waters have caused it to be abandoned Biana to the West of Fetipore hath the best Wood of all India Scanderbad on the West of Bayana hath been the Residence of some Kings and the Castle above it is very advantagiously scituated where Xa Selim kept himself till such time as Ekebar had streightly besieged him and forced him to retire into the Mountains The name of this place and likewise this of Secandra directly opposite to Agra retain something of the name of Alexander Province of Lahor The Province of LAHOR or PENGAB is large very fertile in all sorts of Fruits and Grains which makes it considerable its chief City bears the name of the Province and I believe this City to be the same with Alexandria Bucephalus which Alexander the Great built and named of his name and that of his Horse Bucephalus The Ancients place it by the River Hydaspes which may at present be Bowey The City hath been so much enlarged by Xa Selim that it contains 24 Leagues of circuit It is very pleasantly seated especially towards the River on which it hath many delightful Gardens Its Fortress is good is adorned with many stately Palaces and great Houses where their Nobles and persons of quality reside among others that of the Kings which is though seated within the City yet separated from it with a high Wall being magnificent and adorned with great quantities of fair Pictures Here is also by reason the Inhabitants are Mahometans abundance of Mosques and Bathing-places for their ordinary purifications which is a ceremony much used amongst them Here it is by many thought that Noah seated himself after his coming out of the Ark and likewise that from hence Ophir and Havilah Sons of Joktan removed towards the Ganges and Malacca This Province is esteemed one of the most pleasant Countreys in all India being so well shaded with Mulberry and other Trees whose verdure is no less delightful to the eye of the beholder then refreshing to the wearied Traveller under whose Boughs he may rest and shade himself from the shallure of the Sun At Fetipore not far from Lahor the Sultan Gansron the Son of Selim but a Rebel was by his Father defeated from whence the place had its name which signifies Desire accomplished As the other Fetipore near Agra was built by Ekebar after having obtained Children to succeed him in his Estates This Countrey bears the name of Peng-ab that is five Waters by reason it is watred with five different Rivers Province of Delly The Province of DELLY gives name to its capital City which is on the Road from Lahor to Agra watred by the River Gemini or Semena Before the Mogolls descended into all these quarters the Kings of India made it their Residence were here Crowned and here had their Tombs There are yet found some very fair Obelisques believed to have been erected in the time of Alexander the Great and the Greeks Kingdom of Bengala The Kingdom of BENGALA occupies all the lower part of the Ganges and may be divided into three parts Prurop on this side the Ganges Patan beyond it The particular name of Bengala may be given to that which lies between the Branches of the Ganges and along the Coast This Kingdom hath been divided into 12 Provinces which have been so many Kingdoms and which took their names from their principal Cities but we have no certain knowledg either of their names or situations Bengala likewise is placed by some between the Branches of the Ganges by others beyond it Some esteem Chatigan its chief City when as others will have it to be Goura on the Ganges higher in the Land and more then 100 Leagues from the Sea However it be Bengala is of so great Traffick and so rich that the Kingdom and Gulf of Ganges on which it is at present is called the Kingdom and Gulf of Bengala The City of Chatigan is pleasantly seated on a fair and large River whose imbosure is not far distant from that of the Ganges This River hath so fierce a Current that Boats and Vessels without the help of Sails or Oars are driven in 24 hours about 100 Miles so that those who have no occasion to pass up and down this River are forced to fasten their Vessels to certain Trees or other things which are for the same purpose fixed along the shore By which means they are sheltered from the violence of the Tides which else would spoyl them Here are several other Cities as Ragmehel Daca Banara Tanda Patana Holobasse on the joyning of Gemini and Ganges is one of the fairest and greatest Cities of India and I esteem it in the place of the Ancient Palibothra where the streams of the Jomanes and Ganges do meet with other Cities of less note The extent of Bengala This Kingdom of Bengala extends it self 300 Leagues from East to West and sometimes 200 from North to South having no less then 150 Leagues of Coast which is much frequented by Merchants of several Countries which hither come for their Commodities which by reason of the temperatness of the Air and the fertility of the Countrey do here abound The Inhabitants are courteous Its Inhabitants but deceivers Their Kings have been esteemed as rich and as powerful as any in India Province
Benjans there is another sort of Pagans whom they call the Parsis who for the most part reside by the Sea-coast addicting themselves to Trades and Commerce they believe that there is one God preserver of the Universe who acts alone and immediately in all things but he hath as they fancy about 30 several Servants to whom he giveth an absolute power over the things which he hath entrusted them with but withall they are obliged to give an account unto him and for these Servants they have a great veneration who have each their particular charge as one having the Government of the Earth another of Fruits another of Beasts another of Military affairs Others who have influences on men some giving understanding others wealth c. Another who takes the possession of the Souls departed which conducts them to the Judges where they are examined and according to their good or evil deeds receive their Sentence and are carried by the good or bad Angels who attend the Judges to Paradise or Hell where they think they shall abide until the end of the world which will be 1000 years after which time they shall enter into other Bodies and lead a better life then they did before Another hath the goverment of Waters another of Metals another of Fire which they hold Sacred c. They have no Mosques or publick places for their Devotion they have a very great esteem of their Teachers and Doctors allowing them a plentiful Estate Their Widows are suffered to marry a second time Adultery and Fornication they severely punish They are forbidden the eating of any thing that hath life Drunkenness they likewise strictly punish These People are much given to Avarice and circumventing those they deal withal The Mahomitans or Mogolls that here inhabit are of a good stature have their Hair black and flaggy but are of a clearer Complexion then the other sort of People aforementioned Their habit behaviour They habit themselves something like the Persians their Garments about their Waists are close to their Bodies but downwards wide they use Girdles and their Shoos and the Covering of their Head is much the same with those of the Turks And they are likewise distinguished by their Glothes which according to the degree and quality and the person doth exceed in richness They are very civil ingenious and reserved yet are expensive in their Appareb Feastings and great lovers of Women And so much for the Mogolls Countrey The Peninsula of INDIA without the Ganges Its bounds THe Peninsula without the Ganges is between the Mouths of Indus and Ganges and advances from the East of the Great Mogoll unto the eighth degree of Latitude on this side the Aequator The Ocean or Indian Sea washes it on three sides to wit the Gulf of Bengala once Gangeticus Sinus on the East the Gulph of Cambaya anciently Barigazenus Sinus and the Sea which regards Arabia on the West towards the South that which regards Cylan on one side and the Maldives on the other We will divide this Peninsula into four principal parts which shall be Decan Golconda Narsingue or Bisnagar and Malabar The three first Its parts and the greatest have each their King or if there be more they depend and hold of one alone The fourth and last part hath likewise formerly been a Kingdom alone at present is many but which hold one of another DECAN THe Kingdom of DECAN is washed on the West by the Indian Ocean the Gulf of Cambaya It is divided into three others Kingdom of Decan which they call Decan Cunkan and Balaguate the two first on the Coast Balaguate is Eastward of the other two up in the Land and composed of Vallies which are below and between the Mountains of Gate beyond which are the Kingdoms of Golconda and Narsingue or Bisnagar In the particular Decan are the Cities of Amedanagar Chaul Dabul c. In Cunkan are the Cities of Visapor Soliapor Goa Paranda Pagode It s chief places c. Likewise in Balaguate Lispor Beder Doltabad Hamedanager Visapor and Beder are the principal Cities and those where the Dealcan or Idalcan makes his residence but none more considerable then Goa though they are fair well built large and populous Goa is a City as fair rich and of as great Traffick as any in the East being situated in an Island of the same name which the Rivers of Mandova and Guari make at their falling into the Sea Alphonso Albuquerque took it in the year 1510. and since the Portugals have established themselves so powerfully that their Vice-Roy a Bishop and their Council for the East-Indies have here their Residence The Commodities found in this City being the Staple of the Commodities of this part of the Indies as also of Persia Arabia China Armenia c. are Precious Stones Gold Silver Pearls Silk raw and wrought Cotton of which they make several Manufactures also Spices Druggs Fruits Corn Iron Steel with divers others which the said Countreys afford but the Natural Commodities of Goa are not considerable Besides their great Traffick with several Nations their Riches and Policy which they observe Its riches beauty c. Vincent Blanc makes account that its Hospital is the fairest the best accommodated and served and the richest of any making it exceed that of the Holy Spirit at Rome and the Infermerica at Malta which are the best of all Christendom Their Streets large their Houses fair especially their Palaces and Publick Buildings which are very magnificent Their Churches are stately and richly adorned their Windows are beautified with Mother of Pearl and Shells of Tortoises of divers colours which are ingeniously cut in neat Works This City is in compass above 15 miles and though it is without Gates or Walls yet by reason of its Castle Forts and the strength it receiveth from the Island is a place of great strength and force It hath a great and good Haven It s strength which they make their Harbor for their Indian Fleet by which they command the Seas there abouts The Portugals here live in all manner of delight and pleasure and with a pride and presumption so great that the least and most beggerly among them take to themselves the titles of Gentlemen of the House and Chamber of the King Knights Esquires c. being very highly conceited of themselves and exceeding proud and stately but withal very civil and courteous no person of quality walks the Streets a-foot but are carried by their Slaves in a Palanquin or ride on Horses and the Women seldom go abroad publickly Both Sexes are extreamly given to Venery by reason of which the Pox is very frequent among them of which abundance dies Their Women have an excessive love to white Men and will use their uttermost endeavours to enjoy them The Men are so jealous of their Wives that they will scarce suffer their nearest Relations to see them by reason they are so much desirous
Cochin In the Mountains are those of Mangatt of Paru of Pimienta of Changanara of Trivilar of Panapelli of Angamale where there was an Archbishop of Christians of St. Thomas reduced to a Bishoprick and transferred to Cranganor two of the Ticantutes of Punhali of Caranaretto and others The people called Maledus and those of the Mountains Pande live in the form of a Republick Cotate near Cape de Comori is of the Kingdom of Travanco and hath good trading Calicut is esteemed able to bring more than 100000 men into the Field Cananor few less Cochin and Coulan each 50000. They use little Cavalry because the Country is low moist and divided by many streams Calicut pretends to have some authority over all the Kings of Malabar for which those of Cananor Cochin and Coulan to which Travancor is sometime past united seem to care little at present a good part of the rest still hold for him Cananor besides what it possesses in the firm Land holds likewise some Islands among the Maldives for having assisted one of their Kings against his Rebells he possesses for the same reason the Isle of Malicut 35 or 40 Leagues to the Northward of the Maldives and the five Isles of Diavandorou likewise 30 Leagues North from Malicut All these Isles are small Malicut of only 4 Leagues circumference the others each 6 or 7 they are more healthful than the Maldives their Inhabitants rich and trade to the Continent to Malabar and to the Maldives and elsewhere Cochin hath gained some reputation since it allied it self with the Portugals by whose means it is freed from the tribute it ought to the King of Calicut and hath drawn to its Estates the greatest trade of all Malabar and the City is so increased that it is not now inferior to Calicut The chief Cities And in all these Kingdoms aforementioned contained in and along the Coasts of Malabar there are several good large and well built Cities being well inhabited rich and of a considerable trade but those of most note in the said Kingdoms are called by the same names as that in Calicut Calicut that in Cananor Cananor c. The Natives and Inhabitants of Malabar The Original Inhabitants of Malabar are divided into Bramenis Nayres and People The Bramenis are the priests Sacrificers to Idols some addict themselves to Arms with the Nayres others to trade but to whatsoever vocation they apply themselves they have a particular manner of living The Nayres addicted themselves wholly to Arms. The People meddle only with labour Manufactures Fishing c. and are like Slaves Besides the Natives there are many Strangers who live only on the Coast and these are called Malabares whence the name is communicated to the Country These Malabares are Mahumetans whereas the others are Pagans and very Superstitious worshipping an Idol seated on a Brazen Throne and Crowned but of a horrid form enough to fright one and unto this Idol besides their Religious Ceremonies they offer up the Virginity of all their Daughters before they are married or else to their Priests This Idol having in the place of his Privy parts a sharp bodkin of Gold or Silver fastned on which the Bride is forcibly set which by reason of the sharpness forceth great store of blood to come and if though by her Husband she proves with Child the first year they believe this Idol got it which they highly esteem but by reason of the pain the Priests by enjoying them first doth quit them from the other out of which two all are served they commonly marry at 10 or 12 years of age they are very black and well limbed they wear their Hair long and curl'd about their shoulders they go naked having only a cloth about their middle to hide their nakedness which hangs down to their knees they are treacherous cruel and bloody-minded there are likewise some Jews and since the Portugals have set footing many Christians besides those which they call of St. Thomas these being of the Mountains and those of the Coast The Peninsula of INDIA within the GANGES THE Peninsula of India its bounds which is beyond or within the Ganges is our third and last part of the Asiatique or East-Indies We will give unto it all that rests of India unto China and bound it on the East by China and by the Sea of the Philippine Islands on the South with that Sea which flows amongst the Islands of Sonde On the West by the Sea or Gulf of Bengala and by the Estates of the Mogoll and on the North we will stretch it as far as the Tartars so that it will take up all India beyond the Ganges what is possessed by the Mogoll excepted It Kingdoms and parts We have in this Peninsula a great number of Kingdoms which we will consider under the three Principal ones viz. Pegu Sian and Cochinchina Under the name of Pegu we will range all those Estates and Kingdoms which lie upon the River which descend from the Lake of Chiamay unto Pegu under the name of Sian all the Estates and Kingdoms which are about Sian and under that of Cochinchina all that is nearest to and on the West West of China This last part is most Easterly of the three the second most Southerly and the first more to the West and this hath almost all been subject to the King of Pegu the other to the King of Sian and the last was part of China PEGV The Kingdom of Pegu and its parts THE Kingdom of PEGV when in its splendor was so rich and powerful that some would equal it to China Vincent Blanc saith that it contained two Empires and 26 Kingdoms or Crowned Estates I believe that the two Empires were Pegu and Siami or possibly Sian this having been subject or tributary to Pegu and the Kingdoms are Martavan Manar Tangu Marsin Jangoma and Brama whose chief Cities are Pegu Brema Canarane Pandior Cassubi Ava Boldia Mandranelle Tinco Prom Dunbacaon Tolema Maon Arracon Largaray Cassubi Ledoa Tipoura Xara and Chacomas The greatest part of these Estates taken apart are rich and powerful being able to set forth to War some 2 some 3 some 400000 men They have in many places Mines of Gold Silver and Precious Stones besides Grains Fruits Herbs Fowl and Beasts which are here found excellent The Kingdoms of Tangu and of Brama are the most powerful since this hath sometime seized and the other with that of Arracan ruined the Estates of Pegu. Brama and its fertility and chief places Brama besides its Mines of precious Stones hath Benjamin India-Lake and certain Herbs from which they take Silk they make divers Manufactures particularly Caps much esteemed Ava abounds in all sorts of Victuals hath divers Metals Musk and Rubies Canelan hath the finest Rubies Saphires and other Stones Prom hath Lacque and Lead Tinco fetches many Merchandizes from China Vincent Blanc esteems the City of Canarana as rich and magnificent as any in
India he places it between the Rivers of Jiama and of Caypoumo or Pegu giving it four Leagues Circuit and making it Metropolis of the Kingdom of Caypoumo which is likewise called Canarana This Country hath Turquesses and Emeralds the fairest of all the East Cassubi is in a Plain bounded with high Hills from whence descend many streams which water the Plain where there are excellent Fruits among the rest Pomegranates the largest and best of India excellent Raisins and Manna which must be gathered before Sun-rise which else dispatches it Their Mountains are filled with savage Beasts where they get the Skins and Furs of Ermines and Sables of divers sorts all very exquisite The people of Transiana are fair and white the Women exceeding beautiful and the Men very proud They have Mines of Gold Silver and Diamonds their King keeps ordinarily 50000 Horse 1000 Elephants and paies his tribute to the King of Pegu in Horses which are very excellent Their Forests have many Wild Beasts among the rest that which gives the Bezoar The Inhabitants of Boldia are esteemed the most honest and civil of all these quarters So that they cannot but be people of Trade and indeed all these Kingdoms have divers Commodities which make them rich Pegu exceeding rich in Gold Silver and Precious Stones The Kingdom of Pegu which hath commanded and had for Subjects or Tributaries almost all these Estates and likewise others towards Sian and Sian it self cannot but be extreamly rich and powerful And truly Gold Silver Pearls and Precious Stones have been as common in the Courts of the Kings of Pegu as if all the Orient had brought all its Riches thither The Floors of Buildings the Moveables and the Vessels with which they served themselves for divertisement were so inriched within and without with Gold and Azure that it is not imaginable if we did not know this to be the Aurea Regio and likewise the Argentea Regio of Ptolomy Yet this must be believed to have been long since but however that it is at present the richest Country of all the Indies And for the same reason one of the best peopled and most powerful It s fertility and Commodities This Country by reason of the overflowing of the River Pegu which runs through the Kingdom makes it become exceeding fruitful and of a fat and rich soyl so that it produceth great abundance of Grains Fruits and other products of the Earth in great plenty Also Beasts Fowl and Fish great store of Civet-Cats from whom they take Civet Lacque which is made by Ants as Bees make Wax with us Gold Silver Precious Stones Drugs Spices Lead Sugar c. This Kingdom hath plenty of good Towns and Cities The City of Pegu the chief of the Kingdom described its Metropolis bearing the name of the Kingdom It is divided into the Old and the New the one and the other together make a Square being encompassed with a strong Wall and a great Ditch well fortified having on each side five Gates besides many Turrets richly beautified It is large strong rich and stately the King and his Nobility and Courtiers takes up the New City which is separated from the Old by a Wall and Ditch well watered in which are kept many Crocodils for the watching the place by night The Wall hath several Gates on all sides for the convenience of the people to pass in and out The Streets are very fair straight and so broad that fifteen men may ride a-breast on both sides The Houses well built having before every door Palm-trees which are set not only to make a pleasant show but also to keep the Passengers from the heat of the Sun which is very great The Palace Royal. The Palace Royal is seated in the midst of the City having its particular Wall Moat and other Fortifications the Palace being very stately and large the greatest part of the Buildings being sustained by Pillars of Jet and all the Stones so shining that those which are without represent the Neighbouring Gardens and Forests and those which are within the Paved Chambers other Rooms and the Ceilings above so well that one seemeth to walk on Gold and Azure Nor doth this his stately Palace exceed his Magnificence and Pomp without which he is never so much as seen The Old City is inhabited only by Merchants Artificers and Sea-men where there is great store of Ware-houses strongly built of Brick to prevent fire which the City is much subject unto in which the Merchants keep their Goods And for the better encrease of Trade the King doth constitute Eight Brokers whose Offices are to look after and sell the Goods as well of strangers as the Inhabitants giving a very just account thereof For which they are allowed two pence per Cent. The like is observed in the buying of Commodities And these Brokers by their places are obliged to provide Strangers or Merchants with a House and orders certain Maids of the City to go to him that out of them he may make his choice which done he contracts with her friends to pay them a certain sum for the use of her as they can agree which is not great and this Maid serveth him as his Servant by day doing what he commandeth and as his Wife by night And at the expiration of the term agreed upon he leaveth her and she goeth to her Friends without any disgrace at all The People are of a mean stature The People their Habit. nimble and strong great lovers of Women which takes them from warlike affairs in which they are not very expert Their habit is but mean contenting themselves for the most part with a piece of Linnen to cover their nakedness they all black their Teeth because they say Dogs teeth are white They are generally all Pagans Their belief and believe that God hath under him several other Gods that he is the Author of all good which arriveth to mankind But he leaveth all evils which belong to man to the Devil by reason of which they so much adore and fear him lest he should hurt them which God being good they say will not Their Devotion they perform on Mundays their Priests going about with Tin-basons making a noise to waken the People and inviting them to their devotions in which they chiefly exhort them to Morality as to avoid Theft Adultery Murder c. and to love Vertue They have a great esteem for their Priests who live a very solitary and exemplary life They have Five principal Feasts which they observe very strictly ceremoniously and with greast state and pomp Marriage not kept during life They that Marry buy their Wives of their Parents and when he is weary of her he may send her home but must lose the Money he paid for her But if she leave him as she may do then he may receive the Money paid for her SIAN or SIAM Kingdom of Sian its parts THe Kingdom of SIAN
and those Estates which we will comprehend under the name of Sian are to the North of Pegu. We may consider them in two principal parts of which one shall retain the name of Sian and the other that of Malacca This latter is a Peninsula which extends it self from the first degree of Latitude unto the 11 or 12 from whence the first advances it self into the Main Land unto the 19 or 20 degree on this side the Equator It s extent They reach then each 250 and together 4 or 500 Leagues from South to North. But the Peninsula of Malacca is very streight not being above 10 or 12 Leagues broad in the Isthmus which separates it from Sian in other places 20 30 40 and some times 80. Sian is almost of an equal length and breadth Under the name of Sian separated from the Peninsula of Malacca we comprehend the Kingdoms of Sian Martaban Jangoma and Camboya under the name of Malacca those of Tanacerin Juncalaon Singora Queda Pera Patane Pan Malacca Ihor and others as in the Geographical Table The chief places of the particular Sian The Kingdom of Sian especially so called hath several Cities of note viz. First Odiaa which some call Sian the Metropolis being a City of a large extent a place of so great strength that in 1567. they stoutly defended themselves against an Army of 1400000 fighting Men which the King of Pegu brought against them for twenty Months together By reason of which together with several other mutations that have since hapned amongst them the City hath been much eclipsed of its former beauty splendor and riches yet by reason of its commodious scituation on the River Menam is still a place of great Trade and Commerce is rich and populous The Houses are built very high by reason of the annual overflowing of this River about the Month of March So that it covereth the Earth for about 120 Miles in compass which renders these Countries very fruitful as the Nile doth Egypt During this Inundation Its Inhabitants retire to the upper Rooms of their Houses and to every House there is a Boat or other Vessel belonging by which means they negotiate their affairs until the River returns to her usual bounds Its Commodities and Trade The principal Commodities of this City or indeed of the Kingdom are Cotton-Linnens of several sorts Benjamin Lacque of which they make excellent Hard Wax Also that costly Wood which the Portugals call Palo Dangula and Calamba which is weighed against Silver and Gold for ãâã Perfumes and the Wood Sapon used by Dyers also Spices some Drugs Diamonds Gold Camphora Bezar-Stones Musk Porcelaine and lastly that excellent Wine or Distilled Liquod which they call Nipe which they make of Cocos or Indian Nuts being of great esteem over all India and elsewhere It s other places are Bankock noted for excellent Pepper Lugor seated on the Sea-shore and Socotay famous for having a Temple only made of Metal which is 80 Spans high and answerable in length and breadth being adorned with abundance of Idols built by one of their Kings at his coming to the Crown Martaban its commodities c. The Kingdom of MARTABAN towards the Gulph of Bengala is contiguous to Pegu to which it hath been subject at present is to Sian This Kingdom hath many Ports frequented for Trade for besides its Grains Fruits Oils and Medicinal Herbs it is rich in Mines of Gold Silver Iron Lead Steel and Copper It hath Rubies Lacques and Benjamin c. And they make Vessels of Earth which they call Martabanes of which some are so great that they hold a Bushel This is a kind of Porcelain varnished with black and wherein they keep Water Wine Oil and all sorts of Liquors and for this reason they are esteemed in all the East Jangoma and its commodities JANGOMA on the confines of Pegu Siam and Brama hath been subject or tributary sometimes to one and sometimes to another It hath Gold Silver Copper Musk Cotton of which they make Manufactures Pepper c. It s People are more addicted to Horse than Foot service CAMBOJA is the last and most Southerly part of the Peninsula Camboja which is between the Gulphs of Sian and Cochin-china The principal Cities are Ravecca and Camboja of which the Kingdom takes it name which is under the 10th or 11th degree of Latitude and on the principal and most Easternly branch of the River Menam which as it is believed comes from China but it should be said from some Regions formerly subject to or which were part of China It s People The People in their Manners and Customs resemble those of Sian whose Subjects they have been and whose Tributaries but lately they were MALACCA Peninsula of Malacca its parts commodities c. IN the Peninsula of Malacca are divers Kingdoms which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table which all except the City of Malacca are likewise tributary to that of Sian Tenasserin is a Country of Trade by reason of its Archipelago which contains several Islands and of its Isthmus which facilitates the transportation of Merchants from one Sea to another and of its Ports which are commodious It s other places are Juncalaon Zueda Pera and Malacca all which places afford Nipe of burning Wines Ihor its chief places and commodities IHOR is beyond Cape de Sincapura and on the utmost point of the Peninsula It s chief City was taken and ruined by the Portugals in 1603 who took from thence 1500 Brass Cannons The King of Ihor for revenge besieged Malacca in 1606 with 60000 Men but was constrained to raise his Siege there are some petty Kings which are his Tributaries Pahang hath Lignum Aquila and Calamba near to that of Cochin-china of Camphire like to that of Borneo Gold but of a lower alloy than ours Petra Porea of near as much vertue as the Bezoar against poyson Diamonds Nutmegs Mace c. Patane and its Trade PATANE within few years is grown famous the Kingdom being frequented by divers Nations particularly by the Chinois who bring thither Porcelaine divers Manufactures and Instruments of Husbandry instead of which they carry back Timber for Building Cordage made of Cocos Rice and divers Skins c. The Pepper is excellent but dearer than at Bantam Their Saroy-Boura that is the matter of Swallows Nests which we shall speak of in Cochin-china is much sought after The Soil is good producing Fruit every Month in the year Their Hens Ducks and Geese often lay Eggs twice a day Amongst an infinite number of Fowl they have white Herons and Turtles of various colours like Paroquetoes Patane Singora Brodelong and Ligor are on the same Gulph which may be called also by Patana and makes part of that of Sian Patane and Ligor towards the two ends Singora and Brodelong in the midst and at the bottom of this Gulph and these two last are head Cities of Provinces
thieves which they much abhor Debtors they imprison for which purpose there being so many there is in every great City several Prisons in which they are strictly kept and lookt unto by reason of which that their lives may not be burthensome unto them they have in their Prisons Gardens Courts Walks Fish-ponds Drinking-houses and Shops which furnish the Prisoners with such things as they have occasion for Kings of China hereditary The Dignity of the Crown of China is hereditary falling to the eldest Son of the King after his decease the King they highly reverence calling him the Son of Heaven the Son of God or the like not that they think him so but being the chiefest of men they esteem him dear to the Gods and as a gift of Heaven The Chinois have many Books and descriptions of their Kingdom observing exactly all that their Provinces particularly possess what is the extent quality and force of each how many Cities they have how many Officers how many men which study how many which bear Armes who pay Tribute and a Thousand particularities of which however writers have recounted to us but few things scarce can we gather the Names of the sixteen Provinces and of some Cities and Rivers these Names being so diverse in several Authors that it is a difficulty to reconcile them we will say something of them giving them those names which seem to us best received The division of China into Provinces CHINA is divided into two principal parts Northern and Southern there are six Provinces in the Northern part and ten in the Southern The River Jamchucquian traverses these and the River Caramoran those Of the six Northern parts three are washed by the Sea as Leaoton Pequin and Scianton and of these three the two first touch the great Wall or Mountain the three other Provinces are on the firm Land as Sciansi Sciensi and Honan likewise of these three the two first touch the great Wall amongst the ten Southern ones there are six on the Sea three towards the East as Nanquin Checquian or Aucheo and Fuquien and three towards the South as Canton Quancy and Yunnan the other four Provinces are up in the Land and are called Chiamsi Huquan Suchuen and Quicheu And of these Provinces in order Province of Leaoton described The Province of LEAOTON is almost quite separated from the rest of China It s chief City bears the same name this City as also most of the Cities in China is well built and of one form being square and with good Walls made of Brick and plaistered over with Porcelain which renders it exceeding hard and strong they are commonly broad and having the benefit of several Towers as well for beauty as defence It s Soil amongst other things produces the Root Ginsen which preserves the well in health and strength strengthens and restores health to the sick they sell it commonly at double its weight of Silver Its Inhabitants are less civilised then the rest of China but more robustious and proper for Warr. It s other places of most note are Richeo and Chincheo and both seated on the Sea Province of Pequin and its chief places The Province of PEQVIN though of great fertility yet by reason of its popuââusness occasioned by the residence of the Kings of China in its principal City lo Xunthienfu by us called Pequin makes it that it cannot furnish Mayz Wheat Rice and other Provisions enough for its Inhabitants and resort of People which defect is supplied from the adjacent Provinces The City of Xunthienfu or Pequin is of a vast bigness containing within its Walls made of Free-stone and strongly fortified with Bulwarks which are in circumference near 30 Leagues about 3300 Pagodes or Temples wherein are continually sacrificed a great number of Wild-Beasts and Birds These Pagodes especially those of the Order of the Menegrepos Conquinys and Talagrepos who are the Priests of the 4 Sects of Xaca Amida Gizan and Canon are sumptuous Structures To the Wall which encompasseth this City for the conveniency of its Inhabitants are 360 Gates to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept as also a Register to take the names of all Persons that pass thereat The Streets are long broad and well composed and its houses fair and lofty each of the chief Streets having its Captain and other Officers who are to look after the same which every night are shut up by Gates Here are about 120 Aquaeducts or Canals which traverse the City upon which are near 1800 fair Bridges sustained on Arches Without the City in a tract of 7 Leagues long and 3 broad are about 80000 Tombs of the Mandarins which are small Chapels richly beautified nigh unto which are about 500 great Palaces which they call the Houses of the Sun which are inhabited by those that can no longer bear Armes for the Emperour of China either through age sickness or other infirmities Also here are about 1300 stately Houses inhabited by Religious Men and Women There are several Streets of a great length only possessed by People of one profession as one by near 14000 Taverns another by innumerable many Courtizans and another by about 24000 Oar-men which belong to the Emperours Panourers Here are also 32 great Colledges for those that study the Laws Likewise there are abundance of large Houses with spacious inclosures of Gardens Woods provided of Game near this City which said Houses or rather Inns serve only to give entertainment to people of all degrees by seeing of Plaies Combates Bulbaitings c. and the Palace Royal of the Emperour which is in this City for its largeness fairness and richness is not inferior to any in the East this City being his residence for the Northern Provinces as Nanquin is for the Southern And thus much for the City of Pequin it s other chief places are first Tianchevoy secondly Himpin and thirdly Cichio seated on a fair River about 70 Miles from the Sea The Province of Scianton its fertility c. The Province of SCIANTON is between that of Pequin and Nanquin it is well watered with Rivers which makes it very fertile abounding in so great plenty of al sorts of Flesh Fowl Fish Grains Fruits c. that its Inhabitants which are esteemed about seven Millions of Persons cannot devour the encrease but are forced to furnish other Provinces they have also great store of Silk and other rich Commodities It hath several great Cities the chief of which are 1 Xanton not far from the Sea 2 Pamnihu 3 Cincoyan and 4 Linceu seated in an Isle so called Besides which here are found in this Sea 9 other Isles most of which do belong to this Province and are well known affording many of the China Commodities The Province of Sciansi its fertility and chief places The Province of SCIANSI which Purchas calls Cansas hath many Mountains by reason of which it is not so
best Provinces of China The pleasant Rivers which run through it and the many good Ports with its Isles it hath on the Coast doth facilitate the utterance of its Merchandizes and particularly both Raw Silk and prepared in Thred and in Stuffs which it distributes to the other Provinces of China and throughout all the World the other Provinces of China not having enough for their use Of this Silk there is one sort which is reserved to be employed in divers works mixed with Gold with great art and curiosity and those are only for the Kings Palace This Province hath about seventy Cities It s chief places of which six are of considerable note as 1 Quinsay now called Hamceu once the Metropolis of China 2 Liampo a fair City seated on the Sea 3 Aucheo also commodiously seated on the Sea 4 Scanutanu an In-land City 5 Chequian also an In-land City but fair well built and frequented and 6 Succu seated on the Sea and about 25 Leagues from the City of Nanquin All which are fair strong well built and very populous Cities but not comparable to Quinsay of which a word or two The City of Quinsay described Quinsay or Hamceu as I said before was once the Metropolis of China being if we may give credit to Authors 100 miles in circuit and having in the midst thereof a Lake of about 30 miles in compass in which are two fair Islands and in them two stately Palaces adorned with all necessaries either for Majesty or Conveniency the City having variety of stately Palaces Its Houses as well private as publick are fair and well built having abundance of Pagodes the Streets large well ordered and paved with Free-stone To this City are said to belong about 10000 Sail of great and small Vessels which are inhabited by People who there negotiate their affairs and remove from one place and City to another as their occasions serve them There are said to be in this City about 15000 Priests and besides the vast number of Inhabitants there are about 60000 persons which are employed in working of Silk But this City since Pequin and Fanquin are become the Residence of the King and Court hath much-lost its former splendor This Province is observed to have a great number of Temples magnificently built and the Lake Sibu bordered with stately Palaces and encompassed with Hills covered with Trees and rare Plants A place so pleasant and delightful that the greatest and richest of the Province pass here their time and expend their goods There are also in this Province whole Forests of Mulberry-trees by reason of which they have the greatest product of Silk of any Province in China which they furnish several Kindoms with as well in Europe as in Asia Along the Coast of this Province are seated several Isles some of which are very considerable as Mochosa and Sunkiam which is about 25 Leagues broad and as many long high to the shore of which ly several others but of a lesser bigness It s other Isles are 1. Suan 2. Olepio 3. Avarella and 4 the Isles of Chaposi which are a body of several small Isles The Province of Fuquien Its Commodities and chief places The Province of FVQVIEN is not so fertile as Chequin and Canton between which it is situated Its Inhabitants endeavour to repair that default by their Trade with Strangers and principally with Japan the Philippines Fermosa or Fair Island which is directly opposite to their Coast The Earth produceth Gold Iron Steel Sugar Calamba Spices Drugs Quicksilver Precious Stones Fruits Grains and Cattle also Silk and Cotton of which they make divers Manufactures as also they make all sorts of Paper There are in this Province several Cities of note but its chief are 1 Fochen seated on a fair River not above 17 Leagues from the Sea 2 Chincheo also commodiously seated on a fair River or Arm of the Rea from which it is distant about 10 Leagues 3 Yenping 4 Chining and 5 Hinghoa The Inhabitants of Fermosa are almost all Savages the Spaniards have built one Fortress on the East side and the Hollanders another on the West side and towards the Continent which they call Zealand The Air is temperate and healthful which makes the Province become very populous and along the Coast are seated several Isles as Lanquin Baboxin c. The Province of Canton its Fertility commodities c. The Province of CANTON or QVANTVNG though one of the least Provinces of China in extent yet by the reason of the goodness of its Soyl and the conveniency of its situation being the first that presents its self to those of Europe Africa and Asia which come to China it abounds in Wheat Rice and other Grains Sugar Gold Precions Stones Pearis Steel Quick-silver Silk Salt-Peter Calamback-wood and Copper Iron and Tin of which they make curious Vessels which they varnish with Charam and which are brought to Europe They make also the Barrels of their Guns in that nature that though they are never so much laden yet they do not break Its Inhabitants The Inhabitants are very civil industrious and ingenious but they are better in imitation then invention being in the first so great masters that there is no rarity or manufacture whatsoever that comes to their sight but they will exactly pattern as well as the Europeans and in all manner of Goldsmiths work they far exceed them Three things noted in this Province In this Province are observed to be three things which are not in the other Provinces that is Men which spit Blood continually Mountains without Snow and Trees always green It s chief places In this Province are about 80 Cities both small and great the chief whereof are 1 Quangchen or Canton under which I shall include the Trade of China as being the chiefest place of Traffick It is well built of great Traffick rich and very populous to which the Portugals have a great Trade being commodiously seated on an Arm of the Sea The Isle and City of Amacao and its Trade 2. The Island and City of AMACAO is seated opposite to the City of Canton on the North side of a Bay which is at the mouth of the great River of Canton which issueth out of the Lake of Quancy This place is inhabited by the Portugals intermixed with the natural Chinois their particular Trade is with the City of Canton which may be counted the Staple of all the China Commodities whether they are permitted to come twice a year at which time there are Fairs kept for the vending of their Commodities which they carry to Malacta Gon and so into several parts of Europe But though they are admitted the liberty of Trade yet are they denied the freedom of lying in the City at nights neither to enter the Walls without setting down their names in Books which are kept by persons at each Gate for the same purpose which when they depart at night
they cross out It s other chief places are 1 Xauquin a Maritime City 2 Luicheu also seated on the Sea very commodious for Traffick and opposite to the Isle of Aynan from which it is distant about 5 Leagues 3 Lampaca also seated upon the Sea and 4 Nanhium seated far within Land and among the Mountains which parts this Province from Chiamsi The Isle of Aynan its commodities The Isle of AYNAN is also comprehended under this Province and is the greatest of all the Islands that belong to China It is distant from Amacao on the South 50 or 60 Leagues it is almost as long as broad having 50 Leagues from South to North where it almost joyns upon the Southern Coast of China and on the other side regards Cochinchina It abounds in Grains Fruits Tame and Wild Beasts The Sea hath Pearls Lignum Aquilae and Calamba Their Craw-fish taken out of the Water die and grow hard like a Stone which being reduced to Powder serves for a remedy against many diseases The Earth hath Mines of Gold and Silver for which the Inhabitants care little In the midst of the Island the People are likewise half Savages The chief City is Kincenfen seated on the Sea-shore and regarding the Province of Canton The Province of Quancy and its chief Cities The Province of QVANCY which Purchas calls Guansa enjoys the same temperament with Canton yields the same Commodities and with the same plenty but is not so much frequented by Mexchants nor hath scarce any confluence of Strangers the reason is because its Rivers loose and discharge themselves all in the Province and at the City of Canton which forces them to pass through the hands of those of Canton to utter their Merchandizes and receive those of others In this Province there are Ten large Cities of which Quancy is chief all well built and very populous besides about one hundred small ones The Province of Zunnan and its chief places The Province of ZVNNAN which Purchas calls Vanam is the last on the South Coast where it is washed by the Gulf of Cochinchina and on the West where it touches on the Kingdom of Tunquin and on divers People beyond those Mountains which inclose the West of China The Women have here the liverty to go in publick to buy and sell which those of other parts of China do not It hath Mines which yield a kind of Amber redder and less pure then ours but which hath some particular vertue against Fluxes Besides this it transports few Merchandizes into other places This Province hath likewise good store of small and great Cities the chief of which bears the name of the Province and Hilan seated on a Lake so called which is inform of a Crescent The Province of Chiamsi its Trade chief places The Province of CHIAMSI which Purchas calls Lansay is inclosed with Mountains which have their passages open to the Neighbouring Provinces and particularly on the Coast of Canton On the Mountain of Muilin there is a great concourse for the carriages of Merchandizes which are transported from Canton to Nanquin which is done by mounting the River of Canton unto the foot of the Mountain From whence the carriages being taken out of the Vessels are loaden and born upon Mens backs to the other side of the Mountain where there is found another navigable River which crosses the Province Kiamsi till it falls into the famous Jamchuquiam which leads to Nanquin and the Sea This Province is so peopled that a part of its Inhabitants are constrained to spread themselves through all other Provinces of China to seek their fortune It is in one of the Cities of this Province that they make Porcelain the Water here being fit to give it perfection The Earth is fetched from other places beaten and fashioned at the same time the tincture they most commonly apply is Azure some lay on Vermilion others Yellow In this Province are 12 great Cities besides about sixty small ones its chief City being called Nanciam seated on a Lake as is Quianhanfu and others It s other chief places are 1 Kienchan 2 Linbiang 3 Juencheu 4 Nangam The Province of Huquam and its Commodities The Province of HVQVAM is so abundant in Rice that it is able to furnish a good part of China It is likewise rich in Oyls and Fish The Jamchuquian and many other Rivers and Lakes cross it on all sides and carry its Commodities towards Nanquin and to Quincheu It is very populous containing 15 great Cities and about 100 small ones the chief of which are 1 Chingiang 2 Huchang 3 Suchang 4 Yocheu c. The Povince of Suchuen described The Province of SVCHVEN which Mendoza calls Susuan Purchas Soin is one of the lesser Provinces of the Kingdom it is high scituated and pours down its Rivers into the Neighbouring Provinces Here is found good store of yellow Amber and excellent Rhubarb It s chief Cities are in number 8 together with about 120 lesser ones all which are exceeding populous the chief bearing the name of the Province The Province of Quicheu and its chief places The last of the Provinces I have to treat of is QVICHEV or likewise CVTCHEV according to Purchas It borders on the People Timocoves Gueyes the Kingdom of Ciocangue and the People called Layes Here is that famous Lake Câncui-Hai from whence comes divers Rivers which water China They make here quantity of Arms of all sorts to serve against those People which border upon them which once belonged to China but which now for the most part are Enemies to it This Province is Hilly and unever which makes it not very fertil in Corn Fruits c. but it hath abundance of Quicksilver and also it breeds the best Horses of any Province in all China Cities in this Province are very few there being not above 15 both small and great the chief of which are 1. Quicheo seated on the River Yanchuquianâ 2. Rueyang 3. Hianchoau 4. Liping 5. Cipan c. All these Provinces or rather all these Kingdoms of China are governed by divers Magistrates which those of Europe call in general Mandarins These are persons that have Patents whom the King or chief Officer of State doth chuse after knowledge of their capacity and honesty the degrees given to Students the general and particular Governments the charges of the Militia the receipt of and management of Revenues the building and repairing of Publick Buildings the Civil and Criminal Justice are in their hands And there are Appeals from one to the other according to the order and nature of Affairs The Council of Estate always resides near the person of the King and hath a general eye over the Kingdom But it shall suffice what we have said of China let us finish by saying That we have described it as it was before the Tartars made an irruption in â618 These Tartars kept it wholly for some years since which
Its parts chief places and fertility The Country is of a different Soil that of Zagathay is indifferent fertil which is much augmented by the industry of the Inhabitants who are likewise held the most ingenious being lovers of Arts and well skilled in Manufactures by reason of which they have a good trade with Merchants which come from several places Sacae is very barren and ill manured and full of wild Desarts Forrests and Uninhabited places by reason of which the Inhabitants remove their Herds of Cattle from place to place where they can find best food for them Sogdianâ hath very rich Pastures and watered with many good Rivers which much conduces to its fertility in which as also in Zagathay are several Towns and Cities as 1. Jarchan 2. Sachi 3. Istigiaes 4. Busdaschan 5. Bachara and 6. Pogansa which last is seated on the Sea Turquestan its bounds and chief places TVRQVESTAN lies East from Vsbeck or Zagathay West from Cathay North from India and South from True Tartary It is subdivided into some Kingdoms of which the best known are Castar Cotam Chialis Ciartiam Thibet Chinchintalis c. A part of their chief Cities being of the same name Some name Hiarchan instead of Cascar and Turon or Turphan instead of Chialis for the chief Cities of the Kingdom That of Cascar is the richest most fertil and best cultivated of all That of Ciartiam is esteemed the least and all sandy having in recompence many Jaspars and Cassidoines but that of Cascar hath likewise excellent Rhubarb It s fertility and commodities c. and in great quantity Those of Cotam and Chialis have Corn Wine Flax Hemp Cotton c. Thibet is more advanced towards the Mogolls of India and the most engaged in the Mountains of Imaus Caucasus and Vssontes It hath many wild Beasts Musk and Cinnamon and they make use of Coral instead of Mony The Relations which have been given in 1624 and 1626 have made this Estate so great and rich that they would confound it with Cathay but those of 1651 make the Region very cold and always covered with Snow esteeming its King wholly barbarous and less powerful than him of Serenegar who is only a Rahia in the Estates of the Great Mogoll so little assurance is there in the most part of these Relations The other places of note in Turquestan are Camul Turfan Emil Sark Cassia Andegen Raofa Cotain Peim Finegle Lop Ciartiam Sazechiam and Vociam and in this part is the Lake of Kithay which is 65 Leagues in length and 40 in breadth CATHAY is the most Eastern part of all Tartaria Cathay its bounds and esteemed the richest and most powerful Estate It is contiguous to Turquestan on the West to China on the South to True Tartary on the North and on the East is watered by the Streight of Jessa Some esteem all Cathay under one only Monarch or Emperour whom they call Chan or Vlacan that is Great Cham and speak him one of the greatest and richest Princes in the World Others account divers Kings but all Subjects to the Great Cham. It s âertility and commodities The Country is much frequented well tilled and in most places very fertil abounding in Wheat Rice Wool Hemp Silk Musk Rhuburh great Herds of Camels of whose Hair they make Chamlets and abundance of Horses with which they furnish other Countries and especially China It s chief place Cambalu with what other things can be desired Cambalu is esteemed its Metropolitan City in which the Great Cham resides pleasantly seated in a fertil Soil and on the River Palysanga which hath its course through the City which is seated in the midst of the Country being as it were the center to others This City besides its Suburbs is esteemed to be 28 miles in circuit being as it were four square each Angle being 7 miles in length all encompassed with a strong Wall 10 paces thick to which for entrance into the City there is at each Angle 3 Gates to every one of which there is a Palace besides in every Angle a more sumptuous Palace in which the Armour of the Garrison Souldiers are kept which are accounted 1000 of each Gate The Buildings are for the most part of Free-stone and very proportionably built the chief Streets large and so strait that one may see from one Gate to the other which gives it a gallant prospect The Great Chams Palace In the midst of this City is a stately Palace where the Great Cham resides together with his Queens and Children This Royal Palace is four square and of a vast bigness having besides its Out-walls several other enclosures adorned with stately Structures beautified with pleasant Walks Gardens Orchards Fishponds with several other places for Recreation His Attendance State and Riches is great Without the Walls are 12 Suburbs each 3 or 4 miles in length It s Trade and Commodities adjoyning to each of the 12 Gates and in these Suburbs the Merchants and Strangers reside each Nation having a several Cane or Store-house where they both lodge and exercise their Trade bartering their Commodities for one anothers being of a great Trade and frequented by Merschants and Strangers of several Countries but more especially by the Persians Chinois Indians and the Tartars themselves which renders it very populous it being the chief place for Trade in all Tartary abounding not only in those Commodities aforesaid but also in the Spices of India the Gems of Pegu and Bengala the Drugs of Arabia also the Carpets Tapestries Silks and Manufactures of Persia c. Their Monies The Mony currant here and throughout this large Territory is very different neither is it made of Gold Silver or Copper as with us but of the middle Bark of the Mulberry Tree which being made smooth and firm they cut round into great and small pieces on which they imprint the Kings Mark as we do on our Mony and these pieces according to the bigness and thickness are valued at a certain rate and are passable for the buying of all Commodities and it is deemed death for any one to counterfeit or make any of this Mony But in some places under the Great Chams jurisdiction they use polished Coral instead of Mony and in other places they use twigs of Gold which is distinguished into several parcels by weight but without Stamp or Character and this is held in case of great importance they also use in some places Porcelain instead of Mony likewise they make a kind of Mony of Salt which they boil until it be congealed hard and then make it up into round lumps on which is put the Princes Stamp And these are the several sorts of Mony which passeth amongst them yet by reason of the Trade that this place hath with other Countries there adjacent their Coyns are here found currant as are those of the Grand Signior as also those of Moscovy Besides this Palace
Bodies and call the Isles of Japan those which are on the East of China the Philippine Isles those which are likewise on the South East of China the Isles of the Moluccoes those which are to the South of the Philippines the Isles of the Sound those which are to the West of the Moluccoes and I put for the fifth Ceylan and the Maldives which are East and South-East from Cape Comori the utmost point of Malabar There are moreover many Isles which belong to Asia but not to compare with these of which we shall also speak a word as occasion offers The Isles of Japan are on this side the Tropick of Cancer the Philippines between the Tropick and the Equinoctial Line the Moluccoes the Isles of the Sound and the Maldives are about this Line returning from East to West The Isles of JAPAN or JAPON The Isles of Japan WE call the Isle or Isles of Japan a certain multitude of Isles and of different bigness which are on the East of China distant from it about 100 Leagues and so are seated in the most Oriental part of our Continent They stretch together in length about 300 Leagues from West to East and from South to North 40 50 60 and sometimes 100 Leagues in breadth Amongst these Isles there are 3 very considerable The first and which is much greater then the two others is called by us Japan or Japon by its Inhabitants Hippon or Niphon which signifies The Spring of Light or of the Sun A name proper for it since it lies to the East and Sun-rising of all Asia and of all our Continent The second is called Ximo that is a Low Countrey or Saycock that that is Nine Kingdoms The last Tokoesi or Xicoco that is Four Kingdoms We must likewise make account that these three great Isles are cut asunder by several Channels which divide them into several Isles but because these Channels are very narrow these parts are esteemed pieces contigious in regard of the others where the Channels or rather the Arms of the Sea which divide them are much larger They have all those Fruits Trees Herbs and Beasts which we have in Europe with several others not known amongst us as also abundance of several Fowls both tame and wild the surface of the Earth is well clothed with Woods and Forests in which are found very lofty Cedars and the bowels of the Earth stored with divers Metals as Gold Silver Copper Tin Lead Iron c. though not so good as in the Indies except it be their Silver which is excellent and abundant Their Pearls are great red and of no less esteem then the white ones These with several Manufactures which are herâ made are the chief Commodities of this Island Chief places Meaco described In this Island are several Cities of some note as 1 Meaco seated in the midst of the great Isle of Japan a fair and large City formerly 21 miles in compass but now by reason of their Wars it is reduced to the third part of what it was in which the Jesuites did formerly esteem it to have 180000 Houses and judged it to have near 100000 when they were there This City is the ordinary residence of the Triumviri or the three principal Magistrates which rule or sway the affairs of these Islands of whom the first is entituled the Dayri or Voo that is the Emperor who hath the care of Civil Affairs the second is the Cube or King of Tenza who is chief of the Militia managing the Affairs of Peace or War and thirdly the Zazo or Xaca who is chief in Religion and Sacred matters The City is divided into the higher and lower the one and the other together were not above 20000 paces long and 8 or 10000 paces large The Palace of the Dayri was in the higher City great The Palace of the Dayri stately and adorned with all things which may add to its luster and the Houses or Palaces of his Conges with the Houses of the chief Lords of all Japan were about that of the Emperor The lower City was almost contigious to Fuximi which serves for a Fortress to Meaco This City as most of all those in these Islands are unwalled but its Streets in the night are chained up and a Watch of two men at each end of every Street who are to give account of the transactions that happen in the night Its Streets are large and well composed its Houses well built and most of Wood all their Pagodes are made of Wood they are neither large nor high and in these Pagodes they have several ill-shapen Figures to which they address their Prayers and bestow on them great gifts in way of Alins which their Priests make use of Nobunanga was the first that lessened this City which he did by burning a part of it in 1571 and since it hath received divers jostlings of ill fortune 2. Amangucki a Maritime City and the fairest of the Kingdom of Nangato hath been formerly well known for its Trade containing few less then 10000 Families It was burned in 1555 during some revolt it was builded again and again burnt and afterwards rebuilt These fires happen often in Japan the greatest part of their building being of Wood but the wood is very near and curious marbled c. Nangasaki was the most famous of the Isles of Saycock and there are a great number of fair Cities through all Japan Amongst these Cities that of Sacay on the South of Meaco which Ferdinand Mendez Pinto provided that he doth not lie says he hath known not to have depended upon any King or Lord but was governed of it self in form of a Republick created all its Magistrates and Officers and he assures us that all the Masters of Families rich or poor make themselves be called Kings and Queens and their Children Princes and Princesses This liberty and vanity is observable if it be true The City of Yendo Mandelssos in his Book of Travels makes mention of a City called Yendo which he makes to be a fair large and well built City in which he saith there is a Castle about two Leagues in compass being strongly fortified with 3 Walls and as many Moats The building is very irregular but fair having to the Walls abundance of Gates Within the last Gate he saith there is a Magazin of Arms for 3 or 4000 men on which all the Streets that are fair and broad take their rise ãâã in which said Streets on both sides are many magnificent Palaces for the Nobles In the midst of this Castle is seated the Emperors Palace having belonging to it many stately edifices and apartments as Halls Chambers Galleries Gardens Orchards Groves Fish-Ponds Fountains Courts c. as also several Select Houses for his Wives and Concubines And here is his ordinary Residence being in the Province of Quanto about 120000 paces from Meaco between which are abundance of stately and magnificent Palaces and Houses for the
Moluccoes and thereabout those of Mean where are built his Carcoles that is Vessels of War Tofoura Xullo Buro those of Amboyna among which Ceyram seems to be comprized Then part of the Land of Papoâs part of Gilolo and the Celebes whose Kings are tributary to him Argensola faith That in 70 Islands which are in his Estates he can raise 200000 Menâ and that he keeps ordinarily a great number of Carcoles with many Cannons and all things necessary and that the Captains of his Militia are aged Men which have been bred and educated in Arms. The Isles of LARRONS or THEEVES The Isles of Larrons described WE have almost nothing to say touching the Isles of THE EVES They are 16 or 20 different Isles which continue from about the 8th unto the 20th and 21st degree of Latitude on this side the Equator and are almost all under the 188 Meridian Their names scituation and greatness a guess may be given of by the Chart. The Isle of Dancers of Martyrs of Birds c. Towards the South those of Pulo Vilan De los Arecisos De los Matelotes and Bidima c. are towards the West and between the Larrons and Philippines The Volcanis towards the North where there is Cochineal Malpelo towards the North-East but indeed rather towards the East and seeming to belong to America Also the Isles of Bacim Botaba Volia Can Mata Sepan Natan Chereguan Guagan Artomagan Agan Gregua Chemochoa Mana Englese Angloise Malabrigo Deserte c. All these Isles are poor having little to live on scarce any tame Beasts no Metals the Inhabitants are naked active great Thieves particularly of Iron The ISLES of the SONDE which may be comprehended under Great ISLES and particularly called the Isles of the SONDE and such are those of SUMATRA with its Kingdoms of Achem Achem Daya Pacem Pedir Pacem Aru Aru Bancalis Baras Baras Batham Camper Camper Guadahyri Guadahyri Priaman Priaman Potenban Menancabo Menancabo Batacapas Jamby Jamby Votaboura Baras Baros Palimbam BORNEO Borneo Hormata Bendarmassin JAVA with its Kingdoms or Cities of Bantam Jacatra Sura Japara Tuban Jortan Panarucan Balambuan Depresado Surbaja Sidajo Saraboy Carovang Materan Small ISLES and may be considered as they lie On the Coast of JAVA among which are those of Madura Madura Baly Bali Pater Noster Mulusura Luboc Graciosa Sapy Cariman Java Selam On the West and South-West Coast of SUMATRA as Engano Nassau Good Fortune Calippes Nays Gavia Oura Cocos Between SUMATRA and BORNEO are those of Pedra Bruca Bitam Linga Monpin Banca Billeton Lucubare Suronton On the North-West North and North-East Coast of BORNEO and belonging to it are the Isles of Tomveta Timbolan Ananiba Matuma Tigaon Tiga Ciumbabon St. Maria. St. Michael Zolo St. John Boquerano The ISLES of CEYLAN with its Kingdoms Cities and Isles as they lie North-Easternly and on the Sea as Jafanapatan Trimquilemale Baticalo Westernly and on the Sea as Punto Gallo Colombo Chilao Within Land as Jala Ceitavaca Candea Das sette Corales Isles about and Close to CEYLAN as Manar Manar Grande Barra de Cardiva The ISLES of the MALDIVES as they are know buy the Names of the ATTOLLONS of Tilla don Matis Milla doûe Madoûe Padypola Malos Madou Aâiatollon Male Atollon Poulisdou Molucque Nillandoux Collomadous Adoumathis Sovadou Adou and Pove Molucque THE ISLES OF THE SOUND The Isles of the Sound Their situation THE Isles of the SOVND are those of Sumatra Borneo Java the greater and lesser and others They are underneath and about the Equator advancing on this side to the seventh and eighth degree of Latitude towards the North and beyond it unto the ninth or tenth degree of South Latitude beginning at 135 Degrees of Longitude Westward and ending about the 160 Eastwards So that they are together 16 or 18 Degrees of Latitude which are 400 and odd Leagues and 24 or 25 Degrees of Longitude which are 600 or thereabouts Their Name The Portugals called them the Isles of the Sound because they are to the South of Malacca as Pyrardus saith I believe rather because of the Streight of the Sound which is between the two chief and best known of these Islands to wit Sumatra and Java major or else because of the Port of Bantam which is called of the Sound being the best Port and of the greatest concourse that is in all these Islands The Isle of Sumatra in situation The Island of SVMATRA is 10 or 12 Leagues from the Peninsula of Malacca and extends from the sixth Degree of Latitude on this side near to the sixth on the other side the Equator which are about 11 or 12 Degrees of Latitude but it lying from North-west to South-east stretches from its Northerly point towards Achem unto that of Labansamora towards the South and on the Streight of the Sound near 400 Leagues being not above 50 60 or at most 80 broad Its parts Some Authors divide it into 4 others into 10 and others into 30 Kingdoms It is to be believed that it had sometimes more sometimes less or that the least were Vassals or Tributaries to the greatest At present those most famous are Achem which holds likewise Pedir to which it hath been subject and Pacem on the Northern Coasts towards India Camper almost underneath Palimbam Jamby Guadahyri Priaman Baras and Manancabo beyond the Equator All which are the Seats of so many of their Kings But a word or two of Achem which is of the greatest esteem The City of Achem described The City of Achem is seated on the side of a very broad River and in a large Plain It hath neither Gates nor Walls to defend it self but a Castle which is the Palace Royal which is fortified with a good Wall and Pallisado and well armed and so seated that it commands the whole City They enter into this Castle or Palace by seven several Gates one after another which are guarded by Women that are expert at their Weapons which are also the ordinary Guard of the King's Person and without the leave of the King or his Guard none are suffered to enter the Pallisado The Buildings in this Castle are but mean which are the same with those of the City which by reason of the often overflowing of the River are built upon Piles and covered with Coco Leaves but the furniture which is rich and costly On two sides of the Castle there are pleasant Forests well stored with Apes Herns and all manner of Birds and other delights in which the King recreates himself as also in Cock-fighting Hunting the Elephant or Bathing Himself in the River In all which he seldom is without a Company of Women in whom he most delighteth He observes great state seldom shewing himself he is much reverenced by his Subjects whom he uses no better than Slaves In his Laws he is very severe and in his Punishment cruel His Government being absolute and meerly arbitrary His Revenue without doubt
large and well built seated in a spacious Plain which affordeth great plenty of Sugar 2. Messa at the flux or mouth of the River Sus it is composed of three little Cities walled apart and betwixt which the River passes 3. Tejent seated higher and on the same River on a spacious Plain is likewise composed of three Towns each distant a Mile from each other having their Temple common in the midst of the three 4. Tedsa beyond the River Tagavost containing about 8000 Houses its chief Ornament being a fair Mehometan Temple 5. Capo d' Aguer seated on a Promontory so called and is a place of great importance The Fortress and City of Guarguessen in the midst of the Coast and on a branch which this Mountain under the name of Idevacall stretches into the Sea belongs to the Crown of Portugal Province of Guzula its bounds and chief Places The Province of Guzula is to the East of Sus to the South of Hea and Morocco to the West of the Province or Kingdom of Darrha and to the North of Tesset Here are observed to be no walled Cities or Fortresses of note but it hath many Burroughs and Towns of 1000 or 1200 Houses where there are Markets kept thrice a week and a great Fair yearly which lasts two Months to which many People from most parts of Africa do resort The chief place bears the name of the Province the People are rude and barbarous and with much ado are subject to the King of Morocco In the Country are many rich Mines of Gold Brass Iron and other Metals Province of Morocco and and its chief Cities The Province of Morocco particularly so called lies all between the Rivers of Asifnuall and Tensift from their Springs at the Mount Atlas until they meet about 15 or 20 Leagues from the Sea Asifnual divides it from Guzula and Hea Tensift from Hascora and Ducala The City of Morocco is the chief of the whole Kingdom and hath been a long time in great esteem and once accounted the Metropolis of all Barbary and reckoned amongst the greatest Cities in the World At which time it had twenty four or twenty five Gates being in circuit 12 Miles and contained about one hundred thousand Families It is strongly girt about with Walls and adorned within with many publick and private Buildings as its Palace which they name the Alcasar Its Churches or Mosques are very fair especially one Morocco its Trade and Commodities which is held the greatest in the World seated in the midst of the City adorned with many sumptuous Pillars which were brought out of Spain when the Moors had the possession of the Country It hath a very large and strong Castle esteemed as big as a reasonable Town Here is also a Burse for Merchants who trade hither But of late by reason of the defacement and Spoils which it hath suffered by the Arabians together with the removal of the Seat Royal to Fez now the Metropolis of all Barbary it hath lost much of its splendor a great part of the City being deserted so that they make use of but 4 or 5 Gates neither is that part so populous rich nor hath so good a Trade as formerly 2. Agmett seated on a River of the same name and at the meeting of divers passages which descend from Mount Atlas in the Plains of Morocco hath been very fair and populous and its Hills and Valley about it so fertil and beautified with pleasant Gardens that it was called the Little Morocco at present it is almost Desart 3. Elgiumuha near the Mountain and on the River Secsiva 4. Imegiagen seated on a Mountain very steep on all sides And 5. Tenezze a Town of some note All which are strong places and very advantagiously scituated Province of Hea its fertility People and chief places HEA West of Morocco a Province Mountainous and Woody yet watered with many good Rivers the Soil indifferently fertil and would produce several good Commodities were it inhabited by industrious People these being a sort of idle and in a manner barbarous altogether ignorant of Arts except some Teachers of their Law which can hardly read as also some Chirurgions who are chiefly employed in the circumcision of their Children they are generally very courteous to Strangers but very contentious among themselves It s chief Cities are 1. Tednest once a place of good esteem seated on the River Savens 2. Hadequis 3. Teguleth and 4. Tejeut places of good note and Trade the first containing about 1000 Houses having the benefit of a good Port and beautified with a fair Mosque with some Hospitals But about the year 1500 they were much ruined by the Portugals in whose possession they are who have since somewhat added to its former Estate Tednest hath about 1600 Houses the most part Jews which are esteemed the chiefest In the Mountains Tesegdelt is most considerable containing above 1000 Families and well scituated its Walls being no other than thick Rocks So are Ileusugagen Tegtesse Eitdeset Culejat c. scituated upon Mountains and of good strength Tefethna on the Coast and at the Mouth of a River of the same name The Isle of Mogadour hath a Port where there is some Trade The Isle of Mogadour near the Cape of Ocem is distant from the Coast two little Leagues The Kings of Morocco have built here a Fortress to keep some Mines of Gold and Silver which are in the neighbouring Mountains It s Mountains west inhabited The Mountains of Aidvacall or Idevacall near Cape de Guer of Demensera near the Province of Guzula and Gebel el Haden near the Tensit take up a part of the Province and are so well inhabited that the last can set forth 12000 fighting Men the first 20000 and the other 25000. Provinces of Hascora and Teldes and their chief places North of the Province of Morocco are those of Hascora and Teldes separated the one from the other by the River Quadel Habid Tefza is the chief City of Teldes and near the River Derna which falls into the Ommiraby a rich City built by the old African Moors and beautified with many Mahometan Mosques and its Walls were made of a kind of Marble 2. Elmadine is the chief City of Hascora It s People peopled with about 10000 Families scituate in a pleasant Valley and begirt with Hills it is well built its Inhabitants are civil ingenious and addict themselves to Arts Traffick and Manufactures the Women are fair as in 3. Tagodaft which is on a Mountain whose Foot is washed with many little Streams which water their Gardens 4. Elgiumuha towards the South built by the People and in a like scituation with Tagodaft And 5. Bzo likewise a City of some Trade Between the Mountains Teldes hath more than 50 walled Towns built near the streams of the River Darha These Provinces are fertil having rich Fields feed a great quantity of Goats of whose Skins are made the
Food for three daies There is likewise 200 Banias or Stews 200 Inns of which some have more then 100 Chambers 400 Mils which daily work 1200 Mules Among its Colleges the building of that of King Hahu Henon cost 500 thousand Duckats being a most curious and delicate Building all enriched with Mosaicque work of Gold Azure and Marble its Gates are of Brass In this Colledge are abundance of stately Buildings as Cloisters Halls Baines Hospitals c. It hath a stately Library in which besides other Books are 20000 Volumes in Manuscript They have 150 publick necessary houses built so commodiously that the Waters carry away the ordure To its Walls it hath 86 Gates which serve for entrance into the City South East of the old Fez is the new City The New City of Fiz at a Mile or 1200 paces distance this is almost only for the House and for the Officers of the King The Palace where he ordinarily resides and the Palaces of the principal Lords the Mint a stately Temple c. are in the first quarter The Officers of the Court and the Captains of the guard hold almost all the second and the Kings Guards alone had formerly the third Now a good part of this last quarter is possessed by Jews and Goldsmiths and part of the second by divers Merchants and Artisans In this City of Fez as generally throughout these parts they have abundance of Conjurers Fortune-tellers Juglers and Inchanters who are in some War esteem amongst them It s People are of a duskish or blackish complexion of sly Stature tall and well proportioned they are of an active disposition for and Horse-manship otherwise excessive idle they are very subtle close perfidious inconstant proud much addicted to Luxury and therefore by consequence very jealous of their Wives whom they keep with great severity and that the more according to their external graces they are very revengeful if injured and hard to be reconciled In their gait they have much of the Spaniard in them in their Apparel they go very sumptuous and rich but their Food is but very gross Their Religion As to their Religion they are either Mahometans or Heathens and are for the most part inclined to Literature and Arts. Their Magistrates and Justice In this City are four sorts of Magistrates one for the Canon-Law one for the Civil-Law another for Marriages and Divorcements and another as an Advocate to whom they make their appeal In the Administration of Justice they are more or less severe according to the hainousness of the offence In their Marriages they observe many Ceremonies as being agreed they are accompanied to the Church by their Parents Relations and Friends which Ceremony being ended they are invited to two Banquets the one at the Bridegrooms cost and the other at the Brides Relations which being done the Bridegroom causeth the Bride to be conducted to his House with Musick and Torches being accompanied with their Friends and being entred the House she is immediately lead to the Chamber door and delivered by her Father Brother or some of her Kindred to his Mother if living who there waits for her coming who immediately is redelivered to him who forthwith conducts her to a private Chamber where he enjoyeth her and if she is found to be a Virgin which will appear by the blood which will proceed which perceiving they drie up with a Napkin and carry in their hands to shew the Company with great joy and then they make Feasts and are very merry But if she be contrary and that no blood is caused then they judge her Virginity lost and thereupon the Marriage is frustrated and with great disgrace she is turned home to her Parents This with several other Ceremonies are omitted in the Marriage of a Widow Here the Women at the death of their Friends assemble themselves together habit themselves in Sack-Cloth and Ashes and sing a Funeral Dirge to the praise of the Deceased and at the end of every verse howl and crie and this they do for seven daies together during which time her Friends send in Provisions and come and comfort her for their custom is not to have any meat drest in the House of Mourning during the said time especially untill the Corps is interred 1. The City of Mahmora fell into the hands of the Portugals in 1515 was presently retaken by the King of Fez who defeated 10000 Christians and gained 60 pieces of Artillery The Kings of Spain likewise made themselves Masters of it 1614 and have fortified it because of the goodness of the Port. 2. Sala or Sally hath been the residence of some Kings of Fez. It is composed of two Cities the Old and the New and hath a great Trade with the English French Hollanders and Genoueses It s Fortress is on a rising ground with a high Tower which discovers the Sea In the Castle the King Mansor and others his successors have their magnificent Tombs The place was taken by the Castilians and retaken from them some years past and afterwards abundance of the Moors of Granado driven from Spain retiring thither have fortified and enriched it with their Piracies 3. Mechnese between Sally and Fez is in the middle of a Plain where for 5 or 6000 paces there is only Gardens filled with excellent Fruits The City is well built its Streets large and well ordered Its Inhabitants liberal and civil but alwaies in jealousie against those of Fez. Divers Aqueducts bring water to the City and furnish the Temples Bains Hospitals and Colledges and private Houses Asgar is a Province between the Rivers of Suba Province of Asgar and Lusus or Lixa on the Coast it extends itself far up the Land towards the City of Fez and hath fair and fertile Fields with an Air so pleasant that formerly the Kings of Fez passed here a part of the Spring in Hunting 1. Elgiumha or Elgiuhma in the way from Fez to Larrache and formerly the fairest of the Provinces serves now only as the Granary where the Arabs store up their Corn. 2. Casarel-Cabir a place of pleasure which Mansor caused to be built between the Fens the Forests the Sea and the River may now have about 1500 Houses adorned with a stately Hospital a Colledg and many Temples The Battel which Don Sebastian King of Portugal lost was here fought In which it is observable that the three Chiefs of the Armies which that day met all died viz. Don Sebastian of Portugal in the field of the Battel Muley Mahomet of Fez in favor of whom Don Sebastian passed into Africa was drowned passing the River of Mucazin to save himself in Arzile and Abdelmelech of Morocco the Conqueror died with labour and pains or with the sickness with which he was seised before the Battel all three competitors for this Kingdom with several others of eminent quality 3. Lharais or Larrache once Lixos which some among the Ancients say was greater then the Great
Houses have their Fountains and Wall-nut Trees 5. Mezume is adorned with a Castle a Palace and a fair Temple 6. Teguident hath a large circuit which had been empty had not sometime since a Marabut repeopled it These two places are by some esteemed in the Quarter of Telensin Among the Mountains Beni-Abucaid is near to and of the appurtenances of Tennes Guanseris can set forth 2 or 3000 Horse and 15 or 16000 Foot The Quarter of Algier and its parts and places The Quarter of ALGIER comprehends likewise that of Couco in the Mountains of Eguiel-Vandaluz alias Couco and Tubusuplus which is the principal place built on the top of a Rock craggy on all sides It may contain about 1600 Houses the Kings or Lords of the Country reside here and have oft disputed their liberty with the Kings of Algier These Mountains are two or three days Journey long and their approaches very difficult They yield Olives Grapes and especially Figs of which the King makes his principal Revenue Cattle Iron Saltpeter and the Plains afford Corn and every where Spring of Running-water The People are Bereberes and Azuages well armed and couragious The Metropolis of the Kingdom is ALGIER at present the most famous place of all the Coast of Barbary The City of Algier described either for its Riches and Power or for the extent of its Estates It is seated on the declension of a Mountain in form of a Triangle so that from the Sea all its Houses appear one on the top of another which renders a most pleasant prospect to the Sea Its circuit is not above 3400 Geometrical paces fortified with some ill-disposed Bastions but the Island which was before it is joyned to the City some years past where is built a Pentagone the better to secure the Port and Island and keep it from being fired as in 1596 1606 c. It is a City not so large as strong and not so strong as famous Famous for being the receptacle of the Turkish Pirates who so much domineer over the Mediterranean Sea which too often proves to the great damage of all Merchants who frequent those Seas This City hath at present 12 or 15000 Houses it had not when J. Leon of Africa wrote above 4000. The Streets are but narrow but the Houses fair and well built yet one which runs along the Sea is fair and large they count 100 Mosques whereof 7 are very sumptuous 5 Houses or Lodgings of Janizaries capable to hold each of them 600 Men 62 Bania's of which two are very beautiful 100 Oratories of Turkish Hermits and almost as many publick Schools Out of the City are many Tombs of Turks Moors and Jews the burying place of the Christians is without ornament Among these Tombs is remarkable that of Cave Daughter of Julian Earl of Baethica who having been ravished by Roderic King of the Goths was the cause of the Moors descent into Spain It hath almost no more Suburbs the City being encompassed with many Hillocks and rising Grounds whose sides and Vallies are covered with 12 or 15000 fair Gardens abounding with store of pleasant Fruits with their Fountains and other places of delight Beyond these Hills is the Plain of Moteja 15 or 16 Leagues long and 8 or 10 broad very fruitful in Grains This place is famous for the Shipwreck which Charles the Fifth here suffered who besieging this Town Here Charles the Fifth suffered Shipwreck lost in its Haven at one Tempest as Heylin noteth besides a great number of Karvels and small Boats divers strong Gallies 140 Ships a great many Pieces of Ordnance about half his Men and such great quantity of gallant Horses that in Spain they had almost like to have lost their race of good and serviceable Horses The Cities 1. Temeudfusta about 7 or 8 Leagues from Algier with a good Port and 2. Teddeles 18 or 20 are the best places of the Coast the first answers to the ancient Jomnium Municipium the other to Rusipisir likewise Municipium 3. El Col de Mudejares of old Tigisi is newly repeopled by the Morisque Mudejares of Castile and Andalusia and the Tagartins which were of Valentia It is 8 or 10 Leagues from Algier beyond the River Selef which they here call the River of Saffran 4. Gezaira a City seated on the Sea-shoar 5. Mensora And 6. Garbellum both Sea Towns The Fertility and People of Algier The Air about Algier is pleasant and temperate The Land hath excellent Fruits as Almonds Dates Oils Raisins Figs some Drugs c. The Plain of Moteiia is so fertil that sometimes it yields 100 for one and bears twice a year good Grains In the most Desart Mountains are found Mines of Gold Silver Iron quantity of fierce Beasts The Country affords excellent Barbary Horses also Estridge Feathers Wax Hony Castile Soap c. Besides they have good quantities of most Commodities which by reason of their Piracy they take from other Nations to the great inriching of the place most of the Inhabitants living by it setting out Vessels in Partnership and sharing the Gains selling the Commodities and the Men they take as Slaves in open Markers The Natives of Algier are fairer and not so brown as the Moors but the City is filled with all sorts of Nations The Janizaries make the greatest part of the Militia The Turks have the chief Trade who are found to transport several Commodities to other Countries but there are many of the Moors driven from Spain and others who have retired themselves from the Mountains many Arbas Jewish and Christian Slaves The number of the Inhabitants of this City cannot be esteemed by the 12 or 15000 Houses it contains for there are some Houses where are found 100 200 or 300 Persons the Christian Slaves only amount to about 30 or 40000 within and about the City and there are no less than 6000 Families of Renegadoes But the Right Honourable the Earl of Sandwich late General of the English Fleet by order from King Charles the Second put out to Sea with a Fleet of Ships scoured those Seas forced them to deliver up all the Slaves who were Subjects in any of the Kings Dominions as well as Englishmen and brought them to very honourable terms By which they are not to seize or stop any English Ship but give them free liberty of Trading where they please and the like Peace is made with Tunis and other of the Turks Territories But these perfidious People soon violated it Province of Bugia its chief places and fertility The Province of BVGIA is between the Rivers Major and Sefegmar This on the East that on the West On the Coast are two principal places Bugia and Ghegel in the Land are Steffa Labes Necaus and Messila in some consideration 1. Bugia is a great City its circuit capable of 20000 Houses but hath not above 8000 but that which is uninhabited is Mountainous and inconvenient It was built by the Romans
broad Here is a fair Burse or Exchange for Merchants two great Prisons for their Slaves and some Bastions to defend the Port which is good and large This place is famous for the death of Cato sirnamed Vticensis who for fear of falling into the hands of Caesar here slew himself and is of note in the Carthaginian Wars The Government or City of Goletta The Government of GOLETTA is much esteemed because of the neighbouring Carthage or rather because of Tunis whose Key it is It is a Fortress built in the neck of the Gulph between Tunis and the Sea by which all must necessarily pass And it hath given occasion to build a Fort on the top of a Hill whose foot is washed by the Sea There was heretofore the old Fort and the now the Old was only an intrenched Bastion guarded by 30 or 40 Janizaries the New is great well fortified and furnished with all things necessary A Fountain of Running-water crosses the place so that it seems rather a City than a Fortress Charles the Fifth took this Fort in 1535 which the Turks retook in 1574. Under this Fort was it that General Blake with the English Fleet The City of Tunis fired the Pirate Ships of Tunis in 1654. Tunis at the bottom of this Gulph is at present one of the fairest Cities of Barbary it counts 8 Gates 8 chief Streets which are crossed by abundance of others 10 Places or Markets more than 300 Temples and Synagogues of the Jews and many Oratories some likewise for the Christians 150 Bania's or Hot-Houses 86 Schools 9 Colledges where Youth is nourished and instructed at the publick expence 64 Hospitals and a great number of Canes or Inus for Merchants and Christians c. The Buildings of the Royal Palace are magnificent it had long since 10000 Houses and is much increased since the Moors of Granada were driven out of Spain Among its Inhabitants are many Merchants Apothecaries Druggists Confectioners Cooks Bakers Butchers and above all Drapers and Weavers c. Their common Bread is kneaded with Oil of which they have abundance and utter quantity into Egypt Their Linnen and Manufactures have vent through all Africa It is a place of great Traffick It s Trade and Commodities and much frequented by Merchants of Foreign parts affording several other good Commodities as Gold Saffron Wax Oil raw and salted Hides variety of Fruits Wool Spunges Hard Soap they have also a great trade for Horses and Ostrich Feathers c. and above all for Christian Slaves Commodities most vendible here are English Cloths Perpetuanoes Iron Lead c. They have no Water either of Well or of Fountain except that which is reserved for the Bassa but make use of Cisterns and Rain-water They are fain to have their Mills turned by their Slaves or by Oxen. The Arab of Nubia Sanutus and some others esteem Tunis to answer to the Ancient Tarsis This place as Heylin noteth is observable in the History of the Holy Wars for the Sieges and Successes of two of our English Princes viz. Edward the First in his Fathers life time and Henry the Fourth then but Earl of Darby by both of which the City was forced to a composition But the Ruins of Carthage Tunis received its splendor from the ruins of Carthage from which Tunis had its increase are remarkable because of the Antiquity Scituation Greatness and Power of this City The beginning of it is given to Dido the Phoenician who inclosed with the Wall the Quarter or Castle of Byrsa which is two miles and a half in Circuit which in the Country they still call Bersac and Byrsa signifying a Hide to the Greeks and a Fortress to the Phoenicians the one agrees with the Fable that Dido had bought and builded the place on the greatness and extent of an Oxes Hide the other to the scituation and advantage of the place where this Fortress was built This Scituation and the goodness of the neighbouring Port drew so many People that it became one of the fairest Cities in the World Its circumference in its splendor was 360 Stadia like to that of Babylon and its Inhabitants have been so rich and powerful that they disputed with the Romans for the Empire of the World being once called the Lady and Mistress of Africa The particular power of this City was not known till the third and last Punick War when after having had to do with Massinissa to whom they yielded a good part of their Estates after having granted and put into the Romans hands their Ships of War their Elephants their Arms and their Hostages which were demanded when they commanded them to leave the City and to inhabit from the Sea-Coast despair made them resolve on the War They made other Arms built new Ships the Women and Virgins giving their Hair to make Cables and Cordage and defended themselves yet 3 or 4 years It was afterwards restored and at divers times but the Vandals and in the end the Arabs have wholly ruined it there not remaining above 7 or 800 Houses of Fishermen Gardiners c. The Government of Soussa its Cities People c. The Government of SOVSA contains the Cities of 1. Hammametha which communicates its name to the neighbouring Gulph at the bottom whereof it is scituated its Walls are strong and its Harbour safe 2. Susa is in a higher and lower City the former on a Rock and of difficult access the last on the Sea with a good Port where are laded great quantities of Oils both the one and the other well built The Duke of Savoy made an enterprize on them in 1619. 3. Monastero so called because there was once a famous Monastery of the Order of St. Augustine The Riches about Susa is in Olives Pears and other Fruits and Pastures for Cattle The ordinary Food for the Inhabitants is Barly-bread the Country affording no other Grain The Inhabitants of Susa and Hammametha addict themselves to Traffick others to Whitning of Cloth they make Charcoal and draw some profit from their Fishing The Government or City of Africa or El-Madia The Government of AFRICA or EL-MADIA hath nothing considerable but this place may be made far better than it is It s scituation is in a Peninsula which touches not the Main but by an Isthmus of 2 or 300 Paces where there is likewise some Marsh and on this side the City is invested with a double Wall and good Ditches It s Port within the City is capable to lodge 50 Gallies but its entrance is so narrow that a Galley is forced to lift up its Oars to pass The Coasts about Sousa and Elmedia and what Transactions hapned there The Coasts about Susa and Elmedia have been well known in the Roman History in the time of the Wars between Caesar and the Party of Pompey Caesar landed at Rhuspina now Susa Adrumetum now Hammametha being in the Enemies hands and in the beginning had divers
grains fruits c. if its Inhabitants would give it tillage South of Canada are New England New York Maryland Virginia and Caroline of which in Order New England described NEW ENGLAND North of Maryland according to the report of Captain Smith hath seventy miles of Sea Coast where are found divers good Havens some of which are capable to harbour about five hundred sail of Ships from the fury of the Sea and winds by reason of the interposition of so great a quantity of small Isles which lie about the Coast to the number of about two hundred And although it be seated in the midst of the Temperate Zone yet the Climate is more uncertain as to heat and cold than those European Kingdoms which lie parallel to it Yet the Air is found very healthful and agreeable to the English which hath occasioned the settlement of divers Potent Colonies here who live very happily and drive a considerable Trade for their provisions to our American Plantations especially to the Barbados This Country is Inhabited by divers sorts of people the chief amongst which are the Bessabees about the River Renobscot and the Massachusetes a great Nation The Native Inhabitants and every one are governed by their particular Kings and do much differ in Customs and Manners from one another as they do in the other parts of America living generally at variance with each other Their chiefest riches is in their Furrs and Skins which they sell to the English in truck for Commodities they are for the most part ingenious well disposed and with little pains would be brought to Christianity This Country is for the generality of a fertil soil is well watered with Rivers hath plenty of Fish as Cod Thornback Sturgion Their Fish Porpuses Haddock Salmons Mullets Herrings Mackeril Plaice Oysters Lobsters Crab-fish Tortoise Cockles Muscles Clams Smelts Eels Lamprons Drums Alewives Basses Hollibuts Sharks Seals Grampus Whales c. Here are great variety of Fowl as Phesants Partridges Pigeons Heathcocks Fowls Oxeyes Geese Turkeys Ducks Teal Herns Cranes Cormorants Swans Brants Widgeans Sheldrakes Snipes Doppers Blackbirds Loon Humbird with divers others too tedious to name They have also great plenty of Beasts both tame and wild as Cows Sheep Goats Swine and Horses Beasts and for wild Lyons Bears Wolves Foxes Martins Rackoons Mooses Musquasus Otters Bevers Deer Hares Coneys c. Amongst the hurtful things the Rattlesnake is the most dangerous and here are several sorts of stinging Flies which are very troublesom to the Inhabitants Trees Here are sundry sorts of trees as the Oak Cyprus Pine Cedar Chesnut Walnut Firr Ash Elm Asp Alder Maple Birch Sassafras Sumach c. also several Fruit-trees as Pomgranates Maracocks Puchamins Olives Apples Pears Plumbs Cherries Grapes Fruits with those common in England And their ground also produceth Potatoes Carrots Turrips Parsnips Onyons Cabbages with most of the Roots and Herbs found in England The soil being very agreeable for them But the fruits are not found here so good as in Virginia nor in Virginia as in Caroline as lying more Southwards and having the greater influence of the Sun This Country affordeth several rich Furrs hath Iron Amber Pitch Tarr Masts Flax Linnen Cables Its Commodities and Grains in great plenty The English which now Inhabit this Country are very numerous and powerful having a great many Towns several of which are of considerable account and are governed by Laws appropriate to themselves and have their Courts of Judicature and assembling together each Town having two Burgesses for the looking after the affairs of the Colony Government And as to matters of Religion and Church Government they are very strickt and make a great show being much of the stamp of the ridged Presbyterians Amongst their Towns these are of chief note 1. Boston commodiously seated for Traffick on the Sea Shore It s chief Towns at present a very large and spacious Town or rather a City being composed of several well ordered streets and graced with fair and beautiful houses which are well inhabited by Merchants and Tradesmen who drive a very considerable Trade It is a place of great strength having two or three hills adjoyning on which are raised Fortifications with great Pieces mounted thereon which are well guarded 2. Charles Town seated on and between the Rivers Charles and Mistick it is beautified with a large and well built Church and near the River-side is the Market place from which runs two streets in which are divers well built houses 3. Dorchester an indifferent Town seated near the Sea 4. Cambridge commodiously seated on a River doth consist of several streets and is beautified with two Colledges and hath divers fair and well built houses 5. Reading commodiously seated about a great Pond and well Inhabited 6. St. Georges Fort seated on the mouth of the River Sagadebock 7. New Plymouth seated on the large Bay of Potuxed With divers other Towns of some account most of which bear the Names from those of England but amongst the Indians are known by other names New York described NEW-YORK formerly New Netherland is seated betwixt New England and Virginia It is now called New York from his Royal Highness the Duke of York the Proprietor thereof by grant from his Majesty It is a Country of a fertile soil is well watered with Rivers and is found to produce the same Beasts Birds Fowls Fish Fruits Trees Commodities c. and in as great plenty as New England so they need not be taken notice of here This Country is also possessed by sundry sorts of people not much unlike those of New England and are very expert at their Bow and Arrows which is their chief weapon of War are found to be of a ready wit and very apt to learn what is taught them in their Religious Rites divers ceremonies are observed amongst them It s Native Inhabitants and are said to worship the Devil whom they much fear their Priests being little better than Sorcerers who strangely bewitch those silly people When any woman findeth her self quick with child she keepeth her self chast from man until her delivery the like she observeth in the time of her giving suck a strange Custom which our European Dames would not well relish upon the least offence the man turneth away his wife and marrieth again and the Children begotten by her she keepeth Furnication is here permitted they are very dutiful to their Kings they believe the transmigration of the soul and concerning the Creation of the world have strange foolish opinions They are much addicted to sports recreations and dancings and observe Festival times Their habit is but mean as the rest of the Indians yet do they paint and besmear their faces with several colours which they hold Ornamental their dyet and habitations are also mean Here is one very considerable Town now called New York being well seated both for security trade and pleasure in a small
other Sex It is distinguished as under its Ancient Kings into these Quarters which at present are called that of St. John of St. Maria the Round of St. Paul and of St. Sebastian and of St. James formerly Tlatelulco In this last which is very great and the fairest is the Palace of the Vice-Roy the House of the Archbishop the Court of Audience the Mint and other Offices In this City of Mexico is a Cathedral Church which was begun by Cortez with so much haste that to raise two Columns for want of Materials they made use of the Stones which had made part of the Statues of the Idols Here is also a Printing-house several Houses of Jesuits Dominicans Franciscans Augustinians and other Religious Orders some Colledges abundance of Hospitals and other publick Buildings all of great state and beauty They have here four things which are remarkable for Beauty viz. their Women their Apparel their Horses and their Streets Chulula described Among those places which are or have been on the two Lakes of Mexico Chulula is reckoned one of the fairest scarce excepting that of Mexico with which it in times past contended as well for state as bigness once containing near 20000 Houses and beautified with so many Temples as there are days in the year The People were said to be so addicted to Idolatries and so barbarous in their bloody Sacrifices Its Inhabitants that it sacrificed yearly no less than 5000 Infants of both Sexes on its Altars before its Idols Tezcuco described Tezcuco once twice as great as Sevil in Spain its Streets are fair and large its Houses stately and Beautiful and adorned with many Conduits and Aquaeducts which furnished them with fresh Water though seated on the brinks of the Salt-Lake of Mexico Quitlavaca Quitlavaca described built on divers little Islands like to Venice was joyned to the Continent by a Caus-way made of Flint-stones of about a League long but narrow called by the Spaniards Venezuela containing about 2000 Houses Yztalpalapa Yztalpalapa described seated part on the Lake and part on the Banks with a Paved way to Mexico from which it is distant two Leagues once a large City having no less than 10000 well built Houses which were plentifully supplied with fresh Waters from its many Ponds as well as its beautiful Fountains Queretaro hath two Fountains Queretaro described of which one is so hot that its Waters at first burn being cold fatten Cattle the other runs four whole years continually and ceases other four whole years having likewise this property that it increases in dry and diminishes in moist and rainy weather Mestitland described Mestitlan once of good repute containing about 30000 Inhabitants seated on an high Hill begirt about with pleasant Groves and fertil Plains which affords excellent Fruits and very good Grains Cuyocan of about 50000 Houses and Mexicaltzingo of about 4000 Cuyocan and Mexicaltzingo described both upon the Lake were in times of Paganism adorned with many beautiful Temples so rich that at a distance they seemed to be made of Silver but now their lustre is decaied most of them being converted to Monasteries and Religious Houses Acapulco a City and Port on Mer del Sud Acapulco described seated on a safe and capacious Bay full of convenient places or Docks for Ships to ride in so that it is said to be the safest Haven of all those Seas it is distant from Mexico 100 Leagues The Mexicans keep here some Vessels and trade to the Philippines and to China from whence they are distant 3000 Leagues The Air of Mexico The Air of Mexico is sweet and temperate though scituate under the Torrid Zone the Heats thereof much qualified by the cooling Blasts which rise from the Sea on three sides of it as also by the frequent refreshing Showers which always falls in June July and August which is their hottest Season of the year The Soil is so fertil that they gather their Crop twice a year yet want they good Wine and good Oil by reason of the Summer-Rains It s fertility It is believed that no Country in the World feeds so much Cattle some private persons having 40000 Oxen or Cows others 15000 Sheep c. and an infinite number of tame Fowl as Hens Turkies c. whence it comes that Oxen Sheep Goats Hogs and tame Fowl are hardly worth the buying Their Horses are excellent the Race coming from the best of Spain Mines in Mexico There are few Mines of Gold though many of Silver about Mexico as those of Comana Fuchuco Archichica Temozcaltepeque Zacualpa Tasco Ymiquilpo Cu Tepeque Talpajava Zumpango Guanaxuato and others And these Mines are not so rich as those of Peru but easier wrought and with less expence and loss of Men. The principal Riches of the Country after their Silver Gold Iron and Copper are their Grains Fruits Wool Cotton Sugar Silk Cocheneel the grain of Scarlet Feathers Honey Balm Amber Salt Tallow Hides Tobacco Ginger and divers Medicinal Drugs Its Inhabitants The Natives of this Country are more ingenious than the rest of the Savages and are much civilized since the Spaniards had to do here they are excellent in many Mechanical Arts especially in making fine Pictures with the Feathers of their Cincons which is a little Bird living only on Dew and place their Colours so well that the best Painters of Europe admire the delicacy they far exceeding a piece of Painting They have some memories of their Histories make use of certain Characters instead of Letters of our Alphabet their Tongue was extended so far as they could extend their Dominion though in divers Provinces there were diversity of Languages They are excellent in refining of Metals expert Goldsmiths and curious in Painting upon Cotton The Plant Magney a very great rarity Among their Rarities of this Country there is a most admirable Plant called Magney from which they extract several things it hath on it about 40 kinds of Leaves which are fit for several uses for when they are tender they make of them Paper Flax Thread Cordage Girdles Shoes Mats Mantles Stuffs c. upon them grow Prickles so strong and sharp that they make use of them instead of Saws also they serve for Needles The Bark if it be roasted maketh an excellent Plaister for Wounds from the top Branches comes a kind of Gum which is a sovereign Antidote against Poyson from the top of the Tree cometh a Juyce like Syrup which if seethed will become Hony if purified Sugar they make also Wine and Vinegar of it and it affordeth good Wood to build with In this Country are two Mountains one which vomits flames of Fire like Aetna and another in the Province of Guaxaca which sendeth forth two burning streams the one of black Pitch and the other of red The Kings of Mexico were rich and powerful in regard of their Neighbours having no less than 2 or 3000 Men
Country which are not wrought good Salt-pits out of which they draw the greatest profit c. The Province of Mechoacan and chief places described The Province and Bishoprick of MECHOACAN between those of Mexico and New Gallicia stretches on the Coast of Mer del Sud near 100 Leagues advances within Land from that Coast to the Zacatecas near 150 Leagues Places of most note are 1. Colina seated ten Leagues from the Sea built by Gonsalvo de Sandoval in the year 1522. 2. Zacatula on the Mer del Sud and at the Mouth of a River of the same name 3. Mechoacan the Metropolis which takes its name from the Province so called now the Seat of the Archbishop 4. Zinzouza once the Seat of the Kings of Mechoacan 5. Pazcuaro once the Seat of the Bishop 6. Valladolid seated near a Lake as large as that of Mexico once the Seat of the Archbishop till removed to Mechoachan 7. La Conception de Salaga 8. St. Michael built by Lewis de Velasco then Vice-Roy of Mexico 9. St. Philip built by the said Velasco at the same time to assure the way going from Mechoacan or Mexico to the Silver Mines of Zacatecas this way being often pestered and frequented by the Chichimeques Otomites Tarasques and other barbarous and as yet unconquered People who greatly perplex and annoy the People that border upon them Some place likewise in this Province the Cities of Leon of Zamora of Villa de Lagos and about 100 Towns of which many have their Schools The Soil of this Province and its Commodities The Soil of this Province is very different but every where fertil and in most places yields such great increase of all sorts of Grains Fruits c. that it hardly hath its fellow in the whole World It produceth likewise Cotton Ambergreese Gold Silver Coppers soft and hard of the soft they make Vessels of the hard Instruments instead of Iron They have black Stones so shining that they serve them instead of Looking-Glasses They have store of Plants Medicinal Herbs Mulberry-trees Silk Hony Wax c. The Country is said to be so healthful and of so sweet an Air It s Air. that Sick people come hither to recover their health It is well stored with Rivers and Springs of fresh Water which makes their Pastures exceeding rich and fat Cattle and Fowl are here found in great plenty and their Rivers and Lakes afford store of Fish The vertue of the Plant Gozometcath Between COLIMA and ACATLAN is found the Plant Gozometcath or Olcacazan which takes Blood-shot from the Eyes preserves the strength of the Body or restores it to the Weak cures the Tooth and Head-ach resists all Poysons and in fine is most excellent against all Diseases Those of the Country will judge of the event of any Sickness whatsoever it be when they apply the Leaf on the party If they fasten easily they soon hope a cure but if they resist or fall off they expect nothing but a great and long sickness or death The Province of Thascala with is Cities described THASCALA or LOS ANGELOS is between Mexico and the Gulph of Mexico from whence it advances unto the Mer del Sud stretching it self on the Coast of this Sea 25 Leagues on the other 75 or 80. Places of most note are 1. Thascala which gives name to this Province once the Seat of a Bishop and once governed in form of a Common-wealth and exceeding populous It had four principal Streets or Quarters which in time of War were each of them governed by a Captain and in the midst of these Streets it had a most spacious Market-place which was always thronged with People for the negotiating of their Affairs It is scituate on an easie ascent betwixt two Rivers encompassed with a large pleasant and fruitful Plain about 20 Leagues in compass 2. Los Angelos or the City of Angles a fair City built by Sebastian Ramirez Anno 1531 now the Bishops Seat 3. Vera Crux built by the said Cortez being a place of great concourse by reason of its near scituation unto the Gulph from whence it is a thorough-fare to the City of Mexico which is distant from it 60 Leagues It s Port of St. Joan de Vlva though but bad is in some esteem being the best on the Mer del Nort and held more commodious than that of Mexico 4. Zempoallan seated on a River of the same name the Inhabitants whereof did Ferdinando Cortez good service in his conquest of Mexico Beside those Towns or Cities they count in this Bishoprick or Province 200 Towns 1000 Villages and 250000 Indians under its Jurisdiction which are exempted from all extraordinary charge and imposition because of their assisting the said Cortez in his conquest of Mexico The Country is more hot than cold fruitful in Corn Mayz Sugar Wine The fertility of the Province Fruits feeds much Cattle full of rich Pastures well watered with fresh Streams In the Valley of St. Paul was a Country man possest of 40000 Sheep which were the product of only two which were brought him from Spain The Inhabitants are much of the same nature and condition with those of Mexico aforesaid The Province of Guaxaca with its chief places described GVAXACA is between the Mer del Nort and Sud The Plain of the Province makes a Lozenge whose 4 sides are each 75 Leagues or little more Its Cities are 1. Antequera a Bishprick and which sometime communicated its name to the Province It is seated in the Valley of Guaxaca and adorned with stately Buildings and beautified with a magnificent Cathedral Church whose Columns are of Marble and of a prodigious height and thickness 2. St. Jago seated in the Valley of Nexapa but upon a lofty Hill 3. St. Ilefonso on a Mountain in the Province of Zapoteca 4. Spiritu Sancto in the Quarter and on the River of Guaxacoalco near the Mer del Nort. 5. Cuertlavaca of note for a Labyrinth not far distant hewed out of a Rock 6. Aquatulco a noted Port on the Mer del Sud well frequented by those who transport the Merchandizes of Europe and Mexico to Peru a place of great Riches till plundered by those two eminent Travellers Drake and Cavendish both Englishmen besides those places there is said to be 300 Towns and as many Estancia's or Hamlets which are inhabited by the Natives of the Country which pay Tribute to the Spaniards The divers Quarters of this Province are all fertil not only in Grains The fertility and commodities of this Province but also in Fruits Cocheneil Silk Cassia and the Earth well stored with Mines of Gold Silver and other Metals and almost all the Rivers stream down sand-Gold Here is also a kind of Almond which they call Cacao which they make use of instead of Mony The Province of Tavasco described TAVASCO is only a Coast of an 100 leagues long between Guaxaco and Jucatan scarce 25
part as those of Copiapo Conception l'Imperial Villa Rica Valdivia Osorno Caftro St. Jago Serena de la Frontera MAGELLANICK LAND St. Phillip de la Guadero TERRA DEL FUGO or the ISLAND of MAGELLAND PERU The greatness of Peru. PERV is an Empire or Kingdom so rich and great that all America Meridionalis or at least the half of that America sometimes takes the name of Peruviana Peru taken more precisely extends it self more or less according to the diversity of Authors It is for the most part between the Equinoctial Line and the Tropick of Capricorn where it hath more then 600 Leagues length and if we add the Part of Popayan which is on this side the Line and which depends on the Chamber of Quito in Peru and that part of Tucuman which is beyond the Tropick of Capricorn and which depends on the Chamber de la Plata It s length and breadth in Peru its length will not be much less than a 1000 Leagues It s breadth is likewise very diverse esteeming what the Spaniards more absolutely possess It s breadth will not be above one hundred or sometimes two or three hundred Leagues if we add all the Estates that lie upon the Amazon unto the Confines of Brazile we may make account of 6 or 700 Leagues of breadth According to some Authors this Country is divided into three Parts and all different from one another which Parts are the Hill-Countries the Andes and the Plains The Hill-Countries are twenty Leagues broad The parts of Peru are three and all different from one another as well in fertility as otherwise at the narrowest the Andes as much and the Plains Ten Leagues and something more and each part extends it self the whole length of the Country The Hill Countries are bare and naked the Andes well cloathed with Woods and Forrests and the Plains well furnished with Rivers together with the benefit of the Sea yet in many places the earth is sandy and dry which makes it unfit for Grains or Fruits In the Hill-Countries their Summer beginneth in April and endeth in September during which time they have fair weather and from September to April which is their Winter it raineth This Part is much subject to Winds which it receiveth from the Coast which bringeth a difference in the weather some Winds bringing Snow others Thunder others Rain and others Fair Weather and where there falleth but little Rain it is observed to be the more Fertil in Corn and Fruits On the Andes it is said to rain continually whereas in the Plains seldom or never and their Summer beginneth in October and endeth in April so that when it is Summer here it is Winter with those in the Hill-Countries And it s observed that a man in one daies journey may see Summer and Winter so that at his setting forth he may be in a manner frozen and before night scorched with heat Peru by the Spaniards divided into three Audiences in which are several Provinces That part of Peru best known and on the Mer del Sud hath been by the Spaniards divided into three Audiences viz Quito Lima and De la Plata That of Quito is the most Northern that of De la Plata the most Southern and that of Lima in the middle and each of these Audiences hath divers Provinces Quito holds part of Popayan part of the true Peru Los Quixos or La Canela Pazamoros or Gualsongo and likewise St. Juan de las Salinas That of Lima holds the true Peru where there were several Provinces which the name of Peru hath swallowed up And the Audience De la Plata holds the Provinces of Tucuman and De los Charcas and these Provinces comprehend aboundance of other lesser ones the knowledge of which is little necessary The Audience of Quito described It s chief Cities The Audience of Quito is about the Equinoctial Line and is 2 or 300 Leagues long and large The Quarter of Popayan subject to this Chamber hath the Cities of Popayan Cali Timana and others which we have already treated of with Popayan in Terra Firma The Quarter of Peru subject to Quito hath the Cities of 1. St. Francisco del Quito or simply Quito once one of the principal Cities the Ynca's of Peru being the Regal Seat of their Kings where they had a magnificent Palace Its Streets are strait broad and well ordered and its Houses well built is adorned with a fair Cathedral Church two Convents of Dominican and Franciscan Friars as also with the Courts of Judicature once very large but at present it hath not above Five hundred Houses of natural Spaniards Two or three thousand Houses Inhabited by the Natives and in its Territory near a hundred Villages where the Natives also reside since the Spaniards became Masters of Peru they have made this a place of good strength being well Fortified and as well stored with Ammunition 2. Rio Bamba of no note except for its ancient Palace of the Kings of Peru. 3. Cuenca seated in a Country well stored with Mines of Gold Silver Brass and Veins of Sulphur 4. Loxa seated in a sweet and pleasant Valley between two Rivers the Inhabitants are well furnished with Horses and Armour which is the chiefest part of their Wealth 5. St. Michael de Piura of no great account except it be for its being the first Colony which the Spaniards planted 6. Peru. in St. Jago de Guayaquil of some note seated near the influx of the River Guayaquill at the bottom of an Arm of the Sea 7. Castro de Vili another Colony of Spaniards 8. Porto Viejo seated not far from the Sea-shore but of no account by reason of the badness of its air its Port-Town is Mantu nigh to which is a rich Vein of Emeralds 9. Juan And 10. Zamora de los Arcaides both so called in reference to two Cities of those names in Spain and these are the Cities or Colonies which the Spaniards possess in the Audience of Quito which have been established at divers times and not long after the Conquest of Peru. The fertility of the Country Mines of Gold Silver and other Metals The air of the Country is sufficiently temperate though under the Line it is Fertil in Grains and Fruits well stored with Cattle especially with Sheep and also plentifully furnished both with Fish and Fowl but the Fertility of the Country is most seen about or near Quito and Porto Viejo near Lona and Camora are Mines of Gold near Cuenca Mines of Silver Quicksilver Copper and Iron Near Porto Viejo Mines of Emeralds and about Guayaquil is found Salsaparilla The Province de los Quixos The Province or Country DE LOS QVIXOS otherwise de la Canella is Eastward of Quito It s chief Cities are 1. Baesa built in 1559 by Giles Ramirez de Avila Eastward of Quito about eighteen Leagues now the Residence of the Governour 2. Archidona twenty Leagues South-Eastwards of Baeza 3.
Avila so called in reference to Rimerez de Avila and 4. Sevilla del Oro all Colonies of Spaiards The Country is Mountainous rude and unfertil yet produceth a Cinnamon-Tree which pruned the tree bark and leaves are Cinnamon but the Fruit is by much the best and most perfect The Province of Paramoros PAZAMOROS South of de la Canella hath three Cities or Colonies of Spaniards viz. 1. St. Juan de las Salinas or Valladolid 2. Loyola or Cambinama And 3. St. Jago de las Montannas The Air of the Country is said to be healthful the soil indifferent fruitful and feeds many Cattle and also abounds in Mines of Gold Los Quixos and Pazamoras depend as to their Spiritual Government on the Bishop of Quito The Audience of Lima. The Audience of LIMA is at present most famous of all by reason of the Cities of Lima and Cusco this having been formerly the Metropolis of the Empire of the Ynca's and the other being the present Residence of the Vice-Roy of Peru and this Audience comprehends the true Peru the chief depending Cities besides Lima and Cusco are 1. Arnedo seated in a Valley among Vineyards 2. La Santa or la Parsilla seated in a Valley nigh to which are rich Mines of Silver 3. Truxillo scituate on the Bank of a small but pleasant River about two Leagues from the Sea where it hath a large but unsafe Haven and in a pleasant Valley the Town indifferently well built and large and beautified with four Convents of several Orders 4. Miraflores about 5 Leagues from the Sea in the valley of Zanu of some note for the abundance of Sugar Ganes that grow there 5. Cachapoyas or St. Juan de la Frontiera of good account in former times for furnishing the Kings of Peru with handsom women 6. Leon du Guanuco rich and pleasantly seated and beautified with some Religious Houses a Colledge of Jesuits and in former time with a stately Palace of the Kings 7. Areguipa scituate at the foot of a flaming Mountain in the valley of Quilca made happy by a flourishing soil and temperate air 8 Valverde seated in a valley of the same name which yields plenty of Vines from which they make good Wine the Town is indifferent large being Inhabited by about 500 Spaniards besides Natives and beautified with a fair Church The City Lima pleasantly seated an Hospital and three Fryeries The City of Lima is two Leagues long and one broad seated in a pleasant valley being begirt with sweet Fields and delightful Gardens below which is its Port Collao The Houses in this City are well built Its Houses Streets c. its streets large and so ordered that most of the chief take their rise from the Market-place It is said to consist of 10000 ordinary Families besides Passengers and those that come hither for trade which are many by reason the riches of Peru that yearly pass through this City to go to Spain which hath not a little encreased its wealth The City encloses several fair Edifices and Churches Hath many stately Edifices among which these following may not be forgotten viz. The Palaces of the Vice-Roy and Archbishop then the Cathedral Church built after the Model of that of Sevil in Spain and endowed with an Annual Revenue of 30000 Ducats also the Courts of Judicature the Colledges and Monasteries also it s four Hospitals to wit one for the Clergy another for the Spaniards a third for the Indians and the fourth for the Widdows The air about this City is healthful temperate alwaies serene and the soil the most fertil of all Peru. The City of Cusco with its several magnificent Places and other Buildings Among the other Cities Cusco is the chief among those of the Provinces of the Hill-Countries and the Andes being by much the most famous having been the Residence of the Ynca's or Peruvian Kings who for the more beautifying this City ordered all their Nobility to build each of them a Palace for their Residence at present it is of the greatest account in all this Country as well for its beauty and greatness as for its populousness being said to be the habitation of about 3000 Spaniards and 10000 Natives besides Women and Children Besides these Palaces It is adorned with a Cathedral and 8 Parish Churches four Convents of Religious Orders a Colledge of Jesuits a stately Temple dedicated to the Sun also several Baths about the City and abundance of very fair Houses in the fields It s scituation is betwixt two pleasant and useful Rivers and begirt with Mountains It s Fertility The Country for the most part is fruitful they have good pastures which are well stocked with Cattle they gather abundance of Coca have excellent Venison and the Country generally well furnished with Rivers in which they take good Fish Hath Mines of Gold and Silver It yields many Mines of Gold and Silver about Cusco and particularly of Gold at St. Juan del oro at Oropesa Vermillion and Quicksilver between Arnedo and Port de Guajara and likewise at Barranca are rich salt pits The Inhabitants of Guanuco and of Chachapoyas are the most civilized of Peru. There are yet every where a great number of these Indians there being esteemed under the jurisdiction of Truxillo 50000 Tributaries 30000 in that of Guanuco as many in Guamanga 50000 in that of Arequipa and 100000 in the jurisdiction of Cusco c. There are likewise others who yield no obedience to the Spaniards among which are the Manatiens not far from Cusco who maintain themselves in their Mountains who often butcher and eat those Spaniards they can entrap The Province de la Plata with its Cities described The Province DE LA PLATA or de los Chaecas is South of Peru and under the Tropick of Capricorn It is divided into two or three other lesser parts to wit de los Charcas de la Sierra and of Tucuman This last is quite beyond the Tropick and we will describe it with Paraguay or Rio de la Plata with which it shall best agree The two others are for the most part on this side that Tropick The chief City is de la Plata that is of Silver and this City gives sometimes its name to the Province is the Residence of an Archbishop dignified with the seat of the Governour the Courts of Judicature and beautified with a fair Cathedral besides several Religious Houses The City is seated in a pleasant and fruitful soil Its Houses well built and so large that within its walls are the habitations of 800 natural Spaniards beside 60000 Natives Tributaries under its Jurisdiction Its Mines by reason of the incommodities of the waters were abandoned so soon as those of Potossi were discovered which since this discovery from a small Village is now become a very considerable and large Town of two Leagues Circuit being Inhabited by about 40 or 50000 Spaniards besides about 30000
landed his Army there and obtained the Regal Dominion thereof which being passed over unto him by their Nobles and Commonalty their Charter so signed was transmitted to Rome and was confirmed by a Patent of Pope Hadrian by a Ring delivered unto him in token of his investure and was farther confirmed by the Authority of certain Provincial Synods and ever since that time it hath remained in the possessions of the Kings of England The Temporal Government of Ireland The Temporal Government since the English became Masters thereof hath most commonly been by one Supream Officer sent over by the Kings of England and called Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant who for Majesty State and Power is not inferiour to any Vice-Roy in Christendom living in great grandure and having ample and Royal Power and Authority granted unto him and as Assistant unto him in so weighty a concern he hath his Privy Council being a select number of honourable and prudent persons chosen out of the Nobility Clergy and Capital Officers of State for their Degrees of Honour and Offices of State they are the same with those of England already treated of The present Lord Lieutenant is the Right Noble his Excellency Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Viscount Maldon Baron Capell of Hadham c. Its Laws and Courts of Judicature The Laws of this Kingdom have correspondency with those of England and have likewise there several Courts of Judicature as the Chancery Common-Pleas Kings-Bench Exchequer c. but above all the High Court of Parliament There are likewise in each County Justices of the Peace for the quiet governing and well ordering the Inhabitants as in England The Archbishops and Bishops As to the Ecclesiastical Government of this Kingdom it is committed to the care of four Archbishops under whom are divers Suffragan Bishops whose names are as followeth Under the Archbishop of Armagh who is Primate of Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or Elnamirand Conuer Rathluc Dune or Dundalethglas Ardachad Derry Dal-Liquir Chlocor or Lugundum and Rathbot Under the Archbishop of Dublin those of Ferne Lechlin Glendalach Ossery and Kildare Under the Archbishop of Cassile those of Limrick Waterford Corke Laonie or Kendalnan Gellumabrath Lismore Ardefret the Isle of Gathay Clon De Rosalither Melite or Emilech and Ross or Roscree And under the Archbishop of Tuam those of Elphin Gonany Clonfred Enachdun Achad Duac or Killmacduoc Mage Killmundâach Cellaiar Roscomon and Lade or Killaleth According to the Temporal Government of this Kingdom it is severed into four Provinces to wit Leimster Vlster Connaugh and Mounster which are again subdivided into several Counties which comprehend several Baronies in which are seated several Towns And of these Provinces in order LEIMSTER It s fertility THis Part of Ireland for the generality is of a fertil Soil affording great plenty of Corn Cattle Fowl and Fish enjoyeth a wholsom and temperate Air is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Shour Neor and Barraeo It s Bivers which have their rise out of that great Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes It is very well inhabited as well by the Gentry as the Commonalty and the rather by reason of Dublin the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom therein seated It s form may be said to be triangular for from South-east to the West-point is above 80 miles from thence to the North-west about 70 and her East-Coast about 18 the circumference making about 270 miles And for its bounds it hath on the West the Province of Connough on the North that of Leimster and on the East and South the Sea which regards England from which that is from Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey it is distant about 50 miles a Sea very dangerous for Saylers by reason of the Flats and Shallows that lie over against Holy-point which are called the Grounds And as to its division it is severed into ten Counties to wit Dublin East-Meath West-Meath Longford Kildare Kings County Queens County Caterlough Weixford and Kilkenny all which are again subdivided into several Baronies and of these Counties in order County of Dublin described DVBLIN or Divelin a fertil County for Corn and Cattle but ill provided with Wood which defect is supplied by Peat or Turff dug up in the clammy places as also by Sea-Coal brought from England It is severed into seven Baronies viz. New-Castle Vpper-Cross Rath-down Castle-knock Coolock Balrudery and Nether-Cross and by reason of its City Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is very well furnished with Towns and inhabited by Gentry It s chief places are Dublin Dublin the capital City in the Island by Ptolomy called Eblana by the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia by the West Britains Dinas Dulin and by the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon Hurdles by reason that when it began to be first built the ground being wet and moorish the Foundation of its Houses were laid upon Hurdles It is a City of great Antiquity and said to be built by Harold the first King of Norway who brought most of the Kingdom under his obedience though not without great Spoils and after the Conquest of the English was Peopled by a Colony of Bristol-men It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Liffie which after a small course emptieth it self into a capacious Bay of the Sea where it hath a good Haven and a fair prospect and on the South it hath delightful Hills which with the several Parks here adjacent afford great Recreation to the Gentry It is a City dignified and enriched with the residence of the Lord Lieutenant as also with the See of an Archbishop with an Vniversity and the Courts of Judicature by reason of which it is a place of good Traffick being well inhabited and frequented by Nobility and Gentry as also by abundance of wealthy Merchants and Shop-keepers It is beautified with many fair Buildings both publik and private the principal amongst which are the Lord Lieutenants Palace a stately Structure built by order of King Henry the Second in the East-Suburbs then the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Patrick consisting of a Dean Chanter Chancellor Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty Prebendaries Nigh unto which is the Archbishops Palace both which are without the City in the Suburbs called St. Patricks Then the Collegiate Church consecrated to the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-Church seated in the midst of the City which Queen Elizabeth dignified with the Priviledges of an Vniversity and not far from this is the Town-Hall called Toles-tale a fair Stone-building of a quadrangular form and here the Lord Major Sheriffs Aldermen and other the Magistrates of the City assemble together for the management and consulting on the publick Concerns of the City as to hear Causes hold Sessions c. Then a beautiful Colledge with several other fair Edifices It is at present a City of a large Extent to what it formerly was and doth daily increase in
its Buildings especially in its Suburbs which is severed from the City by a Wall which gives entrance by six Gates As touching the Trade of this Kingdom I shall include it under this City as being the chief place of Traffick The Commodities exported are the product of the Country already treated of and those imported are all sorts of English Commodities especially Apparel Silks Stuffs c. also Wines Oils and several other Commodities Their Coins as being under the Jurisdiction of England have correspondency therewith and are here currant as also those of Spain and an Irish Pound which consisteth of 20 s. is but 15 s. sterling which makes their Shilling but 9 d. sterling And as to their Weights and Measures they are the same with those of England where see further Wickle seated on the Sea Wickle where over the narrow Haven there standeth a Rock enclosed with a strong Wall instead of a Castle and serveth for a place of defence New-Castle a Town which regardeth the Sea Newcastle where there are Shelves of Sand which they call the Grounds reaching a great length between which and the Shoar is said to be about seven Fathom water Houth seated on the River Liffy at its fall into the Sea Houth which almost encloseth it Malcheal also seated on the Sea Malcheal nigh unto which is a small Isle called Lambey County of East-Meath described EAST-MEATH a County watered with the noble River Boyn which cutteth the Country into two parts and after it hath received the Waters of Lough-Ranmore dischargeth it self into the Sea It is severed into twelve Baronies viz. Moyfenragh Dunboyne Ratoth Duleeke Kells Morgallon Skreen Navan Lune Slane Foore and Decce And hath for its chief place Trim seated on the River Boyne a Town of good account and Trade Trim. Aboy a well inhabited and frequented Town Aboy Navan Drodagh Slane Navan Drodagh and Slane which also hath a Barony County of West-Meath described WEST-MEATH so called as lying Westwards as the other is for lying Eastwards It is divided into twelve Baronies viz. Farbill Moyeashell Clunlonan Brawney Moygoish Delvin Corkery Demyfoore Maheredernon Rathconrath Kilkenny-west and Fartullagh And hath for its chief places Molingar the chief Shire-Town Molingar as being commodiously seated in the midst of the County Delvin seated on the Summit of a Hill a Town dignified with a Barony Delvin and Kelskery Kelskery County of Longford described LONGFORD a County almost encompassed with Lakes and Rivers amongst which is the Shannon the noblest River in the Kingdom It is severed into six Baronies viz. Ardagh Granard Moydow Longford Rathline and Abbyshrewle And hath for its chief places Longford which gives name to the County seated on the Lake Eske Longford or rather on the Shannon Ardragh another good Town Ardragh County of Kildare described KILDARE a rich and fertil County severed into ten Baronies viz. Salt Nass Ikeathy or Oughtereney Claine Connel Magna Carbury Ophaly Noragh and Rabane Kilkullen half Kilcah and Moon Whose chief places are Kildare a fair Inland Town being well frequented defended by a Castle Kildare and dignified with the See of a Bishop A place much celebrated in the Infancy of the Irish Church for its St. Brigid an holy Virgin who was the Disciple of St. Patrick Mainoth defended by a Castle and is a place of good account Mainoth and well frequented Naas Athie Naas and Athie seated on the River Barrow both Towns of some account Kings County described KINGS COVNTY so called in honour to Philip King of Spain Husband to Mary Queen of England It is divided into ten Baronies viz. Cooles-Town Philips-Town Marrius-Town Ballicowen Kilcoursey Balliboy Clonliske Garricastle Ballibritt and Fercale And hath for its chief places Philips-Town or Kings-Town Philips-Town Queens-Town described QVEENS COVNTY full of Boggs and Woods is divided into eight Baronies viz. Balliadams Vpper-Ossery Portnehinch Tenehinch Cullinagh Mary-burrough Slewmargigh and Stradbally And hath for its chief places Queens-Town a place of good account and is the chief in the County Queens-Town Rheban once a City but at present of small note Rheban County of Caterlough described CATERLOVGH a fertil County and well clothed with Wood. It is severed into five Baronies viz. Ravilly Caterlough Forth Idronye and St. Mullin in part And hath for its chief places Caterlough Caterlough seated on the River Barrow of good account and strength Leighlin Leighlin also seated on the Barrow once dignified with an Episcopal See Tullo Tullo seated on the River Slane Carickbrak Areklo Carickbrak and Areklo which two last are seated on the Sea County of Wexford described WEXFORD or WEISFORD washed by the Sea a County in former time according to Ptolomy possessed by the Menapians a sort of People which came out of Low-Germany It is divided into eight Baronies viz. Gory Scarwalsh Ballagheene Bantry Shellmaleere Forth Bargy and Sheelburne And hath for its chief places Wexford Wexford supposed to be the ancient City Menapa scituate at the Mouth of the River Slane where it hath a good Haven a fair Town and of note for being the first Town that imbraced a Colony of English as also for its Herring-fishing which makes it to be well inhabited and frequented Ross Ross seated on the River Barrow which after a small course falleth into a Bay or Arm of the Sea Ternes Ternes scituate on the Slane dignified with the See of a Bishop and was in former time fortified with a Castle Eniscort Eniscort a Borough and Town Corporate County of Kilkenny described KILKENNY a very fertil County well graced with Towns is divided into ten Baronies viz. Gowran Fassaghdining Kilkenny Cranagh Galmey Callen Iverke Sheelelogher Kells Knocktopher Ida-Igrin and Ibercon And hath for its chief places Kilkenny Kilkenny seated on the River Nur which traverseth the County a fair and wealthy Borough-Town far exceeding all other Mid-land Borough-Towns in the Kingdom It is divided into the English and the Irish Town that part belonging to the English being fenced on the West-side by a Wall and defended by a Castle and that part which belongeth to the Irish being as it were the Suburbs is of the greatest Antiquity having in it the Canicks Church and is honoured with the See of the Bishop of Ossery Thomas Town Thomas Town seated beneath the River Nur a small walled Town Callan Callan seated on a River so called a Borough and Town Corporate Religious Houses Amongst the places in this Province set apart for Divine Worship these following were of great note viz. the stately Abbey called Thomas Court at Dublin built by King Henry the Second in expiation of the Murther of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury the Monasteries of St. Maries of Oustmanby and Tintern and the Abbey founded by William Marshall Earl
the rest and beautified with two Spires or Steeples covered with a painting of Gold and Azure These Mosques by reason of 1000 Lamps which are kept burning are as light by night as by day This City for its good Wine pleafant Fruits gallant People and above all for its pritty Women may compare with the best in all Persia The Ladies here are so fair and pleasant that Mahomet passing through these quarters would not enter this City for fear lest he should lose himself in its delights The Soyl is very good and Mastick is gathered in its Forests The Arms they make here are excellent 2. Astachar was one of the greatest of these quarters as likewise in the time of the Arabian of Nubia The ruines of its Castle Chilminare shew the remains of the ancient Palace that Alexander the Great burned at the solicitation of the Curtisan Thais At the taking of which City Alexander for his share found 120000 Talents of ready money besides the Plate Images of Gold and Silver and Jewels of a vast value But its beauty did surpass it riches having its Royal Palace built on a Hill environed with a treble Wall the first in height sixteen cubits the second 30 and the third 60 All of them of Black polished Marble with stately Battlements on which were 100 Turrets Nor was the outside more stately than the inside which was built with Cyprus Wood and beautified with Gold Silver Ivory Amber and such like 3. Lar or Laar hath been the chief of a Kingdom and giveth name to the Larins Pieces of very good Silver which they coyn 4. Near Stahabonon a pritty Town the Momnaki-Koni that is the precious Momy is drawn out of a Rock but it is onely gathered for the Sophy who carefully keeps it Being a most assured counter-Poyson or Antidote and an excellent Salve against all Cuts or Ruptures even within the body Bezar comes likewise from this quarter 5. Chabonkera 6. Darabegerd and 7. Baesd are on the confines of Fars and Kerman Some esteem them under the Province of Fars others under that of Kerman others make that a particular Province which takes its name from the first of them and which certainly is the greatest and the fairest Darabegerd as I believe is the Valasegerd of the Arab and the ancient Pasagardae there where sometime resided and where was the Tomb of Cyrus who here by this place defeated Astyages the last King of the Medes And 8. Gombrone seated on the Gulph of Persia a fair Town well frequented and where the English Dutch and Portugals keep their Factories for the benefit and support of the Trade this place being now the Scale of Trade for all Persia as was formerly Ormus and Jasques being at present of little use Province of Kherman its Commodities chief places c. The Province of KHERMAN of old Caramania is one of the greatest but not one of the best of Persia yet they send forth several Commodities as Steel Tarquesses Rose-water Tutty Bourbatan Hebe or Kilworm of which they make the Confection Alkermes Sarmack which are black and shining Stones which cures sore eyes and paints black Carpets the best in Persia after those of Yesed those of Chorazan hold the third degree Arms which the Turks buy at any rates and Scimitars which will cut a Head-peece without blunting the edge The Country is somewhat uneven and Mountainous which causeth barrenness but the Vallies are very fertil and delightful every where adorned with Flowers and especially Roses of which they make a great Revenue Amongst its Cities which are many 1. Cherman which communicates its name to the Province makes a great quantity of Cloth of Gold and Silver As also those Scimitars aforementioned 2. Zirgian 3. Nahyan and others are likewise in some reputation but the Coast of Ormus is of great esteem after it Mochestan The Isle and City of Ormus with its Trade and Commodities 4. The City of Ormus is seated in an Isle at the Mouth of the Gulph of Persia being in compass about 20 miles the City well built and strongly fortified seated at one end of the Isle being in compass about two miles adorned with a fair Market place and some Churches famous throughout the World for the great Trade there negotiated but of itself exceeding barren and only composed of Salt Rocks of which their Houses and Walls are made and in the Summer is found so excessive hot that the Inhabitants are forced to ly and sleep in Wooden Cisterns made for the purpose and filled with Water where both the Men and Women ly naked up to their Chins In this Island there is no fresh Water but what they fetch from other places there adjoyning which they keep in Cisterns from whence they likewise get other Provision for their Food being seated not above 12 miles from the Continent The Commodities that are here found are the rich Gems and Spices of India The Tapistries Carpets c. of Persia the Grograms Mohairs and Chamblets of Turky the Drugs of Arabia c. The People hereof in their Religion The People of Ormus in their persons and habit have something of the Arabians in them but more of the Persians 5. Mochestan is the ordinary residence of the Kings of Ormus because it is cool its Waters excellent to drink and its Land fruitful in Corn and Fruits which is not found in the Island 6. Guadell and 7. Patanis are the most famous Ports of the Coast Province of Sablestan The Province of SABLESTAN inclosed with Mountains between Chorazan and Khermon it answers to Caramania Deserta yet it hath many Cities and inhabited places amongst others Zarany towards Khermon 2. Bost 3. Nechesaet and 4. Gisna-Cassaby towards Chorazan Some place here Balasan from whence come the Balais Rubies Province of Sigistan Sistan Candahar and Mackeran The Province of SIGISTAN SISTAN or SAGESTAN PATANES CANDAHAR and MACKERAN are the most Easterly Provinces of all Persia and nearest the mouth of the Indus Sistan is the chief City of Sigistan Mackeran of Mackeran which is seated on the Sea and also Basir which seems to keep its ancient name Parsis The River Ilmenel waters all these Provinces and falls into the Indian Ocean not far from the Gulph of Indin Also Grees is the chief of Patanes and Candahar of Candahar The Neighbors of the Persians These are the Estates of the Persians and we are to observe that his principal neighbours are the Turks on the West the Tartars on the North the Mogols on the East and the Portugals on the South in and about the Gulf of Ormus These last cannot deprive him of any great part their design being only to maintain their commerce in the Indies yet they cease not to perplex him on the Sea and have divers times taken and retaken Ormus from him The Mogols the Tartars and the Turks are troublesom neighbours unto him and oft times his Enemies because they are powerful and
Natives and others that work in the Mines It is seated below the Mountain which bears the same name from whence they have their Silver A City esteemed free because of its large and ample priviledges the Officers for the Treasure of the Province residing here being also much frequented by Merchants which come hither to trade for their Silver bringing them several Commodities in exchange that they have need of so that I may say it is plentifully furnished with all Commodities as well for delight as necessity The other Cities are Neuestra Sennora de la Pax or Villanueva Oropesa and Chicuito a City of Indians Then Sancta Crux de la Sierra and in Tucuman St. Jago del Estera Neuestra Sennora de Talavera and St. Michael or Tucuman This Province rich in Mines of Silver That which is most observable in this Province are the Silver Mines de la Plata de Porco and above all those of Potossi being the most famous in the world though yielding nothing but Silver It is observed of this Mine that it hath four principal veins the first which is called the rich was Registred the 21 of April 1545. and the others in little time after These Enregisters are made to take notice of the time granted to those which discover the Mines to whom they belong defraying the charge and paying to the King the right of a fifth part It is said that the rich Mine had its Metal out of the Earth in fashion of a Rock or like a Chrest of 300 Foot long 12 or 15 broad and 10 or 12 deep And that which is likewise observable is that all these Veins are towards the Sun rising and not one towards its setting they have now exhausted all that was the best and easiest to take away and the Miners are descended into the Earth some to 500 others to 10 or 1200 Degrees of depth The Rich vein yielded the moiety of good Silver but now scarce will Quintal of Ore yield two Ounces of pure Silver yet some will say that the Catholick King receives for his fifth part near two millions of Crowns yearly Account is made of 20000 men working in these Mines and of 50000 Indians which go and come to the City of Potossi to trade SANCTA CRVX DE LA SIERRA or the Holy Cross of the chief Mountain of its little Province is East of Potossi but inclosed with many barbarous Nations on the West and South among others the Chirigudgues which are a sort of People not to be reduced to order though between La Sierra and Tucuman The Country is hot but sometimes oppressed with cold and sharp winds the Land hath Grains Mayz Wine and feeds much Venison The riches of the Ynca's of Peru. Their Policy Their Forces The Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega hath given us a very fine History of Peru of its Ynca's or Kings with their Riches great Revenues Policies and Forces as to their Wealth it was shewed by the vast Treasures which the Spaniards became Masters of all their moveables besides Rooms full of several sorts of Images being of Gold and Silver together with several Rooms filled with Treasure Their Policy was shewed in the management of their Affairs and enlargement of their Territories treating their Subjects kindly and lovingly and allowing them share in the spoils of other Countries meerly to endear them and gain their affections and by these and the like means they were much reverenced and faithfully served by their Subjects And lastly as to their Forces we may conclude them to have been great if we look back upon their great and many victories they have gained as also of the Civil Wars maintained between the first Spanish Chiefs that Conquered this great Empire though with no small pains Its Inhabitants expences and loss of men The People are said to be of a strong and healthy constitution couragious and warlike great Dissemblers ignorant of Letters much given to Drink were formerly so barbarous that they adored only Beasts or those inanimate things which they might make use of or which they feared might hurt them sacrificing not only Fruits and Beasts but likewise Men and Women taken in War and sometimes their own Children Two rare Plants worthy of note Among the rarities of this Country here is a Plant which if put into the hands of a Sick person will immediately discover whether he shall die or recover for if he at the putting it to his hand look of a chearful countenance then it is a sign of his recovery but if sad and troubled a sure sign of death They have another Plant of which the North-part regarding the Mountains beareth its Fruits only in Summer and the Southern-parts towards the Sea in the Winter season only CHILI Chili bounded It s length and breadth CHILI is between Peru which is North of it and the Patagons which are on its South towards the Streight of Magellan and between Paragua and the Magellanick-Land which are on the East of it and the Mer del Sud which washes it on the West its length from North to South extends from the 26 Degree of Latitude unto the 46 and reaches 500 Leagues It s breadth from West to East is between the 296 and 302 and sometimes 305 306 307 Degrees of Latitude and sometimes likewise stretches 500 Leagues But the Andes bounding it almost all along the East these Mountains in some places advance so near the Sea that they leave it but a small breadth Chili divided into three quarters which are subdivided into 13 Jurisdictions Chili is divined into three Quarters and these Quarters into thirteen Jurisdictions one of the three Quarters retains the name of Chili and contains the Jurisdictions of Serena Quillata and St. Jago de Chili extending it self from the River of Copiapo unto that of Maule where are on the Coast the Ports of Copiapo of Guasco of Coquimbo where Sir Francis Drake was repulsed and of Valpayraso where he surprised a Vessel laden with 25000 Pezo's of Gold of Valdivia and a great quantity of Wines The second Quarter advances from the River of Maule unto that of Gallegos and is called the Imperial from one of its principal Cities The Jurisdictions of this part are those of Conception of Ongol or de los Infantos of the Imperial of Villarica of Valdivia of Osorno and of Chilva The Conception Valdivia and Chilva have their Ports of the same name that of Canten serves for the Imperial These two Quarters of Chili and the Imperial are between the Mer del Sud and the Andes Beyond these Mountains in the last Quarter Chicuito or Cuyo where are the Jurisdictions of Mendoza and St. Juan de la Frontera All these Jurisdictions take their Names from the principal Cities besides which they have some others But a word or two of some of the chief Cities in Chili It s chief Cities described and first of Copiapo seated in a Fertil