CHAP. 1. Of the reasons for which the Emperour FERDINAND, the second, hath alwaies kept his Court at Vienna.

IN treating of the State, of the late Emperour FER­DINAND the second, It is first of all to bee conside­red; that his Imperiall Ma­jesty, from the beginning of his raigne to the end of his life, did ever keepe his con­stant Residence in the Ci­ty of Vienna; as well for the commodious Scituation, and pleasantnesse of the place; plenty of foode, and all other necessaries for man; and [Page] the adjoyning Forrests and Woods, most fit for hun­ting, and other neighbouring places of pleasure; the chiefe of which are, Brater, Begelhoff, Newgebew, Caterburg, Ebersdorff, Laxemburg, Wolckers dorff, Orth, Closter Newburg, or the Monastery of Neoburg, Newstat, &c. As also (chiefly, since these long, and yet continued, warres in Germany,) by reason of the strength of the City, and that his Im­periall Majesty being there was in a manner safely com­passed by the rest of his hereditary Kingdomes, & Prin­cipalities, from whence hee might, in case of need, with more conveniency derive assistance: And lastly, for the benefit of the two navigable Rivers of Ehu and Danube, by which all necessaries for the Imperiall Court, may from other places of the German Empire and from Italy, be the more easily furnished and brought thither.

CHAP. 2. Of the Scituation, circuit, and fortification of Vienna; of the Danube; of the Garison, Suburbs, Ecclesiasticall Iurisdicti­on, the Bishop, the Vniversity, Civill and Politique govern­men, the Lieutenant; and of the Castle of Vienna; in which the Emperour keepes his Court.

THe City of Vienna, is the Metropolis of the Lower Austria, as the Towne of Lintz is of the upper. In both which places now, almost every yeare, and some­times (when necessity requires) there are often in one yeare held Assemblies of each province, in which as to the lawfull Prince and Lord of the Country, when hee doth fairely aske it, are often granted and presented by the subjects many hundred thousand crownes to his Im­periall Majesty.

The City it selfe is seated in somewhat a pleasant [Page] plaine, and in a soile which is naturally most fruitfull and good for Corne and Wine, and all other kinde of Food and fruites, upon the bankes of the Danube; which al­though indeed it be but a branch of the maine Danube, yet at the season of the yeare, when the River is high, it is capable of good ordinary vessels. But when the River decreaseth, the ships are forced to stay above at Nusdorff, a league from the City, and sometimes two leagues higher, at the Monastery of Newburg. About halfe a quarter of a German league from the City, towards Mo­ravia, are likewise three other streames, and for the most part, large and navigeable armes of the great River Da­nube; over which are layd five bridges, which for the greater security of the City, if need require, may be taken downe.

On the South side of the City there is a little River, or rather a Torrent, of the name of the City, called Vi­enna; which riseth out of the Westerne mountaines, and is subject to sudden overflowing by raine and Land­waters : it drives some Mills, and falls into the Danube, not farre from the Towne ditch. Towards the South and North, it runnes like an arme of the Dannbe, and on the West, it leaves behind it the hills and mountaines looking towards the Vpper Austria.

The City is in compasse about halfe a German league, and is beautified with many faire and spacious places, and markets, and with other lesse, and it hath some faire streets, with many goodly and stately buildings, which notwithstanding are commonly more for shew than conveniency.

For the fortification of the City, it will suffice in this place briefly to declare, that it is strengthned and forti­fied with sixe principall Gates, and ten great Bulwarkes; [Page] The greatest part of which Bulwarks, and some of them at the expence of the Empire, are built up a good height of Bricke, and filld within with earth; and some also to­wards the East and South, (whereby the City might be the more defensible) have good Casamats, well raised and repaired. About ten yeares since, his Imperiall Ma­jesty caused a very great intire Bulwarke to be raised of earth, almost right over against the Imperiall Court, or Archducall Castle, for the greater security thereof, be­cause the Castle heretofore, had beene in that place but weakely fortified. Two yeares since, the former Bul­warke, which looketh towards the South, and towards the West, was strongly new built.

The Scottish Bulwarke cast up of earth onely, is now well lined with a strong wall, and made equall to the rest of the Bulwarkes.

Towards the East is a gate, commonly called Struben­thor: Towards the South, the Carnithian gate; and the Castle gate, called, Burgthor; towards the West, the South gate, and the new gate; towards the North, the gate of the red Tower, called in Dutch, der Roche Thum: The Castle gate, the Carinthian gate, the New gate, and the gate called Strubenthor, are the strongest, all arched, very high and stately, with large passages; the other two are are onely Towers.

To compasse the City from the Gate called Struben­thor, to goe to the gate of the red Tower, you must passe first neare a Bulwarke built of Free-stone, with two high and battel'd Casamats, the higher of which doth almost touch the Dominicans Temple, the height whereof exceeds this Bulwarke and Casamats.

Thence you come to another Bulwarke strongly covered with a Bricke-wall, which (as the former) is [Page] environed with reasonable deepe ditches.

From this Bulwark, on the left side of the towne, are seene some little and low double Walls, reaching to an outward Gate; but on the right hand, neare the towne, doth runne the Danube, on which is built a bridge of wood, commonly called Schlagbruck.

This outward Gate leads to a broad street, where the City is somewhat naked : For on the left hand there are very low Walls onely, and on the right hand nothing but the Danube, which one may sometimes ride over; and some fortifications, which are built on the bankes thereof, towards the red Tower, and further towards the other outward gate, neere which the street is narrow­er. From this Gate, the City is encompassed on the left hand, with long strong high Walls, on which these lit­tle watch-houses are built, which reach to the Armory, and thence to the next Bulwarke. It hath also a draw­bridge. The third Bulwarke is great and stately, (but wants ditches and water) and a good part of the middle of the upper Wall is fallen downe and wants repaire.

Thence to the New gate, which hath broad but shal­low ditches, without water, Henry Matthew, the elder Count of Turne, in Anno 1619. would have planted a petard to this Gate, and with his horse which then lodg'd at Ebersdorff, attempted to take the City.

Thence to the fourth Bulwark, which likewise wants mending and repaire. From this Bulwarke, the Rampire is very high, with a little Wall upon it, towards the Scotch gate, and there the Towne-ditch is very deepe, but without water. Thence the same kind of Rampire and ditch extends unto the next fift Bulwarke. This Bulwarke was onely cast up of earth, but now of late is built up from the ground with a Bricke wall, and is re­duced [Page] to an orderly forme and proportion, and by that meanes the City is the better fortified in that place. The Bohemian foote Regiment of Tieffenbach, who were then commanded by the said elder Count of Turne, remained not farre from the City in a Village called Hoernals, if the designe had taken effect and had not beene discove­red by a Patriot, by this Bulwark should have entred and taken the City.

This same high Rampire lined with Bricke walls, in the ditches, at that place very deepe, but without water, passeth along towards and behind the sixt Bulwarke, over which the present Governour of the Towne, Baron Lobell, hath caused a little garden, with a house of plea­sure to be built, according to the bravery of the time. And because this Bulwarke was lately renewed and bet­ter reformed than the other, it excels the rest in beauty. Behind, it hath a Casamat with Bricke walls, like the former. Thence the Rampire with a low, meane, and in some places but a weake Wall, built thereon, extends it selfe, even to the Imperiall Court, or Archducal Castle, where by the raising of the outward highway the ditches are made deeper.

Thence to the Castle gate, in Dutch das Burgthor, where stands the vast seventh Bulwarke of earth, which behinde hath a lesse Bulwarke also, like a Casamat, not built high, but compleatly walled.

On this side a Bohemian souldier, under the command of the elder Count of Turne, did shoot some bullets, from the suburbs of St. Vbris, into the Imperiall Court or Archducall Castle, and even into the great Chamber of the Knights and Nobles, and into the Antichamber; and drove his Imperiall Majesty, then King of Hungary and Bohemia, out of his owne Chamber.

[Page] From thence the Rampire, with a Wall above, and Fortifications below, extends it selfe with very deepe ditches almost to the Carinthian gate; before which is a strong, great, stately and faire Bulwarke, all of Bricke, the eight in number, joyning to the Gate, behind which and above the Gate, there is a Casamat raysed. And o­ver the Gate, the Captaine of the City watch hath a faire lodging.

From this Carinthian gate, instead of the Rampire, are Bricke walls, almost of one height with the Bulwarkes, the ditches are there of good depth, but (as the others) without water.

Then followes the ninth, which as the former is a very stately Bulwark; with an Aquaduct into the towne, and hitherto the ditches are dry; but about this Bulwarke, the Aquaduct, which serves both to bring in necessary water, and in time of need, furnish the dry ditches with water, and rendereth them somewhat wet and marish, but from the corner thereof and lower, they are deeper, and more fill'd with water.

From thence runnes the Rampire, to the tenth Bul­warke, commonly called Obere Stuben Pastey, which is most exquisitely faire, large, lofty, and strongly faced with bricke, and the corners of Freestone, with a mag­nificent inscription in golden letters, on tables of stone. This Bulwarke was built and perfected by the Empe­rour Ferdinand the first.

These three last Bulwarks are of one height, and wal­led alike, and each of them have a severall inscription, with golden letters, in Tables of stone.

Of these ten Bulwarks of the City, three onely stand in water, which is drawne from the Danube, and some certaine veines which runne into the City, and all the rest are dry.

[Page] The ditches of the City are are very unequall and unlike.

About the City are great and spacious suburbs, in which are divers faire and pleasant gardens, with houses of pleasure, and store of other considerable dwellings, whereof many, especially before the Castle gate called das Burgthor, and the Carinthian gate: towards St. Vlrics, and the little River of Vienna; for about three hundred paces together, as well to enlarge the way and streets, as for the greater safety of the City, were purposely de­molished; and others a few yeeres since were burnt by accident.

The garrison of this Towne consists at this present of about one thousand foote, in eight companies, of which the Baron of Lobel Collonell, is Captaine, and one of the Emperours Councells of Warre, and Vice President of that Counsell. About some eight yeeres since the armes, which had beene taken from the Citizens when Arch­duke Leopald was Governour of the Citty in the yeare 1619. were restored unto them againe, the Citizens being for the most part Protestants, and there being a suspition conceived of some secret intelligence betwixt them and the Bohemians, but especially with the elder Count of Turne: The Magistrates fearing some attempt of the Protestants against the Roman Catholicks, had caused the Protestants to bee disarmed.

The Burgmaster, by the command of his Imperiall Majesty, as lawfull Prince of this Archdutchy of Austria, heretofore did choose out and raise fower Companies of foote of Citizens, of three hundred a peece. These selected men have beene used on urgent necessities for the defence of the City, as was lately practised in the time of the last Hungarian seditions and rebellions, un­der [Page] the direction of Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania. For when part of a garrison was sent to defend the Ca­stle of Presbury, the selected Citizens were forced to serve foure moneths together, for the defence of the Towne. The pay of the garrison is sixe florins a man by the moneth, but for want of due payment they are often seene to beg in the streets.

In time of warre and danger, some Cornets of horse use to be taken into the suburbs; at other times the guard remaines unaltered.

Some thinke that the City of Vienna is so populous, that it containes, within and without, some threescore thousand soules, but the certaine number is hard to bee knowne.

The suburbs on the other side of the Danube are inha­bited by Iewes, as an Iland a part, and in the Towne they have a place of commerce, where by day they sell their commodities: but it is not lawfull for them to lie all night in Towne. But because they bring great profits to the Imperiall Court, and for other causes and reasons, they are not onely tollerated in this City, but they en­joy many great priviledges and liberties.

The Evangelicall Lutheran Religion, or the confes­sion of Augsburg, being heretofore brought into this City, did afterwards so increase under the Emperour Maximilian the second; that the said Evangelicks, a­mongst other privelidges, had the exercise of their re­ligion in the City it selfe, even in the Minimes Temple, at the Provinciall House. And although the Emperour Rodolph the second, and before him Ferdinand the first, did resolve to their power, to abolish the ex­ercise of that religion; and began likewise a great refor­mation, and advanced the businesse so farre, that under [Page] the Emperour Rodolph the second, the Evangelicall state of Lower Austria lost the exercise of their religion in the City of Vienna; and it seemed as if an universall deforma­tion, and a totall suppression, and extirpation of all the Evangelicks, in those Countries, would have followed: Yet the Emperour Matthias the first, for divers great causes did most graciously grant the Evangelicall state of Lower Austria, the exercise of their religion in the Village called Hoernals, about a quarter of a German league from the City, and granted them his high Impe­riall and Archducall Protection; notwithstanding the Catholickes, especially the Cleargy, (whom the exercise of that religion did vehemently offend) perswaded themselves, that the sermons of Cardinal Clozel, would have enduced the Emperour againe, to prohibit the ex­ercise of the Evangelicks at Hoernals: And that he would not permit them Evangelicall Matrimony, nor the ad­ministration of the Sacraments of Baptisme, and the Lords Supper.

But when the Emperour Ferdinand the second tooke the raines of the Roman Empire, and had taken the City of Prag; a Priest did seriously inculcate to his Maje­sty, that whereas since the states of the Evangelicall Pro­vinces had beene permitted the exercise of their reli­gion in the Village of Hoernals, by the Emperour Mat­thias the first, they had so multiplyed that in that con­gregation there were sometimes twenty, thirty, even forty, or fifty thousand persons, and therefore hee ear­nestly petitioned that the exercise of that religion might be abolished by publike command. And thereupon it came to passe, that a reformation of religion was dire­ct [...]d in the City of Vienna, by an Imperiall Mandate; and the exercise of the Augustan confession in the Village [Page] of Hoernals (which was afterwards given to the Cathedrall Church of St. Steven in Vienna) was quite suppressed, upon a pretext that the Baron Helmhardt Iorger, who was then in prison at Lintz, had no right of patrinage in that Village, and all the Evangelicall Preachers were forbidden to enter the City upon grievous punish­ments. But yet in Austria they were suffred, for their persons, as heretofore; and some of the Citizens and in­habitants had leave to goe out of the Towne, unto Sermons and Sacraments after the Evangelicall manner, at Intzerrdorff, belonging to the Lord Geyer of Osterburg, a Mile from the City.

But at the last, Anno 1627. his Imperiall Maiesty se­verely required all Ecclesiasticall Evangelicks by publike Imperiall, and Archducall Proclamations and Man­dates, to void by a certaine time, all the Country of Austria and all other his Imperiall Majesties hereditary Dominions, with prohibition under his highnesse plea­sure and unpardonable punishents, never to returne, or to remaine there upon any termes.

In Ecclesiastically matters the City of Vienna, ac­knowledgeth the Bishop who hath spirituall jurisdi­ction over all the Bishoppricke of Vienna. And the Bi­shop hath his Officiat alwaies in Vienna.

The Cathedrall Church, which is dedicated to St. Steven is of a costly, great, high and large building, set off on one side, with a very high spired and excellent faire steeple, in which there is a very great and goodly Bell. A like steeple was on the other side begun and brought to some perfection, but was never finished; this (they say) the Bishop will perfect, and make it an­swerable to the other, and it is thought that in foure yeares space it may be finished.

[Page] The present Bishop hath likewise caused all the old Bishops house to be pul'd downe, and is building a large magnificent Pallace in the place, to which purpose hee hath obtained of the Emperour, a hundred thousand Rixdollers, which was the price of the Duke of Meckel­burgs reconciliation.

This Church was raised to a Cathedrall by Pope Paul the second, at the mediation of the Emperour Fredericke the third. The Bishops revenew amounts but to 8000. florins; which is but 1200 pounds sterling. The present Bishops name is Antony, who hath gained the Title of Prince from the Emperour: And hee holds besipes the Bishoppricke, the wealthy Abby of Crembsmun­ster, of St. Bennets Order in Upper Austria. He is also a Privy Councellour to his Imperiall Majesty, and the first of the Counsell. His predecessour was Cardinall Clozel, who dyed at Vienna, in the yeare 1630. There are sixteene Cannons of this Cathedrall, but by reason of the small revenue of the Church, their stipends are but slender. They all dwell about the Cathedrall.

There are also divers other Churches and Cloysters within and without this City.

The Emperour Fredericke the second founded the University at Vienna, in the yeare 1237. and indued it with very great priviledges and immunities, which were afterwards renewed, and amplified by Albert the third of Austria.

This Emperour Ferdinand the second, about the yeare 1622. gave this Academy to the Iesuits, with the ad­joyning and appendant Burses and Colledges or Con­vents, where now they teach and breed their schollers. His Majesty also granted them the liberty of prefessing Theology and Philosophy, but upon condition that the [Page] chaire should be free for any of the Dominicans, Francis­cans, or Minimes to professe or dispute.

The Lawyers and Phisicians continue their ancient combination, and every sixe moneths, they choose a new Rector. When they thinke fit to call a Counsell for the good of themselves, or any other of the united persons of the University; it is chosen, and consists of sixteene of those faculties. The Rector of the Univer­sity hath jurisdiction over all the persons and members of the Vniversity.

The civil government of the City is ordered by the Senate, which consists of eighteene Citizens and Sena­tors, to whom all businesses are propounded, concer­ning the particular or common good of the Citizens or City, and by them they are deliberated. The chiefe of these is the Burgmaster. In criminall matters, the Burg­master hath his Assessors and Assistants. But the ci­vill government is not absolutely in the Senate, but doth depend on the Lieutenant of the Lower Austria. And at all Colledges, and consultations of the Senators, an Imperiall Minister is alwaies present in person.

The Office of Lieutenant is now exercised by Baron Sigfrid Christopher Preunez, one of his Imperiall Majesties Privy Counsell, and president of the government of Lower Austria, who hath chiefe cognizans in matters which concerne the Cities, and civill government; and in the absence of his Imperiall Majesty the government is solely in him.

The Arsenall of Vienna is compleatly furnished, not onely with ships and Vessels usefull for the place; but also with Armes, all warlike preparation, and with great and small Ordnance, which are there kept. The present Master of the which is Count Xantelier, by Nation a Lor­raine; [Page] but because his Father brought him to the Impe­riall Court when he was yong and he hath long perfor­med his office well, he is now esteemed a German.

The Court of Caesar, or the Archducall Castle; in Dutch das Burg; hath no singular splendor or magni­ficens, and is somewhat straight for so great a Prince and stately a Court. It containes in it a great Court, on one side whereof, is the Imperiall Chancery; on the other side is the Inner Castle, or the lodgings of the Emperour; and on the third side is the Rampire of the City, with a gallery upon it. And on the fourth side is the new Castle commonly called die Newburg, and the Court in the midst.

In this Imperiall Pallace there is a Waldrope, and a Gallery with severall chambers, which they call the Treasury, wherein are kept great store of all sorts of most precious variety of gold, precious stones, and pearle; with pictures and other things of curious worke­manship, and with many rare pieces of nature and art, worth many millions. Amongst other things, which are most worthy of note, is the Imperiall Crowne and Scepter, and the Imperiall Globe; most richly adorned with gold, and rich orientall Dyamonds, valued at a mill on of gold; made by the Emperour Rodolph for his owne sacred person. Item a round globe, seven spanne in compasse cut out of one intire Agate, with the In­scription of IEHOVAH, made by nature it selfe in darker caracters. Then a Vnicornes Horne of twelve or thir­teene spannes long of which two last, the valew is in­estimable, because their like in forme, beauty, quality, and quantity, are not to be found in the whole world. To this same Pallace in which the Emperour himselfe doth lodge, there belong two pleasant gardens, the one [Page] bigger than the other, into which his Imperiall Majesty hath an eary an commodious passage out of his owne lodgings.

In this Court of the Castle, called the Burgplatz, neare the Emperours lodgings, is a company of Foot, and at the entry to the inner Castle, under the very gate, neere the Drawbridge, ten of the Guard, called Frabauten, doe commonly watch; and keepe their station there all day, with their Halberds, but at night they draw up the bridge, and watch within, untill they bee relieved by others of their fellowes. And before the chambers of the Emperour and Empresse, there are other Guards which waite with Javelins, called Hartschierer, and these are ever ready to attend and follow the Emperour wheresoever hee goeth, as well in Iourneys as when hee goes to walke, as the ordinary horse guard of his body.

CHAP. 3. Of the person of the Emperour Ferdinand the second, and of his Imperiall vertues and qualities, his devotion and piety, his workes of humiliation, and of his dispatch of businesse, recreations and meales.

THe Emperour Ferdinand the second, was sonne to the Archduke Charles of Austrin, who lived at Gratz, and Grandchild to the Emperour Ferdinand the first; and had as his heredetary countries the Dutchies of Stiria Carinthia, and Carniola, with other appendent Provinces. But when the two Lines of the Austrian family; that of the Emperour Maximilian the second of Vienna, and that of Ferdinand the Archduke of Inf­bruck, were both failed. And that the Archduke Albert, [Page] who lived in the Low-countriess, was growne old and weake, and had reteined the government of the Austria [...] Provinces; His Imperiall Majesty, partly by succession, and partly by agreement and consent, (but chiefly, by his being chosen and Crowned King of Bohemia and Hungary, which was a strong foundation of his future greatnesse) obtained the possession of all those Provin­ces. And after this on the 28. of August, Anno 1619. (the Emperour Matthias the first being dead,) he was elected and crowned Emperour at Francfurt on the Maine; At which time raigned these Kings and Princes in divers Kingdomes of Europe, IAMES the first, King of Great Brittaine; LEVVIS the thirteene, King of France; PHILIP the third King of Spaine; CHRISTIAN the fourth, King of Denmarke; GVSTAVVS ADOLPHVS, King of Sweden; SIGISMVND the third, King of Poland; and in the East, the Sultan Osman.

Now for the person of his Imperiall Majesty, he was of fifty nine yeares of age, of a midling stature and cor­pulent, of an excellent complexion, strong and health­full; his haire and beard somewhat gray, of a gracefull presence; of a kinde, meeke, bounteous, and liberall djsposition, and of a singular understanding, eloquence and memory; temperate in meate and drinke, and mo­derate in sleepe; hee seldome went to bed till ten at night, and sometimes not till one; and he ordinarily did rise at foure in the morning, and on his bended knees commend himselfe by prayer to God. On festivall and solemne daies principally on the Apostles daies, he did confesse and heare Masse. The thursday before Easter he used to receive the holy Sacrament from the hands of the Popes Nuncio, in company of the Empresse, the King, and Queene of Hungary, the Archduke, and the [Page] Archdutchesse, and other principall persons of the Court, according to the rule of the Church of Rome. Before his Imperiall Majesty went to Church, hee did appoint two Masses to be said in the chappell or closet, one for himselfe, another for his late wife; who was si­ster to Maximilian the present Duke of Bavaria; and sometimes at the same time hee did receive the Sacra­ment : And then he went to Church, where hee com­monly did heare a Sermon in Dutch of one of the Ie­suits, who is the ordinary preacher of the Court, of a­bout an houre long. The Sermon ended, high Masse is celebrated with great devotion, and most sweet Mu­sicke, which lasts at least an houre. After dinner he did use to heare an Italian Sermon by the ordinary Court Italian Preacher, and after that the vespers, which are sung with great solemnity. And in this manner his Im­periall Majesty spent almost the whole Sunday or holi­day. And sometimes he did visit other Churches, both within & without the City; as the Dominicans the Capu­chins, the Iesuits, or the Carmelites, and in these Colledges and Convents he sometimes did dine.

In the time of Advent, his Imperiall Majesty did com­monly rise very early, to frequent certaine Mattins, like singing Masses, called Rorate; because at his entry is sung the said Rorate coeli, which is followed with Musicke of instruments and voices, almost an houres space, which time the people imploy in their prayers and devotions. The same Office is likewise solemnely celebrated with great concourse in all the Churches.

During the time of Lent, his Imperiall Majesty was most diligently wont to heare Sermons, in his Court chappell, and in the Augustines Church which is neare the Castle; and on Holidaies in the Chappell of the [Page] Minimes, especially in the time of the penitentiall pro­cessions; and every day in Lent are sung the Vespers at large in the Imperiall Oratory.

On Maundy thursday before noone, his Imperiall Majesty publikely, and before all there present, did wash the feet of thirty poore men, then feede them and serve them in his owne person, at table. After he gave to every one a gowne, and a piece of gold of the valew of a double Hungarian ducat.

At the same day and time, in another place apart, the Empresse performes the same, out of humility, to thirty poore women.

The last Sunday before Easter his Imperiall Majesty was wont to visit all the Churches of the Towne on foot after the Catholicke Roman manner, and to pray before the Tombes erected in them. This last yeare a coach did ease his feet of that pennance.

During the weeke of holy Crosse, beginning from Sunday to the feast of the Ascension of Christ, his Impe­riall Majesty was used to be at the accustomed Processi­ons, at which this yeare his weakenesse hath not suffered him to be present.

On Corpus Christi day, when the great Procession is ce­lebrated, his Imperall Majesty did use to assist with all the Court on foot, bare headed, and to pray on bended knees at all the altars by the way. And the sunday fol­lowing, he was used to attend the Procession of the Ie­suits: and the next sunday to bee present with great de­votion at the generall Procession, which is very popu­lous, and continues from morning untill noone.

For this cause the Popes Nuncio Cardinall Palatto in his relation made to Pope Vrban the eight; doth testifie (to the great commendation of his Imperiall Majesty,) [Page] the Emperour Ferdinand the second may well be stiled a holy Prince, a man after Gods owne heart, as was King David, and that for the candor of his conscience, and his firme faith in God, the protection of the Almighty hath beene so constant, on his Imperiall person, that as the Lords annoynted he never hath or could be oppres­sed, or hurt by any. As plainely appeareth by his Impe­riall magnanimity, in the very beginning of his raigne, and some following yeeres after, when the three Regal Offices and Counsellors of the Kingdome of Bohemia being throwne out of the window at Prag, in the yeare 1618. the 25. of May (the Emperour Matthas the first being yet alive) all his hereditary Provinces and Coun­treys were destroyed with fire and sword, and his sacred person (as it were) in the midst of his enemies, having nothing remaining, but onely the City of Vienna, it was not possible to force him from his Residence, but on the contrary hee was alwaies most miraculously preser­ved by God.

The same Nuncio reports also, that his Imperiall Ma­jesty, hath said, in greatest dangers; that the divine pro­vidence had abundantly manifested its strength and po­wer in his sacred person, above the reach and understan­ding of man.

And for matters of religion or conscience, when his Imperiall Maiesty did depute a Counsellour or Com­missioner to that end, he did not precipitate a ratifica­tion, but first remit all to his Confessour, who is most acute and prudent father, whose counsell and a judge­ment his Imperiall Majesty (as the sheep his sheepheard) did constantly follow with a willing and ready mind and heart; and to cleare himselfe from all scruples of con­science, he did referre unto him all, even the least things.

[Page] On other daies, (except the Lords day) having heard two Masses and dispatched his private consultations, for every day, or at least every other day, hee did hold a Counsell, unlesse there were something of greater mo­ment to dispatch, his Imperiall Majesty used to goe out of towne to take the aire, or to hunt (in which kinde of exercise he did most delight) and commonly returned not till night: whence the proverb grew, that his Im­periall Majesty in three things was indefatigable; to wit, In devotion, in counsell, and in hunting. And although sometimes he did returne somewhat late and tired from hunting; yet did hee never refuse or forbeare to signe with his owne hand forty, fifty; or threescore or more severall things at one time, concerning the businesse of the Empire, and other matters, and without the least shew of displeasure or impatience; and then hee did sit downe to meate. So that his Imperiall Majesty did never returne from counsell, from hunting, or from au­dience (as they terme it,) without prescribing or sig­ning somewhat, or reading memorials, or being other­wise imployed. And forasmuch as his Imperiall Majesty by reason of the many businesses of the Empire, and o­thers of great consequence, could not himselfe read the least part of them; if there was any thing presented to himselfe, or to the master of his chamber, hee did com­mand it to be sent by a waiter or huisher of the chamber unto the Counsell proper for the businesse, that it might be speedily dispatched.

His Imperiall Majesty was most of all delighted in hunting (as is said) and in Musicke; and did keepe all kind of dogges, and strange birds, for hunting and haw­king. Of Huntsmen and Falcners, hee had about 150. But besides these, his Imperiall Majesty, in all his here­ditary [Page] Kingdomes, and Provinces, had a chiefe Hunts­man with divers others, and dogges without number.

He did use a piece very skilfully; but his chiefest plea­sure was to moose his game, and with his owne hand to kill wild boares, which he afterwards sent for presents of honour to forraine Ambassadours and Agents, and to the officers of the Court. And he was wont to keepe a catalogue of the annuall number of the Deere he killed, and sent to the Electour of Saxony.

His Imperiall Majesty was likewise very curious to get exquisite Musitians, and to these two kinds of men, Musitians and Huntsmen, he did give very liberally, and spend much money on them. Musicke, he said, is profi­table, and fit for the praise and honour of the Almighty; and to make the heart of man merry.

His Imperiall Majesty did ordinarily dine in his Anti­chamber, but most commonly sup with the Empresse. Two yeares since, his Imperiall Majesty, with the Em­presse, King and Queene of Hungary, and the Archduke and Archdutchesse, on solemne and great feasts, (as at Christinas, Easter, and Whitsontide,) used to eat in publike in the Chamber of the Knights and Nobles, before a great multitude; where there was commonly most ex­quisite Musicke of Instruments.

The Emperours Table is usually attended by the Or­dinaries of the chamber, Sewers, Cupbearers, and such like Officers, and sometimes also by Princes, Earles, and Barrons of the Empire, who having waited about an houres space, withdraw themselves. For no Prince is admitted to fit at the Emperours table in his Court at Vienna; but elsewhere, and in the Country, hee some­times, though seldome at his residence, causeth some to sit at table with him, according as they are great and [Page] eminent either by their birth and quality, or in his grace and favour.

It is worth the observing, that Christian the elder Prince of Anhalt, being reconciled to the Emperour, presented the towell to his Imperiall Majesty after wash­ing, and after waited bareheaded; but when he had re­ceived his investiture and feudalities from the Empe­rour, and stood likewise bareheaded before the Impe­riall table; the Emperour considering it, would not ad­mit thereof; and thereupon by the chiefe Marshall of his Court, (which then was the Earle of Lozenstein,) commanded him to put on his hat, which he did; and withall to sit at the table with him, which he did also in the Castle of Vienna.

When his Imperiall Majesty sits at the table with the Empresse, in stead of Noblemen, Knights, and Gentle­men, the Imperiall Ladies and maids of the Empresse serve at the table, and then there is most exquisite Mu­sicke; otherwise there is no musicke at dinner, unlesse it be on festivall and holydaies.

The meates which are served on the Imperiall board, are neither costly nor dainty, nor any way superfluous in splendor or magnificence, for so great a Prince.

According to the time and occasion there are Iesters, which make sport and tell merry tales. Amongst these Ionas is the prime for sudden jests, but they are never so free as when the Emperour is abroad, or hunting.

CHAP. 4. Of the manner of the Emperours going to the Church or Chap­pell, of his attendants and of the carriage of the Ambassa­dours and Agents at those times, and how his Imperiall Ma­jesty is served returning from Church or Chappell, and what he then used to doe.

WHen his Imperiall Majesty goes to the Church, the King of Hungary being present, goes next before him, in a Coach alone; and then followes his Im­periall Majesty, either alone, or with the Empresse. When the Queene of Hungary is present, the Empresse and she, and the Archdutchesse are most commonly car­ried in one Coach, and follow next after the Emperour: and after then the Ladies and Gentlewomen in divers Coaches. The Archduke goes before the King, and be­fore all these on foote goe the Courtiers, Knights, and Imperiall Ministers of all sorts and condition. On both sides walke the Guard called Hartschierer and Trabanten bareheaded, which indeed is a brave sight and makes a great traine.

A troupe of Souldiers on foote follow the Ladies, which attend and waite on the Emperour from his go­ing out of Court till he returne, to dine at the Court or any where else, be it in a Monastery or Colledge, or any other place wheresoever.

The Popes Nuncio and other Ambassadours, never appeare before his Imperiall Majesty; till after divine service, or other publike acts bee done; and then they present themselves to his Imperiall Majesty, and waite upon him to his Coach, and then they presently re­tire.

[Page] When his Imperiall Majesty is in the City, out of the Court, the City gates are all shut, and locked up.

The great Master of the horse, doth use to goe with his head covered on the left side of the Imperiall Coach, but abroad he sits in the Coach ouer against the Empe­rour.

When the Emperour goes out of his chamber to Church or Chappell, and returnes againe by the Knights great chamber and antichamber, the Pages of honour, the Nobles, Knights, Gentlemen of the chamber, Coun­sellours, Barrons, Earles, Princes, and other Officers of severall conditions, follow them. After the Princes follow the Ambassadours, if any bee present, then the Popes Nuncio, the Archduke, the King of Hungary, and then his Imperiall Majesty; and after him the Em­presse, the Queene of Hungary, the Archdutchesse, every one with his h of master, and last of all, the Ladies of honour. The Guard of both sorts waite till the traine be passed, and untill his Imperiall Majesty be set at din­ner, within and without the Knights chamber even to the antichamber. On Sundaies and festivall daies, the Trumpets use to sound in the Court of the Castle called Burgplatz.

CHAP. 5. Of the Imperiall antichamber, and of the Knights and Nobles chamber, &c. and what is usually done there.

THe Barons and Knights, Councellors and princi­pall Officers, Agents and others, who either have had audience of the Emperour, or who otherwise have accesse thither, untill it be time to returne home; use to waite in the antichamber or chamber of Knights. In [Page] the roome where his Imperiall Majesty gives audience, no man may put on his hat, but an absolute Prince, or a Prince of tht Empire, a Cardinall, the Popes Nuncio, and Kings Ambassadours.

Here it is also to be observed, that when his Imperiall Majesty is to passe the Knights chamber, and comes neare it, one of the huishers with a key raps the doore twice, for a signe of his Imperiall Majesties comming. When the Emperour passeth the chamber of Knights, divers petitions and memorials are frequently presented to him; and withall, he is admonished and put in mind of the necessity and importance of the businesse, which his Imperiall Majesty most graciously receives, and gives eare unto every ones petition, although sometimes it be very long with great patience and equanimity, without displeasure or anger.

When his Imperiall Majesty sees any forraine Knight of speciall qualities, or any who is lately returned to the Imperiall Court, whom he had knowne before, he gives him his hand to kisse. He willingly heares propositions made unto him, and most graciously answereth them, and sometimes of himselfe hee moves and askes some gentle and pleasing questions.

He receives all writings and memorials with his owne hands, and carries them with him into his owne cham­ber, and never gives them away, untill he come thither. He usually speaketh German or Italian, and sometimes also Latine, and that very readily and correctly; but ne­ver speakes French or Spannish, no not with the Span­nish Ambassadour himselfe.

CHAP. 6. Of the yearely revenewes of the Kingdomes, and hereditary Pro­vinces of his Imperiall Maiesty.

IT is difficult to speake certainely of the yearely reve­newes of his Imperiall Majesty, out of his Kingdomes and hereditary Provinces; because those Countries, aswell by reason of the ordinary and extraordinary con­tributions, as for other causes are changed much from the ancient state, and are very uncertaine.

His Imperiall Majesty hath a very great revenew, from the Hungarian mines of gold and silver, but doth expend it all, and much more in preserving the places bordering on the Turke.

The Duke of Bavaria hath long possessed the Vpper Austria, for twelve millions of florins payd at Ratisbone, in the yeare 1622. and still by that agreement it remai­neth ingaged unto him. And this at the present is much depopulated in divers places by the insurrections of the boores.

The Marquisate of Vpper and Lower Lusatia in the yeare 1636. was granted to the Electour of Saxony, for some millions in hereditary propriety.

The revenew of Bohemia and Moravia, besides the ordinary and extraordinary contributions and other im­positions, some few yeares since, amounted about some three millions yearely.

The revenew of Silesia hath beene uncertaine of late yeares, but the yearely impost on Beere onely, is farre above two hundred thousand florins.

But the revenewes of Lower Austria, Stiria, Carinthia, Carniola, &c. are of all others the most certaine, safe and [Page] ordinary, and these according to report, amount unto about two millions of florins.

The faithfull subjects also of his Imperiall Majesties dominions, doe yearely send to the Imperiall Court some hundred thousand florins. The provinciall Dyets doe likewise helpe him to much money. And besides all these, the goods which were confiscated by reason of the many rebellions in Bohemia and Moravia, and in the Vpper Austria, and somewhat in the Lower, have brought above three and forty millions of florins to the Impe­riall Treasury, since the yeare 1618.

CHAP. 7. Of the Empresse, King FERDINAND the third, the Queene MARY, Archduke Leopald William, and the Emperours daughters.

ELeonora the Roman Empresse, daughter of Vincent, the elder Duke of Mantova, and sister to the late de­ceased Duke Vincent of Mantova, is now thirty seven yeares of age, of a perfect stature, gentle countenance, and wise; a good wife, liberall, mercifull, and meeke. She had for her dowry from her Ducall house, about three hundred thousand crownes: And his Imperiall Majesty hath given her lands in lower Austria to above that valew in exchange. When she was crowned at Pres­burg, the Hungarians presented her a hundred thousand Rixdollers : and in the second provinciall Dyet of Hun­gary eighteene thousand Rixdollers, and another time also, thirty thousand. His Imperiall Majesty allowes her commonly every moneth two thousand florins, (which in English is no more than three hundred pounds ster­ling,) & a Country house commonly called Favoritenhoff

[Page] Her habit is almost Spannish, she is pious and religi­ous, and entertaines Ecclesiasticall persons with great love and honour, and chiefly Capuchins and Carmelites.

His Imperiall Majesty hath left foure children living, Ferdinand the third, King of Hungary and Bohemia; Leopald William, Archduke of Austria; Maria Anna, wife of Maxi­milian Duke of Bavaria and; and Cecilia Renata, who is yet unmarried : all borne of his Imperiall Majesties first wife, who was his cosin german, and sister to Maximilian Duke of Bavaria.

King Ferdinand the third is now of nine and twenty yeares of age compleat; hee is well favoured, of an he­roicke countenance and fashion, of a taller stature than his father, blacke haire and beard, becomming his royall face, and giving it a manly forme; hee is wise, prudent and serious, carefull of his reputation, silent, and in ma­ny things like the Duke of Bavaria. He payes his debts duely, but withall, he knowes well how to practice the proverb, Ne quid nimis, or rather as the Dutch, Neere reckon'd, well payd; yet will be wanting in nothing which is just and decent. His studies (in which he hath well profited) are fit for a King, as well necessary in warre as in peace, chiefly the Mathematickes, and art of warre and fortification, he speakes many Languages, German, Italian, Latin, Bohemian and Spannish. He is devout, and religious : and he hath a particular Court of his owne.

The Queene his wife is the Infanta Mary, sister of Philip the 4th. King of Spaine, whose dowry (the same with the Queene of France) was five hundred thousand crownes, every crowne valued at thirteene ryals. The King her brother also was at the care and charge of her transport even to the furthest parts of Austria.

Archduke Leopold William, Bishop Strasburg, Bassan [Page] and Halberstadt, is three and twenty yeeres of age, tall and of a strong complexion, a lover of hunting; he hath put on the habit of a Churchman. But it is said, that he will not continue in this Ecclesiasticall state, but intends to marry.

The Archdutchesse Mary Anne, who is now married to the Duke of Bavaria her uncle, of the age of twenty eight, well bred, devout and vertuous, prudent and in­dustrious, of blacke haire and eyes, of a most sweet coun­tenance, well skil'd in German and Italian. Vadislaus the now King of Poland should have married her: but, they say, the marriage was hindred by the States of Poland, and by the Kings Counsellors; shee was afterwards in­tended for the Cardinall Infant, the onely sonne also of the Prince Palatine of Newburg: Albert Duke of Bava­ria, as also Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania by the example of Sigismund Bather desired to have married her; to which effect the Transilvanian sent his Ambassa­dours to his sacred Imperiall Majesty at Newstat. But at last her uncle Maximilian Duke of Bavaria carried her.

The yonger Imperiall Princesse, the Archdutchesse Cecilia Ranata, is five and twenty yeares old, fairer fac'd than her sister, godly, vertuous, and very well brought up, but speakes her Mother tongue onely German, and although she understand Italian, she speakes it not. The common opinion and conjecture is, she shall be married to the Cardinall Infant.

These two Imperiall Princesses are of a perfect pro­portion and stature, and somewhat of a strong com­plexion.

CHAP. 8. Of the foure chiefe Officers of the Imperiall Court, the High Steward, the High Marshall, High Chamberlaine, and High Master of the Horse, and of those of the Chamber, and of their Aydes, Pages of honour, Guards aswell horse as foot, Court Chaplaines, and Imperiall father Confessour.

THe highest and chiefest Office of the Imperiall Court, is the high Steward; a grave man, stately, and now aged, who heretofore under the Emperour Mat­thias was high Chamberlaine.

The high Marshall of the Court is a great and profi­table office of authority and reputation, whose jurisdi­ction extends it selfe not onely over all the Courtiers, Officers, and others belonging to the Imperiall Court, but also over foraigne Agents, Residents, Ambassadours, and Deputies; solliciting and negotiating affaires and businesses in the Imperiall Court : and over all that have any imployment at Court, workemen, Iewes, and such like. His office also is to assigne lodgings to every one according to discretion: when the Emperour removes his Court elsewhere, except at the Electorall and Im­periall Dyets, for there the hereditary Marshall of the Empire doth exercise his jurisdiction. The said Court Marshall hath his Quartermaster, and other inferiour harbingers (commonly called Furriers) under him; who have the charge of billetting and lodgings. And his Im­periall Majesty being absent, the chiefe Marshall of the Court is his Vicegerent.

Vnder the jurisdiction of the high Chamberlaine, are those of the chamber, and all others serving therein. He conducts all Kings Ambassadours, and other Princes, [Page] Lords, and Knights, unto their audience with his Im­periall Majesty. He receives all letters of credence from all Agents and Soliciters, as well of forraigne Princes, as of those of the Empire, and all others sent to the Im­periall Court, directed to his Imperiall Majesty, and signifies the prefixed time of their audience by a huisher of the Chamber. He often watcheth whole nights him­selfe before the Imperiall Chamber, he weares a guilt key of the chamber, as doe the rest of the chamber, tyed to a blacke silke string, which is a signe they are of the Chamber to his Imperiall Majesty. Those of the Cham­ber receive themselves the golden key from the high Chamberlaine, and going from Court, they are bound to deliver it up to him againe; and returning backe to the Imperiall Court they receive it againe, and weare it as before. Their monthly stipend is forty florins (six pound sterling) with their dyet at Court, as also have the other twelve of the Chamber in ordinary.

There are divers others also of the Chamber, who re­ceive neither wages nor dyet, nor ought else, except the guilt key, with the title and honour.

Two of the twelve of the Camber in ordinary, every weeke by turnes lie and watch all night before the Im­periall Chamber. When the Emperour eates in the an­tichamber, they take the assay of the meate, which is served thither. If any one be to be made of the Cham­ber, he must take an oath of his allegiance to his Impe­riall Majesty, before the high Chamberlaine, and give security.

In the absence of the high Chamberlaine, the eldest of the Chamber supplies his Office. When his Im­periall Majesty sits publikely at table, the Sewers, which are truely Nobles and of ancient families (some of them [Page] being Barons and Earles) serve and waite at Table, and so doe the Cupbearers and Pantlers, and over them all is a certaine Officer (commonly called Obrister Staebel mey­ster) who is otherwise one of the Chamber, who bearing a blacke staffe, ushers the dishes which are brought to the Imperiall table; neither hath hee any certaine wages, besides his dyet at Court. Hee useth alwaies to attend his Imperiall Majesty in travelling, and hath a horse, or a coach roome appointed for him. Of these and the like Nobles and Courtiers, there are about threescore which have onely their dyet and accommodation, as they call it, in travelling; and who remaine in Court in hope of some better preferment, which they seldome or never expect in vaine, unlesse sometimes their fortune be slow and too long comming.

His Imperiall Majesty hath also some servants of the Chamber, who are by their places to hearken after com­mon discourses and rumours, and these use to make re­lations of what they conceive will prove acceptable. They are honoured with Nobility and have their dyet at Court, and have also horses or coach roome for tra­vell allowed, and sixteene florins wages by the month.

And as his Majesties Imperiall liberality and innate bounty towards his faithfull Servants and Courtiers is inexhaustible: so he doth sometimes according to the quality of the service, reward them very liberally, be­sides their ordinary wages, that afterwards they may more patiently expect, untill God shall further favour them; remembring (as it were) that the rich man who entertained his servants alwaies with that comfort, to reward them largely after his death, was admonished by this inscription: Give thine whilst it is thine, which after death is none of thine. Whereupon his Imperiall [Page] Maiesty about two yeares since said to the Iesuits, be ta­king Fathers, you shall not have alwaies with you Ferdi­nand the second.

There are likewise hiushers of the chamber, who wait at the doore of the Antichamber, and suffer none but those who are allowed to enter there, these have a monthly stipend of twelve florins.

The great master of the Horse hath authority and command over all that belong to the Stables. He helpes his Imperiall Majesty, when he gets on horseback. When he rides out of Towne, he sits in the Imperiall Coach with his head covered. But when he goes to Church, he goes on foot on the left hand of the Coach, also his head covered.

The expence of his Imperiall Majesty for the Stables, is great; for hee keepes some hundreds of horses, of which many are spoyled by hunting: and besides these in his hereditary Provinces, he hath many and stately Stables.

Part of the Pages of honour are Germans, part Italians, and Belgians, seldom of other Nations. They are brought up in study and the exercise of the body, and are af­terwards preferred to the offices of Sewers, Cupbearers, or the like, as also some to more eminent offices, as their qualities deserve. They hold the torches in the Chur­ches or Chappels behind the Priests, while Masse is ce­lebrated; their livery is of three collours, yellow, blacke, and white.

Of the Guards, some are horsemen or lanciers, (com­monly called Hartshterer) and of them there are one hun­dred, in the time of the former Emperours they were nobly descended, some also of late have beene of noble Familes, and others expert and approved souldiers a­ginst [Page] the Turke, the common enemy of Christendome, in the warres of Hungary; but at this day the greatest part are of meane condition. In Towne they waite on foote, bearing their Lances, but out of Towne as horse­men, they are cloathed as Pages with a livery of three colours.

The Guards on foote (commonly called Trabauten) are in number one hundred also. These waite onely in Towne with their halberds, and are, for the most part, tradesmen and mechaniques : their coates and cloaths are likewise of three colours.

The sixe Court-chaplaines or Deacons are all Priests, every morning they sing Masse, and in their turnes by weekes they say grace before the Imperiall Table, they are little esteemed, they have every one their dyet at Court, and three hundred florins (or 45. pound ster­ling) wages yearely; and one of them who is the chiefe Parochus, hath foure hundred florins, besides which they usually enjoy some other Ecclesiasticall benefices, whereby they may the better provide for their neces­saries.

The Emperours Confessour is Father Laimormain, of the order of the Jesuits, by Nation a Flemming or Wal­loone, and an old man. He hath the greatest authority in the Imperiall Court, as he who hath the heart of Caesar, and his conscience in his hands, and at his becke; his counsels and advices as well in Ecclesiasticall cases of conscience, as in politike affaires prevaile before all o­thers, and unto him they are referred. Whoso hath this father for his Patron, may safely effect his businesse in the Imperiall Court.

CHAP. 9. Of the severall Imperiall Court Counsels, as of the Cabinet Coun­sell the Imperiall Court Counsell, the Chamber Court Coun­sell, Millitary Counsell, Ecclesiasticall Counsell, Counsell of conscience, Hungarian Counsell, Bohemian Counsell, and confiscation Counsell.

THe Privy Councellours of the Cabinet, excell the other Counsellours in dignity, for they are im­ployed in consultation of States matters, concerning the peace and warre of the Emperours hereditary King­domes and Dominions, and the petitions and Com­mands of forraigne Kings and Princes. To these also belong all matters of the Chambers, and whatsoever is first debated and deliberated by other Counsels, and concluded by votes, and referred to his Imperiall Ma­jesty. And also, what other Counsels have before deci­ded, the Cabinet Counsell afterwards sometimes chan­geth or otherwise disposeth of, and from thence is the Imperiall restitution to be expected in all things.

In matters of the Empire, the judgement and sen­tence of the Imperiall Court Counsell, grounded on strong and firme reasons, is seldome rejected or chan­ged by the Cabinet Counsell. And hence it appeares that all things first come to his Imperiall Majesty, be­fore their dispatch; except small matters, which may of course be granted by the President of the Imperiall Court Counsell, or Vice Chancellor of the Empire.

All matters of grace, of what nature soever they bee, are presented to his Imperiall Majesty, with all humblenesse, and presently they passe and belong unto the Imperiall Cabinet Counsell; yet sometimes his Im­periall [Page] Majesty causeth them to be referred to the Im­periall Court Counsell, that he may understand their reformation and judgement, before he gives his owne gracious judgement thereupon.

About two yeares since the Prince of Eggenberg had the direction of this Cabinet Counsell, and was absolute Patron of Caesars will, so that they then had but one heart & one way; as the Prince of Eggenberg within the Court had all the power, so the Duke of Frisland did sway in the warres.

And although he kept his bed almost continually by reason of the gout and collicke, with which he was much afflicted, and although his house was a good distance from the Imperiall Court, yet his Imperiall Majesty ap­pointed his Cabinet Counsell to bee alwaies assembled there, and himselfe past to his house from the Archdu­call Castle, or Imperiall Court through a long Gallery, and assisted in his owne person at the consultations. Nei­ther did he onely visit him at times of Counsell, but o­ther times also daily, and sometimes often in one day. And his Imperiall Majesty, and the Empresse did often use to play and sport themselves in his house. This Prnce was of an admirable judgement, a quicke understan­ding, a great capacity and eloquence, and framed by na­ture to a most comely shape, a bigot in religion, dissem­bling, most happy in advising and resolving counsells; and on that knew how to satisfie his Imperiall Majesty in all things.

The Emperour had mightily inriched him, and made him very great, as may in part appeare by the titles which he enioyed whilst hee lived. It was then a Pro­verbe, that the Emperour had three mighty hills; to wit, Eggenberg, Werdenburg, and Questenberg: and [Page] three precious stones Dietrichstein, Walstein and Lie­chenstein in his hereditary Kingdomes and Provinces; for that those Families had attracted and appropriated to themselves a great part of the best and fairest domi­nions in the hereditary Provinces of his Imperall Ma­jesty.

But as this Prince of Eggenberg hath still enjoyed the constant grace of the Emperour, the favour of all the house of Austria, the esteeme and praise of all the Impe­riall Court, and a generall respect and honour of all the Country and Empire: Son on the other side, as soone as the treason of the Duke of Fridland & his conspiracy, inten­ded at Pilsen, was discovered, both the Emperours grace and all other mens favour and respect towards him be­gan to faile : so that he had but even time enough, yea scarce enough (when the King of Hungary Ferdinand the third, taking his last leave of the said Prince of Eggen­berg, and bidding him farewell, without those termes of kindnesse, which otherwise are usually given to Princes of the Empire) to withdraw himselfe out of the Court, and in the best manner he could, make (as it were) his retreat into Stiria.

Of the Cabinet Counsell to the Emperour were, the Cardinall of Dietrichstein, a Moravian by Nation; the Bishop of Vienna of the Rhine; the Count of Megar, an Austrian; the Count of Trantmansdorff a Stirian; the Count of Fugger of Suevia; the Abbot of Lilieufield a West­phalian; the Count of Schlick a Bohemian; the Count of Werdenberg an Italian; Count Mansfelt an Earle of the sa­cred Roman Empire, who seldome comes to Counsell; Count Schlawata a Bohemian; Count Kevenhuller a Carin­thian; the Count of Morsburg a Franconian, and the Lord Breuner an Austrian.

[Page] The Imperiall Court Counsell next in ranke to the Cabinet Counsell, is where all affaires of the Empire both publike and private are both considered and de­cided, according to the lawes and constitutions of the Empire, and according to the grants and charters of pri­viledge and immunities of the Electours, Princes, and States of the Sacred Roman Empire, that every one may be maintained and established therein; and not by any meanes be burthened, contrary to the Lawes.

The Counsellors of this Counsell are partly Nobles, and partly Doctours. Of the Nobles there are but sixe of the Empire, the rest are all borne in the Emperours hereditary Provinces. The Doctours are many, and most of them borne in the Empire; that is, within the Austrian Provinces. And because the affaires of the Ele­ctours, Princes, and States of the Sacred Roman Empire are of great moment; therefore the consultation and direction being made, his Imperiall Majesty is informed thereof in his Cabinet Counsell, and from thence his resolution is expected. Hence the dispatches are sent to the Secretary, and being prepared, the said Secretary first subscribes himselfe on the left hand below, after­wards the Vicechancellour of the Empire, in the midle towards the right hand, and last of all his Imperiall Ma­jesty signes the cloze under the writing, towards the right side.

The yearely wages of every one of the Imperiall Court Counsellours, is twelve hundred florins, (one hundred and forty pounds sterling) and besides his Im­periall Majesty distributes and gives them gratificati­ons, according to their merit; and according as every one hath faithfully and profitably discharged his office on his Imperiall Majesty.

[Page] The Court Counsell of warre, is composed for the most part, of Knights and Commanders. In this they doe consult and make provision for the garrisons and souldiers, how to continue the warre and to assigne ne­cessary allowance to the souldiers, money for the armies, victuals, and provision; and to supply them with muni­tion and all other things, directed for the good, profit, and benefit of his Imperiall Majesty, in all things which may and ought to be done.

The Court Counsell of the Imperiall Chamber, hath not onely power and jurisdiction in all other chambers, but also lookes unto all the revenewes and rents aswell of the Empire, as chiefly of his Imperiall Majesty, his hereditary Provinces. For although every one of his Imperiall Majesties hereditary Kingdomes and Provin­ces, have a peculiar chamber, yet all of them depend up­on the said Court chamber.

The resolutions of this chamber are somewhat slow and tedious; and thence it was, that in the Diet of the Kingdome of Hungary, this amongst others was presen­ted as a great grievance, that the States and subjects of that Crowne, could not obtaine dispatch, but were con­strained at great expence and charges, to neglect the affaires and businesses of their owne familie, to attend in vaine this Court chamber. The now president of this Counsell and Court chamber, is an Ecclesiasticall Prelate.

And here it is chiefely to be observed, that the Pre­sident of the Court chamber, who directs so many mil­lions of revenewes from the Emperours hereditary Kingdomes and Provinces, whether he be deposed or resignes his office, is not obliged to give any account of his administration.

[Page] The Ecclesiasticall Counsell was instituted by the Emperour Maximilian the second, that Ecclesiasticall matters and those which concerne Religion, aswell in the Empire, as in his Imperiall Majesties hereditary Kingdomes and Dominions, might be therein resolved and deliberated. This Counsell hath neither a President, nor a set number of Counsellours; the one halfe where­of is of Ecclesiasticall persons, and the other of Po­litique.

The Counsell of conscience consists onely in the meeting of Ecclesiasticall persons, which are more or lesse according to the occasion.

When his Imperiall Majesty treated the peace of Prag in the yeare 1635. with the Electour of Saxony, and his conscience was much perplexed, whether he might any longer suffer the Evangelicks to enjoy the possessi­ons of Ecclesiasticall goods in the Empire; for the reco­very whereof, the warre had so long continued, and so much blood had beene shed: This question of consci­ence, of so great a consequence, was refer'd to the Coun­sell of Divines, that thereupon they might declare their judgement. Hereupon divers Ecclesiasticall persons were assembled from divers places in the City of Vienna: the Counsell was composed of two Cardinals, two Bi­shops, two Prelates, two Cannons, two Fathers, of every society and order, (amongst which were also two Ie­suits.) And they deliberated and consulted thereon for divers weekes, and at last delivered an opinion, where­upon his Imperiall Majesty did afterwards agree of Ar­ticles with the Electour of Saxony, and thereupon the peace was published.

And this Assembly of Ecclesiastiques was then cal­led, the Counsell of conscience; because the matter [Page] touched the conscience of his Imperiall Majesty.

The Court Counsell for Hungary consists of Hunga­rians onely, and hath a dependance on the Palatine of the Kingdome of Hungary, who is there as Viceroy.

The present Palatine is the Lord Esterhasy, Count de Gallanta, Knight of the golden Fleece; who governes the Hungarian Kingdome in secular matters, as Cardinall Pasman the Iesuit, Archbishop of Gran doth in spirituall.

To this Counsell also belong the affaires of the King­domes of Dalmatia, Creatia and Sclavonia.

The Bohemian Court Counsell, although it seemes not to be a set Counsell, as the others, because therein ordina­rily are only a Chancellor, Vicechancellor, & Secretary: & that besides the government of that Kingdom is com­mitted to the Lieutenant and supreame Officers at Prag: neverthelesse, divers petitions and supplications, tou­ching tenures, immunities, confirmations and inlarge­ment of Provinces, and all sorts of feudall affaires are bought to the Bohemian Court Chancery, as well out of the City as Country, and are afterwards all dispatched in the Court Chancery.

There is also a particular Officer of tenures and feal­ties, who (the vassals conveniently desiring it) doth grant unto them their recognziances or attestations that they have performed the feodatory oath, which being brought into the Chancery, there are afterward dispat­ched the feodary patents. If there happen any proces­ses, they are first sent to the Royall Counsell of appeales for information and report of their opinion therein; and afterwards they are resolved and decided in the Court Chancery. Other appeales also from the whole Kingdome of Bohemia, of all the cities, townes and parts thereof are brought thither and many times decrees and [Page] sentenses, about feudall affaires are there pronounced and obteined. The Barons and Knights of that King­dome seeke justice and redresse (if they need) at a Court called, the royall Landtable. And matters of debt are decided at a Court, commonly called, the office of the Burggrave; next in dignity to the former. Reviewes or affaires of Revision are referred out of the Chancery to the chamber, called the Greene chamber. When there happens any thing of moment in the Court, there is held a Bohemian Counsell at the Lord Vicechancellours of the Empire, the Baron of Stralendorfs: To which pur­pose, because there befall at this time divers businesses of great moment, concerning the affaires both of the Kingdome of Bohemia as also the incorporate Provinces, which are to bee discussed and resolved upon (which would have beene too troublesome for the Bohemian Counsell alone) his Imperiall Majesty hath deputed (besides the said Bohemian Counsellors) some others of the Imperiall Court Counsell, and joyned them in Commission with his said Vicechancellour Stralendorff. The confiscation Counsell consists of the Bishop of Vi­enna, the Abbot of Lilienfield, President of the Imperiall Court chamber, the Count of Schlicke President of the Court Counsell of warre; together with the Secretary of the Court chamber, Hoffman of Ankerson. In this Counsell of confiscation, was taken the deliberation and resolution about the distribution of the confiscated goods and Lands of the late Duke of Fridland, Count of Kinskie, and the Baron Ilaw: and since that time very lately in the same Counsell hath beene consulted about the distribution of the goods of Terskie, a great part whereof is already bestowed on others. And this cause of Terskie being now finished, they are now busied in [Page] causes of Silesia, and divers others. And these confisca­ted goods amounted to many millions, besides the three and forty millions already mentioned. These and the like, are the meanes whereby the souldiers are partly satisfied, and appeased in their importunities.

CHAP. 10. Of the forraigne Ambassadours, and Agents, and of the Ambas­sadours and Agents of the Empire, now at Vienna.

THe Pope hath an ordinary Nuntio to the Imperiall Court, who is called the Appertolicke Nuncio. He pretends spirituall jurisdiction, not onely in the King­domes of Hungary, and Bohemia, with their adherent and incorporated Countries, and in all other Countries and Provinces of Austria; but even in the whole German Empire. He watcheth also for the safety of the Roman Church, that it may receive no prejudice nor detriment, and if he observe any such thing, he opposeth himselfe and protests against it.

As he did lately in the cause of Bremen, and was much displeased at the Emperours gracious resolution therein: to whom his Imperiall Majesty made answer, that hee was enforsed by the Treaty of Prag, to yeeld to that and many other things, because the Pope had forsaken him.

The King of Spaine hath his ordinary Ambassadour, and at this time almost continually an extraordinary, the Count d' Onnate, who helpes to direct and uphold the German and Imperiall Millitary forces as well with counsell as with meanes and supplies of money. He hath his Counsell also; his Counsellours are Father Chirova a Franciscan, the Queene of Hungaries confessour; Doctor Novara a Spaniard, and Secretary Bodin.

The French Kings emulation, and being in compe­tency [Page] with the Spaniard hinders him from keeping an Ambassadour in the Imperiall Court. His last Agent was forced to retire himselfe thence.

The King of Great Brittaine hath an Agent with his Imperiall Majesty.

The State of Venice have heretofore had an Ambassa­dour in the Imperiall Court, but since the difference about style and title, betwixt the Spannish Ambassadour, the Count d'Onnate and Signior Pietro Gritti, Ambas­sadour of Venice, some thirty yeares since; there hath beene no ordinary Ambassadour from the State of Ve­nice in the Imperiall Court: but they have their Agent, who was invited not long since to dispose the Repub­lique, to send againe an ordinary Ambassadour to the Imperiall Court, with proffer to receive him with the like honour as is given to Ambassadours of Kings.

The great Duke of Tuscany three yeeres since had likewise his Ambassadour there, who was received with the Title of Ambassadour at the Imperiall Court, and equall honour with the Ambassadour of Brussels. But now he hath onely a Secretary at Vienna.

The Duke of Savoy hath for a long time sent no Am­bassadour to the Imperiall Court, because he pretends precedency, before the great Duke of Tuscany.

The Electors, Princes, & States, of the Roman Empire have some their Residents, and others their Agents, ne­gotiating their affaires in the Imperiall Court, but when their happens any thing of moment or difficulty they send their Ambassadours to his Imperall Majesty.

The Popes Nuncio takes the first place in the Court before all other Ambassadours, and before the Princes of the Empire then present. After him the Spannish Ambassadour claimes and pretends precedency.