in his Epistles Moreover Chamberry hath a Castle and the Dukes of Sabaudia have a House there who have established here a Seate of Justice for the whole Country and a Parliament The parts of Sabaudia are the Counties following I will adde something concerning the Lordships Fossigni is neere the Lake Leman In it they say is Ripalia allusively Ripam Alos or the Sea-banke for some of the Inhabitants doe call the Leman Lake the Sea and truely it rages oftentimes like the Sea it is commonly called Ripaille It is a pleasant place and famous because Amedes the 8. the first Duke of Sabaudia did there live a Monke having formerly resigned up his Principalities and was chosen and consecrated Pope by the Fathers of the Counsell of Basill after Eugenius the fourth the 9. before the Kalends of September in the yeere 1440. and was called Faelix the 5. he lived a while and built some smal Aedifices which I saw in the yeere 1585. He dyed there in the yeere 1452. in the moneth of January having three yeeres before for quiet sake passed over the Papall dignity to Nicolas he being content to be a Cardinall onely Elenor Daughter to the Lord of Fossignij married Peter the sixt Earle of Sabaudia And also Mary the Daughter of Amedes the fourth the 8. Earle of Sabaudia of the Brabantine family was married to the Duke of this Country Amedes the third got the Principality of Chablasius which is neere to Fossigni Eastward commonly call'd Chablois and joyned them to his Dominions seeing there were no lawfull Heires Male to inherit it Some doe reckon the Townes of Tononium Evianum Guingaunum and others which I am afraid to write as having no warrant for it Concerning the Lordship commonly call'd Val d'Osta we will speake in a more convenient place in the Description of Italy where we will entreat of Piemont The chiefe Mountaines are the Alpes which now as it were a wall doe separate Italy from France and Germany Festus thinketh that the Alpes were so called from their whitenesse and the most doe affirme that the Alpes are the highest Mountaines in Europe And many names of the Alpes are found in ancient Monuments which doe shew that there were many parts of the Alpes but we will by the way touch onely those parts which for the most part doe lye in and about Sabaudia as the Sabbatian Alpes from whence it is thought that Sabaudia is denominated which begin neere to Samona neere a place called Vay which the ancients call Vada Sablatia from whence they bend like a Bow towards Monegne which was heretofore called Portus Herculis Monaeci and from thence they doe stretch out toward the River Var or Varo which parteth France from Italy There are also the Sea Alpes but these we passe over as we goe towards Province as also the Penine Alpes The Cotrian Alpes follow which begin at a place called Saulteron where there are two wayes both which doe encline towards the Marquiship of Salutium In these Alpes there is the Mountaine Agno and the Mountaine Viso which the ancients did call the Mountaine Vesulus through which there is a hollow passage from France into Italy after this passage there are two wayes the one whereof leadeth toward Verguel the other toward Rauel which are Fortresses to the Marquiship of Salutium And betweene this Mountaine and the hollow-way three Fountaines doe spring up and flow-into one Channell doe make the famous River of Po. In this Country is the Hill of the Crosse and the Mountaine Genebre or Genevre ther Mountaines end neere Luze where the River Doria separateth them from the Graecian Alpes The Graecian Alpes doe follow the name whereof is derived from Hercules the Sonne of Amphytrio a Graecian who travaild over these Mountaines out of Italy into France In that part of these Mountaines which is toward France the Ceentronians were seated who are now called Tarantasy by whom the way to Chamberry lyeth There are also betweene these Mountaines the Veragra who containe the lower Valesians and the Countries Gauot and Focigny and the way of these Mountaines is called the Mountaine of S. Bernard There are many others besides which for brevity sake we omit The nature and quality of these Mountaines is miraculous for he that passeth over them meeteth still with new variety of wayes because now the way is wide and by and by it growes strait now the Mountaines seeme to touch the ayre and by and by doe descend againe there is a Plaine and here a Vale enclosed with high Hills neverthelesse the Valleyes in many places doe bring forth good Corne on the Mountaines also there is much Grasse for Pasturing of Cattell and in some places there is Wine There are also divers Mines and some kindes of living Creatures which are not found any where else and many other rarities which for brevity sake we omit Besides Rhodanus these Rivers doe water Sabaudia Araru Isura Doria Arva Danius and others There are also the Lakes Leman de Nicy de Bourget c. HELVETIA VVITH THE NEIGHBOVRING CONFEDERATE COVNTRIES NEXT to Lions Mercator placeth that Country which the Romanes called Helvetia Now it is called or the greatest part of it Suicia or Suitia from the Vitians a people of Saxonie who being throwne out of their habitations for their often violating of the faith Charles the great seated them on the Alps as in like manner hee convay'd some thousands of the Nordalbingians into Flanders and Brabont Or else it was so called from the Suecians who in the raigne of King Sigebert did remove out of Suecia into Helvetia being compel'd to leave their former Habitations either by the inundations of waters or by populousnesse of the Inhabitants or lastly it is so called from the Towne Suitium it iâ— commonly Switscherland It is called the Land of Confederates and in their owne speech Eydignoschaft from the League and confederacie which is betweene the Helvetians These Eutropius did sometime call Quadians Moreover Helvetia is situate betweene the Mountaine Iura the Lake Leman Italy and the Rhene and it hath on the East the Country of â—irolum on the South the Cottian Alpes Lombardie the Dukedome of Mediolanum and Piemont on the lowest Sabaudia and Buâ—guâ—gie on the North the River Rhene Helvetia is 240. Miles long as Caesar saith Lib. 1. de bello Gallico and 80. Miles broad which Caesar maketh somewhat larger The Countrie hath a wholesome ayre and though it have many high rugged Mountaines yet it is so well husbanded by the Inhabitants that it is no where barren but that it produceth nor onely things necessary to sustaine life but also many delicacies It bringeth forth abundance of Corne although in many places unlesse the gleabe land be burnt it is in vaine to sowe it but the labour and industrie of the Husbandman doth helpe this inconvenience It produceth in many places exellent wine which doth fâ—rre exceed Rhenish wine both in state and
up almost 70 degrees but Europe scarce 35. Beside Europe is full of windings but Africke is uniforme and continued Europe as I said before in the description thereof is every where inhabited but this is full of Deserrs and inhabitable places That was formerly knowne but not this where it is inhabited Africke doth excell in fruitfulnesse But for the most part it is not inhabited but full of barren Sands and Desarts and troubled with many kindes of living Creatures It is reported that the fruitfulnesse of the fields is very wonderfull and doth give the tillers such a harvest as doth requite the labour with a hundred-fold increase for that which is sowne That is wonderfull which is spoken of the fertilitie of Mauritania viz. that there are Vines which two men cannot fadome about and bunches of Grapes a cubit long There are very high trees neare to the Mountaine Atlas plaine and smooth without knots and leaved like the Cypresse tree Africke doth bring forth Elephants and Dragons which lie in waite for beasts and kill them with winding about them besides it hath a great number of Lyons Buffs or wilde Oxen Libbards wilde Goates and Apes Herodotus reporteth that Asses with hornes bred here besides Dragons Hyenaes rough Wolves begotten of the Wolfe and Hiena Panthers and Ostriches roughtd besides many kinds of Serpents as Aspes Crocondiles to which nature hath made the Ichneumon an enemie c. But as the same Author witnesseth there is neither Stagge nor Boare in it Africke bringeth forth the Basiliske and although many things are thought to be fabulous which are reported of him Yet it is certaine that Leo being Pope there was a Basiliske which infected Rome with a great plague by his noysome breath There are also divers kindes of Monsters whose diversitie and multitude they ascribe to the want of water whereby the wild beasts are enforced to come together at a few Rivers and Springs The Romanes divided Africke into sixe Provinces The Proconsularie Province wherein was Carthage Numidia under the jurisdictin of a Consull Bizacchius Tripolitana Mauritania Caesariensis and Mauritania Sitiphensis Ptolomie in the beginning of his fourth Booke doth reckon twelve Provinces or Countries Mauritania Tingitana Mauritania Caesariensis Numidia Africa properly so called Cyrenaica or Pentapolis for so Ptolomie calls it Marmarica Lybia properly so called the Higher and Lower Egypt the Innermost Lybia Aethiopia under Egypt the Innermost Aethiopia Leo Africanus doth divide all Africke into foure parts Barbarie Numidia Lybia and the Countrie of Black-Mores But in this Leo is deceived because hee hath not made the Red Sea the bound of Africke but Nilus whereby it comes to passe that hee joynes Egypt and the Easterne part to Asia Let us therefore besides those foure parts reckoned up of Leo place in Africke Egypt the Higher Aethiopia the Lower and outermost Aethiopia and the Islands Egypt is stretched forth in a long tract of Land from the South unto the North. The bounds thereof on the West side are the Desarts of Barca Lybia and Numidia beyond Nilus together with the Kingdome of Nubia On the South it is bounded with the Country of Bugia and Nilus where it runneth a little from the West Eastward On the Eastside there are the Desarts of Arabia which lye betweene Egypt and the Red Sea and on the North side it is enclosed with the Mediterranean Sea Other things concerning Egypt wee will unfold in the particular Description thereof At this day they call all that part of Africke which reacheth from Egypt to the Straits of Gibraltar and is included with the Mediterranean Sea and the Mountaine Atlas Barbaria and it containes the Kingdomes of Morocco Fesse Tremisen Tunis and Barca of which wee will speake more largely in the Description of Barbarie At this time it shall be sufficient to shew the Reader the division and bounds thereof The Kingdome therefore of Morocco is divided into these Provinces Hea Susa Guzala the Land of Morocco Ducala Hoscora and Tedletes it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean with the Mountaine Atlas it selfe and the Kingdome of Fesse The Kingdome of Fesse hath on the West the Atlanticke Sea on the North the Straits of Hercules on the East the River Mulvia on the South the Kingdome of Morocco The Countries therein are Temesna the Territory of Fesse Asgara Elhabata Errifa Garetum and Elchausum The Kingdome of Tremisen is bounded on the South with the Desart of Numidia on the East with the great River on the North with the Mediterranean Sea The Kingdome of Tunis doth containe the whole tract of Land from the great River to the River of the Countrie of Mestata The Countries thereof are five Bugia Constantina the Territorie of Tunis Tripolis and Ezzaba Barca or Barcha is stretched forth from the borders of Mestata to the confines of Egypt Numidia is called at this day Biledulgerid the bounds thereof are the Atlanticke Sea on the West side the Mountaine Atlas on the North the confines of Egypt on the East the Desarts of Libya on the South The Regions thereof are Tesset Tegelmessa Seb Biledulgerid Dara and Fezzen Lybia was called by the Ancients Sarra because it is a Desart It beginneth from the Kingdome of Gagoa neere Nilus and is extended toward the West even to the Kingdome of Gualata which lyeth neere to the Atlantick Sea on the North the Kingdome of Numidia doth border on it on the South the Kingdome of the Nigritans or Blackmoores The Nigritans are so called either from the blacke colour of the inhabitants or frō the black river which glideth through their Country They have on the East the Confines or the Borders of Nilus on the West the Westerne Ocean on the South partly the Aethiopian Sea and partly the Kingdome of Manicongus but on the North the desarts of Libya The Kingdomes therof are five and twentie namely Galata Gumea Melli Tombutum Gago Guber Agadez Cano Caseva Zegzeg Zanfara Gunangara Boruum Goago Nubia Biro Temiamo Dauma Medra Gora the Territorie of Anterot the Territorie of Giolosa the Coast of Guinea the Territorie of Meligens and the Kingdome of Benin The Abyssines do inhabit the higher or innermost Aethiopia whose Prince is called Prester Iohn His Country is large doth almost touch either Tropicke and it is extended betweene the Aethiopian and the Red Sea on the North it hath the people of Nubia and Bugia that borders on Egypt on the East the Red Sea on the South the Mountaines of the Moone on the VVest the Kingdome of Manicongus the River Niger the Kingdome of Nubia the River Nilus These Kingdomes are subject to him Barnagnes Tigremaum Tigraim in which is the Cittie Caxumo Angote Amara Xoa Goyami Bagamedrum Gueguere Fatiagar Damar Dancali and Dobas The lower or outermost Aethiopia is the Southerne part of Africke unknowne unto Ptolomie The beginning thereof on the East side is above the River Zaire not farre from the
or Northerne Countrey It hath on the South Denmarke on the West the Sea on the East Sweth-land and it is bounded on the North with Lapland from which it is parted with high and rugged Mountaines covered over with continuall snow All the Countrie toward the West is unpassable by reason of rocks and sharpe cliffes and it is also stony toward the South especially in that part which lyeth against the Cimbrick Chersonesus from whence it is 250 miles distant But all the Countrie both toward the West and South hath a gentle Ayre for the Sea is not frozen neither doe the Snowes lye long And though the Countrie it selfe bee not so fertile that it is able to furnish the Inhabitants with foode yet it aboundeth with cattell and wilde beasts as white Beares of an unusuall bignesse Beavers and innumerable other Norwey was somtime a very flourishing Kingdome under the jurisdiction whereof were Denmarke and the Isles of the Sea untill it came to be govern'd by hereditarie succession Afterward in the Interregnum it was agreed upon by the consent of the Nobles that the Kings should bee chosen by election From Suthdager the second to Christierne the last there were 45 Kings Now it is under the command of Denmarke There are at this time in it five royall Castles and so many speciall Provinces whereof the first and farthest toward the South is Bahusia or Bay The Townes subject unto it are Marstand seated on a rocky Peninsula and famous for herring-fishing and the Townes of lesser note are Koengeef or Congel neere Bahus and Oddewold otherwise called Odwad The second Castle is Aggerhusia out of the Province whereof high Masts of ships oaken and maple plankes and wood fit for building houses is yearely carried into Spaine and other Countries The Townes subject unto it are Astoia the Seat of a Bishop to which strangers doe chiefly resort because there is held the Court whither causes are brought for triall out of all parts of Norwey Also Tonsberg or Konningsberg Fridrichstad Saltzburgh and Schin or Schon where there are Mynes of Coppresse and Iron also Hammaria the Greater and the Lesser heretofore being Bishopricks but now committed to the care of the Asloian Bishop and divided by the Bay of Mosian gliding betweene them The third is the Castle Bergerhusia under which are the Cities of Bergen or Berga and Staffanger But Berga is the most famous Citie of all Norwey for traffique and as it were the Barne thereof heere resideth the Kings Lievtenant and a Bishop and heere that delicate fish is sold which being taken neere the shore of Norwey is called the fish of Bergen being transported from hence by Merchants into divers Countries Heere lye the Factors of the Vandals the Sea Townes who continuing heere all the yeare for traffique sake doe take up one part of the Citie which the Inhabitants call the Bridge Heere is also an excellent and safe Haven The Citie Staffanger although it have the same Governour with Bergen yet it hath a Bishop peculiar to it selfe and living therein The fourth Castle is Nidrosia called so from the River Nideros Rosa which is the name of a Temple commonly called Trundtheim and heretofore Trondon it is the Metropolis of all Norwey and now reduced into the forme of a Towne It was the chiefe seat heretofore of the Archbishop and of the whole Kingdome It hath a large Jurisdiction in which much fish and pretious skins are gotten and afterward carried to Bergen to be sold And heere is at this day a Cathedrall Church and such a one as there is scarce an other like it in the Christian world both for the largenesse of the stones and for the carved worke The Border and ground-worke about the Altar in this Church was burnt with fire in the yeare 1530 and the losse redounding thereby was valued at seven thousand Crownes The fifth and last Towre toward the North of Norwey is Wardbuise standing on the little Island Ward it is now very small and almost decayed having neither castle nor munition yet hath it a little Towne adjoyning unto it which consists all of fisher-mens houses In this Towre or rather Cottage the Kings Praefect liveth in Summer and governeth this cold Northerne part of Norwey even to the borders of Russia Moreover the Westerne shore of Norwey because it is of an unsearchable depth in the Spring time is much troubled with Whales to prevent whose violence the ship-men use a kinde of Oyle made of Beavers stone which is a present remedie for assoone as it is cast into the Sea and mingled with the water straight-way that great Sea-monster maketh away and hideth himselfe in the deepe Heere is good fishing in the neighbouring seas especially of Stock-fish which being dried and hardened in the cold and hung up upon poles they send into other Kingdomes of Europe The best taking of them is in the Moneth of Ianuary for as then in regard of the cold they are more easily dried so the sea doth yeeld more plenty of them and fatter The commodities of this countrie in generall are pretious Skins Tallow Butter Hides the fat of Whales Tarre Oake timber Masts and Planks and Boards of all sort to the great commoditie of those who sell them The Inhabitants are honest loving and hospitable to strangers neither NORWEY AND SWETHLAND SVECIA ET Norwegia etc have they robbers theeves or Pirates among them The Kingdome of Swethland is an ancient Kingdome as Pliny witnesseth It hath on the West Norwey on the North Lapland and Botnia on the East â—â—â—â—â—â—land seperated from it by the Botnian Bay or Finnish Sea Lâ—â—onia 〈◊〉 Lâ—sland disjoyned from it by the Baltick Sea called by Taâ—â—â—us Marâ— pâ—grum by the Sucâ—ians Mare Suâ—vicum and on the South Gothia It is a comâ—â—â— the most fruitfull of all the North parts it hath a plentifull soyle and seas lakes and rivers abounding with fish of divers â—â—ndes it hath also Mettals as Lead Iron Brasse and Silver which is digged up in very pâ—â—e oaâ—e neere Slâ—burg and likewise woods full of wilde beasts and honey It is thought that it doth doubly exceede Norwey both in largenesse fruitfulnesse and goodnesse of soyle yet in some places it is â—ugged and moorish This Countrie being for some ages valiantly and happily defended enlarged by the native Kings thereof afterward came to the Kings of Denmarke and having beene subject to them more than an hundred yeares at last did shake them off under colour that the Lawes wh\ich they were sworne unto at their Coronation were not observ'd and hence it stood a while in a very uncertaine condition But now it is returned againe to the natives out of which it chooseth it selfe a King There are divers Provinces of this â—ingdome some belonging to the Gothes as Ostgothia whereof Lincop is the Metropolis Westgothia seperated with an ancient Lake from Ostgothia whereof Scara
and let in the Sea-water by Subterranean passages because many Sea Fishes are found there and the water tasteth salt Moreover there are other lesser salt Lakes in this Iland And besides the aforesaid Lakes there is a great salt River which runneth into the Sea although it receiveth many Rivers and Fountaines of fresh water IAMAICA· IAMAICA which they call now the Iland of St. Iames lyeth 15. leagues Eastward from Hispaniola and 16. degrees from the Aequinoctiall Line On the North it is neere to Cuba On the South it looketh to St. Bernards Ilands and Carthagena on the West it hath Fordura The compasse of it is 600. miles This Country hath a pleasant temperate ayre also it hath Gold and great store of Sugar and Cotton and also divers kindes of living Creatures It had heretofore great store of Inhabitants but now the Natives are either killed or dead so that there are two Citties onely inhabited the chiefe whereof is Sevill or Hispalis in which there is a Church and an Abbey of which Peter Martyr Anglerius of Mediolanum was Primate a man very diligent in handling the affaires of India The other is called Oristan here are many Rivers and Fishfull Lakes The people doe differ in nothing neither in Lawes Rites nor Customes from those of Hispaniola and Cuba but onely it is reported that they were more cruell St. IOHNS Iland SAint Iohns Iland commonly so called from the rich Haven and heretofore called Borichena or Borica hath on the East the Iland of the holy Crosse and many small Ilands On the West and the North the Iland of S. Dominico on the South the Promontory of the maine Land from whence it is distant 136. miles The Iland lyeth length-wayes and is 12. or 17. mile broad and the greatest breadth of it is 48. Germane Miles It hath abundance of Fruit Cattell and Gold Moreover this Iland is devided into two parts namely the Northerne and Southerne part The Northerne hath great store of Gold the Southerne hath plenty of fruit and Fowle The chiefe Citty in it is St. Iohns Citty which hath a very good Haven Here are some Rivers among which Cairabonus is the greatest which runneth Northward and though they have all golden Sands yet the Northerne side thereof as we said before hath the best Mines The Southerne part hath better Havens and more fruit it produceth Maiz and other things necessary to life MARGARITA THe Iland Margarita or the Iland of Pearles is called by another name Cubagua it is 10. miles in compasse and it lyeth 10. degrees and from the Aequinoctiall Line being every where plaine and barren having neither trees nor water So that they want water so much especially when the winde standeth contrary so that nothing can be brought from Cumana that sometimes a Hogshead of Wine is exchanged for a Hogshead of Water It hath great store of Connies Salt and Fish But especially it hath great store of Pearles The Inhabitants are of a Swart colour thinne hayred and without Beards fierce and cruell They feed on Oysters out of which Pearles are gotten VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA VIRGINIA and Florida doe follow in our method Virginia as some suppose was so called from the Earle Viguinus but hee that sett forth a Journall or Commentary of Sir Francis Drakes Voyage in the West-Indies in the yeere 1584. saith that it was so called from Elizabeth Queene of England The Inhabitants doe call it Wingandocoa It is very fruitfull and beareth plentifully whatsoever is necessary for the sustation and delectation of mans life as Wine Oyle Beanes which the Inhabitants call Okindgere and Pease which they call Wickanzenr also Pompions and Melons which they call Macocquer also divers Hearbes besides Chesnuts Walnuts Straberies and other excellent Fruits also Allome Pitch and Tarre Turpentine Iron Copper Silke Flaxe Cotton Pearles and many other things But especially it hath great store of Virginy Wheate which the Inhabitants doe call Pagatowr and the West-Indians Maiz which is to bee wondred at because they use a meane kinde of Husbandry For they know neither Plough nor Harrow neither doe they make Furrow or plough the ground nor breake the clods after they have sowne the seed as we doe but they turne up the earth with a woodden Shovell or Spade and so in the little Furrowes they set the Graine with a setting sticke as we doe Beanes which being coverd with earth will sprout forth wonderfully In some parts it hath divers kindes of Beasts as Beares Lions Wolves Conies and those which the Inhabitants call Saquenuckot Maquowoc and Squirrels It hath moreover divers Birds as Indian Cocks and Hens Doves Partridges Cranes Swans Geese Parrots Falkons and Hawkes The Townes here are very small containing onely 10. or 12. Houses they build them round with Stakes and Poles set in the Earth with a narrow comming in Princes and Noblemens Houses have a Court-yard and some few Houses round about them The Citties by the Shore side are these Pyshokonnock or the Womens Citty also Chipanum Weopomiock Muscamunge and Mattaquen and Oanoke which the English call'd the blind Citty also Pemeoke Phycoake a great Citty Chowanaoke Sequotam and others The Rivers which water it are Occam Cipo Nomopano Neus and others In foure Moneths of the yeere February March Aprill and May here is good fishing for Sturgeons and Herrings Here are also good Trouts Scate Mullets and Plaise and many other kindes of Fish It hath also Woods which are full of Connies Hares and Fowle But the Woods are not such as be in Bohemia Moscovy or Hyrcania VIRGINIA VIRGINIA et FLORIDA which are barren and doe yeeld nothing but they are full of high tall Cedars Pines Cypresse Trees Mastick Trees and many other odoriferous Trees The Inhabitants are of a middle stature just in their dealing they beleeve the Immortality of the Soule but they delight in dancing and immoderate drinking as the other Americans doe but yet they abstaine from mans flesh They doe hunt wilde beasts every day And their Armes are Bowes and Arrowes They beleeve that there are many Gods whom they call Mantâ—aâ— but of divers kindes and degrees and that there is onely one chiefe God that was before all ages who they say when he purposed to create the whole world did first create the other speciall Gods that he might use them as assistants and helpers both in creating and governing the whole World And then hee made the Sunne the Moone and the Statres as the lesser Gods to be assisting to the chiefe Cods They say the waters were first created out of which the Gods did create all kindes of creatures visible and invisible Concerning mankinde they affirme that the woman was first created which by the helpe of one of the Gods did conceive and bring forth children and this they say was the first originall of all mankinde But concerning the manners and nature of the Inhabitants and the other commodities and wonders of
it should be endangered by Earthquakes And least they should place the foundation of so great a building upon unfirme ground they strewed it over with coales trodden downe and on it they laid fleeces of wooll The length of the Temple was 425. feet the breadth 220. The Pillars in it were an hundred and seaven and twenty all made by severall Kings of which 36. were carved Ctesiphon was the overseer of the worke There was also a Monument which Artemesia Queene of Caria did erect in memory of her deceased husband which is to bee counted among the wonders of the World it being 25. Cubits high and compassed about with thirty Pillars it was sixe and thirty foote wide Northward and Southward Lastly there was that magnificent Temple which Salomon began to build in the fourth yeare of his raigne not unfit to be reckoned with the seaven wonders of the World First of all thirty thousand men were set to cut trees as Cedars and Cypresse in Lebanon and there were fourescore thousand stone-cutters The bredth of the Temple was twenty Cubits the length sixtie and the height an hundred and twenty The matter of the nethermost building was of white stone the largenesse of the Porch was ten Cubits there were twenty secret chambers passing one into another and others placed under these The beames were of Cedar the roofes of Cedar guilded over and the walls in like manner The Sanctuary of the Holy place was distinguished from the body of the Temple with a wall in which were carved gates with drawing Curtaines enterwoven with many flowers and winding borders besides two Cherubins of pure gold the pavement under foot was beset with studdes of gold the gates were twenty Cubits in height and twelve in compasse There was a brazen vessell of so great a bignesse that it was fitly called the Sea round about which stood twelve Calves three together and looking severally toward the foure corners of the World This vessell did hold three thousand measures containing 72. Sextaries There were also other figures which it would be too long to rehearse There was a brazen Altar of ten foot height double as much in length Also one golden Table and ten thousand golden Pots and Dishes c. But let these things suffice which have beene spoken of this part of the Word I come now to America the fourth part of the World AMERICA WHen Christophorus Columbus had found out this fourth part of the World unknowne to the Ancients some call it India others for the largenesse of it Novus Orbis or the new World for it is as great and bigge as all our World that is Europe Africke and Asia being joyned together as it may appeare by viewing our generall Table It is called also America from Americus Vesputius a Florentine who next after Columbus discovered the Easterne part of the Southerne America in which are the Countries of Paria and Brasilia but it is uncertaine when America began first to be inhabited certaine it is that for many ages it lay unknowne AMERICA AMERICAE DESCRIP for that which some suppose concerning the Romans is more easily said then proved and that fiction is accurately refuted by Gasparus Varrerius Some suppose that Seneca by Poeticall inspiration did sing some raptures concerning it in his Medea but it is madnesse to suppose that these parts in that age were knowne either to him or any other Christophorus Columbus of Genoa after it had beene many ages unknown unto us did first finde it out being employed by the King of Castile after hee had learnt it out as some beleeve that would detract from the glory of so famous an enterprise from a certain Spanish Marriner who had long endured foule weather on the Atlanticke Sea it was performed in the yeare 1492. After him Americus Vesputius did attempt the same for the King of Portugall and brought backe the reward of his enterprise because as we said the whole Continent is called from his name America The whole Country from the North to the South is stretched out in the forme of two great Peninsulaes which are joyned together by a slender Isthmus the one of them is called Northerne America the other Southerne America The Longitude thereof is extended betweene the Meridionall degree 190 and the Meridionall degree 67. The terme of its Latitude towards the South is the Straits of Magellane that is under the degree 52. and towards the North it is not knowne higher then 67. It hath therefore on the East the Atlanticke Sea which they commonly call Del Nort on the South the Southerne Land of Magellane disjoyned from it by a narrow Sea flowing betweene on the West Mare Pacificum or the Peaceable Sea called Mare Del Zur and on the North it is doubtfull whether there bee Land or Sea The whole compasse in sayling round about it is about 32000 miles as the most approved thinke For it hath beene sayled round about except that Country which lyeth Northward whose coasts are not yet discovered The whole Country is changeable and full of varietie at first it wanted both Corne and Wine but instead thereof it bringeth forth Maiz. a kinde of pulse for so they call it as they call Wine Chichia boates Canoas their Princes Cacicos They do not plough the ground to reape but having digged trenches of a small depth they put three or foure granes in one of them and so cover them with earth The severall stalkes doe beare three or foure eares and every one of the eares doe beare three or foure hundred graines and more The stalke of Mayz doth exceed the height of a man and in some Countries it is gathered twice in a yeare They have also another kinde of bread beside that which they make of Maiz which they call Cazabi This is made of Iucca which is a roote of the bignesse of a Turnep which sendeth forth no seed but certaine knottie hard stalkes cloathed with greene leaves like Hempe Those stalkes when they are ripe they cut into peeces of two hands length which they bury in heapes under the earth and as oft as they would make that kinde of bread they digge up of them as much as they thinke good because they will soone be corrupted and grow naught Moreover there are two other kindes of rootes the one they call the Battata the other the Haia almost alike in shape but that the Haiae are lesse and more savory they eaâ—e the fruite of them within sixe Moneths after they are planted which though they have a kinde of sweet taste yet such as will soone cloy one beside they have but little juyce and doe procure winde in the stomacke Those Countries have also a great number of trees which doe bring forth wilde Grapes Their Grapes are like Sloes which grow upon thornes and bushes and are covered with blacke leaves but because they are more woody then juycie therefore the inhabitants doe
all rockie and full of craggie barren Mountaines though they be rich in Mynes of Lead and are commodious for to feede sheepe The head Towne of the Shire is Darbie famous for the best Ale in England which is brewed there There are also the Townes of Saint Diacre Workesworth so called from the Lead-workes there and Bakewel And this Shire doth containe an hundred and sixe Parishes The Rivers that water it are Trent Dove and Derwent The Westerne part of this Shire which is mountainous is called the Peake and is very full of Lead for in these Mountaines Lead-stones as the Mettallists call them are daily digged forth which when the winde is Westward they dissolve with a wood fire and having made trenches for the mettall to runne in melt into pieces which they call Sowes Moreover not onely Lead but also veines of Antimonie which the Grecian women were wont to use in dying are found in these Hils Heere also Mill-stones are cut forth as also whet-stones and somtimes a white substance is found in the Mynes like to Chrystall But of this enough I passe to Stafford-shire which is encompassed on the East side with Warwick-shire and Darby-shire on the South with Glocester-shire on the West with Shropshire and on the North with Cheshire It beareth the shape of a Rhombus running from South to North and being broadest in the middle and narrowest toward the two ends The Northern part is mountainous and lesse pleasant the middle part is more delightfull as being watered with the River Trent cloathed with green woods and diversified with variety of fields and meddowes The Southerne part is rich in Pit-coales and veines of Iron The head Towne hereof is Stafford or Stratford anciently called Betheney and is much graced by the Castle called Stafford adjoyning to it which the Barons of Stafford built for their owne dwelling Heere are also the Townes of Lichfield or Licidfield Burton Vtcester anciently called Etocetum Stone Drayton Basset Tameworth Wolverhampton or Vulfrunshampton Theotenhall or Tetnall and Weadesbrig or Wedsborow And in this Shire are reckoned 130 Parishes The chiefe Rivers which glide through this Countrie are Dove Hanse Churnet Tayn Blith and Trent which arising from two spring-heads is the third chiefe River of Brittaine There are also Sous Tam and Penke The Northerne part is somewhat mountainous and full of hils which beginning heere doe runne like the Apennine Hils of Italie with a continued ridge through the middle of England even to Scotland yet often changing their name In the midst of this Shire is Needwood a spatious wood in which the Nobilitie and Gentrie of the Countrie doe THE FIFTH TABLE OF ENGLAND EBORACUM Lincolnia Derbia Stafford etc daily recreate themselves with hunting Nottinghamshire is bounded on the East with Lincolnshire on the North with Yorkeshire on the West with Darbyshire and on the South with Leicestershire The Southerne Easterne part of the Countie is fructified by the famous River of Trent and other Rivulets that flow into it The Forrest of Shirwood taketh up the whole Westerne side this because it is sandie the Inhabitants call the Sand the other by reason the soyle consisteth of Clay they call the Clay and they divide their Countrie into these two parts The chiefe Towne which gives a denomination to the Shire is Nottingham being pleasantly seated for on one side faire Meddowes lye along the River side and on an other little Hils doe raise themselves to adde a grace thereunto It is a Towne abounding with all things necessary to life For besides other conveniences it hath Shirewood which doth furnish it with store of fuell and the River Trent doth yeeld it plenty of Fish The Streetes are large having faire buildings and two great Churches with a spacious Market-place and a strong Castle Besides heere are other great Townes namely Suthwel Newarke Mansfield Blith Scroby and Workensop And in this Shire there are 168 Parishes The Rivers are Trent Lin Snite and Idle Leicester-shire anciently called Ledecester-shire bordereth upon the South with Northampton-shire on the East with Rutland shire and Lincoln-shire on the North with Nottingham shire and Darby-shire and on the West with Warwick-shire It is all field-ground and very fruitfull but for the most part it wanteth wood The chiefe Citie is Leicester called heretofore Legecestria Leogara and Legeocester more ancient than beautifull There are also the Townes of Longburrow Lutterworth Hinckly and Bosworth neere which Richard the third was slaine and in this Shire there are 200 Parish Churches The River Soar running toward Trent waters the middle of it and the little River Wrek which at last mingleth his waters with Soar doth gently winde about through the Easterne part Rutland-shire which was anciently called Rudland and Roteland that is red land is as it were emcompassed with Leicestershire except on the South side where it lyeth by the River Welland and on the East where it joyneth to Lincolne-shire It is the least Shire in England for it lyeth in a round circular forme so that a man may ride quite round about it in one day This Countrie is no lesse pleasant and fruitfull than others although it bee not so spacious The chiefe Towne in it is Vppingham so called because it stands on the ascent of an hill it hath a faire free Schoole in it which was built for the nurture and bringing up of children to learning by R. Iohnson Minister of Gods word who also built an other at the towne of Okeham so called because it is situated in a vale which once was very woody and full of Oakes This Shire can reckon 47 Parish Churches The little River Wash or Gwash gliding through the middle of it from East to West doth divide it into two parts Northfolke remaines yet to be described that is to say the Northerne people The bounds thereof on the South are Suffolke on the East and North the German Ocean and on the West the River Ouse The Countrie is large for the most part field-ground unlesse it bee where there are some smaller hils it is very rich full of flocks of sheepe and especially of Cunnies it is watered with pleasant Rivers and is sufficiently stored with wood The soyle differs according to the diversitie of places for in some parts it is fat and rich in other parts light and sandie and in other clayie and chalkie Amongst the chiefe townes in this Shire old Thetford is the first which Antoninus calleth Sitomagus that is a towne situate by the river Sit. It hath now but few dwelling-houses though heretofore it were faire and very populous There is also in this Shire the famous Citie of Norwich called by the Saxons North that is the North Castle and Yarmouth or Garmouth a faire Haven Towne fortified by its situation and mans industrie for
Thamisis Northward On the South it looketh towards Berk-shire being parted from it by Thamisis on the West toward Oxford-shire on the North toward Northampton-shire and on the East it looketh first toward Bedford-shire afterward toward Hartford-shire and last of all toward Middlesex It hath a plentifull soyle and the fruitfull meddowes thereof doe feed innumerable flockes of sheepe The head Towne is Buckingham besides which it hath also the Townes of Marlow Colbroke Amersham Crendon or Credendon so called from the Chalke or Marle by which the Inhabitants thereof manure their Land High-Wickam Stony-Stratford Oulney Newport-Pannell c. and in this Shire are reckoned 185 Parishes the Rivers are Thame Colne and Ouse Bedford-shire followes being joyned on the East to Cambridg-shire on the South to Hartford-shire on the West to Buckingham-shire and on the North to Northampton-shire and Huntingdon-shire it is divided into two parts by the River Ouse That part which is Northward is more fruitfull and woody the other part toward the South which is larger is of a meaner soyle but yet not barren for it hath great store of very excellent Barley In the middle of it there are thicke Woods but Eastward it is more bare and naked of trees The chiefe Towne is Lactodorum now called Bedford which communicates its name to the Shire It hath also other Townes as Odill Bletnesho or Bletso Eaton Dunstable built by Henry the first for suppressing of the robberies of the rebell Dun and his companions it containeth 116 Parishes and is watered with the River Ouse Next to Bedford-shire on the South side lyeth Hartford-shire the West side thereof is enclosed with Buckingham-shire the Northerne side with Middlesex and the East side with Essex and partly with Cambridge-shire It is very rich in corne-fields pastures meddowes and woods The chiefe Towne in the Country is Herudford now called Hertford which doth impart its name to the whole Shire There are also the Townes of Watling-street Fane S. Albane or Verulamium Roiston called anciently Crux Roisiae Ashwell Bishops-Stortford and many others and this Shire hath an 120. Parishes The Rivers are Lea or Ley Stort Mimer and Benefice Now come we to Essex which the River Stour on the North divideth from South-folke on the East the Ocean beateth it on the South the River Thames now growne very wide doth part it from Kent on the West the River Lea divideth it from Middlesex and the little River Stour or Stort from Hertford-shire It is a large Country fruitfull abounding with Saffron being full of woods and very rich here is Camalodunum now called Maldon Also Colchester which the Brittaines call Caer Colin Leyton Bemflot Leegh Rochford Angre Ralegh anciently called Raganeia Dunmow Plaissy or Plessy called anciently Estre Chelmesford now called Chensford Ithancester Earles Colne Barlow Walden called likewise Saffron Walden c. the Parishes are 415. the Rivers are Ley Thames Chelmer Froshwell anciently called Pante and Colne In the next place followes Berroc-shire now called Berk-shire the Northerne part whereof Isis which is afterward called Tamisis doth compasse with a winding pleasant streame and doth divide it from Oxford-shire and Buckingham-shire the Southerne part the River Kennet doth seperate from Hampshire the Westerne part is held in by Wiltshire and Glocester-shire and the Easterne part is confined with Surrey This County on the West side where it is broadest and in the middle thereof is very rich and full of corne especially in the Vale of White Horse and on the Easterne side which is lesse fruitfull there are many long and spacious woods The Townes are Farendon Abington called anciently Abandune and by the Saxons Sheoverham Wantage Wallingford Hungerford Widehay anciently called Gallena Newbery Reading Bistleham or Bisham Southealington now called Maidenhead and Windsore called by the Saxons Windlesora This Country hath 140 Parishes the Rivers which water it are Isis Thames Ocke Cunetio or Kenet and Lamboâ— Middlesex is divided on the West side from Buckingham-shire with the River Colne on the North side from Hertford-shire with the knowne bounds on the East side from Essex with the River Lea and on the South side from Surrey and Kent with the River Thames It is every where very pleasant by reason of the temperatenesse of the Ayre and goodnesse of the Soyle besides the faire Townes and buildings The Townes here are Vxbridge Draiton Stanes Radclisse and others but above all London called also Londinium Longidinium Augusta and by Stephanus Lindonion which is an Epitomy of all Brittaine It is seated by the River of Thames having a fertile Soyle and temperate Ayre it is distant from the Sea threescore miles it hath a stone Bridge over the River being three hundred and thirty paces long adorned on both sides with magnificent and faire buildings It hath also a strong Tower which is the chiefe Armory of England and in this the Mint is kept Neare to London is Westminster anciently called Thorney famous for the Abby the Courts of Justice and the Kings Pallace The Abbey is most renowned by reason of the Coronation and buriall of the Kings of England and in this Countie are 73 Parishes besides those in the Citie The Rivers that water it are Lea Colne and Thames Hampshire or Hantshire toucheth on the West Dorsetshire and Wiltshire on the South the Ocean on the East Sussex and Surrey and on the North Berk-shire It is fruitfull having pleasant thicke woods and flourishing pastures it hath two Cities the one Southampton so called because it stands on the River Test anciently called Ant or Hant the other Winchester called heretofore Venta Belgarum There are also these Townes Regnwood or Ringwood Christ-church Whorwell Andover Rumsey Portsmouth Kings-cleare Odiam Silcester called anciently by the Brittaines Caer Segente and others and it hath 253 Parishes the Rivers are Avon Stour Test and Hamble Surrey called by Bede Suthriona joyneth on the West partly to Berk-shire and partly to Southampton-shire on the South to Sussex on the East to Kent and on the North it is watered by the River Thames and divided by it from Middlesex It is a Countrie not very large yet very rich The Townes are Godelminge Aclea or Ockley Effingham Kingstone Merton Cradiden or Croydon Beddington Wimbandune or Wimbledon Wandlesworth and the Borrough of Southworke called by the Saxons South werke and this Country hath 140 Parishes The rivers are VVey Mole so called because for a certaine space it runneth under ground like a Mole Wandale and Thames aforesaid Now followeth Cantium or Kent a Country so called from the situation for it looketh toward France with a great corner which the word Canton in the French signifies environed round about with the mouth of Thames and the Sea unlesse on the West side where it joyneth to Surrey and on the South side to part of
the Royall Familie because the Fathers Inheritance is alwayes divided betweene the Sonnes and Daughters Thus the Kings of Denmarke have a flourishing Common-wealth which may easily bee defended from forraine enemies whom their Subjects living in unanimity and concord with them as their naturall Lords are able to resist both by sea and land THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE BEING THE THIRD KINGDOME OF THE NORTH DENMARKE is joyned only in two places to the Continent on the West the Ocean beateth on it on the East the Balticke Sea on the North lyeth Norwey and Swethland and on the South Holsatia Megalopolis and Pomerama It hath many severall Islands lying by it The temper of the Climate together with the wholsomnesse of the Aire that I may use Ioh. Coldingensis his words doth make the Danes fresh complexioned The fruitfulnesse of the Earth doth nourish them the sweete harmony of Birds doth recreate them their Woods and Groves in which great numbers of Hogges do feed and fat themselves with Akornes and Beech-maste do refresh them and the divers sorts of Cattle and flourishing Medowes do yeeld them much delight The Sea doth afford them such plentie of provision that the Danes thereby not onely furnish themselves but also many other parts of Europe In a word they want nothing that is necessarie to life so loving hath Nature shewed her selfe to this Countrie Concerning the ancient Government thereof Munster writeth that one Danus many ages before Christ was the first King of Denmarke from whom the other Kings of Denmarke did descend in a faire and orderly succession therefore concerning the names of his successours and the other Kings of Denmarke read Munster largely discoursing All the Countrie of Denmarke having many armes of the Sea reaching farre into the Land doth consist of many parts the chiefe whereof are these Iutia Fionia Zelandia and Scania besides the Islands lying neare to severall parts thereof Iutia which some would have called Gotâ—a being heretofore the Seat of the Cimbri is called by Historians and Geographers the Cimbrian Chersonesus and is divided into the Southerne and Northerne Iutia The Description of this Northerne Iutia you may behold in the second Table of Denmarke Southerne Iutia heretofore called Nordalbingia doth containe the famous Dukedome of Sleswick to which the Dukedome of Holsatia may now be added whereof you shall finde a more ample declaration in the third Table of Denmarke Also there followeth a more particular Description of Fionia in the fourth Table of Denmarke THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE DANIAE REGNUÌ„ THE SECOND TABLE OF DENMARKE WHICH CONTEINETH PART OF THE NORTHERNE IVTIA THE Westerne and speciall part of Denmarke is Iutia commonly called Iutland which Ptolemy calleth the Cimbrian Chersonesus and Pliny Cartrin This runneth forth Northward in manner of a Peninsula betweene the Brittish and Germane Seas as Italy doth toward the South The Southerne bound thereof is the River Eydera and it lyeth many miles in length from the River Albis or Elve toward the North The greatest breadth of it is not much This Country is divided into the Northerne and Southerne part as we have already spoken The Northerne Iutia called the Northerne Cimbrica which is described in this Table extending it selfe toward Norwey doth over against Saga a Towne famous in regard of the quick-sands and shallow Sea neare it end in a straite and narrow forme like a wedge This Country is broadest about the Market Towne of Aleburg where Lymford winding it selfe into it and passing almost through all Iutia Westward parteth the Country Wensussel from the rest except it be for a very little space and so maketh it as it were an Island This River being carried in a great channell maketh many famous Islands by encompassing them about and having many Bayes as it were and severall branches it doth divide and give limits to divers Provinces Northerne Iutia is fertile in producing and bearing Fruits Corne Barley and the like It hath also in some places very fruitfull pastures It aboundeth with so many heards of Oxen and bringeth up so many Cowes that it sendeth an incredible number of cattle into forreine Countries and especially into Germany whither there are yearely brought almost 150 thousand Oxen besides Cheese Butter Tallow and Hides It doth bring forth an excellent breede of Horses of which a great number are transported to other places Iutia heretofore was subject to the Saxons but not the other Northerne Countries Out of this Country the Cimbri 150 yeares before Christs birth came and fell upon Italie like an impetuous storme to the great terrour thereof For they having joyned to themselves the Tentons the Tigurines and Ambrones conspired utterly to extinguish the Roman Empire Syllanus could not resist the violence of their first approach nor Manilius their second on-set nor Caepio the third All of them were put to slight and beaten out of their Tents insomuch as Florus thinketh they had beene quite undone and overthrowne if Marius had not lived in that age This Cimbrian warre continued eight yeares after the Consulship of Syllanus even to the fift Consulship of Marius who at the Râ—ver Athesis called by the Germanes Etsâ—h and by the Italians â—adica did quite cut off their Army consisting of Cimbrians Teutâ—us and and Ambrones But because in this place wee have by chance made mention of the Cimbrians whose name is famous in Histories we will speake somewhat more of them and because Iunius a learned â—an doth discourse most learnedly of them I will not thinke it much to set downe his owne or other words to the same effect It appeares in Moses Bookes saith he that Iaphet had a sonne called Gomer or by changing of a letter Gomer which word signifies with the Hebrewes one perfecting a circle But the genuine sense of the word hitherto unknowne to Writers unskilfull in the Cimmerian language because none hath declared the obscuritie will bee as manifest and cleare as the Meridian Sunne if you gently breake the word in pieces For what other thing does Goom her being disjoyned signifie in that language or if you pronounce it Gomer than I goe about in a circle or I finish a perfect course Hence also is that orbicular order of Artes which the Grecian Writers call Encyclopedia and Fabius the circle of learning because it is endlesse as a ring called Gomera Rightly therefore that auspicious name hapned unto the offspring of Iaphet which spread themselves over the World and as the name doth signifie did finish that course that was given and prescribed to them by lot having travell'd over all Countries from the rising of the Sunne to the setting thereof For no man is so rude and ignorant in the knowledge of Historie that knoweth not that the Gothes and Vandales who were the ofspring of the Cimmerians or Cimbri did possesse both the Hesperiaes Wherefore since by the consent of all men the Cimmerians did descend from Gomer who at first
whose Inhabitants trusting to the benefite of their Lakes did refuse to acknowledge obedience to the Kings of Denmarke though of late they have beene compell'd thereunto The chiefest River of note which watereth this Countrey is Egidora or the Eidera there are also some others the most whereof may rather be called Brookes or Rivulets than Rivers but the Bâ—ltick Sea in that part where it washeth the Dukedomes of Holsatia and Sleswick hath safe and pleasant Bayes which are safe harbours for Merchants and weather-beaten ships In some places also it affordeth great store of fish and especially of Salmons It is a plaine Countrey seldome raised with any mountaines yet one it hath betweene Lubeck and Hamburg of a pleasant situation and famous for the ornaments of peace and warre with which Henry Rantzovius did adorne it It hath an ancient Castle seated on it famous for the antiquitie and first builder thereof and at the foote of the hill a Towne adjoyning to it Heere are many woods with which the Countrey of Holsatia is beset replenished but especially Dithmars as the woods of Borcholt Burgholt Alverdorpenholt Resenwalde and many others The Holsatians had heretofore 48 men who were Presidents and Governours of the whole Countrie to these they made their appeale out of the severall Parishes and they did judge all matters But they being subdued and the Countrie now divided into two parts in each of them there are twelve speciall and principall men together with a Prefect who for the most part is a Doctor or Licentiate at Law These have all yearely pensions from the Princes and they have a Clerke joyned to them as also an Overseer or President out of the Holsatian Nobilitie The one of these Prefects which is for the King is called the Prefect of Steinburg and the other being for the Duke the Prefect of Gottorpe Yet the Subjects have leave to appeale or make suite to the Princes and Senators of either Dukedome as well of Sleswick as Holsatia but not further They had heretofore a written Law which now by degrees is changed and reformed according to the Common Law compiled by Henry Rantzovius the Kings Substitute by Sigefrid Rantzovius heretofore Lord of Nienhs the Lord Adam Trazigeriu and the Lord Erasmus Kirslemius according to which Law all causes are decided and punishments pronounced against delinquents offenders Holsatia hath foure Orders or degrees of people The Nobles the Clergie the Citizens and the Countrie-men whereof there are two kindes for some possesse goods of their owne being hereditarie and free others hired goods or lands for which they pay rent and doe certaine services The Nobles have Castles and Lands together with the royalty of hunting fishing and hawking which for the most part are hereditarie unto them The whole Countrie hath not above 24 Families whose names are mentioned in the Holsatian Chorographie but divers Families there are that are descended from the same stock as the Rantzovians doe at this time possesse an hundred and fiftie Castles and divers other possessions The Aleseldians and Powischians have almost as many Holsatia hath one Bishoprick namely Lubeck for the Bishoprick of Hamburg is subject to the Bishoprick of Breme The contentions which happen among the Nobles are judged by a Senate of Dukes the Princes for the most part sitting Presidents in judgement as it is provided by their priviledges and Lawes From the order of Senators any one putting in a sufficient caution may appeale to the Imperiall Chamber The Citizens enjoy priviledges peculiar to themselves and use the Roman Law or else the Lubeck The Subjects may appeale from the judgement of the Senate of their owne Citie to the judgement of foure Cities appointed to judge and determine of all speciall matters From them againe they are permitted to appeale to the Princes and Senators of Holsatia and also further even to the Imperiall Chamber so that fit securitie be put in Countri-mens cases or suites are pleaded by their Lawyers even in the open fields where are present the Noble-men thereabout the Prefects and two Assistants There they come forth doe make their appearance who have any suit one against an other the Defendant and Plaintiffe being both heard the whole company or assemblie of Countrie-men are bidden to goe forth and then their causes being diligently weigh'd on both sides they returne againe and the suiters being called in they give sentence in their case according to Law and right THE FOVRTH TABLE OF DENMARKE CONTAINING FIONIA WITH THE ISLANDS LYING ROUND ABOUT IT SO much according to our Method concerning the Dukedome of Sleswicke and Holsatia Fionia followes with the Isles lying round about it Fionia commonly called Fuynen is the chiefe of all other Isles lying in the Bay of Codonus from Zeland It taketh its name from the beautie thereof both in regard of the forme and situation It is separated from the Continent of Denmarke by so small and narrow a Sea flowing between them called Middlesar that it seemeth almost to cleave unto the Continent This Iland as it looketh on the West toward Iutia so on the East toward Zeland It is 48 miles in length and 16 in breadth The Land that I may omit the Sea which is full of fish is a fruitfull soyle and very profitable to the husbandman For it aboundeth with such plentie of corne that it sends store thereof yearly to other farre Countries especially Wheate and Barley And the ground albeit it be very fruitfull and endowed with the gifts of Ceres yet it is never dunged Whence the Cities and Townes thereof are annoyed with filthy smells of the dung of cattle which is cast out being thereof no use as Munster writeth This Countrie aboundeth with so many Droves of Oxen and breedeth such a number of Cowes and Horses that it sends yearly into Germany great Heards and Droves of them And in regard of the many woods which are in the Island there is great store of game for hunting as Harts Hares and Foxes In the middle of it is the Metropolis or mother Citie called Ottania or Ottonium commonly called Ottensel being a Bishops Seat built as it appeares by many testimonies by Otto the first about the time when he compeld King Herald to receive the Christian faith This Citie is a famous Mart for the whole Island in which about Epiphanie or Twelfetide there is a great meeting of the Islanders and especially the Nobles as there is at Kile in Holsatia Fionia is divided into five and twentie Prefectures sixteene Cities and six royall Castles The other cities are in a manner equally distant from Ottonia which is as it were the Center and are so built of the Sea shoare that in regard of the conveniencie of the Havens they traffique not onely in the Balticke Sea but also exercise their negotiations throughout all Swethland and Norwey Russia the Low-countries and Germany the chiefe amongst them are Niburch Swynburch
while in France This is peculiar to this Province onely of all France that whereas Writers doe onely name other Provinces of France and doe not mention from whence the people of the Cities were so called heere the contrary happeneth for Caesar maketh mention of the Lemovicians and their Citie and writeth that they were the first that yeelded unto him for they were lovers of peace and haters of discord But after that the Lemovicians had made a league with Caesar they obeyed a Prince who was joyned in confederacie with the Romans to whom they were subject untill the Gothes did repell them and possessed all Aquitania They write that the French-men afterward having driven out the Gothes did governe the Lemovicians and did set Earles and Dukes to rule over them the one to manage their Battels the other to administer Justice The most doe divide Lemovicium into two parts the Higher and the Lower Le Haut bas Limosin The Higher which is properly called Limosin is plainer than the lower part and the Metropolis thereof is Lemovicum So many doe thinke that A. Hirtius did call it lib. 8. de Bello Gallico but now it is called Limoges Fulvius Vrsinus calleth it Limonum by the authoritie of ancient Bookes Ptolemie cals it Ratiaston in Aquitania as Ioseph Scaliger writing to Merula supposeth Villonovanus also assenting to him But Bertrandus thinketh that it is called Rahastum in stead of Raiz by the affinitie LEMOVICIVM TOTIUS Lemouici ct and likenesse of names This Citie is seated partly in a Vale and partly on the top of a litle Hill being well fortified with a Castle and strong Wals it hath abundance of water which springeth from a cleare Fountaine in the higher part of the Citie This Citie is the Nurserie of diligence and industrie and the prison-house of sloth and idlenesse The women doe honour and much esteeme of chastitie and mercifulnesse It is the Seate of a Bishop Heere are also other Townes which in the Language of the Inhabitants are called La Soubsterraine Le Bâ—â—sson Barat Dorat Consolat and others which for brevities sake I omit Amongst them Chassusio is not to be forgotten as being famous for the yearely Faires of Cattell and horses which are kept there on Saint Georges day There are also Abbies in this hither part of the Countrie amongst the which are the Abbies of Grandimont and S. Leonard The lower part of Lemosin being more mountainous than the higher is properly called La Marche de Limosin limited with Avernia and Perigort The chiefe Citie thereof is Tutela or Tulla commonly called Tulle being situated in a rugged mountainous place and being the Seate not onely of a Bailiffe but of a new Bishop built out of the ruines of an old Monasterie In Latine hee is called Tutelensis Episcopus There is also Vsarcha or Vsarche a pleasant Towne having a sweete Ayre and seated neere the River Vezer Fame boasteth that this Towne is impregnable and that it cannot be taken whence there is a Proverbe Cui Vsarchae est domus arcem eum possidere in Lemovicum ditione i. Hee that hath an house in Vsarcha hath as it were a Castle in the Countrie of Lemosin Histories doe speake much of the vertue of the Citizens and doe report that they resisted the English even when they conquered all Aquitania and that they remained constant and faithfull to their Prince the King of France There is the Towne Briva seated on the pleasant and fertile Plaine environed with woods and having many Vineyards It is the Seate of a Chancellour Heretofore it is thought it belonged to the Countrie of Perigort and that Charles the sixth King of France did joyne it to Limosin There are also other Townes as Treignac Donzenac Alassac Bellus-locus Meissac Vsset and Bello-mon There are many illustrious Families in this Countrie in the Higher there are the Families of Pierre-Bussire Chasteau-neuf and Carsic which are honoured with Vicountships also Roche-Covart which is one of the ancientest Families in Aquitania Maygnac and others In the lower part is Pampadoura Aumont Roffignac San-Iala Gemma and infinite others The Inhabitants of Lemovicium are very sparing in their meate drinke being content with a litle they hate dainty meates but are great eaters of bread so that the Proverb saith A Lemovician is a Bread-devourer In the Villages they doe not use to drinke Wine They are industrious ingenious and warie as being very provident in all things The Common-people are covetous and sluttish in their houses the Nobility are magnificent of a high spirit and liberall The most of them doe live untill they be very old for there are those which doe see their Grandchildrens Children They say that heere neere Cousins without any dispensation from the Pope doe marry amongst themselves and do not part their goods Belleforestius writeth that hee saw Families in which a hundred linkt together by the affinity of marriage did live together so that they seemed to be like Colledges I will heere adde for conclusion that which Iohannes Puncteius writeth concerning the originall of the Lemovicians Ecce Lemoviculae sedes gratissima genti c. Behold the Lemovicians pleasant Seate In fortie five degrees and halfe compleate Of Latitude which doth it selfe stretch forth To take a view of the cold frozen North. The Longitude even from the setting Sunne Stretching it selfe toward the East doth runne As farre as the Avernian Mountaines and Toucheth beside the Biturigian Land But where that Phoebus dips his horses in The Sea till they to plunge therein begin Angolmum it doth view and doth behold Part of Pictavia as towards the cold North on the Biturigians it confines And Southward to the Petragorians joynes With whom in manners they doe more agree Than with the others that their neighbours bee Faire Aquitania doth containe this Land Which for good manners comes behinde none and Vienna that doth from the Mountaines flowe Watereth the upper grounds as it doth goe With winding streames which runne out many wayes While thousands of faire kine doe by them graze This the Inhabitants in their speech doe call Vigana which from thence doth headlong fall By Lemovicium's Citie which doth lye Part in a Vale part on a Hill so high Where Saints doe glorie in its Churches state Which unto holy Stephen's consecrate Fame doth report that French-men of the line Of Gomer held this Countrey at that time Nohemus offâ—spring troupes of men did leade Which into divers Countries they did spread From thence the true originall then came Of Lemovicians who ne're chang'd their name Vnlesse you 'le have the Phrygians for to change Their Seates while they did with Alvernus range And Limovices for to finde new land And ease their griefe which they at home sustain'd The Soyle is barren whence no fruite doth grow And no faire swelling Rivers in it flow It flourisheth with men that in it are And is enrich't with many kindes of ware The Land is strong in
how well ordered it is and how cleane it is kept in which without doubt it doth excell all the Nations of the World But the Low Countriemen are too much given to the Vice of drinking in which they take great delight so that oftentimes they never give over drinking day nor night and thereby besides other inconveniences they do much wrong their bodyes and witts and without doubt it is oftentimes the cause of their untimely death according to that of Propertius Vino forma perit vino corrumpitur aetas Wine maketh beautie fade And strength by Wine is decay'd And they themselves doe know it and confesse it and condemne themselves for it but in vaine for the evill custome doth prevaile over them Albeit they may be partly excused For seeing the ayre is alwayes moyst and melancholy they have no other meanes whereby to cure their hatefull and unwholsome Melancholy which Horace seemeth to intimate saying Vino pellite curas that is With wine drive cares away Which haunt us every day But it were to be wished that they would observe that noble saying of Terence Ne quid nimis Doe nothing too much which now the civiller sort doe begin to observe The inhabitants doe goe in good apparrell and are well complexioned Lastly they use much trading and traffique in which they are very skilfull And all the Low Countries for the most part doth subsist by Merchandising and Maechanicke Arts. THE COVNTIE OF FLANDERS FLanders although it be not of any great antiquitie yet no reason can be given for the name of it Some derive it from a Cittie of that name situated there where Ardenburg is now Others derive it from Flandbertus the sonne of Blesinda who was sister to Clodion King of France Flandbertus lived in the yeare of Christ 445. Some suppose that this Countrey was so named from Flandrina the wife of Lydericke the first Earle thereof Some derive it a flatu and fluctibus that is from the winde and waves which in regard of the neere Vicinitie of the Ocean doe beate upon this Countrie So that even to the yeare 1340. it was a caution used in selling or conveying of land that if the Sea broake into it within ten yeares afterward the contract and bargaine should be then voyde and of none effect The bounds of it now are on the South Artesia with Hannonia part of Picardie on the East Hannonia Brabant on the North the Ocean with Honta or the mouth of Scaldis which parteth Flanders from Zeland on the West the Brittish Ocean or Germaine Sea It is three dayes journey in length namely from Scaldis on the other side of Antwerp even to the new ditch which is 30 miles The breadth of it is twenty miles The ayre of the Country is temperate the soyle fertile especially that part which is neere the Ocean and France There are faire Meddowes which may appeare from hence in regard that Horse-riders doe yearely bring Colts out of other neghbour Countries into Franders which through the goodnesse of the pasture and sweetnesse of the ayre being leane before doe quickely grow fat and plumpe It breedeth also diverse sorts of tame Cattell very pleasant and delicate in taste and also an incredible sort of wilde beasts There are also divers kindes of fowles as Pheasants Partridges Peacockes Hernes and Storkes The inhabitants of this Country were heretofore so addicted to warre that they never scarsely lived quietly or peaceably so that their armies have invaded Syria and the holy Land and Hierusalem There are 30 walled Citties in Flanders Gandauum Bruges Ypra Insula Duacum Tornacum Cortracum Aldenarda Alostum Hulsta Teneramunda Birsletum Newporte Sluse Dunkerck Graveling Burburg Dammum Dixmuda Furna Ardenburgum Ninova Berga Gerardmontium Castâ—llum Donza Orchianum Lanoyum Axella and Ostend Besides these there are also free Townes which are not inferiour unto Citties neither for nobilitie or Priviledges nor magnificent structures or populousnesse as Bella Poperinga Hondtscota Eccloa Gistella Middleburrough and twenty others There are in all 1556 villages so that it is a usuall Proverbe that Flanders doth exceed all the Countries in the world and when the Spaniards came into this province with King Phillip they thought that all Flanders was but one Cittie It is now divided into three parts the Dutch the French and the Imperiall part The chiefe is Gandavum which was built by C. Iulius Caesar when he stayed in Morinium it is called in Dutch Gendt the Italians call it Guanto the French Gand. It is situate foure miles from the Sea and is watered with foure pleasant Rivers For Scaldis commeth to it out of Hannonia Lisa out of Artesia Livia out of the Haven or Sluce and Moero from the Ambactae It is ten miles distant from Antwerpe and as many from Bruxells Mechlin and Middleburrough The compasse of it within the walls is 45640 Romaine feete that is seaven Italian miles It hath 26. Islands and two hundred and eight Bridges and foure water mills And an infinite number of hand-mills And an hundred wind mills It hath five and fifty Churches and five Abbies The Citizens of this Citty are famous for Nobility wealth and courage Here the Emperour Charles the fifth was borne It also brought forth these learned men Iudocus Badius Iohannes Cornarius Laevinus Brechtus and the other Lavinus Torrentius Baldvinus Ronsaeus Vtenhovious and many others There are two and fiftie kindes of trades in this Cittie And seaven and twenty sorts of Weavers which were first instituted by the Earle Baldwin the sonne of Arnold the Great in the yeere 865. Brugae or Brugges taketh its name either from the many bridges belonging to it or from the bridge Brug-stocke neere Oldenburg and Ardenburg out of the ruines of which Cittie eight hundred yeeres before the Castell of Brugges was first built it is situated three miles from the Sea in a plaine place The compasse of it within the wall 26600 Romane feete that is foure Italian Miles and an halfe It is the pleasantest Cittie not onely in all Flanders but also in all the Low Countries it hath threescore Churches the chiefe and fairest whereof is Saint Domatians Church which was heretofore consecrated to the blessed Virgin it was built by Lidericke the first Earle of Flanders in the yeere 621. There are threescore and eight kindes of trades in it Ypra is so called from the little River Ypra that floweth by it commonly called Yperen it was built in the yeere 1060. The foundation of this Citty is sayd to be of Lead and that in regard of the many leaden pipes which doe convey water through the whole Cittie And these are the chiefe Citties The Havens follow Sluce is named from the Catarracts or falling of waters which the Flandrians doe call Sluys it is a Sea Towne it hath a great Haven wherein fifty ships may conveniently ride Over against it is the Isle Cadsant where George Cassander was borne Ostend is situated neere the
Elve and Elbe doe signifie in the Germaine language eleven The seaventh River is Suevus which some doe call Vtadrum and corruptly it is called Odera the spring head whereof is in the Mountaine Oderberg and so being encreased by the addition of many Rivers it glideth by Frankford a famous Vniversity and from thence it runneth by Stetinum the seate of the Sidinonians which is a Sea towne of Traffiques and from thence it windeth to the Episcopall Citties of Carminum and there making a great Lake it emptieth it selfe into the Germaine Ocean For they are in an error who suppose that Sprea or de Spree is the River Suevus although the aforesaid Sprea is accounted a famous River which flowing by Brandenburg doth runne into Albis neere to Haneloburg of which opinion is Bilibaldus who writeth that the River Sprea runneth into the Ocean neere to the Cittie Sunda The River Visurgis followeth commonly called de Weser Dionysius Lib. 55. calls it Ousiourgos Ovid calls it Iturgum in that verse Decolor infesta testis Iturgus aqua Ptolemie calls it Visurigis and Strabo Bisurgis and Adamus in his Ecclesiasticall history Visuris and Sidonius Vesatis It ariseth out of Hassia and having watered the Citties Werdensis Mindensis Gotingensis and Bremensis it rowleth it selfe into the Ocean and is there called Vesera The last river is Vâ—stula or Istula which Bilibaldus calleth Vandalum This River bounders Germany because Ptolemie doth place the European Sarmatia beyond it Iornandes calls it Scythia which running by the Sarmatian rockes doth water Cracovia which is the Metropolis of the Kingdome of Poland and being growne greater by the receipt of Rivers it doth discharge it selfe into the Sea with three inletts or mouthes from hence it floweth by Dantzick and afterward by Elbinga an Vniversity of the Borussians and thirdly by the Towne Loctetum and so doth poure it selfe into the Venedician Bay There are also many other famous Rivers which doe either runne into the Sea or into some greater River which I passe over least I should be tedious Now I come to the Germaine Sea For seeing we purpose to describe al Germanie we must add somthing concerning the Sea which washeth the shore thereof But in regard we have entreated otherwhere more largely concerning the Sea and especially in the generall description of Belgia we will speake first concerning the tide of the Sea and afterward we will reckon up the properties of the Germaine Sea It is manifest that the Moone is the cause of the tides of the Ocean But as the Moone hath divers changes in her motion so the tides doe also change For they following the Moone doe flow twice betweene the rising thereof and doe ebbe twice in foure and twentie houres so that the Seas doe flow twice and ebbe twice every day they flow when the Moone ascendeth above the Easterne Horizon and do ebb when it declineth from the Meridian westward and it floweth againe when the Moone goeth downe under the earth and commeth to the contrary part of the Meridian and so likewise it ebbeth untill it rise againe But as the Moone does not alwayes rise at one time and in one place but every day riseth in another place than it did before so the tides doe not flow at certaine houres but at that time when the Moone passeth through the Poles of the heavens Moreover it is to bee noted that the full Moone doth move the Sea in another manner than the halfe Moone For this Luminarie hath greater force when it is at the full than when it is weake and in the waine We use to call those tides which are at the full of the Moone Sprinckuloedt that is a Spring-tide Which Agel Lib. 14. concerning the Ocean doth elegantly call the Moones companion seeing it followeth the age and increase thereof and also he noteth some aspects and configurations As for example sake if the Moone have a fit aspect unto Venus and doe run through moist houses it doth wonderfully increase the tides of the sea but if it be aspected with Mars or dry Planets it doth lessen the tides Here also the ascention of the signes is to be noted But if the Moon be in signes of a right ascension it maketh the tides longer than if it were in signes of oblique ascension for it is observed that the tides are never equall to the ebbes in continuance of time but when the Moone is in the Equinoctiall signes and hath no Latitude Besides some parts of the water doe finde a greater influence proceeding from the beames of the bodie of the Moone either in regard of the rectitude and straightnesse of the beames or some other hidden qualitie But the Moone hath a different influence when it is Northward and another when it is Southward for when it is heere it encreases the tides on the Southerne shoares and when it is there on the Northerne shoares Moreover the Tides of the Sea are greater in some places and in other places very small or none at all For as concerning this our Germaine Sea it is certaine that there are scarce any tides which can be perceived but as the Sea is carried with the windes it floweth now here and now there for when it is an East wind the Sea goeth very high and driveth backe Rivers neither doth it flow onely to the Sea side but it overflowes the Land And whereas the Spanish and Atlanticke Ocean is of an unsearchable deapth so that a line of three hundred or foure hundred fathom cannot found the bottome of it yet the Germaine Sea in the most parts is but 60. Cubits deepe and never above an hundred Cubits except on some shoares of Norway which are thought to be of an insearchable depth Moreover it is worthy to be mentioned that whereas all other Seas are bitter and salt our Sea hath sweete waters and not unpleasant to drinke and that in regard that many great fresh Rivers doe runne into it out of the Sarmatian Mountaines and because the Sunne is too weake in those places to exhale and draw up the lighter and thinner parts of the water which some make to bee the chiefe cause of the saltnesse of the Sea Which reason if it were good and probable then the Amalchian Sea also and the Chronian Sea should not be salt which is otherwise Wherefore it is rather to be held that the melted snow and the aforesayd Rivers flowing downe out of the Sarmatian Mountaines doe make this Sea cleere and sweete Whereby it comes to passe that other Seas doe more easily carry vessells of great burden than this And the reason is because the water of the salt Sea is of a thicker substance while the thinner waters doe yeeld to the least waight It is easier also to swim in this Sea than in others Yet it maketh Sea men more sicke in regard the waves goe very high so that sometimes they seeme to touch the Clouds and then fall againe and breake into deepe valleyes This Sea in
Emperour did enlarge it by the accession and addition of the Towne Ripa neere Benacum with some Valleys and Villages After him Charles the Saxone gave to the Church the whole County of Tridentum together with a faire Valley and the Towne Bâ—lzanius And the Earle of Tirolis was made Defender and Protector thereof And from that time the Bishop had Jurisdiction over both The Citizens doe speake partly the Germane language and partly the Italians and which is seldome seene in Frontiere Citties they speake as pure language as in the middle of Germany or in the middle of Italy In this Citty that famous Counsell was celebrated in the yeere 1546. under Pope Paul the third This Country is watered with two speciall Rivers Oenus and Athesis The other may rather be called Rivulets than Rivers Here are no particular Mountaines for they are all called by one generall name the Rhetian Alpes although they are afterward distinguished by their proper names Here are also many woods as Grinwald Hosgarten In der Aich Milrinald Forrest Vnser Frawen Holtz c. Marca Tarvisina I Have spoke of the County of Tirolis it remaineth now that wee should speake of Marca Tarvisina It was so named from the Citty Tarvisium where the Marquesses of Lombardy kept their residence who were Governours of this Country Cassiodorus and others doe call it Tarvisinum It is called also Venetia from the Venetian people But now in the Country speech it is called Marca Trevigiana Concerning the bounds thereof Leander writeth that Mincius Benacus and the River Sarca doe enclose it on the West on the North the Tarvisanian Mountaines which devide Italy from Germany on the East the mouth of the River Timavus and part of the Hadriatick Sea on the South the mouth of Athesis and the Melarianian and Brigantinian Marshes and the same Leander affirmeth that these were the bounds of ancient Venetia and not of Marca Tarvisina which was far straighter and lay lengthwaies betweene the Rivers Mincius and Alsa and that beyond Alsa they were joyned to Forum Iulium and besides that which is now called Marca Tarvisiâ—a did containe some places of the Cenomanians c. The Country is fruitfull the ayre wholsome pleasant and temperate It hath pleasant Fields which yeeld great store of Corne and Wine and other fruits It hath plenty of Mettals and good store of Cattell And it is adorned and enriched with so many gifts of nature that it is worthy to bee accounted one of the principall Countries of Italy Heretofore the Euganeans dwelt here the derivation of whose name if wee seeke it from the Greeke may THE SECOND TABLE OF LOMBARDY Tarvisina Marchia et Tirolis Comitatus be derived from their noble generous birth The Venetians as Livie noteth Lib. 1. did drive the Euganeans from home from whom the whole Country was called Venetia The Citties of Marca Tarvisina are Verona Vincentia Patavium Venetia Tarvisium Of the former of which namely Verona Vincentia and Patavium we will speake in their proper Table Venice is a Citty which containeth about 60. small Ilands it is seated in the innermost part of the Hadriatick Bay in the middest of the Lakes which the Tyde filleth every 6. houres the Sea floweth on the East side which that the violence and rage thereof may doe no harme some other Ilands doe lye before it to restraine the fury of the Sea And although it be not fortified with walls Bulwarks or Towers yet it is strong by the naturall situation It is devided with many Channels There are Rivers in all the streets which are joyned together by 450. stone and woodden Bridges The chiefest Channell is that which is called Canal grande three miles long which devideth the whole Citty into two parts So that you may either goe on foote or by Boate of which there are 8000. thorow the Citty they commonly call these Boates Gondelas The compasse of this Citty is about 8. miles which is famous for populousnesse wealth and store of Merchandise it hath produced excellent wits and most learned men and it is adorned with good Lawes and laudable Statutes It doth abound with Corne which is brought thither out of divers parts of the World as also with divers sorts of Wine among which is that generous sort of Wine which is commonly called Malmesy and with other things necessary to mans life so that it may be rightly call'd the Paradise of Delight There are in it 64. Parishes There are also magnificent and sumptuous publike and private buildings The chiefest Church is that which is dedicated to Saint Marke the Evangelist which is gilded in many places And to omit other matters there is an Armory within the Citty commonly call'd the Arsenale which is about two miles in compasse Here are made of Wood Iron Brasse Hempe and Flaxe all kindes of provision for Ships as Anchors Guns Cables Ropes Tackles and Sailes Here are also some Ensignes kept which were taken from the Turke or Pirates or Enemies and those Trophies which were taken at Naupactum in the yeere 1581. And also there are the Praetorian Barges and the Ship Bucentaurus in which the Prince accompanied with the Senate and chiefe men of the Citty is carryed every yeere to the entrance of the Sea where the Castle standeth and there after some Ceremonies performed by the Bishop he marrieth the Sea and puts a Ring upon it to shew his perpetuall dominion over it There is also a publike Library together with the Library of Bessarion Cardinall of Nicen which at his death he gave to the Common-wealth of Venice Venice is very populous so that there are thought to be in it about 300000. Citizens They are of three sorts or rankes the Patricians who governe the Empire and Common-wealth the Citizens who doe beare under Offices and the Artificers who use Mechanick Arts. And besides these there are great store of Merchants and Strangers which come thither in divers habits out of all parts of the World to trafficke as Turkes Aethiopians Slavonians Arabians Syrians Cretensians Cyprians Macedonians Germanes Hungarians Spaniards Frenchmen and others The Venetian Common-wealth was governed at the first by Consuls afterward by Tribunes for 252. yeeres afterward in the yeere 707. it began to be a Dukedome The Duke commonly call'd Doge is the head of the Common-wealth and the Prince of the Senate and he can doe nothing neither in time of peace or warre without the consent of the Senate for he consulteth with them The Senate make Decrees which yet are published in the Dukes name The Duke hath certaine stipends paid him out of the publike stock and after his decease another is chosen by suffrages and voyces out of the Senate The Senate which is commonly call'd Gran Coâ—siglio is the Basis and Foundation of the whole State the Members of it are all Nobles of 25. yeeres of age or above who have free liberty to speake very faithfull in Counsell and very carefull to preserve their liberty and
Citty Sassaris which hath a pleasant soyle watered with many Springs abounding with divers sorts of fruites but it is weakely fortified Algher is a new small Citty but yet populous and strong and adorned with many faire aedifices and buildings the inhabitants whereof are almost all Tarraconians Sardinia hath also other Citties and Townes which for brevitie sake wee omit It hath many pleasant Rivers which are not deepe so that in sommer time you may passe over the bards There are many Magistrates in Sardinia The chiefe is the Viceroy who hath al the Kings authority and according to their ancient lawes none but a Spaniard can beare this office The King doth assigne and appoint him one assistant who is Doctor of both Lawes whom they call there the Regent Moreover hee hath other Counsellors who dispose and order all matters and this Court is called the Kings audience Heretofore it was a priviledge of the Kingdome that no man could beare this office longer than three yeres and then another succeedeth in his place But now one continueth in that office as long as the King pleaseth Concerning the manners and dispositions of the Sadinians they are strong of body and inured to labour except it be some few who are given to effeminacy and wantonesse Many of them doe keepe Cattell and are contented with poore fare and water Those that dwell in the Townes and Villages doe live peaceably and quietly together They love strangers and doe use them kindly They live from hand to mouth and goe in a poore habbit And which is strange there is not one Artificer in all the Iland that can make either Swords Daggers or other weapons so that they fetch them out of Spaine and Italy Mercator mentioneth these Bishops The Archbishop Claritanensis under whom are these Bishops Sulcitanus or Sulciensis Doliensis Suellensis The Archbishop Turitanus under whome are these Bishops Sorrensis Plotanensis Ampuriensis Gifacensis or Girardensis Castrensis Othanensis or Othricensis Bosanensis or Bossa The Archbishop Alborensis under whom are the Bishops of Vssellensis S. Iustia Terra Alba Civitatensis and Gastelliensis are excepted THE KINGDOME OF SICILIE· SICILIE is next to bee described which excelleth all the Ilands of the Mediterranean Sea Thucidides calleth it Sicania from Sicanus who as Solinus and Capella doe write came with a band of Iberians into that Country before the Trojan warres Many doe call it Trinacria and especially the Poets in regard it hath 3. Promontories Or else because it resembleth a Triangle or three cornerd figure for it runneth forth divers wayes with three Promontories and so is like the greeke letter Delta which beareth this shape Δ. These three Promontories are Pelorus Pachynus and Lilybaum The Graecians did call it Sicelia But some suppose Trinacria quondam Mutavere situm rupit confinia Nereus Italiae pars una fuit sed pontus aestus Victor abscissos interluit aequore monteis Trimacria hath her situation chang'd And now the Sea their borders hath estrang'd Heretofore it was a part of Italie From whence 't is now divided by the Sea And hence Rhegium is so called in Italie because Sicilie is there divided from Italie On the North it hath the Tyrrhene Sea on the East the Hadriatick and Ionian Sea on the South the Affrick Sea and on the West the Sardinian Sea Thycydides writeth Lib. 6. that the compasse of Sicile is about 8. dayes journey and yet it lyeth but 20. furlongs from the maine land or continent of Italy Moreover this Iland doth excell for the wholesomenesse of the ayre the fruitfullnesse of the soyle and plenty of all fruite and other things which are necessary for the use of man For it lyeth in the 4. Climate which for the gentlenesse and temperatenesse of the ayre doth exceede the sixe others So that Sicilie produceth the best fruites So that Marcus Cato calleth it the Stoarehouse of the Commonwealth and the Nurse of the Romane People and Strabo the Barne of Rome In the Sunensian fields where the ancients doe faine that Proserpine was tooke away violently which they call the Navell of Italie the Corne yeeldeth so great an increase insomuch that one bushell of Wheate sowed yeeldeth an hundred which field they call therefore Campe dallo cento Salme The Leontine fielde is not inferiour unto this concerning which Cicero saith in his third Oration against Verres Quid Vina commorabo optimi saporis adorisque What should I mention the fragrant pleasant Wines Pliny who was most diligent and curious in reckoning the best sorts of Wines doth affirme that there is excellent good Wine made in Sicilie And hee saith that there is the Balincian Wine in Sicilie which tasteth like Methegling or Wine mingled with honey So that they suppose the Balincian Wine is that which they call Muskadine which is very sweete For both Alpes Muskadine whence so called that is Bees and Muscae that is flies doe haunt these Grapes which are therefore called Muskadine Grapes out of which a sweet pleasant wine is pressed which they call Muskadine though some suppose that it was so called because it smelleth like Muske So that the Wine of Sicilie may be rightly esteemed the best for it is as good as the Italian Wine and as pleasing to the Pallat and will keepe as long Moreover Sicilie hath great store of Oyle Suger Saffron Honey Salt all sorts of fruites and excellent Silke Besides Sicilie is rich in Mettalls for it hath Gold Silver Iron and Allom. It produceth also Pretious stones as the Emerald the Achates the Berill the red Marble stone the Iasper and it hath great heards and flocks of Oxen and Cattell There is excellent hunting of Does and Boares and Hauking at Partridges and Quailes which they commonly call Francolinas And Falcons who are enimies to all flying fowle are taken heere The fierce Lestrigonians did first possesse this Country afterward the Sieanians a Colonie of Spaniards and lastly the Trojans and Cretensians came hither Afterward the Graecians did invade it then the Romanes and after the division of the Easterne and Westerne Empire it was subject to Constantinople almost 200. yeares But in the raigne of the Emperour Iustinian the Gothes invaded this Iland who 17. yeares afterward were expelled and droven out by Belisarius Afterward the Saracens did possesse it under Michael Balbus and held it 400. yeares The Normans succeeded them and afterward the Langbards Suevians and Germanes but they being droven out by Clement the 4. the Frenchmen possessed it 16. yeares Afterward it was subject to the Aragonians untill the raigne of King Ferdinand after whose decease the Kings of Spaine were also Kings of Aragon and Sicilie Pliny reckoneth that there are 72. Citties in it But now there are 173. Citties and Townes as Maginus witnesseth The Metropolis or mother Citty of the Kingdome is Panormus which Ptolomy and others doe call Palernum it is now called Palermo It is an ancient Citty and a Colony of the Phoenicians as
lye on Fether-beds but on Flock-beds or Beds stuffed with Wooll or Toe They never mingle any wine with water and women are not present at their drinking feasts and meetings neither doe they sitt downe at Banquets But the Heathenish Greekes have an ancient custome in bewailing the dead The Greeke Christians doe differ in Religion from the Romanes and doe call themselves the Easterne Church They have foure Patriarks the Patriarches of Constantinople of Alexandria of Hierusalem and Annoch These are created by the Metropolitan Bishops as the Popes are by the Cardinals and they are famous for their sanctimonious holy modest and religious life Their yeerely revenue is 400. crownes which is begged in the Churches which are under their government For the Clergie men have no Inheritance They may marry one wife but no more they acknowledge onely two Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords Supper They communicate in both kindes both in Bread and Wine They hate Purgatory and detest graven Images and doe not shave their haire But the richer Graecians and men of Authority doe weare Princely apparell Those that are under the Venetians doe goe in habit like to Venetians Those that are under the Turkes doe goe like Turkes The Governour of Greece is called Vâ—omeli Beglerbey that is King of the Romane Princes for hee governeth all those Countries which the Turke hath in Europe which are subject to Constantinople Hee hath 40. Sangiacks under him who are Captaines of the Horse troopes chosen out of the Spachoglans and they are Governours in the chiefe Citties of the Provinces to keepe them in peace and obedience and they have 150. Sobasci Cimmeriotae or more who are Vice-governours under them of lesser Townes Under these Sangiacks there are 30000. Spachi every one of which maintaineth 3. or 4. Horses for service And these Spachi are distributed thorow the Flamboler that is the bands which doe containe 200.300 400. or 500. Horsemen The chiefe of the Sangiacks is the Governour of Modena who is President also of all Morea who upon the Beglerbeys command is to bring forth a thousand Horse who are bound to serve him for wages Also the Governour of Bosna bringeth 900. Horse and the Governour of Thessalonia bringeth forth 500. Horse an hundred whereof he hath alwaies in a readinesse the rest hee sends when the Turke demands it There are also under this Beglerbey 20000. Horsemen who are subject to the Sangiacks who are called the Tymariots because they have stipends out of the Tymar which is the Emperours Exchequer And also 40000. Akengi or Acconti that is Scouts or light Horsemen who being free from any taxes or contributions doe serve without wages and are supplyd with victuals by the chiefe Citties thorow which they passe There are also many Feudataries who are called Mosselin out of which there are sometime raised 60000 Horsemen and a great number of Footemen It would be tedious to rehearse all matters neither doe we intend it wherefore we returne to the more speciall parts of Greece MACEDON EPIRE AND ACHAJA VVITH which ALBANIA is described SOME have divided Greece in another manner But wee will follow Mercator who doth accurately describe the parts thereof in three Tables But in this Table he setteth forth 3. Provinces of Greece Macedon Epire and Achaja afterward Morea and in the third and last place Candia The first is Macedon being a large Country and so called from King Macedon the sonne of Orsiis some say that it was so denominated from Iupiter and Thia or as Salinus thinketh from Ducalions Nephew It was heretofore called Emathia as Pliny and Trogus doe witnesse Livy writeth that it was first called Paeonia afterward Aemonia Solinus calls it Edonia and Pieria Trogus writeth that it was heretofore called Baeotia Stephanus and Hesychius doe write that a part of it was called Macetia and from thence Eustathius reporteth that the whole Country was so called It is also called in the Booke of Machabees Cethim where we reade that Alexander went out of the Land of Cethim It is situate in the middle of two great Seas the Jonian Sea on the West and the Aegaean on the East on the North it hath a part of Dalmatia and the higher Maesia on the South it toucheth Epirus and Achaja The Country is every where fruitfull and encompassed with great Mountaines and the borders thereof toward the Jonian Sea are plaine and woody for that part which is called Albania is well knowne to bee large fruitfull and pleasant Moreover it is very rich in Gold and Silver and as Aristotle witnesseth a kinde of strange Gold was heretofore found here there is also Brimstone digged out of the Earth Moreover Macedon doth produce a Precious stone called Paeantides which doth helpe women to conceive and bring forth children as Solinus writeth This is that Macedon saith Pliny which heretofore had the Empire of the whole World that is that Country which passed over Asia Armenia Iberia Albania Cappadocia Syria Aegypt Taurus and Causasus this Country had Dominion over the Bactrians Medes and Persians and possessed all the East this conquerd India following the steps of Bacchus and Hercules this is that Macedon in which ouâ— Emperour Paulus Aemilius in one day tooke 72. Citties and sold them Such was the change of Fortune Macedon containeth many Countries among the which Thessaly is the chiefe which Castaldus calleth Comenolitari There are also many faire Citties in Macedon The chiefe now are Thessalonia which was and is now frequented by divers Christian Nations and Jewes who have there 80. Synagogues The Sangiack of Macedon resideth here He at the command of the Beglerbeg as often as the Turke setteth forth any Army hath 500. Horsemen well appointed an hundred whereof he keepeth neere him to defend his owne borders Neere unto this Citty is Siderocapsa famous for Gold Mettall And Pella where the Kings Treasure is kept and 3000. of the Kings Mares are kept to breed as Pliny and Strabo doe witnesse Stagira was the Towne where Aristotle was borne Also Apollonia where Augustus Caesar learned the Greeke tongue Dyrrachium which was heretofore called Epidaurus is in the Country of Brundusium also Aulon Croja and Cavalla The Rivers of Macedon next to Strimon in the borders of Thrace are Axius Erigonus Aliacmon and Peleus It hath these Mountaines Pelion Ossa Pindus Nimphaeus and Athon Athos is a great steepe rugged Mountaine which casteth a shaddow even to the Iland Lemnos it is planted with Vines Olives Bay-trees Mirtle-trees and Apple-trees Now it is inhabited by the Colojerians who are so religious that even the Turkes doe abstaine from this part alone and doe often give the Monkes gifts and benevolences EPIRVS· EPIRUS is a Country of Greece as Ptolemy and others doe call it Martianus Capella writeth that it was heretofore called Chaonia Grabillius affirmeth out of Dionysius and Thrasibulus that it was called Oricia and Dodona Leander and Erythraus doe write that it is now called Albania Richerius and
and Ivory being 60. foote high which worke was reprehended by other Artificers because the Image was not proportionable to the Temple For whereas this Iupiter sate in an Ivory Throne and yet touched the top of the Church with his head it must needs come to passe that if this Ivory god being weary of sitting would rise up at any time that hee must throw downe the top of the Church There is also Pisa Achaja which Ptolemy calleth Propria reacheth from the Promontory Araxus even to the Sicyonian from whom it is devided by the River Sus on the South it hath the Mountaine Stymphalus on the North the Corinthian Bay There are also the Citties Dyme which they now call Charenza whence they call the Araxean Promontory Capo di Chiarenza there is also the famous Citty Patrae which is now called Patras The Citty Aegium in former time was called Vostiza or Bostizan and it was raced by the Turkes Aegira was heretofore a chiefe Citty being seated on a rugged steepe Hill which is now ruinate and called Xilocastro And in the Crissaean Bay there are Helice Bura and Pellene Siâ—â—nia is situate betweene Achaja and Asopus the chiefe Citty thereof is Sicion the ancientest of all the Greeke Citties and built in Abrahams time being full of Churches Altars Statues and Images There was also Phlius which happily is that which they now call Vasilicon There remaineth Arcadia which is a Mediterranian Country in Peloponnesus being every where encompas'd with the Sea In this Country there is the Citty Megalopolis where Polibius a grave and wise Writer was borne It is now called Leontari There is also Stimphalus whence the Stymphalian Lake and the Stymphalian Birds There are also Lilaea Mantinea and Psophis But the chiefe Citties of all Peloponnesus Ovid Lib. 6. Metamorph. hath thus briefly described and Epitomized Finitimi Proceres coeunt urbesque propinquae Oravere suos ire ad solatia reges Argosque Sparte Pelopejadesque Mycenae Et nondum torvae Calidon invisa Dianae Orchomenosque ferax nobilis aere Corinthus Messeneque ferox Patraeque humilesque Cleovae Et Melea Pilos nec adhuc Pitheia Trâ—ezen Quaeque urbes aliae bimari clauduntur ab Isthmo The neighbouring Princes met the Citties neere Intreate their Kings the desolate to cheere Renown'd Mycenae Sparta the Argive State And Calydon not yet in Dian's hate Fertile Orchomenos Corinthus fam'd For high-priz'd Brasse Messene never tam'd Cleovae Patrae Pylos Nelius crowne And Throezen not as then Pitheus Towne With all that two-sea'd Isthmus Straites include And all without by two-sea'd Isthmus view'd The most famous Rivers are Asopus which Theverus calleth now Arbon also Penejus which Thevetus and Niger call Igliaco there is also Alpheus which the Inhabitants call Rophea and as Niger saith Orphoa the Italian Marriners call it Carbon and 140. streames and Rivulets doe runne into this River There is also Panisus which Niger calleth Stromio but Castaldus and Mercators tables call it Pirnaza which is the greatest River of all Peloponesus The water whereof doth heale as it is reported all diseases belonging to Children and Infants Eurotas is now called by Stephanus and others Basilopotamo but Niger calleth it Iris whose bankes are full of Bay-trees and Inachus which Sâ—phianus and others doe now call Planizza but Niger calleth it Iris whose bankes have also great store of Bay-trees I omit the other Rivers The Mountaines are Stimphalus the highest Mountaine of Arcadia which Dominicus Niger calleth Poglici Xitias Niger calleth it Pholos Mela Cillenius Strabo Cyllene it is the highest Mountaine in all Arcadia There is also the Mountaine which Mela calls Menalius Ptolemy Cronium Also Grevenos which Niger calleth Zarex and Gemistus Zaraca That which Ptolemy and Strabo call Minthe Niger calleth Olonus Pausanias calleth it Evan from Evoe a noise which Bacchus his Priests did use because it is reported that Bacchus and those women that followed him did use this acclamation or cry That which Pliny Pausanias Vibius and Stephanus do call Taigotus is a Mountaine of Peloponesus in Laconia neere unto the River Eurota From the top whereof there is so faire a prospect that you may behold all the Peninsula and every famous Citty in it This Mountaine doth breed many wilde beasts being consecrate to Bacchus Apollo Diana and Ceres In Morea there are these Bishopricks the Archbishop of Corinth under whom is Argivensis The Archbishop Patracensis under whom are the Bishops Coloniensis Mothonensis Coronensis Amiclensis and Androvillensis CANDIA VVHICH POPE BONIFACE of MONTIS-FERRAT sold unto the VENETIANS WEE are come at length to the last Table of Europe in which Mercator doth delineate and paint foorth Candia with some small Ilands neere Greece Ptolemy calls it Crete which is an Iland in the Mediterranean Sea It is now commonly called Candy On the North the Aegean Sea doth beare upon it on the South the Lybian and Aegyptian Seas on the West the Hadriatick Sea on the East the Carpathian Sea The forme of it is long on the East the Promontory Samonium shooteth forth on the West there is the Promontory Criu Metopum on the North there is a third Promontory which Stra. lib. 10. calleth â—imarus now it is called Capo Chesis The length is 270. miles the breadth 5â— The compasse of it 588. The Country is every where rugged and Mountainous but it yeeldeth good store of Corne and Grasse The soyle is very fruitfull and there are abundance of trees Pliny also witnesseth that whatsoever groweth in Creete is better than any of the same kinde that groweth otherwheres It beareth Vines Olives Oranges Figges Lemmons Cittrons Malmesie is made onely in this Country and so is transported from thence to Venice and other parts of the world This Wine as Bellonius witnesseth the ancients did call Pramium But Volaterranus thinketh that those wines which they called Arvisia are now called Malvisia or Malmesie by the addition of one letter and he addeth that those kindes of Vines were brought out of Arvisium a Promontory of the Iland Chios into Creete whence they were heretofore called Arvisian Wines It beareth also and produceth Honey Waxe Cheese Saffron store of Gum and Bitony peculiar onely to Creete In the whole Iland there is neither Wolfe Foxe Serpent or any harmefull creature except Spiders In regard whereof the Flockes and Heards of Cattell doe feede securely and safely in the Meddowes especially Sheepe which they call Striphoceri But it produceth divers living creatures And Authors doe report of Creete That it hath no Owles and that they dye if they bee brought into this Iland Iupiter did first governe this Iland then Radamarth afterward Minos and the Graecians The Romanes power over it began from Metellus who was therefore calld Creticus Afterward the Constantinopolitans did possesse it Baldwin Earle of Flanders and Emperour of Constantiâ—ople gave it to the Marquesse of Montis-ferrat who sold it to the Venetians in the yeere 1194. for a great summe of gold and so it
account to be the lesser Gods They doe salute and reverence the rising Sunne with certaine Verses and also the Moone when it shineth by night and doe pray unto her for Children that their Cattell may prosper and the Earth may be fruitfull and such other matters But they reverence Piety and Justice and especially they love Peace and Quietnesse and doe hate Warres These Molucco Ilands were discover'd by CHARLES the fifth concerning which I will discourse because it is worthy of memory When there arose a dissention betweene the Portugals in the East and the Castellanians in the West both striving to enlarge their Princes Territories that the one might not hinder the other the new world by the authority of Pope Alexander the sixth and others was devided into two parts and Articles and Conditions drawne betweene them that whatsoever should bee discoverd by any voyage made from the Ilands of the Atlantick Sea which are commonly call'd the Hesperides toward the East should belong to the Portugals and whatsoever was discover'd Westward should belong to the Castellanians so the latter discover'd America and the former the most parts of the East and in processe of time the desire of gaine drew them on so farre that it is said they encroached on the part which was adjudged to the Castellanians which controversie cannot be decided unlesse Ferdinando Magellanus be made Judge thereof For he being a Portugall and hating his Prince Emanuel because he had not rewarded him for the service he had done him shewing that the Moluccoes by the former division did belong to the Castellanians and being sent in the yeere 1519. by Charles the fifth to discover the aforesaid Ilands by a new way he so cast and framed his voyage that having sayled from Spaine 52. degrees Southward and then bending his course Westward hee sayld round about by the lower Hemisphere and so at last his Ships arrived in the East at the Molucco Ilands which he sought And so his companions sayling along the upper Hemisphere by the Coasts of Asia and Affrick returned into Spaine having sayled round about the World But Magellane himselfe was slaine as he was fighting against the Barbarians before the discovery of the Moluccoes and after some of his company had THE ILANDS OF THE EAST-INDIES INSULAE INDIAE orientalis found out the Moluccoes the other Ships being dispersed abroad and tooke there was but one Ship onely that returned safe into Spaine loaded with sweet Spices and great Pearles which are found in some of the Ilands some as bigge as a Turtles Egge or a Hens Egge or a Goose Egge Truely these Mariners are more worthy of eternall memory than those Argonauts who sayled with Iason of Thâ—ssaly Prince of the Argonauts to Colchis And the Ship it selfe which returned safe and well home after so many perils and dangers is more worthy to be placed among the Starres than that old Ship Argo For this sayled onely from Greece by Pontus But Magellanes Ship sayled from Spaine Southward and then by the lower Hemisphere Westward and so having sayled round about the world returned Westward thorow the upper Hemisphere into Spaine So much concerning this let us now proceed to other matters The MOLUCCO Ilands GILOLO or Gilolum which is also called Batochina is one of the Ilands which they commonly call Del Moro. The Climate here is intemperate and the Ayre hott It hath abundance of Rice and of the pith of a kinde of Tree which is called Sagu of which they make bread and out of the same Tree they get out a kinde of juyce which they drinke in stead of wine It hath great store of wilde Hens And the Sea neere unto it hath great store of Crabs which taste like Mutton The Inhabitants are Barbarous and cruell and as heretofore so now they will eate mans flesh The Iland Celebes with some others which are comprehended under the same name doe lye Westward from the Moluccoes There is the I le Ambon which nameth the Ilands neere unto it It is 500. miles in compasse But it is rugged and barren and the Inhabitants thereof are Anthropophagi or Men-eaters and Pirates Bandan are about 7. small Ilands which are situate on the South side of the Molucco Ilands in the seventh degree of Southerne Latitude others doe place them in 6. degrees and â— They are called Bandan which is the greatest Iland and doth name all the rest also Mira Rosolargium Ay Rom Netra and Gunuape the least of them all which burneth continually and is unhabitable These Ilands have Nutmegs and Mastick growing upon one Tree The Nutmegge Tree is a tall spreading Tree like to our Oake The Nut hath a threefold shell or covering The first is thick to defend it against the weather The other is a thin skin like a Nut which encompasses a third shell this thin skin is the blossome of the Nutmeg which the Spaniards call Macis and we Mace being an excellent and wholesome kinde of Spice There is Ginger in all these Ilands of which there are two sorts wilde and planted Ginger which is better than the other it hath a leafe like Saffron the roote hath a sweet smell but being tasted biteth like Pepper and hotter then Pepper Cinamon which Herodotus reporteth is sometimes found in Birds Nests and especially in the Phoenix Nest is the Barke of a Shrub which is like a Pomegranate Tree This Barke when it gapeth and cleaveth with the heat of the Sunne is tooke off from the Tree and so being hardned in the Sunne it becomes Cinamon and because it is long like a Reede or Cane it is commonly call'd Canella or Cinamon rinde The Iland Timor is situate in the 10. degree of Southerne Latitude It hath great store of yellow and white Saunders with which the Ilanders doe trade for Iron Hatchets Swords and Knives Mercator calleth the Iland Borneo which Ptolemy calleth the Iland of good Fortune It lyeth betweene Cambaja and Celebes and Calamianes is next unto it The Southerne part of it is under the Aequinoctiall Line the rest lyeth Northward It is the greatest Iland in that Ocean and some doe report that the compasse of it is three moneths sayle others report that the circumference of it is 2200. mile It aboundeth with all things necessary and it yeeldeth Camphire Mushroms Adamants and little Horses There are many Havens in this Iland and faire Citties as Cabura Trajaopura Tamoarates Malano and Borneo which is the chiefe of them all in which there are 25000. Inhabitants It is situate in a Moorish Fennish place by the Sea side like Venice The Turke is their King unto whom they must not speak but by an Interpreter THE ILAND OF IAPAN THIS Iland Marcus Paulus calleth Ziprangri Maginus heretofore call'd it Ghryse and Mercator the golden Chersonesus but they call it commonly Iapan There are three chiefe Ilands as Peter Maffejus witnesseth some other scattering Ilands which lye by them and are separated from them by armes of the Sea
which flow betweene them The first and the greatest is call'd Iapan which is devided into three and fifty Signiories or Lordships the chiefe whereof are Meaci and Amaguncij The second is called Ximo and it hath 9. Lordships the chiefe whereof are Bungi and Figen The third is Xicoum which containeth 4. Kingdomes The length of the whole Iland as some doe report is almost 200. leagues but breadth is not so much for it is no where above 30. leagues broad and in some places but 10. There is no certainty concerning the compasse of it It lyeth Northward from the Aequinoctiall from the 30. degree almost to the 38. degree On the East it hath new Spaine on the North Scythia or Tartary on the West China and on the South a great Sea betweene it and undiscover'd Lands It hath a wholesome Climate but it hath much cold and Snow neither is it very fruitfull In the moneth of September they doe reape their Rice and in some places they doe reape Wheate in May neither doe make Bread of it but a kinde of Pudding The Inhabitants doe digge divers sorts of Mettals out of bowels of the Earth which maketh other remote Nations come to trade with them And this Iland hath such store of Gold that as Marcus Paulus Venetus witnesseth the Kings Royall Palace was cover'd with streets of Gold as we cover Houses with Lead or Brasse They have Trees for delight and bearing of fruit like ours And in many places there is great store of Cedar Trees which are so tall and thick that Carpenters make Pillars of Churches of them and Masts for Ships of great burthen The Japonians doe not keep Sheepe Hogs Hens nor Geese about their Houses But in the Fields and Meddowes there are whole Droves of Oxen and Horses and the Forrests and Thickets are full of Wolves Connyes Boares and Harts And it hath divers sorts of Fowle as Pheasants Duckes Ring-Doves Turtle-Doves Starlings and Moorehens Iapan was heretofore subject to one Emperour or Governour who was called Vo or Dair untill he growing â—ffeminate with long peace and addicting himselfe to pleasure and idlenesse began to bee contemned and despised of his owne Nobles and especially the Cubi for so the two chiefe Noblemen were call'd who afterward slew one another But he is counted the chiefe of the THE ILAND OF IAPAN IAPAN I. Japonians who governeth Meacum and the Lordships neere unto it which Country they call by one common name Tensa The Tyrant Nobunurga did sometime possesse these parts He being kill'd in his Throne by Conspirators and his Children either expulsed or murdred by faction and force Faxiba one of the chiefe Dukes succeeded after him But now Taicosana or Taico is the Monarke of Iapan The chiefe Citty of Iapan is Meacum which is a great Citty being 21. miles in compasse but now a third part is decayd by the Ilanders civil Warres Here the chiefe Magistrates of Iapan dwell There are besides the famous Citty Ossacaia which is potent free and the richest Citty as some suppose in all the East Heere are a great many Merchants which resort hither from every place of which the meanest is worth 30 thousand Crownes and the other are incredible rich Bungum is is a chiefe Citty and well seated in which there is a great number of Christians There is also the Citty Coya sacred to one Bontius whom they call Combodassi All the Princes are buryed in this Citty or if otherwheres yet they send one of their teeth at least to be buryed here so much do they reverence this place Fiongo is a Citty 18 leagues distant from Meacum This Citty in Nobunungas time was for the most part wasted And an Earthquake in the yeare 1596. ouerthrew a great part of it and afterward the greatest part of that which remained was burnt There is also the Citty Amangasaqui fiue leagues from the Sea over against Sacai It hath also Vosuquin Funaium and Tosa which are all faire Citties and others which for brevity sake I omit Here are many Havens among which Ochinofamanus in which a great number of Ships doe lie at Roade And it hath many Mountaines but especially two which are very high the one of which doth daily cast forth flames of fire on the top whereof the Devill though a cleere transparent cloud doth appeare to men the other is called Figenojama which is very high so that it is some leagues above the clouds They doe build magnificent Temples and sumptuous Friaries and Nunneries and proud Palaces We have formerly out of Paulus Venetus mentioned the royall Palace which was coverd with sheetes of Gold And it is reported also that the Halls and Parlors were coverd in the same manner Neither are they now lesse sumptuous and magnificent in such kinde of workes Taico or Taicosama who was Monarke hereof did build a Court here which he coverd with a thousand rich Carpets with silke Fringes and every one of these Carpets were 8. lands breadth long and 4. broad It was built with very precious wood and so gilded within that it may seeme incredible Before this Court in a faire Plaine he commanded that a Theater should be raised for acting of Comoedies I passe by other matters for brevity sake The most have woodden houses in regard they have frequent Earthquakes and some have houses built from the ground of stone very neately and curiously At Meacum those three men live who have the chiefe power thorow the Iland and are the prime men of all the Kingdome The first who is called Zazo is like the chiefe Priest to looke to Church matters The second is called Voo who looketh to the conferring and bestowing of dignities and honours The third call'd Cubacama looketh to matters of peace of warre But the people of this I le are devided into five Orders the first are the Magistrates and Governours which they call by a common name Toni although the Toni there are severall degrees of dignity as wee have Kings Dukes Marquesses and Earles The next Order is the Clergie whose heads are shaven and doe live a single life There are divers sects of them And there are some who like the Knights of the Rhodes are both Souldiers and Churchmen But they are called by one common appellation or name Bonzij The third order consists of the Citizens and the other Nobility The next are the Merchants and Tradsmen and the last are the Husbandmen All kindes of Delinquents and Malefactors are punished either with banishment or death They are commonly executed with a Sword but in some places these Theeves that are taken are carried thorow the Citty on a Hurdle and so executed out of the Citty In matters of religion they do miserably erre for those aforesaid Bonzij are their Tutors in religion and their two Gods are Amida and Xoca And they have other Gods also to whom they pray for future blessings which they call Fotoques And they have other inferiour
Cottages being situate on a pleasant Hill the Lords of which place were called by the same name as also the neighbour Nation who entertained him well without any shew of Hostility Wherefore when Captaine Newport came thither with a new supply he would needs goe visit Poâ—hatan at his house at Weromoco who being courteously entertain'd he found him sitting on a Straw Mart and resting his head after his Country manner on a faire Pillow and Maydes as faire as the place could afford did sitt at his head and feete and 20. Concubines did watch at each side of the Palace But hee himselfe having his head and breast painted red wore a chaire of white Corrall And when the Captaine had given him one of his Boyes hee gave him back in exchange one of his Servants call'd Wamotack with Corall and some Corne which served well for the reliefe of his men and afterward he furnished the Captaine with all things necessary Hee as also Captaine Smith had a great desire to finde out veines of Gold and Silver but both he and those that came after him were frustrated in their desire Yet he sent a Ship loaden with Cedar to England In the meane time Ponuhatan labourd to get some armes and munition from the English which the Governours did very much suspect as if the King with those armes intended to kill the English or drive them out of the Country But Captaine Smiths vigilance and watchfulnesse prevented him so that he could effect nothing and the English Colonie living here are now in a good estate increased to many thousands and Kine and Hogs and Turkies aboundance and all things plentifull and no want but of good women thick sowne but thin come up NEVV SPAINE HISPANIA NOVA Tecoanteper a Country of new Spaine There raigned in the Citty of Mexico 9. Kings in a 130. yeeres being 619. yeeres after that the Chichimeicians did possesse the Country of Mexico The last of these was Motezunâ—a who was slaine in a certaine sedition and in him the family of the Mexican Kings was extinct Moreover this part is inhabited by the Spaniards who have many Colonies in it namely Compâ—stella Colima Purificatio Guadalajara Mechoaca Cacatula Mexico and others There are also in New Spaine divers famous Countries namely new Galitia Mechawcan Mexico and Guastecan Nova Galitia was first called by the Inhabitants Xalisce which Nunus Gusmannus first sought out and discoverd who built some Citties in it namely Compostella where there is a Bishops Seate and a Royall Counsell also Spiritus S. Conceptionis S. Michaels and Gaudalajara which is the chiefe Citty of the whole Kingdome There belongeth to Nova Galitia that Country which is called Culicana from a Citty of that name It lyeth betweene the River Piasala and the River S. Sebastian which runneth under ground before it discharge it selfe into the Sea The Metropolis is the Citty Culiacan where the Spaniards planted the Colony of Michaels House The Country Methaucan is 40. leagues in compasse and it is one of the richest and fruitfullest Kingdomes of new Spaine for it hath ripe Maiz three times a yeere and also other fruits This Country doth containe two principall Citties in which the Spaniards live call'd Pasâ—uar and Valadolid which is a Bishops Seate besides other Townes of lesse note The Country of Mexico doth not onely exceed the other Countries of New Spaine but of all America It was so named from the Citty Mexico which is called also Temistitan It is the Metropolis of the Province of Mexico It was seated in the middle of a great Lake before Cortes did possesse it who remov'd it to the banke of the same Lake it is now well built and it is 6. Italian miles in compasse one part whereof the Spaniards doe inhabit the other part the Indians Mexico signifies a Fountaine and it was so called by the first Founders in regard of the many Springs and Fountaines which doe encompasse this Citty This was the fairest and chiefest Citty of the Indies yea of the whole World when Ferdinand Cortesius tooke it and wonne it by assault in the yeere 1521. For this being the chiefe Citty of the whole Kingdome of Mexico contained 70000. Houses The Kings and Noblemens Houses were very large and conveniently built but the Common peoples Houses were meaner and lower There are in this Citty a Bishop a Vice-roy and the high Tribunall or Court of New Spaine There is also a Mount in it for coyning of money Moreover there are in the Mexican Lakes and about their bankes 50. Townes every one of which doth containe about 10000. Houses Next after Mexico is the Citty Tescura by the banke of the same Lake which is as bigge as Mexico There is also in this Province the Citty Angelorum which was first called Vâ—â—sitaâ—â— that is the Land Serpents which is famous for dressing of Wâ—oâ—â— which hath Vales and Plaines round about it in which great Flocks and Heards of Cattell doe graze and great store of Corne and 〈◊〉 are gotten and gathered here The Country of Guastecan in THE DESCRIPTION OF NEVV SPAINE HISPANIA NOVA NEW SPAINE NEW Spaine is the greatest Province of America being more inhabited more populous and more pleasant than the rest It is a great tract of Land reaching from Tavascus or the River Grialvus Westward to the Land of Saint Michael and the Culiacans Country On the North it is bounderd with new Granada and other Countries of the Kingdome of new Mexico The South shoare is washed with the Pacifque Sea It lyeth betweene the Aequinoctiall LineÌ„ and the Tropick of Cancer so that there is little difference betweene the length of the dayes and nights and it is almost alwaies Spring In the moneths of June July August and September the daily raine and the gentle breeses of winde that come from the Sea doe temper and mittigate the heate of the day which is the true reason why it is convenient living under the Summer Tropick contrary to the opinion of ancient Philosophers Therefore it hath a temperate ayre although it lye under the Torrid Zone This Country hath abundance of rich Mines of Gold Silver Iron and Brasse it hath also Cassia and a certaine kind of fruit which the Inhabitants call Cacao which is like Almonds of which they make a drinke which is very much desired It hath abundance of Cotton and all other kindes of fruits which we have in Europe as Wheate Barley and all kinde of Pulse also Sallets Lettice Colworts Cabbages Radishes Onions Leekes wilde Alexander Rape Rootes Parsnips and Carrets Turnips Beete Spinnage Pease Beanes Lentills and the like There are also great store of Oranges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranats Here are also Apples and Peares but not very bigge Prunes are rare but there are abundance of Figs. But there are great store of Cotton Apples but Cherries doe not yet thrive there There are Vines also that beare Grapes but no Wine is made of them Moreover it hath Oyle Sugar and
Mulberries And it hath many other fruits which are unknowne to us especially a kinde of Graine call'd Maiz which is like Pepper of which they make Bread It yeeldeth also divers living Creatures as Sheep Kine Goates Hogges Horses Asses Dogs Cats and other Beasts all which are found in the West-Indies Also Lions Beares Tigers Boares Foxes and other wilde Beasts also Harts Hares and Connies Besides these there is a kinde of Beast called Sainos which is like a little Hoggeâ— which have their Navells on the top of their back There are great store of them in the Woods and also of other Beasts which for brevity sake I omit There is also great variety of Fowle as Geese Ducks Starlings and Hens which are bigger than ours and divers other The Spaniards first tooke possession of this Country under the conduct of their Captaine Ferdinando Cortes with a great losse and slaughter of their own men and of the Inhabitants in consideration whereof the Emperour Charles the fifth gave them New Spaine is situate by Mare del Nort or the Northerne Sea The Spaniards have here two Colonies namely Panuca and S. Iames of the Valleyes Colonie Lastly there is in new Spaine the Citty Tlascalan which is second to Mexico which is very populous and rich and hath a fruitfull soyle round about it it is governd like a Common-wealth but it is under the possession of the King of Spaine There are in new Spaine many Lakes which are for the most part so salt that Salt is made out of them The chiefe Lake is that which in regard of the bignesse thereof is call'd the Chapalican Sea There is also the Lake of the Citty Mexico There are also many Rivers in it full of Fish some of which have golden Sands There are also Crocodiles in them which the Inhabitants doe eate The Country also is full of Mountaines and rugged Rocks In the Province of Mexico there is a flaming Mountaine which the Inhabitants call Popocampeche There is also a Mountaine in the Country Guastecan in which there are two Fountaines the one of black Pitch the other of hot red Pitch Moreover this Country is full of Woods and generally it hath great store of Trees especially of that Tree of which they make Boates or Canoas of one bough It hath also Cedars which are so tall and thicke that they cut square timber out of them which is 120. foote long and 12. broad and such great store of it that you may say that Ceders doe grow as commonly on their Mountaines as Oakes doe on ours I come to the publike workes There were in these parts of the Indies many faire and magnificent Temples consecrated to Idols and ordained for the worship of the Divell which the Spaniards heretofore called Cu. First there was in the Citty Mexico the famous Temple Vitziliputzli being very large within But the care which the Mexicans shew in educating and bringing up their children is very strange for they know assuredly that there is nothing which availeth more to the right ordering of publike or private matters than the instruction of children The Indians are cunning Artificers in Mechanick Arts especially in weaving of divers sorts of Birds feathers and Beasts skins and they are so painefull and laborious that oftentimes they doe not eate in a whole day untill they have coyned and neately filled some one feather and then they view it on every side both in the Sunne and in the shade that they may see whether it will become them to weare it with their haire standing on end or lying on either side So that they will presently make any kinde of Beast or Flower or Hearbe and set it forth to the life The Goldsmiths are the chiefe Artificers and are more cunning than the rest so that they will expresse a thing to the life and they are excellent casters of mettall so that they will cast either any Hearbe or the smallest thing so lively that you shall thinke it to be naturall The Citty of Mexico hath the best government and policy of all new Spaine For it being the Metropolis of the whole Empire divers Nations of the same Country did flock thither to trade and traffique so that severall Nations kept their severall places and every 5. dayes they kept markets which were well furnished with all commodities So that severall Manufactures and kindes of Merchandise had a severall place appointed them which none could forestall or take up which was a great point of Policy Neither as Zenophon witnesseth in his Oeconomicks can any Citty or House bee governd more conveniently then by assigning every thing a certaine place which the Indians did observe THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRME LAND OR OF THE NEVV KINGDOME OF GRANADA THIS new Kingdome of Granada beginneth on the South neere the Mountaines of Opon the Country is is plaine and fruitfull and well inhabited especially in the Vales here Anthropophagi or Canibals doe live who are called Panchoâ— but they which dwell on the Firme Land doe hate their barbarousnesse in eating of mans flesh It is 130. leagues in length and 30. broad and it lyeth in 3.4 or 5. degrees of height It is devided into two speciall Provinces Bogata and Tunea it hath abundance of Gold and Emraulds The Inhabitants have comely bodies especially the Women who are better shaped and fairer colourd than their neighbours They weare Mantles dy'd black and white which they make fast beneath their breasts and so let them hang downe to their feete they adorne their heads with Flowers and Cotton Crownes of divers colours They are not troubled with cold for there is no great difference betweene their Summer and Winter The ayre also is good and wholesome and they make their Houses and Cottages of woodden boords which they cover with straw Their food is Maiz which is a kind of Corne and they eate also the flesh of wilde Beasts and they have store of Conies They delight much in Songs and Dancing and they are vaine lyars as more people are in this Country The soyle is fitt either for Pasturage or Tillage And in some parts there are Mines of Gold Copper and Latine Mettall The Metropolis of this Province is called S. Fidei de Bigota it is situate 4. degrees Northward from the Aequinoctiall Line neere the foote of the Mountaine in which there are 600. Inhabitants and there the royall Senate is held and the Kings Officers doe dwell This Citty is also adornd with a Cathedrall Church and two Monasteries the one of Dominicans the other Franciscans Five thousand men are ceased by this Senate and doe pay tribute It hath a cleare wholesome ayre The Citty Toycama is seated by the banke of the great River Patus it hath a cleare drie ayre and wholesome except it be when the heate is too immoderate The Inhabitants are couragious having small foreheads and heretofore they were all Anthropophagi or Men-eaters but now by conversing with the Spaniards they have left of that
Voyage made Westward wee have spoken other wheres He on the 24. of August when the winde stood faire weighed Anchor out of S. Iulians Bay where he had laine a long time being not vexed so much with windes and high Seas as the civell dissentions of the Castellanians and Portugals After hee sayled some dayes Southward hee came to the Promontory of the holy Crosse Here one of his Ships runne a shore but the Men Ordnance and fraight was saved Afterward when he observed that the shore did bend a little from the South Eastward hee began to bee in hope of reaching the Straites And on the 26. of November this narrow passage was discover'd into which Magellan with foure other Ships entred Here they thought good to stay in a certaine Bay and to send 3. Ships before to â—ound the passage and to make discovery One of the Ships in which was Alvarus Meschita having past thorow stood out to Sea againe and so directing their course Northward it was brought first to Aethiopia and afterward to Spaine and 8. moneths after they had left their company Alvarus was brought before Charles King of Castile as a Captive The third Ship made report that it was a straite narrow Sea by observing the flowing and ebbing of the Sea It was the Moneth of November and the night was five houres long the shore on the right hand and the left or the Starbord and Larbord shore was very solitary and no creature to be seene but that on the left side they saw a great fire And this was the cause why they called that Country Terra del Fuego and they supposed that the Inhabitants had discoverd them Magellan having left 2. Ships in this manner he furnished the other according as was fitt for the present occasion and discovering all as he went two and twenty dayes after he entred the Bay or Straite he was brought into another Sea which for the quiet peaceablenesse thereof he called Mar del Zur or Mare Pâ—cificum that is the peaceable Sea But this Straite being environd on every side with high Rocks is 120. miles long or according to others 76. miles the breadth of it is not equall and very different for sometimes it is 2. or 3. miles broad and sometimes 10. or 5. and where it is narrowest it is a mile broad The Northerne Sea on the East side is carried betweene the Straites of either land 70. miles and more where it mingleth with the Southerne Sea on the West side winding thorow those Promontories it meeteth with the Northerne Sea where their Waves meete very violently and with a great noise so that all the Sea is coverd with froth The Southerne Sea doth flow and ebbe more gently for the Westerne part of the Bay being very deepe and broaderâ— affordeth a quieter passage to the Sea when it floweth But the Easterne part of the Straites is full of Flats and Sands and many Ilands which causeth the raging and troublesomenesse of the Seas on either Shore there are high trees Moreover when Magellan had layne halfe a yeere in these Southerne parts hee viewed and discoverd nothing but the shoares but the innermost parts of the Country remained unknowne but yet it is manifest that that part which lyeth Southward is most of it a Mountainous Woodly Country and hath Snow continuall upon it Some say blue Snow hath beene found here which I leave to others judgement Magellan called this Southerne Land del Fugo from the fire or fires for when he discoverd these Straites he saw no mortall creature but he often beheld in the night time many great fires as we said before on the left hand But the Southerne Land on the West side doth looke toward both the Iavas Summatra and the Molucco's on the East it hath Affrick and the Aethiopian Ocean on the North it hath the Straites of the Magellan Bay and the Land of the Patagons The Country on either shore is barren and unfruitful but yet it hath great strange unknowne Trees Here are at all times great store of Pinguines Cormorants and Sea-calfes For the Pinguines come hither in the moneth of September and doe hatch their young ones in October In the Moneth of Aprill they flie to the Sea and after they are gone there commeth great store of Cormorants They are called Pinguines apirguedine from their fatnesse the old one doe weigh 13.14 or 16. pounds the younger 8. or 12. pound They are black on the backe and white on the belly and they have a Milke white circle round about their neck Their backs are like the Sea Calves and as thicke as a Hogge which you cannot pierce with a Speare Their Bill is bigger than a Crowes bill but not crooked Their necke is thicke and short Their bodies are as bigge as a fat Goose but not so broad They have no wings in stead whereof they have two pinnions coverd with feathers which hang downe like wings which doe make them swim wonderfull fast They live by Fish for they are Water-Fowle They goe straite upright with those pinnions hanging downe They have black feete like Geese but not so broad If any pursue them they will cry with a voyce like a man Mergus or the Cormorant is so called by Varro Lib. 4. concerning the Latine tongue because mergendo se in aquam captat escam he getteth his food by diving into the water unto whom Ovid in his Metamor Lib. 11. concerning Aesacus the sonne of Priam doth assent where he singeth thus THE STRAITES OF MAGELLAN· FRETUM Magellani Aequor amaâ— nomenque manet quia mergitur illi Hee loves the Sea and keepes that name Because he dives into the same And though divers kindes of Water-fowle doe the same yet the ancient Latines did call this kinde of Bird onely Mergus or a Cormorant which the Greekes doe call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Italians Corvo Marino the Germanes Tuâ—her and the English doe call a Cormorant Turner an Englishman saith that this Bird is as bigge as a Goose of a browne colour having a long Bill and crooked in the end flat footed heavie bodyed the shape of her body when she standeth upright is like a Bird sitting Pliny writeth that she buildeth her Nest in Trees but Aristotle saith upon the Sea Rocks Ovid calleth that Bird which hath long legges and a great throat a Cormorant for he saith Longa internodia crurum Longa manet cervix caput est a corpore longe His Thighs and Neck both long are His Head is from his body farre The Cormorants contrary to all other Birds have their feete under their tayle so that when they stand on the ground they beare their breasts strait upright as men doe as the Author of the Booke of naturall matters writeth Pliny calleth Phoca Phooke and the Sea-calfe Albertus also calleth it the Sea Wolfe and otherwhiles the Sea Dog the Germanes call Ein meer Kalb and the English call it a Seale It doth Bay