16 The Peacock and Nightingale 17 The Parot and Monkey 18 The Monkey Judge 19 The Rat and Frog 20 The Hare and Tortoise 21 The Wolf and Crane 22 The Kite and Birds 23 The Monkey King 24 The Fox and Buck. 25 The Council of Rats 26 The Monkey and Cat. 27 The Fox and Resins 28 The Eagle Rabit and Beetle 29 The Wolf and Porcupine 30 The Serpent with several Heads 31 The Bath the Cat and Cockerel 32 The Kite and Pigeons 33 The Dolphin and Monkey 34 The Fox and Crow 35 The Monkey and Crane 36 The Wolf and Head 37 The Serpent and Porcupine 38 The Ducks and young Water-Spaniel From the Labyrinth you may go to the Orangery thence by the Flower-Garden to the Water-Plot that lies before the Castle this consists of five great Pieces and two other which altogether form extraordinary Figures The little Park I have spoken of is environed with another far greater divided by a great many Walks set with differenâ— Trees The most remarkable thing in it 〈◊〉 the great Canal which begins at the enâ— of the little Park over against the Royaâ— Walk and is about 200 foot from Apollo's Basin It 's 32 Fathoms wide and 800 long and at the Head thereof is a Plot of Wateâ— that is octogone four of the sides drawn in a circular Line three in a Right and the other joyning it to the Canal This Piece has sixty Fathoms diameter of one side separates the little from the great Park and at the other end joyns the Canal which at the other Extremity has a Water-Plot 200 Fathoms long and 100 wide and is cross'd in the middle by one that is 200 foot wide and of one side leads to Trianon and of the other to the Mesnagerie the Place where rare Fowls and Beasts brought from foreign Parts are kept In a great Court on the Left-hand are the Stables Sheep-Folds c. with all that belongs to a Base-court The little Palace has its Particular Court at the end of a great Walk set with Trees The chief Lodging or Apartment is Octogone consisting only of a Hall with two little Pavilions before it In the middle of of it are Stairs that lead into the Vestibule and thence into this Hall which is environed with a Court of an Octogone Figure too with Iron Grates or Rails that part it â—rom seven other Courts This Hall has also â—ound Balconies whence one may look into â—hese Courts which are all full of fine and â—urious Birds and of an incredible number of foreign wild Beasts of every Kind I must not forget that since the present King has chosen Versailles for his ordinary Residence several private Men have built there Houses so that it is become a pretty good Brough Trianon THis House opposite to the former on the other side of the Canal and at the Right-hand as you go from Versailles to Paris is a very fine Piece of Building The outward Front is 64 fathoms sinking in form of a half Oval in the middle of which is the principal Door all of Iron with two Ballisters at the sides that joyn to small Pavilions and close the Entry By this Door you enter into a Court that is almost oval only squared to the Right and Left by two Buildings separated from that in the Middle whereof one serves the Lords and the other the Warden of the Castle These Buildings are each twelve Fathoms square with their separate Courts and other Pavilions that form the Corners of the whole Front of this House They that go to see this Castle enter generally by the Conciergery or Governour 's Court and thence into tâ—â— great Oval for this besides the principâ—â— Entry has four other Iron Doors to 〈◊〉 whereof two open into the side Courts bâ—tween the great Door and great Pavilioâ— and the other two into the Garden betweeâ— the same Pavilions and the principal Builâ—ing This Court is above an Hundred foâ— in length and Seventy five wide the Câ—stle fronts it and is fourteen Fathoms lonâ— and seven broad with a Ballister chargeâ— with a great many Pots joyned or mortiseâ— at the top and adorned at the bottom witâ— young Cupids armed with Darts and Aâ—rows Over these are Porcelaine-Vesseâ— disposed by degrees to the very top of thâ— House with Birds represented to the Life 〈◊〉 and the Pavilions that belong to the chiâ—â— Building are adorned the same way Therâ— is also another little Palace to pass somâ— days in during the Heat of Summer Thâ—â— has but one Story the Walls of the Haâ—â— that has but seven Steps up to it is covereâ— with White and polished stuck with Ornaments of Azure the Cornish and Cieling are also adorned with divers Figures of Azure upon White the whole worked aftâ—â— the China's way the Floor Wainscot and Cieling are the same being all Porcelain All these Places look and have Doors into a Plot over against the Chambers where are Spouts that throw up Water out of four Basins built upon Piedestals Out of this Plot you go down into another Garden that is always well stocked with Flowers Other Towns Royal Houses and Places of Note in the Parisis REpassing the Seine you find a League westwards of Paris the Royal Castle of Madrid built near a pleasant Wood by Francis I. upon the Pattern of the Escurial or the Palace of the King of Spain It was designed for a very fine House but the French Kings having since delighted in other places and little care being taken of it it decays every day There is still to be seen a Window representing that where the Spaniards shewed King Francis I. to the People before Madrid Two Leagues higher on the Southwest is a Village called Haubert de Villiers with the famous Church of Nôtre Dame des Vertus or our Lady of Vertues Descending to the North towards Paris you find a little Mile off it the Village of Montmartre called in Latin Mons Martyrum because as 't is pretended St. Denis and his Companions were beheaded there before the Idol of Mercury And therefore when Christianity had got the better of Paganism a Chappel and afterwards an Abby of the Nuns of St. Bennet were buâ— on that Mountain On the Northwest of Montmartre is thâ— Village of Clichy where formerly was 〈◊〉 Royal House called the Palace of Clichâ— then the Hostel of St. Ouën beyond Parâ— There King John instituted the Order 〈◊〉 the Knights of the Star as du Haillan relates or rather he renewed it and setleâ— the Knights in that House as Favin wiâ— have it who asserts that it was instituted bâ— King Robert Son to Hugh Capet Thâ— Knighthood's Badge was a golden Collaâ— with three Chains interwoven with golâ— Roses white and red enameled Theâ— wore besides a Mantle of white Damask 〈◊〉 short Mantle with Lining of incarnate Damask and a Coat of the same Stuff However this Order so honourable and glorious at the beginning became in process of time too common
and being despised by Princes and Lords fell to the share of the Knight of the Watch and his Comrades From the top of this Mountain one may have a full sight of Paris Vincennes commonly called Le bois de Vincennes is a strong Castle in a Wood not quite a League off Paris towards the East it 's surrounded with a good Ditch and eight great square Towers for its Defence Philip August raised up a Wall about the Wood in 1185. Philip of Valois begun the Tower or Castle in 1337 which K. John and Charles V. ended Q Mary of Medicis begun the Gallery that is on the side of Paris in 1614 and Lewis XIV added new Buildings to it It s Court is spacious and fair a side of it is the Holy and Royal Chappel dedicated to the Blessed Trinity by King Charles V. in 1379. Here are also the Chains of the Streets of Paris sent thither by Charles VI. to punish that City's Rebellion This Place is so very pleasant by its fine Walks in the Woods about it that several Kings have chosen it to end their Lives in as Philip the Fair Lewis Hutin or the Proud and Charles the Handsome Farther into the Woods is a Convent of Minims surnamed Les bons Hommes which is one of the pleasantest Monasteries that can be seen As for the Castle the Inside is every whit as magnificent as what appears without The Princes of the Blood who were taken in the beginning of the last Troubles of France were confined here as had been several others before them Cardinal Mazarin dy'd at Vincennes in 1661. There is still seen an Oak under which King Lewis IX was wont to render Justice for though he went to Vincennes as to a retir'd Place however that the least Absence should not prove hurtful to the poorest of his Subjects at certain hours of the day he sate at a Table covered with a Carpet and ordered his Ushers and Heraulds tâ— cry out whether there was any that wanteâ— Justice Thence apparently comes the Frencâ— Proverb Mettre une chose sur le Tapis To put 〈◊〉 thing upon the Carpet for to propound a Business St. Maur is a Castle built upon 〈◊〉 Height joyning a pleasant Forest near thâ— Marn about three Miles off Paris but in imperfect because Francis I. that beguâ— that Building had not time to finish it yeâ— its considerable for several Rarities as Francis the First 's Head very well worked iâ— Copper his Devise a Salamander environed with Lillies and these Words Non deflorebimus isto Praeside istis ducibus Henry IV. gave this House to the Prince of Condé Returning to Paris along the Marne you find a League from that City the Village of Charenton which by some old Ruines seems to have been formerly a strong and considerable Town Between this and the Palace of Conflans was an admirable Echo which repeated Words to ten times with such a Noise and quickness as tho' they had been as many Canon-Shots It 's great pity that the Cloyster which the Carmelites have built there upon the Ruines of a Church have deprived the World of so great a Wonder Some years ago Charenton was yet more famous for the Temple the Protestants of Paris had there to which have at one time or other belonged so many great and learned Men as Aubertin Du Moulin Mestrezat Daille le Faucheur Dreâ—ncourt Gache Claude I supersede to name â—wo late Ministers one of which was acâ—ounted one of the learnedest Men in France â—nd the other one of the Eloquentest beâ—ause they are both living and in England The Palace of Conflans where Jane Queen â—f Navarre dy'd in 1349 belongs now to â—he House of Villeroy The most consideraâ—le part of it is a vaulted Gallery enriched â—ith a great many Pictures drawn to the â—ife as two Sibylles three Roman Empeâ—ors four Popes several Sultans and great Commanders especially the famous Scanderâ—eg or Castriot Several Learned Men as â—eneca Scot Thomas Aquinas Platina Guicâ—iardini c. The Kings of England of Navarre The Dukes of Savoy and of Lorâ—ain the Families of Valois Bourbon and Nassau all set in gilt Frames and brought â—rom Italy and 21 among the rest out of â—he House of Medicis Three or four Leagues East of Paris â—s the Village of Chelles with a Church founded by Queen Clotilde Wise to Clovis the Great and since repaired and erected into an Abby of Nuns by Queen Baudour Wife to Clovis II. Their Son Clotaire King of France was interred in that Abby in 666 and King Robert had a Palace in the Village Higher up to the North four Leaguâ— from Paris is the Borough of Gonnesse râ—nowned for its Bread and Francis the First Answer to Charles the Fifth's Letter stuffeâ— with ample Titles for he writ nothing elâ— but Francis King of France of France anâ— so to the end of the Page where he pâ— these Words Lord of Vanves and Gonnesâ— A Joke not much unlike to that of Henâ— IV. who answering a Letter of the Spanâ—ards filled up with Bravado's of the samâ— Nature called himself King of Gentilly St. DENIS a pretty Town two League from Paris situated on a Brook called 〈◊〉 Crou in the middle of a fruitful Plain anâ— full of Game At the beginning it was bâ— a Country House of the Lady Catulla whâ— buried there the Bodies of St. Denis Bishoâ— of Paris and of Eleuthere and Rustic his twâ— Priests beheaded in the Persecution of Decius after the Year 250. For the Fable 〈◊〉 St. Denis the Areopagite coming over inâ— Gaul to preach the Gospel has been so solidly confuted by Launoy and other learneâ— Roman Catholicks and French Men too that I need not to disprove it I shall only observe that it has been invented by Hilduâ— Abbot of St. Denis in the Ninth Century and that though in this and subsequent Ages shrewd and Deceitful Monks gull'd 〈◊〉 much as ever the Ignorant and Credulous Vulgar however this ridiculous Opinion did not want Opposers among the rest â—â—e Learned John Scot Erigene who undeâ—eived the Emperour Charles the Bald. The Church was built by Dagobert I. and â—e Abby founded by the same King who â—ave to the Abbot an absolute Authority oâ—er all the Inhabitants of St. Denis and such â—hat it extended upon their Lives and Forâ—unes and that they were in a manner his â—laves Moreover he instituted a yearly â—air of four Weeks length to be kept in a â—ield near the Church during which he â—orbad the Merchants of Paris to sell any â—ares or Commodities Charlemaign orâ—ered that all the Kings and Bishops of â—rance should obey this Abbot that the â—ings should neither be crowned nor the â—ishops ordained without his Leave that all â—is Subjects should pay him a Tax for each â—f their Houses that Slaves who should â—illingly pay it should be put at Liberty â—nd called the Free-men of S. Denis In 834 â—ewis the Meek who had been deposed by â—is Sons had his
who makes the 25th and these are the Archers of the Guard du Corps who wear Hoquetons or white Cassocks covered with gilt Silver-Shells whence they are commonly called Hoquetons The three French Companies have been instituted by three several Kings and wear upon their Arms and Cassocks the Livery Colours and Devices of the Reigning Kings Those that are called Exempts of the Guards precede the other Archers they wear neither Hoquetons nor Cassocks and command the Guards in the absence of their Officers They carry a Stick as a Mark of their Power and Employment The hundred Switzers wear the King's Livery with a Halbert and are cloathed after their own Country fashion These four Companies have their Captains who are all qualified Lords And besides these the King has a Regiment of Switzers and another Regiment of French Guards with all their Officers These make as 't were a small compleat Army kept ordinarily with a Company of Musqueteers or Horse-Guards whom King Lewis XIII had instituted and whose Head he was During the Minority of the Kings which ends so soon as they are 14 years old a Regent or Protector was provided by the General States of the Kingdom or by the Court of Parliament of Paris He was commonly the King 's nearest Kinsman or the Queen his Mother as Queen Catherine of Medicis was to King Charles IX Queen Mary of Medicis to King Lewis XIII But since the Monarchy is become Absolute the Will of the deceased King has only been regarded And Ann of Austria Mother to K. Lewis XIV now Reigning carried the Regency against the Princes of the Blood who disputed it with her though they had the Parliament of Paris on their side whence ensued a bloody War in which the Queen and Cardinal Mazarine got the better of the Princes Patents Edicts and Arrests are expedited under the Name of the King with this Title By the King and Queen-Regent The Queens of France have often been Crowned whereof History gives several Examples They were anointed with another Chrism than that of the Holy Ampoule Queen Mary of Medicis was Consecrated and Crowned at St. Denis in the year 1610. on the 13th of May by Cardinal de Joyeuse In their Widowhood they have been formerly called White Queens but that has not been used for some Ages There is no sharing in the Royal House and Succession since the Third Stock of the Kings of France so that second Brothers must be contented with a Patrimony in Land bearing the Title of Dutchy Peerdom and County They may have in their House such Officers as the King himself has viz. Chancellor Secretary and others with the Title of Grandees and they are stiled Your Highness as if they were Sovereign Princes The youngest Sons of the French King subscribe only with the proper Name as well as the King himself but their Posterity take their Title of the principal Country that makes up their Portions as being henceforward accounted a separate Branch of the Princes of the Blood The Daughters of the French Kings have not any other Portions than Sums of Money instead of Lands which they have had heretofore It is They alone who properly are called Dames or Ladies in France The Princes of the Blood who become Church-Men keep the Rank belonging to their Birth and not to the Ecclesiastical Order The King 's Natural Sons have no share in the Succession either of the Crown or of the Royal Patrimony but have an Entertainment at the King's Pleasure They do not bear the Surname of France but that of the Land given them or of the Branch which they come from as now the Duke of Longueville is called of Orleance He or his Predecessors being descended from Lewis Duke of Orleance Brother to King Charles VI. The Duke of Engoulême was called de Valois as being born of Charles IX of the Branch of Valois The Duke of Vendosme and his Issue bear the Name of Vendosme because of that Land which King Henry IV. gave to their Fore-father CHAP. V. Of the Chief Officers of the Crown and Kingdom THE greatest Office of the King's House is that of Grand Master of his House before whom all the Officers that serve therein take the Oaths and whom they are to obey There is a Chief Steward of the Household and a Steward of the Household in Ordinary and others that serve quarterly having a Stick in their Hands set in Silver gilt at both Ends. They precede the Serving Gentlemen when the Kings Meat goes by There is a Grand Provost of France or Provost of the Houshold which is a very ancient and authorized Office Justice is exercised under his Name by two Lieutenants the one in a long and the other in a short Gown by Serjeants and by fifty Archers cloathed in Hoquetons or Cassocks of Livery that follow him attend the Court and prosecute the Guilty six Leagues thereabouts He also makes the Procedures of criminal Causes betwixt the Officers of the King's Houshold and others that follow the Court and when the King is on his March he sets a Price upon Bread Wine Flesh Hay Oates and other Provisions The Place of great Chamberlain is also very ancient honourable and priviledged He is Superintendant of the King's Chamber of his Cloathings and Moveables He lyes at the King's Feet when he holds his Bed of Justice or at the General States of the Kingdom when the Kings used to call them There are four Chief Gentlemen of the King's Chamber that serve quarterly a Master of the Wardrobe a Master of the Ceremonies a Leader of Ambassadors who all take the Oaths in the King's Hands There was formerly a Grand Queux or a Great Master of the King's Kitchin but this Charge is now abolished there having been none since Lewis of Prie Lord of Buzancoâ—â— who died under Charles VIII An. 1490. There are yet four Masters Queux or Cooks who serve quarterly in the King's Kitchin The Great Master of the Pantry and the Grand Butler or Cup-bearer of France do discharge their Duty but in great Solemnities as at the King's Coronation and the like but there are Gentlemen of the King's Table and Cup-bearers in ordinary who make the Assay of the Meat and Drink that is presented to the King There is a great and little Stable of the King the Gentlemen of the Little pass upon the King when he is on Horseback The Great Master of the Horse is constituted upon them all and bears the Sword in a Velvet Scabbard marked with Flower-de-Luces on great Solemnities before his Prince The Marshals of France judge of all Military Causes and have their Lieutenants and Provosts to inform against and seize upon Vagabonds and Deserters They ordinarily wear a Stick as a Badge of their Dignity and when they receive it from the King they take the Oath of Allegiance to him in the High Court of Parliament at Paris The Seat of their Jurisdiction is at the Marble-Table in the Palace of
the Love of the Truth was the chieâ— Motive of their Change This Inconvenience might have been prevented by some Foundations for promoting Learning and Piety and erecting up Schools Colledges and Places for the Retirement of the Learned who had served the Church a certain time or were fitter for Writing than Preaching 2 Calvin chancing to light upon Geneva established there a Form of Ecclesiastical Government very suitable to a Common-wealth but not at all to a Kingdom The French Protestants however set up the fame amongst them which was pardonable enough during the Persecution since they had not the Means to keep up Bishops and that they had been more exposed than simple Ministers both because of their Dignity and their Opposition to the Roman Prelates But when God had given them a Protestant King who conquered a good part of his Realm with the Dint of his Sword when so many of the Bishops and Nobility resorted to Henry IV 't is a wonder that his Presbyterian Ministers never thought of submitting to the Prelates provided the Prelates would submit to the Truth 3. Thence arose another Evil for there being no Means of Subsistence for Dignitaries amongst the Reformed no not so much as an honorable Recompence for the Learned after the Separation was made very few came over to them out of the Roman Church and a greater Number of their Ministers was seduced to the Popish Tenets 4. To cheat People of their Money the Monks had invented or adorned with fabulous Stories the Doctrine of Purgatory and made them believe at the saâ—â— time that they might redeem themselâ— either with Money or painful Satisfactioâ— which the Reformers perceiving drove perhaps too forwardly the Doctrines absolute Predestination and free Grace Tâ— subtil Controvertists of the Roman Churâ—â— let not slip this Occasion of ridiculing thâ— Adversaries and traduced them as Enemâ— to good Works and such as overthrew 〈◊〉 Moral of the Gospel These Accusatioâ— how false soever they were being set up 〈◊〉 able Pens were sufficient to amuse the Vâ—â—gar and to hinder them from opening thâ— Eyes to see the gross Errors of Popeâ— which in the mean time were not urged 5. It 's well known that there has beeâ— pretended Holy League in France for maiâ—taining the Roman Catholick Religion aâ—â— that the Dukes of Guise were Chieftenaâ—â— and Promoters of it but they who haâ—â— not read the Books of those Times are 〈◊〉 so well acquainted with the Artifices thâ— used to draw in so many of the Nobilitâ— They perswaded them that the Huguenâ—â— were Commonwealth-men who intendâ— to subvert the Kingdom and dismember 〈◊〉 into several petty Principalities and Repuâ—licks just as their Brethren the Switzers 〈◊〉 the Free Towns and Princes of Germanâ— By these Insinuations great and aspiriâ—â— Men who cannot make considerable Foâ—tunes under a weak Government stuck close them 6. As to the last Persecution of the French â—â—â—testants as it has been long and in a â—â—nner insensible during Thirty or Forty â—ars but at the latter end extreamly cruâ—â— sudden and unfore-seen so it could 〈◊〉 be prevented either by any Forreign â—wer or any Insurrection within The â—â—ench Cardinals and Jesuits no less cruel â—â—d cunning than the Wolves of the Fable â—â—ok from the Reformed their Places of â—â—rety seduced their great Men invaded â—eir Priviledges and fell upon Dragoonâ—g them when they were disarmed and â—â—t of state of making any Defence But will smart them I hope before it be long â—or besides that God never left such a perâ—iousness unpunished they are so far â—â—om having extirpated the Reformation at they have spread it farther by mingling â—â—e Protestants amongst them And any one â—ay easily suppose that during the Separatiâ—n the Reformed had not so many fair Occaâ—ons of instilling into them a secret Horror â—â—r superstitious Practices as they have now And let this suffice to the First Part of â—ur Description I had resolved to follow 〈◊〉 the Second Part the ordinary Division â—f France in Twelve Governments but â—â—nce I considered that this Method would â—e troublesome both to me and my Readers and perhaps make me overskip some of thâ— Countries included in the general Goverâ—ments Besides that there are now Nineteeâ— and not Twelve of them so that I thought more convenient to begin at one End 〈◊〉 with Lorrain then pursuing my way Nortâ—wards to make the Grand Tour of Francâ— and go out of it through the County 〈◊〉 Burgundy than to puzzle my self and â—thers with unnecessary Bounds and Divâ—sions However I will not fail to maâ— the Extent of each Government and thâ— Countries belonging to it A DESCRIPTION OF FRANCE PART II. WHEREIN â—ach of its great Provinces smaller Counties Cities Towns Royal Houses Forests Mountains Coasts Rivers and Lakes are Geographically and Historically described CHAP. I. LORRAIN the Three Bishopricks and the Dutchy of BAR. THIS Province is called thus from Lothaire Grand-Son of Lewis the Meek Emperour and King of France who was Soveraign thereof when it was far greater and bore the Name of Kingdom The whole Dutchy belongs now to thâ— King of France who has usurped the greaâ—est part of it upon Charles III. the true Sâ—veraign and forced him to make over 〈◊〉 Right to him The present Bounds of thâ— Province are Elzas and the Palatinate oâ— the East Champaign on the West Luxeâ—bourg and the Electorate of Triers on thâ— North and the County of Burgundy on thâ— South The Inhabitants are Warlike anâ— the Country for the most part covered witâ— Woods and Forests yet well stock'd witâ— Corn Vines and Minerals nor does it waâ— pleasant Rivers and good Waters It s Town are well built strong and rich NANCY the Capital of Lorrain was the ordinary Residence of the Dukes whose Courâ— was crouded with great Numbers of Nobilitâ— and Gentry It was here that those Princes Riches made a fine Sight especially two Tables of a great Length and Breadth one Marble the other Silver-gilt or washed over witâ— Gold with several Figures and Emblems and Latin Verses most artificially engraveâ— upon them There were also costly Hangings and the Effigies of a Man in Wood whose Muscles seemed to move and werâ— interwoven with so much Art that it waâ— a perfect Wonder The Dukes Tombs arâ— likewise here amongst which that of Renatus who overcame the Burgundians is moâ—â— considerable that of Charles Duke of Buâ—gundy is there also The Arsenal was well provided with all Necessaries and its Fortifications seemed to render it impregnable before the French took it There is a Bog or fenny Place pretty nigh the Town in the midst of which is a Cross of Stone with an Inscription in French that marks the Defeat of the Burgundians under Charles the Rash their last Duke An. 1477. The Town is situated about an hundred Steps from the Meurte which discharges it self into the Moselle four or five Miles from thence Nancy is divided into Old and New Town the Old has the Palace of the Dukes
but the New is greater and better fortified The French destroy'd its Fortifications in 1664 and afterwards repaired them There is a Chamber of Accounts and a Seneshalship This Province has also Bar le Duc Capital of the Dutchy of that Name It was built by Frederick Duke of the Mozellane Lorrain in 951 and fortified with a strong Castle to prevent the Incursions of the Champenois There were several other strong Places amongst the rest Marsal and Moyenvic whose Fortifications the French have destroyed as well as the Castle of Bar le Duc. Near Moyenvic are commodious Salt-Pits I must not forget the three Bishopricks taken from Charles V. in 1552. viz. Toul Mets and Verdun because they are included in this Province and are nearly ty'd to it especially in what concerns Spiritual Jurisdiction though as to the Civil they make a separate Government Toul Tullum Leucorum is a Town well built situated upon the Mosell twelve Miles from Nancy It 's pretty big and boasts of St. Bernard's Tomb over which is a Crown extraordinary well worked its Diocess is pretty large Verdun Verodunum a very pleasant City situated in a fruitful and good Soil on the River Meuse Twenty six Miles from Mets Its Bishops take the Title of Counts of Verdun and Princes of the Holy Empire It has a strong Citadel and Baylwick and is renowned for its Aniseed Mets is also a very pleasant Town both for its Houses its Cathedral of St. Stephen a true Master-piece of Architecture and the River Moselle and Seille that wash it It is a very ancient City since Cesar Plinius Tacite and Ptolomy mention it under the Name of Divodurum Mediomatricum and speak of it as the chief Town of that Country and of the People called Mediomatrices now Les habitans du pais Messin In process of time it became still more and more Famous and under the French Kings of the first Race was Capital of the Kingdom of Austrasia called also the Kingdom of Mets since Theodoric Son to Clovis the Great had chosen it for the Seat of his Empire In the Decay of Charlemaign's House Mets erected it self into a free Imperial Town under the Government of its own Magistrates who had Power of Life and Death and of Coining of Money And so jealous they were of their Liberty that Charles VII King of France besieging them â—n 1444 on the behalf of Renatus Duke of Lorrain they rather chose to see their Country wasted during seven Months and to redeem themselves with 300000 Livres than to loose their Liberty Thus they kept it till the Year 1552 that their City was taken by the Lord of Montmorency High Constable of France In the Month of October of the same Year Charles V. besieged it in vain and as it was the last Undertaking of this Emperour it gave occasion to this Verse alluding to the modern Name of this Town in Latin Metae Siste viam Metis haec tibi meta datur There is seen in St. Stephen's Church a Vessel of Red Porphyry ten Foot long and all of a piece which serves to keep their Holy Water in This great Town has no Subâ—urbs and is all surrounded with a strong Rampier and deep and wide Ditches that can be filled at pleasure only opening a Sluce to let in the Moselle Yet for its greater Strength a Cittadel with four Bastions have been built there of late The People are well bred Civil and Numerous and drive a great Trade into Germany The Circumference of the Town is pretty big its Bishop entitles himself Prince of the Empire and has four Arch-Deacons under him with 623 Parishes In 1633 Lewis XIII established there a Parliament which the Commissioners of the Emperour opposed saying That the French King was only Protector of the three Bishopricks and not absolute Sovereign thereof and consequently that he might not deprive the Inhabitants of their ancient Laws and the Right they had to bring their Appeals before the Imperial Chamber at Spire These Complaints lasted to the Peace of Munster in which the three Bishopricks and Moyenvic were yielded unconditionally and for ever to the Crown of France save only the Right of Metropolitan to the Archbishop of Triers This Parliament as it was the last so it was at first the least considerable next to that of Pau the three Bishopricks only resorting to it But since the Conquest of Lorrain Luxemburg and adjacent Countries its Jurisdiction is mightily inlarged It made a great Noise some time after the Peace of Nimeguen about the Year 1680 when the French King erected there a Chamber of Dependencies whose Judges summoned the Spanish Subjects to come and swear Allegiance to the French King under pretence that they were depending upon some of his new Conquests By this Shrewdness he got more Lands during the Peace than he had done in the War The Dukedom of Luxemburg is under the Governour of Lorrain but I supersede to make a particular Description of it because the Low-Countries deserve a Treatise by it self I shall only observe that there is a Soveraign Council in the Capital whereunto the whole Province resorts At a League 's distance from the Town is a Village called Jovy where are still to be seen some Remains of an Aqueduct built by the Romans with Arches of a fine white Stone cut in Form of Bricks and above Sixty Foot high Besides this there is another considerable Place near Nancy called St. Nicolas that should deserve rather to be called one of the greatest Towns of Lorrain for the Number of its Inhabitants and considerable Traffick than a simple Borough if it were walled in The other most considerable Places near the Capital are Fruart which is but a League off it Ormes Bayon Pont a Mousson famous for its University founded by Charles Cardinal of Lorrain on behalf of the Jesuits An. 1573 and very pleasant by reason of its fruitful Soil and of the Mosell which runs through the middle of the Town and is passed with 〈◊〉 Bridge whence and from a neighbouring Mountain called Mousson is derived thâ— Name of Pont à Mousson Then Vezelize Roziere Blancmont Gerbevillier Charmes Chastenoy Moranges Vaucouleur the Birth-place of Jane d' Arc called the Virgin or Maiden of Orleans Mexan-sous-Bresse Dompaire Deneure Hoden Chasteau-Rambervillier Raon Bellemont Neuf-chastel Magstat Marchainville Espinal Bruyeres Darney Ormont Valderfing Beauzains Vaigni Estraye Estival Luneville Fauquemont Sare-Louïs a new Fortress with a Presidial Vandervange the Seat of a Baylwick c. Its Counties are Vaudemont Chaligni Amence formerly the Chancery of Lorrain Mirecourt Remiremont and La Mothe At Remiremont upon the Mosell is a famous Monastery of Canonnesses where Noble Mens Daughters are only received The Abbess is not suffered to leave the Habit but all the Nuns can go out and marry if they please La Mothe was a small Town on the Frontiers of Champaign but being built on a steep Rock washed by a Brook it was accounted impregnable before
in St. Antony's Street Sorbonne is but the first House or Colledge of Divinity at Paris though this Name be sometimes given to the whole University founded by Charlemaign about the Year 791 but since increased and made more commendable by Lewis VII and Philip August It is divided into four Faculties Divinity Law Physick and Arts. This last is the most ancient and composed of four Nations French Picards Normans and Germans Out of their Body is taken the Head of the University called Rector who in publick Solemnities immediately follows the Princes of the Blood and at the King's Burial walks by the Archbishop's Side His Robe of Ceremony is a Purple Gown tyed up with a Girdle that has goâ—den Hangings and an old fashioned Purseâ— which denotes his Priority and Power oveâ— all the Pursers of the University He alsâ— wears a short Purple Mantle lined with aâ— Ermine-Skin and has a Tribunal composeâ— of the three Deans in Divinity Law and Physick and of the four Attorneys of the four Nations A new Rectâ—â— may be elected every three Months but hâ— that is in Office is often continued and haâ— such an Authority upon all the Faculties that he may cause all publick Acts to ceaseâ— and four times in the year at his Processioâ— Day actually forbids all Preachers to ascend the Pulpit As to the House of Sorbonne it 's very ancient being founded by Robert Sorbonn St. Lewis's Almoner in 1252 or 1253. This Colledge is one of the most rigorous of Europe none being admitted to the Degree of Batchelor unless he studies three years in Divinity in it after he has been received Master of Arts and sustains nine or ten publick Theses Neither is the Degree of Doctor given to any without going through the Sorbonique Act that holds from Sun-rise to Sun-set the Candidate answering all that time to such as come to dispute against him The Dean of the Faculty is committed to oversee these Theses and each Doctor that Disputes is to have a Crown from the Answerer who must satisfie all their Arguments without any body's Help so that he ought to be an able Scholar and have a strong Purse too Those that are admitted that way take the Title of Doctors of the House and Society of Sorbonne but the others that only of Divinity 's Doctor in the Faculty of Paris As for the Building it 's enough to observe that Cardinal Richelieu has taken care to make it one of the most sumptuous of Paris in enriched it with vast Revenues and a good Library The second House after Sorbonne is that of Navarre founded by Jane Queen of Navarre Soveraign Countess of Champaign and Wife to Philip the Fair King of France Humane Learning Philosophy and Divinity are taught in this House which has the Priviledge of making Doctors as well as Sorbonne There are a great many other considerable Colledges founded by Kings Princes Popes c. which I pass by to speak of that called of The Four Nations founded by Cardinal Mazarin and built over against the Louvre His Design in this sumptuous Building is said to have been to encourage Strangers to come to this Capital of the Kingdom to make them have an Esteem and Love for France use themselves to its Ways and learn its Fashions Of these four Nations are kept Sixty Gentlemen Fifteen from Pignerol for Italy Fifteen froâ— Elzas for Germany Twenty Flemings anâ— Ten Spaniards from Roussillon The Hotel-dieu or Hospital destined foâ— the Poor is also very ancient being builâ— since the Year 660 and well worth thâ— seeing It 's very spacious and kept very clean considering the vast number of Sicâ— always attended there by religious Women that make their Vows in the Hands of the Dean of our Lady-Church Behind the House of these Ladies is a Statue of Stone which most People believe to be that of Esculapius The Hospital of the Quinze Vints or Twenty Score founded by St. Lewis in Memory of the Three hundred Christians that had their Eyes put out by the Saracens ought not to be forgotten That of St. Lewis founded by Henry IV. for those that should be sick of the Plague is renowned for its Building Courts Offices and Fountains That of La Charité kept and served by Fryars of that Name is very neat and the People well attended Besides these there is the Incurable and 25 other Houses for the Sick and Poor The great and little Chastelets are the two ancientest Buildings in that City said to be built by Caesar or at least by Julian the Apostate who called Paris his Delight and well beloved Town now they are Prisons of the Civil Lieutenant and Presidial that keep their Courts there The Palace of Cluni in the Maturins Street where the Pope's Nuncio's generally Lodge deserves to be seen It was formerly Julian the Apostate's Baths and the Water was convey'd thither by Aquaeducts from the little Village of Arcueuil near Paris as may still be seen by some Remains of the Ruines The Bastille is a very strong Castle built above the Gate of St. Anthony It s Form is square with four great Towers that defend it of every side its Ditch very deep and other Fortifications as regular Here Persons of Quality suspected of Crimes against the State are imprisoned and there is a Governour to take care of it The Arsenal built just by the River is a great Building with store of Arms fine Gardens and curious Sets of Elm-Trees the Great Master of the Ordnance has his Apartment and keeps his ordinary Residence there The town-Town-House built by Francis I. was new built by Henry the Great the Front is extraordinary well worked the Chambers spacious the Pavilions uniform and the Pillars and Clock-Tower magnificent Its Revenues are so great that the King very often orders Payments of vast Sums â—hence They must be able Men that are received Sheriffs here and sometimes the whole Court move to have the Man they like chosen Lord Mayor or Provost of Merchants because the Place is of such consequence and he that has it has so much Authority over the People that he may raise them against whom he pleases The Government of the Town is in his and the four Sheriffs Hands who stand but two years in their Office Besides these there are twenty six Councellors and ten Sergeants that serve the Provost and his Sheriffs with sixteen Quaterniers and their Commissaries and other under Officers to hinder any Disorder or Tumult an hundred and twenty Archers or Watch-men who with sixty Arbalestiers or Cross-bow-men an hundred Arquebusiers or Small-shot-men the Foot and Horse Watch go the Rounds every Night commanded by the Captain of the Watch called the Knight of the Watch Le Chevalier du guet The Town 's Attorney takes the Title of King's Attorney The Company of Wine-Cryers to the Number of twenty four are imploy'd in Funerals and twenty four Salt-Porters that carry the King's Bodies are a sort of other Officers of this
Town where the Provost of Merchants and Sheriffs are allowed Noblemen and Knighted after two years Employment As for the Justice of Paris there is the Provost a Man of the short Gown three Lieutenants viz. the Civil Criminal and Particular and several Counsellors who compose the Presidial and keep Court in â—he Great Chastelet The Judge and Consuls of Merchants drawn out of that Body â—o the number of five being sworn before the Parliament sit in St. Mederic's Cloister As to the Parliament of Paris called also â—he Court of Peers because the Dukes and Peers of France and the Officers of the Crown take their Oaths there and cannot be judged elsewhere especially for any Crime at least according to Law for Cardinal Richelieu passed by this formally when he gave Commission to try the Marshall of Marillac and afterwards the Duke of Montmorency purposely perhaps to derogate the Parliaments Authority and make the Monarchy more absolute However Paris has yet the first and noblest Parliament in the Kingdom having been founded by Pepin Head of the Second Stock of the French Kings in 755 or 756 and made sedentary by Philip the Fair in 1302. The whole Governments of the Isle of France Picardy Champaign Orleannois and Lionnois and the Diocess of Macon depend upon it and this Court only knows of the King's Regalia Peerdoms and Portions given to the Royal Children It 's composed of eighteen Presidents and an hundred sixty nine Counsellors aâ— divided into eight Chambers The grâ—â— Chamber has seven Presidents besides 〈◊〉 first and twenty nine Counsellors Duâ—â— and Peers and Counsellors of Honour mâ—â— sit and vote there as well as the Arcâ—bishop of Paris since his Church was ereâ—â—ed into a Dutchy and Peerdom in 167â— and the Abbot of St. Denis in quality 〈◊〉 Counsellor of Honour The King's Mâ—sters of Requests have the same Priviledgâ— but four only of them may sit there at oâ— time The five following Chambers aâ— called Chambres des Enquêtes or Inquiriâ—â— and have each two Presidents and twentâ— eight Counsellors The two last Chambeâ— bear the Name of Tournelle because theâ— have no proper Magistrates but are filleâ— up by turns with those of the other Chambers Thus the Criminal Tournelle has fouâ— Presidents and eighteen Counsellors of thâ— Great Chamber and ten of the Inquiries and the Civil Tournelle has four Presidents and six Counsellors of the Great Chamber and twenty of the others In 1587 King Henry IV. had established a Chamber of thâ— Edict in that Parliament on behalf of hiâ— Protestant Subjects and bestowed the Dignity of Counsellor on six of their Men but this commendable and impartial Institution was suppressed by the present King in 1669 During the great Vacations beginning on the 7th of September and ending at the â—2th of November there is a Chamber eâ—tablished to make an end of Suits that canâ—ot be deferred Besides these there are several other Courts as the Court of Accounts fixed at â—aris at the same time as the Parliament The Court of Aides erected by Charles VI. â—nd increased with two other Chambers by Henry II. and Lewis XIII The Court of â—he Mint The Chamber of the Treasure where the General Treasurers of France â—eep their Court That of the Marshals of â—rance of the Admiral of the Great Maâ—ters of Waters and Woods is kept at the Marble-Table The Baily of the Palace â—as his Chamber in the Great Hall and â—he Great Council have theirs without the â—alace in the Cloister of St. Germain â—'Auxerrois c. The Bishoprick of Paris was erected into an Archbishoprick in 1622. â—nd has for Suffragans Meaux Chartres â—nd Orleans The Place Royal is one of the finest of â—he whole Town both for the Symmetry â—nd Magnificence of the Buildings and for â—he Piazza's and Arches that environ it with the cast Copper Statue of Lewis XIII â—n the middle on a Foot-stall of white Marble with Inscriptions Here stood formerly an Hôtle or Palace called des Tourâ—elles but because Henry II. died there of the Wound he received in his Eye at Turnament Catharine of Medicis got thâ— stately Building pulled down Carrousâ— were kept in this Market in 1612 upâ—â— the Subject of the King 's and his Sisteâ— Marriage with the Infanta and Prince 〈◊〉 Spain The Louvre that was the ordinary Reâ—â—dence of the Kings of France from Leâ—â—â— XII till Lewis XIV was built by Philâ—â— August in 1214 to keep his Papers anâ— Noble Men Prisoners It has been increaâ—ed and beautified since Francis I. by most 〈◊〉 his Successors At present it comprehenâ— the Louvre properly so called and the Pâ—lace of the Tuilleries joyned together by oâ—â— of the finest Galleries in Europe the Building and Ornaments are considerable thâ— Depth of the Foundations being taken froâ— the Heighth and Thickness of the Work with Conveniency of Apartments and Offices It s Form is rather long than square and 't is said this present King ordered 〈◊〉 Piece of Tapistry to be made that should reach from one end to the other representing the chief Towns he has taken anâ— the Battels fought and gained by his Armies There is another Monument of this Princes Vanity and Pride but I don't know whether it 's finished viz. His Brazen Statue oâ— Horse-back upon a Rock looking as unaccessible as though nothing had been able to withstand him His Enemies are representâ—d under his Feet and amongst the rest â—he pretended Hereticks Rebels and Duelâ—ists At the foot of the Rock are the four â—rincipal Rivers which he is gone over as â—he Rhine the Scheld the Meuse and the Moselle The Royal printing-Printing-House is in the Galâ—ery of the Louvre and the French Academy have Lodgings in this Palace There is â—lso a Place prepared for the King's Library and Closet of Rarities The Palace of Orleance is a magnificent and regular Building enriched with seveâ—al fine Statues and adorned with excellent Paintings which with its fine Gardens Fountains Grotto's and Water-works makes â—it a very pleasant Place The others are that which Mary of Medicis built in the Suburb of St. Germain and still has the Name of Luxemburg those of Bourbon Navarre Soissons Angoulême Longueville Espernon Maine Montmorency Bouillon but especially that of the Cardinal of Richelieu whereof the Riches and Ornaments are surprising Those of Vendôme Guise Chevreuse Nevers Sulli and Schomberg are sit to lodge any Prince in As for publick Places these that follow are the chief the Place Royal which has been already mentioned St. John's Church-Yard the Grêve the Vally of Misery the Place Dauphine the Parvis of Nôtre Dame the New Market and Place Maubeâ—â— A Market called La Place des Victoires â—â—tuated in that part of the Town whiâ—â— bears the Name of Richelieu is become fâ—mous since the mad and blasphemous Flattâ—ry of the Duke of La Feuillade In 168â— this Lord erected to the present King 〈◊〉 brazen Statue washed over with Gold upon a Marble Foot-stall underpropt by fouâ— Slaves and
adorned with cast Copper Trâ—phies of embossed Work representing thâ— most memorable Events of that Reigâ— The Statue is properly a Groupe or a Complâ—cation of three Figures namely of the Kinâ— in his Royal Robes of the Victory behinâ— him who puts a Crown on his Head anâ— of Cerberus or the infernal Dog kick'd under the Feet of this Sham-conqueror by the three Heads of which they would signifie the triple Alliance of England Holland and Swede or perhaps the House of Austria The Victory has one of her Feet on a Globe the other in the Air and with her two display'd Wings seems ready to fly There are besides a Hercules's Club a Lyon's Skin and a Helmet so that the whole weighs above thirty thousand though 't is said that it was all made at one Cast On the four Avenues or Sides of the Market are so many Marble-Columns adorned with Bassâ—-Relievo's of Brass representing this Prince's Actions Upon each of these Pillars is a Lanthorn of gilded Brass whereâ—â— Light is perpetually kept to venerate â—is new Idol which is sufficiently denoted â—y this Inscription amongst others Viro imâ—ortali to the immortal Man Paris as to its Form is rather square than â—ng and divided into three Parts the City 〈◊〉 ancient Town built in the Isle of the Paâ—â—ce formed by the Seine The new Town â—â—lled La Ville which is the Northern or â—â—west part of Paris and the University â—hich is the highest They were shut up â—ith seventeen Gates leading unto ten Subâ—rbs whereof that of St. Germain likes to â—e a goodly Town but some of their Gates â—ave been demolished These several Parts â—re joyned and communicate together by â—en Bridges most of which are filled with â—uildings Paris lies so convenient that Rouen supâ—lies it with what it has occasion of from â—ther Countries and the neighbouring Proâ—inces with all Home-Necessaries Besides â—his its Situation is so very advantagious â—hat there is no place in the Kingdom so fit â—or so great a City or such a Court. The Houses generally are high and spacious the Streets kept very clean Fountains wholesome and in great numbers The Air mild and healthful and Provisions cheap so that People may live there and spend much less than what is generally thought Besides these there is another great Convenienâ—â— in that City that Men may go any time 〈◊〉 the Night about their Occasions as safe 〈◊〉 by Day because the Watch are so exaâ—â— that no Thieves or Rogues can scape theâ—â— being Lanthorns very close that give greâ—â— Light and Chains in every Street to 〈◊〉 drawn up upon such Occasions Physiciaâ— have the Liberty of the Royal Garden 〈◊〉 the Suburbs of St. Victor where they wâ—â— find many rare Simples The Learned câ—â— visit the Royal Library at the Cordeliers of St. Victor in the Abby of that Name weâ—â— furnished with ancient and curious Manâ—scripts that of Navarre but especially thâ—â— of the President of Thou that is well looked after and in good Order Besides thesâ— each Religious House as poor as it is hâ—â— it s own particular Library I shall concludâ— this Article by mentioning Val de Grace thâ—â— sumptuous Monastery in the Suburbs 〈◊〉 St. James belonging to the Nuns of St. Beâ—net's Order and built by the Queen Motheâ— Ann of Austria It 's one of the finest Placeâ— of this great City which a famous Poet haâ— commended thus Vrbs orbi similis toto celeberrima mundo Musarum sedes Regina Lutetia salve Francigenae tu Metropolis pulcherrima Gentis Hospitio regum grato regis que ministros Excipis reliquas das jura suprema per urbes Towns and Places of Note in the Parisis or the Territory of Paris ON the South Side of Paris entring into the Deanship of S. Cel is the Village â—f Gentilly upon the River Bievre or des Gobelins where the Kings of the first and â—econd Race kept their General States and â—ometimes their Parliaments but it was â—estroyed by the Normans and is now onâ—y renowned for its many fine Gardens At â—he top of this Village was the Royal Castle â—f Winchester corruptly called Bicestre beâ—ause in the time of the English it belonged â—o John Bishop of Winchester It has been â—ft ruined and rebuilt King Lewis XIII â—aused there an Hospital to be built for Lame Souldiers who having been transfer'd â—nto another Place it was designed to shut up â—he Beggars of Paris On the South-West of the City in the Castelny of St. Maur are the Villages of Isi where the Goddess Isis was adored Vanâ—â—es which was heretofore inhabited by the Water-men of the River Seine and is now â—enowned for its Fountains Gardens and Meadows that furnish Paris with Milk and Butter Arcueuil formerly a Pleasure-House of the Romans whence Julian the Apostate brought Water through Lead-Pipes into his Palace that was built wheâ—â— now is the House of Clugny Farther to the West near the Seinâ— is the Village of Meudon two Leagues froâ— Paris with a strong Castle built upon 〈◊〉 Rock in the middle of a pleasant Foreâ—â— There is a Grotto that affords Water in abundance and is paved with Porphiry spoâ—ted with White Red Green and severâ—â— other Colours The Chambers of this Castle built by Cardinal Sanguin under Charâ—â—â— IX are adorned with Marble Statues fiâ—â— Pictures of the first Roman Emperors 〈◊〉 Aristotle Cicero Demosthenes c. and upoâ— one of the Chimneys is a Marble that reflects the Rays of the Light as a Looking Glass The Town of S. Clou Head of a Casteâ—ny on the West of Paris is situated upoâ— the Seine about two Leagues from the Câ—pital It was formerly a Village calleâ— Nogent and has gotten its present Naâ—â— from Cloüaud or Cloud Son to Clodonir Kiâ—â— of Orleance This Cloud for fear of his crâ—el Uncle Clotaire King of Paris who hâ—â— already murthered two of his Nephews râ—tired to Nogent where he built a Monastâ—ry and ended his Life There also dieâ— King Henry III. being stabb'd by James Câ—â—ment a Dominican Fryar The present King Brother has there a very fine House Versailles THIS Royal House about four Leagues Westward of Paris is become of late 〈◊〉 considerable that it deserves a particular â—escription The present King began to â—uild or beautifie it in 1661. It consists â—f the old Castle built by this Prince's Faâ—â—er of other Buildings of the same Symeâ—y which he has added for Lodgings and â—f a very stately Pile of Buildings that enâ—â—rons it on the Garden Side The House 〈◊〉 built upon a little height in the middle of 〈◊〉 Valley encompassed with Hills at the â—ottom of them on Paris side begin three â—â—e Walks formed by four delicate Sets of â—im the middle Alley being twenty Faâ—â—oms and the two side ones ten each wide â—hese end at the great Royal Place enviâ—â—ned with very regular Pavilions which â—e Princes and Lords of that Court have â—â—ilt there and with the other Houses that â—â—rm the new Town This Royal Place
is 〈◊〉 have a Fountain in the middle with such â—alks as the former in the other two Aâ—enues towards it Out of this Place you â—ound into another in form of a Half-â—oon it makes part of the first Court â—hich from the beginning of the Half-moon 〈◊〉 the great Court of the Castle is eighty â—athoms in length with four great Pavilions at the four Corners to lodge several Oâ—ficers in The great Court is shut in wiâ—â— iron Ballistres and two great Apartmeâ—â— that form the Wings having each a Balâ—â—ny opposite to it supported with Pillaâ— and adorned with Statues These wiâ—â— their Pavilions serve for Offices and haâ— Courts with other separate Buildings bâ—hind them There are other double Aparâ—ments that joyn these Wings and make 〈◊〉 Communication between the new and oâ— Castle and streightning the Top of tâ—â— great Court end with much Grace at tâ—â— Little which is the higher of the two As the French King has taken the Sun fâ—â— his Devise and that Poets confound it wiâ—â— Apollo there is nothing in this great Buildiâ—â— but has some Relation to that God Therefore as the two Wings of the great Couâ—â— are the Provision Offices they that had tâ—â— Care of the Work have got the four Eâ—â—ments represented at the top of the Portiquâ— of the Wings because these strive as 〈◊〉 were to furnish them with what is most eâ—quisite for Mans Support the Earth wiâ—â— its Beasts Fruits Flowers and Liquors tâ—â— Water with its Fish the Air with its Birdâ— and the Fire with its Help to dress anâ— make all ready Each Element has thrâ—â— Figures or Statues upon the four Balcâ—nies that represent it as the Earth Ceres Pâ—mona and Flora the Water Neptune Theâ—â— and Galathea the Air Juno Iris and Zeâ—hire the Fire is represented by Vulcan â—nd two Cyclops Sterops and Bronte Each â—f these Balconies has fifty foot in length â—hich is the breadth of each Pavilion Out of this Court we ascend by three Steps â—nto a large Resting-place and thence by â—ive more all Marble into the little Court which is paved with white and black Marâ—le with Streaks of white and red Marble â—nd has a Fountain Basin of white Marble â—n the middle with gilt copper Statues The Front and Wings are built of Brick and Free Stone with Marble busts upon Pendants or Brackets of the same for the greater Decoration Before this Front is a Balcony supported by eight Marble Pillars with red and white Spots like Jasper after â—he Dorique Order and their Chapters and Bases are of white Marble In the two Angles of the Wings of the Front are hangâ—ng Bottoms or Tromps that bear two Cabinets environed with gilt iron Cages and underneath are two Basins of white Marble in form of great Shell-works where young Tritons spout Water The middle Building has three gilt Iron-Doors leading into the Vestibule or Porch that has two Apartments on the Right and Left The two Wings of the little Court have two Stairs of white and red spotted Marble which lead to the upper Apartments tâ—â— on the Right-hand of one side to a Hâ—â— and Gallery and of the other to seveâ—â— Chambers that are the King's Apartmeâ—â— separated from the Queen 's by a great Hâ—â— that takes up the whole Body of the mâ—â—dle Building and has three Doors to a Pâ—â— or Platform that faces the Garden This 〈◊〉 all paved with white black and râ—â— Marble with a Basin of white Marble 〈◊〉 the middle prepared to be a great Spout The great Castle with the new Builâ—ings that this present King has added to tâ—â— old Versailles go under the Name of Neâ— Castle They have a Sight on the Gardeâ— and Courts that part them from the littâ—â— Castle to which they are joyned by greâ—â— Stair-Cases that communicate with the upper Apartments The Building on thâ— Right-hand and on the Grotto's side is composed at the lower part of several Pieces oâ— different bigness Coming out of the great Court and having passed under an open Porch you find a great Stair-case thirteen Fathoms and a half in length and five in breadth Yoâ— may go into the great low Apartment by a Fort that is beyond this Stair-case or by aâ— Arch that is at the bottom and leads into a Porch which looks into the Garden as all the other Pieces hereafter mentioned Out of this Porch you enter consecutively into two painted Halls the different Pieces of Architecture represented in the last make the Place appear as environed with several Pillars diversly adorned and far greater and higher than really it is Out of this you come into that which seems as a Vestibule when you enter by the Court into these Apartments the Cieling is supported by eight Pillars of the Dorick Order all fine Marble streaked red and white brought from Dinan in the Country of Liege the Chapters and Bases being of a greener that is called little Breche These Pillars are disposed into two parts four on each side that divide the Vestibule into three parts near the Wall and over against the Pillars are Pilasters of the same Marble that bear a Corniche which reigns all under the Plafond and over against the Windows are hollow Standings to place Statues in Next this Vestibule is another Hall whereof the Cornish that bears the Cieling is supported by twelve Pillars of the Ionique Order with their Pilasters behind them The four Pillars that are in the Angles with the twelve Pilasters are of black and white Marble and the eight other are of a Marble called Breche which comes from the Pyrenees the Ground is white with red black violet blew and yellow Spots The Chapters and Bases of the Pillars and Pilasters are of delicate white Marble Out of this you enter into another of the samâ— bigness whose Cieling is Octogone witâ— twelve double Pedestals a side of the Wiâ—dows and with Doors of fine Marble having twelve Figures of young Men witâ— Wings to their Backs that represent tâ—â— twelve Months of the Year All these Fâ—gures are Copper gilt with Gold the Pieces over the Doors and those that go across iâ— the Windows are of the Marble of Languedock Flame-coloured and White On one sidâ— of this Hall is the Chamber and Cabinet 〈◊〉 the Baths All the Pieces over the Doors anâ— Windows the Props and generally all partâ— that have no Hanging are laid with differenâ— Marble in equal Divisions so that all seemâ— solidly built therewith and this Order is observed to make use of the rarest and most precious in the Places that lye nighest to the King's Apartment so that as you go out of one Chamber into another towards it you will observe them more and more costly both in Marble Sculpture and Paintings This Order is also kept in the upper Apartments for there are eight Chambers or Halls all of a Flower that have each their different Marble and Painting The first that is five Fathoms and a half long and five wide where it wants
Lasiniacum has an Abby very ancient as its Walls testifie Brie Comte Robert six Leagues South-East of Paris is esteemed by some Capital of the French Brie other give that Honour to Rosoy which has an Election and is situated five or six Leagues farther on the same side Ville-Neuve-S George is a new Town well built situated in a pleasant Place where the River Yerre discharges into the Seine three or four Leagues Southwards of Paris Hurepoix GOing up the Seine towards the South to enter into the Hurepoix the first considerable Town you meet with is Corbeil situated thirteen Miles off Paris upon the same River where the Essonne discharges it self into it This Town had its particular Counts in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries one of whom called Aimon built the Collegiate Church of St. Spire and appointed yearly Incomes for its Canons Lewis the Burly got this small Soveraignty from Hugh du Puiset since which time it râ—mained united to the Crown of France aâ—â— was the Head of a Provostship and Chasteâ— It 's said that Caesar who calls this Towâ— Metiosedum built the great Tower nameâ— in Latin Castrum Corvolium which servâ—â— still as a Citadel to Corbeil and whence tâ—â— French Name seems to be derived Queeâ— Isemburg having been divorced from Phiâ—â—â— August built there a Pleasure-house 〈◊〉 which some remains are still to be seen neâ—â— the Essonne in a place called old Corbeâ—â— where she lies interred In 1418 the Duâ—â— of Burgundy besieged this Town but wâ—â— perswaded to raise the Siege by the Iâ—treagues of Elizabeth of Bavaria Charles thâ— Sixth's Queen MELVN upon the Seine four Leagueâ— South-East of Corbeil and ten of Pariâ— Robbe puts it in Hurepoix but Du Chasâ—â— makes it the Head of Justice in Gastinois for it has a Presidial Baylwick and Election upon which the greatest part of Gastinois and Hurepoix and some part of Briâ— are depending Melun is divided into three Parts as Paris viz. the City the new Town and the Isle This last was already on fooâ— in Caesar's time who calls it Melodunum and has now a Castle and two Churches The Normans destroyed Melun in 845 but since it was repaired and given by Hugh Capet to Bouchard his Favourite From about that time it began to have its Viscounts whose Family is yet subsisting in the Princes of Espinoy Eudes Count of Champaign took this Town by Money but King Robert retook and restored it to its Viscount in 999. It seems that Melun became every day stronger for in 1410 the English could not take it but by Famine nor the French retake it in 1435 but by Intelligence Melun is yet strong big and well Peopled the Seine runs through it but the Communication is kept by fine Bridges It has a Collegiate Church four Parishes and several Monasteries Fifteen Miles North-west of Melun and â—welve South of Paris is the Town of Montâ—lehery built by one Thibaud File-estoupe in 1015. There was formerly a strong Castle but it was all razed besides the Tower that is yet on foot by Lewis VI. sirnamed the Burly because of the Rebellion of Hugh de Crecy Count of that Place Guy his Father was Great Seneschal of France and married his Daughter Luciane to the Son of Philip I. afterwards King Lewis VI. But the young Prince not liking the Match repudiated Luciane in 1107 upon which Hugh raised a Civil War and so caused the Destruction of his Lordship and Family However this Town became famous in 1465 for the Battel which was fought near it on a Tuesday the 6th of July between Lewis XI and Charles Duke of Berry his Brother who had entred a League called the Publick Good with the Duke of Bretaign the Count of Charolois and several other French Lords against that Monarch The King had some Advantage though the Confederates remained Masters of the Field but what was pretty singular was that a Gentleman fled out of the King's Army aâ— far as Luzignan in Poictou that is near 150 Miles and another out of the Allies to Quesnoy in Hainaut about 120 both giving out that they had lost the Day Montlehery is built upon a Hill near the River Orge and has the Title of a County Provostship and Chastelny King Lewis XIII united it to the Dutchy of Chartres and gave it in part of his Portion to Gaston-John-Baptiste his Brother Duke of Orleans Upon the same River two Leagues South of Montlehery is the Town of Chartres neaâ— whose Walls are the Gardens of Chantelon which in King Henry the Fourth's time had not the like in the whole Kingdom and were especially admired for their Box and Myrtle-Trees Harbours and Hedges clipt into Figures of the ancient Gods Heroes Roman Gladiators c. But this fine Place being fallen into the Hands of some covetous or lazy Nuns of St. Bennet's Order is extreamly decayed Rochefort on the River Remande is an Earldom four Leagues West of Châtres and almost five North of Dourdan a pretty good Town and a County too on the River Orge â—ear its Spring and the Frontiers of Beausse It was the Patrimonial Estate of Hugh Capet before he ascended the Throne of France and has since been alienated and reunited to that Crown several times La Forté-Alais lies twenty Miles South of Paris and thirteen West of Melun Between these two Places thirteen Leagues South South-East of Paris in the Forest of Biesvre is the Borough of Fontaine-Bleau so called for the great Number of its fine Fountains It 's said the Royal House was built by Francis I. at the Solicitation of his Daughter Claudia who one day seeing a Hound or Spaniel discover a Spring desired her Father to build an House there This Design was since continued by most of the succeeding Kings and perfected by Henry the Fourth and is now one of the finest in France by reason of the great Number of its Springs the vast Scope of its Forests the Beauty of its Gardens the Length of its Canals the Richness of its Apartments Paintings Statues and other Curiosities It would be too tedious to describe all these in particular there being about 900 Chambers Cabinets Halls and Galleries that belong to this great Place therefore I will only hint at the most principal The First thing to be observed in going in is the great Court of the White Horse round whicâ— are the Apartments of the Officers hencâ— are fine Steps to the Queens Apartmenâ— in which there is a Garden with a Fountaiâ— that represents Diana holding a Deer bâ— the Horn and followed by four Dogs anâ— as many Bucks at the bottom There is also a curious Copper Statue in this Gardeâ— that represents a young Man naked anâ— pulling a Thorn out of his Foot The Figure of Laocoon with two of his Childreâ— and Serpents stinging them to Death The Tennis-Court and Bird-house anâ— sideways as also the Queens Gallery after that is the Deer-gallery which is very long and beautified with fine Paintings and above
Siege took occasion curiously to pry inâ—â— the Mouth of all the Cannons and whâ—â— the Duke asked him what he did I looâ— sais he for the Key of Beauvais but I cannot find it For this Warlike Resistance the Inhabitants got several priviledges as tâ— be free from the Duty of Arrear-ban witâ— the liberty of enjoying Noble Mannon without paying any Money to the Crown But the Women as they shewed a Courage much above their Sex so they were honoured above the rest For they were allowed to adorn themselves at their Wedding-Day as sumptuously as they would a Liberty very unusual in those Days Likewise to precede the Men at a Procession to be made every Year at the Festival of S. Agadresme and to bring their Offerings to the Altar before them Beauvais is a very fine City both for its Buildings as the Episcopal Palace the Cathedral Church of St. Peter which has Eight Dignitaries and Forty Canons Six Collegiate Churches and Three Abbyes and likewise for its Territory which is pleasantly interrupted with Plains Vallyes and Hills that are Fertil in Wine Corn Hay and all sorts of Fruits nay the Meadows are so good that Muttons are here bigger and fatter than in other parts of France This Town besides is well fortified the Walls being thick and strengthned with Bulwarks and Rampiers the Ditches deep and broad with Sluces to let the Water in or out S. Lucian is thought to have been the first Bishop of Beauvais in the Primitive Ages of Christianity but either of him or his Successors is little certainty till the VIII or IX Century Odet of Coligni Cardinal of Chastillâ—â— was Bishop of this Town in the last Age and being perswaded of the Truth of the Reformation refused to say Mass in the Cathedral on Easter-day 1561 and madâ— bold to Celebrate the Lords Supper in hâ—â— Private Chappel The French Kings and the Counts of Blois and Champaign have endowed this Bishoprick with great Revenueâ— and Priviledges so that its Prelate is Spiritual and Temporal Lord of this Town and County and the first among the Ecclesâ—astical Counts and Peers of France Hâ— Power howsoever is not so great as it wâ—â— before the Year 1539 that there was 〈◊〉 Royal Officer but a Judge of Priviledgâ—â— Men Since that time a Bailiwick Presidâ—â—â— Election and Mayoralship have been founded there In 1609 that Duchesne wrote hâ— Antiquities all the Judges depended yeâ— upon the Bishop He has Nine Arch-Deacons and Three Hundred and Seventy Parishes under him The Chief Trade of Beauvais consists in Serges Cloaths and the like Stuffs is Earthen Vessels which are made of an excellent Potters-Clay that abounds in this Countrey in lines which are transported into Holland and Flanders There are a great many Villages round about the Town and several Noble Families whence are issued Four great Masters of St. Johns Order John and Philip de Villiers L' Isle-Adam Claudius de la Sengle and Vignacourt But the most Illustrious of all is John of Bechencourt the first King and Discoverer of the Canaries in 1402. Among the Titles of the Bishop of Beauvais is that of Vidame or Vicedominus of Gerberoy because he is Lord Temporal of that Borough scituated on the Frontiers of Picardy upon a Mountain which has the Terrain at its foot Five Leagues North-West of Beauvais It is famous for a Battle between the English and the French fought in 1435 where the Count of Arundel lost his Life Bulles a Borough Four Leagues East of Beauvais is renown'd for its Lines and known since the Year 1075 Clermont Eleven Miles South-East of Beauvais and Six of Bulles is a pretty good Town seated upon a small Hill It has the Title of a County and has given its Name to a Noble Family known since the Eleventh Century It was extinguished within Two Ages and King Lewis the IX gave it to Robert of France his Son about the Year 1291 but in 1327 Charles the fair exchanged it with Lewis Roberts Son for some other Lands and erected the Barony of Bourbon into a Dutchy and Peerdom which made this House change their Sirname and rake that of Bourbon It 's from this Robert that the present Kings of France are descended Clermont was restored to these Lorâ— by Philip of Valois who would not keep tâ—â— Match of his Predecessor but confiscated bâ— Francis I. upon Charles of Bourbon Higâ— Constable of France because he had revoltâ— from him to the Emperour Charles V. Tâ—â— other Towns or considerable Burroughs oâ— Beauvaisis are Merlou Bury Ansac Angâ— Mony Monchy Tillart c. Valois Going over the Oyse you enter into thâ— Country of Valois call'd Pagus Vadensis in thâ— Statute-Books of the Emperour Charles the Bald. Mention is made of it since Philip I Afterwards this County was often given 〈◊〉 the Children of the French King for theâ— Portion whence it came that the Frencâ— King Philip VI. Son to Charles Count oâ— Valois Alencon c. and Grandson to Philip the Bold was surnamed de Valois and communicated this Appellation to Thirteen Kings descended from him until Henry IV. in whom began the branch of Bourbon Charles VI. Erected this County into 〈◊〉 Dutchy and Peerdom in 1402 and it makes yet part of the Portion of Philip of France Lewis XIV his Brother Creil upon the Oyse with a Fine Bridge â—nd a Provostship resorting to the Bailiwick of Senlis is the first Town you meet with coming out of Beauvaisis Charles V. built there a strong Castle which fell in the hands of the English under Charles VI. and was retaken by Charles VII in 1442. Creil is Two Leagues North of Senlis and Eleven of Paris Chantilly upon the Nonnette Three Miles South of Creil is a Royal House with fine Gardens and Water-Spouts belonging now to the Prince of Conde Verneuil upon the Oyse a League East of Creil has been Erected first into a Marquizate and lately into a Dutchy and Peerdom by Lewis XIV Anno 1652. Sonlis Augustomagus Silvanectum is scituated on a Hill betwixt Two small Rivers which mix their Waters near it and bear the Name of Nonnette with the Forest Halatre on the North and that off Senlis on the South Nine or Ten Leagues of Paris It 's the most considerable Town of this Dutchy having a Bishoprick Bayliwick and Presidial Seven Parochial and Two Collegiate Churches St. Proculus was his first Bishop The whole Diocess is interwoven with woods which has given it its Latin Name In 873 Charles the Bald assembled there the Bishops of Sens and Rheims to try his Son Carloman who was a Deacon and had revolted against him The Young Prince waâ— condemn'd and his Eyes pull'd out and waâ— put close Prisoner in the Abby of Corby 〈◊〉 Thence he made his escape to Lewis thâ— Germanick his Unkle who gave him thâ— Abby of Epternack where he died sometiâ—â— after In 1589 the Leaguers besieged thâ—â— Town but were forced to raize the Siegâ— by the Duke of Longueville
and the Lord oâ— la None King Henry IV's Generals leaving Fifteen Hundred Men upon the spot Crespy Eleven Miles East of Senlis anâ— Thirteen Leagues North-East of Paris wâ— formerly a considerable City and the Capital of Valois It had the Title of a County or was the Seat of the Counts of Valâ—â— who are indifferently call'd by these Two Names This Title has likewise been borne by some Children of the French Kings In Castle which is now almost ruined is said to have been built by K. Dagobert and keeps still some remains of its Antiquity and of the greatness of the Town that haâ— not at present above Five Hundred Houses However it is yet the head of a Provostship and Castelny Francis I. concluded a Peace in this Town with the Emperour Charles V. on the Eighteenth of September 1544. La-Ferte-Milon upon the little River Oâ—â—e 4 Leagues South-East off Crespy and almost 6 North-East of Meaux is another Provostship and Castelity It is called in Latin Firmita Milonis that is the Castle or Fortress of Milon having been built by a Count of â—hat Name under the Reign of Lewis the Burly For as the Authors of the middle Age of the Latin Tongue said firmare for munire and firmitas for munimentum So the French who formed their Language upon this corrupted Speech call'd Ferte such places as were strong by Art and Nature and distinguished 'em from one another either by the Name of their Founder or by some particular circumstance of their scituation As to this it 's a pretty good Town with a Castle and Suburbs Villers-Costé-Res on the West-side on the Forest of Res Five Miles North of La Ferté Milon was formerly a Royal House where the French Kings often dwelt to take the pleasure of Hunting Pont St. Maixence is a considerable Burrough upon the Oyse Three Leagues North-East of Senlis Bethisy upon the River Ottenete a Mile Southwest of the Forest of Compiegne is a good Burrough which had formerly a strong Castle that is now almost ruined John of Bethisy Physician to King Philip the Bold was Famous under his Reign This Burrough is still the Head of a Provostship and Castelny as well as Pierrefons a Mile East of the same Forest Compiegne Compendium at the meeting 〈◊〉 the Rivers Aisne and Oyse above Eigâ— Leagues North-East of Senlis was built 〈◊〉 the Romans or at least before the Frenâ— master'd the Gauls It 's still a considerabâ—â— Town and hath often been the Residence oâ— the French Kings for Clotaire I. died aâ—â— was buried there in 564 and the Emperoâ— Charles the Bald repaired and increased iâ— and called it after his Name Carlopâ—â— Charles VI. took it from the Duke of Bâ—â—gundy in 1415 and Fifteen years after thâ— same Duke besieging this Town assisted by the English the Virgin of Orleans was takeâ— in a Sally Besides King Cloatire Lewis II and V. and Henry III. have been interâ—â—â— in this Town in which are made severâ—â— Manufactures and whence a great quantity of Wood is carried down to Paris Soissonnois The Diocess of Soissons above the River Aifne has the Dutchy of Valois on the West Laonnois and Champaigne on the West Brie on the South and Picardy on the North Soissons its Capital City is a very Antient City for in Caesars time it was already the Head of the Suessiones whose Jurisdiction was pretty large William the Britain a Latin Poet of France who lived in the Thirteenth Age says that it was built by some banished Sueves who imposed that Name upon it Whatever it may be sure it is that when Coesar subdued the Gauls Soissons had Twelve other Towns under it and could put Fifteen Thousand Men in Arms which were Smeden in their Capital During the Roman Emperors the Praetors of Belgick Gaule made their ordinary Residence in this City and under the French Kings of the first Race it has been some time the Capital of a Kingdom of that Name It is yet somewhat big and as a Bayliwick Presidial and generality and an Academy of Humane Learning which was the first that was associated to that of Paris It 's Bishop is the first Suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Rheims he has the right of anointing the French Kings in the absence of his Metropolitan and has sometimes performed that Office This Diocess has Seventeen Parochial Churches besides the Cathedral Six Abbyes in the Town and Eighteen in the Country thereabouts and several Monasteries It 's Territory is fruitful in Corn with which Paris is chiefly provided Laonnois Laon was but at the beginning a Castle seated on the top of a Hill and called by the Inhabitants Laudunum and Lugdimum Clavatum in the Territory of Rheims Cloviâ— the great increased it into a City and St. Remy Arch-Bishop of Rheims erected it into a Bishoprick making his Friend Genebaut Partner of the Gifts and Possessions he had received from that Prince Hugh Capet made this Bishop the Second of the Six Ecclesiastical Dukes and Peers of France because thâ—â— Prelate had betrayed into his hands Charles of Lorrain his Competitor This is related by Du Chesne but if it be true 't is a wonder how this Bishop is not mentioned among the Suffragans of Rheims in a Notice or Catalogue of Bishops ending at the year 1220 and that in others of latter Date all quoted by Valesius he is put in the last rank Whatever it may be this Prelate assumes still the Title of Duke of Laon Peer of France and Count of Anisy and it appears that he had already some Temporal Jurisdiction in 1112 since Waldric Bishop of Laon was then kill'd endeavouring to keep his Citizens from entring into an association they had sworn against the Kings Consent Another nam'd Roger far'd better in an undertaking of the same Nature for at the head of some Troops he routed his Diocesans who had sworn an Association with the French King Lewis the Burly's leave This Town was besieged Twice by Lewis IV. who was taken Prisoner there This Diocess has Two places renowned for many pretended Miracles The first is Nostre-Dame-de-Liesse or our Lady of Joy the second is called St. Marcoul whether the French Kings must needs undertake a Pilgrimage immediately after their coming to the Crown if they will get the power of curing the Kings-Evil Noyonnois Noyon is seated betwixt Three small Brooks called La Versette La Golle and La Marguerite near the River Oyse Nine Leagues East of Laon and almost Eight of Scissons It 's an Antient City called by the Latins Noviomagus The Bishoprick of St. Quentin was transferred thither in 524 after the Town had been ruined by the Vandals This Prelates Jurisdiction was formerly very great since all Flanders depended on him before Tournay was erected into a Bishoprick in 1146. However the Bishop of Noyon is still one of the Antient Counts and Peers of France This City has had several misfortunes for it was plunder'd by the Normans in 859 and
Vineâ—cus the Land of Vimeux is included between â—nienois and Normandy from which it is seâ—â—rated by the River Bresle call'd likewise Auâ—â— and betwixt the Sea and the River Somme â—at divides it from the County of Ponthieu â—s extended above 14 leagues East and West â—om Molien le Vidame in Amienois to Cayeu on â—e Sea-cost and 5 North and South from S. â—â—lery to Bauchen upon the Bresle S. Valery â—â—e Capital is seated on a Hill near a Bay made â—y the mouth of the Somme and call'd S. Valery â—r mer to distinguish it from another Sea-town 〈◊〉 Normandy call'd S. Valery en Caux or S. Vaâ—ry les Plains It 's Port is not extreamly good â—ecause of the great quantity of Downs that â—re about it neither are Cayeu Cadocum Augst 〈◊〉 Augusta better tho they seem to have formerly â—een of some Consideration Notwithstanding â—he Countrey is fill'd with a vast number of Villages and good Burroughs whereof the chief â—re Bauchen Gamaches a Marquizate Anssennes â—nd Sennerpont all upon the Bresle Arguel Riencour Oysemont Bailleul whence John de Bailleul that became King of Scotland wâ—â—ther Lord or Ordinary or of another â—leul in the Countrey of Dieppe Ponthieu THis County included between the Riâ—â— Somme and Canche on the South and Noâ—â— the Ocean on the West Amienois and Artoiâ—â— the East is about nine leagues East and Wâ—â— and nine or ten North and South It is waâ—â—ed with many fine Rivers as the Somme 〈◊〉 Maye Authie c. It was in former Aâ—â— but thinly inhabited because of the mâ—â— Woods that almost took up the whole Coâ—trey but it s now very thick peopled tâ— there be still several Forrests This County 〈◊〉 been often given in Portion to the Câ—â—dren of the French Kings and has had befâ—â— its particular Counts since the tenth Centuâ—â— In 1279 Eleanor of Castile Heiress of Ponthâ—â— was Married to Edward I. King of England 〈◊〉 brought this County to these Monarchs whâ— was the occasion of many bloody Wars Abbeville upon the Somme is the Capâ—â— of this County eight or nine leagues Nortâ—west of Amiens It is one of the biggest aâ— strongest in this Province and some will 〈◊〉 it was never taken for which reason they 〈◊〉 it the Faithful or the Virgin City of that Coâ—â—trey It has a Bailiwick Presidial five Gaâ—â— twelve or thirteen great Parishes and seveâ— Monasteries The River Somme and the small â—ver Cardon which discharges it self into it â—ake it a great Trading Town and give it the â—nveniency of exchanging its Linnen Cloth â—ooll and Corn for other Commodities that â—e brought in Boats from the Sea into the very â—own 'T is uncertain in what time this City â—as built for I find no mention made of it beâ—â—re the tenth Century That Hugh Capet gave 〈◊〉 in Portion to his Daughter Giselle Howâ—er it seems by the Original of the Name of â—bbeville Abbattis villa that it was built by â—me Abbot of St. Riquier for there is yet a â—own of that Name two leagues North-east â—on the River Cardon which Opinion Adrian 〈◊〉 Valois seems to confirm Abbeville has lately produced the best Geoâ—aphers of France as Nicolas Sanson who dyâ—â— 1667 William Sanson his Son and Peter du â—l who are yet alive for ought I know and the â—esuit Philip Briet who died in 1669. It is said â—at in 1636. some Women disguised in Mens â—oaths fought the Spaniards near S. Riquier â—d brought away two of their Colours Nine miles North-west of Abbeville on the â—orthside of the mouth of the Somme is the Seaâ—ort Town Le Crotoy Two leagues South east 〈◊〉 Abbeville is an important passage in an â—land formed by the same River called Pontâ—-Remi near to which are to be seen the reâ—ains of one of Caesar's Camps Rue upon the â—aye five leagues North-west of Abbeville is a â—rong Town by reason of its scituation being â—viron'd with Marshes and having a Pond or â—ake on the East-side Near the source of the same River is 〈◊〉 Burrough of Crecy which gives its name 〈◊〉 Forrest hard by but is much more famous 〈◊〉 a Battel fought there between the English 〈◊〉 the French in 1346 King Edward III. coâ— into Ponthieu of which he was Lord encâ—â—ed at the Village of Crecy King Philip of Vâ— came to encounter him on the 26th of Aâ—gâ— But the last was totally routed and left 30â—â— Foot upon the spot and 1200 Horse beâ—â— that he lost fourscore Colours and the Fâ—â—â—er of his Nobility as John of Luxenburg 〈◊〉 of Bohem. Charles Count of Alencon the Kiâ—â— Brother Raoul Duke of Lorrain the Count 〈◊〉 Flanders Harcourt and Sanserre the Dauphâ—â— Viennois c But the greatest mischief for 〈◊〉 French was that a Fog having kept them sâ—â— the sight of the Enemy till nine or ten a Clâ— in the morning the English in the mean wâ— planted the Colours they had taken fâ—â— them upon a height which the deceiâ—â— French taking for their own resorted to thâ— and received a greater overthrow than the 〈◊〉 day Their dead Bodies were Interred by Kâ— Edward's order at Monstreuil and the burâ—â— lasted 3 days Crecy had formerly a Royal House whâ— Ebroin Mayor of the Palace besieg'd when 〈◊〉 Warr'd against K. Thierry and his Mayor Lâ—â—â—sius and took both the King and the Town Fredegarius relates The Town of Monstreâ—â— scituated upon the Canche nine leagues 〈◊〉 of Abbeville five North-west of Crecy and tâ—â— East of the Sea It was but at first a Villaâ— which encreased into a Town by the builâ—◠〈◊〉 a Castle and of a Monastery by S. Salvius â—â—shop of Amiens where he would be Intterr'd â—d whence it has gotten the name of Monasteâ—â—lum Monstreuil or Monstrelet Besides there â—e still two Ancient Abbyes of St. Bennets Orâ—r one of Monks and the other of Nuns â—ng Philip I. having divorced from him his â—ife Berthe sent her away to this Town upâ—â— which he assigned her Dowry and where â—e dyed in 1093. Monstreuil is divided into â—pper and lower Town and has a strong Citâ—del and Baillwick Great Bâ—ats can go up â—he River by the help of the Tide to this â—own Boulenois THis County is but 13 or 14 leagues long North and South and about 7 broad East and West It was Anciently inhabited by the Morini as well as Teronane if it be true that Boulogne is the Gesoriacum of Pliny and Ptolomy It is still the most mountainous paâ—t of Picardy especially along the Coast which render them almost unaccessible However it does not want either Woods or Rivers and affords such a good race of Horses that the Inhabitants can furnish 3000 Troopers It was erected into a County together with St. Paul Guines and Artois by Charles the Bald Emperor and King of France when he marryed his Daughter Judith to Baldwin Ironside Count of Flanders in 863. The County of Boulogne was successiâ— enjoyed by several illustrious Houses whâ—â— allied themselves at one time or other with
Work if once finish'd will be of dangerous consequence to the Trade of England the rather for that the Port of Dover is not capable of receiving Men of War at least but at high Spring-Tides However it is not yet so far advanc'd but a stop may be put to it by our Men of War Calice is not very big but well built and well Peopled there is a town-Town-House the Palace of the Baily the Tower of the Watch and several Churches Calice was but a Burrough before the Year 1228 that it was Wall'd in by Philip Count of Boulogne In 1347 King Edward III. besieged Calice which John of Vienne its Governour defended 10 or 11 months but being almost starved and having no hope of Relief he proffered at last to Capitulate which the King of England refused unless six of the chief Citizens brought him the Keys bear-headed and barefoot with Ropes about their necks and upon that condition that he should have an Absolute power over their Lives Tho these Conditions seem'd somewhat hard and that those upon whom the Lot of his Embassy should fall might scarce hope to escape with their Lives however there were Men so Zealous for the publick Good as willing to undertake it but the Generous Monarch of England sent them back without doing them any wrong The Town was Peopled with English and remained in their power 200 and ten years The French had not been Masters of it 38 years when the Cardinal of Austria took it from them in 1596 but he restored it by the formentioned Peace of Vervins CHAP. VI. Of Normandy especially the Higher THo' this Goverment comprehends only the Ancient Dutchy and Peerdom of Normandy and the French Vexin has been cut off from it however 't is still one of the biggest of France being extended East and West from Aumale to the Coasts of Coutantine above 62 leagues and 40 three South and North-east from Alencon on the Frontier of Maine to the Town of Eu near the Coasts of Picardy As the Kingdom of France was very large under the first Race of their Kings since Clovis the great and that youngest Sons had a share in the Succession to the Soveraignty so this Realm was divided into two great parts whereof the most Easterly which reached from Picardy and Champaign to Upper Germany or from the Meuse to the Rhine and beyond that River was called Ausstrie or Austrasie The other more Westerly extended it self from Normandy the Isle of France and Beausse to the Coasts of that Kingdom and was called Neustrasia Neustria sometimes Neptricum and in French Neustrie It was at first included between the Meuse and the Loire then between the Seine and the Loire and at last this name was appropriated to the second Lyonnoise considered as a part of the Kingdom of Soissons until the Year 912 that Raoul or Rollon a Swedish or Norwegian Prince having wholly subdued this Province embraced the Christian Faith and setled himself there with the consent of Charles the simple King of France and then Neustrie took the name of Normandy from its Northern Conquerours The Normans began to shew themselves under Charlemaign by Privateering in Low-Saxony Freeze and the Northern Coasts of France Their strength encreas'd through the Weakness of Lewis the meek for then they began to extort Contributions from the Freezons But the Civil Wars of Lewis's Sons made them so bold as to undertake Conquests which they at last performed under Charles the simple This Ancient Dukedom has the Isle of France on the East the Brittish Sea on the North and West Bretaign and the Government of Orleanois on the South It is divided into upper and lower The first contains the Roman Vexin the Countries of Roumois Caux and Bray and the Bishoprick of Evreux The second includes the Diocesses of Lizieux Bayeux Coutance Avranches and Seez The Soil is every where fruitful enough in Corn Meadows Hemp Apples Pears and all sorts of Fruits There are a great many Forrests and several Iron-mines but there grows little or no Wine except it be on the Southern parts towards the Isle of France and Orleanois This Province has many Noblemen but the Countrey people is extraordinary Oppressed because the Tailles or Impositions are not real or upon Lands but personal so that a Peasant that has nothing to live upon but his Spade must pay to the King ten or twelve Crowns yearly for his head and proportionably if he have a Family tho' he be not the Richer for that True it is that Provisions are cheap enough especially Fish along the Sea-coast and every where Cyder which is the ordinary drink of the Countrey people their chief Trade consists in Wood Coals Linnen and Cattle and some Herbs fit for Dyers which the Inhabitants call Garence Guesde and Pastel The chief Rivers of Normandy besides the Seyne that has been mentioned elsewhere are the Bresle that comes from the borders of Picardy washes Aumale Blangis and falls into the Ocean at Eu the Sart that runs into the Sea at Criel the Arques that receives the Eaune and discharges it self into the Sea at Dieppe the Sâ—ye and the Seane running to the Ocean not far from the said Town then you find the Aubette the Robec the Andelle and the Epte which run all into the Seyne on the north-side of it Oâ— the South-side you meet with the Eure which comes from some Lakes in Beauce on the Frontier of the Bishoprick of Seez receives the Vaupillon the Loupe washes Chartres receives the Gas and the Blaise near Dreux then encreased with the Vegre and the Iton that goes thro Evreux falls into the Seyne at Pont-de-Larche The Rille comes from a Forrest in the Diocess of Seez hides it self into the Earth near la Ferriere then coming out washes Beaumont le Roger receives the Carenton and runs into the Sea two leagues North of Ponteau de Mer. The Touques receives the Lezon the Orbec washes Lisieux Pont l'Evesque receives the Calonne and falls into the Sea near a Town of the same name call'd Touques The Dive receives the Ante the Lesson the Meance the Vye and discharges it self into the Sea near St. Sauveur The Orne comes likewise from the Bishoprick of Seez and being encreased with the Nereau and Drance washes Pont d'Olly Tury receives the Oudon near Caen and falls into the Sea at Estrehan Along the same Sea-coast you find the Seille which runs into the Ocean between Gray and Barnieres Then the Aure and the Drome or Dronine which lose themselves into a great Ditch called Fossé du Soucy The little River of Triviers the Vire and the Carenten run all three into a Bay of the Ocean called Groin de la Dune the Vire is the longest of all washes St. Lo and receives the Elle the Carenten is encreased with the Rivers of Baupteys and Ouve Betwixt la Hogue and Barfleur runs the River Sart and farther on the North that of Cherbourg On the
West coast you meet with the Souille that receives the Herouille and the Burd which go by Coutances The See and the Ardee fall both into the Bay of Avranches I would begin here the particular description of this Province were it not that I think my self Obliged to say something of the first Dukes of Normandy from whom our Kings of England are descended and by the way to show the just claim they may still lay to that Noble Dukedom their Ancient Patrimony Raoul having setled himself in Normandy not only by Conquest and force of Arms but also by the voluntary yielding of Charles the simple and his Marriage with Gisele Niece to that King gave good Laws to his Subjects Among others that the Poor might have right done to them without any Expence he ordered that any Murderer Robber Incendiary or any one that should pursue another with a naked Sword should be stop'd and brought before a Justice without any other Warrant than the Out-cry of the Wronged Person This is the Origin of what the Normans call the Clamour of Haro which they make use of when they think themselves wrong'd or oppress'd perhaps too often as they are accus'd to be of a litigious Temper Howsoever it may be Haro seems to be an abbridged word for Ha Raoul as tho' they would still implore the Justice of their first Duke Raoul took the name of Robert at his Baptism was succeeded by William I. surnamed Long-sword in 917 or 920 and was succeeded by three Princes named Richard Robert II. Son to the last of them in 1028. was Father to our William the Conquerour whom he got from Helen Grand Daughter to Edmond Ironside one of our Saxon Kings if we may believe Thomas Rudborn who quotes several Authors for this History Thus England and Normandy were quietly enjoyed by our Monarchs till the French King Philip August taking hold of the Civil War which the English Barons raised against King John deprived him of his Dutchy of Normandy under pretence that he had caused his Nephew Arthur to be murther'd It was reconquered by Henry V. but lost again under Henry VI. during the Civil Wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster However it remains uncontested that this Province has been possess'd successively by fourteen Dukes of the same Race six of whom were Kings of England I must not forget that the Normans are Witty and Ingenious especially in making Establishments which their Envious Neighbours would find fault with and on that account stain them with Treachery Their Countrey is so great and so Populous that there are reckon'd a hundred Towns and a hundred and fifty considerable Burroughs So that the Reader may not expect I should describe them all but only such as are most Eminent and of which some Particulars are come to my knowledge Norman Vexin THis Countrey was anciently inhabited by the Veliocasses Velocasses or Belocasses whose Territories reached from the Andelle to the Oysâ— but after the Normans had conquer'd the best part of Neustrie it was divided into two parts whereof that which obey'd the French King was called the French and the other the Norman Vexin De Valois relates a remarkable thing namely that the feuds between these two People are yet as great as if they were still Enemies and had not the same Master so that they seldom marry together nor will they Trade or have any thing common one with another The Norman Vexin confines upon the Isle of France from which it is separated by the River Epte The first considerable Town you meet with is Gisors scituated upon the same River fourteen leagues Northwest of Paris with a Bailiwick resorting to the Parliament of Rouen Under the Reign of Philip I. King of France William the red King of England took it from a Knight call'd Payen and fortified it in 1228. Henry III. King of England had an Interview between this Town and Trie with Philip August King of France upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem by Saladin And having consulted about the means to recover the Holy Land they resolve to take the Cross together with many other Princes in memory of which they erected a Cross in the Field where they had made this Agreement and promised one another to leave off their differences till their return Pont de l'â—rche Pons arcûs eleven leagues almost West of Gisors and seven miles South of Rouen is an important passage upon the Seyne near the fall of the Eure into it and therefore it has a particular Governour It was the first Town which surrendred it self to Henry IV. after his coming to the Crown in 1589. Dâ— Chesne esteems that Pont de l'arche is the Castle Pistae which Charles the bald built to withstand the Incursions of the Normans but most of the other Geographers believe it to be one of these tvvo neighbouring places Pistres or Poses Rouen nine leagues South-east of the mouth of the Seyne and above thirty North-west of Paris situated upon the same River and is one 〈◊〉 the biggest richest and most populous Ciâ—â—â—s in that Kingdom and the Capital of Norâ—â—â—dy It s Archbishop calls himself Primate 〈◊〉 that Province hath the six Bishops of it unâ—â—r him and does not acknowledge the Meâ—â—opolitan of Lyons since the Year 1457. The â—athedral Church under the Name of our Laâ—â— has ten Dignitaries fifty Canons eight petâ—â— Canons and a great number of Chaplains 〈◊〉 has three great Towers the first call'd the â—â—ower of St. Romain is cover'd with Lead â—â—d has one of the finest Steeples in the World â—â—ith 500 fifty steps the second is call'd the â—â—tter-Tower built out of that Money which â—ardinal George of Amboise the Pope's Legate 〈◊〉 France gather'd from the Inhabitants to give â—â—em leave of eating Butter in Lent the third â—â—ower is all made of Wood and raised upon a â—â—orch with great Art Duchesne speaks of two â—â—eat Bells the first in the Tower of St. Roâ—ain is one of the biggest in France and bears â—â—e name of George of Amboise who caus'd it to 〈◊〉 made the other is in the Wooden Tower 〈◊〉 this Church are also to be seen the Mausoleys 〈◊〉 Sepulchres of the Dukes of Normandy and 〈◊〉 the Archbishops of that City a white Marâ—â—e Statue of the French King Charles V. and â—â—at of the Count of Bedford who was Proteâ—or of France during 13 years under our Henâ—â— VI. He is represented on Horseback upon â—â—s Monument in the Chappel of the Virgin â—ary behind the great Altar Lewis XI visitâ—â—g this Church some body told him It was 〈◊〉 shame that so great an Enemy to his Crown should have so fine a Tomb and that he 〈◊〉 to be removed from thence No answered French King It is well that he lyes thâ— for if he were alive he would frighten 〈◊〉 away There is likewise a Chappel under the 〈◊〉 of the Saints Innocents where is represâ—â—â— St. Romain Archbishop of Rouen in the 〈◊〉 Century with a
Garrison but since the Latin Authors of the French History call the place Saium or Seium it seems not natural to fetch from so far and without Warrant too the original of that Name Brissac Braccum Saccum or Brisiacum in old French Brachesec or Brochesac lies on the River Aubance Albantia It 's a little Town with the Title of a Dutchy erected in favour of Charles of Cosse Mareschal of France It is situated in a very fine Country nigh to Pont de Ce seven Miles South-East of Anger 's There are at Brisac a very fine Castle a great Park and a large Pond of about a League in length Doue Theotuadum Castellum Doadum or Doeum lies seven Leagues South-East of Anger 's near the source of the Touay Toedum which discharges it self into the Loire after it has receiv'd three other Rivulets the Toeret the Argenton and the Dive It 's the Tradition of the Vulgar that this Town has been considerable in the Romans time and that they built there an Amphitheater which tho' it had but 1600 foot in Circuit was able to contain 15000 Spectators The remains of this Building are still made use of by the Inhabitants to act Comedies every Year there are twenty two steps cut for the most part in the Rock and the Walls are rais'd without Mortar Besides this Monument there are vestigies of an old way from Doue to Pont de Ce several subterraneous Vaults and a Wall of an extraordinary depth Nevertheless the Learned De Valois pretends that Doue was not a Roman work but one of the four Palaces or country-Country-Houses of the Kings of Aquitain and grounds his opinion on several passages of the old Historians of the French besides that the Frame of this Amphitheater was not adapted to Publick Shews The French King keeps a Garrison here Bauge Balgeium or Balgiacum had yet in Dâ— Chesne's time a Presidial-Seat which has been since transfer'd to la Fleche However it has still an Electâ—on as well as Anger 's Saumur la Fleche Monstreuil-Bellay and Chateau-gontier which depend all six on the Generality of Tours Beauge has been built by Fulk Nerra Count of Anjou near the source of the Couesnon seven Leagues South-East of Anger 's In 1286. the French King Philip the Bold assign'd a Portion of 2000 Livres to Queen Margaret his Mother upon the Chastellenies of Bauge and Beaufort en Vallee which I observe to shew how scarce money was at that time Du Val speaks of a Victory obtain'd by the French over the English at Bauge in 1420 which should then be the very year of Charles the VI's Death when the English and Burgundians were most powerful and the affairs of the Dauphin Charles VII at the lowest ebb Beaufort en Vallee Bellum forte in Valle is a pretty Town and Castle as its name signifies lying betwixt the Rivers Couesnon and Authion five Leagues East of Anger 's It has the Title of a County and being of the antient Demesne of the French Crown has been oft separated from and reunited to it Now it belongs to the House of Beaumanoir-Lavardin Monsoreau Mons Sorelli near the Confluence of the Vienne and Loire and the borders of Touraine thirteen Leagues East South-East of Anger 's has the Title of a County and is noted for a Battel fought there against the Normans in 879. Brese lies three Leagues Westwards upon the Loire has the Tiâ—le of a Marquisate and a Castle fortify'd with deep Motes and subterraneous Vaults There are a fine Garden and a Wood of Cypresses belonging to it Monte-jan Mons Johannis upon the River Loire five Leagues South-West of Anger 's is noted for having given name under the Reign of Francis I. to a Vain-glorious Marshal of France who to mimick Kings sent and receiv'd Embassadors and was much laughed at the Courts of France and Spain Ingrande on the same River a League farther to the West is a good Trading Town Font-evraud Fons Everardi a famous Abby of Nuns Chief of an Order of that Name founded by Robert of Arbrissel in 1100 lies on the borders of Poictou fourteen Leagues South-East of Anger 's It 's said that the Sermons of Arbrissel drawing great number of People after him he built them Cells or Cabins in the Forest of Fontevraud and afterwards shut up the Women in a separate place Whether it was to make a Serrail or a Cloister I know not but 't is reported of this H. Man that he lay in Bed with them to mortifie the flesh However it be this Monastery has been successively governed by fourteen Princesses Craon Credo is a little Town seated on the Oudon towards the Frontiers of Maine and Bretaign twelve Leagues North-West of Anger 's It hath given Name to the Illustrious Family of the Barons of Craon known since the XIV Century This Barony fell Annâ— 1586 to the House of la Trimouille by the Marriage of Guy the VI. Lord of la Trimouille with Mary of Sulli only Daughter and Heiress of Louis of Sulli and Isabella of Craon This Town suffer'd much during the Civil Wars Anno 1562. Chateau Gontier Castellum Guntherii is on the River Mayenne ten Leagues North of Anger 's It was rais'd from a Country-House to a Castle and a Town by Fulk 111th Count of Anjou who gave it the name of his Tenant there The other Towns or Burroughs of any consideration in this Province are Cande Condate le Lyon d' Anger 's Segre Secretum Poiiancey Chateauneuf Durestail c. Of Touraine TOVRAINE or Turonus Ager is situated between Blaisois Vendomois Maine Anjou Poictou and Berri it hath the Title of a Dutchy is twenty four Leagues in its greatest length and as much in breadth Because of its fertility in all things especially in Fruit many term it the Garden of France The chief Rivers which water it are the Loire the Indre the Cher the Indroise the Vienne c. whose course may be seen in the general description of this Government The Inhabitants of Touraine called in French Tourangeaux and in Latin Turones and Turoni were already powerful in Caesar's time since their Cotta for the relief of Alesia besieged by that General amounted to six thousand Men. In the fourth Century when Gaul was divided by the Romans into seventeen Provinces Tours became the Capital of the third Lyonnoise and consequently a Metropolitan tho' the City it self and a great part of its dependencies lying on the South of the Loire seem more properly to belong to Aquitain And therefore when Charlemaigne divided his Dominions between his Sons 't is expresly noted that he gave all Aquitain and Gascony excepting Touraine to his beloved Son Louis The City and Arch-Bishoprick of Tours Turonum or rather Caesarodunum Turonum is situated upon the Loire and much frequented by Merchants because of the conveniency of that great River and the Cher but especially because of their Brocards and other Silk Manufactures The Metropolitan Church of St. Gratian is worth
the curiosity of Strangers This Saint was the first Bishop of it at the end of the second Century he had for his successors many famous Prelates particularly St. Lidoire St. Martin St. Grâ—gory of Tours Since I have made mention of St. Martin I cannot forbear this History related by Du Chesne King Clovis soon after his Conversion to Christianity made an Offering of his own Horse to the Tomb of this Saint sending immediately an hundred pieces of Gold to redeem it but when he would mount it the Horse could not go until he had sent five-fold the Mony It seem'd says my superstitious Author as tho' its feet had been fastened to the Ground And so I believe they were or something very like it for I never read in the H. Scripture that God wrought Miracles only on purpose to enrich his Prophets or Apostles at the expences of Kings or People The French Papists have still an extraordinary veneration for this H. Man It were to be wish'd they would imitate his Christian moderation for this good Bishop would never communicate with Idacius and Ithacius who had procur'd the death of the Heresiarch Priscillian The Diocess of Tours is very large being distributed under three Arch-Deacons one of Tours another beyond the Loire and the third beyond the Vienne comprehending twenty great Abbies above an hundred Monasteries twenty Collegiate Churches fill'd up with Prebendaries four hundred Parochial Churches whereof sixteen are within the City Besides the famous Abby of Marmoutier and the fine Church of St. Ma tin on which six Abbotships depend viz. Beauieu Cormeri Villeloin Pruilly Noyers and Chinon But the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan is far much larger for the Bishops of Anger 's and le Mans and the nine Prelates of Brittany are his Suffragans Thâ—re is a Gate called corruptively la porte Fourgon whose right name is la porte du Roi Hugon King Hugon's Gate Some derive from thence the Nick-Name of Hugonots given to the French Protestants because they us'd to assemble at Night in subterraneous Vaults near the Gates of this City to avoid the rage of their Persecutors and therefore were called Hugonoti Hugonots as tho' they had been Disciples of King Hugon or Huguet This Hugon seems to have been an antient Count of Touraine who repair'd this Gate but it is now look'd upon by the superstitious Inhabitants as a kind of Hobgoblin that goes about the City Walls and beats the Night-Walkers he meets with Others feign a more illustrious original of this name pretending that it was imposed on the French Protestants when the League was most powerful And that as the House of Guise gave pâ—ivately out to have a better Title to the Crown than the Kings that then were as being descended from Charlemaign so the Leaguers nick-nam d the abettors of the Reformation Hugonots as favourers of the Posterity of Hugh Capet the head of the third Race of the Fr nch Kings However it be the Protestant Religion made at first great Progresses in this City and for this reason it was that it stood firm by the French Kings Henry III. and Henry IV. So that when the Parliament of Paris declar'd for the League the Loyalists that could make their escape râ—tir d to Tours and erected there another Court of Justice which cashier'd all the Edicts of the Parliament of Paris tending to promâ—te the Rebellion Near St. Martin the Fair is still shewn the Plain wheâ—e Charles Martel Duke or Generalissimus of the French defeated the Saracens in 726 kiâ—ling 375000 of their Men with their King Abderame tho' he lost but 1500. But some mâ—derate and very accurate Authors pretend that there is a mistake or overplus of 300000 in that Calculation Tours has a Bayliwick and Presidial-Seat an Election and a Generality to which those of Amboise Chinon and Loches all those of le Mayne and Anjou and some of Poictou do resort Here was formerly Mony coyn'd that went throughout all the Kingdom whence come still the names of Deniers Sous and Livres Tournois The form of Tours is somewhat oval the streets being long and clean and the Houses cover'd with Slates as well as the Walls of the City Near a Village called Columbiers two Leagues East of Tours is a subterraneous Vault called la Cave Gouttiere or the dropping Cave where the drops of Water freeze and petrifie as they fall along the Walls The cold is here extraordinary in Summer tho' this seems not to be the sole cause of it There is also the House and Castle of Plessis worthy to be seen for the fine Orchards and Gardens belonging to it But as to the Castle of Tours it is old and ruin'd Tours lies twenty five Leagues West of Anger 's and 46 South-East of Paris Amboise or Ambacia situated on the confluence of the Loire and Amasse having a Royal Castle built by Charles the Eighth to distinguish the place of his Birth which was also that of his Death This Town is pretty antient for Gregory of Tours says That Clovis and Alaric had an Interview in the Island nigh Amboise which Island is now within the Town The Normans afterwards ruined it but it was soon repair'd by Fulk III. Count of Anjou and is now a very fine Town tho' not very big The Healthfulness of the Air has oft drawn the French Kings hither and at such a time it was that some French Protestants designing to rid themselves of the Guisards who kept K. Francis II. in a manner Prisoner were discovered in their Attempt and paid for it with their Lives in 1560 Amboise belong'd a long time to the Counts of Anjou as to its Founders or Repairers then it had particular Lords Charles Vâ—I seiz'd it from Lewis Viscount of Thouars c. because he took part with the English Lewis XI Instituted here the Order of St. Michael August 1. 1469. Amboise lies 5 Leagues West of Turs and 9 East of Orleance It seems to owe its first Original to a Bridge of Boats which the Romans made here The Town of Loches Luccae or Lociae is scituated upon the River Indre Nine Leagues South-East of Tours Eustochius fifth Bishop of Tours founded here a Monastery whereof he constituted one Vrsus the first Abbot under the Reign of Alaric King of the Goths Lâ—ches was already a strong Place under the first Race of the Kings of France but Carloman and Pepin Brothers and Generals of the French took and rais'd it in 742. It was since repair'd and fortified with a Castle built on the top of an unaccessible Rock defended with Towers and Bulwarks and being 12000 Steps in Circuit so that it could not be taken by the English This Country was the Patrimony of the first Counts of Anjou there they kept their Prisoners of State But Charles the VII did make his ordinary Residence in it Louis the XI did add divers Appartments to the Castle particularly a dark Dungeon where he kept Cardinal de Balue Prisoner
Kingdom Soulogne or Sologne Secalaunia or Segalonia is another small Country on the South of Blaisois between the Loire and the Cher. Some derive its Latin name Secalaunia from the abundance of Ry Secale that grows in the Country but de Valois takes it for a proper name just such another as the Segalauni of Dauphine the Inhabitants of Valence However it be Sologne depends for the Spiritual on the Bishop of Chartres and is the fourth in number among his six Archdeaconships and as for the Temporal it resorts to the Bayliwick of Blois as well as Dunois It abounds with Fruits and Corn and especially with Millet The City of Blois Blesum Blesae or Castrum Blesense is situated upon the Loire with the Title of County Bailiwick and Chamber of Accounts It is almost equally distant from Orleans and Tours being near thirteen Leagues from the former to the East and twelve from the latter to the West This Town has some Antiquity for tho' Caesar does not mention it and that there be no great reason to take it for the Corbilo of Strabo yet it appears by Gregory of Tours that the Inhabitants were already in some consideration in the V. VI. Centuries since in conjunction with the Orleanois they invaded the Dun is and Anno 584 kept Prisoner Eberulf in the Church of St. Martin at Tours The sight of Blois is very pleasant on the steep of a Hill on the North-side of the Loire the River running through the Town and Suburb Vienne that are joyn'd by a Stone-Bridge whereon is a Pyramid erected in 1598. With an Inscription to shew that Henry IV. rebuil'd it There is a sumptuous Castle begun by the Kings Lewis XII and Francis I. beautified by Queen Katharine of Medicis by the French King Henry IV. and by several Dukes of Orleans As also a curious Garden adorn'd with Water-spouts and antick Statues Henry III. call'd here twice the States of his Kingdom in 1577 and 1588 and during the last of these Assemblies caus'd Henry Duke of Guise and the Cardinal Francis his Brother to be murther'd The excellency of the Air and fertility of the Ground have given to Blois the Sir-name of The City of Kings or perhaps it was because in this Country they brought up the Children of the Fr. Kings and that some of the Kings themselves have resided there To which may be added That the first Counts of Blois were the Fore-fathers of Hugh Capet from whom the present Kings are lineally descended These Counts were as Sovereign as are now the Electors and other Princes of Germany for they coyn'd Mony with an Hebraick Letter a Flower de luce and their own Name on one side and on the backside a cross with a B. and these two words Castro Blesis Besides what has been alledged for the antiquity of Blois there are remains of an Aqueduc wherein three Men can ride on Horseback abreast and 't is the common Tradition of the Inhabitants that at a Village call'd Orchese almost 5 Miles West of the Town Julius Caesar kept his Magazines which they endeavour to confirm by the Ruins of some great Buildings Arches strong and thick Walls and the like Antiquities but have no other ground that I know of As to new VVorks besides the Castle and Gardens there is a Tennis Court esteemed the biggest in France being 57 Foot in length and 20 in breadth Between Blois and Orchese not far from that Village was discovered about a hundred Years since a Mine of Terra Sigillata or seal'd Earth which is pretended to be as good as that of Lemnos The Pasture Ground in the Valley of Loire and the Exhalations that come out of the Vaults of St. Gervais are so wholesome that the Milk of the Cattle that feeds thereabouts is excellent especially the Cream that is esteemed one of the Dainties of the Country The Boon-Christian-Pears and Perdigron Plums are also rare Fruits and amongst Handy-works the VVatches of Blois have got a Name through the whole Kingdom but that which is most taking with Strangers is the Purity of the French Tongue that is spoken here with a good Accent as well by Country Men as by Gentlemen and with all the charming Humour and singular Honesty of the Inhabitants I had almost forgotten that Peter l'Hermite the first Preacher of the Crusado's was a Native of Blois Tho' the Royal House and Park of Chambort or Chambourg be not antient Monuments yet they deserve a particular description The House lies almost seven Miles West of Blois on the South side of the Loire in the midst of the Park and of a pleasant Forest It was begun by King Francis I. at his coming out of the Prison at the same time that he built Madrid-Castle near Paris but tho' he employ'd eighteen hundred Workmen at the building of Chambort during twelve years yet it was not perfectly finished in his life time A small Brook abounding with Fish surrounds the Palace which is adorn'd with many little Towers and Chimneys that give a very fine prospect from far off and the Forest is so pierced through that it hinders not the view of the adjacent Meadows nor even of the Town of Blois from the top of the Towers The most remarkable thing is a Winding Stair-Case of 274 Steps so large that several persons can go abreast and so contriv'd that those who go up on one side and come down on the other cannot see each other tho' they can talk together Add to this that one may throw a Ball perpendicularly through the Newel from the top of the Stairs to the bottom At the end of the Queens Garden which takes up five hundred acres of Land towards the Forest of Blois is a Lane of six thousand great Elms a Mile in length and six Fathoms in breadth I pass over the other Curiosities to observe that the Park is encompass'd with a square-Wall lying as a Parallelogramm inclin'd along the Loire and cut through the River Cousson being three Italian Miles East and West two Miles North and South-West and one and two thirds North and South-East There are 6 other Towns of some consideration in the little extent of Blaisois Mer or Menars the Town and the Castle Suevre-cour-sur Loire and Die these two lie over against Chambort the former on the North the latter on the South-side of the Loire Onzain mid-way between Amboise and Blois Landes on the borders of Vendomois and Contres on the Frontiers of Soulogne Chateau-Dun Castellodunum is the Capital City of the little Country of Dunois 11 Leagues North of Blois It has its Name from the Hill on which it 's seated on the East-side of the Loir Dun in old Gaulish signifying a Hill but I know not where Duchesne has found that it was antiently call'd Rubeclara for Vrbs Clara because it may be seen from far off There is a Castle strong by its Scituation and Works but the Suburbs are larger and better built than the
into this City Latins Syrians and Jews proclaim'd his Praises each in his Tongue whether these different Nations were learned Men or foreign Merchants who inhabited or frequented this Town for the sake of Trade I shall not peremptorily determine tho' the latter seems to me the most probable However it be King Phillip the Fair sounded here an University for the Civil Law in 1312. to which Pope Clement the V. added the Cannon Law in thirteen hundred sixty seven The Scholars are divided into four Nations French Germans Normands and Piccards each of which has its particular Officers There are two common and well furnish'd Libraries This City has also undergone the various fate of War We have already seen how it was rid from the hands of the barbarous Attila In 1417. it stood out a long Siege against the English on behalf of the French King Charles VII The besieg'd were so weak'ned and famish'd that they had resolv'd to surrender themselves to the Duke of Burgundy but the English would not allow of it tho' this Prince was their Ally and then in their Army This refusal may be reck'ned one of the chief causes of the Expulsion of the English out of France as it was the fatal period of the progress of their Arms. For as on the one hand it gave a mighty disgust to this Duke one of the most potent Princes in Europe so on the other the French were not loath to make an advantage of it They set up a young Maid a Shepherdess of about eighteen years who pretending a Revelation to raise the Siege of Orleans and bring the King triumphing into Rheims in order to his Coronation so encourag'd their dis-spirited Army and fright'nd the Enemies that she perform'd her promises assisted by the Valour and Conduct of the famous Count of Dunois but perhaps more by the jealousies rais'd between the English and the Burgundians and then by the Civil Wars of the English The Day of the Raising of this Siege which was the Eighth of May 1418. is still kept as a Solemn Festival in Orleans and a Monument of this Victory has been erected on the Bridge of the City It represents the Bl. Virgin with our Saviour in her Arms as ready to be buried on one side lies King Charles VII upon his Knees and on the other the Virgin of Orleans as they call her now Booted and Spurr'd as a Trooper This Maid was call'd Jeanne d' Arc she was a Native of Vaucouleurs in Lorrain but her Family being Nobilitated by the French Kings had their Name chang'd into that of Lys Flower de Luce in memorial of her Services to that Crown During the Reign of Francis II. in 1560. the Duke of Guise under the pretence of the conspiracy of Amboise disarm'd the Inhabitants of Orleans fill'd the suspected Houses with Soldiers and then brought the young King as triumphing into the City And well he might triumph for he had gain'd his point so far as to cause the Prince of Conde to be sentenc'd to lose his Head But the Death of Francis II. forc'd him to alter his Politicks In 1562. the Protestants under the Command of the same Prince of Conde seiz'd upon this place and the Duke of Guise himself was kill'd besieging it However the Roman Catholicks retook it but La Noue one of the stoutest Commanders the Protestants ever had master'd it again five years after In 1588. it declar'd for the Leaguers by the Intreagues of one Rossieux Secretary to the Duke of Mayenn but it submited to the French King Henry IV. in one thousand five hundred ninety four The Name of Orleans comes undoubtedly from the Latin Aureliani by which the Roman Historians after the second Century do call this City There is still however some remains of the antient appellation of Genabum in a nick-name given to such Inhabitants as have not Travelled abroad viz. Guepin which I am apt to take for an abbreviation of Guenapin Genabinus This City is seated on the steep of an Hill on the Northern side of the Loire that washes its Walls and represents almost the figure of a stretched Bow In sight of the Town and the middle of the River is a pleasant Island cover'd with great Trees and Buildings This Island is joyn'd with a Bridge on one side to the Town and on the other to the Suburb of Pontereau This Bridge has 16 Arches and 't is upon it that the Monument of Jeane d' Arc is erected Orleans is large and well built the Streets are broad strait and neat being pav'd with a small square-stone Some of the Markets are fine spacious and overshadow'd with Trees The most Magnificent Churches are the Cathedral of Sainte Croix and the Collegiate of S. Aignan The body of the former is an hundred foot in length sixty in breadth and one hundred and two in depth It has fifty nine Canons and nine Dignitaries the latter has but thirty one Prebendaries whereof eight are dignify d. Both have been much defac'd during the Civil Wars of Religion but the Cathedral was repair'd by Henry IV. There are twenty two Parochial Churches The Town-House has a very high Tower whence the whole City and Suburbs may be discover'd The Chastelet or Pallace of the Justice is also a remarkable Building seated on the River The Town has eight Gates and is fortify'd with a Terrass and surrounded with a Wall defended by 40 round Towers fill'd with Earth Orleans has a Bailywick to which the Royal Seats of Bois-common Chateau-renard Yanville Yevre-le-Chastel La Neufvill-auxe Loges Gien Montargis Clery Meun Baugency Gergeau and Pluviers are resorting that is all Proper Orleanois and a great part of Gastinois But the Generality of Orleans reaches yet farther comprehending all Beauce in its greatest extent that is the Country Chartrain Dunois Vendomois Blaisois Proper Orleanois Gastinois Puisaie and Sologne and having under it the Elections of Chartres Chateau-dun Vendome Blois Baujenci Orleans Pithiviers Dourdan Montargis Gien and Romorantin The Diocess has six Arch-Deaconships whose Titles are Orleans Pithiviers Beausse Sologne Baugenci and Sulli Orleans lies twenty six Leagues North of Paris â—wenty nine West of Auxerre and twenty four East of Tours almost in the middle of the Course of the Loire with a Haven very convenient for Trade which is the cause that the delicate Wines its Soil produces and the excellent Brandies that are made here are easily carry'd to Nants and thence Transported into Foreign Countries Gergeau or Jargeau Gargogilum or Jargoilum was an antient and noble Castle and is still a pretty good Town on the South side of the Loire with a Bridge to pass that River belonging to the Bishop of Orleans four Leagues East of that City In 1420. the Count of Salisbury took it for the English but the year following it was retaken by John II. Duke of Alenson and the Virgin of Orleans who made the Count of Suffolk and several other Prisoners to the number of four
seen there Unless it were the Limonum whereof I just now spake For Poictiers it self has several other Monuments of Antiquity as an old demolish'd Castle thought to be the Palace of the Emperour Gullienas some remains of an Amphitheatre call'd les Arenes behind the Church of the Jesuits and without the Town the Ruins of divers Aquaeducts which the common People names les Arceaux de Parigne the Arches of Parigne I have mentioned the several Changes through which Poictiers passed speaking of POICTOV and likewise the Battel of Civaux but I must not so get that famous Victory obtained by our Black Prince that Martial Son of a Warlike Father Edward the III. over the French King John September 19. 1336. within two Leagues of Poictiers The King having an Army of above 30000 Men and the Prince hardly 12000 the latter profered to go back and to repay all the Damage he had done from Bourdeaux thitherto But the French meaning that a handful of Enemies ought to Surrender at discretion and could not avoid being cut into pieces would not hearken to any Proposals which so exasperated the English that they fought like Lions gave a total Overthrow to the French and took their King Prisoner The Church of Poictiers is said to have been founded by St. Martial a Kinsman to the first Christian Martyr St. Stephen and he from whom our Saviour took the five Loaves and the two Fishes which his Blessing so miraculously multiplied in the Wilderness St. Peter add the Roman Legendaries sent him into Aquitain where he converted a great many Heathens especially in POICTOV and even laid the Foundation of the Cathedral of St. Peter on that very Day that H. Apostle was Martyr'd What ever be of this for the Monks have so mixed with Fables the antient Accounts that it is a hard matter to distinguish Truth from Falshood This is more certain that about the Year 279 Nectarius or Victorius a learned Man mentioned by St. Jerome was Bishop of Poictiers He was succeeded by several other great Men amongst whom Hilarius that famous Defensor of the Orthodox Faith against the Arians was the tenth in Order under whose Name a Collegiate Church has been since built At the end of the 5th Century that See was fill'd with one of the best Poets of that Age. Venantius Fortunatus who had belong'd to the Houshold of Radegund Queen of France This Diocess has been bigger than it 's now and extended through the whole Province of POICTOV For Lusson and Maillezais have been separated from it and erected from Monasteries into Bishoppricks However it contains yet 22 Parishes 21 of which are included in the City besides 30 Abbies 25 Chapters of Canons and a vast number of Religious Houses the Parishes being under the Inspection of four Arch-Priests The Cathedral of St. Peter was begun by our King Henry the II. and finished 200 Years after It 's a sumptuous Building all of a hard Square-Stone In the Church of our Lady sirnam'd the Great the Mayor's Lady uses to offer every Year the day after Easter a Cloak of considerable value On the outside of the Wall that looks on the great Market is the Statue of the Emperour Constantine on Horse-back with a Sword in his Hand The Collegiate Church of St. Hilary immediately subject to the Pope lies on the upper end of the Town The French King is Abbot of it as Count of Poictiers There is shewn a Stone which consumes Dead Bodies within 24 Hours together with the Tomb of Godfrey the Great-Tooth pretended Son to the Famous Melusine of Luzignan and the hollow Stump of a Tree where Mad-men are put in in hopes that they shall recover their Senses whence comes a jearing Proverb amongst 'em to Send one to St. Hilary Cradle Poictiers is the biggest City in France next Paris as to the compass of its Walls though the not â—â—ear so thick Inhabited as Rouen Touâ—â—se or Lyons there being a great many Gardens and even Meadows Vines and Corn-fields withâ—n its inclosure for which reason Charles V. â—he Emperour call'd it a great Village It 's built partly in a Plain on the West-side and partly â—n a Hill shut up betwixt the River Clain and another that stagnates there into small Rivulets Marshes and Ponds so that it could hardly be taken were it not that the lower Town is commanded by high Rocks nam'd by the Inhabitants Dubes instea of Dunes or Downs The greatest inconveniency of Poictiers is its lack of Water for there are no Fountains and very few Cisterns and therefore the Citizens are forc'd to bâ—y Water that is carried into the Town from a Fountain springing near the Clain at a place call'd Platteforme All the inferior Seats of Justice in the Province of Poictou resort to the Presidial and Seâ—eschaship of Poictiers and in 1415 whil'st the English were Masters of Paris and Charles the VII Dauphin of France was disputing the Crown against 'em Poictiers had the Honour to be the Seat of a Parliament which when the English were expell'd that Kingdom was restored to Paris The Palace where the Judges â—â—eep their sitting was formerly a Castle that 〈◊〉 still a very fine Hall whose Wainscotted â—â—iking is not underpropt by Pillars Next to this Palace is the antient Tower of â—â—â—bergeron built by an Earl of POICTOV therein the seven Viscounties of this Province â—â—e represented Next to the Gate of St. Lazarus was another Castle built in a Triangular Form but therâ— are no Remains of it besides the place when it stood and some strong Towers against the Walls La Pierre Levée The Stone rais'd up is one of the Curiosities of Poictiers which Strangerâ— do not fail to see it being but a Mile from the City It 's a large Square-stone 25 Foot in length 17 in Breadth and 60 in Circuit having these two Verses ingraven upon it Hic Lapis ingentem superat gravitate Colossum Ponderis grandi sidera mole petit The University of Poictiers was founded by Charles the VII in 1431 and has been formerly more famous than it 's now especially foâ— the Civil Law The Auditory or the Haâ— wherein the Law is read is very large and sumptuous and was built in the French K. Henry the IV's Time by the Duke of Sully whil'sâ— he was Governour of POICTOV Poictiers has likewise a Mint where Mony iâ— Coyned at the Letter G. as also an Exchequeâ— and a Generality to which nine Elections arâ— resorting that is all those of POICTOV except Loudun and Mirebeau that depend oâ— the Generality of Tours As to the Government of the Town it is iâ— the Hands of a Mayor twelve Sheriffs or Eâ—chevins twelve sworn Counsellors besides seventy five Burgesses The Mayor is not 〈◊〉 Lord but even the first Baron of POICTOV and takes the Title of Captain and Governoâ— Poictiers during his Charge which is but â—eatly for a new one is elected every Year 〈◊〉 St. Cyprian's Day but afterwards both he â—â—d his
their own party Henry of France Duke of Anjou Brother of Charles the IX laid Seige to it during the Civil Wars and had perhaps carry'd it by force had not the Ambassadors of Poland brought him a Crown which made him change his design having resolv'd by the advice of Cardinal de Rhichelieu to weaken the Protestants Lewis the XIII having resolv'd to Weaken the Protestants and to re-Establish the Roman Religion in Bearn demanded from them their Towns of security whereat the Reform'd were affray'd and assembled for that and at Rochelle Anno 1620. They being beat Anno 1622 did implore the mercy of the French King But having risen again this Prince besieged Rochelle and obliged it to surrender the 29 October Anno 1628. He demolished the Fortifications and depriv'd the Inhabitants of their Priviledges He suffer'd nothing to remain but two Towers which Charles the V had built for the defence of the Harbour and for its better security an Iron Chain is tied cross the entry of the Port every night Lewis XIV did fortify it very strongly Anno 1689. by a good Citadel and a great many other workes to prevent a Descent of the English and Dutch and to keep the pretended new Converts under his Tyranny This City was erected into a Bishoprick Anno 1648. The Episcopal Seat of Maillezais being transferr'd thither Besides these there is a Presidial Seat a Court Soveraign a Chamber of Mint and a Haven very much frequented Rochel lies about 92 Leagues West of Paris 25 West of Angouleme and 32 North North-West of Bourdeaux Rochefort is a Port in the Country of Aunis near the mouth of the Charante 6 Leagues South of Rochel Formerly it was only a little Village but now it 's a considerable Town being adorn'd with fine Building and pleasant Gardens Sea Magazins and Store Houses and a Hospital for Old Wounded Souldiers who have serv'd at Sea Marans is a Village on the Sevre Niortoise situated in a Marish ground 7 Miles North North-East of Rochel having a Castle about two Leagues from the Sea This place suffer'd much during the Civil Wars of Religion being often taken and retaken Chatelaillon is a little Village situated nigh the Sea about two Leagues from Rochelle The other places are Surgere Benon Moze Courson Port-Lupin le Plomb Angoulin Tves c. Of Angoumois ANGOVMOIS Pagus Ecolismensis hath Saintonge on the West and South-West Perigord on the South Limosin and la Marche on the East and Poictou on the North. It is about 22 Leagues in length East and West and 16 in breadth North and South It s great Fertility doth sufficienlty recompence its small extent For this little Province abounds in Corn Vine Pasture-ground Safron c. It 's watred with several Rivers namely the Charante the Tardouere the Bandiat the Boueme the Sonne the Argent the Anguienâ—e It 's the Country of Andrew Thevet Balsac and other Ingenious and Learn'd Men. Angouleme Iculisna or Ecolisma the Capital City is situated upon the Charante 60 Leagues South-West of Orleans and 28 North-East of Bourdeaux with the Title of a Dutchy a Presidial-Seat a Seneschals Court an Election and a Bishoprick suffragan of Bourdeaux It 's a very Antient Town situated upon the top of a Mountain between the two Rivers of Charante and Anguienne who join at the end of the Town It has very fine Castle which is accessible but at one side being strongly fortify'd Cognac Conniacum is upon the Charante towards the Frontiers of Saintonge between Jarnac and Saintes 10 Leagues West of Angouleme in a Country extraordinary fertile especially in delicate Wine La Rochefoucaut is a Town upon the River Tardouere four Leagues from Angoulesme to the North-East It bears the name of its founder one Foucaut being call'd in Latin Rupes Fulcaldi or Fulcaudi and has giv'n its own to I one of the most Antient and Illustrious Houses of that Kingdom which hath produced divers Great Men. Jarnac is a Borough with the Title of County situated upon the Charante between Chateauneuf and Cognac It 's famous for the Battle which the Duke of Anjou afterwards King Henry III did gain over the Protestants in the Month of May Anno 1569. they being commanded by the Prince of Condé who was treacherously killed there by Montesquiou whence come the Proverb Vn coup de Jarnac To say a Perfidy The name of Jarnac is also famous for the merite of its Lords of the House of Chabot Bouteville is a Town situated near the Frontiers of Saintonge about seven Leagues from Angouleme towards the South Rufec or Rufiacum aut Rofiacum is a little Town 10 Leagues North of Angouleme with the Title of Marquisate It 's situated in a very pleasant part of the Country The other places of note are Cbateau-neuf Blansac la Valette Montberon la Vauguion c. Of the Islands depending of the Government Orleanois THose Islands lie on the Coasts of Poictou and Aunis and are nam'd Oleron Ré Oye Isle-Dieu and Nermoutier Oleron Vliarus or Olario is an Island upon the Coasts of Aunis nigh the Mouth of the Charante about two short Leagues from Land It hath five Leagues in Diameter and about 12 in Circuit It 's fertile in Corn and abounds with Rabbits It was fortify'd in 1689. to hinder the Descent of the English The Isle of Ré Radis insula Vulgarly call'd Reacus is nigh unto Rochel and belongs to the Government of the Country of Aunis and Brouage Here is great Store of Salt and such aboundance of Wine that the Inhabitants would be forc'd to give the old to Poor People for Tunning of the New if the English Dutch and Normand Fleets came not every year to receive their Loading of it This Island hath several Villages the Cheif of which are St. Martin and Oye call'd the Isle because of a Canal which must be pass'd as they enter into it The most considerable Fort is that of la Prée pointed towards Pertuis Breton In it are two pieces of Artillery which carry even to the Continent from the Island It is Flanked with four Bastions with Half Moons and other outworks Anno 1689. they added some new Fortifications to it on the side that lookes on the main Sea Here is a high Tower where in the night time they set up a Beacon because of the Rocks call'd Baleines which are adjacent and for this cause the Tower is call'd la Tour des Baleines or the Tower of Wales L'Isle-Dieu or rather l'Isle-d'Ieu Oia or Ogia is near St. Gilles in Poictou about three Leagues from the Continent Nermontier lies not far from Britanny near Beauvoir in Poictou distant from the Continent about a League In it is a rich Abby of Benedictins resorting to the Bishoprick of Lusson whence is deriv'd the name of Nermoutier Nigrum Monasterium CHAP. XII Of the Government of Guienne IN the time of Julius Caesar Aquitain reach'd not farther than from the Garonne to the Pyrenées that is it only
1212. Raimond Count of Toulouse made it side with the Albigenses Simon Count of Montfort storm'd and plunder'd it the English did utterly destroy it and it suffered much during the Wars against the Protestants so that this Town is very different from what it has formerly been though it has yet a very famous Abbey of St. Bennets Order where as 't is said have been near 1000. Monks at once The Abbot is Joynt-Lord of it with the King which was regulated by a Sentence in 1229. c. Of Rouergue ROVERGVE Rutenicus Ager Borders to the East upon the Cevennes to the North upon Auvergne to the West upon Quercy and to the South upon Languedoc It lies between 43 Deg. 30 Min. and 44 Deg. 46 Min. of Lat. and betwixt 22 Deg. 22 Min. and 24 Deg. 15 Min. of Long. So that it takes up 37 Leagues East and West from S. Jean de Breuil to S. Antonin in its greatest length and 28 North and South from Mur de Barrez to Brusquez This Province is divided into three Parts viz. the County the Upper and Lower Marche the chiefest City of the first is Rodez of the second Milhau of the third Villefranche The Country is very plentiful in some places but barren in others There are Mines of Iron Antimony Copper Brimstone Alum Silver and as Strabon says of Gold too The greatest revenue of Rouergue consists in Cattel Wools Fruits Cheeses Hemps and Lines the only Trade of Mules that are bought there for Spain brings in every Year above 200000 Crowns It s Principal Rivers are the Tarn the Lot and the Aveirou It depends on the Parliament of Toulouse and boasts of 25 Towns and 50 great Burroughs 2 Bishopricks and a Elections under the Generality of Montauban There are ordinarily commended Rodez for his People Conques for its Gate Milhau for plenty of Almonds Nerac for Vitriol St. Antonin for Plunis Roquefort for Cheeses Monsalvi for its delicate blew and green Peases Vouse and Espaliou for excellent good Bread the Abbey of Aubrac for its Hospital and Alms Severac for its Castle Marcillac a Principalty for the Cave or den call'd Bouche-Roland that is near it and reaches four Leagues under ground The Inhabitants are both Couragious and Honest The Nobility there is very Generous and much respected by the Common People The City of Rhodez Segodunum or Ruteni is seated on the Aveirou 24 Leagues South East of Cahors and has the title of a County a Seneschalship and Bishoprick Suffragan of Albi. It is very Ancient but it has lost its former Ancient greatness having been often ruin'd by the Goths Saracens French c. The Cathedral is under the name of our Lady there are many others Churches and Monasteries and a fine Colledge of Jesuits Its first Bistop was as 't is believ'd St. Amand. The Counts of this City were of the House of Carlat and possessed that part which is called the Borrough and the Bishops were Master of the other that bears the name of the City The County belonged to the Counts of Toulouse Alfonsius the I. having resolv'd to take the Cross and to make a Journy into the Holy Land sold it in 1147. to Richard Son of Raimond Viscount of Carlat Richard left it to his Son Hughes I. Count of Rodez c. It was afterwards annexed to the County of Armagnac by a Marriage and a Judgment in the year 1312. John I. Count of Armagnac had a Grant of the French King Charles V. in 1375. that the four Juridictions of Rouergue should be Annexed to the County of Rodez which are St. Geniez la Roque-Valsergue Castagnes Begonimez and la Guiole After that all the Estates of the House of Armagnac came into that of Albret and the French King Henry the IV. carried to the Crown the County of Rodez as being the Patrimony of the House of Armagnac There is near that City the Mountain of Cansac which burns in the rain There are Mines of Copper Arsenick Azur and Silver Two Leagues from that Place is an Abyss called Tindoul 60 Paces broad and 200 deep On the side of that Abyss is to be seen a hole without Bottom The City of VABRES Castrum Vabrense is a Bishoprick and County Suffragan of Alby It was formerly a Famous Abby of St. Benets Order which Pope John XXII in 1317. Erected to a Cathedral Church The Abbot Peter Orlageo was its first Bishop It is 12 Leagues South of Rodez MILHAV Amilianum or Aemilianum is the Chief Town of the Upper Marche being upon the Tarn toward the Frontiers of Gevaudan 14. Leagues South-East of Rodez There are a great many Almond-Trees This Town has been famous during the Wars of Religion it being a strong hol'd but is Fortifications were razed in 1629. The Country depending on it is call'd Aemilianus-Pagus VILLEFRANCHE is the Chief Town of the Lower March with a Seneschalship and Presidial 12 Leagues West of Rodez The People is there very Civil and serviceable and provisions plentiful and cheap Saint Antonin lies upon the Confluence of the Aveirou and Bonnete 18 Leagues West South-West of Rodez with high Walls round it In the year 1226. Guy of Montfort yielded to the French King the Right he had on that Town Raimond Count of Toulouse protested against that Gift but in 1229. he approved by an Act of the Arbitrators Sentence pronounced by the Popes Legate and the Count of Champagne upon the Matter So that St. Antonin was adjuged to the Crown in 1245 Besnard Hugonis Son to Frocard Viscount of St. Antonin having sold to the French King Lewis IX what ever Right he had upon it The Protestants had Fortified themselves there but Lewis XIII turned them out of it in 1622. This Town is famous for its Plums There are besides others considerables Places as St. Just Estain Entraigues St. Come St. Geniez the Town and County of Espaliou Severac le Castel la Guiole the Abby of Anbrac c. Of Limosin LIMOSIN Lemovicinus Pagus Borders upon Auvergne to the East upon la Marche to the North part of Poictou Angoumois and Perigord to the West and Quercy to the South It lies between 44 Deg. 52 Min. and 45 Deg. 45 Min. of Latitude and between 21 Deg. 40 Min. and 23 Deg. 20 Min. of Longitude which make from South-East to North-West about 38 Leagues from Port-Dieu on the Frontiers of Auvergne to la Roche-chouart in Angoumois in its greatest length and 24 North and South from S. Priech on the Confluence of the Vienne and Taurion and the Borders of la Marche to Beaulieu on the Dordonne near the Province of Quercy This Country is generally cold and barren there is scarce any good Wine Save in the Lower Limosin and little Wheat but plenty of Rye Barley and Chestnuts of which the poorer sort make bread and because when they first go out of that Country and meet with good bread they eat it most greedily thence bread-gluttons have gotten in French the Sirname of
the Gave of Alpe and Ossau it has its source in the highest part of the Pyrenees where Bearn is divided from Spain these Rivers are not navigable but the plenty of Fish they afford makes amends for it from the highest Mountain of Ossau one may see both the Seas and the Mountains of Castile The Soil is rendred fruitful only by the labour and industry of the Inhabitants By the care and piety of Jaâ—â— Queen of Navarre this Province and her other Countries embrac'd the Reformation So thaâ— after the reconciliation of Henry the Great her Son to the Church of Rome the Sovereign Court of Pau petition'd the King who would re-establish the exercise of the Roman Religion in their Country that the Jesuits might be excluded from it which was granted to them and observed from the year 1599 to 1620 thaâ— Lewis XIII repealed this Edict against his Fathers Murtherers In 1684. Lewis XIV forced the Bearnois with Dragoons to abjure thaâ— Holy Religion they had profest almost an Age. The City of PAV upon the Gave of Pau or Bearn with a Parliament is pretty large and well built and the native Place of Henry the Great there is also a Court of Accounts and a College of Jesuits Pau lies 27 Leagues South East of Bayonne Of the County of Bigorre THE County of BIGORRE Bigerrones or Bigerri borders upon Armagnac to the North and East on Bearn to the West and part of Arragon to the South It s length North and South from the Pyrenees to Marbouquet is above 22 Leagues its largest breadth East-West 14 and in some places but 3 or 4 Leagues It is divided into three parts viz. the Mountains the Plain and the Rustan The first contains two Principal Valleys that of Lavedan the other of Barege the Plain is 5 Leagues long and 1 broad The Rustan has some little Hills along the River Arroz The Mountains are like a rail betwixt France and Spain there are four narrow and difficult passages viz. Azun Cauteres Barege and Campan which the Inhabitants are obliged to keep This Country yields a great deal of Jasp and Slate the Mountains have Silver Iron Copper and Lead Mines but they are not digg'd out There are 3 Lakes and 4 Principal Rivers viz. Adour Eschez Arroz and Lavedan which is composed of the Gaves of Barege Cauteres and Azun Eneco Arista was in possession of this County in 828. before he founded the Kingdom of Navarre and after many changes and revolutions Henry IV. annexed it to the Crown by an Edict in the Month October 1607. The most remarkable places are Tarbe Bish Vic de Bigorre Lourde Campan Rabasteins Bagneres Luz Cauteres c. The City of TARBE or Turba or Tarvia lies upon the Adour 10 Leagues East of Pau it 's a plentiful Country with a Bishop Suffragan of Ausch and a Seneschal the Cathedral is under the name of our Lady Lourde has a good strong Castle Benac is a Dutchy Barege is famous for its Waters Of Comminge COMMINGE Pagus Convenicus lies between Languedoc and Conserans on the East Armagnac on the North the County of Bigorre on the West and the Pyrenees on the South It is divided into upper properly Comminge and into Lower or the Diocese of Lombez This Country has had its own particular Counts before it was annexed to the French Crown It is pretty plentiful in Wheat Oates Wines Pastures Fruits and especially Walnuts which yield great quantity of Oyl it also abounds in all sorts of Fowl The most remarkable places are S. Bertrand of Comminge Bish Lombez Bish Montpezat Rieume Muret S. Beat Bagneres S. Gaudens L'Ile Dodon c. The City of S. BERTRAND of Comminge or Convene or Lugdunum Convenarum lies upon the Garonne 14 Leagues South-East of Tarbe with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and a Royal Court of Justice under the Seneschal and Parliament of Toulâ—use the Bishop Seat is in the States of Languedoc Lombez is one of the Bishopricks erected by Pope John XXII in 1317. It 's Suffragan to Toulouse from which it is distant above 12 Leagues to the South-West and 12 North of S. Bertrand de Comminge It 's seated upon the Save in a very fruitful Soil bounded on one side with Hills covered with Vineyards and on the other with Plains abundant in Corn and Hay Of Conserans COSERANS or Conserans Pagus Consarannensis lies on the South of Comminge properly so called between Languedoc and the Pyrenees 't is a Viscounty which is thought to have been possessed by Arnold of Spain under the Title of a County whence the House of Montespan derives its Original After that it went over to the Counts of Carcassonne and from thence to the Kings of Navarre The chief place is S. LIZER of Conserans upon the River Salat 13 Miles East of S. Bertrand de Comminge with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and a Royal Court of Justice under the Parliament of Toulouses It is divided in two viz. City and Town the first is properly Coserans with the Concathedral Notre-Dame and the other is S. Lizier where is also the other Concathedral of the same name the Chapter consists of 12 Canons of which the first is Archdeacon of two Sextons two Precentors and one Almoner of 24 Priests Prebendaries with a Parson in each of these two Churches where the Service is perform'd at the same time Conserans is said to be properly the Episcopal See and that Valerius was its first Bishop and S. Lizier Glycerius the Fifth The other places of some note are S. Julian Cazeres Bonpaux S. Girons La Cour Castillon CHAP. XIII Of Languedoc THis Government is separated from Provence and Dauphiné by the River Rhone on the East it borders upon Auvergne Rovergue and Quercy on the North on the West and South-West the Garonne and some Mountains divide it from Gascony and Catalogne and on the South it has the Mediterranean Sea It is the first Province which the Romans conquered after Provence and the Allobroges In Caesar's time Narbonne one of the Capital Cities of this Government gave its name to Languedoc Provence Dauphiné and Savoy but Augustus divided it into two Provinces the Viennoise and Narbonnoise and this last was again subdivided into two whereof the first is our Languedoc Before Caesar the Inhabitants were called Volcae and subdivided into two powerful Nations viz. The Volcae Tectosages who possest the Western or Upper Languedoc from the Garonne and the Pyrenees to the Cevennes and the Mediterranean Sea and the Volcae Arecomici who enjoy'd Eastern or Lower Languedoc from these Mountains and Sea to the Rhone About the end of the 6th Century it began to be called Septimania from its 7 Capital Cities viz. Tolosa Toulouse Biterrae Beziers Nemausus Nimes Agatha Agde Magalona Maguelonne Leuteva Lodeve Vcecia Vzès By the Treason of Stilicon the Romans were forced to yield to the Goths all the first Narbonnoise Catalogne and a good part of Navarre and Aragon where they settled themselves and established
Columbine call'd by the French Ancolie and by the Languedocians Eglantine the second iâ— a Mary-gold and the third a Violet The institution of those Games is variously reported â— some ascribe it to a great Lady call'd Clemence Isaure who bequeathed the greatest paâ—t of her Estate to the Town-house upon that account and whose Statue of white Marble is yet to be seen in the great Hall but the Registers of Toulouse attribute it to seven Noble-men in 1324. Howsoever it be this Solemnity is not only laudable but even worthy to be imitated by Princes Commonwealths and great Cities for besides that it would give an honest diversion and emulation to the ingenious it would be as a Touch-stone to know the several degrees and abilities of understanding Men for extraordinary Poets are for the most part uncommon Genius's and might successfully be employ'd in weightier undertakings Toulouse is divided into two parts by the River Garonne and into 8 Wards in reference to its 8 Capitouls The first is the Daurade so call'd from a very ancient Church under the name of our Lady that was formerly a Temple of the Sun This Precinct comprehends several Churches Monasteries and Colleges the Pest-house and the Suburb of S. Cyprian with the great Hospital of S. James The second Ward bears the name of S. Stephen the Metropolitan Church built in a great Market adorn'd with a fountain upon which is rais'd a fine Obelisque In 1609. this Church was all burn'd except that part which is call'd the Cloyster and has 'till some Gothick Statues of half emboss'd work It has since been rebuilt statelier than before with a great and high Tower wherein hangs the Bell Ardaillac which is so very big that they dare not ring it lest the Belfrey should fall besides 14 vaulted Chappels round about the Quire There are also the Archbishop's Palace the Town-house or Capitole adorn'd with the Pictures of the Entries of the French Kings within Toulouse and of the Capitouls in their Robes the Arsenal the Chappels of the white and blew Penitents with several Churches Convents and Colleges The Old-Bridge gives its name to the third Ward and is but a course piece of Building worthier of the Goths than of the Romans The New-bridge which is far finer doth hardly yield to that of Paris and no wonder since it was begun in 1544 and but ended about the middle of this Age. In this Precinct are the Exchange the Court of the Provost and Consuls of Merchants and the Cage wherein Blasphemers are included to be drown'd into the Garonne The fourth Ward call'd La Pierre or the Stone has nothing considerable The fifth takes its name from the Church Dalbade enjoy'd by the Fathers of the Oratory since the year 1620. There are besides the Inquisition a place well known by the cruelties against the Albigeois near which is a round Castle esteem'd by Du Chesne to be a remainder of the ancient Capitole the Island S. Antony form'd by the Garonne and inhabited by Handicraft-men The sixth Ward call'd S. Pierre des Cuisines has among other Churches and Monasteries that of the Franciscans sirnamed Observantins which exceeds all the rest in bigness and sumptuosity but is especially renowned for a Cave which consumes Dead-bodies without anointing the Skin and displacing the Joynts Here is the University with the College of Foix founded by Peter Cardinal of Foix and endow'd with two Libraries one of Mss and the other of Printed Books that of Narbonne founded by Gambert Archbishop of Arles and Narbonne in 1342 that of L'Equille begun in 1561 and ended 1608 at the expences of the Town for teaching the Hebrew Greek and Latin Tongues Here are also the Mills of the Basacle whose Workmanship is esteem'd one of the greatest curiosities of Toulouse This place in Latin Vadaculum that is small foord gives likewise its name to a Bridge and a gate hard by the Castle The seventh Ward call'd S. Bartholomew has the Castle Narbonnoise which was the ordinary Residence of the Counts of Toulouse and a very strong place before K. Charles VII Now it is the Palace of the Parliament with the Hall of the Pleas the Marble-Table the Prisons call'd Hauts-murats the Court of the Exchemier and the Mint where Money is coyn'd and mark'd at the Letter M. The eighth Ward under the name of S. Sernin or Saturnin an ancient Collegiate Church defended by Guns at the top of it so plac'd that none of the many Pillars which underprop the Building can cover a Man from their Shot This they do because of the great Treasure that is included in this Church for there are above 50 Silver-skreens wash'd over with Gold besides the Jewels and Church-ornaments Here are the Tombs of the ancient Counts of Toulouse of its Prelates and Nobility Five Miles North-West of this City lies the Village or Lordship of Pibrac which I mention here for having giv'n its name to a Toulousan Gentleman Gui du Faur Lord of Pibrac President of the Parliament of Paris and Ambassador of France to the Council of Trent and then to Poland under Charles IX and Hen. III. He has left several loose Discourses and pieces of Poetry but the most renown'd are his Moral Quatrains which for their brevity majesty and if I may so speak sententiousness may still challenge the first place among all which has been written in this kind by uninspired Men. It appears by several passages of this golden Book that the Author was not at all addicted to the Superstitions of Rome though he never publickly embraced the Reformation no more than divers other Great and Learned Men of his time who seem'd to approve of the Doctrine but did not like the manner of propogating it Seven Miles South-west of Toulouse lies the Village of Plaisance so call'd from the goodness of its Air Soyl and Situation Adrian de Valois supposes it to be the Vernus Sol of Aethicus but I rather take it for a place call'd Vernouse which lies just 15 Italian Miles South-west of Toulouse as the Vernus Sol of that Geographer I find nothing considerable of the other places of this Diocese as Montoriol Vieille Toulouse S. Jori Columiers Castel-moron Ville-Longue Ville-neuve Montagut Montgaillard Verseuil Lenta Carmain with the title of a County Of the Diocese of Montauban MOntauban Mons Albanus is one of the 6 Bishopricks of Pope John XXII's erection It was formerly a Monastery founded by Theodard Archbishop of Narbonne and when it was made a Cathedral the Abbot Bertrand du Puy was the first Bishop of it As to the Town it was but at the beginning a very strong Castle which in process of time increas'd into a considerable City by the fertility of its Soyl and the conveniency of its Situation upon a Hill and the Rivers Tescounot and Tarn on the high way from Toulouse to Limoges and thence to Paris It was built or repair'd in 1144 and united to the French King's Domesne in 1171
for the Helvii of Caesar who are rather those of Vivarais and Sanson for the Fleutheres or Heleutheres subject to the Auvergnats as well as those of Quercy Gevaudan and Velay adding withal that the Cambolectri whom Pliny places in Aquitania inhabited the Diocese of Alby and the Cambolectri Atlantici the Diocese of Castres But as he grounds his conjectures upon no certain foundation so they are rejected by De Valois We have already seen that the Tectosages fill'd up all the Western part of Languedoc to the very Cevennes and the Mediterranean Sea and consequently that the Albigeois might well be the ancient Tolistobogii or Trocmi Neighbours Allies or Subjects to the Tectosages I have observ'd in the first part of this Book how the Disciples of Vigilantius spread in Guyenne and Languedoc were for a long time as a Bank that stopp'd the overflowing superstition But when this Torrent grew so strong that this Barrier prov'd too weak God rais'd new Defensors to his Church At the beginning of the XII Century Peter of Bruys a Native of Dauphiné Preached and writ successfully against the prevailing Errors and was happily seconded by Henry a Monk of Toulouse The Papists had recourse to their usual Arms Fire and Sword by which means they both got the Crown of Martyrdom But their Blood prov'd as well as that of the first Christians the Seed of the true Church so that after the Dispersion of Valdo's Disciples about 1160 some ofâ—â—em retiring in those parts they were kindly receiv'd The vulgar had so good an Opinion of them that they commonly call'd them les Bons Hommes the Good Men and even Raymâ—â—d the old Count of Toulouse Peter King of Arragon the Counts of Foix Comminges and the Viscounts of Bearn spoused their Cause And as Error and Vice are always timorous so the Popes began to fear that their fatal day was come and publish'd a Croisade against those pretended Hereticks as though they had been Heathens or Mahometans The Albigeois under the Wings of their Lords and Protectors defended themselves almost an Age but at last they were over-pow'red by the number the French King 's catching hold of that opportunity to deprive those petty Soveraigns of their Principalities Then it was that such as had escap'd the Sword in the Field of Battel fell in the bloody hands of the Inquisitors who at long run made an end of them however not so as wholly to root the seeds of the truth out of their heart which sprouted out again when our first Reformers appear'd in the last Age for then the Provinces of Languedoc and Guienne the ancient Seat of the Albigeois produced more Converts than all the others of France taken together We have hardly any Account of the Albigeois then by such as were their sworn Enemies Accusers or rather Executioners so that upon the plain confession of Popish Authors that the Albigeois held almost all the same Doctrines with the Protestants and that they rejected the same Superstitions for which the last are still divided from the Church of Rome we might look as Calumnies some Manichean Tenets ascrib'd to them as to deny the Divinity of the Old Testament to admit a good and a bad Principle c. But to clear these Christian Hero's for ever we have but to observe that the Manicheans having been banish'd the East by the Greek Emperours they first spread themselves into Germany thence they passed into Italy and France where meeting with a People averse from Persecution they readily crept and skulk'd amongst them and the malicious Inquisitors catching some of these Hereticks took hold of this occasion to defame the true Albigeois The R. D. Allix has given such incontestable proofs of these Matters of Fact that I cannot imagine that a Roman Catholick of any sincerity will ever renew such notorious Calumnies ALBY Albia or Albiga Capital of this Country lies upon the River Taâ—n 17 Leagues North-East of Toulouse and 14 South-East of Montauban It s Foundation and Antiquity are unknown for no antient Geographer remembers it and the first mention of it that De Valois could find is in an old Notice of the Gaules which puts Civitus Albiensum in the fourth place among the 8 Cities of the first Aquitain though some of latter date name it but the seventh in Order Gregory of Tours testifies that one Salvius was Bishop of Alby under the Children of Clovis and another call'd Sabinus subscrib'd to the Council of Agde in 506. but whether S. Clair a Martyr planted there Christianity and was the first Bishop of that Town is uncertain Charlemaign having erected Aquiâ—â—â—â— into a Kingdom on behalf of Lewis the Meek his Son establish'd Counts in the Principal Cities who together with the Bishops were to be the young Prince's Counsellours and Aimoin was nam'd the first Count of Alby All these Counts having made themselves Soveraigns during the decay of the French Monarchy the Estate of the Counts of Alby pass'd by marriage into the House of Toulouse and then both returned to the French Kings by the 〈◊〉 I have hinted speaking of Languedoc Alby has been a long time a Suffragan to Bourâ—â—â— and one of the richest Bishopricks in France being about 50000 Crowns worth but 〈◊〉 it was made a Metropolitan by Pope â—â—cent XI in behalf of Hyacinthe Serroni a Roman Gentleman and the Dioceses of Rodez Castrer Cahors Vabres and Mende detached from Bourges to whose Prelate has been given a recompence of some additional Revenues The Archbishop of Alby is still Lord temporal of that City and the King has but there a Viguier for his Chief Justice The Cathedral under the name of S. Cecile has one of the finest Quires in that Kingdom The other Towns or considerable Burroughs of this Diocese are Pennes upon the Aveyrou Cordes Monestier and Caramous upon the Ceron Pampelone upon the Biaur Gaulene and Valence near the source of the Ceron Tais Maillat Ville-neuve Cajousac Castelnau de Montmirail and Peucelsy upon the Vere Rabasteins l'Isle Gaillac la Bastide de Lenis Lescure and Trebas upon the Tarn on the North side Grioussens Cadelens Denat Albain on the South of that River Lombers on the Assou Realmont on the Dadou c. Gaillac is famous for its white Wines whose Drunkenness is not felt but an hour after the Debauch At Rabasteins was fought a memorable Battel between the Duke of Berri and the Count of Foix in 1381. Castres the second Bishoprick contain'd in Albigeois is seated on the Agout nine Leagues South of Alby and 16 East of Toulouse Both the Town and the Bishoprick are new for we find no mention of the Town in ancient Geographers only the Historians of the Albigenses as Peter the Monk mention it as an illustrious Castle under the name of Castra and as the head of the Country of Albigeois As to the Bishoprick it was erected by Pope John XXII in 1317 instead of the Abby of S. Vincent whose body was secretly convey'd from
confirm'd this gift or sale so that Montpellier remain'd to his Posterity who because of the increase of their Town and the consideration it came to be in allied themselves with very illustrious Houses as the Kings of Jerusalem and of Aragon the Dukes of Burgundy and the Counts of Foix and became at last Kings of Majorca But this small Kingdom was the ruine of their Patrimonial Estate for James III. King of Majorca and Lord of Montpellier having been depriv'd of his Realm by Peter of Arragon his Brother in Law was compell'd by want and misery to sell his Lordship to the French King Philip of Valois in 1349. Physick has the precedency in the University of Montpellier yet both parts of the Law are taught in one of its Colleges by four Royal Professors with power of making Licentiates and Doctors There are besides a generality of the King's Treasurers a Court of Aides a Chamber of Accounts a Mint and a Presidial-seat Montpellier was one of the Towns of security which Henry IV. had granted to the Protâ—stants but Lewis XIII designing the ruin of this part of his Subjects forc'd them by Arms to surrender this pledge of his protection and took this City after a long Siege and a vigorous defence in the Month of October 1622. Then it was that the Roman Catholicks got again into their hands the Cathedral of S. Peter for the Bishoprick of Maguelonne had been transferred thither in 1536 with the consent of Pope Paul III. Soustancion being now but a ruin'd Village However they were still fewer in number and have been so till this last Persecution Montpellier is govern'd by six Consuls or Sheriffs who are also Viguiers or Baylies of the Town and have a great attendance The Merchants have likewise their Consuls under the came of Consuls of the Sea to distinguish 'em from the Sheriffs call'd Consuls Majours There is a particular Court for Debts whose Judge sirnamed of the little Seal has jurisdiction over them who submit to him by contract Besides the University the Churches and the Palace of the Justice there are other Buildings worthy to be taken notice of as the Royal College for Humane Learning the Cittadel rais'd since the taking of Montpellier from the Protestants and flank'd with four Bastions two within and two without the Town Near to its Wall is the Royal Garden of Simpâ—es extraordinary well kept and furnished The Ceremonies us'd in taking the degree of Doctor in Physick is worth seeing were it only for their putting seven times on and off the Back of the new Doctor the old Gown of Rabelais The Confection of Alkermès is likewise made in a solemn manner before the Magistrate and one of the Professors of Physick Their Triacle is in as great esteem as that of Venice and their Powders of Cypre Queen of Hungary's Waters Essences and Scent-waters are vended through alâ— Europe The Inhabitants of Montpellier are also famous for making Verdegreese whitening Wax working upon Silk with Mills and severaâ— other Manufactures Add to this that theiâ— Soyl is one of the best and the Air one of the wholsomest in France Lates mention'd by Pomponius Mela undeâ— the name of Castellum Latara and by more modern Authors under those of Castrum de Latis and Castrum de Palude is seated in an Island made by the Mouth of the Lez Ledum which discharges it self into a great Pond call'd by Pliny Laterna and by Mela Stagnum Volcarum This Island lies but a Mile South of Montpellier and is reck'ned its Haven A League more Westwards on the Mouth of the Caulazon lies the Town of Ville-neuve over against Magueloune and 4 Leagues South-West upon the same Lake or Pond of Lates the Town of Frontignan so famous for its Muscadine Wines De Valois takes it for the Forum Domitii of the Antients so called from Cn. Domitius Aenobarly who having vanquished the Allobroges and Auvergnats was carry'd in triumph upon an Elephant through the whole Province Three Miles North-West you meet with the small Town of Balaruc renown'd for its Bathes Lunel Lunate 5 Leagues East of Montpellier gives its Name to a Bridge upon the Vidourle over against the Town It has a Monastery under the Name of S. Peter but is more renown'd for being the Birth-place of a Learned Jew Rabbi Salomon who took from thence the Sirname of Jarchi The other places of this Diocese are Montferrand Murvieil Pignan Fabregues Sanson mentions a great many other but he marks them all for Villages NISMES Nemausus Volcarum Arecomicorum lies seven Leagues North-East of Arles and ten and a half North-West of Montpellier in a fertil Plain overshadowed with Fruit-trees and at the foot of Hills cover'd with Vineyards It 's a very ancient City though the time of its foundation be uncertain Stephanus and Suidas after him ascribe it to one Nemausus of Hercules's posterity whence Du Chesne infers that it is a Greek Colony of the Marseillois but as there have been many Hero's of that name and that the Descendants of the Greek Hercules have been long in repute this does not precisely determine the time of its first Building De Valois derives it from a Fountain springing hereabouts which Ausonius calls Nemausus but it will still be doubtful whether the City has given its name to the Fountain or the Fountain to the City and whence both have got this appellation It will be more useful and diverting to consider the rise and various fortunes of Nismes and withal the precious remains of its Antiquities It owes its first increase to a Colony of Roman Soldiers who return'd with August from the Conquest of Egypt as appears by an ancient Inscription which this City has taken for its Arms COL NEM Colonia Nemausensis the Colony of Nismes Before that Julius Caesar had put a Garrison in this Town to defend it against the incursions of those of Reuergue and Querci The Volcae Arecomici were already one of the most powerful Nations of the Gauls in the time of Hannibal according to Livy and under the Empire of August and Tibere Strabo * L. 21. L. 4. testifies that Nismes was the Metropolis of the Volcae Arecomici and that tho it was not to be compar'd to Narbonne as to the number of Strangers and Merchants yet it exceeded this Capital of the Province as to the State of its Government for it had 24 Villages or Commonalties 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under it inhabited by considerable Persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who enjoy'd the privileges of the Latins so that one might find at Nismes Rom. Citizens who had discharged the Offices of Edile or City Surveyor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of Quaestor or Treasurer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And therefore this Plantation did not answer before the Tribunal of the Governors that were sent thither from Rome But though they were so favoured by the Senate and Emperors a particular hatred they had against Tiberius †Suetonius made 'em throw
speak to no body unless it be at cettain Hours and that in very few words which is a fair pretence to conceal the gross Ignorance wherein they are kept They will shew you all the Curiosities thereabouts without enquiring what Religion you are of at least it was so some time before the last Persecution Remounting the Ifere nine Leagues North of Grenoble 11 Miles from the Grand Chartreuse and five South of Montmelian lies Fort de Baraux situated on a Mountain near that River It is not quite so strong as Montmelian was of late however 't is the Key of France on that side In 1528 March 13. the Duke of Lesdiguieres took it by Storm from the Leaguers in two hours time On the South of the Isere two Leagues East of Grenoble lies the Village of Giere which I mention here for a natural Curiosity the like I never met with else where namely a Cascade or VVater-Fall that precipitates it self down from a steep Rock almost as high as the Steeple of Bow-Church and as thick as two Men and after it has run some steps into a small Rivulet is brought thorough Lead Pipes into a Garden where it spouts with an incredible Violence as high as any Tree so that if this Place were not neglected but Art were joined to Nature it would make the finest VVater-fall and Spout in the VVorld The Gardens and Park of Vizille three Leagues South-west of Grenoble are much better kept because they belong'd to the Dukes of Lesdiguieres which during three Generations and almost an Age have enjoy'd the Government of Dauphiné The Park is encompassed with Walls of almost three Leagues in circuit There are small Hills and Vallies and abundance of all Beasts of Game There is likewise a Mesnagerie where they keep Foreign Birds But the most considerable piece is what they call tho somewhat improperly the Cascade for 't is rather the Bed of a small Brook of a Mile or two in length pav'd with Free large Stone and divided into Squares of 5 or 6 Fathoms so that the Water falls by degrees from the Duke's Pallace to the end of the Park The Vally of Trieves is considerable for the abundance of its Gentry and the three Towns of La mure Mens and Corps The resemblance of the Names makes Holstenius take the second for the habitation of the ancient Mimenii and the third for that of the Tricorii This Vally is yet famous for a place call'd the Burning-Fountain which was indeed so in Caesar's time and even about 50 Years ago but whether that the Sulphureal Steams were then spent or by some other accident unknown to me the small Rivulet that ran over the Burning-place lies now some steps farther However 't is still admirable enough to see a low place vomit Smoak and Flames without any appearance of Hollowness or combustible Matter and that the Minerals that are the source of those Steams should have lasted Time out of Mind without any sensible dimunition And therefore this place is still accounted one of the seven Wonders of Dauphine At night especially in cold Weather or when it rains but slowly the Flames are very sensible but in the heat of the Day or after a violent Rain there appears but a Smoak which being put on Fire by kindled Straw draws out other Vapours so that the Flame lasteth a considerable time The small Country of Royanez the most Westerly of GRESIVAVDAN along the Isere has two Marquisates La Baume and Pont de Royan which last is a large Burough where the Protestants had a Church and a Minister that made himself known of late several ways Of the County of DIOIS THis Country anciently inhabited by the Vocontii seems to have been much larger than it is now since Vasio or Vaison a City of Provence near the County Venaissin was its Capital Now 't is extended about 18 Leagues North and South from St. Julien to S. Ferriol and about 16 East and West from La Croix Haute to Crest where it is broadest Besides Vasio the Vocontii had 21 Towns more among which Lucus Augusti and Dea Vocontiorum were the most considerable the first is now but a Village call'd Luc near a Lake of that Name almost six Leagues South-East of Die All the ancient Historians agree that Hannibal went thorough the Land of the Vocontii towards Pignerol in order to pass the Alps and descend into Italy But this Country is much more considerable for having produced one of the best Historians Rome ever saw and whose loss is most deplorable viz. Trogus Pompeius This County is Mountainous all over tho' fruitful in Wine and Corn and aboundant with Pasture-ground The most remarkable is Mont-Aiguille or the unaccessible Mountain five Leagues North-East of Die near a Village called Chessiliane One can go up to the height of a quarter of a Mile but then it rises so steep for almost a Mile that no sort of Animal was ever able to go to the top of it which appears by the Grass and Weeds that are overgrown there Near this Mountain is the Vally of Vercors which keeps yet something of the Name of the Vocontii or rather of a small Tract of Land belonging to them and called Vertacomicoros Die upon the Drome lies 16 Leagues South of Grenoble and 11 South-west of Valence is the Dea Vocontiorum and a Colony of the Romans built or repair'd in honour of Livia Augustus's Wife and therefore sometimes called Dea Augusta It has a Bayliwick and a Bishoprick which was united to that of Valence in 1275 but was again separated from it in 1687. This Town was full of Protestants before the the last Persecution because they had there a Colledge and University proper to them for Philosophy and Divinity The Lombards became Masters of Die in 1514 and after the last dismembring of the Kingdom of Arles or Burgundy the Sovereignty of it was usurped by the Bishops or some Lords under them They bore the Title of Counts and were issued from the House of Forcalquier who possessed it during the 11 and 12th Century at the end of which it passed to the House of Poictiers who already enjoyed the County of Valentimois but Lewis of Poictiers sold them both to the French King Charles the VI. in 1404 and so they were united to the rest of the Province The Protestants took this Town twice during the civil Wars in 1577 and 1585 and the last time raz'd the Cittadel The most ancient Bishop of Die remembred in History is one Martius for St. Nicaise who was the sole Prelate of the Gauls that assisted to the first Council of Nice was but the 5th in Order Three Miles North-west of Die is the Village of Quint on the meeting of the Rivers Sure and Drome It gives name to a Mountain whence it rises three Leagues North-west of the Village of Saillans which Ortelius and Holstein suppose to be some remains of the ancient Segalauni but Adrian de Valois proves
Concilium was held after the Conversion of Sigismund King of Burgundy in 517. Adrian de Valois mentions a Village call'd Ebao or Tortillane which 800 years ago belong'd to the Archbishops of Vienne and consequently did not lye far off and thence infers that Ebao and Epaone are the same name but I find no such place as Ebao or Tortillane in my Maps The first considerable Town after Vienne in this Diocese is Romans upon the Isere fifteen Leagues South East of Vienne and 14 West of Grenoble It was originally an Abby founded by one Bernard Archbishop of Vienne and call'd Romanis or Romanum Monasterium either because the Romans were yet Masters of the Country or that he put in Monks and Clerks coming out of Rome Whatever be of that the Jurisdiction of the Town formerly belonged to the Collegiate Church of St. Bernard but in 1344. Pope Clement the VI. made a gift of another Mans property by transferring it to the Dauphin Humbert who yielded him up Avisan 'T is observed â—hat the Situation of this Town has some 〈◊〉 with that of Jerusalem and especially a small Hill within its Walls to Mount Calvaire which was the reason that one Romanet Bossiâ— who had travelled into the Holy Land erected there a Building representing the St. Sepulchre with a Monastery for Franciscan Fryers in 1520. In 1562 the Protestants becoming Masters of the Town plunder'd the said Convent and Church St. Marcellin 7 Leagues North East of Romans and 8 West of Grenoble is the head of a small Bayliwick that takes up 6 or 7 Leagues of the North end of the Diocese of Vienne On the Borders of this Bayliwick 8 Leagues North East of St. Marcellin and 6 North of Grenoble is the Burrough of Voyron where was a famous Abby and a goodly Town called in the old Chartres Visorontia or Veserontia if we believe the Jesuit Labbe for Adrian de Valois conjectures more probably that it is a place still called Veseronce 4 Leagues North East of the Town of Bourgoin one South of the County of Bouchage and 2 West of the Rhone In the same Bayliwick lies the small Town of Thin or Thain 7 Miles West of Romans it is seated upon the Rhone over against Tournon from which it is separated by nothing but this River It must have been of some consideration in the 4th or 5th Century since the Maps of the Emperor Theodosius published by the Brothers Peutingers mention it under the name of Tegna 15 Miles North of Romans lies the Town of Moras seated upon a Mountain 5 Miles of St. Rambert upon the Rhone Going out of the Bayliwick of Grenoble 10 Leagues North of that City you meet with the Town of Pont de Beauvoisin Pons Bellovicinus so called because it is built upon the River Giere and divided into two parts united by a Bridge This part of Viennois is all mountainous as well as Savoy and Bresse upon which it borders The Inhabitants name it Terres Froides and made a great Traffick of the Vipers which abound in their Country Six leagues West of Pont de Beauvoisin is the famous Barony of La Tour du Pin of which the Dauphins bore the Title On this Barony formerly depended the Town of Bourgoin which lies three Leagues farther to the West and is renowned for its Trade of Hemp. Five Leagues North of Bourgoin lies the Burrough of Cremieu in Latin Stramiacum where the Emperor Lewis the Meek kept an Assembly in 836. The Burrough of Anton upon the Rhone 7 Leagues East of Lyons seems to have been built or beautified by Marc Antony the Triumvir both by its Latin name Antoniacum and by these Verses of Sidoâ—ius Apollinaris Pocula non heic sunt illustria nomine pagi Quod posuit nostris ipse Triumvir agris For this Part of Viennoise was in the Territory of Lyons wherein this Poet was born so that he will say that the Country thereabouts afforded no better Wine than that of Anton. Six Leagues East of Anton upon the Rhone and the Borders of Bresse lies the Town of Quirieu 3 Leagues North of Vienne and 5 South of Lyons lies the Burrough of St. Saphorin renowned for its Post-asses These Animals are so well taught that they go to the Burrough of La Guillotiere which makes part of Lyons but shall not advance a step farther than the place where they are used to be let loose though you should beat them never so much and the same they do in their return to St. Saphorin I supersede to describe the many Lordships that are in this Country as the Marquisates of Virieu and Omacieu the Counties of Diximieu Serrieres Bouchage Roussillon Anjou Charms the Baronies of Baubec Anton c. Of VALENTINOIS THis Country included between the Rhone and Isere the Bayliwick of Die and the Tricastinois reaches 20 Leagues North and South but hardly 6 or 8 East and West The Southern part is more mountainous the Northern more plain but both abundant with all the conveniencies of life The Capital Valance lies upon the Rhone 6 Leagues South West of Romans and 18 of Grenoble The Latins call it Valentia or Julia Vallentia because of its strength and of the Colony they had transported there In their time it was Inhabited by the Segalauni one of the chief People of the Gauls and their Dominions extended even beyond the Rhone since Tournon was in their Jurisdiction VALENTINOIS was erected into a Sovereign County at the dismembring of the French Monarchy under the Successors of Charlemaign The first Count thereof remember'd in History is one Gontard who lived in 950 and who by the Sirname of Poictiers which he left to his Successors seems to be descended from the antient Dukes of Aquitain I have observ'd how Lewis of Poictiers yielded his Dominions to the French King Lewis the XI who united them to the rest of Dauphiné Lewis the XII erected this County into a Dukedom for Caesar Borgia Son to Pope Alexander the VI. but the Lords of Poictiers made a solemn protestation against it pretending their Father could not deprive them of their Inheritance The Suit was along time depending before the Parliament of Grenoble but what their good Right could not get was obtained by the Beauty of a Lady of that House Diane of Poictiers Mistress to Francis the I. who easily prevailed upon that King to present her with the contested Dutchy which after her death was united again to the French Crown Valence is the head of a Seneschalship to which the Vice-seneschalships of Crest and Montlimar are resorting It has likewise a Presidial-seat and Election and an University for the Civil and Cannon Law wherein Doctors are made and the Famous Cujas has taught It s Bishop is Suffragan to Vienne and the first is one Emilian It s Cathedral is dedicated to another of its Prelates called St. Apollinaire But I must not forget that famous Nicodemite John of Montluc Bishop of Valence who liv'd under the Reign
〈◊〉 Kings of England France and Portugal but fiâ—â—ly remained to the Counts of Auvergne Tâ—â— last of them called Bertrand the second exchâ—â—ged it with Lewis XI for the County of Laâ—â—gais in 1477 and that this Agreement migâ—â— never be broken the shrewd King preseâ—â— our Lady of Boulogne with it In 1544. Hâ—â— VIII King of England took Boulogne fortified 〈◊〉 lower Town of it and built several Forts iâ— the Countrey but seeing that the keeping 〈◊〉 this Town would cost him much more than 〈◊〉 was worth he agreed with the French King Henry II. to restore it to him for the Summeâ— 80000 Crowns to be paid in eight Years Thâ— Treaty was concluded in 1549 but I do not heâ—â— that is was ever performed as to the paying oâ—â—â— the money Boulogne Capital of this County is a Seâ—port formerly Renown'd for being the ordinary passage from Gaul into Great Brittain bâ—â— at present not very commodious some say thâ— it was spoil'd by a Bank that the Emperor Maximinian caus'd to be rais'd before it It is divided into upper â—nd lower Town and seated upon the River Liane sixteen leagues north of Abbeville It has a Bishoprick suffragan to Rheims since the year 1566 nine years after that Teroanne was razed But De Valois pretends that the Bishoprick was rather restor'd to that City or fired in it than instituted anew because those Prelates were styl'd Bishops of Boulogne and Teroanne that the first as well as the last are call'd Givitâ—â— Morinorum and that the name of City is never given by Ancient Authors but to an Episcopal See There was formerly near the Haven an Octogone Tower called in French la Tour d'Ordre and by the English the Old man it s said to have been built by Caesar It was eighty foot in Circuit and Charlemaign looking upon it as a fit place for a Beacon caused it to be repaired but his Successors given either to Wars or to Pleasures suffer'd it to decay so far that it fell some 20 years ago The most considerable Buildings of Boulogne are the Cittadel the Cathedral Church of our Lady to whom the French Kings at their coming to the Crown are bound to offer a Heart of pure Gold weighing 2000 golden Crowns There are besides the Parochial Churches of St. Nicholas and St. Joseph the Abby of St. Willmore and the Palace where the Baily keeps his Seat Some take Boulogne for the Portus Iccius of Caesar but Adrian de proves that it is the Gesoriacum of Pliny which name about Constantine the Great 's time chang'd into that of Bononia The other Towns and considerable Buroughs are Bournonville Monthulin upon or near the Liane four or five leagues East of Boulogne Ambleteuse a Sea-port two leagues north of the same it s the same that Beda calls Amfleat or Amfleot which denotes a place where the Sea ebbs and flows Estaples Stapulae upon the mouth of the Canche almost six leagues south of Boulogne De Valois believes it to be the Portus Iccius of Caesar because Ptolomy distinguishes Portus Iccius from Gesoriacum and puts them in the Countrey of the Morini 'T is a small Town well fortified famous for being the Native Countrey of James le Fevre who for his Learning did deserve the Praises of the Roman Catholicks tho he was one of the chief Promoters of the Reformation The Recover'd Countrey THat which the French call Pais Reconquis is a small Tract of Land that has not above five leagues in length North and South and as much East and West where it is broadest coming from Boulogne you enter into the Principality of Ardres Arda or Ardea the chief Town of which is seated upon a Hill and divided into upper and lower both well fortified Before the year 1067 it was but a Village erected into a Town out of the Ruines of the Castle of Selnesse by one Arnoul Lord of that place or as others pretend by one Arnold Lord of Ardres with the Consent of Baldwin Count of Guines by reason of the great number of Shepherds who resorted to that place for its excellent Pasture-ground In 1520 Francis I. and Henry VIII had an Interview near this Town their Court was so brisk and their Attendants so richly adorn'd that the place is yet called The Field of the Golden Cloth Cardinal Albert of Austria took this Town in 1596 but restored it to the French King Henry IV. three years after by the Treaty of Vervins Guisnes is a small Town 3 miles North-west of Ardres and above 3 leagues from the Sea It has the title of a County and formerly the Towns and Burroughs of Ardres Fiennes Witsant Andriae Bredenarde Sangate and Colemude depended on it Sifri a Dane took it from the Monks of Sithiu or S. Omer and made homage of it to Arnoul Count of Flandres who countenanced him Before the French took it from the English it was environ'd with strong Forts as Blanes and St. Inglevert It came in the hands of the English under King John of France the same way that a late Conquerer has usurped so many Towns The Governour of Guisnes being gone to a Festival of the Knights of the Star Edward K. of England bought the Town from his Lieutenant There was then a Truce between the two Monarchs and therefore the wronged King John would have resented this match as a breach of it But Edward answered That this Assertion was contrary to the doctrine of late Philip of Valois the French Kings Father for when an English Traytor that would have sold to him the Town of Calice was discovered this Prince coldly answered that such Negotiations did not break a Truce The County of Oyâ— is separated from that of Guisnes by a small River which Duchesne calls a Channel drawn from the Sea 'T is a Countrey of about 4 leagues in length and 3 in breadth Modern Geographers speak of some wavering Marshes and swimming Islands between this Countrey and that of Guisnes Calice is now one of the strongest Towns and the very Key of France towards England for its Fortifications consist in nine great Bastions besides those of the Cittadel and several Out-Works lin'd with stone It has a double Ditch very large and deep that can be filled with the River Hames that runs along its Walls There is also a Marsh and several Brooks that render the approach of this Town very difficult neither can one go to it but upon the Causey or madeway called the Bridge of Nieullay As to the Haven its Entry is defended by a Fort call'd the Risban and it is divided into two the smaller is called Cadegray the bigger is shut up by two Moles faced with stone Five years ago the present French King begun to build a Mole upon great piles droven into the sand beneath the low-Water-mark which will be 30 yards wide and make an Harbour fit to receive third or fourth Rates Men of War whereas a good Merchant-man cannot get into the present Havens This