an end to these long afflictions and vnsetled state of the Church the Gospell reestblished with mature and graue aduice and confirmed by her many victories and long and prosperous raigne continued since by her glorious successour King Iames maintained by the authority of his royall pen the faiths vndoubted defender the Churches patron and the true Cleargies friend with no lesse zeale and constancie by Charles our gracious soueraigne now raigning heire of his Fathers Crowne and Prinâ—ly vertues The Religion then here publiquely allowed is the Reformed or Protestant whose briefe summe is set downe in the 39 Articles agreed vpon in a Convocation holden at London in the yeare 1562 and confirmed by the Cleargie of both Provinces The supreame head hereof is the prince by a common right and prerogatiue of Kings and by decree of Parliament enacted in the yeare 1534 26 of the raign of King Henry the eight The Cleargie are Arch-bishops Bishops and inferiour ranks all Regulars or Monks excluded The Arch-bishops or Metropolitane seas follow Canterbury whose Diocesse with that of Rochester is Kent and whose Province in a manner is the whole South-part of England on this side Trent and Humber begunne about the yeare 596 by Ethelbert the first Christian King of the Kentish Saxons in the person of Saint Austine the first Apostle of the English The Bishops hereof are named Primates and Metropolitans of all England by order of Convocation in the yeare 1534. Formerly during the Romish Hierarchy they assumed the title of Legats of the Popes and Primates of all Britaine Yorke whose Diocesse is Nottinghamshire and Yorkeshire and Province the part of England vpon the North of Humber Dee and Trent founded about the yeare 652 by Edwin King of Northumberland in the person of Paulinus Chaplaine to his Queene Ethelburga and the Apostle of these Northerne parts of the English The Bishopricks may thus be ranked vnder their seas Metropolitane vnder Canterbury London whose Diocesse is Essex Middlesex and part of Hartfordshire founded about the yeare 606 by Sebert and Ethelbert Kings of the East and Kentish Saxons in the person of Mellâ—â—us the Apostle of the East-Saxons and continued after a long apostacy by Sigebert the second Christian king hereof in the person of S. Cedde the second Apostle and Bishop brother to Saint Ceadda for thus are the names distinguished the Apostle and Bishop of Lichfield and the Mercians The Bishops hereof are otherwise in Beda named of the East-Saxons The extent of their iurisdiction hath not any thing beene altered since the time of their institution Winchester founded by Kenwald king of the VVest-Saxons in the person of VVina a Frenchman taken out of the large Diocesse of Dorcester by Oxford in the time of Agilbert the second Bishop of that sea founded by King Kingills father to Kenwald in the person of Berinus an Italian the Apostle of the West-Saxons Agilbert forsaking England discontented with this division and the promotion of VVina the voyde Bishopricke of Dorcester became vnited to VVina to the sea hereof By king Ina the South-Saxons are likewise herevnto added vpon his conquest of that Countrey The great Bishoprick of VVinchester contained then by this meanes both kingdomes of the South and West-Saxons By Ina about the yeare 704 the Bishopricke of Sherborne is taken out Not long after in the yeare 711 the Bishopricke of Selsey for the South-Saxons The Diocesse after so many loppings comprehendeth now the countries onely of Surrey and Hantshire with the Iles of VVight Iersay Garnsay and Alderney In the yeare 733 Dorcester was againe made a Bishops see but for the Province of the Mercians takeÌ„ out of the Diocesse of Lichfield Out of Sherborne by Edward surnamed the Elder were devided the Bishoprickes of VVells for Sommersetshire of Ramesbury for Wiltshire and of Kirton and Bodman for Devonshire and Cornwall Of these Ramesbury became vnited againe with Sherborne in bishop Herman and the raigne of Edward the Confessour Bodman during the Danish warres was translated to S. Germans and lastly vnited with Kirton by the authority of king Canutus Of Kirton and VVells hereafter The Bishops of Winchester were otherwise in Beda named of the West-Saxons Lincolne begunne at Dorcester by Oxford in the yeares aforesaid brought hither by Bishop Remigius in the raigne of the Conquerâ—ur according to the order of a Synod at London that the Sees of bishops in obscure and decayed townes should be remoued to the chiefe citties of each Diocesse It conteined then the middle of England betwixt the riuer of Thames and Humber By king Henry the first the bishoppricke of Elie is taken out By Henry the eight those of Oxford and Peterborough It extendeth yet over Lincolneshire Leicestershire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire with part of Hartfordshire the largest of all the English bishopricks Sarisburie begunne at Sherborne by Ina king of the West-Saxons in the person of Adelmus about the yeare 704 and remoued hither by bishop Hâ—man in the raigne of the Conquerour It conteineth now VViltshire and Barkshire Excester begunne at Kirton in Devonshire in the person of Adulfus by Edward surnamed the Elder Monarch of the English and remoued hither vnder bishop Leofricus in the raigne of Edward the Confessour VVells tooke out of the Diocesse of Sherborne and founded in the person of Athelmus by Edward the Elder Monarch of the English-Saxons By Iohn de Villula vnder king VVilliam Rufus the See was remoued to Bath Vnder bishop Robert in the raigne of king Stephen the two Churches of Bath and VVells after much contention are agreed and the Bishoppes are to assume the title of both places continuing euer since The Diocesse hereof is onely Somersetshire Chichester begun in Selsey by Edilwalch the first Christian king of the South-saxons in the person of S. VVilfride the exiled bishop of Yorke or of Northumberland the Apostle hereof after VVilfride and the conquest of the country by the West-Saxons vnited to Winchester about the yeare 711 in bishop Edbrith devided againe from Winchester and restored to Selsey and lastly from Selsey remoued hither the chiefe towne of the Diocesse by bishop Stigand in the time of William the Conquerour It conteineth onely Sussex Elye tooke of Lincolne and conteyning only Cambridgeshire founded by king Henry the first in the person of Harvaeus sometime Bishop of Bangor in Wales Norwich begun at Dunwich about the yeare 630 by Sigebert king of the East-Angles in the person of Faelix a Burgundian vnder Bisus the fourth bishop diuided into two Bishopricks of Dunwich and North-Elmham in the yeare 955 after a long vacancy during the Danish tyranny and vsurpation in the person of Athulfus restored and vnited in one bishoppricke of North-Elmham by Edwy king of the English-Saxons by bishop Herfast remoued from North-Elmham
Egbert and through their owne intestine broyles and in the yeare 819 by the decree of Egbert at an assembly of the states at VVinchester joyned into one entire state or common name of England continued through many successions of princes vnto our times The order of the kings of the VVest-Saxons followeth vntill the Heptarchy determined and the vnion and name of England Cerdic before mentioned the first king of the West-Saxons about the yeare 502 and 43 yeares after the first arrivall of Hengist After Ella of the South-Saxons he attayned to the chiefe rule or soueraignety amongst the Saxon princes the third Monarch of the English continued in his successours for two descents Kenrik king of the West-Saxons and Monarch or chiefe king of the English son to Cerdic Cheulin king of the West-Saxons chiefe king or Monarch of the English son to Kenrik After sundry conquests and great victories against the Britons and Kentish Saxons he was lastly ouerthrowne and driuen out by a joynt warre of the Welsh and his seditious subjects discontented with his insolent government drawne on through the treason and ambition of his nephew Cealic Cealic king of the West-Saxons son to Cuthwolf brother to Cheulin and son to Kenric He lost the Monarchy or chiefe rule of the English vnto Ethelbert king of the Kentish men Chelwolf king of the VVest-Saxons son to Cuth brother to Cheulin Kingils son to Chel brother to Chelwolfe king of the VVest-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 612. He first of the VVest-Saxon princes embraced the Christian Religion won to the faith by the preaching of Berinus an Italian the first Bishop of Dorchester in Oxfordshire and through the holy zeale and endeavours of Oswald king of Northumberland He tooke for his companion in the government his son Quincheline who deceased before him Kenwald king of the VVest-Saxons son to Kengils he founded the rich abbey of Malmesburie and the great Church of VVinchester He deceasing without issue his wife Segburg a manly woman for a time mannaged the affaires of the kingdome succeeded vnto by Eskwin Eskwin king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cerdic Kenwin king of the VVest-Saxons brother to Kenwald and son to Kingils He much enlarged the kingdome of the VVest-Saxons vpon the Bordering Britons or VVelsh Ceadwalla king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Kenric He slew in fight Edilwalch the last king of the South-Saxons After much cruelty and outrage committed against the neighbouring South and Kentish-Saxons to expiate his sinnes following the manner of those superstitious times he departed on holy pilgrimage to Rome baptized there by Sergius Bishop of that sea where shortly after he dyed Ina king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin He annexed to his dominions the Countrie of the South-Saxons and founded the Colledge of Wels and the great Monastery of Glastenbury Ambitious of the honour of his predecessour hee went to Rome and put on the habit of religion deceasing in a private fortune hauing first subjected his kingdome to the payment of Peter-pence to that sea Ethelard king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin Cuthred king of the West-Saxons brother to Ethelard About this time after Beda the dead corps of the deceased begun first to bee enterred within townes and cities formerly after the manner of the Turkes at this day buried in the fields Sigebert of vnknowne parentage king of the West-Saxons driven out by his seditious subjects pretending his tyrannie and many vices Kenwulf king of the West-Saxons descended from Cerdic He was slaine by Kineard brother to Sigebert Brithric descended from Cerdic king of the West-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 784. In the time hereof and yeare 787 the Danes first arriue and discover the Westerne coasts of the Iland followed with greater forces in the raigne of Egbert and the succeeding English Monarches He was poysoned by his Queene Ethelburga daughter to Offa the great king of the Mercians In regard of this treason the wiues of the succeeding West-Saxon Monarches were by law afterwards excluded from all state place and title of princes Egbert king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cheulin and succeeding in the yeare 800. He subdued the Cornish Britons and the Kentish and East-Saxons with those of Mercia East-England and Northumberland Of these Kent and the East-Saxons with the Cornish Britons he immediatly incorporated with his kingdome of the West-Saxons The rest which were Northumberland with the East-Angles and Mercians he commaunded by his substitutes or Vice-royes All notwithstanding he vnited into one entire Monarchie which he named of England from the Angli or English of whom himselfe was descended or in regard of the greater extent of that people contayning after Beda the Mercians Northumbrians and Mercians or some two thirds of the whole Dutch Nation whereof he was Crowned king in the yeare 819 some 370 yeares after the arrivall of Hengist In this sort the Heptarchy extinguished the whole Southerne part of the Iland tooke the name of England Wales the Britons of Cumberland excepted whose fortunes vntill the returne hereof into the vnion of Britaine vnder Lames out late Soveraigne of happy memory remaine in the next place to bee related THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND THis was begun by Egbert aforesaid The manner and yeare wee haue even now shewed It was bounded more aunciently with the German Ocean vpon the East vpon the South with the English channell from France vpon the West with the Welsh and Britons of Cumberland with part of the Westerne or Irish Ocean from Ireland and vpon the North with the river Tweede from the Picts or Scotland King William surnamed the Conquerour added Cumberland and VVestmoreland parts of the auncient kingdome of the Cumbri wrested from the Scots His son Rufus and the succeeding princes of the Norman bloud added VVales By the raigne of king Edward the first VVales then being totally subdued the accompt and name of England enlarged ouer all the part of the Iland lying vpon the South of the river Tweede and Solway Frith the present extent of the kingdome It hath suffered sundry changes since this its first name and erection being twise conquered by forreine power and made subject to three different successions of Monarches 1 Of the race of the VVest-Saxons 2. Of the Danes 3 and of the Normans THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND VNDER THE VVEST-SAXONS THe Kings of England follow of the house of the West-Saxons and vntill the Danish subiection Egbert king of the West-Saxons the Heptarchy destroyed crowned king of England at a Parliament of the states held at Winchester in the yeare 819. In the raigne of this prince the Danes begin their fierce invasions of the English continued with variable successe during the whole time of Englands Monarches of the race of the West-Saxons and vntill the yeare 1016 and conquest of the whole by Canutus He deceased in the yeare 836. Ethelwolf and Athelstan sons to Egbert succeeding to their father in the kingdome of England and the Danish warres Of these
with Middlesex The countrie is fruitfull no lesse pleasant Places of more note are Roiston vnder the downs and vpon the edge of Cambridgeshire Bishop-Stortford vpon the river Stort Vpon and along the course of the Lea Hartford the Shire town Herudford of Beda the place of a Synod of the English and British Bishops in the time of Saint Austine the Apostle of the Saxons Ware a great and noted roade Hoddesdon Theobalds a royall house of the Kings More VVest-ward S t Albans occasioned by the Monasterie thus named founded by Offa king of the Mercians to the memorie of S t. Alban the first Martyr of the Britons here put to death during the tenth persecution in the raigne of the Emperour Dioclesian Close by where is Verulam stood sometimes the towne Verulamium of Tacitus and Vrolamium of Ptolemy a Municipium of the Romans and after Gildas the countrie of S t Alban the Martyr Neere vnto Redburn vpon VVatlingstreet or the Roman militarie way betwixt this Dunstable is thought to haue stood Durocobrivis of Antoninus as on the other side vpon Brockley hill neere Ellestree in the same roade towards London Sulloniacae of the same Authour Barkhamsted It contayneth 8 Hundreds 18 Market-townes and 120 Parishes The auncient inhabitants were the Cattyeuchlani of Ptolemy afterwards part of the Mercian and East-Saxons MIDLE-SEX BOunded vpon the North with Hartfordshire vpon the West with the river Cole from Buckinghamshire vpon the South with the Thames from Surrey Kent and vpon the East with the Lea from Essex The aire is healthie pleasant the countrie fruitfull graced with sundry faire villages and townes and houses of the gentrie and nobilitie Places of better note are Vxbridge vpon the Cole Along the Thames Stanes at the fall or entrance of the Cole Hampton-Court a great magnificent house of the Kings Brentford London Londinium of Ptolemy Antoninus and Tacitus Lundonium surnamed Augusta of Ammianus Marcellinus a famous Mart-towne of the Britons misplaced by Ptolemy amongst the Cantij now the royall chamber of the kings a Bishops See the chiefe citie of the kingdome with VVestminster Redcliff and Limehouse wherewith it is continuate extended vpon the river for about 4 miles in length and some mile and a halfe in breadth sumptuous in buildings mighty populous esteemed at 600 thousand of Inhabitants flourishing in trades and gainefull manufactures strong in marchants shipping the magazin of all the riches and commodities which the whole earth and world affordeth At VVestminster in the magnificent Church of S t Peter the Kings of England are vsually Crowned as likewise enterred begun by Sebert the first Christian king of the East-Saxons but raised to the state we see by Edward the Confessour and the succeeding English Monarches Blackewall a Roade for greater vessels almost continuate with Limehouse The auncient inhabitants were the Trinobantes of Caesar and Trinoantes of Ptolemy afterwards the East-Saxons Here are contayned onely 73 Parishes besides 121 accompted within the City Liberties and Suburbs ESSEX BOunded vpon the West with the riuer Stort from Hartfordshire and the Lea from Midle-sex vpon the South with the Thames from Kent vpon the East with the German Ocean and vpon the North with the Stoure from Suffolke The Countrey is large woody fruitfull rich but low flat in many places more especially vpon the Thames Sea-coasts marishy agueish and verie vnhealthfull Townes of more note are Waltham vpon the Lea naming the great forest thus called Neerer London vpon the same riuer Leiton a straggling village thought to be Durolitum of Antoninus Barking at the confluence of the Thames and the riuer Roding Rumford Brentwood conjecturally Caesaromagus of Antoninus Ralegh Not farre of at the mouth of the Thames lyeth the Iland Convey Convennos of Ptolemy low and subject to invndations Chelmesford not vnprobably Canonium of Antoninus Cogshall vpon the riuer Froshwell Pant or Blacke-water for by all these it is named Further downe vpon the same riuer Maldon Camudolun of Ptolemy and Camalodunum of Tacitus others the royall seate of Cynobellinus king of the Trinobantes afterwards a Roman Colony planted by Ostorius Scapula in the raigne of the Emperour Claudius Below vpon the Blacke-water in Dengey Hundred a flat vnhealthfull soile stood sometimes Ithancester of Beda the place where S t Cedda baptized the relapsed East-Saxons in the raigne of Sigebert their king thought to be Othona of the Notitia the station of a foote company of the Fortenses The towne hath long since beene worne into the river The shore hereabouts yeeldeth plenty of most excellent oisters Colchester Colonia of Antoninus vpon the riuer Colne the chiefe towne Harwich a noted port at the mouth of the Stoure Walden Close by is Audley-end a great sumptuous house of the Earles of Suffolke In the bordering fields as in Cambridge-shire and Norfolke groweth store of Saffron It contayneth 20 Hundreds 21 Market-townes 415 Parishes The auncient inhabitants were the Trinobantes of Caesar afterwards the East-Saxons SVFFOLKE BOunded vpon the West with Cambridgeshire vpon the South with the Stoure from Essex vpon the East with the German Ocean and vpon the North with the Lesser Ouse and the Wavency from Norfolk The soile is most fat and rich vnles towards the East the countrey large populous and well furnished with harbours and safe roades for ships Places of more note are Sudbury vpon the Stour Hadley vpon the Breton Towards the head of the riuer Bretenham Combretonium of Antoninus Wulpet Ipswich vpon the riuer Orwell the chiefe towne a populous rich noted empory Woodbridge vpon the Deben Framlingham a beautifull strong castle Vpon the Sea-coast Aldburg Dunwich Domuc of Beda sometimes a Bishops See the first of the East-Angles founded by king Sigebert in the person of Faelix the Apostle hereof extinguished by the Danish warres The towne now is ruinous and much decayed for the greatest part worne into the sea Southwold at the mouth of the riuer Blith Iland-like at everie Full-sea environed with the Ocean Beyond is Easton-nesse Extensio of Ptolemy the furthest point Eastward of the kingdome More West S t Edmundsburie Villa Faustini of Antoninus named thus from S t Edmund the last king of the East-Angles martyred by the Danes and here enshrined New-market in both counties of Suffolke and Cambridgeshire amongst greene spacious plaines The shire contayneth three greater devisions which they name the Geldable S t Edmonds Liberty and the Liberty of S t Audry distributed amongst 22 Hundreds 28 Market-townes and 575 Parishes The ancient inhabitants were part of the Iceni of Tacitus the Simeni corruptly of Ptolemy afterwards the East-Angles NORFOLKE BOunded vpon the South with the Lesser Ouse and the Wavency from Suffolke vpon the East and North with the Ocean the Washes the river Nen from Lincolneshire and vpon the West with the Greater Ouse from Cambridgeshire
or Vannes the inhabitants speake only the British language for this cause named by the French la Bretaigne Bretonant Blavet a little haven towne at the mouth of the riuer thus called Vannes Dariorigum of Ptolemie and civitas Venetûm of Antoninus a Bishops sea seated vpon a goodly bay nere vnto the mouth of the riuer Vilaine The towne is old ruinous and much decayed The country hereabouts were the Veneti of Strabo Caesar Ptolemy Pliny and Antoninus from whom proceeded the ancient Veneti in Italie seated vpon the coast of the sea Adriaticke drawne thither in those passages of the Gaules vnder Belovesus and occasioning afterwards the name of the famous citty and people of the Venetians In the time of Caesar they were the mightiest people and of greatest authority amongst the Armorici strong in shipping and of great skill and experience in sea-faring matters Nere herevnto in an Iland within the bay hereof standeth the strong castle of Sussinio Guerrande Croisic little haven townes beyond the riuer Vilaine at the mouth of the Loire Nantes Condivincum of Ptolemie civitas Namnetum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage seated vpon the Loire The citty is large faire strong and populous the chiefest in Bretaigne The country hereabouts were the Nannetes of Caesar and Plinie the Namnitae of Ptolemie and the Namneti of Antoninus Clisson a strong towne castle in the Dutchie of Raiz which is the part of Bretaigne lying beyond the Loire or betwixt that riuer and Poictou Moncontour S. Brieu a Bishops sea and a well frequented port seated vpon the English chanell betwixt two little rivulets Trieu and Arguennon supposed by Bertrand to be the rivers Titius and Argenis of Ptolemie Lamballe The people hereabouts are excellent deluers or pioners vnto which trade they chiefly addict themselues thought by Bertrand to be the Ambiliates of Caesar. Hitherto or in the dioceses of Vannes Nantes and S. Brieu both the French and British tongues are spoken or as in Chesne a mixed language of these two which part for this cause is named by the French la Bretaigne Mesle Dinan a rich and pleasant towne vpon the riuer Rance S. Malo a Bishops sea and a noted Port strongly seated vpon a rocke within the sea wherewith at every flowing water it is encompassed being ioined to the continent only by an artificiall narrow causey or neck of land Montfort in the diocese of S. Malo Dol a Bishops sea vnwholsomely situated amongst marishes Renes Condate of Ptolemie and civitas Redonum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Baâ—lliage and the Parliament of Bretaigne The citty is not very large containing onely some mile and an halfe in compasse yet strong and populous accounted the next after Nantes The country hereabouts were the Rhedones of Caesar Ptolemie and Plinie the Redones of Antoninus Chasteau-Briand La Vitre Fougeres vpon the river Covesnon strong frontire places towards Normandie Maine Aniou In this more Easterly part of Bretaigne towards France or in the diocese of S. Malo Dol and Renes the inhabitants speake only the French named herevpon la Bretaigne Gallicant THE PARLIAMENT OF ROVEN COntaining only the Dukedome of Normandie NORMANDIE HAving vpon the West the river Covesnon dividing it from Bretaigne vpon the North the English Chanell vpon the East Picardie and vpon the South and South-East the countries of Maine and France Speciall The country for fertilitie and large extent number strength state of townes the nobilitie multitude of people their wit courage and valour aboue the ordinary of the nation may deseruedly be accounted the chiefe Province of the kingdome It is divided into the Higher and the Lower Normandie whereof this containeth the sea-coasts the other the more inland parts The Lower Normandie againe is subdiuided into the parts called la Caux lying betwixt the Seine and Picardie and the countries Bessin and Constantin contained betwixt the Seine and Bretaigne Chiefer townes are Auranches Ingena of Ptolemie and civitas Abrincantum of Antoninus now a Bishops sea seated vpon a scalpe or rocke overlooking the English Chanell from the which it is not farre distant as neither from Bretaigne The country hereabouts were the Abrincatui of Ptolemie and Plinie the Abrincanti of Antoninus Constances Constantia of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailiage naming the country called from hence le Pais Constantin The town ever since the English warres hath layen opne without either wall or fortificatioÌ„ to defend it coÌ„trary to the custome of France maner of the French cities Cherbourg a strong seacoast town in a sandy shote vnapt to plant Ordinance vpon making it thereby vneasie to be besieged It was the last place the English held in Normandie in the vnfortunate raigne of king Henry the sixt S. Lo a strong inland place vpon the river Vire Bayeux civitas Baiocassium of Antoninus a Bishops sea naming le Pais Bessin Caen a Bishops sea and Bailliage vpon the rivers Ouden and Orne The citty is large populous and strong the second of the province graced with an Vniversity founded by Henry the fift king of England In an Abbey church in the subvrbs hereof are seene the tombes statues and epitaphs of William the Conquerour the first king of England of the race of the Normans and of Maude his wife their enterred Falaise vpon the river Ante the country of the Conquerour borne here of a meane Burgers daughter The towne is strong in shew resembling a ship whose poupe might be the castle seated vpon a high rocke at the end hereof Alençon a Bailliage Hereof were entituled the Dukes of Alençon Sees civitas Salarum and Saiorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea vpon the river Orne Lyseux civitas Lexoviorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea The country here abouts were the Lexovij of Caesar Pliny and Antoninus and the Lexubij of Ptolemy Eureux a Bishops sea and Bailliage Mediolanium of Ptolemy vpon the river Iton The towne is rich populous and flourishing the third in Normandy The country were the Eburonices of Caesar the Aulercij Eburaici of Ptolemy the Aulerci Eburovices of Pliny Gisors a Bailliage and a strong frontire towne towards France speciall Roven Rothomagus of Ptolemy and civitas Rotomagensium of Antoninus vpon the Seine an Arch-bishops sea and the Parliament and chiefe citty of the country The towne is rich great populous and well traded by Merchants by meanes of the river here navigable the best of the kingdome after Paris and Lions The country were the Venellocasses of Caesar the Vellocasses of Pliny the Veneliocassij of Ptolemie the Rotomagenses of Antoninus Haure de Grace a noted Port strong towne of warre at the mouth of the Seine environed vpon the other sides with the sea and with deepe vnpassible marishes towards the land The towne is new built by king Francis the first to affront the English In the beginning of the raigne of Queene
iustice Chartres Autricum of Ptolemie and Carnorum civitas of Antoninus vpon the riuer Eureux a Bishops sea and Bailliage and the chiefe towne of le Pais Chartrain These two lye in Chartrain the Carnutes of Caesar and Strabo the Carnuti of Plinie the Carnutae of Ptolemie and the Carni of Antoninus Nogent le Rotrou the chiefe of le Perche Govet or of the Lower Perche Mortaigne the chiefe of the Higher Perche Mans Vindinum of Ptolemie and Cenomannorum civitas of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage and the chiefe towne of Maine vpon the rivers Huine and Sartre Maine vpon the riuer Maine naming the Dukes of Maine of the house of Guise and Lorraine These two lye in the country of Maine the Cenomanni of Caesar Plinie and Ptolemie Angiers Iuliomagus of Ptolemie civitas Andicavorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Seneschaussee the chiefe towne of Aniou vpon the riuer Sartre Here flourisheth an Vniversitie founded by Lewis Duke of Aniou sonne to Iohn French king The citty is faire and of a large circuit containing some 15 parishes Saumur seated also in Aniou vpon the Loire a strong towne Hereof was sometimes governour the learned Philip de Mournay Lord of Plessis The ancient inhabitants of Aniou were the Andes of Cesar the Andegavi of Plinie the Andicani of Ptolemie the Andicavi of Antoninus Chinon vpon the river Vigenne Isle-Bouchard Palmie Lochez vpō the riuer Indre The castle hereof is one of the strongest places of the kingdome mounted vpon the top of a steepe and high rock environed with deepe ditches Mont-Richard vpon the river Chez inioying a pleasant situation surrounded with mossie rocks and sweet smelling meadowes Tours Caesarodunum of Ptolemie and civitas Turonum of Antoninus an Archbishops sea and Bailliage and the chiefe towne of Touraine vpon the river Loire The citty is rich faire and well traded situated in a most fruitfull and pleasant country Here begun first after Chesne the name of Hugonots vainely giuen to them of the reformed Religion as the Disciples of an Apparition or Spirit called by the people le Roy Hugon or king Hugh supposed by night to haunt the streets imposed vpon them in regard of their nightly meetings during the time of their restraint and persecution Amboise a pleasant towne vpon the Loire Londun These from Chinon lye in Touraine the Turones of Caesar Plinie and Antoninus the Turupij of Ptolemie Blois a Bailliage the chiefe of le Pais Blesien vneuenly seated vpon the Loire Here for the extraordinary delight and pleasure of the aire and neighbouring country the French kings vse much to reside with Amboise the ordinary nursery of their children much resorted vnto for the same cause and inhabited by the nobilitie Neere herevnto is the great and magnificent castle of Chambourg one of the royall houses of the French kings Vendosme vpon the Loire the chiefe towne of the Dutchie of Vendosme Chasteau-dun the chiefe towne of the countie Dunois mounted vpon the top of an high hill neere vnto the confluence of the rivers Loire Aigre Tonneres Lorris naming the countries Lorris and Tonneres Orleans Genabum of Caesar and Strabo Cenabum of Ptolemie and civitas Aurelianorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage and a noted Vniversity for the ciuill lawes founded by Philip le Bel situated vpon the Loire The citty is populous rich and beautified with faire and goodly buildings Here the best French is spoken The neighbouring vast forrest of Orleans containeth 12 French miles in length or 24 English Iargeau Clery Nostre Dame These three lye in Orleannois noted for excellent wines the Aureliani of Antoninus part of the Carnutes of Caesar. Romorantin vpon the river Souldre the chiefe towne in Soulogne Millanzay in Soulogne POICTOV HAving vpon the East Touraine Berry and Limousin vpon the North Bretaigne and Aniou vpon the West the Ocean and vpon the South Engoulmois and Xaintogne The country is large populous and fruitfull The people are naturally more rude then the rest of their countrymen yet subtill crafty and very quarelsome vncivillie given to suits and contentions in the law They speake a severall dialect by themselues much differing from the common French mixed with many proper words of their own Chiefer townes here are Beau-moir a sea-coast towne and port nere to Bretaigne Roche-sur-Ion vpon the river Ion. Talmont vpon the Ocean Lucon a Bishops sea and a port of good traficke vpon a navigable arme of the sea Maillesais a Bishops sea Niort vpon the river Seure S. Maxent Partenay Thovars Mirebeau Chastelleraud vpon the river Vienne Poictiers Augustoritum of Ptolemy civitas Pictavorum of Antoninus vpon the riuer Clin now a Bishops sea Seneschaussee the chiefe towne of the coūtry The city is very large within the wals but not so well inhabited enclosing corne fields meadows other wast grounds Here flourisheth a noted vniuersity cheifely for the ciuill lawes Of this was sometimes Bishop S. Hilary a renowned Champion of the Catholique faith against the Arrian Hereltickes in the raigne of the Emperour Constantius Lusignan vpon the riuer Ion naming the auncient family of Lusignan sometimes kings of Hierusalem afterwards of Cyprus by the donation of Richard the first king of England Siury vpon the riuer Charente Roche-chovard neere vnto the confines of Limousin Dorat Bridiers neere Limousin Mont-Morillon vpon the riuer Gartempe Poictou aunciently were the Pictones of Caesar Strabo Pliny and Ptolemy the Pictaui of Antoninus ENGOVLMOIS BOunded vpon the North with Poictou vpon the West with Xaintoinge vpon the South with Perigort vpon the East with Limousin It containeth 24 French leagues in length in breadth some 15. leagues affording plenty of very excellent and perfect wines Chiefer townes are Coignac vpon the riuer Charente Chasteau-neuf vpon the Charente nere to Xaintoigne and Poictou Angolesme Ciuitas Etolisnensium of Antoninus a Bishops sea Seneschaussee and the chiefe towne vpon the river Charente and the coing of a spacious plaine descending in a banke or mountaine with whose steepe headlong rockes wherewith the wals are almost round environed and a double trench'd castle towards the plaine it is strongly fenced and secured One of the gates yet beareth the name of Chande from from the Lord Iohn Chandois sometimes Seneschal of the country vnder the English by whom it was built Roche-Foucat vpon the Charente Villebois Marevil Engoulmois anciently were the Etolisnenses of Antoninus To the accompt hereof Merula addeth le pais d' Aulniz which is a little country lying betwixt this and Xaintoinge BERRY BOunded vpon the West with Touraine and Poictou vpon the North with Soulogne and the riuer Cher vpon the East with Heurepoix Nivernois Bourbonois and the riuer Faye and vpon the South with Limousin and the river Covre The country is very fruitfull more especially commended for excellent pasture and meadow grounds feeding
Elizabeth of most famous memory it was surprised by the English and for a time held by that nation for Calice detained by the French surrendred thorough sicknes amongst the souldiers and for want of fresh water which is altogether conveyed hither from the hils without by conduit pipes cut of by the enemie the onely weakenes of the towne Within the land not farre of is the towne of Yvetot sometimes stiled a kingdome in regard of the ancient exemptions and priviledges of the Lords thereof from al homage and subjection to the kings of France It is now a principality in the house of Bellay Diepe at the mouth of a little river so called a well frequented Port especially for the trade of the West-Indies and New-found-land S. Valerie an other haven towne lying betwixt Diepe and Havre de Grace Caux the country hereof were the Caletes of Caesar the Caleti of Strabo THE PARLIAMENT OF PARIS COmprehending Picardie Champaigne Brie France Special Beausse Poictou Engoulmois Berry Bourbonois Forest Beaujolois Lionois and Auvergne PICARDIE BOunded vpon the West with Normandy and the British Ocean vpon the North with Artois and Hainault of the Low Countries vpon the East with Luxemburg and Lorraine and vpon the South with Champaigne and France Speciall The countrie is fruitfull in corne the store-house of Paris Chiefer townes are Abbe-ville a Bishops sea and Bailliage the best towne of Ponthieu vpon the river Some Monstreul Nere herevnto is Crecie the French Cannae famous for their great overthrow and the victorie of the English in the raigne of Philip the sixt These two lie in Ponthieu which is a low fenny country named thus frō the many bridges made over the moorish flats thereof Boulogne Portus Gessoriacus of Caesar Gesoriacum Navale of Ptolemie Portus Morinorum of Plinie and civitas Bononensium of Antoninus a Bailliage and Bishops sea vpon the English chanell The towne hath beene made strong especially since the surprisall thereof by K. Henry the eight and the English divided into the Higher the Lower Boulogne distant about an hundred paces asunder and severally walled and fortified The haven serveth rather for passage into England then for traficke and negotiation The country neighbouring is named from hence le Pais Boulognois Pagus Gessoriacus of Plinie and the Bononenses of Antoninus part of the Morini of Caesar Strabo and Plinie Calais Portus Iccius of Caesar Portus Britannicus Morinorum of Pliny and Promontorium Itium of Ptolemy a strong sea-coast towne at the entrance of the English chanell and the borders of Artois After the battaill of Crecy and a whole yeares siege it was taken by Edward the third king of England held afterwards and peopled by the English with the neighbouring forts and townes of Oye Hams Ardres and Guisnes vntill the late lesse prosperous raigne of Queene Mary when it was surprised by Henrie the second French king Here the passage is shortest betwixt the continent of Europe and the Iland of Great Bretaigne accompted some thirty miles over named by the French le Pas de Calais Amiens Samarobrina of Caesar Samarobriga of Ptolemy and civitas Ambianensis of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage and the chiefe cittie in Picardie vpon the riuer Some with whose divided streames it is round encompassed the occasion as some conjecture of the name The towne is strong and well fortified the bulwarke of France on this part towards Netherland The country were the Ambiani of Caesar Pliny and Ptolemy occasioning most likely the name of the towne Corbie Peronne vpon the Some Roie Mondidier strong frontire places opposing the same enemie The three last lie in the district or territory named Santerre Noion Noviodunum of Caesar a Bishops sea the country of reverent Calvin S. Quintini Augusta Romanduorum of Ptolemie and civitas Veromannorum of Antoninus a strong towne in the same broder the chiefe of the country of Vermanduois Fere a strong towne against the same enemie the chiefe of the country of Tartenois part of the Vermanduois the Veromandui of Caesar and Pliny the Rhomandues of Ptolemy and the Veromanni of Antoninus Laon a Bishops sea The Bishop is one of the 12 Peers of France Soissons Augusta Vessonum of Ptolemie a Bishops sea vpon the river Aisne the last place the Romanes held in Gaule vnder Siagrius driven out by Clovys he fift king of the French Afterwardes in the division of the French Monarchie by the sonnes and posterity of Clovys the Great it was made the head of a particular kingdome called from hence the Kingdome of Soissons Soissonois or the country hereof were the Suessones of Caesar the Suessiones of Strabo and Pliny the Vessones of Ptolemy and the Suessiani of Antoninus with Noion and Laon now part of the more general country or name of Vermanduois Retel frontiring vpon Lorraine From hence the neighbouring country is called le Pais Retelois Guise a strong towne and castle vpon the same border and the river Oyse in the particuler country of Tirasche Hereof were entitled the late Dukes of Guise descended from the house of Lorraine CHAMPAIGNE SVrrounded with Picardy Barrois Lorraine Charolois the dukedome of Burgundy and France Speciall The country is plaine pleasant and fruitfull affording plenty of corne wines shadie woods meadowes riuers all sorts of pleasing and vsefull varieties Chiefer townes are Chaalon Civitas Catalaunorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea Pairry vpon the Marne The countrie about Chaalon were the Catalauni of Antoninus In the neighbouring plaines Campi Catalaunici of Cassiodorus was fought that great and famous battaile betwixt Aetius generall of the Romans for the Emperour Valentinian the third assisted by the Gothes and other barbarous nations and Attila king of the Huns. Rheims Durocortum of Caesar Durocottum of Ptolemy and Ciuitas Remorum of Antoninus a Metropolitan sea a Bailliage and the chiefe citty of Champaigne seated vpon the riuer Vasle The Archbishop is one of the. 12. Peeres of France Hither come the French kings to be consecrated The country were the Rhemi of Caesar Strabo Pliny Ptolemie and Antoninus Ligny vpon the riuer Sault Vitry sirnamed le Franeois vpon the rivers Sault and Marne the Bailliag◠and chiefe towne of Parthois Didier Perte naming the country Parthois both seated in Parthois and vpon the Marne Ian-ville a Seneschaussee vpon the Marne in the country of Vallage In the castle hereof magnificently seated vpon the top of an inaccessable high hil is seene the the tombe of Claude Duke of Guise one of the most costly monuments in France Vassey lying also in Vallage vpon the river Bloise enioying a most pleasant situation environed with shady forrests and woods Chaumont vpon the Marne the Bailliage for the country of Bassigny The castle here is very strong mounted vpon an high and steepe scalpe or rocke Trois Augustomana of Ptolemie and civitas Tricaffium of Antoninus a Bishops