in Calauria The sundry names of Calauria The City Pandesia King Italo King Morgete Why it was called Magna Grecia Why it was câ—lled Calauria The ancient situation of Calauria Bretia The river Laus The River Turbolo The Isle of Dim Scalea Lanio The Hill Apollonio Morano The River Sibari Saracena Altomonte Hils of Salt St. Mark A Proverb Foscaldo Lattarico Torano Regina Montalto Paula St. Nocito Castellofranco The death of Alexander King of Molossi foretold by the Oracle Cerisano Cosenza The Wood Sila Bisignano Tarsia Fiumefreddo Bellomonte Amontea Aiello Martiâ—anâ— Nocera Castiglione St. Eusemia Nicastro Tiriolo The Arms of this Province The fertility of this Province Brutii why they were so called The error of some writers about the name Brutii The bounds of the Brutii Triolo Malda Pizzo Bevoua Montelâ—one Soriano Arena Bâ—rrello Melito Bâ—iatico Trâ—pea Nicotera Metauro Tauriano Gioia Seminara Sinopoli Oppido Terranova Polistena The Isles Eoli Lipare Bagnara The taking of the sword fish how it is done and by whom it was invented Sciglio Coda della Volpe Fiumara di Muro Regio Grashoppers their natures The worthy men of Regio The Cape of Partivento Potamia Motua Bovalina Of Zeleuco the Law giver his â—everity Timeo the Philosopher Eunomo the Musician Eutimo atleta The Temple of Proserpina What Manna is and how iâ— cometh The temperature of Manna Livy lib 9. Siderono Grotteria Mottagioiosa Roccella Mottapaganica The Promontory of Cocinto now â— called the Cape of Stilo The Ionian Sea where it beginneth to be so called Stilo Badolato Satriano Petrito Soverato Squillaci A Proverb Catanzaro Taverna Treschinesi Simari Trischenesi Belcastro The Calaurâ—si say that S. Thomas of Aquin was born in Belcastro Mesuraga Policastro S. Severina Cutro The Cape of Pillars Castra Hannibalis Cotrone See Plutarch in Communio and St. Thomas in the 1 book of the Metheâ—ra of Aristotle Rossano Longobucco Turio The quality and disposition of the men of this Province The form and figure of this Province The circuit of this Province The quality of the earth The great plenty of fruit in this Province Why the disease of the leprosie reigneth in this country Chirsidri The description of the country Taranto Archita the Mathematician The river Galesio The situation of the city of Taranto Cesaria Gallipoli Vgento Castro Otranto The distance between Otranto and Greece Where the Adriatick Gulf beginneth Why it was called the Gulf of Venice The Lake of Liminiti Brindesi Plato and Aristotle how great they would have a City to be The Haven of Brundesi By whom Brindesi was built Matera The Mine of Boalearmonack The Poet Eustachio Motola Misagne· Otra Leccie The Epitaph on the Tomb of the Poet Ennius Bembo in the â— book of the History of Venice This Leonardo Prato Guicciardino and others say was of Naples but it is not true Ogento St. Pietro in Galatina Galatena Cosmo Pinelli Marquiss of Galatena Paravita Nardo Casalnovo Mandurio The nature quality of the inhabitants of this Province The arms of the region of Otranto The limits fertility of this country of Bari The fable of the nymph Fillida Barletta The city Trani Don Ferrant Gonzaga Prince of Molfetta Nicola di Giovenezzo companion of St. Dominick Monopoli The city Gravina why it was so called The batel which the stork makes with the serpent Bitonto Cornelio Musso Bishop of Bitonto Adri. Canosa The tarantole and their nature see Alexander of Alexandria in the 2 lib. of thes Geniale cap. 17 The quality and condition of the men of this Province The arms of this Province and the signification thereof The Sanniti their inhabiters How long the war continued between the Sannites and the Romans The valley of Caudine The confines of the country of the Sannites Who were the worthiest people of the Sannites Why it was called Abruzzo The limits of Abruzzo Where Abruzâ—â— hath its beginning Peligni the most valiant people of all Italy Civita di Chieti the chief city of this Province Pepin the sâ—n of Charls the gâ—eat for what cause he destrâ—yed Civita di 〈◊〉 Gotfredo the the Norman made Civita di Chieti the principal city of Abruzzo Orton The body of St. Thomas the Apostle The light of St. Heramo which appeareth to sailers when they are in great danger The city Ferentana now called Francauilla Lanciano The river Foro Tollo Miglionico Fara Rapino Penna The river Lento Villamaina Petrono The sort of Montepiano Castel Menale Bucchianicho The city Sulmona the natural place of the Poet Ovid. The River Aterno now called Pescara The stony oyl which riseth in the territory of Cantalupo Caramanico Cusano The mines of pitch which are in Manupelli The nature condition of the people of this Province The arms of this Province and what they signifie The limits of Abruzzo on the other side The fertility of this Province Montepagano The river Viciola The river Tordino Teramo Campio Bisigno Rugnano Murro Locaristo Guardia di Vomano Caste Vecchio Transmondo Cautiano Forcella Miano Rapino Montorio Compotosto Poggio 〈◊〉 Monteverde Montegualco The river Piomba Porta d'Adria Silva Hadria now called Atri where the Emperor Adrian was born From whence the Adriatick Sea had its name Celino Schiarano Civita St. Angelo Ilece The river Salino Porto St. Angelo The river Sino Cassilento Pignano Serra The river Tavo Civita di Penna Valerius Maximus de pietatâ— erga parentes Luca de Penna Laureto The 〈◊〉 Corvino The river Aterno now called Pescara The river Nuria Montesilvano Moscuso Pianello Capogatto Rossano Alendo Castiglione Offena Busso Capistrano Carapello Vettorito Raiano Amiterno Livy lib. 10. Virgil. lib. 7. Crispo Salustio Civita Tomassa Foruli Furconio The hil Offido The City Aquila Robert Guiscard the Norman created Duke of Puglia and Calauria 1060. The number of the Churches of Aquila The natureâ— and manner of the Aquitani Pontano de bello Neapolitano The noble families in Aquila Monte Reale The river Pescare Pescara called in old time Aterno The river Alba Manopello The foot of Mâ—lise Tâ—rre Luculo Caramanico Cantâ—lup◠〈…〉 Bâ—nâ—face the 4 Popâ— When the nâ—me of the Mâ—rsi were changed The Marruvii Virgil lib. 7. The Agnitii Virgi lib. 7. Livy lib. 2. M.T. Cicero abandoned the wars and applied himself to the study of learning The lake Fucino now called Celano The water Martia brought to Rome The city Archippa drowned in the lake Celano Pliny lib. 2. Vibio Sequestre Paterno Transacco Giviano Celano Wherfore the Emperor Frederick destroyed Celano The city Alba. Livy lib. 10. Cesa Pietro Marso The river Castellano The river Tronto Ascolo Ascolo restored to the church by Queen Ione the second Bettutio Barro a famous Orator The famous men of 〈◊〉 Ventidio Baâ—â— Pope Nicholas the 4. Amatrice Civitella The nature quality of this Province The arms of this Province Pontano lib. 5. The ancient bounds of this country Plin. lib. 3. c. 11 The originall of the 〈◊〉 The things
say Pheasants Partridges Goodwittes Woodcocks Snites Quails and divers others In like sort there are of four-footed Beasts as wild Boars Harts Goats Hares Conies and Foxes of ravenous creatures there are Wolves and of those that are fatted it is very plentifull There are also in places near the Mediterranean shore great Vaults and Caves with the Foundations of sumptuous Buildings which yields no small wonder to every one that beholds them with other strange works wrought as well by the wonder of Nature as also by curious Art and the emulation thereof which procures no small admiration to all that knows not the powerfulness of Art and Nature The Sea of this most happy Province aboundeth with divers sorts of excellent Fishes as Sturgions Mullets Tonnies and sundry other fishes Neither is there less abundance in the kinds of Shel-Fishes as of Oysters Muscles Cockles Periwincles and infinite others Of Minerals it is very rich in Gold Silver Alume Brimstone Besides this it is endued with so many medicinable and wholsome Bathes which in the Spring and other times of the year heals infinite people of many strange and incurable diseases So that that great Grandmother Nature hath bestowed so great abundance of her benefits that it seems she is delighted therein The which the writer Polybius considering which was the Master of Scipio Africanus wrote these words near Sipontino Est enim Campanus ager copia rerum fertilitate regionis ac amaenitate pulchritudine loci excellentissimus nam in littore maris positus est ex eo universo terrarum orbe venientes in Italia innumerae gentes consunt And Hannibal that great Carthaginian Captain beholding the delightfulness of this happy Region and the beauty thereof purposing to assemble his Army which he caused to winter therein returned from thence nice dainty and full of the delicacie of Campania said as it is written in Strabo in the end of the fifth Book Victor ipse periclitor ne host is praeda siam quippe qui milites viros dederim faeminas recipiam The Campanians saith Cicero against Rullus of the Law Agraria Superbi bonitate agrorum magnitudine fructuum salubritate aeris pulchritudine regionis This Province doth likewise deserve great praise for the diversity of Wines which it bringeth forth so much esteemed both in ancient and later times as the most delicate of Sorrento which Tiberius Cesar and Physitians so much commended the Wine Massico now called Massaquano brought from the Mount Massico which is near Carinola in the Territory of the people Equani among which is Massa and Vico the most excellent Falerni so much pleasing to the Roman Emperors of whom Iulius Caesar as Pliny writeth honoured his Feasts and most sumptuous Banquets which he made in Rome and principally that wherewith in two and twenty thousand Chambers he feasted all the Romans There are the tears and Greek Wines so much celebrated by Pliny the most odoriferous Wine Nolano and that of Vico no less wholsome then pleasant in taste with others very excellent and delicate Wines which are preferred before all others in the plentifull Tables of the greatest Lords The Oyles are in no less esteem which are there made and chiefly those of Massa of Sorrento of Vico of Gaeta and of the Isle of Capre And no less fruitfull is this fortunate Country of the best Cattle as Oxen Cowes fat Weathers Hogges and Calves whereof the most excellent are those of Sorrento There is also made the finest silks which Merchants buy more then any others for the goodness thereof It is very plentifull in Heards and Droves of Cattel and serviceable Horses for Warr. And to conclude this Province worthily deserveth all praise for the excellent things that are therein wherefore it is no marvel if ancient Writers call this the most beautifull and excellent Region of the world having a most temperate and delicate air and so fruitfull a Country that in all times of the year there are heard divers and sundry birds to sing Here in the Spring time and even in the Corn where are not sowed do grow Lillies Violets and Roses of excellent and delicate savour so that the earth never ceaseth to bring forth for which cause it is commonly said that Campania yieldeth most Oyntment others say most Oyle being also made in Naples the best and most excellent Conserve that may be found through the great goodness of the Roses This Country bringeth forth people of an indifferent stature and of a fair complexion valorous minded and very wise both in Councel and the managing of worldly affairs ingenious and apt for learning and more then measurably warlike both on foot and horse from whence generally appeareth a certain mind to command Having now declared the sundry benefits and celestial favours of this most noble Region I will now handle in particular where I left at the City of Ansure now Terracina in a part of Latium was founded the City of Fondi standing placed in the way Appia twenty miles distant from Terracina of Strabo Pomponius Mela Silus an Italian and of Ptolomy called Fondi but of Antonius Fonde the Territory whereof bringeth forth excellent Wines which are much commended of Pliny and of Strabo and Martial writeth that by any means the Wines of Fondi must not be suffered to wax old Haec fundana tulit felix autumnus opimi Expressit mulsum Consul ipse bibet Soterus Bishop of Rome was born in this City who governed the Church of God 7 years 11 moneths and 18 daies This City suffered much loss by Ariadeno Barbarossa the Turk Captain General of the Navy of Soliman Emperor of Turks in the year 1534. at which time all the Citizens that were found therein were made slaves Passing along towards Formie on the left side is Villa Castello from whence descended the Roman Emperor Galba on the right side appeareth the Lake Fundano called by Pliny Fundano although it be written Fandano by some corrupt writers This said Lake is full of Fishes and very great Eeles Five miles from thence remaineth the foundations of the City Mamurri of whom Horace saith In Mamurranum lassi deinde urbe manemus Passing hence by the rough and stony way Appia near the most high steep Mountains is the Land of Atrio now called Itro the Country of the Lamury Citizens of Rome five miles almost but somewhat out of the way Appia on the right hand is Gaeta upon the shore so called as Strabo and Virgil affirm of the Nurse of Aeneas which died and was there buried and although the Gulf of Gaeta and the strong Rock thereof be sufficiently known and much renowned especially in ancient time yet was it not a City untill the Saracins destroyed Formie which was in the year of Christ 856. and then was the reliques of the worthy St. Erasmus transferred from Formie to Gaeta and it was by Pope Gregory the 4th
Near Naples is the Greek Tower first called Herculea of Hercules which came thither with many Ships after he left Nontiata near the ancient Stabie At this place standeth aloft that famous Hill of Somma called Vesevo and Vesuvio about which are situated many pleasant Villages except in the top where the Poets feign remain the shoulders of the Giant Porfirius In the time of the Emperor Titus with a general fear to all those in the fields and destruction of them which were nearest it cast out from the top thereof great flames of fire and Balls of Sulphure Mine and burning stones where Pliny died the great preserver of the Latine tongue whilst he desired to see the great exhalations of that Hill which cast the ashes even into Africa Going a little farther is the City of Castel by the Sea of Stabia so named by the City Stabbia which was not far off which had been destroyed by L. Silla this Castle is situated in a corner of the Mount Gauro where it beginneth to stretch towards the West which maketh the Promontory of Minerva Here about the distance of a mile through the delight of the place King Charls the second builded a Royal Palace calling it for the sweetness of the air the Wholsome House which afterward King Rubert enlarged giving it greater beauty and ornament which place is now possest by the Noble Family Nocera King Ferrant the first having bestowed it on Pietro Nocera his chiefest favorite which for his great valour was afterward by King Ferrant the second made General of the Gallies This Country aboundeth with great plenty of clear water and great store of the best Fruits and for the facility and easie access of the place hath much Traffick According to the division of Strabo of Ptolomy and of Sempronio this City should be placed in the Country of the Picentini which is now called the Province of Principato but we have thought best to confine it in the Land of Lavoro because it is situated in the Gulf of Cratero Within a little is the beautifull City Vico builded by the people Equani then followeth the City Sorrento very ancient and Noble situated on the top of the Hill whose prospect is the Sea Although it be not of that greatness as formerly it hath been it hath a very fertile and delightfull Territory garnished with Vines and Oringes and other fruitfull Trees This City was builded by the Greeks and was called Petra Syrenum In this City lived Antonio the Abbot a most holy man and famous for his miracles whose body remaineth even now as a testimony of his divine Miracles as they say towards those which are oppressed with Spirits Then from Sorrento a mile is the City of Massa newly named to the which Paolo Portarello that excellent Poet and great Humanist hath now and alwaies giveth everlasting glory From hence then is seen the solitary Hill Atheneo the which because it joyneth not with any other Hill passeth along towards the West and is otherwise called the Hill Massa it was also called Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano in the top of the Promontory is to be seen a great part of the Temple of Minerva builded by Vlisses Under the side of the said Promontory are certain desart and stony Islands called the Sirenes in one whereof from that part which lieth towards Surrento in ancient time was a rich Temple where were certain very ancient gifts long since presented by the Inhabitants of the Country for the worship and reverance of that holy place the Reliques whereof are now to be seen Here endeth the Gulf called Cratera included within two Promontories Miceno and Ateneo which lie towards the South which Gulf is almost wholly planted with Houses and goodly Gardens opposite to the which riseth out of the Sea the Isle of Capri the first delightfull place of Tiberius Caesar but now ordained for Exiles and banished people Here twice in a year are Quails taken Directly against Miseno is the Isle of Prochita now called Procita the which according to Strabo is a part of Pitecuse Procita was so called as Pliny saith by the depth thereof for by miracle the said Isle rise of it self out of the bottom of the Sea But as Dionisius of Alicarnaseo affirmeth that it was named by a beautifull young man a Trojau called Procita which came thither to inhabit Whereof Servio upon these Verses of Virgil saith in his 9 Book Tum sonitu Prochyta alta tremit c. Saith that it had that name from Protheus which signifieth spread or dispersed to the which opinion agreeth the Greeks and almost all the Latines Silio the Italian in his 12 Book speaking of Procida saith thus Apparet Prochyta saevum sortita Numanta Apparet procul Inarime quae turbine nigro Fumantem premit Iapetum flammasque rebelli Ore rejectantem si quando evadere detur Bella Iovi rursus superisque iterare volentem Within this Isle is a fair Country well replenished with people which hath the same name and is very famous for the abundance of Corn that is gathered within it and for the taking of Partridges and Pheasants whereof there is great plenty The Lord of this Isle in former time was Iohn of Procida a Phisitian a man very famous who fearing not the power of King Charls of Angio to revenge a great injury took Sicilia with that famous slaughter of the French commonly called the Sicilian evening and he had done greater matters if he had been permitted This Iohn was in great esteem with Iames King of Arragon after whose death King Peter his son knowing the valour of Iohn Le dio dice il Zurita en el Reino de Valencia para el y sus successores las Villas y Castillos de Luxer Benyzano y Palma con sus alquerias He gave him as saith Zurita in the Kingdom of Valentia to him and his successors the Towns and Castles of Luxer Benyzano and Palma with their bordering Villages From this man descended the Family called Procita which are now very great in the Kingdom of Catalogna and enjoyeth the Countie of Almenare In the said Isle in a fair Church with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Margarite the Virgin and Martyre which was carried thither from Antiochia Salvo Selano the Phisician honoureth much this Isle now living in Naples with great renown who hath written upon the Aphorismes of Hyppocrates The said Isle is distant from Naples twelve miles and in composs seven A little from Procita lieth the Isle Ischia formerly called Inarime Pithecusa and Enaria very famous not only for the Fable which the Greeks feigne of the Giant Tipheo strucken with Iupiters Thunder-bolt but also for a Fortress there being so great that it is held the second Key of the Kingdom The said Castle was builded by Alfonsus of Medina King of Arragon first of this name King of Naples who because
caput urbium Capua quodam inter tres maximas Romam Carthaginemque numerata c. The PRINCIPALITY On this side the second Province of the Kingdome OF NAPLES THe ancient Inhabiters of this Province were called the Picentini But Arechi the second 14th Duke of Benevento in the year 755. much enlarged his Dukedom for as much as he not only subdued by force of Arms the Picentine people but also the Irpini whereupon growing proud usurped the Title of Prince and was the first in Italy that attributed to himself that Title and so commanded that his State should be no more called a Dukedom but a Principality And from hence perhaps it so came to pass that within a while after from that new Title of Prince all that part of the Picentini and of the people Irpini by one only name were called Principato The Confines of the Picentini according to Strabo Ptolomy and Sempronius hath on the West the happy Campania on the North the Irpini on the East the River Silaro and Basilicata and on the South the Tirren Sea This said Country was within the said limits in breadth 16 miles and in length beginning from Sirenuse even unto the mouth of the River Silaro 260 furlongs which is 33 miles But according to Pliny only 30. the circuit of which Country contained a part of old Campania The Romans brought these people from Adria to inhabit here about the borders of Pestano But afterward being Confederate with Hannibal the Carthaginian the Romans for this cause became afterwards their enemies who in disdain drove them out of the Country and were forced to dwell elsewhere as some report their principal City was Picentia as Pliny testifieth the which are also so named by Pomponius and Silius in his eight book from the which these people derive the name Picentia of the Picentini as some say Others affirm that the Sabines having chosen of a new people ceâ—ain Colonies sent them under the Conduct of Pico which brought them into the borders of Pestano and there built the City of Picentia from whence they were afterward called Picentini Others say that they were so called of Piceno from whom their fore-fathers draw their first original and that from their City the people were so called And last of all others say from Pico their Captain they had that name which led the first Colony of Sabines into a part of Pestano The Territories of this Province are very fruitfull in many places of all sorts of Corn and have sufficient store of Cattel and where there is not that abundance of these things yet that great Mother Nature yieldeth other things very plentifull which in time of Harvest sufficiently appears that even among themselves there seems a certain emulation Besides this the Sea which every where with great abundance of divers sorts of Fishes both shel-fish and others furnish it as it were glorying it self comes nothing behind the other To conclude the greatest part of this Region bringeth forth Corn Wine Oyl Rice and all other sorts of pulse And those places which are any thing scarce of these things besides divers excellent Fruits yield Hony Silk Bombace and Saffron whereupon many say this Region is seasoned and tempered with all the graces It is also adorned with pleasant Woods and thick and shady Groves and hath high and stately Mountains and delightfull Hils with great plenty of Springs and sweet waters On the Sea-side it hath many secure safe Havens and goodly Shores and the places much inhabited it hath besides all sorts of fruitfull Trees and particularly those which were transported by Hercules unto us out of Media as Citrons Limons and Oringes which the beautifull Nymph Amalfi planted in the pleasant Vallies of this Country a place which seemeth to the beholders thereof a most beautifull Embrodery or Arras work where the nearer a man cometh the more pleasure increaseth both to the eyes and the nose besides the Mirtle Trees the Bayes the Gelsomine the Roses the Rosemary and Flowers of sundry kinds and other the like Plants from whence proceeds such a fragrant smell which mingled with divers odours yields an admirable sweetness Who can be able to declare the ornament and furniture of the Vines from whence are had such sweet and delicate Wines Verily the places of this Region are so delightfull and pleasant that they are worthy to be numbred among the most beautifull and most delicate of all Italy And here the air is temperate and wholsome and through all the year excellent hunting both for fowls and beasts In truth the Territory of this beautifull Region is such that all Italy hath not almost the like wherefore it may be called a perfect work of Nature In praise whereof that learned Iulius Cesare Scaligero composed these Verses Quae Borcae gâ—lidas furias contemnit ovantis Torva procellosi despicit arma Noti Medorum silvis foecundas provocat auras Fundit à biseris Indica dona jugis Protinus Autumnus veris cum tempore certat Et ver cum Autumni tempore certat item Huc accessit hyemes venerantibus uda capillis Et peperit mirans sibi poma legit Tuta mari fruitur terrae dominatur amarae Et coeli mutat jura quid ergo Dea. But having now made a description of this Country which beginneth at the mouth of the River Sarno leaving the Castle of Stabie going by the Mediterrane four miles distant from the said River is the City Noceria whereof M. Tullius and Livy makes often mention now called of the Pagans Nueera because the Saracins held it a certain time their Army being overthrown at Garigliano by Pope Iohn the tenth This said City is indued with the dignitie of a Dukedom under the Family of Carrafa And in this City among others are these Noble Families Pagano Rinaldo and Vngro On the right hand of Nucera are certain Hils in the midst whereof lieth the Land of Tramonti so called because it is situated between the Hils At the side of these Hils on the left hand near to a very pleasant Valley is Sanseverino a good and an excellent Country from whence as some affirm the noble Family of Sanseverino derive their original whereof have descended more excellent Warriers then were in the Trojan horse of whose noble deeds Histories make sufficient mention and whereof we have also discoursed in the noble Families of Naples whereto I refer the Reader But returning to the said Country although it be of a later time nevertheless is very famous for the excellent Wines that are had out of the fertile Valleys thereof which the Latines call Amineum vinum whereof Virgil saith Sunt Animeae vitis firmissima vina Some had opinion that from the ruines of the ancient City of Aminio Sanseverino should be builded in which noble Country are many worthy Families as the Curiale Capacini Caiano Folliero dell ' Abbadessa Pandone Pescara of Sarno
borders of the Province of happy Campania and the said City is invironed by two little Rivers the one called Atro and the other Tempsa the which are full of fish and the Territory thereof is part plain and part hilly where are thick Woods of Oak and therefore very good hunting both for Fowls and Beasts the plain thereof is almost all full of Olive Trees and Vines and in the desert Hils are often taken goodly airs of strange Falcons Of this City was the holy man St. Antonio a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict who in the year 625 being created by his Monks Abbot in the Monastery of the City Sorrento went thither where living godly there died afterward whereupon in token of his good life God shewed after his death many miracles and in particulars towards those which are visited with evil spirits whose holy body the Sorentini with great reverence keep within their City neither stick they to say that he was their Citizen There are in the said City these noble Families Bernalla Campanino Ciminello Greco Guerrieri de Nigris Viviano Tercasia and others Now liveth with much honour to this City Augustino and Detio Bernalli both Doctors of the Law and very learned and great lovers of vertue The said City was in the time of the ancient Kings indued with the dignity of a Count but in the year 1530. the Emperor Charls the fifth advanced it to the Title of a Marquiss in the person of Honorato Grimaldo Genoway Lord of Monaco under the enstalement to speak like a Lawyer to hold it as a feuditory liegman and not with the succession of inheritance whereby he that is Lord of the Castle of Monaco and shall defend it at the pleasure of the King of Naples doth succeed to the said Marquiship Eight miles distant is the Country of Conturso the which is compassed with the Rivers Sele and Negro it hath a most pure Climat and a plentifull Territory of the said Country was that excellent and learned man Antonio Pepi called by his sirname Peperone which was judge of the great Court of the Vicaria in Naples and writ a book de omni vero officio Iohn Cola Pepi was very inward with the King Farnando which for his great skill and experience in the Laws was by the said King made his Counceller and to Iames his brother he gave the Bishoprick of Capaccio No less learned in these daies is Sertorio Pepi a man singularly qualified and very faithfull This Noble Family hath for a long time ruled the said Country with other Castles Going then four miles is Quaglietta a little Castle and no more then 12 miles distant but from Salerno 18. we come to the fair and ancient Country of Evolo by Ptolomy called Ebulum which was builded by the people Eborini so naming it by the first son of Iupiter King of Athens the said City stands not far from the River Sele and the River Tusciano the current or stream passeth along by the Walls thereof named by the Country people Toliero which Virgil calleth Tanagro when he saith Sicci ripa Tanagri The River Sele called by Strabo Siler riseth in the Apennine where the River Aufido hath his beginning which runneth by Apulia and falleth into the Ionian Sea near Barletta three miles but Sele runneth towards the South and leaving Campania by Basilicata in the end falleth into the Tirrene Sea The said River according to Strabo Pliny and Sillio Italico hath the property to change into a stone whatsoever is put therein keeping the colour and the first form thereof It is reported by grave and credible Authors that in the time of Ione of Angio the first of that name Queen of Naples took the Scepter of the Kingdom a woman of Evâ—li having brought forth a son became her self a man It is also verified that in the year 1460 in the same City a woman called Emilia maried to one Antonio Sponsa after she had lived 12 years with her said husband was changed to a man and Pontano which knew her testifieth that afterward she exercised the office of a man and besides took a wife and that allowing her a dowry by commandment of King Ferdinando the Judge inforcing the said Antonio to yield it her The same Iohn Pontano a man rather divine then mortal witnesseth in his tenth book of Celestial things which Antonio Panormita reciteth that a woman of Gaera after 14 years she had been used by her husband her natural member suddenly altered and she became a man wherefore to avoid the scorns that were made thereof both by men and women became a Frier and so lived all the remainder of her life where the said Pontano affirmeth to have known her and that she was buried in Rome in the Temple of Minerva Therefore that seemeth not so wonderfull which Pliny writeth in the fourth Chapter of the seventh Book of his natural History which things with all that appertain seem rather impossible then miraculous nevertheless for my self I cannot deny the authority of such persons and especially that which Philosophy cannot only not deny but also approve for that according to Philosophers and Phisicians the man differeth not nor is known from the woman by any member but by being either too hot or too cold because the nature of man without all doubt is more hot then that of women and by the power of this heat it so falleth out that nature driveth out that member in men which in women by reason of their coldness remaineth inward whereupon it may be that after some certain time or by some meat or the air or by some other occasion that coldness may be so inflamed and heated that it may now do that which in the birth it could not But returning to Evoli the said City hath very fertile Territories and spacious fields abounding with all good things beneficial for the use of living creatures whereof the said City glorying beareth for Arms the four Elements The bones of St. Berniero lie with great reverence in it in a glorious Church dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle at whose Sepulchre as they say God sheweth wonderfull miracles towards those which are possest with evil spirits From the said Country eight miles near to the River Silare is the reverend Church of St. Vito where resteth his said holy body together with Modesto and Crescentia the Nurse whereupon all those which are bitten with mad-dogs repair hither and by the intercessions of the said St. Vito as they say are presently healed There are in the said Country these noble Families Caravita Clario Corcione Christophero Crispo Fulgione Fiorenza Gentilcore Granato Giuliano Ligoro de Loisio Malacarne Marcancione Mirto Monaco Millone de Novellis Orso Della Porta Perretta Ragoni Raghi Russo Saceo Troiano and others Going from Evoli no more then twelve miles is Aquaro a good Country so called for the abundance of water which invironeth it
round about That R. Padre Matthia Iuono sirnamed Aquario of the Order of Preachers hath given great honour to this Country of the learning of this man many Works written by him are sufficient testimony that is to say certain learned discourses upon all the principles of Logick natural Philosophy Metaphisick and the Soul upon the four Books of Sentences and another book in particular of the exquisite learning of the controversies between St. Thomas and all the other Doctors and Philosophers with a brief discourse de memoria artificiali de significationibus terminorum juxta doctrinam Sancti Thomae The said learned man died in the year 1591. Walking a little forward is the Country of Olivito the natural Country of Camillo Borrello an excellent Lawyer Olivito was so named because the Territory thereof is full of Olives But leaving these Mediterranean places and walking the ruinous way by the shore we come to Agropolo where is reported that through the delicacy of the air women at twelve years of age are capable of husbands like to the Cipriots which at that time lose their virginity After we come to the Castle of Abbate is the Cape of Licosa first called the Promontory of Possidoniate hard by is the Castle of Bruca a relique of old Velia with the River Electe which taketh the name from the City of Elea and hither the Romans sent to celebrate their accustomed sacrifice to Ceres their Goddess Before the Country of Elia are the two little Isles of Enotrie which have two little artificial Havens the one called Isacia and the other Pontia Afterward appeareth upon a high hill Cammerota in a small circuit of ground builded as some affirm by the reliques of the ancient City of Molpa which standeth but a little distant Going afterward some few miles is a goodly Fortress Near Policastro with the Gulf which the Ancients call the Haven Saprico is the City of Sapri now named Bonati Within the Land is Capaccio Novi and the Valley of Diano a litle from whence upon a hill is a Country called Atane on the other side is Polla Tito and Sala so called because the hils are full of Sage whereupon because in this Valley riseth a great Spring of water which the City of Diano takes the name from Atane of Atteone Tito of Titan which is the Sun Apolla of Apollo it seemeth from the resemblance and near affinity of these names and from the pleasantness of the Country the Fable might here have had its beginning of Atteone the son of Aristeo with Diana After followeth the Fenn with the rich Monastery of St. Laurence possessed by the Carthusian Monks and not far distant is Laurino Saponara and Marsico with many other places But to conclude touching this Province it remaineth that I now declare the disposition and nature of these people which are of a strong constitution and naturally merry ready in arms desirous of learning wary in their affairs and given both to pleasure and profit they are also painfull and industrious and inclined to Traffick the Gentlemen are comely and neatly attired nothing differing from the manner of the Neopolitans but the common people respect not so much civility for as much as they cloth themselves with cloth made of course wooll and base attires on the head All the men in general are very jealous both of their honour and their wives whereupon proceeds the old Proverb Picentinorum Zelotypia In bargaining and contracting their affairs it behoveth a stranger to be very wary for what with deceitfull and flattering speeches and many oaths they easily deceive those that buy any thing of them The Arms of this Country is per fesse ar Sa unto a Sea-compass four wings extended and fixed in Salter with the North-star in chief sinister or The which said arms declare unto us that in this Province was found as hath been said the Mariners Compass with the vertue of the Adamant stone and the Sea-card by Flavio di Gioia whereupon the two fields the one signifieth the day the other the night the four wings which are joyned to the Sea-Compass declare the four Cardinal Winds and chiefest in the world that is to say the East the West the North and the South the shining Star signifieth the North Star wherewith through that excellent invention Pilots and Mariners might sail both day and night with any wind The PRINCIPALITY On the other side the third Province in the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe people of the Principality on the other side are part of the ancient Irpini and derive this name from Lupo which conducted them into this Province to inhabit for so much as the Sabines call Lupo Irpo the which Strabo declareth in the end of his first Book saying Ordine de hinc sunt Hirpini ipsi Samniticae gentis Qui quidem ex Lupo nomen adepti fuerunt qui eis in deducenda Colonia Dux oblatus est Samnites enim Lupum vocant Hirpum The limits of these people were on the East Lucania at this present called Basilicata on the South a part of the said Basilicata with the Picentini and the happy Campania on the West the Sabines and the Vestini on the North the Apennine Hils and the Plain Apuglia now called Capitanato with the Saracins and the Peligni There is also contained in this Province a Country now called the dale of Beneventana the principal part of all Sannio where have been done greater exploits and more in number then in any other part of Italy This Country hath higher hils then the Apennine from whence proceed in certain places little brooks and from almost immeasurable Cliffs and Rocks which is the cause of many Rivers Streams Lakes and Springs it stretcheth in length going along by the Apennine 80 miles from the head of Vulturno to the beginning of the River Silare in Basilicata and of so many Rivers which water this Valley except some few all first fall into the River Sabato and afterward into Vulturno so that from the lower part Sabato seemeth a snag or a branch of a Tree among all the other boughs thereof In Matese which is a Promontory of the Apennine did inhabit the most valiant people of all Sannio Of these people which remained upon these hils Livy saith that they were alwailes faithfull to the Sannites neither could the Roman Army go much before them The principal City of this Region is Benevento edified as Servio affirmeth by Diomedes the Greek and Livy saith that it was first called Malvento and that it was made a Colony of the Romans at the same time with Arimino under the Consulship of P. Sempronio and Ap. Claudio The said City was maintained many years in great peace under the Government of the Romans untill the coming of Tottila King of the Goths into Italy who destroyed it with great slaughter and so remaining ruinated for certain years was afterward repaired
Greeks called Hesperia because it is situate in the West Five hundred sixty seven years before the destruction of Troy it was called Enotria by Enotro of Arcadia which with a Colony came to inhabit in the middle of Ausonia where he builded many Cities the principal whereof was Pandosia This name of Ausonia continued many and many years untill Italo was by the Enotri created King from whom they named the said Region Italia This Italo being a man very ingenious taught the Enotri the manner to till and ear the ground and to shear their sheep and lived but nineteen years and left Morgete his son heir of the Kingdom the which ordained that by his name Italy should be called Morgetia Morgete dead and the people not contented to continue his name in as much as he was odious unto them the name of Italy was renewed again and they called the Country Italia the which name continued a long time untill the Greeks came to inhabit there and then they called it Magna Gretia for the frequency of the great number of learned Scholars which came thither to hear the Philosopher Pithagoras but as the Poet Archilao saith tâ—was so called through the great multitude of Greeks which inhabited there being drawn through the fertility and pleasures of this Countrey whereupon Ovid in his fourth book de factis thus saith Itala nam tellus Graecia major erat It was afterward by the latter Greeks which came thither to inhabit called Calauria which in our tongue signifieth abundance of all good things and truly so is it because there is no place I will say not only in all Italy but in all Europe that may contend with this there being not any thing necessary for the life of man or which may yield delight that is not in great abundance and with all perfection so that corresponding in every part the effects agree with the name thereof as plainly appears that nature it self cannot be more delighted in it self yielding so many benefits as any Country whatsoever All this Country was devided by the Apennine into two parts and that part which was toward the Ionian Sea was called Magna Grecia the which also contained a part of Lucania now called Basilicata and did stretch from Regio even to Taranto The other part was by the Greeks called Bretia from Bretio the son of Hercules and of the Latines Brutia and stretched from Regio to the River Laus now called Laino It hath lately been divided by the Kings Court into two Provinces whereof the one is called Calauria on this side the other Calauria on the other side that on this side containeth a great part of Magna Grecia and of the Brutii and endeth with Basilicata and from the one side where is the head of the River Acri and of the other where runneth the River Lavo stretcheth from one sea to the other except that part which lieth in the East and is joyned with Calauria on the other side As touching those people which dwell upon the Tirrene Sea where the Brutii in old time inhabited are both in nature and manners more temperate and staid then those near the Ionian Sea who are more fierce and craftie as also their colour bewraieth for the other are white and red these dark and brown And for so much by the Kings Court it is divided into two parts as hath been said in the superior and inferior in the one is the Cape Cosenza in the other Catanzaro the one hath 30 Cities the other 16. and in all three hundred sixty seven with Countries and Castles But entring into the particular description of Calauria on this side having past the River Turbolo the ancient bounds of the people Lucani there appeareth Turture in the Territory whereof grow many Sugar Canes almost opposite standeth the Isle of Dimi Scalea and the River Lavo even where the ancient Lucani did arrive Then followeth Cerella Belvedere Bonifati and Citracro where are often made many Vessels through the great commodity of Timber and Pitch whereof that Country doth much abound within upon the banks of Lavo is the City of Lanio built upon the ruines of the ancient Lau and the said City is honoured with the dignity of a Marquiss subject to the Family of Cardinâ—s Not far off is Campotenese which had this word from the ancient Temesini having been their Territory On the right hand is the Hill Apillonio where is such plenty of excellent Pasture that the best Cheese is there made in all those parts on the left side is Morano a populous and a rich Country which Antonio Pio in his Commentaries calleth Summuranum where is made excellent Cloth and every year there is a Fair with great concourse of people there about the Territory thereof is very fruitfull and fertile and there is made very fine Silk and Manna gathered and on the Hill there are infinite store of excellent simples Not far distant from the said Country springeth the River Sybari where was the ancient Syphei the ruies are to be seen whereof Livy maketh mention Going thence four miles is Saracena in a good Country called by Stefano Sestium which was built by the Enotri in whose Territory is made singular Wine and excellent Oyle it hath besides Mines of Gold and of Lead of Alabaster and Cristal Near hand about five miles distant is to be seen the ancient Country of Altemonth called Balbia which is not certainly known whether it was built by the Ausoni or Enotri The Wines which are there made have a very delicate taste whereof Pliny in his 14 book much commends and prefers before all the Wines of Calauria from whence in their most costly and sumptuous banquets was alwaies the Wine of Balbano And Atheneo making mention thereof in his first book thus writeth Vinum Balbinum generosum admodum austerum semper seipso melius nascitur In the principal Church of this Country lieth with much reverence the body of St. Paolo of Malta brother of St. Dominico There are in the said Territory natural Hils of white salt and they are no otherwise cut then if they were stones and there is Alabaster and two rich Mines of Gold of Silver and Iron and the Azured Lazul stone And at the foot of the Apennine in the Territory thereof groweth Cristal and white Chalk and the River Grondo passeth through the said Territory being very full of Eeles and Trouts This Country was given with the Title of a Count in the year 1462. by King Ferrant of Arragonia to Luca Sanseverino Prince of Basignano which now in the said house is maintained Next after followeth the City of St. Mark called by the Latines Argentanum and a little distant is the ancient City Meluito so called for the plenty of Vines which grow there but in old time it was called Temesa in which place by the providence of God
Territory is very fertile for it bringeth forth Grain Barley Beans Fitches and other Corn there are also planted great store of Sugar Canes a thing very rare in Italy This Country is adorned with the dignity of a Duke After followeth Soriano whch hath the Title of a Count. Then cometh Arena and ascending up the Apennine is the goodly Monastery of St. Stephen del Bosco built by Rugiero the Norman where is kept as we have said with many other reliques the body of St. Bruno From hence on the right hand appeareth Borrello and Melito an honourable and an ancient City which was builded by the Milesii a people of Asia for as Herodotus writeth in his sixth book Mileto a City of Asia being conquered and overcome by Darius the inhabiters which departed from the ruine thereof being deprived of their natural Country came with their wives and children together with the Sanni into Regio where they were received by Anasilao Lord of the Country to whom he gave so much Territory as they built therein a City to inhabit the which they called as we have said Melito these in process of time the Country being too little many of them went into Messina but being expel'd by the inhabiters of the Country went to the Isle of Malta There is to be seen in the said City of Melito a stately and magnificent Church under the name of the Trinity which is beautified with stately Pillars of Marble which the Duke Ruggiero the Norman caused to be transported from the ancient Hipponio the said Church was by the mediation of the said Duke consecrated by Pope Calisto the second in the year of our Lord 1122. where at this present is to be seen the fair and costly Tomb of Marble of the Duke Ruggiero That holy Paolo of the Order of Preachers was of the said City Walking towards the shore of the Sea is Briatico which hath the Title of a Marquisat and Tropea hath this name from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that ariving there the Current of Faro is turned back very dangerous to Sailers near which Hercoles arived coming from Spain whereupon that place was afterward named the Harbour of Hercoles Here butteth out into the Sea the Cape of Vaticano and near at hand is Ioppolo and Nicotera augmentned by the ancient ruins of Medama and Rosarno there is the River Metramo in whose waves according as the Ancients were accustomed feeling themselves opprest with any sin were freed by their washing themselves therein as Orestes who thought hereby to be purged from the murther of his mother a little farther was the ancient Metauro which boasted much of Stesicoro though with little right the Sicilians challeng him to themselves and after is discovered Tauriano and from hence on the Sea is Gioia A little distant remaineth Seminara a Countrey well inhabited in whose Territory the Frenchmen were overcome by Consalvo Fernandes of Aghilare in the time of Lewis the 12 King of France And near the Mediterrane under a great descent of the Apennine called by the country-people Aspromonte riseth as it were a rock between two Rivers the Country of Sinopoli is adorned with the ancient dignity of a Count the jurisdiction whereof is from the house of Ruffa There was born in this Country that holy man Paolo of Sinopoli Fryer of the Order of Saint Francis called the Minori of Osservanza whose reliques are reverendly preserved in the City of Nicotera Going a little farther is Oppido which hath the Title of a Count and Terranovo a populous City which is adorned with the dignity of a Dukedom Not very far is Polistena against the Castle whereof lie the Isles Eolie the which have this name from Eolo which the Poets feign to be the God of the winds knowing by the nature of the place their change and alteration of these Isles Lipare was only inhabited whose circuit is 16 miles sometimes a Colony of the Gnidii which were very strong at Sea and made long resistance to the improvident assaults of the Toscans and of their first fruits they oftentimes consecrated to the Temple of Apollo at Delphus The said Isle is distant from Sicilia 20 miles Strabo and Pliny call this Isle Meligone which is very famous as wel for the fruitfulness of the ground as also for the delicacy and sweetness of the fruits and the great plenty of Alume which it yieldeth the said Isle was at the first â—nhabited by Lipareo the son of Ausonio King of Italy who being at discord with his brothers came hither with divers soeldiers to remain and here built a City which by his own name was called Lipari the which City was alwaies faithfull to the Kings of Naples from whom in recompence it obtained many priviledges and freedoms but finally in the month of Iuly 1544 it was destroyed with sword and fire by Ariadeno Barbarossa Captain of the Turkish Army but it was suddenly repaired again by the Emperor Charls the fifth The other Isles are not manured nor inhabited whereby their ancient names yet continue that is to say Stromboli and Vulcano from whence continually riseth smoke and sometimes flames of fire with horrible noise and thundring Here we may see Bagnara where the women for their beauty and comliness appear like Nymphs and here is the general fishing for the Sword-fish called by Pliny Xiphia the which is done as Strabo declareth in his first book of Geography in this manner following which manner is also recited by Polybius First of all one is appointed as a spie to stand in a high place being as a common guard or defence for all the fishers the which are dispersed into many little boats of two oars remaining in every one two of them one which guideth the boat with two oars the other to wound the fish with an armed Sphear which he standing on the fore-deck or head of the boat holdeth in his hand so soon as the spie maketh a signe that the fish is discovered rising with the third part of his body above the water he with the oars roweth near the boat and the other preparing his blow wounds him with a wonderful agility then snatching out the sphear the iron remans behind which being broad-headed and so wel accommodated that easily a man may wound with it and as easily leave it in the wound to the iron is tied a long little cord which goes so far with the wounded fish that beating himself and labouring to escape becometh weary Then they draw the fish to the shore or get him into one of their little boats if he be not over-great and if it so fall out the sphear be cast into the Sea it cannot therefore be lost because that being made part of Oak and part of Firr so well joyned together the weight of the oak drawing one end under the water the lightness of the firr causeth the other end to rise up so that it may
Latines Aprutium because it is mountenous and full of wild hoggs Others affirm that a part of Abruzzo being sometimee inhabited by the Precutini time having corrupted the word instead of Precutio was called Aprutio I name this Province Abruzzo as it is by the Kings Court and as at this present it is commonly called changing the letter P. into B. The bounds of Abruzzo had on the East the River Fortore Tronto on the West on the North the Adriatick Sea and on the South the Apennine Hils and moreover also it had on the East the Plain Puglia with the River Fortore on the West part of the Sabines Picentini and Campani with Latium the Equicoli along the Apennine as much on the one side of the said Hill as is on the other It now taketh its beginning from the mouth of the River Pescara and goeth along the shore of the Adriatick sea even to the mouth of Fortore where it ends with Capitanato leaving by that Province the City of Teramo and between the Land with Abruzzo on the other side and that branch of the River Pescara which rising from the streight of Valata passeth by the foot of the Apennine against the Land of Popoli and near it entreth into the Valley called Itramonti leaving all the country which hath the River on the right side and a little higder above the Marsi are the Apennine Hils where the River Sangro springeth which riseth from that obscure Valley of Barrea which they call the Kings Valley in the Plain near the castle of Sangro which divides this Province from the county of Molise This Province is partly plain and partly mountainous and hath great plenty of Rivers and great and thick Woods and the Territory thereof is very fertile for it bringeth forth Wine Grain Oyle Rice Barley and other Corn and everywhere is gathered great abundance of excellent Saffron And although the air be somewhat cold nevertheless the amenity of the country is sweetned thereby with so good a temper and such plenty of fruits and heards of cattel and abundance of wild beasts besides ravenous creatures as wolves and bears Some think that the Frentani were the most valiant people of all Italy but as I think they were much deceived having not first well considered the words of Pliny who describing the Region of the Frentani saith it makes the fourth which from the River Tiferno beginneth the fourth Region of the Frentani so that by these valiant people he meaneth the Frentani themselves and the Marrucini which came afterward and the Peligni and the Precutini and who readeth the Roman Histories may know that the squadrons of the Peligni were preferred before all the Latine Nations The principal city of this Region is called at this Present Civita di Chieti named by Ptolomy Teatea and of Pliny Theate and also of Strabo Theate and was so called by Theata the mother of Achilles Both these said Authors write that this city was the chief and principal head of the Marucini as likewise Silio affirms the same saying Marhucina simul Frentanis aemula pubes Corfini populos magnumque Theate trabebat This city is situate upon a very high hill distant from the Adriatick Sea no more then seven miles it was destroyed by Pepin the son of Charls the great for taking part with the Longobards but it was about two hundred years following repaired again and became so pleasing to the Normans for the most pleasant situation thereof that Gotfredo the brother of Ruberto Guiscardo in the time of Pope Nicholas the second possessing this Province made the said City the head of all the Country of Abruzzo the Territory thereof is very excellent and bringeth forth all necessary things as well for profit as pleasure beyond the River Sangro among the Peligni is the ancient City of Orton upon the Sea being by Strabo called Ortonium and of Cato Ortonum but Ptolomy nameth it Orton And Strabo writeth that it was in old time called Petra Piratorum because the Rovers and Pirats retired hither when they had robbed at the sea in the which City is to be seen in a very stately Church where with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Thomas the Apostle with his ancient Tomb in which Church appeareth alwaies upon the Steeple when any ship is in danger at sea the miraculous light of St. Heramo which the Ancients attributed to Castor and Pollux although Philosophers affirm that it naturally proceeds from the repercussion of the air through the winds and water which seemeth very unlikely because there is not so much as the leaf of a tree that moveth without the providence of God how should this light casually chance the sea presently becoming calm and the sailers in safety which in that perilous state called faithfully upon the name of God Neither can it be by the means of any evil spirits for never is shewed any deed of piety but by some celestial and divine means and especially towards the faithfull Not far distant from Ortona is to be seen Ferentana at this present corruptly called Francavilla because it was often possest by the French this City was according to Razano the head of the Frentani From the River Sangro or Sanguine called in old time Saro four miles distant and as far from the sea is Lanciano a noble City called by Pliny Anxium and of Ptolomy Anxanum Here at two several times in the year that is to say in the month of May and August do Merchants assemble almost from all parts of Europe Asia and from other parts where is a principal Mart or Fair very famous through all the world on the right hand of Lanciano at the foot of the Hill is Maiella and Palumbaro and on the right hand of the River Sangro near the Sea is the Monastery of St. Iohn where sometimes was the famous Temple of Venus and above are these Countries Fossaceca and the Fort of St. Iohn and a little higher on the side of Sangro are seen the great ruines of the City of Bica which the country people call Seca on the right hand cometh the River Aventino and joyneth with Sangro and near the foot of Maiella are these Countries Civitella and Lama and on the right hand of the River Aventino is Palena the word being corrupted in place of Peligno near the which appears the ruines of the ancient City sometimes the chief and head of the Piligni called Superequani This Country is ennobled with the dignity of a Count the Lord whereof is Matteo of Capoa Prince of Couca a very rich Lord and a great lover of Learning But returning behind Lanciano going along the shore of the sea we come to the mouth of the River Foro which riseth from the Mount Maiella where it entreth into the Sea near the which is the Castle Tollo and on the left side thereof near unto it is Miglionico and a little higher is Fara and before it is
many Villages well inhabited as Compotosto and Poggio which is a Castle and Massione on the left hand of Vomano and within the Country are situated these Castles Motola Monteverde and Montegualco and here endeth as Pliny saith the Precutini And following the same course we come to speak of the Marrucini which Livy saith caused themselves voluntarily to be enrolled among the Souldiers that went with Scipio into Africa Now then after the River Vomano comes another River called Piomba where is another Castle which is called Porto d'Adria and a little higher is a Country called Silva five miles within the Land and almost in the midst between the said two Rivers upon a high Hill is the City of Atri called in old time Hadria which was a Colony of the Romans Here was born as Celio the Spartan writeth the Roman Emperor Adrian P. Vittore believeth that the Adriaetick Sea had its name from this City the which also Sesto Aurelio affirms in his book of Cesars Above Atri or Hadria upon the right hand of the River Piomba is the Castle of Celino and above where this River springeth is the Country of Schiarano on the left side of Piomba two miles within the Land is Civita S. Angelo which Pliny and Ptolomy names Angolo above the said Country near the River is the little Country of Hece From Piomba three miles from the Sea is another River called Salino on the right hand whereof on the shore is a Castle called Porto S. Angelo and a little above within the Country entreth into Salino another River called Sino which floweth from the Apennine at the foot of the Hill Corvo on whose right side are eight Countries and Castles the which shall be named the one after the other Cassilento Montesicco Pignano Bisento Corvignano Serra and Valviano and a little below the mouth of the River Sino doth also run into Salino another River called Tavo which riseth near Corvo in the Apennine In the midst of these Rivers five miles distant from the Sea is Civita di Penna an excellent Country and very famous in old time Pliny calleth this City Pinna and placeth it among the Vestini Of this City was the most valiant young man Pluton of whom Valerius Maximus maketh mention but much more it is honoured for bringing forth that famous Lawyer called Luca of Penna who learnedly writ upon the three books of the Code wherein appears his great knowledg both in Divinity and the Law and particularly of the constitutions in the municipial Laws and customs of this Kingdom as he sheweth to be very judicious and skilfull in divers places and especially in Law-Causes de senten advers fiscum latis retractandis lib. 12. In the Rubrick C. de Magistris sacr scrinioruus lib. 12. where he teacheth the Office of a principal Secretary of the Kingdom And in the l. à palatinis C. de privilegiis corum qui in sacro palatio militant where very diffusedly he disputeth of one of the prinâ—ipal constitutions of the Kingdom alleadging Andrea of Isernia Prince of the Feudists All this I thought good to declare what a worthy man hath been of this City although otherwise modern writers have fasly christned him for a Frenchman defrauding his Country where at this present in the Hall of the publick Palace is to be seen his ancient Picture with the late named young Pluton and besides yet standeth his house where he dwelt Afterward not much distant from the River Tavo appears above the Hils the pleasant country of Laureto and the Hill Corvino Then cometh near upon the shore the mouth of the river Aterno now called Pescara which is one of the principal rivers of the country and near the Monastery of Casanova runneth into it another river which riseth on the right hand on the side of the Apennine called Nuria on whose right side are Montesilvano Spotorio Moscuso Pianello and Capogatto all Castles and under the fountain of the said river is the noble Monastery of Casanova of the Order of Cistello which is not only beautified with sumptuous buildings but with great riches Above Nuria on the right hand of Pescara are Rossano Alendo Petranico the Towers of Antonello and a little above is Castiglione And coming down from thence we incounter a river called Capod ' acqua who hath a very great spring and near the fountain is Offena and on the left hand is Busso between the which two Castles but two miles distant is Capistrano the natural place of the holy Iohn Capistrano of the Order of the Minors of St. Francis who in his life did many miracles Above Capistrano within the Land is Carapello and at the ascent of the Hils near to the river Pescara is Vetorito and Raiano and going but a few miles higher upon the ridg of a Hill is to be seen the ruinated City of Amiterno by Strabo named Amiternum whose magnificent buildings both of the Theatre and certain great Churches and mighty Towers declare what greatness it was in old time and Livy writeth that Spurio Cornelio Carvilio the Consul took Amiterno and there were cut in pieces 2800 Citizens and 4280 made prisoners and notwithstanding the same Livy addeth that L. Scipio going into Africa they voluntarily offered themselves to go with him in that action with the Umbri Norcini and the Reatini Amiterno is called by Virgil full of Towers There are to 〈◊〉 among the ruines of the said City graven in Marble the triumph of the Sannites when they caused the Roman Army to pass under the yoke at the Gallows of Caudine and the Sepulchre of the daughter of Druso and near to the Theatre is the Temple of Saturn the founder thereof This City had among other famous Citizens Caio Crispo Salustio Proconsul for Cesar in Africa and the first writer of the Roman History and the Bishop Vettorino who died for the faith of Christ as Ptolomy and Lippomano saith in the Empire of Nerva whose name remaineth in a Castle built 〈◊〉 the stones of those ancient ruines where are his bones and 83 Martyrs by whom the said City was destroyed I cannot yet understand Going from hence two miles 〈◊〉 Civita Tomassa a little Castle in whose circuit are to be seen many ruines of ancient buildings with many inscriptions which apparently shews that here was the ancient City of Foruli celebrated by Virgil in his seventh book of Eneid and of Silio Italico in his eight book and Strabo maketh also mention thereof and placeth it among the Sabines And following that way about three miles there are to be seen great foundations of square stones which the country-people call Furconio whereupon it is not to be doubted that there stood the City of Furconio the which was not so ancient nor populous nor so rich as Amiterno but of greater dignity and honour in the time of the Christians for in all the Councels for the space of
we purposed to speak we will at this time omit The said City hath brought forth many excellent men and famous as well in Arms as in Learning as Ansalda of Aquila General of the Army of William the evil King of Naples and Sicilia Antonuccio Camponesco General of King Ladislao and Captain of the Venetians and was afterward by Pope Eugenio the fourth created General of the holy Church Minicuccio Vgolino Captain of King Alfonsus of Aragon Guelfallione Fonticulano was General of the Perusini against Braccio and took in battel Nicolo Piccinino and to his great honour defended Padova from the fury of the Venetians Geronimo Gaglioffa was a Colonel of Charls the eight King of France and Master of the Camp of King Lewis the twelfth in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples Francesco Rustico was Captain of the Crossbow-horsmen of King Ferdinando the second In Learning there have been very famous men as Pietro called Scotello of Aquila a religious Frier of the Order of St. Francis which learnedly writ upon the four books of the Master of Sentences Iohn Aquilano a Frier also of the Order of Saint Francis a famous Preacher of his time he composed a book which he entituled Vitiâ—rum lima Francesco Vivio a most famous Lawyer who now liveth and hath lately publisht the Forest of divers opinions and hath done many things besides and of the decisions of the Kingdom of the Audience of the Country of Bary where he was the Kings Auditor whose works are very profitable to the professors of the Law Giovanni Crispo called de Monte writ three books of Law one de Gradibus the other de Haered qui ab intest de and the last de actionibus Gioseppo Rustici a Doctor of great account which is now a Counceller of the great Duke of Tuscane hath written and published a Treatise An quando liberi in conditione positi vocentur and very shortly he is to publish another discourse De utraque conditione si sine liberis decesserit ad L. cum avus F. de cond demonst Iacopo Carli a learned Doctor hath written in Law a book entituled Gemmatus Pavo in quo juris canonici civilis materiae tanguntur Alexander Trentacinque a most noble and renowned Doctor of Law writ de Substitutionibus with other subtile and witty advisements Iohn Aquilano a famous Phisician writ a discourse de sanguinis missione in pluritide Bernardino Cerillo writ the Annals of the City of Aquila his natural Country and the History of his time Serifino Aquilano was the mirror of his time for Poetry whose Works are well known over whose Sepulchre Aretino caused these Verses to be ingraven Qui giace Serafin Partirti hor puoi Sol d' haver visto il sasso che lo serra Assai sei debitore a gli occhi tuoi Here lieth Serafin depart in peace Enough thou art indebted to thy eyes To have seen the stone under which he lies Sebastian Aquilano a Phisician hath published a discourse de Morbo Gallico and another de febre sanguinis Cesar Campana which now abideth at Vicenza hath writ with an eloquent stile in the vulgar tongue the History of the World Iohn Angelo Contecelli hath published a discourse de differentiis febrium and another de Sanguinis missione Blasio Pico a Phisician hath writ the contemplative Grammer Angelo Fonticulano a worthy Historian writ very eloquently in the Latin tongue the Wars of Braccio of Montone with the Aquilani There remain many other noble and learned men which have much ennobled this City as I have understood but because I have no true information thereof I think it not amiss to omit them The Territory of this City brings forth besides other things great abundance of Saffron which as the Aquilani themselves affirm there is made thereof every year more then â—0000 crowns Above Aquila in the Apennine under the River of Pescara is Monte Reale called in old time Monte Pireo but inlarged and beautified by King Charls the second of Angio abandoning the first name it is a city very fair civil and rich compassed round about with a very strong Wal here with great reverence lieth in the church of St. Mary of Piano the body of Saint Dâ—minick of whom the Chronicle of St. Francis maketh mention and in the church of St. Augustine is to be seen the body of St. Andrew which in token of his holy life it pleaseth God as they say to shew many miracles There now liveth with much honour to this country Peâ—tio Pompeo and Iohn Circii all three Doctors of Law and great learned men of whom there is much commendation by Vivio in the Forest of common opinions The Territory of this country is very fertile for the spacious vallies and pleasant hils yield grain wine fitches beans slax hemp and other fruits A little distant from the said country is the River Pescara and at the mouth thereof on the left side is the city called Pescara named by Plâ—â—y and Ptolomy Aterno a most ancient city which they also so called the said River which according to the common opinion was held the swiftest and coldâ—st of all the Rivers in Italy The said country is honoured with the dignity of a Marquisat subject to the house of Avolo Somewhat higher in Pescara runs another River called Alba and into Alba cometh two little streams which flow from the Mount Maiella between the which is Manopello and a little higher on the side of Maiella is the Fort of Molise and underneaâ—h is Cosano and upon the bank of Pescara is Torre a little country and on the side of the River Pescara is Lucolo a populous country and not very faâ— is Caramanico a very good country and hard by lieth Cantalupo in whose Territory riseth under a Hill a quick spring of Petronical Oyl Near the bank of Pescara is the country of Tocco which hath an excellent Territory whâ—re is made the best Oyl in all Abruzzo and the purest Wine and four mile 〈◊〉 Popoli a most noble and populous country which hath the title of a Dukedom it is very strong every way partly by the Rivers which cannot be past as a plâ—sh of water and also by the Forts which guard it as a Wall And going certain miles we come to Tagliacozzo a country well inhabited and very rich but not very ancient it hath the title of a Dukedom governed by the Family Colonna But we are now come to the country of the Marsi destroyed long since by Hannibal with all the other people round about in this country was a city called Valeria the natural country of Pope Boniface the fourth who obtained of the Emperor Phocas the Temple Pantheon in Rome dedicated to all the gods of the Genâ—iles which he dedicated to all the Saints This city in the time of the Longobards had the name of Marsi changed into Valeria Pliny saith that Marsi was a city
Campobascio sixteen miles is the Castle Celantia and from hence seven miles is Riccia opposite to whom is Gambatesa and after eight miles is the Castell of Motta and a litle higher are these Cities and Castles St. Gintiam Coletort Geldono and in the top is Circo the great where the river Fortore springeth six miles from thence is Vinchiaturo afterward is Baronello Busso Ratino Rocchetta Montesaggiano and following that way neer the river Fortore are these Countries and Castles Petrella Castel de Lino Morrone and Giovenisso Then we come to very large and spacious fields which continue the space of eighteen miles even to the sea and therein are to be seen the ruines of the ancient Gerione so often named by Livy neere whose walls he writeth that Hanniball made his stay Upon the Hills which joyn with the Apennine and are above the fountain of Vulturno on the right hand are these Castles Montenegro Riofreddo and a little below is the Castle Forolo so called also in old time then coming down by the course of the river three miles neer Fornello is a new countrey but very populous and rich which yeilds the best wine in all the countrey Directly against Fornello there belongs to Vulturno a vally called Porcina and then somwhat lower there entreth into Vulturno a River which comes from Esernia an ancient Colony of the Romans to which City that learned Lawyer Andrea of Rampino called by the Surname of Esernia hath given much honor whose works are of great estimation with learned men he was a man of great account and of the counsell of Queen Ione the first and as Liparulo writeeth was slain by Currado of Gottis a Dutch Baron for giving judgment against him This Citie hath a very fruitfull Territory and the Citizens for the most part are imployed in merchandise Not far off is Supino a fair and an ancient citie called in old time Sepinum of whom Pliny calleth the Inhabiters Sepinates Ascending then towards the Mediterrane within a mile of the river Fortore and eight miles from the sea is the noble Castle Guilliniaco and as much more higher is Guardia Alferes so named above the which is Lupara Cartabuttaccio and Lucito which hath a fair and fertile Territory the Lord thereof is Alfonso Pescicello a Neapolitane Gentleman a generous young man and wise and much inclined to learning And keeping on that way there is to be seen Limosano Castelpignano Rochetta Casal reparando and Lespineto which was repaired by Queen Ione the first by the mediation of Pietro Cardillo a Neapolitan her Favorite Of the which mention is made in the Register of the Exchequer Rolls of the said Queen of which Family there remains at this present a branch of the old stock even that learned Ottanio Cardillo a man indewed with much knowledge and liveth with great renown Then a little forward appears Boiano a City once esteemed the richest as it were the principall of Sannio whereof Livy maketh oftentimes very honorable mention and sometimes saith that it was sack 't and ransack't by the Romans and was more prey'd and spoyl'd then ever was all Sannio besides Moreover Silio Italio maketh mention thereof when speaking of the Samnits he saith Affluit Samnis nondum vergente favore Ad poenos sed nec veteri purgatus ab ira Qui Batulum Mucrasque colunt Boviana quique Exercent lustra aut Caudinis faucibus haerent Et quos aut Rufrae aut quos Aesernia quos ve Obscura incultis Herdania misit ab agnis Brutius haud dispar animorumque una juventus Lucanis excita jugis Hirpinaque pubes In the Book of the Colonies is thus written Bovianum oppidum lege Iulia milites deduxerunt sine iter Colonis populo iter amplius non debetur quam pedes Ager ejus per centurias Scâmna est designatus Ptolomy calleth the said Citie Bucianum The said Citie is adorned with the dignity of a Duke Not very far from Boiano is the Hill Fiterno which proceedeth from the Apennine from whom the river Fiterno now called Fortore hath the name Passing from thence towards the sea and going towards Termine is the mouth of the river Trinio which Pliny calleth Trinium Portuosum on whose left side five miles off is Castelluzzo Roccavivara and the noble citie of Trivento honored with the title of a County possessed in the time of the King of Aragon by Iacobo Caldora a most valiant Captain but it is now governed by the house of Afflitto The most reverend Bishop thereof Iulius Caesar Mariconda a Neapolitan Gentleman and a Prelate of no lesse learning then sincere life graceth now this citie with his great vertue Then follows Salicito Fossaceca Bagnulo and Civita nova And coming now to an end of this province I will speak of the Inhabiters thereof which are very strong and valiant and much inclined to Arms they are also obstinate in their opinions and in bargaining with strangers very crafty and subtile for the most part they exercise merchandise and husbandry they apparel themselves more for their own ease then with any decent or comely civility although the women more respect strait lacing then seemly attire This Province useth for the Arms thereof in a field gu a star of 8 points ar within a border of Ceres What the said Arms doth signifie I do not well understand yet thus much I may say that the garland of Ceres signifieth the great plenty of corn which this countrey yeilds and by the star argent noteth the great good will love of the people which they have to retain the memory of the family of Balzo which in former time governed almost all this whole countrey with other places of great importance in the kingdom whereto I give so much the greater credit insomuch as the house of Balzo gave in their Arms a star ar in a field gu Therefore I think it very fit not to neglect this opinion in the present description of this province although some think that the Star signifieth the prosperity of the countrey whereof the Poet saith subitoque fragore Intonuit latuum de coelo lapsa per umbras Stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit Among the Romans the star was placed above the heads of Romulus and Remus which sucked the teat of the Wolfe signifying the custody of their proper Genio or good spirit who preserved them being children CAPITANATA The twelfth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THis noble and fruitfull Province of Pugliapiana which at this present is called Capitanata was anciently named Iapygia Daunia Mesapia and Apulia The said Province stretcheth from the river Lofanto where the country of Bary endeth and passeth to the river of Frontone now called Fortore containing in breadth all between the Apennine hils where are the Irpini and the Sanniti and the Adriatick or rather Ionian Sea so that on the East it hath the country of Bary with the
river Lofanto on the South the Apennine with the Irpini and Sanniti on the West the Ferentani and Carraceni with the river Frontone and on the North the Adriatick or Ionian Sea Iohn Pontano in his second book of Histories handling many things saith that in the time of the first Normans and afterward the Greeks this Province was called Catapaniata because those that were sent to rule here by the Emperors of Constantinople were called in the Greek tongue Catapini and that afterward by corruption of the word it was called the Province of Capitanata and those that governed it Capitani The words of Pontano are these Apuliae pars ea que ab â—rentone flumine hodie Fortorium est ab Aufidi ripas sua nunc appellatione est Capitanata quae Normanorum prius ac Graecorum temporibus fuerat Catapaniata quòd qui ejus moderatione esset ab Imperatore Constantinopolitano praepositus diceretur Graeco nomine Catapanus quae vox contractis atque immutatis literis recentioribus versa est in Capitanatam quique Catapanus fuerat in Capitinium Quae verò Calabriae pars olim fuit in qua Tarentum Brundusium ac Salentinorum maritima est ora ea ab Hydrunto oppido ad quod est ab Macedonia Epiroque quam brevissima ad navigatio Hydruntina hodie terra dicitur At qui est ab Auâ—ido tractus ad Calabriae hoc est Hydruntinae fines terrae quo intractu sunt ad mare posita Barolum Tranum Vigilae Melficta Iuvenatium Barum Polygnanum Monopolis ab urbe Baro quae caput olim regionis fuit Barensis vocitata est terra regiorum quaestorum constitutione ac jussu Post eam montana loca quaeque olim fuere illinc Lucaniae hinc Apuliae iisdem illis temporibus vocari coepta Basilicata Quae appellatio unde potissimum ducta sit jure anceps est ac dubium Sunt enim qui existiment haud satis tamen certis auctoribus Constantinopolitano olim ab Imperatore regionem eam filiae ac genero traditam dotis nomine veri autem aliis videtur esse similius à Basilio quodam fortissimo viro dictam qui per illa tempora loca ea tenuerit deque regione ipsa tractumque omni Salentino Graecos industria sua pepulerit atque Poenos c. This Province as is said was in old time called Iapygia of Iapyge the son of Dedalus as Herodotus affirmeth but as Servio saith upon this verse of Virgil Victor Gargani condebat Iapygiis agris He saith that Iapygia was a part of Puglia wherein standeth the Hill Gargano which reacheth even to the Adriatick Sea It was also called Mesapia of the people Mesapii which inhabited in a part thereof although others say that it was so named of King Mesapo the son of Neptune Being afterward possest by Dauno the son of Pilumno and of King Danae the Grandsire of King Turnus all that country was called Daunia After him Diomedes coming with a great number of the people Etoli there to inhabit he divided the country between himself and Diomedes Afterward it was named Apulia of Apulo a most ancient King of these places which came hither to inhabit a long time before the Wars of Troy Ptolomy divideth Puglia the one part from Tiâ—erno to the city of Bary called Daunia and from thence unto the Salentini which are the people of the couâ—try of Otronto called Peucetia Puglia came to the knowledg of the Romans rather through Wars then friendship for as Livy writeth with the rebellion of the Sannites the Romans had also Puglia their enemy whose Territory was laid waste and spoiled by them and at sundry times after as it appears in Livy came into the power of the Romans All this region was from the beginning in great prosperity but Hannibal and other Wars that succeeded him destroyed it and left it desolate the which Strabo confirms in his sixth book when writing thereof he saith Priori tempore universae hujus terrae secunda fortuna florebat postea vero Annibal sequentia bella desertam illam reddiderunt This most fruitfull Province bringeth forth great store of wheat barley and other corn and more plentifull then any other part of Italy although many fields are reserved for the pasture of sundry flocks of sheep which are brought from Abruzzo The earth or soil although it be sandy and light and the grass which grows thereon be small and slender it is nevertheless very fruitfull and storeth Naples Slavonia Venice and Tuscane with plenty of flesh This region indureth much water whereupon the Poet Horace saith that Apulia is full of silk and in some places it wanteth trees the air is temperate but in the summer season it is so much 〈◊〉 â—ith heat that it is not only hurtfull to strangers but even to the natural 〈◊〉 of the country All this region is very plentifull of every thing both horses and excellent sheep the wool is softer then that of Taranto but not so fine the hony there is much commended the vallies which lie by the plains makes it a very pleasant country whereby all the Province is much inhabited so that it hath in all ten cities and 52 towns and castles the cities are St. Angelo Manfredonia Siponto Lesina Vieste Ascoli Bovino Volturara Teâ—mole Troia This Province containeth the Hill Gargano with the appurtenances thereof which stretching out as it were an arm of the Apennine towards the Adriatick Sea compasseth in the lowest descent thereof which ends in the plain â—00 miles where appears all the riâ—hes of Puglia with plenty of water it is also very well garnished and also richly furnished with trees and phisical herbs for the which there repairs from far countries iâ—finite Herbalists and Simplisâ—â— whereupon it seemâ— that nature hath indued it with so great perfection 〈◊〉 â—or the pâ—eâ—â—denâ—e and pâ—imaâ—y with all the other Hils of the Orient Diomedes purposed to make the said Hill an Island because the Istmus thereof is no more then two miles broad but this and other works he undertook were left imperfect because he returned home to his own house where he ended his life although some write that he remained here during his life Others feigning report that he vanished into the Isle of Diomedes and that his companions were transformed into fowls In this Country is bred the Tarantola whose venom as is before declared is cured with sounds and singing Here also breeds the Chersidri or the Cavalette which the country people call Brucoli which being dispersed here and there do feed and wholly devour all the fields with infinite hurt and spoil In the top of the said hill is the famous and noble city of St. Angelo from the which at this present for the most part the hill is so called for the Archangel St. Michael which appeared there where is to be seen the most devout and honourable Cave and holy Temple
the year 1562. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million of gold the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1564. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to his Majesty a million of gold and sixty thousand duckets to the renowned Prince of Spain and Duke of Câ—lauria his son the which sum of money the Barons and people of the Kingdom payed In the year 1566. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to the King a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1568. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to his Majesty should be given a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1572. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1574. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to his Majesty a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative was divided between the Barons and the people of the Kingdom In the year 1577. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was devided between the Barons and the people of the Kingdom In the year 1579. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to his Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1581. was held according to the accustomed manner a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was devided between the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1583. the second day of Ianuary was held a publick and general Parlament and was decreed that to the King should be given a millon and two hundred and fifty thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1585. was held according to the usual manner a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence of Naples where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was paid two parts by the people of the Kingdom and one by the Barons of which payment only the City of Naples and the Territories of the Annuntiation were free In the year 1587 according to the custom was given a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1589. was given according to the usual custom a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1591. was given by the Barons and people of the Kingdom a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1593 was given according to the accustomed manner a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1595. was given a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets A Description of the Rivers Lakes Fountains Baies Mines Hils and Woods which are in this Kingdom A THe River Acida runneth near Niceto now called Donato The River Amaseno runneth near Abbadia The River Alabro runneth near Supino The River Albula otherwise called Matrino runneth near Musignano The River Aterno now called Pescara runneth near to Civita di Chieti The River Avinio runneth near Fratte The River Aventino runneth near the Fort of Rasino The River Alandra runneth near Sala The River Acheronte now called Campagnano runneth near Castello Franco called in old time Pandosia where was slain as he was foretold by the Oracle Alexander King of Molossus whilst he understanding not the deceits of the devil remained secure having escaped another River of the same name in his own Country of Epire. The River Ancitula runneth near Francica The River Alaro called in old time Sacra runneth near Roccella The River Aesaro called also Aesano runneth near St. Severina and the City of Cotrone The River Alex runneth near the City of Alesio The River Areus runneth near Cosenza The River Arentho runneth near Cosenza The River Abuceto hath his original from the Hill Abuceto which is in the Isle of Ischia The River Angitula runneth near Angitula The River Agatha runneth near Regio The River Aterno now called Pescara runneth near Pescara The River Alba runneth near Manupello The River Asinella runneth near Vasto The River Agâ—ra is in Calauria and runneth into Faro of Mâ—ssina The River Alore in Calauria The River Auâ—ido hath his original from the Hils Hirpini and runneth by Canosa and after into the Adriaâ—ick Sea by some it is called Canne in respect of a City of the same name not far off which is very famous for the great victory of Hannibal by the overthrow which he gave to the Roman Army by which victory Hannibal had from the hands of the Roman Knights three busâ—â—ls of Rings of gold the said River is now called Lofanto The River Anfure now called Ufente runneth near the City of Terracina called in old time Ansure The River Acri runneth near Saponara The River Arnone runneth near Castelluccia B THe River Bathino called in old time Tordino and Juvatino is near Montepagano The River Basento runneth near Cosenza which River is very famous for the Sepulchre of Alaricus the Goth with certain treasure that is there hid and the â—light of the Emperor Otho which was overthrown by Basilius the Greek The River Bato runneth near Scalea The River Bradano runneth through Basilicata C THe River Calore runneth near Benevento and riseth in the Mountains of Crepacore The River Cervano runneth into the Haven of Taranto called the little Sea The River Coraco runneth near Roccella The River Croccia runneth near Simari The River Crate runneth near Cosenza the water whereof maketh hair yellow and woll white The River Cratallo runneth near Catanzaro The River Cacino runneth near Seminara The River Cardono runneth through the territory of Cosenza and is full of golden sand The River Cato Castro runneth near Mantea The River Cochile called in old time Sibari whereupon Sicelâ—o in the year of the world 2409. saith the ancient City Sibari was builded the which increased through the amenity of the Country in such greatness that it could arm sometimes three hundred thousand men this River runneth near Cassano The River Coloneta runneth near Rossano
Nations the Piligni the Samniti the Marsi the Frentani being so well known in the Wars of Archidamus and of Cleonimus the Spartan of Agatocles the Sicilian of Alexander the Epirote of Pyrrhus of Molossus and Hanniball of Carthage and in the civil Wars of Iulius Caesar and Pompey and other Romans these People have valiantly demeaned themselves and in latter times have also declared their prowesse and manifested every one their noble acts in the Wars which they had against Alericus and Totila ancient enemies of these noble Provinces This happy Kingdom hath also produced excellent wits in all Learning and wisdom as in Philosophy Aistossenes Architas and Euritus of Tarentum Filolous Aremeones Telaâ—ges Aristeus and Rodippus born at Cotron Androdamus of Reggio Parmenides Zenon and Leucippo of Scalea Hippasus of Metapont Pythagoras Timeo Xenon Filodamus and Euetus of Locris a Country worne out with antiquity Ocelus of Lucania Stratonicus of Cuma St. Thomas of Aquin Nearest to this our age the light of all Learning was born at Naples and of a more later time Augustin Nifus of Sessa and Simon Portius a Neopolitan neither will I conceal the glory of the Poets and Orators which have honoured this Kingdom Ennius an ancient Poet was of the Country of Puglia Rudia Lucillus of Arunca near to Benevento Pacuvius a Tragical Poet of Brindese Venosa may boast for bringing forth Horace as also Sulmona Ovid Regio of Theagenes Ibicus Cleâ—mines and of Lodwick Parisetus a youth Croton of Orpheus Turia of Stesicorus a Lirical Poet Nola of St. Paulinus Bishop Napes of Achias the Master of Cicero of Pub. Statius of Marinus and excellent Orator and Philosopher Disciple of Proelus of Porcellus of Iohn Pontanus and Iacobus Sannazaco Amiternus of Salust Capoa of Vittor Bishop an eloquent Orator and learned Astrologian Aquin of Iuvenal and of Marcus Tullius Cicero the very lightning of eloquence This said Noble Kingdom hath brought forth not only men but also learned women which have been very excellent in Philosophy as Themistoclea the sister of Pithagoras of whom she learned many notable things and Damea the daughter of the same Pithagoras who sufficiently expressed her learning in expounding the difficult opinions of her Father no less Myan and Arignote her said daughters have been excellent in the same profession Artea the daughter of Aristippus after the death of her Father maintained while she lived most gloriously the School and held the Chair of Philosophy In the Art of Poetry have been very excellent Perilla the wife of Ovid Claudia wife of P. Statius Papinius Neapolitan Violentilla wife of Aruntius Stella Neapolitan Consul and a famous Poet Luscina the daughter of Stesicorus a Poet of Metaurus in Calabria And those that were not born in this Kingdom have esteemed it a place worthy of their life of their leisure and of their studies as Plato Vergil Livy and Plotin which had their habitations in Villages in divers places of the Kingdom and there composed their Works holding famous Schools for which cause it may truly be accounted a happy Kingdom But since these few things are touched in general but as it were passing by for the knowledg thereof I will now endeavour to handle them in particular and with a very distinct order whereby every one shall clearly understand how many good and beautifull things that whole world containeth in it and that through the excellency thereof have repaired thither so many and so strange Nations as never the like have past into any other Kingdom or Province as well to inhabit as to sack and ransack the same And to speak of the most ancient thither have come the Coni the Sicli the Morgeti the Enotri the Pelasgi the Ausoni the Etoli the Arunci the Etrusci the Osci the Opici the Cimerii the Lapigi the Liburni the Illirii and other people which are of later memory even continuing to this our time as the Greeks Goths Lombards Saracins Normans Germans Frenchmen Spaniards and also the Turks have attempted to overcome it But leaving to discourse any more in general I will proceed with a particular narration of every Province in this Kingdom The Land of LAVORO The First Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe Fortunate and happy Province of the Land of Lavoro called of the Latines Terra Laboris hath on the East the River Silare on the West Garigliano now called Liris on the North the Apennin Mountains and on the South the Tirrene Sea the length thereof wanteth little of a hundred miles and the breadth thirty It hath been inhahited by the Osci the Arunci the Volosci the Ausoni the Cimerii the Samniti the Cumani and the Picentini It hath four principal Rivers Garigliano Vulturno Sarno and Sele which as they are between them little wanting of an equal distance so alwaies in most places they cannot be waded This Country was also called of the Latines Campania felix it was called happy for the fertillity and fatness of the earth which is so much and in such sort that here Ceres and Bacchus strive together for the greatest Soveraignty It attained the name of the largeness of the fields it was also called the old Campania as a difference from the new that is Campania of Rome and now from the Leborine Fields which are near Capoa it is called the Land of Lavoro The Fields of this Province lie under moist and mistie hils and are all as it were in a plain and the benefit of this Land briefly to declare the nature of the Earth is that the superficial or uppermost part thereof is very drie and dustie but within so spongeous and moist like to a pomice that sucks in the water whereby no small profit ariseth also from those Hills for that the showers descending from them are dispersed over all the Valley and so not over-watering the earth nor making it too soft but apt and easie for tillage the same ground sendeth not out that received moisture in any Springs or Fountains but temperateth it and concocting within it holds it as nourishment unto it Corn is sowed once in a year and Oats and Flax twice every year Dionysius of Alicarnassus saith That in his time was successively gathered in one year three sorts of Fruits that is one in the Spring another in Summer and the third in Autumn In this most plentifull Region the Trees flourish twice in a year and there is found all delights for the pleasure of men In this Noble Province are large and fertile Fields pleasant and fruitfull Hils thick and delightfull Woods fresh and clear Springs and pleasant Lakes Moreover there are places in the manner of spacious Amphitheaters wrought amongst the Hils by that great Workmaster Nature to yield delight in the hunting of wild Beasts that are inclosed therein and to declare the great abundance that is there I will begin with flying fowles whereof there are great plenty that is to
Controviero a man of Princely behaviour was in great account with Paul the sixth by whom he was created Bishop of the City of Penna and Vice-Legat of Bologna and had been advanced to greater honour if the death of the Pope had not hindred it Gabriel de Blasio being a man of great vertue was made Judge of the Vicaria and of the Kings Councel Two men of the Family Bilotta have carried great honour in their Country which florished in the time of our fore-fathers the one called Iohn Camillo the other Sâ—ipio of whom the first being a man much learned in many Sciences was by the King imployed in divers honourable affairs and was created the first Exchequer-Advocate of the Vicaria and afterward of the Sommaria And the second was a most vertuous and a good man and was general Commissary of the Kingdom against Malefactors which through his good Government brought them into peace and tranquility and in reward had the Office of Exchequer-Advocate of the Vicaria which his brother held and had enjoyed if untimely death had not prevented it This famous City hath also brought forth many excellent men in Arms of whom omitting to speak I refer the Reader to the Histories which largely discourse thereof among whom two have been very famous in the time of our fore-fathers as Hectore Savariano a valiant Souldier of his age of whom Giovio in the life of Leo the tenth maketh honourable mention And Andrea Candido Prior of Barletta Knight of the Rodes There are in the said City these Noble Families Aquino Avolos Bilotti Bottini Candidi Capassi Calendi Capobianchi Caraccioli del Leone Contestabili Controvieri Del ' Aquila Di Blasio Di Enea Del Sindico della Vipera Egittii Filingieri Grisi Laurentii Leoni Mascambroni Mazzei Mazzilli Monforti Morri Pesci Sallaroli Savariani Tuâ—i Vico Vintimiglia Vitro the Arch-Bishop of this City hath 24 Bishops his Suffraganes which number no other place of Christendom hath equalled This City is situate in a plain place near a Plain full of little brooks of water with many hils round about very plentifull and distant from Naples 30 miles Writers affirm that in the division that was made of the Roman Empire between Charls the great and F.L. Nicesero the Greek the Dukedom of Benevento and the City of Venice were appointed as the limits and confines between the one and the other Now because we have sufficiently discoursed of Benevento we will declare the quality of this Country the which although it be full of hils is nevertheless very pleasant through the variety of the situation high low plain and very commodious for tillage because the Country is wholly inhabited and aboundeth with all good things The Hils are covered with Vines and fruitfull Trees the Dales and Plains with Corn and Gardens there are also thick Woods and watered with many Rivers and store of Cattel of Corn Wine Oyle Flax Apples Chesnuts both great and small Nuts Pears and other fruits of great goodness and perfection whereby in time of Harvest it doth appear that it contends in equal comparison with other plentifull Provinces and above all there is excellent hunting both for fowles and beasts The Aire is subtle and wholsome although cold There are moreover in this Country in the Territory of Prata Mines of Gold and Silver which for that they yield no great profit are not much regarded Distant from Benevento little less then ten miles is the Valley of Caudina where was the ancient City of Caudio the reliques whereof yet appear and not far from thence is the ancient Harpino now called Arpata which is very near to the Gallows of Caudine very famous for the overthrow which the Romans had there where the Consul and the Roman Army by deceit inclosed were constrained by the Sannites to pass shamefully under the yoke the which place the Country-people now call the streit of Arpaia which stands but a little distant from the City the which is indued with the dignity of a Marquiss subject to the house of Guevara On the other side of the Valley Caudina are these Countries St. Martino St. Angelo a Scala afterward cometh the same River which joyneth with the River Sabato which riseth from Montevirgine a high and spacious place in the Valley whereof the first Country which is there is Altavilla afterward is the Castle of Montefredano and near the Valley is the ancient City of Avellino which is now written in the Exchequer Roll Avellinensis but in the Books of the Roman Court Avellinus Episcopus and the Territory thereof aboundeth with great store of small Nuts and therefore by the Latines they were called Avellanae nuces The said City is dignified with the Title of a Prince which the family Caracciola the Red possesseth Then followeth Mercuriale now called Mercugliano the Country of the holy Hospital of the Annunciation of Naples and above that Hill is the noble Church and Monastery of Montevirgine of white Monks of the Order of St. Benedict which was builded in old time in honour of Cibele mother of the Gods but changed by the Christians into the honour of the glorious mother of God our Saviour the Virgin Mary a place of so much beauty and sanctity which not only excelleth in fame through all this Kingdom but through all Italy and beyond whereupon at two several times of the year that is to say at Whitsontide and our Lady day in September there concurs and flocks together from far and near places innumerable people bringing all sorts of Presents This Monastery is the head of the said Congregation of Montevirgine and therein are continually resident 200 Monks In the Church there is a Reliquary which the Monks of the same place say that a greater is not in all Christendom for so many bodies of Saints and other reliques that are therein among which there are to be seen as they say the entire bodies of the three children which were put into the flaming furnace There are other notable things as the Sepulchres of Kings and other Princes The Founder of this holy place was William of Vercelli of whose life manners and miracles and of the things abovesaid who desireth to have a full and true satisfaction thereof he may read the History of the Original of the notable things of Montevirgine Six miles from Benevento upon a very high Hill is seen the Country of Montesuscolo where resideth the Kings Audit of the Province and every Sunday is held a Market with great concourse of people And a little distant is the Castle and Montemileto which hath the Title of a County Afterward we come to the Hils of the Apennine which are called Monti Tremoli where ariseth the River Sabato which passing by low places in the end is joyned with the River Vulturno Antonio in his book of remembrance calleth this River Sabbatum but the people of the Country name it the River of Benevento
because it runneth near the said City Afterward we come to these Countries Montefalcione Candida and Serpito but above the high and difficult mountains called Monti Tremoli above named appeareth the City Vulturara Above Benevento little more then the third part of a mile runneth the River Calore into the River Sabato on the right hand whereof which bendeth towards the Hils and Mountains which we have said to be above Benevento are these Castles and Countries Pia Chiusano the old Castle and a little above Montella an excellent and goodly Country indued with the Title of a Count. Over the River Calore two miles from Sabato the Emperor Valentine made a great and magnificent Bridg joyning with the way Appia which was therefore called Valentino which is now all ruinated On the left side of the said River are these Countries Apice where was another goodly Bridg which was joyned with the said way Appia and then Mirabella Tauraso Cursano Bagnulo Cassano Nusco And afterward beginneth the Apennine to rise where springeth the River Calore and on the other side of the Hill in like sort riseth the River Ausido which the Country people call Lofanto which passeth through Apuglia and runneth into the Adriatick Sea Then cometh on the right hand of Calore the River Tripalto which is near the populous Country of Tripalta which hath the honour of a Dukedom in the principal Church whereof lieth with great reverence the body of St. Ipolistro Martyr and Priest On the right side of the said River is a long and spacious Wood called by the same name Tripalta near the which on the side of this River are situated these Countries Bonito Grottamenarda Flumari and Vico. On the left side of the said River is Melito Amando Zuncoli and then up towards the Apennine is a great back of the Hill called Grâ—mâ— which through the great difficulty to climb up is called Crepacore upon the which Hill springeth the River Moscano which runneth into Calore in the same place where entreth the River Tripalto On the right hand of Moscano is Corsano and Montecalvo and in the distance which is between the said rivers upon a pleasant hill is the City of Ariano called in old time Ara Iani of a famous Temple which was there and dedicated to Ianus On the right side of Moscano are these Countries and Castles Montemale Buon Albergo Casalalbore and the Freemens Castle Afterward is to be seen the mouth of the River Tamaro which runneth into Calore and hath as great plenty of water as any other above named and between the said two Rivers as it were in the midst is Paluda a populous and principal Country and somewhat higher on the right side of Tamaro are these Countries and Castles Sainâ—â— Iorio Molinara Reino Santa Maria del Colle where died Iacobo Caldora a famous and a valiant Captain Cercello Cassano and Santa Croce Here beginneth a mighty great Wood which incloseth on both sides the Apennine Hils so that one part stretcheth even to Fortore a River of Puglia the other to Tamaro the which Wood is four miles in breadth and twenty in length On the left hand of Tamaro are these Countries Pietrapulcina Pavoni Pestolo Fragnito Campolottara the Monastery of Giulietto Morcone and in the Apennine Supino an ancient Country whereof Livy maketh mention Then followeth Altavilla before named which hath the dignity of a Count subject to the noble house of Capoa above the which in a hill of the Apennine is to be seen Castellovecchio near which riseth the River Tamaro Having now described this Region it remaineth that we now discourse something of the Inhabitants therein the which are very sturdy and strong and of healthfull complexion and all are exercised and expert in arms and in learning they grow excellent which apply themselves unto it But in Merchandize they are little imployed which so falleth out because every man is contented with his own goods Those in general which dwell in the Country are attired after the fashion of the Neopolitans but not the women the which go diversly apparelled and very few use to wear a mantle upon their gown they dress their heads with base attires only covering them with a broad linen cloth neither do they wear pantosles but shooes and chopineos The natural colour of the people inclines more to white then a swart colour in reasoning and discoursing they are very stately and disdainfull and great braggadochios but very obedient to their superiors The arms which this Region have used is a field per fesse gu and argent a Crown in chief or the which Arms I think signifie no other then that new title of Prince which the valorous Arechi the second the fourteenth Duke of Benevento gave in the time that he subdued the Picentine people to his dominion whereupon by the field gu and ar would manifest the vertue and courage of this Country which was in the said Arechi and for the Crown of Gold which little or nothing differeth from a regal Crown I think signifieth the new Lordship as hath been declared BASILICATA The Fourth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES A Part of Montagna sometimes named Lucania and another of Puglia were in ancient time called by one only name Basilicata but from whence the said name should proceed is not certainly known But some think although they have it not from any great authority that this Province was by an Emperor of Constantinople given in dowry with one of his daughters Others affirm and more probably that it was so called by Basilio a man very valiant in Arms which in those daies possest all these places and from this Province and from the Country of Otranto with his industry and valour drove away the Greeks and Carthaginians that were established therein The River Silare divideth this Province from Vestini and from happy Campania It hath on the South the Tirrene Sea on the East the River Lavo with the Brutii and part of Magna Gretia and on the North the Pugliesi the Pecutii with a part of the Irpini These people Lucani had their original according to Pliny from the Sanniti which are now called Abruzzesi but first the Possidoniati inhabited there a people of Magna Grecia afterward the Morgeti Seculi Italiani Enotri and Pelasgi and at length the said Sanniti were afterward called Lucani the which were a long time popularly governed by themselves and were so called by Lucano a Captain which with a Colony of Sanniti came into this place to inhabit The first Elephants that were ever seen in Italy were brought hither in the Wars of King Pyrrhus and were called Lucan Buls in respect of Lucania which was in the year after the building of Rome 47â— This Province is for the most part mountainous and hilly but yet very fertile in all sorts of grain and yieldeth excellent Wines for the Vines grow to a wonderfull greatness which proceeds through
haunted an evil spirit a long time for the death of Hippolitus the companion of Vlysses which was there slain against all humanity whereupon rose the Proverb among the Ancients Aderit genius Temeseus Noting hereby that Gods vengeance never faileth to reward such wickedness if by humane means it be not punished The said City was built by the Ausoni which Strabo affirmeth in his sixth book saying Alao prima urbs Brettiae Tempsa quam Auxonii condiderunt nostrae autem aetatis homines Tempsam etiam vocitant Temesa was a Bishops Sea as appeareth in the Councels when Hillary the Bishop thereof came to the fourth Roman Sinod under the Popedom of Agathon And the Territory thereof is very fat and fertile and yieldeth excellent Wine Oyle Hony fine Silk Grain and other Corn and all kinds of Fruits and from heaven descendeth Manna and there is made great store of Bird-lime and Glue Hard by is Foscaldo where is great abundance of Sugar Hony Wine Corn and other Fruits The said Country is honoured with the dignity of a Marquiss A little higher is the Country of Lattarico which by Livy is called Hetriculum hard by standeth Torano and Regina called in old time Herinium built by the Enotri in whose Territory is made great abundance of Oyle there is also Mines of Brimstone Saltpeter and Alabaster and a little farther is situate the City Montalto by Barrio called Vffugium it had sometimes a Bishops Sea which dignity was joyned to Cosenza It hath a good Territory which yieldeth Grain Oyle and other Fruits and there is made great abundance of Silk there is also Alabaster and Brimstone and every year there is a very great Fair. It hath the dignity of a Dukedom the Lady whereof is the Lady Mary of Arragon in whom endeth the line of old Alfonsus of Arragon King of Naples the which State by marriage fell into the Family of Moncada Going now towards the Sea we may behold Paula a name corrupted derived from ancient Patycos very famoms for being the natural Country of St. Francis the Author of the Order of the Minimi hard by is St. Nocito very famous for the excellent sweet Wine then cometh Castellofranco with the River Campagnano called in old time Acheronte where was slain even as he was foretold by the Oracle Alexander King of Molossi mean while he not understanding the cautions of the devil rested secure having avoided another River of the same name in Epiro The words of the Oracle were these Aeacida cave accedas ad aquam Acherusiam Et Pandasiam quod ibi tibi laetum decretum est Near hand is seen Cerisano called in old time Citerium and upon the side of the River Crati and of Basenta is the famous City Consenza full of people rich and very ancient it was a Colony of the Lucani in old time it was the chief City of the Brutii but now the head of this Province The said City is situate between hils and dales it hath before it a great Plain which stretcheth very near forty miles and is called the Villey of Crati it is compassed with 85 Hamlets or Villages which for the most part are very great It aboundeth in all things which may be desired either for profit or humane pleasure it hath brought forth many excellent men and among others the Abbot Giacchino indued as Dant saith with a prophetical spirit who was of one of the Villages of Cosenza called Celico St. Thelesphoro Iano Parassio Antonio Telesio Iohn Baptista d'Amico Coriolano Marticano and Berardino Martirano which was also Secretary of the Kingdom Piâ—tropaolo Parisio a famous Doctor of Law which was made Cardinal by Pope Paul the third Borardino Telesio which writ against the Philosophy of Aristotle Iohn Maria Barnauda Sertario Quattromani Giovanpaolo d' Aquino Prospero Parisio and Iacobo of Gaeta In this City are these noble families Abenante Aquino Andriotto Aloe Amico Arnoni Alimena Arduino Barono Bernando Beccuto Bombino Bonconto Britto Bovi Bonaccursi Cavalcante Ciacci Caputo Casella Cozzi Cicala Caroleo Curatore Celso Clavelli Dattilâ— Donato Domanico Fâ—rrao Farrao d' Epaminonda Farrao d' Antonello Fera Favoro Figlino Franza Gaeta Gaeta d' Marc. Antonio Garofalo Giannochiri Gaeli Gioanni Giaccino Gadi Longo Longobuccho Migliarâ—se Marano Monaco Martorano Maurello Minardo Moyi Materi Massaro Mirabello Mangoni Nero Poglisi Peloso Pellegrino Pascale Passalacqua Poerio Parisi di Ruggiero Parisi di Mario Pantuso Quottromani Roccho Ruggiero Rangi Russo Scaglione Spatasora Serâ—alo della Motta Sersale di Guido Sambiase Spirito Sirisanto Spina Sanfâ—lice Stocca Tilesio Testo Toscano Tarsii Tirello Velle and others The Arms of this City is seven Hils vert in a field or From hence on the right hand lieth the Wood Brutiana which the people of the Country call for the excellency thereof Sila not so hideous and terrible in Winter through continual snow and ice as it is pleasant and delightfull in Summer where the fresh and cheerfull air with many Rivers full of excellent fish and the divers sports of fowling and hunting of wild beasts and the infinite heards of Cattel which there seed upon the plentifull fruits thereof represent in effect that which the Poets feign of their Arcadia Not far distant lieth Carolei called by the Latines Ixias built by the Enotri And walking a little farther appeareth Bisignano a good and plentifull City much inhabited which hath the Title of a Principality subject to the Family Sanseverina Stifano calleth this City Besidia which according to Barrio was built by the Ansoni and very near lieth Tarsia called Capresis Returning towards the Sea we come into these Countries Fiumefreddo Bello-monte and the City Amontea which was an Episcopal Seat but now united with the Church of Tropâ—ia A little farther is Aiello called by Bario Tylesium which hath a strong Castle and a fruitfull Territory with a Wood where is great sport in the hunting of divers living creatures This Country holdeth the Title of a Marquiss and the Lord thereof is Alberico Cybo Prince of Massa no less worthy of honour for his Learning then his Chivaldri Near to Aiello is the Hill Cocuzzo where it seemeth that the Apennine exceeds it self in height Then followeth Martirano corrupted from the ancient name of Mamerto whose Citizens shewed themselves no less faithfull to the people of Rome then valiant in Arms they only fighting with Pyrrhus one of the best Souldiers of the world the which they performed so couragiously that Pyrrhus being mindfull of the valour of the Brutii and of the death of his Alexandro durst not any farther hazard his fortune From thence afterward lieth on the side of the Sea Nocera the reliques of the ancient Terinia which was destroyed by Hannibal they being not able to defend it and here runneth according as the Ancients affirm Ligia one of the Sirenes upon the mouth of the River Saccuto Then
followeth Castiglione the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus disbarked himself coming from Sicilia after cometh St. Eusemia which Stephano saith is called Lametia where is a Gulf so named very full of Coral and the best Tunny and a little distant lieth Nicastro and here the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa made for delight and pleasure convenient Baths and excellent hunting both for wild beasts and fowles the first which began in Italy to be delighted in hauking with Falcons which in former time was unknown although some write that Anasilao was the first Not very far is Tiriolo the reliques of old Tirio where the Apennine is drawn into so narrow a point that the rain-water which descendeth from the ridg of some one house falleth on the left side into the Terrene Sea and on the right into the Adriatick And coming now to an end of this Province which hath for the Arms thereof a Cross bastonesa in a field Ar. the which Ensignes and Arms had its original in the time that Boemundo the Norman Duke of Calauria came with twelve thousand choice souldiers in aid of the holy Land whereby through his prowesse and valour was afterward made Prince of Antioche and forsomuch as the enterprise was very famous and honourable therefore I believe the said Province gave these Arms representing thereby the great Voyage which the said Duke made CALAURIA On the other side the Sixth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES CALAVRIA on the other side is a Province which containeth a good part of Magna Grecia and of the Brutii and passeth from the one and the other side of the Apennine to the Ionian and Terrene Seas and is divided from Calauria on this side by the Mediterrane above Cosenza going by a direct line to the one and the other Sea into the Ionian near Stromboli and into the Terrene at the Gulf Ipponiate which is the Gulf of St. Eufemia and these are only the Confines of the said Province where the Brutii sometimes inhabited From that part which lieth towards the North except a little is wholly compassed with the Sea on the East is the Ionian on the South Sicilia and on the West the Terrene which is the utmost limits of the Kingdom It is partly plain and partly mountainous it hath fair and fruitfull Hils Woods Rivers and Fountains great plenty of Corn Vine Olives and every other thing necessary for the sustenance of living creatures There are horses and heards of cattel very plentifull and great abundance of woll and of the best and finest silk In this Province are pits of gold of silver and great plenty almost of all mettals it hath many hot baths which cure divers infirmities and to conclude it is a Country indued with all good things for the which it may be called a most happy Region The men of this Country as also of all Calauria after other ancient names which they had were called Bretii and they were so called from Brettio the son of Hercoles as Stephano writeth in his book of the City and Ermolao upon Stephano and as it appeareth by many Greek Monuments which are declared with great Learning by Pierio Valeriano and by many Antiquaries Iustine and Trogo say that they were called Brutii of Brutia a maid Iohn Annio affirmeth that they were so called by Bruto Ombrone a most valiant Captain Calepino and Nicholas Perotto say they are called Brutii A Brutis moribus but this is a vain thing and an idle conjecture of them Guarino not well understanding Strabo addeth to his translation many things of his own conceit Strabo saying that Brutii fuerunt rebelles Lucanorum he addeth here that they were fugitives a name which was given to servants but we finding in Histories and principally in Iustine that these were children and not servants of the Lucani forsomuch as the Lucani were accustoâ—ed to bring up and foster their children in the field after the manner of the Sâ—arâ—ans but their children misliking that manner of education opposed themselves against their fathers that is to say the Lucani and went to inhabit in Calauria These people in process of time became so mighty that they feared not any whereby for as much as their Country was not well able to contain them they made spoil of the places near unto them and expel'd the natural inhabitants the which they often attempted being allured through the sweetness of the booty The ancient limits of the Brutii were the River Lavo or Lao now called the River Laino measuring along the shore of the Sea and the streight of Sicilia the space between these bounds is according to Strabo 1350 furlongs which contains 169 miles but according to the description of Ptolomy these were the limits on the West the River Lavo with the Lucani on the South the Terrene Sea with Faro of Messina on the East part of the Ionian Sea on the North Magna Grecia with the River Chrati And to make a description of this Province I will begin from the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus King of the Epirots coming from Sicilia disbarkt himself Not far off is Triolo the reliques of old Tiro where the Apennine Hils are very narrow and then is Malda built by the Saracins which hath a very fruitfull Country From hence on the Sea at the mouth of Amato is Angitola where Dionisius often desired to unite the said Haven with that of Squillia Afterward appeareth Pizzo in a very spacious and pleasant place with the little Islands Itacensi which perhaps had this name because Vlysses arrived there Then cometh Bevona planted with goodly Gardens of Citrons and Oringes the ancient Harbour of Hipponio which the Countrey people now call Monteleone which lieth in a pleasant prospect with many fields round about the said City was founded by the Greeks and they called it Hipponium because it was builded according to the likeness pnd similitude of a horse for that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek tongue signifieth a horse the which City as the Histories thereof recite was in compass eight miles wholly built with bricks the ruines whereof are at this present to be seen this noble City had very pleasant and delightfull fields which compast it round about Poets have feigned that when Ceres travelled in search of her daughter Proserpina that was stoln away remained here that Winter to gather Roses and other pleasant Flowers where also continues the three Festival daies which the Tyrant Agatocles so long since ordained Pestino a famous Writer was of this City which is celebrated by Macrobio in his sixth book de Saturnali in this word Transmicto Dominico Pizzimetti a learned Philosopher was also of the same City which translated out of Greek into Latine the predicaments of Archita Tarentino The ancient Vibo was destroyed by the Agareni in the time of blessed Nilo and the like ruine sustained Terino Tauriano and Trischene And this noble
commended for Zeuxses portraying Images in the Temple of Iuno took them for his pattern and for the sports and exercises of Atleta where was Milo so strong that he used to carry a Bull and Egone which in running overtook the young Heifers cutting from them their hoofs and making afterward a present thereof to his Amarillis Walking along we come to the City Cariati which hath the dignity of a Prince and not far off lieth Calopizzato Crusia and the noble and ancient City Rossano built by the Enotri Iohn the 7. Bishop of Rome which was born there honoureth much this City A little farther within the Land is Longobucco where are sound certian Mines of Silver from thence descending towards the Sea we may see Corigliano and not far off is Cassano in so fair and temperate a Country as it is not inferior to the best part of all the Land of Lavoro and here within the circuit of this pleasant Country was the ancient City of Turio which at this present the people of the Country call Terranova Trogo writeth in his 20 book that the said City was builded by Filottete the which was much ennobled by Herodotus having writ therein his Histories in which City he also died as Pliny saith from the same City Octavius Augustus had his beginning And this City hath also been the natural Soil of many Roman Bishops Then appears towards the sea-side Trebisazze Albidona Amendolara and the River Semio called in old time Siri by the City of Siro which stood very near which was afterward named Heraclea to whom the Statue of Minerva bred great wonder in turning and rouling the eyes against the Ionii which sacking and spoyling the City respected it not The men of this Province are of a white complexion of indifferent stature and strong crafty firm and resolute in their opinions hardy and stout much inclined to Learning and Arms they use Daggs Swords and Pikes The Gentlemen attire themselves after the Neopolitan fashion and likewise the women but those which live in Villages are very rude and barbarous The Arms of this Province are per salter or .4 pates gules and on the second partition or so many crosses bastone Sa. The which two Crosses signifie the two Calaurias and the other partitions are the Arms of Aragon These Arms were invented by Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Alfonsus the first King of Naples for that he would not otherwise express them that although the Region of Calauria was divided by his Father into two Provinces nevertheless he was Lord of them both The Countrey of OTRANTO The seventh Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fair and rich Province of the Country of Otranto called in old time Iapigia as Solon saith of Iapige the son of Dedalus which came thither with many people to inhabit These people had their original from Latii and as others say from the Cretians which with the Illerians came into this utmost bound of Italy This Province was also called Salentina from the Promontory Salentino at this present named the Cape of Santa Maria but as Festus saith of Salo which is to say the Sea which compasseth it almost round about except a little part which joyneth with the firm land others affirm that it was called Salentina of the people Salentini which came with the Cretians hither to inhabit It was afterward called Messapia of the Captain Messapo which came from Peloponesus with a Colony into this Region And not long after it was named by the Creeks Calauria And finally from the City of Otranto all this Region is called the Country of Otranto The figure and form of this Province is an out cape of land which is one of the three angles or corners of Italy wherein endeth one of the two principal capes wherein is a part of the Apennine and here as is commonly thought ends the Adriatick Sea and is united with the Ionian Verily this Province seemeth as another Chersonesus lying under a pleasant air The circuit thereof is little more then 200 miles whose Istmus is between Taranto and Monopoli not exceeding the space of 40 miles in the which Peninsula although the superficial part of the earth for the most part be rough and stony nevertheless being ploughed up discovereth excellent mould and although there be little store of water it yields good pasture for Cattel and bringeth forth Wheat Wine Barley Oats Olives Citrons excellent Musk-millions Figgs Apples Pears Limons Oringes Oxen Asses Mules of the best breed and such abundance of Saffron that it seems to be rather the proper fruit of this Country then of Carthage The great plenty of Oâ—l which is there made seemeth a thing incredible to those which have not seen it whereby all the Kingdom doth not only abound therewith but also the greatest part of Italy and every where is excellent fowling and hunting both for Conies and hares And although the air be very wholsome yet the leprosie is very common by the means as I think of eating Pork and drie Figgs the ordinary food of the common people The springs of water are partly sweet and partly gross and brackish In this Country is bred the Tarantola whose venom is driven away with sound and singing the which Galen also affirms with the authority of Theofrastus of certain other creatures There are also bred the Chersidri and there is no part of Italy more troubled with Grashoppers which devour all things where they come and in one night consume the ripest fields But nature hath provided a remedy by the means of certain Fowls which they call Ganie which destroy this vermin The Hail also much hurteth this Province which almost every year doth some spoil The Thunder is there felt as in the Country of Lavoro both in Summer and Winter But coming to the description of this Province beginning at the River Bradano is Taranto a worthy and an ancient City which some say had that name from the River Tara and others from Tara the son of Neptune and others impute the original to Hercoles This City so increased by the means of Falanto the Spartan who governing under the Democratical Regiment contended sometimes with the Lucani and sometimes with the Senate being alwaies aided by strange Captains having sometines the help of Alexander and sometines of Pyrrhus became so rich that there was no City except Siracusa that brought greater riches to the people of Rome it glorieth much in her Archita that admirable Mathematician which caused a Dove of Copper to fly round about the City and of Aristosseno the Musician Taranto lieth between two Seas whereof the one is called the great the other the little in the lesser which is in compass 18 miles there runneth in many springs and the River Galeso by means whereof and the calmness of the water there are many fishes and no less then in the Sea of Constantinople
part of men therein are imployed in Learning and Arms. The Arms of this Province is or four pales gu a Dolphin proper in his mouth a Cressent argent The original of the which Arms was in the year 1481. At the time that Alfonsus of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Ferdinando the first King of Naples drove away the Turks from the city of Otronto and other places whereupon the men of this Province willing to shew that great service which the King had done for them in delivering them from the hands of the wicked Tyrant Mahumet the second Emperor of the Turks for this cause devised the said Arms declaring by the four pales gu in the field or the Arms of the King Fardinando of Aragon The Dolphin was no new invention but very ancient for so much as the monuments declare that the Dolphin with Neptune were the proper ensignes of the country of the Salentini but only they added the half-moon in the mouth of the Dolphin noting thereby that the new Seigniory which the Tyrant Mahumet endeavoured to hold in this worthy Province was by the care and diligence of the valiant Alfonsus and the vertue of the Inhabitants thereof taken from him The Countrey of BARY The eighth Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fertile and fruitfull Province of the Country of Bary was in old time called Apulia Pucetia of Pucetio the brother of Enotrio and son of Licaone which with many followers departed from Greece 375 years before the Wars of Troy and setled themselves in this place the which people were sometimes called Pucetii and sometimes Pedicoli and were the first men sent out of Greece to dwell elsewhere Also the said people which inhabited between the Territory of Taranto Brindesi and the River Aufido were named Etoli of Etolia of Greece the people whereof came into these places to inhabit as certain Writers affirm the Pediculi being droven from thence remained therein What these Pediculi were Strabo declares in his sixth book and Pliny in the third and say that they were nine youths and as many wenches which departed from Illiria and here inhabited from whom descended 13 people and to the end they might dwell the more securely built many Castles and were called Pediculi that is to say boys or children At this present it is called the Land of Bary from the city of Bary anciently called Iapigia and Baretum the head of this Province in the which city in a stately church wherein with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Nicholas sometimes Bishop of Licia from whom continually issueth as is said a certain liquor called by the Citizens Manna which is an admirable thing and the Priests which have the keeping thereof use to bestow on those that come thither little viols of glass full of the said Manna The said Church is served by a hundred beneficed Priests The bounds of this Province was according to Strabo and Pliny from the Territory of Taranto and of the Brindesi along unto the River Fortoro from thence by the Mount Gargano and towards the Adriatick Sea or rather Ionian according to Ptolomy even to the Lucani and the Irpini and the Sanniti and so the said bounds have on the South the Salentini Lucani and Irpini on the North the coast of Ionian and Adriatick on the West the River Fortoro the limit of the Caraceni and Ferrentani now called Abruzzo The goodness and fertility of this Province is very great for it yields Grain Wine Oyl Barley Beans Fitches Annis Comin Coriander Saffron and Bombace There are great Woods of Almons and Olives so bigg-bodied and so high that it seems that nature hath brought them forth as a wonder unto men And to be brief so great is the difference of these Trees from those which grow elsewhere as is between the wild Olives and those which are planted and also of the greatness of the bodies and their admirable height with the fashion of their boughs whereupon the Ancients have said that they were dedicated to Minerva and have also feigned that in these places was hanged Filida the Nymph and is no less plentifull of Oringes Limons and other the like fruitfull Trees as well for the benefit of living creatures as for pleasure besides there is excellent hunting both for fowls and also wild beasts The Sea thereof hath great store of good fishes the air is very chearfull and temperate but the waters are otherwise for they are gross and brackish There are on the side of the Sea these Cities and Countrys following Barletta of later Latinists called Barolum a worthy City rich and full of people built by the inhabiters of Canusio but inlarged by the Emperor Frederick the second In the midst of the Market-place of this noble City is a great Statue of Mettal of ten yards high of the Emperor Frederick although the Barletani affirm that it is the Image of the Emp. Heraclio nevertheless the first opinion is truest There is also a very strong castle which is accounted one of the four that are so famous in Italy Presently follows the fair city of Trany named by Pliny Trinium built by Terreno the son of Diomides and repaired by the Emperor Trajan Hard by is Molfetta a city full of civility which with the title of a Prince is possest by the Lord Don Ferrant Gonzaga chief Justicer in the Kingdom Nicolo sirnamed of Giovenazzo companion of St. Dominick gave the name to this City to whom was revealed the manner of conveying his bones as is to be read in the book of the famous men of the Order of Preachers Walking along we come to Mola Saint Vito Polignano St. Stefano and Villanova Farther within the land are these cities Monopoli built by the ruines of Egnatia to which City hath grown great honour by Bartholomeo Sibilla of the Order of Preachers an excellent Philosopher and Divine and Câ—millo Querno a singular Poet who lived in the time of Pope Leo Ostuno Ceglie Conversano Gioia Rotigliano Altamura Acquaviva Cassano Monorvino Modugno Terlizzi Rutigliano Quarato Pulignano and Biseglia called in old time Vigile a noble city and full of Traffick wherein was found the bodies of St. Mauro Bishop of Sergio and Pantaleone martyred for the Christian faith being revealed to Francesco del Balzo d' Andri Lord of this city who caused them to be put with great reverence in an honourable Sepulchre from which riseth as they say continually a precious liquor called Manna After follows Bitetto Ruvo and Gravina a great city very fair and civil the which with the title of a Duke is anciently possest by the worthy Family Orsina Don Antonio Orsâ—no is the present Duke thereof a young man which is very likely to imitate the honourable steps of Duke Ferrant his father of worthy memory And the said Gravina was the Garner and Store-house of Puglia for the inestimable quantity of corn which was gathered in
Rapino and near to Maiella is Penna After the mouth of the River Foro is to be seen on the sea the mouth of the River Lento which also riseth from Maiella On whose right side but yet very near distant from the Sea but five miles appears Villamania above the which nevertheless under Maiella is the Castle Petrono near to the which is the Fort of Montipiano and above the fountain from whence the River Lento springeth is Castel Menale And somewhat lower upon the Mediterrane is Bucchianico a civil Country honoured with the dignity of a Marquisat the Territory whereof is very fertile and hath great plenty of Olives going a little farther we come to the noble and fair City of Solmona by Strabo called Sulmo and likewise Ptolomy and Cato so name it the said City was built by Solemo of Frigia the companion of Aeneas That eloquent Poet Ovid Nasone was here born as he witnesseth in the 4 book of de Tristibus in his tenth Elegy Sulmo mihi patria est gelidis uberimus undis Millia qui novies distat ab urbe decem And the Poet Martial in the first book of his Epigrams declares the same saying Mantua Virgilia gaudet verona Catullo Pelignae gentis gloria dicar ego This City hath the dignity of a Principality the Lord thereof is Don Horatio of Noia a most generous Knight Departing from Sulmona we come to the River Aterno now called Pescara from the City of Pescara which is very near built by the ancient City of Aterno from whence the River hath its name The said City is ennobled with the dignity of a Marquisat possest by the Family Davolo Going a little farther towards the Mediterrane is the little Castle of Cantalupo situated at the foot of a Hill under the which most miraculously doth flow a liquor called the stony oyle the which is very carefully gathered for the vertue and medicinable operation Afterward appears Caramanico a noble Country the Territory whereof is very fertile and a little beneath is to be seen Cusano in whose higher parts the River Librata endeth in Pescara in old time called Albula into the which runneth two little Rivers which also descend from Maiella in the midst whereof is the Country of Lietto Manupello in whose Territory is a Mine of Pitch which was found the year 1577. And it is in the manner of Tarr Being now come to an end of this Province it remains that I declare somewhat of the Inhabitants The people of this Country are very tall and strong and in countenance not much unlike the French Nation in bargaining with strangers they are simple and courteous full of courage and much affected to the profession of Arms wherein they grow to great perfection they are not very costly in their apparel but much given to hunting they are also well inclined to Learning and apply themselves much to the study of the Law and Phisick The Arms belonging to this Province is or a wild Boars head couped in pale on bas a yoke in chief gu noting as I think thereby the great abundance of wild Hoggs that are therein and with this that memorable exploit that chanced between these people and the Romans as it is before recited moreover it may be said that these two charges should signifie the same service placing the head of the Boar as a fierce and cruel beast for the arrogancy of the Romans put under the yoke But I refer my self to better judgment ABRUZZO On the other side the tenth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe worthy and renowned Alfonsus of Aragon the first of this name King of Naples willing to take away the continual strife which fell out among the Collecters of the Impost and Custom of Abruzzo divided the said Province into two parts and so that which is included in Aterno and the Hills of Marsi is called Abruzzo ulteriore which I am now to handle This part contained the Marrucini Piligni and Ferentani and part of the Sanniti Abruzzo is now divided from Campania of Rome between the Region of the Equicoli and a little River of obscure name having on the one side certain Vaults and Caves and on the other a high Hill It is divided from the Province of Abruzzo on this side by a branch of the River Pesâ—ara running from the foot of the Apennine above Raiano and directly against Popoli endeth its course and a little higher by the Apennine Hils near the head of the River Sangro between Pesco and Sarli and Gioia and above the Lake Fucino in the utmost parts of the Marsi By the same Hils which lie towards the South it is also divided from the Country of Lavoro by the River Garigliano even at the spring which riseth by the Valley of Orvito under the Fountain near to Balzorano cometh Abruzzo on this side to joyn with the Territory of Sora. And these places end not only with the Marsi the Marrucini the Peligni the Ferentani the Vestini the Sanniti and the Preguntini of Abruzzo but also with the Territory of Naples This Countrey is both in men and situation very strong it hath great plenty of Corn heards of Cattel and Wine it hath many Rivers and an excellent air there is great variety both for hunting and fowling there are also Bears and great store of Wolves But now coming to describe in particular the Rivers and the Cities which are in this Province I will begin from the shore where is a Castle called Montepagano and going along twelve miles upon the Sea-side is to be seen the River Viciola which springeth from the Apennine near the Mount Corvo and running along entreth into the River Tordino by Pliny called Iuvanâ—â—o which also floweth from the Apennine near to the foot of the said Hill Corvo Among the said Rivers appears Teramo a City full of civility the Bishop thereof is ennobled with many Titles of dignity and the Lord is called a Duke The said City is the head of all this Country named by Pliny and Ptolomy Interamnia the which name it had because it is situated among the Rivers for a little above it runneth into Tordino a swift stream called Fiumicello near the which are three Countries so near that they are all called by one only name Campio Above the Fountain of the River Vicola are these Castles Bisigno and Rugnano from the River Tordino to the River Vomano by the sea-side are only six miles and between the one and the other are many Countries and Castles some in the midst and others nearer to the one then the other because the Rivers in their courses make many turnings It were requisite to declare with what order all these are placed from the head to the feet and first is Murro Locaristo Guardia di Vomano the old Castle Transmondo Cautiâ—no Forcella Miano Rapino Colle Vecchio Fornaâ—olo Montorio Poggio Vmbreco and Rosseo and where Vomano springeth from the Apennine are
The River Calabrice entreth into the River Sibare and runneth near Pagiano The River Clanio called also Glanio runneth near Cerra The River Canne runneth three miles distant from the City of Venosa and entreth into the River Lofanto near the which Rive was in old time the beautifull City Canne called of the Latines Canusium the which place is so famous both by Poets and Historians so much named for the great overthrow which Hannibal gave to the Romans thorough the timâ—rity and presumption of Terentius Varro as Livy apparently declares in his 21 book and Sillio Italico in his 9 book Plutarch in the life of Hannibal and of Scipio with many other Writers in the which overthrow was slain the Consul P. Emilio L. Ascilio L. Furio Bicacculo Treasurers of the Wars 21 military Tribunes and many Pretors Councellers and Ediles whereof were Gn. Servilio and Gn. Minutio Numantio the which had been the year before Master of the Cavaliery and 80 Senators There was slain in this great overthrow 40000 footmen and 2700 of the Roman Cavalry and as many of their friends and conâ—edâ—rates and many prisoners taken Ptolomeus otherwise nameth this place Canusium and Martial making mention of Canne thus saith Haec tibi turbato Canusina simillimamulso Munus erit gaude non fiet cito anus The River Clanto runneth near Loriano The River Cosano runneth near Asserolo The River Casinio now called Sanguino runneth near Venafro The River Cales runneth near the ancient City of Cales now called Calvi The River Cerbalo runneth near Civitella in Puglia The River Calabrice runneth near Fagliano and entreth into the River Sibare D THe River Diama passeth near to Cerella E The River Esaro runneth near the City of Corrone The River Eterno passeth near Teano The River Evoli passeth near Evoli F THe River Fâ—â—miceilo runneth near the City of Termole The River Fâ—umiculo runneth near Civitella The River Fiterno now called Salino passeth near the City of Sâ—lino The River Freddo passeth near the City of Freddo The River Frento otherwise called Fortore runneth near Larino a ruinated City The River Furore passeth near Vieteri The River Fanes called also Siris runneth near the City of Benevento The River Fineto passeth near Regina The River Fibrena runneth between the City of Arpino and Sora G THe River Glanco passeth near Valerosa The River Gineto called also Thieto runneth near the said Country The River Gronde passeth near the territory of Balbino in Calauria The River Garga runneth two miles distant from the Country of Summoranno The River Grande runneth near Altomonte The River Galesso runneth into the haven of Taranto called the little Sea The River Garigliano called in old time Ganicus and now Liris passeth near the ancient City of Minturna destroyed long since I THe River Isauro passeth near the City of Nieto now called Donato The River Isclaro passeth near the City of Caserta The River Isauro runneth near the City of Agatha The River Ispica passeth near the City of Pietra Fitta The River Ipoleto passeth near Nicastro L THe River Lite called in old time Liris and sometime Glanicus is now called Garigliano the said River runneth between Arce and Sora Pliny saith that this River hath its original from the Lake Fucino The River Librata of the Ancients and among others Pliny calleth it Albula for the whiteness thereof the said River passeth into Abruzzo and runneth not far off from Civitella of Tronto This River springeth from the Apennine The River Leudo runneth near the Country of Paolo The River Lavo called also Laino runneth near Scalea The River Lento passeth near the Monastery of St. Liberatore and the City of Frantana now called Francavilla this River springeth from the Hill Maiella The River Lucinio passeth near Rossano The River Linterno passeth not very far from the River Vulturno The River Lofanto called also Aufido runneth near Canosa by Pliny it is named Aufidus and it is also so called by Strabo by Pomponius Mela and by other ancient writers This River riseth from a little Fountain of the Apennine hils among the Irpini not far distant from the City of Nosco and from hence descendeth as a little brook of water which in summer the course or current thereof can hardly be perceived to run 30 miles but in the winter season it is so much augmented by other Rivers and streams which pass into it and besides through the showers and dews that are very often in that season it overfloweth the greatest fields of Puglia so comforting and watering the Country that it seems a large long and great sea The River Larasca springeth in Taranto M THe River Melpi runneth near the City of the ancient Atinagia now ruinated The River Moscano passeth near Piesco The River Metauro runneth near Maida The River Mesina runneth near Policastro The River Moro passeth near Ortona to the Sea The River Moncata runneth near Lacania and Maida in Calauria in the Territory of which Country grow the Plantane Trees a thing very rare in Italy The River Medama passeth near Belloforte The River Metauro passeth near Nicotera The River Marno passeth near Terranova The River Melfa runneth near the ancient City of Atina which was one of the five Cities which were built for the defence of Turnus against Eneas as Virgil saith in the seventh book of his Eneidos The River Musanio springeth in the mountains of Crepacore N THe River Nursa passeth near the Abby of St. Clement The River Neta passeth near Torana and Regia The River Neeto passeth neere Crotrone O THe River Ocinaro called also Sabatio passeth near Martorano The River Obvio passeth near Capestrano P The River Piomba runneth near Toritto The River Paola runneth near the City of Paola The River Pratello passeth near Piedemonte The River Petrace runneth near Gioia Lhe River Pesipo runneth near Nicastro The River Panopleto passeth near Maida The River Pitornio runneth near the Lake Fucino The River Plumba passeth near Hadria R THe River Rufeo runneth near Caramanico The River Raino runneth near Paleno The River Reatio runneth near Messuraca called in old time Reatium S THe River Sabuto passeth near Nocera and the ancient City of Teberina which was destroyed by Hannibal of Carthage and as the Ancients do affirm Ligia one of the Sirenes inhabited upon the mouth of the said River The River Sebeto called by the Latines Sebethos is a little River which passeth without the walls of the noble City of Naples which the Neopolitans call the River Magdalena by reason of a Church dedicated to the said Saint near which the said River passeth Papin Statio makes mention of the said River uâ— his first book de Selve saying Et pulchra tumeat Sebethos alumna It is also named by Virgil by Statio and by Colomella and by many other writers The River Senno called in old time Siri runneth near Amendolara and the ancient City of Sino which was afterward named Heraclea where the Statue of Minerva is very
famous which rouled the eys against the Ionii which sackt the City not respecting it The River Sapre runneth near the ancient City of Sapri now ruinated The River Semiro runneth near Squillace The River Seminara runneth near the said Country The River Sebatio called also Ocinaro passeth near Abatio The River Salinello called also Suino passeth near Villanto The River Sino runneth near Corvignano The River Sarno called also Scafato passeth near the City of Sarno The River Soricella runneth near Grotta The River Sabaro called by the Latins Sibaris runneth near the ancient City of Turia in Calauria the water whereof being drank by oxen sheep and other cattel makes their skins to become black where very near is the River Crate which worketh the contrary effect The River Saro now called Sangro passeth near Fossa Ceca The River Sento runneth near the hill Zalario The River Scosa passeth near Niceto The River Sagara very famous in Calauria for the cruel battel between the Locresi and the Crutonesi T THe River Targine passeth near Crotone The River Tauro passeth near Civita di Penna The River Tara riseth under Massafra near Taranto The River Tordino called by Pliny Vivantium runneth near the ancient City of Flaviano now called Castello nuovo The River Trinio runneth near Vasto aimone The River Tamaro passeth near Castello franco the City of Morcone The River Tiro runneth near the Territory of Baldino in Calauria The River Trero passeth near Ceccano The River Tavo runneth near the City of Tavo The River Tinnaria runneth near Paola The River Turbido passeth near Torano The River Triferno called also Piferno passeth near Termole The River Tropoalto runneth near Ariano The River Trigno hath his beginning from Vasto and fetching a compass divideth Puglia from Abruzzo The River Tronto called by Ptolomy in his third book Truentinum and by Strabo Druentum and by Pomponius Mela is named Truentium this River riseth from the Apennine Strabo and Pliny saith that in old time was builded the Castle Truento near the mouth of the River by the people Tiburni of Dalmatia and called it Truentium which at this present remains not any mention thereof neither can it be known whether the River was named from it or it from the River this River runneth within 5 miles of Crapolle V THe River Ufente called in old time Ansure from the ancient City of Ansure now called Tarracina The River Viciola runneth near Canzano The River Vomano called also Homano runneth near Calvano The River Volturno passeth near the ancient Volturno now it is called the River of Capua because it runneth by the said City The River Variano passeth near Cusano The River Verre runneth near Bello-monte The River Vado runneth near Sinopoli The River Verde springeth in the Hill Maiella between the Monastery of St. Martine and the Castle Faran of the Peligni now called Abruzzo the said River runneth near the City of Casale and of Colle Macine Vpon the bank of the said River was the body of Manfred King of Naples buried by the commandment of the Pope and upon his Tomb was ingraven this Epitaph Hic jaceo Caroli Manfredus Marie subactus Caesaris haerede non fuit urbe locus Sum patris ex odiis ausus confligere Petro Mars dedit hic mortem Mors mihi cuncta tulit Of the Hils which are in the Kingdom ABuceto is a very high Hill in the Isle of Ischia called in old time Enaria Inarime and Pithecusa upon the which Hill springeth a River of the same name Aburno is a Hill in the Province of Lucania now called Basilicata which was a part of Calauria This Hill is called of the Latines Alburnus because it is all white Virgil makes mention of the said Hill in the third of his Georgicks saying Primus Alburnum Volitans Atheneo a Hill called in old time Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano and now it is called the Hill of Massa from the City of Massa which stands but a little distant from the City of Surrento There is to be seen on the said Hill towards the Sea a great part of the ancient Temple of Minerva Astruno is a high Hill which standeth but a little distant from Pozzuolo in the midst of which Hill is a Plain very low reduced into a circle two miles in compass where is a little Pool with Sulphure-water which issueth out on every side very comfortable and wholsome for those that are diseased and feeble Savonarola maketh mention of the said Baths calling them Astrana Vgolino cals them Struna balnea Circello named by the Latines Mons Cerces and Circeus and of Ptolomy Girceum promontorium This Hill lieth near to Gaeta and was so called of Circes the daughter of the Sun and the Nymph Perse sister of Aethe King of the Colchi the great Magitian who being married to the King of the Sarmatians poisoned him through the desire she had to domineer and bear rule her self the which was the cause that she was chased away by all the people and so she came to inhabit in this Hill which did abound with great plenty of excellent hearbs and there made her residence with the which hearbs the Ancients have feigned that she transformed men into beasts There was upon the said Hill in old time a very beautifull and goodly City of the same name with the Temple of Circes and the obscure Cave of Minerva where was shewed in the time of Strabo for the truth thereof a Cup wherein Vlisses drank Into the said City Tarquin the proud brought many inhabitants because the fields Pometini very large and fair were near the Sea subject to the said Plain as Dionysius of Alicarnassus writeth in his fifth book and Livy in the first Much is written of the said Hill in many places both by Dionysius Strabo Livy Pliny Pomponius Mela Solina Procopio and also Virgil in his seventh book The said City being afterward ruinated in place thereof was made a very strong Castle which was a secure passage for many Roman Bishops The Hill Carcino now called Capo di Stilo and by Ptolomeo named Promontorium Carcinum is the longest Promontory in all Italy as Pliny writeth by opinion of others Barbaro in the corrections of Pliny saith that it ought to be called Cocintum as the ancient books of Pliny declare and also of Polybius Barbaro besides saith that the book of Pliny was corrupted when he saith the Castle of Carceno was near to Petilia because he should have said Caecinum of which speaketh Filisto saying thus Caecinum est oppidum non multum à Sicilia distans The Cape of Squillace is a Hill upon the which in old time was the City of Squillac◠called by Pliny Scyllatius and by Strabo by Solinus and by Pomponius Mela Scyllatius The said City was builded by the Atenesi the companions of Menestro which arived there Crepacore is a great back or brow of the Apennine the which for the steepness and difficult
to be very violent in it King Philip raisd an Army of 10000. foot and 1500 horse under the command of Don Alonso de Vargas a Veteran and a great experiencd Captain they of Aragon having notice hereof were preparing another Army in opposition but the King with his own hand writ to them a gracious Letter in these words No aver levantado aquel Exercitâ— si no para passar a Francia que el era mejor Aragonez que los que aconse javan se le estorvasse el passo y se maravillava mucho se creyes cosa que a el aun no avia passado por el pensamiento y menos romper lâ—s privilegios a un Reyno a quien amava tanto The Army which he was a raising was to no other end but to pass to France he was a better Arrogonian then those who gave advice that this Army shold be stopd in the passage and he wonderd much that credit shold be given to things that never entred into his head where he never habourd the least thought to infringe the priviledge of a Kingdome which he lovd so well This Letter was like a gilded Pill with strong Drugs within for no sooner was the Letter sent but Don Alonso followd with his Army and came to the gates of Sarogosa his Soldiers crying out for France for France Don Alonso being entred the chief Justice of Aragon thinking to fly away was apprehended and according to a private order Don Alonso had from the King to dispatch in the first place Don Iohn de Nuza y que a un mismo punto le avisasse de su prision y de su muerte who shold have notice at the same instant of his imprisonment and death Don Iohn being thus apprehended was hurried into a Coach and two Jesuits to prepare him for death he askt by vertue of what Sentence hereupon they shewd him that short order which Philip all of his own hand-writing had delivered Don Alonso That Don Iohn de Nuza was the prime Officer of the Kindom of Aragon a goodly fair young man and of a gallant presence therfore his death was very much lamented specially being descended of the most illustrious and ancientst Families of that Kingdom many other persons of quality and the chief Ring-leaders of this Tumult were executed and their heads and members set up in quarters upon the gates of the City Antonio Perez had made his escape from Saragosa two daies before towards France to the Country of Bern where Katherine Queen of Navarr and Mother to Henry the fourth gave him protection and entertainment whereupon a publick Ban was proclaimd that whosoever could bring him alive or dead should have 6000. crowns therfore not finding himself secure so neer Spain he fled to England and thence removd to Paris where he did lead the remainder of his life gazd upon as he passd the streets as a strange Monster of Fortune but cryed up for a person of notable sound parts and politick Speculations A little after King Philip his Generall Don Alonzo having already dispatcht the principalst part of the business before him made a kind of progress to his Kingdom of Aragon and convokd a Parliament to meet at Tarasona but a generall pardon preceded his summons only the Town of Tervel and Albarracin excepted with 145. persons besides which he afterwards forgave so he confirmed unto them such priviledges as he thought he enacted new Lawes and repeald many old so the Kingdom gave him a present of about four hundred thousand crowns so he returned triumphantly from Aragon to Castille having thus deprest the courage of that high crested people And if ever that Aphorism was verified viz. That Rebellion supprest makes the Prince the stronger surely it was in this great Action as may be inferrd out of the former transactions in that Kingdom Upon crushing of this Aragonian Cocatrice in the shell there was a monstrous strange Hydra engendred in France with I cannot tell how many heads The Huguenots began to be potent and turbulent there the Queen-mother Katherine de Medicis with the Guisards were great Bigots and abhorring that faction being most fervent in the advance of the Roman cause they made war against the Huguenots upon those grounds Therupon Philip being the Catholick King could do no less in the quarrell of the holy Church then reach his Arme and assist them which he did by sending order to the Duke of Parma his Governour in Flanders to that end who accordingly rusht into France and pursued his march as far as the walls of Paris At his entrance into France he repaird to the Cathedrall Church of Meaux where he protested and solemnly swore that he came to France with that Army which consisted of 10000. foot and 3000. horse to no other intent but to deliver the oppressed friends of the King then under minority from the violence of Rebells and Heriticks in which quarrell he wold expose his person to any perils whatsoever and he knew every soul under the Banners of his Catholike Majesty which were in this Army wold do the like Having receivd this speciall command and knowledg of his sayd Majesties pleasure accordingly This intricat and mysterious War calld the Ligue lasted by intermissions in France above thirty yeers and it came to such a multiplicity of Interests that every Province became Frontire to one another insomuch that that gallant entire compleat Kingdom was like to be cut into fragments cantonizd Queen Eliz of England was offerrd by the Hugonots a good part but fore-seeing what confusion it wold bring and how much it wold enfeeble the power of that Kingdom which is the greatest one knot of strength and entire power that is able to counterbalance that of the Monarchy of Spain she refused the proffer and rather assisted the preservation of the Regall power in that Kingdom King Philip having don such signall Services for the Roman Catholicks in France having wownd himself out of the Ligue from warring against Heritiks as he calld the Hugonots he turnd his Sword against Infidels he sent a puissant Army both by Land and Sea under Don Francisco de Mendosa who was Commander in chief for the Conquest of Oran upon the Coasts of Barbary which design provd so succesfull that it took effect yet not without much expence of blood and treasure which made the triumph more glorious for Turpis sine pulvere palma Having thus reducd Oran and som Territories circumiacent from Mahumetismie and the half Moon to be under the Standard of the Cross he pursued his good Fortunes and assaulted another Fort in Barbary calld Penion de Velez which he also carried but not without som difficulty After a little breathing from beating the Turk in Barbary he had opportunity to meet him at Malta which being besiegd by Solyman he sent to his Viceroy of Naples and Sicily to make what strength they could to assist the great Master and Knights of that noble