46 Bucks-heads Hence you may go into the Council-Chamber where is the Picture of the Count of Ombe Queen Mary of Medicis's Uncle Thence into that of the Baths which has a St. John the Baptist at the Door and an Adonis and Venus upon the Chimny This leads you into the new Chamber where is represented the Dutchess Gabrielle under the Form of Diana holding a Hunting-Horn in her Hand Next comes the great Gallery built by Charles IX in which are these Emblems that follow The First Hunc Ventus sed me spes fouet 2. Puro aâ—det uno 3. Nunquam labitur icta fides with a Man that helps others out of a Shipwrack 4. Perrumpe obstacula lentè There is one who removes Brambles and the like Impediments out of the way 5. Tutum secreta silere with an Harpocrates 6. Pretiosior ipse Lapillis a Cupid that picks up small Stones 7. Rex floret ab armis 8. Vigilantia regna tuetur 9. Amat Victoria curam 10. Plebis amor regis custodia Under the Figure of a Swarm of Bees 11. Cor Regis in manu Dei Under the Figure of a Hand that comes out of the Clouds 12. Arcani custodia fida 13. Mens Ardua tendit in altum 14. Eloquium tot lumina Claudit 15. Nulla altius ardet 16. Non frangunt obstacula vires 17. Animos alligat aequos Representing Justice and Religion 18. Manet victoria constans 19. Hoc foedere lilia Florent Representing France in good Union 20. Ortus occasibus aequat 21. Obsequium nil impedit umbra 22. Casus haerebit in omnes 23. In splendore tuo labor quies 24. Agitatus cresco A Fire a blowing 25. Comitantur furta Dolores A Boy breaking a Bee's Swarm 26. Mox toto radiabit in orbe 27. Mea clauditur hic spes 28. Innocuo non uritur igni Then comes the Chamber and Cabinet of Madam Gabrielle that have each of them an Adonis and Venus The Gallery of Francis I. otherwise the little Gallery has at the going in Bacchus Venus and Cupid This Place is remarkable for a Conference upon Matters of Religion between the Papists and Reformed or rather betwixt Du Plessâ— Mornay and Cardinal Perron There is another hard by that is full of Marble Statues The King's Chamber comes next wherein Marshal Biron was disarmed by King Henry the Fourth's Order and the Queen's Anti-chamber where Lewis XIII was born The Guards Hall is enriched with Paintings and a Tapestry that represents Charles the Seventh's Victories over the English Theâ— the Feasting-hall where on the Chimny is Henry IV. a Horse-back the whole of pure Marble and extraordinary well worked having at his Side Clemency and Peace and trampling upon his Enemies Then the Hall for Balls which is very big and has an Arch or half Round with these Words Dâ— nec totum impleat orbem Next these you must see the Gardens especially the King 's where there is a Cleopatra of Brass very well worked by Angelâ— Politian and brought out of Italy into France by Catharine of Medicis A Neptune also of Brass with a She Wolf at his Feet that gives Suck to Romulus and Remus There are also three Canals covered with Swans and well stocked with good and great Fish among which that of the Fountain has all the Beauty that Art could give it French Gastinois FIve Miles East of Fontainbleau is the Borough of Moret upon the Loing near the Mouth of the River into the Seine It has the Title of a County and gave its Name to one of King Henry the Fourth's natural Sons Antony of Bourbon Count of Moret killed in the Battel of Castelnaudary in 1632. Nemours upon the Loing is five Leagues higher to the South and eighteen off Paris It 's a good and pleasant Town which has the Priory of St. John the Church of St. Peter and the Abby of Our Lady of Joy belonging to the Nuns of Cisteaux Charles VI. erected Nemours into a Dutchy and Peerdom An. 1404 and exchanged it with Charles the Noble King of Navarre for some other Lands But in 1425 this Dutchy returned to the Crown of France till the Year 1461 that King Lewis XI gave it to James of Armagnac This Line was soon ended and Nemours reunited to the French Domesne in 1507 and given by Lewis XII to Gaston of Foix his Nephew who died in the Battel at Ravenna An. 1512. Three years after the same King invested with this Dutchy Julian of Medicis who had espoused Philiberta of Savoy this Monarch's Aunt By this Julian was continued the Line of the Dukes of Nemours of the House of Savoy during 144 years Henry II. Duke of Nemours dying without Issue in 1659. Eight Leagues South-East of Nemours near the River Clary is the small Town of Courtenay with the Title of Principality famouâ— for having given its Name to the Royal House of Courtenay that refers its Original to Peter of France seventh Son to Lewis the Burly and has given Emperors to Constantinople Marquesses to Namur and Counts to Nevers Auxerre and Tonnerre In process of time this Family was divided into several Branches of which that of the Lords of Chevillon is yet subsisting In King Henry the Fourth's time they much insisted upon being acknowledged for Princes of the French Blood as descending directly by Males from that Peter of France But how eager soever they were they could never be heard because they are too low in the World Between Courtenay and Nemours seven Leagues North-West of the first and about five Miles South of Nemours is Chateau-Landon on the River Fuzin and the Road of Paris to Lyons It 's a very ancient Town if we admit the Conjectures of Vigenaire who takes it for the Vellaudunum of Caesar Three Leagues lower to the North is a Village called St. Mathurin de l'Archamp situated in a Sandy and fruitless Plain whether superstitious Papists bring Naturals and Fools to be cured Pursuing your way to Paris you find the Town of Milly which Vigenaire takes for the Agendicum of Caesar It 's situated upon the River Escolle between Melun and Nemours about five Leagues from each and has a Royal Seat of Justice Mantoan MANTE which gives its Name to that Tract of Land that is between the Seine and the Vegre lies twelve Leagues North-West of Paris fourteen North of Chartres on whose Bishop it depends and three miles from the Forest of Rosny on the North-East It 's sirnamed the Pretty and had formerly the Title of a County with a strong Citadel that was demolished by Henry IV. at the Request of the Parisians And therefore it had hardly been taken from the English by Charles VII in 1449 were it not that the Inhabitants sided with him and by their overgone got a Confirmation of all their Priviledges Offices Freeholds and Estates Philip August died there in 1223 as well as a Daughter of France called Jane who built its Collegiate Church and is interred
a soâ—â— Hill the Burrough of Monte-Bourg Montis Baâ—â—gus with an Abby of St. Bennets Orâ—â—â— built by our King Henry I. There is 〈◊〉 kept every Saturday one of the greatest Markeâ—â— in the Countrey Three miles South-west near the sourse of tâ—â— Ouve and a large Forrest lyes the Town â—â— Valogne Walonia built by one Walo whicâ— word in the Old Language of the French bâ—yond the Seyne signify'd a Good man but is noâ— surnamed La Hogne a word not quite so oâ—â— intended to express the litigious and quarrâ—â—some Humour of its Inhabitants This Towâ— has a Castle the title of Viscounty and Elecâ—â—on a Bailiwick and a seat of Justice for Waâ—â—â— and Forrests Five leagues North-east upon the Sea-coâ—â—â— lyes the Burrough of La Hogue Ogae and 〈◊〉 leagues North-west upon the same Coast 〈◊〉 Town of Barfleur Barhaflot These two plaâ—â—â— were renown'd formerly because our Kâ—â— used to Land there when they went over inâ—â— France The first is yet in some Esteem for 〈◊〉 Fishing and the second for being seated in â— Valley most fruitful in Corn and therefore call'd in Latin Vallis Cereris But both wâ—â—â— be more known to Posterity for the late Selâ— fight between the English and French in 169â— where the latter had 20 of their best Shiâ—â— burnt or sunk without the loss of one man oâ— War on our side Seven leagues West of Barfleur is the strong Town of Cherbourg in Latin call'd Caro burgâ—â— and by more Ancient Authors Caesaris Burgâ—â— â—ome pretend for that reason that Julius Caesar was the Founder of it but in nine years which â—â—e bestow'd on the Conquest of the Gauls he â—ould hardly spare so much time as to employ it â—n building so that such Towns as bear his Name seem rather to be the Work of August who took the Name of Caesar after his Adoption or of the Roman Forces quartered in the Countrey Besides the strength of its situation â—n a sandy place overflow'd by the Sea twice a â—ay the French have fortified it lately It is â—he last Town which remained in the hands of â—he English under the French King Charles VII â—o whom they were forced to yield it in 1453. Four leagues West of Cherbourg lyes the Town of Beaumont a league from the Coast Six leagues Southward is the Sea-port Town of Barneville Four leagues to the East upon the River Baupteys over against Barneville is the Castle and Burrough of St. Sauveur le Viscounte an Ancient Viscounty erected into a Bailiwick about the Year 1560. Seven leagues Southward is another Burough called St. Sauueur Landelin erected into a County by the French King Charles VI. and given for part of his Portion to Lewis of Orleance It has a Bailiwick and Viscounty upon which the Burrough of Periers is depending Three leagues Westwards upon the Sea cost lyes the strong Castle of Pirou renowned for a vast quantity of wild Swans and Geese The Bishoprick of Avranches THis Countrey called by the Inhabitants Aâ—ranchin or Avranchinois has little Brittâ—â— and the Mayne on the Sputh and South-east 〈◊〉 Bishopricks of Bayeux and Coutance on the North-east and North and the Sea on the West 〈◊〉 reaches about 14 leagues East and West 〈◊〉 8 North and South some take its Inhabitantâ— for the Ambiliates of Caesar but 't is more probable that they are the Abrincatui of Pliny aâ—â— Ptolomy The chief Town Avranches Ingeâ—â— Abrincatuorum is seated upon the Rivers See aâ—â— Selune Seva and Senuna upon a Hill a gooâ— mile from the Bay of St. Michael It s not a vâ—ry big City but strengthned with good Waâ—â— and Ditches It was erected into a Bishopricâ— by Clovis the Great and Nepus its first or sâ—cond Prelate appeared in that Quality in thâ— first Council of Orleance in 511. The Episcopiâ— Palace is said to be one of the finest and strongest in Normandy Besides the Cathedral undeâ— the Name of St. Andrew there are several Parochial Churches and Monasteries a Bailiwick Viscounty and Election Seven miles West of Avranches lyes in the Sea a Rock formerly the dwelling place of Anacherets In 708. a Bishop of Avranches called Aâ—bert by Duchesne and Patern by De Valois consecrated a Church upon the top of it to St. Miâ—hael the Archangel and placed there 12 Caâ—â—ons The Dukes of Normandy having since endowed this Church with good Revenues and Richard I. repair'd or beautify'd it in the middle of the tenth Century People began to build there Houses and it became in process of time a good Burrough bearing likewise the Name of St. Michael A wholsome Fountain which cures several Diseases and the Conveniency of making Salt by throwing Sea-water upon a Sand that is to be found in this Mountain did not a little contribute to the encrease of this place which is rugged and unaccessible all round about except on a side that is Wall'd The Soil is a Gravelly Ground that is overflowed by the Tide which makes the Latin Authors call it Mons S. Michaelis in periculo Maris Over against it is another Rock called Tombelaine which had likewise a strong Castle that has been demolished Both Rocks are Nam'd in Latin Tumbae but because that of the Abby of St. Michael is the greatest of the two the other got the Name of Tumbella whence the French have made Tombelaine Three miles Southwards near the mouth of the Couesnon lyes the Town of Pontorson Pons Urstonis that bears the Name of its Founder Mortain Moretonium is a small Town seven leagues South-east of Avranches with the Title of a County erected in 1041. There is a Bailiwick Election and Viscounty upon which the Castelny of Tinchebray is depending Mortain was formerly a place almost impregnable by reason of its situation and Out-works Two or 3 leagues Eastwards lyes a famous Wood caâ—led la Forêt des landes pourries About the same dâ—stance towards the North you meet with a Hâ—â— Named Brombalium la Bute de Brimbal whenâ— spring four Rivers that take each a differeâ—â—course viz. the See Seva the Vire Viria the Egraine Egrannia and the Nereau Nigra Aqua CHAP. VIII Of Brittanny LIttle Brittain is a kind of Peninsula being included the Sea on the North West and South and having part of Poictou Anjou le Maine and Normandy on the South-east It is one of the biggest Provinces of France comprehending the greatest part of the third Lyonnoile and being extended above 70 leagues East and West and above 45 North and South from the Sea near Normandy to the Borders of Poictou but it s none of the fertilest having but little Corn and that black too little or no Wine but a great many Meadows a vast number of Marshes and Forrests some Iron Lead and Silver Mines and the best Sea-ports in the whole Kingdom They reap a great quantity of Hemp of which they make Linnen their Woods and Meadows give them the conveniency of breeding good Race-Horses and a vast number of black Cattel and Sheep that furnish
Proper Guienne GVienne Proper Burdigalensis Ager lies between the Ocean on the West Gascogne and Bazadois on the South Agenois and Perigord on the East and Xaintonge on the North. This Country is less plentiful in Corn then VVine amongst which that of Grave is remarkable and is transported every where by Sea the Soil is not toward the Coasts like in the little Counties of Medoc and Buch. There are chiefly to be taken notice of Bourdeaux Libourne Blaye Lespares Rions Cadillac c. The City of Bourdeaux Burdigala or Burdigala Biturigum Viviscorum who seem to be a Colony of the Bituriges Cubi or Berruyers lies upon the Garonne It has an University a Parliament and an Archbishop who entitles himself Primate of Guienne Clement V. decided the priority in his behalf against that of Bourges because he had been Archbishop of the former though the right of Primacy belongs to the latter It is one of the finest greatest and most trading Cities of the Kingdom seated in a fruitful ground Ausonius speaks thus of it Burdigala est natale solum clementia Coeli Mitis ubi rigua larga indulgentia Terrae Ver longum Brumaeque breves juga frondea subsunt c. It s Haven is very famous it is called the Haven of the Moon because it has the Figure of a Crescent Bourdeaux is likened to a Bow of which the Garonne is the String they reckon 15 Leagues from this City to the Sea and the Fare called La Tour de Cordouan which is very remarkable and is the Work of Lewis of Foix an able Engineer The University has been very flourishing King Charles VII restored it to its luster the Pope Eugene IV. gave it great Privileges and Lewis XI increased them S. Jerome and Ausonius speak of the great Men it has brought forth both for Learning and Piety Libourne is upon the Dordonne at its conjunction with the River Lisle 7 Leagues from Bourdeaux to the North-East Near this Town rises a Mountain of Water which the Inhabitants call the Mascaret of Bourdeaux at the very time that the Waters are most calm it is formed in a trice and runs a great way along the River overthrowing all the Boats it meets with It 's said that the River Pegu in the Kingdom of Martaban now depending on the Emperour of Siam has still more violent fâ—â—s Blaie Blavia or Blavutum lies upon the Gironde 7 Leagues down from Bourdeaux Northward and 4 Leagues from the Bec d'Arnbés where is the confluence of the Garonne and Dordonne The Country about Blaye is called le Blaiguez Blaviensis pagus Of Bazadois Bazadois Ager Vasatensis lies between Propeâ— Guienne on the North and West the Landes on the South and Agenois on the East 't is a Country pretty fruitful in Corn VVines and Fruits There are chiefly Bazas Bish the Capital La Reole whether the Parliament of Bourdeaux was once transferr'd 12 or 14 years ago Castelgeloux Nerac Genissac Caudrot Buzet Castelnau de Mames c. BAZAS Cossio Vasatum or Vasatae is a City near the Source of the Lavassane or Vassanne with a Seneschal's Court and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Auch It is seated upon a Rock whose bottom is watered by that little River in a Country full of Woods and sandy Grounds almost 4 Leagues North of the Garonne and 11 North-East of Bourdeaux under 44 Deg. 24 Min. of Lat. and 19 Deg. 54 Min. of Long. St. John the Baptist has the Cathedral Church dedicated to his Name and Sextilius is accounted its first Bishop Of Agenois AGenois Borders upon Armagnac to the South to Querci to the East on Perigord to the North and Bazadois to the West This is the most plentiful Country of Guienne and supplies many Provinces with Corn Wine and Oyl of Nuts It s call'd in Latin Pagus Aginnensis The Places of more note are Agen Bish Villeneuve Aiguillon Tonneins Clerac S. Foy c. The City of Agen Aginnum Nitiobrigum lies upon the Garonne with a Presidial and Seneschalship and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Bourdeaux It was the chief City of those ancient Nitiobriges that were so considerable among the Gouls and the true Founders of this City without ascribing to it any fabulous original This City is great and populous Of Quercy QVERCY Pagus Cadurcinus lies betwixt Languedoc on the South Rouergue and Auvergne on the East Limosin on the North and Perigord and Agenois on the VVest its extent from South to North is above 30 Leagues from Montauban in Languedoc to Turenne in Limosin 20 East and West from Mont-murat near Cadenac to Pestillac near Villefranche in Perigord which are its greatest length and breadth This Country is pretty fruitful in Corn Wines Fruits and Pastures There is a great Trade of Plums Saffron and good VVool. Its Inhabitants brought in formerly about 12000 Men in the League of the Gauls against the Romans Querci is divided into upper and lower the upper called Causse contains the Valleys that are along the River Lot the lower or Villes basses is extended along the Aveirou This Province belongs to the Government of Guienne though it depends on the Parliament of Toulouse and the generality of Montauban which has under it 3 Elections viz. Cahors Montauban and Figeac Querci was annexed to the Crown in the beginning of the Reign of Philip the Bold as being the Inheritance of the Counts of Toulouse In 1306. Philip the Fair did covenant with Raimond Paucholi Bishop of Cahors for the right of Peerage allowing him to take the title of Count. The most remarkable Places of Quercy are Cahors Bishop The Capital Gourdon Moissac Figeae Lauserte Montratier Montpesat Souillae Martel Cadenac c. CAHORS Cadurcum or Divona Cadurcorum has an University a Seneschal's Court and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Bourges It lies upon the Lot in a Demi-Island which is formed by that River which has three Bridges of Stone and is very useful to the Inhabitants for several Manufactures It is rais'd upon a steep Rock where was formerly a Cittadel James Ossa Bishop of Frejus afterwards a Cardinal and Pope under the name of John XXII was born in this Town where he Founded in 1331. an University to shew his Love towards his own Country which has had famous Professors It s Cathedral Church is dedicated to S. Stephens and if we believe fabulous Authors it was consecrated by S. Martial himself there are many other Churches and Monasteries with a College of Jesuits since 1605. Cahors lies 42 Leagues East of Bourdeaux Gourdon is 8 Leagues from Cahors Northward Moissac lies on the River Tarn which soon after looses it self into the Garonne with a Seneschal's Jurisdiction 17 Leagues from Cahors to the South and 6 Leagues from Montauban to the West It is a very ancient Town that has often been ruined for the Goths took it from the Romans and King Clovis took it again from the Goths afterwards it was seiz'd by Gaiges Duke of Aquitain and retaken by King Pepin in
and Chalosse on the VVesâ— and part of Chalosse and Armagnac on the Soutâ— It reaches 30 Leagues East and West from â—staffort on the Giers to beyond the Gelouse bâ— its greatest extent North and South is hardâ— 12 Leagues and in some places only 2 4 6 â— 7. However 't is subdivided in other smallâ— Countries as Mursan Gavardan Fesensagueâ— c. They say that Condomois yields all the nâ—cessaries for life and borrows nothing of iâ— Neighbours The most considerable Places aâ— Condom Bish Gondrin Corrensan Mezin Sâ— Rimbes Montreal Gabaret Cap. of Gavardaâ— Mauvesin Capital of Fesen saguet Mont de Maâ—san with Roquefort and St. Justin c. The City of Condom Condomium Vasconum is â—â—â—ted upon the Baise Balisa with a Bishopâ—â—er Suffragan of Bourdeaux three Leagues â—â—om Nerac it has a Presidial and Election â—â—â—e it was separated from the Bishoprick and â—â—â—schalship of Agen. The Pope John XXII ereâ—ed it into a Bishoprick in 1327. and gave it â—â—e revenues of an Abbey of St. Benedict conâ—â—crated to St. Peter which is now the Catheâ—â—al Raimond Gontard last Abbot of that Abâ—â—ey was the first Bishop of Condom and the â—anons were secularized in 1549. There are â—any other Churches and several Monasteries This City was taken in 1569. by Gabriel of â—â—tmorency Commander of the Protestants Of the Landes THE LANDES are along the Sea between the Country of Labourd on thâ— South Chalosse on the VVest and Bourdelois oâ— the North. This is a barren Country that haâ— in some places nothing but Heaths and Pastures where abundance of Cattel is feeding in somâ— other places it yields a little Corn and a greaâ— deal of Rye by the means of burnt Earth whicâ— mixed with the sandy Soyl fattens it and makeâ— it fruitful It 's extended 33 Leagues North East and South-West from Belin to Bayonne Buâ— only 12 in its largest breadth from Tartas oâ— the Adour to the Sea It was the Habitation oâ— the ancient Tarbelli whom Caesar and Strabâ— describe as living on the Sea-Coast of Aquitaâ— from Bourdeaux to the Pyrenees The Places tâ— be noted are Dax Bish Tartas Belin le Mâ—ret Magese Albret c. The City of Dax or Aqs Aquae Augustâ— or Aquae Tarbellicae lies upon the Adouâ— with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and a Sâ—neschal's Court 13 Leagues North-East of Baâ—onne It is a trading City rich and well builâ— with a Castle flank'd by many big rounâ— Towers with a Garrison in it it is famouâ— for its warm and healthful Bathes which werâ— in great consideration in the times of the Râ—mans whence comes its name of Aquae and that of Aquitain Of Labourd THE Land or Country of LABOVRD or rather Lapord Lapurdensis pagus lies on the Frontiers of Spain between Bearn on the East the Landes on the North and the Ocean on the West This Country has in most â—â—tees little Corn and Wine but is plentiful in Fruits especially Pears and Apples of which they make excellent Syder It yields a great deal of Millet and Physical Herbs of great Virtue Whales have been taken upon its Coasts and there are Mineral Waters good for several Distempers This Country reaches 17 Leagues East and West from Bidache to Fontarabie but his extent North and South is not above six or seven Leagues The chief Places are Bayonne Bish St. J hn de Luz Luisium that is muddy places Bidache Siboule c. The City of Bayonne Lapurdum Boatium Ciâ—itos and vulgarly Baiona lies on the Confluence of the Adour and Nive which three Miles after disburthen themselves into the Sea It has a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ausch and is one of the Keys of the French Kingdom toward Spain it is very rich because of its Trading and very strong The word Bayonne comes from Baie a Port and from Juna which signifies gooâ— in the Bask or Country Language so that it as much as to say Good Port. 'T is in the Castâ— of this City called Lapurdum that the Tribâ—â— of the Novem Populan Cohort made his Residence it is under the Seneschal's Jurisdictioâ— of Dax Near this City is a Hill on the top 〈◊〉 which one may see part of three Kingdoms viâ— of France Castile and Navarre The Cathedral is dedicated to the blessed Virgin anâ— St. Leon There are many other Churches anâ— several Monasteries This Bishoprick was onâ—â— extended into three Kingdoms viz. France Nâ—varre and Castile but in 1565. Philip II. 〈◊〉 of Spain obtained from the Court of Roâ—â— the dismemb ing of it on behalf of Pampeluâ—â— This Country had formerly its own Viscounts Ships of any rate come up the River which 〈◊〉 very deep as far as the middle of the City Of Lower Navarre THE LOWER NAVARRE Borders on the Country of Labourd to the North-West and West on the Pyrenees to the South and the Viscounty of Soule to the East It is a Mounâ—â—inous Country which produces little Corn or Wine and yields only Millet Oates Pears and Apples of which they make Syder that is the usual drink of the Inhabitants Pasture ground is very good here the flesh of Cattel very delicate and the Wool very fine Game both small and great is likewise very common The most remarkable places are St. Palais the Capital St. John pie de Port S. Johannes â—â—â—pyrenaei Garris Garrucium la Bastide de Clarences S. Palais Fanum Sancti Pelagii is seated on the Rivers Bidouse almost 12 Leagues South-East of Bayonne It was the Seat of Chancery and Sovereign Justice before the Institution of the Parliament of Pau in 1620. it has still a Court of Mint c. Of Soule THE Viscounty of SOVLE Subola is 〈◊〉 little Country that makes part of Navarreâ— and lies betwixt it and Bearn There is no remarkable place but Mauleon of Soule which iâ— its chief Town called by the Latins Malleâ— Oppidum or Castrum and is seated in the hearâ— of it It 's the birth place of Henry Sponde Bishop of Pamiez who has continued the Annalâ— of Baronius Of Bearn BEARN or Benearnensis pagus with the Title of Principality lies near the Pyrenees bordering on the County of Bigorre to the East Lower Armagnac to the North the Precincts of the Provost of Acqs Lower Navarre and the Viscounty of Soule to the West and the Mountains of Arragon and Ronçal to the South The chief Town of this Province is Pau the other most remarkable are Benearnum now Lescar Lascurris Oleron Iluro Nay Ourtes or Ortez Navarreins Morrane Sauveterre Pontac Sanbege Salies and 434 Burroughs or Villages 2 Bishopricks and 3 Abbeys It lies betwixt 42 Deg. 50 Min. and 43 Deg. 40 Min. Latitude and between 18 Deg. 50 Min. and 20 Deg. of Longitude its greatest strength East and West being about 22 Leagues and 20 North and South There are two Principal Rivers called Gave one has its source in the Mountains of Bareges in Bigorre and is called the Gave of Bearn and the other is that of Oleron which is a compound of
Inhabitants who speak the Brittish more naturally than their Neighbours call Leondoul Cozque Oudet or the Ancient Town and tell us that its Jurisdiction was at first very large but that this their Capital having been ruined its Dependencies were divided into the three Diocesses of St. Pol de Leon Treguier and St. Brieux It is likewise one of the Ancientest Viscounty's of Brittany which has been possessed by the House of Rohan issued from the first Christian Counts of this Province during 700 years till they sold it to John I. Duke of Brittany in 1254. This Town is pleasant enough and some of the Dukes of Brittany have made it their Abode There are some inland Towns as Lanhouerneau Lesneven Carvilis Lenvilis Landerneau of which I find nothing in my Authors neither of some small Islands on the West of this Diocess save that Landerneau is seated upon the River Eloene Herium six leagues North-east of Brest in the fertilest Soil of Brittany and that the Isle of Ouessant or as we pronounce it Ushant is call'd by the Latin Authors Axantis Uxantis Osa or Ossa that it is about 4 leagues in compass defended by the Castle of Lampool and by several Banks and Rocks And therefore I shall finish with the Description of Brest call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Brivates Portus by Ptolomy This famous Sea-port Town lies 16 leagues South-west of St. Pol de Leon 11 miles East of Conquests-Bay and 12 leagues North of Quimper-Corentin It 's seated on the South-side of a Bay of 5 leagues in length and 3 miles broad whose depth is in most places from 10 to 15 Fathoms and no where under 7. The entrance of the Bay is two leagues in length and half a league broad where it is largest and but half a mile where it is narrowest The Town is situated on the steep of a Hill on the side of the Port whose Entry is defended by a strong Castle digged in a Rock This Port is seated in a Gulf whereinto flows the Sea by four different places and is esteem'd the best in Europe because the greatest Men of War may continually float therein The Town is strongly fortified inhabited by many Privateers and is the Store-house of the French Admiralty for the Ocean On the South-side of this Bay is the Sea-port of Landevenec which seems to be the Vindana Portus of Ptolomy it has an Abby of Benedictine Monks CHAP. X. Of the Government Orleannois THis Government is the biggest as well as the Fertilest part of France for it reaches 110 leagues East and West from Chauteau-Chinoâ— in Nivernois to the Sea or the Isle of Nermouslier in Poictou and 70 North and South from the River Aure in Normandy to Monbrun in Angoumois It has part of the Isle of France and Normandy on the North Brittany and the Ocean on the West Saintonge Perigort Limousin and Auvergne on the South la Marche Bourbonnois Burgundy and Champaign on the East In this Government are included 14 or 15 smaller Countries situated North and South and along the River Loire which divides the whole into two parts very near equal Maine Perche High-Beauce or Land Chartrain Vendemois and part of Gatinois lye on the North of that River going from West to East Nivernois Orleanois or lower Beauce Blaisois Touraine and Anjou lye round about the Loire East and West Poictou the Land of Aunis Augoumois and Berri are the most Southern parts All these Countries are fruitful in Corn Wine Fruits Cattle and Game There are a great many Woods especially in upper and lower Beauce the most considerable of which is the Forrest of Orleans said to contain 70000 Akers of Land and to have been of greater extent in Francis I. time since it then took up 140000. The Forrest of Senonches in the Countrey of Chartres is 7 miles long and 5 broad That of S. Cyr les Antrain in the Election of Clamecy is well near 10 miles in length but of no considerable breadth There is no Province in France which has so many paved ways As to its Rivers besides the Loire which is rather a River of France since it waters 3 of its Governments than of Orleanois there are the Loing Lupa which comes from the Mountains of Auxerre near Linsec and the borders of Burgundy goes by S. Sauveur S. Fergeau Blesneau Chastillon and at Conflans receives the Ouane which rises at a Village of that Name and waters Thoussy and Château-renard The Loing pursuing its course goes thrô Montargis and by Cepoy Here is digg'd a Canal for the Communication of the Seyne and Loire which intercepting part of the Water of the Loing and that of several Rivulets is divided into two branches both Navigable by small Boats the Eastern goes through Montargis and Chatillon ends at Briare upon the Loire and is call'd the Canal of Briare the other passes by Chevillon runs through the Forest of Orleans discharges it self into the Loire near St. Denis en Vallée 3 miles East of Orleans and is call'd the Canal of Orleans Down Montargis and Cepoy the Loing becomes still more and more Navigable being encreas'd at Fontenay with the Clairy that comes from St. Martin-Dordon and washes Courtenay and Ferrieres It receives another Rivulet near Chateau-Landon goes by Nemours and Moret and a mile Northwards discharges it self into the Seine The Escolle and Essonne which fall into this last River are neither of them Navigable The Eure issues from a Lake near the Forrest of Senouches washes Bellomer Pont-gouin Courville Chartres Nogent-le-Roy Dreux and mixes with the Aure at Nonancourt The Huisne rises at some Mountains in the Countrey of Perche washes Mauves Condé Nâ—gent-le-Rotrou la Fertè-Bernard Connarey and mixes with the Sarte at le Mans. This comes from the borders of Normandy waters Alensson Fresnay Beaumont-le-Vicomte and having received the Orne near la Guierche and the Huisne at le Mans goes by la Suze Malicorn Sablé Pince Châteauneuf and mixes with the Loir and the Mayenne at Anger 's The Loir Ledus Lidericus takes its source from the Lake of Villebon in the Province of Perche waters Illiers and Alluie receives the Ousanne near Bonneval the Conie which is a Marshy River near Marboe and the Yerre near St. Hilaire below Chateaudun after it has hidden it self under the ground Then pursuing its course goes by Cloye Moree Freteval Vendome Montoire Chateau du Loir Durestail and Anger 's The Mayenne Meduana rises on the borders of Normandy waters Domfront Mayenne Laval Chatean-gontier le Lion-d ' Anger 's Anger 's and here uniting with the other two Rivers fall together into the Loire near Pont-de-cé The Charente Carantonus rises at a Village call'd Cheronoc on the borders of Limosin and Angoumois goes by Chantrezat Vieille-Chaize Bendis Sivray and Rufec it is then encreas'd with the Rivers Argent and Or the Sonne and the Tardouére This takes likewise its source in the borders of Limosin washes la Vauguion les Salles Pont Chabrot Mont-beron la Rochefoucaud and
their own party Henry of France Duke of Anjou Brother of Charles the IX laid Seige to it during the Civil Wars and had perhaps carry'd it by force had not the Ambassadors of Poland brought him a Crown which made him change his design having resolv'd by the advice of Cardinal de Rhichelieu to weaken the Protestants Lewis the XIII having resolv'd to Weaken the Protestants and to re-Establish the Roman Religion in Bearn demanded from them their Towns of security whereat the Reform'd were affray'd and assembled for that and at Rochelle Anno 1620. They being beat Anno 1622 did implore the mercy of the French King But having risen again this Prince besieged Rochelle and obliged it to surrender the 29 October Anno 1628. He demolished the Fortifications and depriv'd the Inhabitants of their Priviledges He suffer'd nothing to remain but two Towers which Charles the V had built for the defence of the Harbour and for its better security an Iron Chain is tied cross the entry of the Port every night Lewis XIV did fortify it very strongly Anno 1689. by a good Citadel and a great many other workes to prevent a Descent of the English and Dutch and to keep the pretended new Converts under his Tyranny This City was erected into a Bishoprick Anno 1648. The Episcopal Seat of Maillezais being transferr'd thither Besides these there is a Presidial Seat a Court Soveraign a Chamber of Mint and a Haven very much frequented Rochel lies about 92 Leagues West of Paris 25 West of Angouleme and 32 North North-West of Bourdeaux Rochefort is a Port in the Country of Aunis near the mouth of the Charante 6 Leagues South of Rochel Formerly it was only a little Village but now it 's a considerable Town being adorn'd with fine Building and pleasant Gardens Sea Magazins and Store Houses and a Hospital for Old Wounded Souldiers who have serv'd at Sea Marans is a Village on the Sevre Niortoise situated in a Marish ground 7 Miles North North-East of Rochel having a Castle about two Leagues from the Sea This place suffer'd much during the Civil Wars of Religion being often taken and retaken Chatelaillon is a little Village situated nigh the Sea about two Leagues from Rochelle The other places are Surgere Benon Moze Courson Port-Lupin le Plomb Angoulin Tves c. Of Angoumois ANGOVMOIS Pagus Ecolismensis hath Saintonge on the West and South-West Perigord on the South Limosin and la Marche on the East and Poictou on the North. It is about 22 Leagues in length East and West and 16 in breadth North and South It s great Fertility doth sufficienlty recompence its small extent For this little Province abounds in Corn Vine Pasture-ground Safron c. It 's watred with several Rivers namely the Charante the Tardouere the Bandiat the Boueme the Sonne the Argent the Anguienâ—e It 's the Country of Andrew Thevet Balsac and other Ingenious and Learn'd Men. Angouleme Iculisna or Ecolisma the Capital City is situated upon the Charante 60 Leagues South-West of Orleans and 28 North-East of Bourdeaux with the Title of a Dutchy a Presidial-Seat a Seneschals Court an Election and a Bishoprick suffragan of Bourdeaux It 's a very Antient Town situated upon the top of a Mountain between the two Rivers of Charante and Anguienne who join at the end of the Town It has very fine Castle which is accessible but at one side being strongly fortify'd Cognac Conniacum is upon the Charante towards the Frontiers of Saintonge between Jarnac and Saintes 10 Leagues West of Angouleme in a Country extraordinary fertile especially in delicate Wine La Rochefoucaut is a Town upon the River Tardouere four Leagues from Angoulesme to the North-East It bears the name of its founder one Foucaut being call'd in Latin Rupes Fulcaldi or Fulcaudi and has giv'n its own to I one of the most Antient and Illustrious Houses of that Kingdom which hath produced divers Great Men. Jarnac is a Borough with the Title of County situated upon the Charante between Chateauneuf and Cognac It 's famous for the Battle which the Duke of Anjou afterwards King Henry III did gain over the Protestants in the Month of May Anno 1569. they being commanded by the Prince of Condé who was treacherously killed there by Montesquiou whence come the Proverb Vn coup de Jarnac To say a Perfidy The name of Jarnac is also famous for the merite of its Lords of the House of Chabot Bouteville is a Town situated near the Frontiers of Saintonge about seven Leagues from Angouleme towards the South Rufec or Rufiacum aut Rofiacum is a little Town 10 Leagues North of Angouleme with the Title of Marquisate It 's situated in a very pleasant part of the Country The other places of note are Cbateau-neuf Blansac la Valette Montberon la Vauguion c. Of the Islands depending of the Government Orleanois THose Islands lie on the Coasts of Poictou and Aunis and are nam'd Oleron Ré Oye Isle-Dieu and Nermoutier Oleron Vliarus or Olario is an Island upon the Coasts of Aunis nigh the Mouth of the Charante about two short Leagues from Land It hath five Leagues in Diameter and about 12 in Circuit It 's fertile in Corn and abounds with Rabbits It was fortify'd in 1689. to hinder the Descent of the English The Isle of Ré Radis insula Vulgarly call'd Reacus is nigh unto Rochel and belongs to the Government of the Country of Aunis and Brouage Here is great Store of Salt and such aboundance of Wine that the Inhabitants would be forc'd to give the old to Poor People for Tunning of the New if the English Dutch and Normand Fleets came not every year to receive their Loading of it This Island hath several Villages the Cheif of which are St. Martin and Oye call'd the Isle because of a Canal which must be pass'd as they enter into it The most considerable Fort is that of la Prée pointed towards Pertuis Breton In it are two pieces of Artillery which carry even to the Continent from the Island It is Flanked with four Bastions with Half Moons and other outworks Anno 1689. they added some new Fortifications to it on the side that lookes on the main Sea Here is a high Tower where in the night time they set up a Beacon because of the Rocks call'd Baleines which are adjacent and for this cause the Tower is call'd la Tour des Baleines or the Tower of Wales L'Isle-Dieu or rather l'Isle-d'Ieu Oia or Ogia is near St. Gilles in Poictou about three Leagues from the Continent Nermontier lies not far from Britanny near Beauvoir in Poictou distant from the Continent about a League In it is a rich Abby of Benedictins resorting to the Bishoprick of Lusson whence is deriv'd the name of Nermoutier Nigrum Monasterium CHAP. XII Of the Government of Guienne IN the time of Julius Caesar Aquitain reach'd not farther than from the Garonne to the Pyrenées that is it only
call'd in his Diocese by his Metropolitan in 886 and the old Notices of the Gauls name Nismes but in the 4th or 5th place among the 8 Suffragans of Narbonne so that the erection of this Bishoprick seems not to have preceded the 4th or 5th Age. Four Leagues North-East of Nismes lies the Village of St. Privat renown'd for a most pleasant House belonging to a Gentleman who bears the name of it and adorn'd with delicious Gardens Fountains Grotto's Water-spouts Alleys Green-closets and the like Over against it are the remains of the famous Pont du Gard one of the Master-pieces of the Romans It was intended to conduct the Waters of the Mountains of Remoulins to those of Ledenon and thence into Nismes for the uses of that City but especially to represent Sea-fights in its Amphitheatre It may be too that the course of the River Gard or Gardon which now runs under these Bridges was turn'd off thorough a Channel that is yet partly in being has six Foot in heigth three in breadth and is covered with large Stones But more of it in the Diocese of Vzès Four Leagues South of Pont du Gard and as many East of Nismes lies the Town of Beaucaire Belliquadrum or Bellum quadrum that is fine Square undoubtedly so call'd from its Square form and pleasant Situation for it s seated upon the Rhone next to the small Island Valabregue and over against Tarascon in Provence from which it's only separated by the River It is the Seat of a Seneschal but is much more renown'd for its Fair on the 22. of July or S. Magdalen's day whether come Merchants from most parts of the World even from Asia and Africa This Town belonged formerly to the Counts of Provence but Raimond Berenger I. yielded it to Alphonse Jourdain Count of Toulouse September 16. 1125. The Papists took it during the Wars of the Albigeois but the Inhabitants revolted from them to Raimond the Young their lawful Master In 1251 Charles of France Count of Provence holding a conference at Beaucaire with his Brother Alphonse Count of Toulouse the Citizens of Avignon forc'd them to take the Oath of Allegiance to their Government After Alphonse's death Beaucaire return'd to the French Crown with the other Estates of those Counts In 1561 the Protestants took this Town and put Garrison in it under one Hardwin of Porcelles and the Roman Catholicks having retaken it they were expell'd the same day with the loss of 1200 Men. Beaucaire had then a Castle upon the Rock on the Rivers side which has been since demolish'd in 1632 on occasion of new Civil Wars Three Miles South-West of Beaucaire lies betwixt Mountains the Town of Belle-garde and 3 Miles South-East of Belle-garde the Village of Fourques Furcae so called because the Rhone divides here it self into three branches much like to a Fork 4 Leagues South-West of Beaucaire and above two West of Fourques lies upon a Rivulet the small Town of S. Gilles Sti. Aegidii Fanum It has its name from an Anachoret who retir'd thither in the 6th Century and a famous Abby that was built there under his name which has been since given to secular Priests It 's said that the Gottish Kings had there a Palace and that this Town is to be understood by the name of Palatium Gothorum which is found in the Authors of those times At least it is sure that the Counts of Toulouse took the Title of Counts of S. Gilles and that sometimes the whole Province was understood by that name This Town belongs now to the Knights of Malta under the Title of great Priory and it was near it that the Protestants got a signal Victory over the Roman Catholicks headed by the Count of Somme-rive in 1562. In a Neighbouring Forrest call'd Estagel is a Chair of Stone which is thought to have serv'd the Druides who us'd to render justice or to pronounce their Oracles in the Woods Four Leagues East of S. Gilles lies upon the Vistre the Town of Aâ—margues Armasanicae to which Vauvert Vallis viridis Le Cayla and Aigues-mortes are resorting This last situated betwixt the Pond of Maguelonne and the Western Mouth of the Rhone has been a famous Sea-port where the French Kings us'd to imbark when they went to the Holy Land but the Haven has been stopp'd by the Sands and the Town lies now two or three Miles from the Sea The Pond Laterna and the Rhone have communication together by a Channel upon which this Town is seated and which because of the little motion of its Water has given it the name of Aigues-mortes Aquae-mortuae Before one enters into it it meets with a Tower call'd la Tour Carbonniere that was taken by the Protestants in 1562. The Town is of a square figure surrounded with good Walls and 16 strong Towers among which that of Constance is the most considerable as having a Phare or Beacon to direct the course of the Ships Three Miles Westwards upon the Western Mouth of the Rhone lies the Fort of Pecais built to defend the Salt-pits which are here so abundant that they suffice to furnish with it not only Languedoc and the Neighbouring Provinces but even Foreign Countries if we believe Du Verdier so that all the other Salt-pits excepting those of Peyriac and Sigean in the Diocese of Narbonne have been spoiled and drowned not to make Salt too common Marsiliargues is a little fine Town 5 Miles South of Aigues-mortes and 2 North-West of Lunel that has the Title of a Viguery Higher up you meet with Gaillargues Aubais Aigues-vives Cauvisson Sommieres upon the Vidourle Sumerium a Viguery Ville-vieille Clarensac Cour-Couronne Quessas Sauve Salvia a Viguery Pompignan Ledignan Cassagnolle Anduse Andusia another Viguery upon the Southern branch of the Gardon 21 Miles North of Montpellier and 17 North-West of Nismes was formerly a strong Town and one of them who declar'd for the Protestants under the D. of Rohan but Lewis XIII having taken it caus'd its Walls to be demolish'd St. Hippolite lies betwixt Mountains near the source of the Vidourle 5 Miles East of Anduse and though it be none of the biggest yet its Inhabitants had of late years the courage to Preach upon the ruins of their Temple thinking that their example would be follow'd by their Neighbours but they found themselves mistaken and expos'd almost alone to the French King's rage who caus'd the most part to be murthered or sent to the Gallies Alais Alestum upon the Northern Branch of the Gardon three Leagues North-East of Anduse follow'd the same fate submitting to Lewis XIII after the taking of Privas in 1629. It has the Title of a County and formerly belong'd to the Counts of Melgueil now Mauguio issued from the Viscounts of Narbonne The Diocese of Nismes extends it self still more North-West to Mount Lesperou in the Cevennes and contains besides the Towns or Burroughs of Vezenobre Toirax Monsargues La Sale Sumere S. Romans Mondarchier Le Vigan Vicanum a
Vineâ—cus the Land of Vimeux is included between â—nienois and Normandy from which it is seâ—â—rated by the River Bresle call'd likewise Auâ—â— and betwixt the Sea and the River Somme â—at divides it from the County of Ponthieu â—s extended above 14 leagues East and West â—om Molien le Vidame in Amienois to Cayeu on â—e Sea-cost and 5 North and South from S. â—â—lery to Bauchen upon the Bresle S. Valery â—â—e Capital is seated on a Hill near a Bay made â—y the mouth of the Somme and call'd S. Valery â—r mer to distinguish it from another Sea-town 〈◊〉 Normandy call'd S. Valery en Caux or S. Vaâ—ry les Plains It 's Port is not extreamly good â—ecause of the great quantity of Downs that â—re about it neither are Cayeu Cadocum Augst 〈◊〉 Augusta better tho they seem to have formerly â—een of some Consideration Notwithstanding â—he Countrey is fill'd with a vast number of Villages and good Burroughs whereof the chief â—re Bauchen Gamaches a Marquizate Anssennes â—nd Sennerpont all upon the Bresle Arguel Riencour Oysemont Bailleul whence John de Bailleul that became King of Scotland wâ—â—ther Lord or Ordinary or of another â—leul in the Countrey of Dieppe Ponthieu THis County included between the Riâ—â— Somme and Canche on the South and Noâ—â— the Ocean on the West Amienois and Artoiâ—â— the East is about nine leagues East and Wâ—â— and nine or ten North and South It is waâ—â—ed with many fine Rivers as the Somme 〈◊〉 Maye Authie c. It was in former Aâ—â— but thinly inhabited because of the mâ—â— Woods that almost took up the whole Coâ—trey but it s now very thick peopled tâ— there be still several Forrests This County 〈◊〉 been often given in Portion to the Câ—â—dren of the French Kings and has had befâ—â— its particular Counts since the tenth Centuâ—â— In 1279 Eleanor of Castile Heiress of Ponthâ—â— was Married to Edward I. King of England 〈◊〉 brought this County to these Monarchs whâ— was the occasion of many bloody Wars Abbeville upon the Somme is the Capâ—â— of this County eight or nine leagues Nortâ—west of Amiens It is one of the biggest aâ— strongest in this Province and some will 〈◊〉 it was never taken for which reason they 〈◊〉 it the Faithful or the Virgin City of that Coâ—â—trey It has a Bailiwick Presidial five Gaâ—â— twelve or thirteen great Parishes and seveâ— Monasteries The River Somme and the small â—ver Cardon which discharges it self into it â—ake it a great Trading Town and give it the â—nveniency of exchanging its Linnen Cloth â—ooll and Corn for other Commodities that â—e brought in Boats from the Sea into the very â—own 'T is uncertain in what time this City â—as built for I find no mention made of it beâ—â—re the tenth Century That Hugh Capet gave 〈◊〉 in Portion to his Daughter Giselle Howâ—er it seems by the Original of the Name of â—bbeville Abbattis villa that it was built by â—me Abbot of St. Riquier for there is yet a â—own of that Name two leagues North-east â—on the River Cardon which Opinion Adrian 〈◊〉 Valois seems to confirm Abbeville has lately produced the best Geoâ—aphers of France as Nicolas Sanson who dyâ—â— 1667 William Sanson his Son and Peter du â—l who are yet alive for ought I know and the â—esuit Philip Briet who died in 1669. It is said â—at in 1636. some Women disguised in Mens â—oaths fought the Spaniards near S. Riquier â—d brought away two of their Colours Nine miles North-west of Abbeville on the â—orthside of the mouth of the Somme is the Seaâ—ort Town Le Crotoy Two leagues South east 〈◊〉 Abbeville is an important passage in an â—â—land formed by the same River called Pontâ—-Remi near to which are to be seen the reâ—ains of one of Caesar's Camps Rue upon the â—aye five leagues North-west of Abbeville is a â—rong Town by reason of its scituation being â—viron'd with Marshes and having a Pond or â—ake on the East-side Near the source of the same River is 〈◊〉 Burrough of Crecy which gives its name 〈◊〉 Forrest hard by but is much more famous 〈◊〉 a Battel fought there between the English 〈◊〉 the French in 1346 King Edward III. coâ— into Ponthieu of which he was Lord encâ—â—ed at the Village of Crecy King Philip of Vâ— came to encounter him on the 26th of Aâ—gâ— But the last was totally routed and left 30â—â— Foot upon the spot and 1200 Horse beâ—â— that he lost fourscore Colours and the Fâ—â—â—er of his Nobility as John of Luxenburg 〈◊〉 of Bohem. Charles Count of Alencon the Kiâ—â— Brother Raoul Duke of Lorrain the Count 〈◊〉 Flanders Harcourt and Sanserre the Dauphâ—â— Viennois c But the greatest mischief for 〈◊〉 French was that a Fog having kept them sâ—â— the sight of the Enemy till nine or ten a Clâ— in the morning the English in the mean wâ— planted the Colours they had taken fâ—â— them upon a height which the deceiâ—â— French taking for their own resorted to thâ— and received a greater overthrow than the 〈◊〉 day Their dead Bodies were Interred by Kâ— Edward's order at Monstreuil and the burâ—â— lasted 3 days Crecy had formerly a Royal House whâ— Ebroin Mayor of the Palace besieg'd when 〈◊〉 Warr'd against K. Thierry and his Mayor Lâ—â—â—sius and took both the King and the Town Fredegarius relates The Town of Monstreâ—â— scituated upon the Canche nine leagues 〈◊〉 of Abbeville five North-west of Crecy and tâ—â— East of the Sea It was but at first a Villaâ— which encreased into a Town by the builâ—◠〈◊〉 a Castle and of a Monastery by S. Salvius â—â—shop of Amiens where he would be Intterr'd â—d whence it has gotten the name of Monasteâ—â—lum Monstreuil or Monstrelet Besides there â—e still two Ancient Abbyes of St. Bennets Orâ—r one of Monks and the other of Nuns â—ng Philip I. having divorced from him his â—ife Berthe sent her away to this Town upâ—â— which he assigned her Dowry and where â—e dyed in 1093. Monstreuil is divided into â—pper and lower Town and has a strong Citâ—del and Baillwick Great Bâ—ats can go up â—he River by the help of the Tide to this â—own Boulenois THis County is but 13 or 14 leagues long North and South and about 7 broad East and West It was Anciently inhabited by the Morini as well as Teronane if it be true that Boulogne is the Gesoriacum of Pliny and Ptolomy It is still the most mountainous paâ—t of Picardy especially along the Coast which render them almost unaccessible However it does not want either Woods or Rivers and affords such a good race of Horses that the Inhabitants can furnish 3000 Troopers It was erected into a County together with St. Paul Guines and Artois by Charles the Bald Emperor and King of France when he marryed his Daughter Judith to Baldwin Ironside Count of Flanders in 863. The County of Boulogne was successiâ— enjoyed by several illustrious Houses whâ—â— allied themselves at one time or other with
〈◊〉 Kings of England France and Portugal but fiâ—â—ly remained to the Counts of Auvergne Tâ—â— last of them called Bertrand the second exchâ—â—ged it with Lewis XI for the County of Laâ—â—gais in 1477 and that this Agreement migâ—â— never be broken the shrewd King preseâ—â— our Lady of Boulogne with it In 1544. Hâ—â— VIII King of England took Boulogne fortified 〈◊〉 lower Town of it and built several Forts iâ— the Countrey but seeing that the keeping 〈◊〉 this Town would cost him much more than 〈◊〉 was worth he agreed with the French King Henry II. to restore it to him for the Summeâ— 80000 Crowns to be paid in eight Years Thâ— Treaty was concluded in 1549 but I do not heâ—â— that is was ever performed as to the paying oâ—â—â— the money Boulogne Capital of this County is a Seâ—port formerly Renown'd for being the ordinary passage from Gaul into Great Brittain bâ—â— at present not very commodious some say thâ— it was spoil'd by a Bank that the Emperor Maximinian caus'd to be rais'd before it It is divided into upper â—nd lower Town and seated upon the River Liane sixteen leagues north of Abbeville It has a Bishoprick suffragan to Rheims since the year 1566 nine years after that Teroanne was razed But De Valois pretends that the Bishoprick was rather restor'd to that City or fired in it than instituted anew because those Prelates were styl'd Bishops of Boulogne and Teroanne that the first as well as the last are call'd Givitâ—â— Morinorum and that the name of City is never given by Ancient Authors but to an Episcopal See There was formerly near the Haven an Octogone Tower called in French la Tour d'Ordre and by the English the Old man it s said to have been built by Caesar It was eighty foot in Circuit and Charlemaign looking upon it as a fit place for a Beacon caused it to be repaired but his Successors given either to Wars or to Pleasures suffer'd it to decay so far that it fell some 20 years ago The most considerable Buildings of Boulogne are the Cittadel the Cathedral Church of our Lady to whom the French Kings at their coming to the Crown are bound to offer a Heart of pure Gold weighing 2000 golden Crowns There are besides the Parochial Churches of St. Nicholas and St. Joseph the Abby of St. Willmore and the Palace where the Baily keeps his Seat Some take Boulogne for the Portus Iccius of Caesar but Adrian de proves that it is the Gesoriacum of Pliny which name about Constantine the Great 's time chang'd into that of Bononia The other Towns and considerable Buroughs are Bournonville Monthulin upon or near the Liane four or five leagues East of Boulogne Ambleteuse a Sea-port two leagues north of the same it s the same that Beda calls Amfleat or Amfleot which denotes a place where the Sea ebbs and flows Estaples Stapulae upon the mouth of the Canche almost six leagues south of Boulogne De Valois believes it to be the Portus Iccius of Caesar because Ptolomy distinguishes Portus Iccius from Gesoriacum and puts them in the Countrey of the Morini 'T is a small Town well fortified famous for being the Native Countrey of James le Fevre who for his Learning did deserve the Praises of the Roman Catholicks tho he was one of the chief Promoters of the Reformation The Recover'd Countrey THat which the French call Pais Reconquis is a small Tract of Land that has not above five leagues in length North and South and as much East and West where it is broadest coming from Boulogne you enter into the Principality of Ardres Arda or Ardea the chief Town of which is seated upon a Hill and divided into upper and lower both well fortified Before the year 1067 it was but a Village erected into a Town out of the Ruines of the Castle of Selnesse by one Arnoul Lord of that place or as others pretend by one Arnold Lord of Ardres with the Consent of Baldwin Count of Guines by reason of the great number of Shepherds who resorted to that place for its excellent Pasture-ground In 1520 Francis I. and Henry VIII had an Interview near this Town their Court was so brisk and their Attendants so richly adorn'd that the place is yet called The Field of the Golden Cloth Cardinal Albert of Austria took this Town in 1596 but restored it to the French King Henry IV. three years after by the Treaty of Vervins Guisnes is a small Town 3 miles North-west of Ardres and above 3 leagues from the Sea It has the title of a County and formerly the Towns and Burroughs of Ardres Fiennes Witsant Andriae Bredenarde Sangate and Colemude depended on it Sifri a Dane took it from the Monks of Sithiu or S. Omer and made homage of it to Arnoul Count of Flandres who countenanced him Before the French took it from the English it was environ'd with strong Forts as Blanes and St. Inglevert It came in the hands of the English under King John of France the same way that a late Conquerer has usurped so many Towns The Governour of Guisnes being gone to a Festival of the Knights of the Star Edward K. of England bought the Town from his Lieutenant There was then a Truce between the two Monarchs and therefore the wronged King John would have resented this match as a breach of it But Edward answered That this Assertion was contrary to the doctrine of late Philip of Valois the French Kings Father for when an English Traytor that would have sold to him the Town of Calice was discovered this Prince coldly answered that such Negotiations did not break a Truce The County of Oyâ— is separated from that of Guisnes by a small River which Duchesne calls a Channel drawn from the Sea 'T is a Countrey of about 4 leagues in length and 3 in breadth Modern Geographers speak of some wavering Marshes and swimming Islands between this Countrey and that of Guisnes Calice is now one of the strongest Towns and the very Key of France towards England for its Fortifications consist in nine great Bastions besides those of the Cittadel and several Out-Works lin'd with stone It has a double Ditch very large and deep that can be filled with the River Hames that runs along its Walls There is also a Marsh and several Brooks that render the approach of this Town very difficult neither can one go to it but upon the Causey or madeway called the Bridge of Nieullay As to the Haven its Entry is defended by a Fort call'd the Risban and it is divided into two the smaller is called Cadegray the bigger is shut up by two Moles faced with stone Five years ago the present French King begun to build a Mole upon great piles droven into the sand beneath the low-Water-mark which will be 30 yards wide and make an Harbour fit to receive third or fourth Rates Men of War whereas a good Merchant-man cannot get into the present Havens This
of Liâ—ux It has gotten its Name from a Forrest â—rd by and is remarkable for the fertility of 〈◊〉 Meadows chiefly at a place called Bieux-ville â—d Sainte Barbe where Grass grows so quick â—pecially in the Spring that if it be browz'd 〈◊〉 the Evening and one lays there a Stick he â—ll find it in the Morning half covered with â—â—ass for which reason a great quantity of black â—ttel are sent thither to be fatten'd Nine leagues higher to the South lyes Pont 〈◊〉 Olly an important passage upon the Orne â—here it receives the Nereau Three leagues Westâ—â—rds is the Town of Conde Condate where â—e small River Drance falls into the Nereau 5. leagues farther to the West is the Town 〈◊〉 Vire upon a River of that Name not far â—om its source It has a Castle an Election 〈◊〉 a Bailiwick resorting to the Presidial of â—en It has the Title of a Viscounty and has â—en formerly so considerable that its Inhabiâ—â—ts having stuck to the English till the Year â—50 they got Letters of Pardon from the French â—nâ— Charles VII Six leagues lower to the North lyes the Town â—origny Tauriniacum formerly very consiâ—rable as appears by the ruines of its Walls 〈◊〉 Gates It has still the Title of a County and a Bailiwick depending on the Presidiâ—â— Caen. I must not forget what is observed by chesne that the meeting of the Rivers Aure Dromine a small league North of Bayeux 〈◊〉 the Village of Maisons form a fine Haven oâ— Port Bessin The Bishoprick of Constance or Coutance THis Countrey call'd Constantin and contively Coutantin is shut up between Sea and the Bishopricks of Bayeux and Avraâ— and is thought to be the habitation of Unelli of Caesar or the Venelli of Pliny It â—bove 20 leagues North and South but hatâ— 12 East and West where it is broadest 〈◊〉 is an Ancient County which Robert Duke Normandy pawn'd to his Brother William red King of England and soon after his whâ— Dutchy for the summ of 10000 Marks of Silâ— that he might undertake a Voyage into the â—ly Land Constance or Contance Capital of 〈◊〉 Countrey is situated upon the small River â—ro 3 leagues East of the Sea and almost West of Torigny Some take it for the Asta Ramanduorum of the Ancient Geograpâ—â— Amian Mercellin calls it Castra Constantia 〈◊〉 he seems mistaken as to it's situation The 〈◊〉 â—ent Notices of the Gauls call it Constantia Ciâ—as Gregory of Tours and other Ancient Auâ—ors of the French History Constantina or â—onstantiensis Urbs. It's likely that Constantius â—lorus encamp'd thereabouts when he went â—ver into Great Brittain and that fâ—â—m a Miliâ—â—ry Station it became a Town by degrees or â—ther that the Emperor Constantius beautify'd with Triumphant Arches of which he erectâ—â—d a great number in the Gauls and in Pannoâ— For 't is not probable that these Emperors â—ould have built a Town which some Years â—â—ter was a City of Note and an Episcopal See 〈◊〉 that it seems that they only repair'd or enâ—â—rg'd Constance which thereupon lost its old â—ame of Crociatonum Venetorum mentioned by â—tolomy St. Ereptiole is taken by Duchesne â—r the first Bishop of Constance in the fourth â—entury but the first Prelate of it mention'd in â—uthentick Histories is one Leoncian who asâ—sted to the first Council of Orleance in 511. â—he situation of Constance is pleasant among â—eadows and Brooks and not far from a Forrest â—he Town is big and well Peopled but withâ—ut Walls and Ditches the French King Lewis â—I having demolished them because the Inhaâ—itants had too openly sided with the Prince â—harles his Brother In 1562. the Lord of Colomâ—iers besieged it took it and sent Philip of Cossé â—â—o Governor Prisoner to St. Lo. The Cathedral â—hurch of our Lady is a fine Building and beautiâ—â—ed with Towers upon one of which the whole Neighbouring Countrey may be discovered This Town has a Bailiwick and Presidial Visâ—ounty Election and Ecclesiastical Court Seven or eight leagues South-east of â—stance on the borders of Avranches is the Bâ—rough of Ville-Dieu with a Commandership 〈◊〉 the Knight of St. John's Order institute◠〈◊〉 Richard III. Duke of Normandy and the 〈◊〉 King of England of that Name Near to it is a Parish call'd La Land Herâ—â— or Airou which was formerly a good Bâ—rough of half a league extent as may be suppâ—sed by some Ruines There was a Castle 〈◊〉 of which nothing is remaining but the bâ— Name in a Neighbouring Field call'd the Câ—stles Meadow Duchesne relates out of Sigeâ—â— that in the year 1158. there hapned a Whâ—â—â—wind which raised up all that it met whâ— and rising in the Air there appeared at 〈◊〉 blew red Columns against which were 〈◊〉 Arrows and Darts from several places 〈◊〉 a great number of Birds of several Kinds toâ— about it He adds farther that this Proâ— was followed by a violent Plague which deppulated whole Towns Four leagues North-west of Ville-Dieu is 〈◊〉 Burrough of Gouray with the Ruines of an â—â—cient Castle upon a small Hill near the Riâ— Souille Five leagues Southwest of Gouray and 〈◊〉 of Constance is the Sea-port of Granville 〈◊〉 Town is partly seated upon a Rock and paâ—â— in a Plain where it has its Haven Nine 〈◊〉 ten leagues Eastwards are the Burrough of Mâ—on the Barony of Fessy and the Castle of 〈◊〉 Motte l'Euesque belonging to the Bishop 〈◊〉 Constance Seventeen miles East of Constance lyes 〈◊〉 strong Town of St. Lo upon the River Vire 〈◊〉 Named from the fifth Bishop of Constance â—uâ—o and in Latin Briovera or Vire's Bridge aâ—â—o and his Successors have for a long time â—orn the Title of Bishops of St. Lo because this â—own belonged to them and that they kept â—nto their ordinary Residence It is now enâ—ved by the Lords of Matignon and has a Baiâ—wick Election and Viscounty an Abby of St. â—nnets Order and a Church under the Name 〈◊〉 our Lady founded as 't is said by the Emâ—eror Charlemaign under the Title of the Holy â—his Seventeen miles North-west you meet with â—â—e Barony of Hommet divided into two Caâ—â—les the Lords of which entitle themselves â—ign Constables Hereditary of the ancient Dukes 〈◊〉 Normandy Five leagues North-west of St. Lo. upon the â—â—ting of the Rivers On and Carenton lyes the 〈◊〉 of Carentar or Querentan Carentonus or â—â—â—onium which is a well trading Place beâ—â—use it lyes but three leagues from the Sea and â—â—at the Tiâ—e brings up greaâ— Boats to it beâ—â—des the strength of â—s situation it has a Gaâ—e Walls and Ditches fill'd up with Water â—he Vulgar believe that Câ—rus one of Câ—â—stâ—s â—ontains was the Founder of it Whatever it â—ay be Carentan is pretty considerable having â—wo Suburbs a Bailiwick Election and the â—itle of a Viscounty In 1574. the Count of Montgomery took it for the Protestants but â—he Lord of Matignor retook it some time after â—nd De Lorges Montgomery's Son was made Prisoâ—er of War Five leagues Northwards lyes upon
nevertheless to â—ew that he is far above the Laws and even â—bove his own Promises and Oaths has made â—old to Repeal it in the Month of October 1685. Iâ—dre or l'Isle d' Aindre Antrum It was â—â—mous for a Monastery founded by one Herâ—â—â—land of Nimeghen who from Cup-bearer â—o K. Thierry became Monk of the Abby of â—ontanelles in the Diocess of Rouen and then Abbot in this Convent which was ruined by â—he Normans in 843. Ancenis is esteemed to be the Ancenisium or Angenisium of the Latins Capital of the Amâ—â—ites a People that liv'd about the mouth of â—he Loire There was formerly a strong Caâ—tle built by Aremberg Wife to Gueree a Britâ—ish Count but 't is now ruin'd as well as the greatest part of the Town which lyes 7 leagues â—ast of Nants upon the same River near anoâ—her place 3 miles South-west call'd Oudon which makes De Valois take 'em for the Uldo and Andenisium of Rigord Chasteau-briant Castrum Brientii or Briani 13 Miles North of Nants has taken its Name from its Founder In 1551. the French King Henry II. renewed there all the Ancient Eâ—â—â— against the Hereticks and gave even power the Judges of Presidials to determine Causes 〈◊〉 Heresie without Appeal ordering farther 〈◊〉 none should be admitted into any Royal Oâ—â—â—â— or the publick Profession of any Science wiâ—â—out a right Certificate that he was a Roâ—â—â— Catholick and withall that certain Assâ—â—blies call'd Mercurials should be kept 〈◊〉 Wednesday in all the Soveraign Courts of Jâ—stice to examine the Sentiments and Conducâ— the Judges about Matters of Religion Clisson Clichio upon the River Sevre Sepâ—â—â— six leagues South-east of Nants is a Town 〈◊〉 a Castle which gives its Name to a small Trâ—â— of Land call'd le Clissonnois but is much 〈◊〉 famous for having been the Title of Oliver 〈◊〉 Clisson High Constable of France under tâ—â— French King Charles VI. it is the same wâ—â—â— routed the Flemmings in 1382. and kill'd 400â—â— of their Men upon the spot Between this Town and Montesgu on the bâ—â—ders of Poictou is the Forrest of Gralla wherâ— that famous High-way Robber Guillery 〈◊〉 built a strong-hold wherein with his two Brothers and Companions they stood out a Siege â—gainst 17 Provosts and 5000 Men but were taken at last and broken upon the Wheel in 160â— Machecou Capital of the small Dutchy and Peerdom of Raits Ratiatensis or Ratiensis Pagus erected by the French King Henry III. 〈◊〉 1581. This Town lyes near a Forrest 11 leagues South-west of Nants The Bishops of Poâ—tius have sometimes subscribed Episcopi Ratiatenses or de Civitate Ratiatica as did Adelphius in the Synod of Orleance because they kept in this Countrey their ordinary Residence It was there â—lso that the Emperor Charles the Bald invested Herispoius Neomenes's Son with the Kingdom of Brittany adding the Counties of Nants Rennes and Raiz to his Dominions in 851. Guerande is situated near the mouth of the Loire between Lakes and large sandy grounds 18 leagues West of Nants there are some good Salt-pits Two leagues North-east is the small Town of Asserac with the Title of a Marquisate The Abby's are Meleray of Cisteaux Blanche-Couronne of St. Bennet Pornie and Geneston of St. Augustin all of Fryars CHAP. IX Of Lower Brittany The Bishoprick of Vennes IT 's undoubted but this Diocess is the Countrey of the Ancient Veneti whose Capital was so powerful in Caesar's time and whose Inhabitants were the most skilful of the Gauls in Sea Affairs so that some have pretended that the Venetians were descended from this Veneti as the Ancient Geographer Strabo relates What were the bounds of their Dominions is uncertain but now this Diocess is included between the Sea the Bishoprick of Nants St. Malo St. Brieux and Cornoaille and reaches 25 leagues East and West and about 13 or 14 North and South This Countrey was Conquer'd from the Romans by our fled Brittains but Clovis the Great took it from them and the French kept it 90 Years till Waroc a Brittish King reconquer'd it His Successors maintain'd themselves against their mighty Neighbours to the time of Pepin and Charlemaign In remembrance of this Conqueror this Diocess was call'd Broguerec that is the Land of Gueâ—ec or Waroc The Capital Vennes call'd Venetia by Caeâ—ar and in some Notices of the Gauls Civitas Cintium or Cinesium is thought to be the Daâ—iorigum of Ptolomy by De Valois it is situated two leagues from the Sea which Ebbs and Flows there along the Channel of Morbihan and has a Haven of the same Name This Town has kept its Ancient lustre long enough for the Duke John of Montfort built there a Castle named Ermine where his Successors have often kept their Court Vennes is by no means so considerable as formerly however it has yet some Parochial Churches besides the Cathedral under the Name of our Lady and the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul St. Patern whom the Vulgar calls St. Poix is thought to have been its first Bishop Auray four leagues West of Vennes is seated upon the same Channel of Morbihan and famous for the Victory which John V. got over his Competitor Charles of Blois the 29th of September 1364. This Battel left the former in possession of the whole Dutchy which was confirmed to him by the Treaty of Guerande on the 12th of April 1365. Blavet now better known under the Name of Port-Louis is one of the best and strongest Sea ports of France situated on the mouth of the River Blavet so call'd for the blew Colour of its Water The Leaguers gave it to the Spaniards who restored it to the French King Henry IV. by the Peace of Vervins in 1598. The Lord Soubize took this Town for the Protestants in 1625. but was forced 〈◊〉 leave it because he could not master the Câ—tadel Some time after the French Prinâ—â— Confederated against Lewis XIII seized upâ—â— this Town and Castle and when the Peace 〈◊〉 made the French King caused the Fortificâ—â—â—ons of Blavet to be demolished but after â—â—cond Thoughts he raised them up again 〈◊〉 made them stronger than before Hennebont Cosedia according to Adrian de Vâ—lois p. 291. is a small Town 7 leagues Noâ—â— of the Sea upon the River Blavet with a â—â—mous Abby of Nuns of the Order of Cisteâ—â— Pontivy lyes upon the same River betwixt 〈◊〉 Forrests 11 leagues North-east of Hennebont Rohan upon the River Ouste 3 leagues South-east of Pontivy has the Title of a Dutchy aâ—â— Peerdom erected by the French King Henâ—â— IV. in 1603. and since renew'd by Lewis XIV In 1645. but much more famous for having gâ—ven its Name to a Family issued from the Ancient Princes of Brittany Several Dukes oâ— Rohan are Renowned in History but the moâ—â— Illustrious of all is Henry II. Duke of Rohâ—â— who dyed in 1638. of the Wounds he had received at the Battel of Rhinfeld or rather of the Poysonous Apparel that a Physician corrupted by the Jesuits applied upon them
comprehended what was since call'd Novempopulana and now Gascony But August extended it Limits to the Loire so that it contain'd besides the present Government of Guienne the Provinces of Poictou Touraine Berry la Marche Bourbonnois and Auvergne and made the fourth part of the Gauls Charlemaign and Lewis the Meek follow'd this division when they erected it into a Kingdom for their youngest Sons Most of those Provinces were since possest by the Dukes of Guienne fell to the English by the Marriage of the Dutchess Eleonor with Henry II. and were Conquered from them by Charles VII The Dukes of Guienne had the third rank among the twelve Ancient Peers of France The name of Guienne is a maimed Word from the Latin Aquitaniae that is it self deriv'd from Aquae because there are many Springs of Warm Water whence many Cities in this Government are still call'd to this day as we shall see hereafter This Government borders to the North upon Poictou Angoumois and la Marche to the East upon Auvergne and Languedoc on the South to the Pyrenean Hills by which it is divided from Spain and the West to the Ocean It lies between 42 D. 30 Min. and 46 D. 20 Min. of Latitude and between 18 D. and 24 D. of Longitude which amount from the South to the North to 100 Leagues from Aragnoet in the Pyrenées to Niort in Poictou and to about 112 from St. John de Luz beyond Bayone to Saint Geniez in Rouergue near Gevaudan The Soil is pretty Fruitful in Corn Wines Fruits Pastures c. except the Lands or Sandy-grounds near the Pyrenées where is nothing but Heaths and Pastures that feed abundance of Cattle The Air is there sweet and wholesom This Government is Water'd by many Rivers of which the Chiefest are the Garomne and the Charante that have been already described the Dordonne the Lot and the Adâ—ur of which are after The Garomne above all facilitates the Trade of Wine Corn Oyls Brandy Plums Wooll One may say for this Country that it has given to France brave Soldiers and great Schollars for it is certain that Guienne and Languedoc get as much honour in the Armies and the Republick of Letters at the rest of the Kingdom besides The Inhabitants of this Province are generally Ingeniouâ— Valiant Cunning but much derided for their Pride which has even passed into a Proverb As to the Rivers of Guienne the chief are the Garonne which has been describ'd p. 8. the Charente p. 263. the Seudre that waters part of Saintonge and falls into the Bay of pertuis de Maumusson South-East of the Isle of Oleron and South of Brouage The Dordonne that rises in Auvergne near a place call'd Murat receives the Chavanoy near its source then the Rue the Sumene the Auze the Louesse the Somene the Estarreau the Sere increas'd with the Jordane and Autre the Bave the Nea the Ser then goes through Bergerac Saincte Foy Libourne where 't is increa'd shith the Lisle This springs up in Limosin at a place called Meisse receives near its source the Loulour and the high Vezere goes by Perigueux Montpont Lussac where it receives the Larrey increased with the Palais and a little higher the Droune increased with the Coles Boulon Janade Emâ—ere Voutrou Les Fontaines Tude and Rissonne and then the Save three Miles North of Liâ—â—urne The Dordonne thus swoln and able to bear great Boats pursues its way to the West receives the Moron not far from St. Andreas and mixing with the Garonne at a place call'd Bourg they run together into the Ocean maâ—ing up a Bay of 2 or 3 Leagues in breadth â—nd 20 in length under the name of Gironde The Drot rises in Perigord near a place call'd 〈◊〉 washes Villereal Castillonnes Monsegur â—â—lls into the Garonne at Caudrot and carries no â—â—ats The Lot springs from the Mountains â—f Gevaudan waters Mende Entraygues where 〈◊〉 receives the Truyere increased with the Bes Lander and Epic goes by La Vinzelle Cadeâ—â—â— and Cayrac is increased with the Seze the Cole and Iboly that water Figeac then runs through Cahors where it begins to be navigable receives the Masse and the Lede with several other Rivulets and discharges it self into the Garonne betwixt Clerac and Esguillon The Aveyrou issues in Rouergue near the Fronteers of Gevaudan washes Rhodez receives the Biaur and together with this River makes the separation betwixt Albigeois and Rouergue then is increased with the Cerdu and Ceret the Bonnette the Vere and the Conde mixes with the Tarn 5 Miles East of Moissac where having received the Lute and Lemboulas they run both into the Garonne The Seune and some other Rivulets of less note fall also into the Garonne betwixt the Lot and the Averrou Then come the Tarn the Agout and the Lers which I now go by because they belong to Languedoc to speak only of the Rivers of this Government which fall into the Garonne on the South-side of it as the Touche near Muret the Save increased with the Gesse at Grenade the Nadesse betwixt this Village and Verdun the Gimone increased with the Farampionor over against Castel-sarasin The Corre the Ayroux the Camesan inconsiderable Brooks the Ratz the Giers that goes through Aux Lectoure and discharges it self into the Garonne over against Agen. The Baise that comes from Armagnac washes Condom and Nerac receives the Losse the Lausou the Lante the Gelise and falls into the Garonne over against Esguillon Lower down to the West this great River is increas'd with many other Rivulets as the â—â—lizos the Lavassane the Loubens c. The Leyre or Erre rises in that barren Counâ—ry call'd Landes and falls into the Bay nam'd Cape de Buchs in the Country of Medoc The Adour issues from the Pyrenees goes â—hrough Tarbe receives the Leschez and the â—arrez increased with the Bouez waters Ayre Grenade and Dax receives the Gabas the Leus the Luy the Gave of Pau which waters Pau â—â—d Lescar and is increased with the Vedan â—he Gaves of Cauteres and Azun the Lazon the â—â—es the Baisse the Gaves of Ossau Aspe Oleâ—â—â— and Salies the Rivulets of Lou-vert and â—essas Then the Adour receives the Bidouse â—he Ayguette and the Nive at Bayonne 3 Miles â—rom its Mouth On the North-side it is inâ—reased with the Midou that goes through Villeâ—â—â—ve Mont de Marsan and Tartas and carries â—long with it the Waters of the Ladon Douze â—stampen Ganeire Lestrigon and Gelouse Guienne is now divided into 19 Provinces â—hereof the first 8 belong to Guienne and the â— others to Gascony Proper Guienne Basadois â—genois Querci Rouergue Limosin Perigord â—â—intonge Armagnac Chalosse Condomois Lanâ—â— Terre de Labour Lower Navarre Viscounty Soule Bearn Bigorre Comminge Conserans â—â—eir Capital Cities are Bourdeaux Archbishopâ—â— Bazas Bishoprick Agen Bish Cahors Bish â—â—des Bish Limoges Bish Perigueux Bish â—â—â—tes Bish Auch Archbish S. Sever Condom â—â—h Dax Bish Bayonne Bish S. Palais Mauâ—â— Pau Tarbe Bish S. Bertrand Bish S. Lizer Of
said to yield to none of that Country in well breeding and comeliness but to those of Montpellier The late Governours of Languedoc as the Duke of Montmorency and the Prince of Conti have kept here their ordinary Residence and the States of the Province have been consequently held here which has much contributed to the enriching and beautifying of this Town The other places of this Diocese are Marseillan Florensac Castelnau Montagnac Le Pouget Gignac Ville-Magne Loupian and Meâ—e the Mesua of Pomponius Mela tho the Island he speaks of seems rather to be Lates Lodeve seated between Mountains near the meeting of the Rivers Solondre and Lergue not far from the Cevennes and the Borders of Roâ—â—rgue and Gevaudan lies almost 9 Leagues North of Pesenas and 13 of Agde It s antient name in Latin is Forum-Neronis and then Leuâ—eva both known to Pliny and its Bishop kept already the 4th or 5th rank among the Suffragans of Narbonne at the beginning of the 5th Century Lodeve is not now very big for it has suffer'd several devastations during the Wars of the Goths then of the Albigeois and lastly during the Civil Wars between the Prâ—testants â—â—d Roman Catholicks and the Duke of Montmorency took it in 1585. This Town had formerly the Title of a Viscounty which one of its Prelates Raimond Guilhen Brother to the Lord of Montpellier bought off from Viscount Geldin whence it comes that the Bishops of Lodeve are Lords of it appoint the Magistrates and take the Title of Counts of Montbrun a Castle near it And 't is asserted that 800 Noblemen depended on and made homage of their Lands to this Prelate who on this account was Sirnam'd the Noble Bernard Gui and John Plantavit de la Pause Bishops of Lodeve have published Chronicles of their Church Denis Briconnet and Francis Bosquet are likewise in the number of Authors The Diocese of Lodeve comprehends besides the Towns or Burroughs of Las Ribbes S. Michel Ganges Brisac S. Jean de Buege S. Guillem ley Desert with a famous Abby of Benedictins founded by one of the Ancestors of the Princes of Orange Mont-Peyroux S. Jean de Foz S. André Clermont de Lodeve and Canet Of the Precinct of Nismes THis Precinct is not near so great as the ancient Territories of the Volcae Arecomici who extended themselves through the Dioceses of Montpellier Nismes Vzès and Lodeve enjoyed the Town of Pezenas and even some Lands beyond the Rhone Now it is restrained within the Episcopal Jurisdiction of Montpellier and Nismes and has the district of Beziers on the West Gevaudan and Vivarais on the North and North-East the Rhone on the East and the Sea on the South It s greatest length from Frontignan on the Pond of Maguelonne to the source of the Eraut is 17 Leagues North and South and its greatest breadth from Beaucaire on the Rhone to Anagne on the Eraut 22 Leagues East and West but in some places it is so very tarrow that it has hardly 4 or 5 Leagues Montpellier 3 Leagues South of the Sea 13 East of Pesenas and 14 North-East of Agde is call'd in Latin Mons-pessulus Mons-pessulanus Mons-peslerius and Mons-puellaris but every one may see that these are not old Latin names and likewise this Town is hardly known in History since 600 years though it be now the biggest and richest in Languedoc after Toulouse It is seated upon a Hill whose foot is wash'd by the small River Lez which receives there another Rivulet called Merdanson after it has serv'd to the uses of the Town The original of Montpellier is related thus There was formerly a strong and considerable City call'd Maguelonne Magalo in a Gulph nam'd by Pliny Laterna and by the French l'Etang du Tau de Lates or de Perraut The foundation of Maguelonne is uncertain for tho the Coast of Lower Languedoc has been sometime in the power of the Marseillois and Stephanus mentions Alonis as an Island belonging to them whose Inhabitants were call'd Alonites yet having no other testimony a small and far fetched resemblance of names can scarce prove them to be one and the same However it be sure it is that Maguelonne was an Episcopal City in the 5th and 6th Centuries and a famous Sea-port too which was the cause of its ruin For after the Saracens had conquered Spain they spread themselves in Lower Languedoc in 730 and threatned the whole Kingdom of France with a Barbarian Invasion when they were utterly routed by Charles Martel near Tours As this great Captain had observ'd that they commonly landed at Maguelonne when it had retaken this Town in 736 he raz'd it to the very ground and transferred the Episcopal See to Soustancion Sextatio almost a Mile East of Montpellier Soustancion is mention'd in the Geographical Tables of the Emperor Theodose and in the Travels of Aethicus but the Inhabitants finding the Situation of the place where now Montpellier lies more convenient and the Air sweeter began to build there Thus the new Village increas'd by degrees during 300 Years that the B. of Maguelonne kept their Seat at Soustancion But in 1060 Arnauld Julian one of these Prelates rais'd up the Walls of Maguelâ—nne fortify'd them with Towers and the Haven where the Saracens us'd to land being stop'd built another in a more convenient place Before this the Governour of Maguelonne had retir'd to a place call'd now Mauguio where he built a Castle under the name of Melgueil and having usurp'd the Sovereignty of his Government during the troubles of the French Monarchy he took upon him the Title of Count of Melgueil and Soustancion and coyn'd a kind of small Money call'd the Melgoris pence The Estates of these Counts pass'd in 1172 into the House of Toulouse by the Marriage of Ermessende their Heiress with Raymond VI. Sirnamed the Old and was confiscated upon his Son by Pope Innocent III. and the Council of Latran in 1215. In the mean while Montpellier increas'd apace for it appears by a passage of S. Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux that there was already a School or Seminary of Physicians in 1155 and in 1156 we find mention of its Baths which were farm'd by the Lords of that Town as being of a considerable Revenue However the first Institution of its University is commonly ascrib'd to the Disciples of Averroes aâ—d Avicenne in 1196 and its perfect establishment is said to have been made but in 1220. About this time the Lords of Montpellier were in great esteem This Lordship was first detached from the Patrimony of the Counts of Melgueil to be the Portion of Eustorgia a Daughter of that House She had a Son call'd Fulcran who became Bishop of Lodeve and two Daughters who bequeathed their Estates to the Church of Maguelonne in 975. These Prelates sold Montpellier to a Gentleman nam'd Gui on condition that he should keep it as a Fee of the Church and defend it against the Saracens The French Kings and the succeeding Bishops of Maguelonne
Capital that â—00 years ago was a considerable place being â—ivided into City and Burrough The City has â—till three Gates is surrounded with Walls and â—efended by square Towers and the ruin'd â—alls of the Burrough shew it to have been 600 â—â—ces in Circuit Its first decay came from â—â—at King Renatus Count of Provence transferâ—ed to the City the Fairs that were in the Burâ—â—ugh An. 1437 and during the Civil Wars of â—â—e last Age the Inhabitants retiring to the â—â—y as to the strongest place left the Burâ—â—ugh almost Desart DIGNE is seated at the Foot of a Mountain â—â—sh'd by the River Bleone which receives there â—e Mardaric a Rivulet of warm Water that â—akes this City famous for its Bathes It has a â—meschal Seat a Bailywick and a Bishoprick Suffragan of Ambrun Our Lady is the Cathedral Church whose Chapter which was once Regular of the Order of S. Austin is now composed of a Provost a Capiscol a Sexton and 9 Canons of which one is an Incumbent with 8 Prebendaâ—ies more and 2 Parsons The most considerable places are Mirabel Aiglun Corbons Brusquet-Toart-Collobrioux and Verdache As to Seyne which Robbe and hiâ— transcriber Dela Croix put in this Diocese it depends upon Embrun Of the Diocese of ARLES THis Diocese extends 18 Leagues East anâ— West from Salon on the Bâ—rders of thâ— Diocese of Aix to Peccais in Languedoc and iâ— North and South from beyond Tarascon to thâ— Mediterranean Sea The City of ARLES Arelâ—s Arelatae Arelâ—te or Arelatum lies upon the Rhone with a Archbishoprick a Seneschal's Seat and an Acâ—demy of Humane Learning associated to thâ— of Paris It was formerly the Chief of thâ— Kingdom of Burgundy and Arles The Romaâ— settled there their Sixth Colony and there aâ— still to be seen the remains of an Amphithâ—atre of an Obelisque a great many Mausole or stately Tombs of the Ancients withoâ— the City and many other considerable Monuâ—ents of Antiquity The Original of ARLES â—s uncertain because too ancient 't is sure that â—t is of Gaulish Foundation At first there were only Houses on the East â—â—de of the Rhone but the Emperor Constantine the Great built a new Town on the West side â—nd joyn'd it to the old with a fine Bridge He â—leas'd himself extremely in this City Here â—â— was that his youngest Son Constantine was Born that he call'd a Council against the Doâ—â—tists that he established the Seat of the Capâ—ain General or Governor of the Gauls and besides that he would it to bear his name and â—o be call'd Constantina for the future though â—is orders as to that have not been obey'd The Church of Arles is said to have been â—ounded by S. Trophime Disciple of S. Paul The Secular Power of this City has contributed â—uch to that of the Church It was at first Suffragan to Vienne but erected to a Metropoâ—is under the Empire of Hâ—norius Then it had 〈◊〉 Suffragans viz. Marseille Orange S. Paulâ—uis-Chasteaux Toulon Avignon Vaison Carpenâ—tas Cavaillon But Avignon having been made â— Primate has carried away the 3 last with it â—elf To compensate this loss the Popes made â—e Archbishops of ARLES Vicars of the Roâ—an See in the Gauls with power to declare â—aster to ordain Bishops and to celebrate Councils The Chapter of the Cathedral conâ—ists of 20 Canons among which there is a Proâ—â—st an Archdeacon a Sexton an Arch-priest 〈◊〉 Capiscol a Treasurer a Primicier and a Theologal there are also 20 Prebendaries or Incumbents It was made Secular in 1497 under Nicolas Cibo The Territory of this City â— 50 Leagues in Circuit consisting in two Islands called Great and Little Carmargue formed bâ— two Branches of the Rhone and in the Crau the latter is a large extent of Land covereâ— with Flint Stones on which Aeschylus says that Jupiter rain'd Stones to destroy the Ligâ—rians that were fighting against his Son Hercules This stony Champaign produces little Winâ— and Corn but there are vast quantities of Simples and Vermilion As to the Camargue whicâ— has its name from Caius Marius vanquisher â—â— the Cimbers the Pastures that these Island bring forth are so good that the Cattel thaâ— feeds upon them grows extraordinary fierce anâ— strong Tarascon Tarasco Salyorum was the Capital â—â— the Salyies before the building of Aix It lieâ— 3 Leagues North of ARLES and above 5 Souâ— West of Avignon upon the River Rhone ovâ—â— against Beaucaire next to a little Island whicâ— as it increases every day so it will at last maâ—â— the Proverb prove a lye That Betwixt Thain and Tournon Betwixt Beaucaire and Tarascon There feeds neither Cow nor Mutton This I observe to shew that new Islands mâ—â— be form'd by the Rivers and Sea washing aâ— carrying away the ground and letting it suâ—side when they meet with a stop Tarascon hâ— an indifferent good Castle built by Renatus of Sicily and Count of Provence a Collegiaâ— Church wherein they boast to have the Relicks of S. Martha and several Monasteries Besides â—his 't is the head of many Villages resorting to â—s Viguier There happen'd of late a pretty Story A Man digging in his Cellar met with â— Wall and an Iron-gate which he caused to â—e open'd and found it led into a vaulted way â—ut there he heard such a frightful noise that â—e durst not proceed farther The Magistrate was advis'd of it and with much ado got a Man condemn'd to dye to go through who at the end of that way met with another Iron-gate which was likewise shut and at which he â—nock'd in vain He related that the noise increas'd whilst he went along but that as he came nearer to the other Gate it seem'd as though he left that noise behind him This relation kindled the stronger the Magistrate's curiosity who still big with the hopes of undiscover'd Treasures got some Masons to go and open the Gate by promising them the 25th part of whatever should be found They perform'd it accordingly and found that this Gate led into Beaucaire Since what time the Masons of Tarascon use to say in a jearing way that the 25th part of Beaucaire belongs to them The other places of note are Salon a pretty good Town with a Principality depending â—pon the Archbishop of ARLES but more known for being the Birth and burying Place of that famous Astrologer Michael Nostradamus Les Baux a Marquisate belonging to the Prince of Monaco and formerly a Principality belonging to the Princes of Orange S. Martin in the Crau Notre-Dame de Dormet and les Trois Maries in the great Camargue S. Remi S. Gabriel Orgon Senas S. Chamas Berre that haâ— good Salt-pits Vitrolles Istres Marignane Ferriere the Isle of Martegue Jonquieres c. Buâ— I conclude because the remarkable things thaâ— are in the Diocese of ARLES would require a whole Volume Of the Diocese of Marseille THis Diocese that lies on the Sea-coast is very narrow having the Gulf and Island of Martegue on the West the Archbishoprick of Aix
travell'd are of a sweet conversation but the others are too tedious in their civilities The Country-Language is a mixture of corrupted Latin Italian and French broader towards Provence and more languishing towards Savoy but the Gentry speaks good French every where especially at Grenoble however you may distinguish them from the Parisians not so much by their Accent as by some particular Idiotisms For instance they say beaucoup du vin bien de pain la chose que j'ai fait par chemin instead of beaucoup de vin bien du pain la chose que j'ay faite par le chemin During the civil Wars the Protestants have been Masters of the best part of this Province but ever since the Popish Religion hath been prevalent The whole Province is divided into several small Countries which because Authors much vary thereupon I shall follow the new Division of Robbe and Samson as I have hitherto done and begin with Vpper DAVPHINE Of High-Dauphiné Of Gresivaudan BY the Name of GRESIVAVDAN is understood the Bayliwick resorting to Greâ—able which comprehends the Mountains of GRESIVAVDAN properly so called the Valâ—y of Trieves Royanez and a small Tract of land beyond the Isere bordering on Savoy and Viennois making in all an extent of 24 Leagues North and South and 18 or 20 East and West Some take it for the Habitation of the antient Iricollores and that afterwards it was call'd GRESIVAVDAN as if one should say Vallis-Gracorum The Vally of the Greeks which Etimology seems more reasonable than to derive â— from Gratianopolitana Vallis GRENOBLE Capital of this Country and of the whole Province is seated on the River Isere which separates it into 2 Parts the Town and the long Suburbs of St. Laurence 12 or 13 League South-West of Montmelian The Town is situated in a fertil Plain and the Suburb at thâ— foot of a Mountain that produces excellenâ— Wine both taken together are of the bignesâ— of London from Temple-Bar to the Bridge It Parliament is the third of France for 't was erected by Lewis the XI in 1453. There arâ— also a Chamber of Accompts Generality Election Presidial Bayliwick and a Spiritual Courâ— for the Bishop who takes the Title of Prince oâ— Grenoble and is suffragan to the Archbishop oâ— Vienne tho' he precedes his Metropolitan at the Assembly of the States In what time thiâ— Town was converted to Christianity is uncertain for the most ancient Bishop we know of is one Domnin who assisted at the Council oâ— Aquileia in 381. These Prelates have the Priviledge of presiding to the States of that Province which was granted to them to reward the Fidelity of one who stuck firm with the Nobility to the French King's Interest while the rest of the Clergy and the People resolved to submit to the Pope There was of late a Chamber of the Edict made up of a President and six Counsellors Roman Catholicks and as many Protestants but it was abolished in 1679. To this Chamber resorted the Reformed of Dauphiné and Provence and those of Burgundy had the choice of this or that of Paris besides that of the four Consuls or Sheriffs the Second was to be a Protestant The most considerable Buildings are the Cathedral-Church of our Lady and that of S. Andrew both of which have Canons and the last is considerable by a Pyramidical Tower The other Buildings are the Pallace of the Parliament that of the Governour with its costly Gardens the House formerly belonging to the Lord Constable of Lesdiguieres c. In 1562. the Protestants master'd that Town with the Castles of La Bussiere and Mirebel Grenoble was already considerable in Cicero's Time and bore the Name of Cularo The Emperor's Diocletian and Maximinian repair'd it and gave a name to two of its Gates as appears by an ancient Inscription but it is not so certain whether it was rebuilt by the Emperour Gratian tho it be now call'd Greatianopolis Baudrand says that it is also called Granopolis whence comes the French word Grenoble but De Valois observes that Granopolis is but an abbreviation in writing of Grationopolis which maim'd word some ignorant Transcriber has taken for the true name of that Town The Inhabitants of Grenoble aâ—e more polite than the rest of their Countrymen and the Residence of the Governour and of the Parliament makes it a pretty rich Town It has produced several learned Men especially Lawyers as Du Perier Chorier Allard the two last of whom are yet alive for ought I know the one being famous for his History of that Province and the other for that of its Nobility Formerly some Branches of the River Drac discharged into the Isere to e'n near Grenoble so that Rains and melted Snow swelling up this Torrent often drown'd the neighbouring Campaign and even a good part of the Town but now they have removed them farther to the West Almost two Leagues West of Grenoble upon the meeting of the Rivers Vence and Isere is the Barony of Sassenage famous not only for its Lords who are the most ancient and considerable in that Province but especially for two rare things that are reckon'd among the Wonders of DAPHINE namely some Stones which are said to be very serviceable to cure sore Eyes and two Hollownesses digg'd in the Rock and called by the Inhabitants Cuves or Tubs which are pretended to be empty the whole year round execept on the Day of Epiphany tho' no body knows whence it comes nor whether it retires after that Day They add further that there is more or less Water in several years according as the Harvest is to be more or less abundant which is signified in respect to Corn by one of these Tubs and in regard of VVine by the other Divers Authors mention these Tubs and I have often heard of them but I never had occasion to examin this pretended wonder nor did I ever speak with any Man of Repute who had been an Eye-witness of it or who gave any credit to this relation Half-way between Grenoble and Sassenage is La Tour Sans Venin another wonder of Dauphine where 't is said that no Venemous Creature can live no more than in Ireand Seven Miles North of Grenoble is La Grand Chartreuse the chief Habitation of the Cartusian Monks and the ordinary Residence of the General It 's a magnificent Building in a fine Desart in the middle of steep and rugged Rocks It was founded in the 11th Century by one Bruno who weary of the VVorld retired thither and had leave given him by Hugh Bishop of Grenoble to build there a Chappel and since a Monastery which in process of time increased to that height that it became the Head of the Cartusian Order and these Solitaries the richest of all the Fryars as they are still unless the Jesuits do exceed them All those who go to pay these Monks a Visit are kindly received and entertained by the Directors of the House for the Monks themselves
speak to no body unless it be at cettain Hours and that in very few words which is a fair pretence to conceal the gross Ignorance wherein they are kept They will shew you all the Curiosities thereabouts without enquiring what Religion you are of at least it was so some time before the last Persecution Remounting the Ifere nine Leagues North of Grenoble 11 Miles from the Grand Chartreuse and five South of Montmelian lies Fort de Baraux situated on a Mountain near that River It is not quite so strong as Montmelian was of late however 't is the Key of France on that side In 1528 March 13. the Duke of Lesdiguieres took it by Storm from the Leaguers in two hours time On the South of the Isere two Leagues East of Grenoble lies the Village of Giere which I mention here for a natural Curiosity the like I never met with else where namely a Cascade or VVater-Fall that precipitates it self down from a steep Rock almost as high as the Steeple of Bow-Church and as thick as two Men and after it has run some steps into a small Rivulet is brought thorough Lead Pipes into a Garden where it spouts with an incredible Violence as high as any Tree so that if this Place were not neglected but Art were joined to Nature it would make the finest VVater-fall and Spout in the VVorld The Gardens and Park of Vizille three Leagues South-west of Grenoble are much better kept because they belong'd to the Dukes of Lesdiguieres which during three Generations and almost an Age have enjoy'd the Government of Dauphiné The Park is encompassed with Walls of almost three Leagues in circuit There are small Hills and Vallies and abundance of all Beasts of Game There is likewise a Mesnagerie where they keep Foreign Birds But the most considerable piece is what they call tho somewhat improperly the Cascade for 't is rather the Bed of a small Brook of a Mile or two in length pav'd with Free large Stone and divided into Squares of 5 or 6 Fathoms so that the Water falls by degrees from the Duke's Pallace to the end of the Park The Vally of Trieves is considerable for the abundance of its Gentry and the three Towns of La mure Mens and Corps The resemblance of the Names makes Holstenius take the second for the habitation of the ancient Mimenii and the third for that of the Tricorii This Vally is yet famous for a place call'd the Burning-Fountain which was indeed so in Caesar's time and even about 50 Years ago but whether that the Sulphureal Steams were then spent or by some other accident unknown to me the small Rivulet that ran over the Burning-place lies now some steps farther However 't is still admirable enough to see a low place vomit Smoak and Flames without any appearance of Hollowness or combustible Matter and that the Minerals that are the source of those Steams should have lasted Time out of Mind without any sensible dimunition And therefore this place is still accounted one of the seven Wonders of Dauphine At night especially in cold Weather or when it rains but slowly the Flames are very sensible but in the heat of the Day or after a violent Rain there appears but a Smoak which being put on Fire by kindled Straw draws out other Vapours so that the Flame lasteth a considerable time The small Country of Royanez the most Westerly of GRESIVAVDAN along the Isere has two Marquisates La Baume and Pont de Royan which last is a large Burough where the Protestants had a Church and a Minister that made himself known of late several ways Of the County of DIOIS THis Country anciently inhabited by the Vocontii seems to have been much larger than it is now since Vasio or Vaison a City of Provence near the County Venaissin was its Capital Now 't is extended about 18 Leagues North and South from St. Julien to S. Ferriol and about 16 East and West from La Croix Haute to Crest where it is broadest Besides Vasio the Vocontii had 21 Towns more among which Lucus Augusti and Dea Vocontiorum were the most considerable the first is now but a Village call'd Luc near a Lake of that Name almost six Leagues South-East of Die All the ancient Historians agree that Hannibal went thorough the Land of the Vocontii towards Pignerol in order to pass the Alps and descend into Italy But this Country is much more considerable for having produced one of the best Historians Rome ever saw and whose loss is most deplorable viz. Trogus Pompeius This County is Mountainous all over tho' fruitful in Wine and Corn and aboundant with Pasture-ground The most remarkable is Mont-Aiguille or the unaccessible Mountain five Leagues North-East of Die near a Village called Chessiliane One can go up to the height of a quarter of a Mile but then it rises so steep for almost a Mile that no sort of Animal was ever able to go to the top of it which appears by the Grass and Weeds that are overgrown there Near this Mountain is the Vally of Vercors which keeps yet something of the Name of the Vocontii or rather of a small Tract of Land belonging to them and called Vertacomicoros Die upon the Drome lies 16 Leagues South of Grenoble and 11 South-west of Valence is the Dea Vocontiorum and a Colony of the Romans built or repair'd in honour of Livia Augustus's Wife and therefore sometimes called Dea Augusta It has a Bayliwick and a Bishoprick which was united to that of Valence in 1275 but was again separated from it in 1687. This Town was full of Protestants before the the last Persecution because they had there a Colledge and University proper to them for Philosophy and Divinity The Lombards became Masters of Die in 1514 and after the last dismembring of the Kingdom of Arles or Burgundy the Sovereignty of it was usurped by the Bishops or some Lords under them They bore the Title of Counts and were issued from the House of Forcalquier who possessed it during the 11 and 12th Century at the end of which it passed to the House of Poictiers who already enjoyed the County of Valentimois but Lewis of Poictiers sold them both to the French King Charles the VI. in 1404 and so they were united to the rest of the Province The Protestants took this Town twice during the civil Wars in 1577 and 1585 and the last time raz'd the Cittadel The most ancient Bishop of Die remembred in History is one Martius for St. Nicaise who was the sole Prelate of the Gauls that assisted to the first Council of Nice was but the 5th in Order Three Miles North-west of Die is the Village of Quint on the meeting of the Rivers Sure and Drome It gives name to a Mountain whence it rises three Leagues North-west of the Village of Saillans which Ortelius and Holstein suppose to be some remains of the ancient Segalauni but Adrian de Valois proves
Concilium was held after the Conversion of Sigismund King of Burgundy in 517. Adrian de Valois mentions a Village call'd Ebao or Tortillane which 800 years ago belong'd to the Archbishops of Vienne and consequently did not lye far off and thence infers that Ebao and Epaone are the same name but I find no such place as Ebao or Tortillane in my Maps The first considerable Town after Vienne in this Diocese is Romans upon the Isere fifteen Leagues South East of Vienne and 14 West of Grenoble It was originally an Abby founded by one Bernard Archbishop of Vienne and call'd Romanis or Romanum Monasterium either because the Romans were yet Masters of the Country or that he put in Monks and Clerks coming out of Rome Whatever be of that the Jurisdiction of the Town formerly belonged to the Collegiate Church of St. Bernard but in 1344. Pope Clement the VI. made a gift of another Mans property by transferring it to the Dauphin Humbert who yielded him up Avisan 'T is observed â—hat the Situation of this Town has some 〈◊〉 with that of Jerusalem and especially a small Hill within its Walls to Mount Calvaire which was the reason that one Romanet Bossiâ— who had travelled into the Holy Land erected there a Building representing the St. Sepulchre with a Monastery for Franciscan Fryers in 1520. In 1562 the Protestants becoming Masters of the Town plunder'd the said Convent and Church St. Marcellin 7 Leagues North East of Romans and 8 West of Grenoble is the head of a small Bayliwick that takes up 6 or 7 Leagues of the North end of the Diocese of Vienne On the Borders of this Bayliwick 8 Leagues North East of St. Marcellin and 6 North of Grenoble is the Burrough of Voyron where was a famous Abby and a goodly Town called in the old Chartres Visorontia or Veserontia if we believe the Jesuit Labbe for Adrian de Valois conjectures more probably that it is a place still called Veseronce 4 Leagues North East of the Town of Bourgoin one South of the County of Bouchage and 2 West of the Rhone In the same Bayliwick lies the small Town of Thin or Thain 7 Miles West of Romans it is seated upon the Rhone over against Tournon from which it is separated by nothing but this River It must have been of some consideration in the 4th or 5th Century since the Maps of the Emperor Theodosius published by the Brothers Peutingers mention it under the name of Tegna 15 Miles North of Romans lies the Town of Moras seated upon a Mountain 5 Miles of St. Rambert upon the Rhone Going out of the Bayliwick of Grenoble 10 Leagues North of that City you meet with the Town of Pont de Beauvoisin Pons Bellovicinus so called because it is built upon the River Giere and divided into two parts united by a Bridge This part of Viennois is all mountainous as well as Savoy and Bresse upon which it borders The Inhabitants name it Terres Froides and made a great Traffick of the Vipers which abound in their Country Six leagues West of Pont de Beauvoisin is the famous Barony of La Tour du Pin of which the Dauphins bore the Title On this Barony formerly depended the Town of Bourgoin which lies three Leagues farther to the West and is renowned for its Trade of Hemp. Five Leagues North of Bourgoin lies the Burrough of Cremieu in Latin Stramiacum where the Emperor Lewis the Meek kept an Assembly in 836. The Burrough of Anton upon the Rhone 7 Leagues East of Lyons seems to have been built or beautified by Marc Antony the Triumvir both by its Latin name Antoniacum and by these Verses of Sidoâ—ius Apollinaris Pocula non heic sunt illustria nomine pagi Quod posuit nostris ipse Triumvir agris For this Part of Viennoise was in the Territory of Lyons wherein this Poet was born so that he will say that the Country thereabouts afforded no better Wine than that of Anton. Six Leagues East of Anton upon the Rhone and the Borders of Bresse lies the Town of Quirieu 3 Leagues North of Vienne and 5 South of Lyons lies the Burrough of St. Saphorin renowned for its Post-asses These Animals are so well taught that they go to the Burrough of La Guillotiere which makes part of Lyons but shall not advance a step farther than the place where they are used to be let loose though you should beat them never so much and the same they do in their return to St. Saphorin I supersede to describe the many Lordships that are in this Country as the Marquisates of Virieu and Omacieu the Counties of Diximieu Serrieres Bouchage Roussillon Anjou Charms the Baronies of Baubec Anton c. Of VALENTINOIS THis Country included between the Rhone and Isere the Bayliwick of Die and the Tricastinois reaches 20 Leagues North and South but hardly 6 or 8 East and West The Southern part is more mountainous the Northern more plain but both abundant with all the conveniencies of life The Capital Valance lies upon the Rhone 6 Leagues South West of Romans and 18 of Grenoble The Latins call it Valentia or Julia Vallentia because of its strength and of the Colony they had transported there In their time it was Inhabited by the Segalauni one of the chief People of the Gauls and their Dominions extended even beyond the Rhone since Tournon was in their Jurisdiction VALENTINOIS was erected into a Sovereign County at the dismembring of the French Monarchy under the Successors of Charlemaign The first Count thereof remember'd in History is one Gontard who lived in 950 and who by the Sirname of Poictiers which he left to his Successors seems to be descended from the antient Dukes of Aquitain I have observ'd how Lewis of Poictiers yielded his Dominions to the French King Lewis the XI who united them to the rest of Dauphiné Lewis the XII erected this County into a Dukedom for Caesar Borgia Son to Pope Alexander the VI. but the Lords of Poictiers made a solemn protestation against it pretending their Father could not deprive them of their Inheritance The Suit was along time depending before the Parliament of Grenoble but what their good Right could not get was obtained by the Beauty of a Lady of that House Diane of Poictiers Mistress to Francis the I. who easily prevailed upon that King to present her with the contested Dutchy which after her death was united again to the French Crown Valence is the head of a Seneschalship to which the Vice-seneschalships of Crest and Montlimar are resorting It has likewise a Presidial-seat and Election and an University for the Civil and Cannon Law wherein Doctors are made and the Famous Cujas has taught It s Bishop is Suffragan to Vienne and the first is one Emilian It s Cathedral is dedicated to another of its Prelates called St. Apollinaire But I must not forget that famous Nicodemite John of Montluc Bishop of Valence who liv'd under the Reign
of Francis I. Henry II. and his three Sons and was one of the most Learned Men of his time He favoured the Protestant Doctrine openly enough and often Preached it at Court But whether he could not as easily resolve to for sake his Kitchin as Transubstantiation as he himself used to say or that he thought that his stay at Court would be more serviceable to the good side than a publick abjuration or that he did not like a Presbyterian Reformation as 't is reported that when the Ministers of Geneve wrote to him he should come over to them to make a publick Profession of the Truth he answer'd they ought rather to come to and take orders from him they having no lawful Mission whatsoever it may be he dyed in the Communion of the Roman Church at Toulouse in 1579. Among the Monasteries of Valence is most eminent the Abby of St. Ruff chief of the Order of St. Augustin esteemed one of the most sumptuous Buildings of all Dauphine The Foundation of this Town is uncertain but it appears by several Inscriptions and Roman Monuments that it is very antient It is divided into Town and Burrough and is defended by a Cittadel for the other Fortifications which Francis the I. designed to make at Grenoble and Valence were never finished In the Town are two Fountains whose Conduits said to have been built by Julius Caesar are indeed a Work of the Roman Magnificence for they are vaulted and so big that a Man may walk upright in them the source and the end of one cannot be discovered and along the other which waters the Neighbouring Meadows are the ruins of several antient Buildings The Country People do not want fabulous Traditions no more than their Neighbours at Vienne for they will tell you strange Stories of a Giant called Briard who was 15 Cubits high and shew you some monstrous remains of his Bones nay the Dominican Fryers assure that they have still his true Picture which they do not fail to shew to Strangers Duchesne relates that in the Neighbouring Vineyards was discovered a Grave at the opening of which was seen a Woman having a golden Ring at each of her ears with a Turky-stone and Emerald inchased in them at her Feet was a Cup of Cristal and at her Head a Lamp of Glass but assoon as this dead Body was exposed to the piercing Air it turned into dust Between Valence and the fall of the Isere into the Rhone at a Leagues distance from both is the Village of Confolen where Fabius Maximus gave a total overthrow to the Gaulish Forces in the Year 633 of Rome Thirteen Miles South-East of Valence upon the River Drome lies the Town of Crest formerly a dependance of the Segalauni and a Castle of the Counts of VALENTINOIS This French name is derived from the Latin Crista because this Castle being seated between the River and a Neighbouring Mountain appear'd as the Cap or the Comb of a Cock and therefore it was the place of Arms of the Counts of VALENTINOIS and the Count of Montfort besieged it in vain in the 13th Age. As this Town is conveniently seated between the Diocesses of Valence and Die so it was the Seat of Justice for the upper part of both Counties 'T is observed that in 1469 one John Rabot made a new Statute-Book divided in a hundred Articles which were afterwards confirmed by the Parliament of Dauphiné Crest had declared it self for the League in the last Century but its Governor Montoison surrender'd it to the French King Henry the Great in 1589 and since that time its Tower has been demolished Six Leagues South of Valence near the Mouth of the Drome is the Burrough of Lauriol or l'Auriol Laureolum or Aureolum with a Priorate of S. John's Order Mâ—utelimar almost nine Leagues South West of Crest and 13 South of Valence is a considerable Town seated upon a Mountain washed by the River Rubion whence and from its Founders the Lords of Grignan call'd Adhemar of Monteil it has taken the name of Montilium Adhemari and in Frencâ— Montilly Monteil-Aymar and Montelimar 〈◊〉 it was that one Milon the Pope's Legate assembled the Bishops of the Neighbouring Provincâ— against Raymond the VI. Count of Touloâ—â— â—nd the Albigeois in 1208. One Girard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r made Homage of this Town to Pope Graâ—â—â—â— the XI and exchanged it with Clement the â—II for the Lordship of Grillon but the Dauphin Lewis the XI not liking this barter goâ— the Town of Montelimar again restored Grillon to the Pope and gave the Lordship of Marsanne to Adhemar in 1446. In the last age the Inhabitants of this Town were among the first who declared for the Reformation which drew several troubles upon them and was the cause that it was taken and retaken several times Montelimar has a very fine prospect and is but a League East of the Rhone It produces excellent Wines which are almost the sole in that Country that will bear Carriage and therefore are transported by Land as far as Grenoble and Chambery That famous Contoversist Chamier so much known among the Protestants of France by his Panstratia was Minister of Montelimar In this Dutchy are farther remarkable the Burroughs of Chabeuil Estoille Livron L' Auriol and Diou le Fit renowned for its Ear then-ware the County of Monteillez c. Of Tricastinois THis Country which makes a kind of Triangle between the County Venaissin on the East South and South West the River Rhâ—ne on the West and the Vice-seneschalship of Montelimar on the North is hardly extended 6 Leagues where it is broadest The Capital St. Paul Tricastin or as the vulgar calls it St. Paul Trois Chateaux bears the name of one of its Bishops and of its antient Inhabitants the Tricastini Pliny calls it Augusta Tricastinorum but Ptolomy Noviomagus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which makes Jos Scaliger and the Learned Jesuit Sirmond take it for 2 different Towns whereof the last Noviomagus should denote Nions upon the River Aygues almost 9 Leagues East of St. Paul but Adrian de Valois does not think it reasonable to ascribe two Capital Cities to such an inconsiderable People as the Tricastins ever were for all what we find remembred of them is that Hannibal went through their Country in his Journey to the Alpes The first Bishop of St. Paul mention'd in History is one Florentius who assisted to the Council of Epaone or Ponay in 517. In the last Age the Protestants were Masters of that Town during near 50 years but in 1590. Antony Du Cros who had been named to that Bishoprick sang Mass again in the Cathedral after the Popish Worship had been expelled from it 44 years Grignan is a small Burrough seated upon a Mountain 4 Leagues North East of St. Paul It has the Title of a Barony but is much more considerable by the lustre of its Lords who are known since the 10th or 12th Century and have been intrusted with several important
and in latter Ages Santoni lies upon the Charante with a Bishoprick Suffragan of Bourdeaux from which it is distant 22 Leagues to the North and almost 10 from the Sea to the East It has had particular Counts as well as the whole Province and is very ancient there are still to be seen the remains of an Amphitheatre and Aqueducts of a triumphant Arch upon the Charante and many Inscriptions of the Romans S. Eutropius is accounted its first Bishop and its Cathedral Church is dedicated to St. Peter but it was almost ruin'd during the Wars of Religion Brouage Santonum portus lies on a narrow Bay over against the Isle of Oleron 8 Leagues West of Saintes It is called in vulgar Latin Broagium from the mildness of its Soyl and is the head of the Country thereabouts called le Brouageois that constitutes a particular Government in which are two of the finest Burroughs in France Marennes and la Tremblade where the French King has a Store-house for his Vessels And tho the Country be but small yet because of the customs it yields 14 Millions of Livers which amount near to 1100000 pound Sterling to the French King This together with the conveniency of the Havens and Salt-pits makes Brouage an important Town for which reason it is strongly fortified The other places of note are S. Jean d' Angeli Engeriacum or Ingeriacum on the River Boutonne 8 Leagues North of Saintes It was formerly very strong and given to the Protestants as one of their Towns of security but Lewis XIII who took it from them by storm in 1621 pull'd its Walls down Taillebourg has a Bridge on the Charante and is famous for a Battel fought there in 1242. by Lewis the IXth's Forces with the Count of La Marche that had revolted against him Soubize and Royan are two Sea-ports the first who gave the name of Duke to a famous Protestant Commander lies on the Mouth of the Charante and the other on the Bay of the Gironde Mortaigne and Chalais have titles of Principalities Posnac and Matha of Counties Aubeterre of a Viscounty Montausier was erected into a Dutchy and Peerdom in 1665. Pons is a Sirauté or ancient Lordship on which 250 fees are depending Barbezieux gives now Title of a Marquess to one of Louvoys Sons Secretary of State to Lewis XIV Jonsac and Mirembeau are also considerable Lordships Of Armagnac ARMAGNAC Armaniacum is a County in Gascogne between Languedoc on the East the Garonne and Condomois on the North Chalosse and Bigorre on the West and Cominges on the South There is a great plenty of Corn excellent Wines Cattel and Fowls This Country in Caesar's time was inhabited by the Elusates whose Capital Euse or Eause Elusa or Aceluso was then a Metropolitan and Aux a Bishoprick only but the two Dioceses having been melted in one and the Archiepiscopal Seat transferr'd to Aux Eause became an inconsiderable place and retains nothing of its former grandeur but an Archiepiscopal Palace Eause is seated on the River Gelise and the Borders of Condomus almost 14 Leagues South of Bazas so that from Serignac on the Garonne and Aragmer in the Pyrenees Armagnac is extended 43 Leagues North and South in its greatest length and 30 East and West from Verdun on the Garonne to Aire or Barcelone on the Adour Thus this County together with the Countries of Riviere and Verdun are included betwixt 42 Deg. 40 Min. and 44 Deg. 10 Min. of Latitude 19 Deg. 50 Min. and 21 Deg. 40 Min. of Longitude It has had famous Counts and has above 1800 Fees subject to the Ban and Rear-ban The most remarkable places are Ausch Archbishoprick Lectoure a Bishoprick and strong City with a Cittadel Vic d'Armagnac where the Counts of Fosensac us'd to reside who receiv'd homage of 300 Gentlemen Vic de Lomagne Capital of the Country of that Name There is also Miradou which stopp'd the designs of the Prince of Conde in 1652. Mirande Capital of the Country of Estrac Verdun Capital of the Country of that Name La Bastide Jegun Naugaro Trie c. The City of Aux or Ausch Augusta Auscorum and Ausci lies upon the Giers with a Presidial and Archbishoprick 'T is said to have been a Roman Colony which is confirmed by its Antiquities it has some remains of the magnificence of the Counts of Armagnac Clovis the Great is thought the Founder of the Cathedral which is one of the most magnificent and richest Churches in the Kingdom its first Bishop is thought to be Aufronius its Chapter consists of 15 Dignitaries and 20 Prebendaries of which 5 are Lay-men who sit in the Quire and have a share in the Distributions These are the Count of Armagnac and the four Barons of Montaut Pardillan Montesquiou and l'Ile The 15 Dignitaries are the Provost 3 Abbots of Faget Idrac and Cere 7 Archdeacons of Angles Sabanes Sos Vic d'Armagnac Magnoac Astarac and Pardillan two Priors of Montesquiou and S. Mary of Snow a Sexton who is withal a Parson and a Theolocal or Professor of Divinity There are also 36 Incumbents eight Chaplains of the Holy Ghost and St. Denys 37 Chaplains in ordinary and divers Clerks for the Divine Service The Archbishop has the Moiety of the Lordship of the City there are many other Churches and Monasteries c. Of Chalosse CHALOSSE or Gascony properly so called lies between Armagnac on the East Condomois on the North the Lanâ—â— on the West and Bearn on the South This Country bordering too much on the â—andes or wasts of Gascony produces nothing â—â—t Rye Millet and some Pastures It reaches â—3 Leagues North and South from the Source 〈◊〉 the Gelouse to the Burrough of Mant upon â—â—e Luy and 13 East and VVest from Aire to â—eyond Gaviac c. The chiefest Places are â—ires Bish Cap. S. Sever Meugron Arsac â—â—â—â—muy The City of Aires Vicus Juli Aturensium â—nitatis or Aturae is a Bishoprick Suffragan of â—â—sch seated on the Adour in a plentiful Country â—â—most 27 Leagues South of Bourdeaux It deâ—ends on the Seneschal of Bazas and the Parâ—iament of Guienne without further appeal The Kings of the Visigoths made their Residence â—here there is still to be seen on the River â—â—de the Ruins of Alaric's Palace he that made publick in 506 the Theodosian Code â—hich had been revised by Anian his Chancelâ—or Since that time this Town has often been â—â—in'd by the Saracens Normans c. it sufferâ—d much during the late Civil VVars There is an Abbey of S. Quiterne which is celebrateâ— for the Martyrdom of that Saint it is conâ—â—thedral with that of Aires which has the Blesseâ— Virgin for Patron The ancientest Bishop 〈◊〉 St. Marcel who sent in 506. one of his Priesâ— to the Council of Agde the Chapter has twâ— Archdeacons and the whole Dioceses is divideâ— under 6 Arch-priests c. Of Condomois CONDOMOIS Pagus Condomiensis is small Country betwixt Armagnac anâ— Agenois on the East Basadois on thâ— North the Landes