of shot scaling Ladders underminings and all manner of engines which could bee invented or used And on the besieged side you might have seene men women and children with great courage of minde sustaine the furious assaults of their enemies and with constancie and cheerfulnesse repaire the ruines of the wals keepe down those that would have ascended up drive back their enemies to their trenches pursue them and at last fight it out for the most part with good successe Moreover you might have beheld them wearying the besiegers with daily sallying out upon them and lastly subsisting after nine assaults in which though their enemies did fight valiantly yet they were enforced to retire with great losse At length the Ambassadours of Polonia comming the 15 of Iune that they might bring with them Henry Duke of Anjou whom the States of the Kingdome had chosen for King God used this as a meanes to free Rochelle being now exhausted and drawne drie of Corne and being weakned in warlike fortifications besides the losse of many thousand men for now the King by Articles of peace confirmed by his royall solemne edicts did grant that Rochelle Montalban Nemansum and other Cities which did defend themselves should bee free to use their owne Religion such an event had this grievous siege which endured almost for seven moneths In which time more than twentie thousand men perished in conflicts sallies besieges by wounds hunger and sicknesse Rochelle is a constant Seate for presidiall Senatours and other Lawyers The other Cities Townes of note in Santonia are commonly called S. â—ean d' Angely Ponts or Pont l' Oubleze Blaye Taillebourg Borbesieux Brovage and Iosac S. Iean d' Angely otherwise called Angeliacum and S. Ioannes de Angeria is a new Citie although it be one of the speciallest and greatest of all Santonia It renewed its name from an Abbey which was built in that place to the honour of S. Iohn the Baptist the foundation whereof happened to be in the reigne of King Pipin who kept his Court in the Pallace of Angeria neere the River commonly called Boutonne in the Countrie of Alnia for hither as they say came certaine Monkes out of the Holy Land who brought with them the head of S. Iohn Baptist by whose comming the King obtained a famous victorie over his enemies and therefore in remembrance thereof hee built in that place where was the Pallace of Angeria the Abbey of Saint Iohn there placing religious men and endowing them with great revenues that they might there devote themselves to the service of God now by this meanes people flocking thither and building round about the Abbey by degrees it began to be a Citie as it is now at this day and was called by the name of S. Iohn All these things happened about the yeare of our Lord seven hundred sixtie eight while Pipin waged warre against Gaifer King of Aquitania whom hee overcame as it may bee read in the Historie of the Foundation of this Abbey This Citie the Duke of Andegavium or Aniou did besiege in the yeare 1569 and it was yeelded to him after 50 dayes siege the King granting the Citizens thâ—se conditions That they should march forth of the Citie with their Armour Horses and Colours displayed Santonia raiseth great store of money by its Corne which the Spaniards every yeare doe transport from thence or Merchants which fell it unto them And the Citie of Rochelle is very rich in regard of its neerenesse to the Sea and especially because of the traffick of the English and Dutch whose shipping doe often arrive there AQVITANIA AQVITANIA whose Southerne part is delineated in this Table some would have so called from the waters wherewith it doth abound and some derive it from the Towne Aquis or Aqs. It was extended according to Ptolemie from the Pyrenaean Mountaines even to Liger But now as Ortelius witnesseth from the River Garumna to the Ocean and the Pyrenaean Hils Towards the North-West it hath the Ocean which is called the Aquitanick Bay on the West Spaine on the North Gallia Lugdunensis and on the South Gallia Narbonensis In it according to Mercators account there are five Dukedomes twentie Counties and sixe Seigniories The Dukedomes are Vasconia or Guienna Avernia the Countrie of Engoulesme Berrie and Turonia Vasconia or Guienna being situated neere the Sea betweene Bayon and Burdeaux yeeldeth great store of wine which is transported from thence into other parts of Europe The chiefe Citie in it is Burdigala or Burdeaux the other Cities as Nerac Condom Mirande Nogerat Orthes Bazes and Dax are of no great note yet Dax is famous for her hot Fountaines Salt-pits and Iron-mettle Burdigala so called by Ptolemie is situated in a marsh which the overflowing of Garumna maketh and is adorned both with a Parliament and an University in which the Professours of all Arts and Sciences doe instruct Youth Avernia or the Dutchie of Avergne is partly a plaine and partly a mountainous Countrie It hath on the East Forest on the South Languedock on the West Quercy Perigort and Lemosin and on the North Berry and Bourbon Avernia is two-fold the Higher and the Lower The Higher which is called Le hault pays d' Avergne and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avernia hath one prime Citie in it called S. Flour being seated on a high Rock the other Townes are commonly called Orillac Carlatum Muratum Buillons le Puy c. There is also in it the Territorie and Bayliwick of Beaucaire The Lower is rich and very fertile being full of excellent Wine Fruit Honey Saffron Cattell Wooll Medowes and Woods The Metropolis of it is Clarimontium commonly called Clermont It is proude of her Castle and is a Bishops Seate The other Cities or Townes are 13 in number of which Rion Monferrat and Isoire doe excell the rest Engoulesme on the North joyneth to Poictou on the West to Santonia on the South to Perigort and on the East to Lemosin It hath abundance of very good Wine fruit and Hempe The Metropolis of it is Inculisma now called Engoulesme being an ancient Citie It is seated on a hill which hangeth over the River Charente in a remote place from the Kings high way The lesser Towns are those which are commonly called Marton Chasteau Neuff Blaisac Chabannes Confollant Cuffec Aigres Gourville la Roche-Foucault Marveil Lanzac Villebois Momberon and Bouteville Concerning the Countrie of Berry wee will speake in a Table by it selfe Turonia commonly called Touraine beginneth somewhat beyond the Citie Amboise towards Belsia and endeth at the towne which is commonly called la Chapelle Blanche AQVITANIA AQUITANIA being subject in spirituall matters to the Bishops of Anjou and Chousai For they appoint and set downe limits betweene the Turonians and Andigavians The sweetnesse of the Ayre doth make this pleasant country more delightfull so that it is called the Garden and Orchard of France It is fruitfull in Wine and
call it Diâ—trichs Bern. It hath a thinne aire It is like the Citty Basit in Heluetia for situation having many faire buildings it is seated on a plaine levell both Southward Eastward and Westward but on one North side the ground riseth a little like a Romane Theater It is fortified and encompased round about with the River Athesis There are divers Monuments of antiquity which doe testifie the ancient magnificence and riches of this Citty It hath straite large streets paved with stone and about 35. Churches the chiefe whereof is the ancient Cathedrall Church and the Church of S. Anastasius it hath 10. Monasteries On the top of a rock there are two famous Castles of S. Peter and S. Faelix Also an ancient Castle which is commonly called Citadella There is also a great Amphitheater in the middle of the Citty This Citty is a Bishoprick The Inhabitants are magnificent beautifull comely very witty and prone to learning I cannot omit this one thing that when the Venetians did fortifie this Citty they found certaine hollow Caves and when they digged in the Mountaines they found Vrchins or hedghoggs of stone also Oisters Birds bills and starre fishes which were as hard as any Stones The Territory of VICENTIA THe Country of Vicentia followeth the soyle whereof as it is pleasant so it is fruitfull yeelding greate store of Wine and other fruites especially Mulberries on whose leaves Silke-wormes doe feede Not farre from the Citty there are two famous stone Quarries in the Mountaine which the Latines call Cornelius it is commonly called Covelo There are also Marble Mines in the Valdanian streete This Citty was built by the Tuscans or as Trogus writeth by the Frenchmen afterward it continued faithfull to the Romanes untill Attilas time who wasted it and afterward it was subject to the Goths the Langbards and lastly to the Kings of Italie They being expulsed it was subject to the Roman Empire untill the raigne of the Emperour Frederick the second by whom being sacked and burnt it had afterward divers Lords as the Carrasieni of Patavini the Scaligers of Verona and the Galâ—atians of Millan and also the Venetians At length being infested and vexed by the forces of the Emperour Maximilian the 1. it was restored at last to the Venetians This Citty Trogus Pomponius Tacitus others doe call Vicentia Plin. and Antoninus doe call it Vicetia Aelianus Bisetia and Bitetia Ptol. calls it Ovikenta and it is commonly called Vicenza It is seated neere the foote of a Hill being divided into unequall partes by the two navigable Rivers Rerone and Bachilione It is not very faire or beautifull but populous and abounding with plenty There are foure things here worthy of noting the Praetors magnificent Pallace a Bridge of one Arch the greate Altar stone in S. Laurences Church which is of a wonderfull length and lastly the Theater which is commonly calld L. Academia There is also the Monasterie of St. Corona where there is also a famous Librarie The Inhabitants are of a lively disposition prone and apt to learning warfare or merchandising and Industrious they live bravely and goe decently in apparrell It is a Bishoprick Moreover in the Territory of Vicentia there are these Townes Morostica which is a famous rich Towne Also Brendulum which is rich and populous Also Leâ—cium both for wealth populousnesse and largenesse may compare with many Citties of Italie There is also six Miles about Vicentia toward THE PRINCIPALITY OF VERONA· VERONAE VICENTIAE ET PATAVIAE DIT the South the Towne and Castle Custodia which was so called because delinquents and loose persons were kept there at worke in greate Quarries of stone to digge stones for building of houses The Territory of PATAVIUM THe Territorie of Patavium followeth which wee are to describe in this Table which is thus bounderd by Bernardinus Scardeomus on the South the River Athesis runneth on the North the little River Mâ—so glideth on the East the gulfe of Venice on the West the Euganian hills and the Country of Vicentia The compasse and circumference of this Country is 180. Miles in which there are six hundred and seaven and forty Villages Caelius Rhodiginus writeth that Constantinus Palaeologus was wont to say nisi secreta sanctissimis viris affirmari in Oriente Paradisum esse arbitrari se non alibi eum reperiri posse quam in persuavi Patavina amaenitate That is if holy men had not affirmed that Paradise was in the East hee should thinke that it could not be found any where else but in sweet and pleasant Patavium The soyle is fruitefull yeelding corne fruite and rich Wines whence Martiall Pictaque Pompineis Euganea arva jugis The Euganean fields which painted are With hills that purple Vines doe beare It affoordeth also great store of Hunting Fowling and Fishing The Inhabitants have a Proverb concerning the incredible Plenty of this Country Bologna la grassa Padova la Passa This Citty was alwayes joyned in friendship and amity with the Romanes as appeareth in Livie Lib. 41. and in M. Tullius his Phillippicks The Colonie brought hither was better conditioned than other Colonies For the Patavians had power to give their voice and suffrage as the Romane Cittizens It was taken and sackt with other Citties by Attila King of the Huns and an hundred yeeres afterward by the Langbards who burnt it when in the raigne of Charles the great it began to be partly under the Kings of Italy and the French King partly under the Berengarians but afterward it became free in the raigne of the Emperour Otho the first The forme of this Common-wealth lasted untill Frederick the second by whose command and authority Actiolinus Romaninus possessed this Citty after whom it had these Lords the Carrariensians the Scaligerians and the Galeatians and about the yeere of Christ 1404. the Venetians whom it still obeyeth and like a good Mother finding her selfe weake and infirme through age shee yeeldeth all her right to her Daughter for the Venetians were a Colonie of the Patavines not to bee governed but rather sustained and helped by her Patavium is a most ancient Citty the flower and honour of all the Citties in Italie Ptolemy calls it Patavium it is now called Padua Ptolemy also in another place calleth it Baetobium Some suppose it was so named in regard of the Vicinity and neerenesse thereof unto the River Po and the Marshes and so called as it were Padaveum some derive it a petendo or from hitting because Antenor the builder of this Citty Avem telo petiverit did there shoote a Bird with an Arrow But Antenor is reported to have built it as he came from Troy Thit Citty is situate in a fruitfull levell soyle and it hath a gentle temperate ayre it is happy both for the goodnesse of the soyle the pleasantnesse of the Euganian Mountaines and the vicinity of the Alpes and the Sea The River Brenta floweth by it The compasse of it is now twofold and heretofore threefold the
the other smoothe with a plaine webbe There are other Birdes which they call Marinetae lesse than a Blackbird being short like a Starling yet differing from him by the whitenesse of the belly and the blacknesse of the back It is a wonderfull thing which was reported concerning these Birdes for if when they are dead they be kept in a dry place they will not putrifie or corrupt and being placed among garments and other things it will preserve them from moathes That which is more worthy of admiration is that if being dead they be hanged up in some drie place they will every yeare renew and change their feathers as if they were alive Ireland contayneth all kindes of wilde beasts It hath Harts that are so fat that they can hardly runne and by how much they are lesser in body by so much the larger are their hornes There are great store of Bores many Hares c. but the bodies of all the wilde beasts and birds are lesser here than in other places It hath many Badgers and Weesils It hath few or no Goates fallow Deere Hedghogs Moles but infinite store of Mice It hath also Wolves and Foxes But enough of these things I returne to other matters Heretofore Ireland was ruled by many Earles now it is subject to England and is governed by the Kings Substitute who is called the Lord Deputie It came to be under the dominion IRELAND IRLANDIA of the Kings of England about the yeare 1175 at which time Roderick King of Connaught stiled himselfe King of all Ireland and striving to subject the whole Kingdome to himselfe waged continuall warre with the other Earles by whose sedition it came to passe that the other Earles of their owne accord and without any effusion of blood did put themselves under the obedience of Henry the second King of England from whom all the Kings of England were called Lords of Ireland untill the time of Henry the eigth who by the Nobles of Ireland was declared King of Ireland because the name of Lord grew hatefull to some seditious people There are foure speciall Cities in this Island First Dublin the Metropolis or Mother-Citie of Ireland being the royall Archiepiscopall Seat giving name to a County The next in dignity is Waterford the third Limbrick the fourth Corke There are many other very great Townes of which wee will speake more largely in the particular Descriptions of Ireland This Country hath many Lakes and standing waters among which there is a Lake in Vlster twenty miles distant from the Lake Erne of which wee will speake more largely hereafter There is a little Lake beyond the Citie Armack in which if you stick a Speare up some moneths that part which stuck in the mudde will bee iron that which is in the water stony and that which is out of the water will remaine wood There is also the Lake Erne which is thirty miles long and fifteene miles broad being compassed about with thick woods and so full of Fish that the Fisher-men often breake their nets by taking too many at one time This Island is divided and watered with many faire Rivers whose names are these Avenliffe running through Dublin Boandus through Methe Banna through Vltonia Linuâ— through Connack and Moadus through Kenel cunillia Slicheia and Samaira Besides Modarnus and Furnus through Keneleonia and many other But of all the Rivers of Ireland the River Synnenus is the chiefe both for the breadth and length of its course and for the plenty of Fish which is in it But in generall the Rivers and Lakes are full of fish bred in them This Countrie is unequall and mountainous soft and waterish you shall finde Lakes and standing waters on the top of the Mountaines The Mountaines abound with Cattell the woods with wilde beasts Solinus writeth thus concerning the Sea which floweth between Ireland and England The Sea betweene Ireland and England is rough and unquiet all the yeare and is scarce navigable but in some part of the Summer But hee erres for it is quiet enough unlesse it bee stirred up with windes And not onely in Summer but also in Winter passengers doe sayle to and fro All the Sea shores doe abound sufficiently with Fish Ireland hath in all three and thirty Counties and foure Archbishops The Bishop of Armach Primate of all Ireland the Bishop of Dublin the Bishops of Cassil and Toam and these foure have nine and twenty Suffragans or Vicegorents Ireland from the manners of the Inhabitants is divided into two parts For those who refuse to obey the Lawes and live more uncivilly are called Irishrie and commonly Wild Irish But those who are willing to obey the Lawes and appeare before the Judges are called the English-Irish and their Country the English Pale they speake English naturally and uncorruptly yet they understand Irish in regard of their daily commerce with the Irish-men The Irish-men have some certaine Lords under whose command the most of them are but they live under the jurisdiction of the English but counterfeitly and as long as the English Souldiers doe waste their Territories yet they appoint Sessions to be kept at certaine times and places to restraine and punish robberies and theft committed by night There those that are accused if they be convicted have certaine Arbitratours to judge of the cause whom they call Brehoni these are all of one familie and although they have no knowledge in the Law yet for their wisdome honestie of life they are accounted divine Their warre is partly on horsback and partly on foote The Gentrie have horses well managed so that without any advantage they will mount them in their armour and taking a Javelin or dart of great weight by the middle they will throw or brandish it against their enemie with much ease Among the footmen some are Souldiers in Cassocks very strong whom they call Galeglacii having Cuttle-axes as sharpe as razors and they are the chiefe strength of the Irish warres The next are Footmen wearing a light armour with swords in their hands and these are called Karnes and they thinke a man is not dead untill they have cut off his head In the third place are footmen whom they call Daltines who going unarmed attend upon the horsmen The footmen as well as horsmen as oft as they come to fight with their enemies doe crie with a great voyce Pharro Pharro and they use a Bagpipe in stead of a Trumpet The Irish doe fare sumptuously and magnificently for though they have no delicate dishes nor great service in their banquets yet their Tables according to the season of the yeare are well furnished with Beefe and Porke and other meate In their Feasts they lye upon Beds the first place at the Table belongs to the Mother of the Family who weares a long Gowne or Mantell reaching to her ancles often dyed and also sleeved THE SECOND TABLE OF IRELAND IN WHICH
Dropsie or Ptisicke Achilles Gassarus affirmeth that Guns were here first invented by a Monke THE THIRD TABLE OF DENMARKE Jn which are part of the Dukedome of SLESWICH and HOLSATIA SO much concerning Northerne Iutia the Southerne followeth which the Ancients did call Nordalbingia because it is seperated and parted toward the North from the rest of Germanie by the river Albis It containeth the two Dukedomes of Sleswick and Holsatia of which wee will speake in order The Dukedome of Sleswick taketh his name from the Metropolis and ancient Mart Towne of Sleswick Heretofore this Countrie was called the Dukedome of Iutia which Woldemare Nephew to Abel King of Denmark received to hold in fee of King Ericus about the yeare 1280. But the Royall Line of the Kings and Dukes being extinct and the Dukedome of Sleswick being thereby fallen to the Crowne Margaret Queen of three Kingdomes gave it to Gerard Earle of Holsatia on this condition that hee should acknowledge to hold it of the King of Denmarke The Cities which are subject to this Dukedome because they have the same priviledge with other parts of Denmarke therefore they have the same Lawes with them The Subjects may appeale from the Sentence of the Magistrates of any place to the Princes and their Senators and not farther as it is provided by their priviledges But the generall government of both these Dukedomes belongeth to the King of Denmarke and the Duke of Holsatia by turnes When it is devolved and doth fall to the King it is governed by his Substitute in his name The chiefe Towne of this Dukedome is Slesvicum commonly called Schleswick It hath its name from a German word in regard it is situated neere Slia in the Bay of the Baltick Sea for Wick signifies in the Saxon language both a Towne and a crooked winding or Bay of the Sea as Becanus hath observed in his Bookes of Gothish Danish matters Crantzius and those who have writ the Saxon Histories doe give it an other appellation besides Sleswick which is still in use with the Danes Freeslanders for they call this Towne in their language Heidebui or Heideba because they say it was first built by a certaine Queene of Denmarke whose name was Heth. It hath a convenient situation for traffick and a convenient Haven for commerce and trading Not farre from this Towne is seated the Castle Gotorpi Heere is a famous Custome or Toll for it hath beene observed that in plentifull yeares fifty thousand Oxen being driven out of Denmarke into Germanie have heere beene paid toll for There is also in this Dukedome Flensburg a famous Towne lying among the high Mountaines neere the shore of the Easterne Sea It HOLSATIA THE THIRD TABLE OF NORWEY hath a Haven so convenient deepe and safe that many of the Citizens may loade and unloade ships even at their owne doores And heere are the Townes Husenum or Hussum and Haderslebia This Dukedome hath onely one Bishoprick two Chapters three Monasteries and divers Castles belonging to the Prince and his Nobles The order of Senators whereof I have heretofore made mention doth consist of the number of 24 persons of the Gentry to whom is joyned a generall Chancellour and two Doctors of the Law The Dukedome of HOLSATIA SOme doe suppose that Holsatia was so called from the many Woods and Forrests which are in it for the Cimbrians and Low Germans doe call a wood holt and some doe derive the Etymologie of the word from a hollow stone because the Dukes of Holsatia were formerly called Dukes of the hollow Stone It is bounded on the East with the River Bilena on the West with Stora or Steur on the South with Albis and on the North with Eider The Countrie it selfe is woody and full of Forrests whence they have such store of fuell that they are able to supplie Freesland with wood when they themselves also doe keepe great fires But although their woods are very spatious so that they seeme to have no end yet they seldome have any great Oakes in them but are full of Beech-trees with whose waste an innumerable sort of Hogges are fatted The Land for the most part doth afford them every three yeares great store of fishing and a very rich and plentifull harvest For three yeares together it is tilled sow'd and mow'd and three yeares afterward the Lakes are let in to feede the fish and grasse thereby a certaine fat and slimie matter is brought in which doth fertilize the fields This place beares neither Vines nor Olives but there is much hunting of wilde beasts And this Countrie doth breede a great number of horses Holsatia is divided into foure parts Dithmarsh Holsatia Stormaria and Wagria These were heretofore Counties and afterward chang'd into a Dukedome by Frederick the third Emperour at the suite and request of Christierne the first who now is charged to maintaine 40 horsemen and fourescore foot for the use of the Roman Empire Dithmarsh at the first enjoy'd freedome and libertie for some hundred yeares and albeit it were granted by the Emperour Frederick to Christierne the first in fee yet it was not at that time subjected Afterward his Sonnes King Iohn and Duke Frederick did undertake to make an expedition against it in the yeare of our Lord 1500 but the Dithmarsians having overthrowne their Armie defended their owne libertie untill they were conquer'd overcome by the Nephews of Christierne the first namely Duke Iohn Adolphus and Frederick the second King of Denmarke in the yeare of our Lord 1559. In Holsatia are these Cities first Segeberg in Wagria a Countrie of Holsatia 16 miles from Lubeck 2 Itzohoa a faire Towne in regard of the nature and situation of the place and the resort of ships unto it 3 Stormaria is encompassed and as it were embraced in the armes of a fishie and navigable River which arising in the inner parts of Holsatia doth wash the wals of certaine Townes and the noble Ranzovian House of Bredenberg and afterward doth discharge it selfe into the River Albis Heere is in this Countrie Chilonium commonly called Kile which is an ancient Towne and hath a large Haven in which to the great commoditie of the Holsatians divers sorts of merchandize are brought out of Germanie Livonia Denmarke and Swethland Also Krempe and Reinholdsburg or Rensburg the former taketh his name from the River gliding by it the later from the first builder Here are moreover Meldorp Heiningsted or Henste and Tellingsted in Dithmars and Hamburg the Metropolis of Stormaria a renowned Mart-Towne neere the River Albis which after many devastations and calamities suffered in the warres was at last reedified and in the time of Henry the fourth Emperour it began to be encompassed with wals and to be beautified with three Gates and twelve watch-towres In this Citie Albertus Crantzius an eloquent and true Historian lived and was buried This Countrie is full of Lakes and especially Dithmars
Pretors sent into them C. Sempronius Tuditanus into the hither Spaine and M. Helvetius Blasio into the farther Two yeares being scarcely past so great a warre began in Spaine that it was necessarie that a Consul should be sent out with an Army Marcus Portius Cato Consul being allotted to goe into the hither part did so appease and quiet rebellion that the Proconsul in regard thereof triumphed This is that Cato who as Livie writeth and others by a wonderfull stratagem did throw downe the wals of many Spanish Cities in one day After Cato's victorie Spaine was diversly possessed and many times lost and regained againe so that there were above 30 triumphs for victories obtained heere They did not begin to pay any taxe before the time of Augustus Caesar who having by long continuance of warres tamed all Spaine and overthrowne the Cantabrians and Asturians that had longest of all made resistance divided the whole Countrie into three Provinces Baetica so called from the River Batis Lusitania and Tarraconensis so called from its citie Tarracon and every one of these have their Diocesses or Circles of jurisdiction In Baetica there are foure Diocesses Gaditana Cordubensis Astigitana and Hispalensis Lusitania hath three Diocesses Emeritensis Pacensis and Scalibitana Lastly Tarraconensis hath seven Carthaginensis Tarraconensis Caesar Augustana Cluniensis Astura Lucensis and Bracarensis See Pliny lib. 3. Strab. lib. 3. and others Thus things by degrees being changed the chiefest Provinces were under the Romans command even untill the Consulship of Honorius the third and Theodosius the third At which time the Vandals Suevi and Alani being called into France by Stilico when once having passed the Rhene they had set foote in France being in a barbarous manner spoyled by the Gothes and the Kings Adolphus and Vallia whom the Emperour Honorius had sent to ayde and set France at libertie they passed at last over the Pyrenaean Hils Afterward the Gothes inhabiting France for many yeares possessed Spaine having taken it from the Romans for being assailed by the Frankes they againe made warre upon the Vandals The Frankes drove the Gothes out of France and the Gothes drove the Vandals and Alani out of Spaine At which time the Vandals and Alani being called by Boniface into Africk which hee governed for the Emperour left Spaine to the possession of the Gothes When the Gothes having driven out the Roman Garrisons had made Spaine their owne and had a long time Kings of their owne who ruled in it at length they were overthrowne in a great battell by the Arabian Saracens and King Roderick being kill'd they lost almost all Spaine Those that survived after the battell when they had fortified themselves in the Mountaines of the Astures Cantabrians and Galicians by litle and litle they began to recover the Countries Cities and Castles which they had lost At last the Saracens partie growing weake in Baetica Hispania and the Gothes having recovered all Spaine they againe were overcome by Ferdinand Catholick King of Aragon and thrust out of Spaine so that the whole Countrie returned and came againe into the hands of the ancient Lords thereof But whereas in the times of the Moores five Kings namely of Castile of Aragon of Portugall of Granada Navarre did possesse Spaine at this day Philip the fourth sonne unto Philip the third who was Nephew unto the Emperour Charles the fifth is sole King thereof It was heretofore diversly divided The Romans first divided it into the Hither and Farther Spaine They called that the Hither part which was neerest unto the chiefe Citie and the principall Countries of the Empire being situated betweene the River Iberus and the Pyrenaean Mountaines they called that the Farther part which lay more remote being stretched out beyond Iberus even to the Ocean In following times wee reade that Spaine was divided into sixe parts Tarraconensis Carthaginensis Lusitania Galicia Baetica and Tingitana beyond the narrow Sea in Africk In the time of the Moores there were many Kingdomes in Spaine which were afterward divided into five as the Kingdome of Castile of Aragon of Portugall of Granada and Navarre But now by a new distribution the whole Empire is divided into three Kingdomes namely of Aragon Castile and Portugall Under the Kingdome of Aragon is contained besides Aragon Catalonia Valentia Majorica Under the Kingdome of Castile are comprehended Biscay Leon Asturia Galicia Estremadura Andalusia Granada Murcia and both the Castiles with the Canarie-Ilands Under the Kingdome of Portugall is comprehended besides Portugall Algarbia The Cities which are in the whole Kingdome are almost innumerable The chiefe of them are Hispalis Madrid Tarraco Lisbon Granada Pampilona Valentia Barcino commonly called Barzelona The seventh German Legion now called Leon S. Lucar Corduba Nebrissa Compostella Toledo Salamanca Complutum Pintia Caesar-Augusta now Saragossa Asturica Augusta and many others Heere are admirable Lakes neere the towne Beiara is a commodious and wonderfull Lake which breedeth Turtles being a black kinde of Fish but excellent in taste and as Marineus Siculus witnesseth prognosticating and foretelling of raine and stormes to come by the great noyse which they make so that the sound thereof is heard like the roaring of a Bull eighteene miles thence There is a certaine Lake on the very top of the Mountain Stella as Vasaeus writeth in which fragments and pieces of Ships are found when notwithstanding it is more than 12 leagues distant from the Sea and the same Author noteth that the Inhabitants doe affirme that it boyleth and is tempestuous as often as the Sea is rough or unquiet The most diligent Writer Suetonius saith in his Description of the life of Galba that thunder fell downe into the Lake of Cantabria and that afterward twelve axes were found therein There is also the pleasant Lake which Pliny mentioneth lib. 3. Natur. histor cap. 3. not farre from Valentia at this day it is called Albuâ—era The Rivers follow Spaine is watered every where with many Rivers there are some who reckon an hundred and fiftie and over them 700 Bridges the chiefe whereof is the Bridge of Segovia and Alcantara There is in this Kingdome the River which Ptolemie cals Iberus and now is called Ebro it breaketh forth in Cantabria out of the Mountaine Idubeda with two fountaines or spring-heads that on the right hand in the Aucensian wood called Monte d'Oca the other on the left hand neere a Towne which the Inhabitants call Fuentibre and so increasing with the receit of great Rivers being first entertained in the fields of Calaguris it runneth unto and visiteth Iuliobriga and Tudella two Townes of Navarre and then it watereth Iulia Bolsa and Caesar-Augusta Departing thence it glideth Southward and by and by Northeastward by the people of Laletania now called Galetani and the rich Citie Toriosa At last being enlarged with many Rivers flowing into it and having runne almost foure hundred miles forward in length it entreth so violently with two mouthes into the Mediterranean Sea
they had power to give judgement of life and death I conjecture that the other forme of governement remained from the auncient Monarchie of the Romans in which the Paefects did not live as they listed neither did create magistrates out of their owne number but they received them from the Senate or the Emperour But the Canton of Vnderwaldia is divided by the wood Kernwald into two parts namely the higher and the lower yet all the Country neverthelesse is comprehended under the name of Vnderwaldia There remaines Glarona commonly called Glaris a Country of the Helvetian confederacy neere the River Limagus not very large being three Germane miles long and taketh its name from the speciall Towne in this Countrie being three parts of it encompassed with the high Alpes on the South and North it joyneth to the Rhetians on the West to the Vrians and Suitians on the North to a Country called Castra Rhetica or the Rhetian Tents where the River Limagus entereth into the Vale. The jurisdiction of this Countrey and the revennewes thereof was given in the time of S. Fridoline by a certaine Earle to the Monasterie of Seekingense namely in the time of Clodovius the first Christian King of France in the yeare of our Lord 500 who was the first King of France that raigned and governed Rhetia Almania and Helvetia This Land afterward obtained her liberty and her owne jurisdiction and did joyne it selfe in confederacy with the Helvetians in the yeare of our Lord 1252. The Inhabitants doe now live upon milke Cheese butter and flesh Among the straites of the Mountaines there is little ground sowed and few Vines are planted They have Orchards full of fruit and flourishing Meddowes Wine and corne are brought in from other parts The Lakes afford fish and the wooddy Mountaines doe furnish them with fowle and flesh of wild beasts Henry Glareanus and Aegidius Yscudus two learned men were borne in this Countrie To these is joyned the Countie of Hamburg and the Baronie of Humbert and Ringenbereg But Glarona is distributed into 15. parts which they call Tagwan Werdenbergen doth command the Country which they bought Anno 1517. They and the Suâ—tians doe by turnes send praefects to Vzenacum or Vâ—snâ—â— and into the Rhetian Tents at Wesome But so much hitherto let us now adde something in generall concerning this part of Helvetia and here the Lakes are first to be considered among which is the miraculous Lake called Pilates Lake which is situated on the broken Mountaine as they call it not farre from Lucerna almost on the top of the Mountaine it standeth solitarily being encompassed on every side with Woods so that none can stirre or provoke it For they report that if any thing be purposely cast into it it will stirre up a great tempest and make it over-flow as many have found by experience but those things that fall in by accident doe occasion no danger at all It is a place fearefull to behold and the water standeth still in the channell of it neither hath it any vent neither doth it receive any River into it neither is it encreased by snow or raine water It is scarsely mooved with the winde but the waters thereof are alwayes blacke and strangers are not permitted to come unto it least they should rashly cast any thing thereinto whereby the neighbouring Country may be endangered Among the other Rivers which doe water this Country there is one called Lamagus which riseth in Glarina and in the middle of the Country it receiveth Sermphius another River which runneth out of another Valley Afterward beneath Vrna which is the name of two Townes above the Laterician bridge for so they call it having borrowed some water out of the Lake Vesenius it parteth and divideth Marcha which was heretofore the boundes betweene the Helvetians and the Rhetians for so the Helvetians call a bound and the Tents of the Rhetians Afterward entring into the Lake Tigurinum at the mouth thereof it divides Tigurum a large Cittie of the Helvetians and from thence it slideth to those waters which the Graecians call Bathes which are so famous for their hot waters And not farre from thence it mingleth it selfe with the two Rivers Vrsa and Arola The River Vrsa which by transposition of the two former letters they commonly call Rusa ariseth on the top of the Alpes which are now called Saint Gotharas Alpes and so runneth straite North-ward when on the other side Tâ—einus arising out of the same Mountaine runneth by the Lepontians Southward first through Vrsula or Vrsella a Rhetian Valley and afterward it commeth to Vria of the Tauriscians the remainder of the French Nation where it mingleth it selfe with the Lake where it watereth the Vrians the Suizians the Silvanians and Lucerinians foure Citties of the Wood for so they call them now Afterward having received the Rivers of Tuginum it glideth by Bremgarte and Mâ—llâ—ge which are Townes of Helvetia and so beneath Bruges mingleth it selfe with Arola And at their consluence or meeting together three Rivers of Helvetia Limagus Vrsa and Arola doe discharge themselves into the Rhene But let so much suffice concerning Helvetia and the parts thereof we passe to the Low Countries or lower Germany THE RHETIANS novv called the GRISONES THe Rhetians are accounted an auncient people by the consent of all men For some ages before Christs birth the Tuscians being beaten by the French out of their owne habitations under the conduct of their Captaine Rhetus seated themselves in an Alpine Country which was called from their Captaine Rhetia and they themselves Rhetians But whereas this Countrie was heretofore very large and that the name of the Rhetians for warlike matters grew famous amongst their neighbours so that they were a terrour unto many which Ovid declareth in this verse Rhaetica nunc praebent Thracia ij arma metum The Thracian armes now every where And the Rhaetian doe put us in feare At length being conquered by the Romanes they made two Provinces of it namely the first and the second Rhetia which did not onely containe the Alpine Countries but a great part of Suevia and Bavaria Now by this name we understand those people whom they call Grisones for their grisely habit which was made of their owne Countrie cloth but the Germains at this day doe call them Grauwbuntner who doe inhabite the ancient Alpine Rhaetia neere to the Spring-heads of the River Rhene and Oenus who are perpetually joyned together by a threesold tye of amitie and confaederacie The first confaederacie which is called the higher hath eighteene assemblies in it among which the chiefe heretofore were Disentinus the Abbot the Barons of Rhetia and the Earles of Misâ—uicium but those families are long since worne out and extinguished Although they that now possesse the Castle of Rhaetia doe challenge that title from the Plantinian familie The severall conventions or assemblies have one chiefe annual Magistrate whom they cal Ammanus he
Wood called De Stubhenitza that is a heape of Stubs of Trees doe yeeld firewood enough for the whole Iland The Clergie here have both Meddowes and Fields of their owne and have also tythe Cattell and tythe Corne. There are great store of Nobility in this Country who are discended from ancient Families of which some are more hospitalious and bountifull and some more sparing some doe addict themselves to the warres and some to study and most of them doe travell to forraine Princes and Kings Courts and doe goe to Universities and to the Warres And so are chosen to be Governours both in forraine Countries and Provinces and also in their owne Country in times of parre and weace not onely in Politick but also in Ecclesiastick affaires The Country people also doe live well in this Principality who doe onely pay the Magistrates a certaine summe of money and doe certaine services and some of them doe none at all And let so much suffice concerning the Iland and Principality of Rugia THE KINGDOME AND ELECTORSHIP OF BOHEMIA BOHEMIA Boemia or Bojemia as some would have it was so called from the Wood Hercynia For in the Germane language Baum and in Dutch Boom signifies a tree the Graecians call it Baemia and Ptolomy calls the Inhabitants Baemi and Strabo Lib. 7. calleth them Kolduli Some would have it so named from the Bojans who fled and transmigrated thither which seeme to bee so called from Bois that is from Wood. Ptol. lib. 2. cap. 11. in his description of Germany doth place the Baemians under the Wood Harcynia being a great Nation spreading even to Danubius Strabo calleth it Bubiemium for so Rhenanus Aventine and others doe read it but yet in the Graecian printed Copies it is called Boviasmon but Rhenanus thinketh this to be a corrupt reading of it and Causabon noteth that in ancient Bookes it is called Boviaâ—mon Tacitus calleth it Bojemum On the East it hath the Marcomannians and Quadians on the West the Noricians on the South the higher Pamonia now called Austria and on the North it is bounded with Saxonie and Misnia The Wood Hercynia doth encompasse it round about and encloseth it in manner of a Romane Amphitheater So that the length and breadth is all one being above two hundred mile broad and as many long The ayre in regard the Country standeth Northward is cold and sharpe but yet wholesome But the soyle yeeldeth such great store of Barly and Wheate so that it furnishes and supplies other Countries But it hath but little Wine and that which growes there is very tart and sharpe It hath excellent Saffron both for colour and sent This Country also yeeldeth very rich Drugs yet it hath no Oyle nor any other parts of Germany It hath many rich mines the chiefe whereof are in the Countries of Cromelaw Budeveisz and Kuttenberg Also neere the Towne Beraun there are Iron Mines And in other parts it hath Tinne Leade and Brasse And moreover it hath Carbuncles and Amethists which are taken out of the Oare Moreover there are great store of wilde Beasts for hunting as Foxes Beares Harts and wilde Oxen which they call in their language Lomi And they report that this wilde Beast Lomi when hee is hunted filleth a Bladder which hee hath beneath his necke with hot water and therewithall hee sprinckles the Dogs that follow him which burneth whatsoever it toucheth like scalding water so that it will make the hayre and skin come of This Country was governed at first by a Duke The first Duke was Zechus who comming out of Crotia did first establish this Country of Bohemia After him succeeded Crocus and his Daughter Labussa with her Husband Primislaus after him Nimislaus and his Nephew Mnato and Vrislaus the Sonne of Mnato also Necla Noctericus and Borsinous In whose time Bohemia received the Christian faith in the yeere 900. in the time of THE KINGDOME AND ELECTORSHIP OF BOHEMIA BOHEMIA the Emperour Arnulph but in the yeere of our Lord 1086. Bohemia was made a Kingdome and in the Counsell at Moguntine Vratisslaus the first was created King by the Emperour Henry the fourth and Gilbert Bishop of Trevers was sent to Prague to annoynt the King in the presence of the people and to invest him with the Royall ornaments his wife also Swatana was crowned Queene But afterward it fell to bee a Dukedome againe when it came to Vratislaus the fourth who for his service in the Mediolanian expedition was created by the Emperour Frederick King of Bohemia and an associate in the Empire and had given him for his armes a red Lyon with a forked tayle in a white Field from whom some Emperours discended after that Bisâ—tislaus had carried away Iutha the Daughter of the Emperour Otho the II. whence they began to bee a kinne to the Emperours The King of Bohemia is one of the seven Electors Bohemia hath some Citties which are subject to the King and some to the Lords and Nobles The chiefe Citty is Prague which was walled about by Primistaus the third Duke of Bohemia and his wife Libusla It hath the Castle Vâ—segradum or Herschin which is seated on a Mountaine The whole Citty is divided into three Citties the Higher the New and the Lesse The River Muldavia doth seperate old Prague from the new in which there is a Castle and the Cathedrall Church of Saint Vitus and these two parts of the Citty are joyned together with a stone Bridge of 24. Arches which was built by King Vladislaus The Emperour â—harles the IV. and the King of Bohemia did much adorne and enlarge this Citty The Castle standeth on a very steepe Hill In the Church of the Castle there is an Alablaster Monument wrought with curious workmanship in which divers Princes and Emperours have beene buryed Ptolomy would have it call'd Casurges Aventinus Maâ—â—budum and Strabo Bubienum In the yeere 1370. King Charles erected here an Academy or Vniversity which continued untill the yeere 1308. And afterward by reason of a faction which arose it was translated to Lapsia The Citty Egra is situated in the first entrance into Bohemia which was so named from the River Egra by which it was seated It was heretofore subject to the Romane Empire but now to the Kingdome of Bohemia It is faire and beautifull within it hath faire houses and civill courteous and magnificent Citizens And without it hath pleasant Orchards and fruitfull Fields and a River full of Fish This Citty is famous for a kinde of drinke called Mede which is made of Honey The chiefe Townes of Bohemia towards Moravia are Mutha Chrudima Hradecium Pardubitium Litomossium and from thence toward Noricia there are Glatovia Dornazlicium Misa and Tacovia On the South side the chiefe Townes are Budvicium Crumâ—â—via Trebonia Hadrecium Hencici and on that side which is toward Misma it hath these Townes Pons Cadana Chomutavia and Austio And these Townes are neere the confines of Slâ—â—ia Hiaromirium Glaâ—â—um
Ludovick the ninth yet with this caution that it should be called after his wives name and the house of the Burbons that so the title thereof might remaine to posteritie Which being done Robert the sonne of Ludorick the ninth who was canonized for a Saint did propagate and enlarge the name of the Borbons For his sonnes were Ludorick surnamed the greate who succeeded his Father Iohn Clarâ—mâ—nt Lord of the Towne of the Fane of Iustine in Campania Peter Archdeacon of Paris and two daughters This Ludorick Philip Valesius the sixt created the first Duke of Burbon in the yeare 1339. or thereabout who had by his wife Mary the daughter of Iohn Earle of Hannonia Peter the first who succeeded him and Iames the Father of the Earles of March and Vendosme Philip Lord of Belloâ—â—â— Mary and Beatrix This Peter was created the second Duke of Burbon and Lord of Molin Hee was slaine in a Battell fought betweene the Picts and the English Hee had by Isabell the daughter of Charles Earle of Valence Ludorick the 2. who succeeded his Father Iames the Lord of March and seven daughters Ludorick surnamed the good married Anna. the daughter of Peralâ—us the Dolphine of Avercia who was called Duke Sâ—mus and of Ione Forresâ—aria who brought him Iohn who succeeded his Father Ludovick and Iames Lord of Pransium Iohn the first of that name marrying Mary the daughter of Iohn Duke of the Biturigians was Duke of Burbon and Avernia Earle of Claromont Mâ—mpensper Forrest and Lord of Bellyocum and the Castle of Chinon From him issued Charles who succeeded his Father Iudorick Earle of Montpenser from whom the Dukes came of Montpenser and Iames. Charles tooke the part of King Charles the 7. and Philip the good Duke of Burgundie with whome at last by the meditation and perswasion of his wife Agnes a Burgundian sister to Philip hee made a peace with him Agnes brought him Iohn who succeeded after him Ludovick Peter who was afterward a Duke Charles a Cardinall and Archbishop of Lions Ludâ—â—ick Bishop of Leâ—dium Iames and five daughters Iohn the second was Duke of Borbon and Avernia Earle of Claromont of Forrest the Iland and March Lord of Belliocum and of the Castell of Chinon a â—eere and Constable of the Kingdome of France Hee marryed thrice but dyed without issue Peter the 2. succeeded his brother John who was high Chamberlaine of the Kingdome of France and hee had by Anne daughter of King Ludorick the 11. one onely daughter called Susan who succeeded her Father Shee marrying Charles Burbon Earle of Montpenser the sonne of Gilbert Burbon Nephew to Iohn Ludorick the first aforesaid Duke of Burbon Earle of Montpenser and Dolphine of Avernia by her marriage made her Husband Duke of Burbon This was that Charles who being Constable of France revolting from his Prince Francis King of France tooke part and sided with the Emperour Charles the fifth and besieged Rome where being shot with a bullet in the yeare 1527. the day before the Nones of May he dyed having obtained no victorie nor left no children After the death of his wife Susan the King getting Burbon to himselfe the Dukes of Vendâ—sme kept onely their armes and their bare title by the right of affinitie The Earles of Flanders did first lineally descend from the familie of the Burbons and many great Kings and Princes have sought to bee linkt in affinitie with this royall and Princely house Moreover the French Geogrophars doe make two parts of the Dukedome of Burbon the lower and the higher The lower containeth divers Cities and two Countries Concerning the Cities The Metropolis of the whole Dukedome is Molirum or Malins a Towne by the River which Caesar calls Elaver now Alâ—ieâ— it was the ancient Seate of Dukes afterward it was a house of pleasure and a pleasant retyring place for the Kings of France Some thinke that that which Caesar calls Gergobina was a Towne among the Celta whom Caesar in the Helvetian Warre placed there The Marshall of Burbon hath his Presidiall Seate here which was erected by King Francis the first of that name Molins hath a very faire Castle and a curious Garden adjoyning to it in which there are great store of Oranges and Citernes In the Castle Xystum you may see the lively Pictures of the Dukes of Burbon and their Genealogies Here is also a faire Fountaine THE DVKEDOME OF BVRBON BORBONIUM Ducatus The other Cities and Townes are Burbon famous for antiquity and which heretofore did name the whole Province Caesar in his 7. Booke calleth it Boia This City is situated betweene the Rivers Elaveres and Caris commonly called Cher well knowne and famous in the time of Charles the great It hath a strong Castle and Baths also L'Archimont Montmerant And Cosne surnamed en Burbonnois neere the River Lotre having a Castle and in regard that the Territory is fitt for Pasturage it exceedeth other parts also Montlusson and S. Porcin whose Fields doe bring forth excellent Wines yet some doe ascribe it to â—vernia also Cusset Chancelle Charroux Vernueil famous for Wines also Varennes a famous Towne by the River Elaveres Gannat confining upon Avernia also Le Mont aux Moines Souvigni le Comte ou aux Mâ—ines la Palisse having a stately Castle also Erisson Sancoings the Fane of S. Peter commonly called S. Pierre le Monstier which is not very ancient It hath a President under whom are the Baylies of the same Towne and the Townes which are commonly called Douziois Xaincoâ—â—usset and others one part whereof are seated in Avernia and anothâ—◠〈◊〉 Nervernesium there is also Ainayla Chasteau so named from the Caâ— S. Amand and others So much concerning the Cities and Townes The Counties are two which are commonly called Beaujolois and Fâ—â—est The former Bello Iolesius containeth all that lyeth betweene the River Ligeris and Araris being situated towards the East betweene the Forestians and Burgundians being the Patrimony of the ancient Burbons The chiefe City is called in French Beau-jea The other is named not from the Woods and Forrests as the word doth seeme to intimate but from the Forensians for so I name those people on the North lyeth Burbon on the West Avernia on the South the Lugdunians confine upon it on the East the Bello-Jolesians Heretofore it had Earles from whose Stock did arise the noble of Bello-Iolesius A certaine Earle of Forrest and Bello-Iolesius is celebrated by French Historians who had three Sonnes Arthauldus Earle of Lugdunum Stephen Earle of Forrest and Emfrid Earle of Bello-Iolesius When thus the Counties of Forrest and Bello-Iolesius had beene for a long time distracted they were united againe by the death of Guicaâ—d Earle of Bello-Iolesius who was Master of the horse in the time of Philip the 2. King of France for his Sister Isabel Countesse of Bello-Iolesius was married to Reginaldus Earle of Fortest who was discended of the stocke of Arthauld aforesaid as shee from the ofspring of Stephan who was
called the foure Heads of the City But thus much shall suffice He that desireth to know more let him have recourse to Iosias Simler who discourseth copiously and learnedly concerning these matters out of whom we have taken that which we have written here VVIFLISPVRGERGOVV THERE followes in our Author the Aventian Cantonâ— commonly called Wiflispurgergow It is so named from the Towne Wiflispurg which heretofore in â—ulius Caesars time was the head Citie of Helvetia and was called Aventiâ—um The Countrie is contained within the bounds of abaudia although it be subject to the Bernatians and Friburgensians as also the Countrie seated over against it and beyond the Lake of Bâ—el or Neoburg It is sufficiently stored with Wine and Corne. But in this Table the whole Cantons of Berne and Friburg are contained In the former the chiefe Citie is Berna It is not verie ancient but if you consider the excellent Situation the manners and civilitie the Lawes and Statuâ—es and the power and vertue thereof it is not inferiour unto any Citie Concerning the building whereof we reade thus Berchtaldus Duke of Zertâ—gia the 4. of that name built in his time 2. Friburgis that is free Castells namely one in Brisgoiâ— and the other in Vchtlandia And to the end that his subjects might dwell more safely in Vchtland he purposed to build another Citie neere his Castle which was called Nideâ—k in a Peninsula which was called Saccus which was at that time a Wood of Oakes And upon a certaine time when the same Berchtoldus was Hunting he said to his fellowes we will call this Citie which we purpose to build in this convenient place after the name of that beast which we shall first meete and after take And so it happened that they tooke a Beare which the Germaines call Bern. And where as we said there grew many Oakes in that place in which the Citie was to be builded yet all the trees were cut downe to build houses whence the workemen would commonly say when they cut downe the trees Holtz lassdich hauwen gern die stat muss heâ—ssen Bern i. e Arbores sinite ut secemini libenter Quonâ—â—m Cevitas ista vocabitur Bern that is yee Trees suffer your selves to be cut downe willingly Because this Citie shall be called Bern. This Citie is situated as it were in a Peninsula which the navigable River Arola maketh For on the South side of the Citie this River floweth in a low place from the West Eastward and then winding back againe it runneth Westward as far a as Cannon can shoote which is the whole length of the Citie so that the River is to the Citie as it were a ditch flowing with fresh water but that on the West for the length of a Crosse-Bow shot the foundation of the Citie joyneth to the Continent which Isthmus if it were digged through the Citie Bern would be an Iland On the South and North it hath the water running beneath it for a prospect on the East there is a gentle ascent unto the highest part of the Citie The adjacent soile lying round about it â—â—â—â—ry fruitfull but hath no Wine yet not farre of the Bernatians doe make very good Wine out of their owne Vineyards There doe grow also Vines on one side of the Citie but they are of no account and doe yeeld but little Wine But Berchtoldus the 4. the builder of this Citie yed before he had finish'd it leaving the perfecting of this worke to his sonne Berchtoldus the 5. and the last Duke of Zeringia He had by his wife the daughter of the Earle of Kiburg two sonnes whom the Nobles of the Country made away by poison for this cause chiefely because they supposed that Berchtoldus out of hatred and emulation towards them had finished the building of the City that so he might keep them under the yoke of servitude Berna hath under it both Germane and French Prefectureships among which is Lausanna an Episcopall City It hath a strange situation being seated on two opposite Hills and a Vale lying betweene them The Cathedrall Church and the Canons houses doe stand on the North Hill and from the Southerne Hil over against it there is a great descent even to the Lake The Court of Judgement is in the Vale. After the death of â—harles Duke of Burgundie Lausanna being redeemed by the Princes of S. â—audia the Citizens of Lausanna in the meane time did enter into great familiarity with the Bernatians even to the yere one thousand five hundred 36 at what time Lausanna came to be under the Dominion of the Bernatians But yet the Citizens do enjoy all their former Rights and Priviledges There are 31. Germane Townes 4. whereof belong to the City which as many Standard-bearers of the City doe governe and under their Colours all the Prefectureships doe march to Battell in the warres Namely Haselis Vallis Hasâ—i the Towne Ondersâ—a or Vinderseuâ—en Simmia Vallis superior Simia vallis inferior â—rutingen Sana Aelen Thun Louppen Signow Drachselwald the Vale of the River Emm Siconâ—swald Burgdorff Bâ—ereneck Landshuâ—t Arberg Nidow Eâ—lach Bippium Wangen Arwargen Arburg Biberstein Schenâ—kenbergh Lentzburg Also three free Townes in the Verbigenian Canton are subject to the Bermans Zof fingen Araw and Bruâ—k Also there are 9. Monasterieâ— endowed with Lands 6. whereof are under a civill Jurisdiction There are also 8. French Cantons and Townes as Aventicum Wâ—flispurg Minnidunum Mouilden Yuerden Morges Novidunum Nyâ—â— Oron Zilia with Vibiscum or Vivâ—y also Mercator reckoneth up three Monasteries belonging to the Bernatians which are Mâ—rten Schwartzenburg Granson Chalan or Cherlin over which the Bernatians and Friburgians in their severall courses doe appoint and constitute Governours for 5. yeere so that if the Governour be chosen out of one City they may appeale to the other which may examine and take account of their government Friburg is a Towne of the Nicetonians situate in Vchtland by the River Sana it was built by Berchtoldus the fourth Duke of Zeringia some yeeres before Berne For in the raigne of Lotharius in the yeere 1527. William Earle of Vchtland dyed as Nauclerus writeth at what time the Emperour gave Vchtland to the Prince of Zeringia who dying in the yeere 1552. his Sonne Berchtoldus Duke of Zeringia the fifth of that name succeeded after him He founded and built both the Friburgs Brisgoia and Vchtland as we said before in the yeere after Christs birth 1252. and endowed them VVIFLISPVRGERGOVV DAS WIFLISPURGERGOU with large Priviledges As also the succeeding Emperours did shew no lesse favour to both those Townes than if they had beene Parts and Members of their Empire Afterward in the yeere of our Lord 1218. Berchtoldus Duke of Zeringia dying Friburg in Vchtland with all the priviledges thereof came into the hands of the Earles of Kibuâ—g in the yeere of Christ 1260. Eburhardus Earle of Hasburg governed this City He in the yeere 1270. sold his right to this City for a great summe of money to
King Rudolphus Hence Aeneas Sylvius calleth Fribuâ—g the noble House of Austria At last the Inhabitants being wearied with these frequent changes for a great summe of money bought their liberty of the House of Austria So that it is now under the Jurisdiction of Helvetia And on the wall of Friburg there is such an Epitaph found Dum bis sexceâ—tis ter senis jungitur annus In Friburg moritur Berchtoldus Dux Alemannus Unto sixe hundred and eighteene If thou doe adde a yeere Then Berchtold Duke of Almaine In Friburg dyed here The Towne it selfe is wonderfully well seated for part of it standeth on a Mountaine and part of it in a Vale and the River â—anâ— doth flow about the Mountaine at the bottome of the Citie The Iudgement Hall is situated on a high Rock where there was formerly a Castle from whâ—ch in processe of time the Citie grew large both above aâ—d beneath Two opposite Mountaines doe beare the Walls although on the Easterne Mountaine there are almost no houses but Munition and fortifications Wheresoever you goe in the Citie you must either ascend or descend The Country round about it bringeth forâ—h all things necessary except Wine of which they have none but that which is imported and brought in And so much concerning the Cities of this tract now we will adde something concerning the Civill government of these Cities The manner of the Common wealth in these Cities is the same with that which is in the Cities of Helvetia which are not divided into certaine Tribes out of which the Magistrates are equally chosen But in these Cities they cal the chiefe Magistrate and Head of the publike Counsell Ein Schuldthessen This Germane word is used in the Lawes of the Longobardians and it is written Schuldahis but the Etymologie of the word seemeth to be derived from Debito a debt for so Schuld signifies and from commanding because the Schuldahis doth command the Debtors to satisfie his Creditors This Schuldahis hath great authority and power in these Cities Here are also two publike Counsels the greater and the lesse The greater Counsell of Berne and â—igurum is called the Counsell of two hundred men although there are more than two hundred in it But the lesser Counsell of Berne consisteth of sixe and twenty men The manner of chusing the Senate at Berne is thus The foure Standard-bearer of the City doe chuse out of the Citizens sixteene honest sufficient men to joyne with themselves and those twenty men together with the Consull doe chuse the greater Senate and afterward also the lesse But the Consuls who have the chiefe dignity are chosen out of either Counsell by common Suffrages and voices In like manner the greater Counsell at Friburg consisteth of two hundred men and the lesse of foure and twenty The lesser Senate doth looke to the affaires of the City and doth heare the Subjects appeales except it bee those Sabaudian Countries which were last taken in warre but those matters which appertaine to the whole Common-wealth and are of greatest moment are referred to the two hundred men or the greater Counsell The Consul who is President in both Counsels is chosen by the people The Earles in this part are Nuenberg Niâ—dow Arberg and the Barony of Balm THE CHOROGRAPHICALL DEscription of the Lake Lemann and the adjacent places By James Goulart IN this Table you may at the first view behold the Lake Lemann in the confines of the Dukedome of Sabaudia the County of Burgundie the Baronnie or Lordship of Helvetia and the Bishopricke of Valesia About the Lake there are many Regions Praefectureships Baronnies Iurisdictions High-wayes Rivers Mountaines Citties Townes Castells and Fortresses The People on this side the Alpes which inhabite Sabaudia doe speake French who heretofore as Iulius Caesar witnesseth in the beginning of his Commentaries were called Allobrogians from Allobroges a King of France who flourished about the yere 2433. And afterward as the most famous Prelate Fauchetis witnesseth they were called Bagaudae and at length Sabaudians in French Savoysiens in the Sabaudian speech Savoyarde Earles have hitherto governed this Country from the yere of our Lord 1126. and from the yere 420 to this time it hath bin under the government of Dukes It is reported that this Country was at first a long time inhabited by a company of theeves But now intimes of peace the wayes there are safe and secure The inhabitants doe complaine of the temper of the ayre sometimes for cold and sometimes for heate And yet the Lake and the River Rhodanus are almost never frozen over Moreover the heate is not so violent as in the Delphinate nor the cold so sharpe as in the low Countries where Rivers are usually frozen over The soile is fit for tillage and fruitfull for it hath abundance of Grapes Wheate Pease Rapes Cauly-flowres French-beanes Melons Leekes Onions Lentills Also Barley Hay Oates and other graines These fruites are common heere Nuttes Apples Peares of divers sorts sweete and sowre cherries blacke and white Mulberries Chesnuts Almonds but Figs are more rare There is also great variety of Fowle Fish Beasts The Vvandalian Helvetians who inhabite Lausanna and other places nere unto are under the governement of the most illustrious Lords of Berne Vnder whom certaine praefects for five yeares space doe hold the Helme of the Commonwealth According to ancient Chronicles Arpentinus Hercules Centenarius layd the foundation of Lausanna in the yeare of the world 2790 from whom Carprentres the auncient name thereof was derived which was changed when the Cittie was translated unto the Mountaine in the time of Martin Bishop of Lausanna in the yeare of our Lord 593. The Citie of Nevidunum heretofore commonly called Benevis being desolate and ruinate before the comming of Iulius Caesar was restored and reëdified in the time of the Emperour Flavius Vespasian by a Centurion of his dwelling in it called Nyon Cassonex was built in the yeare of our Lord 442. And Abona was built in the yeare 456 and some yeares afterward Geneva a free Imperiall Cittie in which white and blacke money is coyned was at first called Geneura as some suppose because it is seated on a hill amongst Iuniper trees which seate Lemannus gave it the Father of the Almaines or Germaines the Nephew of Priam the sonne of Paris in the yeare of the world 2994. Afterward it was called Aurelia by Aurelianus the Emperour because he was the repairer of this Cittie which in the time of Heliogabalus was burnt downe to the ground Iulius Caesar and the Latines call it Geneva and the Poets for their verse sake call it Gebenna and also by the Registers The Germaines call it Genf the Frenchmen Geneve to which Vengee is a fit Anagram for it hath beene oftentimes miraculously preserved from enemies and Traitors and especially on the 12 or 22 of December in the yeere 1602. The Castell Morgiarum was built by the Emperor Clottarius in the yeare of our Lord 1135. Aquianum commonly called
they call them Soretum because they call a red colour in their language Sorus This Herrng fishing is very commodious and advantagious to the Commonwealth of Holland and Zeland seeing not onely one Citty but many Citties doe wholy depend and live on it and the Citty and Country get their food by it pay their debts maintaine families and doe get wealth by it There is another speciall kind of fish which they use to salt called in Latine Asâ—llus Major or Cod-fish thereby to difference it from that which is commonly ealled Caballian It is a great fish so that some of them are threescore pound weight It is taken at many times of the yeare but especially in Lent time and chiefely in the Friesland Sea and great store of it is usually salted up whereby the whole country reapeth yeerely great profit The third kind of salt fish is Salmon being very good when it is fresh as well as salted Holland and Zeland have store of this kind of fish in all moneths but most plentie in Aprill May and Iune of which there is such great store salted up that the gaine which is made of them amounteth to 200000 crownes But of these things enough let us proceede to the rest The Low Countries are plaine and levell there are few Hills in it and fewer Mountaines unlesse it be in Lutzenburg Namurcum and some parts of Hannonia where they are very thicke and there are many also in Leodium It is every where beautified with Forrests and Woods which both grace the Countrie and afford much pleasure in hunting The Forrest of Arden in Iulius Caesars time as he himselfe writeth was the greatest of all France running betweene the Treverians from the River Rhene to the Nervians and the Rhenicans being above fifty miles long And now at this time no wood in all France can be compared with it but now there is a great part of it converted into arrable ground so that it is farre lesser than it was and that part which remaineth hath many glades made in it which the husband men doe till and call it by another name but the greatest part of it is from Theonis Villa even to Leodium which is thirty miles in length In the middle of it is the Citty of S. Hubert which as Gemma Frisius witnesseth lyeth under 26 degrees of Longitude and forty minutes and 50 degrees of Latitude and 4. minutes This Wood hath all kindes of pleasant trees which are very high and broad-spreading which afford both pleasure and profit Strabo calleth it Arduenna the Inhabitants Arddenna Rhenanus Luitticherwald which signifies the Leodiensian Wood. Mormavia or Morman is a faire wood in Hannonia which beginneth neere to Quesnoy and so runneth out Southward toward the Veromanduans and hath many Townes in it and Villages and many cleare springs and pleasant Fountaines Here is great store of Charecoale made whence some supposed that it is a Part of the wood Carbonaria but some affirme that the wood Carboina did lye more Eastward betweene the Rivers Mosa and Sabis and that the pleasant wood Archia is a part of it in which there is a Towne of the same name fortified with a strong Castell and there the Lords of Berlaymont were wont to reside There is also in Hannonia the pleasant wood of Saint Amand which is also called the Ramensian wood because it is neere unto it It beginneth on the edge of Flanders neere the towne of Saint Amand whence it receiveth his name and so runneth forth Eastward toward the Valesians with a great breadth The Ramensian wood belongeth to the Lord of Emerie who is the chiefe ranger of Hannonia which title belongeth unto him onely Silva Faignensis or le bois de Faigne beginneth in Hannonia neere Avenna and reacheth even to Masieris which is sixteene miles though heretofore it were farre larger It seemeth that it was so called from the Fawnes and Satires whom perhaps the Poets did therefore faine to have hornes and Goates feete because the first inhabitants of this Wood were so rude and savage that they were like beasts The Soniensian wood is three or foure flight shots off from Bruxells and it runneth Southward toward Brenna even to Alleuda and the Castle of Brenna for three miles in length It is a great spacious Wood so that it is seaven miles compasse round about and there are very may Citties Towes Abbies and Monasteries in it so that in Summer time many of the Nobles and wealthier Cittizens doe goe thither with their whole families for recreation sake and tarry three or foure weekes Saventerloo is enclosed with Lovanium Bruxells and Vilvordia It is a pleasant wood and receiveth his name from Saventria a Towne lying neere unto it Also Grootenhout is a Wood in Brabant which standeth not farre from Turneholt in which the River Ada riseth which doth afterward discharge it self into the River Natha It is a great Wood in which Queene Mary to whom Turnholt did belong was wont to hunt much There is also Marlaigne a Wood in Namurcum which beginneth neere the Cittie Namurcum and runneth Southward toward Phillipolis and so reacheth even to Mosa Niepa is a chiefe Wood in Flanders not farre from the confines of Artesia it is two miles distant from the River Lisa from the Castell of the Morineans and Baliolum it is a pleasant spacious and ancient Wood having a strong Castle in it Also Nonnen is situate in Flanders and extending it selfe Northward in a great breadth it doth containe many Villages some Abbies Poodsbergia is a great wood between Flanders Hannonia not far from Gerardimontium and Lessina and is pleasant in regard of the roundnes of it Gulielmi Silva or Williams Wood is situate in Artesia nere Rentiacum where the Emperour joyned battell with the King of France in the yere 1554. Engelerwallia is a pleasant wood in Gelderland nere Arnhemum The 7 woods are 7 great woods which are nere unto the Transilanians from whence one part of Fiesland is denominated which is now called Sevenwolden that is to say 7 Woods every one of them is very spacious hath many faire towns in them But so much concerning the woods I come now to the publick works There are in these Countries innumerable magnificent Temples and Churches many Abbies infinite numbers of Monasteries Friaries many Hospitalls for strangers for the sick for the poore for Orphans Truly in Antwerp only there are 42 such like buildings the chiefe of which is the Cathedral Church of S. Mary which is very spacious having a Tower Steeple which is 400 20 foote high being built of white Marble from the top whereof you may view the Cittie the River covered with ships and the Countrie round about which is full of Townes and Citties What should I describe the other Temples Monasteries and such like places of which there are great store both heere and in other Citties and Townes What should I reckon up the sumptuous Pallaces belonging to
faire milch Kine It is certaine that in some parts of Holland the Kine in Summer time doe yeeld unto the Paile foure and forty quartes of milke Also Iohn Beningus a counseller of the Court of Holland as Guicciardine reporteth doth finde by certaine observation and computation that Assendelph only and foure neighbouring Townes have as much milke from their Kine as there is Rhenish wine sent out of high Germany to Dordretch Out of this great plenty of milke they make butter which is an excellent daintie dish not onely for barbarous Nations as Pliny would have it but also for Kings and Princes They make Cheeses also which are not inferiour unto those of Parma and Placentia The chiefe are the Tessalican and Gravesandican Cheeses the next to them are the Edammensian which are best when they are old It breedeth THE COVNTIE OF HOLLAND HOLLANDIA also excellent horses On the sandie hills there are an infinite number of Conies Also great store of Harts Does Hares and in the Hagiensian wood there are heards of Goates and great store of fowle especially Duckes Also Geese and in harvest time Woodcockes which we call Snipes There are excellent turfes which being digged out of the earth and drawne out of the water and so dryed in the wind and sunne doe make very good fuell There were heretofore Kings of Holland of which Suetonius maketh mention in Caligula cap. 44 But in the yeare of Christ 868 Charles the bald King of France reduced it into a Countie and Theodore being descended of the royall stocke was governour thereof After Theodore the father there succeeded Theodore the sonne and after him Arnold and after Arnold Theodoricke and others after him of whom you may have a Catalogue in Munster and others They were heretofore very famous for matters of warre so that the Batavians were joyned in fraternitie and amitie with the Romaine Empire And heereby they got the goodwill of other Princes Now wee are to describe the Citties which are Dordretch Harlem Delpth Leyden Amsterdam Gouda â—aâ—rdâ—â—um Muda Wâ—sopum Edamam Monachodamum Purmerenda â—lmâ—â—â—a Euâ—huysa Horna c. Dordretch is the chiefe Cittie of Holland The figure of it is long like a Gallie it is very rich and plentifulâ— and a Granarie or Storehouse for corne and all other provision It hath outlandish commodities brought up the River unto it and there layd in warehouses untill they be solde and are carryed from thence againe in Hoyes This Priviledge of storing of goods they call a staple Harlem is a noble Towne both for the largenesse of the Cittie the fairenesse of the houses and the pleasantnesse of the situation It hath the fairest Church in all Holland being built on strong Pillars by the marketh place The River Sparnus glideth by the Cittie It is thought it was built by the Prisians about the yeare 506. In this Cittie the Art of Printing was invented Another honour of this Cittie was the taking of Pelusium by a new device which they call Damiata and in remembrance thereof they have two â—acring bells of brasse which they call aerae Damiatae Next followes Delpth which is famous not for Apolloâ—s Tripos or Trevet but for plenty of wine and corne For the best beere is brew'd in this Cittie except it be English beere It is so called from a Ditch which the Batavians call Delph which is brought from Mosa even to the Cittie In the yeere a thousand five hundred 36 on the Nones of May the beauty of it was much blemished by fire and the better part of the Cittie was burnt down but afterward it was built up againe more faire than before Leyden which Ptolomie calls Lugdunum Batavorum is a Cittie situate at the middle of the mouth of the River Rhene It sustain'd and held out in the yere 1574 a grievous seige but at last it was freed and the enemies were enforced by the overflowing of the waters to raise their seige Amsterdam is the noblest Mart Towne in all the world it is so named from the River Amstela as the learned Poet Nicolas Cannius hath noted being a Cittizen of Amsterdam in these verses Haec illa est Batavae non ultima gloria gentis Amnis cui nomen cui cataracta dedit Dicta prius Damum rarisque habitata colonis Cum contenta casis rustica vita fuit Hinc Amsterdamum jam facta celebrior atque Fortunae crevit tempore nomen item Vrbs benè not a propè atque procul distantibus oris Dotibus innumeris suspicienda bonis Dives agri dives pretiosae vestis auri Vt pleno cornu copia larga beet Quod Tagus atque Hermus vehit Pactolus in unum Verè huc congestum dixeris esse locum This Cittie Hollands glory whose name From the River and the falling waters came It was called Damum first and inhabited With Rurall Cottages which here were spred But growing famous t' was call'd Amsterdam And so increas'd in fortune and in name It is a Cittie knowne both farre and neere And is admir'd for many gifts are here T is rich in soyle in garments and in gold Plenty doth blesse her with guifts manifold What Pagus Hermus Pactolus doth beare You may truely say that it is stoard up heere It consisted at the first of a few fishermens houses and was under the jurisdiction of the Lords of Amstelium After Gilbert Amstelius about two hundred fourescore yeares since fortified this Cittie with Bulwarkes gates and Towers which being burnt by the envious neighbours it was walled about in the yeare 2482. And afterward it was still enlarged and belonged unto Holland But now it is a place of refuge not onely for Holland but all the neighbour countries even to the Sarmatians and Gothes and Cimbrians For there are in this Cittie not onely Italians Spaniards Portugalls Brittaines Scots French Sarmatians Cimbrians Suevians Norwegians Livonians and Germains but also East-Indians Americans Moores and others out of all parts of the world Gouda is so named from the Cimbricke word â—â—w which signifies a Ditch and a Trench against it it is situate neere Isela being a plentifull Cittie and abounding with all things There are also some free Townes the chiefe whereof is the Hage in which the Councell of the States and Princes doe sit and there is Court for deciding of suites and controversies Concerning the Politicke state of this Countrie it doth consist of three orders the first are the Knights called Ridderheren the chiefe whereof are the Earles Egmond and Ligne under whom are these Dominions Wassenar Valkenborch and the Viccountship of the Cittie of Leyden I finde also these Counties in Holland Maeslant Texel Goylandt Kennemerlant Steenberge The Lords and Barons are Brederode under whom is the Lordship of Vianen and the Barony of Lijfelt I finde also in the Chronicle of Holland that these Lordships are reckoned among the Baronies Leâ—ke Sevenbergen Voorn Isselstein Stryen Teylingen Puttem Harlem Leerdam Asperen Arckel Altena Bottersloâ—â— The
the Island It is a faire Cittie having many private and publicke edifices being excellently adorned with Bridges Towers and Fortresses both for use and beautie and it is the chiefe Cittie in all Zeland being also a famous Towne of traffique Heere Paul of Middleburrough THE COVNTIE OF ZELAND ZEELANDIA was borne who was the chiefe Mathematician of his time And also Nicolas Everhard who was first Paesident of the Court of Holland and afterward of Mechlin in which office he dyed in the yeere 1532. He had sonnes that were singular learned men Peter Everhard Doctor of Divinitie Nicolas Everhard Praesident of the Court of Friesland and afterward of Mechlin Adrian Marius and Iohn a Poet. Veria or Campoveria is so called from the passage over which the Zelanders call Veer It was first walled about in the yeere 1357. Afterward it began to be a Mart towne for Scotch merchandize Flushing hath his name and armes from a Flaggon which the Countrimen call een Flessche It is a new Cittie but powerfull and commandeth the Sea and it is full of excellent shipmasters and Pilots Arnemuda is a free Towne belonging to Middleburrough and a safe roade for shippes The second Isle to Wallachria is Zuidbevelandia which some suppose was so called from the trembling and shaking of it we suppose that it was so called from the Bavarians whose arms may be yet seene in the Scutchions of the Island It extendeth it self in a large and pleasant tract towards the coast of Flanders Brabant albeit some few yers ago a great part of it being lost it is now lesser by halfe than it was There is a pretty Citty that stands off the Land called Romerswalia that hath no tilled fields round about it no◠no garden places but the sea doth wash it on every side so it subsisteth onely by trading in salt In this Cittie the Earles of Zeland take a solemne oath which when Philip King of Spaine was to doe according to the usuall custome in the yeare 1549. Nicolas de Conflilte in whose house the Prince was entertayned caused these verses to be written over his gate Vidimus adsueto privatum lumine Solem Pallida turbato vidimus astra die Vidimus undantis horrendos aequoris aestus Nos miseros Belgas quum obruit Oceanus Vidimus ast post quam te Gloria nostra Philippe Caesarea proles Semideûmque decus Cuncta refutamus transacti tristia saecli Quod praesens nostrum testificatur opus Sit licet exiguum sit pro ratione voluntas Nil facit ad nostrum parva carina fretum We have seene when as the suns cleere light did faile And in the day time seene the starres looke pale We have seene the fearefull sea tides rising so Till the Oceans did us Belgians overflow But Philip when thee our glory we espy'd Of Caesars stocke and halfe a god beside We made up all our former rents againe And this present worke doth testifie the same Though it be small yet to accept it please For no small ship can sayle upon our Seas Moreover in the Westerne part of this Island the Cittie Goesa is situated at one of the mouths of Scaldis which they call Schenge It is a Cittie not very large but pleasant and rich being the onely Cittie in the Island It hath very civill and curteous Cittizens and a prudent Senate The third Island of Zeland on this side Scaldis toward the West is Northevelandia in which is the Cittie Cortgreene and very many Townes but this Citty was all drowned with water in the yeare 1532 but now it is a little reedified The fourth Island is Wolferdijc as if you should say Wolfords ditch it is very small having onely two Townes in it There are tenne Citties in Zeland and more townes they being about an hundred and more The inhabitants are wittie craftie and provident and of a middle stature But the Annalls doe report that Withelme Bonus Earle of Holland at the solemnity of the marriage of Charles the faire King of France did bring a woman of an unusuall great stature borne in Zeland in comparison of whom the greatest men did seeme but boyes for she was so strong that she would carry two hoggsheads full of wine in both hands and drinke of them which hogsheads did weigh foure hundred Italian pounds and she would carry a beame or piece of timber up and downe which eight men could not lift They are very skifull in the Art of Navigation They boyle blacke course salt which is brought out of the Westerne Countries in great large cauldrons untill they have made it as white as snow They powre salt water on the rude Spanish and Armorican salt and so boyle it and doe make of a hundred weight of Spanish salt an hundred and five and forty weight of pure salt And they sell this salt in France England Denmarke and other parts of Eurpe Besides they reape much profit by their corne and choyse wheate also by their Madder Salt-fish and great plenty of cattell and especially sheepe They keepe their houses very neate and well furnished they are provident and very painfull in merchandising and also bountifull and liberall to the poore The politicke state of Zeland was wont to consist of three members the one whereof was the Prelate who stood for the whole Clergie which was the Abbot of S. Nicolas in Middleburrough and one noble man who was the Marquesse Veria and also of the generalitie of the Citties the chiefe whereof were those above mentioned namely Middleburrough Zirizaea Veria Flushing Tola Martinsdijk Romerswalia and Goesa But let so much suffice concerning Zeland THE DVKEDOME OF GELDERLAND Containing the Countie of ZVTPHANIA and the Lordship of TRANSISILANIA GElderland was so called from the Castell of Gelre which Wichard of Ponthe together with his brother are reported to have built though many doe suppose that it was so called from the Towne Gelduba which Tacitus mentioneth Others doe bring other reasons for this name It hath on the North Friesland and a Bay of the Germaine Sea commonly called Zuyderze◠on the East the Dukedome of Cleveland on the South Iuliacum and on the West Brabant and Holland The ayre of this Countrie is pure and wholesome the soyle fruitefull and fit for tillage and especially it hath abundance of Corne it hath fruitefull meddowe◠which doe breed up all sorts of Cattell and great droves of Cattell are brought out of the farthest part of Denmarke to be fatted here for there are many faire and flourishing meddowes especially about the bankes of Rhen◠Vahalis and Mosa At the first Gelderland was ruled and governed by Praefects and afterward by Princes For Leopold Nephew to Martin governour of Austria or Guidus as some report was governour of these parts After the time of Charles the Great the Lords of Ponthe governed it Afterward Otto Nassovius was Prince thereof in the yeare 1079. if we may credit Labius After whom followed Gerard Henry Otto Reinald
with water and seated on the right hand banke of the River Isala Also the River Berckel floweth by it and there mingles it selfe with Isala Moreover these Citties and Praefectureships following are in the Countie of Zutphania the Citties are Dousburg Doâ—tecomium Lochemum Grolla Bredevorda Broinkhorst and the Praefectureships are those which are named from the Citties And over these there is one chiefe praefect whom in their owne language they call the Drossart of the County of Zutphania Here is also the Citty Herebergensis having a Countie belonging to it It remaineth now that we should adde somewhat concerning Trans Isalania being so called in regard it is situate on the other side of Isala It looketh on the North toward West Friesland on the South toward Gelderland on the East is Westphalia on the West it hath a large bay which is now called Zuyderzee and the River Isala It is a plaine low Country the soyle being very fruitfull especially for corne and also it hath pleasant meddowes The Province of Trans Isalania for many ages was subject to the bishop of Vltrajectum untill in the yeare 1528 by the advice of Henry Palatine Bishop of Vltrajectum it did submit her selfe to Charles the 5. and his successors In this Province there are 8 walled Cittie namely Daventria Campen Sâ—ella Steenwâ—â—kum Vollenhova Hassela Oâ—tmarsia Oldesecla Daventria or Deventer aboundeth with all things which is a rich and well fortified Cittie being seated on the right hand bancke of Isaâ—â— I passe by the rest It hath also beside the River Isala the Rivelet Vidrum and other lesser Rivers also And many pleasant woods although they be small and of no noate The polâ—ticke State of Trans Isalania doth consist of two orders the Prince offices and the Nobilitie as Alhemo Ghoer c. and that in three parts of the Countrie Isâ—lland Twent and Drent The chiefe Parliament is in Vollenhove from whence there is no appeale THE COVNTIE OF ZVTPHANIA SOme suppose that the Zutphanians were herefore called by the Romanes Vsipetes which Iunius conjectureth in his Batavia But Bertius thinketh that the posterity of the Tencterians did possesse that Countery but Cluverius doth alwayes joyne these two people the Tencterians and Vsipetians as Caesar witnesseth who being driven out of their Countrie by the Cattâ— after they had wandered three yeares together through many parts of Germanie afterward passing over the Rhene received a great over through by the Romanes the remainder of them being by Sigamber admitted within the confines of the Countrie they afterward lived there continually as he delivers Lib. 3. cap. 10. of his learned commentaries of auncient Germanie And also Becanus Franciâ—or doth affirme that the Tencterians did obtaine the seate of the auncient Sygambrians But it is likely that the limits thereof were heretofore farre larger seeing they write that it reached unto Friesland and to the sea But now they do possesse more Towns and Villages from the Drusian ditch that is Yssela even to the Westphalians The chiefe Cittie thereof is Zutphanium whence the Province is named which seemeth to be so called from the Marishes as if it were Zuitveen that is the Southerne Marsh being situate at the mouth of the River Berekel and on the right hand bancke of Yssela It hath beene a Countie from the yeare of Christ 1107 at what time the Counties of Gelderland and Zutphania were united by the marriage of Otto Nassovius with Sophia of Zutphania the daughter of Wichmann But now Zutphania with the Territorie thereof is one of the 17 Provinces of the Low Countries and albeit as Sandenus saith they were united together 500. yeares before yet they used their owne lawes and rights different and distinct from Gelderland This Cittie is populous plentiful being seated on a Low ground and fortified with waters It was alwayes governed by a learned Senate skilfull both in the Common law and their Countrie Law to which the Iudges of the neighbour Townes when they doubted of any matter which was brought before them were wont to referre the hearing and to desire their opinion of it which when they had received they esteemed as an Oracle so that the ordinarie could not reverse or change any thing There are foure lesser walled townes in this Countrie which have vâ—yce in the publicke assemblies Doâ—sburâ— Doâ—ticum Lochemum Greâ—â—a But the free Territorie is distinguished into foure Praefectureships and as many Baronies The Praefectureships are Het Drosten Ampt Van Zutphen het Schotten Ampt Van Zutphen Richter Ampt Van Doesborch Drosten Ampt van Bredefort The Baronies are Bergha which is also a Countie Bronckhorst Bearwisch And there is at this day a controversie betweene those of Munster as Sandenus witnesseth and the Lords of Anholt whether Anholt doe belong to this Province But that I may come to a conclusion this Cittie endured much miserie in the last warres for it was taken and sackt by the Spaniards in the yeare of Christ 1572 and afterward it was taken by Iohn Bapt. Taxius in the yeare 1583. At length in the yeare of Christ 1591. Grave Maurice beseiged it for the States of the Low Countries and freed it from Spanish servitude and joyned it to the united Provinces THE COVNTIE OF ZVTPHANIA ZVTPHANIA COMITATVS THE BISHOPRICK OF VLTRAIECTVM THE BISHOPRICKE OF VLTRAIECTVM ULTRAIECTUM Dominium This Bishop Balderick who as these verss doe mention walled this Cittie was surnamed Clivensis and Charles the Bald King of France and Emperour of Germany gave him the Citties of Daventria and Tiela with all the Territories thereunto adjoyning both for repairing the Cathedrall Church and for his government in his Bishopricke It appeareth that this Cittie was heretofore called Antonia not onely by the aforesayd verses but also by the testimony of divers writings and by inscriptions upon coyne and auncient stones and monuments found heretofore Yet it is doubtfull whether this name were derived from Antoninus the Romane Senator for some do report that it was so called from Marcus Antonius who was at that time Caesars embassador in France who afterward together with Octavianus Augustus and Marcus Lepidus did assume unto themselves the whole government of the Romane Commonwealth Lastly others doe alleage that it was so called from the Emperour Marcus Antoninus Pius who did reëdifie it when it was decayed Vltrajectum is situate by the old channell of Rhene which River before that it broke into â—â—â—ca did runne that way and from thence did hasten onward to the Ocean And now the inhabitants by trenches and ditches have brought the two Rivers Woâ—rda and Lâ—yda unto the Cittie that way which the River Rhene came heretofore Moreover it is observeable that this Cittie is so seated that in one day you may goe on foote to which you please of fiftie Townes which stand round about it being no farther distant from it than wee sayd before as appeareth also by the Geographicall Table all of which before these troublesome times of warre did belong
to the King of Spaine Moreover any one that setteth forth in the morning from Vltrajectum may walke softly to any of those sixe and twenty Citties aforesayd and there refresh themselves and make merry and at evening come home This is a great Cittie pleasant and powerfull having many stately publicke and private aedifices it hath a faire strong Castell built by the Emperour Charles the fifth and called in their speech Vredenburch The Churches thereof are very magnificent and especially these five which belonged heretofore to so many auncient Colledges of Cannons Namely our Saviours Church S. Martines Church S. Peters S. Iohns and S. Maries But the sumptuous and faire Church of Saint Martine doth exceede all the rest which is a Bishops seate The Bishop Adelboldus caused this Church to be pulled downe and afterward to be built up againe more fairely it was reëdified in the yeare 1023 and twelve Bishops did consecrate it in the presence of the Emperour Henry the first as these verses doe declare Tempore Francorum Dagoberti Regis in isto Praesenti fundo conditur ecce decens Primitus Ecclesia Sancti Thomae prope Castrum Trajectum quam gens Frisica fregit atrox Sed prior Antistes Dominus Clemens ob honorem Sancti Martini post renovavit eam Desidis Henrici sub tempore Regis at illam Praesul Adelboldus fregit ab inde novam Ecclesiam fundans Henrici tempore primi Caesaris electi quem duodena cohors Pontificum pariter benedixit denique Praesul Henricus caepit hanc renovare suam Ecclesiam Regis Gulielmi tempore qvi tum Hollandensis erat inlytus ecce Comes When Dagobert was King of France they did sound Saint Thomas Church upon this present ground Even by the Castell of Trajectum placed But by the Friesland Nation it was raced Then the reverend Praelate Clemens call'd by name In honour of S. Martine built it up againe Even in the time of Henries slothfull raigne But Adelbolde puld it downe unto the ground And afterward a new Church he did found In the first Henries time which with great state Twelve Bishops solemnely did consecrate Lastly the Bishop Henery began For to reëdifie this Church againe Even when King William this same land did guide Who was then Earle of Holland too beside This Saint Maries Church is very faire and beautifull and was built by the Emperour Fredericke as a mulct and charge imposed on him by the Pope of Rome for wasting the famous Cittie of Mediolanum and destroying the Churches therein It was strange that at the laying of the foundation of this Church there was a quicksand found on which they could not build but that it would still sincke at length they cast Oxe hides into it which made the ground sollid and firme so that they built this Church on it in remembrance whereof these verses are extant in Vltrajectum Accipe Posteritas quod post tua secula narres Taurinis Cutibus fundo solidata columna est THE CITTIE AND PROVINCE OF MACHLIN MAchlin is situated almost in the middle of Brabant and is as it were enclosed within it neere the River Dilia which cutteth through the middle of it being equally distant from Antwerp Bruxells and Lovanium in a Champion Countrie and fertile soyle having a light and sandie ground the Cittie is very faire conspicuous both in regard of the pleasantnesse of the situation the cleanenesse and breadth of the streetes the largenesse and curiousnesse of the houses some reckon it as a part of Brabant but yet truely it is a distinct country from it There are divers uncertaine conjectures concerning the originall thereof but this is manifest that in one of the letters Pattents of Pepin King of France dated in the yeare 753 there is mention made of it and that it is there called Mâ—slinas as it were the line of the Sea because the Sea doth flow and ebbe before it which Etymologie pleaseth some better than to call it Machel from one Michael who possessed these parts as Orteâ—â—us doth deliver in his Itinerarie of the Low Countries Others doe deduce the name from other derivations But as we sayd Machlin after the yeare 753 had Adon to be Earle thereof which he held by fealty and service But who were his Praedecessors or successors is not yet knowne Long time afterward there follow'd the Bertoldi who denyed fealty and homage to Godfrey Barbatus Duke of Brabant which occasioned warres betweene them After the Berltoldi Machlin had various fortunes and divers Lords at length it recovered libertie and was not subject unto any in the yeare 1336. And afterward it came to the Burgundian family in the yeare 138â— And lastly unto the Austrian family in the yeare 1477. And it is now one of the 17 Provinces of the Low countries where the chiefe Counsell doth sit whither the last appeale in the Low Countries is made instituted by Charles of Burgundie Prince of the Low Countries and at length in our time it was made an Archbishopricke the chiefe Metropolitan seate whereof is Saint Rumolds Church Besides there is an Armorie in it which in the yeare of Christ 1546. in the moneth of August the Gunpowder being set on fire by lightning was burnt downe and the Cittie much defaced thereby Here Nicasius of Woerden a most learned Lawyer although hee THE CITTIE AND Province of MACHLIN MECHLINIA DOMINIVM were blinde was borne also Christopher Longolius Rombert Dodonaus the Emperours Phisitian and professor of Phisicke at Leyden and also Philibert of Bruxells an excellent Lawyer It doth also produce many excellent artificers and workemen especiall stone-cutters and carvers of Images He that desireth to know more concerning this Cittie and the antiquitie of this Province let him have recourse to Iohn Bapt. Gremajus his large description of Machlin and he shall finde very good satisfaction therein THE LORDSHIP OF GRONINGA GROENINGA DominÌ„i GRoninga is the head Cittie of the Province of Groninga and the fairest Cittie in Friesland Some thinke it to bee that which Ptolemie calls Phileum They derive the name from Grano a certaine Trojan or Friesland Prince but Vbbo Emmius rejecting other opinions which are grounded on fabulous reports supposeth that it was so called from the greene Meddowes and tufts of trees therein It is distinguished from the other parts of Friesland in the middle whereof this Province is seated by the River Amasus and the Lavician Bay and now since the yeare 1536 it is counted one of the seventeene Provinces at what time the Groningians did put themselves into the protection of Charles the fifth Heretofore this Lordship did doe homage and fealtie to the Bishop of Vltrajectum being given him by the Emperour Henry the third and afterward by the Emperour Maximilian the first in the yeare 1494. And also he gave the Government of Groninga and all Friesland to Albert Duke of Saxonie the Groningians refusing the governement of the Saxons who having made many treaties of peace but
in vaine they committed themselves in the yeare 1506 into the Protection of Edzard Earle of East Friesland and afterward dismissing Edzard because he was not able to resist the Saxon and the Emperour they tooke the oath of alleagiance to Charles Duke of Gelderland so at length George the sonne of Albert Saxon did surrender and yeeld up all Groninga and West Friesland to the Emperour Charles the fifth as to the chiefe Lord thereof This occasioned warres betweene the Austrians and the Gelderlanders whereby it came to passe that the Groningians being wearied with continuall warres did yeeld themselves in the yeare 1515 unto Caesar as Prince of Brabant and Holland It is a pleasant Countrie and full of faire pasture grounds except toward Druenttum where it is moorish The Cittie is strongly fortified with ditches and trenches being very wide and spacious adorned with many magnificent publicke and private buildings The suburbs whereof some few yeares agoe was much enlarged and the new Cittie was joyned to the old and so the Cittie was more strongly fortified against the invasion of enemies than before There are twelve Churches in it of which there are three Parish Curches as they call them five belonging to Monasteries and foure belonging to Guesthouses The fairest and auncientest of all the Parish Churches is S. Martines having a high steeple although the top thereof be somewhat decayed and heretofore it was devoted to heathen superstition It was made a Bishops seate in the yeare 1569 by Pope Paul the third which Iohn Carisius of Vlirajâ—â—â—um was the first and last that possessed it This Cittie is populous and rich and it hath a large jurisdiction Here Rodolphus Agricola the learnedest man in those times was borne whose bookes are still approved by the learned He dyed at Heidelberg in the yeare 1485 on whom Hermolaus Barbarus a noble man of Venice bestowed this Epitaph Invida â—lauserunt hoc marmore fata Rudolphum Agricolam Frisij spemque decusque soli Scilicet hoc vivo meruit Germania laudis Quicquid habet Latium Graecia quicquid habet The envious fates heere have shut Within this Marble Tombe Rudolphus Agricola by whose worth Friesland much honour wonne For while he lived Germany did inherrit All praise which Greece and Italy could merit Also this Cittie was the birth place of Wesselus Bassilius a most excellent Philosopher who dyed in the yeare 1584 also Reinerus Predinius Hieron Verutius and many others were borne here There is a great Free Towne in this Province called Damme which is but two miles distant from Groninga and it hath 145 villages some whereof are fairer and greater than the rest Concerning other matters you shall finde them accurately described by Vbbo Emmius THE LORDSHIP OF GRONINGA THE LORDSHIP OF TRANS-ISSELANIA THe Trans-Issilanians doe inhabite that part which was the Seate of the auncient Frenchmen which the most learned Hadrian Iunius doth largely and accurately declare And the name of Frenchmen signifies as much for the Low countrey men being wearie of servitude when they increased in wealth would needs be called Franci because they had gotten their liberty and enfranchised themselves whom Agathias a Greeke writer did place about Rhene in these words The Frenchmen doe dwell about Rhene and doe inhabite the adjacent Countries round about and they were next unto the Sicambrians which Claudianus and Sidonius Apollinaris doe expresly shew as also Gregorie Turonensis and Venantius Fortunatus It is now called Trans-Issulana because it is situate beyond the River Isela It was also the seate of the auncient Salians and also of the Tencterians which are now thought to be the Drentinians and the Tubantum which as Iunius writeth in his Batavia were the Tuentenians This Countrey is now divided into three parts that which is neere to Isala is called Salandia that which is beyond Vâ—tâ—hâ—â— is called Druenta that which is next to Westphalia is called Twenta But Druenta and Twenta were conferred on the Bishop of old Trajectum after the yeare of Christ 1046. Also Amelandia Gora Daventria and also all Trans-Issulana by the donation and guilt of the Emperour and so it continued for many yeares under his governmen even untill the yeare 1528 when being wearied with warre they yeelded themselves to the Emperour Charles the fifth on certaine conditions as Duke of Brabant and Earle of Holland Trans-Issula hath on the North West Friesland on the South the Countie of Zutphania on the East Westphalia and on the West the River Isela The Countrie is plaine and fruitfull and full of Corne. It containeth eight walled Citties which have their owne priviledges and immunities as Meppela Geelmuda Coevordia Hardenberga Omma Almeloa Gora Diepenhemium Delda and Enscheda The States doe consist of two members the first whereof are the officers and nobles the latter are the Magistrates of the three capitall Citties Daventria is seated by the River Issela which is the Metropolis of the Country which is a large Cittie and beautified with many publike and private buildings and fortified with walls Towers and Bulwarkes heretofore it was a famous place of studdie from whence came Gerardus surnamed the Great whose workes are much esteemed by Divines also Alexander Heggius who first revived the Greeke tongue in Belgia and may worthily boast of his scholler Erasmus In this Cittie also there were borne Iames of Daventria THE LORDSHIP OF TRANS-ISSALANIA Ditio TRANSISULANA an excellent Geographer Everard Bronâ—korst a Lawyer and Professor at Leiden also Ortuiâ—us Gracius Ioannes Dorrius Iohn Sâ—nthemius and Rodolphus Pythopaeus and others It is now the chiefe Cittie of the Ansuarians whom they commonly call Aâ—se steden Campi is on the left hand bancke of the River Isela not farre from the mouth thereof being foure miles distant from Daventria This Cittie is also very large lying lengthwayes and hath faire houses in it here Albertus Pightus was bone also Iohn Campensis a Divine Harmanus Cruserus a Physitian and Theodore Peter were borne heere Heretofore it was more famous for merchandising in regard of the depth of the Haven than it is now Swolla is a pleasant Cittie and fortified with a double ditch It hath on one side the River Isela on the other Vetchta which are not farre from it There are also other lesser walled townes as Volenhovia by the Lake Flâ—vum Steenvicum by the River Aa and Hasseletum by the River Vidrum or Veâ—â—ta Also Oetmersia and Oldensalia the last of which is an auncient Towne of the Salians which Baldericke of Vltrajectum walled about and did found there a Colledge of Cannons THE COVNTIE OF ARTESIA ARtesia containeth a great part of those people which Caesar calleth the Atrebatians from the chiefe Cittie which he calleth Atrebatum But Marâ—us Niger doth place here the Ambianians And Ptolomie also doth place Atrebatium betweene the river Sâ—anâ— and Phrudium which is now called la Somme But the new name of Artesia is derived from the Metropolis called Arras as it were Aratesia by the figure Syncope and it
in Eaucourt Of the Cistertian order there are the Abbots of the Monasteries of Cherchamp and Clommeres Of the Praemonstratensian order Damartin Santandreanum Auguatianum There are 10 Colledges of Cannons Atrebaâ—â—â—se Audomarense Bethuniense Arience Hesdinense Lensiense Sanpaulitanum â—alleriense Falkoburgense Douriense The second member is the Nobles among whom there is one Prince of Espinoy one Marquesse of Rentinium 7 Earles S. Pol Falquenberch Harliensis Busquetensis Henniensis Arquensis and lastly Blangiacensis But these two last Earledomes did fall of late to the Abbey of Saint Bertin and foure chiefe Earles are not called or summoned to this meeting as Atrebatensis Audomarensis Bapalmensis and Lensiensis The families of the Gentrie counting them by an Alphabeticall order are these Aussi Averdom Aubigni Aix Annequin Anvezin Aneroult Avion Allenes Anvin Bailleul Beaufort Beaumez Beauraines Beausart Bellone Berles Billy Bofles Boisleux Bonnieres Boncourt Boubers Bours Brias Buissi Caumont Conroy Contes Coupigny Croisilles Cunchy Divion Douvrin Enne Erin Esquerdes Estree Fosseux Frevin Fleshin Gomiecount Gouy Greboval Geulesin Habarcque Hachicourt Hamelaincourt Helfault Houchin Houdin la Viesville la Plancque Liguereul Licques Longastre Malanoy Maisnil Mammez Marles Mes en Contire Mingoual Moiry Nedoncelles Neufville Nojelle Noircarmes Ococh Olham Oignies Oresmaux Plancques Plovicke Pronville Querecques Ranchicourt Ransart Recouet Rebecque Regnauville Rely Rolancourt Rumenghien Sains S. Aldegonde S. Venant Sombrein Sovastre Tieuloie Tramerie Vaulx Villers Vrolant Wancourt Warluzelle Waurans Willerval The third member is the especiall Citties 7 Royall Citties as Atrebatum Saint Omers Bethunia Aria Hesdinum Lens and Bapalina private Lordships as S. Pol Perne Lillers and also these Townes which have the praerogative of Citties and called to the assembly of the States and there be 28 of them Arques Aubigny Avesnes Aussi Benurains Blangij en Ternois Busquoy Carwin Caumont Choques Dourier Franquenberghe Fressin Fleurbay Frevene Frages Gorgue Hennin Lietard Huchin Hosdaine Labroy Libourg Oisy Pas Richebourg Tornehem Ventie Vitry The Provinciall Counsell is held at Atrebatum from whence all appeales are brought to the Parlament at Mechlin But the Bishop of Atrebatum hath all power in spirituall matters and is subject to the Bishop of Rhemes This Table also containes true Picardie and the Dukedome of Cambresi which is a Principallitie of the Empire and is governed both in temporall and spirituall matters by the Bishop of Cambresi But yet sometimes in spirituall matters it is subject to the Bishop of Rhemes and in temporall matters it is under the protection of the King of Spaine And so much may suffice concerning Artesia Let us proceede to Hannonia THE COVNTIE OF HANNONIA unto which is joyned the Countie of NAMVRCIVM THE COVNTIE OF HANNONIA HAÌ„NONIA The Politicke state of Hannonia doth consist of five members which are first the 12 Peeres namely Longueville Lens Filly Chievre Auâ—sne Chimay Levreux Barbanson Baudour Rebaux Walecourt 2. Ecclesiasticall Prâ—lates namely the Abbot and Earle of S. Waldrut 26 Abbots S. Guislaine Marchennes Cambron Hasnon Marville Anein Haultmot â—â—essy S. Denys Vicogne â—eullien Crespin Bâ—nne Esperance S. Iean S. Aldegonde Geilenghien Spinleu At h Fontenelle Beaumont Denain Quesnoy Watâ—â—braine Lolive Bâ—lliay Leture besides the Colledges of Cannons Thirdly Noble men and one principality of Chimay 10 Counties as Laâ—ain Beaumont Ostervant the chiefe Cittie whereof is Bouchin also Barbanson Auesne Barlaymont Bossu Montigni Reux Terrache 22 Baronies as Enghâ—â—n Leuze Havre Lâ—agne Aâ—â—oing Vuerchin Fontaine Havaide Kinrain Barlaymont Ville Gomegnie S. Aldegonde Seâ—zelle Condet Haurdain Belleule Fagneille Bousie Roesin Frusne Harchies One Marshall one Steward one great Ranger one Chamberlaine And foure ordinary Officers The Countie of Namuâ—â—â—â—m remaineth It is seated betweene Brabant Hannonia and the Dioecesse of Leodium it is a small mountainous Territorie but pleasant having a sweete and temperate ayre The soyle is fruitfull yeelding all things which are necessary for the sustentation of mans life It hath also Mines of Iron and Lead and stone Quarries out of which divers kinds of stones are cut and especially blacke Marble and stones like Iasper And not long since those stones were digged forth which were good to burne we may call them Iathantracas of which we spoke in the aforesayd description Moreover this Countrie at first was governed by a Marquesse and afterward it changed often her Lord. Philip the brother of Balduin Earle of Flanders was Marquesse hereof in the yeare 1200. And Theodorus was Earle of it after whose decease the whole Country came to Philip Bonus Duke of Burgundie as we have declared in the description of the Low Countries There are foure walled Citties in this Country Namurcum Bovina Carlomontium and Valenâ—ourâ—ium And 182 Villages Namurcum or Namur is the chiefe Cittie whence the name thereof is derived is uncertaine some suppose from Nanus a God of the Heathens who being used formerly to deliver Oracles yet at Christs comming grew dombe and spake no more And therefore from this dumbe mute god Nanus it was called Namurcium some think it was so called from a new wall which was built there by the Romanâ—s The Cittie is situate betweene two Mountaines on the left hand bancke of the River Mosa where it receiveth Sambra It is eight miles distant from Lovanium 10 from Leodium and as many from Bruxells It is rich and hath many faire publicke and private buildings and it is fortified with a strong Castell Foure miles from Namurcium is Bouvinae a small towne which was often wasted by the warres and last of all it was for the most part ruinated by Henry the second King of France in the yeare 1555. Afterward the Cittizens did reedifie it Charlemont was built by Charles the fifth in the yeare 1555 against the French-men who then possessed Marâ—enburg Valencourtium is a town of good noate being distant from Namurcium 7 miles This Country hath many Rivers which are full of fish the chiefe whereof are Mosa and Sambra it hath also faire fresh springs It hath also woods for pleasure and hunting which are full of wilde beasts There are many Churches in this Country famous Monasteries which were built heretofore at the costs and charges of the Earles of Namurcium and endowed with great revennewes Three miles from Namurcium there is the rich Towne Audennas in which there is an auncient Nunneâ—ie for noble women built by Begga daughter of Pepin from whom they were first called Baggine Vestalls The politicke state of the County of Namurcium doth consist of three members which are the Clergie the Nobility and the chiefe Citties The Clergie are the Abbots of Floref Granpre Anden Bonef Wassore Hastieis The Nobility are the Vicount Done c. The chiefe Citties are Namur Bovinae Charlemont Valencourt or Walencourt In the Cittie of Namurcum there is a Royall Counsell from whence appeales are brought to the Court of Mechlin There is also a Bishops seate whose Cathedrall Church is consecrate to S. Albine The Cittizens are used to armes and
divers places hath divers appellations or names For sometimes it is called the Germaine Ocean from Germanie which is neere unto it and it reacheth from the French and Brittish Sea which lyeth Westward even to Sarmatia in the East It is also called the Northerne Sea the Cimbrian Sea the Balthick the Codanian the Suevian Sea c. And so much concerning the Sea There are diverse Mountaines in Germany the chiefe whereof are Rolberg Mons Isidis Melibocus Pinifer Hessus Ostbergus Senus Sucvus Pavonis Rheticus Sprulius Vocetius and Vosagus There are also many other Woods but the greatest of all is Hercynia The best Latine and Greeke Authors doe mention the Wood Hercynia as Pomponius Mela Strabo lib. 7. and Plinny in many places which although it be very large and wide yet all the West and Southerne parts of it lyeth within Germany And therefore Glarâ—anus saith that he never accounted the Wood Ardenna to be a part thereof which some in our time have rashly done Caesar Lib. 6. Com. de bel Gal. writeth that it is 60 dayes journy long and nine dayes journey broad It hath now gotten divers names for in some places it is called the blacke Wood from the great stoare of Pines in it or Der Schwarts Wald and otherwhere Ottoes Wood from the Emperor Ottoes frequent hunting in that part of the Wood Sometimes it borroweth his name from the people unto which it reacheth whence it is called the Thuringian and Bohemian Wood. But among the Cheruscians it doth still retaine the auncient name of the Hercynian Wood so famous by auncient Greeke and Latine writers in Dutch Der Hartz Wald. For the French and the Germaines doe call Resina Hartz Also Pandulphus Collenutins Pisauriensiis in his description of Germany doth make mention of this wood in these words the Wood Hyrcinia assuming divers names runneth out to the Dacians and Getes untill at length it commeth to the Tartarians where it is called the darke Wood and is impassable both in regard of the unknowne wayes and wilde beasts and the monstrous Fawnes But of these things enough I passe to other matters The publicke and priuate workes doe follow among which to passe by others is the Church at Argeutoratum famous for the neate structure and building having a very high Tower So that it is the eighth miracle of the world This Church was founded in the yeare of Christ 1015. But in the yere of our Lord 1277 in the time of the Bishop Conrade of Liechtenberg Erkuinus of Steinbach an Architect began to build the Tower being a famous worke so that there is not the like either in Germanie Italy or France it was built up to the toppe in seaven and twentie yeeres It is built even from the foundation to the toppe of free square stone it hath many open places to receive the ayre and the winde and the ascent and going up unto it is by foure staires but when the bredth of it begins to lessen and grow sharpe towards the toppe there are eight staires The very top of it which below doth scarsely seeme as bigge as a Bushell is so great that five or sixe men might stand upon it The height of it is 574. Geometricall feete there is also a curious and artificiall Clocke And as concerning the Ecclesiasticke state of Germanie there are 7 Archbishops in the Empire of Germanie These are the Archbishop of Mentz under whom are 12 Suffragan Bishops as the Bishop of Chur the Bishop of Costnitz of Strasburg of Spires of Wormes of Wurtzburg of Ausburg of Aystett of Hildeshaim of Paderborn of Halbertstatt of Ferden The Archbishop of Colen who hath 5 Suffragan Bishops the Bishop of Munster the Bishop of Vtretcht of Leodium of Minden and of Osenburg Also the Archbishop of Triers under whom are 3 Suffragan bishops the Bishop of Metz of Toul in Lotharingia and the Bishop of Verdum Also the Archbishop of â—eydmurg Primate of Germanie under whom are foure Bishops the Bishop of Morsburg the Bishop of Naumburg of Brandeburg and Havelburg The Archbishop of Salizburg hath 9 Suffragan Bishops under him as the Bishop of Trent Brixiensis of Passaw Frisingensis of Vienna of Seckaw of Gurox of Lavenmund and of Chiemse The Archbishop of Bremes under whom there are sixe Suffragan Bishops as the Bishop of Lubecke Suerinensis of Lebus of Schleswicke of Ratzenburg and of Hamburg heretofore an Archbishopricke The Archbishop of Riga hath sixe Suffragan Bishops under him as the Bishop of Revel Curiensis the Bishop of Oesel of Derpt The free Bishops are Misnensis the Bishops of Bamberg and Ratispon Mercator reckoneth up these Vniversities The Vniversity of Basil of Colen of Dillingensis of Moguntinum of Marpurg of Lipswicke of Ingolstade of Heidelburg of Cripswald of Friburg of Frankford neere Odera of Erphord of Prague of Rostoch of Coningsberg of Trevers of Tubingium of Vienna of Breslavia of Wirtemberg and Wurtzburg out of which as out of many Trojan horses an innumerable sort of learned men have issued Which many furnished with all kindes of Arts doe witnesse heere are very skilfull in the Latine Greeke and Hebrew tongues here are eloquent Orators subtile disputants absolute Arithmeticians and exact Astronomers and no Country of Europe hath better Geometricians I omit their accurate skill in Physicke Now I come to their manners All Authors doe report that the Germaines are strong and of a great stature Tacitus saith they are gray eyde red haird large bodyed and very strong Hegesippus and Plinny doe call them great men Sidonius calleth them cruell and fierce Pausanias and Cassiodorus calleth them proud Appianus ungentle Caesar calleth them barbarous treacherous and dissemblers Paterâ—ulus saith that they are very crafty and are naturally given to lye But Tacitus who lived amongst them saith that the souldiers are very couragious and that it is a warlike Nation but are neither cunning nâ—r crafty but doe discover their owne mindes and secrets and very faithfull in keeping secrets committed to them Also the Emperour Iulianus in his Misopogne saith that hee knoweth by experience that this Nation cannot flatter but that they deale freely and plainely with all men Ptolemy 11. Quadrip saith that they must needes be of a quiet and peaceable disposition in regard of the qualitie of the Countrie which they inhabit Concerning their religion whereby the mindes of men are held and bound together by the tye and feare of some Deity the Germaines as Caesar writeth doe use no sacrifices they account them onely to be gods whom they see and from whom they receive some benefit as the Sunne and Vulcan and the Moone But afterward as it appeareth in Tacitus who lived under the reigne of the Emperour Nerva they had many other gods as Mercury Hercules Mars Isis and Berecinthia also a certaine god called Alâ—is The same Tacitus doth report also that Velleda and Aurinia were accounted as Gods And the aforesaid Tacitus maketh mention of the Temple of Tanfana who saith that the Suevians doe
backe againe They have no Cattell nor milke as their neighbours have nor can they kill any wilde beasts because there is no shrubbes nor harbour for them They make thred of Bulrushes and reedes to weave fishing Netts and so making a fire with a little dryed mud they boyle their meate and warme themselves Their drinke is raine water which they keepe in trenches before their houses In this manner the Chaucians lived heretofore But now they are much changed for now the Countrie doth afford foode not onely for the inhabitants but also for the neighbour Countries But heretofore it was a rude unhabited place so that Plinnie never mentioneth that Corne or any other fruites did grow heere but now where is there greater plentie It had heretofore no fruittrees but now it beareth all kindes of trees They had heretofore no Cattell nor Milke but where is greater plenty now For nature hath given them a champion Country full of faire Meddowes being of a fat soyle and having many pleasant pastures which are well replenished and stoared with innumerable flockes and heards of Cattell Which appeareth by that wonderfull great plenty of excellent good Butter and Cheese which is made here which to the great gaine and benefit of the inhabitants is transported to divers Countries and through all Germanie Also the fertilitie of this Countrie appeareth by the fat and great Oxen which many thousands doe graze within the Meddowes and doe grow so fat that forraine Nations doe much esteeme of them Besides heere is excellent hunting So that this Countrie is now of so rich a soyle that it needeth no supply from neighbour Countries for it hath such stoare of horses Oxen Cattell Hogges Wooll Butter Cheese Barly Oates Wheate Beanes Pease and Salt so that it doth yeerely transport great plentie thereof to the Countries round about it and those which are more remote Moreover the Emperour Fredericke the third Anno 1465 when this province was governed by divers Praefects did make it a Countie and gave it to one Vdalrich Afterward it had Earles continually even untill our time There are two walled Citties in that Countie Embda and Arichum Embda or Embdena commonly called Embden is the chiefe Cittie of this Countrie and a famous Mart Towne seated by the mouth of the River Amisis having a convenient Haven the Channell whereof is so deepe that great ships may come in under sayle so that for wealth for the publicke and private building and for the multitude of Cittizens it is known not onely in Germanie but also in all parts of Europe One of the chiefest Ornaments is the Earles sumptuous pallace the great Church and the Praetors house Heere is wonderfull plenty of all things both for necessity and pleasure which the Haven and the conveniencie of importation of goods and also the naturall fertilitie of Friesland doth yeeld The Cittie is so called from the River Ems which Tacitus calleth Amisia The other Cittie is Aurichum which is a pleasant retiring place for the Nobilitie in regard of Woods and Forrests in which they doe freely recreate themselves with Hawking and hunting The Cittizens are rich and doe give themselves either to merchandise or some mechanicke trade There are an infinite many of Castells and Townes in this Countie And such a number of Villages that one doth even joyne upon another The most whereof both for faire houses large streets and populousnesse may compare with some Citties of Germanie Neither doe rusticke people or husbandmen onely live in them but also Merchants and divers kinds of artificers and some of the Nobility There are also two other Counties which are subject to the Earle of Embda Esensis and Ieverensis so called from their chiefe townes the Countrie Ieverensis is situated beyond the River Iada Westward and doth containe eighteene Villages On the North where the River Visurgis doth discharge it selfe into the Sea these two Islands doe lye against it Wangeroga and Spikeroga which are for the most part unhabited The Countie Esensis lyeth neere the Sea shoare and doth confine on Iâ—veria on the West it is bounded with Berumna and Auriacum on the North with the Sea The Lord thereof Hajo ab Husecke in the yeare 1380 when he had vexed his neighbours and tooke the ships of the Bremensians in the River Visurgis and had filled the Sea with Pirates and the Land with theeves and robbers at length after some light skirmishes with the Bremensians in which hee had the worst he sled to Elsena and being there taken by the Bremensians he was delivered to Edo Wâ—mmikâ— Captaine of Ieveria who first â—ackt him and afterward cut him in peeces because he had without any just cause repudiated his Sister whom he had marryed before There is also in this table the Countie of Delmenhorst and the Lordships Ezes Norden Auricke Iever Vredeburg Ouelgunne and Rheyde The Rivers here are Amisis Visurgis Iada and others The inhabitants of this Countrie doe speake the Germaine Language but in secret matters they use a peculiar speech of their owne which strangers doe not understand They either give themselves to trades or husbandry or merchandise their apparell is very decent so that the Countrymen goe habited like Cittizens The women have a farre different habit from others For they put all their haire into a Call or Huicke which being full of silver buttons and knots they let it hang downe upon their backes In Sommer time they weare their haire in a red silke Call or Net which is adorned and wrought with silver And in winter they put on a hood of greene cloath which covereth all their head so that you can see nothing but their eyes and they call this kind of vestment Hat Their gowne or outward garment is gathered and quilted in small foldes even from the head to the Anckles and is so stiffened with sâ—ver and gold plates that when it is put off it will stand an end It is sometimes made of red Cloth and sometimes of greene The Countie of Oldenburg SO much concerning the Countie of Embda the Countie of Oldenburg followeth which was so called from the chiefe Cittie Oldenburg This Tract heretofore the lesser Caucians did inhabit as also the County Embda as we said before But the county of Oldenburg which this Table here presents unto your view from the East to the bank of the River Visurgis contains the Provinces of Stegingia which is subject to the Castle of Delmenhorst and Stadland which is divided into five Parishes and Butidia into seaven and Ieveria which is subject to it being a part of Friesland which hath foure and twentie parishes on the West it hath Amerlangia which stretcheth toward the River Amisis in the middle of the Morineans On the North it is bounded with Friesland and the Ocean on the South with the Diocese of Munster Albertus Crantzius Lib. 3. cap. 15. writeth that this is the auncientest Country of them all For he reckneth Lib. 2. cap. 30. Windekindus Duke of
the Catti The same Tacitus doth place the Cheruscians hard by them whence the Situation of their Country may be easily gathered for Dion the historian doth witnesse that they dwelt beyond Visurgis which may be also collected out of Tacitus But this first Table or Chart of Westphalia doth containe the Counties of Oldenburg Hoya Diepholt and the neighbouring Lordships The Politicke state of Westphalia does consist of three orders 1. The Clergie 2. the Nobles 3. the free Citties In the first order are the Bishops of Paderborne Leodium Vltrajectum Munster Cameracum Osnaburg Ferdensis and Mindensis The Abbots Werdensis Strablonensis S. Cornelius Munster Echternaokensis Corbei and Hervordensis and the Abbatesle Essensis In the second order are the Princes Earles and Barons as the Duke of Cleueland and the Countie of March the Duke of Iulia and Bergen The Marquesse of Baden the Earle of East Friesland or Embda the Earle of Sein the Earle of Dillenburg the Earle of Vernenberg THE FIRST TABLE OF VVESTPHALIA Wesphalia cum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Earle of Manderscheid the Earle of Weida and Ringelberg the Earle Mâ—ursensis the Lord of Brunchorst the Earles of Steinford Benthem Dortmund Oldenburg the Lord of Ridburg the Earles of Hoya and Diepholt and Scaumburg the Lords of Spiegelberg and Vanenberg the Earles of Arenberg of Lip and the Lord of Somerauss In the third order which is of the free Citties there are Colen Aquisgranum under Wesel Durun Cameracum Dortmund Susatum Duysburg Hervord Brukel Wartburg Lemgow and Werden But so much of this now our order requires that we should unfold the Cities and townes of Westphalia But seeing we are to speake of the Dioecese of Bremes we will leave off for a while the description of Westphalia and returne to it againe in the following Tables and so will passe to the Bishopricke of Bremes THE BISHOPRICK OF BREMES THe Bishopricke of Rhemes commonly called Stifi Bremen so called from the Cittie hath the shape and figure of a triangled Isosceles whose almost equall sides are the Rivers Visurgis and Albis which doe meete at the highest corner nere the Peninsula which is named after a Tower built there for the defence of ships that passe that way The Base of it is a line drawne from the river Esta through the borders of the Country of Luneburg and Verdensis a little beneath the mouth of the River Allera which doth there discharge it selfe into Visurges For the River Esta is the limmit of the Countrie of Bremes and Hamburg which the River Sevena which is small at first but afterward emptyeth it selfe into Albis with three Channells doth divide from the Dukedome of Luneburg This Countrie is not every where of one soyle For the two farthest parts of the Dioecese of Bremes neere the bankes of the River Albis and Visurgis are very fat and fruitfull But the middle tract betweene Stada and Bremes over which the Merchants doe usually travell is full of barren sands Marshes and Bryars So that the Dioecese of Bremes is commonly compared to a Cloak or Mantle the two former parts whereof begin from the confluence and meeting of the River Albis and Visurgis and so falling downe to the banckes of both those Rivers are embrodered as it were with fruitfull fields and Meddowes but the other part is woven of a courser threed Heere the auncient Chaucians were formerly seated who held all that tract of ground from Visurgis even to Albis and Hamburg The Metropolis is Brema which Ptolomie Plinnie Appianus Pencerus and Ireniâ—us doe call Phabiranum it is commonly called Bremen It is a Hanse Cittie neere the River Visugis well fortified both by Art and naturall situation having faire streetes and being full of Cittizens and rich by merchandising and traffique It hath a faire Market place where there are markets kept weekely for all kinde of provision On one side of the Market place the Cathedrall Church standeth and on the other side the Senate house which hath a publike Wine Cellar under it in which the Senate doth keepe their wine and sell it for a reasonable price Which is a common custome in many Citties of Wandalia and Westphalia that the Senate maketh that which is got by wine charges defray publicke charges Brema was at first a poore Towne but as the Christian religion did encrease so it did increase also for which it is beholding to the Bishops thereof who made it a Metropolitan Cittie and graced it with the title of the mother Church of al the North and walled it about See the Catalogue of Bishops in M. Adams his ecclesiasticall history There is the Citty Stada or Stadum which is in the Archbishoprick of Breams being situate nere Zuinga on the Southerne banck of the River Albis it is the greatest Cittie in Saxonie There is also the Towne Buxtchuda This Country is watered with these Rivers Visurge Albi Esta which are full of fish as Ecles Lampryes and Salmons which those of Breames doe salt up and dry in the smoake so that the Cittizens doe sell them for rarities and make a greate gaine of them The Bremensians are by nature warlike industrious and somewhat inclined to sedition They love learning and liberall Artes especially when they have gotten them abroad by studying in forraine Countries but otherwise they are more addicted to merchandising than learning for they get their wealth by traffique and trading and by making long voyages So that almost all the Cittizens are either skilfull Merchants or Tradesmen or Shipwrights THE SECOND TABLE OF WESTPHALIA IN our description of Westphalia the Citties are among which the first is Munster the Metropolis or Mother Cittie of all Westphalia Ptolemie calls it Mediolanum as Pyrchaimerus thinketh it is commonly called Munster It is a very faire strong Cittie in which both learning and the Romaine Language did flourish 60 yeare since The Cittie of Munster nameth the whole Bishopricke which was so called of a famous monastery built there See Munster Lib. 3. of his Cosmographie Heere began the faction of the Anabaptists in the yeere of our Lord 1533 so that all of that sect did repaire hither where they chose one Iohn Buckholdus a Cobler to bee the head and ringleader of this sedition a Vulgar fellow fit for any attempt and farre excelling all the rest both for wit boldnesse eloquence and cunning Hee did not feare to stile himselfe King of Munster Whereupon the Bishoppe thought it meete to suppresse this sect and so being ayded and helped by the Archbishop of Colen and also the Duke of Cleveland after foureteene moneths seige hee obtained his Cittie And then hee commanded that the King should have some of his flesh pull'd off with hot Pincers and then he should be hung out of the Tower in Iron chaines Susatum or Soest is the richest and fairest Cittie next to Munster having tenne great Parishes They report themselves that it whas but a Castell at the first but afterward by degrees it became a very
an Exchange The Court hath a high Tower of curious workemanship of free square stone which is every were adorned with curious artificiall statues The River Rhene glideth by the Cittie on the opposite bancke whereof the Divitensian Castell was built with a bridge by Constantine the sonne of Constantius who placed a garrison therein for defence of the Frenchmen which together THE ARCHBISHOPRICKE of COLEN by RHENE COLONIENSIS Archiopiscopatus with the bridge was destoyed by the Bishop Bruno who built an Abby with the stones thereof which in the yeare 1124. was governed by Rubert a famous divine There were 78 Bishops of Colen from Beatus Maternus Saint Peters Scholler as some would have it even to Ferdinand Bavarus Their territory is very large and they have many Townes subject unto them the chiefe whereof are Bonna Nussia and Ardernacum neere the Rhene It is a fruitfull Country abounding with corne and wine Their sacred jurisdiction is extended farre and neere and in saecular matters they are Potent Princes and they have the second place among the Electors of the Romaine Empire THE FOVRTH TABLE OF WESTPHALIA NOw we doe adde this fourth Table of Westphalia that so we may have the better knowledge of this large wide Country it containeth that part of the Country which is bounded on the North with the River Rura and it hath on the East the Bishopricke of Padleborn and the Countie of Waldecia on the South Hassia on the West it is joyned with the Countie of Marcan It is full of Mountaines and Hills especially toward the East where it joyneth to Padleborne and Waldecia in which tract there are many Townes as upon the banck of the River Mommius Holthusen Osbern Hullinchoven Arensberg Nienhus Gunne Stocckem Fullinâ—k Berchem Molhem and many others as Bergen Nettlestede Langstraten Mensel Hemerde Heddingchasen Over-Almen which are watered with other little Rivulets But the River Mommius ariseth out of the aforesayd Mountaines and hath also besides the aforenamed these Townes Hilbrâ—chusen Brilon and Ruden which are knowne through the neigbouring Valleys for the commodities which that River yeeldeth The River Hime is also no lesse famous which riseth in the middle of this Province out of a small Fountaine neere Fredericke Burg and watereth the little Townes Meâ—ler Eiselpe Helmerinchuse and Meschede where it meeteth with another little Rivulet The River Winne beginneth at Holvede or a little above and glideth by Berentrup Passert Dorler Dâ—epinck and beyond Grevenstein after many windings turnings it commeth to Freinhol and so runneth among the Mountaines and at length mingleth it selfe with Mommius neere to Neijm The River Lenne beginneth in the Mountaines neere Nodarem and commeth to Overkirchen on the South and Smalenborg on the North and from thence it runneth by Meygen Grevenburge Habbeke and so having received another Rivulet neere Plettenberch it goeth forward to Ebrichusen and Werdecke and at length about Limburg it doth cast it selfe into the River Mommius Moreover the River Rura runneth and riseth from hence which glideth by Oldenda and so neere the River Sunderen receiveth Borâ—hou and so being much enlarged it runneth into the Rhene The Countrie towards Hassia is Mountanous and therefore unfruitefull The inhabitants are of a great stature and strong but very rude and eate course fare as Bacon Beefe Beanes Pease and Lettice The great labour which is bestowed in tilling the earth and the small profit which arises from thence maketh them lesse diligent For in winter time they Banket and drinke great store of a thicke kinde of drinke and they take no care but of their Cattell which they keepe with their owne dwelling houses The Rivers doe afford them fish but not so well tasted as those which are taken in the Rhene They are not very expert or ready in matters of warre and therefore they shunne the doubtfull chance of warre as much as they can and albeit the Saxons were accounted heretofore a warlike Nation yet now they are despised and contemned of their neighbours and now for want of use they are not esteemed for matters of warre THE FOVRTH TABLE OF WESTPHALIA WESTPHALIA Ducatus THE DIOECESE OF LEDEN THe Dioecese of Leden is so called from the chiefe Cittie Leden Hubert Thomas of Leden doth affirme that it was called Leden from a Romaine Legion that was slaine in that Valley and the inhabitants doe call it Liege as it were a Legion Some thinke it was so named from a little small River called Legia which rising three miles from the Cittie doth within the Cittie mingle it selfe with the River Mosa It is commonly called l' Euâ—sche de Liege On the North West it hath Brabant on the East partly Mosa and partly the Dukedome of Limburg On the South the Countie of Namurcium The length of it is 31 Leden Miles and the breadth 15. It hath a cleare temperate and wholesome ayre the soyle is pleasant and fruitfull especially Northward where it confineth on Brabant where it yeeldeth great store of Corne and other fruites and in some places wine But towards the South where it joyneth to Lutzenburg and France it is somewhat barren and Mountanous and Woody for heere is some part of the Forrest of Arden which is the greatest as Caesar witnesseth in all France This is the externall face of the soyle but within it hath Mines of Iron and Lead and also some of Gold There are also Quarries out of which to make great mens Tombes white Marble which the Graecians call Alablaster is digged There are also a kind of pit-coale digged out of them which are gotten with great paines and with hazard of life and some times they are digged out under the Channel of Mosa are brought into our Country by shippes and there is yeerely raised out of them an hundred thousand Duckets This stone they commonly call Leden coale or Charbon de Liege which assoone as it hath tooke fire it kindleth by degrees it is quenched with oyle and water makes it burne The heate of it is very vehement whence it comes to passe that Leden doth boast of three thrings above other Nations Bread better than bread Iron harder than Iron and fire hotter than fire They report that a certaine stranger in the yeare 1198 did first finde out the use of this stone who shewed it to a smith Moreover this Countrie aboundeth with all kinde of Cattle and it hath Woods which affoord great store of Game for hawking and hunting They report that Saint Maternus Patavinus the first Bishop of the Tungrians about the yeare of our Lord 10â— did convert this Countrie to the Christian faith For the Bishops seate THE DIOECESE OF LEDEN LEODIENSIS DIOEC which is now at Leden was then at Tunguris and it continewed to the yeare 488 at what time Trajectum was translated by S. Servatius to Mosa when the Hunnians under the conduct of Attila then broke into Germanie and did wast that Cittie together with other townes and it continewed
state of the government I have onely found out that there are two Counties Solms 30.15.50.35 and Witgenstein 30.17.50.50 The Meridians are distant according to the proportion of the 510 Parallel to the great circle HASSIA or the Landgraviate of HESSEN HASSIA Landgraviatus Qualis Hyperborcum prospectans Thrasa Booten Gradivi domus ad Rhodopen Hemum que nivalem Circumfusa jacet gelidis assucta pruinis Gâ—gnit in arma viros duratos frigore quique Aut Hebrum Nestum que bibunt aut Strymonis undas Talis ipsa situ talis regione locorum â—t fluvus Silvisque frequens montibus altis Hassia Natura similes creat alma locorum â—eu natos in bella viros quibus omnis in armis Vita placet nonulla juvat sine Marte nec ullam Esse putant vitam quae non assueverit armis Quod si tranquillae vertantur ad ocia pacis Ocia nulla terunt sine magno vana labore Aut duro patrios exercent vomere colles Aequatosque solo campos rimantur aratris Namque planities segetum faecunda patentes Explicat innumeras plena messe colonos Ditat ipsa sibi satis est aut ardua Sylvae Lustra petunt Canibusque feras sectantur odoris Venatu genus assuctum Genus acre virorum Aut leges aut Iura ferunt aut opida condunt Fortia c. As warlike Thrace looking upon the North By Rhodope and Hemus stretcheth forth It selfe and is mur'd to snow and cold Breeding such men as hardy are and bold Who of Hebrus or of Neslus water drinks Or of the River Strimon yet ne're shrinke Such for Situation and Mountaines hie For many woods and Rivers gliding by Is Hassia for the men by nature are Like those and even borne unto the warre Who in the warres alone doe take delight And all their life time are enur'd to fight And if sometime they live in quiet peace From toilesome labour they doe never cease For either they the levell fields doe till Or with the Plough they teare up the hard Hill For this same land hath many fruitfull Plaines Which plenteous harvests doe bring in much gaines Vnto the husbandman or else repaire To the woods to hunt such wilde beasts as there are With Hounds for these same people don't contemne Hunting but are a violent kinde of men For either they make lawes or Townes doe build Which doe not onely strong defence them yeeld In times of Warre but in the times of peace They yeeld delight when as the warres doe cease What should I here the Sacred springs commend The Greenes and valleys which doe even contend With the Aemonian vales which doe excell For fruitfulnesse or what should I declare Those sweete and shady places which even are Fit to be the Muses seates and may right well Become the Goddesses therein to dwell O yee Fountaines of my Countrie cleare and cold And O ye Rivers that were knowne of old O the vales and pleasant Caves which still did use To be most acceptable to my Muse THE COVNTIE OF NASSAW or NASSAVIA NAssavia is called as it were Nass-gavia which word signifies a moist and slimie Country for the Towne which nameth the Country is encompassed on every side with moist and moorish grounds and in the Germaine speech Aw and Gaw doe signifie a Country so Thurgaw signifies a dry Country Rhyn-gaw a Country by the Rhene Otten-gaw a Country abounding with corne and so also Oster-gaw Wester-gaw and Brisgaw But this Countie hath others annexed to it as Weilburg Idesteâ—nen Wâ—esbaden Dietzen Cattimelibocen Beilstein It is boundered on the South with the Countie of Wiesbaden and Idesteinen on the East with Isenburg Solms and Hassia on the North it is bounded with Westphalia and the Countie of Witgenstein on the West with the Dukedome of Bergen and the Counties Weidan and Seynen It hath many Praefectureships As Frudebergen Sigenen Nephens Hegerana Ebersbacen Dillenburg Hilligenbacke Dringensteinen Lonbergen Herbornen Dridorf Beilsteinen Marenbergen Honstetten Ellerana Cambergen Altenberg Kidorff Nassavia and many others It is one of the freest Counties of the Empire the Lords whereof are subject to none but the Emperour and doe enjoy all the royall priviledges and praerogatives of the Empire as well as other Noble men They have power also to coyne gold or silver or brasse money as appeareth by some peeces of gold which are yeâ— currant The Landgrave of Hassia and the Earle of Nassavia are coe-Coe-Lords and by a joynt Title doe receive the revennewes of the Countie of Cattimeliboc by a covenant made in the yeere 1557 betweene Phillip Prince of Hassia and the Earle of Nassavia The Countrie in some places is plaine ground and in other places it riseth and swelleth into hills here it hath flourishing Vines as in the Countie of Dietzen and by the bancke of the River Lanus and otherwhere it hath pleasant meddowes and pastures or else fruitefull cornefields It hath also mettall Mines For in the Territorie of Sigen a certaine kind of Iron Mettall is melted out of stone out of which they cast Fornaces Iron Potts Kettles Stithies or Anvills Bulletts and doe make all kind of Iron worke At Frendeberg there is excellent steele made There are also the like Mines in the Countrie of Dillenburg Hegeran and Burback out of which Lead and Copresse are digged as in Ebersback where there is also a Glasse-house The chiefe wood is Westerwalt which is a peece of Hercyniâ— the lesser woods which are also part of Hercinia are Kalt-Eych Heygerstruth THE COVNTIE OF NASSAW or NASSAVIA NASSOVIA Comitatus Schelderwaldâ— diâ— Horre der Calemberg in which there is great store of wilde beasts for hunting The chiefe Rivers are â—aâ—â—â—â— Siega and Dille neere Siega is Sigena neere â—illa is Heâ—gera Dâ—llenburg and Herborn neere Lana are Dietz Nassovium Lâ—â—â—steâ—â—â—um where â—ane mingleth the river Rhene The Baths at Emsana do belong both to the Earles of Nassavia and the Landgrave of Hassia unto which they come farre and neere in regard of the soveraigne vertue of the water which they finde to bee very wholesome for many diseases There are also Fountaines at Codinga and Câ—mberga the water whereof being drunke will expell the winde Cholicke Mâ—â—â—â—a and Bertius among others have drawne the Pedegree of the Earles of Nassavia THVRINGIA or the Landgraviate of DVRINGEN The Nobilitie and state of this Countrie are yet unknowne unto me I have onely found out the Countie of Gleiâ—hen 32 50 50 58 c. and I thinke Kranichfelt 34 17 15 26 Also the Bishoprick of Mersburg 34 17 51 26. The Meridians are mutually distant one from another according to the Proportion of the Parallel 510 to the Aequinoctiall THuringia followes after Hassia commonly called Duringen being situated between the two Rivers Sala Werra the latter on the West-side the first on the East-side on the North it hath the wood Hercynia which they call Hartz and on the South the Forrest called Duringer waldt The length
Misnia or Meyssen is a Country of higher Saxonie lying betweene the River Sala and Albis which was so called either from the Lake Mâ—sia neere which the inhabitants hereof did dwell or from the Cittie Misna to which opinion Rithamerus in his description of the world doth agree But it seemeth that this Country was lately so named seeing we may gather out of Tacitus that the Hermundurians were formerly seated here for he mentioneth that the River Albis did rise among the Hermundurians It is bounded on the North with the Marquiship of Brandenburg and the higher Saxonie on the East with Lusatia and Silesia on the South it looketh toward the Kingdome of Bohemia and the Sudetian Mountaines on the West it hath Turingia They say the ayre was heretofore very bad and insufferable in regard of moyst exhalations arising from the Mountaines and the Woods but now the Woods being cut downe the foggy clouds are vanished so that the ayre is now more wholesome This Country aboundeth with all kinde of fruites so that it furnishes other Countries It hath every where great store of Corne and also great plentie of wine honey and cattell except in the Valley of Ioachim where the soyle is harder and lesse fruitfull But the rich Mines of Silver doth recompence the barrennesse of the superficies or surface of the earth The Mountaines also have divers kinds of mettalls as Silver Brasse Steele Iron Lead and in some places Gold In the time of Otto the Great this Countrie together with that higher Saxonie was called the Marquiship of Saxonie before the higher Saxonie was made a Dukedome Afterward in processe of time these Countries were divided into more Lordships and afterward they were reduc'd into one Dominion and had one denomination or name which happened in the yeare 1241 when the Landgrave of Turingia dying without issue his Territories came to the Lords of Misnia who from that time got both titles and were called Marquesses THE DVKEDOME of the higher SAXONIE SAXONIAE Superioris Lusafiae Misniaeque des of Misnia and Landgraves of Thuringia And in the yeare of our Lord 1423 the Prince Elector of Saxonie having no issue male the Emperour Sigismund did give the Dukedome of Saxonie to the Princes of Misnia which they doe still possesse and after that as Munster writeth they usurped a triple or threefold title There are many Citties in Misnia the chiefe Cittie is Misena on the left hand bancke of the River Albis which was built by Otto the first The next is Dresdena very pleasantly seated and well fortified Heere the Duke of Saxonie hath an armorie and a magnificent Pallace and a curious stone bridge Lipsia is a famous Mart Towne situated by the River Pleissena which excelleth all the other Citties of Misnia for wealth and beautie heere is a Noble Schoole for learning and wisedome which in those troublesome times at Prague was translated thither in the yeare 1408. In the same tract there are Itenburg Antiquae cellae Lautenberg and other Townes This Countrie is watered with these Rivers Albis Sala Mulda and others and it hath many woods as Gabreta and others which are parts of Hercynia The inhabitants are strong valiant and well proportioned in body they are also merry and pleasant friendly modest and peaceable and are not like the auncient Germanes for rudenesse of behaviour Lusatia LVsatia also as Rithamerus doth witnesse is a great part of Saxonie which lyeth betweene the Rivers Albis and Odera and the Mountaines of Bohemia But the name of Lusatia is derived from the Elysians or Lygians who as Ioachim Carens saith were seated here This Country hath good store of Corne and is very fruitfull It was sometime joyned with Misnia at length the Bohemians who strived to enlarge their Kingdome tooke it to themselves Lusatia is twofold the Lower and the Higher In the latter there are these Citties Sprenberg Prybus and Cotbus in the former Gorlits and Zitaw Gorlitum commonly called Gorlitz is the chiefest and Noblest Cittie in the higher Lusatia having many faire houses and being well fortified with walls and ditches and by the mountainous situation thereof and also by the Vicinitie of the River which is very profitable and commodious to Millers Brewers Dyers and other Cittizens There is a stone Bridge to passe over it which is covered over head But of all the publicke and private costly aedifices S. Peters Church and the Pallace are the chiefe This Cittie was first founded and built in the yeare 1030 as the Annalls thereof doe witnesse But in the yeare 1301 it was burnt downe to the ground so that there was not one house left standing But like a Phoenix that riseth out of her owne ashes so eight yeares afterward out of these ruines it was built fairer and more curiously than before It is subject to the Kingdome of Bohemia as also Lusatia And Iohn Dubravius Lib. 21. concerning the affaires of Bohemia doth shew how it came to the Crowne of Bohemia The River Nissa doth water Lusatia and doth much enrich it But so much concerning Lusatia Now let us returne to Saxonie and speake briefely of it These Noble Rivers doe water Saxonie Albis Sala Visurgis also Lusimicius Multaâ—ia Misa Sala Fulda Leyna Allenius Odera Ola Nisa and others It hath also many woods as Lunenbergerheid Spondawerheid Rottenawerheid Galberheid Pomerischeid which are parts of Hercynia The Saxones were heretofore distinguished into foure ranckes or orders the Nobles Gentry Freemen and Servants And there was a Law made that every one should marry in their owne rancke or tribe So that a Noble man should marry a Noble woman a Gentleman should marry a Gentlewoman a Freeman should marry a Freewoman and a Servant should marry a Servant and it was death to breake or infriuge this statute They had also excellent lawes for punishing malefactors Moreover Ober Saxon which is the eight Circle of the Empire doth consist of three orders the first are the bishops of Misnia of Merspurg of Naumburg of Brandenburg of Havelburg of Lubecke of Caminum The Abbots of Salveldt of Rottershausen and Falckenreiten Also the Abbetesses of Quedelnburg and of Genrode the second are the Princes and saecular Lords as the Duke Elector of Saxonie the Marquesse of Brandenburg Elector the Dukes of Pomerania the Princes of Anhalt the Earles of Schwartzenburg Count Mansfelt Count Stolberg Counte Hohenstein Count Buchlingen Count Rappin Count Mullingen Count Gleiche Count Leisneck Count Widersfelt the Lords of Bernaw B. de Tautenberg Count Regenslein Russe de Plaw D. de Gratz D de Schonberg The third are the free Citties as Daâ—â—iscum and Elbingen THE MARQVISHIP and Electorship of BRANDENBVRG THe Marquiship of Brandenburg which is represented in this Table was heretofore inhabited by the Vardals who spread themselves from the River Albis Eastward through the Countries of Mechelburg Brandenburg Pomerania Bohemia and Polonia It was so called from the Metropolis which at first was called Brenneburg as George Sabine saith
the Plantation doth continue thorow all the descent of Rhodanus untill you come to S. Maâ—icius At Sedunum the red Wine is better than the white and it is so black and thick that you may write with it Neere Octodurum the white is better than the red And there is no better Wine in Germany than that which groweth at Sedunum and so is transported and carried into neighbour Countries Here as also in Siders and Gundes Saffron groweth in great abundance There are Oranges Almonds and Figges And thorow the whole Country you shall finde all kinde of Apples Peares Nuts Prunes Cheries Chesnuts Mulberies Peaches Apricocks and the like Moreover the Mountaines of this Country doe yeeld many sorts of Physicall Hearbes and Rootes which have speciall soveraigne vertues This Country also is very fruitfull of Mines and pure Christall is digged forth in Gums neere the Spring-head of Rhodanus It produceth also divers kindes of living creatures as Kine Oxen Horses Asses Mules Sheepe Hogges Goates and Cunnies also Geese Ducks Hens Peacocks and Doves It hath also abundance of Bees of which they make great profit Moreover the Mountaines have some beasts unknowne to us as the Aegocerots which are horned like Goates also wilde Oxen Alpine Mice and Hares unlike to ours also Pheasants Woodcocks and Birds which they call Parnifas also Partridges Vultures Ring-Doves Hernes Finches Magpies Stares and Thrushes They have also abundance of Beares Wolves Leopards Foxes Martines and Faulcons But they have no Harts Goates Boares Scorpions or Shelfrogs Yet they have such great store of Venison in this Country that it is sold in the Market like Oxe-flesh and sometime cheaper Moreover the Bishop of Sedunum is Prince and Lord of all Valesia both in spirituall and temporall matters and Charles the great about the yeere of Christ 805. gave this Country and Praefectorship to S. Theodolus Bishop of Sedunum and to his Successors And many other Emperours did confirme this donation and strengthen it even vntill this day Valesia is devided into the higher and the lower The higher doth speake the Germane language and beginneth at the Mountaine Furca and so runneth forth to Marca which is under Seduum neere the River Morsus and it containeth seven Tithings or Dioeceses which they call Zenden namely Sedunum Syder Leuck Raren Visp Bâ—â—gg and Gâ—mbs In the lower Valesia they use the Sabaudian language it beginneth from the River Morsus and stretcheth even to the Bridge of S. Mauritius the Inhabitants whereof were formerly called Veragrians This lower Valesia hath sixe communities which they call Vexica or Bâ—nnerat namely Condes Ardon Sallien Martinacht Intremâ—nt and S. Mauritium The Metropolis of Valesia is Sedunum in the Germane language Sitten and in French Siun it is a neate Citty and groweth every day more faire and beautifull It is seated by a Mountaine which riseth Eastward in the middle of a Plaine betweene the high Mountaines which doe enclose the Valley and it hath two forked high Rockie tops But Sedunum a Bishoprick of Valesia is subject to Torentasia the Archbishoprick of Sabaudia and likewise Augusta There is no walled Citty in Valesia besides Sedunum although S. Mauritius or Agaunum may be counted a pretty Towne Moreover here are the Castles of Martinacht or Octodurum of Gradetsch and old Sider also the Townes Sider Leuc Raronia Vespia Brig Naters and Morall The Mountaines which doe encompasse Valesia have other names now than they had heretofore The Mountaine out of which Rhodanus riseth was heretofore called Subecus Coatius and Vrsellus it is now called Furca Neere unto this is the Mountaine Gothard neere to Briga is the Mountaine Sempronius now call'd Simpelberg Neere unto it are the Mountaines Saâ—es and Matter On the other side of Rhodanus are the Mountaines Loetsch and Gemmi In the Poenine Valley is the Icie Mountaine Arolla Over against Sider Northward is the Mountaine Sâ—lvius which is called Austalberg and on both sides the Mountaine of S. Bernbard The Wood Hercynia reacheth forth some of his armes hither which are called by divers names for in some places neere Arnes it is called the Wood Milebach and neere Perigrad it is called Persim Waldt and in other places it hath other names The people in Valesia are now very courteous and affable unto Strangers But they are somewhat more harsh and riged then it becommeth friends and neighbours to be THE SECOND TABLE OF LOMBARDY VVHICH THESE COVNtries are especially described the Country of Tirolis and Marca Tarvisina THe second Table of Lombardy containeth the County of Tirolis and Marca Tarvisina The Country of Tirolis is so named from the Towne Tirolus which was heretofore very faire It lyeth betweene the Rivers Athesis and Oenus and betweene the Alpine Rocks on the North it is enclosed with Bavaria on the South with Lombardy on the East with Marca Tarvisina and Forum Iulij on the West with Helvetia It was heretofore a part of Rhetium This Country although it be enclosed with Alpes and extendeth it selfe thorow the Rhaetian Rockes yet it is rich in fruits and all things necessary to life as also it hath great store of Gold Silver and all kindes of Mettals which are drawn out of the bowels of the Mountaines the tops whereof are crowned with vast Woods and full of great store of wilde beasts the Hills and Cliffes are full of fruits and Vines the Valleys are watered with Fountaines and Rivers and full of Heards and Flocks of Cattle And therefore this County may be equal'd and compared not onely to a Dukedome but also to a Kingdome It was joyned to the House of Austria in the yeere 1460. by Rodolph the Sonne of Albert Duke of Austria The Chiefe Citty is Oenipons commonly call'd Inspruck on the right hand banck of the River Oenus being the seate of the Prince and the Parliament of Austria is kept here There are also the Towne Maâ—â—â—am by the Royall Castle and Bolzanum a Mart Towne of Tirolis Halla is a Town by the River Oenus famous for making of Salt Bâ—ixia is an Episcopall Citty by the River Isacus where the River Rientius doth disburden it selfe into Isacus There is also the old Citty Tâ—idenâ—â—â—â— by the River Athesis which Pliny and Strabo doe place in the tenth Country of Italy some would have it built by the Frenchmen and so â—â—â—gus delivers It is supposed that it was so named from Neptunes Trident For as the Randenensians doe worship Saturne so the Tridentines did worship Neptune whose effigies and statue may be yet seene in the Church of B. Viglius on that side which lyeth toward the Market Theodorick King of the Ostrogoths did wall this Citty with faire freestone And hee fortified the Castle of Tridentum on the other banck of the River in VerrucaÌ„ in like manner Afterward whâ—◠〈◊〉 Ostrogothes were expelled out of Italy the Langbards did posseâ—â—â— as a Dukedome But Desiderius King of Langbards being overcome by Charles the great it came againe to bee under the Emperours Jurisdiction and the
great paines It was heretofore cover'd over with woods having a few Husbandmen who did live rather by robberies than tillage Strabo the Geogr. Lib. 4. writeth thus concerning Lâ—gâ—â—a Qui Liguriam habitant ut pluâ—imum ex pecore victum agiâ—â—â—t 〈…〉 potione maritimis ex locis ac montanis pastum quae names That is those which inhabit Liguria live for the most part on Caâ—tle their drinke is Milke and a kinde of drinke made of Barley they get their food on the Sea-shore and on the Mountaines These Mountaines afoord good Timber for building of Ships and great Trees which 〈◊〉 so thick that the Diameter of some of them is 8. foote The 〈◊〉 were heretofore a very warlike People who put the Romans to much trouble and at last could hardly be subdued Whence Livâ—â— calleth them Durum in armis genus a People hardy in the Warres and Virgil saith Assuâ—tumque malo Ligurem the Ligurian is inured to trouble Genua the Mistresse of Liguria is supposed to be the ancientest Citty of Italie and that it was built by Ianus whom some suppose to be Noah others conjecture that it was so named from Genuus the Sonne of King Saturne Paulus Perusinus delivers that Genuinus an Egyptian and one of Phaethons Companions who lay sicke here after he had recovered his health call'd it after his owne name Genua Others devise other Fables but it is the famousest Mart-towne of Liguria and it hath iâ—creased much within these 400. yeeres and now it is very strong much feared The Territories of this Citty did reach heretofore even to the River Tanais It had under it Theodosia a Citty of Taurâ—â—a hersâ—nesus which is now called Caffa as also Cyprus Lesbus Chius which are Ilands in the Mediterranean Sea and Pera a Citty of Thrace It contended long time with the Venetians concerning the Dominion and Empire of the Sea In this Citty there are 28. Patrician Families out of which a Counsell of 400. men is chosen and the Duke is President thereof It began to be established at Genâ—a in imitation of the Venetian Common-wealth about the yeere 1237. but afterward being much troubled with the factions and discords of the Citizens and being enforced to obey forraine Lords as the Mediolanians Frenchmen and Spaniards it lost much of her former power and authority THE DVKEDOME OF GENOA· GENOVESXIO and being now subject it enjoyeth rather an imaginary than a free Common-wealth But to conclude referring the Reader that desireth to know more to Bracelius Bizarus Aug. Iustinianus Fr. Leander Albertus I thinke it fitt to set downe Scaligers Verses The Asian wealth or Easterne honours great And all that Land the Euxine Sea doth beate The Pisanian Armies and the youth of worth And the French Colours I alone drew forth The subdued Alpes I held and kept in awe And Affrick trembled when my Ships it sawe And the Venetian hath fled from the shot Which in my Haven he hath found too hot O France you are deceived much and Spaine In your attempts you take up armes in vaine I conquer if conquerd for if I obtaine Victory or lose it I am still the same THE FOVRTH TABLE OF LOMBARDY IN VVHICH ARE THESE Countries Romandiola the Dukedomes of Parma and Feraria and the Marquiship of Mantua THE fourth and last Table of Lombardie doth present to your view Romandiola and the Dukedomes of Parma and Mantua The first is Romandiola or Romanula which was so called by the Pope and the Emperour Charles the great The bounds of Romanula on the North are the Moores or Marshes of Verona and Patavina even to the Mouth of the River Po together with a part of the Hadriatick Sea on the East Isaurus together with Picenum on the South the Apinnine with Etruria concerning the Western bounds there are different opinions Some goe no farther than the River Vatrinus on this side of Foâ—â—m Crrnâ—lij some passe over to Scultenna now Panarium and there they stay Wee will follow the latter and make the length thereof to bee 110. Miles or thereabouts betweene Folia and Panarium and the breadth almost 96. Miles betweene the Apennine and the Marshes before mentioned Concerning the qualitie of this Country Leander writeth that it hath a very good soile yeelding all kinds of fruites both for delight necessary use Here are large fields planted with al kinds of fruite bearing trees pleasant Hills full of Vines Olives and Figgs Woods full of fruite Meddowes full of grasse and Bushie thickets fit for hunting also many wholsome waters many Salt-pits both neere the Shoare side and within the Countrie also Mettalls Mines and innumerable other excellent guifts of nature which would be tedious to rehearse There are some famous Citties in this Country and many Townes The chiefe are that which Ptolemy and other call Arminum the Inhalitants doe now call it Rimini and the Germanes Rumelen It was so so called from the River which watereth it Others have other derivations It aboundeth with plenty The Haven was heretofore very faire large and capable of Shipping but now it receiveth onely small vessells being filled choaked up with sand There is also Cervia a Sea Cittie heretofore called Phicoles The Cernians for the most part are Salt-makers of which they make so great gaine that the Pope hath yearely from thence 60 thousand Crownes There is also Cesâ—na which Ptolemy calleth Caeseni Strabo Caesena and now the most doe call it Caesena and some Cesnadigo and lastly Cesna It is now a very populous Citty and in former time it was enlarged on the West and Noth sides by Bernardine Rubrius of Parma There is a strong Castle seated on a Hill on the South side of the Cittie which was built by the Emperour Frederick the second Sarsina is an ancient Cittie at the foote of the Apennine where Plautus was borne Ravenna which Strabo calleth Raovenna and Ptolomy Ravennai is an ancient Cittie Concerning the situation whereof Strabo writeth much Lib. 5. There are under the Archbishop hereof the Bishop Adriensis Comaclensis Cerviensis Foroliviensis Foropompiliensis Vellimensis or Fille Cesenatensis Saremensis or Sarsinatensis Faventinus Imolensis Mutinensis Bononiensis Reginensis Parmensis and Barcinensis There are very good Meddowes and Pastures by this Cittie which doe yeeld grrat stoare of Milke Butter and Cheese Forum-Livij is now called Forli It is a Citty that excelleth both for Situation and plenty being seated betweene the two Rivers Ronâ—us and Montonus and hath a good ayre Forum Cornelij commonly calld Imolais seated by the River Santernus the soyle round about it is fruitefull and yeeldeth great store of Corne Wine Oyle and other fruites Bononia is an ancient noble Cittie commonly calld Bologna it is seated at the foote of the Apennine by the River Rhene and the Torrent Aposa runneth through the middle of the Cittie it lyeth all against the East on the South side it hath Vine-bearing hills on the other sides faire fruitefull Meddowes The ayre is not very wholesome
The compasse of it is 7. Miles It hath 12. Gates and Magnificent houses and Noblemens Pallaces The Emperour Theodosius did institute an Universitie here in the yeare 423. Now we come to Ferraria concerning the name whereof there are divers opinions But it is most probable that it was called from the Inhabitants of Ferrarida which was beyond Po who were translated hither in the yeare 423. by the Decree of the Emperour Theodosius at what time it was a Village without walls and afterward about the yeare 658. it was walled about by Smaragdus Exarchus and by degrees it was so much enlarged that at length it became a noble Cittie The Bishoprick was translated hither by Pope Vitellianus about the yeare 658. and 12. neighbouring Villages made subject unto it by the Emperour Constantine the 2. who gave it also many Priviledges It is now called Ferrara And it is seated on the Banck of the River Po which watereth it on the East and South sides The ayre is thick in regard that it is situate in the Marshes It hath straite long broade streetes the most whereof the Marquesse Leonell caused to be paved with brick and it is wonderfully beautified with publike and private buildings There is a greate Church and two Castles the one by the River the other over against S. Georges Church which is the Dukes Seate and both are well fortified it is populous and aboundeth with plenty of all things and it is one of the pleasantest Citties in Italie being the head seate of the ancient and noble family of the Atestines The Emperour Frederick the second did institute heere an University in contempt of Bononia It hath a greate Plaine round about it but barren I passe by the other Citties of Romandiola and the lesser Townes THE FOVRTH TABLE OF LOMBARDY· ROMANIOLA cum D. PARMsENSI The Dukedome of PARMA THE Dukedome of Parma is so called from the Citty Parma The Soyle is pleasant and beareth excellent fruite and good Vines it hath also wholesome waters and pleasant Meddowes and it is very much commended for cheese and fleeces of wooll This Citty of Parma from whence the Dukedome is denominated was built by the Tuscians and as many other Citties in these parts afterwards it was possessed by the Borians and in Processe of time the Romans were Lords of it who as Livy delivers Lib. 29. in the yeare 570. brought thither a Colonie Mar. Tul. in the last of his Philippicks bewaileth that calamity which L. Antoninus brought upon it Afterward it was freed from the power of the Romane servitude and now it sometimes belonged to the Emperours sometimes to the Popes but it was alwayes joyned in friendship with Bononia It endured two whole yeares a grievous siege which was laid against it by the Emperour Frederick the second about the yeare 1248. because it tooke part with the Pope But he being driven away it had afterward many Earles as the Corregians Scaligers Atestians also the Galeatians and the Sforzas who were Vicounts and lastly the Frenchmen with whom the Pope of Rome did often contend for the Dominion and Soveraignty over this Citty who at last being ayded by the Emperour Charles the fifth expulsed the Frenchmen out of Italy and got the Citty Now it hath Dukes the first whereof was instituted by the Pope namely Peter Aloysius Farnesius the Sonne of Pope Paul the third who within two yeere being cruelly murder'd his Sonne Octavius was put in his place and after his decease his Sonne succeded him But Strabo and Ptolemy doe place Parma in the Aemilian way five miles from the Apennine It was so called from the River Parma or as others suppose Quod Parmam hoc est breve scutum referat that is because it resembleth a little round Buckler or Target which is called Parma It hath faire houses strait broad streets and plenty of all things necessary It is very populous and seated on a Plaine the ayre is very wholesome so that Pliny maketh mention of 5. men of Parma three whereof lived 120. yeeres and two 130. yeeres The Winters and Summers are temperate It hath a strong Castle and many Palaces belonging to Princes and noble Families In the Market-place which is very large there is a faire Fountaine and a Church built in imitation of the Romane fashion and a Bell hung on three Pillars and a Steeple like that at Bononia The Suburbs are devided from it by a River of the same name and it is an Archbishoprick The Inhabitants are comely noble Martiall couragious and witty Also the ancient and noble Citty Placentia hath a Duke as well as Parma which Ptolemy and others call Plakentia and commonly Piazenza It is seated neere Po from which it is distant about 1000. foote it standeth in a pleasant soyle and glorieth in her fruitfull fields and famous Citizens The walls are new the Bulwarkes and Fortifications very large and strong It is also a Bishoprick It hath a Schoole for all Arts and Disciplines The fields round about this Citty in regard they are well watered doe yeeld Wine Oyle Corne and all kinde of Fruits for it hath many Springs Rivers and Rivulets which doe water the Pastures and Meddowes The Dukedome of MANTUA THe Dukedome of Mantua is so named from the Citty Mantua It was first governed by the Thuscians who built this Citty afterward the French Cenomanian did governe it after whom the Romanes obtained it It endured much misery under the Triumvirate For when Cremona was left as a prey to the Conquerours it lost a great part of his Territory by his vicinity and neighbour-hood unto it Whence Virgil saith Mantuavae miserae nimium vicina Cremona Mantua alas doth stand too nigh Cremona opprest with misery There succeeded after the Romanes the Gothes and Langbards who being expelled it was reduced to the obedience of the Romane Empire which afterward decaying it got liberty with many other Citties which it enjoyed untill the Emperour Otho the second gave it to Theobald Earle of Canossaw There succeeded after him his Sonne Boniface and he dying without any Issue Male his Wife Beatrix and his Daughter Mathilde succeeded who much enlarged Mantua That Citty which Strabo and Ptolemy did call Mantua is now called Mantoa Divers have sundry opinions concerning the originall of this Citty Howsoever the originall is most ancient It is seated in the middest of the Marshes which the River Mincius flowing out of the Lake Benacum doth make neither can you goe unto it but by great high Bridges hence in regard of the naturall situation it is accounted one of the strongest Citties of Italy It is a faire Citty adorned with magnificent publike and private buildings and faire streets THE COVNTY OF BRESSIA AND THE DVKEDOME OF MEDIOLANVM THE COVNTY OF BRESSIA AND THE DVKEDOME OF MEDIOLANVM BRESCIA Episcopatus MEDIOLANŪ Ducatus Hic locus odit amat punit conservat honorat Nequitiem pacem crimina jura Probos This place doth love 1 hate 2 punish
3 keepe 4 and reverence 5 Wickednesse 1 peace 2 faults 3 lawes 4 and good mens 5 innocence There are many inscriptions upon Marble and many Elogies of Statues and divers Epitaphs both in the Churches the Bishops Palace and also in all parts of the Citty and the Territories thereof The Inhabitants are wealthy neate Noble subtile and witty It flourisheth now for riches so that it is usually called Vrbis Venetae Sponsa the Citty of Venice his Bride It received the Christian faith from D. Appollinaris Bishop of Ravenna And it is a Bishoprick Of which Scaliger thus Quae pingues scatebras specula despectat ab alta Postulat Imperij Brixia magna vices Caelum hilarum Frons laeta urbi gens nescia fraudis Atque modum ignorat divitis uber agri Si regeret patrias animas concordibus oras Tunc poterat Dominis ipsa jubere suis Great Brixia that from a Hill doth view Those fruitfull springs which doe the ground bedew Complaines of change of government the ayre Is pleasant and the Citty is most faire The people are ignorant in all deceit The richnesse of the soyle is very great And if dew concord could be here maintain'd Those who are now her Lords she might command There is also in this Territory the Towne Quintianum situate 20. miles from Brixia Southward neere the River Ollius Also Reggiate Bottesino Vtele Novalara with many others it hath also the Lake Beâ—acum so called from a Towne the ruines whereof are still remaining Catullus calls it Lydius from the Lydians that is the Tyrrhenians who as fame reporteth did sometime inhabit the Country neere unto it it is called in Italian Lago di Garda and in the Germane speech Gard-se from the Castle which is seated on the East banke thereof This Lake as Alexius Vgonius writeth to Cardinall Pole doth excell all others for good fish it is environd with pleasant Hills and Springs doe every where breake forth here there are woods and greene Medowes Vines Olives Maple-trees Bay-trees and Cedars and Townes full of all provision doe encompasse it round about so that it wanteth nothing either for delight and pleasure or for use and profit There is also another Lake called Sebinus or Sevinus now it is called Lago d'Iseo from the Castle Iseus which is on the banke thereof This receaveth the River Ollus on the North and casteth it forth againe on the South Lastly there is also betweene Sebinum and Benacum the Lake Idrinus commonly called Lago d'Idro or Idro Lago It was so named from the Castle Idrus Some suppose it was so called from the Hydra which Hercules slew here it hath abundance of fish It dischargeth it selfe into Idrinus by divers streames the lesser Lakes are those which are called in their Country speech Lago Cap. Lago Ruâ—cone and others The River Mella or Mela doth cut thorow the middle of this Territory It still retaineth the name of Mella even untill this day But yet it doth not runne by the Citty as we may see but by the Precincts thereof The little Rivulet which glideth by the Citty is now called Garza The Dukedome of MEDIOLANUM THe Dukedome of Mediolanum is 300. miles in compasse The soyle is very fertile and fruitfull Livie Florus and Polybius doe report that this Country with the most of the Transpadane Citties did yeeld themselves to the power of the Romanes and became a Province Marcellus and Cn. Scipio being Consuls And it is manifest that some of the latter Emperours allured by the conveniency of the place did make this Citty their seate of Residence as Nerva Trajane Hadriâ—n Maximinian Philip Constantine Constantius Iovianus Valentes Valentinian and Theodosius Trajane built a Palace here which still retaineth that name But when the power of the Caesars grew weake this Citty was wasted and spoyled by the incursions and inrodes of the Barbarians as the Gothes Hunnes and Langbards Whom when Charles the great had droven out of Italy this Country did put it safe under the protection of the Kings of France afterward of the Germane Emâ—â—rours The most of which were yeerely crowned here with an Iron Crowne in the ancient and famous Church of Saint Ambrose as Leâ—nder proveth by severall examples At length under the raigne of the Emperours Frederick the first and the second against whom it continually rebelled it had new Lords which were the Vicounts Gaâ—â—atâ—â— who afterward in the yeere 1394. were created Dukes by the Emperour Wenceslaus Afterward they had the Dukes of Sfortia by the suffrage and consent of the Citizens and by the authority of the Romane Empire which the Galeatians could never obtaine But their Line being extinguished the Emperour Charles the fifth was their Successor who passed over this Principallity to the Kings of Spaine his Successours The chiefe Citty is called by all Latine Writers Mediolanum Polybius Strabo Ptolemy doe call it Mediolanium and Mediolana the Italians doe now call it Milano the Germanes Mey-landt Mediolanum was built by the French Insubrians as Livy Trogus and others doe report who comming into Italie under the conduct of their Captaine Bellovesus and having expulsed the Tuscians they founded a Citty here in the yeere as some doe reckon before the birth of Christ 339. and as others recken 380. Howsoever it is most ancient Isaac Causabone Lib. 4. and Strabo doe thinke that it was so named from Mediolanium a Citty of the Santones in France Some say that it is derived from a Germane word as it were May-landt from the greene fields which are as fresh and pleasant as the fields are in the Moneth of May or else it is called Midlandt because it is the middle and Navell as Iovius sheweth of Insubrit being enclosed with the River Ticinus or lastly it is called Maegde-landt or Meydel-landt that is the Virgin Country from Minerva who had a Temple there which was heretofore consecrate to our Saviour afterward to the blessed Virgin and now to Saint Tecla Mediolanum is situate betweene Ticinus and Abdua not farre from the Alpes having a temperate ayre and climate It is thought to be one of the greatest Citties of Europe and it flourisheth for wealth and merchandizing it hath faire buildings great Churches and wide large streets and it is well fortified with Walls Bulwarks and an Armory which doe take up a great space of ground It hath large Suburbs some of which may compare with great Citties being ditched and walled about as the Citty is next to the Church which is call Domus being fairely and magnificently built there is Saint Laurences great Church which was built upon the ruines of Hercules Temple There are also in it seven high channelled Pillars curiously wrought There is also the strongest Castle which is in this part of the world and it is called Porta Iovia it is impregnable and the fairest in all Europe There is in the Suburbs an Hospitall for Strangers or for the sicke by the way of Bernomatius the foundation whereof
Evâ—â—n was built by Peter brother and Deputy to Amades Earle of Sabaudia in the yeare 1237. But this Lake of Geneva on that side which lyeth toward Helvetia is sixteene miles long and on that side which lyeth toward Sabaudia it is 12 miles long and it is foure miles broad It hath at least sixteene Ports or Havens Out of the Port Morgiensis and Rotulensis commonly called Rolle the best wine is brought to Geneva and out of the Port of the Promontory commonly called Pormentou and the Port of Nero commonly called Nerny great store of wood and coale is brought to Geneva The River Rhodanus flowing into Lâ—mann from the first rising thereof even to his entrance into the Lake is not navigable for ships neither from the Helvetian bridge in the Suburbs of Geneva even to the next towne called Sâ—ssel which is seaven miles distant from the Cittie The same River in a certaine place five miles distant from the Cittie falleth into a deepe pit under ground Iurassus is such a long Mountaine that the Germaines did heretofore call the inhabitants thereof Longimans For from the top of them you may behold the Churches of Geneva and Basil being foure or five dayes journey distant one from another Also there is a wonderfull rocke full of holes which Sebastian Munster describeth in his Cosmographie Also the virgins Castles built by Iulius Caesar Also the Towne of Saint Claudus because lame people came thither from remote parts for religion sake Also a snowie fountaine in Summer time also a naturall Pit that is as broad as any Theater and as deepe as a Church and as darke as a Cave being continually full of snow Ice and Crystall Not farre from the Lake Lemann on that part which lyeth toward Sabaudia there are Mountaines which in the midst of Summer are covered with snow There is a certaine Mountaine a mile distant from the Citty Geneva upon which some THE LAKE LEMANN Lacus LemaÌ„nus Lac de Geneve not without horrour ascend by steps cut out of the rocke which are very narrow and almost innumerable And some setting their foote upon the last step when they beheld the deepe praecipice beneath them have gone backe againe There is also another Mountaine not farre from Aquila a towne towards Valesia of whose wonderfull effects we may reade the whole story in the memorable Histories of our time in the Chapter of Earthquakes lately set forth in French at Paris The Mountaine of S. Sergius is the most fruitefull of all the Chablacian Mountaines among which there is one other very fruitefull The other doe beare nothing but wood and shrubbes and pasturage for Kine which in the Summer time doe fatt themselves on the plaines of the Mountaines and doe give good store of milke But who can reckon the memorable chances or events happening there in the time of Warres Or how great and fearefull is the Praecipice of the Mountaine Mustracensis from which every yeare many horses loaden and Merchants doe fall headlong Concerning the rockes which are sharpe like teeth or swords we must write in a more accurate stile or else be silent Concerning the foote of the Mountaines of Aquiane it is knowne that they are unknowne by reason of the depth of the Lake from the bottome whereof they doe arise The most of the woods they doe yeeld Chesnuts both to the poore and rich and Acornes for Hogges and Swine also fire-wood and cart-timber and plough-timber for husbandmen In these places there are few or no Churches which have reliques of Saints in them because Idolatrie is banisht from hence But there are many sumptuous and magnificent Temples especially that at Lausanna being built within of black Marble and the auncient Temple at Geneva being full of Iron worke being twice or thrice endangered by thunder so that the leaden crosse of it was burnt and the high Tower fell down which was built before the coÌ„ming of Charles the great Adde to these the Temple of Vâ—viacum seated among the Vineyards out of the walls of the Citty and the Temple of Morgium lately beutified But all the Images are defac'd Geneva hath an hospitall for Orphans and for the sicke but both of them are included in the Hospitall for strangers in which there dwelleth a Catechizer and a Schoole-master who doe take paines in comforting the sicke and reading prayers to them it hath also a Physician and an Apothecary belonging thereto The Municipall Court in Geneva in which every day five and twenty wise and pious Senators doe meete together to consult of affaires belonging to the Common wealth and in which also the written records and bookes are kept is watched every night by the Cittizens On one side of the Gate there is placed a magnificent seate of judgement commonly called the Tribunall On the other side of the Gate there is a notable monument of time occasion the means of the renovation of this state And neere the Court there is an Armory well furnished There are also in and about this Cittie many high bulwarkes fortified with shot There have beene and are many Castels in this Country one of which is called S. Catherines Castell in which those warlike engines or instruments were layd up which were provided for the seige of Geneva and brought thither in the yeare 1590. It was taken by King Henry the fourth who commanded it to be rac'd Anno. Dom. 1601. The other Castle which the Genevians built over against it for peace sake and for sparing of charges they suffered to fall to ruine The third Castle commonly called Ripaâ—lle by the ayde of the French Cohorts came to be under the power of the Genevians Anno 1589 and is now desolate as also the fourth which belonged to Versonius when the Genevians tooke it There are some Towers cunningly and ingeniously raised one of which is called Turris Magistra or the Mistris Tower which defends Geneva on that side which is next the Lake and Sabaudia the other is called the Towre of the Island or Caesars Tower which is seated on a high Island for the defence of the Bridg which heretofore appertained to the Heluetians as it is reported it was built by the same Emperor The Statutes and Laws of the Common wealth and Colledge of Geneva may be read in a printed book Here is a great number of noble families As concerning men famous for wit and the profession of Arts and sciences there have beene many who have gotten much same by their divine and Philosophicall workes As Peter Viretus Verbigenensis Gulielmus Farellus Ioannes Calvinus Antonius Sadeel Petrus Cevalerius Nicolas Colladonus Cornelius Bertramus Alberius Alizetus Sequierius Bucanus all of which in the former age were a long time diligent Preachers and professors at Geneva Lausanna Morgium and Albona after whom there succeeded these famous writers Theodorus Beza Veselius Simon Goulartius Silvanectinus Antonius Faius Ioannes Lacomotus Iames Lectius a Senator Ioannes Deodatis
and Barley and great plenty of Lettice Colworts Cabbages Rape-rootes Beete Parsley or wilde Alexander and other Garden hearbs And besides it hath a roote which groweth in the West-Indies in the Iland Hispaniola which is there called Bata The Negroes of this Iland doe call it Ignama and doe plant it as a very choise and speciall hearbe The outermost barke is black the innermost white and it is long like a Rape-roote and hath many branches spreading from the roote It tasteth like Chesnuts but more pleasant and sweete They commonly rost them in the ashes and sometimes they eate them raw The Spaniards have brought hither Olive-trees Peach-trees Almond-trees and other kindes of Trees which being planted were faire and pleasant to behold but they never beare any fruit There is in this Iland a strange kinde of Crab which liveth in the Earth like a Mole of a Sea-water colour which casteth up the Earth and doth gnaw and consume all things neere it There are also in this Iland great store of Birds as Partridges Starlings Blackbirds greene singing Sparrowes and Parrots The Portugals built a Citty in it which they called Pavosa by the River in which it is thought that there 700. Families besides the Bishop and other Clergie men It hath a good Haven and a wholesome River and the Sea affoordeth good fishing And which is wonderfull there are great store of Whales which are sometimes found on this shore and on other shores of Affrick In the middle of the Iland there is a wooddy Mountaine which is alwaies coverd with such thick Clouds in so much that water doth runne out of the woods and water the Sugar-canes and the higher the Sunne is the Skie round about that Mountaine is the more cloudy The Inhabitants are partly white and partly black And it is very strange that the black people are very much troubled with Gnats Lice and Fleas but the white people have neither Lice nor Gnats nor Fleas in their Beds The Princes Iland NOt farre from hence 3. degrees beyond the Aequinoctiall is the Princes Iland Which is so named because the Prince of Portugal hath the revenues of this Iland It is well inhabited and yeeldeth great store of Sugar And there growes in it a kinde of Date-tree which wee mentioned before out of which there commeth a juyce which they drinke The Iland of the Good-yeere THE Iland of the Good-yeere or de Annobon was so called because it was discoverd at the beginning of the New-yeere It is situate 3. degrees Southward beyond the Aequinoctiall and it is inhabited there is good fishing by the shore side and flying fishes are sometimes seene here Here are also great store of Crocodiles and venemous Creatures And let so much suffice to have beene spoken concerning Guinea and these Ilands together with Affrick And now to conclude I thinke it meete to set downe that which Aeneas Gazaeus a Greeke Writer doth report in his Theophrastus or Booke of the immortality of the Soule or Resurrection of the dead who affirmeth that to his great amazement hee beheld the Martyrs and Priests of great Libya when their tongues were puld and cut out by the Tyrants command yet they spoke aloud and with a cheerefull couragious heart declared the wonderfull workes of God Hee that desireth to know more let him have recourse to Salust in his Jugurthine Warre and the Voyage of Hanno an Affrican which he shall finde in Arrianus and Iambolus his Voyage in Diadorus Siculus Also Herodotus his Melpomene Of the Moderne Writers let him consult with Aloysius Cadamustus Vascus de Gama Francis Alvares who viewed Aethiopia Iohn Leo who describeth it the most acurately of them all and Ludovick Marmolius also Livy Sanutus and others Concerning the River Nilus the greatest in all the world you may read the Letters of Iohn Biptista Rhamusus and Ierome Fracastorius We come now to Asia the third part of the World THE TVRKISH EMPIRE IN Asia unto which we now are come the Turkish Empire hath the first place Mela in his first Booke maketh mention of the Turkes and so doth Pliny Lib. 6. Cap. 7. And it is not to bee doubted but that Nation which is now growne so great by our sloth and dissention was both named and originally descended from them Postellus thinketh that the Hebrewes did call them Togarma They doe call themselves Musulmanni that is the Circumcised or as some doe interpret it the Right Beleevers But they will not be called Turkes for they account that name very reprochfull which in the Hebrew language signifies Banisht men or as some doe interpret it Spoilers or Wasters The Empire of the Ottoman Family which is very large and potent doth containe many Provinces and Countries of Europe Affrick and Asia In Europe it extendeth and stretcheth it selfe neere the Sea shore of the Hadriatick Bay from the borders of Epidaurus now called Ragusus and so encompassing all the Aegean Sea and also Propontis and a great part of the Euxine Sea it is bounderd with the Citty Theodosia situate in the Taurican Chersonesus which they now call Caffa which space of ground containeth 8000. miles In the Mediterranean parts it reacheth from Iavarinus a Towne of Hungary which the Inhabitants call Rab even to Constantinople which is seated in the borders of Europe In Affrick Turky doth containe all the Sea Coast from the Towne Bellis de Gomera even to the Arabian Bay or the red Sea except some few places which are subject to the King of Spaine It doth also extend it selfe very farre into Asia The Country for the most part is fruitfull and yeeldeth great store of Wheate Barley Oates Rye Beanes Millet and other kindes of Pulse It hath abundance of Rice Hempe and Cotton It hath also Vineyards It yeeldeth also great store of Pompions Mellons Cowcumbers Nuts Apples Peares Pomegranats Oranges Chestnuts Figges Cherries and other fruits but not in every Kingdome For there are some places as in Cappadocia and Armenia the lesse where none of these fruits doe grow by reason of the intensive and excessive cold It hath also veines of Gold Silver Iron Brasse and Allom. It doth breed divers kindes of living creatures and great store of Cammels Mules and other Cattell The Turkish Horses and Mastiffes are much esteem'd The Turkish Empire began thus Ottoman their first Emperour was a Tartarian and a Souldier to the great Cham a stout man and strong of body He leaving the Tartarians under the colour of some injury began to lye in THE TVRKISH EMPIRE· TURCICUM IMPERIUM waight about the Mountaines of Cappadocia At first he had but 40. Horsemen with him but afterward many guilty persons allorâ—d with the hope of booty and the consciousnesse of their wicked deeds flocked unto him by whose ayde and assistance he began to attempt openly what he formerly intended and so possessed himselfe of Cappidâ—â—ia Pâ—ontus Bithyma Pamphilia and Cilecia all rich Countries This was done about the
veere of our Lord 1300. After him succeeded his Sonne Orâ—hanes He by the same Arts but with greater strength of wealth and riches preserved and enlarged the Empire which he had received from his Father and made great use of the present opportunity the Christians being at that time in dissention amongst themselves whereby it came to passe that hee conquerd Mysia Lyâ—aâ—ia â—hrâ—gâ—â— and â—aria and also he besieged and tooke Nicaea and enlarged his Kingdome even to the Hellespont At that time the Palaeologieâ—s contended with Caeâ—aâ—uzens But hee knowing before hand that if hee should savour him hee should bee called into Eurâ—pe he past it over and shâ—â—â—d posterity a way how to vexe Europe In his latter time hee was kill'd in a battaile against the Tartarians after he had raigned 21. yeeres After him succeeded his Sonne Amurath who was cunning in simulation and disimulation couragious hardy and not inferiour to hiâ— Ancestorâ— for Military affaires He cunningly nourished those aforesaid dissentions betweene the Graecians who being wearied and tyred with continuall warre having hired Ships of the Genoaâ—s behold the trâ—â— herousnesse and covetousnesse of men did passe over our of Asia into Thrace in the yeere 1363. he tooke Callipolis which is seated in the Cheâ—sonesus after which a great part of Thrace yeelded it selfe Afterward he overcame Mysia the Bessians and Triballians Afterward having taken Adrianopolis and thinking to get â—ervia and Bulgaria he was stabbed with a dagger by Servius Servant to Lazarus the Lord of Servia whom he had tooke prisoner in the Warres Hee left two Sons Soliman and Bajazet Bajazet after his Brother was slaine obtaining the government purposed to conquer subdue all Thrace He was a man of a sharp wit and an aspiring mind bold in attempting diligent in contriving stout in suffering acute and wise in foreseeing oportunities and occasions and resolute in executing Insomuch that having subdued all Thrace he purposed to attempt Constantinople but first he thought it good to possesse himself of Thessaly Macedon â—hâ—cides and Attica and afterward the Prince of Bulgaria being slaine hee subdued the Mysians who are now called Servians the â—â—â—rians who are called Bosnensians the Triballians now Bulgarians And now having besieged Constantinople eight yeere fearing the comming of the Hungarian and French Army which the Emperor brought with him he raiseth his Siege and meetes with them at Nicopolis where joyning battel with them he got the victory the most part of the French Captaines being either slaine or tooke Prisoners Bajazet growing proud with this good successe marcheth againe to Constantinople and besieged it two yeeres together so that the besieged were ready to yeeld but that Tamerlaine the great Cham of the Tartars had purposed and resolved to waste all Asia with fire and sword to race the Citties and take all the pillage hee could get and so being terrified with his approach he left the Citty and so carryed his Army to the borders of Galatia and Bithynia where they met and fought untill it was deepe in the night But Bajazet being too weake was overcome and being taken Prisoner he was bound with Golden Fetters and so carryed in a Cage thorow Asia And long afterward he dyed in Asia after he had raigned 13. yeeres 6. moneths He left these Sonnes Calapinus Moyses Mahumet and Mustapha Calapinus dyed suddenly whose Sonne Orchanes was murthered by his Uncle Moyses and Moyses by his Brother Mahumet This Mahumet overcame all Valachia and Macedon and carried the Turkish Colours even to the Jonian Sea hee built himselfe a Palace at Adrianopolis and after he had raigned 17. yeeres he departed this life in the yeere of our Lord 1422. After him Amurath the second got the Empire He being brought into Thrace by the ayde of the Genoas in a Battell overcame his Uncle Mustephus whom the Graecians did favour more Hee raced and demolisht the ancient Citty of Thessalonica which was then a faire Citty pleasant rich and well seated which the Venetians then held And when he understood that the friendship of George Lord of Servia would bee much availeable unto him both to sett and establish his owne affaires and to weaken the Christians he sought by all meanes to win him to his side and moreover he married his Daughter And now being confident in his owne strength hee besiegeth Belgrade There were slaine at this Siege 7000. Turkes After him there succeeded Mahumet the second Hee having established his government by the murther of his Brother tooke Constantinople in the yeere 1458. on the last day save one of May. Two yeeres afterward he marched to Belgrade but there having lost many of his men he departed from thence wounded Afterward he possessed himselfe of Bulgaria Dalmatia and Croatia with all Rassia He tooke also Trapezuntes and Mytilenes with some other Ilands of Aegean Sea Hee tooke also Eubaea and Theodosia now called Caphas Hee governed the Empire 32. yeeres Bajazet the second waged warre with the Venetians and tooke from them Naupailum Methona and Dyrrachium And having depopulated and wasted all Dalmatia he dyed by poison His Sonne Selymmus invaded the Empire Who having tooke Alcair the strongest Citty of Aegypt and the Sultane being slaine he added all Alexandria and Aegypt to his Empire and tooke Damascus Solyman the onely Sonne of Selimus succeeded his Father and tooke Belgrade the strongest Fortresse and Bulwarke not onely of Hungary but of all the Christian World He tooke Rhodes Strigonium and â—uda and other Citties and he besieged Vienna in Anstria and at length dyed at Zygethus in the yeere of his raigne 47. Selimus the second succeeded after him who made a Truce with the Emperour Maximilian for 8. yeeres and tooke Cyprus from the Venetians He possest himselfe of Tunetum and Goleta and dyed in the yeere 1575. After whom succeeded Amurath and after him Mahumet the third who began his raigne with the murther of his 18. Brethren He hath 4. rich Citties in these Territories Constantinople Alcairum Aleppo Taurisum Constantinople was heretofore called Bizantium of which we have spoke in Thrace For it excelleth all other Citties The Turkes have a great care to build spacious Meschites or Temples and Carbarsara or Hospitals also Baths Conduits Bridges High-waies and other publike workes which the Turkes doe build very faire The Church of Sophia in Constantinople is the fairest of all the rest which remaineth still as Bellonius witnesseth and doth farre exceed the Romane Pantheon where all the gods were worshipped I omit the Turkes royall Palace and many ancient Monuments for brevity sake The Ottoman government is Lordly For the Turkish Emperour is so absolute a Lord within his owne Dominions that the Inhabitants are his Slaves and Subjects neither is any one Master of himselfe much lesse Lord of the House which he dwelleth in or of the Land which he tilleth except some Families in the Citty of Constantinople to whom Mahomet the second in reward of some service did grant