His Royall Highness Prince GEORGE Brother to Christian the 5th the Present King of Denmarke Etate sue 30. 1683 THE Present State OF DENMARK AND REFLECTIONS UPON THE Ancient State thereof Together with a particular Account of the Birth Education Martial Atchievements and brave Performances of his Royal Highness Prince GEORGE Only Brother to His present Majesty of Denmark By G. Pierreville Gent. Secretary to the King's Minister at the Court of Denmark LONDON Printed for William Benbridg in Huggins Alley in Woodstreet 1683. To His Grace Charles Seamour Duke of Somerset c. May it please your Grace HAving been some years Secretary to the King's Minister at the Court of Denmark and brought some Memoirs from thence relating both to the Ancient and Modern State of that Kingdom I was prevailed with through the Importunities of some Friends to commit them to the Press For the Northern Regions not lying in the usual Road of our Travellers and not being thought to have any thing sufficiently inviting as to engage them to undergo the inconveniencies and hardships that attend all Voyages into those Parts nor to make such a stay as is requisite for the rendring their Observations worthy of the Curiosity of the Age. We are generally very much in the Dark as to the Government and Manners of those People This has made me liable since my return from those Climats to daily Questions about them especially of late since the Discourses of the Match between my Lady Ann and Prince George People beginning to accuse themselves for entertaining so slender an Opinion of these Countries that can produce a Prince every way so great and endued with such Royal Qualities as is His Royal Highness Though these Considerations made me give way to the instancy of my Acquaintance yet I could not resolve upon the making them publick without imploring the Patronage of your Graces Illustrious Name And though I ought to have curb'd my Presumption from offering you up so unpolisht and so imperfect an Oblation yet hoping that some things in it might merit your Graces Speculation I flatter'd my self that your Grace abounding with so much goodness would pardon in me the Ambition I had to declare the profound Zeal Respect and Submission wherewith I am My Lord Your Graces Most humble and most obedient Servant G. PIERREVILLE THE Present State OF DENMARK THE Kingdom of Denmark containing that part of the Cimbrick Chersonese called Juitland Holstein a great Shoal of Islands the Principal whereof are Zealand Funen and many more but of less Note with the great continent of Norway and the Isles thereof is Bounded on the West with the Main Western Ocean on the East with the Baltick Sea on the North-East with part of Sweedland Full-North with the Main Frozen Ocean and on the South with Germany from which it is seperated on the South-west by the River Albis and on the South-East by the Trave a small Isthmus or Neck of Land Uniting it to that Continent It had its Name from the People of those many Islands which lie together in the Bay or Gulph called Sinus Codanus Now the Baltick Sea who took upon them the Name of Danes Extending their Name afterwards as they did their Conquest and not from Dan a Fabulous King thereof above a Thousand years before the Birth of our Saviour As for its Position in regard of the Heavens part of it lieth within the Northern temperate Zone and part within the Artict Circle reaching from the middle Parallel of the 10th Clime or 55 Degree of Latitude where it Joyneth with Germany as far as the 71 Degree where the Frozen Ocean is its only Boundary thus the longest Day in the Southern parts hereof is 17 hours and a quarter But in the parts farthest North they have no Night for two whole Months three Weeks one day and some Seaven hours over as on the Contrary no Day for the like space of time when the Sun is farthest distant in the other Tropick Thus the Air would be very sharp and bitter were it not Temperated by the warm Vapours of the Sun by which means in Juitland Zealand and the Adjoyning Islands it is not so Cold as in places which lie much more South Now tho the Land be Naturally Sterile and affording little besides Woods and Mountains yet the Care and Industry of the Inhabitants have made it very Fruitful Denmark abounds in Rich Pastures which Feed such vast Numbers of Cattle that it has been some times known that in one Year a Hundred-Thousand Cows and Oxen have been hence Exported into Germany and the Netherlands which brings a Vast Income to the Kingdom nor do they want excellent Breeds of Horses that part of it called Oldenburg especially Furnishing the best and finest Coach-Horses of all Europe The Sea Coasts of Juitland Zealand and other parts of the Danish Territories are plied with such Vast Shoals of Herrings Plaise Whitings Cod and other Fish that they are almost capable of Hindring the Passage of Boats and Ships Nor are their Forrests less stocked with Venison there being no less every Hunting Season than Fifteen Hundred Bucks brought into the Kings Pallaces besides Vast numbers of Wilde Boars Hares and such like sort of Gaim Notwithstanding the mean Opinion which the Romans had and the Ill Character they have given us of all the Northern Nations yet they found themselves constrained to Buckle under their Vigourous Attacks and abandon their City and Country as a Prey to the Pillage and Mercy of the Triumphing Cambrians nor are the other Northern Nations insensible of the Mettle and keenness of the Danish Swords the Danes having Conquered Ireland no less than Eight several times Beaten the English Ten times and who for a long while were Subject to the Kings of Denmark Scotland for some time Tributary to this Crown Saxony has paid Homage to several of the Danish Kings and Sweeden frequently own'd e'm for their Soveraigns nor is the Kingdom of Norway a small proof of the Danish Courage neither have their Women been Barren of Brave performances their Exploits being equally Glorious with those of the greatest Heroes of other Nations But Valour and Warlike Conduct are not the only qualities praise worthy in the Danes they are no less to be Commended for their Hospitality and Extraordinary Complaisance to all Strangers and tho their Entertainments do sometimes degenerate into Luxury and excess yet without doubt the Crime is much more Pardonable in them than those who live under a more happy Climate The Danes indeed are Haughty and Superstitiously Jealous of their Honor revenging the least outrage and contempt and resenting to a High Degree all things which give the least apprehension of an Affront and as they are Rigorous Prosecutors of Insults done to themselves so are they no less severe Punishers of Criminals of State especially Thieves and Pirates And as they are Peremptory in their Executing of Justice upon Offenders so are they most Religious in doing
and Distributing it where due and Inviolable observers of their Words and Contracts The Bulck and Stature of the Bodies of the Danes does in somewise suit with the Grandure of their minds and tho the Luxury of the Age has so far prevailed in Denmark as to quash the growth of their Modern Danes in respect of their Ancestors yet they be still more Large Strong Vigorous and long Liv'd than most or any of their Neighbours They are generally fair Complexion'd their Hair something inclined to Yellow Their common Food is on Corn Fish and all manner of Tame and Wild Beasts that are Mans Meat which they have in great abundance And amongst their many kind of Fowl they have greater store of Wood-Cocks than any other Countrey whatsoever The Old Liquor of Denmark was Oel Ale or Beer made of Malt and Water and is still their common and most general Drink And tho Wine has now obtain'd much among them yet perhaps their excess therein has Curtailed much of their pristine Vigour and that had they kept constant and solely to their Oel it might have spirited them to as great Actions as those of their Predecessors As for the Danish Language it is only a distinct Dialogue of the Teutonick the High-Dutch Sweedish Norwegion Flandrian and English being no more and all Derived from one Mother Tongue As for the Government of Denmark without dwelling upon the Fabulous stories of King Dan it is Evidently to be made out that it was a Monarchy in the Consultship of Catulus and Marius near a hundred years before Christ after which we have an account of one Gothrick King of the Danes in the time of the Emperour Charles Magne from whom the present King of Denmark is Descended in a Lineal Succession though some Authors do affirm that the Ancient Line failed in the Death of King Christopher the 3d. The Crown of Denmark it self was Elective untill the year 1660. Nevertheless the Senatours generally chose the Eldest Son of their Soveraign who from that time forth was Stiled the Prince and the other of the Kings Sons the Dukes and Heirs of Norway Now their Election in former times was performed after a very Solemn manner for as many of the Nobles as were Senatours and had Power of Voting and giving their suffrages having pitcht upon some Commodious place in the Fields where having placed themselves in a Circle upon so many great Stones they past their Votes and having Seated their new Elected Soveraign in the middle upon a Stone Higher than the Rest they Saluted Him King There being to this Day in Zealand such a company of Stones which bear the Name of King-Seat But after the Crown of Denmark had been thus Elective for above Two Hundred years in the present Oldenburg Family the chief Power of Election as I said being in the Nobility those Nobles took this means and occasion to Capitulate advantages to themselves as Previous and Preliminary Conditions to the Election which every succeeding King was forced to comply with to the Curtailing Dispoiling and Weakning of the Crown and to the prejudice and disadvantage of the other Orders of the Kingdom insomuch that none but a Noble Man could Buy Purchase or possess in his own Right any Seigniory or Mannour A Cittizen or Burgher was not capable of purchasing more than a House and perhaps a Guarden and an Orchard or some such slender business The Lands and Revenues of the Crown were let our to Noble Men it may be not to the Third often not to the Fourth part of what they were really worth and yet the King could not raise the Old Rents tho the Nobles in the mean while kept the under-tennents Chewing upon a rack Rent The Pesants in the Danish Island were Villains Reguardant to the Mannors of Noble Men. All publick Offices and advancements were Monopolized by the Nobility And meer merit without the Circumstances of Nobility of Extraction and Grandure of State was excluded all Countenance Protection and Preferment Thus the Crown of Denmark which shown with so much Lustre Renown and Glory in former Ages was Dwindled almost into an Aristocrasie and hardly the shaddow of what it had been some Centuries before But upon the Occasion of a Warr between Carolus Gustavus King of Sweeden and Frederick the 3d. King of Denmark in the Year 1660. Great Priviledges were proposed and conferred upon the Burgers of Copenhagen the better to Encourage them to stand the more Valiantly in Defence of their King and Countrey least the Prospect of mending their Circumstances under a new Master should prevail with them to abandon their Old Now the Priviledges Established in that juncture were an equal admission to Offices and Honours according to the Deserts and Capacities of them and their Children a Power of Purchasing Lands and Lordships with the same Rights as the Nobles Copenhagen to be one of the Estates of the Kingdom and to have a Suffrage in all publick Councels and Resolves and the Crown turn'd from Elective to Hereditary and so freed from the Guardianship of the Nobility Thus that juncture how Menacing soever it seemed to the whole Realm of Denmark yet proved of such advantage as to rein-state the King in all that Power that was necessary for the Defending of His Dominions against the Invasions and Insults of Forreigners and the Oppressions and Usurpations of one fellow Subject upon an other Thus the Complexion of that Government is much more Vigorous and there is a better Circulation of the Blessings to be Enjoyed under a happy Sway since this Reformation than had been for some Ages before under several Reigns together The account of the Kings of Denmark before the Planting of Christianity in that Country will be found a difficult matter to be Stated their Chronicles before that time being for the most part feign'd and fabulous as well as that of other Nations But according to the most careful Judicious and Modestest Relations of that matter we shall set down the following Catalogue 1. Harald being forced to Fly his Kingdom by the Accomplices of his Brother Reinferd had recourse to the Emperour Ludowick for Succour who Furnished him with Forces for the Reinstating him in his Kingdom but upon Condition he would abandon his Heathenisme and be Converted to Christianity Accordingly he was Baptized in the year 826 and was forthwith set again upon his Throne But not long after he turn'd Idolater again adn so remained till he was prevailed with to Renounce it by St. Angchar 2. Eric Succeeded his Brother Harald and though he had been Baptized with him at the Emperours Court yet he persecuted the Christians with the same Cruelty as his Brother had done in the time of his Relapse During his Reign namely about the year 853. the Danes are said to have first Invaded France under the Conduct of their General Rollo though others would have Gotfrid to have made the first Eruption into that Kingdom and that Rollo did not
enter France till the year 876. and was not Established peaceably in Normandy till 889. or 890. 3. Eric Barn or the Child being the only Male left alive of the Royal Family after the Bloody Wars between Eric and Guthorn King of Norway But he had not been long upon the Throne before he Renewed the Persecution upon the Christians with more Cruelty then his Prodecessors had done destroying more Churches Bishops and Religious Houses then all the other Danish Kings put together He Prosecuted his Wars in Germany with great Gallantry and Conduct Slaying with his own Hands Bruno Duke of Saxony and Twelve Counts He Departed this Life in the year 902. 4. Canutus Lodneknut or the Hairy Succeeded his Father Eric In his time every Third Man in Denmark went to seek his Fortune and those who went away thus upon these Expeditions over-run all Prusia Courland Semgal and other Countries where they Established themselves and where their Posterity remain unto this day He Dyed a Pagan in the year 912. And was Succeeded by 5. Frotho his Son though some say Sueno his Brother Reigned Nine years He was twenty years King of England and Denmark being Converted to Christianity in England and Dyed a zealous Christian his next Successors was 6. Gormo Gormund or Guthram Surnaned Hartesnute and Engelander because Born in England He with his Attendants was Baptized at Aalâ—e in Somersetshire our Learned and Pious King Alfred being his Godfather and gave him the Name of Athelstanes and the Kingdom of the East-Angles 7. Harald Surnamed Blaat and Succeeded his Father Gormo In his days did the Danes make that Famous Trench between Gottorp and Sleswick called Dannewerk 8. Sueno or Suenotho Surnamed Tuiskeg that is Fork'd Beard Succeeded Harald At his first coming to the Crown he was a Pagan and Exercised great Cruelty upon the Christians but was afterwards Converted to Christianity and Erected three Bishopricks at Sleswick Ripen and Arhusen He is by some said to have Dyed in the year 1012. and was Buryed at York Others in 1014. and Intombed in Denmark 9. Canutus the Great Son to Sueno He was at once King of England Denmark Sweeden Norway Slavonia and Sambland some say too King or Duke of Normandy He was Buryed at Winchester in the year 1036. after he had been Seaven and twenty years King of Denmark twenty four of England and Seaven of Norway and was Suoceeded in the Crown of Denmark by his Son 10. Hardi-Cnute who within four years obtained the Kingdom of England upon the Death of his Brother Harald He Dyed in England in the year 1041. and was Buryed by his Father in the Cathedral of Winchester 11. Magnus King of Norway possessed himself of the Crown of Denmark by main force upon the Death of Hardi-Cnute pretending a Contract that Entituled him to it but had it not long in possession He Dyed in the year 1048. and left the Crown to 12. Sueno Esthret Son of one Vlf an English Earl He Departed this Life in the year 1074. and left behind him five Sons who all of them Enjoyed Successively their Fathers Crown 13. Harald Sueno's Eldest Son Swayed the Scepter no longer then two years being an easie efferninate timerous Prince So that the English laid hold of the Juncture shook off the Danish Yoak without any great trouble 14. St. Canutus the Second Son of King Swain in the year 1088. was Inhumanly Murdered by his own Subject at St. Albans Church in Odensee a City in the Isle of Funen which he had made his Sanctuary Now his Brother Olaf longing for the Crown Fomented a Rebellion against Canutus and effected his designs by the means of the Kings commanding his Subjects to pay Tyths according to the Custom of other Nations And this Fomented the People into such a Rage by Olafs practises that nothing could appease but their Soveraigns Martyrdome 15. Olaf the Third Son of Swain upon the Assassination of St. Canutus was Unanimously Declared King by his Partizans But he and the whole Kingdom were not long before they received their just Punishment for that Execrable Crime of Murdering their Prince for Heaven was pleas'd to send so great a Famine over all Denmark that the Kings own Family wanted Bread Olaf well knowing his Crimes had brought that Judgment upon the Realm offered up his Prayers to God that he would be pleased to divert the Stream of his Vengeance from off the People upon his Head that had offended Whereupon the very same Night he Dyed Hungry and Wretched in the year 1096 and the Famine forthwith abated 16. Eric Swains Fourth Son Surnamed the Good for his Religious Zeal and Piety Dyed in his Pilgrimage towards Jerusalem and was Buried in the Isle of Cyprus in the year 1106. during his Reign Lunden in Schonen was made an Arch-Bishops See all the Danish Bishops being before that time under the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of Brement 17. Nicholas Suenos's youngest Son Succeeded his Brother but was Slain in the year 1135. by the Jutes in Revenge of the Death of Chute Duke of Flanders whom he had caused to be Assassinated in the Church 18. Eric Emund a good Religious Prince Succeeded his Uncle Nicarlus in the year 1130. was in his own Pallace Inhumanly Assassinated by one Plagsorte a Nobleman of Juitland 19. Eric Lamb Succeeded his Unckle Eric Emund But after a while laid down his Crown and retired into a Monastry at Odensce in Funen where he departed this Life in the year 1147. 20. Swain Gratenhede Eric Emunds Son got the Crown upon the Death of his Kinsman Eric Lamb. Three Kings of Denmark were at the same time in this Princes days One part of the People being for Cnute King Nicholas's Grand-Child another for Waldemar Son to Cnute Duke of Flanders After some Rancounters and Combates wherein both Swain and Cnute were Killed the whole Realm was Swayed by 21. Waldemar Surnamed the Great who was Soveraign of all the Countries on the North of the Elb and Departed this Life in the year 1182. Leaving the Crown to his Son 22. Cnutes who shewed great Conduct and Gallantry in his Wars with the German Emperour who demanded Homage of the Kings of Denmark He Dyed at Ringsted in the year 1202. 23. Waldemar the Second Succeeded his Brother He new Modelled the Danish Government Subdued Norway overcame and put to Flight the Emperour Otto who meant to render himself Master of Holstein and having Sway'd the Scepter Victoriously for Thirty Nine Years he Dyed Anno Dom. 1241. and was Succeeded by 24. Eric Plog-penning his Son who was taken at Sleswick and Slain by his Brother 25. Abel who having Reigned two years after a Wicked manner was then Assassinated by Rebels in the year 1252. and was Succeeded by his Brother 26. Christophers who having Lived in a continual War with his own Rebellious Subjects is said to have been Poysoned in the year 1259. by Arnefast Bishop of Arhusen as the Emperour Henry the Seventh was
afterwards by Bernardine the Monk with the Eucharist 27. Eric Glipping the Son of King Christopher being possessed of his Fathers Scepter Lived one of the most Leudest and Debauchest Lives Imaginable committing all manner of Sacriledges Murders Oppressions and Whoredoms till he was Assassinated with Fifty six some say Seventy Wounds as he was Sleeping one Night in a Barn at Findetorp a small Vilage in the Bishoprick of Wiberg by seven Ruffians hired to Kill him by Andrew Soiget Marshal of Denmark whose Wife he had Ravished and some others of the Nobility in the year 1286. and was Succeeded by 28. Eric Menved Glippings Son who was as good and Pious a Prince as his Father was Impious and Wicked being preserved by Providence from the Death and Murder which was Plotted by the Conspiraters against his Fathers Life He Dyed peaceably as he had Lived in the year 1319. was Buryed at Ringstad and Succeeded by his Brother 29. Christopher the Second much unlike his Predecessor being a Cruel Perfidious Unfortunate and Sloathful Prince a Hater of all and Hated by all Having lingred out a Reign of Thirteen years in 1333 he Dyed at Niccoping in the Isle of Falster being forsaken of all neglected and unpittyed After this Princes Death there was an Inter-regnum of fifteen years but the Danes growing Sensible of the confusions they lay under for want of a Head resolved to Settle 30. Waldemar the Third King King Christophers Son upon the Throne of his Father He pull'd down the Usurpers and Recollected the scatter'd Members of the Realm without much Molestation He is said to have been a Prince endued with all those Great Qualities that can adorn a Throne When Pope Gregory the 11th threatned to Excommunicate him for his saucy Behaviour in the Stile of the See of Rome he returned this Answer Waldemar King of Denmark c. To the Bishop of Rome Sendeth Greeting We hold our Life from God our Kingdom from our Subjects our Riches from our Parents and our Faith from thy Predecessor which if thou wilt not Grant us any longer We do by these Presents Resigne Farewell He Dyed in the year 1378. and was Buryed by his Father at Sora and Succeeded by his Daughter 31. Margaret who was Crowned Queen of Denmark upon the Death of her Father and Sway'd the Scepter with more Prudence and Conduct than any of her Predecessors she taking in one Campaign Albert King of Sweeden Rodulph Arch-Bishop of Scharen the Duke of Mecklenburg and the Earl of Holstein and Reppin Prisoners she Dyed a great Friend to Religion and Patroness to the Clergy and was Buryed at Roschild in the year 1412. Her Father was used to say That Nature intended her for a Man but Spoiled her in the making She left the Crown to 32. Eric the Son of Vratislaw the Seventh Duke of Pomeren her Great Nephew who having Reigned many years like a cruel Tyrant was at length constrained to abandon his Throne and Fly from the Fury of his Incens'd Nobility into Gothland taking with him a vast Treasure and one Cicilia his Miss who by the Influence she had over him brought him to that wretched condition 33. Christopher Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine of the Rhine another of King Waldemars great Grand Children succeeding Eric in the Kingdoms of Denmark Norway and Sweeden His sway was short but Glorious and successful more especially prosperous in his Warrs against the Rebells in Juitland and the Hans-Towns He died without Issue at Helsingburg in the year 1447. 34. Christian 1. Theodoric Count of Oldenburgs Son was chosen King of Denmark upon the Death of King Christopher he had all the Royal Quallities that can Illustrate a Throne He reduced the Sweeds to their Allegiance who had Revolted from the Crown of Denmark in the begining of His Reign added Holstein to His Dominions made Himself Duke of Dithmars and Stormar and having swayed the Scepter Three and Thirty years He Died in Peace in the year 1481. and was Buried a in Chappel of his own Building at Roschild leaving his Scepture to 35. John his Son who was a Generous Valiant and Pious Prince and very prosperous in almost all His undertakings He Died of the Plague at Olburg in the year 1513. 36. Christian the 2d his Son succeeded Him who was the greatest Tyrant not only that ever swayed the Scepter of Denmark but perhaps that ever any other Nation did produce He is said to have been Born with one Hand grasp'd which when the Midwife open'd she found full of Blood Thus when by the Barbarity and Cruelty of his Reign He had been compelled to abandon the possession of Three Kingdoms and had underwent the Miseries of Banishment and Imprisonment for six and Thirty years He Died wretchedly in the Castle of Kallenburg in Zealand in the year 1559. and was succeeded by his Uncle 37. Federic the 1. King John's Brother Immediately after his Coronation He began to Introduce the Augsburg Confession into all the Churches of Denmark He swayed the Septer almost Ten years in Peace and quietness and Died at Sleswig in the year 1533. 38. Christian the Third Fredericks Son Succeeded his Father He compleated the Reformation which his Father had begun in the Church is celebrated for all the Christian and Royal Vertues that a Prince can stand possessed off His Reign having been exceeding Happy both to himself and his Subjects he left the Scepter to his Son 39. Frederick the II. who was a Religious Observer of the Steps of his Father and after a prosperous Reign of Nine and Twenty Years Died in his Pallace at Anderscow in the year 1587. and had for his Successor 40. Christian the IV. who before his Fathers Burial was chosen and soon after Crowned King of Denmark During his Reign Ferdinand the II. Emperour of Germany over-run the greatest part of the Cimbrian Chersonese and had almost Subdued the whole Kingdom of Denmark but King Christian using his last efforts constrained the Imperalists to retire and made an Honourable Peace he Died in the year 1648. and was Succeeded by 41. Frederick the Third his Son About the middle of this Princes Reign his Crown had like to have been taken of his Head by the Victorious Charles Gustave King of Sweeden who had reduced him to that Extremity as that he had nothing more left then his Town of Copenhaguen but the Emperonr King of Poland and other Nothern Princes confederating together the King of Sweeden was compelled to the Treaty at Roschild which nevertheless stripped Denmark of many of it's best holds and Provinces Yet the Crown received this advantage as to be made Heriditary in the present Family and the People instead of many Tyrants which they had in the Nobles no more one Master He Dyed of a Feaver the twenty fifth day of February 1669. and that Night the Nobility Swore Allegiance to the New King 42. Chrstian Fifth now Reigning Anactive and Valiant Prince was Born on the 18th of
April 1646. Elected King of Denmark and acknowledged Heir of that Crown on the 12 of June 1650 Married on the 10 of May 1667 Charlotta Landgrave of Hesse Castle the Daughter of the Landgrave William and of Hedwige Sophina Electoral Princess of Brandenburg the Ceremony of their Marriage was performed at Niccoping in the Isle of Falster in the Month of July in the same year with all the Splendour and magnificence Imaginable by this Princess the King has a numerous Issue But before I proceed to give an Account of the Royal Family it is convenient I first set down some Circumstances relating to the present King of Denmarks Person his Title Arms Dominions Patrimony Revenue and Strength his Power Prerogatives Supremacy Soveraignty and Respect And then I shall proceed to the giving an Account of the Nobility and Orders of the Knight-hood of that Kingdome with several other particulars ending with a Geographical or rather Topographical Descriptions of the several Provinces and Places belonging to that Crown And now first as to his Person having already mentioned his Birth Marriage and Coronation Than that he is possessed of all the advantages which Nature or Education could afford which have been so well Seconded by Fortune in several Expeditions into Schonen and Germany and the engagements of his Fleets that he is become the Darling of his People and the Terror and Admiration of his Enemies The King of Denmarks Title now is King of Denmark Norway of the Goths and Vandales Duke of Sleswick Holstein Stormar and Ditmarsh Count of Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst It was much more pompous formerly when he Swelled out the Catalogue of his Dominions with England Sweeden and other Provinces The Ancient Cimbrians are said to have had their Shields and Helmets Painted with the Shapes of several sorts of Wild Beasts and sometimes used to set a Brazen-Bull upon the top of their Standard as a token of Strength and Valour But at this time the King of Denmark's Coat is a Complication of Fourteen several Coats thus ordered In a Field Gules He bears a Cross Argent the Arms of the House of Oldenburgh which quarters the upper part of the Coat into four Cantons The First of these gives the Arms of Denmark Or Six half Hearts Gules three Lyons Passant Guardant Azure with Crowns of the First This Coat is parted with the Arms of Norway Gules a Lyon Crowned Or holding in his paws an Hatchet Argent with an haft of the Second The Second Canton carries Gules a Leopard in Chief Or the Field Sown with nine Hearts of the Second which are the Arms of Gothland these are parted with Gules a Dragon Crowned Or the Ancient Coat of the Vandals or Slavonians the Third Canton gives Azure Three Crowns Or to Denote the Union of the Three Kingdoms of Denmark Norway and Sweeden This Coat is parted with Gules a Paschal-Lamb Argent holding a Cross Or at which hangs a Streamer of the Second charged with a small Cross of the First The first Original of this Coat is said to have been this In the Year 1218. when King Waldemar the Second Engaged in a Sharp and Bloody War with the Lifelanders the Danish Troops having lost their Standard began to be disheartned to that Degree that they gave Ground and were ready to fling down their Arms out of dispair and yield the Victory to the Heathens When a new Standard of a suddain fell from Heaven Displaying a White Cross in a Bloody-Flag At the sight whereof the Danes forthwith Rallyed their Forces that were Dispersed with that Vigour and Courage as rendered them in a short time Masters of the Field The Kings of Denmark kept the Holy Flag in Remembrance of so Miraculous a Deliverance with all the care and Veneration imaginable Believing their Future Success did in a high Degree depend upon the Safety of so Sacred a Banner But though the Danish Historians do Assert this to be the source of this part of the Arms of their Kings yet it is much more reasonable to believe that this Banner was bestowed by the Pope upon their King when he undertook that expedition into Lifeland since the main Design of that War was the Conversion of those Infidels But to proceed the Fourth Canton bears Or two Lyons Passant Azure which are the Arms of Sleswic these are parted with Gules an headless Fish stuck on a Stake and Crown'd Argent which is the Coat of Iseland In the Center of these four Cantons and the middle of the great Cross hangs a Scutcheon bearing Azure a Horse-Man in compleat Armour Argent holding a Sword in his Right-Hand of the same with the Hilt Or his Horse covered with a Cloath of the Second which are the Arms of Dithmarse The lower part of the Arms contains four Coats more Whereof the First is Gules three Pinks some call them Nails of our Saviours Passion and three Leaves of Nettles which are intermixed and meet in Angles at the Heart of the Coat which is charged with a small Scutcheon Argent for Holstein The Second which is the Coat of Stormaria is Axure a Swan Argent with a Coronet round her Neck Or. The Third belonging to the County of Delmenhorst is Or two Bars Gules The Fourth and last Coat which belongs to Jutland is Azure a Cross Patty at the bottom of it Achet Or below the Arms is usually hung in a Chain Or the Scutcheon of the Order of the Elephant The Helmet Or Embroidered and Damasked the sights covered and wanting Bars above with a Crown Or encircled with four Circles and Adorned with precious Stones On the top of this a Globe Or and above all a Cross Patty Argent The Crest is a Leopard Passant over the Crown Or eight Streamers Azure a plain Cross Argent four Spears bending to the Dexter side and as many to the Sinister Or. Supported by two Savages Crowned and girt with Ivy Proper Armed with two pointed Clubs The Mantle Or Sown with Hearts Gules and Lions Azure doubled Ermine The Ancient Dominions of the King of Denmark were of a much Vaster extent than they are at this day that Crown possessing in the time of Canutus the Great England Denmark Sweeden Norway Slavonia Sambland and Normandy with several Islands Whereas now his swayreaches only over Juitland Holstein Zealand Norway Iseland Freezland Greenland the Feroe and some other Islands of small Note with the Counties of Oldenburg Stormaria and Dithmarsh and alternatively Slezwick as shall be shown more at large hereafter besides some Fortresses and Colonies in the East and West-Indies and upon the Coast of Africa The Kings of Denmark have certain Lands Annexed to the Crown which are inalienable and in case upon the Necessities of some Junctures any of them be alienated for the Publick Weale yet the same Prince or any of his successours may reunite them again let the consideration be what it will of their Alienation But it is no easie matter to State the account of
the yearly Revenue of the King of Denmark which arises from the Rents of Crown Lands Customes and Custome Money Tiths and other Contingencies some guesse may be made of it from the Customes which are paid by the Merchant-Ships which pass the Sound every day Every Ship that passes by Elseneur must pay a Rose-Noble or Four Rix-Dollars for every Mast And it has been observed that commonly Two hundred Ships often Four hundred nay Six hundred pass in one day Now allowing only 200 to pass daily and each pay two Rose Nobles or eight Rix-Dollars for two Masts the Sum will Amount to about Four hundred Pounds of our Money for every day in the year round and for the whole year to about 134400 Pounds And the Tax which is paid for such Cattel as are Exported does not fall much short of this the Customers Exacting a Rix-Dollar for every Beast that goes out of their Kings Dominions The chief strength of the King of Denmark consists in the Number and goodness of his Ships and Seamen And indeed the Danish Mariners may vye with the best of Europe which formerly Rendred them not only particularly succesful by Sea but also in their Engagements with the Sweeds in the last Wars The Naval Forces of the Crown of Denmark were even formerly so considerable as that Christian the Second fitted out a hundred good Men of War for the Succour of Henry the Second the French King against the English Nevertheless this present King has a much larger Fleet of his own alwaies ready for Action And here I cannot forbear taking Notice of the Bravery and Vigour of our Nation that was able to carry on a War with Glory and Fight with success three such Powers confederated together as his most Christian Majesty the King of Denmark and the States General of the United Provinces nay in so Mortifying a Conjuncture as when the Burning of London and the Desolation of the Plague would have enervated any other than English Courages disconcerted their measures and constrain'd 'em to have complyed with dishonourable Terms But to return I will here insert a List of such Men of War of the King of Denmark as I could get the List off  Guns Men. Sophia Amalia 106. 650. Prince Christian 80. 600. Droning Charlotte 60. 500. Prince Charlotte 60. 500. Prince George 80. 550. Fur. Prince 80. 500. Princess Amalies 60. 500. Three Crowns 80. 500. Northern Lion 60. 400. Three Foldigherds 60. 450. Swan 60. 450. Three Lions 70. 400. Victory 54. 350. Lindworm 48. 300. Nettle Leave 54. 300. Oldenburg 48. 250. Spen. 50. 300. Black Horseman 50. 300. Guldenlieu 54. 300. Hope 48. 250. Delmenhorst 44. 250. Copenhagen 40. 250. Black Bear 36. 200. Feroe 40. 200. Christianus Quartus 54. 300. Frederick 3 d. 54. 300. Venus 36. 200. Lobster 36. 200. Goldenfish 20. 100. The Virgin 28. 100. Wildman 18. 20. Flyin◠Hart. 20. 100. Lubeck   The Hunter 20. 100. With many others whereof I cannot at present call to mind the Names The Danish Men of War now are Built much fitter for Service than they were formerly being neither so Large so Bulky nor so unweildy as they were in the foregoing Ages but readier either to Attack Fly or Pursue No Prince in Christendom is better Furnished with all things necessary for the fitting out a Fleet Norway and his other Territories affording him all the Equipage requisite for that purpose He is also pretty well stored with Sea-men and indeed all his Dominions being Islands or Maritime Provinces the Inhabitants are almost Naturally Mariners Nevertheless this Monarch is sometimes forced to have recourse to strangers for Recruits of Men the Northern Countreys not abounding so in People as they did in former times when they Spawn'd and poured forth such shoales as over ran not only most parts of Europe but continued their Incursions into Asia But whether this be imputed to the Abolishing of Poligamy which the Introducing Christianity did reform or that the prevailing of Luxury has debilitated their pristine Vigour and rendred them the less fit for generation certain it is that no parts of Europe are now so thin of Inhabitants as these Northern Regions and that the King of Denmark has not People enough to Man out so many Ships He would be otherwise capable to fit out For without Exhausting or Impoverishing his Coffers He is able to Build Twelve Men of War every year And considering the Scarcity of Men His Land Forces are much more considerable and better Martialized than they have been under some of His latest Predecessors But before I proceed to particularize them it will be convenient to set down the Names of the Principal Officers of the Fleet. Henery Bielek Lord High Admiral Niels Juel General Admiral Monsieur Vlgerwindt Vice Admiral Monsieur Rodenstein Rere-Admiral Mr. Seastidt also Rere-Admiral and Commissioner General of the Holm The standing Army of the King of Denmark consists of the Guards du Corps of the Kings Queens and Queen Mother and of a Company of reformed Officers all Gentlemen who in Buff-Coats with Embroidered Sleeves attend upon the King at Court and upon all great Solemnities with gilt Partizans Feathers in their Hats resembling much the Band of our Gentlemen Pensioners Of the following Regiments with the Officers and Major-Generals having their Quarters as is here set down Zealand Schack Governour of Copenhagen Collonel of a Regiment of Foot Marsaack of Horse Van Osten Collonel of a Regiment of Foot Funen Van Asken Infantry Juitland Leventzo Cavalry Laland Merherin Cavalry Norway Duncam Cavalry Degenfelt Infantry Leyenhielm Infantry Baron Wallis Collonel of the Kings Regiment Schonburg of the Queens Meldrum Prince Fredericks Fox Prince Christians Major Genereral Schack Prince Georges General Weddell Jutland Petto Zealand Rissel Funen Frizen Holstein With some others whereof we have not the Names there being daily Changes made in reforming some and raising others making up in all a Body of about 30000 Men. The Kingdom of Denmark since the Reformation made in that State in the year 1660 hath a Perogative of as large extent as any Monarch in Christendom having Power without consulting the States or his Senate to Declare War make Peace send and receive Ambassadors make Leagues and Treaties with any Foreign States Issue out Commissions for the Raising of Men both by Sea and Land dispose of all Castles Fortresses Ports Havens Ships of War Magazines Ammunition and publick Moneys appoint the Mettal Weight Purity and Value thereof and by His Order can make any Foreign Coyn to be the currant Money of Denmark He can by his Letters Patent Erect New Districts Bishopricks Vniversities Cities Burroughs Colledges Hospitals Schools Fairs Markets Courts of Justice Forrests Chases Free-Warrens He can Enfranchise an Alien and render him a Denison Enabling him to purchase Houses and Lands and bear Offices He can also lay what Taxes he thinks fitting upon ihs Subjects without the previous consent of the States or Senate Rating it District
Denmark's Governour Gottorp a strong Castle of the Duke of Slyvicks at the end of a large Inlet of the Baltick remarkable for the Toll-Booth at which Toll is paid one year with another for 50000 Oxen transported out of North Juitland into Germany Seswick the principal Town of this Province an Episcopal See and the Head of a Dukedom When Christian Earl of Oldenburgh was chosen King of Denmark the Dukedom of Holstein became part of that Kingdom Yet so that the Kings of Denmark were reckoned Princes of the Empire as Dukes of Holstein tho not obliged to repair to any Dyet Afterwards the title of Duke of Holstein with a considerable part of the Country was given to Adolph Christian the third brother who Governed it interchangeably with his Brother by turns Upon the decease of this Duke and his Issue-Male the title was conferred on Vlric King Christian the Fourth's Brother Since his daies there have been several Houses of the Dukes of Holstein as has been before shown amongst whom the Duke of Holstein Gottorp is chief and challenges the same power in governing and administring of Justice as was at first conferred upon Duke Adolph King Christian the 3's Brother In the late Wars the King of Denmark forced the present Duke of Gottorp to quit his Dukedom and abandon all Holstein to his Majesties possession But at the signing of the Treaty between the Kings of France Denmark and Sweden at Fontainbleu Sept. 2. 1679. the Danish Ministers promised their Master should at the desire of his most Christian Majesty restore to the said Duke all his Countrys Towns and Places in the same State they were at the signing of the Treaty with all the Soveraignty that belonged to him by vertue of the Treaties of Rosehild Copenhagen and Westphalia The Duke expected besides being restored to his Countries some recompence for the damage his Territories had suffered during the War by the vast sums of Money which the King of Denmark had raised therein as being one of the best Countries in all the North or at least to have had back the Cannon being 100 excellent brass pieces But his expectations in this point were not answered North Juitland hath on the South the Dukedom of Sleswick but surrounded by all other parts by the Sea is divided into 4 Diocesses or Districts that of Rip or Ripen containing 30 Prefectures or Here as they use to call them seven Cities 〈◊〉 walled Towns and ten Castles 2. That of Arhusen lying on the North of Ripen and more towards the Baltick containing 31 Herets or Prefectures 7 Cities or walled Towns 5 Castles and the Islands of Sumsoe Hiolim Tuecen Hiance◠Hilgenes and others 3. That of Wiburg on the North of Arhusen containing 16 Herets the Islands of Jegen 2. Hansholm 3. Ostholm 4. Cisland 5. Egholm 6. Bodum Three Citys or walled Towns and as many Castles the principal whereof is Wiborch an Episcopal See the ordinary seat of Judicature for both the Juitlands 4. That of Alburg or Vandalia which is subdivided into four parts as 1. Thyland whose chief Town is Alborch the Bishop of Vandalia's usual Seat and Residence 2. Morsce containing three Herets the Town of Nicoping the Castle of Lunsted and the Isle of Ageroe 3. Hanheret containing four Herets the Town of Thystad a kind of University the Castle of Orum and the Islands of Oland and Oxholm In this District standeth the Rock called Skaringclint serving for a Sea Mark to prevent Mariners running against the Quick-sands which lye about this Coast 4. Wensyssel Vensilia or Wenslie containeth six Herets or Prefectures The Islands of Grosholm of Hertshorn and Tidesholm one Castle and three Towns the most remarkable of which is Scagen standing at the utmost Promontory or most Northerly Point of all this Chersonese being notorious for the Shipwrack of many Ships of all Nations Zealand the largest fairest and most fertil Island in the Baltick Sea lies East of Juitland from which separated by an arm of the Sea called the Belt and West of Schonen from which it is parted by a fresh River not above a Dutch Mile in breadth commonly called by the name of the Sund or Sound This Island being about twelve German Miles broad and eighteen long It was anciently called Codanonia which signifies the same thing as the modern words Danes or Denmark Many of the Danish Etymologists derive Seeland from Sordland or Seedland from the abundance of Corn which this Country affords Others with greater Probability make the word signifie no more than an Island or parcel of Ground encompassed with the Sea This Island containeth 15 Cities or Walled Towns the principal whereof are Copenhagen the Metropolis of this Island and of the whole Kingdom of Denmark which is seated on the East Part of Zealand upon the Sea shore The Danes call it Kiobenhaun and the Germans Copenharen both which words are corruptions of Kiobm inshaven or the Kaven of Merchants The Town is of an Orbicular form and very well fortified since the War in 1659. with the Swedes having an Arcenal which perhaps excels any thing of that kind in Europe In the Arcenal is kept a Coach with springs by which means it goes as if it were of it self and of its own movement but the Artifice of this Work depends on two men hidden under a covering in the Coach of whom the one turned the Wheels which pushed it on and the other guided it by the means of a Rudder in the Head Its Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Mary is beautified with a noble Copper Spire built at the charges of King Christian the Fourth The Advowsance of this Church belongs to the Professors in the Universitie which was founded by Ericus the Ninth but perfected by King Christian the First by him and the succeeding Princes liberally endowed The City is Governed by four Burgo-masters one whereof is Regent or President for his life This Honour is conferred at present on that deserving and learned Person P. John Resenius Professour of Moral Phylosophy in the University at Copenhagen and Counsellour to the present King of Denmark Amongst the Ornaments of the Town are the Market-place which is exceeding spacious the King's Palace all covered with Copper standing in an Island wherein is kept a Ship of Ivory wholly fitted whereof the Tackling Sails and Cannons were entirely of Ivory being an extraordinary fine piece of Manufacture The Observatory or Runde Toorn which is very remarkable and especially for the fashion of its Stair-case if we may call it so which is nothing but a Pavement which mount singeniously without Steps and it is so very broad a Coach may easily go up to the top and there too it has room enough to turn in This Tower was built on purpose for the use of Astronomers and out of it you go into a fine Library which stands on the side of the Tower There is Marks of the Siege to be seen which the Swedes laid to this City amongst others
of Sleswick of which it is a part and therefore only Subject to the King of Denmark as Dukes of Sleswick Some Danish Antiquaries do think the Elesii Arii and Manimi mentioned by Tacitus were the Ancient Inhabitants of this Island Ar and Meun and that these three Isles have the same Names at this day with some small alteration which they had when Tacitus writ his Annals It is well stored with Beasts for Profit and Game for Pleasure and so Populous that several Thousands of stout Fighting Men have been Raised in a very short time out of its four Towns and Thirteen Parishes The Principal place of the Island is the Town and Castle of Sunderburg was heretofore one of the Ordinary Residences of the Dukes of Sleswick and Honoured with the Birth of many of their Princes of the Royal Family and is at this day one of the strongest Holds which the King of Denmark stands possessed of 5. Femeren or Fimbriu is a small Island on the Coast of Wagerland from which it is separated by a very narrow Channel This Plot of Ground has ever been look'd upon as one of the most Considerable Keys of Denmark This Crown thinking it of that Importance as to suffer the Germans to run over all Holstein and both Juitlands rather than they should possess themselves of this Isle And therefore in the Year 1628 King Christian the Fourth took care to put strong Garisons into every place of Moment in it and to Fortifie the Old Castles and Towns which his Predecessors had suffered to decay and slighted Towns of any Note in it are Derborch Stabul and Pittersdorp 6. Hucen or Wcen commonly called by the English the Scarlet Island as is said upon the account of a Bargain between Queen Elizabeth and the King of Denmark she being to have the Island for as much Scarlet Cloth as would cover it In this Island did Tycho Brache a Danish Noble-Man make most of his Admirable Observations in Astronomy King Frederick the Second giving him it as a place remote from all Troubles and fit for a Students Retirement Here Tycho about the Year 1575 Built his Vraniburg an Observatory Built like a Castle and Fenced round with Regular Fortifications which he Adorned with a Collection of the most exact Mathematical Instruments that could possibly be made or procured This Tycho amongst other his Admirers had the Honour of a Visit from King James in his return from the Consummation of his Marriage with Queen Ann. As for the other little inconsiderable Islands they are not worth the trouble of Describing nor of the Readers Consideration Wherefore we will pass on to the Kingdom of Norway NORWAY NORWAY is bounded in the South with the Baltick Straits which separate it from Juitland on the East with Poland and Sweden from which it is parted by a perpetual Ridge of rough and wild Mountains called the Dofrine Hills in the North and West with the Northern Ocean the whole length of it from the Baltick Sea as far as Finmark is reckoned to be about Eight hundred and forty English Miles As for the Derivation of its Name Norway or Norweg as the Germans write it whence the Latin word Norwegia is only Via seutractus septentrionalis i.e. A Countrey scituated towards the North. Hence in the Danish Swedish and Norwegian Tongues 't is to this day called Norrike or the Northern Kingdom and we find that anciently all the Northern Kingdoms were called Regna Norica As for its Position in regard of the Heavens it reacheth from the first Parallel of the Twelfth Clime where the Pole is elevated 58 Degrees 20 Minutes as far as to 71 of Latitude by which account the longest day in the Southern Point is but 10 Hours Whereas at Wardbuy's being situate farthest North of all this Countrey they have no Night for almost Three Months together The Eastern Part of Norway is very thinly inhabited being a Country of nothing but inaccessible Craggy Mountains towards the South it is better peopled the Inhabitants dwelling in pleasant Valleys incircled with delightful Hills the rest of the Countrey is over-spread with Woods which afford most part of Europe Deal Boards and Masts for Ships The Dofrine Hills which divide this Realm from Sweden are perpetually covered with Snow and send down intollerable bitter Winds into the Valleys beneath which renders 'em desolate and unfruitful But the Air of the more Western Coasts of this Kingdom is much more milder and temperate and would be healthful too were not the Countrey troubled with certain little Beasts which they call Lemmers they are about the the bigness of a Field-Mouse and are by the Inhabitants said to drop out of the Clouds in bad Weather they devour like the Locust every green thing on the Earth and at a certain time die all in heaps as it were together and with their stench and putrefaction so poisonthe Air that the poor people are long after troubled with the Jaundice and a Giddiness in the Head which is most especially apt to seize on Strangers unacquainted with the danger and unprepared against the Distemper But the Lemmers do not more frequently infest the Land than the Whales do terrifie and molest the Sho res yet the Mariners and Inhabitants of the Sea-Coasts have found out a Remedy against their Violence and Fury for they mingle some Water with the Oyl of Castor the smell whereof doth force 'em to retire immediately had not this help and expedient been found out there would be no Fishing upon the Coasts of Norway which with Materials for Shipping is the greatest staple Commodity of the Country Their Valleys are well stock'd with good Breeds of Cattle which enable the Inhabitants to Export every year great abundance of Butter Tallow Hides and Cheese Barley is their chief Grain Their Woods furnish Timber Pitch Tar Rich Furs and vast plenty of Filbirds They also drive a great Trade with their Train-Oyl and Stock Fish which is vended over all Europe In the Year 1623. Christian the Fourth King of Denmark put several Artists upon the search of some Gold and Silver Mines and they are said to have found some Lumps of the Ore of both those Metals which they Presented to that Prince But whether the Ores lying so deep it would not quit Costs or that the thinness or ignorance of the Inhabitants in refining of Minerals themselves with their jealousie and unwillingness to admit any Forreigners skill'd in that way into their Countrey this Diicovery never turned to any considerable Account The Norwegians jump much with the Danes in their Complexion and Humour but are generally more effeminate and lazy yet not naturally so but thro want of Employment and Exercise The Policy of the Crown of Denmark not thinking fit to employ this Nation in any Wars for fear of enuring 'em and making them expert in Arms. And thro this Umbrage takes all the Courses imaginable to Cow and dispirit them Now tho the ancient Norwegians
are said to have been notorious Pyrats yet at this day hardly any Seas are less infested with Pyracy than those of Norway Not that the Modern Inhabitants are blest with more Honesty than their Ancestors but the Danish sway is so rigorous as not to allow them any Shipping nor any other means to pamper grow resty and head strong but on the contrary fleeces squeezes and keeps them in the lowest servitude Their Diet is what they Export to other Countreys principally Stock Fish and a course kind of Butter and Cheese Their usual Drink Rostock Ale their manner being commonly to drink three Draughts one in remembrance of God the second to the Kings Health and the third to the Queens As the Towns in Norway are very thin so the Buildings for the most part are very poor and miserable generally patched up of dirt and hurdles somewhat resembling our Cotrage Houses in the Fen Countreys As for the Government of this Countrey it is still reckoned a distinct Kingdom from that of Denmark and had formerly Independant Kings of its own who sometimes domineer'd over the very Kings of Sweden and Denmark But the last King of the Norwegian Race who Reigned in their Kingdom was Haguin who in the year 1363 Married Margaret Eldest Daughter of Waldemar the third King of Denmark and so united the two Crowns Now tho this King had only one Son by Queen Margaret who died without Issue yet the Danes having once got footing in and possession of this Kingdom were resolved not to abandon such an advantage nor part from their Station and to secure it immediately clapt strong Garrisons into all the Cities and Fortresses of moment in the Nation For the better Management of the Government it is divided into five Prefectures answerable to the five Castles which command them Now 1. The Prefecture of Masterland or Maestrandt is situated most towards the South and is commanded by the Castle of Bahuy's now in the hands of the King of Sweden That Castle was first Built by Haguin the IV. King of Norway about the year 1309 upon a steep Rock on the Bank of the River Srollet and then esteem'd the best Fort the King had in his Dominions and a sufficient Barrier against the frequent Attacks and Inroads of the Swedes and Westro-Goths Besides the City of Maestrandt noted for the infinite quantity of Herrings caught thereabout there 's two more of less note Congal and Oldawalt The 2. Prefecture contains the Bishopricks of Anslo and Staffenger with the Province of Aggerhuys having under its Command first the Towns of Anslo Opslo or Asloia possess of most repute as being an Episcopal See and the place where the Courts of Judicature are kept for all Norway All Causes and Suits at Law being heard and determined before the Governour who acts as Vice Roy of the Kingdom The Cathedral of this Town is dedicated to Alward who took great pains to Convert the Norwegian Pagans This Church has to show the Sword of Haquin one of their most Primitive Kings being a signal Instance and Proof of the Strength and admirable Art of some Norwegians of former Ages The Hilt of it is made of Chrystal curiously wrought and polished whence some have inferred that the use of Chrystal was anciently much more ordinary in Norway than it is at this day in any part of Europe Not far from Opslo on the opposite side of the Bay stands the Castle of Aggerhuysen famous for the brave resistance it made the Swedish Army in the Year 1567 which laid a close and brisk Seige to it for Eighteen Weeks together but was at last beat off and forced to a shameful Retreat Tonsberg formerly a place of Retreat of the Kings of Norway Hammer in former times a Bishops See but now united to that of Opslo Some Authors do affirm that near unto Hammer a huge and monstrous Serpent doth constantly appear before any great Change in the State or Government of the Kingdom of Norway Saltzburg Frederikstadt and Scheene driving all a considerable Trade from the Copper and Iron Mines which abound more hereabouts than in any other part of the Kingdom In this Province were the Silver Mines above-mentioned first discovered and some of the adjoyning Hills are by the Neighbourhood to this day called Silver Bergen or the Mountains of Silver Now Norway is indebted for the greatest part if not all its Trade to those Mines and the mighty Woods of Fir and Pinetrees which overspread this part of the Country The City of Staffenger lies in 59 deg some reckon 60 and a great many odd min. of Latitude being seated upon a Demy-Island upon a great Bay of the Northern Ocean full of small Islands and guarded by the strong Castle of Doeswick which stands about two English Miles from the Town this City is a Bishops See and is divided into several Districts tho in civil Affairs it is under the Jurisdiction of the Governour of Aggerhuysen Beyond the Bay is seen the Island Schutenes Twelve English Miles in length but scarce two in breadth This Island contains several Villages and between it and the Continent runs a narrow Frith to Berghen which the Dutch Merchants call the Liedt van Berghen The Province of Tillemarch or Thylemarch appertaineth to the Bishoprick of Staffenger The Parish or Hollen in this Parish is very remarkable for a Church-Yard or Burying Place on the top of a Church Dedicated to St. Michael which is cut out of a great high Rock called by the Neighbourhood Vear upon the Lake Nordsce half a Mile distant from Scheen 't is thought by some to have been formerla a Heathenish Temple but converted to Christian uses upon the first planting of the Gospel in this Kingdom Bergenhuis is the third Castle of Command in Norway This Prefecture and Bishoprick being the most fruitful and pleasant part of all Norway lying in the middle or heart of the Kingdom to the North of Aggerhuysen It has its Name from the Stately and Noble Mart Town of Berghen or else from the strong Castle of Bergenhuysen the usual Seat of the Vice-Roy of Norway at a small distance to the North of Berghen Berghen is the Granary and Magazine of the whole Kingdom of Norway for Bahuys it is distant about Fourty hundred English Miles by Sea and Two hundred and forty by Land from Trunthein as many from Scagen the outmost Promontory of Juis Island almost Three hundred and twenty Some Etymologists have derived its Name from the Norwegian Verb Berghen which signifies to hide or conceal because the Haven being surrounded with Hills seems to be a kind of Sculking place for Ships where Vessels of Two hundred Tun and upwards ride in a spacious and most secure Harbour free from any danger of Wind and Weather But the true derivation of the word is this Berghen in the Norwegian Tongues also signifies Mountains and Bergenhuysen a Company of Houses among the Hills The Buildings of this Town till