into Foreign Countries The French Monarchy strove many Ages before it came to that high Point of Grandeur to which it has attained of late The Weakness of Charlemaign's Successors and the Incursions of the Normans had reduced it to so narrow Limits that the French King was hardly Sovereign in Paris The Governors of the several Counties and Provinces taking hold of the occasion made their Charges Hereditary and soon after render'd themselves Lords of the Countries they Govern'd So that France at that time was rather an Aristocracy or a Confederacy of several Petty-Princes under the French King their Head as Germany now is under the Emperor then a Monarchy properly so call'd But the Victories which Charles VII got over the English in the Fifteenth Age during the Wars of the Houses of York and Lancaster gave him means to Unite to his Crown the large Provinces of Guyenne and Normandy together with Poictou le Maine and Tourain Lewis XI his Son and Successor after the Death of Charles the Râ—sh last Duke of Burgundy in 1477 usurp'd upon his Sole Heiress Mary Spouse of Maximilian of Austria the Dutchy of Burgundy and some part of Picardy Charles VIII and Lewis XII by their Marriage with Ann Daughter to Francis II. late Duke of Britany United that Dutchy to their Crown Anno 1514 Then it was that France began to look as a mighty Kingdom So that Francis I. King of France was a sit Match even for Charles V. Emperor and King of Spain Naples and Sicily Duke of Milan and Lord of all the Low Countries The extent of the French Kings Jurisdiction was yet increas'd by the Accession of Bearn or Lower Navarre of which Henry IV. was in Possession when he came to that Crown And by his Acquisition of the Province of Bresse with the Lands of Bugey Valromey and the Bailwick of Gex which he Exchanged with Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy for some Pretensions on the Marquisate of Salusses in 1601. Lewis XIII his Son Divested the Duke of Lorrain of his Dutchy the Emperor and the King of Spain of a good part of Elzas and the Netherlands and this present King has not only Conquer'd the County of Burgundy and the rest of Elzas but push'd so far his Conquests in the Low Countries that what now remains in the Hands of the King of Spain is not able to withstand him any long time The Authority of the French Monarchs grew stronger and more absolute within their Kingdom as the Bounds of it were extended without at least in this latter Age. For in former times even that mighty Emperor Charlemaign would do nothing without the Advice of his Barons no not so much as establish and endow a Bishoprick and by their means it was that his Son Lewis the Pious was re-inthron'd The Power of the French Lords lasted not only under the Second Race but three or four Ages too under the Third And as these petty Princes were extinguished their Authority was transferr'd to the States of the several Provinces under whose hands it remained till the Civil Wars under the pretence of Religion gave a mighty check to it and the shrewd Policy of the Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarine made it altogether arbitrary Now the French Kings pretend that they are Emperors in France as Bodin and du Tillet have endeavoured to prove That their Authority is Absolute and Sovereign and that as to the Temporal they have no other Superior than God alone upon whom their Crown immediately depends it not being in the Power of the Prelates of their Kingdom either to excommunicate them or to publish them to be such By reason of their Consecration they are look'd upon to be of the Body of several Cathedral Churches in France where they hold the Prebends The nominating to Bishopricks Abbeys c. belongs to them even by the Pope's Consent and the Concordat made betwixt Francis I. and Leo X. They alone can make Laws in their Kingdom grant Favors and Pardons naturalize Strangers and legitimate Bastards They build Colleges Universities Courts and Companies of Justice create Offices and provide for the same The Males only by Salique Law which the French call the Fundamental of the State have Right to Succession and the Crown always is devolved to the next Heir that is to the eldest Son of the King and to the Issues of the eldest Infinitely This First-born during his Father's Life is commonly called the Dauphin by the Donative of Humbert last Dauphin of Viennois of his Lands of Dauphiné to Philip of Valois King of France upon condition that his eldest Son should be call'd Dauphin and bear quarterly the Arms of France with those of Viennois It was in the year 1343. Philip at the intreaty of John his Son who reigned after him gave the Land to his Grandson who reigned under the Name of Charles called the Wise and was the first Son of France who bore the Title of Dauphin The Arms of France are Three Flowers de Luce Or in a Field Azure King Charles VI. reduced them to Three his Predecessors having had them without number contrary to the Custom even of the first Kings The Consecration of the Kings is solemnly performed at Rheims where they are anointed with Oyl of the Holy Ampoule kept religiously in the Abbey-Church of St. Remigius whence it is carried under a Canopy by four Knights of the Holy Ampoule created by Clovis IV. The Royal Ornaments are kept at St. Denis from King St. Lewis's time The twelve Peers of France assist at the Consecration six whereof are Ecclesiastical to wit the Archbishop and Duke of Rheims who consecrates the King the Bishop and Duke of Laon the Bishop and Duke of Langres the Bishop and Earl of Bonâ—vais the Bishop and Earl of Chaalons the Bishop and Earl of Noyon The Six Lay Peers were formerly the Duke of Burgundy the Duke of Normandy the Duke of Guyonne the Earl of Tolouse the Earl of Flanders and the Earl of Champagne but these Peers subsisting no more they are represented by as many French Princes or Lords The King's Guards are composed of two strange Nations viz. Scots and Switzers and of his French Subjects The Scotch Guard is the first Company of the King's Guard du Corps However it ought to be observed that this Name is but a remainder of the ancient Alliance between the Scotch and the French for since the Reformation and the Union of England and Scotland there has hardly been a Scotch Man among these preâ—ended Scotch Guards However as this Company is the ancientest so it enjoys the greatest Privileges for their Captain precedes the three others and begins always to serâ—e the first Quarter of the Year and when the Guard du Corps are quartered they chuse the first Lodging This Company was at first composed of 100 Gentlemen or chosen Soldiers 24 of whom have yet a good Stipend are Privileged and have at their Head the first Man at Arms of France
to be forgotten though he lost his Placâ— because he maintained Arminius's Teneâ—â— The Principality of Raucourt and the Prâ—vostship of Donchery are depending upon Sâ—dan the first lying North and the Seconâ— South-West of it 2. The Dutchy of Bouillon between Sâ—dan Luxemburg and Liege belongs yet tâ— the Dukes of that Name It is of no greaâ— extent and the Capital Bouillon is but 〈◊〉 good Burrough situated on the River Sâ—moy but has a Castle built on a steep Rock with Lodging-rooms even in the Rock sâ— that Bombs and Mines can have but littlâ— effect upon it In the Year 1683 the Spâ—niards having declared War against France that they might ingage the Hollanders to do the same the French King by derision caused the Duke of Bouillon to give out a Declaration of War against Spain 3. At the coming out of Sedan is seen thâ— Town and strong Castle of Mesieres where the French King always keeps a good Garrison and then you come into the Dutchy of Rethelois which belongs to the Duke oâ— Mantua whereof the Capital called Rethel is one of the strongest Places in the Kingdom It 's now called Mazarin and makes part of the Government of Champaign The Prince of Condé who was then on the Spaniards side took it in 1653. In the same Dutchy is Charleville a very pleasant and strong Town built upon the Meuse by Charles Gonzague Duke of Nevers and Mantua On the other side of the River is Mount Olymp with the Ruins of an old Castle that was as 't is believed a Temple of the Heathens and where the French King keeps a Governour Rocroy was also a very strong Town whence the Spaniards made Incursions into Champaign but since besieged it in vain and were defeated near it in 1643 by the Duke of Anguien Stenay upon the Meuse was one of the Keys of Lorrain but having been taken from his Duke was united to Champaign in 1633. Mouson on the other side of Meuse between Sedan and Stenay belonged formerly to the Empire having been taken from the French by Count Nassau General of Charles V. but was retaken Thirty Years â—fter and a small Hill which commands it was extreamly fortified The French King keeps there a Governour too CHAP. III. Champaign THIS Province is one of the best and largest of the whole Kingdom it has Franche-County Lorrain and Barrois to the East Burgundy to the South Picardy the Isle of France and the Gastinois to the West Luxemburg and Hainaut to the North. It is about Ninety Miles East and West from Tilly to Claye in Brie and an Hundred twenty six North and South from Rocroy in Rhetelois to Fontaine-Françoise in Burgundy It 's called Champaign from its great Plains and divided into upper and Lower the Upper which is more Northerly has great Chalky Plains without Trees Rivers or Fountains and produces no other Corn but Rye with great Woods towards the North. The Lower is more fruitful especially in Wines Champaign is likewise divided into eight Baylwyks or Precincts Proper Champaign or the Country of Troyes Rhemois Perthois Rethelois Vallage Bassigny Senonois Brie-Champenoise For the Province of Brie is partly a Dependance of this Goverment and both were in Caesar's time part of the Belgick Three of the ancient Counts of Champaign have been Kings of Navarre viz. Thibaud IV. Thibaud V. and Henry III. that left but a Daughter called Jane married in 1284 to Philip the Fair King of France who united this County to his Crown after it had been separated from it 326 Years since Robert the first Soveraign Earl of Champaign in 958. These Counts have been once so powerful that they made bold to war against the French Kings and at other times against the Kings of Burgundy and the Emperours of Germany They had seven Counts for their Vassals called the Peers of Champaign namely those of Joigni Retel Brienne Rouci Braine Grand-Pré and Bar upon the Seine Champaign has yet two Archbishopricks Rheims and Sens four Bishopricks Chalons upon the Marne Langres Troyes accounted by most the Capital of the Province and Meaux the chief Town of Brie Its Rivers are 1. The Seine which receives the Yonne the Marne the Aube and has been already described The Yonne comes from the Nivernois three Leagues from Clemessi receives the Cure the Armançon and the Venne goes by Auxerre and Sens and falls into the Seine at Montereau The Marne Matrona has its Source in Champaign in a Place called the Marmote washes Langres Roland-Pont Chaumont Joinville S. Dizier Vitry Chalons Espernay Dormans Chateau-Thierry La Ferté under Jouarre Meaux and Lagni and being encreased with the Waters of Vannori St. Geome the Mousche the Swize the Blaize the Saude the Roignon the Moyvrâ— the Soupe and great and little Morin mixeâ— with the Seine at the Bridge of Charentoâ— about a League off Paris The Aube Albâ— and Albula springs in the Diocess of Laâ—gres at a Place called Auberive washes Lâ— Ferté Clervaux Bar Romeru and dischargeâ— it self into the Seine near Marcilly 2. The Aisne Axonia is formed from two Fountains the one comes from Beaulieu in Argonne up higher S. Menehould whereby iâ— passes the other from the Dutchy of Bar beyond Clermont which it goes by Theâ— both Fountains being united at Mouron wash Rethel Chateau-Porcien Soissons and having received the Vesle that passes through Rheims and Fismes it mixes with the Oysâ— above Compiegne 3. The Meuse springs in Champaign near a Village of that Name and Montigni le Roi but goes soon out of it through Lorrain and Barrois the County of Namur the Bishoprick of Liege Gueldres and Holland where it falls into the Sea below Rotterdam and near the Briel 1. Rheims RHeims esteemed by some Capital of Champaign is a very ancient Town as appears by Caesar's Fort that is not far off it It s Compass is wide surrounded with good Walls of about a League in circuit and embellished with very magnificent â—tructures especially the Archiepiscopal Church consecrated to our Lady which is â—ne of the most sumptuous and most acâ—omplished Buildings in the whole Kingâ—om It s Portail Raising as high as the very Towers Sixty seven Canons officiate dayâ—y in this Church besides there is another â—onsecrated to St. Remy with the Title of Abby wherein the Ampoule pretended to â—e brought from Heaven at the Consecraâ—ion of Clovis and since destined for anointâ—ng the Monarchs of France is carefully kept with several other Curiosities as the Representation of the Twelve Dukes and Peers of France dressed as when they assist at the King's Coronation which Ceremoâ—y is for the most part performed in this Town It s Archbishop is the first Duke and Ecclesiastical Peer of France and has for Suffragans Soissons Chalons upon the Marne Laon Senlis Beauvais Amiens Noyon and Boulogne and before Cambray was erected into an Archbishoprick this City together with Arras and Tournay depended upon the Metropolitan of Rheims The ancient Latin Authors called
East of La Fere is the Town and Castle of Crecy upon Serre Creciacum ad Saram Seven Miles North-East of Crecy the Town of Marle Marna Castrum which had formerly a strong Castle and its particular Lords Mayor and Sworn Officers Seven Miles to the North of Marle lies the Town of Vervins famous for a Treaty of Peace concluded there between the French King Henry IV and Philip III. King of Spain in 1598. Seven Miles Eastward is the Town of Aubenton upon a River of that Name and at the same distance over against Marle the Town of Moncornet Mons Cornutus or the Horn-Mountain because it is seated upon the Two Tops of a Mountain that have the shape of a pair of Horns La Cappelle is a strong Town on the Frontiers of Haynaut Seven Miles North of Vervins built in the last Age to stop the Incursions of the Netherlanders It has bâ—â— often taken and re-taken by the Spaniaâ—â— and the French There are some other placâ— less considerable as Hierson Iritio aboâ—â— Five Leagues from the Source of the Oyâ—â— it was ruin'd under the last Reign by 〈◊〉 Spaniards Estree-au-pont Strata ad Ponâ—â— on the same River Two Leagues South of Lâ— Cappelle Rosoy Rosetum 2 Leagues North-Eâ—â— of Moncornet S. Michael and Foifny Two Aâ—byes the first of St. Bennets the second 〈◊〉 Cisteaux Fleo Major le grand Floyon 〈◊〉 Native Countrey of S. Vrsmar Abbot 〈◊〉 Lob Le Petit-Floyon Autrepe Altaripa Aâ— this Countrey depends for the Spiritual 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Laon except Ruminiacum 〈◊〉 the Borders of Champaign Three Mileâ— South-East of Aubenton which is under thâ— Arch-Bishop of Rheims Vermandois This Countrey which retains still the Name of its Antient Inhabitants called by Caesar Veromandui was much larger than 〈◊〉 is now since it comprehended the Dioceâ—â— of Noyon Soissons and Laon but now it haâ— not above Six Leagues East and West and Nine or Ten North and South I shall not determine whether St. Quentin upon the Somme is the Augusta Veromanduâ—um of thâ— Antients or whether it be Vermand upon the â—ronignon that is now but an Abby The â—urious may consult Cluvier and Sanson who â—aintain the last Opinion and de Valois â—ho defends the first Sure it is that St. Quentin has got its Name from one Quinâ—inus who was Bishop of that Town and â—s said to have been beheaded there under â—he Empire of Dioclesian Before the Bishoprick was transferred to Noyon the Colleâ—late Church of St. Quintin was a Cathedral This Town was formerly a County belonging to the Counts of Vermandois but 〈◊〉 was re-united to the Crown of France â—ome time after the year 1156. In 1557 the Spaniards knowing that St. Quintin was â—nprovided with Men and ill fortified laid siege before it The Admiral of Coligny had got into the place with a few Troops and his Name and Valour were for some time the best â—ampier of that Town which saith Morery as partial as he is against the Protestants was not able without him to withstand such an Army Four and Twenty Hours The High Constable of Montmorency attempting the relieving of this place was defeated and taken Prisoner with the Dukes of Monâ—pensier and Longueville the Marshal of St. Andre Ten Knights Three Hundred Gentlemen and Five Thousand Soldiers The Number of the Dead was not less and because this Baâ—â—le was fought the 10th day of August it was called the Battle of 〈◊〉 Lawrence in memory of which Philip I King of Spain dedicated to that Saint tâ—â— Palace called the Escurial near Madrid Thâ— Victory made the Spaniards Masters of aâ— Vermandois and the Diocess of Noyon Hoâ—ever St. Quentin was restored to the Frenâ— by the Peace of Chateau-Cambresis in 155â— though this Treaty was not much otherwiâ— to the Honour of France Three Leagues South of St. Quentin 〈◊〉 the Durchy of St. Simon and Three Milâ— farther the Town of Ham both upon thâ— Somme This last is strong and well fortifiâ—â— being built in a Plain and having the Râ—ver on one side and a Marsh on the otherâ— a Citadel with Four Bastions and a Squaâ—â— Tower It was fitst a Burrough built bâ— the Antient French since Ham in the German Tongue signifies a Burrough Durinâ— the Wars of the League the Lord of Mâ—â— Gomeron Governour of the place dying 〈◊〉 1595 his Three Sons went to Bruxels 〈◊〉 demand their Arrears and were detaineâ— Prisoners by the Spaniards till they should deliver the Castle into their hands Bâ—â— Dorvilliers their Brother by the Mothâ—â— side whom they had intrusted with 〈◊〉 Government of the Town in their absenâ— would not consent to it and having call'â— the Nobility of Picardy to his help Hâ—â— was taken by Storm and the Spanish Garrâ—son cut into pieces The Castelet is a strong Fortress on the Fronâ—â— of Cambresis which was restored to the â—â—ch by the Peace of Pyrenees in 1659. Santerre â—Oing Westwards from the Castelet you enter into the Countrey of Santerre which â—e call Seme-terre because of its fertility â—is above twenty two Leagues Northwest Southeast and but seven or eight East and â—st where it is broadest Peronne its â—pital five leagues South-West of Castelet alâ—â—st seven West of St. Quintin and eleven East 〈◊〉 Amiens is a very strong Town both by â—son of its scituation upon the River and aâ—ng Marshes and of its Fortification It was 〈◊〉 a Village wherein Erchinoald Mayor of the â—ace built a Monastery 1070 on behalf of 〈◊〉 Irish Monk call'd Furseus whence it got 〈◊〉 name of the Abby of the Scots King Charles 〈◊〉 VII had yielded Peronne to Philip the good â—ke of Burgundy in 1435 however that â—ewd Politician King Lewis the XI was so â—sident as to come to Peronne in order to â—ferr with Charles the Rash the then Duke of â—rgundy at the same time that he had raised 〈◊〉 Liegemen against him This Prince tho 〈◊〉 otherwise very cunning made use of so faâ—â—rable an occasion kept the King a Prisoner â—ced him to yield Champaign and Brie to his â—other and brought him before Liege to be â—ectator of his Victory as really he was for that City was taken by Storm ransack'd burnt the 30th of October 1468. Eleven miles West of Peronne is the Tâ— of Ancre upon a River of that Name it 〈◊〉 the Title of Marquizate and is known at 〈◊〉 sent under the name of Albert. In 1600 a Florentin call'd Concino Câ—â— came out of Italy under the Quality of Geâ—man Usher to Mary of Medicis Henry the IV. Queen and by his shrewdness or good pâ— came to be Marquess of Ancre Lord Marshâ—â— France Governour of Normandy and the â—tadel of Amiens and to have the chief maâ—ment of Affairs under the minority of K. Lâ— XIII But at last either by Envy misusiâ—â— his Favour or the weakness of that Monaâ— who as Bassompiere expresly observes conâ—â—ed to his Death he was murther'd by a Conâ—racy of the Great upon the Drawbridge of â—vre the 24th of
the Wars of the Holy Land by â—â—e Conquest of Antioch which they possess'd 〈◊〉 long time under the Title of Principality I find a small Town in this Province call'd â—â—auteville near the Sea-cost five miles Southâ—â—st of Coutance and eleven Northwest of â—â—â—vranches but cannot tell whether it was the â—itle of the Lord Tancrede Nine leagues West of Caudebec upon anoâ—â—er small Brook near the mouth of the Seyne â—â—es Harfleur Hareflotum so call'd because 't is â—â—â—ed on a Bay where the Sea ebbs and flows 〈◊〉 was formerly a considerable Town before 〈◊〉 de Grace was renown'd The English â—â—ok it by Storm some time before the Battle 〈◊〉 Azincourt Havre de Grace Franciscopolis two leagues â—ell of Harfleur is now one of the strongest 〈◊〉 a Port Towns in France The French Kings â—ancis I. and Henry II. fortified it in 1562. â—â—nder Charles IX the Vidame of Chartres and â—â—eauvoir la Nocle seized upon this Town for the â—rotestants and having treated with Queen â—â—lizabeth deliver'd it into her hands The â—â—ench King to recover this place flattered â—â—â—e Protestants so well that they themselves â—elp'd to besiege and retake it The Count of â—arwick very couragiously defended the place â—â—r some time but the want of fresh Water â—â—nd the Plague destroy'd 3000 of his Men forâ—ed him to Capitulate on the 28th of July in â—he same Year Lewis XIII did since encrease â—he Fortifications of that place and built there 〈◊〉 Cittadel flank'd with four Royal Bastions However as the Town is not strong on the Land-side it could still be taken that way 〈◊〉 the Cittadel block'd up Havre de Grace is 〈◊〉 pleasant and well Trading Town with 〈◊〉 Buildings and Markets Seventeen miles North-east of Havre de Grâ—â— is the Ancient Burrough of Fescamp famâ—â— for an Abby of Nuns founded by one Wâ—â—gen a French Lord under Clotaire III. Richâ—â—â— II. Duke of Normandy repaired it and woâ—â—â— be buried there in a Stone Coffin which sâ—â—â— that time he caused to be filled up every Fâ—â— day with Corn and to be distributed to 〈◊〉 Poor together with twenty pence This Aâ—â—â— by is now possess'd by Benedictine Moâ—â— Fescamp would be very fit for a Landing 〈◊〉 great Vessels can run aground very near tâ—â— Shoar and then go off with the Tide Eight leagues almost East of Fescamp is anotâ—â— Town called St. Valery by the name of an Aâ—cient Abbot It 's more considerable than 〈◊〉 camp but not so fit for a Descent because 〈◊〉 the banks that reach above a league into the Sâ— Seven leagues East of S. Valery is the famoâ—â— Sea-port of Dieppe the Juliobona Caletorum 〈◊〉 Ptolomy and Peutinger's Tables as appears by 〈◊〉 distance from other Towns noted in the Itiâ—â—â—rary or Journey of Aethicus It is seated 〈◊〉 the foot of Mountains whence flows the â—â—ver Arques that separates the Town from thâ—â— Suburbs and forms a long and strait Havâ—â—â— that can harbour a great number of Vessels and those of 500 Tuns too but is of hard access The Town is pretty big and well buâ—â—â— has a great Kay a Fort called Pollet and a Castle The Inhabitants Trade into the East and Weâ—â— Indies England and the Low-Countries and â—re esteem'd good Mariners and Handicraftâ—en also especially in working Ivory-horn â—nd Tortle-shell and making Bussols and other â—nstruments of Astrology Dieppe has been ofâ—en taken and re-taken during the Wars beâ—ween the English and French since the Year â—195 The Protestants have often been Maâ—â—ters of it in the last Century and it served â—or a place of Refuge to King Henry IV. whence â—â—t came that the Countrey thereabouts was filâ—ed with Protestants The Citizens in imitatiâ—n of Rouen have instituted Floral Games where â—hey give Rewards to such Poets and Orators â—â—s get the Victory over their Competitors Rigord and William the Breton testifie that this Town was anciently burnt by the French and we â—nd among the Subscriptions of the Council of â—â—halon in Burgundy that of Betto Bishop of Juâ—â—â—hona but as there was never a Bishop of Diâ—â—pâ— nor any other Prelate in the whole Diocess â—f Rouen besides that of Rouen so De Valois believes â—hat it must either be Anger 's or Troyes Two leagues South of Dieppe and the Sea â—â—ies the Town of Arques upon a River of that â—ame In Latin Arcae or rather Arcus It was â—ormerly call'd Hasdans and had a good Road â—ut is now more famous for a Victory that â—he French King Henry IV. obtained over the Duke of Mayenn and the Leaguers the 21st â—f September 1589. This great Prince had not â—bove 500 Horse 1200 Footmen and 2000 â—witzers but he posted himself so well beâ—ween two Hills and the River Bethune that with this small Army he routed 30000 men Dieppe and Arques together with some Vilages as Pierre-Pont Val-le-Roy Tilly St. Supli aâ—â— Criel upon the mouth of the Iere between thâ—â— River and Seye constituted the Countrey 〈◊〉 Tellau or Taloui Tallogus Pagus which hâ—â— excellent Salt-pits but both the Salt-pits aâ—â— the name of the Countrey are perished Seven leagues East of Dieppe lyes the Toâ—â— of Eu Aucum or Auga near the mouth of tâ—â— Bresle or Ou a small league from the Sâ—â— and a Village called Tresport Ulterior Portas thâ—â— lyes upon it and has an Abby of St. Beaâ—â—â— Order The scituation of Eu is pleasant because of the Meadows that encompass it Râ—lon first Duke of Normandy had planted there 〈◊〉 Colony but the French took the Town by Stoâ—â—â— and kill'd all the Males It has the Title of 〈◊〉 County and Peerdom erected by Charles VII 〈◊〉 1458. and has been possessed by several Ilâ—â—strious Houses as those of Lusignan Briâ—â—â— and Guise since the twelfth Century till 〈◊〉 Year 1664. that it was given to a Daughter 〈◊〉 the Royal Blood the Lady of Orleance Raâ—â—l 〈◊〉 Brienne second of that Name was High Coâ—stable of France after Raoul the first his Brother was taken at the Battle of Cressy in 134â— and brought Prisoner into England But at 〈◊〉 return being convicted of High Treason 〈◊〉 favouring the English he had his Head cut oâ— on the 18th of November 1581. The Counts 〈◊〉 Eu have given another High Constable to Franâ—â— under the Name of Philip who in the time 〈◊〉 the French King Charles VI. brought a considerable Succour to Sigismond King of Hâ—â—â—ry against Bajazet II. Emperour of the 〈◊〉 John Count of Nevers and since Duke of Burâ—undy was with him followed by 2000 French Gentlemen The Battle was given near Nicoâ—olis a Town of Bulgary on the Danube in â—396 but the Christians totally routed and 600 French Gentlemen that had been taken Prisoners cut into pieces before the Eyes of the two Counts whom he kept alive with fourteen â—other Lords to get a Ransom of 200000 Duckats Nine leagues South of Eu near the source of the Bresle is the Town of Aumale Alba-marna or Alga-marla that is white Earth with the Title of Dutchy and
into this City Latins Syrians and Jews proclaim'd his Praises each in his Tongue whether these different Nations were learned Men or foreign Merchants who inhabited or frequented this Town for the sake of Trade I shall not peremptorily determine tho' the latter seems to me the most probable However it be King Phillip the Fair sounded here an University for the Civil Law in 1312. to which Pope Clement the V. added the Cannon Law in thirteen hundred sixty seven The Scholars are divided into four Nations French Germans Normands and Piccards each of which has its particular Officers There are two common and well furnish'd Libraries This City has also undergone the various fate of War We have already seen how it was rid from the hands of the barbarous Attila In 1417. it stood out a long Siege against the English on behalf of the French King Charles VII The besieg'd were so weak'ned and famish'd that they had resolv'd to surrender themselves to the Duke of Burgundy but the English would not allow of it tho' this Prince was their Ally and then in their Army This refusal may be reck'ned one of the chief causes of the Expulsion of the English out of France as it was the fatal period of the progress of their Arms. For as on the one hand it gave a mighty disgust to this Duke one of the most potent Princes in Europe so on the other the French were not loath to make an advantage of it They set up a young Maid a Shepherdess of about eighteen years who pretending a Revelation to raise the Siege of Orleans and bring the King triumphing into Rheims in order to his Coronation so encourag'd their dis-spirited Army and fright'nd the Enemies that she perform'd her promises assisted by the Valour and Conduct of the famous Count of Dunois but perhaps more by the jealousies rais'd between the English and the Burgundians and then by the Civil Wars of the English The Day of the Raising of this Siege which was the Eighth of May 1418. is still kept as a Solemn Festival in Orleans and a Monument of this Victory has been erected on the Bridge of the City It represents the Bl. Virgin with our Saviour in her Arms as ready to be buried on one side lies King Charles VII upon his Knees and on the other the Virgin of Orleans as they call her now Booted and Spurr'd as a Trooper This Maid was call'd Jeanne d' Arc she was a Native of Vaucouleurs in Lorrain but her Family being Nobilitated by the French Kings had their Name chang'd into that of Lys Flower de Luce in memorial of her Services to that Crown During the Reign of Francis II. in 1560. the Duke of Guise under the pretence of the conspiracy of Amboise disarm'd the Inhabitants of Orleans fill'd the suspected Houses with Soldiers and then brought the young King as triumphing into the City And well he might triumph for he had gain'd his point so far as to cause the Prince of Conde to be sentenc'd to lose his Head But the Death of Francis II. forc'd him to alter his Politicks In 1562. the Protestants under the Command of the same Prince of Conde seiz'd upon this place and the Duke of Guise himself was kill'd besieging it However the Roman Catholicks retook it but La Noue one of the stoutest Commanders the Protestants ever had master'd it again five years after In 1588. it declar'd for the Leaguers by the Intreagues of one Rossieux Secretary to the Duke of Mayenn but it submited to the French King Henry IV. in one thousand five hundred ninety four The Name of Orleans comes undoubtedly from the Latin Aureliani by which the Roman Historians after the second Century do call this City There is still however some remains of the antient appellation of Genabum in a nick-name given to such Inhabitants as have not Travelled abroad viz. Guepin which I am apt to take for an abbreviation of Guenapin Genabinus This City is seated on the steep of an Hill on the Northern side of the Loire that washes its Walls and represents almost the figure of a stretched Bow In sight of the Town and the middle of the River is a pleasant Island cover'd with great Trees and Buildings This Island is joyn'd with a Bridge on one side to the Town and on the other to the Suburb of Pontereau This Bridge has 16 Arches and 't is upon it that the Monument of Jeane d' Arc is erected Orleans is large and well built the Streets are broad strait and neat being pav'd with a small square-stone Some of the Markets are fine spacious and overshadow'd with Trees The most Magnificent Churches are the Cathedral of Sainte Croix and the Collegiate of S. Aignan The body of the former is an hundred foot in length sixty in breadth and one hundred and two in depth It has fifty nine Canons and nine Dignitaries the latter has but thirty one Prebendaries whereof eight are dignify d. Both have been much defac'd during the Civil Wars of Religion but the Cathedral was repair'd by Henry IV. There are twenty two Parochial Churches The Town-House has a very high Tower whence the whole City and Suburbs may be discover'd The Chastelet or Pallace of the Justice is also a remarkable Building seated on the River The Town has eight Gates and is fortify'd with a Terrass and surrounded with a Wall defended by 40 round Towers fill'd with Earth Orleans has a Bailywick to which the Royal Seats of Bois-common Chateau-renard Yanville Yevre-le-Chastel La Neufvill-auxe Loges Gien Montargis Clery Meun Baugency Gergeau and Pluviers are resorting that is all Proper Orleanois and a great part of Gastinois But the Generality of Orleans reaches yet farther comprehending all Beauce in its greatest extent that is the Country Chartrain Dunois Vendomois Blaisois Proper Orleanois Gastinois Puisaie and Sologne and having under it the Elections of Chartres Chateau-dun Vendome Blois Baujenci Orleans Pithiviers Dourdan Montargis Gien and Romorantin The Diocess has six Arch-Deaconships whose Titles are Orleans Pithiviers Beausse Sologne Baugenci and Sulli Orleans lies twenty six Leagues North of Paris â—wenty nine West of Auxerre and twenty four East of Tours almost in the middle of the Course of the Loire with a Haven very convenient for Trade which is the cause that the delicate Wines its Soil produces and the excellent Brandies that are made here are easily carry'd to Nants and thence Transported into Foreign Countries Gergeau or Jargeau Gargogilum or Jargoilum was an antient and noble Castle and is still a pretty good Town on the South side of the Loire with a Bridge to pass that River belonging to the Bishop of Orleans four Leagues East of that City In 1420. the Count of Salisbury took it for the English but the year following it was retaken by John II. Duke of Alenson and the Virgin of Orleans who made the Count of Suffolk and several other Prisoners to the number of four
their own party Henry of France Duke of Anjou Brother of Charles the IX laid Seige to it during the Civil Wars and had perhaps carry'd it by force had not the Ambassadors of Poland brought him a Crown which made him change his design having resolv'd by the advice of Cardinal de Rhichelieu to weaken the Protestants Lewis the XIII having resolv'd to Weaken the Protestants and to re-Establish the Roman Religion in Bearn demanded from them their Towns of security whereat the Reform'd were affray'd and assembled for that and at Rochelle Anno 1620. They being beat Anno 1622 did implore the mercy of the French King But having risen again this Prince besieged Rochelle and obliged it to surrender the 29 October Anno 1628. He demolished the Fortifications and depriv'd the Inhabitants of their Priviledges He suffer'd nothing to remain but two Towers which Charles the V had built for the defence of the Harbour and for its better security an Iron Chain is tied cross the entry of the Port every night Lewis XIV did fortify it very strongly Anno 1689. by a good Citadel and a great many other workes to prevent a Descent of the English and Dutch and to keep the pretended new Converts under his Tyranny This City was erected into a Bishoprick Anno 1648. The Episcopal Seat of Maillezais being transferr'd thither Besides these there is a Presidial Seat a Court Soveraign a Chamber of Mint and a Haven very much frequented Rochel lies about 92 Leagues West of Paris 25 West of Angouleme and 32 North North-West of Bourdeaux Rochefort is a Port in the Country of Aunis near the mouth of the Charante 6 Leagues South of Rochel Formerly it was only a little Village but now it 's a considerable Town being adorn'd with fine Building and pleasant Gardens Sea Magazins and Store Houses and a Hospital for Old Wounded Souldiers who have serv'd at Sea Marans is a Village on the Sevre Niortoise situated in a Marish ground 7 Miles North North-East of Rochel having a Castle about two Leagues from the Sea This place suffer'd much during the Civil Wars of Religion being often taken and retaken Chatelaillon is a little Village situated nigh the Sea about two Leagues from Rochelle The other places are Surgere Benon Moze Courson Port-Lupin le Plomb Angoulin Tves c. Of Angoumois ANGOVMOIS Pagus Ecolismensis hath Saintonge on the West and South-West Perigord on the South Limosin and la Marche on the East and Poictou on the North. It is about 22 Leagues in length East and West and 16 in breadth North and South It s great Fertility doth sufficienlty recompence its small extent For this little Province abounds in Corn Vine Pasture-ground Safron c. It 's watred with several Rivers namely the Charante the Tardouere the Bandiat the Boueme the Sonne the Argent the Anguienâ—e It 's the Country of Andrew Thevet Balsac and other Ingenious and Learn'd Men. Angouleme Iculisna or Ecolisma the Capital City is situated upon the Charante 60 Leagues South-West of Orleans and 28 North-East of Bourdeaux with the Title of a Dutchy a Presidial-Seat a Seneschals Court an Election and a Bishoprick suffragan of Bourdeaux It 's a very Antient Town situated upon the top of a Mountain between the two Rivers of Charante and Anguienne who join at the end of the Town It has very fine Castle which is accessible but at one side being strongly fortify'd Cognac Conniacum is upon the Charante towards the Frontiers of Saintonge between Jarnac and Saintes 10 Leagues West of Angouleme in a Country extraordinary fertile especially in delicate Wine La Rochefoucaut is a Town upon the River Tardouere four Leagues from Angoulesme to the North-East It bears the name of its founder one Foucaut being call'd in Latin Rupes Fulcaldi or Fulcaudi and has giv'n its own to I one of the most Antient and Illustrious Houses of that Kingdom which hath produced divers Great Men. Jarnac is a Borough with the Title of County situated upon the Charante between Chateauneuf and Cognac It 's famous for the Battle which the Duke of Anjou afterwards King Henry III did gain over the Protestants in the Month of May Anno 1569. they being commanded by the Prince of Condé who was treacherously killed there by Montesquiou whence come the Proverb Vn coup de Jarnac To say a Perfidy The name of Jarnac is also famous for the merite of its Lords of the House of Chabot Bouteville is a Town situated near the Frontiers of Saintonge about seven Leagues from Angouleme towards the South Rufec or Rufiacum aut Rofiacum is a little Town 10 Leagues North of Angouleme with the Title of Marquisate It 's situated in a very pleasant part of the Country The other places of note are Cbateau-neuf Blansac la Valette Montberon la Vauguion c. Of the Islands depending of the Government Orleanois THose Islands lie on the Coasts of Poictou and Aunis and are nam'd Oleron Ré Oye Isle-Dieu and Nermoutier Oleron Vliarus or Olario is an Island upon the Coasts of Aunis nigh the Mouth of the Charante about two short Leagues from Land It hath five Leagues in Diameter and about 12 in Circuit It 's fertile in Corn and abounds with Rabbits It was fortify'd in 1689. to hinder the Descent of the English The Isle of Ré Radis insula Vulgarly call'd Reacus is nigh unto Rochel and belongs to the Government of the Country of Aunis and Brouage Here is great Store of Salt and such aboundance of Wine that the Inhabitants would be forc'd to give the old to Poor People for Tunning of the New if the English Dutch and Normand Fleets came not every year to receive their Loading of it This Island hath several Villages the Cheif of which are St. Martin and Oye call'd the Isle because of a Canal which must be pass'd as they enter into it The most considerable Fort is that of la Prée pointed towards Pertuis Breton In it are two pieces of Artillery which carry even to the Continent from the Island It is Flanked with four Bastions with Half Moons and other outworks Anno 1689. they added some new Fortifications to it on the side that lookes on the main Sea Here is a high Tower where in the night time they set up a Beacon because of the Rocks call'd Baleines which are adjacent and for this cause the Tower is call'd la Tour des Baleines or the Tower of Wales L'Isle-Dieu or rather l'Isle-d'Ieu Oia or Ogia is near St. Gilles in Poictou about three Leagues from the Continent Nermontier lies not far from Britanny near Beauvoir in Poictou distant from the Continent about a League In it is a rich Abby of Benedictins resorting to the Bishoprick of Lusson whence is deriv'd the name of Nermoutier Nigrum Monasterium CHAP. XII Of the Government of Guienne IN the time of Julius Caesar Aquitain reach'd not farther than from the Garonne to the Pyrenées that is it only
that Court where their Power is very considerable since the Suppression of the Charge of Lord Constable upon whom they were formerly depending However this Power is somewhat counterballanced by their great Increase in Number of late years The Lord Chancellor is the Head of all the Courts of Justice and presides in all the King's Councils in his Absence Besides he cannot be destituted but by Death or Trespass And therefore the Kings to keep this great Minister in awe have a Lord Keeper of the Seals whom they cause to discharge the Chancellor's Functions by giving him the Seals in which Occasion the Chancellor retains no more but the bare Name of his Office He has under him the Masters of the Requests who serve quarterly judge the Differences between the Officers of the Crown and prepare such Matters as are to come before the King 's Great Council This Council is now a Soveraign Court of Justice whose Sentences are executed throughout the whole Kingdom it 's composed of the Chancellor and eight Masters of Requests From this Court issue all the Placates Ordinances and Proclamations There are also a Council of State a Council of the Exchequer a Privy-Council to determine Appeals and Contests about the Jurisdiction of Judges and the Cabinet Council who manages all the Affairs and is as the Soul of the Realm Besides the twelve ancient Peers of France there are near a hundred more created since two or three Centuries but though they have the Priviledge to sit in the Parliament at Paris and not to be judged by any other Court yet they fall short of the Lustre and Power of the first Peers The Knights of the Order of St. Michael instituted by Lewis XI in 1469 are in no extraordinary Repute and this Order is now only considered as a step to that of the Holy Ghost instituted by Henry III. in 1570 whose Knights are fewer in number and more respected it being given as a token of special Favour and to such as are already of St. Michael's Order and considered by their Birth or Merits I supersede to speak of the Lord Admiral the Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals Of the Generals Lieutenant Generals Masters de Camp Collonels c. Of the Masters of the Ordnance of the Lord Treasurers Counsellors and Secretaries of State of the Ambassadors Lord Almoner Under Almoners Chaplains in Ordinary and other Officers either Civil Military or Ecclesiastical who are little or nothing different from the like in England But I must not forget to speak a word of the King's Confessor who though he has originally no more Power than the Clerk of the Closet here yet through the superstitious Condescension of the late Kings and the shrewd Management of those cunning Politicians Cotton Annat and La Chaize are become so powerful as to get into their Hands the Direction of the most important Affairs of the Kingdom under pretence of Conscience When the Jesuits were recalled into France King Henry IV. was advised to take one of these Fathers for his Confessor who should be as an Hostage for the Fidelity of the whole Club. But this very Caution proved his Ruine for Father Cotton whom he pitched upon having first seduced his Queen laid his Plot so well with Spain and his Fellow-Jesuits that the King was murthered by Ravaillac And that Henry's Ghostly Father and Queen had a Hand in this horrid Business can hardly be doubted after the Insinuations the sincere Mezeray gives of it There are two Charges in France the like I don't know that we have in England or at least they are not here in such a Consideration as in that Kingdom The Officers who discharge them are always Counts or Dukes or Princes of the Blood and are called the Great Huntsman and the Great Falconer of France They have large Appointments Gifts and Profits and several Officers under them whose Places are at their Disposal The Captain General of the Hunting-Nets and the Great Wolf-Hunter keep likewise an honourable Rank and all four are sworn by the King himself I shall finish this Chapter with mentioning the Way of administring Justice in France Suits are for the most part commenced before the ordinary Judges of the Place which are called Royal or Seigneurial according as the Town or Village depends â—mmediately upon the King or a private Lord except in some particular Cases or when one of the Parties concerned is exempted from their Jurisdiction Thence â—hey are brought before the Baylives or Seâ—eschals who are Chief Justices of a certain Precinct called Baylwick Vriguory Provostship or Seneshalship These Baylives are Noble Men who bear a Sword instead of a Gown and seldom discharge their Office themselves but have two Lieutenants under them one for Civil and the other for Criminal Causes The last and Supream Jurisdiction is â—he High Court of Parliament each of which is composed of ten twelve or fifteen Presidents and well near eighty or an hundred Counsellors The Power of this Court â—s yet very great because of the many Noble and Priviledged Men whose Causes immediately resort to it But it was much greater in times past especially that of the Parliament of Paris which was in some manner a standing Assembly of the General States For no Edict or Proclamation of the King had the Force of a Law before â—t was â—enteriné or ratify'd by them and they might reject such as were not in their Judgments fit for the Publick Good A Boldness of which History furnisheth us with several Examples even under the most powerful and respected Princes as Lewis XI Francis I. and Henry IV. But the late Ministers Richelieu Mazarin Colbert and Louvois have so far undermined the Authority of these Courts that they not only dare not reject any of the King's Edicts but dare not so much as make use of the Word Enteriné their Style being now Lû verifié en Parlement That is Read and acknowledged for a true Writing or Order of the King The Intendants are the Men whom the Promoters of Arbitrary Power have made a special use of to bring down the Power of Parliaments They are a kind of Overseers whom the French Kings began to send into the several Provinces of their Dominions fifty or sixty years ago and who under pretence of setling the King's Revenues reconciling Differences about it or seeing Justice well done have considerably encroached upon the Jurisdiction of Parliaments without that the Complaints of the last were ever regarded at Court The preposterous Zeal of these Magistrates against the Reformed was none of the least Causes of their Decay for as often as any Suit wherein both Churches seemed to be concerned came before them we were sure to get an Arrêt de Partage or that the Protestant President and Counsellors would give their Voice in favour of the Defenders whereas the Roman Catholicks would decide for the Plaintiffs how ill grounded soever their Actions might be This of course brought the Decision of the
the Love of the Truth was the chieâ— Motive of their Change This Inconvenience might have been prevented by some Foundations for promoting Learning and Piety and erecting up Schools Colledges and Places for the Retirement of the Learned who had served the Church a certain time or were fitter for Writing than Preaching 2 Calvin chancing to light upon Geneva established there a Form of Ecclesiastical Government very suitable to a Common-wealth but not at all to a Kingdom The French Protestants however set up the fame amongst them which was pardonable enough during the Persecution since they had not the Means to keep up Bishops and that they had been more exposed than simple Ministers both because of their Dignity and their Opposition to the Roman Prelates But when God had given them a Protestant King who conquered a good part of his Realm with the Dint of his Sword when so many of the Bishops and Nobility resorted to Henry IV 't is a wonder that his Presbyterian Ministers never thought of submitting to the Prelates provided the Prelates would submit to the Truth 3. Thence arose another Evil for there being no Means of Subsistence for Dignitaries amongst the Reformed no not so much as an honorable Recompence for the Learned after the Separation was made very few came over to them out of the Roman Church and a greater Number of their Ministers was seduced to the Popish Tenets 4. To cheat People of their Money the Monks had invented or adorned with fabulous Stories the Doctrine of Purgatory and made them believe at the saâ—â— time that they might redeem themselâ— either with Money or painful Satisfactioâ— which the Reformers perceiving drove perhaps too forwardly the Doctrines absolute Predestination and free Grace Tâ— subtil Controvertists of the Roman Churâ—â— let not slip this Occasion of ridiculing thâ— Adversaries and traduced them as Enemâ— to good Works and such as overthrew 〈◊〉 Moral of the Gospel These Accusatioâ— how false soever they were being set up 〈◊〉 able Pens were sufficient to amuse the Vâ—â—gar and to hinder them from opening thâ— Eyes to see the gross Errors of Popeâ— which in the mean time were not urged 5. It 's well known that there has beeâ— pretended Holy League in France for maiâ—taining the Roman Catholick Religion aâ—â— that the Dukes of Guise were Chieftenaâ—â— and Promoters of it but they who haâ—â— not read the Books of those Times are 〈◊〉 so well acquainted with the Artifices thâ— used to draw in so many of the Nobilitâ— They perswaded them that the Huguenâ—â— were Commonwealth-men who intendâ— to subvert the Kingdom and dismember 〈◊〉 into several petty Principalities and Repuâ—licks just as their Brethren the Switzers 〈◊〉 the Free Towns and Princes of Germanâ— By these Insinuations great and aspiriâ—â— Men who cannot make considerable Foâ—tunes under a weak Government stuck close them 6. As to the last Persecution of the French â—â—â—testants as it has been long and in a â—â—nner insensible during Thirty or Forty â—ars but at the latter end extreamly cruâ—â— sudden and unfore-seen so it could 〈◊〉 be prevented either by any Forreign â—wer or any Insurrection within The â—â—ench Cardinals and Jesuits no less cruel â—â—d cunning than the Wolves of the Fable â—â—ok from the Reformed their Places of â—â—rety seduced their great Men invaded â—eir Priviledges and fell upon Dragoonâ—g them when they were disarmed and â—â—t of state of making any Defence But will smart them I hope before it be long â—or besides that God never left such a perâ—iousness unpunished they are so far â—â—om having extirpated the Reformation at they have spread it farther by mingling â—â—e Protestants amongst them And any one â—ay easily suppose that during the Separatiâ—n the Reformed had not so many fair Occaâ—ons of instilling into them a secret Horror â—â—r superstitious Practices as they have now And let this suffice to the First Part of â—ur Description I had resolved to follow 〈◊〉 the Second Part the ordinary Division â—f France in Twelve Governments but â—â—nce I considered that this Method would â—e troublesome both to me and my Readers and perhaps make me overskip some of thâ— Countries included in the general Goverâ—ments Besides that there are now Nineteeâ— and not Twelve of them so that I thought more convenient to begin at one End 〈◊〉 with Lorrain then pursuing my way Nortâ—wards to make the Grand Tour of Francâ— and go out of it through the County 〈◊〉 Burgundy than to puzzle my self and â—thers with unnecessary Bounds and Divâ—sions However I will not fail to maâ— the Extent of each Government and thâ— Countries belonging to it A DESCRIPTION OF FRANCE PART II. WHEREIN â—ach of its great Provinces smaller Counties Cities Towns Royal Houses Forests Mountains Coasts Rivers and Lakes are Geographically and Historically described CHAP. I. LORRAIN the Three Bishopricks and the Dutchy of BAR. THIS Province is called thus from Lothaire Grand-Son of Lewis the Meek Emperour and King of France who was Soveraign thereof when it was far greater and bore the Name of Kingdom The whole Dutchy belongs now to thâ— King of France who has usurped the greaâ—est part of it upon Charles III. the true Sâ—veraign and forced him to make over 〈◊〉 Right to him The present Bounds of thâ— Province are Elzas and the Palatinate oâ— the East Champaign on the West Luxeâ—bourg and the Electorate of Triers on thâ— North and the County of Burgundy on thâ— South The Inhabitants are Warlike anâ— the Country for the most part covered witâ— Woods and Forests yet well stock'd witâ— Corn Vines and Minerals nor does it waâ— pleasant Rivers and good Waters It s Town are well built strong and rich NANCY the Capital of Lorrain was the ordinary Residence of the Dukes whose Courâ— was crouded with great Numbers of Nobilitâ— and Gentry It was here that those Princes Riches made a fine Sight especially two Tables of a great Length and Breadth one Marble the other Silver-gilt or washed over witâ— Gold with several Figures and Emblems and Latin Verses most artificially engraveâ— upon them There were also costly Hangings and the Effigies of a Man in Wood whose Muscles seemed to move and werâ— interwoven with so much Art that it waâ— a perfect Wonder The Dukes Tombs arâ— likewise here amongst which that of Renatus who overcame the Burgundians is moâ—â— considerable that of Charles Duke of Buâ—gundy is there also The Arsenal was well provided with all Necessaries and its Fortifications seemed to render it impregnable before the French took it There is a Bog or fenny Place pretty nigh the Town in the midst of which is a Cross of Stone with an Inscription in French that marks the Defeat of the Burgundians under Charles the Rash their last Duke An. 1477. The Town is situated about an hundred Steps from the Meurte which discharges it self into the Moselle four or five Miles from thence Nancy is divided into Old and New Town the Old has the Palace of the Dukes
the Water â—ut those on the other will sink down and â—herefore the Vulgar calls it the Treasonâ—ood adding further that it was in this â—lace upon a great Table which is still to â—e seen that Ganelon brewed his horrid â—erfidies whereby he betray'd the House â—f Ardennes a great many of the French â—eers and Captains of Charlemaign and causâ—d the Loss of the Battel of Roncevaux near â—he Pyrenean Mountains in 780. About two Leagues from St. Germain and â—hree from Paris is the Borough of Ruel â—hich is considerable for a costly House â—ormerly belonging to the Cardinal of Richeâ—eu This House has four great separate â—partments surrounded with good Ditches â—nd a fine Court in the middle where are â—wo great Dogs of Brass that spout Water â—hrough their Genitals and empty the Court â—o fill the Ditch A little farther is a â—ountain in form of a Rose in which â—tands Hercules with his Club with Cerbeâ—us at his Feet that Vomits up Water as â—ear as any Crystal There are also fine â—lleys Gardens Labyrinths Aquaducts â—nd the like A Mile higher to the North at the samâ— distance off Paris is another considerablâ— Borough called Nanterre where 't is saâ— that St. Genevieve was born and fed her Fâ—ther's Cattle in a Park now walled in 〈◊〉 which the Country People tell you that 〈◊〉 is never covered with Water though all thâ— neighbouring Fields be overflown Chateaufort is a good Borough too fiâ— Leagues South-West of Paris and two 〈◊〉 Versailles It 's the Head of a Chastelny 〈◊〉 which is the fine Town of Limours eighâ— Leagues South-West of Paris and threâ— West of Montlehery At the North end of the Forest Liveliâ— nineteen Miles West of Paris and eleveâ— North-West of Montlehery lies upon a Hiâ— the Town of Montfort-l'Amaury with thâ— Title of a County and an Election Whether the Castle of Montfort has been builâ— and the Town walled in by King Roberâ— Who gave them to its natural Son Amaulrâ— is controverted among the French Histoâ—ans some of whom deny that King Roberâ— ever had any Bastards but sure it is thaâ— one Amaulry Lord of Montfort lived between the Years 1053 and 1073 and waâ— Father to Simon Count of Montfort-l'Amaurâ— whence is descended the illustrious Familâ— of these Counts which has produced several great Captains a High-Constable 〈◊〉 France and nine Soveraign Dukes of Littlâ— Britain from John IV. in 1345 to Claude â—f France last Dutchess of Britain who â—arryed Francis I. and was Mother to Henry II. Kings of France by which means â—his Dutchy was for ever united to that Crown At the South-end of this Forest is the Marquizat of Rambouillet and Three or â—our Leagues Eastward upon the Yvette â—he Burrough of Dompierre and the Dutchy â—f Chevreuse Four Leagues upon the same River is the pleasant Town of Long-junieau French Vexin Pont-Oyse Oesiae Pons Briva-Isarae vel Briâ—isara Capital of this Countrey included betwixt the Rivers Oyse Seine Epte and â—rosne is a strong place which had formerâ—y its particular Counts It 's scituated Fifâ—een Miles North-west of Paris and Four off â—he fall of the Oyse into the Seine The English signalized themselves in defending â—his place six Weeks against the French King Charles VII in 1442. Henry III. took â—t from the Leaguers in July 1589 but the Duke of Mayenn retook it January next Pontoyse is seated upon a Hill near the Oyse and the Town is commanded by a strong Castle There are several Churches and Monasteries with a Bailiwick Provostship and Castelny L'Isle-Adam is an Important Passage upâ— the same River Two Leagues above Pontoâ— It has given its Name to a Noble Familâ— whence Two great Masters of St. John Order John and Philip de Villers L'Isle-Adâ—â— were originary The Isle of Rhodes was taken under the Government of the last 〈◊〉 1522 by Soliman II. Emperor of the Turâ— at the head of an Army of Four Hundreâ— Sails an near Three Hundred Thousand Mâ— after a Siege of 6 Months The Great Mastâ— would perhaps have defended it longer bâ— that the Divisions of the Christian Princeâ— gave him no hope of relief besides that â— Jewish Physician and Amarat a Spaniard Chancellor of the Order betray'd his Couâ—sels to the Infidels Beaumont a Town and a County Theâ— Miles higher is another important Key 〈◊〉 the Oyse scituated upon the steepness of Hill The Counts of Beaumont upon Oâ— have been in credit from the beginning 〈◊〉 the Eleventh Century till Lewis IX bougâ— it of them This County was erected into 〈◊〉 Peerdom by Philip of Valois on behalf 〈◊〉 Robert of Artois in 1328. Charles Duke 〈◊〉 Orleance was Master of it in 1416 when 〈◊〉 was brought Prisoner into England and durâ— his absence the Burgundians his sworn Eâ—mies took and plundred it Since that time tâ— Dukes of Vendosine have possessed Beaumont under the Title of a Dutchy which was born by Henry IV. while King Anthony his Father was alive It has a Royal Seat of Justice Chaumont scituated upon a Hill near the River Trosne Thirteen Miles North-East of Beaumont has the Title of a County Election and a Provostship Magny Seven Miles South of Chaumont has likewise an Election and Provostship The Castle of Rocheguyon near the Seine Three Leages South-West of Magny has the Title of Dutchy and Peerdom Beauvaisis Beauvaisis upon the Terrain or Therin Capital of this County Sixteen Leagues North-West of Paris and almost Eight from Beaumont is a very Ancient Town For Duchesne pretends that it was built by one Belgius XIV King of the Gauls long before Troy it self and Servius calls it Belgae Whatsoever it be sure it is that in Caesar's time it was very considerable that its Inhabitants were the most powerful of the Belgae and those who withstood him the longest their Jurisdiction was bigger than the Beauvaisis â—s now for it extended as far as Vermandois and Soissons on the East the Norman Vexin and the Countrey of Caux on the West the Parisis on the South and the Territory oâ— Amiens on the North. Besides Beauvais Casaromagus and Bellovaci there was another great and strong City which Caesar callâ— Brantuspantium but no body can certainly tell where it was seated Oysel Sanson and Adrian de Valois pretend that it was Beaâ—vais it self After this first Emperour 〈◊〉 subdued Beauvais it remained under thâ— Romans till the French became Masters oâ— the Gauls to whom it was so faithful thaâ— we do not read that it was ever taken bâ— their Enemies for which reason it is calleâ— by some Authors the Virgin City The â—â—glish endeavour'd in vain to surprize it iâ— 1433 and Charles the Rash last Duke oâ— Burgundy was not happier in 1472 for after Six Weeks he was forced to Raise thâ— Siege It 's said that this Prince's Ordinanâ—â— was Extraordinary good and that upon thâ— account he boasted to carry with him thâ— Keys of all the Towns of France Hencâ— his Jester not long after the Raising of thâ—â—
West coast you meet with the Souille that receives the Herouille and the Burd which go by Coutances The See and the Ardee fall both into the Bay of Avranches I would begin here the particular description of this Province were it not that I think my self Obliged to say something of the first Dukes of Normandy from whom our Kings of England are descended and by the way to show the just claim they may still lay to that Noble Dukedom their Ancient Patrimony Raoul having setled himself in Normandy not only by Conquest and force of Arms but also by the voluntary yielding of Charles the simple and his Marriage with Gisele Niece to that King gave good Laws to his Subjects Among others that the Poor might have right done to them without any Expence he ordered that any Murderer Robber Incendiary or any one that should pursue another with a naked Sword should be stop'd and brought before a Justice without any other Warrant than the Out-cry of the Wronged Person This is the Origin of what the Normans call the Clamour of Haro which they make use of when they think themselves wrong'd or oppress'd perhaps too often as they are accus'd to be of a litigious Temper Howsoever it may be Haro seems to be an abbridged word for Ha Raoul as tho' they would still implore the Justice of their first Duke Raoul took the name of Robert at his Baptism was succeeded by William I. surnamed Long-sword in 917 or 920 and was succeeded by three Princes named Richard Robert II. Son to the last of them in 1028. was Father to our William the Conquerour whom he got from Helen Grand Daughter to Edmond Ironside one of our Saxon Kings if we may believe Thomas Rudborn who quotes several Authors for this History Thus England and Normandy were quietly enjoyed by our Monarchs till the French King Philip August taking hold of the Civil War which the English Barons raised against King John deprived him of his Dutchy of Normandy under pretence that he had caused his Nephew Arthur to be murther'd It was reconquered by Henry V. but lost again under Henry VI. during the Civil Wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster However it remains uncontested that this Province has been possess'd successively by fourteen Dukes of the same Race six of whom were Kings of England I must not forget that the Normans are Witty and Ingenious especially in making Establishments which their Envious Neighbours would find fault with and on that account stain them with Treachery Their Countrey is so great and so Populous that there are reckon'd a hundred Towns and a hundred and fifty considerable Burroughs So that the Reader may not expect I should describe them all but only such as are most Eminent and of which some Particulars are come to my knowledge Norman Vexin THis Countrey was anciently inhabited by the Veliocasses Velocasses or Belocasses whose Territories reached from the Andelle to the Oysâ— but after the Normans had conquer'd the best part of Neustrie it was divided into two parts whereof that which obey'd the French King was called the French and the other the Norman Vexin De Valois relates a remarkable thing namely that the feuds between these two People are yet as great as if they were still Enemies and had not the same Master so that they seldom marry together nor will they Trade or have any thing common one with another The Norman Vexin confines upon the Isle of France from which it is separated by the River Epte The first considerable Town you meet with is Gisors scituated upon the same River fourteen leagues Northwest of Paris with a Bailiwick resorting to the Parliament of Rouen Under the Reign of Philip I. King of France William the red King of England took it from a Knight call'd Payen and fortified it in 1228. Henry III. King of England had an Interview between this Town and Trie with Philip August King of France upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem by Saladin And having consulted about the means to recover the Holy Land they resolve to take the Cross together with many other Princes in memory of which they erected a Cross in the Field where they had made this Agreement and promised one another to leave off their differences till their return Pont de l'â—rche Pons arcûs eleven leagues almost West of Gisors and seven miles South of Rouen is an important passage upon the Seyne near the fall of the Eure into it and therefore it has a particular Governour It was the first Town which surrendred it self to Henry IV. after his coming to the Crown in 1589. Dâ— Chesne esteems that Pont de l'arche is the Castle Pistae which Charles the bald built to withstand the Incursions of the Normans but most of the other Geographers believe it to be one of these tvvo neighbouring places Pistres or Poses Rouen nine leagues South-east of the mouth of the Seyne and above thirty North-west of Paris situated upon the same River and is one 〈◊〉 the biggest richest and most populous Ciâ—â—â—s in that Kingdom and the Capital of Norâ—â—â—dy It s Archbishop calls himself Primate 〈◊〉 that Province hath the six Bishops of it unâ—â—r him and does not acknowledge the Meâ—â—opolitan of Lyons since the Year 1457. The â—athedral Church under the Name of our Laâ—â— has ten Dignitaries fifty Canons eight petâ—â— Canons and a great number of Chaplains 〈◊〉 has three great Towers the first call'd the â—â—ower of St. Romain is cover'd with Lead â—â—d has one of the finest Steeples in the World â—â—ith 500 fifty steps the second is call'd the â—â—tter-Tower built out of that Money which â—ardinal George of Amboise the Pope's Legate 〈◊〉 France gather'd from the Inhabitants to give â—â—em leave of eating Butter in Lent the third â—â—ower is all made of Wood and raised upon a â—â—orch with great Art Duchesne speaks of two â—â—eat Bells the first in the Tower of St. Roâ—ain is one of the biggest in France and bears â—â—e name of George of Amboise who caus'd it to 〈◊〉 made the other is in the Wooden Tower 〈◊〉 this Church are also to be seen the Mausoleys 〈◊〉 Sepulchres of the Dukes of Normandy and 〈◊〉 the Archbishops of that City a white Marâ—â—e Statue of the French King Charles V. and â—â—at of the Count of Bedford who was Proteâ—or of France during 13 years under our Henâ—â— VI. He is represented on Horseback upon â—â—s Monument in the Chappel of the Virgin â—ary behind the great Altar Lewis XI visitâ—â—g this Church some body told him It was 〈◊〉 shame that so great an Enemy to his Crown should have so fine a Tomb and that he 〈◊〉 to be removed from thence No answered French King It is well that he lyes thâ— for if he were alive he would frighten 〈◊〉 away There is likewise a Chappel under the 〈◊〉 of the Saints Innocents where is represâ—â—â— St. Romain Archbishop of Rouen in the 〈◊〉 Century with a
by this great General In the Division of Augustus Berry was made a part of Aquitain and continu'd so under the French During the weakness of Charlemaigne's Successors the Governors of this Province made themselves Sovereigns and had the Title of Counts of Bourges till Harpin undertaking a Journey into the Holy Land sold his Estate to the French King Philip I. for sixty thousand golden Pence This Lord turning a Monk at his return this County was united to the Crown till the year 1360 that the French King John erected it into a Dutchy and Peerdom for his youngest Son John who dying without Male Issue Berry return'd to the Crown King Charles VI. gave it in portion to his fifth Son Charles since the VII of that name King of France and because during the Wars with the English this Province stood firm to his Int'rest his Enemies call'd him contemptuously King of Bourges Since that time Berry has often been the portion of youngest Sons Daughters and Queen Dowagers of France This Province is about 28 Leagues North and South and as many East and West being divided into two Parts almost equal by the Cher and water'd by a vast number of other Rivers which make this Country very pleasant and fertile in all the necessary Conveniencies of Life It especially abounds in Corn and the Pasture-Ground is so excellent that the Wooll and Cloth of Berry out-do all the others in France The Name of Berry is derived from a Latin word us'd in the decay of that Tongue Biturium More antient Authors call the Berruyers Bituriges Cubi to distinguish them from the Inhabitants of Bourdeaux Bituriges Vivisci who seem to be a Colony of the former Bourges Avaricum Biturigum and in latter Ages Biturigae Bituricae Betoricae lies 19 Leagues South South-East of Orleans upon the River Eure or Yeure Avara or Avera whence the Latin Name of this City Avaricum seems to come It 's seated in a Soil fertile in Fruits and Wine that is not so delicate but more healthful than that of Orleans The River Eure divides it self into three Branches one of which serves to cleanse the Town and withal to Dyers Tanners and the like the other refreshes the Ditches that surround the Walls and the third runs along the Suburb of St. Peter These three Branches being joined and the Eure encreased with the Waters of the Oron Vtrio the Aurette Avara Minor and the Moulon Molo near the Monastery of St. Sulpice this River begins to be Navigable The Situation of Bourges is not only convenient but also very strong for besides these Rivers and Ditches it is defended by broad and deep Marshes surrounded with good Walls fortified with eighty Towers so that three Camps would needs be required to besiege it on all sides as one at Bourbon's Gate the other at Oron's Gate and the other at the Gate of St. Privatus Cesaer observes that he could not shut it up with Trenches and laid siege to it only on that side that was between the River and the Marsh Nevertheless he took it partly by Storm and partly by Stratagem having raised two high Towers whence his Soldiers leaped on the Wall which so frighted the Garison and Inhabitants that they retir'd to the great Market and thence endeavoured to make their escape thorough the Gates but the Romans having master'd them spar'd neither Sex nor Age they were so incens'd at the Murther of their Fellow Soldiers in Gien This was the Cause that of 40000 People that were in this City 800 hardly could save their Lives by retiring into the Army of Vercingentorix General of the Gauls In the V. Century Bourges was taken from the Romans by the Visigots and from them by Clovis and made part of the Kingdom of Orleans under Clodomir and of that of Burgundy under Gontran his Nephews Desiderius or Didier General of Chilperic the first King of Paris or France took it from the last in 583 and burnt it almost intirely Charlemaign repair'd it and Phillip August fortified and adorn'd it with a Castle call'd the Great Tower which was almost quite ruined in 1651. It was cut Diamond wise on the outside and rais'd so high that from the top the Country might be viewed four Leagues round about There has been seen a long time a Wood or Iron-Cage where the jealous King Charles the VIII kept Lewis of Orleans Prisoner who nevertheless succeeded him In 1412 the Duke of Burgundy brought the French King Charles the VI. before Bourges whither the Duke of Orleans and his Confederates had retir'd and laid siege to it with an Army of 100000 Men but in vain for at last both Parties were glad to accept of the Mediation of the Duke of Guyenn then Dauphin of France In 1562 The Count of Montgommery Commander of the Protestants under the Prince of Conde seiz'd on this Town May 27 but left Governour therein one Yvoy a Man of no great Courage and Trust who surrendered it the same Year to the Duke of Guise and therefore it remained in the Power of the Leaguers till 1594 that it was reduced by the French King Henry the IV. Notwithstanding these various Changes Bourges is still a considerable City being of an Oval Figure with seven Gates and as many Suburbs Its Walls seem to be a Roman Work being still almost intire and so strongly built that it requires a great deal of Labour to pluck some few Stones out of them It has seventeen Parochial and seven Collegiate Churches three Abbies a College of Jesuites and a vast number of Monasteries besides the Cathedral of St. Stephen said to be buiâ—t in 254 and the St. Chappel founded by John Duke of Berry Brother to the French King Charles the V. and therefore depending immediately on the See of Rome That Duke was buried there in 1417 and there is still his Crown with several Vessels of Gold and Silver curiously wrought There are likewise shewn the pretended Bones of a certain Giant call'd Briat said to have been 15 Cubits high The Romans had here a Pallace which K. Pepin repair'd and called there an Assembly of his Barons in 767 but I know not whether it be the same which the Dukes of Berry made afterward use of and is now the Seat of the Presidial Besides the Bailiwick Bourges has a Generality to which the Elections of Chateau-Roux and la Chastre in Berry and St. Amand in Bourbonnois are resorting as also a Chamber of Acompts for all the lands depending on this Dutchy erected by the said Duke in 1379. It s University is famous for the Civil and Canon Law the best Lawyers in France having taught here in the last Age and the beginning of this such as Alciat Baroâ— Duarenus Baldwin Conti Hortomun Cujus c. It was founded by the French King Lewis the IX re-establisht by Charles Duke of Berry Brother to Lewis the XI and endow'd with many Priviledges by Pope Paul II. in 1464. But now I am
said to yield to none of that Country in well breeding and comeliness but to those of Montpellier The late Governours of Languedoc as the Duke of Montmorency and the Prince of Conti have kept here their ordinary Residence and the States of the Province have been consequently held here which has much contributed to the enriching and beautifying of this Town The other places of this Diocese are Marseillan Florensac Castelnau Montagnac Le Pouget Gignac Ville-Magne Loupian and Meâ—e the Mesua of Pomponius Mela tho the Island he speaks of seems rather to be Lates Lodeve seated between Mountains near the meeting of the Rivers Solondre and Lergue not far from the Cevennes and the Borders of Roâ—â—rgue and Gevaudan lies almost 9 Leagues North of Pesenas and 13 of Agde It s antient name in Latin is Forum-Neronis and then Leuâ—eva both known to Pliny and its Bishop kept already the 4th or 5th rank among the Suffragans of Narbonne at the beginning of the 5th Century Lodeve is not now very big for it has suffer'd several devastations during the Wars of the Goths then of the Albigeois and lastly during the Civil Wars between the Prâ—testants â—â—d Roman Catholicks and the Duke of Montmorency took it in 1585. This Town had formerly the Title of a Viscounty which one of its Prelates Raimond Guilhen Brother to the Lord of Montpellier bought off from Viscount Geldin whence it comes that the Bishops of Lodeve are Lords of it appoint the Magistrates and take the Title of Counts of Montbrun a Castle near it And 't is asserted that 800 Noblemen depended on and made homage of their Lands to this Prelate who on this account was Sirnam'd the Noble Bernard Gui and John Plantavit de la Pause Bishops of Lodeve have published Chronicles of their Church Denis Briconnet and Francis Bosquet are likewise in the number of Authors The Diocese of Lodeve comprehends besides the Towns or Burroughs of Las Ribbes S. Michel Ganges Brisac S. Jean de Buege S. Guillem ley Desert with a famous Abby of Benedictins founded by one of the Ancestors of the Princes of Orange Mont-Peyroux S. Jean de Foz S. André Clermont de Lodeve and Canet Of the Precinct of Nismes THis Precinct is not near so great as the ancient Territories of the Volcae Arecomici who extended themselves through the Dioceses of Montpellier Nismes Vzès and Lodeve enjoyed the Town of Pezenas and even some Lands beyond the Rhone Now it is restrained within the Episcopal Jurisdiction of Montpellier and Nismes and has the district of Beziers on the West Gevaudan and Vivarais on the North and North-East the Rhone on the East and the Sea on the South It s greatest length from Frontignan on the Pond of Maguelonne to the source of the Eraut is 17 Leagues North and South and its greatest breadth from Beaucaire on the Rhone to Anagne on the Eraut 22 Leagues East and West but in some places it is so very tarrow that it has hardly 4 or 5 Leagues Montpellier 3 Leagues South of the Sea 13 East of Pesenas and 14 North-East of Agde is call'd in Latin Mons-pessulus Mons-pessulanus Mons-peslerius and Mons-puellaris but every one may see that these are not old Latin names and likewise this Town is hardly known in History since 600 years though it be now the biggest and richest in Languedoc after Toulouse It is seated upon a Hill whose foot is wash'd by the small River Lez which receives there another Rivulet called Merdanson after it has serv'd to the uses of the Town The original of Montpellier is related thus There was formerly a strong and considerable City call'd Maguelonne Magalo in a Gulph nam'd by Pliny Laterna and by the French l'Etang du Tau de Lates or de Perraut The foundation of Maguelonne is uncertain for tho the Coast of Lower Languedoc has been sometime in the power of the Marseillois and Stephanus mentions Alonis as an Island belonging to them whose Inhabitants were call'd Alonites yet having no other testimony a small and far fetched resemblance of names can scarce prove them to be one and the same However it be sure it is that Maguelonne was an Episcopal City in the 5th and 6th Centuries and a famous Sea-port too which was the cause of its ruin For after the Saracens had conquered Spain they spread themselves in Lower Languedoc in 730 and threatned the whole Kingdom of France with a Barbarian Invasion when they were utterly routed by Charles Martel near Tours As this great Captain had observ'd that they commonly landed at Maguelonne when it had retaken this Town in 736 he raz'd it to the very ground and transferred the Episcopal See to Soustancion Sextatio almost a Mile East of Montpellier Soustancion is mention'd in the Geographical Tables of the Emperor Theodose and in the Travels of Aethicus but the Inhabitants finding the Situation of the place where now Montpellier lies more convenient and the Air sweeter began to build there Thus the new Village increas'd by degrees during 300 Years that the B. of Maguelonne kept their Seat at Soustancion But in 1060 Arnauld Julian one of these Prelates rais'd up the Walls of Maguelâ—nne fortify'd them with Towers and the Haven where the Saracens us'd to land being stop'd built another in a more convenient place Before this the Governour of Maguelonne had retir'd to a place call'd now Mauguio where he built a Castle under the name of Melgueil and having usurp'd the Sovereignty of his Government during the troubles of the French Monarchy he took upon him the Title of Count of Melgueil and Soustancion and coyn'd a kind of small Money call'd the Melgoris pence The Estates of these Counts pass'd in 1172 into the House of Toulouse by the Marriage of Ermessende their Heiress with Raymond VI. Sirnamed the Old and was confiscated upon his Son by Pope Innocent III. and the Council of Latran in 1215. In the mean while Montpellier increas'd apace for it appears by a passage of S. Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux that there was already a School or Seminary of Physicians in 1155 and in 1156 we find mention of its Baths which were farm'd by the Lords of that Town as being of a considerable Revenue However the first Institution of its University is commonly ascrib'd to the Disciples of Averroes aâ—d Avicenne in 1196 and its perfect establishment is said to have been made but in 1220. About this time the Lords of Montpellier were in great esteem This Lordship was first detached from the Patrimony of the Counts of Melgueil to be the Portion of Eustorgia a Daughter of that House She had a Son call'd Fulcran who became Bishop of Lodeve and two Daughters who bequeathed their Estates to the Church of Maguelonne in 975. These Prelates sold Montpellier to a Gentleman nam'd Gui on condition that he should keep it as a Fee of the Church and defend it against the Saracens The French Kings and the succeeding Bishops of Maguelonne
Pasture-Ground especially about the middle and the foot of some Mountains whether the Provencals and the Inhabitants of Low Dauphine send their Cattel to feed in Summer time In a word this Country which by the bare looking on the Map seems fitter for a Nest of Birds and wild Deers than for the Habitation of Men supplies its Inhabitants with all the Conveniencies of Life For as the Mountains and Vallies of High Dauphine furnish them with Corn Hay Apples Pears Nuts Chesnuts Cherries and all sorts of Northern Fruits so the lower Part gives them abundance of the best Wines and even some Manna Olives Oranges and Cittrons They have likewise Salt-Springs and Iron-Mines but what is most valuable of all its Mountains are the Seminaries of Gardens bringing forth abundance of wild Thyme Daffodils Tulips Ambrets Lilies Roses Pinks c. besides that they produce such Simples as are hardly to be met with any where else as the Scorzonera or Vipers-Grass the Angelick the Satyrion c. There are also the seven Wonders of DAVPHINE of which I shall speak in their proper places It s chief Rivers are the Pin that rises in the South of Viennois and waters a good part of that Country passing thorough the Marquisate of Virieu the Barony of La Tour da Pin the Town of Bourgoin and a Lake of that Name and falling into the Rhone between Anton and St. Marie seven Leagues East of Lyons The Ozon the Gere the Vareze the Dolon increased with the Ambre and the Sane the Galaure are other Rivers of the Viennois that discharge themselves into the Rhone The Isere that comes from Mount Iseron in the Vally of Aâ—uste washes a good part of Savoy where it receives the Plen and the Arly at Constans the Arc at Miâ—â—nis goes by Montmelian and through Greâ—â—ble where it mixes with the Drac that rises in the Ambrunois and is increased with the Raâ—anche and Grosse near Port de Champ two Leagues South of Grenoble then it receives the Vence at Sassenage the Bourne and Eschevits â—t La Baume washes Romans and falls into the Rhone five Miles North of Valence The small River of Veour runs likewise into the Rhone increas'd with two other Rivulets over against â—â—yons a League South of Valence The Drome rises in the Vally of Valdrome in â—he Gapencois goes thorough the Lake of Beauâ—â—nt receives the Bese at St Feriol and the Meâ—â—ce at Die Then increased with the Sure the Rouanne and the Gervane washes Crest and â—ixes with the Rhone between Livron and L'Auâ—iol eleven Miles South of Valence The Achasâ—â— rises at Montmorin three or four Miles South of the Source of the Drome runs thorough the Vally of Bourdeaux and by Mâ—ntelimar near which it receives the Jabron and the Vebre takes the Name of Rouvion and discharges it self into â—he Rhone The Durance proceeds from two Fountains that spring from Col de La-Roue and â—oin at Brianâ—on receives the River of Guilleâ—re at a Burough of that Name goes by Amâ—run receives the Bene at Vaulserre and the Buech which is a pretty large River bearing Float-Boats of Timber during ten or twelve Leagues at Cisteron and pursuing its coursâ— thorough Provence goes by Manosque Cavaillon and falls into the Rhone near Avignon This Province is made up of some part oâ— four Roman Provinces for Vienne Valance Die and Grenoble were of the first Viennoise Ambrun was the Capital of the Maritim Alps Gaâ— belong'd to the second Narbonnoise and S. Pauâ— Trois-Chasteaux to the Province of Arles The Burgundians conquered these Provinces from thâ— Romans and enjoy'd them about 90 or 130 from 404 or 408 till 532 or 534 that they were subdued by the French who were Masterâ— of their Dominions till 879 that one Boson caused himself to be crowned King of Arles This Boson possest only that part of the Burgundian Kingdom which is included between thâ— Saone the Alps and the Sea but one Rodolphâ— having invaded the other Part in 888 and hiâ— Son Rodolphe the Second having gotten by cession that part which had been usurped by Boson it passed to his Successors and from them to the Emperours of Germany till thaâ— under the Reign of Henry the IV. Gui or Guiâ—gue the VI. sirnam'd the Old or the Fat takinâ— hold of the Quarrel between this Emperour anâ— the Popes made himself Sovereign of the County of Grenoble His Successor Gui the VII acquired the Lordship or Country of Vienne froâ— Berthold of Zeringhen and was the fiIst thaâ— call'd himself DAVPHIN of Viennois Adrâ—an de Valois pretends that this Title was thâ— Sirname of that Prince and quotes Beda anâ— William of Malmsbury who remembers one â—auphin Bishop of Lyons that was kill'd above â—000 Years ago but Monsieur Chorier in his earned History of DAVPHINE tells us out of â—n Author that has written the Life of this Prince's Wife that her Husband having taken â—n a Turnaments the Dolphin for his Arms and Device and having been admir'd there for his â—rowess and Valour he thence got the Name of â—â—unt of the Dolphin or Count Dolphin The â—â—st Prince of that Family Humbert the Second â—aving had his eldest Son kill'd in the Battel of â—iecy against the English and having unhappiâ—y let fall the Second out of a Window as he â—laid with him and being often provok'd and disturb'd by Amedeus of Savoy his mortal Enemy â—o pass the rest of his Life more quietly he yielded his Estates to the French King Philip of â—alois upon these Conditions That the eldest son of France should bear the Name of Dauphin and the Arms of that Province quarâ—â—red with those of France †Du Chesne that the Clergy Nobility and Commons should still enjoy their Privileges and that the whole Province should â—ever be annexed to to the Kingdom of France â—â—less the Empire were united to it The ancient Dauphins entitled themselves Princes of Briancon Dukes of Champsor Marqâ—esses of Cesane Counts Palatines of Viâ—â—ne Albon Grenoble Ambrun and Gap Barons of La Tour du-Pin Meuillon and Mountaubon â—o which Titles were added those of Counts of Valantinois and Diois after the Year 1419 that Lewis of Poictiers left his Estates to Charles the â— Dauphin and 7th of that Name King of â—rance Tho' this Province and Savoy be the ancieâ— Allobroges and this name in our vulgar Tonguâ— proverbially signify a dull and heavy sort of Man yet the Dauphinois are not altogether so for Countrymen are skilful and industrious anâ— know as well as any Tenants in the World hoâ— to cheat their Lords those of the Mountain are extraordinary strong and go in Winter time to Provence and the lower Parts of Dauphiné where they get their Livelihood by Dressing Hemp and doing other hard works and to put to use the little Mony they earn they buy at their return some Pedling-ware foâ— their Countrymen The Gentry are couragious and well bred but poor for the most part because too numerous those that have
the Chalarine waters Thoissay and the Froment Amblerieu On the East-side the Saone receives the Dehune increas'd with the Bourgeoise the Corderin and the Musin the Grosne the Marnaison the Panset the Ardiere and the Yorgon Here are also several Rivers and Rivulets that fall into the Loire as the Reconze the Brebince increas'd with the Oudrach and Arrroux the Paliars the Cressonne and the Airon Some do likewise fall into the Rhone as the Versoy the Seran the Fora but especially the Dain an indifferent long River which receives the Senê the Serpentin and the Angelon near its Source waters Campagnole Tour de Maye and Pont-Dain receives the Valouze the Suzan the Arbarine and discharges it self into the Rhone betwixt Gourdan and Loyette This Government borders on Champaign to the North on Gastinois Niveâ—nois and Bourbonnois to the West on Beaujolois Lyonnois and Dauphiné to the South and on Franche-County to the East It is now divided into 13 Parts viz. Dijonnois Autunois Chalonnois la Montagne Auxois Auxerrois Charolois Briennois and Maconnois These 9 constitute the Dutchy of Burgundy the other four viz. Bresse Bugey Gex and Dombes were acquir'd in 1601. from Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy by the Frâ—nch King Henry IV. in exchange for the Marquiâ—ate of Salusses They make up in all 59 L. N. and S. from Bar-Sur-Seyne to Trevoux 50 E. and W. where this Government is broadest as from Gex to Bourbo-l'Ansi Long. from 24 d. 15 m. to 27 d. 45 m. Lat. from 45 d. 32 m. to 47 d. 55 m. Of DIJONNOIS DIJONNOIS Divionensis Pagus included betwixt Auxois la Montagne Franche-County Bresse and Autunois It 's a Country extraordinary fruitful in Corn and delicate Wines The City of Dijon Divio Castrum is situated upon the Ouche Oscara and the Rivulet Suzon in the Diocese of Langres with a Parliament a Chamber of Accompts and a Mint where Mony is coyn'd at the Letter P. The Parliament was instituted by Lewis XI in 1476 and made Sedentary by Charles the VIII in 1491. Before Aurelian it was but an inconsiderable place which this Emperour wall'd in and adorn'd with Towers Gates and Temples It became afterwards more flourishing when the Dukes of Burgundy of the Royal Blood of France chose it for their Habitation and the Dijonnois were so shrewd that seeing their Princess married with a German Prince who was not like to come and live amongst 'em they treated privately with the French King Lewis XI to deliver themselves and the whole Dutchy of Burgundy into his Hands upon condition that he should establish among them Sovereign Courts of Justice and of the Exchequer which was done accordingly This made Dijon be resorted unto the more so that it is now one of the prettiest Towns in France It lies 43 Leagues North of Lyons The name of Dijon Divio seems to come from a Gaulish word Div signifying Fountain from whence many other Towns have been called as Divodurum Mediomatricum Metz. Divona Cadurcorum Cahors c. Here among other things are to be considered the Walls of the Town strengthened with Towers and Bastions the Castle flank'd with 4 great Towers 2 Ravelins and every where well fortified A very fine Chartreuse with the magnificent Tombs of several Dukes the Palace for Justice the King's House 16 Churches 2 Abbies 5 Hospitals and the Guild-Hall The States of that Country us'd to meet here every 3 Years Beaune Belnum Castrum lies 5 Leagues West of the Saone between Dijon Autun and Chalon it hath a Chancellery and a Bayliwick It is indifferent ancient and well built situated in a Country extraordinary fertil especially in delicate Wines and watered with a pleasant little River called la Bourgeoise passing by the Town It has an Hospital which is one of the most sumptuous Buildings in France and its Territory is called le Beaunois Pagus Belnensis The Town of Auxone or Auxossne is situated upon the Saone with a Viscounty and Bayliwick almost 6 Leagues East of Dijâ—n and 5 North-west of Dole towards the Frontiers of the County of Bourgogne It is considerably strong S. Jean-de-l'Aune or Lone Fanum Sancti Johannis Laudonensis is a little Town upon the Saone nigh to the Abby of Cisteaux between Auxone and Bellegarde It has an Abby of its own founded by King Theodorie and confirm'd in its Priviledges by the French King Robert under the inspection of the Bishop of Chalons As to Bellegarde now sirnamed Surde-Bellegarde it is seated upon the Saone nine Leagues South-west of Dijon and famous for holding out against the Imperial Army Anno 1636 commanded by the undaunted Galas Charles Duke of Lorraine and the Marquesâ— de Grana with several others who were forced to raise the Siege being harrassed by Josias Count of Rantzeau by his frequent Sallies cut off a vast Number of Men. The Abby decisteaux chief of the Order of that Name depends on the Bp. of Chalon tho it lies 5 Leagues South of Dijon and 2 West of St. Jean de Laune Robert Abbot of Molesme in the Diocese of Langres founded it Anno 1098. This Town is properly is Chalonois St. Bernard with his Companions were there receiv'd Anno 1113. Ann. 1115 they founded the Abby of Clairvaux whereof that Saint was the first Abbot That Order afterwards became very powerful and hath produced many noted Men as Popes Cardinals and Bishops and has now 1800 Monasteries under it self The other places of note in DIJONNOIS are Fontaine-Francoise near the borders of Champaign and Franche-County famous for the Victory of the French King Henry IV. over the Spaniards in 1595. St. Seyne Fleury Beligâ—â— Mulsau Bere Nuys As to Rouvre and 〈…〉 that were two Country-houses of the 〈◊〉 Burgundy they are but inconsiderabl◠〈…〉 Of AUTUNOIS THis Diocese included betwixt Auxois Dijonnois Bresse Charollois and Nivernois is but a very small part of the Dominions of the ancient Aedui which reach'd North and South from the Country of the Senâ—nois to the Cevennes and extended East and West from the Rhone and the Saâ—ne to the Loire and a good way beyond it comprehending besides the Dutchy of Burgundy Nivernois Bourbonnois Bresse Forez Beaujolois and Lyonnois for the Segusiani who inhabited the three last Countries and part of Bresse were Tributaries of the Autunois and even the Senonois were under their Protection The Autunois being so powerful were easily tempted with the desire of making themselves Masters of all the Gaules in order to which they made Alliance with the Romans But the Auvergnats and Allobroges who had as much Power and perhaps no less Ambition than they opposed their Design fought and beat them and would utterly have destroyed them had not the Autunois call'd the Romans to their help This Foreign assistance prov'd too powerful for their Enemies who were easily subdued together with all Narbâ—nnoise Gaule wherein the Quarrels of the Marseillois and Salâ—ans had already given footing to these Conquerors of the World The Contestations of the Autunois and Sequani or