Selected quad for the lemma: country_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
country_n air_n call_v situation_n 1,745 5 11.6093 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A07439 Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas Containing his cosmographicall description of the fabricke and figure of the world. Lately rectified in divers places, as also beautified and enlarged with new mappes and tables; by the studious industry of Iudocus Hondy. Englished by W. S. generosus, & Coll. Regin. Oxoniæ.; Atlas. English Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594.; Hondius, Jodocus, 1563-1612.; Saltonstall, Wye, fl. 1630-1640.; Glover, George, b. ca. 1618, engraver. 1635 (1635) STC 17824; ESTC S114540 671,956 890

There are 96 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

England who being killed Henry the seventh enlarged the inheritance of this Countrie and gave it to Gaspar his Unkle and Earle of Bedford but hee dying without issue the King tooke it againe into his owne hands Caermardenshire is bounded on the East with Glamorganshire and Brecknock-shire on the West with Penbrockshire on the North with the River Tay separating it from Cardiganshire on the South with the Ocean It is sufficiently fruitfull abounding with flocks of cattle and in some places with pit-coales The chiefe towne of the Shire is Caermarden which Ptolemie calls Maridunum Antoninus Muridunum having pleasant Meadows and woods about it it is very ancient and as Giraldus saith it was encompassed with a stone wall part whereof yet standeth There is also the auncient towne of Kidwilly which now is almost ruinated for the Inhabitants passing over the River Vendraeth Vehan did build a new Kidwilly being drawne thither with the conveniencie of the Haven which yet is of no note The Rivers are Vendraeth Vehan Towy or Tobius and Taff. Penbrokshire is on every side encompassed with the Sea except on the East where part of Caermardenshire and on the North where part of Flintshire lyeth against it The countrie beeing neare Ireland hath a temperate and wholesome aire and is plentifull in all kinde of graine The chiefe towne hereof is Penbro now called Penbroke and seated on a craggie long rocke The other Townes of note in this Countrie are Tenby Hulphord now called HarfordWest and Menevia or Tuy Dewi which the English at this day do call S. Davids I finde but two Rivers in this Shire but here is a Port called Milford-Haven which is the fairest and safest in all Europe Gilbert Strongbow was the first Earle of this Countie on whom King Stephen did first conferre the title of Earle of Penbroke and hee left it to his sonne Richard Strongbow who subdued Ireland from whom with his daughter Isabel William Lord of Hempsted and Marshall of England a man flourishing both in times of peace and warre received it as her dowry Concerning the other Earles read Camden Brecnockshire is called so from the Prince Brechanius as the Welchmen suppose This is bounded on the East with Hereford on the South with Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire on the West with Caermardenshire on the North with Radnorshire The countrie is very full of Mountaines yet it hath every where fruitfull vallies The chiefe towne in it is Brecnock stiled in the Brittish tongue Aber-hodney and placed in the midst thereof There are also the townes of Blueth or Bealt Hay or Trekethle The River Vaga called by the Brittaines Gowy and by the English Wye watereth the Northerne part of the countrie and Vsk runneth through the middle thereof Herefordshire called in the Brittish tongue Ereinuc is as it were of a circular forme it is environed on the East with Glocester-shire on the South with Monmouthshire on the West with Radnor and Brecnock shire and on the North with Shropshire It is a pleasant countrie full of fruit and cattle Hereford or Hareford is the chiefe citie of this countrie having round about it faire medowes and fruitfull fields it is encompassed with Rivers almost round about on the North West with a namelesse river on the South with Vaga which hasteneth its course hither out of Wales There are also the townes of Lemster called anciently Leonis monasterium and by the Brittaines Lhanlieni Webley Ledburie and Rosse and there are in it 157 Parishes The chiefe Rivers here are Vaga Lug Munow and Dor. THE FIFTH TABLE OF ENGLAND Containing these Shires Yorkeshire Lincolnshire Darbyshire Staffordshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire and Northfolke THE fifth Table of England comes to be unfolded in the which the first that wee meete withall is Yorkeshire the greatest Shire in all England and called by the Saxons Ebona-y●yne On the East it is bounded with the German Ocean on the West with Lancashire and Westmoreland on the North with the Bishoprick of Durham and on the South with Cheshire Darbyshire Nottinghamshire and Lincolneshire It is held to be temperate and fruitfull If in one place it bee sandie stony and barren in an other place it hath fruitfull fields if heere it be voide of woods there it is shadowed with thick trees Nature being so provident that the Countrie is more pleasant by this variety Here is Eboracum called by Nennius Caer Ebrauc and by the Brittaines Caer Effroc but commonly stiled Yorke It is the second Citie of all England and the fairest in all this Country which is a great strength and ornament to all the North parts It is pleasant large strong beautified both with private and publick Buildings and full of wealthy Citizens The River Ouse doth as it were part it and divide it into two Cities which are joyned together by a great stone Bridge There are also the Townes of Kingston upon Hull Dancaster called by the Scots Doncastle and by Antoninus Danum Halifax anciently Horton Pontfreit Shirborne Wetherby Kingston Patrington called anciently Praetorium and many others for there are in this Shire 39 great Townes and 459 Parishes besides many private Chappels of ease which great Parishes are faine to provide in regard of the multitude of the Inhabitants The chiefest Rivers are Don or Dune Calder Arc Wherfe Nid and Ouse which arising out of the Mountaines doe runne through the fruitfullest parts of the Country There are also other Rivers as Cokar Fosse Derwent Foulnesse Hull Teyse Dow Rhie Recal and Wisck Lincolneshire is a great Country being almost three score miles long and in some places more than thirty miles broad On the East it is beaten with the German Ocean on the North it toucheth the Aestuarie of Abus or Humber in the West it looketh toward Nottinghamshire and on the South it is parted from Northamptonshire with the River Welland It is a Country that produceth much fruit and breadeth up abundance of cattell The chiefe Citie of this Shire is Lincolne which Ptolemie and Antoninus call Lindum The Citie it selfe is large and faire being seated on the side of a Hill where the River Witham bendeth toward the East There are also the Townes of Stanford Grantham Ancaster anciently called Crococalana Crowland Spalding Boston rightly called Botolps towne and others And there are in this Shire about 630 Parishes This Countrie is watered with many Rivers as Witham which is full of Pikes Lud Trent Welland Idle Pan c. The next Countrie that followeth is Darbyshire which on the South is enclosed with Leicestershire on the West with Staffordshire on the North with Yorkeshire on the East with Nottinghamshire It is of a triangular forme but not equilaterall or having equall sides It is divided into two parts by the River Derwent The Easterne and Southerne parts are tillable and fruitfull the Westerne part is
in Zeland Hasnia 12 miles distant from it South Southwest also Helsinger where those ships that saile or passe by do pay custome or tribute and the Castle Cronaburg both distant from it on the Northwest 8 miles Helsingburg which lies on the shoare of Scania is as farre distant from it toward the North and on the same shoare is Landskrone being foure miles from it toward the East lyeth Lunda or Londen which although it be not a Sea-towne yet is but 16 miles distant from hence And although the Island be not very great yet no part of it is barren or unfruitfull but produceth great store of fruit and aboundeth with cattell it bringeth forth Does Hares Cunnies and Partridges in great plentie and is very convenient for fishing It hath a wood of Hasell trees which are never worme-eaten but hath no Dormise Heretofore it was remarkable for foure Castles whose names do yet remaine Synderburg which was seated on the Southerne shoare Norburg on the opposite Northerne shoare Karheside which stood toward the East side of the Island and Hamer toward the West the foundation of these foure Castles may be yet seene but there are no ruines thereof remaining This Island lyes very deepe in the Salt-sea and yet it hath many fresh Rivers and Springs among which there is one Spring that never freezeth with the violence of the Winters cold a strange thing in these Countries BORVSSIA OR PRVSSIA BORVSSIA being the farthest coast of Germany taketh its name from the people called Borussians as Erasmus Stella witnesseth These as Ptolemy affirmeth placed themselves by the Riphaean Hills where they runne out Northward not far from the head of Tanais arising out of them and weary of their owne habitations with a strong head and violent force they seated themselves in these places and called the whole Country from their owne name Borussia which now by wiping out one letter and pronouncing another more softly is called Prussia Borussia beginning from the River Vistula which boundeth it on the West and running to the Balticke Sea which compasseth the Northerne side thereof hath the Alani or Lituanians on the East and on the South the Hamaxobij i. the Scythians inhabiting the European Sarmatia It hath a pleasant ayre but somewhat cold All the Country is more fruitfull than the neighbour Provinces The ground is very fertile in bearing of corne and such as farre excells the corne of Poland and Lithuania It hath as great store of Bees and Honey as any of the other Northerne Countries There is also in it much cattle and great store of game for hunting The great and vast woods bring forth many kindes of wild beasts as Beares Boares with which they abound yeelding a sort of Beares very strong and swift called Bubali They bring forth Buffons being a wilde kinde of Oxen and wilde Horses whose flesh the Inhabitants do eate They bring forth Alces which they commonly call Elandes and white Weesels or Ferrets The Borussians for the most part were Idolaters untill the time of the Emperour Fredericke the second in whose raigne and in the yeare 1215. some Knights of the Dutch order or the order of the Crosse did overcome them and taught them the Christian Religion After the Provinces and Cities of Borussia An. 1419. being mooved thereunto by the covetousnesse and cruelty of those of the order of the Crosse did revolt to Casimirus King of Polonia And 30 yeares after the first defection revolting againe they sold Mariburg with other Castles and Cities to the King for 476000 Florens But the Marians refusing to yeeld obedience to the King they a long while contended by a doubtfull and uncertaine warre untill at last the whole Country came into the hands of Albert Marquesse of Brandenburg the last Governour of that Order who afterward at Cacrovia was made a Duke and a secular Prince by Sigismund King of Polonia They report that Prince Venedusus did divide Borussia into twelve Dukedomes whereof these are the names Sudavia Sambia Natangia Nadravia Slavonia Bartonia Galinda Warmia Ho●kerlandia Culmigeria Pomesania and Michlovia BORVSSIA OR PRVSSIA PRUSSIA Sudavia was so wasted by those of the order of the Crosse that now of a Noble Dukedome at this day there are scarce seven Townes remaining and those very meane In Sambia are many Cities as Lebenicht built in the yeare 1256 Kneyback built in the yeare 1380. Regimount called by the Germans Keningsberg and built in the year 1260 by Duke Albert Fischusen built in the yeare 1269 lastly Lechstet built in the yeare 1289. In Natangia there are these Cities Valdonia Girania Zinten Crentzburg Heiligenbeil Fridland Shippenbeil Brandenburg In Nadravia there are a few Cottages onely remaining but all the Townes of note wasted In Slavonia are these Cities Ragnet Tilse Renum Liccow Salaw Labia Tapia Vintburg Christaderder Baytia Cestia Norbeitia Vensdorfe Angerbury and Dringford In Bartonia are these Townes Nordenburg Iabansburg Iurgburg Insterburg Richtenerder Barton and Rhenum In Galindia are these Towns Ortleburg Rastenburg Neyburg Passenhume Dreschdow and Luzenburg In Warmia are Ressen Seburg Bitstein Wartenburg Allensteyn Melsak Heilsberg Werinedit and Gustat In Hockerlandia are Brunsburg Tolkemit Munhuse Scorpow and Elbing the greatest of them all being built on the Sea shoare and famous for the wealth of the Citizens and frequencie of Merchants In Culmigeria are Turuma or Thorn a famous Marti Towne built neare the River Vistula or Weisel in the yeare 1235. Also Culmina or Culine Wentslaw Althasis Graudentz Gilgehburg Schonsee Strasburg Bretchen Neumarckt Pappaw Fridech Leippe Lesen Golb Reden Berglaw and Lantenburg In Pomerania is Marienburg a large City built in the yeare 1402. Also Newtich Stum Christburg Preusmarck Salfeld Merine Holand Lichstad Osterod Rosenburg Mariemweder Garnesie Lebmul Hohenstein Schonenberg Culenburg Neunburg and Salaw In Michlovia all is wasted and destroyed except Straburg onely Prussia is a Country in regard of the navigable Rivers Bayes and Havens fit for the importation or exportation of divers commodities and merchandises The chiefe Rivers are Vistula Nemeni Cronon Nogent Elbing Vusera Passerg Alla Pregel Ossa Vreibnitz Lua and Lavia In which as in the Lakes there are great store of fish Moreover on the shoares of Borussta neare the Balticke Sea a certaine kinde of Amber is gathered which the Inhabitants call Barstein from burning and Augstein because it is very good for the Eyes The Greeks call it Electrum because the Sunne is called Elector having recourse as it were to the fable of Phaethon Servius upon the eighth Aeneid saith that there are three kindes of Amber one of which commeth out of trees another which is found in the earth a third which is made of three parts gold and one part silver Plinie writeth that the Germanes called it Glessum or Glesse because it is not unlike unto it seeing both of them are perspicuous and transparent and from thence the Romans did call this Country
this Metropolitan are two Archbishops the one at N●vogarais the Greater neare the River Low●a the other at Rodovia There are no Universities or Colledges in all the Empire of M●●●otia The Moscovi●es are of the Greek religion which they received in the yeare of our Lord 987. They suppose that the Holy Spirit being the third person in the Trinitie doth proceed from the Father alone They tooke the Sacrament of the Eucharist with leavened bread and permit the people to use the Cuppe They beleeve not that Priests Dirges or the pietie or godlinesse of kindred or friends can be avaleable to the dead and they beleeve that there is no Purgatorie They read the Scripture in their owne language and do not deny the people the use thereof They have Saint Ambrose Augustine Hierome and Gregorie translated into the Illyrian tongue and out of these as also out of Chrysostome Basil and Nazianzenus the Priests do publikely read Homilies instead of Sermons for they hold it not convenient as Iovius saith to admit of those hooded Orators who are wont to Preach too curiously subtlely to the people concerning divine matters because they thinke that the rude mindes of the ignorant may sooner attaine to holinesse and sanctitie of life by plaine Doctrine than by deepe interpretations and disputations of things secret They make matrimoniall contracts and do permit Bigamie but they scarcely suppose it to be lawfull marriage They do not call it adulterie unlesse one take and keepe another mans wife They are a craftie and deceitfull Nation and delighting more in servitude than libertie For all do professe themselves to be the Dukes servants The Moscovite line rather prodigally than bountifully for their tables are furnished with all kinde of luxurious meats that can be desired and yet not costly For they sell a Cocke and a Duck oftentimes for one little single piece of silver Their more delicate provision is gotten by hunting and hawking as with us They have no wine made in the Countrie and therefore they drinke that which is brought thither and that onely at Feasts and Bankets They have also a kinde of Beere which they coole in Summer by casting in pieces of ice And some delight in the juice prest out of sowre cherries which hath as cleare and pure a colour and as pleasant a tast as any wine The Moscovites do send into all parts of Europe excellent Hempe and Flaxe for rope-making many Oxe-hides and great store of Waxe THE DVKEDOME OF LITHVANIA Samogitia Blacke-Russia and Volhinia SOME would have Lithuania so called from the Latine word Lituus that is a Hunters horne because that Country doth use much hanting Which opinion Mathias a Michou rejecteth and delivers another concerning the Etymologie thereof for he saith that certaine Italians forsaking Italy in regard of the Roman dissentions entred into Lithuania calling the Country Italie and the Nation Italians and that the sheepheards began first to call it Litalia and the Nation Litalians by prefixing one letter But the Ruthenians or Russians and the Polonians their neighbours changing the word more at this day doe call the Country Lithuania and the people Lithuanians It is a very large Country and next to Moschovia It hath on the East that part of Russia which is subject to the great Duke of Moscovy on the West it hath Podlassia Masovia Poland and somewhat towards the North it bounds on Borussia but full North it looketh toward Livonia and Samogitia and on the South toward Podolia and Vol●●nia The aire here is cold and the winter sharpe Here is much waxe and honey which the wilde Bees doe make in the Woods and also much Pitch This Country also affordeth abundance of corne but the harvest seldome comes to maturity and ripenesse It hath no wine but that which is brought hither from forraine Countries nor salt but such as they buy and fetch out of Brittaine It bringeth forth living creatures of all kindes but small of growth In the Woods of this Country there are Beastes called by the Latines Vri and others called Alces besides Buffes wilde Horses wilde Asses Hartes Does Goates Boares Beares and a great number of such other Here is great plenty of Birds and especially of Linnets Besides in this Country and Moscovia there is a ravenous devouring beast called Rossemaka of the bignesse of a Dogge in face like a Cat in the body and tayle resembling a Foxe and being of a black colour The Nation of the Lithuanians in former yeares was so unknowne and despised by the Russians that the Princes of Kiovia did require nothing from them but Corke-trees and certaine garments as a signe of their subjection in regard of their poverty and the barrennesse of their soyle untill Vithenes Captaine of the Lithuanians growing strong did not onely deny tribute but having brought the Princes of Russia into subjection compelled them to pay tribute His successors did invade the neighbour Nations and by hostile and suddaine incursions did spoyle them untill the Teutonick order of the Crosse began to warre against them and to oppresse them which THE DVKEDOME OF LITHVANIA LITHUANIA they did even to the dayes of Olgerdus and Keystutus Captains of the Lithuanians But at last ●agello who afterward was called Vla●●slaus was made great Duke of Lithuania This man being oftentimes oppressed by those of the order of the Crosse and by Christian Armies did at last encline to the Polanders and having embraced the Christian Religion and married Hedingi● the Queene of Polonia hee was made King of Polonia committing the government of the Country of Lithuania to his Cozen German Skirgellon as to the supreame Duke of Lithuania The great Dukedome of Lithuania is now divided into ten speciall Palatinates or Provinces the first whereof is the Palatinate of the Metropolis or chiefe Citie Vilna which the Inhabitants call Vilenski but the Germans commonly Die Wilde it was built at the confluence or meeting of Vilia and Vilna by Duke Gediminus in the yeare 1305 and is the Seat of a Bishop subject to the Archbishop of Leopolis and also of the Metropolitan of Russia who hath seven Bishops under him that bee of the Greeke Religion as the Bishop of Polocia Volodomiria Luca in Volhinia Luckzo Pinsca neare to the River Pripetus Kiovia Praemislia and Lepolus Vilna or Wilna is a populous large and famous Citie being encompassed with a wall and gates which are never shut The Churches thereof for the most part are built of stone and some of wood there is in it a curious Monasterie of the Bernardines being a famous structure of squared stone as also the Hall of the Ruthenians in which they sell their commodities which are brought out of Moscovia The second Palatinate is the Procensian the Townes whereof are Grodna by the River Cronus where Stephen King of Poland dyed And Lawna at the confluence of Cronus and Villia or Willia also Kowno Iada and Vpita The
for Philosophers we shall meete with L. Anneius Seneca and his sonnes Seneca Nonatus and Mela Lucius Iunius Moderatus Columella C. Iulius Hyginus Sotion and Iohannes Vives Valentinus If wee search for Mathematicians behold Pomponius Mela Abrahamus Cacutius Alphonsus King of Castile Henricus the Infanta of Portugall Henricus Marquesse of Villena Arnoldus Villanovanus and his Scholler Raimundus Lullius If we enquire for Orators we shall finde beside Seneca Portius Latro and M. Fabius Quintilianus Lastly if we would reckon up some Poets borne here we may make account of Sextilius Hena L. Annaeus Seneca and Lucan who were Cosins M. Valerius Martialis Rufus Festus Avienus Aurelius Prudentius Pope Damasus Caelius Sedulius and many others I omit for brevities sake the later moderne Poets The Spaniards are by nature hot and drie swarthe-coloured to helpe which the women use a kinde of painting they are well limb'd and strong set They are the most superstitious of all people so that other people doe learne from them both ceremonies complements and large titles They have a great dexteritie in concealing their thoughts both by silence and dissimulation They have a kinde of an affected gravitie which maketh them incurre the hatred of all other Nations which as Marianus sheweth is an individuall concomitant or companion to great Kingdomes The women are not very fruitfull in bearing children they abstaine much from wine and are seldome seene abroade as imitating therein the Roman Matrons They use strangers discurteously and in forraine Countries they will reverence prayse and extoll one another They are great observers of Justice so that Justice is administred to all even from the highest to the lowest and so great is the painfull industrie of Magistrates that there are few or no robberies committed Beside they keepe their hands free from bloud and other wicked acts and whosoever offendeth the Lawes or doth trespasse against any one though never so meane is punished for it They are still attempting some greate matter for having supprest their enemies at home and overthrowne the Saracens they seeke for to discover and get for their King the most potent parts of the world When two or three meete together of what place or condition soever they alwayes discourse of the Common-wealth and serious affaires they seeke wayes how to weaken their enemies force they devise stratagems and invent a thousand engines which they open and make knowne to the Captaines In the field they can endure both hunger thirst and labour In battle and matters of warre they are more politick than stout they are of a light body and being lightly armed they not onely easily pursue their enemies but when they are put to it they can easily save themselves by flight alwayes meditating on some militarie or warlike designe In their feastes and banquets at home they are frugall sober and content with a little but abroade they have more delicate fare They use handsome convenient garments well made fashioned Spaine doth affoord to the neighbour Countries and also to remote Nations Silke-wooll Cloath of all kindes Salt Sugar Honey Orenges Pome-Granats Lemmons pickled Olives Capers Grapes Figges Pruines Almonds Chesnuts Anny-seed Cumming-seed Coriander-seed Rice Saffron Oyle Waxe Alume Vermilion Purple Saltfish Bay-berries preserv'd Fruits of all sorts Alablaster Corall Gold Silver Iron Steele Tinne Copper Leade Dying Oade Quick-silver Gotten pretious stones Aromatickes and sweet Spices which are brought from the Indies and other places And in exchange for these the Europaeans the Africans the Asiatians and the Americans doe give the Spaniards such commodities as their owne Country doth not affoord PORTVGALL AND ALGARBIA HItherto wee have described Spaine in generall now our Method requireth that wee should decipher it in particular and by parts Wee said in our generall Description that it was diversly divided But wee will make a faithfull Description of the parts of Spaine in such order as it is delineated by Hondius Hee describeth it in sixe Tables in this order In the first Portugall is described in the second Biscay Guipuscoa and Legio in the third the New and Old Castiles in the fourth Andalusia in which is the Countrey of Hispalis and Gades in the fifth is Valentia and in the sixth is Aragon and Catalonia Portugall which offers it selfe in the first place was anciently called Lusitania and M. Varro and Plinte doe affirme that it received this name from Lusus the Sonne of Liber and Lysa who was drunke with him for it was called Lusitania as it were the Countrey of Lusus Marcianus thinketh it was called Lusitania from a River which is now called Tagus Some suppose it was called Portugall à Portu Gallorum which is as much to say as the Frenchmens Haven But Andraeas Resendius whose opinion other learned men doe follow doth observe that the name of Portugall is derived â Portu Cale This Countrie if wee consider the breadth thereof from the South Northward is greater than Old Lusitania but if wee consider the length from the West Eastward it is lesser Portugall at this day runneth forth Northward beyond the meeting of the two Rivers Minius and Avia even to the Towne Ribadania seated on that banke of Avia which looketh toward Gallicia and a straight line being drawne from thence Eastward it reacheth even to Miranda seated upon the River Durius and from thence toward the South to the Mouth of the River Ana on that side where it bordereth on Castile Estremadura and Andaluzia on the Northwest it looketh toward the Atlantick Ocean so that the whole compasse thereof is thought to bee 879 miles This countrie hath an excellent sweete and temperate Ayre and a cleere and fruitfull Climate It aboundeth with Wine Oyle Oranges Pome-citernes Almonds Honey and Waxe The fruite of this Countrie doth excell that which growes in others neere unto it And though the Inhabitants have not out of their fields sufficient store of corne to sustaine them with foode yet there is much transported thither out of France and Germanie This Countrie doth breede many living creatures especially great store of Horses and those so swift of foote that they imagin'd them to bee begotten by the winde The Kingdome of Portugall began about the yeare 1100 for at that time it became a part of Spaine Chronicles doe mention that the first of the Line of the Kings of Portugall was Henry Duke of Lotharingia Earle of Limburg a man of a great courage and ready of hand who removing into Spaine married Tyresia the Daughter of Alphonsus the sixth King of Castile and Legio and tooke for a Dowrie that part of Gallicia and Lusitania which is now called Portugall and which not long before by his owne valour hee recovered and got from the Saracens and Moores Hee dying about the yeare 1112 there succeeded him his Sonne Alphonsus who calling himselfe Dake of Portugall was enstiled King thereof by his whole Armie in the yeare 1139 having obtained a victory against Ismarius and
and placed here under the command of the Emperour Nerva as some suppose The Metropolis hereof is that famous Citie which taketh its name from the Countrie and is called by Ptolemie Legio septima Germanica Antoninus calleth it Legio Gemina but it is now commonly called Leon which name I cannot see why Franciscus Tarapha should rather derive from Leonigildus King of the Gothes than from the Legion it selfe Moralis doth deliver also that it was heretofore called Sublantia and writeth that some evidences of that name are extant in a place but a little distant from Legio called Sollanco L. Marinaeus Siculus writeth thus concerning the Church of Legio in his third Booke of Spaine Although the Church which the Citie of Hispalis hath built in our age doth exceed all the rest for greatnesse although the Church of Toledo surpasse the rest for treasure ornaments and glasse windowes and the Church of Compostella for strong building for the miracles of Saint Iames other things yet the Church of Legio in my judgement is to be preferred before them all for admirable structure and building which hath a Chappell joyning to it in which lye buried seven and thirtie Kings and one Emperour of Spaine It is worthy of memorie that this Citie was the first from which about the yeare 716. the recoverie of Spaine which formerly the Moores and Saracens almost wholly possessed was begun For as also Rodericus Toletanus in his sixt Booke of Spanish matters for many Chapters together and Roderick Sanctius in the first part of his Spanish Historie cap. 11. do relate Pelagius the sonne of Fafila Duke of Cantabria and descended of the royall blood of the Gothes being made King by the remainder of the Christians who fled into the mountaines made a great slaughter on the Moores and being scarcely entred into his Kingdome tooke Legio from the enemies This man afterwards making it the Seate of his Principalitie built a new Castle there as a Fort and defence against the violence of their incursions And laying aside the armes of the Kings of the Gothes gave the Lion Rampant Gules in a field Argent which the Kings of Legio do use at this day Fafila the sonne of Pelagius succeeded him in the Kingdome and he dying issuelesse there succeeded him Alphonsus Catholicus the sonne of Peter Duke of Cantabria being descended from the stocke of Ricaredus Catholick King of the Gothes who married Ormisenda the onely sister and heire of Fafila The government of Legion remained in the hands of Alphonsus his familie even to Veremundus the 24 King of Legio who dying in the yeare 1020. without a Successour his sister Sanctia married Ferdinando of Navarre King of Castile and brought the Kingdome of Legio to be joyned and united to his kingdome Asturia hath on the North the Ocean on the East Biscay on the South old Castile and on the West Gallicia It produceth and bringeth forth gold divers sorts of colours otherwise it is but little tilled and thinly inhabited except it be in those places which are next to the Sea Here was the Seat of the ancient Astures who were so called as Isidore writeth lib. 9. Etymolog cap. 2. from the River Asturia whereof Florus maketh mention in the fourth Book of his Roman Histories and others From whom Ptolemie calls the Countrie it selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latines Asturia as also Astyria as is evident by what I have read in ancient marbles At Rome in the pavement of the Chappell which is in the Temple of Saint Gregorie in the mountaine Caelius there is a broken marble-table engraved with these words Acontit L. Ranio Optato V. C. Cos Curatori Reip. Mediolanensium Curat Reip. Nolanorum Procos Provincia Narbonensium Legato Aug. Et Iuridico Astyriae Et. Galaecia Curatori Viae Salariae c. Moreover I see it called Asturica in a marble-Table which is at Rome beyond Tiber in a private Roman-citizens house I will set downe the words in the Description of Italie where I shall speake of the Alpes joyning to the Sea And it is called at this day Asturias Pliny lib. 3. cap. 3. doth divide the Astures into the Augustini and Transmontani The one being on the hither side of the mountaines toward the South and the other beyond the mountaines Northward neare the Ocean Concerning the Astures Silius the Italian Poet writeth thus lib. 1. Astur avarus Visceribus lacerae Telluris mergitur imis Et redit infelix effosso concolor Auro The covetous Asturian will goe Into the bowels of the earth below Whence he returnes in colour like gold Oare Which hee unhappily digg'd up before The Metropolis of the Province is Oviedo of which Rodericus Toletanus writeth much lib. 4. de rebus Hisp cap. 14. where among other things he giveth the reason wherefore it was called the Bishops Citie Here is also Astorga called anciently Asturica Augusta and some other small Townes BISCAY GVIPVSCOA NAVARRE and Asturia de Santillana BISCAY as Iohannes Bishop of Gerunda affirmeth taketh its name from the Bastuli the ancient Inhabitants of Baetica for they comming from Lybia into that part of Spaine which is called Baetica and being beaten and expulsed thence by the Moores they fled into the Mountaines of Galaecia and so building themselves houses the whole Countrie was called from that time Bastulia which is now called Biscay Some doe call Biscay Viscaia which word hath some affinity with the name of the Vascones Biscay is a Countrie of Spaine lying neere the Ocean and very full of hils out of which arise 150 Rivers It hath a more temperate Climate than other parts of Spaine For being environ'd with great Mountaines it is not troubled with too much cold nor burnt with too much heate The Countrie is full of trees fit for the building of Ships which not onely Spaine doth acknowledge but other Countries whither whole ship-loades are often transported Heere are abundance of Chesse-Nuts Hasel-Nuts Oranges Raizins and all kind of Mettals especially Iron and Black-lead besides other commodities Where they want wine they have a kinde of drinke made of prest Apples which hath an excellent taste Heere are also store of beasts fish fowle and all things which are convenient and necessarie for the sustaining of mans life The Cantabrians did heretofore inhabite that Countrie which wee now call Biscay but it was larger than Biscay is now and contained Guipuscoa and Navarre These Cantabrians were a famous people and much celebrated by many Writers They thought that was no life which was without warres and when all the people of Spaine were subjected and reduced to the obedience of Rome they alone with the Asturians and some others who joyned with them could not be overcome untill at last C. Caesar Octavianus Augustus did subdue this stout Nation being broken wearied by a warre of almost five yeares continuance hee himselfe going against them and the rest that were not
of shot scaling Ladders underminings and all manner of engines which could bee invented or used And on the besieged side you might have seene men women and children with great courage of minde sustaine the furious assaults of their enemies and with constancie and cheerfulnesse repaire the ruines of the wals keepe down those that would have ascended up drive back their enemies to their trenches pursue them and at last fight it out for the most part with good successe Moreover you might have beheld them wearying the besiegers with daily sallying out upon them and lastly subsisting after nine assaults in which though their enemies did fight valiantly yet they were enforced to retire with great losse At length the Ambassadours of Polonia comming the 15 of Iune that they might bring with them Henry Duke of Anjou whom the States of the Kingdome had chosen for King God used this as a meanes to free Rochelle being now exhausted and drawne drie of Corne and being weakned in warlike fortifications besides the losse of many thousand men for now the King by Articles of peace confirmed by his royall solemne edicts did grant that Rochelle Montalban Nemansum and other Cities which did defend themselves should bee free to use their owne Religion such an event had this grievous siege which endured almost for seven moneths In which time more than twentie thousand men perished in conflicts sallies besieges by wounds hunger and sicknesse Rochelle is a constant Seate for presidiall Senatours and other Lawyers The other Cities Townes of note in Santonia are commonly called S. ●ean d' Angely Ponts or Pont l' Oubleze Blaye Taillebourg Borbesieux Brovage and Iosac S. Iean d' Angely otherwise called Angeliacum and S. Ioannes de Angeria is a new Citie although it be one of the speciallest and greatest of all Santonia It renewed its name from an Abbey which was built in that place to the honour of S. Iohn the Baptist the foundation whereof happened to be in the reigne of King Pipin who kept his Court in the Pallace of Angeria neere the River commonly called Boutonne in the Countrie of Alnia for hither as they say came certaine Monkes out of the Holy Land who brought with them the head of S. Iohn Baptist by whose comming the King obtained a famous victorie over his enemies and therefore in remembrance thereof hee built in that place where was the Pallace of Angeria the Abbey of Saint Iohn there placing religious men and endowing them with great revenues that they might there devote themselves to the service of God now by this meanes people flocking thither and building round about the Abbey by degrees it began to be a Citie as it is now at this day and was called by the name of S. Iohn All these things happened about the yeare of our Lord seven hundred sixtie eight while Pipin waged warre against Gaifer King of Aquitania whom hee overcame as it may bee read in the Historie of the Foundation of this Abbey This Citie the Duke of Andegavium or Aniou did besiege in the yeare 1569 and it was yeelded to him after 50 dayes siege the King granting the Citizens th●se conditions That they should march forth of the Citie with their Armour Horses and Colours displayed Santonia raiseth great store of money by its Corne which the Spaniards every yeare doe transport from thence or Merchants which fell it unto them And the Citie of Rochelle is very rich in regard of its neerenesse to the Sea and especially because of the traffick of the English and Dutch whose shipping doe often arrive there AQVITANIA AQVITANIA whose Southerne part is delineated in this Table some would have so called from the waters wherewith it doth abound and some derive it from the Towne Aquis or Aqs. It was extended according to Ptolemie from the Pyrenaean Mountaines even to Liger But now as Ortelius witnesseth from the River Garumna to the Ocean and the Pyrenaean Hils Towards the North-West it hath the Ocean which is called the Aquitanick Bay on the West Spaine on the North Gallia Lugdunensis and on the South Gallia Narbonensis In it according to Mercators account there are five Dukedomes twentie Counties and sixe Seigniories The Dukedomes are Vasconia or Guienna Avernia the Countrie of Engoulesme Berrie and Turonia Vasconia or Guienna being situated neere the Sea betweene Bayon and Burdeaux yeeldeth great store of wine which is transported from thence into other parts of Europe The chiefe Citie in it is Burdigala or Burdeaux the other Cities as Nerac Condom Mirande Nogerat Orthes Bazes and Dax are of no great note yet Dax is famous for her hot Fountaines Salt-pits and Iron-mettle Burdigala so called by Ptolemie is situated in a marsh which the overflowing of Garumna maketh and is adorned both with a Parliament and an University in which the Professours of all Arts and Sciences doe instruct Youth Avernia or the Dutchie of Avergne is partly a plaine and partly a mountainous Countrie It hath on the East Forest on the South Languedock on the West Quercy Perigort and Lemosin and on the North Berry and Bourbon Avernia is two-fold the Higher and the Lower The Higher which is called Le hault pays d' Avergne and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avernia hath one prime Citie in it called S. Flour being seated on a high Rock the other Townes are commonly called Orillac Carlatum Muratum Buillons le Puy c. There is also in it the Territorie and Bayliwick of Beaucaire The Lower is rich and very fertile being full of excellent Wine Fruit Honey Saffron Cattell Wooll Medowes and Woods The Metropolis of it is Clarimontium commonly called Clermont It is proude of her Castle and is a Bishops Seate The other Cities or Townes are 13 in number of which Rion Monferrat and Isoire doe excell the rest Engoulesme on the North joyneth to Poictou on the West to Santonia on the South to Perigort and on the East to Lemosin It hath abundance of very good Wine fruit and Hempe The Metropolis of it is Inculisma now called Engoulesme being an ancient Citie It is seated on a hill which hangeth over the River Charente in a remote place from the Kings high way The lesser Towns are those which are commonly called Marton Chasteau Neuff Blaisac Chabannes Confollant Cuffec Aigres Gourville la Roche-Foucault Marveil Lanzac Villebois Momberon and Bouteville Concerning the Countrie of Berry wee will speake in a Table by it selfe Turonia commonly called Touraine beginneth somewhat beyond the Citie Amboise towards Belsia and endeth at the towne which is commonly called la Chapelle Blanche AQVITANIA AQUITANIA being subject in spirituall matters to the Bishops of Anjou and Chousai For they appoint and set downe limits betweene the Turonians and Andigavians The sweetnesse of the Ayre doth make this pleasant country more delightfull so that it is called the Garden and Orchard of France It is fruitfull in Wine and
Corne and hath woods convenient to hunt in The Metropolis or Mother-citie of this Dukedome is Caesarodunum Turonum called in French Tours This Citie excelleth for wealth and faire edifices or buildings On the East side the River Ligeris or Liger on the South and West sides the River Idra doe flow neere unto it The lesser Townes in it are Amboise Langes Chinon and others The Counties of Aquitaine are Tholouse Narbonne Albret Armignac Bigorre Bear Estrac Commingcois and Foix. Also Ventadour Pompadour Montignac in Poicton Perigort Fronssac Esparre Lymosin Touraine Marche the Vicountie of Aulnay and Basque The Signories or Lordships are Planes Grave Chaloces Saintonge and Auluis There are moreover five Archbishops first the Archbishop of Narbon under whom are these suffragans to wit the Bishops of Carcassone Agde of S. Pont de Tomieres Alet Mompelier E●ne Besiers Lodeut Nismes and Vse●z Secondly the Bishop of Bourges under whom are ten Bishops namely the Bishop of Clermont of Rhodes of Lymoges of Mande of Alby of Cahors of Castres of Tulies of S. Flour and of le Puy Thirdly the Bishop of Burdeaux under whom there are eight Bishops namely of Poictiers of Lucon of Matlezais of Sainctes of Engoulesme of Agen of Codon and of Sarlac Fourthly the Bishop of Tholouse which hath these Bishops under him the Bishop of Pamiers of Mirepoys of Montauban of La Vour of Rieux of Lombes and of Papons Fifthly the Bishop of Aux under whom are the Bishops of Aqs of Comminge of Tarbe of Basas of Lescure of Lictoure of Conserans of Oleron of Ba●one and of Adure which some call Ayre The Kingdome of Arelatum THe Kingdome of Arelatum is so called from the Citie Arelatum It containeth those Countries which lye betweene the Rivers Rhodanus and the Alpes And there are in this tract Sabaudia Delphinatus or Daulphine and Provincia There are divers conjectures concerning the name of Sabaudia or Savoy some derive it à Sabatiis vadis from the Sabatican Fordes others give it that name quasi Sabbatorum Pratum which Volaterranus calleth Sabaudiensis Auwe that is the Sabaudian Land some would have it called Savoy quasi Saul voje a way through Osiers and Willowes or quasi Sauve Voye that is the safe way which I know not who is feined to have made by fabulous Writers as being before dangerous in regard it was full of theeves and robbers Neere to Sabaudia on the North lyeth the Countrie of Burgundie and Helvetia having the Lake Lemanus lying betweene them On the East it hath Valesia and Pedemontium which have no certaine bounds but that high Mountaines doe runne betweene them and on the South and the West is Daulphine with some part of Rhodanus separating Sabaudia from the Dukedome of Burgundie The Ayre of Sabaudia is pure and the country is very mountainous In the Valleyes and Plaines the Soyle is very pleasant and fruitfull especially toward the North neere the Lake Lemanus where it yeeldeth most excellent rich Wine which is called Ripalium from the banke of the Lake The pastures doe bring up and feed all sorts of Cattell and especially there where the lesser Mountaine of S. Bernard doth rise in heigth The Metropolis or Mother-citie of Sabaudia is Chamberiacum commonly called Chamberri in which there is a Parliament The Citie is seated in a Vale and encompassed round about with Mountaines The Counties of Geneva Morienne and Tarentais the Marquesate of Susa and some other Signiories are described with Sabaudia as parts thereof and lastly the Countrie of Bressa The Countrey of Geneva Antoninus calleth Cenava It is a very ancient City seated by the Lake Lemanus and divided in two parts which stand upon the two bankes of the River Rhodanus but joyned together by a wooden bridge on both sides whereof there are houses though the greater part of houses be toward the South and the lesser toward the North. The Countrie of Morienne doth extend it selfe to the River Archus where there is a faire Towne called S. Iean de Morienne The Countie of Tarentaise is almost enclosed with the Alpes and the Rivers Archus and Ara It is so named from the Citie Tarantais which the Inhabitants doe now call Moustier the Germans Munster in Tartaansen and the Latine Writers Munsterium The Marqueship of Susa is so called from the Towne Susa not farre from the head of the River Doria or Duria which doth discharge and exonerate it selfe into the River Padus called by the Italians Po. There are also other Townes of Sabaudia as Aiguebelle Mont Belial Bellay Ni●y Montmelian Incilles c. Delphinatus followeth Some would derive the name thereof à Castello Delphini which is called in French Chasteau Dolphine Provincia cleaveth unto it on the South and Bresse on the North the River Rhodanus running betweene them on the West side is the Countie of Viennois and on the East lyeth Pedemontium and Sabaudia The Archiepiscopall Cities heere are Vienna and Ebrodunum Strabo calleth Vienna the Metropolis of the Allobrogians Ptolemie cals it the Mediterranean Citie of the Allobrogians Stephanus calleth it Biennus and it is commonly called Vienne Ebrodunum Ptolemie cals Eborodunum and Strabo Epebrodunum It is a famous Towne of the Caturigians of the maritime Alpes which lye neere the Sea Antoninus calleth it Eburodunum but in French it is called Ambrum There are five Cities which have Bishops Valentia Dia Gratianopolis Augusta and Vapingum Valentia according to Antoninus and Ptolemie is commonly called Valence and is the title of a Duke Dia is called by Antoninus Dia Vocontiorum but commonly Dio and is the Metropolis or chiefe Citie of the Countrie which in French is called Pays de Diois Gratianopolis was heretofore called Cularo Isidorus calleth it the Citie of Gratianopolis but it is commonly called Grenoble Augusta neere to the River Isere Plinie cals Augusta Tricastinorum where the great Senate of Daulphine is kept Sidonius Tricastina Vrbs but now as Ioseph Scaliger thinketh it is called S. Antony de Tricastin That which Antoninus cals Vapingum or as some reade it Vapincum and the Itinerarie Table Gap is now called Caput agri and in French Gapencois It is environed round with Mountaines It was formerly and is also at this day a famous Towne the Inhabitants doe call it L●●●l S. D●go I passe by the lesser Townes Provence is to be described next but before I come unto it I will adde something out of Mer●ator concerning the State Ecclesiastick Heere are five Archbishops as first the Archbishop of Tarentais in Sabaudia under whom are the Bishops of Sitten and Augusta 2 ly the Arch-Bishop of Am●rum under whom are the Bishops of Lagne of Grasse of Lena of N●●a of S. Glande of Valne of Vap which some call Gap of Bria●●on and of S. Pol. Thirdly the Archbishop of Vienn● to whom there are sixe suffraganes the Bishop of Valence and Dye the Bishop of ●●viers of S. Iean de Morienne of Geneve
Flandrians were very desirous to beseige this Cittie which they attempted on the 5 of Iuly the yere 1601. The beginning of the seige was very terrible and continued so to the end thereof as it is well knowne yea it was such a long and grievous seige as there was never the like in the memory of man so that during the time of this seige there were slaine on both sides about 110000 men There was a Table book found about a certaine commissary of Spaine being dead in which the number of men that were slaine were set downe and the number of women and children by themselves of which this was the totall summe Tribunes or Praefects of the Souldiers commonly called Marshalls of the field 9. of Colonells 15. of Sergeants 29. Captaines 165. Ancients 322. Lieutenants 200 and 1 masters of the Horse 101. Common-souldier 54663. Mariners 611 children and Women 119. The totall summe of all was ●2126 It would be tedious to mention all their trenches and Fortresses all their engines and warlike Instruments and other matters Moreover there was a battaile fought betweene Ostend and Newport on the second of Iuly in the yeere 1600 between the Archduke Albert and Grave Maurice in which there were slaine on both sides seaven thousand foote and horsemen The battell continued doubtfull for three houres together But at length Grave Maurice got the victory and overthrew the Spaniard The Archduke Albert lost in that fight 6000 men there were taken besides a great number of common Souldiers the Admirall of Arragon and with him many of the Nobles and there were 105 Banners taken from the enemies foote troopes and foure from his horse troupes Yet it was a bloody victory to Grave Maurice for there were a thousand slaine on his side A mile distant from Ostend is Aldenburg It hath onely one gate being an auncient Cittie and heretofore a famous Mart towne The other matters which are contained in this table are unfolded in the next description And therefore I passe to Brabant THE DVKEDOME OF BRABANT BRabant for the most part doth containe the Countrie of the Advatians Ambivaritians and Tungrians but it is uncertaine at what time this Country was called Brabant some deriving it from Brennus a Frenchman some from a Cittie of that name of which there is no mention neither in the Country nor in histories some derive it from Bratuspandium a towne of the Bellovacians which Caesar mentioneth Lib. 2. Some doe mention a Captaine called Salvius Brabon an Arcadian who came with Caesar into the Low Countries whose wife Suana was Caesars Nephew Some also thinke that it was called Barbantia from Gotefridus Barbatus Earle of Lovaine and afterward Brabant I had this name of late which is manifest but the originall thereof is unknowne The length of Brabant from Gemblours even to the holy Mountaine of S. Gertrud is about 22 miles The breadth from Helmontium to Bergae is 20 Miles And the compasse of it is 80 miles It hath on the North the River Mosa which parteth Gelderland from Holland On the South Hannonia the Countie of Namurcum and the Leodiensian Bishopricke which confineth on it on the East On the West is the River Scaldis with the countrie Alost It hath a wholesome ayre and a fertile soyle abounding with all sorts of fruites but yet the countrie of Kempen is barren by reason of the sands which part yet is not altogether unfruitfull There are 26 Citties in this Dukedome As Lovanium or Loven which is an auncient Cittie and the first seate of the Grudians in which the Duke doth binde himselfe by taking the Sacrament It is a pleasant Cittie and now somewhat enlarged the compasse of it within the walls is foure miles It is watered with the River Dela Brussells is a faire great Cittie fortified with a double wall and situate in a fertile soile abounding with all things It is a wonderfull thing that this Citty could yeeld plentie of provision to serve the Dukes Court the strangers and forreine Princes which lay there with their whole trayne There is also Antwerpe which they commonly call Antwerpen the French call it Anvers the Italians Anversa the Germaines Antorff Peter Appian thinketh that it is the same with that which Ptolemie and Caesar doe call Atuacutum It is supposed that this Cittie was so called from the casting forth of hands For a certaine Giant called Druo who dwelt in these parts before C. Caesars comming when any travellers came by if they did not pay him the halfe of their commodities he caus'd their right hands to be cut off and to be cast into the River which appeareth by the armes of this Cittie and certaine great bones of this Giant Druo which are kept untill this day some say he was called Antigonus But these things are fabulous But it is more likely that the inhabitants called it so from the heape or rifing of Earth neere Scaldis which the Lowcountrimen doe call Antwerpen for by making banckes on both sides they straitned the River and made the channell deeper It is situate by the deepest part of the River under the 26 degrees of Longitude and 42 minuts And 51 of Latitude and fiftie eight minutes It is 4 miles distant from the Sea and as many from Mechlin 7 miles from Lovaine 10 miles from Gandavum 15 miles from Bruges 8 miles from Brussells threescore miles from London 29 from the Agrippine Colonie 60 miles from Franckford It was thrice walled First with a narrower wall Anno 1221 afterward with a larger wall Anno 1314 which yeare there was a great famine and the next a great pestilence Lastly the suburbs were enlarged toward the North Anno 1543. The compasse of it without the walls is 4 miles and eight hundred and twelve paces There are eight ditches which are brought into the Cittie out of the River and are able to receive many great shippes It is a great Cittie for traffique Guicciardine giveth an estimate that the yeerely trading in this Cittie doth amount to above twelve thousand Crownes which was lesse than it came to when the Cittie of Antwerpe flourished And therefore Iulius Scaliger doth worthily praise it thus Oppida quot spectant oculo me torvasinistro Tot nos invidiae pallida tela petunt Lugdunum omnigenum est operosa Lutetia Roma Ingens ro● Venetum vasta Tolosa potens Omnimodae merces artes priscaeque novaeque Quorum insunt alijs singula cuncta mihi Looke how many Townes doe lye on our left side Even by so many Townes we are envide Leyden and Paris painefull are Rome great Venice is rich Tolouse in power compleate All wares and strange inventions that there be In severall Citties are all found in me There are two and forty religious houses in Antwerp also Churches Monasteries and Hospitalls The chiefe Cathedrall Church is dedicated to the blessed Virgin Marie It is a faire and sumptuous worke and hath a famous Tower steeple which is all built of
second order is the Lords the chiefe whereof that are wont to appeare at Hage are these the Lords of Poelgeest of Polanen of Lochorst of Assendelfi Warmont Sparwoude Matnes Schooten Noortwi●● Verdoes or Does Myne van Amstel Spangen Alkemade Benthuysen Keneborch Raaphorst Sweten Heemskericke Ruven Duyn and Sprangen Moreover there are these Lordships in Holland Ho●sden Outhoesden Papendrecht Wijngarden Ghissenborch Ameyde Woerden Waterlant Schagen Purmerende Goude Naeldw●jc Rijswijc Schoonhoven Wateringen Soctermeer Heemstede Heuhtwoude Merwen Haestrecht Dalen Spijc Hardischsvelt Bardtwijck Wijck The third order are the sixe great Citties which are called and summoned to appeare at the Hage for all the rest as Dordretch this Cittie hath a Praetor and a Magistrate whom the Cittizens obey and a Bayly that governeth the whole Country round about both in civill and criminall matters Harlem hath a Praetor and a Magistrate within it selfe and a Bayly for the Country who hath jurisdiction in civill and criminall matters Amsterdam hath also with it selfe a Praetor and a magistrate and a Bayly for the Country to judge of civill and criminall causes Gouda hath a Praetor and Major for the Cittizens and a Baytiffe and a Governour of the Castell THE COVNTIE OF ZELAND ZEland signifies nothing else but a Sea-land the name thereof being compounded from Sea and Land For it is encompassed on every side with the Sea Lemnius doth collect out of Tacitus that it was not unknowne unto the ancients but not by that name by which it is now called but the people and inhabitants thereof did vulgarly call it Maet For hee nameth them Mattiacans when he saith Est in eodem obsequio Mattiacorum gens Battavis similis nisi quod ipso terrae suae solo ac coelo acrius animantur that is The Nation of the Mattiacans is also subject unto them and are like the Battavians but that their soyle and climate doth make them more couragious and lively It was called Zeland from the Danes and Normanes who comming out of the Cimbrian Island in Denmarke which is called Zeland to seeke new Countries being pestered with multitudes of inhabitants they invaded the Coasts of Brittaine and France and they called Walachria and the neighbour Islands Zeland after the name of their own Island These Islands are situate betweene the mouthes or outlets of the Rivers Mosa and Scaldis on the North they have Holland on the East Brabant on the South Flanders on the West the Germaine Ocean Zeland hath somewhat an intemperate ayre for in some parts it is very cold and sharpe and not so wholesome as the neighbour Countries especially in Summer in regard of the Vapours arising from the ditches and standing Pooles and also because the Country is not planted with trees But yet it hath this blessing that it is not often troubled with plagues or pestilent diseases but when it hath a plague it is most violent and it is long before the cessation of it But it hath a very fat and fruitefull soyle and fields which yeeld abundance of wheate so that no Country hath the like for whitenesse and waightinesse and many other fruites also Coriander seede and Madder which is good to dye cloath in graine and make it hold colour and also great store of faire Baytrees loaden with Berryes and also many wholsome hearbes both to eate and to cure disseases withall Heere are also excellent Meddow Pastures for fatting of Cattell not onely inclosed within hedges and ditches but also upon the very shore by the Sea side in which many thousand head of Cattell doe graze to the great gaine and commoditie of the owners being not onely of an unusuall bignesse but of a delicate and excellent taste by reason of the sweetenesse and goodnesse of the soyle grasse so that they are much esteemed by forreiners In the yeere 8●3 in the yeere of Charles the ●●lde a principality was first erected among the Battavians and Zelanders and then they were called Counties and the first Earle thereof was Theodoricke the sonne of Sig●●bert Prince of Aquitania who having beene Earle thereof eight and thirty yeares left his second sonne Theodoricke successor thereof after whom these Countries by a long succession of Earles came and was devolved over to Phillip King of Spaine The Islands of Zeland are seaven three beyond the mouth of Scaldis toward Battavia and the East which are therefore called the East Islands as Scaldia Duvelandia and Tolen And 4 on this side toward the West Walachria Zuythevelandia Northevelandia and Wolferdi●● The greatest and chiefest Ile of them all beyond Scaldis is Scaldia the inhabitants doe call it Landt van Schouwen the compasse whereof is 7 miles yet heretofore it was greater and was divided onely by a little straite of the Sea from Northevelandia The chiefe Citties in it are Zirizaea and Brouwershavia Zirizaea is supposed to be the auncientest Cittie in Zeland being built by one Siringues about the yeare 869. It was a long time a famous towne of traffique in regard of the commodiousnesse of the Haven and the resort of strangers unto it but when the Haven was filled up with sand it grew out of esteeme yet there is hope that if a new Haven were digged it would be as famous as ever it was In this Cittie Levinus ●e●●nius a learned and famous Phisitian was borne and lived Fishermen doe inhabite Brouwershavia who live by the Sea The second Island to Scaldia is Dwelandia so called from the great store of Doves that are therein and it is foure miles in compasse There are in it some Townes onely and Villages but no Cittie In the yere 1130 it was overflowed with the Sea to the losse of many people but afterward the banckes being repaired and the Sea kept out that losse was soone recompenced The third Island is Tollen which is neere unto Brabant being onely parted and divided from it by a straite narrow sea in which is Toletum which the Low countriemen in regard of the custome and tribute which is payd there doe call Tollen being an auncient little Towne and not farre from thence is the Martinian bancke commonly called S. Martines Dijck being a pleasant place and planted round about with trees in which great store of fowle especially Hernes doe breede The chiefe Island on this side Scaldis toward the West is Walachria which the inhabitants call Bewester Schelt being so called from the first inhabitour or from the Welch or Frenchmen This Island lyeth on the East over against Brabant on the South against Flanders on the North against Batavia on the West against Brittaine This is the chiefe Island of all Zeland being famous both for the situation thereof the wealth populousnesse and for the beautie of the townes and traffique being 10. miles in compasse The Citties in it are Middlebrough Veria Flushing Arnemuda There are also many townes in it Middlebrough is so called from the situation thereof for it is a towne in the middle of
reverence the mother Earth which they call as Lipsius saith Aertha But Plutarch and Clemens Alexandrinus doe affirme that they had no Images in their Temples but certaine holy women which Tacitus calleth Soothsayers and Agathias and Polyoenus doe call them Prophetesses who did foretell future events by the sound and courses of Rivers Aemilianus doth note that they doe foretell things to come by the flight of birds by the inspection of entralls and all other signes But they did chiefely reverence Mercury or Teutates and offered humaine sacrifices thereunto as Tacitus witnesseth In the time of peace there was no common Magistrate but in the time of warre they did chuse Governours They spent all their life time in military affaires and to rob was accounted no disgrace as we may reade in Caesar Seneca saith that their chiefe delight was the warres in which they were both borne and bread If as Tacitus witnesseth they have peace any long time together at home in their owne Country then they goe to the warres in other Nations They cary about with them their mothers wives and children who doe carry their knapsackes and provision neither are they afraide of plagues They joyne battell with songs and warlike sounds They count it a great disgrace to lose their buckler in the field so that many after the battle for griefe thereof have hang'd themselves Dion and Herodotus do report that they will march over Rivers in regard they are lightly armed and of an high stature We reade in Appian that they doe contemne death being perswaded that they shall live againe hereafter They observe the rites of matrimony and are content with their owne wives so that few adulteries are committed for which they have this present punishment the woman that is taken in adulterie hath her haire cut off and then her husband thrusts her out of doores before her kindred and beates her along the Towne Thus Tacitus reporteth The Mothers doe nurse their owne childen and doe not put them forth to Nurses Caesar saith that they account it unlawfull to wrong a stranger which commeth unto them upon any occasion so that they are ready to protect them from all injuries their houses stand open and they eate one with another And here good manners prevaile more than good lawes in other places The greatest part of their food as Caesar mentioneth doth consist in milke cheese and flesh Plinny witnesseth that they live by no other graine but Oates and Mela addeth that in times of want they will eate raw flesh At dinners as Athenaeus witnesseth they have peeces of meate roasted and they drinke milke and wine Their fare is homely as the flesh of wilde beasts Crabbes or sowre milke their drinke is made of Barley and wheate neither is there any Nation more magnificent in entertainment or in feasting But as no man or Nation is without some vice so they count it no shame to drinke night and day Concerning their habit Tacitus saith that they all weare a kinde of Cloake button'd before which loosely hangeth over their shoulders the same Tacitus saith that the Germaines did not weare a loose garment but a straite bodyed garment such as Sidonius saith the French did use The women doe goe in apparell like the men Heretofore the Germaines were strong of body but rude and ignorant of Arts. But now they doe make all kinde of excellent manufactures and workes and most especially they are skilfull in casting of brasse and in the knowledge of mettalls In this Countrie brasse Ordinance and Printing were first invented and the making of Clockes was found out and lastly Germany is such a Nursery of all Arts that it doth perfect some and findeth out other Inventions Also it transporteth into Countries both neere and remote the best Wines Gold Silver Coppresse Tinne Lead Quicksilver Alume and divers painting colours also Corne and divers other commodities WEST-FRIESLAND SOme doe write that Frisia or Friesland was so called from Phrygia other doe derive the name thereof from the extreame coldnesse of the Country Abbas Spanheimus by the authoritie of Hunibald a great corrupter of Historicall truth doth fabulously report that it was so named from Frisus the sonne of Clodio the hairy King of France Hadrian Iunius thinketh that it was so called from the freedome and libertie which the people alwayes desired Moreover Friesland is an auncient Countrie of Germanie well knowne to the Romanes for their warlike virtue and Valour which never changed its name Tacitus maketh them twofold namely the greater and lesser Frieslanders The greater saith he and lesser Frieslanders are so called in regard of their strength The greater Tacitus properly calleth Oostfrieslanders not those Embdames who doe now usurpe that name for those are the lesser Chaucians but the Staverians Succians Franicians and the Townes of Harling and Leovardia Also the West-Frieslanders who being in the farthest part of Holland are called Northollanders and they doe confine on the Caninifatians as Plinny describeth them for these two Countries of Friesland doe stretch from the Rhene even to the Ocean Now the River Amisis divides it into West and East Friesland West-Friesland which is now so called from the situation whose description we doe heere exhibit and set forth to view is most properly and anciently called Friesland and was alwayes accounted the better part On the West and the North the Sea doth compasse it on the South it hath a large Bay commonly calle Zuyder-Zee and the Province of Trans-Isalana on the East it is encompassed with the River Amisis which divideth it from the Busactorians and Westphalia The aire is every where wholesome except where it is infected with the foggie exhalations of the Marshes which are purified againe by the windes The Country of West-Friesland is now for the most part Moorish being low and overflowed in many places with water which lye upon it not onely in the Spring but also in Sommer time and in regard heereof it hath little stoare of corne For these yeerely inundations which come betimes and goe away slowly doe either kill the seede or drive it up and downe Yet heere are excellent pastures for fatting of Cattell of which the Frieslanders may boast for they reape commodity and profit by them so that the inhabitants doe every yeere make an incredible gaine of Butter and Cheese which they transport abroad besides that which they dayly spend at home for it hath great heards of Oxen and breedeth also excellent horses It hath some woods but those so thinne of WEST-FRIESLAND FRISIA occidenta trees that they doe not yeeld wood enough to make a good great fire such as Martial and Horace doe desire Dissolve frigus lignum super focum largè reponens But provident nature hath given the Frieslanders and Hollander insteed of wood a certaine kind of turffe which being digged out of the earth and dryed in the winde and Sunne doth burne very well which is a better fuell than that which the Scythians used
Lichtenavius doe call them Wormbser-B●s●●●umbs But P● on the contrary affirmeth that the Vangionians are those of Sp●res and the Nemetians those of Wormes and Irenicus addeth this reason namely because Ptolemie who in description of Rhene did usually proceede from the South Northward doth first mention the Vangians and afterward the Numetians But Sig. Gemblacensis who writ about five hundred yeares agoe calleth Wormes the Cittie of the Vangionians Also Iohn Herald doth gather out of an inscription that the Cittie Wormes was heretofore called the Watch Tower of the Vangionians There are 48 Citties in the Palatinate the chiefe whereof is Heidelberg where the Prince Palatine keepeth his residence It was so called either from the people whom the Germaines call Heyden or from the Mir●le-tree which they call Heydelbeer and heereupon the most learned Melissus doth call this Citty Myrtilletum T●a● which Pyramius calleth Durlacum others more rightly doe call Durlach Iohn Herald doth call it Capellatium others doe call Cap●llatium the Palatinate as we sayd before Munster calleth it Bergstras which standeth in the way from Frinckford to Heydelburg Some doe suppose that the Cittie which Ptolemie calls Beudoris was scared here but this is but conjecturall For Ptolemie placed Beudoris in the 51 degres of Latitude when as Heidelberg is in the 49 degree and 35 minutes of Latitude Some suppose that it should be read and written Edelberg which signifies the noble Mountaine and others Eidleberg which signifies the neere Mountaine It is situate by the River Nicrus or N●icarus in the entrance of the Mountaines it hath beene a famous Vniversity for learning and Arts from the yeare 1356 being then instituted by Rupert the elder Prince Palatine who sent for one Marsilus from Paris to be governour thereof And from that time it was well replenished with learned men and students The most famous Doctors were Rodolphus Agricola Iohn Dalburgius Iohn Virdungus William Xilander Thomas Erastus Zachary Vrsin and many others Moreover the whole Palatinate is divided into foure Praefectureships as Heydlebergensian the Alzaeens●●● the Neostadiensian and the Mosbachensian which are so called from the Citties of Hedelberg Alzea Neostadium and Mosbacum There is also Bretta which is a small Towne neere the River Salza in which Philip Melanchton was borne who writ much concerning the liberall Arts also Ladeburg so called from the Romaine Tents halfe of which was pawned to Duke Rupert the elder the other part came to the Bishop of Wormes Sifrid of Stralnberg sold unto the aforesayd Prince in the yeare 13●7 the Towne Schriess●n and the Castle of Stralnberg And in the yeare 1344 the Towne W●inheim was given to the Prince by awardment of Arbitrators which heretofore the Bishop o● Moguntinum did possesse There are also the Townes Cauba G●l●usen Sintzon Luden by the River Tuberus Oppenheim Caesar●a ●●tra Inge●heim Lowenstein and in Brureinia there is Bruxells and others as may be seene in the Table and also many Castles and Villages The chiefe Rivers are Rhene and Neccarus The latter doth water and cut th●ough the middle of the Palatinate and doth discharge it selfe into the Rhene neere Ladeburg the auncients did call it Nicer it hath great store of Mullets which are commonly called Barbells Also there continually commeth downe this River great pieces of timber from the wood Otto which the River Necarus bringeth into the Rhene The lesser Rivers are Tuberus Lutherus Iaxtus and others The Country is both Mountainous and field ground It hath high Mountaines which doe beare excellent Vines of which the Rhenish Wine is made And there are Woods which yeeld stoare of game for hunting The chiefest whereof is the Wood Otto which is a part of the Hercynian Wood the breadth thereof is from the River Necarus even to Manus and the length from the Mountainous way called Bergstras even to the River Tuberus But so much hitherto There were many Churches in the Palatinate and many Monasteries as the Monastery of Lorsch which was built by Charles the Great or as some suppose by Pepin Concerning the Library thereof Munster writeth thus There is not a place in all Germanie where there is a more ancient Library than in this Monasterie I saw there a Manuscript written with Virgills owne hand and in it Ammianus Marcellinus his last booke was found which is now published being written before in great capitall letters Iohn Dalberg Bishop of Wormes a learned man did take the best bookes from thence and put them in the Librarie at L●den●u●● There are foure Electors in Germanie the Palatine of Rhene the Arch●ishops of Mentz of Triers and Colen The free Citties are Men●z Colen T●●r and Gelenhausen The Princes and Lords are the Count Palatine Count Nassaw and Beilslaine H. Reiffersche●de and Rheineck T●utscb Ordens Hern in Coblentz the Abby of S. Maximinus neere Triers the Provost Seltz H. Nider Eisenburg But so much hitherto I come to the Dukedome of Wirtemberg THE DVKEDOME OF VVIRTEMBERG THe Dukedome of Wirtemberg commonly called Wurtembergerlant was so called from the auncient Castle Wirtemberg which standeth in the middle thereof on a high hill not farre from the Emperiall Cittie Essing This Country of Wirtemberg doth lye by the River Nicrus It hath on the East the Swevians Vindelicians and Noricians on the West the Palatinate and the Marquiship of Baden on the South it hath the Mountaines of Arbon and the Swevian Alpes for so the Inhabita●ants doe call the higher Mountaines of this Countrie on the North Franconia and not farre off the wood Otto The ayre of this Country is very wholsome and temperate both in Winter and Summer It is as fruitfull also as any part of Germanie both for Wheate Pulse Wine and other fruites But yet all the Country is not of one soyle for that part where the River Neccarus ariseth and confineth on Hercynia and that which lyeth by the Swevian Alpes betweene Danubius and Nicrus is rugged and unfit for tillage or planting of Vines On the Alpes it is a stony soyle but very fruitefull and also by the blacke Wood it hath a sandy red coloured earth which yeeldeth great store of Corne. But there where the River Neccarus floweth through the Champion ground it is very fertile and fruitfull for it hath every where hills crowned with Vines greene Meddowes fruitefull fields and great store of Wine Corne and Apples This Dukedome also hath Mines of Silver not farre from Wiltberg and it is sayd that the Towne P●●lathium is built on Mines of Brasse it hath also Iron and Brasse There are divers coloured stones found which for the most part are enameld and streakt with blew So that it seemes that Nature did endeavor to enrich this place with pretious stones There are divers kind●s of living C●eatures and in the Woods there are an inumerable sort to bee seene It was made a Dukedome in the yeere 1495 by the Emperour Maximilian in a meeting or Parliament held at Wormes and he made
which these are called to Councell first the Clergie as the Bishops of Bamberg of H●rbipolis of Wirtzburg Duke of Franconia of Eichstett der Teutsch Ordens Master the Provost of Camberg the Abbot of Saint Gilgen Secondly the secular Princes as the Marquesse of Brandenburg Burgervom Nurenberg the Countes of Hennonberg of Castel of Wertheim of Rhemecke of Hohenloe the Lords of Reichelsperg and Limpurg and the Countes of Horpach and Schwartzenburg Thirdly the free Citties as Norunberg Rottenburg Winshaim and Schweinfurt Many Rivers which be full of fish doe water this Country the chiefe whereof are Moenus and Sala accompanied with eight lesser Rivers also Sinna Rhadiantia A●stus Tubera and some other It hath these woods Speshart Ottoes wood and other parts of Hercinia which doe enclose it as it were round about with a growing wall It is a warlike Nation Noble witty and laborious Men and women doe both plant Vines so that none are suffered to be idle THE DVKEDOME OF BAVARIA The second Circle of the Empire WE come now to Bavaria which were so called by the addition of one letter from the Avarians the remainder of the Hunnes who having droven out the Noricians seated themselves in that Countrie and also Bojaria from the Bojans a people of Gallia Cis●lpina who sometime dwelt heere it is commonly called Beyeren It hath on the East A●stria on the West Sucvia on the South 〈◊〉 Rhetian A●pes and on the North Franconia The length is 29 Germane miles The breadth five and twentie The ayre is very wholesome and the Countrie very pleasant and generally very fruitefull but yet it hath no great store of Wine nor Corne but in some places it hath a ●●●●e of shar●e hedge Win. The richer Wines are brought thither out of Alsaia Franc●●to and Austria There is great store of Cor●e about Ra●ispon and Landshat Moreover it hath abundance of S●l● fruite Iron Cattle Fowle wil ●e beasts and all things necessarie to life It doth breede great store of Sw●●e which feede on ●cornes and crabbes so that as Hungarie fur●isheth other Countries with Oxen so this Countrie furnisheth most parts of Europe with Swine And besides Beares Boares and other kindes of wilde beasts it hath great heards of Deere which they cannot hunt without the Princes leave In the yeare 1562 on the 22 day of August there was a Hart taken in Bavaria of so large a body that it weighed 625 pound The Nariscians Vindelicians and Noritians were formerly seated here The Nariscians whom Aventinus calleth Nortgew and Melanchton Narcaw are divided from the rest by the River ●anubius The Vindelicians according to the auncients Description are situated betweene the Rhaetians and Noricians Rhaetia is twofold the one is larger containing the Vindelicians the Noricians and the Rhaetians the other is lesser The River Lycus doth separate the Vind●l●cian from the Rhaetians if we beleeve Ptolomie but if we follow Strabo they are separated by the Rhene and the Brigantine Lake which we have shewed in our description of Helvetia Danubius doth part them from Germ●nie and the Alpes f●om Italie Marcus Velserus hath rightly observed out of Ricardus the name of the Vindelicians Respicit lase fluvios Vindamque Lycumque Miscentes undas nomina littoris unde Antiquam gentem populumque urbemque vocarunt Vindelican● It sees the Rivers Vinda and Lycus flow Mingling their names and waters as they goe Whence the Countrie and the people it containd And Cittie too were Vindelicians nam'd It may be gathered out of Plinnie and Ptolomie that there were certaine Countries and Citties belonging to the Vindelicians Augustus sent to conquer them Tiberius Claudius Nero and Nero Claudius Drusus who were both the Emperours sonnes in Law who having quickly dispersed and dissipated the Barbarians forces did easily overcome them and reduc'd them to subjection See Paterculus Lib. 2. Dion Lib. 53. and Horace Lib. 5. Odar The Noricians do begin from the River Oenus and so bend South East even to Hungarie and Italie They were alwayes great souldiers and being accustomed to warre they did often invade the bordering Romanes As appeareth by the Norician sword which Horace celebrateth And also by an inscription which is found on this side Danubius to this effect and in these words DIS MANIBVS ET MEMORIAE LEGIONVM ET MEMORIAE MISERRIMORVM VINDELICIS PRAEFECTIS MOCENIANIS ET VICTORI ET AVRELIO FILIIS VINDELICIS SVRINVS INFELIX PATER F. C. THE DVKEDOME OF BAVARIA BAVARIA THE PALATINATE of the Lower BAVARIA Jn which is the Landgraviate of Lutchtenberg 33.27.49.35 It is in the second Circle of the Empire We doe not yet know the other Nobilitie The Meridians are distant according to the proportion of the Parallels 49 and 51 to the greatest Circle THE PALATINATE of the Lower BAVARIA Palatinat Bavariae In the yeare 1575 the Noribergians did institute an Academie of Vniversitie at Altorsium and drew thither with great stipends and pensions Professors of the tongues also of the Arts Philosophie and other faculties As appeares by an inscription at Altorsium Inventuti Religionis Christianae Doctrina Linguis Latina Graeca Optimis denique artibus ac disciplinis informandae Georgio Volkanfro Philippo Geudero Hieronymo Baumgartnero Oppido Praefecto Senatus Nortbergensis Scholam hanc nobilem Patriciam aperiri solemniter introduci voluit 3. Cal. Iul. Qui dies Petro Paulo Apostolis Sa●ra est Anno à nato Christo Salvatore 1575. That is George Voll●anfrus Phillip Geuderus Hierom Baumgartner being learned Praefects and Balthaz●r Baumgartner being Praefect of the Towne the Senate of Norinberg hath solemnely instituted and ordained this Noble free Schoole for the instructing of youth in the doctrine of Christian religion as also in the Latine and Greeke tongues and lastly in all good Arts and Sciences on the third of the Kall Iul. which day is sacred to the Apostles Peter and Paul and in the yeare from the birth of our Saviour Christ 1575. This tract of Land hath many other Townes besides this Metropolis as also divers monasteries and Villages one of the chiefest Townes is Amberg which was walled about in the yeare of Christ 1030 also Auwerback Sultback and the Monasterie of Castel where the Princes of Nortgow did formerly keepe their Court also the Townes Eger Beierut E●stet Napurg Newenstadt Ruwenkelm Kemnat Krusen Grewenwerdt and the Castell Gainum which is so called from wayling or Lamenting For heere Danubius passeth by dangerous fearefull places which make the Marriners cry out when they passe by it in the Germane Language it is called Die Strudel from the noyse and violence of the waters there are also the Townes Eschenback Weiden Parnaw Pleistein Herspruck Rurbaock Neumarkt Tursentur Elbagen Cham Schonsee Kunsperg Stauff and some others which for the most part belong to the Prince Palatines This Country also of Nortgow doth include one of the foure Landgraviates which were heretofore instituted by the Emperours namely Lutchtenberg in the second Circle
Towres on the walls and heretofore 750. There are the 14. Quarters and Regions of the Citty but their names are changed It is watered with the River Tiber and Almo There are also in many places the ruines of Fountaines and Aqua ducts or Conduites There are divers Market-places and seven Hills within the walls Whence some doe call Roma Septicollis because it is seated seven Hills Varro calls it Septimontium and Statius Sc●●mgemina Moreover there are in this Citty above 300. Churches There are foure Vaults under earth where when the Emperours did persecute the Christians they hid themselves There were and are 28. Churchyards or burying places There are five publike Hospitals for Strangers of all Nations and 20. severall Hospitals for severall Nations besides an University And there are Seminaries and Colledges of all Nations instituted by Pope Gregory the third There are many publike Libraries three in the Vatican one of choise Bookes which is shut and another which is not kept so close and a third which on Holy-dayes is open two houres for all commers There are also other Libraries in S. Maries Church and the Church of the Altar of Heaven S. Martins S. Augustines and other wheres There are also divers Gardens and Palaces in this Citty which belong to the Pope and the Cardinals There are both publicke and private Conduites Bathes Triumphant Arches Amphitheaters Theaters Cirques Galleries Pillars Spires Colosses or great Images Pyramisses Horses Statues and many other such like antiquites which our intended brevitie will not permit us to number or describe He that beholdeth these things and compareth them with ancient Rome may worthily say Qui miseranda videt veteris vestigia Rom● Ille potest merito dicere Roma fuit Hee that the ruines doth of Rome behold May justly say that this was Rome of old And so much concerning Rome from whence as you goe Southward the Towne which the Latines and Greekes call Ostia doth offer it selfe which hath an unwholesome pestilent ayre but the soyle beareth great store of Melons So leaving Ostia I will take a view of the other chiefe Townes of Latium which are seated by the Sea Neptunium is situate on a more fruitfull soyle where the Citizens have leisure to Hawke and Fish There is also As●ura which is a memorable place both by the vnworthy death of M. Tullius Cicero who was slaine there as he fled from Antony and also by the fatall death of Corradinus the sonne of the Emperour Frederick the second whom Charles Eculismensis put to death There is also Taracina or Tarracina which Strabo calls Taracina Ptolemy Tarraecina Stephanus Tarracine and Antoninus Tarracina In the Volscian language it was called Auxur It is a small Towne but neat and populous The walls are made of square stone without Mortar or Cemont the soyle round about is fruitfull and pleasant abounding with Oranges Citternes Lemmons and such like fruit Cajeta which Strabo calls Cajatta and now Gajetta is a well fortified Citty having an impregnable Castle on the top of a Mountaine which in former time the Frenchmen being expulsed Ferdinand King of Arragon and Naples did wall it about Spartianus reports that there was a famous Haven here which was much renewed and re-edified by Anton. Pius But now there is none The next is Velitra which Strabo calleth Belitra and Stephanus Belitre or as some doe write Belletri it is an ancient Towne of the Volscians faire and populous and it is a Bishoprick it hath a delightfull Situation and a pleasant Prospect and it is walled about That which the Latines and Graecians doe call Alba the ancient Writers doe surname it longa Alba or long Alba in regard of the Situation It is now called Savello if we may credit Leander others doe call it Gandolffi or S. Gandolffo It was built by Ascanius the Sonne of Aeneas 30. yeeres after Lavinium CAMPAGNA DI ROMA OR LATIVM· LATIUM nim Campagna di Roma was built but now it is desolate Now let us describe the more Northerne parts of Latium by the way Valeria Tiburtina Here the first is that which Ptolemy calls Tiber Strabo Tibura and now Tivola It is a Citty by the River Aniene being 150. Furlongs distant from Rome having a temperate ayre and a wholesome situation in regard it hath great store of Waters and Springs and it is a Bishoprick Maruvium by the Lake Fucinum was heretofore the chiefe Citty of the Marsians now there are some ruines onely remaining which are commonly called Marvo The Latines and Strabo doe call it Alba. And Strabo reporteth that the Romanes were wont to assigne Alba because it was situate in the innermost parts of the Country and was well fortified as a Prison for those which were to be kept in custody but now it is fallen downe and ruinate Praeneste which Strabo calls Praenestus Ptolemy Praenestum and now Pilastrina had heretofore a very pleasant and delightfull situation on a bending Mountaine by the River Venest●is in so much that when the Romane Empire flourished the Emperours did often make it their place of retirement and recreation There is a Castle on the top of the Mountaine and it is now a Bishoprick Tusculum was famous heretofore which they suppose by the ruines yet remaining was not farre from Frasca●a There are more Townes in this noble part of Italy which for brevity sake wee omit There are also Lakes in Latium as the Lake Hostia which is commonly called Stagro Betweene Marinus and long Alba there is the Alban Lake which Livy mentions Lib. 5. it is now called Lago di Castel Gangolfo there is also the Nemorensian Lake which is now called Lago di Nemo the Lake Iuturna or Regillus now called Lago de S. Prassode the Lake Fucinus now called Lago di Marsos Pliny also describeth the Pontine or Pomptine Lake in Latium which is now called the Lake Aufente There is also the Fundane Lake the Tiburrine the Coecubian and the Simbruine Lakes The Rivers are Tiber which I have delineated in the generall description and divers other Rivers which having lost their names doe runne into the Sea with it The other Rivers of Latium as they were anciently call'd are Numicius Loracina Stura Nymphaeus and Vfens Moreover besides the 7. Hills aforesaid whereon Rome is seated Albanus is most famous in all Greeke and Latine Writers The Mountaine Caecubus which reacheth to the Cajetan Bay is noted for bearing excellent rich Wines There are also the Mountaines Vestinus Algidus Aventinus Lepinus Catillus Halicarnassaeus doth mention the Ceraunian Mountaines of Latium The Woods are Feronia Iupiters Wood Diana's Wood the Wood Naevia the Muses Wood the cold Wood the Wood Albuna the Wood Angitia and the Wood Furina The people of this Country even untill these times except it be in the Cities are rude rustick stout and strong of body Mercator doth thus describe the Ecclesiastick government Rome is the Mother Church in which the Pope resideth and hath under him within the Citty 5.
over-against the Easterne Promontory of the greatest Iland Neere which there are many other Ilands to which the English have given severall names And that they might not want fresh water they have digged Wells not farre from the Sea shoare for the Sea doth not flow above a foote high The ayre in these Ilands is cleere and temperate and not too hot so that fruits brought from other places doe grow and thrive here very well but yet for want of heate they doe seldome come to maturity or ripenes they reape two Harvests in a yeere and their Wheate is bigger than ours Two graines of Maiz will grow to a pound waight Neither are they much troubled with cold or raine by reason of the divers windes which come from the Sea which doe also mittigate the heate they have thunder often but it doth no harme There are no venamous creatures in these Ilands neither doth the earth bring forth any venemous thing except one Plant. So that the English doe live here peaceably and commodiously and have abundance of all things necessary A DESCRIPTION OF THE SVMMER ILANDS Mappa AESTIVARVM Insularum alias Bermudas dictarum ad Ostia Mexicane SOVTHERNE AMERICA· SOutherne America or Pervana followeth betweene which and new Spaine there is a Neck of Land or Isthmus which is 18. miles broad Which keepeth the Country Pervana from being an Iland and it is called the Province Dariena from the great River Dariene Moreover all Southerne America hath the forme of a Pyramis being broad beneath and sharp toward the top the Base whereof is neere the Isthmus Northward the top thereof doth lesson by degrees like a Wedge even to the Straits of Magellan toward the Southerne Pole and so endeth in a sharp point The parts of it are many but these 5. are the chiefe Castella aurea Popajana Peruvia Chile and Brasilia Castell aurea or Castiglia del oro was so called from the great store of Gold which it hath It is situated by the Isthmus which joyneth the Southerne part of America to the Northerne The breadth of the Isthmus is 73. miles But this part of Land is but little inhabited in regard of the intemperatenesse of the ayre and Marshes or standing waters And it hath no Corne but they gather their Maiz twice or thrice a yeere It hath two Citties Nombre de dios by Mare dael Nort or the North Sea and Panama by Mare del Sur or the South Sea It hath Gold-bearing Rivers and Mines of Gold whence great store of Gold is gotten The Country Popayana beginneth from the North side at the Citty Antioch and endeth on the South side at the Citty Quinto Therefore it is bounderd on the North with Castella aurea from which it is separate by the Citty Antioch On the South it bordereth on the Country Pervana and is parted from thence by the Citty Quinto on the East it is bounderd with the Kingdome of New Granada and the Country Pervana which beginneuh from thence Eastward On the West it hath the Southerne Sea This Country is full of high rugged Mountaines SOVTHERNE AMERICA AMERICA MERIDIONALIS The Kingdome of Chili is situate beyond the Tropick of Capricorne betweene Peruvia and the Country of the Patagons the latter on the North side the former on the South side on the West it hath Mare Pacificum or the peaceable Sea It was so called from the cold in these parts which is so vehement that it will freeze Horses and their Riders untill they be hard as Ice It hath raine and thunder and severall seasons according to the time of the yeere as in Europe but that it is Summer with them when it is Winter with us All the Country is partly Maritine and partly Mountainous the Maritine part which lyeth neere unto the Sea is the hotter The soyle is naturally fruitfull and hath abundance of all things necessary as Honey and Woad for Diers c. It hath also long Pepper and the Vines which were brought thither out of Spaine and planted there doe yeeld good Wine It hath also geeat store of pure Gold And the fruits which are brought out of Spaine and planted here doe easily grow here are great store of Cattell and Ostriches The Metropolis is S. Iames his Citty which is a Colony of Spaniards That part which lyeth neere the Sea is watered with many Rivers which together with the Snow which melteth with the dayes heate doe fall downe from the tops of the Mountaines and so runne into the Pacifique or Magellanick Sea but for the most part the vehemency of the cold doth freeze them by night but in the day time they runne when the Ice is thawed The Mountaines in these Countries doe exceed all the other Mountaines in the Indies The more Easterne Country Brasill remaineth which was so called from the great store of red wood growing there which is called Brasill wood It is situate betweene the two Rivers Maragnon and Della Plata Maffejus describeth it thus Brasil runneth forth from 2. degrees from the Aequator to 45. degrees Southward it lyeth in a triangular or three cornerd figure the Basis whereof is turned against the North and so runneth straite forward from the East unto the West The farthest corner or point doth reach to unknowne Countries Southward The East side hath the Ocean betweene it and Aethiopia A high ridge of Mountaines doth part the other side of it from the Province of Peruana which are so high that Birdes are tyred with flying to the top of them All the Country is pleasant and hath a delightfull wholesome ayre by reason that the gentle Breezes of winde which come from the Sea doe dispell the morning vapours and clouds and doe purifie the ayre This Country openeth partly into Plaines and riseth gently into Hills having a fat Glebe and a fruitfull soyle alwaies greene and for the seed which is sowne it returneth a great interest of increase and especially it hath great store of Sugar It hath many wilde Beasts which are partly knowne and partly unknowne and Birds of an excellent colour Here are many Colonies of Portugals who having built many Houses to boyle Sugar in namely Pernambicum Caput St. Augustini Portus Omnium Sanctorum where the Bishop and the President of the Province are resident This part of the Country is full of Fountaines Woods and Rivers as the Silver River which runneth into the Sea 40. leagues with such violence that the Marriners can take in fresh water from thence before they discover Land The Brasilians doe worship no Gods at all yet they adore the rising Sunne and they beleeve the immortality of the Soule THE STRAITES OF MAGELLANA· ANd so much concerning Southerne America Fretum Magellanicum or the Straites of Magellan are now briefely to be unfolded and described It was so called from Magellan who discoverd this narrow Sea Of whose skill and experience which hee shewed in finding out the Molucco Ilands by a
Riphaean wo●ds which are a pa●t of Hy●cinia for 〈…〉 The Situation The 〈◊〉 of th● So●le and 〈…〉 The variety of living creatures o 〈…〉 of their 〈◊〉 under the wills of Achen Anno 1100. p A Floren is ●cording to the ●nglish val●●tion three s●●●●ings 〈◊〉 of ●●ties The Rivers a Called at this day Dravaniz and anciently Visula Bisula and ●ridanus The commodities of the Sea The Woods The manner of government The 〈◊〉 The Lawes Institutions The Mountaines The Countrie whence so called c So called because the Vene●● anciently lived there The Situation and fruitfulnesse of the Countrie The varietie of living Creatures The Government The Cities The Lakes 〈◊〉 The Woods 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 Their habit● Their commodities The names The 〈◊〉 M●s●●●i● The Situation The temperature of the Aire 〈◊〉 of the Soyle The varietie of living creatures The Government The Cities 〈◊〉 to this 〈…〉 was 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 betweene 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 q 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 Then Diet. Then Traffique The Country whence ●●●●lled The Situation The quality of the Climate The fertilitie of the Soile 〈…〉 T●● Ancient Government ſ Wh● 〈…〉 The Cities The R●●e●s The Woods The Senators Their manners The food Their commodities Samogitia The names The fertilitie of the Soyle Their manners Their food Russia The Citie Leopolis Volhinia The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities Lakes Woods Podolia The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities d So called from the Daci the first Inhabitants who afterward passing into the Cimbrick Chersonesus were called Dani. The names e Because it hath on the Frontiers therof 7 Castles for its defence The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The ●arie●● o● living Creatures The ancient Government The Cities 〈…〉 h 〈◊〉 Pt●l●mie 〈◊〉 i 〈…〉 Millenb●●● k 〈…〉 〈…〉 l 〈…〉 The Wood● 〈…〉 Their manner● The names p Stephanus saith it hath beene called by others Taunais Alope●ia and Maotis The Situation The temper of the Aire The fertilitie of the S●●le The varietie of living Creatures The ancient Government The Cities and Townes Ptolemie calls this Citie Taph●os and Pliny Taphra The Rivers y This Strait is called by Martianus O● Maeotid●● by Marcellinus Pat●res Angustia by the Italian● B●●cadi S Iovanni by Castaldu● S●●t●●d● Cassa and by the Tartars Vo●per● z This L●ke is called commonly Mardelle S●b●●●he by the Italians Mard●lla Tana and by the Arabians Ma●●l Aza●h The Se● a This sea is called by some mare Boreale by Claudianu● Pōtus Amazonius by Flaccus ●out●●● S●ythicu● by Fe●●us Avienus Pontus Ta●●●●us by Herodotu● and O●osius Mare Cammerium by Stra●o Mare C●l hi● by Apolonius lib. 4 Mare Canchasium by Ta●●●tus Mare Pen●●cum by A●●st●d●● Mare P●astan●● by Ovid M●re Sa●●●ati●um by the G●th●s Tanais by the Italians Mar● Ma●o●e by the Greekes Ma●roth●laffa by Lucian Pontu● Niger and by the Turkes Carade●is The mountaines The manner of government The Senators Their manners Their food Their trading and traffique The names whence so called The Situation b So called frō the Cantabri a people of Spain who inhabited upon the coasts thereof c The Atlanticke Ocean though it bee sometimes taken for the whole Ocean yet it is taken properly for that Sea which washeth Europe and Africa upon the West It is called by Ptolemie Mare occiduum exterius by Florus Mare externum and the Arabians call it Magrib d So called frō two Islands in the Mediterranian Sea named Majorca and Minorca but anciently both of them Bal●ares e Called by Ptolemy Ocaso by Mela ●asen by Martianus Iarse by ●●●a●o Idanu● f This Promontorie some have called Sacrum ●ugam and others Caput Europ● ● the head of Europe The temper of the Aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The variety of living creatures The Government g A rose chiefe Captaine was o●●●a●is who overthrow Ro●●ri●● and his 〈◊〉 consisting of ●●000 foot 35000 horse h Who having sent Iulian on an embassage ●o the Moores in Africa in the meane time deflo●●ed his Daughter Cana to revenge which m●a●●e 〈…〉 The names of the Cities The Lakes i This River is called also Doria Duria● Dorius and commonly Dueto k Which is a people which inhabite the Countrie of Toledo l A people of Tar●ace●ensi Hispania The commodities of the Sea Mountain ● 〈◊〉 publick in priva●e workes The manner of Government The Senators and their numbers l There are beside these Coūsells the Counsell of the Low Countries the Counsell of the order of S. Iohn and the Counsell of the Inquisition m A Ducket is according to our English valuation 6 s 8 d n For there are in all 45 Marque●●●●s o Fo●nded by King R●y●● of 〈◊〉 Anno. 984. p A T● New-C●●●●l where the order was instituted by Ferdinand of Leon and confirmed by Pope Lucius Anno 1183. q A Towne which Raymuna Abbot of Pisu●a defended against the Saracem and therefore instituted this order r This order was instituted by Denis King of Portugall and confirmed by Pope Iohn the 22th Aunt 1321. The names and whence so called The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertilitie of th● Soyle The ancient Government ſ A people of ●●usita●● called also Turdecans t So called because as some say Vlysses in his ten yeares travels comming hither built it The Rivers The commodities of the Sea The Havens The Mountaines The publick sacred workes The Universities u The Masters of this Vniversitie made the Commentarie upon most part of Aristotle called Schoks Commbricensis Their manners Their traffick Algarbia whence so called The Situation The Towne● The ancient Government The Situation The 〈…〉 of the Soyle The Cities Leon. The Situation Asturia a This Citie is called by Moletius Asturum Lucus and by Tarapha Br●gentium The Countrie whence so called The Situation The temper of the Aire The fruitfulnes of the Soyle The varietie of living creatures r Whence the Country was called Cantabria The ancient Government The Townes The traffick The Countrie The names The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertilitie of the Soyle y This is also called Testosages by Ptolemy and by Martialis Palladia The River Chalybs The Havens The Mountaines z Some suppose that Navarre had its name from a Towne among the Mountains called Navarrin The Country whence so called 〈…〉 The fertility of the 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Government The C●●●es Th●● 〈…〉 is built 〈…〉 rather ●●part by Nugno B●lid●●a German 〈◊〉 contendeth with Toledo 〈◊〉 the P●●ma●●ship of Spaine b This is a famous Universitie and instituted by Ferdinand the second of Castile Anno 1240. c Here Tostatus was Bishop New Castile The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities The publick seates d Quade reporteth that it hath eleven severall Quadrangles and every one incloystered The Universities The Trades Mechanicke Arts. The name and whence derived The Situation The temper of the aire and fertilitie of the Soyle The Ancient Government e It is ● miles in compasse f
Here likewise studied Avicen Pope Silvester the second and Le●nder g From hence comes our Cordo●an leather h Here was borne Lucan the Poet the two Seneca's i Whose Duke was Captain● Generall of the Invincible A●mad● A. 1●●8 k So called b●cause Tariffa the L●●d● of the Mo●●nto Spaine here landed l Hard by this Towne was fought the notable battle betweene Caesar and the sonnes of Pompey The Countrie whence so called The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertility of the Soyle The ancient Government m He●●e ● Dominick Father of the Dominican Friars studied The Rivers The Mountaines The publick workes The Trades The traffick The Countrie whence so called The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The Cities The ancient Government The names The Situation The temper of the Aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The varietie of living Creatures The ancient Inhabitants Their ancient valour and vertue The Rivers The Mountaines The publick private workes The manner of government The Schooles The Trades a It was called Austrasia either from one Austrasius a President whō Iustinian the Emperour let ov●● this cou●trey or from the world Aus●●● because it is mo●● Eastward th●n ●n● other part of France How by the Mappe to finde out the Longitude and Latitude t A River breaking out of the Alpe● and now called D●●nia u Nine navigable streames saith Heylin p. 84. w Which now they also call Isara x On this River stand the Citie Orleans Nantes and many others y That is the Inhabitants of Gallia Narbonensis which comprehends the Provinces of Languedock Provence and Daulphine and this Countrie was so called from Narbone a Citie in Languedock z This River is called by Marcellinus Sangona or Saugonna by Polybius Scora● and anciently Brigulus as some have written a Lib. 26. 30 b Lib. 43. c A people of Gallia Lugdunensis d A people of Gallia Lugdunensis The publick workes The manner of Government e So called from the words S● Aliqua so often mentioned therein f Some also say that these Pa●rries were erected by Hugh Capet but others more truly think thē to be instituted by Lewis le Ieune Anno 1171 to ayde and assist the King in his Councell The Universities The 〈◊〉 Their manners Their Habit. The Countrie whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The ancient Government The Cities g This Citie is by some called also Corbilum The Rivers The Sea The Havens Their manners The fertility of the Soyle The Situation The Cit●●● i It was anciently called Genabum but in these times Aurelia for that in the year 276. The Emperour Aurelius built it out of the ruines of old Genabum The names whence so called The Situation k It is called Limosin quasi in ●imo s●a The qualitie of the Soyle The ancient Government The Cities The Families The Nobles Their manners The Countrey whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle l This River is called by Ptolemie Canentelum m This Citie is called by some Maluaso● n Then freedome is now lost for they were lately compelled by the now King of France to receive a Garrison of Souldiers in the City and to undergoe the voake of subjection o Now the Rochellers are compell'd by the now King of France to exercise their Religion without the Citie The Countrie whence so called Vasconia The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Cities Avernia The Situatio● The Cities and Townes p This Citie is called by Ptolomie R●●es●●m and 〈◊〉 and by Mer●a●e● Ri●●● q This Citie was anciently called Arverna and Gergobia r Called by Antoninus S●rion and by others Serion Engoulesme The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Cities Townes Turonia The Situation The Cities The State Ecclesiastick Sabaudia whence so called The Situation The fertility of the Soyle ſ This Citie is in compasse about two English miles and is supposed to containe about 17000 Soules Daulphine whence so called t Some say it had its name from Dolphine wise to Gu●gne the second Prince of this Province The Situation The Cities The Countrie whence so called The S●tuation The temp●● of the Ayre The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The ancient Government u In this town was called a Councell by Constantine An. 313. for the quiet establishing of the Church w This Towne is now called Venza The Countrie whence so cal●led 〈…〉 The fertilitie of the Soyle 〈…〉 〈…〉 In this Church Edward the ● King of England did homage to Philip de Val●● for the Dutchie of Guienna y O●telius thinkes it probable that this is that Citie which Caesar in his Commentaries calls Noviodunum The Co●●●● whence so called The Situation The temper of the aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities z This Citie is also called by Gregorius Turonensis ● Treca● a This Citie was called Rhemes from the Rhemag● 〈◊〉 a potent N●tion of these parts See H●ylen pag. 120. The Cities The Vniversity here is accounted the chiefest in Europe as containing 55. Colledges Aim●niu● c●lled th●s Tow●e Pisias The Country whence so called The Situation A Vidamate is as much as to say Vice-dominatus which is an honor used onely in France The lower Picardy The River is called by Ptolemy Phrudis and by Caenalis Sambre This River Caesar calls Axona and Caenalis Disne The Country whence so called The Situation The ancient government The Cities The Country whence so called The fertility The Cries The Country whence so called The Situation The Cities The County of Guisnes The Townes The Rivers The Situation The Country of Maine The nature of the Soile The ancient goverment The Situation The fertility The Rivers The Woods The publike workes The Situation The fertility The ancient government The Townes The Rivers The publike workes Their manners The Situation The fertility The Cities The Country whence so called The Germans call it Lottring The Situation The fruitfulnesse The variety of li●●●g creatures The ancient government The Country whence so called The Dukedome of Burgundie The Situation The Fertility The Ancient government The Citles The Situation The Fertility The variety of living Creatures The ancient Government The Lakes ●●e Rivers The ancient government The Names Whence derived The fertility The variety of living creatures The Rivers The fertility The Citie Zurich The Towne ●urg●um The Situation The Ports Rivers The Mountaines The W●●ds The publicke workes The Court The Senators The Lawes and Statutes The noble familes The learned men The Libraries Their manners Their trading The Towne Suitia The towne Vnderwaldia Glarona The auncient government The Lakes The Rivers The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The names of the Citties The Rivers Mountaines Woods The Government The Ecclesiasticke state Wassia with the 4 officiall Townes Birfler Ardenbug Middleburrough Damme Ostend Aldenburg The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of
the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The Country whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The auncient Government 〈…〉 〈…〉 The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The auncient Government Their Arts. Their Trafique 〈…〉 〈…〉 The names of the Citties The Rivers Their manners Their Trafique Zutphania The Etymologie of the name Their ancient valour The auncient Government Trans Isalania whence so called The 〈◊〉 The fruitfulnesse of the ●●●le The 〈◊〉 The fruitfu●nesse of the soyle The aunci●●● Go●ernment T●● Riv●● The W●ods The publicke workes The Country whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The auncient Government The names of the Citties T●e Rivers Mountaines Woods The Govern●ment The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The auncient Government The Country whence to called The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The auncient Government The Country whence so called The Citties The Citties The Dukedome of Bergen whence so called The Situation The Government The Countie of Marck The auncient Government The Townes The publicke workes The Government The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The Rivers Mountaines 〈◊〉 The Countie of Muers The Situation The chiefe Towne The Dukedome whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The auncient Government The Townes The tempe● of the ●y● The variety of living creatures The auncient Government The Citties and Townes The Countie whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The anci●nt Government The Countie w●en●●●o called 〈…〉 The Country whence so called The Situation The Climate The fertility The Citties The Countrie whence so called The Countrie whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The Countrie whence so called The Countrie whence so called The Situation The auncient Government The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The Countrie whence ●o called The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The variety of living creatures The Cittie of Wittenberg The Citties The Rivers of Saxonie The Wood● Their Lawes The Country whence so called The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The varietie of living creaturese Pl●●e th●s l●●fe 〈◊〉 the q●●re 〈◊〉 of two sheetes in the quire and after 〈◊〉 56● The Situation The fertility The variety of living Creatures The ancient government The Lakes The Woods The Nobility The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the ayre The quality of the soyle The ancient ●overnment The Country whence so called The Climate 〈…〉 The Country whence so called The Woods The Country whence so called The fertility The Lakes The Rivers The Mountaines Parmizan * Rhegium is so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to breake because Sicilie is here broken of and divided from Italie Muskadine whence so called Which was so great that they seem'd to shadow and obscure the beams of the Sunne a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. ab obstipando vel obseuran lo. Pl● The Country whence so called The Situation The 〈◊〉 ●f ●he Soyl● 〈…〉 The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The variety of living creatures The Country whence so called The fruitfulnesse The variety of living creatures The Citties The Country The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The variety of living creatures The manners and beliefe of the Inhabitants The Country whence so called The Situation The temper of the Ayre The f●●●●fulnesse of the Soyle The Names The Situation The fertility The variety of living creatures The ancient government The Country whence so callod The Situation The fertility of the soyle The Country whence so called The Situation The ●emper of the Ayre The ancient government 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 graece Snow The Country The Situation The Cities The Lakes The Rivers The Mountaines The Woods Their government The names of the Citties The Havens Mountaines Their publike workes The private Buildings Their manner of government Their School Their Manners Their manner of feeding Their Traffi●● The Iland The Names The Situation The Climate The Fertility S. Iohns Iland Hispaniola Cuba Iamayca The Country Situation The Climate The variety of Creatures The Rivers The Mountaines Their manners The Country The names Situation The Climate The variety of Creatures The temper of the Aire The quality of the Soile The I le The Names The Situation S. Iohns Citty The Country whence so called The fruitfulnesse of the soyle The Country Situation The variety of living creatures Their ancient of government Virginia so now flourisheth that it vittels other parts The Citties Sir George Summers Butler The Country The Situation Castellana Aurea Whence so called The Country Popayana The Southerne L●nd The Situation The quality of the soyle The variety of liv●●g creatures The Paciffick Sea Their maners A TABLE OF THE FOVRE GENERALL PARTS OF THE VVorld Europe Affricke Asia and America and also of the North-Pole Iseland and the Iles of BRITTAINE Countries A ADea Magaduzzum Fol. 16 Aeolia 18 Aethiopia neere Egypt 12 Aethiopia the innermost 12 Affricke 12 Affricke properly so call●d 12 Ag●dez 12 A●ana 12 Allania 38 Albion 38 Amara 12 America 22 America Northerne 22 America South 22 Angola 12 Angote 12 Anterr●t 12 Anzichi 12 Apulchen 22 Articke Pole 28 Asgara 12 Asia 18 Asia the Lesse 18 Bamba 12 Barbary 12 Barea 12 Barnagnes 12 Borra 12 Benin 12 Bidulgerid 12 Biro 12 Bornum 12 Brasil 12 Bugamedrum 12 Bugia 12 Butua 12 Cafria 12 Cambria 12 Cano 12 Caria 18 Caseva 12 Castella aurea 22 Cayrenaica 12 Cephala 12 Chile 22 Constantina 12 Damali 12 Damar 12 Dara 12 Dauma 12 Del 12 Dobas 12 Ducala 12 Egypt the higher 12 Egypt the Lower 12 Elchausum 12 Elhabata 12 England 38 Errifa 12 Estotiland 22 Europe 8 Ezzaba 12 Fatiagar 12 Fessan 12 Fesse 12 Florida 22 Freezland 28 Gago 12 Galata 12 Garetum 12 Giolosa 12 Goago 12 Gora 12 Goyami 12 Guangara 12 Guber 12 Gueguorre 12 Guinea 12 Guzala 12 Hea 12 Hosiora 12 India 22 Jonia 18 Ireland 33 Jucatan 22 Land of Labour 22 Libya 12 Libya the Innermost 12 Loangi 12 Loegria 38 Lycaonia 18 Lydia 18 Manaemuci 12 Manamotapa 12 Manicong 12 Marmarica 12 Mauritania 12 Mauritania Caesarieusis 12 Medra 12 Meligens 12 Melinara 12 Melli 12 Morocc● 12 Mombazza 12 Mozambique 12 Natolia 18 New France 22 Nicaragua 22 North-Pole 28 Norumberg 22 Nova Hispania 22 Nova Zembla 28 Nubia 12 Numidia 12 Pango 12 Paphlagenia 18 Pemba 12 Pontapolis 12 Peru 22 Plopiana 22 Quiloa 12 Quivira 12 Scotland 38 Seb 12 Semia 18 Songo 12 Sunde 12 Susa 12 Tedletes
Iohn Major doth also call one of these Zeland being fiftie miles in length Moreover the Inhabitants of these Iles doe make a very strong drinke by putting store of Barley in it and are the greatest drinkers of all others yet Boetius witnesseth that he never saw any of them drunke or deprived of sense The next to these are the Ilands called the Hebrides in number foure and forty which Beda calleth Maevaniae Ethicus Betoricae Insulae Giraldus calls them the Incades and Leucades the Scots the Westerne Iles Ptolomie with Pliny and Solinus calleth them Ebudae Pliny writeth that there are thirty of them but Ptolomie reckons onely five The first is Ricina which Pliny calles Rinea and Antoninus Ridunas but now it is called Racline which is a little Iland just against Ireland The next is Epedium now called Ila an I le as Camden witnesseth very large and having very fruitfull plaines betweene this and Scotland lyeth Iona which Beda calleth Hy and Hu being plaine ground in which there is an Episcopall See in the Towne Sodore whence all the Ilands were called Sodorenses it is famous because here lie buried many Kings of Scotland Then there is another which Ptolomie calleth Maleos now Mula which Pliny mentioneth when he saith that Mella of all the rest is more then 25 miles over The Easterne Hebuda now called Skie is stretched along by the Scotch shoare and the Westerne Hebuda lying more towards the West is now called Lewes of which Maccloyd is Governour and in the ancient book of Mannia it is called Lodhuys being mountainous stony little manured but yet the greatest from which Eust is parted by a little Euripus or flowing Sea betweene them The test except Hyrrha are of no note as being rockie unpassable and having no greene things growing in them The Ilands of Man and Wight doe follow of which see those things that are spoken in the seaventh Table of England THE KINGDOME OF IRELAND THE Island of Ireland followeth which Orpheus Aristotle and Claudi●n doe call Ierna Iuvenal and Mela Iuvernia Diodorus Siculus Iris Eustatius Vernia and Bernia the Inhabitants Erin the Brittains Yverdhon and the English call it Ireland Divers opinions as in obscure matters doe arise concerning the originall of these names Some would have it called Hibernia from Hiberus a Spanish Captaine who first possessed it and peopled it some say from the River Iberus because the Inhabitants thereof did first inhabite this Island some ab hiberno tempore from the winter season because it enclines towards the West the Author of the Eulogue from Irnalphus a Captaine It was called without doubt Hibernia and Iuverna from Ierna which Orpheus and Aristotle mention but that Ierna together with Iris Yverdhon and Ireland did proceede from the word Erin used by the Inhabitants therefore the Etymologie is to bee drawne from the word Erin Here Camden affirmes that hee knowes not what to conjecture unlesse saith hee it bee derived from Hiere an Irish word which with them signifies the West whence Erin seemes to bee drawne being as much to say as the Westerne Countrie This Island is stretched forth from the South Northward in an ovall forme not twenty dayes sayle as Philemon in Ptolemie delivers but onely 400. miles and is scarce 200. miles broad On the East it hath Brittaine from which it is parted by the Irish Sea which is one dayes sayle On the North where the Deucaledon Ocean which Ptolemie cals the Northern breakes in it hath Iseland On the South it looketh towards Spaine The Ayre of this Island is very wholsome the Climate very gentle warme and temperate for the Inhabitants neither by the heate of Summer are enforced to seeke shadie places nor yet by cold to sit by the fire yet the seedes in regard of the moistnesse of Autumne doe seldome come to maturitie and ripenesse Hence Mela writeth that it hath no good Ayre for ripening of seedes yet in the wholsomnesse and cleernesse of the Ayre it doth farre exceede Brittaine Here are never any Earthquakes and you shall scarce heare thunder once in a yeare The Countrie is a fat soyle and hath great plentie of fruits yet it hath greater plenty of pasturage than fruits and of grasse than graine For here their wheate is very small so that it can hardly bee winnowed or cleansed with a fanne What the Spring produceth the Summer cherisheth but it can hardly bee gathered in regard they have too much raine in Harvest time for this Island hath windes and raine very often But as Mela saith it is so full of pleasant sweete grasse that when the Cattell have fed some part of the day if they bee not restrained and kept from grazing they will endanger the bursting of themselves Which also Solinus witnesseth concerning this Island Hence it proceedes that there are infinite numbers of Cattell which are the Inhabitants chiefe riches and many flocks of Sheepe which they sheare twice a yeare They have excellent Horses called Hobbies which are not pac'd like others but doe amble very gently No creeping thing nor Serpent liveth here nor also in Crete and Serpents being often brought hither out of Brittaine as soone as they came neere the Land and smell'd the Ayre they died Beda witnesseth that he hath seene some who have beene stung with Serpents that have drunk the leaves of Bookes brought out of Ireland in a Potion and straight-way the force of the poyson was allayde and the swelling of the body went downe againe Ireland hath greater store of Faulcons and Hawkes than other Countries And here Eagles are as common as Kites in some places Besides here is so great a number of Cranes that you shall often see a hundred in a company together In the North part also there are abundance of Swannes but there are few Storkes through the whole Island and those black There are few Partriges and Pheasants but no Pies nor Nightingales Here is such great store of Bees that they doe not onely breede in hives but also in hollow trees and in the cavernes of the earth Giraldus also writeth a strange thing concerning a kinde of Birde commonly called a Barnacle that out of certain pieces of wood floating up and down in the Sea there comes out first a kinde of Gumme which afterward growes into a hard substance within which little Creatures are generated which first have life and afterward have bils feathers and wings with which they doe flye in the Ayre or swim in the water and in this manner and no other this Creature is generated This Giraldus doth testifie that hee hath seene some of them halfe formed which as soone as they came to perfection did flie as well as the rest There are also many birds of a twofold shape as he witnesseth which they call Aurifrisij lesser than an Eagle and bigger than a Hawke whom Nature to delight her selfe hath framed with one foote armed with tallents sharpe and open
hath his Seat at Armach hath these Suffraganes and substitutes under him with the Bishop of Maeth and Deren Ardach or Apde Kilmore Clogher Doune Coner Klancknos Raboo or Ropo and Dromoore For the keeping of the Inhabitants of this Country and Province in order it was fortified with six and fiftie Castles there are also nine Market Townes in it And it is divided into the Hithermost and Furthermost The Hithermost hath three Counties Louth Downe and Antrimme The Farthermost hath seven Monahon Tiroen Armack Colrane Donergall Fermanagh and Cavon Connacia is the second part of Ireland some call it Connachtia the English call it Connagh and the Irish Connaghti it is bounded on the East with part of Lagenia on the North with part of Vltonia on the West it is beaten with the Westerne Ocean and on the South it is environed with part of Momonia or Munster which is inclosed with the River Sineo or Shennin and lyeth over against the Kingdome of Spaine The Figure of it is long and at either end both Northward and Southward it is very narrow but towards the middle it growes longer on either side It is an hundred and sixe and twentie miles long from the River Shennin in the South to Engi Kelling in the North the greatest breadth is about foure-score miles from Tromer the Easterne bound to Barrag-Bay the Westerne limit The whole circuit and compasse of it is about foure hundred miles The Aire in this Region is not so pure and cleare as in the other Provinces of Ireland by reason of some wet places bearing grasse which are called in regard of their softnesse Bogges being dangerous and sending out many thicke vapours The chiefe Citie of this Province being the third Citie of note in Ireland is Galway in Irish Gallive Built in the forme of a Towre having a Bishops See in it and being famous for the frequent resort of merchants thither and also profitable to the Inhabitants by the conveniencie of the Haven which is beneath it and by the easie exportation of Merchandise not far from hence on the Westerne sidely the Islands which are called Arran of which many things are fabled as if they were the Isles of the living in which no man could either die or be subject to death The Province of Connaught at this time is fortified with foureteen Castles it hath nine Market Towns it is divided into sixe Counties or Shires in this manner the Countie of Clare of Galway of Mago of Slego of Letrimme and of Roscomen Media is the third part of Ireland which in their Countrie speech they call Mijh the English Methe Giraldus Midia and Media perhaps because it is in the very middle of the Island For the Castle Killaire in these parts which Ptolemie seemes to call Laberus is in the middle of Ireland as the name Killair doth denote The Countrie reacheth from the Irish Sea even to the River Shennin which river parts it from Connacia It hath a wholsome and delightfull aire It is fruitfull in corne pasturage and flocks abounding with Flesh-meate Butter Cheese Milke and the like and in regard of the multitude of people the strength of faire Castles and Townes and the peace arising from thence it is commonly called the Chamber of Ireland Here is the Towne Pontana which is commonly called Drogheda a faire Town and having a convenient Haven for Ships to ride in But there are some who thinke that the middle part of this Towne on the other side the River is in Vltonia There are also these Townes in Media Molingar Four Delvyn Trimme Kelle● Navan Aboy Dulek and Scrin THE THIRD TABLE OF IRELAND IN WHICH ARE MOMONJA AND THE REMAINDER OF LAGENIA AND CONNACH CONNACIA is the second part of Ireland some call it Connachtia the English Connach and the Irish Connachty It lyeth toward the West and is bounded with the River Sen the River Banna and the Ocean This the Auteri and Nagnatae in the time of Ptolomie did inhabite But there is so neare an affinitie betweene these two wordes Nagnatae and Connaghty that they seeme one to bee derived from the other unlesse we suppose that the word Connaghty did arise from the Haven Nagnatae which Ptolomy mentions and from thence the Country got this name For a Haven is called in their native speech Cuon to which if you adde Nagnata it will not bee much different in sound from Connaghty The Country as it is in some places fruitfull and pleasant so in some wet places covered o're with grasse and by reason of their softnesse called Bogs it is very dangerous as other parts of the Island are and full of darke and thicke woods But the Coasts having many Bayes and navigable in-lets doth as it were invite and stirre up the inhabitants to imploy themselves in navigation yet sloath is so sweet unto them that they had rather begge from doore to doore then seeke to keepe themselves from Poverty by honest labour It is reported in the Irish Histories that Turlogus O-mor O-conor was sole Governour of this Country and that hee divided it betweene his two sonnes Cabelus and Brienus But when the English came into Ireland Rodericke did governe it and called himselfe King of Ireland but he being afraid of the English warres not trying the chance or fortune of the field put himselfe under obedience to Henry the Second King of England Who after revolting from his faith given Miles Cogane was the first English-man who did attempt but in vaine to get Connachtia Afterward William the sonne of Adelme whose posterity were called in Irish Bourki Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester and William de Bermingham chiefe men in England did subject this Country and brought it to civilitie But Bourke or de Burgo and his Posterity were a long time stiled and called Lords of Connach governing this Province together with Vltonia in great peace and tranquillitie and did receive great revenewes out of it untill the onely daughter of Richard de Burgo being sole inheretrix of Connachtia and Vltonia was married to Lionell Duke of Clarence the sonne of King Edward the third But he living for the most part in England and his successors the Mortimers did neglect their Patrimonie the Bourks being their kinsemen to whom they had committed the overseeing of those Lands making use of the absence of the Lords and the troublesome times in England contemned the authority of the Lawes entring into league with the Irish and making marriages with them and got all Connachtia to themselves and by degrees degenerating having left off the English habit they followed the Irish manners It is at this day divided into sixe Counties Clare Letrimme Galwey Resecomin Maio and Sligo There are in it the Baron of Atterith the Baron of Clare and others Here is also Galloway a Towne much frequented by forrain Merchants It is reported that an Outlandish Merchant who
did traffique with the Townesmen did once aske an Irishman in what part of Galloway Ireland stood valuing this Towne as the whole Country and the whole Country as this Towne There are reckoned to Galloway Anner Clare Sligo Arctlo and Alon Townes of note The Auteri whom I mentioned before did heretofore possesse the more Southerne part of this Connacia where is now Twomondia or Claria the Country of Clan-Richard and the Baronie of Atterith which plainely intimateth whence came the name of the Auteri Twomond called by Giraldus Theutmonia which though it lie beyond the River Senus or Shinnin may be added to Momonia is stretched forth into the Sea with a great Promontorie famous for the Seat of an Archbishop which they call Toam and for the Earles thereof namely the O-Brennis who descending from the ancient Earles of Connack were honoured by Henry the Seaventh with the Title of Earles of Twomond This Country or the most part of it the English call Clare-shire from Thomas Clare the youngest sonne of Gilbert the first Earle of Glocester to whom King Edward the first gave this Country Clan-Richard that is the Land of the sonnes of Richard is next unto this it tooke its name according to the Irish custome from one Richard an Englishman called de Burgo or Burgensis who afterward in this Country became a man of great note and power and out of this Family Henry the eighth created Richard de Burgo Earle of Clan-Richard Atterith commonly Athenri doth glory in that warlike Baron Iohn de Bermingham an Englishman out of which Family the Earles of Louth are descended but these Berminghams of Atterith degenerating into the Irish Wildenesse and incivilitie will scarce acknowledge that they were once English In this Atterith Geographers doe place the mouth of the River Ausoba which is now called the Bay of Galway for Galway in Irish called Gallive is seated on it being a faire Towne which through the benefit of the River is filled with many commodities brought thither both by Sea and Land Geographers doe also place the River anciently called Ravius but now Trowis in Connack it is also knowne by the name of Bannus for the inhabitants do call it Banny This River comming out of the Lake Ernus is the bounds of Connack and Vlster THE THIRD TABLE OF IRELAND ULTONIA CONATIA et MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA is the third part of Ireland which in the Country speech is called Mijh the English call it Methe Giraldus Midia and Media because perhaps it lyeth in the very middle of the Island For the Castle of Killaire in those parts which Ptolomie calls Laberus is held to be in the middle of Ireland and so much the name it selfe doth expresse for Lair in the Irish speech signifies the middle Richard Stanthurst writeth thus concerning the Etymon or signification of the word Media In the yeare of the World 2535. five brethren possessing the Islands they resolved to divide it equally into foure Provinces that so they might governe in them severally But least their younger brother whose name was Slanius might bee without some honour they consented together to bestow on him a share taken out of all foure partes Which was received by him chearefully and hence some suppose that it was called Media It stretcheth and extendeth it selfe from the Irish Sea even to the River Shennin which River doth part it from Connack It hath a wholesome pleasant Aire and deligthfull Prospect It aboundeth with corne pasturage and cattle having store of Flesh Butter Cheese Milke and the like and in regard of the strength of the Townes and Castles and the peace arising thence it is called the Chamber of Ireland The Irishmen doe write that this Country heretofore had Kings and that Slanius afterward became sole Monarch of all Ireland But when the English had set foote in Ireland Hugh Lacey did conquer the most part of it and King Henry the Second King of England granted it unto him to hold in fee and stiled him Lord of Media He having his head on a suddaine cut off by an Irishman while he was building the Castle of Derworth left behinde him Hugh Earle of Vltonia and Walter Lord of Trim the Father of Gilbert who dyed before him But by the daughters of Gilbert Margaret and Matilda the one part fell by the Ienvills of the House of Lorraine and the Mortimers unto the King for Peter of Ienvill being borne of that Matilda had issue Ioane who was married to Roger Mortimer Earle of March the other came by the Verdons to many Families in England In our forefathers time by an Act of Parliament it was divided into two parts namely into East and West Media The River Boand or Boyne which Ptolomie calleth Buvinda runneth through the East side and afterward when it hath washed Droghda a faire and populous Town called so from the bridge it divideth that part from Vltonia The Westerne Media hath nothing worthy of memory or note beside Laberus which Camden seemes to call Kaillair and the Towne of Delvin which heretofore did honour Peter Meset and now the renowned English Familie of the Nogents with the title of Barons For Gilbert Nogent as Richard Stanihurst hath it who writ eloquently of Irish matters having a gentlemans estate was rewarded by Hugh Lacy for his service performed in the Irish warres with the Colonies of Delvin and Four from him are the Barons of Delvin descended Those Irish Countries of O-Malaghlem Mac-Coglan O-Madden and Mogoghian whose names have a barbarous sound we leave unto others Among the Townes of Media Pontana is reckoned which is commonly called Droghda being a faire Towne and having an Haven fit for the receipt of Shippes But there are some who place the middle part of this Towne in Vltonia beyond the River There are also in Media these Townes Molingar Four Delvin Trimme Kelles Navain Aboy Dulek and Scrin There are also in this Province neare Fonera three Lakes not farre one from another whereof every one containeth his severall sorts of fish which never come one to another although the way be passable by the River flowing betweene them and beside if the fish be carried from one Lake to another they either die or returne to it againe Here is the River Boand aforesaid called so from the swiftnesse of it for Boan both in Irish and Welch doth signifie swift and Nechamus hath sung of it THE FOVRTH TABLE OF IRELAND WHICH CONTAINETH THE EASTERNE PART AND DOTH present these following Territories to view Glandeboy Tirone Arde Lecale Enaugh Arthule Newry Morne Fuse Vriel and many others also the Cities Armack and Downe LAGENIA THE FOVRTH TABLE OF IRELAND ULTONIA ORIENTAL Et quantum longis carpunt armenta diebus Exiguâ tantum gelidus ros nocte reponit How much the flocks doe eate in the long day The cold dew in the short night doth repay But for the company of Gyants which Giraldus placeth in this
Irish did often use to doe Kerri as it is now called at the mouth of the River Shennin was Anciently their Seat A countrie full of inaccessible and wooddy mountains betweene which there are many hollow vallies having thicke woods in them The Earles of Desmond were heretofore honoured with the dignitie of Counts Palatine hereof but by the wickednesse of men which would have libertie and yet knew not how to use it it was long since converted into a sinke of impietie and a refuge for seditious persons A ridiculous opinion hath invaded and persuaded the mindes of the Wild Irish that hee that doth not answer the great shouting or warlike crie which the rest make when they joyne battell should be suddenly taken up from the earth and as it were flying be carried into these desart vallies from any part of Ireland and there feed on grasse drinke water and yet know not what he is having reason but not speech and at last should be taken by hunters and brought home againe The middle of this Countrie is cut into two parts by a River which hath now no name but floweth by a small Towne called Trailes now almost ruinated where the Earles of Desmond had their mansion houses This River by the situation of it in Ptolemies tables doth seeme to be Dur and saith Camden I would avouch no lesse if Duris which at this day is reckoned among the Hauens of this Westerne Coast be at the mouth of it as I have understood by some Not farre from hence is the Haven Smerwick the word being contracted in stead of S. Mary Wick of which not many yeares agoe when Girald Earle of Desmond a man profound in trecherie towards his Prince and Countrie did daily by severall inrodes waste the Countrie of Momonia a mixt band or companie of Italians and Spaniards arrived being sent unto his aide from Pope Gregory and the Spaniards who having engarrison'd themselves in a place called Fort del Ore seemed not to feare Heaven it selfe But when that famous and warlike Deputie the Lord Arthur Gray came with his forces hee did soone decide the matter For forthwith they yeelded themselves and most part of them were put to death because it seemed most safe and fit so to doe the affaires of the Kingdome requiring it and the rebells being on every hand The Earle of Desmond himselfe fled to the woods and having hid himselfe in a Cottage was wounded by a Souldier or two who rushed in upon him and afterward being knowne he was beheaded for his trecherie and wasting of his Countrie All Desmonia toward the South is subject to the Gangans which the Irish call Dassown the English Desmond heretofore three sorts of people dwelt in it namely the Luceni the Velabri the Iherni which are conceived in some Maps to be the Vterini The Luceni seeme to have drawne both their name and originall from the Lucensii of Spaine which held the opposite Coast The Velabri were so called from Aber which is as much to say as Aestuarii because they were seated neare the armes of the Sea hence also the Artabri and Cantabri were so called Orosius places these at the Promontorie Notium which Mariners at this day doe call Biar-head under this Promontorie the River Iernus is received into the Ocean neare to which stands Dunck-eran a Bishops Seat this Dunck-eran which in the Scottish-Irish is as much as to say the Towne Eran doth not onely expresly shew it selfe to be that Citie Ivernis which Ptolemie mentions but the river to be that Iernus whereof hee speaketh which hath its appellation together with the whole Island from Hier an Irish word signifying the West For it is the farthest River of this Country toward the West as Ireland is the farthest Island Westward of all Europe The Iberni who are also called Vterni that is according to Camdens interpretation the High Irish did inhabit by this River on one side of the Promontorie where are the Havens Berebavim and Baltimore well knowne for the plentie of Herring taken therein neare to which dwelt Mac-Carti More an Irish Nobleman who in the yeare 1566. did deliver render his Lands and possessions into the hands of Elizabeth Queene of England and received thē againe from Her to hold thē by fealtie after the manner of England And at the same time he was created Earle at Glencar and baron of Valentia A man in this Countrie of great name and power and an enemy heretofore to the Giralds who deprived his Ancesters being heretofore as he contended the lawfull Kings of Desmond of their ancient right For these Giralds or Fitz-Giralds being descended from the house of Kildare and having conquered the Irish did here get themselves large possessions and of these Giralds Maurice Fitz-Thomas was created by Edward the third THE FIFT TABLE OF IRELAND Hiberniae v. Tabula the first Earle of Desmond in the yeare of Grace 1355 left so firme so established an inheritance that the aforesaid honour in a continued successiō did descend to this wretched rebel of which I have spoken before who was the tenth Earle after him Next to the Iberni dwelt the Vdiae who are also called Vodiae of which names there remaineth some tokens in the Country of Kilkenni for the greatest part is called Idou Idouth These did inhabit the Counties of Corke Triperarie Linrick Kilkenni and Waterford In the Countie of Triperarie there is nothing worthy of memorie but that there is a Palatinate in it and the little Towne called Holy Crosse that hath great immunities and freedomes granted as the Monkes have persuaded them in honour of a piece of our Saviours Crosse which was kept there The famous River Suirus which the inhabitants call Showr is carried out of this Countrie of Triperarie into Kilkenni This River running out of the Mountain Blada through Ossiria the Lower of which the Butlers are stiled Earles and afterward Thurles of which they are stiled Vicounts first passeth by the Citie Cassilia or Cassel adorned by Pope Eugenius with an Archbishop under whom are nine Suffragan Bishops And from thence growing bigger by the receipt of two other Rivers into it neere Waterford it dischargeth it selfe into the Ocean Hitherto I have runne over this part of Ireland with Camden now it remaines to unfold some things concerning the Cities and Townes in the same Among them the first that offers it selfe is Waterford which is the second Citie in Ireland and alwaies faithfull and obedient to the English governement For after Richard Earle of Pembroke conquered and tooke it it alwaies continued in peacable quietnesse and obedience to the English endeavouring to bring Ireland into subjection whence the Kings of England did grant them many and divers immunities and freedomes which Henry the seventh did encrease and confirme because the Cittizens did behave themselves valiantly and wisely against Perkin VVarbeck who with the wings of impudence thought to aspire to the royall Throne
This Citie was built by Pyrats of Norway which although it have a thick aire a soile not very pleasant and very narrow streets yet such is the conveniencie of the Haven that it is the second Ctity in Ireland for wealth populousnes is filled with many wise well behaved Citizens It hath a safe quiet Haven which is often full of outlandish forraine ships For there are many Merchants in Waterford who in trading do so wisely use their stock so warily cast up their accoūts that in a short time they get great store of wealth they are not for the most part indebted but have ready money There are very few usurers which by fraudulent intolerable interest live upon the goods spoile of the Cittizens by taking them to pawne The Citizens are curteous bountifull thriftie hospitable to strangers and serviceable both in private and publique affaires This Citie was anciently called Menapia as Dublin Eblana or rather Amellana from Amellanus who built it as it is reported that Sitaracus built Waterford and Ivorus Limrick They being Cosen-Germans and heretofore of great authoritie in Ireland There is also in this Countrie Limrick which is the third Citie that excells the rest for commodious situation and for the fairenesse of the River being watered with Shennin the chiefe of all the Irish Rivers though this Citie bee distant from the Sea sixtie miles yet the ship-masters doe bring shippes of great burthen even to the walls of the Citie neither neede they feare any rockes all the way they come up It is wonderfull to see what store and plentie of fish you shall finde there Iohn King of England being enamoured with the pleasantnesse of this Cittie built there a faire Castle and a Bridge There is also Corcagia in the Countie of Corke which the English call Cork and the natives Korkeach environed with a wall not very wide in compasse It is stretched out so as to make but one street yet there is a prettie and very faire market place it hath an excellent safe harbour but hath heretofore beene so encompassed with seditious neighbours that they keepe continuall watch and ward as if they were alwaies besieged and they scarce marrie their daughters into the countrie by reason whereof marrying among themselves all the Citizens are somewhat allied one to another The Citizens are strong in Souldiers they addict themselves to merchandise and governe their affaires both at home and abroad very frugally Coenalis writeth that the holy man Briacus came from hence from whom the Diocesse of Sanbrioch in Brittaine commonly called S. Brieu tooke its name But in this hee wandereth from the truth because he placeth the Coriondi of Ireland in this Citie For Ptolemie doth not mention it at all Yet the River which floweth by it seemeth to be the same which Ptolemie calls Daurona and Giraldus calls Sauranus and Saverenus by changing one letter Learned Camden saith that the affinitie which is betweene these names did intimate so much unto him and that with greater probalitie then if hee should call the next River Daurona which running through the Countie Corke and Triperarie falls into the Ocean by Lysmor and is called by Historians Avenmor that is the Great River of which Nechamus thus writeth Vrbem Lissimor pertransit flumen Avenmor Ardmor cernit ubi concitus oequor adit Avenmor runneth by Lissimors wall And at Ardmor into the Sea doth fall THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND THE Northerne part of the Island of Brittaine is called Scotland heretofore Albania The Inhabitants who keepe their ancient speech doe call it Albain and the Irish Albany as if it were an other Ireland which the Bardes call Banno For Historians doe call Ireland Greater Scotland the Kingdome of Scots in Brittaine the Lesser Scotland Ptolemie doth call it Little Brittaine Rufus the Second Brittaine Tacitus calleth it Caledonia from a certaine Forrest so called But the Scots were so called from their Neighbours the Scyths For as the Dutchmen call the Scyths and Scots by one name Scutten that is Archers so also the Brittains did call both of them Y-scot as appeareth by the Brittish Writers And 't is manifest that they descending from the Scyths came out of Spaine into Ireland and from thence into that part of Albain which they now possesse and grew with the Picts into one Nation Thus much of the Name the Situation followes The Southerne bounds towards England are the Rivers Tweede and Solwey on the North is the Deucaledon Ocean on the West the Irish on the East the German other parts the Ocean and the German Sea doe compasse It is 480 miles long but no where above 112 miles broad The Country is more temperate than France the heate and cold being more remisse in like manner as it is in England but yet it cannot be compared unto it in fruitfulnesse The Earth for the most part is full of Sulphure or moorish which affordeth them coale and turfe for firing especially in those places where there is want of wood Yet here groweth as much corne as the Inhabitants can spend The Earth also bringeth forth divers mettals as Gold Silver Quicksilver Iron Lead and Copper It hath in Drisdale a Gold Myne in which the Azure stone is found It hath also pretious stones especially the Gagate which burneth in the water and is quenched with oyle Also excellent pastures which doe feed and bring up all kinds of Heards whence they abound with plenty of flesh milke butter cheese and wooll When the Scots came to the Picts into Brittain although they stil provok't the English by warres robberies yet the Scottish affaires grew not upon a suddain but a long time they lay hid in that corner in which they first arriv'd neither as Beda noteth for more than an hundred and seven and twenty yeares durst they beare Armes against the Earles of Northumberland untill at one and the same time they had almost slaine all the Picts and the Kingdome of Northumberland by domestick troubles and by the incursions of the Dane was almost ruined For then all the North part of Brittaine came to be called Scotland together with the Countrie beyond Cluide and Edenburgh-Frith The Scots are valiant in warre and stout souldiers to endure hunger watching or cold The chiefe Citie of Scotland is Edenburgh commonly called Edenburrow THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND SCOTIA this royall Seate Ptolemie cals the Winged Castell and not onely the Metropolis of Lauden but also of all Scotland it hath its situation on the Mountaines much like to Prague in Bohemia the length stretched from East to West is a thousand paces or a mile the breadth is halfe as much The whole Citie hangeth as it were on the side of a Mountaine and is highest toward the West toward the North it fortifies the Citie with its steepnesse the other parts toward the East and South are environ'd with a wall On
which there are the Mountaines called Derwentfels in which neere to Newland are found rich veines of Brasse not without Gold and Silver Heere also is found that minerall-earth or hard and shining stone called by the English Black-lead which the Painters use to draw their lines and proportions withall That famous Wall which was the limit or bound of the Roman Empire being 122 miles in length doth divide and cut through the higher part of this Country it was built by Severus who as Orosius saith tooke care that this part of the Island should be seperated by a trench from the other wilde and untamed people Beda writeth that it was eight foote broad and twelve foote high standing in a right line from East to West some ruines and pieces whereof standing for a good way together but without Battlements may be seene at this day as Camden witnesseth The Bishoprick of Durham or Duresme bordereth upon Yorkeshire Northward and lyeth in a triangular or three cornered forme the top whereof is made by the meeting of the Northerne bound and the Fountaines of Teisis On the Southerne part almost where the River retreateth back againe the Cathedrall Church is seene being beautified with an high Steeple and many Pinnacles on the top of a great Hill the Castle is seated in the middle of two Bridges made of stone by which the two streames of the River Vedra the one on the East side the other on the West side are joyned together On the North side from the Castle lyes the Market place and S. Nicholas Church Here are also these Market Townes Standrove or Stanthorpe Derlington Hartlepole or Heorteu Binchester or Binovium and Chester upon the streete which the Saxons called Concester with many Villages and Castles In this Shire and Northumberland there are an hundred and eighteene Parishes besides many Chappels Heere are many Rivers of which the chiefe is Tees called in Latine Tesis and Teisa Polidorus cals it Athesis Camden thinkes it was called by Ptolemie Tuesis though this name be not found in him by reason of the carelesnesse of the Transcribers of his Booke This River breaking out of the Quarri-pit of Stanemore and having gathered into it selfe many torrents running by the Marble Rocks neere Egleston and afterward washing many places at last by a great inlet it casts it selfe into the Ocean whence the basis of the Triangle beginneth There is also the Rivers Vedra or Weare Gaunlesse Derwent c. THE THIRD TABLE OF ENGLAND CONTAING THESE FOLLOWING Shires Westmorland Lancashire Cheshire Caernarvanshire Denbigh-shire Flint-shire Merionedh-shire Montgomerie-shire and Shropshire with the Islands of Mann and Anglesey I Come unto the third Table wherein Westmorland first offers it selfe being bounded on the West and North with Cumberland and on the East with Yorke-shire and Durham It is so called because for the most part it is unfit for tillage for such places as cannot be till'd the English call Moores so that Westmoreland signifies in English nothing but a Morish and for the most part untillable Country towards the West The Southerne part being narrowly inclosed betweene the River Lone and Winander Mere is fruitfull enough in the Valleyes although it hath many ruffe and bare cliffes and is called the Baronie of Kendale or Kandale Afterward above the spring heads of Lone the Country groweth larger and the Mountaines runne out with many crooked windings In some places there are deepe Vales betweene them which by reason of the steepnes of the Hills on both sides seeme like Caves The chiefe Towne here is Aballaba now called Apelby The antiquity and situation whereof is onely worth regard for it is so farre from elegant and neate building or structure that if the antiquity thereof did not give it the prioritie to be the chiefe Towne of the Country and the Assises held in the Castle it would not differ much from a Village There is also a Towne of great resort called Kendale famous for Cloath-making and in this Shire there are sixe and twenty Parishes The Rivers are Lone Ituna or Eden and Eimot Lancastria is commonly called Lancashire and the County Palatine of Lancaster because it is a County adorned with the title of a Palatine It lyeth Westward under the Mountaines which doe runne through the middle of England and is so enclosed betweene Yorke shire on the East and the Irish Sea on the West that on the Southerne side where it looketh toward Cheshire from which it is divided by the River Mersey it is broader and so by degrees as it goeth Northward there where it boundeth on Westmoreland it groweth straighter and narrower and there it is broken off with a Bay of the Sea yet so as a great part of it is beyond the Bay and joyneth to Cumberland Where it hath a levell of field ground it hath sufficient store of Barley and Wheate but at the foote of the Mountaines it beareth most Oates The Soyle is tolerable unlesse it be in some moorish and unwholesome THE THIRD TABLE OF ENGLAND WEST MORLAND CASTRIA CESTRIA etc. places which yet doe requite these inconveniences with greater commodities For the upper grasse being pared off they afford Turfes for fuell in digging of which trees are often found which have laid a long time buried in the earth digging a little lower they furnish thēselves with Marle or Marmure to dung their fields In this Country the Oxen excell all other both for the largenesse of their hornes and fairenesse of their bodies I passe now to the Cities among which wee meete first with the ancient Towne of Manchester which Antoninus calleth Mancunium Mannucia this doth exceed the neighbour Towns for beautie populousnes the trade of Cloathing and for the Market-place Church and Colledge There is also Ormeskirke a Towne of traffique famous by being the burying place of the Stanleyes Earles of Derby There is also Lancaster the chiefe Towne of the Country which the Inhabitants doe more truly call Loncaster the Scots Loncastle because it took that name from the River Lone vulgarly called Lune Camden supposeth this Citie to be that which the Romans did call Alona insteed of Arlone which signifies in the Brittish language at or upon Lone In this Shire are but 36. Parishes but those very populous Here are many Lakes and Moores among which is the Moore Merton and the greatest Lake of all England called Winander Mere which hath abundance of one sort of Fish peculiar unto it self Huls which the Inhabitants call Charre The Rivers are Mersey Idwell Duglesse Ribell Wyre Lack and Lone which flowing out of the Mountaines of Westmoreland toward the South with narrow bankes and an unequall channell enricheth the Inhabitants in the Summer season with Salmon-fish Here are many Mountaines and those very high among which is that which is called Ingleborrow Hill which as Camden saith we have admired rising by degrees with
a great ridge toward the West and the farthest part of it being hightned with another Hill as it were set upon it The next is Penigent so called perhaps from the white and snowie head which is raised to a great height Lastly Pendle Hill which is raised with a high toppe in manner of a race marke famous for the dammage which it doth to the neighbour grounds under it by sending downe great streames of water and by the certaine foreshewing of raine as often as the toppe of it is hidden with clouds Cestria followes commonly called Cheshire and the Countie Palatine of Chester because the Earles of it have the rights and priviledges of a Palatine It is bounded on the South with Shropshire on the East with Staffordshire Derbyshire on the North with Lancashire and on the West with Denbighshire and Flint-shire neare Chester it runneth farre out into the Sea with a Chersonesus which being included betweene two Bayes doth admit the Ocean to breake in on either side and into these Bayes all the Rivers of this Country doe runne The Country is barren of Corne and especially Wheate but abounding with cattle and fish Here is a faire Citie which Ptolemie calleth Deunana Antoninus calleth it Deva from the River Dee on which it standeth the English call it Chester and Westchester This Citie standeth foure square having walls two miles in compasse toward the Northwest is seated a Castle built neare the River by the Earles of Cheshire where the Courts for the Palatinate are held twice every yeare The houses are very faire and there are as it were cloysters to goe in on both sides of the chiefe streetes There are also the Townes of Finborrow and Condate now the Congleton and this Shire hath about 68. Parishes The Rivers which water this Citie are Deuca in English Dee having great store of Salmons and riseth out of two Fountaines in Wales Whence it is denominated in the Brittish tongue Dyffyr Dwy i. the Water of Dwy which word Dwy signifies two Besides there are the Rivers Wever Mersey and Dane Caernarvanshire called before Wales was divided into Shires Snodon Forrest in Latine Histories Snaudonia and Arvonia hath the Sea on the North and West side Merioneth-shire boundeth the South side and Denbigh-shire the East side the River Conovius gliding betweene Toward the Sea the Soyle is fertile enough and full of little Townes among which is the Towne of Bangor the Seat of a Bishop which hath 90. Parishes under it and is situated neare the jawes of the narrow Sea There is also the River Conovius commonly called Conway which bounds this Country on the East and bringeth forth shell-fishes which filling themselves with the dew of Heaven doe bring forth Pearles The Inland Parts of this Country are Mountainous rugged and cliffie Camden saith that you may worthily call these Mountaines the Brittish Alpes Denbigh-shire is more inward from the Sea and runneth out toward the East even to the River Deva On the North side the Sea for a while doth encompasse it and afterward Flint-shire on the West Merioneth and Montgomery-shire on the East Cheshire and Shropshire are the bounds of it The Westerne part is barren the middle part where it lyeth in a Vale is the most fruitfull a little beyond the Vale Eastward Nature is more sparing in her benefits but neare Deva much more liberall In this Country is the Vale of Cluide very happie in pleasantnesse fertilitie of Soyle and wholesomnesse of Aire of which Ruthun or Ruthin is the greatest Market Towne After this is the Territorie called in Welch Mailor Gimraig in English Bromfield very fruitfull and full of Lead The chiefe Towne in this Country is Denbigia commonly called Denbigh and anciently by the Brittaines Clad Frynyn Beyond Denbigh-shire more Northward is Flint-shire It is beaten with the Irish Sea and the Bay of Deva on the North on the East it is bounded with Cheshire and in other parts with Denbigh-shire This shire is not Mountanous but somewhat rising with swelling Hills which are gently level'd into pleasant fields especially those toward the Sea which every first yeare in some places doe beare Barley in other places Wheate which being reaped doth yeeld a twenty fold encrease and afterward they beare Oates foure or five yeares together There is a Towne here which the English call S. Asaph and the Brittaines Llanelwy because it stands upon the River Elwy where there is a Bishops Seat under which are many Parishes and Ruthlan a Towne beautified with an excellent Castle Here is also the River Alen neare which in a hill at a place called Kilken is a Fountaine which in emulation of the Sea at set times doth ebbe and slow Merioneth-shire in Latine called Mervinia and in the Brittish language Sir Verioneth doth reach from the Towne Montgomery even to the Irish Ocean with which it is so beaten on the West that some part thereof is supposed to have beene washt away with the violence of the waves Toward the South it is bounded with the River Dee toward the North it joyneth to Caernarvan and Denbigh-shire By reason of the frequencie of the Mountaines it is the ruggedst and hardest Country of all the Shires in Wales Townes of any note here are very scarce yet here is the Towne of Harlech well fortified with a Castle being the chiefe in the whole Country And here are two famous Bayes Traith-Maur and Traith-Bochum that is the greater and the lesser Bay It hath very high Mountaines narrow and sharpe pointed like Towers and so many of them joyned together by equalitie of distance that as Giraldus reporteth sheepheards either conferring or brawling one with another on the toppes thereof if they both intended to fight yet could they hardly meet together though they should endeavour so to doe by going from morning till evening Great flocks of sheepe doe wander on these Mountaines which feed not in danger of Wolves Montgomery-shire is circumscribed on the South with Cardigan-shire and Radnor-shire on the East with Shropshire on the North with Denbigh-shire and on the West with Merioneth-shire and although it be raised with many Mountaines yet it is happie in the fruitfulnesse of the Valleyes Fields and Pastures and in times past famous for breeding of an excellent sort of Horses which as Giraldus saith were as it were Pictures of Natures workemanship and were commended both for their excellent shape and incomparable speed The chiefe Towne in this Country is Mongomery situate upon an easie ascent of a Hill and built by one Baldwine President of the Marshes of Wales in the time of William the Conquerour whence the Brittaines call it Trefaldwin at this day secondly Lanuethlin a market Towne Salopia commonly called Shropshire as it is a Countie no lesse pleasant fruitfull then the rest so it is much bigger It is enclosed on the East with Stafford-shire on
r Francis Drake Knight who for matters of Navigation was the most excellent of late times Here are also the Townes of Lidston or Lidford Plimpton Modbery or Champernouns Dartmoth Exminster and many other This Countie containeth 394. Parishes The Rivers here are Lid Teave Plim Dert Totnes Teigne Isca Creden Columb Otterey Ax Towridge Taw O●k and North Ewe Somerset-shire followes the bounds whereof on the East are Wiltshire on the South Dorcetshire on the West Devonshire on the North the Bay of Severne and Glocester-shire This is a verie rich soile being in every place exceedingly fertile in fruits and Pasturage in some places affording many Diamonds which do exceed those of India for beautie though they are not so hard The chiefe Citie of this shire is Bristoll called anciently by the Brittaines Caer Brito and by the Saxons Britstow a pleasant place which is beautified with many faire houses a double River and wall a faire Haven much traffique and the populousnesse of Citizens It hath also the towne of Theodorudunum now called Welles from the many wells or springs that there breake forth and Bathonia stiled anciently by the Brittaines Caer Badon by Stephanus Badiza but commonly called Bathe And in this countrie are 385. Parishes The Rivers are Ivell Erome Pedred Thon Avon Somer Brui and Welwe In the next place Dorcetshire which is bounded on the East with Hampshire on the VVest with Devonshire on the South with the Brittish Ocean and on the North with VViltshire and Somersetshire It is of a fertile soile and the North part full of many woods and forrests from whence even to the Sea coast it descendeth with many grassie hills on which feed innumerable flocks of sheepe Durnovaria which Ptolemie according to divers copies calls Durnium and Duneum now is called Dorchester is the chiefe towne of this Shire yet it is neither very great nor faire her walls being ruined long since by the fury of the Danes There are also other towns as Birt-port or Burt-port Lime Weymouth Poole Warham so called because it stands by the River Varia Shirburne Sturminster Winburne called by Antoninus Vindogladia from the Brittish word Windugledy because it stands betweene two Rivers Here are in this Shire 248. Parishes The Rivers are Lim Trent now called Piddle Carr Ivell Wey Sturn Alen Varia so called by the Latines but Fraw or Frome in the Saxon tongue Wiltonia so called by the Latines from Wilton once its chiefe Towne but commonly called VVilshire is an inland Countrie having Oxfordshire and South-hamptonshire to bound it on the East on the West Somersetshire on the North Glocestershire and on the South Dorcetshire and South-hamptonshire The Countrie is every where full of pasturage and fruits The Townes are first VVilton anciently called Ellandunum which was heretofore the head Towne of the Shire Secondly Sarisbury or new Sarum now the chiefe citie and famous for its Cathedrall Church and for that a streame of water runneth through every street thereof Here are also the Townes of Malmesburie Chippenham Trubridge Calne Marleburrow c. And this Shire containeth 304. Parishes The rivers are Isis Avon VVilleybourne Adderburne Ellan and Kennet Glocestria commonly called Glocestershire hath on the West VVales on the North VVorcestershire on the East Oxfordshire on THE FOVRTH TABLE OF ENGLAND Cornub. Devonia Somerset etc. the South VViltshire it is a pleasant and fertile Countrie lying East and West and hath in it many other mines The chiefe Citie of this Countie is Glocester which Antoninus calleth Cleve and Gleve the Latines Glovernia and some Claudiocestria it is an ancient Citie built by the Romans and is seated by the River Severne having a strong wall in those places where the River doth not wash it There are also other Townes as Teukesburie anciently called Theocsburie Deohirst Campden or Camden VVincelscombe Cirencester or Circester Tetburie Barkley c. and 280. Parishes contained in this Countie The Rivers which water it are Severne Avon and Isis commonly called Ouse which afterward by the marriage of Thame unto it is called by a compounded name Thamisis or Thames The Countie of Monmouth called anciently VVentset and VVentsland and by the Brittaines Guent is enclosed on the North with the River Munow which doth part it from Herefordshire on the East with the river Vaga or VVye which divides it from Glocestershire on the West with Remney which disjoynes it from Glamorganshire and on the South it is bounded with the Severne Bay into which those former Rivers together with the River Isc which runneth through the middle of the Countrie do rowle themselves It hath not onely sufficient provision of things necessary for life for it but also furnishes other Countries The chiefe Towne thereof is Monmouth called by the Inhabitants Mongwy towards the North where the River doth not fence it it was encompassed with a wall and a ditch In the middle neare the Market-place is a Castle There are also the Townes of Chepstow called Castlewent Abergevenny or contractly Abergenny which Antoninus calls Gobanneum New-port or Brunepegie and the Citie which Antoninus called Ifa where the second Legion named Augusta lay now stiled by the Brittaines Caerleon and Caer Leonar Vsk. Here the Saxon Heptarchie obeyed the Welch Mountainers who notwitstanding as we may discerne by the auncient Lawes were under the government of the West Saxons But at the comming in of the Normans the Captaines of the Marches did grievously afflict them especially Hamelin Balun Hugh Lacy Gualter and Gilbert de Clare called Earles of Strigulia and Brian of Wallingford to whom when the King had granted whatsoever they could get in that Countrie by conquering the Welchmen some of them reduced the Higher part of the Countrie into their power and others the Lower part which they called Netherwent Glamorganshire lyeth wholy by the Sea side it is longer than broad and is beaten on the South side with the Bay of Severne But on the East side it hath Monmouthshire on the Norrh Brecnock-shire and on the West Caermardenshire The Northerne part swelleth with mountaines which descending toward the South remit somewhat of their height and at the foot of them the Countrie lyeth plaine toward the South In this countrie is the litle Citie of Landaffe that is the Chappell at Taff under which there are 156. Parishes Also Caerdiffe or as the Britons call it Caerdid Cowbridge called by the Brittaines Poratuan from the stonebridge which is there Neath Sweinsey and Loghor which Antoninus calleth Leucarum The Rivers that wash it are Ramney Taff Nide and Loghor The Earles of this Province from the first vanquishing were the Earles of Glocester descending in a right line from the Fitz-hamons the Clares the Spencers and after them the Beauchamps and the two Nevils and by a daughter of a Nevill Richard the third King of
Thamisis Northward On the South it looketh towards Berk-shire being parted from it by Thamisis on the West toward Oxford-shire on the North toward Northampton-shire and on the East it looketh first toward Bedford-shire afterward toward Hartford-shire and last of all toward Middlesex It hath a plentifull soyle and the fruitfull meddowes thereof doe feed innumerable flockes of sheepe The head Towne is Buckingham besides which it hath also the Townes of Marlow Colbroke Amersham Crendon or Credendon so called from the Chalke or Marle by which the Inhabitants thereof manure their Land High-Wickam Stony-Stratford Oulney Newport-Pannell c. and in this Shire are reckoned 185 Parishes the Rivers are Thame Colne and Ouse Bedford-shire followes being joyned on the East to Cambridg-shire on the South to Hartford-shire on the West to Buckingham-shire and on the North to Northampton-shire and Huntingdon-shire it is divided into two parts by the River Ouse That part which is Northward is more fruitfull and woody the other part toward the South which is larger is of a meaner soyle but yet not barren for it hath great store of very excellent Barley In the middle of it there are thicke Woods but Eastward it is more bare and naked of trees The chiefe Towne is Lactodorum now called Bedford which communicates its name to the Shire It hath also other Townes as Odill Bletnesho or Bletso Eaton Dunstable built by Henry the first for suppressing of the robberies of the rebell Dun and his companions it containeth 116 Parishes and is watered with the River Ouse Next to Bedford-shire on the South side lyeth Hartford-shire the West side thereof is enclosed with Buckingham-shire the Northerne side with Middlesex and the East side with Essex and partly with Cambridge-shire It is very rich in corne-fields pastures meddowes and woods The chiefe Towne in the Country is Herudford now called Hertford which doth impart its name to the whole Shire There are also the Townes of Watling-street Fane S. Albane or Verulamium Roiston called anciently Crux Roisiae Ashwell Bishops-Stortford and many others and this Shire hath an 120. Parishes The Rivers are Lea or Ley Stort Mimer and Benefice Now come we to Essex which the River Stour on the North divideth from South-folke on the East the Ocean beateth it on the South the River Thames now growne very wide doth part it from Kent on the West the River Lea divideth it from Middlesex and the little River Stour or Stort from Hertford-shire It is a large Country fruitfull abounding with Saffron being full of woods and very rich here is Camalodunum now called Maldon Also Colchester which the Brittaines call Caer Colin Leyton Bemflot Leegh Rochford Angre Ralegh anciently called Raganeia Dunmow Plaissy or Plessy called anciently Estre Chelmesford now called Chensford Ithancester Earles Colne Barlow Walden called likewise Saffron Walden c. the Parishes are 415. the Rivers are Ley Thames Chelmer Froshwell anciently called Pante and Colne In the next place followes Berroc-shire now called Berk-shire the Northerne part whereof Isis which is afterward called Tamisis doth compasse with a winding pleasant streame and doth divide it from Oxford-shire and Buckingham-shire the Southerne part the River Kennet doth seperate from Hampshire the Westerne part is held in by Wiltshire and Glocester-shire and the Easterne part is confined with Surrey This County on the West side where it is broadest and in the middle thereof is very rich and full of corne especially in the Vale of White Horse and on the Easterne side which is lesse fruitfull there are many long and spacious woods The Townes are Farendon Abington called anciently Abandune and by the Saxons Sheoverham Wantage Wallingford Hungerford Widehay anciently called Gallena Newbery Reading Bistleham or Bisham Southealington now called Maidenhead and Windsore called by the Saxons Windlesora This Country hath 140 Parishes the Rivers which water it are Isis Thames Ocke Cunetio or Kenet and Lambo● Middlesex is divided on the West side from Buckingham-shire with the River Colne on the North side from Hertford-shire with the knowne bounds on the East side from Essex with the River Lea and on the South side from Surrey and Kent with the River Thames It is every where very pleasant by reason of the temperatenesse of the Ayre and goodnesse of the Soyle besides the faire Townes and buildings The Townes here are Vxbridge Draiton Stanes Radclisse and others but above all London called also Londinium Longidinium Augusta and by Stephanus Lindonion which is an Epitomy of all Brittaine It is seated by the River of Thames having a fertile Soyle and temperate Ayre it is distant from the Sea threescore miles it hath a stone Bridge over the River being three hundred and thirty paces long adorned on both sides with magnificent and faire buildings It hath also a strong Tower which is the chiefe Armory of England and in this the Mint is kept Neare to London is Westminster anciently called Thorney famous for the Abby the Courts of Justice and the Kings Pallace The Abbey is most renowned by reason of the Coronation and buriall of the Kings of England and in this Countie are 73 Parishes besides those in the Citie The Rivers that water it are Lea Colne and Thames Hampshire or Hantshire toucheth on the West Dorsetshire and Wiltshire on the South the Ocean on the East Sussex and Surrey and on the North Berk-shire It is fruitfull having pleasant thicke woods and flourishing pastures it hath two Cities the one Southampton so called because it stands on the River Test anciently called Ant or Hant the other Winchester called heretofore Venta Belgarum There are also these Townes Regnwood or Ringwood Christ-church Whorwell Andover Rumsey Portsmouth Kings-cleare Odiam Silcester called anciently by the Brittaines Caer Segente and others and it hath 253 Parishes the Rivers are Avon Stour Test and Hamble Surrey called by Bede Suthriona joyneth on the West partly to Berk-shire and partly to Southampton-shire on the South to Sussex on the East to Kent and on the North it is watered by the River Thames and divided by it from Middlesex It is a Countrie not very large yet very rich The Townes are Godelminge Aclea or Ockley Effingham Kingstone Merton Cradiden or Croydon Beddington Wimbandune or Wimbledon Wandlesworth and the Borrough of Southworke called by the Saxons South werke and this Country hath 140 Parishes The rivers are VVey Mole so called because for a certaine space it runneth under ground like a Mole Wandale and Thames aforesaid Now followeth Cantium or Kent a Country so called from the situation for it looketh toward France with a great corner which the word Canton in the French signifies environed round about with the mouth of Thames and the Sea unlesse on the West side where it joyneth to Surrey and on the South side to part of
the Royall Familie because the Fathers Inheritance is alwayes divided betweene the Sonnes and Daughters Thus the Kings of Denmarke have a flourishing Common-wealth which may easily bee defended from forraine enemies whom their Subjects living in unanimity and concord with them as their naturall Lords are able to resist both by sea and land THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE BEING THE THIRD KINGDOME OF THE NORTH DENMARKE is joyned only in two places to the Continent on the West the Ocean beateth on it on the East the Balticke Sea on the North lyeth Norwey and Swethland and on the South Holsatia Megalopolis and Pomerama It hath many severall Islands lying by it The temper of the Climate together with the wholsomnesse of the Aire that I may use Ioh. Coldingensis his words doth make the Danes fresh complexioned The fruitfulnesse of the Earth doth nourish them the sweete harmony of Birds doth recreate them their Woods and Groves in which great numbers of Hogges do feed and fat themselves with Akornes and Beech-maste do refresh them and the divers sorts of Cattle and flourishing Medowes do yeeld them much delight The Sea doth afford them such plentie of provision that the Danes thereby not onely furnish themselves but also many other parts of Europe In a word they want nothing that is necessarie to life so loving hath Nature shewed her selfe to this Countrie Concerning the ancient Government thereof Munster writeth that one Danus many ages before Christ was the first King of Denmarke from whom the other Kings of Denmarke did descend in a faire and orderly succession therefore concerning the names of his successours and the other Kings of Denmarke read Munster largely discoursing All the Countrie of Denmarke having many armes of the Sea reaching farre into the Land doth consist of many parts the chiefe whereof are these Iutia Fionia Zelandia and Scania besides the Islands lying neare to severall parts thereof Iutia which some would have called Got●a being heretofore the Seat of the Cimbri is called by Historians and Geographers the Cimbrian Chersonesus and is divided into the Southerne and Northerne Iutia The Description of this Northerne Iutia you may behold in the second Table of Denmarke Southerne Iutia heretofore called Nordalbingia doth containe the famous Dukedome of Sleswick to which the Dukedome of Holsatia may now be added whereof you shall finde a more ample declaration in the third Table of Denmarke Also there followeth a more particular Description of Fionia in the fourth Table of Denmarke THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE DANIAE REGNŪ THE SECOND TABLE OF DENMARKE WHICH CONTEINETH PART OF THE NORTHERNE IVTIA THE Westerne and speciall part of Denmarke is Iutia commonly called Iutland which Ptolemy calleth the Cimbrian Chersonesus and Pliny Cartrin This runneth forth Northward in manner of a Peninsula betweene the Brittish and Germane Seas as Italy doth toward the South The Southerne bound thereof is the River Eydera and it lyeth many miles in length from the River Albis or Elve toward the North The greatest breadth of it is not much This Country is divided into the Northerne and Southerne part as we have already spoken The Northerne Iutia called the Northerne Cimbrica which is described in this Table extending it selfe toward Norwey doth over against Saga a Towne famous in regard of the quick-sands and shallow Sea neare it end in a straite and narrow forme like a wedge This Country is broadest about the Market Towne of Aleburg where Lymford winding it selfe into it and passing almost through all Iutia Westward parteth the Country Wensussel from the rest except it be for a very little space and so maketh it as it were an Island This River being carried in a great channell maketh many famous Islands by encompassing them about and having many Bayes as it were and severall branches it doth divide and give limits to divers Provinces Northerne Iutia is fertile in producing and bearing Fruits Corne Barley and the like It hath also in some places very fruitfull pastures It aboundeth with so many heards of Oxen and bringeth up so many Cowes that it sendeth an incredible number of cattle into forreine Countries and especially into Germany whither there are yearely brought almost 150 thousand Oxen besides Cheese Butter Tallow and Hides It doth bring forth an excellent breede of Horses of which a great number are transported to other places Iutia heretofore was subject to the Saxons but not the other Northerne Countries Out of this Country the Cimbri 150 yeares before Christs birth came and fell upon Italie like an impetuous storme to the great terrour thereof For they having joyned to themselves the Tentons the Tigurines and Ambrones conspired utterly to extinguish the Roman Empire Syllanus could not resist the violence of their first approach nor Manilius their second on-set nor Caepio the third All of them were put to slight and beaten out of their Tents insomuch as Florus thinketh they had beene quite undone and overthrowne if Marius had not lived in that age This Cimbrian warre continued eight yeares after the Consulship of Syllanus even to the fift Consulship of Marius who at the R●ver Athesis called by the Germanes Ets●h and by the Italians ●adica did quite cut off their Army consisting of Cimbrians Teut●us and and Ambrones But because in this place wee have by chance made mention of the Cimbrians whose name is famous in Histories we will speake somewhat more of them and because Iunius a learned ●an doth discourse most learnedly of them I will not thinke it much to set downe his owne or other words to the same effect It appeares in Moses Bookes saith he that Iaphet had a sonne called Gomer or by changing of a letter Gomer which word signifies with the Hebrewes one perfecting a circle But the genuine sense of the word hitherto unknowne to Writers unskilfull in the Cimmerian language because none hath declared the obscuritie will bee as manifest and cleare as the Meridian Sunne if you gently breake the word in pieces For what other thing does Goom her being disjoyned signifie in that language or if you pronounce it Gomer than I goe about in a circle or I finish a perfect course Hence also is that orbicular order of Artes which the Grecian Writers call Encyclopedia and Fabius the circle of learning because it is endlesse as a ring called Gomera Rightly therefore that auspicious name hapned unto the offspring of Iaphet which spread themselves over the World and as the name doth signifie did finish that course that was given and prescribed to them by lot having travell'd over all Countries from the rising of the Sunne to the setting thereof For no man is so rude and ignorant in the knowledge of Historie that knoweth not that the Gothes and Vandales who were the ofspring of the Cimmerians or Cimbri did possesse both the Hesperiaes Wherefore since by the consent of all men the Cimmerians did descend from Gomer who at first
did possesse the inward part of Asia and being expell'd by the Scythians repairing Westward did passe into Scandia and from thence unto the Cimbrian Chersonesus I see no reason how a more convenient name can bee given to Gomer the Author of the Cimbrian Nation and to the people retaining their fathers name tha● from the desire of circuiting and wandring about For I thinke no man hath read of any Nation that hath travelled a greater circuit of earth as Iosephus an accurate Writer of the Iewish antiquities doth perspicuously and diligently explaine when he writeth that the posterity of Gomer comming out of Armenia did runne out into the River Tanais and from thence with their multitudes did overspread all Countries of Europe as farre as the utmost coasts of the Gades Plutarch in the life of Marius hath clearely explained the desire that was in that Nation to propagate and finish this their course when hee reporteth thus of them The Cimbrians as often as they change their seates doe attempt the neighbour Countries by warres yet not with a daily or continuall violence but every yeare when the season serveth they make some inroade and seeing there are divers and severall names of people amongst them they call their troupes by a common appellation Celtoscythians Some do report that there was no great company of Cimbrians who were anciently knowne to the Grecians but that some banished men or seditious persons cashiered by the Scythians THE SECOND TABLE OF DENMARKE IUTIA SEPTENTRIONALIS passed from Maeotis into other parts of Asia under the conduct of Lygdamis and that the greatest and most warlike part of the Nation did seate themselves on the outmost coasts of the Ocean and did inhabite a darke Country which in regard of the high and thicke woods reaching even to the Forrest of Hircynus was to the Sunne-beames inaccessible Hitherto I have for the most part rendred his owne words but I understand not whence Plutarch from the Germane Etymologie or Festus Pompetus from the French can prove that the Cimbrians were called theeves robbers unlesse wee take hired Souldiers for theeves and robbers or unlesse it seeme that Plutarch did referre it to the manner of warring peculiar to that Nation who did set upon their neighbours with secret ambushment and assaults like theeves for he relates that Italy was strooken with feare by their fierce inrodes when they understood that a Nation of no name or setled habitation was like a sudden cloud of raine ready to fall upon their heads Hitherto Iunius This Iutia is divided into foure large Episcopall Seats into the Ripensian which is kept at Ripen the Arhusian which is at Arhusium the Vandalican which is at Alburg and the Wiburgian which is at Wiburg The Ripensian Diocese hath 30 Prefectures seven Cities ten royall Castles Queen Dorothy the widdow of Christian the third erected and built a Schoole at Kolding at her owne proper charge and cost The Arhusian Diocese hath one and thirty Prefectures seven Cities and five Castles Arhusium or Arhusen is a famous Mart-Towne in regard of its Haven made by the great Promontorie of Hellen which extendeth it selfe through the Country of Mols from the royall Castle Kalloe even to the high Mountaine ●llemansbergh and by its owne situation and some Islands lying neare unto it maketh the Sea very placable and calme for Marriners Under this Diocese there are the Islands Samsoe Hielm Tuen Hiarnoe sometimes called Gerno Hilgenes and many other The Vandalican Diocese called also the Diocese of Burglaw hath thirteene Prefectures and sixe Cities The most speciall parts thereof are Wendsyssel Handharet Thyland and Morsoe Wendsyssil or Vensilia that is the Land or Seat of the Vandalls hath sixe Prefectures three Townes and one Castle Here is the Mountaine Alberg in which are certaine Monuments of Gyants the adjacent Isles are Grysholm Hertsholm Tydsholm and others In Handhaeret is a Rocke of great height called Skarringelint and on the coast thereof those two quick-sands which they call Sandores and Brac●● The Isles subject unto it are Oland and Oxeholm Thyland hath foure Prefectures one Towne called Thystad or Tystet where Christian the third built a Schoole for the nurture of Youth and one Castle called Orumna Under it are the Islands Hansholm Ostholm Iegen Cifland Egholm Bodum Morsia hath three Prefectures the Citie Nicoping the Castle Lunds●od or Lundgard and an Island adjacent neare unto it called Agero● The Diocese of Wiburg doth containe sixteene Prefectures three Cities and as many Castles At Wiburg the generall Councell of the most Noble and wise Trium-vi●● concerning enquiring into and judging of civill matters is continued almost all the yeare unlesse sometimes when they are wearied with that troublesome office they refresh themselves and recollect their strength in their owne Country houses Hither are brought the causes of all the Cimbrian Chersonesus as complaints of bounds controversies concerning inheritance and all capitall causes as slaughters adulteries thefts poysonings c. Neare to the Peninsula Wenslia where ending in a Cone it bendeth by degrees toward the East is that corner of Iutia so perilous and fearefull to Marriners for a great ridge of rockes runne so farre into the Sea that those who would bee free from danger come not neare to the shoare by 8. miles Such also is all the Westerne shoare of Iutia so that those who purpose to sayle into Norwey or out of the Ocean Eastward are enforced to take a large compasse to avoyde it and to this purpose there are foure Mountaines on this shoare which the Marriners observe as Sea-markes The Inhabitants of this Country seeing they have no fit Haven for ships to ride in draw them out of the deepe upon the shoare so farre that the waves of the Sea by beating upon them cannot bruise them In this Sea there is plenty of fish and especially of Herrings and therefore the Inhabitants use fishing much These things being declared I will adde something not impertinent to conclude this place withall which is that the people in these Northerne Countries have beene and yet are cold and drie of a large stature faire complectioned well coloured merrie jocund suspitious crafty and provident in businesse healthfull proud loving to their friends they eate and drinke much they digest well and therefore live long they abound with bloud they are blunt in behaviour and in regard of much heate about their heart they are quarrellous and contentious they love dangers hunting and travelling they are obstinate in defending their owne opinions and yet mindefull of Justice they are very docible and apt to attaine Languages they are lovers of the Muses and doe strictly performe their covenants and bargaines they have many children which the weomen with great difficulty bring forth their woemen are also beautifull and both wise and sparing in the government of their Familie but they die for the most part of Catharres the Kings evill the Pleuricy the Fistula the
which the Inhabitants call ●●●●●●k is carried in one channell to the Ocean and there rushing down headlong from the steepe Rocks as Leunclavius saith doth make those dease which dwell neere unto it as they report the Water-fals of Nilus doth those who inhabite neere unto them The Countrie hath no mountaines but is full of thick woods for heere are the great armes of Hercynia and other such At the mouth of Duina neere to the Sea is Dunamunta or Dun●mund an impregnable Castle not farre from Riga kept by a Polish Garrison to which all ships doe pay a certaine tribute as they passe by There is also in the mid-way Blokaus a royall fortresse which commandeth ships as they sayle by it There is moreover the castle and citie Felinum or Fellin in the Dukedome of Estland which the German hired Souldiers together with the last Governour of Lavonia William Furstenberg by most detestable treachery did betray to the Duke of Moscovia Ternestum which others call Taurum in this Country was heretofore a strong castle but after it had beene taken by the Moscovites the Lithuanians marching under the conduct of their Captaine Nicholas Radziwilus Palatine of Vilna by undermining and by planting powder under it did quite demolish it in the yeare 1561. In Livonia many yet doe live in a heathenish manner and wanting the true knowledge of God some adore the Sunne some a Stone and there are those who doe worship Serpents and Bushes When they are to interre and burie a dead body they banquet freely round about the dead carkasse and doe drinke to the dead man powring also upon him a great pot of drinke Afterward they put him in a Sepulchre and lay by him an hatchet meate drinke and some money for his journey and then they crie out Get thee gone into an other world to rule over the Germans as they have heere ruled over thee and thine They first received the Christian faith under the Emperour Frederick They account it a fault to be laborious and painfull The women borne in the countrie carrie a great state with them doe despise those women which come from other parts They will not bee called women but Mistresses and they never busie themselves with any womans worke but doe vagarie and wander abroad in the Winter time in Chariots and in the Summer by Boate. The drinke of the countrie is Mede Beere and Wine which the richer sort onely use being brought from forraine countries especially Rhenish Wine The women doe disgrace the beauty and comlinesse of their bodies by the disguisednesse of their garments The commodities which are transported out of Livonia into Germanie other Countries are Waxe Honey Ashes Pitch and Tarre Hemp Skins of divers wilde beasts and Hides Also that kinde of corne which the Latines call Secale and wee Rye is yearely transported in great plenty from hence into Germanie and other bordering countries Having explained and declared thus much concerning Livonia I hope it will bee a matter acceptable to the Reader if heere for conclusion I shall adde some thing concerning those Lycaons or men transformed into wolves who are reported to be very frequent and common in this place There are Writers who thinke themselves worthy to be beleeved among which is Olaus Magnus that doe affirme that in this Countrie every yeare some men are turned into wolves I will heere set downe his owne words thereby to recreate the minde of the Reader with the relation of an unheard of noveltie and thus hee writes in his 18 Booke cap. 45. Although in Prussia Livonia and Lithuania all the Inhabitants all the yeare are much endammaged by ravening Wolves because every where in the woods they teare in pieces and devoure a great number of their cattell if they stray never so little from the flock or heard yet they esteeme not this losse so great as that which they sustaine by men changed and transformed into wolves For in Christmas in the night time such a companie of men●wolves doe gather themselves together and shew such fierie cruelty both towards men and other creatures which are not wilde by nature that the Inhabitants of this Countrie doe receive more detriment and losse from these than from true and naturall wolves For as it is found out by experience they doe besiege mens houses standing in the woods with much fiercenesse and doe strive to breake open the doores that so they may destroy and prey upon the men and other creatures that are within But of these things wee have spoken enough let us goe forward to Russia RUSSIA OR MOSCOVIA RUSSIA which is called also Roxolonia is twofold the Blacke and the White The former bordereth on Polonia the latter is a part of Moscovia Moscovie was without doubt so called from the River Moschus or Morava which giveth its name also to the chiefe Citie Mosco through which it floweth The Territories thereof are extended farre and wide and it is bounded on the North with the Icie Sea on the East it hath the Tartarians on the south the Turkes and Polonians and on the West the Livonians and the Kingdome of Swethland In all which spaces of ground many large countries are contained and therefore the Duke of Moscovie doth thus enstile himselfe The Great Lord and by the grace of God Emperour and Governour of all Russia also Great Duke of Volodimiria Moscovia great Novogrodia Pskovia Smolonskia Thweria Iugaria Permia Viathkia Bulgaria c. Governour and Great Prince of Novogrodia the Lesse of Czernigovia Rezania Wolochdia Resovia Bielloia Rostovia Iaroslania Poloskia Biellozeria Vdoria Obdoria and Condimia c. The temperature of the Aire in Muscovia is immoderately cold and sharpe yet it is so wholsome that beyond the head of Tanais toward the North and East there is never any plague knowne although they have a disease not much unlike unto it which doth so lye in the head and inward parts that they die in few daies of it The Countrie in generall neither bringeth forth Vine nor Olive nor any fruit-bearing tree except it be Mellons and Cherries in regard that the more tender fruits are blasted with the cold North windes The corne fields do beare Wheat Millet a graine which the Latines call Panicum and all kinde of Pulse But their most certaine harvest consists in waxe and honey Here is the wood Hercynia being full of wild beasts In that part which lyeth toward Prussia great and fierce Bugles or Buffes are found which they call Bison And also the beast called by the Latines Alces like an Hart save that hee hath a fleshie snout like an Elephant long legges and no bending of the hough and this creature the Moscovites call Iozzi and the Germans Hellene Besides there are Beares of an incredible bignesse and great and terrible Wolves of a blacke colour No Countrie hath better hunting and hawking than this For they take all kinde of wild beasts
Counsellers doth judge of capitall matters as murder and theft In declaring whereof they need no Lawyer neither do they use the subtiltie thereof nor excuses or prolonging matters by delay For the meanest of the Tartarians or strangers do frely declare their owne wrongs and grievances before the Judges and the Chan himselfe by whom they are quickly heard and dispatched They instruct their sonnes when they are children in the Arabicke language they do not keepe their daughters at home but deliver them to some of their kindred to be brought up When their sonnes come to ripenesse of yeares they serve the Chan or the Sultans when their daughters are marriageable they marrie them to some of the chiefe Tartars or Turkes The best of the Tartars in the Princes Court go civilly and decently in their apparell not for ostentation or pride but according as necessitie and decencie requireth When the Chan goeth abroad in publike the poorest men may have accesse unto him who when he sees them doth examine them what their wants necessities are whence they did arise The Tartarians are very obedient to the Laws and they adore reverence their Princes like Gods Their Judges according to Mahomets Law are accounted spirituall men and of undoubted equitie integritie and faithfulnesse They are not given to Controversies Law-suits private discord envie hatred or to any wanton excesse either in diet or apparell In the Princes Court none weare Swords Bowes or other weapons except it be Travellers or strangers that are going on some journey to whom they are very kinde and hospitable The chiefe men eate bread and flesh drinking also burnt Wine and Metheglin but the Country people want bread using instead thereof ground Millet tempered with milke and water which they commonly call Cassa They use cheese instead of meate and their drinke is mares milke They kill also for their food Camels Horses and Oxen when they are ready to dye or are growne unserviceable and they often feed on the flesh of sheepe Few of them do use Mechanicke Arts in the Cities and Townes few do use Merchandizing and those Artificers or Merchants that are found there are either slaves to the Christians or else they are Turkes Armenians Iewes Cercesians Petigorians who are Christians Philistines or Cynganians all men of the lowest ranke But let this which hath been spoken suffice concerning the Taurick Chersonesus and the Northerne Countries Let us passe to the Description of Spaine which we have placed next and take a view thereof THE DESCRIPTION OF SPAINE SPAINE is a chiefe Country of Europe and the first part of the Continent it was so called as Iustine noteth from King Hispanus Some would have it so called from Hispalis a famous Citie which is now called Sevill But Abraham Ortelius a man very painfull in the study of Geographie when hee had read in the Author that treateth of Rivers and Mountaines following the opinion of Sosthenes in his third Booke that Iberia now called Georgia a Country of Asia was heretofore called Pania from Panus whom Dionysius having conquered the Country made Governour over the Iberians and that from thence Moderne Writers did call it Spaine moreover when he had observed that almost all Writers did derive the first Inhabitants of Spaine from Iberia he was induced to beleeve that the Country was so called rather from that Spaine than from Hispanus or Hispalis This opinion is the more probable for that Saint Paul doth call this Country Spania in his Epistle to the Romans chap. 15. verse 28. as doth also Saint Ierome and many others But that which the Latine Writers call Hispania and Ptolemie Stephanus and others doe call Ispania leaving out the aspiration Strabo Pliny and others doe testifie that in ancient times it was called Iberia and Hesperia It was called Iberia from Iberia a Country of Asia from whence many doe derive the first inhabitants of Spaine though some doe fetch the word Iberia from King Iberus others from the River Iberus and Avienus from Ibera a Towne in Baetica or Andaluzia Some report that it was called Hesperia from Hesperus the brother of Atlas or as Horace thinketh from Hesperia the daughter of Hesperus or rather from Hesperus the Evening-starre under which it was supposed to be situated because it is the farthest Country Westward of the whole Continent of Europe And seeing Italie might have the same name Horace calleth this Hesperia ultima Appian reporteth that it was heretofore called Celtiberia which yet is rather to be thought a part of Spaine heretofore called Celtica as Varro witnesseth Gulielmus Postellus and Arias Montanus in his commentaries upon Obadiah doe note that the Hebrewes did call it Sepharad and so much concerning the name the Quantitie and Qualitie followeth The Quantitie doth consist in the bounds and circuit thereof and in the forme and figure which ariseth from thence Concerning the bounds of Spaine the Ocean doth wash two sides thereof the North side the Cantabrian Ocean and the West the Atlanticke The Iberian or Balearicke Sea doth beat on the South side where is the Bay of Hercules and on the East it hath the Pyrenaean Mountains running along with one continued ridge from the Ocean where stands Flaviobriga at this day called Funtarabia even to the Mediterranean Sea Hence it is that they make two famous Promontories the one called Olarso which shooteth out into the Ocean the other which taking its name heretofore from the Temple of Venus but now called Cape de Creus doth jet out into the Mediterranean Sea The utmost length of Spaine is 200 Spanish miles the breadth where it is broadest is 140 miles and where it is narrowest it is 60. Iohannes Vasaeus in his Chronicle of Spaine doth report that Spaine is so narrow at the Pyrenaean Hills that when he travell'd over them on the Mountaine of Saint Adrian he saw the Sea on either side namely the Ocean which was next unto him and a farre of as farre as hee could see he discerned the white waves of the Mediterranean Sea They suppose that the whole compasse thereof is 2480 miles Ptolemy Strabo and others doe compare Spaine to an Oxe-hide stretched out on the ground the necke whereof is extended toward France which cleaveth unto it The necke I say which reacheth in breadth as farre as the Pyrenaean Mountaines from the Mediterranean Sea to the Brittish Ocean the fore part of it is stretched from New Carthage even to the Cantabrians and the hinder part from Hercules Bay to Gallicia and the Brittish Sea that which represents the tayle of the hide is the Holy Promontorie called at this day Saint Vincents Promontorie which stretcheth it selfe out into the Atlanticke Ocean farre beyond any other part of Spaine Spaine is under the middle of the fourth all the fift and part of the sixt Climats where there is an excellent temper for the producing of all things For it
obedient to the Romans by the industrie and valour of Vispanius Agrippa and of the other Generals which hee brought with him There is in Biscay besides other Townes one speciall Towne of note called Bilbao which is as some doe suppose by changing of the letters which is frequent with the Spaniards as much to say as Beluao that is Bellum vadum Didacus Lopeus de Hazo Prince of the Cantabrians built it in the yeare of Christ 1300 or thereabouts This Towne is especially commended for three things the convenient Situation the plenty of Corne and the wonderfull great traffique and merchandizing which is heere for whatsoever comes or is brought from England France or the Low-Countries is transported and carried through this Towne into other parts of Spaine and whatsoever Spaine doth communicate by way of traffique unto other Countries it is exported and carried through it Heere are Citizens who at their owne proper charge doe yearly build three or foure ships On the side of the Citie there is a litle towne on the Sea-coast commonly called Portugallete from whence a certaine River or rather a great arme of the Sea doth flow into it even unto the houses of the Inhabitants By reason of which divers kindes of wares are daily for a small matter imported and exported There are also faire Havens in Biscay There is no kinde of fish but you may have it heere and that good and new The Sea-shell-fish here have pearles in them but of a meane sort The people of the Countrie are curteous merry and eloquent It is a custome and fashion that the Virgins in Biscay as long as they are unmarried doe never let their haire grow neither doe they cover themselves with any veile but presently when they are married they cover their heads with a Quoife made like a Helmet of linnen cloth of a golden colour which they wrap up in such a manner that it standeth forth a pretty way like an horne upon their foreheads The Spaniards heere have great store of trading with the French the Germans the English and other people It especially affordeth wooll so that all Market-places are full of buyers and sellers GVIPVSCOA was heretofore the Countrie of the Cantabrians some doe call it Lipuscoa and Lipuisca yet corruptly as Stephanus Garybayus an inhabitant thereof noteth But whence it hath this appellation I cannot easily determine unlesse perhaps it taketh it from the ancient Citie Opuscua It is enclosed and bounded on the East with the River Vidosone which is also called Vidorso Alduida Huria and Beoyvia being in the middle betweene France and Spaine and the Pyrenaean Hils on the South with the Kingdome of Navarre on the West with Biscay of which I spake before and on the North with the Cantabrick Sea This Countrey is very temperate neither feeling too much cold nor too much heate of the Sunne It hath a moist and variable Climate It is very rugged and mountainous and therefore it is not every where tilled but yet those places which are tilled are very fruitfull It hath but few Vineyards except it be on that side which is next to the Sea But it hath every where great store of Iron and Steele so that no Countrey hath better or greater abundance for so much of it is digged here as is sufficient for many Countries Moreover not onely Vulcans shop but Mars his Armory seeme to be placed heere by Nature for there is here so great plenty and store not onely of Iron and Steele but also of wrought Armour that in some writings belonging to the Countrie it is deservedly called the Wall or defence of the Kingdomes of Castile and Legio Navigierus writeth that in this Countrey so much Iron Steele is digged that every yeare they make 80000 Duckats gaine thereof Therefore not without cause doth Pliny write lib. 34. cap. 45. that there is a whole mountaine there of Iron There is saith hee a very high BISCAIA AND GVIPVSCOA BISCAIA ET LEGIO mountaine of Cantabria on the Sea side a thing incredible to be spoken which is all of Iron Ptolemie Pomponius and Plinie doe place here the Orogeviones the Autrigones and the Varduli The Metropolis is Tolosa seated at the confluence and meeting of Araxis and Orta There are also other Townes as Placentia where there is an incredible company of Iron-smiths Motrico or as others thinke it should be written Monte de Trico from the Rocke which hangeth over the Towne Fuentarabia which Ptolemie cals Phlasiobriga the Fane or Temple of Saint Sebastian heretofore called Hisuru afterward Don Bastia and now corruptly Donastien signifying the same with Saint Sebastian for Don signifieth that among the Cantabrians which Sanctus doth with the Latines and Sancto with the Castellanes and many places in Cantabria have for the most part divers names in regard of the difference of speech the Cantabrians call them by one name the other Spaniards by an other and the French-men by an other name and yet they commonly signifie one thing This Towne is situated at the mouth of the River which is called by Pomponius Mela Menascus by Ptolemie Menosca but now is called Rio Gurumea or Vramea The River Chalybs doth rise up hereabout the water whereof is very good to temper Iron withall so that the Spaniards doe approve of no other Armour but that which hath beene tempered therewith Iustine lib. 44. saith that the bordering people were called Chalybes from this River The Fane of Saint Sebastian hath a very large Haven not made by humane Art but by Natures providence where ships doe ride securely and safely being defended from the violence of winde or Seas The entrance into it is betweene two Castles the one whereof standing towards the East is built on a high Mountaine higher than that which is on the West side which is onely placed on a rock The Inhabitants are like in manners to the Inhabitants of Biscay and speake the same language They are by nature ingenious politick well accomplished neate easie to be allured but hard to be compelled desirous of honour stoute defenders of their owne priviledges nimble couragious ready and quick in handling their Armes and apt for war The women also are very strong and of a warlike spirit well bodied well favoured although they accustome and use themselves to labour which is a cause why they are lesse proud Those that dwell by the Sea side doe get much by fishing and especially by taking those kinde of fish called Baccali The Kingdome of Navarre which was also anciently called the Kingdome of Sobabre in all parts is as fertile and abounding with all things necessary for mans life as any other Kingdome of Spaine And though commonly it bee thought to be very small yet it hath sixe and fiftie walled Cities The Inhabitants of this Countrie were heretofore very stout and warlike and such as oftentimes shooke off the yoake of the Roman subjection
no man is seene idle neither are there any beggars unlesse it be those who are impotent through age or sicknesse seeing none doe want meanes how to get a living or how to employ themselves That Citie which is now called Aranda neare the River Durius Ptolemie would have to be Rhanda of the Vaccaeans in Tarraconia Antoninus calleth it Rhanda by the correction of Hyeronimus Surita for heretofore it was called Randachunia That Towne which an uncertaine Writer calleth Exoma Pliny calls Vxoma who often addeth that this name is often used in other places it is read Vxsama with an S. in an ancient Marble and now it is called Osma But let so much suffice concerning the Cities and Townes wee passe to New Castile New Castile on the North cleaveth to the Old Castile on the other sides it is enclosed with Portugall Extremadura Andaluzia Granada and Valentia It aboundeth with corne and other graine being situated on either side of the River Tagus The Metropolis of this Country is Toletum as the Latines call it Ptolemy calls it Toleton now it is called Toledo and Villanovanus in Ptolemy saith that it was once called Serezola it is the Center and Navell as it were of Spaine it hath a very cliffie rugged and unlevell situation and the ascents are so steepe that it is very difficult travelling through it The River Tagus doth wash the greater part of it and doth fence it against enemies it is fortified with 150 watch-Towers There are a great number of Noblemen in this Citie The Citizens are very industrious It is beautified with many faire Edifices and buildings as also with a rich and stately Church There have beene 18 nationall Councells held here when as so many have not been held in any other place Madritum commonly called Madrid doth reverence Toletum as her mother and Queene it hath an wholesome aire and situation It aboundeth with all things and the Kings of Spaine have an house of residence in it Not farre from hence is Villamanta which as Montanus and Villonovanus and Tarapha would have it is that Town which Ptolemy calls Mantua in Tarraconia That Town which by an Arabicke word the Spaniards do now call Alcala de Henares Ptolemy beleeveth so certainly to be Complutum that it is called so in Latine in all publique acts It is seated on a plaine neare the River which they call Henares and aboundeth so with all things necessary for mans use that it needes no supply from other places Antoninus placeth Segontia betweene Complutum and Caesar-augusta it is at this day called Siguensa Now I returne to Hispalis and from thence passing by the Pallace the bridge of Alcantarilla and the Townes Cabeca and Nebrissa I come now to the Towne Fanum Luciferi for so the Latines doe name it and Strabo in his fourth Booke where he addeth that it was heretofore called Lux Dubia now they call it Saint Lucar de Barrameda Not farre from hence almost foure leagues toward the Northeast there is a Towne which hath a famous ancient Bridge now called Talavera and as Beuterus and Moralis do suppose named by Livy Aebura Here are also the Townes Cuenca which Pliny calls Cacenses Lebazuza which Antoninus calls Libisosa and Castola veja which the same Antoninus calleth Castulo The River Tagus doth water New Castile together with other Rivers and Rivulets which run into it and the Spring-head of the River Anas or Guadiana is in this Countrie But enough of these things I come now to the publique workes Five leagues from Madrid toward the West you may behold the magnificent and sumptuous Monasterie of Saint Laurence who was of the order of Saint Ierome It was the worke of Philip the second King of Spaine and may compare with the Egyptian Pyramides the Graecian and Roman Temples Theaters Amphitheaters or other famous places for the structure for there is scarce any thing equall or second to it The Frontispice of it looking toward the West hath three stately gates the middlemost and chief wherof leadeth you into a Church a Friery and a Colledge that on your right hand bringeth you into the Offices belonging to the Monasterie that on the left hand bringeth you into the Schooles The foure corners are adorned with foure curious Towers which are exceeded by two other Towers placed one by another at the foot of the Church Above the gates of the Church doe stand the Statues of the sixe Kings of Israel cut out in Marble and being 17 foot high on the North side there is a Pallace adjoyned to the Church which is able to receive the King and all his traine On the South side there are divers sumptuous Galleries and on the East side a garden set with all kinde of hearbes and flowers and enriched with many other ornaments Also an Hospitall for the Sicke a Roome for an Apothecarie and other places Lastly every thing doth so amaze the beholder that it is better for me to be silent with modestie than to make a meane description of those things which remaine There is also in this Countrie the famous Pallace of Toledo reedified by Charles the fifth adorned with new buildings and Royall furniture in which besides many other singular things there is a water-worke made by the wonderfull invention of an Italian which by the helpe of a great wheele draweth up water out of the River Tagus and so imposing an artificiall violence upon nature doth force it to ascend through Pipes into the highest part of the Castle where it being received into one large Cisterne is dispersed againe by Pipes and serveth for the use of the Castle and the whole Citie for it doth water gardens and serveth for Noble mens houses Stewes Fullers of cloath and other necessary uses of the Citie Here are two Universities Complutum a famous Academie for all Arts which was instituted by Francis Ximenius Cardinall and Archbishop of Toledo The other is the Academie or Universitie of Toledo being a famous nurserie of Learning and Wisedome All disciplines and Mechanicke Arts are greatly esteemed in the Citie Toledo and ten thousand men doe live thereby dressing Wooll and Silke ANDALVZIA Jn which are the Countries of HISPALIS and GRANADA ANDALUZIA is a part of Hispania Baetica it is supposed that it was heretofore called Vandalia from the Vandals a people of Germany who formerly came into these parts Therefore some having searched more nearely into the name do thinke it was called Andaluzia quasi Wendenhuys that is the house of the Vandals yet Marius Aretius doth thinke it was called Andaluzia quasi ante Lusitania the letters being somewhat changed On the East it hath Granada on the North New Castile on the West it is bounded with the Diocesses of Badaios and Silvis the River Anas and on the South it looketh toward the Atlantick Sea The chiefe part of it is the jurisdiction of Hispalis This hath on the East Corduba on the
Charles the eigth who afterward maried her by which marriage Brittaine was annexed to the Crowne It is now two-fold the Higher and the Lower that being neere to Liger this to England and it is otherwise called Ripiensis The Metropolis of the Higher Brittaine is the Citie commonly called Nantes Ptolemie cals it Kondioviknon Nannetum as Ioseph Scaliger and others doe thinke It was heretofore the Seate of the Dukes of Brittaine having the title of a Countie and it belongeth to the Dukes eldest Sonne It is situated neere Liger and two other litle Rivulets in a convenient place not farre from the Sea being a Bishops Seate as also the foure other Townes following Vrbs Redonica or Rhenes Condate Redonum as Ptolemie cals it and as Antoninus Condate Dolum now a Towne but heretofore a Castle commonly called Dol or Doul and Fanum Briocense commonly called S. Brien a faire Town where there is a high rock which affordeth an harbour for ships and a Castle built thereon for the defence of the Citie There is moreover the Towne of Sanctus Machlovius called in their owne language S. Malo And Dina a very faire Towne which the Dukes of Brittaine sometime much delighted in There are also other Townes of Higher Brittany as Riculx Chasteau-briant Lambellum Vitray Iugon S. Aulbin du Cormier Montcontour Plerel Iocelin Malestroit Pontigni S. Iulian Encenis Lastly toward Poictou Cliffon Raiz and others In the Lower Brittaine there are these famous Townes and Cities Venetia now called Vannes Fane de S. Paul S. Paul de Leon Triguier Blavet Morlaiz Quimpelray Conquerneaux Quimpercorentin S. Renant des bois and others The Dominions are the Countie of Montford the Vicountship of Rolian and Grello the principall place thereof is Chasteau Andron Also the Countrie of Gueel Baignon Montfort and Vannetais The Rivers of Brittaine are Liger Rausa Ella and others The Brittish Sea is fit for traffique and out of it the Inhabitants doe extract salt which being hardened in the Sunne they sell to the neighbour countries As for the Havens besides the above-named Cities and Townes these Townes doe afford the most convenient to wit Brest Ancrayum Haucbont and Pontsecrot where great plenty of Oysters are gotten The Archbishop of Dol hath these Bishopricks under him the Bishoprick of Nantes of Vannes of S. Brien in which three they speake both the French and the Brittish Speech also the Bishoprick of Cornovaille S. Paul de Leon and Triguier in which the Brittish Speech which they call Briton Britonant is in use which they suppose was the Language of the ancient Trojanes Also the Bishopricks of Saint Malo Rhenes All the Inhabitants have not the same cheerfulnesse of minde nor the same curtesie the most of them are warie and desirous of gaine and they are wont to debate of weightie matters amongst their cups BRITANY NORMANDIE and BELSIA BRITĀNIA et NORMĀDIA cum confinijs BLISIA commonly called La Beausse is a very drie Countrie and wanteth water very much yet it is fruitfull and hath abundance of Corne It is three-fold the Higher the Midlemost and the Lower the Higher being called Le haut Beausse beginneth at a Village which is commonly called Ablys reaching to the Countrie of the Carnutes or Carnoti and farther There are in it the Countrie of the Carnutes the Dukedome of Andegavium or Aniou and the Countie of Perche The Territorie of the Carnutes commonly called the Countrie of Chartrain cleaveth on one side to the Countie of Perch and on the other sides to the Dukedome of Orleance It is inferiour to no other part of France both for fruitfulnesse and pleasantnesse for it aboundeth with all kinde of Corne Fruite and Cattell and is not wanting in Wine The chiefe Towne is called Carnutum Ptolemie cals it Antricum but now it is called Chartres To this Territorie are wont to bee reckoned the Counties of Dreux and Montfort wherein are two Townes of the same names The Dukedome of Andegavium hath an especiall and peculiar Table to it selfe The Countie of Perch is divided into two parts the one whereof is called the Lower commonly le Perche Govet the chiefe Town whereof is Nogent Retrou the second is called the Higher in which is the Towne Mortaigne The third is the Midle which lyeth on either side of the Bankes of Liger from Roven to Vendomium or Vendosme and from hence on the right-hand Banke of the same River Liger it extendeth it selfe from Castellodunum even to the Countrie of Touraine It excelleth the other parts of Belsia in fertilitie Lower Belsia remaines It is all Field-ground and plaine abounding with Corne so that it is accounted the Barne or Store-house of France It lyeth betweene the Bishopricks of Orleance Chartres and runneth out from the Towne Estampes toward the East to Sens and on the South to the Bridge of Orleance In this Countrie is Aurelia commonly called Orleance being situated neere the River Liger It is honoured with the title of a Dukedome and adorned with an Universitie Heere are also the Territories of Lorriacum and Solonium and the Archbishoprick of Tours which hath under it the Bishop of Le Mans and Angiers As for the Bishops of Chartres and Orleance they are under the Bishop of Sens in Campania LEMOVICIVM LEMOVICIVM was so called from the chiefe Citie Lemovicum but it is not knowne from whence the name thereof is derived Some doe referre it to Lemovices the first establisher of this Countrie It is commonly called Pais on compte de Limosin On the North and North East side of it lyeth Berry on the East Burbon on the South and South-East Arverma on the West and West-South-West Pericort and lastly on the North-West Poictou There is a great ancient Elme standing Northward betweene the Village called La Maison Nesuc from the new House that is in it and Argentomum a Towne of Berry toward the North which doth bound and limit foure Countries Berry Burbon Arverma and Lemovicium so that it is reported that the foure Princes of these Countries did heere talke and conferre together and every one of them stood in his owne Territorie The Soyle is not every where equally fruitfull being for the most part somewhat barren yet it produceth all kinde of fruites especially Wheate Barley a kinde of Graine called Panicum Chesse-nuts and Wine but of an inferiour small kinde yet in the lower parts of Lemovicium they have a richer sort Some would have the Lemovicians for so Pliny calleth the ancient Inhabitants whom Strabo calleth Lemobikes and Ptolemie Lemovikoi from the Citie Lemovick to be the native and ancient Inhabitants of this Countrie and they make Lemovi●es to bee their Founder being descended from the Gomeritae or Galatae as some doe thinke Some doe suppose that hee was of the blood of the great Lybian Hercules who when he had come through Spaine passed over the Pyrenaean Mountaines lived a
the Faire and afterward Philip the sixth being the Kings Sonne did by propagation adde many branches to the Stocke of the Valesia● Earles The Dukedome of Valois doth extend it selfe even to Picardy The chiefe Towne besides Crespy is Sentis called by the FRANCE L'Isle de Frāce Parisiensis Aget 〈◊〉 as some suppose Silvan●●tum because it is joyned to a Wood. 〈◊〉 an ancient Towne having besides a Bishop a Provost and a Baily 〈◊〉 The Pr●fectureship of ●i●van●●tum hath enriched the Dukedome of Valois with the Lordships which are commonly called ●ierr●sens Bethisi and V●●b●●ie and the Townes Arg● l● Pent. S. Maxen●● which is encompast with Ma●●sh●s and is the bounds betweene France and Picardie 〈◊〉 B●nville c. The same Praefectureship doth also con●aine 〈…〉 a Princes S● some call it Car●l●p● 〈…〉 who enlarged the Pr●●in●ts thereof and fortified it 〈…〉 are the Townes Mag● Thor●●●e and Cre●l 〈◊〉 doth also containe the ●wick● ●ureship and Vicounty of 〈…〉 commonly call'd 〈◊〉 and by some Per●●s●ur● under which 〈…〉 Beside 〈…〉 is under Silvan● being an ancient Provostship under which are Pe●●●ng and Metu Lastly under Si●●an●ctum and the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 there is the County of Bellova●um which the 〈…〉 or Beau●●sin The Metropolis thereof 〈…〉 commonly called Beau● Caesa● as 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 and the same 〈◊〉 faith that the 〈◊〉 did nominat●● and call i● ●●●aromagrum But 〈◊〉 to speak the truth 〈…〉 thinketh to bee the Towne which is now called Gra●vi●l●● or G●a●●●●●n●e ● some call it 〈◊〉 and Vigen●●● Beaum●n●●n O●se The City of 〈…〉 pleasant situation and fruitfull Mountaine● adioyning to it which are no● very high but fit for Tillage It hath also good 〈◊〉 of Wines 〈…〉 King of ●●an in the yeer ●4●● 〈◊〉 great priviledges to the Inhabitants thereof special 〈…〉 men becau●● they 〈…〉 Duke of 〈…〉 without doing any thing No● 〈…〉 Towne 〈…〉 ●ortifi●● with a 〈◊〉 So 〈…〉 third part of 〈◊〉 followes called 〈…〉 and ●o 〈◊〉 the little Bridge of 〈…〉 River to 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 where the River 〈◊〉 do ●●parate it from Ga●●in●●● It cleaveth to ●ay● toward 〈…〉 the Melo●●●ersian Vi●●ounty and Bayliwick 〈◊〉 Metropolis thereof is Me●●dunum called 〈…〉 of the Commentari●s of the French we●● Meti●scaum but 〈…〉 The Towne is ●eated 〈◊〉 an Iland in S●●● like Paris and 〈…〉 strong Castle The Towne ●ow commonly called Corbu● and 〈◊〉 the life of S. Pep●s Taran●asius Corb●lium a place famous for Fish but ●●●●ciall for sweete Crabs and hath a strong Castle There is in Heu● Towne called Pon● Bellae-Aquae in French Fountaine Bellea● wh●●● the King hath a pleasant Palace Heretofore it was the Mans● 〈◊〉 Ludovi●us afterward of Philip and lastly of Francis o● 〈…〉 are many varieties in it I have given the fourth place 〈…〉 Country of the Gasti●ensians commonly called ●as●●n● 〈…〉 from Heure●●● by the River Verina I● on 〈…〉 the Dukedome● of ●●siampes and Nemous● the Cou●ty 〈…〉 and others The Towne of Stampae commonly cal●led 〈◊〉 in the mid-war betweene Paris and ●●rc●●an●nsium or 〈…〉 the River Iunna or Iu●●● which as C●r●o●●um dischargeth 〈…〉 was heretofore a County but now a Dukedome The Towne N●m● is seated neere the River ●●niu● which ranneth into Seane little below M●●ctum It is one of the chiefe Dukedomes of Fra●ce Rup●S ●ertis called by the French Robe●●e●● hath the 〈◊〉 of a County In the Territory of Gastin● besides Milly and M●●er which is the bounds betweene Gastin● and Heurep●● there is M●n●●gium so called quasi Mens ag●● that is the Mountaine of the Field as some doe argue because it hath a faire prospect round about it It was wasted by fire 1518. and afterward as re-edified There are Castles in the two former Townes and there is also in this in which there is painted a Story concerning a Hound that revenged his Masters death by killing him that had slaine him PICARDIE THE ECCLESIASTICALL STATE That part of Picardie which is subject to the King of France hath 7. Bishopricks under the Archbishoprick of Rhemes the Bishops of Suesson Silvanectum Beavais which is in France Noyon Laon Amiens and the Bishoprick of Bouloygne This Bishoprick was formerly at Ternaen but being suppressed it was agreed that the Bishops Seate should be translated to Bouloygne Anno 1559. PICARDIE PICARDIE as I said before some thinke to be so called because the Inhabitants thereof were the first that used Lances which is not probable Some say Picardy was so called from the Towne Pequigny or from a famous Souldier called Pignon the first Founder of the Pequignians and Ambianians who after the death of Alexander being made Captaine of the Warre after he had conquerd many Nations arrived with a Fleete of Ships at Neustria now called Normandies and harrasing those places hee gave them afterward his owne name On the West lyeth the Brittish Ocean with some part of Normandy on the North lye the Countries of ancient Belgia Artesia and Hannonia on the East Luxenburg and Lotharingia and on the South Campania and that Country which is called by a more speciall name France Picardie as I have said also before is devided into three parts The true Picardy the lower and the higher The true Picardy doth containe Vidamates of Ambianum Corbie and Pequigny the County of Veromandois and the Dukedomes of Tirasche and Retelois Ambianum hath its name from a Towne so called situate at the River Samona This Towne hath a very faire Church built with great Art graced and adorned with Images farre exceeding all the curious pieces of Europe and in it as they fabulously report S. Iohn Baptists head is kept whole It hath a PICARDIE· PICARDIA title of a Bayliwick but yet the Civill government as the ordering of the municipall Court and the power to appoint watches which 〈◊〉 to be chosen out of the Citizens belongeth to a Consul appointed for that purpose The first Bishop thereof was F●●minus the 〈◊〉 after whom 〈◊〉 Bishops succeeded orderly the last of which was Iohn Cre●itus of the Canaplensian Family The Inhabitants are repured to b● very honest and faithfull and therefore have many priviledges and immunities as being exempted from serving in Forraigne warres and from paying of Subsidies Here the most learned Phisitians Silvius and Fe●nelius were borne and also the excellent Orator Silvius who with gr●at commendations imitated many Bookes of C●●e●o●● This City as we have said before 〈◊〉 built by Pig● a Souldier of Alexanders the great if wee will beleeve many Writers In the yeere 1597. the Spaniards treacherously invading it made it their owne but Henry the 4. King of France by siege and force of Armes compell'd them to render it up againe The Vidama●●e of Corbie is so called from Corbia which is a Towne 〈…〉 the River ●omona 〈…〉 The Vidamate of Pequigny is so call●d from Pequigny built as I have before expressed by one Pigne● a Souldier of ●l●xander the great French Writers doe testifie that those of the English which surviv'd
after a certaine victory obtaind against them were all slaine at this Towne who could not pronounce the name thereof for they pronou●ced it ●equeny in stead of Pequigny The Geographers that describe 〈◊〉 doe note that Veromandois doth containe under it the Territories of ●issenois La●nn●is and ●artencis and the Cities N●yon and S. Quintins The City of Soiss●ns is subject to Themes the chiefe City of Calaa Belgica and was honoured by Caesar with the title of a Royall City It was in the power of the Romanes but was taken from them by Cladoveus after whose decease his Sonnes restored it to that former honour which it enjoyed in Caesars time The Inhabitants are a warlike people In this City in the raigne of Philip Augustus there was a Consell held by the Clergie of England and France for that the King of England having thrust the Bishops out of their Seates had kept the Churches goods in his owne hands for 6. yeeres and afterward had banisht the Bishops into Fran●e In this Cou●sell he had excommu●ication and warres denounced against him as an enemy to the Church upon which he was overcome in Battell and all his auxiliary Forces which he had out of Planders were overthrowne the Suess●nes among the rest behaving themselves very valiantly against him The Temple and Monastery of the blessed Virgin in the City Soiss●ms was built by Ebroynus the Tyrant who was Master of the Palace of ●rauce The Bishops of Soissons from Sixtus to Mathew Paris were 79. The Country of Laonois so called from the City Laon which i● situated betweene the Rivers Ayne and Oysa on a Hill and ●gisbertus saith that ●l●doveus in the yeere 500. did honour this City with a Dukedome and a Bishoprick Hee constituted Genebaldus to bee the first Bishop thereof and after him unto Iohannes Bu●●erius there are reckoned 72. Bishops It is also a Bayliwick under which are these Cities Soissons Noviomagus or Noyon S. Quintins Ribuaria or Ribemont C●u●y Chau●y Guise Perona Mondidier and Roia Next adjacent unto Laon is ●●mpendium called by the French Compiegne and by others Par●p●●is from Carolus Calvus who in the yeere 896. did enlarge and fortifie it like Constantinople erecting there also a Monastery to Saint Cornelius The Church of Compiegne and the Monastery of the Dominicans and Franciscans were built by S. Ludovicus King of France The Metropolis of Tartenois is Fera commonly called La Fere being a City well fortified and commodiously seated at the confluence and meeting of the Rivers Oysa and Serva and having a strong Castle Concerning the Cities Noyon and S. Quintins there is enough spoken in the Description of a former Table So much therefore concerning true Picardie There are divers parts of the lower Picardie called Le Basse As Sancterra Pontium Bolonesium Gu●naeum and Oyum. Sancterra or Sancterre lyeth betweene Mons S. Desiderij Perona Roye and Nesla Mons S. Desiderij or Mondidier is a strong Place or Hold. Perona is situated at the River Somona here Herebert Earle of Veromandois kept Cha●les the Simple King of France Captive where he died and left the Kingdome much troubled Roye is a faire Towne fortified with a Castle Antoninus calleth it Caesaremagnus as also the Itinerary Tables ●essa is a strong Fortresse as many other places are in this part of the Kingdome In Sancterra have many famous men beene borne and the ancient Lords thereof being Marquesses formerly joyned in affinity and allyed to the Family of the Courtneys which descended from the Kings of France Pontium or in French Le Conté Ponthieu is so named from the great company of Bridges and Marishes which discharge and empty themselves into the Sea neere to S. Valeri The chiefe Towne of the County is Abatisvilla commonly called Abbeville neere the River Oyse being a Bailiwick and the Seate of a President from whence Causes and Suites in Law are brought to Paris The other Townes are Cr●toy Rua Treport and S. Richeri besides Cressiacum or the little Towne of Cressi famous for the slaughter of 36000. Frenchmen under the conduct of Philip of Valots in the yeere 1346. This Country also doth containe two other under it to wit the Counties of M●●streul and S. Paul some thinke the former was so called quasi M●rs Reguis that is the Royall Mountaine but others imagine it to bee so named from a Monster which had his dwelling house here Lower Picardie containeth the County of Bononia commanly call'd Co●●● de Boleigne and the County of Guisne of which we will speake in the Description of Bononia The chiefe Rivers of Picardie are Somona neere to which lye the Towne Ambianum or Amiens and Abbe-Villa Oyse or Esia Scaldis Escault or Sceldt and those which are commonly call'd A●●● and Scarpe I come to their manners The Picardians are of a good disposition well set courteous Officious valiant and prone to anger whence they are called hot heads they are so soone assuredly given and addicted to wine so that a man can hardly obtaine any thing of them unlesse he will beare them company in drinking Yet they agree so well among themselves that if you offend one of them all the rest will be your enemies The Nobles are warlike and doe most of all delight in military affaires So much concerning Picardy CAMPANIA THE STATE ECCLESIASTICK Here is the Archbishop of Rhemes under whom are eight suffragan Bishops as the Bishop of Laon a Duke and Peere of France the Bishop of Chalon an Earle and Peere of France the Bishop of Suesson the Bishop of Terwaen whose Seate was translated to Boulogne the Bishop of Amiens the Bishop of Noviomagum or Noion an Earle and Peere of France the Bishop of Senlis and the Bishop of Beauvais an Earle and Peere of France Here is also the Archbishop of Sens under whom are seven Bishops to wit the Bishop of Paris of Chartres of Orleans of Nivers of Auxerre of Trois en Champaigne and of Meaux CAMPANIA CAMPANIA called in French Comté de Champaigne is derived as I have said before if we shall beleeve Graegorius ●uronensis from the great and spacious Field wherof it consisteth For it is a very plaine and Champion Country The Territories of Brie Burgundie Carolois and Lotharingia doe encompasse it on every side The Tricasses Lingones the R●mi the Catalaunians the Meldae the Senones and others who are now worne out of memory were heretofore seated in this Country The Tricasses nominated in Plinies chiefest Bookes Ptolemy calls Trikasstoi and Ammianus Tricassini as also in certaine Panegyricks and in the Inscription of an ancient Stone Hericus calleth the Trecae in the life of S. Germane and others call them by contraction Tresses Their City is called Tricassium and commonly Trois en Champaigne Those which Caesar Pliny and others doe call Ling●nes Ptolemy calls Do●gones and the same Pliny Faederati That Province which containes their City which is Langres is now called La Duché Patre and
distinguished by their surnames as the Bitu●iges Cubi whose Metropolis was Avaricum in the first Aquitania and the Vibiscian or Viviscian Bituriges whose chiefe Citie was Burdigala in the second Aquitania Both of them were free Cities under the Romanes as Pliny witnesseth The Register of the Provinces calleth it the Citie of the Bituricians or Berotigians in the first Aquitania or Sexta Vienne sis Iohn Calamaeus writeth much concerning the appellation and name of this Country who containeth the lustorie of the Biturigians in sixe Bookes THE DVKEDOME OF BITVRICVM BITURIGUM Ducatus Here are seventeene Collegiat Churches as they call them and seventeene Parish Churches This City hath an Archbishoprick and a flourishing University to which there is none equall in France being Mother and Nurse of most learned men The study of the Law is in greatest estimation there of which there are excellent Professours As Avaricum is the chiefe Tribunall of the whole Dukedome where the Monarch of the Biturigians sitteth as President and is commonly called le Bailly de Berry Hither are all appeales brought both from the City Praetor and from all Magistrates of other places in the Territory of Bituricum But the Prefect of Bituricum hath under him the Metropolis it selfe Avaricum and 5. Dioeceses Yss●udum Dum le Roy Vi●son Mehun Con●ressault There are reckoned with the Metropolis the County of Sancerre and S. Aignan the Barony of Mountfaulcon and almost Some suppose that Sancerra was so called from Ceres who was there reverenced and worshiped as it were the Chappel of Ceres The more learned Latine Writers leaving this Etymologie doe call it Xantodorum It hath the Title of a County which in the yeere 1015. it exchanged with Bellovacum and in the yeere 1573. it indured a hard Siege that they were enforced to eate Dogges Cats Horses Dormice Mice Moles and after they had eaten Hornes skins and the like they were compelled to eate their owne excrements and mans flesh These Cast●llania are subject to it Sanceges Beaufeu Chapelle d'Anguillon le Chastel de Boncard ●alonges ●arenay Verdigny Menesme Charentomry Brie and others S. A●gnan is so called from the Bishop S. Anianus The Barony of Mountfaulcon which signifies in Latine Montem Faulconis or the Mountaine of the Faulcon doth containe the Signiories of Baugy and Gion also la Fane Lyvr●n ●ony Villab●n Seury Marcilly Marnay Farges Av●r Saligny Per●igny ●●u Lassax Boisbos●n Nuissement Villiers Compoy Lastly the Castellania are Ays d Anguillon Sury en Vaux S. Soulange S. Palais la Salle du Roy Bueil Quintilly P●morigny Francheville la Chapelle Nancay Drye Levreux Beaulicu Brecy Beugy S. Fleurant Neufvi sur Baranion Morthonnier Maymaignes Maubranches S. Vrsin Tillay Brilliers Vatan S. Satur Lury Estrechies Maulpas Villeneusve S. Crapaix Ascilly Iussy le Chauld●●er la Corne les Ch●●zes Vaulvrilles les Cloy●s Bonge So much concerning the Metropolis and the large Jurisdiction thereof the other Dioeceses are Yssouldun a Royall City and a Bayliwick which hath under it the Baronies of Chasteauroux Gracay Ceracoy S. Severe Lynieres to which is joyned the Castelania of Rizay also Argenton in which are the Marshalship of Ravennes and the Praefectureship of Servignet The Castelania are Bourssac Chasteau Meillant Mareul Nef si S. Sepulchre ●ully Puuldy Massy Cahors Perouse Chastellet Masseuvre Augurandae S. Chartier le Palleteau Bomm●eres Moche Fully Voullon la Ferte N●hant Ville Dieu Chastre Charroux There is also Dunum Regium or Dun le Roy under which are these Castelaniae besides others Pra dict ●a●●aut a Baronnie Chasteauneuf neere the River Caris S. Iulian. Vierzon a royall City and a Dioecese having these Signiories under it Champ●e M●tte d' A●sy Saragosse Brivay Mery. Mehun hath under it the Castellania Love and Foici Concourfault or Concressault hath under it Vailly Argeny Clemon Beaujeu This Country is watered with the Rivers Ligeri Souldra Aurrona Che●re Theone ●●dro Creusa and some other smaller Rivulets Here are no Mountaines of any note The Country is interlaced here and there with Woods the chiefe whereof are Si●va Roberti Lacenna Sylva or Robert● Wood and the Wood Lacenna I come to the publike and private workes At Avar●●um besides the 34. Churches aforesaid There are foure Monasteries of Mendicant Friers two Abbies for men the one dedicated to S. Sulpitius being strong rich and standing without the Walls the other within the City dedicated to D. Ambrosius and well endowed and three Nunneries Not long since a godly Magistrate thereof did build an Hospitall for the reliefe of poore and decreped people Of all the faire Aedifices here which are many the chiefe is the stately and sumptuous House of Iames Cordus who lived in Charles the 7. time There are also the Almanes Houses who were formerly the Kings Treasurers before the Faires to which a great concourse of Strangers were wont to resort were kept at Lions Here are infinite ruines both within and without the Walls of old Aedifices which were built with curious workmanship and many are daily digged forth especially out of the Sand-pits as they call them where sometime stood the Amphitheater The Archbishop of Bourges hath these Suffragan Bishops under him the Bishop of Clermont of Rhodes of Lymoges of Mende of Alby of Cahors of Castres of Tulles and of S. Flour but the Bishop of Puy is exempted THE DVKEDOME OF BVRBON· THE Country and Dukedome of Burbon or le Pays and Duché de Burbonneis was so called from the Dukes of Burbon who were Governours thereof On the West it is neighboured with the Biturigians and Lemonicians on the North with the Nivernianis On the East lyeth Burgundie on the South are the Lugdunians The Soile for the most part is all pasture ground and hath no Corne but in some few places But there are very good Wines and great plenty of Corne. Those people whom Caesar Lib. 1. de Bello Gallico calleth Boij were supposed to have dwelt here formerly and hee calleth their Towne Lib. 7. Gergovia where hee also mentioneth Boia which doubtlesse was the Boians Towne Their strength was so greate that joyning themselves with the Cenomanians and Insubrians they pluckt downe the pride and arrogancy of the Thuscians possest their dominions and seated themselves in that parte of Italie which is now calld Romania The Romanes did call it Gallia Togata because the Frenchmen who were subject to the Romanes dwelt there The Sugusians also did inhabit all that part which is called le Pays de Fores. All this Territorie as many other bordering Countries was heretofore subject to the Kings of Aquitaine Afterward it had Dukes who from a Towne of no meane note were called Dukes of Burbon The last of them was Arcibaldus who had one onely daughter and heyre called Agnes Shee marrying Iohn Duke of Bugundie gave her daughter Beatrix which shee had by him the Dukedome of Burbon for her dowry having married her to Robert the Son of
the Island It is a faire Cittie having many private and publicke edifices being excellently adorned with Bridges Towers and Fortresses both for use and beautie and it is the chiefe Cittie in all Zeland being also a famous Towne of traffique Heere Paul of Middleburrough THE COVNTIE OF ZELAND ZEELANDIA was borne who was the chiefe Mathematician of his time And also Nicolas Everhard who was first Paesident of the Court of Holland and afterward of Mechlin in which office he dyed in the yeere 1532. He had sonnes that were singular learned men Peter Everhard Doctor of Divinitie Nicolas Everhard Praesident of the Court of Friesland and afterward of Mechlin Adrian Marius and Iohn a Poet. Veria or Campoveria is so called from the passage over which the Zelanders call Veer It was first walled about in the yeere 1357. Afterward it began to be a Mart towne for Scotch merchandize Flushing hath his name and armes from a Flaggon which the Countrimen call een Flessche It is a new Cittie but powerfull and commandeth the Sea and it is full of excellent shipmasters and Pilots Arnemuda is a free Towne belonging to Middleburrough and a safe roade for shippes The second Isle to Wallachria is Zuidbevelandia which some suppose was so called from the trembling and shaking of it we suppose that it was so called from the Bavarians whose arms may be yet seene in the Scutchions of the Island It extendeth it self in a large and pleasant tract towards the coast of Flanders Brabant albeit some few yers ago a great part of it being lost it is now lesser by halfe than it was There is a pretty Citty that stands off the Land called Romerswalia that hath no tilled fields round about it no● no garden places but the sea doth wash it on every side so it subsisteth onely by trading in salt In this Cittie the Earles of Zeland take a solemne oath which when Philip King of Spaine was to doe according to the usuall custome in the yeare 1549. Nicolas de Conflilte in whose house the Prince was entertayned caused these verses to be written over his gate Vidimus adsueto privatum lumine Solem Pallida turbato vidimus astra die Vidimus undantis horrendos aequoris aestus Nos miseros Belgas quum obruit Oceanus Vidimus ast post quam te Gloria nostra Philippe Caesarea proles Semideûmque decus Cuncta refutamus transacti tristia saecli Quod praesens nostrum testificatur opus Sit licet exiguum sit pro ratione voluntas Nil facit ad nostrum parva carina fretum We have seene when as the suns cleere light did faile And in the day time seene the starres looke pale We have seene the fearefull sea tides rising so Till the Oceans did us Belgians overflow But Philip when thee our glory we espy'd Of Caesars stocke and halfe a god beside We made up all our former rents againe And this present worke doth testifie the same Though it be small yet to accept it please For no small ship can sayle upon our Seas Moreover in the Westerne part of this Island the Cittie Goesa is situated at one of the mouths of Scaldis which they call Schenge It is a Cittie not very large but pleasant and rich being the onely Cittie in the Island It hath very civill and curteous Cittizens and a prudent Senate The third Island of Zeland on this side Scaldis toward the West is Northevelandia in which is the Cittie Cortgreene and very many Townes but this Citty was all drowned with water in the yeare 1532 but now it is a little reedified The fourth Island is Wolferdijc as if you should say Wolfords ditch it is very small having onely two Townes in it There are tenne Citties in Zeland and more townes they being about an hundred and more The inhabitants are wittie craftie and provident and of a middle stature But the Annalls doe report that Withelme Bonus Earle of Holland at the solemnity of the marriage of Charles the faire King of France did bring a woman of an unusuall great stature borne in Zeland in comparison of whom the greatest men did seeme but boyes for she was so strong that she would carry two hoggsheads full of wine in both hands and drinke of them which hogsheads did weigh foure hundred Italian pounds and she would carry a beame or piece of timber up and downe which eight men could not lift They are very skifull in the Art of Navigation They boyle blacke course salt which is brought out of the Westerne Countries in great large cauldrons untill they have made it as white as snow They powre salt water on the rude Spanish and Armorican salt and so boyle it and doe make of a hundred weight of Spanish salt an hundred and five and forty weight of pure salt And they sell this salt in France England Denmarke and other parts of Eurpe Besides they reape much profit by their corne and choyse wheate also by their Madder Salt-fish and great plenty of cattell and especially sheepe They keepe their houses very neate and well furnished they are provident and very painfull in merchandising and also bountifull and liberall to the poore The politicke state of Zeland was wont to consist of three members the one whereof was the Prelate who stood for the whole Clergie which was the Abbot of S. Nicolas in Middleburrough and one noble man who was the Marquesse Veria and also of the generalitie of the Citties the chiefe whereof were those above mentioned namely Middleburrough Zirizaea Veria Flushing Tola Martinsdijk Romerswalia and Goesa But let so much suffice concerning Zeland THE DVKEDOME OF GELDERLAND Containing the Countie of ZVTPHANIA and the Lordship of TRANSISILANIA GElderland was so called from the Castell of Gelre which Wichard of Ponthe together with his brother are reported to have built though many doe suppose that it was so called from the Towne Gelduba which Tacitus mentioneth Others doe bring other reasons for this name It hath on the North Friesland and a Bay of the Germaine Sea commonly called Zuyderze● on the East the Dukedome of Cleveland on the South Iuliacum and on the West Brabant and Holland The ayre of this Countrie is pure and wholesome the soyle fruitefull and fit for tillage and especially it hath abundance of Corne it hath fruitefull meddowe● which doe breed up all sorts of Cattell and great droves of Cattell are brought out of the farthest part of Denmarke to be fatted here for there are many faire and flourishing meddowes especially about the bankes of Rhen● Vahalis and Mosa At the first Gelderland was ruled and governed by Praefects and afterward by Princes For Leopold Nephew to Martin governour of Austria or Guidus as some report was governour of these parts After the time of Charles the Great the Lords of Ponthe governed it Afterward Otto Nassovius was Prince thereof in the yeare 1079. if we may credit Labius After whom followed Gerard Henry Otto Reinald
is commonly called Artois The bounds thereof are on the North Flanders from which it is parted by the River Lisa and the New ditch on the South and West it is bounded with Picardie on the East with Flanders and Cam●racum The ayre is cleare and swee●e the Countrie fruitfull and especially of corne of which it hath not onely sufficient plentie for it self but also it furnisheth Flanders Brabant and other Countries It is the barne and Granarie for Antwerp and Mechlin It hath no wine rather by slothfulnesse of the inhabitants than the unfruitfulnesse of the soyle or climate This Countrie heeretofore belonged to Flanders for Charles the Bald gave it to Baldwin Arduennatus for a Dowry with his wife Iudith Afterward Philip Alsasius when he marryed his Nephew Isabella to Philip son of Ludovicke the seaventh King of France he gave her all West Flanders for her dowry that is all that tract of ground which lyeth from the new Ditch even to Picardie Afterward Philip in the yeare 1195 made it a County and gave it to his sonne Ludovicke who was first Earle of Artesia afterward King of France and the father of Ludovicke the holy But in the yeare 1382 Ludovicke Malanus Earle of Flanders after the decease of his Mother was made Earle of Artesia and so both the Counties were united againe But after the decease of Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundie Ludovick the eleventh King of France did regaine Artesia which afterward by an agreement and covenant made betweene Charles the eighth King Maximilian the Emperour was passed over Anno 1492 to Ph●lip of Austria the son of Maximilian the father of Charles the fifth The chiefe Citties are Atrebatum the Church of S. Audomare Bethunia Aria and Bapalma the others are lesse Atrebatum commonly called Arras or Atrecht is situated neere the River Scarpa it is a great Towne well fortified with ditches and Bulwarkes it doth resemble two Citties one of which they call la Cité which belongeth to the Bishop and the other la V●lle which belongeth to the Prince The former part is lesser but very pleasant and hath a Cathedrall Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary Heere a certaine kinde of Manna was religiously kept as a relique which Saint Hierome in his Epistles doth report did raine downe in his time in this Country This part is larger and hath faire houses and streetes and a great Market place besides it hath a Library in which are all kind of written manuscripts especially of Divine Heere Francis Baldvin a famous Lawyer was borne upon whose Monument at Paris there is this inscription Cujaci Balduinus hic jacet Hoc tecum reputa vale Mortuis nobis juris prudentiam gravis corripi sopor Franc. Bald Iurise ob anno aet 54. November 11. a partu Virgiuis 1563. Papirius Massonus Balduini auditor P that is Whose monument is this Baulduine lyeth here Thinke on that and so farewell Franc. Bald a Lawyer dyed in the yeare of his age 54. on the 11. of November and after the birth of Christ 1563. Papirius Massonus an hearer of Baldvini did place this monument In this Cittie the most learned and eloquent Charles Clusius was borne who after he had travelled through many Countries he spent his old yeares in this Athens and Batavia and there he finished those his famous workes which deserve immortall fame The Citty is populous enough because there are some merchants and some trades men The Church of S. Audomare was heretofore called Sithin as Meyerus witnesseth afterward it was called S. Omer from S. Audomar This Audomar was bishop of the Morineans about the yeare 1570 and built a Monasterie there neere the River Aa This Cittie excelleth both for beautie and populousnesse of the Cittizens Some thinke it to be Itius Portus as wee have sayd in the description of Bononia Three miles hence neere the River Lisa there was also the auncient Metropolis of the Morineans called Teroana concerning which I have spoken in the same description Bethunia also is a faire Towne in Atribatum being a Granarie for wheate It flourisheth with all kinde of commodities as corne and other things which are necessary to sustaine mans life and fit to be transported Aria is seated by the River Lisa which runneth through the middle of it it is two miles distant from Teroana being a faire Towne and well fortified It hath an auncient Castell and neate buldings There is also Hesdinunt which is a strong fortresse against France which Caesar after he had raced the Towne which was of the same name builded by occasion of the warre that was betweene the most powerfull Princes of Europe It is conveniently seated on the banke of the River Canchia one mile neerer towards France being foure miles distant from Monstrolium and 5 from S. Paul It is watered also with another River commonly called Blangis from the place where it springeth So that in regard of the convenient situation thereof it is accounted a strong Fortresse and in regard of the lawes and Priviledges which auncient Hesdinum did enjoy it was soone replenished with inhabitants Neere to S. Omers there is a Lake full of fish in which there are floating Islands which with a rope tyde to the trees growing thereon or with long poles may be shou'd and drawne up and down like those which Plinie mentioneth to be in Lycia called the Calaminae Neither are there small pieces of Land for Oxen other Cattle THE COVNTIE OF ARTESIA ARTESIA may feede and graze upon them Vnder these Islands in the Winter and Summer time great store of fish doe hide themselves to avoyde both the cold and heate The chiefe Rivers are Lisa Scarpa Aa Canchia and Anthia besides other navigable Rivers There is also not farre from Teroana a great Channell which they call the new ditch some thinke it was digd in the time of the Earle Baldwin either to hinder the enemies excursions or to distinguish and set limits betweene the confines of Flanders and Artesia others thinke it to be a bay of the Sea Virgill truely doth acknowledge that the Morians were neere unto the Sea when he calleth them the farthest inhabitants But now Teroana is eight miles from the Sea Besides out of the bottome of the new ditch there are oftentimes peeces of Anchors drawne up which is a certaine argument that the Sea was neere unto it It hath also some woods especially Westward and Southward The Politicke state of Artesia doth consist of three orders the Clergie the Nobles and the speciall Citties the first member is the clergie in which there are 2 Bishops the Bishop of Atrebatum and S. Omers 2 Provosts Bethuniensis and Ariensis 20 Abbots to whom belong these Monasteries of the order of S. Benedict 8 namely Atrebatense Aquicinctense Aus●in S. Omers Blang●acense Montense Hamense or Hames and Alsiacense Of the order of S. Augustine 7 as Auriacense S. Eloy of Choques of Hennin of Lietard of Rasell● v●lla of Mar●ul Aquicurtense
Saxonie who lived in the time of Charles the Great among the Earles of this Country Ierenicus delivers that the Cittie of Oldenburg was reëdified by Charles the Great and that the Bishop Agalgargus did there dedicate and consecrate a Church to Saint Iohn Baptist But I thinke in this matter Ortelius and he are both in one errour because he reckoneth this Cittie to be in Wandalia and doth place it neere the Sea For this is not the same Cittie with that which is in the Countrie of Holsatia THE COVNTIE OF EMBDANVM and OLDENBVRG EMDEN et Oldenborg The Wandalians call it Stargard the Danes Br●nnesia as the same Crantzius doth witnesse Lau●ent●us Michaelis doth thinke that the Ambronians had their originall from hence who as Plutarch reporteth did heretofore goe into Italy with the Cymbrians and were slaine by Caius Marius whose name doth yet continue in that Nation which they call Amerlander And hee is of the same opinion concerning the Ala●an Saxones who 〈◊〉 suppose● did in 〈◊〉 neere the Lake Alanum in this tract and on either side● the 〈◊〉 Alania even to the Castell Ororia and that they are now called L●gener that is the Alanians and Avergenla● that is to say the ●●●tralanians The Castle of Delmenhorst was built by the River 〈◊〉 in the yeare 1247 which belonged 65 yeares to the Bishop 〈◊〉 ●ster and Antonius Earle of Oldenburg on Palme Sunday i● the yeare 1547. early in the morning scaled the walls with a b●nd of 〈◊〉 and so tooke it and Hermann of Oer the governour of the Ca●ell was kept in custodie Concerning the Earles of this Countrie A●d●●as Hoppenr●d●us doth relate something but David Ch●rcus more excellently in his history of Saxonie But now by way of conclusion we will adde something concerning the manners of the Chaucians Tacitus a grave writer doth write thus of them There is a Noble people among the Germaines who are very just not covetous but quiet and secret and not apt to stirre uproares neither doe they liv● by rapine or Robbery And this is a chiefe argument of their vertu● that the great men doe not injure their inferiors yet they ●ne exp● in armes so that armes of footemen and horsemen is presently ●sed before there be any rumor or report of it THE FIRST TABLE OF WESTPHALIA WEstphalia followes in our method concerning the name whereof there are divers opinions Some suppose it was so called from the goddesse Vesta as it were Vestalia because heretofore she was reverenced here and so they would have the Westphalians to bee so called as it were Vestalians for they say that those which dwell Eastward beyond the River Visurgis are called Oostvalian Saxones from Oost the East-winde and Vadem which in the Saxon Language signifies a Coult which they bore in their military ensignes and Colours But now that name is worne out and it is generally called Saxonie So the Westphalians that dwell Eastward on this side Visurgis are so called from the Westerne winde Lastly others suppose that the Westphalians were so denominated from Veldt that is a field rather than from Valen. It hath on the East Visurgis on the South the Mountaines of Hassia which Ptolemie calls the Abnobij on the West the River Rhene on the North it looketh toward Friesland Holland Trajectum and Trans-Isalana The ayre is cold and sharpe but wholesome The Country is fruitfull but hath more pasturage than corne It hath divers kindes of fruites as Apples Nutts and Akornes with which Hogges are fatted It is more fruitfull about Susatum and Hammonia and most fertile neere Paderborne and Lippia but it is barren and desert ground in some places about Amisis The Dioecese of Munster confineth on it and that tract of land which lyeth neere the River Visurgis It is wooddy through all Surland and the Countie Bergensis it hath store of Mettall in the Countrie of Colen and and the Countrie of March and in some parts there are many Salt pits It breedeth an innumerable sort of Cattell and especially abundance of Hogges flesh which is esteemed a great dainty and is served up to Princes Tables There are also many wilde beasts in the Wood. Charles the Great did first conquer the Westphalians and converted them to the Christian religion He instituted these Bishoprickes the Bishopricke of Munster of Osnaburg of Paderborne and Minden But it is not found in the Annalls how Westphalia was governed after Charles the great or whether it was subject to the Pope Truely in East Saxonie there were secular Lords who did governe the Countrie at the first Kings that were descended from Charles the great under whom the Dukes of Saxonie did grow up by degrees even until Henry the first King of the Romains after whom there were three Ottoes who were afterward Marquesses of Saxonie being sons to Henry Duke of Bavaria brother to the first Otto But we doe not reade what Princes Westphalia which is West Saxonie had at that time joyned in governement with the Bishops But afterward Duke Leo and his grandfather before him Luder Duke of Saxonie and afterward Emperour did governe Westphalia For after the aforesayd Henry was displac'd by the decree of the Emperour Fredericke the first the Dukedome of Westphalia did assume the title of the Archbishoprick of Colen and the Dukes of lower Saxonie being descended from the Earles of Anholt did hold and possesse it And now the aforesayd Bishop doth hold a great part of this ●ountrey and especially Angria and the Westphalians are subject unto him and his Nobles being as it were slaves unto them Here formerly the Teutonians the Busasterians the Chamavians the Angrivarians the Longobardians the Dulhumnijans the Angilians the Chaucians and Cheruscians were seated Those whom Mela and other call the Teutonians Ptolomie calls Teutones they comming from the Balthicke shoare where Ptolomie placeth their auncient seate did give that appellation to Teutoburg which Tacitus placeth in Westphalia Those whom Ptolomie calls the lesser and the greater Busacterians Tacitus calleth them Bructerians Willichius writeth that they did inhabite Munster Those whom Tacitus calleth Chamavians Ptolomie doth name Camanians as Villenovanus thinketh From whom David Chitreus supposeth that the Towne Chamen in the Countie of March doth derive his name The Angrinarians were seated Eastward neere Visurgis The Longobarians or rather the Langobardians Ptolomie placeth on the Frontires of this Province on the farthest part whereof was Bardewick so also those whom Ptolomie calleth the Dulguminians Tacitus nameth the Dulgibinians from whom the Towne Dulmen in the Dioecese of Munster was denominated heere are also the Angilians who about the yeare 444 went over into Brittaine and gave their owne name to England as it appeareth by many histories as also by Saint Bedean English writer But the Chaucians whom Ptolomie calleth the Cauchians and Suetonius Lampridius and Strabo the Gaucians Dio the Chaucians and Claudian the Chaycians as Tacitus writeth doe spread themselves from Friesland even to
Guicciardine and others doe contend that it was out of the Cittie halfe a mile from Limburg 5 miles from Leden 8 miles from the Tungrians neere the Towne Spa in a pleasant and delightfull Wood being a part of the Wood Arden This Fountaine hath a great vertue in curing desperate diseases as the Gout Dropsie Fevers and the like And heere the Country beginneth to be full of Mountaines in which there are rich Mines It hath also many shadie Woods which are parts of the Forrest of Arden which is so celebrated by Iulius Caesar One small part of it which is neere unto the Countie of Namurcium is called the Forrest Marlignia And so much concerning the Dioecese of Leden now we proceeed to the rest THE COVNTIE OF MVERS with the adjacent Countries IN this Table in which the Countie of Muers is lively described and delineated together with the Countries Citties and Rivers which doe encompasse this Countie we will onely describe those Countries which we have not described otherwheres namely these First the Countie of Muers afterward the Dukedome of Cleveland and lastly the Dukedome of Iuliacum The Countie of Muers commonly called Graefschaft Muers was so called from a Towne of the same Name On the East it hath the Dukedome of Bergen and the Countie of Marck on the West Gelderland on the South the Dioecese of Colen and the Dukedome of Iuliacum on the North Cleveland The Country yeeldeth great store of corne and hath many pleasant Meddowes The chiefe Towne is Muers which doth name the Countrie it standeth over against Dutsburg not farre from the left banck of the Rhene And so much concerning the Countie of Muers I come to the Dukedome of Cleveland which was so called from the Cliffes and there is a small Towne of that name neere the bancke of the Rhene which is built on three Cliffy bills It is boundered on the East with the Dukedome of Bergen the Countie of Marck and Westphalia on the North with the Countie of Zutphania Trans-Isalania and Batavia on the West with Gelderland and Leden on the East with Colen and Aquisgranum The Countrie hath a good and wholesome ayre it yeeldeth great store of Corne and pleasant Meddowes Here are divers kindes of living creatures and in some parts divers wilde beasts as oares Foxes Hares Connies Harts wilde Cats and wilde horses they have great store of Partridges Thrushes and Stares An innumerable sort of Duckes and great plentie of all kindes of provision They report also that Pipin and Charles Martell did give A●lius Gracilis when he flourished in wealth and power that part of Batavia which is now called Cleueland There succeeded after him Theodoricke Rhemhold Rudolphus Iohn Robert Balduine and others even to Iohn who was the 27 from A●lius and here the line was extinct Yet Adulphus was adopted by the Emperour and the provinces into this familie and in the Councell at Constantia the Emperour Sigismund created him Duke of Cleveland This Dukedome hath these Townes on the confines of France Xantum or Santen a Towne on the left bancke of the Rhene which Pig●ius heretofore called Trajana Colonia and Pyramus and many others Vetera it seemeth to be very auncient and of great antiquitie by those stones which are called Duynsteen of which great stoare are gathered out of the ruines Burichum or Burich is a small Towne situate over against Wesel hahaving pleasant fields and Meddowes round about it Clivia or Cleve is the head Towne of the Province not farre from the bancke of Rhene not far from that place where it spreadeth forth his armes and beginneth to Inile Batavia It was heretofore a very great Cittie as we may collect by the ruines thereof It was called Cleve because it is situate on three cliffie rockes neere the Rhene On the highest part of the three hills there is seated a high broade foure-square Towre with a faire Castle which they report was builded by Caius Iulius Caesar in his French warres as a Fort of defence against the Germaines which may be seene in these words written in the great Court of the Pallace by the Princes commandement Anno ab vrbe D●XCIIX C Iulius Dictator Ilis Partibus Subactis Arcem Clivens●m fundavit That is in the yeare from the building of the Cittie D●XCIIX C Iulius the Dictator in these parts having subdued Arcem founded Cleve Now it is memorable because it is the seate of the most illustrious Dukes of Iuliacum Cleveland and also for the Collegiate Church and the curtesie of the inhabitants It is very conveniently situated and hath a faire prospect into a faire plaine which is cloathed with greene grasse and herbage but especially from a high Tower which from the weathercocke is called the Swanne Tower Calcaria is a Towne in the Island of Rhene which was built first by the Earles of Cleveland as a Fort and Tower of Garrison to prevent the incursions inroades of these of Colen and Gelria with whom they had often warres It was so named from the auncient Castell Calcer from whence there was passage from this Island to the farther bancke of the Rhene it grew rich and powerfull by cloathing and brewing of drincke which was transported from thence to other places Above Calcaria in that place which is called Ausden Baern it is thought that Caesar Germanicus did build a bridge over the Rhene when he marched from his old tents unto the Martians who are now called Twentanians but yet the little Towne Otma●rsen retaineth its auncient name Griet is situate on the left bancke of the River Rhene and below it on the same side is Griethusium on the confines of Batavia neere the auncient Castell Lobecum which signifies the corner of the course for Loop signifies a course and Eck a corner for Rhene divideth his course and runneth divers wayes On the bancke towards Germanie there are Vesalia of which we have spoken in the descripion of Westphalia also Duisburg or Teutoburg a Towne of auncient Germanie situated heretofore on the bancke of the River Rhene betweene the Rivers Rura and Angra Both histories and the faire buildings doe declare and demonstrate that it was alwayes a famous Towne And the writers concerning the affaires of Flanders doe shew that it was frequented THE COVNTIE OF MVERS CLEVE et MURS by Merchants for trading and famous Marts which were kept there Embrica is a very neate Towne well peopled having faire streetes and a well governed schoole the Commentators on Tacitus doe call it Asciburg but it is commonly called Emmericke And so much concerning Cleveland the Dukedome of Iuliacum remaineth commonly called Iuliers or Gulick It was so named from the Towne Iusiacum It is situated betweene the River Rhene and Mosa in the same manner as Cleveland is but that the latter lyeth Northward and the other Southward For otherwise they have the same Countries confining on them It hath a good wholsome ayre and the soyle yeeldeth abundance of Corne
1575. by the Emperour Maximilian and the first Duke of Montis-ferrat was William the third Prince of Mantua In this Country the Duke of Mantua hath three famous Citties which are Casalis D. Evasij which was made a Citty by Sixtus the fourth in the yere 1474. it is a Bishops Se and the Seate of the Marquesse of Montis-ferrat It hath two Castles the old which was heretofore the Marquesses Palace and the new which Vincentius Gonzaga Duke of Mantua and Montis-ferrat built which is commonly called La Citadella Also Alba which Pliny calleth Pompeja and so calleth the Albensians Pompejanians It is farre bigger than Casalis D. Evasij but it hath not so good an ayre it was heretofore subject to the Marquesses of Montis-ferrat but now to the Dukes of Mantua That part of the Country is very fruitfull which is commonly call'd Laguvilla The third Citty is that which is commonly call'd Acqui Acquae Satyellorum which Pliny Lib. 3. Cap. 5. placeth in Liguria A●toninus call it Aquae from the hot and wholesome Waters and Fountaines which are here for there are in this Citty publike Bathes with stone Tables and steps to goe downe into them Beside the aforesaid Citties there are Bassimana Valentia S. Salvatore Moncalvo Alex●ndria Nicaea surnamed Palea Asta Pollentia Ceva and many others The Dukedome of GENOA THe Dukedome of the Genuensians or the Country of Genoa was heretofore called Liguria yet not all but that part which was beyond the Alpes There are divers opinions concerning the name of Liguria Some among whom is Paulus ●iaconus doe report that it was so called ab legendis Leguminibus from gathering of Pulse some from Ligo one of the fabulous Captaines of Iapetus and Berosus Caro Fabius Pictor and Semprocius suppose that it was so named from Ligures the Sonne of Aegiptian Phaeton Now it is commonly calld Riviera de Genoa from Genua a famous Cittie It is bounderd on the West with the Alpes which divide Gallia Narbonensis from Italie on the East with Etruria and Macra or Marga which floweth betweene them on the South it is beaten with the Ligurian Sea on the North it is enclosed with the Apennine This Country as Strionnius writeth was heretofore barren and had nothing in it worthy of memory but that it had great vast Trees fit for building of Ships But now it yeeldeth good store of Wine Oyle and other fruits The Country Dianus doth so abound with Oyle that sometimes it maketh 18. sometimes 20000. Jarres which they commonly call Barilas Genoa is now twofold the Easterne and the Westerne which from the Metropolis which standeth in the middle of them both is called Riviera di Genova di Ponente de Levante Livie and others call the chiefe Citty Genua Stephanus calleth it Genoa and Luitprandius Ticinensis and the Writers of his age Ianua it is now called Genoa and Genova concerning the situation It fronteth on Meridium and the Iland Cirnus the banke of it is opposite to the North and so it hath a gentle descent into a Plaine being seated at the foote of the Mountaines and behind a Trench or Bulwark doth keepe off the cold Northward having neither a Moutainous Situation nor a plaine but of a mixt kinde The Compasse of it is 35955. foote as the Bishop Nebianus reporteth So that if we allow 7. foote to a pace the measure of the whole Citty will be 5. miles but if wee allow 6. foote then neither the Bulwarke nor the Haven can come within this compasse or dimension It hath a faire Haven which lyeth to the South and Southwest which affoordeth safe harborage for Shipping But concerning Genoa there are these smooth Verses of Scaligers extent in English thus The Asian wealth and Easterne honours great And all that Land the Euxine Sea doth beate The Pisanian Armies and the youth of worth And the French Colours I alone drew forth The subdued Alpes I held and kept in awe And Affrick trembled when my Ships it sawe And the Venetian hath fled from the shot Which in my Haven he hath found too hot O France you are deceived much and Spaine In your attempts you take up armes in vaine I conquer being conquerd for if I obtaine Victory or lose it I am still the same Having viewed the Metropolis wee will shew some of the other Townes and Citties Not farre from Varus is that which Ptolemy calls Nicaea Antoninus Nicia and now Nizza It is a Sea Towne built heretofore by the Massilians and seated behinde the Alpes partly on the Cliffes and partly on plaine ground Now it is strong having a well-fortified Castle and it is subject to the Prince of Sabaudia A mile farther above the Port or Haven of Hercules Monaecus Torbis or Turbias is seated on the high Mountaines There are also the Townes of D. Remi or S. Remo seated in a pleasant fertile soyle and wonderfully terrified and adorned with Citterne-trees Palme-trees Lemmon-trees and others Castellum Tabia is but a little Towne but famous for good rich Appian Wines Albigaunum is an ancient Citty seated in a Plaine 500. paces from the Sea which hath an ill ayre but very rich and abounding with all things necessary Finarium also or Naulum Savona is an ancient Citty adorned with many magnificent buildings and the compasse of it is 1500. paces These Citties are on the Westerne side of Genoa on the East side there are Claverium Sestri di Levanto and others The Rivers here are Varus which devideth Province from Liguria the latter being a Country of Italy the former of France This River on the Westerne banke thereof which is toward France receiveth those Rivers which are commonly called in French Caremp Lavaire and Esteron on the Westerne banke toward Italy it receiveth the Rivers La Lince La Vesubie There are also by the Coasts of Liguria Paulon now called Pulion Rutuba now called R●tta There are also Merula Porzevera Ferisano Lavagna Maera now called Magra Concerning the Ecclesiastick government you may read in Mercators Table the Bishop of Taurinium under whom are the Bishops Casalensis Salutiarum Montis Regalis Novariensis Lodensis Vercellensis Ipporegiensis Actensis Aquensis Albensis Terdonensis Saonensis Albingaunensis Vintimeliensis Placentinus Papiensis are subject to the Archbishop of M●diolanum There are under the Archbishop of Genoa the Bishop Bobiensis Aprumacensis or Brumacensis Metenensis or Maranensis Acoiensis or Ampruniacensis Nubiensis in Corsica or Nebiensis Naulensis Albigaunensis or of Arbenga which is reckoned among the Suffragans to the Archbishop of Mediolanum THE DVKEDOME OF GENOA· THe Dukedome of Genoa which stretcheth forth to the Ligustick Sea belongeth properly to the Transalpine Liguria The Metropolis of it is the Citty Genoa the other part is devided into the Easterne and Westerne The bounds of the former is the Lunensian Haven of the latter the Haven of Monaecus This Country hath a rude stony soyle so that it bringeth forth nothing but that which is forced out of the Earth with
Giuvenazzo is an Episcopall Citty seated in a fertile soyle Marfette or as some write it Morfitta or Melfatta flourisheth with the Title of a Principality Vigiliae commonly call'd Bisegli is an Episcopall Towne seated by the shore on high Rocks Tranum is an Archiepiscopall Citty commonly called ●ra●i It had faire Buildings but now for the most part it is desolate There are Woods of Olives and Almonds which do reach from this Towne even to Tarentum Barulum is commonly called B●l●ta Ostu●a is a populous Citty seated on a little Hill C●lium or 〈◊〉 which Pt●lomy calls Cilia and Horace Verusia or Venusium where 〈◊〉 was borne is now called Venesa There are also Canusium 〈◊〉 Biletum and other Townes Next to Apulia we must describe the Country of the Salenti●i●● which i● also called Iapygia Massapia and Calabria The Italian● doe now commonly call it ●erra d' Otranto This Country hath on the South ●arentum and the Sea even to the Salentinian Promontory on the Eas● the same Promontory with the Jonian Sea on the North it is watered with the River Hidruntes even to Brundusium on the West it hath Asalta Peucetia and a part of great Greece This Country hath a wholesome ayre and a cleere faire Climate except on that Co●●t which reacheth from the Hydruntine Lake to Brundisium where there are Marshes in those places which are neere the Sea The Country is fa●t and fruitfull and the chiefe Citty which nameth the Country is H●drun●um which Strabo Ptolemy and others doe call Iareus Mela calleth it Hydrus it it now call'd Otrante It is an ancient Citty having a sweet milde ayre a strong Castle built by Alph●nsus the second and a large spacious Haven The soyle is pleasant and fruitfull The other Citties are Gallipolis now called Callipolis Others call it Callipol● as it were the faire Citty It hath a strong situation for it is seated on a Rock or small Iland which is encompassed every where with the Sea and it is joyned to the Continent with a s●one Bridge Castrum is a Citty much frequented by Merchants who co●● thither to buy Oyle Brundusium or Brundisiam which Ptolemy call Breundesium Steph. Brentesium and Benjamin Barnedis is now called B●●disi It hath a gentle ayre It had heretofore a famous Haven 〈◊〉 of which the Romanes did formerly passe safely into Greece b●● now it is filled up so that a Galley can hardly come up into it The Citty is fortified with a strong Castle The Citty Oria is seated on 〈◊〉 looking toward ●arentum and hath a strong Castle That Town● which Ptolemy calls Aletium is now called Leze and Leccie It is the prime Citty of the Salentinians in regard that the Royall Coun●ell of Apulta is held here and because all the Nobility of this Country have houses here Vxent●m now called Vgento Vsenti or Ogento is a very small Citty PVGLIA PIANA· Puglia Piana Terra di Barri Otrāto etc There remaineth in this Table Lucania to bee described which is now called Basilicata but from whence it is uncertaine The bounds thereof on the West are the River Silarus which bounders Campania on the South the Tyrrhene See on the East Laus the Brutians and great Greece on the North the Peucetians in Apulia with a part of Hirpinia Livy sheweth that it is all Mountainous and rugged But now perhaps it is more inhabited than it was formerly yet in many places it is very desolate in regard of the hard uneven wayes and the dreadfull hideous woods in which many robberies are committed The Townes here by the Sea are Paeslum which Virgil mencioneth Lib. 4. Georg. Biferique Rosaria Paesti The Rose-Gardens of Paestum where Sweet Roses doe grow twice a yeere Servius maketh Paestum a Cittie of Calabria where Roses doe growe twice a yeare Acropolis is a Towne 12. Miles from the mouth of the River Silarius having an excellent ayre The name sheweth that it was built by the Graecians as the most of the other Townes in this Country There is also Pisciotta which Pliny Mela and Ptolemy doe call Buxentum Palicostrum is a Noble Citty and adorned with the title of a Dukedome In the middle of the Country there is the Towne Padula which is honoured with the title of a Marquiship The Citty Capacia was heretofore very populous and rich I omit the other Townes Moreover in the other part of the Kingdome of Naples there are these Archbishops the Archbishop of Regiensis under whom are Lucrensis Cotroniensis Cassanensis Cathacensis Neocastrensis Giracensis Tretetensis Vibonensis Squilacensis The Archbishop of Consentinus under whom is Maturanensis The Archbishop of Rosania hath no Suffragans The Archbishop of S. Severine under whom are Ebriacensis Strangulensis Gencocastrensis Gerentinensis S. Leonis The Archbishop of Larcatinus under whom are Mutulensis Castellanensis The Archbishop of Brundisinus under whom are Astrinensis The Archbishop of Hidrontinus under whom are Castrensis Gallipolitanus Liciensis Vgentinensis Lucensis Nerto●ensis is exempted The Archbishop of Barensis under whom are Betontinensis Calphajanus Invenacensis Rubentinensis Salpensis Cauriensis Baterensis Conversanus Minerviensis Polignercensis Cathericensis Lavellinensis The Archbishop of Tranensis under whom are Vigiliensis Andrensis and Penensis The Archbishop of Sipontinus under whom are Vescanensis excepted Trojanensis excepted Melphiensis Monopolitanensis and Rapolensis are excepted Cannosanus under whom are Auranensis Sarranensis Montisviridis Laquedonensis S. Angeli de Lombardis Bisaciensis The Archbishop of Acheronti under whom are Potentiensis Tricariensis Venusiensis Graviensis Angelensis THE ILANDS CORSICA AND SARDINIA· CORSICA was so called from Corsus who was Lord of this Country The Graecians called it Kurnon from Cyrnus the sonne of Hercules Ovid names it Teraphne as Villanovanus writeth On the West and North it hath the Ligustick Sea on the East the Tyrrhene Sea on the South Sardinia It is not above 120. Miles long although Strabo maketh the length thereof to be 160. Miles and Pliny 150. who also maketh the breadth thereof to be 60. Miles and Strabo maketh it 70. Miles which appeareth to bee true by measuring it with a paire of Compasses The compasse of it according to Pliny is 320. Miles but according to Maginus 325. which hee saith that hee found out by measuring it exactly This Iland is hard to come unto being enclosed on every side with inaccessible dangerous cliffes and Hills Within likewise it is for the most part Mountanous and therefore it yeeldeth no great store of Wheate and Pulse which grow but in some few places where the Country opens it selfe and is watered with Rivers which make it fruitfull That part which looketh toward Etruria is indifferent plaine having a fruitfull Soyle which beareth excellent sweet fruites This Iland hath excellent wines of chiefe note which the Romanes much esteemed they are called from the place Corsican Wines Here is great store of Honey Rosen Oyle and Figges But Servius noteth in his 4. Booke of Geogr. that the Corsian Honey is bitter which comes to passe by reason
inhabit by the Maeotick Lake Pliny calld it Illyricum from Illyricus the Sonne of Cadmus or as some thinke of Poliphemus Ptolemy calls it Illyis and Stephen Illyr●a Ptolemy doth stretch it forth from Istria even to the confines of Macedon by the Sea shore and doth make it extend to Pannonia and Maesia Pomponius Mela and Dionysius Alexandrinus doe describe it to be larger for hee maketh Illyria to containe all the coast of the Hadriatick Sea from Tergestus even to the Ceraunian Mountaines and placeth it beyond Danubius For Mela reckoneth Danubius among the Rivers of this Country But Pliny maketh the Rivers Arsia and Visius to be the bounds thereof And the most doe follow Ptolomies description who saith that Illyris where it looketh toward Macedon doth containe Dalmatia and Liburnia which Lazius doth call Crabates and others Croatia Pinctus calleth it Contado di Zara. The length of it from Arsa to Dranus is 380 Italian Miles In some parts it hath a pure wholesome ayre but in other places not so wholesome by reason of Moorish exhalations and vapours This Country as Strabo witnesseth is very pleasant it hath strong Havens a fertile Soyle and full of Vines unlesse it bee upon the stony rockie cliffes or on that side which lyeth toward Paennonia where it is cold and coverd with snow Florus in his booke of the first P●nicke warre writeth that the Illyrians grew so licentious that they slew the Romane Embassadors like sacrifices and burnt the Captaines of the Shipps and to disgrace them the more at the command of a woman who as he writeth was called Teuta Againe the Illyrians being hired by King Perses began to set upon the Romanes behind their back but Scorda which was the head Citty of the Nation being rased they straightway yeelded themselves Pliny writeth that the coast of Illyria was more frequented than the Ilands when on the contrary the coast of Italy over against it is very impetuous and stormy The chiefe Citties and Townes of Illyri● are Senia commonly calld Segna being seated on a Plaine by the Sea which is often troubled with the North wind Iadera is now the chiefe and strongest Metropolis of the Liburnians Also Zara commonly call'd Sebenicum Ptolomy calls it Sicum It is situate in the Bay Scardonicor neere the Sea at the foote of a Mountaine where there is a Castell It hath fruitefull fields but it is thinly inhabited by reason that the Turkes doe continually vexe it Spalatum and Salena is celebrated by Ptolomy and Strabo There is also Salona which is a Haven of the Dalmatians which hath few inhabitants because it is so neere unto the Turke Tragurtum now called ●ran is divided from the Continent by SCLAVONIA SLAVONIA croatia Bosnia Dalmat a small arme of the Sea Epidaurus is an ancient Citty by the ruines whereof there is Ragusium commonly call'd Ragusi the Turks call it Pobrovicha it is a small Citty with a strong Castell heere is a famous Mart for all Turkish commodities the Commonwealth is governed by good lawes the Cittizens are rich This Country is watered with two chiefe Rivers Savus and Dravus which doe runne into Danubius Beyond the Mountaines many lesser Rivers doe breake out into the Hadriatick Bay as Edanius Ticicus Naron Rhizon and Drinus The Illyrians or Sclavonians doe dwell in woodden houses thatched unlesse it be some Townes upon the Coast where they live civiller And so much concerning Illyricum or Sclavonia in generall But Sclavonia which our table doth exhibit is onely a part of that Illyricum unlesse we make it to be Plinyes Sclavonia It containeth the Marquiship of Windorum and the County of Zagabria CROATIA CRoatia is a part of Illyricum towards Hungarie which wee described in the beginng Rufus and Volaterranus call it Valeria others Liburnia It joyneth to Istria on the East by the Fanatick Bay and is situate betweene the Rivers Cuspa and Savus and the higher Maesia The Metropolis of this Country is now called Bigihon and sometime Fumlum It hath many other Citties at Zeng Wackat Turnaw Modrish But the Turk by his invasions made this Country knowne having broken the league with the Christians had a great desire to joyne this Country to his Kingdomes and Provinces that so he might more conveniently invade Italy and Germanie whereupon at the beginning of Summer in the yeare 1592. the great Turke sent an Army into Croatia under the conduct of his Bashawes and Captaines The Souldiers being terrified at the approaching of this army the Bashaw of Bosnia tooke the stronge Fort Hrastovitza by treachery And afterward the fury of his Souldiers being not appeas'd therewith hee laid siege to Wyhitz a strong walled Citty the Souldiers having neither munition nor victualls yeelded up the Towne by surrender and the Turke afterward contrary to his promise put them all to the Sword and many inconveniences follow'd after this surrender which I omit Moreover in the yeare following which was 1593. The Turke glorying in his many victories and Townes which hee had taken had a great desire to get the strong Citty Sissegkum and so raysing an army hee besieged it But the Germanes considering what great detriment and losse not onely Germanie but all Europe should sustaine if the Turkes should take it they levied an army and so passing over the River Savus they intended to relieve the Citty The Turkish horse-men who were 8000. or some say 10000. made haste to possesse themselves of the other Banck of the River Savus by the Bridge which was built before that so they might hinder the Christians approach where joyning battell with the Christians the Turkes were put to flight and fled to the Bridge which the Carolostadien Souldiers had first possessed The Turkes were at last all cut off and a great many drown'd in the Rivers Savus and Kulpa The other part of the Turkish Army fled the Bridge being cut downe so that they could not retire to the rest of their army And so on the 22. of Iune in the yeare 1593. this Citty was freed from this straite siege BOSNIA THe Easterne part of Liburnia they now call Liburnia from the Bessi a people of lower Moesia who afterward being expulsed by the Bulgarians did remove into higher Maesia and by changing the letter e for o they were called instead of Bossis Bossi or Bosni and afterward Bosna and Besnia There have beene the like changes in other names as Melita now called Malta Langones and Lingones Scandia and Schondia c. Iaitza is a Citty of Bosnia seated on a high hill and encompassed with two Rivers These Rivers doe flowe at the foote of the Mountaine and so having encircled the Citty doe joyne together and runne both into Savus It was the Metropolis of Bosnia and it hath a strong impregnable Castle This Country also hath other chiefe Citties especially Schwonica and Warbosayne which is now the Metropolis but not walled about The River Milliatzka doth devide it into two parts c. DALMATIA IT
Archbishop Thebanensis Iorocemensis Castoriensis The Archbishop Athenensis under whom are Thermopylensis Davaliensis Salonensis Nigropontensis Molgarensis Roonensis Eginnensis The Archbishops Corcyrensis and Duracensis MOREA HEERETOFORE CALLED PELOPONNESVS SO much concerning the chief Countries of Greece which are in the Continent Morea and Candia are next to be unfolded The former Ptolemy Strabo and Steph. doe call Peloponnesus it is a Peninsula but now it is happily called Morea from the incursions of the Moores Heretofore as Apolloderus and Pliny doe witnesse it was called Apia and Pelasgia Strabo delivers that it was Argos and afterward Argos Achaicum and Orosius Lib. 1. cap. 11. saith that it was called Achaja And also Apulejus in his 6. Booke of the golden Asse Eustathius did also call it Pelopia and Stephanus Inachia And in Eusebius Chronicle it is called Aegialia It was called Pelopon●esus from Pelops a barbarous man who comming out of Asia raigned here For Pelopis signifies an Iland whereas it is not an Iland but a Peninsula and as Mela writeth it is most like to a Plantine leafe being as broad as long The Perimeter or compasse of it is 4000. Furlongs unto which Artemedorus addeth 400. It is joyned to the continent by an Isthmus or necke of Land the breadth whereof is 40. Furlongs Many have vainely attempted to cut thorow this narrow tongue of ground as Demetrius C. Caesar Caligula Nero and others but being frustrated of their purpose they made a wall there which they called Hexamilium Amurath the Turke threw it downe and the Venetians re-edified it in the yeere 1453. in 15. dayes space but the Turkes afterward did raze it downe to the ground In this Isthmus there was heretofore the Temple of Neptune where the Isthmian sports and Playes were celebrated Pel ponnesus hath on the East the Cretian Sea on the West the Jonian or Hadriatick Sea on the North it hath the Corinthian and Saronick Bay betweene which is the Isthmus on the South it hath the Mediterranean Sea This Peninsula is the Castle and chiefe part of all Greece and Pliny saith that it is not inferiour to any Country For it hath plenty and abundance of all things which serve rather for pleasure or necessity It hath fruitful Plaines and Hills and it is full of Bayes and Havens which doe make many Promontories The Elians the Messenians the Achivi the Sicyonians the Corinthians the Laconians the Argives and the Arcadians did heretofore inhabite Pel●ponnesus And this part of Greece was famous heretofore thorow the whole world for the Common-wealths of the Myceneans Argives Lacedemonians Si●vonians Eliensians Arcadians Pylions and Messenions out of which there came many famous Princes as Agamemnon Menelaus Ajax and others For this Country in regard of the situation and Maiesty thereof did governe all the other parts of Gree●e But now all Pel●ponnesus is under MOREA· MOREA the Turkes Dominion as also the rest of Greece although it were valiantly defended by some Earles of Greece whom they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Lords and also by the Venetians But now a Sangiack doth governe 〈◊〉 ●rea under the Turke who is more potent than all the rest who ●●●deth at Modonum and at the Beglerbeys of all Greeces command hee i● to bring a thousand Horse into the Field at his owne cost and charges This Sangiack is called by the Barbarians Morabegi whose yeerely revenewes in this Province 700000. Aspers that is 14. thousand Crownes But it appeareth in Ptolemy and other Authors that all this Country was devided into 8. Provinces which are Corinth Argia Lacon●a Messenia Elis Achaja Sicyonis and Arcadia Corinth is seated in the Isthmus it was so denominate from the chiefe Citty which was first called Ephyre Cicero doth worthily call it the light of Greece It hath a Haven on either side the one whereof looketh toward Asia the other toward Italy so that the convenient situation made it soone grow famous and the Isthmian Playes which were celebrated here Acrocorinthe was seated on a Mountaine 3. Furlongs and a halfe high and under it was Corinth 40. Furlongs in compasse On the top of the Mountaine there was a temple dedicated to Venus neere which was the Fountaine Pyrene which did first spring up as the Poets report from a stroke of Pegasus his hoofe who was the winged Horse of the Muses This Citty was raz'd by L. Mummius because they had discourteously entertained the Romane Embassadours after it had beene builded 952. yeeres by Aletes the Sonne of Hippotes as you may finde it in Pater●u●us Argia followeth which Ortelius calleth Romania The Citties of this Country are Mycenae where Agamemnon had his Palace whence Ovid calleth it Agamemnons Mycenae it was famous for the ancient temple of Iuno whence Iuno was called Argiva They report that the Cyclops did wall it about Not farre from hence was the Lake Lerna where Hercules kild the Lernaean Hydra or rather did scatter and kill the Theeves that did rob in those parts The Citty Argo● was built as some report by Argus Nauplia now called Neapolis is a strong Citty of Romania Epidaurus is in the innermost part of the Saronian Bay a Citty famous for Esculapius temple Next to Argia is Laconia The Metropolis or Mother Citty whereof is Sparta which was also called Lacedaemon and now Misithra it was heretofore a great potent Citty being not fortified with walls but by the valour of the Cittizens neither doth Pomponius praise it for magnificent Buildings but for Licurgus his Lawes and Discipline in which it contended with Athens as Thucidides noteth in his 8. Booke Leuctra may be knowne out of Plutarch by that sad and tragicall History of Scedasus Daughters There is also Epidaurus which is now called Malvasia Messenia reacheth from the Mountaine Taygetus and the River Panijsus even to Alpheus The chiefe Citty of it is Messene situate by the Sea it is now called Mattegia Aristomenis was the Country where renowned Messenius was borne who as Pausanias reporteth being ripped open after he was dead had a hairy Heart There is also Methone now called Modon where the Turkish Sangiack did sometimes keepe his residence Corone is now called Coron Pilus was the Country where Homers eloquent Nestor who lived three ages was borne And Ciparissi is now called Arcadia Elis is situate betweene Messenia Achaja and Arcadia The Citties are Elis thorow the middle whereof Peneus and Alpheus did runne famous for Iupiters temple Olympia was famous for the solemne Graecian Playes which were called Olympian games and for the sumptuous Temple of Iupiter Olympius which by the offrings and gifts of potent Princes and other men grew so great and beautifull that there was no Church in all Greece that could compare with it for magnificence and riches for Iupiter was religiously reverenced here Cipselus the Tyrant of Corinth did consecrate and sett up a golden Iupiter at Olympia of massie gold Afterward Phidius the Athenian did sett up a great Image of Iupiter of Gold
is still under their Empire Ancient Writers doe report that it had heretofore an hundred famous Citties and Pliny mentioneth a-about 40. The most noted City is Gnossos where Minos had his Palace whence came the Gnossian Bow and the Gnossian Dart● Cortina followeth whence came the Cortynian habit as Claudian saith in his Booke of the rape of Proserpine Crispatur gemino vestis Cortynia cinctu Her Cortynian Garment then With a double Girdle was girt in And also Phestos Proxima Gnossiaco jam quondam Phaestia regno Also Cidon whence the Cydonian Bow and Cydonian Horne Also Dictinna Ma●ne●hala Licastos Lictos Holopixos and others But now as Bellonius witnesseth it hath onely three Citties of any note which are Candy heretofore Matium the chiefe Citty of the whole Iland from whence the Iland is denominated The second Citty next to Candy is Canca heretofore Gidon The third is Rhetimo which the ancients called Rhetim●a This latter hath an inconvenient Haven but Canca and Candy have convenient Havens There are no Navigable Rivers in the whole Iland Yet there are many great Rivers in which Beanes doe grow of their owne accord On the Northerne shore there are M●●●●otamus S●asinus Cladilis Epicidanus Giffo Divotro on the West there is Na●●ul●ar on the South Limens Crete hath great store of a kinde of Fish as bigge as Mullets on the Coast which are called Sca●us being very rare in other Countries which ancient Writers doe often mention and the Romanes did account them great dainties and a very dainty Dish The chiefest Mountaines are three Ida which the Inhabitants call Psilori Leuci which Pliny calleth Cadissi now de Madara and Dicta which is now called Sethia They are so high that all the Winter time they are covered with Snow but yet Cypresse trees doe grow here and there among the Cliffes The Mountaine Ida is the highest of them all It beholdeth the Sunne before the Sunne riseth for as Lucretius saith Idaeis fama est è montibus altis Dispersos igneis orienti limine cerni They say the Idaean Mountaines are so high That ere Sunne rise the Sunne we may espie Whose scattered beames within the Easterne skies Are seene before the Sunne it selfe doe rise CANDIE· CANDIA Corfu Zante MILO NICSIA SCARPANTO C●rfu which Ptolemy calls Cor●ira is a faire Iland being strong both by Land and Sea It is 2. miles distant from Epi●us where the Sea is straitest but where it is broadest 20. miles It is 97. paces in length as Pliny witnesseth The Climate is very temperate and gentle so that there are whole woods of Citterne Trees Orange Trees and those kindes of fruits The soyle is fruitfull having abundance of Vines Olives Apples and other sorts of fruits here is also great store of Honey Put it hath no good Corne in regard of the Southerne windes which dryes it so much that it withers before it come to Maturity and ●●penes●e It is now subject to the Venetians who defended it valiantly against the fury of the Turkes It hath a Citty of the same name The Inhabitants are Graecians Z●●●●t●us commonly called Zante Pliny placeth it betweene Cephale●●a and A●ha●a It is 36. miles in compasse This Iland bringeth forth great store of Corne but especially Raisons Wine and Oyle out of which the Inhabitants doe yeerely make 15000● Crow●●● They are Graecians and subject to the Venetians It hath a Towne of the same name with a Castle seated on a Mountaine which hangeth over the Sea it is full of Woods and it is much commended for the wholesomnesse of the ayre the fruitfulnesse and the fertility of the soyle The Mountaine it selfe is called Elatos Milo is an Iland which was anciently called Melos which is in the Cretian Sea The compasse of it is 80. miles It hath fruitfull Fields which doe yeeld Corne and Oyle but little Wine In this Iland a Mine of Silver is also found and the Onix stone Naxus is an Iland which Sophianus and others call Nissia It is 80. miles in compasse And it is reckoned among the fruitfull Iles. It hath great store of Wine and there is a kinde of Marble found in it which the Graecians and Pliny doe call a Carbell having spots like a Serpent The stone also Smirillus wherewith Glasiers cut their Glasse which Pliny calls Smiris is found here Some thinke that there are veynes of Gold here which are not found out by reason of the Inhabitants sloth and idlenesse Here is also a kinde of Waspe which if it sting any one he dyeth presently afterward also here are great store of Bats It was heretofore subject to Iohn Quirinus a noble Venetian Afterward to Duke Iob Crispus whom Selinus the Turkish Emperour drove hence But now it is inhabited by Turkes and Iewes Santorini or Santorino or Therosia which is an Iland in the Aegean Sea according to Strabo and Ptolemy hath the figure and forme of an horned Moone although it had another shape before it was burned and that the Sea devided it into two parts betweene which some Rockes doe lye It is fruitfull and hath convenient Havens The Inhabitants live by fishing And it is subject to the Turke Scarpanto was heretofore called Carpathus or according to Homer Cra●●thus Hence the Carpathian Sea It is situate in the middle between Crete and Rhodes The compasse of it is 60. miles or as some will have it 70 miles It is rugged and full of Mountaines in which there are Mines of Marble It had heretofore foure Citties and therefore it was called Tetrapolis as Eustathius hath it upon Homer It hath many Havens which are not very great nor safe The Inhabitants speake Greeke and doe embrace the Graecian Religion but they are subject to the Venetians But let so much suffice concerning Europe Now we enter upon the other parts of the world and first of Affrick which in our devision is next to Europe BARBARY IN VVHICH ARE THE KINGDOMES OF TVNIS AND AEGYPT IN Affrick which with Ptolemy wee make to bee the second part of the World Barbary doth first present it selfe to view being a noble Country of Affrick It was so nominated either from the Inhabitants murmuring speech which the Arabians call Barbar because the Numidian speech 〈◊〉 such to the Arabians or from their frequent deserts for Bar sig●if● in their language a Desart It ●eacheth from Aegypt even to the Gaditane straite and doth containe both the Mauritania's namely Ting●t●na and Casariensis properly called Affrick also Cyrena●ca Marmarica with the farther Lybia Late Writers of Affrick doe make the bounds of it on the East to be the Desarts of Marmarica which is now called ●●cha which reacheth to a part of the Mountaine Atlas now called Mejes which part Strabo describeth under the name of Aspis on the South it hath the Mountaine Atlas which lyeth from the East to the West even to the Sea which from thence is called the Atlantick Sea on the West it hath the Atlantick Sea on the North the
Mediterranean Sea The Ayre and Climate of this Country is various and different In the Spring the ayre is gentle milde and cleare in Summer the heate is most vehement especially in the Moneths of June and July but in Autumne it is somewhat cooler in the Winter the cold is somewhat sharpe especially about December and January but it is but in the morning onely so that no man is compelled thorow cold to come to the fire The end of Autumne and all the Winter and a good part of the Spring hath great store of impetuo●s and violent windes and stormes And sometimes they are troubled with Hayle Lightning and fearefull Thunder and in some place● there is thick Snow This Country yeeldeth grea● store of Dares and Pomegrants but it hath but little Wheate so that the Inhabitants for the most part doe make Barley bread It hath also great store of other fruit as Cherries Figges Apples Peares Prunes Peaches Apricotts Quinces Olives and the like It hath abundance of Oyle Honey and Sugar and great store of Heards of Cattell and wilde beasts For this Country doth breed Dragons Elephants Goats Bulls or wild Oxen and the like also Lyons and Libbards it hath also Wesils which are as bigge as Cats but that they have not such great jawes and great store of Apes The Phaenicians and others who came out of Asia or Aegypt did first inhabit this Country afterward it was subject to the Romanes then to the Graecian Emperous and afterward to the Vandals Sarazens and Arabians now it is partly subject to the Turke and partly to a S●riti● of it● owne also the King of Spaine hath some Castles BARBARY· BARBARIA in it There are foure Kingdomes in Barbary the Kingdome of Morocco of Fesse of Teleusinum and Tunis unto which some doe adde Barca We will entreate of the two former namely Morocco and Fesse in the following Tables but of the other we will entreate here The Kingdome of Teleusinum which they call Tremisen is Mauritania Caesariensis The length of it from the West to the East is 380. miles The breadth of it is narrower being 25. miles namely from the Desarts of Numidia even to the Mediterranean Sea The most part of this Country is unhabited dry and rugged especially Southward But the Coasts by the Sea side are somewhat more fruitfull and fertile There are few Citties or Castles in it The Metropolis is Teleusina which was heretofore a great Citty but now it is for the most part ruinated In the same Country there is also Algiers a great Citty and well fortified This Citty did first revolt from the King of Telusia●um and paide tribute to the King of Bugia afterward it revolted from him and received Ferdinand King of Spaine to be their King And at last it was taken by Barbarossa and added to the Ottoman Empire it is famous for the Shipwrack of Charles the 5. for the sad captivity and slavery of the Christians and the excursions of the Turkish Pirates It is now so fortified that it is thought to be impregnable Castaldus supposeth that Ptolemy did call this Salden but Ortelius and our Mercator doe thinke that that which Ptolemy called Salden is now called Tadelis ●ovius thinketh it to be Iulia Caesarea and others Crita There are also the Citties Mersalcabir Messagran Mustaganin and others This Kingdome hath two famous Havens the one the Haven of Horamus or Orania with a strong Castle the other of Marsa Eltabirus whether great store of Merchants Ships doe resort especially from Italy both which the King of Spaine got some yeeres agoe to the great detriment and losse of this Kingdome The Kingdome Tunitanum doth containe Affrick the lesse and a great part of Numidia For it reacheth from the River Major which Maginus supposeth to be that which Ptolemy calls Audum even to the River of the Country of Mesrata AEGYPT· AEGYPT is a noble ancient Country which was first inhabited by Misraim the Sonne of Chus Nephew to Cham and Nephew once remoov'd to Noah Wherefore in Osiris sacred rights it was called from Cham Chemia in stead of Chamia as from the other Misraim for the Arabians doe still call it Mesre The Turkes call it Elquibet or Elchebit The bounds of it on the West beyond Nilus are the Desarts of Barch Libya and Numidia with the Kingdome of Nubia On the South it is enclosed with the Bugiensian Country and Nilus where Nilus bendeth his course from the West Eastward Pliny doth bounder it with the Citty Syene which is now called Asna On the East it hath the Desarts of Arabia which lye betweene Aegypt and the red Sea On the North it is enclosed with the Mediterranean Sea which is there called the Aegyptian Sea It seldome raineth in Aegypt and Plato saith that it was never seene to raine in Aegypt so that the ayre is continually serene and cleare whence happily it was formerly called A●ria The Country is wonderfull fruitfull being full of men and all kinde of creatures The River Nilus which runneth thorow the middle of it and doth overflow it every yeere doth so moisten and fatten it so that it is wonderfull fertile and fruitfull Writers have left many Elogies in praise of the fruitfulnesse of this Country Iustine affirmeth that there is no Country more fruitfull than it For saith he there is in Aegypt great store of Wheate Pulse Barly Oates Beanes and other kinde of Graine and also excellent Wine It hath also pleasant Pastures but hath but little Oyle and Wood. Besides wilde beasts of which this Country hath abundance it doth breed great store of tame Cattell as Buffes Oxen Camels Horses Asses Rammes and Goates all which are of a great size as B●l●●i●s witnesseth in regard of the temper of the ayre the abundance of Fother and the sweet Grasse which groweth there by the overflowing of Nilus among the rest there are very fatt great Rams which have a great thick taile that hangeth downe to the very ground and dewe lappes hanging downe under their neck as Oxen have and their wooll is black Moreover all Aegypt did heretofore flourish under divers Kings of divers names even to the Ptolemies for there were few Pha●●es But the Ptolemies raigned a long time even to the Romane Empire which declining Aegypt was governd by the Agarenes of Arab a felix the Prince whereof was called the Sultan and those that followed him were also called Sultanes being all Mahometans they raigned many yeeres untill they were expulsed by the Turkes But now Soliman the great Turke doth possesse all Aegypt and leaveth there a President who is called the B●xa of Aegypt Alexander of Macedon did devide it into Praefectureships of Townes whereof Herod●tus reckoneth 18. Strabo one more and Ptolemy 46. Pliny 50. who also addeth that some of them had changed their names so that it is not to be imagined that there were heretofore so many Praefectureships of Aegypt as are nominated in Historians seeing there might
and Barley and great plenty of Lettice Colworts Cabbages Rape-rootes Beete Parsley or wilde Alexander and other Garden hearbs And besides it hath a roote which groweth in the West-Indies in the Iland Hispaniola which is there called Bata The Negroes of this Iland doe call it Ignama and doe plant it as a very choise and speciall hearbe The outermost barke is black the innermost white and it is long like a Rape-roote and hath many branches spreading from the roote It tasteth like Chesnuts but more pleasant and sweete They commonly rost them in the ashes and sometimes they eate them raw The Spaniards have brought hither Olive-trees Peach-trees Almond-trees and other kindes of Trees which being planted were faire and pleasant to behold but they never beare any fruit There is in this Iland a strange kinde of Crab which liveth in the Earth like a Mole of a Sea-water colour which casteth up the Earth and doth gnaw and consume all things neere it There are also in this Iland great store of Birds as Partridges Starlings Blackbirds greene singing Sparrowes and Parrots The Portugals built a Citty in it which they called Pavosa by the River in which it is thought that there 700. Families besides the Bishop and other Clergie men It hath a good Haven and a wholesome River and the Sea affoordeth good fishing And which is wonderfull there are great store of Whales which are sometimes found on this shore and on other shores of Affrick In the middle of the Iland there is a wooddy Mountaine which is alwaies coverd with such thick Clouds in so much that water doth runne out of the woods and water the Sugar-canes and the higher the Sunne is the Skie round about that Mountaine is the more cloudy The Inhabitants are partly white and partly black And it is very strange that the black people are very much troubled with Gnats Lice and Fleas but the white people have neither Lice nor Gnats nor Fleas in their Beds The Princes Iland NOt farre from hence 3. degrees beyond the Aequinoctiall is the Princes Iland Which is so named because the Prince of Portugal hath the revenues of this Iland It is well inhabited and yeeldeth great store of Sugar And there growes in it a kinde of Date-tree which wee mentioned before out of which there commeth a juyce which they drinke The Iland of the Good-yeere THE Iland of the Good-yeere or de Annobon was so called because it was discoverd at the beginning of the New-yeere It is situate 3. degrees Southward beyond the Aequinoctiall and it is inhabited there is good fishing by the shore side and flying fishes are sometimes seene here Here are also great store of Crocodiles and venemous Creatures And let so much suffice to have beene spoken concerning Guinea and these Ilands together with Affrick And now to conclude I thinke it meete to set downe that which Aeneas Gazaeus a Greeke Writer doth report in his Theophrastus or Booke of the immortality of the Soule or Resurrection of the dead who affirmeth that to his great amazement hee beheld the Martyrs and Priests of great Libya when their tongues were puld and cut out by the Tyrants command yet they spoke aloud and with a cheerefull couragious heart declared the wonderfull workes of God Hee that desireth to know more let him have recourse to Salust in his Jugurthine Warre and the Voyage of Hanno an Affrican which he shall finde in Arrianus and Iambolus his Voyage in Diadorus Siculus Also Herodotus his Melpomene Of the Moderne Writers let him consult with Aloysius Cadamustus Vascus de Gama Francis Alvares who viewed Aethiopia Iohn Leo who describeth it the most acurately of them all and Ludovick Marmolius also Livy Sanutus and others Concerning the River Nilus the greatest in all the world you may read the Letters of Iohn Biptista Rhamusus and Ierome Fracastorius We come now to Asia the third part of the World THE TVRKISH EMPIRE IN Asia unto which we now are come the Turkish Empire hath the first place Mela in his first Booke maketh mention of the Turkes and so doth Pliny Lib. 6. Cap. 7. And it is not to bee doubted but that Nation which is now growne so great by our sloth and dissention was both named and originally descended from them Postellus thinketh that the Hebrewes did call them Togarma They doe call themselves Musulmanni that is the Circumcised or as some doe interpret it the Right Beleevers But they will not be called Turkes for they account that name very reprochfull which in the Hebrew language signifies Banisht men or as some doe interpret it Spoilers or Wasters The Empire of the Ottoman Family which is very large and potent doth containe many Provinces and Countries of Europe Affrick and Asia In Europe it extendeth and stretcheth it selfe neere the Sea shore of the Hadriatick Bay from the borders of Epidaurus now called Ragusus and so encompassing all the Aegean Sea and also Propontis and a great part of the Euxine Sea it is bounderd with the Citty Theodosia situate in the Taurican Chersonesus which they now call Caffa which space of ground containeth 8000. miles In the Mediterranean parts it reacheth from Iavarinus a Towne of Hungary which the Inhabitants call Rab even to Constantinople which is seated in the borders of Europe In Affrick Turky doth containe all the Sea Coast from the Towne Bellis de Gomera even to the Arabian Bay or the red Sea except some few places which are subject to the King of Spaine It doth also extend it selfe very farre into Asia The Country for the most part is fruitfull and yeeldeth great store of Wheate Barley Oates Rye Beanes Millet and other kindes of Pulse It hath abundance of Rice Hempe and Cotton It hath also Vineyards It yeeldeth also great store of Pompions Mellons Cowcumbers Nuts Apples Peares Pomegranats Oranges Chestnuts Figges Cherries and other fruits but not in every Kingdome For there are some places as in Cappadocia and Armenia the lesse where none of these fruits doe grow by reason of the intensive and excessive cold It hath also veines of Gold Silver Iron Brasse and Allom. It doth breed divers kindes of living creatures and great store of Cammels Mules and other Cattell The Turkish Horses and Mastiffes are much esteem'd The Turkish Empire began thus Ottoman their first Emperour was a Tartarian and a Souldier to the great Cham a stout man and strong of body He leaving the Tartarians under the colour of some injury began to lye in THE TVRKISH EMPIRE· TURCICUM IMPERIUM waight about the Mountaines of Cappadocia At first he had but 40. Horsemen with him but afterward many guilty persons allor●d with the hope of booty and the consciousnesse of their wicked deeds flocked unto him by whose ayde and assistance he began to attempt openly what he formerly intended and so possessed himselfe of Cappid●●ia P●ontus Bithyma Pamphilia and Cilecia all rich Countries This was done about the
●dumaea It was so called from Iudah which was the chiefe Tribe in which there were many Citties and Townes but the fairest of them all was Hierusalem the Metropolis of Iudaea and the most famous Citty in the World In Ptolemies time it was called Ae●ia Capatolia and now the barbarous Inhabitants doe call it Coz or Godz or Chutz There are also other Townes and famous places in Iudaea beside Hierusalem as Iericho Ioppe which is now called I●ffa Stratoes Towre afterward call Caesars Towre also Bethlehem Chebron or Hebron before called Arbee and Mambre and Cariatharbe that is the Citty of foure men And the Towne Macherus with a strong Castle beyond Iordane ●ere were also Sodom and Gomorrah which were destroyed for their abominable wickednesse Samaria followeth which is situate in the middle betweene Iudaea and Galile It was so called from the Metropolis of the same name which Amri King of Israel built it is now called Sebaste here are these Townes Sichem afterward called Neapolis also Capernaum Bethsaida and Chorazin Galiley is situate beweene the Mountaine Liba●us and Samaria and it is devided into the higher and the lower the higher is otherwise call'd the Galiley of the Gentiles neere to Tyre The lower is situate by the Sea of Tiberias or Genezareth The Citties in it are Naim Cana Nazareth and Gadara Butthe whole Country is situate betweene two Seas and the River Iordane It hath many Lakes which are Navigable and have great store of good Fish But the Riuer Iordane which the Hebrewes call Iarden runneth thorow all the length of this Country This River as Hierome writeth issueth from two Fountaines not farre distant one from another namely ●or and Dan and afterward these two forked streames joyning together doe make the River Iordan It hath two chiefe Mountaines Hermon on the East and Tabor on the West which are very high and all the other Mountaines are but armes and parts of them For Ebal Bethoron and Misha or Maspha and Be●el by Hermon Gelboe Gerizim Sarona and lastly Carmel neere to the Sea are but part of the Mountaine Tabor There are also these Mountaines Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Olivet Mount Calvary and others It hath also many Woods Wildernesses and Groves Here are many faire buildings and especially at Hierusalem But of all those workes which were famous in ancient time the chiefe is Mons Domus and the Jebusians Tower into which King David carried the Arke of the Lord and there is continued untill Salomons Temple was built and consecrated of which there are some ruines yet remaining where it is thought that Christ supped at the time of the Passeover There are also some Monuments of David and the Kingdome of Iudah There was also Davids House which is still preserved and called by the name of Davids Tower Here also some ruines of Mello at the farthest part of the Mountaine Moriah Here was Salomons famous Temple which was 7. yeeres building and had 50000. men working daily at it Concerning the magnificence and statelinesse whereof you may reade in Lib. 1. of the Kings Cap. 6.7 Chron. Lib. 2. Cap. 3. 4. Concerning their Lawes and Customes for brevity sake I will adde nothing but referre the Reader to the Bookes of Moyses Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomy ASIA THE LESSE VVHICH IS NOVV CALLED NATOLIA ASIA the lesse so called to distinguish it from the greater is now to be described for so the Romanes when they made a Province did call it after the name of the Continent The Turkes doe call it now Natolia or A●atolia as if you should say the East Country from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the East which Peter Bellonius sheweth in his learned observations of his travels And it is called of late the greater Turky Marius Niger delivers that the Low-Country-men call it new Turky and the Barbarians Rom namely the Northerne part which containeth Bithynia Galatia and Cappadocia But they call the Southerne Country in which are Licia Cicilie and Pamphilia Cottomanid●a The bounds of this Country on the East is the River Euphrates on the South the Mediterranean Sea on the West the Aegean Sea or the Archipelagus of Greece on the North it is washed with the Euxine Sea and the greater Sea It containeth therefore all that Chersonesus which lyeth betweene the Euxine the Cilician and Pamphilian Sea The breadth of it according to Pliny is about 200. miles namely from the Isacan Bay now called Golfo de Lajazzo and the Amanian Haven even to Trapezuntes which is on the Sea Coast in which he consenteth with Herodotus who saith that the Isthmus of the lesser Asia is 5. dayes journey This Country is not inferiour to any other both for the gentle temperatenesse of the ayre and the fertility and goodnesse of the soyle Which Cicero witnesseth in these words The Custome and Revenues of other Provinces O Citizens are so small that we are not content to undertake the defence of the Provinces for them But Asia is so fat and fruitfull that it excelleth all other Countries both for the fertility of the Fields the variety of Fruits faire Pastures and divers commodities which are exported from thence So that it was heretofore enriched with fruitfull Fields fatt Pastures and Gold-bearing Rivers Besides it hath all things that can be desired wanting nothing but is content with her owne commodities It hath great store of Wine and Oyle But it hath one shrewd inconvenience which is that it is often troubled with Earth-quakes so that Citties are over-throwne by them as in the raigne of Tiberius Caesar 12. Citties in Asia fell downe in one night as Pliny reporteth Lib. 2. In this Asia there were heretofore the great Kingdomes of the Trajans of Craesus Mithridates Antiochus of the Paphlagonians Galatians Cappadocians and others It was first governed by Cyrus King of Persia afterward the Macedons and Alexanders Captaines together with Syria Aegypt and Babylon did devide it amongst themselves afterwards it was wasted by the Romanes and then by the Turkes so that it hath now nothing memorable in it and it is all subject to the Turkish Emperour Here are no Nobility THE LESSER ASIA· PEREGRINATIO PAULI In qua omnis loca querit●● fit 〈◊〉 in actis et epistolis Apostolorum et Apocal●psi describunt●● by blood or descent but all are equall and the great Turke uses them as slaves who hath here his Beglerbeys and Sangiacks in divers Countries and Provinces Natolia containeth these Countries Pontus Bithynia Asia properly so called Lycia Galatia Pamphilia Cappadocia Cil●cia and the lesser Armenia Pontus and Bithynia were heretofore devided and parted by the little River Sagaris flowing between them afterward they were reduced into one Province which is now called Birsia or Be●sangial It was heretofore Mithridates his Kingdome The chiefe Citties are Chalcedon Ni●●media Cerasus Prusa by the Mountaine Olympus where the great Turke kept his residence before he tooke
namely India on this side Ganges and India beyond Ganges It is thought that the latter is called in the sacred Scriptures Hevila or as some write Havilah or Evilath and the former Seria But wee reade in Marius that the Inhabitants doe call it Macyn or Magin others that follow Mercator doe call it Mangi and China Iohn Barrius affirmeth that the Inhabitants doe call the former ●ndostan It is the largest Country of all the world Pomponius writeth that a ship may sayle 60. dayes and nights along the coast of it But it is bounderd according to Pliny and Strabo on the West with the River Indus which divideth Persia from India on the North is the Mountaine Taurus on the East it is encompassed with the Easterne Ocean on the South with the Indian Ocean The Country hath a wholsome gentle ayre yet it is so great that it hath a different climate in many places for in some places it is hott namely toward the Aequator and in other places temperate enough and rather cold towards the North. But the Countrey it selfe in generall both for the Situation the ayre and the fertility of the Soyle doth farre exceede other parts of the world Here new Starres doe rise and set and here are two Harvests in a yeare and two Summers and the Winter is in the middle betweene them and the Estesian or East windes doe coole and qualifie the heate Although this Countrey for the most part hath no Wheate yet it yeeldeth plenty of Pulse and other graines and especially of Barley and Rice It doth also bring forth divers other fruits as Pepper Franckincense Myrrhe Ginger and in the most Southerne parts Cinnamon Spicknard and other Aromaticks and sweet spices as Arabia and AEthiopia There are also Honey or Sugar Canes Besides it hath many Druggs and rootes of trees some of which are wholsome and some hurtfull What should I speake of their Mettalls stones and Mineralls For there is great store of gold and silver in the Countrey as also of Brasse Iron and Copper as Diadorus witnesseth But Plinny saith that it hath neither Brasse nor Leade but instead thereof Precious stones and Pearles which the Sea casteth up upon the shoare For it hath abundance of Berills Adamants Carbuncles and Pearles Here is silke enough to furnish all the world Here are greater beasts than in others parts of the world as Oxen Cammels Lions Dogs and Elephants There are great store of Elephants And great Dragons in the Wildernesse that are as bigge as Elephants and doe fight continually with them And Dogs as fierce as Lions And great store of Serpents which the Inhabitants doe roast and eate and a kind of THE EAST INDIES· INDIA Orientalis Ants which they eate with Pepper as we doe Crabfishes Here are white Apes and Cameleons which were heretofore thought to live by aire Moreover there are divers sorts of Birds not knowne to other Nations besides great store of Hens Pheasants and Partridges and also Parrets of divers colours Plinny writeth thus of the Indies The Indians alone of all nations were never droven out of their Countrey they had from Bacchus to Alexander the great 153. Kings in 6402. yeares and 3. monethes And Strabo writeth that never any but Bacchus Hercules and Alexander got the victory against them although Cirus and S●mirami● assailed them often But leaving these matters let us passe to the Citties The companions of Alexander the great doe write that there were 5000. Townes in that part of India which they conquer'd and every one as bigge as Co whence you may easily collect the vast largenesse of this Countrey The chiefe Citty is Calechut which is the famous Mart of all the East There are also other Citttes as Cambaja Dec●n Batticalla Canonor and many others There are also many great Lakes In the history of Alexander there is a mention made of a Lake which hath great old wood in it here Alexanders army was like to perish for thirst But the greatest Lake of all is Chiamy which is 400. Miles in compasse and is 600 Miles distant from the Sea Hence many chiefe Rivers doe issue the next unto this Lake is ●incuthay and others Here are many great Rivers It is reported that Alexander the great did sayle every day 600. Furlongs in the River Indus yet he could but sayle over it in 5. moneths and odde dayes and yet it is lesser than Ganges It riseth out of the Mountaine Ca●sasus which is called Paropamissus and now Naugocrot and so having runne 900. miles it dischargeth it selfe into the Southerne or Indian Ocean In which compasse of ground it receiveth 20. Rivers but the famousest are Hydaspes which bringeth 4. others with it and Cantabra which bringeth three with it Some say that the Rivers Ganges doe issue from unknowne Springs as Nilus and that it watereth the Country round about as Nilus doth some say that it riseth out of the Scythian Mountaines and that 19. Rivers doe runne into it Some say that the Springs thereof doe breake forth with great violence and so rowling down thorow the Rocks it runneth first thorow the Plaines and from thence glideth gently forward and that it is 8. miles broad in the narrowest part of it and in other places 100. Furlongs broad and is no where lesse then 20. yards deepe This River in the Scriptures is called Phison But now Geographers doe seeke for it For some suppose it is that River which floweth into the Bay of Bengala perhaps in regard of the affinity betweene their names for the Inhabitants doe call it Guengua But our Mercator sheweth by good probable reasons that Ganges is that River which is called Rio de Cantaon Next to these Rivers there are the Rivers Mandona Chaberis Ava Campumo Menam Menon and many others Megasthenes reporteth that there are 60. Rivers in the Indies many of which doe overflow their bankes in the Summer like Nilus which is the chiefe cause of the fruitfulnesse and fertility of this Country It is said that Ganges hath Crocodiles as well as Nilus also Dolphins and Eeles 30. foote long as Pliny witnesseth Moreover the chiefest part of the East-Indies lieth over against the Southerne or Indian Ocean by the Shore or Sea Coast which although for the most part it hath Havens yet in many places it is so environd with Ilands Rocks and Sands that it is dangerous sayling that way Solinus saith that the Indian Seas have Whales as bigge as 4. Acres of ground There is also a kinde of Fish called a Whirle-poole which are very great and will lift themselves above the Hatches of a Ship and will so spout Sea-water out of their spouts that the waight of it falling downe againe is ready to overset Ships Here are many Mountaines so that it would bee troublesome to reckon them many of which have no greene things on them Imaus Emodus Par●pamissus doe joyne together being parts of Caucasus The Woods in the Indies as Solinus
Virginia you may see more which Iohn Wytts Description and Thomas Harriotts Relation Theodore Brius hath written of them in a particular Booke and hath cut them forth in Brasse Figures FLORIDA FLORIDA that I may by the way speake of the Etimologie of the name was so called because it was found to bee full of Da●e trees which the Spaniards call in their language Pascua de Flores This name was given to it by Iohn Pontius of Legion Others as Thenatus have another originall of the name namely because it is greene and flourishing and the River spread and deckt with greene Flowers but the Reader may approve of which derivation hee shall please The Inhabitants doe call it Iaquasa This Province hath large bounds on the East Ba●●ma and the Leucajan Iles on the West it toucheth the bounds of the Province of Mexico on the South it looketh towards Cuba running out in manner of an Isthmusa 100. miles and where it is narrowest it is 30. miles broad Above Florida Northward are Canada Virginia Avanares and New France It is a very pleasant and fruitfull Country And the Inhabitants are very carefull of their Corne for they sowe Maize in March and June and 3. moneths afterward they reape it and gather it into their Barnes and afterward every one hath a share according to their necessity and dignity It hath also divers other kindes of Fruit as Mulberries Cherries Chesnuts Grapes Medlars and Prunes which are faire to sight but ill tasted They have also Rootes call'd Harte of which when they want Corne they make bread It hath divers kinds of living creatures as Harts Hines Goates Beares Leopards Woolves wild Dogs Hares and Connies Neither doth it want Fowle as Peacocks Partridges Parrets Doves Wood-Pigeons Turtles Black birds Starling and others There are also divers kinds of serpents and a kind of beast like an Affrican Lion And it hath a strange kind of beast like a Foxe which hath a kind of a Sacke or Satchell under his belly which hee can open and shut so that hee puts his young ones into it and runnes away with them when hee sees any danger This Countrey after Iohn Pontius had discovered it lay a while untouched and no man lookt after it in regard of the fiercenesse of the Inhabitants untill in Processe of time Ferdinand Sottus obtained this Province of the Emperour Charles and so sayled thither with a great company of Souldiers in the yeare 1534. but hee having no care to make a Plantation wandered up and downe to seeke out veynes of gold which hee beleeved hee should doe but being deceived therein hee dyed for griefe and all his Souldiers and company were all slaine and killed by the Indians Afterward the Frenchmen in the time of Charles Nononus with their Captaine Iohn Rhibaldus sayled towards Florida but they had an improsperous voyage Another as unfortunate voyage the Frenchmen undertook with Captaine Landonier in the yeere 1562. and built there Charles his Fort which shortly after the Spaniards tooke Two yeeres afterward Dominicus Gourgnesius with a Fleete of 3. Ships and 150. Souldiers and 80. Saylers did revenge the Frenchmen tooke Charles his Forte and leveld it with the ground But in his returne understanding that the King was angry at that which hee had done he attempted nothing more neither is there any mention of any voyage which the Frenchmen afterward made in Florida and so the Spaniards had free possession of those Countries The more famous Provinces of Florida which were discoverd by the Spaniards are the Country Panuca which confineth on New Spaine the Inhabitants whereof are warlike people and cruell in Warre they sacrifice their captives to Idols and doe eate them The men doe pluck of their Beards that they may seeme more beautifull and they have holes bored thorow their Noses and Eares neither are they married before they are 40. yeeres old Next to this is the Country Avanares and the Province of Albardaosia the Inhabitants whereof are most crafty and doe differ in manners from the other Indians There is also in Florida the Country Iaguazia the Inhabitants whereof are so swift of foote that they will out-runne and catch Deare and they will runne a whole day and never be weary There are also other Countries and Provinces of Florida as Apulchia Anthia Samovia and others All the Country is watered with divers Rivers and Streames and therewith moystned and in the Mountaine Apolchicis there doe great Rivers rise which have Gold and Silver sands which the Inhabitants doe gather and bring it downe the River to the Sea Coast to sell it The chiefe Rivers are Porto Real which signifies the Royall Porte The mouth of this River is 3. miles over and hath two Promontories the one whereof looketh Westward the other Northward also Rioseco Fl. Magnus or Grandis Garumna Charenta Ligeris Anona Sequana Ay Serravahi Majus and others The Country is plaine and it hath few Mountaines among which the Apalchician are the chiefe About the River Porto Real there are many woods full of Oakes and Cedars in which there are many Harts and wilde Beasts and also many Indian Peacocks are found The Inhabitants are of a crafty cunning disposition and prone to warre and seeking revenge THE DESCRIPTION OF NEVV VIRGINIA· IT is wonderfull how much this Province and the Colony therein encreased from the time that the Englishmen began first to inhabit it so that almost all parts of it are found out and discovered And that these things may appeare more clearely wee thinke it fit to joyne to this Description Captaine Smiths last Voyage into this Country These Provinces therefore expressed in this present Card have on the North a high Mountaine at the foote whereof there dwell a people called Sasquesahanoug On the North-west it hath the Massawonecks on the West the Manahoacks on the South-west the Monacans on the South the Mongoags and Chanons betweene Affrick and the North the Virginian Sea and on the West certaine high Mountaines doe shew themselves on which certaine rude barbarous people doe live call'd ●uskarawaocks Tockwoghs and Aquanachukes The River Pouhatan watereth this Country which riseth in the Country of the Monacans and so running towards Affrick it falleth into the Ocean Neere the Promontory Wiffins another lesser River doth empty it selfe into the Sea as also the Rivers Payaunkata Cappahonock and Parwomeck which are full of Fish and are inhabited round about There are also other Nations toward the North but not knowne These Countries Captaine Smith in the yeere 1608. did discover with one Brigantine or Galloone who met two Indians who brought him from Capo Charles to Acc●umack whence he sayled to the great Bay Chesapeack about which there dwelt divers people who warred one with another who entertaind him in severall manners But his chiefe desire was to finde out the veines of mettall which he attempted in vaine Ponuhatan is a little Village consisting of 12. Houses or rather
name it Adiris Solinus Duris others call it Astrixis or Astre●xis but Dioscorider calleth it Tmolus l This Mountaine is called by Ptolomie Pliny and others Deorum cursus m So named either frō t●●n fruitfulness or goodnesse of A●e as Stephanus thinketh The name by whom why ●●●n n Daughter to ●●●anus and Teth●● o 〈…〉 p From the Greeke wo●d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wha●h signifieth the East because it lyeth Eastward of Asia the Great q From ●●m the ●●me of Noah The Situation The temperatenesse of the Aire The fertilitie of the So●le The various kindes of li●ing Creatures The government of th● Ancients r Cap. 10. vers 8.9.10 ſ Se● Iust●n lib. 1. and Diodo●us Siculus lib. 2. cap. 7. t Whom Iunius saith the Scripture calles Ahasuerus Either 1.4 u This is meant of Darius the son of Histaspi● w Herodotus reckons all his forces by Sea and Land to be 2641610 men besides Con●uoines Eunuchs women bakers 〈…〉 an 〈…〉 The Cities Lakes Rivers Mountaines x Eustathius affirmeth that this Mountain was so called by the reason of its magnitude for saith he among the Ancients all great strong things were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and as it is called Taurus many other names by humane Writers so the Scripture calleth it Ararath if we shall beleeve A●●a● Montanus and Becanus y Heylin saith that reckoning its severall bendings in out it is 6250. miles long 375. miles broad p. 519. The publicke workes z See Iustin Hist lib. 1. a Read 1. King chap. 5. and 6. America whence so called b In the yeare 1492. c But improperly for the true India is a part of Asia deriveth its name from the River Indus which this Country can●ot * Venient an●● s●●●la seris quibus occanus vin●ula rerum laxet ingens pateat tellus nec sit terris ultima ●hule d Borne at Nervi in the Countrie of Genoa The Situation e Read Heylin pag 770. f Or Cassader g Or Potatoes The Lakes Rivers The Mountaines h So called for its nearnesse to a constellation in the North Hemisphere called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth a Beare i So called because it is opposite to the Articke Pole Greenland whence so called k The London Marchants call this Island K. Iames his new Land The qualitie of the Aire and Soyle Freezland n Heyling saies almost as bigge as Ireland p And therefore now subject to the King of Denmarke Nova Zembla q Pigmies are here supposed to inhabit r Iason and his Companions who sayled to Colche● to fetch the golden fleece of whom reade Valerius Fla●cu● Lib. 1 The name by whom and why given See Heylin p 8 The Situation ſ Which is a great circle rounding the Earth from Pole to Pole and passeth through the Islands called Azores See marg pag. 10. The quality of the Soyle and Ayre The varietie of living Cr●●tures The Fountaines The Sea The Mountaines t The Papists thinke that here is th●●● feined Purgatorie The manner● of the Inhabitants Their foode Th●● Tr●●fick o● 〈◊〉 The name by whom why given x If this bee true then did it not receive its denomination from Brutus See Heylin pag. 455. The temper of the Aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The varietie of living Creatures The I le of Albion y Verstegan affirmeth it was so called ab albis rupibus the white rocks towards France The figure z Which the English and French call the channell of S. George a This division was made by Severus the Emperor saith Camden p. 98. b The Romans saith Camden called those Provinces of any Country they conquered which were next unto thē Primas superiore the more remote secundas ●●se● o●es p 99. c What Countries these five parts contained and why they were so denominated See in Camden pag. 98. 99. d They were first united in in the yeare of grace 1603. The Sea The commodities e See Camden pag. 640 and 595. The Orcades f H●yler saith they are 3● pag 51● The fertility of the Soyle The names of the Hebrides g Stephanus calleth them the Hebrides others Ebonia ●nsulae h This Iland is 24. miles long and 16. miles broad The new and ancient names by whom and why given i Isacius calleth this Kingdome Britannia Occidentalis or Westerne Brittaine and Isidorus and others call it Scotia because the Scots coming from Spaine dwelt here the Irish Ba●di call it Ba●● whence Festus Av●enus calleth it Insula sacra See Camden pag. 643. k pag. 642. The Situation The temper of the Ayre The Government l Camden saith it was in the yeare 1172. p 649. The Cities m This Town was built by Harald Harfager the first King of Norway Lakes The Rivers n or the River Liffie o or Shennin is some interpret it tho ancient River p It runneth saith Heylin a course of 200 miles to the Vergician Sea and is navigable 60 miles q The reason of this See in Camden p. 678. Their Diet. The names of Vltonia The bound● The Forme The Aire The Rivers ſ A famous Scot as Camden affirmeth pag. 669. t Banna in Irish signifies faire Camden p. 669 The plentie of Salmons The Lakes Here was buried S. Patricke who as they say being sent by Celestinus the Bishop of Rome An. 433. converted this Island to the Christian faith The Ancient Inhabitants x See Camden pag. 66● The names of Conn●gh The bounds The Forme The Aire The Citie The names whence derived The Situation The fertilitie of the Soile The Townes names The names The fertilitie of the Soyle The ancient government Whence the names are derived d See Camden pag. 663. The Situation The fertilitie and fruitfulnes The auncient go●e●nment k See Camden● Brit. pag. 663. The names of the Townes The Mountaines and Rivers q Or M●d●na which Camden thinkes to bee Slane See him pag. 569. ſ Called Lifnius or Labnius Fluvius t Or Dublin which is called by the West Brittaines Dinas Dublin and by the Irish Balacleigh 1. the Towne upon Hurdles for it is reported that the foundation therof was laid upon Hurdles u Which is Pharich x Some call it Cabo del Mar. others Ca●a and Cabo de Cler. The Rivers Citties and Townes a This Citie the Irish and Brittaines call Porthlargy d pag. 655. The names e or Scitti a people of Germany that seised on a part of Spaine f Anno 424. The Situation The temperature of the Ayre The fertility of the Soyle g in the yeare of grace 740. h This Citie the Scotch-Irish call Dun Faden ● the Town Eaden i Which the word Edenburrow much resembles for saith Camden Adam in the Brittish tongue signifieth a wing See pag. 6●7 The Sea The Ports Mountaines Woods Publick w●●ks k The Gospel was fast p●●ac●●d 〈…〉 P●llad●●● 〈…〉 4●1 The manner of Government l which is also called the Bishop of Gallowa● m or Argile n
Which is an arme of the Sea where the water ebbes flowes The names of Cities o Called by Ptolemie Bode●ia by Tacitus Bodotria and by Boethius Fluvius Levinus Lothiana p The Country is now called Lauden and anciently Pictland The fertilitie of the Soyle The Rivers The names of Cities u Or Cl●●ddesdale The Rivers Called Vedra by Ptolemie The names of Cities Galloway The Situation b An● Camde● G●rigon●u● because there is a Towne situate called ●●●geny Rivers Lakes f Called also Argile and Argadia 〈…〉 i This is also called Allectum k 〈◊〉 mouth of the River Don. this Town is called by 〈◊〉 De●●●● for De●●●● because a 〈…〉 River Don 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 l 〈◊〉 called ●●unstphage 〈◊〉 Navernia 〈◊〉 Mountaines Cathanesia n So called frō Eb. rid which signifies in the Bruttish tongue 〈…〉 without 〈◊〉 as Camden thin●●th pag. 6●● The name by who●● it was given o Because it 〈◊〉 of an ●ngular forme for Eng in the Saxon tongue signifieth a corner or nooke p Fiftie yeares before the birth of Christ q Which was An. Dom. 446. according to Bede The Citie The Rivers The Sea Ports The manner of Government r Shires were first made by King Alfred for the better administration of Justice Northumberland The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Cities The Rivers Cumberland The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Cities Lakes Rivers The Mountaines The Wall of the Picts The Bishoprick of Durham y The Citie of Durham was called by the Saxons Dunholme Dun signifieth a hill and Holme a peece of land compassed with a River like an Island in the Saxon tongue and this name agreeth with the situation of the place The Cities or Townes Westmoreland The situation The qualitie of the Soyle d So called because the River Kan runneth through it The Townes The Rivers Lancashire The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The ancient government The Lakes Rivers The Mountaines Cheshire The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The Cities The Rivers Caernarvanshire Th● S●● The 〈◊〉 of the Soyle The Townes The Mountaines Denbigh-shire The Si●uation The qualitie of the Soyle The Townes Flint-shire The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle Merionethshire The Situation The Townes The Mountaines Mongomery-shire The Site The fruitfulnes of the Soyle The Townes The Isle of Man The names The Situation The Townes The Mountaines The manner of government The manners of the people Cornewall The Situation The qualitie of the Soile The Townes Havens Devonshire The Situation The Cities and Townes The Rivers Somersetshire The Situation The temper of the A●●e The f●rtilitie of the Soyle The Cities and Townes The Rivers Dorcetshire The Townes The Rivers VViltshire The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle Townes Glocester The Townes Rivers Monmouthshire The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The Townes The Government Glamorganshire The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Cities and Townes The Rivers Caermarden-shire The Townes Pembrokeshire The Situation The temperature of the Aire The Townes The Government Brecnock-shire The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Townes The Rivers Hereford-shire The Situation The Rivers Yorkeshire The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The Townes The Rivers Lincolnshire The qualitie of the Soyle The Townes T●● Rivers Darbyshire The Situation The Townes The Riv●rs Stafford shire The Site T●e ●●●●il●ty of the Soy●e The Townes The Rivers The Mountaines The Woods Nottinghamshire The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Townes The R●●●●s Leicester●shire The Situation The ●●●●●fulnesse of the So●● The Townes Rutland-shire The Situation The 〈◊〉 of the S●●l● The Towne● Northfolke The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Townes h This Towne the Saxons called Garmouth because it is situated ad Gar●●●● os●●um●s the mouth of Gerne The Rivers The commodities of the Sea The manners of the Inhabitants Warwick shire The Situation The qualitie of the So●●● The Townes Northampton-shire The Situation Th● 〈…〉 of the S●●l● The C●ties 〈◊〉 Towne● The Rivers Huntingdon shire The Situation The fertilitie o● the Soyle The Rivers Cambridg-shire The Situation The qualitie of the Soile The Townes The Universitie Suffolke The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Townes Rivers Oxford-shire The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The University The Townes Buckingham-shire The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Townes Bedford shire The Situation The quality of the Soyle The Townes Hertford-shire The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Townes Essex The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Townes Berk-shire The Situation The Townes Middlesex The Situation The temperature of the Aire The Townes The Rivers Ham●shire The Situation The Townes Surrey The qualitie of the Soyle The Townes The Rivers Kent The Situation The qualitie of the Soile The Townes Rivers Sussex The Situation The Townes The Isle of Anglesey The names The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Government The Townes The Isle of Wight The names The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The varietie of the living Creatures The Sea p ●n Vespasian●●ap 4. The ancient government The nature of the Inhabitants The Townes Gersey The names The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle Garnsey The qualitie of the Soyle The Haven S. Peters Town The ancient Government Norwey Whence so called The qualitie of the Soyle The variety of Creatures The Cities and Townes The Sea The Commodities The Merchandise The manners of the people 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 z So called from the sliding leaping gate of the F●nn● which are the Inhabitants thereof a So called from the blockishnesse of the Inhabitants ●o● L●●p●n signifieth F●olish b Which with Biarmia aforesaid belongeth to the Duke of Rus●●a The Rivers Mountaines Woods The Senators The Manners g To these may bee added the late King of Swedens prosperous victories in Germany The Situation h This Citie is called by the Germans Cope●hagen that is the Merchants Haven The Situation The temperature of the Aire The fruitfulnes of the Soyle The varietie of living creatures The Ancient Government The name The Situation Iutia The Situation ſ Now called Ma●delle 〈◊〉 t O● Northerne Sea ●alled now Mare Crani●m 〈◊〉 Mar● S. 〈…〉 The Townes The Sea The commodities The manners of the people The Dukedome of Sleswick d Called by the Germans Elve which signifieth in their tongue eleven because it hath so many fountaines whence so called The ancient Government The Townes The Senators Holsatia whence so called The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The varietie of living Creatures The ancient government Th●● Town was 〈…〉 C●stle ●nd called H●●b●rg The Woods The Senators The Lawes Institutions The Noble Families Fionia whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnes of the Soyle The varietie of living creatures The Cities The commodities of the Sea The 〈◊〉 buildings The Islands Langeland Lawland The fertilitie of the Soyle The Townes Falstre The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The 〈◊〉 living Creatures The nam● and whence s● called n Rath 〈◊〉 the
or of any rare and unusuall Creature or of the continuall burning of the Mountaine Aetna also of divers Islands lying here and there in the great Ocean and also of Salvage Nations some whereof goe naked without cloathes others feede on mans flesh and the like matters or doe reade the wonderfull histories of the East and West Indies in which there are many things which doe rather seeme fabulous than true doe apprehend them with such great admiration and give such earnest attention thereunto out of the desire which they have to heare such novelties how much more may the curious Readers delight in this worke which as we said before doth containe and represent the whole Globe of the Earth with all the Countries Kingdomes Dominions Woods Mountaines Valleys Rivers Lakes People Citties and innumerable Townes thereof with the Seas flowing about it all which any one may here view on dry land without endangering his body or goods and in this travell his friends shall not be sollicitous or take care for him in his absence or earnestly desire his returne Besides in this peregrination or travell he shall want no delight that may drive away the tediousnesse of the journey for while he fixeth his eyes on severall Countries and places he shall straight way behold the speciall gifts and peculiar excellencie of every Country and observe a wonderfull variety therein which are very delightfull to the mind for as the Proverbe saith A good merry companion is as a Coach upon the way But they shall chiefely discerne the great and manifold benefits of this Art of Geography who in their eye-travell and viewing of severall Countryes shall consider the scituation and disposition of Countries the Customes observations lawes and manners of the Inhabitants and shall afterwards traffique and send commodities to severall places or resolve to study the liberall Arts seeing no Poet nor Historian can be well read with profit nor be conveniently expounded or declared by any Interpreter or Commentator without the helpe and knowledge of this most Noble Science I omit here to mention how absurd and unfit it is that he who hath no skill nor knowledge in these matters should give his opinion and judgement in the publicke assembly or councell of the Common-wealth when consultation is held about the discovery of some unknowne Country or in time of warre concerning the bounds and confines of any Province But Princes and Noble men ought chiefely to bestow great paines in studdying this most excellent Art in regard it may be very usefull unto them in undertaking journies and voyages when occasion requireth as also at home for fortifying the Frontiers of their owne Territories or the directing and conducting of any warlike expedition For that irrecoverable dangers have ensued when an army hath beene led through places unknowne both to the souldiers and Captaine both Livy and many other Historiographers have abundantly testified by cleere and manifest examples And moreover as it is very necessary profitable and pleasant to know all Countries Kingdomes Dominions and Provinces with their scituation disposition and qualities so in like manner the severall Seas Rivers Lakes and memorable waters thereof ought to be considered exactly in these times when voyages are so frequently made unto knowne and unknowne Countries so that not any one will continually reside at home and abstaine from making discoveries both by Sea and Land So that Polidore Virgils complaint is now vaine who in the fifteenth chapter of the third Booke concerning the Invention of Matters doth condemne mankind of too much rashnesse and madnesse in regard he cannot bridle his affections and desires with reason and though God hath given him the Earth being a firme and immovable element abundantly producing all things necessary and convenient for mans life yet he being not content therewith hath made a Scrutiny and search into the starres the heavens and the vaste Seas To the same purpose Horace sung formerly in his first Booke and third Ode He had a heart of Oake or Brasse Who did lanch forth a brittle ship to passe At first through the rough Seas And did not feare when he set forth The Affrick wind striving with the North wind c. And a little after in the same place No sort of death he sure did feare That saw the Monsters swimming there And could behold them with drye eyes With the swelling Sea and rockes which in it lyes And afterward he addeth In vaine did God divide the land from the unsociable Seas If impious ships can sayle unto forbidden Ports when they doe please But mankind bold still to adventure doth on forbidden mischiefe enter c. And hereunto Propertius in his third Booke doth allude in that Elegie wherein he be wayleth Petus his Shipwracke where he singeth thus Goe crooked shippes of death the fatall cause Which on himselfe man with his owne hand drawes Vnto the earth wee added have the Seas That the miseries of misfortunes may increase And a little after Nature to ensnare the covetous man Doth let him sayle upon the Ocean But these reasons are not able to discourage any one but rather to quicken their industry greedily to take any occasion to know view and discover divers Countries both neerehand and remote partly by undertaking long voyages and those that cannot conveniently travell may gather the knowledge of all Countries out of Bookes and exact descriptions And truely that studdy is irreproveable so that it ought rather to be accounted laudible profitable pleasant and necessary For Strabo in the first Book of his Geography saith rightly that man ought to live on the Sea as well as on the land and that God made him equally an Inhabitant and Lord thereof Therefore they deserve great praise who have laboured in this Art as Abraham Or●elius Daniel Cellarius Anthony Maginus Paul Merula Peter Bertius and others but especially that most learned Mathematician Gerard Mercator although he were prevented by death so that he could not finish his Geographicall worke intituled Atlas But Iodocus Hondy did supply this defect adding not onely those Tables which were wanting to make the worke perfect but also accurate descriptions thereof by the labour and studdy of Peter Montane This worke we doe publish againe in this new Edition being accurately reuised and purged from many grosse errours and the studious Reader shall finde that the enlargement of this Booke is not to be contemn'd being set forth with divers additions and some new Tables added as he may see in the descriptions of England Ireland Spaine Friesland Groonland Vltrajectum and other Countries that shall compare this Edition with the former Therefore Curteous Reader enjoy these our new labours favour them and Farewell TO The vertuous and learned Gentlemen of Innes of Court Mercator dedicateth his Atlas or Cosmographicall Meditations TO you that are the Ornament of the Temples And by your actions give such faire Examples Vnto the Vulgar that their Iudgements can Discerne that Vertue makes a Gentleman
that for the fourth part Our Mercator doth distinguish this Globe of the Earth into three Continents hee calleth that the first which the Ancients divided into three parts the second that which we now call America the third the Southerne or Magellanicke land But we will divide the whole Globe into five patts Europe Africke Asia America and the Southerne Land EVROPE EUROPE though it be least of all yet with the chiefe Delineators of the terrestriall Globe we will describe it in the first place either for the excellencie of the soyle or the company of the inhabitants or in regard of their famous acts who have hitherto possessed it Pliny calleth it the Nurse of a People conquering all Nations and the most beautifull part of the Earth besides though other parts be greater and larger yet they are lesse inhabited and therefore for these and other causes wee may justly begin first with Europe which was the most noble inheritance of Iaphet who being Noahs eldest sonne enlarged his Territories even to the Land of his brethren Sem and Cham so much concerning the order in the next place we must shew the Etymologie of the name Herodotus noteth that the originall of this name was not knowne some say it was called so from one Europa a Tyrian the daughter of Agenor King of the Phoenicians of whom it is an ancient fable that Jupiter having transformed himselfe into a Bull and having set her on his backe carried her from Sydon into Creete or Cyprus Others rejecting fables do thinke she was carried away in a ship built in the forme of a Bull Others say it was a ship which had the protection of Iupiter and the image of a Bull upon it Palephatus of Creete writeth that it was a ship called the Bull which brought away from the Tyrian Countrie Europa the Kings daughter as captive with other maids Some do suppose that it was a militarie Legion which among other Ensignes had one Standard with the figure of a Bull in it Some say it was so called in regard of the beautie of this Region which may be compar'd to a Virgine carried away for the love of her beautie And some not unlikely have said that it was called so from Europus who as it is left to memory had heretofore a Kingdome in this part of the World Becanus beeing unwilling to be persuaded that Europe hath a Greeke name seeing the Cimmerians did inhabit it before the Greekes the former had a different Language from the latter thinketh that it was so called from the excellencie of the people For the monasyllable VER being pronoūced by the dipthong signifies some great and excellent thing and HOP doth denote a multitude of men The Asiaticans do generally at this day call the Europeans Frankimen the Turkes call those of the Romish Religion Franki and those Romei who are addicted to the Greeke Religion The Abyssines in Africke which divers Records do testifie do call us Alfrangues and the Christians Countrie Frankia So much for the Name the Situation and Quantitie followes concerning which it is to be held that Ptolomy and other Ancient Writers did place Europe betweene the 4. 9. Climes between the 11. and 21. Parallels betweene the Degrees of Latitude 36. and 54. and of Longitude 17. and 61. but in our age seeing the Declination of the Sunne as it is observed is changed and many places are added to this our Europe for they have now discovered to the 72. Degrees of Latitude EVROPE EUROPA toward the North a further description of Climes and Parallels hath beene devised so that Europe is situated betweene the 4 th and 18 th Climats and betweene the Parallels 11. and 36. Lastly betweene the degrees of Latitude 36. and 72. but almost betweene the degrees of Longitude 17. 71. If it be considered from the Promontorie of Spaine which is called at this day Cabo S. Vincentij even to a right line drawne from the head of the River Tanais to the Northerne Ocean but the shortest Longitude is betweene the 17 th and 58. degrees counting it from the same Promontorie of Spaine even to Malea a Promontorie of Peloponesus and excluding the Islands of the Aegean Sea which may bee reckoned as part of Europe so that the most Southerne parts of Europe are in the 36. degree of Latitude as the Mountaine Calpe in Spaine one of Hercules Pillars the Southerne Promontory of Sicilie heretofore called Odyssia and the head of Peloponnesus or Morea anciently Taenaria and now Cabo Maini in which places the longest day is 14. houres and 30. minutes But the most Northerne limits of it are in the 71 degree and a halfe as the Promontory of Scandia the farthest Land Northward now called Wardhuys where the longest day is 2. moneths 22. dayes and 7. houres Moreover we make account that a line drawne straight forward from the head of Tanais to the Northerne Ocean is the Easterne limite of Europe following the common account For ancient Writers doe not agree concerning the Easterne boundes of Europe Aristotle Plato Herodotus and others who are of their opinion doe divide Europe from Asia by the River or Isthmus of Phasis which is betweene the Euxine and Caspian Sea Dionysius Arrianus Diodorus Polybius Iornandes doe divide it by the River Tanais Abraham Ortelius makes the bounds of Europe toward the East to bee the Aegean Sea the Euxine Sea the Maeoticke Lake the River Tanais and the Isthmus which lyeth straight forward from the head Springs thereof towards the North and others make other bounds Ptolomaeus doth part Europe from Asia by the same River of Tanais and a line drawne from the head thereof toward the Northerne Sea Now wee subscribing unto him with other most skilfull Geographers and descending from the Line and River of Tanais towards the South let us with others place the Easterne bounds thereof in the Maeoticke Lake the Cimmerian Bosphorus the Euxine Sea the Thracian Bosphorus the Propontis and the Aegean Sea even to the Mediterranean Sea which parts it from Africke Southward on the West the great and wide Ocean beates upon it Lastly on the North it is encompassed with the Northerne Sea Strabo doth attribute to it the forme of a Dragon of which Spaine doth represent the head France the necke Germany the body Italie and the Cimbrian Chersonesus the right and left winges For the most part it enjoyes a temperate Aire and milde Weather Whence Europe is every where inhabited although very incommodiously and hardly in those places which are beyond the 60 th degree of Latitude in regard of cold And it doth not onely farre excell the other parts of the World in the wonderfull temperatenesse of the Climate temper pleasantnesse and great company of the inhabitants but also in the abundance of Fruits Trees Plants all kinde of living Creatures Mettals and in the plentie of all other things which are necessarie to sustaine
middle of the Mountaines having the same bredth Moreover the way in the uneven and lower part of the Valleyes is fortified with fences as the nature of the Country requires These wayes King Gninacava who lived not long since caused to to be clensed and the ruinous walls to be repaired and adorned otherwise the worke is more ancient and there were placed all along by the way side Innes both faire and pleasant they call them Tambi in which all the Kings traine were received And let this suffice concerning the foure parts of the World in generall now our method doth require that we should describe particularly the partes of Europe which was set before in the first place THE NORHTH-POLE AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE COVNTRIES SITVATE ROUND ABOUT IT HAving made courteous Reader a Generall Description of the whole Globe and the foure parts thereof methodically and according to the order of nature I purpose in Imitation of Ptolomie the Prince of Cosmographers to begin the Geographie of particular Countries from the Pole it selfe and the Countries lying round about it that so descending from the higher to the lower parts and proceeding from the left hand to the right hand I may by degrees joyne the North with the South and the West with the East which I pray God may be profitable to the Common-wealth The Pole is the extremitie or end of the Axis which is a Line drawne through the Center of the Globe the Latines call it vertex There are two Poles the Northerne and the Southerne The Northerne is that which is alwaies beheld towards the North and therefore also it is called the Northerne and Articke Pole The Southerne is that which appeareth to those onely which dwell toward the South and therefore it is called the Meridionall Southerne and Antarticke Pole And thus much in this place shall suffice concerning the Poles I come to the Countries situate round about the Articke Pole which are Groenlandia or Greeneland Frizlandia or Freesland Nova Zembla with some others of which wee will entreat briefely as farre as they are knowne Groenlandia or Greeneland is so called from the greennesse thereof is an Island for the most part yet unknown it is situate betweene the Northerne Circle the Pole the farthest paralels therof towards the South are the Degrees of 65 and towards the North the Degrees of 78. In this Island if wee beleeve Nicolas Zenetus who in the yeare 1480. endured much hard weather in the bordering Sea there is continuall winter for nine Moneths all which time it doth never raine there neither doth the snow which falleth at the beginning thereof melt untill the end yet is not this harmefull to the grasse for here is a great increase both of grasse and fodder Therefore here is great store of milke-beasts in regard of the great plentie thereof so that they make store of Butter and Cheese which they sell to those they traffique withall There are onely two inhabited places knowne unto us in Groenland Alba and the Monasterie of Saint Thomas of which wee will speake by and by The Slow Sea which is also called the frozen Icie Sea doth touch upon Greeneland There is in Greeneland a Monasterie of the Preaching Order and not farre from it a fire-vomiting Mountaine like Aetna at the foot whereof there is a fountaine of running waters by whose great heat THE NORTH-POLE POLUS ARCTICUS cum vicinis regionibus they do not onely make hot all the roomes of the Monasterie like a hot-house but also they bake their bread and dresse their meat without the helpe of fire The whole fabricke of the Monasterie doth consist of brittle sandie stones which the Mountaine doth cast forth in the midst of the flames This fountaine doth warme the neighbour gardens so that they continually flourish with divers kindes of flowers and herbes And the Sea neare unto it by the vertue of these waters is never frozen but lyes continually open both for the fish and the use of man which makes so great a concurse of fish to resort hither from colder places that not onely these Monkes but also the Inhabitants round about do live plentifully Frislandia or Freezland was an Island altogether unknowne to the Auncients being greater than Ireland The Climate is very intemperate The Inhabitants have no fruits but live for the most part upon fish The chiefe Towne thereof hath the same name with the Island and it belongeth to the King of Norway The Inhabitants for the most part live by fishing For in the Haven thereof so great a plentie of all kind of fish is taken that many ships are loaded with them and so carried to the Islands lying neare it as Zieglerus writeth The same man writeth that the Sea next to the Island on the West being full of rockes and sands is called the Icarean Sea and the Island in it is called by the Inhabitants Icaria This Island in our time beginneth to be known again that by the Discoverie of the English Nova Zembla is an Island situated under the 76 Degree Here the aire is very sharpe and the cold most vehement and intolerable It is a wild woodie and rugged Country where neither leaves nor grasse grow nor any living creatures but those which live by flesh as Foxes and Beares whereof there is great store not onely in this Island but in most of the Northerne Countries There are Sea-monsters here whose bodies does exceede the bignesse of an Oxe and are commonly called Walruschen they are headed like a Lyon their skin hairy they having foure feete and two teeth sticking forth of the upper part of their mouth beeing smooth hard and white and are worth as much as Elephants teeth The Bayes here are called Weggates Bay Forbishers Bay and Davises Bay Weigates Bay is streitched out towards the East even to the place called Crucis Angulus toward the Aerctapelietes to the place called Dissidit Angulus a a little enclining to the East On the Southerne side of the Continent of Weggats Bay William Barendson found some wild men called Samiutae The shape of their cloathes which they use is like that which our Painters do bestow on woodmen or Satyres but yet they are not wild men but endued with a good understanding They are cloathed frō head to foot with the skins of beasts called Rangiferi for the most part are of low stature broad faced small eyed short and splay-footed and very nimble both to runne and leape They have coaches unto which they put one or two of these Rangiferi which will draw it with one or two men in it with more speede then any of our Horses can do Forbishers Bay was so called from Martine Forbisher an English man who in the yeare 1577. seeking a passage to Cathaia by the North arrived at this Bay in which hee found both Islands and many men concerning which wee will adde some things The men thereof being
ARE VLTONIA CONNACIA MEDIA AND PART OF LAGENIA VLTONIA IRELAND being described in generall I thinke it worth my labour before I come to a particular description of the severall parts first to make a division thereof Ireland is divided into five Parts or Provinces Into Lagenia which being Eastward is next to England Connacia or Connachtia which lyeth toward the West Vltonia on the North side Momonia which is situate in the Southerne part The fift part is called Media which being placed in the midst is enclosed with the rest In these five Provinces there are many notable Territories As Lagenia doth include Fingal Offal Leis Ossir and Ormund Media containeth Slani Four and Delvin In Connacia is contained Clar in Vltonia is contained Vril Antrimen Lecal and Treconch In Momonia are included Trippitate Kerie Cosmay Desmond Tomond and some others There is another division of Ireland which wee have touched in our generall Table which is diligently to be considered if any one desire to know the state of this Countrie wherefore hee must observe that Ireland is divided into two parts the English part and the Irish part The latter the native Irish do inhabit the former the Englishmen and that part in common speech is called the English Province because it is as it were empaled and environed with the Territories of the English For after that the English having supprest the Irish Rebells had restored Dermicius to his Countrie and Kingdome they seated themselves and built themselves seats in the chiefest places of Ireland Afterward seeing that as it were certaine Islands did part them from the subdued Irish they called that part in which they placed a Colonie the English Province In this is contained the greater part of Lagenia and Media and that part of Vltonia which is called Vril but the chiefest part of Lagenia which is called Fingal neere to Dublin on the North hath the chiefe place and Media is next to that But Mercator useth the same division which wee made of it in the former Tables describing it in foure Tables beginning with Vltonia Connacia Media and part of Lagenia I will make a briefe description of all these parts in the same order as our Author placeth them Vltonia offers it selfe in the first place This part of Ireland was first called by the Welch Vltun by the Irish Cui-Guilli by the Latines Vltonia and by the English Vlster toward the North it is parted with the Narrow Sea toward the South it stretcheth it selfe to Connaught and Lagenia the THE SECOND TABLE OF IRELAND UDRONE East part is bounded with the Irish Sea and the West part is beaten with the great Westerne Ocean This Countrie beeing neere to Scotland is reckoned one of the Scotch Islands which are called the Hebrides and lye scatterd in the Sea betweene both Kingdomes which Islands the Irish-Scots the successours of the Ancient Scythians do inhabit It is round in forme and in length from the Haven Coldagh in the North to Kilmore in the South it is about an hundred miles and it is in breadth from Black-Abbey in the East to Calebegh a Westerne Promontorie an hundred and thirtie miles and more The whole circumference or compasse of it is about foure hundred and twentie miles This Country hath seldome any intemperate weather for the suddaine and fresh gales of winde do refrigerate and coole the heat of Summer and soft and gentle raines do mitigate the cold of Winter Briefly it is neither in the Cold nor Torrid Zone The clouds are faire and cleare and when they are most impure yet the winde continually driving them about doth make the aire wholsome and at length quite dispelleth them The equall temper of the Clime is the cause that the soyle doth plentifully bring forth divers kindes of trees some bearing fruit and others for building The Countrie is full of grasse and fit for pasturing very rich in horse and sheepe and Oxen. The Rivers are as I may say doubly commodious being navigable to bring up Vessels and Barques and also being full of fish and very convenient for the inhabitants in other uses Among these the first is Vinderius which is now called the Bay of Knocfergus from the Town seated on it from the safety of the Haven which the English call Knocfergus the Irish Caregfergus that is Fergus his rock which name it received from Fergusius who was drownd there There is also Banna which as Giraldus saith is a very faire River as the name witnesseth it runneth out of the Lake Eaugh and dischargeth it selfe into the Ocean with a double Channell it is fuller of Salmons than any River in Europe because as some thinke the water is so cleare in which Salmons do chiefly delight And there is the River Logia which Ptolemie mentioneth and now is called Lough Foile which falleth into the Sea with a great streame There are many great Lakes in it in which is the Lake Eaugh which spreadeth it selfe abroad from Armaugh and on the East side are the woods Kilulto Kilwarney and Dyffrim into which the Lake doth so insinuate and winde in it selfe that it maketh two Peninsula's Lecale toward the South Ard toward the North Lecale runneth out farthest toward the East of any part of Ireland the farthest Promontorie therof Marriners do now call Saint Iohns Foreland Ptolomie calls it Isanius perhaps from the Brittish word Isa which signifies Lowermost In the Isthmus therof stands Dunam which Ptolemie mentions now called Down being an ancient Towne and the Seat of a Bishop Ard lyeth over against it being divided frō it by a little slip of land There are also Lakes of which we have made mention in our generall Table The Countrie is shadowed with great woods To speake in a word although it be barren in some places by reason of Lakes Bogs thicke Woods yet it is every where full of Cattell Grasse at all times it abundantly requiteth the labour of the husbandman Nature is so little beholding here to Art or Industrie that the flourishing bankes of Rivers embrodered with flowers the shadie Woods greene Medowes bending Hills and Fields fit to beare corne if they were tilled do seeme to be angrie with the Inhabitants because by their carelesnesse and negligence they suffer them to be rude and wilde The Voluntii Darni Robogdii and Erdini in Ptolemies time held all this Countrie who also dispersed themselves into other parts of Ireland The speciall place in this Countrie is Armach neere the River Kalis which although it be not very faire yet it is the seat of an Archbishop the Metropolis of the whole Island The Irish-men do fabulously report that it was called so from Queene Armacha but Camden thinkes it to be the same which Beda calleth Dearmach which signifies in the Scotch and Irish language the field of Redmen There is one Archbishop in Vltonia who
praise These are the names of the Dukedomes Earledomes and Vicountships of Scotland the Dukedome of Rotsay and Albania and the Dukedome of Lennox the Countie of Carnes Sutherlant Rosse Murray Buchquhan Garmach Garmoran Mar Mernis Angus Gowry Frisse Marche Athole Stratherne Menteith Wagion Douglasse Carrike Crawford Annandale Ourmonth and Huntley The Vicountships are Berwich alias North-Berwyk Roxburgh Selkirk Twedale Dunfrise Niddisdale Wigton Are Lanarke Dunbretton Sterueling Louthean Lauden Clacmanan Kiuros Fisse Perth Angus Mernis Aberdone Bamph Fores and Inuernes There are the Universities of Saint Andrew and Aberdone the later was adorned with many priviledges by King Alexander and his Sister Isabel about the yeare 1240. The former was begun to be established under King Iames in the yeare 1411. To which is added the University of Glasgo founded by Bishop Turnbul anno 1554 and Edenburgh The disposition of the Scots is lively stirring fierie hot and very capable of wisdome THE SECOND TABLE OF SCOTLAND I Have ended that which I purposed to speake of Scotland in generall our method requireth that we should run through the parts of it in speciall Scotland is divided by the Mountaine Grampius cutting it in the midst into the Southerne or Higher part and into the Northerne or Lower part It is divided from England by the River Tweede by the high Mountaine Cheviota and where the Mountaine faileth by a trench made not long agoe and lastly by the Rivers Eske and Solway Beyond these bounds the Countries even from the Scottish Sea to the Irish doe lie in this manner The first is Marcia Merchia or March so called because it is the limits and lies on the Marches of Scotland this reacheth to the left side of Tweede on the East it is bounded with the Forth Aestuarium and on the South with England In March is the Towne of Berwyke Borwick or Borcovicum which the English hold Here is also the Castle of Hume the ancient possession of the Lords of Hume who being descended from the Earles of March became at last a great and renowned Familie Neare to this Castle lyeth Kelso famous by a certaine Monasterie and the ancient habitation of the Hepburni who a long time by Hereditary right were Earles of Bothwell and Admiralls of Scotland which honours by the Sister of Iames Earle of Bothwell married to Iohn the lawfull Sonne of King Iames the fift did descend to Francis his Son From thence we may see Coldingham or Childingham which Beda calls the Citie Coldana and Vrbs Coludi and Ptolemie perchance calls Colania On the West side of March on either side of Tweede is Tifedale being so called from the River Tyfie It is divided from England by the Mountaine Cheviota After this are three small Countries Lidesdale Eusedale and Eskedale so named from three Rivers of like name Lide Eue and Eske The last is Annandale which is so called from the River of Annan dividing it in the midst which runnes along by Solway into the Irish Sea Now that wee may returne againe to the Forth or Scottish Fyrth it doth bound Lothiana or Lauden on the East side the Cochurmian Woods and the Lamirian Mountaines doe seperate it from Marcia And then a little toward the West it toucheth upon Lauderia Twedia the one so called frō the Town Laudera the other frō the River Tweede cutting through the middle of that Country On the South and West Lidesdale Nithesdale and Clidesdall doe touch upon Tweede the name of Nithesdale was given unto it from the River Nyth called by Ptolemie Nobios which glideth through it into the Irish Sea Lothiaria was so called from Lothius King of the Scots On the East side it is bounded with the Forth or Scottish Sea and on the West it looketh toward the Vale of Clide This Country both for curtesie and plenty of all things necessary for mans life doth farre excell the rest It is watered with five Rivers Ti●● both the Eskes who before they fall into the Sea doe joyne together in one channell Letha and Almone These rising partly out of the Lamirian Mountaines partly out of the Pictland Mountaines doe runne into the Forth It hath these Townes Dunbarr Hadinia commonly called Hadington Dalneth Edenburrough Leth and Lemnuch Somewhat more towards the West lyeth Clydesdale on either side of the River Clide or Glotta which in regard of the length is divided into two Provinces In the former Province is a hill not very high from whence three Rivers doe discharge themselves into three divers Seas Tweede into the Scotch Sea Annand into the Irish and Clide into the Deucalidon Sea The chiefest Cities in it are Lanarick and Glasco The latter the River Coila or Coyil runneth by on the West beyond Coila is Gallovidia or Galloway It is seperated from Nithesdale with the River Claudanus almost enclining toward the South whose bankes doe hemme in the other side of Scotland The whole Country is more fruitfull in Cattle then in Corne. It hath many Rivers which runne into the Irish Sea as Vrus Dee Kennus Cray and Lowys It is no where raised into Mountaines but yet it swells with little Hills Among which the water setling doth make innumerable Lakes which by the first raine which falls before the Autumnall Aequinox doe make the Rivers rise whence there commeth downe an incredible multitude of Eeles which the Inhabitants having tooke up with wickar-weeles doe salt up and make a great commoditie of In this Country is the Lake of Myrton part of whose Waters doe congeale in Winter the other is never frozen The farthest part on this side is the Promontorie Novantum under which in the mouth of the River Lowys is the Bay which Ptolemy calls Regrionius On the other side there flowes into it the Bay of Glotta commonly called the Lake Rian which Ptolemy calls Vidogara That Land which runneth betweene these two Bayes the Inhabitants call Rine that is the Eye of Galloway they call it also the Mule of Galloway or the Mules nocke The whole Country is called Galloway or Gallovid which in the language of the Ancient Scots signifies a French-man Beneath Vidogara on the backside of Galloway Caricta gently bendeth toward the estuarie of Glotta Two Rivers doe cut through it one called Stinsianus and the other Grevanus on both of which many pleasant Townes are seated Between the Rivers in those places where it swells into little hills it is fruitfull in pasturage and hath some Corne. The whole Country hath not onely a sufficiency of all things for the maintenance of men both by Sea and Land but also doth furnish the neighbour Countries with many commodities The River Dun doth seperate it from Coila arising out of a Lake of the same name which hath an Island in it with a small Castle There are in the Countrie of Caricta very exceeding great Oxen whose flesh is tender and sweet in taste and whose fat being once
melted never hardneth againe but alwayes runneth abroad like oyle Coila followeth which Galloway doth bound on the South on the East it toucheth Clidesdale on the West it is divided from Cunningam by the River Vrwyn the River Aire THE SECOND TABLE OF SCOTLAND Scotiae tabula II. runnes through the middle hereof on which is seated Ayr a faire Market Towne For the generall this Country hath greater plenty of valiant men then of fruit or cattle for it is altogether of a light sandie soyle which doth sharpen the industrie of the Inhabitants and their sparing life doth confirme the strength of their mindes and bodies In this Country about ten miles from the Towne Ayr there is a stone almost twelve foot high and thirty Cubits thicke which is called the deafe stone for if you hollow or shoot off a Musket on the one side hee that standeth on the other side next to the stone cannot heare it he that stands farther off shall heare it better and he that stands farthest off shall heare it best After this Cunningam runneth to the North and straightneth Glotta untill it become a small River It is manifest that the name of this Country came from the Danes and in their language signifies a Kings house which is a signe that the Danes sometimes possessed it Next on the East side is situated Renfroan so called from a Towne in which the Inhabitants kept their publike meetings it is commonly called Baronia Two Rivers doe cut through the middle of it which are both called Carth. After this Country is Clidesdale aforenamed stretched forth to either banke of Glotta and poureth forth many Noble Rivers on the left hand Aven and Duglasse which doe runne into Glotta on the right hand another Aven which seperates Sterling on the South from Lothiana and on the East from the Fyrth untill at last growing lesser it hath a Bridge over it neare Sterling There is one River that cutteth through this Country which is worthy of memory called Carron neare to which are some ancient Monuments On the left side of Carron there are two little hills built by the industrie of men which are commonly called Duni pacis On the right side of Carron there is a plaine field that at last riseth into a little hill being in the middle betweene Duni pacis and a little Chappell On the side of this hill there appeareth yet the ruines or remainder of a small Citie But the foundation of the Walls and the description of the streetes partly by tillage and partly by digging forth squared stones for the building of rich mens houses cannot be distinctly knowne This place Beda doth call Guidi and doth place it in a corner of the trench made by Severus the Emperour Many famous Roman Writers have made mention of this Trench and Bulwarke Here many tokens doe remaine and many stones are digged up with inscriptions which are either testimonies of ayde formerly received by the Tribunes and Centurions or of their Sepulchers in those places Beyond Sterling is Levinis or Lennox divided from Renfroan by Glotta from Glasco by the River Keluin It is parted from Sterling or Striveling with the Mountaines from Taichia by the Forth at length it endeth at the Mountaine Grampius at the foot thereof the Lake Lomund through a hollow Vale extendeth it selfe 24. miles in length and 8. in breadth which containeth above 24. Islands Besides a multitude of other fishes it hath some particular unto it selfe which are pleasant in taste called Pollacks There are three things reported of this Lake very memorable First the Fish have no Finnes but otherwise are of an excellent taste Secondly the water when there is no winde is sometime so rough that it would affright the boldest Marriner from weighing Anker Lastly there is a certaine Island fit to feed flocks of cattle which moveth up and downe and is driven to and fro with every tempest But I returne to the Lake which at last breaking forth toward the South doth send forth the River Levin which giveth its owne name to the Country This River neare to the Castle Brittanodun or Dun brittan and a Towne of the same name entreth into Glotta The farthest Hills of the Mountaine Grampius doe somewhat raise the farthest part of Levinia being cut through with a little Bay of the Sea which for the shortnesse of it they call Gerloch Beyond this is a farre larger Bay which they call Longus from the River Long that falleth into it This is the bound betweene Levinia and Covalia Covalia it selfe Argathel or rather Ergathel and Cnapdale are divided into many parts by many straight Bayes made by the estuarie of Glotta or Dun-Brittan Fryth There is one famous Lake amongst the rest they call it Finis from the River Fin which it receiveth it is 60 miles long There is in Knapdale the Lake Avus in which there is a small Island with a fortified Castle From hence the River Avus runneth forth which alone in these Countries emptieth it selfe into the Deucalidon Sea Beyond Knapdale towards the West Cantiera or Cantyre runneth out that is the head of the Country over against Ireland from which it is parted by a small narrow Sea being longer than broad and joyned so straightly and in such a narrow manner to Cnapdale that it is scarce a mile over and even that is nothing else but sand On Cantyre Lauria toucheth lying neare to Argathel and reaching neare to Abry it is a plaine Country and not unfruitfull In that place where the Mountaine Grampius is somewhat lower and more passable the Country is called Braid Albin that is to say the highest part of Scotland and where it is highest it is called Drum Albin that is the backe of Scotland and not without reason For out of the backe Rivers doe runne into either Sea some into the North some into the South out of the Lake Iernus it sendeth forth the River Ierna into the East which having runne three miles falls into Taus beneath Perth From this River Strathierna or Stathierna extended to either banke thereof tooke its name For the Scots are wont to call a Countrie which lyeth on a River Stat. THE THIRD TABLE OF SCOTLAND THe Mountains of Ocellum do border upon Tachia which for the most part together with the Country at the foot thereof are thought to bee in the Country of Iernia but the rest of the Countrie even to the Forth ambition hath divided into many parts as Clacman Colrosse and Kinrosse From these and the Mountaines of Ocellum all the Countrie which is bounded by the Forth and Tay groweth straight in the forme of a wedge Eastward toward the Sea And by one name is called Fife having sufficiencie of all things necessarie to life it is broadest where the Lake Levinus cutteth it and thence gathereth it selfe into a narrow forme even to the Towne Caralia It sendeth forth one notable River to wit Levinus whose bankes are beautified with many Townes of
and so transported to other Nations Heere are many Hils on which flocks of sheep doe graze which are esteemed not onely for their flesh which is very sweete and pleasant but also for the finenesse of their wooll and these flocks of sheepe doe prosper and increase through the wholsomnesse of the Ayre and goodnesse of the Soyle as also by reason of the scarcitie of trees on the Hils and the freenesse of the whole Countrie from Wolves This Countrie aboundeth with all kinde of Cattell living Creatures except Asses Mules Camels Elephants and a few other There are no where better or fiercer Mastiffes no where greater store of Crowes or greater plenty of Kites that prey upon young Chickens than here The Romans did command the better part of Brittaine almost five hundred yeares namely from the time of Caius Iulius Caesar to the time of Theodosius the younger when the Legions and Garrisons of Rome being called to defend France they left the Isle of Brittaine whereby it came to passe that the Southerne parts thereof were invaded by the Picts and Scots whose violence when the Brittaines could no longer sustaine they called the Saxones out of Germanie men accustomed to warre for their Ayde These Saxons assisted them in the beginning but afterward being allured with the temperature of the Ayre or perswaded by the friendship and familiarity of the Picts or stirred up by their owne treacherous mindes they made a league with the Picts against the Brittaines and having driven out their Hosts they themselves possessed their places England containeth many Cities and faire Townes among which the chiefe are London Yorke Canterbury Bristoll Glocester Shrewsbury Winchester Bathe Cambridge Oxford Norwich Sandwich with many other which wee will delineate in our particular Descriptions The chiefe Rivers are Thames Humber Trent Ouse and Severne of which in their places The Ocean which washeth this Isle doth abound with plenty of all kindes of Fish among which is the Pike which with the Inhabitants is in great esteem so that some times they take him out of moorish Lakes into fish-ponds where after hee hath scoured himselfe being fed with Eeles and little fishes hee growes wonderfull fat Moreover there are no where more delicate Oysters or greater plenty of them than heere The especiall Havens of England are these first Davernas commonly called Dover which is the farthest part of the Countie of Kent it is fortified with a Castle seated on a Hill and well furnished with all kinde of Armour secondly Muntsbay of a great breadth in Cornewall where there is a safe harbour for ships There is also Volemouth or Falemouth Torbay South-hampton and many others The King of England hath supreame power and acknowledgeth no superiour but God his Subjects are either the Laiety or the Clergie the Laiety are either Nobles or Commons The Nobles are either of the greater ranke as Dukes Marquesses Earles Vicounts Barons and Bannerets who have these Titles by inheritance or else are conferr'd upon them by the King for their vertues The lesser Nobles are Baronets Knights Esquires and those which commonly are called Gentlemen the Gentlemen are those who are honoured by their birth or those whose vertue or fortune doe lift them up and distinguish them from the meaner sort of men The Citizens or Burgesses are those who in their severall Cities doe beare publick Offices and have their places in the Parliaments of England The Yeomen are those whom the Law calleth legall men and doe receive out of the Lands which they hold at the least forty shillings yearely The Tradesmen ENGLAND ANGLIA are those who worke for wages or hire All England is divided into nine and thirty Shires and these Shires are divided into Hundreds and Tithings In each of these Counties is one man placed called the Kings Praefect or Lievtenant whose office is to take care for the security of the Common-wealth in times of danger and every yeare there is one chosen whom they call the Sheriffe that is the Provost of the Shire who may bee rightly called the Questor of the Countie or Province For it is his office to collect publick money to distraine for trespasses and to bring the money into the Exchequer to assist the Judges to execute their commands to empannell the Jurie who are to enquire concerning matters of fact bring in their verdict to the Judges for the Judges in England are Judges of the Right not of the Fact to bring the condemned to execution to decide of thēselves small controversies But in great matters those Judges do administer right whom they call Itinerarie Judges Judges of Assise who twice every year do visite most of these Shires to determine and end matters of difference and also to give judgement upon Prisoners For asmuch as concernes Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction England hath now two Provinces and also two Archbishops the Archb. of Canterbury Primate of all England and the Archb. of Yorke Under these are seven and twenty Bishops two twenty under Canterbury and the other five under Yorke The Tribunals or Courts of Justice in England are of three sorts for some are Spirituall some Temporall and one mixt which they call the Parliament consisting of the three Orders of England and it representeth the body of the whole Kingdome This Parliament the King cals and appoints according to his pleasure Hee hath the chiefe authority in making confirming abrogating and interpreting of Lawes and in all things that belong to the good of the Common-wealth The temporall Courts are two-fold namely of Law and of equity The Courts of Law are the Kings Bench the Starre-Chamber the Common Pleas the Exchequer the Court of Wards and Liveries the Court of the Admiraltie and Assises wee omit others which are obscure The Kings Bench is so called because the King is wont to sit in it and it handleth Pleas of the Crowne The Starre-Chamber or rather the Court of the Kings Counsell is that in which criminall matters are handled as perjuries impostures deceits and the like The Common Pleas is so called because common pleas are tried there betweene the Subjects by the Law of England which they call the Common Law The Exchequer deriveth its name from a foure square Table covered with a Chequer-Cloth at which the Barons sit in it all causes are heard which belong to the Exchequer The Court of Wards hath his name from Wards whose causes it handleth The Admirals Court handleth Sea-matters Those which wee call the Assises are held twice in a yeare in most Shires in which two Judges of Assise appointed for it with the Justices of peace doe enquire and determine of civill and criminall matters The Courts of Equity are the Chancerie the Court of Requests and the Councell in the Marshes of Wales The Chancerie draweth its name from the Chancellour who sitteth there This Court gives judgement according to equitie and the extreame rigour of the Law is thereby
tempered The Court of Requests heareth the causes of the poore and of the Kings Servants The chiefe spirituall Courts are the Corporatition of the Clergie the Courts which belong to the Archbishop himselfe and the Chancellours Courts kept in every Diocesse There are two famous Universities in this Kingdome Oxford and Cambridge England doth produce happy and good wits and hath many learned men skilfull in all Faculties and Sciences The people are of a large stature faire complexion'd and for the most part gray-eyed and as their Language soundeth like the Italians so they differ not from them in the habite and disposition of their body Their foode consisteth for the most part of Flesh They make Drinke of Barley being a very savorie and pleasant drinke It is transported often into forraine countries They use a habite not much different from the French And thus much shall suffice concerning England in generall wee will declare the rest in the particular Tables following THE SECOND TABLE OF ENGLAND CONTAINING The Counties of Northumberland Cumberland and the Bishoprick of Durham WEE have finished that which wee intended to speake concerning England in generall Our Method doth require that wee should goe through the parts thereof in particular The Romans diversly divided the hither part of Brittaine being reduced into a Province But the Saxons instead of the Pentarchie of the Romans made an Heptarchie of it in which are Kent Sussex Eastanglia Westsex Northumberland Essex and Mercia At this day it is divided into Counties which the English by a proper word call Shires And first in the yeare of Christ 1016 in the Reigne of Ethelred there were onely two and thirty Afterward under William the Conquerour there were 36. And lastly these being augmented by three more came to be 39 Counties To which are added 13 Shires in Wales six whereof were in the time of Edward the first the other Henry the eigth ordained by Parliamentarie Authoritie These Counties or parts of England with some Islands our Mercator doth lively expresse in six Tables Of all which Tables wee will make a briefe Description or Delineation in that order as our Author propoundeth them In the first place Northumberland offereth it self commonly called Northumberlant lying in a manner in the forme of a triangle but not equilaterall The Southerne side thereof Derwent flowing into Tine and Tine it selfe doe enclose where it looketh toward the Bishoprick of Durham The East side is beaten with the German Sea But the Westerne side is drawn out in length from the North to the South first by a continued ridge of Mountaines and afterward by the River Tweede and being opposite to Scotland it is the bound of that Countrie The Soyle it selfe for the most part is barren and unfit for tillage Toward the Sea and the Tine if tillage be used the Husband-man receiveth sufficient increase but in other places it is more unfruitfull and rugged In many places great store of Sea-cole as the English call them are digg'd forth There is in Northumberland the Citie of New Castle famous for the Haven which the River Tine maketh having so deepe a chanell that it receiveth ships of great burthen and desends them both from tempests and sands The last Towne in England and the strongest in all Brittaine is Berwick which some doe derive from a certaine Captaine called Berengarius Leland from Aber which in the Brittish Language signifies the mouth of a River as if it were Aberwick a Towne at the mouth of a River But whence soever it hath its name it stands farre in the Sea so that it is THE SECOND TABLE OF ENGLAND Northumbr Cumberlādia Dunelm Episcop compassed round about therewith and the River Tweede The Rivers here are the Southerne and Northerne Tines which are so called because they are bound in with straight and narrow bankes for so much Tine doth signifie in the Brittish speech as some doe affirme the Southerne riseth out of Cumberland neere Alstenmore where there is an ancient Myne of Brasse having runne a good while toward the North it turneth toward the East and runneth straight forward with the Picts Wall The Northerne Tine arising out of the bordering Mountaines doth joyne it selfe with the River Reade which being powred out at the Mountaine Redsquier watereth Readsdale that is the Vale of Reade which nourisheth the best Fowle Both the Tines doe flow beneath Collerford and growing bigger and bigger doe hasten their journey to the Ocean in one channell Tweede for a great way parteth England from Scotland and is called the Easterne bound This River breaking forth of the Mountaines of Scotland runneth a great while in a winding course but where it comes neere unto the Towne Carram growing strong in waters it beginneth to distinguish the Limits of the two Kingdomes and at last having received the River Till it disburthens it selfe into the German Sea There are also other Rivers as Coquet Alaunus or Alne Blithe Wanspethel which I omit and so passe to the second part and that is Cumbria commonly called Cumberland this lieth before Westmoreland on the West side It is the farthest Shire in this part of England insomuch that it toucheth Scotland it selfe on the North side being beaten on the South and North with the Irish Ocean but on the East side above Westmoreland it joyneth to Northumberland It takes its name from the Inhabitants who were the true and native Brittains calling themselves in their Language Kumbri Kambri Although the Countrey seemeth in regard of the Northerne situation to bee cold and verie mountainous yet it delights the beholder with much variety For behinde the Cliffes and cluster of Mountaines betweene which the Lakes doe lye there are grassie Hils full of Flocks under which againe there lye plaine and fruitfull Valleys There is in this Countrie an ancient wel-seated Citie called Carlile being defended on the North with the deepe Channell of Ituna or Eeden on the East with Peterill on the West with Cauda and besides these fortifications of Nature it is strengthened with strong Wals of square stone with a Castle and a Cittadell There are other Townes as Keswick Wirkinton Bulnesse called anciently Blatum-Bulgium Penrith or Perith that I may passe over Villages and Castles This Shire hath 58 Parish-Churches It hath also Lakes abounding with all kinde of flying Fowles and many Rivers among which is the little River Irton in which while the gaping shell-fish receive the dew they become presently as it were great with childe and bring forth pearles which the Inhabitants when the water setleth doe seeke for There are also the Derwent Cokar Olen or Elen Eden and others all abounding with Fish Besides this Ocean which beateth on the shore doth bring forth great shoales of excellent fish and doth seeme to reproach the Inhabitants with negligence because they use fishing so lazily Heere are many Mountaines close together being full of mettall among
all rockie and full of craggie barren Mountaines though they be rich in Mynes of Lead and are commodious for to feede sheepe The head Towne of the Shire is Darbie famous for the best Ale in England which is brewed there There are also the Townes of Saint Diacre Workesworth so called from the Lead-workes there and Bakewel And this Shire doth containe an hundred and sixe Parishes The Rivers that water it are Trent Dove and Derwent The Westerne part of this Shire which is mountainous is called the Peake and is very full of Lead for in these Mountaines Lead-stones as the Mettallists call them are daily digged forth which when the winde is Westward they dissolve with a wood fire and having made trenches for the mettall to runne in melt into pieces which they call Sowes Moreover not onely Lead but also veines of Antimonie which the Grecian women were wont to use in dying are found in these Hils Heere also Mill-stones are cut forth as also whet-stones and somtimes a white substance is found in the Mynes like to Chrystall But of this enough I passe to Stafford-shire which is encompassed on the East side with Warwick-shire and Darby-shire on the South with Glocester-shire on the West with Shropshire and on the North with Cheshire It beareth the shape of a Rhombus running from South to North and being broadest in the middle and narrowest toward the two ends The Northern part is mountainous and lesse pleasant the middle part is more delightfull as being watered with the River Trent cloathed with green woods and diversified with variety of fields and meddowes The Southerne part is rich in Pit-coales and veines of Iron The head Towne hereof is Stafford or Stratford anciently called Betheney and is much graced by the Castle called Stafford adjoyning to it which the Barons of Stafford built for their owne dwelling Heere are also the Townes of Lichfield or Licidfield Burton Vtcester anciently called Etocetum Stone Drayton Basset Tameworth Wolverhampton or Vulfrunshampton Theotenhall or Tetnall and Weadesbrig or Wedsborow And in this Shire are reckoned 130 Parishes The chiefe Rivers which glide through this Countrie are Dove Hanse Churnet Tayn Blith and Trent which arising from two spring-heads is the third chiefe River of Brittaine There are also Sous Tam and Penke The Northerne part is somewhat mountainous and full of hils which beginning heere doe runne like the Apennine Hils of Italie with a continued ridge through the middle of England even to Scotland yet often changing their name In the midst of this Shire is Needwood a spatious wood in which the Nobilitie and Gentrie of the Countrie doe THE FIFTH TABLE OF ENGLAND EBORACUM Lincolnia Derbia Stafford etc daily recreate themselves with hunting Nottinghamshire is bounded on the East with Lincolnshire on the North with Yorkeshire on the West with Darbyshire and on the South with Leicestershire The Southerne Easterne part of the Countie is fructified by the famous River of Trent and other Rivulets that flow into it The Forrest of Shirwood taketh up the whole Westerne side this because it is sandie the Inhabitants call the Sand the other by reason the soyle consisteth of Clay they call the Clay and they divide their Countrie into these two parts The chiefe Towne which gives a denomination to the Shire is Nottingham being pleasantly seated for on one side faire Meddowes lye along the River side and on an other little Hils doe raise themselves to adde a grace thereunto It is a Towne abounding with all things necessary to life For besides other conveniences it hath Shirewood which doth furnish it with store of fuell and the River Trent doth yeeld it plenty of Fish The Streetes are large having faire buildings and two great Churches with a spacious Market-place and a strong Castle Besides heere are other great Townes namely Suthwel Newarke Mansfield Blith Scroby and Workensop And in this Shire there are 168 Parishes The Rivers are Trent Lin Snite and Idle Leicester-shire anciently called Ledecester-shire bordereth upon the South with Northampton-shire on the East with Rutland shire and Lincoln-shire on the North with Nottingham shire and Darby-shire and on the West with Warwick-shire It is all field-ground and very fruitfull but for the most part it wanteth wood The chiefe Citie is Leicester called heretofore Legecestria Leogara and Legeocester more ancient than beautifull There are also the Townes of Longburrow Lutterworth Hinckly and Bosworth neere which Richard the third was slaine and in this Shire there are 200 Parish Churches The River Soar running toward Trent waters the middle of it and the little River Wrek which at last mingleth his waters with Soar doth gently winde about through the Easterne part Rutland-shire which was anciently called Rudland and Roteland that is red land is as it were emcompassed with Leicestershire except on the South side where it lyeth by the River Welland and on the East where it joyneth to Lincolne-shire It is the least Shire in England for it lyeth in a round circular forme so that a man may ride quite round about it in one day This Countrie is no lesse pleasant and fruitfull than others although it bee not so spacious The chiefe Towne in it is Vppingham so called because it stands on the ascent of an hill it hath a faire free Schoole in it which was built for the nurture and bringing up of children to learning by R. Iohnson Minister of Gods word who also built an other at the towne of Okeham so called because it is situated in a vale which once was very woody and full of Oakes This Shire can reckon 47 Parish Churches The little River Wash or Gwash gliding through the middle of it from East to West doth divide it into two parts Northfolke remaines yet to be described that is to say the Northerne people The bounds thereof on the South are Suffolke on the East and North the German Ocean and on the West the River Ouse The Countrie is large for the most part field-ground unlesse it bee where there are some smaller hils it is very rich full of flocks of sheepe and especially of Cunnies it is watered with pleasant Rivers and is sufficiently stored with wood The soyle differs according to the diversitie of places for in some parts it is fat and rich in other parts light and sandie and in other clayie and chalkie Amongst the chiefe townes in this Shire old Thetford is the first which Antoninus calleth Sitomagus that is a towne situate by the river Sit. It hath now but few dwelling-houses though heretofore it were faire and very populous There is also in this Shire the famous Citie of Norwich called by the Saxons North that is the North Castle and Yarmouth or Garmouth a faire Haven Towne fortified by its situation and mans industrie for
or Northerne Countrey It hath on the South Denmarke on the West the Sea on the East Sweth-land and it is bounded on the North with Lapland from which it is parted with high and rugged Mountaines covered over with continuall snow All the Countrie toward the West is unpassable by reason of rocks and sharpe cliffes and it is also stony toward the South especially in that part which lyeth against the Cimbrick Chersonesus from whence it is 250 miles distant But all the Countrie both toward the West and South hath a gentle Ayre for the Sea is not frozen neither doe the Snowes lye long And though the Countrie it selfe bee not so fertile that it is able to furnish the Inhabitants with foode yet it aboundeth with cattell and wilde beasts as white Beares of an unusuall bignesse Beavers and innumerable other Norwey was somtime a very flourishing Kingdome under the jurisdiction whereof were Denmarke and the Isles of the Sea untill it came to be govern'd by hereditarie succession Afterward in the Interregnum it was agreed upon by the consent of the Nobles that the Kings should bee chosen by election From Suthdager the second to Christierne the last there were 45 Kings Now it is under the command of Denmarke There are at this time in it five royall Castles and so many speciall Provinces whereof the first and farthest toward the South is Bahusia or Bay The Townes subject unto it are Marstand seated on a rocky Peninsula and famous for herring-fishing and the Townes of lesser note are Koengeef or Congel neere Bahus and Oddewold otherwise called Odwad The second Castle is Aggerhusia out of the Province whereof high Masts of ships oaken and maple plankes and wood fit for building houses is yearely carried into Spaine and other Countries The Townes subject unto it are Astoia the Seat of a Bishop to which strangers doe chiefly resort because there is held the Court whither causes are brought for triall out of all parts of Norwey Also Tonsberg or Konningsberg Fridrichstad Saltzburgh and Schin or Schon where there are Mynes of Coppresse and Iron also Hammaria the Greater and the Lesser heretofore being Bishopricks but now committed to the care of the Asloian Bishop and divided by the Bay of Mosian gliding betweene them The third is the Castle Bergerhusia under which are the Cities of Bergen or Berga and Staffanger But Berga is the most famous Citie of all Norwey for traffique and as it were the Barne thereof heere resideth the Kings Lievtenant and a Bishop and heere that delicate fish is sold which being taken neere the shore of Norwey is called the fish of Bergen being transported from hence by Merchants into divers Countries Heere lye the Factors of the Vandals the Sea Townes who continuing heere all the yeare for traffique sake doe take up one part of the Citie which the Inhabitants call the Bridge Heere is also an excellent and safe Haven The Citie Staffanger although it have the same Governour with Bergen yet it hath a Bishop peculiar to it selfe and living therein The fourth Castle is Nidrosia called so from the River Nideros Rosa which is the name of a Temple commonly called Trundtheim and heretofore Trondon it is the Metropolis of all Norwey and now reduced into the forme of a Towne It was the chiefe seat heretofore of the Archbishop and of the whole Kingdome It hath a large Jurisdiction in which much fish and pretious skins are gotten and afterward carried to Bergen to be sold And heere is at this day a Cathedrall Church and such a one as there is scarce an other like it in the Christian world both for the largenesse of the stones and for the carved worke The Border and ground-worke about the Altar in this Church was burnt with fire in the yeare 1530 and the losse redounding thereby was valued at seven thousand Crownes The fifth and last Towre toward the North of Norwey is Wardbuise standing on the little Island Ward it is now very small and almost decayed having neither castle nor munition yet hath it a little Towne adjoyning unto it which consists all of fisher-mens houses In this Towre or rather Cottage the Kings Praefect liveth in Summer and governeth this cold Northerne part of Norwey even to the borders of Russia Moreover the Westerne shore of Norwey because it is of an unsearchable depth in the Spring time is much troubled with Whales to prevent whose violence the ship-men use a kinde of Oyle made of Beavers stone which is a present remedie for assoone as it is cast into the Sea and mingled with the water straight-way that great Sea-monster maketh away and hideth himselfe in the deepe Heere is good fishing in the neighbouring seas especially of Stock-fish which being dried and hardened in the cold and hung up upon poles they send into other Kingdomes of Europe The best taking of them is in the Moneth of Ianuary for as then in regard of the cold they are more easily dried so the sea doth yeeld more plenty of them and fatter The commodities of this countrie in generall are pretious Skins Tallow Butter Hides the fat of Whales Tarre Oake timber Masts and Planks and Boards of all sort to the great commoditie of those who sell them The Inhabitants are honest loving and hospitable to strangers neither NORWEY AND SWETHLAND SVECIA ET Norwegia etc have they robbers theeves or Pirates among them The Kingdome of Swethland is an ancient Kingdome as Pliny witnesseth It hath on the West Norwey on the North Lapland and Botnia on the East ●●●land seperated from it by the Botnian Bay or Finnish Sea L●●onia 〈◊〉 L●sland disjoyned from it by the Baltick Sea called by Ta●●●us Mar● p●grum by the Suc●ians Mare Su●vicum and on the South Gothia It is a com●●● the most fruitfull of all the North parts it hath a plentifull soyle and seas lakes and rivers abounding with fish of divers ●●ndes it hath also Mettals as Lead Iron Brasse and Silver which is digged up in very p●●e oa●e neere Sl●burg and likewise woods full of wilde beasts and honey It is thought that it doth doubly exceede Norwey both in largenesse fruitfulnesse and goodnesse of soyle yet in some places it is ●ugged and moorish This Countrie being for some ages valiantly and happily defended enlarged by the native Kings thereof afterward came to the Kings of Denmarke and having beene subject to them more than an hundred yeares at last did shake them off under colour that the Lawes wh\ich they were sworne unto at their Coronation were not observ'd and hence it stood a while in a very uncertaine condition But now it is returned againe to the natives out of which it chooseth it selfe a King There are divers Provinces of this ●ingdome some belonging to the Gothes as Ostgothia whereof Lincop is the Metropolis Westgothia seperated with an ancient Lake from Ostgothia whereof Scara
Dropsie or Ptisicke Achilles Gassarus affirmeth that Guns were here first invented by a Monke THE THIRD TABLE OF DENMARKE Jn which are part of the Dukedome of SLESWICH and HOLSATIA SO much concerning Northerne Iutia the Southerne followeth which the Ancients did call Nordalbingia because it is seperated and parted toward the North from the rest of Germanie by the river Albis It containeth the two Dukedomes of Sleswick and Holsatia of which wee will speake in order The Dukedome of Sleswick taketh his name from the Metropolis and ancient Mart Towne of Sleswick Heretofore this Countrie was called the Dukedome of Iutia which Woldemare Nephew to Abel King of Denmark received to hold in fee of King Ericus about the yeare 1280. But the Royall Line of the Kings and Dukes being extinct and the Dukedome of Sleswick being thereby fallen to the Crowne Margaret Queen of three Kingdomes gave it to Gerard Earle of Holsatia on this condition that hee should acknowledge to hold it of the King of Denmarke The Cities which are subject to this Dukedome because they have the same priviledge with other parts of Denmarke therefore they have the same Lawes with them The Subjects may appeale from the Sentence of the Magistrates of any place to the Princes and their Senators and not farther as it is provided by their priviledges But the generall government of both these Dukedomes belongeth to the King of Denmarke and the Duke of Holsatia by turnes When it is devolved and doth fall to the King it is governed by his Substitute in his name The chiefe Towne of this Dukedome is Slesvicum commonly called Schleswick It hath its name from a German word in regard it is situated neere Slia in the Bay of the Baltick Sea for Wick signifies in the Saxon language both a Towne and a crooked winding or Bay of the Sea as Becanus hath observed in his Bookes of Gothish Danish matters Crantzius and those who have writ the Saxon Histories doe give it an other appellation besides Sleswick which is still in use with the Danes Freeslanders for they call this Towne in their language Heidebui or Heideba because they say it was first built by a certaine Queene of Denmarke whose name was Heth. It hath a convenient situation for traffick and a convenient Haven for commerce and trading Not farre from this Towne is seated the Castle Gotorpi Heere is a famous Custome or Toll for it hath beene observed that in plentifull yeares fifty thousand Oxen being driven out of Denmarke into Germanie have heere beene paid toll for There is also in this Dukedome Flensburg a famous Towne lying among the high Mountaines neere the shore of the Easterne Sea It HOLSATIA THE THIRD TABLE OF NORWEY hath a Haven so convenient deepe and safe that many of the Citizens may loade and unloade ships even at their owne doores And heere are the Townes Husenum or Hussum and Haderslebia This Dukedome hath onely one Bishoprick two Chapters three Monasteries and divers Castles belonging to the Prince and his Nobles The order of Senators whereof I have heretofore made mention doth consist of the number of 24 persons of the Gentry to whom is joyned a generall Chancellour and two Doctors of the Law The Dukedome of HOLSATIA SOme doe suppose that Holsatia was so called from the many Woods and Forrests which are in it for the Cimbrians and Low Germans doe call a wood holt and some doe derive the Etymologie of the word from a hollow stone because the Dukes of Holsatia were formerly called Dukes of the hollow Stone It is bounded on the East with the River Bilena on the West with Stora or Steur on the South with Albis and on the North with Eider The Countrie it selfe is woody and full of Forrests whence they have such store of fuell that they are able to supplie Freesland with wood when they themselves also doe keepe great fires But although their woods are very spatious so that they seeme to have no end yet they seldome have any great Oakes in them but are full of Beech-trees with whose waste an innumerable sort of Hogges are fatted The Land for the most part doth afford them every three yeares great store of fishing and a very rich and plentifull harvest For three yeares together it is tilled sow'd and mow'd and three yeares afterward the Lakes are let in to feede the fish and grasse thereby a certaine fat and slimie matter is brought in which doth fertilize the fields This place beares neither Vines nor Olives but there is much hunting of wilde beasts And this Countrie doth breede a great number of horses Holsatia is divided into foure parts Dithmarsh Holsatia Stormaria and Wagria These were heretofore Counties and afterward chang'd into a Dukedome by Frederick the third Emperour at the suite and request of Christierne the first who now is charged to maintaine 40 horsemen and fourescore foot for the use of the Roman Empire Dithmarsh at the first enjoy'd freedome and libertie for some hundred yeares and albeit it were granted by the Emperour Frederick to Christierne the first in fee yet it was not at that time subjected Afterward his Sonnes King Iohn and Duke Frederick did undertake to make an expedition against it in the yeare of our Lord 1500 but the Dithmarsians having overthrowne their Armie defended their owne libertie untill they were conquer'd overcome by the Nephews of Christierne the first namely Duke Iohn Adolphus and Frederick the second King of Denmarke in the yeare of our Lord 1559. In Holsatia are these Cities first Segeberg in Wagria a Countrie of Holsatia 16 miles from Lubeck 2 Itzohoa a faire Towne in regard of the nature and situation of the place and the resort of ships unto it 3 Stormaria is encompassed and as it were embraced in the armes of a fishie and navigable River which arising in the inner parts of Holsatia doth wash the wals of certaine Townes and the noble Ranzovian House of Bredenberg and afterward doth discharge it selfe into the River Albis Heere is in this Countrie Chilonium commonly called Kile which is an ancient Towne and hath a large Haven in which to the great commoditie of the Holsatians divers sorts of merchandize are brought out of Germanie Livonia Denmarke and Swethland Also Krempe and Reinholdsburg or Rensburg the former taketh his name from the River gliding by it the later from the first builder Here are moreover Meldorp Heiningsted or Henste and Tellingsted in Dithmars and Hamburg the Metropolis of Stormaria a renowned Mart-Towne neere the River Albis which after many devastations and calamities suffered in the warres was at last reedified and in the time of Henry the fourth Emperour it began to be encompassed with wals and to be beautified with three Gates and twelve watch-towres In this Citie Albertus Crantzius an eloquent and true Historian lived and was buried This Countrie is full of Lakes and especially Dithmars
whose Inhabitants trusting to the benefite of their Lakes did refuse to acknowledge obedience to the Kings of Denmarke though of late they have beene compell'd thereunto The chiefest River of note which watereth this Countrey is Egidora or the Eidera there are also some others the most whereof may rather be called Brookes or Rivulets than Rivers but the B●ltick Sea in that part where it washeth the Dukedomes of Holsatia and Sleswick hath safe and pleasant Bayes which are safe harbours for Merchants and weather-beaten ships In some places also it affordeth great store of fish and especially of Salmons It is a plaine Countrey seldome raised with any mountaines yet one it hath betweene Lubeck and Hamburg of a pleasant situation and famous for the ornaments of peace and warre with which Henry Rantzovius did adorne it It hath an ancient Castle seated on it famous for the antiquitie and first builder thereof and at the foote of the hill a Towne adjoyning to it Heere are many woods with which the Countrey of Holsatia is beset replenished but especially Dithmars as the woods of Borcholt Burgholt Alverdorpenholt Resenwalde and many others The Holsatians had heretofore 48 men who were Presidents and Governours of the whole Countrie to these they made their appeale out of the severall Parishes and they did judge all matters But they being subdued and the Countrie now divided into two parts in each of them there are twelve speciall and principall men together with a Prefect who for the most part is a Doctor or Licentiate at Law These have all yearely pensions from the Princes and they have a Clerke joyned to them as also an Overseer or President out of the Holsatian Nobilitie The one of these Prefects which is for the King is called the Prefect of Steinburg and the other being for the Duke the Prefect of Gottorpe Yet the Subjects have leave to appeale or make suite to the Princes and Senators of either Dukedome as well of Sleswick as Holsatia but not further They had heretofore a written Law which now by degrees is changed and reformed according to the Common Law compiled by Henry Rantzovius the Kings Substitute by Sigefrid Rantzovius heretofore Lord of Nienhs the Lord Adam Trazigeriu and the Lord Erasmus Kirslemius according to which Law all causes are decided and punishments pronounced against delinquents offenders Holsatia hath foure Orders or degrees of people The Nobles the Clergie the Citizens and the Countrie-men whereof there are two kindes for some possesse goods of their owne being hereditarie and free others hired goods or lands for which they pay rent and doe certaine services The Nobles have Castles and Lands together with the royalty of hunting fishing and hawking which for the most part are hereditarie unto them The whole Countrie hath not above 24 Families whose names are mentioned in the Holsatian Chorographie but divers Families there are that are descended from the same stock as the Rantzovians doe at this time possesse an hundred and fiftie Castles and divers other possessions The Aleseldians and Powischians have almost as many Holsatia hath one Bishoprick namely Lubeck for the Bishoprick of Hamburg is subject to the Bishoprick of Breme The contentions which happen among the Nobles are judged by a Senate of Dukes the Princes for the most part sitting Presidents in judgement as it is provided by their priviledges and Lawes From the order of Senators any one putting in a sufficient caution may appeale to the Imperiall Chamber The Citizens enjoy priviledges peculiar to themselves and use the Roman Law or else the Lubeck The Subjects may appeale from the judgement of the Senate of their owne Citie to the judgement of foure Cities appointed to judge and determine of all speciall matters From them againe they are permitted to appeale to the Princes and Senators of Holsatia and also further even to the Imperiall Chamber so that fit securitie be put in Countri-mens cases or suites are pleaded by their Lawyers even in the open fields where are present the Noble-men thereabout the Prefects and two Assistants There they come forth doe make their appearance who have any suit one against an other the Defendant and Plaintiffe being both heard the whole company or assemblie of Countrie-men are bidden to goe forth and then their causes being diligently weigh'd on both sides they returne againe and the suiters being called in they give sentence in their case according to Law and right THE FOVRTH TABLE OF DENMARKE CONTAINING FIONIA WITH THE ISLANDS LYING ROUND ABOUT IT SO much according to our Method concerning the Dukedome of Sleswicke and Holsatia Fionia followes with the Isles lying round about it Fionia commonly called Fuynen is the chiefe of all other Isles lying in the Bay of Codonus from Zeland It taketh its name from the beautie thereof both in regard of the forme and situation It is separated from the Continent of Denmarke by so small and narrow a Sea flowing between them called Middlesar that it seemeth almost to cleave unto the Continent This Iland as it looketh on the West toward Iutia so on the East toward Zeland It is 48 miles in length and 16 in breadth The Land that I may omit the Sea which is full of fish is a fruitfull soyle and very profitable to the husbandman For it aboundeth with such plentie of corne that it sends store thereof yearly to other farre Countries especially Wheate and Barley And the ground albeit it be very fruitfull and endowed with the gifts of Ceres yet it is never dunged Whence the Cities and Townes thereof are annoyed with filthy smells of the dung of cattle which is cast out being thereof no use as Munster writeth This Countrie aboundeth with so many Droves of Oxen and breedeth such a number of Cowes and Horses that it sends yearly into Germany great Heards and Droves of them And in regard of the many woods which are in the Island there is great store of game for hunting as Harts Hares and Foxes In the middle of it is the Metropolis or mother Citie called Ottania or Ottonium commonly called Ottensel being a Bishops Seat built as it appeares by many testimonies by Otto the first about the time when he compeld King Herald to receive the Christian faith This Citie is a famous Mart for the whole Island in which about Epiphanie or Twelfetide there is a great meeting of the Islanders and especially the Nobles as there is at Kile in Holsatia Fionia is divided into five and twentie Prefectures sixteene Cities and six royall Castles The other cities are in a manner equally distant from Ottonia which is as it were the Center and are so built of the Sea shoare that in regard of the conveniencie of the Havens they traffique not onely in the Balticke Sea but also exercise their negotiations throughout all Swethland and Norwey Russia the Low-countries and Germany the chiefe amongst them are Niburch Swynburch
is somtimes called Stephanopolis being seated amongst pleasant mountaines and fortified with Wals Ditches and Rampiers Heere is a famous Universitie and Librarie 3 Bistricia or Noesenstat which is seated on the plaine of a large valley and hath on either side hils full of Vines 4 Segoswar o● S●hespurg which is partly situated on a hill and partly at the foote thereof 5 Megies or M●dwisch which is situated in the midst of Transylvania being fruitfull in wine and stored with all commodities that are either gainefull or necessary for food 6 Zabesium or Zaaz which lyeth in a plaine and deepe valley encompassed with waters full of fish They say that this was the first seate of the Saxons 7 Coloswar or Clausenburg which is likewise sweetly seated in a plaine and is beautified not onely with faire wals without but with stately buildings within Heere is also Alba Iulia or We●senberg an ancient city a Bishops Seate it is situated on a steep hill which hath a large plaine spreading it selfe round about it It hath on the East the River M●●● and on the other side the River called in the Hungarian language ●●●ay which descendeth from the Alpes Heeretofore it was called T●●● and in Trajans time it was the Pallace of King Decebalus As tou●ching the payments of taxes and tributes there are in Transylvania eight principall circles or divisions of ground called Chapters all which together they call the Universitie as first the Bist●●ensian Chapter which hath in it Bistricia with 23 royall Townes 2 The Regne●sian Chapter which hath more than 30 Townes 3 The Bar●ensian Chapter which hath the citie Corona with thirteene royall Townes 4 The Kisde●sian Chapter which hath Segesburg and eight and fortie townes 5 The Chapter called the chapter of two Seates which doth containe the city of M●●ie● with sixe and thirtie townes There are two Chapters of the Cibinian● one of which containeth Cibinium and three and twenty townes and the other which they call Surrogative containe about 22 Villages Last of all the Zabesensian Chapter which hath Zabesium with seventeene Villages This Countrie hath many Lakes and standing waters which are full of excellent fish There are in it three navigable Rivers Aluta Morus called also Marus and Marisus and Samu● the two former arising out of the Scythian Mountaines the last of them falleth into Tibiscus the other runneth straight forward into Danubius Samus which the Germans and Hungarians call Thimes ariseth out of the Alpes called Colota and likewise slideth into Tibiscus There are also ●ther Rivers as Kockel the Greater and the Lesse Sabesus Chrysus Chry●●●●os and Strygius c. the three last whereof have little graines or land of gold in them and doe somtimes bring downe pieces of gold of halfe a pound weight Divers kindes of excellent fish are found in them and the aforesaid Rivers as namely the greater and lesser Sturgeon three kindes of Carpes the Salmon the River and Lake-Lamprey the fish called Silurus the Mullet an other rare kind of Lamprey the white and black Trout the scaly Gudgeons and those that have no scales unknowne to other places besides Pikes Perches Tenches and the common Lamprey all which are found there and of a great size There are Mountaines neere unto Walachia Cisalpina and Moldavia which doe produce Agarick and Turpentine Trees There are many woods in Transylvania and amongst the rest Hercynia in which besides the wilde beasts above-mentioned there are wilde Oxen and Horses whose manes doe reach even to the ground There are also in this Countrie many Castles well fortified among which the chiefe is called the Red Castle being a strong defence and seated on the Alpes neere to a running streame where there is a straight passage betweene the Mountaines into the Countrie and it is as it were the fortresse thereof so that no one can enter into it on that side if the Governour of the castle barre up the way There is also an other fortified castle beneath the Towne Millenbach neere unto the Towne Bros where also neere unto the River there is a way leading into Transylvania betweene the vales and snowie Alpes Now it followeth that wee should adde somthing concerning their manners which are divers and various because as we said before it was formerly possessed by divers Nations and is still at this day The people of Walachia are rude and ignorant of good Arts and Disciplines they are of the Greeke Religion but their manners and customes savour of Paganisme in regard that they much esteeme of Oracles sweare by Iupiter and Venus whom they call Holy and in many other things come neere unto the customes of the Gentiles They have no Townes or brick-houses but doe live in the woods and forrests having no defence against the violence of the weather but a few reedes or cottages of reedes The other part of Transylvania in most places is of a more fruitfull soyle and the people are more civiliz'd and of a better behaviour The Scythians speech in Transylvania differs little from the Hungarian speech at this day though heretofore they differr'd much both in speech and writing for they like the Hebrewes did begin to write from the right hand to the left The Ciculi are a fierie and warlike kinde of people among whom there are no Nobles or Rusticks but all of them are of one ranke The Hungarians have great power and authoritie above all the rest And let so much suffice to have beene spoken briefly concerning Transylvania TAVRICA CHERSONESVS THis CHERSONESVS was so called by Ptolemie from the Tauri a certaine people of Scythia in Europe Strabo calls it the Scythian Chersonesus Pliny in his 2 Booke and 96 chapter calleth it after the Latines the Peninsula of the Taurians Appianus calleth it the Pontick Chersonesus and Paulus Diaconus calleth it Chersenesa At this day it is called Precopska and Gesara by Antonius Pineti● It is a large Peninsula stretched out toward the East betweene the Euxine Sea and the Maeotick Lake even to the Cimmerian Bosporus which divides Europe from Asia It hath a gentle winter and most temperate Aire For at the end of December winter beginneth and is at the sharpest or coldest in the middle of February as having then most snow which yet lyeth not above three daies vvhen the cold and frost is most constant The Winter never lasteth longer than the beginning of March All the whole Countrie is very fruitfull and very fit for feeding flocks of cattell Yet albeit the Inhabitants have a fertile soile many of them do not till their fields nor Sow them They have abundance of Horses Camels Oxen Kine and Sheep on which they live There are also great store of daintie fowle which oftentimes the Christians and Turkes and sometimes the Polanders that come thither as strangers are wont to take There is much hunting of Harts Goates Boares and Hares both in the Tartarian and Turkish
is neither scortched with the violent heat of the Sun as Africke nor troubled with daily windes as France but lying between them both it hath a temperate Winter and Summer Hence it is as Iustine witnesseth that Spaine hath a very wholesome aire the equall temper thereof being never infected with Moorish fogges Beside the coole blasts of winde which come from the Sea and doe as it were search all parts of the Country doe drive away all earthly vapours and so make it very healthfull Yet all parts of Spaine are not of one qualitie for toward the North as it is something cold and obnoxious to the Sea so it wanteth fresh water and therefore affordeth no convenient habitation especially seeing the most parts of it are full of Rocks Forrests woody places Towards the South where it extendeth it selfe in a continued ridge of Mountaines it hath a happy good soyle being watered with many great Rivers and refreshed with seasonable raine so that it bringeth forth fruits of all kindes It is not onely a bountifull mother but also a nourisher and breeder of living Creatures It is very fruitfull not onely in producing those things which doe grow out of the earth but also those things which are generated and hidden in the bowells thereof who can reckon up the excellent living creatures which are bred on the Land and in the Sea There is great plenty of fruits through all Spaine and most of the fields are so fertile that they returne unto the husbandmen thirtie bushels for one that is sowed and oftentimes forty It produceth many hearbs as well unsowed as sowed which have soveraigne vertues in them especially in mountanous places where differing from the other parts it bringeth forth Hempe and hath more store of fruit and fairer There are two sorts of apples in this Country which THE DESCRIPTION OF SPAINE HISPANIA are chiefe note the wrinckled apple and the King apple Also there are foure speciall sorts of Peares sweet both in tast and smell the Apian and honey-peares the peare called Muscatum being the least of all kind of peares the wine-peare and the peare called by some Pintum and by the Spaniards Sine Regula What should I mention the Olives that are here amongst which those are the best which come from Hispalis and are farre bigger than any Wallnuts What should I speake of other fruits The Lemmons and Orenges that grow here are commended by all men the Quince-peare which they commonly call Membrillos and Pomegranats that are good for medicine are here in great abundance What should I speake of the Wines of this Country having an excellent taste and smell and being made in all parts yet in some places better than in other Spaine was heretofore as now also rich in mines of Gold Brasse Iron Leade and other mettals and it doth not onely boyle and make salt but in some parts thereof it is digged out of the Earth For as it is made in many places in Spaine of pit or Well-water as at Seguntia and elsewhere insomuch that the King setteth a great custome thereon so there are Mountaines if we may beleeve Marineus Siculus which have native salt in them Besides Spaine is rich and plentifull in all kinde of Cattle so that the Woods Mountaines Meddowes Fields and Forrests doe resound with their bleating and lowing It breedeth the best horses Baetica breedeth more than other parts Asturia breedeth the strongest and Spanish Gennets are called Asturcones In some parts of Spaine there are bred those that are of such swiftnesse and and agilitie that antiquity did fabulously beleeve that they were begotten by the winde It hath no Lyons Camells or Elephants except those that be brought from other places but there are great store of Does Harts Boares Beares Hares and Cunnies which do afford them much game and sport in hunting of them Haec sanè docet versiculus Catulli Cuniculesae Celtiberiae sili These things Catullus verse Doth unto thee declare O sonne of Celtiberia where So many Cunnies are There are in Spaine besides other birdes which invite them to fowling Eagles Hernes Hawkes and the bird called Atta first brought out of Sicilie also Cranes Geese Partridges ring-Doves wilde and tame Ducks c. But of these things enough I come now to the Government which is the next point to bee spoken of according to the order of our method I doe not purpose heere to weary the Reader by reckoning up out of Iustine Diodorus Iosephus Eusebius Hierome Berosus and his Translatour Annius Viterbiensis the ancient Kings of Spaine their atchievements both at home and abroad Tubal never was in Spaine nor in Europe but liv'd in Asia Neither are Iberus Iubalda Brygus Tagus Baetus and others to be accounted as Kings therof unlesse we will grant that Kings in ancient time were borne of Rivers and other inanimate things Againe the Catalogue of the Kings succeeding them is no better than fabulous as also those things be which the Lydians the Thracians Rhodians Phrygians Cyprians Phoenicians Aegyptians Milesians Carians Lesbians and Chaldaeans are reported to have performed successively in this countrey But those things are more certaine which Writers have recorded were heretofore atchieved by the Carthaginians Roman● Gothes Vandals Alani Swethlanders Huns and their Kings for that the Writers of them were either present at those actions or else came to the knowledge of them by the faithfull relation of others Of these things therefore I will speake briefly and thus it was When the Carthaginians did rule all Spaine and had all things under their owne command the Senate and people of Rome did send first of all the two Scipioes against them with an army of Souldiers in the beginning of the second Punick warre who were slaine in the seventh yeare of that war Q. Fulvius Flaccus and Ap. Claudius Pulcher being Consuls The next year P. Cornelius Scipio Africanus being sent next to his Father Uncle did performe many things very prosperously and first of all made a Province of it Q. Caecilius Metellus and L. Veturius Philo being Consuls First Asdrubal and Mago Carthaginian Captaines being overthrown and put to flight in the battell neere to the Citie Baetula which is supposed to have been in that place where now Baeca and Vbeda are seated and the Spanish Armies beaten out of Spaine hee established a league of friendship with Syphax King of the Massilians who is now called Biledulgerid a litle after hee compelled the rebellious people of Spaine to yeeld themselves unto him and having made a league with Massanissa King of the Masaesulians and the Gaditanes hee committed the government of the Province to L. Lentulus and L. Manlius Acidinus and returned to Rome After Scipio L. Cornelius Lentulus the Proconsul did governe Spaine and after many prosperous acts and atchievements entred the Citie in triumph Three yeares after C. Cornelius Cethegus and Minucius Rufus being Consuls the two Spaines were first bounded and two new
Portugall this Kingdome of Algarbia which is the least and unnoted'st Kingdome of all Spaine There are carried hither out of divers parts of Spaine downe the River Anas all sorts of Wines Sacks Bastards Roman Wine and others of the like sorts which being shipped are transported into France the Low-Countries and other parts It hath in it the Townes of Balsa so called by Ptolemie Plinie Antoninus and Pomponius Mela but now Tavila as Coquus supposeth and Ossonoba so called by Plinie Antoninus it is called also by Pliny Lusturia by Ptolemy Ossonaba by Pinetus Gibraleon by Clusius Exuba by Varrerius Estombar as also by Moralis and it is thought to bee the same which is now called Silvis or Selves There was also in the same place neere the Holy Promontory the Citie which Pomponius calleth Lacobriga the ruines whereof are yet to be seene neere the Sea-Towne Lagos at a Village which is called in the Portugall language Lagoa as Vasaeus writeth Algarbia at the first was given in dowry by Alphonsus the 10 King of Legio or Leon as ancient Annals doe report unto Alphonsus the third King of Portugall when hee married his daughter Beatrice which hee begate on a whore Dionysius was derived from this marriage who first of all began to usurpe the title of King of Algarbia But thus much shall suffice concerning Portugall Algarbia I passe to the other parts of Spaine GALLICIA LEON AND ASTVRIA DE OVIEDO GALLICIA which is also written Galecia or Gallaecia and taketh its name from an ancient people called Calla●●i hath on the North and West the Ocean on the South Portugall with the River Durius flowing betweene them and on the East Asturia This Countrie in regard it hath many rugged mountaines and wanteth water is but thinly inhabited It aboundeth so with Horses that they are supposed to be begotten by the winde Pliny noteth that here are rich mines of Gold Niger writeth that the rivers hereof do bring downe earth mingled with gold silver and tinne and that the soyle it selfe is full of gold brasse and lead so that golden clods are oftentimes ploughed up The mountaines afford great store of wood for building of ships Gallicia doth exceedingly abound with fish especially with Salmons Congers a kinde of fish which they call Pescades and many other daintie fishes which being salted are carried into divers parts of Spaine In the moneth of November and December a great number of those fish are taken which they commonly call Vesugos being two or three pound weight they are carried fresh and sweete into Castile and are sold there for the cold doth easily preserve them they have an excellent taste yet those are best tasted which are taken in the Ocean and not in the Meditterranean Sea For the coldnes of the Ocean doth fatten the fish and therefore those which are taken most Northward are the best The most part of the Inhabitants doe live in mountaines on which they build convenient houses Concerning the name and originall of the Callaicians let the Reader have recourse to Iohannes Bishop of Gerunda Lib. 2 Paralipomenorum Hispaniae Roderieus Toletanus Lib. 10. de rebus Hispanicis cap. 4. and others The Metropolis of Gallicia is Compostella where is worshipped S. Iames the Apostle who together with the Universitie making the Citie famous giveth unto it the name of S. Iago it was heretofore called Briantia as Franciscus ●arapha Ambrosius Moralis and Villanovanus do thinke Orosius calleth it Brigantia who saith that there is in it a very high watch-towre Ptolemie calleth it Flavium Brigantum Beuterus C●q●us and Iohannes Mariana do call it Betancos Florianus and Gomectus call it Coruna and Iohannes Bishop of Gerunda Lib. 1. calleth it Compostella saying it was so called quasi Compos Stella for so the evening starre was called which maketh these countries wholsome There is extant at Salamantica in the Library of the Colledge of our Saviour the Historie of Compostella the growth and increase of the Church of Compostella described in two volumes written by the command of Didacus the first Archbishop thereof concerning which you may also read Lucius Marineus Siculus in his fift Booke and in GALLICIA LEGIO GALLICIA Chapter concerning religious houses in Spaine and the wonderfull miracles done therein The Lesser Townes are Orensium a Citie neare the River Minius and called by Ptolemie Thermae Calidae as Gomecius thinketh in the life of Franciscus Zimenius where hee addeth that the Swedish people of Germany who heretofore did subdue these parts in their native language did call it Warense though Ortelius saith it should rather be written Warmsee which signifies the Warme Lake Also a Town called in Latine Lucus and by the Inhabitants Lugo Pomponius calleth it Turris Augusti Pliny Aresti and Arae Sextianae and Ptolemie Promontonum Arae Sestii neare to the Cantabricke Ocean in Artabria Also Pons vetus Ponte Vedra and Ribalaeum commonly called Ribadeo Other towns Marinaeus Siculus mentions in the beginning of his third Booke Gallicia got the title of a Kingdome a thousand and sixtie yeares after Christ For that yeare Ferdinand the sonne of Sanctius Major King of Navarre being King of Castile when hee had married Sanctia the daughter of Alphonsus the fift and so united the Kingdome of Castile and Legio having three sonnes hee made by his will Sanctius King of Castile Alphonsus King of Legion and Asturia and Garcia King of Gallicia which hee enjoying in the right of his wife was till then but an Earledome and Portugall Sanctius being not content with this division which his father made thrust his brother Alphonsus out of his Kingdome and slew Garcia his other brother Now when Sanctius had ruled about sixe yeares and was at last beheaded by Vellidus through trecherie Alphonsus who lived as a banisht man with the King of the Moores at Toledo did not onely recover the Kingdome of Legio which his father gave him by Will but also got the Kingdome of Castile Gallicia and Portugall Alphonsus had three children lawfully begot on three wives by Isabell Queen of France hee had Sanctia who was married to the Earle Rodoricke who brought new Colonies into the Citie which is commonly called Ciudad-Rodrigo by Zaida a Moore daughter to the King of Sevill he had Sanctius who was slaine in a battell against the Saracens and lastly by Constantia he had Vrraca who out living Sanctius and Sanctia who dyed without issue after shee had beene wife to Raimundus Berengarius Earle of Tolosa married Alphonsus King of Aragon and had an heire by him who was afterward Alphonsus the seventh the most powerfull King of all his predecessours and one that deserved to be called Emperour of Spaine From that time Gallicia Castile and Legio have alwaies but one King Neare to Legio bounding thereon on the North is Asturia on the West Gallicia and on the South and East old Castile It taketh its name from the seventh German Legion which was seated
cold but is seated in the temperate Climate and by the witty diligence of Nature it is as it were an other world as being enclosed on one side with the Pyrenaean Mountaines heere with the Ocean and there with the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea Besides adde to this the many famous Cities which are therein the whole Countries being either tilled or full of fruites and flocks the gold-bearing Rivers that water it and the sparkling pretious stones that enrich it I know that Poets in their Fables which they have invented to please the eare have attributed miraculous things to some Nations which whether they are true or not yet are very strange neither doe I now seeke out the truth Let Gargara as it is written yeeld a great increase of corne let Menavia be praysed for her flocks Campania for the Mountaine Gaurano Lydia for the River Pactolus Spaine hath every thing that is praise-worthy It bringeth forth hardie Souldies expert Captaines eloquent Oratours and famous Poets This Country is the Mother of Judges and Princes this Countrie yeelded the Emperours Trajan and Adrian and the Empire is beholding to this Countrie for thee Let Crete which boasteth of Iupiters being nursed in it when hee was a childe give place to this Countrie let Delos honoured by the birth of two Gods and noble Thebes of Hercules who was brought up there yeeld unto it We know not whether you beleeve what you have heard but Spaine hath lent us this God-like Emperour who is now present whom we see Hee that desires to know more concerning Spaine let him consult and have recourse to Iohannes Vasaeus Marinaeus Siculus Marius Aretius Damianus â Goes Franciscus Tarapha the Bishop of Gerunda Annius Viterbiensis Florianus à Campo in Spanish Ambrosius Moralis and others Amongst the Ancients also wee may consult and have recourse to Caesar Strabo and others whom Damianus à Goes sheweth in his Booke entituled Hispania CATALONIA MORE PARTICVLARLY DESCRIBED CATALONIA was heretofore called Marcha Hispanica Comitatus Barcinonae and Hispaniarum Marchionatus This Countrie of Spaine lyeth farthest Eastward of all the rest It hath on the West the Valentinians Aragonians neere unto it from the former it is separated by the River Alcanar or Cenia from the later in some places by the River Arnesius in other parts by the Rivers Iberus Sicoris and Nogvera On the South it stretcheth it selfe lengthward toward the Mediterranean Sea On the East neere to the Lake Salsulae or Salsas and a Castle of the same name built there by the Emperour Charles the fifth over against the impregnable Castle of Leocata which is upon the Frontiers or entrance into France it toucheth Aquitania Lastly on the North it is bounded with the Pyrenaean Hils It is more than eight hundred Italian miles in compasse It is in length from the Lake Salsulae to Valentia two hundred and fiftie miles and in breadth from the Vale of Caralis or Calaris to the shore of Barcinon ninety foure miles In Summer it hath every where a good wholsome Ayre and is temperate in Winter especially toward the Sea shore which lyeth Southward For that part which is Northward is cold and hath many snowes The whole Countrie unlesse it bee in some parts is very mountainous and yet it hath many greene Medowes flourishing Pastures and very fruitfull Valleyes The Countrie in generall hath such store of Corne and Pulse but especially Apples Wine and Oyle that it is inferiour unto none Neither doth it want Mynes of Gold Silver and other mettals which the River Sicoris declareth by those fragments or sands of gold and silver which it casteth up when it overfloweth as also some other Rivers of Catalonia The best Iron is digged forth heere in great plenty besides Brasse Steele and Lead Of late there was found neere Signimont a fruitfull veine of shining pretious Stones which are of a blew or Violet-colour called Amethysts There is also found neere unto the Towne of Tivica the Onix which resembleth a mans nayle in whitenesse having some veines which runne through it which are in colour like the Sardonix or Iasper Blood-stones also which have a great vertue to stay blood are found on the East side of Rubricatum or Lobregat The Dertosians have many Quarries of Iasper which shineth is of many colours as purple greene pale Rose-colour white and duskish At Tarraconia and Benda divers kindes of Marble are digged up out of the bowels of the Earth and in some places shining and translucent Alablaster is digged forth of which they make windowes to let in the light and to keepe out the winde these are the stones with which Plinie confesseth that the higher Spaine doth abound Many places in Catalonia doe yeeld Alume and Coblers Inke or Blacking also Hempe for Rope-making which as Plinie witnesseth is as white and fine as any flaxe by reason of the nature of the water wherein it is steeped And seeing I am fallen into this matter I cannot but in praise of the plenty of all things which Catalonia hath make mention how that this Countrie doth build Ships of great burthen even from the Keele to the highest Sayles but especially Galleys and having furnished them with all warlike provision they lanch them forth into the Sea neere to Barcinona Besides innumerable wilde Beasts doe wander through the Forrests of this Countrie great store of Cattell every where The Ancients did place divers sorts of people in this part of Spaine as first the Castellani whom Ptolemie cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Villanovanus and Verrerius doe call them Ducatus Cardone 2 Those whom Avienus cals Indigeti Ptolom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Stephanus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Those whom Livie and Ptolemie call Ilergetes and Polybius lib. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fourthly those whom Martial cals Laletani Ptolemie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strabo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fifthly those which Aimonius cals Cempsi and Dionysius and Eusthathius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sixthly those whom Plinte calleth Cerretani Iuliani and Augustini Ptolemie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strabo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Silius Ceretani Avienus Ceretes and Stephanus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of whom there appeares and are yet remaining some tokens in Cerveira Puigcerda and Condado de Cerdania Seventhly those whom Xilander calleth Vetteres an ancient people in Tarraconia dwelling betweene the River Iberus and the Pyrenaean Hils neere to the Sea and called by Strabo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though Causabone would have them called Secerrae whom Antoninus maketh mention of Eigthly the Ligyes whom Thucidides lib. 6. and Halicarnassus lib. 1. doe call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who dwelt neere to the River Sicanis and are those perhaps whom Avienus cals Ligures Ninthly those whom Livie and Pliny call Ansetani and Ptolemie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 10 Those whom Plinie cals Larnenses neere to the River Larnus at the rootes of the
Pyrenaean Mountaines And lastly those whom Ptolemy cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neere to the Citie Dortosa Livie Ilercaonenses and Caesar Ilurgavonenses Catalonia is famous both for strong and wise men for wonderfull atchievements and for many victories gotten by divers Nations For in Catalonia the Carthaginians heretofore contended against the Inhabitants the Romans against the Carthaginians the Gothes against the Romans the Saracens against the Gothes and the French against the Saracens besides the contentions which afterward happened betweene the surviving remainder of the Gothes and the Earles of Barcinon Who can relate the warres which the Sons of the Earles of Barcinon being Kings of Aragon did wage with other Nations and the great victories which were gotten to the admiration of all men The Baleares commonly called Majorica and Minorica Ebusa Murcia Valentia Sardinia Sicilie Naples Athens and Neopatria can onely declare them Concerning the Metropolis or chiefe Citie of Catalonia and the other Cities Towns looke into the former description On the very top of the high Mountaine Canus in the Countie of Roscellion there is a certaine great Lake which hath abundance of those great fishes in it which we call Turturs into which if any one cast a stone the water is presently troubled and sendeth forth vapours which being condensed and converted into CATALONIA More particularly described CATALONIA cloudes doe cause a tempest immediately to follow with thunder lightning and haile The Countrie of Balneole or Aquae Voconis hath a Fountaine of a golden colour so that you may see any thing that is cast into it And there is a wholesome Fountaine in Catalonia the water whereof being drunke often and in great abundance doth not onely not oppresse the stomack but also miraculously cures men of many diseases they fabulously report that S. Maginus after some prayers to God to give it that vertue did digge and open it with his staffe being in a drie mountanous and stonie place Over against the Towne Aulotum there are about 12 Fountaines arising or springing from brasse mynes which both day and night all Winter and Summer doe as it were breathe out a thinne vapour warme in Winter but so cold in Summer that no man can endure it for any while and the water if the Inhabitants doe set any bottles into it as they often doe maketh them as cold as Ice so that the water which is in these bottles affordeth a delicate drinke to coole the heate of the stomack There are also many Fountaines alwayes hot which shewes that there is some fire there which lyes hidden in the bowels of the Earth There are more than foure such hot Fountaines in Catalonia and all of them very excellent to helpe divers kindes of diseases wherefore many that have griefes and infirmities doe resort unto them from all parts Catalonia doth abound with Rivers for it hath almost fiftie which runne through it and all of them very full of Fish some are small but yet very pleasant streames some are of a midle size and lastly there are some very faire ones as namely Tettus which is also called Ruscison Techum which is also called Tetrum Fluvianus otherwise called Clovianus and Plumialbus Tardera otherwise called Tarnum Besotium which is also called Bisocto and Betulo Rubricatus Cinga Sicoris and Iberus All of them doe flow and runne into the Sea except Cinga and Cicorus the former whereof runneth into Sicoris the later into Iberus which being much enriched with the watry tribute of these and other Rivers becommeth one of the greatest Rivers in all Spaine The best Corall groweth in the Catalonian Sea on the East thereof There are Mountaines and very high hils every where in Catalonia and those so cloathed with the constant liverie of greene bushes shrubs and many kindes of trees that the most of them are full of woods and thickets There are many Beech-trees on them many Pine-trees abundance of Oakes many Holme-trees innumerable Maple abundance of Hasel Nut and Chesse-nut-trees and infinite store of Corke-trees whose barke is very thick and being bark't and taken off groweth againe Chrystall is found in the Mountains of Nuria on the Cardonensian rocks And that which any one will wonder at as being worthy of admiration there is found at the Towne of Cardona a Mountaine having very wholesome salt growing in it and shining against the Sunne with a great deale of variety and delight to the eye out of which as Pliny reports of the Mountaine Oromenus in India salt is daily cut and digged and yet groweth againe yea the Mountaine still groweth so much the higher by how much the more salt is cut out of the pits that are in it There is also an other thing very wonderfull and that is whereas places where salt is found are barren and produce or beare nothing yet this Mountaine hath many Pine-trees and Vines upon it In the Bishoprick of Gerunda on the South side thereof there is a Hill of white small sand which as in Lybia the winde carries heere and there and makes great driftes of it which are very perillous and dangerous for those that travell that way Heere I cannot but mention the Mountaine called Mount Serrato being distant toward the East seven leagues from Barcinona it is very rockie and cliffie in manner of a rugged Saw and so high that from thence the Pyrenaean Mountaines and the farthest Mountaines of the Island Majorica may bee seene This Mountaine is full of great shining Stones like Iaspers There are some Fountaines which spring and flow out of it it produceth many hearbs which have speciall and soveraigne vertues and it is watered toward the North with the River Lubricatus and at length like Soractus in Italie and Tabor in Galile it here raiseth up it selfe wherefore it is very delightfull to behold Now let us come to the publick and private Workes There are every where many Churches in this Countrey and many famous Monasteries especially that memorable Church of S. Michael à Fago built betweene a Cave and an ancient Friarie of the Benedictines over the top whereof there runneth a litle Rivulet which the Inhabitants call Tanez from thence it presently rusheth downe so that the sound arising from the fall of the water doth much delight those which stand by it There are besides so many faire-built-houses disjoyned from the Citie Towns and so scatter'd through all the plaines fields valleyes hils mountains woods groves that are in the Countrie that all Catalonia may seeme to be one Citie It hath every where strong Castles and Towres which are fortified not onely by Nature and the situation of the place but by Art Catalonia is a Principalitie and containeth in it the Archbishoprick of Tarraconia eight Bishopricks to wit the Bishoprick of Barcinona Gerunda Vrgell Vicke Ilerda Dertosa Herlua and Celsona two Dukedomes the one of Mont Albo and the other of Cardona five Marquesates namely of Ilerda Dertosa Pellearia
of Grenoble and of Romans Fourthly the Archbishop of Aix under whom there are five Bishops the Bishop of Aps of Fre●ul of Sesteron of Ere 's and of Vapinte Fifthly the Archbishop of Arclatum or Arles under whom are the Bishops of Massilia of Vasison of Tricaste of Cavallion of Avignon of Orange of Carpentras and of Tollon The Archbishop of Lyons and Primate of all France hath his residence in the Citie of Lions and hath foure suffragan Bishops under him as the Bishop of Autun of Mascon of Chalon by the River Saone and of Langres PROVINCIA OR PROVENCE HItherto wee have described Aquitania and the Kingdome of Arelatum Provincia followeth This most excellent part of France from beyond Rhodanus even to the River Garumna was called Provincia because the Romans many yeares before the Nativitie of Christ did reduce it into the forme of a Province which name it still retaineth in a small portion thereof wherein is Massilia and Aquae Sextiae by way of excellencie to declare that it had preheminence both in order and dignitie above all the Provinces of the Roman Empire Daulphine lyeth neere to Provincia on the North side being parted from it with the Mountaines commonly called the Mountaines of Velay and by a great part of the River Drue●●ius or Durance running betweene It is enclosed on the East side by the Alpes and the River Varus on the left hand banke whereof stands the Towne Nicaea where Italie beginneth on the South the French Sea beateth on it and the Westerne bounds of it are partly the Principalitie of Arausio or Orange and the Countie of Avenio or Avignon which did formerly belong unto it though now they appertaine to other Princes and partly the whole River Rhodanus as farre as Lions and Arclatum belonging to the Jurisdiction of the Parliament of Languedock The Ayre here is gentle milde and very pure The Countrie doth produce not onely excellent Corne but also Fruites with litle labour or tillage and heere is as great plenty of Rasons and Figges as may furnish the greatest part of Europe Heere is such great store of Rosemarie Juniper-berries Chesse nuts Pome-Citternes Lemmons Oranges Saffron Rice and the like as if the horne of plenty were poured forth upon this Countrie The Vines yeeld excellent rich Wines heere and the Soyle is every where very good and fruitfull Concerning the ancient Earles of Provincia some things are to be noted Wee reade in ancient Annals that in the time of Ludovicus the eigth King of France Raymundus Berengarius was Earle of Provence and that Charles Earle of Anjou and Sonne to the afterward King Ludovicus did marrie Beatrice his onely Daughter and Heire by that meanes got this Country After him succeeded Charles surnamed the Lame being Prince of Salernum and King of Naples After him his Sonne Robert succeeded being Duke of Calabria and King of Naples and after him his Grand-childe Ioane whose Father Charles Duke of Calabria was dead before for by the last Will of this Robert she was made Queene of Naples and Countesse of Provence This woman that shee might be revenged on her Adversaries did adopt Ludovicus of Anjou Sonne to Iohn King of France and left him her successor both in other Principalities and also in this Countie After this Ludovicus his Sonne Ludovicus the second was made Earle and next after him his Son Ludovicus the third who was also adopted by Ioane the second Queene of Naples to be King of Sicily and Duke of Calabria This Ludovicus having no issue by the consent of the aforesaid Ioane instituted his brother Renatus to bee successor in those Principalities And he being unwilling to resigne his right in the Kingdome of Naples and the Countie of Provence to Renatus Duke of Lotharingia his Nephew did passe it over unto his brother Charles Earle of Maine who made his sonne Charles dying Ludovicus the eleventh King of France his heire Some would have it that Renatus made him heire after Charles by his last will although Renatus Duke of Lotharingia did justly expostulate with him concerning the same Heere dwelled heretofore the Salyi the Aquenses the Arelatenses the Sextani the Sentij the Ebroduntij the Dinienses the Vesdiantij the Sanicienses the Nerucij the Vencienses the Vulgientes the Aptenses the Reienses the Ostaviani the Commoni the Foro-Iulienses the Segestorij the Albici the Oxubij the Deciates and others There are in Provence under the Aquensian Parliament besides many Townes of no small note two Cities which have Archbishops and eleven that have Bishops in them The Archiepiscopall Cities are Aquae Sextiae and Arelatum The Latines Paterculus Solinus and others doe call the first Aquae Sextiae Colonia Plutarch in the life of C. Marius Sextilia the Itinerarie tables Aquae Sestiae The inscription of a stone at Lyons neare to S. Benedicts Church Colonia Iulia Aquae Lastly a certaine ancient inscription and Vespasians coyne Colonia Iulia Aquae Sexiae Legio 25. It was called Aquae because there are bathes of hot water whence also it is now called Aix and it was called Sextiae from C. Sextius who was Consul in the yeare from the building of the Citie of Rome 630. For he having subdued the Nation of the Salyi built this Citie to the end that hee might place a Roman garrison therein and that hee might drive the Barbarians from those coasts which open a way from Massilia into Italy seeing the Massilians were not able to suppresse them you may reade Livy lib. 61. from the 10. cap. But concerning the same it was called Iulia Augusta from C. Iulius Caesar Augustus who did enlarge it with colonies bringing thither the old Souldiers of the 25 Legion The Parliament of Provence is held here which therefore is called Parliamentum Aquense Partly at this Citie and partly in Italie did C. Marius overcome the Cimbrians a people of Germanie and the Tigurini and Abrones French Nations that banded themselves with them of which Historie elsewhere The second Citie Orosius and Ausonius Lib. de urbibus in Epigraphe ipso carmine 7 o do call Arelas the same Ausonius elsewhere doth call it Arelatus Caesar calls it Arelate as also Suetonius in the life of Tiberius Mela and others Strabo calls it Areletae Ptolemie Arelaton Salyorum Colonia and Pliny Arelate Sextanorum but now by a word of the plurall number it is called Arles Festus Avienus doth report that the Graecians heretofore inhabiting it did call it T●elinis Iulius Scaliger witnesseth that in a faire inscription on a pillar which hee had seene it is called Mamiliaria but the reason why is unknowne Fl. Constantinus the Emperour did enact and ordaine that it should be called Constantia and that the assemblies and conventions of seaven Provinces namely of Vienne of both the Narbons of both the Aquitanes of PROVENCE PROVINCIA Novem-Populana and the Maritime Alpes should be held and kept there and Ausonius calleth it Gallula Roma in those verses which I mentioned before It is
in it The Inhabitants are reputed to be very honest and faithfull The Countie of Corduba is so called from Corduba which is a Towne neare Somona and is seated by a River which runneth there into it Peguignya is so called from a Towne commonly called Peguigny which received its name PICARDIE AND CAMPANIA PICARDIA if wee shall beleeve the common report from one Pignon a Souldier of Alexander the great It is famous in Histories because William Duke of Normandie surnamed Long-sword was slaine by an ambushment laid by Baldwin Earle of Cambray who drew him thither under a colour of making a peace as the Norman Annals doe testifie The Countie of Veromandois as Geographers that describe France doe note containes under it the Counties of the Suessons and Laudunenses the Territorie of the Tartenians and the Cities of Noviomagus and Fane de S. Quintin The Suessones are commonly called Suessons or Soissonois whose Citie is now called Soisson having in it a strong Castle Antoninus calls it Suessones by the name of the Inhabitants and Ptolemie Augusta Suessonum The Countrie of the Laundunenses now called Laonnois hath its name from Laudunum mentioned in the life of Charles the great which is now called Laon being seated on a hill The Country of the Tartenians is called in French Tartenois the Metropolis whereof is Fera commonly called La Fere. It is a Citie strongly fortified and commodiously seated neare the confluence and meeting of the Rivers Oysa and Serva having also a strong Castle The Citie Noviomagus which Antoninus placeth betweene Soisson and Amiens and maketh the seat of the eighteenth Roman Legion is now called Noion Ptolemy calls it Noviomagos Vadicassimum and others Noviomus It is a Citie which seemeth to be very ancient and is a Bishops Seate the Prelates whereof stile themselves Earles of Noion and Peeres of France Fane de S. Quintin which was sometime the head Towne of the Country and seate of the Earles of Vermandois was so called from Quintin who suffered Martyrdome there whereas before it was called Augusta Veromanduorum so much concerning Veromandois The Territorie of the Retclians commonly called Retelois is situate betweene Hannonia Lotharingia and Barrois The Metropolis thereof is Retelium The chiefe Citie of Tirascha called La Tirasche is Guisa having a stately Castle to defend it against the Luxenburgians Campania CAMPANIA called in French Comté de Champagne was so called from the broad and long fields thereof as Gregory Turonensis noteth For it is a very plaine and champion Country and fit for tillage The Territories of Brye Burgundy Carolois and Lotharingia doe encompasse it one every side The skie thereof is very cleare and the aire temperate The fields do yeeld abundance of Corne Wine and all sorts of Cattle and there are woods which do yeeld great store of game both for hauking and hunting Campania is described both by it selfe and also with the Principalities adjacent and lying neare unto it If it be considered properly by it selfe it is twofold the Lower and the Higher In the Lower is Tricassium and the Territories which are commonly called Ivigny Bassigny and Vallage Moderne Writers doe call that Tricassium which is now called Troyes It is a Citie neare the River Seyn Antoninus calls it Tracasis and placeth the two and twentieth Legion there Ammianus names it Tricassa Bede Trecassa Nithardus Tricassinum and anciently it was called Augusiobana Trecasium as Ioseph Scaliger noteth It is now a Bishops Seat and hath a strong Castle for its defence The County of Ivigny doth seperate Campania from Burgundy The chiefe Towne thereof is Ivigny which is under the jurisdiction of the Baylywicke of Troyes Bassigny is so called because it is the better part of the Lower Campania for Bas signifies in French beneath It is encompassed with the Rivers Matrona or Marne Mosa and a little part of Mosella and it is watered with more Rivers than the other parts of this Country The Metropolis thereof is commonly called Chaumont en Bassigny which hath the title of a Baylywicke and a stately ancient Castle seated on a Rocke which is well fortified These Townes are reckoned in it besides Langres of which I shall speake hereafter namely Montigny Goeffy Nogent le Roy Monteclar Andelot Bisnay Choiseul Visnory and Clesmont being all strong Townes and the most of them fortified with Castles The Territorie of Vallage is thought to bee so called from the faire and fruitfull Valleyes which are in it The Townes of chiefe note are Vassy neare Bloisa in the Countrie of Guise Fanum S. Desiderij or S. Desire and Ianivilla or Ianville the inheritance of the Familie of the Guises some write it Iont-ville There are also in the Territorie of Vallage Montirandel Dentlerant Le Chasteau aux forges Esclaren and others The Higher Campania is called Le Pays de Partoys having its appellation from a Towne commonly called Perte It is a most fruitfull Country abounding with Fruits Wood and Hempe The Metropolis thereof is Vitriacum or Vitry seated neare the confluence and meeting of the Rivers Saltus and Matrona And there are also contained in it Argilliers Lasaincourt Louvemen and other Townes Thus we have taken a view of Campania by it selfe now we are to describe the adjacent places as the Dukedome of Rhemes and Langres and the Counties of Catalaune Ligny and Motte which are free within themselves and not subject to Campania The Dukedome of Rhemes or the Duché Parrie Archivesche de Reims is so named from a Citie which was anciently called Duro●ortorum but now Rhemis Ptolemy calls it Durocottorum Strabo Duricortora Stephanus Dorocotteros and Caesar Durocortum Remorum It is a free Citie of Campania the Archbishop thereof is a Duke and the first Peere of France under whom are these Bishops in this Country the Bishop of So●sson of Chaalon of Amiens of Noyon of Senlis of Beaurois and of Laon In this Citie the Kings of France are inaugurated and annoynted with oyle The Dukedome of Langres or the Duché Patrie Evesché de Langres hath a Citie which was heretofore called Andomatunum Lingonum but is now commonly called Langres Ptolemie calls it Andumatonon and Antoninus vitiously Antematunum Pentingerus his Itinerarie table Andematunum Tacitus Lingonum urbs and Gregory of Tours urbs Lingonica It is a Bishops See the Prelates whereof are Dukes and Peeres of France The Countie of Catalaune or Euesché Conté Pairie de Chaalon was so named from the Citie Catalaune the later Writers doe call it Cathelaunum but now it is called Chaalon en Champaigne It is a Bishops See situated on a plaine neare to the River Matrona and adorned with high Towers which stand up like aspiring Pyramides In the Countie of Lignie is the Towne Lignium venerable for antiquitie neare the River Saltus Concerning the Countie of Motte or Conté de la Motte we finde nothing but the name thereof The Countrie of the Briensians whom Nithardus calleth
and fruitfull Rivers The Cities of Brye are Castellum Theodorici Iatinum Medorum or Meldarum now called Meaulx Provinse and others Castellum Theoderick commonly called Chasteau Thierry is the Metropolis of the Country of Brye having a Baily and President in it It hath also a Bishops Seate of which Belleforrestius reckoneth 101. Bishops the last of which number was Ludovicus Bresius Provinsy a Towne famous for the sweete red Roses that are in it and for the Rose-cakes and Rose-water which are made of them in the Summer time Here are some ruinous Monuments of Antiquity And so much shall suffice concerning Campania THE COVNTRY OF BELLOVACVM COMMONLY CALLED BEAVVAIS OR BEAVVOISIN The State Ecclesiastick THE BISHOP OF BELLOVACVM IS A SPIRITVAL and temporall Lord an Earle and Peere of FRANCE The Country of BELLOVACUM THE Country or County of Bellovacum called in French Con té de Beanvais or Beauvoisin did receive that appellation by name from the Metropolis or chiefe City Bellovacum It is a pleasant Country having Hills and Mountaines round about it not very high planted with Vines here also Meddowes and there Pastures and Fields fitt for tillage Beauvois hath a thinne subtile kinde of earth found in it of which divers kindes of vessels are made and transported into many Countries and it is famous for the Flax which groweth at a little Towne commonly called Rule For those of Flanders and Hannonia or Henegou doe buy it and doe make fine webs of cloth of it which they sell at home and transporte abroad both by Sea and Land The ancient Inhabitants of this part of France were the Bellovaci whom Caesar and Pliny doe often mention called by Strabo Bellolakoi and by Ptolemy Belluakoi Caesar witnesseth that these Bellovacians where the chiefest of the Belgians both for prowesse authority and number of men as being able to bring 100000. men into the Field The Author of the 8. Booke de Bello Gallico writeth that the Bellovacians did exceed all Frenchmen and Belgians for matters of warre And Strabo in his 4. Booke saith that the Bellovacians are the best of the Belgians and after them the Suessones Caesar doth in some manner paint out the Common-wealth of the Bellovacians when hee sheweth that they were wont to elect their Princes out of themselves as amongst the rest they did that Corbeus who albeit his Army of Citizens was overcome yet no calamity could make him leave the Field retire to the Woods or yeeld himselfe upon any conditions offerd to him by the Romanes but sighting valiantly and wounding many he did enforce the enraged conquerers to cast their Darts at him Caesar also doth mention the Senate of the Bellovacians and the authority of the common people whence that excuse of the Bellovacian Senate to Caesar That while Corbaeus lived the Senate could not doe so much in the City as the unskilfull multitude But although the Bellovacians in Caesars time had a great opinion for their courage and fortitude yet at length being overcome they yeelded to the Romanes and were subject to them untill the Frenchmen passing over the Rhene possessed France The Husbandmen of this Country in King Iohn time did stirre up a sedition which was commonly called laquerte And they especially aymed at the Nobles of whom they slew many and pulled downe their Houses At length Charles the Dolphin of France who was afterward King and surnamed the Wise The King of Navarre the Duke of Bourbon and other Princes and Nobles of the blood Royall did quiet this sedition as knowing what would be the event of it and what troubles would spring there from if it were not extinguisht in time The Metropolis or Mother City of this Country is Bellovacum commonly called Beauvois Guicciardine endeavoreth to prove by many reasons that this Bellovacum is that Belgium which Caesar mentioneth in his Commentaries when he saith that he wintered part of his Army in Belgium and addeth withall that it is the Seate of the most valiant Bellovacians for hee saith that Caesar meant by this name Belgium not a whole Province but a City or some other particular place They faboulously report that Belgius a King of France the Sonne of Lugdus did lay the foundation of this City and of the City Lugdurum a long time before the building of Troy and called it Belgium whence Gallia Belgica hath its denomination It is an ancient famous City as having besides a Bishoprick an Earle who is one of the twelve Peeres of France and there are also divers Monuments found in it which doe witnesse that it was once a great rich and populous City It hath an excellent situation and is fortified with Walls and Towers entrenched with broad deepe Ditches well furnished with Ordnance as also adorned with faire Churches The chiefe Church whereof is the Cathedrall Church consecrated to S. Peter which is one of the fairest Churches in France and in which they report that the bones of Iustin Martyr Eurotus and Germerus are kept The Bishops of Bellovacum doe write themselves Earles and Peeres of France The first of them was S. Lucian after whom succeeded 84. Bishops whom Belleforrestius doth reckon up and maketh Charles of Bourbon the last of them Bellovacum is governed by a Maior in like manner as the Merchants of Paris by a Proefect and also by twelve Peeres who are as so many Consuls being annuall Magistrates and elected by the people as the Magistrates of Rome were usually chosen This City is rich by clothing and gaines this honour to it selfe that the fairest and best Carpets in all France are made therein A Nation Counsell was here held and kept in the yeere 1114. Here was borne the great Historian Vincentius a Doctor and Governour of the Monastery of the Dominicans who lived in the yeere 840. In this City was also borne Guilielmus Durandus who was THE COVNTRY OF BELLOVACVM BELoVACIUM Comitatus first here a Canon afterward Deane of Chartes and last of all Bishop of Mande He lived in the yeere 1286. There was the place of Iohannes Choletus his nativity who founded a Colledge at Paris commonly called le College des Cholets and was a Cardinall though of meane birth and lastly here was borne Iohann●s Michael Bishop of Angiers whom in Anjou they esteeme as a Saint This is an argument of the riches of this Territory of Beavais that 11. or 12 miles round about this City there are so many Townes and Villages and those so neere one to another that none of them are above a mile distant This City was exchanged for the County of Sancerrane which Roger Bishop of Bellava●nm surrenderd up to Eudon Earle of Campania for the County of Bellovacum the Goods Lands and Dominion whereof he joyned to his Bishoprick The Country of Bellovacum containeth Clermont not farre from Bellovacum which is a County and appertaineth to the Royall house of Burbon Charles Duke of Burbon had by his wife Agres Daughter to Iohn Duke of
King Rudolphus Hence Aeneas Sylvius calleth Fribu●g the noble House of Austria At last the Inhabitants being wearied with these frequent changes for a great summe of money bought their liberty of the House of Austria So that it is now under the Jurisdiction of Helvetia And on the wall of Friburg there is such an Epitaph found Dum bis sexce●tis ter senis jungitur annus In Friburg moritur Berchtoldus Dux Alemannus Unto sixe hundred and eighteene If thou doe adde a yeere Then Berchtold Duke of Almaine In Friburg dyed here The Towne it selfe is wonderfully well seated for part of it standeth on a Mountaine and part of it in a Vale and the River ●an● doth flow about the Mountaine at the bottome of the Citie The Iudgement Hall is situated on a high Rock where there was formerly a Castle from wh●ch in processe of time the Citie grew large both above a●d beneath Two opposite Mountaines doe beare the Walls although on the Easterne Mountaine there are almost no houses but Munition and fortifications Wheresoever you goe in the Citie you must either ascend or descend The Country round about it bringeth for●h all things necessary except Wine of which they have none but that which is imported and brought in And so much concerning the Cities of this tract now we will adde something concerning the Civill government of these Cities The manner of the Common wealth in these Cities is the same with that which is in the Cities of Helvetia which are not divided into certaine Tribes out of which the Magistrates are equally chosen But in these Cities they cal the chiefe Magistrate and Head of the publike Counsell Ein Schuldthessen This Germane word is used in the Lawes of the Longobardians and it is written Schuldahis but the Etymologie of the word seemeth to be derived from Debito a debt for so Schuld signifies and from commanding because the Schuldahis doth command the Debtors to satisfie his Creditors This Schuldahis hath great authority and power in these Cities Here are also two publike Counsels the greater and the lesse The greater Counsell of Berne and ●igurum is called the Counsell of two hundred men although there are more than two hundred in it But the lesser Counsell of Berne consisteth of sixe and twenty men The manner of chusing the Senate at Berne is thus The foure Standard-bearer of the City doe chuse out of the Citizens sixteene honest sufficient men to joyne with themselves and those twenty men together with the Consull doe chuse the greater Senate and afterward also the lesse But the Consuls who have the chiefe dignity are chosen out of either Counsell by common Suffrages and voices In like manner the greater Counsell at Friburg consisteth of two hundred men and the lesse of foure and twenty The lesser Senate doth looke to the affaires of the City and doth heare the Subjects appeales except it bee those Sabaudian Countries which were last taken in warre but those matters which appertaine to the whole Common-wealth and are of greatest moment are referred to the two hundred men or the greater Counsell The Consul who is President in both Counsels is chosen by the people The Earles in this part are Nuenberg Ni●dow Arberg and the Barony of Balm THE CHOROGRAPHICALL DEscription of the Lake Lemann and the adjacent places By James Goulart IN this Table you may at the first view behold the Lake Lemann in the confines of the Dukedome of Sabaudia the County of Burgundie the Baronnie or Lordship of Helvetia and the Bishopricke of Valesia About the Lake there are many Regions Praefectureships Baronnies Iurisdictions High-wayes Rivers Mountaines Citties Townes Castells and Fortresses The People on this side the Alpes which inhabite Sabaudia doe speake French who heretofore as Iulius Caesar witnesseth in the beginning of his Commentaries were called Allobrogians from Allobroges a King of France who flourished about the yere 2433. And afterward as the most famous Prelate Fauchetis witnesseth they were called Bagaudae and at length Sabaudians in French Savoysiens in the Sabaudian speech Savoyarde Earles have hitherto governed this Country from the yere of our Lord 1126. and from the yere 420 to this time it hath bin under the government of Dukes It is reported that this Country was at first a long time inhabited by a company of theeves But now intimes of peace the wayes there are safe and secure The inhabitants doe complaine of the temper of the ayre sometimes for cold and sometimes for heate And yet the Lake and the River Rhodanus are almost never frozen over Moreover the heate is not so violent as in the Delphinate nor the cold so sharpe as in the low Countries where Rivers are usually frozen over The soile is fit for tillage and fruitfull for it hath abundance of Grapes Wheate Pease Rapes Cauly-flowres French-beanes Melons Leekes Onions Lentills Also Barley Hay Oates and other graines These fruites are common heere Nuttes Apples Peares of divers sorts sweete and sowre cherries blacke and white Mulberries Chesnuts Almonds but Figs are more rare There is also great variety of Fowle Fish Beasts The Vvandalian Helvetians who inhabite Lausanna and other places nere unto are under the governement of the most illustrious Lords of Berne Vnder whom certaine praefects for five yeares space doe hold the Helme of the Commonwealth According to ancient Chronicles Arpentinus Hercules Centenarius layd the foundation of Lausanna in the yeare of the world 2790 from whom Carprentres the auncient name thereof was derived which was changed when the Cittie was translated unto the Mountaine in the time of Martin Bishop of Lausanna in the yeare of our Lord 593. The Citie of Nevidunum heretofore commonly called Benevis being desolate and ruinate before the comming of Iulius Caesar was restored and reëdified in the time of the Emperour Flavius Vespasian by a Centurion of his dwelling in it called Nyon Cassonex was built in the yeare of our Lord 442. And Abona was built in the yeare 456 and some yeares afterward Geneva a free Imperiall Cittie in which white and blacke money is coyned was at first called Geneura as some suppose because it is seated on a hill amongst Iuniper trees which seate Lemannus gave it the Father of the Almaines or Germaines the Nephew of Priam the sonne of Paris in the yeare of the world 2994. Afterward it was called Aurelia by Aurelianus the Emperour because he was the repairer of this Cittie which in the time of Heliogabalus was burnt downe to the ground Iulius Caesar and the Latines call it Geneva and the Poets for their verse sake call it Gebenna and also by the Registers The Germaines call it Genf the Frenchmen Geneve to which Vengee is a fit Anagram for it hath beene oftentimes miraculously preserved from enemies and Traitors and especially on the 12 or 22 of December in the yeere 1602. The Castell Morgiarum was built by the Emperor Clottarius in the yeare of our Lord 1135. Aquianum commonly called
how well ordered it is and how cleane it is kept in which without doubt it doth excell all the Nations of the World But the Low Countriemen are too much given to the Vice of drinking in which they take great delight so that oftentimes they never give over drinking day nor night and thereby besides other inconveniences they do much wrong their bodyes and witts and without doubt it is oftentimes the cause of their untimely death according to that of Propertius Vino forma perit vino corrumpitur aetas Wine maketh beautie fade And strength by Wine is decay'd And they themselves doe know it and confesse it and condemne themselves for it but in vaine for the evill custome doth prevaile over them Albeit they may be partly excused For seeing the ayre is alwayes moyst and melancholy they have no other meanes whereby to cure their hatefull and unwholsome Melancholy which Horace seemeth to intimate saying Vino pellite curas that is With wine drive cares away Which haunt us every day But it were to be wished that they would observe that noble saying of Terence Ne quid nimis Doe nothing too much which now the civiller sort doe begin to observe The inhabitants doe goe in good apparrell and are well complexioned Lastly they use much trading and traffique in which they are very skilfull And all the Low Countries for the most part doth subsist by Merchandising and Maechanicke Arts. THE COVNTIE OF FLANDERS FLanders although it be not of any great antiquitie yet no reason can be given for the name of it Some derive it from a Cittie of that name situated there where Ardenburg is now Others derive it from Flandbertus the sonne of Blesinda who was sister to Clodion King of France Flandbertus lived in the yeare of Christ 445. Some suppose that this Countrey was so named from Flandrina the wife of Lydericke the first Earle thereof Some derive it a flatu and fluctibus that is from the winde and waves which in regard of the neere Vicinitie of the Ocean doe beate upon this Countrie So that even to the yeare 1340. it was a caution used in selling or conveying of land that if the Sea broake into it within ten yeares afterward the contract and bargaine should be then voyde and of none effect The bounds of it now are on the South Artesia with Hannonia part of Picardie on the East Hannonia Brabant on the North the Ocean with Honta or the mouth of Scaldis which parteth Flanders from Zeland on the West the Brittish Ocean or Germaine Sea It is three dayes journey in length namely from Scaldis on the other side of Antwerp even to the new ditch which is 30 miles The breadth of it is twenty miles The ayre of the Country is temperate the soyle fertile especially that part which is neere the Ocean and France There are faire Meddowes which may appeare from hence in regard that Horse-riders doe yearely bring Colts out of other neghbour Countries into Franders which through the goodnesse of the pasture and sweetnesse of the ayre being leane before doe quickely grow fat and plumpe It breedeth also diverse sorts of tame Cattell very pleasant and delicate in taste and also an incredible sort of wilde beasts There are also divers kindes of fowles as Pheasants Partridges Peacockes Hernes and Storkes The inhabitants of this Country were heretofore so addicted to warre that they never scarsely lived quietly or peaceably so that their armies have invaded Syria and the holy Land and Hierusalem There are 30 walled Citties in Flanders Gandauum Bruges Ypra Insula Duacum Tornacum Cortracum Aldenarda Alostum Hulsta Teneramunda Birsletum Newporte Sluse Dunkerck Graveling Burburg Dammum Dixmuda Furna Ardenburgum Ninova Berga Gerardmontium Cast●llum Donza Orchianum Lanoyum Axella and Ostend Besides these there are also free Townes which are not inferiour unto Citties neither for nobilitie or Priviledges nor magnificent structures or populousnesse as Bella Poperinga Hondtscota Eccloa Gistella Middleburrough and twenty others There are in all 1556 villages so that it is a usuall Proverbe that Flanders doth exceed all the Countries in the world and when the Spaniards came into this province with King Phillip they thought that all Flanders was but one Cittie It is now divided into three parts the Dutch the French and the Imperiall part The chiefe is Gandavum which was built by C. Iulius Caesar when he stayed in Morinium it is called in Dutch Gendt the Italians call it Guanto the French Gand. It is situate foure miles from the Sea and is watered with foure pleasant Rivers For Scaldis commeth to it out of Hannonia Lisa out of Artesia Livia out of the Haven or Sluce and Moero from the Ambactae It is ten miles distant from Antwerpe and as many from Bruxells Mechlin and Middleburrough The compasse of it within the walls is 45640 Romaine feete that is seaven Italian miles It hath 26. Islands and two hundred and eight Bridges and foure water mills And an infinite number of hand-mills And an hundred wind mills It hath five and fifty Churches and five Abbies The Citizens of this Citty are famous for Nobility wealth and courage Here the Emperour Charles the fifth was borne It also brought forth these learned men Iudocus Badius Iohannes Cornarius Laevinus Brechtus and the other Lavinus Torrentius Baldvinus Ronsaeus Vtenhovious and many others There are two and fiftie kindes of trades in this Cittie And seaven and twenty sorts of Weavers which were first instituted by the Earle Baldwin the sonne of Arnold the Great in the yeere 865. Brugae or Brugges taketh its name either from the many bridges belonging to it or from the bridge Brug-stocke neere Oldenburg and Ardenburg out of the ruines of which Cittie eight hundred yeeres before the Castell of Brugges was first built it is situated three miles from the Sea in a plaine place The compasse of it within the wall 26600 Romane feete that is foure Italian Miles and an halfe It is the pleasantest Cittie not onely in all Flanders but also in all the Low Countries it hath threescore Churches the chiefe and fairest whereof is Saint Domatians Church which was heretofore consecrated to the blessed Virgin it was built by Lidericke the first Earle of Flanders in the yeere 621. There are threescore and eight kindes of trades in it Ypra is so called from the little River Ypra that floweth by it commonly called Yperen it was built in the yeere 1060. The foundation of this Citty is sayd to be of Lead and that in regard of the many leaden pipes which doe convey water through the whole Cittie And these are the chiefe Citties The Havens follow Sluce is named from the Catarracts or falling of waters which the Flandrians doe call Sluys it is a Sea Towne it hath a great Haven wherein fifty ships may conveniently ride Over against it is the Isle Cadsant where George Cassander was borne Ostend is situated neere the
to the King of Spaine Moreover any one that setteth forth in the morning from Vltrajectum may walke softly to any of those sixe and twenty Citties aforesayd and there refresh themselves and make merry and at evening come home This is a great Cittie pleasant and powerfull having many stately publicke and private aedifices it hath a faire strong Castell built by the Emperour Charles the fifth and called in their speech Vredenburch The Churches thereof are very magnificent and especially these five which belonged heretofore to so many auncient Colledges of Cannons Namely our Saviours Church S. Martines Church S. Peters S. Iohns and S. Maries But the sumptuous and faire Church of Saint Martine doth exceede all the rest which is a Bishops seate The Bishop Adelboldus caused this Church to be pulled downe and afterward to be built up againe more fairely it was reëdified in the yeare 1023 and twelve Bishops did consecrate it in the presence of the Emperour Henry the first as these verses doe declare Tempore Francorum Dagoberti Regis in isto Praesenti fundo conditur ecce decens Primitus Ecclesia Sancti Thomae prope Castrum Trajectum quam gens Frisica fregit atrox Sed prior Antistes Dominus Clemens ob honorem Sancti Martini post renovavit eam Desidis Henrici sub tempore Regis at illam Praesul Adelboldus fregit ab inde novam Ecclesiam fundans Henrici tempore primi Caesaris electi quem duodena cohors Pontificum pariter benedixit denique Praesul Henricus caepit hanc renovare suam Ecclesiam Regis Gulielmi tempore qvi tum Hollandensis erat inlytus ecce Comes When Dagobert was King of France they did sound Saint Thomas Church upon this present ground Even by the Castell of Trajectum placed But by the Friesland Nation it was raced Then the reverend Praelate Clemens call'd by name In honour of S. Martine built it up againe Even in the time of Henries slothfull raigne But Adelbolde puld it downe unto the ground And afterward a new Church he did found In the first Henries time which with great state Twelve Bishops solemnely did consecrate Lastly the Bishop Henery began For to reëdifie this Church againe Even when King William this same land did guide Who was then Earle of Holland too beside This Saint Maries Church is very faire and beautifull and was built by the Emperour Fredericke as a mulct and charge imposed on him by the Pope of Rome for wasting the famous Cittie of Mediolanum and destroying the Churches therein It was strange that at the laying of the foundation of this Church there was a quicksand found on which they could not build but that it would still sincke at length they cast Oxe hides into it which made the ground sollid and firme so that they built this Church on it in remembrance whereof these verses are extant in Vltrajectum Accipe Posteritas quod post tua secula narres Taurinis Cutibus fundo solidata columna est THE CITTIE AND PROVINCE OF MACHLIN MAchlin is situated almost in the middle of Brabant and is as it were enclosed within it neere the River Dilia which cutteth through the middle of it being equally distant from Antwerp Bruxells and Lovanium in a Champion Countrie and fertile soyle having a light and sandie ground the Cittie is very faire conspicuous both in regard of the pleasantnesse of the situation the cleanenesse and breadth of the streetes the largenesse and curiousnesse of the houses some reckon it as a part of Brabant but yet truely it is a distinct country from it There are divers uncertaine conjectures concerning the originall thereof but this is manifest that in one of the letters Pattents of Pepin King of France dated in the yeare 753 there is mention made of it and that it is there called M●slinas as it were the line of the Sea because the Sea doth flow and ebbe before it which Etymologie pleaseth some better than to call it Machel from one Michael who possessed these parts as Orte●●us doth deliver in his Itinerarie of the Low Countries Others doe deduce the name from other derivations But as we sayd Machlin after the yeare 753 had Adon to be Earle thereof which he held by fealty and service But who were his Praedecessors or successors is not yet knowne Long time afterward there follow'd the Bertoldi who denyed fealty and homage to Godfrey Barbatus Duke of Brabant which occasioned warres betweene them After the Berltoldi Machlin had various fortunes and divers Lords at length it recovered libertie and was not subject unto any in the yeare 1336. And afterward it came to the Burgundian family in the yeare 138● And lastly unto the Austrian family in the yeare 1477. And it is now one of the 17 Provinces of the Low countries where the chiefe Counsell doth sit whither the last appeale in the Low Countries is made instituted by Charles of Burgundie Prince of the Low Countries and at length in our time it was made an Archbishopricke the chiefe Metropolitan seate whereof is Saint Rumolds Church Besides there is an Armorie in it which in the yeare of Christ 1546. in the moneth of August the Gunpowder being set on fire by lightning was burnt downe and the Cittie much defaced thereby Here Nicasius of Woerden a most learned Lawyer although hee THE CITTIE AND Province of MACHLIN MECHLINIA DOMINIVM were blinde was borne also Christopher Longolius Rombert Dodonaus the Emperours Phisitian and professor of Phisicke at Leyden and also Philibert of Bruxells an excellent Lawyer It doth also produce many excellent artificers and workemen especiall stone-cutters and carvers of Images He that desireth to know more concerning this Cittie and the antiquitie of this Province let him have recourse to Iohn Bapt. Gremajus his large description of Machlin and he shall finde very good satisfaction therein THE LORDSHIP OF GRONINGA GROENINGA Domin̄i GRoninga is the head Cittie of the Province of Groninga and the fairest Cittie in Friesland Some thinke it to bee that which Ptolemie calls Phileum They derive the name from Grano a certaine Trojan or Friesland Prince but Vbbo Emmius rejecting other opinions which are grounded on fabulous reports supposeth that it was so called from the greene Meddowes and tufts of trees therein It is distinguished from the other parts of Friesland in the middle whereof this Province is seated by the River Amasus and the Lavician Bay and now since the yeare 1536 it is counted one of the seventeene Provinces at what time the Groningians did put themselves into the protection of Charles the fifth Heretofore this Lordship did doe homage and fealtie to the Bishop of Vltrajectum being given him by the Emperour Henry the third and afterward by the Emperour Maximilian the first in the yeare 1494. And also he gave the Government of Groninga and all Friesland to Albert Duke of Saxonie the Groningians refusing the governement of the Saxons who having made many treaties of peace but
plaine and it is every where adorned with Woods and Forrests some of which are full of Chesnuts Almonds and Nutts The Country people lives very miserably for they spend their provision every yeare and doe keepe nothing for the future time so that in times of warre or when unseasonable weather does kill the fruites of the earth they live very penuriously Yet the poore are releeved out of publicke granaries This Countrie hath not many natiue inhabitants for the greatest part consists of strangers as Swethlanders Bavarians Burgundians Sabaudians and Lotharingians who having once entred into a Country doe not soone remove from thence The Swethlanders doe chiefely reside in it Moreover the fifth circle of the Empire is that of the Rhene It consists of three orders first the Clergie secondly the Princes and thirdly the free Citties In the first there are the Bishop of Wormes of Spier Straesburg Basel and Besancon in the Countie of Burgundie in the Province of Wallis whose Metropolis is Selton there are the Bishops of Geneve Losanna Metz Toul and Verdun The Abbots of Hiersfe●d Morbach S. Gregoris Munster In the second order are Princes Earles and secular Lords as the Dukes of Lotharingia and Saveye the Count of Spanhein the Marquesse of Baden the Duke of Sweibrucke the Count of Veldentz the Landgrave of Hessen the Prince of Calim the Count of Nassaw in Sarbrucke the Earles of Rhene the Lords of Rapoitzkirchen neere Rapoltstain the Earles of Bitsch Salm Hanaw Lichtenberg Lemingen and Falkenstain the Lords of Morspurg and Befo rt of Rapolslain of Hoen Rechpurg Blakenberg and Blammont in Lotharingia the Earles of We●baden and I●stain and Cuningstaine the Lord Van Eppenstam the Earles of Isenburg in higher Alsatia of Solms of Nassaw in Weilburg of Sienvigen of Havare the Lord of Muntzinburg the Earles of Westenburg of Witgenstam of Waldeck of Flesse The third order is of the free Citties which are Mulhusen in Sundtgow of higher Alfatia also Basel Colmar Kaisersperg Turckbam Saint Gregoris Munster Ober Ebenhaim Straesburg Rosenhaim Schletstat Hagenaw Weissenburg Landow Spier Wermes Francfort Fridberg in Wederaw Wetzlar Metz Toul Vedtn Kausmans Sarbruck the Castle Besano Fridberg and the Castle Gleichhausen THE LANTGRAVIATE of the higher ALSATIA vvith SVNTGOVIA and GRISGOIA THE HIGHER ALSATIA ALSATIA SUPERIOR Brisgo●a remaines which is to bee unfolded and described in this Table Brisgovja or Brisgoja is commonly called Brisgow which signifies in the Germaine Language a faire Towne And truly this Country doth deserve that title in regard of the fertility and fruitfulnesse thereof in which it is not inferiour to Alsatia which we have even now described But if we have recourse to auncient writers we shall finde that this Country was so named from the Metropolis Brisacum of which we shall speake by and by Brisgoja is ten miles long and eleven broade for it beginneth at Nortnaw and runneth out almost to Basil It is a fruitefull Country both for tillage and Vines And here is great store and plenty of Corne and Wine and of all things necessary for the sustenance of mans life The Archdukes of Austria and the Marquesses of Baden doe joyntly governe this Country The Metropolis of Brisgoja was heretofore Brisacum whence the Country is denominated and Antonius mentioneth it in his Itinerarie of the Mountaine Brisacum when as he maketh mention of no other Citties beyond the Rhene but those Provinciall Citties which are seated by the Rhene Luitprandus Ticinensis who lived in the time of Otto the first doth make the Mountaine Brisacum to be in Alsatia and sheweth that it was an Island of Rhene This Cittie is situated on a round Mountaine like a Castle and it hath the Rhene on the West It is a neate Towne well fortified and populous but in processe of time it exceeded Friburg it selfe for magnificence and riches This Cittie increased presently and grew famous in regard of the Minerall Mines which are neere unto it In Brisacum there is an auncient Castle which hath long beene ruinate yet now at length it hath beene reedified It hath a strong well fortified Tower which Bertholdus Ziringensis the third built as appeareth by these following verses graven on the stone walls Hanc Dux Bertholdus portam struxisse notatur A quo pro fraude Burgundia gens posulatur The Duke Bertholdus builded up this gate Which the Burgundians did ruinate This Cittie hath but one fountaine over which there is a Conduit built in which there is a wheele in which they goe and draw up water a great depth and the Cittizens do yerely pay for the drawing up of the water For it hath on every side a great steepe descent to the Rhene and the plaine from whence it is very hard to draw up water into the Mountaine Halfe a mile beneath Friburg there is a ruinate Castle situated on a high Mountaine which is called Zaringhen from which the Dukes of Zaringa had their title Friburg is a famous Towne in Brisgoja and now the Metropolis thereof it was built by Duke Ferthold the fourth the sonne of C●nradus the first in the reigne of the Emperour Henry the fifth being formerly but a Village It is a Cittie pleasantly seated among the Mountaines being adorned with many magnificent houses Churches and Monasteries There was an Vniversity erected there in the yeere 1459 wherein Vdalrick Zasius a famour Lawyer did teach and reade publickly It had heretofore a rich Veine of silver a mile distant from the Cittie There also is in Brisgoja Zering heeretofore a Dukedome the County of Friburg the Marquiship of He●●berg and the Lordships of Badenwille Staussen and Burcken THE LOWER SAXONIE SAxonie was so called from the Saxons Their originall as also of other Nations not only the Monkes ignorant in Antiquities but moderne judicious writers have wrapped up in fabulous inventions some suppose that they were so called from Saxo the sonne of Negno and the brother of Vandalus others à Saxca natura from their stony nature others from the remainder of the Macedonian Army some from their skeines or short swords as appeareth by these verses in Engelhusins Quippe brevis gladius apud illos Saxa vocatur Vnde sibi Saxo nomen traxisse putatur A cuttell or a short-sword they Saxon call Whence the name of Saxon takes originall THE LOWER SAXONIE SAXONIA INFERIO et Mekleburg The Dukedome of Meckelburg was heretofore a part of a Province belonging to the King of Vandalia lying neere unto the Baltick Sea but now it is one of the chiefe Dukedomes of Germanie and a member of the Empire it hath on the East Pomerania on the West the River commonly called de Elve on the South it hath the auncient Marca on the North the Balticke Sea It is a very fruitfull Country abounding with Wheate Apples Wood and Fish There are also divers sorts of living creatures and great store of Oxen and Cattell and wilde beasts Moreover Aritbert being descended of the royall stocke and having lived some
is equall to the bredth being 12 miles over This Countrie hath aboundance of all kindes of fruites and pulse and hath more store of Corne than any other part of Germanie So that George Agricola calleth it the fatte of Germanie Heere is great stoare of that hearbe which Plinnie calleth Glastum is now called Guadum and Pastillum and commonly Weedt Pastell which maketh a blew colour which to the great benefit of the inhabitants is transported into other Countries so that a famous Poet writeth thus Herba Thuringorum celeberrima crescit in agris Hanc Isatim Graecus sermo vocare solet Ponderis haec magni est multo venditur are Hac etenim tingi lana parata solet A famous hearbe doth in Thuringia grow In Greeke call'd Isatis and named so It is weighty and much gaine is made thereby For with it they their wooll doe use to die THVRINGIA or the Landgraviate of DVRINGEN THURINGIA Hinc placet Hebraeo nobis hanc nomine dici Vt vetus a Iajin nomen Iena tenet Cur ita crediderim nisi mentem vocula fallit Certa hujus ratio nominis esse potest Quippe vocat Iajin Solimae pius incolaterrae Hoc quod nos Latio dicimus ore merum Quae caput in medijs urbs fertilis erigit vuis Hanc quisquam a vino nomen habere nega● Hence from an Hebrew word at first it came As we cold Iena doe from Iajin name And unlesse we b● deceived in the word We may some reason for this name afford For the holy inhabitant of Palestine Calleth that Iajin which we doe call wine So this Cittie standing in the midst of Vines May well be named from the fragrant Wines Thus much Stigellius It hath a publicke Schoole which was erected in the yeare 1558. G●tha was so called from the Gothes And hence Ritha●merus in his description o● the world writeth that the Turingians were originally de● from the Goathes because the Gothes builded a Cittie in this Co●●● which they called Gotha about the yeare 723. It had a wonderfull strong Castell called Grimmenstein which is now levell with the ground And this was the cause that it fell to ruine William Grunbach a nobleman rather by descent than vertue in regard of his many enormous attempts whereby he endeavoured to depose the Emperour and to introduce a new forme of Empire was declared and pronounced to be guilty of conspiracie with all his associates and was condemned and banished both by the Emperour Ferdinand and the Emperour Maximilian his son and the Emperour and the other States of the Empire with one consent did commit the execution of this sentence to the most illustrious Prince Elector of Saxonie Which banishment he contemned trusting to himselfe and his Protector Iohn Fredericke the second Duke of Saxonie Who after many admonitions from the Prince did still persist in defending the rebells so that the most illustrious Duke of Saxonie and Prince Elector enforced by necessitie beseiged the Cittie and tooke it by surrender And then Grunbachius with foure more of the conspirators for their treason against Caesar were put to death the Castle was razed to the ground and Duke I●hn Fredericke was brought prisoner to Vienna This Countrie is ●atered with many Rivers as Sala or Salza Werra Vnstrut Ilma Ge● Or Apselstet Helbe and Cling And Her testifieth that the Mountaines have mines which have rich Veines of gold and silver which ●d not far from Braitenborn and Schwartzenburg This Countrie also is here and there cloathed with woods which are part of the wood Hercynia also the Thuringian wood is well knowne commonly called Thuringer Waldt Caesar calleth it Baceins it is a wood in Germanie which divideth the Cheruscians from the Suevians there are also Hainich Hainset●e and Finne with divers others where there is good hunting of divers kindes of wilde beasts There are also in this Countrie many Churches and Monasteries among which is the Church of the blessed Virgin Marie at Erford which was built by Bo●●●e Bishop of Moguntium This Church hath a great Bell which is famous through all Germanie The people are fierce hardy couragio●s against their enemies the men are large of stature strong and well-set THE DVKEDOME OF FRANCONIA THuringia a Countrie of high Germanie being thus described there followeth next Franconia or East France Which was so called from the Frenchmen Some say that the originall of this name came from Francus whom others call Francio fabulously supposed to bee the sonne of Hector and the first founder of this Nation And Peter Ronsard the Poet writeth that the auncients did call him Astyanacta Francum as it were Hastigerum that is the speare-bearer Others as Gaguinus and Aeneus Pius doe affirme that the Emperour Valentine gave that name to Franconia because the Frenchmen in the Northerne Language where called fierce or from the remission of tribute and their freedome they were called Franci that is Free-men Albeit I doe more approve of a latter Etymologie that they were called Franci as it were Frioncy because they were free from taxes and impositions which ●y signifies or else they were so called as it were fryansi Fransi for Ansi being a word proper to the Gothish speech doth signifie those who excell others in fortune and riches And are next to Heroes or Semigods that are above the condition of mortalls whence they corruptly call Great Noble men Ansos and with an aspiration Hansos But to the matter the Frenchmen after they grew wealthy and weary of the Romane yoke of subjection encouraged by the desire of rule got their liberty and thereby gained the name of Franci insteed of the old name of Germaines Fronconia on the South is neere to Suevia and Bavaria on the West to the Rhene on the East it hath Bohemia on the North it hath Hassia and Thuringia The ayre of this Countrie is pure and wholesome The Country it selfe except it be that part which is called Norica and is neere unto the Rivers is not very sandy as Aeneas Silvius writeth nor yet very stony But it is generally very fruitefull and doth yeeld a great increase of Barly Wheate and all kinde of graine and pulse which is sowed there There are no where greater and better Turnips and Onions than heere in this Countrie And in many places there are hills planted with Vines of which excellent wine is made transported to other Countries The Country of Babenberg doth yeeld such great store of Liquerize that whole Cart loades of them are carried through Germanie This Country also hath many faire Orchards and pleasant meddowes it hath great store of tame Cattle and wilde beasts The Princes doe cherish the wilde beasts who have many Dens in the Woods where they live in the winter time and doe house themselves as it were from the stormie THE DVKEDOME OF FRANCONIA FRANCKENLAND weather It is not lawfull for any private man to take them or hunt them It is manifest that
Misnia or Meyssen is a Country of higher Saxonie lying betweene the River Sala and Albis which was so called either from the Lake M●sia neere which the inhabitants hereof did dwell or from the Cittie Misna to which opinion Rithamerus in his description of the world doth agree But it seemeth that this Country was lately so named seeing we may gather out of Tacitus that the Hermundurians were formerly seated here for he mentioneth that the River Albis did rise among the Hermundurians It is bounded on the North with the Marquiship of Brandenburg and the higher Saxonie on the East with Lusatia and Silesia on the South it looketh toward the Kingdome of Bohemia and the Sudetian Mountaines on the West it hath Turingia They say the ayre was heretofore very bad and insufferable in regard of moyst exhalations arising from the Mountaines and the Woods but now the Woods being cut downe the foggy clouds are vanished so that the ayre is now more wholesome This Country aboundeth with all kinde of fruites so that it furnishes other Countries It hath every where great store of Corne and also great plentie of wine honey and cattell except in the Valley of Ioachim where the soyle is harder and lesse fruitfull But the rich Mines of Silver doth recompence the barrennesse of the superficies or surface of the earth The Mountaines also have divers kinds of mettalls as Silver Brasse Steele Iron Lead and in some places Gold In the time of Otto the Great this Countrie together with that higher Saxonie was called the Marquiship of Saxonie before the higher Saxonie was made a Dukedome Afterward in processe of time these Countries were divided into more Lordships and afterward they were reduc'd into one Dominion and had one denomination or name which happened in the yeare 1241 when the Landgrave of Turingia dying without issue his Territories came to the Lords of Misnia who from that time got both titles and were called Marquesses THE DVKEDOME of the higher SAXONIE SAXONIAE Superioris Lusafiae Misniaeque des of Misnia and Landgraves of Thuringia And in the yeare of our Lord 1423 the Prince Elector of Saxonie having no issue male the Emperour Sigismund did give the Dukedome of Saxonie to the Princes of Misnia which they doe still possesse and after that as Munster writeth they usurped a triple or threefold title There are many Citties in Misnia the chiefe Cittie is Misena on the left hand bancke of the River Albis which was built by Otto the first The next is Dresdena very pleasantly seated and well fortified Heere the Duke of Saxonie hath an armorie and a magnificent Pallace and a curious stone bridge Lipsia is a famous Mart Towne situated by the River Pleissena which excelleth all the other Citties of Misnia for wealth and beautie heere is a Noble Schoole for learning and wisedome which in those troublesome times at Prague was translated thither in the yeare 1408. In the same tract there are Itenburg Antiquae cellae Lautenberg and other Townes This Countrie is watered with these Rivers Albis Sala Mulda and others and it hath many woods as Gabreta and others which are parts of Hercynia The inhabitants are strong valiant and well proportioned in body they are also merry and pleasant friendly modest and peaceable and are not like the auncient Germanes for rudenesse of behaviour Lusatia LVsatia also as Rithamerus doth witnesse is a great part of Saxonie which lyeth betweene the Rivers Albis and Odera and the Mountaines of Bohemia But the name of Lusatia is derived from the Elysians or Lygians who as Ioachim Carens saith were seated here This Country hath good store of Corne and is very fruitfull It was sometime joyned with Misnia at length the Bohemians who strived to enlarge their Kingdome tooke it to themselves Lusatia is twofold the Lower and the Higher In the latter there are these Citties Sprenberg Prybus and Cotbus in the former Gorlits and Zitaw Gorlitum commonly called Gorlitz is the chiefest and Noblest Cittie in the higher Lusatia having many faire houses and being well fortified with walls and ditches and by the mountainous situation thereof and also by the Vicinitie of the River which is very profitable and commodious to Millers Brewers Dyers and other Cittizens There is a stone Bridge to passe over it which is covered over head But of all the publicke and private costly aedifices S. Peters Church and the Pallace are the chiefe This Cittie was first founded and built in the yeare 1030 as the Annalls thereof doe witnesse But in the yeare 1301 it was burnt downe to the ground so that there was not one house left standing But like a Phoenix that riseth out of her owne ashes so eight yeares afterward out of these ruines it was built fairer and more curiously than before It is subject to the Kingdome of Bohemia as also Lusatia And Iohn Dubravius Lib. 21. concerning the affaires of Bohemia doth shew how it came to the Crowne of Bohemia The River Nissa doth water Lusatia and doth much enrich it But so much concerning Lusatia Now let us returne to Saxonie and speake briefely of it These Noble Rivers doe water Saxonie Albis Sala Visurgis also Lusimicius Multa●ia Misa Sala Fulda Leyna Allenius Odera Ola Nisa and others It hath also many woods as Lunenbergerheid Spondawerheid Rottenawerheid Galberheid Pomerischeid which are parts of Hercynia The Saxones were heretofore distinguished into foure ranckes or orders the Nobles Gentry Freemen and Servants And there was a Law made that every one should marry in their owne rancke or tribe So that a Noble man should marry a Noble woman a Gentleman should marry a Gentlewoman a Freeman should marry a Freewoman and a Servant should marry a Servant and it was death to breake or infriuge this statute They had also excellent lawes for punishing malefactors Moreover Ober Saxon which is the eight Circle of the Empire doth consist of three orders the first are the bishops of Misnia of Merspurg of Naumburg of Brandenburg of Havelburg of Lubecke of Caminum The Abbots of Salveldt of Rottershausen and Falckenreiten Also the Abbetesses of Quedelnburg and of Genrode the second are the Princes and saecular Lords as the Duke Elector of Saxonie the Marquesse of Brandenburg Elector the Dukes of Pomerania the Princes of Anhalt the Earles of Schwartzenburg Count Mansfelt Count Stolberg Counte Hohenstein Count Buchlingen Count Rappin Count Mullingen Count Gleiche Count Leisneck Count Widersfelt the Lords of Bernaw B. de Tautenberg Count Regenslein Russe de Plaw D. de Gratz D de Schonberg The third are the free Citties as Da●●iscum and Elbingen THE MARQVISHIP and Electorship of BRANDENBVRG THe Marquiship of Brandenburg which is represented in this Table was heretofore inhabited by the Vardals who spread themselves from the River Albis Eastward through the Countries of Mechelburg Brandenburg Pomerania Bohemia and Polonia It was so called from the Metropolis which at first was called Brenneburg as George Sabine saith
Wood called De Stubhenitza that is a heape of Stubs of Trees doe yeeld firewood enough for the whole Iland The Clergie here have both Meddowes and Fields of their owne and have also tythe Cattell and tythe Corne. There are great store of Nobility in this Country who are discended from ancient Families of which some are more hospitalious and bountifull and some more sparing some doe addict themselves to the warres and some to study and most of them doe travell to forraine Princes and Kings Courts and doe goe to Universities and to the Warres And so are chosen to be Governours both in forraine Countries and Provinces and also in their owne Country in times of parre and weace not onely in Politick but also in Ecclesiastick affaires The Country people also doe live well in this Principality who doe onely pay the Magistrates a certaine summe of money and doe certaine services and some of them doe none at all And let so much suffice concerning the Iland and Principality of Rugia THE KINGDOME AND ELECTORSHIP OF BOHEMIA BOHEMIA Boemia or Bojemia as some would have it was so called from the Wood Hercynia For in the Germane language Baum and in Dutch Boom signifies a tree the Graecians call it Baemia and Ptolomy calls the Inhabitants Baemi and Strabo Lib. 7. calleth them Kolduli Some would have it so named from the Bojans who fled and transmigrated thither which seeme to bee so called from Bois that is from Wood. Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 11. in his description of Germany doth place the Baemians under the Wood Harcynia being a great Nation spreading even to Danubius Strabo calleth it Bubiemium for so Rhenanus Aventine and others doe read it but yet in the Graecian printed Copies it is called Boviasmon but Rhenanus thinketh this to be a corrupt reading of it and Causabon noteth that in ancient Bookes it is called Bovia●mon Tacitus calleth it Bojemum On the East it hath the Marcomannians and Quadians on the West the Noricians on the South the higher Pamonia now called Austria and on the North it is bounded with Saxonie and Misnia The Wood Hercynia doth encompasse it round about and encloseth it in manner of a Romane Amphitheater So that the length and breadth is all one being above two hundred mile broad and as many long The ayre in regard the Country standeth Northward is cold and sharpe but yet wholesome But the soyle yeeldeth such great store of Barly and Wheate so that it furnishes and supplies other Countries But it hath but little Wine and that which growes there is very tart and sharpe It hath excellent Saffron both for colour and sent This Country also yeeldeth very rich Drugs yet it hath no Oyle nor any other parts of Germany It hath many rich mines the chiefe whereof are in the Countries of Cromelaw Budeveisz and Kuttenberg Also neere the Towne Beraun there are Iron Mines And in other parts it hath Tinne Leade and Brasse And moreover it hath Carbuncles and Amethists which are taken out of the Oare Moreover there are great store of wilde Beasts for hunting as Foxes Beares Harts and wilde Oxen which they call in their language Lomi And they report that this wilde Beast Lomi when hee is hunted filleth a Bladder which hee hath beneath his necke with hot water and therewithall hee sprinckles the Dogs that follow him which burneth whatsoever it toucheth like scalding water so that it will make the hayre and skin come of This Country was governed at first by a Duke The first Duke was Zechus who comming out of Crotia did first establish this Country of Bohemia After him succeeded Crocus and his Daughter Labussa with her Husband Primislaus after him Nimislaus and his Nephew Mnato and Vrislaus the Sonne of Mnato also Necla Noctericus and Borsinous In whose time Bohemia received the Christian faith in the yeere 900. in the time of THE KINGDOME AND ELECTORSHIP OF BOHEMIA BOHEMIA the Emperour Arnulph but in the yeere of our Lord 1086. Bohemia was made a Kingdome and in the Counsell at Moguntine Vratisslaus the first was created King by the Emperour Henry the fourth and Gilbert Bishop of Trevers was sent to Prague to annoynt the King in the presence of the people and to invest him with the Royall ornaments his wife also Swatana was crowned Queene But afterward it fell to bee a Dukedome againe when it came to Vratislaus the fourth who for his service in the Mediolanian expedition was created by the Emperour Frederick King of Bohemia and an associate in the Empire and had given him for his armes a red Lyon with a forked tayle in a white Field from whom some Emperours discended after that Bis●tislaus had carried away Iutha the Daughter of the Emperour Otho the II. whence they began to bee a kinne to the Emperours The King of Bohemia is one of the seven Electors Bohemia hath some Citties which are subject to the King and some to the Lords and Nobles The chiefe Citty is Prague which was walled about by Primistaus the third Duke of Bohemia and his wife Libusla It hath the Castle V●segradum or Herschin which is seated on a Mountaine The whole Citty is divided into three Citties the Higher the New and the Lesse The River Muldavia doth seperate old Prague from the new in which there is a Castle and the Cathedrall Church of Saint Vitus and these two parts of the Citty are joyned together with a stone Bridge of 24. Arches which was built by King Vladislaus The Emperour ●harles the IV. and the King of Bohemia did much adorne and enlarge this Citty The Castle standeth on a very steepe Hill In the Church of the Castle there is an Alablaster Monument wrought with curious workmanship in which divers Princes and Emperours have beene buryed Ptolomy would have it call'd Casurges Aventinus Ma●●budum and Strabo Bubienum In the yeere 1370. King Charles erected here an Academy or Vniversity which continued untill the yeere 1308. And afterward by reason of a faction which arose it was translated to Lapsia The Citty Egra is situated in the first entrance into Bohemia which was so named from the River Egra by which it was seated It was heretofore subject to the Romane Empire but now to the Kingdome of Bohemia It is faire and beautifull within it hath faire houses and civill courteous and magnificent Citizens And without it hath pleasant Orchards and fruitfull Fields and a River full of Fish This Citty is famous for a kinde of drinke called Mede which is made of Honey The chiefe Townes of Bohemia towards Moravia are Mutha Chrudima Hradecium Pardubitium Litomossium and from thence toward Noricia there are Glatovia Dornazlicium Misa and Tacovia On the South side the chiefe Townes are Budvicium Crum●●via Trebonia Hadrecium Hencici and on that side which is toward Misma it hath these Townes Pons Cadana Chomutavia and Austio And these Townes are neere the confines of Sl●●ia Hiaromirium Gla●●um
Curta and some others The Inland Townes are Cuthna Colen Belsina Verena Zate●●um Launa Slana ●●tomericum Tabortum The chiefe Rivers are 〈◊〉 which they call Labe it breaketh forth of the Mountaine neere the Citty Aust and hath great store of Salmons There is also Multavia which Ptolemy calleth Cassurgis and the Germanes Molea and the Inhabitants Vltauva there are also the Rivers Egra ●assava Gisera Misa and others some whereof have fine sands of gold and some of them have shells out of which they get Pearles The Mountaines Sud●ta doe encompasse Bohemia on the South and West The Mountaine Pinifer which is so called from the abundance of Pines growing there which riseth in the Mountaines of the Maraniship of Brandenburg betweene Franconia Voitlandia and Bohemia in the compasse of two miles doth send forth foure famous Rivers towards the foure parts of the World namely Moenus in Francia Sala i● 〈◊〉 Nabus in Bavaria and Egra in Bohemia This Mountaine also hath Gold Silver Quick-silver Iron and Brimstone It hath also 〈◊〉 of Precious-stones The whole Country is as it were walled 〈◊〉 with Woods of which that part which lyeth between 〈…〉 West and the North Strabo calleth the Wood Gabreta and Ptolem● 〈…〉 that part which streteheth from the South to Danubius Ptolemy calleth the Moones Wood but now it is called Passavica Silva or De● Passawerwaldt on the West where it joyneth to Moravia it is called Der Scheib The Emperour Charles in the yeere 1361. did devide the Kingdome of Bohemia into 12. Countries which are governed by Captaines and Barons who doe first decide small controversies and secondly if there bee any theeves they may call the Nobility to ayde them in suppressing of those Robbers and at last in time of warres every one repaireth to his owne Captaine I finde that the Burpaviate of Carlstein is in this Kingdome where the Crowne of the Kingdome is kept There are these Countries Lob●●wits Hassenstain Litzkaw Camethaw Passau Melnis Rosenberg Hadretz Dominia Hasenburg Leip Perstain Dobitschaw Walstain R●schatec Dachaw Totsnick Wartenberg Schellenberg Kost Schmirits Lissaw Kunewaldt Dessaw Schonpeck Slawa Grossen Bora Liebenstain Ioppendorff Gradetz and Colourat some of which are Counties also the Baronies of Trachenberg and Millusch Prague was made an Archbishops seate by Charles King of Bohemia and Emperour of Germany and the Bishop of Litomisliens was made his Suffragan I come unto their manners concerning which Iohn Dubravius writeth thus The Bohemians in their manners and habit doe shew a kinde of Lion-like courage under which signe Bohemia lyeth whether you consider the great stature of the Bohemians or their strong broad breasts or neckes coverd with stiffe yellow hayre or their great voice or glistering eyes or their courage and strength Moreover the Lion is wont to swell in contempt of other beasts and cannot be disarmed especially if you set upon him by force Neither doth the Bohemian degenerate from him in this also for he contemneth others both in word deed and sheweth much pride and arrogancy both in his gate and gesture And he is most fierce when he is roughly entreated Moreover he is as bold as a Lion in any enterprise and stout and hardy in the Execution but yet he is ambitious and vaine-glorious And besides he is as hungry and sharpe as a Lion and immoderate in his Dier THE MARQVISHIP OF MORAVIA MORAVIA commonly called Marnhern doth confine on Polonia Westward It is so called from the River Moravia which runneth thorow this Country The Ancients did call it Marcomannia because it did border Germany on that part where Danubiu● glideth towards Pannonia For in the Germane language Marck signifies a limmit or bound and those which dwelt there were called Marcomanni the Inhabitants of the Frontiers or Marches as Dubravius thinketh But Arrianus saith thus The last saith he of these Nations are the Quadians Marcomannians after them the Iazyges or Sarmatians then the Getes and lastly a great part of the Sarmatians And it appeareth manifestly that this Moravia was the Seate of the Marcomannians because neere the River Hana the Husbandmen as they were ploughing did often finde certaine coynes of the ancient Romane Emperours as of M. Antoninus who as Histories doe witnesse did conquer and subdue this Nation There was also mony taken from the enemy as a booty with this Inscription De Marcomannis There are some doe conjecture by the Etymologie of the word that the Marcomannians did possesse that Province of Germany which is commonly called Die Marck or the Marquiship of Brandenburg beyond Albis toward the Ocean for the Inhabitants thereof are called Die Marcker that is Marcomannians as it were Marcmenner some say the Marcomannians were so named from Horses as we call Mareschalcus a Praefect of the Horse and Mar-staller a Master of the Horse for Marrha and Merrhen doe signifie in the Germane language a Horse and a Mare whence they translate Merrhenlandt the Country of Mares But the former reason is more probable Moravia as it is now is bounded on three parts of it with Mountaines Woods Forrests or Rivers on the East from Hu●garia on the West from Bohemia on the North from Silesia For on the South towards Austria it is plaine ground and in some places it is parted from it by the River Thaysa and in other places by a small River The ayre of this Country is gentle and warme and so more subject to corruption And as this Country is populous so it yeeldeth great store of Corne and Wine and all things necessary for mans use It hath also great store of Saffron The inward part of the Country is Champion ground the Fields are of a fat and fruitfull soyle and therefore good for tillage there are Hills crowned with Vineyards and in regard it hath a better soyle for Vines than Bohemia therefore THE MARQVISHIP OF MORAVIA MORAVIA it excelleth it for goodnesse and plenty of Wine It is all tilled so that there is no part left for feeding of Flocks and Cattell unlesse it bee in the Woods and Desarts The Mountaines Sudetae neere the Citty Igla are thought to bee full of Mines Moreover it is wonderfull that there is Frankincense and Myrrh in Moravia which doth not distill out of a sweating Tree as in other parts but is digged out of the ground especially in one place called Gradisco in which there is both male and female Frankincense But of late Venceslaus a Nobleman as he was laying the foundation of the head of a Fish-pond in his owne grounds at Sterenberg found the whole body of a man which was nothing but Myrrhe This Country was heretofore adorned with the title of a Kingdome and it had formerly Kings who governed all Bohemia and Poleland and it was a very large and potent Kingdome About the yeere of Christ 700. Zuantocopius did possesse Moravia Bohemia Silesia and Poleland and the Dukes thereof were subject unto him But hee being proud of his large Territories did deny
call by divers name on the West there is Gastein ●aurn Villacher Taurn Rastatter Taurn and Karn●n Taurn But some of the Alpes doe keepe their owne names as Modringalbin Serbisalbin Sanalbin c. Dietzperg hangeth over the River Dravus and above it there is the Mountaine Argentatus which the Inhabitants call Silber Berg in the Mountaine Rasperg there are the Fountaines and Spring-heads of the Rivers Mura and Isara the one running Southward the other Eastward And betweene these high Hills of Taurus and the Alpes there are many woods which are parts of the wood Hercynia as Hirschpuhl Priewalt Adelwaldt Eremus commonly called in der Einod The aforesaid Alpes have Gold Silver and Iron in them Concerning the Ecclesiasticall government it is devided as Paracelsus saith betweene the Bishop of Saltzburg and the Patriarch of Aquilegium Munster in his third Booke of Cosmographie and Pius 2. in his Europe doth describe a strange custome which they have in inaugurating their Princes THE KINGDOME OF POLAND· POLAND was so called from the Planesse of the Country which they themselves call Pole It is a very great Country on the North side it hath Borussia and Pomerania on the East Massovia and Lithuania on the South it is enclosed with the Mountaines of Russia and Hungaria on the West it hath Lusatia Silesia and Moravia it is 480. Miles long and three hundred broade The ayre of this Country is pure but the Winters are cold and sharpe All the Country is plaine and yeeldeth good store of Barley Wheate and Pulse It hath abundance of fruites Waxe Honey and Butter It hath also great store of Salt which is digged out of the earth I and there are in these Mountaines Mines of Brasse which the inhabitants call Tatri and also Mines of Brimstone It hath also great store of Cattell so that Saxonie and many Countries of Germanie doe live by Poland Oxen. There is great variety of living creatures and great store of cattell and wild beasts It hath wild Oxen Buffones Bulls and wild Horses and Ounces and the like There are also great store of foule for Hawking Poland was dignified with the title of a Kingdome in the yeare 1001. in the raigne of Boleslaus Chabri who received his royall Diadem from the Emperour Otto the third But 77. yeares after in the raigne of Boleslaus Audaci or the bold who cruelly murdered Stanislaus Bishop of Cracovia the Pope devested it of that dignity and tooke it away And it was made a Kingdome againe in the yeare 1295. and Primislaus the second Duke of the greater Poland and Pomerania was elected King This Country is divided into the greater and lesser Poland The greater is more Northward and the River doth part it in the middle The lesser is Southward and the River Vistula runneth through it In the greater Poland the principall Cities are these Posnania by the Rivers Varta and Prosna it is situate betweene the Hills and walled with a double wall it hath many faire tiled or slated houses the Suburbs are large on the farther banke of the River Varta encompassed with a great Lake and Marshes it hath every yeare two famous Faires and it is a Bishops seate It hath these Townes under it Koscien among the Marshes which is 7. Miles distant Also Meidzyrzexze in which the houses are built all of wood and it is neere to Silesia and Pomerania Also Ostresow which is situate on a plaine betweene the Woods and the Townes Wschow Sremick Prenez and Rogozno Calisia is a walled Citie among the Marshes the River Prosna runneth by it and there are some ruines of a Castell Vnder this Citie there are Gnesna Pizary Wartha Noklo Land Konin Slupeza and Kolo Gnesna is walled about and seated on a Plaine betweene Lakes and Hills This Citie was first built by Lechus in which Boleslaus THE KINGDOME OF POLAND· POLONIA et SILESIA Chabri Prince of Poland received the Royall Diadem from the Emperour Otto the third which the Kings of Poland doe still enjoy Siradia is a Citie built of wood walled about and seated on a Plaine Vnder it there are the Cities Vielunia Sadeck Petricovia Rosprza and Spicimiria Petricovia is seated in a moorish ground Lancisia is a pleasant Citie walled about and seated on a plaine Vnder it there are Orlovia Piatec Bresma Kornazew Biechow and some other Townes Cuiauia or Vladislauia is a faire Citie and it hath under it Bistgostia by the navigable River Buda by which commodities are transported out of Poland into Vistula Brestia hath under it Radziciow Crusphicia and Cowalow Crusphisia is the chiefe Citie of all Poland next to Gnes●a it is built of wood with a brick Castell and it is seated by the Lake Goplo out of which Lake Mice heretofore came forth who by the just judgement of God did devoure Pompil●us Prince of Poland in that Castle Raua is a woodden Citie by the River Raua it hath under it these Townes Sochaczouia Gostinin and Gamh●● Ploozko is a pleasant Cittie seated on a Hill by the River Vistula it is a Bishops seate under it there are Bielsko Raczyayaz Steperoz Stre●sko Mlawa Plonsko and Radzanow Dobrinta is situated on a rock by the River Vistula it had a Castle which the Crucigerans did demolish Vnder it there are 〈◊〉 Ripin and Gorzno In the lesser Poland there are these Principall Cit●ties Cracovia Sandomiria and Lublinum Cracovia is built on a Plaine by the River Vistula Peter Appiarus supposeth it to be the same which Ptolomy calls Carrodunum being walled with a double wall It hath a Castle on a high rock which they call Vanel In this Citty the King of Poland keepe their residence and are buryed It hath also a Vniversity famous for study and Arts. But the Cracovians have no chiefe Advocate so that the King himselfe is the Praetor of Cracovia There are three Cities neere unto Cracovia Clepardia Stradonia and Casimiria It hath two Dukedomes under it Biecz Wonincz Sandecz Lelow K●yaz and Proszovice Sandomirta is a principall Cittie walled about being situated on a Hill by the River Vistula 22. Miles distant from Cracovia It hath an ancient Castle well fortified Vnder which is Che●●●y seated on a Plaine and famous for Mines of Blew in which there is also some silver found also Korzin Wislicia Pilzno Opoczno Radomia P●●onieck Zannichost Zarnow and Mologost Lublinum is a chiefe Citty well-fortified with a wall and a Castle In which there are yearely three Faires to which both Turkes Armenians Graecians Germanes Moschovites Lithuanians and others doe resort the River B●sterra doth runne by the Castle Vnder it there are Vrzendow Lulow Parc●● and Casimiria Moreover the Kingdome of Poland hath many Lakes in which there are all sorts of Fish It is watered also with many faire Rivers the chiefe whereof is Vandalus or Vistula which the Germanes call De Wixel The next are Chronus now called Pregell Nyennien Ruhon Viadrus Varta Tyras now called Nyester Hypanis now Bugh Borysthenes now Nyeper
there are also many other small Rivers There are almost no Mountaines except Southward where it is parted from Hu●gary by the Sarmatian and Carpathian Mountaines which the inhabitants call Taury The Country is full of woods which are parts of the wood Hercinia But so much hitherto The Politick state of the Kingdome of Poland hath 2. Members The first are the Clergie in which are the two Archbishopricks of Gnesna and Leopolis The Bishops of Cracovia of Ploczko of Chelma Vladislavia Pomesania Varmia Culma and Sambiensis Posnonia Proemislia Cavenez Vilna Medincque Luceoria In Livonia the Bishops of Riga Dirpta Absel and Revalia Secondly the Nobles in which there are Castellanus Cracowvia the Palatine of Cracovia Posnania Sandomiria Kalischy Siradia Lancisa Brezeste Inowladislavia Russia Podalia Lublin Belze Plocense Mozavia Rava Also in Lithuania the Palatines of Vilna of Trochy Poletsho Novogrod and Vitellia Also in Prussia the Palitnes of Culma Marienbourg Pomerania The Counts are of P●snania Sand miria Kalische Voinice Gnesne Siradi● Lancise Brizeste Inowladeslavia Leopolis Camenezia Lublin Belze Plocense Geine Ravense Sandecia Myedzeris Vis●icie Biece Rogostia Radom Zawichost Land●nse Streme Zarnowe Mologost Vi●lune Premis●ia Haine Sa●●e Chelme Dobrine Polane●ce Premetense Criswinense Czecovia Nacle Rospirie Byechov●a Bydgostia Brezezine Crininice Osvecimense Camenetz Spicimirie Inowlodense Revalia Zavoloo Sachazonia Vasovia Gostine Visne Raciez Sieprecense Wisogrod Riprin Zabrochzinense Circhanouia Livense In Lithuania there are old Palatines of Vilna and Trochi In Prussia of Culma Elbingen and Pomerania There are many Captaines in the Kingdome of Poland And two Mars-halls of the Kingdome and the Court. The Ecclesiastick doth consist of these Archbishops Bishops aforesaid The Noble men are very sharpe witted and they doe travell into forraigne Countries to get knowledge and languages They are couragious and doe not feare the stoutest Enemie and if the Nobles doe wrong them all their kinsfolkes and friends doe joyne with them to revenge it and doe never cease untill they have revengd it or lost their owne lives Lastly they are not so liberal as Prodigall both in Banqueting and imoderate guifts and also in keeping a great retinew or number of Servants whom they cloth and feede SILESIA ANd so much concerning the Kingdome of Poland Silesia remaineth which I will briefely unfold It was so called from a River of the same name as Conradus Celtes witnesseth Others have other derivations It is bounderd on the North and East with Polonia on the South with Moravia and the Wood Hercynia on the West with part of Lusitia and Bohemia It is 200. Mile long and 80. broade Though the ayre be somewhat cold yet it is milde and gentle The Country in regard it is watered with many Brookes and Rivers is very fruitfull in most places and it hath in some parts Veines of Gold Silver Lead and Iron it yeeldeth also clothing for it selfe and many other Countries beside The Citties are well inhabited and adorned with Lawes and good Arts. The Metropolis thereof is Vratislavia some would have it to be that which Ptolomie cals Budorchis it is comonly call'd Breslaw Duglossus writeth that it was built by Mieslaus Duke of Polonia a little before the yeere of Christ 1000. And 40. yeeres afterward it was adorned with a Bishoprick by Casimirus King of Poland and it encreased so much that the Bishops of this Citty were called the golden Bishops in regard of their wealth and riches In the yeere 1341. it was burnt downe But the Emperour Charles the third made it in stead of Brick of Gold On the Steeple of St. Elizabeths Church there is this Inscription Mirabilis in altis Dominus The Situation the beauty of the Houses Towers and Churches the faire Bridges and large Streets doe much set forth this Citty Nissa is an Episcopall Citty There are besides in this Country 15. Dukes Lignicensis Bregensis Teschinensis Monsterbergensis Olsvicensis and Beoustadiensis and three ancient Families namely Ligvicensis Teschinensis and Monsterbergensis Tropaviensis Opeliensis Nissensis Vratislavensis or Breslauw Swidnisensis Hurensis Glagoviensis Ratibonensis and Sagonensis But these latter honours the Kings of Bohemia since the decease of their Lords have gotten There are three Baronyes namely of Trachenberg of Vertenberg and Plessensis The Kings high Court in Silesia is kept at Vratislavia where there is a Bishops seate as also at Kissa Viadrus runneth thorow this Country into which many Rivers and Streames doe flow as Elsa Ola Bobrus Barusins and others POLAND POLAND which is situate in the Europian Sarmatia is both long and wide and doth take up a great part of it it was so called from the Fields and plaine ground for Pole signifies as much as Plaine it is a very great Country having on the North Borussia and Pomerania on the East Massovia and Lithuania on the South Russia and the Mountaines of Hungaria on the West Lusatia Silesia and Moravia It is devided into the greater and lesser Poland The greater is more Northward and the River Varta runneth thorow the middle of it The lesser is Southward and the River Vistula glideth thorow it The Polanders are descended from the Sclavonians as Neugebaverus witnesseth Lib. Rer. Polonicar and their Kingdome was never so large as it is now because the great Dukedome of Lituania Livonia are joyned unto it albeit the King of Swethland hath lately gotten a great part of these Provinces It reacheth from the River Notes Obrá which doe devide it from Marchia and from the River Odera which doth part it from Silesia even to Beresaia and Borysthenes which seperateth it from Moscovia and so it extendeth West and East 120. Germane miles and as much from the farthest part of Livonia to the confines of Hungarie And so being of a round forme it is very wide and capacious There are in the greater Poland these principall Citties Posnavia built by the Rivers Varta and Prosna betweene the Hills with a double wall it hath faire slated Houses and great Suburbs by the farther banke of the River Varta being encompassed with a great Lake and Marshes and having two famous Faires every yeere it is a Bishops seate and hath many Townes under it Calisia is a walled Citty among the Marshes by which the River Prosna runneth It had sometime a strong well fortified Castle as the ruines doe testifie there are other Townes also subject unto it Gnesna is walled about being situate in a Plaine betweene Lakes and Hills and it is an Archbishops seate This Citty was first built by Lechus in which Boleslaus Chabri Prince of Polonia received the royall Diadem from the Emperor Otto the III. when before that time Poland was onely a Dukedome Siradia is a woodden Citty walled and seated on a Plaine it hath a strong Castle by the River Varta This Citty was honoured with the title of a Dukedome which dignity belonged to the Kings second Sonne It hath also many Townes under it among which is Petricovia which was heretofore of great
note where the Sessions for the whole Kingdome were wont to bee held which are now translated to Warsavia Lancicia is a pleasant Citty seated on a Plaine and walled about having a walled Castle on a Rocke by which the River Bísura glideth Cujavia or Vladislavia is a faire Citty being a Bishops seate Bidgostia is subject unto it which is seated by the navigable River Buda Brestia hath under it Radzieiow Crusphicia and Cowalow Crusphicia is the chiefe Citty of Poland next to Gnesna it is built of wood with a slated Castle by the Lake Golpo Rava is a wodden Citty situate by a River of the same name Ploczko is a pleasant Citty seated on a Hill by the River Vistula in which there was a Castle which the Crucigerians did demolish In the lesser Polonia the chiefe Citties are these Cracovia Sandomiria and Lublinum Cracovia is built on a Plaine neere the River Vistula being fortified with a double wall and a deep ditch It hath a Castle on a high Rock● which they call Vanel in this Citty the Kings of Poland keepe their residence and are buried It hath a famous Schoole for the study of Philosophie The Castellanus of Cracovia taketh place of the Palatine in the Senate but in other Provinces the Palatine is preferd before the Castellanus Moreover there are three Citties neere unto Cracovia Clepardia Stradomia and Cassimiria It hath two Dukedomes under it Zarocensis and Oswiecimensis It hath many Townes under it Sandomiria is a principall Citty walled about and situate on a Hill by the River Vistula being 22. miles distant from Cracovia It hath an ancient Castle well fortified under it there are Checiny in a Plaine which is famous for Mines of Blue in which there is Silver also found also Korezin Malogast and other Townes Lublinum is a Citty beyond Vistula being fortified with a Wall a Ditch a Lake and a Castle In which there are 3. Faires every yeere unto which both Turkes Armenians Grecians Germanes Muscovites and Lithuavians doe resort The Iewes doe ininhabite a great part of the Suburbs and have a Sinagogue there The River Bystizna doth runne by the Castle Poland as we said before is a plaine Country the most part of it is coverd with Woods and it yeeldeth good store of Barley Wheate and Pulse It hath abundance of Cattle It hath Lakes which are full of all kindes of Fish The chiefe Rivers are Vistula Viadrus commonly called Odera Tyres now Niester Hypanis which is called Bugh Vistula now called die Weixel was heretofore called Vandalus some call it Issula and Vissula This River riseth in the Carpathian Mountaines and before it commeth to Cracovia it is enlarged by the receit of many Rivers and afterward being growne very deepe and broad before it come to Dantiscum it dischargeth it selfe into the Codan Bay Boristhenes so well knowne of old is now called Nieper It hath a few Mountaines and those Southward where it looketh toward Hungaria The State of the Kingdome consisteth of the Clergie and Nobles The Ecclesiastick Order hath two Bishops the Bishop of Ghesnia who is Primate of the Kingdome who doth also crowne the King and the Bishop of Leopolis in blacke Russia The Bishops are of Cracovia in lesser Poland the Bishop of Posnia in the greater Poland and in other Provinces the Bishops Plocensis Chelmensis Vilnensis Kioviensis Lucensis Ianoucensis Samogitiensis Warmensis Culmensis Sambiensis Pomasaniensis Rigensis and others The Politick order of the Nobles hath 26. Palatines 60. Counts 4. Marshals a Chancellor and a Vicechancellor two Generals or Captaines in the lesser Poland there are forty common Captaines in the greater 30. in Massovia 12. So that the Kings when occasion requires can raise 200000. Nobles He that desires to know more concerning the state of this Kingdome let him have recourse to Stanislaus Kizistanowie his POLAND POLONIA description of the State of the Kingdome of Poland or to Guagninus or Boterus their description of Germany and Neugebaverus his Polonian History There are also in Poland Mines of Salt by Bochnia and Veliscus which doe exceed all others Veliscum is 8. miles distant from Cracovia Bochina is a faire Towne with a Castle where the Governour of rhe Saltpits dwels who is called Zupparius The Country round about is barren but this Country maketh a greater revenue out of these Mines then some Countries doe out of Gold and Silver Mines The people of Poland especially the Nobles doe now differ much from the Scythian barbarisme of the ancient Sarmatians They have no Robberies so that in Summer time they ride in Waggons and in Winter time in Coaches safely and without danger Most of the Nobility are very sharpe witted and doe get experience and languages by travelling into forraine Countries They are couragious and will not shun the stoutest enemy if any one bee wronged by the Nobles all their kindred and friends doe joyne together in revenging it and doe never cease untill they have revenged it or lost their owne lives Lastly they are not so liberall as prodigall both in their frequent Banquets and in the great retinue and number of Servants which they keepe and clothe THE KINGDOME OF HVNGARY HUNGARIA commonly called Hongeren which name it received from the Huns or Hungarians who came out of Scythia and did inhabit it doth containe Pannonia and the Countries of Iazigus and the Dacians beyond Danubius On the South it hath the River Savus which devideth it from Croatia and Servia which are a part of Illyrici over against the Adriatick Sea On the North it hath Poland and Russia which are disjoyned by the Mountaine Carpatus On the West it hath Austria which was heretofore the head of the higher Pannonia together with Moravia and Styria on the East Mysia which they now call Rhetiana It is an excellent Country both for the goodnesse of the soyle and the pleasantnesse of the Situation The Country is very fruitfull and fertill and yeeldeth Pearles Gold Silver Colours and Salt which are to be digged out of the Earth It hath abundance of Grasse Wheate Pulse and Fruit. That Country which is by Danubius doth yeeld excellent wine even from the Country of the five Churches to Taurunus or Belgrad But there is no Oyle and excepting that it is adorned with all the gifts of nature It hath divers kindes of living Creatures having such great plenty both of Oxen and Sheepe that great Droves are carried into other Countries especially into Italy and Germany It hath also abundance of wilde beasts as Hares Does Goats Harts Wolves Beares and the like And also great store of Birds especially Thrushes Partridges and Pheasants The Paeonians or Pannonians did first inhabit this Country afterward the Gothes who were expulsed by the Huns and the Huns by the Longobards who were seated here 13. yeeres But the Huns came in againe under the conduct of their Captaine Attila after whose death Charles the Great tooke it into his owne possession But in the yeere 700. the Huns
Patriarchall Churches which are these the Church of S. Iohn of Lateran S. Peters Monastery and S. Pauls Monastery within the walls of the Citty S. Maries Church and S. Laurences Monastery There are 8. Bishops assigned to governe these Churches the first and chiefest is the Pope the rest are under him as the Bishop Ostiensis who is Patriarke of Campania and doth consecrate the Pope unto whom is joyned Velletrensis or Valeriensis Portuensis Sabinensis Tusculanensis Praenestiensis and Albanensis There are also assigned for the government of the same Churches 28. Cardinals namely by the title of the holy Crosse of Ierusalem by the title of S. Iohn and Paul by the title of S. Stephen in Celio-Monte by the title of S. Susanna by the title of S. Peter by the title of S. Prisca by the title of S. Siriack by the title of S. Marcellus by the title of S. Balbina by the title of S. Grisogoni S. Marcellinus and Peter S. Anastasia S. Clem●nt S. Potentiana S. Martin on the Mountaines S. Praxedis S. Marcus S. Laurence S. Mary S. 4 or Coronatorum S. Sabina S. Nereus and Archileus S. Sixitus S. Eusebius S. Vitalis the 12. Apostles Church S. Laurentius and S. Cecilia unto which are adjoyned 18. Cardinals as Deacons Without the Citty there are in Campania the Bishops Agnaninus Alatrinensis Fundanus Tiburtinus Sagninus Terracinensis Verulanus Feretinus Soranus Aquinus Moreover the Pope hath under him in other parts of the world foure Patriarchall Churches unto which all other Churches in the same parts are subject as the Church of Constantinopole of Alexandria of Antioch of Hierusalem ABRVZZO AND TERRA DI LAVORO A PART of the Kingdome of NAPLES IN this Table two Countries of the Kingdome of Naples are to be described Aprutium and Terra Laboratoris The former or Aprutium the Italians doe now call Abruzzo The bounds thereof on the West are the Sabinians and Picentians with the River Truentum on the North the Hadriatick Sea on the South the Picentinians Campanians Martians Aequicolians dwelling on every side of the Apennine Mountaine The Country hath a very wholesome ayre and is very populous pleasant and commodious toward the Sea but the inward parts are Mountainous Besides other commodities it hath abundance of Saffron and it breedeth great store of Cattell The chiefe Citty of this Country is Aquila They report that the Langbards did build it and afterward Charles Martell or as some thinke the Emperour Frederick the second did wall it and fortifie it and did call it Aquila or Eagle because the Emperours Standard had an Eagle in it And this Citty in short time was so much enlarged that it is now the principall Citty in all this Country Moreover there are the Townes Guastum or Amontum in Italian Guasto di Amone which Pliny and Mela call Histon●um and Ptolemy Istodium without an aspiration Laucianum is a famous Mart-towne whether every yeere in the Moneths of May or August Italians Inluricians Sicilians Graecians Asians and Merchants from other parts of the world doe come to traffick Soulmoon which Ptolemy calleth Sulmo and Strabo Soulmon is now called Sulmona as Leander witnesseth and some doe call it Sermona It is a faire Citty both for beauty populousnesse and abundance of waters and famous because Ovid was borne here Chieti commonly called Civita Cheto is an Archiepiscopall Citty Asculum is an ancient Citty which Antoninus calleth Asculum and Pliny calleth it the noble Colonie of Picenum It standeth in a plaine open soyle being well fortified with strong walls On one side there is a high Mountaine with a Castle seated on it on the other side it is fortified with the River Truentus It is called now by a more fortunate and auspicious name Beneventum though at first it were called Maleventum from the rushes which it suffered a malo Vento or from evill fierce windes It is commonly called Beneventi This Citty hath a very convenient and pleasant situation and an excellent fruitfull soyle round about it Sora is neere unto the River Lirus being populous and adorned with the title of a Dukedome There is also the Towne which Ptolemy calls Aquinus where the great Philosopher Thomas Aquinas was borne It retaineth still that name but it is almost fallen downe yet the ruines doe shew the ancient largenesse thereof and it hath the title of a Country I omit the description of the other Townes for brevity sake The Rivers here are Phinternus ABRVZZO· ABRUZZO et Terra di LOVORO which devideth Samnium from Apulia commonly called Fortore The Fountaine whereof issueth out of the Mountaine Tifernus not farre from Bovianum And it dischargeth it selfe into the Hadriatick Sea neere the Lesinensian Lake There are also Trintus which Pliny noteth is full of Havens also Asinella Sentus Sangrus There are also the Rivers Morus Feltrinus Pescara Aternus Rafentus Orta Liberata Salmus Plumba Vomanus Turdin●s and others Moreover there are also among the Samnites Mountaines so high that they doe exceed the Apennine Mountaines Among which is the Virgins Mountaine famous for S. Maries Church which is built thereon Majella is a very great Mountaine having a very difficult ascent and full of rugged cliffes and Rockes The top of it is continually coverd with Snow yet it hath many greene Meddowes and it sendeth forth many Rivers and hath very spacious woods which are full of wilde beasts especially Beares and it hath many rugged cliffes There are also the tops of the Apennine which they call Montes Tremuli or the trembling Mountaines Terra di Lavoro THis Contry is now called Terra Laboris or Terra di Lavoro that is the Land of labour It was heretofore called Campania The bounds thereof as we may see in Strabo Ptolemy and others are on the west the River Lirus and Latium on the North the Samnitian Mountaines on the East the River Silarus which parteth it from Lucania and a part of the Samnitians Country on the South the Tyrrhene Sea Truely Campania is Campus or a Field into which nature hath powred forth of her owne bosome all the delights pleasures and delicacies which any place can affoord So that it may bee rightly called the Paradise of Italy for fertility and fruitfulnesse Divers people did heretofore governe this Country which Strabo mentioneth Lib. 5. and Pliny Lib. 3. Cap. 5. as namely the Opicians Ausonians Oscians Cumanians Tuscians and Samnites whom the Romanes last of all subdued So much briefely in generall concerning Campania now I come to a more particular description thereof and first of the Citties The Metropolis or mother Citty of Campania and the Kingdome of Naples is called in Coynes Neapolis or Naples Which name it still retaineth and is commonly called Neapolis It taketh up a great space of ground being magnificently built betweene the Sea and the foote of the pleasant Hills being fortified with Bulwarks Townes and Castles by Charles the fifth so that it is now impregnable It hath Ditches which are 80. feete deepe
The last Marquesse was called Ottocarus whose Daughter Lupold Duke of Austria married who by the Emperour was made Duke of Stiria Afterward his Line being extinct the Governour of Hungary sent his Sonne to governe his Country but hee living loosely and having laid intolerable taxes and taxations on the Stirians was droven out and Ottocarus the King of Bohemias Son was called in who did usurpe the Dukedome of Austria and got Carinthia in the yeere of Christ 1269. but he could not keepe it long For he grew so arrogant that hee contemned the Emperour and would not doe homage for the STIRIA OR STIRMARCK STIRIA Lands which he held in Bohemia unto the Emperour Rudolphus Habsburgius the Emperour at Augusta called a Counsell of the Princes of Germany and citeth Ottacarus to appeare at his perill and to answere concerning those Provinces of the Empire which he unjustly possessed as also concerning his contempt against the Emperours Majesty Ottacarus laughs at the Citation and sends no body to the Counsell to answer for him In the meane time Embassadours being sent from the States of Austria came to Augusta to the Emperour and the Counsell of Princes there assembled and there having grievously complained before Caesar and the Princes of Ottocarus his injury and cruelty they shewed that he had gotten Austria by an unjust Title and that he had repudiated and divorced his lawfull wife Margarite the Inheretrix of Austria and kept a Whore and at length poysond his owne wife and that he tooke away the lawfull Inheritance of Austria from Agnes Badensis and her Daughter Elizabeth with her Brother Henry and that he had murderd many of the Noblemen in the Citty of Vienna and had butcherd many innocent people and that hee had secretly devided Austria Stiria Carniola and the Marquiship of the Vindorians which were in the Emperours gift and that hee might hold Austria by the ayde of a forraine power and lay the yoke of servitude on the people he did therefore revolt from the Empire and Caesar c. It was hereupon decreed by the Princes that Embassadors should be sent to Bohemia But they in stead of an answere giving reproachfull speeches to Caesar and the Princes of the Empire they decreed and agreed that Caesar should make warres against them and should have their ayde therein Hee having levied a great Army goeth into Austria On the other side Ottocarus marcheth forth with no lesse forces but he doubting the event of the warre and fearing Caesars wisedome and force by the intercession of two Noblemen made a peace with him and restored back Austria and did homage unto Caesar for Bohemia and the other Provinces which he held of him and while he did his homage he kneeled before the Emperour and the whole Army which matter being taken in dudgeon by his wife and some factious spirits they violated the peace and entred Austria with a great Army On the other side the Emperour Rodolphus marcheth forth with his Army of Germanes and his auxiliarie Hungarian forces and so joyning battle with Ottocarus not farre from the Towne Marcheccus he overcame him and slew him afterward hee invaded Bohemia and with fire and sword enforced the young man Wenceslaus the Sonne of the deceased Ottocarus to seeke peace and prescribed him conditions according to his Imperiall pleasure But hee made his eldest Sonne Albert Duke of Austria and afterward by the common consent of the Princes of the Empire hee was made Duke of Austria and Stiria Stiria is distinguisht into the higher by the turning of the River Mura and the lower neere the confluence and meeting of Dravus and Mura which is next unto the second Pannonia or Hungarie whence that place is called am Hungerischen The chiefe Citties of Stiria are Bruga by the River Mura and also Grazium Viana commonly called Voytsperg by the River Kaynacha Also Wolspergum by the River Lavandus Marchpurg is a Metropolitan Citty on the left banke of the River Dravus and on the same side there is Petovia or the Petovian Colonie where the Romane Legions were seated Beyond the River is Warasinuns which they call the Varian Castle there is also Rachelspurg seated on the left banke of the River Mura where the Country of Savaria beginneth In this Country also there is Cilia on the banke of the River Savus which seemeth to be an ancient Citty for there are many Inscriptions of Romane names in it The Townesmen say that it was built by Sulla and that it was called Sullaces but on no ground as Volaterrarus saith For perhaps it was that Citty or built out of the ruines thereof which Ptolemy placeth not farre from home and calleth Celia In the Dukedome of Styria there are more Counties among which are Warasden by the River Dravus and also Lebnau by the River Mura Stiria is watered with these Rivers Dravo Lavanda Sackan Sulmo Raynacho Mura Martza Arrabone Veystritza Lausintio and infinite many Torrents and Rivulets which at length doe all runne into Danubius Here are no particular Mountaines for they are all called by one generall name the Norician Alpes whence they are called by the name of Alpes as Rauch Alben Subalben Saw Alben Schwaberger Alben In the confines of Austria Carinthia and Stiria there is the Mountaine Taurus The Mountaine Gesacus doth hang over the River Mura which is now commonly called Der Schockel and Sattli Mansenperg Wemsperg and neere unto the River Salzis it is called Ina Sawrussel that is os porcinum or Hogs mouth and Deifelsteig that is the Devils Praecipisse Below the River Mura it is called in Gaistal Stainperg and Kainacher Alben and somewhat lower are the Mountaines Kreiczpergus and toward the East Radel and Plaitzperg Beyond Dravus Southward is the Mountaine Claudius which is now called Dracimperg Vadianus relateth that it was a current report at Vienna in Austria that a Mountaine began to burne in Stiria whereupon the Emperour Maximilian sent Messengers who found it to bee true And it is probable that this hapned about the yeere of Christ 1520. at what time Vadianus writ thus much Moreover the aforesaid Mountaines are every where clothed and crowned with woods The Stirians are a rustick people and some of them have such swellings about their necks that it hindereth their speech and women that give sucke doe cast it behinde their back that it may not hinder their Children from sucking Ortelius doth report that he saw at Frisachium while he traveld from Vienna to Venice in the yeere 1558. a man that had a Chin that was as broad as his shoulders and it hung downe upon his breast The Inhabitants doe thinke that the ayre and water are the cause of this swelling The Stirians doe use the Germane speech and habit except it be those that dwell by the River Dravus SCLAVONIA CROATIA BOSNIA VVITH PART of DALMATIA AMONG the Countries which are presented in this Table Sclavonia is the first which was so called from the Sclavonian Nation who did heretofore
remaineth that wee should speake somewhat of Dalmatia a part whereof is described in this Table It was so caled from Deliminium the Metropolis of this Country Heretofore Dalmatia was a potent Kingdome and the Dalmatians were heretofore strong and rich and confident in the situation of their Country They lived for the most part in Woods and so were much given to robbing The Citties are Salanum and not far from the borders of this Country the Citty Apollonia is situated by the Sea side neere unto which there is a Rocke which sendeth forth flashes of fire and beneath it hot water and Brimstone doth boyle forth especially when the Rocke blazeth and burneth The Ecclesiasticall government according to Mercator is in this manner There is the Archbishop Iadra who they now call Zara. Under whom are Anzara Vegla Arbe also the Archbishop of Spalato nuder whom are the Bishops Tragurium of Teniensis Tina Sardona Temnensis Nenensis Nonensis Almisa Sibinicensis Farensis The Archbishop of Ragusine under whom are Stagnensis Rossonensis Tribuniensis Bacensis Rosensis Bidnanensis Budva The Archbishop Antiberensis under whom are the Bishops of Dulcinium Suacinensis Drinastensis Polastrensis Scodrensis Sardensis Surtanensis or Acutarensis Arbensis VVALACHIA SERVIA BVLGARIA ROMANIA VALACHIA was so called from the Flaccians a Nation of the Romanes For the Romanes having overcome the Getes brought thither a Colonie under the conduct of one Flaccus whence it was first called Flaccia and afterward Valachia The Alpes and a continued ridge of Mountaines doe devide it from Hungary and Transilvania It hath on the East a Lake full of Fish which the River Pruth maketh on the South it is bounded with Danubius and on the West it toucheth upon Transilvania by the Towne Severine where there is Trajans Bridge which had 34. Piles On the North it is bounderd with the small River Hoina and Ister and so the Country bendeth over against the Iland Pauce well knowne to Writers which they now call Barillana But Valachia although it be encompassed with high Mountaines yet it yeeldeth all things necessary Moreover it is rich in Mines of Gold Silver Iron and Salt Neither doth it want Vineyards but it hath divers kindes of Cattle especially excellent Horses and Ginnets Here is the Towne Teniovizza where the Vaivode resideth There are also other Townes as Braila and Trescortum not farre from which there is Brimstone digged of which they make Candels as of waxe The other parts of this County doe consist of Villages the Rivers Hierasus which the Inhabitants call Pruth Hoyne Danubius and others SERVIA· SERVIA which Lazius calls the higher Maesia is a Country betweene Bosnia and Bulgaria Some suppose that this was the Triballians Country and that these people came hither at the declining of the Graecian and Romane Empire Cuspianus and Volaterranus doe write that the Trojans did inhabit Servia and Rasica The chiefe Citty of Servia was Sinderovia which some doe call Spenderoben and other Simandria or Semendria the Turkes doe call it Semender and the Hungarians Zendrow which lyeth not farre from Belgradus by the bankes of Danubius and it was taken by the Turkish Emperour Amurath in the yeere 1428. and reduced into a Sangiacate under the Beglerbeg of Buda There are also the Townes Vidina which the Turkes call Kiratovum which is seated by the Mountaine Argentarus Also Novogradum on the borders of Servia which some do call the new Mountaine it hath an impregnable Castle There is also the black Mountaine in which there are Silver Mines There are also Samandria and Prisdena where the Emperour Iustinian was borne Also Stonibrigadum and Belgradum heretofore called Taurunum VVALACHIA· WALACHIA SERVIA BULGARIA Roman BVLGARIA· BULGARIA is so called as it were Volgaria because certaine people comming from Volga about the yeere of our Lord 566. did possesse this Country Some thinke that this Country is the lower Maesia It lyeth betweene Servia Romania and Danubius This Country for the most part is Mountainous and it runneth out on the back side of the Mountaine Haemus toward Danubius and Romania whence the middle part of the Country is ragged the steepe parts of it are ful of solitary Woods The Metropolis of this Country is Sophia which Niger thinketh to be that Towne which Ptolemy calls Vibiscum Here the Beglerbeg of Greece resideth whom the Turkes call Rumelt Beglerbeg who hath 21. Sangiacates under him There is also Serrajum a famous Citty of Bulgaria And Nicupolis which is governed by Sangiacks Neere this Citty there are some ruines of an admirable Bridge which the Emperour Irajan built over Danubius when he warr'd against the Getes ROMANIA· ROMANIA is next to Bulgaria which was so called from the chiefe Citty Constantinople which was called also Roma ●●va or new Rome It was heretofore called Thrace either from Thra●es the Sonne of Mars or from the Nimph Thrara or rather a feritate seu temeritate from their wildnesse or rashnesse It is parted from Macedon by the River Strymon on the North is the River Haemus on the other sides the Sea washeth it This Country hath neither good ayre nor soyle and except it bee that part which lyeth toward the Sea it is cold and unfruitfull But by the ●ea it hath fruit and Corne. It hath few Apple trees and but few Vines which unlesse they be defended from the cold the Grapes of them doe seldome come to maturity or ripenesse It hath these Citties Abdera where Democritus was borne also Nicopolis Philippop●lis Hadrianopolis Trajanopolis Selymbria Perinthus and many others The Metropolis or Mother Citty is Bizantium which was built by Pausanias now they call it Constantin●ple from Constantine who made it the seate of his Empire The Turkes call it Stampolda as it were a large Citty It is seated by an arme of the Sea and it hath Pera over against it which they call Galata which was an ancient Colony of the Genuensians There are divers Monuments of Antiquity in this Citty some of which were brought thither from Rome The chiefe are the Church of Sophia which was built by the Emperour Iustinian The Palace of Constantine St. Lukes Church A new Castle a Colossus a place to ride Horses and many old Steeples Two Rivers doe water it Cydrus commonly called Machl●vam and Barbises also Chartaricon The compasse of this Citty is 13. miles And there are in it 700. thousand Inhabitants This Country hath but few Rivers but those very famous as Hebrus Melanes 〈◊〉 Arsas B●●●n●● and N●sla It hath these Mountaines Haemus Rhodope Orbelus Pa●geus and Messapus these Countries are now subject to the Turke who hath a Palace at Constantinople Of whose power and government I will speake briefly There are about 200. whom the Turke every 4. yeeres doth command to gather thorow Greece Walachia Bosnia and Anatolia and his other Territories all the Christian Male Children out of every Family as a tenth due unto him which they bring to Constantinopolis Pera and Adrianopolis and deliver them to Citizens
Law for us They love and reverence Saints but make no Invocation unto them They doe much honour Mary the Mother of Christ but yet they doe not worship her nor implore her helpe The Clergie and the Priests are permitted to many as well as the Lay-people And they punish all kinde of Lust and Fornication They have a Patriarke who is President of all their Churches who is a man of approoved honesty grave well learned and ancient in yeeres whose Office it is to keepe the Clergie in concord and union to defend the Ecclesiastick Discipline and to excommunicate rebellious persons The Election and choosing of Bishops and other Ecclesiasticall persons belongeth onely to the King GVINEA VVITH THE ILANDS OF St. THOMAS OF THE Prince and the Good-yeere THE Kingdome of Guinea is in that Country where the Ganginean Aethiopians are whom Orosius and Ethicus doe mention as Ortelius witnesseth The Inhabitants doe call it Ghinui It is the Blackmoores Country The Blackmoores are called the Inhabitants of the Black River which floweth thorow the middle of the Country and like Nilus doth fertilize the Fields round about it This River doth increase as Nilus doth in the moneth of June 40. dayes together all which time you may goe by Boate into Countries neere unto it And the Earth is so dunged with mudde and slime so that it yeeldeth a great increase About the River there are large Plaines but no Mountaines or Hills There are also many woods in the which there are Elephants There are also many Lakes which are caused by the overflowing of the River Niger The Ayre is wholesome in so much that those who are sicke of the Spanish disease if they come unto that Country doe certainely recover their health and grow well These Blackmoores have a divers kinde of speech according to the Soyle and Climate Their religion is also diverse In the Mediterranean parts they are Christians Mahumetans and Heathens But those that dwell by the Sea Coast doe worship Idols There are three Kings of the Blackmoores Tombuti Borni and Gaogae The Gualatians also have a King of their owne They are all Cole-black The Kingdome of Guinea is seated betweene Gualata Tembutum and Melli and it reacheth from the River Niger to the Aethiopian Ocean The Ayre of Guinea is not agreeable to our bodies both in regard of the untemperatenesse of the Climate and by reason of the raine both which doe breed putrifaction and Wormes But it hath abundance of Barley Rice Cotton Gold Ivory also Sheepe and Hens There is also a kinde of Spice which casteth like Pepper which the Portugals call Melegneta And another Spice as strong againe as Calicut Pepper which the aforesaid Portugals doe call Pimiente del Rabo which it is unlawfull to sell l●st they should thereby bring downe the price of common Pepper It hath no fruit but Dates and the Inhabitants are faine to fetch them out of Numidia or Gualata They have great store of Elephants and Apes and Birdes especially Peacocks and Ash-colour Popinjays or Parro●s And they have certaine small Birds which doe curiously ●●ild themselves a nest which hangeth in the boughes of the Trees Th●● have neither Castle Towne nor Citty But they have one great Village in which the Princes Priests Doctors and Merchants doe dwell the others live scatteringly here and there About Caput Lupi Conzalui the Inhabitants doe adore the Sunne the Moone and the Earth upon which to spet they account it a h●inous offence They doe out and launce their flesh and afterward they paint it with a certaine coloured Oyntment which they thinke to bee very comely but to us it seemeth a fearefull spectacle When they salute their Prince they fall downe upon their knees and clap their hands together but in common salutations they cry Fui● Fut● Fui● They doe not drinke all Dinner time but when they have din'd they drinke water or wine that commeth out of the Date Tree But yet this Date Tree doth not beare Dates but is a Tree different from it which sendeth forth a kinde of Juyce at all times of the yeere They cut the body of the Tree and receive the bleeding juyce which distilleth from it into a Vessell and drinke it till they are drunke for it is a liquor that is purer than any Wine it is of an ashie colour and they call it Mignolum This Tree will yeeld but two or three measures in one day This Tree beareth Olives the Oyle whereof hath a threefold vertue it smelleth like a Violet tasteth like an Olive and if it bee powr'd or laide upon meate it dyeth it like Saffron The men and women doe both goe bare-headed some have Hats made of barkes of Trees or of the Indian Nut. Some of them doe bore holes thorow their upper Lippe and their Noses and doe weare pieces of Ivory in them and doe thinke it becomes them very well And some doe weare Ivory and Fishes Shells in their Noses and Lippes They make their Aprons of the Barkes and rindes of Trees and with them they hide and cover their secret parts also they weare the skins of Apes and Monkies which are fastned together with a little Bell. They paint one eye red and the other blue The richer sort of women doe weare great Rings of Iron Copper or Tinne upon their Thighes And they delight very much in their foolish ill-favoured barbarousnesse Their Gold coyne hath no Inscription on it and they use Iron money upon ordinary occasions and for petty matters The Iland of S. THOMAS THE Iland of S. Thomas is next to be described which the Portugals discoverd on S. Thomas day and upon this occasion they called it the Iland of S. Thomas It is situate under the Aequator being almost round The Diameter of it is 60. miles When this Iland was discoverd it was full of great Trees whose boughes did grow upward It hath never any plague the Ayre is warme and wholesome but few Christians doe live here to 50. yeeres of age so that it would be a wonder to see one there with a white beard But the native Inhabitants doe live untill they be an hundred yeeres old The dayes and nights are alwaies equall In the Moneths of March and GVINEA GVINEA IS THOMAE September they have many great showres of raine which doe moisten the ground but in the other moneths the fruits are watered and refresht with the dew that falls upon them This Iland hath a stiffe clommy soile of a red duskish colour It doth not beare Corne Vines or any Tree that hath stone fruit but it beareth Mellons Cowcumbers Gourds Figges and great store of Ginger and especially Sugar for which they doe bring in Wine Cheese Corne Hides and other necessaries But this traffick hath ceased since that certaine wormes began to eate the rootes of the Sugar-canes so that now scarce 6. Ships doe goe from thence loaded with Sugar It hath also great store of Millet Rice
that Priviledge THE HOLY LAND· THis famous Province of Syria was heretofore called the Land of Chanaan the Sonne of Cham who possessed it It was called also the Land of Promise or the promised Land because God promised it to our Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob This Country when the ancient Inhabitants were beaten out and the Israelites came in their place began to be called Israel and Iudaea Ptolemy and others doe call it Palaestina from the Palaestines a people of great note who in the sacred Scriptures are called Philistins the Christians doe call it the Holy Land This Country is situate in the middle of the world betweene the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia on which side beyond the River Iordan it is encompassed with a continued ridge of Mountaines and so it reacheth from Aegypt as Herodotus will have it or as others from the Lake Sirbon even to Phaenitia The bounds thereof are these it hath on the East Syria and Arabia on the South the Desert of Pharan and Aegypt on the West the Mediterranean Sea on the North the Mountaine libanon The length of it reacheth on the North to the Citty of Dan seated at the foot of the Mountaine Libanon which was afterward called Caesarea Philippi and Paneas so on the South to the Citty Bearsebach situate in the Tribe of Simeon over against the great Desert which is about 67. miles every mile being an houres journey But the breadth which is to be taken from the Mediterranean Sea on the West to Iordan on the East side doth containe in some places 16. and in other places 18. miles Of all Countries it is chiefly commended for the wholesomnesse of the Ayre and temperature of the Climate for the Winter is not too cold nor the Summer too hot And all Writers both sacred and prophane doe praise it for the fruitfulnesse of the Soyle the abundance of all kindes of fruits and the plenty of all things necessary for the sustentation and delectation of mans life Moyses concerning this Country prophesi'd thus to the Israelites Deut. Cap. 8. Vers 7. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land a Land of Brookes of Water of Fountaines and depths that spring out of Valleys and Hills a Land of Wheate and Barley and Vines and Fig-trees and Pomegranates a Land of Oyle Olive and Hony a Land wherein thou shalt eate Bread without scarcenesse thou shalt not lack any thing in it a Land whose Stones are Iron and out of whose Hills thou mayest digge Brasse a Land flowing with Milke and Honey Iosephus also and Pliny doe praise the fertility of this Country But of all those things which serve either for delight or medicinable use the Balsame is especially commended which God heretofore gave to this part of the World but now it wanteth it also the Aromatick sweet Spices and Mastix and two kindes of Nuts the one called Almonds and the other Pistack Nuts In the Mountaines also there is Iron and Brasse It hath abundance of sweet Springs and pleasant Meddowes which are cloathed with Flocks and Heards of Cattell which doe yeeld great store of Milke And here is good hunting of Boares Goates Hares and Hawking after Partridges Stares and other Birds Moreover the Land of Chanaan had 31. Kings which were Philistins but after Israelites entred into this Country the most part of the Philistins and ancient Kings were slaine and droven out And the Children of Israel were governd by Captaines about 450. yeeres untill the Prophet Samuel Neither did they rule by Succession or Election but it was a kinde of Aristocracy where the Seniors in every Tribe did governe but afterward at the request of the people God changed this forme of government into a Kingdome and this government continued many yeeres For in processe of time the Israelites suffered many calamities untill at length they lost their Kingdome For both sacred and prophane Histories doe witnesse that this Nation had beene subject to divers changes and had beene vexed continually with warres either through the disposition of the people who could neither endure their own nor others government or through their sinnes which provoked Gods anger toward them or through the felicity and happinesse of this Country which tempted Strangers to invade them Sometimes they were overcome sometime carried away into captivity so that they were unfit to live either in prosperity or adversity Sometimes they were under the yoke of servitude and in bondage to their neighbours and sometimes to remote people farre off as the Aegyptians Chaldaeans Medes Persians Macedons and Romanes and they never ceased to tread downe and overthrow themselves and their Common-wealth by their evill counsell untill at length they fastned and nayled the Sonne of God and the Saviour of mankinde with their wicked hands to the Crosse than which there could bee no greater sinne or impiety After that there ensued new calamities and miseries For Titus Vespasian having conquerd Iudaea tooke Ierusalem and carried away many thousand Jewes into Captivity and many of them being slaine by famine pestilence fire and sword he wasted and destroyed the Temple and all the sacred and prophane buildings in the yeere from the birth of Christ 73. which Christ himselfe while hee lived here on Earth had foretold Aelius Adrianus did re-edifie the Citty but hee changed the Situation thereof And the old Temple of Salomon lay ruinate and wasted even untill the yeere 363. when Iulian the Apostata gave the Jewes leave to re-edifie it who being dismaid by a miracle desisted from their enterprise and left it off againe In the yeere 615. Chosr●es King of Persia tooke the Citty and put 90000. men to the sword but he being overcome and taken by Heraclius was punisht for his cruelty In the yeere 636. Haumer Prince of the Sarazens subdued all Iudaea THE HOLY LAND· PEREGRINATIO ISRAELITARŪ IN DESERTO and it continued 450. yeeres under the power and dominion of the Sarazens But in the yeere 1097. when it was decreed in the Counsell of Clarimont in the time of Pope Vrban the second that a Voyage should be made to recover the Holy Land Godfr●y of Boloyne having raised a great Army of Christians which consisted of 300000. Foote and 100000. Horse did beat out the Sarazens In the yeere 1185. Saladine King of Persia did restore the Sarazens to their first estate But not long after the Christians invaded them againe And the Sarazens invaded them againe in the yeere 1217. untill at length after divers mu●ations and changes the Turkes got possession of it in the yeere 1517. This Country containeth Idumaea Iudaea Samaria and Galiley Idumaea beginneth from the Mountaine Cassius or according to others from the Lake Sirbon and stretche●h Eastward even to Iudaea There are these Citties in it Maresa Rhinocorur● Raphia Anthedon Ascalon Asotus and Gaza Iudaea is the most famous part of Palestine being situate betweene the Mediterranean Seas and the Lake Asphaltites and betweene Samaria and
that there are two Rivers in this Iland Cerus and Neleus which are of divers natures For if beasts drinke out of one of them their haire groweth white but if they drinke of the water of the other River their hide and haire groweth black There is an arme of the Sea which Livie calleth the Euborian Bay which is a violent Sea and floweth and ebb●th 7. times by day and 7. times by night with such a violent course that no Ship can sayle against it There is also the Mountaine ●apha●●us famous for the Shipwrack of the Graecians as they returned from Tr●y and for the death of Pa●amedes at Troy the Sonne of E●ripides N●●plius King of the Eubaean Iland CERIGO PTOLEMIE calls it Cythera Pliny heretofore called it Porpyris and ●u●●a hius calleth it P●rphyrusa from the great store of Porphirie Marbles which i● in the Mountaines It is now called Cerig●●● is th● first Iland of the Aegaean Sea on the West over-against the La●onick 〈◊〉 It 〈◊〉 it from the shoare of Peloponnesus 5. miles and it is 60. miles in compa●se It hath a Towne of the same name and many Havens which are not safe and secure for there are many Rocks which lye scatteringly round about this Iland RHODES· THERE remaineth in this Table the Iland of Rhodes This as Pliny witnesseth was heretofore called Ophtusa Asteria Aethraea Trin●●hia Corimbia A●abiria and Macarta It is distant from the continent of Asia 20. miles The compasse of it is 140. miles It hath a temperate and gentle Ayre and it was consecrate to the Sunne because there is no day wherein the Sunne doth not shine upon it The soyle is fruitfull and the Meddowes fertile and it hath great store of fruit Trees of which many are alwayes greene It hath now but one strong Citty of the same name which is situate in the Easterne part of the Iland partly on a steepe Hill and partly on the Sea Coast It hath a faire and safe Haven and it is well fortified with a double Wall thirteene high Towers five Castles and other Forts and Bulwarkes And it hath an University which heretofore was as famous as that at Massils Athens Alexandria and ●arsus and it had a brazen Colossus of the Sunne which was seventy Cubits high which after it had stood 56. yeeres it was throwne downe by an Earthquake and when it lay on the ground it was a wonderfull sight to behold For a man of a good stature could not fathome or embrace his Thumb And the Fingers were greater than most Statues and when it was broke his Belly did gape like a great Cave This Colossus was making twelve yeeres and three hundred Talents of Brasse went to the making of it and within there were great stones layd that might make the worke stand firme The Sultan laded 700. Camels with the Brasse of this Statue THE KINGDOME OF PERSIA OR THE EMPIRE OF THE SOPHI THE Persian or Sophian Empire as it was renowned heretofore so now also it is very famous The Inhabitants are Persians They are called also Ayami or Azamij from the Kingdome of Azamia which some thinke was heretofore called Assyria they were called Persians from Persides and Cheselbas from the red Cap or Hatt which they used to weare They were called Sophians from Prince Sophos The Kingdome of Persia is situate betweene the Turkish Empire the Tartarians the Zagatheans the Kingdome of Cambaia and betweene the Hircanian or Caspian Sea and the Persian Bay It hath thereof on the East the Indies and the Kingdome of Cambaja from which it is separated and parted by the Mountaines and Desarts on the North are the Tartars neere the River Albianus or Oxus the rest is enclosed with the Caspian Sea on the West are the Turkes neere the River Tigris and the Lake Giocho on the South it is washed with the Persian Bay and the Indian Sea which is a large space of ground for it containeth 38. degrees of longitude from the East to the West And from the South to the North 20. degrees Concerning the temper of the ayre of Persia Q. Curtius Lib. 5. writeth thus There is no whole-sommer Country in all Asia for the ayre is temperate here a continued shady Mountaine doth qualifie the heate thereof and there it is joyned to the Sea which doth cherish it with a temperate warmth But this Country is not all of one quality nor of one soyle That part which lyeth toward the Persian Bay in regard it is watered with Rivers and also that part toward the Caspian Sea having pleasant Rivers a milde gentle Ayre are both happy and fruitfull and doe yeeld all kindes of fruits and doe breed all kindes of living creatures It hath abundance of Wheate Barley Millet and the like Graine and also Mettals and Pretious Stones and Paulus Venetus witnesseth that it hath great plenty of Wine The other parts are desolate by reason of the heate and drynesse Moreover the Persians were at first an obscure Nation but they grew famous afterward by their King Cyrus who having gotten the Empire Media and Lydia joyned it to Persia and so having conquerd Asia and subdued all the East he left it a faire and flourishing Kingdome Cambyses succeeded his Father who added Aegypt to the Empire after whom Persia continued in one Estate untill Da●ius raigned who being conquerd by Alexa●der of Maced●n lost his life together with his Kingdome It was governed by Kings 230. yeeres as Q. Curtius affirmeth Lib. 4. and the Prophet Ieremiah doth assent unto him at the 9. Chapter of Daniel But now the Persian Empire which is subject to the great ●ophy is accounted one of the most potent Empires of all the East which though it were sometimes oppressed by the Sarazens and sometimes by the Tartars yet it grew up againe in the raigne of King Ismael The Countries which are subject to the Persian Empire are these Media Assyria Susiana Mesopotamia Persis Parthia Hyrcania Marg●a●a Bactriana Par●pamissus Aria Drangiana Gedrosia and Carmania Media is now called Servan which is situate betweene Persia and the Hyrcanian Sea it hath on the East Hyrcania and Parthia on the West the greater Armenia and Assyria It is devided into the greater or the Southerne and the Northerne Atropatia The latter is colder and therefore lesse inhabited The chiefe Citty is Sm●chia there are moreover these Citties Derb●nt Ere 's Sechi and Giavot The greater is more inhabited it hath also the Citty Tauris which is placed at the foote of O●ontis being 8. dayes journey distant from the Caspian Sea The compasse of it is almost 16. miles in which it is supposed that there are 200000. Citizens The Ancients did call it E●batana where the Kings of Persia doe dwell in Summer In the same Country there are Turcomian ●aru Sus●an Nassiva Ardavil and Marant Assyria which is now called Arzerum hath on the East Media on the West Mesopotamia on the North Armenia on the South ●usiana It had
heretofore these Provinces Arrapach●tes Adiabena and Sittacena the Citty Ninive is by Tigris which is 60. miles in compasse Susiana is now called Chus or Cusistan it was so named from Susis a chiefe Citty which is 15. miles in compasse and was so called from the Lillies which grew there as Atheneus noteth for Susum in the Persian language signifies a Lilly Mesopotamia which in Scripture is called Padan Aram is now called D●arbecha it is situate betweene the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris whence it was so named because it lyeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or in the middle betweene two Rivers this Country hath a divers situation part of it the Rivers doe fertilize or make fatt part of it is dry and barren and without Grasse or Trees The chiefe Citties are O●pha which is 7. miles in compasse and Ca●amil which is farre greater than it being the Metropolis of Mesopotamia which Selimus the Turkish Emperour tooke from the Sophi Merdin is the seate of the Patriarke of Chaldaea and Mosus of the Patriarke of the Nertorianians whose authority reacheth even to the Indies and Cathaja In Persidis which they call now Farsi or Parsitum there is the chiefe Citty Siras which was heretofore called Pers●polis which was the Seate of the Magi. Pliny calls it the head Citty of the Persian Kingdome and Q. Curtius the royall Palace of the East Hyrcania which is now called Grigta or Cor●a or Dargame●t is next unto the Caspian Sea which is therefore called the Hyrcanian Sea It hath these Citties Hyrcana which the Scythians call THE KINGDOME OF PERSIA· PERSICUM REGNUM Carizath also Besta and Mesandra Margiana which is now called Iselbas is bounderd on the North with the River Oxus The chiefe Citty is Iodion which was anciently called Antiochia Bactrina now called Batter or Charassa is a part of Tartaria The Citties are Bactra which is now called Bochara and also Istigias Paropamissus is a part of Bactriana by the Mountaine Paropamissus it is now called Candahar or Amblestam The chiefe Citty is Candabar which is a famous Mart Towne Aria is so called from the Metropolis thereof Eri which is 13. miles in compasse Carmania which is called Circa or Chermaine reacheth to the Indian Sea even to Gedrosia having many Citties and Havens The Metropolis is Chirmain There are also in Carmania these Kingdomes Ma●ram Era●a Guadel and Paran Some doe falsely suppose Gesia to be Guzarate seeing Guzarate is the Kingdome of Cambaja Babylon is situate betweene the Persian Bay and Mesopotamia and on the right and left hand it is enclosed with the Desarts of Susia and Arabia is was so named from Babylon the chiefe Citty thereof Chaldaea ioyneth to it In Chaldaea was the Citty Vr which Iosephus calleth Vra from whence Abraham being admonished by God removed and went to Haran in Mesopotamia This Kingdome hath many Rivers as Canac Araxes and ●i●us which doe water the Southerne part of Media In Assyria is the River Tigris In Susania the River Enelaeus Mesopotamia hath the River Euphrates In Margiana Oxus Arius and Margis Bactria hath the Navigable River Ochus and others in Aria are the Rivers Arius Toncletus Arapenes and others It hath also divers Mountaines as Orontes in Media and the Mountaine Coronus in Hyrcania Also the Mountaine Taurus which cutteth thorow the middle of Persia which hath divers names given it by the people that dwell neere it It hath also many woods especially Parthia is very wooddy and the Northerne part of Hyrcania which hath great woods which have store of Oakes Pinetrees and Firre-trees and are full of wilde Beasts as Tigers Panthers and Libards Also Aria is full of Woods and Mountaines as also all Persia Concerning the publike works there are many stately and magnificent Buildings in this Kingdome and especially in Babylon As that magnificent Bridge in the Citty of Babylon which the Queene Semiramis built over Euphrates concerning which see Munster Lib. 5. who also in the same Booke describeth a strange Garden which Semiramis caused to be planted In the Citty Susia was the Castle Susa in which the Kings of Media dwelt which as Cassiodorus reporteth Memnon built with stones laid in Gold in stead of morter this is one of the 7. wonders of the world But of these things enough I come to their manners They created their Kings out of one Family He that did not obey the King had his head and armes cut off and his Carkasse was afterward left unburied They had all of them many Wives and many Concubines which they kept for Of-spring sake that they might have Children by them They never consulted of waighty matters but when they had their Cups about them for they supposed that they could then determine better of matters than when they were sober Acquaintance and equalls did salute one another with a kiss● The 〈◊〉 ●●rious did shew reverence by outward gestures They buried their dead bodies in the ground and anoynted them with waxe It was counted a hainous offence to laugh or spet before the King Concerning the burying of their dead others doe write the cleane contrary namely that the Persians did bring forth the bodies of their dead without the Citty into the Fields and there cast them forth naked to be devourd by Dogs and ravenous Fowles And moreover that they would not suffer the bones of the dead to be buried or interr'd And when any Carkasse was not presently devoured by the Fowles and the wild Beasts they accounted it an unlucky signe superstitiously beleeving that that man had a wicked impure soule and therefore worthy of Hell and his neighbours did lament him as a man who after this life had no hope of Felicity But if he were soone devoured by the Beasts they judged him happy But now the Persians are more soft and gentle in their manners and behaviour then either the Turkes the Tartarians or the Sarazens They are by nature liberall and doe love civility and they reverence Learning and Arts but especially Astrologie Phisick and Poesie They use Parents and Brethren with much respect and Nobility of blood is greatly esteemed wherein they differ from the Turkes which make no differences of blood or dissent Moreover they doe entertaine and use strangers curteously but yet they are very jealous So that they suffer not their Wives to come in a strangers sight though in other matters they use them with great respect contrary to the maner of the Turkes who use their Wives like slaves The Persian women are very faire They doe addict themselves to Mechanick Arts and especially weaving of Silke stuffes which are transported thorow all Syria and other Easterne Countries They did feed heretofore on the fruit of the Turpentine Tree and on Acornes and wilde Peares their daily food after running or other exercises of the body was hard bread their drinke was water They get much by buying and selling of Pearles and sweet Spices but especially of Silke of which here is great store
in the Citty Ciandu And there is another in the same Citty and another in the Citty Cambalu built very curiously and it is about 4. miles in compasse every Quadrangle containing a mile It hath a very thick wall which is 10. paces high The outward superficies of it is white and red In the foure corners of the wall there is a faire great Palace which is in stead of a Castle And so likewise in the middle of the fore walls there is a faire Palace built so that there are 8. Palaces in all In these they keepe their Armour their warlike Furniture their Ordnance their Bowes Arrowes Quivers Spurres Bridles Launces Bowstrings and other things necessary in warre and every severall kinde of Armour is laid up and kept in severall Palaces But in the middle of them or the innermost Court is the Kings Palace in which the King dwelleth This Palace hath no Chambers but the lower Pavement thereof is raised 10. hand breadths from the ground The roofe is very high and adorned with Pictures the walls of the Court yards and dining-roomes doe glister with Gold and Silver At the first entrance there are faire Pictures to entertaine the eye and warlike Histories drawne foorth with gold and lively colours The great Cham hath twelve Barons in his Court who are Governours of his 34. Provinces and it is their Office to appoint two Rectors or Governours in every Province and they are to provide things necessary for the Kings Army wheresoever it be and they acquaint the King with their purposes who by his authority confirmeth their determinations Malefactors are punisht in Tartary after this manner If any one hath stolne some small matter which doth not deserve death he is beaten 7. times with a Staffe or Cudgell and hath 17. blowes or strokes given him at a time or 27. blowes or 47. according to the quality of his offence untill at last they come to an hundred and 10. stripes or strokes And some doe die upon this beating But if any one have stolne a Horse or any other thing that deserveth death hee hath a Sword thrust thorow him But hee that will buy out his life hee must restore nine times as much as that which he stole was worth If any man or woman be taken in adultery they are put to death by the Law The Tartarians are devided into Hordes which words signifies amongst them a Tribe or Company And as they live in severall Provinces farre distant one from another so they are as farre distant and different one from another in their manners and kinde of life The men are of a strong square set stature having broad fat faces darke hollow eyes having great rough Beards but the rest of their haire is shaven they are strong of body and bold in courage and can endure want and labour when they are on Horseback if they chance to bee hungry or thirsty they cut their Horses veines and so drinke his blood It is a prophane ard barbarous Nation who make warre their right and strength and power their law Many of them have no houses but doe live in Carts And because they wander from place to place they doe usually direct their course by the Starres and especially by the North Pole They doe not tarry long in one place for they thinke it a great unhappinesse to continue long in the same place They have on use of money and therefore they exchange one thing for another They say that they are Ismaelites and received the law of Mahomet in the yeere 1246. The Tartars doe feed on grosse meat and especially on flesh and that raw or halfe sod and on Milke and Cheese but they abstaine from Hogs-flesh They drinke Mares Milke which they doe so temper that it is like white wine and is a savory well-tasted drinke They feed very sluttishly for they neither use Table-clothes or Napkins neither doe they wash their hands bodies or Garments They drinke also Water and Milke and a kinde of Beere made of Millet THE KINGDOME OF CHINA· CHINA is a large and potent Kingdome The Inhabitants doe call it Tame and themselves Tangis Ptolomy calleth them Sinas which Ortelius liketh of whom the most doe follow or their neighbours the Cathajans which Mercator doth more approve of All this Country is situate by the Easterne Ocean and it is thought to bee the farthest Country Eastward The bounds thereof on the East are the Easterne Sea on the South the Province of Cauchinchina on the West Brachmana on the North the Tartarians a warlike Nation from whom they are devided by the Mountaines and a long Wall which doe reach 500. miles The Historians of China doe report that this Wall was built long since by a King whose name was Tzinzous after that by his wisedome he had freed the Inhabitants of this Country from the Tyranny of the Tartars which they had endured 93. yeeres This Country by reason of the goodnesse of the ayre and soyle and the industry of the people is very fruitfull For the men are not slothfull but laborious so that they scorne to live idlely Whence it comes to passe that every corner of this Country doth produce and bring forth something They sow the dry ground with Wheate and Barley The plaine wet moorish places with Rice which they sow foure times every yeere The Hills and Mountaines have abundance of Pine-trees betweene which they sow Millet and Pulse So that every place and field beareth some fruit and there are every where Gardens full of Roses and divers kindes of flowers and fruits They have great store of Hempe and Flaxe and Woods of Mulberry Trees for keeping of Silke-wormes Moreover there is great store of Gold Silver Brasse Iron and other Mettals also Pretious Stones Pearles Muske Sugar and Rheubarb and that is thought to bee the best which is brought from thence thorow Persia by Land for some think that the Sea doth take away much vertue from it This Kingdome also doth produce and yeeld a medicinable kinde of wood which the people of China doe call Lampala and we Radix Chinae or the China Roote and it is commonly us'd thorow all the Indies against Impostumes the Palsie and the French disease The Roote of it is hard and heavy and of a white colour There are infinite store of Cattell on the Mountaines and in the Medowes The Woods are full of Boares Foxes Hares Cunnies Sables Martines and other beasts of the same kinde whose skins are much used for lining of Garments So that it is both pleasant and profitable hunting of them There are also great plenty of Birds especially water Fowle and such great store of Ducks that in Canton which is one of the least Citties of this Kingdome 10. or 12. thousand Duckes are spent in one day And though this Country have great store of Fowle yet they make them increase by this meanes In the Spring time they lay two or three thousand Egges in the Sand by
and let in the Sea-water by Subterranean passages because many Sea Fishes are found there and the water tasteth salt Moreover there are other lesser salt Lakes in this Iland And besides the aforesaid Lakes there is a great salt River which runneth into the Sea although it receiveth many Rivers and Fountaines of fresh water IAMAICA· IAMAICA which they call now the Iland of St. Iames lyeth 15. leagues Eastward from Hispaniola and 16. degrees from the Aequinoctiall Line On the North it is neere to Cuba On the South it looketh to St. Bernards Ilands and Carthagena on the West it hath Fordura The compasse of it is 600. miles This Country hath a pleasant temperate ayre also it hath Gold and great store of Sugar and Cotton and also divers kindes of living Creatures It had heretofore great store of Inhabitants but now the Natives are either killed or dead so that there are two Citties onely inhabited the chiefe whereof is Sevill or Hispalis in which there is a Church and an Abbey of which Peter Martyr Anglerius of Mediolanum was Primate a man very diligent in handling the affaires of India The other is called Oristan here are many Rivers and Fishfull Lakes The people doe differ in nothing neither in Lawes Rites nor Customes from those of Hispaniola and Cuba but onely it is reported that they were more cruell St. IOHNS Iland SAint Iohns Iland commonly so called from the rich Haven and heretofore called Borichena or Borica hath on the East the Iland of the holy Crosse and many small Ilands On the West and the North the Iland of S. Dominico on the South the Promontory of the maine Land from whence it is distant 136. miles The Iland lyeth length-wayes and is 12. or 17. mile broad and the greatest breadth of it is 48. Germane Miles It hath abundance of Fruit Cattell and Gold Moreover this Iland is devided into two parts namely the Northerne and Southerne part The Northerne hath great store of Gold the Southerne hath plenty of fruit and Fowle The chiefe Citty in it is St. Iohns Citty which hath a very good Haven Here are some Rivers among which Cairabonus is the greatest which runneth Northward and though they have all golden Sands yet the Northerne side thereof as we said before hath the best Mines The Southerne part hath better Havens and more fruit it produceth Maiz and other things necessary to life MARGARITA THe Iland Margarita or the Iland of Pearles is called by another name Cubagua it is 10. miles in compasse and it lyeth 10. degrees and from the Aequinoctiall Line being every where plaine and barren having neither trees nor water So that they want water so much especially when the winde standeth contrary so that nothing can be brought from Cumana that sometimes a Hogshead of Wine is exchanged for a Hogshead of Water It hath great store of Connies Salt and Fish But especially it hath great store of Pearles The Inhabitants are of a Swart colour thinne hayred and without Beards fierce and cruell They feed on Oysters out of which Pearles are gotten VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA VIRGINIA and Florida doe follow in our method Virginia as some suppose was so called from the Earle Viguinus but hee that sett forth a Journall or Commentary of Sir Francis Drakes Voyage in the West-Indies in the yeere 1584. saith that it was so called from Elizabeth Queene of England The Inhabitants doe call it Wingandocoa It is very fruitfull and beareth plentifully whatsoever is necessary for the sustation and delectation of mans life as Wine Oyle Beanes which the Inhabitants call Okindgere and Pease which they call Wickanzenr also Pompions and Melons which they call Macocquer also divers Hearbes besides Chesnuts Walnuts Straberies and other excellent Fruits also Allome Pitch and Tarre Turpentine Iron Copper Silke Flaxe Cotton Pearles and many other things But especially it hath great store of Virginy Wheate which the Inhabitants doe call Pagatowr and the West-Indians Maiz which is to bee wondred at because they use a meane kinde of Husbandry For they know neither Plough nor Harrow neither doe they make Furrow or plough the ground nor breake the clods after they have sowne the seed as we doe but they turne up the earth with a woodden Shovell or Spade and so in the little Furrowes they set the Graine with a setting sticke as we doe Beanes which being coverd with earth will sprout forth wonderfully In some parts it hath divers kindes of Beasts as Beares Lions Wolves Conies and those which the Inhabitants call Saquenuckot Maquowoc and Squirrels It hath moreover divers Birds as Indian Cocks and Hens Doves Partridges Cranes Swans Geese Parrots Falkons and Hawkes The Townes here are very small containing onely 10. or 12. Houses they build them round with Stakes and Poles set in the Earth with a narrow comming in Princes and Noblemens Houses have a Court-yard and some few Houses round about them The Citties by the Shore side are these Pyshokonnock or the Womens Citty also Chipanum Weopomiock Muscamunge and Mattaquen and Oanoke which the English call'd the blind Citty also Pemeoke Phycoake a great Citty Chowanaoke Sequotam and others The Rivers which water it are Occam Cipo Nomopano Neus and others In foure Moneths of the yeere February March Aprill and May here is good fishing for Sturgeons and Herrings Here are also good Trouts Scate Mullets and Plaise and many other kindes of Fish It hath also Woods which are full of Connies Hares and Fowle But the Woods are not such as be in Bohemia Moscovy or Hyrcania VIRGINIA VIRGINIA et FLORIDA which are barren and doe yeeld nothing but they are full of high tall Cedars Pines Cypresse Trees Mastick Trees and many other odoriferous Trees The Inhabitants are of a middle stature just in their dealing they beleeve the Immortality of the Soule but they delight in dancing and immoderate drinking as the other Americans doe but yet they abstaine from mans flesh They doe hunt wilde beasts every day And their Armes are Bowes and Arrowes They beleeve that there are many Gods whom they call Mant●a● but of divers kindes and degrees and that there is onely one chiefe God that was before all ages who they say when he purposed to create the whole world did first create the other speciall Gods that he might use them as assistants and helpers both in creating and governing the whole World And then hee made the Sunne the Moone and the Statres as the lesser Gods to be assisting to the chiefe Cods They say the waters were first created out of which the Gods did create all kindes of creatures visible and invisible Concerning mankinde they affirme that the woman was first created which by the helpe of one of the Gods did conceive and bring forth children and this they say was the first originall of all mankinde But concerning the manners and nature of the Inhabitants and the other commodities and wonders of
Cottages being situate on a pleasant Hill the Lords of which place were called by the same name as also the neighbour Nation who entertained him well without any shew of Hostility Wherefore when Captaine Newport came thither with a new supply he would needs goe visit Po●hatan at his house at Weromoco who being courteously entertain'd he found him sitting on a Straw Mart and resting his head after his Country manner on a faire Pillow and Maydes as faire as the place could afford did sitt at his head and feete and 20. Concubines did watch at each side of the Palace But hee himselfe having his head and breast painted red wore a chaire of white Corrall And when the Captaine had given him one of his Boyes hee gave him back in exchange one of his Servants call'd Wamotack with Corall and some Corne which served well for the reliefe of his men and afterward he furnished the Captaine with all things necessary Hee as also Captaine Smith had a great desire to finde out veines of Gold and Silver but both he and those that came after him were frustrated in their desire Yet he sent a Ship loaden with Cedar to England In the meane time Ponuhatan labourd to get some armes and munition from the English which the Governours did very much suspect as if the King with those armes intended to kill the English or drive them out of the Country But Captaine Smiths vigilance and watchfulnesse prevented him so that he could effect nothing and the English Colonie living here are now in a good estate increased to many thousands and Kine and Hogs and Turkies aboundance and all things plentifull and no want but of good women thick sowne but thin come up NEVV SPAINE HISPANIA NOVA Tecoanteper a Country of new Spaine There raigned in the Citty of Mexico 9. Kings in a 130. yeeres being 619. yeeres after that the Chichimeicians did possesse the Country of Mexico The last of these was Motezun●a who was slaine in a certaine sedition and in him the family of the Mexican Kings was extinct Moreover this part is inhabited by the Spaniards who have many Colonies in it namely Comp●stella Colima Purificatio Guadalajara Mechoaca Cacatula Mexico and others There are also in New Spaine divers famous Countries namely new Galitia Mechawcan Mexico and Guastecan Nova Galitia was first called by the Inhabitants Xalisce which Nunus Gusmannus first sought out and discoverd who built some Citties in it namely Compostella where there is a Bishops Seate and a Royall Counsell also Spiritus S. Conceptionis S. Michaels and Gaudalajara which is the chiefe Citty of the whole Kingdome There belongeth to Nova Galitia that Country which is called Culicana from a Citty of that name It lyeth betweene the River Piasala and the River S. Sebastian which runneth under ground before it discharge it selfe into the Sea The Metropolis is the Citty Culiacan where the Spaniards planted the Colony of Michaels House The Country Methaucan is 40. leagues in compasse and it is one of the richest and fruitfullest Kingdomes of new Spaine for it hath ripe Maiz three times a yeere and also other fruits This Country doth containe two principall Citties in which the Spaniards live call'd Pas●uar and Valadolid which is a Bishops Seate besides other Townes of lesse note The Country of Mexico doth not onely exceed the other Countries of New Spaine but of all America It was so named from the Citty Mexico which is called also Temistitan It is the Metropolis of the Province of Mexico It was seated in the middle of a great Lake before Cortes did possesse it who remov'd it to the banke of the same Lake it is now well built and it is 6. Italian miles in compasse one part whereof the Spaniards doe inhabit the other part the Indians Mexico signifies a Fountaine and it was so called by the first Founders in regard of the many Springs and Fountaines which doe encompasse this Citty This was the fairest and chiefest Citty of the Indies yea of the whole World when Ferdinand Cortesius tooke it and wonne it by assault in the yeere 1521. For this being the chiefe Citty of the whole Kingdome of Mexico contained 70000. Houses The Kings and Noblemens Houses were very large and conveniently built but the Common peoples Houses were meaner and lower There are in this Citty a Bishop a Vice-roy and the high Tribunall or Court of New Spaine There is also a Mount in it for coyning of money Moreover there are in the Mexican Lakes and about their bankes 50. Townes every one of which doth containe about 10000. Houses Next after Mexico is the Citty Tescura by the banke of the same Lake which is as bigge as Mexico There is also in this Province the Citty Angelorum which was first called V●●sita●● that is the Land Serpents which is famous for dressing of W●o●● which hath Vales and Plaines round about it in which great Flocks and Heards of Cattell doe graze and great store of Corne and 〈◊〉 are gotten and gathered here The Country of Guastecan in THE DESCRIPTION OF NEVV SPAINE HISPANIA NOVA NEW SPAINE NEW Spaine is the greatest Province of America being more inhabited more populous and more pleasant than the rest It is a great tract of Land reaching from Tavascus or the River Grialvus Westward to the Land of Saint Michael and the Culiacans Country On the North it is bounderd with new Granada and other Countries of the Kingdome of new Mexico The South shoare is washed with the Pacifque Sea It lyeth betweene the Aequinoctiall Linē and the Tropick of Cancer so that there is little difference betweene the length of the dayes and nights and it is almost alwaies Spring In the moneths of June July August and September the daily raine and the gentle breeses of winde that come from the Sea doe temper and mittigate the heate of the day which is the true reason why it is convenient living under the Summer Tropick contrary to the opinion of ancient Philosophers Therefore it hath a temperate ayre although it lye under the Torrid Zone This Country hath abundance of rich Mines of Gold Silver Iron and Brasse it hath also Cassia and a certaine kind of fruit which the Inhabitants call Cacao which is like Almonds of which they make a drinke which is very much desired It hath abundance of Cotton and all other kindes of fruits which we have in Europe as Wheate Barley and all kinde of Pulse also Sallets Lettice Colworts Cabbages Radishes Onions Leekes wilde Alexander Rape Rootes Parsnips and Carrets Turnips Beete Spinnage Pease Beanes Lentills and the like There are also great store of Oranges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranats Here are also Apples and Peares but not very bigge Prunes are rare but there are abundance of Figs. But there are great store of Cotton Apples but Cherries doe not yet thrive there There are Vines also that beare Grapes but no Wine is made of them Moreover it hath Oyle Sugar and
Aequinoctiall and it doth contain all the littorall part of Africk and beyond the Aequinoctiall even to the Straits of Arabia The Regions thereof are five first the Country of Ajana in which are the Kingdomes Del and Adea Magaduzzum Secondly the Countrie of Zanguibara the Kingdomes whereof are Melinda Mombazza Quiloa Mozambique Manoemuci Cephala Manomotapa Torra and Butua the Kingdome of Cafria and Manicong in which there are sixe Provinces Sunde Pango Songo Bamba Barra Pemba to which are added the Kingdomes of Angola Loangi Anzichi There are some very great Lakes in Africke which seeme rather to be Seas thē Lakes of which the chiefest is Zembre which is fifty miles in compasse out of it there flow the Rivers Nilus Zaire and Cuama Besides this part of the VVorld hath great Rivers as Nilus Niger Senaga Cambra Zaire Cuama the River called the River of the Holy Ghost all which by their overflowing do wonderfully water it make it fruitfull It hath many great mountains amongst which the chiefe is Atlas who rising out of the vast sands lifteth up his high head above the clouds so that the top thereof cannot be seene The inhabitants call it the Pillar of Heaven It beginneth from the VVest where it gives the name to the Atlanticke Sea and from thence by a continued winding ridge it extendeth it selfe towards the East towards the borders of Egypt it is round rugged steepe and unpassable by reason of steepe rockes also wooddy and watered with the breaking forth of springs The top of this Mountaine is covered even in the Summer with deepe snow yea sometime the backe thereof if the North wind be sharpe is covered with a snow deeper then the highest tree whereby both men and cattell do perish There is another very high mountaine called Sierra Liona whose top is alwaies hid with clouds from whence a terrible noise is heard at Sea so that it is called the Mountaine of Lions The Mountaines also of the Moone much renowned by the Ancients are here placed under the Tropicke of Capricorne they are very rugged of an incredible heigth and inhabited by wild people and neere them there are such low and deepe valleies that it may seeme that the Center of the Earth is there Lastly there are the Mountaines Cantaberes in the Kingdome of Angola verie rich in silver mines and other which wee will mention in our particular Descriptions The chiefe Islands about Africke are these In the Atlanticke Ocean there is the Isle called Portus Sancti or the Isle of the Holy Port Madera the Canarie Islands and Caput Viride or the Greene Cape The Isle of the Holy Port was so called from the discoverers who having failed thither with much danger and difficultie would have this place so called in memory thereof The compasse of it is about fifteene miles Madera tooke his name from the great plenty of trees that grew here The circuit of it is about an hundred and forty miles The Canaries were so called from the multitude of dogges that were found there they were called by the Ancients the Fortunate Islands Pliny doth mention sixe Ombrio Innonia the greater and lesser Capraria Navaria and Canaria Ptolomie calls them Aprosuum Hera or Autolala Pluitalia Casperias Canaria and Centuria and doth place them all almost in a right Line towards the North. Cadamustus maketh ten seaven tilled three desert the names of those that are manured are the Islands of Fracta Lancea Magna Sors Grand-Canarea Teneriffa Gomera Palma and Ferro Cape Verde or the greene Cape is planted with greene Trees and from hence it hath that name The Isles thereof toward the West doe lie in the midst of the Ocean as the Islands of S. Anthony S. Vincent S. Lucia S. Nicholas the Island of Salt Bonavista Maggio or May Saint Iames and the Island called Insula del fuego In the Aethiopian Ocean are the Islands called Insula Principis and Saint Thomas his Island Behinde the Promontory called Caput Bonae spei or the Cape of good Hope there are other Islands but none inhabited except the Island of Saint Laurence ASIA ASIA succeeds Africke in my division This name was allotted it from the Nymph Asia as Varro witnesseth of whom and Iapetus Prometheus was borne Others say it was so called either of Asius the sonne of Atys or from Asius the Philosopher who gave the Palladium of Troy to the custodie of the Citie for which that they might gratifie him his whole dominions which before was called Epirus they called Asia And from hence afterward as from the more noble part all the whole tract of Land began to bee called Asia Moreover as Lybia doth both signifie a third part of the World and a part of this part So it is observed that Asia doth signifie both the whole Continent and that part which is hem'd in with the Mountaine Taurus wherein doe dwell the Lydians the Carians the Lycaonians Paphlagonians Ionians Aeolians and others which part for distinction sake is commonly called Asia the Lesse the Turkes call it Natolia There is saith Varro Lib. 4. an Asia which is distinguisht from Europe in which is Syria and there is an Asia which is called the former part of Asia in which is Ionia and our Province But all Asia is called in the Holy Scriptures Semia It is almost wholly situated in the Northerne part of the World from the Aequinoctiall Circle to the 80 th degree of Northerne Latitude except some Ilands pertaining to Asia some whereof are stretched out beyond the Aequator Southward Hence arises a great difference through all Asia in the length of the artificiall dayes For in the last Parallel which is drawne not farre from the Aequinoctiall the longest day is almost twelve houres About the middle of Asia the longest day is fifteene houres and in the most Northerne Parallel their light continually endureth almost for foure whole Moneths in Summer According to the Longitude Asia is stretched forth from the Meridian of 52. degrees even to the Meridian of 196. according to some but if we follow the description of Mercator the most Westerne Meridian thereof passeth through the 57 th degree neare to the furthest Westerne part of Asia the Lesse and the most Easterne Meridian through the 178 th degree On the North it hath the Scythian Sea on the South the Indian on the East the Easterne Sea on the West the Bay of Arabia or the red Sea the Mediterranean and Euxine Seas And as in the higher part it cleaveth to Europe so in the Southerne part it is joyned to Africke by an Isthmus yet Pliny and Strabo with some others doe stretch out Asia even to Nilus and doe reckon all Egypt to Asia In Asia the face of the skie is both pleasant and wholesome the Aire milde and temperate Yet all Asia doth not feele this temperatenesse for the right hand and left hand parts thereof
are exceeding hot and cold The pleasantnesse of this Country is so great that it became a Proverbe All the Land is so renowned both for the fertilitie of the fields the varietie of fruits and large pasturing of cattell and for the abundant plenty of those things ASIA ASIA which are exported that it doth easily excell all other Countries Here is wonderfull plenty of Fruits Spices and Mettalls Hence we receive Balsam sweet Canes Frankincense Myrrhe Cassia Cinnamon Gariophylus Pepper Saffron sweet Woods Rozine Muske and all kinde of precious stones Here we may behold many different sorts of living Creatures For it bringeth forth a number of Elephants Camells and many other living Creatures both tame and wilde we may here also admire the wits riches and power of the Inhabitants Here Man was first created by God here was the first Seat of the Church of God here Artes were first invented here were Lawes first made here the Doctrine of the Gospell first granted to miserable mortall men with the hope of Salvation through Jesus Christ the Sonne of God Here the confusion of Languages was sent downe amongst men in the destruction of the Tower of Babel Here first Dominion over inferiours began Here Nimrod began to raigne of whom we reade in Genesis But the first Monarchs of the whole Country of Asia were the Assyrians the last whereof was Sardanapalus a man given to wantonnesse and effeminate softnesse who being found by Arbactus amongst a crew of whores and not long after being overcome by him in battaile hee made a great fire and cast himselfe and his riches thereinto Afterward the Empire came to the Persians Among whom Xerxes the sonne of Darius did maintaine a warre begun by his father five yeares against Greece and he brought out of Asia into Europe an army of ten hundred thousand men and passed them over a bridge which he built over Hellespont he came also accompanied with ten hundred thousand ships but with a vaine endeavour for he that durst threaten God insult over the Sea put fetters upon Neptune darken the Heavens levell Mountains and shake the whole World was faine his army being put to flight to passe over the narrow Sea in a fisher-boate the Bridge being broken by the tempests of Winter Darius was the last Persian Emperour whose being conquered overcome by Alexander made way to the Monarchie of the Macedonians for Alexander did first translate it out of Asia into Europe All Asia according to the severall government thereof may thus be divided The first part is under the Turkes command the originall whereof is from Mahomet and is a large Territory The Duke of Moscovia doth possesse a second part enclosed with the frozen Sea the River Oby the Lake Kitaia and a Line drawne thence to the Caspian Sea and to the Isthmus which is betweene this Sea and Pontus The Great Cham Emperour of Tartarie doth possesse the third part whose borders on the South are the Caspian Sea the River Iaxartes and the Mountaine Imaus on the East and North the Ocean on the West the Kingdome of Moscovia The King of Persia called the Sophie hath the fourth This hath on the West side the Turke on the North the Tartarian on the South it is washed with the Red Sea but on the East with the River Indus The fift part doth containe India both on this side and beyond Ganges which is not governed by one alone but by many Rulers for every Country thereof hath almost a severall Prince some whereof are tributarie to the great Cham. The sixt part contayneth the large Kingdome of China The seaventh containeth all the Islands scattered up and downe in the Indian and Easterne Sea Among which are Tabrobana and Zetlan the two Iava found out not long since by the Portugalls Borneo Celebes Palohan Mindanao Gilolo with the spice bearing Moluccoes also Iapan with Nova Guinea lastly found out concerning which it is not yet known whether it be an Island or joyned to the Southern Continent But the Ancients as Strabo and Arrianus have made many divisions of it Ptolomie doth divide it into 47. Countries and Provinces the description whereof hee delivers in his fift sixt and seaventh Bookes of Geographic and doth set them forth in twelve Tables It hath three Cities famous through the whole World Babylon Ninivie and Ierusalem It hath great Lakes full of fish and the Caspian Sea in manner of a Lake which never commeth to the Ocean Also many Rivers among which the chiefest are Tigris Euphrates which Moses mentioneth in Genesis Iordane Indus Ganges c. Here are also great and wonderfull Mountaines among which is the Mountaine Taurus which comming from the Easterne shoare divides all Asia on the right hand where it first riseth from the Indian Sea it beareth Northwards on the left hand it is Southerne and bending toward the West untill the Seas meet with it as here the Phaenician the Ponticke There the Caspian and Hyrcanian Seas together with the Meoticke Lake as if Nature on purpose had opposed it But though this Mountaine bee shut as it were betweene these bounds yet with many windings it runneth forth even as far as the neighbouring Cliffs of the Rhiphaean Mountains being famous wheresoever it goeth and knowne by many new names At first it is called Imaus and by and by Emodus Paropanisius Circius Chambades Pharphariades Croates Oreges Oroandes Niphates and Taurus where it doth as it were exceed it selfe Caucasus where it spreadeth its armes as if it would embrace the Sea Sarpedon Coracesius and Cragus and againe Taurus But where it openeth it selfe it taketh its name from the Havens which are sometimes called the Armenian elsewhere the Caspian and Cilician The bredth of it in most places is three thousand furlongs which is 5625. Italian miles that is from the Coast of Rhodes even to the farthest bounds of China and Tartaria But of these things enough I passe now to the publicke workes which have beene heretofore very stately and magnificent and worthy to bee numbred among the seaven Miracles of the World Amongst them the first were the walls of Babylon which Semiramis built or at least did repaire being ruinate with brickes joyned and laid in a pitchy kind of mortar they were two hundred foot high and fiftie broade so that Chariots might meet thereon they had three hundred Towers and should have had more but that in some parts the Marshes were insteed of walls It is reported that for this so great a worke three hundred thousand workemen were employed Herodotus reporteth that the walls of Babylon were fiftie royall cubits thicke and two hundred high and round about there were placed in them a hundred brazen Gates The second was the Temple of Diana of Ephesus which was built by all Asia in two hundred and twenty yeares as Histories doe testifie And it was seated in a Moorish place least
Evesche de Langres Those which Caesar calleth R●mi Ptolemy calleth Rhem●i Pliny Faederati and the Country in which is their City of Rhemes is called Duché Pairie and Archenesché de R●ims as wee have before mentioned The Learned doe thinke that the Cathelaum mentioned in Amianus Marcellinus should bee written Catalauni And so they are nominated CAMPANIA CHAMPAGNE comitatus CAMPANIA in Eutropius his Bookes Their City is now called la Evesché de Challon In the Catalannian Fields Atilla King of the Hunnes in the yeere from the building of the City of Rome 1203. and after the birth of Christ 450. was overcome by the Romanes Gothes and Frenchmen under the conduct of their Captaines Actius Patricius Theodoricus and Merovaeus there being slaine on both sides 162000. except 90000. Gepidaans and Frenchmen who were slaine before Iornandes cap. 36. doth delmeate and set forth these Fields and the place of the Battell The Meldae Pliny calleth Liberi Strabo Meldoi Ptolemie Meldai and an Inscription engraven on an ancient Stone Meldi Strabo precisely maketh them and the Leuxovians to bee the Parokeanitae which are in the middle of the Country where there is now the Towne Meaulx neere the River Matrona The Senones which are celebrated by Caesar Pliny and others Ptolemy calleth by the same name and placeth them in Gallia Lugdunensis Strabo thinketh that there are other Senones neere to the Nerviais towards the West The former of them did make those horrible incursions into Italy so much spoke of and they did moreover wage a most fierce warre against the Romanes in the yeere from the building of the City 364. which they called The Senonick French warre Their Captaine was Brannus an Nobleman of France After the Fight or Battell they entred the City of Allia and there having slaine all they met and wasted all with fire they besieged for many moneths the Capitall into which the Romane youth had fled for their safegard but at last having made a peace with them for a certaine summe of money contrary to faith and promise they were partly slaine and partly put to flight by M. Furius Camillus the Dictator who entred the City with an Army All these things Livie Lib. 5. Florus Lib. 1. cap 13. and many other Writers doe delineate in their proper colours Campania is honoured with the title of a County and was once the Inheritance of Eudo Nephew to Gerlo the Norman by his Sonne Theobaldus This Gerlo was he that accompanied into France Rudulphus or Rollo the Norman to whom Charles the Simple granted Neustria which was afterward called Normandie After Eudo there succeeded in a right Line Stephen Theobaldus the 2. whose sonne Theobaldus the third dying without issue there succeeded him his Cosin germane Henry surnamed the large the sonne of Stephen King of England who was Brother to Theobaldus the second Henry had a sonne who was Earle of Campania and the other Territories but he dying without issue his Brother Theobaldus invaded the County and writ himselfe Count Palatine of Campania This Theobaldus being afterward made King of Navarre upon the death of Grandfather by the Mothers side brought the County to belong to the Crowne and left Henry his Successor both in Campania and in that Kingdome Lastly Ioane Daughter and Heir to this Henry being married to Philip the Faire King of France Campania and the other Provinces were united to the Crowne of France from which they were never after separated Campania as I have already spoken is usually now describ'd both by it selfe and with the Principalities adjacent and lying round about it As it is considered properly and by it selfe it is twofold the Lower and the Higher In the Lower is Tricassium and the Territories which are commonly called Ivigny ●assg●y and Vallage Moderne Writers doe call that Tricassium which is now called 〈◊〉 Th●se who were heretofore Earles of Campania from this City were called Earl●s of Tricassium It is one of the greatest and fairest Cities in this Kingdome The Latitude thereof is 47. degrees and some few minutes towards the North. It is a Bishops Seate and Belles●●rr●tius reckons 83. Bishops thereof Among these was that famous Lu●●● whom Sidonius Apollinaris praiseth for his vertues Lib. 6. Ep. 1.4 〈◊〉 9. as also Paulus Diaconus in Marciano Bede Lib. 1. Histor cap. 17. and others This City hath a large Jurisdiction and it is the seate of a President of Counsellors of Judges and others of the Kings Officers The Townes have reference to it namely Bar Sur Seine Mussil ●●●tique La ferté Sur Auge N●gent Pent Sur Seine Fruille Chastel and S. Florentin being all Townes of Campania The Territory of Ivigny separateth ●ampania from Burgundie The chiefe Towne thereof is Ivigny which is under the Jurisdiction of the Bayliwick of Tricassium Bassigny is so named because it is the better part of Lower Campania as we have before declared The Metropolis thereof is named from the bald Mountaine which Ivonus mentioneth Ep. 105 commonly call'd Chaum●nt on Bass●gny It hath an ancient Castle seated on a Rock and well fortified the Tower on the West side whereof is called in French Donyon and La haulte fueille This Castle the Earles of Campania did heretofore make their Palace No River runneth by it nor affordeth water unto it but that which Cesternes doe yeeld and a Fountaine at the foote of the Tower There are also in Bassigny the Townes of Montigny Go●ssy N●gent le Roy Monteclar Andelot Bisnay Ch●iseul Visnorry and Clismont being all strong Townes and the most of them well fortified with Castles besides Andomatunum Lingonum commonly called Langres of which we shall speake in an other place The Territory of Vallage is supposed to be so called from the Valleys in it which are both faire and fruitfull The Townes of chiefest note in Vallage are first Vasscium or Vassy neere Blois in the Country of Guise Francis Duke of Guise comming hither in the yeere 1562. was the Author of that Vasseian Massacre mentioned by the French Historiagraphers wherein many that professed the reformed Religion were slaine on the Kalends of March Not farre from thence there is a kind of earth found of which B●le Armenack is made The second Towne of not is S. D●●●re or Dedu●● which was taken by the Emperour Charles the fifth and afterward a peace being concluded was restored againe to the French It hath a strong Castle The third is the Towne of Ian●●●ille or as some write is ●o●●t ville which some doe fabulously report was so called from Ianus It belongeth to the Families of the Guises Prye so called from a Towne commonly named Brye or Bray Counte Robert is reckoned by some with Campania The Country of Brye although it were heretofore and also now is very wooddy yet in fertility and fruitfulnesse it is not inferior to any part of Campania For it hath a cleare skie and a sweete and temperate ayre It is watered with great wholesome