my opinion all doubtes touching this matter ought to be decided and all dissention taken away by this onely Epistle of Enaeas Siluius called afterward Pope Pius the second which in his owne words I haue here cited as followeth Dudum dum nos minor status haber et per multorum annorum curricula quibus grato incolatu in inclyta ciuitate Basiliensi potiti fuimus per euidentiam cognouimus quòd ciuitas ipsa vberrima ac inpartibus illis salubritate aeris ex quibuslibet vtilitatibus praeelecta nec non ad multiplicanda doctrinae semina germinaque falubria producenda apta accommoda existeret Propterea nos postquam ad summi apostolatus apicem prouecti sumus desiderantes ciuitatem praedictam ac illi adiacentem patriam diuini muneris largitate concessa inextinguibili sapientiae lumine illustrari easque sanis peritorum consiliis et maturitate fulciri generale studium in eadem ciuitate statuimus et ordinauimus inchoandum et tam in sacrapagina et vtroque ture quà m alia quauis licita facultate perpetuis temporibus vigere Datum Mantuae anno Dominicae incarnationis 1459. pridie Kalendarum Ianuarii Pontificatus nostri anno secundo In the yeare 1431. was a generall councell held in Basill vnder Pope Eugenius and Sigismunde the Emperour which was before summoned by Pope Martin the fifte for the extirpation of the Hussites and their heresies The bodie of Erasmus Roterodamus is vnto this citie no smal ornament who deceasing the yeare 1536. was there enterred Ments MEnts is a Citie of so great antiquitie that I cannot in any Chronicle or Antiquarie find any thing which I dare set downe for truth concerning the first foundation and originall thereof It is situated in a fruitful delectable countrey where the Moene descending out of Franconia falleth into the Rhene On which riuer there is no one citie bordering that hath so many monuments of antiquitie as Ments Among other things the huge Colossus of stone therein is most remarkable which was erected by Drusus sonne in law to Augustus Caesar waging war in Germanie and is called of the inhabitants Echelsteine from the forme and figure thereof which much resembleth an Acorne Charles the great in the yeare of grace 813. built in this place a mightie bridge of wood ouer the Rhene a thing so chargeable and difficult that it scarcely was in tenne yeares space with incredible labour and industrie brought to perfection which costly and laborious worke was not long after in three houres so consumed with fire that there remained not one pile thereof to be seene aboue the waters In the yeare 410. Carocus king of the Wandales hearkening to the detestable counsell of his damned mother razed to the ground many of the most noble citties in Germany among the which were Ments Spire Trier and Wormes for which impious fact not long after falling into the hands of his enemies the Frenchmen he suffered deserued punishment In former ages the Emperours of Germany constituted therein seuen Archbishoprickes whereof the first was Ments the 2. Collen the 3. Trier the 4. Magdeburge the 5. Saltspurge the 6. Breme and the last Riga in Leâ—fland The first Bishop of Ments is said to bee S. Crescentius a hearer and scholler of S. Paules In the time of Ruthardus the 14. Archbishop of this Cittie Dagobertus king of France did reedifie and fortifie this cittie ouerthrowne and laide waste by Attilas The 17. Archbishop of this place was S. Boniface an Englishman who gouerned that sea 35. yeares instructing the Germanes in Christian religion who was afterward martired in Friseland The 32. Archbishop thereof was Hatto who for causing certaine poore and innocent men to bee burned was by the iust iudgement of God prosecuted by a multitude of Rattes with such violence that hee at last was constrained to build in the middest of the Rheine a tower of stone whither he fledde thinking there to liue safe from the furie of these vermine which so continually haunted him but neither were those walles of sufficient strength to keepe them out neither could the violent course of waters betwixt him and the land asswage their fury wherefore in fine about the yeare 9â—9 he was by them deuoured The 34. Archbishop was Willigisus a Saxon borne and counsellor to the Emperour Otho the second This Bishoppe was alwaies wont to haue in his oratorie a painted wheele with this Motto or inscription Willigise memineris quid sis quid olim fueris which wheele was after giuen to the Archbishop of that sea for their armes by the Emperour Henry the second This Prelate built the faire and sumptuous Temple of S. Stephen wherein about the yeare 1011. himselfe was buried He was also the first of the Archbishops of Ments that aspired to the Electorship of the Empire Since whom his successors haue alwaies retained the place and dignity of the chief principall of the 7. Electors and are vntill this day high Chauncellors of Germanie Dietherus of Eisenburge was the 68. Archbishop of Ments chosen by the greatest parte of the Canons but against him was erected by Pope Pius Adolph Earle of Nassau from which schisme and intestine discord proceeded a ciuill warre whereby the Church of that place suffered irreparable losse and damages In fine Adolph obtained the possession gouerned thirteene yeares after whose decease Dietherus was restored and sate seuen yeares in which time he newly builded the castle from the ground By this Archbishop was the vniuersity first instituted and erected in the yeare 1482. wherein at the first beginning all artes in generall were professed But at this day onely that doctrine which concerneth the knowledge of God and our saluation I meane Theologie is there professed by the Iesuites which lately were admitted into this cittie by the reuerend father and renowned Prince Daniell the moderne Archbishop and Elector In the yeare 1501. a decree was by the superiors of that vniuersity enacted that no man whatsoeuer shold bee permitted to receiue any scholasticall degree or dignitie that did not according to the councell of Bafill rightly belieue of our blessed Ladies conception This Citie hath deserued no small praise and commendation of all Christendome for that ingenious most necessarie art of printing therein first inuented put in practise by the famous and worthy gentleman Iohn Gutenberge in the yeare 1459. by which meanes our Christian world hath recouered the works of sundry auncient fathers which were almost readie to suffer shipwracke and preserued sundry notable histories and discourses of most singularly learned men which had otherwise to the inestimable detriment of Christendome men being at this day for the most part giuen to ease and idlenes vndoubtedly beene suffered to lie hidden in eternall obscuritie In the 1118. in this cittie was held a generall councell vnto which an infinite number of Princes resorted to
the Iesuites which with great labour industry and diligence doe there professe the Arts. The manners of the inhabitantes are for the most parte sower and seuere their complexion inclining to Melancholy whereof Ausonius writeth among many other thinges in commendation of the Treuiri in this manner Quin etiam moreâ— laetum fronte seuera Ingenium natura suis concessit alumnis The ayre hereabout is commonly cloudy and often subiect to rayne wherefore the city in derision is vsually called Cloaca Planetarum Heidelberge HEidelberge is the metropolis of the Phaltes or Palatinacy of Rheine wherein the Phalsgraues or Countes Palatines continually holde their courtes and residence Some are of opinion that this cittie receiued his name from the colony of the Gentiles which in the German tongue are called Heyden Others there are which affirme that it should be written EÃ elberge that is to say a noble hill from the situation thereof which is on the side of a pleasant mountain from whence the Neccar springing descendeth into the playn and champion countries the land therabout is exceeding fruitfull and bringeth forth great store and plenty of wine oyle corne chestnuts and such like fruites This city together with the whole country adioyning is gouerned by the Rheingraues or Countes Palatines of Rheine who by succession doe hold the first chiefest place among the secular Electors of the Empire The first of the Palatines that aspired to that dignity was Sifridus who liued in the raigne of Otho the third this Emperour being well striken in yeares and hauing no issue to inherite the Emperiall Diademe after his decease desiring before his death to establish the Empire which he foresaw wold after his departure by the ambition of many competitors be much molested and endamaged by Ambassadors made earnest suite vnto the Pope that certaine princes might be ordayned constituted which should haue full power and absolute authority to elect the Roman Emperour vnto which his so lawfull and reasonable request the Pope condescending there were nominated 7. princes 3. spirituall that is to say the Archbishops of Ments Colen Trier and 4. temporall the king of Bohemia the Phaltsgraue of Rheine the Marquesse of Brandeburge the Duke of â—axony Sifridus therefore the Palatine being chosen amongst the rest liued not long after but deceased before he could make any benefite of his new authority In his place succeeded Henry his son by whose meanes Henry after called the holy the husband of his sister S. Kunegundis was chosen Emperour in the yeare of our Lord 1003. Rupertus the 10. Palatine of Rheine after the separation of the Dukedome of Bauaria from the Palatinacie receyuing the administration of the gouernment from his brother Adolphus a man of too small iudgement and weake vnderstanding to direct the helme of so great a charge erected in this citie an Vniuersity which in succession of time grew to be reckoned among the most worthy and famous Nurseries of the arts At the same time also that is to say in the year 1346. was by the same Earle founded a Church and Colledge of priestes in the newe towne wherein he lyeth buried The Abbot of Spanheyme discoursing of ecclesiasticall writers maketh mention of one Marsilius de Ingen whome some imagine to haue beene an Englishman as the first planter of this Academy Pope Vrban the sixt confirmed the same with the priueledges prerogatiues of Parise Many learned men hath this Academy fostered in our age sent into the world as Iohannes Dalburgius Rudolphus Agricola Iohannes Virdungus with many others which left behinde them sondrie monumentes of their greate wisedome and learning Also in this Vniuersity did that iudustrious and excellently learned scholler Sebastian Munster publikely professe the Hebrew tongue Tubinge TVbinge is a small citty in the Dukedome of Wirtenberge situated on the higher side of the Necchar and was in times past the principall seate and habitation of the Countes Palatines of Tubinge which now for the most parte reside in Leichtenecke a strong and goodly castell in Brisgewe not farre from Kentzigen In the yeare 1477. at the instance and most earnest entreaty of Eberhard the elder Earle of Wirtenberge and Mompelgard and his mother Mechâ—ildis the Pope licensed and authorized in this citty a generall profession of the liberall arts which Academy yet maintayneth well his place and dignity among the most learned and florishing Vniuersities of Germany Many excellent learned schollers haue issued from this Vniuersitie among the which most worthily may bee numbred Iohn Stoflerus a sage and profound Mathematician who did write a learned Treatise of Astronomy This cittie as I saide bordereth on the Necchar and lyeth in the middest of a most pleasant and fertile soyle which yeeldeth vnto the inhabitants wine corn and other necessarie prouisions in great plenty and aboundance The towne being before the erection of the Vniuersity therein in great want and pouerty and the houses meanely builded without eyther cost or curiousnes is now growne to that wealth and opulencie that for artificiall and well proportioned aedifices it may and not vnworthily be compared to the proudest cittie of the Germans It contayneth a magnificent most sumptuous Castell standing on the toppe of a mountayne strongly sortified beyond all credite and comparison Ingolestate INgolestate is a strong citty in the Dukedome of Bauaria lying neare vnto the Danon the greatest swiftest and most famous riuer of Christendome which passing with a violent current through Germany Hungary and Moldauia finally disgorgeth it selfe into the Euxine sea This cittie earst belonged to the Monastery of Altach and was by free gift deliuered vnto Lewes the last king of Bauaria since whose time it hath alwaies beene gouerned by his successors the Dukes of Bauaria and by little and little hath beene by them so mightily encreased that within those fifty yeares last passed what with the magnificence of the Dukes and priuiledges of the Popes it is become the most excellent and renowned Vniuersity of the vpper partes of Germany The Vniuersity was first instituted by Lewes the D. in the yeare of saluation 1471. and is at this day fauoured defended and mightily enriched by Aâ—bertus the moderne Duke thereof who hath builte therein not onely a peculiar colledge for the publique profession of Diuinity but also a fayre and goodly schoole for the education of youth wherein the Iesuites professe Rhetorique Philosophy and the Liberall Artes. Pope Pius the second adorned the same with many priuiledges and prerogatiues Straâ—o writeth that Bauaria is a region sterill desert and vnfruitfull which perchance in his time was so for want of being well inhabited assuredly at this day it is one of the most happie and plentifullest prouinces of Germany whence it commeth to passe that the studentes of Ingolestate are better accommodated and do liue with lesse expence then they well coulde in any other place of Christendome that
Moone whereupon the Turke diuerted his ordinance from thence the Citizens kept their word In this Citty are yet to be seene the ancient ruines of a goodly Basilique erected by Charles the great in honour of S. Peter Henry the first Duke of Austria founded herein an Abby to the vse of the Scottes Richard the first surnamed Ceur de Lyon king of England being by Lupoldus Duke of Austria taken prisoner about the yeare 1192. in a small village neere to Vienna called Erdpurge as he returned from the holy land was enforced by the sayde Duke if their owne Chronicles be true to enuiron this cittie with a new wall which included the former About that time also was therin an Empory for marchāts constituted wherby the citizens increasing dayly in wealth obtayned of the Emperour Fredericke the 2. liberty and were adorned with the emperiall Armes and numbred among the free towns of the Empire THE VNIVERSITIES of the Low Countries Louaine LOuaine one of the fower townes of the Marquisate of the sacred Empire is the principall and mother of all the townes in Brabant and maketh the first member of the third estate of that Prouince It is builded in figure round contayning fower miles compas within the walles and sixe in circumference without among many other beautifull and sumptuous aedifices therein the church of S. Peter and the publike pallace are wrought with greatest magnificence and most curious arte It was called Louaine as some say from the Dutch word Louen which signifyeth to praise or honor because the Idoll Mars was there helde in time of Paganisme in great honor and estimation This towne is situated neare to the riuer Dele the houses and streetes thereof are not closely compacted together but wide open and scatteringly builte by which meanes there are within the same many fayre gardens valleis mountaines medowes springes and vines the land about this towne is pleasant and fruitefull and the ayre temperate for which cause our auncesters not without great iudgement and discretion chose out this place as most fitte for the habitation of the Muses We finde written in the Chronicles of Colen that Iohn Duke of Brabant obtayned of Pope Martin the fift the approbation of an Vniuersitie in this Cittie that letters and good discipline beganne there publikely to be taught about the yeare 1426. Afterwards Pope Eugenius the 6 licensed therein the profession of Theologie This Academy in processe of time by the bounty and magnificence of Popes Emperours Kinges Cardinals and Bishops whereof some graunted thereto ample priueledges and prerogatiues some erected therein stately and magnificent Colledges others bequethed to the same for the vse of the students goodly landes and legacies is now growne to that higth of glory and celebrity that it worthily hath vsurped the name of a most flourishing Academy and renowned Empery of learning Iohannes Goropius affirmeth that no Vniuersity of Italy France or Germany may with this bee compared for pleasant ayre and delectable walkes And that although Salamanca in Spaine farre excelleth all other Christian Academies in magnificent and sumptuously builded Colledges yet it is farre inferior to Loucine for the delightsome and beautifull situation thereof Pope Adrian the 6. erected in Louaine whereof himselfe had beene Rector and Chancelor a goodly colledge for studentes and professors of Diuinity Charles the fift Emperour of Germany and Philip the second king of Spaine did extend the vttermost of their endeuors to encrease amplifie and a dorne this royall Vniuersity In it are for the vse of the studentes 20 Colledges the principall whereof are fiue Lilium Castrum Porcus Falco Trilingue This Cittie is the first that receiueth and giueth oath to the Prince It was sometimes an Eatledome but in the yeare 1247. Henry the second of that name Earle of Louaine deceasing Henry his successor vsurped the title of Duke of Brabant Douay DOuay is a good and strong town in Flanders Gallicant one mile distant from Cambray It was founded as some write by one Arcanalkus in the yeare of our Lorde 500. it is now a Chasteleny hauing iurisdiction ouer a good country and a great number of villages it is accommodated with many fountaines and adorned with many fayre sumptuous aedifices the manner and forme of building therein is an inuincible argument of the great antiquitie thereof In this Cittie not long since was erected a famous Vniuersitie by Philip late king of Spaine and authorised with the priuiledges of Louaine where Theologie Philosophy and the inferior artes are learnedly professed At Douay is a staple of corne brought thether out of sondry regions wherof as also of diuerse other marchandizes in this cittie is great traffique Leige LEige is a citty fayre and large comprehending within the walles thereof many hils vallies riuers and vine groundes which Philip de Comines Lorde of Argenton accounteth to containe in circuite foure Italian miles and maketh it in circumference equall with Rouen It is situated on the side of the riuer Mouse which entreth into it with 2 branches and maketh therein many pleasant Isles all which are frequented and enhabited Many other little riuers passing through this towne doe clense the streetes thereof namely the Leige from which riuer the cittie is thought to haue receiued her name Also three litle brookes Vte Vese Ambluar all three replenished with exceeding store of excelēt fish especialy Vte wherin are taken certaine delicate fishes named by the inhabitants Vtins these people speake a kinde of barbarous French and are of the Frenchmen called Ligeois of the Germans Lutticherne and Luicknarren Leige is a cittie imperiall but their tenure is onely to furnish the Emperour with some few men at armes in his wars against the Turke The Bishop thereof is Lord spirituall both of the towne and countrie but the people haue so large priueledges that they liue almost in perfect liberty and freedome Their appeales spirituall go to Collen The Archbishop thereof is their Primate and from thence to Rome Their temporall appeales goe to the Emperiall chamber at Spire In this Citie flourished in times passed a most famous and renowned Academie wherein as Hubert Thomas writeth were studentes at one time the children of 9. kings 24. Dukes 29. Earles besides the sons of many Barons and gentlemen This worthy vniuersitie by the iniurie of time often subuersion of the citie it is at this day decaied and almost vtterly extinguished onely some triuiall schooles for the institution of youth in the inferior studies are there remayning In this cittie are 8. collegiall Churches the Canons whereof are inestimable rich and held of the citizens in great reuerence and reputation especially the Canons of the Collegiall Church of S. Lambert the patron of the towne who are ioyned with the Bishop in gouernment of the state and haue so great libertie that they may at pleasure giue ouer their places and marrie before they haue taken the
at no lesse a rate then shee at first demanded for the whole and forthwith commanded that they should be reposed in the Capitoll in which place they were reserued as most religious sacred thinges vntil Cornelius Sylla his time when together with the Capitoll they were consumed with fire Iulius Caesar afterward as Suetonius writeth vsed great care and diligence in erecting of libraries the charge whereof he committed to Marcus Varro Marlianus in his sixt book and second Chapter maketh mention of two goodly libraries erected by Paulus AEmelius and Octauia the sister of Augustus and wife of Anthony Blondus writeth how that famous library of Apelico wherein were found the bookes of Aristotle and Theophrastus was by Lucius Sylla when he subdued Athens from thence remoued vnto Rome But all those learned workes of so many excellent wits with painefull and laborious trauaile acquired in forraine nations by Romes victorious captaines and there layed vp for monumentes consecrated vnto euerliuing sempiternity were by the impious and detestable fact of Nero when he set the citty of Rome on fire to the inestimable losse and detriment of Europe vtterly consumed which pernitious deede of his is the onely cause why we at this day want so many antique histories of forepassed times neither had there now beene left vnto vs any memory of sondry commonweales many hundred yeeres ago with greatest policy and wisedome gouerned had not the succeeding magistrates and Emperours of Rome with industrious and carefull diligence and incredible expence of treasure caused the dispersed reliques of defaced histories to be searched out and againe compiled by sondry wise and learned men Suetonius writeth that Vespatian vndertaking againe to restore the Capitoll disdayned not among the meanest Labourers with his owne shoulders to exporte such ordure and filth as long had lyen therein and that by searching out obscure fragments of olde exemplars he againe recouered 3000. brasen tables wherein were contayned the seuerall actes of sondry Roman magistrates the decrees of their Senate and priueledges of their Cittizens Domitian also carefully repayred such libraries as by fire in former times had beene consumed and caused to be sent for from Alexandria skilfull pen men which might againe write ouer and amend such olde blotted copies of sondry authors as he had with long search recouered Great care and diligence was concerning this matter vsed by sondry other Emperours as Traian Adrian Valens Valentinian and Gratian c. yet neuer did the Roman libraries attaine vnto any perfection vntil the high Bishops had gotten the principality and dominion of the citty Pope Hilary the first left behind two goodly libraries of his own erection Pope Zacharie the first restored Saint Peters librarie Pope Nicholaus the fift sent sondry excellently learned schollers into all quarters of Europe to search and seeke out the workes of antient authors and by edicte did make promise of 5000. Duccats to any man that could bring vnto Rome the Gospel of S. Mathew written in the Hebrew tongue Leo the tenth sent into Turky Iohn Lascarus who robbing all the heathen Vniuersities of their best and worthiest authors did therewith plentifully furnish adorne the Roman libraries Sixtus the fourth builded in Vaticano that famous and renowned librarie called Palatina then which the world hath not at this day a place of greater worth and admiration hee with maruailous expence of his treasure made search and inquiry throughout all Realmes of Christendome for bookes of greatest esteeme and rarity all which he placed in this pretious librarie whereunto hee appointed sondrie keepers and Gardians allowing monthly greate summes of money for the perpetuall maintenance thereof Much was this goodly Library defaced and endamaged when Rome was by the Duke of Burbon Charles the fifte possessing the Emperiall Diademe conquered and ransacked But by the carefull prouision of succeeding Popes it hath againe recouered in full proportion the beauty and celebrity which it before enioyed Raphaell Volaterranus in his sixt book of Geography sayeth that there were in his time 24. Libraries in Rome the principall whereof were Vlpia which was that founded by Traian and Palatina which is this in Vaticano Venice WEe reade that king Attila at such time as hee besiedged Aquilegia the inhabitantes of that towne hauing long defended themselues and dispayring fledde with their goodes to the rockes within the pointe of the Adriaticall sea The Paduans seeing the fire at hand and fearing that Aquilegia being wonne the barbarous enemie would not so desist but prosecute his warres on them carried all their moueables of greatest value neare the same sea into a place called riuo alto whither they also sent their wiues children and aged men leauing the youth to defend the Cittie walles Aquilegia being taken Attila defaced Padua Vincenza and Verona the Paduans therefore and the chiefe of the other Citties to auoide the hostile and furious pursute of their enemies seated themselues about riuo alto Likewise all the people of that prouince which was anciently called Venetia being driuen out by the same misfortune did flie thither for reliefe and beganne there to builde as well strong and inuincible fortresses for defence as beautifull and sumptuous Pallaces for pleasure which in short time growing to a well ordered Cittie was by them named after their forsaken territorie Venetia Thus constrayned by necessitie they abandoned fayre and fertile countries to enhabite these sterill and paludious places voide of all commodity and yet because great numbers of people were at one instant come thether they made that place not onely habitable but also pleasant ordayning among themselues lawes and orders which amiddest so great ruines of Italy they obserued and within short space so much increased in force and reputation that in the time of Pipin king of France when at the Popes request hee came to driue the Lumbardes out of Italy it was agreede in capitulations betwixt him and the Emperour of Greece that the Duke of Beneuento and the Venetians should be subiect neither to the one nor to the other but among themselus enioy liberty in continuance of time they grew to such greatnes that their name by sea became terrible vpon the firm land of Italy vene rable so that at this day their citie is become the most rich and renowned Empory of Christendome and they are admired of all other commonweales for their opulency and manner of gouernment They vse not as in other places the ciuill law but liue and are gouerned by their own lawes and peculiar course of iustice which liberty was as Blondus writeth first granted thē by Charles the great the high Bishop of Rome thereto giuing his assent When the Vniuersity therein was priuiledged I do not reade onely this I find that many men excellently learned in Rhetorique Philosophy and Theology haue there florished and professed Volaterranus writeth that Iohannes Rauennas who liued about that time when the memory of letters
hauing long in Italy beene forgotten and extinguished beganne to bee againe reuiued taught at Venice from whence as it were from an other Troian horse did issue many excellent wits which againe restored schooles and discipline Sabellicus affirmeth that he professed in Riuoaltino Gymnasio Anthonius Cornelius being then Rector of the Vniuersity After the Latine tongue was againe restored Emanuell Chrysolor as beganne to teach the Greeke Many other singular schollers haue in this Cittie taught and liued as Hermolaus Barbarus Guarinus Varonensis Anthonius Mancinellus Iohn Babtista Egnatius Caelius Secundus Curio Peter Bembus Aldus Manutius and Paulus his sonne c. Bessarion Cardinall of Rome and Patriarch of Constantinople bestowed on a librarie which he caused in Venice to be erected 30000. Crownes which afterward the Dukes thereof exceedingly augmented and adorned Petrus de Assisio maister to Bartholus the famous ciuill Lawyer builded in this Academie the Colledge of pierie for the education of poore mens children and such Orphanes as in the street should happen at any time to be taken vp Padua ALthough Padua saith Strabo what by reason of the vertue and sincere integritie of the inhabitants what by the dayly exercise of learned sciences hath long continued in a most prosperous and flourishing condition yet most Antiquaries are of opinion that Charles the great about the yeare of our Lord 791. was the first that granted priuiledges to the vniuersitie therein Leander writeth that in Padua is a free and publike Academie wherein all studies and sciences vniuersally are professed erected by Frederike the 2. in contempt of the Bononian students Sarabellus saith that in Padua by a long continued custome hath beene a general exercise and profession of the liberall artes Concerning this Academie Iason the Lawyer writeth as followeth If there be any man who will be moued neither with the long continued antiquitie of Padua which resteth beholding to Antenor the Troian for her first foundation neither with the spatious greatnes thereof nor the circumference of her triple wals hauing the Poe for pleasure sweetly passing by them Neither with the stately and most sumptuous magnificencie of her Senate house then which Europe enioyeth not a worthier nor more excellent peece of workemanship yet let him be moued with the world amazing glorie of her farre renowned Academie which in fame and dignitie surmounting all other Italian Vniuersities is as it were an other Athenian Areopage which hath alwayes carefully nourished and studiously brought vp men excellently learned in the liberall sciences There is no citie in Italie which for beautie and statelinesse of edifices may with this place worthily be paragoned And although it be most true that Antenor after his flight from Troy first erected this citie yet are all her buildinges both publike priuate new and of no long continuance For we reade that it was often by the Hunnes vnder Attila their King and the Lumbardes vnder Fredericke Barbarossa their Captaine ruinated and laide waste The Cathedrall Church therein was founded by the Germaine Emperour Henrie the fourth and the State-house or Councell hall then which the worlde hath not at this day a more curious or beautifull plot of Architecture when it was by casualtie set on fire and thereby much decayed and damnified was againe by the Venetians in most sumptuous sorte repaired in the highest and most conspicuous place whereof were laide the bones of Titus Liuius the learned writer of the Romaine historie Erasmus calleth this Academie the most illustrious and renowned Emporie of good letters ingenious artes In this Vniuersity are many goodly colledges deputed onely for the vse of such studentes as are of poore and meane abilitie Three principall causes are alleadged why this Academie adorned with so many priuiledges and prerogatiues hath obtained so great splendor and celebritie The first is the opportune sweet and fruitfull situation of the place which ministreth to the studentes great aboundance of all things necessarie Constantinus Paleologus as writeth Rhodogine was wont to say that were it not for the testimonie of the holy and learned fathers which affirme that Paradise was in the East he verilie would belieue it no where could be found but in the amene and fruitfull fieldes of Padua The bread of that countrey is more pure and white then in any other place of Italie and the wine Plinie esteemeth to be of the best and noblest sort The second cause why it hath so long flourished is because it alwaies hath beene found faithfull firme constant to the commonwealth of Rome and euen in their greatest calamities and most pernurious warres hath assisted them with men money and muuition wherefore the Romaines a people euer thankful to their friends of singular faith constancie to their confederates omitted nothing that might serue to further promote the glorie emolument of the Paduans Finally the third and last cause of the preseruation of their happie estate is because the Paduans beyond all other haue euer beene full of humanitie and curtesie whereby they did often winne the heartes of all men and moued great Princes and Potentates to fauour them and become their benefactors Chastity was of them euer held in so great esteeme that it grew into a prouerbe As chaste as one of Padua whereunto Martiall in these verses alludeth Tu quoque nequitias nostrilususque libelli V da puella leges sis Patauina licet Many learned professors and teachers haue laboured in this fruitfull vineyard The first that reuealed vnto this people the arcane and secrete misteries of Christian religion was Prosdocimus the disciple of S. Paule After him was Saint Anthonie of Padua Also Caietanus a learned Diuine a profound Philosopher most excellent Phisition long flourished in this vniuersitie Thomas Penketh an Englishman for his admired learning and eloquence was with much follicitation and entreatie called out of Oxford to gouerne and direct in Padua their scholasticall discipline Sabellicus writeth how the students of Padua vnderstanding that Iohn Campegius a personage for his grauity and great learning much in those dayes admired and esteemed was in person approched neere their towne the Rector Rulers and Maysters of the Vniuersitie together with the Magistrate of the Citie with pompe went out to meete him on the way which thing they onely are accustomed to do to high mightie Princes going on foot before him they conducted him into their towne Whereby of all men easily may bee perceiued the dignitie honour respect they beare vnto worthy professors of learned sciences It were no question to be wished that in al other places men would doe the like then would letrers and good discipline againe beginne to flourish for as the old Prouerbe is Honos alit artes there is nothing that wil more encourage students to perseuere in their painefull and laborious course then to attribute due worship and respect to such
tedious and superfluous wherefore I will conclude with Salicet though the last yet not the least of such learned writers as haue from hence proceeded this Salicet was by a strange and wonderfull vision animated to write his Commentaries vppon Iustinian for sitting on a time in his study in great solitarines he heard a certaine heauenly voice crying vnto him arise arise and at length he awakened when looking about there appeared vnto him a most beautifull Queene holding in her left hand a scepter in her right hand Iustinians booke whome followed a reuerende assembly of learned Lawyers of them he demaunded what Queene this might bee who aunswered that shee was the Lawe her selfe and grieuously seemed to lament that her selfe together with the workes of those which followed her should by the fraudulent or vnskilfull handling of vpstart and ignorant writers be so shamefully corrupted wherefore they sayd it belonged vnto him who onely was worthy to vndertake a taske so honorable as well to reforme those abused Commentaries as also to write some newly of his owne promising that they would continually assist his labour and inuention by whose perswasion being moued he presently applyed his minde to write and absolue these learned Commentaries vppon Iustinian so much admited for their worthines and singularity Finally although this Vniuersity by the magnificence and priuiledges of sondry Popes Emperours Kinges and Princes seemed already to haue aspired to the heigth of all felicity yet least any thing shoulde be wanting to the fulnes of her glory the Emperour Charles the fift receyuing in this Cittie at the handes of Pope Clement the Emperiall Diadem adorned the same with many great and royall prerogatiues Ferrara SOme are of opinion that Fredericke the Emperour being highly displeased with the Bononians for fauoring Pope Alexanders side by whome he was excommunicated and his territories interdicted in hatred and despight of them erected a new Vniuersity in Ferrara But Volaterranus writeth that Salicet was in the yeare of Christs Natiuity 1316. sent for by Albertus Duke of Ferrara to institute a common schoole in this Cittie which was afterwarde confirmed and priuiledged by Pope Boniface the eight and exceedingly augmented by the bounty and liberality of the succeeding Princes of Este. Angelus Aretinus a learned professor of the Ciuill lawe writeth vnto the Duke of Ferrara in the proeme of his imperiall institutions in this manner When you had established in this your noble and most flourishing cittie a receptacle for learned arts and liberal sciences with how great desire and diligence you did labour to haue me brought hether being not moued thereunto by any fame or brute of mee that beeing but slender and obscure but rather by the singular loue and affection wherewith you alwayes haue embraced such as affect the Muses not onely my selfe doe well perceiue but all men easily doe vnderstand Wherfore reuoluing these things in my mind how that I to vndertake the office of a Reader was sent for by such so great a prince in whom the cleare brightnes of vertue and honesty is most resplendishing I feared least if I should not giue some manifest testimony of my duty and deuotion towardes you I meane of Aretines zeale and affection to the thrice noble and renowned family of Est I iustly might bee reckoned in the number of the most vngratefull men for euen as your selfe is the first which hath restored vnto this decaying Vniuersity her former place and dignity so these my labors laying open the first natiuity and infancie of the lawes ought to bee to your selfe onely consecrated c. Marry worthy writers and professors haue sucked sweete milke from the Muses breastes in this renowned Nursery as Felinus Sandaeus the Interpreter of the Canon law Andraeus Alciatus Theodorus Gaza Caelius Caleagninus Baptista Gnauinus Nicolaus Leonicenus Peter Bembus his maister and many others Millan MIllan is a fayre and beautiful Citie in Lumbardy seated at the foote of the Alpes which for the great and spatious circumference thereof is by the Italians graced with this Epithite la grand Pope Alexander the fift a learned Father writeth that Millan is situated in the most cleare temperate wholesome ayre of Christendome and that the first Reuealer of Christian misteries therein was S. Barnabas the Apostle The writer of the Commentaries vppon Bartholus the Lawyer affirmeth that Millan hath by long and ancient custome enioyed a free and publike Vniuersity Many excellent and worthy Schollers haue issued from hence to the incredible benefite of our Christian Church and commonwealth Demetrius Cydonius borne in Thessalonica forsaking his natiue Countrie came to Millan where he studied first the Latine tongue and afterwardes Diuinity during which time he turned out of Latine into Greek the learned Bookes of S. Thomas of Aâ—uine that euen the Grecians themselues might reape some commoditie out of the sacred workes of so holy a man two goodly ornaments of this Cittie were S. Ambrose and S. Augustine and of latter time Uierome Cardanus that great Mathematician and learned Doctor of Phisicke Out of the fellowship of Doctors in Millan Pope Pius the fourth because hee once was one of the number granted that the Auditor of the Wheele and an Aduocate in the consistorie should perpetually be elected Leander sayeth that in the Colledge of Fryers praedicantes is a fayre and well furnished Library Pauia THe Vniuersitie in Pauia is thought to haue beene crected by Charles the great not long after Paris for this Emperour â—â—alously affecting the propagation of christian religion seâ—t vnto this cittie one of those priestes which came to him into France out of England from venerable Bede crying out in all places that they carried about them Wisedom to sell at which time begâ—nne the first institution of this Academie Rochus de Curte a graue professor of the Canon law whose learned commentaries are in all places receiued with great applause and admiration in an Epistle of his to Iohn Syluanus Chancelor of Millan nameth Pauia to be a most happie and flourishing Vniuersitie Curtius writing to Iafredus praesident of Millan thou sayeth he hast vndertaken the charge not onely of preseruing but also of augmenting the tottering estate of the Pauian Academy so that by thy onely helpe and assistance it now most worthily is and may be called the most enobled and resplendishing Seminaty of good letters in this our Christian world thou prouidest for the teachers and professors of liberall sciences large and princely pensions thou by thy great bounty and singular magnificence doest attract and draw hither the most ripe and ready wittes of christendome the better to adorne this royall Vniuersitie In this place did Baldus reade his extreme and latest lectures for here he died and was buried in the couent of the Fryers Minorites Many and most grieuous damages did this Academy of late time endure when the cittie was by Frances
and throughly furnished with all things necessary To these publike buildings wee may adde his priuate houses wherof one is within the Cittie meete for so great a personage foure other without at Cariaggi at Fiesole at Caffagiuolo at Trebio all pallaces fitter for princes then priuate persons and because his magnificent houses in Italie did not in his opinion make him famous enough he builded in Ierusalem a goodly Hospitall to receiue the poore and diseased pilgrims And albeit these buildinges and euery other his actions were princely and that in Florence he liued like a Prince yet hee so well demeaned and gouerned himselfe by wisedome as hee neuer exceeded the boundes of ciuill modestie Now hauing in this manner adorned the citie with costly buildings he thought he could adde thereto no greater ornament then to erect therein an vniuersitie and licence publike profession of the artes to the end that as well the citizens of Florence as inhabitantes of Hetruria by good discipline and literature might become more ciuill and lesse barbarous Wherefore he caused to be sent for vnto Florence Argyrophilus a Grecian borne and at that time in the studies of Rhetorike Philophie singularly learned to the end that the youth of Florence might by him bee instructed in the Greeke tongue and the liberall sciences He entertained also in his house Marsilius Ficinus a second father of Platonian Philosophie him he entirely loued and to the end hee might with commoditie exercise the studie of learning and more aptly vse his helpe therein he bestowed on him a certaine plotte of grounde neere to his house at Carregi This Academie being by Cosmio begunne was afterward by Laurence de Medices his sonnes sonne finished and brought to a full absolute and flourishing perfection This Laurence was a great louer of good letters highly fauouring learned men He held Marsilius Ficinus whom as we said before his grandfather had caused to come to Florence in great esteeme He nourished in his house that excellent scholler Angelus Politianus who in his youth did first make the Grecian Poet Homer speake in the Latine tongue He entertained with liberall pensions and exhibitions Demetrius Chalcondilas Picus Mirandula and sundry other admired and much renowned for their singular learning Pope Paulus the third although he dayly heard in the Romaine Academie Pomponius Laetus a man excellently learned yet was he exceedingly desirous to studie in the Florentine Vniuersitie because the Greeke and Latine tongues together with the other Artes were there professed with greatest sinceritie and profoundnesse This Prince much augmented and with great cost adorned the librarie which his grandfather Cosmio had erected neere the Temple of S. Marke from whence of late time haue beene brought to light many excellent bookes which long haue line obscured and were in no other place of Christendome to bee found as Eusebius Caesariensis againe Hierocles and the workes of Clemens Alexandrinus and others Another librarie was in this Citie erected at S. Laurence his Church by Pope Clement the seuenth This noble Mecaenas and Patrone of the Muses Laurence de Medices so famous for his singular wisedome and whose losse was long lamented of his countrey being troubled with intolerable paines of the stomack dyed in April in the yeare of our Lord 1492. in the 43. yeare of his age Pisa. PIsa is a great and goodly citie of much antiquitie in Hetruria enuironed about with high and mightie walles of marble stone which although now through the manifold iniuries of time and miserable calamities which hath beene thereon inflicted by the oppression and tyranicall vsurpation of sundrie Kinges and Princes it remaineth in the Florentines iurisdiction yet hath it in former age beene a place much renowned for warlike discipline and most feared of her neighbouring prouinces as appeareth by sundry seuerall conquestes the Pisans atchieued when by force of armes they endeuoured to enlarge propagate the bounds of their dominion In the yeare 1020. they brought Sardinia vnder their subiection hauing thrice expulsed the Sarracens from thence Likewise in the yeare 1108. they inuaded the Isles of Maiorica and Minorica from whence hauing slaine the king thereof a man wholly adicted to the law of Mahomet they returned conquerours bringing captiues home the Queene and her infant sonne which childe being by them instructed from his infancie in the principles of christian religion they afterward did reinuest with his fathers Diademe Such happie and fortunate successes in all affaires did Pisa long enioy vntill the time of Rudolphus the Emperour by whose tirannicall oppression they seemed from height of all prosperity to be deiected to an humble and inseparable estate In the yeare 1369. it was sold by Charles the Emperour to Peter Gambacurta for twelue thousande crownes Afterwardes comming from the hands of one man vnto another it was sold to Iohn Galeace Vicount of Millan Galeace solde it to the Florentines to whose proud and tirannizing gouernment the Pisans not brooking to bee subiected by a seditious rebellious attempt expulsed them recouered their pristine libertie which they not long enioyed for in short time after the Florentines againe did conquere them and made them slauishly subiect to their imperie and commaund This base and seruile condition the noblest sorte of the Pisan cittizens much repining at chose rather to bee diuorced from their natiue soyle and to liue in voluntarie exile then to bee at home commanded by those whose auncestors in times past their forefathers were accustomed to commaunde Vppon which occasion the Cittie grew to bee in manner of a voide and solitarie desart the better sorte of inhabitantes hauing all forsaken it and so continued vntill the first erection therein of the Vniuersitie the onely cause why it was againe frequented which was as Leander writeth erected about the yeare 1339. Not long after it excedingly beganne to flourish as appeareth by the many graue and reuerend Doctors which therein receiued their instruction education namely Pope Eugenius the third a religious and learned father Also Raimerus and Bartholomeus two deepe and profound schollers of the order of Fryers Predicantes whereof the one did write that egregious worke of Pantheologie the other set forth the summe of cases of conscience Learned professors in this Vniuersitie haue beene Helinus Sandaeus Franciscus Aretinus who was held to be the best read and most iudiciall ciuill Lawyer of his time Bartholus after that hee had in Bononia proceeded did in the Pisan Academie as himself confesseth publikely professe the ciuil Law Cosmio de Medices restored againe this Academy which in his time exceedingly was decayed After him Laurence his Nephewe so much adorned and augmented the same that Volaterranus in his fift booke of Geographie and Machiauell in his last booke of the Florentine historie name him as the first founder and erector thereof In this Cittie is a most magnificent and sumptuous temple with
brasen gates not farre from which is a tower of rare and admirable artifice which on the outside bendeth downeward so exceedingly that a stranger would continually feare the fall thereof but within it standeth perpendicularly right The thing of greatest wonder and admiration in this Cittie is the Churchyard whose earth doth in foure houres consume and conuert into it selfe the deceased carkase of a man Sienna WE find recorded in auncient histories that Sienna was once one of the Romaine Colonies which since in successe of time hath beene of much greatnesse and command hauing subiected vnto her dominion many lands and territories Others write that when Bremius led his armie of Gaules called Senonenses into Italie about 382. yeares before Christes natiuitie this Citie was by them founded and so named Some other number among the new and latest erected Citties of Italie because therein appeare no markes or footsteppes of antiquitie Whensoeuer or by whomsoeuer the first foundation thereof was laide I finde for certayne that it is a most fayte and spatious Cittie well fenced and munited with Towers and Fortresses The Countrey thereabout being full of pastures and herbage exceeding all the neighboring prouinces in fruitfulnes and fertility doth cause in the Citty great plenty and aboundance of corne wine oyle sheepe and oxen and whatsoeuer else is necessarie to sustaine the life of man That an Vniuersity was herein long since erected appeareth by the autentique testimony of sondry learned Historiographers Cardinall Sarabellus a learned ciuill Lawyer affirmeth that this Academy did in the first beginning thereof suffer so many vexations and indignities that it no sooner beganne a little to flourish but it was againe depressed and extinguished which I the rather am induced to belieue when I reade of the implacable hatred and irreconciliable enmity that was betweene them and the Florentines during the furious outrages committed in Italy by the factions of the Guelphy and Gibellini They were also much vexed and molested by Spanish Garrisons maintayned in the towne which in the yeare 1552. shee violently expelled thence it enioyed afterwardes much peace and tranquility vnder the protection of the Almaine Emperours but in the yeare 1558. it was wholy rendred to the Duke of Florence vnder whose iurisdiction it now continueth Petrus Ancoranus confesseth that himself being sent for by the Counsell of Sienna in the yeare 1357. did in this Vniuersity three yeares publikely professe the ciuill law Volaterranus writeth that in the time of Pope Iohn the second a great enemy to the Bononian Academy Dinus came to Sienna where then al manner of studies exceedingly did flourish Panormitanus Paulus Gastrensis Bartholomeus Soenius Philippus Decius Hugo Senensis Augustinus Dathus and many other of great learning and singular wisedome did with their liues adorn and make famous this renowned Academy Franciscus Philelphus being at variance with Cosmio de Medices left Florence where before he had professed Rhetorike and taught at Sienna Pope Iulius the third and Marcellus the second were both schollers in this Vniuersity In this Citty was borne A Eneas Siluius who afterwarde aspiring to the Papacy was named Pius the second by whose bounty and beneuolence this Academy was with many priuiledges adorned This Vniuersity sayeth Panormitane enioyeth the priuiledges of Panonia Therin as writeth Cacciolupus is a goodly colledge called Domus Sapientiae where the studentes by daylie practise and disputations and priuate exercises are greatlie profited Modena AZo a learned professor of the ciuill law writing of the liberall sciences studied with priuiledge professed in Rome and Constantinople sayeth that it was at first onely lawfull for the ciuill law to be taught publikely in those imperiall citties notwithstanding the same was afterward by the Popes and Emperours licensed openly to bee reade and expounded in sondry other citties especially in the Vniuersities of Banonia and Modena When this Cittie was erected or by whome the Vniuersitie was priuiledged I do not remember that I haue reade in any Author THE VNIVERSITIES of France Paris PAris the Metropolis of France was founded as some say by Iulius Caesar and first called Iulia others referre the originall thereof to further antiquitie and contend that the foundation thereof was layed by one Parise descended of the line of â—aphet from whence they will haue the cittie to bee named Whomsoeuer we shal imagine to haue been the first author thereof the discussion of which matter I will leaue to more learned Antiquaries this is most certaine that shee may at this day worthilie contend for soueraignity with the proudest citie of the world Shee surmounteth far all other citties not of France onely but of Europe for huge and incomparable greatnes for concourse of Marchantes no Emporie of Christendome is more frequented for the commodiousnes of the Vniuersity no studentes in this vast and wide circuite of the world are better accommodated It was called Lutetia from the latine word Lutum which signifieth durt because that the streets in her for mer age being then not paued with stone abounded with durt and myte by reason of the innumerable multitude of people that repayred from all quarters corners of the world The riuer Sequana deuiding this cittie in the middest maketh thereof two partes or sides The first side contayneth the Vniuersity and Colledges of the studentes The other side onely beareth the name of the cittie The Emperour Charles the great to his eternal memory and euerlasting praise did first ordayne and institute this reuerend and most worthy to bee renowned mother of so many forrain Vniuersities at the earnest suite and instigation of Alcuinus whose scholler he had beene For wee reade in ancient Chronicles that when venerable Bede sent ouer into France those two learned Fryers of whome we had occasion to speake in the description of the Pauian Vniuersity Alcuinus perceyuing the prompt and ready minde the Emperour did beare vnto men skilfull in learned studies made earnest request vnto him to design in Paris some conuenient place for publike profession of the artes whereunto the Emperour condiscending immediately this new erected Academic exceedinglie beganne to flourish and is at this time the most renowned Nursery of the arts that euer was in Europe planted Since the time of that renowned Emperour it made great experience of the bounty and liberality of the kinges of France who haue beautified it from time to time with many sumptuous aedifices adorned it with many high and noble priuiledges and endued it with many rich and princelie reuenewes King Lewes the ninth imitating the fact of Iulius Caesar to the end that the number of studentes dayly might be encreased in this renowned seminarie of good letters graunted vnto them by Charles tl ese ample priuiledges We will and command that all and euery person or persons borne in whatsoeuer climate or nation of the world being or willing to be of the body and incorporation of the Parisian
the toppe of all felicitie was in one day consumed with fire and became vnto beholders a most miserable dolefull spectacle of ruine and desolation of which Seneca in a certaine consolatorie Epistle of his to Liberalis a cittizen of Lions writeth as followeth Vnius noctis incendium totum strauit vrbem vt vna scilicet nox interfuerit inter vrbem maximam nullam tant a fuit incendij vis celeritas In this cittie flourished an Academie of great fame and celebritie which hath sent forth into the worlde many excellent men renowned for their great learning holinesse of life as Irenius and Eucherius both Archbishops of Lions and Primates and Metropolitanes of Fraunce which dignitie belongeth vnto this Cittie though in the yeare 1306. the Archbishop alienated from himselfe the gouernment thereof receiuing for the same a yearely pension or annuitie We reade of most barbarous and tirannicall cruelties exercised on the professors of the Christian faith in this Cittie during the raigne of Marcus Antonius the Romaine Emperour in the yeare of our saluation 175. in which persecution dyed 19000. Martyrs Angiers ANiou in times past an Earledome and in the yeare 1350. enobled with the title of a Dukedome is a Region in Fraunce of no great circumference but full of goodly riuers forrests and mountaines therefore for aboundance and fertilitie not inferior to any countrey neere thereunto It is confined on the East side thereof with Tourraine and Vendosme on the West with Britannie on the South with Poictou and on the North with the Earledomes of Maine Laualle the Metropolis of this Dukedome is an ancient citie called by Ptolomey Iuliomagus now named of the Angeuines Angiers A publike vniuersitie was in this cittie instituted and erected by Lewes the 2. about that time that Rupertus Phaltsgraue of Rheine founded Heilderberge in Germany which was about the yeare 1346. Others will haue it to be founded in the yeare 1362. at which time Casimere erected Cracow in Polonia Henry Valoise Duke of Aniou brother to King Charles the 9. not long since with much industrious care laboured to augment restore the same the which good worke that he the better might performe hee with great munificence inuited thither sundry excellently learned schollers among the which was Frauncis Baldewin who therein to his eternall praise and euerlasting memory did establish the profession of the Ciuill law Of this city Dukedome in our country chronicles is often mention made as of a territorie which long was annexed to the English crowne and alienated by King Henry the 6. in the 22. yeare of his raigne in the yeare of our Lord 1444. at the mariage solemnized betweene him and Margaret daughter to Reyner King of Sicily and Hierusalem Auignion AVignion is an ancient cittie of Prouuence situated on the banke of Rhodanus wherein is an Vniuersitie of long continuance which then began first to flourish and be famous in other nations when the Bishops of Rome were therein resident We reade in the histories of the Church that Pope Iohn the 22. transferred the seate Apostolique from Rome vnto this citie after whom it remained there 74. yeares or thereabout Likewise we reade that after the decease of Benedictus the 11. when Clement the sift was declared Pope in the yeare 1305. the Apostolike seat was againe translated from Rome to Auignion and from thence afterward in the yeare 1376. returned againe to Rome at the instance and entreatie of Saint Katharine Nunne of Sitnna The cittie and church of Auignion are at this day immediately subiected to the Popes or Bishoppes of Rome who first became Lordes thereof by meanes of a certain Neapolitane Queene who being indebted to the church of Rome resigned this cittie to the Bishops thereof and his successors for euer Paulus Castrensis by sundrie learned works he wrote did much enable this Vniuersitie Andraeas Alciatus comming into Fraunce was hired as himselfe in an oration he made to the schollers of Pauia confesseth for 600. crownes to be a publike reader in this Vniuersitie Orleance ORleance is a rich and plentifull Cittie placed on the banke of the riuer Ligeris now called Loire Some auncient Hystoriographers write that the foundation of this Cittie was laide by Aurelian the Emperour in the yeare 276. and from him was called Aurelia which name vnto this day it retaineth In this Cittie was erected an vniuersitie by Philip le Beau King of France in the yeare from our Sauiours natiuitie 1312. wherein the ciuill Law is with such learning and admiration professed that this Academie hath beene often of graue and learned writers entituled the Nurse or Mother thereof It enioyeth the same priuiledges with Thoulouse This citie among many other hath not escaped the taste of those miserable calamities inflicted vppon Fraunce by the furie of the late ciuill warres Bourges BOurges is a citie in Fraunce of great same rich spatious and much frequented It is seated in a pleasant and fruitfull countrey replenished with all kind of graine hearbes wines beastes fishes and fowles and whatsoeuer els is necessary for the vse of man Concerning the first originall of this citie and the etimologie of the worde Bituriges there are sundrie strange opinions Ioannes Callamaeus in his treatise de origine Biturigum saith that in the yeare from the begining of the world 1791. the foundation of this citie was laide by one Gomer descended from Noah who in honor remembrance of his great grandfather called the inhabitants of that countrey Ogyges But as it often commeth to passe that words by long continuance and custome are corrupted from Bytogyges they were called Bituriges Others there are that say it was called Byturis quasi Biturris from two ancient towers which they affirme to haue beene in this citie erected by two brethren which there together raigned one of which towers if we giue credite to antiquitie is that which remaineth yet to bee seene built in forme round of a great circuite without within of a huge capacitie and is made at this day a castle of most inuincible strength To confirme this opinion they recite an old verse of an ancient Grammarian Turribus à binis inde vocor Bituris In this cittie is a most glorious resplendishing vniuersitie an other Pernassus a place of such fame and excellencie and of all learned authors so much admired that whensoeuer they haue occasion to write thereof they call it the ornament of letters habitation of the Muses It was many yeares since founded by a certaine Duke of Burges but after in continuance of time falling to decay and being almost vtterly extinct it was againe restored and brought vnto his former glorie perfection by sundry kings of France It was authorized and endued with many great priuiledges and high prerogatiues by Pope Paulus the 2. of that name In this Academie is a Diuinitie Schoole wherein Theologie is
professed with great sinceritie and profoundnesse there are also continuall dayly exercises of Philosophie Phisicke and the Ciuill law Caen. AN Vniuersitie was erected at Caen in Normandie vpon this occasion Henry the fift king of England who subdued the kingdome of France and left the title to his posterity after many great and glorious conquests atchieued against the French king hee at last bereaued him of Normandy in the yeare 1418. In token and memorie of which victorie as an eternal trophie and monument of his glorie he caused to be laid in Caen the foundation of this vniuersitie Rhemes RHemes is a goodly cittie and the Metropolis of Champaigne wherein not long since was erected an Vniuersitie by the Prince Charles Guise Cardinall of Lorraine Archbishop Duke of Rhemes whose glorie and renowne dayly more and more encreaseth by reason of the arâ—s so learnedly there professed Of this citie was Bishop S. Remigius a man of most holy conuersation and excellently learned as by the Commentaries which he wrote vpon the old new Testament it euidently appeareth He baptized Clodouaeus a mightie and puissant king of Fraunce together with Chrâ—tildis his wife daughter to the king of Burgundie he died in his venerable old age in the yeare 498. Burdeux BVrdeux is the principall or head cittie of Aquitane called by the French men Guienne seated at the mouth of Garomne a mightie riuer issuing out of Languedoc It is a place of incredible antiquitie strongly fortified and beautified with many sumptuous edifices In this citie hath long flourished a most renowned vniuersity commonly called the schoole of Aquitaine where the Artes are publikely taught and professed from whence issued those mirrors of holinesse and learning Seuerinus Maximinus the one Bishop of Colen the other of Tryer both after their deathes canonized for Saintes Vnto this citie also resteth the worlde indebted for the birth education of Ausonius the Homer of these latter times Neere vnto this Citie on the waters side standeth a castle inexpugnable fortified beyond all credite comparison Tholouse IN the extreamest confines of Languedoâ— not farre distant from the Pyrenaean mountaines standeth Tholouse called by antique writers Teotosagum an auncient and goodly cittie built neere to the Riuer Garomne The first foundation whereof is referred to a certaine Trotane It was afterward amplified and enlarged by the Romaines Wee reade that Theodericus King of the Gothes and Thorismonde his sonne finding about this cittie a happie fertile soile enuironed with a sweete and holesome ayre chose the same for their habitation as the place of all France most pleasant and most opulent most fit for the preseruation and augmentation of their Empire whose posterity was afterwarde expelled of the Frenchmen with great difficultie It was raised to an Archbishopricke by Pope Iohn the 22. who also was the first institutor of the Vniuersity therein which as yet was erected not long after Paris so doth it enioy the same priuiledges that heretofore haue beene to Paris granted Saint Saturnine was the first Bishop thereof who afterward being with vnsufferable torments excruciated by the Pagans yeelded his soule into the hands of his Redeemer was in this cittie buried the reliques of whose body are by the inhabitantes often visited with great reuerence and deuotion There was sayde in times past to haue beene in this cittie a Temple wherein was continually reserued in secret vaultes and dungeons vnder ground as Poss donius sayeth 15000. talents of golde which if any man by chance had touched he shortlie after came to some vnfortunate end which was verified in Caepio other Roman captaines from whence proceedeth the prouerbe applyed commonlie to those whose attemptes are euer vnfortunate and without successe Aurum habet Tolosanum The Earle of Tholous is one of the twelue Peeres of France Nismes NIsmes called by Ptolomye Pomponius Mela trabo and other learned searchers of antiquities Nemansus is an antient Citty in Dolphine wherein was lately erected an Vniuersity The soyle in this prouince is of such incredible fertilitie that being with neuer so little labour mannured it bringeth forth sondry kinds of excellent fruites It hath such plentie of figge-trees and bringeth such aboundance of grapes that a greate parte of Europe is with figges and raisins from thence accommodated Mompehers MOns Pessulanus called of Pomponius Mela Mesua of Ptolomye Agathopolis and now vulgarly named Mompeliers is a cittie in Dolphinie not far distant from the Mediterranesea An Vniuersity was therein erected as some writers affirm in the yeare of our Lord 1196. which afterwarde was endued with many priuiledges by Pope Vrban the fift who layed the foundation of a goodlie house called Popes Colledge In times past the profession of Phisicke was there in greatest request but now the schooles of the ciuil law are most vsually frequented much was the Vniuersity augmented and promoted by the bounty and liberality of Henry the second king of France so great is the Rectors authority in this Vniuersity that whensoeuer he hath occasion to walke into the towne the studentes are bound to follow and attend him Henry the first granted to this Academic many royall praerogatiues and founded therein the Kings colledge here also is an other sayre and sumptuous colledge called Duuergier wherein sondry ingenious youthes are ten yeares trayned vp in letters and good discipline Bisanson NEare to the side of Doux or Doubis a small riuer passing through the French Counte and falling into the Sone standeth Bisanson a great goodly and well munited citcie a towne imperial and the Metropolis of eyther Burgundy In the yeare of saluation 1540. by the authority of Pope Iulâ—us the third and the Emperour Charles the 5. a new Vniuersity was therein erected which hath exceedingly since flourished and sent forth many learned and godly labourers into the Church The reuerend father Anthony Peronotus Archbishop of Mechlin was a great benefactor to this Academie who so desireth to know more particularities of this Cittie let him reade the workes of George Bruno and Gilbertus Cognatus Paradinus in whose bookes he shall finde the same at large described Dole IN Burgundy also on the banke of the said riuer Dubis is to bee seene Dola a cittie for strength opulencie and sumptuousnes of buildinges to bee preferred before all other places of Burgundy An Vniuersity is therin of great continuance wherin among many other sciences the ciuill law is most learnedly reade and professed The Vniuersities of Polonia Prussia and Lituania Cracouia WEe reade in the historie of Polonia that Lechus and Zechus two sons of Iauan going to seeke a place of habitation for themselues their posterity Zechus with his people remayned in those territories which now are knowne by the names of Bohemia and Morauia but Lechus proceeding further to the northeast some twelue dayes iorney there seated himselfe and called the region Polonia by reason of the playnenes of the continent being altogether
from the continent of Castile Valentia with the riuer Ebro In this kingdome are to be seene many faire and well fortified citties among the which is Larida a beautifull towne situated on Cinga a small riuer which keeping his course through this realme disburdeneth himselfe into the Ebra In this cittie flourisheth an Academie of maruellous antiquitie wherein Pope Calixtus the third before hee obtained the Papacie proceeded Doctor of either law who afterward became a publike professor of the ciuill law in the same place Also S. Vincent a Dominican Frier which for his religious and holy life was after his death canonized for a Saint was there made Doctor of Diuinitie We reade of a prouincial counsell of eight Bishops assembled in this citie vnder Anastatius the Emperour Pope Gelasius the first in the yeare of our Lord 494. Huesca OSca or Isca called in the vulgar tongue Huesca is an other goodly cittie of Arragon containing an vniuersitie of most admirable antiquitie which is said to haue beene erected before the comming of Christ as a Nurserie for the institution of noble mens children Lisbone THat part of the continent which coasteth along the Westerne shore betweene the Iles of Bayone and the Promontorie or Cape of Saint Vincent is knowne to vs by the name of Portugall numbred amongst the most wealthie and opulent kingdomes of Europe Through the middest of this region passeth the riuer Tagus or Tayo neere vnto the mouth whereof is seated Lisbone the most faire and flourishing emporie of Portingall the Metropolis of the kingdome the most beautifull and best adorned cittie in the West We reade that Henry Earle of Lorraine a man renowned in feates of armes had in guerdon of many conquestes by him atchieued against the Moores giuen him to wife Tyresia daughter of Alphonsus the 6. king of Castile vnto whome was assigned for her dowrie all that part of Gallicia which now is subiect to the crowne of Portingal Of these princes was borne Alphonsus who first named himselfe king of Portingall This young king nothing degenerating from the vertue of his auncestors ceased not to vexe and wearie out the Moores with continuall warres so that he vanquished and subdued siue kinges of them in memorie whereof the Kings of Portingall beare in their coate of armes euen vntill this day fiue shieldes Azure in field argent He also recouered from them Lisbone and restored it to libertie about the yeare 1110. Since that time what with the fauor munificency of their kinges who haue for the most parte therein continually kept their courts what by the incredible accesse of marchants thither from all nations of the world This cittie is growen to that height of glorie maiestie that she easily surmounteth all other citties whatsoeuer contained in this westerne world A most renowned vniuersitie was by the bountie of their kinges in this citie erected where euen vntill this day the liberall sciences are professed with great sinceritie and profoundnes to the incredible benefite of Christendome There are in this cittie 26. parishes and 20000. mansion houses In the yeare 1531. the 7. Kalendes of Februarie there was a most strange and admirable earthquake throughout all places in Portingall whereby were cast downe to the ground 1050. houses and sixe hundred were there withall so rent and shaken that their fall and ruine dayly was expected This earthquake continued the space of eight dayes causing the ground to shake and tremble at least three or foure times a day in such sort that the inhabitantes were therewith so affrighted and terrified that they were glad to forsake their houses and lie on tops of mountaines in the open aire Coimbra COimbra is also a most pleasant and goodly cittie in Portingall seated neere vnto the riuer Mondego An vniuersitie was therein founded in these latter daies by Iohn the seconde King of Portingall Iacobus Payua Andradius in the Preface of his booke entituled Liber orthodoxarum explicationum writeth of this vniuersitie in this manner Coimbricensis Academia est loci natura amaenissima omni literarum genere clarissima est inqua ipse ab eunte aetate literarum studijâ— incubui non insoeliciter Euora EVora is an ather Cittie of Portugall not to bee contemned it is illustrated with the dignity of a Bishops Sea An Vniuersity was herein lately erected by Henry Cardinal of Portugall a Prelate of worthy memory who was Bishop of that place he was a man endued with aboundant wealth exceedingly affected tothe Muses Maiorica THe Isles of Maiorica and Minorica adioyning so neare to the continent of Spaine that one may with great facility saile from the one to the other in foure or at the most in fiue howers and also being parcelles of the kings dominion I thought it not amisse to annexe this cittie to the other Vniuersities of Spaine Maiorica is the greatest Islande of the two and hath lying on the East side thereof a goodly cittie which is the Metropolis of both Islandes and hath neare adioyning vnto it an ample and most commodious porte The inhabitantes hereof are constrayned to endure many iniurious outrages and most misetable calamities at the handes of the Moores and Saracens their opposite neighbours on the coast of Africa who oftentimes making incursions into this Isle do in an euening fire many of their houses standing neare to the sea and carry away the owners thereof as prisoners to bee for money of their friendes and the kindred redeemed for whose ransome there are continually on all sondayes and holydayes publike collections in their churches The land of these Ilands neare vnto the sea is sweet pleasant and fertile but vp further within â—is sterill ful of craggy rockes vnpleasant and vnprofitable In this Cittie is an antient priuiledged and authorised Vniuersitie where the artes Vniuersall are publikely with great learning professed Among the students of this Academy the memory of Raimundus Lullius is with great admiratioÌ„ retayned because he receyued therein his birth and education insomuch that euen vntill this present time a learned man is there with liberall exhibition entertayned to maintain and teach the doctrine in times passed by Lullius professed I would that the learned Reader should vnderstaÌ„d that although the Spanish Academies are by me briefly runne ouer yet are there not more goodly more opulent nor more in all kindes of learning flourishing Vniuersities in any region of Europe which I am constrayned to setdowne without any exact descriptioÌ„ of them because I neuer could find though I haue therefore made great search and enquiry any author which discourseth of that subiect THE VNIVERSITIES of England Oxford Oxsorde is a fayre and beautifull citty whose situation is in a playne Champion neare to the side of the Thames being enuironed with many pleasing groues wooddy mountains from whence as some writers affirme it was in times passed named Bellositum concerning the Etymologye of the name thereof there