THe diſcourſe of this prouince, we haue compoſed out of a certaine fragment of our ſingular good friend Humfrey Lhoyd, which not long ſince wee cauſed Birkman to imprint, for the benefit of thoſe that are ſtudents of Geography. CAMBRIA, ſaith he, the third part of Britaine, is diuided from Lhoëgria, (or England if you pleaſe ſo to call it) by the riuers Seuern and Dee, otherwiſe it is on all parts confined with the Iriſh ſea (the Geographers commonly call it Oceanus Vergiuius) it was ſo named (as they dreame) of Camber, the third ſonne of Brute. The Welſhmen call it Cymri, the Engliſh Wales, and the Latin WALLIA. This part only of this whole Brittiſh iland doth ſtil enioy the moſt ancient inhabitants being indeed the true naturall Brittans: and do yet retaine the Brittiſh tongue, and cannot ſpeake one word of Engliſh, which is a language made eſpecially of the miſture of the Dutch and French tongues. Wales they do at this time diuide into three prouinces, Venedoth, Powis-land, and Dehenbarth. Vnder Venedoth the ile Angleſey, (famous long ſince, and accounted for the ancient ſeat of the Druides,) is conteined. The inhabitants in courſe of life and faſhion of apparell do follow the Engliſh: and are an idle people not willing to labour or take pains, bragging much of their gentilitie, and do giue themſelues rather to the ſeruice of Noblemen and to follow the court, than to trades and occupations. Heere hence it is that you ſhall find few Noblemen through out all England, which hath not the greateſt part of his followers & ſeruants (in which thing Engliſhmen do ſurpaſſe any other nation whatſoeuer) Welſhmen borne: for being men that are fed with whitmeats or butter & cheeſe, they haue nimble & able bodies, fit for any maner of ſeruice. Moreouer being men of haughty minds, and in extreme penury and beggery challenging vnto themſelues to be nobly deſcended, they delight rather to go brauein apparell (like vnto the Spaniard) then to get goods or pamper their bellies, and do ſoone learne courtlike behauiour, and therefore they are of the Engliſh Nobility for ſeruice preferred before the Engliſh. Yet of late heere they haue vſed themſelues to dwell in cities, to learn occupations, to trade as merchants, to go to plough, and to do any maner of buſineſſe good for the common-wealth as well as the Engliſh: nay in this thing they excell them, that there is no man ſo poore amongſt them, but for a while will ſet his ſonnes to ſchole to learne to write and read, and thoſe whom they find to be apt, they ſend to the Vniuerſities, & cauſe them for the moſt part to giue their minds to the ſtudy of the ciuill law: Heere hence it is that the greater part of thoſe, which in this kingdome doe profeſſe the Ciuill or Canon law, are Welſhmen borne. You ſhall find alſo very few of the common and meaner ſort of people but can read and write his owne language, and after their faſhion play vpon the Welſh harpe. Now alſo they haue the Bible, and common praier booke printed in their owne tongue, a language, as we ſaid, vſed of their anceſtors and wholly different from the Engliſh. And as in old time long ſince being a people (as Tacitus reporteth) impatient of the leaſt wrongs that might be offered, they were alwaies together by the eares and cutting one anothers throates; ſo now for feare of law, (to which they are more obedient, then any other nation) they will wrangle and contend one with another, as long as they are worth a groate. Theſe few obſeruations we haue gleaned out of Lhoyd, to whom we ſend the Reader that deſireth more of the particulars of this country. Sylueſter Gerrard, a Welſhman hath deſcribed VVales in a ſeuerall treatiſe. Read alſo the Iournall of VVales. Moreouer VVilliam of Newbery in the 5. chap. of his 2. booke hath many things of the nature of this country, & maners of the people. To theſe you may adioine Polyd. Virg. & thoſe things which Robert Caenalis hath written in the ſumme of his 2. booke, de re Gallica.

This Cymri, or (as the Engliſh call it) VVales belongeth (that we may heere by the way ſay ſomething of this) by an ancient decree, to the King of Englands eldeſt ſonne, or daughter if he faile, to the Kings heire, I meane, who is to ſucceed next after him: and he is called aſſoone as he is born, The Prince of VVales: and that in the ſame ſenſe, as in Spaine and Portugall they call the Kings heire, The Prince; and in France, The Dolphin.

Ieffrey of Monmouth writeth, that in theſe parts of VVales neere the riuer of Seuern, there is a poole which the country people call, Linligune. This, ſaith he, when the ſea floweth into it, enterteineth the waters like a bottomleſſe gulfe, and ſo drinketh vp the waues that it is neuer full, nor euer runneth ouer. But when the ſea ebbeth, the waters which before it had ſwallowed do ſwell like a mountaine, which then do daſh and run ouer the banks. At which time if all the people of that ſhire ſhould ſtand any thing neere the poole, with their faces toward it, ſo that the water ſhall but daſh into their clothes and apparell, they ſhall hard be able to auoid the danger, but that they ſhalbe drawne into the poole. But if ones backe ſhalbe toward it, there is no danger at all, although he ſhould ſtand vpon the very edge of the ſame. This is the ſtory, I haue nam'd the authour, let him approue the truth of the ſame. Of Mona the iland vpon the ſhore of this country thou haſt the opinion of Humfrey Lhoyd in his epiſtle which we haue adioined to the end of this booke. Of this alſo Iohn Leland in his Genethliacon of Edward Prince of VVales, thus writeth: This Iland ſaith hee, being conquered by the Engliſh, changed the name, and was called Angleſey, that is; the iland of Engliſhmen. Polydore Virgill, a man of great reading, and good iudgement in many matters, is of another opinion. Hee laboureth with all his forces to proue Menauia to be Mona. If the name, which yet it retaineth: If the citie Caernaruon, which is ouer againſt it vpon the maine, do take his denomination from hence and is called Aruon for Ar-mon: If that ſame very ſhort cut ouer, of which the Roman writers do ſpeake: If the neſſe or promontorie Pen-mon, that is, as the word ſignifieth, The head of Mon: If the huge bodies of trees, and rootes couered ouer with ſand, which daily are digged out of the ſhore of Tir-mon: If the firre-trees of maruailous length, which in ſqually grounds are heere and there found within the earth in this Iland, do not ſufficiently proue that that was anciently called Mona, which now we call Angleſey, I know not what to ſay more then that I haue read this in the 14. booke of Cornelius Tacitus his Annales, Exciſi que luci ſaeuis ſuperſtitionibus ſacri, &c. Felling the woods conſecrated to ſuperſtitious ſeruices, &c. The ſame Leland in another place hath theſe verſes of this Iland: Inſula Romanis Mona non incognita bellis, Quondam terra ferax nemorum, nunc indiga ſiluae, Sed Venetis tantum cereali munere praeſtans, Mater vt à vulgo Cambrorum iure vocetur, &c. Tyr-môn in former times, (thus witneſſe writers old,) was full of ſtately woods, but now li'th bleake and cold: The ſoile is paſsing good, of corne it yeeld'th ſuch ſtore That Welſh-mens nurſe it's call'd, as we haue ſhew'd before, &c.

IRELAND, which the Greekes and Latines call HIBERNIA, others IVERMA and IERNA, the Iriſh themſelues call Eryn. From hence ſtrangers, taking it from the mouth of the Engliſh, which pronounce e, the ſecond vowell with the ſame ſound that other nations do ſound i, the third vowell, haue made, as it ſeemeth Irynlandt, compounded, as is apparent, of the Iriſh Erin, and the Saxon or Dutch Landt, which afterward was contracted, for more commodity of ſpeach and roundneſſe of pronunciation, into Irland, from whence the Latines framed IRLANDIA. The firſt inhabitants which ſeated themſelues in this Iland came hither, as may be eaſily demonſtrated from Brittaine or England, not from Spaine, as ſome moſt abſurdly haue written. For the abridgement of Strabo doth flatly call theſe ilanders, Britaines: and Diodorus Siculus ſaith that Irin is a part of Britaine: wherefore it was iuſtly of all old writers called, INSVLA BRITANNIA, One of the Brittiſh iles. About the yeare of CHRIST, 400. in the daies of Honorius and Arcadius the Emperours, at what time the Roman Empire began to decline, the Scottes, a ſecond nation entered Ireland, and planted themſelues as Oroſius writeth, in the North parts, whereupon it was of them called, SCOTLAND. Sylueſter Gyraldus Cambrenſis about 400. yeares ſince deſcribed this Iland in a ſeuerall treatiſe. But becauſe that this booke as yet is not ſet forth and therefore not common and euery where to be gotten, we will out of it gather ſo much as this narrow roome may conteine, not doubting but we ſhall worthily deſerue great thankes at the readers hand for the ſame. Liſten therefore to his words:

Ireland, next after England the greateſt Iland of the knowne world, hath the greater Britaine vpon his Eaſt ſide, vpon the Weſt only lieth the vaſt and wide Ocean; on the North three daies ſaile from the coaſt of Ireland lieth Iſland, of all the Northren iles by far the greateſt. Britaine is almoſt twice as great as Ireland: for ſeeing that the length of both runneth the ſame way from South to North; that is, about 800. miles long, and about 200. miles broad: this from Brendam hilles to the iles Columbine otherwiſe called Thorach, is about eight daies iourney, that is 400. miles long at the leaſt. Ireland conteineth in all 176. Canweds. The word Canwed is a compound word, vſed aſwell of the Welch as Iriſh, and ſignifieth a circuite of ground conteining within it 100. villages.

The ſoile of Ireland is vneuen, full of hilles and dales, ſoft and ſqually, full of woods, bogges and fennes. Vpon the toppes of the higheſt and ſteepeſt hilles you ſhall oft find great ponds and bogges: yet it hath in ſome places moſt goodly plaines and champion, but in reſpect of the woods they are very little. The ground is very fatte, and fertile for Corne. The mountaines abound with ſheepe, the woods are full of Deere: and the whole ile generally is better for paſture, then for eareable ground, much better I meane, for graſſe then corne. For the kernelles of wheat are heere ſo dwined and ſmall, that they may hardly be dreſſed with any manner of fanne. That which the Spring-time doth bring forth and flouriſheth for a while in Summer, the dripping and watery Autumne will hardly ſuffer kindly to ripen or tidily to be inn'd. For this Iland is more ſubiect to bluſtering winds, outragious ſtormes of raine and floods, then any other country vnder the cope of heauen. It is very rich of honie and milke. Solinus and Iſidore affirme that it hath no Bees: but by their leaue if they had more diligently examined the matter, they might haue on the contrarie written, that it wanteth vines, but is not altogether void of Bees. For this Iland neither now hath, nor euer had any vines: But of Bees it hath, (as any other country) great plenty: which notwithſtanding would heere, as I thinke, ſwarme in farre greater number, if it were not for the venemous and ſowre ewgh-trees which in all places of the Iland do grow in great abundance.

The Iland is euery where croſſed and watered with many goodly riuers; of which the principall are theſe: Auenliſſ, runneth by Dublin: Boand (or Boine) through Methe: Banna, through Vlſter: Linne, by Connagh: Moad, by Kenelcunill, Slechey, and Samayr: Modarn and Furne, by Keneleon: There are alſo very many other riuers, whereof ſome iſſuing forth of the bowels of the earth and from their cleare fountaines, other immediatly ruſhing forth of lakes and fennes wandring heere and there diuide and part the Iland into many goodly prouinces and ſhires. For vnder the foot of Bladina hill (now called Bliew Blemy) three famous riuers do ariſe, commonly called, The three Siſters, (for they beare the names of three ſiſters:) Berne, (Birgus, now Barrow) which runneth by Lechlin: Eoyr, Neorus, they call it Nore, by Oſsire: and Swyre, by Archfine and Trebagh; neere Waterford they kindly ſalute one another, and ſo falling into one channell they quietlie toward the ſea. Slane, runneth by Wexford: Boand, by Meath: Auenmore, by Liſmore: and Simen, by Limiricke. And indeed amongſt all the riuers of Ireland, Sinnen bear'th the bell, not only for his goodly greatneſſe, long and diuers wandrings through the country, but alſo his great plenty of dainty fiſh. For it ariſeth out of a very large and goodly lake, which diuideth Connagh from Munſter, and ſpreadeth it ſelfe into two branches running two contrary waies: one of them tending toward the South, paſſeth by the city Kelleloe, and then encloſinge round the citie Limiricke, with a direct courſe and large ſtreame for an hundred miles and vpward, running between the two mountaines, emptieth it ſelfe into the Brendan ſea. The other not much leſſe then the former, diuiding Meath and the farther parts of Vlſter from Connagh, running with a crooked courſe turning this way and that way, at laſt hideth it ſelfe in the Northren ocean: So that this riuer doth ſeparate the fourth and Weſt part of the Iland from the other three, like a midland ſtreame running from ſea to ſea. For this Iland in former ages was diuided almoſt into fiue equall parts, namely into North Mounſter, South Mounſter, Leinſter, and Connagh.

This country hath diuers goodly Lakes. The ſea coaſt aboundeth plentifully with all maner of ſea-fiſh on all ſides: the Riuers and Lakes are ſtored with great variety of freſh-fiſhes: eſpecially with theſe three ſorts, Salmons, Trouts, and Eeles. The riuer Shynen ſwarmeth with Lampreyes. But there are wanting many other ſorts of good freſh-fiſh of other countries, as Pikes, Perches, Gogeons, and almoſt ſuch fiſh as come not from the ſea or ſalt waters. On the contrary the Lakes of this Iland haue three kinds of fiſh, which are no where els to be found. For they are ſomewhat longer and rounder then Trouts, very white fleſhed, paſſing ſauery and pleaſant, very like vnto the Hallibut, (Vmbra our authour calleth it) but that they are much bigger headed. There is another kind very like to herrings, aſwell for proportion and bigneſſe, as alſo for colour and taſt. There are a third ſort, in all points like trouts, but that they are not ſpotted. Yet theſe ſorts of fiſh are only ſeen in the Summer, in the Winter they neuer appeare. In Meath, neere Foner are three Lakes not farre diſtant one from another, ech of which hath certaine fiſh proper to it ſelfe, not found in any of the other two; neither do they I meane, euer come one at another, although there be moſt conuenient paſſages by reaſon of the riuer which runneth from one to another: nay if it ſhall chance that the fiſh of one lake be caried to another, either it dieth within a while after, or returneth vnto his own lake againe.

From theſe naturall things let vs paſſe vnto thoſe ſtrange wonders which nature worketh in theſe out-countries of the world. In North Mounſter there is a lake wherein are two Ilands, a greater and a leſſe: the greater hath a Church, the leſſer a Chappell. Into the Greater neuer any woman, or liuing creature of the female kind might euer come, but it would die by and by. This was often proued by bitches, cattes, and other creatures of that ſex. In the leſſer no man did euer die, or could die of a naturall death. In Vlſter there is another Lake in which there is an Iland of two diuers qualities; one part of it hauing a church conſecrated to the ſeruice of Chriſtianity is very beautifull, goodly and pleaſant. The other very rough, ouer growne and vnpleaſant, is ſaid to be bequeathed to Diuels and euill ſpirits. This part hath in it nine caues or trenches, in any of which if a man do chance to ſleepe all night, he is preſently aſſaulted by the euill ſpirits, and all the night ſo greeuouſly tormented and vexed, that by the morning hee ſhall ſcarce be able to breath and will be almoſt halfe dead. This place is called of the country people, The purgatory of S. Patricke. There is alſo a ſpring or fountaine in Mounſter, with whoſe water if any man ſhall waſh himſelfe, he will preſently become hoary or gray-headed. I my ſelfe ſaw a man who waſhed the one halfe of his beard with this water, and the haire became white, the other remaining blacke as it was before. On the contrary there is in Vlſter a fountaine, in which if any man waſh his haire, he ſhall neuer be horay or gray-headed. In Connagh there is a fountaine of freſh water vpon the toppe of a very high mountaine, which ebbeth twiſe in 24. houres, and floweth as oft, in this imitating the vnconſtant motion of the ſea. There is a fountaine in the farder and North part of Vlſter, which by reaſon of the great coldneſſe of it, in ſeuen yeares ſpace turneth ſticks and wood caſt into it, into ſtone. In Connagh there is a fountaine only kind and wholeſome for men: but for cattell and other ſuch kind of bruite beaſts peſtilent and dangerous. There is a fountaine in Mounſter, which if any man ſhall touch, by and by the whole country wilbe ouerflowed by ſtorms of raine.

The people of this countrie do weare courſe blacke mantles or rugges (for the ſheep of this Iland are blacke) and they put them on as rudely and vnhandſomely. They vſe alſo little hoods which hang down to their ſhoulders. In riding they vſe no ſaddles, boots, nor ſpurres: but with a rod ſharpe and tapered at one end, they pricke forward their horſes, and make them runne. Their bridles are ſuch as do ſerue both for bitte and reigne, ſo made as their horſes only vſed to graſſe, are neuer hindred from eating. They go into the field to warre, naked and altogether vnarmed. They vſe three kind of weapons, long ſpeares, darts, and battell-axes. The people is wild and very vnciuill: they delight in nothing more then to liue idly, and libertie they preferre before great riches. I only obſerued the people to delight much in muſicall inſtruments and in that to deſerue ſome commendation. Theſe briefly we haue gleaned heere and there out of the hiſtorie of Gyraldus Cambrenſis, diligently retaining the tenor of his owne phraſe: which we haue thought good to tranſlate word for word as they are deliuered by our Authour, that ſuccedent ages might ſee, either the credulous ſimplicity of former times, or how time doth alter countries, people and maners of men. And becauſe we haue ſpoken before of S. Patricks purgatory, it ſhall not be amiſſe to adde to thoſe former this diſcourſe of it, taken out of the twelfth booke of Caeſarius, his hiſtorie of Things worth the remembring. When as S. Patricke, ſaith he, conuerted this nation to Chriſtianity, and they made a doubt and beleeued not that men ſhould be puniſhed for their ſinnes in the world to come, hee by earneſt praier obtained this place at the hand of God: the maner of the place is thus: There is a deepe pit or trench, encloſed round with a wall; there are alſo certaine Regular Canons: No man is ſo great a ſinner, to whom they enioine any greater penance, then to abide all one whole night in that purgatorie. If any man be deſirous to enter in, firſt, making his confeſſion, they adminiſter the ſacrament vnto him, they anoint him, perfume him and inſtruct him, thus: Thou ſhalt ſee this night ſay they, the aſſaults of the Deuill, and the horrible paines of hell, but they ſhall not hurt thee, if thou haue but the name of Ieſus alwaies in thy mouth: But if thou ſhalt yeeld to the flattering enticements, or terrible threatnings of the Deuill, and ſo ſhalt ceaſe to call vpon the name of Ieſus, thou art ſurely but a dead man. Then in the euening putting him into the pit, they ſhut vp the dore, and comming againe in the morning, if they preſentlie find him not, they looke no farther for him. Many haue died there, and many haue gone home againe, whoſe viſions haue been written of the foreſaied friers, and are ſhewed to ſuch as are deſirous to ſee them.

IReland, ſaith M. Camden, according to maners of the people, is diuided into The wild Iriſh, and The Engliſh pale: but according to the ancient iuriſdictions and naturall ſituation of it, it is more fitly diuided into fiue parts, (and indeed it once conteined fiue kingdomes) Mounſter in the South, Leinſter in the Eaſt, Connagh in the Weſt, Vlſter in the North, and Methe almoſt in the middeſt and heart of the land. MOVNSTER, Memomia, the Iriſh call it Mown, (ſometime diuided into Weſt Mounſter, which in Ptolemeys time the Gangani, Luceni, Velabri and Iterni did inhabit: and Eaſt Mounſter, poſſeſſed then of the Vodiae,) comprehendeth now theſe ſeuen Shires; Kerry, Limiricke, Corke, Tiparary, Holy croſſe, Waterford, and Deſmond. Of which Kerry and Tipararie were ſometimes county Palatines. LEINSTER, Lagenia, (they call it Leighnigls) a fertile ſoile, and holeſome ſeat, poſſeſſed ſometime by the Brigantes, Coriondi, Menapij, Cauci and part of the Eblani. Now it is diuided into theſe counties, Wexford, Caterlogh, Kilkenny, Dublin, Kildare, The Kings county, The Queenes county, Longford, Fernes, & Wicklo. METHE, (Media, the Iriſh call it Mijh, in the mid'ſt almoſt of the country,) the other part of the ancient poſſeſsions of the Eblani, for his great fertility, either for corn or graſſe, fiſh or fleſh, pleaſant ſituation & healthful aire, multitude of people, ſtrength of caſtels and towns, commonly called, as Bartholomeys Engliſh reporteth, The chamber of Ireland, was lately diuided into Eaſt Methe and Weſt Methe.

CONNAGH, Connacia, (they call it Connaughty) where long ſince were ſeated the Auteri and Nagnatae: now it containeth theſe ſhires, Clare, Letrimme, Gallawey, Roſecomin, Maio, Sligo. The whole prouince although it be in many places fertile and pleaſant, yet it is euery where full of dangerous Bogges, darke Woods, Creeks and Baies, conuenient Stations and Harborough for ſhippes.

VLSTER, Vltonia, (the Iriſh call it Cui Gully, the Welſh Wltw,) a large country, euery where full of great Lakes, thicke and huge woods, in ſome place reſonably fruitfull, in others leane and hungry, but in all places greene and pleaſant to the eie, and therefore it maintaineth great plenty of cattell. Here in Ptolemeys time inhabited the Voluntij, Darni, Robogdij, Vennicny, and Erdini, at this day it conteineth theſe ſhires, Louth, Down, Anwimme, Monalion, Tiroen, Armagh, Colrane, Donergall, Formanagh and Cauen.

On all ſides round about Ireland in the ſea, (as alſo in the baies, riuers, lakes and freſh water) are heere and there many ſmall ilands, whereof ſome are fertile, others waſt and barren, of which to ſpeake ſeuerally would require a larger diſcourſe then heere we are allowed.

Coeleſtinus Pope of Rome, in the yeare of CHRIST, 431. ſent into Britaine Paladius a Biſhop, as Proſper Aquitanus writeth, to purge it of the Pelagian he eſie, wherewith it was but lately diſtained: and by this meanes alſo at the ſame time, cauſed Chriſtian religion to be planted in Ireland. Palladius died in Britaine before he had brought to paſſe that which he came for; whereupon Patricke, a Brittaine, and of kinne to Martinus Turonenſis, was by Celeſtine put in his place, who with ſuch wonderfull ſucceſſe did preach the Goſpell in Ireland, that he conuerted the greateſt part of that ile vnto Chriſtianity, that he well deſerued the name of The Iriſh Apoſtle. From hence after that at ſundrie times, diuers colonies, if I may ſo vſe the word, of learned and religious men, were ſent into ſundrie parts of Europe, and were not only the great patrons and planters of the Goſpell there, but founders of Monaſteries, cities, and towns, as ſchooles of that profeſsion. In thoſe bloudy warres of the barbarous Saxons, all ſcholes of learning in Brittaine were ſhut vp, and all religion almoſt wholly baniſhed, ſo that whoſoeuer was deſirous of inſtruction that way, was conſtrained to ſeeke for it in Ireland; and after theſe wars ended, thoſe which returned brought with them, not only the Iriſh letters, (which yet the ſame charecters common to both nations, do plainly ſhew) but alſo liberall arts and ſciences, which together with Chriſtianity they taught the Saxons.

To theſe the Reader may adioine ſuch things as Henry of Huntington, Polydore Virgill, William Newbery, Iohn Maior, and others haue written of this in their ſeuerall hiſtories. Daniel Rogers hath ſet forth a deſcription of this Iland in verſe dedicated to Thomas Phediger. And M. William Camden in proſe hath moſt exactly deſcribed the ſame in his Britannia. But Richard Stanihurſt, a worthy gentleman this countrie man borne, hath this other day put forth a ſeueral treatiſe of the hiſtory and ſtate of this iland. Baptiſta Boazio hath deſcribed it in a mappe apart by it ſelfe, dedicated to the late Queene Elizabeth: and my good friend M. Speed, with no leſſe care and diligence hath done the ſame in his Imperium Brittannicum, or Empire of Great Brittaine, lately ſet forth and dedicated to his Highneſſe.

SPAINE is reſembled by Strabo vnto an Ox-hide ſpred vpon the ground. It is around inuironed by the ſea, ſaue only where it is diuided from France by the Pyreney-mountaines. On the Eaſt it hath the ſaid Pyreney-mountaines, which from the Temple of Venus, or the Promontory ſtretched foorth neere Illiberis (now Colibre) runneth along to the Britiſh Ocean; and this is the very narroweſt part of Spaine; inſomuch (ſaith Vaſeus) that when I trauelled thorow Biſcay, I remember that from the hill of S. Adrian, if my ſight deceiued me not, I ſaw both ſeas, namely the Ocean neere at hand: and as farre off as I could diſcerne, the foame-white waues of the Mediterran ſea. North it is bounded by the Biſcain ſea; Weſt, by the Weſtern ſea; and South, by the Streight of Gibraltar, and part of the Mediterran ſea.

Spaine is diuided into three Prouinces; Baetica, Luſitania, and Tarraconenſis. Baetica on the North is incloſed with the riuer Anas, now called Guadiana; Weſt, with that part of the Atlantick Ocean, which is betweene the mouth of Guadiana, and the Streight of Gibraltar; South, with part of the Mediterran ſea called of olde Mare Balearicum, extending from the Streight laſt mentioned, to the Promontory of Charidómus, now called Cabo de Gata; and Eaſtward it is bounded by an imaginary line, drawen from the ſaid Promontory by the towne of Castulo to the riuer Guadiana. It is called Baetica of the famous riuer Baetis which cuts the whole Prouince in twaine. This riuer ſpringing out of the wood or foreſt anciently called Saltus Tygenſis, runneth into the Atlantick-ocean, and is at this day called by an Arabian name, Guadalquibir, that is to ſay, The great riuer. This prouince of later times, of the Vandal inhabitants, was called Vandalicia, & at this preſent by the ſame word corrupted Andaluzia. Luſitania conteines Algaruc and the greater part of Portugale. Luſitania confineth North vpon the riuer Duero, from the very mouth thereof, to the bridge ouer againſt Simancas; Weſt it bordereth vpon that part of the Atlantick-ocean which ebs and flowes betweene the outlets of Duero and Guadiana; South, vpon Andaluzia; and Eaſt it fronteth Hiſpania Tarraconenſis, now called Caſtilia, &c. euen from the ancient Oretania to the foreſaid bridge ouer againſt Simancas. Luſitania was thus named from Luſus the ſonne of Bacchus, and Lyſa, one of Bacchus his companions: whereupon it is ſomtimes called of Luſus, Luſitania; and ſomtimes againe of Lyſa, Lyſitania. The reſidue of Spaine pertaineth to the prouince called Tarraconenſis, of the city Tarracona which is the head of all that prouince; a city (ſaith Strabo) moſt notably fit for princes in their trauels to retire themſelues: and here the Emperors kept their chiefe iuriſdiction. This prouince containeth the kingdome of Murcia, & likewiſe Valencia, and Arragon, with Catalonia, alſo Caſtilia Vieja, the kingdome of Nauarre, part of Portugale between the riuers Duero, and Minho, the kingdome of Gallicia, Aſturia, and all Biſcay. Hitherto Vaſeus in his chronicle of Spaine, who intreateth of this argument more at large. Read alſo Marinaeus Siculus, Marius Aretius, Damianus a Goës, Francis Taraffa, the biſhop of Gerundo, Annius Viterbienſis; and in Spaniſh Florian del campo, and after him Ambroſio Morales: with all thoſe other Writers of Spaine that Vaſeus in the fourth chapter of his Chronicle doth recite. Stephan Garibayo in his Chronicle of Spain, diuided into twenty books, deſcribes the kingdome of Nauarre. Iohn Mariana likewiſe not long ſince publiſhed a volume concerning Spaniſh matters. Among the ancient Writers you muſt peruſe Caeſar, Strabo, and the reſt, which Damianus a Goës in his booke called Hiſpania doth nominate: alſo the Panegyrick ſpeech of Latinus Pacatus, and Claudianus de laude Serenae. Vnto theſe you may adde the firſt booke of Laonicus. There is extant alſo a little Trauellers Breuiate written in Spaniſh by Alonço de Meneſes, containing almoſt all the ordinarie voyages in Spaine, wherein alſo are noted the diſtances of places.

Three memorable things (as writeth Nauagierus) are prouerbially ſpoken of Spaine: the firſt, A bridge, ouer which the water runneth (whereas it runnes vnder all other bridges) namely the water-conduct at Segouia: the ſecond, a city compaſſed with fire, that is to ſay, Madrid, becauſe the town-walles are of flint: and the third, a bridge, whereon are daily fed ten thouſand head of cattel; whereby is ſignified the riuer Guadiana, which hiding it ſelfe vnder ground for the ſpace of ſeuen miles, doth then breake forth againe. Albeit this laſt is a thing ſprung rather out of the peoples vulgar opinion, than out of truth; as Don George of Auſtria Gouernour of Harlebeck, an eye-witneſſe moſt worthy of credit, hath informed me, being a man conuerſant in all kinde of hiſtory, and a a wonderfull ſearcher and admirer of naturall Philoſophie.

The iſlands belonging vnto Spaine, wherof ancient writers haue made mention, at the Celtick promontory, or Cape Finiſter, are the Caſsiterides, which at this preſent are not to be found in the ocean. Alſo Inſulae Deorum, otherwiſe called Cicae, and of late times Iſlas de Bayona: Londobris named alſo Erythia, and now the Burlings: Gades in olde time dedicated to Hercules, now commonly called Cales. All theſe are in the Ocean. In the Mediterran ſea you haue Ophiuſa now called Formentera. As likewiſe the two Gymneſiae, or Baleares, at this preſent called by diſtinct names, the one Maiorca, and the other Minorca. The coaſt of Minorca is beſet round about with huge mountaines: but at the entrance of the hauen the roots of theſe mountaines are leuelled into a plaine, till they meet, at ſo narrow a diſtance, on the other ſide of the ſhore, that no ſhips can enter the harbor, but with a gentle gale of wind. The hauen is named Mahon, being a moſt beautifull, and commodious place; for it ſtretcheth almoſt foure miles in length, with many inlets, all which ſerue for the harboring of ſhips. From hence ariſeth a perpetuall ridge of mountaines, on which the inhabitants cut downe great plenty of wood. At the vtmoſt part therof on the mountain-tops is built a city. Contrariwiſe the greater Iſland hath a plaine ſhore, and moſt high and barren mountaines in the middeſt. A city there is of one and the ſelfe name with the Iſland, very large and fairly built. They vſe the lawes of the Caſtilians, and do much reſemble them both in language and maners. This deſcription of the iſles Maiorca & Minorca we haue borrowed out of N. Villagagnon his diſcourſe of the expedition to Alger. Who deſires to know more of theſe iſles, and of the inhabitants diſpoſition, may reade Bernardin Gomez his ſixt and ſeuenth books of the life of Iames T. King of Arragon. That Philip King of Spaine poſſeſſeth the greateſt Empire in the world, ſince the worlds beginning, we haue proued in our Theatre printed in high Dutch.

PORTVGALE is vnproperly called Luſitania; for neither is all Portugale comprehended in Luſitania, nor all Luſitania in Portugale: yet can it not be denied, that the better part of Luſitania is ſubiect to the King of Portugale. Portugale is diuided into three regions, Tranſtagana, or that which lies beyond or South of Tagus, the riuer of Lisbon, as far as Guadiana; Ciſtagana ſituate on this ſide or North of Tagus, as far as the riuer Douro; and Interamnis. Tranſtagana border vpon that part of Andaluzia, which from the riuer Guadiana extendeth to the limits of Caſtilia Nuoua. Interamnis I call that which lies between the riuers Douro and Minho, a region no leſſe pleaſant than fruitfull. This Interamnis or Riuer bounded prouince, is wholly out of the limits of Luſitania; vnleſſe reiecting the former deſcription, we will rather incline to Strabo, who ſaith that the greateſt part of Luſitania is inhabited by the Callaici. The length of this region is twelue leagues, and the bredth, where it is largeſt, is twelue leagues alſo; being in other places but ſix or foure leagues ouer. And in this ſo ſmall a portion of ground, beſides the Metropolitan church of Braga, the Cathedrall of Porto, and other fiue Collegiate churches, there are aboue 130. monaſteries, the greater part whereof are endowed with moſt ample reuenues: and alſo to the number of 1460. Pariſh churches, as one writeth. Certaine it is, that within the peculiar Dioceſſe of Braga there are accounted 800. Whereby you may eaſily coniecture both the fruitfulneſſe of the ſoile, and the ancient deuotion of the inhabitants. But of the pleaſantneſſe what need we ſpeake, whenas within this one prouince are found aboue fiue and twenty thouſand ſpringing fountaines; bridges moſt ſumptuouſly built of ſquare ſtone almoſt two hundred; and hauens for ſhipping to the number of ſix? Theſe things therefore I thought not vnfit to be remembred, becauſe the goodneſſe and woorth of this Prouince is in a maner vnknowen. To the East hereof adioyneth the prouince called Tranſmontana, that is to ſay, on the other ſide of the mountaines; it aboundeth with excellent Wheat, and ſtrong Wine, and containes within it the city Bragança, which is the head of a moſt large Dukedome. Thus much out of Vaſeus. Peter de Medina reckoneth and nameth in this Kingdome of Portugale ſixty ſeuen cities or walled townes.

To the Kingdome of Portugale at this preſent belongeth the Kingdome of Algarue, which is nothing els, but the South part of the whole Kingdome towards the ſea. For the King entitles himſelfe King of Portugale, of Algarue, of Guinie, of Aethiopia, Perſia and India. This Kingdom firſt began about the yeere 1100. For vntill then, as alſo in ancient times, it went altogether vnder the name of Spaine. Marinaeus thus writeth of it: One Henry Earle of Loraigne, a man of most vndoubted valour, comming out of France atchieued great exploits againſt the Moores. In regard wherof Alonſo the ſixt, King of Caſtile gaue him in marriage his baſe daughter called Tireſia; and aſsigned for her dowry part of Gallicia contained in the kingdome of Portugale. Of this marriage afterwards was born Alphonſus, the firſt King of Portugale, he that recouered Lisbon from the Moores. Who hauing vanquiſhed fiue of their Kings in one battell, left vnto poſterity, as a monument of this exploit, his armes conſiſting of fiue ſcutchions. Oliuer à Marca in his Chronicle publiſhed in French, more particularly blazeth the armes of this kingdome. At firſt he ſaith, it was a plaine ſiluer ſcutchion without any portrature; afterwards in regard of the fiue vanquiſhed kings there were fiue ſcutchions impoſed; and in euery of the fiue ſcutchions fiue ſiluer circles, in remembrance of the fiue wounds of our Sauior CHRIST, which in time of the battell miraculouſly appeared vnto Alphonſo in the skies; or (as others report) for that being wounded with fiue mortall wounds, by the prouidence of Almighty God he eſcaped death.

Reade alſo Ierome Oſorius, Marinaeus Siculus, and Sebaſtian Munſter. Of the originall of this Kingdome reade the firſt chapter of Iohn Barros his Decades of Aſia. Athenaeus in his eighth booke and firſt chapter writeth ſomewhat of the fruitfulneſſe of this Region, and the excellent temperature of the aire. Lisbon the chiefe city of the Kingdome, Damianus a Goes deſcribeth in a peculiar Treatiſe. Concerning the antiquities of Portugale there is a booke written by Andrew Reſende.

The Portugales Dominions at this preſent are very large; for they extend euen from the Streights of Gibraltar, along all the Sea Prouinces, and the Iſlands adiacent, as farre as China, and the Iſles called Lequios.

THE Dioceſſe of the Church of Siuill is ſituate in that prouince of Spaine, which in rich commodities, and a kinde of fruitfull and peculiar brauery excelleth all the reſt. This beautifull prouince the ancients, of the riuer Baetis, called Baetica: but late Writers haue named it VVandalicia, or Andaluzia of the Vandals, who about a thouſand yeres paſt ouerran the ſame. The ſaid Dioceſſe or territory, of all the regions and territories in Spaine, is rightly eſteemed the moſt happy, both in regard of the multitude and ciuility of the inhabitants, and of their riches, and ouerflowing abundance of all things; this being confirmed euen by the verſes of the Grecians, who attribute the Elizian pleaſures and delights vnto this tract, which bordereth vpon the Weſt Ocean. This territory containeth here & there almoſt 200. principall townes, beſides a great number of villages; ſo that there are now more townes vnder the iuriſdiction of this one dioceſſe or conuent, than there were of old in all foure together: for (as Plinie writeth) they preſcribed lawes but only to 175. townes. And how ſmall a number will theſe ſeeme to be, if thoſe hundred thouſand villages be accounted, which only in the territory of Siuill, called by the Arabians Axarafi, were by King Ferdinand receiued into loyall allegeance together with the city it ſelfe? which notwithſtanding after the departure of the Moores, became the greateſt part of them deſolate: howbeit the limits of this as they differ much from the ancient precincts of Spaniſh dioceſſes; ſo do they come neerer to the forme preſcribed by King Vamba vnto all the Cathedrals of Spaine. For this dioceſſe hath on the Eaſt the territory of Corduba; Weſt the frontiers of Algarue; North it lieth ouer againſt that part of Portugale which is called The gouernment of Saint Iago: but the reſidue toward the South is incloſed with the dioceſſe of Cadiz and the Ocean ſea. Principall townes here are very many, eſpecially the royall city of Siuill, moſt largely and pleaſantly ſituate vpon the banke of Baetis, and enuironed with beautifull and ſtately walles. This famous riuer Baetis or Guadalquibir ſpringing out of the foreſt called in times paſt Saltus Tugienſis, and holding on his courſe by the chiefe cities of his adopted prouince, doth from this noble city, knowen of olde by the name of Colonia Romulea, continue his ſtreames in a chanell nauigable and abounding with fiſh, to the Weſterne Ocean, for the ſpace of threeſcore miles, the banks on both ſides flouriſhing with Oliuets, Vineyards, and moſt admirable ſweet Gardens, perfumed with the delectable and fragrant odour of Citrons.

Next vnto Siuill in authority and greatneſſe Caeſariana, alias Xeres de la frontiera, and Iulia firmitas now called Astigi, which in old times were colonies of the Romans, do excell all other townes & cities. Carmona and Vtrera may well be termed the two granaries and ſtorehouſes of Siuill. Next followes Marchena, called out of ancient ſtonie monuments, I know not how truly, Martia Colonia; and Arçobriga, being the lord-ſhip townes of the moſt illuſtrious ducal familie of the Ponces. To theſe you may adde Vrſao, called of old Genua Vrbanorum, and at this preſent Oſuna, the moſt honorable and rich dukedome of the Girones, ennobled with an Vniuerſitie. For oile, corne, and wine Conſtantina, Caçalla, and Maronio do principally excell: Nebriſa likewiſe ſituate at the mouth of Baetis, the moſt happie natiue ſoile of Aelius Antonius, the reſtorer and author of the Latin tongue in Spaine, is famous for antiquity, and inferiour to none in plenty of Corne. Alſo in the very bay whereinto Baetis diſchargeth his ſtreames, vpon the headland called of old Luciferi Promontorium, ſtands the towne which we now call Solucar or Sant lucar, the rich mart-towne of the Gothiſh Dukes, and very commodious for the weſt-Indan fleets. Other principall townes of this Dioceſſe for breuities ſake I omit.

The ſoile in all this tract is moſt miraculouſly plentifull of wheat, wine, and oile, and of all kinde of graine, wherewith it ſupplieth remote and forrein countreies: and how deſeruedly might Plinie haue preferred this part before Italie, had not he, an Italian, caried a greater affection to his owne countrey? yet Spaine by him: whereſoeuer it borders vpon the ſea, is commended: which praiſe of his we vnderſtand eſpecially of that part of Andaluzia, which pertaines to the Dioceſſe of Siuill, becauſe it lies open to the maine Ocean, and to the gentle blaſts of the weſt. The skie here is moſt fauourable, ſmiling alwaies with a temperate and moſt amiable aſpect: the people borne to piety and good arts, excelling in ſharpneſſe of wit, and ſurpaſſing others in a bold kinde of courage and towardlineſſe of minde (which is in a manner peculiar, and hereditary to this nation) will in no caſe ſuffer themſelues either in offices of curteſie, or in exploit of warre, to be excelled by any nation.

The Archbiſhop of Siuill, next that of Toledo, is the higheſt prelacy in all Spaine; whilome it had eleuen ſuffragan Biſhops, as appeareth out of the ſubſcriptions of councells: namely, the Biſhop of Corduba, who now is vnder the Iuriſdiction of Toledo: The B. of Iliberis, who after the expulſion of the Moores, remoued to the Metropolitan ſea of Granada: The B. of Ilipa or Elepla, of late called Pennaflor, which towne is now deſtitute of a B. ſea, and ſubſcribes to the authority of the church of Siuill. The Biſhopricke of Tuccitan, now called Martos, and in old time Auguſta Gemella Colonia, at this preſent deſtitute of a B. and vnder the Iuriſdiction of Gienna. The Biſhopricke of Malaga, which now is ſuffragan to Siuill. The Biſhopricke of Aegabria, now called Cabra: it hath no prelate, but belongeth to the church of Corduba. The biſhopricke of Aſindia or Aſidonia, now called Medina Sidonia, ſubiect to the B. of Cadiz, the epiſcopall ſea being remoued from Gadiſea, others call it Aſidonia; it is now ſaid to ſtand not farre from that place, where Xeres is ſituate; vnleſſe you will ſay, that in the ſame tract it retained one and the ſelfe-ſame name. It had alſo the Biſhopricke of Oſſonoba nere Pharo a towne in Algarue, the Moores named it Eruba, afterwards it was incorporated into the church of Siluis, which before being a member of Siuill, was by Pope Paul the third made Suffragan to Euora, which himſelfe had aduanced to a Metropolitan ſea. The biſhopricke of Abdera, which was tranſlated to the ſea of Almeria, and is now Suffragan to Granada. The biſhopricke of Aſtigi, which now is ingraffed into the church of Siuill. The biſhopricke of Italica, ſeated in a moſt noble colonie of the Romans not only citizens, but alſo Emperors & Generals, which ſtanding ſix miles from Siuill, on the other ſide Baetis, was in ancient times, when S. Gerontius the martyr was biſhop, a place highly reuerenced. Out of this towne ſprang Traianus, Hadrian, and Theodoſius, three great and renowmed Emperors. It is commonly called Old Siuill, the vaſt ruines thereof being now ſcarſe extant, a wofull ſpectacle of the mutability of humane things, by ſo much the more to be lamented, in that the forlorne fragments of that moſt beautifull and large Amphitheatrum, which now lie ſcattered and diſiointed, renew a more ſad memory of the ancient greatneſſe and magnificence.

At this time the Archbiſhop of Siuill hath for ſuffragans the biſhops of Malaga, of Cadiz, and of the Canary-iſles. The maieſty, dignity & wealth of this church we cannot in few words decypher. Sufficeth that we do gather out of their own audits & accounts, that the archbiſhops yerely reuenues amount to aboue 100000. duckets. The principall of the church vnder him haue cleerely more than 30000: the whole ſociety of the church is allowed 120000. which are diuided among 40. Canons, 11. priuileged prieſts, 20. fellow-portionaries or penſioners, and ſo many halfe-penſioners; yet ſo, as the Canons and priuileged prieſts haue ſuch daily allowance, as by the yeere comes to 2000. duckats a man, the penſioners haue leſſe than ſo much by a fourth part, and the halfe-penſioners are allowed only a third part. Next vnto the Archbiſhop the greateſt authority remaines in the Deane, whoſe dignity is eſteemed worth 5000. duckats a yeere. Beſides, here are in this church 20. maſſe-prieſts, which from their number we call Vicenarios; who for their nightly and daily orizons, are allowed euery day amongſt them all 200. duckats and aboue: alſo there are 200. other prieſts, who out of their priuate chapels do raiſe ſtipends ſufficient for their maintenance. Rich benefices in this dioceſſe there are to the number of 600, many whereof are valued at 1000. ſome at 2000. duckats by the yeere: and of leſſer cures, which are called chapels or chanteries, almoſt 2000. Here are likewiſe many cloiſters of monks and nunnes, wherein their religion and the ſtudy of their diuinity flouriſheth, moſt of them in yeerely reuenues being able to diſpend 6000. duckats. There ſtands a monaſtery of Carthuſians moſt ſumptuouſly built vpon the banke of Baetis within view of Siuill, which hath 25000. duckats by the yeere. Long it were to recken vp all their hoſpitals, whenas within Siuill only there are aboue 120. very richly indowed, many with 8000. and ſome with 15000. duckats of yerely income. Thus much of this region or dioceſſe, out of the relation of Don Franciſco Pacheco. Concerning Siuill and the territory thereto adiacent you may reade at large in the Iournall of Nauagierus.

VNder the name of Gades, Strabo, Plinie, and ſome other Writers giue notice of two iſlands. Mela, Solimus, Dionyſius and Ptolemey make mention but of one, which together with the city, they call Gadira. They that will haue two Gades, call the one, The greater, and the other, The leſſer. This (as writeth Plinie out of Philiſtides, Timaeus, and Silenus; and Strabo out of Pherecides) was named Erythia, and Aphrodiſea, and they call it alſo Iunoes Iſland. By the inhabitants alſo it was properly called Erythia, and Cotinuſa, by the Carthaginians Gadir, and the Romans named it Tarteſſon, as the ſame Plinie writeth. At this preſent there is but one only iſle (and that verie much diminiſhed by the oceans violent waues) which the Spaniards call Cadiz, and corruptly Caliz, and our countrymen (I know not vpon what ground) Calis-Malis. In the leſſer of the two foreſaid iſles ſtood the towne of Gades; and in the greater, Iulia Gaditana Auguſta; which before, as appeareth out of Strabo, was called Neapolis. Now they call both towne and iſland Cadiz. It is the ſeat of a Biſhop, who alſo is intitled Biſhop of Alger.

This Iſle was firſt diſcouered and inhabited by certaine Phoenicians of Tyrus, as is euident out of moſt ancient records. Vpon this iſle ſome are of opinion, that the Geryones afterward planted themſelues, whoſe droues the Aegyptian or Tyrian Hercules forcibly draue away. At one corner of the iſle ſtood the temple of this Hercules, famous both for builders, ſuperſtition, riches and antiquity. Why it ſhould be holy (ſaith Mela) his bones there buried are a ſufficient cauſe. Vpon the other corner Strabo affirmes the temple of Saturne to haue been erected. In the ſaid temple of Hercules, Caeſar found the image of Alexander the great, as Suetonius in his life reporteth. A fountaine there was very holſome to drinke, which with a ſtrange kind of contrariety diminiſhed at the floud, and increaſed at the ebbe of the ſea. In this temple (as the ſame author affirmeth) were certaine brazen pillars of eight cubits, wheron were ingrauen the coſts beſtowed in building of the ſame. Here alſo the ſame author out of Artemidorus acknowledgeth a temple dedicated to Iuno. Dionyſius deſcribes therein the temple of Age and of Death, and tels of certaine altars conſecrated to the Yere, to the Moneth, to Arte, and to Pouerty. Hercules pillars are here extant (ſaith Iſidore) and here growes a kind of tree like a palme, with the gum whereof the glaſſe of Epyrus being mingled, is turned into a precious ſtone.

The inhabitants of old were famous for their skill in nauigation, and from this their ancient trauerſing of the ſeas, they do not as yet degenerate. But their principall gaine conſiſteth in making of Salt, and in catching of Tunies: for which they haue euery yeere an ordinary fiſhing. Theſe fiſhes being cut in pieces, pouldred and barrelled, are diſperſed all Europe ouer.

This iſle was eſteemed by antiquitie the worlds extreame Weſterne limit; whereupon ſaith Silius Italicus in his firſt booke, And Gades the vtmost bounds of men, &c. Alſo in his 17. booke: Gades lands fartheſt end; And Calpe, bounding Hercules; And Baetis cryſtall ſtreames, That bathe Apolloes ſteeds. For here the Poets faine, that the Sun being weary of his dayes labour, drencheth himſelfe in the Ocean, and takes his reſt: wherefore Statius alſo calles it, Gades the Sunnes ſoft bed. Yea at this very time our Netherlandiſh Mariners call the Weſtermoſt Cape of this iſle (which by the inhabitants is named El cabo de San Sebaſtian) Het einde der Werelt, that is to ſay, The Worlds end. This ancient inſcription found vpon this iſle, is by Appianus in his booke of Inſcriptions alleged out of Cyriacus of Ancona, as followeth: HELIODORVS INSANVS CARTHAGINIENSIS AD EXTREMVM ORBIS SARCOPHAGO TESTAMENTO ME HOC IVSSI CONDIER, VT VIDEREM SI QVISQVAM INSANIOR AD ME VISENDVM, VS QVE AD HAEC LOCA PENETRARET. In Engliſh thus: I Heliodorus, a mad Carthaginian commanded in my laſt will, that they ſhould in this tombe bury me at the worlds end; to ſee if any more franticke than my ſelfe would come thus farre to viſit me. But that all this inſcription is counterfeit and new, I learne out of Anthony Auguſtinus his eleuenth chapter of ancient coines. Concerning this iſle you may reade more at large in Strabo, and Philoſtratus. And of the city reade Brunus in his volume of cities.

ALl that tract of land from the riuer of Rhene included by the Ocean, the Pyreney mountaines, the ſea Mediterran, and mount Appennine, as farre as Ancona, the ancient Writers by one generall name called Gallia. For Weſtward by the Pyreney hilles it is diſioyned from Spaine: North it borders vpon the French and Britiſh Ocean: Eaſt the riuer Rhene and the Alpes from ſea to ſea include it, in like maner as the Pyreney mountaines doe Weſt: South it is accoaſted by part of the Mediterran ſea ouer againſt Prouence. It was called Gallia, in regard of the peoples whiteneſſe: for the high mountaines and the heauens rigour exclude the heat of the Sunne from this part: hereof it comes, that their white bodies change not colour. Wherefore the Graecians name the Gaules or ancient inhabitants of France, Galatas, in regard of their milkewhite colour: for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greeke, ſignifieth Milke; from which name the Latines haue called them Gallos. This deriuation the greateſt parts of Writers doe approue: yet ſome there are that deride it, ſuppoſing them rather to be ſo called of raine, which in Hebrew is Galah, and in the olde Britiſh language Glau, as who ſhould ſay, A moſt ancient nation, rain'd vpon, and drenched in the very floud of Noah. This region of theirs was of olde diuided into Gallia Ciſalpina, which in regard of vs lieth beyond the Alpes, being that part of Italie, which at this preſent is called Lombardie: and Tranſalpina, which is included within theſe fiue bounds, namely, the riuer Rhene, the Ocean, the Pyreney mountaines, the Mediterran ſea, and the Alpes. This Gallia Tranſalpina by Caeſar in his Commentaries is diuided into three parts: Belgica, Celtica, and Aquitanica. Belgica which is enuironed by the Ocean ſea, and the riuers of Rhene, Marne, and Senie, vſing moſt part the Dutch tongue, and at this preſent called the Low-countries. Celtica or Lugdunenſis, which is comprehended within the riuers Garomne, Marne, Senie, and Rhoſne. It is now called France. For the Celtae were ſubdued by the Francks of Germany: ſo that at length they were named Weſterne Francks, from whom the prouince it ſelfe is denominated. Aquitanica before named Aremorica, which extendeth from the riuer Garomne to the Ocean, and to the Pyreney mountaines. Weſt and by North it is confined with that part of the Ocean which is called the Bay of Aquitane. Weſtward. it hath Spaine: North, Celtica or France properly ſo called: and South, the country of Prouence. It is now called Gaſcoine, and the inhabitants differ both in ſtature, and language from the reſidue of France.

Theſe are the ancient limits of the Gaules. Howbeit the countrey of the French, which at this day beares the title of a Kingdome, and is commonly called the Kingdome of France; hath not ſo large extenſion: but towards the North only is ſo much the narower, as it is cut off by an imaginary line from Strasbourg vpon Rhene to the port of Calais; and it comprehends all that tract of land, which is conteined within this line, the Ocean ſea, the Pyreney mountaines, the ſea Mediterran, and the Alpes.

Poſtellus in his booke of the whole world, reckons vp the peculiar Shires, or Prouinces of this Kingdome in maner following: In the Eaſt it hath Prouence, Sauoie, Swiſſerland, Breſsia, Borgogne, Lorraigne, Champanie, Henault, Cleue, and Flanders: on the North, Picardy, Normandy, and Bretaigne: on the Weſt, Bretaigne, Aniou, Poictou, Xantoigne, and Gaſcoigne: and on the South, Gaſcoigne, Bearne, Rouſsillon, Dauphnie, Vellay, Foreſt, Auuergne, Limoſni, Perigort, and Angoleſme. Eaſt of Poictou lie the prouinces of Bourges, Bourbon, Beaioulois, Lionnois, the Countie of Burgundy, Auxerrois, Niuernois, Berry, Tours, Vendoſme beyond Aniou, le Beaulſe, Gaſtinois, Valois beyond Sens, and not farre off le Perche, Druiſe, and le Mans neere Bretaigne. And thus at this preſent are theſe Prouinces named. But albeit Poſtellus accounteth Sauoy, Swizzerland, Loraigne, Henault, Cleue, and Flanders among the Prouinces of France, yet are they not now vnder the gouernment of this Kingdome: for all of them haue peculiar princes, not ſubiect to the crowne of France.

Concerning the French King, Villa Nueua reports two memorable things: Firſt, That in the Church of Rhemes there is a veſſell full of neuer-decaying oile, ſent from heauen, to anoint the Kings of France at their coronation. Secondly, That the ſame Kings doe heale the diſeaſe called in Engliſh, The Queenes euill, only with touching the place affected.

All France is deſcribed in a large volume, by Robert Caenalis; reade alſo concerning the ſame argument Gilbert Cognatus Nazorenus; Iohannes Marius; Chaſſanaeus in his twelfth booke De gloria mundi; Poſtellus in his booke Of the whole world; Aimon in the beginning of his ſtorie of the Franks; Sebaſtian Munſter; Belleforeſt; Theuet; and other Deſcribers of the world. Touching this region alſo, and the diſpoſition of the inhabitants, you may learne ſomewhat out of the ſecond booke of Laonicus Chalcocondylas of Athens. Of ancient Writers Caeſar ſurpaſſeth all. Diodorus Siculus in his fifth booke, and Ann. Marcelinus in his fifteenth booke haue many notable things concerning this region. Likewiſe Claudius Champier of Lions wrote in French a Treatiſe of the firſt originals of the principall townes in all France: Symphorianus, father to this man, diſcourſeth of the riuers, and the miracles of waters and fountaines in France. The city of Paris is deſcribed in verſe by Euſtathius à Knobelſdorf; and the city of Lions by Champier.

THis Table repreſenteth that part of Gallia Lugdunenſis which ſtretcheth toward the Weſterne Ocean. The ancients named it Armorica. Heere ſtandeth Neuſtria, corruptly ſo called of late yeeres for Veſtria or rather Weſtria, (according to ſome, Weſtraſia) as much to ſay, as a Weſterne region. The occaſion of this errour both in pronunciation and writing, was for that the French wanting a double V, doe alwayes in ſtead thereof write a ſingle V: and becauſe u in this ſmall forme differs not much from n, hereupon it is likely that Weſtria was prodigiouſly changed into Neuſtria. In which Neuſtria at this preſent are ſituate the regions of Bretaigne and Normandie, which in this Table we preſent vnto your view. NORMANDIA ſo called of the Northerne people that ouer-ranne it (for Nord in Dutch ſignifieth North, and mannen men) which Northerne people were Danes and Noruegians: who hauing by force ſubdued this region, planted themſelues here in the time of Lotharius the Emperour. Concerning the ſituation and nature of this place, theſe are the words of Gaguinus in his ſeuenth booke: Normandie is adorned and fortified with one Metropolitan, ſix cities, and ninetie foure ſtrong townes and caſtles: moſt of their villages alſo being built citie-like: thorow which Prouince a ſpeedie traueller ſhall hardlie paſſe in ſix dayes: it aboundeth with fiſh, cattell, and plentie of corne; being in all places ſo fraught with peares and apples, that the people make all their drinke of the ſame; and yet ſend great quantitie to other countreys. They exerciſe clothing, and are notable quaffers of cyder. They are naturally a wilie people; ſubiect to no forren lawes; liuing after their owne faſhions and cuſtomes, which they moſt obſtinately maintaine: cunning they are in ſleights and ſutes of law; whereupon ſtrangers are loth to haue any dealings with them; being otherwiſe well addicted to learning and religion. Moreouer, they are very apt and valiant in the warres, many of whoſe worthy acts againſt ſtrangers are recorded. Thus farre Gaguinus. Of the qualitie of this region you may more largely informe your ſelfe out of Henry Altiſsiodorenſis his fifth booke of the life of S. German. It aboundeth, as Caenalis makes report, with all things neceſſary for mans life, wine only excepted, which the ſoile doth not yeeld. The chiefe city is Rouen (in Engliſh commonly called Roan) which hath a moſt learned Senate, or Court of Parliament, that execute iuſtice, and decide the controuerſies of the whole Prouince. Heere are alſo great Merchants, by meanes of whoſe trafficke the citie is knowen farre and neere. In this citie there is a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, beautified with a moſt lofty ſteeple, wherin hangs the greateſt bell in all France, weighing forty thouſand pounds, as theſe French verſes grauen thereupon do teſtifie.

In Engliſh:

This George, after whoſe name the bell is called, was Archbiſhop of Roan, about the yeere 1500. who conſidering that in his Dioceſſe (ſuch was the ſcarſitie of oile, as it would hardly be ſufficient for the time of Lent) granted to his Dioceſſans in ſtead thereof the vſe of butter, conditionally that they ſhould pay ſix halfepence Tournois a piece: with which ſumme of money he cauſed the ſaid ſteeple to be built; which thereupon is yet called Latour de beur; that is, The ſteeple of butter. The antiquities, and other memorable matters of this city, F. Noel Taillipied hath deſcribed in French in a peculiar Treatiſe. Thus much of Normandie.

BRETAIGNE bordering vpon the coaſt of Normandie, is the vtmoſt prouince of France toward the Ocean. Some thinke that this was of old called Aremorica. Sure I am that Caeſar deſcribeth cities which he calleth Aremericas vpon this coaſt. But Plinie and Sidonius do name the inhabitants Britannos, placing them vpon the riuer of Loire. The Middle-age writers call them Brittones, which name they yet retaine. Plinie moſt aptly calles this region, The godlieſt Peninſula of Gallia Lugdunenſis. In a fragment of the Frankes hiſtory I reade that it was once called The horne of France; from the ſhape thereof, as I ſuppoſe. Robert Caenalis is of opinion, that the Brittons being named Hermiones, tooke occaſion by way of alluſion vnto this name, to make choiſe of thoſe armes which they now beare, commonly called Ermines, with weaſels tailes, and the natiue colour of blacke in a field argent &c. This region he ſaith is ſomewhat drie, and not very fruitfull; more apt to beare millet than wheat. Their fields (ſaith he) they call lands. It ſeemeth more properly to be named Eremorica than Aremorica. For they make larger leagues betweene towne and towne, namely of three miles; which is no ſlight argument of a barren ſoile. Hereof the coniecture ſeemes not improbable, that it was called Brutannia, of nouriſhing or feeding brute beaſts. So many of their townes (as antiquity reports) are denominated from flocks and droues: as for example, Pullinaicum, à pullis equinis, from horſe-coltes; Filicieriae, now called Fulgeriae, alias Foulgeres, of braky grounds; alſo Rhedones, à Rhedis, that is to ſay, of carts which cary commodities long and tedious iourneys: which I rather beleeue, than that it firſt borrowed the name from Brutus. Thus farre Caenalis: let the trueth thereof ſtand or fall vpon his credit. More concerning theſe countries you may reade in the ſame authour, and in Belleforest; but eſpecially in Bertrard Argentré, who hath publiſhed a large volume of the ſame in French. Reade alſo Elias Vinetus vpon Auſonius his poem of Cupid crucified.

AMongſt the people of Aquitaigne ſome there are called by Ptolemey and Plinie, Pictones; by Caeſar and Strabo, Pictones with i in the firſt ſyllable; and by Ammianus Marcellinus, Pictauos: Auſonius names the countrey Pictonicam regionem: but later Writers call it in Latine Pictauia. The inhabitants in their owne language, terme themſelues Poicteuins, the region Poictou, and the head city Poictiers, which perhaps is all one with Ptolemey his Auguſtoritum. The opinion of ſome who affirme it was thus named of the Pictes, I holde altogether fabulous: for out of Claſſicall writers it is apparent that Pictones is an ancienter name than Picti. Poictou is now diuided into the Lower and the Vpper: The Lower Poictou we call that which ends Weſtward vpon the ſea of Aquitaigne: and the Vpper, which lieth Eaſtward towards Tourain and Berry: South it confines vpon Xantoigne, Angoleſme, and Limoſin: and North vpon Brettaigne and Aniou. It is a countrey moſt fertile of corne and cattell; rich in wheat and wine; and abounding with fiſh. Wild-fowle and beaſts heere are great plenty, and for that cauſe much hunting and hauking.

In this region are conteined 1200. Pariſhes vnder three Biſhopricks, namely Poictiers, Luçon and Maillezais. The principall places beſides theſe, are Roch-ſur-yon, Talmont, Meroil, Ʋouuant, Meruant, Breſuire, Lodun, Fontenay le Conte: All which be in the Vpper Poictou. In the Lower are ſituate Niort, Partenay, Touars, Moncontoul, Hernault, Mirebeau, Chalſtelleraudt, &c. The head of all theſe is Poictiers, which next vnto Paris is the principall citie in all France, and is for the moſt part enuironed by the riuer Clain. The antiquity of this towne ſufficiently appeareth out of the Theater (commonly called Arenas) as likewiſe out of Gallienus his Palace, and the Arches of Water-conducts as yet extant, which the inhabitants call Arceaux de Parignè: all which are Monuments of the Romans gouernment in this place. Howbeit before their comming, this citie was ſeated vpon another plot of ground, as may be gathered out of the writings of Ammonius and Ado. For they make mention of a place called Olde Poictiers, whereat (they ſay) was the diuiſion of the kingdome betweene Charlemaine and Pipin Kings of the Frankes. Alſo in this table vpon the very ſame riuer of Clain towards Chaſtellerault, you may ſee a place called Vieu Poictiers, that is to ſay, Old Poictiers. The towne of Talmont or rather Talon du Monde; (in Engliſh, The heele of the World) is ſo called by the French, becauſe it ſtands vpon the vtmoſt border of this countrey towards the Ocean: as if therefore it were to be eſteemed the extreame part of the World.

Ouer againſt the ſhore of Poictou lie theſe iſlands: Oleron, (by Plinie named Ʋliarius) at the mouth of the riuer Charente, called by Auſonius Charantonus fluuius, and by Ptolemey, Canentelum. L'iſle de Rez, oppoſite to Rochell, abounding with wine, wherof it is named. The iſle Noir, or Marmonſtier, which yeeldeth plenty of ſalt. The iſle Aulonne which in this Table is rather a Peninſula, this aboundeth with wine and ſalt: as doth another little iſle called Chauet. The Mappe alſo repreſents vnto you L'iſle de Dieu, or Gods iſle: and that likewiſe which is called Nostre-dame de Bouin. By Saint Hillary the Apoſtle of Aquitaigne, Eccleſiaſticall Writers affirme, that this region was conuerted to Chriſtianity. A more exact deſcription hereof you may reade in Belleforreſt, who will referre you from himſelfe to Iohn Bouchet his Chronicle of Aquitaigne. Something you may learne out of Antony Pinetius in his deſcription of Cities. Theuet likewiſe is to be peruſed. Concerning this region alſo Iohn de la Haye wrote a peculiar Treatiſe in French.

THe people Bituriges are mentioned in moſt of the ancient Geographers. Plinie calles them Liberos: and ſaith they were alſo named Cubos. The country is now diuided into the Vpper & the Lower. The principall citie (called at this preſent Bourges) was named by Caeſar (as ſome thinke) Auaricum. Theobald Fagotius citizen of the ſame, writeth that the territory adiacent is exceeding fruitfull, and wanteth nothing that all France may affoord; that the city is ancient, as appeareth by diuers notable monuments; that it is a towne of great trafficke; that they haue an Vniuerſitie flouriſhing with all kinde of learning, inſomuch as it may well be called The Honour of the liberall Arts, and A Mart of learned men. But concerning the originall of this citie, and the deriuation of the name, let vs giue eare to Iohn Calmey, who writes thereof in maner following.

In the yeere of the worlds creation 1791. one Gomer of the nation of the Gaules, bringing a Colonie into this region of the Bituriges, planted the ſame in the chiefe citie, the name of Ogygis being by Noah his grandfather impoſed for honours ſake vpon the inhabitants: which by them for the fauor and loue they bare to their founder deſcended of Ogygis, was afterward changed: and they named themſelues Bitogyges, which in the Armenian tongue ſignifies, The poſteritie of Ogygis. But as words by cuſtome are often times corrupted, (for, to make them familiar, or more proper, we will not ſticke to adde, detract, or alter ſome letters or ſyllables) ſo the name of this countrey and of the chiefe citie, either by the force thereof, or by the appointment of a certaine Prince named Biturix, changed the name of Bitogyges into Bituriges. Amongſt other opinions ſome hold that it was called Bituris quaſi Biturris, of two ancient Towers which ſometimes ſtood in this citie: whereupon a certaine Grammarian hath written this verſe; Turribus à binis, inde vocor Bituris; that is, Of Towers twaine Bituris I was nam'd. Thus much out of John Calamaeus his booke of the originall of the Bituriges, from whence alſo we haue borrowed this Table.

THe people and countrey of the Andegauenſes, are by Ptolemey placed in Gallia Lugdunenſi. The countrey at this preſent is called Aniou, and the people Angeuins. In times paſt it went vnder the name of an Earledome, but ſince the yeare 1350. it hath beene adorn'd with the title of a Dukedome. Eaſt it confineth vpon Tourain and Ʋendoſme. Weſt it bordereth vpon Bretaigne. Poictou bounds it Southward, and the Counties of Maine and La Ʋal on the North.

It is a country not very large, but for fruitfulneſſe inferior to none other in France: the wine of Anjou excelleth all other French wines. Neither is it deſtitute of other commodities requiſite either for the neceſsity or the pleaſure of mans life, being euery where beautified with Riuers, Mountaines, Woods, and Medowes. It aboundeth with cattell great and ſmall, and with fiſh. All this their Riuers and Medowes affoord them. Out of their Mountaines they digge Marble, and a kinde of blew Slates, wherewith they couer Churches and houſes. The common people call them Ardoiſes.

This Region is watered with ſo many Riuers, Freſhets, Fountaines, Fiſh-pooles, Lakes, and Pondes, that ſome are of opinion, it was heeretofore called Aeguada, or Aguada, of the abundance of waters: for in the Aquitaigne tongue they call Water, Aigues. The principall Riuers, beſides others, are Ligeris, which the inhabitants do name Loire, calling it likewiſe The Father of French riuers. Into this Riuer, within the compaſſe of Anjou, do fall the riuers Ʋienne, Diue, Thouets, Layon, Leure, Guiuatte, Maine, Seure, Loir (a riuer diuers from Ligeris, for it falles thereinto, and is called by late Writers Ledus) Aution, Oudon, Maienne, Brionneau, Loſſe, and Erdret, &c. So that there runne about fortie Riuers thorow this Prouince.

It hath diuers faire cities, the principall whereof is called Angiers: perhaps the ſame which in Ptolemey is named Juliomagus. This being the head citie of all the Region, is built on either ſide the riuer Meduan, and ioyned together by a ſtone bridge. The antiquitie hereof is euident out of certaine ancient ruines of a Theater which hang ouer the Citie, and are called by the common people Brohan. Heere ſometimes are olde coines found. Lewis the ſecond in the yeere 1389. eſtabliſhed an Vniuerſitie in this place. There be alſo other townes of note, as Saumur, Beufort, Bauga, &c. Moſt of the premiſſes for the illuſtration of this Table, we haue tranſlated out of Belleforeſt his French Munſter. To whom, he that will, may adde Theuet.

IN a certaine Iournall of France I reade this deſcription of the territorie of Paris. The Iſle of France ſtretcheth from the towne of Saint Denis as far as Roſſy and Montmorency: and ſo it comprehends all the land within the winding nookes of Seine, towards Normandie one way, and towards Picardie another way. The occaſions of this name were (as Andrew Theuet reporteth) in that the Frankes comming out of Germanie planted themſelues firſt in this place, and here their Captaines tooke vpon them the title of Kings: and alſo for that the Riuers Marne, Seine & Oyſe do in a maner compaſſe it around. Yet all the Region being comprized within theſe three Riuers pertaineth not to the ſaid iſle, but only that part which is neere vnto Paris. My opinion is, that this diuiſion might be made, when the ſonnes of Clouis ſharing the whole Kingdome, limited and included within theſe bounds the dominions of him who bare rule at Paris, and was only called the King of France. Howbeit, now this diuiſion is not obſerued, ſeeing that certaine Cities of Picardie, Briè, and other Prouinces are comprehended within the ſame. But let vs heare the opinion of Belleforest alſo: After the death of the great King Clouis, France was diuided after a new maner; for out of one King ſprang many, and he only was called The King of France, who gouerned at Paris: wherefore the Iſle of France is the true and ancient iuriſdiction of our Kings; albeit Pipins poſteritie beganne to neglect it, and afterwards the Pariſian territorie fell to them by inheritance, who enioyed the Crowne of all France.

THis region is not very large, being on euery ſide ſo reſtrained with bordering Prouinces. Weſt thereof lieth Anjou and part of Poictou; from the first it is ſeuered by the confines of Saumure; and from the ſecond by the riuer Creuſe: whereupon ſtands the city of Chinon ſubiect to this Dukedome of Tourain. South alſo lies part of Poictou, along the riuer Creuſe, to La port de Pilles, which diuides Guienne from Tourain: and Berry in like ſort from whence it is ſeparated by Chaſtillon ſituate vpon the riuer Indre. Eaſt, not far from Loire, the riuer of Cher diuides it from the prouince of Blois, and from part of Berry: and North it is ſeuered from the territories of Maine and Vendoſmois by the riuer Loire: vpon which riuer is built the citie of Tours, and it imbraceth the ſame on the part of S. Lazarus ſuburbs. This riuer alſo bends his courſe to the towne of S. Anne, and to the ſuburbe called Rich: for Eaſt, Weſt, and South it toucheth the riuer Indre; and North, all the region towards Anjou and Maine. To the Dukedome and gouernment of Tourain are ſubiect theſe cities, Chinon, Lodun, Touars, Langeſtz, Amboiſe, Loches, Chaſtillon vpon Indre, Montrichard, beſides other places and fortreſſes of Barons. But the cities which I haue named are of beſt note, and as it were the principall members of the whole Dukedome. Concerning euery of which I will ſpeake more largely, hauing ſaid ſomwhat of the Metropolitan: whereunto belong the third part of Biſhop-townes, which in times paſt were vnder the ancient iuriſdiction of Lugdune. For vnder the third receiued diuiſion of Dioceſſes apperteining to the Primacie of Lugdune or Lions, are comprehended Tours, La Mans, Angiers, Rhenes, Nants, Cornevaile, Vannes, S. Poll de Leon, Tregoir, Dol, S. Malo, S. Brieu. The Turones therefore of ſuch antiquitie, and their city the head of ſo many Nations, Iulius Caeſar reckoneth in the firſt rancke of the people of France: and ſo likewiſe do other ancient Writers. Ptolemey placeth them vpon the riuer Ligeris: and Ammianus Marcellinus in Secundâ Lugdunenſi. But in Caeſar they are oftener mentioned, and that very plainly, eſpecially at the end of his eleuenth booke De bello Gallico. This done (ſaith he) and all France being at quiet, ſo great an opinion of this war ſurprized the Barbarians, that euen thoſe nations which inhabited beyond Rhene, ſent ambaſſadours vnto Caeſar, promiſing to giue him pledges, and to obey his commandements. He therefore hauing ended his warres, and put his legions in gariſon among the Carnutes, Andes, and Turones, which were cities neere vnto theſe places, departed for Italie. Hence you may gather, that they were not enemies to the Romans, but rather Caeſars followers. Gregory Turonenſis often calles them Senatores Romanos, for they enioyed the libertie of Free-denizens, which was granted to none but ſuch as were the Romans deere friends, and linked vnto them in moſt firme league. The Touranois are held to be one of the richeſt people in all France, both for the fruitfulneſſe of their fields (which they deſeruedly call The Kings garden) and alſo for their excellent maner of gouernment, and the induſtry of their Citizens, who are eſpecially addicted to traffique, for which purpoſe their nauigable riuer ſtands them in great ſtead. They haue alſo attempted of late to make ſilke, than which Italie affoords no better. At the Eaſt part of Tourain, vpon the riuer Loire, ſtands Amboiſe, built in a moſt excellent and choiſe ſeat, and a delicate pure aire: ſo that this place eſpecially, the French Kings haue choſen to retire and ſolace themſelues in. The city of Montrichard ſituate on a plaine, is on the one ſide fortified with Rocks and Woods, and hem'd in on the other ſide with Medowes and delightſome Fields. Without the city are houſes vnder ground with Gardens and Ʋineyards on the tops of them. Loches vpon the riuer of Indre, hath a caſtle both for pleaſantneſſe, largeneſſe, munition and ſituation, almoſt incomparable: for ſituation (I ſay) both by Arte and Nature impregnable. Pautruy, Chaſtillon, Cormery, Beaulieu, and other cities of this Dukedome, are deſcribed by Belleforeſt, vnto whom I referre the Reader.

THis territorie of Blois confineth Eaſt vpon Orleans and part of Gastinois; Weſt vpon Tourain; South vpon Salloigne and part of Berry; and North vpon Vendoſmois and Le Beaulſe. That portion of the citie of Blois which looketh towards Le Beaulſe, ſtands partly vpon hilles and rocks, and partly vpon plaine ground; which vneuen ſituation maketh the wayes and paſſages ſomewhat vneaſie. Howbeit this inconuenience is no diſgrace to the Citie, nor diſcourageth Trauellers to frequent it: for the fruitfulneſſe and faire beautie of the whole Prouince makes it amiable, and the excellent temper of the aire, populous: It being for plentie of Wheat, Wine, and other neceſſaries for mans life, to no Prouince inferiour: for it is all ſhadie, and full of Woods, Vineyards, Riuers, Brooks, Pooles and Fountaines: ſo that Nature hath infuſed a wonderfull fatneſſe into this ſoile, with ſuch a temper of heat vpon the hilles neere about the citie, as cauſeth their Vineyards exceedingly to proſper. Wherefore this Prouince participating with Le Beaulſe and Salloigne, excelleth them both in their owne commodities. For abounding with Wheat no leſſe than Le Beaulſe, it farre ſurpaſſeth theſame in Wines, in other kinds of graine, and in plenty of water. For pleaſantneſſe it matcheth Salloigne, from whence, though it be ſeuered but the bredth of the riuer Loire, yet is not the fruitfulneſſe thereof empair'd by the others ſandie barrenneſſe. Wherefore that part of Le Beaulſe wherein Blois is ſituate, hath more abundance of wood and water than the reſidue; and the frontiers of Salloigne next adioyning may aſcribe their fruitfulneſſe to the good neighbourhood of this territory. Neither can the olde ſaid ſaw, That it is beſt dwelling in Salloigne, and beſt inheriting in Le Baulſe, be ſeuerally, but iointly applied to Blois. That the aire is moſt holſome and temperate, I appeale to multitudes of great and honourable perſonages, who being oppreſſed with moſt grieuous diſeaſes, do repaire eſpecially to this Prouince for the recouery of their health. Yea the Kings children are nurſed & trained vp in the city of Blois: for which cauſe it is called The Kings city. Amongſt the rarities of this prouince, one there is that can hardly be found in the whole Kingdome beſides, namely a veine of that earth, which is commonly called Terra Lemnia or Sigillata, being of the ſame force and efficacie with the true earth of Lemnos. All this deſcription we haue taken out of Belleforeſt.

THis Cart conteineth the deſcription of that North-weſtern part of France, which the Engliſh were maſters of from the yere 1347. vntil the yere 1557. At what time the Duke of Guiſe Lieutenant for the French King tooke it by force of armes. The townes of Calais, Guiſnes, and Ardres the Engliſh from time to time haue furniſhed with able gariſons. And Calais hath heretofore beene the Staple for Woolles and other Engliſh commodities. Concerning the tract of Boulongne, thus ſaith Robert Caenalis, in his 2. book, and 3. Perioche De re Gallica. Of Geſſoriacum, a port of the Morini, I may well ſay with Meierus, that it is now truely called Boulongne vpon the ſea ſhore, from whence there is a very ſhort cut to Douer on the Engliſh coaſt. But the Docke or place for building ſhips (called Nauale Geſſoriacum, which Bilibaldus falſely affirmes to be Gaunt) I thinke rather to be Caſtellum, now named Caſſell. Some by another name call it Petreſſa and Scalas, commonly Scales. Moreouer, by the ſituation of Boulongne one may eaſily coniecture, whether it were Portus Iccius or no. Wherein that no man may doubt, let vs learne this one thing out of Strabo, That the ſea between Portus Iccius and England, was iuſt 320. ſtadia or furlongs ouer: which make in all 40. miles. But the later Maps containe betweene Boulongne and Douer 17. Engliſh, which are longer than Italian miles, and from Calais 18. Whereby it is manifeſt, that from Boulongne to Douer it is but a very ſhort cut: wherefore Portus Geſſoriacus the hauen, and Nauale Geſſoriacum the docke, are not all one: which docke whoſo thinketh ſtood where Calais now ſtands, I will not greatly contradict him. Thus farre Caenalis.

This very place of Boulongne is deſcribed by Arnoldus Ferronius (who continued the French hiſtory of Paulus Aemilius till his owne time) in maner following. There is (ſaith he) Baſe Boulongne, and High Boulongne. The baſe towne was vnwalled before the comming of the Engliſh. There ſtands the church of S. Nicholas, and a cloiſter of Franciſcans: the Engliſh ſea beateth vpon this towne. Neere vnto this Frierie, which is not farre from the ſea, there is a very commodious place to paſſe for England. It is diſtant from the higher Boulongne about 100. paſes or ſomewhat more. But Boulongne the higher is inuironed with moſt ſtrong walles, and with high ditches compaſsing the walles. All this region is full of that ſand, which thoſe that dwell on the coaſt call hot ſand. Whereupon they will haue the name of Boulongne to be deriued of the French word that ſignifies ſuch kinde of ſand, notwithſtanding we know it out of Ammianus Marcellinus to be an ancient name. Thus much out of Ferronius. Concerning theſe matters reade Diuaeus alſo.

THe name of Picardie, as all that write of France do affirme not to be ancient; ſo the originall or deriuation thereof none of them can render. Caenalis dares not ſay, that it was ſo called of the Begardes. Belleforest flatly denies it, ſuppoſing the Picardes to be ſomewhat ancienter than the Begardes. Some thinke that they were ſo named of the warlike weapon called the Pike; which, as they imagine, was here firſt inuented. Certaine it is, that the prouince of Picardy was larger in times paſt: for we reade that Artois, with a part of Flanders, as farre as the riuer Lis, and the countie of Boulogne, were all comprehended vnder the name of Picardy. The region which is now properly called Picardy, extends not ſo farre as the Map it ſelfe.

This Region is part of Gallia Belgica, whilom inhabited by the Ambiani, Bellouaci, and Veromandui, or (as Ptolemey calles them) Romandui. The riuer Somme, which ſome thinke to be Ptolemey his Phrudis, refreſheth the wole countrey, and makes it moſt fertile of all kinde of graine, and the townes and cities to abound with all neceſſaries: for it yeeldeth ſuch plentie of wheat, as it is called by an vſuall prouerbe, The Barne or Granarie of Paris. It hath no vineyards; which defect ſome thinke is rather to be imputed to the ſloth of the inhabitants, than to the intemperature either of the ſoile, or of the climate.

The cities here, of principall note, are Amiens, in Latine Ambianum, famous both for antiquitie and the Epiſcopall ſea. It is enuironed around with the riuer Somme. Wherefore ſome fondly thinke it to be named Ambianum, ab ambitu aquarum, becauſe it is compaſſed with waters. It is one of the ſtrongeſt townes in all France. The vulgar ſuppoſe it to haue beene built by the ſouldiers of Alexander the great. Vnder the dioceſſe of Amiens is Abbeuile, the name whereof is new, as appeareth by the deriuation, which in Latine is Abbatis villa, that is, The Abbats towne: for out of an Abbey it increaſed at length to the greatneſſe and forme of a citie. It is now the head citie of the county Ponthieu; which region is ſo called, à multitudine pontium, of the multitude of bridges; becauſe it is in diuers places peſtered with Marſhes and Fennes. Picquenie ſtands in this prouince alſo; built as the common ſort imagine by one Pignon a principall ſouldier of Alexander the great. Likewiſe in Ʋermandois you haue the towne of S. Quintins, which many ſuppoſe to haue beene Augusta Ʋeromanduorum, being the ancient ſeat of the Earles of Vermandois, and the head of that region. Peronne ſo often ſpoiled in warres, who can be ignorant of? Guiſe alſo ſeemes to be a Fort againſt Lutzenburgh. Hence the Guiſian familie deriue their name. Other cities there be of leſſe moment, as Corbie, Roye, Nelle, Hen, Cattelette, Mondidier, &c.

In a little French pamphlet intitled Chemins de France, or the wayes of France, Picardy is diuided into three parts; The Lower, The Higher, and Picardy properly ſo called: wherein are contained the Regions of Ʋermandois, Retelois, Tartenois, and Tiraſſe. Picardy properly ſo called is deſcribed in this our Table.

THat portion of France which ancient Writers called Narbonenſem and Bracchatam, Caeſar and Plinie doe comprehend vnder the name of Prouincia: part whereof is conteined within the riuers Roſne and Durance, the Alpes, the riuer Varo, and the Mediterran ſea, the inhabitants as yet call by the name of PROVENCE. Petrarch writes it was ſometimes called Regnum Arelatenſe. The middle-age writers call it Prouinciam Viennenſem tertiam. It bordereth Weſt vpon Languedoc, North vpon Daulphine, Eaſt it is confined by Piemont, and South by the Mediterran ſea, and the Iſles Stoechades. This euer was and now is accounted the moſt fertile region of France: for Strabo ſaith it yeelds all ſorts of fruits that Italie affoordeth. If we may credit Belleforeſt, it beareth ſugar about the towne of Yeres. Manna is here gathered, as the ſame authour affirmeth. The principall cities of this prouince are Maſsilia, commonly Marſeille, which was the ancient Ionica Colonia, of the Phocaean Greeks, being as Caeſar 5. Ciuil. reports, compaſſed by the ſea on three ſides; and on the fourth ſide, hauing a paſſage to the land. Strabo writes, that the hauen is in forme of a Theater, and that within compaſſe thereof they haue docks for the building, and a ſtorehouſe for the furniſhing of ſhips. Here was a temple of the Epheſian Diana, and another of Apollo Delphicus. The citizens were treble-tongued, ſpeaking Greeke, Latine, and French, as S. Ierome reporteth out of Varro. Of this citie reade more largely in the 43. booke of Trogus Pompeius, and in a Panegyricke ſpeech vttered before Conſtantine the great by Anonymus or one vnnamed. The citie Arelatum commonly Arles, vpon the riuer of Rhoſne; which by Auſonius is named Arelas or Gallula Roma; as likewiſe double Arelas, becauſe (as learned Vinetus obſerueth) it was heretofore by the ſaid riuer diuided in twaine. Now it may well be called ſingle Arelas, looking of a farre other ſhape, and all ſituate vpon that ſide of the riuer which is towards Italie. This, Ammianus makes the renowme of many cities. And Suetonius ſaith, that heere was a Romane colonie planted by Tiberius the Emperor his father. Procopius affirmes, that it was heretofore the head citie of the Burgundians. Next followes Aquae Sextiae, ſo called (ſaith Strabo) becauſe that very Sextius which ſubdued Salyes, built this citie after his owne name, and after the name of certaine hot bathes in the ſame place. Now it is corruptly called Aix. Theſe bathes Strabo in his time ſuppoſeth to haue turned colde, and ſo Robert Caenalis at this preſent affirmeth, that they haue loſt their ancient vertue. The Parliament of the whole prouince is here reſident. Of this citie Gabriel Simeonius writeth, that he neuer ſaw either a more pleaſant place, or a more courteous people. Then haue you the citie Cabellio, now called Cauaillon. Taraſcon retaining ſtill the ancient name. Carpentoracte commonly Carpentras. Vaſio now Voiton: the ſame with Forum Vocontiorum, as ſome thinke. Taurentum and Telo Martius, which ſome now interpret to be Toulon. Forum Iulij, now Frejus. Olbia which perhaps is Yeres. Antipolis, Antibe. Seguſteron, Ciſteron. Vintium, Venze. Glanatica, Glandeues. Dinia, Digne. Tecolata thought to be S. Maximines. Grinicenſis, Graſſe. All famous for antiquitie. Moreouer, here is the towne of S. Baume, ſituate vpon a craggie hill, in which is a caue; where, the inhabitants hold opinion, that Mary Magdalen did penance, and ended her dayes. Likewiſe at the mouth of Rhoſne the reader may ſee on the one ſide the field called La Craux; and on the other ſide La Camargo This laſt named (they ſay) is miraculouſly fertile of wheat. And Belleforeſt thinks it to be called Camargo, à caſtris Marij, of the campe of Marius here pitched. Whereas the other named La Craux, is out of meaſure barren, yeelding nought but ſtones: for which cauſe it is by ancient Writers moſt aptly called Campus Lapideus, or The ſtonie field. The iſles adiacent to this prouince are the Stoechades, diſperſed, as Pomponius writeth, from the ſhore of Liguria or Genoa as farre as Marſeille. Plinie makes them three in number, naming ech. And Strabo ſaith there are three of importance, and two ſmall ones, not worthy to be mentioned. About theſe iſles growes moſt excellent Corrall, as Plinie witneſſeth, which Belleforest reporteth ſtill to continue. In commendation of this prouince, Petrus Quinqueranus Biſhop of Sens, hath written a peculiar volume.

On this ſide the riuer Durance, this Region bordereth vpon that part of the Popes iuriſdiction, which is commonly called Conte de Venacin, in Latine Comitatus Venuxinus, and Veneticus, wherein ſtands the Citie and Vniuerſitie of Auignon, which in times paſt was the Papall ſea, namely from Pope Clement the fift in the yeere 1300. till Gregorie the ſecond, for the ſpace of 60. yeeres. Petrarch then called it The French and Weſterne Babylon. Beſides other notable things in this citie, ſeuen there are, ſeuen times told, right worthy the admiration; namely, ſeuen Palaces, ſeuen Hoſpitals, ſeuen Pariſhes, ſeuen Nunries, ſeuen Colleges, ſeuen Frieries, and ſeuen gates. Not farre from hence is the valley of Chiſa at the head of the riuer Sorgues, a place ſo highly magnified by Petrarch, as he often calles it his Helicon and Pernaſſus. This he made choiſe of as an hermitage to weane himſelfe from worldly cogitations. A man (in my conceit) not of the ordinary caſt of Writers, and whom I may boldly and deſeruedly call, The Chriſtian Seneca.

THE principall places along this coaſt William Paradine deſcribes in theſe words: Arles was a colonie of the Sextaine, as ſome Writers doe affirme. Standing vpon Rhoſne it is enuironed with Marſhes; wherein at this preſent are a breed of fierce and vntamed Kine. Whilome it was a famous Mart-towne, as Strabo writes in maner following: Narbo (ſaith he) the moſt frequented Mart of this Region, ſtandeth at the outlet of the riuer Araxis, by the lake Narbonenſis: but vpon Rhodanus the towne of Arles, a Mart of no ſmall importance, is ſituate. Neere vnto Arles are thoſe hot bathes, where Sextius (ſaith Strabo) built a towne after his owne name, calling it Aquae Sextiae. The cauſe why he built it was to place a Roman garriſon there. Here were the Cimbriſlaine by Marius, as writeth S. Ierome. Auraſio, now called Orange, famous in times paſt for the gouernment of the Gabali, or Cabilonenſes; wherin I ſaw the ruines of an huge Theater, and a mightie wall excellently built of ſquare ſtone, the like whereof I doubt whether all France can affoord. There ſtands alſo at the gate towards Lions a triumphall arche, with a tilt or turniment of horſmen ingrauen thereupon, which we long beheld with great delight. To this citie belongeth Nemauſum, now called Arenas, a place renowmed for the ancient Theater there extant. Heere is a moſt woonderfull paſſage vnder ground, paſſing thwart vnder the very chanell of Rhodanus, to the citie which ſtandeth afarre off. Heere likewiſe you may ſee the Palace of Plotina, built by Adrian the Emperour, as Spartianus reporteth, &c. Thus much out of Paradine. But of all others, moſt exactly Iohn Poldo d' Albena hath deſcribed this citie, and ſet forth the antiquities in picture, with the ſituations and ancient names of the places adiacent. Of this argument reade Strabo in his fourth booke: and Gunterus a Poet of Genoa. The originall of this Table my friend Mr. Carolus Cluſius of Arras gaue me drawen with his owne hand.

THE bounds of Lorrain in times paſt extended much farther, for it comprehended in a maner all the whole region lying betweene the riuer Rhene, and Scheld, and the mountaine Vogaſus. All which was diuided into the higher, and the lower. The lower Lorrain contained Brabant, Haſpengow, Guelders, and Cleue. In the higher were the Biſhopricke of Liege, with the counties of Lutzenburg, and Limburg: as likewiſe the duchy of Maeſland, the countie Palantine vpon Sur, and the territorie of Hundſruge: together with this preſent Dukedome of Lorrain retaining as yet the ancient name Lotharingia, impoſed by Lotharius ſonne to Ludouicus Pius, vnto whoſe ſhare it befell: lying in the midſt between Weſtraſia (or as ſome vnskilfully call it Noaſtria) which fell to Charles, and Auſtraſia to Lewis Lotharius Brethren. This therefore I thinke not amiſſe more largely to deſcribe, not in mine owne wordes, but in the wordes of Symphorianus Campeggius, ſometimes a famous Phyſition of Lorrain, LORRAIN (ſaith he) ioineth Eaſt vpon Alſatia, commonly Elſas, South vpon Burgundy, Weſt vpon Champaigne, & North it is bounded vpon the Foreſt Arduenna. This region albeit compaſſed with loftie Alpes, is notwithſtanding ſo fat and fertile, as it need no ſupply from the neighbour-prouinces: it abounds with cattell great and ſmall, with meadowes, corne, wine, fiſhpooles, high woods, healthfull bathes, ſaltpits, yron, copper, lead, tinne, ſiluer, precious ſtones, looking glaſſes, Calcidons, and is watered by ſundrie riuers: foure whereof are famous aboue the reſt. Moſa the firſt of theſe foure ſpringing out of mount Vogeſus (of which mountaine a great and a good part of Lorraine is named Le bois, and Le foreſt de Voige) and running along by Neufchaſteau, a towne very commodious both for pleaſant ſituation, and wholeſome ayer: diuideth the duchie of Barre from Lorraine, and caſteth it ſelfe into one of the chanels of Rhene, before it falleth into the ſea. Moſella the ſecond beginneth Southeaſt, not far from the towne of Rimeremont; wherein is a monaſtery of Nunnes, all gentlewomen, endowed with large reuenues. About ſix miles from hence are certaine hot-bathes whereunto reſort great multitudes of people to cure themſelues of ſundrie diſeaſes. Then runnes it along with ſwift ſtreames to the townes of Eſpinall, Charmes, Toul (which in olde time was called Leuca) and Mediomatrices, now called Metz: not farre from whence it falls into the Rhene, at a city of Germany called of olde Confluentia, and now Cobolentz. Betweene theſe two riuers neere the towne of Vitell, is a double fountaine ſeuered like a mans noſethrills, from whence the ſmall riuer Vena iſſueth: which ſometimes is ſandy, and ſometimes miry, and for the moſt part very vnſeemely and forlorne: the waters whereof are commonly dried vp in Iune, except the pooles, which the ſwelling and violent ſtreames haue made ſo deepe. Murtha the third riuer falling from certaine rockes of ſiluer-mines, holdeth on his courſe through the valley of S. Didier, wherein is S. Godeberts fountaine, which is generally reported to be medicinable for many diſeaſes. The ſaid riuer runnes along by the towne of S. Didier, and then by the townes of Raon and Luneuill: all which both for naturall ſituation, and for rampiers, and walles are places of ſingular defence. Then followes the towne of S. Nicholas generally famous both for abundance of marchandiſe, and multitudes of miracles. Lower downe the riuer ſtands Nancey, the principall towne of Lorraine, a place for munition, and fortification of great importance. Firſt it is compaſſed with two ditches of exceeding depth, and a double wall: alſo it hath foure moſt admirable bulwarks, with plenty of warlike engins and artillery. Murtha falles into Moſell. And Sartha the fourth riuer running along the confines of Weſtereich, a prouince ſubiect to Lorraine towards the Eaſt, holdeth on his courſe by the townes of Sarburg, Saralben, Sarprucke, with others, and then falles into Moſell.

Now whereas Lorraine aboundeth all ouer with ſpeciall commodities; many of them we will omit, and ſpeake only of the moſt principall. Firſt therefore the mountaines of this prouince doe in all kind of mineralls excell euen the Pyreney mountaines: wherein, not to ſpeake of the reſt, there are diuers ſiluer-mines, ſo abounding with that kinde of mettall, as it is incredible what commoditie it yeelds to the whole countrey.

There are alſo ſalt-mines, out of which is digged moſt pure, ſauorie, and ſnow-white ſalt: which yeeldeth yerely to the Duke, all charges deducted, 100000. francks.

Heere is found likewiſe a kind of matter, whereof they make looking glaſſes and drinking glaſſes, the beſt, by all mens confeſſion, in Europe: nor is there in any place the like to be had.

Alſo Calcidons of ſo extraordinarie bigneſſe, that I my ſelfe ſaw at the Biſhops of Toul, a great cuppe made of one whole piece.

Item, the Lazul (or Azure ſtone) repreſenting moſt excellent colours. A minerall out of which the miners raiſe exceeding gaine.

In the valley of Voige are fountaines (a matter memorable, and not to be omitted) ſo abounding with a kinde of pearles, and precious ſtones, as the greater part of Germanie doth vſe them: which all Lapidaries and Iewellers of other countries do not only approue, but alſo preferre before the ſtones and pearles of the Indies.

There is a lake of foureteene miles in compaſſe, ſtored with carps of huge bigneſſe; for they are generally of three foot long, and a foot broad; which for pleaſantneſſe of taſte, are (in mine opinion) to be preferred before all other ſtanding-water-carps in Europe. The lake is fiſhed with nets euery third yeere; the fiſhing whereof (as euery man knowes) yeeldeth the Duke of Lorrain 16000. francks.

Moreouer, Lorrain aboundeth with wheat, wine, cattell of all ſorts, woods, excellent horſes, which ſurpaſſe the Turkiſh horſes in courage, the Spaniſh in ſwiftneſſe, and the Engliſh in ſtature. In briefe, for tall men and beautifull women; and all things neceſſary for mans life, it is inferiour to no other countrie. Thus farre Symphorianus.

Francis Roſeus very lately wrote a large volume of the pedegree, and famous acts of the Dukes of Lorraine. And I my ſelfe in mine Itinerarium, or Iournall, haue publiſhed ſome things of this Region not vnwoorthie the remembrance.

THere are two Burgundies; the lower called Regia, intitled with the name of a Dukedome; whilome the countrey of the Aedui: and the higher named Imperatoria, adorned with the title of a Countie or Earledome, commonly called LA FRANCHE COMTE, that is to ſay, The free Countie. This of old the Sequani inhabited. It is repreſented in this Table. The confines hereof to the North are Lorraine and vpper Germany: to the South, Sauoy, and Breſſe: to the Weſt, the lower Burgundie: and to the Eaſt, part of Switzerland. It is at this preſent diuided into three partitions or gouernments; The Vpper, the Lower, and that of Dole. The cities of the vpper are GRAY, one of the principall of the whole gouernment, ſituate vpon the riuer Araris, or Saone, rich in ſundry kindes of merchandiſe, and brauely built. On the one ſide it is endowed with moſt large and fruitfull fields. VESOVL. It hath ſtrong walles, beautifull houſes, and faire vineyards. MOMBOSON, IVSSEY, and PALMA ſtanding vpon the riuer Dubis, or Doux. PORT-SVR-SAONE, vpon the riuer Araris, or Saone, with CROMARAY, MONTGVSTIN, and FAVLCOGNEY. The cities of the lower Burgundie are: SALINS, a large citie, ſo named in regard of certaine ſalt and high fountaines; for here is excellent white ſalt made, which is carried hence in carts to the neighbour countries, and yeelds great reuenue to this region: SCODINGA, ſituate in a long ſtreight valley, extending in length betweene a double ridge of high mountaines, which beare vines in ſuch places as are moſt open to the Sunne: it is exceeding ſtrong, being fortified with two caſtles, and diuers loftie turrets. ARBOIS, ſeated in a moſt pleaſant ſoile, and abounding with all neceſſaries, eſpecially with excellent and durable wine. It hath large ſuburbs on all ſides. It is enuironed with ditches, but ſuch as they make gardens vpon. Round about it are mountaines of moſt beautifull proſpect, watered with cleare ſprings, and clad with fruitfull vines, and ſightly woods. It is called Arbois ab Arboribus, becauſe it is ſo planted with trees: POLIGNY a faire towne, fortified with ſtately walles and towers; the caſtle called Grimonia lying within it: and on the one ſide it hath mountaines of woods; and on the other ſide hilles ſet with vines, the wine whereof is principall good. PONTARLIER, ſituate in a low valley betweene two mountaines, on the bancke of Dubis. Not farre hence ſtands the ſtrong caſtle of Iura or Ioux, on the top of an exceeding high hill; ſo that for ſituation it is impregnable. NOZEROY, founded vpon an open hill, in the very nauell or midſt of this region. All the houſes in a maner are built of ſtone: the Prince of the countrey hath here a caſtle, called The Leaden caſtle, becauſe it is couered with lead. Here is a Faire kept foure times in the yere. In times paſt this towne, before it was walled, was named Nucillum, of the abundance of hazel-nuts that grew round about it. CHASTEL CHALON, built and named by the Emperour Charlemaine, both pleaſantly and ſtrongly ſituate. MONTMOROT, vpon a ſteepe mountaine planted with vines. ORGELET, abounding with merchandiſe. The inhabitants are induſtrious and painfull, and exerciſe themſelues in clothing. Their fields are barren, for they are full of hilles and craggie rocks; whereupon is grounded a common prouerbe, which ſaith, That Orgelet hath fields without graſſe, riuers without fiſh, and mountaines without woods and groues. The cities of Dole, are firſt, DOLE it ſelfe, the head citie of the prouince, a nurſe of all learning, and eſpecially of the ciuill law, moſt pleaſantly ſituate vpon the riuer Dubis, adorn'd with bridges, walles, and inuincible forts. The houſes, churches and ſchooles, both for greatneſſe and curious building are moſt delightfull to the beholders. QVINGEY, a moſt ancient towne, ſituate vpon the bancke of Louë. ORNANS, ſtanding alſo among high mountaines by the riuer Louë. LA LOY, a moſt ample village. ROCHFORT a pretie litle towne. VERCELLES with ruinous and deformed walles. In this countie ſtands BESANÇON, a citie Imperiall, and Metropolitan of both Burgundies: the deſcription whereof, becauſe I cannot condignly expreſſe in this page, being exactly performed by Gilbert Cognatus, Paradine, and George Bruno in his volume of cities; I ceaſe here to ſpeake any farther. For ſith their books are ſo eaſie to be had, I referre all ſtudents to them. To theſe alſo you may adde Robert Caenalis. It were to be wiſhed that Cognatus had not fruſtrated the hope of ſtudents: for he promiſed in a booke, to reſtore and bring to light ancient Burgundie, together with a particular Map, and the olde and new names of places. But we haue hitherto expected him in vaine. Howbeit, not long ſince Lewis Golluſius publiſhed concerning this Countie in French, a great and peculiar volume.

THat part of France which the Aedui whilome enioyed is now called The Dukedome of Burgundie. It is limited North by Champaigne and Gaſtinois: Weſt, by Niuernois and Burbonnois: South, it borders vpon Lionnois: and Eaſt the riuer Rhoſne diuides it from Sauoy and the county of Burgundy. The head citie in times paſt was Auguſtodunum: but now Diuio, or Diuionum, as Gregory Turonenſis in his third booke calles it, or as the inhabitants, Digion hath gotten the ſuperiority; for here the ſupreme court of Parliament for the whole Dukedome is holden. It is ſeated on the bancke of Oſcarus (commonly Ouſch) a riuer abounding with fiſh, in a fertile and plentifull ſoile, the mountaines adiacent yeelding ſtrong and excellent wines: as the ſaid Turonenſis reporteth, who moſt learnedly deſcribes it. Some thinke it was built by the Emperour Aurelian; but others affirme it to be much ancienter. It is a citie both by arte and nature moſt ſtrongly fortified againſt all hoſtile attempts, certaine new forts being lately added. Belna (commonly Beaulne) is the ſecond citie of the Dukedome, famous for the wines of Beaulne, which all men commend. This Citie is fairely built, being impregnable in regard of a Caſtle which Lewis the twelfth erected here. It hath an hoſpitall comparable for building to any Kings Palace. Here alſo is the ſeat of the high court of Chancery. In the territorie adiacent was built by Duke Otho about the yeere of our Lord 1098. the abbey of Cistertium; in a woody and clammy ſoile, which ſome thinke was ſo called in regard of certaine Ciſternes there digged. Vnder the iuriſdiction of this Monaſterie Belleforest reporteth, that there are 1800. other Monaſteries of Friers, and as many of Nunnes.

Next followes Auguſtodunum (which ſome, though vpon no ſufficient grounds of antiquitie, ſuppoſe to haue beene called Bibracte) now Auttun. That this citie of ancient times was moſt large and populous, it is euident out of ſundry authours, and eſpecially out of Caeſar. Here are yet extant mightie ruines of a Theater, of Statues, Pillars, Water-chanels, Pyramides, and many other monuments of antiquitie. Likewiſe here are dayly digged vp coines, little veſſels, and other ſuch ancient fragments. This citie hath endured two memorable ouerthrowes: one by Caeſar in his French warres; and the other about the time of Galienus the Emperour. But it was afterward reedified by Conſtantine the ſonne of Claudius, as the Panegyrick of Eumenius, calling it Flauiam Heduorum, doth teſtifie. And at this very day it is adorned with ſtately temples, and other buildings for publicke vſes.

Then haue you Matiſcona Caeſaris, or Matiſconenſe caſtrum Antonini, where he placeth in garriſon the tenth Roman legion. It is now called Maſcon. Of olde it was graced with the title of an Earledome. It ioyneth the bancks of Araris by a bridge. Here, the Lords day of the Chriſtians began firſt to be hallowed, as Paradine reporteth out of the Edict of Guntram. The relation of the citie of Maſcon, Philip Bugnonius hath elegantly, and briefly ſet downe. Cabilonum, now Chalon, vpon the bancke of Araris alſo, anciently called Orbandale, as reporteth Peter Sanjulian. By Antoninus the foureteenth Roman legion was here put in garriſon. It was of olde the royall ſeat of Guntram, which notwithſtanding afterward Lotharius ſonne to Ludouicus Pius ſo deſtroyed and aboliſhed with fire, as he left no mention at all of a citie: yet now it is very rich, and a place of great trafficke. Alſo toward the North you haue Semur, a faire towne built vpon an high ground. As like Caſtillon, Flauigni, Soloigne, Noiers, with others, the deſcription whereof, becauſe this page cannot well containe, I referre the Reader to Belleforeſt, a diligent Surueyer of theſe parts. Only one thing I will adde out of the foreſaid Sanjulian. He againſt the opinion of all other Writers, deriueth this word Burgundie, not à burgis, that is, from the boroughs or incorporate townes built in this region, but from one particular place called Burg Ogne. In the territorie of Langren about the riuer Tille, betweene Luz and Tille-castle, he ſaith there is a plaine which the inhabitants call by no other name but Val d'Ogne: where in times paſt ſtood a famous borough or city. Hence without all queſtion he affirmes, that the Burgundians, or as they are commonly called Burgognons, do borow their name; and holds thoſe Writers much deceiued, that report them, as vagabond people, to haue come out of Sarmatia, Scandia, or the fennes of Maeotis to inhabit this region; indeuouring to perſuade all men that they were the firſt and moſt ancient inhabiters of this countrey.

The limits of Burgundie were larger in times paſt, as appeareth out of ſundrie authours. For ſome there are that bound it South by the Mediterran ſea; Eaſt, by the Alpes and the riuer Rhene; North, by mount Vogeſus; and Weſt, by the riuer of Loire, and Seine. Then, claſsicke Writers record, that it was gouerned by Kings, whoſe royall ſeat was Arles. It was diuided into the Duchie and Countie of Burgundie, about the yeere 1034. as the Chronicle of Aemilius teſtifieth. Of the Burgundians Paradine and Nicolas Vignier haue profeſſedly written in Latine, and Peter Sanjulian in French. Of the ancient Aedui reade Nazarius his Panegyricke pronounced before Conſtantine the Emperour.

GERMANIE, the greateſt and largeſt countrey of Europe, is diſtinguiſhed by many names: the limits whereof by authours, according to euery ones ſeuerall time, are ſo diuerſly deſcribed, as they ſeeme, applying themſelues to the peculiar ages wherein they liued, to giue notice of a threefold Germanie; namely, the ancient, that of middle ages, and Germanie as it is now taken. The ancient is that of Beroſus, which he circumſcribeth by the Rhene, the Ocean, the riuer Tanais, the Euxine ſea, and the riuer Danubius. That of middle ages is the ſame which Tacitus, Ptolemey, and Plinie, all of one time acknowledged: whereof, becauſe it is ſufficiently knowen out of the authours themſelues, I hold it needleſſe in this place to make any deſcription. But Germanie as it is now taken, we do confine by the German or Dutch tongue; which learned Goropius Becanus in his volume of the antiquities of nations, moſt wittily and learnedly ſheweth to be the ancienteſt language in the world. Wherfore all thoſe countries which at this day vſe the ſame language, we comprehend vnder the name of Germany. And ſo the greateſt length thereof ſtretcheth from Calais on the Weſt to the riuer Viſtula or VVixel Eaſtward: and the largeſt bredth from the German and Baltick ſeas to the Alpes. The names of the ſeuerall regions are theſe, Flanders (the moſt Weſterly) Brabant, Zeland, Holland, Friſland, Denmarke, Meckleburgh, Pomerland, Pruſsia, which extendeth beyond the riuer Viſtula towards the Baltick ſea: as likewiſe the ancient and new Marqueſates, Saxonie, VVeſtphalia, Gelders, Cleueland, Iuliers, the Biſhopricke of Colen, Heſſen, Turingen, Miſnia, Luſatia, Sileſia, Morauia, Bohemia, Franconia, the Biſhopricke of Mentz, Lutzenburg, the Biſhopricke of Triers, the Countie Palatine, Elſas, VVertenberg, Sueuia, Bauaria, Auſtria, Stiria, Carinthia, Tirolis, and Switzerland next vnto France. There be alſo more names of pettie regions, but ſuch as are either of no great moment, or comprehended vnder the former. And albeit Bohemia ſpeaketh not the German but the Sclauonian tongue, yet becauſe it is ſituate in the midſt of Germanie, and the King thereof is one of the Prince-electours, it is alſo numbred amongſt the German prouinces.

This countrey of Germanie, which for the preſent is adorned with the title of the Roman Empire, is ſo repleniſhed with beautifull and ſtrong cities, caſtles, villages and inhabitants, as it is no whit inferiour to Italie, France, or Spaine: for corne, wine, and riuers abounding with fiſh, it may compare with the moſt fruitfull regions Here are fountaines of water, hot bathes, and ſalt-mines in abundance: and for plentie of mettals, namely, gold, ſiluer, lead, tinne, braſſe, and iron, no countrey ſhall euer go beyond it. Moreouer, you ſhall no where finde more courteous and ciuill behauiour, more honeſt and comly attire, more skill and furniture for the warres, nor greater ſtore of nobilitie. This is the place that whilome (as Cornelius Tacitus affirmeth) was either darkened with woods, or drowned with fennes. Such changes can ſucceeding times affourd, as ſaith the Poet.

Of late Writers it hath beene diligently deſcribed by Beatus Rhenanus, Munster in his Coſmography, Franciſcus Irenicus, Iohannes Auentinus in his Chronicle of Lyonnois: Briefly by Bilibaldus Pirkeimerus, Iohannes Bohemus Aubames: Gerardus Nouiomagus, Conradus Peutingerus, Conradus Celtes a Poet, Iacobus VVimfelingius of Sletſtade, Aimon in the beginning of his French ſtorie, and Henry Pantalion at the entrance of his firſt booke of Proſopographia. Sebaſtian Brand hath ſet downe many iourneys, diſtances of places, and courſes of riuers in this countrey. The riuer Rhene is deſcribed by Bernard Mollerus in verſe, and by Magnus Gruberus in proſe. Iohn Herold hath written two ſhort Treatiſes of this region: one of the Romans moſt ancient ſtations in olde Germanie; and another of certeine colonies of theirs on the ſhore of Rhaetia. Gaſpar Bruſchius publiſhed a volume of the monaſteries of Germanie. Of ancient writers Cornelius Tacitus moſt exactly deſcribed it in a peculiar Treatiſe: whereon Andraeas Althamerus, Iodocus VVillichius, and lately Iuſtus Lipſius haue written moſt learned Commentaries. Diuers other Writers of Germanie, which we haue not as yet ſeene, are reckened vp by Francis Irenicus, in the firſt booke and ſecond chapter of his Expoſition of Germanie. But here I thinke it not amiſſe to alledge the teſtimonie of Laonicus Chalcocondylas a ſtranger, namely of Athens, concerning this countrey and the inhabitants. Thus therefore he writeth in his ſecond booke: This nation is gouerned with better lawes than any other of thoſe regions or peoples that inhabit towards the North or Weſt. It hath many noble and flouriſhing cities, which vſe their owne lawes, moſt agreeable to equitie. It is diuided into ſundry principalities, and is ſubiect to Prieſts and Biſhops adhering to the Biſhop of Rome. The moſt famous and wel-gouerned cities in the vpper and lower Germanie, are Norinberg a rich city, Straſburg, Hamburg, &c. The nation is very populous and mighty; ruleth farre and wide all the world ouer; and in greatneſſe is ſecond to the Scythians or Tartars. Wherefore if they were at concord and vnder one Prince, then might they well be deemed inuincible, and the moſt puiſſant of nations. As touching their bodies, they are verie healthfull, and want nothing. Nor is there any nation that I know gouerned by better lawes. Thus much and more concerning this people and countrey, who liſt may reade in the ſame authour.

THis Table repreſenteth not all the Lower Germanie, but only that part which King Philip, ſonne to Charles the fifth, challenged by right of inheritance. And it conteineth theſe 17. Prouinces; the Dukedomes of Brabant, Limburgh, Lutzenburg, and Guelders; the Earledomes of Flanders, Artois, Henault, Holland, Zeland, Namur, Zutfen; the Marqueſat of the ſacred Empire; the Signiories of Friſland, Mechlin, Vtreight, Oueriſſell, and Groemingen. Regions as ciuill and as well manured as any in the world; wherein (according to Guicciardin) are to the number of 208. cities fortified with walles, rampiers, or ditches; and villages with churches aboue 6300, beſides a great number of hamlets, caſtles and forts. And this tract (beginning from the Eaſt maretine part at the riuer Amiſus, commonly Eems, the bound hereof towards the Ocean) hath theſe bordering Princes: the Earle of Eaſt Friez, the Biſhop of Munster, the Duke of Cleue, the Archbiſhops of Colen and Triers, and the French King, along the Southweſterne ſhore as farre as the riuer Aa, the extreame Weſterne bound of theſe Prouinces. The aire, though it may ſeeme ouer-moiſt, is notwithſtanding moſt healthfull, and agreeable to the conſtitution and digeſtion of the inhabitants; who are heere very long liued eſpecially in Kempenland, the Northermoſt part of Brabant. It is euery where watered with riuers; and ſufficiently adorned with woods and groues, either for paſtime of hunting, or beautifull proſpect. Mountaines it hath none, ſaue only about Lutzenburg, Namur, and in Henault, where it riſeth in ſome places into hilles. It aboundeth with corne and fruits of all ſorts, and medicinable herbs. Here alſo groweth great plentie of that graine, which commonly is called Buckwey, but the people corruptly pronounce it Bockwey; as if you would ſay, The Beech-herbe: for the ſeed or graine (albeit leſſe in forme) is three-ſquare, altogether like the nut of the Beech. So as it may truely be called Beech-maſt, or if you will 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Whether this ſimple were knowen of ancient times, let Herbaliſts enquire. Howbeit, in ſome ſandie places, which the inhabitants, in regard of abundance of heath or linge, call Heath-ground; as in Kempenland the North part of Brabant, it growes not in ſuch plentie. But this kinde of heath yeeldes ſuch excellent feed for cattell, as (by the confeſſion of neighbour-countries) their fleſh is as pleaſant and delectable to a mans taſte, as any other. This region I ſuppoſe, that Plinie in his 17. booke and 4. chapter moſt truely deſcribeth, when he ſaith: What better feed than the paſtures of Germanie? And yet vnder a thin flag you haue immediatly a mould of barren ſand. It breedeth no creatures hurtfull to mankinde.

All the foreſaid regions, the greateſt part of ſtrangers (moſt ignorantly miſtaking part for the whole) call by the name of Flanders, and the inhabitants Flemings, whereas Flanders is but a part only, and but one Prouince of the ſeuenteene; as in the Table you may plainly ſee. Theſe therefore are in as great an error, as if a man, to ſignifie Spaine, ſhould name Caſtilia, Andaluzia, or any other particular Prouince: or ſpeaking of Italie, ſhould mention Tuſcan or Calabria &c. or diſcourſing of the whole kingdome of France, ſhould nominate only Normandy or Bretaigne, &c. and ſo ſhould imagine himſelfe to haue ſpoken of all Spaine, all Italie, or all France.

Theſe regions Iohn Goropius Becanus in his Becceſelanis hath moſt learnedly deſcribed, as likewiſe Peter Diuaeus of Louaine, and Hubert Thomas of Liege. Iohannes Caluetus Stella, a Spaniard, writ in his owne language a Iournall of King Philips progreſſe thorow all theſe Prouinces; wherein you ſhall finde many particulars worth the reading, that giue great light to the knowledge of theſe countries and cities. But whoſo deſires to haue more full and abſolute inſtructions of theſe places, let him peruſe Guicciardin; and he will then thinke, that he hath not read of theſe Prouinces, but ſeene them with his eyes. Lately alſo Dauid Chitraeus in his Saxon hiſtorie hath written both largely and learnedly of the ſame argument.

Whereas the inhabitants in moſt places ſpeake both the Dutch and French languages, and the countrey for traffique and other occaſions is frequented by Spaniards and ſtrangers of ſundry nations; hence it is that diuers cities, townes, and riuers, are called by more names than one: for euery man calles them according to his owne language, by a name much differing from the proper name vſed by the inhabitants. The ignorance of which multiplicitie of names hath made ſome authours (otherwiſe not to be diſcommended) to fall into intolerable errours: and amongſt the reſidue, Dominicus Niger in his Geographie; who puts downe Anuerſa in ſtead of Tarauanna; and Antorpia (which notwithſtanding in the copie printed by Henrick Peterſon he corruptly calles Antropicia) he placeth vpon the banke of Tabuda, thirty leagues from Tarauanna; whereas all men know, that Antorpia and Anuerſa ſignifie one and the ſame citie of Antwerpe. Likewiſe Machelen and Malines, Leodium and Liege, Nouiomagum and Nieumeghen, Traiectum on the Maeſe and Trait (for which he falſly writes Trecia) he ſuppoſeth to be two ſeuerall townes, ech couple; whereas in very deed they ſignifie but one. The citie Raremutium alſo he moſt groſly affirmeth to be called Liege: and in another place he will needs haue the ſame Raremutium to be named Rhamon: but by his deſcription I coniecture, that he meanes by his Raremutium and Rhamon nothing els but the towne of Ruermond. So Rhenen a citie of Guelders ſtanding on the banke of the riuer Rhene, in regard of the affinitie of name, he takes to be all one with the Biſhopricke of Rhemes in the Prouince of Champaigne in France. But being vtterly vnacquainted with the ſtate of our countries, his errors may ſeeme the more pardonable. Howbeit, leſt others, ſtudious in Geography, ſhould fall into the like abſurdities, I thought good to annex vnto this page the cōmon ſynonymas or ſundry names of certaine particular places.

THis region as we ſee many others, is ſo named of Lutzenburg the principall citie: but why it ſhould be thus called, we cannot eaſilie coniecture. At firſt it went vnder the title of an Earledome, and afterward was aduanced to the dignitie of a Dukedome, and ſo till this preſent continueth. Some ſay it was thus aduanced by Wenceſlaus King of the Romans; others, by Charles the fourth: howbeit Conradus Vercerius aſcribes it to Henry the ſeuenth, the first Romane Emperour of that family. I finde in ancient manuſcripts, that the first Earle of Lutzenburg was one Sigisfridus, and that he was the ſonne of Tacuinus Duke of Maeſland.

In former times Lutzenburg was part of Triers. It ſtretcheth from the wood Arduenna to Moſella (a riuer by Auſonius much celebrated.) The countries bordering vpon this Prouince, are part of France, Loraigne, Metz, Triers, Mamure, and Liege. It is in most places mountainous and woodie; but here and there alſo well manured: and of late we ſee their woods euery where turned vp and conuerted into most fruitfull fields. The people are for the greatest part Dutch, and yet their countrie ioyneth hard vpon France, and they are accustomed to the language and faſhions of the French. This Dukedome conteineth in compaſſe, as ſaith Guicciardin, ſeuentie of our Flemiſh miles. Within it are ſeuen Earledomes, many Baronies, and great ſtore of gentlemen. Cities there are with ſtone walles to the number of twentie three, beſides thoſe that the furie of warre hath layd deſolate: with 1168. villages, and ſundrie castles of importance.

The principall citie is called Lutzenburg or Lucemburg; for I find it both wayes written, but without any choice: becauſe both the true maner of writing and the deriuation is vncertaine. Some thinke of the riuer Elza running by this citie (which perhaps was Antoninus his Alizontia) that it might be called Elzenburg, and corruptly Lelzenburg. Others referre it to the fabulous historie of the Inchantreſſe Meluſina. But my purpoſe is neither to proue nor diſproue ſuch opinions. Here reſideth the chiefe Counſell, and the highest Court of iustice. The citie is of ſufficient force, but vnequally ſituate: for ſtanding partly on a hill, and partly in a lowe and ſteepe valley, it appeares of a very vneuen ſhape. Then haue you Arlune ſtanding on the top of a hill, a towne very beautifull, where at this preſent are found ſundry monuments of antiquitie, which Count Peter Erneſtus hath cauſed to be tranſported to his ſtately Palace in the citie of Lutzenburg. Some are of opinion that the Moone in time past was here after a Gentiliſh maner adored, and that it was called Arlune, quaſi Ara lunae, that is, the altar of the moone. Others imagine, that theſe cities following borowed their names alſo from the reſidue of the planets; as Iuoſium (commonly Iuoix) from Ioue or Iupiter; Sathenacum (now Soleure) from Saturne; Virtonium (alias Verton) from Venus; Maruilla (or Maruille) from Mars; Malmedium (Malmedi) from Mercurie. Some interpret Malmedi, Montem maledictum, The accurſed mountaine; ſaying that it was ſo called, becauſe here the Emperour Valentinian loſt his armie. Next followes Rademacherne. Alſo Thion-uille, on the banke of Moſella: it is the fortreſſe of the whole region, and a towne moſt defenſible against all hoſtile attempts. Grauenmachern and Coningsmachern, two ſmall townes ſituate vpon the ſame riuer. Dechrij ſtands vpon the riuer Saur. Echternach, containing a famous Abbey. Vinden likewiſe. Alſo the towne of Baſtoigne, the principall mart of the whole region, ſtanding neere the wood Arduenna. Here you haue in like ſort, Naufchaſtelle, Danuiller, la Roche, and Durbis, townes not altogether vnworthie to be mentioned: as likewiſe Sant Vit, Marche, Chiney, and Ferta. All which are more amply deſcribed by Guicciardin. Regino in his ſecond booke makes mention of mount Adromare about Thion-uille, where Charlemaigne was wont to ride a hunting. More concerning this region you may reade in our Itinerarium or Iournall.

GVELDERLAND the ſeat of the ancient Sicambri (as moſt Writers are of opinion) hath to the North thereof Friſland, together with an inlet of the German ſea, commonly called Suiderzee; Eaſt it confineth vpon the Duchy of Cleue; South vpon Gulick; and Weſt it affronteth Brabant and Holland. It is a champian countrey, deſtitute of mountaines, but all ouer repleniſhed with woods and groues. It aboundeth with all neceſſaries, eſpecially with corne; and their greene ranke medowes yeeld ſuch plentie of feed for cattell, as euen out of the fartheſt part of Denmarke they bring hither their ſtarued droues for ſuccour. It is watered with three famous riuers, namely Rhijne, Maeſe, and VVaele. It conteineth the countie of Zutphen and the region called De Veluvve. The Veluwe is almoſt an iſle, which being ſituate betweene a branch of Rhijn that runnes by Arnhem, and the riuer Yſſel, ſtretcheth to the Suyder ſea; it is meanly fruitfull and not altogether void of woods, mountaines, and hilles. Some thinke that the inhabitants of this place were woont to be called Caninfates.

The Dukedome of Guelders hath two and twentie cities compaſſed with walles and ditches, and aboue three hundred villages. Nieumegen vpon the VVaele is the Metropolitan; a citie very populous, and gallantly built, & famous in regard of the mint that is there. The greateſt part of the citizens vſing trade of merchandize are exceeding rich. The territory of this citie is adorned with the title of a Kingdome. Next followes Ruremonde, ſituate where the riuer Roer falles into the Maeſe. It hath in my remembrance beene a Biſhopricke. Zutphen, at the mouth of the riuer Berkel, where it diſchargeth it ſelfe into Yſſel. It beares the title of an Earledome. It hath a rich College of Canons, and is vnder the iuriſdiction of the Biſhop of Munster. Arnhen ſtands vpon the banke of Rhijne. This is the ſeat of the high Court of iuſtice, and of the Chancery. The Clergie of this towne are ſubiect to the Biſhop of Vtrecht. HATTEM a towne well fortified vpon the riuer Yſſel. ELBVRG on the ſhore of the Zuyder ſea. HARDERVVIIK, vpon the ſame ſhore. Heere likewiſe you haue WAGENING, TIEL, BOMMEL, BRONCHORST, DOESBVRG, DOTECHEM, SHEERENBERG, gouerned by a peculiar prince vnder the name of an Earledome; LOCHEN, GROLL, BREDEVORD, GELRE which perhaps gaue name to the whole region; STRAELEN, VENLO, a towne vpon the banke of Maeſe fortified both by arte and nature; WACHTENDVNCK, of ancient times the city of Hercules, in the Dukedome of Iuliers. Beſides theſe there are other ſmall townes of note; which though now either by furie of warre, or iniurie of time, they are vnwalled; yet they doe enioy the freedomes and priuileges of cities. Their names be Keppel, Burg, Genderen, Bateburg, Monteford, Echt, Culeburg, and Buren; both which haue a peculiar Lord as Bateburg alſo. Vnder Earle Ottho the third, this region was mightily inlarged; for he compaſſed with walles, and endowed with priuileges the townes of Ruremond, Arnhem, Harderwijk, Bemel, Goch, and VVagening, which till that time had remained villages. In the Chronicle of Iohn Reigerſbeg written in Dutch, I finde this region in the time of Carolus Caluus to haue beene called by the name of Ponthis; and that it was by him in the yeere 878. erected to a Signiorie. Then in the yeere 1079. this Signiorie of Ponthis was by Henrie the third adorned with the title of an Earledome, and called the Earledome of Guelders: and the firſt Earle thereof was Otto à Naſſau. It went vnder the name of an Earledome till Reinhold the ſecond. But whenas this Reinhold not only for his valour and mightineſſe grew terrible to his neighbours, but renowmed in regard of his iuſtice, his piety and fidelity towards the Roman empire; he was at Frankford in a ſolemne and royal aſſembly by Lewes the Emperour conſecrated Duke; in preſence of the King of England, the French King, and the Princes Electours, in the yeere of our Lord 1339.

Some ſay, that in the time of the Emperour Carolus Caluus, towards that place where the towne of Gelre now ſtandeth, there was a ſtrange and venimous beaſt, of huge bigneſſe and monſtrous crueltie, feared all the countrey ouer, which lay for the moſt part vnder an Oake. This monſter waſted the fields, deuoured cattell great and ſmall, and abſtained not from men. The inhabitants affrighted with the noueltie and vncouthneſſe of the matter, abandoned their habitations, and hid themſelues in deſert and ſolitarie places. A certaine Lord of Ponth had two ſonnes; who partly tendring their owne eſtate, and partly alſo the diſtreſſe of their neighbours, aſſailed the beaſt with ſingular policie and courage, and after a long combat ſlew him. The ſaid Lord therefore not farre from the Maeſe vpon the banke of Nierſon, for the perpetuall memorie of his ſonnes exploit, built a caſtle which he called Gelre; becauſe when the beaſt was ſlaine, he often yelled with a dreadfull roaring noiſe, Gelre, Gelre: from whence they ſay, began the name of the Guelders. Thus much out of the Chronicle of Henry Aquilius a Guelder borne. More concerning this Prouince you may reade in Francis Irenicus; but a moſt large deſcription hereof you ſhall finde in Guicciardin.

IT is a common and conſtant opinion, that thoſe which we now call Leodienſes or Ligeois are a German people named of old Eburones. A relique or monument of which ancient name remaineth as yet in the village Ebure, a German mile diſtant from the city of Liege. And this very place (as I ſuppoſe) is deſcribed by Dion lib. 40. vnder the name Eburonia. Howbeit certaine it is, that the iuriſdiction of Liege ſtretcheth much farther than that of the Eburones did of olde. Of the Eburones mention is made by Strabo, Caeſar, and Florus. Dion calles them Eburos: and late Writers barbarouſly terme them Eburonates. Themſelues in their mother tongue (which is a kinde of broken French) they call Ligeois: but in high Dutch Lutticher, and Luyckenaren. The deriuation of Eburones & Leodienſes, whoſo deſires to know, I refer him to the antiquities of Goropius Becanus, and to a ſmall pamphlet of Hubert Leodius.

This region taketh vp a great part of ancient Lorraigne: for it containes vnder the name of the dioceſſe of Liege, the dukedome of Bouillon, the marqueſat of Franckmont, the countie of Haſpengow, and Loots, and many Baronies. In this region beſides Maeſtright, halfe wherof is ſubiect to the Duke of Brabant, there are foure and twentie walled cities, a thouſand ſeuen hundred Villages, with Churches and many Abbeys and Signiories. The names of the cities are theſe following; Liege vpon Maeſe, the ſeat of a Biſhop, after which all the whole countrey is named: Bouillon Franchemont, Loots, Borchworm, Tungeren, Huy, Haſſelt, Dinant, Maſac, Stoch, Bilſen, S. Truden, Viſet, Tuin, Varem, Bering, Herck, Bree, Pera, Hamont, Chiney, Foſſe, and Couin, as Guicciardin doth both name and number them. Moreouer Placentius writeth, that part of Maeſtright was added to this dioceſſe by the donation of Pori Earle of Louaine. The territorie of this citie is called the countie of Maeſland in the ancient records of Seruatius abbey, built here by King Arnulphus in the yeere 889. Now this countie is vſually called Haſpengow.

It is a region exceeding pleaſant and fertile of all things, eſpecially on the North part, where it ioyneth to Brabant; for there it aboundeth with corne and all kinde of fruits, and in ſome places it yeeldeth wine. But on the South frontiers towards Lutzenburg and France, it is ſomewhat more barren, mountainous, and ouerſpred with woods; here yet being ſome remainder of Arduenna the greateſt foreſt in all France, as Caeſar writeth. This is the outward hiew of the country; but in the entrals and bowels thereof it is enriched with mettals and ſundry kinds of marbles; as alſo with ſea-coales, which they burne in ſtead of fewell; and all theſe ſo ſurpaſsing good, as in a common prouerbe they vſually ſay, that they haue bread better than bread, fire hotter than fire, and iron harder than iron. By their iron (than which all the prouinces around vſe neither better nor indeed any other) they raiſe a great reuenue. Nor with any other more forcible fire do the Smithes and Bearebrewers in all this part of the Low countries heat their furnaces than with theſe minerall coales of Liege; which are of ſo ſtrange a nature, as water increaſeth their flame, but oile puts it out. The ſmell of this fire or ſmoke, though it be ſomewhat loathſome to thoſe that are not accustomed with it, yet ſalt being cast thereupon, it ſmelleth either but a little, or not at all. But concerning theſe coales, you may reade more at large in the Tables of Namur and Henault.

This region they ſay was conuerted to the faith by S. Materne the first Biſhop of Tungeren, about the yeere of our Lord 101. For the Biſhopricke which is now at Liege, was then at Tungeren, and there continued till the yeere 498, what time it was by S. Seruatius tranſlated to Maeſtright; where it remained till the time of S. Hubert the Biſhop, who in the yeere 713. remoued it to Liege, where it continueth till this preſent. Touching this Prouince reade more largely in Guicciardin, Hubert of Liege, and Placentius. To whom you may adde Francis Roſerius his deſcription of Loraigne.

THe Dukedome of Brabant is in ſuch ſort circumſcribed by the riuers Maeſe, Scheld, Sambre, and Dender, as it no where ouerpaſſeth them; nor doth it in all places ſtretch ſo farre: for on this ſide the Maeſe lies a great part of the Prouince of Liege. But (that we may deſcribe the bounds hereof more perfectly) it hath to the North, Holland and Guelders; Eaſt, the Biſhoprick of Liege; South, the counties of Namure and Henault; and Weſt it is diuided From Flanders by the riuer Scheld. It is a goodly and pleaſant country, exceeding fertill, and abounding with come and fruits of all ſorts, eſpecially to the South of the riuer of Demer. For the North part thereof, namely Kempenland, is ſomewhat more barren and ſandy. Howbeit, this part is not altogether fruitleſſe: for Iacobus Spielegius writing to Guntherus of Genoa, affirmeth that the husbandmen of Brabant are ſo induſtrious, as they make the drieſt ſandes to beare wheat. Alſo to head-cattell and ſheepe, the greateſt part whereof (as we reade in Homer of thoſe Libyan ſheepe) are horned; it yeelds moſt pleaſant and plentifull paſture. And now by the induſtry & vnceſſant labour of the husbandmen it is dayly ſo manured; that where in times paſt there was nothing but vnprofitable ſand-heaps, you may at this preſent beholde, to the great benefit of the inhabitants, moſt fruitfull corne-fields. On the Eaſt part of this Prouince there is a kinde of bogge or quagmite called Peele, the ground whereof (as Plinie reporteth of the fields Gabienſis and Reatinus) trembleth vnder a mans foot; neither can it be paſſed by horſes or wagons, but only in Winter, when the vpper cruſt thereof is hardened with froſt.

This region containes the Marqueſat of the ſacred Empire (the chiefe citie whereof is Antwerpe) as likewiſe the Marqueſat of Bergis, the Dukedome of Arſchot, the Earledomes of Hochſtraten, Megen, and that of Cantecroy lately erected by Charles the fifth, &c. It hath alſo woods and foreſts, abounding with wilde beaſts of ſundry kindes: the principall whereof are Grootenhout, Grootenheyst, Meerdael, Zauenterloo and Soenien the greateſt of all, conteining in it for the ſpace of ſeuen miles compaſſe ſundry villages & monaſteries. Hunting and hawking (except in theſe fiue woods, which are reſerued for the Princes owne game) are free for all men. The people are ſo iocund, as they ſeeme ſcarſe to feele the inconueniences of olde age; which frolike diſpoſition of theirs hath giuen occaſion to their neighbours round about to vſe this ieſt: The longer the Brabanter liues, the more foole he. The aire is exceeding holſome: for when the plague hath beene moſt vehement in all the regions adiacent, Brabant hath often moſt wonderfully remained free.

This Dukedome of Brabant hath ſix and twentie cities enuironed with walles and ditches. And they are theſe following: ANTVVERPE ſituate vpon Scheld, the moſt famous mart not only of Germanie, but of all Europe; and one of the ſtrongeſt cities in the world; being much beautified with the ſteeple of S. Maries built an incredible height of white marble. The palace lately built, is ſcarſe to be matched in all Europe. BRVSSEL, abounding with ſweet fountaines. Here for the moſt part reſideth the Prince; and therefore is this towne ſo much frequented by Nobles and Courtiers. LOVAIN, a large city, conteining Gardens, Vineyards, and Paſtures within the walles: well may you call it The habitation of the Muſes; for which purpoſe in the yeere 1426. Iohn the fourth Duke of Brabant eſtabliſhed here an Vniuerſitie, which flouriſheth with all kind of learning. The territorie of this citie makes Brabant to glory of her vintage. Then followes MACHELEN, famous for the court of Parliament there inſtituted by Duke Charles of Burgundie in the yeere 1473. HERTOGENBOSCH, a towne of no ſmall importance, conteining an excellent Grammar ſchoole, and inhabited in times paſt with a moſt warlike people. TIENEN vpon the riuer Ghette, from whence are brought great ſtore of cheeſes. Here ſtands the church of S. Germans, whereunto belongs a college of Canons. LEVWE, where the noble ale is brewed. NIVELLE. In this citie there is a chanterie of Nunnes, whereinto none but ladies of great nobilitie can be admitted. The Gouerneſſe of this chantry the Nunnes themſelues chuſe by voices, yet with the conſent of the Prince, and the Biſhops approbation; and ſhe is called the ladie of Niuella. Alſo the temporall and eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction of the towne and adioyning territory ſoly belongeth vnto her. ARSCHOT, ſituate on the riuer Demer, bearing at firſt the title of a Marqueſat, but ſince by Charles the fift aduanced to a Dukedome. BERGEN ap Zoom, ſo named of a ſmall riuer that runnes thorow it; a towne heeretofore of good traffique, but now by the neighbourhood of Antwerpe not ſo frequented of forren merchants. MEGHEN, ſituate vpon the Maeſe. BREDA, a towne moſt fairely built. Here ſtands the Palace of the Earles of Naſſau, ſo gallantly begun by a moſt skilfull architect, that being once finiſhed, it may (I thinke) be preferred before all the Princes houſes in this region. MAESTRIGHT, a large, populous, and rich citie; which though it ſeemeth to lie without the bounds of Brabant, acknowledgeth the Duke of Brabant as her ſouereigne Lord. STEENBERGEN vpon the ſea-ſhore. In times paſt it was a flouriſhing mart towne; but now it is almoſt brought to nothing. LIERE, ſo beautifull and pleaſant a towne, as many noble men make choiſe thereof as a place of recreat and ſolace. VILVORDEN. Here is a ſtrong fortreſſe, and the caſtle of the Duke. GEMBLOVRS. The Abbat of this towne beareth the greateſt ſway in cauſes both eccleſiaſticall and temporall. IOVDOIGNE for the holeſomneſſe of the aire in times paſt the nurſerie of the yong Princes of this region. HANVT, heretofore reported to haue beene an Earledome, ſituate in a moſt fertile place. LANDEN, eſteemed of ſome the moſt ancient towne in all Brabant. HALEN, almoſt vtterly ruinated by warres. DIEST, built on either ſide the riuer Demer, a ſpacious citie, the inhabitants whereof gaine much by clothing. SICHENEN, a towne vpon the ſame riuer. HERENTALS, that maintaines it ſelfe alſo by clothing. EINDHOVEN, in the middeſt of Kempenland, vpon the riuer Dommel. HHLMONT, whereunto adioyneth a caſtle.

Some places here are alſo which in Dutch we call Vrijheden, or Free townes; which though they be not fortified with walles and ditches; yet becauſe they enioy the priuileges and immunities of Princes, we thinke not altogether vnwoorthie the naming: Osterwijck, Orſchot, Turnhout, Hoochſtraten, Duffel, Walen, Merchten, Aſche, Wernen, Duisboſch, Hulpen, Waure, Braine, Genappe, Gheel, Arendonce, and Dormal. Here are ſeuen hundred villages, with pariſh-churches that haue ſteeples and belles; a great many of which villages are adorned with titles of dignities. Alſo vnder the gouernment and iuriſdiction of Brabant are certaine regions beyond the Maeſe, as namely the duchy of Limburg, the countie of Dalem, the ſtate of Valkenburg, &c. Beſides all which, it hath many other places of importance: but it is not our purpoſe here to make relation of all. Iohn Seruilius publiſhed a briefe treatiſe as touching a conſpiracie of the people of Guelders againſt this countrey of Brabant, where you ſhall finde many furtherances to the better knowledge of this region. But in Guicciardin his deſcription of the Low countries you ſhall not only reade of theſe places, but euen behold them with your eyes: ſo curiouſly hath he deſcribed them. The antiquities and memorable acts of this countrey my learned friend M. Iohn Gerard is now in hand withall. All which we earneſtly expect that he will ere long publiſh. The ancient inhabitants of this region were called Ambiuariti and Aduatici. Concerning whom reade Iohn Goropius Becanus his Becceſelanis.

THe region of Namur is at this preſent endowed with the title of an Earledome. Whether it was thus named of the principall citie, or that the city aſſumed this name from the region, remaineth as yet vncertaine; as likewiſe the originall of the word it ſelfe. The inhabitants call it Namur, and the high Dutch Namen, but the true ſignification of the word they are vtterly ignorant of. For thoſe that affirme that an Idol called Nanus, was of old worſhipped, and deliuered anſwers and oracles vpon the ſame hill whereon now the caſtle of Namure is ſituate, and that afterward, when Chriſtian religion began to ſhine, this Idol waxing mute or ſilent, the whole region of Namure was ſo named of Nanus mutus; do (I thinke) report fables, without the authority of any approoued writers. Meierus affirmeth, that anciently it was called Neumur, as much to ſay in Latine as Nouus murus, a new wall.

Vpon this region do border the prouinces of Liege, Brabant, Henault, and Lutzenburg. It is watered by Maeſe and Sambre, two nauigable riuers. The country is neither mountainous nor plaine; but raiſed here & there into little hilles, and depreſſed into valleys: the woods, whereof the greateſt is called Marlaigne, yeeld plenty of game for Gentlemen. It abounds with things neceſſary for mans life. Here are many yron-mines. Here alſo they digge a kinde of ſtony or minerall coles, which in Dutch we call Steenkolen: the inhabitants, as likewiſe the Ligeois (for they are found with them alſo) terme them Hoille; the learned call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as much to ſay as Stone-coles. The nature of theſe ſtones is moſt wonderfull: for whereas oyle increaſeth the flame of all other fewell, theſe burne more vehemently by caſting on water, and are quenched with oyle. With theſe coles the inhabitants and bordering nations (for they are tranſported hence into other countries) do make luſty fires: and Black-ſmithes do ſoften their yron better with this, than with any other fiering. Here are quarries alſo, out of which are cut marbles of exceeding hardneſſe, both blacke, browne, and particoloured; wherewith the churches & houſes of the regions adiacent are maruellouſly adorned. By meanes of which marbles the people of Namure reape no ſmall benefit.

This county hath foure walled townes: Namure, Bouuignes, Charlemont, and Ʋallencure. NAMVRE, as hath beene ſaid, is the principall city, and of late is become the ſee of a Biſhop: it is right commodiouſly ſituate, namely at the confluence or meeting of the riuers Maeſe and Sambre: it hath bridges to paſſe ouer both riuers. Here is the chiefe tribunall of iuſtice for the whole region. BOVVIGNES ſtands vpon the Weſterne banke of Maeſe, a towne in times paſt glorious for building, and populous for inhabitants; but now ſo deformed and ruined with often warres, as it hath loſt the greateſt part of her beauty. CHARLEMONT is a moſt impregnable caſtle, ſo named and built by Charles the fift, neere the banke of Maeſe, on the top of an hill, by a village called Giuet. Neither is VALENCVRE a towne of ſmall moment. Alſo within this county, beſides diuers Abbies, there are 82. villages, of which Floreu, Ʋaſcie, Samſon, and ſome others, are ſo large and beautifull, as they may well be compared with townes. This region of old bare the title of a Marqueſate: but about the yere 1200. it was conuerted into an Earledome. The people are very warlike, and moſt loyall to their Prince. They ſpeake French. This region (as the reſt of the Lowe countries) is exactly deſcribed by Guicciardine.

LEſſabaeus writeth (vpon what ground, I know not) that this Prouince was of old called Pannonia, becauſe the ruſticke god Pan was here worſhipped; then Saltus carbonarius or The cole-foreſt; and afterward, The lower Picardie. But at length it was named Hannonia of the riuer Hayſne, that runnes thorow the midſt of it. The inhabitants call it Henault, and the Germans Henegow, which in the ancient language of the place ſignifies The field of Hainault. For Gow in Dutch ſignifies a field. Another deriuation alſo of the name of this countrey is produced by Carolus Bouillus in his diſcourſe of the variety of vulgar languages.

To the Weſt of this Prouince by Flanders and Artois; on the North Brabant; and Brabant againe with part of Namure and Liege vpon the Eaſt; and South it is bounded by Champaigne a Prouince of France. A country as pleaſant, and as well ſtored with woods, lakes, fountaines, medowes, and paſtures, as any other in all theſe parts. The inhabitants are warlike, and towards their Prince moſt loyall and ſeruiceable. Their libertie or freedome they vſually boaſt of in a common prouerbe, ſaying: Pays de Hainault tenu de Dieu & du ſoleil, that is, The Prouince of Henault holds of God and of the ſunne. Which prouerbe Nicolaus Brontius in a diſcourſe of his publiſhed in commendation of this region, interpreteth in two Latine verſes to this effect: Star-guiding Ioue and Phoebus bright, Of this place only challenge right. In length it conteineth about twenty, and in bredth ſixteene miles. In which ſpace (as Guicciardin reporteth) it comprehends foure and twenty townes, and aboue nine hundred and fiftie villages or hamlets. Robert Caenalis reckons vp in this Prouince two thouſand two hundred petie villages with Churches and ſteeples. At this preſent it beareth the title of an Earledome: and it containes within it one Princedome, eight inferiour Earledomes, twelue Peeres, two and twentie Baronies, ſix and twentie Abbeys, with other titles of dignitie, which are to be ſeene in Guicciardine.

The principall cities are Mons and Valenchienes: the laſt whereof ſituate vpon the riuer Scheld, where it begins to be nauigable for boats and barks, is a towne very large and ſtrongly walled. The towneſmen for the moſt part imploy themſelues in trade of merchandiſe; and reape exceeding gaines by a kinde of cloth which they call Fuſſets, great quantitie whereof is wouen in this citie, and carried from hence to the furtheſt parts of the world. Mons ſtandeth vpon the little riuer Trouille, almoſt in the very midſt of all the region. A towne very ſufficiently fortified againſt all hoſtile attempts. The citizens enrich themſelues by a kinde of ſtuffe commonly called Saye, whereof great abundance is here made. Here are beſides the townes of Condet, Halle, Angie, Maubeuge, Aueſne, Beaumont, Chimay, Quercey, the retiring place of Mary, ſiſter to Emperour Charles the fift, who built there a moſt ſtately and ſumptuous Palace, which was then highly eſteemed; but afterward by the French King Henry the ſecond quite burned and defaced. Here alſo is Bauacum commonly called Bauais, which ſome thinke to be Baganum or Bagacum mentioned by Ptolemey. Others are of opinion, that Caeſar in his commentaries calles it Belgium. Howbeit Hubert of Liege thinks it not to haue been ſo mightie in Caeſars time, but rather moſt of all to haue flouriſhed vnder Conſtantine the Emperour: which he gathereth by the ancient coines here dayly digged vp in great quantitie, with the ſaid Emperours image vpon them. In the market-place of this towne ſtands a pillar of ſtone, at the foot whereof the inhabitants ſay that all thoſe wayes begin, which with an high and direct paſſage extend from hence to all parts of France. Theſe wayes (they ſay) were made by Brunchild. And euen till this day they are called after his name. For the French commonly term them Chemins de Brune hault; albeit the high Dutch call them de Raſije. There are as yet extant in ſundry places ſome broken remainders of theſe wayes. Bouillus noteth certaine wonders of them; namely, that they are higher than the fields on either ſide; that they lie moſt directly betweene the principall townes of France; and that they are paued with flint-ſtones, whereof all the fields adiacent are deſtitute: ſo that with admiration a man may imagine, that theſe flints either ſprang out of the earth, or rained downe from heauen, or by a greater force than mans hand were gathered all the world ouer for the grauelling of theſe wayes. Alſo vpon the frontiers of this region towards the riuer Maeſe, in the way to France, you haue Charlemont, Marieburg, and Philippeuille, moſt ſtrong garriſons againſt the incurſions of the French: being built and ſo named by Emperour Charles the fift, by Mary his ſiſter, and by K. Philip his ſonne.

This region aboundeth with iron and lead-mines. Heere are found alſo ſundry kindes of marbles; as blacke, white, and particoloured; right commodious for the adorning of the palaces and ſepulchres of Kings and great Nobles. Likewiſe here is digged great plentie of lime. Alſo a kinde of ſtony and blacke coales, hardened in the nature of pitch, which the inhabitants vſe for fewell in ſtead of wood. And heere alſo are made thoſe thin tranſparent panes of glaſſe, by meanes whereof vnſeaſonable windes and weather are fenced out of houſes and churches; and this glaſſe excelleth all other that is made in any place beſides. More you may reade in Guicciardine, and in a peculiar diſcourſe that Iacobus Leſſabaeus hath written of this region. Alſo Hubert Thomas of Liege in his booke de Tungris & Eburonibus writeth thereof many memorable things.

THat the Atrebates were not the meaneſt people of Gallia Belgica, Caeſar himſelfe is witneſſe. They are and haue beene a warlike nation, retaining as yet their ancient name. The head citie called in Latine Atrebatum, was of olde the Metropolitan alſo of Flanders; now it is named in French Arras, whereof the region adiacent and all the whole Prouince is called Artois, as if you would ſay Arratois, caſting away the middle ſyllable. Hereupon by a new Latine name they call it Arteſia. The whole region was by S. Lewis the French King adorned with the title of an Earledome: and the firſt Earle thereof was Robert the ſame Kings brother, as writeth Vignier. It is very large, extending from the frontiers of Cambreſis, Picardie, Henault, and Flanders, euen to the Ocean ſea. It was in times paſt ſubiect to the Crowne of France; but now by meanes of the peace betweene Emperour Charles the fift, and Francis the firſt the French King, concluded 1529, it is an abſolute ſtate of it ſelfe. It hath two famous cities, namely, Arras and S. Omer: the principall townes be Ayre, Heſdin, Lens, Bethune, Bappames, S. Paul, Lillers, and Perne; all which places are ſubiect to the King Catholike. The cities of Boulogne, Calais, Guiſnes, and Ardres (which are alſo within the bounds of this Countie) are the French Kings: for Pontieu is now aboliſhed. It hath alſo diuers fortreſſes and ſtrong holds, beſides an incredible number of noblemens caſtles, which they vſe for dwelling houſes. It contained of olde two famous biſhopricks, namely Arras and Ponthieu: but ſince, Ponthieu in the yere 1553. was vtterly deſtroyed, the iuriſdiction thereof was diſtributed to three Epiſcopall ſeas; namely, S. Omer, and Ypre for the one halfe, and Boulogne for the reſidue. Bailiwicks or Hundreds, being the principall members or parts of the whole Countie, it hath nine; namely, that of Arras, of S. Omer, of Ponthieu, of Ayre, Heſdin, Lens, Bappames, Auen, Bredenard, and Aubignie. Vnder the Bailiwicke of Arras are comprized Boulogne, S. Paul, Perne, Bethune, and Lilers; but Calais, Guiſnes, and Ardres doe by ancient right belong to S. Omer. Likewiſe the Earle of Artois had other inferiour Earles to his vaſſals, as namely, the Earle of Boulogne, of S. Paul, of Arcques, of Blangie, of Faukenberge, and of Syneghen. Now alſo it is augmented with the Princedome of Eſpinee, and the Marqueſate of Renty. But how Boulogne firſt exempted it ſelfe from the iuriſdiction of Artois, it is manifeſt out of hiſtories: for after a certaine Earle of Boulogne was attainted of treaſon againſt the French King, the King vpon that occaſion ſeizing vpon his Earldom, it euer ſince denied homage vnto Artois. Wherefore the Earle of Artois loſing the one halfe of his right, aſſumed directly to himſelfe homage or fealty ouer the county of S. Paul (which before was feudatarie to the Earle of Boulogne) ſaying often times, that he would not be depriued both of his homage and vnder-homage: ſo that hitherto the Princes on both ſides haue vſed this cuſtom; namely, that Boulogne no more acknowledgeth Artois, nor S. Paul Boulogne. Howbeit about this point in the latter treaty of peace 1559. there was ſome variance; wherefore the matter being referred to Commiſsioners, remaines as yet vndecided, the King of Spaine holding ſtill poſſeſsion. It is commonly ſuppoſed, that Calais (the next port of the continent vnto England) was by Caeſar called Portus Iccius, from whence he ſailed out of France thither. But if we more thorowly conſider the matter, we ſhall finde it to haue beene another Port, namely, the towne of Saint Omer, which that it was of old an hauen and a moſt large inlet of the Ocean ſea, euen the high cliffes, which in a maner enuironing the citie, do plainly demonſtrate, beſides infinit other arguments and reliques of antiquitie, which (though no man ſhould affirme it) do moſt euidently conuince, that the territorie adiacent was in times paſt couered with ſea; the trueth whereof is till this day alſo confirmed by common and conſtant report. Yea Sithieu the ancient name of the citie (for who knowes not that the name of S. Omer is but new) manifeſteth the ſame. As if it were deriued of Sinus Itthius or Iccius. Alſo that the ſaid haue was in the prouince of the Morini, which Virgil and Lucan doe call the fartheſt people. And that this is moſt true, an attentiue Reader may by many arguments eaſily gather both out of Caeſar his entrance and returne from England. Neither can the ſpace of thirtie miles or thereabout, which he ſayth the iſland is there diſtant from the maine, hinder my beliefe in this point; whenas the violence of the ſea (eſpecially in ſo narrow a place) may eaſily either adde or diminiſh. Nor doth the diſtance of the ſea there from the maine to the continent much differ. Sufficeth thus much to haue beene ſaid concerning Portus Iccius. Whether we haue hit the trueth or no, let others iudge. Moreouer, this Prouince hath three Biſhopricks, to wit, Arras, S. Omer, and Boulogne; one and twentie Abbeys, and ſeuen Nunries; beſides many Couents and Hoſpitals. It hath many riuers alſo; the principall whereof are Lys, Scarpe, Aa, Canche, and Authy, beſides others that are nauigable.

Great is the number of villages and hamlets thorowout the whole prouince. The ſoile is moſt fertile and abundant of all corne, and eſpecially of wheat. Wherefore in the ancient French tongue ſome write it was called Atrech, that is to ſay, The land of bread. Nor is it deſtitute of woods and groues, eſpecially towards the South and Weſt. The garments of the Atrebates or Arteſians S. Ierome in his ſecond booke againſt Iouinian noteth for precious. Alſo the Arteſian mantles Vopiſcus celebrateth in the life of the Emperour Carinus. Likewiſe the ſame Ierome and other authours affirme, that in his time it rained wooll in this prouince. This region, as others alſo adioyning, Guicciardin hath moſt notably deſcribed.

THe extreme part of Europe, oppoſite to England and Scotland, enuironed by France, Germanie, and the Ocean, is called by the inhabitants, The low countries, or lower Germanie: but the French and all ſtrangers in a maner call it by the name of Flanders. But in very deed Flanders hath not ſo great extenſion. For albeit Flanders properly ſo called was larger in times past; yet at this preſent it is bounded by Brabant, Henault, Artois, and the Ocean ſea. This they diuide into three parts, namely, Flanders the Dutch, the French, and the Imperiall; which laſt part (becauſe it neuer acknowledged any ſuperior, beſides the Prince of Flanders) they name alſo Flanders proprietarie. The Dutch Flanders hath theſe cities; Gant, Bruges, Yperen, Cortrijck, Oudenard with Pammele, Newport, Furnas, Bergen, Sluiſe, Damme, Bierflet, Dixmud, Caſſel, Dunkerke, Greueling, Burburch, and Hulſt. The French Flanders, L'iſle, Doway, and Orchies. And Flanders Imperiall or Proprietary, Aelſt, Dendermond, Geertsberg, and Ninouen. The principall riuers are Scheld, Lys, and Dender. Moſt part of the region is paſture-ground, eſpecially towards the West: it breedeth faire oxen, and moſt excellent and warlike horſes. It abounds with butter and cheeſe; and yeeldeth wheat in abundance. The inhabitants are most of them merchants: and of flax (wherof they haue in Flanders great plenty, & excellent good) and wooll (which is brought them out of Spaine and England) they make great quantity of linnen and woollen cloth, which they diſperſe farre and wide. This Prouince of Flanders hath 28. walled cities, 1154 villages, beſides fortreſſes, castles, and noble mens houſes. Among which Gaunt is the greatest citie. Whereof Eraſmus of Roterdam in his Epistles writeth in maner following: I am of opinion (ſaith he) if you looke all Christendome ouer, you ſhall not finde a citie comparable to this, either for largeneſſe and ſtrength, or for the ciuill gouernment and towardlineſſe of the people. So far Eraſmus. It containeth in compaſſe three Dutch miles. It is watered by three riuers, which diuide it into twenty inhabited iſles. For multitude and beauty of houſes Bruges excelleth almost all the cities of the Netherlands; ſo famous a mart in times past, as (ſaith Iacobus Marchantius) by that meanes the name of Flanders obſcured all the regions round about. Yperen ſtands vpon the riuer of Yperlee, very commodious for Fullers. By clothing it grew in times paſt to an huge bigneſſe, till the Engliſh and men of Gaunt beſieging it, caſt downe the large ſuburbs, and greatly diminiſhed the ſame.

As it is ſayd in a common prouerbe, that Millan for a Dukedome excelles all Christendome; ſo doth Flanders for an Earledome. It hath certaine prerogatiues: for the Prince thereof writes himſelfe Earle of Flanders by the grace of God: which clauſe is proper to the ſtile of Kings. For it is giuen (ſaith Meierus) to no Duke, Marques, or Earle in Chriſtendome, but only to him of Flanders: whenas all others vſually adde, By the clemency, or By the aſsiſtance of God, &c. He had in times paſt ſundry officers peculiar to a King; as namely his Chancellour, his Maſter of the horſe, his Chamberlain, and his Cupbearer; alſo two Marſhals and ten Peeres, as in France. The armes of this region in times past were a ſcutcheon Azure, diuided by fiue Croſſe-barres of golde with another ſmall red ſcutcheon in the midst. Now it is a blacke lion in a golden field; which ſome are of opinion, he tooke for his armes, together with the other Netherlandiſh Princes, when they ſet forth on their expedition towards Syria in the company of Philip of Elſas: for at that time the princes of Flanders, Louaine, Holland, Lutzenburg, Limburg, Brabant, Zeland, Friſland, Henault, &c. changing their ancient armes, aſſumed to themſelues lions of diuers colours.

The greater part of Flanders was from the beginning vnder protection of the French Kings; but now it is at libertie, and abſolute of it ſelfe; being releaſed by Emperour Charles the fift, Earle of Flanders: who in the treatie of Madrid quite ſhooke off the French yoke. This region Guicciardine hath most diligently deſcribed, and Iacobus Marchantius moſt learnedly. You may reade alſo Iacobus Meierus his ten tomes of Flanders affaires.

LEuinus Lemnius of Zirichzee, in his booke De occultis naturae miraculis, Of the bidden ſecrets of Nature, amongſt other things writeth thus of Zeland, his natiue country: That this Marine tract, ſaith he, was notvnknowne vnto the ancients, it may out of Cornelius Tacitus eaſily be gathered; although not by the ſame name, that at this day it is knowne by: but of a cuſtome and common kind of ſalutation and ſpeaking one to another, which acquaintance and friends of this prouince do vſe at their meetings: therefore he calleth them by the name of MATTIACI, when he thus writeth: In the ſame iuriſdiction are the Mattiaci, a nation very like the Bataui, but that thoſe, in regard of the ſituation of their countrie, are more deſperate and couragious. Whereby he giueth to vnderſtand, that although they are next neighbours and do border vpon the Bataui or Hollanders, (ſo called of the hollowneſſe and lowneſſe of the ground) ſo that they might iuſtly be accounted one and the ſame people, yet are only diſtinguiſhed by the name of their cuſtomary ſaluation; and being neerer the Sea, are more hardie and audacious; (as indeed they are,) and for manhood, witte, policy, craft, deceits, cunning in buying and ſelling, and diligence in getting, and waies to enrich themſelues, they do farre excell them. And in that hee calleth them Mattiaci, I conceiue it, that they were not ſo named either of any place or captaine, but of that fellowlike ſalutation, as I ſaid, and vſuall maner of ſpeaking one to another vſuall amongſt them, to witte, of Maet, which in common ſpeach and friendly meetings, ſignifieth a fellow and companion in all our actions, bargaines, contracts, and dangers; of all our purpoſes, counſailes, labours and trauailles: a copartner and conſort in any thing whatſoeuer we take in hand or go about, &c. For the name of Zeland is not ancient, but is lately inuented, and made of Sea and Land, as who would ſay Sea-land, a country or land bordering vpon the ſea: for it is encloſed round with the ocean, conſiſting of fifteene Ilands, although it be not long ſince the raging Sea did great hurt in this country, by whoſe violence and ouerflowing, a good part of Zeland, (his dammes, walles and banks being rent and broken downe,) was ouercome of the ſalt-water and laid leuell with the ſea: notwithſtanding certaine of them do remaine, of which eſpecially three do continually wreſtle with the boiſterous billowes of the ſea, and do very hardly defend themſelues with infinite coſts and charges againſt this rude and vnruly element. Of theſe firſt Walcheren (Walachria) doth offer it ſelfe to the eie of ſuch as do ſaile to theſe coaſts; ſo named either of him that firſt entered and inhabited in it, or (as I geſſe) of the Gaulls (Galli) which much frequented this country; who of the Low-countrie-men are yet called Walen; or of that part of Brittaine which lieth vpon the Weſt ſide of it, and is called Wales, the moſt gentlemanlike and braueſt nation (you may beleeue him,) amongſt the Engliſh, and deſcended alſo from the Gaulles, which their language as yet doth manifeſt &c. From hence Northward or ſomewhat declining toward the Eaſt is Scouwen Scaldia, the Latines call it of the riuer Sceldt, which runneth by it and heere falleth into the ſea &c. Suytheuelandt, ſo named of the ſituation of it toward the South (to diſtinguiſh it from another diſtant from it Northward and therefore called Noortheuelandt) a large and moſt goodly tract of ground, coaſting along the ſhore of Flanders and Brabant, although of late yeares hauing ſuffered great dammage and loſſe, it is now much leſſe and narrower. Thus farre Lemnius. Tritthemius in the Annalles of the Franks nameth Middleborough the chiefe city of theſe Ilands Meſoburgus Meyer; calleth it Mattiacum, more like a Latiniſt, then a true Geographer. More of theſe thou maiſt read in the forenamed Lemnius, who hath moſt excellently well deſcribed all the Ilands of Zeland, and the cities of the ſame. To theſe if thou wilt, thou maiſt adioine Lewis Guicciardine, and I know not what els thou canſt ſeeke for further ſatisfaction. There are alſo certaine Annalles of theſe Ilands, written in the mother tongue by Iohn Reygersberg. But for an incomme, thou maiſt alſo to theſe former adde the deſcriptions of the cities of the Low-countries, done by Adrian Barland. Of the people of this prouince theſe verſes are commonly ſpoken: Creſcit nequitia, ſimul creſcente ſenectâ; In Zelandinis non fallit regula talis. The worſe they wax, as they grow old; In Zelanders this rule doth hold.

Theſe Ilands are ſituate between the mouthes of the riuers Maeſe and Sceldt, bordering on the North vpon Holland, on the Eaſt vpon Brabant, on the South vpon Flanders; on the Weſt vpon the Germane ſea. Iames Meyer thinketh that Procopius calleth theſe Arboricas. Yet Petrus Diuaeus is of opinion that this place of Procopius is corrupt, and for Arborichas it ought to be read and written, Abroditos.

That theſe are thoſe Ilands, I do verily beleeue, vnto which Caeſar, in his ſixth booke De bello Gallico, affirmeth that he forced a part of the army of Ambiorix Prince of the Eburones: which, as his owne words do giue to vnderſtand, did hide themſelues in Ilands, which the continuall motion, or ebbing and flowing of the ſea had made. It is alſo very probable that Lucane in his firſt booke aimed at theſe Iſles, in theſe his verſes: Qua que iacet littus dubium, quod terra fretum que Vendicat alternis vicibus, cùm funditus ingens Oceanus, vel cùm refugis ſe fluctibus aufert. Ventus ab extremo pelagus ſic axe volutat, &c. — They come in troopes amaine, From where th'vncertaine ſhore doth lie, that is nor ſea nor land, But both, by courſe, as raging Tethys flow'th and ebb'th againe: Or as the wind with rowling waues all calm'd doth ſtand, From North to South thus carrying to and fro: &c. And that which the ſame Authour in his ninth booke ſometime did ſpeake of the Syrtes or Quickſands, one may now not altogether vnfitly applie to theſe Ilands, where he thus ſpeaketh, — Primam mundo Natura figuram Cum daret, in dubio terrae pelagi que reliquit: Nam ne que ſubſedit penitus quo ſtagna profundi Acciperet, necſe defendit ab aequore tellus: Ambigua ſed lege loci iacet inuia ſedes. When as this maſſie world by Nature firſt was fram'd, A doubtfull caſe it ſeem'd how God would haue it nam'd: For neither could the earth receiue the ocean deep, Nor land well able was his owne from ſea to keep: The place ſo dangerous is, that none to it dare go; And whether ſea or land it be, men skarce do know. Yet now theſe our Ilands are habitable, and eaſie and ſafely to be come vnto, by the induſtrie and labour of man, and not by the benefit and nature of the place.

THus Eraſmus of Roterodam, an Hollander doth deſcribe Holland, his natiue country: Moſt learned men, ſaith he, do agree in this, and that vpon great probabil ty, that that iland of the Rhein vpon the maine ſea, which Tacitus maketh mention of in his 20. booke, is the ſame that now they call HOLLAND. A land that I muſt alwaies both highly commend & reuerence, as to whom indeed I owe my life and natiuitie: And I would to God that it lay in my power to do it againe as great credit, as it hath done me honour and good, for the which I am much bound to praiſe the Lord. For in that that Martiall doth accuſe this nation ruſticitatis, of clowniſh ſimplicity; and that in that Lucane calleth the ſame trucem, rough and vnciuill, either it is nothing to vs, or els I deeme both to be interpreted as a great commendation vnto the ſame. For what nation in former times hath not been ſomewhat rude and vnciuill? or when were the Romanes more to be commended, then when they knew no other art or myſterie but husbandrie and diſcipline of warre? If ſo be that thoſe things which then were ſaid of the Hollanders, ſome man ſhall ſtand in they may be verified of them now; what greater praiſe can be attributed to Holland, my natiue country, then if it may truly be ſaid to loath thoſe ieſts of Martiall, which he himſelfe calleth nequitias, knaueries? And I would to God that all Chriſtians had ſuch eares, as theſe Hollanders had, that they might either not entertaine thoſe peſtilent conceits of that Poet, or at the leaſtwiſe would not be delighted with them. If any man pleaſe to call this clowniſhneſſe, we do willingly beare that ſlanderous reproch, as being a thing common to vs with the good Lacedemonians, with the old Sabines & the worthy Catoes, ſo much commended. And Lucane, as I thinke, called the Hollanders truces, rough, in no other ſenſe then Virgill calleth the Romane acer, ſtout and hardie. Otherwiſe if any man do reſpect their homely and plaine maners, there is no nation more prone to ciuility and curteous humanity, in which there is leſſe cruelty or ſurly ſternneſſe; they are of a good nature, plaine, void of all trechery and guile, inclined to no notorious vices: only they are a little too much giuen to their pleaſure, eſpecially in banquetting: the reaſon of which I iudge to be the wonderfull plenty of all maner of things prouoking them thereunto: and that partly by reaſon of the forrein commodities brought vnto them, for that not only it poſſeſſeth the two mouths of the goodly riuers Maeſe and Rhein, but alſo for that the greateſt part of this Weſt coaſt is continually waſhed with the maine ſea: partly by reaſon of the naturall fertility of the countrie, which euery where is watered with many great and nauigable riuers well ſtored with fiſh, and ſo hath abundance of paſtorage and moſt fatte meadowes. Moreouer the fennes and woods affoord infinite ſtore of wild-foule: and therefore they conſtantly affirme that there is no country in the world, which in ſo little compaſſe and plot of ground conteineth more cities and townes, not very big in quantity and circuite, but for ſtate of commonwealth and gouernment excellent. For cleanlineſſe and near keeping of their houſes, the Hollanders do beare away the bell from all other nations whatſoeuer, by the iudgement of Merchants which haue trauelled ouer the greateſt part of the world. Of meane learned men there is no where greater plenty. The reaſon why many of them come not to the height of that exquiſite learning, eſpecially of the ancients, is their wanton and riotous life, or for that they eſteeme more of honeſty and vertue, then great learning: For it cannot be denied but that they haue good wits, as is manifeſt by many arguments: although indeed it doth not appeare by me, whoſe gift that way is not great, as in nothing els. Thus farre Eraſmus in his Chiliades.

This country of Holland almoſt wholly encloſed like a Peninſula, with the ſea, and the mouths of the riuers Maes and Rhein, is not very large, as being in compaſſe not more then 60. Dutch miles: yet it comprehendeth 29. walled cities, which are theſe, DORDRECHT, about an hundred yeares ſince by a deluge and ouerflowing of the ſea made an iland: by this 4. riuers do runne. It is a mightie city, inhabited of very wealthy citizens, and beautified with moſt gallant buildings both publike and priuate. Heere is a great concourſe of Merchants: for in it is held the ſtaple of Rheniſh wine, corne, timber, and other wares and merchandice which are brought downe by the Maes and Rhein into theſe countries to be ſold. HAERLEM; this is the moſt ſtately and greateſt citie of all Holland, ſituate in a moſt pleaſant place. Hard without the town walls is a very fine groue, whither the citizens vpon feſtiuall daies, do withdraw themſelues, for their pleaſure and recreation, after their labour and toileſome buſines. This town is famous for clothing, where it is certaine that there are tenne or twelue thouſand clothes yearely made. Heere the citizens do perſwade themſelues the myſterie of printing was firſt inuented and practiſed. DELET, ſo named of Delft, which in their language ſignifieth a ditch. Heere alſo the towneſmen vſe clothing. Moreouer in this city, they brue good beere, which from hence in great plenty is tranſported into Zeland. This towne in the yeare 1536. ſuffered great loſſe by fire, the greateſt part of it being vtterly defaced. LEIDEN, vpon the Rhein, not far from his mouth where it ſometime did fall into the ſea, which now you may perceiue to be ſtopped & choaked with ſand. It is thought to be the moſt ancient city of this prouince: for ſome do thinke it to haue beene ſo named of a Roman legion which ſometime wintered in this place. Certaine antiquities are heere yet to be ſeene to this day. GOVDE vpon the riuer Iſel, in that place where it meeteth with the riuer Goude or Gouwe, whereof the city tooke his name. It is very populous. AMSTELREDAM, moſt ſtately built vpon the inlet or bay called Tie, the moſt populous and frequent Mart towne of all theſe parts. In euery ſtreet almoſt, like as in Venice, a man may paſſe from place to place, by boate aſwell as by foot, to diſpatch his buſineſſe. Heere daily from Norway, kuſſia, and other Northren countries, as alſo from Spaine, France, England, &c. great ſtore of ſhippes do arriue and ancher; ſo that ſometimes you ſhall ſee at once two hundred or three hundred faile of Merchants ſhippes (hulks they call them) to ride heereat anchor. Therefore this city for traffique, is commonly held to yeeld to none but Antwerp. ENCKHVISEN, vpon that ſea, which they vulgarly call in their language Suyderzee. Famous euen in forren countries for the building of great ſhippes. HOORN, ſituate alſo vpon the ſame bay. Heere in May is kept a faire, where there is ſold ſuch infinite ſtore of butter and cheeſe, as is wonderfull. ALKMAER; this place for plenty of butter and cheeſe doth excell all other cities of this prouince. PVRMERENDE, famous for the caſtle or palace of the Count Egmond. EDAM, for building of ſhippes and good cheeſe, deſerueth alſo to be remembred amongſt the reſt. Moreouer MVNNEKENDAM, WEESP, NAERDEN, and WEERT may not be forgotten. OVDEVVATER, heere groweth great ſtore of hemp, ſo that heere they make almoſt all the nets, ropes and cables which the Hollanders and Zelanders do vſe in fiſhing. SCOONHOVEN; as who would ſay, At the faire Orchards. Here is continuall fiſhing for Salmons, where alſo is held a Staple of this commodity, as we ſaid there was of wine at Dordrecht. Next after theſe do follow ISELSTEIN, VIANEN: Item LEERDAM, ASPEREN, and HVEKELEN, three little cities round in a circle vpon the riuer Lingen, not about 500. paſes one from another. GORICVM and WORICHVM, ſituate, vpon the banke of the riuer Wael, one ouer againſt another. Gorichum hath a very goodly and beautifull caſtle. A man may iuſtly call this town a city of ſtore of all maner prouiſion: ſuch a market is heere daily kept of ſuch things as are neceſſary for the ſuſtenance of mans life, which are from thence tranſported by ſhippe vnto other countries, but eſpecially to Antwerp: Laſtly, there are HVESDEN, ROTERODAM, SCHIEDAM, and both the MOVNTS, the one known by the name of S. Gertrude, the other of the number of Seuen; Seuenbergen I meane, and Geertruydenberge, for ſo they call them. Other towns there are, which ſometime were walled: which although at this day we do now ſee them to want, either by the rage of violent warre, or by reaſon of other misfortunes, yet they ſtill enioy their old liberties and fredoms. Of this ſort Medenblick Beuerwijck, Muiden, Neuport, Vlaerdingen, and Graueſande. Moreouer in this prouince there are aboue foure hundred villages, amongſt the which the Haghe, (which they call Earls Haghe) doth farre excell the reſt. This town Guicciardine thinketh for bigneſſe, wealth, beauty and pleaſant ſituation to ſurpaſſe all other in Europe whatſoeuer: for it conteineth two thowſand houſes: of which the Princes pallace, built like a caſtell fortified with a wall and dich, where the Priuy courts of Iuſtice are held, is one. Neere vnto is a darke or thicke grone, which by reaſon of the ſinging of birds, and ſight of Deere, is both to the eares and eies moſt pleaſant and delightfull. I might more iuſtly call it Comopolis, a citie like town; and may boldly compare it with Cteſiphon a borough in Aſſyria, ſituate vpon the riuer Tigris, much magnified of all ancient writers: of which Strabo writeth, that that town is equall to a city for command and bigneſſe, and was the place where the Parthian kings did vſe to winter, when they were deſirous to ſpare the city of Seleucia.

Vnder the Iuriſdiction alſo of Holland are certaine Ilands, as Voorn, (with the towns Geervliet, and Briele,) Goereden, or Goere, (with a town of the ſame name: Somerſdijcke, Tenel, & diuers others. The dioceſſe of Vtrecht, gouerned not long ſince by a Biſhop, in which were 5. cities, yeelded it ſelfe to be ſubiect to the iuriſdiction of Holland, in the time of Charles the fifth Emperour of Rome. This country is ſo encloſed with the ſea, ſeuered by riuers, lakes, creeks and ditches, whereby it is diuided as it were into certaine plots and quarters, that there is no city nor village heere, to which one may not go aſwell by water as by waggon. Neither is there any place in the whole prouince, from whence one may not eaſily in three houres ſpace, go to the ſea. Chryſoſtomus Neapolitanus hath deſcribed this Olland, (for ſo he writeth it) in an eloquent letter of his directed to Counte Nugarolo. Of this read the hiſtory of Holland, compiled by Gerardus Geldenhaurius and Cornelius Aurelius, as alſo Peter Diuey, but eſpecially Hadrianus Iunius his Batauia. Of the wonderfull ſtore and abundance of this country, read Lud. Guicciardine. Of the ruines of the Roman armory or ſtorehouſe of munition, which the country people call, The Brittiſh caſtle, (which is vpon the ſhore of the Germane ocean, at a village called Catwijcke opzee, not far from the city Leijden) and of the inſcriptions in marble there found, we haue not long ſince ſet forth a peculiar treatiſe dedicated only to that argument.

Of the prouince of Vtrecht, which now is vnder the command of Holland, and is likewiſe deſcribed in this Mappe, ſee the hiſtory of Lambertus. Hortenſius Monfortius.

THat the Frisij, a moſt ancient nation, did long ſince inhabit along the ſea coaſt, neere the mouth of the riuer of Rhein, where alſo at this day they dwell, it is very apparant out of the records of ancient writers. For Ptolemey placeth them aboue the Buſactores (or Buſacteri, the people of that prouince which now is called Weſtfalia, as ſome thinke) between the riuers Vidrus, (they call it Regge) and Amaſius, now called Eems. Tacitus, who reporteth that they were of good account amongſt the Germanes, and along by the ſea coaſt to dwell on ech ſide the Rhein: diuideth them according to their power and greatnes of command, into Maiores and Minores, the Greater and the Leſſer: hee moreouer affirmeth that they dwell round about certaine huge Lakes, ſuch as were capable of the Roman fleet. The ſame authour nameth certaine Friſios Tranſrhenanos, Frieſlandmen, dwelling beyond the Rhein: which he ſaith did rather miſlike the auarice of the Romanes then their command. Iulius Capitolinus in the life of Clodius Albinus the Emperour, ſaith, that theſe Tranſrhenane Frieſlanders were by the ſame Clodius Albinus diſcomfited and ouerthrowne. Pliny mentioneth certaine Ilands of the Frieſlanders (inſulas Friſiorum) in the riuer of Rhein: and the Eriſciabones, a kind of people between Helium and Fleuum, two mouthes of the Rhein, where it emptieth it ſelfe into the maine ſea.

It is manifeſt therefore that the Frisij, anciently did not paſſe the riuer Eems: but at this day they are further ſpred Eaſtward, almoſt as farre as the riuer Weſer, (the old Geographers called it Viſurgis.) Who alſo otherwiſe of them ſometime, were deſigned by the name of the Chauci; (or Cauchi, for diuers authours write it diuerſly) it is out of all doubt. And beſide theſe vp higher, euen in Denmarke, in the confines of the little prouince Dietmarſh, there dwell a people vulgarly knowne by the name of Strandt Vrieſen, that is, Frieſlandmen inhabiting vpon the ſea coaſt. Theſe it may be were thoſe which Ptolemey calleth Sigulones. Saxo Grammaticus, and Albertus Crantzius, calleth this Friſiam Eydorenſem, (of the riuer Eider vpon which it bordereth) and Friſiam Minorem, the Leſſer Frieſland, both of them making it a branch ſprung from thoſe ancient Frisij. Cornelius Kempius in his deſcription of Frieſland, diuideth the whole country into ſeuen Zelands, that is, marine ſhires, you may terme them. The firſt is vpon the Weſt of the riuer Fleuus or Iſel, and now is called Waterlandt: Then Weſtergoe, as who would ſay, The Weſt-land: The third Oeſtergoe, that is, The Eaſt-land. Theſe three he ſaith are commonly known and conteined vnder the name of WEST FRIESLAND. The fourth is about the riuer Iſel, where the cities Dauenter, Swool, Haſſelt, Steenwijck and Wollenhoue are ſeated. The fifth conteineth the liberties of Groeningen: The ſixt that part which they call Eaſt-Frieſland. The ſeuenth is from the riuer Weſer, beyond Elbe, euen vnto the little riuer Eyder. Otherwiſe this country of the Frisij, is vulgarly diuided into three parts, Eaſt Frieſland, Weſt Frieſland, and Middle Frieſland, which of ſome is called Groningen.

Ptolemey nameth three towns of the Frisij, Manarmanis, Phleum, and Siatutanda: Fleum Caſtellum in Tacitus is the ſame as I thinke that Phleum is in Ptolemey: the ſame Tacitus alſo maketh mention of Cruptoricis ſtipendarij villa the Mannor of Cruptorix the ſtipendary: Item, the groue of Baduhenna, where he greatly lamenteth that 900. Romans had their throats cut, and where another ſupplie of 400. men, after that they had a ſuſpicion of treaſon, did one kill another. The ſame authour writeth that in his time Hercules pillars were heere ſtill remaining. The braue couragious minde of this nation and high conceit of their owne valour, is manifeſt by the hiſtory of Verritus and Malorix, two of their princes. For theſe (as Tacitus reporteth) going to Rome, and finding Nero the Emperour buſied about other matters, amongst other things which were vſually ſhewed to barbarous people, they came into Pompeys theatre, that they might behold the greatneſſe of it. While they ſate idly there vpon the ſcaffolds (for they were not caried away altogether with the ſight of the paſtimes, as if they neuer had ſeen ſuch before) they question about the differences of eſtates, what or who was a knight, and where ſate the Senatours, they obſerued ſome to ſit in the Senatours rooms in a ſtrange habit: and demanding who they were, after they heard, that that honour was giuen to the Embaſſadours of thoſe nations which for valour, and amity with the Romans did excell others, they cried out with a loud voice, THERE ARE NO PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, THAT FOR PROVVES AND FIDELITY DO GO BEFORE THE GERMANES: and thereupon they left their places & placed themſelues in the Senatours roome: and it was well taken of the beholders, as a token of their ancient ſpirit and earneſt emulation of vertue. Nero made them both freemen of the city of Rome.

Pliny writeth in the third chapter of the fifth booke of his naturall hiſtorie, that amongſt the Frieſlanders there groweth an hearb which they call Britannica, hauing long blacke leaues; and a blacke roote. The iuice of this herb is preſſed alſo out of the roote. The flowres by a proper name they call Vibones: which being gathered before any thunder is heard, and eaten, do wholly preſerue a man from that danger. This herb is not only good and medicinable for the ſinews, and diſeaſes of the mouth, but alſo againſt the Golne or Squinancy and biting of Serpents. Whether this herb be at this day certainly knowne, and by what name, I deſire to be informed of our learned Herbatiſts.

Whether that the inhabitants of this prouince be thoſe ſame Frisij, or whether happily they tooke their beginning and name from the Phrygians of Aſia, as ſome would haue it, or from others of other places, (for Strabo acknowledgeth alſo certaine Phrygi in Illyria, about the Ceraunian hilles) I leaue to the learned to determine. The idle fables of thoſe men I cannot choſe but laugh at, which do thinke that theſe Frisij came into this country from Freſia, a prouince of India. If I were delighted with fables, I had rather with Hanibald fetch the name of this people from their king Friſus, the ſonne of Clodio. The writers of middle age, eſpecially the French, do call them, as I haue obſerued, Friſones, by a name framed of the French word Friſons, by which the Frenchmen at this day vulgarly do call the people of this prouince. They retaine euen to this day the ancient name. For they are commonly, amongſt themſelues in their own language, called Frieſen, by which name alſo they are known throughout all Germanie.

They were conuerted vnto Chriſtianitie by S. Boniface Archbiſhop of Mentz, at that ſame time when Zacharie was Pope of Rome. There is a ſtrange hiſtorie of Rabod Duke of Frieſland, who when he ſhould by Baptiſme haue beene conſecrated and adopted into the number of Chriſts flocke, he demanded to what place his Grandfathers and Greatgrandfathers were gone before him: and when he vnderſtood that they were all gone to Hell, he returned backe again ſaying, that he had rather be with his anceſtors. Whether of this Rabod our word Rahoudt, whereby in our Mother tongue we ſignifie a knaue and a wicked fellow, were deriued, I cannot tell. Suffridus Petrus Friſius hath written generally of the Frisij, in a ſeuerall and peculiar treatiſe dedicated wholly to this argument: Cornelius Kempius and others haue done the like: But Vbbo Emmius Friſius Gretenſis of all hath done the ſame moſt learnedly.

FRieſland at this day is by the riuer Eems diuided into Weſt-Frieſland and Eaſt-Frieſland. Weſt Frieſland, whoſe deſcription we heere do offer vnto thy view, doth by a moſt ancient right chalenge vnto it ſelfe the name of Frieſland, and was alwaies eſteemed the better. For this country had his proper king, vntill the daies of Charles the Great: after whoſe death this prouince was diuerſly vexed and ſuffered many greeuous ſtorms of frowning fortunes ire, although indeed before that time alſo it had often been aſſaulted and battered by the Danes and Norweies. Yea and the raging Ocean, a continuall and moſt noiſome enemie of this countrie, by ouerflowing, beating vpon it, tearing and rending his walls and banks hath much moleſted the ſame, and yet it will not ſuffer it to be quiet. Laſtly, how it hath of later daies been troubled by the Biſhops of Vtrecht and Earles of Holland, I thinke there is no man but doth well remember. But at length, in the daies of Charles the fifth, a very peaceable prince, it enioied peace and reſt from all former troubles. At this day they do diuide it into three parts; Weſtergoe, Oeſtergoe, and Seuenwolden: which againe are diſtinguiſhed into 29. Gretanies, (as they vulgarly call them in their mother tongue) Courts or principall places appointed for the executing of iuſtice. Moreouer in this mappe there is deſcribed the territory of the renowmed city Groningen: as alſo that tract which they call Ommeland: to theſe are adioined Oueryſel, Drent, and Twent, countries of a fatte and fertile glebe, well inhabited, full of villages and hamlets, breeding alſo great plenty of cattell.

The cities of Weſt Frieſland are thirteen, GROENINGEN, the more famous for that it brought forth the learned Rodolphus Agricola: DAM, LIEVVERDT with a faire caſtle: heere is kept the Court or place of Parliament and Chancerie, as they commonly call it: DOCKVM, the place where the famous Mathematician Gemma Friſius was borne: FRANICHER, a common palace, and place of retreit whither the Noblemen and Gentry of this country do for their pleaſure retire themſelues: BOLSART, SNEECK, where Ioachim Hopper a very learned and worthy man, was borne: ILST, SLOTEN, HARLINGEN, vpon an arme of the German ocean; (which they call Suyderzee,) hath a commodious hauen; garded with a ſtrong caſtle to defend it from the impechment and aſſault of the enemie: WORCKVM and HINDELOPEN, vpon the ſame bay: Laſtly, STAVEREN, which in time paſt hath been a mighty city, but now hauing endured many bitter ſtorms and inundations of the ſea, it is nothing ſo renowmed nor great. There are beſide theſe 490. villages or pariſhes, of which diuers are endowed with great priuiledges, and haue many rich farmours: It hath many Monaſteries; ſo that for the beauty of their townes, husbandrie of the land, and ſtately Abbeies, Frieſland giueth place to no other country whatſoeuer. That in this prouince are many gentlemen deſcended from honourable families, hauing their houſes and farms in diuers places of the ſhire, and no Barons or free Lords, the cauſe is partly by reaſon of the foreſaid caſualities, and partly for that they being contented with their own eſtate and liberty, haue not followed the courts of forrein Princes.

Petrus Oliuarus in his annotations vpon Pomponius Mela, where he ſpeaketh of Weſt Frieſland, writeth, that within ſo little a circuite of ground he neuer ſaw ſo many pariſh Churches. There were, ſaith he, which do alleadge this to haue been the cauſe of that multitude of Churches: they report that there aroſe a great contention amongſt the nobility of this country about their places in thoſe Churches, euery one contending for the higheſt ſeat: and when as this contention grew euery day worſe and worſe, they determined, as many as were able, to build them ſeuerall Curches, euery man vpon his owne demaines: and ſo euery man might take the higheſt roome in his own ſeat: and heere grew the cauſe of building ſo many Churches. Thus farre Oliuarius, where alſo thou maiſt ſee many things els worth the reading. Moreouer read Albertus Crantzius, his Saxonia. But he that deſireth a more ample knowledge of this prouince, let him haue recourſe vnto the deſcription of the Low countries done by Lewis Guicciardine. Aelſius Edouardus Leon Friſius hath deſcribed this country in Heroike verſe, dedicated to D. Viglius Zwichemus: Cornelius Kempius, and Suffridus Petrus haue done the ſame at large in peculiar treatiſes. The learned Hieronymus Verrutius did this other day promiſe to ſet out the antiquities of this Country.

THat the Frisij, did not in former times inhabit this tract, but the Cauchi, there is none, I thinke, that doubt. Beſide Strabo, Dion, Suetonius, Paterculus, and Ael. Spartianus, Ptolemey, (who diſtinguiſheth them into The Greater, and The Leſſer,) doth make mention of this people. Ptolemey placeth the Greater Cauchi, between the riuers Weiſer and Elbe: the Leſſer, between Eems and Weiſer, where now theſe Frieſlanders, which we call Eaſt-Frieſlanders, at this day do dwell. Of the Cauchi, Pliny in the firſt Chapter of his ſixteenth booke, thus ſpeaketh: In the North we haue ſeene, ſaith he, the countries of the Cauchi, the Greater and the Leſſer, (as they are termed) altogether void of wood and trees. For by an huge in-let there, twiſe euery day and night by courſes, the ſea runneth in amaine, confuſedly couering whatſoeuer generally the earth bringeth forth; leauing it doubtfull which is ſea, and which is land. There the ſilly diſtreſſed people get them vp to the toppes of high hills, or mounts raiſed, by labour and induſtrie of men, (according to the height of the higheſt tide, as they find by experience,) and thereon they build their poore cottages: where they dwell like ſailers floting on the waters, when the ocean flowing encloſeth them round: or like thoſe which haue ſuffered ſhipwrake, when the waters ebbing returne backe againe: and then they go out to fiſh about their cabbines, when they obſerue the fiſh to follow the tide. They haue no cattell, they liue not vpon milke and whit-meats as their neighbours do, they hunt not any wild beaſt, as being farre from any ſhrubs or buſhes where they may hide their heads. Of Reike, a kind of ſeaweed, and ruſhes growing vpon the waſhes and boggy places they twiſt cords, whereof they make their fiſhing nets: and taking vp a kind of muddy earth with their hands, drying it rather with the wind, then with the ſunne, they vſe it for fuell to dreſſe their meat, and heat their limmes, ſtarke and ſtiffe with the cold blaſts of the Northren winds. They haue no other drinke but raine water, which they catch and keep in ditches in the porches of their houſes. Yet theſe nations, if they be at this day conquered by the Romanes, they count it no other but ſlauery and bondage. So it is indeed, fortune is fauourable to ſome to their owne hurt and hinderance. Thus Pliny writeth of this people; who wondereth that they preferred liberty, before the tyrannous command of the Romanes, or rather, as I thinke, he enuieth that they were freed from their yoke. For neither is it yet ſo wonderfull a thing as he would make it, for a free nation, before all things els whatſoeuer, to maintaine their liberty: which is excellent a thing in his iudgement, ô Pliny, whom thou thy ſelfe doeſt highly commend before all other, who perſwadeth vs to maintaine the ſame with the vttermoſt hazard of our life: and affirmeth it worthily to be deſired and preferred not only of man, but alſo of brute beaſts, before all things in the world beſide.

This country in former times was diuided into many Signiories; which ſeuerally were gouerned by their ſeuerall and proper Princes, euen vnto the time of Fredericke the third, Emperour of Rome; who gaue this whole country vnto one Vlricke, and created him Earle of the ſame, in the yeare after Chriſts natiuity 1465.

The ſoile of this tract is ſo rich of all neceſſarie things, that it ſeemeth not greatly to ſtand in need of the help of neighbour countries. Yea it doth ſo plentifully abound with diuers things, as Horſes, Oxen, Cattell, Hogges, Wool, Butter, Cheeſe, Barley, Oates, Wheat, Beanes, Peaſe, and Salt, that from hence euery yeare they conuey great ſtore of theſe commodities vnto forrein countries. This County hath but two walled cities, namely, Eemden and Awricke. Of which EEMDEN, ſituate at the mouth of the riuer Eems, is the common Mart-towne of the whole prouince, for concourſe of Merchants eſpecially famous, which indeed is cauſed by the commodiouſneſſe and opportunity of the hauen, which doth thruſt it ſelfe ſo farre vp into the heart of the city, at ſuch a great height and depth, that it doth eaſily receiue and entertaine great ſhippes, full laden, with ſailes ſtricken into the very middeſt of the ſame. This city is much beautified with the ſumptuous palace of the Prince, a gorgeous Church, the Yeeld hall, and the goodly houſes of the priuate citizens. AVRICK, by reaſon of the woods and groues which on all ſides almoſt do incloſe it, is inhabitd for the moſt part of Gentlemen and Noblemen, where they recreate and delight themſelues with Hawking and Hunting. In the territorie of this city, there is, as Kempius reporteth, a place called Iyl, encloſed round with a wall, beſet with buſhes, a commodious dwelling for Hares and Deere: in which as in a Parke or warrein they maintaine a great number of theſe kind of beaſts, which none dare take vnder a great penalty: but they are reſerued for the Earles diſport and paſtime when he is diſpoſed to recreate himſelfe with hunting. In the confines alſo of this city Awricke, is a little hill riſing ſomewhat high, (commonly they call it Obſtalsboom or Vpſtalsbom) where the ſeat of Iuſtice or Court leet for the whole ſhire is ordinarily held. Heere they were wont euery yeare, out of all the Zelands, to meet in the open and wild fields, and there by the moſt skilfull and approued lawiers, ſuch as beſt knew their cuſtoms and lawes, to end and determine all controuerſies ariſing between man and man. In this precinct alſo are diuen caſtles, villages and farms. Of hamlets and end-waies, ſuch is the number, that oft times one doth touch another. The greateſt part of which both for beauty of their houſes and ſtreets, as alſo for multitude of inhabitants and ſtrangers, do ſo excell, that they may foe honour and greatneſſe contend with diuers cities of Germany.

The people do giue themſelues either to traffique as Merchants, or to get their liuings by occupations and handy-crafts, or by playing the husbandmen and tilling the ground. With their neighbours and forreners they ſpeake in the Dutch tongue, amongſt themſelues they vſe a peculiar language, proper to that nation and not vnderſtood of ſtrangers. They are comely apparelled, yea euen the very country people, ſo that a man would take them to be citizens. The women weare a kind of attire and apparell much differing from that of other nations. They bind vp all the haire of their had into one locke, and that, ſet out with diuers ſiluer and gilt ſpangles and buttons, they let to hang behind their backe. Their head they bind vp in Summer with a caull of red coloured ſilke, behung with ſiluer ſpangles, but in the Winter they weare an hood of green cloth, wherewith they do ſo couer their whole head, that skarſely one may ſee their eies: this kind of attire they call an Hatte. Their vpper garment (huick of looſe gowne) which they weare abroad, from the head to the foot is pleited with many ſmall pleits, and is ſo ſtiffe with ſiluer and gilt wire or plate wouen into it, that when it is put off, it will ſtand vpright. This ſometime is made of red, ſometime of green cloth. In this country of Eaſt-Frieſland there are alſo two other counties, the one called Eſens, the other Ieueren, bearing the names of their chiefe towns. Of the ſituation of this prouince, nature and maners of the people, read Vbbo Emmius.

SAxo Grammaticus hath thus deſcribed Denmarke: DENMARKE, ſaith he, parted in the middeſt by the boiſterous ſea, conteineth a few ſmall parts of the maine continent, ſeuered and diſioined one from another by the breaking in of the ocean winding and turning it ſelfe diuers waies. Of theſe IVTIA, Iuitland, is, in reſpect of the greatneſſe and beginning, in the enterance of the kingdome of Denmarke. Which as it is in ſituation firſt, ſo running out further, it is placed in the vtmoſt borders of Germany. From whoſe company it being parted by the intercourſe of the riuer Eydor, it runneth with a larger breadth toward the North, euen to the banke of the frith of Norwey (he calleth it Fretum Noricum.) In this is the bay of Lemwicke, (Sinus Lymicus) abounding with ſuch ſtore of fiſh, that it alone yeeldeth as much prouiſion of victuall to the inhabitants, as all the whole country beſide. To this is adioined FRESIA, (Strand Frieſen) a prouince much leſſer, which lying more low then Iuitland in plaine and champion fields, receiueth from the ſea ouerflowing it, great ſtrength and heart, and is very ſettile for come. Whoſe inundation or violent tide, whether it do bring to the country people more profit or dammage, it is hard to ſay: For in tempeſtuous weather the Sea breaking in through the creeks wherein the water was wont to be contained, ſuch a world of waters oft times doth follow and come into the country, that diuers times it runneth ouer not only the fallow fields, but drowneth alſo whole families with their goods and cattell. After Iuitland, the ile FIONIA, (Fuinex) doth follow vpon the Eaſt, which a narrow arme of the ocean ſea doth ſeuer from the maine land. This iland as vpon the Weſt it looketh toward Iuitland, ſo vpon the Eaſt it hath the ile SEELAND, (Sialandia, he calleth it) an iland much commended for the great abundance of all maner of neceſſary things that it yeeldeth: which for pleaſant ſituation is thought to excell all the prouinces of this kingdome, and is ſuppoſed to be in the middeſt of Denmarke, indifferently ſituate between the one end of the ſame, and the other. Vpon the Eaſt ſide of this, an arme of the ocean runneth between it and SCONE, (Scania, Scandinauia, Baſilia and Baltia called by diuers authours) a part of Norwey or Swedland. This ſea yearely affoordeth great gaine to the Fiſhermen. For this whole bay or gulfe of the ſea, is ſo full of all ſorts of fiſh, that the fiſhermen oft times do catch ſuch ſtore and therewith they ſo fraight their boats, that they haue no roome to ſtirre their oares: neither do they heere vſe any nets or other meanes to take the fiſh, but many times they are taken only with the hand. Moreouer HALLAND and BLIEKER, (Blekingia he nameth it) two prouinces, iſſuing forth from the maine land of Scone, like two armes from one and the ſame body of a tree, are, by many ſpaces and by-corners, adioined and knitte to Gotland and Norwey. Thus farre Saxo Grammaticus. See alſo Albert Crantzius, Sebaſtian Munſter, and the Eccleſiaſticall hiſtory of M. Adams.

The kingdome of NORVVAY, is ſubiect to the crowne of Denmarke, as alſo the ile GOTLAND: Item, (if you will giue credit to Marke Iordane in his mappe of Denmarke) the ilands Groenland, Iſland, Hetland, Feroa, and the Orkneys. Yet we haue ſaid before that the Orkney iles do belong vnto the kingdome of Scotland, vnder the name and title of a Dukedome. Olaus alſo ſaith, but falſly as I perſwade my ſelfe, that the ile Gotland doth belong vnto the kingdome of Swedland.

GOTHIA, or the ile Gotland is a good ground for the feeding and bringing vp of cattell, horſes and oxen. There is plentifull fiſhing, fowling and hunting. It is very rich of a kind of faire marble, as alſo of all maner of things neceſſary for the maintenance of mans life. In it is the goodly towne Visbui, ſometime the moſt famous and frequent Mart of all Europe. There are yet remaining certaine ruines of marble, ſufficient teſtimony of his ancient greatneſſe and beauty: at this day it is now renowmed for the faire Abbey of Benedictine Friers; and the Library there containing about 2000. bookes of ſundry authours, rare and ancient manuſcripts. Thus farre out of Olaus Magnus and Iacobus Zieglerus.

OF Holſtein thus Crantzius in the ſeuen and twentieth Chapter of his fifth booke of the hiſtory of Saxony: Holſtatia tooke the name of a vulgar word of thar language: for that the country is woody and full of forreſts, to diſtinguiſh between theſe parts and the other neere adioining, which are mooriſh and green paſture grounds. The Saxons call the inhabitants Holſaten, that is, people dwelling amongſt the woods: on the contrary thoſe which dwell in fenny countries they call Merſtude. Thereof the Latines haue formed he names Holſati, Holſatia, (Holſaten and Holſtein) like as the French and Italians are from their own languages wont to enrich the Latine tongue. Vpon the Eaſt, this country is bounded by the riuer Bilene, on the Weſt by Store, on the South by Elbe or Elue; on the North by Eydore, which in time paſt was the furtheſt bound of Denmarke. From this riuer Eaſtward the Wandalles or Vandalles otherwiſe called Wagers did inhabit: of whom that prouince was named WAGRIA, of an ancient (and ſometime a populous) city of that name, now a poore village little inhabited, without wall, trench, rampart or fence: the houſes are couered with reeds gathered in the fennes, homely and country like: it runneth out Eaſtward as farre as the riuer Trauenna. Notwithſtanding that part of the country, which from the riuer Bilene by Elbe declineth toward the riuer Store, and of that riuer is called Stormare, leaueth but a little ground to the old Holſatia, from Store to Eydore. For the Dietmarſhers a people inhabiting in mourniſh and fenny places, do claime a freedome and priuiledge from the iuriſdiction of any other Prince. This Crantzius in his time wrote of the ſtate of Holſtein then. Whereupon it is apparant that Holſtein was diuided into Thietmarſh, Wagria, and Stormare. The ſame Crantzius and others, do alſo call theſe Holſaters, Tranſabianos and Nordalbianos, as ſituate beyond and vpon the North-ſide of the riuer Elbe, called of the Latines Albis. Ado nameth them alſo Northuidos, vnder whom are conteined, as the ſame authour and Helmoldus do write, the Stormaren, Holſaters, and Thietmarſhers.

He that wrote of the warres between the Danes and Dietmarſhers, (his name we know not) doth deſcribe theſe countries ſomewhat otherwiſe then thoſe forenamed writers haue done. For he affirmeth that Holſtein, as now it is called, generally doth comprehend the Dukedome of Sleſwicke, Wagria, Stormare, Dietmarſh, and Iuitland, with certaine other leſſer countries and ilands; as namely, Angle-land, Swant-land, and Wenſuſſet anciently called Cimbrica Cherſoneſus. But this limitation is ſomewhat too large: for the ſame authour doth preſently after write, that Holſtein properly is bounded with thoſe foure riuers, within which Crantzius doth reſtrein it. Although that Annonius the Monke, as he citeth there, in ſteed of the riuer Eyder doth place vpon the North, the wall and trench which the country people call Denwerk. And this is that Holſtein which this our Mappe preſenteth vnto thy view. That the Cimbri a warlicke people did long ſince inhabit this tract, it is very apparant out of the writings of moſt approved authours.

In Wagria or Wagreland, Crantzius reckoneth vp theſe cities; Oldenburgh, Luthenburgh, Nieſtade or Nigeſtad, Todeſto, Zegebergh, Plone &c. In Stormare, Hamburgh, Reinoldesborgh, Itzeho, Niemunſter &c. Dietmarſh hath no cities, only there they dwell in ſtreets and villages: and of it we haue before written at large in his proper place. Of the country of Sleſwicke, read Dauid Chytraeus his Saxon hiſtory. Where alſo he ſpeaketh much of Hamburgh, a city belonging to this Dukedome.

THis country ſeated between the riuers Weiſer and Rhein, runneth out toward the South almoſt as farre as Heſſen, his North border abutteth vpon Frieſland. The famous riuers Eems and Lippe, (Amaſis and Lupias) beſides ſome other of leſſer note, do runne through this country. The ſoile is reaſonably fertile; but of thoſe things rather that do belong to the maintenance of ſheep, cattell, and ſuch like beaſts, than men. It yeeldeth diuers kinds of fruits, as apples, nuts, and acorns, wherewith they feed and fatte their ſwine: for of theſe they haue great ſtore, the gammons and legges of which, dried in the ſmoke, are from hence farre and neere tranſported and caried into forrein countries: for the gammons of Weſtphalen bacon are accounted for a dainty diſh at great mens tables. Theſe alſo that country people do ſometime eat raw, and take it for a ſauory meat. It is more fertile about Suſate and Hammon, but moſt rich of all commodities, in the prouince of Paderborne and Lippe. The dioceſſe of Munſter is good meadow and paſture ground: as alſo that tract which is about Weiſſer in ſome places. It is woody all about Surland and the county of Berg. About Collen and the county of Marche it is not without ſome veine of mettall. The people are goodly men, of a tall and comely ſtature, ſtrong and able bodies, and courageous ſtomacke. It hath many good ſouldiers, well trained, and ready at an houres warning.

The Counties and Noble houſes which do belong to this Countrie, are, in the iudgement of Roleuinge, the County of Benthem, Tekelenburgh, March, VValdecke, Spigelberg, Dinſtlaken, Oldenburg, Diephold, Rauesburg, Limburg, Arnsburg, Ritburg, Lippe, Buren, Rekelinchuiſen, Ludinchuyſſen, Steenuord, Horſtmare, Borchlo, Brunckhorſt, Gemme and Cappenberg: to theſe alſo Hammelman addeth, Delmenhorſt, Lingen, and Sterneberg. The people about the tract of Collen and in March, are the Surlandi: the Bergenſes, which dwell in the mountaines and ſuch as are ſubiect to the Duke of Cleeueland: the Emeſlandi, in the Biſhopricke of Munſter and the inhabitants about the riuer Eems, and toward Frieſland: the Slachterlandi, in the ſame prouince neere Cloppenburg: and the Norlandi, (that is, the Northren people) in the tract of Oſnaburg: lastly, the Delbruggij, in the dioceſſe of Paderborne.

The chiefe cities of Weſtphalen properly ſo called, are Munſter, Duſſeldorp, Weſall, Oldenburg, Oſnaburg, Minde, Herworden: and of leſſe note Widenbrug, and Coeſueldt.

Some do account the ancient and true Saxony, to be Weſtfalen: and do thinke it to haue been inhabited long ſince by the Cheruſci, whoſe Prince or Generall, Tacitus and Velleius do write to haue been that ſame Arminius, who ſlew Quintilius Varus the Romane, and put his three legions to the ſword.

Herman Hamelman hath ſet out the deſcription of this country in a ſeuerall treatiſe; out of whom we haue gathered this briefe diſcourſe: he nameth and citeth for his authours Werner Roleuing, Gobeline, and others mo of leſſe note, writers which yet I haue not knowen. The ſtudious Reader to theſe may adioine Albert Crantz his Saxony. Item Dauid Chytraeus his hiſtory of Saxony, where he hath a large and learned deſcription of this country. Of this prouince this rythme and prouerbe is commonly ſpoken by trauellers.

ALthough this Mappe do beare the title of Saxony, notwithſtanding it conteineth not all Saxony: for the true and ancient Saxony was comprehended in former times between the riuers Elue and Rhein, according to his vttermoſt length: the breadth of it was reſtrained by the Germane ſea, and the riuer Eydore, and the borders of Heſſen and Thuringen. Brunſwicke was almoſt in the center and middeſt of it. But now it is not bounded with thoſe or ſuch like naturall bounds, ſuch as riuers and mountaines are; but it is confined by other Princes ſigniories and countries. Therefore Saxony at this day is diuided into the Vpper and Neather. The Vpper or High Saxony is that which this Mappe doth repreſent, and is graced with the title of a Dukedome: whoſe Duke alſo is one of the Princes Electours, which haue their voices in the chooſing of the Emperour. The chiefe townes of this prouince are VVitteberg and Torga. Of Saxony and the antiquities of the ſame, Albert Crantz hath written a whole volume. M. Adams alſo in the firſt booke of his Eccleſiaſticall hiſtory, hath ſome things of this country worth the reading. Hamelman hath ſet out the hiſtories of Saxony and VVeſtfalen. They that do deſire to know the ſituation, buttes and bounds, and famous acts, let them read VVitichinde and Sebaſtian Munſter. Pet. Albinus Niuemontius very lately, and Dauid Chytraeus, haue written very learnedly of this prouince.

Of the Marqueſate of BRANDENBVRG, LVSATIA, (Lauſſnitz) and VOITLAND, countries which we haue alſo deſcribed in this Chart, take theſe few lines; The Marqueſate of BRANDENBVRG, one of thoſe prouinces which in old time were inhabited of the Wandalls, is diuided at this day into the Old and the New; by this runneth the riuer Oder, by that Elue, Albis the Latines call it. In the old Marqueſate the chiefe city is Brandenburg, whereof the whole country tooke his name. The New hath the city Franckford: vulgarly called Franckford vpon Oder, to make a difference between it and that which is ſituate vpon the riuer Meyn. Heere is an Vniuerſitie, and a great Mart kept twiſe euery yeare. At Berline; is the Princes court ordinarily kept. Him, of the Marqueſate they commonly call the Marqueſſe: he alſo is one of the Prince Electours.

VOITLAND is a little ſhire ſubiect to the Marqueſſe. This Aeneas Syluius calleth Aduocatorum terram, and Praetorianam, the Sollicitours or Controwlers land, framing a word from the Etymologie or true meaning of the Germaine name; for Voyt, in the Dutch tongue ſignifieth a Sollicitour or Controwler. So called for that ſometime the Prince of this country was one of the foure controwlers of the Roman Empire. The townes of better note are theſe, as Gaſper Bruſchius thus reckoneth them vp in Munſters Coſmographie: Curia Regnitiana, Renitz court, commonly called Hoff, (ſo named of the riuers which runne by it and there falling into Sala,) a great city and very populous, beautified with the goodly and ſtately Church of S. Michael, a large Monaſtery of Nunnes, and two rich Hoſpitalls. Plauhenium, or Plaun; a city with a caſtell. Olſnitz, which the caſtell Voytzberg, neere adioining. Adorff, and Weidonium, (Weyda as I thinke) a faire towne, with certaine Abbeies about them, Milford and VVhite-crowne, Geraw Scletz, and whatſoeuer is between the Hoff and Cygney, ſtanding vpon the riuer Elſter, (Halleſtra, the Latines call it.) Neere vnto this is Feichtelberg, that famous mountaine bearing plentifully the ſtately Pine-trees, out of which foure riuers do ariſe & runne, (a very ſtrange worke of Nature) vnto foure quarters of the world: namely, Egre, Meyn, Nabe, and Sala. VVolfangus Iobſtius hath written a curious deſcription of the Marqueſate of Brandenburg.

LVSATIA, Lauſſnitz, is diuided into Ober Lauſſnitz, and Nider Lauſſnitz, the Vpper, and the Neather: it is alſo is a part of Saxony, as Rithaymer teſtifieth. It lieth between the riuers Elue and Oder, and the Bohemian mountaines. Sometime it was a part of Meiſen, (Miſnia,) and was adioined to it: but the Bohemians; who laboured by all meanes to enlarge the bounds of their kingdome and command, at length ſeized it into their hands. The people in maners, conditions and language do not much differ from the Sileſians: only they are diſtinct from them by name, and iuriſdiction, as gouerned by ſeuerall Princes. The name and appellation of Luſatia, is ſomewhat neere in ſound to the name of Elysij, or Lygij, which it is certaine, as Ioachinus Cureus writeth, ſometime dwelt heere about. Their chiefe cities are Gorlitz, and Sittaw, and ſome others. The riuer Neiſſ runneth through the middeſt of this country. Gaſper Peucer, hath this other day in Elegiacke verſe, deſcribed the ſame in a pecular treatiſe. MISNIA, (Meiſen) and THVRINGIA, (Thuringen) are deſcribed and ſet out in their ſeuerall tables, which we haue heereafter inſerted into this our Theater of the World in their proper places. A portraiture and draught of theſe countries, ſhaddowed and counterfeited out of the Geographicall Chart of Iohn Criginger, which was imprinted at Prage in Bohemia in the yeare of Chriſt 1568. we haue adioined to this our worke.

MANSFIELD, a part of Old Saxonie, is thought to haue beene ſo called of Mannus: the ſecond king of the Germanes: For Manſueldt, in this country ſpeech, ſeemeth to ſignifie nothing elſe, but The field of Mannus. Which deriuation Aſcanien, another place not far from hence, denominated, as ſome men do verily beleeue, of Aſcenez, the firſt authour of the Germane name and nation, doth ſeeme ſtrongly to confirme. Heere alſo is Aſcher leuben, which in their language is as much to ſay, as, The houſe of Aſchenez. There is alſo a lake, which of Aſcenez, is called Aſcherſlebiſche ſee. This countrie hath vpon the Eaſt, the riuer Sala, the territories of the Archbiſhopricke of Magdeburg, and the Dioceſſe of Merſeburg: on the South lieth, Turingen; on the Weſt, the Counties of Swartzburg, and Stolberg, the Principalities of Sangerhouſe, Anhalt, and Aſſeburg. So that theſe Earles of Mansfield (which are alſo called, The noble Lords of Heldrungen) haue theſe princes their neere neighbours: the Archbiſhop of Magdeburg, the biſhop of Merſeburg, the Prince Electour of Saxony, the Landgraue of Thuringia, the Duke of Saxony, the biſhop of Halberſtade, the Prince of Anhald, the Lord of Bernburg, the Earles of Swartzburg and Stolburg, the Lords of Werther and Aſſeburg.

When, or by whom, this prouince was graced with the title of an EARLDOME, Andrew Hoppenrode, in his booke, which he hath written & ſet forth of the Petigrees of the Saxon Princes, plainly confeſſeth that he is altogether ignorant. Notwithſtanding this ſame authour, and with him Syriacus Spangeberg, do auerre it to haue beene very ancient, by this, that an Earle of this country, called Herger, did liue in the daies of Great Arthur, that renowmed king of the Britans, and was one of thoſe, which together with the reſt of the worthies of this king, were firſt made Knights of the order of the Round Table. Now this king Arthur, we know liued about 542. yeres after the incarnation of our Sauior Chriſt. But if there be any man that ſhall thinke and obiect, that this ſtorie of the Round Table is too fabulous to confirme this our aſſertion, yet this is certaine and cannot be doubted of, that in England, almoſt in the middeſt of the kingdome, there is a towne called Mansfield, ſituate betweeene the riuers of Trent and Rotheram, not farre from the city of Nottingham.

This county containeth alſo foure other counties: namely, ARNSTEDT, WIPRA, WETHIN and QVERNFVRT, all which in former times had their proper and peculiar Earles, but now at this day beſide the counte Mansfield they haue not any one. In this county alſo there is the county Palatine of Saxony. Moreouer there are beſide theſe certaine other Lordſhips and Principalities, as thou maiſt ſee in the Mappe. The chiefe and principall cities are MANSFIELD, EYSLEBEN, WIPRA and LEIMBACH.

This country is very full of Mettall-mines. Heere out of the earth are digged thoſe ſleitſtones, which they call Scheyfferſteyn, ſuch as ſcarcely are to be found, as Sebaſtian Munſter writeth, in any other place of the world beſide. It hath alſo certaine ſtones laden with Copper, which being burnt in the fire and then ſteeped and waſhed in water do yeeld the mettall, and together with it ſome good ſtore of Siluer. But this is a wonderfull ſtrange pranke, that Nature heere in ſporting maner vſually plaieth, which the ſame authour there ſpeaketh of well worth the obſeruation: namely of a great Lake in this country well ſtored with diuers and ſundry ſorts of fiſh: all which kinds of fiſh, together with the paddockes, frogs, newts, and ſuch other things liuing in this lake, are found ſo curiouſly expreſſed & ſhaped out in ſtones, as we haue to our great admiration beheld, as it is a very hard matter at the firſt ſight vpon the ſudden to diſcern them from the naturall liuing creatures of that kind, and that ſo liuelily that thou ſhalt be able preſently to diſtinguiſh one from another and to call them by their ſeuerall and proper names. Some of theſe I haue, giuen me by Peter Erneſt, the moſt renowmed and illuſtrious Earle of this country, and worthy Gouernour of the prouince of Lutzenburg.

There is a Lake in this country, which, by reaſon of the ſaltneſſe of the water, they call Geſaltzen, into which, if the fiſhermen ſhall caſt in their nets ouer deepe, they will preſently be ſienged & ſchorched euen as if they had beene burnt or drawne through the fire, as Seuerinus Gobelinus, in his hiſtory of Amber, reporteth. The ſame authour writeth that neere vnto Eiſleben, there was not long ſince a piece of Amber found as bigge as a mans head.

Syriacus Spangeberg did promiſe to ſet out the hiſtory of this countrey, wherin all the cities, caſtles, villages, mountaines, woods, riuers, lakes, mines &c. ſhould ſeuerally be deſcribed; together with the Antiquities, Records, Petigrees, and ſuch other hiſtoricall matters of the ſame.

THe terrirory and precinct of the Princes of HENNENBERG, a part of Eaſt France, how large and wide it was, you may ſee by this our Chorographicall Mappe; the buts and bounds of it are thus: Vpon the Weſt and North it hath Thuringen, and the great foreſt, which of this countrie is called Durynger Waldt; (whoſe head on theſe parts doth diuide Thuringen from Frankenland) on the South it is confined with the riuer of Meyn, and the biſhoprickes of Bamberg and Wuitzburg. Moreouer the Eaſt part is encloſed with that great mountaine which the country people do call, Die Rhon, or Roſn: vpon the ſame ſide alſo it hath the Dioceſſe of Fulden, and the prouince of Heſſen. This country is wonderfully ſtored with deere, wild fowle, fiſh and ſuch other things neceſſary for the maintenance of mans life. It hath alſo ſome Mines of mettals, eſpecially of iron, whereof great ſtore is yearely from hence, to the great gaine and commodity of the inhabitants, tranſported into forren countries. It is watered heere and there with many and diuers fountaines, heads, or ſprings of the riuer Viſurgis, which in theſe parts they call Die Werra, but mo • e properly, it is of ſome in other places called Die Weſſer, which indeed the name of the Abbey Veſſer doth ſeeme to approoue for truth: which Francis Irenicus and Wolfgangus Lazius do verily beleeue to haue beene ſo denominated of Waſſer, which in the Germane is as much to ſay, as water, in the Engliſh.

Of the firſt beginning and originall of this houſe or family of Hennenberg, by reaſon of the negligence of the writers and Hiſtorians of thoſe times, we can determine nothing for certainty, beſide this, that in the time of Attila and Charles the Great, ſome authours do make mention of the Princes of Hennenberg, which alſo were Earles of Frankland and Burggraues of Wurtzeburg. So againe in the time of Henry the firſt, Emperour of Germany, Gottwald and Otto of this houſe of Hennenberg, ſerued valiantly in defence of the Empire againſt the aſſaults and inrodes of the Vgri. Item the Boppones, two learned men of this family, in the yeares of Chriſt 941. and 961. were biſhops of Wurtzeburg, and gouerned that ſea with the great applauſe and praiſe of all men. But the true pedigree of theſe Princes is deriued from BOPPO, who in the yeare of our Lord 1078. following Henry the fourth, the Emperours ſide, in the battell fought betweene him and Rudolph the Switzer, neere to the city Melrichſtadt, valiantly fighting was honourablie ſlaine in the field. After him ſucceeded his ſonne GOTTEBALD, firſt founder of the Abbey of Veſſer, for the Monkes of the order of the brotherhood of the Praemonſtratenſes: After him followed his ſonne BERTHOLD; then BOPPO the Second, next him BOPPO the Third, all which ſucceeded one after another in a right line. This Boppo the Third had by his ſecond wife Iutta, of Thuringen, HERMAN, whoſe ſonne BOPPO the Fourth died, leauing no iſſue behind him: But by his firſt wife Elizabeth, of the familie of the Princes of Saxony, he had HENRY, who had iſſue HENRY the Second, HERMAN the Second, and BERTHOLD the Second: Henry had iſſue BOPPO the Fift; whoſe ſonne BERTHOLD the Third died without iſſue. But after Herman theſe Princes, HENRY the Second, HERMAN the Third, FREDERICK the Firſt, GEORGE the Firſt, and laſtly FREDERICK the Second lineally deſcended one from another, ſucceſſiuely gouerned this prouince. This Fredericke had iſſue HERMAN, who by his wife Margaret, of the family of Brandenburg had two ſonnes, BERTHOLD the Fourth, and ALBERT, both which died in the yeare of our Lord God, 1549. and left no iſſue behind them. Then of the line of Berthold the Second, third ſonne of Henry the Firſt, ſucceeded BERTHOLD the Fift, who for his ſingular virtues, wiſedome, experience, and excellent gifts other waies, was in the yeare after Chriſts incarnation, 1310. by Henry of Lutzelburg the Emperour, with the generall conſent of the whole company of the Electours, inſtalled one of the Princes of the Empire. And after that, for the ſame his virtues, and for that he was in managing all maner of buſineſſes a moſt prudent, faithfull and fortunate man, by Lewis the Fourth, the next ſucceſſour in the Empire, much ſet by and greatly eſteemed. In his time, this whole prouince as it is heere ſet out, in this our Chorographicall Chart, was ſubiect to him and to other Princes and Earles of Hennenberg then liuing. But HENRY his ſonne dying without iſſue male, the greateſt part of this countrey, by the marriage of his three daughters, KATHARINE, SOPHIA, and ELIZABETH, fell vnto the Marqueſſes of Miſnia, Burggraues of Noriberg, and Princes of Wurtenburg, which two laſt ſelling their portions, the biſhop of Wurtenburg did much enlarge his dioceſſe. IOHN, the ſecond ſonne of Berthold the firſt, by his wife Adelheida of the houſe of Heſſen, had by Elizabeth of the family of Luchtenburg, a ſonne named HENRY the Fourth, who by Mechtilda, or Mawd, daughter to the Marqueſſe of Bath, WILLIAM the Firſt, who by his wife Anna of Brunſwicke, had WILLIAM the Second, which by Katharine, Counteſſe of Hanaw, had iſſue WILLIAM the Fourth, begotten of his wife Margaret daughter to the Duke of Brunſwicke. This William had by his wife Anaſtaſia, daughter of Albert, Prince Electour of Brandenburg, ſeuen ſonnes, and ſix daughters, namely WILLIAM, and CASPAR, which died in their infancy: IOHN, Abbot of Fulden: WOLFGANG and CHRISTOPHER, which two died bachelours: GEORGE ERNEST and BOPPO the Sixt: This Boppo, after the death of his firſt wife Elizabeth daughter to the Marqueſſe of Brandenburg, maried Sophia, daughter to the Prince of Luneburg; he died vpon the fourth of March in the yeere of our Lord 1574. leauing no iſſue behind him. He was a very godly, prudent, magnanimous and curtuous Prince. That other, George Erneſt, after the death of his wife Elizabeth daughter to the Duke of Brunſwicke, maried Elizabeth daughter to the Prince of Wurtenburg, and at length vpon the ſeuen and twentieth day of December in the yeare of our Lord God 1583. yeelded to Nature and died in the ſeuentie and third yeare of his age, being the laſt Prince of that ſtocke or family. The deſcription of this prouince of Hennenberg, as heere it is ſet downe, at this day is ſubiect vnto diuers Princes: the greateſt part of it, belongeth to the Duke of Saxony, the reſt to the biſhop of Wurtenburg and the Landtgraues of Heſſen. A more large and exact deſcription of this Stocke and Family, if any man be deſirous to haue, may be learned out of the Genealogy or Pedigree of M. Sebaſtian Glaſer, ſometime Chancellour of this Principality of Hennenberg.

THis Prouince was ſometime a Kingdome, at this day it is onley graced with the title of a LANDTGRAVY. It is ſeated betweene the two riuers Sala and Werra. Vpon the North it is bounded with that great wood, which the Hiſtorians call Sylua Hercinia, and of them is called Hartz. On the South it hath the vaſt foreſt of Thuringia, Duringer Waldt, they call it. The length of this country, which is equall to the breadth, is about twelue Germane miles. In this narrow compaſſe, (as I remember not long ſince Hugh Brinkhorſt, an Engliſhman, a citizen of Erford, my good friend, did tell me) there are 12. COVNTIES or Earledomes, and as many ABBEIS, which they call Gefurſtete Abtyen) 144. CITIES, with ſo many MARKET TOVVNS, (Mercktflecken) 2000. PARISHES, and 150. CASTLES. It is a paſsing fertile country, and of wheat and ſuch like corne it yeeldeth greater plenty than any other country of Germany whatſoeuer. Whereupon George Agricola doubted not to call it Sumen Germaniae, The Sweet-bread of Germany. Heere yearely groweth great plenty of woad (Iſatis, the Latines call it) which from hence is tranſported into other countries, to the great gaine and commodity of the inhabitants: It is an herbe or weed much vſed of Diers, to ſet the more perfect and durable colour in wooll or wollen cloth. Heere ſome are of opinion that ſometime the SORABI did inhabite. Reinerus Reyneckius in his booke, which he wrote of the Originall of the Myſſen (Myſni) doth thinke theſe Tyringetae, to be nothing elſe, but as one would ſay Tyringotae, that is, The Gothes of Thuringia, and thereupon their city Gothen, or Gotha, he maketh no queſtion, tooke the name. Zacharias Riuander, in the Dutch tongue hath ſet out a peculiar treatiſe containing a deſcription of this countrie.

The Metropolitane or chiefe city of this prouince is Erford, which is held to be the greateſt city of all Germany. The cryſtall and nimble ſtreamed Gera runneth almoſt through euery ſtreet of this city, as we there beheld to our great delight and exceeding commodity of the people inhabiting the ſame. In it there is a mount vpon the which doth ſtand a goodly Monaſtery of Frier Benedictines, dedicated vnto S. Peter. Here alſo is a ſtately church, built by Boniface biſhop of Mentz, and dedicated to our Lady Mary, the bleſſed Virgin. This church hath a bell, famous all Germany ouer for the huge bigneſſe of it and maſsie weight.

THe Marqueſate of Brandenburg runneth out in length threeſcore German miles. Vpon the Weſt it bordereth vpon Saxony, Miſnia, and Meckelburg. Vpon the North it is bounded by Pomeran, Stetin, and the Caſſubij. His Eaſt part reſteth vpon Polonia, and Sileſia. On the South it hath Bohemia, Luſatia, and Morauia. It is diuided into Old-march, Middle-march, and New-march. This Marqueſate alſo conteineth within his iuriſdiction the Lordſhip of Cothuſs or Cotwitz: of Peilzen, Beſcaw, and Storkaw, all in Neather Luſatia: the Dukedome of Croſſen in Sileſia: the Earledomes of Rapin, Stolp, and Vierad. To it alſo doth belong the little Prouince Prignitz. It hath three Biſhopricks, Brandenburg, Hauelberg, and Lubuſz ſituate in Middle-march. Moreouer beyond the riuer Oder it hath the citie and ſhire Sternberg. OLD-MARCH beginneth at the Deſert of Luneburg, and ſo extendeth it ſelfe vnto the riuer Elbe. It is confined with the Dioceſſes of Magdeburg, Halberſtadt, and Meckelburg. The inhabitants long ſince were the Senones Sueui, and in ſome places alſo the Angriuarij, with the Teutones. In this coaſt are ſeuen cities of no ſmall account, Tangermundt vpon the riuer Elbe, in that place where the riuer Angra or Tonagra (now Tanger) vnlodeth it ſelfe into Elbe, ſometime the imperiall ſeat of the Emperour Charles the fourth. Stendal the principall citie of this ſhire, where there is a church of S. Nicolas (they call it Thumſtift) of regular Canons of the order of S. Barnard, commonly called Ordo Ciſtertienſium, firſt founded at Giſtertium (now called Citeauz) a place in Gallia Narbonenſi. Soltwedel, diuided into two cities, the Old, & the New. Gardeleben, with a caſtle called Eiſchnippe. As alſo Oſterburg, Werben, and Senohuſe now Sehauſen, ſo named perhaps of the Senones a people that ſometime dwelt here about. Arnburg, with his caſtle ſituate vpon the riuer Elbe, Biſmarch, Beuſter, Bueck ſtanding not farre from the Elbe, Kalbe, and Neflingen, which they otherwiſe alſo call Letzlingen. Beſides theſe townes it hath ſeuen monaſteries richly endowed with temporalties and ſecular iuriſdiction, and diuers Nunries, as Arntſehe, Damke, Dieſtorff, Creweſſen, and Niendorff. The breadth of this countrey being equall to the length, is not aboue eight Dutch miles; and yet in it are at the leaſt 465. villages of good note. MIDDLE-MARCH beginneth on the other ſide of the Elbe, and ſtretcheth it ſelfe vnto the riuers Oder and Spre (ſometimes called Sueuus.) It is watered with the riuer Hauel, and other ſmall brooks of leſſe account. In former ages it was inhabited by the Sueui, or Switzers. The ſoile is very fertile, eſpecially for corne. It hath many Woods, Fiſh-ponds, Paſtures, and Medowes: as alſo certeine Vineyards firſt planted heere by Albert the Marqueſſe, ſurnamed, The beare. Brandenburg his chiefe citie; is by the riuer Hauel diuided into two parts: this is called The New citie; that The Olde: and was ſo named of Brandon ſometime a captaine of the Franks. Here is held the generall court of iuſtice for the whole countrey. Many priuileges and great liberties haue (by emperors, kings, and princes) been granted to this prouince; a token or monument whereof is the ſtatue or image erected in the new city, holding in his hand a drawen ſword, whom the citizens call Rowland. Not farre from this citie is the territory of Hauelan, ſo called of the riuer Hauel that enuirons it. Alſo the monaſtery of Lenin of the order of S. Bernard. After Brandeburg followes Rathenaw vpon the Hauel: Spandaw with a caſtle vpon the riuer Spree: likewiſe Coln and Berlin ſeuered by the ſame riuer. In Berlin is the Princes court at this preſent. Berlin was ſo named either of Albert the Marques ſurnamed Bear, or, as others hold opinion, of wild beares that haunted this place when the foundations were firſt laid. Colne was ſo called of Colliers that in great numbers inhabited the ſame in times paſt; or rather of the Latine word Colonia. Frankford vpon Oder was anciently reckoned in the number of the Hanſe-townes; in which regard at this preſent it payes no tribute to Lubeck, nor to any other cities of that aſſociation. It hath three marts euery yeere. Here is a College or Vniuerſitie founded by Ioachim the firſt marques of that name in the yeere 1506. Not farre from the Abbey of Carthuſians in this citie runnes a ſmall freſhet ſpringing out of a vine-bearing hill, whereinto whatſoeuer is caſt, hardeneth into the nature of a ſtone. Other townes there be alſo, as Brietzen ſurnamed The loyall: alſo Belitzen, and Bernaw, where excellent beere is brewed. Bellin ſeated by a foord of the little riuer Rhien: Mittenwald, Monnixberg, Biſental, Blumbergen, of the dioceſſe of Brandeburg, Botzaw with a caſtle; Falkenhaghe with a caſtle ſometimes belonging to the Templers, Frienwald, and Oderberg. Here marques Albert the ſecond of that name built a caſtle in the midſt of the riuer, to conſtraine paſſengers to pay tolle. Then haue you Fridland, a cloiſter of Nunnes, with a little borough. Friſach of the dioceſſe of Brandeburg, Gereſwald, Grimnitz, Grunheid, Grunwalde, and Koppenick, foure parks of the Prince with caſtles annexed. Hochelberg a village, Landsberg, an obſcure place with a caſtle of great antiquitie, Lichen a ſmall towne; Liebenwald with a parke; Nawen; Putſtam a little towne with a caſtle; Newſtadt, Eberſwald, and not farre from thence Chorin a monaſtery of Bernardines. Mulroſa a ſmall borough and a village; Sarmunde, Sconbeck, with a parke; Strausberg, Trebin, Bernewijck a little borough; Zendenick a cloiſter of Nunnes; Zoſſa a ſmall borough with a caſtle; Stendel, Swet; Wruſen, not farre from Odera; Lietzen, Selow a ſmall borough with many villages and hamlets. This middle marqueſat containes eight and twentie Dutch miles in bredth, and ſo many in length.

NEVN-MARCH is diuided from the middle by the riuer Odera, about that place where the riuer Warta falles thereinto, nere the towne of Kuſtren. The ſaid riuer of Warta beginnes in Poland, and watereth this region at the citie of Lansberg, and the townes of Zandock and Sonneberg. The head citie of this marqueſat is Kuſtren, reedified by the marques Iohn, ſonne to Ioachim the firſt, who to his exceeding charge fortified the ſame, and there eſtabliſhed his court. Other townes there be, as Landsberg vpon Warta, Koningsberg, Bernwald, and Bernſteine, a ſmall borough with a caſtle, Bernwijchen, and Berlinichen, or the towne of New Berlin. Then haue you the citie of Arnſwald, the borough of Thame, Soldin whilome the principall citie, Furnſtenfield a ſmall borough, Dramburg, Drieſen, Falkenberg the towne and caſtle ſituate on the confines of Pomerlandt: alſo Himelſtedt a cloiſter of Nunnes, Kalis a village, Kartaw, and Lepen two little boroughs, Morgenwald an Abbey, Morni a ſmall towne, Nieuberg a village, Nurnberg, Reitz with an abbey of the knights of the Rhodes, Quartzen containing the palaces of noblemen, Schiffelben a towne that beares the name for good beere and excellent Armorers. Moreouer, you haue Oſmund, Sconflis, Woldenberg a ſmall borough, Sciltberg a village, Zeden a little towne with a monaſterie, and Zandock a petie borough vpon the riuer Warta. The circuit of this new marquezat is about foure and twenty Dutch miles.

Now the whole marquezat of Brandeburg, with the regions aboue mentioned thereunto ſubiect, containeth fiue and fifty cities of importance, threeſcore and foure townes, ſixteene boroughs commonly called Marcktflecken, eight and thirtie caſtles or noble mens houſes, ten parks, ſeuenteene monaſteries of men and women. This region alſo yeeldeth Corall, the Eagle-ſtone or the Aetites, and the ſaffron-coloured ſtone called Schiſtus, with other gemmes of no leſſe account. Thus much out of the Dutch diſcourſe of Wolfangus Iobstius. You may reade alſo Munſter and Irenicus, and Dauid Chytraeus his ſtorie of Saxonie.

IN this prouince ſtandeth the Abbey of Fuld; concerning the originall and ſituation whereof thus writeth Munſter: FVLDA is the head city of that part of Germanie, which in times paſt ſome called Buchonia; others the foreſt or deſert of Buchauia, namely of Beech-trees, wherefore at this preſent we call it Fagoniam and Fagunetum. And that this name is deriued of Fagus (a beech,) the name of a towne therein called Fag or Fach, not farre from the high hill Taurus, doth plainly import. This region is ſituate betweene Turingen, Frankenlandt, Heſſe, and Wederaugia, bordering on the confines of all the ſaid regions, and lying as it were in the center of them. For townes, caſtles, villages, riuers, pooles, woods, fields, hortyards, ſweet fountaines, and fruitfull ſoile (ſo farre forth as the aſperitie of theſe regions may affourd) it is none of the meaneſt parts of Germanie; notwithſtanding it beareth no vines at all. The riuers are Fuld (whereof the city that it runnes by is called Fuld) Hun, Guerra, and Ʋlſter. The whole countrey is full of woods abounding with oaks and beeches. The little villages neere the city they call Celles, in token of the order of the Benedictins there dwelling in times paſt. But the chiefe grace and ornament of this region is the ancient and magnificent Church of S. Sauiour, which the memory of S. Boniface makes moſt renowmed, by whoſe meanes the city of Fulda was firſt built and inlarged, being before but a waſte wilderneſſe. For this being the Church of that moſt ancient monaſtery, was before the towne anno 655. erected in the time of the Emperour Pipin, father to Charlemaigne. More you may reade in Sebaſtian Munſter. Sundry particulars alſo concerning the originall of this Abbey, and the deeds of the Abbats, you ſhall find in the Chronography of Valentine Muntzer publiſhed in Dutch: where he ſaith, that the ground-plot of this city of Fulda before the building thereof was called Eulenloch, that is, The den of Owles. And where the Abbey of S. Peter now ſtandeth, it was of old named Eulenbergh, or The hill of Owles.

THeſe two regions are at this preſent ſubiect to one Prince. They are both named of the principall cities, Brunſwijck and Lunenburg. The city of Brunſwijck was about the yeere 860. built by Bruno the ſonne of Ludolphus, who (as Crantzius ſaith) firſt erected a ſtreet or borough, calling it Brunonis vicus, whereupon the whole citie hath euer ſince beene called Brunſwijck. A place of great renowme, ſituate in the midſt of Saxonie, vpon the riuer Onadri, which falles into the Weſer. The beginnings of this towne were ſmall. Howbeit in proceſſe of time, and by degrees, it is now growen to ſuch ſtate, riches, and ſtrength, as the Princes thereof are worthily called Dukes of Brunſwijck. But it was very long firſt. For of ancient times they bare only the title of Lords: but vnder Frederick the Emperour, in the yeere 1235, renewing their ſtile, they were ordained Dukes. This is one of the ſeuentie Hanſe-townes. From which ſocietie, by a generall Councell of all the ſaid townes held at Lubeck anno 1381, they were excluded, in regard of a moſt cruell and bloudy ſedition, wherein the greateſt part of their Aldermen they ſlue, and the reſt they baniſhed. And ſo they were depriued of the benefit of the ſaid ſocietie for eight yeeres, vntill they had done publike penance and ſatisfaction. From which time they were admitted anew into the ſaid incorporation of the Hanſe: that is to ſay, to be partakers of all priuileges granted by Princes and gouernours of former times to all that were free of the ſaid ſocietie, in thoſe foure famous marts; to wit, London in England, Bruges in Flanders, Bergen in Norway, and Nouogrod in Ruſſia. Their tutelary ſaint or protectour they holde to be S. Anthor the Confeſſor, whilome Biſhop of Triers. For the honour of whoſe body, becauſe it could not be brought within their city walles, they erected a monaſtery vnder the title of S. Giles, then neere vnto the walles; but now (the city being inlarged) within the ſame. Thus much out of Crantzius his ſtory of Saxonie and Wandalia. The praiſe of this citie you may finde in Aeneas Siluius his 23. chap. of Europe. The citie of LVNEBVRG, built about the yeere of Chriſt 1190. vpon an hill named Calcarium, was ſo called, not (as the ignorant imagine) from Idolum lunae the idol of the moone, which Iulius Caeſar, or I wot not who, did there conſecrate; for this is but an old wiues tale;) but from a place not farre off by the riuer Elmenou called Luna, where there hath for many yeeres continued a cloiſter of Nunnes. It is a citie of great ſtrength, enuironed with ditches and walles. The citizens greateſt traffique is for ſalt: for here are moſt plentifull and rich ſalt-pits, out of which they raiſe exceeding gaines. For ſalt is here boiled in great quantitie, and vented from hence both by ſea and land to Hamborough, Lubeck, and other places. Theſe ſalt-mines were firſt found in the yeere of Chriſt 1269. This city of Luneburg with the territory adiacent, is in a peculiar Treatiſe deſcribed by Lucas Loſſius. Of Hildeſheim fiue miles diſtant from Brunſwijck, M. Antonie Mockerus, a citizen thereof, hath written alſo a peculiar diſcourſe.

In this Table vpon the riuer Weſer or Viſurgis ſtands the citie of Hamelen; concerning which, the learned and famous Phyſitian D. Arnold Fretaghius wrote to me in a letter the ſtory enſuing; his words be theſe: I chanced of late to light vpon a Saxon, and a Chronicler of Saxonie. He reports, that 130. yeres ago the citie of Hamelen, vnder the iuriſdiction of Duke Ericus, being exceedingly peſtered with mice, there came a iugler that offered his ſeruice to the townes-men to driue them away: this offer was moſt acceptable vnto them, becauſe they could keepe nothing in ſafetie from thoſe miſchieuous vermine. Being agreed with the townes-men, by the ſound of a bell he drawes all the mice out of the citie. Then he demandeth his promiſed hire. They denie it him. Well, in a great rage he departs the citie, and within a yeere after returneth; and ſounding the ſame bell which before he had vſed to coniure the mice, he drew after him vnto an hill not farre off, a great number of the citizens children; whither being come, both they and he immediatly vaniſhed. A girle of the company, either for wearineſſe, or by Gods appointment, ſtayeth a good diſtance behinde: who returning home, and being aſked what ſhe ſaw, makes report, that her fellowes were gone vp the hill with the iugler. Then euery man runnes to ſeeke his childe; but in vaine: for from that time forward they could neuer know what was become of them. Hauing read this, I iudged it either to be a fable, or (as it is in very deed) a moſt wonderfull and ſtrange narration. Diſcourſing therefore with certaine citizens of this place, I made mention heereof. They all affirmed it to be true, and ſayd, that the yeere, the day, and the number of children that were loſt, was regiſtred in the records of the citie of Hamelen: and it is yet a cuſtome among them, in their bonds and couenants which they write in an ancient hand, to vſe this forme or clauſe of ſpeech, Don onſer kinder auſgangh, that is to ſay, From the departure of our children. And they ſay, that the way or ſtreet thorow which they were led, for the perpetuall memorie of their miſhap, was called by the inhabitants, Die Bungloeſe ſtraeſs: and that it is not lawfull thereto ring a bell. If you haue perhaps read this ſtorie heretofore, I doe now call it to your remembrance. If you know any thing that may ſtand me in ſtead, I pray you impart it as leaſure and occaſion ſhall ſerue. Fare you well, and loue your Fretaghius. From Groenninghen the ninth of Nouember 1580.

FRANKENLANDT is partly plaine, and partly mountainous: the mountaines are not very ſteepe, nor the plaines very fruitfull; being for the moſt part ſandy. In many places the hilles be ſet with vines, do yeeld pleaſant and delicate wine; eſpecially about Wirtzburg. There are great ſtore of woods, and much hunting. The country is ſubiect to many gouernours: notwithſtanding they call the Biſhop of Wirtzburg Duke of Frankenlandt. The Biſhops of Mentz and of Bamberg haue many places here. And the Count Palatine enioyeth a great part. Here the Marqueſes Orantes are ſeated. And here are many imperiall cities alſo.

As touching Norimberg, it is doubtfull whether it belongs to Frankenland or Bauaria: by the name, Bauaria ſhould ſeeme to chalenge it. For Norimberg is as much to ſay, as Mons Noricus, The Norick hill: whereby it appeareth, that it was the city of the Norici. And after the Norici ſucceeded the Boiari or Bauarians: and now that portion of countrey that lies betweene Danubius and Norimberg, is called Noricum. Howbeit the city is in the dioceſſe of Bamberg, which belongeth to Frankenlandt. The inhabitants of Norimberg will be accounted neither Bauarians nor Frankes; but a nation differing from both. It is a ſtately city, with churches, caſtles, and houſes, moſt ſumptuouſly built. It ſtands vpon the riuer Pegnitz, in a barren and ſandy place, which increaſeth the peoples induſtry: for they are all either artizans or merchants: ſo that they are exceeding rich, and beare a great name in Germany. It is a place moſt fit for the Emperours court, a free city, and ſeated almoſt in the midſt of Germany.

Betweene Bamberg and Norimberg lies Forchaim, a towne famous for ſnow-white bread. The inhabitants ſuppoſe that Pilate was here borne. Thus farre Aeneas Siluius in his deſcription of Europe. Reade alſo Iohannes Aubanus, Hermannus Comes Nuenarius, Tritthemius the Abbat, and Iohn Auentinus, who thinks that the principall city thereof Wirtzburg was of old called Poeonia.

IOannes Dubrauius in his Bohemian ſtory deſcribeth this region in maner following. Bohemia is ſituate in Germanie. Eaſt it extendeth to Morauia and Sileſia, and weſt to Bauaria. Auſtria bordereth to the South, as Saxonie and Miſnia do Northward. It is in forme of a Theater enuironed around by the foreſt or woods of Hercynia. Wherefore there is no great difference between the length and the bredth, containing not much aboue 200. miles a piece. Charles king of Bohemia, who afterward was Emperour, diuided it into 12. regions, of which one only he named after the riuer Vultaw that runneth through Prage: the other eleuen he called by the names of their principall townes; ſome of them being ſo harſh of pronunciation, that a man ſhall hardly ſpeake them, vnleſſe he be a Bohemian borne or very skilfull in the language. The chiefe Bohemian townes lying towards Morauia are Mutha, Chrudima, Konignigretz, Pardubitz, Litomitz. Towards Bauaria you haue Glatow, Domazlitz, Miſa and Tachow. On the ſide towards Auſtria the principall towne is Buduitz, with Cromlawe, Trebon, Hradeck: as likewiſe on the Miſnian ſide ſtand Pons, Cadana, Chomutawe, Auſtia: and on the Sileſian quarter Iaromir, Glacitz, Curia, and ſome others. In the heart of the countrey the principall townes of note are Cuttenberg, Kolim, Pelſin, Veron, Zateckz, Launa, Slana, Lytomerick, and Tabor. But the head citie of all is Prage, being ſo great, as it containeth three faire cities within it, namely, the new, the old, and the little towne, which is diſioyned from the two former by the riuer Vultaw. Their Buildings both Publique and priuat are ſtately and magnificall. This city hath two caſtles; one called Viſſegard, whilom the Kings palace, but now waſte and almoſt deſolate, by meanes of ciuile warres. Again that other caſtle that ouer looketh the little towne, as it is named, ſo it well deſerueth the title of the Royal or princely caſtle. For it reſembleth rather a city then a Caſtle; filling vp ſo great a roome with the wals and buildings. Of publique edifices, the Church built by King Charles before mentioned; and the Caſtle erected by K. Vladiſlaus, late deceaſed, are the moſt memorable. And as Prage of all their Cities hath the preeminence; ſo hath Elbe (called by Tacitus renowmed and famous) of all their riuers. Howbeit concerning the fountaine of this riuer Tacitus writeth skarce ſoundly, namely that it ſpringeth in the region of the Hermonduri. For it ariſeth not among the Hermonduri, but rather out of certaine Bohemian mountaines lying open to the North, vpon the frontiers of Morauia, which the ancient Bohemians call Cerconeſsi. From which mountaines this riuer refreſheth and watereth the greater and better part of Bohemia; and then hauing augmented his ſtreames by the influence of Vultawa, Egra, Satzawa, Gitzera, and Miſa his neighbour-riuers, continueth his courſe and name through Miſnia and Saxonie to the maine Ocean, being all that way enriched with abundance of Salmons. But the ſmaller riuers and freſhets of Bohemia yeeld in ſome places graines of gold, and in others ſhell-fiſhes containing pearle. Heere alſo you haue certaine hot bathes both pleaſant and medicinable. And all the whole countrie ſo aboundeth with graine, as it affoordeth plenty to the neighbour-regions. Wines there are no great ſtore: and thoſe of the countrey ſo weake, as they laſt but a very ſmall time. Howbeit they haue ſaffron of the beſt, excelling both in colour, ſmell, and moiſture, three principall properties to chuſe that commoditie by. There are ſiluer-mines ſo exceeding rich, that were it not for ſome ſmall quantitie of flint that inſinuates it ſelfe into the veine, you ſhould haue nothing but perfect ſiluer: whereas in other countries thoſe mines are eſteemed of high price, that hold a quarter or a fift part, or at the vtmoſt one halfe of good ſiluer. They find alſo plenty of gold-ore in certaine mines which take their name of a place called Giloua. It is reported that the Kings of Bohemia haue had graines of pure gold brought from thence weighing tenne pound a piece. Neither are they deſtitute of baſer metall: namely, tinne, lead, copper, and yron. And ſometimes they finde in thoſe mineral rockes, the carbuncle, the Saphyre, and the Amethiſt. Next vnto their mines there is nothing of greater account to the Bohemians then their waters repleniſhed with carps: which I haue declared more at large in a peculiar booke treating of fiſh-pondes. Now let vs decypher the diſpoſition of the inhabitants. In briefe therefore, both in maners, habit, and ſtature of body the Bohemians reſemble the Lion king of beaſts, vnder whoſe conſtillation they are ſubiect; that is to ſay, if you conſider either the largeneſſe of their limbs, their broad and mightie breaſtes, their yellow ſhag-haire hanging ouer their ſhoulders, the harſhneſſe of their voice, their ſparkling eies, or their exceeding ſtrength and courage. The Lion carries a kind of contempt and diſdainefull pride ouer other beaſtes, and hardly ſhall you vanquiſh him, if you aſſaile him by force. Neither doth the Bohemian in this reſpect degenerate but ſoone ſhewes his contempt towards other nations both in word and deed, and diſcouers his arrogancie both in his gate, geſture, and pompe. Being ſet light by, he growes impatient; in any enterprize he is as bold as a Lion, and moſt firme and conſtant till he hath brought it to execution, but not without a touch of ambition and vaine glory. Moreouer like a lion he is greedie of his meat, and very curious in the dreſſing and ſeaſoning thereof. And their neighbours the Saxons haue taught them to carouſe both day and night. And by reaſon of their neighbourhood the Bohemians differ not much from the Germans in other qualities. Hitherto Dubrauius, by whom alſo the originall and ancient dwelling place of this nation is deſcribed. They brew excellent ale in this countrey, calling it Whiteale. They ſpeake the Sclauon tongue, calling themſelues Czecks, and the Germans Niemecks. Vnder the ſtile of this kingdome are alſo comprized the regions of Morauia, Sileſia, and Luſatia. Likewiſe in the yeare 1315. the city Egra became the warehouſe or principall mart towne of the Bohemians. Concerning the region it ſelfe you may read more largely in Aeneas Siluius; and of the people, in the firſt booke of Martinus Cromerus his Polonian ſtory. Vnto theſe you may adde Munſter, Rithaimer, Crantzius in his deſcription of Wandalia, and Sabellicus En. 10. lib. 2. Panthaleon Candidus wrote of late ſeuen books entitled Bohemaidos. Prage the head citie of this Kindome, is peculiarly deſcribed by Georgius Handſchius. The Map it ſelfe we borowed out of the Table of Ioannes Crigingerus, publiſhed at Prage 1568.

The diuers appellations of certaine cities in this Kingdome we thought good here to put downe out of Munſter. For the names of all their cities, are by the Bohemian pronounced after one maner, and by the German after another.

Bohemian names. German names. Theſe cities are immediatly ſubiect to the King. Praha, Prag. Plzen, Pilſen. Budiciowize, Budwis. Kolim, Coeln. Cheb, Eger. Strzibre, Miſz. Hora, Kuttenberg. Tabor, Taber. Zatetz, Satz. Litemierzitze, Leitmiritz. Launij, Laun. Rockowinck, Rakowinck. Klattowy, Glataw. Beraim, Bern. Moſt, Bruck. Hradetz, Gretz. Auſcij, Auſt. Myto, Maut. Dwuor, Hoff. Laromiertz, Iaromir. Bohemian names. German names. Theſe cities are ſubiect to the peers of the kingdome. Dub, Ath. Piela, Wiſwaſſer. Gilowy, Gilaw. Krupka, Graupen. Loket, Elbogen. Hanzburg, Haſenburg.

The riuer Albis is called by the Germans Elbe, and by the Bohemians Labe.

The Bohemians call the riuer Molta by the name of Vltawa.

JOhn Crato one of the Emperours counſellers, and his principall Phyſician, hath for the benefit of the ſtudious in Geography, out of his relations of Sileſia, imparted thus much vnto vs.

That we may not be ſcrupulous about the name of the Sileſians, nor (as ſome haue done) deriue it from the Elyſian fields: we are out of ancient writers to vnderſtand, that the ſame region which they now poſſeſſe, was formerly inhabited by the Quadi. For Quad in the Saxon or old German tongue, hath the ſame ſignification that Siletz hath in the Polonian or Sclauon. For they were a people that reſorted hither out of ſundry places, more addicted to warre than peace, deſtroyers rather than builders, and impatient of all ſuperioritie. The firſt King that bare rule ouer them was Boleſlaus a Polacke. He was borne in the yeere of our Lord 967. his mother a Bohemian, neece to Duke Wenceſlaus by the brothers ſide. A ſonne of his called Mieſlaus, in the yeere 1001. was married to Rixa daughter of Erenfrid County Palantine, neece to the Emperour Otho the third, by his ſiſter Melchitis: and this man was the firſt that receiued the kingly diademe from Otho the third. But after his deceaſe the Polonians hauing by ſedition expelled out of their kingdome the Emperours niece and his ſonne Caſimire, Conradus the Emperour reſeruing to himſelfe a certaine tribute, annexed Sileſia to the crowne of Bohemia. This Emperour was an Vratiſlauian borne, and perhaps gaue the name of Vratiſlauia to his natiue citie, which is now commonly called Breſlaw. But hereof I cannot certainly affirme ought. This one thing is not to be doubted, that the Sileſians had no affection towards the Polonians, whenas by the practiſe and induſtry of Iohn the firſt king of Bohemia father to the Emperour Charles the fourth, they vnited themſelues to the Bohemians. Some there are (by what authority or opinion I know not) which affirme that in the ſame place where Breſlaw now ſtands, was built in times paſt by a Prince called Liguis, the city of Budurgis mentioned in Ptolemey. For it is apparent out of hiſtories, that Mieſlaus Duke of Poland, who was firſt created King by the Emperour Otho the third, and in the yeere 965. embraced Chriſtianitie, did anno 1048. erect a woodden church or chapel to the honour of S. Iohn Baptiſt. Whereby you may gather, that in thoſe dayes there was no great matter of building at Breſlaw. Moreouer, Gotefridus the firſt Prelate of that church being an Italian, preferred the village of Smogra before the citie of Breſlaw, hauing there his Schole and College. Likewiſe about this time it is thought that the foundations of other the principall cities of Sileſia, namely of Lignitz, Glogaw, Luben, &c. were layd: for out of monuments and Annales no certainty can be gathered, whenas the ancienteſt writings in all Sileſia are the letters of the Emperour Frederick the ſecond, which were written in the yeere 1200. all the reſidue being conſumed and loſt, either by fires or inuaſions which haue beene very terrible in theſe parts. But by the good indeuour of Frederick Barbaroſſa, Sileſia was both pacified, and ſo diſtributed among the ſonnes of Vladiſlaus king of Poland, that it ſeemed not altogether to be diſmembred from that crowne. But when the Polonians perceiued that Sileſia grew full of Germans, and that the Princes began to fauour them; reiecting the lawfull heires, they aduanced to the kingdome of Sileſia one Vladiſlaus Locticus, a cruell enemy to the Germans. This was the occaſion that they betooke themſelues to the protection of Iohn king of Bohemia; who being ſonne to the Emperour Henry the ſeuenth, married the daughter of Wenceſlaus king of Bohemia, and was inueſted into the kingdome 1302. Wherefore after the deceaſe of this Iohn of Lucelberg, Sileſia was ſubiect to twelue Bohemian kings one after another, ſix whereof were Emperours, one a Bohemian, another an Hungarian, fiue of the houſe of Auſtria, two Polacks, but deſcended from Austria by the mothers ſide. Of the Polonian race remained as yet in Sileſia the Princes of Lignitz and Teſchnitz: for thoſe of Munſterberg deriue their pedegree from George king of Bohemia. Vratiſlauia the head-city of Sileſia being burnt to aſhes in the yere 1341, began then ſo ſtately to be built of ſtone, as at this preſent both for order and beauty of houſes and largeneſſe of ſtreets, it is little inferiour to any of the cities in Germanie. Concerning other more true ornaments of a Common-wealth, I ſhall not need to ſpeake, ſeeing it is manifeſt to all Germanie, that ſcarſe in any other region there are to be found ſo many Schooles, ſuch numbers of learned Profeſſours, and of excellent wits. It beſeemes me not to ſpeake too gloriouſly of my countreymen; yet thus much I may boldly ſay, that there is almoſt no Princes court, nor any famous common-wealth, where the vertue and learning of the Sileſians findes not entertainment. The gentlemen likewiſe albeit addicted to tillage and good husbandry, yet are they ſo warlike withall, that no indifferent Iudges can deny, but that by their valour the remainder of Hungarie is defended. It is a region very fruitfull of corne, eſpecially in one place aboue the reſt, which is moſt carefully manured by our people. It aboundeth with fiſh-pooles. The famous riuer Odera confineth it Eaſt and North, and South it is diuided from Bohemia by Sudetes. But the ſituation beſt appeareth in the Map. Of Sileſia you haue ſomewhat written by Aeneas Syluius, and by others which are ignorant of the countrey. But Laurentius Coruinus could haue brought more certainties to light, had not the age wherein he liued been fatally ouerwhelmed in ignorance. Thus much Iohn Crato concerning his natiue countrey Sileſia. It containeth twelue Dukedomes; one Biſhoprick, the Biſhop whereof hath his reſidence at Neiſſe, and ſometimes at Breſlaw: for there is a Cathedrall church and a College of Canons. Heere are foure Baronies alſo. In this region about Striga and Lignitz is found a kinde of medicinable earth, commonly called Terra ſigillata, like that of Lemnus, and of equall force; ſome quantitie whereof Iacobus Manouius Citizen and Senatour of Breſlaw hath often beſtowed vpon me.

The Chronicles of Sileſia were of late written by Ioachimus Curius, wherein he hath ſo curiouſly deſcribed the ſituation and the antiquity of their townes and cities, the gouernment of their ſtate, and their memorable acts, that the ſtudious may here finde an abſolute hiſtory. I am informed by Iacobus Monauius, that Francis Faber hath deſcribed it in verſe alſo.

MORAVIA is thus deſcribed by Ioannes Dubrauius in his Bohemian ſtory: Morauia was called of olde Marcomania, becauſe it confined vpon Germany at that place, where Dariubius entreth Hungary. For Mark in high Dutch ſignifies a limit or confine, and thereupon Marcomanni are ſuch as inhabit the borders of a countrey. Concerning theſe people Arrianus in his relation of Germany, the fartheſt of theſe nations (ſaith he) are the Quadi and Marcomanni, then the Iazyges a people of Sarmatia, after the Getes, and laſtly a great part of the Sarmatians. Howbeit, at this preſent, becauſe it is bounded by the riuer Mora, from the ſame riuer the inhabitants are called Moraui, and the countrey Morauia. On three ſides, as it now ſtands, it is diuided by mountaines, woods, foreſts, or riuers; on the Eaſt from Hungary, Weſt from Bohemia, and North from Sileſia: for on the South part towards Auſtria it is plaine, being ſome where ſeparated therefrom by the riuer Thayſa, and in other places by another obſcure riuer. The principall riuer in Morauia is Mora, which enuironeth the chiefe city called Olmuntz, and from thence running into Hungary, diſchargeth himſelfe with his tributary ſtreames into the chanell of Danubius. For Mora receiuing into his boſome the riuer Nigra; and that of Switta, whereon ſtandeth the city Brin next in dignity to Olmuntz; alſo Thayſa, which glideth along by the city Znaim famous for the death of Sigiſmund the Emperour; and laſtly Igla paſsing by the city Igla; rendreth vp his owne and his neighbours ſubſtance to the great and renowmed Danubius. But the riuer Odera ſpringing not far from Olmuntz, retaineth his name to the Ocean ſea. Some thinke it is called by Ptolemey Viadrus. Odera is ſo named of a word borrowed from fowlers, which call their watch-towers for the ſpying and taking of birds, Odri; and ſuch towers you haue now in Morauia at the fountaine of Odera. Neither muſt we heere omit the riuer Hana, which albeit ſometimes ſcant of water, yet doth it ſo moiſten the neighbour-fields, being thereby the fertileſt in all the region, as the husbandmen in regard of their plentifull increaſe, call them the fat of Morauia. Here alſo more than in other places are found the ſiluer and gold coines of M. Antoninus, of Commodus, and other Emperours. Which is a manifeſt argument of ancient warres betweene the forces of the Empire and the Marcomans in theſe parts.

This one thing is moſt worthy the admiration, that in Morauia there is a kind of Frankincenſe & Myrrhe, not diſtilling out of trees as in other countries, but digged from vnder the ground, in one place only called Gradiſco, where till this preſent is found not only Frankincenſe called Male frankincenſe in regard of the reſemblance it hath with the priuie parts of man; but alſo in the ſhape of other members both of man and woman. And of late VVenceſlaus of the noble family ſurnamed à Quercu, as he was making a foundation for the banke of a fiſh-poole in his field of Sterenberg, he found the intire body of a man, conſiſting all of Myrrhe, the which diſtributing vnto his friends, and remembring me among the reſt, beſtowed on me more than halfe an arme, which I vſed often for a perfume.

The inner part of the region is arable, an exceeding fertile and fat ſoile, and moſt apt for corne: as the hilles for vines, being more fauourable to Bacchus than the hilles of Bohemia; wherefore it excelleth for abundance of good wine. And it is ſo generally manured, and hath ſuch plentie of husbandmen, that vnleſſe it be in foreſts and deſert places, heere is no paſture at all for the feeding of cattell. For the reſt, both in ſpeech, faſhions and cuſtomes, they are like the Bohemians. Hitherto Dubrauius.

In the yeere 895. the people of this region were inſtructed in the Chriſtian faith by S. Methodius, at the procurement of Arnulphus the Emperour. Vnder the Emperour Henry the fourth, in the yeere 1086. this countrey, together with Luſatia and Sileſia, was annexed to the kingdome of Bohemia. Their language is mixt, for the greateſt part ſpeake Bohemian, and the high Dutch is vſed only in cities among perſons of beſt account. This Prouince (as Dubrauius writeth) yeelds plentie of wine, but not of the ſtrongeſt; ſuch (ſaith Rithaimerus, and I my ſelfe haue ſo found it by experience) as exempteth not the drinker quite from care. Dugloſſus in his Polonian ſtorie ſaith that the name of the riuer Odera ſignifies in the Henetian tongue, inundation or robbery. Olmuntz the head citie of this region, and the ſeat of a Biſhop, is deſcribed by Stephanus Taurinus in his Stauromachia. Concerning Morauia, beſides Dubrauius, reade Aeneas Siluius in his Bohemian ſtory.

This Map of Morauia firſt drawen by Fabricius, but afterward corrected by diuers gentlemen of the countrey was ſent me by Iohn Crato Counſeller and principall Phyſician to the Emperour Maximilian the ſecond a bountifull fauourer of theſe my ſtudies. He gaue me alſo this catalogue of townes called both by German and Bohemian names.

The Dutch names. The Bohemian names. Behemſche Triebaw, Trzebowa Czeska. Landskron, Landskraun. Schirmberg, Semanin. Sciltperg, Sſilperck. Hanſtadt, Zabrzch. Zwittaw, Swittawa. Merheriſche Tribaw, Trzebowa Morawska. Neuſtadt, Nowy Mieſto. Deutſtbrodt, Niemeckybrod. Iglau, Cziblawa. Budwers, Budegowice. Weiſſenkirch, Hranitza. Plos, Pzin. Droſendorff, Droſdowice. Freyen, Vranow. Schtignitz, Trztenice. Holſterlitz, Hoſteradice. Miſlicz, Moriſtaw. Ioſlwitz, Iaroſlaiwice. Dayex, Diakowice. Gruſtpach, Hruſſowamy. Maydpurgk, Dewczihrady. Auſpitz, Huſtopecz. Nuſlau, Noſyſlaw. Tiſchain, Itza. Schwartz Waſſer, Strumen. Selowitz, Zidlochowice. Brin, Brno. Olmutz, Holomane. Proſtnitz, Proſlegew. Wiſcha, Wyskow. Auſterlitz, Slawkow. Kremfier, Kromerziz. Vngeriſchbrod, Vherskybrod. Goeding, Hodomin. Lumpenburg, Brzetiſlaw. Altmarck, Podiwin. Oſtra, Oſtracia.