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A07439 Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas Containing his cosmographicall description of the fabricke and figure of the world. Lately rectified in divers places, as also beautified and enlarged with new mappes and tables; by the studious industry of Iudocus Hondy. Englished by W. S. generosus, & Coll. Regin. Oxoniæ.; Atlas. English Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594.; Hondius, Jodocus, 1563-1612.; Saltonstall, Wye, fl. 1630-1640.; Glover, George, b. ca. 1618, engraver. 1635 (1635) STC 17824; ESTC S114540 671,956 890

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Eberhard Earle of Wirtemberg a Duke Duke Eberhard the second continued but two yeares in his Dukedome but having melted his gold and silver plate he fled first to Vlma and afterward to the Prince Palatine and dyed without is●ue After that the Emperour Maximilian created Eberhard the Nephew of Eberhard Duke of Wirtemberg But hee was droven out of his Country in the yeare 1519 by the Swedlanders Christopher succeeded his father Vlricke and Ludovicke his sonne succeeded after Christopher And Ludovicke was succeeded by Fredericke the sonne of George Earle of Mount Vellicard The Intcurgians were formerly seated heere but Rhenanus called them the Vuithungians This Dukedome is as it were circular and round and doth containe many Citties and Townes The chiefe Citties are Tubinga Stutgardia Tubinga is commonly called Tubingen which is situate neere the River Neccarus being a very neate Cittie having store of bread and Wine which is transported to Swethland and it hath a stone Bridge over the River Neccarus It hath also a Castle and a hill planted with Vines a Colledge of C●nnons and an Vniversitie In this Cittie besides Iohn Stoffler and others Leonard Fuchsius did professe Physicke And the most famous and learned Martin Crusius was the Rhetoricke professor in the same Academy It was instituted by Eberhard Earle of Wirtemberg whom Maximilian as we sayd before created a Duke in the yeere 1477. Iohn Herold in his booke of the Germaine antiquities sheweth by an inscription engraven there that Augustus had a Mansion house at Tubinga Which Peter Appianus in his booke of auncient inscriptions doth set downe thus MAX. IN AV● EM GER MAX. DA● MAX. ARM. MAX. TRIB P. COS. ET But Heroldus setteth downe the whole inscription as the Emperour was usually enstiled at Rome Imp. Caes. Divi. L. Sept. Sever. Pert. Aug. Parth. Tarah Adiab F. M. Aurel. Antonin Aug. Sarmat Max. Ger. Max. Dac Max. Armen Max. Britan. Max. Arab. Max. Aleman Max. Parth. Max. P. E. Pont. Max. Trib. Pote vi Cos. Procos Perpet Leg. 8. Ant. Aug. P. E. Ejus Num. Devot Prin. Opt. Fortis THE COVNTIE OF WIRTEMBERG WIRTENBERG THE LOWER ALSATIA ALsatia commonly called Elsasz was so called as some suppose as it were Edelsalz that is a Noble and famous seate others thinke it was so named from the River Illa by changing a into i as it were a seate by the River Illa whence some doe affirme that it was called the Country of Illesass and not Alsas It is as fruitfull a Country as any that lyeth by the side of the Rhene on the East it hath Helvetia which parteth it from Rhene on the West Lotharingia where the Mountaine Vosagus is the bordering limit betweene Lotharingia and Germanie on the South it hath part of Helvetia Burgundie on the North it is boundred with the Dukedom of Wiriemberg It is nine Germaine miles long and from Rhene to the Mountaines it is three Germaine miles broad but towards Haganoa it groweth broader betweene the Mountaines But this Country is so fruitfull and there is such great plenty of all things especially of Wine and Corne in this little tract of Land that it doth not onely serve the inhabitants but other people also of Germanie both farre and neere Therefore Iames Wimphelingus in his Epitomy of Germany doth call it the Store house and Nurse of Germanie For excellent Wines are continually brought out of this Country in Carts and sometimes are convayd by shipping into Helvetia Swethland Bavaria Lotharingia and the Low Countries and sometimes into England In Sungoja there is great store of corne and all over the plaine ground of Alsatia even to Argentina there is every where great store of corne so that the inhabitants of the Mountaines of Lotharingia the Burgundians and a good part of Helvetia are sustained by it It hath Mountaines which yeeld excell●nt good Wines and in the plaine ground it hath Corne and divers kindes of fruite trees It hath also on the Mountaines Woods of Chesnuts and Mines of Silver Brasse and Lead especially in the val● Leberthal I● hath also faire pastures both upon the Mountaines and valleyes as appeareth by those excellent fat cheeses which are made in Munsterthall so that there are great store of Kine and cattle bred in this Country And it hath in some parts many wilde horses also Leopards Beares Martines and Harts and innumerable other wilde beasts Alsatia was heretofore under the Dominion of the Kings of France as also a part of the Kingdome of Austria Alsatia was held to be the chiefest Dukedome which H●ldericke King of France did honour with that title and gave it to his Cosen Etico in the yeare ●84 After Etico there succeeded his sonne Adelprechtus who being slaine with an arrow left two sonnes Linfrid and Eberhard who were governours of Alsatia Afterward their familie was expelled forth of Alsatia by Charles Martell Palatine and Master of the Court in the Kingdome of France But in the time of Otto the first the Earles of Kyburg who where allyed by consanguinitie to the Emperour did governe Alsatia Some say that they were made Landgraves of Alsatia others say that Otto the third did divide it into Landgraveships and that the higher Landgraveship which contayneth the Towne Einsheim and the adjacent Townes did fall to the Earles of Habsburg The other to the Earles of Ottingen to whom it descended from Henry Landgrave of Lower Alsatia who dying without issue did sell it to the Bishop of Argentine But this small Country is so fruitfull and pleasant that it hath 46 Citties and Townes in it which are walled about Fiftie Castels which are situated on Mountaines and Plaines and an innumerable sort of Villages Alsatia is two fold the Lower which is described in this present Chart and the higher which is painted forth in the Table following the Tribocians did possesse them both The chiefe Cittie is called by moderne writers Argentina Sextus Aurelius and Ptolomie doe call it Argentoratum Reginus nameth it Strasburg who writ five hundred yeeres before and more Rob. Constantinus supposeth it to be the same with that which Aurelius Victor and Diac●nus doe call Angentaria It is commonly called Strasburg from the number and capacity of the streetes This Cittie is situated in a fertile soyle and hath great store of Wine and Corne. And Munster writeth that there are in this Cittie above an hundred Gardiners who make a great gaine out of Turnips Onions Radishes Cabigges and the like An arme of the River Rhene and three other Rivers doe run through this Cittie and the severall Channells doe glide through the streetes as at Venice It is well governed and it hath a famous schoole and a Church On the West there are the Tabernae celebrated by Antoninus Simler calleth them Zaborn Frodoard nameth it Zabreni Ortelius calleth them tres Tabernae Concerning which Antoninus saith thus Riguasque perenni Fonte Tabernas THE LOWER ALSATIA ALSATIA INFERIOR The Country is partly Mountainous and partly
the West even to the Celtick Promontorie divide Spain into that part which lyeth on the hither side of the mountaines and that which is on the further side thrusteth forth a mountaine neare the fountaine of Iberus towards the South through the breadth of Spaine Strabo and Ptolemie do name it Idubeda But it is commonly called Saltus Aucencis and Monte d' Oca from the ancient Citie Auca some ruines whereof may be discerned at Villa Franca beyond Burgos Also there is the mountaine which ariseth out of Idubeda called by Strabo Orospeda by Ptolemie Otrospeda Yet hath it not one certaine name for all the whole mountaine for whereas Alvarius Gomecius calleth it Sierra Vermigia Florianus Sierra Mollina and Clusius Sierra Morena these names are but names to part of it Calpe is reckoned with Orospeda For so this mountaine is called by Ptolemie and others It is neare to the Bay of Hercules which is commonly called the Bay of Gibraltar Part of Orospeda is high and ●ockie and reaching from the Citie of Hispalis to Granada it doth lift up it selfe neare Archidona It hath its name and deserveth still to be famous by reason of a memorable example of love which was shewed thereon for the Spaniards call it La Penna de les Enamorades or the Lovers Mountaine Paulinus calleth it Bimaris because it looketh on two Seas the Inward and the Outward Strabo saith that the mountaine Calpe is not very large in compasse but that it is so high that to those who are farre off it may seeme an Island some do fabulously suspose it to be one of Hercules Pillars and Abela over against it in Africke to be the other both being the bounds of Hercules labours they say that it was heretofore one mountaine and that Hercules digged it through and so altered the shape of it Out of Alcarassum do arise the mountaines called by Pliny Montes Mariani by Ptolemie in the singular number Marianus and by Antoninus mons Mariorum They are now called Sierra Morena The noble river Baetis doth water the bottomes of their mountains on the left side Neare to Barcinon or Barcilona there is a mountaine which the Inhabitants call Mon-Iui some do translate it Iupiters mountaine and some do better render it the Iewes mountaine for that they were heretofore buried in this place where many of their Graves and Sepulchers do yet remaine On the top thereof there is a Towne from whence a watchman by setting up a linnen flagge in the day time and a fire in the night doth give notice to the Citie Barcinon of the approaching of any ships Spaine is every where full of woods and trees bearing singular and excellent kindes of fruit which it would be too long to recite in particular There is a wood neare unto the Towne called Monte Majore in which Nature alone hath planted Oakes Chestnut-trees Nuts Filberds Cherries Prunes Peares Figges wild Vines and all kinde of fruit-trees very high and fairely spred Not farre from the Towne Beiar or Bigerra is a most pleasant wood where Lucius Marinaeus Siculus writeth that hee hath measured Chesnut-trees which have beene fortie foot about It hath many woods also to fell and cut which do afford the Spaniard wood enough for the building of ships What shall I speake of the publike or private workes in this kingdome here are many magnificent Temples many Abbeys Friaries Monasteries Hospitals for strangers and for the sicke Here are many famous Kings Pallaces many magnificent and faire houses belonging to Noble-men and Knights and innumerable other publike and private edifices The King of Spaine is borne not chosen or elected to the Crowne yet is hee inaugurated and sworne to defend this people and their priviledges when hee taketh the oath of alleagiance of them The Kings children are called Infantaes Among whom the eldest sonne who in his fathers life is declared King by the consent and oath of the Nobles the Cittizens and people is called Prince of Spaine Although the King have supreme power over all persons and over all causes yet hee seldome decreeth any thing but with the consent and by the counsell of twelve men who being the chiefe of the whole Kingdome do make a royall Senate By them matters of moment are discussed and determined but matters of more secresie are consulted of by a Privie Counsell which consisteth of the King the Dictator of Leon the President and the third part of the Kings Counsell Those things which concerne the Indies and their government are handled in the Senate which they call the Indian Senate by one President and twelve Counsellers Matters of warre are handled in the militarie and warlike Senate which the 12 Royall Senators the Dictators of Leon and Castile with others doe make up Besides these there are also in Spaine three Prefectureships of Right and Justice which they call Places of hearing or Chanceries one being in Castile the other in Granada and the third in Gallicia Every one hath a President and 12 Senators and if that Suiters receive no satisfaction or redresse of their greevances from them their causes are brought before the Royall Senate Lastly there is the Treasurer of Castile having foure Questors under him whose office is to receive the Kings Treasure and to take and give accompt thereof There is a great company of Dukes Marquesses and Earles in Spaine Besides the Prince of Asturia and others I finde that there are about 23 Dukes as the Friensian Duke the Duke of Medina-Rivi-Sicci of Alua of Alcala of Albuquerqua of Scalona of Osuna of Averi of Bejar of Gandia of Sessa of Infantasg of Medina Caeli of Medina Sidonia of Maqueda of Najar of Feria of Segorbia of Sonna of Villa-Formosa of Verragua Pastrana and Franca-Villa And these have for their yearely revenues some fortie some an hundred thousand Duckets The Dukes of Infantasg and Medina-Sidonia have a farre greater revenue for the latter hath 130000 and the former 120000 Duckets per annum These are the Marquesses the Marquesse of Villa Nova of Astorga of Aquilar of Denia of Mondejar of Navares of Savia of Velleza of Comares of Aiomonte of Altamir of Veladra of Vearina of Carpio of Camarassa of Cortes of Monte-Majore of Guardia of Monte-Clare of Las Navas of Poza of Steppa of Tanara of Villa-Franca of Drada of Cavietis of Falcis of Fomesta of Molina of Ciralva of Valesis of Vallis of Zaara of Ardalis of Tarifa of Alcanisa and others the greater part having annuall revenues from ten thousand to 40000 Duckets There are also about an hundred Earles whose yearely revenues are from ten thousand to 25 thousand Duckets the chiefe of them are the Earles of Benaventum of Albua Miranda and Oropoza It would be too tedious to the Reader to reckon up the Vicounts which are ten in number the Barons the long roll and Catalogue of Vice Roys Governours Prefects of Provinces and of the Sea and lastly the
the lowest degree of Nobility whence their proprieties and order of government doe most clearely appeare A Knight saith this author or a Chevalier shall be thus created of one that was a Squire before and bore armes in his Escutcheon If hee having long followed the warres exercised armes beene present at many conflicts hath sufficient meanes to maintaine the state of his degree and commeth of a great noble and rich Familie then in any skirmish hee shall make knowne his request to the Generall of the Army or to some valiant generous Knight and when the battell is ended hee shall come unto the said Generall or Knight and entreate him in the name of God and S. George to give him the Order of Knighthood Whereupon hee shall draw out his Sword and strike him thrice with it saying I make thee a Knight or Chevalier in the name of God and S. George faithfully to defend the Faith Iustice the Church Widowes and Orphanes But if the supplicant although he be valiant yet be poore hee shall not bee admitted unlesse so much yearely revenues be assigned and given unto him as is necessarie to preserve and maintaine the honour and dignitie of his Order And this is the first degree of Nobility arising from the lowest A militarie Tribune called een Bander-heer shall be made of a Knight if having long followed the warres hee hath lands and revenues enough to keepe and maintaine fiftie Gentle-men in pay that is one Band of horse men which shall follow his colours in the war For no man can set up a Colours or standerd of his owne unlesse hee can bring into the field at his owne charge a Troupe or Band at the least of fiftie Gentlemen who receive pay from him A Baron may bee created of a Knight or also of a Noble Squire which hath foure Castles in his dominion and all power within himselfe for then the King may conferre a Baronrie upon him yet hee cannot give him this honour unlesse he hath behaved himselfe valiantly in the warres Therefore after the first conflict or battell he is made a Knight after the second a militarie Tribune and after the third a Baron The degree of an Earle is the next and first an Earle of the Marches whom wee call a Marquesse that is Marcgrave And hee may be created one who hath two or three Baronies included in one Dukedome and that by the Duke in whose precincts they lye Hee may be made a Provinciall Earle that is a Landgrave who hath foure Baronies in one Dukedome by the Duke or the King by the instance or permission of the Duke Hee may bee made a Vicount who hath five Counties or more within one Dukedome or which are joyned together by vicinitie of situation And by the Kings permission he may be created by the Duke with great solemnitie But if the King himselfe be present the Principality is more honourable The Duke who is to be made of an Earle must first possesse in the Kingdome wherein hee is to bee crowned foure principall Counties and must have in every one of them foure other Counties or Baronies which must bee bound to doe fealtie and service to them But he must be crowned by the King or Emperour whose subject hee is his Hatt being adorned with pearles and pretious Stones in the most flourishing Citie of his territories and that in a great assembly of Princes Dukes Earles and Barons a solemne festivall being also held as it is the custome as the Coronation of Kings Hee that is to bee King must have foure Dukedomes lying neere together subject unto him and in every Dukedome foure Cities which hee alone governeth in every one of these foure Cities one Archbishop and under euery one of these againe ten Provinciall Bishops Hee being endowed and adorned with these dominions and dignities shall come unto the Emperours Majestie as to his superiour or shall invite him by an honourable Embassage to come unto him and so desire to be crowned by him But this seemes to be a later manner of electing the Kings and other Princes for as long as those wandring Nations of the Gothes Vandals Longobardes and many others did bring in their Kings with them they did not measure the royall dignitie by large possession of lands but by the multitude and strength of the people which they brought in Neither was there any other choise of Dukes who first began to bee instituted by Longinus Governour of Ravenna in the yeare 569 and afterward by the Longobards than for their valour and wise atchievements Adde to this that which Paulus Aemilius witnesseth namely that Dukes and Earles were in the beginning made Prefects by the King over Nations and Cities on this condition onely that as often as there was occasion they should bee dismissed or changed Now how could the afore said Lawes of creating Princes which are measured by and doe claime the hereditarie possession of Lands be in force at that time seeing Dukedomes and Counties were conferr'd by Kings and Emperours as a temporary bountie Therefore though the precise time of the Institution of them cannot be shewed for that French Booke doth mention nothing of it yet it is very likely that under Otto the second Emperour or about the yeare one thousand or a litle after that manner of constituting and confirming dignities was ordained by the Monarches For even untill Otto the second every Prince according to his power and ambition did aspire to greater dignitie and royall Majestie So out of one Kingdome of Lotharingia or Lorreine which being extended from the Rhene even to the River Scaldis was bounded with the Friesland Sea and belonged to Lotharius the Sonne of Lodovicus Pius more Kingdomes did afterward arise namely the transjurane Burgundie which being extended from the Mountaine Jura even to the Alpes did containe all Helvetia the Rauraci the Allobroges and the transjurane Burgundians and the Kingdome of Provence which did certaine some part of Burgundie and Sabaudia and was afterward called the Kingdome of Arelatum of which at this day the Elector of Trevers is called the Archchan●●liour It did also containe the Kingdome of Lotharingia now also called Lotharingia and other Kingdomes betweene the Rhene and Scaldis even to the Friesland Sea and heretofore it was called the Kingdome of Austrasia Againe this Kingdome of Lotharingia Charles the bald and his Brother Lodovick did part betweene them both of them preserving the title of a King in all places I omit the other Kingdomes which sprung up in that agely the desire and asseciation of Soveraignty But the Emperour Otto the second did divide Lotharingia having tooke away the name of a Kingdome into nine Dukedomes and Earledomes as it were into members pulled and separated from the body as Cuspinian hath it and having made a division thereof Anno 981 be first made Charles the Brother of Lotharius King of France Duke of that Countrie which is now called Lotharingia a● Richardus Wissenburgius
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 Clar●m●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 Bello●●● 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 Peral●us the Dolphine of Avercia who was called Duke S●mus and of Ione Forres●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 M●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 Lud●●ick Bishop of Le●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 ●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 Vend●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 Al●ie● 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 ●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 M●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 Xainco●●usset and others one part whereof are seated in Avernia and anoth●● 〈◊〉 Nervernesium there is also Ainayla Chasteau so named from the Ca● S. Amand and others So much concerning the Cities and Townes The Counties are two which are commonly called Beaujolois and F●●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 Guica●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 Canton● commonly called Wiflispurgergow It is so named from the Towne Wiflispurg which heretofore in ●ulius Caesars time was the head Citie of Helvetia and was called Aventi●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 B●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 Statu●es and the power and vertue thereof it is not inferiour unto any Citie Concerning the building whereof we reade thus Berchtaldus Duke of Zert●gia the 4. of that name built in his time 2. Friburgis that is free Castells namely one in Brisgoi● 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 Nide●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 he●ssen Bern i. e Arbores sinite ut secemini libenter Quon●●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 ●●●●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 ●harles Duke of Burgundie Lausanna being redeemed by the Princes of S. ●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 Has●i the Towne Onders●a or Vinderseu●en Simmia Vallis superior Simia vallis inferior ●rutingen Sana Aelen Thun Louppen Signow Drachselwald the Vale of the River Emm Sicon●swald Burgdorff B●ereneck Landshu●t Arberg Nidow E●lach Bippium Wangen Arwargen Arburg Biberstein Schen●kenbergh Lentzburg Also three free Townes in the Verbigenian Canton are subject to the Bermans Zof fingen Araw and Bru●k Also there are 9. Monasterie● endowed with Lands 6. whereof are under a civill Jurisdiction There are also 8. French Cantons and Townes as Aventicum W●flispurg Minnidunum Mouilden Yuerden Morges Novidunum Ny●● Oron Zilia with Vibiscum or Viv●y also Mercator reckoneth up three Monasteries belonging to the Bernatians which are M●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 Kibu●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
Dukes Earles and Noblemen Or what should I mention the other publicke or private buildings for if I should endeavour to reckon them up I should sooner want time than matter wherefore it is better to be silent than to speake too sparingly The politick state of these Countries both in generall and speciall is threefold the first is the Ecclesiastick state in which the Abbots are the chiefe the second is of the Nobility as the Duks Earles Marcgraves Princes Barrons and great Lords The third is of the Citties which the chiefe Citties of every Country doe represent These states the Prince calleth together when they are to consult concerning matters appertaining to the Prince or to the Principality or to the preservation or utility of the Countrie The Ecclesiasticke state is thus there are foure Bishops in the Low Countries the Camaracensian the Tornaycensian and the Atrebatensian these three are under the Arch-bishop of Rhemes and the Vltrajectine who is under the Arch-bishop of Colen I proceed to the Vniversities which are 4 the Vniversitie of Lovaine and Doway of Leyden and Flankford Lovaine is famous for the many Colledges Students and learned men the chiefe Colledges are Lilium Castrense the Colledge of Porus and Falcon in which Philosophie is read The Buslidian Colledge hath three languages taught in it namely Greeke Latine and Hebrew This Vniversitie at the request of the Nobles of Brabant was first instituted and adorned with Priviledges by Iohn the 4 Duke of Brabant in the yeare 1426. Martinus the fifth being Pope The other were erected in our memory Out of which as it were out of the Troian horse innumerable learned men have proceeded and doe dayly come from thence For in the Low Countries there are learned men skilfull in all faculties and sciences and as heretofore so now it produceth famous Schollers whom it would be too tedious to reckon up Here are divers Libraries in sundry places which are replenished with excellent rare Bookes Among which that at Leyden is the chiefe The inhabitants are faire quiet not cholericke nor ambitious nor proud not much given to venerie civill plaine curteous affable ingenious and ready witty and sometimes talkative laborious industrious faithfull gratefull towards those that have done them a curtesie capable of all Arts and Sciences stout in defending their liberties and Priviledges even to death And this may truely be spoken in the generall prayse of them that the Low Country men are frugall house keepers and thrifty husbands who following the example of the Ant do lay up before winter that which cannot then be gotten and doe buy fish and flesh which they either pickle up or doe dry it in the smoake For every house according to the number of their familie doth kill in Autumne an whole Oxe or provideth halfe an one beside a Hogge which they salt up and then it will serve them to spend a good part of the yeare untill the Spring returne againe Yet many of them are very covetous and desirous of wealth The Women are beautifull well behav'd and curteous For according to their Country fashion they are used from their childhood to converse familiarly with every one and therefore they are very ready both in action or speech or any matter neither doth this freedome or liberty make them lesse honest Neither doe they onely walke alone through the Cittie but they will goe for fellowship to the next Townes without any the least suspition of dishonestie They are very continent and apt and ready in their affaires And they are not onely carefull of houshold matters of which their husbands take no care but they also use Merchandise and dispatch and conferre of businesses belonging unto men and that with so great dexterity and diligence that in many of the Provinces as in Holland and Zeland the men do commit all their affaires unto them And by this manner of living joyned with the innate desire which women have to rule they become for the most part too Imperious and proud It is the fashion both among Princes and men of inferior ranke as also among other Nations on this side the Alpes to give the first born their Parents names althogh they be yet living And the Noble of what quality and condition soever they are doe more esteeme of their eldest daughter than the rest of the younger although they have all an equall dowry so that they marry the rest to those unto whom they denyed her in marriage reserving her for a better husband And they are to be praysed because they easily contract marriages with forrainers if occasion so require and are not bound to match them in their owne Country which is a matter very profitable and commodious for these alliances by marriage are very advantagious to themselves and the Commonwealth Moreover it is accounted undecent and absur'd for young men to marry old women or on the contrary for old men to marry young maydes as also for a noble personage to marry an ignoble person or a master to marry his Maide and a Mistresse her servant But the Low Country men are chiefely given to Mechanicke Arts but not of the base and servile sort but the more nobler as weaving clothing and making of hangings tapestry which serve not only for the use of their owne country but are also transported into France Spaine Germany and other parts of Europe and also into Asia and Affricke For Pictures there is no Nation that doth excell it nor none doth excell in Musicke or for variety of Languages Iohn Eickius a Lowcountryman did first shew the way how to mingle colours with oyle And every one in Flanders Brabant or Zeland can speake not onely their owne Country speech which is Low-Dutch but also French The Sea men Merchants and Schollers can speake also Italian Spanish and Greeke for the most part and some can understand Hebrew the Chaldean and Arabicke language The Lowcountrie men are also skilfull Seamen I come to their food the Lowcountrymen doe use Wheate Rye Oates and Barly they esteeme of no pulse but Beanes and Pease they have few Vetches and no Millet at all For the great strong windes doe lay it and spoyle it The Common people maintaine their families soberly and frugally Their drinke is for the most part Beere which is made of Malt into which they afterward put some ground Barly and Hops And this is a very good and wholesome drinke for those that are used to it they doe also drinke much milke The rich have wine They eate commonly Rye bread They are wont also upon Festivall dayes especially those which beare their owne name to make great feasts and to invite their Parents Kinsemen and friends unto them and to banquet sumptuously with them and to shew themselves generous and magnificent They keepe their houses very neate and cleane being furnished with all kinds of necessary houshold stuffe And truly it is a faire sight to see what store of housholdstuffe they have and
and famous Villages in this Province but will onely name three unwalled Citties First Ivosium which is 12 miles from Lutzenburg and foure from Mommedy being heretofore a good strong Town but at last Henry the second King of France begirt it round with an Armie in the yeare 1552. and tooke it but afterward a peace being made it was restored backe againe to Philip the second King of Spaine but the walls were ruinated as at Teroana and a law was made that it should not be walled in againe Chinium is 12. miles from Lutzenburg which is unwalled but by degrees it is reedified It hath a County belonging to it although it be subject to the Archdukes and hath a large jurisdiction over some townes and Villages neither is it subject to the Dukedome of Lutzenburg but is joyned unto it Twelve miles from Lutzenburg standeth the Towne la Ferte neere the River Chirsus being heretofore a pleasant Cittie and now also it flourisheth although it be unwalled and a great part of the Castell be fallen downe but so much concerning these things Let us passe to Limburg THE DVKEDOME OF LIMBVRG with the Appendances thereunto THe Dukedome of Limburg which this Table doth exhibit and present being so called from Limburg the Metropolis thereof is bounded on the West with Leodium and Trajectum which are two famous Citties by the River Mosa on the North with the Dukedome of Iul●acum on the East with the Emperiall Cittie Aquisgranum and the Monastery of S. Cornelius on the South with the Countries of Francimont and Aqua Spadana All this tract as it is pleasant in Summer so in winter it is unpleasant in regard it is covered all that time with snow which is so deepe that it lyeth in many places a great part of Summer The soyle is fruitfull and hath abundant stoare of all things except wine For it beareth excellent Barly and wheate of which they make very white bread There are good pastures for feeding of Cattell and for making of Cheese And it yeeldeth many wholesome Hearbes both for Sallets and Physicke There is also great stoare of Sulphure through the hollow crannyes whereof it is likely that the hot fountaines at Aqua Spadana so famous for many ages doe runne As of late there is found in those parts a Mine of Lead and Tinne and it is probable that a Veine of gold and silver may be found hereafter in those places Moreover betweene Walhormus and Montzius there is a Mine found of that ash colour stone of which brasse is made which is also medicinall which Plinye calls Cadmia and the brasen stone being not much unlike the stone Pyritos The words of Pliny Lib. 34. cap. 1. are these Fit aes è Lapide aeroso quem vocant Cadmiam That is And there is brasse made of a brasen stone which they call Cadmia The Germaines call it Covaltum and the Shops call it Climia and Cathimia It seemeth that the like stone was found in the I le of Cyprus but on this side the Alpes there is none sound but this in Limburg The Countrie of Limburg was heretofore a Countie but it was made a Dukedome in the yere 1172 by the Emperour Frederick surnamed Barbarossa the Princes of this Countrie were heretofore also Duks of Lotaringia At length Henry the last Duke of Limburg dying without issue Iohn the first of that name Duke of Brabant did succeede him in the yeare 1293. He albeit he had lawfully before bought this Dukedome yet he got and purchased it by the sword and overthrew Raymund Earle of Gelderland who then possessed it in which battell the Earle of Gelderland and the Bishop of Gelderland were taken There were slaine Henry Prince of Luxenburg and his three brothers who did ioyne themselves with the Earle of Gelderland Duke Iohn having gotten this Victory did race and demolish the Castell commonly called Woronc and leveld it with the ground and so from that time the Dukedome of Limburg came to be governed by the Dukes of Brabant Out of this Dukedome and from the Prince thereof which came of the Lotharingian family the first King of Portugall was descended namely Henry Duke of Lotharingia and Earle of Limburg a man of a great courage and ready in matter of armes as the Annalls of Spaine doe more fully and plainely deliver and we our selves have mentioned it before in the description of Portugall The Metropolis or mother Cittie of the whole Dukedome is Limburg being situated on a high rocke and fortified with a rugged deepe valley it is inaccessible rather by the naturall situation of the place than by humaine industrie unlesse it be on the South where the ground rising somewhat higher descendeth by degrees from the Cittie untill it openeth into a faire plaine In the lower part of this Cittie on the Northside there is a Castell built of pure Marble being a kind of Common Iasper of which this Country yeeldeth great store both neere the Towne of Hevermont and also in other places It is no wonder that the Cittie was seated on so high a rocke especially if you behold the suburbs thereof which were heretofore twice as bigge as the Cittie Whereby it came to passe that the Castell was built in the middle that so it might command the Cittie and the suburbs But Gastonius Spinola Earle of Bruacum is now governour of this Dukedome and of all the Country beyond Mosa and to prevent all violent attempts hath made two new Gates in this Citty to represse the violence and treacherie of enemies The Cittie is watered with the River Wesius which is full of excellent Trouts that are as bigge as any Salmons and great store of Crab-fishes which the aforesayd River or Rivulet for sometimes the Channell is very small doth feede fat while they live betweene stones and clefts of rockes Iohn Fleming a Cittizen of Antwerpe a learned man and a famous Poet was borne in this Citty and Remaclius Fuscht●● a great Scholler who published many books and divers workes was borne here also The Townsemen for the most part doe follow cloathing and doe make every yeare great store of cloath and doe transport it into divers parts of the Low Countries Neere the Cittie there is much Iron made in a fornace and worke-house ordained for the same purpose so that 6000 Caroli doe not defray the yearely charge thereof But the Cittie hath no beautifull buildings in it For it is but small and hath onely two Gates and the ascent unto it is very steepe It hath one Church consecrated to S. George which hath a provost This Cittie was yeelded to Iohn of Austria when he brought his armie thither a certaine Captaine having betrayed the Castell of Hende unto him before He that was governour of the place desired the States to furnish him with provision and munition assoone as he heard that Iohn of Austria was comming with an armie to beseige the Cittie and promised the States that
chiefe Cittie is Walde●●a commonly called Waldeck which nameth the Countrey having a Castle which the River Fidera watereth There are also the Townes Ast●●chausa and Dudinschausa and the Cittie Landavia with a Castle adjoyning threunto also the Cittie Mengerhusa with a Castle where the Earles keepe their residence being two miles distant from Wadecia Rodenum is an auncient Cittie with a Castle in the Territories whereof there is good hunting The Castle of Wetterberg hath a pleasant seate and prospect being situated betweene the Rivers Tw●sta and Ahra there is also the City Wildunga neere to which there are Mettall Mines from whence great store of gold Brasse and Iron is dayly digged forth Here are also certaine fountaines unto which the sicke persons did heretofore come out of divers Countries And here the best drinke is brewed There are also the Towns of Friage● Saxenhus●n Saxenberga and Furstenberga also the Castle of Isenburg neere unto which there are Mines of Gold and Iron as neere W●●lunga ●●lhusia a well seated Castle and divided from the Cittie by a River Corba●hia is a fortified Cittie Albertus Magnus maketh mention of gold Mines which were found neere unto it and he affirmeth that there is lesse waste of that gold in refining and purifying of it than of that in Bohemia or any other Neither are the veines thereof yet altogether exhausted for not farre from Corba●●●a there is gold found among the sands Newburg is a Towne with a Castle There are also the Castle Ither and the Monastery Werba This Country is watered with many Rivers the chiefe whereof is Edera which may compare with Tagus of Spaine Hebrus of Thrace and Pactolus of Asia and it hath golden sands being very full of fish and it cutteth through the middle of the Province of Waldecke and it floweth out of the Mountaines of Nassaw through the Countie of Witgenstein to Francoburg and watereth the Castle of Waldecke which is built on an high rocke standing in a low valley environed on every side with Mountaines and so gliding by Frisla●a a Towne of Hassia and having received the River Sualma it dischargeth it selfe into Fulda a little above Cassella and afterward into Visurgis The other River are Dimila Twista Vrba Abra and Ither There are also divers Mountaines as Grunebeckerbeg Winterberg and Den Astenberg and others which are described in Mercators Table There are also many woods in this tract as Aldewaldt W●terholt Geppenhage Plat. I omit the rest which are every where dispersed through this Countie And so much concerning the Countie of Waldecke I passe to the Palatinate of Rhene THE PALATINATE OF RHENE AFter Waldecia there followeth in my method the Palatinate of Rhene commonly called die Pfaltz Some suppose that this Noble part of Germanie was so called from the Pallace of Rhene some would have it so named from Charles the Great and others from the Pallace of Trevers Beatus Rhenanus endeavoureth to prove out of Ammianus Marcellinus that the Palatinate was so denominated from the Country Palas For Ammianus writeth in this manner A Bridge being built neere M●guntiacum the legions passed over the Rhene and pitched their Tents in the Country of Capellatium which was so called from Palas And in another place When they came to the Country which is called Cappellatium o● Palas they pitched their Tents there where the bounde● stone doth distinguish the confines of the Romans Burgundians Moreover Rhenanus addeth Heere we may observe that the Prince Palatine was not so called from the Pallace of Caesar or from that little a difice or building which is neere the Rhene but that he receiveth that appellation from the Country But seeing there are many Count Palatines of other places mentioned in Histories some doe reject this opinion concerning the Etymologie of a Palatine But most doe thinke that the title of Count Palatine is derived from a Pallace which was and is a title of great dignitie in the Romaine Empire So that those who did serve the Prince in the Countie of the Pallace were called Palatines The Country hath on the West the Dukedome of Zwe●bruck on the East Franconia and the Dukedome of ●●rtemberg on the North it is bounded partly with the River Moenus and partly with the Wood which they call Ottenia on the South it hath A●s●tia All this tract is not interior to any part of Germany both for pleas●●●nesse fruitfulnesse and plentie of all things The Mountaines forth most part doe beare Vi●●s which doe yeelde most excellent Wine which other Countries do● fetch from thence and these Mountaine on the ●●rthside are full o● Chesnuts The fields doe yeel● abundance of 〈◊〉 as Wheate Pul●e and Barley There are also many 〈◊〉 Gardens and Orchards which are planted with all kinde 〈◊〉 which bea●e great store of apples THE PALATINATE OF RHENE PALATINATUS Rheni It is called also Ardea quo ardua suo volatu petat that is because it flyeth high She buildeth her nest in the highest trees and doth naturally hate the Hawke as likewise the Hawke seeketh continually her destruction But when they fight in the ayre they both strive which should get uppermost if the Hawke be above her he comes downe upon her with great violence and kills her But to the matter There were alwayes Praefects of the Pallace especially in the Emperours Court which the Frenchmen did heretofore call the Majors of the house or Pallace But at what time the Countie Palatine of Rhene was instituted and where the Palatines of Rhene did keepe their residence foure hundred or five hundred yeares agoe I cannot determine seeing there are divers different conjectures Some say the first Palatines were onely Noble men untill the time of Otto the third at what time they were made Princes Electors for they had more dignity The first Elector Palatine was Henry who with the other Electors in the yeare 1003 did chuse the Emperour Henry But Munster saith that he doth not finde it mentioned in any writings either where he kept his Court or what Country he governed or what people were subject unto him but some doe suppose but without any certaine ground that the Princes Palatine did heretofore keepe their residence at Worma●●● and had great power in that Citie It is manifest that Conradus Duke of Fre●●●●● in the yeere 742 did reside at Wormes but not the Prince Palatine This was the seate heretofore of the Intuergians the Nemetians and the Vangionians as some doe suppose The I●trergians were a people of Germanie which Pencerus doth place in the Palatinate neere to Heydelberg which Country was also called Capellatium and 〈◊〉 as we sayd before Those whom Ptolomie and others call the Nemetian● were a people in Germanie neere the Rhene confining on the Met●nsians Ar●●n●●mentians and Wormacensians Rhenanus calleth it now the Episcopall Cittie of Sp●res and ●●thicus calleth it Augusta Nemetum Also those whom Ptolomie calleth V●ngiones are a people of Germanie neere the Rhene Rhenanus and
Lichtenavius doe call them Wormbser-B●s●●●umbs But P● on the contrary affirmeth that the Vangionians are those of Sp●res and the Nemetians those of Wormes and Irenicus addeth this reason namely because Ptolemie who in description of Rhene did usually proceede from the South Northward doth first mention the Vangians and afterward the Numetians But Sig. Gemblacensis who writ about five hundred yeares agoe calleth Wormes the Cittie of the Vangionians Also Iohn Herald doth gather out of an inscription that the Cittie Wormes was heretofore called the Watch Tower of the Vangionians There are 48 Citties in the Palatinate the chiefe whereof is Heidelberg where the Prince Palatine keepeth his residence It was so called either from the people whom the Germaines call Heyden or from the Mir●le-tree which they call Heydelbeer and heereupon the most learned Melissus doth call this Citty Myrtilletum T●a● which Pyramius calleth Durlacum others more rightly doe call Durlach Iohn Herald doth call it Capellatium others doe call Cap●llatium the Palatinate as we sayd before Munster calleth it Bergstras which standeth in the way from Frinckford to Heydelburg Some doe suppose that the Cittie which Ptolemie calls Beudoris was scared here but this is but conjecturall For Ptolemie placed Beudoris in the 51 degres of Latitude when as Heidelberg is in the 49 degree and 35 minutes of Latitude Some suppose that it should be read and written Edelberg which signifies the noble Mountaine and others Eidleberg which signifies the neere Mountaine It is situate by the River Nicrus or N●icarus in the entrance of the Mountaines it hath beene a famous Vniversity for learning and Arts from the yeare 1356 being then instituted by Rupert the elder Prince Palatine who sent for one Marsilus from Paris to be governour thereof And from that time it was well replenished with learned men and students The most famous Doctors were Rodolphus Agricola Iohn Dalburgius Iohn Virdungus William Xilander Thomas Erastus Zachary Vrsin and many others Moreover the whole Palatinate is divided into foure Praefectureships as Heydlebergensian the Alzaeens●●● the Neostadiensian and the Mosbachensian which are so called from the Citties of Hedelberg Alzea Neostadium and Mosbacum There is also Bretta which is a small Towne neere the River Salza in which Philip Melanchton was borne who writ much concerning the liberall Arts also Ladeburg so called from the Romaine Tents halfe of which was pawned to Duke Rupert the elder the other part came to the Bishop of Wormes Sifrid of Stralnberg sold unto the aforesayd Prince in the yeare 13●7 the Towne Schriess●n and the Castle of Stralnberg And in the yeare 1344 the Towne W●inheim was given to the Prince by awardment of Arbitrators which heretofore the Bishop o● Moguntinum did possesse There are also the Townes Cauba G●l●usen Sintzon Luden by the River Tuberus Oppenheim Caesar●a ●●tra Inge●heim Lowenstein and in Brureinia there is Bruxells and others as may be seene in the Table and also many Castles and Villages The chiefe Rivers are Rhene and Neccarus The latter doth water and cut th●ough the middle of the Palatinate and doth discharge it selfe into the Rhene neere Ladeburg the auncients did call it Nicer it hath great store of Mullets which are commonly called Barbells Also there continually commeth downe this River great pieces of timber from the wood Otto which the River Necarus bringeth into the Rhene The lesser Rivers are Tuberus Lutherus Iaxtus and others The Country is both Mountainous and field ground It hath high Mountaines which doe beare excellent Vines of which the Rhenish Wine is made And there are Woods which yeeld stoare of game for hunting The chiefest whereof is the Wood Otto which is a part of the Hercynian Wood the breadth thereof is from the River Necarus even to Manus and the length from the Mountainous way called Bergstras even to the River Tuberus But so much hitherto There were many Churches in the Palatinate and many Monasteries as the Monastery of Lorsch which was built by Charles the Great or as some suppose by Pepin Concerning the Library thereof Munster writeth thus There is not a place in all Germanie where there is a more ancient Library than in this Monasterie I saw there a Manuscript written with Virgills owne hand and in it Ammianus Marcellinus his last booke was found which is now published being written before in great capitall letters Iohn Dalberg Bishop of Wormes a learned man did take the best bookes from thence and put them in the Librarie at L●den●u●● There are foure Electors in Germanie the Palatine of Rhene the Arch●ishops of Mentz of Triers and Colen The free Citties are Men●z Colen T●●r and Gelenhausen The Princes and Lords are the Count Palatine Count Nassaw and Beilslaine H. Reiffersche●de and Rheineck T●utscb Ordens Hern in Coblentz the Abby of S. Maximinus neere Triers the Provost Seltz H. Nider Eisenburg But so much hitherto I come to the Dukedome of Wirtemberg THE DVKEDOME OF VVIRTEMBERG THe Dukedome of Wirtemberg commonly called Wurtembergerlant was so called from the auncient Castle Wirtemberg which standeth in the middle thereof on a high hill not farre from the Emperiall Cittie Essing This Country of Wirtemberg doth lye by the River Nicrus It hath on the East the Swevians Vindelicians and Noricians on the West the Palatinate and the Marquiship of Baden on the South it hath the Mountaines of Arbon and the Swevian Alpes for so the Inhabita●ants doe call the higher Mountaines of this Countrie on the North Franconia and not farre off the wood Otto The ayre of this Country is very wholsome and temperate both in Winter and Summer It is as fruitfull also as any part of Germanie both for Wheate Pulse Wine and other fruites But yet all the Country is not of one soyle for that part where the River Neccarus ariseth and confineth on Hercynia and that which lyeth by the Swevian Alpes betweene Danubius and Nicrus is rugged and unfit for tillage or planting of Vines On the Alpes it is a stony soyle but very fruitefull and also by the blacke Wood it hath a sandy red coloured earth which yeeldeth great store of Corne. But there where the River Neccarus floweth through the Champion ground it is very fertile and fruitfull for it hath every where hills crowned with Vines greene Meddowes fruitefull fields and great store of Wine Corne and Apples This Dukedome also hath Mines of Silver not farre from Wiltberg and it is sayd that the Towne P●●lathium is built on Mines of Brasse it hath also Iron and Brasse There are divers coloured stones found which for the most part are enameld and streakt with blew So that it seemes that Nature did endeavor to enrich this place with pretious stones There are divers kind●s of living C●eatures and in the Woods there are an inumerable sort to bee seene It was made a Dukedome in the yeere 1495 by the Emperour Maximilian in a meeting or Parliament held at Wormes and he made
plaine and it is every where adorned with Woods and Forrests some of which are full of Chesnuts Almonds and Nutts The Country people lives very miserably for they spend their provision every yeare and doe keepe nothing for the future time so that in times of warre or when unseasonable weather does kill the fruites of the earth they live very penuriously Yet the poore are releeved out of publicke granaries This Countrie hath not many natiue inhabitants for the greatest part consists of strangers as Swethlanders Bavarians Burgundians Sabaudians and Lotharingians who having once entred into a Country doe not soone remove from thence The Swethlanders doe chiefely reside in it Moreover the fifth circle of the Empire is that of the Rhene It consists of three orders first the Clergie secondly the Princes and thirdly the free Citties In the first there are the Bishop of Wormes of Spier Straesburg Basel and Besancon in the Countie of Burgundie in the Province of Wallis whose Metropolis is Selton there are the Bishops of Geneve Losanna Metz Toul and Verdun The Abbots of Hiersfe●d Morbach S. Gregoris Munster In the second order are Princes Earles and secular Lords as the Dukes of Lotharingia and Saveye the Count of Spanhein the Marquesse of Baden the Duke of Sweibrucke the Count of Veldentz the Landgrave of Hessen the Prince of Calim the Count of Nassaw in Sarbrucke the Earles of Rhene the Lords of Rapoitzkirchen neere Rapoltstain the Earles of Bitsch Salm Hanaw Lichtenberg Lemingen and Falkenstain the Lords of Morspurg and Befo rt of Rapolslain of Hoen Rechpurg Blakenberg and Blammont in Lotharingia the Earles of We●baden and I●stain and Cuningstaine the Lord Van Eppenstam the Earles of Isenburg in higher Alsatia of Solms of Nassaw in Weilburg of Sienvigen of Havare the Lord of Muntzinburg the Earles of Westenburg of Witgenstam of Waldeck of Flesse The third order is of the free Citties which are Mulhusen in Sundtgow of higher Alfatia also Basel Colmar Kaisersperg Turckbam Saint Gregoris Munster Ober Ebenhaim Straesburg Rosenhaim Schletstat Hagenaw Weissenburg Landow Spier Wermes Francfort Fridberg in Wederaw Wetzlar Metz Toul Vedtn Kausmans Sarbruck the Castle Besano Fridberg and the Castle Gleichhausen THE LANTGRAVIATE of the higher ALSATIA vvith SVNTGOVIA and GRISGOIA THE HIGHER ALSATIA ALSATIA SUPERIOR Brisgo●a remaines which is to bee unfolded and described in this Table Brisgovja or Brisgoja is commonly called Brisgow which signifies in the Germaine Language a faire Towne And truly this Country doth deserve that title in regard of the fertility and fruitfulnesse thereof in which it is not inferiour to Alsatia which we have even now described But if we have recourse to auncient writers we shall finde that this Country was so named from the Metropolis Brisacum of which we shall speake by and by Brisgoja is ten miles long and eleven broade for it beginneth at Nortnaw and runneth out almost to Basil It is a fruitefull Country both for tillage and Vines And here is great store and plenty of Corne and Wine and of all things necessary for the sustenance of mans life The Archdukes of Austria and the Marquesses of Baden doe joyntly governe this Country The Metropolis of Brisgoja was heretofore Brisacum whence the Country is denominated and Antonius mentioneth it in his Itinerarie of the Mountaine Brisacum when as he maketh mention of no other Citties beyond the Rhene but those Provinciall Citties which are seated by the Rhene Luitprandus Ticinensis who lived in the time of Otto the first doth make the Mountaine Brisacum to be in Alsatia and sheweth that it was an Island of Rhene This Cittie is situated on a round Mountaine like a Castle and it hath the Rhene on the West It is a neate Towne well fortified and populous but in processe of time it exceeded Friburg it selfe for magnificence and riches This Cittie increased presently and grew famous in regard of the Minerall Mines which are neere unto it In Brisacum there is an auncient Castle which hath long beene ruinate yet now at length it hath beene reedified It hath a strong well fortified Tower which Bertholdus Ziringensis the third built as appeareth by these following verses graven on the stone walls Hanc Dux Bertholdus portam struxisse notatur A quo pro fraude Burgundia gens posulatur The Duke Bertholdus builded up this gate Which the Burgundians did ruinate This Cittie hath but one fountaine over which there is a Conduit built in which there is a wheele in which they goe and draw up water a great depth and the Cittizens do yerely pay for the drawing up of the water For it hath on every side a great steepe descent to the Rhene and the plaine from whence it is very hard to draw up water into the Mountaine Halfe a mile beneath Friburg there is a ruinate Castle situated on a high Mountaine which is called Zaringhen from which the Dukes of Zaringa had their title Friburg is a famous Towne in Brisgoja and now the Metropolis thereof it was built by Duke Ferthold the fourth the sonne of C●nradus the first in the reigne of the Emperour Henry the fifth being formerly but a Village It is a Cittie pleasantly seated among the Mountaines being adorned with many magnificent houses Churches and Monasteries There was an Vniversity erected there in the yeere 1459 wherein Vdalrick Zasius a famour Lawyer did teach and reade publickly It had heretofore a rich Veine of silver a mile distant from the Cittie There also is in Brisgoja Zering heeretofore a Dukedome the County of Friburg the Marquiship of He●●berg and the Lordships of Badenwille Staussen and Burcken THE LOWER SAXONIE SAxonie was so called from the Saxons Their originall as also of other Nations not only the Monkes ignorant in Antiquities but moderne judicious writers have wrapped up in fabulous inventions some suppose that they were so called from Saxo the sonne of Negno and the brother of Vandalus others à Saxca natura from their stony nature others from the remainder of the Macedonian Army some from their skeines or short swords as appeareth by these verses in Engelhusins Quippe brevis gladius apud illos Saxa vocatur Vnde sibi Saxo nomen traxisse putatur A cuttell or a short-sword they Saxon call Whence the name of Saxon takes originall THE LOWER SAXONIE SAXONIA INFERIO et Mekleburg The Dukedome of Meckelburg was heretofore a part of a Province belonging to the King of Vandalia lying neere unto the Baltick Sea but now it is one of the chiefe Dukedomes of Germanie and a member of the Empire it hath on the East Pomerania on the West the River commonly called de Elve on the South it hath the auncient Marca on the North the Balticke Sea It is a very fruitfull Country abounding with Wheate Apples Wood and Fish There are also divers sorts of living creatures and great store of Oxen and Cattell and wilde beasts Moreover Aritbert being descended of the royall stocke and having lived some
which these are called to Councell first the Clergie as the Bishops of Bamberg of H●rbipolis of Wirtzburg Duke of Franconia of Eichstett der Teutsch Ordens Master the Provost of Camberg the Abbot of Saint Gilgen Secondly the secular Princes as the Marquesse of Brandenburg Burgervom Nurenberg the Countes of Hennonberg of Castel of Wertheim of Rhemecke of Hohenloe the Lords of Reichelsperg and Limpurg and the Countes of Horpach and Schwartzenburg Thirdly the free Citties as Norunberg Rottenburg Winshaim and Schweinfurt Many Rivers which be full of fish doe water this Country the chiefe whereof are Moenus and Sala accompanied with eight lesser Rivers also Sinna Rhadiantia A●stus Tubera and some other It hath these woods Speshart Ottoes wood and other parts of Hercinia which doe enclose it as it were round about with a growing wall It is a warlike Nation Noble witty and laborious Men and women doe both plant Vines so that none are suffered to be idle THE DVKEDOME OF BAVARIA The second Circle of the Empire WE come now to Bavaria which were so called by the addition of one letter from the Avarians the remainder of the Hunnes who having droven out the Noricians seated themselves in that Countrie and also Bojaria from the Bojans a people of Gallia Cis●lpina who sometime dwelt heere it is commonly called Beyeren It hath on the East A●stria on the West Sucvia on the South 〈◊〉 Rhetian A●pes and on the North Franconia The length is 29 Germane miles The breadth five and twentie The ayre is very wholesome and the Countrie very pleasant and generally very fruitefull but yet it hath no great store of Wine nor Corne but in some places it hath a ●●●●e of shar●e hedge Win. The richer Wines are brought thither out of Alsaia Franc●●to and Austria There is great store of Cor●e about Ra●ispon and Landshat Moreover it hath abundance of S●l● fruite Iron Cattle Fowle wil ●e beasts and all things necessarie to life It doth breede great store of Sw●●e which feede on ●cornes and crabbes so that as Hungarie fur●isheth other Countries with Oxen so this Countrie furnisheth most parts of Europe with Swine And besides Beares Boares and other kindes of wilde beasts it hath great heards of Deere which they cannot hunt without the Princes leave In the yeare 1562 on the 22 day of August there was a Hart taken in Bavaria of so large a body that it weighed 625 pound The Nariscians Vindelicians and Noritians were formerly seated here The Nariscians whom Aventinus calleth Nortgew and Melanchton Narcaw are divided from the rest by the River ●anubius The Vindelicians according to the auncients Description are situated betweene the Rhaetians and Noricians Rhaetia is twofold the one is larger containing the Vindelicians the Noricians and the Rhaetians the other is lesser The River Lycus doth separate the Vind●l●cian from the Rhaetians if we beleeve Ptolomie but if we follow Strabo they are separated by the Rhene and the Brigantine Lake which we have shewed in our description of Helvetia Danubius doth part them from Germ●nie and the Alpes f●om Italie Marcus Velserus hath rightly observed out of Ricardus the name of the Vindelicians Respicit lase fluvios Vindamque Lycumque Miscentes undas nomina littoris unde Antiquam gentem populumque urbemque vocarunt Vindelican● It sees the Rivers Vinda and Lycus flow Mingling their names and waters as they goe Whence the Countrie and the people it containd And Cittie too were Vindelicians nam'd It may be gathered out of Plinnie and Ptolomie that there were certaine Countries and Citties belonging to the Vindelicians Augustus sent to conquer them Tiberius Claudius Nero and Nero Claudius Drusus who were both the Emperours sonnes in Law who having quickly dispersed and dissipated the Barbarians forces did easily overcome them and reduc'd them to subjection See Paterculus Lib. 2. Dion Lib. 53. and Horace Lib. 5. Odar The Noricians do begin from the River Oenus and so bend South East even to Hungarie and Italie They were alwayes great souldiers and being accustomed to warre they did often invade the bordering Romanes As appeareth by the Norician sword which Horace celebrateth And also by an inscription which is found on this side Danubius to this effect and in these words DIS MANIBVS ET MEMORIAE LEGIONVM ET MEMORIAE MISERRIMORVM VINDELICIS PRAEFECTIS MOCENIANIS ET VICTORI ET AVRELIO FILIIS VINDELICIS SVRINVS INFELIX PATER F. C. THE DVKEDOME OF BAVARIA BAVARIA THE PALATINATE of the Lower BAVARIA Jn which is the Landgraviate of Lutchtenberg 33.27.49.35 It is in the second Circle of the Empire We doe not yet know the other Nobilitie The Meridians are distant according to the proportion of the Parallels 49 and 51 to the greatest Circle THE PALATINATE of the Lower BAVARIA Palatinat Bavariae In the yeare 1575 the Noribergians did institute an Academie of Vniversitie at Altorsium and drew thither with great stipends and pensions Professors of the tongues also of the Arts Philosophie and other faculties As appeares by an inscription at Altorsium Inventuti Religionis Christianae Doctrina Linguis Latina Graeca Optimis denique artibus ac disciplinis informandae Georgio Volkanfro Philippo Geudero Hieronymo Baumgartnero Oppido Praefecto Senatus Nortbergensis Scholam hanc nobilem Patriciam aperiri solemniter introduci voluit 3. Cal. Iul. Qui dies Petro Paulo Apostolis Sa●ra est Anno à nato Christo Salvatore 1575. That is George Voll●anfrus Phillip Geuderus Hierom Baumgartner being learned Praefects and Balthaz●r Baumgartner being Praefect of the Towne the Senate of Norinberg hath solemnely instituted and ordained this Noble free Schoole for the instructing of youth in the doctrine of Christian religion as also in the Latine and Greeke tongues and lastly in all good Arts and Sciences on the third of the Kall Iul. which day is sacred to the Apostles Peter and Paul and in the yeare from the birth of our Saviour Christ 1575. This tract of Land hath many other Townes besides this Metropolis as also divers monasteries and Villages one of the chiefest Townes is Amberg which was walled about in the yeare of Christ 1030 also Auwerback Sultback and the Monasterie of Castel where the Princes of Nortgow did formerly keepe their Court also the Townes Eger Beierut E●stet Napurg Newenstadt Ruwenkelm Kemnat Krusen Grewenwerdt and the Castell Gainum which is so called from wayling or Lamenting For heere Danubius passeth by dangerous fearefull places which make the Marriners cry out when they passe by it in the Germane Language it is called Die Strudel from the noyse and violence of the waters there are also the Townes Eschenback Weiden Parnaw Pleistein Herspruck Rurbaock Neumarkt Tursentur Elbagen Cham Schonsee Kunsperg Stauff and some others which for the most part belong to the Prince Palatines This Country also of Nortgow doth include one of the foure Landgraviates which were heretofore instituted by the Emperours namely Lutchtenberg in the second Circle
whose Inhabitants trusting to the benefite of their Lakes did refuse to acknowledge obedience to the Kings of Denmarke though of late they have beene compell'd thereunto The chiefest River of note which watereth this Countrey is Egidora or the Eidera there are also some others the most whereof may rather be called Brookes or Rivulets than Rivers but the B●ltick Sea in that part where it washeth the Dukedomes of Holsatia and Sleswick hath safe and pleasant Bayes which are safe harbours for Merchants and weather-beaten ships In some places also it affordeth great store of fish and especially of Salmons It is a plaine Countrey seldome raised with any mountaines yet one it hath betweene Lubeck and Hamburg of a pleasant situation and famous for the ornaments of peace and warre with which Henry Rantzovius did adorne it It hath an ancient Castle seated on it famous for the antiquitie and first builder thereof and at the foote of the hill a Towne adjoyning to it Heere are many woods with which the Countrey of Holsatia is beset replenished but especially Dithmars as the woods of Borcholt Burgholt Alverdorpenholt Resenwalde and many others The Holsatians had heretofore 48 men who were Presidents and Governours of the whole Countrie to these they made their appeale out of the severall Parishes and they did judge all matters But they being subdued and the Countrie now divided into two parts in each of them there are twelve speciall and principall men together with a Prefect who for the most part is a Doctor or Licentiate at Law These have all yearely pensions from the Princes and they have a Clerke joyned to them as also an Overseer or President out of the Holsatian Nobilitie The one of these Prefects which is for the King is called the Prefect of Steinburg and the other being for the Duke the Prefect of Gottorpe Yet the Subjects have leave to appeale or make suite to the Princes and Senators of either Dukedome as well of Sleswick as Holsatia but not further They had heretofore a written Law which now by degrees is changed and reformed according to the Common Law compiled by Henry Rantzovius the Kings Substitute by Sigefrid Rantzovius heretofore Lord of Nienhs the Lord Adam Trazigeriu and the Lord Erasmus Kirslemius according to which Law all causes are decided and punishments pronounced against delinquents offenders Holsatia hath foure Orders or degrees of people The Nobles the Clergie the Citizens and the Countrie-men whereof there are two kindes for some possesse goods of their owne being hereditarie and free others hired goods or lands for which they pay rent and doe certaine services The Nobles have Castles and Lands together with the royalty of hunting fishing and hawking which for the most part are hereditarie unto them The whole Countrie hath not above 24 Families whose names are mentioned in the Holsatian Chorographie but divers Families there are that are descended from the same stock as the Rantzovians doe at this time possesse an hundred and fiftie Castles and divers other possessions The Aleseldians and Powischians have almost as many Holsatia hath one Bishoprick namely Lubeck for the Bishoprick of Hamburg is subject to the Bishoprick of Breme The contentions which happen among the Nobles are judged by a Senate of Dukes the Princes for the most part sitting Presidents in judgement as it is provided by their priviledges and Lawes From the order of Senators any one putting in a sufficient caution may appeale to the Imperiall Chamber The Citizens enjoy priviledges peculiar to themselves and use the Roman Law or else the Lubeck The Subjects may appeale from the judgement of the Senate of their owne Citie to the judgement of foure Cities appointed to judge and determine of all speciall matters From them againe they are permitted to appeale to the Princes and Senators of Holsatia and also further even to the Imperiall Chamber so that fit securitie be put in Countri-mens cases or suites are pleaded by their Lawyers even in the open fields where are present the Noble-men thereabout the Prefects and two Assistants There they come forth doe make their appearance who have any suit one against an other the Defendant and Plaintiffe being both heard the whole company or assemblie of Countrie-men are bidden to goe forth and then their causes being diligently weigh'd on both sides they returne againe and the suiters being called in they give sentence in their case according to Law and right THE FOVRTH TABLE OF DENMARKE CONTAINING FIONIA WITH THE ISLANDS LYING ROUND ABOUT IT SO much according to our Method concerning the Dukedome of Sleswicke and Holsatia Fionia followes with the Isles lying round about it Fionia commonly called Fuynen is the chiefe of all other Isles lying in the Bay of Codonus from Zeland It taketh its name from the beautie thereof both in regard of the forme and situation It is separated from the Continent of Denmarke by so small and narrow a Sea flowing between them called Middlesar that it seemeth almost to cleave unto the Continent This Iland as it looketh on the West toward Iutia so on the East toward Zeland It is 48 miles in length and 16 in breadth The Land that I may omit the Sea which is full of fish is a fruitfull soyle and very profitable to the husbandman For it aboundeth with such plentie of corne that it sends store thereof yearly to other farre Countries especially Wheate and Barley And the ground albeit it be very fruitfull and endowed with the gifts of Ceres yet it is never dunged Whence the Cities and Townes thereof are annoyed with filthy smells of the dung of cattle which is cast out being thereof no use as Munster writeth This Countrie aboundeth with so many Droves of Oxen and breedeth such a number of Cowes and Horses that it sends yearly into Germany great Heards and Droves of them And in regard of the many woods which are in the Island there is great store of game for hunting as Harts Hares and Foxes In the middle of it is the Metropolis or mother Citie called Ottania or Ottonium commonly called Ottensel being a Bishops Seat built as it appeares by many testimonies by Otto the first about the time when he compeld King Herald to receive the Christian faith This Citie is a famous Mart for the whole Island in which about Epiphanie or Twelfetide there is a great meeting of the Islanders and especially the Nobles as there is at Kile in Holsatia Fionia is divided into five and twentie Prefectures sixteene Cities and six royall Castles The other cities are in a manner equally distant from Ottonia which is as it were the Center and are so built of the Sea shoare that in regard of the conveniencie of the Havens they traffique not onely in the Balticke Sea but also exercise their negotiations throughout all Swethland and Norwey Russia the Low-countries and Germany the chiefe amongst them are Niburch Swynburch
in Zeland Hasnia 12 miles distant from it South Southwest also Helsinger where those ships that saile or passe by do pay custome or tribute and the Castle Cronaburg both distant from it on the Northwest 8 miles Helsingburg which lies on the shoare of Scania is as farre distant from it toward the North and on the same shoare is Landskrone being foure miles from it toward the East lyeth Lunda or Londen which although it be not a Sea-towne yet is but 16 miles distant from hence And although the Island be not very great yet no part of it is barren or unfruitfull but produceth great store of fruit and aboundeth with cattell it bringeth forth Does Hares Cunnies and Partridges in great plentie and is very convenient for fishing It hath a wood of Hasell trees which are never worme-eaten but hath no Dormise Heretofore it was remarkable for foure Castles whose names do yet remaine Synderburg which was seated on the Southerne shoare Norburg on the opposite Northerne shoare Karheside which stood toward the East side of the Island and Hamer toward the West the foundation of these foure Castles may be yet seene but there are no ruines thereof remaining This Island lyes very deepe in the Salt-sea and yet it hath many fresh Rivers and Springs among which there is one Spring that never freezeth with the violence of the Winters cold a strange thing in these Countries BORVSSIA OR PRVSSIA BORVSSIA being the farthest coast of Germany taketh its name from the people called Borussians as Erasmus Stella witnesseth These as Ptolemy affirmeth placed themselves by the Riphaean Hills where they runne out Northward not far from the head of Tanais arising out of them and weary of their owne habitations with a strong head and violent force they seated themselves in these places and called the whole Country from their owne name Borussia which now by wiping out one letter and pronouncing another more softly is called Prussia Borussia beginning from the River Vistula which boundeth it on the West and running to the Balticke Sea which compasseth the Northerne side thereof hath the Alani or Lituanians on the East and on the South the Hamaxobij i. the Scythians inhabiting the European Sarmatia It hath a pleasant ayre but somewhat cold All the Country is more fruitfull than the neighbour Provinces The ground is very fertile in bearing of corne and such as farre excells the corne of Poland and Lithuania It hath as great store of Bees and Honey as any of the other Northerne Countries There is also in it much cattle and great store of game for hunting The great and vast woods bring forth many kindes of wild beasts as Beares Boares with which they abound yeelding a sort of Beares very strong and swift called Bubali They bring forth Buffons being a wilde kinde of Oxen and wilde Horses whose flesh the Inhabitants do eate They bring forth Alces which they commonly call Elandes and white Weesels or Ferrets The Borussians for the most part were Idolaters untill the time of the Emperour Fredericke the second in whose raigne and in the yeare 1215. some Knights of the Dutch order or the order of the Crosse did overcome them and taught them the Christian Religion After the Provinces and Cities of Borussia An. 1419. being mooved thereunto by the covetousnesse and cruelty of those of the order of the Crosse did revolt to Casimirus King of Polonia And 30 yeares after the first defection revolting againe they sold Mariburg with other Castles and Cities to the King for 476000 Florens But the Marians refusing to yeeld obedience to the King they a long while contended by a doubtfull and uncertaine warre untill at last the whole Country came into the hands of Albert Marquesse of Brandenburg the last Governour of that Order who afterward at Cacrovia was made a Duke and a secular Prince by Sigismund King of Polonia They report that Prince Venedusus did divide Borussia into twelve Dukedomes whereof these are the names Sudavia Sambia Natangia Nadravia Slavonia Bartonia Galinda Warmia Ho●kerlandia Culmigeria Pomesania and Michlovia BORVSSIA OR PRVSSIA PRUSSIA Sudavia was so wasted by those of the order of the Crosse that now of a Noble Dukedome at this day there are scarce seven Townes remaining and those very meane In Sambia are many Cities as Lebenicht built in the yeare 1256 Kneyback built in the yeare 1380. Regimount called by the Germans Keningsberg and built in the year 1260 by Duke Albert Fischusen built in the yeare 1269 lastly Lechstet built in the yeare 1289. In Natangia there are these Cities Valdonia Girania Zinten Crentzburg Heiligenbeil Fridland Shippenbeil Brandenburg In Nadravia there are a few Cottages onely remaining but all the Townes of note wasted In Slavonia are these Cities Ragnet Tilse Renum Liccow Salaw Labia Tapia Vintburg Christaderder Baytia Cestia Norbeitia Vensdorfe Angerbury and Dringford In Bartonia are these Townes Nordenburg Iabansburg Iurgburg Insterburg Richtenerder Barton and Rhenum In Galindia are these Towns Ortleburg Rastenburg Neyburg Passenhume Dreschdow and Luzenburg In Warmia are Ressen Seburg Bitstein Wartenburg Allensteyn Melsak Heilsberg Werinedit and Gustat In Hockerlandia are Brunsburg Tolkemit Munhuse Scorpow and Elbing the greatest of them all being built on the Sea shoare and famous for the wealth of the Citizens and frequencie of Merchants In Culmigeria are Turuma or Thorn a famous Marti Towne built neare the River Vistula or Weisel in the yeare 1235. Also Culmina or Culine Wentslaw Althasis Graudentz Gilgehburg Schonsee Strasburg Bretchen Neumarckt Pappaw Fridech Leippe Lesen Golb Reden Berglaw and Lantenburg In Pomerania is Marienburg a large City built in the yeare 1402. Also Newtich Stum Christburg Preusmarck Salfeld Merine Holand Lichstad Osterod Rosenburg Mariemweder Garnesie Lebmul Hohenstein Schonenberg Culenburg Neunburg and Salaw In Michlovia all is wasted and destroyed except Straburg onely Prussia is a Country in regard of the navigable Rivers Bayes and Havens fit for the importation or exportation of divers commodities and merchandises The chiefe Rivers are Vistula Nemeni Cronon Nogent Elbing Vusera Passerg Alla Pregel Ossa Vreibnitz Lua and Lavia In which as in the Lakes there are great store of fish Moreover on the shoares of Borussta neare the Balticke Sea a certaine kinde of Amber is gathered which the Inhabitants call Barstein from burning and Augstein because it is very good for the Eyes The Greeks call it Electrum because the Sunne is called Elector having recourse as it were to the fable of Phaethon Servius upon the eighth Aeneid saith that there are three kindes of Amber one of which commeth out of trees another which is found in the earth a third which is made of three parts gold and one part silver Plinie writeth that the Germanes called it Glessum or Glesse because it is not unlike unto it seeing both of them are perspicuous and transparent and from thence the Romans did call this Country
which the Inhabitants call ●●●●●●k is carried in one channell to the Ocean and there rushing down headlong from the steepe Rocks as Leunclavius saith doth make those dease which dwell neere unto it as they report the Water-fals of Nilus doth those who inhabite neere unto them The Countrie hath no mountaines but is full of thick woods for heere are the great armes of Hercynia and other such At the mouth of Duina neere to the Sea is Dunamunta or Dun●mund an impregnable Castle not farre from Riga kept by a Polish Garrison to which all ships doe pay a certaine tribute as they passe by There is also in the mid-way Blokaus a royall fortresse which commandeth ships as they sayle by it There is moreover the castle and citie Felinum or Fellin in the Dukedome of Estland which the German hired Souldiers together with the last Governour of Lavonia William Furstenberg by most detestable treachery did betray to the Duke of Moscovia Ternestum which others call Taurum in this Country was heretofore a strong castle but after it had beene taken by the Moscovites the Lithuanians marching under the conduct of their Captaine Nicholas Radziwilus Palatine of Vilna by undermining and by planting powder under it did quite demolish it in the yeare 1561. In Livonia many yet doe live in a heathenish manner and wanting the true knowledge of God some adore the Sunne some a Stone and there are those who doe worship Serpents and Bushes When they are to interre and burie a dead body they banquet freely round about the dead carkasse and doe drinke to the dead man powring also upon him a great pot of drinke Afterward they put him in a Sepulchre and lay by him an hatchet meate drinke and some money for his journey and then they crie out Get thee gone into an other world to rule over the Germans as they have heere ruled over thee and thine They first received the Christian faith under the Emperour Frederick They account it a fault to be laborious and painfull The women borne in the countrie carrie a great state with them doe despise those women which come from other parts They will not bee called women but Mistresses and they never busie themselves with any womans worke but doe vagarie and wander abroad in the Winter time in Chariots and in the Summer by Boate. The drinke of the countrie is Mede Beere and Wine which the richer sort onely use being brought from forraine countries especially Rhenish Wine The women doe disgrace the beauty and comlinesse of their bodies by the disguisednesse of their garments The commodities which are transported out of Livonia into Germanie other Countries are Waxe Honey Ashes Pitch and Tarre Hemp Skins of divers wilde beasts and Hides Also that kinde of corne which the Latines call Secale and wee Rye is yearely transported in great plenty from hence into Germanie and other bordering countries Having explained and declared thus much concerning Livonia I hope it will bee a matter acceptable to the Reader if heere for conclusion I shall adde some thing concerning those Lycaons or men transformed into wolves who are reported to be very frequent and common in this place There are Writers who thinke themselves worthy to be beleeved among which is Olaus Magnus that doe affirme that in this Countrie every yeare some men are turned into wolves I will heere set downe his owne words thereby to recreate the minde of the Reader with the relation of an unheard of noveltie and thus hee writes in his 18 Booke cap. 45. Although in Prussia Livonia and Lithuania all the Inhabitants all the yeare are much endammaged by ravening Wolves because every where in the woods they teare in pieces and devoure a great number of their cattell if they stray never so little from the flock or heard yet they esteeme not this losse so great as that which they sustaine by men changed and transformed into wolves For in Christmas in the night time such a companie of men●wolves doe gather themselves together and shew such fierie cruelty both towards men and other creatures which are not wilde by nature that the Inhabitants of this Countrie doe receive more detriment and losse from these than from true and naturall wolves For as it is found out by experience they doe besiege mens houses standing in the woods with much fiercenesse and doe strive to breake open the doores that so they may destroy and prey upon the men and other creatures that are within But of these things wee have spoken enough let us goe forward to Russia RUSSIA OR MOSCOVIA RUSSIA which is called also Roxolonia is twofold the Blacke and the White The former bordereth on Polonia the latter is a part of Moscovia Moscovie was without doubt so called from the River Moschus or Morava which giveth its name also to the chiefe Citie Mosco through which it floweth The Territories thereof are extended farre and wide and it is bounded on the North with the Icie Sea on the East it hath the Tartarians on the south the Turkes and Polonians and on the West the Livonians and the Kingdome of Swethland In all which spaces of ground many large countries are contained and therefore the Duke of Moscovie doth thus enstile himselfe The Great Lord and by the grace of God Emperour and Governour of all Russia also Great Duke of Volodimiria Moscovia great Novogrodia Pskovia Smolonskia Thweria Iugaria Permia Viathkia Bulgaria c. Governour and Great Prince of Novogrodia the Lesse of Czernigovia Rezania Wolochdia Resovia Bielloia Rostovia Iaroslania Poloskia Biellozeria Vdoria Obdoria and Condimia c. The temperature of the Aire in Muscovia is immoderately cold and sharpe yet it is so wholsome that beyond the head of Tanais toward the North and East there is never any plague knowne although they have a disease not much unlike unto it which doth so lye in the head and inward parts that they die in few daies of it The Countrie in generall neither bringeth forth Vine nor Olive nor any fruit-bearing tree except it be Mellons and Cherries in regard that the more tender fruits are blasted with the cold North windes The corne fields do beare Wheat Millet a graine which the Latines call Panicum and all kinde of Pulse But their most certaine harvest consists in waxe and honey Here is the wood Hercynia being full of wild beasts In that part which lyeth toward Prussia great and fierce Bugles or Buffes are found which they call Bison And also the beast called by the Latines Alces like an Hart save that hee hath a fleshie snout like an Elephant long legges and no bending of the hough and this creature the Moscovites call Iozzi and the Germans Hellene Besides there are Beares of an incredible bignesse and great and terrible Wolves of a blacke colour No Countrie hath better hunting and hawking than this For they take all kinde of wild beasts
with Dogges and Nets and with Haukes which the Countrie of Pecerra doth plentifully yeeld they kill not onely Pheasants and Ducks with them but also Swannes and Cranes The Countries of Russia or Moscovia are very large All the Cities Townes Castles Villages Woods fields Lakes and Rivers are under the command and government of one Prince whom RVSSIA OR MVSCOVIA Russia cum Confinijs the Inhabitants do call the great Czar that is King or Emperour and all the revenues that arise from them are brought into the Princes exchequer There are no Dukes or Counts which can possesse any thing by a Tenure of Freehold or can passe the same unto their heires Hee doth bestow some villages and Townes upon some but yet hee useth the labour of the husbandman and when he list taketh them away againe So that hee hath absolute command over his Subjects and againe his Subjects honour and reverence him as a God and do shew obedience to him in all things without any refusall The chiefe Metropolis or mother Citie of the whole Kingdome is Moscovia commonly called Moschwa being conveniently situated as it is thought in the middle of the Countrie It is a famous Citie as for the many Rivers which meete there so for the largenesse and number of the houses and for the strength of the Castle For it lyeth neere the River Moschus with a long row of houses The houses are all of wood and divided into Parlers Kitchings and Bed-chambers all of them have private gardens both for profit and for pleasure The severall parts of the Citie have severall Churches It hath two Castles one called Kataigorod the other Bolsigorod both which are washed with the Rivers Moschus and Neglinna Moreover in Russia there are many Countries as first the Dukedome of Volodimiria which title the Great Duke doth assume to himselfe it is named fom the chiefe citie Volodomire being seated on the bankes of the River Desma which runneth into Volga This Province is of so fruitfull a soile that the increase of one bushell of wheat being sowne is oftentimes twentie bushells Secondly Novogrodia which though it be inferiour unto the aforenamed Countrie in pasturage yet not in the fruitfulnes of the soile It hath a woodden citie called by the same name with the whole Dukedome Novogrod being seated where the Rivers Volga and Occa do flow one into another This citie had alwaies the chiefe preheminence in regard of the incredible number of houses for the commoditie of a broad and fishie Lake and in regard of an ancient Temple much reverenced by that Nation which about five hundred yeares agoe was dedicated to S. Sophia Here is a memorable Castle built of stone upon a rocke at the great Charge of the Duke Basilius This Citie is distant from the Citie Moscovia an hundred Polish miles and from Riga the next haven towne it is little lesse than five hundred Thirdly Rhezan which is a Province betweene the River Occa and Tanais having store of Corne Honey Fish and Fowle it hath these Cities built of wood Rhezan seated on the banke of Occa Corsira Colluga and Tulla neare to which are the Spring-heads of the River Tanais Fourthly the Dukedome of Worotinia which hath a Citie and a Castle of the same name Fifthly Severia which is a great Dukedome abounding with all things it hath great desart fields and many Towns among which the chiefe are these Starodub Stewiarkser and Czernigow The bees in the woods do yeeld them great store of honey The Nation in regard of their continuall warres with the Tartarians is accustowed to armes and ready of hands Sixthly the Dukedome of Smolen●●o which being seated neare the River Borysthenes hath a Citie of the same name watered on the one side with Borysthenes and on the other side environed with deepe ditches and rampiers armed A MORE PARTICVLAR DESCRIPTION OF SOME PROVINCES OF MOSCOVIA MOSCOVIA with sharpe stakes There are also these Dukedomes and Provinces Mosat●kia B●elskia Rescovia Tweria Pleskovia Vodzka Correllia Biele●zioro Wolochda Vstiuga Iaros●avia Rostow Dwina Susdali Wrathka Permia Sibior Iugra Petzora and Novogrodia the Greater which they call Novogrod Wi●lki in which is a very great Citie of the same name bigger than Rome it selfe Petzora taketh its name from the River which the mountaines and rockes do hemme in on both sides There are spacious countries which pay Tribute to the great Duke lying northward in a great space of Land as Obdora in which is the Idoll called Zolota Baba that 〈…〉 Golden old woman also Condora Lucomoria and Lappia There are many great Lakes in Moscovia as Ilmen or Ilmer also Ladoga and the White Lake which the Inhabitants call Biele●ezioro There are also many lane Rivers as first Bor●sthenes or Pripetus commonly called Nioper and Nest●r o● by the addition of a letter Dnieper Dnester Secondly Tu●●●t●● which is that same with Ptolemie which Herbersterntus calleth Rubo but the Inhabitants Duina and Oby Thirdly the River Rha which Ptolemie mentions and is now called Volga and Edel. There is in this countrie the River Ianais which the Italians call Tana the Inhabitants Don. Beside the river Occa and the lesser Duina called likewise Onega c. Here are the Moates Hyperboret or Riphaean mountaines mentioned by Pliny in his 4 Booke Chap. 12. and by Mela in his 3 Booke which are impassable because they are cover'd over with continuall snow and ice The wood Hercyma which Isidorus calleth the Riphaean wood taketh up a great part of Moscovia it is inhabited having some few scattering houses in it now by long labour is made so thinne that it cannot as most suppose shew such thick woods impenetrable forrests as heretofore Moscovia hath innumerable costly Temples or Churches and very many Monasteries The Duke lookes to matters of government and administration of Justice by the helpe and assistance of twelve Counsellors who are daily present in the Court. Among them the Pre●ec●u●e ships of all the Castles and Cities are distributed and they receive the letters and Petitions which are directed to the Prince and do answer them in his name For the Prince himselfe receiveth no letters neither doth hee set his hand to any that are written to his Subjects or any forraine Prince The Bishops are chosen out of the Friars as men of a sanctimonious and holy life There are many Monasteries of these Friars in the Kingdome of Moscovia and yet all of the same habit and Order of which they say that S. Basil was the first founder There are in the whole Kingdome of Moscovia eleven Bishops which they call Wladdicks that is in their language Stewards or Dispensers They call their Priests Poppes or A●●hipoppes The Metropolitan Bishop liveth in Moscovia who was heretofore confirmed by the Patriarch of Constantinople but now being chosen by the great Duke onely he is consecrated by two or three Bishops and is displaced at the Kings pleasure Under
and fruitfull Rivers The Cities of Brye are Castellum Theodorici Iatinum Medorum or Meldarum now called Meaulx Provinse and others Castellum Theoderick commonly called Chasteau Thierry is the Metropolis of the Country of Brye having a Baily and President in it It hath also a Bishops Seate of which Belleforrestius reckoneth 101. Bishops the last of which number was Ludovicus Bresius Provinsy a Towne famous for the sweete red Roses that are in it and for the Rose-cakes and Rose-water which are made of them in the Summer time Here are some ruinous Monuments of Antiquity And so much shall suffice concerning Campania THE COVNTRY OF BELLOVACVM COMMONLY CALLED BEAVVAIS OR BEAVVOISIN The State Ecclesiastick THE BISHOP OF BELLOVACVM IS A SPIRITVAL and temporall Lord an Earle and Peere of FRANCE The Country of BELLOVACUM THE Country or County of Bellovacum called in French Con té de Beanvais or Beauvoisin did receive that appellation by name from the Metropolis or chiefe City Bellovacum It is a pleasant Country having Hills and Mountaines round about it not very high planted with Vines here also Meddowes and there Pastures and Fields fitt for tillage Beauvois hath a thinne subtile kinde of earth found in it of which divers kindes of vessels are made and transported into many Countries and it is famous for the Flax which groweth at a little Towne commonly called Rule For those of Flanders and Hannonia or Henegou doe buy it and doe make fine webs of cloth of it which they sell at home and transporte abroad both by Sea and Land The ancient Inhabitants of this part of France were the Bellovaci whom Caesar and Pliny doe often mention called by Strabo Bellolakoi and by Ptolemy Belluakoi Caesar witnesseth that these Bellovacians where the chiefest of the Belgians both for prowesse authority and number of men as being able to bring 100000. men into the Field The Author of the 8. Booke de Bello Gallico writeth that the Bellovacians did exceed all Frenchmen and Belgians for matters of warre And Strabo in his 4. Booke saith that the Bellovacians are the best of the Belgians and after them the Suessones Caesar doth in some manner paint out the Common-wealth of the Bellovacians when hee sheweth that they were wont to elect their Princes out of themselves as amongst the rest they did that Corbeus who albeit his Army of Citizens was overcome yet no calamity could make him leave the Field retire to the Woods or yeeld himselfe upon any conditions offerd to him by the Romanes but sighting valiantly and wounding many he did enforce the enraged conquerers to cast their Darts at him Caesar also doth mention the Senate of the Bellovacians and the authority of the common people whence that excuse of the Bellovacian Senate to Caesar That while Corbaeus lived the Senate could not doe so much in the City as the unskilfull multitude But although the Bellovacians in Caesars time had a great opinion for their courage and fortitude yet at length being overcome they yeelded to the Romanes and were subject to them untill the Frenchmen passing over the Rhene possessed France The Husbandmen of this Country in King Iohn time did stirre up a sedition which was commonly called laquerte And they especially aymed at the Nobles of whom they slew many and pulled downe their Houses At length Charles the Dolphin of France who was afterward King and surnamed the Wise The King of Navarre the Duke of Bourbon and other Princes and Nobles of the blood Royall did quiet this sedition as knowing what would be the event of it and what troubles would spring there from if it were not extinguisht in time The Metropolis or Mother City of this Country is Bellovacum commonly called Beauvois Guicciardine endeavoreth to prove by many reasons that this Bellovacum is that Belgium which Caesar mentioneth in his Commentaries when he saith that he wintered part of his Army in Belgium and addeth withall that it is the Seate of the most valiant Bellovacians for hee saith that Caesar meant by this name Belgium not a whole Province but a City or some other particular place They faboulously report that Belgius a King of France the Sonne of Lugdus did lay the foundation of this City and of the City Lugdurum a long time before the building of Troy and called it Belgium whence Gallia Belgica hath its denomination It is an ancient famous City as having besides a Bishoprick an Earle who is one of the twelve Peeres of France and there are also divers Monuments found in it which doe witnesse that it was once a great rich and populous City It hath an excellent situation and is fortified with Walls and Towers entrenched with broad deepe Ditches well furnished with Ordnance as also adorned with faire Churches The chiefe Church whereof is the Cathedrall Church consecrated to S. Peter which is one of the fairest Churches in France and in which they report that the bones of Iustin Martyr Eurotus and Germerus are kept The Bishops of Bellovacum doe write themselves Earles and Peeres of France The first of them was S. Lucian after whom succeeded 84. Bishops whom Belleforrestius doth reckon up and maketh Charles of Bourbon the last of them Bellovacum is governed by a Maior in like manner as the Merchants of Paris by a Proefect and also by twelve Peeres who are as so many Consuls being annuall Magistrates and elected by the people as the Magistrates of Rome were usually chosen This City is rich by clothing and gaines this honour to it selfe that the fairest and best Carpets in all France are made therein A Nation Counsell was here held and kept in the yeere 1114. Here was borne the great Historian Vincentius a Doctor and Governour of the Monastery of the Dominicans who lived in the yeere 840. In this City was also borne Guilielmus Durandus who was THE COVNTRY OF BELLOVACVM BELoVACIUM Comitatus first here a Canon afterward Deane of Chartes and last of all Bishop of Mande He lived in the yeere 1286. There was the place of Iohannes Choletus his nativity who founded a Colledge at Paris commonly called le College des Cholets and was a Cardinall though of meane birth and lastly here was borne Iohann●s Michael Bishop of Angiers whom in Anjou they esteeme as a Saint This is an argument of the riches of this Territory of Beavais that 11. or 12 miles round about this City there are so many Townes and Villages and those so neere one to another that none of them are above a mile distant This City was exchanged for the County of Sancerrane which Roger Bishop of Bellava●nm surrenderd up to Eudon Earle of Campania for the County of Bellovacum the Goods Lands and Dominion whereof he joyned to his Bishoprick The Country of Bellovacum containeth Clermont not farre from Bellovacum which is a County and appertaineth to the Royall house of Burbon Charles Duke of Burbon had by his wife Agres Daughter to Iohn Duke of
Flandrians were very desirous to beseige this Cittie which they attempted on the 5 of Iuly the yere 1601. The beginning of the seige was very terrible and continued so to the end thereof as it is well knowne yea it was such a long and grievous seige as there was never the like in the memory of man so that during the time of this seige there were slaine on both sides about 110000 men There was a Table book found about a certaine commissary of Spaine being dead in which the number of men that were slaine were set downe and the number of women and children by themselves of which this was the totall summe Tribunes or Praefects of the Souldiers commonly called Marshalls of the field 9. of Colonells 15. of Sergeants 29. Captaines 165. Ancients 322. Lieutenants 200 and 1 masters of the Horse 101. Common-souldier 54663. Mariners 611 children and Women 119. The totall summe of all was ●2126 It would be tedious to mention all their trenches and Fortresses all their engines and warlike Instruments and other matters Moreover there was a battaile fought betweene Ostend and Newport on the second of Iuly in the yeere 1600 between the Archduke Albert and Grave Maurice in which there were slaine on both sides seaven thousand foote and horsemen The battell continued doubtfull for three houres together But at length Grave Maurice got the victory and overthrew the Spaniard The Archduke Albert lost in that fight 6000 men there were taken besides a great number of common Souldiers the Admirall of Arragon and with him many of the Nobles and there were 105 Banners taken from the enemies foote troopes and foure from his horse troupes Yet it was a bloody victory to Grave Maurice for there were a thousand slaine on his side A mile distant from Ostend is Aldenburg It hath onely one gate being an auncient Cittie and heretofore a famous Mart towne The other matters which are contained in this table are unfolded in the next description And therefore I passe to Brabant THE DVKEDOME OF BRABANT BRabant for the most part doth containe the Countrie of the Advatians Ambivaritians and Tungrians but it is uncertaine at what time this Country was called Brabant some deriving it from Brennus a Frenchman some from a Cittie of that name of which there is no mention neither in the Country nor in histories some derive it from Bratuspandium a towne of the Bellovacians which Caesar mentioneth Lib. 2. Some doe mention a Captaine called Salvius Brabon an Arcadian who came with Caesar into the Low Countries whose wife Suana was Caesars Nephew Some also thinke that it was called Barbantia from Gotefridus Barbatus Earle of Lovaine and afterward Brabant I had this name of late which is manifest but the originall thereof is unknowne The length of Brabant from Gemblours even to the holy Mountaine of S. Gertrud is about 22 miles The breadth from Helmontium to Bergae is 20 Miles And the compasse of it is 80 miles It hath on the North the River Mosa which parteth Gelderland from Holland On the South Hannonia the Countie of Namurcum and the Leodiensian Bishopricke which confineth on it on the East On the West is the River Scaldis with the countrie Alost It hath a wholesome ayre and a fertile soyle abounding with all sorts of fruites but yet the countrie of Kempen is barren by reason of the sands which part yet is not altogether unfruitfull There are 26 Citties in this Dukedome As Lovanium or Loven which is an auncient Cittie and the first seate of the Grudians in which the Duke doth binde himselfe by taking the Sacrament It is a pleasant Cittie and now somewhat enlarged the compasse of it within the walls is foure miles It is watered with the River Dela Brussells is a faire great Cittie fortified with a double wall and situate in a fertile soile abounding with all things It is a wonderfull thing that this Citty could yeeld plentie of provision to serve the Dukes Court the strangers and forreine Princes which lay there with their whole trayne There is also Antwerpe which they commonly call Antwerpen the French call it Anvers the Italians Anversa the Germaines Antorff Peter Appian thinketh that it is the same with that which Ptolemie and Caesar doe call Atuacutum It is supposed that this Cittie was so called from the casting forth of hands For a certaine Giant called Druo who dwelt in these parts before C. Caesars comming when any travellers came by if they did not pay him the halfe of their commodities he caus'd their right hands to be cut off and to be cast into the River which appeareth by the armes of this Cittie and certaine great bones of this Giant Druo which are kept untill this day some say he was called Antigonus But these things are fabulous But it is more likely that the inhabitants called it so from the heape or rifing of Earth neere Scaldis which the Lowcountrimen doe call Antwerpen for by making banckes on both sides they straitned the River and made the channell deeper It is situate by the deepest part of the River under the 26 degrees of Longitude and 42 minuts And 51 of Latitude and fiftie eight minutes It is 4 miles distant from the Sea and as many from Mechlin 7 miles from Lovaine 10 miles from Gandavum 15 miles from Bruges 8 miles from Brussells threescore miles from London 29 from the Agrippine Colonie 60 miles from Franckford It was thrice walled First with a narrower wall Anno 1221 afterward with a larger wall Anno 1314 which yeare there was a great famine and the next a great pestilence Lastly the suburbs were enlarged toward the North Anno 1543. The compasse of it without the walls is 4 miles and eight hundred and twelve paces There are eight ditches which are brought into the Cittie out of the River and are able to receive many great shippes It is a great Cittie for traffique Guicciardine giveth an estimate that the yeerely trading in this Cittie doth amount to above twelve thousand Crownes which was lesse than it came to when the Cittie of Antwerpe flourished And therefore Iulius Scaliger doth worthily praise it thus Oppida quot spectant oculo me torvasinistro Tot nos invidiae pallida tela petunt Lugdunum omnigenum est operosa Lutetia Roma Ingens ro● Venetum vasta Tolosa potens Omnimodae merces artes priscaeque novaeque Quorum insunt alijs singula cuncta mihi Looke how many Townes doe lye on our left side Even by so many Townes we are envide Leyden and Paris painefull are Rome great Venice is rich Tolouse in power compleate All wares and strange inventions that there be In severall Citties are all found in me There are two and forty religious houses in Antwerp also Churches Monasteries and Hospitalls The chiefe Cathedrall Church is dedicated to the blessed Virgin Marie It is a faire and sumptuous worke and hath a famous Tower steeple which is all built of
if he were furnished with the aforesayd munition he would easily suppresse the enemies violence All things were sent which hee desired but he did not performe that which hee boasted hee would THE DVKEDOME OF LIMBVRG LIMBURGENSIS DVCATUS NOVA DESCRIPTIO Auct AEGIDIO MART. doe for at the enemies first approach he came to a parly and yeelded it up unto him without any resistance Not farre from Limburg yet out of the Territorie thereof Northward the Spaw Fountaines doe breake forth which are so famous and well knowne Moreover betweene Walhormus and Montzius there are certaine hills commonly called Kelmbergen in regard of the great store of that mettall and stone above mentioned which is digged out of them in defence whereof the aforesayd Earle hath built a Castell But some few yeares since the Batavians burnt it through the Souldiers negligence The great wood commonly called Fangne lyeth neere unto the Cittie of Limburg in which there is excellent hunting And so much concerning the Cittie it selfe and the Dukedome of Limburg There are three other Citties which have counties belonging to them which are reckoned as appendances to the Dukedome of Limburg which are these Valkenburg Dalthemium and Rolducum of which we will now speake in order Valkenburg in French Fauquemont is a neate Towne having iurisdiction over a large Territorie and some Townes being three long miles from Aquisgrave and two little miles from Vltrajectum It is a fruitfull Country both for corne and pasturage not far from which is the Monastery of S. Gerla being a faire auncient building Moreover the Countie of Valkenburg was in the possession of Iohn the third of that name Duke of Brabant who tooke it by force of armes from Raynout Lord of Valkenburg who being a troublesome man and having injured the Trajectenses at the River Mosa was overcome and taken prisoner by the aforesayd Duke Dalthemium is a little Towne with a small Castell belonging to it It is three long miles from Aquisgranum and two from Leodium It is honoured with the title of a Countie and hath some Villages and lands beyond Mosa which are within the jurisdiction thereof Henry the second Duke of Brabant did possesse it and did joyne it to his owne Territories The famous Abby of the Valley of God belongs to Dalthemium the Abbot whereof is the chiefe man of that Countrie and besides this there is the Abby of the holy Crosse Rolducum is an old Towne with an ancient Castell It is a mile distant from Valkenburg and it is the fourth Lordship beyond Mosa and it hath a Tribunall or Court of Iustice but the Senate of Brabant have the oversight of it Here I cannot passe by the village commonly called Carpen betweene Iuliacum and the Colonie being two long miles from the Rhene It is as big as a little Towne and hath a Collegiate Church as they call it and hath Faires and Markets whither all sorts of commodities are brought and a great confluence of people doe resort unto it it hath also a Castell well fortified William Nassavius Prince of Orange passing over the Rhene tooke it in the yeare 1568 and fortified it with a Garrison All these parts being gathered together doe make a great Lordship which was used to be governed by a peculiar Lord but the Dukes of Limburg have now subjected it to themselves although it have a Prefect beside who lyeth there with a strong Garrison This Countrie hath three other Rivulets besides Mosa which at length become Rivers namely Beruinum which watereth Dalthemium Geuda which runneth by Valckenburg and Worma which glideth by Rodulcum Moreover as well the Dukedome of Limburg as the other States and Lordships aforesayd doe consist of three members namely the Clergie the Nobles and the Iudges The Dukedome of Limburg doth containe five members or divisions which they call Ban●as Hervium Spremontium Balenium Walhornum and Montzium the two former whereof are governed by Majors and the three latter by magistrates called Drossards And so much concerning the Dukedome of Limburg and the appendances thereunto I passe to the rest A PROFITABLE instruction concerning the Tables of GERMANIE FOrasmuch as the Romaine Empire is in the power of the Germaines and very politickely divided into parts I thinke it a matter worth my labour to set before your eyes the order and disposition of those parts as they are described in a writing called Matricula Imperij and afterward to shew you in Tables the severall members of this Empire that the studious Reader may finde in what Country they are situated But I have gotten two Coppies of this Matricula the one written the other printed at Venice in Italian being both much corrupted And I know that the Empire is now divided in another manner Therefore let no man blame me or be of●ended if he finde some parts that are reckoned as belonging to the Empire doe not belong thereunto for it is not my intention to speake expressely of all the severall parts of this Empire neither was it possible for me to do out of such corrupt Coppies especially seeing that I know that a great part of the Empire came into the hands of private Princes either by Exchange or Morgage or gifts for their good service in defence of the Empire or for some other causes Neither is it my part to prosecute those things which belong to Politicians and not Geographers but onely I sought that out of this Coppie of Matricula I might shew the elegant disposition and division of the Empire of Germany and might declare how the studdies of Geographie and Policie doe mutually illustrate one another This is therefore the order of the Empire The Emperour is the head of the Empire And he hath three States under him who meete together to consult and conclude of all the affaires of the Empire namely the seaven Electors who were first instituted about the yeare of our Lord 1273 by Pope Gregorie the tenth and were confirmed by the Emperou● Charles the fifth as Onuphrius sheweth in Comitijs Imperatorijs and Iohn A●ventine Lib. 5. of his history of Bavaria These have power to elect and chuse the Emperour The second State is the Ecclesiasticall and saecular Princes The third is the free Citties GERMANIE GERMANIA The first member therefore of the Empire is the seaven Electors THe Archbishop of Moguntinum Arch-chancellor of the Romaine Empire through Germanie The Archbishop of Trevers Arch-chancellor of the Romaine Empire through France and the Kingdome of Arelatum The Archbishop of Collen Archchancellor of the Romaine Empire through Italy The King of Bohemia chiefe pantler of the Romaine Empire The Count Palatine of Rhene the chiefe cupbearer of the Romaine Empire The Duke of Saxonie chiefe Marshall of the Romaine Empire The Marquesse of Brandenburg chiefe Chamberlaine of the Romaine Empire The second member is the Princes and Nobles I will set downe the common names of places as they are in the Tables and the number of the Circles in which they are
afterward mentioned that so they may be more easily found in the Tables The Biships of Magdeburg 9 Saltzburg 2 B●s●n●on 5 Bremon 9 Halb●rstat in the ninth Circle ●erden 7 Munster 7 Osonbrug 7 ●●ssaw 2 Frisingen 2 Kempse Gur●k or Gorit● 3 Seckaw 3 Havandt 5 Basel 5 Sitten or Wallis 5 Regensburg 2 Maissen 8 Naumburg 8 Minden 7 Lubeck 8.9 Vtricht 7 Camin 8 Swerin 9 Geneve 5 Camerick 7 Verdun 5 Losan 5 Metz 5 Toul 5 Luyck 5 Trent 7 Brixen 3 M●rspurg 3 Labach 8 Vienna 3 Brandenburg 8 Ratzenburg 9 Schl●swick 9 Havelburg 8 The secular Princes and Nobles are The Duke of Bavaria 2 The Arch Duke of Austria 3 The Duke of Saxonie 8 The Duke of Burgundie 10 The Palatine of Bavaria 2 The Duke of Cleveland 7 The Marquesse of Brandenburg 8.1 The Duke of Lunenburg 9 The Duke of Pomeren 9 The Duke of Mekelenburg 9 D. Lawenburg 9 D. Holsten 9 D. Lotringen 5 The Landgrave of Hessen 5 D. Wirtenberg 5 D. Zweibrug 4 D. Spanheym 5 The Marquesse of Baden 4.5.7 The Landgrave of Lutchtenburg 2 The Prince of Anhalt 8 The Earle of Hennenberg 1 The Burgrave of Meissen The French Princes are Duke Meiss or Massa D. Savoy D. Chalon The Clergie are The Prior and Abbot of Fuld 5 Pr. Ab. Hiersfeldt 5 Pr. Ab. Kemten 4 Ab. Retchenaw 4 Pr. Praepos Wissenburg 5 Pr. Ab. S. Galli 4 Pr. Ab. Salfeldt 8 Pr. Praepos Elwangen Teutsch ordens Maister 3 Iohans ordens Maister 5 Ab. Waingarten 4 Ab. Salmanswercher 4 Ab. Krutzlingen 4 P. Ab. Murpach 5 Ab. Walkenriedt 8 Ab. Schuttem 4 Ab. Weissenow or Minderaw 4 Ab. S. Blasi 4 Ab. Maulprun 4 Pr. Ab. Corbey 7 Ab Schussenriedt 4 Ab. Rittershausen 8 Ab. Steinam Reyn 4 Pr. Ab. Scarfhauson 4 Ab. Kempeseck 2 Ab. Waldsachsen 2 Ab. Finsidoln 4 Ab Rokenburg 4 Ab. Ochsenhausen 4 Praepos Seltz 6 Ab. S. Gilgen 1 Ab. Nuenburch Ab. S. Maximinus neere Triers 6 Ab. Heneldshansen Ab. S. Iohans zu Curtel Ab. Gengenbach 4 Ab. Koningsbrun 4 Ab. Rodt otherwise Roden 2 Ab. Markthal 4 Ab. Rockerhausen Ab. S. Peter in Schworztwald 4 Praepos Odenheim 5 Pr. Ab. Stablo 7 Ab. Disidiense 4 Ab. Berkenhausen Ab. Elchingen 4 Ab. Hentzlingen Ab. Vrssevis Ab. Planckenburg Ab. Yssin Ab. Pfessers 4 Ab. S. Iohn in Thurtal 4 Ab. Peterhausen 4 Ab. Pruim 5 Praepos Camberg 1 Ab. Reishaim 2 Ab. S. Heimeram at Ratisbon 2 Praepos Berchtolsgadon 2 Ab. S. Gegory at Munster 5 A. Muncherode 4 Ab. S. Cornelis at Munster 7 Ab. Werden 7 Ab. Aursperg 4 Ab. Yrse 4 Ab. Brun. 4 Ab. Echtermaken 7 Ab. Hervorden 7 The Abbatesses Of Quedelnburch 8 Essen 7 Alt Munster to Regensburg 2 Pr. Ober Munster to Regensburg 2 Kauffingen 5 Lindaw 4 Pr. Gernrode 8 Buchaw 4 Rotenmunster 4 H●ppach 4 Gutenzel 4 Beundt 4 Baley Coblentz 6 Baley Elsas 4 Baley Osterich 3 Baley In der Etsch 3 The Earles Barons and Lords The Earle of Helfenstein 4 Earle Kirchberg 4 H. Tussen 4 Ea● Wisenstaig 4 E. Lauffen 4 E. Montfort 4 E. Furstenberg 4 ● Z●mmeren 4 B. Gund●●singen 4 H. Stutgart 4 H. Iustingen 4 H. S●he●stingen M●●●●ke Eberstein 4 B. Geroit Zeck 4 B. Ober Hewen 4 F. Otingen 4 B. Rapoltstain 5 H. R●poltzkir●ken 5 B. Starssen 2.4 H. Hohen Rechperg 5 H. Berletzicke H. Hohen Konigsperg H. Hohenfeldt and Tipoltzkirch E. Sultz 4 F. Hogen Zollem 4 H. Braides B. Sonnenberg 4 E. Castel 1 E. Vertheim 1 E. Rheineck 1 E. Hohenloe 1 H. Reichelsperg 1 H. Limburg 1 E. Erpach 1 E. Leiningen 5 E. Falckstein 5 E. Hanaw 5 E. Luchtenberg 5 E. Nassaw Breda and Dillenborg 10.7 E. Wisbaden and Iltzstain 5 E. Sarbrucken 5 E. Waldtpurg 4 E. Nassaw in Weilpurg 5 E. Belstein 6 E. Koningstein and Epstein 5 E. Eisenberg the higher 5 E. Eisenberg the lower 6 E. Mersen E. Budinghen E. Wirnenburg 7 E. Solms 5 B. Vinnenburg or Vanenberg 7 E. Arnsberg 7 E. Of Rhene 5 H. Falckenstein 4 H. Kunseck 4 H. Kunseckerberg 4 Count Horne 10 Count Seyn 7 Co. Vintzlingen Co. Reyen Co. Bitsch 5 Co. Salm 5 Co. Veldentz 5 Co. Dengen 4 Co. Rappin 4 Co. Hardech 3 Co. Hohenstein 8 Co. Wolkenstein 3 Co. Schaumburg and Giengen 7.3 Co. Dierenberg and Someraw 7 Co. Mansfeilt 8 Co. Stolberg 8 Co. Buchlingen 8 Co. Barbey and Mullingen 8 Co. Gleichen 1.8 Co. Schwartzenburg Co. Suenberg or schonberg Co. Iude H. im Ruech H. Geraw Co. Ples 5 Co. Plawen 8 Co. Weda and Ringelberg 7 H. Reichenstein Co. Olnbrug Co. Lebenstain 4 Co. Regenstain Co. West frieslandt Co. Ostfrieslandt 7 Co Van der Lippe 7 Co. Oldenburg 7 Co. Delmenhorst 9 Co. Hoya 7 Co. Westenburg 5 H. Muntzenburg 5 Co. Lemgow Co. Waldeck 5 H. Lostenstein Co. Diepholt 7 Co. Steinfort 7 Co. Benthem 7 Co. Brunchorst 7 Co. Witgenstein Co. Spigelberg Co. Biversdorff H. Ridberg 7 Co. Teckelnborg 7 H. Linge Co. Dortmund 7 Co. Winsdorff Co. Ortenberg 2 Co. Rippershode● Co. Hagen 2 Co. Hoonfels 2 Co. Lecseneck 8 Bo. Bergen 10 C. Degenburg 2 B. Obersultzberg H. Somiriss Co. Manderscheid 7 Co. Reiferscheidi 6 Co. Egmont and Isselstein 10 H. Bergen and Waelhelm 10 H. Haber alias Havere 5 H. Wildenfelfs or Widerfels 8 B. Tautenberg 8 Co. Tubingen 4 Co. Blanckenberg or Blammont 5 Co. Kirchingen Krehanges 5 H. Senster 3 H. Roggendorff 3 H. Alendorff H. Kunigfuckerbeg H. Morspurg and Befo rt 5 H. Brandenstein and Rans● H. Wolfsteine H. Permont H. Fronsbek H. Flackenstein H. Witten Ritt Fridberg Ritt Gleichausen In this second member some doe want numbers because they are not mentioned afterward in the Circles Pr. signifies Princes Ghe Fursten a Praelate D. Dukes Co. Countes H. Heerschafften Lords B. Barons The third member of the Empire is of the free Citties Rheinische Banck Coln 6.8 Aken 7 Worms 5 Spier 5 Turckheim 5 Hag●●aw 5 Weissenberg 5 Straesburg 5 Ober Ebenhaim 5 Roshaim 5 Schletstat 5 Colmar 5 Altach 5 Basel 5 Kaisersberg 5 Mulhausen in Suntgow 5 S. Gregoris Munster 5 Metz 5 Toul 5 Verdun 5 Landaw 5 Kaufmans Sarbruck 5 Besancon 5 Camerick 7 Franckfort 5 Fridberg in Wederaw 5 Gelnhausen 6 Wetzlar 5 Aleu 4 Lubeck 9 Hamborg 9 Dortmund 7 Mulhusen in Duringon 9 Northansen 9 Gosler 9 Gottingen 9 Brakel 7 Wartburg 7 Lemgow 7 Duysburg 7 Dantzick 8 Elbinghen Schwabishche Banck Regensburg 2 Nurenberg 1 Rottenburg an der Tauber 1 Weissenburg an Nortgaw 2 Donawerd 4 Washaim 1 Schweinfurt 1 Wimpsen 4 Hailbrun 4 Hal in Schwaben 4 Norlingen 4 Dinkelspuel 4 Vlm 4 Ausptrg 4 Gengen 4 Bopfingen 4 Gemunt in Schwaben 4 Eslingen 4 Reutlingen 4 Weyl 4 Pfullendorff 4 Kauffbeurum 4 Northausen Vberlingen 4 Wangen 4 Ysui 4 Lewkirch 4 Memmingen 4 Kempten 4 Buchorn 4 Ravenrsburg 4 Bibrach 4 Lindaw 4 Costintz 4 Rotweil 4 Offenburgk 4 Gengenbach 4 Zel in Hamesbach 4 Schaffhausen 4 S. Gal 4 Buchaw am Federsee 4 Besides these severall members for the avoyding of schismes in the Empire and for the mutuall defence and common preservation
Saxonie who lived in the time of Charles the Great among the Earles of this Country Ierenicus delivers that the Cittie of Oldenburg was reëdified by Charles the Great and that the Bishop Agalgargus did there dedicate and consecrate a Church to Saint Iohn Baptist But I thinke in this matter Ortelius and he are both in one errour because he reckoneth this Cittie to be in Wandalia and doth place it neere the Sea For this is not the same Cittie with that which is in the Countrie of Holsatia THE COVNTIE OF EMBDANVM and OLDENBVRG EMDEN et Oldenborg The Wandalians call it Stargard the Danes Br●nnesia as the same Crantzius doth witnesse Lau●ent●us Michaelis doth thinke that the Ambronians had their originall from hence who as Plutarch reporteth did heretofore goe into Italy with the Cymbrians and were slaine by Caius Marius whose name doth yet continue in that Nation which they call Amerlander And hee is of the same opinion concerning the Ala●an Saxones who 〈◊〉 suppose● did in 〈◊〉 neere the Lake Alanum in this tract and on either side● the 〈◊〉 Alania even to the Castell Ororia and that they are now called L●gener that is the Alanians and Avergenla● that is to say the ●●●tralanians The Castle of Delmenhorst was built by the River 〈◊〉 in the yeare 1247 which belonged 65 yeares to the Bishop 〈◊〉 ●ster and Antonius Earle of Oldenburg on Palme Sunday i● the yeare 1547. early in the morning scaled the walls with a b●nd of 〈◊〉 and so tooke it and Hermann of Oer the governour of the Ca●ell was kept in custodie Concerning the Earles of this Countrie A●d●●as Hoppenr●d●us doth relate something but David Ch●rcus more excellently in his history of Saxonie But now by way of conclusion we will adde something concerning the manners of the Chaucians Tacitus a grave writer doth write thus of them There is a Noble people among the Germaines who are very just not covetous but quiet and secret and not apt to stirre uproares neither doe they liv● by rapine or Robbery And this is a chiefe argument of their vertu● that the great men doe not injure their inferiors yet they ●ne exp● in armes so that armes of footemen and horsemen is presently ●sed before there be any rumor or report of it THE FIRST TABLE OF WESTPHALIA WEstphalia followes in our method concerning the name whereof there are divers opinions Some suppose it was so called from the goddesse Vesta as it were Vestalia because heretofore she was reverenced here and so they would have the Westphalians to bee so called as it were Vestalians for they say that those which dwell Eastward beyond the River Visurgis are called Oostvalian Saxones from Oost the East-winde and Vadem which in the Saxon Language signifies a Coult which they bore in their military ensignes and Colours But now that name is worne out and it is generally called Saxonie So the Westphalians that dwell Eastward on this side Visurgis are so called from the Westerne winde Lastly others suppose that the Westphalians were so denominated from Veldt that is a field rather than from Valen. It hath on the East Visurgis on the South the Mountaines of Hassia which Ptolemie calls the Abnobij on the West the River Rhene on the North it looketh toward Friesland Holland Trajectum and Trans-Isalana The ayre is cold and sharpe but wholesome The Country is fruitfull but hath more pasturage than corne It hath divers kindes of fruites as Apples Nutts and Akornes with which Hogges are fatted It is more fruitfull about Susatum and Hammonia and most fertile neere Paderborne and Lippia but it is barren and desert ground in some places about Amisis The Dioecese of Munster confineth on it and that tract of land which lyeth neere the River Visurgis It is wooddy through all Surland and the Countie Bergensis it hath store of Mettall in the Countrie of Colen and and the Countrie of March and in some parts there are many Salt pits It breedeth an innumerable sort of Cattell and especially abundance of Hogges flesh which is esteemed a great dainty and is served up to Princes Tables There are also many wilde beasts in the Wood. Charles the Great did first conquer the Westphalians and converted them to the Christian religion He instituted these Bishoprickes the Bishopricke of Munster of Osnaburg of Paderborne and Minden But it is not found in the Annalls how Westphalia was governed after Charles the great or whether it was subject to the Pope Truely in East Saxonie there were secular Lords who did governe the Countrie at the first Kings that were descended from Charles the great under whom the Dukes of Saxonie did grow up by degrees even until Henry the first King of the Romains after whom there were three Ottoes who were afterward Marquesses of Saxonie being sons to Henry Duke of Bavaria brother to the first Otto But we doe not reade what Princes Westphalia which is West Saxonie had at that time joyned in governement with the Bishops But afterward Duke Leo and his grandfather before him Luder Duke of Saxonie and afterward Emperour did governe Westphalia For after the aforesayd Henry was displac'd by the decree of the Emperour Fredericke the first the Dukedome of Westphalia did assume the title of the Archbishoprick of Colen and the Dukes of lower Saxonie being descended from the Earles of Anholt did hold and possesse it And now the aforesayd Bishop doth hold a great part of this ●ountrey and especially Angria and the Westphalians are subject unto him and his Nobles being as it were slaves unto them Here formerly the Teutonians the Busasterians the Chamavians the Angrivarians the Longobardians the Dulhumnijans the Angilians the Chaucians and Cheruscians were seated Those whom Mela and other call the Teutonians Ptolomie calls Teutones they comming from the Balthicke shoare where Ptolomie placeth their auncient seate did give that appellation to Teutoburg which Tacitus placeth in Westphalia Those whom Ptolomie calls the lesser and the greater Busacterians Tacitus calleth them Bructerians Willichius writeth that they did inhabite Munster Those whom Tacitus calleth Chamavians Ptolomie doth name Camanians as Villenovanus thinketh From whom David Chitreus supposeth that the Towne Chamen in the Countie of March doth derive his name The Angrinarians were seated Eastward neere Visurgis The Longobarians or rather the Langobardians Ptolomie placeth on the Frontires of this Province on the farthest part whereof was Bardewick so also those whom Ptolomie calleth the Dulguminians Tacitus nameth the Dulgibinians from whom the Towne Dulmen in the Dioecese of Munster was denominated heere are also the Angilians who about the yeare 444 went over into Brittaine and gave their owne name to England as it appeareth by many histories as also by Saint Bedean English writer But the Chaucians whom Ptolomie calleth the Cauchians and Suetonius Lampridius and Strabo the Gaucians Dio the Chaucians and Claudian the Chaycians as Tacitus writeth doe spread themselves from Friesland even to
is equall to the bredth being 12 miles over This Countrie hath aboundance of all kindes of fruites and pulse and hath more store of Corne than any other part of Germanie So that George Agricola calleth it the fatte of Germanie Heere is great stoare of that hearbe which Plinnie calleth Glastum is now called Guadum and Pastillum and commonly Weedt Pastell which maketh a blew colour which to the great benefit of the inhabitants is transported into other Countries so that a famous Poet writeth thus Herba Thuringorum celeberrima crescit in agris Hanc Isatim Graecus sermo vocare solet Ponderis haec magni est multo venditur are Hac etenim tingi lana parata solet A famous hearbe doth in Thuringia grow In Greeke call'd Isatis and named so It is weighty and much gaine is made thereby For with it they their wooll doe use to die THVRINGIA or the Landgraviate of DVRINGEN THURINGIA Hinc placet Hebraeo nobis hanc nomine dici Vt vetus a Iajin nomen Iena tenet Cur ita crediderim nisi mentem vocula fallit Certa hujus ratio nominis esse potest Quippe vocat Iajin Solimae pius incolaterrae Hoc quod nos Latio dicimus ore merum Quae caput in medijs urbs fertilis erigit vuis Hanc quisquam a vino nomen habere nega● Hence from an Hebrew word at first it came As we cold Iena doe from Iajin name And unlesse we b● deceived in the word We may some reason for this name afford For the holy inhabitant of Palestine Calleth that Iajin which we doe call wine So this Cittie standing in the midst of Vines May well be named from the fragrant Wines Thus much Stigellius It hath a publicke Schoole which was erected in the yeare 1558. G●tha was so called from the Gothes And hence Ritha●merus in his description o● the world writeth that the Turingians were originally de● from the Goathes because the Gothes builded a Cittie in this Co●●● which they called Gotha about the yeare 723. It had a wonderfull strong Castell called Grimmenstein which is now levell with the ground And this was the cause that it fell to ruine William Grunbach a nobleman rather by descent than vertue in regard of his many enormous attempts whereby he endeavoured to depose the Emperour and to introduce a new forme of Empire was declared and pronounced to be guilty of conspiracie with all his associates and was condemned and banished both by the Emperour Ferdinand and the Emperour Maximilian his son and the Emperour and the other States of the Empire with one consent did commit the execution of this sentence to the most illustrious Prince Elector of Saxonie Which banishment he contemned trusting to himselfe and his Protector Iohn Fredericke the second Duke of Saxonie Who after many admonitions from the Prince did still persist in defending the rebells so that the most illustrious Duke of Saxonie and Prince Elector enforced by necessitie beseiged the Cittie and tooke it by surrender And then Grunbachius with foure more of the conspirators for their treason against Caesar were put to death the Castle was razed to the ground and Duke I●hn Fredericke was brought prisoner to Vienna This Countrie is ●atered with many Rivers as Sala or Salza Werra Vnstrut Ilma Ge● Or Apselstet Helbe and Cling And Her testifieth that the Mountaines have mines which have rich Veines of gold and silver which ●d not far from Braitenborn and Schwartzenburg This Countrie also is here and there cloathed with woods which are part of the wood Hercynia also the Thuringian wood is well knowne commonly called Thuringer Waldt Caesar calleth it Baceins it is a wood in Germanie which divideth the Cheruscians from the Suevians there are also Hainich Hainset●e and Finne with divers others where there is good hunting of divers kindes of wilde beasts There are also in this Countrie many Churches and Monasteries among which is the Church of the blessed Virgin Marie at Erford which was built by Bo●●●e Bishop of Moguntium This Church hath a great Bell which is famous through all Germanie The people are fierce hardy couragio●s against their enemies the men are large of stature strong and well-set THE DVKEDOME OF FRANCONIA THuringia a Countrie of high Germanie being thus described there followeth next Franconia or East France Which was so called from the Frenchmen Some say that the originall of this name came from Francus whom others call Francio fabulously supposed to bee the sonne of Hector and the first founder of this Nation And Peter Ronsard the Poet writeth that the auncients did call him Astyanacta Francum as it were Hastigerum that is the speare-bearer Others as Gaguinus and Aeneus Pius doe affirme that the Emperour Valentine gave that name to Franconia because the Frenchmen in the Northerne Language where called fierce or from the remission of tribute and their freedome they were called Franci that is Free-men Albeit I doe more approve of a latter Etymologie that they were called Franci as it were Frioncy because they were free from taxes and impositions which ●y signifies or else they were so called as it were fryansi Fransi for Ansi being a word proper to the Gothish speech doth signifie those who excell others in fortune and riches And are next to Heroes or Semigods that are above the condition of mortalls whence they corruptly call Great Noble men Ansos and with an aspiration Hansos But to the matter the Frenchmen after they grew wealthy and weary of the Romane yoke of subjection encouraged by the desire of rule got their liberty and thereby gained the name of Franci insteed of the old name of Germaines Fronconia on the South is neere to Suevia and Bavaria on the West to the Rhene on the East it hath Bohemia on the North it hath Hassia and Thuringia The ayre of this Countrie is pure and wholesome The Country it selfe except it be that part which is called Norica and is neere unto the Rivers is not very sandy as Aeneas Silvius writeth nor yet very stony But it is generally very fruitefull and doth yeeld a great increase of Barly Wheate and all kinde of graine and pulse which is sowed there There are no where greater and better Turnips and Onions than heere in this Countrie And in many places there are hills planted with Vines of which excellent wine is made transported to other Countries The Country of Babenberg doth yeeld such great store of Liquerize that whole Cart loades of them are carried through Germanie This Country also hath many faire Orchards and pleasant meddowes it hath great store of tame Cattle and wilde beasts The Princes doe cherish the wilde beasts who have many Dens in the Woods where they live in the winter time and doe house themselves as it were from the stormie THE DVKEDOME OF FRANCONIA FRANCKENLAND weather It is not lawfull for any private man to take them or hunt them It is manifest that
Misnia or Meyssen is a Country of higher Saxonie lying betweene the River Sala and Albis which was so called either from the Lake M●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 Multa●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 Da●●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
of the Iland also the Ilands Isthmusses Peninsula'es the Bayes turnings and windings of the shore shall finde that the circumference of this Iland is not much lesse then 70. miles And besides it is observable that there is no place in all this Iland that is above halfe a mile or three quarters of a mile distant from the Sea The Shores also are so well fortified so that the raging waves of the Sea cannot endammage it Moreover this Iland hath great store of Corne and is as it were the Granary of the Citty Stralesund as Sicilie was the Granary of Rome as Strabo witnesseth Here are pretty store of Horses Oxen and Sheepe but great store of great Geese This Iland hath no Wolfes nor Rats albeit in the Peninsula of Wittovia there were some seene which came either from some Ships which rode there at Anchor or were Shipwrackt against the shore The Inhabitants hereof were called heretofore the fierce Ranians or Ruthenians who could not be tamed or subdued by the power of neighbour Kings and Princes and they were so strongly addicted to Idolatry that they were the last of all the Inhabitants neere the Swethish Sea who did receive the Christian faith For the Princes of this Iland being heretofore very potent did not onely possesse many Citties and Countries out of this Iland as Birdus Grimma and Tribbesea but also they had continually warres with the King of Denmarke and the neighbouring Princes of Pomerania and wearied the I●becenstin RVGIA RUGIA with continuall warres and so begun to bee feared of their neighbours for their power and fiercenesse They used formerly the Slavonian or Vandalian language which the Pomeranians used also There is nothing recorded concerning their atchievements in regard they desired rather to excell in martiall matters then in learning and there were but few learned men at that time especially in those parts The first Prince of Rugia was Crito who lived in the time of Swantibarus Duke of Pomerania and married his Daughter Slavina about the yeere of Christ 1100. They report also that this Crito was Prince of Holsatia and Dithmarsia and did found Lubeck who after hee had made himselfe drunke at a Banquet as he stooped and put forth his head to goe forth at a low Gate a Dane that stood in a secret place cut of his head After whose death his Father Retze surviving after him was Prince of Rugia in the yeere 1106. whose Posterity did successively possesse the Principality of Rugia even to Wart●slaus in whom in the yeere 1352. the Royall Line of the Princes of Rugis was extinct and the Dukedome of Rugia came to the Princes of Pomerania and that by a certaine mutuall covenant and agreement whereby it was agreed that if they did not leave Sonnes to succeed them in their owne Dukedomes the Dukedome for want of a Prince should descend and come to the other Duke There were three Churches at Charantina and many Idols in them of the chiefe whereof is Rugae-viti which had seven faces on one head and seven swords buckled to it holding in its right hand a naked sword It was a long thicke and terrible Idoll which they called Mars or the God of warre The other had five faces on one head and without a sword which they called the God of peace The third had foure faces on one head and one in his breast holding his forehead with his left hand and laying his right hand on his knee which they called Porcuitum and the God of their Empire It would bee tedious to speake of their other monstrous gods Ar●ona was heretofore the strongest Citty of Rugia being situate on the highest Promontory of the Peninsula Wittoviae Northward on the North and East it is encompassed with the Sea on the other side with a low Valley there are some ruines of this Citty yet remaining The Valley was so deepe so that an Arrow shot upright out of a strong Bow could not reach to the top This Citty was besieged on Ascention day and it was taken on Saint Vitus day by Gods providence who punished their Idolatries even on Saint Vitus day which did first spring and arise from S. Vitus The Citizens of Arcona trusting at first to their Citty and Castle did valiantly resist the Enemy but at length on Saint Vitus day being wearied and tyred they were enforced to accept of conditions of Peace and to receive the Christian Religion and to yeeld unto the Conquerers the revenewes of the Swantovian Church and Idoll to maintaine Christian Ministers also to burne the Idoll Swanto with the Temple and to set the Christian Captaines at liberty without any ransome and to pay tribute every yeere to the King of Denmarke The strong Citty being taken the Citty Charentina did yeeld it selfe upon the same conditions Among all the three Princes of Rugia Tetzlaus Stouslaus and Iaromarus Stouslaus did first leave his Principality to his Brother Geromarus unto whom being a Christian Prince of Rugia Woldomarus King of Denmarke marryed his Brother Canutus his daughter And thus Arcona and Charentina being wearied with continuall warres were not yet quite extinguished or rased But yet not long after the Princes of Pomerania did rase it to the ground because the King of Denmarke had not requited the Pomeranians for that ayde which they lent them in subduing of Rugia But this Iland which had heretofore strong populous Citties and Castles hath now none at all but onely some few Townes the chiefe whereof is Berga in which there are not above 400. Citizens The other Townes as Sagart Vick ●ingst and many others are lesser But yet this Iland is well replenished with Inhabitants so that it can raise 7000. armed men on a sudden In the furthest part of the Peninsula Iasmunda Eastward there is a very high Promontory which being hollow underneath was formerly a safe harbour for Pirates and Robbers at Sea which they call De Stubben kamer Not farre from thence on a wooddy Mountaine there were some ruines of a strong Castell Neere unto this Castell is the deepe blacke Lake which albeit it hath great store of fish yet they superstitiously beleeve that it will not beare any Fisher-boats or suffer any Nets to bee drawne through it for some Fishermen having put a Boat into it the day before and the next day afterward going to fish the Lake with Nets they could not finde their Boat whereupon being much amazed and looking every where about for it straightway one of them espyed the Boat lying on the top of an high Beech tree whereupon hee cryed out in their owne language What Devill hath layd the Boat on the top of the Tree and by and by hee heard these words though he could see no body The Devils have not done this but onely I and my Brother Nicheli Here is great scarcity of Wood for building of Ships and Houses but many places and especially the Iland Iasmund in which there is a thicke
the Plantation doth continue thorow all the descent of Rhodanus untill you come to S. Ma●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 B●●gg and G●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 B●nnerat namely Condes Ardon Sallien Martinacht Intrem●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 Sa●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 S●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 Ma●●●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 B●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 T●iden●●●● 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 ●●●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 Verrucā in like manner Afterward wh●● 〈◊〉 Ostrogothes were expelled out of Italy the Langbards did posse●●● 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
Emperour did enlarge it by the accession and addition of the Towne Ripa neere Benacum with some Valleys and Villages After him Charles the Saxone gave to the Church the whole County of Tridentum together with a faire Valley and the Towne B●lzanius And the Earle of Tirolis was made Defender and Protector thereof And from that time the Bishop had Jurisdiction over both The Citizens doe speake partly the Germane language and partly the Italians and which is seldome seene in Frontiere Citties they speake as pure language as in the middle of Germany or in the middle of Italy In this Citty that famous Counsell was celebrated in the yeere 1546. under Pope Paul the third This Country is watered with two speciall Rivers Oenus and Athesis The other may rather be called Rivulets than Rivers Here are no particular Mountaines for they are all called by one generall name the Rhetian Alpes although they are afterward distinguished by their proper names Here are also many woods as Grinwald Hosgarten In der Aich Milrinald Forrest Vnser Frawen Holtz c. Marca Tarvisina I Have spoke of the County of Tirolis it remaineth now that wee should speake of Marca Tarvisina It was so named from the Citty Tarvisium where the Marquesses of Lombardy kept their residence who were Governours of this Country Cassiodorus and others doe call it Tarvisinum It is called also Venetia from the Venetian people But now in the Country speech it is called Marca Trevigiana Concerning the bounds thereof Leander writeth that Mincius Benacus and the River Sarca doe enclose it on the West on the North the Tarvisanian Mountaines which devide Italy from Germany on the East the mouth of the River Timavus and part of the Hadriatick Sea on the South the mouth of Athesis and the Melarianian and Brigantinian Marshes and the same Leander affirmeth that these were the bounds of ancient Venetia and not of Marca Tarvisina which was far straighter and lay lengthwaies betweene the Rivers Mincius and Alsa and that beyond Alsa they were joyned to Forum Iulium and besides that which is now called Marca Tarvisi●a did containe some places of the Cenomanians c. The Country is fruitfull the ayre wholsome pleasant and temperate It hath pleasant Fields which yeeld great store of Corne and Wine and other fruits It hath plenty of Mettals and good store of Cattell And it is adorned and enriched with so many gifts of nature that it is worthy to bee accounted one of the principall Countries of Italy Heretofore the Euganeans dwelt here the derivation of whose name if wee seeke it from the Greeke may THE SECOND TABLE OF LOMBARDY Tarvisina Marchia et Tirolis Comitatus be derived from their noble generous birth The Venetians as Livie noteth Lib. 1. did drive the Euganeans from home from whom the whole Country was called Venetia The Citties of Marca Tarvisina are Verona Vincentia Patavium Venetia Tarvisium Of the former of which namely Verona Vincentia and Patavium we will speake in their proper Table Venice is a Citty which containeth about 60. small Ilands it is seated in the innermost part of the Hadriatick Bay in the middest of the Lakes which the Tyde filleth every 6. houres the Sea floweth on the East side which that the violence and rage thereof may doe no harme some other Ilands doe lye before it to restraine the fury of the Sea And although it be not fortified with walls Bulwarks or Towers yet it is strong by the naturall situation It is devided with many Channels There are Rivers in all the streets which are joyned together by 450. stone and woodden Bridges The chiefest Channell is that which is called Canal grande three miles long which devideth the whole Citty into two parts So that you may either goe on foote or by Boate of which there are 8000. thorow the Citty they commonly call these Boates Gondelas The compasse of this Citty is about 8. miles which is famous for populousnesse wealth and store of Merchandise it hath produced excellent wits and most learned men and it is adorned with good Lawes and laudable Statutes It doth abound with Corne which is brought thither out of divers parts of the World as also with divers sorts of Wine among which is that generous sort of Wine which is commonly called Malmesy and with other things necessary to mans life so that it may be rightly call'd the Paradise of Delight There are in it 64. Parishes There are also magnificent and sumptuous publike and private buildings The chiefest Church is that which is dedicated to Saint Marke the Evangelist which is gilded in many places And to omit other matters there is an Armory within the Citty commonly call'd the Arsenale which is about two miles in compasse Here are made of Wood Iron Brasse Hempe and Flaxe all kindes of provision for Ships as Anchors Guns Cables Ropes Tackles and Sailes Here are also some Ensignes kept which were taken from the Turke or Pirates or Enemies and those Trophies which were taken at Naupactum in the yeere 1581. And also there are the Praetorian Barges and the Ship Bucentaurus in which the Prince accompanied with the Senate and chiefe men of the Citty is carryed every yeere to the entrance of the Sea where the Castle standeth and there after some Ceremonies performed by the Bishop he marrieth the Sea and puts a Ring upon it to shew his perpetuall dominion over it There is also a publike Library together with the Library of Bessarion Cardinall of Nicen which at his death he gave to the Common-wealth of Venice Venice is very populous so that there are thought to be in it about 300000. Citizens They are of three sorts or rankes the Patricians who governe the Empire and Common-wealth the Citizens who doe beare under Offices and the Artificers who use Mechanick Arts. And besides these there are great store of Merchants and Strangers which come thither in divers habits out of all parts of the World to trafficke as Turkes Aethiopians Slavonians Arabians Syrians Cretensians Cyprians Macedonians Germanes Hungarians Spaniards Frenchmen and others The Venetian Common-wealth was governed at the first by Consuls afterward by Tribunes for 252. yeeres afterward in the yeere 707. it began to be a Dukedome The Duke commonly call'd Doge is the head of the Common-wealth and the Prince of the Senate and he can doe nothing neither in time of peace or warre without the consent of the Senate for he consulteth with them The Senate make Decrees which yet are published in the Dukes name The Duke hath certaine stipends paid him out of the publike stock and after his decease another is chosen by suffrages and voyces out of the Senate The Senate which is commonly call'd Gran Co●siglio is the Basis and Foundation of the whole State the Members of it are all Nobles of 25. yeeres of age or above who have free liberty to speake very faithfull in Counsell and very carefull to preserve their liberty and
1575. by the Emperour Maximilian and the first Duke of Montis-ferrat was William the third Prince of Mantua In this Country the Duke of Mantua hath three famous Citties which are Casalis D. Evasij which was made a Citty by Sixtus the fourth in the yere 1474. it is a Bishops Se and the Seate of the Marquesse of Montis-ferrat It hath two Castles the old which was heretofore the Marquesses Palace and the new which Vincentius Gonzaga Duke of Mantua and Montis-ferrat built which is commonly called La Citadella Also Alba which Pliny calleth Pompeja and so calleth the Albensians Pompejanians It is farre bigger than Casalis D. Evasij but it hath not so good an ayre it was heretofore subject to the Marquesses of Montis-ferrat but now to the Dukes of Mantua That part of the Country is very fruitfull which is commonly call'd Laguvilla The third Citty is that which is commonly call'd Acqui Acquae Satyellorum which Pliny Lib. 3. Cap. 5. placeth in Liguria A●toninus call it Aquae from the hot and wholesome Waters and Fountaines which are here for there are in this Citty publike Bathes with stone Tables and steps to goe downe into them Beside the aforesaid Citties there are Bassimana Valentia S. Salvatore Moncalvo Alex●ndria Nicaea surnamed Palea Asta Pollentia Ceva and many others The Dukedome of GENOA THe Dukedome of the Genuensians or the Country of Genoa was heretofore called Liguria yet not all but that part which was beyond the Alpes There are divers opinions concerning the name of Liguria Some among whom is Paulus ●iaconus doe report that it was so called ab legendis Leguminibus from gathering of Pulse some from Ligo one of the fabulous Captaines of Iapetus and Berosus Caro Fabius Pictor and Semprocius suppose that it was so named from Ligures the Sonne of Aegiptian Phaeton Now it is commonly calld Riviera de Genoa from Genua a famous Cittie It is bounderd on the West with the Alpes which divide Gallia Narbonensis from Italie on the East with Etruria and Macra or Marga which floweth betweene them on the South it is beaten with the Ligurian Sea on the North it is enclosed with the Apennine This Country as Strionnius writeth was heretofore barren and had nothing in it worthy of memory but that it had great vast Trees fit for building of Ships But now it yeeldeth good store of Wine Oyle and other fruits The Country Dianus doth so abound with Oyle that sometimes it maketh 18. sometimes 20000. Jarres which they commonly call Barilas Genoa is now twofold the Easterne and the Westerne which from the Metropolis which standeth in the middle of them both is called Riviera di Genova di Ponente de Levante Livie and others call the chiefe Citty Genua Stephanus calleth it Genoa and Luitprandius Ticinensis and the Writers of his age Ianua it is now called Genoa and Genova concerning the situation It fronteth on Meridium and the Iland Cirnus the banke of it is opposite to the North and so it hath a gentle descent into a Plaine being seated at the foote of the Mountaines and behind a Trench or Bulwark doth keepe off the cold Northward having neither a Moutainous Situation nor a plaine but of a mixt kinde The Compasse of it is 35955. foote as the Bishop Nebianus reporteth So that if we allow 7. foote to a pace the measure of the whole Citty will be 5. miles but if wee allow 6. foote then neither the Bulwarke nor the Haven can come within this compasse or dimension It hath a faire Haven which lyeth to the South and Southwest which affoordeth safe harborage for Shipping But concerning Genoa there are these smooth Verses of Scaligers extent in English thus The Asian wealth and 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 being conquerd for if I obtaine Victory or lose it I am still the same Having viewed the Metropolis wee will shew some of the other Townes and Citties Not farre from Varus is that which Ptolemy calls Nicaea Antoninus Nicia and now Nizza It is a Sea Towne built heretofore by the Massilians and seated behinde the Alpes partly on the Cliffes and partly on plaine ground Now it is strong having a well-fortified Castle and it is subject to the Prince of Sabaudia A mile farther above the Port or Haven of Hercules Monaecus Torbis or Turbias is seated on the high Mountaines There are also the Townes of D. Remi or S. Remo seated in a pleasant fertile soyle and wonderfully terrified and adorned with Citterne-trees Palme-trees Lemmon-trees and others Castellum Tabia is but a little Towne but famous for good rich Appian Wines Albigaunum is an ancient Citty seated in a Plaine 500. paces from the Sea which hath an ill ayre but very rich and abounding with all things necessary Finarium also or Naulum Savona is an ancient Citty adorned with many magnificent buildings and the compasse of it is 1500. paces These Citties are on the Westerne side of Genoa on the East side there are Claverium Sestri di Levanto and others The Rivers here are Varus which devideth Province from Liguria the latter being a Country of Italy the former of France This River on the Westerne banke thereof which is toward France receiveth those Rivers which are commonly called in French Caremp Lavaire and Esteron on the Westerne banke toward Italy it receiveth the Rivers La Lince La Vesubie There are also by the Coasts of Liguria Paulon now called Pulion Rutuba now called R●tta There are also Merula Porzevera Ferisano Lavagna Maera now called Magra Concerning the Ecclesiastick government you may read in Mercators Table the Bishop of Taurinium under whom are the Bishops Casalensis Salutiarum Montis Regalis Novariensis Lodensis Vercellensis Ipporegiensis Actensis Aquensis Albensis Terdonensis Saonensis Albingaunensis Vintimeliensis Placentinus Papiensis are subject to the Archbishop of M●diolanum There are under the Archbishop of Genoa the Bishop Bobiensis Aprumacensis or Brumacensis Metenensis or Maranensis Acoiensis or Ampruniacensis Nubiensis in Corsica or Nebiensis Naulensis Albigaunensis or of Arbenga which is reckoned among the Suffragans to the Archbishop of Mediolanum THE DVKEDOME OF GENOA· THe Dukedome of Genoa which stretcheth forth to the Ligustick Sea belongeth properly to the Transalpine Liguria The Metropolis of it is the Citty Genoa the other part is devided into the Easterne and Westerne The bounds of the former is the Lunensian Haven of the latter the Haven of Monaecus This Country hath a rude stony soyle so that it bringeth forth nothing but that which is forced out of the Earth with
The last Marquesse was called Ottocarus whose Daughter Lupold Duke of Austria married who by the Emperour was made Duke of Stiria Afterward his Line being extinct the Governour of Hungary sent his Sonne to governe his Country but hee living loosely and having laid intolerable taxes and taxations on the Stirians was droven out and Ottocarus the King of Bohemias Son was called in who did usurpe the Dukedome of Austria and got Carinthia in the yeere of Christ 1269. but he could not keepe it long For he grew so arrogant that hee contemned the Emperour and would not doe homage for the STIRIA OR STIRMARCK STIRIA Lands which he held in Bohemia unto the Emperour Rudolphus Habsburgius the Emperour at Augusta called a Counsell of the Princes of Germany and citeth Ottacarus to appeare at his perill and to answere concerning those Provinces of the Empire which he unjustly possessed as also concerning his contempt against the Emperours Majesty Ottacarus laughs at the Citation and sends no body to the Counsell to answer for him In the meane time Embassadours being sent from the States of Austria came to Augusta to the Emperour and the Counsell of Princes there assembled and there having grievously complained before Caesar and the Princes of Ottocarus his injury and cruelty they shewed that he had gotten Austria by an unjust Title and that he had repudiated and divorced his lawfull wife Margarite the Inheretrix of Austria and kept a Whore and at length poysond his owne wife and that he tooke away the lawfull Inheritance of Austria from Agnes Badensis and her Daughter Elizabeth with her Brother Henry and that he had murderd many of the Noblemen in the Citty of Vienna and had butcherd many innocent people and that hee had secretly devided Austria Stiria Carniola and the Marquiship of the Vindorians which were in the Emperours gift and that hee might hold Austria by the ayde of a forraine power and lay the yoke of servitude on the people he did therefore revolt from the Empire and Caesar c. It was hereupon decreed by the Princes that Embassadors should be sent to Bohemia But they in stead of an answere giving reproachfull speeches to Caesar and the Princes of the Empire they decreed and agreed that Caesar should make warres against them and should have their ayde therein Hee having levied a great Army goeth into Austria On the other side Ottocarus marcheth forth with no lesse forces but he doubting the event of the warre and fearing Caesars wisedome and force by the intercession of two Noblemen made a peace with him and restored back Austria and did homage unto Caesar for Bohemia and the other Provinces which he held of him and while he did his homage he kneeled before the Emperour and the whole Army which matter being taken in dudgeon by his wife and some factious spirits they violated the peace and entred Austria with a great Army On the other side the Emperour Rodolphus marcheth forth with his Army of Germanes and his auxiliarie Hungarian forces and so joyning battle with Ottocarus not farre from the Towne Marcheccus he overcame him and slew him afterward hee invaded Bohemia and with fire and sword enforced the young man Wenceslaus the Sonne of the deceased Ottocarus to seeke peace and prescribed him conditions according to his Imperiall pleasure But hee made his eldest Sonne Albert Duke of Austria and afterward by the common consent of the Princes of the Empire hee was made Duke of Austria and Stiria Stiria is distinguisht into the higher by the turning of the River Mura and the lower neere the confluence and meeting of Dravus and Mura which is next unto the second Pannonia or Hungarie whence that place is called am Hungerischen The chiefe Citties of Stiria are Bruga by the River Mura and also Grazium Viana commonly called Voytsperg by the River Kaynacha Also Wolspergum by the River Lavandus Marchpurg is a Metropolitan Citty on the left banke of the River Dravus and on the same side there is Petovia or the Petovian Colonie where the Romane Legions were seated Beyond the River is Warasinuns which they call the Varian Castle there is also Rachelspurg seated on the left banke of the River Mura where the Country of Savaria beginneth In this Country also there is Cilia on the banke of the River Savus which seemeth to be an ancient Citty for there are many Inscriptions of Romane names in it The Townesmen say that it was built by Sulla and that it was called Sullaces but on no ground as Volaterrarus saith For perhaps it was that Citty or built out of the ruines thereof which Ptolemy placeth not farre from home and calleth Celia In the Dukedome of Styria there are more Counties among which are Warasden by the River Dravus and also Lebnau by the River Mura Stiria is watered with these Rivers Dravo Lavanda Sackan Sulmo Raynacho Mura Martza Arrabone Veystritza Lausintio and infinite many Torrents and Rivulets which at length doe all runne into Danubius Here are no particular Mountaines for they are all called by one generall name the Norician Alpes whence they are called by the name of Alpes as Rauch Alben Subalben Saw Alben Schwaberger Alben In the confines of Austria Carinthia and Stiria there is the Mountaine Taurus The Mountaine Gesacus doth hang over the River Mura which is now commonly called Der Schockel and Sattli Mansenperg Wemsperg and neere unto the River Salzis it is called Ina Sawrussel that is os porcinum or Hogs mouth and Deifelsteig that is the Devils Praecipisse Below the River Mura it is called in Gaistal Stainperg and Kainacher Alben and somewhat lower are the Mountaines Kreiczpergus and toward the East Radel and Plaitzperg Beyond Dravus Southward is the Mountaine Claudius which is now called Dracimperg Vadianus relateth that it was a current report at Vienna in Austria that a Mountaine began to burne in Stiria whereupon the Emperour Maximilian sent Messengers who found it to bee true And it is probable that this hapned about the yeere of Christ 1520. at what time Vadianus writ thus much Moreover the aforesaid Mountaines are every where clothed and crowned with woods The Stirians are a rustick people and some of them have such swellings about their necks that it hindereth their speech and women that give sucke doe cast it behinde their back that it may not hinder their Children from sucking Ortelius doth report that he saw at Frisachium while he traveld from Vienna to Venice in the yeere 1558. a man that had a Chin that was as broad as his shoulders and it hung downe upon his breast The Inhabitants doe thinke that the ayre and water are the cause of this swelling The Stirians doe use the Germane speech and habit except it be those that dwell by the River Dravus SCLAVONIA CROATIA BOSNIA VVITH PART of DALMATIA AMONG the Countries which are presented in this Table Sclavonia is the first which was so called from the Sclavonian Nation who did heretofore
enlarge their Empire and very constant in adversity There are many other Magistrates besides the Duke which here for brevity sake I omit This Citty is held to bee the fairest and most flourishing Citty of all others the Theater of the World and the common Mart for the whole Universe the Mistresse and Conquerour over so many Enemies the Queene of the Hadriatick Sea and the glory and honour of Italie Although it hath waged many warres and tryed the varieties of fortune for the space of a thousand yeeres yet it was never subdued by any forraine Enemy I passe by the other Citties and lesser Townes The most famous Rivers of this Country are Plavis commonly call'd Piave also Brenta Bachilio and Athesis which is the greatest of them all There are Mountaines in this Patavine Country which neither belong to the Alpes nor to the Apennine so that in this respect there is no Country like it in Italie One of these Mountaines is Gemula the other Venda and the Euganean Hills so famoused by Poets There are subject to the Patriarch of Aquilegium the Bishopricks of Mantua of Cuman of Tridentum of Verona of Maravia of Padua of Vicentium of Trevisium of Ceneda of Feltre of Bellun And so much briefely concerning the County of Tirolis and Marca Tarvisina THE THIRD TABLE OF LOMBARDY IN VVHICH ARE DESCRIBED Pedemontana the Marquiship of Montisferrat and the Dukedome of GENOA THe third Table of Lombardy followeth in which Pedemontium the Marquiship of Montisferrat and the Dukedome of Genoa are describ'd and delineated Ped●montium is the first which is so called quod ad pedem sit montium because it is at the foote of the Mountaines or the Alpes which doe devide France and Sabaudia from Italie it is commonly call'd Piamonte It is bounderd on the East with Padus on the South with the Ligurian Alpes on the West with the Alpes of France on the North with Duria and Riparia This Country is full of fruitfull pleasant Hills which doe yeeld excellent Corne Wine and other fruits And it hath Mines of Iron neere Turinum and of Marble neere ●aisana Here the Turinians dwelt heretofore who were well knowne to Polybius Livy and Plutarch and also Strabo Pliny and Ptolemy doe place them in the ninth Country of Italy and doe make them to be of the stock of the Ligurians Afterward this Country began to be called the Taurinian Dukedome under the Langbardians who having reduced it into a Province made it a Dukedome After them it came to be under the government of the Kings of Italie and afterward of divers other Princes especially of Sabaudia and the Country of France it was much wasted in the time of the warres betweene the Emperour Charles the fifth and Francis King of France The chiefe Citty of this Country is the ancient Citty Taurinum which Ta●itus Pliny and Ptolomy doe call Augusta Taurinorum Antonius saith in many places that this Citty was called Taurinorum from the people it is commonly called Turino Stephanus the Gramarian would have it so called from a Bull which was the armes of the Massilians whose Colonie it was it lyeth at the mouth of Duria on Padus in a foure square figure and hath foure Gates and many faire Aedifices or buildings and it hath plenty of all things The chiefe Church is consecrated to Saint Iohn Baptist besides which there are some 20. other Churches or thereabouts also there is the Dukes Palace and a famous University in which Erasmus Roterodamus was made Doctor of Divinity This was one of the first Citties in Italy which had a Printing house it is THE THIRD TABLE LOMBARDY PEDEMONTANA regio cum GENVENSIVM territorio MONTISFERNATI Marchionatu also a Bishoprick Neere the Hill there is Rivoli a populous Towne and a little farther neere the River Po there is the Towne Carignano A little higher betweene the Rivulets and Aviliana there is the faire Monastery of Saint Antonius Ravisinus and a little from thence neere the Monastery of Saint Ambrose there is Susa which the most doe reckon to be in Saubaudia Neere to Po sixe miles from the mouth of Sangonus there is a Towne which they call in their Country speech Pinarolo which is very rich and hath a sumptuous Monastery a little above there is Petrosa and on the left side of the Fountaine Sangonus there is Pagellato and Bricasse on the right side of the Mountaine Bobius Not farre from the River Pelice which runneth into Po there is Villa Franca where a Bridge doth joyne both the Bankes of the River Po. There are also by the Springhead or Fountaine of Padus Revello and Paisana and a little farther Critio and a little farther Mambrin● where the Valley of Po beginneth The Inhabitants doe call it Valle di Lucerna from a Castle which is there of the same name The Marquiship of MONTIS-FERRAT NOw the pleasant and fruitfull Country Montis-ferrat is to bee unfolded which is so called as Lea●der thinketh as it were M●ns Ferax the fruitfull Mountaine in regard of the fertility of the little Hills which are in it or from Ferro that is from Iron by comparison because as Iron doth excell all other Mettals both for strength and hardnesse so this Country doth excell all other Countries for plenty of sweet and pleasant fruit as also for Wine Merula Lib. 6. Antiqu. V●cecom doth describe Montis-ferrat in this manner Mons est perpet●is expansus jugis totus amaenus fructifer omniumque rerum ad vitam utilium fertilis est colonis admodum frequens Incipit diu●no fere itinere ab Alpibus planitieque seperatur quae inter hos colles Alpes intercedit Nihil his incultum quidquam propter summam soli bonitatem oportunitatemque Lavam Tanarus dextram Padus alluit nec ullius alveum Regio egreditur Quanto magis autem ab amnibus abscedunt Colles tanto majores amoenioresque Campi inter eos panduntur quos haud malè Mesopotamiam queas dicere quippe quod amnibus utrinque sint inclusi That is it is one continued Mountaine pleasant and fruitfull and yeelding abundance of all things necessary and it is full of Husbandmen It beginneth almost a dayes journey from the Alpes and it is separated from them with a Plaine which lyeth betweene these Hills and the Alpes It is all tilled in regard of the goodnesse of the soyle This River Tanarus watereth the left side and Po the right side neither doe their Channels reach further than this Country But where the Hills lye farthest from the Rivers there are fairer and pleasanter Fields which may be well called Mesopotamia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they lye in the middle betweene Rivers The Of-spring of Palaeologa did first possesse the Marquiship of Montis-ferrat even to the yeere 1534. when after the decease of George the last of the Palaeologians the Emperour Charles the fifth declared the Duke of Mantua to be lawfull Heir of Montis-ferrat The Marquiship was made a Dukedome in the yeere