adorne their garments therewith as we doe with silver and gold lace In former times they were much addicted to sorcery and witchcraft howbeit that is now well reformed Their tents In stead of houses they use tents made of the barke of birch sowed together Their tents In the winter time they meete togther at certaine places and faile not where both these aforementioned merchants find them to trafficke with the Kings customers The meetings to demand their tribute and the Churchmen were wont to come to catechize them and to baptize their children c. But Charles the 9. and father to this famous and great Gustavus now raigning built in severall places of this country certaine chappells and churches for the exercise of Religion Nature of the people This people is ninble active and very good souldiers which if envy it selfe should deny yet that memorable battell fought neer Leipzig will witnes to the worlds end Good soldiers Diamonds Topazes and Amethists among them some of the hils of this country yeeld precious stones viz. Diamonds Topazes and Amethists At this day these Laplanders are subject to 3. Kings of Sweden Denmark and the great Duke of Russia The greatest the best part of this country viz. all the South mediterranian part belongs to the King of Sweden a very huge vast countrey extending from the 69. to the 71. degree of northerly latitude being above 400. miles in length and above 360. in breadth Diuision of this countrey This country is diuided into 5. several territories or jurisdictions called Lapmarchia to wit Vmalapmarck Pitalapmarck Tornlapmarck Kimilapmarck whose inhabitants pay tribute to none but to the King rf Sweden To Norway now under the danish King belongeth that tract running along the sea-coast called Finmarchia and the inhabitants Siofuni or maritime inhabitants living upon fish onely The rest belongs to the Russian Prince from the castle of Vardhus to the mouth of the milbrie sea in the Swedish tongue called Trennes in the Laplanders language Prihinienni and in the Russian speech Tarchanavolech even at this day Now next after the country of Sweden followes in order Gothia Gothia or Gothland as if one should say a good land being also subect to the Crowne of Sweden divided from the same by a great wood only This is the ancient country and naturall soile of so many warlike people which in former ages have made their names famous to future generations which honour many other nations would willingly assume unto themselves the which subject for brevities sake I must here passe This countrey is divided into two parts Division of this country East and West Gothland To West Gothland belong these Provinces following Vestrogothia Dalia and Vermelandia vnto which some joyne Hallandia Vestrogothia Vestrgothia as it is somewhat inferiour to the most fruitfull parts of Sweden in regard of corne so doth it againe in good pastures for cattle exceed them wherein consists their chiefe riches as the others in their tillage increase of corn It is also watered with many rivers yeelding great store of fish besides divers Citties and Townes The Citties Citties are Gotheburgum a great and rich staple for trafficke Slara an Episcopall Sea Mariesladum and Lidecopia The townes Townes thereof Fabropia Sbredni Hin Bogesurd Beretta and Lindosia the old Dalia Dalia is a mountainous countrey in most places hath many fishie rivers and lakes and pasture for cattell in no small abundance in so much that there are farre greater oxen found in that countrey then in other places Vermelandia Vermelandia among all the Gothish Provinces best inhabited and colonies first carried thither by Olaus Trekelius It is a hilly and wood-land countrey yet not unfurnished of yron mynes and one of copper reasonable rich but lately found aut In it is one citty called Carolostadium Carolostadium built by Charles the 9. in a place before called Tingualla Hallandia a little countrey adjoyning thereto because belonging to the King of Denmarke I there of set purpose passe by The Provinces of East Gothland are Ostrogothia Smalandia and Oelandia with which in former times were also reckoned Gotlandia Scania and Blockingia Ostrogothia Ostrogothia is for the most part a plaine champian countrey and so fruitfull that it exceedeth many other Provinces of Sweden and by some thought Fertility of the soyle not to equall onely but even to exceede Vpland it selfe the principall Province of the whole Swedish dominion It is exceeding pleasant and very well furnished with many fishie rivers abundance of wild beasts and wild fowle and finally whatsoever is useful for mans sustnance except wine and salt Neither is it unfurnished of mynes in the mountanous parts of Godegard Hellestaberg and Vangaberg In it is seated the City Vadstenan adorned with a faire castle and an Abbey dedicate to Saint Brigeta There is besides it Scheningia sometimes of great fame and note but now reduced to the forme of a Towne Laenicopia an Episcopall Sea Norcopia and Sudercopia two famous staples or Townes for trafficke Smalandia Smalandia a large country above 300. miles in compasse and is for the most part full of great woods and yet for good pastures nothing inferiour to many of the neighbour countries Good pastures insomuch that they send many very great fed cattle into Denmarke which are from thence yeerely in great abundance sent into all high Germany and the lowcountries In it are also great store of great rivers lakes wel stored with abundance of excellent good fish Mines of copper and steele In that part called Tinstia there are copper mines newly found out In Taberg there are good steele mynes and besides out of their lakes they gather a certaine rude matter which with very small labour is made very good yron This countrey is divided into divers parts the principall whereof are Ticherad Verandia Tinstia Division of this country as also Finberdia and Mantingia famous for the Longobards expedition Cities for the largenesse of the countrey it hath not many the chiefe are Calmarnia Ievecâ—pias Vexio an Episcopall Sea Elresio and Vestervile Olandia Olandia is a rich and fruitfull Iland abounding in many rich commodities But because this Iland as likewise Hallandia and Bleckingia are at this present under the obedience of the Danish King Occasion of warres betwixt the two neighbouring Princes .. I will here passe by it And yet shall it not be out of purpose to take notice that these Ilands have beene the cause of great quarrells and controversies betwixt these two neighbouring Princes Sweden and Denmark and no lesse cotnrouersie hath it caused among Writers some pretending a right some a long prescription of time to corroborate the Title of their Prince whose right they tooke upon them to maintaine Finlandia Next in order followes Finland which some thinke so to be called in comparison of Sweden as though it did
especially such places as adjoyne next unto the great lake Ladesco Ozera but 15. or 20. miles further from the lake it is so marshie and fenny that the mountainous and hilly parts thereof will onely beare corne for the which cause the inhabitants there live most vpon fish and wild beasts and this aforementioned lake is one of the greatest of all Europe Greatest lake of all Europe as being above 190. miles in length and about 80. in breadth and of this lake about the fifth part onely belongs to the Russian Prince and all the rest to the Crowne of Sweden In this great lake besides the great abundance of Salmons and other fishes there is there caught a little fish also little bigger then a hering and in their language called Ladog no where else in all Russia but there to be found from whence this lake takes the denomination In the countrey of Rexholme A peculiar fish Rubies are some rubies found Next Carelia followes both in the order of nature and situation the countrey called Ingria Ingria which was but lately annexed to the Crowne of Sweden The soile is very fruitful in the which are many rivers full of good wholesome fish Besides in that country is great store of wild fowle and wild beasts of severall kinds and among these they hunt most that wilde beast in Latin called Alce Alce Elgh or Elent in the Swedish language Elgh and in high Dutch Elent These beasts twice a yeere in great troopes passe over the river Nieva for in the spring they passe in great number out of Russia into Carelia and in harvest againe returne the same way into Russia This countrey hath in it many strong forts and castles which have hitherto beene accounted the keyes of the Russian kingdome and no other in all his dominious with them to be compared Notteburg Notteburg is the chiefest and strongest hold of all the rest and therefore held impregnable howbeit at length taken in by the victorious King now reigning as hereafter shall appeare In the same counry are also Capurio Courio Iamagâ—rod Iamarod Castles not onely strong by nature but very well furnished also by the art of man The last of all the Provinces belonging to this Crowne and Kingdome of Sweden is called Esthonia being a part of that vast countrey called Livonia and hath not beene vnder the Swedish gouernment above 60 and odde yeeres and by this meanes came first under that iurisdiction Esthonia How it came first under the Swedish Crowne Certaine Nobles who tooke upon them to propogate the Christian religion being sent for into Livonia forgetting the errand they came about gave themselves wholly over to carnall lust and gluttonie and drunkennesse and withall keeping the inhabitants in such a base and slauish subiection that they seemed rather to command ouer beasts then men And for this cause God the auenger of all wrongs and punisher of all wickednesse stirred vp Basilius the tyrant of Muscovia to suppresse their insolencie and punish their pride who subdued a great part of Livonia destroying all in their way that made resistance with fire and sword These poore Livonians now perceiuing themselves put to such a strait implored the ayde of the Emperour Charles the 5. keeping then a dyet or generall meeting of the whole estates of the Empire at Ausbourg 1551. this countrey then being a member of the Empire The Emperour then distracted with other warres not being able to send them any succour wished them to seeke for succour and and ayde of the king of Sweden and other neighbouring Princes The Revalians therefore and the Oselians demand ayde of the king of Denmarke Revalia being heretofore built by Valdâ—â—â—arius a King of Denmarke and from him received their priviledges howbeit to no end And therefore fiâ—ding no sudden succour against so mighty and potent a Pâ—inâ—e they were constrained to implore ayde of Ericus 14 king of Sweden and therefore in the yere 1561 freely submitted themselves under his obedience which petition of theirs notwithstanding his father Gustavus had in his life time denied and therefore some are of opinion that this king Ericus brought vpon himselfe and successours a great deale of trouble His sonne Iohn was as wel successour to this quarrell as to the kingdome and tooke from the Russian many of his strong holds Provinces of this countroy The Provinces of this countrey of Esthionia are Revalia towards the North seated neere vnto the Finnicke gulfe vizia in which are these places Rosenburgh Tolsburgh and Borholme Alentakia where is that famous merchant staple Naruia and Nystot Iervia where is Wittensleyn and Lais and Vickia where are Hapsal Lebal and Lode And to this Esthionia belong these Islands also Dagho Orinso Nuko VVrango Odensholme Nargo Vlfso and the one and other Nogho the inhabitants of which places as also of Osilea and most of the maritime parts of the continent speake the Swedish lâ—nâ—uage In this great countrey of Livonia besides the Swedish Fâ—ve severall languages in Livonia there are yet foure other seuerall languages spoken the German or high Dutch vsed by the Nobles and better sort in the North-parts towards the Finnicke gulfe the Estthionian or Finnicke in the mediterranean parts the Livonians being now almost quite worne out and finally in the South parts thereof they vse the Letticke speech or of the countrey of Lettow which the people Eureles likewise vse the which is as it were a hodge-podge of many severall languages mingled together And these languages differ not onely in dialects but wholly and totally one from another This whole countrey of Livonia Commodities of the countrey and consequently this Esthionia abound with all such things as are necessary for the life of man and are vsually to be found in these Northerne climats And so much shall suffice shortly to haue said concerning the description of the countrey of Sweden and Provinces subiect to the Swedish dish crowne CHAP. III. Of the nature manners and customes of the Suecians or Swedish and into how many rankes or degrees all these people are diuided THis people is reasonable wittie and vnderstanding Nature of the inhabitanâ—s and that not onely for learning and vnderstanding of any mechanicall trade but even for the learning of the arts and sciences as also any outlandish tongues whatsoeuer For such as are of any eminent ranke and degree or competent meanes content not themselves with their Latine tongue and knowledge of the liberall arts but give themselves also very much to the learning of the Germane or high Dutch French tongues In former times their maners conditions were very plaine and homely and although now somewhat declining from former simplicitie yet are they farre from that height of luxurie and pride whereunto many other nations are now so much addicted Not so vicious as many other Nations Apparell of this people Their buildings The apparell of the vulgar sort is but
the same yeare The next yeare after she bare him againe another daughter called also 2. Christina yet living and in the yeare 1627 she was in a Parliament then holden at Stockeholme declared nere apparent to the crowne of Sweden It hath been a little before related how his father Charles the ninth of that name died during his warre with Denmarke and withall hath beene shewed how at the same time the same Prince had hot warre with the Prince of Russia by which may easily appeare into what a labyrinth of troubles was this young king at his first comming to the crowne involved In both these warres he carryed his affaires so well that thorow the helpe of Almighty God he hath procured himselfe ever since a firme and inviolable peace with that great Prince His war with the king of Denmarke He had with the Dane divers conflicts yet alwayes demeaned himselfe so worthily that he came off with great honour and credit so that at length that great king seeing hee had to meddle with his match was willing to accoÌ„odate his Martiall thoughts to entertaine a treatie of peace and so these two greaâ— Princes of mortall enemies became loving and kind friends and have since confirmed a strait league of amity and friendship As for the Russian Prince he had with him yet some greater difficulty to undergoe there resting some strong and almost impregnable places to be taken and the evidences concerning such territories as the Russian had for good consideration assigned his father to bee recovered And although my purpose bee not particularly to enlarge my selfe upon all the severall occurrences of this warre yet are there in the same some things to be obserued not unworthy the râ—â—ders consideration whereof I will give but a touch After his fathers decease then His war with the Russian Prince having setled the affaires of his kingdome at home although he had to deale with so patent an enemie as the king of Denmarke as hath beene said already yet did he not neglect this warre against the Russian and for this purpose prepared a great army to prosecute that which his father had left unfinished Now it is to bee understood that these forts and places hee tooke in from the Russian Prince are the strongest holds 〈…〉 it were the very keyes of all the Russian dominion That countrey is corruptly called Reaholme The countrey of Carelia corruptly called Reaholme taken in from a strong City and Castle seated in two little Ilands in the mouth of the river Woxen in the one of which the Castle and in the other the City is seated although the right name of this countrey among Historians be knowne by the name Carelia But among all these strong holds castles none is to be compared with the strong fort Notreburg The invincible force of Notrebugh which hath therefore hitherto ever beene holden invincible untill now of late experience hath taught us the contrary It is built in a little Iland in the mouth of the swift river Nerva and by reason of the breadth of the river could not be battered with ordnance This strong castle therefore being of so great importance was never unfurnished But the great God of heaven who according to his good will and pleasure disposes of all these sublunary things and infatuates the wisedome of the wise delivered this inuincible fort into the hands of an invincible Prince a presage no doubt of his future great and glorious victories But the manner is yet more admirable for within the souldiers were not unfurnished of sufficient foode and the enemies force as said is they needed not much to feare The strange manner of taking in the Castle of Notreburg but within their mouthes and throats there grew so many great warts that although they had food sufficient yet could they not feed on the same nor yet swallow down any sustenance for the which cause they were forced to surrender this strong fort into his maiesties hands And so he that made the walls of Iericho at the sound of a rammes horne to fall downe to make a way for his owne people of Israel to enter this City found out this way to take in this invincible fort And whosoever sees not the same providence accompanying prospering him in this so great a warre now undertaken against the whole power of the Austrian house and the Catholike league I thinke is more then pur-blind There is in that same countrey another strong Castle Iuanogorod The taking in of the strong fort Iuanogorod seated on the top of a high rocke in an Isthmus or narrow plaine a great part thereof being environed with this swift river And although on the west side as it looketh towards the river it might be batered yet both that way as likewise both the south and north parts were well defended by this river and on the east there was a low valley digged by natures owne industry where the people had theâ—r habitation the countrey about being plain and levell and so high that the ordnance could touch onely the tops of the turrets and goe no lower Neither yet was there any undermining by reason of that soile which was altogether rockie This fort notwithstanding together with the former 2. and many more were by this same king taken in the yeare 1617 in so much that this great Prince was then put in no small feare of loosing all or the greater part of his dominion whereof there was then no small danger Wherefore the great Knezor or Duke Michael Feodoronitz sonne to the former perfidious Iuani Vasilienitz Suski earnestly suing for peace it was at length by the mediation of king Iames of famous memory effected and in the yeare 1618. fully finished and agreed upon And thus were those aforementioned townes and forts and divers others belonging to this Carelia Ruthenica or countrey of Rexholme together with all the deeds and evidences thereunto pertaining resigned over and delivered into the hands of this king and for ever annexed unto the Crowne of Sweden and all other places during this warre taken from the Russian againe to him restored as in the articles of agreement in 18. more at length is to be seene Neither was this king then past 21. yeares of age when he had brought to a happy end two so great and important warres Now after this happy and peaceable conclusion having established peace in al his Prouinces he gave not himselfe over to his lustfull pleasures as is often too customary with young Princes nor to drowne himselfe with sinnefull delights but gaue himselfe wholly to beautifie and adorne this peaceable kingdome whereof shee was now fully possessed which could no better be effected then by nonfirming the ancient good and wholesome lawes and constitutions of the kingdome adding some others as occasion required Confirmation of the ancient lawes concerning trafficke and commerce betwixt the sea townes And therefore as was already touched he not
A SHORT SVRVEY OF THE KINGDOME of Svveden CONTAINING A BRIEFE DEScription of all the Provinces of this whole Dominion As also the riches of this Kingdome the antiquitie nature and manners of this Nation Together with the Government of this Realme Might and Power of this great King as well by Sea as by Land his great Officers his Customes and Reuenues of the Crowne A Catalogue of many of the Kings of SWEDEN of those especially who have reigned these last five hundreth yeares with some of their most memorable Acts and Deeds with their Alliance and Issue or Off-spring Something also more particularly concerning that Illustrious invincible Great GVSTAVUS ADOLPHUS the 2. and some of his most Memorable Acts since his comming to the Crowne as well before as since his entring into Germany untill this present yeare 1632. LONDON Printed for Michael Sparke and are to â—â— sold at the Blâ—â— Bible in Greene Arboâ— 1632. The Contents or principall heads handled in this whole Discourse 1OF the division of all these Northerne Countries and antiquity of the kingdome of Sweden together with the large extent of this dominion and the commodities this kingdome affords 2 A more particular survey of the kingdome of Sweden with a shore description of the particular parts or Provinces thereof and the benefit they yeeld to the king and subiect 3 Of the nature manners and customes of the Swedish or Suetians and into how many rankes or degrees the people are divided where the Clergie is also comprehended 4 Of the politicke and civill government of the kingdome of Sweden Of their five great Colledges or courts of Iustice and some others also Of the chiefe great officers of the kingdome Of the might and power of the king of Sweden both by sea and land of his horse and foot forces and great store of brasse ordnance Of the great number of warre-ships and other ships for seruice and the great number of marrriners wherewith this kingdome is for all occasions furnished 6 Of customes and tributes or subsi dies ordinary and extraordinary belonging to the king of Sweden 7 A catalogue of some kings of Sweden together with some of their most memorable acts 8 A more particular survey of the last kings of this countrey of these last 500. yeares wiâ—h some other principall acts alliance issue or off-spring 9 Of great Gustavus Adolphus this present king now reigning with his most memorable Acts both before and after his entring into Germany THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOME OF SWEDEN I. OVr moderne Geographers call all those Northern countries of Europe declining towards the North the Northern world Division of the Northern world This whole countrey say they is divided into two parts Scania and Dania Scandia or Scandinania by Pliny called an Iland of unknowne greatnesse hems in begirts about all the northermost part of Europe This is a large and vast Region extending it selfe from the 55. to the 72. degree of northerly latitude above 1000. English miles and from the 25. to the 65. degree of longitude or 2400 of our miles On the south side it borders on Germany and Denmarke on the North and West on the Ocean Sea and on the East on Russia The parts of this countrey lying neerest to the South where the Pole is not elevated above 60 degrees is indifferent temperat the Region lying betwixt the 60. degree and the arctick circle are not so temperate howbeit the intemperature of the ayre is well regulated with the fertility of the soyle in such places especially as are not covered over with woods or rocks in the south easterne parts principally But the extreme or most notthern parts lying betwixt the arctick circle and the pole arctick enjoy neither a temporate ayre nor yet a fruitful soile and since by reason of the faint heat of the Sun corne could not there well ripen therefore the wise Creator of all things hath furnished these countries with great variety of wild beasts and divers rivers lakes gulfes furnished with variety of wholesome fishes for the sustaining of the inhabitants lives It would seem that this Scandia was in former times far more populous then it is at this time witnesse these frequent transmigrations and as it were inundations of the Scanzian people into other remote regions of the world when as partly by reason of the multitude and naturall fecundity or fruitfulnes of that people partly by reason of dearth of corn partly by their inclination to war and avoyding idlenes like Bees they sought out new hives for themselves and their children and those great heapes of stones even at this day in the most desarts woods to be seen in former times no doubt gathered together to cleanse the high waies do undoubtedly evidence unto us that in former times all those places have bin peopled and therefore not without great reason did the ancient writers call this country a shop of people Officinam gentiuÌ„ populoruÌ„ que vaginam from hence have we not only the Normans Suevians Vandals divers other nations but the Westorgoths and Ostrogoths also who after many peregrinations thorow many Provinces and Kingdomes whom they wearied out with their wars at length they setled themselves in Spain where even at this day they beare rule This Scandia or ScaÌ„dinavia Antiquity of the kingdome of Sweden comprehends under it 2 northern kingdomes Sweden Norway The kingdome of Sweden as witnesse the Scanzian histories is more ancient then any of the others from whose Kings hath the ancient families of the Kings of Denmark Norway are desceneded for Dan first King of Denmark from whence this country was called Dania or Danmarchia was the sonne of Humelus the 16 King of Sweden and the Norvegians in their Chronicle before ever they come to their owne reckon vp 25 Kings of Sweden of whom is descended Hwithen by the mother descended of one Soluon a certaine Prince of Norway succeeded him in his dominion and haviuing not a little inlarged the same left it to his lawfull heires and successros from whom Haraldus Harsagher being lineally descended in the fourth degree having vanquished and expelled all the other petty Kings did there first of all establish an absolute Monarchy as witnesseth the ancient Chronicle of Norway written by Master Iohn Martinus Slangerupensis and published in Denmarke Anno. 1595. Of this kingdome of Sweden I purpose now to say some thing as I finde it written in the Swedâ—sh History howbeit as briefely as I can and speaking of the countrey I shall say something of the several Provinces and Territories belonging to this Crowne the commodities and riches they yeeld both to King and Subject as also concerning the politicke government together with divers customes of this countrey In the next place something shall be said of the might and power of this great King both by Sea and Land his chiefe Officers of State c. and then come wee to the Kings of that
countrey both ancient and of latter times with some of their chiefe acts and the latter Kings alliances In the last place is something more particularly said concerning this great Gustavus Adolphus now raigning and his chiefe acts both before and since his expedition into Germany briefly handled The King of Sweden or Swethland call it as you list although untill now of late yeeres not so much taken notice of in these parts of the world as many other Princes and Potentates yet may it well appeare that hee is no meane Prince nor of small power His chiefe countrey and from which he takes his chiefe denomination is called by some Suconia Suconia and the people from thence Sucones as also and with us most frequently Suevia Suevia and the people Swevi now there is in high Germany another countrey founding somewhat like it called Suevia the people Suevi and in high Dutch Swaben bordering on Bavaria being a colonie in former times come out of this countrey of Sweden of whom my purpose is not here to speake This potent King then hath under his dominion not onely this country of Sweden properly so called but also Gothland Flintland and a great part of Lapland besides some Territories in the dominion of the great Duke or Knez of Russia or Muscovia as hereafter shall appeare This countrey is a very fruitfull soyle a land flowing with milke and honey and yeelding corne in great abundance besides the great abundance of mettalls digged out of the bowells of the earth and the excellency of the pastures of this land may from hence appeare that some countrey people of Holland removing their habitation into Sweden affimed that they made as much butter of 60. measures of milke there as they did in Holland of a hundred the like measures This pleasant countrey is replenished with innumerable lakes furnished with most dainty fishes out of these same lakes do run and issue out many pleasant and profitable rivers This country is in the South parts more plain even but towards the North and West more mountainous not without great store of woods very usefull for the fining of those mettals in so great abundance digg'd out of many of those mountaines The maritane parts not of Swethland onley but of Finland also are for the most part environed with high and steepe rocky hils Ilands many of them being scarce covered with greene grasse and this is the cause why it is so hard and difficult a matter for strangers without some skilfull Pilot of the naturall inhabitans to saile neere their shore and strangers at their first approaching wonder that such a country should afford the inhabitants meanes to sustaine life until such time as they are better acquainted with the inner parts of the countrey and this land hath likewise commerce with the I le of Brittaine Denmarke Norway Poland Russia and such other Notherne Regions beyond the 50 or 51 degrees of Northerly latitude that it bringeth forth none of that noble liquor of the grape which is notwithstanding in great abundance brought from other countries and besides they are well furnished with good ale and beere for their ordinary drinke 2. Division of the kingdome of Sweden The Kingdome of Sweden is divided into Sweden Gothland Finland Ingria and Esthionia Sweden or Swethland called Suecia or Sucovia into Sucovia properly so called and the Northlands Nordlandias Of Sucovia properly so called Sucovia and the parts thereof are these parts or Provinces following Vplandia Vestmania Dalecharlia Nevira and Suedermania This country Vplandia Vplandia hath most commonly bin graced with the pre-eminence above the rest and where the King hath most commonly kept his Court. Conmodities of this countrey This country is very well furnished with plenty of very good corne the which is liberally imparted to these daily diggers of mettalls upon the mountaines Mines in this countrey Division of Vplandia It is not destitute of good mines of yron and leed especially and in some places of silver also although not very much It is againe divided into three folk-lands as they call them that is shires or Provinces of three people and these againe sub-divided into smaller parts much answerable to our division of hundred and which name they also attribute unto them Of all the cities and townes not only of this but of all the other Provinces of the Swedish dominions Stackholme Stockholme is the chiefe and where the King most cōmonly makes his abode and residence seated in an Iland among the waters as Venice for the which cause it had this name imposed By meanes of the lake Melenus it hath brought from the inland al maner of grain butter cheese and such other commodies usefull for the life of man as also copper yron and other mettals and again by the same way sends them back such cōmodities as are brought from remote regions and by the sea it is supplied with wine oile salt c. It is much of the same degree of northerly latitude with the city Aberden in the north of Scotland it being seated in the South part of Sweden to wit betwixt the 58. and 59. degree Next unto it is Vpsalia Vpsalia somtime the royal seat of the adjacent northerne parts for there was kept the Kings Court the supreme court of justice and there was also the Archbishops sea with a faire cathedrall Church the which onely of all the rest continueth yet untill this day There there is also a famous Vniversity of the which more hereafter This City is seated as it were in the very center of this rich Province on the banke of the River Sala Besides these there are yet in this Province some others of good note howbeit inferiour to the former to wit Enecopia Sigrundia Oregrundia The next Province of Sneonia is Vestmania Vestmania in fertility nothing inferiour to Vplandia but in mettalls farre exceeding the same for in it is a very rich silver mine called Salbergh as for good yron and steele there is there also great abundance Rich Mines where mines of copper lead and brimstone are not also wanting The chiefe Citty thereof is called Grosia and commonly Westeras adorned with a Bishops sea and a cathedrall Church where is also a saire stately castle to be seene and heere may one see great store of copper and lead brought from the hils of that countrey There are yet besides this the Townes Arbogia and Koping abounding with the same mettalls but yron especially The Province of Dalecharlia Dalecharlia although it be not inferiour to the former in the abundance of mettalls and mineralls yet in the abundance of good copper digged out of these deepe vaults and cavernes to the no small amazement of such as are not acquainted with such sights it doth farre exceede any other and besides copper the same myne yeeldeth yet great store of brimstone alum and copperas And the water which is drawne from
thence A profitable water changeth yron into good copper with the losse of the fourth part if the waight of the yron be in small pieces and the third part only if the pieces be great and thick This countrey yeelds also good store of graine howbeit scarce sufficient to furnish those laborious painefull pioners there being there such a number of them maintained at worke Next unto it is Nericia Nericia where although there be a silver myne yet yeelding but small benefit is therefore neglected The mynes of brimstone yeeld also store of alum and copperas It would seeme that all the inhabitants of this countrey are borne naturall Smiths for they send abroad into all the neighbouring countries all manner of yron implements They have but one citty called Orebregia The last is Sudermannia Sudermannia which is neyther destitute of mettalls nor yet of good store of yron especially the parts adjoyning to the great lake Melerus The chiefe city of this countrey is Nycopia Nycopia a famous port for traficke and withall adorned with a faire castle where the Duke of this countrey most commonly had his abode Next is Strengosia Strengosa an Episcopall Sea with a Cathedrall Church graced with the dead corps of Charles the 9. of that name and father to the most famous and victorious King great Gustavus now raigning There are yet some other Townes belonging to this teritory to wit Tolga Torsilia and Trosa Telga Torsilia Trosa all very rich and commodious for trafficke and commerce The other part of Sweden is properly called by the name of Northland Northland Of this Northland there are two Provinces Gestricia Helsingia Gestricia Gestricia had corne enough to supply the inhabitants wanrs and besides is well furnished with yron mynes It hath in it one very good City called Gervalia Gerralia seated by the Sea-side as well for exportation as importation of all manner of commodities and about halfe a daies journey from the coper mynes By ancient records it appeareth that this Helsingia in former times Helsingia sometimes a kingdome was a generall name comprehending the rest of the Northern Provinces and the Scanzian Histories doe testifie that this same country in former times was graced with the Title of a kingdome and was governed by Kings until such time as Iugellus King of Vpsalia and father to Olavus Tretelias King of Vermelandia at his coronation burnt to ashes Helsingians an ancient people the last Helsingian King with some other moe whose kingdome hee after incorporated to that of Vpsalia Many other things concerning the antiquity and valour of this Nation for brevity I purposely let passe Among all the Swedish people these are most remarkable for their great hospitality and besides Affectionate to learning they are so affectionate to learning that although publike Schooles for good literature be but rare among them yet are private persons who have attained to any learning so forward to instruct their neighbours that it is a hard mattter to find one going at plough but hee can read The inhabitants of this country are either Helsingians properly so call'd or Laplanders Of the Helsingians then the Provinces or these Helsingia properly so called Medelpadia Angermania and Bothnia This Hesingia properly so called Helsingia properly so called was formerly caled Sundhede and Nordslegh The soyle of this country is fruitfull enough and the inhabitants much addicted to grazing of cattle and many of them are very industrious in making of linnen cloth and not unskilfull in many other manuall trades some being also addicted to fishing It containeth one good city Hudinswaldia Hudinswaldia whose inhabitants transport into other countries great store of butter tallow hides and skins pitch and rozen masts for ships clap-boord and the like Medelpadia Medelpadia is much of the same nature quality with Helsingia but that it is somewhat narrow and fuller of woods It is furnished with 2 good rivers well stor'd with exceeding good fish as Salmons especially and it is supposed that in former times the Helsingian Kings kept their Court in this Countrey Angermannia Angermannia although it be full of high and steepe rockes yet are the vallies so fruitfull that if but once in ten yeeres compassed Fertility of the soyle they bring forth every yeere exceeding good corne if the unseasonablnesse of the weather doe not sometimes frustrate the husband-mans expectation It is as it were divided into two armes the one more southerly running towards the West the other towards the Sea and further to the North. It is watered with one faire river abounding with divers sorts of good fishes Salmons especially there is in it also one faire city Bothnia Bothnia is not so hilly as this Angermannia and yet by reason of the sandy soyle and the coldnesse of the climat the countrey is not so fruitfull as the former which defect notwithstanding is well supplyed with the abundance of other commodities It is very well watered with divers great rivers abounding with very good fish Salmons especially It hath in it no city howbeit every Parish is as it were a towne of trafficke and commerce for in sommer they provide store of corne and such other commodities as their neighbour Laplanders want which they buy of such as trafficke into their countrey which commodities in the winter they carry into Lapland where all rivers and rivers and lakes are hard frozen and bring again backe from thence great abundance of rich furres fishes dryed and hardened with the frost and many the like commodities Lappīonia or Lappic Next followes Lapponia or Lappia called commonly Lapland and the inhabitants Lappones Laplanders This is the northermost Province belonging to this potent Prince a large and vast countrey but hath neyther corne-fields cities nor townes The countrey is full of hills woods rivers lakes and pooles and in many places very good pastures The people are ingenious enough and civill living most by hunting and fishing Their manner of life They live like unto the Tartars travelling in great troupes together with their cattell and settle about some river or lake where there is good pasture for their cattell and when that is all eaten up Their innocencie remove to another place Adultery and murther is scarce heard of among that people nor yet any theft and merchants travelling that way ordinarily leave their wares covered onely with some old cloth to keepe off the snow and after divers daies at their returne never misse any of their goods Their apparrell Their apparell is made of skinnes of beasts and wollen cloth brought to them from other countries as for linnen cloth they have none but to sew their clothes they make thred of the nerves or sinewes of beasts dryed beaten and dressed like flaxe Strange thred with the which they both sew their garments cover the same also with tinne as we doe with silver and so
in fruitfulnesse farre exceed it who are foulely deceived VVhy so called for it is more probable that it was first called Fiendland by reason of the great hostility those Finlanders exercised against this nation so long as they were commanded by a King of their owne This countrey abounds in corne pastures fish and fowle and finally in such things as are most necessary for the life of man this people is very laborious and able to endure hardship Nature of this people Of old they were esteemed the mildest among all those Scanzian people howbeit at this day they be somewhat harsher and their valour in warre was well witnessed in this last memorable battle fought neere Leipsig in Misnia They have a peculiar language of their owne in the which are some singularities to be observed namely that some letters they cannot pronounce as B D G Singularities in their languagess and that they want the letter F neyther have they any word beginning with two consonants and therefore when they pronounce any such word in other languages they leave out such letters and for this cause if they be not sent abroad while they are yet young they can never learne to pronounce forreigne languages and thus for gratus they pronounce ratus for spes pes for Dominus tominus for bonus ponus c. And this is the reason why the Nobles Merchants and others of ability send their youth to be instructed in the Swedish tongue by which meanes they are afterwards fitted for the learning of any other Againe in their language they observe no genders having one onely articles se which they attribute to both sexes and to all genders Some others for brevity I here willingly passe by These Finlanders in former times When and by whom first subdued had Kings of their owne nation great warres with the Swedish untill such time as being by Ericus King of Sweden subdued in the yeere 1130. they were also forced to embrace the Christian faith Now this King subdued not the whole countrey but afterwards Birgerus Ieri subdued Tavastia and againe Turgillus subdued Runts or Carelia and about the yeere 1193. the better to keepe them in obedience and withall to inhibit the incursions of the Russians hee built the castle Viburg Finland is dived into the South North Caiania Savolaxia Tavastia Nylandia and Carlia The Northerne part is divided from the Southerne by the river Amarokei Division of the country running hard by the Episcopall sea Abo. In the Westerne part thereof is that old castle Gusto now ruinated in the East part the castle Raseberg Cities towns and castles together with the jurisdiction thereto belonging The Northerne part thereof extends it selfe towards the Bothnicke gulfe Northward comprehending the one and the other Salagundia Vienio and Maseo In it is a famous river called Cumo-elffe abounding with Salmons and many other dainty fishes and neere the Episcopal City Biornebegh falling into the Sea Betwixt this city and Abo are the townes Raumo Nystadh and Nadhandill where was of old that famous Monastery called the valley of grace Caiania Caiania called also the Easterne Bothnia is furnished with many goodly fishie rivers It hath lately built there in the towns Townes Vla and Vasa as also the castles Caianoburgum and Vloburgum Sauolaxia Savolaxia abounds with goodly lakes and rivers and almost all of them disburden themselves by the river Vox into that great lake Ladoga This lake Togetha together with these rivers among all the rest of this Scanzian country doe onely breed the seacalfe Lake-Ladoga called Phoca and Vitulus Marinus They are likewise furnished with abundance of other good fishes Sea-calfe and among others great Iackes and Pikes which are from thâ—nce being first dryed with the frost in great abundance transported to Viburgum In it is also a very faire strong castle built in the yeere Nystat 1475. by one Ericus Axelson Master of the Kings houshold and by him called Saint Olanus castle Tavastia is a mediterranean countrey Tavastia Nystat or New-castle and in it that famous and renowned lake Peiende The strong castle of Tavastia was built by Borgerus Ieri to curbe and keepe under these Tavastians by him newly conquered and subjugated under the Crowne of Sweden having withall compelled them to embrace the Christian religion In the North parts of this countrey the inhabitants fish out of the bottomes of their lakes a certaine rude matter which Yron made of water with small labour and paines and as little charges they make veny good yron and very serviceable for mans use Nylandia not that it was so called as though in former times it had beene without any inhabitants Nylandi but by reason that those who doe now inhabite the same in comparison of other were but newly come thither for the Helsingians and other people of Sweden sent thither their colonies The countrey is fruitfull enough and well furnished with store of fish fowle wild beasts for hunting It hath in it two townes Townes Borgo and Hefingfors Carelia is a large and vast Region and seemeth that the old inhabitants lived most by their sheepe and cattell for Curia in their language signifieth sheepe or cattell So long as the Finlanders had a King of their owne nation over them all this countrey of Carelia belonged to Finland but since the Swedish did so much by warre annoy the inhabitants that by little and little they brought many of the Provinces of that country to become tributary to them the Russians much suspecting the power arising of so potent a neighbouring Prince thought in time to anticipate his enemies designes for the which cause this Russian Prince by force of armes made himselfe Master of this whole countrey And this same country was for many yeeres after the common theater of warre betwixt those two potent Princes of Sweden and Russia and that for a long tract of time with various and doubtfull event sometimes the one and sometimes again the other party prevailing untill such time as Magnus surnamed Smek King of Sweden and George Duke of Novegardia divided it equally betwixt them setting appointing their limits and bounds in Systerbecke Now how it came wholly within these few yeeres under the crowne of Sweden shall hereafer in its proper place appeare In this Carelia is that strong city Wiburg VViburg a famous staple or mart towne for merchants exceeding well fortified with strong walls and deepe large motes round about and a strong castle in the same This same City have the Russians often but in vaine besieged with 100000. armed men Rexholmia Rexholmia by the Swedish corruptly so called and by the Russians Carologored or the fort or fortresse of Carelia is seated very strongly in two little Ilands at the mouth of the river Wexen in the one of which is seated the city and in the other the castle The soyle is very fruitfull
meane but the Gentilitie are now somewhat given to follow outlandish fashions and to emulate their equalls Private mens houses as well in townes as the countrey are for the most part built low and of wood and that both for warmth and for avoyding the dint of great winds In Stooke-holme notwithstanding and some other walled Cities and townes most of their buildings are either of bricke or free-stone Woods here very frequent The countrey commonly yeelds plentie of good corne and might yeeld more if some of those vast unprofitable woods were cut downe howbeit there is there seldome felt any scarcitie of corne unlesse sometimes the yeare proue very unseasonable which in hotter climats commeth also sometimes to passe Bread of the barke of trees and in such a case the countrey-people are sometimes forced to make bread of the barke of the firre and pine-trees which they esteeme very wholesome agreeing well with their stomacks and free from any maligne qualitie Fish and flesh is here very plentifull howbeit neither in great request fresh but either salted up or dryed in the sunne or smoke They are also well stored with venison as also with wild fowle such especially as are accounted the daintiest The coniugall bed is among them kept undefiled and inviolable Adultery there vnknowne Their maides are not there maried without consent of parents or guardians neither yet is it lawfull for any man to betroth or marry such a maide without the presence of 4 witnesses two of the part of the bridegrome and as many on the brides side a penaltie of fourtie markes to bee imposed upon the partie that infringes this decree Manner of their marriage and betrothing VVhen a maide is thus betrothed the guardian may not obiect any thing to hinder the marriage except it be very lawfull and by the lawes of the land determined to be such if he shall chance to doe otherwise the bridegroome may lawfully breake open the doores and carry her away by force if he cannot otherwise and if there should by this meanes either death or wounds ensue no punishment shall be inflicted for wounds or death of the resisting partie But if the other partie that is about to recouer his spoues be either wounded or killed the punishment of such a resisting person shall be doubled and the woman shall be esteemed lawfully rescued and not ravished and taken by force Againe these be the words of the law-maker Whosoeuer departs from his wife and makes a contract and agreement to cohabite with another woman the other wife to him before lawfully married being yet alive and this be by sufficient witnesses legally prooved they shall both lose their lives the man being beheaded and the woman stoned to death VVhen as either man or woman dyes leaving children behind him Manner of succeeding in inheritances whether sonnes or daughters they shall succeed in the inheritance the sonne shall have two and the daughter one part for her share and the nephew shall have the like share as a sonne and the neece as a daughter whether their children live or dye but withall all the fifth degree is here excluded from succession If the heire be absent If any person dye whose next heire is without the Realme if the heire returne within a yeare and a night with sufficient proofe that he is lawfull heire to the deceased partie he shall as lawfull heire succeed to the partie deceased But if he come not within a yeare and a night the king shall be his heire whether the goods bee moveable or unmoveable and this is commonly called Dana-arf Dana arf If the goods given to any be not moveable let him receive them againe that gave them If the heire be vnknowne If any native of the country dye and the heire be knowne the inheritance shall be kept for the right heire but if it be not knowne who is the right heire and no word be sent from him or else some other assurance where he is or that he come not within a yeere and a day then the Kings exchequer shall receive the one halfe of his estate and the other halfe was formerly to be employed for praying for his soule but since the reformation of Religion converted to other charitable uses This people not onely of late but even of old hath been much commended for their great hospitalitie in entertaining strangers Their hospitality the which as it is common to all these Northerne people so is it most conspicuous in the Swedish nation it being esteemed there a hainous indignitie to deny entertainment to strangers and travellers there being among them certain particular constitutions concerning this same particular Robberies seldoâ—e heard of among this people Besides they are of that sinceritie of life and conversation and so far from wronging others that this hath caused no smal admiration to strangers and travellers passing that way which may in this appeare that although there be very great forrests found in that countrey yet seldome any robberies by the high wayes are amongst them heard of In ancient times both the Swedish and the Goths had their owne proper letters and language Gothish letters abolished howbeit their letters have beene by the first founders of Christianitie in these parts quite abolished and Latine letters put in their places And of this some render this reason that among these people were many bookes full of their ancient heathenish superstition which superstition of theirs they thought would hardly bee quite rooted out vnlesse as well their letters as books written with those letters were utterly abolished But by this meanes it is to bee supposed that we are likewise deprived of many ancient acts and antiquities not unworthy the knowing which are by this meanes buried in eternall oblivion And of this prerogative beyond all other people of Europe the Grecians excepted doth this nation bragge that they never borrowed their letters of any other nation And it is thought that if their letters and bookes had vntill this time continued they might have contested for antiquity with the most famous histories either Greeke or Latine And therefore above all other nations the Goths were most admired for their opinion concerning the immortality of the soule concerning which opinion although there bee left no ancient records yea and if there were no testimonie of strangers to witnesse the same yet may this by many monuments even untill this day remaining plainly appeare the which are written upon great grave-stones in this same ancient character of Rumcke letters as the author speakes for in them were commonly added towards the latter end of the inscription these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Swedish much addicted to the high Dutch speech That is God helpe the soule of such a one But as it hath fared with many other ancient nations that in continuance of time they have altered their ancient language so hath this nation tasted likewise of the