many Horse-shooes nailed upon the Shire-Hall door some of large size and ancient fashion others new and of our present Nobility whose names are thereupon stamped as followeth Henry Hastings Roger Rutland Edward L. Russel Earl of Bedford Ralph L. Euwer of Parram Henry L. Bertley Henry L. Mordant William L. Compton Edward L. Dudley Henry L. Winsor George Earl of Cumberland Philip Earl of Montgomery L Willoughby P. L Whartâ—n The Lord Shandois Besides many others without names That such homage was his due the said Lord himself told me and at that iâ—stâ—nt a suit depended in Law against the Earl of Lincoln who refused to forfeit the penalâ—y or to pay his fine 6 Her ancient Inhabitant known to the Romans mentioned in Prolomy were the Coritani and by him branched thorow Leicester Lincoln Nottingham Darby-shire and this who with the Icenians were subdued by P. Ostorius under the yoke of Claudius the Roman Emperour and at their departure by conquest of the Saxons made it a Province unto their Mercian Kingdom whose fortunes likewise coming to a full period the Normans annexed it under their Crown 7 This County King Edward Confessor bequeathed by his Testament unto Queen Eadgith his wife and after her decease unto his Monastery at Westminster which William the Conquerour cancelled and made void bestowing the Lands upon others the Tithes and the Church unto those Monks That the Ferrars here first seated besides the credit of Writers the Horse-shooe whose badge then it was doth witness where in the Castle and now the Shire-Hall right over the â—eat of the Iudge a Horse-shooe of Iron curiously wrought containing five foot and a half in length and the breadth thereto proportionably is fixed The Castle hath been strong but now is decayed the Church fair end the Town spacious whose degree of Longitude is 19 46 scruples and the North-poles elevation in Latitude 53 degrees and 7 minutes 8 Let it not seem offensive that I to fill up this little Shire have inserted the seat of a Town not sited in this County for besides the conveniency of place the circuit and beauty but especially it being for a time an University did move much yea and the first in this Island if Iohn Hardings Author fail him not that will have Bladud to bring from Athens certain Philosophers whom here he seated and made publick profession of the Liberal Sciences where as he saith a great number of Scolars Studied the Arts and so continuing an University unto the coming of Augustine at which time the Bishop of Rome interdicted it for certain Heresies sprung up among the Britains and Saxons But most true it is that the Reign of King Edward the third upon debate falling betwixt the Southern and Northern Students at Oxford many School-men withdrew themselves hither and a while professed and named a Colledge according to one in Oxford Brazen-nose which retaineth that name unto this day This was so great a skar unto the other that when they were recalled by Proclamation to Oxford it was provided by Oath that no Student in Oxford should publickly profess or read in the Arts at Stanford to the prejudice of Oxford 9 As this Shire is the least in circuit so is it with the fewest Market-Towns replenished having onely two And from societies that feed upon the labours of others was this Land the freest for besides Rishal where Tibba the Falconers Goddess was worshiped for a Saint when Superstition had well neer put Gods true hononr out of place I find very few neither with more Castles strengthened than that at Okam whose ruines shew that a Castle hath been there Divided it is into five Hundreds and therein are planted forty eight Parish-Churches LEICESTER SHIRE LEICESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXX LEICESTERSHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with Nottingham-shire upon the East with Lincoln and Rutland upon the South with Northampton-shire upon the West with Watling-street-way is parted from Warwick-shire the rest being bounded with the confines of Darby is a County Champion abounding in Corn but sparing of woods especially in the South and East parts which are supplyed with Pit-coals plenteously gotten in the North of this Province and with abundance of Cattle bred in the hills beyond the River Wrâ—ak which is nothing so well inhabited as the rest 2 The Air is gentle milde and temperate and giveth appetite both to labour and rest wholesome it is and draweth mans life to a long age and that much without sickness at Carleton onely some defect of pronunciation appeareth in their speech 3 The Soil thus consisting the Commodities are raised accordingly of Corn Cattle and Coals and in the Rocks near Bever are sometimes found the Astroites the Star-like precious Stone 4 The ancient people that inhabited this County were the Coritani who were spread further into other Shires but after that the Romans had left the Land to it self this with many more fell to be under the possession and government of the Mercians and their Kings from whom the English enjoyed it at this day 5 In Circular-wise almost the compass of this Shire is drawn indifferently spacious but not very thick of Inclosures being from East to West in the broadest part not fully 30 miles and from North to South but 24 the whole circumference about 196 miles whose principal City is set as the Center almost in the midst from whom the Pole is elevated 53 degrees and 4 minutes in Laritude and for Longitude 19 degrees 22 minutes 6 From this Town the Shire hath the name though the name of her self is diversly written as Legecestria Legara Legâ—o-cester by Ninius Caer-Lerion by Matthew of Westminster if we do not mistake him â—irall and now lastly Leicester ancient enough if King Leir was her builder eight hundred and forty and four years before the birth of our Saviour wherein he placed a Flamine to serve in the Temple of Ianus by himself there erected and where he was buried if Ieffery ap Arthur say true but now certain it is that Ethelred the Mercian Monarch made it an Episcopal See in the year of Christ Iesus 680 wherein Sexwulâ—â— of his elâ—ction became the first Bishop which shortly after was thence translated and therewith the beauty of the Town began to decay upon whole desolations that erectifying Lady Edelfled cast her eyes of compassion and both re-edified the buildings and compassed it about with a strong wall where in short time the Cities Trade so increased that Matthew Paris in his lesser Storâ— reporteth as followeth Lege-cester saith he is a right wealthy City and notably defeâ—ded and had the wall a sure foundation were inferiour to no City whatsoever But this pride of prosperity long lasted not under the Normans for it was sore oppressed with a world of Calamities when Robert Bossu the Crouch-back Earl of that Province rebelled against his Soveâ—aign Lord King Henry the second whereof hear the same Author Paris speak Through the obstinaâ—e stubbornness of Earl Robert saith he
this name whether from Vignina an ancient King thereof or from our Virgin Queen Elizabeth the other parts being since distinguished by the names of New-England New-York and Mary-Land After the more perfect discovery of these parts which is said to have been first encouraged and promoted by Sir Walter Raleigh by several worthy Adventurers as first Captain Philip Amidas and Captain Arthur Barlow Anno 1584. Sir Richard Greenvil 1585. Mr. Iohn White 1587 and 1589. Captain Gosnol 1602 Captain Martin Pring 1603 set out by the City of Bristol Captain George Weymouth 1605 set out by the Lord Arundel of Warder at last iâ— the year 1606 some footing being got for all the forementioned voyages had prov'd succesless those that went over with Captain Newport carrying with them a commission from King Iames for the establishing a Counsel to direct those new discoveries landed on the 19th of December at a place afterwards called Cape Henry at the mouth of Chesapeac-Bay and immediately opened their Orders by which eight of the Counsel were declared with power to choose a President to govern for a year together with the Counsel The next year Letters Patents bearing date April the 10th were granted by the King to Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers and the rest of the Undertakers who were divers Knights Gentlemen and Merchants of London Bristol Exeter Plymouth anâ— other parts to make a double Colony for the more speedy Planting of the place the first Colony to be undertaken by those of London the other by those of Bristol Exeter Plymouth c. However it was not till in some years after that this Plantation came to be considerably peopled and that principally by the great care industry and activity in this affair of the Valiant Capt. Iohn Smith who in the year 1615 in the 12th of King Iames his Reign procured by his interest at Court his Majesties recommendatory Letters for the encouragement of a standing Lottery for the benefit of the Plantation which accordingly succeeded and in two or three years time turn'd to no bad account And perhaps the cancelling and making void of the Patent granted to the Corporation of the first Colony of Virginia and all other Patents by which the said Corporation or Company of Adventurers of Virginia held any interest there which was done in Trinity Term 1623 by reason of several misdemeanors and miscarriages objected against the said Corporation was an inlet of a far greater conflux into these parts than otherwise would have been by reason that this Corporation been dissolved and the Plantation governed be persons immediately appointed by commission from the King a greater freedom of Trade was opened to all his Majesties Subjects that would adventure into those parts The greatest disturbance the English received from the Natives was in the year 1622 when by a general insurrection of the Barbarians 300 of our men were massacred In the year 1631 being the 7th of the Reign of King Charles the First the most Nothernly part of this Countrey was parcell'd out into a particular Province and by Patent granted to the Lord Baltâ—more by the name of Maryland And in like manner in the 15th year of his present Majesty being the year of our Lord 1663 that part of Florida which lies South of Virginia to Edw. Earl of Clarendon then Lord High Chancellor of England George Duke of Albermarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Sir William Berkley and Sir Iohn Colleton by the name of Carolina as is specified more at large in the particular discourses of these two Countreys So that Virginia as it now stands with these two Provinces lopt from it for in Carolina also is included some part of the Land which belonged formerly to the dissolved Company of Virgina extends it self only between 36 and 37 degrees and 50 minutes of Northern latitude being bounded to the East by the Ocean to the North by Mary-land to the West by the South-Seas and to the South by Carolina The Air of Virginia is accounted of a temperature very wholsome and agreeable to English constitutions especially since by the cutâ—ng down of the Woods and the regulation of diet the seasonings have been abated only within the present limits of Virginia it is somewhat hotter in Summer than that part called Mary-Land and the seasoning was formerly more violent and dangerous here to the English at their first landing The Soil which is generally plain but sometimes diversified with variety of hill and dale is capable being very fertile of producing all things that naturally grow in these parts besides which there are of the proper growth of this Countrey a sort of Plant called Silk-grass of which is made a very fine Stuff of a silky gloss and cordage more strong and lasting than any of hemp or flax For fruits the Mettaquâ—sunanks something resembling the Indian Fig the Chechinquamins which come nearest to the Chesnut the Putchcamines a fruit somewhat like a Damsin Messamines a sort of Grape in shew Rawcomens the resemblance of a Gooseberry Morocoks not much unlike a Strawberry Macoquer a kind of Apple Ocoughtanamnis a berry much like Câ—pers For Roots Musquaspen with the juice whereof being a rich sort of paint they colour their Mars and Targets Wichsacan yielding a most excellent healing jâ—ice for wounds Pocones an emulgent of much efficacy for swellings and aches Tockawaugh frequently â—aten there is also a Plant called Matonna of which they make bread and Assament a sort of Pulse a great delicacy among the natives The Beasts peculiar to this Countrey are the Opassum a certain beast which carrieth and suckleth her young in a bag which she hath under her belly the Assapanic or flying Squirrel the Mussascus a musk-sented beast having the shape of a Water-rat the Aroughena a sort of Badger the Utchuâ—quâ—is somewhat like a wild Cat also a sort of beast called Roscones Of Fish the most peculiar is the Sâ—ringraise which is also common to this Countrey with New-England So many several Towns as were anciently among the natives so many distinct Nations there were all Monarchical except that of the Sesquahanocks all something differing in disposition customs and religious Ceremonies and most of all in language but all of them in general valiant well-set of a tawny complexion with black flaggy and long hair crafty and treacherous sufficiently laborious in the art of War which they used frequently to exercise among each other and wonderful lovers of hunting in other things most scandalously lazy and indulgent to their ease mean in their apparel homely in their diet and sluttish in their houses All Ships that come to Virginia and Mary-Land enter through the Bay of Chesapeac at whose opening to the South Virginia begins between those famous Capes Cape Henry and Cape Charles Into this Bay which runs up 75 Leagues Northward into the Coâ—ntrey and is in some places seven leagues broad there fall
are by some named several Provinces into which this Countrey hath been formerly divided viz. Panuca bordering upon New Spain Aranaris Albardaosia whose Natives are peculiarly noted for their subâ—ilty Irquasia inhabited by a people exceeding all others in swiftness of foot and Alpachia Authia and Someria remarkable for expert swimmers even to the very women who make nothing to cross over wide Rivers with children in their arms it is said to abound also with Hermophradites who are made use of as drudges to follow the Camp and carry the luggage of the Army Colas bordering upon Cape Florida Tegista or Florida properly so called which stretcheth our North and South 100 leagues in length into a long Peninsula toward the Isle Cuba by the Cape Los Martyres Acuera Vitacuâ—â—us c. But the more common division of the Floridans is into their several Tribes as the Quitones the Susolas the Maticones the Avavares the Camoni the Canagadi the Marianes and the Quevenes of each of which the supreme Head or Prince is called the Paraousti This Countrey of Florida is well watered with many large and convenient Rivers of which the only mentioned in any noted Writer of these parts are these 1 Rio Grande 2 Rio Secco 3 Rio de Nieves 4 Rio de Spiritu Santo 5 Serravahi 6 Garuna 7 Ligeriâ— 8 Sequana 9 Axona 10 Charente all which fall into the great Lake of Mexico 11 Maio so called by Ribault from the Month in which he discovered it if it be not one of those already mentioned under another name The principal Towns of Florida whereof some built by the Spaniards and one by the French others by the ancient Inhabitants are 1 St. Helens situate on or near a Promontory or point so called on the utmost Frontier of the Country toward Virginia 2 Arx Carolina or Fort Charles built by Laudonier on the banks of the River Majo and by him so called in honour of King Charles the 9th of France in whose time the Conquest of Florida was undertaken by the French but this place was not long after taken from them by the Spaniard and very much ruinated 3 Port Royal a place inhabited for the sake of the Haven only which for the commodiousness of it is very much frequented 4 St. Matthews one of the principal sortifications of the Spaniards lying on the Eastern Coast of Tergesta of Florida properly so called 5 St. Augustines another of their ancient sortified places on the same Shore only somewhat more Southernly This Town as above mentioned was in the year 1585 taken and sack'd by Sir Francis Drake 6 Vitacuche once the chief Seat of the Province or petty Kingdom of Vitacuche though nâ— better indeed than an indifferent Village consisting but of 200 houses or rather cottages however thought worthy to be taken by the Natives from the Spaniards As also 7 Ocalis the Metropolitan Village of Acuera of so much the more note by how much the larger than the other 8 Osachite another Provincial Town of the Floridans 9 Apatache an ancient Native-built Town probably once of some note and resort at least taken by the Spaniards for such which made them the more eager to take it under the conduct of Pamphilus Narvaes in hopes of finding there great riches Doubtless it was then a place much larger and more considerable than to consist but of 40 or 50 houses or cottages as hath been by some delivered since it was capable of making so smart a resistance as it did when it was attack'd and of repelling them after the departure of Nervaes 10 Ante another ancient Town or Village of the Floridans chiefly remarkable for a sharp Ingagement between them and the Spaniards whom at this place though said to be nine days march from Apatache they overtook and forc'd to retreat not without the loss of very many of their men some of note 11 St. Philip. 12 St Iago both heretofore fortified by the Spaniards if not still possessed by them CAROLINA The Description of Carolina CAROLINA having been formerly accounted a part of Florida though of late separated into a peculiar Province little or nothing is to be said more of the discovery situation climate temperature soil commodities nature and customs of the natives than what hath been already mentioned in Florida it self of which we have been the more particular in regard this part of it which is called Carolina from his present Majesty King Charles the Second and which makes up a considerable Province belongs now to the English it being not so proper to attribute those things to a part only which are applicable to the whole it remains only therefore to speak of the present interest and propriety when upon what occasion and to whom the Patent was granted and if there be any thing else peculiar to this Province above the rest of Florida It was by the care charge and industrious endeavours of divers noble persons as Edward Earl of Clarendon â—ord Chancellor of England George Duke of Albemarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkly Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Sir William Berkly Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Colleton Knight and Baronet that this Province of Carolinâ— as the best part of all Florida was impropriated into the interest and possession of the English to whom indeed of right the whole Countrey may be accounted properly to belong both in regard it was discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabott by the encouragement and for the use of King Henry the seventh of England and for its neighbouring situation to our other Plantations besides several other conveniences by setling therein two considerable Plantations the one at Albemarl-Point which lying to the North borders upon Virginia and whither very many Families have transplanted themselves from New-England and other of our American Plantations the other at Charles-Town or Ashly River almost in the center of the Countrey which being the better Plantation of the two may in all likelihood invite a far greater as well from New-England and other parts that way as from Barbadoes and Bermudas many have already removed their effects hither The most apparent boundary between Carolina and Virginia appears plainly by Mr. Ledderers Map who hath written a very exact description of his travels into these parts to be the Râ—ver Rorenock alias Shawan that is to say the main River for above half the way and afterwards a smaller branch running on Northward towards the Hills as far as Sapon in the Countrey of the Nabissans the rest of the main stream running farther into the heart of the Countrey which from this boundary stretcheth a long way North-west This Sapon is the first Town within the limits of Carolina and situate as it were upon the utmost point of the said branch of the River Rorenock whereby though it stand dry upon an high ground yet it is environed with a fruitful and productive Soil Nor far from it is a place
repudâ—ate wife of King Henry the eight under an Hearse covered with black Say having a white Cross in the midst and on the South side Mary Queen of Scotland whose Hearse is spread over with black Velvet The Cloyâ—ter is large and in the Glaâ—â—e windows is very curiously portrayed the History of VVâ—lphere the Founder whose Royal Seat was at VVedon in the street converted unto a Monastery by S. VVerburgh his holy daughter and had been the Roman Station by Antonine the Emperour called Bannavenna So likewise Norman-Chester was the ancient City Durobriva where their Souldiers kept as by the moneys tâ—ere daily found is most apparent 8 Houses of Religion devoted to Gods Service by the pious intents of their well meaning Founders were at Peterborow Peakirk Pipewell Higham Davintree Sulby Saulscombe Sewardesleg Gare S. Dewy S. Michael Luffeild Catesby Bruch Barkley Finshead Fotheringhay VVeden and VVithrop besides them in Northampton all which felt the storms of their own destruction that raged against them in the Reign of King Henry the eight who dispersed their Revenues to his own Coffers and Courtiers and pulled the stones asunder of their seeming ever sure Foundations and in the time of young Edward his son whose mind was free from wronging the dead the Tombs of his own Predecessours were not spared when as Edward slain at Agincourt and Richard at VVakefield both of them Dukes of York were after death assaulted with the weapons of destruction that cast down their most fair Monuments in the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay Castle 9 Eight Princely Families have enjoyed the Title of the Earldom of Northampton whereof the last Henry Howard late Lord Privy Seale a most honourable Patron to all learned proceedings that I may acknowledge my dutiful and humble Service hath most honourably assisted and set forward these my endeavours 10 This Shires division for service to the Crown and imployment of businesses is into twenty Hundreds hath been strengthened with ten Castles and is still traded with ten Market-Towns and God honoured in three hundred twenty six Parish-Churches HUNTINGTON SHIRE HUNTINGTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVIII HUNTINGTON-SHIRE part of the Iceni under the Roman Monarch of Mercia in the Saxon Heptarchy is severed with Nene the North bounder from Northampton-shire to which it in part adjoyneth west from Bedford and Cambridge by mearing Towns on the South and from Ely by a fence of water East the work of Nature Benwick Stream or of Art Canutuâ— Delph severed when Alfred or before him Off â— shared the open circuit of their Empery into Principalities that by residence of subordinate rule Peace at home might be maintained Forreign offence by apt assembly of the Inhabitants resisted Tax and Revenue of the Crown laid more evenâ—ly and enâ—ily levyed Iustice at mens doors with less charge and journey administred all causes Civil having a right and speedy dispatch in the County or Earls monthly Court as Criminal in his Lieutenant the Sheriff Turne twice a year In form of a Lozeng this shire lyeth of positure temperate and is 52 degrees 4 scruples removed from the Aequator the Hilly soyl to the Plough-man grateful the Vale contiguous to the fens best for Pasture in which to no part of England it giveth place Woods are not much wanted the Rivers serving Coal as the Moors Turff for Fuell 2 This Content was as the whole Continent Forest until Caâ—utus gave this Law of grace Vt quisque tam in agris quam in silvis exciteâ— agitetque feras Long were the hands of Kings to pull of old the Subjects right into Regal pleasure when perambulation and Proclamation only might make any mans land forrest It is in the first Williams time a Phrase in Record not rare Silva hujus Maneâ—ii FORISEST missâ— in Silvam Râ—gis from which word of power Forrest may seem not unaptly to be derived Cum videbat Henricus primus tres Biâ—sas sitting in his Forrest of Lyfield he caused Husculphus his Ranger to keep them for his Game as the record doth testifie Thus did the second of his name and the first Richard in many parts well therefore may the Exchequer Book call the Forrest Iustice for Vert and Venison not Iustum absolutâ— but Iustum secundum Legem Forestae That Foresta is defined Tuta â—erarum statio may seem to confine the Forresters Office onely to his Games care which of ancient was as well over Mineral and Maritimal revenue The Office of Baldwiâ—e the great Forrester of Flanders Non agrum tantum spectabat sed Maris custodiam saiâ—h Tullius out of the old Charters of the French Kings And sâ—e how just this squares to our Legal practise for of Assarts Purprestures Emprovement Greenhugh Herbage Paunage Fowles Mills Honey Mines Quarries and Wreacks at Sea did the Itineral Iustice of the Forrest hâ—re enquire His Subjects of this Shire Henry the 2 from servitude of his beasts whose Grand-father proâ—feris homines inâ—arceravit exhaereditavit multilavit truâ—idavit did pretend by Charter to enfranchise except Wabridge Saple Herthy His own Demaines But such was the success by encroachments under his two â—ucceeding Sons that it drew on the oppressed people to importune anew the Soveraignes redress which was by the great Charter of the third Henry â—ruitlesly effected His son in the seventh of his Reign by a perambulation reâ—uming back the fruit of his fathers goodness and so remaining until in his twenty ninth year by Petition and purchase of his people for they gave him a full fifteen he confirmed the former Charter and by Iury View and Perambulation setled that Boundary of â—orrest which contented the People became the square of universal Iustice in this Kind and left in this Shire no more than the three former his own grounds Forrest 3 This Shire hath four Centuriatae or Hundreds and had of old time five these so called Quia prima iustitutione ex Hiderum aliquot center ariis compositae These are subdivided into 79 Parishes whereof five besides the Shire-Town have Markets These Parishes are measured by Hides and Carucks or Plough-lands more or less is either richness of Soil or strength of the Lord strengthned or extended their limits the Mass in whole containing of the first sort 818 and of the other 1136 These hides the ancient and general measure of land except in Kent where the account was by Solms or Lincoln-shire Vbi non sunt Hidae sed pro Hidis sum Carucatae were esteemed one hundred Acres Non Normanico sed Anglico numero una hida pro sexies viginti Acris duo pro duodecies viginti as in the Book of Doomesday Caruca the Teame-land not Carucata for they be different was in quantity of Acres proportioned to the quantity of Soil but usually in this Shire reputed 60. The Virgata or Yard-land was a more or less part of the Hide as the Acres in number varied which I find in this County from 18 to 42 but for the most part 30 which was the
then the rule fell for a short while to a Triumviratus which began and ended with Octavius Caesar Aâ—tonius and Lepidus After ten years the whole Empiâ—e was left to Octtavius and his tiâ—les were Aâ—gâ—stus Caesar and Imperator they continue to his successors to this dâ—y 18 Rome as yet sinks not in her glory but goes fairly on with full victory till the Imperial seat was removed to Bizaâ—tium and after divided into the East and Wesâ— by Thedoâ—ius Betwixt these whiles was a great part of the world still called in to enlarge their Dominiâ—ns and our selves among the rest though with some difficulty were forced to yield Britâ—in a Province to Câ—sar and the Roman Empire For let us take her limits at their best advantage and she was on the West bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with the Rivâ—r Tigris in Asia on the North with Rhene and Danubius in Europe and on the Sâ—uth with the Mount Atlas in Africa They contain these several Provinces almost in order of time as they were subdued Italy parâ—s of Africa Spain and Germany Britain Illiricum Liburnia Dalmatia Achaia Macedonia and Dardania Mesia and Thracia Pontus Armenia minor Mesopotamia Parthia Arabia Iudaa Cilicia Syria Aegypt Cantabria Austria Alpes Maritimae Rhetium Noricum Panonia Armenia major and the Islands round so Ortelius Marshals them 19 We mâ—st omit for want of space many emiâ—ent turns of Fortune which Rome suffered in these interims and take her now as at that time she was in her â—ull height of honour in compass â—â—fty miles seated on the River Tyber fifteen from the Sea on her walls were raised 740 turrets fit to receive provision in war for defence of the City in time of siege Livy numbers her 37 gates and her foundation was pitcht upon seven hills 1 Palattinus which as some say gave the name to our Kings Palaces 2 Capiâ—olinus upon which was built the Capitoll delivered from the Gaules by the gaggling of Geese 3 Vimiâ—alis 4 Aventinus from whence their condemned persons were cast into the River Tyber 5 Esquilinus 6 Coelius where once stood the chief Councel-house for the Senators 7 Quirinalis You may not expect here an exact description take at large the speech of the Emperour Constantius when with wonder he beheld the Campus Martius the Sepulchre of Augustus the Forum Temples Bathes Theaters the Arâ—us triumpbales Aquaducts stateness and infinite other Monuments he gave a brief epitomy of her antique glory that Nature had spent her self in the making up of that one City as if we might not hope to see the like in after-ages and true enough it is that she could not long support her self in that state of honour but as a string stretcht to the utmost cracks on the sudden 20 No sooner she was once divided but she lay open as a prey to the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards all now left of the Empire is almost a naked title and that scarce heard of in Rome for it hath its seat in Germany and is conferred upon some Christian Prince by the suffrages of the seven Electors The spiritual 1 Arch-bishop of Meâ—tz Chancellour of the Empire through all Germany 2 Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Iâ—aly 3 Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through all France The Temporal 4 Count Platine of Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour 5 Duke of Saxony Lord Maâ—shal 6 Marquess of Brandenberg chief Chamberlain and 7 in case of equality of voyces among the other â—ix the King of Bohemia casts the Diadem into whose lap he pleaseth 21 For the state of Rome as now it is and what else concerns the Empire since the removall of the seat royal I refer my Reader either to the descriptions of Italy and Germany or at least to some other modern Authors who have scope to write more at large my intent here was briefly to set down the beginning increase top and limits of the ancient Roman government GERMANIA Petrus Caerius Caelavit The Description of GERMANY GERMANY is continued with Belgia and lyeth next East-ward in our course toward Asia We shall find them oft times no otherwise distinguisht than by the tearms of higher and lower greater and lâ—sser Germany And indeed as this is the largâ—st portion of the whole Region which is known by that name so is it the largest Region of our whole quarter which is known entirely by any one name 2 As for her antiquity it doth not only compare her to the rest of Europe but compares Europe her self with any oâ—her part of the second world which accounts her years but from Noahs Flood or the confusion of Tongues For this purpose we had before occasion in our general Descriptions to mention the original of the German Kingdoms and that as you may remember was drawn by Chronologers from Tuiscâ— some say the son of Noah which lived soon after the world was repaired and began his Empire about thirty years from the fall of Bâ—bel 3 It appears sufficiently upon the record of received Historians that in the time of their Idolatry they worshipped one Thyst or Tuisco as a God which sprang from the earth and to this day as I hear there is a street about Culleâ— called Deutsâ—h and is thought as yet to retain a sound of the name of Tuisco for there he is supposed to have kept his residency Whether thus or no I leave to â—y Authors proof and my Readers judgement to believe or reject as it shall seem best All I can enforce iâ— that doubtless the Germans were an anient people and that they might challenge had they no other testimony 〈◊〉 shew for it than her very names of Tuiscia or Tâ—â—â—scke Theusâ—hland Alâ—ania and Teâ—toniâ— by which she was known in several ages long before the Romans gave her this last appâ—llaâ—ion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Tuisciâ— Teutsch or Teuschlant was received from her first King and Almania from her second the son of Tuiscâ— who as their story gives it with equal credit as it doth the rest was likewise worshipâ—ed for a God by the name of Mannus The same account is rendred for Tutonia from Tâ—to a Captain of the Germans and their ninth from Tuisco Under these they continued till the Romans â—ntred after their Conquest over the Gauls for whose likeness to them both in feature and câ—ulor in goodly portraiture and carriage of their wars they were from that time called 〈◊〉 as if brothâ—rs to the Gauls Yet there are too which compound the name of the 〈◊〉 words Gâ—r or Gâ—r which signifieth all or wholly and Maâ— which retains with us its prime significaâ—ion of 〈◊〉 as if they were all men to the proof or as other interpret as if they were a mixt Nation oâ— all sâ—rts of men from several Countries 5 But this last agrees not with the conjecture of some Gâ—ographers that 〈◊〉 hath not châ—nged hâ—r Inhabitants since she was first possest 〈…〉 And this indeed differs not muâ—h
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia