the Water â—ut those on the other will sink down and â—herefore the Vulgar calls it the Treasonâ—ood adding further that it was in this â—lace upon a great Table which is still to â—e seen that Ganelon brewed his horrid â—erfidies whereby he betray'd the House â—f Ardennes a great many of the French â—eers and Captains of Charlemaign and causâ—d the Loss of the Battel of Roncevaux near â—he Pyrenean Mountains in 780. About two Leagues from St. Germain and â—hree from Paris is the Borough of Ruel â—hich is considerable for a costly House â—ormerly belonging to the Cardinal of Richeâ—eu This House has four great separate â—partments surrounded with good Ditches â—nd a fine Court in the middle where are â—wo great Dogs of Brass that spout Water â—hrough their Genitals and empty the Court â—o fill the Ditch A little farther is a â—ountain in form of a Rose in which â—tands Hercules with his Club with Cerbeâ—us at his Feet that Vomits up Water as â—ear as any Crystal There are also fine â—lleys Gardens Labyrinths Aquaducts â—nd the like A Mile higher to the North at the samâ— distance off Paris is another considerablâ— Borough called Nanterre where 't is saâ— that St. Genevieve was born and fed her Fâ—ther's Cattle in a Park now walled in 〈◊〉 which the Country People tell you that 〈◊〉 is never covered with Water though all thâ— neighbouring Fields be overflown Chateaufort is a good Borough too fiâ— Leagues south-South-West of Paris and two 〈◊〉 Versailles It 's the Head of a Chastelny 〈◊〉 which is the fine Town of Limours eighâ— Leagues south-South-West of Paris and threâ— West of Montlehery At the North end of the Forest Liveliâ— nineteen Miles West of Paris and eleveâ— North-West of Montlehery lies upon a Hiâ— the Town of Montfort-l'Amaury with thâ— Title of a County and an Election Whether the Castle of Montfort has been builâ— and the Town walled in by King Roberâ— Who gave them to its natural Son Amaulrâ— is controverted among the French Histoâ—ans some of whom deny that King Roberâ— ever had any Bastards but sure it is thaâ— one Amaulry Lord of Montfort lived between the Years 1053 and 1073 and waâ— Father to Simon Count of Montfort-l'Amaurâ— whence is descended the illustrious Familâ— of these Counts which has produced several great Captains a High-Constable 〈◊〉 France and nine Soveraign Dukes of Littlâ— Britain from John IV. in 1345 to Claude â—f France last Dutchess of Britain who â—arryed Francis I. and was Mother to Henry II. Kings of France by which means â—his Dutchy was for ever united to that Crown At the South-end of this Forest is the Marquizat of Rambouillet and Three or â—our Leagues Eastward upon the Yvette â—he Burrough of Dompierre and the Dutchy â—f Chevreuse Four Leagues upon the same River is the pleasant Town of Long-junieau French Vexin Pont-Oyse Oesiae Pons Briva-Isarae vel Briâ—isara Capital of this Countrey included betwixt the Rivers Oyse Seine Epte and â—rosne is a strong place which had formerâ—y its particular Counts It 's scituated Fifâ—een Miles North-west of Paris and Four off â—he fall of the Oyse into the Seine The English signalized themselves in defending â—his place six Weeks against the French King Charles VII in 1442. Henry III. took â—t from the Leaguers in July 1589 but the Duke of Mayenn retook it January next Pontoyse is seated upon a Hill near the Oyse and the Town is commanded by a strong Castle There are several Churches and Monasteries with a Bailiwick Provostship and Castelny L'Isle-Adam is an Important Passage upâ— the same River Two Leagues above Pontoâ— It has given its Name to a Noble Familâ— whence Two great Masters of St. John Order John and Philip de Villers L'Isle-Adâ—â— were originary The Isle of Rhodes was taken under the Government of the last 〈◊〉 1522 by Soliman II. Emperor of the Turâ— at the head of an Army of Four Hundreâ— Sails an near Three Hundred Thousand Mâ— after a Siege of 6 Months The Great Mastâ— would perhaps have defended it longer bâ— that the Divisions of the Christian Princeâ— gave him no hope of relief besides that â— Jewish Physician and Amarat a Spaniard Chancellor of the Order betray'd his Couâ—sels to the Infidels Beaumont a Town and a County Theâ— Miles higher is another important Key 〈◊〉 the Oyse scituated upon the steepness of Hill The Counts of Beaumont upon Oâ— have been in credit from the beginning 〈◊〉 the Eleventh Century till Lewis IX bougâ— it of them This County was erected into 〈◊〉 Peerdom by Philip of Valois on behalf 〈◊〉 Robert of Artois in 1328. Charles Duke 〈◊〉 Orleance was Master of it in 1416 when 〈◊〉 was brought Prisoner into England and durâ— his absence the Burgundians his sworn Eâ—mies took and plundred it Since that time tâ— Dukes of Vendosine have possessed Beaumont under the Title of a Dutchy which was born by Henry IV. while King Anthony his Father was alive It has a Royal Seat of Justice Chaumont scituated upon a Hill near the River Trosne Thirteen Miles North-East of Beaumont has the Title of a County Election and a Provostship Magny Seven Miles South of Chaumont has likewise an Election and Provostship The Castle of Rocheguyon near the Seine Three Leages South-West of Magny has the Title of Dutchy and Peerdom Beauvaisis Beauvaisis upon the Terrain or Therin Capital of this County Sixteen Leagues North-West of Paris and almost Eight from Beaumont is a very Ancient Town For Duchesne pretends that it was built by one Belgius XIV King of the Gauls long before Troy it self and Servius calls it Belgae Whatsoever it be sure it is that in Caesar's time it was very considerable that its Inhabitants were the most powerful of the Belgae and those who withstood him the longest their Jurisdiction was bigger than the Beauvaisis â—s now for it extended as far as Vermandois and Soissons on the East the Norman Vexin and the Countrey of Caux on the West the Parisis on the South and the Territory oâ— Amiens on the North. Besides Beauvais Casaromagus and Bellovaci there was another great and strong City which Caesar callâ— Brantuspantium but no body can certainly tell where it was seated Oysel Sanson and Adrian de Valois pretend that it was Beaâ—vais it self After this first Emperour 〈◊〉 subdued Beauvais it remained under thâ— Romans till the French became Masters oâ— the Gauls to whom it was so faithful thaâ— we do not read that it was ever taken bâ— their Enemies for which reason it is calleâ— by some Authors the Virgin City The â—â—glish endeavour'd in vain to surprize it iâ— 1433 and Charles the Rash last Duke oâ— Burgundy was not happier in 1472 for after Six Weeks he was forced to Raise thâ— Siege It 's said that this Prince's Ordinanâ—â— was Extraordinary good and that upon thâ— account he boasted to carry with him thâ— Keys of all the Towns of France Hencâ— his Jester not long after the Raising of thâ—â—
Peerdom erected by the French King Henry II. in 1547. in behalf of Claudius of Lorrain Youngest Son to the Duke of Guise Aumale had its particular Counts in the twelfth Century afterwards it fell to the share of the House of Ponthieu and then of the House of Lorrain This Town is Noted for its Woollen Cloth and an Ancient Abby of St. Bennets Order Eleven miles South-west of Aumale near the source of the Epte is the Village of Forges renown'd for its Medicinal Waters Longueville Longa villa or Longus vicus a Burrough upon the River Sie eight leagues North of Rouen and four South of Dieppe was formerly a County and has been enjoyed under that Title by the famous Bertrand du Guesclin High Constable of France In 1443. Charles VII gave it to another great Warrior John Count of Dunois Bastard of the House of Orleans whence are descended the Dukes of Orleans Longueville who enjoy still that Lordship erected into a Dutchy and Peerdom in 1505 bâ— Lewis XII Five leagues West of Longueâ—â—â— and ten North-west of Rouen lyes the Bâ—â—rough of Estouteville Stota villa with the Title of a Dutchy erected by Francis I. in 153â— It has given its Name to an Illustrious Familâ— ever since the 11th Century However Na Sanson the Father has forgotten it in his Map Eight leagues Northwest of Rouen and 5 mile North of Caudebec lyes the small Village of Yvetot with the Title of a Principality and formerly with that of a Kingdom as many French Authors pretend It was erected by the Frencâ— King Clotaire I. to make amends for the Death of Walter Lord of Yvetot whom he had murdered in a Church at Soissons In consequence of the Law of the mannors that frees the Tenant of any subjection to his Liege Lord if the said Lord breaks any of his Bones or cuts any of his Members In an Ancient Record of the Court of Exchequer in Normandy and Patentees of the French Kings in the Years 1392 1401 1450 1464 the Lords of Yvetot are entituled Kings and their Soveraignty and Independency is asserted At the Coronation of Mary of Medicis Henry IV. Queen This Prince observing that the Master of the Ceremonies had assigned no place to Martin du Bellay Lord of Yvetot I will saith he that an Honourable Place be given to my little King of Yvetot Four leagues North-east of Rouen is another Village call'd Cailly which seems to be some remains of an Ancient Town ruined by the Romans that bore the Name of Casletum if we believe Duchesne Bray BRAY is an ancient Gaulish word that marks a Marshy and Dirty place and 't is the beginning or end of several Towns in France As to this Countrey it is included between the Bailiwicks of Gisors Rouen and Caux and so very small that several Geographers forget to mention it The most considerable places are La Ferté Fleury and Gournay of which I find nothing in my Authors unless that near Gournay was given a Battle between the English and the French in 1112 where the last were routed Roumois BEtwixt the Seyne and the Bishopricks of Lizieux and Evreux is included the small Countrey of Roumois Rotmensis pagus which by the Original of its Name seems to have made part of the Territory of Rouen It has not above eight leagues in length and as many in breadth from Brienne upon the Rille to Quevilly two leagues off of Rouen where the French Protestants of that City had their Temple The other Burroughs are Quillebeus upon the Seyne which might be extraordinarily fortified Montfort Mauny c. These four Countries last describ'd make up the Archbishopprick of Rouen The Bishoprick of Evreux THis Diocess is included between the Rivers Seyne and Carenton the Countrey of Roumois and the Bishopricks of Seez and Chartres It is above 17 or 18 leagues North and South and 15 or 16 East and West It was the habitation of the Aulerci Eburovices The Capital Evreux Mediolanum Aluercorum is seated upon the River Iton in a fruitful Plain and has several good Buildings Churches Abbies and Monasteries a Bishoprick Bailiwick and Presidial 'T is said that it was converted to Christianity by St. Taurin who was the first Bishop of it The most renowned of his Successors was Cardinal Du Perron that subtle Controversist who was a Protestant Apostate In Caesar's time the Senonois the Parisians and their Neighbours had a General of Evreux call'd Camalogenus Aulercus whom they oppos'd to Liabienus Evreux has had its Particular Counts issued from the Dukes of Normandy It was erected into a County and Peerdom by Lewis X in 1316 thence it came into the hands of the Kings of Navarr from whom it was redeemed by the French King Charles VI. in 1404. erected into a Dutchy in 1569 by Charles IX and given to his Brother the Duke of Alencon after whose Death it was reunited to the Crown of France in 1584 and exchang'd with the Duke of Bouillion for the Principality of Sedan in 1652. Five leagues West of Evreux near a place where the Rille hides it self under the Ground lyes Beaumont le Roger Bellus mons Rogerii with the Title of a County It was built by a Count call'd Roger whose Name it bears and strongly fortified Raoul of Meulant sold it to the French King Lewis IX in 1255 and Charles III. King of Navarr to whom it did belong â—s being Count of Evreux exchanged both Counties with the French King Charles VI. for the Dutchy and Peerdom of Nemours in 1404. Two leagues North of Beaumont le Roger lyes the Castle of Harcourt Harecortis formerly a good Burrough which has given its Name and the title of Counts to a Noble Family that has been renowned since the beginning of the twelfth Century to the end of the last Age that it fell to the share of the House of Lorrain by the Marriage of Renatus of Lorrain Marquess of Elbeuf with Louise of Rieux Heiress of Harcourt in 1574. Vernon upon the Seyne lyes 7 leagues East of Evreux and ten South-east of Rouen Some think that it had formerly a Royal Palace or Castle call'd Verno or Vernum where two Councils were kept in 755 and 844. but De Valois proves that Verno was the Name of this place and that the Royal House of Vernum was either Ver near Crespi en Valois between Paris and Compiegne or Verneuil upon the Oyse Seven leagues South of Evreux upon the River Aure lyes the Burrough of Nonancourt which has given its Name to Cardinal Nicholas of Nonancourt who was famous about the end of the thirteenth Age and descended from an Ancient House Five miles higher to the West upon the same River is the Town of Tilleres or Tuillieres Tegulariae so call'd from the Stichel-stones that were prepared there It was built by Richard Duke of Normandy but is now almost ruined Remounting the said River one meets with the Town of Vernueil Vernolium erected into a Dutchy and Peerdom by Lewis
of that Name separates the Bishopricks of St. Pol and Triguier and empties it self into the Bay of the Torean The Trieu receives the Lier and falls into the Sea between the Isles of St. Mande and Brehacy The Arguenon separates the Bishoprick of St. Brieux from that of St. Malo and runs into the Sea at Port of St. Cas. The River Rance comes from the borders of the Bishoprick of St. Brieux washes Dinant and empties it self into the Bay of St. Milo The Couesnon washes Foguâ—res Romazic Antraim where it receives the Aisance goes through Pont-Orson and falls into the Sea near Mount St. Michael Britany is divided into upper and lower or Eastern and Western Others divide it according to the Idioms that are spoken in its several Diocesses The Bishoprick of Rennes Dol and St. Malo speak French those of Quimpercorentin St. Pol. and Triguer speak Brittish and those of Nantes Vennes and St. Brieux make use of both These nine Bishopricks are all suffragans to the Archbishop of Tours There are several Islands round about this Province but for the most part inconsiderable and unhabited except it be the Isles of Wessant and Belle-Isle of which I shall speak under the Bishopricks on which they depend Of High Brittany The Bishoprick of Rennes RENNES Capital of Britanny is situated upon the meeting of the Rivers Vilaine and Lille eighteen leagues South of the Sea and Mount St. Michael and was already considerable in Caesars time who calls its Inhabitants Rhedones and Ptolomy the City it self Condate Redonum It remained under the Romans till Conan made himself King of Britany and established there the Seat of his Empire About the end of the fifth Century part of our Brittish Ancestors went over the Sea ransack'd and plunder'd this Town However it took its former lustre again and was still the ordinary Residence of the Dukes of Brittany who bore the Title of Counts of Rennes The most Ancient Bishop of Rennes is one Artemius who assisted at the first Council of Tours in 461. and to that of Vennes in 465. Before Henry II. instituted a Parliament at Rennes for the whole Dutchy of Brittany and made it Sedentary at the same time viz. in the Year 1553. there was a Senelchalship to which resorted the Diocesses of Rennes Dol St. Malo Cornouaille Vennes St. Brieux Leon and Triguier The Parliameat of Rennes was transferr'd to Vennes in 1675. for some discontent the French King had taken against its Citizens who unwillingly saw their priviledges invaded and were loth to pay his Exorbitant Taxes this Monarch little remembring how faithful this Town had been to his Ancestors during the Civil Wars Nevertheless he was not in such a Passion but that he restored them their Parliament in 1687. for a Summ of Money Besides the Cathedral Church of St. Peter Rennes has several Parochial Churches and Monasteries and the Abbies of St. Melaine St. George and St. Sulpice The Palace of its Parliament is built on the modern way and the Bell of its Clock is esteemed one of the biggest in the Kingdom The other Towns and considerable Burroughs of this Diocess are Vitrey Vitreium near the source of the Vilaine ten leagues South-east of Rennes with the Title of a Barony The French Protestants had there a considerable Church St. Aubin du Cormier perhapâ— Cornutius Vicus Gregory of Tours testifies that in 579. the Brittains made an Incursion into the Countrey of Rennes and penetrated to this Cornutius Vicus Lewis of La Trimouille K. Charles VIII his General defeated here the Duke of Brittany and his Confederates in 1488. July 28. It lyes upon the River Couesnon four leagues North-west of Vitrey Fougeres near the source of the Couesnon Coetnus is about twelve leagues North-east of Rennes It has given its Name to a Noble Family and one of this Lords call'd Raoul de Fougeres fortified it and built there a good Castle It is so called from the quantity of Fern Fougere that grows thereabouts and this Countrey is so remarkable for Health in French Landes that two other Burroughs take their Name from thence viz. S. Sauveur des Landes and S. Gilles des Landes Antraim lyes upon the same River five leagues Northwest of Fougeres The Latins call it Interamnis because it s seated upon the meeting of the Couesnon and Aisance There was formerly a famous Monastery and the Emperor Charles the Bald had an Interview with Solomon King of the Brittains at this place in 863. Of the Bishoprick of Dol. THis Diocess the most Easterly of those that lye on the Sea-coast is bound on the West and South by that of St. Malo on the East by those of Rennes and Avranches and on the North by the Ocean It is hardly seven leagues North and South and three or four East and West Dol its Capital City is only considerable by its Bishoprick It is situated in a Marshy Plain above ten leagues North of Rennes four or five Northwest of St. Malo and seven North-east of Mont St. Michael The most ancient part of this Town is the Castle near which was founded an Abby by a Bishop called Samson in remembrance of a Serpent he had forc'd to fly thither It was erected into a Bishoprick in 566. whereof this Samson was the first Prelate according to Duchesne or rather in 844. under Neomenes King of Brittany according to the Jesuit Sirmond and De Valois The Dukes of Brittany laboured a long time to have this Church erected into an Archbishoprick and one Baldric Abbot of Bourgueil in Anjou calls John Archbishop of Dol and Metropolitan but at last Hugh one of his Prelates yielded of its Pretensions in behalf of the Metropolitan of Tours Near to this Foundation is an Abby of the Order of Cisteaux call'd Vicuville Of the Bishoprick of St. Malo THis Diocess reaches 20 leagues in length North and South 9 or 12 leagues East and West where it is broadest and in some places handly 2 or 3. It is included between the Sea and the Bishoprick of Dol on the North those of St. Brieux end Vennes on the West and South and that of Rennes on the East The Capital St. Malo is one of the best Sea-Port Towns in France tho' its access be somewhat difficult and defended by a strong Castle flank'd with great Towers surrounded with Ditches and kept by a good Garrison This Town is one of the Keys of France and considerable in time of Peace by its Trade into the Northern parts of Europe but much more in time of War for being a Nest of Sea-Robbers It is said that St. Malo is guarded by Dogs because the Garrison lest they should be surprized le ts out 12 Dogs that go round about the Walls which do not fail to bark at the Goers by This Town was built in an Island a mile from the Ruines of another more Ancient called Alet the remains of whose Walls Port and Castle are still to be seen It got this Name of St.
Concilium was held after the Conversion of Sigismund King of Burgundy in 517. Adrian de Valois mentions a Village call'd Ebao or Tortillane which 800 years ago belong'd to the Archbishops of Vienne and consequently did not lye far off and thence infers that Ebao and Epaone are the same name but I find no such place as Ebao or Tortillane in my Maps The first considerable Town after Vienne in this Diocese is Romans upon the Isere fifteen Leagues South East of Vienne and 14 West of Grenoble It was originally an Abby founded by one Bernard Archbishop of Vienne and call'd Romanis or Romanum Monasterium either because the Romans were yet Masters of the Country or that he put in Monks and Clerks coming out of Rome Whatever be of that the Jurisdiction of the Town formerly belonged to the Collegiate Church of St. Bernard but in 1344. Pope Clement the VI. made a gift of another Mans property by transferring it to the Dauphin Humbert who yielded him up Avisan 'T is observed â—hat the Situation of this Town has some 〈◊〉 with that of Jerusalem and especially a small Hill within its Walls to Mount Calvaire which was the reason that one Romanet Bossiâ— who had travelled into the Holy Land erected there a Building representing the St. Sepulchre with a Monastery for Franciscan Fryers in 1520. In 1562 the Protestants becoming Masters of the Town plunder'd the said Convent and Church St. Marcellin 7 Leagues North East of Romans and 8 West of Grenoble is the head of a small Bayliwick that takes up 6 or 7 Leagues of the North end of the Diocese of Vienne On the Borders of this Bayliwick 8 Leagues North East of St. Marcellin and 6 North of Grenoble is the Burrough of Voyron where was a famous Abby and a goodly Town called in the old Chartres Visorontia or Veserontia if we believe the Jesuit Labbe for Adrian de Valois conjectures more probably that it is a place still called Veseronce 4 Leagues North East of the Town of Bourgoin one South of the County of Bouchage and 2 West of the Rhone In the same Bayliwick lies the small Town of Thin or Thain 7 Miles West of Romans it is seated upon the Rhone over against Tournon from which it is separated by nothing but this River It must have been of some consideration in the 4th or 5th Century since the Maps of the Emperor Theodosius published by the Brothers Peutingers mention it under the name of Tegna 15 Miles North of Romans lies the Town of Moras seated upon a Mountain 5 Miles of St. Rambert upon the Rhone Going out of the Bayliwick of Grenoble 10 Leagues North of that City you meet with the Town of Pont de Beauvoisin Pons Bellovicinus so called because it is built upon the River Giere and divided into two parts united by a Bridge This part of Viennois is all mountainous as well as Savoy and Bresse upon which it borders The Inhabitants name it Terres Froides and made a great Traffick of the Vipers which abound in their Country Six leagues West of Pont de Beauvoisin is the famous Barony of La Tour du Pin of which the Dauphins bore the Title On this Barony formerly depended the Town of Bourgoin which lies three Leagues farther to the West and is renowned for its Trade of Hemp. Five Leagues North of Bourgoin lies the Burrough of Cremieu in Latin Stramiacum where the Emperor Lewis the Meek kept an Assembly in 836. The Burrough of Anton upon the Rhone 7 Leagues East of Lyons seems to have been built or beautified by Marc Antony the Triumvir both by its Latin name Antoniacum and by these Verses of Sidoâ—ius Apollinaris Pocula non heic sunt illustria nomine pagi Quod posuit nostris ipse Triumvir agris For this Part of Viennoise was in the Territory of Lyons wherein this Poet was born so that he will say that the Country thereabouts afforded no better Wine than that of Anton. Six Leagues East of Anton upon the Rhone and the Borders of Bresse lies the Town of Quirieu 3 Leagues North of Vienne and 5 South of Lyons lies the Burrough of St. Saphorin renowned for its Post-asses These Animals are so well taught that they go to the Burrough of La Guillotiere which makes part of Lyons but shall not advance a step farther than the place where they are used to be let loose though you should beat them never so much and the same they do in their return to St. Saphorin I supersede to describe the many Lordships that are in this Country as the Marquisates of Virieu and Omacieu the Counties of Diximieu Serrieres Bouchage Roussillon Anjou Charms the Baronies of Baubec Anton c. Of VALENTINOIS THis Country included between the Rhone and Isere the Bayliwick of Die and the Tricastinois reaches 20 Leagues North and South but hardly 6 or 8 East and West The Southern part is more mountainous the Northern more plain but both abundant with all the conveniencies of life The Capital Valance lies upon the Rhone 6 Leagues South West of Romans and 18 of Grenoble The Latins call it Valentia or Julia Vallentia because of its strength and of the Colony they had transported there In their time it was Inhabited by the Segalauni one of the chief People of the Gauls and their Dominions extended even beyond the Rhone since Tournon was in their Jurisdiction VALENTINOIS was erected into a Sovereign County at the dismembring of the French Monarchy under the Successors of Charlemaign The first Count thereof remember'd in History is one Gontard who lived in 950 and who by the Sirname of Poictiers which he left to his Successors seems to be descended from the antient Dukes of Aquitain I have observ'd how Lewis of Poictiers yielded his Dominions to the French King Lewis the XI who united them to the rest of Dauphiné Lewis the XII erected this County into a Dukedom for Caesar Borgia Son to Pope Alexander the VI. but the Lords of Poictiers made a solemn protestation against it pretending their Father could not deprive them of their Inheritance The Suit was along time depending before the Parliament of Grenoble but what their good Right could not get was obtained by the Beauty of a Lady of that House Diane of Poictiers Mistress to Francis the I. who easily prevailed upon that King to present her with the contested Dutchy which after her death was united again to the French Crown Valence is the head of a Seneschalship to which the Vice-seneschalships of Crest and Montlimar are resorting It has likewise a Presidial-seat and Election and an University for the Civil and Cannon Law wherein Doctors are made and the Famous Cujas has taught It s Bishop is Suffragan to Vienne and the first is one Emilian It s Cathedral is dedicated to another of its Prelates called St. Apollinaire But I must not forget that famous Nicodemite John of Montluc Bishop of Valence who liv'd under the Reign
Sant Câ—erny la â—rté Loupiere Aillant Brignon c. 4. Langres â—Ome put this Town in Bassigni and others account Chaumont for the Capital of it shall here follow the last in order to make particular Description of this ancient City â—lled by the Latins Lingonae and Andomainum Lingonum and famous ever since the Irruption of Sigovese and Bellovese iâ— Italy that is since 3464 of the World 164 of Rome Langres is seated upon Mountain near the source of the Marne aâ— its Territory which is not far from Bâ—gundy is accounted the highest of France bâ—cause five or six Rivers spring out of The Vandals wasted this City and put St. â—dier its Bishop to death in 704 but siâ— it was so well repaired that in the 12th Ceâ—tury Peter the Venerable calls it the Nâ—â— the Great and the Renowned and therefoâ— its Bishops were not forgotten in the Institâ—tion of the ancient Dukes and Peers France The Cathedral is dedicated 〈◊〉 St. Mammez Martyr but St. Savinian wâ— its first Bishop for ought we know about 〈◊〉 end of the fourth Age. 5. Of Bassigni Vallage and Perthois THE Country of Bassigni is included bâ—twixt that of Langres and Vallage 〈◊〉 the South and North the Dutchy aâ— County of Burgundy on the West and Eaâ— Vallage has Bassigni on the South the Pâ—cinct of Troyes on the East and North-Eaâ— Lorrain on the East Barrois and Rhemois 〈◊〉 the North. Perthois has Vallage on the Soutâ— the Dutchy of Bar on the East the Territâ— â—y of Rheims on the North and that of Troyes â—n the West Chaumont is the Capital of Bassigni and is situated upon a Hill near the Marne between Langres and Chalons It has 〈◊〉 very strong Castle built upon a Rock with a Tower called the Donjon There are likewise Montigni Gaeffi Nogente Roy Bourbonne-les-Bains Monteclar Andeâ—t Bisnay Choyseul Clermont with several â—thers that have strong Castles for their Deâ—ence Vallage for its chief Towns has Vassi â—nd Joinville erected into a Principality by King Henry II. for the youngest Sons of the House of Guise an 1552. It is situated upâ—n the Marne The other Towns of Vallage â—re Brienne County Vignoris Montirandel â—onlevand le Chasteau aux Forges Esclairon â—ar upon the River Aube which is renownâ—d for its excellent Wines and had formerly â—s particular Counts The Country of Perthois has Vitri 〈◊〉 François fortified the modern way or its Capital It was built by King â—rancis I. whose Name it bears in the Neighbourhood of Vitri le brulé that was 〈◊〉 former times a considerable Castle The â—ther less considerable Towns are Argilliers â—arzicourt Louvemain St. Dizier a strong â—own on the Frontiers of Barrois Serâ—aize c. 6. The Country of Brie and morâ— especially Brie Champenoise THis Country is included between thâ— Marne the Seine and the Diocese oâ— Chalons and is extended about 10 or 1â— Leagues in length and breadth It 's ferâ— in Fruits Meadows Corn and Wines thaâ— are delicate near Château-Thierry but morâ— rough about Meaux Brie is divided intâ— French Brie depending upon the Governmeâ— of the Isle of France and Champaigne's Brie divided again into Vpper Lower and Louâ— Brie or the Land of Glandevesse whereiâ— are the Boroughs of Gandelu Montmorâ— Tresmes Orbay c. The whole Province hâ— MEAVX for its Capital whose scituation upon the Maine is very pleasant and its Disposâ—tion or Order no less being divided in twâ— by a little River that runs through and separates the Town quite from the Markeâ— called otherwise the Fort. It 's so considerâ—ble that it deserv'd a Bishoprick Bailwicâ— and Election It s Cathedral is dedicated 〈◊〉 St. Stephen Besides that there is the Collegiate Church of St. Sanctin first Bishop 〈◊〉 Meaux the Abbey of St. Faron belonging 〈◊〉 the Benedictins of St. Maur and several Parochial Churches and Monasteries both iâ— the Town and the three Suburbs Meaâ— had formerly its particular Counts whose Country was united to the Crown with the â—est of Champaign During the Imprisonment â—f King John the Dauphin Charles V. his â—on fell at variance with the Parisians and â—etired to Meaux thence to Sens. The Parians would make use of the occasion to â—eize upon this Key of the Marne and sent â—ome Troops thither under the Conduct of a â—rocer but notwithstanding the Treason â—f the Mayor who opened them the Gates â—ey could not master the Market and â—aston-Phebus Count of Foix cut them inâ— pieces then ransack'd and burnt the Town However it was in few years so â—ell repair'd that it maintained a Siege of â—ree months against the English who at last â—ok it upon Charles VII then only Dauâ—hin of France in 1421. Meaux was one â—f the first Cities of that Kingdom wherein â—e Reformation was Preached for which â—ohn le Clerc and James Pavanes got the â—rown of Martyrdom the first being burnt 〈◊〉 Metz and the other at Paris about the â—ear 1525. CHATEAV-THIERRY is eight or ten â—eagues Eastwards of Meaux upon the same â—iver has the Title of a Dutchy a Bailâ—ick a Presidial Provostship and Election and 〈◊〉 accounted the Chief Town of Vpper Brie â—'s strong and pleasant by its situation has good Castle and several Churches The Duke of Mayenne took it in the last Age foâ— the League at which time it was plundereâ— by the Spaniards MONCEAVX is a Royal Castle anâ— Pleasure-house built upon the River Oâ—â— near its meeting with the Marn It 's adorâ—ed with Parks Forests Rivers and Gardeâ— that yield to none in the Kingdom for Beauty or Pleasure Queen Catherine of Mediâ— begun and Henry IV. finished it PROVINS Capital of Lower Brie anâ— formerly of the whole Province is situateâ— upon the little River Vuzie It has a Baiâ—wick and is renowned for its Roses and tâ— Conserve that is made of them The otheâ— Towns and Boroughs of Brie are Nogenâ— l'Artaud Vieux-Maisons Crecy Colommieâ— la Ferté-Gaucher and Sezanne all four upoâ— the Morin Nogent sur Seyne which has fine Bridge upon that River Montereâ—faut Yonne so called because the Yonne faâ— there and mixes with the Seine It has Bridge too upon which John Duke of Bâ—gundy was murthered by the Faction of Oleance in 1419. CHAP. IV. Of the Isle of France and its Dependencies ISLE of France is properly the Name of a small Country included between the Rivers Seine Oyse and Aysne Picardy Brie â—nd the Territory of Rheims but to make of it a Government somewhat suitable to â—he bigness of the Capital of so great a Kingdom part of the adjacent Countries have â—een taken from them and added to this Peninsula viz. out of Champaign part of Brie betwixt the Marne the Seine and the small River Yere with the Towns of Lagâ—y Ville-neuve-S George Brie-Comte-Robert built by the first Count of Champaign which â—as yet a Seat of Justice resorting to the Châteâ—et of Paris and Rosoy Out of Beausse have been taken three Countries namely Hureâ—oix on the South of the Seine with
and being despised by Princes and Lords fell to the share of the Knight of the Watch and his Comrades From the top of this Mountain one may have a full sight of Paris Vincennes commonly called Le bois de Vincennes is a strong Castle in a Wood not quite a League off Paris towards the East it 's surrounded with a good Ditch and eight great square Towers for its Defence Philip August raised up a Wall about the Wood in 1185. Philip of Valois begun the Tower or Castle in 1337 which K. John and Charles V. ended Q Mary of Medicis begun the Gallery that is on the side of Paris in 1614 and Lewis XIV added new Buildings to it It s Court is spacious and fair a side of it is the Holy and Royal Chappel dedicated to the Blessed Trinity by King Charles V. in 1379. Here are also the Chains of the Streets of Paris sent thither by Charles VI. to punish that City's Rebellion This Place is so very pleasant by its fine Walks in the Woods about it that several Kings have chosen it to end their Lives in as Philip the Fair Lewis Hutin or the Proud and Charles the Handsome Farther into the Woods is a Convent of Minims surnamed Les bons Hommes which is one of the pleasantest Monasteries that can be seen As for the Castle the Inside is every whit as magnificent as what appears without The Princes of the Blood who were taken in the beginning of the last Troubles of France were confined here as had been several others before them Cardinal Mazarin dy'd at Vincennes in 1661. There is still seen an Oak under which King Lewis IX was wont to render Justice for though he went to Vincennes as to a retir'd Place however that the least Absence should not prove hurtful to the poorest of his Subjects at certain hours of the day he sate at a Table covered with a Carpet and ordered his Ushers and Heraulds tâ— cry out whether there was any that wanteâ— Justice Thence apparently comes the Frencâ— Proverb Mettre une chose sur le Tapis To put 〈◊〉 thing upon the Carpet for to propound a Business St. Maur is a Castle built upon 〈◊〉 Height joyning a pleasant Forest near thâ— Marn about three Miles off Paris but in imperfect because Francis I. that beguâ— that Building had not time to finish it yeâ— its considerable for several Rarities as Francis the First 's Head very well worked iâ— Copper his Devise a Salamander environed with Lillies and these Words Non deflorebimus isto Praeside istis ducibus Henry IV. gave this House to the Prince of Condé Returning to Paris along the Marne you find a League from that City the Village of Charenton which by some old Ruines seems to have been formerly a strong and considerable Town Between this and the Palace of Conflans was an admirable Echo which repeated Words to ten times with such a Noise and quickness as tho' they had been as many Canon-Shots It 's great pity that the Cloyster which the Carmelites have built there upon the Ruines of a Church have deprived the World of so great a Wonder Some years ago Charenton was yet more famous for the Temple the Protestants of Paris had there to which have at one time or other belonged so many great and learned Men as Aubertin Du Moulin Mestrezat Daille le Faucheur Dreâ—ncourt Gache Claude I supersede to name â—wo late Ministers one of which was acâ—ounted one of the learnedest Men in France â—nd the other one of the Eloquentest beâ—ause they are both living and in England The Palace of Conflans where Jane Queen â—f Navarre dy'd in 1349 belongs now to â—he House of Villeroy The most consideraâ—le part of it is a vaulted Gallery enriched â—ith a great many Pictures drawn to the â—ife as two Sibylles three Roman Empeâ—ors four Popes several Sultans and great Commanders especially the famous Scanderâ—eg or Castriot Several Learned Men as â—eneca Scot Thomas Aquinas Platina Guicâ—iardini c. The Kings of England of Navarre The Dukes of Savoy and of Lorâ—ain the Families of Valois Bourbon and Nassau all set in gilt Frames and brought â—rom Italy and 21 among the rest out of â—he House of Medicis Three or four Leagues East of Paris â—s the Village of Chelles with a Church founded by Queen Clotilde Wise to Clovis the Great and since repaired and erected into an Abby of Nuns by Queen Baudour Wife to Clovis II. Their Son Clotaire King of France was interred in that Abby in 666 and King Robert had a Palace in the Village Higher up to the North four Leaguâ— from Paris is the Borough of Gonnesse râ—nowned for its Bread and Francis the First Answer to Charles the Fifth's Letter stuffeâ— with ample Titles for he writ nothing elâ— but Francis King of France of France anâ— so to the end of the Page where he pâ— these Words Lord of Vanves and Gonnesâ— A Joke not much unlike to that of Henâ— IV. who answering a Letter of the Spanâ—ards filled up with Bravado's of the samâ— Nature called himself King of Gentilly St. DENIS a pretty Town two League from Paris situated on a Brook called 〈◊〉 Crou in the middle of a fruitful Plain anâ— full of Game At the beginning it was bâ— a Country House of the Lady Catulla whâ— buried there the Bodies of St. Denis Bishoâ— of Paris and of Eleuthere and Rustic his twâ— Priests beheaded in the Persecution of Decius after the Year 250. For the Fable 〈◊〉 St. Denis the Areopagite coming over inâ— Gaul to preach the Gospel has been so solidly confuted by Launoy and other learneâ— Roman Catholicks and French Men too that I need not to disprove it I shall only observe that it has been invented by Hilduâ— Abbot of St. Denis in the Ninth Century and that though in this and subsequent Ages shrewd and Deceitful Monks gull'd 〈◊〉 much as ever the Ignorant and Credulous Vulgar however this ridiculous Opinion did not want Opposers among the rest â—â—e Learned John Scot Erigene who undeâ—eived the Emperour Charles the Bald. The Church was built by Dagobert I. and â—e Abby founded by the same King who â—ave to the Abbot an absolute Authority oâ—er all the Inhabitants of St. Denis and such â—hat it extended upon their Lives and Forâ—unes and that they were in a manner his â—laves Moreover he instituted a yearly â—air of four Weeks length to be kept in a â—ield near the Church during which he â—orbad the Merchants of Paris to sell any â—ares or Commodities Charlemaign orâ—ered that all the Kings and Bishops of â—rance should obey this Abbot that the â—ings should neither be crowned nor the â—ishops ordained without his Leave that all â—is Subjects should pay him a Tax for each â—f their Houses that Slaves who should â—illingly pay it should be put at Liberty â—nd called the Free-men of S. Denis In 834 â—ewis the Meek who had been deposed by â—is Sons had his
Lady of the House 〈…〉 but after her Death the Patent Letâ—â—â— were suppress'd In 1569. the Protestants â—â—re Masters of Loudun under the conduct 〈…〉 Prince of Conde (a) Du Chesne The Duke of 〈◊〉 came to besiege it and did expect no reâ—â—stâ—ned the Town being not strongly fortiâ—â—â—â— But he was very much surmiz'd when 〈…〉 the Enemies draw out in Battalla to reâ—â—â—â— him and the ways so Freez'd that there was incoming at 'em so that after several Skirmishes therein he had still the worst he was forc'd 〈…〉 The last National Synod of the Reâ—â—â—â—'d Churches kept with the leave of the 〈◊〉 French King was assembled at Loudun in 1659. if my memory does not fail me Moncontour for Mâ—nt-Contourné Mons Contoriâ—â— for Mons Contornatus because 't is seated upon a round Mountain that appears as tho' it were turn'd upon the Wheel is wash'd by the Riveâ— Dive which tho' very small is not very fordable It lies 9 Leagues North-west of Poictierâ— and 3 South-west of Loudun It was built by Fulk III. sirnamed Norra Consul or Count oâ— Anjou and therefore call'd Mons Consularis oâ— Mons Gomitis The same Count built also Mirebeau Mirebellum 5 Leagues South-East and Faye-la-vineuse 6 Leagues North-East of Moâ—contour But this last place is the most considerable and especially famous for two Battelâ— gotten by Godfrey Martel Son and Successor to the said Fulk one over the Poictevins in which he took William Count of Poictou Prisoner worâ—â— the other over the Manseaux wherein Heâ—â—â—â— Bacon Count of Maine fell likewise into 〈◊〉 hands In 1569 on Monday October 3. the Protestants under the Admiral of Coligny lost also the day near Moncontour against the Romaâ— Catholicks headed by the Duke of Anjou finde Henry III. King of France Notwithstand 〈◊〉 which Charles IX was fain to grant an honourable Peace to the Reformed in 1571. The â—â—miral was so great a Captain that he will 〈…〉 great many shifts after his Defeats Luzignan or Lesignar Liciniacuni Castâ—â—â— or Licineium is an ancient Castle founded 〈◊〉 one Licinus upon the small Riâ—er Vonbeustâ—â— Leagues South-west of Poictiers It is called corruptively Liziniacum and Lesinâ—oâ— by Lâ—tiâ— Authors of the middle Age because the French use to change c in s. and to pronounce s between two Vowels as a z. Thus they have made from racemus raisin Sarracenus Sarrasin platere plaisir c. One John of Artois who writ the History of Luzignan in 1383. ascribes the foundation of this Castle and of the Noble Family to which it gives Name to a Fairy call'd Melusine half Woman and half Snake What has giv'n occasion to this fabulous account is uncertain Aimery of Luzignan King of Cyprus and titular King of Jerusalem had a wise and beautiful Daughter call'd Melisinde ma ry'd to Boemond IV. Prince of Antioch but I cannot tell whether 't is she whom that romantick Author has taken for the Subject of his fables Whatever be of that the House of Luzignan is very illustrious and known in France since the Tenth Century having possest there the Counties of la Marche and Angouleme till the Year 1203 and reign'd in the Island Cyâ—â—â— from 1192 till 1473. The Castle of Luzignan was esteem'd impregnable however the brave Teligni seiz'd on it for the Protestants 〈◊〉 1569. The Duke of Montpensier lay four Months before it in 1574 and having taken it at last demolish'd it so that it is now but an inconsiderable place 〈◊〉 or Melle Metullum Castrum or Melle is 〈◊〉 Burrough of some consideration that had 〈◊〉 the right of coining Mony It lies 〈◊〉 the soâ—â—â—e of a small River that falls into 〈◊〉 Charenâ—eâ—â— 12 Leagues from Poictiers and 〈◊〉 from Lusignan to the South-west Some preâ—â—d that the famous Melusine got that Name because she was Lady of Melle and Luzignan S. Maixant Cellula S. Maxentii or S. Maxentii oppidum owes its Rise as well as its Name to Maxentius a holy Solitary who retir'd thither in the sixth Century It 's said that he miraculously preserv'd his Monastery from being plunder'd by King Clovis's Soldiers The famous S. Leger Bishop of Autun who was Minister of State under Clotaire III. and Childeric II. had been Abbot of S. Maixant This Town had then two fine Collegiate Churches The Abby has been repair'd and beautifi'd by the Emperour Lewis the Meek and by Eubulus Bishop of Limoges S. Maixant is renown'd for the Manufactory and Trade of Serges It lies on the Sevre Niortoise 7 Leagues West of Luzignan and 12 South-west of Poictiers Partenay Partiniacum or Pertinaculum haâ— the Title of a Barony and is the Capital of the small Country of Gastine so call'd from the Heaths and Wastes wherewith it is fill'd It lies 10 Leagues West-north-west of Poictiers About the end of the ninth Century there was an Assembly call'd to procure the Peace of the Churches of Aquitain where William Count of Poictou the Bishop of Chartres and S. Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux were present Thouars Toarcis Castrum 6 Leagues West of Loudun and 15 North-west of Poictiers has the Title of a Dutchy and Peerdom erected by Henry IV in 1595. It 's an indifferent good Tâ—â—â— and of a long standing since in the eight Century it was already one of the strongest Places in Aquaitain Historians mention the calling of the Castle of Thouars by King Pepin as a very remarkable conquest for this Fortresse had then its particular Count or Governour whom Pepin carry'd prisoner into France The Country and dependencies of Touars Ager Toarâ—â—sit le Touarsois had afterwards Viscounts under the Counts of Poictou since the Reign of â—aâ—â—l in the X Century Their Estate passed by Marriage first to the House of Ainboise and then to the House of La Trimeuille Niort Niortum seated in a fruitful soyl on the banks of the River Sevre Separis to which it gives the sirname of Niortoise is a considerable Town and accounted the second in upper Poictou It has a Seat of Royal Justice resorting to the Presidial of Poictiers from which it lies 16 Leagues to the South-West and four from St. Maixant The Country round about call'd Niortois breeds the best race of Mules in the whole Kingdom and the Town is rich and trading because of its Fairs Maillezais lies five Leagues West of Niort and 20 South-West of Poictiers It 's seated on the River Autise Altisa that surrounds it on all sides for which reason the Latin Chronicles of the French ordinarily call it Insula Malliacum In 1003. under the Reign of King Robert William V. Count of Poictiers Son to William IV. sirnam'd Fierabras and Grand-son to William III. sirnam'd Tete-d Etoupe founded here an Abby whether he retir'd In process of time this â—onastery made this place a Town of some â—ote so that either for this consideration or rather to lessen the Jurisdiction of the Prelate of Poictiers Pope John XXII erected Maillezais into a Bishoprick in 1317. and Godfrey of Pouvrelle the
Coâ—quests in Italy In the Year 160 from tâ—â— building of Rome Elitovius chief of the Peopâ—â— of Maine and their Prince Belovesus made 〈◊〉 Eruption into the North-eastern part of Itaâ—â— whence they drove the Natives and thâ— built the Cities of Bresse Verona Trent Câ—â—â— Bergemo Mantoua and many others Thus is that the Poet John Baptist Ignatius exprâ—â—seth himself in their Favour Cenomanique acres non ignobile semen c. This Province was subject to the Gauls tâ—â— Romans the Francks and the English In tâ—â— middle of the eighth Century Pepin Head 〈◊〉 the second Stock of the French Kings gave thâ— County with 12 others to his Brother Grisâ— or Grippon But the Names of the succeediâ—â— Counts are not known till Hugh I. in 1020. 〈◊〉 fell by Inheritance to our K. Henry II. but 〈◊〉 confiscated by the French Monarchs upon oâ— K. John under pretence of the Murther of Aâ—thur of Brittany Since that time it has beeâ— several times detatched from and reunited â—gain to the Crown of France In 1674. Leâ—â—â— XIV made bold to give it as an Appanage oâ— Portion to one of his Bastards call'd Linâ—â— whom he had got on the Wife of the Marâ—â—â—â— of Montespan bestowing upon him the Tiâ—e 〈◊〉 Duke du Maine and the Charge of Colonel Geâ—eral of the Switzers The City of Mans or le Mans in Latin Ciâ—tas Cenomanorum Suindinum or Subdinnum is â—â—tituted upon the Confluence of the Sarte and â—e Huisne having the Title of a Bishoprick â—â—ffragan of Tours It is said that this City was â—uilt by Sarrhon Grandson of Samothes K. of the â—auls and being afterwards ruined by the Druides â—nd the Sarrhonides whilst they contested for it 〈◊〉 was rebuilt by Lemant King of the Gauls who â—ive to it his Name However it be for this â—ccount is look'd upon as fabulous le Mans is 〈◊〉 very Ancient City And in Charlemaign's time â—as one of the most flourishing in the Celtick Saul but the incursions of the Normans and â—he War with the English have much abated of â—s former Grandure It is now built upon a â—ountain which is raised up high beyond the â—irte between the North and the West and as a Bailiwick and a Presidial Seat with a Caâ—â—edral Church under the Name of St. Julian â—ho is esteem'd the first Bishop of it The â—rench Kings by a Prerogative of their Crown â—e Canons born in this Church It 's observed â—â—at the English during the Siege they laid to â—is City in 1425 were the first who made use â—f great Artillery in France Mayenne-la Juhel Meduana has its Name â—â—om the River Mayenne upon which it is seatâ—d and from the Lord Juhel who liv'd under â—he Reign of Philip August It lyes not far from 〈◊〉 Frontiers of Normandy being distant from le â—â—â—s about 18 leagues towards the North-west 〈◊〉 a Town very agreeable with the Title of a Dutchy under which Charles of Guise becaâ—â—â— so famous during the Wars of the Leagâ—â— whereof he was Head In 1661. Cardinal Mâ—zarin bought this Dutchy from the Heirs oâ— that House to give it in Portion to his Nâ—â—â— Hortensia Mancini Marry'd with Armand Charâ—â— de la Porte Duke of Mazarin it had before the Title of a Marquizate Laval or Laval-Guion Vallis-Guidonis is upon the River Mayenne in lower Maine about 〈◊〉 or 7 leagues from Mayenne towards the South It has the Title of a County and belongeth tâ— the House of la Trimouille it is famous foâ— the fine Cloth which is made there as alsâ— for a Council which was held there Aâ—â— 1242. La Ferté Bernard Firmitas Bernardi a Barâ—ny is situated upon the River Huisne beiâ—â— distant from le Mans about 9 or 10 leagues towards the East and the Frontiers of Percâ—â— there is a seat of Justice which resorts immediately to the Parliament of Paris It gaâ—â— Birth to Robert Garnier who at the end of thâ— last Age before Tristan Mairet and P. Corneilâ— arose was accounted the Prince of the Tragiâ—â— Poets amongst the French The Territory â—bout this Town is call'd by the Latin Authoâ— of the French Affairs Ager Firmitatensis Sablé a Marquizate is situated near the Sâ—â—â— between the little Rivers of Vergete and Erâ—â— about 10 or 11 leagues from Mans towards 〈◊〉 South-west Beaumont le Vicomte is a fine Towâ— with the Title of a Dutchy it lyes upon 〈◊〉 Sarte 6 leagues North of Mans and 5 South 〈◊〉 Alencon Raoul who was Lord of it Assâ—â—â— Anno 1093. at the Translation of the Reliques of St. Julian the first Bishop of Mans. Chateau du Loir a Barony is situated upon the River Loir in the Frontiers of Vendomois distant from le Mans about 8 or 9 leagues to â—â—wards the South-east There are other places of some Note as Lavardin Villaine-la-Juhel Gesvres Vibray Vassé Ballon and Galerande that are Marquizats Brulon Suze and Belin are Counties Bresseau is a Viscounty and S. Suzanne is a Barony Of the Country of Perche or Le Perche LE Perche hath Normandy on the North 〈◊〉 Maine to the West Vendomois and Blaisâ—â— on the South and towards the East it hath Beauce This Country seems not to have beeâ— known to the Ancients the reason of which I imagine to be that the middle-part of it was all cover'd with Woods and the borders belonged to the Neighbouring Nations And therefore it was that an Anchoret whom Posterity has since venerated under the Name of St. Avy S. Avitus retsred into these Forrests as into a wide and impenetrable Solitude The Country was yet for the most part Woody at the beginning of the third Race of the French Kings about 700 years ago and call'd for that reason Perticus Saltus the Forrest of Pearches perhaps because it consisted in great part of Fir-trees or other long and even Wood. And you may observe by the reading of the Latin Authors of the French History how they were fell'd down and the Country peopled by degrees which however is still Woody enough It s therefore labour lost to look for its Ancient Inhabitants since there were none for the Ilnelli and the Aulerci Diablintes were an Armoâ—ick Nation who seem'd to have dwell'd the â—irst in the Western Coasts of Normandy and the â—ast on the Southern of Brittany Le Perche is divided into higher and lower â—he higher part is the County and the lower â—s call'd Perche-Gouet or rather it 's divided inâ—o Grand Perche Perche-Gouet from the Name of its Ancient Lords Terre Françoise or French Country and Terres Démembrées or Dismember'd Lands 1. Grand-Perche contains Nogent-le Rotrou Mortaigne Bellesme Perriere the Barronies of Loupe Illiers Courville and Pontgoin Nogent le Rotrou Novigentum Rotroci or Rotroldi so call'd from Rotrou its Founder Count of Perche is seated upon the Huisne where it receives the Ronne and is the Capital of Upper Perche tho' it be commonly accounted a Burrough but one of the finest and richest in France by reason of its Manufactures of Serges
their own party Henry of France Duke of Anjou Brother of Charles the IX laid Seige to it during the Civil Wars and had perhaps carry'd it by force had not the Ambassadors of Poland brought him a Crown which made him change his design having resolv'd by the advice of Cardinal de Rhichelieu to weaken the Protestants Lewis the XIII having resolv'd to Weaken the Protestants and to re-Establish the Roman Religion in Bearn demanded from them their Towns of security whereat the Reform'd were affray'd and assembled for that and at Rochelle Anno 1620. They being beat Anno 1622 did implore the mercy of the French King But having risen again this Prince besieged Rochelle and obliged it to surrender the 29 October Anno 1628. He demolished the Fortifications and depriv'd the Inhabitants of their Priviledges He suffer'd nothing to remain but two Towers which Charles the V had built for the defence of the Harbour and for its better security an Iron Chain is tied cross the entry of the Port every night Lewis XIV did fortify it very strongly Anno 1689. by a good Citadel and a great many other workes to prevent a Descent of the English and Dutch and to keep the pretended new Converts under his Tyranny This City was erected into a Bishoprick Anno 1648. The Episcopal Seat of Maillezais being transferr'd thither Besides these there is a Presidial Seat a Court Soveraign a Chamber of Mint and a Haven very much frequented Rochel lies about 92 Leagues West of Paris 25 West of Angouleme and 32 North North-West of Bourdeaux Rochefort is a Port in the Country of Aunis near the mouth of the Charante 6 Leagues South of Rochel Formerly it was only a little Village but now it 's a considerable Town being adorn'd with fine Building and pleasant Gardens Sea Magazins and Store Houses and a Hospital for Old Wounded Souldiers who have serv'd at Sea Marans is a Village on the Sevre Niortoise situated in a Marish ground 7 Miles North North-East of Rochel having a Castle about two Leagues from the Sea This place suffer'd much during the Civil Wars of Religion being often taken and retaken Chatelaillon is a little Village situated nigh the Sea about two Leagues from Rochelle The other places are Surgere Benon Moze Courson Port-Lupin le Plomb Angoulin Tves c. Of Angoumois ANGOVMOIS Pagus Ecolismensis hath Saintonge on the West and South-West Perigord on the South Limosin and la Marche on the East and Poictou on the North. It is about 22 Leagues in length East and West and 16 in breadth North and South It s great Fertility doth sufficienlty recompence its small extent For this little Province abounds in Corn Vine Pasture-ground Safron c. It 's watred with several Rivers namely the Charante the Tardouere the Bandiat the Boueme the Sonne the Argent the Anguienâ—e It 's the Country of Andrew Thevet Balsac and other Ingenious and Learn'd Men. Angouleme Iculisna or Ecolisma the Capital City is situated upon the Charante 60 Leagues South-West of Orleans and 28 North-East of Bourdeaux with the Title of a Dutchy a Presidial-Seat a Seneschals Court an Election and a Bishoprick suffragan of Bourdeaux It 's a very Antient Town situated upon the top of a Mountain between the two Rivers of Charante and Anguienne who join at the end of the Town It has very fine Castle which is accessible but at one side being strongly fortify'd Cognac Conniacum is upon the Charante towards the Frontiers of Saintonge between Jarnac and Saintes 10 Leagues West of Angouleme in a Country extraordinary fertile especially in delicate Wine La Rochefoucaut is a Town upon the River Tardouere four Leagues from Angoulesme to the North-East It bears the name of its founder one Foucaut being call'd in Latin Rupes Fulcaldi or Fulcaudi and has giv'n its own to I one of the most Antient and Illustrious Houses of that Kingdom which hath produced divers Great Men. Jarnac is a Borough with the Title of County situated upon the Charante between Chateauneuf and Cognac It 's famous for the Battle which the Duke of Anjou afterwards King Henry III did gain over the Protestants in the Month of May Anno 1569. they being commanded by the Prince of Condé who was treacherously killed there by Montesquiou whence come the Proverb Vn coup de Jarnac To say a Perfidy The name of Jarnac is also famous for the merite of its Lords of the House of Chabot Bouteville is a Town situated near the Frontiers of Saintonge about seven Leagues from Angouleme towards the South Rufec or Rufiacum aut Rofiacum is a little Town 10 Leagues North of Angouleme with the Title of Marquisate It 's situated in a very pleasant part of the Country The other places of note are Cbateau-neuf Blansac la Valette Montberon la Vauguion c. Of the Islands depending of the Government Orleanois THose Islands lie on the Coasts of Poictou and Aunis and are nam'd Oleron Ré Oye Isle-Dieu and Nermoutier Oleron Vliarus or Olario is an Island upon the Coasts of Aunis nigh the Mouth of the Charante about two short Leagues from Land It hath five Leagues in Diameter and about 12 in Circuit It 's fertile in Corn and abounds with Rabbits It was fortify'd in 1689. to hinder the Descent of the English The Isle of Ré Radis insula Vulgarly call'd Reacus is nigh unto Rochel and belongs to the Government of the Country of Aunis and Brouage Here is great Store of Salt and such aboundance of Wine that the Inhabitants would be forc'd to give the old to Poor People for Tunning of the New if the English Dutch and Normand Fleets came not every year to receive their Loading of it This Island hath several Villages the Cheif of which are St. Martin and Oye call'd the Isle because of a Canal which must be pass'd as they enter into it The most considerable Fort is that of la Prée pointed towards Pertuis Breton In it are two pieces of Artillery which carry even to the Continent from the Island It is Flanked with four Bastions with Half Moons and other outworks Anno 1689. they added some new Fortifications to it on the side that lookes on the main Sea Here is a high Tower where in the night time they set up a Beacon because of the Rocks call'd Baleines which are adjacent and for this cause the Tower is call'd la Tour des Baleines or the Tower of Wales L'Isle-Dieu or rather l'Isle-d'Ieu Oia or Ogia is near St. Gilles in Poictou about three Leagues from the Continent Nermontier lies not far from Britanny near Beauvoir in Poictou distant from the Continent about a League In it is a rich Abby of Benedictins resorting to the Bishoprick of Lusson whence is deriv'd the name of Nermoutier Nigrum Monasterium CHAP. XII Of the Government of Guienne IN the time of Julius Caesar Aquitain reach'd not farther than from the Garonne to the Pyrenées that is it only