of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
mens Cosmography who tell you of Turwin and Tornay and those noble endeuours of Hen. 8. when the King of France claimed Artois and Flanders as well as Picardy The Prouince of Gelderland is altogether champaine yet intermingled with woods and stored with euery thing to satiate our desire especially if wee looke after plenty of corne and pasture which both stuffeth full their garners and fatteth their cattle insomuch that they bring them leane in great heards from the furthest part of Denmarke to receiue here as it were a more seemely forme It is visited with the three riuers of Rhene Mase and Whale it hath 22 walled townes attended on by the care and diligent seruice of 300 villages amongst whom Numegam is metropolis and indeed boasteth not onely of antiquitie but the royaltie of a King had not time worne out the shining brightnes of his Crowne or some boistrous hand pull'd the scepter out of his arme and shouldred him quite aside from his Throne or else it was as the Kings of Cities in Mesopotamia Reges à regendo when nine of them made battaile together and the preuailers spoiled Lot and tooke him prisoner Herein is also contained the country and Earledome of Zutphen and the delicate Iland of the Betto how euer Holland would challenge her of disobedience if shee should call another mother For Goricum Worchum and many other townes are reputed hers onely Arnham on the other banke of the Rhene with the sweet fields of the Vellwe will still belong vnto Gelderland and could tell you of a sconce builded ouer against it of another on the banke of Icell of another before Numegen where that valiant German Sir Martin Skinck lost his life and was tossed from graue to graue vntill a military ceremonie laid him in an honorable place of rest and of another at the point of the Iland diuiding the riuer into the Rhene and Whale which saies you can scarce shew such another and is proud of nothing more than her founder and title For it is called still Skinck sconce and could affright you with the relation of many strange designes and changes of military seruice as if the Armies chose these parts of the country to play at base in and as it were dance a mattachene in armour For I my selfe knew the leaguer one yeere in Gelderward within two mile of Eltam another yeere at Bommel a third at Berck a fourth in Cleueland c. It flourished vnder Otho the third Earle of Gelderland who walled in Ruremond Arnham Harderwick Bomell Gooch and Waggenhen and so held the title of a Countie vntill Rheinaldus the second whom for his valour iustice piety and other vertues the Emperor Lodwick lifted vp to the dignitie of a Duke in the presence of the Kings of England France and the Princes Electors 1339. Zeland is a new name and not read of in ancient histories as if a man should say a countrey compounded both of land and sea For it is euery where distinguished with Ilands which are environed with water and knowne by 15 seuerall names against whom the sea hath much preuailed and not long since with violent invndations swallowed 300 of their inhabited townes so that now you may saile by the steeples of Churches and not knowing the reason wonder to what purpose the Towres were so erected There remaine now three principall which are preserued against the rage of the Ocean with exceeding cost and powerfull industry namely Walcheren Schouen and South-Beueland and foure inferior Diuelant Tolen North-Beuelant and Woolfersdike which are graced with the prerogatiues of eight walled townes whereof six continue their Estates Deputies for the whole County Midelborough Flushing Camphere and Armenden which hath no voice although it cry out neuer so loud that it standeth with the rest in Walcheren In Schouen Sirexee and Bucers hauen which hath likewise no voice In South-Beueland which is the greatest and fertilest Iland the towne of Tergowse and in the land of Tolen the towne of Tertolen and Martins dike which hath also no voice These Ilands are preserued by the downes which be certaine bankes of sand cast vp with the tides and where there are no sands as toward the south the dikes are raised by the industry of man and proportioned with equall height to the rest all so rammed with mats casses of fagots 6 or 7 foote long that it not only performeth the effect of their securitie but seemeth an artificiall gracefulnes and being so neere England is worthy the ouer-viewing In times past the Marquis of La Vere and Flushing were onely at the Generall Councels of the countrey now the places are supplied with Deputies and new times haue giuen way vnto new orders For these inheritances and titles are incorporated in Prince MAVRICE of NASSAV and the Abbot of St Martins in the towne of Midlebourgh which at this instant is the Court of Zeland As for the Prince he is the seruitor of the States and can doe nothing absolute of himselfe without their direction And for the Abbot his name is extinguished with his superstition and the reformation of religion hath also reformed his very title and authoritie so that the Estates make the Democratia a princely gouernment and assume to themselues the power of life death controuling punishing rewarding and resolute ordering all their affaires except in cases of necessitie wherein there is no disputing nor interiecting any cause of imputation either of negligence or improuidence For so great Princes either diminish or augment their illustrious royaltie and Monarks whose pride at the first swelled ouer the banks of preuailing haue in one age bin left bare on the sands of an ebbing fortune The cheefest trade of the inhabitants is nauigation fishing and making salt yet within the land they imploy themselues to tillage and feeding of cattle The people doe so multiply and increase that they are compelled to inlarge their Townes as well for their owne inhabitants as frequentation of strangers who since the troubles of Antwerpe resort hither extraordinarily but if I should adde the brauery of fortifications I should do them no wrong nay I might augment their glory For Flushing is one of the strongest Townes of Europe and Midleborough so ramparted and guarded that a very militarie renowne is attributed vnto them and the Burgers themselues deserue well of all good reports The prouince of Holland is as it were a Peninsule circumuironed with water For the sea the Rhene and the meeting riuers open their doores in such a manner that you may goe as it were round about the house except in one corner toward Gelderland and although it containeth not in circuit aboue two hundred English mile yet lifteth vp the wals ramparts and warlike ports of thirty townes of such receipt wealth and shipping that the pride of Tyrus and Sidon exclaimed vpon by so many Prophets had not greater occasion of raging and oftentation howeuer they are yet blessed with
moderation and restraint of distempered actions The villages or dorps are foure hundred amongst whom the stately county of the Hague aduanceth her counteuance equall to a great city for their court retaineth some shew of princilnesse and the old palace maketh demonstration of those noble customes and hospitality which the ancient Earles in their former power maintained yet because it is vnwalled neighbouring a pretty parke of fallow Deere and inuiteth you to better retired places then the townes of hurliburly and continuall commerces accustome it is reputed a Dorp and seemeth much contented with her situation so remote from the forraine enemy of the State Harlem with her spaciousnesse is founded most delicately for as soone as you are entred the pleasure of a pretty wood inuiteth your abode where the Citizen in the dayes of pastime make their honest conuersation the strengthning of one anothers friendship Besides for bulwarkes harbours shipping capacity entercourse and noble meetings it challenged the precedency of all the towns of Holland howeuer Amsterdam hath got the start for riches marchants and nauigation yet hath Harlem a greater wall and better compacted buildings Dort or Dordrech some 150. yeeres since was made an Iland by the inundation of the sea which with vngentle violence at that time washed away whole fields of firme ground and like a barren vnsatiate wombe filled her paunch with aboue 200. villages It is a beautifull long towne and graced with the staple of Rhenish wine corne and timber brought in great strange and long boats called Punts which neuer goe backe againe but serue in these riuers as a receptacle of diuers families and many people who haue no other dwelling then on shipboord if you demand how they liue the voyage ended maintain their estates when the first businesse is determined They spin fish follow the league with prouision carry corne and turffe from towne to towne and are employed for the vse of bridges to transferre whole armies ouer riuers but to tell you that some of them are 160. foot long and haue three or foure diuisions or houses in one boat would raise a suspicion and peraduenture make you smile at the fiction but admire the truth Delft is so named of a ditch cut out betweene it and the Hague and is a sweet and pleasant towne although the inhabitants are emploied for the most part about brewing and spinning of wooll Leyden boasteth of her antiquity as deriuing her originall from the Legions of the Roman souldiers heere resident when the custome of warre and the coldnesse of winter did enforce them to garison and orderly sequestration it is now an Vniuersity beautified with walkes of pleasure and magnificence yet cannot wash away the imputation of many trayterous reuolts and vnconstant resolutions against the gouernment of the States Gouda is a populous towne vpon the riuer Isell yet could tell you of another of her owne name that runneth into the Ocean as if it made haste to tell you from whence it came Amsterdam besides the sea is visited by the gentle riuer Tia yet seemeth sory that she cannot be affoorded the sweetnesse of her waters and is so contriued as the channels of Venice which direct you by boat from house to house for shipping it is one of the most famous harbours in the world and hath such entercourse of Marchants and Saylors that I haue numbred 1000. ships of all sorts to goe out at one tide for buildings it equals the best and for orderly watches and fortifications the Burgers haue a blessed vniformity and glorious reputation Enchusen vpon the banke of the sea called the Zuidersea is famous for the building of ships which are heere yeerely built and orderly rigged Horne hath the same foundation and in May bringeth together such a faire of butter and cheese and in such incredible manner that almost all countries haue suppliment from thence Alcmar likewise maintaineth the dairy and encloseth such fields that a very few acres of ground raise a good farme Purmerndum boasteth of her first estimation by reason of the palace and delicate castle which belonged to Count Egmond was within her wals Edam hath great store of shipping and such kine that few oxen are larger besides heere is sowed so much hemp that most of the netting which either Holland or Zeland vse is heere made Sconhouen is a delicate towne and place of pleasure for indeed it is an attribute or significant name from the attracting delight of their gardens and hath a staple for Salmons Rotterdam a great city full of shipping yet rather boasteth of the birth of Erasmus Brill is a towne of defence and was once causionary to England in regard of great summes disbursed for the States but now of late by the Kings Maiesty resigned into the hands of the States Thus for strength fertility wealth and plenty of shipping Holland exceedeth any countrey in the world challenging no more circuit of ground as may be ghessed by the yeere 1587. when there was 600. ships arrested in the Sont by the King of Denmark and in 1588. it is well knowen that in very short warning they supplyed vs with an hundred men of warre as for Cales voyage the third part of that Nauie was theirs but if you looke further in the West and East-Indies in the hauens of Barbary and Affrick in the Arches and Constantinople in the Gulph of Venice and almost all the frequented places of the world the Hollander aduentures and is now a glorious Marchant and Mariner To conclude Holland Zeland and Freesland smile in the possession of 2500. good ships from 150. tun to 700. and although they haue no timber or at least very little growing for this purpose yet doe they yeerely set vpright 5. or 600. of one sort or other Of all in the States diuision the City and Lordship of Vtrech is principall as retaining an ancient Bishops See and shewing the ruines of a castle erected to suppresse the insolency of the inhabitants who in a pride of their owne greatnesse made a continuall sport of rebellion it is now vtterly defaced and the loyalties of their harts seeme more firme then the workes of mens hands assuring vs that so noble a citie and populous territories would yeeld a very ambitious Prince reasonable satisfaction if it might bee commanded by the authority of a Monarch and had the vnity of a well-ordered Common-wealth and Kingdome The Countrey of Freesland would require an ample discouery to extract her originall and relate her stories so would Cleeueland the land of Luke Munsterland and some others reputed Neuters that is neither maintaining the Spanyard in his military inuasion nor supporting the States in their iustifiable defences But I refer you to their own manyother cōmentaries content myself with a cursory trauell and what I can catch hold of by running touches It is diuided into two parts by the riuer Amisia which commeth downe by Embden East Freesland challenging
credit to ouerbeare mischances But our glory abroad is truely expatiated when you shall know how helpefull wee haue beene to other nations both with purse and forces yea contrary to the opinion of the world concerning our penury opened the enclosures of riches and hononrably supplyed the defects of other Kingdomes Wee haue made peace betweene Denmark and Sweden and pacified those troubles long agoe We haue releeued the Estates of Holland with men money and munition vnderpropping them as if a man should vndershore a ruinous wall vntill the foundation were repaired We haue assisted the Protestant Princes of of France in their first ciuill warres and beene auxiliary to many noble houses of Germany we setled the last King in his greatnesse and lifted him vp to that honour that none of his Predecessours had their crownes shining with such a lustre We playd the Physician with Geneua and administred her such an antidote that no aconite of Pope or Sauoy could envenom her to death or contriue her destruction We brought the distressed Prince Antonio to knock at the gates of Lisbone and had he not found a fatall vicissitude of times and occasions yea the minds of inconstant men corrupted with by-respects and priuate following the stronger side we might questionlesse haue preuailed in the proiect and vpon the least filling the sailes of our expectation with the winde of home assistance brought recouery to receiue the fulnesse of life Wee haue made Spaine weary of the warres and at last desire a peace which I would be loth to resemble to still waters wherein are the deepest gulphs and most dangerous places to aduenture We returned the Polish Ambassadour with admiration at our Princes greatnesse and magnanimity We haue setled the good opinion of the Muscouite Wee haue emboldned the Venetians in their last dissentions against the Pope Wee haue accorded the Arch-Duke who not onely admitteth vs into entertainment but giueth way vnto such as yet maintaine the cause of the contrary We haue welcomed the Prince of Moldauia and as farre as policy or charity could goe brought him along into the faire fields of expectation to regaine his enheritance We haue lately ouerlooked the fields of Sweden and Russia yea thought it befitting to send a martiall supply into Denmarck and howeuer the Polander repine must in the end I beleeue determine those controuersies To conclude though it shall be no cause of ostentation wee haue prospered in so many glorious thriuings that the Spanyard in his prophanation hath sworne IESVS CHRIST to become a Lutheran and railed on report for filling the world with the sound of so many memorable actions Concerning our glory at home lay abroad our example and spare not and marke the emptiest place which we will not fill vp with comparison First the best manner of gouernment from Gods own mouth which is monarchal and philosophicall principles which is a King and morall enstructions which is a distributer of Iustice and peoples desires which is an honourable preseruer of Common-wealths all vnited in one person from a continuall descent of princely ancestours gaining the loue and obedience of many nations by excelling induments of nature as wisdom learning iudgment peaceable desires honorable liberality magnanimity such like And did it please him to add some glorious repairing or rather magnificent quadrant to his palace at White-hall being the principall place of entertainement and the eye to ouerlooke such a city as is not in the world it would come neere our example indeede For the Kings house in Ierusalem was thirteene yeere a building and no one thing addes more honour to a nation then regardable edifices and eminent workes of Maiesty being the very fruit of peace and as it were the birth-right of prosperity whether it bring forth sumptuous structures or adorning monuments And if it were not a pride elation of hart to number the people looke how many nations and languages are vnder subiection namely English Scottish Irish Welch Cornish Ments Ilanders both Hebrides and Orchades the French of Gersy and Iersy so that if the honour of a King consisteth in the multitude of his subiects what Prince hath more and such variety If you looke on his palaces where are so many and so good belonging to any Kingdome in the world If you will behold his court I hope for state good order expences entertainment and continuall attendancy other places come farre short If you will view his shipping and nauies I am sure you passe away with astonishment when you are enstructed in the secrets of their seruice and strength If you will behold his armours and munition they exceede report and the Arsenalls of other countries haue neither such equipage nor sufficiency but when you shall finde euery Noble-man and Gentle-mans house so well furnished euery Hall and Company so well prouided euery Shire so willing to continue their preparation euery Master so cheerefull in storing himselfe and euery man so ready to giue eare to any martiall summons and prepare with ioy to attend the seruice you must needs returne not louing vs with feare and trembling but affecting vs with triumph and well wishes for our preuailing against the proudest aduersary If you will number vs at sea I know there is not so many good Mariners and Saylours in Europe excepting the Low Countries If you will muster vs at land who can shew such companies of foot such troopes of horse so many worthy seruitours and so well appoynted Insomuch that I know diuers Gentle-men of England who can conduct 3000. men into the field in their King and Countries name of their owne tenants seruants and friends If you will examine our Nobility I confesse they doe not boast of factious greatnesse as in France the Princes of Germany but their number noble disposition willingnes to be obedient may passe in the best items of Fames account If you would see our Councellors prepare a reuerence and settle your estimation toward them for their orderly life probity of manners integrity in deciding controuersies affability in admitting suters though you come from the Grandes of Spaine the Principalities of Italy the Electors of Germany the Dukes of France the States of other Countries yea the ostentous pomp of Cardinals yet bee not too preiudicate nor transported with selfe-conceited wilfulnes for you shall see as great brauery retinue obseruation amongst vs as any subiects in the world dare challenge or put in practise for outward glorious ostentation nay more the order of our Garter and the ceremonies of enstalling are continued with that triumph and maiesty that no one celebration of petty Princes dare lift vp a countenance of such iollity regardable honor And if you will behold the other Courtiers they are generally so many so handsome so seruiceable of their own retinues so well prouided that I protest they so farre exceede other places both for gracefull shewes and sufficient estates that I
not himselfe set furie on worke to the killing of his enemie nay to the murthering of his Competitor whether for loue or displeasure But if you will truly consider the admirable composition of Commonwealths and extraordinary glorie of Kingdomes it consisteth in sedation of troubles and in the enriching of priuate men yea euen Salomons greatnesse was raised to a stupendous mountaine of amasement from the effects of a well compacted peace in which his Temple was built his Pallaces were finished his Cities disposed of his Souldiers maintained and his glory spred abroad with sufficient fulnesse For horses were brought him out of Arabia fine linnen from Aegipt perfumes and odours from Aethiopia spices from India precious stones from the Ilands gold from Ophir beasts and strange fowle from Affricke and many other things both for exornation and pleasure from the remotest parts of the earth But how by the industry of Merchants and worthy endeauours of men disposed to honour their Countrey and aduance themselues As for corruptions of life couetousnesse vaine-glory ambition pride emulation cunning and infinite of this kinde they are not to be named by way of Character or personating any particular condition of man whatsoeuer For from a Prince to a Peasant no body liues but may be traduced in the selfe same kinde that you would lay imputation on the shoulders of the Merchant therefore I will absolutely conclude that the true Merchant-aduenturer as he is one way the supporter of politicall States by commerce conuersation and bringing in of wealth so is he another way the Atlas of honour and magnificent maiesty by his customes filling the store-houses of a Court supplying the wants of a pallace pleasing the desires of nouelty cooling the heates of pride and satiating the vanitie of wishes nay if you would and the Ilands explored Virginia Norrembega Guiana and other coasts and made a trade with these Indians for diuers commodities so that from one place or other of our Countrey we haue not so few as a 1000. sailes of shippes abroad nor so small a number as a 100000. persons disperced vnder this acceptable title of Marchant For so I must tell you that except you aduise with your selfe for this denomination in many places of the world the excuse of curiositie will not serue your turne For you shall be taken for a Spie and a dangerous Hypocrite such is the iealousie of Kingdomes toward wanton Trauellers and the necessitie of entertainment for well imploied men And thus much for some speciall excellencies wherein England excelleth all other Nations CHAP. XXVII Another excellency of ENGLAND may be drawne from this obseruation that we haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our Countrey then any other Nation c. AMongst other spreading boughes of prerogatiues drawing sappe from the tree of Englands glory I may not leaue out this obseruation that wee haue had since the Conquest more seuerall magnificent entertainments of forraine Princes and voluntary progresses of famous Kings and Emperors some for pleasant iournies others for necessary imploiment then any Nation of Europe not that I meane to trouble you with vaine or tedious repetitions of Embassadors Legats Cardinalls or other ordinary Liegers as is customarie in all Princes Courts and concurses of State but meerely of extraordinary solemnities and occasion of resplendant showes triumphs and festiuall inuitations to delight and contentment No sooner had the Normane setled his Conquests and established his sonne William Rufus in the throne of greatnesse as well appeared by his ambitious desires to fill all Europe with the report of his exaltation especially after his returne out of Normandy and that he found fault with the smalnesse of Westminster-hall being yet the remarkeablest roome for State greatnesse and capacity in the world But Malcolme King of Scots and the two Princes of Wales came to doe homage vnto him about the third yeere of his raigne yea Robert Duke of Normandy with many Princes of France acknowledged his eminent glory and maiesticall Kingdome although the said Robert was his elder Brother and made way to his peace and amitie This likewise continued toward Henry the first and for addition the Kings his adioyned neighbours assumed nothing to themselues but what stood with the good liking of the King of ENGLAND for which purpose they many times came in person to gratifie him To which if you vnite the aduantagious marriage of Henry Emperour of Rome to his daughter I hope it may passe for a reasonable beginning and giue life to after hopes for the augmentation of our credits and exaltation of our prerogatiues Anno 1184. about the 31. of Henry 2. Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem came into our Countrey to desire aide against the Turke 1201. and the 3. of King Iohn at a solemne entertainement in Lincolne William King of Scots and diuers of his Nobles did homage vnto him in person to which if you adde his marrying of Lady IANE his bastard daughter to Leuelin Prince of Wales who was in those times a turbulent and ambitious man you may easily iudge what reputation our Countrey had got in the world when the Pope was more affrighted at the starting aside of little ENGLAND then if whole Spaine had at that time falne quite away from his supportation or if you will Antichristian vsurpation Anno 1224. about the 8. yeere of the raigne of Henry 3. Iohn de Brennes King of Hierusalem came into England for aide and assistance against the Saracens and from that vnimitable example of Richard 1. called in those times the flower of chiualry that wunne Cyprus and Acon in person well hoped to finde the other branches of that kingly off-spring full of the sappe of the same roialtie but when I remember how the chiefest Potentates of Europe came to elect Richard Earle of Cornwall his brother Emperour and King of the Romans I am more then satisfied for maintaining this vnanswerable position of our excellency in this kinde If you ouerlooke the life of Edward 1. you shall finde it a very mappe of honour and be able to tell the world that besides many forraine Potentates the Prince of Wales and his brother Dauid reioiced in his acceptation of them and Iohn Baliol King of Scots was glad to be named and established by him But come a little forward and at the naming of Edward the 3. me thinkes all English hearts should leape for ioy For 1334. Edward Baliol King of Scots did him homage the Prince of Wales was glad to kisse his hands and the Electors of Germany 1348. inuited him to the chaire of the Empire nay such was our royaltie that Henry Pichard Vintner and Maior of London feasted EDW. of England IOHN King of France the King of Cyprus comming to see our worthinesse DAVID King of Scots EDW. Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitane Guien and Cornwall all in one day Besides at diuers triumphes and Iusts these forraine Princes were led as it were
by the hand of amasement to magnifie and extoll the heroicke spirits of our nation Againe in the 38. yeere of the King the French King the King of Cyprus and the King of Scots came all into England and made pleasure proude that it had good occasion to welcome them Besides 1367. Peter King of Spaine was disseised by his bastard brother Henry but comming into England made such impression in the compassionate soule of EDW. the blacke Prince that he assisted him in person and re-established him in his kingdome Shall I remember you of that glorious celebration of Himmeneus triumphs when Duke Tussus and many Princes of Boheme and Hungary brought that magnificent Lady ANNE daughter to the King of Bohemia and married her to King RICHARD the 2. of England during whose life such was the royaltie of our Court and State that in the 8. yeare the King of Armenia came into England for coadiutement against the Turkes In the 12. yeare the Earle of Saint Paul and many Princes out of France and other Countries came to a Iusts in Smithfield and made a iust estimation of our vnualuable glory In the 16. yeare the greatest Lords of Scotland came to our triumphes in England and checked their owne presumption for confronting vs with a supposition of equality In the 20. yeare the Dukes of Burbon and Barre brought ouer Isabell of Fraunce to be a Queene in England and glad was that Prince of Europe that had beene an eye-witnesse of our glory yea that magnificent workemanshippe concerning the exornation of the Hall of his Pallace now Westminster and by community and disparaged alteration vnregarded was as it were a magnes to draw ouer the seas thousands of people and hundreds of Princes and Noble lords to looke vpon the wonder of the world In the 4. yeare of HENRY 4. King of England the Emperour of Constantinople came of purpose as the Queene of Sheba to Salomon to set report on the touchstone of truth and see whether custome had enlarged our fame or no and here he was entertained with all the sumptuous and attractiue showes and delights that Arte and expences could deuise to satiate the minde of man But when Dame IANE Dutches of Britaine came ouer to marry our King HENRY I hope our enemies will imagine her traine and Attendants to bee much augmented with the company of many forraine Princes and Potentates And if you steppe forward to the 8. yeare of his raigne the Earle of Marre and the great lords of Scotland came to solace themselues and made their triumphes both at Tilt and Turney acceptable to the beholders The like was performed the 10. yeare when the Seneschall of Hennault with all those Princes reputed the Court of England a very Schoole of chiualry and put in practise accordingly all the braueries of marshall discipline But when the Lady LVCIA the Dukes sister of Millane came to marry EDMVND Earle of Kent both citie and pallace was so furnished with strangers and the concurses of people so well ordered that inferiours were amased at so extraordinary attraction and the better sort gaue a plaudite to our glory If you ouer-looke the time of Henr 5. surnamed the Champion of Honor though it was lamentable for the breuitie yet was it vnmatchable for the royalty For after his coronation he was scarse three yeeres in his own Kingdome and yet in the third of his raigne he welcommed the Emperor of Almaine and King of Rome and presently after graced the daughter of France and all her retinue with many forreine Princes who would not returne till they saw their Lady Katherine Queene of England To which if you adde the entertainment of the Duke of Holland and many Princes of those countries especially Freesland you cannot chuse but make vp a plentifull breuiary of Heroicke Maiesty and worthy princelines About the yeere of Grace 1502. and the 17. yeere of the raigne of Henry 7. the expectable Prince Arthur maried Katherin daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine and his eldest sister Margaret was affianced vnto Iames King of Scots at whose inauguâ—…tion the concurse of strangers and amongst them of the choisest Princes was so great that all other adioyning Kings as much magnified our royalty as feared our power insomuch that the very report of our Kingdomes brauery draue Philip King of Castile and his wife into England About the end of August 1546. Flawd high Admirall of France was so royally entertained in England that the King lying at Hampton-Court the Prince of Wales met him comming to haue audience with a 1000 horse whereof 500 were in one liuery the coates of veluet halfe embrodered with gold and one sleeue of cloth of gold let other Princes acknowledge this magnificence Holinshed saith 2000 horse In the beginning of Henry the 8. Lewis the 12. of France maried Mary the Kings yongest sister and 1520 the great Emperor Charles the 5. came into England to visit his Aunt and within two yeere after made a second returne to view London and bee acquainted with our country from whose example Christiern King of Denmarke and his wife about the 15 yeere arriued in England and was welcommed to the pleasures of our country and variety of our pastimes The Prince of Salerne and diuers of Naples about the 30. c. Shall I name you King Philips mariage with Queene Mary I hope then I must trouble you with a tedious solemnitie and tell you that many strangers knew not the way home againe into their owne countries a long time and if the peace of their soules as they vainely imagined might haue bin added to the delight of their bodies the happines of England had bin the subiect of their tongues and the obiect of their eyes In the second yeere of her raigne Ecmondine a Prince of Germany and other Embassadors were sent from the Emperor In the third yeere Emmanuel Prince of Piemont with other Lords came into England and the next moneth the Prince of Orange landed at London But let mee passe forward to the mirror of all times Queene Elizabeth how proud was the Prince of Sweden that he was graced in England with so glorious entertainment at the beginning of her raigne Not long after 1565 Christopher Prince and Marquesse of Baden came of purpose to haue his childe borne amongst vs and reioyce in the fortune of such a godmother About the 11. yeere of her raigne anno 1568 Mary Queene of Scots though shee was surprized in her flight to France and defeated in her maine proiects yet for a long time misliked not her imprisonment and was glad to confesse the prerogatiues of her natiue soile and country In the 14. yeere Francis Duke of Memorancy and Betrawde de Saligniers Knights of the order of St Michael came both into England with other great Princes to gratulate her Maiestie and acknowledge her worthines In the 21. of her raigne 1578. Cassimirus Count Palatine and Duke of Bauaria was entertained the better
wisedome wealth and resplendant eminence of noble Citizens and well ordered men so that no man vnacquainted with the secrets of a Kingdome can comparatiuely subiect it either to vilipending or insufficiency If you are a Traueller Then carried away with present shadowes or transported with a cursory vanity of some stately edifices braue Curtezans entertainement of strangers recommended by some speciall Councellour of State strong castles new ramparts conuenient harbours well furnished Arsenalls some prety gallies and hearkening after euery report to please the Hearing or rauished with some comicke sight to moue admiration you go no further then present contentment nor will once remember what a mother you haue of your owne and how a legitimate childe ought to be louing dutifull and aduised If you search for no better secrets then what absolute Authors haue locked vp in their storehouses who many times filled their papers with extraneall reports and when they were possessed with a nouelty exciting astonishment they then enlarged the same setting downe euery thing as authenticall which onely carried the show of probability by some enforcing circumstances howeuer it sauoured of detraction and calumny Thus I confesse haue many written of BRITANY as of a strange and barbarous nation naked people painted enraged liuing vpon roots and herbes eating raw flesh and remote from the brauery of populous Cities and courtly paâ—…aces whereby a continued impression is so made and lest to posteritie that in many places they suppose the same still Wherein I cannot compare them better then to some poore Farmer who liuing in an old cottage thatcht and deformed is compelled at last to go into another Countrey as dispossessed by some wealthy Lawyer or Citizen and so relateth to his new acquaintance what a pittifull house hee came from and how miserable hee left the same little knowing how delicately yea stately it is reedified and holdeth vp such a contrary face of Maiesty that if he were to returne and view it againe he could not imagine it the same nor that any policy of man or worldly meanes had contriued the alteration If you liue discontented at home then out of a sullen and dogged humour you spare not any accusation of your countrey whether for deficiency of blessings or gouernment but hearken after euery report of strangers and are contented to be cosoned with the deceit of forraine relations and so from a wilfull neglect of our worthines wilt neither beleeue the maiesty of our honour the magnificense of our structures the variety of our happinesse the decency of our Cities the exaltation of officers the beauty of women the glory of conuersation and all other particulars tending to an absolute demonstration of our worth but dost vnkindly weigh it downe with comparison saying there are some slender commendable things amongst vs but farre inferiour to other nations If you are superstitious or would seeme affectionate to religion then vnder a pious show of deuotion you absolutely condemne all other things and sweare they are vnualuable to the pacification of the conscience and setling the soule to peace and vnderstanding the way to saluation and so without either desire or endeauours to entertaine a further truth you not onely deny those allegations which may diuert you from falshood but are an aduersarie to all commemorations of temporall matters which may giue you light to conduct you to the acquaintance of ENGLANDS merit and high exalted desert If you are terrified with the strength and warlike preparation of forraine Princes because you heare of well fortified places armies on foote treasure amassed shippes rigged Countries subiugated garisons dispersed Princes affied and the Pope blessing them Then peraduenture you may suppose that we cannot propulse such aduersaries nor haue sufficient meanes to rebate the insolencie of so high exalted Monarchs because you are either faithlesse in heart traiterous in loialty simple in apprehenâ—…ion of ouer-reached by cunning inferences of others and so remaine confounded at some common wants amongst vs disabling all things which may tend to strengthen the hopes and loue to your owne Countrey If you are desirous of wealth and corrupted with the filthinesse of lucre then it may be hearing of the infinite treasures of the GRAN SIGNIEVR the Venetian riches the many millions comming out of India into Spaine so many crownes of the sunne coined in France and the annuall entradoes of diuers Countries and Principates and troubled at home with strange rumours of penuries and wants with exportation of our gold and coine into forraine parts and some forcible convulsions of priuate men to enrich themselues you are amazed and cannot be setled with any opinion of our sufficiency and will scarce be helped with better information uide possessions by way of contribution to their children reward their seruants and endeauour to bee neere the Prince would you dispute of ciuill conuersation of a Land that floweth with milke and hony of eating vnder thy owne vineyard of receiuing the temporall blessings of encrease of solemnities at feasts of burials and mournings for the dead of martiall exequies of triumphant marriages and priuate reioycings of honest and friendly visitations of mutuall commerces of powerfull presents of detaining vs within the limits of naturall obseruation as quod tibi fieri non vis alteri ne feceris and in truth of all fundamentall principles of gouernment in the hands of the Scriptures is lifted vp a mirror to looke into without specke staine base composure or counterfeit foile Would you haue directions for maintaining a magistracie for adapting you to reciprocall duties of releeuing the poore succouring the fatherlesse and widowes suppressing the proud restraining the offensiue imparting of fauours acknowledging of friendlinesse with such like would you be thankefull when your cuppe doth ouerflow reposed when necessities knocke at the doore patient when aduersitie deiecteth moderate when prosperity â—…lateth free from repining at the glory of thine aduersary sparing insulting ouer the misery of inferiours and remember who is the distributer of all good gifts like the Master of a Comedy who sorteth out his Sceanes according to the inclination of his schollers making a poore mans childe to personate a Prince and the sonne of a lord to acte a meaner part In the Scriptures shineth the light of such vnderstanding and liueth the soule and life of the truest wisedome In a word would you know the duty to God and man the hope of saluation the mysterie of religiâ—…n the establishments of faith the preeminence of truth and 〈◊〉 sanctified calling of all Gods seruants from the Scriptures ariseth the fountaine and swelling spring flowing into riuers yea seas of abundance which in some are of bitter tast but inward sweetnesse in others pleasant in the mouth but woâ—…mewood in the belly so that if from thence proceede all lawes statutes and ordinances touching the supreame godhead the spirits vnder his throne the nature of things visible and inuisible the power
of a plentifull country and excellent husbandry in their gardens The mountaines yeeld a red stone and parget called ardoises the vallies plenty of grasse the riuers fish and the barrennest place pasture for cattle The chiefe Citie is Angiers on the banke of the Meduan not far from the Loire yet is it ioyned by a bridge of stone to another on the other side and so you may conclude that two townes make one Citie Here you haue also ruines of Theaters vulgarly Brohan and an Academy enlarged or rather founded by Lodwick the second 1389 the other townes are Samurs Belforce Bange and such like of whose particulars my purpose is not to make relation The fourth part is Britania in times past Armorica It boasteth for sending ouer such inhabitants into our countrey as not onely taught them a language but peopled and possessed the same Wee againe are resolued that though France was first inhabited yet from the greater Britaine the lesse receiued denomination and by entercourse of people affinitie mariage and politike confederation both countries learned one anothers language For being called Armorica it at last condiscended to be entitled litle Britaine retaining a long time an absolute Duke of her owne and diuiding her territories into low and high Britaine in both which are numbred nine Bishopricks Carnouaile S. Paul Treguires Doll Rheines S. Malo Nants Vannes and Brein amongst whom Doll hath the precedency though Renes and Nants be the chiefest and greatest Cities It is three parts exposed to the sea and hath many strong ports especially Brest famous for sundry warlike exploits and the last intrusion of the Spanish leaguers The fift part is Normandy diuided into the countries of Constantine Bessin Maine and Auge in which as principall Cities are recorded Roan Pontoise Alenson Argenni Caen Baieux and some few others The people boast of their endeuors in spinning linnen cloth excellent wits and able bodies for the warres But of all other things they would exceede especially the Gentlemen for mansuetude courtship and affabilitie in attending the affaires of peace and quietnes The sixt part challengeth the title of the I le of France a countrey so named because it is in a manner environed with excellent riuers which make the ground so fertile that for number of Townes Gentlemens houses places of pleasure conueniencie of prouision and other particulars tending to brauery and profit it excelleth all the countrey But her chiefest pride ariseth from the possession of Paris on the riuer Sequana or the Sein the mistris of all Cities and Orleans on the Loire famous for many remarkable actions betweene whom almost 40 English mile is one cawsey of stone or otherwise there were no trauelling especially in winter For all the ground is so fat and clammy that Paris it selfe is called Lutetia of luto or the durtinesse of the soile The seuenth part belongeth to Bourges or Berry a countrey boasting of many delicate things but the Citie is quite out of patience if you either forget her monuments or contradict her first founder to be Ogiges the grand-childe of Noe It is enclosed with the countries of Touraine Burbon and Niuernois and on the riuer of Loire washing cleane the fields with his strange ouer-flowings are erected Cosme Le Charity the Citie of Neuers with her long bridge Molins and many other townes some of hansome eminence and some of lesse consequence The eight part is attributed to Limosin or Lemania contayning the County of Auernge and yeeldeth such plenty of fenns and marishes that the fatnes of the soile is both bettered and augmented thereby howeuer the aire seemeth not so wholesome and the Cities Townes are fuller of inhabitants by reason of natures suppliment in all things and the easines wherewith good husbandry dispatcheth her busines yet are they neither great nor extraordinarily beautified no not Limoges Clermont Beurgard Monferau and Goudade which are the principall The ninth lot of France her renowne is taken out of fortunes lap for Languedock reaching to the sea as farre as Montpelier and Arles on the other side Westward Carâ—…ossen and Narbon yet doe some ioyne Languedock to Prouence and call all these sea-coasts with the territories adiacent by the title of Gallia Narbonensis The tenth principall roome of this French palace is beautified with the Parliament roabes of the seuerall countries of Prouence Daulphine and Orange For they account Arles a towne compassed with the streames of Rhodanus rather in Prouence then Languedock because it standeth as it were at the mouth of the riuer to watch how the sea and the fresh water meets as for Narbon they esteeme it the pride of the riuer Araxis and boast of the great lake for her denomination accordingly Heere abouts were those excellent bathes contriued spoken of so much in the Roman Commentaries and Marius celebrated his triumphs for conquering the Cimbrians who came thus farre in those dayes from that countrey which we now call Denmarck to reâ—…st the Romans To Daulphine they added a gracious allowance of the famous and ancient city of Lyons whom the 〈◊〉 diuideth and whose wals are so ambitious that they â—…mb vp to the top of very rockes the riuer playes the wanton about the towne and runs a pace to Valence Vienna neuer leauing vntill he thrust himselfe into the Mediterranean sea hard by Marselles a city and port of great consequence but is so separated from the riuer as if it were affrayd of his swiftnesse But Lyons hath yet more cause of insulting in regard that all this part of France was called Gallia Lugdunensis from her owne name Lugdunum and diuers monuments of water-workes bridges towers and temples were magnificent in Caesars time The prouince of Daulphine was giuen to the eldest sonne of France with no other intent but to name himselfe accordingly by which occasion all Europe knowes what the Daulphine means To Orange is a town so named appropriate Grenoble with Auignion are coniured within this circle For although euer since the Pope made it his seat established heere a Conclaue for the Cardinals it hath since remaâ—…ed firme to the Roman Clergy yet is it sited in this prouince and called France her naturall mother some reckon heerein the three Bishoprickes of Carpentoract Lissa and Vaurias with many other townes allowing vs to call it the Principate of Orange and will haue vs take notice that the house of Nassau which challengeth the glory of the Low-Countries as by the worthy life of the last Prince of Orange whose younger sonnes are still so famous for the Belgick warres may appeare was extracted from hence and glorieth in her denomination accordingly For mine owne part I haue thus bound them together within the girdle of Prouence and could finde in my heart to make Geneua with her great lake and plaines vnder the mountaines a daughter of France although she hath vrgently denied her first mother Besides howeuer the Rhosne or
Rhodanus commeth a pace out of Burgundy it was once knowen by the name of Araris and telleth a true tale of an hundred seuerall townes dispersed on his streames and supported by his bankes The eleuenth booke of this noble countrey openeth the leaues of knowledge for Burgundy which was once a Kingdome as absolute as the King of France himselfe and is still a Dukedome and County graced with such royalties that by their owne prerogatiues they haue brought armies into the field and proclaimed the absolute freedomes of their gouernment yea in the latter times of contestation with France they held the dignity of a Parliament kept a full palace sequestred and instituted the noble order of knighthood called the golden Fleece some would annex the Dutchy of Barr vnto it which I thinke more properly belongs to Loraine and many Earledomes of estimation The petty riuers receiue augmentation from the springs of her fields and the swift Araris is sent into the sea from her mountaines Her cheefest cities are Digion and Austune maintaining regall tribunals exposing ostentous edifices boasting of great antiquity setting out the brauery of diuers monuments and palaces and supporting the necessities of many people The townes of the Dukedome would bee called Latornelle Rochpot Chalons Verdune Seure Argilly Sausieu and such like The townes of the County please the inhabitants with the titles of Iussy Gray Dole Besanson Quingay Salins Arboies Paligny Bouteuant Noseroy Vennes Chastillion and diuers others none of which but either boasteth of one excellency or other some for making salt some for fulling cloth some for spinning linnen some for mines and minerals some for excellent pastures some for vines some for cattle and all for good building plenty of Gentle-men and concourse of people The twelfth doore of this Countries enclosure is vnlocked for Loraine howeuer the Duke repineth that he is not a King with his ancestors and still protesteth he wil be as absolute within his own territories as an Emperor nay sometimes addeth the French King himselfe For louing both alike he will bee auxiliary to either and sometimes enemie to both as being such a Prince who aduanceth and diminisheth at his pleasure the Marquisate of Ponce the Earledoms of Vademont Verdune Blamont Demanche Marchen and diuers other coronets with the immunities of sundry Baronies all depending vpon his praemium poena The townes of this countrey are Metts famous for the Emperours siege and many warlike fortifications Nancy Voige Chaligy Vaudmont Dompair Rosiers Rumbelluillier and such like worthy description but as I sayd in the beginning I intend not to extenuate the endeauours of other men either in their trauels or commentaries nor tell any abrupt tales when such and so many famous Authors and Cosmographers speake so orderly and plainely Therefore I referre you thither for more ample discourses especially concerning such cities as I haue ouerpassed and yet flourish at this hower in seuerall countries it shall only suffice me to name the countries and principall places that I may prepare you the better to attend my comparison when I shall set out England to the sale with her ornaments of commendation indeed The thirteenth roome of the palace of France her Honour is appropriate to Callis and Boloigne maintaining the sea-shores ouer against Kent and the sweet breathing mouth of the Thames in England but in such emulation being so neere that either they complaine to be thus long disioynted from her gouernment or seeme offended that we euer possessed them and could keepe them no longer much of this countrey once belonged to Artoys and was diuided betweene the Emperour and France by way of composition But if you would know wherin and wherof it boasteth indeed it is for two famous Dukes of the same or if you will but Earles who by their valours and heroik endeauours obtained the noble Diadems of the world the one was Godfrey inuested King of Ierusalem and made like another Agamemnon Captaine Generall of the Christian army against the Saracens The other was Stephen sonne of Duke Williams daughter of Normandy raised to the dignity of England and maintaining the possession against Maud the Empresse and her sonne during his life The last part of this glorious Kingdome may include Vermond and Picardy whose principall townes are Guise La Fere Han St. Quintine Tornay Chatel Abeuile Amiens Auxi Peron and such like washed with the streames of the Some and Scaldis whose rivulets make the fields plentifull in corne and grasse although the inhabitants are not industrious in planting of vine-yards which I rather impute to the indisposition of the soile then their negligence Thus you see with what a glistring crowne the head of France is impaled in the chaire of Maiesty and may visit the palace of honour with more and better attendance of Princes Dukes Earles and Gentle-men then any absolute Monarch of the world yet because it hath some defects in meere matters of state according to the true prosperity of a countrey and that diuers deficiencies chance somewhat disgraciously vnto her like staines and spots to pure linnen I cannot yeeld her the pride of happinesse because you shall see in my next book of comparison wherin her fulnesse of glory is ecclipsed and how wee our selues enioy many prerogatiues before her CHAP. XV. The Description of the Low-Countries BEyond all euen to the sea which made a sea of their fields and townes lie the seuenteene Prouinces called the Low-Countries or Germania inferior For alas the name and title of Gallia Belgica is long since extinguished although as I sayd all the Countries on this side the Rhene toward France were reputed as France Of these I must vse a little ampliation because I cannot chuse but wonder how any Prince would neglect such a benefit as the peaceable possession of these places which for goodnesse greatnesse and wealth vnited with the loue of the inhabitants might haue exceeded Spaine it selfe as by their reuenewes multitude of people cities shipping traffique with all nations and home-bred commodities may appeare They are called Ditiones inferior is Germaniae diuided into Dukedomes Counties and Lordships and knowen by these Characters The Dukedomes Brabant Limburck Luzenburg and Gelderland The Counties Flanders Artoys Henault Holland Zeland Namurs and Zutphen which is but one principall towne and some small territories adiacent The Marquisate of the Empire The Lordships Freesland for you must take notice that East Freesland belongeth to a Prince of her owne and euer disclaimed to bee subiect either to Emperour or King and so holdeth vp a head of liberty accordingly Mechlin Vtrech Trans-Ysell and Groining In these are numbred 228. great townes murited with wals ramparts ditches warlike ports bridges and fortifications Besides their guards are continuall either of their owne Burgers or Souldiers lying in garison according to the proximity of the enemy importance of the place necessity of affaires or inconueniences of the time The villages or dorps are 6300.
same or worse courses with the Iewes and by degrees became flat Apostates so that God was weary of them likewise gaue a third nation power to thrust them from their firmenesse and disiointed their established foundation of religion and happinesse which was acted by the hands of Turkes who succeeded them and had likewise their Prophet Mahomet to instruct and direct them to loue the great God of heauen more religiously than the others from whose supportation the maiesty you now behold spreadeth the wings of glory ouer the imperiall Citties both of Iewes and Christians namely Ierusalem and Constantinople nay if you looke into Asia we haue Tauris and Babilon and in Egipt possesse Cairo or Memphis and Alexandria so that no doubt we shall multiply blessing vpon blessing if wee continue confident toward him and his elected Prophet otherwise some strange and barbarous nation shall expell and extirpate vs as we haue vsurped ouer others Thus then you see with what successe these three religions haue bin caried in the current of estimation both with God and man namely the Iewes who haue Moses to make intercession for them The Christians who haue IESVS their Mediator and Mahumetans who depend vpon the merits and exaltation of Mahomet But for you that are of no religion nay haue denied the faith wherein you were borne and baptised there is sure no redemption but the Deuill himselfe to fetch you away Which answere was so distasting although as you heard it went vnder safe conduct that the tyrannous Lord not onely commaunded him to be broken on a wheele to shiuers but inflicted many Christian slaues in his house with the like punishment and thus much for their crueltie amongst themselues now you shall see their behauiour toward Strangers CHAP. VII The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality WHen Mr BARTON was Agent for the English in Constantinople as he passed along to the Viceers vpon occasion of busines the great Empresse this mans Grandmother For Amurath the third his father was but a young man when he died came of purpose to see him formerly moued with a commendatory report of his virtues and personage by diuers iudicious Turkes Whereupon she promised her fancy some satisfaction which not to be performed without a formall looking vpon him she was somewhat appeased that this occasion was ministred but finding it farre short of a fulnesse another interueiw was contriued and the Scene acted in the house of a Iewe to whose wife she came disguised to bargaine for certaine pearle after which in the affaires of the Merchants she countenanced him extraordinarily and had at last priuate conference with him giuing so way vnto their opinion that supposed the secret passages of kindenesse betweene them which was no sooner published and entertained amongst the Bashawes for current but shortly after he died not without suspition of poison and our English affaires had vntoward alteration as the hanging of our Consull at Alexandria the imprisoning of diuers in the blacke Tower a place neere Pompeis pillar at the mouth of the euxine sea especially Arnald and Stranguish who lay there long for their ransome the terrible insulting ouer slaues committing all to their gallies without respect of persons the denying of our former right in the admitting of Merchants into the sacra Porta vnder the bandiers of England and giuing the precedency to France the raising of customes the office being farmed by the Iewes the abusing of Trauellers and other of our Countrey men by Ianisaries and Mechanicks of Stanbole the customary calling vs Christians dogges not daring once to returne an vnsauory answere with diuers such like exorbitant abuses In the time of Master Henry Lisso the Prouinces of Bogdonia and Moldauia were at strife about the establishment of a Gouernour but at last condescended to an vsurper which caused the banishment and flight of the true Princes whereby they were compelled to seeke for succour vnder English protection at Constantinople being Protestants or at least willing to admit of our reformation but whether feare or corruption preuailed he was to the great indignity of our Nation not onely discouered but taken away perforce euen out of our Embassadors house and very disorderly committed to the seuen Towers prisoner from whence by the helpe of Signior Gasparo Gratiano a man for speciall vses entertained amongst the English whose brother and sister were both taken and admitted amongst the Turkes being formerly Christians of Transiluania or Austria he escaped but some disastrous fortune returned him backe againe into the hands of apprehenders who with a more powerfull restraint sent him to the castells from whence once againe through the fauour of a Turkish woman he got his liberty and escaped into Poland but there hee taried not long both in regard of their iealosie of him to discouer their proceedings and his suspition of them for some treacherie against his life or at least his liberty and so he passed to the Emperour where finding small reliefe hee came through France into ENGLAND and there saw the difference between other Nations concerning the entertaining of strangers For he was not onely admitted with correspondency to his estate but had letters of credit to the Gran Signeur for his reestablishment with sufficient inducement to our merchants to lend him 10000. duckets vpon the least hope of his better successe In his absence his mother with great expence and gifts elaboured his restitution but greater summes as it should seeme weighed downe the other scale of his respect or the fortune of happier men preuailed against him For after she had spent 20000. duckets tasted the misery of contempt importuned my Lord Embassador I meane Sir Thomas Glouer in the busines and saw the affliction of Petitioners fed with dilatory excuses she very impatiently attended the good hower of her sonnes returne and was terrified to experience with what extremities men deiected must wrastle especially when he came indeed and was not onely repulsed in his suite but entertained with scorne and contempt Where is now the Turkish ostentation of supporting the innocent and distributing of iustice to all sorts of people When Soliman Catanea was Bashaw of Algier Master Christopher Willoughby a Gentleman and Merchant of LONDON had his shippe and goods seazed on most iniuriously to the valew of 50000. duckets whereof many complaints were made and diuers letters from the Councell of ENGLAND in his behalfe but still distasting answers were returned procrastinating the matter and affording much suspition of not preuailing in his recouery whereupon he went another way to worke and made the principall Viceer acquainted with the same betweene whom and Catanea he vnderstood was a little grudging so that when he had promised him 5000. pieces of gold and laide open his grieuances that they seemed vnanswerable he was remooued from his gouernment and by a missiue commission cited to Constantinople But it should seeme all this was
France both cities and townes with their inhabitants and Merchants are vnfashionable sluttish dangerous rebellious and the people neither of wealth nor eminence In Paris they dare talke of a Kings wantonnesse entermeddle with tractates of Parliament and State call any Prince Hugonet that onely saies the Nostre Dame is but a darke melancholly Church and iustifie very monstrous and abusiue actions Besides to tell of their inconstant and refractary dispositions would be too tedious and sooner discouer their loathsome treasons then preuent the customary and mischeeuous practises of the people The peace of Salomon caused plenty and that spred it selfe ouer all Israel like a shady tree which as a double shelter kept backe the cold of winter and tempered the burning heate of summer so that it is apparant with the Kings magnificense at Court the husbandmans peace and wealth in the Countrey was enlarged whereupon most of them were Berzalites and would go no further then ouer Iordan with Dauid but rerurne to their owne houshold sit vnder their owne figg-trees and bee gathered together into the graues of their ancestours But France knowes not now what to say For the Court is a meere mapp of confusion and exposeth many actions more ridiculous then worthy imitation as for the Countrey-man hee is called a Pesant disparaged in his drudgery and seruile toylsomnesse liueth poore and beastly is treacherous at aduantage and yet afrayd of his owne shadow and cannot free the vineyards from theeues and destroyers yea all the countrey swarmeth with rogues and vagabonds whose desperate wants driue them to perpetrate many horrible murthers although for the most part the Prouosts of euery diuision are very diligent The wisdome of Salomon setled his cities that strangers were admitted at all times except in frontire townes which peraduenture were guarded in the night according to martiall discipline prouided that the passages were easie and secure admitted of all complainants and leuiated their greeuances aduanced himselfe on a golden throne to entertaine matters of Iustice allowed of the Prophets who yet out of zeale cryed out against the abuses of the Temple and Palace and commanded the subiect first to remember his duty to God then his obedience to the Prince and last of all his loue to his neighbour and this hee performed by admonitory preceps to enstruct the ignorant and princely indignation to punish the obstinate France referreth all to Parliaments and Presidents excludeth the reformed Churches out of the walls of the cities hath the name of Prophet in derision suffered the Iesuites to murther two famous Princes permitteth them still a Sanctuary and from worldly policy excludeth true religion out of doores In France the passages are toylesome and disordered dangerous for extraordinary robberies and vnder officers shuffle vp diuers times most notorious abuses To conclude in France many particulars choak the breath of happinesse from giuing life to a glorious Kingdome indeede if the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect were but easily extended so that with these defects I cannot chuse but exempt her from sitting on any hand of Salomons throne Whither shall wee then goe to match our example or at least to come so neere that a ciuill censurer will neither flatter nor detract you know my first purpose and I now determine to lead you into the sweet and orderly fields of England CHAP. XV. ENGLAND compared with the probable reasons why she is neerer the example of CANAANS happinesse then any other nation WIthout preface or circumloquution you shall finde the Kingdome of England in geographicall dimension equall to the country of Canaan and the people praysing of God in regard of their great and extraordinary blessings For begin where you will wee shall come so neere the comparison as a close order in ranging a battalion Concerning the generall view of the same did you euer heare or read of any so well diuided into shires and hundreds with Lords Lieutenants Sheriffs Iustices and other inferiour officers insomuch that it hath layd an imposition on the endeauours of a principall scholler and hee according to the secret of satisfaction hath most worthily vnclasped the records of antiquity and with such sufficient ampliation that our aduersaries haue beene silent in excepting against it But to my first purpose I say that to match all the particulars wherwith I haue stored Salomons magnificence and the countries prosperity there is not at this houre any Kingdome in the world so ready apt or worthy to take him by the hand to pace out the measures of true glory and happinesse as the Kingdome of England Concerning our glory abroad what worthy voyages haue we made I hope no people or nation euer equalled vs witnesse Sr. Iohn Mandeuill into India by land Stafford ouer Europe much about the same time Ienkinson Willoughby Borogh and many others into Russia and Muscouia Forbisher and Hawkins to discouer the northerne passages the Fenners Ralph Lane Iohn Clarke and diuers into America another voyage where of Sr. Walter Raleigh was the proposer our setling in Virginia our traffique to the West Indies Brasill Peru Caribana and Guiana Captaine Drake round about the world twice or thrice Thomas Candish the like our trauels to the East Indies or Philippines the Earle of Cumberlands worthy voyages amongst others that to Santo Port-Ricco the Portugall voyage Cales voyage the Iland voyage and sundry others as in Master Hackluits booke about this subiect only Besides moderne trauellers both of Noble-men Gentle-men although euery man is not a free Denizon of prosperities Kingdom nor can boast of natures bounty in the gifts of vnderstanding or fortunes liberality in disposing her treasures If you would see how our marchants are bestowed look into all the Ports of the world you shall find them setled our shipping in harbour If you could view all the countries of the earth where men dare or can come we are nobly dispersed I beleeue might be pull'd out of the center of the same if such a passage did euer excite man to explore for secrets marchandize or wealth If you were admitted into the remotest palaces of Emperours Kings yea Tartary it selfe English-men would salute you and speak your owne language and if you haue a purpose to affright idlenesse with any enterprize in the world especially to make them beleeue that the hand of profit will fill their laps with plenty English-men dare set endeauours on their best feet and can tell how to tumble all blockes and hindrances aside which may either terrefie them from such enterprizes or detaine them from the glory of the actions only heere lies a secret of traducing them that a supposition of the wants of others or feare of cumbersomnesse when they meet with an indigent countrey-man abroad hath debarred free conuersation and doth make the mutuall supplying the necessity of strangers a harsh-kinde of welcome yea an absolute leauing them to misery if they haue not bills of exchange or letters of
wonder how such a corner of the world should haue such a generall confluence of all happinesse and courtship as if a raised winde should beat the swelling sea of prosperity to one shore But if you will be rauished indeede or transported with the loue of the world come and behold the beauty of our Ladies and the disposing them at a night of solemnity to which if you adde the generall contentment which our English women affoord generally without sophisticate and adulterate additions either to comelinesse or fauour there is no man can hold his peace but proclaime our preeminence Againe if you would see Iustice proud of her entertainment and how shee presents both praemium and poena to the seuerall attendants on her throne of equity looke into our Starre-chamber and view the Sunne in most perspicuous splendour without so much as the least clowdy respect of persons If you will enter our Gentle-mens houses I hope there is no such cupbords of plate beds of of veluet and embroidery hangings of tapistry variety of roomes duty of seruants order of house-keeping store of pastime and all that man can desire in any countrey in the world If you will search our cities and townes what they want in outward deceit of formality and yet I cannot so extenuate our buildings is supplyed in sweetnesse and delicacy and within doore surpasseth the best of them for wealth and furniture As for expences I am sure some Citizens of London are at more annuall charge of diet then the Dukes of Venice Florence or Genoa for their own palaces If you will examine our marchants howeuer some great Foulker or agent for a whole Kingdome in Genoa Antwerp Brussels or other citties may surpasse vs for vsury venting commodities or supposition of wealth yet I am sure there died not two such in one yeere out of one towne in the world as Spencer and Sutton As for the rest they surpasse for curious fare statelinesse following their pleasures handsome education comely entertainment and orderly contribution Besides they liue at home in ease purchase land with security bring vp their children in daintinesse maintaine their families in obedience and cannot be matched by any forraine opposition Would you be acquainted with the Trades-man Artezan and others of mannuall occupation looke how hee liues looke how he fares looke where he dwels looke what he weares looke whether he goes to buy his meat to such markets and shambles that the very sight astonisheth all strangers and once made acquainted with their variety and goodnesse they are amazed at our blessings and wonder how so much prouision can bee orderly deuoured Would you be refreshed with the pleasant countrey aire our Yeoman and Husbandman liueth in such delight and sweetnesse of situation that you may repine at his health and prosperity but if you consider in what comelinesse and decency in what peace tranquility in what neatnes and hospitality in what wealth and good condition you will fall to praising of God for imparting his blessings to our nation and wishing the like to your owne deficient countrey in this kinde For beleeue it as you shall heare heereafter whether he be Purchaser or Farmer our enemies haue repined at our prerogatiues in this kinde and our friends embtaced our noble customes with desire of imitation I could adde many things to the ampliation of our glory as our hauens and harbours especially in Ireland our riuers high wayes secure trauelling vniuersities castles bathes mines and honorable orders of watchings trainings and musters but I referre them to their due places when I shall prooue our excellency and transcending prerogatiues beyond other nations And thus much for our glory CHAP. XVI Wherein the happinesse of ENGLAND is both perspicuous and commendable COncerning the happinesse of a nation what Kingdome hath more commodities within it selfe wanteth lesse or is better furnished from forraine parts so that whether for profits sake the strangers of other countries make sale of their best things or that there is a secret in transportation or that custome or cunning hath taught our marchants euen curiosity it selfe in selecting the choycest things I know not but am sure our England is the shop of the world and London the Magazin of natures dainties But to particulars if it bee a blessing for euery man to eat vnder his owne roofe to sit with the pleasure of conuersation in his orchard or garden to enioy the fruits of the earth with plenty to liue in neighbourly gratuities and in a manner our doores open all night to haue many children seruants and store of cattle to purchase great estates marry our daughters beyond expectation and strengthen one another in worthy families and preuailing affinity looke amongst vs and tell mee where is the like If it be a blessing not to be suppressed with superiours not to haue the Common-wealth rent in peeces with tyrannie not to see others enioy the fruits of our labours not to be tormented with intrusion vsurpation or malicions lookes of ouer-couetous Land-Lords looke amongst vs and demand who can complaine or at least who is so wronged but hee may haue satifaction or redresse If it be a blessing to enioy the preaching of the Gospell to be free from corrupting and absurd ceremonies to reioyce in the liberty of vpright consciences to continue in a true perfect and established religion as heereaster shall be more amply explained to abound with reuerend learned men to haue liberall accesse and dispute of our faith with moderate perswading and disswading and to haue all controuersies tried vpon the touch-stone of Gods truth come and heare vs and tell me wherein you are vnsatisfied If it bee a blessing to haue sociable conuersation and yet with honourable respect to continue the freedome of neighbourly meetings exempted from this intolerable yoake of iealousie and suspition to loue one another with those comfortable conditions of charity to seast without scandall to entertaine without repining and to be merry without lasciuiousnesse Examine the disposition of vs all generally and setting mens imperfections aside which follow life as the shadow the sunne and tell me where is lesse offence in so great fulnesse offelicity If it be a blessing to make the best vse of natures blessings to be rather helpfull then indigent of others help to be at peace with all the Kingdomes of the world to haue confining Princes gratefie vs by Embasie to haue the greatest Monarchs allied or desiring our alliance to welcome all comers with a noble and correspondent inuitation and to thriue euery day more more in the propagation of our worth Take vp the example put vs to the triall and see whether I speake vaine-gloriously To conclude with the best of all blessings if it be a blessing to liue in expectation of a royall succession to bee confident of hopefull Princes to haue adioyning countries study our obseruation to see our owne country and people flourish with all abundance and to
beholding to peace and prosperitie that he tempred his warlike spirit from affecting either forreine or domesticke dissention yet did he consecrate many famous workes to the memory of his quietnes and out of a swelling of princely greatnes thought Westminster Hall the wonder of the world for a roome in a house too litle for so great a Maiestie Robert of Normandy went in person to Ierusalem and for his Heroicke successe and exploits might haue bin rewarded with the Diadem howeuer he was diuerted to returne home againe into the fields of peace Henry the first was setled in the loue of his people tamed the French pacified Normandy looked after Ireland terrified his foes corroborated his friends loued learning and was a Maecenas of all worthy conditions either in himselfe or others and howeuer the ielousie of soueraigne points intercepted the amitie of the brethren yet was his worth many waies expatiated and diuers particulars of estimation extracted from his gouernment Henry the second obtained the dominion of Ireland brought to happy period many conflicts in France stopped the breath of gaping hostilitie in England lashed the sides of his vnruly children with stripes of discomfiture and liued in great honor and estimation insomuch that he neuer exacted imposition of his people nor wanted in his warres yet left a treasure of aboue 200000 pound in ready coine besides iewels and plate which was much in those daies What thinke you of Richard the first Were not his voyages conquests titles and surname of Cuer de Lyon for his valour and exceeding courage markes of true honor Would not his life make a memorable story Shall not his actions be registred in the court of eternitie Did he not proue a worthy champion of renowme Ciprus was wonne Acon conquered Ierusalem established the confederate Princes ielous of his glory and all the countrey full of his memory so that considering his tedious iourneyes the perill of his person the successe of his actions and the noble end of his atchieuements let the proudest of the Othoman race be compared and spare not The troubles of King Iohn the Barons warres the plantation and buildings in Ireland the discouerie of the Clergies corruption the calling in of Lewis the dismissing the French backe againe and the turbulency of those times may ranke themselues with the fame of very proud Monarks Henry the third subdued the Welchmen made sundry voiages into France had many conflicts with his owne Barons set forward a notable expedition to Hierusalem shewed diuers effects of an heroicke and magnanimous spirit raigned gloriously 56 yeeres and in the interims of his peace brought many ostentous buildings to perfection Edward the first went diuers times into Scotland disposed of that Crowne as he thought good subiected them to England conquered the Welchmen appeased them with a Prince of his owne sonne borne in Carnaruan setled his estate and ended a famous life with a glorious death to which when renowne and victorie was added the applause rang through the world Edward the third and the blacke Prince haue engrossed the fame and renowne of the vniuersall earth and many memorable actions are aduanced vp as trophees of their vnimitable glory so that they may march to the palace of maiestie with the proudest Emperors For what worthy atchieuements so euer haue bin perpetuated in England Wales Scotland Almaigne and Flanders in their owne persons they haue brought to passe as if they had bin borne to shew some wonder of nature and exposed as rare examples to succeeding times And for his other sonnes step into the proudest house of Austria and tell me who can match them Iohn of Gaunt went twise into Spaine and conquered Castile in the right of his wife Lionell Duke of Clarence passed the Alpes into Italy maried the daughter of Millane reuelled in those parts with extraordinary cost pompe and attendants and wrought both a reuerence and loue toward his person from forreine people Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke was so wise and reposed that the gouernment of England kept it selfe warme vnder the ouer-spreading of his embraces Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester was so true a louer of his country and champion of honor that he contested with Maiestie for degenerating from her owne properties and durst tell his nephew King wherein he wandred from his paternall renowne Henry the fourth when he was but Earle of Hertford went into Africke bare his father company into Spaine and obtained the diadem through popular loue and respect of the people And although King Richard the second was an vnfortunate Prince yet did he surpasse both auncestors and successors for brauery in apparell costly expences sumptuous fare glorious courtship noble company princely reuels and magnificent estimation For all the while Queene Anne of Bohemia liued the fame of England was dispersed ouer the world and the King had 8 or 10000 continually in his Court whereby his pompe and port surpassed other Princes But would you wonder indeed Then looke into the 9 yeeres of Henry the fift and you shall see such a vnitie of vertues consent of graces entertainment of valour perfection of industry militarie brauery and fulnes of generous designes that his very enemies gaue way to the report of his worthy life and France in his death was left as a comfortles widow or desolate orphan I might recite the fame of Edward the fourth for reuenging his fathers death many conflicts before and after he was King his voiages into France his distastings against Burgundy his troubles at home and other princely dispositions I could also bring into your good opinion the valour of Henry the seuenth his miraculous deliuery his noble establishment his buildings and sumptuous monuments his riches and wealth his wisdome and politicke contriuing of affaires the stately disposing of his Palace and many other remarkable actions but I am affraid that I am too weakly furnished to enter into the lists with iudicious censurers nor shall be able to wrastle with opinion and seuere examination which will rather condemne me for slight extenuation in the attempt than entertaine the discourse as a befitting subiect or adapted explication of princelines Henry the eight wan Turwin and Turnay entertained the Emperor Maximilian welcommed Charles the fift compounded at his pleasure with France made voiage after voiage conquered Bulloigne had almost obtained the Empire was maiesticall in all things and died as it were in the armes of kingly reputation Queene Elizabeth deserues a whole story of her life maiestie and gouernment For the very Heathen and Mahumetans the Persians and Idolaters the Aethiopians and Muscouite doe name her with reuerence CHAP. XXII An other excellencie of ENGLAND casting vp an account of her antiquitie in one vnited Monarchy before other Nations AS no country in Europe did euer aduance vp so many excellent parts together toward the building the frame of perfection so is it apparant in nothing more liuely than in Englands antiquitie in one vnited
aduanceth or deiecteth can attend the good houre and begge all such graces as a Princes fauour distributeth to the subiect yet haue I read of a King in England who importuned by a Yeoman to be made a Gentleman answered hee could enoble him with knighthood or the title of a Baron but not confirme him a Gentleman because true gentry had another manner of lustre from the raies of vertue and honour in a continuall discent of Auncestors illuminated from the sunne of worthy actions either in military profession or administration of ciuill gouernment But thus liueth our Countreyman by what name or title soeuer onely we were wont to interpose this difference betweene Yeoman Francklin or Farmer that the Yeoman was a landed man either Freeholder or coppieholder the Farmer onely hired another mans land paying a fine or rent and so growing rich had the denomination of the other and did not in times past murmure though you called him Good-husband or expert Plow-man yet call him what you will he is in some Countries able to lodge you richly set a peece of plate on the cupbord fiue or six dishes of meate on the Table sweete and fine linning on your bed cheerefully to welcome you and is so cunning besides that he can tell his Lawyer a formall tale and complaine to the Iustice if a farre better man doe him wrong and in this who can come neere vs CHAP. XXV Another excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the goodnes of our Nauy and shipping I Hope I shall now passe without contradiction especially when I bring you forward to our ports harbours and riuers shewing you the glory of our shipping whether you esteeme them as the Kings and onely purposed for magnificence state and occasion of warre or the Marchants for exploration of countries plantation of Colonies bringing in of commodities enriching of our Kingdoms and yet withall defending our selues or both together for noble actions memorable voyages extraordinary encounters and ceremonious brauery wherein wee haue bin so priuiledged that from the memorable fame of Edward the third to this instant we neuer met enemy but preuailed vpon equall termes yea great odds and when we had misfortunes it was as Sampsons death amongst the Philistims who pulld downe the Temple on their heads and slew more at that instant than in his former enterprises witnes many nauall battailes wherein what losse soeuer we susteined the aduersarie had double and treble euen when about the fourth yeere of Hen 8. the Nauies of England and France met at Britaines Bay and we lost the Regent of England wherein Sir Thomas Kneuet was Captaine with 700 men yet did they endure the wreck of many ships especially the French Carick called then the wonder of Europe in which Sir Piers Morgan with a 1100 men perished as also when Sir Richard Greenueild within our memory miscaried by a meere disastrous chance although I might honestly excuse it by ouer-great aduantage of both ships and gallies yet as they themselues haue confessed they had no great cause to boast or let any vaine-glorious insulting runne at random But how wee haue preuailed indeed let these few instances suffice About the 14 of Edw 3. the King gathered a Nauy of 200 saile against the French who in those daies were coadiuted with Flanders as a Peere of France wherein though he was mightily ouer-matched with numbers yet preuailed he in execution and had so triumphant a victorie that their owne account numbred 30000 men slaine 200 ships surprized and taken and the rest put to an ignominious flight The 20 yeere hee went into Normandy dismantled her Townes spoiled Cane and as a messenger of reuenge brought fire into the Harbours vntill the ships were consumed and set on a blase Anno 24 he encountred the power of Spaine and vnplumed their fethers of ostentation by taking 28 great ships and making the rest vnseruiceable Anno 33 he sailed into Picardy and so preuailed that the sea yeelded him safe passage and all Burgundy safe conduct Anno 41 with a memorable victory both at sea and land did the blacke Prince resettle Peter of Spaine and in despight of all the sea forces or other warlike opposition passed and repassed at pleasure In the time of Rich 2. about the 10 yeere the Duke of Lancaster sailed into Spaine but how glorious that victory was on our side and how surmounting our Nauie before theirs the wonderfull successe attested and their owne inventories record the losse with lamentable Items The next yeere following Richard Earle of Arundell and Thomas Earle of Notingham encountred at sea with an infinite number of Flemmings but victory is in the hands of God and multitudes of men faile in their ostentation For in that maritime contention were taken a 100 ships and better the successe filling our Cities with commodities and our mouthes with praises and thanksgiuing In the 5 of Henr 4 when the French came to the I le of Wight and assailed Dartmouth with a great Nauy the rusticall people preuailed against them and manning out but the fisher-boats of the country with certaine Pinaces attending the seruice tooke 16 of their best ships and compulsed the rest to be the messengers of their owne obloquy The 3. of Hen 5. was a yeere of triumph and a 1000 saile of ships filled the narrow seas cleared the passage into Normandy amased all men who had notice of our brauery and reioyced the rest of Europe with Encomians of our successe which followed presently in France In the 15 of Edw 4. it pleased the King to passe ouer to the aide of the Duke of Burgundy but howeuer his inconstancie proued vnsauory to vs at land it matters not I am sure the seas gaue vs way nor durst their Nauy presume to intercept vs. In the 5. of Hen 8. the former encounter which I named at Britaines bay was a day of terror and we tooke burnt and spoiled as many as we mustred out of harbour The next yeere threatning Turwin and Turnay our Nauy carying all afore it like a swelling riuer beating downe the slender banks there scarce appeared an opposite for the former losses were so great that they halted downe-right in their recouery and France once lamed in her shipping cannot euery yeere bring a new Nauy into the channell with good equipage or aduantage The 14 yeere the Earle of Surrey was Admirall and not onely preuailed in all encounters at sea but by vertue of our shipping conquered diuers townes both in Britaine and Picardy The 15. the Duke of Suffolke was sent into France with an army of 30000 who passed the seas yea the water of Some without battaile and so terrified the French with all their coadiutors at that time for you must vnderstand in those repining and murmuring daies against our glory France Spaine the Low-Countries and Scotland were either confederate or entertained for wages so that almost all the mercenary shipping of Europe attended on the payment of the
because he came of purpose to admire her Maiestie and commend her country Not long after 1581. Francis Burbon Prince Daulphine of Auergne Arthur Cass Marshall of France with Lusignian and others came to make way to Monsieurs admission who accordingly anno 24 as Duke of Aniou the French Kings brother and next heire to the flower-de-luce was welcommed beyond expectation and entertained with such sumptuous showes and variety of delight that they know not how to put it ouer with true noblenes considering the disparity betweene their customes and ours About the yeere 1583. Albertus Alasco free Baron of Lasco Vaiuode or Palatine of Siradia in Poland was an eye witnes of our many prerogatiues such as we may terme Court brauery Cities excellency countries happines vniformitie of our Vniuersities strength of our Nauies and glorious contentation in all estates Anno 1596. The Duke of Bolloigne came into England and in 1600. extraordinary Embassadors from Barbary and Russia who although from a stubborne bestialitie seemed to vilipend the managing of many affaires by outward forme yet were driuen to applaude our generall happines and confesse with admiration that no Kingdome was so disposed for reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect Yea 1601. that vndaunted souldier Duke Birone who seldome gased at any meteor or setled planet out of his owne sphere came ouer amongst vs with 300 attendants and returned with this resolution that the Queene and Court of England vnder such a Queene was the true mirror of maiestie and map of magnificence had not some of them misliked the broken and vnsauoury structures of Whitehall which indeede if it might hold vp a head of outward vniformitie and statelines as it doth when it list of inward maiestie and greatnes I know not then who could compare with vs any way except the gallery of Paris being the worke of 60 yeeres expences and pride of many seuerall Princes and the Turkes Seralio in Constantinople a vast aedifice for many purposes and receptacle for 20000 people which one way or other are lodged in and about it For in truth within the walls and iron gates it containeth as much roome or more than all S. Iames parke and Whitehall together When our King Iames was established to the admiration of all the states of Europe Monsieur Rosne from France Don Iohn de Tassis from Spaine and many other extraordinary Princes from all the Courts of Christendome came ouer to gratifie his happines but 1604 Don Iohn de Velasco Constable of Castile was as an extraordinary Prince extraordinarily entertained to which if you vnite the glorious welcome and admission of Prince Vlrick Duke of Holstaide as also of George Lodwick Lantgraue of Lutenburgh sent from the Emperor Rodulph you may well expose their entertainment against the greatest magnificence of other countries Anno 1606 Don Iohn de Mendoza Marquisse of S. Germaine was sent ouer to his Maiestie and presently the King of Denmarke came to visit his sister The next yeere 1607. Prince Ienuile second sonne to the Duke of Guise sported amongst vs and much applauded our Court and customes Then in 1608. followed the welcome of Christianus Prince of Henault and presently after the admission of many great personages besides the Leigers Embassadors of diuers Nations To which if you vnite the second comming in of the King of Denmarke the Duke of Bolloignes welcome and many others about the seuerall treatises of our Princely mariages with the Lady Elizabeths solemnities when Prince Fredericke Count Palatine came in person to take her to his wife I make no doubt concerning the purpose in hand you will all confesse that England hath not bin a litle graced and the rowle of our excellencies hath one Item beyond other countries for remarkable persons comming amongst vs either for pleasure or state-imployment which the rather hath place of wonder because wee are seated in the sea and so farre remote from the maine commerces of the world so that whosoeuer comes to vs must looke for no through-fare nor Cities of strength as in many places but bee content to sit amongst vs with amasement that euery man eats vnder his vine with plenty peace and such acates as great Kingdomes want for all their treasure and popish fasting daies CHAP. XXVIII THE CONCLVSION I Could further marke your tallies with many memorable priuacies wherein we ouer-passe other Nations but they be things so well knowne already to iudicious and vnderstanding men that I must needes be ielous of my selfe for entring so slenderly armed into the lists of so great a contention and against such aduersaries who will either out of curtesie smile at my folly or prouder experience deride my ignorance or peremptory wilfulnes scorne my tenuity but I will anticipate all censorious exceptions with a plaine confession of Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim Yet notwithstanding seeing I haue plaied the truant already I will imitate the cunning and stubborne schoole-boy who perceiuing an impossibilitie to auoide the punishment for his offence gaue a longer content to his pleasure and taried out the last houre with supposition that all could end but with one chiding so considering I haue racked your patiences thus farre I will questionles determine my first purpose after my owne fashion and vndergoe your pitty or vilipending for all together Know then that our Vniuersities for state maiestie good order number of schollers and iudicious learning surpasse all countries of Europe and if in Cambridge you looke on Kings Colledge chappell the sumptuous quadrant of Trinitie and the delicate compacting of our new Colledges you cannot but imagine we had a hope in the structures to contriue some thing for admiration If in Oxford you consider the Diuinitie schooles the foundations of Christs Church Sir Thomas Bodleis library and other things of account you must needs conclude that we striued to exalt our Nation for such rarities Our bathes high waies and securitie to trauell in are not to be ouer passed Our Inns or as they call them Hosteries with other places of entertainment yeeld a plenary satisfaction to our trauels and open the embracings of extraordinary welcome insomuch that our wearied bodies are folded in the armes of quietnes and rest and our troubled spirits setled in reposednes and content In our hospitalitie we goe beyond all other Nations and many worthy mens houses exceede scattered villages both for diuers buildings and numbers of people else where Our diet is abundant and the best of the cattle and for the blessings of increase bids you welcome to the fat of the earth Abrahams cake Abrahams calfe Esaus venison Labans good cheere the louing fathers fat kid and all of that sort Our seruants are hansome and honest in comparison of others our ciuilitie and attendance extraordinary nor is the Gentleman to be dallied with by inferior groomes nor any man to be abused if he stand on the true leggs of obseruation Our lawes are seuere toward capitall crimes and if offences
bedurty vs wee are not yet impudently to mount on a stage to be seene nor be so ignorant but we can hide our selues till we be cleaner or make a composition with mercy and pacification if the busines bee not darkned indeede with loathsomnes and euery thing amongst vs with a fashionable hansomnesse ouerswaieth nicer exception Thus I hope you will first pardon me for vaine-glory or affectation considering I speake for my country and then yeeld vnto the truth which at last must preuaile considering I haue confirmed her excellencies and prerogatiues Nor haue I taken this taske vpon me out of supposition that England would haue lost her reputation if I had not traduced my selfe in these triuiall Tractates but meerely I protest to affront some humorists who as irresolute or ignorant thinke too slightly of our worth and in my owne hearing haue presumed to match petty Princes with vs against whom I dare maintaine that if there were such occasion the Voluntaries and idle disposed of our Country would goe in such troopes and in such a manner that we need neither pay customes for silkes out of Florence Genoa Leuca or some other of their principall states of Italy nor haue our store-houses empty of the marchandice of India or China As for the gold of Ophir though many thinke ancient mines may be exhausted oh that they might try their fortune I beleeue we should not need proclamations against exportation of our coine But better is better I haue commended the peace of Salomon as one of the cheefest parts of blessednes which the birth of our Sauiour ratified and the comming in of our King exampled and let it continue a Gods name with the spreading of the Cherbins ouer sanctum sanctorum and the shadow of the Almighty couer vs vntill we come to the port indeed of all comfort happines and securitie FINIS All nations loue their owne Countrey best 1 Strangers 2 Traueller 3 Bâ—…ereader 4 â—…me-bred discontents 5 Patisis 6 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Englâ—…nd commâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a c The firâ—… Monarâ—… of the 〈◊〉 as it is now made â—…rious TAVRVS hath many names Amazones Tartarians a new name Theft lawfull and vnlawfull Râ—…barb The third Empire of the world Diuers authours write of India and would include China as one Countrey India now intermingled with Christians 4. The fourth part of the worlds honour The 〈◊〉 Tyara The Persians aâ—…e You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fift parâ—… of the 〈◊〉 glory Countries Cities Riches His Conquests The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…me The conuersion of the Aethiopians Prester Iehan no Priest The seuenth share of the worlds 〈◊〉 Alexander and Cleonidas Northren regions Norway Swedia Denmarke How the Goths came into Italy The eighth part of the worlds brauery Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe Germanes haters of deceit Errors of Courtiers How Germany is neighbored Fooles may giue good counsell The ninth part of the earths glory Non 〈◊〉 vlâ—… Pâ—…s 〈◊〉 Inquisâ—… 1609. Eight kingdomes in Spaine America conquered The true Philosophers stone Italy diuided Countries Cities Rome Venice Millane Genoa Turine Pauy Padoa Cremona Verona Mantua Mirandula Ferrara Parma Bononia Rauenna Urbine Ancona Florence Pisa. Lâ—…uca Sâ—…a Naples The estate of Italy in tâ—…is modern age Naples Rome Florence Leuca Venice Modena Mantua Parma Millano Genoa Trent Piemont Saâ—…y descrâ—…d Mount Melian Aguabelle Geneua Pen men mawre in Wales The occurrences of Millane The 〈◊〉 in possâ—…ssion of Millane 1515. The Spaniard taketh part with Millane against the French The Spaniard by the Popes flattery looketh after Millane for himselfâ—… The Spaniard absolute ly possesseth Millane The Topography of France Galli of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gascoine Guienne Poictoy Aniou Brâ—…taigne Normandy I le of France Berry Limosin Languedock Prouence 〈◊〉 Loraine Boloigne Picardy The glory of the sâ—…uenteene Prouinces as moderne times esteem them Limburck Lutzenburg Henault Artois Namurs Brabant 〈◊〉 Gelderland Zutphen Zeland Holland Vtrech Freesland Groining The Low-Countries is lost by the Spanyard A generall commendation England Ireland Lemster Munster Conach Ulster I haue knowne of them deliuered in the morning march along with vs the same dâ—… Salomons royalty The dominion of the great Cham compared China farre short of Salomons happinesse India commeth short of a happy countrey The Maâ—…umetans are no way neere our example The cruell gouernment of the Turks amongst themselues Mustapha's story about Hyrena The lamentable tragedy of Mustapha Looke the Commentary and Lettere de principe in Italian The doctrin of the Deruices or mendicant Priests of Turkie This was in the time of Amurath the third Prince of Moldauia Mr Christopher Willoughby The Vinyard taken by the Maltasses Edward Conach The Viceer of Arabia The Turkish gouernment deficient in exemplary goodnesse or happines The story of Scanderbeg and why he was so called The degrees of the Turks 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beg in Turkish is great or honourable 7 The manners of Turks and their gouernment Their religion The comparison layd together 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The deâ—…cts of Russia 1588. The deâ—…cts of Aethiopia The merchandize from India and Aethiopia superfluous things and such as we neede not The imperfect condition of Germany The Emperor Charles the fift despised for his meane habit The mangled prosperity of Italy Diuers particulars concerning Italies glory disreputation Spaine wanteth many things to come neere our example Beautifull womâ—…n As the blessings of France are abused it cannot equall our comparison The law salicke in France against the law of â—…od and nations The glory of England both abroad and at home The glory of England at home The happinesse of our countrey London and Paris comâ—… Constantinople described and compared with London Why Seralio Venice described and compared with London Common places against idolatry yea the vaine erecting of images Reasons why we should not commit â—…iolatry The foolish excuse of Idolaters Romish Idols Wherein the Greeke Church is farre from true religion The greatnesse of the Creeke Church The precedency of the Greeke Church Gregory surnamed the Great Nauclerus The verity of the Greek Church The corruptions and abuses of the Romish Church The story of a conuerted Iew. The story of a Turck concerning his opinion of Rome The story of the olde woman at Strasborogh Irish deuotion The Kings of England haue exceeded for many memorable vertues and actions other Princes England the auntientest vnited kingdome of Europe The Husbandmen are happier in England then in other nations Banditi 〈◊〉 Contadino Pesant Boore Churle Yeoman Trarcklin or Former â—…man No nation euer came neere vs for so many and good ships The Marchant of England surpasseth all other Nations A glory worthy all obseruation