by D. Frederick of Galeazzo Malateste for thirteen hundred Florins of gold 5. Cabo or Cagli on the Sea 6. S. Leon a good Town and the chief of the Country of Montfeltre which is a limb of this Dukedom 7. Eugubium or Augubio of which nothing famous or remarkable Of the Castles the principall are Marivola and the Rock of S. Leon which were the last that held good for Duke Guidos Baldo against Caesar Borgia Duke of Valentinoys sonne to Pope Alexander the sixt and the first which did return again under his obedience For which cause when he fled the second time from the said Borgia he dismantled all his other Castles as being more likely to admit than resist the Invader and these two last being very well fortified he left to keep possession of the Countrey for him Here is also within the limits of this Estate the Dukedom of CAMERINE an antient and well peopled Town of a strong naturall situation amongst the hills an Estate holden of the Church by the noble Family of di Varena till the time of Pope Paul the third when Julia di Varena the heir hereof conveyed it by Mariage unto Guido Ubaldi Duke of Urbin But the Pope pretending an Escheat for want of heirs males made himself Master of it by force of Arms and gave it to his sonne Piero Farnesi whom afterwards with the consent of the College of Cardinalls he made Duke of Parma and setled Camerine on the Church as it still continues In the time of Conradin the last Duke of Schwaben Urbine was first subdued by the Earls of Montfeltre whose Successors increasing in power added the Town and Territory of Eugubio to it And in the bustles betwixt Lewis of Bavaria the Emperor and Pope Clement the sixt Ano. 1345. Gelasso di Montfeltre held it by no other Title but as the Emperors Vicegerent This Family injoyed it till the yeer 1444. by the Title onely of Earls of Montfeltre and Lords of Urbine when Frederick Ubaldi for his singular and surpassing valour was by Pope Eugenius the fourth created the first Duke hereof A man of such repute for all gallant qualities that he was by King Henry the sixt made Knight of the Garter in recompence of which high honour the English to this day injoy many privileges in these Dominions Guido Ubaldi this Dukes sonne lost his Estate to Caesar Borgia after whose death he did recover it again by the power and favour of Pope Julio the second to whom succeeded Francisco Maria di Rovero his sisters sonne in whose Family it still continues as will appear by this ensuing Catalogue of The Dukes of Urbine 1 Frederick Ubaldi of the antient Family de Monte feltro the first Duke of Urbine and one of the Knights of the honourable Order of the Garter 2 Ghido Ubaldi sonne of Frederick for a while outed of this Dukedom by Caesar Borgia He was Knight also of the Garter 3 Francisco Maria de la Rovero sisters sonne and next heir to Guido Ubaldi was in his own right Lord of Senogallia and had Pisaâ—ro from the Pope in reward of his many services done unto the Church disseized for a while by Pope Leo the tenth 4 Lawrence de Medices Father of Catharine di Medices the French Queen and of Alexander the first Duke of Florence was for a while made Duke of Urbine by Pope Leo the tenth being of that Family but lost it shortly after to Duke Francisco who after the death of Pope Leo recovered his Estates again and died possessed of the Dukedom Guido Ubaldi II. sonne of Duke Francisco 6 Francisco Maria II. sonne of Guido the second The Revenues of this Dukedom are said to be 100000 Crowns per annum but might be raised to a greater sirm did not the Duke prefer the love and ease of his Subjects before the filling of his own coffers He is able to raise 1200. good Souldiers out of his Estate and more his people would supply if he had occasion The Arms hereof Azure a Tower Argent environed with Flower de Lyces Or. Here are in this Dukedom Arch-bishops 10. Bishops 3. The Seigneury of VENICE WEst of the Lands of the Church from Romandiola to the Alpes lie the Italian Provinces of the State of VENICE that is to say Marca Trevigiana Friuli Histria and some Ilands in the Golf neer the City it self Besides which it containeth a great part of Dalmatia together with the Ilands Candie Corfu Cephalonia Zant Ithaca Cithera and certain others of less note The length of their Dominions both by Sea and Land extending above a thousand miles but the breadth not answerable The nature of the soyl and the principall Rivers which refresh it we shall see anon in the description of the Provinces before mentioned according to which Provinces and the chief Cities of them the Character of the people is best taken it being said proverbially by the Italians that the Venetians themselves are stately crafty and greedy the Veronians studious and faithfull the Paduans fierce the Vincentians eager on Revenge those of Friulâ— gratefull and inconstant those of Histria neither long-livers nor of very great courage That in the conduct of a war those of Venice bring silver those of Treviso swords that the Brescians are fit to dig in trenches those of Bergomo to lay Ambushes those of Padua to manage Horses And of the women it is said that those of Crema are deceitfull those of Venice insolent those of Venice insolent those of Vincentia constant those of Verona gracious those of Treviso jealous those of Brescia diligent and the Bergomasques crafty But not to dally longer in these Proverbiall Characters certain it is that the Venetians themselves do affect a great deal of gravitie in their actions speak very little at the Table very severe where they have authority and many times in the excess And yet such is the constant temper of their Government and their impartiality in doing Justice that they are very wel obeyed and generally well beloved of all their subjects notwithstanding the heavy pressures which are layd upon them is wel in Italie as without Esteemed in former times good souldiers both by Sea and Land maintaining wars continually with the Turks in Palestine the Emperors of Constantinople in Greece it self the Genoese by sea and their neighbours of Italie in this Continent But of late times they have more studied to preserve than inlarge their Dominions and that too by rather expence of mony than the loss of blood and by wit rather than by valour So fortunate in this last kind of practice that Machiavel observed of them in his time that whatsoever they lost by War they recovered by Treatie A pregnant evidence whereof we shall see anon To proceed now to the description of such of the Provinces and Estates of this Common-wealth as pass under the accompt of Italie they are as before was said 1. Marca Trevigiana 2. Friuli 3. Histria 4. the Italian
situation more amongst the Mountains had also the name of Galilea Gentium or Galilee of the Gentiles And that either because it lay betwixt the Gentiles and the rest of the Iews or because a great part of it had been gâ—ven by Solomon to the Kings of Tyre But for what cause soever it was called so first certain it is it had this name unto the last known by it in the time of the Apostles as appeareth by Saint Matthews Gospel chap. 4. ver 15. The Lower Galilee is situate on the South of the other memorable for the birth and Education of our blessed Saviour whom Iulian the Apostata called for this cause in scorn the Galilean as for the same the Disciples Generally had the name of Galileans imposed upon them till that of Christian being a name of their own choosing did in fine prevail Both or the greater part of both known in the New Testament by the name of Decapolis or Regio Decapolitant mentioned Mat. 4. 25. Mark 7. 31. So called from the ten principal Cities of it that is to say 1. Caesarea Philippi 2. Aser 3. Cedes-Nepthalim 4. Sephet 5. Chorazim 6. Capernaum 7. Bethsaiâ—â— 8. Jotopata 9. Tiberias and 10. Scythopolis By which accompt it stretched from the Mediteranean to the head of Jordan East and West and from Libanus to the hills of Gilboa North and South which might make up a square of forty miles With reference to the Tribes of Israel the whole Galilee was so disposed of that Aser Nepthalim and a part of the tribe of Dan had their habitation in the Higher Zabulom and Issachar in the Lower according to which distribution we will now describe them 1. The Tribe of NAPHTHALI was so called from NAPHTHALI the sixt Sonne of Jacob begotten on Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel of whom at their first muster were found 53400 fighting men and at the second 44540 able to bear armes The land alotted to them lay on the West-side of the River Jordan opposite to the Northen parts of Ituraea where before we left having on the East the Tribe of Aser and that of Zabulun on the South Within which tract were certain Cities which they never conquered and one which appertained to the Tribe of Dan the chief of those which were with-holden by the Gentiles being Chalcis Abila Heliopolis Cities accompted of as belonging to Coele-Syria where they have been spoken of already That which did appertain to the Tribe of DAN lay on the North-east part hereof confronting the most Northen parts of Ituraea as before was said where the Danites held one Town of moment besides many others of less note And it seemed destined to this Tribe by some old presage the Eastern fountain of Jordan which hath its originall in this tract being called Dan at the time of the defeat which Abraham gave to Cherdor laomer and his Associates hundreds of years before this Tribe had ever a possession in it Of which see Gen. 14. v. 14. The Town of moment first called Leshem by some Writers Laish afterwards subject or allied to the Kings of Sidon and upon strength thereof made good against those of Naphthali but taken by some Adventurers of the Tribe of Dan. Of whom it is said Josuah 19. 47. that finding their own Countrey too little for them they went up and fought against Leshem which they took and called D A N. Accompted after this exploit the utmost bound Northward of the land of Cantan the length thereof being measured from Dan in the North unto Beersheba in the South remarkable for one of the Golden Calves which was placed here by Ieroboam and for the two spring-heads of Iordan rising neer unto it When conquered by the Romans it was called Paneas from a fountain adjoining of that name which with the territory about it after the death of Zenodorus who held it of the Roman Empire as before is said was given by Augustus Caesar unto Herod the Great and by him at his decease to Philip his youngest Sonne with the Tetrarchy of Ituraea and Trachonitis By him repaired and beautified it was called Caesarea Philippi partly to curry favour with Tiberius Caesar partly to preserve the memory of his own name and partly to distinguish it from another Caesarea situate on the shores of the Mediterranean and called Caesarea Palestinae and being so repaired by him it was made the Metropolis of that Tetrarchy Mentioned by that name Mat. 16. 13. when Saint Peter made that confession or acknowledgement of his Lord and Master That he was CHRIST the Sonne of the living God By King Agrippa who succeeded him in his estates in honour of the Emperour Nerâ— it was called Neronia But that and the Adjunct of Philippi were of no continuance the Town being called Caesarea Paneaa in the time of Ptolomy and simply Paneas as before in the time of Saint Hierome Of this Caesarea was tha woman whom our Saviour cured of a bloody Flux by touching but the hem of his garment who in a pious gratitude of so great a mercy erected two Statuaes in this place representing CHRIST and her self kneeling at his feet remaining here entire till the time of Iulian the Apostata by whose command it was cast down and a Statua of his own set up in the place thereof miraculously destroyed by a fire from heaven the City being at that time and long time before an Episcopal See Of less note there were 1. Haleb and 2. Reccath both situate in the confines of it And not far off the strong Town and Castle of 3. Magdala the habitation as some say of Mary Magdalen where the Pharisees desired a signe of our Saviour CHRIST as is said Mat. 15. 39. and 16. 1. the same or some place neer unto it being by Saint Mark reporting the same part of the Story called Dalmanutha chap. 8. 10. 11. But whether this Castle did antiently belong to these Danites or to those of Naphthali or to the Half Tribe of Manasses beyond the River I am not able to determine Of those which were in the possession of the Tribe of NAPHTHALI the Cities of most eminent observation were 1. Hazor or Azor by Junius and Tremelius called Chatzâ—â—â— the Regal City and Metropolis of all the Canaanites memorable for the Rendez-vous of 24. Canaamâ—â— Kings in the war with Joâ—uah by whom it was taken notwithstanding and burnt to ashes But being afterwards re-built it became the Regal Seat of Jabin the King of the Canaanites who so grievously for the space of 20. years afflicted Israel till vanquished by Deborah and Barak Destroyed in that warre and repaired by Solomon it continued in so good estate in our Saviours time that it was then one of the ten Cities of Decapolis in being still but known by the name of Antiopta 2. Cape naum seated on the River Jordan where it falleth into the Sea of Galilee of which Country it was accompted the Metropolis in the time of our Saviour with whose presence
having almost as many Soveraign Kings as Provinces Most of them Homagers perhaps to the Kings of the house of Tamerlane and those who afterwards succeeded in the Title of Kings of Persia of the Turcoman or Armenian Dynasty not yet reduced unto this Grown notwithstanding the great and prosperous successes of the Sophtan Family But for the Kings of the race of Tamerlane who only in their times had the honour to be called Kings of Persia and well enough content with that such as they were we find them in this order following 1405. 10. Mirza Charok the fourth sonne of Tamerlane succeeded by his appointment in the Realm of Persia 1447. 11. Oleghbeg sonne of Mirza Charok vanquished and slain by his own sonne 1450. 12. Abdalatise slain not long after by his own Souldiers 1451. 13. Abdula the sonne of Oleghbeg and brother of Abdalatife vanquished by 1453. 14. Abusaid II. descended from Moroncha the third sonne of Tamerlane succeeded on the death of Abdula 1461. 15. Zeuzes whom some call Jooncha others Malaonchres discomfited and slain in battel by Ussan-Cassanes Anno 1472. which was about 70 years from the death of Tamerlane The seventh Dynasty of the Turcoman or the Armenian race of the Kings of Persia 1472. 1. Vssan-Cassanes by some called Asymbeius by others more truely Ozem-Azembec was the sonne of Tracheton one of those poor Armenian or Turcoman Princes dispossessed by Baiazet the first and restored by Tamerlane Encroaching on his neighbours he was warned to desist by Zeuzes the Persian King with whom encountring in a pitched field he overcame him and got that Kingdome by the victory 1478. 2. Jacub the second sonne of Ussan-Cassanes having put by his elder Brother attained the Throne and repulsed the Mamalucks out of Mesopotamia and Assyria which they had invaded He was after poisoned by his wife 1490. 3. Julaver a Kins-man of Jacubs succeeded him in the estate which he held only three years and then left it to 1493. 4. Barsinger a Prince of the same blood who living in adultery with the wife of Jacub had conspired his death 2. 1495. 5. Rustan assaulted by Atder or Secaider of the Sophian faction who then began to be of power 1498. 6. Alamat or Hagaret the last King of this Turcoman or Armenian race first vanquished Secaider at the battel of Derbent and cut off his head but was after overthrown and slain by Hysmacl the sonne of Aider upon the quarrell and occasion which here followeth Mahomet the Impostor and first Emperour of the Saracens by his last Will and Testament bequeathed the succession into that Estate to Hali his neer Kins-man and the Husband of Fatime his Eldest Daughter But Abubezar Haumar and Osmen three powerfull men and the Chief Commanders of the Army in the time of Mahomet successively followed one another in the Supreme Dignity After their death Hali enjoyed that honour for a little while supplanted first and afterwards vanquished and slain by Muhavias a great man of warre who succeeded in it and to secure himself therein slew Hasem or Ossan the sonne of Hali and eleven of the sonnes of that Ossan the twelt called Musa Ceredine escaping with life From him descended lineally one Guine the Lord of Ardoville in Media who considering that their had been no Caliph in long time before began to plot the establishing of that high honour in his own family as the right Heirs to it A man of so great reputation amongst the people that Tamerlane having made a conquest of Persia thought it no dishonour to his greatness to bestow a friendly visit on him Dying he left his hopes and projects to his sonne called Atder who afterwards for the purity of Religion pretended by him had the adjunct of Tzophy the word so signifying in that language who also proved of such esteem and power with all sorts of men that Ussan-Cassanes the first King of the Armenian or Turcoman race thought fit to make him Husband unto one of his Daughters But on the contrary Jacub the sonne of Vssan and some of his Successours seeing him grow unto such power and estimation with the common people and fearing what he could do and not what he would do endeavoured to depress him by all means that might be Which he not able to remedy as the Case then stood practised to adde unto his party under the popular pretence of reforming things that were amiss in their Religion and grew so powerfull in the end that he gave battel unto Restan and Alamat the two last Kings of the former race But Alamat having got the victory caused him to be slain and delivered Hysmael and Solyman his two sonnes into the hands of Amazar a chief Commander of his own by him to be kept in perpetual prison But Amazar a man of a more ingenuous disposition afforded them not only liberty but also good education insomuch that Hysmael Sophi a towardly young Gentleman undertook revenge for the death of his Father which work he fulfilled having overcome and slain King Alamat and his sonne Elvan After this victory he being crowned King or Shaugh of Persia altered the form of Religion making Hali and himfelf the true Successors of Mahomet but condemning Abubezer Haumar and Osmen with the Turks as rebells and Schismaticks Hence proceeded the divers warres which to the Persians loss have hapned between them and the Turks the Persians burning whatsoever book or Monument they find concerning those three and the Turks holding it more meritorious to kill one Persian than seventy Christians Surius in his Commentaries writing purposely of the Acts of Hysmaâ—â— saith that the Jews on some fond conceit were perswaded that he was the Messiah they had so long looked for But it proved quite contrary there never being Prince that more vexed and grieved them The eighth Dynasty or Sophian race of the Kings of Persia 1505. 1. Hysmael Sophi the founder of this Family overthrown by Selimus the first in the Calderan fields 20. 1525. 2. Tamas the Sonne of Hysmael vanquished by Solyman the Magnificent who took from him the Countries of Chaldea Assyria and Mesopotamia with some part of Media 53. 1578. 3. Aider the second sonne of Tamas obtained the Kingdome imprisoning his elder brother but his cruelty being much feared he was made away by the practice of Periancona his own Sister having reigned only 15 daies 4. Hysmael II. eldest sonne of Tamas restored unto his Fathers Throne but murdered with the privity of his Sister also who found him of too rough a nature for her to govern having reigned neer two years 1579. 5. Mahomet Codabanda advanced unto the throne by his Sisters faction as being of a milder and more tractable nature at his first entrance caused her to be beheaded for the former murders During his time not fully setled in the State Amurath the 2d by his Lieutenants won from him almost all Armenia Media and great part of Georgia 7. 1585. 6. Abas the second sonne of
Earls of Burgundy being meerly Officiall It was first united to the Dutchy by the mariage of D. Eudes with Ioan the Countess But no issue coming of this bed it fell into the house of Flanders and with the Heir of Flanders unto Philip the Hardie the first Duke hereof of the Royall Race of Valois Anno 1369. Philip the Grand-child of this Philip united most of the Belgick Provinces unto his Estate after whose death and the death of Charles his Sonne at the battell of Nancie the Dutchie was surprized by King Lewis the 11th as holden of the Crown of France escheated to him for want of Heirs males But the Countie holden of the Empire though subdued also by this Lewis was restored again to Mary the Daughter and Heir of Charles continuing hitherto in her issue as appears evidently by this Catalogue of The Earls of Burgundie 1001. 1 Otho Guillaume the first Earl of Burgundy by the power and aid of Robert King of France 1118. 2 Reinald Cousin and Heir of Otho 1157 3 Frederick Barbarâ—ssa Emperour in right of Beatrix his wife Daughter of Earl Reynald 1183. 4 Otho the youngest Sonne of Frederick 1200 5 Otho II. Duke of Meranis and Earl of Burgundie in right of Beatrix his Wife the Daughter of Otho the first 1208 6 Stephen Earl of Chalons next Heir of Gerard of Vienne and Joan his Wife Daughter of Otho the first 1204 7 John the Sonne of Stephen de Chalons 1269 8 Hugh the Sonne of John â—270 9 Othelin the Sonne of Hugh Earl of Artoys in right of Maud his Wife Daughter of Robert Earl of Artoys 1315 10 Philip the Long King of France in right of Ioan his Wife Daughter and Heir of Othalin 1331 11 Eudes Duke of Burgundie Husband of Ioan of France the eldest Daughter of King Philip the Long and Ioan the Countess 1349 12 Philip Duke and Earl of Burgundie Grand-child of Eudes and Ioan his Wife by their Sonne Philip. 1361. 13 Margaret the Widow of Lewis Earl of Flanders and second Daughter of Philip the Long and Ioan the Countels was Countess of Burgundie and Artois after the death of her Cosin Philip. 14 Lewis de Malain Earl of Flanders by his Father and of Burgundie and Artois by his Mother 1369. 15 Philip the Hardie Duke of Burgundie by the gift of his Brother Charles the 5th and Earl of Burgundie Flanders and Artois in right of Margaret his Wife sole Daughter of Lewis de Malain 1404. 16 Antony the Proud Duke and Earl of Burgundie 1419. 17 Philiy the Good Duke and Earl of Burgundie 1467. 18 Charles the Warlike Duke and Earl of Burgundie 1475. 19 Mary the Daughter of Charles maried to Maximillan of Austria Sonne of Frederick the 3d Emperour of Germany in which honour he succeeded his Father 1482 20 Philip the IV. Sonne of Mary and Maximilian King of Castile and Aragon in right of his Wife Ioan Daughter to â—erdinand and Isabel Kings of Castile c. 1506 21 Charles the Sonne of Philip King of Spain and Emperour of Germany by the name of Charles the fiâ—t 1558. 22 Philip the II. of Spain and V. of Burgundie 23 Philip the III of Spaine and VI. of Burgundie 23 Philip the IV. of Spaine and VII of Burgundie in whom resteth the possession of the 〈◊〉 of Burgundie and the Earldom of Charolois herein not troubled by the 〈◊〉 for feâ—â— of giving offence to the Cantons of Switzerland upon whom it bordereth jealous enough already of the greatness and power of France and so not likely to admit such a porent Neighbour The Armes of this Earldom are Azure a Lyon rampant Or Seme of Billets Argent 20 The ILANDS in the AQUITAINE and GALLICK OCEAN HAving thus took a view of the severall Provinces within the Continent of France let us next look upon the ILANDS which belong unto it dispersed in the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Ocean Those in the Mediterranean Sea are of little note as the Isles of Ere 's and 2 Pomegnes lying against Provence 3 Maguelone lying against Languedoc and 4 L' Anguillade betwixt both at the moutâ— of the Rhosne of which there is nothing to be said but that those of Ere 's are thought to be the ostocchades of Ptolomie and his Blascon to be Anguillade And of as little note in the Western Ocean are Belle-Isle against Vannes in Bretangne the Isle de Deiu having in it two or three good Villages Marmostier plentifull in Salt and beautified with a Monastery called the White Abbie Those of most note are 1 Oleroâ— and 2 Ree on the coast of Aquitaine and those of 3 Jarsey 4 Gernsey 5 Sark and 6 Alderney on the shores of Normandy Of which the four last are under the Kings of England the rest possessed by the French 1 OLERON is an Iland situate over against the Province of Xaintoigne and South unto the Isle of Ree from which little distant It is the biggest of the two and makes yeerly very great quantitie of Salt wherewith most of the Provinces on the Western Ocean use to be furnished But it is easie of access and not very defensible which makes it of lesse note both in antient and modern stories The principall Town of it is called Oleron by the name of the Iland One thing there is for which indeed this Iland is of speciall fame and that is that the Marine Lawes which for neer 500 years have generally been received by all the States of the Christian World which frequent the Ocean the Rhodian Lawes being antiquated and worn out of use for regulating of Sea affairs and deciding of Maritime Controversies were declared and established here and from hence called the Lawes of Oleron And here they were declared and established by King Rich. the first of England as Lord Paramount of the Seas immediately on his return from the Holy Land this Iland being then in his possession as a Member of his Dukedom of Aquitaine Quae quidem Leges Statutaper Dominum Richardum quondam Regem Angliae in redditu suo à Terra Sancta correcta fuerunt interretata declarata et in Insula de Oleron publicata et nominata in Gallica Lingua La Loy d' Oleron c. saith an old Record which I find cited in a M. S. Discourse of my late learned Friend Sir Iohn Burroughs once Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London but afterwards Principall King of Arms by the name of Garter entituled The Soveraignty of the British Seas So powerfull were the Kings of England in the former times as to give Lawes to all that traded on the Ocean 2 The Isle of R E is situate over against Rochell to which it served for an Out-work on that side thereof It is in length ten English miles and about half as much in bredth well fortified with deep marishes at the entries of it to which the many Salt-pits every where intermingled adde a very great strength Chief places in it
Roman Emâ—ire or that of the Sultans under the Mahometan Caliphs and the Vice-Roys of the old Egyptian Pharaohs An office which had been born by the Ancestors of this Martel ever since the reign of Clotaire the second in whose time the Palatine or Mayre was one Arnulphus descended lineally from Vâ—ilo the second Sonne of Adalgerio the first King of the Boiarians or Bavarians Which Vtilo being a military Prince and having done good service to Theodorick the first King of Austrasia or Mets against the Danes then grievously infesting the Coasts of the Lower-Germany was by him made Warden of those Marches and honoured with the mariage of his Daughter Clotilde and liberally endowed with fair possessions in this tract The fourth from Vtilo was this Arunlph the first Mayre of this house which Office having long enjoyed he resigned it to Ansegisus his eldest Sonne the first who drew unto himself the Managery of the whole Estate and bidding farewell to the affairs of the World became a Priest and dyed a Bishop of Mets Anno 641. Afterwards Canonized a Saint Ansegisus dying in the year 679. left his authority and Office to his Nephew Martin Sonne of Ferdulphus his younger Brother But he being slain by Ebroinus one of the Competitors who a while enjoyed it Pepin surnamed the Pat Sonne of Ansegisus revenging his Cozins death upon Ebronius and crushing all the opposite factions which were raised against him obtained that honour for himself And having much advanced the affairs of France by the conquest of the Sueves and Frisons died in the year 714. Succeeded to in this great Office after his decease for Grimold his only lawfull Sonne and Theobalaus the Sonne of Grimold whom he had successively substituted in the same died not long before him by Charles his natural Son begotten on Albieda his Concubine from his martiall prowess called Martel Who in his time did to the Kings of France great service especially in routing that vast Army of the Moores and Saracens in the battel of â—ours before mentioned thereby not only freeing France from the present danger but adding Languedâ—c to the Crown formerly in possession of the Gothes and Moores for which he was created Duke or Prince of the French yet would he not usurp the Kingdom or the title of King though both at his disposall wholly it being his ordinary Saying that he had rather Rule a King than be one To him succeeded Caroloman his eldest Sonne Anno 741. who held the office but a year and then left it to his Brother Pepin Who being of less moderation than his Father was made such use of his power that partly by that means and partly under colour of an election confirmed by Pope Zacharie the first he took the Kingdom to himself and the unfortunate King Chilperick had his powle shaven and was thrust into a Monasterie For this investiture both Pepin and Charles his Son did many good services for the Popes destroying on their quarrel the Kingdom of the Lombaerds and giving them most of the Lands which formerly belonged unto the Exrohs of Ravenna And on the other side the Popes to requite these curtesies confirm'd the former in this Kingdom by their Papal Power which then began to bear some sway in the Christian World and gave the last besides the opportunity of attaining the Western Empire the Title of Most Christian King continued ever since unto his Successors And to say truth he well deserved those honours and had they been farr greater by many victories obtained against the Enemies of rhe Gospel the several Heathens by his means converted to the Faith of Christ the great abilities he had of estate and judgement inabling him to support the Majestie of the Roman Empire For he not only was sole Monarch of the Kingdom of France not parcelled out as formerly and in times succeeding into several petit Kingdoms and Principalities but had added thereunto by his own proper vertue the greatest part of Italie the best part of Germany all Belgium the two Pannonia's and a great part of Spain But this vast Empier falling into weak hands which were not able enough to manage it decaied in as little time as it was in raising partly by the unnaturall Ambition of the Sonnes of King Lewis the Godly the next Successor of this Charles who to make themselves all Kings first deposed their Father and then divided his Estate amongst them into the Kingdoms of Italy Burgundy France Lorrain and Germany four of which falling at last into the hands of strangers ceased to be French and passed into such Famlies as proved the greatest enemies of the Crown of France partly by alienating the best and goodliest Provinces of France it self never again united till these later dayes which made the French Kings less considerable both at home and abroad which we have touched upon before and partly by the weakness and unworthiness of the Kings of this race there being no question to be made but Lewis the Stammering Charles the Balâ— the Gross and the Simple would have found better Attributes if they had deserved them For by this means the issue of this brave Prince grew so despicable in the eys of their Subjects that first Eudes the Sonne of Robert Duke of Anjou and after Rodolph Duke of Burgundy the Vncle of Eudes both of the race of Witikindus the last Prince of the Saxons and consequently both Aliens to the House of Charles possessed themselves severally of the Kingdom And though they did not hold it long being depressed and overborn by their opposite factions yet did they lay a fair ground for Hugh Capet to build his hopes on Who being Sonne of Hugh the Great Constable of France and Earl of Paris the Sonne of Robert Duke of Anjou younger Brother of Eudes and neer kinsman of Rodolphe never left practising his party in the Realm of France till he had got possession of the Regall Diadem wherewith two Princes of his house had been invested formerly by the like Elections But for the Kings of this second Race founded by two brave Princes but on the unjust grounds of an usurpation they are these that follow The second race of the Kings of France of the Carolovinian or Boiarian Line A. Ch. 151. 1 Pepin the Sonne of Charles Martel succeeded in the Office of Mayre Anno 742 and having got the Regal Crown vanquished the Lombards made the Boiarians tributarie and crushed the Saxons 18. 769. 2 Charles surnamed the Great the Sonne of Pepin subdued the Kingdoms of the Lombards and Saxons conquered the Boiarians and Avares and vanquished the Saracens of Spain Crowned Emperour of the West upon Christmas day by Pope Leo the third Anno 800 46. 815. 3 Lewis the Godly Sonne of Charles King of France and Emperour the last sole Monarch of the French deposed by his ambitious and unnaturall Sonnes the Empire of the French after his decease being divided into the Kingdoms of Italie Bâ—rgundie Germanie
the Crown of England by the power of the Sword from the true Heirs of Edmund the 2d surnamed Ironside and that his Successors had enjoyed it by no other Title till Queen Elizabâ—ths death yet Iames the first Monarch of Great Britain succeeded by a right descent from the Saxon Line without relation to the Conquest of the Norman Bastard 8 William the Brother of Malcolm the 4th and Nephew of David before mentioned by his Sonne Prince Henry who died in the life of his Father being taken Prisoner at the Battail of Alnwick did Homage to King Henry the 2d for the Crown of Scotland and was thereupon restored to his Liberty and his Realm to peace What doth occur concerning the succeeding Kings when their Affairs with England and the World abroad became more considerable we shall see anon In the mean time proceed we to the Storie of Machbâ—th than which for variety of Action and strangeness of events I never met with any more pleasing The Storie in brief is thus Duncan King of the Scots had two principall men whom he employed in all matters of importance Machbeth and Banquho These two travelling together through a Forrest were met by three Fairâ—es Witches Weirds the Scots call them whereof the first making obeysance unto Machbeth saluted him Thane a Title unto which that of Earl afterward succeeded of Glammis the second Thane of Cawder and the third King of Scotland This is unequall dealing saith Banquho to give my Friend all the Honours and none unto me to whom one of the Weirds made answer That he indeed should not be King but out of his loyns should come a Race of Kings that should for ever rule the Scots And having thus said they all suddenly vanished Vpon their arrivall to the Court Machbeth was immediatly created Thane of Glammis not long after some new service of his requiring new recompence he was honoured with the title of Thane of Cawder Seeing then how happily the prediction of the three Weirds fell out in the two former he resolved not to be wanting to himself in fulfilling the third and therefore first he killed the King and after by reason of his command among the Souldiers and common people he succeeded in his Throne Being scarce warm in his seat he called to mind the prediction given to his Companion Banqubo whom hereupon suspecting as his supplanter he caused him to be killed together with his whole Posterity Fleance one of his Sonnes escaping only with no small difficulty into Wales Freed as he thought from all fear of Banquho and his issue he built Dunsinan Castle and made it his ordinary seat and afterwards on some new fears consulting with certain of his Wizards about his future Estate was told by one of them that he should never be overcome till Bernane Wood being some miles distant came to Dunsinan Castle and by another that he should never be slain by any man which was born of a woman Secure then as he thought from all future dangers he omitted no kind of libidinous cruelty for the space of 18 yeers for so long he tyrannized over Scotland But having then made up the measure of his Iniquities Mac-duffe the Governor of Fife associating to himself some few Patriots equally hated by the Tyrant and abhorring the Tyrannie privily met one Evening at Bernane Wood and taking every one of them a Bough in his hand the better to keep them from Discovery marched early in the morning towards Dunsinan Castle which they took by Scalado Macbeth escaping was pursued by Mac-duffe who having overtaken him urged him to the combat to whom the Tyrant half in scorn returned this Answer That he did in vain attempt to kill him it being his destinie never to be slain by any that was born of a Woman Now then said Mac-duffe is thy fatall end drawing fast upon thee for I was never born of Woman but violently cut out of my Mothers belly which words so daunted the cruell Tyrant though otherwise a valiant man and of great performances that he was very easily slain and Malcolm Conmor the true Heir of the Crown seated in the Throne In the mean time Fleance so prospered in Wales that he gained the affection of the Princes Daughter of that Countrey and on her begat a Sonne called Walter who flying out of Wales returned into Scotland and his descent once known he was not only restored to the Honours and Estates of his Ancestors but preferred to be Steward of the House of Edgar the Sonne of Malcolm the third surnamed Conmor the name of Stewart growing hence hereditary unto his Posterity From this Walter descended that Robert Stewart who succeeded David Bruce in the kingdom of Scotland the Progenitor of nine Kings of the name of Stewart which have Reigned successively in that kingdom But it is now time to leave off particulars and look into the generall Succession of The Kings of the Scots before the Conquest of the Picts 424. 1 Fergus 2 Eugenius 449. 3 Dongal 4 Constantine 5 Congall 6 Goran 7 Eugenius II. 8 Congall II. 9 Kinnatel 10 Aidan 604 11 Kenneth 12 Eugenius III. 622 13 Ferchard 14 Donald 15 Ferchard II. 16 Malduine 17 Eugenius IV. 18 Eugenius V. 19 Amberkeleth 20 Eugenius VI. 21 Mordac 730 22 Etfinus 23 Eugenius VII 24 Fergus II. 25 Solvathius 26 Achaius 809 27 Congall III. 28 Dongall II. 29 Alpine slain in a Battail by the Picts in pursuit of his quarrell for that kingdom pretended to belong unto him in Right of his Mother Sister and Heir of Hungius the last King thereof 30 Kenneth II. Sonne of Alpine who utterly subdued and destroyed the Picts extending extending thereby the Scotish Kingdom from one Sea to the other over all the bounds of modern Scotland of which deservedly accounted the first Monarch the Founder of the new Succession of The Kings of the Scots after the Conquest of the Picts A. Ch. 839. 1 Kenneth II. the first sole King of all Scotland 17. 856. 2 Donald II. Brother of Kenneth the 2d 862. 3 Constantin II. Sonne of Kenneth the 2d 875. 4 Ethus Brother of Constantin the 2d 890. 5 Donald III. Sonne of Constantin the 2d 903. 6 Constantin III. 30. 933. 7 Malcolm Sonne of Donald the 3d. 949. 8 Iâ—gulph an Intrnder 12. 961. 9 Duffe Sonne of Malcolm 1. 961. 10 Kenneth III. Brother of Duffe 994. 11 Constantin IV. an Intruder against the Law and Line of Kenneth the 3d. 1004. 12 Malcolm II. Sonne of Kenneth the 3d. opposed by Gâ—ime the Nephew of Duffe 1035. 13 Duncan Sonne of Grime succeeded Malcolm the 2d dying without issue 1040. 14 Macbeth the Tyrant and Vsurper 1057. 15 Malcolm III. Sonne of Duncan 2096. 16 Donald IV. surnamed Ban Brother of Malcolm the 3d. 1098. 17 Edgar Sonne of Malcolm the 3d. 1107. 18 Alexander Brother of Edgar 1124. 19 David Brother of Alexander 1133. 20 Malcolm Sonne of David 1166. 21 William Brother of Malcolm the 4th
In her time Charls surnamed the Great was by the Pope and people of Rome created Emperour of the West For the Popes knowing their own greatnesse to grow out of the ruines of the temporall power committed the Empire of the West unto the French Princes whereby the Greek Emperours became much weakened and the French being the Popes creatures were in tract of time brought to their devotion In following times when Frederick Barbarossa was by Pope Alexander the 3. pronounced non-Emperour Emanuel of Constantinople sued for a re union of the Empires but the crafty Pope returned this answer Non licere illi conjungere quae majores ejus de industria disjunxerunt Let no man presume to joyn what the God of Rome the Pope hath put asunder 803 32 Nicephorus a Patritian made Emperour by the souldiers perswaded that Irene had made choise of him to be her successour slaine in a pitcht field against the Bulgarians 812 33 Michael surnamed Curopalates from his office the Mayre of the Palace as it were husband to Procopia the daughter of Nicephorus assumed the Empire which finding his own weaknesse he did soone relinquish and betooke himselfe unto a Monasterie 814 34 Leo V. surnamed Armenius from his Country Generall of the horse to Michael demolished the images which his predecessour had set up slain in the Church during the time of divine service 821 35 Michael II. surnamed Balbus having murdered Leo assumed the Empire unfortunate in his government and dyed of madnesse 830 36 Theophilus the son of Michael Balbus an enemy of images like his father and as unfortunate as he losing many battels to the Saracens at last dyed of melancholy 842 37 Michael III. son of Theophilus first with his mother Theodora who took unto her self the supreme command and after of himself sole Emperour his mother being made a Nun. 866 38 Basilius surnamed Macedo from the place of his birth made consort in the Empire by Michael the son of Theophilus whom he basely and treacherously murdered killed casually by a Stag. 886 39 Leo VI. for his learning surnamed Philosophus the son of Basilius a vigilant and provident Prince most of his time with variable successe spent against the Bulgarians 912 40 Constantine VI. commonly called the VII son of Leo Philosophus first under his uncle Alexander next under Zoe his mother and after under Romanus Lacopenus governed the Empire by which last so miserably depressed that he was fain to get his livelyhood by painting But Lacopenus being deposed and turned into a Monasterie by his own sons Consiantine at last obtained his rights and restored learning unto Greece 961 41 Romanus the son of Constantine 963 42 Nicephorus surnamed Phocas first Governour or Protectour to the young Emperour Romanus after whose death created Emperour by the armie he recovered Antioch Cilicia and the greatest part of Asia minor from the power of the Saracens slaine in the night by John Zimisces his wife Theophania being privie to it 971 43 John Zimisces Emperour in the place of Nicephorus Phocas governed the Empire better then he did obtain it vanquishing the Bulgarians Rosses and others of the barbarous Nations and left it at his death to the sons of Romanus 977 44 Basilius II. surnamed Porphyrogenitus as many of the Emperours had been before him in regard that at their births they were wrapped in purple which the Greeks call Porphyrie the Imperiall colour subdued the Bulgarians and made them Homagers to the Empire 1027 45 Constantinus VII or VIII brother of Basilius and with him partner in the Empire after whose death he governed three years by himself but did nothing memorable 1030 46 Romanus II. for his prodigalitie surnamed Argyropolus husband of Zoe the daughter of Constantine the 8. drowned in a Bath by the treason of his wife and her Adulterer 1035 47 Michael IV. surnamed Paphlago from his Country first the Adulterer and afterwards the husband of Zoe but dyed very penitent 1042 48 Michael V. surnamed Calaphates a man of obscure birth adopted by Zoe whom he deposed from the Government and turned into a Monasterie Out of which being again taken in a popular tumult she put out the eyes of Calaphates and being then 60 yeares of age bestowed both the Empire and her selfe upon 1043 49 Constantine IX surnamed Monomachus formerly husband to a Neece of Romanus the 2. 1055 50 Theodora sister unto Zoe after the death of Constantine managed for two years the affairs of the Empire with great contentment to all people But grown in age surrendred it to 1057 51 Michael VI. surnamed Stratioticus an old but militarie man deposed within the year by 1060 52 Isaacius of the noble familie of the Gomneni valiant of great courage and diligent in his affairs which having managed for two years he left it at his death with consent of the Senate and people to 1063 53 Constantine X. surnamed Ducas a great Justicier and very devout but exceeding covetous whereby he became hated of his subjects and contemned by his enemies 1071 54 Romanus III. surnamed Diogenes marryed Eudoxia the wife of Constantinus Ducas and with her the Empire Took prisoner by the Turks and sent home again he found a faction made against him by which Eudoxia was expelled himself at his return deposed and so dyed in exile 1075 55 Michael VII the son of Constantinus Ducas surnamed Parapinacius by reason of the famine which in his time happened made Emperour in the aforesaid tumult But being found unable for so great an honour the Turks prevailing in all places he was deposed again and put into a Monasterie 1081 56 Nicephorus II. surnamed Boliâ—nates of the house of the Phocas succeeded in the place of Parapinace deposed within 3 years by the Comneni 1084 57 Alexius Comnenus son of the Emperour Isaacius Comnenus obtained the Empire in whose time the Western Christians with great forces prepared for the recovery of the Holy Land Of whose purposes being very jealous he denyed them passage through his Countrie in the end forced to finde them victuals and other necessaries 1113 58 Calo-Johannes the son of Alexius had a good hand against the Turks from whom he tooke Laodicea and some other places of importance He also vanquished the Scythians or Tartars passing over the Ister most of which he either slew in battell or sold as captives permitting the remainder to abide on this side that River He also conquered the Servians and Bulgarians transporting many of them into Bithynia 1142 59 Manuel or Emanuel the younger son of Calo-Joannes an under-hand enemie to the Western Christians and an open enemie to the Turks by whom intrapped in the dangerous straits of Cilicia and his Armie miserably cut off he was on honourable terms permitted to return again 1180 60 Alexius II. son of Manuel deposed and barbarously murdered by Andronicus the Cousin Grman of his father with his wife and mother 1183 61 Andronicus Comnenus confined by Manuel to Oenum in
sadness of the misadventure that he endeavoured what he could to settle a Plantation in it That of more same and greatness then all the rest to which the name is now most properly ascribed is situate in the Latitude of 32. 30 minutes Well stored when first discovered with plenty of Hogs divers fruits Mulberries Palmitos Cedars as also of Silk-worms Pearls and Amber and such rich Commodities of Fowl so infinite an abundance that our men took a thousand of one sort as big as a Pigeon within two or three hours The Aire hereof very sound and healthy found by experience the best Argument in such a point to be agreeable to the body of an English man yet terribly exposed to tempests of rain thunder and lightning For which and for the many shipwracks happening on the Coasts thereof and want of other Inhabitants to be said to own it the Manners have pleased to call it the Iland of Devils The soil affirmed to be as fertile as any well watered plentiful in Maize of which they have two Harvests yearly that which is sowed in March being cut in July and that which is sowed in August being mowed in December No venâ—mous creature to be found in all the Iland or will live brought hither And besides these Commodities of so safe a being so fenced about with Rocks and â—lets that without knowledge of the passages a Boat of ten Tuns cannot be brought into the Haven yet with such knowledge there is entrance for the greatest ships The English have since added to there strengths of nature such additional helps by Block-houses Forts and Bulwarks in convenient places as may give it the title of Impregnable It was first discovered but rather accidentally then upon design by John Bermudaz a Spaniard about the year 1522. and thereupon a Proposition made in the Council of Spain for setling a Plantation in it as a place not to be avoided by the Spanish Fleets in their return from the Bay of Mexico by the Streits of Bahama Neglected notwithstanding till the like accidental coming of Sir George Summers sent to Virginia with some Companies of English by the Lord De la Ware An. 1609. Who being shipwracked on this Coast had the opportunity to survey the Iland which he so liked that he endeavoured a Plantation in it at his coming home An. 1612. the first Colonie was sent over under Richard More who in three years erected eight or nine Forts in convenient places which he planted with Ordinance An. 1616. a new Supply is sent over under Captain Daniel Tucker who applied themselves to sowing Corn setting of Trees brought thither from other parts of America and planting that gainful Weed Tobacco An. 1619. the business is taken more to heart and made a matter of the Publick many great Lords and men of Honour being interessed in it Captain Butler sent thither with 500 men the Isle divided into Tribes or Cantreds to each Tribe a Burrough the whole reduced to a setled Government both in Church and State according to the Law of England After this all things so succeeded that in the year 1623. here were said to be three thousand English ten Forts and in those Forts fifty peeces of Ordinance their numbers since increasing daily both by Children borne within the Iland and supplies from England OF FLORIDA FLORIDA is bounded on the North-east with Virginia on the East with Mare del Noort on the South and some part of the West with the Gulf of Mexico on the rest of the West with part of New Gallicia and some Countries hitherto not discovered Extended from the River of Palmes in the 25 degree of Latitude to Rio de Secco in the 34. which evidently speaketh it for a Country of large dimensions It was first discovered by the English under the conduct of Sebastian Cabat An. 1497. afterwards better searched into by John de Ponce a Spaniard who took possession of it in the name of that King An. 1527. and by him called Florida either because he landed there upon Palm-Sunday which the Spaniards call Pascua di Flores or Pascha Florida or else quia Florida erat Regio by reason of that fresh verdure and flourishing estate in which he found it But by the Natives it is said to be called Jaquasa This Country lying Parallel to Castile in Spain is said to be of the same temper both for Aire and Soil but that it is abundantly more fruitfull the heart of the ground not being here worn out by continual Tillage as perhaps it may be in the other For here they have great abundance of Maize the natural bread-Corn of the Country which they sowe twice a year viz. March and June and reap in the third month after laying it in some publick Barns and thence distribute it to the neccssities of particular persons Well stored with several sorts of Fruit as Mulberries Cherries Chelnuts Grapes and Plums of both excellent taste and colour Beasts wilde and came of all kindes which these Countries yield and of like sorts of Fowl The Woods and Forrests full of the largest Okes and the loftiest Cedars some Cypress-Trees and Bays of a large proportion with great plenty of that Wood which the Inhabitants call Pavame and the French name Sassafras the bark whereof is Medicinal against some Diseases and another Tree which we call Esquine affirmed to be a Soveraign and present Remedie for the French disease It is also said to be enriched with some Mines of Gold and Silver neglected by the Natives till the coming of the Spaniards and French put a price upon them and to have in it Emeralds of great worth and beauty with many Tarquoises and Pearls Others report that all the Gold and Silver which they have amongst them came from some ships which had been wracked upon those Coasts contrary whereunto it is said by the Natives that in the Hills which they call Apalatei there are found great Veins of a reddish Mettal which the French concluded to be Gold though they wanted time and opportunity to search into them The People are of an Olive-Colour great stature and well proportioned naked except their Privities which they hide with the skins of Stags their Arms and knees stained with divers paintings not to be washed off their hair black and hanging down as low as their thighs Cunning they be and excellent in the Arts of dissimulation So stomackfull that they do naturally love War and Revenge insomuch that they are continually in War with one or other They are crafty also and very intelligent as appeareth by the Answer they gave to Ferdinando Soto a Spaniard who was here among them An. 1549. For when he went to perswade the people that he was the son of God and came to teach them the Law Not so replyed a Floridan for God never bad thee to kill and slay and work all kinde of mischief against us The Women when their Husbands are dead use to cut off their hair close
her honour was slain by her own Father in an open Assembly of the people Appius forced to make away himself in prison and the rest of that Magistracy abdicating their Offices the Consuls were for a time restored 3. The people fleshed with this victory and calling to mind how their Ancestors had in like manner banished the Kings began to know their own strength and stomacked it exceedingly that they on whose shoulders the frame of the State was supported should be so much under the Command of others that they who were Lords abroad should be below the condition of Slaves at home Hereupon they raise a tumult under the Conduct of their Tribune Canuleius Nor could they by any perswasions be induced to lay down Arms till they had obtained a Decree That from thenceforth the Nobles and the Commons might promiscuously be maried And this was the first step to the Republique The gaining this new Privilege put them in possibility of obtaining greater They now sue to be capable of the Consulship The Fathers consulting of this demand wisely fore-saw that to grant their Petition or to deny it was alike dangerous For were it utterly dashed it was to be feared the People would again forsake the City and yet make their stay more insolent and insupportable if it were granted C. Claudius one who by his honourable behaviour was by both parties had in an equall degree of reverence quickly proposed a middle course whereby the fury of the multitude might be appeased without blemish to the Consular dignity He constituted six Annuall Officers equally chosen out of the People and the Nobles calling them Tribuni Militum Consularis potestatis This Office continued but not without many Interstitiums the space of 78. yeers Which time expired and some experience being had of the peoples Government the Lords of the Senate did decree That one of the Consuls should from thenceforth be chosen by and out of the Commons that they should be capable of all Magistracies yea even of the Dictatorship So that now Vertue was as speedy a Ladder to climb unto Honors as Nobility of Birth and a Good man as much respected as a Great A rare felicity of the times 4. The People being thus mixt with the Nobles as well in Mariages as Honors one would have thought that this Common-wealth being thus equally poysed had been immortall But as in the Naturall Body there can be no exact and Arithmeticall proportion of the humors and elements without some predominancie So in the Body Politique can there be no equall mixture of Plebeians and Patritians without the supremacy of the one or the other The people had presently after the institution of the Consuls raised a Commotion and with-drew themselves into Mount Aventine Nor could they be intreated to return into the City till there were granted unto them peculiar Officers called Tribuni Plebis or Protectors of the Commons These being not long after by the Common Councell pronounced to be Sacrosancti and inviolable began to heave the Popular State too high and thrust the Aristoeraticall too low not regarding to lose the love of the one so they might get the applause of the other Insomuch that matters of judgment were devolved from the Fathers to the Commons and the authority of the Senate trod under foot by the people Nay they proceeded so far that Marius being Tribune threatned to send Cotta the Consul unto Prison And Sulpitius in the same Office made the Consuls forsake the Senate-house and slew one of their sonnes whose heels were now nimble enough to flie away And now were the Romans governed by that form of rule than which there is no lower So that as well by an inevitable necessity in Nature as the ordinary course of Policies there must be a reverting to the first and Monarchicall Authority For questionless it fareth many times with a Common-wealth as with the Sun which runneth through all the signs of the Zodiack till it return to the place where its motion first began And the Platonick year of reducing all things to the same beginning continuance and period how false soever in the Books of Nature is in some sort true in the change of Government 5. The way down-hill is easie and ordinary but to ascend unto the top requireth both wit to frame the steps and courage to give the attempt So was it here also with the Romans They had naturally and almost insensibly faln from a Monarchy to a Popâ—lacy or Democracy But to ascend from a Populacy to a Monarchy required many steps and degrees in many much industry in all Mariâ—s and Sylla well skilled in feeding the humors of the people were the first that attempted and severally mounted to such a height of command as never durst any promise to them nor they hope for themselves Marius was of an harsh and stern nature equally cruell to the Enemies in war and the people in peace one whose birth the Romans might have had just cause to curse had he not saved them from the Cimbri Sylla was one whose carriage none could enough commend before or sufficiently condemn after his prosperity A man whose Peace was far more bloudy than his Wars a better Subject than a Prince These two gave way each to other and both to death Next these as well in faction and designs as blood and alliance succeeded Caesar and Pompey Two men never truly paralleld since their own times Caesar had a wit to invent so pregnant a heart to execute so stout and to both a Fortune so favourable that he durst undertake what no man dared and his performances commonly were answerable to his undertakings Pompey a man greater than his own or his friends wishes had triumphed over all the parts of the known World and could he but have brooked an Equall he had never met Superiour Had these two lived in divers Ages or exercised their valour on the common Enemy the World had been too little to yeeld them imployments But turning their forces one against the other Pompey overthrown in the Field was basely murthered in Egypt and Caesar victoriously Conquerour in Thessalie was barbarously massacred in the Capitoll And though none of these four Worthies could settle the Monarchy in himself yet this shall be to their eternall memory recorded that they first opened the passage to others and first moved the stone which rowling along tumbled the People out of the Government 6 After the overthrow of Pompey and death of Caesar the Common-wealth might have recovered Liberty if either Caesar had left no heir and Pompey no children or rather if Antonius a man of an unquiet and turbulent spirit had not begun new troubles For he knowing the affection of the Common people unto young Octavius Caesars heir and hearing the continuall report of his approach to Rome for his Inheritance did by Decree of the Senate restore Sextus the sonne of Pompey to his blood and honours Hoping that
they two inheriting their Fathers hatreds would like Pellets in a Boys Pot-gun drive out each other and so he might remain Lord of the whole But young Octavius was too old to be so fetcht over and had moreover more desire to revenge his Fathers death on Brutus and Cassius than turn himself upon an enemy that neither had done nor could doe him any hurt At his first entrance into Rome he declared himself Caesars heir though some regarding more his welfare than honour diswaded him from it His retinue at his entrance was but small his behaviour gentle and courteous So that all had cause to love him none to fear him His first business was to Antonius then possessed of all Caesars estate His words as modest as his Petition just Antonies answer somewhat churlish forbidding him to meddle in matters of State adding that he was too young to take upon him the Name of Caesar and so dismissed him unsatisfied and with discontentments AUGUSTUS for by that name we mean to call him though he was not yet so calâ—ed perceiving that Antonies answer though in shew but a delay was in effect a denyall insinuated into the acquaiutance of Cicero then potent among the Senators and a capitall Enemy of Antony by whose means the Lords of the Senate began to cast great affection towards him Next in a solemn Oration to the People he let them know how he intended to have distributed his Fathers wealth among them and how Antonius did unjustly detain it from them both Certainly there is not any thing prevaileth sooner with the ignoble many than hope of gain No sooner had he finished his speech and given away that to them which he thought impossible to get for himself but all was in a tumult None was so sparing of his words but he had some curse in store for Antonius Every one vowing the destruction of that man whom they supposed to deprive them of AUGUSTUS Donative 7 In this hurly burly Antony quits the Town and is by the generall voyce of both houses declared an Enemy to the State An Army is given to Hircius and Pansa then Consuls AUGUSTUS aged but 18 years being proclamed Imperator and made head of the League against the common Foe AUGUSTUS as he loved not to be absent from a necessary war so he alwaies used to reserve himself from the dangers of it and therefore he committed the whole enterprise unto the Consuls Well knowing that though the Officers and Souldiers took most pains to get the Victory yet would the honour of it be referred to him as Imperator Whereas if any thing fell out to the Army not well his being a Non-agent in the business would bring his honour off without stain The Consuls therefore proceeded in the War against Antony who seeing little possibility of prevailing resolved to sell the loss of his own liberty and his Souldiers lives at a dear rate And indeed the fortune of the day was so equally shared that as the Consuls might boast of the vanquishment of Antony so Antony might triumph in the death of the Consuls AUGUSTUS had now as much as he could desire more than he expected a victorious Army at his service He therefore applies himself so to them that giving that among them which he had in present and promising them greater favours according as his fortune and their valour should advance him he bound them unto him in an eternall bond of allegiance and made them the first step by which he ascended the Royaltie The Lords of the Senate hearing of the young mans fortune thought it best to strangle these hopes even in their Cradles and to that end Decree the honour of overcomming Antony not to belong to AUGUSTUS but to Decius Brutus for whose defence being besieged by Antony in Mutina their Army had been levyed Nor did they think this frost of unexpected unkindness sufficient to nip the blossome of his hopes but they denyed him the Consulship These harsh proceedings compelled AUGUSTUS his honour now lying at stake to enter Rome as Conqueror and force the Fathers to grant him his desires Having thus gotten what for the time he aymed at he generally shewed himself gratefull to all and particularly to some of the Souldiers paying them what was behind by promise and openly protesting that without their aid he durst not have adventured into the Capitoll So by keeping his day with the Military men and shewing his noble and generous nature in a thankfull commemoration of their service he added stronger bonds to such as were already his own and won many dayly to his side which before were either neutrall or adversaries 8. Antony in the mean time was not idle but knowing that Lâ—pidus was beyond the Mountains with a puissant Army he posted thither and so far prevailed with the Souldiers that he was admitted into the Camp where the Generall entertained him with all expressions of love and welcome Antony perceiving the facile nature of Lepidus soon perswaded him to lead his forces into Italie promising him no less than the Lordship of the world if he durst but shew his face to the Romans AUGUSTUS having continuall news of this combination and fearing much the prowess of Antony now strengthened conceived no course so fitting and convenient to his ends as to joyn friendship and to enter into confederacy with them And this he did not for any good will to either but because being destitute of means to resist-them and also to revenge the death of his Father Julius which he much laboured he might with their forces oppress Cassius and M. Brutus and after as occasion fell out deal with them being severed This League was solemnly confirmed by a bloody Proscription immediately following Wherein to be revenged on their enemies they betrayed their friends A lamentable and ruthfull time good and bad rich and poor being alike subject to the slaughter Now was the time of Julius Caesars Government thought to be the Golden Age and every one began to curse Brautus and Cassius as the Autors of these present miseries whom they but lately honoured as the Restorers of the Common liberty Nay the very Kings were deemed tolerable and such as lived in their days happy The poor Romans had not changed the Tyranny but the Tyrants Yea they had three for one into the bargain Such is the condition of us men that we know not our own happiness in the fruition but the want Two of these Triumviri glutted themselves with blood taking pride in hearing the lamentable cries and groans of the people Augustus on the contrary shewed himself much grieved at this barbarous cruelty so that his consent seemed rather forced than voluntary But this Proscription though in it self cruell and tyrannically produced some good and profitable effects in the Republick For when by this Proscription and the insuing Civill war the stoutest of the Nobles and Commons were made away few being left which durst endeavour to recover the old Liberty
Italie altogether unfurnished for Wars and indeed such as by reason of the variety of pleasures in them used were more likely to weaken their minds than to arm their bodies Now to give the Senate some sweet meat to their sowr sawce he as much honoured and reverenâ—ed that Order as ever it was in the Free-state submitting himself to their Judgements and appearing of his own accord at most of their dayes of Session Out of those he chose 15 alterable every half year to be of his privy Counsell but then changing them for others that so all of them might participate that honâ—ur and yet none of them be acquainted with too many of his secrets At his entrance into the Senate he used courteously to salute the Lords and so likewise at his departure He knew full well that it was noted for great pride in his Father Iulius so much to sleight the Lords of that House as he always did never making to them any obeysance no not then when they came to tell him what honours were decreed unto him 25. This Reformation of the great Ones soon made the lower sort more carefull both to observe good order and to learn obedience Yet did not AUGUSTUS refer all to President but somewhat to Precept The Roman Knights he enforced to yeeld an account of their lives an Ordinance full of health and wisdom Idleness being the root of all private vices and publike disorders To the Commons in their Comitia and other meetings he prescribeth Laws and Orders as himself listed The old authority of the Tribunes dashed in the Dictatorship of Sylla he would not restore He suffred them to intercede for the People but not to prefer or hinder any Bill to the advancement or the prejudice of their Estate Without this Curb the Common sort would never have suffered him to sit fast in the Saddle For had the people had their Tribunes and had the Tribunes had their antient dignity and power which they had usurped there had been little or no hope of altering the form of Goverment So different are the ends of the Common-people especially if nuzled in a factious Liberty from the designs of Soveraign Princes 26 The City thus reformed in the principall errors and defects of it he again exhibiteth unto them divers pleasures As Shews of Fencers Stage-plays Combats of wild beasts publique Dancings with variety of other delightfull spectacles And this as well to breed in them a good conceit of the change as fearing left their cogitations for want of other objects would fix themselves upon his actions and the old freedom Horse-races Tilts and Tornaments he gladly cherished but he permitted them onely to the Inhabitants of Rome That so that City being the Seat-Town of his Empire might be stored with good Horses and expert Riders Such of the Commons as were behind hand he relieved and when that any of them had made him Heir to their goods he well knowing that no good Father did appoint to his Heir any Prince but a Tyrant presently restored to the Children of the deceased the whole Patrimony An action truly worthy of AVGVSTVS as true a Guardian of Orphaâ—â—s as a Father of his Country Such Princes as gape covetously after other mens possessions seldom enjoy the benefit of their own The Treasures of Kings are then greatest not when their own Coffers are full only but their Subjects rich Yet one thing more he seemed to leave unto the people which they thought most pleasing Liberty of speech Wherein sometimes they were so liâ—entiâ—â—s that they spared not Agrippa himself so potent with the Empâ—ror But he good man never using the Princes favour to the prejudice of any seemed not to mark their taunts and slanders whether with greater moderation or wisdom I cannot tell Neither did AVGVSTVS scape their foolish Pasquils and infamous Libels All which he winked at knowing that Contumelles of that nature slighted and contemned soon vanish of themselves but if repined and stormed at seem to be acknowledged A temper which he learnt of his Father Julius who was perfect at it And certainly it was a notable point of wisdom in both of them It is the misery of the best Princes even when they do well to be ill spoken of And therefore many times such follies are with more policie dissembled than observed by the greatest Kings 27 As for this Lavishness of the tongue it is a humour that springeth for the most part rather from a delight in pratling than any malice of the heart and they which use it are more troublesome than dangerous Julius feared not the fat men but the lean and spare And so AVGVSTVS thought that not men liberal of speech but silent close and sparing of their words were most likely to raise tumults Moreover as long as the Common People retained Libertie of speech they were the less sensible of the loss of Liberty in State Whereas in the dayes of Domitian when not only they were prohibited to commune together but even their secret sighs and tears were registred then began they to look back with a serious eye on the old and Common Liberty Neglect is the best remedy for this Talking vein When the humour is spent the People will cease on their own accords till then no forces can compel them Tacitus taxeth Vitellius of great folly for hoping by force to hinder the continuall reports of Vespatians revolt that being the only way to increase not diminish the rumour And as much he extolleth I will not say how fitly the Reign of Prince Nerva wherein it was lawfull for the Subject to think what he would and speak what he thought 28 These courses though he took to rectifie the Senate and content the people yet he stayed not here There were too many of both sorts dangerous and unquiet spirits who stomacked his proceedings and under pretence of the antient Liberty were apt to any bold attempt and suddain alteration These as he winked at for the present so he employed them as occasion served in his forreign Wars Wherein he followed the example of his Father Julius who when his Souldiers had displeased him in their Mutinies and Tumults would lead them presently unto some desperate and dangerous service So weakning both his Foes which lay next unto him and punishing those Souldiers which had disobeyed him For though AVGVSTVS had thrice shut the Temple of Janus and cherished Peace no Emperor more of so large a Territory Yet when he saw his times and that mens minds were active and their thoughts disquieted he could find presently occasion for some new imployment In this a Body Politique may be compared most fitly to the Body naturall When we are full of blood and our spirits boyling there is not any Physick better than Phlebotomie But if a vein be broken in us and we bleed inwardly our estate commonly is dangerous and almost incurable So Princes when their people are tumultuous and apt to mischief or that
dayes and not permit the superstitions and corruptions of that Church to endure so long nor so many Assertors and Defenders of those Roman Hetrodoxiet to be added to the former number Out of the storyes of all which pretermitting many things of less consideration I will only select some particular passages for the better understanding of their state and story 1 Pelagius the first ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks should be punished with temporall death which severity continueth still and that none should be preferred to Ecclesiasticall dignityes by Gifts and Bâ—ibes which pious order is long since antiquated 2 Vitalâ—aruts first brought Organs into the divine service of the Church of Rome to be used with the singing or vocall Musick formerly in use which afterwards was brought unto more perfection by the Popes succeeding 3 Constantine was so generally beloved of all men that going to Constantinople Justinian the second kist his feet in sign of honour which some of the ambitious Popes in times succeeding drew into example and at last brought into a custom as it still continueth 4 Pascal the first caused the Priests of certain parishes in Rome by reason of their nearness to his person their presence at his Election and to honour them with a more venerable Title to be called Cardinals Now mates for Kings and numbred about 70 but more or fewer at the sole pleasure of the Popes 5 Eugenius the second took to himself within the Territories of the Church the Autority of creating Dukes Earls and Knights as the Exarch of Ravenna had used to do 6 Sergius the second was the first that changed his name For thinking his own name Bocca di Porco or Swines-mouth not consonant to his dignity he caused himself to be called Sergius which precedent his Successors following do also vary their names So that if one be a Coward he is called Leo if a Tyrant Clemens if an Atheist Pius or Innocent if a Rustick Urbanus and so of the rest 7 John the eighth is by most men confessed to be a woman and is usually called Pope Joane To avoyd the like disgrace the Porphirie chair was ordained Ubi ab ultimo diacono c. so that both in a literall and mysticall sense this woman may be called The Whore of Babylon The name of this Female Pope the Romish Chronologers have not inserted into the Catalogue the reason as Marianus Scotus giveth it propter turpitudinem rei sexum muliebrem And from hence it is that in the common Catalogues these Popes that have called themselves Johns are so ill ordered some making that John which succeeded Adrian the second An o 872 to be the 8 and others the 9. Platina onely of all the Pontificians reckoneth Pope Joane as the 8 of the Johns and so forward in which particular I have followed his authority And it is probable enough that God might suffer that proud See to fall into such an infamy the better to humble the ensuing Popes in the times of their greatest ruff and flourish or to prevent the brag of that continued Succession they so much pretend to More of this Argument as to the truth of the story in matter of Fact he that lists to see may satisfie himself in M. Cookes Book of Pope Joane who most industriously hath answered all objections which hath been made against it by those of Rome 8 Nicolas the first the better to fasten the Clergy to the See of Rome and make them the less obnoxious to their naturall Princes was the first who did by Law restrain them from mariage saying that it was the more honest to have to do with many women privately than openly to keep a wife and some of his Successors followed it so close that a Priest of Placent a being accused to have wife and children was deprived of his Benefice but upon proof made that she was the wife of another man and his Strumpet only he was again restored unto it 9 Adrian the third ordained that the Emperour from thenceforth should have no more to do with the Election or Confirmation of the Pope but that it should be left wholly to the Roman Clergy 10 Formosus was so ill beloved and of such a generall disesteem that Pope Steven the seventh caused his body to be unbnried all his Acts reversed two of his fingers to be cut off and then the mangled carkass to be again interred among the Luty And though these Acts of Steven were adjudged illegal both by John the tenth and Pope Romanus two of his Successors and the doings of Formosus justified yet Sergius the third caused his corrupt and putrified body to be taken once more out of the grave and his head to be cut off as if still alive So little did the infallibility of St. Peters Chair preserve these Popes from falling into gross and irreconcilable contradictions 11 John the 12 th was the next after Sergius the second that changed his name a very wicked cruell and libidinous man who comming to that place by his Fathers greatness cut off the Nose of one Cardinall and the hand of another for that they had signified to the Emperour Otho the first what a scandall all the Church did suffer by his detestable life and finally being taken in Adultery was slain by the husband of the woman 12 Gregory the fifth finding the power of the Emperour as long as it continued in a way of succession not likely to be over-born by that of the Church and being withall incensed against the Romans who till that time retained some shadow of an Empire projected the election of the future Emperors by the Princes of Germany by which the Germans were distracted into Factions and the Romans weakned and so a door left open to the Popes of Rome to make their ends upon them both 13 Steven the tenth brought the Church of Millaine to be under the obedience of the Popes of Rome which till that time had challenged an equality with them as before Pope Dom nus had done the Church of Ravenna which for some time had challenged the precedencie of them 14 Gregorie the seventh commonly called Hildebrand a turbulent and unquiet man who first adventured to draw the premises layd down by some of his Predecessors into a conclusion Excommunicating the Emperour Henry the fourth for medling with the Investitures of Bishops and causing Rodulph Duke of Suevia to rebell against him A man much favoured against the 〈◊〉 of her own House by the Countess Mathildis who is sayd to be so much his friend that 〈◊〉 his sake she left the company of her husband and disherited her right heirs setling 〈◊〉 whole estates in Italie on the See of Rome And though the Emperour had the better of this Pope and made him fly out of Rome and dye in exile yet he was fain at last to submit himself to Pope Pascal the second who had armed his own sonne against him to attend bare-foot at his door and
his Forces mnst be very great and would be greater than they are but that they dare not trust the common People with the use of Arms for fear they should refuse to pay the accustomed Taxes or forsake their Trades or turn their Farms back upon their Landlords But for an 〈◊〉 of what a French King is able to doe in this kind It is said that Charles the 9th in Garrisons and severall Armies in the field had 15000 Horse and 100000 Foot of his own Nation besides 50000 Horse and Foot of Swisses Germans and others And for his standing Forces it is said by others that he is able to bring into the field for a sudden service no less than 60 Companies of Men of Arms 20 Cornets of Light-Horse and five Companies of harquibusiers on horse-back which amount to 10000 in the totall together with 20 Ensignes of French Foot and 40 of Swâ—sses and yet leave his Garrisons well manned and his Forts and Frontires well and sufficiently defended What the Revenues are in a State so subject to the will and pleasure of the King it is hard to say being also more or lesse as the times and their occasions vary according unto which the Revenues of this Crown have much altered Lewis the 11th gathered one Million and a half of Crowns Francis the first brought them to 3 Millions his successor Henry the 2d to six Charleâ— the 9th to seven Henry the 3d to ten afterward they were inhanced to fifteen And in the time of Henry the 4th the Treasurer of the Duke of Mayenne did not shame to say That his Master had more improved the Revenue of France than any King had done before him advancing it from two to five Millions Sterling A fair Intrado but far short of those infinite sums which are extorted from the People whereof a tenth part comes not cleerly to the Kings Exchequer But what need more be said than that of Lewis the 11th who used to say that France was a Medow which he mowed every year and as often as he listed and indeed their Impositions cannot but be great since there are no less than 30000 under-officers imployed to gather them Hence I beleeve sprung that wish of Maximilian the Emperour which was that he if it were possible might be a God and that having two Sons the eldest might be a God after him and the second King of France And this was also the cause that in the Wars between Charles the fift and Francis the first when the Emperours Herald had bid defiance to the Kingâ— from Charles Emperour of Germany King of Castile Leon Aragon and Naâ—les Arch-duke of Austria c. with the rest of his titles The King commanded the Heralds to return the challenge from Francis King of France commanding them to repeat France as many times as the other had petty Earldoms in his stile And to say truth considering the compactedness thereof within it self the admirable fertility of the soyl the incredible multitudes of People and the conveniency of situation betwixt Spain Italy and Germany the name of France might ballance all the others titles The chief Orders of Knighthood in this Kingdom were first of the Gennet founded by Charles Martel Mayr of the French Palace and so called either from Jane his Wife as Haillan would have it or from the Gennets of Spaine over whom he triumphed at the battell of Tours as Bellay writeth It ended in the dayes of S. Lewis The Knights of the order wore a Ring wherein was engraven the form of a Gennet 2 Of the 〈◊〉 or twelve Peers so called quasi pares inter se said to be instituted by Charles the Great in his Wars against the Saracens Six of these were of the Clergy 1 The Archbishop and Duke of Rhemes 2 the Bishop and Duke of Laon 3 the Bishop and Duke of Langres 4 the Bishop and Earl of Beavâ—â— 5 the Bishop and Earl of Nayon and 6 the Bishop and Earl of Chaulons and six others of the temporalitie 1 The Duke of Burgundy 2 Duke of Normandy 3 Duke of 〈◊〉 4 Earl of Tholouse 5 Earl of Champagne 6 Earl of Flanders These are they so much memoriz'd in the Legends of the old French Writers but falsly and on no good ground it being impossible that those should be of the foundation of Charles the Great in whose time there were none of those Dukes and Earls except the Earl of Tholouse onely Therefore with better reason it may be thus concluded on that the twelve Peers were instituted by Charles the Great though that honour not by him appropriated unto any particular Estates and Titles but left at large to be disposed of according to the personal merit of the best deservers it being most sure that neither Rowland nor Oliver nor Duke Naâ—mes nor Ogier the Dane had any of the titles abovementioned But for the fixing of this dignitie in the Dukedoms and Earldoms before named it is said by some to have been done by Hugh Capet other referre it to Lewis the 7th in whose times all those Dukes and Earls were in Rerum natura But by whomsoever first ordained the Temporall Paâ—rrâ—â—â— are extinct and others of no definite number created by the Kings as they see occasion to gratifie a well deserver Onely at Coronations and such publick Triumphs the custom is to choose some principall persons out of the Nobility to represent those Temporall Peers as at the â—orona ion of Lewis the 13th the places of the Temporall Peers were supplied by the princes of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Earl of Soissons the Dukes of Nevers Elbeuf and Espernon the Ecclesiasticall Peers remaining as at first they were So that though Charles the Great might devise this Order and institute the first twelve Peers as is commonly said yet was not that high honour fixed in any of those Temporall Princes till the times succeeding but given to men of severall houses according to the Kings pleasure and their well deservings 3 Of the 〈◊〉 begun by John King of France Anno 1352. They wore about their necks a coâ—lar of gold at the which hanged a Star the word Monstrant Regibus astra vâ—am This Order was dâ—graced by his Sonne Charles in communicating it to his Guard and so it ended 4 Of S. Michael instituted by King Lewis the eleventh Anno 1469 It consisted first of 36 Knights which afterward were augmented to 300. The Habit of the Order was a long Cloak of white Damask down to the ground with a border interwoven with Cockle-shells of gold interlaced and â—urred with Ermines with an hood of crimson Velvet and a long tippet About their necks they wore a collar woven with Cockle-shels the word Immensi tremor Oceani It took the name from the picture of Saint Michael conquering the Devill which was annex'd to the collar Some think that the invocation of S. Michael was in allusion unto the tenth of Daniâ—â— Others say he took S. Michael in regard of an
deserved by him if the tale be false who did first report it 2ly That the Kine will yield no Milk if their Calves be not by them or at least their Calves skinnes stuffed with straw or Hay It is said also that all the breed of this Countrie are of less size than they be in England except Women and Greybounds and those much bigger than with us As for the Clergie of this Countrie they have been little beholding to their Lay-Patrons in former times some of their Bishops being so poor that they had no other Revenues than the Pasture of two Milch-Beasts And so far had the Monasteries and Religious houses invaded by Appropriations the Churches rights that of late times in the whole Province of Connaught the whole Stipend of the Incumbent was not above 40 shillings in some places not above 16. So that the poor Irish must needs be better fed than taught for ad tenuitatem Beneficiorum necessario sequitur ignorantia Sacerdotum Poor Benefices will be fitted with ignorant Priests said Panormitan rightly But this was remedied in part by his Sacred Majesty King CHARLES the second Monarch of Great Britain who liberally at the suit of the late Lord Arch-B of Canterbury restored unto this Church all the Impropriations and Portions of Tithes which had been vested in the Crown An action of most singular pietie and Princely bountie Principall Rivers of this Countrie are 1 the Shannon the Senas of Ptolomie which arising in the Mountains of Letrim in the County of Connaught and making many fair Lakes as it passeth forwards loseth it self after a course of 200 miles of which 60 navigable in the Western Ocean 2 The Liff by Ptolomie called Libnius neighboured by the City of Dublin 3 Awiduffe or Blackwater as the English call it 4 Sione supposed to be the Medona of the antient Writers 5 The Showre 6 The Slanie c. Of which and others of like note take this following Catalogue out of the Canto of the mariage of the Thames and Medway in the Faierie Queen There was the Liffie rowing down the lea The sandie Slane the stonie Aubrian The spacious Shenin spreading like a sea The pleasant Boyne the fishie-fruitfull Banne Swift Awiduffe which of the Englishman Is call'd Blackwater and the Liffar deep Sad Trowis that once his people over-ran Strong Allo tumbling from Slewlogheer steep And Mallo mine whose waves I wilom taught to weep There also was the wide-embayed Mayre The pleasant Bandon crown'd with many wood The spreading Lee that like an Iland fair Incloseth Cork with his divided flood And balefull Oure late stain'd with English blood With many more c. So the renowned Spencer in his Canto of the mariage of Thames and Medway But besides these Rivers this Iland is in most places well-stored with Lakes yeelding great plenty of Fish to the parts adjoyning The principall of which 1 Lough-Enne containing 15 miles in bredth and 30 miles in sength shaded with woods and so replenished with fish that the Fishermen complain of too much abundance and the often breaking of their nets It hath also in it many Ilands one most remarkable for the strange and horrid noises which are therein heard called therefore by the Vulgar S. Patricks Purgatorie Almost as big as this is 2 the Lake of Coâ—bes which loseth it self in the Sea not far from Galloway A Lake of 26 miles in length and four in bredth said to have in it 30 Ilets abounding with Pine-trees 3 Lough-Foyle supposed to be the Logia of Ptolomic 4 Lough-Eaugh out of which the River Banne abundantly well-stored with Salmons hath its first Originall And besides these and many others of less note there are said to be three Lakes in the Province of Meth not far asunder and having an entercourse of waters but of so different a temper that the Fish which are proper to the one for each of them hath its proper and peculiar sorts will not live in the other but either dieth or by some secret conveyances find a way to their own Lake out of which they were brought It was divided antiently into five Provinces each one a Kingdom of it self that is to say 1 Leinster 2 Meth 3 Ulster 4 Connaught and 5 Mounster but of late time the Province of Meth is reckoned for a Member or part of Leinster 1 LEINSTER by the Latines called Lagenia hath on the East the Irish Channel commonly called S. Georges Channel by which parted from the Isle of Great Britain on the West the River Newrie Neorus as the Latines call it which divides it from Mounster on the North the Province of Meth and the main Ocean on the South The Soil more fruitfull generally than the rest of Ireland because better cultivated and manured as having been longest in the possession of the English from whom a great part of the Inhabitants doe derive themâ—elves and for that reason more conformable to the civilities and habit of the English Nation Well watred besides a large Sea-coast with many fair and pleasant Rivers the principall whereof 1 the Barrow called in Latine Birgus 2 the Newrie 3 the Showre and 4 the Liffie the Libmus of Ptolomie neighbouring Dublin the chief City It containeth the Counties of 1 Dublin 2 Kilkenny 3 Caterlough 4 Kildare 5 Lease or Queens County 6 Ophalie or Kings County and 7 Wâ—ishford in which are comprehended 34 Towns of note and 88 Castles well-fortified and able to make good resistance against an Enemy the English being forced to fortifie themselves in their Plantations with strong holds and fortresses against the incursions of the Natives Place of most observation in it 1 Dublin supposed to be the Eblana of Ptolomie by the Irish called Balaâ—leigh because being seated in a fennie and moorish Soil it was built on piles as the word doth signifie in that language Situate at or neer the mouth of the Rive Liffie which affordeth it a commodious Haven but that the entrances thereof are many times encumbred with heaps of Sand. The Citie very rich and populous as being the Metropolis of all the Iland the Seat of the Lord Deputy an Archbishops See and an Vniversity besides the benefit redounding from the Courts of Iustice In those respects well-fortified against all emergencies and adorned with many goodly buildings both private and publique The principall of which are the Castle wherein the Lord Deputy resideth built by Henry Loandres once Archbishop here a College founded by Queen Elizabeth to the honour and by the name of the blessed Trinity the Cathedrall Church dedicated to S. Patrick the Apostle of the Irish Nation a fair Collegiate Church called Christ-Church besides thirteen others destinated to Parochial meetings Being destroyed almost to nothing in the Danish Wars it was re-edified by Harald surnamed Harfager King of the Norwegians then Masters of most parts of the Iland and after the subjection of it to the Crown of England was peopled with a Colonie of Bristol men 2 Weishford
over against the Southern part of Cumberland and from which it is distant 25 miles and was judged to belong to Britain rather than to Ireland because it fostered venemous Serpents brought hither out of Britain By Ptolomie it is called Monoeda or the further Mona to difference it from that which we now call Anglesey by Plinie Monabia Menavia by Orosius and Beda Eubonia by Gildas an old British Writer The Welch at this day call it Menaw the Inhabitants Maning and the English Man It is in length 30 miles in bredth 15 and 8 in some places The people hate theft and begging and use a Language mixt of the Norwegian and Irish tongues The soyl is abundant in Flax Hemp Oates Barley and Wheat with which they use to supply the defects of Scotland if not the Continent it self yet questionless the Western Iles which are a Member of it For thus writeth the Reverend Father in God Iohn Moricke late Bishop of this Iland in a letter to Mr. Camden at such time as he was composing his most excellent Britannia Our Iland saith he for cattell for fish and for corn hath not only sufficient for it self but sendeth also good store into other Countries now what Countries should need this supply England and Ireland being aforehand with such provision except Scotland or some members thereof I see not Venerable Bede numbred in it 300 Families and now it is furnished with 17 Parish Churches The chief Towns are 1 Balâ—curi and 2 Russin or Castle-Town the seat of a Bishop who though he be under the Archbishop of York yet never had any voice in the English Parliament In this Iland is the hill Sceafull where on a clear day one may see England Scotland and Ireland here also are bred the Soland Geese of rotten wood falling into the water This Iland was taken from the Britans by the Scots and from them regained by Edwin King of Northumberland Afterwards the Norwegians seized on it and made it a Kingdom the Kings hereof ruling over the Hebrides and some part of Ireland From them taken by Alexander the 3d of Scotland by a mixt title of Arms and purchase after which time it was sometimes English sometimes Scotish as their fortunes varied till in the end and about the year 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury descended from the Norwegian Kings of Man won it from the Scots and sold it to the Lord Scrope who being condemned of Treason Henry the fourth gave it to Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland but he also proving false to his Soveraign it was given to the Stanleys now Earls of Darby The Kings of Man of the Danish or Norwegian Race 1065. 1 Godred the Sonne of Syrric 1066. 2 Fingall Sonne of Godred 1066. 3 Godred II. Sonne of Harald 1082. 4 Lagnan Eldest Sonne of Godred the 2d 1089. 5 Donnald Sonne of Tado 1098. 6 Magnus King of Norwey 1102. 7 Olave the 3d Sonne of Godred 1144. 8 Godred III. Sonne of Olave 1187. 9 Reginald base Sonne of Godred the 3d. 1226. 10 Olâ—ve the lawfull Sonne of Godred the 3d. 1237. 11 Harald Sonne of Olave 1243. 12 Reginald II. Brother of Harald 1252. 13 Magnus II. Brother of Reginald 1266. 14 Magnus III. King of Norway the last King of Man of the Danish or Norwegian Race The Kings and Lords of Man of the English Blood 1340. 1 William Montacute Earl of Salisbury King of Man 1395. 2 William Lord Scrope King of Man 1399. 3 Henry Earl of Northumberland King of Man 1403. 4 William Lord Stanley Lord of the Isle of Man 5 Iohn Lord Stanley 6 Thomas Lord Stanley 7 Thomas Lord Stanley Earl of Darby 1503. 8 Thomas Lord Stanley Early of Darby 1521. 9 Edward Lord Stanley Earl of Darby 1572. 10 Henry Lord Stanley Earl of Darby 1593. 11 Ferdmando Lord Stanley Earl of Darby 12 William Lord Stanley Early of Darby 13 Iames Lord Stanley Earl of Darby Lord of the Isle of Man now living Anno 1648. King in effect though but Lord in title as having here all kind of Civill power and jurisdiction over the Inhabitants under the Feife and Sovereignty of the Crown of England together with the nomination of the Bâ—shop whom he presents unto the King for his Royall assent then to the Arch-Bishop of York for his consecration And this I take to be the reason why the Bishop of Man was no Lord of Parliament none being admitted to that honour but such as held immediately of the King himself nor was it reason that they should V. ANGLESEY is an Iland situate in the Irish Sea over against Carnarvonshire in North-Wales from which it is divided by a narrow streight which they call the Menai By the Britans themselves as by the Welch at this day it was called Mon from whence the Romans had their Mona but being Conquered by the English it obtained the name of Anglesey as one would say the Iland of the English Men eye in the Saxon language signifying an Iland A place of such a fair Revenue to the Princes of it that LLewellen the last Prince of Wales being stripped of almost all the rest of his Estates by King Edward the first paid to that King a tribute of 1000 per An. for this Iland only And to say truth the Iland is exceeding fruitfull both in Corn and Cattle from whence the Welch are liberally stored with both and therefore it is said proverbially Mon Mam Cymri that Anglâ—sey is the Mother of Wales In length from East to West about 20 miles and 17 in bredth Containing in that Compasse 74 Parishes divided into six hundreds and hath in it only two Market Towns that is to say 1 Beanmaris seated on a flat or marish ground neer the Menai built by King Edward the first to secure his Conquest by whom well walled and fortified as the times then were 2 Newburg a Town of no great antiquity as the name doth intimate by the Welch called Rossur in former times it had an Haven of some good receipt but now choaked with sand The other places of most note are 3 Aberfraw a small village now but heretofore the Royall seat of the Kings of Wales and 4ly Holy-head seated on an head-land or Promontory thrusting into the Sea made holy or thought so at least by the religious retirement of Saint Kuby or Kibius one of the Disciples of St. Hilarie of Poictiers from whence by the Welchmen called Caer-Cuby of most note for the ordinary passage betwixt Wules and Ireland Antiently this Iland was the seat of the Druides and brought with no small difficulty under the power of the Romans by Suctonius Paulinus the People fighting in other parts of Britain for their liberty only but here pro Arts focis too for their Religion Liberty and their Gods to boot Being deserted by the Romans with the rest of Britain it remained in the possession of its own natural Princes till the fatal period of that State when added
himself but he intrapped the Counts of Horne and Egmond and beheaded them anno 1567. Being thus rid of these two with diverse others of good quality who living would have much hindred his proceedings he quartered his Spaniards in the Townes and Provinces spoiled the people not of their Priviledges onely but their Liberty Among the Reformed he brought in the bloudy Inquisition and indeed so tyrannically did he behave himself that the people were forced to a defensive war as well for their lives as substance This was a war of State not Religion the most part of the Hollanders being Papists at the time of their taking Armes During these troubles the Prince of Orenge was not idle but he in one place and Count Lodewick his brother in another kept Duke Alva imployed though divers times not with such fortunate successe as they did expect In the year 1572 Flushing was surprised by Voorst and Berland as we have before said So also was the Brill in Voorne an Island of Holland by the Count de la March and not long after all Holland except Amsierdam followed the fortune and side of the Prince together with all the towns of Zeland Midleburg excepted Anno 1573. Duke Alva being recalled Don Lewis de Requisens was appointed Governor during whose rule many of the Belgians abandoned their Country some flying into Germany others into France most into England After his death and before the arrivall of Don John the Priuce and his party recovered strength and courage again till the coming of the Prince of Parma who brought them into worse case then ever Yet anno 1581. they declare by their writings directed to all people that Philip of Spain was fallen from the Government and take a new oath of the People which bound them never to return to the Spanish obedience This done they elect Francis Duke of Anjou heir apparent to the French King and then in no small hopes of marrying Queen Elizabeth of England to be their Lord. But he intending rather to settle a Tyranny in himself then to drive it from the Spaniard attempted Antwerp put his men into the town but was by the valour of the Burgers shamefully repulst Shame of this ignoble enterprise especially grief for its ill suctesse took him out of the world About which time the estate of these Countries was thus by this Hieroglyphick expressed A Cow represented the body of Belgium there stood the King of Spain spurring her the Queen of England feeding her the Prince of Orenge milking her and Duke Francis plucking her back by the tail but she foul'd his fingers During his unfortunate Government Parma prevailed in all places especially after the death of William Prince of Orenge treacherously slain with a Pistoll anno 1584. Now were the poor Hollanders truly miserable desperate of pardon from their Prince and having none to lead them none to protect them but such as were likely to regard their own profit more then theirs England was the only sanctuary they had now left to which they sue offering the Queen thereof the soveraignty of their Provinces who had if not a true yet a plausible title to them As being generally descended from Edward the third and Philip his Wife who was sister and as some say Heir to William Earl of Hainalt Holland c. If Margaret from whom the right of Spain is derived were daughter to Earl William then was our Queen to succeed after Philip who was rejected if that Margaret were as many write his younger sister then was our Queen the undoubted Heir her predecessour Philippa being Earl Williams eldest sister But that Heroick Queen not disputing the right of the title nor intending to herself any thing save the honour of relieving her distressed neighbours and providing for her own estate by this diversion took them into her protection Under which the Belgian affairs succeeded so prosperously I will not now stand upon the particulars that before they would hearken to any treaty of peace they forced the King of Spain to this conclusion that he treated with them as with a free Estate abstracted from all right and title which he might pretend unto the places which they were possessed of This peace was concluded anno 1609. since which time they have kept Garrisons well disciplined and as well paid so that these Countries have in these late dayes been the Campus Martius or School of defence for all Christendome to which the youth of all Nations repair to see the manner of Fortifications and learn the art of war Thus did they for 40 years hold the staffe against a most puissant Monarch and in the end capitulated with great advantage that it is observed that whereas all other Nations grow poor by war these only grow rich Whereupon it is remarkable to consider into what follies and extremities Princes run by using their people to the warre The Kings of France place most of their hopes in their Cavalrie because in policie they would not that the Vulgar should be exercised in arms Lycurgus gave a Law to the Lacedemonians that they should never fight often with one enemie the breaking whereof made the Thâ—bans a small Common-wealth to be their equals in power The Turks won the vast Empire they now possesse by making many and speedy wars But now that policy being worn out of fashion we see that to omit Persia the little and distracted Kingdom of Hungarie hath for 200 years resisted their Forces So was it between the Dukes of Austria and the Switzeâ—s and so it is betwixt the Spaniard and Low-country men who formerly being accounted a dull and heavy people altogether unfit for the wars by their continuall combating with the Spaniard are become ingenious full of action and great managers of causes appertaining to sights either by Sea or Land We may hereby also perceive what advantage a small State gaineth by fortifying places and passages there being nothing which sooner breaketh a great Army and undoeth a great Prince then to beleaguer a well fortified town for that herein he consumeth his time and commonly loseth his men credit and money as the Romans before Numantia the great Tuâ—k in Malta and Charls of Burgundie before Nancie For where war is drawn out of the field unto the wals the Mattock and Spade being more necessary then the Sword and Spear there the valour of the assailant is little available because it wanteth its proper object Thus as before we brought these severall Estates and Provinces into one hand so now we have broke them into two the one part continuing in obedience to the Crown of Spain the other governing themselves as a State apart Under the King remain the Dukedoms of Luxembourg Limbourg and Brabant some few towns excepted the Marquisate of the Empire the Earldomâ— of Hainalt Namur Artois and Flanders except only S. Ivys and the Lorship or Signeurie of Machlyn with many places of importance in the Dutchie of Gueldres to countervail the
Leck Other places of note in this Bishoprick are 2 Wormsted beautified with a fair Castle not far from Magdeburg the ordinary seat or retiring place of the Bishop 3. Grabatz upon the River Struma 4 Mockern on the same River 5 Barleben beneath Meydberg on the Elb. 6 Lunburg betwixt the Elb and the Struma not much observable The Archiepiscopall See being translated hither from Valersleve and Vrese places too obscure for so great a dignity by Otho the first and by him endowed with great Revenues and a goodly territory round about it the Arch-bishop hereof was also by his procurement made the Primate of Germany acknowledged so by all but the Bishop of Saltzburg and the three Spirituall Electors For the Administration of Justice in matters Criminall and Civill the said Otho did ordain an Officer whom they called the Burgrave conferring that office first on Gero Marquesse of Lusatia Through many hands it came at last to Burchard Lord of Quernfort and the Earls of Mansfield many of which enjoyed this honour setled at last by the Emperour Rodolphus of Habspurg on the Dukes of Saxony who by this means came to have great command and influence on the whole Estate The Archbishops notwithstanding continued Lords of it and the whole territory or district adjoyning to it till the Reformation of Religion when the Revenues separated from the jurisdiction were given to Lay Princes for the most part of the house of Brandenbourg with the title of Administrator Finally by the Pacification made at Munster this fair estate is to be setled for ever on the Electors of that house to be possessed by them and their Heires and Successours by the title of the Dukes of Magdeburg the better to content them for the concession which they made to the Crown of Sweden of a great part of their right and title to the Dukedome of Pomeren SAXONIE most specially so called the fourth and last part of this Division stretcheth it self along the Elb betwixt Magdeburg and Meisson of the same nature in regard both of soil and air as is said before Places of most importance in it are 1 Torge or Torgow by some placed in Misnia but by Mercator in this Province Built on the west side of the Elb in form Orbicular and falling every way from the sides of a mountain beautified with a stately and pleasant Castle belonging to the Elector of Saxony who is Lord hereof built by John-Frederick the Elector anno 1535. Near to the City is a Lake of a mile in compasse for which the Citizens pay yeerly to the Duke 500 Guldens 2 Warlitz upon the Elb once a Commandery of the Templars 3 Weisenberck lying towards Brunswick 4 Kemberg on the west side of the Elb. 5 Bitterfelt betwixt the Elb and the Mulda and 6 Wittenberg on the Elb in an open plain but strongly fenced with walls ramparts and deep ditches The chief beauty of it lyeth in one fair street extending the whole length of the City in the midst whereof is the Cathedrall Church a large Market-place and the common Councell-house In former times the seats of the Dukes Electors till the Electorall dignity was conferred on the house of Meissen who liking better their own Country kept their Courts at Dresden But so that Wittenberg is still acknowledged for the head City of the Electorate and was made an University for Divines by Duke Frederick anno 1508. It was called Wittenberg as some conjecture from Wittikindus once Lord of Saxony when the extent thereof was greatest famous for the sepulchres of Luther and Melanchthon but chiefly for that here were the walls of Popery broken down and the reformation of the Church begun by the zeal and diligence of Martin Luther the story of which reformation so by him begun I shall here sub-joyn This Luther as before is said was born at Isleben in the Country of Mansfield and student first at Magdeburg but at the establishing of the University of Wittenberg chosen to be one of the Professours of Divinity there It happened in the yeer 1516 that Pope Leo having need of money sent about his Jubilees and Pardons against the abuses of which Luther inveighed both privately and publickly by word and writing This spark grew at last to so great a coal that it fired the Papall Monarchy Of the success of his endevours we have spoke already We shall look here upon the difficulties which the Cause passed through before it could be blessed with a publick settlement Concerning which we are to know that the Princes of Germany and many of the Free Cities had embraced his doctrine and in the Imperiall Chamber at Spires solemnly professed they would defend it to the death hence were they first called Protestants Nor stayed they there but made a solemn League and Combination at Smalcald spoken of before for defence thereof and of each other in the exercise and profession of it Yet was not this Reformation so easily established Christ had foretold that Fathers should be against their Sonnes and Brothers against Brothers for the truths sake neither doe we ever finde in any story that the true Religion was introduced or Religion corrupted about to be amended without warre and bloud-shed Charles the Emperour whetted on by the Popes of Rome had long born a grudge against the Reformation but especially against the confederacy of Smalcald After long heart burning on either side they broke out into open warâ—e which at first succeeded luckily with the Princes But there being an equality of command between John Frederick the Elector of Saxony and Philip the Lantgrave of Hassia one sometimes not approving other whiles thwarting the others projects the end proved not answerable Besides the politick Emperour alwayes eschewed all occasions of battell and by this delay wearied out this Army of the Princes which without performing any notable exploit disbanded it self every man hastning home to defend his own The Duke of Saxony had most cause to hasten homeward For in his absence his cousin Maurice forgetting the education he had under him and how formerly the Duke had conquered for him and estated him in the Province of Misnia combined himself with the Emperour and invaded his unckles County But the Duke Electour not onely recovered his own but subdued all the Estates in which he had formerly placed his ungratefull and ambitious kinsman The Emperour all this while was not idle but waited advantage to encounter the Duke which at last he found nigh unto Mulberg where the Duke was hearing a Sermon The Emperour giveth the Alarum the Duke startling from his religious exercise seeketh to order his men but in vain For they supposing the Emperour to be nearer with all his forces then indeed he was adde the wings of fear to the feet of cowardise and flie away yet did the Duke with a few resolute Gentlemen as well as they could make head against the enemy till most of them were slain and the Duke himself taken Prisoner The
but reigning in their severall parts Of which Demetrius intending to disseize his brother was himself vanquished and forced to fly into Parthia leaving the whole Kingdome unto Philip. During which warres amongst themselves Syria was invaded and in part conquered by Aret as King of the Arabians and Alexander King of the Jews 3884. 21. Tigranes King of Armenia during these dissentions was by the Syrians chosen King that by his power they might be freed from the Jews and Arabians the most puissant Prince that had reigned in Syria since the time of Antiochus the Great as being King of Syria by election of Armenia by succession of Media by conquest But ingaging himself with Mithridates whose daughter he had maryed against the Romans was vanquished by Lucullus who with the loss of five Romans onely and the wounds of an hundred is reported to have slain of his Enemies above a 100000 men Finally being again broken and vanquished by Lucullus he yielded himself to Pompey who being appointed Lucullus successour deprived him of the honour of ending that warre and retaining to himself Armenia only he left all Syria to the Romans having reigned eighteen years And though Antiochus Comagenus the Sonne of Eusebes petitioned Pompey for a restitution to the Throne of his Anâ—estours yet it would not be granted Pompey replying that he would not trust the Countrey into such weak hands as were not able to defend it against the Arabians Parthians and the like Invaders and so reduced it presently to the form of a Province The government of this Countrey under these new Lords was accompted to be one of the greatest honours of the Empire the Prefect hereof having almost regall jurisdiction over all the regions on this side Euphrates with a super-intendency over Egypt Niger the concurrent of Severus was Praefect here and on the strength hereof presumed on that competition So also was Cassius Syrus who being a Native of this Countrey and well-beloved by reason of his moderate and plausible demeanour had almost tumbled M. Antonius out of his Throne On this occasion it was enacted by the Senate that no man hereafter should have any militer or legale command in the Province where he was born Left perhaps supported by the naturall propension of the people to one of their own Nation and heartned by the powerableness of his Friends he might appropriate that to himself which was common to the Senate and people of Rome But this was when it was entire and passed but for one Province only Phoenicia being also taken into the accompt which made the Antiochians so proud and insolent that Adrian in his time intended to subduct Phoenicia from it netot civitatum Metropolis Antiochia diceretur faith Gallcanus that Antioch might not be the chief of so many Cities But what he lived not to accomplish was performed by Constantine By whom Phonicia was not only taken off but Syria itself divided into four distinct Provinces as was shewed before each of them having its Metropolis or Mother City but all subordinate to the command of the Comes or Praefect of the East as he to the command of the Praefectus Praetorio Orientis the greatest Officer of the Empire of whom we have often spoke already For the defence hereof aswell against all Forrein invasions as the insurrections of the Natives a wavering and inconstant People the Romans kept here in continuall pay four Legions with their Aids and other Additaments For so many Mutianus had here in the time of Galba and by the strength and reputation of those Forces was able to transfer the Empire upon Vespasian And though the Constantinopolitan Emperours to whose share it fell in the division of the Empire rather increased than diminished any part of this strength yet when the fat all time was come and that Empire was in the Declination the Saracens under the conduct of Haumar their third Caliph an 636. possessed themselves of it Heraclius then reigning in Constantinople And it continued in their power till Trangrolipix the Turk having conquered Persia and the Provinces on that side of Euphrates passed over the River into Syria and made himself Master of a great part of that also A quarrell falling out betwixt him and his neerest Kins-men and thereby a great stop made in their further progress was thus composed by the mediation of the Calivh of Babylon in the time of Axan his Successour To Cutlu Muses was assigned a convenient Army to be by him employed against the Christians with Regal power over the Provinces by him gained without relation or subordination to the Persian Sultans of whose successes and affairs hath been spoke elsewhere To Melech and Ducat two others of his discontented Kins-men but all of the same Selzuccian family he gave the fair Cities of Aleppo and Damascus and those parts of Syria with whatsoever they could conquer from the Caliph of Aegypt who then held all Phoenicia and the Sea-coasts of Palestine to be held in see and vassalage of the Crown of Persia To these two brethren then we are to refer the beginning of the Turkish Kingdome in Syria who with their Successors by reason that here they held their residence caused themselves to be called The Turkish Kings of Damascus 1075. 1. Melech and Ducat the first Turkish Kings of Damascus by the gift of Axan the second Sultan of the Turks in Persia added to their dominions all the rest of Syria together with Cilicia and some neighbouring Provinces in the Lesser Asia 2. Sultan of Damascus at such time as the Christians of the West won the Holy Land against whom he notably defended the City and Territories of Damascus and in a set Battel discomfited and flew Roger the Norman Prince of Antioch 1146. 3. Noradine the Sonne of Sanguin Generall of the Armies and Sonne-in-Law to the former King succeeded him in the estate A noble Prince memorable amongst other things for a gallant answer made to his Commanders when they perswaded him to take the advantage on the death of Baldwin the third and to invade Hierusalem whilst the Christians were busie in solemnizing his Funerals Not so faith he Compassion and regard is to be had of the just sorrow of those Christians who have lost such a King as could not be equalled in the world 1175. 4. Melechsala Sonne of Noradine contemned by reason of his youth by his Nobles and Souldiery who made choice of Saladine for their King by whom dispossessed first and after vanquished 1176. 5. Saladine the Turkish Sultan of Egypt having vanquished the Persians or Parthians coming under the conduct of Cacobed Uncle to Melechsia to restore that Prince to his Estate remained King of Damascus and by the puistance of his Armies recovered from the Christians all Syria and the Holy Land with the City of Hierusalem 1199. 6. Eladel or El-Aphzal the eldest Sonne of Saladine suceeded in the Realm of Damascus which he exchanged for that of Egypt with his Brother Elaziz 7. Elaziz
Patriarch of the Armenians at their first separarion from the See of Constantinople the Metropolis at that time of all Armenia so named in honour of Augustus whom the Greeks call Sebastos But of late divested of that dignity the Patriarchall See by reason of the fierce wars raging in this Countrey betwixt the Persians and the Turks being removed to the Monastery of Ecmeazin neer the City of Ervan in Persia in the dominions of which King these Armenian Christians live in great abundance by the name of Jelphelins 3. Tigraneceria beautified and inlarged if not first founded by Tigranes above-mentioned by whom replenished with people of severall Nations whose Countries he had taken from them and enriched in a manner with the wealth of all his Kingdome there being no Armenian either Prince or Paisant who sent not somewhat towards the adorning of it But taken by Lucullus without great resistance those severall Nations not agreeing amongst themselves and therein besides other Treasure no less than 8000 Talents in ready money The City situate neer a River which Tacitus calleth Nicesorius 4. Arsamosata by Pliny called Arsimote on the banks of Euphrates 5. Cholna so called in memory of Hul or Chul the sonne of Aram one of the first Planters of this Countrey 6. Baraza by the Emperor Leo much enlarged and beautified dignified with the new name of Leontopolis and for a while made the Metropolis of the Province 7. Arsâ—rata by Strabo called Arxata 8. Theodosiopolis built on the foundation of some of the more antient Cities by the Emperor Theodosius and of him thus named 9 Colonia the strongest and most defensible City hereof when possessed by the Romans 10. Clamassun a strong Town on the banks of Euphrates taken by Selimus the first in his way towards Persia and therewith livery and seisin of the rest of this Countrey since wholly conquered by his Successors 12. Chars not far from the same River also supposed to be the Chorsa of Ptolomy of which not long since the ruins onely but in three weeks so repaired and fortified by the Turks Anno 1579. that it is thought to be impregnable 13. Thespia giving name of old to the Lake Thespitis and to the Region called Thespites but now not in being 14. Arminig now of greatest name and esteemed the Metropolis of this Countrie situate in that part of the Lake of Vaslan the Martiana palus of the antient writers which lieth next to this Countrey and by that well fortified the onely City of Armenia possessed by the Persians who are the Lords of all that Lake of which more hereafter 15. Van both for natural situation and the works of art accompted by the Turks for their strongest Bulwark in these parts against the Persians and for that cause well garrisoned and as well munitioned This Countrey was first planted by Hul or Chul the sonne of Aram and by Mesech one of the sonnes of Japhet who with their families or Colonies possessed the same the one leaving the remainder of his name in the Montes Moschici the other in the Town called Cholna and the Region called Colthene by Ptolomy Cholobatene by Stephanus Advanced to the honour of a Kingdome assoon as any that of Babel excepted Ninus the third from Nimrod finding Barzanes King hereof whom he forced to acknowledge his superiority and to aid him in his warres against Zoroaster the King of Bactria Kings of most note in times succeeding for we have no constant Cata legue of them were 1. Araxes who being warred on by the Persians was promised victory by the Oracle on the sacrifice of his two fair daughters Willing to satisfie the Gods and yet spare his children he sacrificed two of the daughters of Musalcus a noble man of this Countrey by whom in revenge hereof his own daughters were slain and himself so closely followed that swiming the River then called Helmns he was therein drowned and thereby gave unto that River the name of Araxes 2. Artaxa the founder of the great City Artaxata spoken of before 3. Tigranes the most mightie King that ever reigned in Armenia to which he added by his prowess Galatia and a great part of Cilicia in Asia Minor the whole Countreys of Media Syria and Phoenicia But siding with Mithridates whose daughter he had maryed against the Romans he was by Lucullus overthrown in two grea battels and outed of the greatest part of his dominions Hearing that Pompey had succeeded Lucullus in command of the Army and trusting more unto his goodness than a wiseman would he put himself into his power by whom condemned in a great sum of money for the charge of the war and stripped of all the rest of his estates he was suffered to enjoy Armenta Major Syria being made a Province Sophene given to Ariobarzanes King of Cappadocia Media left unto it self and the lesser Armenia conferred on one of his Sonnes who being found guilty of some practice with the King of Parthia was carryed Prisoner unto Rome and his Countrey brought into the form of a Province 4. Artavasdes circumvented by Mar. Antonie who led him Prisoner to Rome but catenis i.e. quid honori ejus deesset aureis as the Historian tells us of him it was in chaines of Gold for his greater honour giving Armenia to one of the sonnes of Cleopatra And though 5. Artaxias recovered his Fathers Kingdome yet he and his Successors held it but as Vassals of the Roman Empire the Senate after that confirming and sometimes nominating the Armeni in Kings Continuing in this estate till the time of Trajan it was by him reduced to the form of a Province made after that a part of the Pontick Diocese who adding Mesopotamia also unto his dominions make Tigris the Eastern border of his Empire which Augustus thought fit to limit with the banks of Euphrates But long it held not in that form being governed by its own Kings as it was before Trajans time in the reign of Constantius Julian and the Emperors following whom they acknowledged and revered as their Lords in chief till the time of Justinian the second he began his Empire Anno 687. when subdued by the Saracens Recovered by that Emperour but soon lost again it continued subject to the Saracens till the breaking in of the Turks Anno 844. of whom more anon The greatest part of the Turks emptying themselves into Persit and other Countreys which they took from the Eastern Emperors the Christians of Armenia began to take heart again and to have Kings of their own by whom governed till again subdued by Occadan or Hoccata sonne of Cingis the first Cham of the Fartars Nor did the Tartars make so absolute a conquest of it as to extinguish either Christianity or the race of the Kings Haithon surnamed Armentus reigning after this and going in person to Mangu the great Cham of Tartarie Anno 1257. And in our own Chronicles in the reign of King Richard the second we find mention of one Leon an
Cattel to prosper above all imagination Most destitute in this kind is the Province of Choromandel in which if any year passeth without rain they fall into such extremities that they are fain to â—ell their children The People in Religion 〈◊〉 so worshipping one God as the Lord of all which is taught them by the light of nature that they join the Devil or their Pagodes in Commission with him where to induced by the perswasion of their beastly Bramines who thereout suck no small advantage Some Christians there are intermixt of the old plantation especially in Maâ—apur and the Region of Choromandel but not to well instructed in the Principles of their own belief as to be able to convince or convert the Gentiles nor to disswade them from the use of some Heathenigh customes though barbarous inhumane and against all reason not used in any place but amongst the Indians Amongst which I reckon for most savage the forcing of poor women to burn themselves with their husbands bodies the womens kindred not the husbands thrusting them on these hard conditions who reckon it a disgrace to their familie if she should refuse And because they will be sure not to have that infamy stick upon them they have ordered that the woman who shall so refuse must shave her head and break her Jewells and not be suffered to eat drink or sleep or company with any body till her death A life more miserable than the Flames which they seek to shun This makes them leap into the fire with joy and greediness and to contend which shall be formost she being thought to have been most loving during his life which is now most willing to accompany him in his death and offer her self to his Mane at the funeral pile whereunto thus alludeth the Poet. Et 〈…〉 quae viva sequatur 〈◊〉 râ—est non licuisse mori 〈…〉 praebent pectora sammae 〈…〉 A shame 't is not to dy they therefore strive Who may be sam'd to follow him alive The Victor burns yields to the flame her brest And her burnt face doth on her husband rest Chief Cities of this Countrey 1. 〈◊〉 on the borders of Travancer belonging antiently to the Kings of 〈◊〉 now to those of 〈◊〉 the people whereabout called Paravt are a kind of Christians who live for the most part by fishing for Pearl which they fell to the Portugals and Bengalan Merchants 2. 〈◊〉 the chief City of the Province called Musulipatan the Lord whereof is a Moor of the 〈◊〉 sect but a Vassal to the Kings of Narsinga 3. Chamdagrin one of the Seat-Royals of the King 4. Prepett three miles from Chamdagâ—â—n memorable for an yearly feast here celebrated in honour of 〈◊〉 once sâ—le King of Malavar reckoned for a Saint at least in these parts of India the offerings at which accustomably amount unto 200000 Crowns 5. Chadambaram the Moâ—he-City of these 〈◊〉 Solemnities which are done to Pereimal who hath here a Temple endowed with 30000 Ducats of annual reat all consumed by the Bramines belonging to it who pretend to have been born out of Pâ—reâ—â—alls head 6. Madura honoured with the residence of the Choâ—anâ—tâ—â— or the Chief Prelsc of the Bramines of this Kingdome so numerous that in this Town and the territories of it only are thought to be no fewer than an hundred thousand The seat also of one of three 〈◊〉 or tributary Kings of the Crown of Narsinga the other two residing at 7. 〈◊〉 and S. 〈◊〉 the Chief Towns of their Principalities but not else observable 9. Mahapur called also St. Thomas from an opinion that the body of that Apostle was here interred martyred here by the 〈…〉 whose posterity in other things like unto other men are said to have one legand foot as big as an Elephants a punishment inflicted on the whole Generation for the sin of their Ancestors How true this is I cannot say but sure I am that Dorotheus faith that he resteth at Calaemâ—na where he was slain with a dart However the Portugali to make some use of the old tradition removed some bones from this place which were said to be his and enshrined them in Goa their own City much visited by profitable 〈◊〉 to their great enriching The City once so large and populous that it contained 330 Temples for the use of divers Nations which resorted thither In these later daies desolate and forlorn inhabited onely by some old Christians till the Portugueze began again to people it with new Colonies 10. Choromandel giving name to a large Sea-Coast lying on the West side of the Golf of Bengala 11. Casta a Town of Choromandel in which the woman is not burned with her Husband as in other places of this Countrey but buried quick in the same grave with him 12. Negapatan in the same Region inhabited for the most part by Saint Thomas Christians 13. Tarnassari once the head City of a Kingdome to called the King whereof was able to bring into the field 100000 horse and foot and 100 armed Elephants but now subject to the King of Narsinga The people black but so out of love with their own colour that they willingly prostitute their wives or daughters to any people of a whiter and more cleer complexion 14. Bisnagar once the chief City of this kingdome whence the King is sometimes called the King of Bisnagar In those times 24 miles in compass with nine Gates in it amongst others continually guarded with Souldiers and a magnificent Palace not elsewhere equalled In the year 1565. sacked by four of the Mahometan Kings of Decan who with their joint forces had invaded this kingdome it became desolate and forsaken and the Court removed to 15. Penegardc eight daies journey within the Land Bisnagar being seated on the borders of Decan But long it had not staid there when removed to 16. Narsinga where it hath ever since been fixed which is now the chief City of this Kingdome unto which it gives name though the King many times call himself by the name of that City where he resideth for the present Of the Antiquity of this kingdome I have little to say these Eastern parts not being known at all till these later times nor well known in these About the year 1550 their King then reigning was imprisoned by three of his Captains or Commanders who shewed him only once a year to his Subjects parting the power and government amongst themselves He being dead and his sonne kept in the like restraint Romaragio the first Captain ascended the Throne Timaragio mannaged the Estate and Bengahe commanded the Army But these Usurpers being overthrown by the kings of Decan in the year 1565. Timaragio the Survivor took the charge of all whose sonne to make himself sure of the kingdome murdered his imprisoned Soveraign the life and liberty of kings being much of a date whence followed many broiles and troubles touching the Succession till settled in the person of Chrismarao the undoubted Heir who did
for the fire and timber for building the body of the Tree being strait and high and towards the top diversified into many branches A Country far too good for so bad a people For they as Travellers report and most Writers testifie are treacherous inhospitable ignorant both of â— rayers and Festivals destitute of the distinction of time into years and moneths not knowing any proper names for the dayes of the week nor able to reckon above ten naked except their privities which they cover with Cotton Idolaters in the midland parts Mahometans upon the shores Commendable only for their hate to Polygamie and restraining themselves to one wife the defiling of the marriage bed severely punished but otherwise so eager upon copulation that their Boyes at the age of twelve years and the Girls at ten think they stay too long if they keep their Virginities any longer some of them like Quartilla in Pâ—tronius Arbiter begin so early ut nunquam meminerint se Virgines fuisse that they remember not the time when they lost their Maidenheads Of colour they are black and of strong composition their breasts and faces cut and pinkt to appear more beautiful Much given unto the wars well armed according to their Country manner and exceeding good Archers Amongst them there are some white people said to come from China It hath in it many fair Rivers but their names I find not and at the mouths of those Rivers some convenient Havens into which they admit the sorrein Merchants but suffer none to come on land which the Merchant hath no cause to be sorry for finding himself not safe on shipboard from their treacherous practises So that we can give but small Account of their Towns and Cities except it be the bare recital of their names as viz. 1. S. Augustines on a fair Bay in the South-west point as 2 Gangomar in the North-east of it 3 Antabosta 4 Point-Antogil 5 Santo-Jacobo 6 Matatana 7 Angoda 8 Herendo 9 Andro-arco and 10 Roma or New-Rome so entituled by some zealous Romanist in hope to have it thought that the Popes of Rome have got some footing in this Iland This Iland known but very imperfectly in the time of Marcus Paulus Venetus who telleth us many strange things of it but none more strange then that of the Bird called Ruck of such incredible strength bigness that it could snatch up an Elephant as easily as a Kite doth a Chicken Discovered by the Portugals in the year 1506. as before was said and since frequented by the English and Holland Merchants by whom we are informed no further touching the Estate and Affairs thereof but that it is divided into four parts under so many Kings each of them in continual wars against one another but well enough agreed to defend themselves against the coming in of Strangers yet as some say they would be well enough content with an English Plantation either in love to our Nation whom they acknowledge to be more courteous then the Portugals and not so covetous as the Dutch or else by the strength of our Shipping and the reputation of our interesse in it to keep off all others 4. MOHELIA 5. MAVRITIVS Iland ADjoyning to Madagascar and as it were attending on it I find divers Ilands some on the North-west some directly East On the North-west we have 1 Meottey 2 Chamroe 3 Mohelia and 4 Joanna Iland on the East 5 the Iland of Mauritius and 6 Englands Forest Of these Mauritius is the greatest but Mohelia the best inhabited 4. MOHELIA situate on the North-west of Madagascar is about 20 miles in length and 16 in breadth abounding in Goats Hens Coconuts Limons Orenges Pom-Citrons Pulse Sugar-Canes store of Fish taken on the shores and other necessaries The People of complexion black of composition large and strong couragious affable lesse treacherous then their neighbours of Madagascar Of the same Language and Religion with those of Arabia from whence they seem to have descended but by reason of their commerce and intercourse with the Portugals they speak that tongue also The Women of the like complexion to amend which and seem more lovely they pink their arms and faces in several shapes Both sexes no otherwise apparalled then their natural garments with some Plantane Leaves about their middle to hide their shame Their Religion that of Mahomet as before is said their Priests in great esteem amongst them so their Temples also which they keep clean and neatly matted not suffering any man to enter with his shooes on his feet Their chief Town Merianguea at the West end of the Isle strong and well-garrison'd Heretofore under the command of one King alone of late divided into two Principalities one of the last Kings leaving two daughters the one married to a Native the other to an Arabian Lord. 5. Larger then this on the East of Madagascar is the Isle of MAVRITIVS so called by the Hollanders in honour of Maurice Prince of Orange in whose time they first set footing in it but by the Portugals called De Cerne and by some Cygnaea In compass about 100 miles well stored with Beeves Hogs Goats most sorts of Fish and liberally endowed with all the blessings of Nature sweet Waters most delicious Fruits Woods fit for any use both of food and building plenty of Ebonie of all colours but the best coal-black Yet altogether destitute of humane Inhabitants insomuch as we may say of this as the Poet of the World before Man was made Sanctius his Animal mentisque capacius altae Deerat adhuc quod dominari in caetera posset Which may be Englished in these words But yet the Chief with Supreme power possest Was wanting he that should command the rest 6. S. HELENS 7. The Isles of ASCENTION 6. AS destitute of Inhabitants as the Isle of Mauritius is that of S. HELEN on the West side of the Cape of Good Hope in the 16 Degree of Southernly Latitude no other Iland interposing betwixt Madagascar and it except those of Don Alvarez and of Tristram de Acugna neer the Cape it self but of so little note as not worth the naming The Iland very high and hilly and mounting from the Sea with so steep an ascent that the Mariners have amongst them a merry saying that A man may choose whether he will break his heart going up or his neck coming down It was thus called because discovered by the Portugals on S. Helens day not then inhabited nor since the King of Spain suffering none to dwell there because it had been made an unlawful receptacle for uncustomed Goods whereby he lost exceedingly both in power and profit Stored by the Portugals at the first Discovery with Goats Hogs Hens and other Creatures as also with Figs Limons Orenges and the like Fruits which there thrive exceedingly and grow all the year long Intended by them for a Stage in their going and coming to and from the Indies in which they might refresh themselves and