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
I haue seene or reade of from whence also it proceedeth that the dyet or great assembly of the German princes is most vsually held in Regensburge another cittie of Bauaria one dayes iorney distant from Ingolestate wherein I my selfe liued eight weekes in the yeare of our Lorde 1594. when the Emperour with all his traine and the most parte of the greatest princes of Germany remayned in the towne many of them with three thousand and foure thousand horse apeece yet was there neuer found any want or scarsitie of victuals therein nor the price of corne or any other prouision in the market any one iot enhaunced wine onely excepted of which the country yeeldeth no great aboundance but that want is by the Rheine and Mecchar supplyed for the possession of this city was that calamitous and bloudy warre raysed remembred yet by the name of bellum Bauaricum which so much troubled all the prouinces of Germany in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and foure Erforde ERforde called of ancient writers Erphelfurt is the metropolis of Thuring an old and memorable citty abounding with wine corne and other necessaries In the middest of this cittie ariseth a little mountain called S. Peters hill wherein in times passed stood a goodly castell in the place whereof Dagobertus king of France founded a cloyster for Fryers of the order of S. Benedict which was consecrated to S. Peter after him Boniface Archbishop of Ments layed the foundation of our Ladies Church on the same hil and erected there a Bishopricke euen in the infancie of the Gospell among the Germans as plainly appeareth in an Epistle of his which he wrote to Zachary high Bishop of Rome Scias sayeth hee per gratiam Dei Germaniae populum adviam veritatis reductum ordinauimusque apud eos tres episcopos vnum locauimus in Castellum Wirtzburge alterum in Buraburge tertium in Euphesfurt In this church is a bell of most huge and incredible circumference which the Citizens shewe to all straungers repayring thether as the thinges most remarkable in their Cittie about the yeare 1066. was this Cittie first enuyroned with a Wall and fortified with Towers and beautified with manie rich and sumptuous aedifices both diuine and prophane at which time it was made the metropolis of Thuringe because it lyeth in the middest thereof An Vniuersity was therein instituted in the yeare 1391. which with many priuiledges confirmed authorized by Pope Boniface the 9. Pius the 2. In this Academy haue liued many sage men much renowned for their singular learning among the which are numbred Nicholaus de Bibera Henricus de Erfordia Conradus de monte puellarum and many others When the German professors oppressed by the multitude of Hussites departed from Prage many of them retyred themselues to Erforde There is no citty in Europe hath so often made experience of the calamities and irreparable damages which fire vsually bringeth with it as Erforde hauing many times therewithall beene vtterly wasted and consumed The last fire therein happened in the year 1392. on the festiuall day of S. Geruasius whereby the third part of the cittie perished which incredible losse it is not yet recouered of for at my being there some 5â— yeares since it was scarsely with low and slender buildinges of wood reedified Out of this Vniuersity issued Martin Luther Leiptzige Liptzige is a citty as some say in Ostland others would haue it to lye in Misina both territories now gouerned by the noble and puislant Family of Saxony thogh of no great circuite yet for pride and statelines of building and excessiue traffique of Merchants scarce inferior to the best adorned citty of Germany three times euery year are therein held certaine famous Martes or Fayres whereof one writeth saying Mercibus augetur ter Lipsia magna quotannis The houses of this citty are re ared al of free stone within richly paued and without curiously paynted with great artifice and maiestie the streetes are builded in excellent proportion and vniformitie The Senate hereof consisteth not as in other cities of mechanicall and vnlearned citizens but of men skilfull and well seene in the artes who haue full power and authority to heare decide and determine of all lites causes and controuersies depending in Meissen Thuringe and the nether Sazonie About the yeare 1480. when the Hussites began to domineere tirannize in Prage then was the vniuersitie from thence remoued hither and the yeare following confirmed by Pope Pius the 2. and Alexander the 5. It was afterward much augmented and repaired by the worthy Prince George Duke of Sazonie in the yeare 1554. This Vniuersitie at this day most exceedingly flourisheth through the innumerable multitudes of Germaine students which dayly repaire thither because they liue therein with lesse charge and expence then in any other citie by reason of the admirable fertilitie of the soyle whereof one saith Gratus immenso lucro concredita terrae Semina reddit ager The inhabitants of this Citie haue one innated vncorrigible vice which custome hath drawen into a nature amongst them that is they almost continually wallow in immoderate drunkennesse in so much that he which can euacuate the greatest number of pottes and can in receiuing his drinke hold out longest without any swimming or perturbation in his braine is accounted a personage among them of greatest qualitie and worth Enaeas Siluius writeth that when one Leonardus a noble gentleman came to visite a certaine kinsman of his that was then a student in Leipzig enquiring among students how hee had profited in learning he was answered by one of the yong mans companions that he had profited himselfe exceedingly for quoth he among 1500. good swallowers that are in this Vniuersitie he hath deserued the name and title of the best and most noble drinker Not farre distant from this place is Dresden where the Dukes of Saxonie electors of the Empire do most commonly reside Wittenberge WIttenberge is a conspicuous well knowne Citie in the vpper Saxonie the seate and court of the Dukes Electors situated on the banke of the Elbe a riuer which springing among the mountaines of Bohemia passeth through Germany receiuing into it selfe or as it were drinking vp by the way many other riuers as the Muldaue the Sall the Spre c. and at last being growne to an immeasurable greatnesse and nauigable for ships of the greatest burthen disgorgeth it selfe into the Germaine Ocean not farre from Stoad where late was a Staple of English Marchants This city receiued his name as some imagine from Wittikind Duke of Angria Saxonie which was baptized in the yeare 785. being compelled thereunto by Charles the great who first caused the Saxons to embrace the Christian religion Duke Fredericke the son of Ernestus Elector erected in this citie an Vniuersity about the yeare 1502. which since in this latter age is growen famous by reason of the controuersies and
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
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
his birth and education S. Iago GAllicia is a region lying on the northwest side of Spaine and maketh a headland or promontarie farre out into the sea commonlie called Capo de finisterre or the north Cape which seemeth in a manner violentlie to seperate the sea of Bisca from the Isles of Bayona neare to the promontary standeth the cittie of Compostella vulgarly called S. Iago more noble and famous by reason of many pilgrimages made thether by persons of great place and qualitie then for any other matter worth the obseruing therin contayned We read in ancient histories of the church that S. Iames after theascention of our Sauior trauelled into Spain preached the Gospel to the inhabitaÌ„ts therof being as yet Pagans infidels But reaping there smal fruit of his excessiue labour paines by reason of the iniquitie and naughtinesse of those times he returned againe to Hierusalem where at the commandement of Herode being slaine he obtained a glorious crowne of martirdomes Vnto this Saint the Spaniards ascribing their first conuersion caused in honor and remembrance of him a rich and sumptuous temple to be erected in Compostella where his reliques are at this day visited with a wonderfull concourse of people and worshipped with incredible deuotion This Church was by Pope Calixtus the second highly aduanced and honored in the yeare of our Lord 1122. whence it proceedeth that this Church is immediately subiect vnto the Pope and to no other prelate or gouernor The Emperour Charles the great founded herein a goodly Colledge now gruerned after the rule of S. Isidore He also caused this Church to bee accounted among the seates Apostolique where is to bee vnderstood that in Christendome are three seates called Apostolique which before all other places of the worlde the Christian religion hath alwaies held in greater esteeme that is to say S. Peters at Rome S. Iohns at Ephesus and S. Iames at Ceâ—postella This cittie of ancient historiographers was called in time passed Brigantium from whence the Irish nation the Scots in Galloway our Northerne Yorkeshire men called in old authors Brigantes glory boast that they haue receiued the first originall of their race Valladolit ON the East side of Gallicia bordereth the kingdome of Legio which endured the cruell and heauie yoke of seruitude vnder the Sarracens aboue three hundred yeares and was restored vnto libertie in the yeare of grace 1216. by the kinges of Arragon Castile Portugall and Nauarre who assembling a mightie and puissant armie made here against Hilminolmius the king of the Moores returning from Auinion in Fraunce whither hee passed before as a conquerour harrying and spoiling the countrey as hee went with fire and sword and after a sharpe and bloudy battell vanquished his armie and recouered this kingdome In this realme is Valladolit named in olde authors Pintia a cittie though of no great circuite nor spaciousnesse yet of much and long antiquitie It was wont to be numbred among the seuen most auncient vniuersities of Spaine It hath beene long drowned in obscuritie euen vntill the dayes of king Phillip late deceased who because he was there borne did restore vnto it the antique priuiledges and prerogatiues thereto belonging and did his vttermost endeuors to raise it to his former dignitie He there hath lately erected a Colledge for the institution of yong English Gentlemen which haue abandoned their countrey Alcala de Henares VNto the kingdome of Legio is adioyned Caslile an Earledome which was by Ferdinand the third sonne to the Earle of Castile raised to a kingdome in the yeare 1017. vnited to the realme of Legio Among many great and goodly cities in that kingdome Complute which of the Spaniard is commonly called Alcala de Henares is not the meanest An vniuersitie was herein erected and instituted by an Archbishop of Toledo named Franciscus Xinerieâ—sis who was by profession a Franciscan Frier in the yeare 1317. Salamanca IN this kingdome of Castile lyeth that worthy and famous cittie Salamanca situated on the banke of the Riuer Thormes which falleth into the maine Riuer Duero in Portingall Although concerning the first erection and institution of this vniuersitie few writers as saith Sarabellus affirme any thing for certainetie yet are there not wanting some which hold for vndoubted truth that it first was founded in the yeare of Christs in carnation 1404. which in these our daies hath gotten great fame and credite and is well knowne throughout Christendome by reason of diuers and sundry priuiledges wherewith many kings and high Bishoppes of Rome haue liberally adorned the same Pope Clement the sift in a councell held at Vienna made a decree that the Hebrewe Arabicke and Chaldie tongus should in this Academie be continually taught Iohn Goropius affirmeth that for magnificent and sumptuously builded colledges scarce any vniuersitie of Europe may therewith worthely be paragond The which Pope hauing in his court certaine young Gentlemen of Spaine which he desired should bee trained vp in some place where they most might profit in vertue and good literature thought no Academie in Christendome so fit for that purpose as Salamanca because all kind of learning was there by most excellent men with incredible industrie professed In this Academie Pope Adrian the sixt before his Papacie liuing in Spaine tooke great pleasure and delight and after his election he held it in great price and estimation adorning amplifying and authorizing the same with many great and vnusuall prerogatiues Ignatius Loyola first founder of the societie of Iesu was in this vniuersitie a student Saragossa IN the extreamest confines of this kingdome of Castile euen on the banke or shore of the riuer Ebro wherewith it is diuided from Nauarre and Aragon standeth an auncient Cittie called of the Romaines Caesaraugustana or Augusta Caesariae which of the inhabitants is named Saragossa wherein the kings of Arragon are vsually accustomed to be crowned This Church was by Pope Iohn the 22. who was alwaies thereunto exceedingly well affected eleuared to the dignitie of an Archbishopricke by him also were the priuiledges of the vniuersitie restored and ratified Because in this Cittie had beene shed the bloud of many holy Martirs which suffered for the constant profession of the Christian faith during the raigne of those bloudie vnmercifull and impiously tirannous idolaters Datian and Richiouarus whose inexpleble thirst was neuer satiated with the bloude of innocent Christians it is at this day commonly entituled Saragossa the holy Siguença SIguença is also a cittie of Castile lying three daies iourney from Saragossa and three leagues from Medinacoeli wherein is an vniuersitie much frequented but concerning the foundation thereof or donation of the priuiledges thereto I haue not in any author read ought which I dare set downe for certainty Lerida ARragone is that part of Spaine which lyeth at the foote of the Pyraenean mountaine betweene Nauarre and Catallonia and is separated
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
For which by record all clearkes saine the same Ofheresie Cambridge bare neuer blame But sundry other Historiographers there are which imagining this antiquitie to be somewhat too far fetched affirme that the vniuersitie of Cambridge was long since erected in the time of Sigebert king of England sixe hundred and thirtie yeares after our Sauiors incarnation Moreouer they auerre that the name of this cittie was not deriued from that Cantaber but rather froÌ„ a bridge builded ouer the riuer Came passing by the towne Which opinion seemeth not absurd because this riuer being in former ages knowne by the name of Grant old writers affirme that the cittie was in the Saxon tongue commonly called Grantbridge Whensoeuer this cittie first was founded or by whom soeuer the vniuersitie was first erected which matter I will referre to the discussion of more learned antiquaries since mine intent is onely to set downe such schooles colledges as the same at this day doth containe most certainely true it is for the antiquitie and worthinesse thereof it may at this time worthily contend with the most ancient flourishing vniuersities of the world In Cambridge besides many other sumptuous and fairely builded edifices as publique schooles for lectures churches and such like there are at this day to be seene 15. goodly Halles and Colledges In the yeare of our redemption 1284. during the raigne of king Edward the first Hugh Balsham the 15. Bishop of Ely builded Saint Peters colledge commonly called Peter-house in a place where before had beene two ostles of schollers of exceeding great antiquitie The which colledge at this day maintaineth one maister 15. fellowes fiâ—e Bibleclearkes and eight poore schollers Clare hall was first founded by one Richard Badew at that time Chancellor of the vniuersitie and was by him named Vniuersity hall howbeit afterward by the assistance of Gualler Thaxted maister of the same hall not without the assent of the said R. Badew it was Ann. 1347. 21. yeares after the foundation thereof resigned to the Lady Elizabeth de Burgo widdow sometime the wife of Iohn de Burgo or Burgh Earle of Vlster in Ireland daughter to Gilbert Clare carle of Gloster The which Lady by the licence of K. Edward the 3. established finished the same changing the name therof willed that for euer after it should in memory of her family from whence she was descended be called Clare Hall In the yeare from our Sauiors incarnation 1347. the Lady Mary of S. Paule wife to Adomarus de Valentia Earle of Pembroke obtained licence of K. Edw. the 3. whose kinswoman she was to lay in Cambridge the foundation of a colledge for the which she bought 2. mesuages named it Pembroke Hall It sustameth at this present 1. maister 24. fellowes 7. Bibleclearks Edmond Gunuiel parson of Terington in Norfolke in the 22. yeare of king Edward the 3. obtained a licence at the suite of Sir Gualter de Manney to erect a colledge in Cambridge in a place where old houses dayly ready to fall did stand the which he with his money purchased This Edmond Gunuiel hauing at his decease great store of coine coÌ„mitted it to the fidelity trust of William BatemaÌ„ Bishop of Norwich to finish bring to perfection the work which he in his life had begun whose will the Bishop most faithfully did execute and not sparing his owne coâ—ers did much augment and increase the same Long after in our time Iohn Caius a wise and learned professor in the arte of Phisicke hath made the same more ample and more famous as well by adding new buildings thereunto as by increasing the number of students therein In so much that by the Queeues letters pattents it was granted him to be written accounted a founder thereof and the house to be called Gunuiel Caius colledge The fraternitie and guilde of Corpus Christi and of blessed Mary in Cambridge Henry Duke of Lancaster being at that time Alderman of the same Guild founded Corpus Christi colledge in the 24. yere of the raign of K. Edward the 3. obtaining licence of the same king to appropriate vnto this colledge for euer the aduouson of S. Bennets church standing before their gate William Bateman Bishop of Norwich in the yeare of our Lord God 1353. founded in Cambridge a colledge for studentes of the law and enduing the same with lands and possessions in honour of the blessed Trinity would haue it called Trinitie Hall of Norwich by the rents and reuenewes whereof are at this day maintained one maister ten fellowes as many Bible clearks King Henry the 6. a man in his life time much giuen to deuotion and alwaies enclined to do good in the 19. yeare of his raigne laid in Cambridge the foundation of a goodly colledge in honor of our blessed Ladie S. Nicholas the which then consisted of one maister and 12. schollers Not long after in the 21. yeare of his raigne altering the forme of his first foundation he changed the name of Maister into a Prouost much increased the number of studentes King Edwarde the fourth by authoritie of the parliament in great displeasure withdrew from this colledge so much land as his Predecessor by the same authoritie had procured but being at last with dayly intreatinges perswaded and ouercome with importunitie restored againe vnto the same the yearely value of â—00 markes on condition that they would account him for their founder and that in his name all their suites and writinges should be made This Colledge as appeareth by sondry euident signes king Henry once had purposed to make one of the most beautifullest houses in this land the platforme whereof who so desireth more particularly to know he shall find the same in M. Stowes Chronicle in the life of Henry the sixt at large described Queene Margaret wife to Henry the 6. and daughter to Rheiner king of Sicilie and Ierusalem began first to lay the foundation of Queenes Colledge and obtayned licence of the king to purchase for the same landes and rentes to the valew of two hundred poundes by the yeare but leauing the same vnperfect Queene Elizabeth wife to Ed. the 4. obtayning licence of the K. brought the same to a perfect end this Colledge standeth in the parish of S. Botolph in a common grounde called Goosegreene which was to that vse purchased by one Andrew Ducket with money which he did get by begging of well disposed people Katherine Hall was founded by one Robert Woodlarke Doctor of Diuinity and Prouost of Kinges Colledge in Cambridge in the honour of S. Katherine Virgin and Martyr in the yeare 1475. the which king Edwarde the 4. did allow for him and his successors and by his letters Patentes did confirme it to endure for euer therein at this day are sustained and nourished one Maister six fellowes and one Bible clearke Iesu Colledge was of old time a Monastery of religious women