he was heir in general by marriage of a daughter But the truth is we have been ever easie to part with our hold there or at least forced to forgo it by our civil dissentions at home else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors we might have had some Power more to shew there as well as Title 11 There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdom more than will find room here for their full Descriptions in several and therefore we will reduce as well this new France as the old Gallia to the four parts of Ptolomies division 1 Aquitania 2 Lugdunensis 3 Narbonensis and 4 Galâ—ia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâ—Territories shall be mentioned as Maginus ranks them 12 Aquitania lieth on the West of France close upon the Pyrenean Mountains and Countries 1 Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Map of Spain and indeed differeth from that but very little 2 Gascoign and Guien The first to this day keeps its name with a very little change from the Spanish Vascones The chief City is Burdigala or Burdiaux a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopal Seat and University of good esteem was honoured with the birth of our Richard the Second Another City of note is Thoâ—ouse a seat Parliamentary and supposed to be as ancient as the rule of Deborah in Israel This Gascogin contains in it the Earldomes of Fory Comminges Armeniaci and the Dutch Albert. 3 Pictavia Poictou on the north of Guien a pleasant Region and a plentiful It contains three Bishopricks Poâ—tiers Lucon and Mailazai Her chief Cities are Poictiers an ancient and the largest next Paris in all France Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earls of Hamildon In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our black Prince and Iohn of France where with eight thousand he vanquished forty thousand took the King Prisoner and his Son Philip 70 Earls 50 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen 4 Sonictonia severed from Poictiers but by the River Canentell and so differs but little from her fertility Her Metropolis Saints Her other chief Bourg Blay Marennes S. Iohn D'angely and Anglosme Betwixt this Country and Poictiers stands â—ochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiâ—â—e possest by those of the reformed Religion where they stand upon their guard and defend their freedom of conscience against the Roman Catholicks of France 5 Limosin in Limo sita say some Maginus takes 〈◊〉 from Limoges her chief City toward the North which revolted and was recovered by our black Prince Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca and Chalaz where our Richard the first was shot It hath been by turns possest of French and English till Charies the Seventh since we have had little hold there 6 Berry regio Biturigum from her chief City Bituris now Burges an Archiepiscopal See and University It is exceedingly stored with sheep and sufficiently well with other Merchandise of value 7 Burbone from her chief City Burbone heretofore Boya a Dukedom aâ—d much frequented by Princes and the Nobility of France by reason of her healthful air and commodious Baths 8 Turiene the Garden of France Her chief Cities â—loys Amboyse Taurs and a little higher upon the Layre stands Orleance 13 Lugdunensis or Celtica lieth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chief City This Province comprehends 1 Brittany heretofore Armoâ—ica till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the year 367 since it hath had the name of Britanny and for distinction from this of ours it is commonly stiled Minor Britannia There is yet remaining a smack of the Wâ—lch tongue which it seems the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophy of their Conquests that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants they cut out their wives tongues as many as were Natives that no sound of French might be heard among their children It hath few Rivers but that defect is in some measure made up by the neighbourhood of the Sea insomuch that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France for Corn Wine and Wood. It breeds good Horses and special Dogs Iron Lead c. Her chief Cities are Nants Rhenes S. Breny and Rohan It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem the base or lower Britanny West-ward and nearest England and Superiorem toward the Loire East-ward Her chief parts are S. Malo and Breste 2 Normandy a part of the Region which was heretofore called Newstria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians Their first Duke was Rollo and the â—ixth from him our William the Conquerour It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn Her chief Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis Constance and Cane memorable for the siege of our English Henry the fifth And Verveile besieged by Philip the second of France in the time of our Richard the first which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster it is said he sware he would never turn his back to France till he had his revenge and to make good his oath brake through the walls and justly performed his threat upon the besieger Her principal parts are Harflew the first which King Henry the fifth of England assaulted and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queen Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintain wars with the King in defence of Religion And Diep c. 3 Anjove regio Audegarensis a fertile Country and yields the best Wine of France excellent Marble and other fair stone for buildings Her chief City is Anjours which Ortelius takes to be Ptolomy's Iuliomagum It is now an University To this Dukedome there are four Earldomes which owe a kind of homage Manie Vandosm Beauford and Laval 4 Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdom and received it her self from the German Francones which before inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircinia Her chief City and the glory of France is Paris or Luteâ—ia quasi in luto sita in compass twelve miles is reckoned the first Academy of Europe consists of 55 Colledges And here was Henry the sixth crowned King of France and England In this Province stands S. Vincent where Henry the fifth died and Saisons and the Dukedome of Valoys c. 5 Campaigne and Bye partners in the title of Earldom it is severed from Picardy only with the River A fertile Country and hath many eminent Cities The principal is Rheimes where the Kings most commonly are crowned and anointed with an Oyl sent they say from Heaven which as oft as it hath been used never decreaseth It is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and University of note especially with our English Roman Catholiques who have a Colledge there appointed for their Fugitives And others of
Countries It hath five Towns Nistad Nasco Togrop Rothus and Marilus with some strong Castles pretty Villager and Noble-mens houses 5 〈◊〉 in length four miles Her Cities are Stubecopen and Nicopen a pleasant and a fair one for which she is by some stiled the Neopolis of Denmark 6 Moena or Muen In this the City Steck and Elmelanda 7 Femera or Femeren Her chief Cities are Derborch and Petersborn and Stabull and here is the Castle Vraniburgh built by the great Mathematician Ticho Brahe which besides the fame of its own artificial structure is much celebrated for the admirable Instruments which are there kept whereby the particular motion of the Heavens is excellently observed 21 8 And to this Kingdom belongs the Islands Borâ—holme which lies in the Baltick Seas called more particularly Mare Suevicum betwixt Blicker and Pomerania It is a Region of excellent pasture and feed abundance of Cattel and therefore is full of Butter Cheese Wool Hides c. and sends into other Countries much of their provision for victuals powdered and barrelled up for the longer keeping It hath some well peopled Towns the chief is Boruholme It had lain for fifty years together in pawn to the State of Lubeck but was redeemed by Frederick the second 22 From these and those many other Northern Islands there have issued in several ages an innumerable sort of Nations which like so many birds as Maginus calls them have flown over the greatest part of our Christian world He concludes that ex his insulis olim Gothi Ostrogothi Vestrogothi Vandali Franci Cimbri Gepidae Dani Hunni Suedi Herculi Rugi Alani Longobardi Alemani alii plures Danubio Rheno superatis omnem Europam praesertim ipsam Italiam altricem imperii dominum 400. plus annis perpetuâ quadam regionum successione subjugarunt ac Romani nomines gloriam ferè omnem extinxerunt POLONIA P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of POLAND THE Kingdom of Poland borders upon the East-side of Germany and indeed as far as the Râ—ver Vistula it is accounted a part of the Empire and useth the same Speech Religions and Customes as the other Territories admitting only that variety which all of them have among themselves and must needs be found in so large compass s governed by so many several free Princes Beyond the River as it shrinks from the seat of Christianity so it begins to degenerate into a kind of Heathenish rudeness which favours of their Predecessors 2 For this Tract is a part of Sarmatia Europae and the first Inhabitants were the Sauromatae a Scythian people as well for barbarisme as by name It was next possest by the Vandals an active Nation of whom we have had some inkling at least almost in every place which we have past For they have spread their Victories through Europe and have left either name or story behind them in Spain France Italy Germany Tnrace and where not Their most received pedegree is from Vandalus whom Tacitus remembers the Tuscane King of the Progeny of Tuisco first Founder of the Germans Yet Munster in his Cosmography mentions a pretty conjecture of some well wishers it seems perhaps to their own Countrey which gave the original of their name of Vandals to one Vanda a Queen of Poland 3 Briefly Were the Vandals natives or were they invaders here they were found and ejected by the Sclavonians and these were the third Inhabitants of Polonia She was over-run at the same time and had the same fortune with Bohemia they were both lost to their old Lords and divided betwixt the two runnagate brothers of Croatia Zechius and Lechius who being forced for a murder out of their own soyl brought on their crew into these parts abouâ— the year 550. and here have continued in their posterity to this day They are as yet remembred in the very names of the people For the Bohemians in their proper language call themselves Zechians and in the greater Poland there is still extant a Territory known by the title of Regnum Lechitorum 4 Her Etimon signifieth no other than the site of the Country as the Sclavonians first descryed it For it was a Champian or plain field and so is Pole land interpreted out of the Sclavonish tongue It was before called Sarmatia and the people Sauromatae ab oculis Lacertarum Lizzards eyes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a property it seems which gave name to all her Nations For this was divided from another Sarmatia by the River Tanais that on the one side was Asiatica for the most part wild Heathenâ—sh Idolaters and in the farthest parts of Scythia some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this other is Europaea which being joyned with some parts of Germany Westward to the River Odera Silesia and Moâ—avia make up the Kingdome of Polonia as it is here described 5 The bounds then of this great Region are on the West the River Odera Silesia and Moravia on the East the River Neiper which Ptolomy calls Boristhenes on the North Pomerania or rather the Baltick Ocean and on the South Russia and the Mountains of Hungary And if we will with Maginus take in the out Provinces which belong to this Government we must reach Eastward the Tartars and 〈◊〉 that live near on the other side of Boristhenes and North-east ward part of Muscovia Southward the Hungarian mountains and the Vallaci insomuch that the compass would come little short of all Spain as it lieth beyond the Pyrenaean 6 The principal Rivers of Poland are 1 Vistula it hath its rise in the Caparthian Mountains which divide this Kingdom from Hungary and it self runs into the Baltick but by the way takes in divers other streams on the West out of the Polonia Germanica and on the East out of the Sarmonica It is navigable 400 miles 2 Neister which hath her Fountains in the hills of Hâ—ngary and glâ—des East ward on the South of Podolia into the Pontus Euxinus 3 Neiper or Boristhenes which bounds the Kingdom on the East is navigable 600 stadia and runs from North to South into the Pontus Euxinus where there is naturally cast up plenty of Salt which needs no art to perfect it 4 Rubin in Lituania 5 Hypanis now Bugh not far distant from the City Oleska and falls at last into the River Vistula with many others of lesser note though all conduce to make the Countrey in some kinds very fertile 7 For it abounds with most sorts of Corn and Pulse sufficient both for their own spending and continual traffique into other Countries Many of her neighbouring Regions could not well miss her plenty as well of Whet Rie and Barley as Beeves and other Cattel which gives supply to Saxony and the rest of Germany near hand which hardly yield enough for their Inhabitants out of their own store The blessing of this fertility cannot come alone but must needs bring with it the like riches of butter Cheese Milk Wax Honey and
lieth about five leagues North-West from Iersey and is compaâ—â—ed like to her neighbour with the British Sea It lieth in length from Plymouth-Bay South-West to Lancroâ—se de Anckers North-East thirteen miles in breadth from S. Martins-point South-East to the Howe North-West nine miles and is in circuit thirty six miles The Emperour Antonine having the rule and dominion of France at that time called Gaul from whence the word Gallia is derived did name this Island Sarnia which afterwards by the change of Times and corruption of Languages was long since and is at this day called Garnsey 2 This Isle in form and fashion standeth in the Sea much like to a Park that is encompassed â—ound about with a Pale of Rocks being very defensible unto the Island from the attempting invasion of Enemies 3 The Air and Climate of this Isle hath little or no difference in temper or quality from that of Iersey And this deserves to be remembred of it that in this Isle is neither Toad Snake Adder or any other venemous creature and the other hath great plenty 4 It standeth for the most part upon a Rock very high in many places from the Sea Nevertheless the Soil is very fruitful yielding forth great plenty of Grass for their Sheep and other Cattel which they have to serve all uses Their Fields in the Summer time are so naturally gaâ—nished with Flowers of all sorts that a man being there might conceit himself to be in a pleasant artificial Garden 5 The Inhabitants are not so much given to Tillage as they of Iersey though the Soil be as fruitful They have of late takeâ— great delight in Planting and Setting of Trees of all sorts and especially of Apples by reason whereof they make much Sider Their Commodities are alike and their helps from the Sea no less or rather more 6 In this Isle are many great â—teep Rocks among which is found a hard stone called by the â—reâ—ch-Men Smyris which we term Emerill The Stone is serviceable for many purposes and many Trades as Glasiers c. but especially for the Goldsmiths and Lapidaries to cut their precious Stones 7 It hath a head of Land upon the North part thereof the passage into which is so narrow that a man would think that at every Tyde the Sea beating strongly on both sides it were in a continual danger to be fundred from the other part of the Isle This place is called S. Micâ—â—â—l in the Vale where in former times stood a Priory or a Covent of Religious Persons the ruines whereof are at this day to be seen 8 The government of this Isle in nature and forâ— reseâ—bles the other of Iâ—rsâ—y of whom shall be said The People in their Original and Language alike also but in their Customs nnd Conditions they come neerer the civil fashions of the English Other matters of moâ—ent I find not worthy to be recorded It hath ten Parishes and one Market-Town being also a Haven aâ—d is called S. 〈…〉 â—lose by the Peer and Castâ—-Cornâ—t IERSEY THe two Islands Iersey and Garnsey being the only remains of the Dukedom of Normandy that in former times many years together was in the possession and under the command of the Kings of England annexing thereunto a large Territory and glorious Title to the Crown are both seated in the Sea called Mare Britannicum the Ocean parting them a good distance asunder and are now both adjuncts and within the circuit of Hampshire For the first being the Isle of Iersey it lieth upon the British-Sea having on the North parts the Coasts of Hampshire and on the South the Country of Normandy 2 This Island is long not much unlike the fashion of an Egg. It contains in length from Sentwâ—n-Poole upon the West to Mount-Orguil Castle on the East ten miles and in breadth from Dubon-point to Plymounâ—-bay six miles the whole circuit of the Island being thirty eight miles It is distant from a little Island caâ—â—ed Alderney about four leagues It was in old time called Caesaria whether from Iulius Octavius or any the other Caesars that followed is unknown But the Freâ—chmen have by corruption of speech long time called it Iersey 3 It is a very pleasant and delightful Island and giveth a pleasant aspect unto the Seas It lyeth Southward not far from a craggy ridge of Rocks which is much feared of the Mariners and makes the passage that way very dangerous howbeit it serves for a forcible defence against Pirats or any stranger that attempts invasion and they are termed Casquets 4 The Soil is very fertile bringing forth store of Corn and Cattel but especially of Sheep that are of reasonable bigness the most of them bearing four horns apiece Their Wooll very fine and white of which the Inhabitants make their Iersey Stockings which are ordinarily to be had in most parts of England and yield a great commodity unto the Island 5 The first original of the Inhabitants sprung either from the Normans or Britains or both They speak French though after a corrupt manner and have continued their Names Language Customs and Country without any or little intermixâ—ure these many hundred years having been under the jurisdiction of the English ever since the untimely and unnatural death of Robert Duke of Normandy eldest son to William the Conquerour 6 The People of this Country live very pleasantly as well by the profits of the Land as the helps and furtherances of the Sea that yields unto them and especially in Summer season great store of Fish but principally for Conger and Lobsters the greatest and fatâ—est upon the Coaâ—t of England Wood is very scant for their best Fuel is Turff some Coal they have brought unto them but it is very dear Straw Furrs's and Fern serving their ordinary uses The middle part of the Island hath many pretty Hills rising in it yielding a delightful object unto the Vallies that receive from one another a mutual pleasure 7 The Governour of this Iâ—le is the Captain thereof who appointeth certain Officers under him the principal of whom carrieth the name and title of a Bailif that in civil causes hath the assistance of twelve Iurats to determine of differences and minister Iustice in criminal matters seveâ— in matters of reason and conscience five Their Twelve are chosen out of the twelve Parishes so that no man goeth further to complain than to his own Iurate in ordinary Controversies but matters of moment and difficulty are determined before the Bailiâ—â— in a General Meeting 8 This Isle hath two little Islands adjacent the one S. Albous the other Hillary Island It hath twelve Parishes and four Castles No other Monuments of Name or Note WALES The Description of WALES CHAPTER I. ANtiquity hath avouched that the whole Isle of Britain was divided into three Parts The first and fairest lay contained within the French-Seas the Rivers of Sevâ—rnâ— Dâ—â— and Humber called then Lâ—oyger which name it yet retaineth in Welsh in English called England
length The compass is reckoned by us to be 1890 English miles It is begirt on every side with Seas unless on the Eastern and there it is joyned to France by a kind of Isthmus when the Pyrenaean Mountains cross from one Sea to the other and set the limits to both Kingdoms On the West it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the North with the Cantabrick and on the South with the Fretum Herculeum South East with the Mediterraneum Till within this 800 years it continued mangled and broken by many turns of Fortune Since it hath felt variety enough now it is wholly subject to one Monarch though it yet carry the name of three Kingdoms Aragou Castile and Portugal The Land yields all sorts of Wines Sugar Fruits Grain Oyls Metals especially Gold and Silver It is fertile enough for the Inhabitants For indeed they are not many nor have they so great Cities as there are in other Regions in Europe Besides the conditions of those for the most part are base The meanest proud the best superstitious and hypocrites most of them lascivious Give them their own they are good Souldiers not so much for their valour in performing as patience to endure labours hunger thirst and by this means oft-times weary out an enemy rather than Conquer him 10 France the second Region of Europe beginneth from the West at the Pyrenean Mountains and is bounded on the East with Germany on the North with our English Seas and South-ward with the Mediterraneum South East with the Alpes which divide it from Italy It was once tributary to Rome as most of these parts besides and had its division into Provinces as they pleased Now the chief are Loraign Burgundy Savoy and these have their free Princes the rest are Norway Brittany Berry Aquitane Picardy Poictou Languedock Anjow Gascoin Province Compagne and many more The Country is very fruitful and calls her neighbouring Nations to her for Traffique Their special Commodities are Wine Corn and Salt Well peopled and hath very many illustrious Cities But the Inhabitants are naturally light in their carriage almost Counter-point to the Spaniard yet of great â—ame both in learning and wars Commended by all strangers for compleat Courtship 11 Belgia hath France on the South on the North Denmark on the East Germany and the main Ocean on the West It is known best with us by the Name of Low Countreys or Netherlands The compass of it is about a thousand miles It is divided into 17 Provinces And of these four are Dukedoms seven Earldoms five Baronies and one Marqueship The Dukedoms are 1 Brabant and in this is Antwerp 2 Luick 3 Lutzenburg here stands the vast Forrest of Ardeuna 4 Gelderland The Earldomâ— 1 Flanders 2 Artois 3 Hainalt 4 Holland 5 Zealand 6 Zutphen 7 and Hamme The Baronies 1 Friezland 2 Vtreck 3 Mechlin 4 Overissell 5 Groueling The Marqueship is that of the holy Empire The Land is good and affordeth great store of Butter Cheese and breeds Oxen of incredible bigness and weight The people too are very industrious and excellent Mechanicks The men commonly are of a goodly Porrtaiture yet of more fame for their wars than their volour but are forced to maintain their liberty by the Sword good Sea-men indeed and in that they bear some sway Their Governours are called the States of the Low Conntries The General of their Forces is the Prince of Orange 12 Germany lyeth East-ward from Belgia and on her own East is bounded with Hungary and Polonia and the River Vistula and the North with the Germane Ocean and on the South with the Alpes that divide her from Italy In the middle is situated the Kingdome of Bohemia compassed with the Sylva Hircinia and in this stands Prague where the Emperour commonly keeps his Court. And comprehends many Provinces of note Saxony Brandenberge Pomerania Bavaria Silesia Franconia Austria Helvetia East-Friezland Westphalia Cleveland Alsatia Brunswick and Hassia It hath now the name of the Empire as once Rome had but it comes far short of her in glory The right to it descends not by succession but by choice of six Electors Arch-Bishops of Triers Mentes and Cullen Count Palatine of Rhene Duke of Saxony and Marquess Brandenbâ—â—g In case of equality the King of Bohemia hath a suffrage which carries it It is a rich Country in Corn Wine Fruits Mines and hath in it healthfull Bathes The people warlike and ingenious for the invention of many useful implements 13 Italy hath Germany on the North divided by the Alpes on the South the Mediterraneum on the East the Adriatique Sea and on the West Mare Tyrrhenum In length it is 1010 miles and in the broadest place 420. It was once intirely one Now it is divided into many States and Provinces The chief are the Kingdom of Naples the Territory of Rome Lumbardy Tuscain the Seignory of Vâ—nice Verona and others of great fame For indeed the whole Country is of admirable fertility and called by good Authors The Paradise of the earth The Inhabitants grave and frugal yet hot and lascivious 14 Denmark is joyned to Germany on the South and on the West hath the Mare Germanicum and so almost is invironed with Sea and is a Peninsula In the Continent are two Provinces of note Irglant and Holsten The other are petty Islands for the most part The chief Zealand and Loiland The Country breedeth goodly Horses and store of Cattel The people are good Souldiers and subject to one King 15 Hungaria hath part of Germany on the West on the East the River Tibiscus and Walachia on the North with Poland and on the South with the River Saure South West with Sclavonia The great Danubius cuts her in the middle and names her parts Citerior and Vlterior The chief Provinces are 1 The Country of Soliense where the earth sends forth such a ftench that it poysoneth the very Birds which fly over it 2 An Island in Danubius exceeding fertile And so indeed is the whole Country The people are generally strong but shew the Ancientry to be of the Scythians by their barbarous manner and neglect of learning Their daughters portion are only a new attire and their Sons equally inherit without priviledge of birth-right The Emperour of Germany and the Turk share it betwixt them 16 Polonia and Silesia a Province of Germany on the West on the East the River Boristhenes or Neiper on the North the Baltick Sea and Hungary on the South It is in compass 2600 miles The chief Provinces which belong at least to Poland are Livâ—nia Lituania Volinia Samogiiia Podolia â—ussianigra Mazoria Prussia Podlassia The Dukedomes of Optwittes and Zotor Polonia propria The Land abounds with Honey Wax Mines of Copper and Iron It breeds store of Horses fit for service Their Religion is promiscuous of all kinds from the true worship to the very Atheist which acknowledgeth no God yet they are governed by one King which doth not succeed but is chosen by
though but a single Province in this Belgia yet of that esteem as the whole Countrey bears her name and may indeed well enough upon the same reason as she took it up For as the most will it had its its Etymon à flatibus fluctibusque quibâ—â— tota haec obnâ—xia est regio 5 For on the North it is bounded with a part of the great Sea and on the West with the main Ocean On the East with the Rivers Rhene and Mosa and on the South with Loraign Campaigne and Picardy parts of the Kingdom of France It is accounted to be in circuit 1000 Italian miles no Country abounds more with Lakes Pools and Rivers of great note The principal are Rhene Mosa and Scaldis 16 others are specially named by Maginus and more intimated which afford them great store of Fish as well for their own use as supply for traffique to other Nations 6 Yet by reason of her watry situation it must needs be that the air is exceeding moist and therefore unwholsome but not so as heretofore For the multitude of Inhabitants and those wonderful industrious have laboured out of many of her marshes and drawn their Pools into running channels and by this means fewer vapours arise insomuch that now the Natives at last may very well agree with the temper which as Maginus gives it incolarum â—anitati necnon digestioni conducit Their Summer is pleasant not extream hot nor abounds it with such troublesome flies and gnats as ours doth There is seldome any thunder heard or lightning seen or Earthquake felt The reason is the same for all The Winter is not altogether so tolerable but brings with it bleak winds and much rain Yet betwixt both the Country is moderately fertile yields corn and fruit in some places more and in some leâ—s very few Grapes and those make but a hard Wine no store of Mines and yet they are as rich as those which have 7 For the people are very thrifty painful and ingenious in the invention of many pretty things which draw many other Nations to them for Traffique and they lie as fit for it having free access by Sea to and from all the chief parts as of Europe so also Asia Africa and America and are as skilful to trace the Seas at pleasure They have the name for the first Authors of the Compass Clock and Printing They are excellent Artificers for working of Pictures in glass for laying Colours in Oyl for Tapestry and other Hangings â—in brief for any Oeconomical commodity either for use or ornament and in their own private Families excell any other people The men are of a goodly presence of a cold or at least no cholerick temper They neither love nor hate any extreamly but will soon forget both a good turn and they say an injury They are not very open or easie of belief nor apt to be deceived Not very proud nor exceeding base Not much given to Venus but more to Bacchus especially when he presents himself upon an English Beer-barrel For they will hardly make a bargain before they be well whetted This is their common character but for the best part of it we have found it far other as in their commerce with us in the East Indies we have found where by their extream dealings with our Nation they have made known their unthankfulness for the many benefits our English have shewed them But I return to their better qualities Their women are fair somewhat bold and free in their carriage but yet sober and honest excellent housewives and in some places traffique abroad while their men play the cot-quâ—ans at home 8 As in their other businesses so in their studies they are very laborious and indeed trouble the world with writing more than they have thanks for as if they had a right since they were the inventers of the Press to use it at pleasure so they do and send forth every 〈…〉 performed by their boys towâ—rds a Degree with a clutter of tedious Anagrams prefixed â— But 〈◊〉 hath heretofore bred maâ—y excellent men in their faculties Iustâ—s Lipsius Erasmus Rodulphâ—s 〈◊〉 Ortelius Mercator And at this day how many others good members of the Reformed 〈◊〉 within the compass of the States government The rest which are under the Arch-Duke must appear Roman Catholicks In divers parts of Belgia the Christian Religion was planted by Wilbrod an English man 9 The last quality required in a Nation of esteem as they are is valour And indeed I may well place it last For so it grew upon them since the long war which they have had with the Arch-Duke Before they lived for the most part in peace and as they had but little use of Chivalry so they had as little heart to it but were counted a heavy dull people To say truth they have hardly yet recovered that censure for in the managing of their Land-fights especially they are content enough to give way to other Nations and will hardly second them in any dangerous attempt The English have both acted and suffered their parts in the behalf of the Low Countries and that me-thinks might have been remembred in the midst of their tyrannical usage of our Merchants 10 These Netherlands towards our latter times were divided into 17 Provinces whereof the most part had several Rites and Governours four Dukedomes seven Earldomes five Baronies and one Marqueship But by the next marriages of the heirs to the sundry Titles the whole at last fell upon one and was made an entire Government and known by the name of the Dukedom of Burgundy Yet still doth each Province retain her proper Laws liberty of Religion and other Customes which their Rulers in succession were sworn to maintain for their parts and the people again for their security had this main prerogative left them from the beginning that if their Prince should at any time attempt the contrary they might after Declaration proceed to the choice of a new Governour These Conditions confirmed it continued for a while peacefully and by marriage with Mary heir and last of the house of Burgundy it fell to Maximilian of Austria Emperour of the Germans And his Successour Philip matching in the like sort with Ioan heir to the Kingdom of Spain joyned both together in his eldest son Charles the fifth who by the Mother was entituled to Spain and by his Father to Bargundy or Netherlands as for Austria it passed to another brother Thus came it subject to the King of Spain And while yet the Emperour enjoyed it they felt no misery of civil wars among themselves When he left it he commanded this charge withall to his son Philip the second that he should intreat the Low-Countries well But this he either forgot or neglected and taking it in foul scorn to be so curbed by the conditions of his Predecessors began first with a pretence to Religion and at last embroiled them in a bloudy war which hath found no end to this
was forced by Evander the Arcadian a man of that admirable eloquence that he was called the son of Mercury but had by chance slain his Father and was therefore expulsed his inheritance and advised into Italy by his Mother a great Prophetess of those times He removed the Aborigines from their seat and planted his companions in the same plot of ground where after Rome was built and in the Mons Palatinus founded a little Town which he called Palâ—auteum in memory of his great grandâ—father And this was about the year 2710. 6 About 60 years after Aeneas arrived in this Countrey from the siege of Troy was entertained as an amorous suitor by Lavinia with consent of her Father Latinus and after the death of his corrival Turnus King of the Rutilians was setled heir to the Latin Monarchy after his Father 7 From Aeneas to Numitor the succession went on not without some rubs but suffered no great breach for almost four hundred years When the title should have fallen to him being the elder and true heir he was spoiled of the Kingdom by his younger Amulius Sylvius nor could it be recovered till time had given growth and strength to Romulus and Remus his grand-children by his daughter Rhea 8 The birth and breeding of these two brothers is well known we need not enlarge their story farther than thus They were the sons of Rhea a Virgin which was cloystered up into the Temple of Vesta by her Uncle Amulius Sylvus that she might not bring forth an heir to endanger his Title Notwithstanding means was found so that she conceived at once two children by Mars and was delivered among her Sister Vâ—stals For this her self as the censure was upon such delinquents was buried alive her boys exposed to be destroyed but were preserved by Faustulus the Kings Shepherd and nursed by his wife Laurentia or Lâ—pa for her bad life 9 When years and their supposed father had taught them their pedegree and the base tyranny of their Uncle they began with revenge upon him for their mothers quick burial for their own intended murder and their Grandsires injury To be brief they slew their great Uncle Amâ—lius Sylvius and turned the Kingdom to the rightful 〈◊〉 10 Thus when they had once dealt in disposing of Empires they could not easily return to the Shepherds hook but bethought them of the like fortune for their own advancement and stirred not far to make good their purpose but in the very Mons Palatinus the place where they suckt their nurse they drew together a monstrous head of debaucht Shepherds and built the City which is now called Rome from Romulus who in strife for the name or as some say for a disdainful skip over the new walls slew his brother Rhemus and was left the sole Founder and Commander of this rascal crew for so indeed it was and held in that contempt by their borderers that they could not by intreaty get wives from them to continue their succession till by a guile they had enticed the Sabines to their Pastimes ravisht their women and afterward by degrees either made their peace or wan it with the sword from the people round about them 11 Thus began the Empire of Rome and was governed at first by 7 Kings in a direct succession to Tarquinius Superbus who lost both himself and Kingdom by his own pride and his Son Sextus rape upon Lucretia It was next taken up by Consuls two annually chosen out of the Patritii or principal Citizens The third rank were of Decemviri but they again were dispossest for the like rape of Appius upon Virginia and Tribunes were constituted of Consulary authority Then Consuls again in another course and for a while Dictators which when Caesar had once clapsed he soon made to himself a power Imperial and though after five years it cost him his life which he enchanged with Brutus and Cassius for 23 wounds in the Senate-house yet the liberty of Rome was never so fully recovered but that soon after the Government fell upon Angustus by the death of Anthony and deposing of Lepidus who for a while were joyned with him into the Triumviratus 12 Thâ—s hold was scarce ever lost clearly to this day though by the changing of the seat Imperial from Rome to Bizantium in the reign of their forty third Constantinus by the division into the Eastern and Western in the time of Theodotius by the many invasions of the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards it comes now far short of that full glory in which it once shined 13 Yet is Italy still as before a happy soyl pleasant and fertile at all times moderate weather and healthful air full of variety as well of living creatures as Plants Corn Wine Oyl Linnen Herbs c. And can afford into other Countries Rice Silks Velvets Sattins Taffataes Grogram Rash Fustians Gold-wire Armour Allom Glasses c. The rich are very rich for wealth will come with much labour in great abundance but the poor are extream poor for they are most of them very idle 14 Her chief Rivers are Padus or Poe Athesis Rubica Tyberis Arnus c. And her chief Mountains are the Alps and Mons Appennius The first are in height 5 dayes journey covered with snow and from thence have their name à nivibus albis They have two passages from Germany into the Countrey and three out of France From Germany by the Valtoline and by Trent Out of France through Provence and Liguria through the hills Genura to Lombardy and through the Countrey of Turaign The Appennine Mountains run at length with Italy like the ridge of a mans back and is called indeed Spina The measure of Italy is from North-west to South-East about 1020 miles and from the two Seas cross in some places 410. 15 The Inhabitants are of a sad temper solid judgement witty Politick and frugal yet they are as deeply engaged to their peculiar vices hot letchers and those seldome stand quit from that horrible torture of jealousie over their Wives for it measures others actions by its own rule Both in them are incredible and makes treachery and murder seem no fault in their eye if they be provoked by suspition Little friendship with them but for advantage and a man must beware that he venter not farther upon those terms than he may well step back lest he be betrayed perhaps forced to a love worse than their hate for they are most unnatural in their lust The Women when they have their free liberty differ not much but their close keeping either hinders or at least hides their faults so as they appear modest lovely and witty for as much as they dare speak 16 For war and learning it bred in times past the mirrour of both Camillus Fabius Maximus Scipio Pompey Caesar Cicero Livie Tacitus Virgil Ovid and many hundreds which yet prompt our tongues and pens with examples of goodness in several kinds Nor hath it lost that