himself but he intrapped the Counts of Horne and Egmond and beheaded them anno 1567. Being thus rid of these two with diverse others of good quality who living would have much hindred his proceedings he quartered his Spaniards in the Townes and Provinces spoiled the people not of their Priviledges onely but their Liberty Among the Reformed he brought in the bloudy Inquisition and indeed so tyrannically did he behave himself that the people were forced to a defensive war as well for their lives as substance This was a war of State not Religion the most part of the Hollanders being Papists at the time of their taking Armes During these troubles the Prince of Orenge was not idle but he in one place and Count Lodewick his brother in another kept Duke Alva imployed though divers times not with such fortunate successe as they did expect In the year 1572 Flushing was surprised by Voorst and Berland as we have before said So also was the Brill in Voorne an Island of Holland by the Count de la March and not long after all Holland except Amsierdam followed the fortune and side of the Prince together with all the towns of Zeland Midleburg excepted Anno 1573. Duke Alva being recalled Don Lewis de Requisens was appointed Governor during whose rule many of the Belgians abandoned their Country some flying into Germany others into France most into England After his death and before the arrivall of Don John the Priuce and his party recovered strength and courage again till the coming of the Prince of Parma who brought them into worse case then ever Yet anno 1581. they declare by their writings directed to all people that Philip of Spain was fallen from the Government and take a new oath of the People which bound them never to return to the Spanish obedience This done they elect Francis Duke of Anjou heir apparent to the French King and then in no small hopes of marrying Queen Elizabeth of England to be their Lord. But he intending rather to settle a Tyranny in himself then to drive it from the Spaniard attempted Antwerp put his men into the town but was by the valour of the Burgers shamefully repulst Shame of this ignoble enterprise especially grief for its ill suctesse took him out of the world About which time the estate of these Countries was thus by this Hieroglyphick expressed A Cow represented the body of Belgium there stood the King of Spain spurring her the Queen of England feeding her the Prince of Orenge milking her and Duke Francis plucking her back by the tail but she foul'd his fingers During his unfortunate Government Parma prevailed in all places especially after the death of William Prince of Orenge treacherously slain with a Pistoll anno 1584. Now were the poor Hollanders truly miserable desperate of pardon from their Prince and having none to lead them none to protect them but such as were likely to regard their own profit more then theirs England was the only sanctuary they had now left to which they sue offering the Queen thereof the soveraignty of their Provinces who had if not a true yet a plausible title to them As being generally descended from Edward the third and Philip his Wife who was sister and as some say Heir to William Earl of Hainalt Holland c. If Margaret from whom the right of Spain is derived were daughter to Earl William then was our Queen to succeed after Philip who was rejected if that Margaret were as many write his younger sister then was our Queen the undoubted Heir her predecessour Philippa being Earl Williams eldest sister But that Heroick Queen not disputing the right of the title nor intending to herself any thing save the honour of relieving her distressed neighbours and providing for her own estate by this diversion took them into her protection Under which the Belgian affairs succeeded so prosperously I will not now stand upon the particulars that before they would hearken to any treaty of peace they forced the King of Spain to this conclusion that he treated with them as with a free Estate abstracted from all right and title which he might pretend unto the places which they were possessed of This peace was concluded anno 1609. since which time they have kept Garrisons well disciplined and as well paid so that these Countries have in these late dayes been the Campus Martius or School of defence for all Christendome to which the youth of all Nations repair to see the manner of Fortifications and learn the art of war Thus did they for 40 years hold the staffe against a most puissant Monarch and in the end capitulated with great advantage that it is observed that whereas all other Nations grow poor by war these only grow rich Whereupon it is remarkable to consider into what follies and extremities Princes run by using their people to the warre The Kings of France place most of their hopes in their Cavalrie because in policie they would not that the Vulgar should be exercised in arms Lycurgus gave a Law to the Lacedemonians that they should never fight often with one enemie the breaking whereof made the Thâ—bans a small Common-wealth to be their equals in power The Turks won the vast Empire they now possesse by making many and speedy wars But now that policy being worn out of fashion we see that to omit Persia the little and distracted Kingdom of Hungarie hath for 200 years resisted their Forces So was it between the Dukes of Austria and the Switzeâ—s and so it is betwixt the Spaniard and Low-country men who formerly being accounted a dull and heavy people altogether unfit for the wars by their continuall combating with the Spaniard are become ingenious full of action and great managers of causes appertaining to sights either by Sea or Land We may hereby also perceive what advantage a small State gaineth by fortifying places and passages there being nothing which sooner breaketh a great Army and undoeth a great Prince then to beleaguer a well fortified town for that herein he consumeth his time and commonly loseth his men credit and money as the Romans before Numantia the great Tuâ—k in Malta and Charls of Burgundie before Nancie For where war is drawn out of the field unto the wals the Mattock and Spade being more necessary then the Sword and Spear there the valour of the assailant is little available because it wanteth its proper object Thus as before we brought these severall Estates and Provinces into one hand so now we have broke them into two the one part continuing in obedience to the Crown of Spain the other governing themselves as a State apart Under the King remain the Dukedoms of Luxembourg Limbourg and Brabant some few towns excepted the Marquisate of the Empire the Earldomâ— of Hainalt Namur Artois and Flanders except only S. Ivys and the Lorship or Signeurie of Machlyn with many places of importance in the Dutchie of Gueldres to countervail the
annoyance vvhen vve had leisure to seek after Wealth vvithout perill there arose hot contentions betvvixt the Nobilitie and the Commons Sometimes the factious Tribunes carried it avvay sometimes the Consuls had the better and in the City and common Forum some little skirmishes the beginning of our Civil Wars were sometimes seen Afterwards C. Marius one of the meanest of the Commonally and L. Syllâ— the most cruel of all the Nobility by force of Arms overthrowing the Free-State reduced all to an absolute Government To them succeeded â—n Pompeâ—us a little closer in his projects but nothing better minded to the Common-wealth Et nunquam postea nisi de Principatu quaesitum and never after that was any other point debated than who should get the Soveraignty unto himself So Tacitus and he stateth it rightly For after Pompey had revived the controversie and had found Caesar a better disputant than himself Augustus Antony and Lepidus on the death of Caesar made good the Argument attracting all power unto themselves by the name of Triumviri till Augustus having out-witted Lepidus and vanquished M. Antony at the battell of Actium became sole Soveraign of the State by the name of Prince Et cuncta bellis civilibus fessa nomine Principis sub imperium accepit as that Author hath it But touching those great alterations in the State of Rome the contentions for the chief command and the Reduction of it to a Monarchy by Augustus Caesar I published a Discourse in the year 1631 but written many years before under the title of AUGUSTUS or an Essay of those Means and Counsels whereby the Common-wealth of Rome was altered and reduced to a Monarchy Which being but short so pertinent to the present business and so well entertained when it came abroad I hope it will not be improper or unprofitable to sub-joyn it here The Reader may either peruse it or praetermit it as his fancy guides him And here it followeth in these words THey which have heretofore written of Common-wealths have divided them into three Species The Government of the King secondly of the Nobles and thirdly of the People Either of these is again subdivided into good and evill The evill form being only the good corrupted the bad nothing else but the good refined So is the Government of a King divided into a Monarchy and a Tyranny Of the Nobles into an Aristocracy and an Oligarchy Of the People into a Republick and a Democraâ—y All these as well in generall as in the severall couplets have a secret Inclination to change the one into the other and to make a Pythagorical transmigration as it were into each other being I need not stand on many instances The Common-wealth of Rome into whose stories whosoever looketh will judge them rather to contain the acts of the whole World than a particular Nation will serve for all Romulus at the foundation of his City reserved unto himself the chief Soveraignty leaving it entire to his Successors Numa Ancus Tullus Tarquin the Elder and Servius governed themselves so moderately and the people so justly that they affected not Tyranny nor the Commons Liberty They appeared more desirous to fill the Coffers of their Subjects than their own Treasuries And when necessity compelled them to a Tax they rather seemed to sheer their sheep than fleece them But Tarquin the second commonly called Superbus a man of insupportable Vices having by violence enthronized himself in that Chair of State which had not his ambitious spirit been impatient of delay would have been his rightfull Inheritance made his Government answerable to his enterance cruel and bloody How many men eminent as well by their own vertue as their Parents Nobilitie did he cut off How many did he for no cause promote to make their fall the more remarkable What part of the Senate was free from slaughter What corner of the City from lamentations Yet this was not all The miserable Romans were visited with three Plagues at once Pride in the Father Crueltie in the Mother and Lust exorbitant in their sonne Sextus a true Copy of the old Originals Either of these had been more than enough to exercise the peoples patience But meeting all at one time it seemed that nothing could now be added to the wretchedness of the one and the wickedness of the other Brutus a name fatall to Tyrants did easily perswade the Commons to shake off this yoak For they as well desirous of Novelties as sensible of Oppressions had long since murmured at the present State and wanted nothing but a head to break out into actuall Rebellion So the People got the Freedom and the Kings lost the Soveraignty of the City 2 Brutus although he wanted no fair title to the Crown yet either perceiving how odious the name of King was grown or perhaps willing to be rather the first Consul than the last Prince instituted a new form of Government Wherein the sway of all was referred to the Fathers of the City out of whom two were annually chosen as chief of the rest And here in certainly he dealt very advisedly For had he sought to confirm himself in the Kingdom what could men judge but that not love to his Country was the cause that stirred him to take Arms but desire of Rule Again besides that secure Privacie is to be preferred before hazardous Royalty what hope had he to keep the seat long having by his own example taught the people both the Theory and Practice of Rebellion Under this new Aristocraty the Roman affairs succeeded so prosperously their dominions were inlarged so immensly that it may well be questioned whether the Roman fortune caused their greatness or their valour commanded their fortune For the Governours not seeking wealth but honour or not their own wealth but the publick did so demean themselves both in Peace and War that there was between all a vertuous emulation who should most benefit his Countrey An happiness which was too great to continue long The people had as yet no written Laws Custom bearing most sway and the rest of the Law locked up in the breast of the Judges To avoyd such inconveniencies as might hence ensue there were some men conceived to be as sound in judgement as honest in their actions deputed by a generall Commission to take an abstract of the Grecian Laws according to the tenor whereof the people were to frame their lives the Judges their sentences Here followed the Oligarchy or Decemvirate State of Rome but long it lasted not For these new Lords joyning forces together made themselves rich with the spoil of the people not caring by what unlawfull means they could purchase either profit or pleasure Appius Claudius one of the Decemviri was the break-neck of this Government He unmindfull of Lucretia and the Tarquius lusted after Virginia a woman though of low condition yet such a woman in whom beauty and vertue strove for the preheminence The issue was that she to save
of his Souldiers put an end to the troubles he was unresolved what to do Whether to resign the Empire to the People or retain it still in his own hands That in a business of such importance he durst not rely altogether on his own wisdom That he had made them his Judges as men that could speak soundly and durst speak freely That he knew them to have more care of his honour than profit but of the Common-wealth more than both That his Counsels which course soever he took would not be by them eliminated He therefore intreated them to consider what was to be done and to give up their verdicts 15 Agrippa after a short silence thus began I know thou canst not but marvell O Caesar â—that I who under thine Empire am sure to be beyond precedent exalted should perswade thee to live private But I esteem more thy honour than my profit the publick good than my particular preferment And yet perhaps my Counsell shall be as profitable if not as plausible as the contrary I know thee to be no way delighted with lyes and flattery and will therefore deal with thee freely and plainly Thou hast indeed put a period to the Civill Wars but to what end unless thou dost restore unto the Common-wealth the Liberty for which the Wars were raised What benefit can the people reap from thy Victory if thou dost use it only as an instrument for their greater bondage Dost thou think that the Romans having so many hundred years maintained their liberty will now be willing to forego it No Caesar no Flatter not thy self with these hopes Marius the younger and Sertorius were quickly cut off when their ends were once known and Julius thy Father of happy memory did not long live after his actions seemed to bring the Common liberty in hazard And shall we think that there is no true Roman spirit surviving No Brutus living to attempt the like against thee Believe me Caesar believe me it is far better not to meddle with the Empire at all than to be forced to abandon it But say Divine Providence will so protect thee that thou mayst out-live such practices and shalt thou also not out-live thy glories This present age perchance will not censure thine actions because it dares not But Posteritie free from all respects of love or hatred cannot but call them into question aud brand thy enterprise with Ambition and perhaps Tyranny If thy designs prosper they will judge thee to have risen unjustly if otherwise to have fallen deservedly How much better then were it now when thine honour is without blemish and thy reputation unstained to resign thy authority Indeed when Sextus lorded it over the Sea and Antony over Aegypt it might have been thought want of spirit to have deposed thy self from the Government But now to doe it when thou art without Rivall in the Empire now when thou art sole Commander of the Worlds Forces now when the People and Senate ly prostrate at the feet of thy mercy were to strike dumb detraction and to make the World admire thy Temper Thou art at this present the joy and comfort of the World there is wanting to thee neither Wealth nor Fame Here then fix thy foot For go but one step beyond this Non ultra and thou wilt run into a boundless Ocean of perils which have no end but the end of thy life and reputation 16 Not so excellent Agrippa replyed Mecenas I never heard good Pilot find fault with Sea-room or of more vessels cast away in the Ocean than in the Streights and narrow passages Our Republick is a Ship fraught with divers Nations She hath been long tossed on the waves of Civill dissentions long driven up and down with the Wind of ambition and there is now no place so fit for her safety as the unlimited Ocean of one mans power This Empire at first rising seemed not to require a Monarch but it is now grown too unwieldy to be without one Take then upon thee O Caesar this Empire or to say better do not forsake it I should never thus advise thee did I conceive any possible inconveniences The Senate doth allow thee a competent guard of valiant and faithfull Souldiers whom then shouldest thou fear Nay ill may I prosper if I see any cause of fear were thy Guard cashiered Enemies thou hast none For such as were are either already slain by thy valour or made thy fast friends by thy bounty and clemency To omit Marius and Sertorius I will a little touch at thy Father Julius He too good a Souldier to be a Statist was too heady and violent in establishing his Government Nor could he cunningly temporize and suffer the people insensibly and by degrees to drop into bondage but oppress them all at once Again he committed a great Soloecism in State when discharging his Guard he sought to retain that Empire by fair means which he had gotten by violence I know thee O Caesar to be of a more wary and cunning behaviour Learn also to work out thine own safety by Pompeys misfortunes He after the finishing of the Pontick War at Brundusium disbanded his Army and thereby merited to be accounted an honest and moderate man Certainly he shewed himself in the course of this action rather vertuous than fortunate or politick For presently he began to be contemned and by this improvident weakning of himself made an open passage to his own ruin I commend his modesty more than his brain neither did he himself on better considerations approve his own doings and therefore he resolved had he been Victor in Pharsalâ—a never to have committed the like Oversight So it is and so it will fall out with thee O Caesar if in this action thou propose him to be thy pattern It is not safe Agrippa saith to take the Empire less safe it is to refuse it A settled and innative vice it is in man never to endure that any man above our own rank should over-top us Romes second founder Camillus Scipio that scourge of Carthage were disgraced and M. Coriolanus banished by our Ancestors only because their worth had lifted them above the ordinary pitch of Subjects Do not thou hope to fare better than thy Predecessors Heretofore perchance thou mightest have sought the Empire to satisfie thy ambition The Empire must now be thy refuge and Asylum Credit me the Lords of the Senate after so many years Obedience know not how to Govern neither canst thou having so long been a Governour learn Obedience True it is that in matters of domesticall business a man may stop and desist where he will But in the getting of an Empire there is no mean between the death of an Enemie and the life of a Prince Thou hast already gone too far to retire Now thou must resolve to be Caesar or nothing To say more were superfluous Thine own discretion will suggest unto thee better Arguments Onely this I know that thou hast in
called Princes of the Youth Yet wisely forecasting the dangers incident to himself if they should make their abode in Rome he sendeth them with honourable charge into the Provinces abroad as well to exercise them in feats of War as to take away all cause of faction in the Court and sedition in the City Which mystery of State as it was antiently practised by most Princes so at this day by the Grand Seigneur who alwaies sendeth his eldest sonne unto Amasia as Governour thereof from whence till the death of his Father he never returneth In these journeys dyed the two young Princes a misfortune which AUGUSTUS bare nobly neither banishing grief with a Stoicall Apathy nor spending the time in womanish lamentations Having performed due rights to the dead he adopted his Wives sonne Tiberius A man for the conveniency and ripeness of his age not unfit in feats of Arms not unexpert in humane learning not ignorant but withall suspected to be cruelly given and possessed with the hereditary pride of the Claudian Family A strange medley of vertuous and vicious qualities Tiberius such was the will of his Father to establish the succession with more stayes than one adopted Germanicus his Brother Drusus sonne then commanding over eight Legions in Germany which done he speedeth to his charge in Illyricum This man AUGUSTUS appointed to be his Heir as it was afterwards and not improbably conjectured neither in care to the State nor in love to the party but to win honour to himself and to make the Roman people again wish for him when they should see that infinite disproportion in all royall and Kingly qualities between the old and new Emperors A fetch after imitated by Tiberius in the adoption of Caius Caligula 43 The last though not the least help of the Empires establishment was the long life and reign of our AUGUSTUS as having ruled the State 16 years before and 34 years after his confirmation in the Soveraignty by the Senate and People All the young men in the City were born after the first Decennium of the Monarchy Most of the old men during the Civill Wars Few had seen what was the antient form of Government in the Common-wealth Many did not desire it For at the present enjoying Peace both at home and abroad and hearing what sad and tragicall reports their Fathers made of the former troubles and proscriptions they contented themselves with the new Government as more esteeming a secure and happy subjection than a dangerous and factious liberty By which long time of Empire and the policies already recited besides many others which I can neither learn by relations nor gather by presumptions did AUGUSTUS so firmly settle the Roman Monarchy that it continued some hundred of years without alteration though all his immediate Successors were in a manner Monsters incarnate devils and indeed any thing rather than men Tiberius Cains Claudius Nero Galba Otho and Vitellius both by their own Tyrannies and their Bondmens Extortions would have ruined any Monarchy not founded by AUGUSTVS 44 To speak concerning the domestical affairs of this Emperor is beyond my Theme As either how far he suffered himself to be ordered by his Wife Livia or whether he used variety of women not so much to satisfie a disordinate appetite as by so many women to fish out the secret designs of many men He was too exact a Statesman to be perfect in Souldiery and in all his Wars was prosperous by Fortune rather than by Valour or his Captains Valour than his own The Common-wealth which he found weak and in Rubbish he left Adamantine and invincible In behaviour he was affable and gracious in his discourse sententious to the good of a most sweet disposition to the lewd and dishonest harsh and unpleasant Friendship he contracted with few and that slowly but to them whom he once loved constant and bountifull to the last Finally such a one he was of whom I will only say what I find spoken of Severus It had been an ineffable benefit to the Common-wealth of Rome if either he had never dyed or never been born Thus having drawn the Picture of this puissant and prudent Prince though I confess with too much shadow I now proceed unto the Catalogue of the Roman Emperours in which I shall take notice of such of their Actions only as had relation to the Publick either in the improvement or decrease of their Power and Empire or point to any signall matter which concerns the Church The Roman Emperours 1 Julius Caesar the last of the Dictators and the first of the Emperours in memory of whom the following Emperours were called Caesars till the time of Adrian when it became the title of the heir apparent or designed Successor the first who had it in that sense being Aelius Verus though he lived not to enjoy the Empire 2 C. Octavianus Caesar to whom the Senate gave the name of Augustus who added unto the Roman Empire the Provinces of Noricum Pannonia Rhoetia a great part of Spain and the whole Kingdome of Egypt In his time the Lord CHRIST was born 56. 3 Tiberius Nero the sonne-in-Law of Augustus subdued many of the German Nations and added Galatia and Cappadocia to the Empire In his time CHRIST suffered 23. 4 Caâ—us Caligula sonne of Germanicus sonne of Drusus the brother of Tiberius and of Agrippina Neece to Augustus Caesar by his daughter Julia. 3. 5 Claudius Caesar Uncle to Caligula brother of Germanicus and sonne of Drusus by Antonia Neece to Augustus by his Sister Octavia added Britain and Mauritania to the Roman Empire 13. 6 Domitius Nero son of Aenobarbus and Agrippina daughter to Germanicus the last of the Caesars he made the Celtian Alpes a Province of the Empire and brought the Armeniáns to receive their Kings from the Roman Emperours and was the first that raised any publick persecution against the Christians An. 67. 13. 7 Sergius Galba chosen by the French and Spanish Legions 8 Salvius Otho made Emperour by the Praetorian Souldiers 9 Aul. Vitellius elected by the German Legions 10 Flavius Vespasianus chosen by the Syrian and Iudaean Armies subverted utterly the Common-wealth of the Jews by the valour and prowess of his sonne Titus and brought Achaia Lycia Rhodes Samos Thrace and Syria Comagene under the form of Roman Provinces 9. 11 Titus Vespasianus the fortunate Conqueror of the Jews 12 Fl. Domitianus who raised the second persecution against the Christians An. 96. 15. 13 Nerva Cocceius a noble Senator but no Roman born as all the rest had been before him but not many after him 14 Ulpius Trajanus by birth a Spaniard adopted by Nerva he made Dacia a Province of the Empire carried the Roman Armies over Euphrates subduing Armenia Mesopotamia and Assyria and raised the third Persecution against the Christians An. 110. 19. 15 Aelius Adrianus who utterly exterminated the Jewish Nation and continued the Persecution
place by reason of the fires which formerly have flamed so hideously especially in the yeer 1444. that it made not only the rest of these Ilands but all Sicilie tremble Neer unto this Isle was fought the first Navall fight betwixt Rome and Carthage Before which time the Romans had never used the Seas as being totally imployed in the conquest of Italie insomuch that when they had built their Gallies they were fain to exercise their men in rowing by placing them on two Seats neer the water with Oars in their hands Which notwithstanding having devised an Engine like a Grapling-hook they so fastened the Adverse Fleet unto them that the whole â—ight seemed a Land-battell fought upon the Sea The victory fell unto the Romans C. Duilins the Consul then commanding in Chief and was honoured with the first Navall Triumph that was ever solemnized at Rome After this Iland was once known to the Greeks they sent from all their chief Cities 〈◊〉 rall Colonies who planted in the Sea-coasts of the Country as before we noted But so as they never united themselves in a body together but had their severall estates and particular ends whereby they came to be divided into many factions and at last made themselves a prey to as many Tyrants Phalaris lording it at Agrigentum Panaetius at Leontium Gelon at Sâ—racuse Cleander at Gelae and when one Faction grew too weak to resist the other they called in severall Forein Nations to abet their quarrel For on this ground the Carthaginians were first called into Sicilie by the Messenians against the Agrigentines and on the same was managed here a great part of the Peloponnesian wars the Athenians siding with the Leontines and the Spartans with he Syracusans in which the whole power of Athens was broken by Sea and Land and their two Generals Nicias and Demosthenes murdered in prison But because Syracuse was a Citie of the greatest authority and of greatest influence over the rest of Sicilie we shall more punctually insist on the State and affairs thereof the government of which at first was popular as it was in most of the Greek Colonies according to the platforms which they brought from home and was but newly altered to the Aristocraticall when Gelon made himself King of it about 26 years after the expulsion of the Tarquins at Rome whom with as many as succeeded in the Royal dignity take along as followeth The Tyrants or Kings of Syracuse A. M. 3465. 1 Gelon the Prince or Lord of Gela taking advantage of the quarrels in Syracusa betwixt the Magistrates and people made himself Master of the Citie and was chosen King A valiant and prudent Prince by whom 150000 Carthaginians were slain in battle for their welcome into Sicil. 7. 3472 2 Hiero the brother of Gelon a valiant King also but a rude and covetous man whereby he lost the love of his people 11 3484 3 Thrasibulus brother of Hiero whose Government proved so cruell and unsupportable that he held it not above 10 moneths who being forced into Exile by the Syracusans the people did a while enjoy their libertie but withall fell into those Factions which after 60 years made them lose it again 3544 4 Dionysius that so famous Tyrant from being Generall of the Forces of the Syracusans made himself their King A man of great vices but great vertues withall He brought almost all Sicilie under his obedience and the Town of Rhegium in Italy reigning in all 38 years 3582 2 Dionysius II. succeeding his Father in his Kingdom and vices but not in valour or wisdom was first outed by Dion a noble Gentleman of Syracuse and afterward taken Prisoner by Timoleon of Corinth to which Citie he was sent and there dyed in exile 3635 6 Agathocles by trade a Potter after that a Souldier 20 years after the death of Timoleon made himself King of Syracusa To draw the Carthaginans out of Sicil he passed over into Africk and besieged Carthage which example Scipio after followed but with better fortune 29. 3681 7 Hieron II. of a Commander of their Armies chosen King of Syracuse by a party which he had made amongst them In his time brake out the first Punick War the Romans being called in by the Mamertones who held Messana against the Carthaginians the Lords at that time of the greatest part of the Iland 56. 3737 8 Hieronymus the sonne of Hiero after whose death Syracuse and all Sicil became subject to Rome by the fortunate conduct of Marcellus Of these eight Kings the six first commonly pass under the name of Tyrants from whence and from some others of like disposition who Lorded it over the rest of the Free Cities of Sicil the name of Siculi Tyranni grew into a Proverb But of all none more hated than the two Dionisii who were so odious that there were continuall execrations poured on them only one old woman praying for the life of the later Who being asked the cause made answer that she knew his Father to have been a monstrous and wicked Tyrant on whom when the curses of the people had prevailed and obtained his death this his son succeded worse by far than he for whose life she was resolved to pray lest after his death the devill himself should come amongst them But to proceed after these Tyrants as they called them were rooted out and the Iland was conquered by Marcellus it alwaies followed the fortune of the Roman Empire till in the partition of that Empire it fell together with Apulia and Calabria into the power of the Greeks In the declining of whose greatness this Iland having been miserably pilled and spoyled by the Emperor Constans An. 669. became a prey to the Saracens from then recovered again by the help of the Normans who held both this and the Realm of Naples in Fee of the Church under the title of Kings of both Sicils From that time forwards it ran the fortune of that Kingdom subject unto the Princes of the Norman and German lines till the death of Conrade no interruption intervening After whose death when Munfroy or Manfrede the base sonne of the Emperor Frederick and Brother of Conrade had forcibly made himself King of these Countries it was offered to Richard Earl of Cornwall Brother to Henry the third of England a Prince of such riches that he was able to dispend an hundred Marks perdiem for ten years together which according to the Standard of those times was no small sum But the conditions which the Pope ptoposed were so impossible for the Earl to perform that his Agent told him he might as well say to his Master I will give thee the Moon climb up catch and take it The Earl refusing it it was offered the King for his second sonne Edmund who was invested by the gift of a Ring and money coyned in his name by the Popes appointment with the inscription of Almundus Rex Siciliae But the King not being able to pursue the business
Forces of these Princes I have little to say but think them to be of good consideration in both respects their Territories lying in the best and richest part of Italie and their Estates environed by more puissant neighbours which both necessitate and inable them to defend their own The Duke of MONTFERRAT THe Dukedom of MONTFERRAT is situate betwixt Lombardy and â—iemont or the Rivers of Tenarus and Po on the East and West extended North and South in a line or branch from the Alpes to the borders of Liguria of which last it was sometimes counted part and called Liguria Cisapennina for distinction sake It took this name either à Monte ferrato from some mountain of it stored with Iron or else à monte feraci as some rather think from the fertilitie of the Mountains And to say truth though the whole Country seem to be nothing else than a continuall heap of Mountains yet are they Mountains of such wonderfull fruitfulness that they will hardly give place to any Valley in Europe The principall River of it is the Tenarus above mentioned which springing out of the hils about Barceis a Town of the Marquisate of Saluzzes falleth into the Po not far from Pavie The principall Cities of it are 1 Alba called by Plinie Alba Pomera situate on the banks of the sayd River in a rich and fertile soyl but a very bad air near to which in a poor village called Zobia the Emperor Pertinax was born Who being of mean and obscure Parents after the death of Commodus was called by the Conspirators to the Roman Empire But being over-zealous to reform the corruptions of the souldiers he was by the Praetorian Guards hating their Princes for their vertues as much as formerly for their vices most cruelly murdered and the Imperiall dignity sold to Julianus for 25 Sestertiums a man 2 Casal vulgarly called Saint Vas from the Church there dedicated to St. Evasius or Saint Vas as they speak it commonly the strongest Town in all this Country well built and peopled with many antient and noble Families of which the family of St. George is one of the principall and made a Bishops See by Pope Sixtus the fourth An o 1474. t was in former times the chief seat of the house of Montferrat and for that cause compassed with a strong wall and a fair Castle but of late fortified after the modern manner of Fortifications and strengthned with an impregnable Citadel by Duke Vincent Gonzaga as the surest Key of his estate in which new Citadell the Governour of the Province holds his usuall residence 3 Aique in Latin Aquensis famous for its Bathes or Fountains of hot and medicinall waters 4 Saint Saviours where there is a very strong Fortress as there is also in 5 Ponsture or Pont di Stura so called of the River Stura 6 Osoniano antiently Occimianum the old seat of the first Marquesses of this Montferrat 7 Villa nova 8 Balzale 9 Liburn and many others of less note Here are also with in the limits of this Dukedom the Towns of Ast Cherian and Chivasco belonging to the Dukes of Savoy in the description of whose Country we may speak more of them together with Novara and Alexandria appertaing to the Dukedom of Millain which we have spoken of already And hereunto also I refer the strong and in those times impregnable Fortress by the Latin Historians called Fraexinetum from some Grove of Ashes near unto it situate in the advantages of the Mountains and not far from the sea by consequence better able to defend it self and admit relief and therefore made the receptacle or retreat of the Saracens at such time as they had footing in these parts of Italie First took and fortified by them in the year 891 recovered afterwards by the prowess and good fortune of Otho the Emperor deservedly surnamed the Great about 60 years after Of great note in the stories of those middle times By Luitprandus placed near the borders of Provence by Blondus and Leander near the River Po and the Town of Valenza once called Forum Fulvii and finally by Sigonius in the Coltian Alpes and so most fit to be referred unto this Country though now so desolated that there is no remainder of the ruins of it This Country was made a Marquisate by Otho the 2 d An. 985. one of the seven by him erected and given to the 7 sons of Waleran of Saxonie who had maryed his daughter Adelheide A Military Family conspicuously eminent in the Wars of Greece and the Holy-land where they did many acts of singular merit insomuch as Baldwin and Conrade issuing from a second branch hereof were made Kings of Hierusalem and Boniface one of the Marquesses got the Kingdom of Thessaly and many fair Estates in Greece But the Male-issue fayling in Marquess John the Estate fell to Theodorus Palaeologus of the Imperiall family of Constantinople who had maryed the Heir-generall of the house continuing in his name till the year 1534 when it fell into the hands of the Dukes of Mantua In the person of Duke William Gonzaga raised to the honour of a Dukedom as it still continueth the best and richest part of that Dukes Estate and the fairest flower in all his Garden The residue of the story may be best collected out of the following Catalogue of The Marquesses of Montferrat A. C. â—985 1 William one of the sonnes of Waleran and Adelheide made the first Marquess of Montferrat 2 Boniface the sonne of William 3 William II. who accompanied the Emperor Conrade the 3. and 5 Lewis of France to the Holy-land â—183 4 Boniface II. sonne of William the second his younger brother William being designed King of Hierusalem and Reyner another of them made Prince of Thessaly succeeded his Father in Montferrat Ayding his Nephew Baldwin the sonne of William in recovering the Kingdom of Hierusalem he was took prisoner by Guy of Lusignan Competitor with him for that title 5 William III. sonne of Boniface poysoned in the Holy-land where he endeavoured the restoring of his Brother Conrade to that languishing Kingdom 6 Boniface III. sonne of William the third for his valour in taking of Constantinople made King of Thessalie 1254 7 Boniface IV. sonne of Boniface the third added Vercelli and Eporedium unto his Estate 8 John surnamed the Just the last of this house 9 Theodore Palaeologus sonne of the Emperor Andronicus Palaeologus the elder and Yoland his wife daughter of Boniface the fourth 10 John Palaeologus sonne of Theodore 11 Theodorus II. sonne of John a great builder and endower of Religious houses 12 Jacobus Johannes sonne of Theodore the second 13 John III. eldest sonne of Jacobus Johannes 1464 14 William IV. brother of John the third founder of the City and Monastery of Casal 1487 15 Boniface V. brother of John and William the two last Marquesses invested by Fredederick the fourth Blanea Maria the daughter of William surrendring her Estate unto him 16 William V. sonne of Boniface
them though of different judgement 7 Dan. Tossanus the Hebrician To which we may adde 8 Calvin also who though he had his birth in France had his being here and never grew to any eminency in Fame or Learning till he was setled in Geneva For matter of Religion it is of a very mixt condition also in all these Countries that of the Romish onely have publick countenance in the Dukedom of Savoy and Piemont but so that the Reformed is tolerated in some parts thereof especially in the parts next Dauphine to which the neighborhood of Geneva gives a great increase In Switzerland there are four Cantons which are wholly for the Reformation viz. Zurich Bern Basil and Schaffhausen Seven that stand wholly for the Doctrin of the Church of Rome i. e. Uren Switz Underwalden Lucern Zug Friburg and Solothurn in Apenzel and Glaris they allow of both The Grisons are confusedly divided betwixt both Religions but the Italian Praefectures admit no other but the Romish The cause of which division came upon the preaching of Zuinglius a Canon of the Church of Zurich who being animated with Luthers good success in Germany began about the year 1519 to preach against the Mass and Images and other the corruptions of the Church of Rome In which his party so increased that on a publick Disputation which vvas held at Zurich the Mass was abrogated in that Canton by the authority of the Senate Anno 1526 and Images destroyed at Bern 1528. After which prosperous beginnings the Reformation began to spread it self amongst the Confederates and had prevailed further both in France and Germanie but for a difference which arose betwixt him and Luther about the Sacrament of the Supper in which Luther did not only maintain a Reall presence but a Consubstantiation also in the sacred Elements which Zuinglius maintained to be only a bare sign and representation of Christs blessed body For reconciling of this difference wherein the enemies of both did extremely triumph a conference was held between them at Marpurg a town of Hassiae by the procurement of that Lantgrave but without success Luther professing that he durst not agree in that point with Zuingulius ne Principes suos interpretatione tantopere Pontificiis exosa magis invisos redderet for fear of drawing too great hatred on the Princes of his own profession From this time forwards all brake out into open flames the names of Ubiquitarians and Sacramentarians being reciprocally cast upon one another to the great hindrance of the cause which they had in hand yet so that the Lutheran opinions got ground in Germany the Zuinglians amongst these Mountains and in France it self and finally prevailed by the meanes of Calvin in many parts of Germany also But hereof more hereafter in convenient place As for the story of those Countries before they were divided into so many hands we are to know that the old Inhabitants hereof mentioned before were conquered severally by the Romans as shall be shewen in the description of the severall Provinces Won from the Romans by the Burgundians in the time of Honorius the Western Emperor they became'a member of their Kingdom except the Country of the Grisons and some parts of Switzerland which fell under the Almans united afterwards in the new Kingdom of Burgundy of the French erection when subdued by that Nation But Charles the Bald the last of the French Kings of Burgundie having united it to the Kingdom of France divided it into three Estates that is to say the Dukedom of Burgundie on this side of the Soasne the Dukedom of Burgundy beyond the Soasne and the Dukedom of Burgundy beyond the Jour This last containing the greatest part of all these Alpine Provinces except Piemont onely vvas by the sayd Charles given to Conrade a Saxon Prince the sonne of Witikind the third and younger brother of Robert the first Earl of Anion by the name of Earl of Burgundy Transjurane or Burgundy beyond the Jour Rodolph his sonne and successor by Eudes the King of France his Comin German was honoured with the title of King to make him equall at the least with Bosâ—n Earl of Burgundie beyond the Soasne whom Charles the Grose Tabour the same time had made King of Arles But Rodolph finding it offensive to the German Emperors abandoned it on the death of Endes and took to himself the title of Duke The residue of the story we shall have in the following Catalogue of The Earles Dukes and Kings of Burgundie Trnnsjurane 1 Conrade the first Earl of Burgundie Transjurane 890 2 Rodolph Earl King and Duke of Burgundie Transjurane 912 3 Rodolph II. elected King of Italie against Berengarius which title he exchanged with Hugh de Arles who vvas chosen by another Faction for the possession of the Kingdom of Arles and Burgundie on the assuming of which Crown he resigned this Dukedom to his Brother 4 Boson the brother of Rodolph the second succeeded his brother in the Dukedom of Burgundie beyond the Jour as afterwards he succeeded Rodolph his Brothers sonne in the kingdom of Arles and Bnrgundie 965 5 Conrade sonne of Boson King of Arles and Burgundie and Duke of Burgundie Transjurane 990 6 Rodolph III. sonne of Conrade who dying without issue lest his estates to Henry surnamed the Black the sonne of his sister Gisela by Conrade the second Emperor and King of Germanie united so unto the Empire till by the bounty and improvidence of some following Emperors it was cantonned into many parts of which more anon It is novv time to lay aside this discourse as to the generall condition and affairs of these Alpine Provinces and to look over the particulars beginning first with the estate of the Duke of Savoy situate wholly in these Mountains and lying next to Italie where before we left THE DVKEDOM OF SAVOY THe Dukedom of SAVOY is bounded on the East with Millain and Montferrat in Italy on the West with Dauphine in France on the North with Switzerland and the Lake of Geneva and on the South with Provence and the Mediterranean The Country of so different nature that it cannot be reduced under any one character and therefore we must look upon it in the severall parts into which divided that is to say 1 the Principalitie of Piemont and 2 Savoy specially so called 1 PIEMONT in Latin called Regio Pedemontana because situate at the foot of the Mountains as the name in both languages imports is bounded on the East with Millain and Montferrat on the West with Savoy on the North with the Switzers and on the South it runneth in a narrow valley to the Mediterranean having Montferrat on the one side Provence and a part of the Alpes upon the other The Country wonderfully fertile compared with Switzerland and Savoy which lie next unto it but thought to be inferior to the rest of Italie It containeth besides Baronies and Lordships 15 Marquisates 52 Earldoms 160 Castles or walled places and is so
divided into the Higher and the Lower the Lower containing the Sea coasts and the Higher the more Inland parts Principall Cities of the whole 1 Constance a Bishops See the Spire or Steeple of whose Cathedrall is easily discernable afar off both by Sea and Land and serveth Saylers for a Landmark From hence the Country hereabouts hath the name of Constantin 2 Auranches situate on a rock with a fair prospect over the English Channell but more neer to Bretagn than the other the chief Citie of the Abrincantes called Ingena by Ptolomie now a Bishops See 3 Caen Cadomum in Latine an Episcopall See as the other Strong populous and well built seated upon the River Orne second in Reputation of the whole Province but more especially famous for the Sepulchre of William the Conquerour the Vniversitie founded here by King Henry the 5th and for the long resistance which it made against him in his Conquest of Normanite 4. Baieux the â—ivitas Baiocassium of Antoninus from whence the Countrie round about hath the name of Bâ—ssin Memorable of a long time for a See Episcopal One of the Bishops whereof called Odo Brother unto William the Conquerour by the Mothers side was by him created Earl of Kent and afterwards on some just displeasure committed Prisoner For which when quarreled by the Pope the Clergie being then exempted from the Secular Powers â—he returned this answer that he had committed the Earl of Kent not the Bishop of Bayeux By which distinction he avoided the Popes displeasure 5. Roven of old Râ—thomarâ—m pleasantly seated on the Seine and watered with the two little Riverets of Robeâ— and Râ—inâ—lie which keep it very sweet and clean The Citie for the most part well built of large circuit and great trading the second for bigness wealth and beauty in all France antiently the Metropolis of this Province and an Arch-Bishops See and honoured of late times with a Court of Parliament erected here by Lewis the twelfth Anno 1501. In the Cathedrall Church hereof a Reverend but no beautifull fabrick is to be seen the Sepulchre of Jâ—hâ— Duke of Bedford and Regent of France for King Henry the sixt which when an envious Courtier perswaded Charles the eighth to deface God forbid saith he that I should wrong him being dead whom living all the power of France was not able to withstand adding withall that he deserved a better Monument than the English had bestowed upon him And to say truth the Tomb is but mean and poor short of the merits of the man and carrying no proportion to so great a vertue 6 Falaise upon the River Ante once of strength and note the dwelling place of Arlette a Skinners Daughter and the Mother of William the Conquerour whom Duke Robert passing through the Town took such notice of as he beheld her in a dance amongst other Damosells that he sent for her to accompany him that night in bed and begot on her William the Bastard Duke of Normandy and King of England Her immodesty that night said to be so great that either in regard thereof or in spite to her Sonne the English called all Strumpets by the name of Harlots the word continuing to this day 7 Vernaville Vernolâ—um in Latine in former times accompted one of the Bulwarks of Normandie against the French Of which it is reported that when news was brought to Richard the first that Philip surnamed Augustuâ— the French King had laid siedge unto it he should say these words I will never turn my back till I have confronted those cowardly French men For performance of which Princely word he caused a passage to be broken thorough the Palace of Westminster and came so unexpected upon his Enemies that they raised their siedge and hastned homewards 8 Alanson of most note for giving the title of Earl and Duke to many Princes of the Royal Familie of Valois beginning in Charles de Valois the Father of Philip de Valois French King and continuing for eight successions till the death of Charles the fourth Duke of this line conferred occasionally after that on many of the younger Princes of the Royal Familie 9. Lysieux on the North-East of Alanson a Bishops See the chief Town of the Lexobii as 10 Caux of the Caletes both placed by Caesar in these parts 11. Eureux an Episcopal See also by Ptolomie called Mediolanium the chief Citie antiently of the Eburones and still a rich and flourishing Town the third in estimation of all this Province 12. Gisors a strong frontire Town towards France whilst Normandie was in the hands of the English or under its own Dukes and Princes notable for the many repulses given unto the French And 13. Pontoyse another frontier upon France so called of the Bridge on the River of Oyse which divides France from Normandie on which the Town is situate and by which well fortified on that side but taken at the second coming of Charles the 7th after an ignominious flight hence upon the noyse only of the coming of the Duke of York commander at that time of the Province and the English Forces 14. Albemarl contractedly Aumerl most memorable for giving the title of Earl to the Noble Familie De Fortibus Lords of Holderness in England and of Duke to Edward Earl of Rutland after Duke of York More towards the Sea 15. S. Valenies seated on a small but secure Bay betwixt Dieppe and New Haven 16. Dieppe at the mouth of a little River so named opening into a large and capacious Bay a Town of Trade especially for the Newfound-Land remarkable for its fidelity to Henry the 4th in the midst of his troubles When the Confederates of the Guisian faction called the Holy League had outed him of almost all the rest of his Cities compelled him to betake himself hither from whence he might more easily hoise Sail for England and called him in derision the King of Dieppe 17. New-Haven the Port Town to Roven and Paris situate at the mouth of the River Seine from hence by great Ships navigable as far as Roven by lesser unto Pont de l' Arch 70 miles from Paris the Bridge of Roven formerly broken down by the English to secure the Town lying unrepaired to this day by means of the Parisians for the better trading of their City By the French it is called Havre de Grace and Franciscopolis by the Latines repaired and fortified the better to confront the English by King Francis the first and from thence so named Delivered by the Prince of Conde and his faction into the hands of Q. Elizabeth of England as a Town of caution for the landing of such forces as she was to send to their relief in the first civil War of France about Religion and by the help of the same faction taken from her again as soon as their differences were compounded By means whereof the Hugonots were not only weakned for the present but made uncapable of any succours out of England for the
or Dominions by any undertakings and Adventures at Sea as the Portugals did incorporated to their Crown as fair and large possessions in the Realm of France as any of the others did in the Spanish Continent The Principality of Bearn the Earldoms of Foix and Begorre united in the person of Gaston of Foix as those of Armaignac and Albret in the person of John Earl of Albret all lying together on the other side of the Pyrenees all added to this Crown by mariage with the Heirs hereof made up a fairer and wealthier Estate than Navarre it self inferiour to few Provinces in the Realms of Spain Not to say any thing of the accession of the Countie Palatine of Champagne exchanged afterwards for some Lands in the Coantie of La March in Limosin or of the Earldoms of Eureux and the Dutchie of Vendosme as lying further off and of lesse importance Nor of the great Kingdom of France now herewith incorporate as to the person of the K. though not in the possession of this Kingdom also With so much judgement and success did the ensuing Kings not otherwise able to enlarge their territories bestow their daughâ—ers that the Distaff proved as happy to this little Kingdom as the Sword to others 8 Charles the second of that name and the 30th King of Navarre whom I mention not for any glorious Actions atchieved in his life for that was full enough of ignominy but for the strangeness and hideousness of his death He was a Prince much given to voluptuousness and sensuall pleasures which so wasted his spirits that in his old age he sell into a kind of Lethargie To comfort his benummed joynts he was bound and sewed up naked in a sheet steeped in boyling Aqua-vitae The Chirurgion having made an end of sewing the sheet and wanting a knife to cut off the threed took a wax candle that stood lighted by him but the flame running down by the threed caught hold on the sheet which according to the nature of Aqua-vitae burned with that vehemency that the miserable King ended his dayes in the fire 9 John of Aâ—agon the second Sonne of Ferdinand the first in the life of his Brother Alphonso was made King of Navarre in right of Blanche his Wife Daughter of Charles the 3d and on the death of his Brother King of Aragon also And though his Queen died long before him in whose right he reigned yet he kept possession of the Kingdom till his death reigning 54 years in all notwithstanding the opposition made against him by Charles Prince of Viana his onely Sonne by that mariage and Heir apparent of that Crown whom he vanquished imprisoned and at last poysoned 10 John Earl of Albret in Gascoigne King of Navarre in right of Katharine his Wife in whose reign the Kingdom of Navarre was seized on by Ferdinand the Catholique Sonne of the said John King of Aragon and Navarre by a second Wife The manner of it we shall relate with more particulars when we have summed up the whole Succession of The Kings of Navarre A Ch. 716. 1 Garcia Ximines 42. 758. 2 Garcia II. Sonne of Garc. Ximines 822. 3 Fortunio 13. 815. 4 Sancho Garcia 17. 832. 5 Ximines Garcia the last of the direct Line of Garcia Ximines An Interregnum of 4 years 844. 6 Inigo surnamed Arista Earl of Begorre the next Heir Male of the house of Garcia Ximines 23. 867. 7 Garcia III. surnamed Inigo 18. 885. 8 Fortunio II. King of Navarre and Earl of Aragon 16. 901. 9 Sancho II. called Abarca Brother of Fortunio the 2d 19. 920. 10 Garcia IV. 49. 969. 11 Sancho III. 24. 993. 12 Garcia V. surnamed the Trembler 1000. 13 Sancho IV. surnamed the Great of whom sufficiently before 1034. 14 Garcias VI. called de Nagera eldest Sonne of Sancho 20. 1054. 15 Sancho V. slain by 1074. 16 Raymir the Brother of Sancho the fift dispossessed by 1076. 17 Sancho VI. surnamed Ramires King of Aragon 18. 1094. 18 Pedro King of Aragon 1104. 19 Alfonso called the Warriour the last of the Kings of Aragon reigning in Navarre 1134. 20 Garcia VII Nephew of Garcia de Nagera 16. 1150. 21 Sancho VII surnamed the Wise 1194. 22 Sancho VIII the last of the Male issue of Garcia Ximines 40. 1234. 23 Theobald Earl of Champagne Sonne of the Lady Blanch Sister and Heir of Sancho the 8th 19. 1253. 24 Theobald II. Earl of Campagne 18. 1271. 25 Henry Sonne of Theobald the 2d 3. 1274. 26 Joane the Daughter of Henry maried to Philip the Fair of France 31. 1305. 27 Lewis Hutin King of France 10. 1315. 28 Philip the Long King of France 5. 1320. 29 Charles the Fair King of France 8. 1328. 30 Joane II. Qu. of Navarre the Daughter of Lewis Hutin Philip II. Earl of Eureux 1349. 31 Charles II. Sonne of Ioane and Philip of Eureux 37. 1386. 32 Charles III. Earl of Eureux 39. 1425. 33 Iohn Prince of Aragon after the death of his elder Brother King of Aragon also the Husband of Blanch the Daugher of Charles the 3d. 54. 1479. 34 Leonora Daughter of Iohn and Blanch the Widow of Gaston Earl of Foix a Queen of 15 dayes onely 1479. 35 Francis Phoebus Grandchild of Leonora and Gaston of Foix by their Sonne Gaston Prince of Viane 1483. 36 Catharine Sister of Francis Iohn Earl of Albret 1517. 37 Henry II. Earl of Albret Sonne of Iohn and Catharine 1556. 38 Ioane III. Daughter of Henry of Albret Antonie of Burbon Duke of Vendosme in France 1572. 39. Henry III. the Sonne of Antonie and Ioane after the death of Henry the 3d of France succeeded also in that Realm by the name of Henry the 4th 1610. 40 Lewis II. of Navarre and XIII of France 41 Lewis III. of Navarre and XIV of France now living with whom remain the rights but not the possession of this Kingdom For in the reign of Catharine and Iohn of Albret Ferdinand gathered an Army under the pretence of rooting out the Moores and surprized this Kingdom altogether unprovided and destitute of means to make the smallest resistance Anno 1512. The pretended reason of this surpizall was an Excommnication laid on these Princes by the Pope of which this King took upon him to be the Executioner but the true cause was an antient desire which this King had to possess this frontire kingdom it being a strong Bulwark against France It hapned then that Lewis the 12th having incurred the displeasure of Pope â—tâ—lio the second was together with all his adherents excommunicated and his and their estates given to such as could or would subdue them The King and Queen of Navarre were at this time both French subjects he in respect of Albret his paternall inheritance and she of her estates of Foix and Bearn and therefore sided with the French King Ferdinand having as we said levied an Army under colour of extirpating the Moores turneth upon the French King and demanded of these Princes not only a free
they continued all the Garrisons and strong holds of the whole Estate in the hands of the Natives By means whereof when Portugal it self fell off from the King of Spain the Provinces and Plantations did the like without any haesitancie which had some of the chief peeces in every Province Factorie and Plantation been brought by little and litle if not all at once into the power of the Castilians might have been easily prevented Nor hath the Spaniard hitherto attempted any thing materiall for the recovery of that Kingdom having been ever since so over-laid by the French in Catalogâ—e Navarre Biscay Flanders Artoys and Italy that he hath not had much leizure to attend that business But leaving him and them to their own affairs it is now time to represent you with a Catalogue of The Kings of Portugal 1139. 1 Alfonso the second Earl and first King of Portugal 45. 1184. 2 Sancho the Sonne of Alfonso 28. 1212. 3 Alfonso II. Sonne of Sancho 11. 1223. 4 Sancho II. Sonne of Alfonso the 2d 34. 1257. 5 Alfonso III. Brother of Sancho the 2d 22. 1279. 6 Denys the Sonne of Alfonso the 3d. 48. 1325. 7 Alfonso IV. the Sonne of Denys 32. 1357. 8 Pedro the Sonne of Alfonso the 4th 10. 1367. 9 Ferdinand the Sonne of Pedro the last King of the Lawfull issue of Henry of Loreine 18. 1385. 10 John the base Sonne of Pedro of whom sufficiently before 48. 1433. 11 Edwardâ— the Sonne of John and of the Lady Philip of Lancaster 5. 1438. 12 Alfonso V. the Sonne of Edw. 43. 1481. 13 John II. the Sonne of Alfonso the the fift 14. 1495. 14 Emanuel the Nephew of Edward by his Sonne Ferdinand D. of Viseo 26. 1521. 15 Iohn III. Sonne of Emanuel 38. 1557. 16 Sebastian the Nephew of Iohn the 3d by his Sonne Don Iohn unfortunately slain in the fields of Africk 21. 1578. 17 Henry the Cardinall Sonne of King Emanuel 2. the last of the male issue of Henry of Loreine 1580. 18 Philip the second of Spain Sonne of Charles King of Castile and Emperour and of the Lady Marie his Wife daughter of Emanuel 18. 1598. 19 Philip II. of Portugal and III. of Sâ—ain 23. 1621. 20 Philip III. of Portugal and IV. of Spain During his reign the Portugueze wearie of the Spanish Government chose for their King 1636. 21 Iohn Duke of Bragance the IV. of that name a Prince of great possessions and of Royall race who hitherto hath peaceably enjoyed it Now that we may the better see by what title both the Kings of Spain and the Dukes of Bragance claim the Crown of Portugal and what other Pretenders there were to it on the death of Sebastian and what right as well Antonio the Bastard but alleging a sentence of Legitimation as the Princes of the House of Savoy did pretend unto it we will lay down their Genealogies from King Emanuel in this following Scheme Emanuel had these Children 1 Iohn King of Portugal Iohn Prince of Portugal Sebastian King of Portugal 2 Henry the Cardinall King of Portugal 3 Lewis Don Antonio a Bastard Christopher and others 4 Edward 1 Mary wedded to Alexander Duke of Parma Rainuccio Farnesis 2 Catharine maried to Iohn Duke of Bragance 5 Mary maried to Charles the fifth King of Castile Philip the II. King of Spain 6 Beatrix maried to Charles Duke of Savoy By this it may appear how the claims are grounded but whether title will prevail cannot now be told Suffice it that as the Royall line of Portugal did begin in an Henry so it ended in an Henry also the male line failing in the person of the Cardinall-King and the Crown falling on whomsoever it shall fasten on the Heirs of the Females The principall Orders of Knighthood in this Kingdom are 1 Of Avis so called from a Town of that name in Portugal the seat thereof founded by Sanctius or Sancho the first in imitation of the Order of Alcantara whose Green Cross they wear but equall to it neither in power nor riches 2 Of CHRIST instituted by Denys King of Portugal who conferred on them all the Lands and Possessions of the exautorated Templars confirmed by Pope Iohn the 22th Anno 1321. Their Robe is a Black Cassock under a White Surcoat over which a Red Cross stroked in the midst with a a white line their duty to expell the Moores out of Baetica the next neighbour to Portugal to which Crown they have added many gallant Countries in Asia Africk and Brasil and so improved their own Estates that all the Isles in the Atlantick doe belong to them besides the rents of the Mine of S. George in Guinea amounting to 100000 Ducats of yearly income The Armes are Argent on five Escocheons Azure as many Bezants in Saltier of the first pointed Sable within a Border Gules charged with seven Towers Or. Which five Escocheons were given in memorie of the five Kings whom Alfonso the first King slew at the battell of Obrique An. 1139. And so proceed we on to those Provinces which are under the government of Aragon the third great bodie of this State 12 VALENTIA VALENTIA hath on the East the Mediterranean on the West parts of Castile and Aragon on the North Catalogne and Murcia upon the South It is watered with the Rivers 1 Xucar called of old Sucron and Surus 2 Guadalander signifying a River of pure water and 3 Millar This Countrie standeth in the most temperate and pleasing Air of all Spain full of Gardens and places of wonderfull delight where groweth abundance of Rice Sugar Corn and Fruit garnished all the yeer long with sweet-smelling flowers and miraculously fruitfull of Pomgranats Limons and other delicacies It hath also mines of Silver at Buriol of Gold at Lodar of Iron at Finistrat of Alabaster at Piacent and of Allom Lime and Plaister in many places From thence also come the best Silks in the World Cotton of Marcia Crimson Scarlet and other precious colours and rich perfumes Finally all the senses of man may be delighted and refreshed with that which comes from this happy Region in quality and sweetness much like that of Naples The delicacie and great pleasures whereof have made the Inhabitants of it to be thought less warlike than the other Spaniards The Sheep of this Countrie also bear the finest Fleeces of any in Spain first stocked with Cotswold sheep from England at the request of Iohn King of Aragon An. 1465. by the imprudent curtesie of K. Edward the 4th Places of most note in it are 1 Alicante a noted Port on the Mediterranean whence come our true Alicant Wines made of the juyce of Mulberies by Ptolomie called Iâ—â—cias by Mela Ilice from whence the Bay adjoyning is called Sinus Ilicitanus now the Bay of Alicante 2 Orivela a Bishops See on the River Segura which divides this Province from Murcia 3 Sergorvo a Bishops See by Ptolomie named Segobriga the chief Citie in old times of the Celtiberi 4
its own as each Diocese had residing in the same Citie with the Vicar or Lieutenant Generall which was then at York of as great power and jurisdiction in the Isle of Britain as any Patriarch of Alexandria Rome or Antioch in their severall Patriarchates The Metropolitans were no more than before they were It being ordered by a Canon of the Councill of Chalcedon that their number should not be augmented by any alteration made of the Roman Provinces As for the Forces which the Romans kept here in continuall pay as well to keep their Coasts and Frontires against the Enemy as for retayning of the Natives in their due obedience they came in all if Panciroll be not mistaken in his reckoning to 23000 Foot and 2000 Horse three Legions keeping here their constant and continuall Residence that is to say the sixt Legion surnamed Victrix at York the 20th Legion surnamed also Victrix at West-Chester and the second Legion sometimes at Isca Danmoniorum which we now call Exeter sometimes at Isca Siluâ—um which is now Caer-Leon upon Usk Which Legions with their Aides and Cohorts may well make up the number spoken of before Of so high estimaton was this Iland in the State of Rome Yet could not all these Forces so preserve the Countrie from forrein Enemies but that in the declining of the Roman Empire the Saxons made great spoyles on the coasts thereof as did the Scots and Picts on the Northern borders against all which the Romans held out well enough and made good their ground till the recalling of the Legions out of Britain for defence of Italy it self then wasted and destroyed by the barbarous nations Which hapned in or about the yeer of Christ 407 and some 470 yeers from the first invasion Honorius being at that time the Roman Emperour and Victorinuâ— the last Governour for the Empire in the Isle of Britain For though the noble Aetiuâ— on the Petition and complaint of the slaughtered people unmercifully butchered by the Scots and Picts sent some small forces to assist them against those Enemies yet were they presently called back for defence of Gaul against the Hunnes breaking in upon it out of Italie And then the wretched Britains hopeless of all help from Rome and being unable by their own strength to repell the Enemy by reason of their long ease and disuse of Arms applied themselves to Aldroenus King of Armorica in France called Little Britain a Prince extracted from the same stock for relief and succour whose Brother Constantine according to the British storie passing over with a competent Army and having valiantly repulsed the barbarous people was crowned King of Britain the first of a new race of Kings which swayed the Scepter with much trouble and continual conflicts either against the Scots or Saxons till they were finally subdued and shut up in Wales Those of most observation in the course of storie were 1 Constantine the first King and the restorer of the Countrie to Peace and quiet traiterously murdered by a Pict 2 Vortiger E. of the Gevilles now Cornwall Protector of Constantius the Sonne of Constantine taken out of a Monastery after whose death wherein he was conceived to have had an hand he got the Kingdom to himself but being unable to defend it against the Enemy and make his title also good against the other children of Constantine first called in the Saxons 3 Vortimer eldest Sonne of Vâ—rtiger who overthrew the Saâ—ons in many battels but in the midst of his successes was poysoned by Rowena a Saxon Lady second Wife of Vortiger 4 Arthur one of the Worlds nine Worthies of whom the Moâ—kish writers and other Lâ—gendaries report so many idle and impossible actions Doubtless he was a Prince of most perfect vertue a great Preserver of his Countrie from approaching ruine and worthy of the pen of an able Panegyrist by whom his brave atchievements might have come entire unto us without the intermixture of those feats of Chivalry affabulated to him and his Kuights of the Round-table For by the overstraining of some Monkish Writers Geofry of Monmouth and the rest they have given too just occasion to posterity to suspect that vertue which they intended to advance and filled us with as much ignorance of the story as admiration of the persons But this hath not been the ill hap of King Arthur and his Nobles onely Charlemagne and the Twelve Peers of France men of great vertue and renown suffering as deeply in the same kind by the solly of the French Romances It is affirmed of this Arthur but how true I know not that he began the custome of celebrating the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour for the twelve dayes following with such pastimes and sports as are or have been used of late by the Lords of Misrule in some Gentlemens houses an Institution which the Scotish Writers of those times much blame perhaps not unjustly it being a time more sit for our devotions than such rude disports But to proceed King Arthur dying left the Crown to 5 Constantine the Sonne of Cador Duke of Cornwall his neerest kinsman slain by Aâ—relius Conanuâ— his own Nephew who succeeded after him which fraction did so weaken the distressed Britans that they were forced to withdraw themselves beyond the Severn as 6 Careticus or Caradoc by the joynt forces of the Saxons to charge the plain Countries beyond the Severn for the safer but more fruitless Mountains Of the rest till Cadwaâ—lader there is little left of any certainty but their names only which are thus ranked in the second race of The Kings of Britain after the withdrawing of the Romans A. C. 433. 1 Constantine 10. 443. 2 Constantius 3. 446. 3 Vortiger 18. 464. 4 Vortimer his Sonne 7. 471. 5 Vortiger again 10. 481. 6 Aurelius Ambrosius 19. 500. 7 Uter Pendragon 6. 506. 8 Arthur 36. 542. 9 Constantine II. 4. 546. 10 Aurel. Conanus 30. 576. 11 Vortipor 4. 580. 12 Malgo. 6. 586. 13 Caneticus or Caradoc 27. 613. 14 Cadwan 22. 635. 15 Cadwallan 43. 687. 16 Cadwallader the last King of the Briâ—ans who on a superstitious zeal travelled in pilgrimage to Rome there to receive the habit of a Religious Order from the hands of Pope Sergius where he died not long after Anno 689. After whose death his Successors were no longer called Kings of Britain but Kings or Princes of Wales And there we shall be sure to find them And so the Britans leave the Stage and the Saxons enter a great and potent Nation amongst the Germans but greater by the aggregation of many people under their name and service than in themselves the Jutes and Angles joyning with them and passing in Accompt as the same one Nation Their Countries different as their names untill this Conjunction but neighbouring neer enough to unite together the Angles dwelling at the first in that part of the Cimbrian Chersonese which we now call Sleswick where still the Town called Angoleâ— doth preserve
824. 17 Ludecan 826. 18 Withlas overcome in fight as were his two Predecessors by Egbert King of West-Sex became his tributary 839. 19 Berthulf 852. 20 Burdred a Substituted King of the West-Saxons and the last King of the Mercians the short reign of his six Predecessors portending that fatall period to be neer at hand After whose death Anno 886 this Kingdome for some few yeers tyrannized over by the Danes was united by King Alured to the English Monarchie Such was the Order and Succession of the Saxon Kings during the Hettarchie or division of it into seven Kingdoms continuing separate distinct till the prevailing fortune of the West-Saxons brought them all together into one by the name of England But so that they were subject for the most part unto one alone who was entituled Rex Gentis Anglorum those which were stronger than the rest giving the Law unto them in their severall turnes and are these that follow The Monarchs of the English-Saxons in the time of the Heptarchie A. Ch. 455. 1 Hengist King of Kent who first brought the Saxons into Britain 481. 2 Ella the first King of the South-Saxons 495. 3 Cerdie the first King of the West-Saxons 534. 4 Kenrick King of the VVest-Saxons 561. 5 Cheuline or Celingus King of the VVest-Saxons 562. 6 Ethelbert King of Kent the first Christian King of the Saxons 616. 7 Redwald King of the East-Angles 617. 8 Edwin King of Northumberland 634. 9 Oswald King of Northumberland 643. 10 Oswy King of Northumberland 659. 11 Wulfhere King of Mercia 675. 12 Etheldred King of Mercia 704. 13 Kenred K. of Mercia 709. 14 Chelred K. of Mercia 716. 15 Ethelbald K. of Mercia 758. 16 Offa the Great K. of the Mercians 794. 17 Egfride K. of Mercia 796. 18 Kenwolf K. of Mercia 800. 19 Egbert the Sonne of Alomond K. of the West Saxons vvho having vanquished all the rest of the Saxon Kings and added most of their Estates unto his own caused the whole united Body to be called Engel-lond or England in a Parliament or Counsell held at Winchester Anno 8â—9 being the 19th yeer of his Reign over the West-Saxons and by that name was then crowned in the presence of his Nobles and the rest of his Subjects leaving it unto the rest of his Successors But before we come to the recitall of their names we are to take notice of the Danes the next considerable Actors on the Stage of England vvho in the time of this Egbert first invaded the Countrey and after exercised the patience of his Posterity till in fine they got the kingdom to themselves Of the Originall and first Succcesses of this people vve shall speak more at large vvhen we come to Denmark Suffice it here to knovv that having taken up the void Rooms of the Iuites and English in the Cimbrick Chersonese they thought it not amiss to follovv them into Britain also making a Discovery of some part of the Coasts thereof vvith three Ships only Anno 787 being the first yeer of Bithric the Father of Egbert King of the West-Saxons Which having done and prepared themselves for the undertaking in the time of Egbert they invaded Northumberland the Isle of Shepey in Kent and the Coasts of Wales not without much difficulty driven out by him In the Reign of the three Kings succeeding having vanquished the Northumbrians East-Angles and a part of the Mercians they erected in those kingdoms many petit Tyrannies By Alfred first stopped in their Career by Edward the Elder outed of the East-Angles and by Athelstan of Northumberland also the Danes for some time after being subject to the English Government mixing in mariages and alliance and incorporate with them By the valour and good Fortune of Swain their King they recovered their power again in England and in the person of Canutus obtained the kingdom who having impolitickly sent back his Danes into their Countries as if a kingdom got by force could be held by favour opened a way to their execlusion from the Crown which hapned within seven yeers after his decease Which said we come to the Successious of The Kings of England of the Saxon Race 819. 1 Egbert the last King of the West-Saxons and the first of England 18. 837. 2 Thelwolf the Eldest Sonne of Egbert 20. 857. 3 Ethelbald the Eldest Sonne of Ethelwolf 1. 858. 4 Ethelbert the Brother of Ethelbald 5. 863. 5 Ethefred the Brother of the two former Kings the third Sonne of Ethelwolf and as much molested by the Danes as his Brethren were 10. 873. 6 Alfriae the fourth Sonne of Ethelwolf who totally united the Saxon Heptarchie into one Estate vanquished the Danes whom he made subject to his commands though he could not expell them he divided England into shires and restored the Vniversity of Oxon. 900. 7 Edward surnamed the Elder the Sonne of Alfride who recovered the East-Angles from the power of the Danes whom he shut up in Northumberland 24. 924. 8 Athelstan the Sonne of Edward who subdued the Britans of Cumberland and Cornwall and compelled the Danes to submit themselves to the English Government In his time lived S. Guy of Warwick 16. 940. 9 Edmund the Brother of Athelstan by whom the Danes of Northumberland were brought under obedience and the kingdom of the â—ritans in Cumberland utterly subverted 946. 10 Edred the Brother of Edmund and Athelstan so fortunate against the Danes that he compelled them to be christned 9. 955. 11 Edwy the Sonne of Edmund 959. 12 Edgar the Brother of Edwy surnamed the Peaceable the most absolute Monâ—rch of England since the time of the Saxons by whom the tribute of money imposed by Athelstan on the Wâ—lch was exchanged into a tribute of Wolves 16. 975. 13 Edward II. Sonne of Edgar treacherously murdered by his Stepdame to make way for Ethelred her Sonne hence surnamed the Martyr 3. 978. 14 Ethelred the younger Sonne of Edgar and half Brother of Edward enjoyed the Crown unquietly which he got unjustly Oppressed and broken by the Danes he was fain to buy his peace of them at the yeerly tribute of 10000 pounds inhanced to 48000 pounds within short time after which monies were raised upon the subjects by the name of Danegelt Weary of these exactions he plotted warily with his Subjects to kill all the Danes as they slept in their beds which accordingly was put in execution on S. Brâ—ces night Novemb. 12. Anno 1012. To revenge this out-rage and dishonour Swaine King of Denmark with a sayl of 350 ships came into England the fear whereof compelled Ethelred a weak and impuissant Prince to fly into Normandy leaving his poor Subjects to the mercy of the Danish Tyrant who miserably plagued them till his death To whom succeeded his Sonne Cnute Canutus a more temperate Prince who maugre Ethelred now returned or his Sonne Edmund Ironside a most valiant King did in the end possess himself of the whole Kingdom 1016 15 Edmund II. surnamed Ironside
Ch. 877. 1 Amarawd 36. 913. 2 Idwallo 3 Merick 4 Iames or Iago 1067. 5 Conan Sonne of Iames. 1099. 6 Gryssith ap Conan 1120. 7 Owen Guinedth 1178. 8 David ap Owen 1194. 9 LLewellen ap Iarweth 1240. 10 David ap Llewellen 1246. 11 LLewellen II. Sonne of Gryffith the Brother of David ap LLwellen the last Prince of Wales of the British Race Of whom it is said that once consulting with a Wâ—tch he was told by her that it was his destiny to be caried in triumph thorow London with a Crown on his head Hereupon making some excursions on the Englâ—â—h Borders he drew upon himself the whole power of King Edward the first which not being able to withstand and the King as willing on the other side not to sight with Mountains Commissioners were appointed to conclude the differences Robert Lord Tiptoff and some others for the King of England and for the Welch Prince Grono ap Heylyn a great man of that Countrey descended from Brockwell Skythrac one of the Princes of Powys-land from whom if Camdâ—aâ—â—rentiâ—ux be of any credit the Author of these Papers doth derive his Pedegree under whom that Family had the Office of Hereditarie Cup-Bearer and from thence their name Heylyn Promus 〈◊〉 à poculis quae vox â—a proprium â—omen abiit saith the Welch Dictionarie By those Commissioners it was concluded and agreed on that LLewellen should enjoy a part of the Countrey with the Title of Prince during his life the rest in present and the whole after his decease to be surrendred over to the King of England But David the Brother of LLewellen finding himself excluded by this Agreement from the hope of succession incensed his Brother and the Welch to a new Revolt the issue whereof was the taking of David executed by the hand of justice and the death of LLewellen slain in Battail neer the Buelth in Brecknocksâ—ire Whose head being pitched upon a stake and adorned with a Paper-Crown was by a Horseman caried triumphantly thorow London Anno 1282. And so the Prophecie was fulfilled In him ended the Line of the Princes of North-Wales after they had for the space of 405 yeers resisted not only the private undertakers and Adventurers of England but the Forces of many puissant Monarchs whose attempts they alwayes made frustrate by retiring into the heart of their Countrey and leaving nothing for the English to encounter with but their Woods and Mountains But now the fatall period of the â—ritish Liberty being come they were constrained to yeeld to the stronger What followed after this we shall see anon The Arms of these Princes was quarterly Gules and Or four Lions Passant gardant counterchanged 2 POWISLAND contained the whole Counties of Montgomery and Radnor all Shropshire beyond the Severn with the Town of Shrewsbury and the rest of Denbigh and Flinâ—shires comprehending by the estimate of those times 15 Cantreds or hundreds of Villages the word Cant signifying an hundred and Tret a Village The principall Cities or Towns of it were S. Asaph Shrewsbury Matravall spoken of before A Countrey more partaking of the nature and fertility of England than the parts belonging unto Guinedth or North-Wales but alwayes lying in harms way by reason of the Neighbourhood of the more potent English and therefore given by Roderick to Merâ—yn his youngest Sonne partly because he was the youngest but chiefly because he was a man of approved valour and so more fit to have his portion upon the Borders In his Line it continued a long time together but much afflicted and dismembred by the â—arks of Chester and Shrewsbury who took from them a good part of Flint and Denbigh and 〈◊〉 and by the Princes of North-Wales who cast many a greedy eye upon it Of the Successors of Prince Mervyn I find no good Caâ—taâ— more than of Brockwell Skythrac before remembred The last that held it all entire was Meredyth ap Blethyn who following the ill example of Roderick Mawr divided it betwixt Madoc and Gryffith his two Sonnes Of which Maâ—eâ— died at Wiâ—chestâ—r Anno 1160 in the time of King Henry the 2d his part hereof depending after his decease on the Fortunes of Guinedâ—h and Gryffith was by Henry the first made Lord of 〈◊〉 the stile of Prince left off as too high and lofty In his Race it continued till the time of King Edward the first to whom at a Parliament holden in Shâ—ewsbury Owen ap Gâ—yffiâ—â—h the fifth from Gryâ—â—ith ap Meredith before mentioned surrendred his place and Title and received them of the King again to be holden in Capite and free Baronage according to the Custom of England Avis or Hawis Daughter and Heir of this Owen ap Gryffith was maried unto Iohn Charlâ—ton Valect or Gentleman of the Privie Chamber to King Edward the 2d by whom in right of his Wife he was made Lord Powis Edward the fift also of this Line of the Charleâ—ons was the last of that House his Daughter Jâ—ne conveying the Estate and Title to the House of the Greyes and of them also five enjoyed it the last Lord Powis of the Line or Race of Mervyn being Edward Grey who died in the dayes of our Grand Fathers And so the title lay extinct untill revived again in the person of Sir William Herbert of Red-castle descend from the Herberts Earls of Pembroke created Lord Powys by K. Charles the first Anno 1629. The Arms of the Princes of Powysland were Or a Lyon Rampant Gules 2 SOUTH-WALES or Deheubarâ—h conteined the Counties of Monmouth Glamorgan Caermarden Cardigan and Brecknock the greatest and most fruitfull part of all Wales but more exposed to the invasion of forrain Nations English Danes Flemmings and Norwegians by whom the Sea-Coasts were from time to time most grievously plagued Insomuch that the Kings and Princes hereof were inforced to remove their seat from Caermarthen where it was fixt at first unto Dynevour Castle as a place of greater strength and safety where it continued till the Princes of it were quite extinct called from hence Kings of Dynevour as before is said The chief Towns of it Caermarthen Monmouth Landaffe S. Davids spoken of alreadie The Kings and Princes as farre I can find upon any certainty are these that follow The Princes of South-Wales A. Ch. 877. 1 Cadel 2 Howel 907. 3 Howel Dha 948. 4 Owen 5 Aeneas 6 Theodore the great 1077. 7 Rhese ap Theodore 1093. 8 Gryffith ap Rhese 9 Rhese II. ap Gryffith 10 Gryffith ap Rhese the last Prince of South-Wales of the Line of Cadel after they had with great strugling maintained their liberty for the space of 300 years and upwards but so that though they still preserved the title of Princes they lost a great part of their Countrie to the Norman-English For in the reign of William Rusus Bernard de Newmark a noble Norman seized upon those parts which now make the Countie of Brecknock being then a fair and goodly Lordship and
both being extract from the Welch blood they seldom or never contained themselves within the bounds of true Allegeance For whereas before they were reputed as Aliens this Henry made them by Act of Parliament one Nation with the English subject to the same Laws capable of the same preferments and privileged with the same immunities He added 6 Shires to the former number out of those Countries which were before reputed as the Borders and Marches of Wales and enabled them to send Knights and Burgesses unto the English Parliaments so that the name and language only excepted there is now no difference between the English and Welch an happy Vnion The same King Henry established for the ease of his Welch Subjects a Court at Ludlow like unto the ordinary Parliaments in France wherein the Laws are ministred according to the fashion of the Kings Courts of Westmâ—nster The Court consisteth of one President who is for the most part of the Nobility and is generally called the Lord President of Wales of as many Counsellors as it shall please the King to appoint one Attourney one Sollicitor one Secretary and the Iustices of the Counties of Wâ—les The Town it self for this must not be omitted adorned with a very fair Castle which hath been the Palace of such Princes of Wales of the English blood as have come into this Countrie to solace themselves among their people Here was young â—dward the 5th at the death of his Father and here dyed Prince Arthur Eldest Sonne to Henry the 7th both being sent hither by their Fathers to the same end viz by their presence to satisfie and keep in Order the unquiet Welchmen And certainly as the presence of the Prince was then a terror to the rebellious so would it now be as great a comfort to this peaceable people What the Revenues of this Principalâ—ty are I cannot say yet we may boldly affirm that they are not very small by these reasons following viz. 1 By the Composition which LLewellen the last Prince of Wales made with Edward the first who being Prince of North-Wales onely and dispossessed of most of that was fain to redeem the rest of the said King Edward at the price of 50000 Marks which comes to 100000 pounds of our present mony to be paid down in ready Coin and for the residue to pay 1000 l. per Annum And 2dly by those two circumstances in the mariage of the Lady Katharine of Spain to the above named Prince Arthur For first her Father Ferdinando being one of the wariest Princes that ever were in Europe giving with her in Dowry 200000 Ducats required for her loynture the third part only of this Principality and of the Earldom of Chester And secondly After the death of Prince Arthur the Nobles of the Realm perswaded Prince Henry to take her to Wise that so great a Treasure as the yeerly Revenne of her lonyture might not be carried out of the Kingdom The Arms of the Princes of Wales differ from those of England only by the addition of a Labell of three points But the proper and peculiar device and which we commonly though corruptly call the Princes Arms is a Coronet beautified with thee Ostrich Feathers and inseimbed round with ICH DIEN that is I serve alluding to that of the Apostle The Heir while he is a Child differeth not from a Servant This Coronet was won by that valiant Prince Edward the black Prince at the battell of Cressie from Iohn King of Bohemia who there wore it and whom he there slew Since which time it hath been the Cognizance of all our Princes I will now shut up my discourse of Wales with that testimony of the people which Henry the 2d used in a Letter to Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople The Welch Nation is so adventurous that they dare encounter naked with armea men ready to spend their blood for their Countrey and pawn their life for praise and adding onely this that since their incorporating with the English they have shewed themselves most loyall hearty and affectionate Subjects of the State cordially devoted to their King and zealous in defence of their Laws Liberties and Religion as well as any of the best of their fellow-subjects whereof they have given good proof in these later times There are in Wales Arch-Bishops 0. Bishops 4. THE BORDERS BEfore we come into Scotland we must of necessity passe thorough that Battable ground lying betwixt both Kingdoms called THE BORDERS the Inhabitants whereof are a kind of military men subtile nimble and by reason of their often skirmishes well experienced and adventurous Once the English Border extended as far as unto the Fryth or Strait of Edenburgh on the East and that of Dunbritton on the West the first Fryth by the Latines called Bodotria and the later Glotta betwixt which where now standeth the Town of Sterling was an atient Bridge built over the River which falleth into the Fryth of Edenburgh on a Cross standing whereupon was writ this Pasport I am Free march as passengers may kenne To Scots to Britans and to Englsh-men But when England groaned under the burden of the Danish oppression the Scots well husbanded that advantage and not onely enlarged their Borders to the Tweed but also took into their hands Cumberland Northumberland and Westmorland The Norman Kings again recovered these Provinces making the Borders of both Kingdomes to be Tweed East the Solway West and the Cheviot hills in the midst Of any great wars made on these Borders or any particular Officers appointed for the defence of them I find no mention till the time of Edward the first who taking advantage of the Scots disagreements about the successor of Alexander the 3d hoped to bring the Countrie under the obedience of England This Quarrell betwixt the two Nations he began but could not end the Wars surviving the Author so that what Vellcius saith of the Romans and Carthaginians I may as well say of the Scots and English for almost 300 yeers together aut bellum inter eos populos aut bâ—lli praeparatio aut infidâ— pax fuit In most of these conflicts the Scots had the worst So that Daniel in his History seemeth to marvail how this Corner of the Isle could breed so many had it bred nothing but men as were slain in these wars Yet in the Reign of Edward the 2d the Scots having twice defeated that unhappy Prince became so terrible to the English Borderers that an hundred of them would fly from three Scots It is a custom among the Turks not to beleeve a Christian or a Iew complayning against a Turk except their accusation be confirmed by the Testimony of some Turk also which seldom hapning is not the least cause why so little Iustice is there done the Christians In like manner it is the Law of these Borderers never to beleeve any Scots complaining against an English-man unless some other English-man will witness for him and so on the
the Crown of England by the power of the Sword from the true Heirs of Edmund the 2d surnamed Ironside and that his Successors had enjoyed it by no other Title till Queen Elizabâ—ths death yet Iames the first Monarch of Great Britain succeeded by a right descent from the Saxon Line without relation to the Conquest of the Norman Bastard 8 William the Brother of Malcolm the 4th and Nephew of David before mentioned by his Sonne Prince Henry who died in the life of his Father being taken Prisoner at the Battail of Alnwick did Homage to King Henry the 2d for the Crown of Scotland and was thereupon restored to his Liberty and his Realm to peace What doth occur concerning the succeeding Kings when their Affairs with England and the World abroad became more considerable we shall see anon In the mean time proceed we to the Storie of Machbâ—th than which for variety of Action and strangeness of events I never met with any more pleasing The Storie in brief is thus Duncan King of the Scots had two principall men whom he employed in all matters of importance Machbeth and Banquho These two travelling together through a Forrest were met by three Fairâ—es Witches Weirds the Scots call them whereof the first making obeysance unto Machbeth saluted him Thane a Title unto which that of Earl afterward succeeded of Glammis the second Thane of Cawder and the third King of Scotland This is unequall dealing saith Banquho to give my Friend all the Honours and none unto me to whom one of the Weirds made answer That he indeed should not be King but out of his loyns should come a Race of Kings that should for ever rule the Scots And having thus said they all suddenly vanished Vpon their arrivall to the Court Machbeth was immediatly created Thane of Glammis not long after some new service of his requiring new recompence he was honoured with the title of Thane of Cawder Seeing then how happily the prediction of the three Weirds fell out in the two former he resolved not to be wanting to himself in fulfilling the third and therefore first he killed the King and after by reason of his command among the Souldiers and common people he succeeded in his Throne Being scarce warm in his seat he called to mind the prediction given to his Companion Banqubo whom hereupon suspecting as his supplanter he caused him to be killed together with his whole Posterity Fleance one of his Sonnes escaping only with no small difficulty into Wales Freed as he thought from all fear of Banquho and his issue he built Dunsinan Castle and made it his ordinary seat and afterwards on some new fears consulting with certain of his Wizards about his future Estate was told by one of them that he should never be overcome till Bernane Wood being some miles distant came to Dunsinan Castle and by another that he should never be slain by any man which was born of a woman Secure then as he thought from all future dangers he omitted no kind of libidinous cruelty for the space of 18 yeers for so long he tyrannized over Scotland But having then made up the measure of his Iniquities Mac-duffe the Governor of Fife associating to himself some few Patriots equally hated by the Tyrant and abhorring the Tyrannie privily met one Evening at Bernane Wood and taking every one of them a Bough in his hand the better to keep them from Discovery marched early in the morning towards Dunsinan Castle which they took by Scalado Macbeth escaping was pursued by Mac-duffe who having overtaken him urged him to the combat to whom the Tyrant half in scorn returned this Answer That he did in vain attempt to kill him it being his destinie never to be slain by any that was born of a Woman Now then said Mac-duffe is thy fatall end drawing fast upon thee for I was never born of Woman but violently cut out of my Mothers belly which words so daunted the cruell Tyrant though otherwise a valiant man and of great performances that he was very easily slain and Malcolm Conmor the true Heir of the Crown seated in the Throne In the mean time Fleance so prospered in Wales that he gained the affection of the Princes Daughter of that Countrey and on her begat a Sonne called Walter who flying out of Wales returned into Scotland and his descent once known he was not only restored to the Honours and Estates of his Ancestors but preferred to be Steward of the House of Edgar the Sonne of Malcolm the third surnamed Conmor the name of Stewart growing hence hereditary unto his Posterity From this Walter descended that Robert Stewart who succeeded David Bruce in the kingdom of Scotland the Progenitor of nine Kings of the name of Stewart which have Reigned successively in that kingdom But it is now time to leave off particulars and look into the generall Succession of The Kings of the Scots before the Conquest of the Picts 424. 1 Fergus 2 Eugenius 449. 3 Dongal 4 Constantine 5 Congall 6 Goran 7 Eugenius II. 8 Congall II. 9 Kinnatel 10 Aidan 604 11 Kenneth 12 Eugenius III. 622 13 Ferchard 14 Donald 15 Ferchard II. 16 Malduine 17 Eugenius IV. 18 Eugenius V. 19 Amberkeleth 20 Eugenius VI. 21 Mordac 730 22 Etfinus 23 Eugenius VII 24 Fergus II. 25 Solvathius 26 Achaius 809 27 Congall III. 28 Dongall II. 29 Alpine slain in a Battail by the Picts in pursuit of his quarrell for that kingdom pretended to belong unto him in Right of his Mother Sister and Heir of Hungius the last King thereof 30 Kenneth II. Sonne of Alpine who utterly subdued and destroyed the Picts extending extending thereby the Scotish Kingdom from one Sea to the other over all the bounds of modern Scotland of which deservedly accounted the first Monarch the Founder of the new Succession of The Kings of the Scots after the Conquest of the Picts A. Ch. 839. 1 Kenneth II. the first sole King of all Scotland 17. 856. 2 Donald II. Brother of Kenneth the 2d 862. 3 Constantin II. Sonne of Kenneth the 2d 875. 4 Ethus Brother of Constantin the 2d 890. 5 Donald III. Sonne of Constantin the 2d 903. 6 Constantin III. 30. 933. 7 Malcolm Sonne of Donald the 3d. 949. 8 Iâ—gulph an Intrnder 12. 961. 9 Duffe Sonne of Malcolm 1. 961. 10 Kenneth III. Brother of Duffe 994. 11 Constantin IV. an Intruder against the Law and Line of Kenneth the 3d. 1004. 12 Malcolm II. Sonne of Kenneth the 3d. opposed by Gâ—ime the Nephew of Duffe 1035. 13 Duncan Sonne of Grime succeeded Malcolm the 2d dying without issue 1040. 14 Macbeth the Tyrant and Vsurper 1057. 15 Malcolm III. Sonne of Duncan 2096. 16 Donald IV. surnamed Ban Brother of Malcolm the 3d. 1098. 17 Edgar Sonne of Malcolm the 3d. 1107. 18 Alexander Brother of Edgar 1124. 19 David Brother of Alexander 1133. 20 Malcolm Sonne of David 1166. 21 William Brother of Malcolm the 4th
bounded on the East with Cleveland and the Earldome of Zutphen on the West with Holland and Vtrecht on the North with Over-yssell and the Zuider-Zee and on the South with Brabant and the land of Gulick The countrie flat having few hils in it but many pleasant and commodious woods especially that called Echterwalt of corne and cattell very fruitfull The whole Countrey is generally divided into two parts 1. The Veluwe contained within the Zuider-Zee the Rhene and the Yssell the barrener of the two and the worse inhabited the people hereof preferring wealth before health as in other places but affording a more pure aire and a pleasanter dwelling then the other the woods and forrests well replenished with most kinds of game 2. The Betuwe so called of the Batavi who possessed these parts intercepted betwixt the middle Rhene and the Wael exceedingly fruitfull in corn and of so excellent a pasturage for the feeding of Cattell that in the year 1570. there was a Guelderland Bull sold in Antwerp which weighed 3200. pounds In both divisions not reckoning in the county of Zutphen are contained 300. villages and 16. walled Towns besides some fortified of late since the wars began The chief whereof are 1. Nimmegent in Latine Noviomagus an Imperial City ordained by Charles the great to be one of the three Seiges of the Empire for these outer parts the other two being Theonville in Luxembourg Aix or Aken in the land of Gulick And as a Town Imperiall it had anciently the priviledge of coyning money for which and other freedomes of immunities indulged unto it the people did no other service to the Emperours then once a year to send a man to Aix or Aquisgrane with a Glove full of Pepper But the town being sold to the Gueldrois by William Earl of Holland and King of the Romans for 21000. marks of silver anno 1248. the power of coynage fell to those Princes and yet the Town was brought to do better service then formerly it had done at Aken The Town high mounted on the top of an hill the Wael which is there large and deep running at the foot of it rich great and populous having besides the modern fortifications an ancient Castle with so goodly a prospect that from thence one may behold the best part of the countrey built as some say by Julius Caesar to command those parts Under the jurisdiction of it are 2. Tiel and 3. Bomel two walled Towns both situated on the Wael both strong and having many rich villages under their command and 4. Gheut on the Wael also an unwalled Town but having all the priviledges which the walled Towns have Not for off at 〈…〉 meeting of the Wael and the Maes stands the strong Fort of S. Andrews raised by the Archduke 〈◊〉 to command the passage of those Rivers but in the year 1600. taken in by 〈◊〉 Count of 〈◊〉 after Prince of Orange and ever since garrisoned by the States to secure that passage 5. Riuermond seated on the mouth of the Ruer where it falleth into the Maes a beautifull and well peopled City strong by Art and Nature and seated in a fruitfull countrey heretofore of the Diocese of Leige as Nimmegen anciently of Colen but made a See Episcopall by King Philip the 〈…〉 1559. This is the second Capitall City of Guelderland and hath under the jurisdiction of it 6. Venlo a strong Town on the Maes on which the Duke of Cleve yeelded himself to Charles the fift anno 1543. 7. Gueldres heretofore of such reputation that it gave name to all the countrey and well it doth deserve to do so still being the only Town in all this Dukedome which neither first nor last hath been won by the Hollanders but still preserved themselves in their obedience to their natural Princes 8. Stâ—ael or Straelen a well fortified piece but which according to the chances of War hath oft changed its masters 9. Arnhem the Arenacum of Taeitus and in those times the mansion of the 10 Legion situate on the Rhene not above a mile from the great Channell which Drusut to keepâ— his souldiers from idlenesse caused them to dig to let the waters of the Rhene into those of the Yssell called therefore by the Ancients Fossa Drusiana by the moderns Yssell-Dort The Town large and well-built the ordinary residence heretofore of the Dukes of Guelderland who had here their Chancery and other supreme Couurts of justice This is the third Capitall City of Gueldres anciently of the Diocese of Vtrecht and hath under the jurisdiction of it besides divers Villages 10. Wagbeninghen on the Rhene the same which Tacitus cals Vada 11. Harderwick on the Zuider-See burnt to the ground anno 1503. but since reedified and now more strong and beautfull then ever formerly 12. Hattem upon the Yssell a good town of war but not else observable Within the limits of this Dukedome stands the Town and County of Culemberg erected into a County by King Philip the second by reason of the fair territory which belonged unto it formerly held in Fee of the Dukes of Guelderland but otherwise not reckoned as a Member of â—it 2. The Town and Earldome of Buren situate on the River Liughe having a strong Castle anciently and a goodly territory holden immediately of the Empire as a Fief Imperiall The patrimony of the valiant Maximilian of Egmond Earl of Buren who died anno 1549. after whose death it fell to Philip of Nâ—ssaw eldest sonne of William Prince of Orange and Anne the daughter of the said Maximilian ZVTPHEN accompted formerly for the 4. Capitall City of Guelderland now a distinct Province of it self is bounded on the East with Westphalen on the West with that part of Guelderland which is called the Velluwe on the North with Over-yssell on the South with Cleveland It containeth 8. walled Towns besides many Villages that is to say 1. Doetecum standing on the old Yssell rising out of Westphalen 2. Doesburg where the old Yssell falleth into the new Yssell or the trench called Fossa Drusiana communicating thereunto its name 3. Brookhurst a County of it self which anciently had its particular Governour 4. Lochen upon the River Berkell 5. Tsheerenbergue a Town and County 6. Groll taken by the Prince of Orange for the States Confederate anno 1627. 7. Bredervord a town of war and subject to the change of Masters as such places are 8. Zutphen or Zuidfen so called of the Southern situation of it amongst the Fennes on the right shore of the Yssell whereit receiveth in it the River Berkel which runs through the Town A Town indifferently well built as well for private as publick edifices a distinct state in Civill matters but in spirituall subject in former times to the Bishop-of Munster a thing observable and not to be paralleld elsewhere that the four chief Towns and quarters of one Province only should appertain as here in Guelderland to four severall Dioceses Of which there may some
forces against Lewis the eleventh 1477 17 Charles son of Arnold after long wars with the Princes of the houses of Burgundy and Austria pâ—â—tending the sale and legacy of Duke Arnold to Charles the Warlike surrendred his estates unto Charles 〈…〉 to be enjoyed by him after his decease if he left no issue According to which 〈◊〉 the Emperor Charles succeeded him in Gueldres and Zutphen anno 1538. being the year of his 〈◊〉 after that time accompted in the number of the Belgick Provinces The Armes hereof were Quarterly 1. Azure a Lyon Or crowned Gules for the Dukedome of Guelderland 2. Azure a Lyon Gules for the Earldome of Zutphen Thus have we seen a Country which at the first erecting of these Estates was nothing in a manner but bogs and marishes and at the best but a continuall Wildernesse of woods and forrests by the great providence of the Princes and extreme industry of the People made the most populous best planted and the wealthiest Estate for the bignesse of it in the whole habitable world And we have seen those severall Estates and Principalities by Marriages and other Contracts reduced into the hands of the house of Burgundy under the Princes of which great and illustrious Family inferiour to no Kings of Christendome for Power and Riches especially Duke Philip the Good the subjects hereof did so abound in wealth and plenty that Philip de Comines who then lived affirmeth that this Country seemed like the land of Promise Some thought there was a purpose in this Duke Philip of erecting these estates into a Kingdome diverted from it by the difference and variety of Lawes and Priviledges which those people severally lived under not to be brought without great difficulty and distaste to one forme of Government yet might have done it if he would as himself openly affirmed to the Embassadours of King Lewis the 11. But Charles his son being more bent on the designe negotiated to that end with the Emperour Frederick whom he met at Triers anno 1473 and doubtlesse had obtained his purpose upon the marriage of his daughter with Maximilian Fredericks son which was then propounded had not his rash ingagement against the Swissers and his untimely death therein broke the course of his projects which projects had they took effect as in all probability they had but for that engagement he had extended his dominions all along the Rhene and on both sides of it from the Alpes unto the German Ocean and been the most considerable Prince at that time in Christendome all Elsats in high Germany being sold or mortgaged to him by the Duke of Austria the Dukedome of Lorrain at his mercy besides the hopes he had of the Earldome of Provence intended to him by King Reny which would have opened him a way to the Mediterranean he being dead the Government continued as before it was each Province having its distinct Lawes and living according to their ancient Priviledges till the attempt of Philip the second King of Spain most resolutely but unfortunately bent to bring them under the command of that Crown to cancell all their priviledges and new mould the Estate according to his own will and pleasure occasioning thereby the Revolt of a great part of the Country and the setting up of a new Estate opposite unto him and destructive of his interesse in it But before we come unto this change we will first look upon the Princes Power Revenue and other things considerable touching this Estate whilest it stood entire under the Princes of the house of Burgundie and LORDS of BELGIVM 1369 1 Philip the Hardie Duke and Earl of Burgundie Earl of Flanders and Artois the first great raiser of this House 1404 2 John the Proud Duke of Burgundie c. 1419 3 Philip the Good added to his estate the Dukedomes of Brabant and Limbourg the Marquisaâ— and Machlin by the death of his cousin Philip the Earldomes of Hainalt Holland Zeland and the Lordship of West-Friseland by the resignation and death of the Countesse Jaquiline whose next Heir he was the Dukedome of Luxemburg and the Earldome of Namur which he bought for money 1467 4 Charles the Warlike who bought the Estates of Gueldres and Zutphen and held them peaceably all his life 1476 5 Mary the daughter and Heir of Charles married to Maximillan son of the Emperour Frederick from whom King Lewis the eleventh of France took the Dukedome of Burgundie and the greatest parts of the Counties of Burgundie and Artois unfortunately killed with a fall from her horse and an unseasonable modesty in not suffering the Chirurgions to dresse her wound the hurt which she had taken being in her thigh 1482 6 Philip III. sonne of Mary and Maximilian to whom Charles the eight of France restored all the places in Artois and the County of Burgundie taken by his Father marryed Joane daughter of Ferdinand and Isabel Kings of Spain 1506 7 Charles II. Arch-Duke of Austria King of Spain and Emperour of that name the fift added to his Estate in these Countries the Dukedome of Guelderland the Earldome of Zutphen the Lordships of Vtrecht Over-yssell and Groyning 1558 8 Philip IV. of Belgium and the II of Spain invading these Countries against their priviledges was by a great part of them rejected from being their Prince anno 1581. which made him after a long and a bloody war to surrender all his interesse in them to 1599 9 Isabella Clara Eugenia his daughter and Albert Archduke of Austria whom he married to her during whose Government a truce for 12 years was made and in the preface to that Truce the Confederate Estates declared to be treated with as a Free Estate to whom the Kings of Spain could pretend no title 16 10 Philip V. of Belgium and the IV. of Spaine on the decease of the Arch-Duchesse Isabella his Aunt succeeded in the possession of some and the title unto all the Belgick Provinces The ordinary Revenue of these Countries to the Dukes of Burgundie and after to the Kings of Spain before the breach were estimated at three millions of Crowns yeerly which was more then any King in Christendome at those times received the French onely excepted the very measuring of corn in the City of Antwerp being farmed yearly for 100000 Crowns in ready mony But the extraordinary was far greater the Estates of these Countries in the year 1550 granting to Charles the fift an Aide which they call the Noventale amounting to 150000 crowns a moneth and yet the Provinces of Luxenbourg Limbourg Gueldres and Groyning were not rated to it And it is said that Philip the second at his first coming to the Estate was presented with a grant of 40 millions of Florens to be paid in few years So that these Countries were the true Correlative of both his Indies the losse of which before the making of the truce anno 1609. cost him above 100 millions of Crownes and the losse of 400000 men The Forces of these Princes
all Germany within the Rhene together with the Belgick Provinces before described the Counties of Flanders and Artois excepted only the Kingdome of Germany taking up the rest For by Ludovicus Pius the son of Charles the great Empire of his Father was parcelled out into many members as Italie France Burgundie Lorrain and Germany distributed amongst his sons and nephews with the title of Kings By means whereof the Kingdomes of Germany and Lorrain united in the person of Lewis the Ancient in little time were alien'd from the house of Charles and left off to be French possessed by the great Princes of Lorrain Saxonie Schwaben and Bavaria by whom dismembred into many principalities and inferiour states all passing under the accompt and name of the Dutch or Germans The Kings and Emperours of which here follow The KINGS and EMPEROURS of GERMANIE Anno Chr. 801 1 Charles the Great Emp. K. of France and Germanie 815 2 Ludovicus Pius King of France Germanie and Emperour of the Romans 841 3 Lewis surnamed the Ancient second son of Ludovious Pius King of Germanie to which anno 876. he united that of Lorrain also 4 Charles the Grosse son of Lewis the Ancient reigned joyntly with Caroloman and Lewis his elder Brethren after their deaths sole King of Germany Anno 880. he succeeded Ludovicus vitus Baâ—bus in the title of Emperour continued unto his Successours and during the minoritie of Charls the Simple by a faction of the French Nobility was chosen King of France the whole estate of Charls the Great becoming once again united in the person of one Soveraign Prince 891 5 Arnulph the naturall son of Caroloman the brother of Charls King of Germanie and Emp. 903 6 Lewis or Ludovicus IV. Lewis the brother of Charls and Caroloman being reckoned for one King of Germanie and Emperour 913 7 Conrade the son of Conrade the brother of Lewis the 4. the last Prince of the issue of Charls the Great After whose death the Francones and Saxons seeing Charls the Simple King of France overlaid by the Normans took that advantage to transferre the Empire to themselves and they made choice of Henry Duke of Saxony to be their Emperour A worthy Prince by whom some Nations of the Sclaves the Hungarians and part of Lorrain were subdued or added to the Empire 920 6 Henricus surnamed Auceps or the Fowler Duke of Saxonie 12. 938 9 Otho surnamed the Great the son of Henry Emperour and King of Italie 36. 974 10 Otho II. son of Otho the first Emperour and King of Italie 10. 984 11 Otho III. son of Otho the 2. Duke of Saxonie and the last of that house which had the title of Emperour and King of Italie After whose death all right of succession being disclaimed the Emperours became Elective but for the most part wholly ingrossed or Monopolized since the Failer of the house of Saxonie by the Dukes of Franconia Suevia Bavaria and Austria notwithstanding the libertie or freedom of Election pretended to by the Electors The businesse first projected in the Court of Rome to make the Emperours lesse powerfull and distract the Germans whom they feared into sides and factions confirmed by a decree of Pope Gregory the fifth being a Native of that Country The Electors only six in number that is to say 1. The Archbishop of Mentz Chancellour of the Empire 2. The Archbishop of Colen Chancellour of Italie 3. The Archbishop of Triers Chancellour of France 4. The Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-Sewer 5. The Duke of Saxonie Lord Marshall And 6. The Marquesse of Brandâ—nburg Lord Chamberlain Upon equalitie of voices the Duke but now King of Bohemia was to come in for the 7. who by Office was to be Cup-bearer at the Coronation For upon Coronation dayes or dayes of like solemnitie these Offices are performed only and then performed in this manner Before the Palace gate standeth an heap of Oats so high that it reacheth to the brest of the horse on which the Duke of Saxonie rideth bearing in his hand a silver wand and a silver measure both which together weigh 200 marks then sitting still upon his horse he filleth up the measure with oates sticketh his wand in the Remainder delivereth the measure of Oats to some of his servants which stand next him and so attendeth the Emperour into the Court. The Emperour being entred and sate down at the Table the three spirituall Electors standing orderly together say Grace before him Then cometh the Marquesse of Brandenburg on horse-back also with a silver basin in his hand full of water the basin of the weight of 12 marks of silver and a fine clean towell on his arm which alighting down he holdeth forth unto the Emperour Then comes the Count Palatine of the Rhene mounted on his horse with four silver Platters full of meat every one of the weight of three marks which alighting also he carrieth and setteth down upon the table And finally the Duke or King of Bohemia on horse-back as the others were with a Napkin on his Arm and a covered cup of the weight of 12 marks entreth the Great-hall alighteth from his horse and giveth the cup unto the Emperour to drink But we must know that these services are seldome or never especially of late times performed by the Electours in person It is enough if they send their Embassadours to do it or substitute some one or other of the Emperours Court to perform it for them The election is usually holden at Francfort on Maenus whither the Electours or their deputies come upon the day appointed by the Bishop of Ments whose office it is to assemble the Princes In their passage into Francfort they are guarded by every Prince through whose territories they passe Their attendants must not exceed the number of 200 horse-men whereof 50 only must be armed When they are all met they goe to 8. Bartholomews Church where after Masse said the spiritual Electors laying their hands on their breast and the temporall on the book shal swear to choose a fit temporall head for the people of Christendom If in the space of 30 days they have not agreed then must they eat nothing but bread and water nor by any means go out of the citie til the greater part have agreed on a man who shall forthwith be acknowledged King of the Romans The Election being finished the partie chosen the inauguration was anciently holden 1. at Aken in Gulick where the new elected Emperor received the silver crown for Germany 2. at Millain where he received his iron crown for Lombardie 3. at Rome where he received the golden crown for the Empire But those journeys unto Rome and Millain have been long laid by the Emperours holding their Election to be strong enough to make good their Title to that honour being meerly titular The form of which Election the priviledges of the Princes Electours and other fundamentall constitutions of the German Empire we find summed up in the
golden Bul of Charls the 4. by whom first promulgated anno 1359. 1002 10 Henry II. surnamed the Saint Duke of Bavaria the first Emperour elected according to the constitution of Gregory the fift 1025 13 Conrade II. Duke of Franconia surnamed Salicus 1040 14 Henry III. surnamed Niger the son of Conrade 1056 15 Henry IV. son of Henry the third in whose dayes the Popes began to usurpe authority over the Emperours insomuch as Leo the ninth having received the Popedom at the Emperours hands repented himself of it put off his Papall vestments went to Rome as a private person and was there new chosen by the Clergie This done by the perswasion of a Monke called Heldebrand who being afterwards made Pope by the name of Gregory the 7. excommunicated this Henry the first Prince that was ever excommunicated by a Pope of Rome from which time till the year 1254. there were continual wars and thunders betwixt them and the nine following Emperours some of them being excommunicated some forced to put their necks under the feet of the Pope others to quit the care of the Common-wealth and betake themselves unto the wars of the Holy-Land leaving the Pope to doe what he list in Germanie 1106 16 Henry V. son of Henry the 4. armed by the Pope against his father whom he had no sooner succeeded in the Empire but the Pope excommunicated him for being too stiffe in the businesse of investitures and raised up the Saxons against him by whom vanquished and otherwise afflicted by the Popes practises he was forced to submit unto his commands and was the last Emperour of the house of Franconia 1125 17 Lotharius Duke of Saxonie seised on the Empire without any election reconciled unto the German Princes by the means of S. Bernard He settled the affairs of Italie in two journies thither 13. 1136 18 Conrade III. son of Frederick the first hereditary Duke of Sweve or Schwaben and fifters son unto Henry the fifth vanquished Henry surnamed the Proud Duke of Saxonie and Bavaria and going to the holy wars with Lewis King of France discomfited the Turks near the Banks of Meander 15. 1153 19 Frederick surnamed Barbarossa Duke of Sueve crowned at Rome by Adrian the 4. and not long after excommunicated by Pope Alexander the 3. to whom he was fain at last to submit himself the Pope insolently treading on his neck He went after to the Holy Land where he dyed having difcomfited the Turks in three great battels 39. 1190 20 Henry VI. son of Frederick King of Sicil in right of Constance his wife crowned by Pope Celestine who employed him in the wars of the Holy Land in his journey towards which he dyed at Messina 8. 1198 21 Philip Duke of Sueve brother of Henry the 6. excommunicated by the Pope who loved not this Familie by whose means Otho the son of Henry the Lion Duke of Saxonie was set up against him The occasion of great wars among the Germans reconciled by marriage of Otho with a daughter of Philip. 9. 1207 22 Otho IV. son of Henry surnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxonie and Bavaria crowned at Rome by Pope Innocent the 3. by whom not long after excommunicated for taking into his hands some towns of Italie which belonged to the Empire vanquished in Brabant by the faction raised up against him he relinquished the Empire to his Competitor 1212 23 Frederick II. King of Sicil and Naples son of Henry the 6. having settled Germanie disposed himself for the wars of the Holy Land where he recovered the possession of the Realm of Jerusalem excommunicated by the Pope at his return into Italie not long after poisoned 1250 24 Conrade IV. son of Frederick the last Emperour of the house of Schwabâ—n After whose death the Empire being distracted by the Popes practises into many factions each faction chose an Emperor or King of the Romans so that at one time there were elected Henry Earl of Turingia William Earl of Holland Alfonso King of Castile the renowned author of the Alfonsive Tables and 1254 25 Richard Earl of Cornwall brother of Henry the 3. of England the best-monyed man of all his time supposed therewith to buy the suffrages of the Archbishop of Colen and Electour Pvlatine by whom he was elected and crowned King of the Romans anno 1254. and after he had dealt in the affairs of the Empire 6 years he returned into England where he dyed During these battels and the times since Henry the fourth the Popes had in a manner forced the Emperours to abandon Italie so that Rodolphus who succeeded sold all his rights in Italie to the fairest chapman Nor did the craft of the Popes rest there but extended into Germanie also where by arming the Princes against the Emperours and raising the Prelates to the dignitie and estate of Princes he made the Empire of small power and consideration Made smaller yet by the unworthinesse and weaknesse of some of the Emperours who to get that honour for themselves or to leave it after them to their sons dismembred from the same many towns and fair possessions given by them to the Electors for their votes and suffrages by means whereof the Princes grew in time so strong that there were few of them who durst not undertake a warre against their Emperors And this appeareth by the Example of Charls the fifth who though the most mighty and most puissant Emperour which had been in Germanie since the death of Charls the Great yet found himself so over-matched by these ruffling Princes that he was willing to resign the Empire to his brother Ferdinand But to proceed after an interregnum of 12 years from the Exit of Richard Earl of Cornwall the title was at last accepted by 1273 26 Rodolph Earl of Habsburg a petite Prince others of greater Estates and Fortunes not daring to take up the honour the Raiser of the present Austrian Familie 1292 27 Adolph Earl of Nassaw who served in person under King Edward the first of England against the French for which disrelished by the Germans he was encountred and slain near the Citie of Spires 1298 28 Albert Duke of Austria son of Rodolphus the Emperour to whom Pope Boniface the 8. gave the Realm of France of which he had deprived King Philip the Fair. But Albert would not meddle out of Germanie and did nothing in it 1308 29 Henry Earl of Luxembourg made a journey into Italie to recover the rights of the Empire where an Emperour had not been seen in 60 years supposed to be poisoned in the Chalice by a Frier at Benevent a town of the Popes 6. 1314 30 Lewis Duke of Bavaria crowned at Aix in the wonted manner opposed by Frederick Duke of Austria chose by another Faction and crowned at Bonna a town of the Archbishop of Coleno but being defeated Lewis remained sole Emperour ex communicated by Pope John 22. 33. 1346 31 Charls IV. son of John King of Bohemia and grandson of Henry the
officiary only removable at the will of the Emperour and accomptable to him not seldome many at one time especially whilest under the command of the French some of them being Dukes of the Upper and others of the Lower Almain So that there is no great certainty of their succession nor much care to be taken in searching after it though otherwise men of great Authority and Command in their severall times The most remarkable amongst them was Rudolph Earl of Reinfelden and Duke of Schwaben descended from the Earls of Habsburg in the reign of Henry the fourth against whom he was chosen Emperour by the practise and procurement of Pope Hildebrand but overcome and wounded at the battell of Eâ—ster he died not long after of his wounds with great repentance for rebelling against his Soveraign After his death some Provinces being dismembred from it and other lesser estates first erected out of it it was made Hereditary in the person of Frederick Baron of Hohenstaussen surnamed the Antient by the munificence and bounty of the said Henry the fourth whose daughter Agnes he had married His successours follow in this order The DUKES of SCHWABEN 1 Frederick the ancient the first Hereditary Duke of Schwaben 2 Frederick with the one eye son of Frederick the Ancient 3 Frederick III. surnamed Barbarossa son of Frederick with the one eye Duke of Schwaben and Emperour he succeeded the Emperour Henry the fift in the Dukedome of Franconia and left the same unto his successours 1190 4 Frederick IV. second son of Barbarossa his elder brother Henry succeeding in the Empire by the name of Henry the sixt 5 Conrade brother of Frederick the fourth 6 Philip brother of Conrade after the death of Henry the sixt elected Emperour 1207 7 Frederick V. son of Henry the sixt elected Emperour by the name of Frederick the second King of Naples and Sicil also in right of his mother 1250 8 Conrade II. son of Frederick the fift King of both Sicils and Emperour of Germany after the death of his Father poisoned as was supposed by his base brother Manfred who succeeded in his Kingdom of Sicil. 1254 9 Conradine the son of Conrade pursuing his right unto the Kingdomes of Naples and Sicil was overcome and taken prisoner by Charles of Anjou successour unto Manfrede in those estates and by his command beheaded at Naples anno 1268. After whose death being the last of that powerfull and imperiall Family this vast Estate was brought unto a second dismembring and divided amongst the Bishops Princes and Free Cities hereof of which last there are more within the old Precincts of this Dukedome then in all Germany besides So that beholding it in the first and second dilapidation we finde many goodly Patrimonies and fair Estates besides what belongeth to the Cities and Episcopall Sees to have been raised out of the ruines of this great Dukedome that is to say the Dukedomes of Zeringen and Wirtemberg with the Marquisate of Baden dismembred from it when conferred on Frederick of Hohenstauffen the Earldomes of Pfirt Hohenberg and Friburg besides a great improvement of the Earldome of Hapsburg advanced out of the second ruine How Pfirt and Hohenberg were unitted to the house of Austria hath been shewn already and what becomes of Wirtenberg and Baden shall be shewn hereafter Here it is onely to be noted that the Family of Zeriugen possessed of almost all Brisgow and great part of Switzerland owe their Originall to Berthilo or Berthold a younger son of Guntrom the first Earl of Hapsburg Which being extinguished in the person of Berthold the fift who dyed the same day in which the Emperour Rodolph of Hapsburg was born anno 1218. the rights hereof descended on the Earls of Friburg the principall City of that Country Eggow the last Earl of which house being overlaid by his undutifull and rebellious Subjects sold his estate therein â—o 12000 Ducats to Albert and Leopold Dukes of Austria sons of Albert the Short whose successours enjoy all Brisgow to this very day The Armes of Schawben were Argent 3 Leopards Sable 7. BAVARIA BAVARIA is bounded on the East with Austria on the West with the river Leck or Lycus which parts it from Schawben on the North with Northgoia or the Vpper Palatinate and on the South with the Earldome of Tirol and Carinthia It containeth the whole Province of Rhaetia Secunda and so much of Noricum Mediterraneum as now makes up the Bishoprick of Saltsburg and by a distinct name was called Vindelicia as being the ancient habitation of the Vindelici so named from the two Rivers of Vindis and Lycus now the Werd and the Leck upon which they lived According whereunto it is thus versified by a German Poet. Respicit late fluvios Vindimque Lycumque Miscentes undas nomina Littoris unde Antiquam Gentem populumque Urbemque vocarunt Vindelicam In English thus Vindis and Lycus floods of noted Fame He next beholds mingling their streames and name To which the old Vindelici doe own The name both of their Nation and their Town Meaning by their Town as I conceive Augusta Vindelycorum their Metropolis or Capitall City But after such time as the Boii or Boiarians had driven out the Romans and got possession of this Country the name of Vindelicia and Rhaetia secunda grew into disuse that of Boiaria succeeding in the place thereof mollified or corrupted into Bavaria the present name of the Country amongst the Latines but by the Dutch called Bayeren by the French Bavier The whole divided into three parts the Higher lying towards the Alpes of Tyrol the Lower extending all along the banks of the Danow and the District of Saltzburg situate betwixt the Inn and the Dukedome of Austria all three much over-spread with woods and forrests remainders of the Hercinian forrest described before But more particularly the Higher lying towards the Alpes is cold and barren affording no wines and but little corn the Lower being more fruitfull and better planted for some parts especially about Regensberg and Landshut inferiour unto none in Germany for the richnesse and pleasantnesse of the situation Of the District of Saltzburg we shall speak by it self because by some not reckoned as a part hereof In all great quantity of fenell for the fire and of Timber for building no lesse of Swine fatted in the woods and sent away by numerous herds into other Countries The Christian Faith first preached here amongst the Boiarians by Rupertus Bishop of Wormes driven from his See by Childebert King of the French anno 540. or therabout and here made the first Bishop of Saltzburg corrupted at this time with the Leaven of the Church of Rome to which this Country setting aside the Imperiall Cities is more intirely devoted then any other in Germany Principall Cities in the Higher are 1 Munchen in Latine Monachium the Dukes seat seated on the Isee or Isarus in a very sweet and delightly soil among ponds and groves daintily interlaced with
last being an estate in Lorrain accrewing to them by the marriage of a fourth Philip the fift in name and order of the house of Lichteberg with Margaret sole daughter and heir of Ludovick the last Earl thereof Betwixt the Counties of Nassaw and Hanaw on both sides of the River Lou lies the Earldome of SOLMS the first Earl whereof of whom there is any good Constat was Henry honoured with this title anno 1220. But being I finde them in the Catalogue of the Counts Imperiall made before that time I must conclude them to be ancienter then the date aforesaid though that sufficient to ennoble a far greater Family By the marriage of Conrade the ninth from Henry first with Elizabeth one of the daughters of William of Nassaw Prince of Orange and after with the widow of the Earl of Egmond they came to be of such Authority amongst the Netherlands as to be priviledged with a place and suffrage in the Councell of the States Generall there settled at the present in their greatest honour especially since the marriage of Henry of Nassaw Prince of Orange with a daughter of Earl Conrade by his second wife the mother of William of Nassaw now Prince of Orange and husband to the Princesse Mary the eldest daughter of Great Britain But besides their Estates there they are possessed in this tract of 1 Branufels which gives title to the first branch of the house of Solms 2 Croneberg the possession of the second branch of this Family and 3 Solms on the north side of the Lou the root of both Of the Imperiall Cities in this Confederation the first is Friberg called for distinction sake Friberg in Wederaw to difference it from another Town of that name in Brisgow situate in the midle of delicious and most fruitfull elds and memorable for the stout resistance which it made to Adolphus of Nassaw at that time Emperour who when he could not get it by force or famine obtained it by fraud and put to death no lesse then 40 of chief Nobility whom he found in the Castle So hated for that bloody fact that he was shortly after deprived of the Empire and slain in fight by Albert of Austria his Competitor The second of the two is Wetzelaer seated on the Lou where it meets with the Dille which rising neer Dillengberg a town of the Earl of Nassawes doth here lose its name into the greater A town Imperiall confederate with Frideberg and the Princes before mentioned for maintaining their common liberties and the Religion publickly professed amongst them being that of the Reformed Churches of Calvins Platform 10. FRANCONIA FRANCONIA or FRANKENLAND is bounded on the East with the Vpper Palatinate and part of Voitland on the West with the Confederates of Wederaw and part of the Rhene on the north with Hassia and Thuringia and on the south with the Palatinate of the Rhene and some part of Schwaben so called from the French Franci or Francones in whose possession it was when they were first known unto the Romans the Residence of their Dukes or Princes in this noble Province appropriating the name unto it Called also Francia Orientalis to difference it from the Realm of France which lay more towards the West The Country on the out-parts overgrown wholly in a manner with woods and forrests and environed almost with Mountains parts of the old Hercinian Wolds is within pleasant plain and fruitfull sufficiently plentifull both of corn and wines but abundantly well stored with Rape and Licoras and yeilding good pasture for Cattell so that we may compare it to a fine piece of Cloth wrought about with a course list or an excellent fine piece of Lawn with a canvasse Selvage Chief Rivers of it are 1 The Main or Moenus which running thorow the midst of it is received into the Rhene below Frankfort 2 The Sala whence the adjoyning French had the name of Salii and Conrade Emperour of the Germans the surname of Salicus 3 Radiantis 4 Sinna 5 Tubero 6 Aestus c. The People of it are ingenious patient of labour strong of body and very industrious not suffering any to be idle that can earn his living of what sort soever The off-spring of the ancient French who having over-mastered Gaul and the parts adjoyning left here the seminary of their strength and a stock of their antient Princes Marcomir brother of Pharamond the first King of the French governing in these parts as Duke and leaving the estate and title unto his posterity The catalogue of which Princes take in order thus The PRINCES of the FRANKES and DUKES of FRANCONIA of the old FRENCH Race A. Ch. 326 1 Genebaldus the son of Dagobert descended from the old Regal stock of the Sicambri united with other Dutch nations about 60 or 70 yeers before in the name of Frankes having subdued those parts which lay towards the River Moenus became the first Prince of the Eastern Frankes or Lord of Francia Orientalis 356 2 Dagobert the sonne of Genebaldus who added the District of Triers unto his Estates 377 3 Clodovaeus or Ludovicus the sonne of Dagobert 398 4 Marcomir the sonne of Clodovaeus who extended his Dominion Eastwards towards Bavaria and Bohemia 402 5 Pharamund or Waramund the sonne of Marcomir the first of this line which took unto himself the title of King of the French on the assuming whereof aiming at matters of more importance he left Franconia or East-France with the Title of Duke to his brother Marcomir 419 6 Marcomir the brother of Pharamund 423 7 Prunmesser by some called Priamus the son of Marcomir 435 8 Genebaldus II. the son of Prunmesser 455 9 Sunno the son of Genebald the second 478 10 Clodomirus or Luitomarus the son of Sunno 515 11 Hygobaldus the son of Clodomir who became a Christian and added Wormes and Mentz unto his Estates 541 12 Helenus by some called Hermericus a Christian also who passing over the Rhene subdued that tract bordering betwixt Triers and Lorrain which the Dutch call Westerich 571 13 Gotofridus the son of Helenus a Christian also but not able to perswade his people to the same belief 595 14 Genebaldus III. the son of Gotofrede 615 15 Clodomir II. the son of Genebald the third 638 16 Heribert the Nephew of Clodomir the second 668 17 Clodovaeus or Clovis II. the Cousin-german of Heribert 680 18 Gosbertus the son of Clovis the second 706 19 Gosbertus II. the son of Gosbert the first 720 20 Hetavus the son of Gosbert the second the last Duke of Franconia of this line Who dying without issue male anno 740. bequeathed it at his death to Pepin who afterwards was King of France Father of Charles the great according to a former contract made between those Princes and Charles no sooner had it in his possession but he bestowed the greatest part of it on Burchard the first Bishop of Wurtzburg anno 752. made Bishop of that City by Boniface Arch-bishop of Mentz
Eberhard 8 Eberhard II. son of Vlrick 1325 9 Vlrick III. son of Eberhard 1344 10 Eberhard III. son of Vlric 1392 11 Vlric IV. son of Eberhard 12 Eberhard IV. son of Vlric 1417 13 Eberhard V. son of Eberhard the 4. by his marriage with Henrica or Henriette daughter of Henry Earl of Montbelguard added that Earldom to his house 1419 14 Lewis or Ludovick II. son of Eberhard the 5. 1456 15 Eberhard VI. son of Lewis Founder of the Universitie of Tubingen created by Maximilian the 1. the first Duke of Wirtenberg anno 1495. He deceased without issue anno 1496. 1496 16 Eberhard VII son of Vlric the younger brother of Lewis the 2. succeeded on the death of Eberhard his Cousin German 1504 17 Henry the brother of Eberhard the 7. 1519 18 Vlric V. son of Henry the 2. expulsed out of his Dukedom by Charls the 5. for the sack of Reutling an Imperiall Citie and his Estate conferred on Ferdinand of Austria the brother of Charls but after 15 years exile restored to his Dukedom by Philip Lantgrave of Hassia He reformed Religion and liberally endowed the Universitie of Tubingen 1550 19 Christopher the son of Vlric the 5. a follower of his Fathers steps in Reformation of the Church and Advancement of Learning 1568 20 Ludevick or Lewis III. son of Christopher 21 Frederick son of George Earl of Montbelgard the brother of Vlric the 5. made Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth anno 1597. 22 John-Frederick son of Frederick the 1. 23 John-Eberard eldest son of the former Duke anno 1649. The Revenues of this Duke are supposed to be equall unto those of the Electors Palatine spoken of before and were it not for the silver mines in Saxonle little inferiour to those of that Duke But for provisions of war excepting Powder only he is meanly furnished A main defect considering the ill terms he stands in with the Imperiall Cities betwixt whom and the house of Wirtenberg there have been alwayes open wars or secret jealousies His Arms are Or 3 Attires of a Stag born Palie-barrie Sable As for the Marquisate of BADEN lying on the West side of Schwartzenwald betwixt it the Rhene it is for the most part except towards those Wolds a very pleasant and fruitfull Countrie and much of the same nature with the rest of Wirtenberg so called from Baden a neat Town where the Marquesse keeps his seat in Winter so named from the hot Baths there as is also Baden called for distinction sake the Vpper Baden amongst the Switzers in which respect the Citie of Bath in Somersetshire had antiently the name of Caer-Baden also Of these Baths it is supposed that there are in this Citie at the least 300. profitable for many diseases and exulcerate sores drawing a great resort of people from the neighbouring Countries This is the chief Town of this Marquisate from whence the Princes have the Title of Marquesses of Baden The next to this is 2 Durlach or Turlach which gives title to a second branch of this house called sometimes Marquesses of Durlach only but commonly the Marquesses of Baden-Durlach 3 Liebenzel amongst the hils of Schwartzenwald famous for hot medicinall Springs 4 Lichtall remarkable for a Monasterie the buriall place of the first Marquesses 5 Gerspach in the very heart of that Mountainous tract 6 Pfortheim adjoyning to the Wood Hagenscheis a branch of Schwartzenwald 7 Rotelen 8 Badenwile and 9 Sufenburg all seated in the Vpper-Baden being that part hereof which lies next to Brisgow 10 Milberg beautified with a fair Castle the usuall retiring place of these Princes in the heats of Summer This Marquisate being also taken out of the great Dukedom of Schwaben was founded in the person of Herman of Veronae in Italie who deserving well of the Emperour Henry the 5. was by him settled in some Lands about these parts anno 1120. and after marrying with the daughter of an Earl of Baden was by the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa created the first Marquesse of Baden anno 1155. The Estate was after much increased by the addition of the Earldome of Hochberg and the Appendixes thereof in Schwaben into which Christopher the 13. Marquesse hereof succeeded on the death of his Cousin Philip the last Earl of Hochberg both Princes descending originally from two brothers of which the eldest in right of the Lady Judith his wife was Earl of Hochberg the second by the favour of the said Frederick Barbarossa was made Marquesse of Baden They were Masters also of many fair Estates in the Lower Palatinate which the Palatines of the Rhene as was there said are since possessed of Other particulars shall be shewn if occasion be in the ensuing Catalogue of The MARQUESSES of BADEN 1253 1 Herman the first Marquesse 2 Herman II. 3 Herman III. 4 Herman IV. 1281 5 Rodulph son of Herman 4. 1295 6 Herman V. son of Rodolph 7 Rodolph II. son of Herman the 5. 1356 8 Frederick son of Rodolph the 2. 9 Rodolph III. son of Frederick 1372 10 Barnard son of Rodolph 1431 11 James son of Barnard 1453 12 Charls son of James the first of these Marquesses which was possessed of the Countie of Spanheim in the Lower Palatinate descending on this house by Matild wife of Rodolp the 2. 1475 13 Christopher son of Charls who after the death of Philip the last Marquesse of Hochberg succeeded also in that estate 1515 14 Barnard son of Christâ—ph his brother Ernest succeeding in that of Hochberg 15 Christopher II. son of Barnard his elder brother Philibert and Philip son of Philebert dying in the life of Barnard 16 Edward son of Christopher intending the sale of his Estates to pay his debts was forcibly deprived of all by 17 Ernest Marquesse of Hochberg nephew of Ernest above mentioned who by that means not only preserved the Marquisate of Baden but united that of Hochberg again unto it and removed his ordinarie seat to Durlach 18 George brother of Ernest Marquesse of Baden and Hochberg 19 Frederick the son of George born in the year 1594. succeeded his Father in both Estates and if living hath a sonne called also Frederick to enjoy them after him NORTHGOIA OR The UPPER PALATINATE The Countrie of NORTHGOIA so called from the Northern situation of it in regard of Bavaria is sometimes also called the Palatinate of Bavaria because anciently belonging to that Estate but generally Ober Psalts or the Vpper Palatinate to difference it from the Lower It is bounded on the East with Bohemia on the West with Franconia and part of Schwaben on the North with Voiteland and on the South with Bavaria The Countrie for the most part somewhat rough and mountainous rich principally in mines of iron which it yeeldeth in most places and some of silver about Amberg extended from Haimbourg to the edge of Bohemia 80 miles and from the hill Felchtelberg in the edge of Voiteland to Weisenberg near the banks of the Danow 68 miles Observable things
South side of the Lake so named an Episcopall See and honoured with giving the title of a Baronie to the Dukes of Mecklenburg 3 Malcaw first walled by Niclot Prince of the Vandals anno 1270. 4 Ratzenburg an Episcopall See spoken of before 5 Rostoch the next in reputation of all the Hâ—â—se towns to Lubeck and Dantsick Large rich and much frequented by all sorts of Merchants in compasse almost six English miles situate on the River VVarn neer the fall thereof into the Baltick Honoured with an University here founded by John Duke of Mecklenburg an 1419. the first Professors in it being brought from Erdford in Saxony 6 Stargard which once gave the title of Duke to the younger Princes of this house 7 Sarentine memorable for a Nunnery there founded by Duke Magnus the second 8 Laâ— built and fortified by Duke Henry the second as an out-work to Rostock which he had lately bought of Christopher then King of Denmark 9 Sternberg of which little memorable 10 Fridland on the edge of Pomeren not far from Stargard which gave the title of Duke to Albert of Wallenstein after that called Duke of Fridland that eminent and prosperous Commander of the Imperiall Forces in the late war of Germany but miserably murdered after all his services by command of the Emperour 11 Fitchtell both pleasantly and strongly seated on the edge of a Lake 12 Dammin a strong Town on the Marches of Brandenburg The antient Inhabitants of this Country were the Vandals with the rest of the Heruli and Burgundians But the Burgundians being reckoned as a part of the Vandals were not much took notice of till their irruptions on the borders of the Roman Empire made them more considerable the Princes of these Nations using no other title then Kings of the Heruli and Vandals Of these the first is said to be one Anthyrius sonne of an Amazonian Lady who learned his first rudiments of warfare under Alexander the Great Out of his loins descended a long race of Kings amongst whom Rhadaguisâ— who together with Alarick the Goth invaded Italy I know not by what warrant is accounted one Gunderick the seventeenth of these Kings weary of so cold a dwelling passed towards the South and having harassed Gaul and Spain shipped himself over the Straits of Gibralter and erected the Kingdome of the Vandals in Africk whose successors we shall meet with there By Vitalaus the youngest sonne of Gensericus the sonne of Gunderick the line of these Princes is continued who after mingling with the Obotriti and other of the Sclaves succeeding into the void places of the Vandals left off the title of Kings of the Vandals and called themselves Kings of the Heruli and Obotriti continuing it to Pribislaus or Primislaus the second who wrote himself Pribislaus Dei gratia Herulorum Wagriorum Circipanorum Palumborum Obotritorum Kissinorum Vandalorumque Rex Making herein a generall muster of those tribes of the Sclaves and Heruli which remained under his command But he being vanquished by Henry surnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony and Bavaria the title of King was laid aside his successours contenting themselves with that of Princes Divided betwixt Henry and Niclot the Nephews of Pribislaus by his sonne Henry into two Estates Henry assuming to himselfe the title of Prince of the Obotriti and Niclot that of Prince of the Vandals But the posterity of Niclot failing in VVilliam the last of that line anno 1430. his title with the lands thereunto belonging fel to Henry the fat the fourth Duke of Mecklenbourg to which honour Albert and John the sonnes of Henry the fourth descended from the elder house had been advanced by the Emperour Charles the fourth at Prague Anno 1348. The succession of which family from Pribislaus take in order thus The PRINCES of the HERVLI and DUKES of MECKLENBVRG 1158 1 Pribislaus the last King and first Prince of the Heruli after their subjection to the Saxons restored to this title and his former estate by the bountifull conquerrers to be held under the right and homage of the house of Saxony 1179 2 Henry sonne of Pribislaus baptized with all his people in his fathers life time by the perswasion of Henry Duke of Saxony and Bavaria by whom restored to their Estates 3 Henry II. sonne of the former Henry dividing the estate with his brother Niclot 1228 4 John surnamed the Divine so called because created Doctor of Divinity in the University of Paris whither he was sent by his Father to learn good Arts. 1260 5 Henry III. surnamed of Hierusalem because of his expedition thither against the Saracens 1302 6 Henry IV. surnamed the Lyon for his valour and undaunted constancie 1319 7 Albert and John the sonnes of Henry going to Prague with a Princely train to attend on the Emperour Charles the fourth were by him created Princes of the Empire and Dukes of Mecklenberg anno 1348. 1380 8 Magnus sonne of Albert. 1384 9 John sonne of Magnus the founder of the University of Rostock anno 1419. 1423 10 Henry V. surnamed the Fat who on the death of William the last Prince of the Vandals succeeded into his Estate 1447 11 Magnus II. sonne of Henry founder of the Cathedrall Church of Rostock 1503 12 Albert II. sonne of Magnus the second 1547 13 John-Albert sonne of Albert the second endowed the University of Rostock with the lands of some dissolved Monasteries and authorised in his Estates the Reformamation of Religion begun by Luther 1578 14 John III. sonne of John-Albert 1592 15 Adolph-Frederick and John-Albert sonnes of John the third dispossessed hereof by the Emour Fernand the second anno 1528. their Estates with the title of Duke of Mecklenberg being conferred on Albert of Wallenstein Duke of Fridland Who had not long enjoyed the Title when Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden the Assertor of the liberties of Germany restored it to the proper owners The heirs to whose Estates is Gustavus Adolphus the onely sonne and heir of John-Albert the other of those two being without issue 17. The DUKEDOME of SAXONIE The Dukedome of SAXONIE reckoning in the Estates and Provinces united to it and now in possession of those Dukes is bounded on the East with a part of Bohemia Lusatia and some part of Brandenbourg on the West with Hassia on the North with the Dukedome of Brunswick and on the South with Franconia and some parts of Bohemia So called because the Patrimony and possession of the Dukes of Saxonie who since the proscription and deprivation of Duke Henry surnamed the Lyon anno 1180. in some or other of these Countries have had their fixed seat and habitation It containeth the distinct Provinces of 1 Turingia 2 Misnia 3 Voiteland and 4 Saxony properly and specially so called 1 TVRINGIA is bounded on the East with Misnia and a part of the River Saltza on the West with Hassia on the North with the Wood Hartz and Saxony specially so called on the South with the mountainous Forrest of Duringer-Wald
Marius As for the Earls of Oldenburg they derive themselves from Walpert one of the Nephews of Witikindus the last King and first Duke of the Saxons who having built a strong Castle on the borders of Bremen in honour of his wife Alteburg whom hedearly loved called it Alteburgum so called by the Latinists to this day by the Germans Oldenborch about the year 850. But his male issue failing in Frederick the 7. Earl it came to one Elimar the son of Haio a Noble man of the Frisian bloud who had married Richsa the daughter of John the fift Earl of this Familie From him in a direct line descended Christian or Christiern eldest son of Theodorick who being fortunately advanced to the Crown of Danemark anno 1448. lest his estate in this Earldome but reserving the title according to the fashion of Germanie to his brother Gerrard the better to take him off from his pretentions to the Dukedom of Sleswick and the Earldom of Holst in which he did pretend a share The Patrimonie of it much improved by the addition of the Countries of Rustingen Oystingen and Wanger land all lying on the German Sea bequeathed by the last will and testament of the Lady Marie Countesse of Jevere in East Friseland to John Earl of Oldenburg the third from Gerrard The Succession of these Earls in regard the Royall line of Danemark and by consequence of Great Britain is descended from them I have here subjoined in this ensuing Catalogue of The EARLS of OLDENBOVRG 850 1 Walpert of the race of Witikind the first Earl of Oldenburg 856 2 Theodorick the son of Walpert 3 Theodorick II. son of Theodorick the 1. 4 Otho son of Theodorick the 2. 5 John the son of Otho accompanied the Emperour Henry the 2. in his wars against the Greeks and Saracens anno 1007. 6 Huno surnamed the Glorious son of John 7 Frederick son of Huno fortunate in his wars against the Frisians the last of the male line of this house 8 Elimarus the son of Haio a Noble man of the Frisian bloud and of Richsa his wife the daughter of John the fift Earl 1120 9 Elimarus II. the son of Elimar the 1. 10 Christianus son of Elimar the 2. surnamed the Couragious or the Warlike a professed enemy of Henry the Lyon Duke of Saxonie from whom he tooke the Citie of Breme 11 Maurice the son of Christian an associate of Arnulph Earl of Holstein in his wars with Danemark 12 Christian II. son of Maurice 13 John II. son of Christian the 2. 14 John III. son of John the 2. 15 Courade the son of John the 3. 16 Christian III. son of Conrade a student in Colen where initiated into holy Orders which he relinquished much against the will of his brother Maurice on the death of his Father 17 Theodorick son of Christian the 3. the first Farl of Delmenhorst of this line which fell to him by the death of Nicholas Archbishop of Breme descended from a younger son of John the 2. 1440 18 Christian IV. son of Theodorick and of Heduigis sister and heir of Gerrard and Adolphus Dukes of Sleswick and Earls of Holstein elected on the commendation of his Uncle Adolphus to the Crown of Danemark anno 1448. 1448 19 Gerrard the brother of Christian the 4. a Prince of an unquiet spirit alwayes in wars and alwayes worsted he lost the Town of Delmenhorst to the Bishop of Munster 1500 20 John IV. son of Gerrard repaired the ruines of his Estate and setled the distractions of it in the time of his Father being then in exile and after very much enlarged it by the reduction of Butiada 1526 21 Antonie the son of John the 4. by a sudden surprise recovered Dâ—lmenhorst from the Bishop of Munster anno 1547. which he strongly fortified 1573 22 John V. son of Antonie enlarged this Earldome with the Provinces of Fustingen Oystingen and Wangerland bequeathed to him by the last will of the Countene of Jevere in East Friseland 23 Anthome II. brother of John the 5. in whose life time he was Earl of Delmenhorst and after his death of Oldenburg also still living anno 1649. for ought I can learn unto the contrary And thus we see the present estate of Germanie distracted and divided amongst many Princes Prelates and Incorporate Towns the chief of which are herein mentioned and described But besides these there are many others of lesse note and smaller Territories which yet are absolute and free insomuch that in one dayes riding a Traveller may twice or thrice meet with divers lawes and divers coins every free Prince and free Citie whose laws the Emperours are sworn to keep inviolable having power to make what lawes and coin what money they will And hence in the censure of Kingdoms the King of Spain is said to be Rex hominum because of his Subjects reasonable obedience the King of France Rex Asinorum because of their infinite taxes and impositions the King of England Rex Diabolorum because of his Subjects often insurrections against and depositions of their Princes but the Emperour of Germanie is called Rex Regum because there is such a number of Reguli or Free Princes which live under his command or rather at their owne command for they do even what they list as the Emperour Maximilian the first well noted And to say truth the publick Government hereof is nothing lesse then Monarchicall the Emperour being accompted amongst the Princes but as the chief Officer of the Empire not reckoned of by Bodin and others of our great Statists and Civilians as an absolute Monarch such as the Kings of England France and Spain are confessed to be For the priviledges of the Free Cities being made perpetuall the great Estates hereditarie and the Empire eligible the Emperours were brought at last to such low condition as to be made accomptable to the States of the Empire who if they be perswaded in their consciences or but think they be so that he is likely by his mal-administration to destroy the Empire or that he will not hearkâ—n unto good advise ab Electorum Collegio Caesarea majesâ—aâ—â— privari potest as my Author hath it he may be deprived by the Electors and a more sit and able man chosen into the place and that too as the Emperour Jodocus Barbatus hath declared in one of his Constitutions anno 1410 sine infidelitatis vel Rebelliâ—nis crimine without incurring the crimes of treason or disloyaltie So that the supreme power and majestie of the Empire seems to reside especially and contractedly in the Electorall Colledge diffusedly in the Imperial Diets by way of execution in the Chamber of Spires and other the supreme Courts of the severall Circles But that which makes that 〈◊〉 which they call the Empire is the Assembly of the Prelates Princes and Commissioners of the Free Cities in their Diets or Parliaments the Emperour presiding in them whom he that saw adorned in his roall Râ—bes with the
Baltick Sea wherewith it it is almost incompassed beautified with the fair Castle of Hansburg begun by John the eldest son of king Christiern the first then Duke of Holst but finished by Frederick the second King of Denmark 4 Londenberg in the Peninsula called Elderstedâ— over against De Sorants an Island of the German Ocean 5 Sternberg the ordinary residence of the Governor for the King of Denmark 6 Gottorp a strong Fort or Castle of the Duke of Sleswicks at the end of a large Bay or Inlet of the Baltick also remarkable for the Toll-booth or custom-house there erected at which there is Toll paid one yeare with another for 50000 Oxen sent out of North-Juitland into Germâ—nie 7 Sleswick originally by the Danes called Heydebui built as they say by Hethe a Queen of that Nation but by the Saxons called Sleswick as the town upon the River Slea there running into the Baltick and giving to the Towne a fair and commodious Haven This of long time hath been accounted the chief Town of this Province honoured with an Episcopall See and being made the head of the Dukedome so giving name unto the whole A Dukedome first erected by King Henry of Denmark who gave it to Waldemar great Grandchilde of Abel a former King an 1280. to be held by him under the right soveraignty of the Kings thereof But the male-issue failing it returned to the Crown and was by Margaret Queen of Denmark conferrred on Gerrard Earl of Holstein as before was said anno 1386. Repenting afterwards of that Act shee extorted it out of the hands of the Widow of Gerrard again recovered by the valour and good fortune of his sonne Adolphus After whose death it fell together with Holstein upon Christiern of Oldenburg King of Danemark as before related by whom incorporated with that Crown never since aliened but assigned sometimes in portion for the younger Princes the Patrimony at this time of the sonnes of Alexander surnamed of Sunderburg the place of his Nativity son of John one of the younger sonnes of King Christiern the third NORTH-IVITLAND the most Northern part of all the Chersonese hath on the South the Dukedome of Sleswick but on all other parts the Sea Divided commonly according to the number of the Bishopricks into four Dioceses or Districts that is to say 1 The Diocese of RIP or Ripen bordering next to Sleswick and containeth 30 Praefectures or Herets as they use to call them seven Cities or walled Townes and ten Castles The Chief of which are 1 Ripen the Episcopall See situate neer the German Ocean 2 Koldins on a Creek of the Baltick Sea where Dorothy the Dowager of Christiern the third built a publick School one of my Authors cals it an University 2 The Diocese of ARTHVSEN lying on the North of Ripen but more towards the Baltick containeth 31 Herets or Prefectures seven Cities or walled Townes and five Castles The chief whereof are 1 Arthusen the Episcopall See seated on the Baltick enjoying a commodious Port and well frequented the first Bishop hereof being that Coppo who converted this nation Christianitie and Episcoparie going for the most part hand in hand together Schunderburg on the South of Arthusen 3 Kalloe a strong Castle of the Kings seated in the inmost part of a large Bay occasioned by the Promontorie or Cape of Hillenis extending hence two Dutch miles to the high hill of Ellemanberg Opposite whereunto and pertaining to this Jurisdiction lie the Ilands of 1 Samsoe 2 Hiolm 3 Tuen 4 Hiaâ—nce perhaâ—s Gernâ— 5 Hilgenes and others 3 The Diocese of WIBORCH on the north of Arthusen containeth sixteen Herets the Ilands of 1 Jegen 2 Hansholm 3 Ostholm 4 Cifland 5 Egholm and 6 Bodum three Cities or walled Townes and as many Castles the principall of which are 1. Wiborch the Episcopall See an Inland City but situate on a water which â—unneth into the Bay of Limford The ordinary seat of Judicature for both the Juitlands for all Causes as well Criminall or Civill the Court continually sitting from one day to another unlesse perhaps the Judges doe sometimes adjourne it for their own refreshments 4. The Diocese of BVRGLAVE or Vandalia lying furthest north is commonly subdivided into four parts or members that is to say 1. Thyland lying south of the Bay of Limford on the Baltick side whose chief town is 1 â—lborch the ordinary seat and residence of the Bishop of Vandalia from hence many times stiled Alburgensis situate on the Bay aforesaid which opening into the Baltick Sea extendeth thorow the maâ—n land Westwards almost as far as the German Ocean 2 Morsee lying on the Ocean and containing three Prefectures or Herets the town of Nicopen the Castle of Lunstod and the Isle oâ— Agerce 3 Hanheret on the northwest of the Bay of Limford containing four Herets the town of Thysiad where Christiern the third founded a publick School or such another University as that of Kolding the Castle of Orumne and the Ilands of Oland and Oxcholm There is in this part also the high Rock called Skaringelint a noted Sea-mark fitly serving to give notice to the Sayler of the Quicksands which lie underneath it and about this Coast 4 Vensyssell Venfilia or Wenslie that is as Mercator doth expound it Vandalorum sedes the seat of the Vandals taketh up all the rest of the north of Juitland containing six Prefectures the Ilands of Groysholm 2 Hartzholm and 3 Tydsholm three towns and one Castle the most remarkable of which is Schagen with the most northerly point of all this Chersonese In this part is a very high mountain called Mount Alberg in which are found some marks and remainders of the ancient Gyants as the inhabitants believe and report accordingly The Inhabitants of both Juitlands in the time of Ptolemy and before were the Cobandi Chali Phundusii Charudes and in the most northern tracts the Cimbri of whom the four first were but Tribes or Nations These moving towards the South in that great expedition against Spain made by the neighbouring Vandals on the Roman Empire occasioned the Juites and Angli to inlarge or shift their dwellings each taking up the parts which lay nearest to them The Juites or Gutae being a people of Scandia and there placed by Ptolemy took up the nothern parts hereof from them named Juitland the other being a people of the Suevi dwelling on the south of the Elb possessed them of those parts which lay next the Saxons their old friends and confederates their chief town being Sleswick where Angelen now an obscure village once of greater note doth preserve their memory But these uniting with the Saxons in the conquest of Britain and leaving none behind which were fit for action or not enough to keep possession of the Country against new Invaders gave opportunity to the Danes to come in upon them By whom these Countries being conquered as far as to the River Eydore were planted by Colonies of Danes and made a part of that
have accompanied the Vandals in their on-fals into Gaul and Spain Of any expedition of theirs crosse the Baltick seas neâ—gry quidem nothing to be found in more antient Authors We must therefore reserve the originall of this people either to the Suiones or the Suethidi or perhaps to both both being antiently setled in these Northern Regions Of the Suiones wee read in the booke of Tacitus inscribed De Moribus Germanorum by whom reported to be strong in men armour and shipping and that they were inhabitants of Scandia appeares by two circumstances in that Authour 1 That the people were not permitted to weare weapons quia subitos hostium incursus prohibet Oceanus because the Ocean was to them a sufficient Rampart which could not be affirmed of the antient Suevians but agreeth very well with the situation of this present Countrey defended by the baltick and vast Northern Ocean from the sudden assaults of any enemy 2. Because the Sea which hemmed in that people was conceived to be the utmost bound of the World trans Suiones 〈◊〉 quo cingi claudique terrarum orbis fines as his words there are which wee know to hold good of this Countrey Adde unto these this passage of the old Annals of the Emperour Lewis the second where it is told us of the Danes 〈◊〉 patria apud Suiones exulabant that they were banished into the countrey of the Suâ—ones which cannot so well be understood of any place as of this Sweden being next neighbour unto Denmark And 4 that this people both by Munster and Crantzius are as well called Suiones as Suâ—â—i or Sueâ—i which sheweth what they conceived of their true Originall Then for the Suethans or the 〈◊〉 whom Jornandes speaks of in his book Deâ—ebus Gâ—ticiâ— they are by him placed in the Isle of Scandia for such this great 〈◊〉 was esteeâ—ed to be by most antient writers Now that these Suethidi are no other then the present Suethlanders appeareth 1. by the propinquity of the names 2 In that he maketh the Finni and Finnaithae the next neighbours to them and 3 in that they are affirmed by the same Authour to have furnished the Romans with rich Furs and the skins oâ— wilde Beasts with which commodities this countrey is aboundantly well stored Now to which of these two Nations either the Suiones or the Suethidi those of Sweden are most endebted for their originall will I conceive be no great controversie the Suethans and Suethidi of Jornandes being no other then a tribe of the Suiones though the greatest and most powerfull of all those triles placed therefore in the front to command the rest and so most like to give the name unto the whole Their government was antiently under Kings affirmed so to be by Tacitus who telleth us also that they were absolute and free nullis exceptionibus non precario jure regnandi not bound in Câ—venant with their people nor holding their Estates at the will of the Subject But their Historians have gone for Antiquity hereof beyond the story of Brute or the Trojan warre beyond which very few of that strain have dared to pretend as high as unto Magog the son of Japhet reigning here within 90 years after the flood But letting passe these dreams and dotages of the Monkish times certain it is that sometimes they were under the Danes sometimes under the Norwegians sometimes had distinct Kings of their owne and finally sometimes were comprehended with the Danes and Norwegians under the generall name of Normans conducted by one King or Captain upon forain actions Omitting therefore the succession of their former kings of whose very being there is cause to make great question we will begin our Catalogue of them with Jermanicus who entertained Harald King of Denmark and his brother Regenfride driven out of that kingdome by Gottricus or Godfrey the Contemporary of Charlemagne of whose successours Munster giveth us more certainty The KINGS of SWEDEN 1 Jermanicus 2 Frotho 3 Herotus 4 Sorlus 5 Biornus 6 Wichsertus 7 Ericus 8 Ostenus 9 Sturbiornus 10 Ericus II. 11 Olaus 12 Edmundus 13 Stinkalis 14 Halsienus 15 Animander 16 Aquinus 17 Magnus 1150 18 Sherco 13. 1160 19 Carolus 8. 1168 20 Canutus 54. 1222 21 Ericus III. 27. 1249 22 Bingerius 2. 1251 23 Waldemarus 26. 1277 24 Mognus II. 13. 1290 25 Birgerius II. 23. 1313 26 Magnus III. son to Ericus the brother of Byrgerius was also chosen King of Norwey 1326 27 Magnus IV. King of Sweden and Norwey which last he gave in his life time to Hayvin or Aquinus his second son and after the death of Ericus his eldest son his designed successour in this Crown was outed of this kingdome by the practise of 1463 28 Albert Duke of Mecklenburg son of Euphemia the sister of Magnus the fourth to the prejudice of Aquinus king of Denmark and Norwey made King of Sweden on that quarrell vanquished by Margaret Queen of Denmark and Norwey widow of Aquinus anno 1387. to whom desirous of liberty he resigned his Kingdom and dyed in his own countrey anno 1407. 1387 29 Margaret Queen of Denmark Sweden and Norwey the Semiramis of Germany having united the three Kingdomes under her command caused an Act of State to be passed in Colmar a chiefe town of Swethland for the perpetuation of this union unto her successours the Lawes and Priviledges of each Kingdome continuing as before they were 1411 30 Ericus IV. Duke of Pomeren adopted by Margaret of whose sister Ingelburgis he was descended was in her life time chosen King of the three Kingdomes into which he succeeds actually after her decease but outed of them all by a strong faction raised against him anno 1439. he dyed in a private estate in Pomeren anno 1559. 1439 31 Christopher Count Palatine and Duke of Bavier in title only son of the Lady Margaret sister of Ericus succeeded in all three Kingdomes After whose death the Swethlanders being weary of the Danish Government broke the agreement made at Colmar for the uniting of the three Kingdomes under one Prince and chose one Carolus Caâ—utus to be their King anno 1448. 1448 32 Carolus Canutus one of the meanest of the Nobility and not long pleasing to the great ones whose displeasure when he had incurred and feared the consequents thereof hee gathereth together all the treasure he could fled unto Dantzick and there ended his dayes 1455 33 Christiern King of Denmark and Norwey called in by a party of the Swedes and crowned King of Swethland but outed againe under colour that he had not kept conditions with them the kingdome governed after that for a time by Marshals 1458 34 John King of Denmark and Norwey the sonne of Christiern received king by the Swedes then overpowered by the Muscovite but their turne being served they expelled him againe returning to their former government under Marshals Of which Marshals descended from Steno Stur the Uncle of Carolus Canutus by his Mothers side there were three in
abandoned the title of King only and used that of Prince or Duke 1003 20 Boleslaus III. son of Vladislaus 1140 21 Vladislaus II. son of Boleslaus the third outed by his Brethren and at last estated in Silesia united formerly to Poland from the time of Lechus 1146 22 Boleslaus IV. brother of Vladislaus the second 1174 23 Miecislaus III. brother of Boleslaus and Vladislaus deposed by his brother Casimir 1178 24 Casimir II. brother of the three last Princes 1195 25 Lescus V. son of Casimir the second deposed by Miecislaus the third 1203 26 Vladislaus III. son of Miecislaus the third deposed by Lescus the fift who again seised on the Estate 1243 27 Boleslaus V. surnamed Pudicus 1280 28 Lescus VI. surnamed Niger the adopted son of Boleslaus and his Cousen German once removed after whose death anno 1289. the estate being distracted into many fations was for some time without a Prince setled at last on 1295 29 Primislaus surnamed Postbumus who againe assumed the name of King continued ever since by his successours 1296 30 Vladislaus surnamed Locticus brother of Lescus Niger outed by Wenceslaus King of Bohemia anno 1300. after whose death anno 1306. he resumed the estate 1333 31 Casimir III. surnamed the Great son of Vladislaus the fourth the first establisher of the kingdom after all those troublesd yed without issue 1371 32 Lewis king of Hungary son of Charles King of Hungary by Elizabeth the sister of Casimir 1383 33 Heduigis the youngest daughter of Lewis her elder sister Mary succeeding in the Realm of Hungary chosen Queen of Poland marryed to Jagello Duke of Lituania Christened and called Vladislaus the fift 1386 34 Valdislaus V. Duke of Lituania elected King upon his marriage with Queene Heduigis 1435 35 Vladislaus VI. son of Jagello or Vladislaus the fift by Sephia daughter of the Duke of Kiovia He was King of Hungary also slaine at the battell of Varna by Amurath the second King of the Turkes without issue 1447 36 Casimir IV. brother of Vladislaus first brought the Knights of Prussia under his command Knight of the order of Garter 1493 37 John Albert the second sonne of Casimir his elder Brother Vladislaus being pretermitted on his accepting of the Crowns of Hungarie and Bohemia 1502 38 Alexander the third son of Casimir 1507 39 Sigismund the fourth sonne of Casimir his elder Brethren dying without issue suppressed the Order of the Dutch Knights in Prussia and added part thereof unto his estate 1548 40 Sigismund II. surnamed Augustus the last of the male issue of Jagello 1574 41 Henry Duke of Aniou son of Henry the second French King chosen on the death of Sigismund Augustus the onely Stranger to the bloud in all this Catalogue On the death of his brother Charles the ninth he departed secretly into France where he succeeded by the name of Henry the third 1579 42 Stephen Bathor Vaivod of Transylvania having marryed Anne sister of Sigismund the second is elected King he united Livonia to the Crown and had a great hand upon the Moscovite 1587 43 Sigismund III. son of John King of Swethland and Catharine his wife another of the sisters of Sigismund the second King of Poland and Sweden He valiautly opposed Osman the Great Turke invading his Dominions with an Army 300000. 1633 44 Vladislaus VII eldest son of Sigismund the third after whose death the kingdom was extremely embroyled by factions especially by the mutinous and seditious Cosaques not fully setled by the election of 1648 45 Casimir V. Brother of Vladislaus the seventh now king of Poland anno 1648. The Government of this kingdome is nothing lesse then Monarchicall For though the first Dukes hereof were absolute Princes and ruled after a Despoticall manner having power not onely of the estates of their subjects but of life and death without formalities of Law yet when they once became elective they lost much of that power which decayed so by little and little that at the last the King is counted little better then a Royall shadow Stat magni nominis umbra in the Poets language A diminution which began first in the times of Lewis of Hungarie and Jagello of Lituania who to gaine the succession to the kingdome contrary to Law the one for his daughter the other for his sonne departed with many of their Royalties and Prerogatives to buy the voices of the Nobility Since which time the Nobilitie in all their elections have so limited and restrained the Kings authority and enlarged their own that without their consent in Counsell he may neither make war nor treat of peace nor impose taxes nor alienate any of his Demeanes nor do any thing of importance which concernes the Publick in so much as Boterus a great Statesman doth expressely say that the Government of Poland doth rather seem an Aristoratie then a Monarchie a Common-wealth rather then a Kingdome Besides the King not onely takes a solemn Oath at his Coronation to confirme all the rights and Priviledges which have been granted to the Subject by his Predecessours but addes this clause quod si Sacramentum meum violavero incolae Regni nullam nobis obedientiam praestare tenebuntur that if he violate this Oath his Subjects shall not be obliged to yeeld him any obedience Which as Bodinus well observeth doth rather savour of the condition of a Prince of the Senate then of the Majestie of a King respected accordingly by the great ones who looke not on him as their King but their elder Brother or perhaps not that and reckon his Decrees but of three dayes lasting Which notwithstanding the King once chosen and inthroned hath sole power in many things without consulting with the Senate as viz. in assembling Diets choosing the secular Counsellers disposing absolutely of his Vassals and the Revenues of the Crown to what use he pleaseth being â—ole Judge of the Nobility in Criminall causes which is a strong bridle to raine them in with By which and either uniting himself unto the Clergy or the well-forming of his party amongst the Noâ—â—lity hee may doe many things not allowable in strictnesse of Law the power and influence which he hath in the publick Government being proportionable to the strength of his wit and Brain And here it is to be observed that none but the Clergie and Nobilitie have any suffrage in the election of the King that is to say the 26 Palatines and 60 Chastellans with the four Marshals and some others of the principall Officers of State in behalf of the Nobility and the Archbâ—shops and Bishops in the name of the Clergie but of the Commons none at all Which is the reason why there is so much care taken to preserve the priviledges of the two first Orders without obtaining any immuties for reliefe of the third most miserably oppressed on all sides rather as Bondmen then Tenants in respect of their Lords and not so much subjects as plain slaves in regard of the King whereof somewhat
mentioned in the stories of Greece and Rome 2 The ABSYRTIDES are in number many so called from the River Absyrtus which thereabout falls into the Adriatick according unto that of Lucan Ei cadit Adriacas spumans Absyrtus in undas Absyrtus foaming with his hast Into the Adria falls at last But whether that river were so called by the Colchians at their landing there in memorie of Absyrtas the son of Aetas King of Colchis whom they went to seek or for some other reason I determine not Certain I am it could not be so named from the scattering of his limbs hereabouts by Medea his unnaturall sister as is said by Plinie that cruell fact being done on the shores of the Euxine the place called Tomos afterwards upon that occasion But for these Islands being in number many as before was said two only are of speciall note that is to say 1 Vegia or Viglio not far from Zegna on the firm land containing in compasse betwixt 80 and 100 miles and about 10000 Inhabitants the most populous of all these Seas It hath a town of the same name with a very fair harbour the Island by Plinie called Curieta the chief towns of it in his time being Pfulfinium and Curicum 2 Absorus as Ptolemie Absyrtium as Plinie calls it in whose time it was one Island only but now divided into two by the Venetians letting in the Sea betwixt them the one of them is called Cherso the other Osero both joyned together by a Bridge made by the Venetians and both together making up 140 miles in compasse each of them having one town only and that of the same name with the Island the Inhabitants in both not exceeding 5000 persons Stored with sufficiencie of corn plentie of wine and abundance of wood great quantities whereof are sent yearly to Venice They have also goodly heards of Cattle and great flocks of sheep affording by their flesh wool cheese and butter a good increase of profit to the owners of them 3 The Islands of Ragusi for so I call them which belong to that Common-wealth are but three in number 1 Gravosa a very pleasant place full of Gardens of Oranges Lemmons and Pomegranates 2 Languste environed about with very high Mountains in which are the Ragusians Farms made rich by the great charge and industrie of the severall Occupants so as to yeeld them wine oil and most excellent fruits which they receive more plentifully from a goodly Plain situate in the midst hereof and naturally more fruitfull then the other parts Near to this last Island is good fishing for Sprats and in both an Art of making their trees to bring forth Oysters by bending down their boughes and staying them under the water with stones so as in two years there are so many Oysters fastned unto them as is strange to see and in the third year they are very good meat 3 Melida lying betwixt Ragusi and the Isle of Curzola by Plinie called Melita and on that ground supposed by some to be that Island on which S. Paul did suffer shipwrack Acts 29. But the name of Barbarous which the Text joynes to the Inhabitants of it not proper to an Island betwixt Greece and Italie in the times of S. Paul and his landing there in Syracusa an Haven of Sicil so far from this so near unto the other Melita which is now called Malta sufficiently refell this fancie though otherwise not improbably grounded 4 Of those which are known only by one single name the chief are ARBE so called in the time of Plinie from the best town of it but by Ptolemie it is named Scardona A pleasant Island in compasse about 30 miles and containing some 3000 Inhabitants the only Haven-lesse Isle of all the Adriatick but that defect abundantly recompensed by the naturall sweetnesse of the place Which so enticed certaine dissolute Rovers of Austria that they seised upon it anno 1618. and had like to have occasioned an heavy war betwixt Ferdinand Archduke of the House of Gratz not long after chosen King of the Romans and the State of Venice if Philip the 3. of Spain had not made up the breach 5 CVRZOLA by Ptolemie and Strabo called Corcyra or Melaena more rightly Corcyra Melaena or Corcyra Nigra to difference it from Corcyra now Corfu in the Sea Ionian the chief town of it being of the same name with the Island was founded by the Gnidians of the Isle of Crete sufficiently fruitfull but of wine especially 40 miles long in compasse 90. and very populous for the bignesse notwithstanding that the people being Sea-faring men do much use the Seas and build many ships In the year 1571. a little after the taking of Cyprus and before the battel of Lepanto it was invaded by Vluz Aly Generall of the Turkish Fleet with a Navie of 60 Gallies for fear of whom Contarenus the Venetian Governour together with the Townsmen and Garrison Souldiers abandoned Curzola the chief town hereof The silly women thus forsaken and preferring death before dishonour defended the walls and with fire stones and such other weapons as they had they beat off the enemie till at the last a violent tempest forced the Turkish Generall to remove his Gallies further off to a place of safetie 6 ZARA LISSA BRAZZIA three small Isles not otherwise memorable but for theiâ— misfortunes spoiled by the Turks at their departure from Curzola who carryed thence 1600 Christians into cruell bondage The rest I purposely omit rather Rocks then Islands barren and stonie for the most part and not much inhabited The antient Inhabitants of Illyricum in the full extent of it comprehending Liburnia and Dalmatia were the Japodes bordering on Italy the Sâ—irtones or Scirtari confining upon Macedon the Mazaeâ— in the midst about Salona the Peirustae lying towards Pannonia the Derrii Ceraunii Daursii Vardae Siculâ—tae Sardiotae and others of inferiour note all making up the great and potent Nations of the Liburni and the Dalmatae and comprehended generally in the name of Illyrians Of these the Liburnian Illyrians Illyrici seu Liburni as they are indifferently called by Florus were the first who felt the Forces of Rome which growing State they had provoked by their frequent Piracies but more by murdering the Ambassadours which were sent unto them to require satisfaction Teuta their Queen a proud and Imperious Dame commanding execution to be done upon them Warred upon by the Romans for so many injuries under the conduct of Centimalus one of the Consuls they were overthrown as having more of the Pirate then the souldier in them some of their chief Nobility executed in revenge of the wrong done to the Ambassadours an yearly tribute imposed on them and the Queen deprived of the greatest part of her Kingdome conferred by the Romans on Demetrius Pharius one of their Confederats But he proving unfaithfull to them in their war with Hannibal and Gentius their last King who commanded over Illyricum siding against them with Perseus
King of Macedonia Anicius the Praetor is sent with a sufficient Army to make an end of that work Who used such diligence therein that Scordra the chief town of the Kingdome was taken and the King himselfe together with his wife and children made Prisoners by consequence the whole war ended antequam geri Romae nunciaretur before they knew at Rome that it was begun The Liburnians after this became quiet subjects the whole Countrey on taking of the Gentius being made a Province of the Romans anno V. C. 586. employed at Rome in many servile offices as before was said but them the Dalmatians began to cast off the yoke But Dalminium their chiefe City being first sacked by Martius Figulus and after by Nasica before mentioned they continued quiet and obedient till the time of Augustus Caesar when they againe rebelled at the instigation of one Batto a man very potent with the people who having ten years together maintained the liberty of his countrey at last broken and wearied by the forces of Germanicus and Tiberius he submitted himselfe unto the two Generals who asking the reason of his revolt were answered because the Romans sent not shepheards to keep but wolves to devoure their flockes Thus finally conquered it continued a Roman Province till the coming of Odoacer into Italy who brought it under his command as the Gothes also did having vanquished him and thereby made themselves Masters of Italy and the rest of his purchases But the kingdome of the Gothes being brought to an end by the good fortune of Justinian and the valour of Belisarius and Narses two of his Commanders but very ill requited by him Illyricum became a part of the Eastern Empire continuing under the power of the Grecian Emperours till the time of Phocas that bloudy Tyrant when made a prey unto the Sclaves Of these though we have spoken before in severall places as their fortunes and affaires have led us yet being this is the onely countrey which preserves their name we will here speake more exactly of them then we have done hitherto especially as to their manners name and first Originall and finally of their successes in this countrey And first for their Originall I take it for a thing past question that they were no other then naturall Sarmatians inhabiting on the North of the River Ister uniting themselves under this name in their undertakings and attempts on the Eastern Empire as the many Nations of Germany tooke the name of Frankes and Almans in their actions and achievements against the Western But why they took this name rather then another is not yet agreed on Some fetch the originall of it from Slowo which in the Sclavonian tongue signifieth a Speech or word because they were all of one common language others from Slawa signifying in that language Fame or Glory in regard of that great fame and honour which they had achieved by their successes on the Empire But when I finde a potent Nation of the Winithi Winuli or Vendi a Sarmatian people called Sclavini by Jornandes possessed in his time of the further shores of the River Ister opposite to Illyricum and Thrace and by that name wasting and forraging these Provinces and other parts of that Empire in the time of Justinian as we read in Procopius that they did I see no reason why wee should looke further for the name of Sclaves then from these Sclavini For having in the time of Phocâ— subdued this Countrey and called it Sclavinia or Sclavonia after their own name by that and other fortunate successes on the Eastern Empire and the honour they had thereby gotten they might very well induce the rest of the scattered tribes of the Sarmatians to unite together with them both in name and action and try their fortunes in the conquest of the West of Europe as these had done already on the East parts of it In which designe they sped so well that they became Masters of almost all those countreys which lie betwixt the River Vistula and the Euxine Sea the Adriatick and the Baltick communicating their language unto all the Provinces and Nations conquered by them and to most their manners rites and customs Their Government at first by Kings but so that the succession seldom held in a Race or Family and those that had the Throne did not long enjoy it For having a Law amongst themselves that hee who killed a Tyrant should succeed in his place they had few Kings whom some or other would not vote to be a Tyrant and then dispatch him out of the way that a greater Tyrant then himselfe as it commonly happeneth in such cases might possesse the Power Insomuch that they had a new king almost every year none of them for the space of an hundred yeares dying naturall deaths and all that while the People as it needs must be most miserably torn in peâ—ces by intestine wars Not cured of this distemper till the severall Tribes and Nations of them as Poles Moravians Bohemians these here and those of other Countries had their severall Princes succeeding one another in a Regular way Their Religion Gentilism at the first for being originally Heathens they worshipped such Gods as others of the Gentiles did Jessan for Jupiter Ladon for Pluto Marzim for Mars Zievane for Venus and Nian for Diana They had also a Goddesse called Pagode to whom they prayed for fair weather and a temperate Air. To their children they used to give no name till they began to grow great and then conducted them to the Temple of their Gods where they cut off their first hair and offered it as a pledge of their future service at which solemnity they called together their friends and kinsfolk to make merry with bankets dancing singing and all kinde of sports offering in sacrifice an Hog and wine mixed with honey somewhat like Metheglin But to returne unto the story the Sclaves thus setled in this countrey since called Sclavonia continued absolute Masters of it under the Title of Kings of Croatia and Dalmatia till the yeare 970. when growing unsufferable by their frequent Piracies and having ravished or surprized a company of Venetian Ladies they forced that State as the Liburnians did the Romans to make warre upon them Which ended in the losse of Lezina and Curzela two of their best Islands and almost all the Sea townes on the Coast of the Adriatick possessed for the most part since that time by the State of Venice a tribute also of 100 Barrels of Wine and a present to the Duke of 3000 Coney-skins being laid upon them Petro Vrseola being then Duke of Venice and Marcomir king of the Sclavonians Afterwards Zelamirus the last king dying without issue bequeathed the kingdome to his wife and she as freely to her brother Ladislaus king of Hungarie surnamed the Saint the right hereof accrewing by this means to the kings of Hungary but the possession of a great part of it remaining to the State of
and inhabit it together with them The town well seated in the middle of a pleasant Plain encompassed with an handsome wall and beautified with elegant buildings 8 Alba Julia now Weisenberg the Apulum of Ptolemie situate on a small brook then called Apnus but now Oratas whence it had the name Built on the side of an Hill near the River Maruch or Morusus over-looking a large and fruitfull Plain heretofore a Bishops See and the ordinary residence of the Prince or Vaivod of Transylvania but now a Garrison of Hungarian Souldiers holding it for the Emperour as King of Hungarie Chief towns belonging to the Hungarians and by them inhabited are 1 Varadin much mentioned in the stories of these later times since the Invasions of the Turks situate on the borders of Hungarie 2 Thorda built in or near the place where stood the Salinae of Ptolemie so called from the abundance of Salt-pits which were then about it 3 Enguedine by the Romans called Annium from a Causey leading to it raised by one Anuius and from him so named some fragments whereof are still remaining 4 Deva remarkable for a vein of the best Wines 5 Fenuschium affording very pleasant wines also not inferior to those of Vâ—nusium in Italie 6 Zilahi 7 Gela of which little memorable 8 Millenbach not far from which betwixt it and the Town of Bros is a very strong fortresse commanding a strait and narrow passage leading into this Countrie out of Hungarie In the North part hereof lyeth the Province called ZACVLEIA inhabited by the Scyculi or old brood of Seythians brought hither by Attila on his first conquest of this Countrie and here still continuing A people which have much in them of the ancient Hunn and had heretofore a peculiar language to themselves but now they speak the Hungarian generally differing in the Dialect only But though by the necessity of commerce and co-habitation they are brought into the same language they still retain their ancient customs governed by their own Laws and living after the same manner as the Switzers doe each of their Cantons seven in number being absolute in and of it self but all united with the Transylvanians and with one another for defence of the whole Country against the severall pretentions of the German and Turkish Emperours And though they doe acknowledge some subjection to the Emperour as King of Hungarie yet it is but what they list themselves being anciently priviledged from all taxes more then the paying of a Bull for every houshold at the Coronation of the new King when and how oft soever it may chance to happen Their Cantâ—ns Seds they call them are 1 Sepsâ— 2 Orbay 3 Kisdy 4 Czyk 5 Gyrgio or Vduarheli 6 Marous Zeek and 7 Aranias Zeek so called from the chief town in each division In former times no Nobleman nor any one of better means and greater eminence then other was known amongst them but now of late that parity or confusion rather is grown out of credit and some begin to over-top the rest both in power and title as in other places The first Inhabitants of the old Dacia whereof this Province was a part were the Anarti Taurisci Rhatacensii Cancoensii the Burredensii and Biephi c. first conquered by Lysimachus the great and mightie King of Thrace one of the renowned Captains of Alexander the Great in token whereof innumerable medals in the age of our Grand-fathers were found in this Countrie having his Image on the one side and this word Victoria on the other How they were afterwards subdued by the Emperour Trajan and quitted by Aurelianus hath been shewn already Being forsaken by the Romans it was won by the Goths their constant dwelling till forced over the Danow by the Hunnus the next possessours of this Countrie the road or thorow-fare from that time of those barbarous Nations which out of Asia made their inroads on the Europaeans Having been successively subdued by the Sclaves and Rosses this part hereof was conquered by Stephen the first King of Hungarie surnamed the Saint by whose perswasion and inducements they received the Gospell Governed after this time as a member of that Kingdome by a Deputie whom they called the Vaivod of Transylvania the word Vaivod signifying as much as Praefectus Militiae or a Lord Lieutenant a man by reason of the greatnesse of his place and power of most authoritie in that Kingdome The names and succession of these Vaivods till the time of John Huniades comes imperfectly to us but after that more clear and constant in this order following The VAIVODS and PRINCES of TRANSYLVANIA 1 John surnamed Huniades made Vaivod hereof by Vladislaus the 4. A man of great valour and renown the great Defender of his Country against the Turks whom he overthrew in many battels especially in that of Marous where he slew 50000 of them He died about the year 1458. 2 Stephen of the noble familie of Battori Vaivod in the time of Matthias King of Hungarie the son of Huniades 3 John II. surnamed de Sepusio after the death of Lewis the 2. chosen King of Hungarie of whom before 1526 4 Americus Bishop of Veradium made Vaivod by John de Sepusio on his taking of the Crowne of Hungarie treacherously murdered for not complying with the Turks anno 1534. 1540 5 Stephen Maysat a noble Hungarian but extremely ambitious having not long after the death of Americus usurped the Vaivodship was in the year 1540 confirmed in that dignitie 1541 6 Stephen III. son of John de Sepusio the late King of Hungarie by Solyman the Magnificent made Vaivod of Transylvania being then an Infant by whom deprived of his Kingdome of Hungarie not long before 7 Stephen IV. surnamed Battori made Vaivod by the Turk and afterwards on the commendation of Amurath the 3. chosen King of Poland 1575 8 Christopher Battori brother of Stephen on whose election unto Poland he succeeded here and was the first who leaving the title of Vaivod took that of Prince of Transylvania 9 Sigismund son of Christopher shook off the Turkish bondage defeated many of their Armies and slew some of their Bassas the Scanderberg of the times he lived in But not being able to hold out against so potent an adversarie he resigned his estate to Rodolphus the Emperour having for it in exchange the Dukedoms of Oppelen and Ratibor in Silesia and an annuall pension of 50000 Joachims But finding his pension ill paid he made a new resignation of it to 1599 10 Andrew Battori cousin of Sigismund slain within the year by the Vaivod of Valachia After whose death 1601 11 Rodolphus Emperour and King of Hungarie is admitted Prince of Transylvania on the second resignation of Sigismund But his Souldiers behaving themselves with too great insolence Sigismund was called back again but never well setled 1604 12 Justine Battori surnamed Botscay succeeded on the death of Sigismumd by the power of the Turkes by whose help he cleared the Country of the German
Souldiers 1608 13 Gabriel Battori of the familie of the former Princes succeeded by the favour of Achmet the Great Turk after whose death so welcome to his neighbours and subjects 1613 14 Bethlem Gabour by the same Achmet was made Prince of Transylvania a professed enemie of the house of Austria but one that with a great deal of noise did them little hurt 1630 15 Stephen Ragotzi on the death of Bethlem Gabour succeeded Prince by the power and favour of the Turks under whose Clitentele and protection he doth still enjoy it as his predecessours did before him against all pretentions of the Empire as on the other side defended by the Emperour and Crown of Poland from being made thrall unto the Turkes 2 MOLDAVIA MOLDAVIA is bounded on the East with the Sea on the West with Transylvania on the North with the River Niester the Tyras of Ptolemie and the Antients by which parted from Podolia a Province of POLAND and on the South with Walachia It is so called as some say quast Moetavia from its neernesse to the fens of Moeotis or rather from the Hunnes and other people of those fennes who possessed the same Others conceive that it was at first called Maurdavia i. e. nigrorum Davorum Regio the countrey of the black Davi for by the name of Davi were the Dacians called as we finde in Strabo and some others so named from their complexion or the colour of their Caps and other garments as Nigra Russta a neere neighbouring Province of the Realm of Poland on the like occasion But the more probable opinion as I take it is that it tooke this name from the River Moldava which runneth through it as the Moravians had that name from the River Morava The countrey is very fruitfull in corn wine grasse and wood but more used for pasturage then tillage by reason of the great want of people to manure the land by meanes whereof it affordeth great plenty of Beefe and Mutton whereby they supply some parts of Poland and the populous City of Constantinople And these they issue out in so great a number that the tenth penny exacted by the Prince or Vaivod in the way of Custome amounteth to 150000 Crownes per annum and yet the Clergy and the â—entry are diâ—charged of this impost But the maine trade of this Countrey is not driven by the Natives the Port-townes being â—ull of Armenians Jews Hungarians and Raguzian Merchants who forestall the Markets and barter all their corn and wine into Russia and Poland their skins wax honey powdered beefe Pulse and butter into Constantinople The countrey is in a manner round the Diameter each way being neere upon 300 English miles but so ill-inhabited by reason of the neighbourhood of the Turkes Tartars and Polonian Cosacks that certain English Gentlemen having in the yeare 1609. travelled at least 240 miles in the countrey could meet in all the way but nine townes and villages and for an hundred miles together the grasse so high that it rotted on the ground for want of Cattell to eat it and of men to order it So that we are not to expect in it many eminent Cities or townes of note though it afford two Archbishops and two Bishops Sees followers as all the rest of the people are of the traditions and doctrines of the Church of Greece The principall of those which be are 1 Occazoma or Zucconia the Vaivods seat 2 Fucciania 3 Fazeling of which little memorable 4 Kotjim a place of great strength on the borders of Poland by some called Cochina the ordinary magazeen of the countrey 5 Iassy commonly called Yas the chief Town for wealth and trade in all this Province 6 Bender Niester on the Euxine Sea 7 Polada neer the Danow 8 Bialograd or Bologrove situate on or neer the river Tyras now called a strong town against the Tartars and Polonians 9 Kele antiently called Achiâ—â—eia situate on the shores of the Euxine Sea for the most part compassed round with the waters of it and therefore said by Ptolemie to be an Island 10 Ac Germen of old called Asprocastron Moncastrum a very strong Town in the same coast also both taken by Baiazet the second Emperour of the Turkes anno 1485. But these three Towns are not so properly in Moldavia at least not in Moldavia properly so called as in a little Province called Bessarabia lying on the Euxine formerly counted part thereof till conquerred by the Turkes in the year aforesaid it became a member of that Empire A tract inhabited by the Bessâ— in the times of Ptolemie who being drivenout of their countrey by the Bulgarians setled themselves as some say in that part of Sclavonia which is now called Bosnia The whole Countrey following the fortune of Transylvania and the rest of Dacia till the coming of the Sclaves and Rosses was for a while accompted part of the Russian Empire till the dismembring of that Empire by the Tartars After which time it was sometimes Homager to the Polanders sometimes to the Hungarians according as the Vâ—ivods or Princes of it could finde best conditions By Mahomet the Great it was made Tributary to the Turkes but the Tribute at the first very light and easie not above 2000 Crownes per annum that mighty Emperour who aimed at more profitable conquests being loth to spend his Forces on so poore a purchase as the addition of this Province would have been unto him But Baiazet his son finding how fit it lay for the more absolute command of the Euxine Sea tooke in that part hereof which is called Bessarabia reducing it into the form of a Turkish Province anno 1485. as before was said imposing on the rest an increase of the former tribute and so left it unto the disposall of its naturall Princes After which time the Vaivods fearing to be made Vassals to the Turkes did many times rise in Armes against them aided therein sometimes by the Hungarians and sometimes by the Polander which last pretended to the Soveraignty and chiefage of it Bogdanus Vaivod hereof in the time of Selimus the second uniting himselfe more closely with the Pâ—loâ—ians became thereby suspected by the Turkish Tyrant who with a great power chaâ—ed him out of his countrey and gave the same unto one John a Moldavian born but bred up for the most part in the Turkish Court where he renounced his faith and was circumcised under the yeerly tribute of 60000 Crownes But John the new made Vaivod was no sooner setled but he returned again to his first Religion and for that cause grew lesse affected by the Turkesâ— Which being observed by the then Vaivod of Valachia he practised to obtain that dignity for his brother Peter offering to double the said tribute and to assist in subjugation of the Countrey The Turk accepting of these offers compounds an Army of 70000 Valachians 30000 Turkes and 3000 Hungarians with which they fall into Moldavia and were so gallantly received by
Sicyon the nineteenth King thereof and finally Peloponnesus from Pelops the son of Tantalus King of Phrygia and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Insula the word signifying as much as the Isle of Pelops But it is now of late called Morea and that a Maurorum incursionibus from the incursions of the Moores as Mercator thinketh It is conceived to be the most pleasant Countrie of all Greece abounding in all things necessarie for the life of man and in such also as do serve for delicacie and contentment only adorned with many goodly Plains swelled with fruitfull Hils well stored with Ports and Havens on all sides thereof And though no Country in the world for the bignesse of it hath suffered in the ruine of so many brave and stately Cities yet is it still the most populous and best inhabited of all the Continent of Greece Near the middle of it in Laconia is the Mount Taygetus from the top whereof there was no Citie of note in all this Peninsula but what might easily be seen A most gallant prospect The whole divided commonly into these 7 Provinces 1 Achaia propria 2 Elis 3 Messene 4 Arcadia Laconia 6 Argolis and 7 Corinthia 1 ACHAIA PROPRIA is bounded on the East with Argolis and Corinthia on the West with the Ionian Sea on the North with Sinus Corinthiacus or the Golfe of Lâ—panto on the South with Elis. So called from the Achaei the Inhabitants of it the adjunct propria being added to difference it from Achaia in the Continent or main land of Greece Places of most consideration in it are 1 Dyme situate in the most Western point of it on or near the Promontorie called Araxum the town now called Chiarenza and the Promontorie Cabo di Chiarenza Not far from which is another Promontorie or head-land of old called Antirrhium because opposite to another in Aetolia that was called Rhium divided by a very narrow strait or fretum which openeth into the Bay of Corinth fortified on each side with a Castle for defence thereof commonly called Dardanelli and sometimes Castelli di Lepanto 2 Aegium where Jupiter is said to have been nursed by a Goat whence it had the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek signifying a she Goat once a strong town now ruined and destroyed by the Turks called at this day Vostiza or Bostizan 3 Aegira once the chief Citie of all this tract situate on a steep and inaccessible hill now a small Village called Xilocastro 4 Olenus so named from Olenus the son of Jupiter and Anaxithea now called Chaminisa 5 Patrae situate at the very mouth of the Golfe opposite to Lepanto first called Arâ—e but being by one Patreus enlarged and walled took the name of Patrae which name it holdeth to this day being still called Patras the town of most note on the Bay of Corinth called from hence Golfo di Patras A town of good trade and much frequented not long since by the English Merchants who had here their Consul called the Consul of Mera but formerly more memorable for the death of S. Andrew the Apostle who here suffered Martyrdom 6 Pellene distant from the Sea about 60 furlongs the people whereof being constant to their old fashions of apparell occasioned the Proverb of Pellenaea vestis applyed to old cloaths out of fashion Here were once also the two Cities of 7 Helice and 8 Buris sunk by the violence of a tempest into the bottome of the Sea about the time of the battle of Leuctres Not to say any thing of 9 Tritae and 10 Phera two other towns hereof of note in the former times so little now remaining of them as if they had been sunk at the same time also But the chief town of all this Province if not a Province of it self is that of Sicyon situate not far from the Isthmus in the most Eastern parts hereof and giving to the territorie or adjoyning Country as once unto the whole Peninsula the name of Sicyonia The territorie rich especially in Olives and works of Iron the Citie the most ancient of all Greece built within little time of the generall flood and restauration of mankind first called Aegialia after Sicyonia by the names of the first and nineteenth Kings hereof by whom and their successours much adorned and beautified with Temples Altars Statues and Images of their severall Gods the ancientest Kingdome in the world the Assyrian and Aegyptian excepted only and perhaps not those It took beginning in the person of Aegialeus within 150 years after the deluge and 200 years before the death of Noah continuing in a race of Princes who swayed the affairs of Peloponnesus till overtopped by the growth and good fortune of the Kings of Argos The names of whom by reason of the undoubted antiquitie of this Kingdome I shall here subjoin in the ensuing Catalogue of The KINGS of SICYON A. M. 1860 1 Aegialeus 1910 2 Europs 1950 3 Telchin 1980 4 Apis 2004 5 Telxion 2055 6 Aegyras 2089 7 Eurymachus 2134 8 Leucidpus 2187 9 Mesapus 2234 10 Peratus 2280 11 Plemnaeus 2328 12 Orthoulis 2391 13 Marathon 2421 14 Marathus 2441 15 Echyreus 2496 16 Corax 2526 17 Epopeus 2561 18 Lamedon 2601 19 Sicyon 2646 20 Polybus 2686 21 Ianischus 2728 22 Phestus 2736 23 Adrastus 2740 24 Polyphides 2771 25 Pelasgus 2791 26 Xeuxippus the last King of Sicyon after whose death A. M. 2812. the estate hereof was governed by the Priests of Apollo seven of them successively one after another the first five only years a piece Amphictyon who was the sixt continuing 9 years in the Regencie and Charidemus the last of them ruling 18 years After whose death or departure I know not which A. M. 2844. the Heraclidae who about that time returned into Pelâ—ponnesus made themselves Masters of this Country there being no Kings of Sicyenia from this time forwards Of these Kings the most memorable were Aegialeus and Apis the first and fourth from whom this Peninsula had the names of Apia and Aegialia Aegirus the 6. giving name and being to the Citie Aegira spoken of before Marathon the 13. of whom perhaps the famous fields of Marathon in the other 〈◊〉 took denomination Epopeus the 17. who founded a Temple to Minerva and therein placed his own Monument or Tropheys Sicyon the 19. the Founder of the Citie of Sicyon or at least therepairer and enlarger of it Pelasgus the 25. from whom perhaps the Grecians might be called Pelasgi if not known formerly by that name After this time I finde no man of note who bare sway in Sicyon till the time of Aratus the speciall ornament of this town of which a Native and one of the principall establishers of the Achaean Common-wealth against the Spartans and Macedonians of which more hereafter in the generall History of Peloponnesus 2 The Country of ELIS hath on the East Arcadia on the West the Ionian Sea on the North Achaâ—a prepria on the South Messenia The chief Cities are
famous Poetesse At that time joined unto the sand but since by the violence of the Sea or the hand of man made into an Island according unto that of Ovid Leucada continuam veteres habuere Coloni Nunc Freta circumcunt That is to say Leucas in former times join'd to the land Environ'd round with waters now doth stand It was called Leucas from the whitenesse of the Rock or Promontorie having before the separation or disjunction of it been called Neritos the chief Town of it varying with the name of the Isle and Promontory both town and Island at this time called S. Maure taken by Bajazet the second from the State of Venice and by him given unto the Jews who doe still inhabit it at their expulsion out of Spaine 5 Nicopolis a Colonie of the Romans of great both wealth and beautie in the time of S. Paul who from hence dated his Epistle to Titus called in that Postscript Nicopolis of Macedonia because Epirus at that time was part of the Province of Macedon though afterwards a distinct Province of it selfe It was first built by Augustus Casar on a Promontory opposite unte Actium on the other side of the Bay that being the place where his Land souldiers were incamped before the Navall battell betwixt him and Mark Anthony and was thus called either in memory of his victory or from a poor man and his Asse whom he met there the day before For asking the mans name he told him that his name was Eutyches i. e. Fortunate and that the name of his Asse was Nicon i. e. Conquerour which happy Omen made his souldiers courageous and hopefull of victory and he in memory thereof erected here two brazen Images the one of the Asse the other of his Master It is now a small village called Prevesa 6. Actium on the Sea-shore nigh unto which Augustus and Antony fought for the Empire of the world The Navy of the later consisted of 500 Gallies the former had 250 onely but those crowned with victory Antonius shamefully deserting his souldiers to follow after Cleopatra who on the very first charge fled away for Egypt The town now ruined the Promontory upon which it stood called Cabbo di Figulo The Countrey was first peopled by Dodonim the son of Javan or at least by some of his posterity coming hither from the Isle of Rhodes whose memory was preserved a long time in the Towne of Dodona him or from him so denominated Afterwards being parted into severall Nations and those Nations united in the common name of Epirots it became a great and powerfull Kingdome governed by a race of Kings descending from Pyrrhus the sonne of Achilles and continuing till the time of Pyrrhus the sonne of Aeacides A man of such courage and magnanimity that he did not onely recover his owne Kingdome of which Cassander had deprived his Father but got the Kingdome of Macedon from Cassanders children outed of which he tried his fortunes with the Romans Anno Mundi 3683. V. C. 471. After his death this Kingdome was shrewdly shaken by the Macedonians and shortly after subdued by Paulus Aemilius who as we now said destroyed 70 Cities hereof in one day For desirous to satisfie his souldiers after his victory in Macedon he sent unto the Epirots for ten of the principall men of every City These he commanded to deliver up all the gold and silver which they had and to that end as he gave out he sent certaine companies of souldiers along with them unto whom he gave secret instructions that on a day by him appointed they should fall to fack every one the town whereunto they were sent A barbarous and bloudy decree 70 Cities confederate with the Romans ruined in one day and no fewer then 150000 Epirots made and sold for slaves But the chief motive which induced him to so great a cruelty was by dispeopling this countrey lying with a long and faire Sea-coast over against Italy to give the Romans opportunity to land their Armies without any resistance for the further progresse of their Forces into Macedon Thrace Moesia or where else they pleased Which ungodly policie was afterwards imitated by William the Conquerour who laid wast all that part of Hampshire since called New Forrest and therein 36 Parish Churches that he might have a safe landing place for his Norman Forces if the English should at any time endeavour to make head against him Being made subject to the Romans it was a while part of the Province of Macedonia but afterwards when Macedonia was made a Diocese it became a distinct Province of it selfe called by the name of Old Epirus to difference it from the Province of New Fpirus which lay Eastward of it At the division of the Empire it belonged to the Constantinopolitans and so continued till the taking of Constantinople by the Western Christians at what time Throdorus Angelus a Prince of the Imperiall family seised on Aetolia and Epirus as before is said and sped so well in his designs that he took the strong City of Durazzo from the State of Venice to whom it fell in the division of that spoil and cunningly if not treacherously intercepted Peter the third Emperor of the Latines whom as some say he caused to be murdered at a banquet After his death his whole Estate being divided into two parts Aetolia with that part hereof which is called Chaonia continued in his house till the time of Charles Prince of Aetolia and Epirus spoken of before after whose death it was subdued by Amurath the second as before was said The residue hereof together with that part of Macedon which is called Albania fell to the family of the Caâ—triots the last of which named John the Father of Scanderbeg seeing himself unable to resist that Tyrant who had already swallowed up all his neighbour Princes submitted his estate unto him and gave unto him all his sonnes for hostages No sooner was the old Prince dead but Amurath seised on his estate murdered his three eldest sonnes and caused George the youngest to be trained up in the Law of Mahâ—met who afterwards escaping out of his power and recovering all his Fathers countries assumed also the style or title of Prince of Epirus After whose death his children not being able to make good their game lost it to Mahomet the Great as shall be shewn more fully in the storie and description of Albania which is next to follow 4 ALBANIA ALBANIA is bounded on the East with Macedonia on the West with the Adriatick on the North with Sâ—lavonia on the South with Epirus The countrey mountainous and barren watred with few Rivers and those of no great note amongst the Antients as 1 Laus 2 Apsus 3 Paniasus 4 Celidnus all of them falling into the Adriatick It took this name from the Albani once the Inhabitants of this tract from whom the chiefe City hereof was called Albanopolis Other townes of most consideration are 1 Stetigrade or Vestigard called
Paphlagâ—nia by reason of his dangerous and ambitious practises after his death pretending to reform the State came unto Constantinople first made Protector afterwards consort in the Empire with young Alexius Whom having barbarously slain and got the Empire to himselfe he was not long after cruelly torne in pieces in a popular tumult 1185 62 Isaacius Angelus a noble man of Constantinople and of the same Comnenian race designed to death by Andronicus was in a popular election proclaimed his successour deposed by Alexius his own brother and his eyes put out 1195 63 Alexius Angelus deprived his brother and excluded his Nephew from the Empire but it held not long 64 Alexius Angelus II. son of Isaac Angelus who being unjustly thrust out of his Empire by his uncle Alexius had recourse to Philip the Western Emperour whose daughter Mary he had marryed who so prevailed with Pope Innocent the 3. that the armie prepared for the Holy Land was employed to restore him On the approach whereof Alexius the Usurper fled Alexius the young Emperour is seated in his fathers throne and not long after slain by Alexius Dueas In revenge whereof the Latines assault and win Constantinople make themselves Masters of the Empire and divide it amongst them alotting to the Venetians Candie many good towns of Pâ—loponnesus and most of the Islands to Boniface Marquesse of Montferrat the Kingdom of Thessalie to others of the Adventurers other liberall shares and finally to Baldwin Earl of Flanders the main body of the Empire with the title of Emperour EMPEROURS of the LATINES in CONSTANTINOPLE 1200 65 Baldwin Earl of Flanders first Emperour of the Latines reigning in Constantinople taken in fight by John King of Bulgaria coming to aid the Greeks and sent prisoner to Ternova where he was cruelly put to death 1202 66 Henry the brother of Baldwin repulsed the Bulgarians out of Greece and dyed a Conquerour 1215 67 Peter Count of Auxerre in France son in law of Henry cunningly entrapped by Theodorus Angelus a great Prince in Epirus whom he had besieged in Dyrrachium But of an Enemy being perswaded to become his ghest was there murdered by him 1220 68 Robert the son of Peter having seen the miserable usage of his beautifull Emperesse whom a young Burgundian formerly contracted to her had most despitefully mangled cutting off both her nose and ears dyed of hearts grief as he was coming back from Rome whither his melancholy had carried him to consult the Pope in his affairs 1227 69 Baldwin II. son of Robert by a former wife under the protection of John de Brenne the titularie King of Hierusalem succeeded in his fathers throne which having held for the space of 33 years he was forced to leave it the Citie of Constantinople being regained by the Greeks and the poor Prince compelled to sue in vain for succours to the French Venetians and other Princes of the West The EMPIRE restored unto the GREEKS 1260 70 Michael VIII surnamed Palaeologus extracted from the Comnenian Emperours Emperour of the Greeks in the Citie of Nice most fortunately recovered Constantinople the town being taken by a partie of 50 men secretly put into it by some Country labourers under the ruines of a mine Present in person at the Councell of Lyons at the perswasion of the Pope he admitted the Latine Ceremonies into the Churches of Greece for which greatly hated by his subjects and denyed the honour of Christian buriall 1283 71 Andronicus II. vexed with unnaturall wars by his Nephew Andronicus who rebelled against him 1328 72 Andronicus III. first partner with his grandfather afterwards sole Emperour 1541 73 John Palaeologus son of Andronicus the 3. in whose minoritie Contacuzenus his Protectour usurped the Empire and held it sometimes from him and sometimes with him till the year 1357. and then retired unto a Monasterie leaving the Empire unto John during whose reign the Turks first planted themselves in Europe 1484 74 Andronicus IV. the son of Johanmes Palaeologus 1387 75 Emanuel Palaeologus the son of the said John and brother of Andronicus the 4. in whose time Bajazet the sixt King of the Turks did besiege Constantinople but found such notable resistance that he could not force it 1417 76 John II. son of Andronicus the 4. 1420 77 John III. son of Emanuel Palaeologus in person at the Councell of Florence for reconciling of the Churches in hope thereby to get some aid from the Western Christians but it would not be 1444 78 Constantinus Palaeologus the brother of John the 3. In whose time the famous Citie of Constanitinople was taken by Mahomet the Great 1452. the miserable Emperour who had in vain gone from door to door to beg or borrow money to pay his souldiers which the Turks found in great abundance when they took the Citie being lamentably trod to death in the throng Now concerning this Empire of the Greeks we may observe some fatal contrarieties in one and the same name as first that Philip the father of Alexander laid the first foundation of the Macedonian Monarchie and Philip the father of Perseus ruined it Secondly that Baldwin was the first and Baldwin the last Emperour of the Latines in Consiantinople Thirdly that this town was built by a Constantine the son of Helena a Gregory being Patriarch and was lost by a Constantine the son of a Helena a Gregory being Patriarch also And fourthly the Turks have a Prophecie that as it was won by a Mahomet so it shall be lost by a Mahomet So Augusius was the first established Emperour of Rome and Augustulus the last Darius the son of Hystaspes the restorer and Darius the son of Arsamis the overthrower of the Persian Monarchie A like note I shall anon tell you of Hierusalem In the mean time I will present you with a fatall observation of the letter H as I find it thus versed in Albions England Not superstitiously I speak but H this letter still Hath been observed ominous to Englands good or ill First Hercules Hesione and Helen were the cause Of war to Troy Aeneas seed becoming so outlawes Humbor the Hunn with forein arms did first the Brutes invade Helen to Romes imperiall Throne the British Crown conveyd Hengist and Horsus first did plant the Saxons in this Isle Hungar and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed here long while At Harold had the Saxon end at Hardie-Cnute the Dane Henries the first and second did restore the English raign Fourth Henry first for Lancaster did Englands Crown obtain Seventh Henry jarring Lancaster and Yorke unites in peace Henry the eight did happily Romes irreligion cease A strange and ominous letter every mutation in our State being as it were ushered by it What were the Revenues of this Empire since the division of it into the East and West I could never yet learn That they were exceeding great may appear by three circumstances 1 Zonaras reporteth that the Emperour Basilius had in his treasury 200000 talents of gold besides infinite
King with 2000. horse 3. Eastward of Pontus Galaticus lieth Polemoniacus so called by the Romans either from Polemomum a chief town of this tract or from Polemo the last King hereof after whose death this Kingdome came unto the Romans Places of most importance in it 1. Polemonium on the Sea-side spoken of before 2. Hermanassa a Sea-town also more in the land 3. Neo-Coefarea now Nixaria the Metropolis of Polemoniacus when made a Province of it self 4. Zela enlarged by Pompey and called Megalopolis by Constantine laid unto the Province of Helenopontus 5. Sebaestia so called in honour of Augustus whom the Greeks called Sebastos a place of great strength and one of the first Townes in the Lesser Asia which held out against Tamerlane in revenge whereof when he had took it he caused 12000. men women and children to be most cruelly buried alive in some hollow pits which he had dagged for that purpose Nigh to this City is Mount Stella where Pompey gave Mithridates his fatal overthrow where also Tamerlane with an Army of 800000 of his Tartars encountred with Barazet the Turke comming to the reliese of Sebastia with an Armie of 500000 fighting men The assue of which fight was this that Bayazet having lost 200000. of his souldiers was himself taken prisona and carried by the insolent Conqueror in an iron cage against the barres whereof he beat out his brains 6. Barbanissa 7. Megalossus 8. Gozalvia c. not much observable in Story In this part of Pontus is the rise and fall of the River Thermodon on the bankes whereof the Amazones a sort of Warlike women are said to dwell so called either quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they used to cut off their right pappes that they might not be an impediment to their shooting or from a and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 since pane because they used not to eat bread or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because they used to live together They were originally of Schythia and accompanied their husbands to these parts about the time of the Scythians first irruptions into Asia in the time of Sesostris King of Egypt The leaders of this people into Cappadocia were Plinos and Scolpythus two young men of a great house whom a contrary action had banished They held a great hand over the Themiscyrii who inhabited this region and the Nations round about them At last they were by treachery all murdered But their wives now doubly vexed both with exile and widowhood and extremity of grief and fear producing its usual effect desperateresse they set upon the Conquerors under the Conduct of Lampedo and Marpesia and not onely overthrew them but also infinitely inlarged their Dominions The Amazon Queens 1. Lampedo Marpesia First Queens of the Amazones in these parts 2. Ortera 3. Antiopa whose sisters Hippolyte and Menalippe challenged Hercules and Theseus to single combate and were at last hardly vanquished to their eternal credits 4. Penhesilea who came with a troope of brave Viragoes to the aid of Priamus King of Troy she invented the Battaile axe and was at last slaine by Pyrrhus sonne to Achilles Long after her death reigned Thalestris who came to Alexander being in Hyrcania and plainly told him she came to be his bed-fellow which done she returned and at last by little and this Female Nation was extinct They used in matters of copulation to go to their neighbouring men thrice in a year if they brought forth males they sent them to their fathers if females they kept them and trained them up in all discipline of war and courage Of these more elsewhere 4. the most Eastern part of Pontus called CAPPADOCIUS for that it bordered on that Province and for a time was added to it by the Romans extended from Polemoniacus to Colchis and the River Euphrates the utmost boundaries of this Countrey Places of most consideration in it 1. Pharnacia built by Pharnaces a King of Pontus 2. Cerasu by Constantine laid unto the Province of Polemoniacus from whence Cherries were brought first to Rome Anno V. C. 680 called therefore Cerasa by the Latines 3. Ischopolis on the Euxine Sea as the others are And so is also 4. Trapezus now Trabezond the Imperial City of the Comneny here raigning over Cappadocia Galatia and these parts of Pontus An Empire founded first by Alexins Comnenus Nephew of the great Tyrant Andronicus Comnenus by his Son Emanuel who at the taking of Constant nopl by the Western Christians fled unto these parts which willingly submitted unto his command Anno 1200. Here his posterity flourished in great prosperity preserving the Majesty of the Empire in a better measure then the Constantinopilitans themselves till the time of David the last Emperour in whose reign the City of Trabezond and therewith all the whole dominion belonging to it was taken by Mahomet the Great the poor Emperour ledde prisoner into Greece and there cruelly murdered A famous Emporie and specially for the trade of fish caught by the People on the shores of the Euxine Sea here salted and from hence transported in great quantities to Constantinople Caffa and other places And for their better help herein it is said that there is a Mountain not far from this City affording a black stone which being beaten in a Mortar serves instead of salt wherewith they season the fish which they send abroad A City honored heretofore with the residence of the Lord Deputies or Lieutenants of the Grecian Emperour for defence of the outparts of the Euxine against the Persiant and now the Station of such Gallies as are maintained by the Grand Siegnour to scoure the coasts of the Black Sea and secure their trade More in the land stand 5. Zephiriam 6. Aza 7. Cocalia 8. Cordyle and many others named in Ptolomy but not else observable The antient Inhabitants of this Countrey were called LEUCOSYRI or White Syrians governed by a race of Kings descended from the Royall house of Achemenes King of Persia The first of them called Mithridates one of the seven Competitors for the Persian Kingdome on the death of Cambâ—ses But that honour failing on Darius of which more hereafter he seated himself in these remote parts of 〈◊〉 the Ancestour of many great and purssant Princes but none more memorable then one of his 〈◊〉 Regum Orientis post Alexandrum Aeagnum Maximus the most potent King of all the East since the time of Alexander the great as my Author hath it A Prince of great abilities both in war and councâ—ll and one who longer held it out against the Romans then Pyrrhus Anniball and the great Kings of 〈◊〉 and Syria had done together This was that famous Mithridates who being once a friend and confederate of the Roman took their part against Aristonious who would not consent to the admission of the Romans unto Pergamus according to the will of Attalus Afterward conceiving an ambitious hope to obtain the Monarchy of Asia in one night he plotted
his Sister to Pharnaces a noble Persian who had saved him from the fury of a ravenous Lion running upon him with full mouth as he was a hunting A noble loyalty and no lesse royally rewarded From him descended Ariarathes King hereof in the time of Alexander the Great continuing stedfast in his duty to the Crown of Persia when almost all the rest of the Kings of Asia yielded to the Enemy Nor did Alexander call him to account in his march for Persia But after his decease Perdiccas having the command of the Army set upon him vanquished him and most cruelly crucified him together with as many of his kindred as could be found One of his Sonnes who fortunately had escaped this slaughter spying his time when the Maccdonians were at warres amongst themselves recovered his estate again and passed it over to his off-spring continuing in his line without any subjection till the time of that Ariobarzanes who by Mithridates was deprived of his dominion as was told before Restored again unto his Kingdome by the power of the Romans he became their Homager holding as did his Successours by their courtesie onely Continuing yet in state of Kings till the death of Archelaus the last King hereof Who having angred Tiberius for not attending on him when he lived at Rhodes during the life-time of Augustus as did others of the tributary States and Princes was by him then possessed of the Empire cited unto Rome under colour of projecting somewhat against the State Where the old Prince even spent with Age the Cout and some other diseases had without question been condemned by the servile Senate but that one of the Witnesses deposed that he had said that if ever he went back into Cappadocia Tiberius should find quales sibi nervi essent what a man he was Which moved such a laughter in the Senate the old King being neither able to sit nor stand that he was dismissed Tiberius thinking that he could not punish him more effectually than to let him live A favour which the old King construed to the best and in the way of gratitude bequeathed his Kingdome at his death to the Empire of Rome Being added to the Roman Empire it was exceedingly enlarged by the addition of the greatest part of the Kingdome of Pontus and so it stood in the time of Ptolomy who reckoneth Pontus Galaticus Cappadocius and Polemoniacus as parts and members of this Province Divided besides those into these eight Praefectures that is to say Clamaniensis Sarguransene Gardaocreta Cilicia Tyanidis Lycaonia Antiochiana and Cataonia But Pontus Lycaonia and Antiochiana he meanes Pisidia as I take it being made Provinces of themselves by the Emperour Constantine it returned unto its naturall bounds and made one Province of the Empire of which Caesarea as is said before was the Metropolitan and so remained till the Emperour Valens ae great Patron of the Arian faction of purpose to despight St. Basil who opposed that heresie created another Province out of it called Cappadocia secunda whereof the Metropolis was Tyana After this it continued part of the Eastern Empire till the erecting of the new Empire of Trabezond together with which it fell unto the hands of the Turkes by whom the whole Province with the addition of Pontus is now called Amasia after the name of that City which the Beglerbeg of Anatolia honoureth with his residence and is said to yield yearly to the Grand Seigneur 60000. Ducats 6. ARMENIA MINOR ARMENIA MINOR is bounded on the East with Euphrates which parteth is from Armenia Maâ—or on the South with Mount Taurus which separates it from Cilicia on the West and North with a long chain of hills called Mons Scordiscus by some called Mons Amanus by others Anti-â—aurus according to the change of places by which divided from Cappadocia Of the reason of the name hereafter The Countrey of the same nature with Cappadocia before described in some parts over-grown with Mountains by which and by the River Euphrâ—â—es so inclosed and fenced that it is difficult of entrance in others pleasant and delightfull well watered with sweet streams and some fair Rivers issuing out of the Mountains the principall whereof is Melas so called from the blacknesse of the water thereof which â—alleth into the Euphrâ—â—es Divided in the time of the Romans into these four Regions that is to say Laviana Aravena Meâ—â—ene lying on the Euphrates Marâ—â—â—â— more within the land towards Cappadocia each of which had their severall Câ—â—ies whose names are to be found in Ptolomie The principall 1. Melitenâ— the chief City of the Region so called and the Metropolis of the lesser Armenia Called afterwards Malaxia and now Suur the territory thereof abounding in Oyle and Wine not inferiour to the best of Greece The City said by Onuphrius to be a Colonie of the Romans much spoken of by Eusebius and other writers of Ecâ— estiasticall story for the piety of the Christians there inhabiting in the fiery times of Per 〈◊〉 2. Nicopolis and 3. Oroâ—â—andus in the Mountain Countries the former built by Pompey in memory of his victory there obtained against the forces of Tigranes King of Syria and both Armonia's 4. Garnace a well â—ortified town mentioned by Tacâ—tus in the twelfth book of his Annals and by him called Gorneas 5. Cuousâ—n and 6. Arabyssus memorable for the exile of Saint Crrsostome Patriarch of Constantinple confined unto these places by the power and malice of the Empresse Eudoxia by whom hated for his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in points of faith who dying afterwards at Comana of Cappadocia was there interred This Countrey was once part of Cappadocia till the Armenians by their incursions and Colonies pessessed themselves of it and gave unto it the name of Armenia Minor continuing part of their estate till the warre of 〈◊〉 against the Romans Who being discomfited by Lucullus fled with two thousand hâ—rse to the Court of Tigranes the Armenian who had married his daughter By whom at first neglected and not suffered to come into his presence but afterwards on the apprehension of the common danger more esteemed and set by insomuch that his royall entertainment there and the refusall of Tigranes to yield him up when required by the Romanâ— occasioned Lucullus to bring his forces into these parts subduing all before him to the bankes of Euphrate His victories being seconded by Pomper and confirmed by Augustus this Countrey was made a Province of the Roman Empire the greater Armâ—nia lying on the other side of that River though conquered also in that warre not being taken into the accompt of the Roman Provinces till the time of Traian Augustus thinking it an high point of wisdome as no doubt it was not to extend the Empire beyond those bankes After this it continued Roman till the declining times of the Eastern Empire when wasted by the Persians and subdued by the Turkes by whom called Genech or as some say Pegia And so much of the Provinces of the
more pleasant plaines of the Greater Phrygiâ— where the City of Cimmeris the posterity of Gomer being generally called Cimmerians did preserve his memory And as for Aâ—kenaz he first took up his dwelling in the Lesser Phrygia and the banks of the Hellespont where was antiently a City and Territory called Ascania some Isles adjoining called Insuloe Ascanioe the name of Ascanius also very frequent in Troy it self An antient people they were doubtlesse esteemed the antientest of the world by Psamniticus King of Egypt upon this experiment Desitous to inform himself to what Nation the priviledge of Antiquity did of right belong he caused two Children to be kept in a fold where they were suckled by goates all mankind being prohibited upon very great penalties to have recourse to them All the language which the children learned from their speechlesse nurses was no more then Bec which in the Phrygian language signifieth Bread and being of no signification at all in any other which was then known to the Aegyptians gave up the Verdict on their side But other Nations of the world not yielding to this sentence by a Writ of Errour or an Ad meliùs inquirendum impannell'd a new Jurie wherein it was pronounced on the Scythians side Seytharum gens semper antiquissima Where by the way Goropius Becanus makes the like use of this experiment to prove the High-Dutch to be the Original or Mother-tongue of the world because Becker in that language signifieth as with us a Baker or a maker of Bread In this Countrey reigned Niobe who preferring her self before Latona the mother of Phoebus and Diana had her Children slain before her face by an unseen meanes and was her self turned into a stone as the Poets fable Here also reigned Tantalus who being rich and wanting wisdome to make use of it is feigned to stand in hell up to the chin in water and that too under a tree whose fruit toucheth his lips yet both the one and the other flie from him when he offereth at them Of which thus Ovid Tibi Tantale nullae Deprenduntur aquae quaeque imminet effugit arbor In English thus Thou canst not Tantalus those waters tast The tree just at thy lippes flies off as fast But this race of Kings being worn out by the tyranny of time or war the Phrygians were made subject to the Kings of Lydia continuing under their command till the conquest of Lydia by the Persians with which they fell together to the Crown thereof not made the stronger by the accession of effeminate Subjects Gained from them by the sword of Alexander they fell unto Antigonus one of his great Captains and on his overthrow at the battell of Ipsus to Seleucus the Conquerour the first King of that race following the same fortune after that with the rest of Asia till they came to be possessed by the Romans and made a Province of that Empire But Constantine laying to it the Greater Mysia made two Provinces of it the one called Salutaris from some miraculous cures there wrought by the Arck-Angel Michael as was then generally believed the other called Pacatiana from Pacatianus who in the time of the said Constantine was Praefect for the Praetorium of the East and divers years before had began his honours with the Lieutenantship of Britain In the declining of the Constantinopolitans it became a prey unto the Turkts of the Selzuccian Family possessed by them till the death of Aladine the last King of that race when seized upon together with the Greater Mysia and those parts of Lydia which lay next unto it by Aidin a great Turkish Prince and made a peculiar Kingdome called by his name Aidinia or Aidin-Illi extorted shortly from his heires by the house of Ottoman 10. MYSIA INterposed betwixt the two Phrygia's lieth the Countrey of MYSIA bounded on the East with Phrygia Major on the West with Phrygia Minor and the Aegean Sea on the North with parts of Bithynia Propontis and the Hellespont and on the South with part of Lydia Aeolis and the Aegean So called from the Mysians the Inhabitants of it Whether these Mysians were originally a Phrygian Nation or some inter-lopers which thrust in afterwards amongst them I find not determined Most probable it is they were naturall Phrygians being as superstitious in the worship of their severall Deities as any Phrygian of them all and that they had this name given them by the Lydians from the abundance of Beech-trees which grow amongst them by them called Mysae A people of so base and contemptible quality that it grew into a common proverb to call a fellow of no worth Mysiorum postremus The principall Mountain of this Countrey is that called Olympus situate in the north-parts hereof bordering towards Bithyma which as it is called Olympus Mysius to difference it from Olympus in Greece so the people of the Greater Mysia where this Mountain is are called Olympeni to difference them from the Mysii or Masi of Europe And as for Rivers those of most note besides Aesopus parting it from Troas or the Lesser Phrvgia are 1. Caicus on whose bankes stand's the City of Pergamus and from thence passeth into the Aegean Sea at the Bay of Eloea and 2. the famous River of Granicus which hath his fountain in Mysia Major and passing through Mysia Minor falleth into the Propontis A River memorable for the Victory which Alexander obtained on the bankes hereof in his first essay against the Persians by whom upon the first noyse of his preparations he was so slighted that Darius King of Persia gave command to his Leiutenants residing in Asia Minor that they should take him alive whip him with rods and so convey him to his presence A notoble example of pride and fall of the Persians But Alexander soon taught them another lesson For though the Persians were possessed of the higher bankes of the River with an intent to stop his passage yet he resolved to charge them in the face of their strength knowing full well that if he could beat them on a place of so great advantage he should not onely lessen them in point of reputation but beget an opinion of himself that he was invincible And so accordingly it proved the Persians being vanquished by him and all the Kingdomes and Provinces of this Asia submitting to him on the noyse of the Victory as an Enemy not to be resisted upon equall termes some few Townes excepted And therefore it was wisely advised by Machiavell that he who takes upon him to defend a passage should with his ablest forces oppose the Assailant because in all invasions where the Nations invaded have been beaten upon a great advantage of place as defence of Rivers Streets and Mountaines they do not onely dishearten their Souldiers from dealing afterwards on even ground with that enemy but leave no hope unto their fellowes and partakers of being succoured and defended by such weak Protectors Which caution if the Persians Commanders had observed
Kingdome of the Caramanians continuing theirs till the destruction of that line by Bajazet the second Anno 1486. by whom incorporated with the rest of the Ottoman Empire Thus having made our Progress over all the Provinces of the Lesser Asia and shewn how every one of them was made subject to the Turkish Tyranny we must next draw down the Succession of such Turkish Kings as have reigned herein till it was wholly conquered by the Princes of the house of Ottoman Concerning which we are to know in the way of Preamble that the Turks having made themselves Masters of the Kingdome of Persia and following their successes into Syria also fell to a breach amongst themselves For making up whereof it was condescended unto by Axan the then Persian Sultan that Meloch and Ducat two of his discontented Kins-men should be infeoffed in the Cities of Aleppo and Damascus and their severall Territories with whatsoever they could conquer from the Caleph of Egypt possessed at that time of most part of Syria and some of the adjoining Provinces It was also then agreed upon that a third but neerer Kinsman called Cutlu Moses another of the Leaders of the opposite faction should have leave to conquer for himself whatsoever he could win from the Christian Princes And he accordingly being furnished with a competent Army subdued the Provinces of Media and Armenia in the Greater Asia with Cappadocia Pontus and Bithynia in Asia Minor Which and the rest of their affairs take here in the ensuing Catologue of The Turkish Kings in Asia Minor of the Selzuccian Family 1075. 1. Cutlu Moses Nephew to Trangolipix the first Persian Sultan of the Turks won Media part of Armenia Major Cappadocia Pontus and Bithynia 2. Solyman Son of Cutlu Moses for a while dispossed of most of his estates by the Westren Christians in their first passage towards the Holy Land 3. Mahomet the Sonne of Solyman recovered most of his estates in the Lesser Asia but outed of them and subbued by 4. Musat Sultan or Lord Deputy of Iconium but of the same Selzuccian family who was thereby possessed of all the Turkish Provinces in the Lesser Asia 5. Calisastlan the Sonne of Musat to whom his Father left Iconium with the adjacent Provinces wrested Amasia and Ancyra from his brother Jagupasan Sebastia and Caesareâ— from his brother Dodune which with their severall Territories were bequeathed unto them by the will of their Father He overthrow the Emp. Emanuel Comnenus and united Phrygia to his Kingdome 6. Reucratine the third Son of Calisastlan having dispossest his three brethren Masut Cappatine Caicosrhoes of the estates left them by their Father became sole Monarch of all the Turkish Provinces in the Lesser Asia In the later end of whose reign Occata the Tartarian Cham having driven the Turks out of Persia many of them under the conduct of Aladine a Prince of the same Selzuccian Family joined themselves to their Countreymen here with whose help they won Cilicia from the Grecian Emperours who in the reign of Calo-Johannes the Turks being then embroyled by the Western Christians had not long before regained it and after the decease of Reucratine advanced him to the whole estate The Turkish Kings in Asia Minor of the race of Aladine 7. Aladine descended in direct line from Cussanes the last Turkish Sultan in Persia having with many of his Nation seated himself in Cilicia first made Sebastia one of the Cities thereof his chief Seat or residence Which after the death of Reucratine he removed to Iconium as the antient Regall City of the former Kings 8. Azalide by some called Azadire eldest Son of Aladine wasted the most part of his reign in wars with his brother Jathatine whom at last he forced into exile 9. Jathatine on the death of his brother possesseth the Kingdome slain afterwards in single combate by Theodorus Lascaris Emp. of the Greeks at Nice 10. Jathatine II. Son of the former driven out of his Kingdome by the Tartars and dyed in exile the Turks becoming Tributaries and Vassals unto the Tartarian 11. Masut and Cei-cubades of the same Selzuccian Family but whether the Sons of the second Jathatine I am not able to say substituted in his place as Tributaries to the conquering Tartars 12. Aladine II. Son of Cei-cubades succeeded his Father in the Kingdome but as Vassall and Leigeman to the Tartars After whose death leaving no issue of his body the great Princes of his Family divided amongst them his Dominions To Sarachan fell Aeolis Ionia and part of Lydia from him named Sarchan Sarachan or Saracha-Illi to Aidin the rest of Lydia Phrygia Major and the greatest part of the Greater Mysia from him called Aidinia or Aidin-Illi to Carasus the Lesser Phrygia with the rest of Mysia from him denominated Carasan or Carasa-Illi To the Family of the Isfendiars the Cities of Heraclea Sinote and that part of Pontus which lieth next to Bithynia There were also lesser Toparchies or sub-divisions from whence we find a Prince of Smyrna a second of Amasia a third of Amisus a fourth of Scandcloro besides many others But the main body of the estate was seized by Caraman who for his share had the whole Provinces of Lycia Lycamia Pisidia Pamphylia Isauria Cilicia with the Regall City of Iconium the greatest part of Caria the rest of it appertaining to the Prince of Menâ—esia with part of Cappadocia and Armenia Minor and some Towns in Phrygia continuing in his family for as many descents as either of the formet had held before in great power and lustre under The Turkish Kings in Asia Minor of the house of Caraman 13. Caraman the first raiser of this family Contemporary with Ottoman the first King of that race 14. Aladine Son of Caraman and Son-in-Law of Amurath the first of the house of Ottoman by whom subdued but pardoned and restored unto his estate on the humble entreats of his wife 15. Aladine II. Son of the former subdued by Bajazet the first and hanged by Tertumases one of Bajazets great Commanders 16. Mahomet Son of Aladine the second recovered his Kingdome on the death of Bajazet vanquished and led captive by the mighty Tamerlane Afterwards warred upon and vanquished by Mahomet the Son of Bajazet redeemed his peace by yielding up unto him many of his principal Towns and was finally slain at the siege of Attalia 17. Ibrahim the Son of Mahomet and Son-in-Law of Amurath the second against whom unadvisedly raising war he was forced to submit and become his Tributary after whose death rebelling against Mahomet the Great he was then also vanquished and a reconciliation made betwixt them 18. Ibrahim II. by some called Pyramus the Son of Ibrahim the first supported Zemes brother of Bajazet the second in his warre against him for which Bajazet having setled his affairs invaded and subdued the Kingdome of Caramanta killed the unfortunate King in battel and so united that Estate unto the rest of the Dominions of the house of Oâ—toman The
woods that the people were not able to till the land Insomuch that notwithstanding the great wast made of them both in building ships and casting metals a law was made that every one which would should fell them and take as much ground in severalty for his own inheritance as he could overcome and make fit for tillage Encourged herewith the natural Cypriots together with the Colonies of Grecians Phoenicians and Aegyptians so bestirred themselves that at last they brought it unto Champagn parcelled out in succeeding times amongst nine Kings for so many Cyrus the great Persian Monarch found at his comming hither But Cyrus though he did subdue all those petit Princes yet he took not from them their estates or titles contented with the conquest of it and an annual tribute For after this in the time of Artaxerxes Mnemon we find Evagoras and Nicooles to whom Isocrates inscribed two of his Orations to be Kings hereof And in the time of Alexander the Great Citium it self such was the honour born unto the Mother-City had a King apart not subject unto any other The King whereof to indear himself with the Conquerour gave him a sword 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Plutarch an admirable sword both for colour and lightness which he after used in all his fights And after the death of Alexander his great Commanders cantoning his estates amongst them the Princes and people of this Iland were in great distractions not knowing to whom they might submit for their best advantage But Ptolomy who had seized on Egypt for his part of the spoil being strong in shipping settled them by a personal visit and fortifying some of the best pieces in it assured the Countrey to himself To him and his posterity it continued subject till the time of Ptolomy Auletes the nineth King of this line in our Accompt who gave it for a portion to one of his Brethren in whose time the Romans without any colour or pretence of quarrell but only to enrich themselves with the spoil of the Iland sent Portius Cato to subdue it And he at first assayed to get it with die Kings consent offering him in the name of the Roman Senate the Priest-hood of the Temple of Paphos being a rich and gainful Office and of high esteem among that people But when Ptolomy for fear of a worse mischief had made away himself by poison Cato without more ceremony takes possession of it And because Ammianus Marcellinus the Historian hath so significantly expressed this business and withall described so punctually the estate of this Iland we will adde to this discourse from him though somewhat be repeated which was said before Cyprum insulam procul à Continente distantem protuosam c. The Isle of Cyprus farre distant from the Continent and well stored with Harbours is famous besides many Municipall Towns by two principall Cities that is to say Salamis and Paphos the one sacred to Jupiter and the other to Venus An Isle so admirably fruitful and with all things furnished that without the help of any forrein Nation it is able of it self to build and rig forth a ship from the very keel unto the top-sail and trim it with all tackle necessary for a present voyage Nor do I shame to say that with greater avarice than justice the Romans did invade this Iland King Ptolomy our old Consederate and Ally being unworthily proscribed for no other reason but that our treasury was bare our Exchequor empty And he no sooner had prevented this dishonour by a quick and voluntary death making away himself by poison but the Iland was forthwith made tributary and the riches of it velut hostiles exuvioe classi imposit oe in urbem adduct oe per Catonem as the spoils of so re conquered enemy were brought on Ship-bord and conveyed by Cato unto Rome So far and to this purpose he I know there is another cause alleged for the sending of Cato on this Errand viz. that Clodius who was then Tribune and sped the Edict might have opportunity by his absence to revenge himself on Cicero and some others of the opposite faction but the main business was the money as before was said the prey amounting to 7000 Talents which comes to two Millions and one hundred thousand Crowns of coin now currant Which money and moveables amounting unto so vast a sum he fearing to lose by Sea divided it into many small portions which he put into several boxes viz. in every box two Talents and fifty Drachms At the end of every box he fastened a long rope with a piece of Cork by which floating above the water the money if by Shipwrack lost might be espied again which was not much unlike the buoyes which Mariners fasten by long ropes to their Anchors that they may be the sooner found We see by this that the pretence of the Romans to this Countrey was very weak Avariùs magis quam justius sumus assecuti are the words of Sextus Rutus also But being made a Roman Province it was in the division of the Empire assigned to the Constantinopolitan Emperours under whom it suffered as all other parts of the Empire did by the violent invasion of the Saracens who spoiled and ransacked it in the time of Constans the second destroying then the City of Salamis or Constantia But that tempest being overblown they returned again unto that Empire governed by a Succession of Dukes till the year 1184. At which time Androuicus Comnenus usurping the Greek Empire compelled Isaacibus 〈◊〉 one of the bloud Royal to shift for himself who seasing on this Iland made himself King thereof and ruling till the year 1191. when Richard the first of England being denyed the Common courtesie of taking in fresh water and seeing his Souldiers abused by the Cypriots not only took the King Prisoner but subdued the whole Iland And as Paterculus telleth us that when Marcus Antonius had captivated Aramasdes King of Armenia Catenis sed ne quid honori deesset aureis vinxit So did our Richard keep a decorum towards this Prisoner binding him not in bonds of Iron but silver King Richard having thus possessed himself of this Countrey sold it for ready money which for his mannaging of his intended wars against the Turk he most needed unto the Templers and taking it upon I know not what discontent again from them he bestowed it on Guy of Lusignam the titulary and miserable King of Hierutalem receiving in way of exchange the title of that lost and shipwracked Kingdome with which title be and some of his Successours for a time were honoured In the posterity of this Guy this Iland continued free and absolute till the year one thousand foure hundred twentythree when Melechella or Melechnaser Sultan of Egypt invaded this Countrey took John King hereof Prisoner ransomed him for 150000 Sultanies restored him to his Kingdome and imposed on him and his Successours the yearly tribute of 40000 Crowns This
Princely maintenance it is more than probable they would rest content as in other Kingdomes the younger Princes do And notwithstanding their barbarous policy in particular they are not quite free from fear as knowing the counterfeits have heretofore much disturbed the quiet of their Predecessours for thus we find Amurash the second to have been vexed by one that took upon him the name of Mustapha elder brother to Mahomet then late deceased who was much furthered and aided by the Greek Princes This hath been one of the vulgar policies of Princes to kindle flames of sedition in their neighbours Countreys In the infancy of the Roman Empire we find a counterfeit Agrippa after that a counterfeit Nero and before two counterfeit Alexanders in Syria But never was Realm so often troubled with these Mock-kings as England a counterfeit Richard the 2d being made in the time of Hen. the 4th a counterfeit Mortimer in the time of Hen. the 6th counterfeit Duke of York a ounterfeit Earl of Warwick under Henry the 7th and a counterfeit Edw. the 6th under Q. Mary To prevent these walking spirits Mahomet the third laid out the dead bodies of his Father and nineteen brethren as a common spectacle for all that passed by or would come to behold them Of late indeed the Grand Signeur Mustapha miraculously scaped the bow-string twice 1. when his brother Achmat and 2ly when Osmen his young Nephew were made Sultans and was the first that in this Empire did ever succeed in the collateral line as Ibrahim the late Sultan was the second on the death of Morat or Amurath the fourth his elder brother 4. The removing of the young Princes is done for three reasons 1. to wean them from the pleasures of the Court 2ly to train them up in arms and inure them to hardness 3ly and principally to avoid the danger of a Competitour where of old Princes are especially jealous The common places destinated to this Princely exile are Amasia in Cappadocia Magnesia in Lydia and such like Towns of Natolia Neither do the old Sultans by such a great distance think themselves secure altogether but carry a vigilant eye over their sonnes actions and have intelligence of almost every particular thought the least suspicion being cause sufficient to destroy them so we find Mustapha sonne to Solyman the hopefullest branch that ever sprang from the Ottomon tree to have been shamefully strangled by the command of his Father upon a rumour onely of a mariage which he was said to have negotiated with the Persian Kings Daughter When these Princes are once setled in their government it is a crime meriting no less punishment than death to depart thence and come unto Constantinople before their Fathers death or unless they are by their Fathers sent for Of this we have a Tragical example in Mahomet a Prince of great hope sonne to Bajazet the second who desiring to see the fashion of his Fathers Court left Magnesia to which he was by his Father confined and attended by two or three Gentlemen came in the habit of a seafaring man to Constantinople and having obtained his desire he returned to his charge This strange action being quickly divulged abroad and by divers variously entercepted stirred such jealousies in the suspicious head of his old Father that he took order not long after to have him secretly poisoned 5. As for the ordinary revenue it consisteth either in money received or in money saved The money saved is first by the Tartars of whom he commands continnally 60000 to attend him in his wars without any pay but the spoil of the Enemie And second by the Timariots who nourish and bring into the Field more horses than any Prince in Christendome can keep as we have already said for 14 millions of Gold The money received according to Boterus is only 15 millions of Sulianies which is nothing in respect of so great an Empire the chief reason whereof is the Tyrannicall government of the Turk which deters men from tillage merchandize and other improvements of their estates as knowing all their gettings to lie at the Grand Signieurs mercy His extraordinary revenue is uncredible For besides that no Embassadour commeth before him empty handed no man is master of his own wealth further than it stands with the Emperours liking so that his great Bassaes are but as spunges to suck up riches till their cofiers swell and then to be squeezed into his Treasury These men as he advanceth without envy so can he destroy without danger no man here hoping for Partakers if he should resist as not being ignorant that one mans fortune is built on the desired overthrow of another Such riches as they gain if they hap to die naturally return to the Emperors coffers who giveth only what he pleaseth to the Children of the deceased These Bassaes have in their particular Provinces their Divanoes or Law-Courts where justice hath bin administred formerly with great integrity but now not a little corrupted yet the comfort is that such as miscarry in their right shall without delay know what to trust to and the Bassaes upon complaint to the Emperor are sure to die for it Over these Bassaes the chief of whom is the Uizier Bassa or President of the Council preside two Beglerbeggs one for Greece the other for Natolia 6. Concerning the present state of the Empire many judge it to be rather in the wane than the increase which judgement they ground upon good reasons whereof these are the chief 1. The body is grown too monstrous for the head the Sultans since the death of Solyman never accompanying their Armies in person except Morat or Amurath the fourth but rioting and wasting their bodies and treasures at home 2. The Janizaries who have been accounted the principall strength of this Empire are grown more factious in the Court than valiant in the Camp corrupted with ease and liberty drowned in prohibited wines enscebled with the continual converse of women and fallen from their former austerity of discipline 3. They have of late given no increase unto their Dominions and as in the paths of vertue non progredi est â—egredi so in Empires by violence gotten when they cease to be augmented they begin to be diminished 4. Rebellions have in these latter times been in this Empire strangely raised and mightily supported which commotions the former Sultans were never acquainted with 5. The greatness of the Empire is such that it laboureth with nothing more than the weightiness of it self so that it must in a manner needs decline Pondere pressa suo overburdened with its own mightiness For as in a naturall body a surfeit killeth more than fasting so in the body Politick also too much extent doth sooner draw on a ruin than either too little or a mediocrity 6. The Sonnes of the Grand Signieur whose bravery of mind is ever suspected by their Fathers are nursed up contraty sometimes to their natural inclinations in all
with incredible pains and labour he had caused their woods to be cut down at sight whereof the People who supposed the King had too much other business and of more importance than to put himself unto that trouble did submit unto him Falling to the share of Scleucus they were the first people that were gained by Arsaces and joined with him in recovering their former liberty though they got nothing by the bargain but the change of their Master In all times since they have been looked upon as Members of the Persian Empire till the conquest of it by the Tartars in the distractions of whose great Empire after Tamerlanes death it fell to some Princes of his house who governed here under the vassallage and protection of the Tartars of Zagathay Recovered not long since to their old obedience by Sultan Abas who for the better setling the affairs hereof removed the Seat Royall from Spawhawn to which before he had transferred it from the City of Casbin to Ashtrasse then a small town now the chief of this Countrey 12. MARGIANA MARGIANA is bounded on the West with Hyrcania on the East with Bactria on the North with part of Tartary from which severed by the River Oxus on the South with Aria divided from it by the Mountains So called from the River Margus which runnes throw the Countrey but is now named Tremigen The Countrey environed with Mountains and in most places of it full of sandy Desarts But where it is watered with the Rivers Arias and Margus it is very fruitfull streching it self into a large and spacious plain containing in the circuit neer 200 miles The Plain once compassed with a wall by Antiochus Soter King of Syria more memorable for the huge stocks of Vines which are said to be in it as big in bulk as two men can fathom and sometimes bearing branches of grapes two Cubits long The more to be admired in regard there is no other place neer unto it where the vine will grow And if the Ark rested on the top of Mount Caucasus as it is most probable it did why may not this be some of the remainder of that first Vineyard which was planted by Noah when he descended from these Mountains as is affirmed by the constant tradition of the people which inhabit here The people mixt of Scythian and Persian breed partaking of the fierceness of the one and the behaviour of the other Conform unto the Persians in Religion language and apparell distinguished from them in the colour of their Turbants onely which are commonly Green and therefore by the Persians called Ieselbas or Green-caps the Turbants of the Persian being alwayes Red. Chief Rivers of this Countrey are 1. Margus the peculiar River of it which rising out of the foot of the Mountains and passing thorow the middest of the Province receiveth into its channell the River 2. Arias hastning out of Aria and so together lose themselves in 3. Oxus dividing the Margians from the Tartars Out of the joint streams of which several Rivers is made a large Lake now called Sabacamber but antiently Palus Oxiana from the principall River Places of most observation in it 1. Alexandria or Alexandria Margiana for distinction sake one of the fix towns built by Alexander for defence of this Countrey called afterwards Seleucia from Seleucus next Antiochia from Antiochus Soter King of Syria by whom fortified with a very strong wall It is now called Indion and esteemed for the chief of the Countrey 2. Jasonium seated on the confluence of Margus with a nameless River issuing from the Seriphian Mountains 3. Nigaea as the printed books of Ptolomy call it but mistook for Nissa or Nysaea 4. Argadina 5. Rhea of which nothing memorable 6. Maran neer to which Ismael the first of the Sophian race discomfited the forces of Saba the Cham of Zagathay The old Inhabitants here of were the Massagetes and the Parni taking up the midlands the Derbiceae bordering upon Oxus and the Tapyri dwelling towards the East United by the name of Margians they were subdued by the Kings of Persia from whom won by Alexander to his Empire who to assure himself hereof built fix Cities in it two towards the South and four towards the East all situate on the tops of hills and built at such convenient neerness that they might afford succour to each other as occasion served After this nothing singular in the story of them involved in the same fortunes with the rest of Persia till Persia was conquered by the Tartars Since which time though the rest of the Persian Provinces were freed from the Tartarian yoak by Gempsas the Soldan of Parthia and King of Persia for a time yet part of this Province and of Bactriana are still subject to them 13. BACTRIA BACTRIA or BACTRIANA is bounded on the West with Margiana on the East North with the River Oxus dividing it from Sogdiana on the South with Paropamisus from which parted by the hills so named and the Mountain Caucasus It took this name from Bactra the chief City of it and is now called Chorassin but by some named Batter The Countrey towards the River Oxus is for the most part well manured and affordeth plenty of Wheat and all sorts of fruits excepting Olives rich metals and some precious stones as Emeralds Chrisolites and Jacinthes Plenty of pastures there be also well stored with Cattell and those of bigger bulk than in other places But the greatest part hereof to the South and West is nothing but a sandy Desart and by reason that the sands are driven up and down by contrary winds no tract or beaten way is to be discerned insomuch as Travellers rest all day and take their journey in the night that they may guide themselves by the course of the Stars as upon the Sea not without great danger of being lost or buried whilst alive in that sandy Ocean The people heretofore a puissant and warlike nation not without great difficulty conquered by the Assyrians nor with less by the Persians alwaies in armes cruel and resembling the Scythians whose neer neighbours they were and which may very well pass for their greatest vertue multum à Persarum luxu abhorrentes abhorting naturally from the Persian luxuries But withall unnaturall to their Parents whom when old they cast unto their dogs kept for that purpose and called Canes Sepulchrales or buriall dogs The women gorgeous in apparell and proud of gesture but prodigall of their bodies to their meanest slaves The men to this day do retain their antient stoutness but hard beset betwixt the Persians and the Tartars who severally pretend a dominion over them No Province of the Persian Empire hath so many Rivers The principall of which are 1. Artamis and 2. Zariaspes mingling streams together as do also 3. Ochus and 4. Orgomanes all four contributing their waters to the River Oxus Of Oxus being rather a boundary betwixt the Persian and the Tartar than rightly proper unto
of Mesopotamia but withall a great Persecuter of the Christians of whom no fewer than 20000 are said to have suffered in his time 4. Isdigertes a Prince so esteemed of by Arcadius the Eastern Emperor that he made him Protector of his Empire during the minority of his sonne Theodosius which trust he Royally performed and was a great friend unto the Christians in his own dominions 5. Cabades first outed of his Kingdome by Zamaspes and restored again was the first Persian King who permitted the free exercise of the Christian Religion He slew Zeliobes a King of the Hunnes comming to his aid against the Romans because he had before promised to assist the Emperour and rooted the Manichean Sect out of his estates 6. Cosroes the sonne of Cabades surnamed the Greâ—t a Constant enemie of the Romans from whom he conquered a great part of Syria and took and sacked the City of Antioch But finding the war brought home to his own doors by Mauritius who was afterwards Emperour and his own Countries in a flame he took such thought of it that he died of a feaver 7. Cosroes the second as great an enemie to the Emperor Heraclius from whom he took all that was left of Mesopotamia Syria and the Holy Land with the City of Hierusalem it self most of it recovered by Heraclius in despight of whom he caused all the Christians in his Kingdome to turn Nestorians 8. Hormisda the second the last of this Dynasty who being first weakned by Civill and Domestick dissensions was vanquished by Haumar and his Saracens Anno 634. burying so the glory of this renowned Nation in the grave of oblivion and infamy The Saracen icall Caliphs having added this Kingdome to their huge Empire appointed here their Deputies whom they honoured with the name of Sultans not one Supreme for the whole Kingdome but severall Governours or Sultans for each several Province called by new names and moulded into many Toparchtes as Chorazan Mauzenabar Usbeck and I wot not what the Sultans acting of themselves and warring upon one another as their humours led them without relation to the Caliph or Lord in chief During which bustles it so hapned that Mahomet the Sultan of Persia so called because he was the chief in command and power picking a quarrell with his neighbour the Sultan of Babylon Piâ—â—iris he is called in some Christian writers by whom taken or mistaken for the Caliph himself made warre upon him But finding him countenanced and supported by the power of the Caliph invited the Turks then possessed of some part of Armenia Major to come in to his aid by whose means he overthrew the Caliphs forces and might have got the Soveraignty of Persia unto himself if he had used his victory and his friends with any tolerable discretion But denying to pay these Turks their wages and send them home he occasioned them to make head against him under the conduct of Tangrolipix their principall leader to whom being once in armes severall discontented persons of the naturall Persians did unite themselves Encouraged with which additions and being furnished with Horse and Armour and other necessaries by the spoil of the Countrey they give battell to the Sultan himself whom having vanquished and slain Tangrolipix by the joint consent of both Armies is made King of Persia the Founder of The fift Dynasty or the Turkish Race of the Kings of Persia 1030. 1 Tangrolipix of whom sufficiently before 2. Axan the sonne of Tangrolipix by whom Cutlu Muses his neer Kinsman was sent with great forces against the Christians whom he dispossessed of a great part of Asia Minor 3. Balak Sultan of Persia in the begining of the warres in the holy land undertaken by the Western Christians against whom he is reported to have sent his forces Of whose Successors I find nothing till the time of 1198 4 Cassanes the last King or Sultan of the Turks vanquished in the year 1202 by the Cham of Tartary Which makes me very apt to think that after the death of Axan or his next Successor the Turks lost the Soveraignty of Persia though they kept the possession of some parts of it the Soveraingty thereof being recovered by the Caliphs of Babylon and that it was so held by both till the Tartars dispossessed the one and destroyed the whole progeny of the other as before was noted And this I find to be the opinion of Beniamin Tuledensis a learned Jew which had travelled most part of the East to whose judgement herein I subscribe as most found and rationall The Sixt Dynasty or the Tartarian race of the Kings of Persia 1260. 1 Haalon or Ulah-Kuhkan by Occata the great Cham made King of Persia exterminated the whole race of the Caliph of Bagdet 1266. 2. Habkakaihon the sonne of Haalon 1282. 3. Nicador Oglan by Haiton called Tangador who made himself a Mahometan and was named Hamed the brother of Habkakaihon 1284. 4. Argon-Khon the eldest sonne of Habkakaihon 1292. 5. Geniotukhon brother of Argon-Khon 1295. 6. Badukhan the Unkle of the last of which three there is little memorable 1296. 7. Gazun the sonne of Argon-Khon who made Casbin his Imperial seat 1305. 8. Alyaptu who transferred the Court to Tauris and is said to have been the founder of Sultania a chief City of Media the brother of Gazun 1317. 9. Abusaid sonne of Alyaptu that reigned in Persia After whose death Anno 1337. being the 736. of the Mahometan Hegira the more potent Princes of the Tartars seized on the severall parts and Provinces of it every one calling himself King of that part or Province which he was possessed of And amongst them Gempsas the Sultan or Soldan of Parthia though a Persian born put in for a share and made himself master of his own Province and some parts adjoining made on that ground by some of our Christian writers who very imperfectly have transmitted to us the affairs of this Countrey the sole King of Persia In this confusion it continued till the comming of Tamerlane who like a furious Whirlwind driving all before him composed the differences by getting all unto himself But as Philosophy doth teach us that no violent motion is of long continuance so the course of business and the success of actions may instruct us also that a Kingdome forced to bow under the command of a prosperous Army is not so well assured to the Victor but that the fury of the war once past it may return again to its former liberty or open a more easie passage to some new Invader And so it fared with the conquests and successes of Tamerlane whose issue quickly lost this Kingdome and almost all the rest of his other purchases leaving but little memory of their names and actions For partly by his own imprudence in cantoning his Estates amongst his Children and partly by the weakness of his Successours in the Realm of Persia this Kingdome did relapse immediately to the same confusions in which he found it
having almost as many Soveraign Kings as Provinces Most of them Homagers perhaps to the Kings of the house of Tamerlane and those who afterwards succeeded in the Title of Kings of Persia of the Turcoman or Armenian Dynasty not yet reduced unto this Grown notwithstanding the great and prosperous successes of the Sophtan Family But for the Kings of the race of Tamerlane who only in their times had the honour to be called Kings of Persia and well enough content with that such as they were we find them in this order following 1405. 10. Mirza Charok the fourth sonne of Tamerlane succeeded by his appointment in the Realm of Persia 1447. 11. Oleghbeg sonne of Mirza Charok vanquished and slain by his own sonne 1450. 12. Abdalatise slain not long after by his own Souldiers 1451. 13. Abdula the sonne of Oleghbeg and brother of Abdalatife vanquished by 1453. 14. Abusaid II. descended from Moroncha the third sonne of Tamerlane succeeded on the death of Abdula 1461. 15. Zeuzes whom some call Jooncha others Malaonchres discomfited and slain in battel by Ussan-Cassanes Anno 1472. which was about 70 years from the death of Tamerlane The seventh Dynasty of the Turcoman or the Armenian race of the Kings of Persia 1472. 1. Vssan-Cassanes by some called Asymbeius by others more truely Ozem-Azembec was the sonne of Tracheton one of those poor Armenian or Turcoman Princes dispossessed by Baiazet the first and restored by Tamerlane Encroaching on his neighbours he was warned to desist by Zeuzes the Persian King with whom encountring in a pitched field he overcame him and got that Kingdome by the victory 1478. 2. Jacub the second sonne of Ussan-Cassanes having put by his elder Brother attained the Throne and repulsed the Mamalucks out of Mesopotamia and Assyria which they had invaded He was after poisoned by his wife 1490. 3. Julaver a Kins-man of Jacubs succeeded him in the estate which he held only three years and then left it to 1493. 4. Barsinger a Prince of the same blood who living in adultery with the wife of Jacub had conspired his death 2. 1495. 5. Rustan assaulted by Atder or Secaider of the Sophian faction who then began to be of power 1498. 6. Alamat or Hagaret the last King of this Turcoman or Armenian race first vanquished Secaider at the battel of Derbent and cut off his head but was after overthrown and slain by Hysmacl the sonne of Aider upon the quarrell and occasion which here followeth Mahomet the Impostor and first Emperour of the Saracens by his last Will and Testament bequeathed the succession into that Estate to Hali his neer Kins-man and the Husband of Fatime his Eldest Daughter But Abubezar Haumar and Osmen three powerfull men and the Chief Commanders of the Army in the time of Mahomet successively followed one another in the Supreme Dignity After their death Hali enjoyed that honour for a little while supplanted first and afterwards vanquished and slain by Muhavias a great man of warre who succeeded in it and to secure himself therein slew Hasem or Ossan the sonne of Hali and eleven of the sonnes of that Ossan the twelt called Musa Ceredine escaping with life From him descended lineally one Guine the Lord of Ardoville in Media who considering that their had been no Caliph in long time before began to plot the establishing of that high honour in his own family as the right Heirs to it A man of so great reputation amongst the people that Tamerlane having made a conquest of Persia thought it no dishonour to his greatness to bestow a friendly visit on him Dying he left his hopes and projects to his sonne called Atder who afterwards for the purity of Religion pretended by him had the adjunct of Tzophy the word so signifying in that language who also proved of such esteem and power with all sorts of men that Ussan-Cassanes the first King of the Armenian or Turcoman race thought fit to make him Husband unto one of his Daughters But on the contrary Jacub the sonne of Vssan and some of his Successours seeing him grow unto such power and estimation with the common people and fearing what he could do and not what he would do endeavoured to depress him by all means that might be Which he not able to remedy as the Case then stood practised to adde unto his party under the popular pretence of reforming things that were amiss in their Religion and grew so powerfull in the end that he gave battel unto Restan and Alamat the two last Kings of the former race But Alamat having got the victory caused him to be slain and delivered Hysmael and Solyman his two sonnes into the hands of Amazar a chief Commander of his own by him to be kept in perpetual prison But Amazar a man of a more ingenuous disposition afforded them not only liberty but also good education insomuch that Hysmael Sophi a towardly young Gentleman undertook revenge for the death of his Father which work he fulfilled having overcome and slain King Alamat and his sonne Elvan After this victory he being crowned King or Shaugh of Persia altered the form of Religion making Hali and himfelf the true Successors of Mahomet but condemning Abubezer Haumar and Osmen with the Turks as rebells and Schismaticks Hence proceeded the divers warres which to the Persians loss have hapned between them and the Turks the Persians burning whatsoever book or Monument they find concerning those three and the Turks holding it more meritorious to kill one Persian than seventy Christians Surius in his Commentaries writing purposely of the Acts of Hysmaâ—â— saith that the Jews on some fond conceit were perswaded that he was the Messiah they had so long looked for But it proved quite contrary there never being Prince that more vexed and grieved them The eighth Dynasty or Sophian race of the Kings of Persia 1505. 1. Hysmael Sophi the founder of this Family overthrown by Selimus the first in the Calderan fields 20. 1525. 2. Tamas the Sonne of Hysmael vanquished by Solyman the Magnificent who took from him the Countries of Chaldea Assyria and Mesopotamia with some part of Media 53. 1578. 3. Aider the second sonne of Tamas obtained the Kingdome imprisoning his elder brother but his cruelty being much feared he was made away by the practice of Periancona his own Sister having reigned only 15 daies 4. Hysmael II. eldest sonne of Tamas restored unto his Fathers Throne but murdered with the privity of his Sister also who found him of too rough a nature for her to govern having reigned neer two years 1579. 5. Mahomet Codabanda advanced unto the throne by his Sisters faction as being of a milder and more tractable nature at his first entrance caused her to be beheaded for the former murders During his time not fully setled in the State Amurath the 2d by his Lieutenants won from him almost all Armenia Media and great part of Georgia 7. 1585. 6. Abas the second sonne of
on the South Altay on the West and North the main Scythick Ocean on the East the Streights of Anian by which parted from America So called because the first habitation of the Tartars who from this den or Jail made their first eruptions and have since over-grown so much of Asia The Countrey cold and comfortless as lying under the Polar Circle and in part beyond it not fit for any but for such as can live no where else yet heretofore a receptacle of many Christians though those of the Nestorian Sect who here enjoyed that liberty of their Religion which the Persians and Saâ—â—â—enâ— denyed them in more pleasing Countries It containeth many Regions some not considerable Those of most note are 1. Thebet 2. Tabor 3. Tenduâ— 4. Bargu 5. Anian and 6. Tartar 1. THEBET a fenny Region and full of woods rich in Corall which they find on the Sea-shore and use it instead of money So named from the chief City of it the ordinary Seat of the Abassi or Pope of this Idolatrous people much reverenced and having in his power the disposing of all Offices which concern the service of their Idols They have also some good store of Musk and abundance of wild beasts which are bred in their Forrests But no beasts wilder than the people who in times past if not at the present also used to bury their Parents in their own bowels and to make drinking cups of their skuls for fear lest in the midst of their jollity they should forget their Progenitors Yet not more barbarous than immodest it being contrary to their custome to take a wife that is a Virgin And therefore the Mothers use to prostitute their daughters to the Merchant-Strangers who having had their pleasure of them gratify them with a Jewell or some other present which they wear on their wedding day she being the most acceptable Bride to her husband who bringeth the greatest Dowry with her of those base rewards It contained once eight petit Kingdomes Homagers to the Kings of Tenduc with many Cities but now laid desolate by the Tartar 2. â—ABOR once a distinct Kingdome also One of the Kings whereof in the year 1540. came to the Courts of Charles the fift and Francis the first where he found Princely entertainment But upon proof that he was a Factor for the Jews and secretly solicited many uato that Religion by the command of Charles he was burnt at Mantua 3. TENDVâ— a populous Kingdome of it self but greater in name and power the Kings hereof commanding all these North-East parts as far as the borders of Cathay Christian in Religion till the Conquest of it by the Tartars though according to the Nestorian tendries but now Mahometan â—or the most part with some remainders and but few of Christianity Divided into many large and spacious Provinces as Chinâ—hintales Cerguth Egrigaia Cercham others of less note so called according to the names of their principâ—ll Towns or having some Towns in them of the name of the Provinces Those of most note in Tenduc It self 1. Coras the ordinary sepulture of the Kings of Tenduc before it was subdued by the Tartars and since that also 2. Caâ—acoras where Cingis was first honoured with the Title of King The Kings hereof bearing the port of Kings and the office of Priests were antiently called by the name of Presbyter Johannes or Prester John a title now erroniously conferred by some on the Emperour of the Abassines or Aethiopians in Asrick Concerning which it is a wonder that Joseph Scaliger a man of such infinite reading should be so deceived and by the authority of his judgement deceive so many For finding that there was a Presbyter Johannes in the North of Asia and hearing vulgarly that title given unto him in Africk he fell upon a fancie that this Aâ—assine Emperour was formerly of so great power as to extend his empire over India and the North of Asia and in this last for the assurance of his conquests to hold his residence A monstrous and undefensible fancy For besides that all histories even those of the Aâ—â—ssines themselves are silent in it how improbable is it that a King reigning in the heart of Aâ—â—â—k should subdue the most remote parts of Asia and there keep his Court so many great States and most puissant Nations being interposed or that so memorable an exploit should be buried in silence and found in no record but in Scaligers head Besides it is well known and generally granted that the Presbyter John of Asia was by Sect a Nestorim but he that is so called in Africk of the Sect of the Jacâ—bites and further that the Christians of Aethiopâ—â— are circumcised which never was reported of those of Asia Letting this pass therefore as an unwarrantable and ill-grounded fancy we are to know that formerly this Province of Tenduc was under the old Kings of Cathay till the time of Cin-Cham the King thereof After whose death a certain Nestortâ—n shepheard that is to say the master of great flocks of sheep being Governour of the Yaymans a People of Tenduc took to himself the title of king of Tenduc whom they called by the name of Prâ—â—st John or Prince John the same word in their language as in the Hebrâ—â— signifieth both Priest and Prince Dying he bequeathed his estate and flocks to his brother Unt-â—ham commonly called in one word Uncham a greater sheep-master than he whose flocks ranged over all the past ures of the Moâ—es or Monguls and Tartars though dwelling fourteen daies journey off whom he had in subjection the title of Priest John or Presbyter Johannes going along with the dignity and Royall estate And though afterwards this Uncham was subdued by the Tartars yet his posterity for long time were suffered to enjoy the title of Kings and Presbyters but Vassals and Homagers to the Great Cham the Great Chams in regard of their nobility and royall parentage bestowing their daughters on them in marriage as is said by William de Rubraquis who travelled in these Countries Anno 1253. the King hereof being then named George the fourth from Uncham but commonly called Presbyter Johannes as his Fathers were 4. BARGV on the extreme North-west bordering on both those sides the cold Scythick Ocean situate under the North-starre of the same nature both for the soyl and people as that of the Tartars And 5. ANIAN on the North-East opposite unto it giving name unto the Streightâ— of Aâ—iaâ— lying betwixt Tartarie and America which Streights the Tartars and some other of these Northern nations are thought to have passed over and to plant that Countrey 6. TARTAR so called of the great River Tartar the principall of this Northern Tract and giving name unto the Tartars this being their Originall Countrey where they lived like beasts having neither faith nor letters nor habitation nor the use of Arms nor any reputation amongst their neighbours In matter of Religion the worst sort of gentiles worshipping the Sunne Moon
to his estate 8. Mango Cham to whom Haiton an Armenian Prince and the chief Compiler of the Tartarian History went for ayd against the Caliph of Bagdt By whose perswasion the said Mango Cham is said to have been christned with all his houshold and many nobles of both sexes 9. Cublay Cham the sonne of Mango 10. Tamor Cham the Nephew of Cablay by his sonne Cingis 11. Demâ—r Cham the great Cham of Cathay in the year 1540 or thereabouts What the names of the Chams are who have since reigned we cannot learn nor what memorable acts have been done among them The great distance of Countries and difficulty of the journey have hindred further discoveries For the great Cham and his next neighbour the King of China will neither suffer any of their subjects to travell abroad nor permit any foreiners to view their dominions or enter into them unless either Embassadours or Merchants and those but sparingly and under very great restraints to avoid all giving of intelligence touching their affairs The government is tyrannicall the great Cham being Lord of all and in his tongue besides which they have almost no laws consisteth the power of life or death He is called by the simple vulgar the shadow of spirits and sonne of the immortall God and by himself is reputed to be the Monarch of the whole world For this cause every day assoon as he hath dined he causeth his trumpets to be sounded by that sign giving leave to the other Kings and Princes of the earth to go to dinner A fine dream of universal Monarchy At the death of the Cham the seven chief Princes assemble to crown his sonne whom they place on a black coarse cloth telling him if he reign well heaven shall be his reward if ill he shall not have so much as a corner of that black cloth to rest his body on then they put the crown on his head and kissing his feet swear unto him fealty and homage And at the funerall of these great Monarchs they use to kill some of his guard-Soudiers whereof he hath 12000 in continuall pay saying unto them Itâ— domino nostro seâ—vâ—â—e in â—â—ia vita Paulus Venetus reporteth that at the obsequies of Manâ—o Cham no fewer than 10000 were slain on this occasion There Chams are for the most part severe justicers and punish almost every small fact with sudden death but theft especially Insomuch that a man in Cambalu taking a paâ—l of milk from a womans head and beginning to drink thereof upon the womans out-cry was apprehended and cut a sunder with a sword so that the blood and the milk came out together Nor are Adultery or lying punished with less than death and so ordained to be by the lawes of Cingis their first Emperour a wiser man than possibly could be expected from so rude a Countrey and of so little breeding in the knowledge of books or business the Tartars being utterly without the use of letters till the conquest of the Huyri a Cathaian nation but of Christian faith What forces the Great Chams in the height of their power were able to draw into the field may be conjectured at by the Army of Tamerlaâ—e consisting of 1200000 horse and foot as was said before And looking on them as confined within Cathar we shall find them not inferiour to the greatest Princes For Cublaâ— Cham long after the division of this great estate which was made by Tamerlane had in the field against Naian his Unkle and one Caidu who had then rebelled an Army of 100000 foot and 360000 horse there being 500000 horse on the other side Which made almost a million of men in both Armies And this is probable enough if report be true touching the Chams of Zagathay and those of â—urchestan before reduced under the obedience of the other of which the first is said to have been able to raise 300000 horse and the last an hundred thousand more For standing forces he maintaiâ—s 12000 horse distributed amongst four Captains for the guard of his person besides which he hath great forces in every Province and within four miles of every City ready to come upon a call if occasion be so that he need not fear any outward invasion and much less any homebred rebellions Of the Revenues of the Cham I can make no estimate but may conclude them to be what he list himself he being the absolute Lord of all the Subject without any thing he can call his own But that which ordinarily doth accrew unto him is the tenth of wooll Silk hemp coâ— and Cattel Then doth he draw into his own hands all the gold and silver which is brought into the Countrey which he causeth to be melted and preserved in his treasurie imposing on his people instead of money in some places Cockle-shels in others a black coin made of the bark of trees with his stamp upon it And besides this hath to himself the whole trade of Pearl-fishing which no body upon pain of death dare fish for but by leave from him So that his Treasury is conceived to be very rich though his Annual in-come be uncertain or not certainly known And so much for Tartary OF CHINA CHINA is bounded on the East with the Orientall Ocean on the West with India on the North with Tartary from which separared by a continued chain of hills part of those of Ararat and where that chain is broken off or interrupted with a great wall extended 400 Leagues in length built as they say by Tzaintzon the 117th King hereof and on the South partly with Cauâ—hin-China a Province of India partly with the Ocean It was called antiently Sine or Sinarum Regio by which name it is still called at the present by our modern Lâ—â—inistâ— and from whence that of China seems to be derived By Paulus Venetâ—s called Mangi by the neighbouring Countries Sanglai by the natives Taine and Taybinâ—o which last signifies no other than a Realm or by way of excellence the Realm By the Arabians it is called Tzinin and the inhabitants call themselves by the name of â—angis It is said to contain in circuit 69516 Dâ—ez of China measure which reduced to our Europaean measure will make a compass in the whole of 3000 Leagues the length thereof extended from the borders of India to Colâ—m one of the Northern Provinces of this Continent 1800 Leagues But they that say so speak at randome For besides that 1800 Leagues in length must needs carry a greater compass than 3000 Leagues they make it by this reckoning to be bigger than Europe which I think no sober man will granâ— And answerable to this vast compass it is said also to contain no fewer than 15. Provinces every one of which is made to be of a greater Continenâ—â—han the greatest Realm we know in Europe Yet not a Continent of wast ground or full of unhabitable Desarâ—s as in other places but full of goodly Towns and Cities The names of which
and flourished But growing into many distractions and every Sultan or Provincial Governour shifting for himself it became a Kingdom under the stile and title of the kingdom of Tremesen The majesty of it much impaired by Abulthasen or Albohacen king of Fesse who brought it not long after under his command Recovering after some short time its former liberty it became a Kingdom once again and so continued till the time of Abuchemen who incurring the hatred of his people because by his supine neglect the Spaniards had surprised and taken Oran and Masalquivir their two best Havens made an easie passage for his brother Abuzeiden to the Regal diadem Abuzeiden scarce well setled lost it to Hairadine Barbarossa An. 1515. He to Charles the fifth by whom Abuchemen was restored becoming Homager and Tributary to the Crown of Spain But his successor Abdulla weary of the Spanish servitude put himself under the protection of Solyman the magnificent as a Prince of his own Religion to whom at his decease he left the possession of his Kingdom also ever since subject to the Turks whos 's Beglerbeg or Supreme Officer for these African Provinces resides for the most part in Algiers and hath 40000 Timariots under his command 3. FESSE 4. MOROCCO THese Kingdoms I have joyned in title because united for the most part in the storie and affairs thereof and of late times making but one entire Estate under the Xeriffes of Morocco and therefore handled both together in the point of History though of a different consideration in the way of Chorography They contain in them the whole Country of Mauritania truly and properly so called divided antiently into Tingitana and Sitifensis Caesariensis being naturally a Numidian Region the Masasyli and the rest of the Inhabitants of it of Numidian breed not laid to Mauritania nor accompted any part thereof till the death of Iugurth when given to Bocchus King hereof in reward of his treason for betraying that unhappy Prince into the hands of the Romans It took this name from the Mauri the Inhabitants of it when that name first given the word Tania signifying a Nation being added to it as in Britannia Lusitania Aquitania and perhaps some others and the name of Mauri given them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth amongst other things obscure or black by reason of the darknesse of their complexion Accompted in their times an hardy but a bloody people carelesse of life fearlesse of death implacable if once offended their thirst of revenge not to be quenched but by blood Mauri sunt genus hominum suapte nature cadis avidissimum nibilque non facile audens desperatis similes contemptu viz. mortis periculorum the character given of them in Herodians time and it holds good still notwithstanding the intermixture of Goths and Saracens incorporated into the same nation with them and passing by the same name in the Writers of the middle time Post baec Mauri totam Hispaniam Provinciam Burgundiam c. dominio suo manciparunt as my Author hath it where by Moors we are to understand the Saracens which came out of Africk Chief Mountains of this Country 1. Atlas Minor so called to difference it from the greater Mountain of that name from which it is seven degrees more North but shooteth as that doth with a point or Promontory into the main Atlantick Ocean on the South of Salla 2. Durdus extended also into Caesariensis 3. Diur 4. Phocra of which little memorable Rivers of most note 1. Sala 2. Subur 3. Zilia 4 Phuth 5. Diur 6. Cusa all falling into the Atlantick this last the same as I conjecture which our modern Writers call Ommirabili And for the rest we must find amongst them 1. Sifelmel 2. Tensist 3. Niffis the names of the chief Rivers as at this time called The old Inhabitants here of in the time of the Romans were the Metagonita neer the Streits giving name unto Metagonitis an adjoyning Promontory the Succosii Verbicae Nectiberes Vacuatae Voli and on the East-side the Mauresii These last participating of that common name in which all united Called by the Latines Mauri by the Greeks Maurusii The Etymologie as before Their descent originally from Phut the son of Cham whose memory preserved here in the River Phut To that the coming of the Chanaanites of the same extraction served but as an Accessory From those two fountains sprang the whole Nation of the Mauri Governed by Kings the most considerable of which when first known to the Romans was that Bocchus who betrayed Jugurth his friend and son in law into the hands of the Romans gratified for that treacherie with the Country of the Masasyli reckoned for part of Mauritania from that time forwards as Hiempsal one of his sons was not long after with the Kingdom of Numidia The whole Estates of Bocchus Syphax and Masinissa united by this means in the person of Juba one of his posterity the most potent Prince of all these parts who falling in the African war against Julius Casar Numidia was forthwith made a Province of the Roman Empire Crispus Salustius being made the first Governour of it But Mauritania extending at that time from the Ocean to the River Ampsagus he gave to Bocchus and Bogud two of his Confederares but descended of the old Regal family Bogud unluckily taking part with Mark Antony against Augustus was by Bocchus who declared for the other side dispossessed of his part that which now makes the Kingdom of Fesse in which confirmed for his good service by the conquering Emperor Juba the son of the former Juba grown famous for his eminent learning was of a Prisoner made a Prince invested affect the death of Bocchus in all the Dominions of his father except Numidia and by the bounty of Augustus a great Patron of Learning advanced to the marriage of Selene daughter of Antony and Cleopatra After whose death and the death of Ptolomy their son murdered by Caligula Mauritania was by Claudius added to the patrimony of the Roman Empire divided into two Provinces viz. Caesariensis betwixt the two Rivers Malva and Ampsaga now the Kingdom of Tremesen and Tingitana from the River Malva to the Western Ocean This last divided into Tingitana and Sitifensis the River now called Ommirobili being the boundary betwixt them by the Emperor Constantine who leaving Sitifensis to the Diocese of Africk laid Tingitana why I know not unto that of Spain Cained from the Romans by the Goths after by the Saracens they became members of those Empires in the declining of the last divided into the two Kingdoms of Fesse and Morocco to the description and history whereof we do now proceed 3. MOROCCO THe Kingdom of MOROCCO hath on the East the River Malva by which parted from Tremesen on the West the Atlantick Ocean on the South Mount Atlas and on the North the Kingdom of Fesse So called from Morocco the chief City of it in former times known by the
reason be assigned for Zutphen in regard it is a State more ancient then that of Guelderland it self and not depending anciently on the fortunes of it united to it by the marriage of Othe of Nassaw the first Earl of Guelderland with Sophia daughter and heir of Wickman the last Earl of Nutphen So as this Earldome ended when that first began After this it continued subject to the Earls and Dukes of Gueldres till the revolt of Holland and the other Provinces from the King of Spain at what time it was besieged for the States by the Earl of Leicester at the siege whereof fell that gallant Gentleman Sir Philip Sidney of whom our British Epigrammatist thus verfifieth Digna legi scribis facis dignissima scribi Scripta probant doctum te tua facta probum Thou writ'st things worthy reading and didst doe Things worthy writing too Thy Acts thy valour show And by thy works we do thy learning know And though upon the losse of that gallant man nephew and heir unto that Earl the siege was raised at the present yet was it re-enforced again anno 1190. and the Town then taken continuing ever since in the confederacy of the States united GROINING-LAND hath on the east East-Friseland on the west West-Friseland on the North the main Ocean on the South Over-yssell so wedged in as it were betwixt both Friselands that some hold it to be but a part of the West It containeth under it the Country called the Ommelâ—nds corruptly for the Emmelands as I conjecture because lying along the River Ems and therein 145 Burroughs and Villages the chief whereof are 1. Dam near the Ems bordering on East-Friseland 2 Keykirk 3. Old-Haven standing on the Sea As for the town of Groyning it self it is rich great and very well built situate-amongst divers small streames which run through it and having also divers Channels for conveyance of waters which addes much to the safety and strength thereof A town of great jurisdiction both within and without judging absolutely without appeals in causes both Civill and Criminall in Spirituall subject heretofore to the Bishop of Munster till made one of the new Bishopricks by King Philip the second anno 1559. And though the Prince in Civill causes had his officer or Lieutenant there yet in Criminall the town was Soveraign and granted pardons as Soveraign of the whole estate paying to the Prince for all duties yeerly but 6000 Crowns Both Town and Country anciently belonged to the Bishops of Vtrecht by whose negligence in defending them they submitted their estate to the Dukes of Guelderland But the Dukes of Saxonie laying some claim to it disturbed this agreement for a time during which Ezardus the Earl of East-Friseland possessed himself of it but not able to make good his unjust possession sold his estate therein to Gueldres anno 1514. to whom of right it did belong Afterwards in the yeer 1536. they put themselves under the command of Charles the fift but with the reservation of all their priviledges and ancient Liberties for preservation of the which in danger to be over-born by the power of the Spaniard they consederated with the rest of the united States anno 1594. and so still continue The antient inhabitants of these Countries were the Menapii and Sicambri very valiant people possessing Guelderland and the Majores Frisii which were planted in Groyning and the rest of Friseland Of these the Sicambri were accompted the most valiant people uniting with other nations in the name of French and by that name possessing with the rest of those Nations the mighty Empire of the West In the division whereof by the posterity of Charles the Great these Countries were first part of the Kingdome of Austrasia or East-France afterwards of the Germane Empire governed at the first by Guardians or Protectours created by the people in the reign of Charles the Bald the two first being Wickard and Lupold or Leopold two Brethren who fixing their chief Seat in the Castle of Gueldres occasioned the whole Country to be called Guelderland But they and their successours by what name or title soever called were in effect but Provinciall Officers accomptable to the Emperours for their administration the first free Prince hereof being Otho of Nassaw who having to his first wife the Lady Aleide daughter of Wickard the last Guardian was by the Emperour Henry the third made first Earl of Guelderland adding thereto the State of Zutphen by a second marriage as is said before In Reinold the ninth Earl it was made a Dukedome by the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria anno 1339. sold by Duke Arnold justly incensed at his ungracious son Adolp to Charles Duke of Burgundy for 92000 Florens of ready money and an Annuall pension anno 1472. But notwithstanding this Agreement Adolph upon the death of Charles possessed himself of it and left it unto Charles his son who finally surrendred it unto Charles the fift anno 1547. EARLS and DUKES of GVELDERLAND 1079 1 Otho of Nassaw the first Earl 2 Gerard the son of Oth by his first wife Aleide 1131 3 Henry the son of Gerard. 1162 4 Gerard II. son of Henry 1180 5 Otho II. brother of Gerard. 1202 6 Gerard III. son of Otho the second 1229 7 Otho III. son of Gerard who walled the towes of Ruermond Aruhem Bomel Goch Wageniâ—gen and Harderwick 1271 8 Reinold son of Otho the third taken and imprisoned till his death by 1326 9 Rainold II. his own son created the first Duke of Gueldres by the Emperour Lewis of Bavavaria at Francfort Anno 1339. liberall to the poof and a great Patron of the Muses 1343 10 Rainold III. son of Rainold the 2 d molested with continuall wars with his brother Edward by whom taken and imprisoned till his dying day 1371 11 Edward the son of Rainold the second by Eleanor the daughter of Edward the third of England his second wife dyed the same yeer with his brother the last of the male issue of Otho of Nassaw 1371 12 Mary by some called Joan Sister of Edward by the same venter and wife of William Earl of Gulick 13 William son of William Duke of Gulick and Mary of Gueldres admitted Knight of the Garter by King Richard the second 14 Rainold IV. the brother of William 15 Arnold of Egmond son of John Lord of Egmond and Mary his wife daughter of Joan the sister of Rainold and William the two last Dukes succeeded in the estate of Gueldres taken impriâ—oned and most barbarously handled by his own son Adolph and delivered by Charles the Warlike Duke of Bargâ—ndie he sold to him his estates of Gueldres and Zutphen to be injoyed by him after his decease anno 1472. 1473 16 Adolpâ— the wicked son of Arnold dispossessed of his estate by the said agreement which Duke Charles enjoyed for his life after the death of the said Charles was restored to liberty by the Gauntois anno 1467. and made the Generall of their
of his death commanded the Souldiers to go on in their siege and diverse times shewed them the Emperor sitting in his horse-litter as being troubled with the Gout he used to do and when the City was taken marched home with his dead body sitting still in the same manner So after the death of Mahomet the first the Bassaes of the Court called their Divanos as formerly they used gave order for the levying of an Army as if some warre were intended and the Kings Physicians went up and down with their Potions as if they had him still in cure But the Pensioners and Janizaries misdoubting the matter with all egerness desired to see him which when the Bassaes durst not deny they appointed the next day for their visit The next day the body was apparrelled in royall large robes placed in a chair at the end of a long gallery and a litle boy cunningly set behind him to move the Kings hand to his head as if he should stroke his beard as his manner was which signes of life and strength the Souldiers seeing held themselves contented and so was his death concealed the space of 41 dayes 4. As for the last These insolent and unsufferable pranks committed so commonly by these masterfull slaves so exceedingly stomached Baâ—azet the 2. that he secretly purposed with himself for curing so dangerous a disease to use as desperate a remedy which was to kill and destroy suddenly all the Janizaries It is like that this Baâ—azet being a Scholar had read how Constantine the Great had cassed the Praetorian Souldiers and destroyed their camp as men that were the causes of all the stirres in his Empire and whose pride was come to an intollerable height and having the same cause to destroy his Janizaries hoped to have done it with as much ease and safety as the other did but they having notice of the plot for the time continued so united and linked together that he durst not then attempt it and afterward siding with his sonne Selimus cast him out of his Throne into his grave Since which time the Emperors never durst punish them openly but when any of them proveth delinquent he is sent privately in the night time to Pera over-against Constantinople where by the way he is drowned and a peece of Ordinance shot off to signifie the performing of the Sultans command Now for the Emperors themselves we will consider them in matters of pleasure in matters of ceremony and in matters of State the last being considerable in three main points which are the murdering of their brethren the removing of their sonnes their revenue and therein a touch of their goverenment To these we will adde what apparent symtomes may be observed to prognosticate the standing decreasing and increasing of this puissant Monarchy 1. For the first he hath not so few as 500. sometimes a 1000 choice virgins kept in a Seraglio by themselves all slaves born of Christian Parents and indeed the rarest beauties of his Empire When he is disposed to take his pleasure with any of them they are all ranked in a gallery and she is by the Aga of the women prepared for his bed to whom he giveth his handkercher She that beareth him the first sonne is honoured with the title of Sultaness Queen Mother we may call her neither can he make any of them free unless he marry them When the Sultan dieth all his women are carried into another Seraglio where they are strictly looked too and liberally provided for and not seldome times are bestowed by the succeeding Sultan on his great Bassaes and such us he chiefly favoureth which is a principall honour They are attended on by women and Eunuches these being not gelded onely but deprived of all their genitalls and supplying the uses of nature with a silver quill which in humane custome was brought in among them by Selimus the second because he had seen a Gelding cover a mare 2. These ceremonies are either performed by them which is for the most part the building of a Mosche onely to help to the salvation of their souls or towards them by others which are most apparent in the entertainment of Embassadors For when such come to his presence they are led between two of his Courtiers and comming before the Throne on both sides whereof the Bassaes sit with admirable silence resembling rather Statuaes than men they bow themselves to the ground with all humility laying their hands on their breasts but never uncovering their heads which as we before noted is counted an undecency When they are to depart they go all backwards it being accounted very irreverent to turn their back-parts towards a Prince so glorious The reason why they are thus brought in between two is said to be for their greater honour but is indeed a fear that they have lest the Grand Seignieur under the pretence of a Saluration or the delivery of an Embassie should be stapped Which wariness they have used ever since the time that Miles Cobiletz a Servian scrambling from among the slain at the battel of Cassona and being admitted to the speech of Amurath the first the Author of that overthrow stabbed him into the belly with his dagger 3. Amongst all the jarres and discontents that be none have been with more unkindness begun or more eagerness prosecuted than those of brothers and that not only in private families but in the stems of Princes the multitude of Pretendants being the originall of most civill wars To prevent these publick emotions the Emperors of Habassia use to immure up all their younger children in the hill Amaza the Persians do put out the eyes of their younger brothers and the Turks do murder them strange and horrid courses whereby to avoid the fear of a war in the State they stirre up a war in their own bowels The first amongst the Turks that began this barbarous cruelty was Bajazet the first on his brother Jacup whom immediately after his Fathers death he strangled with a bow-string this being the only instument of their Fratricide because thereby none of the blood-royall of Ottoman is spilt on the ground After him Mahomet the Great caused his young brother then at nurse to dy the death and was not without much ado perswaded from being the executioner himself Amurath the third caused his five brethren to be at once strangled before his face and Mahomet his sonne no fewer then nineteen in one day By this course they imagine their own estate to be infinitely secured as knowing that Mustapha a younger sonne stirred a rebellion against Amurath and Zemes against Bajazet both the second of those names that Solyman Musa and Isa severally afflicted Mahomet the first and Corcut Selimus the first of these names also But yet they will not know that nothing sooner putteth their younger Brothers into these acts of hostility than an inevitable certainty of a violent and unnatural death whereas were they but sure of life and a liberall and
shrewdly shaken it at the least had not Antony in an envious humour called him from that service Finally Horodes was slain by his sonne Phraartes 11. Phraartes III. a valiant Prince but wicked and cruell Against him marched Marcus Antonius with a populous Army which wanted little of an absolute overthrow of 16 legions scarce six returning home in safety This King submitted himself and Kingdome unto Augustus restoring the Roman ensigns and freeing the Captives taken at the defeat of Crassus The onely mark of the Parthians subjection was their receiving Kings at the appointment of the Senate and Emperours of Rome which also was of no long continuance 12. Phraartes IV. sonne of Phraartes the 3d. whom he slew and succeeded 13. Orodes II. sonne of Phraartes the fourth slain in a conspiracy 14. Vonon substituted in the place of Orodes but outed by 15. Tiridates who was also dispossessed of his life and Kingdome by Artabanus a stranger to the blood of the Arsacidae the family of Arsaces giving place to that of this Artabanus of which family we have the names of twelve Kings successively reigning the most considerable of them being Chosroes the 8th King of this line from whom the Emperor Trdjan gained Armenia and Mesopotamia adding them to the Roman Empire members whereof they did continue till regained to the Persian Crown by Sapores the 9th King of the next Persian Dynasty But for those twelve Kings of this house they are these The 3d. Dynasty of the Kings of Persia and the 2d of the Parthian Race 1 Artabanus 2 Bardanes 3 Goteres 4 Vonones 5 Vologeses 6 Artabanus II. 7 Pacorus 8 Chosroes 9 Parmaspates 10 Vologeses II. 11 Vologeses III. 12 Artabanus III. the last King of this new race of the Parthians whose overthrow by the valour of Artaxerxes the first Persian King of the 4th Dynasty occasioned the translation of the Diadem to the naturall Persians after it had continued in two Parthian families for the space of 470 years Which Translation as it was wrought by the unresistable power of God who onely hath the disposing of Crowns and Scepters so in the way of second causes it may be principally referred to the barbarous massacre of this people by Antonius Caracalla the Roman Emperor Who having negociated a mariage with the daughter of this Artabanus and going as he gave it out to solemnize the nuptials was met by the old King accompanied with the flower of his Nobility and the choicest of his Souldiers and other Subjects in Triumphall Ornaments Which honourable train was no sooner come neer his Army but he commanded his Souldiers on a watch-word given to put them all to the sword the King himself hardly escaping with his life Caracalla being dead and Macrinus succeeding in the Throne the Parthians set upon him to revenge that slaughter But understanding after a long fight of three daies continuance that Macrinus had slain Caracella they made peace with him but were so weakned and unable to hold their own that it made the Persians once more think of recovering to their own Nation the Regall power For Artaxerxes a noble and generous Persian his name perhaps suggesting some high thoughts unto him did so much husband the opportunity that he slew Artabanus the last King of the Parthians and once more brought the royall seat into Persia Yet was not this so easilly effected the Parthians notwithstanding their former losses maintaining a cruell fight for three dayes together so difficult was it to vanquish that Nation when their forces were broken impossible when they were whole Artaxerxes proud of this success sent a peremptory embassie to Alexander Severus the then Roman Emperor to have all the Provinces of Asia which had formerly belonged to the Persian Monarchy redelivered to him a matter not so easily granted as demanded For Severus so suppress so insolent an enemy marched towards Persia with an Army Romanly appointed which to find his enemy more work he divided into three parts whereof the first was to march into Media the second into Persia the third himself led in the mid-way between both to succour both as occasion required But his device succeeded not happily for his two Annies being by the Persians broken he with much danger and hast retired back with the third This was a good beginning for the Persian Empire the establishment followed not long after Valerianus the Emperor being vanquished and taken prisoner by Sapores the second King of this race So that now the name of the Persian grew so terrible to the Romans that Coâ—stantine the Great transplanted many of the Colonies and Garrisons of the North-west part of the Empire into the East to keep the Persian from growing to farre upon the Roman Provinces and removed also the feat of the Empire nigher unto them from Rome to Constantinople And thus having shown the beginning and establishment the foundation and building of the new Kingdome of the Persians take along with you the Catalogue of their Kings untill they once more lost the soveraignty of their own Nation and became slaves again The 4th Dynasty or race of the Persian Kings 228 1 Artaxerxes 15. 243 2 Saâ—ores 31. 272 3 Ormiâ—â—â—eâ— 1. 275 4 Vararanes 3. 278 5 Vararanes II. 16. 294 6 Vararanes III. 294 7 Narses 7. 302 8 Misdues 7. 310 9 Sapar II. 70. 380 10 Artaxerxes II. 11. 391 11 Sapores III. 5. 396 12 Varanes IV. 10. 406 13 Isdigertes 21. 427 14 Vararanes IV. 20. 447 15 Vararanes V. 17. 464 16 Perozes 20. 484 17 Valens 4. 488 18 Cabades dispossessed by 499 19 Lambases 4. 503 20 Cabades again restored 533 21 Cosroes Magnus 48. 581 22 Hormisda 8. 589 23 Cosroes II. 39. 628 24 Siroes 1. 629 25 Adhesiâ— 26 Sarbatus 27 Barnarius 630 28. Hormisda II. the 28. and last King of the race of Artaxerxes or the fourth Dynâ—â—sty of whom besides the two first Kings whose Acts are spoken of before the most remarkable were 1. Vararanes the second in whose time Carus the Emperour passing over Euphrates and laying sieige to Ctesiphon was there slain by a thunderbolt 2. Narses the son of Vararâ—nes who first discomsited Galerius one of the Caesars in the Empire of Diocletian and totally ruined his Army for which Galerius being forced to lacquey it by the Emperors Chariotin his purple Robes was so highly shamed that to recover his credit he set upon Narses once again routed him and took Prisoners his wives and children 3. Sapores the second the sonne of Misdates who began his reign before his birth For his Father dying without issue left his wife with Child which Child the Magi having signified by their art to be a male the Persian Princes caused the Crown and Royall Ornaments to be set upon his Mothers belly acknowledging him thereby for their future King A great and puissant Prince he proved holding continuall warr with Constantine and his Successours till the death of Valens and gaining from them the best part
Fire and the very Earth to which they offered in the morning fasting the first of their meats and drinks Their Idols made of Felt and placed on both sides of the doors of their tents or booths as the preservers of their Cattel and the Authors of milk Divided into five Clans or Tribes denominating so many Towns and territories in which they dwelâ— that is to say 1. Mongul 2. Yekâ—-Mongul or the Great Mongul 3. Sommongul or the water-Mongul 4. Mercat 5. Metrit each of them Governed by its Chief as commonly it is amongst barbarous Nations though all those Chiefs subordinate to some higher power Oppressed by Uncham or Unt-cham the King of Tenduc who invaded their pastures and compelled them to pay unto him the tenth of their Cattel with joint consent they removed somewhat further off and denied their Tribute This opportunity was taken by Cingis one of the Tribe of the Yekâ—-Monguls and so well husbanded that they admitted him for their King For publishing abroad amongst the Credulous people that an armed man appeared to him in his sleep with a white horse and said â— Cangius or Cingis it is the will of immortall God that thou be Governour of the Tartars and free them from bondage and paying tribute he found a generall belief especially amongst those of his own Clan who joyning themselves to him followed him as their Ring-leader in all his actions Thus backed and strengthned he made warre against the Sommonguls â—lew their Commander and subdued them and by their help successively assaulted the Mercats and Metrits whom he also vanquished And having thus subdued all the Clans of the Tartars and added the estates of Thebâ—t and Tanguth unto his Dominions he was by the consent of the seven Princes or Chiefs of their Clans Thebetâ— and Tanguth being added to the former number placed on a seat on a peece of Felt the best throne they had or could afford and saluted King with as great reverence and solemnity as their state could yield And first to make triall of his power and their obedience he commanded the seven Chiefs or Princes to surrender their places and each of them to cut off the head of his eldest sonne which was done accordingly Had John of Leiden been a Scholar as he was but a Botcher I should think he had studied the Acts of Cingis and proceeded by them Assured by this of their fidelity and obedience he set upon the Naymans a people of the Kingdom of Tenduc whom he overcame And now conceiving himself fit for some great alliance he sent to Uncham and demanded one of his daughters for his wife Which Uncham with some threats but more scorn denying he marched against him slew him in the field and possessed his daughter and with her also his estate Proud with this good success and encouraged by so great an increase of power he invaded the Kingdome of Cathay pretending for that also the authority of an heavenly vision in the name of the immortall God in which attempt discomfited at first with a very great overthrow but at last victorious conquering the several nations of it by one and one till in the end he brought the warre to the chief City of that Kingdome which at last he took and therewithall the title of Cham or Emperor Continuing in this dignity for the space of six years and every year adding somewhat to his dominions he was at last wounded in the knee at the Castle of Thaygin of which wound he died and was honourably buried in Mount Altay This is the best accompt I am able to give of the beginning of this great Empire the originall of this spreading Nation and the description of the Country of their first habitation They that have christned some of the most Northern parts of it by the names of the Tribes of Dan and Napthalim and accordingly placed them in their Maps might with more credit have supplied those vacant places which they knew not otherwise how to fill with the pictures of wild beasts or monstrous fishes which might well enough have pleased the eye without betraying the judgement of the looker on Of his Successors I am able to make no certain Catalogue their names being doubtfully delivered and the succession much confounded amongst our writers the names of the Provincial Sultans being many times imposed upon us instead of those of the Chams themselves But we will wade through those difficulties as well as we can and exhibit as perfect a Catalogue of them as the light of story will direct me first adding what should have been before remembered that it is recorded that Cingis before he joyned battel with Uncham consulted with his Diviners and Astrologers of the success They taking a green reed cleft it asunder writ on the one the name of Cingis and Uncham on the other and placed them not farre asunder Then fell they to reading their Charms and conjurations and the reeds fell a fighting in the sight of the whole Army Cingâ—s Reed overcomming the other whereby they foretold the joyfull news of victory to the Tartars which accordingly hapned And this was the first step by which this base and beggerly Nation began to mount unto the chair of Empire and Soveraignty whereas before they lived like beasts having neither letters nor faith nor dwelling nor reputation nor valor nor indeed any thing befitting a man as before was said The great Chams of Tartars A. C. 1162. 1. Cingis Cinchius Zingis or Changius was made King or Cham of the Tartars he subdued Tenduch and Cathaia changing the name of Scythians and Scythia to Tartartans and Tartariâ— 6. 1168. 2. Jocuchan Cham or Hoccata succeeded In his time the name of Tartar was first known in Europe Anno 1212. in which year they drove the Polesockie from the banks of the Euxine Sea By his Captain Bathu or Roâ—do he subdued Moscovia planted his Tartars in Taurica Chersonesus wasted Hungary Bosnia Servia Bulgaria and by his other Captains took Pâ—rsia from the Turks 3. Zaincham Bathu or Barcham ruined the Turks Kingdom of Damascus and Asia the lesse 4. Gino Châ—m whose daughter conveyed the Empire unto her husband Tamerlane or Tamberlâ—ne 1370. 5. Tamir-Cutlu Tamir-Cham or Tamerlane a great tyrant but withall an excellent Souldier It is thought that he subdued more Provinces in his life-time than the Romans had done in 800 years Of whose acts we have spoke at large Dying he divided his great Empire amongst his Children as Persia to Miza Charok his fourth sonne Zagathay to another perhaps unto Sautochus his eldest sonne and so to others 1405. 6. Lutrochin the second sonne of Tamerlane succeeded in Cathay though the eldest was before proclamed which his Father had before prognosticated who when his sons came to him before his death laid his hand on the head of Sautochus who was the eldest but lifting up the chin of Lutrochin who was the second He lived not long succeeded to by 7. Atlan who added little