by the hand of amasement to magnifie and extoll the heroicke spirits of our nation Againe in the 38. yeere of the King the French King the King of Cyprus and the King of Scots came all into England and made pleasure proude that it had good occasion to welcome them Besides 1367. Peter King of Spaine was disseised by his bastard brother Henry but comming into England made such impression in the compassionate soule of EDW. the blacke Prince that he assisted him in person and re-established him in his kingdome Shall I remember you of that glorious celebration of Himmeneus triumphs when Duke Tussus and many Princes of Boheme and Hungary brought that magnificent Lady ANNE daughter to the King of Bohemia and married her to King RICHARD the 2. of England during whose life such was the royaltie of our Court and State that in the 8. yeare the King of Armenia came into England for coadiutement against the Turkes In the 12. yeare the Earle of Saint Paul and many Princes out of France and other Countries came to a Iusts in Smithfield and made a iust estimation of our vnualuable glory In the 16. yeare the greatest Lords of Scotland came to our triumphes in England and checked their owne presumption for confronting vs with a supposition of equality In the 20. yeare the Dukes of Burbon and Barre brought ouer Isabell of Fraunce to be a Queene in England and glad was that Prince of Europe that had beene an eye-witnesse of our glory yea that magnificent workemanshippe concerning the exornation of the Hall of his Pallace now Westminster and by community and disparaged alteration vnregarded was as it were a magnes to draw ouer the seas thousands of people and hundreds of Princes and Noble lords to looke vpon the wonder of the world In the 4. yeare of HENRY 4. King of England the Emperour of Constantinople came of purpose as the Queene of Sheba to Salomon to set report on the touchstone of truth and see whether custome had enlarged our fame or no and here he was entertained with all the sumptuous and attractiue showes and delights that Arte and expences could deuise to satiate the minde of man But when Dame IANE Dutches of Britaine came ouer to marry our King HENRY I hope our enemies will imagine her traine and Attendants to bee much augmented with the company of many forraine Princes and Potentates And if you steppe forward to the 8. yeare of his raigne the Earle of Marre and the great lords of Scotland came to solace themselues and made their triumphes both at Tilt and Turney acceptable to the beholders The like was performed the 10. yeare when the Seneschall of Hennault with all those Princes reputed the Court of England a very Schoole of chiualry and put in practise accordingly all the braueries of marshall discipline But when the Lady LVCIA the Dukes sister of Millane came to marry EDMVND Earle of Kent both citie and pallace was so furnished with strangers and the concurses of people so well ordered that inferiours were amased at so extraordinary attraction and the better sort gaue a plaudite to our glory If you ouer-looke the time of Henr 5. surnamed the Champion of Honor though it was lamentable for the breuitie yet was it vnmatchable for the royalty For after his coronation he was scarse three yeeres in his own Kingdome and yet in the third of his raigne he welcommed the Emperor of Almaine and King of Rome and presently after graced the daughter of France and all her retinue with many forreine Princes who would not returne till they saw their Lady Katherine Queene of England To which if you adde the entertainment of the Duke of Holland and many Princes of those countries especially Freesland you cannot chuse but make vp a plentifull breuiary of Heroicke Maiesty and worthy princelines About the yeere of Grace 1502. and the 17. yeere of the raigne of Henry 7. the expectable Prince Arthur maried Katherin daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine and his eldest sister Margaret was affianced vnto Iames King of Scots at whose inauguâ—…tion the concurse of strangers and amongst them of the choisest Princes was so great that all other adioyning Kings as much magnified our royalty as feared our power insomuch that the very report of our Kingdomes brauery draue Philip King of Castile and his wife into England About the end of August 1546. Flawd high Admirall of France was so royally entertained in England that the King lying at Hampton-Court the Prince of Wales met him comming to haue audience with a 1000 horse whereof 500 were in one liuery the coates of veluet halfe embrodered with gold and one sleeue of cloth of gold let other Princes acknowledge this magnificence Holinshed saith 2000 horse In the beginning of Henry the 8. Lewis the 12. of France maried Mary the Kings yongest sister and 1520 the great Emperor Charles the 5. came into England to visit his Aunt and within two yeere after made a second returne to view London and bee acquainted with our country from whose example Christiern King of Denmarke and his wife about the 15 yeere arriued in England and was welcommed to the pleasures of our country and variety of our pastimes The Prince of Salerne and diuers of Naples about the 30. c. Shall I name you King Philips mariage with Queene Mary I hope then I must trouble you with a tedious solemnitie and tell you that many strangers knew not the way home againe into their owne countries a long time and if the peace of their soules as they vainely imagined might haue bin added to the delight of their bodies the happines of England had bin the subiect of their tongues and the obiect of their eyes In the second yeere of her raigne Ecmondine a Prince of Germany and other Embassadors were sent from the Emperor In the third yeere Emmanuel Prince of Piemont with other Lords came into England and the next moneth the Prince of Orange landed at London But let mee passe forward to the mirror of all times Queene Elizabeth how proud was the Prince of Sweden that he was graced in England with so glorious entertainment at the beginning of her raigne Not long after 1565 Christopher Prince and Marquesse of Baden came of purpose to haue his childe borne amongst vs and reioyce in the fortune of such a godmother About the 11. yeere of her raigne anno 1568 Mary Queene of Scots though shee was surprized in her flight to France and defeated in her maine proiects yet for a long time misliked not her imprisonment and was glad to confesse the prerogatiues of her natiue soile and country In the 14. yeere Francis Duke of Memorancy and Betrawde de Saligniers Knights of the order of St Michael came both into England with other great Princes to gratulate her Maiestie and acknowledge her worthines In the 21. of her raigne 1578. Cassimirus Count Palatine and Duke of Bauaria was entertained the better
of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
the Princes be so many so mighty so beloued that they attend in Court at pleasute raise their forces at pleasure contest with the Emperor in many cases at pleasure and supply his wants and demands for impositions at pleasure The Townes againe are so strong so priuiledged so populous that out of obstinate finding fault with taxes and imperious restraints they many times oppose against their principall lords and in hostile manner exclude them from the benefit of commaunding like royall Princes indeed witnesse the many contentions of Colleine with the Noble men and Byshops and at last with the Byshop and the people the power of the DVKE of Saxony in maintaining of LVTHER against both Pope and Emperor the repining of diuers Cities and Princes when the Lantsgraue of Hesse was imprisoned vnder Charles the 5. The last contention betweene the Duke of Brunswicke and the Citie and the generall cause of the Protestants protected in euery place inuita fortuna yea against Ecclesiasticall curses and temporall menaces Of all Europe it is the greatest Countrey with the best and richest store of Cities Townes Castels and religious places in that decorum and order for in a manner view one Towne and view all as if there were a vniuersall consent to raise our admiration from their vniformity To which is added a secret of Nature that the people generally for honesty of conuersation probity of manners assurance of loyaltie and confidence of disposition setting apart their imperfect customes of drinking exceede our beliefe as being vnoffensiue conuersable maintainers of their honours and families wherein they step so farre as if true Gentry were incorporate with them and had his principall mansion in Germany And although they repine at any strangers intrusion and will not suffer new Nations to bring in new customes no not artificers and seeme withall fantastique in apparrell and gaudy with deuises yet doe they hate formalitie of Courtiers and of all other things beware of that horrible deceit of vaparous promises common protestations open embraces palpable flattery and hypocriticall bindings of obseruation from inferiours when the heart is corrupted yea ready to leape into his Masters mouth and tell him that he lies when it heares him sweare what he neuer meant thus can they with Lucan exclaime Exeat aula Qui vult esse pius virtus summa potestas non coeunt and thus doe they endeauour themselues in all honest courses to liue of themselues which questionlesse proceedes from some worthy caution concerning their miserie who eate meate vnder the repining eyes of another and herein no doubt they lay a great imputation on many English whose profession of libertie by base and seruile attendancy is ouerthrowne or if they seeme glorious in casting off the yoake of obedience yet are they besmeered with the frothy corruptions of verball vaine-glorious Courtiers who haue with the viciousnesse of time so abused this profession of moralitie that an honest and vnsubiected heart is afraid to come neere them For although Liberalitie and Charity haue equall properties to the opening if it were possible the gates of heauen although the fauour of Kings must be purchased by duty and obsequiousnesse and although the maiestie of a Court must not be depressed by admitting euery man at pleasure yet hath the errors of life so traduced worthy men for swelling too bigge with wealth and aduancement that their power and authoritie growes tedious and the depending on another is a very excruciation of minde which made the Poet exclaime against the protraction of good deedes with Gratia ab officio quod mora tardat abest which made the Italians murmure with Dono molto aspettato è venduto è non donato which made Berzelay say vnto the King I am old I will go a litle way ouer Iordan but returne to my owne house liue with my people and be buried in the sepulchre of my fathers In these things are the Germans worthy of all commendation yet me thinkes wanting an hereditarie succession of Princes and hauing an Emperor sometimes by partiality of election sometimes by factious strength and sometimes by the absolute commaund of the Pope they should a little abate their ostentation concerning his MAIESTIE or their owne glory As for their formall custome of denominating all the sons of Arch-Dukes Dukes Earles Barons according to their fathers titles and paternall honours it keepes corespondencie with the name of Caesar amongst them and the Italians hold it so ridiculous that in their facetiae as we terme it they ieast it thus The Earles of Germany the Dons of Spaine the Monsiers of France the Byshoppes of Italy the Knights of Naples the Lardes of Scotland the Hidalgos of Portugall the Noblemen of Hungary and the younger brethren of England make a very poore company But if you are curious indeed and would search in natures storehouse for the furniture that Germany holds or know in what manner she distributeth her blessings you shall finde corne vines riuers of fish fruite hot waters bathes minerals mines of all sorts and very good cattle If ambition transport you to view the palace of Honour they can bring you into well fortified Cities wherein you shall haue munition armor and the very Burgers trained with martiall discipline they can cary you into the fields of Bellona and delight you with a beautifull sight of 20000. horse diuided into seuerall batalions and squadrons with cornets penons and sufficient equipage they can conduct you into the very walkes of Princelines and show stately palaces pleasant hunting and hawking turniaments iusts riding horses and other exercises befitting a Gentleman If you descend to more moderate expectations you shall then haue notice how most men eate vnder their owne vines how the Citizen liueth in quiet how the women are blessed in their children how faults are pardoned scandals remooued and euery man appeares like a faire shining Planet in his owne Orbe without disturbance On the north from Callis to Dantske in Prussia lieth part of the seuenteene Prouinces and Pomerania On the East Brandenburg and Silesia I might haue named Hungarie and Transiluania to the South as farre as the Alpes Austria Bauaria Sweuia and Heluetia on the West â—…ranconia Hessia and Munsterland as a core in the midst Westphalia Saxonia Brunswicke Thuringia Misina the well compacted kingdome of Bohemia circumcepted with â—…gra Silua and Morauia with many other diuisions of Principats Dukedomes Lordships and Clergie men that to number them would be more tedious then satisfactorie consider Munster their owne Countrey-man hâ—…th described them at full and taken so much paines thereâ—…n as if he studied nothing more then to set out the honour and dignitie of the Nation wherein hee was borne Amongst these are seuen Princes sequestred to a speciall lifting vp the Emperor into his throne the three Byshops of Colleine Ments or as some will haue it â—…agunse and Treuers the three Seculars Duke of Saxony Marquâ—… of
resembled vnto children pull'd out of the armes of a louing mother But I will quietly bring you into her own roomes whereby you shall partly behold the beauty and workmanship of her building onely by the way I must a litle touch the Etymologie of the word and tell you that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greeke signifieth milke and so the people from their complexion and resemblance to whitenes were called Galli or Galati For other particulars you haue Caesars commentaries and well compacted histories which haue tossed and tumbled the lodgings yea the very beds of her chambers and our owne acquaintance hath ouer-lookt her choicest closets It was once the nurse of valour and afforded her vberant paps in those daies to such men as trampled ouer the fields of Greece robbed Apollos Temple at Delphos fetcht away the spoiles of Asia and by the assistance of Brennus an Englishman performed actions of wonderment and applause It was afterward the pride of Roman Consuls and the greatest ambition thought it selfe sufficiently recompenced with her gouernment when Rome had yet lessned her roome to make it prouinciall Presently followed the diuision of the Empire and all the gouernment almost of Europe was rent asunder with the furie of very strange and sauage Nations whose confused Chaos of barbarisme the brauery and goodnes of this countrey redacted to vniformity A litle while after diuers families by being maiores palatij became masters of the Kingdome wherein some by suppression some by merit some iure militari and some by right of inheritance lifted vp the crowne and maiesticall head of this country Straight-way the Eagle of Rome was sicke and from France recouered health how euer afterward it sought for further cure from the Germanes Then followed the Law Salick amongst them with absolute interdicting the Crowne of this glorious Monarchy to fall to the distass whereupon the three famous houses of Valois Burbon Loraine entailed the same and made as it were a feofment of perpetuity wherein this Diadem still keepeth her residence and is dunged watred and liketh her manuring so that whatsoeuer hath bin long since diuided amongst many Princes looking vpon one another with the eyes of emulation and ambitious desires to become greatest in the same is now at length vnited vnder one Monarchy and title of France so that howsoeuer some will haue Loraine absolute of it selfe and no subiect some stomach that Burgoine is revolted some repine that Daulphine was vnited by donation some confound Gascoigne and Guienne abolishing quite the name of Acquitane some remember that Normandy was English some presume of Britany as a Principate of her owne some make Sauoy afraid when Geneua calls the King of France patron and protector and some by diuision and subdiuision would extenuate her greatnes yet is now all France and the worthy Princes are resolued to keep correspondency with strangers but suffer no new intrusion nor any forreine claimes to preuaile at their marble table I will therefore desist from any further vnwinding the yarne of strange bottomes but spread a moderne cloth and giue you some slender taste of her present dainties whereby you shall not depart away altogether vnsatisfied To begin euen vnder the mountaines Pirenei which diuide Spaine from France the first part is called Gasconia including Guienne and Acquitane Dukedomes once appropriate to the heire of England before the inuesture of the Principat of Wales The chiefest Cities are Burdeaux and Tholouse washed with the plenteous waters of the Garonn a riuer not onely spreading her many armes abroad to send plenty all ouer the fields but powring out her greater streames into the sea welcommeth store of ships into her ports and harbours sending them backe againe into many countries of Europe with glad tidings of an abundant vintage Burdeaux is watrishly scited by reason the riuer and springs raiseth many marshes here about yet is it wholesome and the heat of the climate can endure the moistnes of the aire the Citie is ancient and boasteth of an Vniuersitie but more properly of the great concourse of Merchants It is beautified with many monuments especially the Pallace wherein King Richard the second the sonne of the blacke Prince was borne and another without the Towne a worke euer since the Emperor Galienus and then supposed a glorious Amphitheater The towne of Tholouse is more proud of antiquitie and telleth of time before Troies devastation yea remembreth since Deborah Iudge of Israel was famous for her wisdome and gouernment It hath now a well disciplined schoole a court of Parliament populous streets and reasonable buildings but indeed they seeme very ancient and for some speciall structures may carry the credit of magnificence The other townes are many and very good except countrey villages which are as rude as in other places and the Pesant liueth like a drudge not daring scarse drinke of the wine of his owne garden lest he should not raise such profit as would answer the proportion of his rent But herein our English Merchant hath somewhat ouer-reached them For they hire the gardens themselues and make the best vse of them not trusting their labourers and husbandmen to handle the presses but as they be hired by the day or great The second part is called Poictoy a countrey so great and plentifull that there are numbred 1200 parishes and three Bishopricks faine would haue you reckon these principall walled townes within her diuision of inferior and superior The bishopricks are Poictiers Leucòne and Mailezay The superior townes Roch sur yon or if you will Rochell one of the strongest townes in Europe and the rather because it hath not trusted her walls and ramparts which are yet stupendous and magnificent but the Lord of hostes and his true religion which hath alwaies raised their spirits to an extraordinary confidence of mercy and preuailing against any Antichristian attempt Talmont Meroil Vouuant Meruant Bresfure Lodun Fountenay le Conte The inferior or townes of the lower diuision Noiart Partenay Touars Moncontoul Herenault Meribeau Chastelleraut and others of like eminence amongst whom Poictiers is reckned the most populous of all France next to Paris it is watred with the ouer-flowings of Clanius a riuer filling the Loire and sending it the faster into the sea it boasteth of some antiquities a Theater called the Sandes a palace of the Emperor Galienus an Aquaeduct to which belong certaine fountaines vulgarly called arceux de parigne and other memories from famous Romans who were here euer resident To talke of their Churches prisons walls ports ramparts arsenals towers riuers bridges and such like it were superfluous considering they are not subiects either of admiration or delicacie but euen common or ordinary buildings The third part is Aniou though a litle Prouince yet very fruitfull and affordeth such excellent vines that the common prouerbe crieth out the wine of Aniou For the stately riuer of Loire comming from Orleance posteth a pace with the glad tidings
Rhodanus commeth a pace out of Burgundy it was once knowen by the name of Araris and telleth a true tale of an hundred seuerall townes dispersed on his streames and supported by his bankes The eleuenth booke of this noble countrey openeth the leaues of knowledge for Burgundy which was once a Kingdome as absolute as the King of France himselfe and is still a Dukedome and County graced with such royalties that by their owne prerogatiues they haue brought armies into the field and proclaimed the absolute freedomes of their gouernment yea in the latter times of contestation with France they held the dignity of a Parliament kept a full palace sequestred and instituted the noble order of knighthood called the golden Fleece some would annex the Dutchy of Barr vnto it which I thinke more properly belongs to Loraine and many Earledomes of estimation The petty riuers receiue augmentation from the springs of her fields and the swift Araris is sent into the sea from her mountaines Her cheefest cities are Digion and Austune maintaining regall tribunals exposing ostentous edifices boasting of great antiquity setting out the brauery of diuers monuments and palaces and supporting the necessities of many people The townes of the Dukedome would bee called Latornelle Rochpot Chalons Verdune Seure Argilly Sausieu and such like The townes of the County please the inhabitants with the titles of Iussy Gray Dole Besanson Quingay Salins Arboies Paligny Bouteuant Noseroy Vennes Chastillion and diuers others none of which but either boasteth of one excellency or other some for making salt some for fulling cloth some for spinning linnen some for mines and minerals some for excellent pastures some for vines some for cattle and all for good building plenty of Gentle-men and concourse of people The twelfth doore of this Countries enclosure is vnlocked for Loraine howeuer the Duke repineth that he is not a King with his ancestors and still protesteth he wil be as absolute within his own territories as an Emperor nay sometimes addeth the French King himselfe For louing both alike he will bee auxiliary to either and sometimes enemie to both as being such a Prince who aduanceth and diminisheth at his pleasure the Marquisate of Ponce the Earledoms of Vademont Verdune Blamont Demanche Marchen and diuers other coronets with the immunities of sundry Baronies all depending vpon his praemium poena The townes of this countrey are Metts famous for the Emperours siege and many warlike fortifications Nancy Voige Chaligy Vaudmont Dompair Rosiers Rumbelluillier and such like worthy description but as I sayd in the beginning I intend not to extenuate the endeauours of other men either in their trauels or commentaries nor tell any abrupt tales when such and so many famous Authors and Cosmographers speake so orderly and plainely Therefore I referre you thither for more ample discourses especially concerning such cities as I haue ouerpassed and yet flourish at this hower in seuerall countries it shall only suffice me to name the countries and principall places that I may prepare you the better to attend my comparison when I shall set out England to the sale with her ornaments of commendation indeed The thirteenth roome of the palace of France her Honour is appropriate to Callis and Boloigne maintaining the sea-shores ouer against Kent and the sweet breathing mouth of the Thames in England but in such emulation being so neere that either they complaine to be thus long disioynted from her gouernment or seeme offended that we euer possessed them and could keepe them no longer much of this countrey once belonged to Artoys and was diuided betweene the Emperour and France by way of composition But if you would know wherin and wherof it boasteth indeed it is for two famous Dukes of the same or if you will but Earles who by their valours and heroik endeauours obtained the noble Diadems of the world the one was Godfrey inuested King of Ierusalem and made like another Agamemnon Captaine Generall of the Christian army against the Saracens The other was Stephen sonne of Duke Williams daughter of Normandy raised to the dignity of England and maintaining the possession against Maud the Empresse and her sonne during his life The last part of this glorious Kingdome may include Vermond and Picardy whose principall townes are Guise La Fere Han St. Quintine Tornay Chatel Abeuile Amiens Auxi Peron and such like washed with the streames of the Some and Scaldis whose rivulets make the fields plentifull in corne and grasse although the inhabitants are not industrious in planting of vine-yards which I rather impute to the indisposition of the soile then their negligence Thus you see with what a glistring crowne the head of France is impaled in the chaire of Maiesty and may visit the palace of honour with more and better attendance of Princes Dukes Earles and Gentle-men then any absolute Monarch of the world yet because it hath some defects in meere matters of state according to the true prosperity of a countrey and that diuers deficiencies chance somewhat disgraciously vnto her like staines and spots to pure linnen I cannot yeeld her the pride of happinesse because you shall see in my next book of comparison wherin her fulnesse of glory is ecclipsed and how wee our selues enioy many prerogatiues before her CHAP. XV. The Description of the Low-Countries BEyond all euen to the sea which made a sea of their fields and townes lie the seuenteene Prouinces called the Low-Countries or Germania inferior For alas the name and title of Gallia Belgica is long since extinguished although as I sayd all the Countries on this side the Rhene toward France were reputed as France Of these I must vse a little ampliation because I cannot chuse but wonder how any Prince would neglect such a benefit as the peaceable possession of these places which for goodnesse greatnesse and wealth vnited with the loue of the inhabitants might haue exceeded Spaine it selfe as by their reuenewes multitude of people cities shipping traffique with all nations and home-bred commodities may appeare They are called Ditiones inferior is Germaniae diuided into Dukedomes Counties and Lordships and knowen by these Characters The Dukedomes Brabant Limburck Luzenburg and Gelderland The Counties Flanders Artoys Henault Holland Zeland Namurs and Zutphen which is but one principall towne and some small territories adiacent The Marquisate of the Empire The Lordships Freesland for you must take notice that East Freesland belongeth to a Prince of her owne and euer disclaimed to bee subiect either to Emperour or King and so holdeth vp a head of liberty accordingly Mechlin Vtrech Trans-Ysell and Groining In these are numbred 228. great townes murited with wals ramparts ditches warlike ports bridges and fortifications Besides their guards are continuall either of their owne Burgers or Souldiers lying in garison according to the proximity of the enemy importance of the place necessity of affaires or inconueniences of the time The villages or dorps are 6300.
a particular preheminence and iurisdiction as I sayd by it selfe and West Freesland suffering this partition Ostergo Westergo Transilana Drenta Tuenta the seuen woods and Lordship of Groining a beautifull towne and famous for that siege wherein were 80000. in the field on both sides 1594. when Prince Maurice obtained it for the States being before ouer-awed 1580. by the Duke of Parma As it hath more cattle and pasture then other prouinces so more villages the inhabitants are more warlike insomuch that commonly there is a Regiment or two of Frizons in the army when amongst the foot-companies there is scarse two hundred Dutch-men besides yet haue they many troops of horse and are distinguished by diuers characters although they speake all one language either high or Low-Dutch as Resties Lansguents Frizons Switzers High-Germans Dutch and Free-booters or Boot-halers I haue insisted the longer on the discourse of these Prouinces because you may see the errours of selfe will and ill counsell euen in the gouernment of mighty Monarchs as I sayd before For the conquest of the West Indies the onely greatnesse of Spaine was not nor is so glorious to his ostentation as the losse of the Low-Countries when hee might with peace mansuetude haue opened the arms of a louing father ouer them greeuous to his remembrance and a very wound to his policy Because if these countries were vnited and altred from their Aristocratia or Democratia chuse you whether to the vniformity of a Monarchie affoording to Caesar what belongeth to Caesar raising their nobility aduancing the well-deseruers encreasing their estates disciplining their able men to the seruice of the warres and from the imitation of other countries endeauouring to raise their owne glories it would surmount all the reuenues of Spaine which for extent of ground measureth six times as much nay if I added the West Indies computatis computandis I might be beleeued after some reasonable disceptation For say a stirring spirit desired glory and pompous attendancy From hence might bee obtained infinite treasure settled content high magnificence multitude of subiects commerces of marchants store of shipping stately horses louing people and the glory of nature beauty it selfe so that if the Arch-Dukes fortune could raise him to such a height if at first he honoured the Enfanta with vshering her bare-headed into Bruxels hee might then prostrate himselfe before her throne indeed as one of the greatest Princes of the world For although his hopes did depend vpon other supportation and in her owne language he cries Kala as peraduenture determining a composition with his brother Mathias if the peacefull Rodolphus were once discharged of his debt to nature whereby she might be Empresse of Germany yet cannot a meere titular dignity come neere so great a contentment as to haue the fruition of such a kingdome and natiue felicity But if delicate life and quiet establishment of temporall happinesse were propounded amongst these is honesty of contracts probity of manners truth of word preuention of wants fulnesse of wealth delicacy of apparrell neatnesse of furniture vniformity of building magnificence of structures plenty of viands sumptuousnesse of feasts liberty of conuersation and what else enflameth our desires to helpe our deficiencie yea the very behauiour of the women enforceth admiration For being tall beautifull actiue and familiar they are yet free from those peenish humors of ielousie lightnes pride which make vs weary one of another Besides all their words actions tend to simplicitie and modest plainenes retaining with all this suppliment of wants making of cloth and knitting of lace and dainty works But when I consider their mutuall entercourses their skill in buying and selling their frequenting of the shops their going from place to place without so much as suspition of incontinencie and their loue to their husbands and children euen in the ouerflowings of naturall imperfections or if you will diseases of the Nation I stand amased and sweare that vertue cannot be poore and an honest minde will not be seduced for any worldly respects to the slauish corruption of lasâ—…iuiousnes or dishonestie CHAP. XVI The Monarchy of Great Britaine THE last of all Countries and as many thinke the least but such a least as if a pretty sparke of a pure Diamond should triumph ouer a border of soft topasses is the kingdome of ENGLAND now proclaimed vnder the royall standard of Great Britaine France and Ireland stile enough if the desire of man know what is enough But alas â—…nisi ab orbe Britanni wherein I thinke nature and glory plaied the silken Artist or Artificer chuse you whether who in sorting out his commodities laies the principall aside for a friend or his owne vse so did our first mother deale with this ILAND allowing it a double portion of blessings before the other countries of the world for her owne honour But at this time you shall not heare mee stammer out my words considering Mr Cambden hath spoken so well and distinctly as if a Lawyers cunning had not onely inlarged some excellent matter but doubly graced the same with good deliuerie and pleasing elocution Besides I must in the second booke vntie her bound-vp fardell and come to more neerer particulars and therefore there shall be now no further disputing of the same yet Ireland hath made me amased to see such an impossibilitie to reduce her which mee thinks cannot proceed from any innated hatred against vs particularly though it be an vnsauoury truth because in affecting Spaine and France shee disclaimeth their formalitie and would faine besprinkle the beautifull faces of ciuilitie gouernment formes of Cities courtlines maiestie and state with the vntoward termes and abuses of policie restraint of libertie couetousnes flattery pride and licentiousnes therefore I will bee the bolder to speake a word or two of her vnkindnes CHAP. XVII The description of IRELAND THE country and kingdome of IRELAND is generally for naturall aire and commoditie of blessings sufficient to satisfie a couetous or curious appetite but withall diuided into such fastnes of mountaine bogg and wood that it hath emboldned the inhabitants to presume on hereditary securirie as if disobedience had a protection For the mountaines denie any cariages but by great industry and strength of men so haue we drawne the Cannon ouer the deepest boggs stoniest hils and the passages are euery way dangerous both for vnfirmenes of ground the lurking rebell who will plash downe whole trees ouer the paces and so intricately winde them or lay them that they shall be a strong barracado and then lurke in ambush amongst the standing wood playing vpon all commers as they intend to goe along On the bogg they likewise presume with a naked celeritie to come as neere our foote and horse as is possible and then flie off againe knowing we cannot or indeed dare not follow them and thus they serue vs in the narrow entrances into their glins and stony
same or worse courses with the Iewes and by degrees became flat Apostates so that God was weary of them likewise gaue a third nation power to thrust them from their firmenesse and disiointed their established foundation of religion and happinesse which was acted by the hands of Turkes who succeeded them and had likewise their Prophet Mahomet to instruct and direct them to loue the great God of heauen more religiously than the others from whose supportation the maiesty you now behold spreadeth the wings of glory ouer the imperiall Citties both of Iewes and Christians namely Ierusalem and Constantinople nay if you looke into Asia we haue Tauris and Babilon and in Egipt possesse Cairo or Memphis and Alexandria so that no doubt we shall multiply blessing vpon blessing if wee continue confident toward him and his elected Prophet otherwise some strange and barbarous nation shall expell and extirpate vs as we haue vsurped ouer others Thus then you see with what successe these three religions haue bin caried in the current of estimation both with God and man namely the Iewes who haue Moses to make intercession for them The Christians who haue IESVS their Mediator and Mahumetans who depend vpon the merits and exaltation of Mahomet But for you that are of no religion nay haue denied the faith wherein you were borne and baptised there is sure no redemption but the Deuill himselfe to fetch you away Which answere was so distasting although as you heard it went vnder safe conduct that the tyrannous Lord not onely commaunded him to be broken on a wheele to shiuers but inflicted many Christian slaues in his house with the like punishment and thus much for their crueltie amongst themselues now you shall see their behauiour toward Strangers CHAP. VII The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality WHen Mr BARTON was Agent for the English in Constantinople as he passed along to the Viceers vpon occasion of busines the great Empresse this mans Grandmother For Amurath the third his father was but a young man when he died came of purpose to see him formerly moued with a commendatory report of his virtues and personage by diuers iudicious Turkes Whereupon she promised her fancy some satisfaction which not to be performed without a formall looking vpon him she was somewhat appeased that this occasion was ministred but finding it farre short of a fulnesse another interueiw was contriued and the Scene acted in the house of a Iewe to whose wife she came disguised to bargaine for certaine pearle after which in the affaires of the Merchants she countenanced him extraordinarily and had at last priuate conference with him giuing so way vnto their opinion that supposed the secret passages of kindenesse betweene them which was no sooner published and entertained amongst the Bashawes for current but shortly after he died not without suspition of poison and our English affaires had vntoward alteration as the hanging of our Consull at Alexandria the imprisoning of diuers in the blacke Tower a place neere Pompeis pillar at the mouth of the euxine sea especially Arnald and Stranguish who lay there long for their ransome the terrible insulting ouer slaues committing all to their gallies without respect of persons the denying of our former right in the admitting of Merchants into the sacra Porta vnder the bandiers of England and giuing the precedency to France the raising of customes the office being farmed by the Iewes the abusing of Trauellers and other of our Countrey men by Ianisaries and Mechanicks of Stanbole the customary calling vs Christians dogges not daring once to returne an vnsauory answere with diuers such like exorbitant abuses In the time of Master Henry Lisso the Prouinces of Bogdonia and Moldauia were at strife about the establishment of a Gouernour but at last condescended to an vsurper which caused the banishment and flight of the true Princes whereby they were compelled to seeke for succour vnder English protection at Constantinople being Protestants or at least willing to admit of our reformation but whether feare or corruption preuailed he was to the great indignity of our Nation not onely discouered but taken away perforce euen out of our Embassadors house and very disorderly committed to the seuen Towers prisoner from whence by the helpe of Signior Gasparo Gratiano a man for speciall vses entertained amongst the English whose brother and sister were both taken and admitted amongst the Turkes being formerly Christians of Transiluania or Austria he escaped but some disastrous fortune returned him backe againe into the hands of apprehenders who with a more powerfull restraint sent him to the castells from whence once againe through the fauour of a Turkish woman he got his liberty and escaped into Poland but there hee taried not long both in regard of their iealosie of him to discouer their proceedings and his suspition of them for some treacherie against his life or at least his liberty and so he passed to the Emperour where finding small reliefe hee came through France into ENGLAND and there saw the difference between other Nations concerning the entertaining of strangers For he was not onely admitted with correspondency to his estate but had letters of credit to the Gran Signeur for his reestablishment with sufficient inducement to our merchants to lend him 10000. duckets vpon the least hope of his better successe In his absence his mother with great expence and gifts elaboured his restitution but greater summes as it should seeme weighed downe the other scale of his respect or the fortune of happier men preuailed against him For after she had spent 20000. duckets tasted the misery of contempt importuned my Lord Embassador I meane Sir Thomas Glouer in the busines and saw the affliction of Petitioners fed with dilatory excuses she very impatiently attended the good hower of her sonnes returne and was terrified to experience with what extremities men deiected must wrastle especially when he came indeed and was not onely repulsed in his suite but entertained with scorne and contempt Where is now the Turkish ostentation of supporting the innocent and distributing of iustice to all sorts of people When Soliman Catanea was Bashaw of Algier Master Christopher Willoughby a Gentleman and Merchant of LONDON had his shippe and goods seazed on most iniuriously to the valew of 50000. duckets whereof many complaints were made and diuers letters from the Councell of ENGLAND in his behalfe but still distasting answers were returned procrastinating the matter and affording much suspition of not preuailing in his recouery whereupon he went another way to worke and made the principall Viceer acquainted with the same betweene whom and Catanea he vnderstood was a little grudging so that when he had promised him 5000. pieces of gold and laide open his grieuances that they seemed vnanswerable he was remooued from his gouernment and by a missiue commission cited to Constantinople But it should seeme all this was
beholding to peace and prosperitie that he tempred his warlike spirit from affecting either forreine or domesticke dissention yet did he consecrate many famous workes to the memory of his quietnes and out of a swelling of princely greatnes thought Westminster Hall the wonder of the world for a roome in a house too litle for so great a Maiestie Robert of Normandy went in person to Ierusalem and for his Heroicke successe and exploits might haue bin rewarded with the Diadem howeuer he was diuerted to returne home againe into the fields of peace Henry the first was setled in the loue of his people tamed the French pacified Normandy looked after Ireland terrified his foes corroborated his friends loued learning and was a Maecenas of all worthy conditions either in himselfe or others and howeuer the ielousie of soueraigne points intercepted the amitie of the brethren yet was his worth many waies expatiated and diuers particulars of estimation extracted from his gouernment Henry the second obtained the dominion of Ireland brought to happy period many conflicts in France stopped the breath of gaping hostilitie in England lashed the sides of his vnruly children with stripes of discomfiture and liued in great honor and estimation insomuch that he neuer exacted imposition of his people nor wanted in his warres yet left a treasure of aboue 200000 pound in ready coine besides iewels and plate which was much in those daies What thinke you of Richard the first Were not his voyages conquests titles and surname of Cuer de Lyon for his valour and exceeding courage markes of true honor Would not his life make a memorable story Shall not his actions be registred in the court of eternitie Did he not proue a worthy champion of renowme Ciprus was wonne Acon conquered Ierusalem established the confederate Princes ielous of his glory and all the countrey full of his memory so that considering his tedious iourneyes the perill of his person the successe of his actions and the noble end of his atchieuements let the proudest of the Othoman race be compared and spare not The troubles of King Iohn the Barons warres the plantation and buildings in Ireland the discouerie of the Clergies corruption the calling in of Lewis the dismissing the French backe againe and the turbulency of those times may ranke themselues with the fame of very proud Monarks Henry the third subdued the Welchmen made sundry voiages into France had many conflicts with his owne Barons set forward a notable expedition to Hierusalem shewed diuers effects of an heroicke and magnanimous spirit raigned gloriously 56 yeeres and in the interims of his peace brought many ostentous buildings to perfection Edward the first went diuers times into Scotland disposed of that Crowne as he thought good subiected them to England conquered the Welchmen appeased them with a Prince of his owne sonne borne in Carnaruan setled his estate and ended a famous life with a glorious death to which when renowne and victorie was added the applause rang through the world Edward the third and the blacke Prince haue engrossed the fame and renowne of the vniuersall earth and many memorable actions are aduanced vp as trophees of their vnimitable glory so that they may march to the palace of maiestie with the proudest Emperors For what worthy atchieuements so euer haue bin perpetuated in England Wales Scotland Almaigne and Flanders in their owne persons they haue brought to passe as if they had bin borne to shew some wonder of nature and exposed as rare examples to succeeding times And for his other sonnes step into the proudest house of Austria and tell me who can match them Iohn of Gaunt went twise into Spaine and conquered Castile in the right of his wife Lionell Duke of Clarence passed the Alpes into Italy maried the daughter of Millane reuelled in those parts with extraordinary cost pompe and attendants and wrought both a reuerence and loue toward his person from forreine people Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke was so wise and reposed that the gouernment of England kept it selfe warme vnder the ouer-spreading of his embraces Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester was so true a louer of his country and champion of honor that he contested with Maiestie for degenerating from her owne properties and durst tell his nephew King wherein he wandred from his paternall renowne Henry the fourth when he was but Earle of Hertford went into Africke bare his father company into Spaine and obtained the diadem through popular loue and respect of the people And although King Richard the second was an vnfortunate Prince yet did he surpasse both auncestors and successors for brauery in apparell costly expences sumptuous fare glorious courtship noble company princely reuels and magnificent estimation For all the while Queene Anne of Bohemia liued the fame of England was dispersed ouer the world and the King had 8 or 10000 continually in his Court whereby his pompe and port surpassed other Princes But would you wonder indeed Then looke into the 9 yeeres of Henry the fift and you shall see such a vnitie of vertues consent of graces entertainment of valour perfection of industry militarie brauery and fulnes of generous designes that his very enemies gaue way to the report of his worthy life and France in his death was left as a comfortles widow or desolate orphan I might recite the fame of Edward the fourth for reuenging his fathers death many conflicts before and after he was King his voiages into France his distastings against Burgundy his troubles at home and other princely dispositions I could also bring into your good opinion the valour of Henry the seuenth his miraculous deliuery his noble establishment his buildings and sumptuous monuments his riches and wealth his wisdome and politicke contriuing of affaires the stately disposing of his Palace and many other remarkable actions but I am affraid that I am too weakly furnished to enter into the lists with iudicious censurers nor shall be able to wrastle with opinion and seuere examination which will rather condemne me for slight extenuation in the attempt than entertaine the discourse as a befitting subiect or adapted explication of princelines Henry the eight wan Turwin and Turnay entertained the Emperor Maximilian welcommed Charles the fift compounded at his pleasure with France made voiage after voiage conquered Bulloigne had almost obtained the Empire was maiesticall in all things and died as it were in the armes of kingly reputation Queene Elizabeth deserues a whole story of her life maiestie and gouernment For the very Heathen and Mahumetans the Persians and Idolaters the Aethiopians and Muscouite doe name her with reuerence CHAP. XXII An other excellencie of ENGLAND casting vp an account of her antiquitie in one vnited Monarchy before other Nations AS no country in Europe did euer aduance vp so many excellent parts together toward the building the frame of perfection so is it apparant in nothing more liuely than in Englands antiquitie in one vnited
Monarchy without either claime or competition of forreiners vsurpation of intruders attempt of hostile invaders and desire of alteration amongst our selues whereas yet all the Kingdomes of the world especially within the reach of European knowledge within 400 yeeres haue had other titles bin subiect to strange disparitie of gouernment and religion and confronted many times with such Princes or fearefull subiects within their territories as haue made them ielous of soueraigne points yea the very losse of their cheefest crownes and dignities If you search the wounds of the Persian and Turkish gouernment as they seeme now to be healed you shall finde them badly cured and indeed festred so dangerously that they must bee better ouer-viewed or their inward putrefaction will on a sudden poyson the very entrailes For they haue bin tossed and tumbled with many alterations and euer since Tamberlaine descended out of Scithia amongst them suffred diuers concussions both in gouernment and religions so that howeuer the Persian is more noble yet he hath permitted a mixture of many barbarous people to the great disturbance of his former glory As for the Turke hee is meerely new to vs and a formidable intruder into such territories as he gripeth with a strong arme so that what you now behold amongst these Mahumetans is onely vpheld by tyrannie a band of no greater strength then power forces and reward can tye together wherein if any faile the gouernment is quickly let loose and the subiect at liberty taketh hold of euery innovation and although by tumbling and tossing like to heaps of snow rowled vp and downe they haue growne greater and greater while the frosty coldnes of our Christian Princes gaue them leaue to harden whereby they are increased to that stupendous heape you now see yet when a thaw comes and that rota fortunae is in Gyro it shall and will be subiect to diminution especially when the glorious sunne of successe shineth out the consent of our Kings to expulse them at least out of Europe if not from the vsurpation of the better parts of Asia The Kingdome of Hungary though but lately established and knowne by a different royalty from the Empires either of Greece or Germany yet as you see a prey seased on by a hawke or other tormenting vulture pull'd in peeces and cruelly rent a sunder hath suffered many dilacerations and besides the capitall enemy of Christendome her proppes sawed a sunder by some barbarous hands amongst themselues The Kingdome of Poland is not 300. yeere old For it retained in times past but the prerogatiue of a Dukes coronet and was euer in contention with Lithuania and the adioyning Princes vntill the Pope vndertooke the appeasing of those troubles and added the grace of a roiall inuesture to Sigismundus surnamed the great who at last vnited both Pomerania Prussia and Lithuania yet is not so established but the Election of the Peeres diminisheth the prerogatiue of the King and new Princes new lawes new confederacy new gouernment haue let confusion and alteration loose vpon the Countrey The Emperour Princes Electors and principalities in Germany are almost of the same nature and condition but that many liberties of Cities haue beene bought out with mony and diuers franchises purchased to redeeme themselues from the tyrannie of wanton lords so that in particular many families haue beene chopped and changed honourable houses transmuted and new names and titles haue as it were thrust the old out of doores and in generall what with the French Germanes and the house of Austria there hath not a thought passed for hereditary succession but all things haue beene subiect to instabilitie and are still hurried in the current of preuailing as either the Pope Electorum placitus or militareius filling the sailes full of winde giueth them leaue to driue the barke of the gouernment forward The Princes of Italy in worse estate then they For except the Venetians some of their Dukedomes as Ferrara and Vrbin are fallen to the Papacy some of their Kingdomes as Naples and Sicilia possessed by the Spaniard with Millane and Genoa and the rest suspitiously standing on a guard of circumspection least they should betray one another to the stronger side and whereas the Venetians doe boast of 700. yeares continuance I am sure they neuer flourished but by the dissentions of the rest and in their first inchoation these Ilands were but receptacles for banished men yea compared to cauernus for simple beasts to shroude in whom the others of prey and rapine did not looke after For the Gothes and Lombards that infested Italy made no more account of them then we did of the stragglers in the mountaines of Walles or fastnesse in Ireland but they haue beene better coadiuted and taken successe by the hand to pace out the measures of prosperity as you now see their glory riches and augmentation The Kingdome of Spaine is so new that the other day there was a King of Portugali as absolute as himselfe a King of Arragon of sufficiency to contest with Castile a King of Granado Valencia within memory subiect to Paganisme and maintaining the new sect of Mahomet a King of Nauarre as fearefull to him as the rest and sundry other abridgments tending to the diminution of Maiesty howeuer at this instant he is blowne bigge with the winde of superfluity and greatnesse The Kingdome of France but a while ago compacted For Burgundy challengeth a roialty and had afterward a Duke maintaining his owne priuiledges The Earle of Flanders writ Comes Deigratia Normandy was another mans Brittaine in a Dukes possession Gascoine Guien and Acquitane our owne Daulphin and Prouince incorporated by gift and Rhene Duke of Loraine inuested with the Toialties of Naples and thus could I runne ouer all the rest if either they were of eminence sutable to the glory of these recited or consequence to store vs with obseruations and example only England for aboue 600. yeares I might recken from Edgar but that you will answer some 400. yeeres since the Prince of WALLES was onely an Homager and SCOTLAND in continuall opposition had fedde vpon the plenty of a flourishing Monarchy and beene fatted with the well fedde dainties of an exuberant Countrie diplaying the colours of her owne roialty in such a glorious manner that shee hath not onely spread her fame with an vncontroulable hand but brought the glory of other Nations vnder the adumbration of her canopy so that if I should adde her seuerall conquests of Ireland Walles Scotland France Cyprus Ierusalem and Castile it selfe it would torment vs with remembrance of our losses or augment our iealosie for hassarding our honour by negligence and corrupted peace which was once so worthily established by the proppes and supportation of merit and vertue CHAP. XXIV Another excellency of ENGLAND consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey-man and common people IF you looke on our example you shall finde that the chiefest part of Salomons glory extended it selfe from the
aduanceth or deiecteth can attend the good houre and begge all such graces as a Princes fauour distributeth to the subiect yet haue I read of a King in England who importuned by a Yeoman to be made a Gentleman answered hee could enoble him with knighthood or the title of a Baron but not confirme him a Gentleman because true gentry had another manner of lustre from the raies of vertue and honour in a continuall discent of Auncestors illuminated from the sunne of worthy actions either in military profession or administration of ciuill gouernment But thus liueth our Countreyman by what name or title soeuer onely we were wont to interpose this difference betweene Yeoman Francklin or Farmer that the Yeoman was a landed man either Freeholder or coppieholder the Farmer onely hired another mans land paying a fine or rent and so growing rich had the denomination of the other and did not in times past murmure though you called him Good-husband or expert Plow-man yet call him what you will he is in some Countries able to lodge you richly set a peece of plate on the cupbord fiue or six dishes of meate on the Table sweete and fine linning on your bed cheerefully to welcome you and is so cunning besides that he can tell his Lawyer a formall tale and complaine to the Iustice if a farre better man doe him wrong and in this who can come neere vs CHAP. XXV Another excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the goodnes of our Nauy and shipping I Hope I shall now passe without contradiction especially when I bring you forward to our ports harbours and riuers shewing you the glory of our shipping whether you esteeme them as the Kings and onely purposed for magnificence state and occasion of warre or the Marchants for exploration of countries plantation of Colonies bringing in of commodities enriching of our Kingdoms and yet withall defending our selues or both together for noble actions memorable voyages extraordinary encounters and ceremonious brauery wherein wee haue bin so priuiledged that from the memorable fame of Edward the third to this instant we neuer met enemy but preuailed vpon equall termes yea great odds and when we had misfortunes it was as Sampsons death amongst the Philistims who pulld downe the Temple on their heads and slew more at that instant than in his former enterprises witnes many nauall battailes wherein what losse soeuer we susteined the aduersarie had double and treble euen when about the fourth yeere of Hen 8. the Nauies of England and France met at Britaines Bay and we lost the Regent of England wherein Sir Thomas Kneuet was Captaine with 700 men yet did they endure the wreck of many ships especially the French Carick called then the wonder of Europe in which Sir Piers Morgan with a 1100 men perished as also when Sir Richard Greenueild within our memory miscaried by a meere disastrous chance although I might honestly excuse it by ouer-great aduantage of both ships and gallies yet as they themselues haue confessed they had no great cause to boast or let any vaine-glorious insulting runne at random But how wee haue preuailed indeed let these few instances suffice About the 14 of Edw 3. the King gathered a Nauy of 200 saile against the French who in those daies were coadiuted with Flanders as a Peere of France wherein though he was mightily ouer-matched with numbers yet preuailed he in execution and had so triumphant a victorie that their owne account numbred 30000 men slaine 200 ships surprized and taken and the rest put to an ignominious flight The 20 yeere hee went into Normandy dismantled her Townes spoiled Cane and as a messenger of reuenge brought fire into the Harbours vntill the ships were consumed and set on a blase Anno 24 he encountred the power of Spaine and vnplumed their fethers of ostentation by taking 28 great ships and making the rest vnseruiceable Anno 33 he sailed into Picardy and so preuailed that the sea yeelded him safe passage and all Burgundy safe conduct Anno 41 with a memorable victory both at sea and land did the blacke Prince resettle Peter of Spaine and in despight of all the sea forces or other warlike opposition passed and repassed at pleasure In the time of Rich 2. about the 10 yeere the Duke of Lancaster sailed into Spaine but how glorious that victory was on our side and how surmounting our Nauie before theirs the wonderfull successe attested and their owne inventories record the losse with lamentable Items The next yeere following Richard Earle of Arundell and Thomas Earle of Notingham encountred at sea with an infinite number of Flemmings but victory is in the hands of God and multitudes of men faile in their ostentation For in that maritime contention were taken a 100 ships and better the successe filling our Cities with commodities and our mouthes with praises and thanksgiuing In the 5 of Henr 4 when the French came to the I le of Wight and assailed Dartmouth with a great Nauy the rusticall people preuailed against them and manning out but the fisher-boats of the country with certaine Pinaces attending the seruice tooke 16 of their best ships and compulsed the rest to be the messengers of their owne obloquy The 3. of Hen 5. was a yeere of triumph and a 1000 saile of ships filled the narrow seas cleared the passage into Normandy amased all men who had notice of our brauery and reioyced the rest of Europe with Encomians of our successe which followed presently in France In the 15 of Edw 4. it pleased the King to passe ouer to the aide of the Duke of Burgundy but howeuer his inconstancie proued vnsauory to vs at land it matters not I am sure the seas gaue vs way nor durst their Nauy presume to intercept vs. In the 5. of Hen 8. the former encounter which I named at Britaines bay was a day of terror and we tooke burnt and spoiled as many as we mustred out of harbour The next yeere threatning Turwin and Turnay our Nauy carying all afore it like a swelling riuer beating downe the slender banks there scarce appeared an opposite for the former losses were so great that they halted downe-right in their recouery and France once lamed in her shipping cannot euery yeere bring a new Nauy into the channell with good equipage or aduantage The 14 yeere the Earle of Surrey was Admirall and not onely preuailed in all encounters at sea but by vertue of our shipping conquered diuers townes both in Britaine and Picardy The 15. the Duke of Suffolke was sent into France with an army of 30000 who passed the seas yea the water of Some without battaile and so terrified the French with all their coadiutors at that time for you must vnderstand in those repining and murmuring daies against our glory France Spaine the Low-Countries and Scotland were either confederate or entertained for wages so that almost all the mercenary shipping of Europe attended on the payment of the
not himselfe set furie on worke to the killing of his enemie nay to the murthering of his Competitor whether for loue or displeasure But if you will truly consider the admirable composition of Commonwealths and extraordinary glorie of Kingdomes it consisteth in sedation of troubles and in the enriching of priuate men yea euen Salomons greatnesse was raised to a stupendous mountaine of amasement from the effects of a well compacted peace in which his Temple was built his Pallaces were finished his Cities disposed of his Souldiers maintained and his glory spred abroad with sufficient fulnesse For horses were brought him out of Arabia fine linnen from Aegipt perfumes and odours from Aethiopia spices from India precious stones from the Ilands gold from Ophir beasts and strange fowle from Affricke and many other things both for exornation and pleasure from the remotest parts of the earth But how by the industry of Merchants and worthy endeauours of men disposed to honour their Countrey and aduance themselues As for corruptions of life couetousnesse vaine-glory ambition pride emulation cunning and infinite of this kinde they are not to be named by way of Character or personating any particular condition of man whatsoeuer For from a Prince to a Peasant no body liues but may be traduced in the selfe same kinde that you would lay imputation on the shoulders of the Merchant therefore I will absolutely conclude that the true Merchant-aduenturer as he is one way the supporter of politicall States by commerce conuersation and bringing in of wealth so is he another way the Atlas of honour and magnificent maiesty by his customes filling the store-houses of a Court supplying the wants of a pallace pleasing the desires of nouelty cooling the heates of pride and satiating the vanitie of wishes nay if you would and the Ilands explored Virginia Norrembega Guiana and other coasts and made a trade with these Indians for diuers commodities so that from one place or other of our Countrey we haue not so few as a 1000. sailes of shippes abroad nor so small a number as a 100000. persons disperced vnder this acceptable title of Marchant For so I must tell you that except you aduise with your selfe for this denomination in many places of the world the excuse of curiositie will not serue your turne For you shall be taken for a Spie and a dangerous Hypocrite such is the iealousie of Kingdomes toward wanton Trauellers and the necessitie of entertainment for well imploied men And thus much for some speciall excellencies wherein England excelleth all other Nations CHAP. XXVII Another excellency of ENGLAND may be drawne from this obseruation that we haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our Countrey then any other Nation c. AMongst other spreading boughes of prerogatiues drawing sappe from the tree of Englands glory I may not leaue out this obseruation that wee haue had since the Conquest more seuerall magnificent entertainments of forraine Princes and voluntary progresses of famous Kings and Emperors some for pleasant iournies others for necessary imploiment then any Nation of Europe not that I meane to trouble you with vaine or tedious repetitions of Embassadors Legats Cardinalls or other ordinary Liegers as is customarie in all Princes Courts and concurses of State but meerely of extraordinary solemnities and occasion of resplendant showes triumphs and festiuall inuitations to delight and contentment No sooner had the Normane setled his Conquests and established his sonne William Rufus in the throne of greatnesse as well appeared by his ambitious desires to fill all Europe with the report of his exaltation especially after his returne out of Normandy and that he found fault with the smalnesse of Westminster-hall being yet the remarkeablest roome for State greatnesse and capacity in the world But Malcolme King of Scots and the two Princes of Wales came to doe homage vnto him about the third yeere of his raigne yea Robert Duke of Normandy with many Princes of France acknowledged his eminent glory and maiesticall Kingdome although the said Robert was his elder Brother and made way to his peace and amitie This likewise continued toward Henry the first and for addition the Kings his adioyned neighbours assumed nothing to themselues but what stood with the good liking of the King of ENGLAND for which purpose they many times came in person to gratifie him To which if you vnite the aduantagious marriage of Henry Emperour of Rome to his daughter I hope it may passe for a reasonable beginning and giue life to after hopes for the augmentation of our credits and exaltation of our prerogatiues Anno 1184. about the 31. of Henry 2. Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem came into our Countrey to desire aide against the Turke 1201. and the 3. of King Iohn at a solemne entertainement in Lincolne William King of Scots and diuers of his Nobles did homage vnto him in person to which if you adde his marrying of Lady IANE his bastard daughter to Leuelin Prince of Wales who was in those times a turbulent and ambitious man you may easily iudge what reputation our Countrey had got in the world when the Pope was more affrighted at the starting aside of little ENGLAND then if whole Spaine had at that time falne quite away from his supportation or if you will Antichristian vsurpation Anno 1224. about the 8. yeere of the raigne of Henry 3. Iohn de Brennes King of Hierusalem came into England for aide and assistance against the Saracens and from that vnimitable example of Richard 1. called in those times the flower of chiualry that wunne Cyprus and Acon in person well hoped to finde the other branches of that kingly off-spring full of the sappe of the same roialtie but when I remember how the chiefest Potentates of Europe came to elect Richard Earle of Cornwall his brother Emperour and King of the Romans I am more then satisfied for maintaining this vnanswerable position of our excellency in this kinde If you ouerlooke the life of Edward 1. you shall finde it a very mappe of honour and be able to tell the world that besides many forraine Potentates the Prince of Wales and his brother Dauid reioiced in his acceptation of them and Iohn Baliol King of Scots was glad to be named and established by him But come a little forward and at the naming of Edward the 3. me thinkes all English hearts should leape for ioy For 1334. Edward Baliol King of Scots did him homage the Prince of Wales was glad to kisse his hands and the Electors of Germany 1348. inuited him to the chaire of the Empire nay such was our royaltie that Henry Pichard Vintner and Maior of London feasted EDW. of England IOHN King of France the King of Cyprus comming to see our worthinesse DAVID King of Scots EDW. Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitane Guien and Cornwall all in one day Besides at diuers triumphes and Iusts these forraine Princes were led as it were
bedurty vs wee are not yet impudently to mount on a stage to be seene nor be so ignorant but we can hide our selues till we be cleaner or make a composition with mercy and pacification if the busines bee not darkned indeede with loathsomnes and euery thing amongst vs with a fashionable hansomnesse ouerswaieth nicer exception Thus I hope you will first pardon me for vaine-glory or affectation considering I speake for my country and then yeeld vnto the truth which at last must preuaile considering I haue confirmed her excellencies and prerogatiues Nor haue I taken this taske vpon me out of supposition that England would haue lost her reputation if I had not traduced my selfe in these triuiall Tractates but meerely I protest to affront some humorists who as irresolute or ignorant thinke too slightly of our worth and in my owne hearing haue presumed to match petty Princes with vs against whom I dare maintaine that if there were such occasion the Voluntaries and idle disposed of our Country would goe in such troopes and in such a manner that we need neither pay customes for silkes out of Florence Genoa Leuca or some other of their principall states of Italy nor haue our store-houses empty of the marchandice of India or China As for the gold of Ophir though many thinke ancient mines may be exhausted oh that they might try their fortune I beleeue we should not need proclamations against exportation of our coine But better is better I haue commended the peace of Salomon as one of the cheefest parts of blessednes which the birth of our Sauiour ratified and the comming in of our King exampled and let it continue a Gods name with the spreading of the Cherbins ouer sanctum sanctorum and the shadow of the Almighty couer vs vntill we come to the port indeed of all comfort happines and securitie FINIS All nations loue their owne Countrey best 1 Strangers 2 Traueller 3 Bâ—…ereader 4 â—…me-bred discontents 5 Patisis 6 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Englâ—…nd commâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a c The firâ—… Monarâ—… of the 〈◊〉 as it is now made â—…rious TAVRVS hath many names Amazones Tartarians a new name Theft lawfull and vnlawfull Râ—…barb The third Empire of the world Diuers authours write of India and would include China as one Countrey India now intermingled with Christians 4. The fourth part of the worlds honour The 〈◊〉 Tyara The Persians aâ—…e You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fift parâ—… of the 〈◊〉 glory Countries Cities Riches His Conquests The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…me The conuersion of the Aethiopians Prester Iehan no Priest The seuenth share of the worlds 〈◊〉 Alexander and Cleonidas Northren regions Norway Swedia Denmarke How the Goths came into Italy The eighth part of the worlds brauery Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe Germanes haters of deceit Errors of Courtiers How Germany is neighbored Fooles may giue good counsell The ninth part of the earths glory Non 〈◊〉 vlâ—… Pâ—…s 〈◊〉 Inquisâ—… 1609. Eight kingdomes in Spaine America conquered The true Philosophers stone Italy diuided Countries Cities Rome Venice Millane Genoa Turine Pauy Padoa Cremona Verona Mantua Mirandula Ferrara Parma Bononia Rauenna Urbine Ancona Florence Pisa. Lâ—…uca Sâ—…a Naples The estate of Italy in tâ—…is modern age Naples Rome Florence Leuca Venice Modena Mantua Parma Millano Genoa Trent Piemont Saâ—…y descrâ—…d Mount Melian Aguabelle Geneua Pen men mawre in Wales The occurrences of Millane The 〈◊〉 in possâ—…ssion of Millane 1515. The Spaniard taketh part with Millane against the French The Spaniard by the Popes flattery looketh after Millane for himselfâ—… The Spaniard absolute ly possesseth Millane The Topography of France Galli of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gascoine Guienne Poictoy Aniou Brâ—…taigne Normandy I le of France Berry Limosin Languedock Prouence 〈◊〉 Loraine Boloigne Picardy The glory of the sâ—…uenteene Prouinces as moderne times esteem them Limburck Lutzenburg Henault Artois Namurs Brabant 〈◊〉 Gelderland Zutphen Zeland Holland Vtrech Freesland Groining The Low-Countries is lost by the Spanyard A generall commendation England Ireland Lemster Munster Conach Ulster I haue knowne of them deliuered in the morning march along with vs the same dâ—… Salomons royalty The dominion of the great Cham compared China farre short of Salomons happinesse India commeth short of a happy countrey The Maâ—…umetans are no way neere our example The cruell gouernment of the Turks amongst themselues Mustapha's story about Hyrena The lamentable tragedy of Mustapha Looke the Commentary and Lettere de principe in Italian The doctrin of the Deruices or mendicant Priests of Turkie This was in the time of Amurath the third Prince of Moldauia Mr Christopher Willoughby The Vinyard taken by the Maltasses Edward Conach The Viceer of Arabia The Turkish gouernment deficient in exemplary goodnesse or happines The story of Scanderbeg and why he was so called The degrees of the Turks 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beg in Turkish is great or honourable 7 The manners of Turks and their gouernment Their religion The comparison layd together 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The deâ—…cts of Russia 1588. The deâ—…cts of Aethiopia The merchandize from India and Aethiopia superfluous things and such as we neede not The imperfect condition of Germany The Emperor Charles the fift despised for his meane habit The mangled prosperity of Italy Diuers particulars concerning Italies glory disreputation Spaine wanteth many things to come neere our example Beautifull womâ—…n As the blessings of France are abused it cannot equall our comparison The law salicke in France against the law of â—…od and nations The glory of England both abroad and at home The glory of England at home The happinesse of our countrey London and Paris comâ—… Constantinople described and compared with London Why Seralio Venice described and compared with London Common places against idolatry yea the vaine erecting of images Reasons why we should not commit â—…iolatry The foolish excuse of Idolaters Romish Idols Wherein the Greeke Church is farre from true religion The greatnesse of the Creeke Church The precedency of the Greeke Church Gregory surnamed the Great Nauclerus The verity of the Greek Church The corruptions and abuses of the Romish Church The story of a conuerted Iew. The story of a Turck concerning his opinion of Rome The story of the olde woman at Strasborogh Irish deuotion The Kings of England haue exceeded for many memorable vertues and actions other Princes England the auntientest vnited kingdome of Europe The Husbandmen are happier in England then in other nations Banditi 〈◊〉 Contadino Pesant Boore Churle Yeoman Trarcklin or Former â—…man No nation euer came neere vs for so many and good ships The Marchant of England surpasseth all other Nations A glory worthy all obseruation