the Helm of State have precedency as the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord President of his Majesties Council Lord Privy Seal Lord high Chamberlain the Earl Marshal the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Horse c. Precedency may be thus observed the King who is the fountain of Honour the Prince of England who is eldest Son to the King and is born Duke of Cornwal and about the age of 17 years is usually created Prince of Wales Princes of the Blood Royal who are the Sons Brothers Uncles and Nephews of the King The Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper the Archbishop of York Lord Treasurer of England Lord President of the Privy Council Lord Privy Seal Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Viscounts Earls eldest Sons Marquesses younger Sons Bishops Barons Viscounts eldest Sons Earls younger Sons Barons eldest Sons Privy Counsellors that are not Noblemen Judges Viscounts younger Sons Barons younger Sons Knights of the Garter if not otherwise dignified as is rarely found Knights Bannerets Baronets Knights of the Bath Knights Batchelors Colonels Sergeants at Law Masters of Chancery and Doctors and Esquires and those may be comprehended under five several heads 1. Esquires unto the Kings Body 2. the descendants by the Male-line from a Peer of the Realm 3. the eldest Sons of Knights of the Garter Baronets Knights of the Bath and Knights Batchelors 4. the two Esquires attending on the Knights of the Bath at their Knighting and 5. Officiary Esquires as Justices of the Peace Barresters at Law Lieutenant Colonels Majors and Captains and lastly Gentlemen At a Marshal Court held at White-Hall the 18th of March An. Dom. 1615. it was declared and concluded on that there are two degrees that establish and settle the Title of an Esquire by birth the one the younger Sons of Peers of the Realm which do invest into the Heirs-males descended from them the Name and Title of Esquires the other the lineal Heir-male of a Knights House and these may justly assume and challenge the Title of Esquire by birth so that in all reason the younger Sons of Peers are more worthy than Knights so the setling of a Title proceeding from them is more worthy and eminent than that derived from Knights The Dominions of England The Dominions of the King of England are very large for besides that of England Scotland and Ireland there are divers small Isles scituate nigh unto them and do belong to one or the other as the Isles of ORKNEY or ORCADES in number 32 seated against the North-cape of Scotland The Isles of SHETLAND also under the Scotish Dominions the HEBRIDES in number 44 seated Westwards of Scotland the SORLINGS seated in the Westrn-cape of Cornwall the SPORADES being several Isles dispersed about the British Seas amongst which these following are the chief MAN scituate between England Scotland and Ireland JERSEY and GARNSEY on the French Coast WIGHT part of Hantshire PORTLAND part of Dorsetshire STEEPHOLMS and FLATHOM in Somerfetshire AIBBRE in Cheshire DENNY in Monmouthshire CODLEY in Pembrokeshire ANGLESEY which is one of the Welsh Counties SHEPPEY in Kent NORTHEY OSEY and HORSEY in Essex FERNE COCKET and HOLY Isle in Northumberland with several other small Isles not worth the naming as indeed many of these are Then in Africa as TANGIER GVINEY c. In the East Indies several places though belonging to the East India Company of London and in America large Dominions as NEW ENGLAND NEW YORK MARYLAND VIRGINIA CAROLINA all which are on the Continent also divers Isles some of which are very considerable as JAMAICA BARBADOS BERMVDOS ANTEGO NEW FOVNDLAND c. all which shall be treated of as they come in order but first of the English Counties County of Barkshire described BARKSHIRE well clothed with Wood and watered with Rivers is blest with a sweet Air hath a rich Soil fit both for Corn and Pasturage especially in the Vale of Whitehorse and generally the whole County for profit and pleasure yieldeth to few Shires in England The principal Commodity that this Shire produceth is Cloth which finds great vent and amongst the Rivers that water the County the Isis the Oke and the Kenet which affords excellent Trouts are the chief It is severed into 20 Hundreds in which are 140 Parishes and hath 12 Market Towns Reading Reading pleasantly seated near the Thames and on the Kenet which is navigable for Barges to London which adds much to its Trade which is considerable especially for Cloth and Mault 't is a large Town containing three Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses hath fair Streets is well inhabited and hath a very considerable Market for Grains Malt Hops and most Country commodities on Saturdays 'T is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 12 Aldermen and as many Burgesses with sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T was formerly beautified with a fair and rich Monastery and a strong Castle built by King Henry the First where in the Collegiate Church of the Abby himself and Queen with Maud their Daughter were interr'd both which now lie in their ruins New Windsor Windsor pleasantly seated near the banks of the Thames and adjoyning to a Park and Forest well stored with Game 't is a fair large well frequented and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very good Market for Provisions on Saturdays This Town is of great note for its stately Castle and Royal Palace of his Majesty seated on a great eminency wherein is a Chappel for Devotion a Colledge for Learning and an alms-Alms-house for decayed Gentlemen called the poor Knights of Windsor and famous is this Castle not only for giving birth to so many of our Kings and Princes but for being the place where the ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solemnized on St. Georges day Nigh unto New Windsor is Old Windsor a Town of greater antiquity though not of so much splendor Newbury Newbury well seated on the Kennet and in a Champain Plain a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and Burgesses beautified with a spacious Market-place and well built Market-house sufficiently served with Corn Flesh Fish and Fowl on Thursdays This Town had its rise out of the ancient Spinae now a small Village near adjoyning and called Speenhamland and is of note for its Jack of Newbury who got so great an estate by Clothing which this Town at present is very considerable for Wallingford Wallingford a Town of great antiquity and in times past very strong and large containing four Parish Churches within its Walls which took up a mile in circuit 'T is at present a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers enjoyeth large Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T is commodiously seated on the banks of the Thames over which
Tunis and Tripoli to the Negroes BERDOA is no less Desart than that of Lempta Berdoa but it hath Dates about those places which are inhabited and which are well furnished with Water They count three little walled Cities and some Towns the chief bearing the name of the part Borno and Goaga BORNO and GOAGA are scarce Desart They have each their King He of Borno is of the Race of Berdoa and his People part Black part White are civil and drive some Trade But they have likewise their Wives and Children in common and scarce any Religion as formerly the Garamantes The King of Goaga descended from a Black Slave who having seized on the estate of his Master after having bought some Horses ran over the Neighbouring Countries traded for some time for Slaves against Horses whom he made mount on his and became Master of this Estate more than 200 years ago Part of his People are Christians as those of Egypt but ignorant and almost all Shepherds The chief places in Borno are Amasen Kaugha and Borno the two former seated in the Lake Semegda The chief place of Goaga bears the same The Land of NEGROES The Land of Negroes its Name People and Parts described THE Negroes are People about the River Niger which hath taken its Name from these People and these People from their Colour and not the People from the River as some have believed They are divided into many Parties or Kingdoms of which some are on this side others beyond and others between the Branches of the Niger We have placed on this side the Kingdoms of Gualata Genehoa Tombut Agades Canum Cassena and Gangara Beyond those of Melly Sousos Mandingue Gago Guber Zegzeg and Zanfara Between the Branches and about the Mouths of Niger are a great number of People Kingdoms and Signiories The principal People are the Jaloffes between the Branches of Sanega and Gambea the Casanguas between St. Domingo and Rio Grande and the Biafares beyond and along Rio Grande The most famous Kingdoms of the Jaloffes are those of Sanega and Gambea Among the Casanguas those of Casamanse and Jarem among the Biafares those of Guinala Biguba and Besegue All these Kingdoms and People and likewise the others which are about the Niger are so little known that some think it not worth the pains to set down their Names We will speak only of what shall seem most remarkable Kingdom of Gualata GVALATA is one of the least having in it not above three Towns of which Guadia is the chief besides some few Villages Fruitful in Dates they are coal black live in a mean condition and without any form of Government or settled Laws They have no Gentry among them but to their power are civil to Strangers Kingdom of Geneboa GENEHOA is rich in Grain Cotton Cattle and Gold for which they have a good trade with the Merchants of Barbary and by reason of the overflowing of the Niger the Soil is very fertil yet have they not many Towns that most known is where their King resideth who is a Vassal to the King of Tombut beareth the name of the Kingdom And here it is that their Priests Doctors and Merchants inhabit The Priests and Doctors wear white Apparel and for distinction all the rest wear black or blew Cotton It s other places are Samba-Lamech Ganar and Walade Kingdom of Tombut TOMBVT hath quantity of Gold is well watered with the Niger which makes it very fruitful especially in Grains and it hath good Pastures which feed many Cattle The chief place gives name to the Kingdom scituate on a branch of the River Niger It is the residence of their King who hath a fair Palace built of Lime and Stones all the rest of the Houses except one fair Church is made of Mud and Thatched It is well filled with Merchants who drive a good Trade betwixt this and Fez. This King within this 100 and odd years hath subdued and made tributary a great part of the Negroes is magnificent in his Court of the Mahometan Religion keeps ordinarily 3000 Horse for his Guard and hath marched against the Xeriffs of Morocco with 300000 Men. It s other places are Salla and Berissa also seated on the Niger Gugneve Carogoli and Cassali Kingdom of Agades AGADES hath great quantities of Cattle and are much given to grasing and looking to them making it their livelyhood using the Ancients custom of Tents and removing up and down for the conveniency of fresh and good Pasture for their Cattle and among their Moveable Towns their chief bears the name of the Kingdom in which the King resideth who is Tributary to him of Tombut It s other places are Deghir Mayma and Mura seated on a Lake of the Niger Kingdom of Canum CANVM besides its Cattle hath Grain Rice Cotton and Fruits hath Springs of Running-water as also a good River which issueth forth many little Rivulets it is well stored with Wood is very populous and hath several Towns the chief being Cano wherein is the Palace of their King who is also Tributary to him of Tombut This Town is environed with a Wall of Chalk-Stone of which most of the Houses are built and well frequented by Merchants Its next chief place is Germa Kingdom of Cassena CASSENA is craggy barren and very Woody yet it yields some store of Barley and Millet The People live very meanly wanting many things that the other Kingdoms have plenty of and their Houses and Towns are as poor among which Cassena is the chief next Nebrina and Tirca Kingdom of Gangara GANGARA is rich in Gold hath not many Towns the chief whereof bears the name of the Kingdom in which the King resideth being also the habitation of many Merchants and its King is very absolute and hath a great Revenue His Militia is in some esteem among the Negroes being observed to keep in continual pay 500 Horsmen and 7000 Men which use Bows and Scimitars The next is Semegonda seated on a branch of the Niger Kingdom of Melly MELLY is a spacious and fruitful Kingdom seated all along on a branch of the River Niger which makes it very fertil in Corn Cattle Dates Fruits Cotton Wool c. And by reason of the conveniency of the said River hath a good Trade for their Commodities with other Countries It s chief Town takes its name from the Kingdom containing about 6000 Houses indifferently well built but unwalled It is the Seat-Royal of their King they have likewise here a famous Colledge and many Temples which are well furnished with Priests and Doctors who read the Mahometan Law and under whom the youth of this Kingdom as also those of Tombut and other parts of the Negroes are educated These People are esteemed the most ingenious the wittiest and most civil to Strangers of all the Negroes Their King is also tributary to the King of Tombut Kingdom of Souson SOVSOS hath divers
therefore when that the Spaniards first arrived in this golden Kingdom which for that reason they have fortified with strong Castles and Forts in many Cities especially the Regal City called Cusco they beheld many Houses spread within and without with Plates of Gold The most rich Mine of Silver is in the Mountain Potosi in which 20000 men are employed to digg the Earth descending by at least 400 steps and by these Mines the King of Spain receiveth a vast Revenue annually to the envy of all other Emperours and Potentates 2. The most excellent Silver Mines are in the Isles of Japan hence termed by the Spaniards the Silver Islands There are also Mines of Gold found there but now less rich than formerly 3. Arabia had more abundance of Mines of Gold than at this day 4. In the mountainous parts of Persia as also in China there are certain Mines of Silver 5. In Guiney are many Mountains producing Gold but yet remote from the shore This Gold is called Seed Gold The Gold is not dugg up that cometh from thence but is gathered by other ways Every one of their Kings are said to have their proper Mines and sell the Gold for which the Europeans give in exchange other Commodities 6. In Monomotapa there are found rich Mines of Gold and Silver as also in Angola 7. Of all the Provinces of Europe Germany is the most rich in abundance of Mines whereof some afford some little Gold divers Silver and very many Copper Iron Lead Vitriol Antinomy and the like Rich Mines in England 8. In many parts of England are rich Mines of Lead and Tin which are sound very profitable to the Kingdom not only by that which is used here at home but also by the great quantities which are transported to other Countries Likewise Mines of Iron Coals some of Silver c. 9. Sweden hath the most rich Copper Mine of any hitherto known in a vast Mountain which they call Den Copperberg such a great quantity of Copper is dugg that it is said to make up the third part of the King's Revenue There are also Mines of Silver and Iron but they hardly discharge the expences in digging it Mines of Jewels 10. Mines of Jewels are found in the Island of Ceiland where there is also a Silver Mine and a great Marble Mine 11. In the Region of Chili are rich Mines of Jewels as also of Silver and Gold but the warlike Natives having more esteem to Iron Weapons than to Gold and Silver have vanquished the Spaniards and demolished the Mines 12. In the Isle of Madagascar Iron and Gold doth much abound there is a moderate quantity of Silver little Gold no Lead whence it cometh to pass that the Natives more value leaden dishes and spoons than those of silver 13. In the Isle of Sumatra they write that there are large Mines of Gold Silver Brass and Iron insomuch that their King in the Year 1620. had by him 1000 l. weight of Gold 14. In the Philippine Isles Java Hispaniola Cuba and the rest Histories record that Mines of Gold Silver Copper and Iron are found In the Mountains of Siam also they relate that Gold Silver and Tin are found Salt Mines 15. Mines of Salt are found in Poland at Pochâ—iam four miles from Cracovia where they cut of huge lumps of lucid and white Salt from the Earth In Transilvania in the County of Triol in Spain in Asia minor in Kilisim a Mountain of Persia in places near the Caspian Sea not far from the River Volga where is the Island Kostowata Hence the Russians digg their Salt and boyle it up to a more pure Substance and transport it throughout all Russia There is a salt Mountain in Cuba All the Mountains of the Isles of Ormus in the entrance of the Persian Gulph consist of a Christalline salt yea the whole Isle is almost nothing else but salt out of which they make the Walls of their Houses In Africa there is no other salt but what is dugg out of the salt parts of Caves as Marble is of a white red and ashy colour In Peru 80 miles from Lima in a certain Valley great plenty of Salt is found whence every one may take what they please because it continually encreaseth neither doth it seem possible ever to be exhausted In the Kingdom of Musulipatan near the City Baganaga great abundance of salt is dugg up whence all the Indians fetch it Of salt Fountains we shall speak in another Chapter Proposition II. A Wood is a multitude of Trees stretched forth in a long and continued Tract of Earth and propagated without any Culture or dressing and planting Of Woods Most Woods have only Trees of one sort and are denominated from them and seeing that there is great variety of Trees there are also various differences of Woods as a Wood consisting of Palm-trees is termed Palmetum of Oak Quercetum and the like Although these terms are frequently used for Groves or less Woods But they are divers in several Regions especially in those more remote In Africa at Cape Verd are Woods of Citrian and Orange-trees such as are also found in other places In France are whole Woods of Chesnut-trees In the Isle of Ceiland are Trees whose bark doth afford Cinamon In Banda are Nuces Muscatae In Brasil are Woods of Trees called Brasil of great use for Diers In Madagascar are Tamerind Trees as also in other places Cedars on Mount Lebanus of which whole Woods are also found in Japan so that they use them for Masts for Ships In Spain France and Italy are Olive and Mirtle Trees In Germany the Woods consist of Beech Oak Alder Pine Juniper Maple Firr Ash and Elm. The most noted Woods or Forests are that of Hercinia which in times past almost overspread all Germany part of it is the Bohemian Wood and Bacen or Semana in the Dukedom of Brunswick Gabrata Martiana and others In England the Woods consist of Oak Elm Ash Beech and Maple Trees In Scotland the famous Wood called Caledonia and others in other places especially in Norway where there is an abundance of vast Trees above all other Countries in Europe called Firr Trees whence all the Masts of Ships almost throughout Europe are made Lithuania hath almost nought else but Trees whence the King of Poland hath a great Revenue Proposition III. Desarts are vast Tracts of Land not inhabited by man They are twofold those properly so termed and those improperly The former are those whose soil or earth is steril Of Desarts The latter which indeed is fertil but not inhabited by man as in many places in Muscovia about the Caspian Sea from the shore of Volga are many fertil and fat Fields which lie uncultivated and chiefly by reason of the sloath of the Inhabitants as also by reason of the Wars of Tamerlane by which those Countries were depopulated but these are less properly termed Desarts Of those properly so termed
Wax Commodities and excellent Warlike Horses whose Manes are said to hang down to their feet their Fruits are good and in great plenty and the Earth is inriched with Mines of several Metals It is seated in the Northern Temperate Zone between the 7th and 10th Climates which makes the longest day to be 17 hours It s People The People are well made and proportionate they are head-strong resolute in their Opinions and of no ready wit they use the Sclavonian Language they are Christians and follow the Greek Church The Kingdom at present is divided into several Provinces as in the Geographical Table of Turkey in Europe is set down all which are subject to the Grand Signior Province of Transilvania The Province of TRANSILVANIA hath for its chief places 1. Waranine far engaged towards the West and it is a frontier Town to Hungaria and of some account and strength 2. Hermensted more towards Moldavia 3. Weisenburg 4. Burges 5. and Hanyad Province of Bosnia The Province of BOSNIA hath for its chief place 1. Saraih the Metropolitan City seated in a fruitful Valley which on the North and South sides are immured with ridges of pleasant Hills of an easie ascent This City is said to contain about 80 Mescheetoes and about 20000 Houses which for the most part are but meanly built 2. Bagnialuch once the residence of the Bosnian Kings and 3. Jayeza the usual Sepulchre of those Kings Province of Servia The Province of SERVIA whose chief Cities are 1. Belgrade once the Bulwark of Christendom valiantly resisting the power of Amurath the 6th and Mahomet the Great but yielded to Solyman Anno 1520 when this whole Country became a Turkish Province 2. Stonebourgh once the Seat of its Despot and 3. Samandria Province of Bulgaria The Province of BVLGARIA hath for its chief places 1. Sofia the Seat of the Beglerbeg of Greece under whom are 21 Sangiacs seated almost in the midst of a long and fruitful Valley beautified with many fair Hanes and Baths the chief of which hath hot Fountains It s Colledge is magnificent and its Mescheetoes are many and beautiful especially that in the midst of the City which is the largest and here the doors of the houses of the Christians and Jews are not above 3 foot high which is so made to keep out the Turkish Horses who would else in their Travels make them serve instead of Stables so great is the slavery that they live under 2. Oesco 3. Novi 4. Durostoro and 5. Destor all which are seated on the Danube 6. Proslavia seated at the mouth of one of the branches of the Danube at its fall into the Euxine Sea 7. Calutra and 8. Varna both seated on the Euxine or Black Sea Province of Moldavia The Province of MOLDAVIA whose chief places are 1. Zuccania once the Seat of the Vaivod 2. Sotzowa and 3. Lazy both good Cities Country of Bessarabia To the Province of Moldavia doth belong the small Country of BESSARABIA which lieth between Podolia and Bulgaria and is commodiously seated on the Black Sea It s chief places are Kherman or Moncastro the Seat of the Turkish Sargiack seated on the River Tyras not far from its influx into the Sea and 2. Kilia also seated on the Euxine Sea Province of Walachia The Province of WALACHIA being divided from Bulgaria by the Danube and is esteemed the richest Province in all Dacia It s chief places are 1. Targovisco the Seat of the Vajuods 2. Domboviza and 3. Brailonum GREECE The Parts of Greece The rest of Turkey in Europe may be comprehended under the name of GREECE which is divided into several parts to wit Romania which answers to the ancient Thrace Macedonia whose divers parts have received divers names as that of Jamboli of Camenolitaria of Migdonia or particular Macedonia Albania and Thessaly which is now called Junna Epirus now Canina Achaia and Aetolla now Livadia and Peloponnesus now the Morea Its Bounds GREECE esteemed the Mother of Arts and Sciences hath for its Eastern bounds the Egean Sea the Hellespont Propontis and Thracian Bosphorus and for its Western the Adriatick Sea and Italy It is seated in the Northern Temperate Zone under the 5th and 6th Climates the longest day being 15 hours It s sertllity and Commoties The Soil without doubt is very rich and fruitful and would be very prositable to the Husbandman if pains were taken in tilling it but the Great Turk seizing on their Estates when and as often as he pleaseth makes them careless to cultivate it yet here are found several good Commodities which are transported to other places as Wines Oils Silk both raw and wrought into severai Manufactures as Velvets Damasks c. also Gragrams Brimstone Copper Vitriol Cottons Sopes Carpets Cute Currants Cuminseed Anniseeds c. The Ancient and present Greeks The Grecians though a scattered People since the Turks became Masters of their Country vet still retain their Name Religion Customs and Language as indeed they do in all other places where they live They were once a Nation so excellent that their Precepts and Examples do yet remain as approved Canons to direct the mind to Vertue they were Lovers of freedom every way noble in matters of Government famous in Arms glorious in Arts admirable and to whom the rest of the World were held Barbarians but since they became under the Turkish yoke for the generaliay their Spirits are so low that their knowledge is turned into ignorance their liberty into contented slavery their Vertues into Vices and their industry in Arts and Sciences into idleness They are much addicted to drink and dancing for which they had the name of Merry Greeks they are of a good proportion and of a swarthy complexion their Women are well favoured brown and excessively amorous in matters of Habit they differ little from those amongst whom they live The Christian Faith was here established by Timothy to whom St. Paul wrote two Epistles The Fathers which this Church most adhereth unto are Chrysostom Basil and the two Gregories and the Church is governed by Patriarchs one of Constantinople another of Alexandria another of Jerusalem and another of Antioch freely exercising their Religion which differeth much from the Church of Rome as I shall in place elsewhere take notice oâ— and have every where their Temples and Monasteries If a Patriarch die another is elected by the Synod of Bishops Famous Men here bred This Country hath bred several famous Men as Alexander the Subverter of the Persian Monarchy Xenophon Plutarch Herodotus and Thucydides famous Historiographers Epaminondas Pyrrhus Miltiades and Aristides Captains Plato Aristotle Socrates and Theophrastus Divine Philosophers Demosthenes Aeschines and Isocrates eloquent Oratours with several others too tedious to name but to proceed to the Provinces Province of Romania ROMANIA particularly so called a Country of it self neither of a rich Soyl nor pleasant Air more
place in all Normandy 3. Dieppe also a City of some Trade being a common Landing-place for the English in their passage into France 4. Caen famous for its long resistance of Henry the Fifth of England 5. Fabais once a strong Town here it was that Duke Robert passing through saw some Maids a dancing amongst which was one Arlet a Skinners Daughter who so nimbly footed it that his desires were to enjoy her thinking she would be as active in the Bed whereupon he sent for her and obtained his desires in which she so plensed him that he begat on her William the Bastard King of England in spight to whom and disgrace to his Mother the English call Whores Harlots 6. Charenton famous for the Preaching of that eminent Divine Peter du Moulin and 7. Constance Isle of France The Isle of FRANCE made so by the circlings and confluences of the Seine and other little Brooks It lieth in the heart of all France where we shall find not only its particular glory but that of all the Kingdom to wit Paris City of Paris which for its Riches Power and number of Inhabitants may justly contend with any in Europe It is about 12 miles in circuit if all the Suburbs are reckoned and in form rather round than oval seated on the Seine and in a Soil so fertil that not many Cities know so great plenty It is of no great strength nor of much consequence in matter of Trade only contenting themselves with enough to serve the Inhabitants and Court yet in matter of Coin it giveth rule to all Cities in France and is another of the three Cities where Exchanges are placed a convenience for the Nobility Gentry and Courtiers as also for Strangers The chief ornaments of it are the Palace of the Louvre so much famoused abroad besides so many Palaces of the Nobility amongst the rest that of Luxembourgh its Palace-Royal its Church of Nostre Dame its Vniversity formed by Charlemain in Anno 800 esteemed the first in Europe containing 55 Colledges and particularly the Colledge of the Sorbona also the Halls of Justice or Courts of Parliament being as our Courts of Judicature are all remarkable Next to this City may be reckoned 1. St. Dennis about three miles from Paris famous for the Sepulchres of the French Kings 2. Pont-oyse 3. Meaux 4. Beauvais and 5. Soissons In this Province is the beautiful House and Forest of Fontaine Bleau built by Henry the Fourth esteemed not only one of the fairest Palaces in all France but of Christendom here is also seated the Royal Mansion of St. Germains and Boys de Vincennes where the puissant Henry the Fifth finished his days In this Province is the Dukedom of Valois whose chief places are Luzarch and Sen-lis This Country abounds in Vineyards which yields the sharp Wine called Vin de Paris Province of Champaigne CHAMPAIGNE so called from being a Champain Country its chief places are 1. Rheims famous for being the place where the Kings of France are usually Crowned and anointed with an Oil here kept which they say came down from Heaven and never decreaseth and here is a Colledge for English Jesuits 2. Chaaloons 3. Langres 4. Sens and 5. Troyes all places of some account Province of Britany BRETAIGNE or Britanny whose chief Port-Towns are Brest Blavet and St. Malos and within Land the Cities of 1. Nantes seated on the Loire 2. Rennes where the Parliament for this Province is held 3. Vennes seated on the South-Sea 4. Breine and 5. Morlaix of note for its great store of Paper so called Under the Government of ORLEANS or ORLEANOIS we comprehend divers Provinces on this side upon and beyond the Loire viz. Province of Maine MAINE whose chief places are 1. Maine seated on the River Magenue which dischargeth it self into the Loire 2. Mayenne 3. Laval and 4. Domfront Province of Perche PERCHE on the borders of Normandy hath for its chief places Nogent le Retrou Mortaigne and Vernevil which by some are esteemed in Normandy Province of la Beauce LA BEAVCE hath for its principal places 1. Chartes seated on the Loire a fair and pleasant City dignified with an Vniversity for the study of the Civil Laws 2. Estampes 3. Chà steau Dun and 4. Vendosme Province of Gastenois GASTENOIS hath for its principal place Montargis Province of Nivernois NIVERNOIS or BVRBON well watered by the Loire and Allier its chief places are 1. Nerves of some account for its pretty Glass-works and is dignified with an ancient Dukedom 2. La Charite 3. Clamecy and 4. Donzy Province of Orleanois ORLEANOIS whose chief City is Orleans from whence the Government or Province took its name a City if Paris excepted may contend with any in France having once been the Seat of a King of its own It s pleasant scituation on the Loire makes it extream delightful and although of no considerable Trade yet is a great Thorough-fair for such Commodities as pass to Lions and other places in the heart of the Kingdom Province of Blasois BLASOIS hath for its chief place Blois where by the command of Henry the Third the Duke of Guise the first stirrer up of the Civil Wars in France as also the great contriver and promoter of the grievous Massacre at Paris was slain in the senate-Senate-house Province of Touraine TOVRAINE hath for its chief places 1. Tours where the Protestants first began and from one of whose Gates called Hugo's-Gate they were called Hugonots Nigh to this place it was that Charles Martel Father of King Pepin discomfited an Army of about 400000 Saracens and slew of them about 370000. 2. Amboise 3. Loches and 4. Chinon Province of Anjou ANJOV adjoyning to Maine a small Province but exceeding fertil and affords the best Wines in France It s chief places are 1. Angiers dignified with an Vniversity 2. Saumur a Town delightfully seated on the Loire and dignified with the only Protestant Vniversity in France and 3. la Fleche Province of Poictou POICTOV a large and populous Province numbring about 1200 Parishes and dignified with three Bishopricks its principal places are 1. Poictiers seated on the River Clavius famous for the study of the Civil Laws and in greatness esteemed next to Paris but of small account as to matter of Trade 2. Maillezais 3. Luson 4. Chastelleroud 5. Niort 6. Lusignan and 7. Touars This Country is very fertil especially in good Vineyards and in these Fields were sought that memorable Battle between John of France and Edward the Black Prince who contrary to all expectation gained the day Province of Aunis AVNIS South of Poictou hath for its chief City Rochel commodiously seated on the Aquitain Ocean by reason of which it enjoyeth a great Trade it is a place of great strength as may appear by the resistance the Protestants there inhabiting made against the powerful Army of the French King
chief places 1. Amberg seated amongst Silver-Mines 2. Newbourg usually the portion of some of the younger Palatines 3. Castel where the Palatinates of the Rhine when they sojourn in this Country use to keep their Court 4. Sultzbach 5. Burglenfelt 6. Aichstet and 7. Pfreimt Dukedom of Austria with its parts The Arch-Dukedom of AVSTRIA is seated on both sides of the Danube and hath united to it as Horeditary possessions of that House the Provinces or Dukedoms of Stirie Carinthie Carniole the County of Cilley and the Marquisate of Windischmarch The particular Dukedom or Province of AVSTRIA is separate from Hungaria on the East by the Leite Austria its chief places are 1. Vienna seated on the Danube at present the Seat of the German Emperours as being the Metropolitan fairest and most beautiful City in all Germany being adorned with many magnificent Temples and stately Monasteries but above all with a most sumptuous and Princely Palace where the Emperour keeps his Court. It is esteemed the Bulwark of the Country against the Turks being of note for the repulse they gave the Turks in Anno 1526 when besieged by about 200000 under the conduct of Solyman the Magnificent and were thence repulsed with the loss of about 80000 Men. 2. Ems so called from the River on which it is seated 3. Wells 4. Crems seated on the Danube 5. Home 6. Newstat and 7. Bade Dukedom of Stirie The Dukedom of STIRIE is contiguous to Austria on the South hath for its chief places Grecz Pruck and Pettau Dukedom of Carinthie c. The Dukedom of CARINTHIE is South of the Alpes and hath for its chief places 1. St. Veit the Metropolitan City of this Country 2. Lavemunde and 3. Grucz The Dukedom of CARNIOLE adjoyning on Italy Westwards hath for its chief places Laubuch Gorice Gradisque and Czirknitz The Country of CILLEY whose chief place bears the same name The Marquisate of WINDISCHMARCH which hath for its chief places Metling and Radolfswred Germany about the Elbe and Oder contains Bohemia and the Higher and Lower Saxony To Bohemia are incorporated the Dukedom of Silesia and the Marquisates of Moravia and Lusatia BOHEMIA Kingdom of Bohemia THe Kingdom of BOHEMIA is encompassed with the Hercynian Forests which for a long time was a fence against the Romans it hath on the East Moravia and Silesia on the South Austria on the West Bavaria and on the North Luisatia The whole Kingdom contains 550 miles in circuit in which are said to be 780 Cities walled Towns and Castles and about 32000 Villages Its Inhabitants are much addicted to Drunkenness and Gluttony but the Nobility and Gentry for the most part are of another temper The Soil of the Kingdom is extreamly fertil and enriched with Mines of all sorts of Metal except Gold It is severed into 15 Provinces and hath for its chief places 1. Prague the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom and seated in the midst and on the River Mulda This City consisteth of four several Towns and every one of them have their peculiar Magistrates Laws and Customs to wit the Old Prague beautified with a famous Senate-house a large Market-house and several fair Structures then the New Prague separate from the Old by a deep and broad Ditch also the little Town so called which is divided from the Old Prague by the Mulda to which it is joyned by a fair Bridge In this City is the Hill Rachine on the sides of which are many beautiful Houses inhabited by the Nobility and on the summit thereof is a magnificent Palace and is the residence of the Bohemian Kings and later Emperours the fourth and last part is the Town of the Jews as by them inhabited where they have five Synagogues and live according to their own Laws 2. Coln 3. Jaromirz 4. Churdin 5. Hora 6. Tabor 7. Pisen 8. Ziatecz 9. Rakonick 10. Melnisk and 11. Nimburg all places of good account The Provinces Incorporate to Bohemia are the Dutchy of Silesia the Marquisates of Moravia and Lusasia Dutchy of Silesia SILESIA is Eastwards of Bohemia and is severed into two equal parts by the River Oder which hath here its beginning it is divided into three Dutchies fifteen Principalities and four Baronies whose names with their chief places I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Bohemia It s chief places are 1. Breslaw so called from a Duke of this Province who built it In the year 1341 it was totally burnt but since the rebuilding is become one of the neatest Towns in this part 2. Gros-glogaw 3. Jawer 4. Lignitz 5. Breslaw 6. Breig 7. Monsterbeg 8. Neiss 9. Oppelen 10. Ratibor 11. Troppaw and 12. Wartenberg Marquisate of Moravia The Marquisate of MORAVIA West of Bohemia is esteemed the most fertil Country for Corn in Germany abounding also in Myrrhe and Frankinsince not growing on Trees but out of the ground It is severed into three parts viz. Olmutz Brinn and Znaim and hath for its chief places 1. Brinn dignified with the Seat of the Marquiss 2. Olmutz seated on the Morava from whence the Country takes its name and is dignified with an Vniversity 3. Iglaw 4. Znaim 5. Kremsir 6. Krumlow and 7. Polna all places of good account Marquisate of Lusatia The Marquisate of LVSASIA South of Bohemia is divided into the Higher and Lower Lusasia a Country though but little yet able to Arm 20000 foot It hath for its chief places 1. Baudissen 2. Gorlitz 3. Sittaw 4. Soraw and 5. Guben The County of Glatzko and the Signiory of Egra belong likewise to the Kingdom of Bohemia SAXONY Saxony with its parts THE Lower part of Germany about the Elbe and Oder is taken up by Saxony which is divided into the Higher and Lower in the higher are the Estates of the Dukes of Saxony the Estates of the Marquisate of Brandenburg and the Dutchy of Pomerania In the Lower Saxony are several Archbishopricks Bishopricks Dutchies and Imperial Cities which I have taken notice of in the Geographical Table of Germany about the Elbe and the Oder Higher Saxony and its parts The Higher SAXONY for the most part belongs to the Duke and Elector of Saxony It is bounded on the East with Lusatia and Brandenburgh on the South with Bavaria and Bohemia on the West with Hassia and Franconia and on the North with Lower Saxony and Brandenburgh It is divided into the Dutchy of Saxony the Marquisate of Misne the Dutchy of Voitland Turinge with its several parts and the Principality of Anhalt The chief places in the Dutchy of Saxony are 1. Wittenberg seated on a plain and Sandy barren ground once dignified with the Seats of the Dukes of Saxony famous for the Sepulchers of Luther and Melancthon it is dignified with an Vniversity and of this Town there is a common Proverb That a man shall meet nothing but Schollers Whores and Swine which last is their food and 2. Worlets seated on the Albis
together extend from about the 48th degree of Latitude unto the 57th which are about 225 French Leagues and from the 38th of Longitude unto the 61 and have near as much Continent again as France They are bounded on the East for the most part by Moscovy Bounds and part of the Petit Tartars on the South the Mountains oâ— Caprack and the River Neister divide them from Hungaria Transilvania and Moldavia on the West by Germany and toucht in part on the Balticâ— Sea and on the North they are bounded part by Livonia and Moscovy Ancient Inhabitants The Ancient name of Poland was Sauromatia from its Inhabitants the Sauromatae afterwards by Lechius the first Duke hereof in Anno 550 it was called Poland which signifies a plain Country as generally it is It was made a Kingdom by the Emperour Otho the Third Anno 1000 Boleslaus being Duke and hath ever had its Dukes and Kings elected by the States who by reason of their vicinity to the Turks generally chuse a Warriour Fertility Commodities c. The Country is plain well clothed with Firs and other Timber-Trees the Air is so cold that they have neither Wine nor Grapes instead of which having store of Barly they make use of the Old drink of England viz. Ale The Country is well furnished with Grains and Fruits but they are but lean their chief Commodities are rich Furs Horses Hony Wax Bow-staves Buff-hides Ambergreese Flax Linnen-cloth Masts Cordage Boards Wainscot Timber Rozin Tar and Pith of both kinds Match Iron Stock-fish Salt digged out of the Earth Pot-ashes Rye in great plenty for which it hath made Dantzick famous It is well furnished with Flesh Fowl and Fish and to waâ—ds the Carpatian Mountains of Hungaria are found Mines of Gold and Silver as also Iron and Brimstone To the R t Worship Full Sr Robert Clayton of the Citty of London Kt and Alderman and Lord Mayr thee of Anno 1680 This Mapp is D D by R B P of the ESTATES of the CROWNE of POLAND where are the KINGDOM of POLAND withits Palatinates the DUTCHES of RUSSIA-NOIRE CUJAVIA MOZOVIA PRUSSIA â—IA VOLHYNIA PODOLIA c Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King The Revenue of the King The Revenue of the King is not great for so large a Country and that which is he receiveth from them quarterly the Kingdom being divided into four Parts every one of which keepeth the King and Court a quarter which Revenue is not certain but more or less according to his occasions by War Marriage of his Daughters or the like Poland with its parts and chief places The Kingdom is divided throughout into Palatinates and Castlewicks Poland taken particularly is divided into the Higher and Lower in the Higher are the Palatinates of Cracou Sandomirz and Lublin Places of most note in these parts are 1. Cracou or Cracovia seated in a Plain and on the Banks of the Vistula dignified with the residence of the King It is in form round the Houses fair and lofty and built of Freestone in the midst of the City is a large Quadrangle market-Market-house where is seated the Cathedral Church and the senate-Senate-house for the Citizens about which are several Shops for Merchants The City is encompassed with two strong Stone Walls and a dry Ditch on the East-side of the City is the Kings Castle being fair well built and pleasantly seated on a Hill as also the Kings and Queens Lodgings on the West is a Chappel where the Kings are interr'd and on the North-side Lodgings for Entertainment and Feasting the South-side being without Buildings but as to matters of Trade this City is of small account Also Sandomirz and Lublin both chief Cities of their Palatinates are in the higher Polonia or Poland Lower Poland In the Lower Poland are the Palatinates of Posna Kalisch Sirad Lencinâ— Dobrzin Ploczk and Rava whose chief Cities or places bear the same name and are the residence of their Palatines Besides which there are several other Towns of good note which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of the Kingdom and in chief Posna and Gnesna dignified with the See of an Archbishop who during the Interregnum of the King holdeth the Supream Authority in the Kingdom and summoneth the Diets To Poland doth also belong the Dutchies of Russia Noire Cujavia Mazovia Prussia and Polaquie Russia Noire RVSSIA NOIRE hath for its chief places Loewenberg and Belz both chief of their Palatinates OVJAVIA hath for its principal places Brzesti and Vladislau Cujavia both chief of their Castelwicks Mazovia with its places MAZOVIA hath only one Palatinate viz. Czersk under which is comprised several Cities and Castlewicks the chief of which is Warzaw one of the fairest in the Kingdom it oft-times being the residence of the Kings of Poland a place noted for its excellent Metheglin here made PRVSSIA is considered in two parts Prussia which are called Royale and Ducale Prussia Royale is immediately subject to the Crown of Poland and hath its Palatinates in the Cities of 1. Dantzick seated on the Vistula at its influx into the Baltick Sea and at the foot of a great Mountain which hangs over it it is the fairest best and of the greatest Trade of any in Prussia Through this City runs a River very commodious to the Inhabitants whereon are many Mills for the grinding of Corn which is here found in great plenty as also a Water-Mill for the conveyance of water in Pipes to their Houses and by reason of its great Trade for Corn with England and other parts they have a great many Granaries or Store-houses for the same which is hither brought them from Poland 2. Elbin though but small yet a fair City and indifferently well frequented by the English Merchants 3. Marienburg the Seat of the Masters of the Dutch Knights 4. Culne and 5. Thorn which though it hath no Palatinate is esteemed by many next to Dantzick Prussia Ducale belongs to the Marquess of Brandenbourg who holds it from the Crown of Poland It hath only one Palatinate at Koningsberg seated on an Inlet of the Baltick Sea and washed with the River Pegel it is a fair City a famous Mart and a good University and before its Coast is gathered great quantity of Ambergriece This Ambergriece is the juyce of a Stone growing like Coral on a Rock in the North-Sea continually covered with Water and in the Months of September and December by the violence of the Sea is rent from the Rocks and cast into the Havens of the Neighbouring Countries POLAQVIE is a small Province between the Estates of Poland and Lithuania Polaquie and seems to have belonged to Mozavia Bielsk is the Seat of its Palatinate And hitherto we have treated of the Estates of Poland almost all on the Vistula or the Rivers that fall into it on which are seated the three fairest Cities of these Quarters viz. Cracow towards its Spring
Dukedom of Holstein HOLSTEIN or HOLSATIA a woody low and Marshy Country is severed into the Parts of Holsatia especially so called Wagrie Stormarch and Dilmarch HOLSTEIN or HOLSATIA hath for its chief places 1. Kiel seated on a navigable Arm of the Baltick where it hath a large Haven being a Town of a good Trade 2. Rendesborg said to be the strongest Town in all the Province 3. Wilsted and 4. Nienmunster WAGRIE hath for its chief places 1. Lubeck an Imperial and free City enjoying the priviledges of a Hans-Town it is pleasantly seated on the confluence of the Billew and on the North-banks of the Trane severing it from Germany and empty themselves into the Baltick being capable to receive Ships of a great burthen which they lade and unlade at Tremuren the Maritim Port at about a miles distance it is built on all sides upon a rising Hill on the Summit whereof is placed a fair and beautiful Church called St. Maries being the Cathedral from whence on an easie descent there are Streets which lead to all the Gates of the City which afford a fair prospect to the Eye besides which it is adorned with 9 other Churches one of which being a decayed Monastery is converted to an Armory to keep their Ammunition for War It is about 6 miles in compass encircling within its Walls divers fair and uniform Streets beautified with good Brick-buildings is very populous and well inhabited by Citizens and Merchants who drive a considerable Trade on the Baltick Seas But this City as also Hamburgh is esteemed rather part of Lower Saxony in Germany where I have also treated of them 2. Segeberg 3. Odesloe 4. Niestad and 5. Oldenborg STORMARCH hath for its chief places 1. Hambourg an ancient City built by the Saxons since made an Imperial City enjoying the Priviledges of a Hans-Town seated on the North-banks of the Albis which divides it from Germany of which it is reckoned a part or member and there treated of in the description of the Lower Saxony to which I refer the Reader 2. Krempe seated on a River of the same name which emptieth it self into the Store a strong and well fortified Town being reckoned for one of the Keys of the Kingdom 3. Bredenberg a Town of great strength belonging to the Rantzoves 4. Gluckstade seated on a Bay or Creek of the German Ocean and therefore well fortified to command the passage up the Elbe and 5. Tychenberg seated on the Elbe being so well fortified that it is now held the strongest Town in this Kingdom DILMARCH or DITMARCH hath for its chief places 1. Meldrop seated on the Sea a place of some account and the chief of the Province 2. Heide and 3. Lunden a Haven Town seated on the Eider which rising in this Peninsula here emptieth it self into the Ocean The BALTICK ISLES THese Islands which are between Juitland and the Coast and farther in the Baltick Sea are in number 35 and are so called as being dispersed in these Seas The Baltick Sea begins at the narrow passage called the Sound and interlacing the Countries of Denmark Poland Germany and Sweden extendeth to Livonia and Lithuania The reason according to the Opinion of many why this Sea which is so large doth neither ebb nor flow may be as well from its Northern scituation whereby the Celestial influences have the less predominancy as also from the narrowness of the Streight which receiveth the Ocean The chief of these Isles I have set down in the Geographical Table of this Kingdom of which a word or two and first with Zeland ZELAND anciently Codanonia from the Codani its Inhabitants Zeland the Isle is very fertil the greatest and of most importance of any in the Baltick to the King of Denmark as lying not above three miles from the main Land of Scandia which narrow Streight is called the Sound through which all Ships must pass that have any Trade into the Baltick all paying to the said King a certain Toll according to the bigness or Bills of Lading by which ariseth a great Revenue unto him and for the security of this passage there are built two exceeding strong Castles the one in this Isle called Cronenberg and the other in Scandia called Hilsemberg of which more anon In this Isle are 7 strong Castles and 13 Cities or walled Towns the chief of which are 1. Copenhagen or Haffen the chief of the Isle seated near the Sea having a commodious Port it is built orbicular of a good strength being defended by a powerful Castle its Houses are but meanly built yet it hath a spacious Market-place and is dignified with the residence of the King for the Winter season whose Palace is built of Freestone quadrangular but of no great splendor as also with the only Vniversity in the Kingdom 2. Elsenour seated on the Sea side of it self but a poor Village were it not for the great resort of Sea-men in their passage through the Sound into the Baltick this being the place where they pay their Toll and in this Village is the stately and well fortified Castle of Cronenburg built in the very Ocean and bravely resisting the fury of its Waves now the ordinary residence of the King being a pleasant prospect into the Sea on the South-side of this Castle is a large and commodious Road for Shipping 3. Roschilt once a rich City now only famous for being the Sepulchre of the Danish Kings where in the Cathedral Church they have their Tombs it is also dignified with the See of a Bishop 4. Fredericksbourg a Fortress built in a pleasant Plain often visited by the King in his retirement where he hath a delightful House seated in a Park 5. Warborg 6. Ringstede 7. Holbeck 8. Slages c. FVINEN or FIONIE seated betwixt Zeland and Juitland Fuinen and almost joyning to the Main-land it is of a fextil Soil and pleasant scituation being in length about 12 Dutch miles and 4 in breadth It s chief places are 1. Osel or Ottonium so called from Otho the Great who founded here an Episcopal See seated in the midst of the Isle from which the other Towns are of an equal distance which renders it very commodious for Traffick it is not large having but two Churches and its Buildings are neat and ornamental enough 2. Niborg 3. Swinborg 4. Kartemunde 5. Woborg and 6. Ascens all or most of them seated on some convenient Creek or Haven FIMERA a very fertil and well peopled Isle Fimera and here it was that Tycho Brache the famous Mathematician built an Artificial Tower in which are or were many rare Mathematical Instruments its chief place is Petersborne of some importance to the King of Denmark ALSEN a small Isle appertaining to the Dukedom of Sleswick Alsen is very populous contains 13 Parishes and 4 Towns viz. Osterholme Gammelgard Norbarch and Sunderburg dignified with the residence of the Duke of Sleswick TVSINGE a very small Isle Tusinge and of
with two Castles and other Fortifications Here they make Salt of the Salt-water Basingstoke seated on the Road Basingstoke a great thorough-fare Town for the Western partt It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 7 Aldermen as many Burgesses a high Steward a Recorder c. and the Market on Wednesdays is very good for Corn especially Barley Silchester a place of great antiquity and of a large extent Silchester said to be the ancient City Vindonum built by Constantius Son of Constantine the Great and before it was destroyed by the Danes was of a large extent Here the warlike Arthur was Crowned The Isle of WIGHT part of Hantshire Isle of wight of which it may part for from Hurst Castle which is seated on a Languet of Land which runneth forth into the Sea it is not above a mile to the Western part of this Isle and from Portsmouth not above six And its Southern part lieth opposite to France from which it is distant about 35 Leagues The form of this Isle is long being about 20 miles in length and where broadest 12 and hath about 60 miles of Sea-Coast It is blest with a healthful Air and is of a fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasture and hath plenty of Conies Hares Partridges Sea-fowl and other Game and for excellent Fish may compare with any Country whatsoever nor is it wanting in any thing either for pleasure or profit except Wood and that they are supplied with from Hantshire It is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art for besides its Castles Block-houses Forts and Militia it is fenced about with a ridge of craggy Rocks and Cliffs with dangerous Banks amongst which those of most note to Sea-men are the Needles Shigles Brambles the Mixon c. It is very populous and garnished with 36 Parish Churches and hath for its chief places Newport a large populous and well frequented Major Town Newport which hath the election of Parliament men is dignified with the title of an Earldom and at present the only Market Town in the Isle which is here kept on Wednesdays and Saturdays both very considerable for Provisions Corn Cattle and other Commodities It is seated within 4 miles of the Sea and on a navigable Creek for small Vessels to the Key which doth much facilitate its Trade Yarmouth a fair Borough Town which electeth Parlament men Yarmouth and had formerly a Market is beautified with well built Houses which for the most part are of Free-stone and covered with Slate It s scituation is in the Western part of the Isle on the Sea-shoar with which and its Arms it is now encompassed and hath 3 strong Fortifications raised with a Draw-Bridge and the West end is defended by a powerful Castle on the Key The Cows seated at the entring in of the Creek that goeth to Newport a place very eminent for the harbouring of Ships About this Isle are several other small ones or rather Rocks as those called the Black-Rock the Mixon the Don Moss Challorne Goss Warden Atherfield and Chalk-Rocks and on the North part between it and Portsmouth as dangerous Sands as the Brambles the Horse and Nomans Lands Hartfordshire described HARTFORDSHIRE blest with a wholsom Air and for the generality is of an indifferent fertil Soil for Grain affording good store of Wheat and Barley of which they make Mault especially in the Vale of Ringtail or Ringdale and hath plenty of Meadows and Pastures which feed store of Cattle but of its own nature it is apt to bear Wood and Copses It is well stored with Parks and hath many pleasant and ancient Seats of Gentry commonly called Beryes that is Mannor-Houses Court-Houses or Halls It is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Lea Stower Stratford Redburne Flamsted Colne c. The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Trinobantes and the Cattieuchlamans and became afterwards part of the East Saxons It is severed into 8 Hundreds in which are seated 120 Parish Churches besides 15 Chappels of Ease and is traded unto by 18 Market Towns most of which are of good account Hartford Hartford seated on the Lea said to be formerly navigable once a place of a larger extent and of more beauty strength and esteem than now it is yet is it the Shire Town where the County Goal is kept and as a Borough Town electeth Parliament men It is governed by a Major 9 Burgesses 16 Assistants a high-Steward who is always a Noble-man a Steward of the Court of Records and other sub-Officers and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well frequented and served with Commodities St. Albans St. Albans seated on the Colne a Town of great antiquity being raised from the ruins of that famous City Verulam so splendid in the time of the Romans as may appear by the Pillars Pavements Arched-Vaults Idols and Coins oft digged up at which time it enjoyed ample Priviledges and Immunities many of which it yet keepeth being dignified with the Title of an Earldom and as a Borough Town electeth Parliament men For its chief Magistrates hath a Major 10 Aldermen a Steward and Chamberlain It is a fair large well inhabited and frequented thorough-fare Town divided into four Wards for Divine worship hath 3 Parish Churches in one of which was if not is a Font of solid Brass brought out of Scotland which was there made use of for the baptizing the Scottish Kings Children and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Commodities c. Barnet Barnet or high Barnet a large dry and pleasant Town highly seated and on the Road a place of some account for its Medicinal-waters as also for its Swine-Market on Mondays which makes it to be well frequented and to be well accommodated with Inns. here was fought a bloody Battle between the Competitors of the Houses of York and Lancaster on Easter-day in which Edward the Fourth became Victor Watford Watford seated on the Colne a large and well inhabited Town whose Market on Tuesdays is well frequented affording all necessaries especially Corn in great plenty Not far from Watford is Langley Abby where was born Nicholas Surnamed Break-Spear who was afterwards Bishop of Rome and called Pope Hadrian the 4th He taught the Norwegians the Christian Faith he was of so proud a Spirit that he had his Stirup held by Frederick the Roman Emperour Berkhamsted hath a fair Free School Berkhamsted and a pretty good Market on Mondays chiefly for Mault And here it was that the English Nobles met in Council for the shaking off the Normans Yoke Hatfield Hatfield a place of great delight and recreation by reason of its Parks and other places of pleasure once dignified with a royal-Royal-house of the Kings which now belongeth to the Earl of Salisbury it hath a Market on Thursdays Ware Ware a large well frequented and inhabited thorough-fare Town seated on the
from hence furnished with Coals Ramsey Ramsey seated in the Fenny part amongst rich grounds both for Tillage and Pasturage and near the Meers of Ramsey and Whitlesey which with the Rivers that plentifully water it afford excellent Fish and wild Fowl in great plenty It is a good Country Town which was held in great esteem for its rich Abby so called and its Market on Wednesdays is well frequented County of Kent described KENT a County of a large extent and although very hilly for the generality is of a rich and fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasture and is well stored with Cattle Fish Fowl and Fruits The Air is temperate and good except in the Weald and Marshes which are Aguish It is well watered with Rivers many of which are Navigable as the Thames which washes its Northern parts the Medway which in a manner divideth the Shire in the midst and is the station for his Majesties Navy Royal which said River loseth it self under ground and riseth again near Cox-heath besides 10 others of considerable account which opening with several Creeks and Havens are found commodious for Ships to ride in of which four bear the name of Cinque Ports viz. Dover Sandwich Rumney and Hith and on the banks of these Rivers which are crossed by divers Bridges are seated several good Towns This County boasteth it self for being the first Kingdom of the Heptarchy of having a particular King to it self that it was never subdued but yielded upon Articles to the Normans and to keep their ancient Customs That their Kings and Commons amongst all the Saxons were the first Christians This County is enriched with two Cities and Episcopal Sees is strengthned with several Castles is graced with 4 of the Kings Palaces beautified with many splendid Buildings well replenished with Gentry sufficiently stored with safe Roads and secure Harbours for Ships plentifully garnished with good Towns is a place of a considerable Trade affording Corn and other Grains Cloth and several Draperies Fullers-Earth Madder Flax Iron Wood Fruits both Apples and Cherries in great plenty and by reason of its vicinity to France is well known and frequented by Strangers As to its division it hath 14 Bailywicks 17 Franchises and Liberties which have Courts of Record to hold plâ—a of all Actions real personal and mixt and 14 Corporations For the names of all which see the Volume of Britannia pag. 122. lately published by me It is severed into 5 Laths and 64 Hundreds in which said Hundreds are numbred 400 and odd Parishes and hath intercourse of Traffick with 28 Market Towns Lath of Sutton with its chief places The Lath of Sutton or SVTTON at Hone is severed into 8 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Sevenoke Sevenoke a Town of good resort so called from its Founder Will. Sevenoke Lord Major of London Anno 1418. who erected a Free School and an Hospital hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Corn and Previsions Dartford Dartford seated on the Darent not far from its influx into the Thames and on the high Road from London to Canterbury 't is a good large Town full of Inns and Houses of Entertainment and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well stored with Corn and Provisions and is much frequented by Corn-Chandlers and Meal-men Greenwich Greenwich a large well built and very pleasant Town seated on the Bank of the Thames being much inhabited and frequented by Gentry and enobled with a once stately Palace of the Kings out of the Ruins of which is now erecting a curious Pile of Buildings and adjoyning to this Palace is a small but pleasant Park which affords a delectable prospect And here it was that Queen Elizabeth with divers other Princes were born Adjoyning to Greenwich is Black-heath a place of note in former times for Military Affairs and it is supposed that here might be dug excellent Sea-Coals but is not encouraged for fear of hindring the Newcastle-Trade Eltham seated on the South-side of Shooters-Hill amongst Woods Eltham a well built Town neatly scituated well inhabited by Gentry and was once honoured with a Palace of his Majesty said to be built by Anthony Beck Patriarch of Jerusalem who gave it to Queen Eliantor wife to King Edward the First Aylesford Lath described The Lath of AYLESFORD is of a large extent reaching from North to South is serveed into 15 Hundreds is divided into 3 divisions of the Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Rochester an ancient City and once larger than now it is Rochester being at present but small having but one principal Street which is of a good length and for the most part inhabited by Tradesmen and Inn-keepers and graced with well built Houses besides its Cathedral built by Ethelbert King of Kent dedicated to St. Andrew a fair structure to which belongeth a Deanary and 6 Prehendaries It is a City no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Medway over which it hath a stately Stone-bridge sustained by divers Arches which leadeth unto Stroud a good fair and well inhabited thorough-fare Town from London to Canterbury as is Rochester This City enjoyeth several Immunities is dignified with the Title of an Earldom governed by a Major Court of Aldermen with other sub-Officers hath the election of Parliament men is well resorted unto and its Market on Friday is well served with Provisions Adjoyning to this City is Chetham also seated on the banks of the Medway a long thorough-fare Town which is chiefly inhabited by Sea-men and those that have alliance thereunto and the more as being the station of the Navy-Royal and where there is a stately Dock for the building and equipping of his Majesties Ships Graves-end Graves-end seated on the banks of the Thames a place of great resort as being the common Landing-place for Strangers and Sea-men in their passages to London as likewise the accustomary place for the taking of Shipping and the ready Road to France which doth occasion it to be well furnished with Inns Taverns and Houses of entertainment and its Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays to be well provided with Victuals yet all things here want for no price And here is seated one of the Block-houses the other being opposite unto it in the County of Essex which said Blockhouses are for the securing the passage of the Thames up to London Maidstone Maidstone seated on the Medway over which it hath a fair Bridge which with the branch it sendeth forth severeth the Town It is a large fair sweet populous and well built and frequented Borough Town which electeth Parliament men enjoyeth several Priviledges and as the Shire-Town here is one of the Prisons for the County and where they keep their Sessions and Assizes It s Market is on Thursdays which is very considerable and well provided with Corn and all sorts
Parish Churches and is traded unto by 12 Market Towns Leicester delightfully seated in a healthful Air rich Soil Leicester and on the Banks of the Stour over which it hath two Bridges It is a place of more antiquity than beauty being said to be built by King Leir and called Caer-Lerion wherein Authors say he placed a High-Priest to serve in the Temple of Janus which he caused to be built and wherein he was buried This Town was also had in great request in the time of the Romans also Ethelred King of the Mercians erected here an Episcopal See which he soon translated elsewhere to its great impoverishment but the noble Lady Edelfled not only repaired it but also encompassed it with a strong Wall and much added to its Riches so that it soon became a place of a great Trade which glory and riches it lost by the Spoils it sustained by Rob. Bossu the Crouch-back Earl of this Shire As to its present state it is a Borough and Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers is dignified with the title of an Earldom is well inhabited hath indifferent good Buildings sendeth two Representatives to Parliament containeth 3 Parish Churches and its Market on Saturdays is well served with Corn Provisions and Country commodities From this Town Crouch-back Richard set forth with great strength and pomp to Redmore near Bosworth where on the 22 of August 1485 in a bloody Battle there fought for the deciding the differences betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster he was slain yielding both himself and the victory to Henry of Richmond who was proclaimed King in the field and the next day the body of the said Richard was disgracefully brought back torn and naked and as meanly buried in the Gray-Friars of Leicester in a Stone-chest which now is made use of in an Inn for a Drinking-trough for Horses Loughborough Loughborough delightfully seated on the banks of the Sour over which it hath a Bridge amongst fertil Meadows and near Charwood Forrest It is a handsom Town beautified with fair Buildings and a large Church and hath a very considerable Market for Corn Cattle Sheep and Provisions on Thursdays Melton-Mowbray Melton-Mowbray well seated in a fertil Soil and on the banks of the Eye which almost encircleth it over which are two fair Stone-bridges It is an indifferent large and well built Town and hath a very considerable Market on Tuesdays for Corn Cattle Hogs Sheep Provisions c. Lutterworth Lutterworth seated on the Swift and in a good Soil an indifferent Country Town beautified with a large and fair Church which hath a lofty spired Steeple and its Market on Thursdays is well served with Corn and Country commodities Near this Town is a Spring so cold that in a short time it turns Straws and small Sticks into Stone LINCOLNSHIRE County of Lincoln described a County of a large extent and doth divide its form bounds and division into Hundreds The Soil is of a different temperature the Western and Northern parts being very pleasant and grateful to the Husbandman both for Corn and rich Pastures which feed great store of Cattle and the Eastern and Southern parts are fenny barren and unfit for Corn but in recompence hath great plenty of Fish and Fowl The Air upon the South and East parts is thick and foggy occasioned through the Fenny grounds but the other parts good and healthful It is well watered with Rivers as the Humber Trent Idell Dane Wash Witham Welland c. which lose themselves in the Sea The chief Commodities that this County produceth are Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Flax Wool Alablaster c. This County is severed into 3 principal Divisions or Parts viz Lindsey Holland and Kesteven which are divided into 30 Hundreds in which are numbred 631 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 31 Market Towns Lincoln Lincoln a City of great antiquity and hath been far more magnificent and spacious than now it is whose ruinous places doth witness the same being said to have had 50 Churches which now are reduced to 15 besides its Cathedral or Minster said to be one of the finest loftiest and stateliest structures in England This City in the time of the Britains was of great strength and fame containing 1070 Mansions and 900 Burgesses with 12 Lage-men having Sac and Soc and in the time of the Normans it was esteemed one of the best peopled Cities in the Isle and enjoyed a great Trade both by Sea and Land insomuch that King Edward the Third ordained here his Staple for the Mart of Wools Leather and Lead But it s pristine glory has been much eclipsed by the several shocks of ill Fortune it hath met with nevertheless it is a place well inhabited and frequented enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Fridays is well served with Provisions and its Shops furnished with Commodities It is pleasantly seated on the side of a Hill and on the River Witham which divideth it self into several streams and waters in the lower part of the City over which are divers Bridges for the accommodation of the Inhabitants in their passage to and sro It is dignified with an Episcopai See where the Bishop hath his Palace and whose Diocess is the greatest of any in England numbring within its Jurisdiction 1255 Parishes of which 577 are Impropriations The civil Government of this City is committed to the care of a Major 2 Sheriffs 12 Aldermen who are clothed in Scarlet besides a Recorder Town Clerk 4 Chamberlains a Sword-bearer 4 Serjeants at Mace c. It enjoyeth ample Immunities sendeth two Representatives to Parliament and is a County within it self whose Liberties extends about 20 miles in compass and is called the County and City of Lincoln The Isle of Axholme made so by the Rivers Trent Dun Idel Isle of Axholms and others It is a large tract of ground in which are seated several Towns the flat and lower part of the Isle towards the Rivers is Moorish and yieldeth a sweet Shrub called by the Inhabitants Gall. In this part have been great and tall Fir-trees digged up And the middle part which is a rising ground is fertil and produceth great store of Flax. Barton seated on the Humber Barton where there is a considerable Ferry into Yorkshire which doth much advantage the Town which is large and stragling yet hath but an indifferent Market on Saturdays Grimsby Magna seated near the Humber or rather the Sea Grimsby Magna and in a flat and Marshy rich ground This Town was formerly very large having two Parish Churches enjoyed a good Trade but its Harbour which was then commodious being choaked up hath much eclipsed its trade and grandure having now but one Church which for largeness giveth place to few Cathedrals Here was formerly a Castle an Abby a Nunnery 2 Priories and 2 Chantries which time hath reduced to ruins and in their places are erected Houses It
is a Town Corporate enjoyeth several Immunities hath the benefit of a Port Town and keepeth Courts for trial of Causes and Felons sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Major 12 Aldermen a Recorder 2 Justices of the Peace 2 Town Clerks 2 Chamberlains and other sub-Officers and hath a good Market for Provisions on Wednesdays Thong-Caster or Caster a well compacted Town Thong-Caster which hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays chiefly for Swine Sheep and Cattle This Town is of note for its ancient Castle so called said to be built by Hengist the Saxon who had a grant from Vortiger for so much ground as an Ox-hide would compass which he cut into small Thongs so that it encompassed a tract of ground on which he built the Castle and there seated and defended himself Lowth a large well built and inhabited Town Corporate Lowth governed by a Warden and 7 Assistants and hath weekly two Markets on Saturdays and and Wednesdays which is the chief and is very considerable for Cattle Horses Swine Corn and all sorts of Provisions Stamford Stamford seated on the Weland which being now made navigable is no small advantage to the Town and Country adjacent its Inhabitants driving a considerable Trade especially for Mault and Free-stone It is a Town of good antiquity from whence the Roman High-street leaded to the North and in the Reign of King Edward the Third here was a Colledge for the Professors of the Arts and Sciences who thence removed to Brazen-Nose Colledge in Oxford It is a large well inhabited and frequented Town containing several Streets hath 6 Parish Churches is beautified with fair Buildings is begirt with a Wall and hath weekly 2 Markets on Mondays which is but small and on Fridays which is well furnished with Corn Cattle and all sorts of Provision in great plenty Grantham Grantham seated on the Witham a Borough Town of good account and well inhabited is governed by an Alderman and 12 Justices of the Peace and hath the election of Parliament men The Town is beautified with a fair Church which hath an exceeding lofty Spire-Steeple and its Market on Saturdays is very considerable and well served with Corn Mault Sheep and all sorts of Provisions Boston Boston a fair large Borough and Town-Corporate of good antiquity enjoyeth several Immunities electeth Parliament men and is governed by a Major 12 Aldermen Burgesses a Recorder c. It is commodiously seated on both sides the Witham over which it hath a fair Woodden-bridge and being near its influx into the Sea is a place of considerable account is well frequented and inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are very great especially for Provisions both Flesh Fish and Fowl Its Market-place is fair and spacious as also its Church whose Lanthorn or Tower serves as a Landmark to Sailers Kirton Kirton seated on a Sandy-ground and so called from its Church a fair structure built of Free-stone Cathedral-wise in form of a Cross with a broad Steeple in the middle This whole Township is very large being divided into 4 Hamlets or Vintins viz. Kirton-Willington Kirton-Meers Kirton-Skeldike and Kirton-Holme and had formerly a Market which is now disused Crowland Crowland or Croyland a Town of good account amongst the Fenny-people but much greater in times past for its famous Abby founded by Aethelbald King of the Mercians in Anno 716. It is seated very low and dirty and so shut up that there is no access to it but by the North and East-sides and that by narrow Cawswaies not admitting of Carts insomuch that the Inhabitants have a Proverb That all the Carts that come to Crowland are shod with Silver And the scituation is much like to Venice in Italy the Streets being severed from each other by Dikes or Water-courses on the banks of which are set Willow-trees The chief Riches here gained is by Fish and Fowl which are taken in great plenty and here is a small Market Spalding Spalding a pretty fair Town seated very waterish and by a navigable River which doth occasion it to have a very good Trade having several Vessels and Barges belonging to them and here is every Tuesday a very good Market for Corn Cattle and Provision Dunington Dunington seated in a flat like Spalding an indifferent Town but hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays for Provisions and Hemp in great abundance MIDDLESEX County of Middlesex described a County of a small extent but every where garnished with Towns and fair buildings which are the habitations of the Nobility Gentry and Citizens of London It is blest with a sweet and wholsom Air and for fertility of Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage may compare with any shire in England especially for its bigness It is severed into 6 Hundreds in which are seated 73 Parish Churches besides those of London and its several Chapels of Ease and is traded unto by 4 Market Towns besides the Markets in London As to the description of the Towns in this County I shall treat of those of most note and conclude with London the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom and first with Vxbridge Vxbridge uxbridge seated on the high Road from London to Oxford a large well inhabited and frequented Town well accommodated with Inns is governed by two Bailiffs 2 Constables and 4 Headboroughs and hath a Market on Thursdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions Hampton Hampton seated on the banks of the Thames of chief note for its Palace of the King called Hampton-Court delightfully seated by two Parks first built by Cardinal Woolsey and afterwards much enlarged by King Henry the Eighth containing now within it several large Inner-Courts which are inclosed with fair Buildings in one of which is a stately Fountain Istleworth Istleworth or Thistleworth a fair large and pleasant Town seated on the banks of the Thames well inhabited by Gentry and the Citizens of London as are Twittenham Teddington Chiswick Hamersmith Fulham and Chelsey Towns all seated on the banks of the Thames Nigh unto Thistleworth is sion-Sion-house a large Structure sion- sion-Sion-House now belonging to the Countess of Northumberland but in times past was a Monastery erected by King Henry the Fifth to the honour of our Saviour the Virgin Mary and Bridget of Sion for Religious Virgins where he appointed so many Nuns Priests and Lay-Brethren as in number did equal our Saviour his Apostles and Disciples and on the other side of the Thames opposite unto it he erected another for Carthusian Monks named Jesus of Bethlehem Brentford Brentford containing the Old and the New both seated on the Western Road which doth occasion it to be so well accommodated with Inns. In New Brentford is kept the Market which every Tuesday is very well served with Corn and Provisions which are much bought up by the Londoners Kensington Kensington a thorough-fare Town well
inhabited by Gentry and Persons of Honour as are Hampsted Highgate Hornsey Tottenham-Highcross Muswel-Hill Edmonton c. Towns near adjacent to London London London the epitomy and glory of the Kingdom was the Seat of the British Empire as now the Royal-Chamber of our Kings a City of great antiquity said to be built by Brute the Trojan but all agree it was re-edified by King Lud in Anno Mundi 5131 who called it Luddestown It is seated in a healthful Air and no less pleasantly than commodiously on the banks of the Thames which severeth it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a stately Stone-bridge so covered with Houses that it seemeth rather a Street than a Bridge This City is begirt with a Wall first built by Constantine the Great at the suit of his Mother Helena and hath for entrance 7 principal Gates but now as contemning bondage it hath enlarged it self on all sides with spacious Suburbs insomuch that she hath joyned her self to the City of Westminster which name is now swallowed up all passing under the general name of London The City of Westminster according to Mr. Norden in his description of Middlesex was in time past called Thorney or Dorney and was an Isle encompassed with the Thames which divided it self and one branch passed between Chairin-Cross and Kingstreet through St. James's including Tut-hill which said Isle was so called as being overgrown with Briars and Thorns but in the time of King Lucius it is said to be cleansed and the foundation of the great Temple of St. Peters was laid which was raised out of the ruins of a former delicated to Apollo where the Trinobantes or Troinovantes did sacrifice Bulls Bullocks Stags and such like Beasts to Diana Tauropolia whom the Gentiles called the Queen of Heaven This City or part of London is the noblest though not the longest being taken up by the King the Nobility Gentry and such as have their dependancy on the Court or Law being sufficiently graced with fair and beautiful Edifices as 1. The Palaces of his Majesty Whitehall and St. James's to which is joyned a small but delightful Park wherein is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Christendom 2. The Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now all known by the general name of Westminster-hall and was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England 3. It s Collegiate-Church of Westminster which was formerly the Temple of St. Peter and now renowned for its Chapel built by King Henry the Seventh being beautified with the Tombs of the Kings and Queens and many of the Nobility of England nor is it less famous for the Inauguration of our Kings and Queens 4. The Palace of her Majesty Somerset-house and 5. The Houses of the Nobility And thus much for the City of Westminster The Eastern part or Suburbs of London beyond the Tower is taken up by those that have relation to the Sea and the whole City thus taken is now of a great extent being in length from Black-wall in the East to Tuttle-fields in the West about six miles in breadth 1 2 and in some places 3 miles and is said to make in circuit about 14 or 15 miles in which extent are numbred about 500 Streets and Lanes and contains according to computation about 75000 Houses and by the great number of Houses the Inhabitants may be guest at which without doubt are very numerous and if we consider its great Trade and Commerce with other Nations its Riches Jurisdiction bounds and populousness its good Government the ingenuity of its Inhabitants in Letters Arts and Manufactures c. it may deservedly be numbred with any City of the highest rank in the World The Buildings of note belonging to this City are its Inns of Court and Chancery Guildhall a stately Structure where the Courts of Judicature are held and where the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council meet for the negotiating the Affairs of the City The Royal Exchange built quadrangular now said to be the best in the known World The Tower a place or large extent well furnished with a Magazin or Arsenal of warlike Munition both for Sea and Land-service and doth contain according to observation a Kings Palace a Prison an Armory a Mint a Wardrobe and an Artillery each having their peculiar Officers and for Buildings resembleth a Town having a Parochial Church exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop Gresham Colledge given to the City by Sir Tho. Gresham with the allowance of liberal Salaries to professors of several Arts and Sciences to read Lectures for the advancement of Learning amongst the Citizens The Colledge of Heralds called the Heralds Office where the Records for the Arms Descents and Pedigrees of the Nobility and Gentry are kept Doctors Commons which is taken up by the Civilians The Colledge of Physitians The Halls of the several Incorporated Companies The Houses of Correction amongst which that of most note is Bridewell a large Building The Hospitals viz. St. Bartholomews Christ-Church and the Charter-house or Suttons Hospital being the noblest Hospital in the Kingdom in which are well maintained 80 Old men and 40 Boys The Sessions House for the trial of Malefactors and lastly its Churches and Free Schools This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Wards and the Government thereof committed to the care of so many Aldermen each having the overseeing of his several Ward and besides these Aldermen there are 2 Shoriffs which are yearly chosen as also a Lord Major who is the principal Magistrate To the making a compleat City there are several principal parts or helps required for the supportation thereof and without which it cannot well stand to wit Husbandry and Artificers for the providing Food and Rayment for its Inhabitants Arms and Ammunition for its defence the Priesthood for Divine worship Judges Councellors c. for the administration of Justice and Traffick for the bringing in of Riches In all which this City in a liberal measure is blest with County of Monmouth MONMOVTHSHIRE This County formerly part of Wales is blest with a healthful Air and although very hilly and woody yet is exceeding fertil especially the Eastern parts which are not so hilly as the Western the Hills feeding abundance of Cattle and Sheep and the Valleys bearing great crops of Corn and Grass and the rather for its being watered with so many fresh Streams the chief of which are the Vske Wye Munow Ebunith Scoway and the Rumney which fall into the Severn Sea It is divided into Hundreds in which Tract are seated 127 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 7 Market Towns Monmouth Monmouth no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Wye and Munow which doth almost encircle it over each of which is a Bridge In the midst of the Town near the Market-place standeth a once stately but now ruinous Castle It is a fair large well built and inhabited
sometime defended against a certain Soldan or Heathenish Prince Through the Picts Wall runneth the Tyne which watereth two Dales each having their Hills so boggy with standing Water on the top that no Horse-man is able to ride through them and yet in many places are great heaps of Stones called Laws supposed to be cast up in memory of some persons there slain The chief places are Newcastle Newcastle scituate on an Eminence and on the North banks of the Tyne over which it hath a fair Bridge This Town before the Conquest was called Monk-chester as being in the possession of Monks which name was changed to Newcastle by Robert Son to William the Conquerour from a Castle there built by him It is a Town and County of it self being incorporated and governed by a Major 12 Aldermen a Recorder and other sub-Officers and amongst its Immunities sends its Representatives to Parliament 't is a place of good largeness numbring 4 Parish Churches besides one in Gates-head it is beautified with good Buildings and by reason of its deep and secure Haven is much inhabited and frequented by Merchants and Tradesmen having several Vessels belonging to the Town but is of chief note for its Coal trade It is a place of great strength for besides its Castle now something ruinous it is begirt with a strong Wall on which are many Turrets and hath for entrance 7 Gates Here are weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are both very considerable for all sorts of Provisions Morpeth Morpeth scituate on the Wensbeck a very fine incorporated Town governed by 2 Bailiffs and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament It is strengthned with a Castle and hath a Market on Wednesdays which is esteemed the best in the County for Corn Cattle and Provisions Barwick Barwick commodiously seated betwixt England and Scotland but on the North or Scotish side of the Tweed over which it hath a stately Bridge sustained by 14 or 15 Arches being a Town and County of it self It is a Place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being almost encompassed with the Sea and the Tweed and strongly fenced about with Walls a Castle and other Fortifications as being a place of such great importance to England It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major Bailiffs and Burgesses and hath the election of Parliament men It is large and populous its Houses well built enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Salmon and Corn and its Market on Saturdays is very considerable Along the Coast of this County are the Isles of Cockes Fern and Holy Isle which are small Isles of a barren and ungrateful Soil and but thinly inhabited NOTTINGHAM a County blest with a wholsom Air County of Nottingham its Soil is different the South-east part which is watered with the Trent and other fresh Streams is most fertil and apt for Corn and Grass and is called the Clay part and the Western part wherein is the Forest of Shirwood a large tract of ground which is well clothed with Wood and provided with Game and this part from the temperature of the Earth is called the Sandy part This County produceth a Stone softer than Alablaster but being burnt maketh a Plaister harder than that of Paris with which they floor their upper Rooms The form of this Shire is oval doubling in length twice its breadth It is severed into 8 Hundreds or Wapontacks in which are numbred 168 Parish Churches and hath intercourse of traffick with 9 Market Towns Nottingham commodiously feated on an Eminence and on the banks of the Leane Nottingham which at a small distance loseth it self in the Trent over each of which Rivers there is a fair Stone-bridge besides two others over two Ponds called the Cheney Bridges It is a large Town numbring 3 Parish Churches is replenished with well built Houses its Streets are fair and graced with a spacious Market-place on the West side of the Town is the Castle which before its defacement in the late Wars was a place of great strength and importance It is a Town of good antiquity and amongst its places of remark here are many strange Vaults hewed out of the Rocks especially under the Castle which are descended by divers steps and have their several Rooms and Stairs artificially made also in the Hill are Houses with Rooms Chimneys winding Stairs and Windows wrought out of the solid Rock This Town enjoys several Immunities electeth Burgesses for Parliament is governed by a Major 6 Aldermen 2 Sheriffs a Town Clerk and other sub-Officers it enjoyeth a good Trade is well inhabited and frequented and hath weekly 3 Markets viz. on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays which is very considerable for Cattle Corn and Provisions Newark scituate on the high Road to York and on the Trent Newark over which it hath a Bridge It is a good large Town Corporate governed by an Alderman and 12 Assistants is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and hath a considerable Marker for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Wednesdays Mansfield scituate in the Forest of Sherwood a well inhabited Mansfield well built and large Town enjoying a good Trade for Mault and hath a very considerable Market for Corn Cattle Mault Swine and Provisions on Thursdays Redford scituate on the River Idel an ancient Town Corporate Redford which electeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by 2 Bailiffs 6 Aldermen and a Steward and hath a great Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays The County of OXFORD is blest with a delectable Air County of Oxford described which doth occasion it to be much inhabited by Gentry and the rather as being of a fertil Soil for Corn and Fruits well stored with Cattle and interlaced with pleasant Hills wherein and in the Downs are found variety of Game It is well watered with Rivers as the Owse or Isis the Tame Cherwel Windrush and Ebenlode It is divided into 14 Hundreds in which tract is seated 280 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 12 Market Towns and graced with a beautiful and stately City Oxford the Seat of the Muses exceeding all Universities in the World Oxford except her Sister Cambridge It is a place of great antiquity said to be consecrated unto Learning in the time of the Old Britains and was much cherished and countenanced by King Elfred who sent thither his Son Ethelward on purpose to invite the young Nobles to study the Arts and Sciences It is a City commodiously seated both for pleasure and profit between the Isis and the Charwel which encompasseth three parts of the City over which for the convenience of passage it hath several Bridges The City is large numbring 14 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a large Structure and is at present a fair and stately City adorned with well-built Houses and beautified with divers curious Structures as the Kings Palace now the Mannor House the 16 Colledges 8 Halls the Schools wherein is a stately Library
of the Marches It is a large Town Corporate governed by Bailiffs and Burgesses hath the election of Parliament men and hath a very great Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Mondays The Town is strong being defended by a Wall and Castle is very populous and well inhabited and is of chief note for being the place where the Courts for the Marches of Wales are kept for the easment of the Welsh and Neighbouring Inhabitants and here Prince Arthur kept his Court. County of Somerset described SOMERSET a large and wealthy County and of a rich and fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage yet not without Stony-hills It is exceeding populous and well frequented occasioned through its commodious Havens and Sea-port Towns and is every where well watered with Rivers as the Severn Avon Parret Frome Brue Ivel c. which with the Sea plentifully serveth the Inhabitants with excellent Fish As to the bounds extent and division of the Shire into Hundreds see the Table This County hath been the Theater of divers bloody Battles for instance at Pen near Cadbury Edmond surnamed Iron-sides gave the Danes a notable foyl in his pursuit of Canutus the then Usurper of the English Crown Not far from Bridgwater Ealstan Bishop of Sherbourn gave a great overthrow to the Danish Camp At Cadbury King Arthur obtained a great and memorable Victory against the English Saxons And near this place Keniwalsh a West Saxon obtained the like Victory against the Britains to their ever after dread of the English Saxons And not far from Banes-down King Elfred gave the Danes such an overthrow that constrained them to a submission and caused Godrus their King to be baptized and was his Godfather In this County are numbred 385 Parish Churches and hath intercourse of Traffick with 30 Market Towns Bristol a City part in this County and the greatest part being in Gloucestershire it is there treated of and therefore omitted here Bath Bath seated on the Avon over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge and in a low and small Plain which is encircled with Hills out of which issue forth several Springs which pay their Tribute to this City It is a City of great Antiquity as doth appear by the many Roman Inscriptions and Images commonly found in the Walls which encompass it and where the Abby standeth was a Temple consecrated to Minerva the Goddess of Fountains and Baths It is a fair and neat City replenished with well-built Houses for Divine worship hath at present but one Parish Church besides its Abby or Cathedral a superb Building It is governed by a Major Aldermen Common Council with other sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities sendeth its Representatives to Parliament and hath two Markets weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are well served with Corn and Provisions it enjoys a good trade for its Clothing here made and is a place well inhabited and resorted unto and the rather for its Medicinal Baths for the curing of several diseases in the body of Man Of these Baths there are four and the Water as to heat is of a different temperature The Cross-Bath which is of a temperate heat is enclosed with a Wall and about the sides are placed 12 Seats of Stone The second is of a much hotter temperature and therefore called the Hot-Bath Adjoyning to these Baths is a spittle-Spittle-house for the relief of poor diseased people The third and fourth as joyned together are the greatest and best being seated near the Abby and called the King and Queens Baths they are enclosed with Walls and have 32 Seats made of Arched-work and so ordered that Men and Women sit apart Wells Wells seated at the foot of a Hill so called from the Springs and Wells there springing up a small City but well inhabited and of a good account being dignified with an Episcopal See under whose Jurisdiction is that of Bath It is garnished with fair and stately Buildings both publick and private as its Cathedral dedicated to St. Andrew a beautiful Pile of building the Bishops-Palace adjoyning to the Cathedral built Castle-wise then the Prebendaries Houses and the Market-house sustained by Pillars It is governed by a Major 7 Masters 16 Burgesses a Recorder Town Clerk c. enjoyeth several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath weekly 2 Markets viz. on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are well served with Provisions Pensford seated on the River Chue near its falling into the Avon Pensford a Town of good account and much inhabited by Hatters and Bakers It hath a Market on Tuesdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions Glassenbury seated near the Tor Glassenbury a good Town and hath a Market on Tuesdays which is well served with Corn Fowl Fish and other Provisions This place is of note for its once famous and stately Abby of Glassenbury where as 't is reported the Body of Joseph of Arimathea whom Philip the Apostle of the Gauls sent into Britain to preach the Gospel of Christ lieth interr'd and here King Inas built a fair and stately Church and in the Church-yard was the Sepulchre of King Arthur Near adjoyning on a high and steep Hill is placed a Tower now called Glassenbury-Tor which commandeth a great prospect round about and serveth as a Land-mark to Sea-men and on the top thereof the last Abbot was hanged by command of King Henry the Eighth Bruton seated on the River Brew a well built and inhabited Town Bruton of a good trade for Clothing Searges and Maulting and hath a very great Market for Provisions c. on Saturdays The Town is graced with a very beautiful Church hath a Free School founded by King Edward the Sixth and a most goodly Alms-house that hath rather the resemblance of a Colledge than an Hospital Evill or Yeovell a Borough Town governed by a Port-Reve Evill and keepeth Courts for the trial of Actions It is seated on a River so called and hath a very considerable Market on Fridays for Corn Cheese Hemp Flax and Provisions in great plenty taking its rise from the decay of Ilchester near adjoyning Ilchester a Town of great antiquity Ilchester and in former times of as great strength for at the coming of the Normans it was so populous that it had in it 107 Burgesses and numbred 16 Parish Churches but at present it hath but two Churches It is a Town Corporate governed by a Bailiff and 12 Burgesses hath the election of Parliament men is the place where the County Goal is kept and hath a pretty good Market on Wednesdays Taunton pleasantly seated on the Tone Taunton which is navigable for Barges within three miles of the Town where it hath a fine Bridge It is a very fine neat and well-built Town graced with spacious Streets containeth 2 Parish Churches is well inhabited both by Gentry and Tradesmen especially Clothiers who drive a considerable Trade for Searges and Clothing being esteemed the best Town in the County
of the Dutchy of Lancaster and hath a Market on Saturdays Doncaster seated on the Done and on the great Road to London Doncaster an ancient Town of good Antiquity once defended by a Castle now reduced to ruins and in Anno 759 this Town suffered much great part with its Cittadel being consumed with Fire but was rebuilt with a fair Church erected in the place where the Cittadel stood It is a large well-built and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Stockings Knit-Waistcoats Petticoats and Gloves and hath a very good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Saturdays Selby honoured in giving birth to King Henry the First seated on the Owse Selby which gives passage for small Vessels to York which doth occasion it to be a Town of some Trade and hath a good Market for Provisions and Merchandize on Mondays Ponfract very delightfully seated in a dry tract of ground Pontfract a neat Town Corporate beautified with good Buildings was once strengthned with a strong and stately Castle which was demolished in the late Wars It is governed by a Major and Aldermen sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very great Market for Corn Cattle Provisions and divers Country-commodities on Saturdays Wakefield seated in a large Lordship so called having its Steward Wakefield It is a large Town of good antiquity beautified with well built stone-Stone-houses it is a place well known for its Clothing here made and hath a great Market on Thursdays and Fridays for Cloth Corn Provisions and divers Country-commodities Leeds seated on the Are an ancient Town Leeds where the Kings had formerly their Royal Palace and here Oswy King of the Northumbers put to flight Penda the Mercian It is a large and well built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen with sub-Officers electeth Parliament men is very well inhabited especially by wealthy Clothiers who drive a great Trade for their Cloth and hath two considerable Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are well traded unto for Corn Provisions Woollen-Cloth and divers good Commodities Knaresbrough Knaresbrough delightfully seated on the Nid and on a ragged rough Rock on which is seated a Castle It is a well-built Town Corporate electing Parliament men and hath a good Market for Corn and Provisions on Wednesdays Nigh unto this place in a Moorish boggy-ground ariseth a Spring of Vitrioline tast and odour and not far off is also a Sulphur-Well which is good for several Diseases here is also a droping petrefying-Well which turns Wood Moss c. into Stone Rippon Rippon feated between the Yore and a Branch thereof over which are two Bridges It is a place of good antiquity and of much same for its Religious Houses but especially for its stately Monastery built by Wilfrid Archbishop of York It is at present a large and well-built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen hath the election of Parliament men the Town is well inhabited by Gentry and its Market which is on Thursdays is very great for Cattle Corn Provisions and chiefly for Wool which is much bought up by the Cloathiers of Leeds This Town is beautified with a very fine Cathedral Church with a lofty Spire-Steeple and in this Church was St. Winfrids Needle a place famous in our Fore-fathers days being a narrow Hole in the close Vaulted-room under ground in which place as 't is reported but not Recorded for Truth Womens Honesty was used to be tried for according to the story those that were Chast could easily pass through but the kind-hearted Souls were by an unknown means held fast and could not pass through WALES THE Island of great Britain in ancient time was severed into three Parts the first fairest and greatest contained all within the French Seas the Rivers of Severn Dee and Humber and was called Lhoyger which name in Welsh it still retaineth and in English England The second took up all the Land Northwards from the Humber to the Orkney Isles and was called Mare Caledonium or Deucaledonium and now Scotland And the third lying between the Irish Seas the Rivers of Severn and Dee was anciently called Cambria and now Wales to which the Britains being outed of their Country were forced to retire and there fortified themselves The Bounds This Country of Wales is bounded on all sides by the Sea except towards England from which it is severed by the River Dee and a Line drawn to the River Wye but anciently it was extended to the River Severn Eastward for Offa King of the Mercians forced them to quit the Plain Countries beyond that River which now is called the Marches of Wales and to betake themselves to the Mountains which he caused to be separated from England by a great Ditch called Offa's Dike in Welsh Claudh Offa in many places yet to be seen which Dike beginneth at the influx of the Wye into the Severn and reacheth unto Chester which is about 84 miles where the Dee disburthens it self into the Sea And over this Dike by a Law made by Harald no Welshman was permitted to pass with a Weapon upon pain of losing his Right hand Very Mountainous and Barren The whole Country is Mountainous and Barren yet affordeth several good Commodities and is not without many fertil Valleys which bear good Corn and breed great abundance of small Cattle with which they furnish England as also with Butter Cheese Woollen-Cloths called Welsh-Frizes Cottons Bays Herrings both White and Red Calve-skins Hides Hony Wax c. and the Country is well stored with Quarries of Free-stone for building and Mill-stones as also hath Mines of Lead Lead-Oar Coals and some of Silver and Tin And these Commodities are generally brought to Shrewsbury Oswestre Bristol Worcester and other adjacent parts and thence dispersed into England It s Ancient division About the year of Christ 870 Rodericus Magnus King of Wales divided this Country into three Regions Territories or Talaiths which were so many Kingdoms to wit Gwineth Venedotia or North-Wales and this part he gave to Anarawd his eldest Son Deheubarth or South-Wales which he gave to Cadelh his second Son and Powis or Powis-Land which he gave to Mervin his third Son and in each of these three Kingdoms he appointed a Royal Palace as at Aberffraw in the Isle of Anglesey for North-Wales at Dynefar or Dynevowr-Castle not far from Carmarthen for South-Wales and at Matravan in Montgomery-shire for Powis-Land Present division But at present according to Act of Parliament made in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth it is severed into two Parts to wit North-Wales and South-Wales both which have as it were devoured all Powis-Land and in each of these parts there are 6 Counties in the North those of Anglesey Caernarvon Denbigh Flint Merioneth and Montgomery and in the South those of Brecknock Cardigan Carmarden Glamorgan Pembroke and Radnor Again Wales like unto
The Gadeni who possessed the Counties of Lothien Merches and Teifidale or Tivedale 2. The Selgovae or Counties Liddisdale Eusedale Eskedale Annadale and Nidthesdale 3. The Novantes or Shires of Galloway Carrickt Kyle Cunningham and Arran 4. The Damnii or Counties of Cludesdale Striveling Lennox Menteith and Fife 5. The Caldedonii or Shires of Stratherne Argile Cantire Lorne Albany or Bruidalbin Perch Athol and Anguis 6. The Vermines or Counties of Mernis and Marr. 7. The Talgali or County of Buquhan 8. The Vacomagi or Counties of Murray and Loquabrea 9. The Cantae or Shires of Ross and Sutherland 10. The Catini or County of Cathanes And 11. the Cornubii or County of Strathnaverne Scotland divided into Sheriffdoms These parts are again according to their Civil Government divided into Sheriffdoms Stewarties and Bailiffwicks viz. the Counties or Sheriffdoms of Edenburgh Lynlythio Selkirk Roxburgh Peblis Berwick Lanarke Renfrew Dunfreis Wighton Aire Bute Argile Tarbet Dunbarton Perch Clackmannan Kinros Fife Kincardin Forfair Aberdene Bamff Elgin Forres Narne Innerness Cromartie Orknay and Shetland The Stewarties of Menieith Stewarties Kircudbrieht Stratherne and Annandale The Bailiwicks of Kile Bailywicks Carrickt and Cunningham It s further division Again Scotland according to the scituation of its Parts Provinces or Counties may be divided into two parts to wit Southwards and on this side the Tay which made the ancient Kingdom of the Picts so called for that they painted their Bodies like the ancient Britains from whom they are said to descend which is the more confirmed for that the Northern Britains converted to the Faith by St. Colombe were called Britain Picts And Eastwards Northwards and beyond the Tay which made the ancient Kingdom of the Scots besides abundance of Isles dispersed in its Northern and Western Seas the chief of which shall be treated of Its Counties The Counties comprehended in the South-part are Lothien Merche Teifidale or Tivedale Eskdale Euskdale Liddesdule Annadale Nydthesdale Galloway Carrickt Kyle Cunningham Cludesdale Lennox Striveling Menteith Fife Stratherne Argile Lorne Cantyre and Arran And these in the North part are Albany or Badalbin Paerch Athol Anguis Mernis Buquihan Marr Muray Loquabrea Ross Sutherland Strathnaverne and Cathanes And of these in order It s name and fertility The County of Lothien in former times by the Picts called Pictland shooteth it self forth from Merche unto the Sea a Country very Hilly and but thinly clothed with Wood but for the fertility of its Earth and the civility of its Inhabitants is deservedly esteemed the flower of all Scotland The chief places are It s chief places Edenburgh or Edenborow of old Castrum Alatum the Metropolis of the Kingdom It s scituation is high in a wholsom Air and rich Soil and by reason of its commodious Haven called Leth-Haven Edenburgh not above a mile distant it is a place of good Trade and well resorted unto by Shipping This City chiefly consisteth of one Street which runneth about a mile in length which receiveth divers petty Streets and Lanes so that its circuit may be about three miles which is strongly begirt with a Wall and at the West-end of the City on the top of a Rock is seated a fair and powerful Castle with many Towers which commands the City and is esteemed in a manner impregnable It belonged once to the English till in Anno 960. the Scots took it from them when oppressed by the Danish Tyranies It is well watered with clear Springs and Fountains is adorned with many fair Edifices as well publick as private the principal amongst which is the Kings Palace a fair Structure and its private Houses are generally fair lofty built of Free-stone and so well inhabited that several Families have their abodes under one Roof It is also dignified with the Courts of Judicature High Courts of Parliament and with an Vniversity And being the Scale of Trade for the Kingdom it will be necessary to give an account of their Coins Weights and Measures As to their Coins Their Coins Weights and Measure note that 13 ½ d. sterling makes a Mark Scotch 6 ¼ d. sterling a Scotch Noble and 20 d. sterling a Scotch Pound Their Weight used in Merchandizes is the Pound of 16 Ounces 100 of which make their Quintal or C which is found to make at London 108 l. Averdupois Their Measures for length is the Ell and is about 4 per Cent. greater than the English Ell. Their Liquid Measures are such as in England but of a double content a Pint being an English Quart and so answerable Their Dry Measures are also the same with those of England but also bigger Athelstanford so called from Athelstane a chief Commander of the English Athelstanford which was there slain with most of his Men about the year 815. Haddington seated in a wide and broad Plain a place of good account Haddington and which the English fortified with a deep and large Ditch and other Fortifications Dunbar scituate on the Sea-shoar once defended by a strong Castle Dunbar which was the Seat of the Earls of Merch a place which hath oft-times been taken by the English and as often retaken by the Scots which was the cause of its demolishment since which it is honoured with the Title of an Earldom North-Barwick seated on Edenbrough-Frith North-Barwick a place in former Ages famous for its House of Religious Virgins Not far from this place and near the Shoar Bass-Island lieth a small Isle called Bass-Island which feemeth to be a high craggy Rock and to be almost cut through by the undermining Sea-waves It hath a Fountain of Water and fresh Pastures and above all is remarkable for the exceeding great abundance of those Geese called Scouts and Soland-Geese which here frequent and breed which as I before noted is very profitable to the Inhabitants in these parts Lyth hath a most commodious Haven being the present Port to Edenburgh Lyth Abercorne seated on the Forth or Frith Abercorne in former time of note for its famous Monastery as at present for giving Title of an Earldom unto the Duke of Hamilton Linquo Linquo or Linlithquo said to be the ancient City of Lindum mentioned by Ptolomy a place once beautified with a House of the Kings and a fair Church County of Merch described MERCH a County so called as being a March it is wholly on the German Ocean was of great note for its Earls thereof and hath for its chief places Coldingham Cadingham called by Bede the City Coldana a place of great antiquity and note for its chaft Nuns for it is said that they together with Ebba their Prioress cut off their own Noses and Lips to render themselves deformed that the Danes might not deflour them but this so exasperated them that they not only burnt their Monastery but them therein Not far from Coldingham is Fast-Castle Fast-Castle and here the Sea
two-headed Rock at the meeting of the Rivers near the large Lough Lomond and in a green Plain in one of the tops is or was placed a Watch-Tower and on the other several Fortifications or Bulwarks on the East-side it hath a boggy Flat which at every Tide is covered with water and on the South it hath the River Cluid Alcluyd Alcluyd an ancient City by some said to be the same Dunbritton Of a fertil Soil STRIVELING or STIRLING a County of a fertil Soil and well inhabited and here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Edenburgh-Frith and Dunbrith-Frith thrusting themselves far into the Land out of the East and West Seas are separated from meeting together which space was fortified with Garrisons between by Julius Agricola so that all the part on this side was in the possession of the Romans and their Enemies were forced to retire themselves into the more Northern and Hilly part of the Kingdom but this lasted not long for Agricola being called home the Caledonian Britains forced the Romans back as far as the River Tine and when Hadrian arrived in Britain about 40 years after instead of going farther he gave command that the God Terminus which used not to give ground to any should be withdrawn back and that a Wall of Turffs commonly now called Grahams-Dike should be made between the Rivers Tine and Eske Southward on this side Edenburgh-Frith for about 100 miles which proved successful unto them And along this Wall hath been oft-times found several Inscriptions and pieces of Romish Antiquities And of remark was that ancient round building 24 Cubits high and 13 broad open at the top and framed of rough and unpolished Stones without any Cement Lime and Morâ—ar some call this the Temple of the God Terminus others Arthur's Oven and others Julius Hoff as supposing it to be raised by Julius Caesar but Cambden would rather believe it to be built by Julius Agricola who fortified these parts had not Ninius said it was built by Garausius as a Triumphal Arch in memory of some Victory The chief places in this County are Stirling Stirling Striveling or Stirling-Borough a place of good strength and fortified with a powerful Castle high mounted on the brow of a steep Rock a place dignified with the birth of King James the Sixth of Scotland and First of England who afterwards caused it to be beautified with new Buildings Falkirke Falkirke c. Cumirnald and Torwood MENTEITH a County so called from the River Teith It s chief places are Dunblain Clackmannan Dunblain seated on the River Teith being the See of a Bishop and Clackmannan Of a very fertil Soil FIFE a fertil County in Corn and Pasturage hath Pit-Coal and the Sea with its two Arms Forth and Tau which almost encompass it affordeth store of Oysters and other Fish It s chief places are St. Andrews St. Andrews of old Regimund that is St. Regulus Mount which Vng or Oeng King of the Picts gave to God and St. Andrew that it should be the chief and Mother Church of the Picts Kingdom It is a City pleasantly seated on the Sea-shoar near Fif-ness is fortified with a fair and strong Castle is dignified with an Archiepiscopal See which is Primate of all Scotland and is also honoured by being the Seat of the Muses Disert Disert seated on the rising of a Hill and in an open Heath so called where there is a large place called the Cole-plot that affordeth good store of Bitumen Dunfirmling Dunfirmling a famous Monastery in old time and of note as well for its Building and being the Burial-place of King Malcomb the Third as for giving Title to the Earl of Dunfirmling Falkland Falkland well and pleasantly seated for Hunting for which purpose the Kings have had here their retiring-Retiring-house Cupre Cupre a Borough-Town of some note STRATHERNE that is the Vale along the River Ern hath for its chief places Abergenny Abergenny once a City of good account being the Royal Seat of the Picts Kings which as 't is said Nectane their King dedicated to God and St. Bridget with a Tract of ground thereto belonging Drimein Drimein-Castle well seated on the River Ern. Tulibardin Tulibardin-Castle scituate also on the same River ARGILE a County well furnished with Pools in which together with the Sea and its many Arms which it sendeth forth are taken great plenty of good Fish and in its Mountains are bred a kind of wild Deer Places of good account are none in this County LORNE a Country of an apt Soil for bearing of Barley is well watered being divided by the large Lough or Lake called Leane It s chief places are Dunstafage Dunstafage seated near the said Lake once dignified with a House of the Kings Tarbar Tarbar where King James the Fourth ordained a Justice and a Sheriff to administer Justice to the Inhabitants of the out-Isles Bergonum and Bergonum CANTTRE that is the Lands-head as thrusting it self forth with a long and tapered Promontory which Ptolomy called the Promontory Epidiorum This County seated near Ireland Kiltan Sandell between the extream point of which and Marlock or Tor-Bay in Ireland there are scarce 13 miles It s chief places are Killtan and Sandell Isle of Arran ARRAN a small County and Isle near unto Cantire hath for its chief places Arran and Rothsay The Highlanders ALBAINE or BRAID-ALBIN whose Inhabitants are called the Highlanders a kind of rude and warlike People and much of the nature of the Irish in habit and disposition It s chief places are Enrer Lothea and Foyre PERCH a large and fertil County hath for its chief places Perch Perch or St. John's Town a place of good account and once larger than now it is being built by King William it is pleasantly seated between two Greens and on the River Tau which is navigable for Barges Dunkelden Dunkelden dignified by King David with an Episcopal See supposed to be a Town of the Caledonians Berch Also on the Tau stood the little City of Berch which was washed away by the overflowings of the said River together with many of its Inhabitants amongst which was an Infant-Child of the Kings in its Cradle Scone Scone seated on the farther side of the Tau dignified with an Inauguration of the Scotch Kings before their Union to England Westminster now being the place and where the Chair in which the Kings were then Crowned is which is at present made use of upon the like occasion Caladonia Wood. ATHOL an indifferent fertil County and well clothed with Wood where is that large and overshadowed Wood Caladonia already treated of a Country said to be infamous for Witches It s chief place is Blaire Very fertil and well watered ANGVIS a fertil County both for Corn and rich Pastures is well watered with several Rivers which lose
landed his Army there and obtained the Regal Dominion thereof which being passed over unto him by their Nobles and Commonalty their Charter so signed was transmitted to Rome and was confirmed by a Patent of Pope Hadrian by a Ring delivered unto him in token of his investure and was farther confirmed by the Authority of certain Provincial Synods and ever since that time it hath remained in the possessions of the Kings of England The Temporal Government of Ireland The Temporal Government since the English became Masters thereof hath most commonly been by one Supream Officer sent over by the Kings of England and called Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant who for Majesty State and Power is not inferiour to any Vice-Roy in Christendom living in great grandure and having ample and Royal Power and Authority granted unto him and as Assistant unto him in so weighty a concern he hath his Privy Council being a select number of honourable and prudent persons chosen out of the Nobility Clergy and Capital Officers of State for their Degrees of Honour and Offices of State they are the same with those of England already treated of The present Lord Lieutenant is the Right Noble his Excellency Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Viscount Maldon Baron Capell of Hadham c. Its Laws and Courts of Judicature The Laws of this Kingdom have correspondency with those of England and have likewise there several Courts of Judicature as the Chancery Common-Pleas Kings-Bench Exchequer c. but above all the High Court of Parliament There are likewise in each County Justices of the Peace for the quiet governing and well ordering the Inhabitants as in England The Archbishops and Bishops As to the Ecclesiastical Government of this Kingdom it is committed to the care of four Archbishops under whom are divers Suffragan Bishops whose names are as followeth Under the Archbishop of Armagh who is Primate of Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or Elnamirand Conuer Rathluc Dune or Dundalethglas Ardachad Derry Dal-Liquir Chlocor or Lugundum and Rathbot Under the Archbishop of Dublin those of Ferne Lechlin Glendalach Ossery and Kildare Under the Archbishop of Cassile those of Limrick Waterford Corke Laonie or Kendalnan Gellumabrath Lismore Ardefret the Isle of Gathay Clon De Rosalither Melite or Emilech and Ross or Roscree And under the Archbishop of Tuam those of Elphin Gonany Clonfred Enachdun Achad Duac or Killmacduoc Mage Killmundâ—ach Cellaiar Roscomon and Lade or Killaleth According to the Temporal Government of this Kingdom it is severed into four Provinces to wit Leimster Vlster Connaugh and Mounster which are again subdivided into several Counties which comprehend several Baronies in which are seated several Towns And of these Provinces in order LEIMSTER It s fertility THis Part of Ireland for the generality is of a fertil Soil affording great plenty of Corn Cattle Fowl and Fish enjoyeth a wholsom and temperate Air is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Shour Neor and Barraeo It s Bivers which have their rise out of that great Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes It is very well inhabited as well by the Gentry as the Commonalty and the rather by reason of Dublin the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom therein seated It s form may be said to be triangular for from South-east to the West-point is above 80 miles from thence to the North-west about 70 and her East-Coast about 18 the circumference making about 270 miles And for its bounds it hath on the West the Province of Connough on the North that of Leimster and on the East and South the Sea which regards England from which that is from Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey it is distant about 50 miles a Sea very dangerous for Saylers by reason of the Flats and Shallows that lie over against Holy-point which are called the Grounds And as to its division it is severed into ten Counties to wit Dublin East-Meath West-Meath Longford Kildare Kings County Queens County Caterlough Weixford and Kilkenny all which are again subdivided into several Baronies and of these Counties in order County of Dublin described DVBLIN or Divelin a fertil County for Corn and Cattle but ill provided with Wood which defect is supplied by Peat or Turff dug up in the clammy places as also by Sea-Coal brought from England It is severed into seven Baronies viz. New-Castle Vpper-Cross Rath-down Castle-knock Coolock Balrudery and Nether-Cross and by reason of its City Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is very well furnished with Towns and inhabited by Gentry It s chief places are Dublin Dublin the capital City in the Island by Ptolomy called Eblana by the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia by the West Britains Dinas Dulin and by the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon Hurdles by reason that when it began to be first built the ground being wet and moorish the Foundation of its Houses were laid upon Hurdles It is a City of great Antiquity and said to be built by Harold the first King of Norway who brought most of the Kingdom under his obedience though not without great Spoils and after the Conquest of the English was Peopled by a Colony of Bristol-men It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Liffie which after a small course emptieth it self into a capacious Bay of the Sea where it hath a good Haven and a fair prospect and on the South it hath delightful Hills which with the several Parks here adjacent afford great Recreation to the Gentry It is a City dignified and enriched with the residence of the Lord Lieutenant as also with the See of an Archbishop with an Vniversity and the Courts of Judicature by reason of which it is a place of good Traffick being well inhabited and frequented by Nobility and Gentry as also by abundance of wealthy Merchants and Shop-keepers It is beautified with many fair Buildings both publik and private the principal amongst which are the Lord Lieutenants Palace a stately Structure built by order of King Henry the Second in the East-Suburbs then the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Patrick consisting of a Dean Chanter Chancellor Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty Prebendaries Nigh unto which is the Archbishops Palace both which are without the City in the Suburbs called St. Patricks Then the Collegiate Church consecrated to the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-Church seated in the midst of the City which Queen Elizabeth dignified with the Priviledges of an Vniversity and not far from this is the Town-Hall called Toles-tale a fair Stone-building of a quadrangular form and here the Lord Major Sheriffs Aldermen and other the Magistrates of the City assemble together for the management and consulting on the publick Concerns of the City as to hear Causes hold Sessions c. Then a beautiful Colledge with several other fair Edifices It is at present a City of a large Extent to what it formerly was and doth daily increase in
its Buildings especially in its Suburbs which is severed from the City by a Wall which gives entrance by six Gates As touching the Trade of this Kingdom I shall include it under this City as being the chief place of Traffick The Commodities exported are the product of the Country already treated of and those imported are all sorts of English Commodities especially Apparel Silks Stuffs c. also Wines Oils and several other Commodities Their Coins as being under the Jurisdiction of England have correspondency therewith and are here currant as also those of Spain and an Irish Pound which consisteth of 20 s. is but 15 s. sterling which makes their Shilling but 9 d. sterling And as to their Weights and Measures they are the same with those of England where see further Wickle seated on the Sea Wickle where over the narrow Haven there standeth a Rock enclosed with a strong Wall instead of a Castle and serveth for a place of defence New-Castle a Town which regardeth the Sea Newcastle where there are Shelves of Sand which they call the Grounds reaching a great length between which and the Shoar is said to be about seven Fathom water Houth seated on the River Liffy at its fall into the Sea Houth which almost encloseth it Malcheal also seated on the Sea Malcheal nigh unto which is a small Isle called Lambey County of East-Meath described EAST-MEATH a County watered with the noble River Boyn which cutteth the Country into two parts and after it hath received the Waters of Lough-Ranmore dischargeth it self into the Sea It is severed into twelve Baronies viz. Moyfenragh Dunboyne Ratoth Duleeke Kells Morgallon Skreen Navan Lune Slane Foore and Decce And hath for its chief place Trim seated on the River Boyne a Town of good account and Trade Trim. Aboy a well inhabited and frequented Town Aboy Navan Drodagh Slane Navan Drodagh and Slane which also hath a Barony County of West-Meath described WEST-MEATH so called as lying Westwards as the other is for lying Eastwards It is divided into twelve Baronies viz. Farbill Moyeashell Clunlonan Brawney Moygoish Delvin Corkery Demyfoore Maheredernon Rathconrath Kilkenny-west and Fartullagh And hath for its chief places Molingar the chief Shire-Town Molingar as being commodiously seated in the midst of the County Delvin seated on the Summit of a Hill a Town dignified with a Barony Delvin and Kelskery Kelskery County of Longford described LONGFORD a County almost encompassed with Lakes and Rivers amongst which is the Shannon the noblest River in the Kingdom It is severed into six Baronies viz. Ardagh Granard Moydow Longford Rathline and Abbyshrewle And hath for its chief places Longford which gives name to the County seated on the Lake Eske Longford or rather on the Shannon Ardragh another good Town Ardragh County of Kildare described KILDARE a rich and fertil County severed into ten Baronies viz. Salt Nass Ikeathy or Oughtereney Claine Connel Magna Carbury Ophaly Noragh and Rabane Kilkullen half Kilcah and Moon Whose chief places are Kildare a fair Inland Town being well frequented defended by a Castle Kildare and dignified with the See of a Bishop A place much celebrated in the Infancy of the Irish Church for its St. Brigid an holy Virgin who was the Disciple of St. Patrick Mainoth defended by a Castle and is a place of good account Mainoth and well frequented Naas Athie Naas and Athie seated on the River Barrow both Towns of some account Kings County described KINGS COVNTY so called in honour to Philip King of Spain Husband to Mary Queen of England It is divided into ten Baronies viz. Cooles-Town Philips-Town Marrius-Town Ballicowen Kilcoursey Balliboy Clonliske Garricastle Ballibritt and Fercale And hath for its chief places Philips-Town or Kings-Town Philips-Town Queens-Town described QVEENS COVNTY full of Boggs and Woods is divided into eight Baronies viz. Balliadams Vpper-Ossery Portnehinch Tenehinch Cullinagh Mary-burrough Slewmargigh and Stradbally And hath for its chief places Queens-Town a place of good account and is the chief in the County Queens-Town Rheban once a City but at present of small note Rheban County of Caterlough described CATERLOVGH a fertil County and well clothed with Wood. It is severed into five Baronies viz. Ravilly Caterlough Forth Idronye and St. Mullin in part And hath for its chief places Caterlough Caterlough seated on the River Barrow of good account and strength Leighlin Leighlin also seated on the Barrow once dignified with an Episcopal See Tullo Tullo seated on the River Slane Carickbrak Areklo Carickbrak and Areklo which two last are seated on the Sea County of Wexford described WEXFORD or WEISFORD washed by the Sea a County in former time according to Ptolomy possessed by the Menapians a sort of People which came out of Low-Germany It is divided into eight Baronies viz. Gory Scarwalsh Ballagheene Bantry Shellmaleere Forth Bargy and Sheelburne And hath for its chief places Wexford Wexford supposed to be the ancient City Menapa scituate at the Mouth of the River Slane where it hath a good Haven a fair Town and of note for being the first Town that imbraced a Colony of English as also for its Herring-fishing which makes it to be well inhabited and frequented Ross Ross seated on the River Barrow which after a small course falleth into a Bay or Arm of the Sea Ternes Ternes scituate on the Slane dignified with the See of a Bishop and was in former time fortified with a Castle Eniscort Eniscort a Borough and Town Corporate County of Kilkenny described KILKENNY a very fertil County well graced with Towns is divided into ten Baronies viz. Gowran Fassaghdining Kilkenny Cranagh Galmey Callen Iverke Sheelelogher Kells Knocktopher Ida-Igrin and Ibercon And hath for its chief places Kilkenny Kilkenny seated on the River Nur which traverseth the County a fair and wealthy Borough-Town far exceeding all other Mid-land Borough-Towns in the Kingdom It is divided into the English and the Irish Town that part belonging to the English being fenced on the West-side by a Wall and defended by a Castle and that part which belongeth to the Irish being as it were the Suburbs is of the greatest Antiquity having in it the Canicks Church and is honoured with the See of the Bishop of Ossery Thomas Town Thomas Town seated beneath the River Nur a small walled Town Callan Callan seated on a River so called a Borough and Town Corporate Religious Houses Amongst the places in this Province set apart for Divine Worship these following were of great note viz. the stately Abbey called Thomas Court at Dublin built by King Henry the Second in expiation of the Murther of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury the Monasteries of St. Maries of Oustmanby and Tintern and the Abbey founded by William Marshall Earl
only place in all Asia where plenty of Saffron groweth This City is one of the most remarkable Thorough-fares in the East where are continually lodged the Caravans from Persia Diarbeck Constantinople Smyrna Synopus and other places and here the Caravans turn off as they are variously bound Here are excellent Fruits and Wine and Provisions are had at easie rates The Province of Bithynia bounded BITHYNIA hath on the North the Euxine Sea a place famoused for the Victory of Alexander against the Persians then for Mount Stella where Pompey overthrew Mithridates and Tamberlain with 800000 Tartans encountred Bajazet with 500000 where 20000 lost their lives and Bajazet in the pride of his heart being taken and penn'd up in an Iron-Cage beat out his own Brains against the Bars It s chief places are 1. Nice Chief places in Bithynia where the first General Council was held by the appointment of Constantine the Great for the expelling of the Arian Heresie 2. Chalsedon where the 4th General Council was to repel the Nestorian Heresie 3. Scutari opposite to the Haven of Constantinople in which place the Persians received their Tribute from the other Cities of these Parts and lastly 4. Bursa once the Seat of the Ottaman Kings in Asia till they gained Adrianople in Europe by Mahomet the First now inhabited by Turks Jews and Greeks by some accounted as fair rich and populous as Constantinople and enjoys a great Trade It is seated on the Foot of Mount Olympus for its defence and is adorned with fair Mosques and many Tombs of the Ottoman Princes The Province of Lycia bounded and its Cities described LYCIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea and is environed on 3 sides with the Mountain Taurus which makes it very strong It was formerly exceeding populous containing about 60 Cities the greatest part whereof remained in St. Pauls time but now are reduced to ruins The chiefest of which were 1. Mira the chief City of this Province 2. Patera adorned with a fair Haven and Temples one of which was dedicated to Apollo having therein an Oracle and for Wealth and Credit suitable to that at Delphos 3. Telmesus whose Inhabitants are famous for interpreting of Dreams The Province of Galatia bounded and its chief places treated of GALATIA is bounded on the East with Cappadocia Towns of note viz. 1. Augoura seated on the River Sangar 16 days Journey from Constantinople famous for the Synod here held in the Primitive times and is one of the greatest and richest places of this quarter furnishing Turky with a great number of Chamlets and Mo-hairs 2. Tavium where there was a Brazen Statue of Jupiter in whose Temple there was a priviledged Sanctuary To this Province St. Paul did dedicate one of his Epistles The Province of Pamphylia and its chief places PAMPHYLIA hath for its Southern bounds the Mediterranean Sea The principal Cities are 1. Satalia founded by Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt is the strongest and best for Traffick of all its Coasts communicating its name to the neighbouring Gulph called Golfo di Satalia and to the most Oriental part of the Mediterranean Sea famous for the rich Tapestries that are here made 2. Side famous in the time of the Gentiles for a Temple of Pallas 3. Perge renowned in Old time for the Temple of Diana and for the Annual Feasts there held in honour of her and yet more famous for St. Pauls Preaching here 4. Aspendus and Inland Town strongly scituate once the Metropolis of the Province famous of old for its Musicians These Provinces were converted to Christianity by the Apostles St. Paul who Journied through most Cities in these quarters St. Peter and St. John as doth appear by Holy Scripture The Country for the most part is very Mountainous which proceed from Mount Taurus as branches thereof Here are abundance of Goats of whose Hair are made great quantities of Grograins and Chamlets which for fineness are not inferiour to Silk with which it serves other Countries being its chief Commodity but nearer the Sea it is more fruitful being well watered and planted more populous and pleasant The Province of Cappadocia bounded CAPPADOCIA hath for its chief places 1. Mazaca enlarged and beautified by Tiberius the Emperour and in honour to Augustus Caesar by him called Caesarea being the Metropolitan City of Cappadocia as also the Episcopal See of St. Basil 2. Nyssa the See of Gregory Surnamed Nyssenus and Brother to Basil 3. Nazianzum also the Episcopal See of another Gregory Surnamed Nazianzenus which 3 for their admirable abilities in all kind of Learning and for their Piety are not to be parallel'd 4. Comana remarkable of old for its Temple consecrated to Bellona whose Priests and other inferiour Officers of both Sexes in the time of Strabo amounted to about 6000. 5. Erzirum scituate in the Confines of Armenia Major which is the Rendezvous for the Turkish Army when they have any design against Persia at which place they are likewise disbanded and sent home being a Frontier Town It is seated an the end of a large Plain circled with Mountains its Houses are not very well built but hath several great Inns for entertainment of Passengers as at Tocat and it is observable that Barly after 40 days and Wheat after 60 is fit to cut And 6. Pterium memorable for the great Battel fought between Croesus King of Lydia and Cyrus of Persia in which Croesus lost not only the Field but also his Kingdom The Country is very rich in Mines of Silver Iron Brass and Alum hath great plenty of Wine and several sorts of Fruits also Crystal Jasper and the Onyx-stone But the greatest Wealth which they have is their Horses The People of this Country were anciently very Vicious and prone to all kinds of Wickedness but since Christianity was received amongst them their former Vices are now changed to Vertues The Province of cilicia and its chief places CILICIA hath on the South the Mediterranean Sea Places of note here found are viz. 1. Tarsis pleasantly seated famous for the Birth-place of St. Paul 2. Anchiala on the Sea-side both which with some others were built in one day by Sardanapalus King of Assyria 3. Epiphania the Birth-place of George the Arian Bishop of Alexandria 4. Adena seated in a fruitful Soil abounding in Corn and Wine defended by a strong Castle 5. Alexandria built by Alexander the Great and to distinguish it from Alexandria in Egypt was named Alexandretta but now Scanderone a famous Haven-Town serving for the Scale to Aleppo which is distant from it about 100 English miles to which all Shipping either out of the Ocean or Mediterranean come to lade and unlade their Goods which are hence transported by Camels to Aleppo and here the English French and Venetians have their Vice-Consuls to protect their Goods and Ships 6. Amavarza a City in the time of Strabo of great antiquity 7. Nicopolis founded by Alexander
Diamonds Pearls and other precious Stones Above the place where this Throne standeth is a Gallery where he sheweth himself everyday and receiveth the complaints of those who have received any injury but they must be sure to prove it else he runs a great hazard of his life to trouble him vainly But in his inner Lodgings there is no person to enter save the Eunuchs who wait upon the Ladies in his Seraglia which is about 1000. Among the several fair Structures which are within this great inclosure there is one great Tower rich without being covered with Gold but not to compare to the wealth within in which are 8 spacious Vaults which are filled with Gold Silver and Precious Stones of an Inestimable value Province of Agra This City of Agra gives name to a Province or Kingdom which is of a fertile Soyl and well peopled and frequented and ows its beauty and enlargement to Ekebar Emperor of the Mogolls The Palace of the Great Mogol as I said before is of 2 Leagues circuit the other Palaces of Princes and Lords which are also seated along the River stretching towards the North are all proudly built but not of so large an extent that of the Great Mogolls being the fairest richest and most magnificent of all the East On the other side is the City of Secandra about 2 Leagues long almost all inhabited by Merchants Fetipore that is Desire accomplished 12 Leagues from Agra and towards the West is likewise one of the works of Ekebar who having obtained Children to succeed his Estates caused this place to be built for pleasure with a very stately Palace and Musqueito or Temple but its ill Waters have caused it to be abandoned Biana to the West of Fetipore hath the best Wood of all India Scanderbad on the West of Bayana hath been the Residence of some Kings and the Castle above it is very advantagiously scituated where Xa Selim kept himself till such time as Ekebar had streightly besieged him and forced him to retire into the Mountains The name of this place and likewise this of Secandra directly opposite to Agra retain something of the name of Alexander Province of Lahor The Province of LAHOR or PENGAB is large very fertile in all sorts of Fruits and Grains which makes it considerable its chief City bears the name of the Province and I believe this City to be the same with Alexandria Bucephalus which Alexander the Great built and named of his name and that of his Horse Bucephalus The Ancients place it by the River Hydaspes which may at present be Bowey The City hath been so much enlarged by Xa Selim that it contains 24 Leagues of circuit It is very pleasantly seated especially towards the River on which it hath many delightful Gardens Its Fortress is good is adorned with many stately Palaces and great Houses where their Nobles and persons of quality reside among others that of the Kings which is though seated within the City yet separated from it with a high Wall being magnificent and adorned with great quantities of fair Pictures Here is also by reason the Inhabitants are Mahometans abundance of Mosques and Bathing-places for their ordinary purifications which is a ceremony much used amongst them Here it is by many thought that Noah seated himself after his coming out of the Ark and likewise that from hence Ophir and Havilah Sons of Joktan removed towards the Ganges and Malacca This Province is esteemed one of the most pleasant Countreys in all India being so well shaded with Mulberry and other Trees whose verdure is no less delightful to the eye of the beholder then refreshing to the wearied Traveller under whose Boughs he may rest and shade himself from the shallure of the Sun At Fetipore not far from Lahor the Sultan Gansron the Son of Selim but a Rebel was by his Father defeated from whence the place had its name which signifies Desire accomplished As the other Fetipore near Agra was built by Ekebar after having obtained Children to succeed him in his Estates This Countrey bears the name of Peng-ab that is five Waters by reason it is watred with five different Rivers Province of Delly The Province of DELLY gives name to its capital City which is on the Road from Lahor to Agra watred by the River Gemini or Semena Before the Mogolls descended into all these quarters the Kings of India made it their Residence were here Crowned and here had their Tombs There are yet found some very fair Obelisques believed to have been erected in the time of Alexander the Great and the Greeks Kingdom of Bengala The Kingdom of BENGALA occupies all the lower part of the Ganges and may be divided into three parts Prurop on this side the Ganges Patan beyond it The particular name of Bengala may be given to that which lies between the Branches of the Ganges and along the Coast This Kingdom hath been divided into 12 Provinces which have been so many Kingdoms and which took their names from their principal Cities but we have no certain knowledg either of their names or situations Bengala likewise is placed by some between the Branches of the Ganges by others beyond it Some esteem Chatigan its chief City when as others will have it to be Goura on the Ganges higher in the Land and more then 100 Leagues from the Sea However it be Bengala is of so great Traffick and so rich that the Kingdom and Gulf of Ganges on which it is at present is called the Kingdom and Gulf of Bengala The City of Chatigan is pleasantly seated on a fair and large River whose imbosure is not far distant from that of the Ganges This River hath so fierce a Current that Boats and Vessels without the help of Sails or Oars are driven in 24 hours about 100 Miles so that those who have no occasion to pass up and down this River are forced to fasten their Vessels to certain Trees or other things which are for the same purpose fixed along the shore By which means they are sheltered from the violence of the Tides which else would spoyl them Here are several other Cities as Ragmehel Daca Banara Tanda Patana Holobasse on the joyning of Gemini and Ganges is one of the fairest and greatest Cities of India and I esteem it in the place of the Ancient Palibothra where the streams of the Jomanes and Ganges do meet with other Cities of less note The extent of Bengala This Kingdom of Bengala extends it self 300 Leagues from East to West and sometimes 200 from North to South having no less then 150 Leagues of Coast which is much frequented by Merchants of several Countries which hither come for their Commodities which by reason of the temperatness of the Air and the fertility of the Countrey do here abound The Inhabitants are courteous Its Inhabitants but deceivers Their Kings have been esteemed as rich and as powerful as any in India Province
Benjans there is another sort of Pagans whom they call the Parsis who for the most part reside by the Sea-coast addicting themselves to Trades and Commerce they believe that there is one God preserver of the Universe who acts alone and immediately in all things but he hath as they fancy about 30 several Servants to whom he giveth an absolute power over the things which he hath entrusted them with but withall they are obliged to give an account unto him and for these Servants they have a great veneration who have each their particular charge as one having the Government of the Earth another of Fruits another of Beasts another of Military affairs Others who have influences on men some giving understanding others wealth c. Another who takes the possession of the Souls departed which conducts them to the Judges where they are examined and according to their good or evil deeds receive their Sentence and are carried by the good or bad Angels who attend the Judges to Paradise or Hell where they think they shall abide until the end of the world which will be 1000 years after which time they shall enter into other Bodies and lead a better life then they did before Another hath the goverment of Waters another of Metals another of Fire which they hold Sacred c. They have no Mosques or publick places for their Devotion they have a very great esteem of their Teachers and Doctors allowing them a plentiful Estate Their Widows are suffered to marry a second time Adultery and Fornication they severely punish They are forbidden the eating of any thing that hath life Drunkenness they likewise strictly punish These People are much given to Avarice and circumventing those they deal withal The Mahomitans or Mogolls that here inhabit are of a good stature have their Hair black and flaggy but are of a clearer Complexion then the other sort of People aforementioned Their habit behaviour They habit themselves something like the Persians their Garments about their Waists are close to their Bodies but downwards wide they use Girdles and their Shoos and the Covering of their Head is much the same with those of the Turks And they are likewise distinguished by their Glothes which according to the degree and quality and the person doth exceed in richness They are very civil ingenious and reserved yet are expensive in their Appareb Feastings and great lovers of Women And so much for the Mogolls Countrey The Peninsula of INDIA without the Ganges Its bounds THe Peninsula without the Ganges is between the Mouths of Indus and Ganges and advances from the East of the Great Mogoll unto the eighth degree of Latitude on this side the Aequator The Ocean or Indian Sea washes it on three sides to wit the Gulf of Bengala once Gangeticus Sinus on the East the Gulph of Cambaya anciently Barigazenus Sinus and the Sea which regards Arabia on the West towards the South that which regards Cylan on one side and the Maldives on the other We will divide this Peninsula into four principal parts which shall be Decan Golconda Narsingue or Bisnagar and Malabar The three first Its parts and the greatest have each their King or if there be more they depend and hold of one alone The fourth and last part hath likewise formerly been a Kingdom alone at present is many but which hold one of another DECAN THe Kingdom of DECAN is washed on the West by the Indian Ocean the Gulf of Cambaya It is divided into three others Kingdom of Decan which they call Decan Cunkan and Balaguate the two first on the Coast Balaguate is Eastward of the other two up in the Land and composed of Vallies which are below and between the Mountains of Gate beyond which are the Kingdoms of Golconda and Narsingue or Bisnagar In the particular Decan are the Cities of Amedanagar Chaul Dabul c. In Cunkan are the Cities of Visapor Soliapor Goa Paranda Pagode It s chief places c. Likewise in Balaguate Lispor Beder Doltabad Hamedanager Visapor and Beder are the principal Cities and those where the Dealcan or Idalcan makes his residence but none more considerable then Goa though they are fair well built large and populous Goa is a City as fair rich and of as great Traffick as any in the East being situated in an Island of the same name which the Rivers of Mandova and Guari make at their falling into the Sea Alphonso Albuquerque took it in the year 1510. and since the Portugals have established themselves so powerfully that their Vice-Roy a Bishop and their Council for the East-Indies have here their Residence The Commodities found in this City being the Staple of the Commodities of this part of the Indies as also of Persia Arabia China Armenia c. are Precious Stones Gold Silver Pearls Silk raw and wrought Cotton of which they make several Manufactures also Spices Druggs Fruits Corn Iron Steel with divers others which the said Countreys afford but the Natural Commodities of Goa are not considerable Besides their great Traffick with several Nations their Riches and Policy which they observe Its riches beauty c. Vincent Blanc makes account that its Hospital is the fairest the best accommodated and served and the richest of any making it exceed that of the Holy Spirit at Rome and the Infermerica at Malta which are the best of all Christendom Their Streets large their Houses fair especially their Palaces and Publick Buildings which are very magnificent Their Churches are stately and richly adorned their Windows are beautified with Mother of Pearl and Shells of Tortoises of divers colours which are ingeniously cut in neat Works This City is in compass above 15 miles and though it is without Gates or Walls yet by reason of its Castle Forts and the strength it receiveth from the Island is a place of great strength and force It hath a great and good Haven It s strength which they make their Harbor for their Indian Fleet by which they command the Seas there abouts The Portugals here live in all manner of delight and pleasure and with a pride and presumption so great that the least and most beggerly among them take to themselves the titles of Gentlemen of the House and Chamber of the King Knights Esquires c. being very highly conceited of themselves and exceeding proud and stately but withal very civil and courteous no person of quality walks the Streets a-foot but are carried by their Slaves in a Palanquin or ride on Horses and the Women seldom go abroad publickly Both Sexes are extreamly given to Venery by reason of which the Pox is very frequent among them of which abundance dies Their Women have an excessive love to white Men and will use their uttermost endeavours to enjoy them The Men are so jealous of their Wives that they will scarce suffer their nearest Relations to see them by reason they are so much desirous
thieves which they much abhor Debtors they imprison for which purpose there being so many there is in every great City several Prisons in which they are strictly kept and lookt unto by reason of which that their lives may not be burthensome unto them they have in their Prisons Gardens Courts Walks Fish-ponds drinking-Drinking-houses and Shops which furnish the Prisoners with such things as they have occasion for Kings of China hereditary The Dignity of the Crown of China is hereditary falling to the eldest Son of the King after his decease the King they highly reverence calling him the Son of Heaven the Son of God or the like not that they think him so but being the chiefest of men they esteem him dear to the Gods and as a gift of Heaven The Chinois have many Books and descriptions of their Kingdom observing exactly all that their Provinces particularly possess what is the extent quality and force of each how many Cities they have how many Officers how many men which study how many which bear Armes who pay Tribute and a Thousand particularities of which however writers have recounted to us but few things scarce can we gather the Names of the sixteen Provinces and of some Cities and Rivers these Names being so diverse in several Authors that it is a difficulty to reconcile them we will say something of them giving them those names which seem to us best received The division of China into Provinces CHINA is divided into two principal parts Northern and Southern there are six Provinces in the Northern part and ten in the Southern The River Jamchucquian traverses these and the River Caramoran those Of the six Northern parts three are washed by the Sea as Leaoton Pequin and Scianton and of these three the two first touch the great Wall or Mountain the three other Provinces are on the firm Land as Sciansi Sciensi and Honan likewise of these three the two first touch the great Wall amongst the ten Southern ones there are six on the Sea three towards the East as Nanquin Checquian or Aucheo and Fuquien and three towards the South as Canton Quancy and Yunnan the other four Provinces are up in the Land and are called Chiamsi Huquan Suchuen and Quicheu And of these Provinces in order Province of Leaoton described The Province of LEAOTON is almost quite separated from the rest of China It s chief City bears the same name this City as also most of the Cities in China is well built and of one form being square and with good Walls made of Brick and plaistered over with Porcelain which renders it exceeding hard and strong they are commonly broad and having the benefit of several Towers as well for beauty as defence It s Soil amongst other things produces the Root Ginsen which preserves the well in health and strength strengthens and restores health to the sick they sell it commonly at double its weight of Silver Its Inhabitants are less civilised then the rest of China but more robustious and proper for Warr. It s other places of most note are Richeo and Chincheo and both seated on the Sea Province of Pequin and its chief places The Province of PEQVIN though of great fertility yet by reason of its popuâ—â—usness occasioned by the residence of the Kings of China in its principal City lo Xunthienfu by us called Pequin makes it that it cannot furnish Mayz Wheat Rice and other Provisions enough for its Inhabitants and resort of People which defect is supplied from the adjacent Provinces The City of Xunthienfu or Pequin is of a vast bigness containing within its Walls made of Free-stone and strongly fortified with Bulwarks which are in circumference near 30 Leagues about 3300 Pagodes or Temples wherein are continually sacrificed a great number of Wild-Beasts and Birds These Pagodes especially those of the Order of the Menegrepos Conquinys and Talagrepos who are the Priests of the 4 Sects of Xaca Amida Gizan and Canon are sumptuous Structures To the Wall which encompasseth this City for the conveniency of its Inhabitants are 360 Gates to each of which is joyned a small Fort where a Guard is continually kept as also a Register to take the names of all Persons that pass thereat The Streets are long broad and well composed and its houses fair and lofty each of the chief Streets having its Captain and other Officers who are to look after the same which every night are shut up by Gates Here are about 120 Aquaeducts or Canals which traverse the City upon which are near 1800 fair Bridges sustained on Arches Without the City in a tract of 7 Leagues long and 3 broad are about 80000 Tombs of the Mandarins which are small Chapels richly beautified nigh unto which are about 500 great Palaces which they call the Houses of the Sun which are inhabited by those that can no longer bear Armes for the Emperour of China either through age sickness or other infirmities Also here are about 1300 stately Houses inhabited by Religious Men and Women There are several Streets of a great length only possessed by People of one profession as one by near 14000 Taverns another by innumerable many Courtizans and another by about 24000 Oar-men which belong to the Emperours Panourers Here are also 32 great Colledges for those that study the Laws Likewise there are abundance of large Houses with spacious inclosures of Gardens Woods provided of Game near this City which said Houses or rather Inns serve only to give entertainment to people of all degrees by seeing of Plaies Combates Bulbaitings c. and the Palace Royal of the Emperour which is in this City for its largeness fairness and richness is not inferior to any in the East this City being his residence for the Northern Provinces as Nanquin is for the Southern And thus much for the City of Pequin it s other chief places are first Tianchevoy secondly Himpin and thirdly Cichio seated on a fair River about 70 Miles from the Sea The Province of Scianton its fertility c. The Province of SCIANTON is between that of Pequin and Nanquin it is well watered with Rivers which makes it very fertile abounding in so great plenty of al sorts of Flesh Fowl Fish Grains Fruits c. that its Inhabitants which are esteemed about seven Millions of Persons cannot devour the encrease but are forced to furnish other Provinces they have also great store of Silk and other rich Commodities It hath several great Cities the chief of which are 1 Xanton not far from the Sea 2 Pamnihu 3 Cincoyan and 4 Linceu seated in an Isle so called Besides which here are found in this Sea 9 other Isles most of which do belong to this Province and are well known affording many of the China Commodities The Province of Sciansi its fertility and chief places The Province of SCIANSI which Purchas calls Cansas hath many Mountains by reason of which it is not so
must be great by reason of the rich Commodities that are found here He is so powerful that in 1616 he put to Sea 60000 Men of War in 200 Ships and 60 Galleys with store of Cannons and Ammunition to make War against the Portugals in Malacca and he alone drove them from the Fort which they had in Pacem and hindred them from taking footing in Sumatra The Fertility Commodities c. of these Isles The Air by reason of the great heats is very unhealthful but withal is very fertile abounding in Rice Millet Oyl Beefs Goats Sheep Fowls Fish store of Fruits also it is rich in Gold though of a lower alloy in Silver Copper Iron Tin in Precious Stones in Silks in several Spices as long and common Pepper Ginger Cinnamon Cloves Nutmegs also in Medicinal Drugs in Wax Honey Camphire Cassia Bezar Lignum Musk Civet Amber Alloes whole Woods of white Sandale abundance of Cotton c. The Hollanders are in good intelligence with the people and Kings of Sumatra and particularly with him of Achem They have no place or Fortress in the Isle but at Jambay a Kingdom City and River of the same name in one degree and fifty minutes beyond the Equator They have built on this River and 25 Leagues from the Coast a House to accommodate their Traffick with the Islanders Their Trade is for the most part Pepper which they send from this House to the Sea by Canoes The Inhabitants are many of them good Artificers and expert Mariners they are for the most part Gentiles yet of late Mahometism hath crept in amongst them They are of an Olive colour Complexion flat-faced but indifferent well proportioned and content themselves with a mean habit The Isle of Borneo its situation and fertility The Island of BORNEO like to Sumatra is part on this side and part beyond the Equator but it reaches on this side unto the seventeenth degree of North Latitude and beyond only to the fourth of South Latitude It s Form is almost round having only 250 Leagues from North to South and little less from West to East containing in its Continent more than Sumatra or any other Isle we have knowledge of in Asia but it is not so well inhabited nor of so great Trade as Sumatra yet more fertile and besides the same Commodites hath quantity of Myrabolans Its Forests are full of Trees which bear the most excellent Camphire in the World which is uttered in the Indies being too dear to be brought farther That which comes to us from China is so falsified and of so little value in respect of that which comes pure from Borneo that one hundred pounds of the one is not worth one pound of the other It hath also plenty of Provision Borneo Bendarmissin Lave and Hormeta are the fairest Cities or at least the best known of the Isle for we yet know nothing of the Eastern Coast Borneo is on a Salt Lake or rather at the bottom of the Gulf of the Sea as Venice is and is on the North-West of the Island Its Houses are built of Wood and upon Piles and are accounted to be 20 or 25000. Through every Street runneth a Channel or River of Water the Palace of the King and the Houses of the principal Lords are of Stone and on the firm Land Bendarmassin and Lave are towards the South regarding the great Java and both belong to the same King They build many Juncos at Bendarmassin The River of Succadan and the Neighbouring Forrests furnish them easily with Wood and all that is necessary for the building of those Vessels Lave is near a River of the same name and this River as Succadan yields Diamonds Hormeta is described by the Hollanders on the Coast Westwards of the Isle and they esteem it to have 2 or 3000 Houses Its Inhabitants The Inhabitants are great of an Olive colour of a good countenance their Women brown and chaste a thing very rare in the Neighbouring Islands They trade little to distant places being more inclined to Theft and Piracy then to Trade exercising this only with their Neighbours the others with strangers far off They are expert in all sorts of Arms of good Wits and capable of Arts. Their Apparel is much the same with the Indians which is a Linnen Cloth about their privy Parts and on their Heads Turbets In their Religion they are either Mahometants or Gentiles Several small Isles About Borneo are a great quantity of little Isles Bonquerano 3 Degrees St. John 4. Jolo or Zolo 5. Tagyma 6. and Combahan 8 Degrees of Latitude This last is on the North of the Gulph and City of Borneo near that Gulph is Pulogitgan c. all these Islands belong to the King or Kings of Borneo Isles of Java Major and Minor their situation length and breadth The two Islands of JAVA Major and Minor are to the South of Borneo however there is much dispute about the seat of the little one the greater lies from the sixth unto the eighth ninth or tenth Degree of South Latitude for we know not its certain breadth And from the 145 Meridian beyond the 155 this length being 250 Leagues and its breadth little less We have scarce knowledge of any but the North-coast of this Island none at all of its Southern The City of Bantam described with its great trade Along the North-Coast of Bantam where is one of the greatest Trades of all the East-Indies and where the Merchants of the East-India Company of England have their residence and where once there was a like Company for the Hollanders which they have transported to Jacatra or Batavia Bantam is at the foot of a Hill from which descend three Rivers of which one passes through the middle the others long and on the two sides of the City communicating by divers Channels convenient for the Mahometans who believe themselves purged from their sins as often as they wash but all too shallow for Ships to sail in the Walls of the City are of Brick of no great strength as also are their Gates which makes them have the greater care in guarding them The City is indifferent great yet have they but three principal Streets and these all but upon the Castle at every corner of the Streets there stands a guard and at Sunset they make fast all passage Boats so that in the night there is no stirring in the Streets The Houses are but meanly built either of Reeds or Straw and covered with Coco leaves but for preservation of Goods they have Store-houses made of Stone they have several places or Markets for the sale of Commodities as also an Exchange where Merchants meet Its Commodities The Commodities of Bantam are these of the Isle as all sorts of Druggs Pepper Sugar Preserved Ginger and all sorts of Sweet-meats both wet and dry Rice Honey c. Also in this City is found several good Commodities which are the product of other
large and well built seated in a spacious Plain which affordeth great plenty of Sugar 2. Messa at the flux or mouth of the River Sus it is composed of three little Cities walled apart and betwixt which the River passes 3. Tejent seated higher and on the same River on a spacious Plain is likewise composed of three Towns each distant a Mile from each other having their Temple common in the midst of the three 4. Tedsa beyond the River Tagavost containing about 8000 Houses its chief Ornament being a fair Mehometan Temple 5. Capo d' Aguer seated on a Promontory so called and is a place of great importance The Fortress and City of Guarguessen in the midst of the Coast and on a branch which this Mountain under the name of Idevacall stretches into the Sea belongs to the Crown of Portugal Province of Guzula its bounds and chief Places The Province of Guzula is to the East of Sus to the South of Hea and Morocco to the West of the Province or Kingdom of Darrha and to the North of Tesset Here are observed to be no walled Cities or Fortresses of note but it hath many Burroughs and Towns of 1000 or 1200 Houses where there are Markets kept thrice a week and a great Fair yearly which lasts two Months to which many People from most parts of Africa do resort The chief place bears the name of the Province the People are rude and barbarous and with much ado are subject to the King of Morocco In the Country are many rich Mines of Gold Brass Iron and other Metals Province of Morocco and and its chief Cities The Province of Morocco particularly so called lies all between the Rivers of Asifnuall and Tensift from their Springs at the Mount Atlas until they meet about 15 or 20 Leagues from the Sea Asifnual divides it from Guzula and Hea Tensift from Hascora and Ducala The City of Morocco is the chief of the whole Kingdom and hath been a long time in great esteem and once accounted the Metropolis of all Barbary and reckoned amongst the greatest Cities in the World At which time it had twenty four or twenty five Gates being in circuit 12 Miles and contained about one hundred thousand Families It is strongly girt about with Walls and adorned within with many publick and private Buildings as its Palace which they name the Alcasar Its Churches or Mosques are very fair especially one Morocco its Trade and Commodities which is held the greatest in the World seated in the midst of the City adorned with many sumptuous Pillars which were brought out of Spain when the Moors had the possession of the Country It hath a very large and strong Castle esteemed as big as a reasonable Town Here is also a Burse for Merchants who trade hither But of late by reason of the defacement and Spoils which it hath suffered by the Arabians together with the removal of the Seat Royal to Fez now the Metropolis of all Barbary it hath lost much of its splendor a great part of the City being deserted so that they make use of but 4 or 5 Gates neither is that part so populous rich nor hath so good a Trade as formerly 2. Agmett seated on a River of the same name and at the meeting of divers passages which descend from Mount Atlas in the Plains of Morocco hath been very fair and populous and its Hills and Valley about it so fertil and beautified with pleasant Gardens that it was called the Little Morocco at present it is almost Desart 3. Elgiumuha near the Mountain and on the River Secsiva 4. Imegiagen seated on a Mountain very steep on all sides And 5. Tenezze a Town of some note All which are strong places and very advantagiously scituated Province of Hea its fertility People and chief places HEA West of Morocco a Province Mountainous and Woody yet watered with many good Rivers the Soil indifferently fertil and would produce several good Commodities were it inhabited by industrious People these being a sort of idle and in a manner barbarous altogether ignorant of Arts except some Teachers of their Law which can hardly read as also some Chirurgions who are chiefly employed in the circumcision of their Children they are generally very courteous to Strangers but very contentious among themselves It s chief Cities are 1. Tednest once a place of good esteem seated on the River Savens 2. Hadequis 3. Teguleth and 4. Tejeut places of good note and Trade the first containing about 1000 Houses having the benefit of a good Port and beautified with a fair Mosque with some Hospitals But about the year 1500 they were much ruined by the Portugals in whose possession they are who have since somewhat added to its former Estate Tednest hath about 1600 Houses the most part Jews which are esteemed the chiefest In the Mountains Tesegdelt is most considerable containing above 1000 Families and well scituated its Walls being no other than thick Rocks So are Ileusugagen Tegtesse Eitdeset Culejat c. scituated upon Mountains and of good strength Tefethna on the Coast and at the Mouth of a River of the same name The Isle of Mogadour hath a Port where there is some Trade The Isle of Mogadour near the Cape of Ocem is distant from the Coast two little Leagues The Kings of Morocco have built here a Fortress to keep some Mines of Gold and Silver which are in the neighbouring Mountains It s Mountains west inhabited The Mountains of Aidvacall or Idevacall near Cape de Guer of Demensera near the Province of Guzula and Gebel el Haden near the Tensit take up a part of the Province and are so well inhabited that the last can set forth 12000 fighting Men the first 20000 and the other 25000. Provinces of Hascora and Teldes and their chief places North of the Province of Morocco are those of Hascora and Teldes separated the one from the other by the River Quadel Habid Tefza is the chief City of Teldes and near the River Derna which falls into the Ommiraby a rich City built by the old African Moors and beautified with many Mahometan Mosques and its Walls were made of a kind of Marble 2. Elmadine is the chief City of Hascora It s People peopled with about 10000 Families scituate in a pleasant Valley and begirt with Hills it is well built its Inhabitants are civil ingenious and addict themselves to Arts Traffick and Manufactures the Women are fair as in 3. Tagodaft which is on a Mountain whose Foot is washed with many little Streams which water their Gardens 4. Elgiumuha towards the South built by the People and in a like scituation with Tagodaft And 5. Bzo likewise a City of some Trade Between the Mountains Teldes hath more than 50 walled Towns built near the streams of the River Darha These Provinces are fertil having rich Fields feed a great quantity of Goats of whose Skins are made the
Food for three daies There is likewise 200 Banias or Stews 200 Inns of which some have more then 100 Chambers 400 Mils which daily work 1200 Mules Among its Colleges the building of that of King Hahu Henon cost 500 thousand Duckats being a most curious and delicate Building all enriched with Mosaicque work of Gold Azure and Marble its Gates are of Brass In this Colledge are abundance of stately Buildings as Cloisters Halls Baines Hospitals c. It hath a stately Library in which besides other Books are 20000 Volumes in Manuscript They have 150 publick necessary houses built so commodiously that the Waters carry away the ordure To its Walls it hath 86 Gates which serve for entrance into the City South East of the old Fez is the new City The New City of Fiz at a Mile or 1200 paces distance this is almost only for the House and for the Officers of the King The Palace where he ordinarily resides and the Palaces of the principal Lords the Mint a stately Temple c. are in the first quarter The Officers of the Court and the Captains of the guard hold almost all the second and the Kings Guards alone had formerly the third Now a good part of this last quarter is possessed by Jews and Goldsmiths and part of the second by divers Merchants and Artisans In this City of Fez as generally throughout these parts they have abundance of Conjurers Fortune-tellers Juglers and Inchanters who are in some War esteem amongst them It s People are of a duskish or blackish complexion of sly Stature tall and well proportioned they are of an active disposition for and Horse-manship otherwise excessive idle they are very subtle close perfidious inconstant proud much addicted to Luxury and therefore by consequence very jealous of their Wives whom they keep with great severity and that the more according to their external graces they are very revengeful if injured and hard to be reconciled In their gait they have much of the Spaniard in them in their Apparel they go very sumptuous and rich but their Food is but very gross Their Religion As to their Religion they are either Mahometans or Heathens and are for the most part inclined to Literature and Arts. Their Magistrates and Justice In this City are four sorts of Magistrates one for the Canon-Law one for the Civil-Law another for Marriages and Divorcements and another as an Advocate to whom they make their appeal In the Administration of Justice they are more or less severe according to the hainousness of the offence In their Marriages they observe many Ceremonies as being agreed they are accompanied to the Church by their Parents Relations and Friends which Ceremony being ended they are invited to two Banquets the one at the Bridegrooms cost and the other at the Brides Relations which being done the Bridegroom causeth the Bride to be conducted to his House with Musick and Torches being accompanied with their Friends and being entred the House she is immediately lead to the Chamber door and delivered by her Father Brother or some of her Kindred to his Mother if living who there waits for her coming who immediately is redelivered to him who forthwith conducts her to a private Chamber where he enjoyeth her and if she is found to be a Virgin which will appear by the blood which will proceed which perceiving they drie up with a Napkin and carry in their hands to shew the Company with great joy and then they make Feasts and are very merry But if she be contrary and that no blood is caused then they judge her Virginity lost and thereupon the Marriage is frustrated and with great disgrace she is turned home to her Parents This with several other Ceremonies are omitted in the Marriage of a Widow Here the Women at the death of their Friends assemble themselves together habit themselves in Sack-Cloth and Ashes and sing a Funeral Dirge to the praise of the Deceased and at the end of every verse howl and crie and this they do for seven daies together during which time her Friends send in Provisions and come and comfort her for their custom is not to have any meat drest in the House of Mourning during the said time especially untill the Corps is interred 1. The City of Mahmora fell into the hands of the Portugals in 1515 was presently retaken by the King of Fez who defeated 10000 Christians and gained 60 pieces of Artillery The Kings of Spain likewise made themselves Masters of it 1614 and have fortified it because of the goodness of the Port. 2. Sala or Sally hath been the residence of some Kings of Fez. It is composed of two Cities the Old and the New and hath a great Trade with the English French Hollanders and Genoueses It s Fortress is on a rising ground with a high Tower which discovers the Sea In the Castle the King Mansor and others his successors have their magnificent Tombs The place was taken by the Castilians and retaken from them some years past and afterwards abundance of the Moors of Granado driven from Spain retiring thither have fortified and enriched it with their Piracies 3. Mechnese between Sally and Fez is in the middle of a Plain where for 5 or 6000 paces there is only Gardens filled with excellent Fruits The City is well built its Streets large and well ordered Its Inhabitants liberal and civil but alwaies in jealousie against those of Fez. Divers Aqueducts bring water to the City and furnish the Temples Bains Hospitals and Colledges and private Houses Asgar is a Province between the Rivers of Suba Province of Asgar and Lusus or Lixa on the Coast it extends itself far up the Land towards the City of Fez and hath fair and fertile Fields with an Air so pleasant that formerly the Kings of Fez passed here a part of the Spring in Hunting 1. Elgiumha or Elgiuhma in the way from Fez to Larrache and formerly the fairest of the Provinces serves now only as the Granary where the Arabs store up their Corn. 2. Casarel-Cabir a place of pleasure which Mansor caused to be built between the Fens the Forests the Sea and the River may now have about 1500 Houses adorned with a stately Hospital a Colledg and many Temples The Battel which Don Sebastian King of Portugal lost was here fought In which it is observable that the three Chiefs of the Armies which that day met all died viz. Don Sebastian of Portugal in the field of the Battel Muley Mahomet of Fez in favor of whom Don Sebastian passed into Africa was drowned passing the River of Mucazin to save himself in Arzile and Abdelmelech of Morocco the Conqueror died with labour and pains or with the sickness with which he was seised before the Battel all three competitors for this Kingdom with several others of eminent quality 3. Lharais or Larrache once Lixos which some among the Ancients say was greater then the Great
Carthage and hath made the Royal Residence of Antaeus whom Hercules defeated and from whence he brought the Golden Apples gathered in the Hesperides Gardens It is at present one of the principal Fortresses of the Kingdom and hath often been attempted by the Portugals and Spaniards The Province of Habat is part on the Ocean Province of Habat part on the Mediterranean Sea and holds all the streight of Gibraltar on the African side opposite to Spain in Europe The principal Cities of this Province are Arzila which the Portugals took in 1471 carrying away all its inhabitants and among the rest Muley Mahomet el Oataz then seven years old after King of Morocco who remembring more his imprisonment then the liberty he had from Spain in the year 1508 raised 10000 Moors besieged and took the City of Arzila and the Castle the Portugals hardly defending themselves in a Tower which was yet relieved the City and Castle retaken and the Moors well beaten The Portugals afterward and under some pretext abandoned this place which Muley Mahomet called the Black returned it to Don Sebastian King of Portugal in 1578 but which the Xeriffs retook again and do at present possess The City is great and strong with a Port on the Ocean the soyl produces more fruits and Pulse then Grain and Wood. 2. Tangier of old Tingis hath been the most famous among the Ancients builded as they say by Antaeus and so renowned that the neighbouring Mauritania took from it the name of Mauritania Tingitana and the Streight of Fretum Tingitanum yet were its Bishop and Government united not long since to that of Ceuta where they had their residence till the dis-union of the Estates of Portugal and Castile Ceuta remaining in the hands of the Spaniards Tangier and Cazar Ezzaghir returning to the Portugals The former of the two last is now delivered into the hands of the English upon the marriage of Donna Catharina Infanta of Portugal with our Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second of happy memory Where we have a good Fort and Mold for the convenience of shipping by which means it may be in time a place of a considerable Trade It is made a very strong place since the English have been masters of it and doth contain about 1500 Houses well built they have pleasant Gardens Near to this place it is said that Hercules overcame Antaeus a monstrous Giant of 64 Cubits high 3. Tettuan or Tetteguin hath not above 800 Houses which are as well built as any in Barbary and a good part of the Moors driven from Granada being retired thither it is maintained in a good estate they are continually coursing on the Sea and keep many Christians their Slaves In this Country are abundance of other Cities though of no such considerable note as those aforementioned Its Mountains which are counted about 8 are inhabited by the Tribes of Gumera who drink Wine though contrary to the Law of Mahomet and pay some 3 some 4 others 6000 Duckats yearly That of Rahon hath Vineyards and its Inhabitants make quantity of Sope and Wax Benifensecare besides its Wax yields Hides and Linnen-Cloth and on its Srturday Markets the Christians muy Trade Benihurus is almost dis-inhabited by reason of the Neighborhood of Gazar Ezzaghir under whose government it hath been Chebib on the contrary is much augmented after that the Portugals took Tangier the ancient Inhabitants of this retiring thither Benichessen hath its Inhabitants addicted to Arms as likewise Quadres near the Streight and Bemguerdarfeth near Tittuan to whose government they are obedient serving against the Garrison of Centa They have formerly furnished the Kings of Granada with a great power and among them with one Helul whom their Poems and Romances esteem the terror of all Spain Angera hath Flax of which they make Linnen-Cloth as also Timber fit to build Ships Province of Errif Errif above the Mediterranean Sea and between the Rivers of Gomer and Nochor advances it self in the Land as far as the Mountain which separates it from the Provinces of Fez and Chaus It is very Mountainous and Woody it is little fruitful in Grain abundant in Barley Vines Figs Olives and Almonds Hath quantity of Goats Asses and Apes few Sheep or Oxen. The Houses are only of one Floor and ill covered the Inhabitants are valiant but much addicted to drink Its Cities are almost all on the Coast as Gomer Terga Bedis Mezemma and others The most part ill inhabited by reason of the Neighborhood of the Spaniards 1. Gomer is seated on a River of the same name 2. Those of Terga use much Fishing uttering their Salt-Fish to the Inhabitants of the Mountains but at present almost quite deserted 3. Bedis or Belis with its Castle its Palace and its Port is in some esteem and maintains some Gallies But much molested by the Fort of Pennon de Velez which the Spaniards hold in an Island not above 1000 or 1200 paces from Bedis 4. Mezemma seated on a Mountain formerly great and well peopled hath now nothing but Walls The Mountains have Vines Barly Horses Goats Fruits c. Some pay some tribute and others none at all That of Bemguazeval can arm 25000 men hath quantity of Towns and a City famous among them and a Volcano which continually casts forth fire Susaon is one of the most fruitful and most pleasant places of Africa It s people under their Xeque keeping themselves in liberty Province of Garret Garret possesses the rest of the Coast upon the Mediterranean Sea unto the River Mulvia which separates it from Telansin Mellila hath been its chief City at present in the hands of the Castilians as is Chasasa and both the one and the other have their Port that of Mellila much better and may count 2000 Houses serves as a passage to the Traffick between those of Fez and the Venetians There are excellent Mines of Iron in the neighborhood The middle of this Province is Mountainous It s extremity towards the South joyning to the Province of Chaus is untilled and without Water Province of Chaus The Province of Chaus is so great that it contains a third part of the Kingdom The Rivers of Cebu or Suba of Mulvia of Nocor and some others have here their Springs at the foot of divers Branches of the Atlas This Country is but meanly inhabited considering its bigness and its people fierce and warlike to which they are addicted not caring much for Traffick or Tilling their Ground which if well ordered would produce several good Commodities Among its Cities Tezza is the chief and is esteemed the Third of the Kingdom of Fez and makes no less then 5000 Houses The Nobility have here many rich Palaces but the private Houses are not fair It is adorned with 3 Colledges 23 Baniaes many Hospitals about 100 Mosques or Temples among which there is one greater though not richer then that of Fez. It hath a magnificent Castle and the Kings
or Provinces within Land are so near and sometimes so engaged with those of the Coast that I will not change the order I have taken to consider this Kingdom in 5 principal parts in each part observing the Governments Provinces and Kingdoms therein Hunain Haresgol and Marsalquibir on the Coast Telensin Hanghad and Benirafi within Land shall compass the quarter of Telensin Tenes and Sarsell on the Coast and Meliana within Land shall be the quarter of Tenes Algier on the Coast and Cuco within Land that of Algier Bugia and Gilgili on the Coast Stefe Labes Necaus and Mesila withing Land that of Bugia Bona on the Coast Constantina and Thebesse within Land that of Constantine Province of Telensin The City of Telensin which those of the Country now call Tremecen and Tilmisan hath once been chief of a Kingdom of the same name of which the Provinces of Telensin Tenes Algier and Bugia were the parts The City is not above seven or eight Leagues distant from the Sea It hath been one of the greatest and fairest of all Barbary This may appear in that there remains but eight Mosques of consideration it having had 250 but four Bania's of 160 but two Inns for the Franks and four for the Moors of 34 but six Hospitals of thirty or forty It had 16000 Houses about the year 1000 20000 about the year 1200 25000 in the year 1550 and the Jews had ten great Synagogues The divers changes which it suffered and the rude treatment which they received from the Turks hath made many of its Inhabitants retire into Fez and some other where which hath reduced it low That which remains is magnificent its Houses better built its Streets more large and spacious its Gardens more embellished Its People more civil and its Merchants of better credit then those of Algier It hath a Cittadel built after the Modern Fortifications Humain 2. Humain which others call Humanbar and Vnhaim is the ancient Artifiga It s Port is not great but good its Land hath much Figs Oranges Citrons Pomgranates and Cotton of which the Inhabitants make divers Manufactures In 1535 this place was ruined by the Castilians and not restored till long after Haresgol 3. Haresgol is the ancient Siga a Roman Colony the residence of Syphax sometimes King of this Country before he seised the Estates of Massanassa Its scituation is on a Rock whose foot is washed by the Sea and hath no communication with the firm Land but on the South side This City hath been much greater then it is the takings and retakings which it suffered by the Kings of Fiz by the Califfs by the Moors by the Castilians and by the Arabs reduced to the estate it is at present under the Kings of Algier City of Oran who kept a Garrison in its Castle 4. Oran and Marsa-el-Quibir which belongs to the Marquisate of Oran are in the hands of the Catholick King Oran which the Africans call Tuharan the Arab of Nubia Vaharan is the Cuisa of the ancients and Marsa-el-Quibir there Portus Magnus since this name signifies the great Port. This was taken by the Marquess of Comares in the year 1505 the other by the Cardinal Ximenes in the year 1509. At the taking of this last the Castilians lost only 30 men killed 4000 Moors and delivered 20000 Christian Captives This City of Oran before it was taken had above 6000 Houses abundance of Temples Hospitals Canes Bania's c. and had sometimes been the residence of the Catholick Kings The Venetians Genouese Catalonians c. having here so great a Trade that its riches and power inclined its Inhabitants to deny Tribute to the Kings of Telensin and to make some incursions on the Coast of Spain which was the cause of their loss At present it is a Suffragan Bishoprick to the Archbishoprick of Toledo it hath some Convents and Hospitals among others one very rich It is strongly seated on the Mediterranean Shore powerfull at Sea in their Gallies and is a place of some Trade affording most of the Commodities the Country produceth Marsalquibir 5. Masalquibir hath one of the fairest greatest and most secure Ports that is in all Africa The Government or Marquisate of Oran comprehends likewise some Castles and Mountains where there are good Garrisons which keep the Neighborhood in jealousie Mazagran with its Castle on the Coast is in the hands of the Moors Province of Anghad The Quarter of ANGHAD or RANGVAD though for the most part desart yet hath some fertile places where are the Cities Gâ—â—gida and others Guagida hath yet about 3000 Families its Land fruitful in Grains and watred with many Rivers The Desart is possessed by the Arabs and amongst them many Lions Wild-Boars Stags and above all Ostriches in hunting of which the Arabs often exercise themselves making profit of their Feathers eating their Flesh and currying their Skins to carry their Baggage in They keep the heart to make use of in Charms or Witcherasts the Fat to mix in their Medicaments and the Nails or the Horn to make Pendants for the Ears to deck themselves with when they utter the other parts Province of Benirasid BENI-RASID or BENIRAXID hath some Plains towards the North many Mountains toward the South is fruitful almost every where and hath three or four places of some consideration in these Mountains 1. Beni-Arax of Old Bunebora is not walled it contains more then 2000 Inhabitants 2. Calaa or Calat-Haoara of Old Vrbara between two Mountains is strong 3. Moascar of Old Victoria hath a Castle where the Governor of the Countrey resides 4. Batha of Old Vaga on the River Mina having been ruined by the Inhabitants of the Mountain of Guanseris some Morabut out of their opinion of his sanctity restored it in Anno 1520. And 5. Medua Province of Tenes its chief places fertility and people The Province of TENES is between that of Telensin and Algier to whose Kings it hath been subject sometimes to one and sometimes to others and sometimes it self hath born the Title of a Kingdom It s principal places on the Sea are Tenesa and Sargel within Land Meliana 1. Tenesa part on the side of a Hill and part on a Plain descending to the Sea hath a Castle and a Palace formerly the abode of its Kings or Lords now of its Governours Its Inhabitants are addicted to Traffick The Country both in the Mountains and Plains yields them Grains Fruits Hides Wax Hony and some other Commodities 2. Brischa and 3. Sersela East of Tennesa and between Tennes and Algier have many Roman Antiquities The first is the ancient Icosima the other is Rusubricari This hath suffered divers Ruins the Moors driven from Granada rebuilt it and enriched it with their Piracies with their Silks and Fruits The Inhabitants both of the one and the other are for the most part Weavers 4. Meliane or Malliana is on a Mountain where yet the most part of the
Houses have their Fountains and Wall-nut Trees 5. Mezume is adorned with a Castle a Palace and a fair Temple 6. Teguident hath a large circuit which had been empty had not sometime since a Marabut repeopled it These two places are by some esteemed in the Quarter of Telensin Among the Mountains Beni-Abucaid is near to and of the appurtenances of Tennes Guanseris can set forth 2 or 3000 Horse and 15 or 16000 Foot The Quarter of Algier and its parts and places The Quarter of ALGIER comprehends likewise that of Couco in the Mountains of Eguiel-Vandaluz alias Couco and Tubusuplus which is the principal place built on the top of a Rock craggy on all sides It may contain about 1600 Houses the Kings or Lords of the Country reside here and have oft disputed their liberty with the Kings of Algier These Mountains are two or three days Journey long and their approaches very difficult They yield Olives Grapes and especially Figs of which the King makes his principal Revenue Cattle Iron Saltpeter and the Plains afford Corn and every where Spring of Running-water The People are Bereberes and Azuages well armed and couragious The Metropolis of the Kingdom is ALGIER at present the most famous place of all the Coast of Barbary The City of Algier described either for its Riches and Power or for the extent of its Estates It is seated on the declension of a Mountain in form of a Triangle so that from the Sea all its Houses appear one on the top of another which renders a most pleasant prospect to the Sea Its circuit is not above 3400 Geometrical paces fortified with some ill-disposed Bastions but the Island which was before it is joyned to the City some years past where is built a Pentagone the better to secure the Port and Island and keep it from being fired as in 1596 1606 c. It is a City not so large as strong and not so strong as famous Famous for being the receptacle of the Turkish Pirates who so much domineer over the Mediterranean Sea which too often proves to the great damage of all Merchants who frequent those Seas This City hath at present 12 or 15000 Houses it had not when J. Leon of Africa wrote above 4000. The Streets are but narrow but the Houses fair and well built yet one which runs along the Sea is fair and large they count 100 Mosques whereof 7 are very sumptuous 5 Houses or Lodgings of Janizaries capable to hold each of them 600 Men 62 Bania's of which two are very beautiful 100 Oratories of Turkish Hermits and almost as many publick Schools Out of the City are many Tombs of Turks Moors and Jews the burying place of the Christians is without ornament Among these Tombs is remarkable that of Cave Daughter of Julian Earl of Baethica who having been ravished by Roderic King of the Goths was the cause of the Moors descent into Spain It hath almost no more Suburbs the City being encompassed with many Hillocks and rising Grounds whose sides and Vallies are covered with 12 or 15000 fair Gardens abounding with store of pleasant Fruits with their Fountains and other places of delight Beyond these Hills is the Plain of Moteja 15 or 16 Leagues long and 8 or 10 broad very fruitful in Grains This place is famous for the Shipwreck which Charles the Fifth here suffered who besieging this Town Here Charles the Fifth suffered Shipwreck lost in its Haven at one Tempest as Heylin noteth besides a great number of Karvels and small Boats divers strong Gallies 140 Ships a great many Pieces of Ordnance about half his Men and such great quantity of gallant Horses that in Spain they had almost like to have lost their race of good and serviceable Horses The Cities 1. Temeudfusta about 7 or 8 Leagues from Algier with a good Port and 2. Teddeles 18 or 20 are the best places of the Coast the first answers to the ancient Jomnium Municipium the other to Rusipisir likewise Municipium 3. El Col de Mudejares of old Tigisi is newly repeopled by the Morisque Mudejares of Castile and Andalusia and the Tagartins which were of Valentia It is 8 or 10 Leagues from Algier beyond the River Selef which they here call the River of Saffran 4. Gezaira a City seated on the Sea-shoar 5. Mensora And 6. Garbellum both Sea Towns The Fertility and People of Algier The Air about Algier is pleasant and temperate The Land hath excellent Fruits as Almonds Dates Oils Raisins Figs some Drugs c. The Plain of Moteiia is so fertil that sometimes it yields 100 for one and bears twice a year good Grains In the most Desart Mountains are found Mines of Gold Silver Iron quantity of fierce Beasts The Country affords excellent Barbary Horses also Estridge Feathers Wax Hony Castile Soap c. Besides they have good quantities of most Commodities which by reason of their Piracy they take from other Nations to the great inriching of the place most of the Inhabitants living by it setting out Vessels in Partnership and sharing the Gains selling the Commodities and the Men they take as Slaves in open Markers The Natives of Algier are fairer and not so brown as the Moors but the City is filled with all sorts of Nations The Janizaries make the greatest part of the Militia The Turks have the chief Trade who are found to transport several Commodities to other Countries but there are many of the Moors driven from Spain and others who have retired themselves from the Mountains many Arbas Jewish and Christian Slaves The number of the Inhabitants of this City cannot be esteemed by the 12 or 15000 Houses it contains for there are some Houses where are found 100 200 or 300 Persons the Christian Slaves only amount to about 30 or 40000 within and about the City and there are no less than 6000 Families of Renegadoes But the Right Honourable the Earl of Sandwich late General of the English Fleet by order from King Charles the Second put out to Sea with a Fleet of Ships scoured those Seas forced them to deliver up all the Slaves who were Subjects in any of the Kings Dominions as well as Englishmen and brought them to very honourable terms By which they are not to seize or stop any English Ship but give them free liberty of Trading where they please and the like Peace is made with Tunis and other of the Turks Territories But these perfidious People soon violated it Province of Bugia its chief places and fertility The Province of BVGIA is between the Rivers Major and Sefegmar This on the East that on the West On the Coast are two principal places Bugia and Ghegel in the Land are Steffa Labes Necaus and Messila in some consideration 1. Bugia is a great City its circuit capable of 20000 Houses but hath not above 8000 but that which is uninhabited is Mountainous and inconvenient It was built by the Romans
on the side of a lofty Mountain which regards the Sea now the chief City of this Province Its Streets and Houses are in good order it is adorned with many sumptuous Mosques some Monasteries and Colledges for Students in the Law of Mahomet and many fair Hospitals for the relief of the Poor Its Castle is good and strong seated on the River Guad al Quibir that is Great River 2. Ghegel formerly famous is now only a Borough of 500 ill-built Houses It s Castle is very good its Land hath little Corn store of Hemp Figs and Nuts They hold this place to have been the beginning of the fortune of Barbarossa 3. Labez makes a separate Estate above Bugia and consists only in Mountains of so difficult access that the Kings of Algier and the Turks can scarce force them to pay Tribute The chief Fortress of these Mountains and the residence of their King or Xeque is Calaa The others are 4. Coco de Teleta 5. Tezli at the foot of the Mountain These Mountains have little Corn or Fruit they can raise 5000 Horse 5000 Harquebusiers and 20000 Men armed after their mode all valiant and better defenders of their liberty than those of Couco 6. Necaus 7. Mesila are beyond the Abez but near the same River Necaus is the most pleasant place of all Barbary It hath something of particular in its publick Buildings every House hath its Garden so embellished with Flowers Vines Fruits and Fountains that it seems a Terrestrial Paradise 8. Chollum 9. Gergelum c. Province of Constantina its parts and chief places The Province of CONSTANTINA hath sometime had its Kings This is the New Numidia of the Ancients the most Occidental part of the True Africa and which touches on Mauritania to the West the River Sugefmar making the separation This Province comprehends three quarters of which that of Constantina extends to the Sea and a good way in the Land that of Bona likewise on the Sea but little on land that of Tebessa is farther in the Land touching on Billedulgerid 1. Tebessa formerly Thebeste The City of Tebessa surpasses as they say all other Cities of Barbary in three things In the force of its Walls beauty of its Fountains and great number of its Wall-nut Trees In counter-change its Inhabitants are brutish its Houses ill built and its Air unwholsom 2. Bona of old Hippo Regnis ill inhabited at present The City of Bona. part of its Inhabitants being retired into the Mountains hath been famous to Antiquity for its greatness but much more for its Bishop St. Augustine so famed among the Doctors of the Church It hath suffered great changes under the Romans Vandals Moors and afterwards under Barbarossa 3. Tabarca a City and Isle is of this Government likewise the Hills and Mountains of Bona where are gathered much Fruits of Jujubes Grains and store of Cattle and the Coast hath red white and black Corral which the French near to Bona and the Genouese near to Tabarca go to fish for The Family of the Lomolins in Genoua having a Fortress in the Isle of Tabarca the French a Bastion between Tabarca and the Point of Mascara the one and the other for the security of their Fishing and Commerce 4. Constantina The City of Constantina which the Moors called Cusuntina the Ancients Cirta Julia is a great City not having less than 8000 Houses It s scituation on a Mountain which hath but two Advenues the rest being Precipice makes it strong The River Sufegmar washes the foot of the Mountain its Castle stands to the North Collo and Sucaicada on the Coast are under the Government of Constantina likewise the Mountains which extend themselves to the Mediterranean Sea and to the confines of Bona. The Country about Constantina is fertil its Mountains tilled Collo hath its Inhabitants more civil than those of Constantina those having no trade but with those of Billedulgerid the others with those of Europe The Inhabitants of the Mountains can raise about 40000 Men and maintain themselves almost in liberty both against the Kings of Algier and the Arabs 5. Cirta in the Roman History was the residence of many Kings of Numidia The City of Cirta among others of Massinissa afterward of Syphax who drove Massinissa from his Estates and settled himself at Cirta with his Wife Sophonisba who had been promised to Massinissa This Woman a little after having perswaded Syphax to favour Carthage of which she was against the Romans drew their Arms into his Estate where Scipio defeated and took Syphax Prisoner Massinissa besieged and took Cirta where Sophonisba was who had so many attractions and so much cunning that in the same day she beheld her self Captive and Wife to Massinissa But she killed her self soon after that she might not fall into the Romans hands and be led in Triumph through Rome 6. Stora and 7. Mabra both Maritim Towns The Kingdom of TUNIS The Kingdom of Tunis and its division Into Governments THE Kingdom of TVNIS besides its particular Province hath sometimes extended it self over Constantina and Bugia on one side and over Tripoli and Ezzab on the other At present it hath only its own Province and something in Billedulgerid This Kingdom of Tunis is divided into 4 Maritim Governments and 3 or 4 Inland ones The Maritim are Biserta Goletta Sousa and Africa Begge Vrbs Cayroan and part of Billedulgerid are the third or fourth within Land Altogether extend themselves from the River Guad il Barbar unto that of Capes this separating them from the Kingdom of Tripoli the other from the Province of Constantina The chief Rivers of Tunis The River Guad il Barbar or Hued il Barbar takes its source near Vrbs which it waters with a Channel made on purpose and discharges it self into the Sea near Tabarca In its course it makes so many turnings and windings that it must be passed 25 times in the Road between Bona and Tunis and that with much difficulty and danger there being no Bridges and scarce any Boats to Ferry over The River Capes of old Triton descends from Billedulgerid and waters at first a very Sandy Country leaves Capes on the Right and on the Coast of Tripoli and disburthens it self into the Little Syrtes now the Gulph of Capes Magrada another River hath its Spring likewise in Billedulgerid on the Confines of Zeb which it waters in part washes Tebessa of the Province of Constantina cuts the Kingdom of Tunis into two almost equal parts and disburthens it self in the Sea near Garilmesse between Tunis and Hammamet Its increases are sometimes extraordinary and all of a sudden so that Travellers are often forced to wait some days for a passage The Government or City of Benserta BENSERTA of old Vtica is a City but of an indifferent greatness but strong and peopled with about 6000 Families It looks Eastward on a Gulph so called which is about 16000 Paces long and 8000
there are yet formed a great number of Creatures which appears when the Inundation of the Nile diminished saying that the Gods after them the Heroes and in fine Men have reigned for almost an incredible number of years Of these Gods there are three degrees of which Pan was the most ancient of the eight first Hercules of the 12 second and Denis of the 〈◊〉 third They divide the times of their men Kings by Dynasties that is Dominations of divers Families and give so great a number to their Kings and so great a time to their Reigns that they must have beginning long before the Creation of the World and likewise by their account their Gods and Hero's had reigned before Men the space of 20 or 25000 years They attribute the foundation of most of their Cities to their Gods Hero's and Kings and these they make and build many Labyrinths Pyramids Obelisques Colosses c. not knowing how to expend their Treasures or employ their People In the History of the Kings of Egypt one Sesostris or Seostris subdued all Europe and Asia if we will believe them Joseph an Hebrew servant and after master of the House of Potipher from the prison rose to such favour with the King that he alone had almost the whole Government of the Kingdom established his brothers in Egypt and their descendants multiplied so that in the end the Kings of Egypt became jealous and fearful lest they should make themselves masters of the Kingdom another Sesostris subdued Syria Assyria Media the Isles of Cyprus c. and was esteemed as much or more then any of his predecessors Mephres or Memnon it was that dedicated his Statue to the Sun which it saluted at its rising and shewed some signe of Joy so artificial was it made Busiris treated the Hebrews so ill that he left him the name of an infamous Tyrant Cenchres was the Pharaoh who was drown'd in the Red Sea Proteus gave occasion to say that he turned himself into a Lion sometimes into a Bull or Dragon c. by reason of his different arming his head or possibly for his different actions Rempsis had no other care but to keep up riches Chemnis caused to be built the first and greatest Pyramid imploying therein three hundred sixty thousand men for the space of twenty years of which more anon Sesac or Sesouchis armed four hundred thousand Foot sixty thousand Horse and One thousand two hundred Chariots against Rehoboam took and pillaged Jerusalem and its Temple Bocchoris though weak of body was so prudent that he gave Laws to the Egyptians This was he that leagued himself with Hosea against Salmanazar King of the Babylonians Sevecho or Sebeko reigning in Egypt Sennacherib King of the Assyrians being come to assault him an infinite number of Wild Rats knawed in one night the Arrows in the Quivers and the Strings or Cords of the Bows and the Thongs of the Assyrians Armes which caused on the morrow both their flight and overthrow Necao or Necaus began the Channel between the Nile and the Red Sea passed by the Meridional or Aethiopian Ocean by the Occidental or Atlantick Ocean reentred by the streight of Gibraltar and returned into Egypt at the end of three years he vanquished Josias King of Judea and was also vanquished by Nebuchodonozar Apryes happy in his beginnings was in the end defeated by those of Cyrene in Libya and saw all Egypt revolt who chose for their King Amasis under whose reign there were counted twenty thousand Cities in Egypt as Pliny saith Under this Amasis the Estate fell into the hands of the Persians after to the Macedonians Greeks and then to the Romans c. Among the Kings of Persia who ruled in Egypt Cambyses was the first and best known among the Macedonians and Greeks Alexander the great after whom the Kings of Egypt took the names of Ptolomies from the name of him who first bore the title of King after Alexander but after the Romans had to do with the affairs of Egypt there was nothing more remarkable of their History but Cleopatra after whom Augustus reduced this Kingdom to a Roman Province and it remained under the Romans and under the Emperours of the East near seven hundred years till about the year of Grace six hundred and forty that the Arabs seised it under their Califs who resided first at Medina then at Bagdad Damascus and sometime at Cairo The Soldans abolished this Califate in Egypt and among them the Christians have but too well known one Saladine who drove them out of a great part of the Holy Land Among these last Soldans Campson Gaurus and Tomombey were esteemed valiant yet were so ill served that the Turks under their Emperour Selimus became Masters of Egypt in 1518 and do yet possess it The Tribute they pay to the Bassa At present the Port sends a Bassa to command in Egypt and the 12 Cassilifs or Governours of the Country depend on this Bassa and are as it were only his Farmers They give him every year a certain number of Purses every Purse of 750. or 760 Lion dollars some 25 30 40 some only 10 or 12 according to the goodness of the Country or the greatness of their Cassilifs or Governments some having only 40 or 50 Towns other 100 200 300 and more besides these Purses for the Bassa they give to the Tihaja or Haja who is as it were his Chancellor and other Officers about the sixth or at least the fifth part of what they give to the Bassa And for the Prince or Grand Signior some pay 6 times more others ten times more then they give to the Bassa and besides these Purses they furnish a certain number of Ardeps or measures of Grain Pulse c. The constant Profit or Revenue that the Grand Signior drawsâ—rom this Kingdom is 1800000 Zeccheens yearly The Grand Signiours revenue from Egypt each Zeccheene is valued at 9 s. sterling which is 8 millions and 10000 l. sterling and this Revenue is divided into 3 equal parts of which one is allotted for the furnishing and accommodating the Annual Pilgrimage to Mecha the second goes for the payment of the Souldiers and Officers with other necessary charges for the management of the Kingdom and the third and last goes clear into his Chequer The several Cassilifs in Egypt The Cassilif of Girgio or of Sa it is one of the best and richest it passed not above 100 years since for a Kingdom and received its Bassa from the Port. It hath likewise its Dievan disposes its Cassilifs or under-Governments which lie in its extent the Soyl is fruitful bears much Corn and feeds many Cattle The Cassiliffs of Manfelout and Benesuef are not so great but better peopled and worth little less then that of Girgio On the other side of the Nile are those of Minio and Cherkeffi which have as large an extent as the other 3 together but are incomparably less as to the goodness scarce
petty Kingdoms and all subject to their Concho or Emperour among which that of Bena hath seven others under it It s quarter is Mountainous covered with Trees and well watered with Rivers It hath some Towns its chief takes its name from the Kingdom and yields Corn Cattle Fruits c. Kingdom of Mandingue MANDINGVE begins at the River Gambea and reaches near 200 Leagues up in the Land They have quantity of Gold good Ships of War and Cavalry and there are divers Kings or Lords in Guiny which are his Tributaries Kingdom of Gago GAGO hath store of Gold Corn Rice Fruits and Cottle but no Salt besides what is brought from other places and which is ordinarily as dear as Gold The People are idle and ignorant but bear so great a respect to their King that how great soever they be they speak to him on their knees and when they are faulty the King seises on their Goods and sells their Wives and Children to Strangers who remain Slaves all their lives But besides these there is here as well as in other parts of the Negroes great Traffick for Slaves either of certain Neighbouring people which those of the Country can take or of the Malefactors of the Country or of the Children whom the Fathers or Mothers sell when they are in need or when they please them not And these Slaves are bought by many people of Africa but more by the Europeans who transport them into the Isles of St. Thomas Cape Verd the Canaries Brasil and the English to the Barbadoes Carolina Jamaica and elsewhere for Slaves They have many Towns and Villages among others that of Gago is the chief and is the residence of their King as also of many Merchants and containing about 4 or 5000 Houses but unwalled Kingdom of Guber GVBER is well fenced with Mountains doth produce Rice and Pulse and above all have exceeding great flocks of Cattle from which they get their livelyhood This Kingdom is very populous and well stored with Towns its chief bearing the name of the Kingdom which is well inhabited by Merchants and containing about 6000 Houses being also the residence of their King The People are ingenious good Artificers and make several rich Manufactures And the Kingdoms of Zegzeg and Zanfara ZEGZEG and ZANFARA are barren the People idle and ignorant have some Towns whose chief are so called the Land yields Corn Grass c. and feeds great quantities of Horses The fertility of the Land of the Negroes The Country of the Negroes is esteemed as fertil as those watered with the Nile It bears twice a year and each time sufficient to furnish them with Corn for five whole years which makes them not sow their Lands but when they judge they shall have need They keep their Corn in Pits and Ditches under Ground which they call Matamores GVINEA or GVINY The Coast of Guiny its extent and bounds GVINY is the Coast of Africa which is found between the River Niger and the Equinoctial Line Some give it a larger extent some a less There are they who begin it on this side the Niger and continue it unto the Kingdom of Congo We have comprehended in the Country of the Negroes that which is about the Niger and in the Lower Aethiopia that which is beyond the Gulph of St. Thomas And so Guiny will remain between the Cape of Serre Leon which will bound it on the West and against the Negroes to the River of Camarones which is on the East will separate it from the Lower Aethiopia This Coast right from East to West is 7 or 800 Leagues long and not above 100 or 150 in breadth The form being much more long than broad we will divide it into three principal parts which we will call MELEGVETE Its parts described GVINY and BENIM This the most Eastward the first the most West and the other in the middle yet each of these three parts separated make the breadth and the three together the length of this Guiny After this Guiny we will speak something of what is on this side towards the Niger and of some Isles which are beyond The Parts of Meleguete and Guiny as St. Thomas c. Under the name of MELEGVETE we comprehend that which is between the Capes of Serre Leon and of Palmes Under the particular name of GVINY we esteem not only that which is between the Capes of Palmes and of Three Points but likewise that which advances to the River Volta and beyond where the Kingdom of Benim begins and ends not till the River Camerones Of these 3 parts Guiny is the largest and best known communicating its name to the rest It s Coast which is between the Capes of Palmes and that of Three Points is called the Coast of Ivory that which is beyond the Cape of Three Points the Coast of Gold for the abundance of Gold and Ivory found in the one and the other The Ivory and Gold Coasts and their Trade The Coast of IVORY is very commodious and well inhabited The English French Hollanders and Hanse-Towns trade likewise in divers Ports on the same Coast fetching thence Gold Ivory Hides Wax Amber-greece c. On the Gold Coast are divers Kingdoms or Realms as of SABOV FOETV ACCARA and others The Kingdom of SABOV is esteemed the most powerful of all and that his Estates extend sixty and odd Leagues on the Coast and near 200 up in the Land In 1482 the Portugals built on the Coast of FOETV the Fort of St. George de la Mina and long time after the Hollanders that of Nassau adjoyning to the Town of Moure on the Coast of Sabou the one and the other to maintain their Traffick It s other places and which are within Land are Labore Vxoo and Quinimburm The Part of Meleguete MELEGVETE took its name from the abundance of Meleguete here gathered of divers sorts It is a Spice in form like French Wheat some of a taste as strong and biting as Pepper from which the Portugals receive great gain but the English French and Hollanders bring it The Portugals call it Pimienta-del-Rabo the Italians Pepe della Coda Tail Pepper that is Long Pepper Of their Palm Trees they make Wine as strong as the best of ours They have likewise Gold Ivory Cotton c. It s chief place is Bugos on the Cape of Sierre Leonne The Kingdom of Benim with its Inhabitants described The Kingdom of BENIM hath more than 250 Leagues of the Coast Cape Formoso dividing it into two parts That which is on the West forms a Gulph into the middle of which the River Benim disburthens it self and more to the West that of Lagoa That which is on the East extends it self on a right line where the Rio Real de Calabari and the Rio del Rey disburthen themselves near to that of Camarones which ends the Estate towards the East This last part is more healthful than
the Firmament Zaara King of Aethiopia led against Asa King of Judah 90000 Foot and 10000 Horse which are 100000 Men. Pliny esteems the Isle of Meroes alone have 250000 Men fit to bear Arms and 400000 Artisans At present the Grand Negus is held able to raise a Million of Men and Barnagas alone to furnish 200000 Foot and 20000 Horse The Prince is always in the Field and 5 or 6000 Tents attending on him where are are Churches Hospitals Shops Taverns c. which furnished with all things necessary for himself and his Train There are scarce any Fortresses in the Countrey except where Mountains of themselves make them The Neighbors to this Estate are the Turks who hold all the Coast of Haber on the Red Sea the King of Adel and some others on the Coasts of Ajan and Zanguebar the Monomotapa or the Monoemugi towards the Mountains of the Moon the Congo or some Estates neighboring on Congo and the Negroes towards the West some Kings of Nubia towards the North. Except the Turks the Abissins having no Civil War can easily reduce the greatest part of them to reason or at least hinder them from molesting him ZANGVEBAR Zangâ—â—bar its Coasts or Parts and their Situation UNder the name of ZANGVEBAR I comprehend all the Coasts of the Higher Aethiopia And these Coasts are on the Aethiopian Ocean and the Red Sea or Gulph of Arabia I subdivide them into three parts the Coast of Zanguebar the Coast of Ajan and the Coast of Abex The Coast of Zanguebar extends it self from the Cafres to under the Equator for the space of 5 or 600 Leagues That of Ajan is between the Equator and the Streight of Bab-el-Mandel likewise 600 Leagues The Coast of Abex advances from that Streight to Egypt and hath not above 4000 Leagues The first part was called by the Ancients Barbaria Regio the second Azania Regio and the last Trogloditica Regio The particular Coast of Zanguebar towards the East regards some Isles Zanguebar among which that of Zanguebar which hath communicated its name to the Coast and then those of Penda and Monfia are the best known Maffy makes mention here of the Isle and City of Querimba and Texera of Anisa the one and the other possibly answer to some of those which Sanutas calls St. Rocq and Monfia which he saith are four Islands two great and two small Penda and Zanguebar are the greatest Penda and according to the form Sanutus gives them are each of 100 Leagues circuit Monfia 50 and the others much less All and particularly Zanguebar produceth quantity of Grains as Rice Millet c. quantity of Fruits as Citrons Oranges c. and many Sugar Canes which they know not how to resine nor want they Fountains of fresh Water Aniza and Querimba hath Manna but not so much esteemed as that of other places On the Coast are the Estates or Kingdoms of Mongale on one of the branches of Cuama Angos or Angouche on another Branch or on another River of the same name Mozambique Isle and City on the Coast as likewise Quiloa and Mombaze Melinda is no Isle but on the Coast so are Lamon Pate c. Mongalo and Angos are little considerable their Inhabitants black Mahometans and Pagans they traffick in Gold Ivory Calicoes and Silk The Isle and City of Mozambique is on that Coast of Africa which regards the Isle of Madagascar towards the East Isle and City of Mosambique described and just between the Capes of Good Hope and Guardafuy near 1000 Leagues from the one and the other some account is made of this City and its Fort for the goodness and depth of its Port though small but of a very important retreat for the Vessels of Portugal after they have passed the Cape of Good Hope where oft-times the Heat or the working or motion of the Ship distempers many Men who refresh themselves here there being a very good Hospital and a Magazin always furnished with what ever is needful to finish their Voyage to the East Indies this Port serving them going to the Indies as the Isle oâ— Sancta Helena doth in their return The whole Isle is not above a League and half in circuit It s City is not so beautiful as many have believed it but of a good Trade wealthy and well frequented by the Portugals It s Castle is good since it hath sustained divers Assaults of the Hollanders The Soil is dry hath none or very little Fresh-water but the great number of Fruits as Cocos Oranges Citrons as others common to the Indies and the quantity of Cattle as Oxen Sheep Goats Hogs c. which are found here recompence these Inconveniences Their Figs are long and large being excellent and hâ—althful The Tree sprouts and dies every year it shoots forth but one Branch where many Figs ripen one after another so that they are found to continue almost all the year the Leaves are so great that two will cover a person of a moderate Stature dying it leaves a Root which shoots forth another Fig-Tree the year after Their Swines-flesh is so healthful that Physicians order it for Sick people Their Pullain are good and delicate though their Feathers Flesh Blood and Bones are very black and if boiled in Water as black as Ink. Here they are said to have Sheep whose Tails weigh about 25 pound weight Kingdom of Quiloa its chief places c. QVILOA is 150 Leagues or little more from Mozambique in a strait line and near 250 by Sea It hath two Cites the Old and the new the Old on the main Land the New in an Island divided from it by a small Channel This last is much the fairest its Houses high magnificent and well furnished accompunied with Gardens where they gather excellent Fruits throughout the whole year The Kings of Quiloa once commanded all the Coast into Mozambique and Sofala but this Estate hath received a great change since the coming of the Portugals into these quarters It s People Its Inhabitants are yet rich and have a great traffick for Gold which they bring from the Main Land where there is near as much as on the Coast of Sofala as also Silver Ambergreece Pearls and Musk They are part black part white these coming from Arabia and are Mahometans the others of the Natives are partly Idolaters both the one and the other go clad after the Arab or Turkish manner the richest wearing Cloaths of Gold and Silver Silks fine Calicoâ—s and Scarlet inriching the Guards of their Swords and Daggers with fair Pearls and Precious Stones as the Women do their Ear-Pendants and Bracelets They are very comly of a civil behaviour neat in their Houses and love to go in rich Apparel Here the People are observed to use a strange custom to those of the Female Sex which is not used by any other Nation or People save themselves which is that they sow up the Privy-parts of the Female
one Will in Christ After the receiving of the Sacrament they hold it unfitting to Spit until Sun-fet Those Beasts which in the Old Law are held unclean are so esteemed with them They keep their Sabbath-day on Saturdays they allow their Priests no yearly means or slipends neither do they suffer them to beg but they are forced to get their livelyhoods by the sweat of their brows and labour of their hands They accept only of the three first General Councils They have moreover a Book which is writ in eight Volumes and as they say by the Apostles assembled at Jerusalem for that purpose the Contents thereof they most strictly keep We have divided AETHIOPIA into the Higher and Lower esteemed the Higher that which is towards the North and the East the Lower that which is towards the South and West We have succinctly discoursed of the Parts of the Higher proceed we now to the Lower Lower Aethiopia its extent and bounds This Lower AETHIOPIA extends it self from the River of the Camaronts where the bottom of the Gulph of St. Thomas is and so turning about the Capes of Negro Bona Esperanza and Des Carientes into the River of Cuama which bounds it from Zanguebar part of the Higher Aethiopia as the other doth from the Kingdom of Benim part of Guiny which is in Libya Interior We have like wise subdivided this Lower Aethiopia into three parts It s division and parts viz. into Congo Monomotapa and the Country of the Cafres We may yet subdivide these three Parts each into two others which will make six The first shall be what is between Guiny and Congo the second Monomotapa and Mona-Emugi and the last the Land of Cafres on this side and Westward and the Land of Cafres beyond and Eastward of the Cape of Good Hope Between Guiny and the Kingdom of Congo there are divers Kingdoms and divers People The Ambosins and Camarones are on the Sea then the Kingdoms of the Capones the Country of Angra the three Kingdoms of Cacombo Gabom and Pongo of which this last is most powerful Among these Estates are the Capes of Lopo Gonsalves up in the Land are the Kingdoms of Biafra Medra Dauma c. The Land of AMBOSINS and CAMARONES are near the River of Camarones a Country very fertil The Lands of Capones and Angra are pleasant because of the many fresh Streams which water them The first are poor the Capones are malicious those of Angra addicted to Arms. The Estates or Kingdoms which are about the Cape of Gonsalves It s People have their People of the same Tongue the same Religion who are Idolaters and the same Manners and their Kings and Lords are in peace and in good intelligence with one another Those nearest the Sea are the most courteous and civil by reason of the confluence of Strangers and when they trade with those of Europe they white their Faces with Chalk their beautiful Garments are made of Mats tissued with the Rind of certain Trees and properly accommodated Those of Biafra more advanced in Land are very barbarous addicting themselves to Witcherafts and sometimes sacrificing their Children to Devils Those of Medra Dauma and some others further off are almost quite unknown and possibly not worth regard The Portugals traded here alone a long time and possessed several Parts on this Coast within few years the Hollanders have taken divers places from them some of which they have since retaken The Kingdom of CONGO Kingdom of Congo with its Parts or Kingdoms described BEyond the Equinoctial Line and unto Cape Negro lies the Kingdom of CONGO under the name of which we comprehend many others which have been Subjects Tributaries or Allies to the King of Congo as are the Kingdoms of Loanga and the Anziquaines to the North of Cacongo and the People Gallas or Giaquas to the East of Angola Malemba Mataman and others to the South Kingdom of Loanga described The Kingdom of LOANGA hath its principal City of the same name others say Banza Loango or simply Banza it is seated on the Sea as is Quilongo Quanvi and Majumba It comprehends six Provinces and is throughout indifferent fertil in Grains affords excellent Fruits Wine of Palms breeds many Cattle and all things necessary for life is found here it is well stored with Elephants having more than any other Country in these parts they have quantity of Ivory but have neither Gold nor Silver The Country is very hot by reason of its lying under the Line but indifferent healthful and well peopled Their King once subject writes himself now but Ally to the King of Congo and is called Mani-Loango and the Governours of the six Provinces likewise Mani that is Lord of such or such a Province Their Subjects are all Bramas who by Religion are Heathens Kingdom of Congo and its Provinces The Kingdom of CONGO may be said to be the fairest of the Lower Aethiopia though those of the Monomotapa and Mono-Emugi have more extent yet hath he alwaies been esteemed the most Polite hath had all his neighbours Subjects and the most part yet his Allies It may have in length 200 Leagues and about 120 on the Coast It is subdivided into six great Provinces to wit Bamba Songo Sunda Pango Batta and Pemba which together hath 30 or 40000 little Towns Songo Sunda and Pango lies upon and mounting from the Sea up the River Zaire Bamba Pemba and Batta are towards the River of Coanza and the Lake of Aquilonda these three last making the most Southern parts the three other the most Northern of the Kingdom and all take their names from the principal places where the Governours of the Provinces reside The Country of BAMBA is well stored with Beasts and Birds Bamba both tame and wild well watered with Rivers hath Mines of Silver and its People exceeding strong It s chief places are Bamba on the River Loze Motole on the River Dorati Bengo also Pavo Lengo and Mussulo on the Sea SONGO lies on both sides the River Zaire Songo which sends forth many turbulent Streams and hath so many Islands that one part of it hath very little to do with the other its chief places are Sonho nigh to Cape de Pedro and on a branch of the Zaire also Bommo Matinga Cabinde Malemba and Cascais which three last are on the Sea SVNDA is indifferent fertil Sunda hath several rich Mines of Metals among the rest the Inhabitants set the greatest esteem upon Iron by reason that of it they make their Materials for War it is parted by the Zaire This Country furnishes forreign Merchants with several rich Furs as Sables Martrons c. It s several chief places are Sunda Betequa Iri and Quincasso PANGO is but barren Pango its Inhabitants barbarous but strong in Arms It s chief places are Pango Cundi-Funquenes and Angote and this Country is watered with the River Zaire BATTA is
Avila so called in reference to Rimerez de Avila and 4. Sevilla del Oro all Colonies of Spaiards The Country is Mountainous rude and unfertil yet produceth a Cinnamon-Tree which pruned the tree bark and leaves are Cinnamon but the Fruit is by much the best and most perfect The Province of Paramoros PAZAMOROS South of de la Canella hath three Cities or Colonies of Spaniards viz. 1. St. Juan de las Salinas or Valladolid 2. Loyola or Cambinama And 3. St. Jago de las Montannas The Air of the Country is said to be healthful the soil indifferent fruitful and feeds many Cattle and also abounds in Mines of Gold Los Quixos and Pazamoras depend as to their Spiritual Government on the Bishop of Quito The Audience of Lima. The Audience of LIMA is at present most famous of all by reason of the Cities of Lima and Cusco this having been formerly the Metropolis of the Empire of the Ynca's and the other being the present Residence of the Vice-Roy of Peru and this Audience comprehends the true Peru the chief depending Cities besides Lima and Cusco are 1. Arnedo seated in a Valley among Vineyards 2. La Santa or la Parsilla seated in a Valley nigh to which are rich Mines of Silver 3. Truxillo scituate on the Bank of a small but pleasant River about two Leagues from the Sea where it hath a large but unsafe Haven and in a pleasant Valley the Town indifferently well built and large and beautified with four Convents of several Orders 4. Miraflores about 5 Leagues from the Sea in the valley of Zanu of some note for the abundance of Sugar Ganes that grow there 5. Cachapoyas or St. Juan de la Frontiera of good account in former times for furnishing the Kings of Peru with handsom women 6. Leon du Guanuco rich and pleasantly seated and beautified with some Religious Houses a Colledge of Jesuits and in former time with a stately Palace of the Kings 7. Areguipa scituate at the foot of a flaming Mountain in the valley of Quilca made happy by a flourishing soil and temperate air 8 Valverde seated in a valley of the same name which yields plenty of Vines from which they make good Wine the Town is indifferent large being Inhabited by about 500 Spaniards besides Natives and beautified with a fair Church The City Lima pleasantly seated an Hospital and three Fryeries The City of Lima is two Leagues long and one broad seated in a pleasant valley being begirt with sweet Fields and delightful Gardens below which is its Port Collao The Houses in this City are well built Its Houses Streets c. its streets large and so ordered that most of the chief take their rise from the Market-place It is said to consist of 10000 ordinary Families besides Passengers and those that come hither for trade which are many by reason the riches of Peru that yearly pass through this City to go to Spain which hath not a little encreased its wealth The City encloses several fair Edifices and Churches Hath many stately Edifices among which these following may not be forgotten viz. The Palaces of the Vice-Roy and Archbishop then the Cathedral Church built after the Model of that of Sevil in Spain and endowed with an Annual Revenue of 30000 Ducats also the Courts of Judicature the Colledges and Monasteries also it s four Hospitals to wit one for the Clergy another for the Spaniards a third for the Indians and the fourth for the Widdows The air about this City is healthful temperate alwaies serene and the soil the most fertil of all Peru. The City of Cusco with its several magnificent Places and other Buildings Among the other Cities Cusco is the chief among those of the Provinces of the Hill-Countries and the Andes being by much the most famous having been the Residence of the Ynca's or Peruvian Kings who for the more beautifying this City ordered all their Nobility to build each of them a Palace for their Residence at present it is of the greatest account in all this Country as well for its beauty and greatness as for its populousness being said to be the habitation of about 3000 Spaniards and 10000 Natives besides Women and Children Besides these Palaces It is adorned with a Cathedral and 8 Parish Churches four Convents of Religious Orders a Colledge of Jesuits a stately Temple dedicated to the Sun also several Baths about the City and abundance of very fair Houses in the fields It s scituation is betwixt two pleasant and useful Rivers and begirt with Mountains It s Fertility The Country for the most part is fruitful they have good pastures which are well stocked with Cattle they gather abundance of Coca have excellent Venison and the Country generally well furnished with Rivers in which they take good Fish Hath Mines of Gold and Silver It yields many Mines of Gold and Silver about Cusco and particularly of Gold at St. Juan del oro at Oropesa Vermillion and Quicksilver between Arnedo and Port de Guajara and likewise at Barranca are rich salt pits The Inhabitants of Guanuco and of Chachapoyas are the most civilized of Peru. There are yet every where a great number of these Indians there being esteemed under the jurisdiction of Truxillo 50000 Tributaries 30000 in that of Guanuco as many in Guamanga 50000 in that of Arequipa and 100000 in the jurisdiction of Cusco c. There are likewise others who yield no obedience to the Spaniards among which are the Manatiens not far from Cusco who maintain themselves in their Mountains who often butcher and eat those Spaniards they can entrap The Province de la Plata with its Cities described The Province DE LA PLATA or de los Chaecas is South of Peru and under the Tropick of Capricorn It is divided into two or three other lesser parts to wit de los Charcas de la Sierra and of Tucuman This last is quite beyond the Tropick and we will describe it with Paraguay or Rio de la Plata with which it shall best agree The two others are for the most part on this side that Tropick The chief City is de la Plata that is of Silver and this City gives sometimes its name to the Province is the Residence of an Archbishop dignified with the seat of the Governour the Courts of Judicature and beautified with a fair Cathedral besides several Religious Houses The City is seated in a pleasant and fruitful soil Its Houses well built and so large that within its walls are the habitations of 800 natural Spaniards beside 60000 Natives Tributaries under its Jurisdiction Its Mines by reason of the incommodities of the waters were abandoned so soon as those of Potossi were discovered which since this discovery from a small Village is now become a very considerable and large Town of two Leagues Circuit being Inhabited by about 40 or 50000 Spaniards besides about 30000