a temple of death In these temples alters were erected to the Gods of the yeare to monethly Gods to Arte pouertie The inhabitants of this prouince did in tymes past excel in nauigation they do not now degenerate from their anceters Their chief comodities rise of salt fish This was the last I le knowne in the world as antiquitie belieued And there they said the Sunne beeing weeried with running his dayly race descended into the Ocean sea tooke rest therefore this I le is of Statius called the Sunnes bed GADES FRANCE THe realme of France as now it is limitted hath on the north syde the narrow seas that deuyde it from England westward it hath the west Ocean in the southwest it ioyneth to Spaine directly south it bordereth vpon the Mediterraneum sea On the Eastsyde to begin from the south downward vnto the north it bordereth first vpon Sauoy then on the Countie of Burgundie otherwise called La Franche Countè so along by Lorraine vpon Luxembourg Heualt Ã…rtois This goodly kingdome is aboundant in corne and wyne al sortes of frutes hauing plenty of cattel and foule wanteth not all other necessarie thinges mynes it is not renowmed to haue yet is it moste ritch opulent beeing situate in the middest of the chief countries of Europe hauing trafike on all sydes It shal not be needful to shew the three parts wherein Ceasar recounteth it to haue bene deuyded of oldtyme seeing both the limitts and inhabitants are since altered At this present it is deuyded into eight prouinces which are vnder eight continual courtes of Parlament The first is the prouince of France otherwise called the I le of France wherein the citie of Paris is situate In which citie the first courte of parlament resideth The second prouince is Languedoc the parlament whereof is in Tholouse The third Guienne whose parlament is in Bourdeaux The fowrth is Normandie whose parlament is in Roan The fist is Burgundie whose parlament is Dijeon The sixt is Dauphinè whose parlament is in Grenoble The seauenth is Prouence whose parlament is in Aix The eight is Britannie whose parlament is in Renes and vnder these eight prouinces all France is conteyned limitted for recours of iustice vnto these parlaments FRANCE GASCONIE THis prouince of Gasconie is situate on the southwest syde of France reatching on thesaid syde vnto the Pireney mountaines by the which France Spaine are deuyded On the east syde it hath Languedoc and on the north Guienne and Arminac The people are valiant warlyk The country is very plentiful of all thinges but it chiefly aboundeth in wyne where with it not only serueth it self but sundry other countryes in Europe besydes In the tyme of Carolus Magnus it was called the kingdome of Gascony In this country thesaid Charles the great marching against the Saracins of Spaine did lose in a battaile forty thowsand men in which battaile his noble nephew the Earle Roland was slaine This country was first subdued vnto France by Dagobert the first of that name In the yeare of our lord 1155 both it and all Aquitaine came to bee subiect vnto the crowne of England through the mariage of King Henry the second of that name with Elinor daughter and heyr vnto VVilliam Duke of Aquitaine And it was lost in the yeare of our lord 1453. in the 31 yeare of the raigne of King Henry the sixt so as it remayned vnder the obeisanâ—e of England about 300 yeares GASCONIE POICTOV THis prouince of Poitou called in Latin Pictauia is detryded into two partes to wit the Superior Inferior The vpper Poitou is that which stretcheth east-ward towards the countries of Towrs Berry the nether Poitou is that parte which westward extendeth it self to the Ocean sea It is a country frutefull in Corne Cattel rich in wynes furnished with great store of fish And the great aboundance of wyld beastes fowle doth cause the delightfull sportes of hunting hauking to bee here much vsed The chief citie of this prouince is called Poitiers having a notable vniuersitie chiefly for study of the Ciuil law this citie is of great antiquitie as appeereth by the Theatre Aquaduct monuments which are there yet remaining POICTOV BRITANNIE BRitannie called in tyme past Armorica bordereth eastward vpon the country of Maine and a parte of Aniou towards the north it hath the narrow sea a parte of the country of Constantin towards the west the maine Ocean towards the south the country of Poitou It is reconed in two partes to wit the higher the lower Britany There are in it nyne Bishoprykes which are deuided into three distinckt quarters Three of these which are Cornuaille S. Paul Treguiers do speake the British tongue the inhabitants are called Cornubians Other three to wit those of Dol Renes S. Malo do speake the French tongue The third beeing those of Nantes Vannes and S. Brieu do speak both French and British The principall townes in Britannie are Nantes and Renes but in Renes resydeth the courte of Parlament for the whole prouince The chief hauen of all Britany is that of Brest It is not to bee omitted that the hauen of S. Malo is garded with mastiues which beeing thereto trayned do there kepe diligent night watch It is generally a pleasant fertile country the earable land beeing as good as can be desyred hauing also plenty of wood pasture exceeding great store of medow ground There are in it mynes of Iron lead in some places siluer fyne salt is there boyled through the heat of the Sun And the country through the many comodities thereof the sea trafike is very welthy BRITANNIE NORMANDIE NOrmandie hath on the north syde thereof the narrow seas that seperate England France on all sydes els ir is enuyrond with seuerall countries prouinces of France From whence this Duchie taketh name the name it self of Normandie doth declare to wit North-mandie that is the dwelling or region of the men of the North for from Norvvay othewise North-vvay came Rolo afterward called Robert with his Northmen and of Charles the simple King of France hee and his people obtayned heere there habitation about the yeare of our Lord. 9 12. This prouince of Normandie is a moste pleasant fertil soile so wel furnished of all necessaries as sildome any place better It hath great store of flesh and fish of corne and vvood much wyne it hath not there growing but is furnished with great store by the riuer of Scine which coming through Paris passeth by Roan the chief citie of this prouince All the corne feilds as also the high wayes passages are set planted about with frute-trees espitially aples peares which yeildeth great aboundance of tider perry The riuer of Seine as a foresaid passing by Roan falleth into the sea at Haure de grace or nevvhauen where ships arryuing do
for his soldiers in those partes In this territorie was by a gentleman of the cittie discouered in our tyme the very lyke earth both in cooler kynde which is found in the I le of Lemnos the which phisitians do call Terram Lemniam of the Turk is so greatly esteemed that it is not permitted for any man to take thereof but licence of those that haue farmed it THE TERRITORIE of BLOIS MAINE THe countrie of Mans or Maine hath on the south syde Aniovv on the west Britannie on the north Normandie on the east Vendome It is a countrie hauing therein many woodes forests therefore more apt for chase nouris hing of beastes then for corne or pasturage yet is it not vnfurnished of corne feildes faire vineyardes The cittie of Mans is the chief of all the townes of this duchie It is faire populous seated pleasantly the soile about it beeing made the more fertile through the riuers of Haygne Orne and Satre which ioyning together neere this cittie do all in one enter afterward into the riuer of Loire In the chief churche of this cittie of Mans was christened in the yeare of our lord 1133. Henry sonne vnto Geoffrey suruamed the faire earle of Anion and of Maine the which Henrie as heyre vnto Maude his mother daughter vnto Henry the first King of England came after to enioy thesaid kingdome by the name of K. Henry the second MAINE LANGVEDOC BY this Map is described the maritime parte of the countrie of Languedoc as also a parte of the maritime syde of Prouence The prouince of Languedoc is in that parte of France that of old tyme was called Galia Narbonensis It hath on the east syde thereof the riuer of Rhone on the west syde Gasconie on the south the mountaines that denyde it from Arragon a parte of the midland sea on the north the countrie of Quercie In fertillitie it aprocheth vnto that of Prouence according to the neernesse of the place lying on the west syde thereof beeing seperated from it by the riuer of Rhone Tholouse is the chief cittie of all this countrie therin is kept the parlamental court which is accompted the second of all France consequently the next after that of Paris Montpellier is also of fame for the renowmed vniuersitie espetially in the study of phisick There is also the citties of Nimes Narbone sundry others both of importance antiquitie as the ruynes or remainder of diuers moste ancient edifices do declare LANGVEDOC THE I LE of FRANCE THe french do properly call this the I le of France wherein the citrie of Paris the towne of S. Denis c. are situate It is not properly an I le but somwhat compassed about with the riuers of Marne Seâ—ne and Oyse It taketh the name of France as Andrew Thenet telleth vs because the Frankes or Franch-men that came out of Germany when France had the name of Galia the inhabitants were called Gaulos did here make their first setled abode their chiefs did heer begin to take vpon them the tytles of kinges The countrie is aboundant in graine yeildeth exceeding store of poultrie other comodities About the cittie of Paris espetialy towards Mount martyr that kynde of morter for building called plaster of Paris is found This exceeding great moste famous cittie also called Lutetia took the name of Paris after Paris a King of the Celtes though some haue fabulously affirmed it to come of Paris the Troyan It is deuyded into partes Cittie Towne Vniuersitie the cittie is in an I le of the riuer of Seine people do pas by bridge to the towne on the one syde to the vniuersitie on the other This vniuersitie was erected by Charles the great at the solicitation of Alcuinus who was scholer vnto Venerable Bede and afterward preceptor vnto this Emperor and with other learned men came out of England vnto Paris and there in the streetes demaunded yf any would buy wisdome offring to sel it them for the giuing of them a place wherein to vtter it This cittie is the chief seat residence of the kinges of France the court of Parlament About 2 leagues from hence is the towne of S. Denis where in a goodly monasterie the sepulchres and monuments of the ancient kinges of France are to bee seene THE I LE of FRANCE DAVPHINEY THis prouince long since a parte of the kingdome of the Allobroges hath on the northsyde thereof the territorie of Lions on which syde lieth the base or low parte of Dauphiney whereof the cittie of Vienna is the chief on the west syde it is bordered with the Rhosne on the east it ioyneth to Sauoy on the south vnto Prouence this parte is called high Dauphiney the metropolitane cittie thereof is Embrun howbeit Grenoble is the parlamental capitall cittie of the whole countrie It is said that neere vnto this cittie is a fountaine out of the which their issueth both fyre water the which is a moste wonderful woork of nature incomprehensible to all philosophers In the Mountaines not far from this aforesaid cittie is the great chief how 's of the Carthusians who take their name of those cold snowie mountaines of Carthusia The people of Dauphiney beeing annexed vnto the crowne of France not by war or conquest but by amitie haue obtayned to accept no gouernour but of the blood royal of that realme The country in some places is very fertil yeilding store of corne wyne the moste infertil places do yeild great aboundance of chest-nuts with the which both cattel people are nourished so aboundant they are in cattel that they are able to furnish therewith other aioyning prouinces DAVPHINEY THE SIGNIORIE of FLORENCE THis Signiorie of Florence the chief parte of Tuscane is in the hart of Italy in the middest thereof is the ritche beautiful cittie of Florence In this cittie in the yeare 1464 died Cosmo de Medicis a woorshipful citizen thereof from whome the Duke that now possesseth both the cittie countrie and his predecessors are descended This Cosmo for his great wisdome welth credit was such that it may be thought there was neuer any priuate man to wit without some tytle of honor to be vnto him compared The cittie of Florence by the goodly edifices which therin he erected hath bin greatly beautified The moste faire sumptuous Church of S. Laurence he there builded as also the Church of S. Mark the monasterie of S. Verdiana He built for himself so faire a dwelling how 's that the best masters in Architecture do admyre it In the Fesulian hilles hee built the monasterie of S. Hierome and another called the Abbadia In Mugelo he built a monasterie of S. Francis In Fresoli Carregi Cafayolo Tribio places in the country there abouts he built 4 magnifical palaces and in Ierusalem he built an hospital for pilgrims
haue made their residences This citie of Auignion among other rareties hath seauen thinges of note seauen againe of each of them to wit seauen Pallaces seauen Parishes seauen Hospitales seauen Monasteries of women seauen Colleges seauen Couents seauen Gates PROVENCE THE COVNTIE OF BVRGVNDY THe countie of Burgundy the frenchmen call La franche Conté that is to say a free earldome the limits of this earldome northward are Lorraine Germany southward Sauoy westward the Duchy of Burgundy eastward Svvitserland Besançon Dole are the two chief cities of this country The former of these beeing very auncient is the principall of all It hath as good pleasant a situation as any citie els beeing enuyroned with ritch mountaines plentiful vineyards forests of goodly Oakes the riuer of Doux which passeth through the middest thereof doth yeild vnto it very good fish Dole standeth also vpon the same riuer and hath a flourishing vniuersitie in all faculties of learning In a parte of this country there are salt pittes which do yeild moste excellent pure whyte salt In that parte called Arbois groweth the excellent wyne called vin d'Arbois The whole country although but litle is both fruteful wel inhabited albeit it bee said of Orgelet a place where very industrious people dwel that liue by clothmaking that by reason of the rocks mountaynes the fields are without gras the riuers without fish the hilles without wood THE COVNTIE OF BVRGVNDY THE DVCHIE OF BVRGVNDIE THis second or lower Burgundie now a Dukedome was in former ages a kingdome the kinges where of did for the moste parte make their residences in the citie of Arles so as the boundes of this kingdome stretched much farther then this Duchie now doth the which paleth with Campaigne on the north syde with Niuernois Bourbonnoys on the west with the country of Lions on the south the countie of Burgundie on the east Of this Duchie Dijeon is the chief citie it lieth vpon the riuer of Ouche here is held the tribunall or courte of Parlament for Burgundie c. The riuer whereon this citie standeth is full of fish The country is very frutefuul yeildeth very good wyne The Dukes of Burgundie haue heretofore bene very famous of great power opulence and the people valiant The country taketh name as Saniulianus saith of a Burg or castle in the vally of Ogue therefore called Burgogue It hath besydes Dijeon diuers fair cities as Beaunle Chalon Mascon sundry others among which Autun sheweth it self to bee of great antiquitie where the ruynes of a great Theatre are yet to bee seene The cronicles of Aemylius do shew how about the yeare 1044 the whole country of Burgundie was deuyded into two partes to wit into a Dukedome and an Earldome THE DVCHIE of BVRGVNDIE LORRAINE THis Dukedome accompted to bee of Germanie hath on the east syde the country of Alsatia in the south the countie of Burgundy in the west Champaigne on the north the forest of Arden It was heretofore a kingdome and called Austrasia but then extending it self much farther then it now doth It tooke the name of Lorraine of Lotbarius nephew vnto Charles the great was annexed vnto the Empyre vnder Otho the first The country is hilly but wanteth nothing necessary for mannes vse It is furnished with cattel hath very good medowes pasture groundes it yeildeth corne wyne It hath mynes of Siluer Tin Copper Iron Lead Pearles are found in some waters in the valley of vaguy The pretious stone called the Calcedony with sundry other stones of woorth are here fomid as also azure More-ouer here is exceeding pure whyte salt which is said to yeild yearly vnto the Duke all charges borne 100000 Franckes There is a lake about 14 leagues in compas wherein amonge other sortes of fish are carpes of exceeding sweet taste comonly of three foote long one foote large this Lake beeing fished euery three yeares doth yeild somuch that it maketh in yearly value vnto the Duke 16000 Franks Lorraine hath many fyne riuers the holesome warm bath of Plombiers The chief citie is Nancy there the Duke moste comonly resydeth LORRAINE CALIS and BVLLEN OF all partes of the maine continent this only parte is in the view of England England thereof is viewed These two townes with their territories are paled on the east syde with west Flaunders on the west syde with the English or narrow seas northward with the Germaine Ocean southward with Artois Picardie The country aboute Bullen is good pleasant inward into the land are hilles some woods which are accompted portions or partes of the great forest of Arden which the french call Boys de morman The country about Calis is vnpleasant low warrish Calis of sundry authors is called Iccius Portus but others atribute that name vnto Bullen At Bullen is yet beheld a strong tower built by Iulius Ceasar of Englishmen called the old man The towne territory of Calis was subiect to the crowne of England from the yeare 1346 what tyme through force of armes it was by Edvvard the third taken from the french vnto the yeare 1557 when the Lord vventvvorth beeing gouernour thereof for Queene Marie it was taken againe by the French so that it remayned in the possession of the English 210 yeares and the towne of Calis became famous through the Staple of wool by them there holden In tymes past the towne of Calis belonged vnto Flaunders after vnto France then to England so to France agame as hath bin said in the yeare 1596 It was taken from the French through force by the Archduke then Cardinal Albertus of Austria gouernour of the Netherlands at that tyme for the King of Spaine in the yeare 1598 vpon a peace concluded betwene France Spaine it was rendred againe to the French CALIS and BVLLEN VERMANDOIS VErmandois is almost enuyroned with Picardy saue that on the one syde thereof it ioyneth vpon Artois and Cambresy It is a litle prouince but the name is of antiquitie the people thereof were of old called Veromandui The chief towne hereof is called S. Quintins which was long since called Augusta Veromanduorum howbeit one author saith that thesaid Augusta was two myles from the towne of S. Quintines and was since called the Abbey of Vermond This was wont to bee a Bishopryke but S. Medard the fourteenth Bishop of Vermandois translated that seat vnto Noyon in the yeare 524 when the Vandales came into France Phillip the second King of Spaine tooke this towne by force of armes in the yeare 1557 with great discomfiture losse of the French men In this country of Vermandois two notable riuers haue there begining the one not far from the other The one is the riuer of Somme which passing through Picardie falleth into the sea at S. Valeries The other is the riuer of Skeld which passing
the chief cittie thereof which is so called it is the greatest cittie of all Barbarie hauing in it 500 Moschees to wit churches wherein their Mahometical seruice is said for the inhabitants are Mahometaines as those of Marocco also are they are vncourteous vnciuil espetialy toward strangers they are of a pale-tauny collour often subiect vnto agues by reason of the vnhole somnes of the ayre The cittie of Marocco whereof that kingdome also taketh appellation is not as it was of old hauing lost the third parte of the wonted greatnes thereof as the yet remayning ruynes do testify where were wont to bee goodly edifices there are now gardens groues of palme trees That which doth now retaine any beauty therin is the royal pallace which the King Mansor caused to bee buylded FESSE and MAROCCO THE TABLE A AByssine 108 Africa 4 America 5 Ancona 71 Andalusia 12 Aniovv 20 Asia 3 Abruzzo 80 Artois 37 Austria 52 B Barbarie 109 Bauaria 55 Bohemia 53 Berry 21 Brabant 39 Brandenbourg 49 Brescia 74 Britannia 18 Burgundie countie 26 Burgundie Duchie 27 C Calis Bullen 29 Candie or Creet 87 Carthage porte 107 China 100 Como lake 72 Corfu 86 Carsica 83 Crema 77 Cremona 76 Cyprus 88 D Denmarck 47 Ditmers 46 E Egipt 106 England 6 Europe 2 F Fesse 110 Flanders 40 France 15 Franconia 57 Friuli 62 Friesland 44 G Gades 14 Gasconie 16 Geldres 41 Germanie 32 Greece 89 H Henalt 36 Holland 43 Hungarie 91 I Illyricum 90 India 101 Inferior Germanie 33 Ischia 84 Istria 63 Ireland 8 Italia 61 L Larius lake 72 Liege 34 Limousin 22 Lituania 95 Liuonia 96 Lorraine 28 Lutzenburg 35 M Malta 85 Marroc 110 Milan 65 Misnia 48 Mosscouie 98 N Namure 38 Natolia 105 Naples 79 Nortgoia 56 Normandie 19 Northern Regions 97 O Orange 23 Oruieto 70 Ozvviczin 92 P Padua 73 Palestyne 104 Persia 102 Perugia 69 Picardia 31 Piemont 26 Poictou 17 Polonia 95 Pomerania 50 Portugal 11 Prouence 25 Prussia 94 R Roome territ Russia 98 S Salisburg Dioces 54 Sardinia 82 Sauoy 24 Saxonie 48 Scotland 7 Sclauonia 90 Siena territ 68 Sicilia 81 Silesia 51 Spaine 10 Suitzerland 60 Svveden 97 T Tartarie 99 Tercera 9 Thuringia 48 Tirol 59 Transsilunia 92 Tunis 107 Turkie 103 Tuscane 78 V Valencia 13 Vermandois 30 Verona 75 VV VVestphalia 45 VVirtenberg 58 The VVorld 1 Z Zara Zebenico 64 Zator 92 Zeland 42 AN ADDITION OF CERTAINE MAPS VNTO THIS EPITOME OF THE THEATRE OF ABRAHAM ORTELIVS LIMAGNE THis region conteyneth the best parte of the countrie of Auuergne It is most pleasant delectable with goodly forests pure fointaines hot bathes mines of siluer and many sortes of good frutes in it is a certaine water that turneth thinges cast into it into stone Here in is the chief cittie of all Auuergne called Clerment the which francis Belforest affirmeth to haue bene of old tyme that much renowmed cittie Gergonie where Vercingetorix King of Auuergne was wont to kepe his residence In this cittie in the yeare of our lord 1095 was hild the great counsel by meanes of Pope Vrban the fifth about the solicitation of Christian Princes to vndertake war against the infidels for the winning of the Holy land more Christian Princes nobillitie were here then met together then scarsly can bee remembred to haue bene at one tyme place in one assembly Here was also holden in the yeare 1374 a generall meeting of the states of France vnder King Charles the fifth about the expelling of the Englishmen out of such strong places as they then possessed in Auuergne LIMAGNE CHAMPAGNE THe name of this prouince is not ancient the first knowne author that nameth it Champaigne is Aimon as it seemeth it taketh this appellation because it is a champaine vnhillie countrie It is frontyred on the east syde with Lorraine on the south with the Duchie of Burgundie on the west with Brie on the north it hath Retelois It is very plentiful of wyne corne in it are sundry principal citties townes whereof Trois Rbemes are the chief The first beeing a ritch cittie of marchandise where great store of paper is made the other an vniuersitie the staple for wynes of those partes whereof the countrie people haue among them an old prouerb that hee that hath the purs of Troys the seller of Rhemes is able to make war against the King The cittie of Rbemes is very ancient as apeereth by Ceasars comentaries and in this cittie the kinges of France are wont to bee anioynted CHAMPAGNE TOVRAINE THis countrie of Touraine beeing not great hath on the west syde Anion on the south Poictou on the east the territorie of Blois on the north the countrie of Maine parte of Veudome The chief cittie is called Towers which may be reconed among the richest citties of France aswel for the fertillitie of the countrie about it seeming rather gardens then feildes as also for the industry of the inhabitants both in their trasike of marchandise and in their skil in the woorking weauing of silk as fyne wel as yf it came out of Italy VVestward from Towers downe the riuer of Loyre is the cittie of Amboise situate in a healthful ayre moste pleasant territorie Vpon the riuer of Indre which falleth in fyne into the Loire standeth the towne of Laches which hath a faire castle the which through the situation of the place is held impregnable for that it standeth on a rock In this castle was discouered a passage through an Iron gate into a deep caue or dongeon therein was found sitting a Giant resting his elbow vpon the syde of the place where he sat his head vpon his hand as yf he had slept but beeing touched his flesh fel to duste the bones only remayned besydes him stood a cofer which beeing opened their was found in it whyte linen folded together but in the opening of it it brake in peces How this Gigant came to bee here so set seeing no records do shew it s it is left vnto sundry supposals Diuers othergood townes there are in this territorie as Paâ—trâ—y Chastillion Cormery Beaulieu others TOVRAINE THE TERRITORIE of BLOIS VPon the riuer of Loyre about the midway betwene Orleans Amboys lieth the cittie of Blois whereof the territorie about it is accordingly named The soile is very fruteful espetially in corne and the ayre so holesome that sundry noblemen beeing sickly haue bene by their phisitians aduysed to go liue for the recouery of their health in this cittie or territorie for which cause of holesomnes of the ayre diuers kinges of france haue not only here much resyded but haue made it the nercery or place for the bringing vp of their children The cittie of Blois is very ancient at a place called Orcbeze which is about two leagues from it was sometyme Ceasars Magasin or the place of prouision of graine
AN EPITOME OF ORTELIVS HIS THEATRE OF THE VVORLD VVHEREIN the principal regions of the earth are described in smalle Mappes VVith a brief declaration annexed to ech Mappe And donne in more exact manner then tâ—e lyke declarations in Latin French or other languages It is also amplyfied with new Mappes wanting in the Latin editions CONTEMNO ET ORNO MENTE MANV Α ☧ Ω AT LONDON PRINTED BY IOHN NORTON DE GOVERNOVR E VENT GRACE TO THE NOBLY-DESCENDED AND VERTVOVSLY-ACCOMPLISHED Mr. RICHARD GARGRAVE MOST vvoorthy sir no sooner did this stranger my friend set foot on English shore but being desirous to trauail North I could not devise vvhere he should finde more condigne respectiue intertainment then vnder your most fauourable roof It appears by his many languages namely Latin Italian French Spanish high lovv Dutch and novv lastly English that he hath sometimes bin a traueler And so indeed if you examin him throughly you shall finde he hath asvvell by sea as by land In his discourses he is vnlike the greatest part of our trauellers vvho vvith their tedious fabulous narrations vvill bring either deafnes to your eares or slumber to your eyes But this man speakes nothing but matter and that so succinctly as by his conference you may reap delight yet not hinder your affaires of importance or recreation Giue him incouragement in the North and ere long you shall see him come ouer in another habit to try vvhat acceptance the south vvill affourd him Thus doing you shall not onely grace him benefit your country but in all dutifull seruices you shall make mee his poore vvel-vviller Yours Most truly deuoted A brief description of the 2 half globes or spheres asvvel Celestial as Terestrial BEcause the true proper description of the earth the partes thereof cannot wel bee made without the knowlege of Cosmographie Geographie It is not amisse that the circular composition both of heauen earth bee briefly explicated Cosmographie doth describe the world that is to say the heauen what els is conteyned within the circuit thereof For the world is deuyded into heauenly elementarie regions The celestial or heauenly doth conteyne 8 distinct Orbes of starres of which the seauen former and neerest to the earth are atributed to the seauen planets and the greater of these doth alwayes conteyne circularly the lesser euery one of these doth carry about one only star or planet but the eigth otherwise named the firmament conteyneth in it all the other starres which are called fixed The starry heauen or firmament conteyneth within his circumference all the foresaid Orbes with their planets and thesame againe vvith all the other inferior Orbes is embraced of the nynth heauen which is called the first moueable by vvhose continuall reuolution all these 8 Orbes of starres are caryed about vpon the pole of the vvorld from the east to the west in the space of 24 howres but the 8 inferiors on the other parte are euer caried continually about from the west vnto the east vpon other poles called those of the Zodiak But because mariners do vse only the constitutions of certaine principal fixed starres which are found about the 2 poles of the world the ambiguous moueinges of the planets are here omitted as to them not necessarie here are only aioyned two celestial figures by which the two half spheres of the whole firmament or starred heauen are demonstrated Of the which the first conteyneth the septentrional or northerne starres the second those vvhich belong to the southâ—â—â—â— THE CELESTIAL GLOBE THe elementarie region is compassed and conteyned within the later Orbe of the planets in the which the moone holdeth her place This region doth consist of fowre elements of which the highest is called by the naturall philosophers fyre the next after is called ayre the third vvater and the fowrth earth of which the two later do make together one round body And as to the view of the courteous reader hath bene set downe in two half spheres the whole constitution order of all the fixed starres so in lyke manner is here pourtraited in other two half spheres the constitutions of the whole earth aswel the partes habitable as the inhabitable The former of which conteyneth the new discouered world which is called America the later the world longest knowne by our ancerers inhabited the which is deuyded into three partes Europa Asia Africa And because there is mention made in the descriptions folowing of the different countries places with their proprieties such particular descriptions are therefore heere omitted To declare also the reasons how the conioyned superfices of the whole earth are to be designed in platforme would bee ouerlong wherefore such as desyre to vnderstand it may haue recours vnto the writings of Ptolomey Alexandrinus as also of Neoteryk but espetialy to the comentaries of the moste learned Gerardus Mercator vpon Ptolomey his book of Geographie to such learned authors as thereof haue treated THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VVHOLE VVORLD As a preface to the reader IT is agreed on by all Cosmographers that the whole world is round it is coÌ„pact in that perfect figure by the Almighty maker author of all perfectioÌ„ It is surely a mirrour of moste great admyration wherein the vnsearchable scyence of the all-surpasling Artizan is to bee seene as also the greatnesse of himself in so great omnipotencie And rather might it seeme a point of faith and belief to hold that the earth depending on nothing should bee so immoueable beeing round the oposite inhabitaÌ„ts vnder different horisons to bee antipodes the one vnto the other but that experience and proof and not belief and faith hath taught it vnto vs. How at the begining the earth was deuided from the sea is altogether vnknowne but by the deluge the limits of sea land haue doubtlesse bene much altered sundry regions through the extraordinary violence of the moste forceible elements haue since that tyme bene also greatly changed As they are at this present the heer-presented mappe in general those that ensue in particular wil demonstrate to the which I refer the courteous reader thus leauing thesame to his best comoditie with desyre to be excused for such breuitie as in the descriptions I haue bene constrayned to vse I humbly take my leaue R. V. M. Tullius Cicero The horse is created to beare to dravv the ox to til to labor the earth the dog to hunt and to gard the hovvs But man to consider contemplate vvith the eyes of his vnderstanding the disposition of the vvhole vvorld THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EARTH TYPVS ORBIS TERRARVM EVROPA THe countries of Europe as we now call them are Spaine France Germanie Italie Slauonia Graece Hungarie Polonia Lituauia Moscouie or more significatly the countrie of Sarmatia and the Peninsula in which is Norwey Swethen and Gothland Among the Iles Albion conteyning
come vp the riuer to Roan which maketh the citie of great trade trafique of marchandise NORMANDIE ANIOV THe Dukedome of Aniou lieth northward in the west parte of France ioyning vpon Britannie It is not great howbeit very good for that there is not any country in France that exceedeth it in fertillitie of soile It hath plenty of wyne store of corne and aboundeth in kyne sheepe hath great store of fish through the many fishpondes therein aboue 36 riuers whereof the Loyre and the Mayne are the principal It is beautified with pleasant medowes woods forests mountaines in the mountaines are quarries of freestone marble slate The principall towne of this Duchie is Angiers situate on either syde of the riuer of Mayne It is of great antiquitie which is witnessed by the ruynes of a Theatre not farr from it It hath a very faire bridge ouer the riuer of Mayne all buylt of free stone It hath also a famous vniuersitie which was founded in the yeare of our Lord 1387. ANIOV BERRY OR THE COVNTRY OF BOVRGES BErry otherwise called the country of Bourges so taking name of this the chief citie thereof lieth in the middest of the realme of France The inhabitants of this country were in tymes past a free people but in proces of tyme became with other lyke prouinces to bee vnder the Kinges of France Bourges as is aforesaid is here the chief citie in old tyme very famous and by Ceasar called Auaricum it is by few cities in France exceeded in greatnes In this citie is a famous vniuersitie wherein the liberal sciences are taught which vniuersitie was erected in tyme past by a Duke of this duchie who greatly fauoured good letters It hath in many places marrish ground chiefly about this citie by reason of the sundry riuers brookes that pas by about it neuerthelesse it is very frutefull aboundant in all thinges that are generally els where found in other partes of France BERRY LIMOVSIN LImousin called in Latin Lemouicū lieth in the west parte of France betwene Berry and Xanctoigne The chief citie of this Vicontie is called Limoges the inhabitantes are called Limosins or Limosians a very ancient people and there name having neuer bene changed they are of some authors called Aborigines The chief citie aforesaid of this prouince is of great antiquitie it was first spoyled by the Romaines after that by the Gothes then by the French afterward againe by Charles Martel and lastly by Englishmen The soile about this citie is fruteful the citie is not inferior to any in all Aquitaine in regard of trafike The country is woody hilly therefore lesse fruteful then other prouinces of France Chestunt trees are heere very plentifull their frute is a great sustinance for the comon people great store therof is sent from hence to other places and prouinces of France The riuers that pas through this country are exceedingly stored with fish LIMOVSIN ORANGE THis Prince-dome of Orange taketh name of the principal citie thereof whith is so called it is reconed of some to bee within the limittes of Prouence It is of great antiquitie of Ptolomey called the Colonie of the Aurasians It was in tymes past the heritage of the Princes familie of Chalon often allied with the how 's of Burgundie It is since falne vnto the how 's of Nasau throwgh aliance made with the how 's of Chalon There is seene at the Citie of Orange the ruynes of one of the moste faire Theaters in the world a wall of squared stone such as is scarsly found in any place and at one of the gates standeth a moste goodly Triumphal-arck All which doth argue the great antiquitie of the place ORANGE SAVOY THis Dukedome of Sauoy lieth at the southeast end of France betweene France and Italy In the tyme that Hannibal passed the Alpes it was called the kingdome of Allobroges so named of their King Allobrox whose kingdome stretching further then Sauoy now reatcheth comprehended also the prouince of Dauphine The chief citie of Sauoy is Chambery there is the residence of the courte of Parlament for the whole Duchie The nature of the soile is very different for in some places it is fertil of corne wyne in other places very barrain firre trees it hath very many many chestnut trees Here are to be seene those huge immeasurable mountaines called the Alpes rightly so called after the Latin woord Albus that betokeneth whyte for the higher tops of them beeing alwayes whyte of the snow where with they are couered it see meth there a continuall winter Many wyld beastes are harboured in these mountaines as beares wolues ce there is also a kynde of gote which clambring skipping vpon the rocks doth ofte help himself from falling by his hornes where with he catcheth hold they beeing croked bending forward lyke vnto hookes Here are also certaine beastes called the myce of the Alpes beeing ordinarily as great as conies but having long tailes lyke vnto rattes heie are hares that are whyte in the winter broune in somer This country is moste barreyn toward mount Senis where there are no medowes in the valey nor scarsly anything growing of woorth but passing ouer thesaid huge mountaine coming downe on the other syde it seemeth a new world for then beginneth the euen plaine pleasant country of Piemont so called for lying at the foot of these mountaines and though it bee not of Sauoy yet is it a Prince-dome belonging vnto the Duke of Sanoy SAVOY PROVENCE PRouence lieth on the furthest syde of France southward On the southsyde it hath the Mediteraneum sea On the eastsyde some parte of the Alpes on the other sydes it is confyned with sundry other prouinces of France This region beeing warmer then the other partes of that realme doth yeild frutes accordingly for besydes vvheat which it yeildeth in all aboundance it is full of Odoriferant trees as of Oranges Citrons Oliues Pomgranades Figges full of meruelous faire Vineyards the hedges are not of thorne or brambles but of Pomgranades other frut-bearing trees to the end the very hedges should yeild profit as wel as what is enclosed within them the vnlaboured waste groundes of this countrie do yeild meruelous plenty of Rosmarie Mirtle Gineper and Sage Palme-trees are also growing here which beare as good frutes as in Africa here groweth also Suger Saffron Rice And here the pure ayre yeildeth the gentle purgatiue called Manna Among the cities of name of this countrie Marseiles is not the least for hauing the best hauen of all France on the midland sea Here is also the citie of Arles heretofore much renowned as also the citie of Aix wherein the court of parlament for that parte of France is holden In this prouince lieth Auignion which belongeth vnto the Churche where sundry Popes for aboue 70 yeares together
through Cambressi Tournay into Flannders cometh vnto Antwerp so downe into Zealand is there receaued into the sea VERMANDOIS PICARDIE PIcardie accompted of old a parte of Galia Belgica hath on the east syde Vermandois on the west Normandie a parte of the narrow sea on the north it hath Artois and on the south Champagne The riuer of Somme which of Ptolomey seemeth to bee called Phrudis watreth this country maketh it frutefull and the townes to bee furnished with all necessary prouision The soile yeildeth great aboundance of corne albeit it hath no wyne it is rather thought to procede of the negligence of the inhabitants in not planting vineyards then through the vnfitnes of the soile to nourish them The principall citie of this country is Amiens which is a Bishops sea ancient very famous and aswel fortified as any citie in France Next vnto this is Abbeuile then haue ye Peronne as also the towne of Guyse whereof the how 's family of Guyse taketh name From whence the name of Picardie is deryued there are diuers opinions Some think that the Begardi should be changed into Picardos which Caenalis wil not affirme of certainty Others do say that these people haue the name of Picardes consequently their country the name of Picardie for hauing in warr first taken vp the vse of pykes PICARDIE GERMANIA THis great spatious country hath on the northsyde thereof the Germaine Baltish sea southward it confyneth with Italy westward it reatcheth vnto France eastward northerly it ioyneth on Polonia southerly vpon Hungaria within it lieth the Kingdome of Bohemia It is a country mightely replenished with goodly cities townes and villages exceeding populus hauing therein many goodly riuers whereof the Rhene the Danubie the Elbe are the chief It is deuyded into sundry Dukdomes Earldomes other gouernments yet all in some sorte depending on the Empyre for here in Germany the Emperor hath his seat residence for whose election Pope Gregory the fyft beeing of the how 's of Saxony ordayned seauen Princes electors to wit three spiritual 4 temporal the spiritual are the Bishops of Magunce Cullin Treuers The 4 temporal are the Dukes of Saxon and Bohemia for Bohemia now a kingdome was then a dukdome The Palsgraue of the Rhene the Marquis of Brandenbourg The earth ayre as also the people of Germanie seeme much altered since the tyme of C. Tacitus who described the soyle to be barren the ayre not very good the country woodie watrish the people very rude vnciuil for now wee fynde the ayre to be helthsome good the country fruteful the inhabitants courteous ciuil It hath now good wyne growing in it such aboundance of corne in the east partes thereof that it sustayneth sundry other countryes neither is it vnfurnished of all other necessaries It hath also mynes of Gold Siluer Copper Iron other metalles The people are warlyke very industrious many rare inuentions haue bene by them found out GERMANIA INFERIOR GERMANIE INferior Germany conteyning the seauenteene prouinces which the Emperor Charles the fift left vnto his sonne King Philip the second of Spaine Is corruptly of some strangers called Flaunders the inhabitants Flemings whereas Flaunders is but one of these prouinces the inhabitants thereof properly Flemings The names of the prouinces are these The Dukedomes of Brabant Geldres Limbourg and Lutzembourg The Earldomes of Flanders Artois Henalt Holland Zeland Namure and Zutphen The Marquesat of the holy Empire The Signories of Friseland Macklin Vtreck Ouerysel and Grooning The prouinces are generally by the inhabitants called by the name of Nederlant which in English is Netherland and the people generally call themselues Netherlanders There are in it as Levvis Guicciardyne affirmeth the number of 226 walled townes diched about and more then 6300 villages each village hauing a parish Church then are there Castles fortresses noble mennes howses a great number Some parte of this country is very euen flat lyke vnto Lombardy other partes are more high hilly It is very frutefull having plenty of corne of flesh and fish some of which comodities are in some prouinces more or lesse abounding then the others according to the nature situation of the place The people are maruelous industrious and do excell in all artes and sciences whereby as also by their great trade of marchandise this country may wel bee said to bee one of the moste pecuniary countryes of the world INFERIOR GERMANIE LIEGE THis Bishopryk ioyneth on the north west syde unto Brabant on the east on the duchie of Limbourg southward it extendeth vnto Lutzembourg partly vnto France The ayre is sweet the country exceding frutefull in corne and other graine it hath wyne albeit but smalle it hath store of beastes both wyld tame It hath exceeding good Iron it hath lead also gold Alablaster very faire marble is digged out of the hilles with great labor and arte of vndermyning Stone-coles are digged out of deepe pittes which kynde of cole was first discouered to be there in the yeare 1198 whereof besydes those there spent there is transported yearely to other prouinces to the value of more then 100000 ducates Sr Iohn Mandeuill knight doctor of phisick beeing borne in England having trauailed so farr through somany countries kingdomes did not fynde a place that for the sweetnes of the ayre the frutefulnes of the earth accompagned with a very great freedome that better pleased him then did this country of Liege where he chose to end the rest of his dayes there died in the yeare 1272. The citie of Liege is the chief of all the townes in this country wherein are 8 collegiat Churches with ritch Canonries Tungres for the antiquitie thereof is reconed next vnto Liege the ruynes without and within the towne do aswel as old bookes declare the oldnes of this citie there apeereth yet the paued high way that reatched from thence vnto Paris Some thinke the fountaines to bee about Tungres whose vertues Pliny somuch comendeth but experience sheweth them to bee at the Spaw LIEGE LVTZEMBOVRG THis Duchie is bordered on the northsyde with the Bishopryk of Liege the Earldome of Namure on the south Lorraine on the east the Mosel the Bishopryk of Treuers westward partly with the Mose partly with the forest of Arden The country is altogether hilly woody much of the wood of late yeares is turned to corne land The chief cirie is of the same name that the whole Duchie beareth but was by Ptolomey called Augusta Romanduorum It lieth parte on a hil parte on low ground The inhabitants do speake the high duitsch for the more parte except those which dwel on the syde towards France for they vse the french tongue By reason of the situation of this country beeing frontyred with so many seueral iurisdictions it hath
FRANCONIA FRanconia in the Germaine tongue vulgarly called Franckenland hath on the southsyde Bauaria on the west the riuer of Rhene Bohemia on the east Hassia Thuringia on the north Out of this prouince according to the opinion of many very good authors came Faramond with his Francks or Franc-men so called because they were a free people thereof since called French-men into Galia which therevpon came to lose that ancient name to be called France of some authors Francia Occidentalis or west-vvest-france because this country of Franconia is called Francia Orientalis that is East-france Adriauns Iunius notwithstanding holdeth a paradox that the Franckes that went out of Germanie to inhabite Galia did dwel much lower vpon the east syde of the Rhene The most famous citie of Franconia is Franckford where 2 very famous faires or martes are holden euery yeare the one about midlent the other in the middest of September The Emperor Charles the fowrth ordained Franckford for the place of the Emperors election All Skirm-masters to wit masters of defense through all Germany must come to this citie bee here allowed so to bee yf by the burgers which are notable fensers they are found to deserue tht name The Bishop of VVirtsberg is duke of Franconia The country is pleasant fruteful hauing store of vineyardes About the citie of Bamberg groweth so great aboundance of Licoris that it is transported thence with cartloades FRANCONIA VVIRTENBERG THe dukedome of VVirtenberg in tyme past an earldome doth ioyne westward vpon the marquisdome of Baden northward vpon the territories of the Paisgraue of the Rhene east southward vpon Svveuia It is very fertile hath many faire townes thorpes the principall cittie is called Stutgard there the Duke keepeth his court There are such fruteful vineyards about this cittie that the people haue a prouerb that yf the grapes of Stutgard were not gathered the cittie would bee drowned in wyne Next vnto this is the cittie of Tubing which hath an vniuersitie the which was founded by the Earle Euerard in the yeare 1147. At the townes of VViltbad Zil there are hotte bathes and at Gipping there is a fountaine which yeildeth water of a fyne tartish sauor which the inhabitants in their tongue do call Saurbrun which is in english sower-bourne or sower-water and beeing dronck it serueth for a remedy against diuers diseases The castle of VVirtenberg whereof the country taketh name is situate vpon the pleasant riuer of Neccar on the sydes whereof groweth a very good kynde of wyne wel knowne in Germaine by the name of Neccar-vvyne VVIRTENBERG TIROL THis earldome of Tirol conteyneth a parte of the Alpes that deuyde Germany Italy hauing on the northerne syde Bauaria on the southern syde Italy The chief cities hereof are Inspruck Bolzan Tirol Trent Brixia Bruneck and Schvvatz This country is very ritch in mynes and notwithstanding the hillynesse thereof yet hath it sufficient of all thinges for humaine sustenance About three Germaine myles from the cittie of Trent lieth a mountaine called Nausberg which is in length 12 Germaine myles and 3 in bredth Rodulph the sonne of Albert Duke of Austria annexed by mariage this earldome vnto his other possessions the same beeing also confirmed by the last wil restament of the fore-going heyre possessor thereof TIROL SVITZERLAND SVitzerland called in Latin Heluetia hath on the southsyde Lombardy on the west syde Sauoy on the north the county of Burgundy on the east the county of Tyrol This people hauing taken all gouernment from the Nobillitie deuyded the country into 13 partes or Cantons the magistrates of each chief towne of these cantons do gouerne the whole canton there vnto belonging The 13 cantons are these Zurick Berne Lucerne Vri Suits Vndervvalden Zug Glaris Basel Fribourg Soleurre Shafhouse and Appenzel besydes these they are confederate with certaine other iurisdictions This country of Suitzerland is held to bee the highest land in all Christendome very probably for the exceeding high mountaines thereof from whence the riuers of Rhene Danubius Po Sone Rhosue descending do seek their passages through lower regions hold their courses diuers wayes as the Danubie eastward the Rhene northward the Po southeast the Sone Rhosue westward which z riuers lastly ioyning in one do turne southerly fall into the sea at Marcels It hath many great lakes one of them beeing vpon a high hil is not knowne to haue any issue foorth nor by any chanels coming to it to bee augmented There groweth very good corne wyne such store of cattel is there nowrished that oxen are sent thence to serue other prouinces both of Italy Germany SVITZERLAND ITALIE ITalie beginning in the northwest at the foot of the Alpes which deuydeit from Germany and France extendeth it felf betwene the Mediteraneum and the Adriatyk sea toward the foutheast in the forme of a mannes arme This famous countryes praise would rather requyre a large volume then so brief a description as a page of paper wil admit The sweetnes of the ayre the goodnes of the earth the fruteful vynes olyue trees the plenty of cattel the sweete riuers lakes fountaines the sea hauens about it what praise deserue they not There are in Italy very many faire ancient citties amongst the which the chiefest is the maiestical cittie of Rome whose glory both antiquitie power hath highly renowmed ouer all the world The principall citties of Italie are comonly thus praised Rome for holynesse Naples for noblenesse Florence for fairenesse Bononia for fatnesse of the soile Rauenna for oldnesse Venice for ritchnesse Milan for greatnesse and Genua for statelynesse c. The people of Italy are generally very ingenious excelling in all excellent artes sciences ITALIE FRIVLI FRiuli called in latin Forum Iulij lieth at the vpper end of the Adriatyksea or gulf of Venice and not farr from the cittie of Venice on the east syde it hath Istria on the north the hilles called Lapides westward a parte of the Alpes on the south the aforesaid sea This country hath serued for the dore entrance of sorrow affliction to it self the adioyning countries for that the Batbarians in tymes past did here make their aryuall It is on the one syde plaine euen but afterward it riseth higher higher groweth steep vp vnto the high neyghbouring mountaines it hath notwithstanding fruteful feilds faire vineyards much wood both for fuel and maintenance of chase In the mountaines are mynes of all mettals as namely Iron Lead Tin Quicksiluer Siluer Gold There is also passing faire whyte marble taken our of the quarreyes moreouer Christal Beril other stones of price are there found This country was subiect vnto the Romans so long as their gratnes endured afterward it was subdued by the Longobards gouerned by dukes and now lastly it belongeth vnto the Venetians who accompt them-selues
also sheep whose tailes are of incredible greatnes conteyne 5 or 6 yea 8 or 9 pound of flesh A certaine beast there is which is called Hyena which draweth dead bodies out of the graues vnto his den and their feedeth on them it is about the bignes of a wolf the people of the country are of opinion that these beastes do vnderstand their speech espetialy when they go about to catche them These people are generally held to be very crafty fals deceatful NATOLIA EGIPT THis ritch ancient kingdome hath on the north syde thereof the Midland sea on the east the desert of Sues the northerne end of the Red sea on the south the countrie of Nubia on the west the land of Barcha In this country of Egipt it raineth not but the riuer of Nyle ouerflowing it at sundry tymes doth make it of great fertilitie in the said riuer is a piller of marble whereon are made certaine markes of the height that the water doth arise vnto when the yeare wil prooue plentiful The riuer is deep great ships may pas on it the great serpent called the Crocodile liueth heere and eateth both men horse the fish of the riuer The greatest cittie is called Cairo or Alcaire it is meruelous great of great welth Not far from hence are the moste wonderful Pyramides vpon the greatest whereof as Plinie writerh 2060 men did continually woork for the space of 20 yeares they are buylded foure square from the foot vnto the top do stil grow sloping lesse lesse a man standing on the top for there is some space to stand or go shooting a bolt out of a crosbow the bolt in falling downe wil light on the same Pyramide which argueth the greatenes of the space it carieth beneath at the foot which greatnes also apeereth in that it neuer yeildeth any shadow from it These Pyramides haue bene buylt by the ancient kinges of Egipt to serue for their sepulchres these sepulchres the Egiptians vsed for the conseruation of their dead bodies which euen at this present are found vnrotten the flesh of them is called Mummia caried thence into other countries to bee vsed in medicyne The 2 principall sea-hauens of Egipt are Alexandria Damiata EGIPT THE porte of CARTHAGE THe countrie enuyroning the gulf of Golette otherwise called Sinus Cartha ginensis hauing at the south end thereof the cittie of Tunis is now after the name of that cittie called the kingdome of Tunis It lieth on the northsyde on the Midland sea almost directly ouer against Sardinia on the west it extendeth to Algiers eastward to Mesurata all along on the southsyde it hath the mountaines that seperate Barbarie from Biledulgerid This kingdome conteyneth 5 prouinces to wit Bugia Constantine the iurisdiction of the cittie of Tunis Tripoli and Ezzab On the west syde of thesaid Gulf are the ruynes of an aquaduct of the Ancient cittie of Carthage whereof but some sew ruynes els are left behynde to testify that once so famous a cittie hath flowrished in that place some number of howses village-lyke to that it hath bin about 25 shops of marchants are now there to bee found This cittie of Carthage is a true glasse wherein the incertitude of this vaine world may bee seene that no glorie on earth can haue euerlasting durance THE porte of CARTHAGE ABISSINE or the EMPYRE of PRESTER-IOHN THe great King comannder of all Aethiopia sundry other kingdomes countries is called of Christians Proster Iohn of the moores Arictabassi of his owne people Acegue that is Emperor His dominions are limited on the southsyde with the Mountaines Lamae on the west with the kingdome of Congo the riuer Nyger c. on the north with Nubia Bugia that confyne vpon Egipt on the east with the Red sea Synus Barbaricus The country generaly is very fruteful albeit there bee litle corne yet is there other grayne other good frutes not found in Europe vineyards they haue but no olyue trees yet make they oyle of an herbe called Gena Of hony and wax they haue meruelous great store They haue al sortes of great beastes as Elephants Lions Camels horses red-deere kyen gotes c. they are much endamaged by great multitudes of grashopers Good mynes of metals they haue but not theskil to make vse of them They haue 2 somers 2 winters which are not greatly denyded by heat or cold but by rainy faire wheather The people are of a kynde of tawny colour vnseene in notable scyences without knowlege of Phisick They haue no coyned mony but vse peces or wedges of gold by waight They are Christians but hold many grosse errors both men and women are circumsised they are Christened at 40 dayes old They haue a book which is deuyded in 8 partes which they beleeue the Apostles to haue written before their departure from Ierusalem Mōnasteries they haue many both of men women wherein they do liue stricktly but it is lawfull for lay men to haue 2 or 3 wyues at once deuorcements are also allowed The Emperor affirmeth him self to be descended from the lyne of King Dauid he hath no one setled place of residence but remoueth from one prouince to another dwelleth in tents It is said hee is not of the colour of his people but of a whyter fairer skin He may surely bee accompted one of the greatest princes of the world is esteemed able to bring to the feld a million of men 500 elephants a great nomber of horses camels ABISSINE or the EMPYRE of PRESTER-IOHN BARBARIE ON the northsyde of Africa all along by the Mediteraneum sea oueragainst the south partes of Spaine France Italy lieth this country of Barbarie al along on the southsyde thereof are certaine woodie mountaines that deuyde it from Biledulgerid in these hilles are great store of wyld beastes This country of Barbarie is held the best moste fruteful parte of Africa conteyneth 4. kingdomes or rather in deed prouinces to wit Maroco Fez Telesine and Tunis The inhabitants are of a duscish colour are called Barbarians of the woord Barbara which in the Arabee tongue signifieth grumbling because their speech soundeth in the eares of the Arabians as no perfect or cleere pronunced speech but as a kynde of grumbling they were first Idolaters afterward conuerted to the faith of Christ yet at the length they came to Mahometisme wherein they yet continew are for the most parte subiects or tributaries to the Turck except some few places which are in the possession of the King of Spaine BARBARIE FESSE and MAROCCO AT the west end of Barbarie are thease 2 kingdomes of Fesse Marocco that of fesse lieth of the twaine more toward the north the Mediteraneum sea that of Marrocco more inward toward the south The realme of Fesse taketh name of