by the hand of amasement to magnifie and extoll the heroicke spirits of our nation Againe in the 38. yeere of the King the French King the King of Cyprus and the King of Scots came all into England and made pleasure proude that it had good occasion to welcome them Besides 1367. Peter King of Spaine was disseised by his bastard brother Henry but comming into England made such impression in the compassionate soule of EDW. the blacke Prince that he assisted him in person and re-established him in his kingdome Shall I remember you of that glorious celebration of Himmeneus triumphs when Duke Tussus and many Princes of Boheme and Hungary brought that magnificent Lady ANNE daughter to the King of Bohemia and married her to King RICHARD the 2. of England during whose life such was the royaltie of our Court and State that in the 8. yeare the King of Armenia came into England for coadiutement against the Turkes In the 12. yeare the Earle of Saint Paul and many Princes out of France and other Countries came to a Iusts in Smithfield and made a iust estimation of our vnualuable glory In the 16. yeare the greatest Lords of Scotland came to our triumphes in England and checked their owne presumption for confronting vs with a supposition of equality In the 20. yeare the Dukes of Burbon and Barre brought ouer Isabell of Fraunce to be a Queene in England and glad was that Prince of Europe that had beene an eye-witnesse of our glory yea that magnificent workemanshippe concerning the exornation of the Hall of his Pallace now Westminster and by community and disparaged alteration vnregarded was as it were a magnes to draw ouer the seas thousands of people and hundreds of Princes and Noble lords to looke vpon the wonder of the world In the 4. yeare of HENRY 4. King of England the Emperour of Constantinople came of purpose as the Queene of Sheba to Salomon to set report on the touchstone of truth and see whether custome had enlarged our fame or no and here he was entertained with all the sumptuous and attractiue showes and delights that Arte and expences could deuise to satiate the minde of man But when Dame IANE Dutches of Britaine came ouer to marry our King HENRY I hope our enemies will imagine her traine and Attendants to bee much augmented with the company of many forraine Princes and Potentates And if you steppe forward to the 8. yeare of his raigne the Earle of Marre and the great lords of Scotland came to solace themselues and made their triumphes both at Tilt and Turney acceptable to the beholders The like was performed the 10. yeare when the Seneschall of Hennault with all those Princes reputed the Court of England a very Schoole of chiualry and put in practise accordingly all the braueries of marshall discipline But when the Lady LVCIA the Dukes sister of Millane came to marry EDMVND Earle of Kent both citie and pallace was so furnished with strangers and the concurses of people so well ordered that inferiours were amased at so extraordinary attraction and the better sort gaue a plaudite to our glory If you ouer-looke the time of Henr 5. surnamed the Champion of Honor though it was lamentable for the breuitie yet was it vnmatchable for the royalty For after his coronation he was scarse three yeeres in his own Kingdome and yet in the third of his raigne he welcommed the Emperor of Almaine and King of Rome and presently after graced the daughter of France and all her retinue with many forreine Princes who would not returne till they saw their Lady Katherine Queene of England To which if you adde the entertainment of the Duke of Holland and many Princes of those countries especially Freesland you cannot chuse but make vp a plentifull breuiary of Heroicke Maiesty and worthy princelines About the yeere of Grace 1502. and the 17. yeere of the raigne of Henry 7. the expectable Prince Arthur maried Katherin daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine and his eldest sister Margaret was affianced vnto Iames King of Scots at whose inauguâ—…tion the concurse of strangers and amongst them of the choisest Princes was so great that all other adioyning Kings as much magnified our royalty as feared our power insomuch that the very report of our Kingdomes brauery draue Philip King of Castile and his wife into England About the end of August 1546. Flawd high Admirall of France was so royally entertained in England that the King lying at Hampton-Court the Prince of Wales met him comming to haue audience with a 1000 horse whereof 500 were in one liuery the coates of veluet halfe embrodered with gold and one sleeue of cloth of gold let other Princes acknowledge this magnificence Holinshed saith 2000 horse In the beginning of Henry the 8. Lewis the 12. of France maried Mary the Kings yongest sister and 1520 the great Emperor Charles the 5. came into England to visit his Aunt and within two yeere after made a second returne to view London and bee acquainted with our country from whose example Christiern King of Denmarke and his wife about the 15 yeere arriued in England and was welcommed to the pleasures of our country and variety of our pastimes The Prince of Salerne and diuers of Naples about the 30. c. Shall I name you King Philips mariage with Queene Mary I hope then I must trouble you with a tedious solemnitie and tell you that many strangers knew not the way home againe into their owne countries a long time and if the peace of their soules as they vainely imagined might haue bin added to the delight of their bodies the happines of England had bin the subiect of their tongues and the obiect of their eyes In the second yeere of her raigne Ecmondine a Prince of Germany and other Embassadors were sent from the Emperor In the third yeere Emmanuel Prince of Piemont with other Lords came into England and the next moneth the Prince of Orange landed at London But let mee passe forward to the mirror of all times Queene Elizabeth how proud was the Prince of Sweden that he was graced in England with so glorious entertainment at the beginning of her raigne Not long after 1565 Christopher Prince and Marquesse of Baden came of purpose to haue his childe borne amongst vs and reioyce in the fortune of such a godmother About the 11. yeere of her raigne anno 1568 Mary Queene of Scots though shee was surprized in her flight to France and defeated in her maine proiects yet for a long time misliked not her imprisonment and was glad to confesse the prerogatiues of her natiue soile and country In the 14. yeere Francis Duke of Memorancy and Betrawde de Saligniers Knights of the order of St Michael came both into England with other great Princes to gratulate her Maiestie and acknowledge her worthines In the 21. of her raigne 1578. Cassimirus Count Palatine and Duke of Bauaria was entertained the better
of Deuils the glory of the firmament the diuision of the earth the bonds and limits of the sea the secrets of hell and the terrors of the last dissolution what neede wee more or go any further for a marking stone to colour any kingdome with whereby it may be known to come neere and enioy most of those blessings wherewith God hath sealed and ratified the glory of Countries then out of the storehouse of the Scriptures To this purpose I dare be bold to aduance our England into the highest chaire as if she were to triumph for some notorious victory and that I may bring vp my forces together to a close encounter and connect my reasons with probability I will discouer at large what I haue learned out of industrious Authors obserued by my owne indeauours knowne as oculatus testis in most countries of Europe and since determined in a combat of comparisons not that I meane to rippe vp the bowels of antiquity and call in question so many thousand volumes which haue consumed as many thousand yeeres in discouery of originals and as it were tormented Time with strange discourses so that if you should take off the vaile wherewith diuers Authors haue ouermantled both Countries Kingdomes and Cities you would stand amased at their deformed shapes and remaine confounded to veiw now their disparity I will therefore leaue all maligne circumstances of my quiet and shew you with what countenance they looke vp to heauen at this instant and in what manner they seeme proud of their establishment whereby 〈◊〉 that are willing to be impartiall shall be the better enâ—…ed to yeeld vp a verdict of truth against all adulterate sophistication Yet must I adde with all this lesson of morality that in 〈◊〉 kingdome where vnderstanding hath pleasured the people with 〈◊〉 of ciuility as for barbarous natâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onely make vse of their names Sol vitae est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antidotus vitae patientia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c Vita vitae conscientia c gloâ—…â—…ntia For with wealth your entertainement 〈◊〉 â—…ght wâ—…th Princes attonement made with Tyrants 〈◊〉 â—…ed amongst strangers adoration aâ—… 〈◊〉 and such as know not ciuilitie will stand 〈◊〉 at thy â—…rauery and florishing By wealth are ofâ—…â—…gated imperfections remitted scandals reâ—… 〈◊〉 pardoned follies excused and the frowns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed For wealth beauty yeeldeth to a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…es are in opposition enforced 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men transported to exorbitant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for strange vndecencies and all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ounded with contraries But this is a pasâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 part of my worke or meaning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for feare of longing after that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aâ—…l as the Dutchman who onâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now to conclude The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into two seuerall Bookes In the first you shall haâ—… a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Countries of the world by way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 planaâ—…on as they are noâ—… 〈◊〉 In the 〈◊〉 as Drapers doe 〈◊〉 clotâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the 〈◊〉 and prerogâ—… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made apparâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Discite nunc miseri Quid sumus aut Quis datus aut mâ—…ae quam mâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quis modus argeâ—…o Uâ—…le numâ—…us habâ—… Quantum elargâ—… Iussit humana qua THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOKE THe Empire of Tartaria Fol. 1 The Monarchy of China 10 The Monarchy of India 14 The Empire of Persia. 19 The Empire of the Turkes 27 The story of the Ottomans together with their conquests 31 The Empire of Aethiopia 39 The Empire of Russia 44 The story of the Goths and Lombards comming into Italy and Spaine 53 The Empire of Germany 56 The history of Coleine 64 The glory of the Spanyard 69 The Description of Italy as in times past 78 Italy described at this time 83 The story of Sauoy 93 The story of Millaine 100 The description of France 111 The description of the Low-Countries 123 The Monarchy of Great Britaine 142 The description of Ireland 144 THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND BOOKE THe Maiesty of Salomon and happinesse of Canaan a full and absolute example for all Nations 155 Countries compared to Canaan and Salomons glorious happinesse and first of all the Tartars 162 China compared and her deficiency manifested 166 India compared and her defects manifested 170 Persia compared with her insufficiency 174 Turkie compared and her imperfections layd open 177 The lamentable death of the principall Viceer when Sultan Achmat came first to the crowne 181 The famous history of Mustapha 185 The story of a Renegado Bashaw 188 The indirect proceedings of Turkes against Christians contrary to all religion or morality 191 Their manner of aduancement and diuersity of customes farre from our example and orderly prosperitie 198 Russia compared 210 Aethiopia compared 213 Germany compared 217 Italy compared 221 Spaine compared 230 France compared with a discouery of her defects 236 England compared with the probable reasons why shee is neerer the example of Canaans happines than any other nation 242 Wherin the happinesse of England is both perspicuous and commendable 251 Forraine Cities compared to London with the defects of either made apparent and our sufficiency manifested 256 Diuers particulars wherein England excelleth other kingdoms and first in religion 270 Certaine particulars concerning the Greeke Church 282 Certaine particulars concerning the Latine Church 289 Another excellency of England exposing the noble worth of hier Princes beyond other nations 294 Another excellency of England casteth vp an account of her anâ—…quity in one vnited Monarchy before other nations 299 Another excellency of England consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey man and common people 3â—…4 Another excellency of England consisteth in the goodnesse of our nauy and shipping 309 Another excedency of England consisteth in the number riches enâ—…uors and extraordinary worth of our Marchant 316 Another excellency of England may bee drawne from this obseruation that wee haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our countrey then any other nation 320 The Conclusion 330 THE GLORIE OF ENGLAND The First BOOKE TOPOGRAFICALLY describing the Countries of the World with some historicall amplification CHAP. I. The Empire of TARTARIA ACcording to the vaine popular and indeed ridiculous error of opinion the world hath inuested nine seuerall Monarchs with his glory and from strange disproportions giuen them prerogatiues to command all the Nations of the earth interdicting any petty Prince to come neere them by way of competition or comparison First then the Empire of Tartaria laid prostrate vnder the throne of the great Cham called Dominus dominantium and Rex regum spreadeth it selfe with so large embracings that it extendeth from the northren Obba or if you will Tanais which falleth into the great Euxinum euen to the easterne sea sometimes surnamed the Atlanticke whose vast lappe is almost filled with a fry of Ilands all Idolaters and most of them enemies to strangers but especially Christians It begirteth those Countries
mens Cosmography who tell you of Turwin and Tornay and those noble endeuours of Hen. 8. when the King of France claimed Artois and Flanders as well as Picardy The Prouince of Gelderland is altogether champaine yet intermingled with woods and stored with euery thing to satiate our desire especially if wee looke after plenty of corne and pasture which both stuffeth full their garners and fatteth their cattle insomuch that they bring them leane in great heards from the furthest part of Denmarke to receiue here as it were a more seemely forme It is visited with the three riuers of Rhene Mase and Whale it hath 22 walled townes attended on by the care and diligent seruice of 300 villages amongst whom Numegam is metropolis and indeed boasteth not onely of antiquitie but the royaltie of a King had not time worne out the shining brightnes of his Crowne or some boistrous hand pull'd the scepter out of his arme and shouldred him quite aside from his Throne or else it was as the Kings of Cities in Mesopotamia Reges à regendo when nine of them made battaile together and the preuailers spoiled Lot and tooke him prisoner Herein is also contained the country and Earledome of Zutphen and the delicate Iland of the Betto how euer Holland would challenge her of disobedience if shee should call another mother For Goricum Worchum and many other townes are reputed hers onely Arnham on the other banke of the Rhene with the sweet fields of the Vellwe will still belong vnto Gelderland and could tell you of a sconce builded ouer against it of another on the banke of Icell of another before Numegen where that valiant German Sir Martin Skinck lost his life and was tossed from graue to graue vntill a military ceremonie laid him in an honorable place of rest and of another at the point of the Iland diuiding the riuer into the Rhene and Whale which saies you can scarce shew such another and is proud of nothing more than her founder and title For it is called still Skinck sconce and could affright you with the relation of many strange designes and changes of military seruice as if the Armies chose these parts of the country to play at base in and as it were dance a mattachene in armour For I my selfe knew the leaguer one yeere in Gelderward within two mile of Eltam another yeere at Bommel a third at Berck a fourth in Cleueland c. It flourished vnder Otho the third Earle of Gelderland who walled in Ruremond Arnham Harderwick Bomell Gooch and Waggenhen and so held the title of a Countie vntill Rheinaldus the second whom for his valour iustice piety and other vertues the Emperor Lodwick lifted vp to the dignitie of a Duke in the presence of the Kings of England France and the Princes Electors 1339. Zeland is a new name and not read of in ancient histories as if a man should say a countrey compounded both of land and sea For it is euery where distinguished with Ilands which are environed with water and knowne by 15 seuerall names against whom the sea hath much preuailed and not long since with violent invndations swallowed 300 of their inhabited townes so that now you may saile by the steeples of Churches and not knowing the reason wonder to what purpose the Towres were so erected There remaine now three principall which are preserued against the rage of the Ocean with exceeding cost and powerfull industry namely Walcheren Schouen and South-Beueland and foure inferior Diuelant Tolen North-Beuelant and Woolfersdike which are graced with the prerogatiues of eight walled townes whereof six continue their Estates Deputies for the whole County Midelborough Flushing Camphere and Armenden which hath no voice although it cry out neuer so loud that it standeth with the rest in Walcheren In Schouen Sirexee and Bucers hauen which hath likewise no voice In South-Beueland which is the greatest and fertilest Iland the towne of Tergowse and in the land of Tolen the towne of Tertolen and Martins dike which hath also no voice These Ilands are preserued by the downes which be certaine bankes of sand cast vp with the tides and where there are no sands as toward the south the dikes are raised by the industry of man and proportioned with equall height to the rest all so rammed with mats casses of fagots 6 or 7 foote long that it not only performeth the effect of their securitie but seemeth an artificiall gracefulnes and being so neere England is worthy the ouer-viewing In times past the Marquis of La Vere and Flushing were onely at the Generall Councels of the countrey now the places are supplied with Deputies and new times haue giuen way vnto new orders For these inheritances and titles are incorporated in Prince MAVRICE of NASSAV and the Abbot of St Martins in the towne of Midlebourgh which at this instant is the Court of Zeland As for the Prince he is the seruitor of the States and can doe nothing absolute of himselfe without their direction And for the Abbot his name is extinguished with his superstition and the reformation of religion hath also reformed his very title and authoritie so that the Estates make the Democratia a princely gouernment and assume to themselues the power of life death controuling punishing rewarding and resolute ordering all their affaires except in cases of necessitie wherein there is no disputing nor interiecting any cause of imputation either of negligence or improuidence For so great Princes either diminish or augment their illustrious royaltie and Monarks whose pride at the first swelled ouer the banks of preuailing haue in one age bin left bare on the sands of an ebbing fortune The cheefest trade of the inhabitants is nauigation fishing and making salt yet within the land they imploy themselues to tillage and feeding of cattle The people doe so multiply and increase that they are compelled to inlarge their Townes as well for their owne inhabitants as frequentation of strangers who since the troubles of Antwerpe resort hither extraordinarily but if I should adde the brauery of fortifications I should do them no wrong nay I might augment their glory For Flushing is one of the strongest Townes of Europe and Midleborough so ramparted and guarded that a very militarie renowne is attributed vnto them and the Burgers themselues deserue well of all good reports The prouince of Holland is as it were a Peninsule circumuironed with water For the sea the Rhene and the meeting riuers open their doores in such a manner that you may goe as it were round about the house except in one corner toward Gelderland and although it containeth not in circuit aboue two hundred English mile yet lifteth vp the wals ramparts and warlike ports of thirty townes of such receipt wealth and shipping that the pride of Tyrus and Sidon exclaimed vpon by so many Prophets had not greater occasion of raging and oftentation howeuer they are yet blessed with
beholding to peace and prosperitie that he tempred his warlike spirit from affecting either forreine or domesticke dissention yet did he consecrate many famous workes to the memory of his quietnes and out of a swelling of princely greatnes thought Westminster Hall the wonder of the world for a roome in a house too litle for so great a Maiestie Robert of Normandy went in person to Ierusalem and for his Heroicke successe and exploits might haue bin rewarded with the Diadem howeuer he was diuerted to returne home againe into the fields of peace Henry the first was setled in the loue of his people tamed the French pacified Normandy looked after Ireland terrified his foes corroborated his friends loued learning and was a Maecenas of all worthy conditions either in himselfe or others and howeuer the ielousie of soueraigne points intercepted the amitie of the brethren yet was his worth many waies expatiated and diuers particulars of estimation extracted from his gouernment Henry the second obtained the dominion of Ireland brought to happy period many conflicts in France stopped the breath of gaping hostilitie in England lashed the sides of his vnruly children with stripes of discomfiture and liued in great honor and estimation insomuch that he neuer exacted imposition of his people nor wanted in his warres yet left a treasure of aboue 200000 pound in ready coine besides iewels and plate which was much in those daies What thinke you of Richard the first Were not his voyages conquests titles and surname of Cuer de Lyon for his valour and exceeding courage markes of true honor Would not his life make a memorable story Shall not his actions be registred in the court of eternitie Did he not proue a worthy champion of renowme Ciprus was wonne Acon conquered Ierusalem established the confederate Princes ielous of his glory and all the countrey full of his memory so that considering his tedious iourneyes the perill of his person the successe of his actions and the noble end of his atchieuements let the proudest of the Othoman race be compared and spare not The troubles of King Iohn the Barons warres the plantation and buildings in Ireland the discouerie of the Clergies corruption the calling in of Lewis the dismissing the French backe againe and the turbulency of those times may ranke themselues with the fame of very proud Monarks Henry the third subdued the Welchmen made sundry voiages into France had many conflicts with his owne Barons set forward a notable expedition to Hierusalem shewed diuers effects of an heroicke and magnanimous spirit raigned gloriously 56 yeeres and in the interims of his peace brought many ostentous buildings to perfection Edward the first went diuers times into Scotland disposed of that Crowne as he thought good subiected them to England conquered the Welchmen appeased them with a Prince of his owne sonne borne in Carnaruan setled his estate and ended a famous life with a glorious death to which when renowne and victorie was added the applause rang through the world Edward the third and the blacke Prince haue engrossed the fame and renowne of the vniuersall earth and many memorable actions are aduanced vp as trophees of their vnimitable glory so that they may march to the palace of maiestie with the proudest Emperors For what worthy atchieuements so euer haue bin perpetuated in England Wales Scotland Almaigne and Flanders in their owne persons they haue brought to passe as if they had bin borne to shew some wonder of nature and exposed as rare examples to succeeding times And for his other sonnes step into the proudest house of Austria and tell me who can match them Iohn of Gaunt went twise into Spaine and conquered Castile in the right of his wife Lionell Duke of Clarence passed the Alpes into Italy maried the daughter of Millane reuelled in those parts with extraordinary cost pompe and attendants and wrought both a reuerence and loue toward his person from forreine people Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke was so wise and reposed that the gouernment of England kept it selfe warme vnder the ouer-spreading of his embraces Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester was so true a louer of his country and champion of honor that he contested with Maiestie for degenerating from her owne properties and durst tell his nephew King wherein he wandred from his paternall renowne Henry the fourth when he was but Earle of Hertford went into Africke bare his father company into Spaine and obtained the diadem through popular loue and respect of the people And although King Richard the second was an vnfortunate Prince yet did he surpasse both auncestors and successors for brauery in apparell costly expences sumptuous fare glorious courtship noble company princely reuels and magnificent estimation For all the while Queene Anne of Bohemia liued the fame of England was dispersed ouer the world and the King had 8 or 10000 continually in his Court whereby his pompe and port surpassed other Princes But would you wonder indeed Then looke into the 9 yeeres of Henry the fift and you shall see such a vnitie of vertues consent of graces entertainment of valour perfection of industry militarie brauery and fulnes of generous designes that his very enemies gaue way to the report of his worthy life and France in his death was left as a comfortles widow or desolate orphan I might recite the fame of Edward the fourth for reuenging his fathers death many conflicts before and after he was King his voiages into France his distastings against Burgundy his troubles at home and other princely dispositions I could also bring into your good opinion the valour of Henry the seuenth his miraculous deliuery his noble establishment his buildings and sumptuous monuments his riches and wealth his wisdome and politicke contriuing of affaires the stately disposing of his Palace and many other remarkable actions but I am affraid that I am too weakly furnished to enter into the lists with iudicious censurers nor shall be able to wrastle with opinion and seuere examination which will rather condemne me for slight extenuation in the attempt than entertaine the discourse as a befitting subiect or adapted explication of princelines Henry the eight wan Turwin and Turnay entertained the Emperor Maximilian welcommed Charles the fift compounded at his pleasure with France made voiage after voiage conquered Bulloigne had almost obtained the Empire was maiesticall in all things and died as it were in the armes of kingly reputation Queene Elizabeth deserues a whole story of her life maiestie and gouernment For the very Heathen and Mahumetans the Persians and Idolaters the Aethiopians and Muscouite doe name her with reuerence CHAP. XXII An other excellencie of ENGLAND casting vp an account of her antiquitie in one vnited Monarchy before other Nations AS no country in Europe did euer aduance vp so many excellent parts together toward the building the frame of perfection so is it apparant in nothing more liuely than in Englands antiquitie in one vnited
not himselfe set furie on worke to the killing of his enemie nay to the murthering of his Competitor whether for loue or displeasure But if you will truly consider the admirable composition of Commonwealths and extraordinary glorie of Kingdomes it consisteth in sedation of troubles and in the enriching of priuate men yea euen Salomons greatnesse was raised to a stupendous mountaine of amasement from the effects of a well compacted peace in which his Temple was built his Pallaces were finished his Cities disposed of his Souldiers maintained and his glory spred abroad with sufficient fulnesse For horses were brought him out of Arabia fine linnen from Aegipt perfumes and odours from Aethiopia spices from India precious stones from the Ilands gold from Ophir beasts and strange fowle from Affricke and many other things both for exornation and pleasure from the remotest parts of the earth But how by the industry of Merchants and worthy endeauours of men disposed to honour their Countrey and aduance themselues As for corruptions of life couetousnesse vaine-glory ambition pride emulation cunning and infinite of this kinde they are not to be named by way of Character or personating any particular condition of man whatsoeuer For from a Prince to a Peasant no body liues but may be traduced in the selfe same kinde that you would lay imputation on the shoulders of the Merchant therefore I will absolutely conclude that the true Merchant-aduenturer as he is one way the supporter of politicall States by commerce conuersation and bringing in of wealth so is he another way the Atlas of honour and magnificent maiesty by his customes filling the store-houses of a Court supplying the wants of a pallace pleasing the desires of nouelty cooling the heates of pride and satiating the vanitie of wishes nay if you would and the Ilands explored Virginia Norrembega Guiana and other coasts and made a trade with these Indians for diuers commodities so that from one place or other of our Countrey we haue not so few as a 1000. sailes of shippes abroad nor so small a number as a 100000. persons disperced vnder this acceptable title of Marchant For so I must tell you that except you aduise with your selfe for this denomination in many places of the world the excuse of curiositie will not serue your turne For you shall be taken for a Spie and a dangerous Hypocrite such is the iealousie of Kingdomes toward wanton Trauellers and the necessitie of entertainment for well imploied men And thus much for some speciall excellencies wherein England excelleth all other Nations CHAP. XXVII Another excellency of ENGLAND may be drawne from this obseruation that we haue had more glorious persons and famous Kings and Princes to visit our Countrey then any other Nation c. AMongst other spreading boughes of prerogatiues drawing sappe from the tree of Englands glory I may not leaue out this obseruation that wee haue had since the Conquest more seuerall magnificent entertainments of forraine Princes and voluntary progresses of famous Kings and Emperors some for pleasant iournies others for necessary imploiment then any Nation of Europe not that I meane to trouble you with vaine or tedious repetitions of Embassadors Legats Cardinalls or other ordinary Liegers as is customarie in all Princes Courts and concurses of State but meerely of extraordinary solemnities and occasion of resplendant showes triumphs and festiuall inuitations to delight and contentment No sooner had the Normane setled his Conquests and established his sonne William Rufus in the throne of greatnesse as well appeared by his ambitious desires to fill all Europe with the report of his exaltation especially after his returne out of Normandy and that he found fault with the smalnesse of Westminster-hall being yet the remarkeablest roome for State greatnesse and capacity in the world But Malcolme King of Scots and the two Princes of Wales came to doe homage vnto him about the third yeere of his raigne yea Robert Duke of Normandy with many Princes of France acknowledged his eminent glory and maiesticall Kingdome although the said Robert was his elder Brother and made way to his peace and amitie This likewise continued toward Henry the first and for addition the Kings his adioyned neighbours assumed nothing to themselues but what stood with the good liking of the King of ENGLAND for which purpose they many times came in person to gratifie him To which if you vnite the aduantagious marriage of Henry Emperour of Rome to his daughter I hope it may passe for a reasonable beginning and giue life to after hopes for the augmentation of our credits and exaltation of our prerogatiues Anno 1184. about the 31. of Henry 2. Heraclius Patriarch of Hierusalem came into our Countrey to desire aide against the Turke 1201. and the 3. of King Iohn at a solemne entertainement in Lincolne William King of Scots and diuers of his Nobles did homage vnto him in person to which if you adde his marrying of Lady IANE his bastard daughter to Leuelin Prince of Wales who was in those times a turbulent and ambitious man you may easily iudge what reputation our Countrey had got in the world when the Pope was more affrighted at the starting aside of little ENGLAND then if whole Spaine had at that time falne quite away from his supportation or if you will Antichristian vsurpation Anno 1224. about the 8. yeere of the raigne of Henry 3. Iohn de Brennes King of Hierusalem came into England for aide and assistance against the Saracens and from that vnimitable example of Richard 1. called in those times the flower of chiualry that wunne Cyprus and Acon in person well hoped to finde the other branches of that kingly off-spring full of the sappe of the same roialtie but when I remember how the chiefest Potentates of Europe came to elect Richard Earle of Cornwall his brother Emperour and King of the Romans I am more then satisfied for maintaining this vnanswerable position of our excellency in this kinde If you ouerlooke the life of Edward 1. you shall finde it a very mappe of honour and be able to tell the world that besides many forraine Potentates the Prince of Wales and his brother Dauid reioiced in his acceptation of them and Iohn Baliol King of Scots was glad to be named and established by him But come a little forward and at the naming of Edward the 3. me thinkes all English hearts should leape for ioy For 1334. Edward Baliol King of Scots did him homage the Prince of Wales was glad to kisse his hands and the Electors of Germany 1348. inuited him to the chaire of the Empire nay such was our royaltie that Henry Pichard Vintner and Maior of London feasted EDW. of England IOHN King of France the King of Cyprus comming to see our worthinesse DAVID King of Scots EDW. Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitane Guien and Cornwall all in one day Besides at diuers triumphes and Iusts these forraine Princes were led as it were
because he came of purpose to admire her Maiestie and commend her country Not long after 1581. Francis Burbon Prince Daulphine of Auergne Arthur Cass Marshall of France with Lusignian and others came to make way to Monsieurs admission who accordingly anno 24 as Duke of Aniou the French Kings brother and next heire to the flower-de-luce was welcommed beyond expectation and entertained with such sumptuous showes and variety of delight that they know not how to put it ouer with true noblenes considering the disparity betweene their customes and ours About the yeere 1583. Albertus Alasco free Baron of Lasco Vaiuode or Palatine of Siradia in Poland was an eye witnes of our many prerogatiues such as we may terme Court brauery Cities excellency countries happines vniformitie of our Vniuersities strength of our Nauies and glorious contentation in all estates Anno 1596. The Duke of Bolloigne came into England and in 1600. extraordinary Embassadors from Barbary and Russia who although from a stubborne bestialitie seemed to vilipend the managing of many affaires by outward forme yet were driuen to applaude our generall happines and confesse with admiration that no Kingdome was so disposed for reciprocall duties betweene Prince and subiect Yea 1601. that vndaunted souldier Duke Birone who seldome gased at any meteor or setled planet out of his owne sphere came ouer amongst vs with 300 attendants and returned with this resolution that the Queene and Court of England vnder such a Queene was the true mirror of maiestie and map of magnificence had not some of them misliked the broken and vnsauoury structures of Whitehall which indeede if it might hold vp a head of outward vniformitie and statelines as it doth when it list of inward maiestie and greatnes I know not then who could compare with vs any way except the gallery of Paris being the worke of 60 yeeres expences and pride of many seuerall Princes and the Turkes Seralio in Constantinople a vast aedifice for many purposes and receptacle for 20000 people which one way or other are lodged in and about it For in truth within the walls and iron gates it containeth as much roome or more than all S. Iames parke and Whitehall together When our King Iames was established to the admiration of all the states of Europe Monsieur Rosne from France Don Iohn de Tassis from Spaine and many other extraordinary Princes from all the Courts of Christendome came ouer to gratifie his happines but 1604 Don Iohn de Velasco Constable of Castile was as an extraordinary Prince extraordinarily entertained to which if you vnite the glorious welcome and admission of Prince Vlrick Duke of Holstaide as also of George Lodwick Lantgraue of Lutenburgh sent from the Emperor Rodulph you may well expose their entertainment against the greatest magnificence of other countries Anno 1606 Don Iohn de Mendoza Marquisse of S. Germaine was sent ouer to his Maiestie and presently the King of Denmarke came to visit his sister The next yeere 1607. Prince Ienuile second sonne to the Duke of Guise sported amongst vs and much applauded our Court and customes Then in 1608. followed the welcome of Christianus Prince of Henault and presently after the admission of many great personages besides the Leigers Embassadors of diuers Nations To which if you vnite the second comming in of the King of Denmarke the Duke of Bolloignes welcome and many others about the seuerall treatises of our Princely mariages with the Lady Elizabeths solemnities when Prince Fredericke Count Palatine came in person to take her to his wife I make no doubt concerning the purpose in hand you will all confesse that England hath not bin a litle graced and the rowle of our excellencies hath one Item beyond other countries for remarkable persons comming amongst vs either for pleasure or state-imployment which the rather hath place of wonder because wee are seated in the sea and so farre remote from the maine commerces of the world so that whosoeuer comes to vs must looke for no through-fare nor Cities of strength as in many places but bee content to sit amongst vs with amasement that euery man eats vnder his vine with plenty peace and such acates as great Kingdomes want for all their treasure and popish fasting daies CHAP. XXVIII THE CONCLVSION I Could further marke your tallies with many memorable priuacies wherein we ouer-passe other Nations but they be things so well knowne already to iudicious and vnderstanding men that I must needes be ielous of my selfe for entring so slenderly armed into the lists of so great a contention and against such aduersaries who will either out of curtesie smile at my folly or prouder experience deride my ignorance or peremptory wilfulnes scorne my tenuity but I will anticipate all censorious exceptions with a plaine confession of Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim Yet notwithstanding seeing I haue plaied the truant already I will imitate the cunning and stubborne schoole-boy who perceiuing an impossibilitie to auoide the punishment for his offence gaue a longer content to his pleasure and taried out the last houre with supposition that all could end but with one chiding so considering I haue racked your patiences thus farre I will questionles determine my first purpose after my owne fashion and vndergoe your pitty or vilipending for all together Know then that our Vniuersities for state maiestie good order number of schollers and iudicious learning surpasse all countries of Europe and if in Cambridge you looke on Kings Colledge chappell the sumptuous quadrant of Trinitie and the delicate compacting of our new Colledges you cannot but imagine we had a hope in the structures to contriue some thing for admiration If in Oxford you consider the Diuinitie schooles the foundations of Christs Church Sir Thomas Bodleis library and other things of account you must needs conclude that we striued to exalt our Nation for such rarities Our bathes high waies and securitie to trauell in are not to be ouer passed Our Inns or as they call them Hosteries with other places of entertainment yeeld a plenary satisfaction to our trauels and open the embracings of extraordinary welcome insomuch that our wearied bodies are folded in the armes of quietnes and rest and our troubled spirits setled in reposednes and content In our hospitalitie we goe beyond all other Nations and many worthy mens houses exceede scattered villages both for diuers buildings and numbers of people else where Our diet is abundant and the best of the cattle and for the blessings of increase bids you welcome to the fat of the earth Abrahams cake Abrahams calfe Esaus venison Labans good cheere the louing fathers fat kid and all of that sort Our seruants are hansome and honest in comparison of others our ciuilitie and attendance extraordinary nor is the Gentleman to be dallied with by inferior groomes nor any man to be abused if he stand on the true leggs of obseruation Our lawes are seuere toward capitall crimes and if offences
bedurty vs wee are not yet impudently to mount on a stage to be seene nor be so ignorant but we can hide our selues till we be cleaner or make a composition with mercy and pacification if the busines bee not darkned indeede with loathsomnes and euery thing amongst vs with a fashionable hansomnesse ouerswaieth nicer exception Thus I hope you will first pardon me for vaine-glory or affectation considering I speake for my country and then yeeld vnto the truth which at last must preuaile considering I haue confirmed her excellencies and prerogatiues Nor haue I taken this taske vpon me out of supposition that England would haue lost her reputation if I had not traduced my selfe in these triuiall Tractates but meerely I protest to affront some humorists who as irresolute or ignorant thinke too slightly of our worth and in my owne hearing haue presumed to match petty Princes with vs against whom I dare maintaine that if there were such occasion the Voluntaries and idle disposed of our Country would goe in such troopes and in such a manner that we need neither pay customes for silkes out of Florence Genoa Leuca or some other of their principall states of Italy nor haue our store-houses empty of the marchandice of India or China As for the gold of Ophir though many thinke ancient mines may be exhausted oh that they might try their fortune I beleeue we should not need proclamations against exportation of our coine But better is better I haue commended the peace of Salomon as one of the cheefest parts of blessednes which the birth of our Sauiour ratified and the comming in of our King exampled and let it continue a Gods name with the spreading of the Cherbins ouer sanctum sanctorum and the shadow of the Almighty couer vs vntill we come to the port indeed of all comfort happines and securitie FINIS All nations loue their owne Countrey best 1 Strangers 2 Traueller 3 Bâ—…ereader 4 â—…me-bred discontents 5 Patisis 6 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Englâ—…nd commâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a c The firâ—… Monarâ—… of the 〈◊〉 as it is now made â—…rious TAVRVS hath many names Amazones Tartarians a new name Theft lawfull and vnlawfull Râ—…barb The third Empire of the world Diuers authours write of India and would include China as one Countrey India now intermingled with Christians 4. The fourth part of the worlds honour The 〈◊〉 Tyara The Persians aâ—…e You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The fift parâ—… of the 〈◊〉 glory Countries Cities Riches His Conquests The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…me The conuersion of the Aethiopians Prester Iehan no Priest The seuenth share of the worlds 〈◊〉 Alexander and Cleonidas Northren regions Norway Swedia Denmarke How the Goths came into Italy The eighth part of the worlds brauery Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe Germanes haters of deceit Errors of Courtiers How Germany is neighbored Fooles may giue good counsell The ninth part of the earths glory Non 〈◊〉 vlâ—… Pâ—…s 〈◊〉 Inquisâ—… 1609. Eight kingdomes in Spaine America conquered The true Philosophers stone Italy diuided Countries Cities Rome Venice Millane Genoa Turine Pauy Padoa Cremona Verona Mantua Mirandula Ferrara Parma Bononia Rauenna Urbine Ancona Florence Pisa. Lâ—…uca Sâ—…a Naples The estate of Italy in tâ—…is modern age Naples Rome Florence Leuca Venice Modena Mantua Parma Millano Genoa Trent Piemont Saâ—…y descrâ—…d Mount Melian Aguabelle Geneua Pen men mawre in Wales The occurrences of Millane The 〈◊〉 in possâ—…ssion of Millane 1515. The Spaniard taketh part with Millane against the French The Spaniard by the Popes flattery looketh after Millane for himselfâ—… The Spaniard absolute ly possesseth Millane The Topography of France Galli of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gascoine Guienne Poictoy Aniou Brâ—…taigne Normandy I le of France Berry Limosin Languedock Prouence 〈◊〉 Loraine Boloigne Picardy The glory of the sâ—…uenteene Prouinces as moderne times esteem them Limburck Lutzenburg Henault Artois Namurs Brabant 〈◊〉 Gelderland Zutphen Zeland Holland Vtrech Freesland Groining The Low-Countries is lost by the Spanyard A generall commendation England Ireland Lemster Munster Conach Ulster I haue knowne of them deliuered in the morning march along with vs the same dâ—… Salomons royalty The dominion of the great Cham compared China farre short of Salomons happinesse India commeth short of a happy countrey The Maâ—…umetans are no way neere our example The cruell gouernment of the Turks amongst themselues Mustapha's story about Hyrena The lamentable tragedy of Mustapha Looke the Commentary and Lettere de principe in Italian The doctrin of the Deruices or mendicant Priests of Turkie This was in the time of Amurath the third Prince of Moldauia Mr Christopher Willoughby The Vinyard taken by the Maltasses Edward Conach The Viceer of Arabia The Turkish gouernment deficient in exemplary goodnesse or happines The story of Scanderbeg and why he was so called The degrees of the Turks 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beg in Turkish is great or honourable 7 The manners of Turks and their gouernment Their religion The comparison layd together 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The deâ—…cts of Russia 1588. The deâ—…cts of Aethiopia The merchandize from India and Aethiopia superfluous things and such as we neede not The imperfect condition of Germany The Emperor Charles the fift despised for his meane habit The mangled prosperity of Italy Diuers particulars concerning Italies glory disreputation Spaine wanteth many things to come neere our example Beautifull womâ—…n As the blessings of France are abused it cannot equall our comparison The law salicke in France against the law of â—…od and nations The glory of England both abroad and at home The glory of England at home The happinesse of our countrey London and Paris comâ—… Constantinople described and compared with London Why Seralio Venice described and compared with London Common places against idolatry yea the vaine erecting of images Reasons why we should not commit â—…iolatry The foolish excuse of Idolaters Romish Idols Wherein the Greeke Church is farre from true religion The greatnesse of the Creeke Church The precedency of the Greeke Church Gregory surnamed the Great Nauclerus The verity of the Greek Church The corruptions and abuses of the Romish Church The story of a conuerted Iew. The story of a Turck concerning his opinion of Rome The story of the olde woman at Strasborogh Irish deuotion The Kings of England haue exceeded for many memorable vertues and actions other Princes England the auntientest vnited kingdome of Europe The Husbandmen are happier in England then in other nations Banditi 〈◊〉 Contadino Pesant Boore Churle Yeoman Trarcklin or Former â—…man No nation euer came neere vs for so many and good ships The Marchant of England surpasseth all other Nations A glory worthy all obseruation
wisedome wealth and resplendant eminence of noble Citizens and well ordered men so that no man vnacquainted with the secrets of a Kingdome can comparatiuely subiect it either to vilipending or insufficiency If you are a Traueller Then carried away with present shadowes or transported with a cursory vanity of some stately edifices braue Curtezans entertainement of strangers recommended by some speciall Councellour of State strong castles new ramparts conuenient harbours well furnished Arsenalls some prety gallies and hearkening after euery report to please the Hearing or rauished with some comicke sight to moue admiration you go no further then present contentment nor will once remember what a mother you haue of your owne and how a legitimate childe ought to be louing dutifull and aduised If you search for no better secrets then what absolute Authors haue locked vp in their storehouses who many times filled their papers with extraneall reports and when they were possessed with a nouelty exciting astonishment they then enlarged the same setting downe euery thing as authenticall which onely carried the show of probability by some enforcing circumstances howeuer it sauoured of detraction and calumny Thus I confesse haue many written of BRITANY as of a strange and barbarous nation naked people painted enraged liuing vpon roots and herbes eating raw flesh and remote from the brauery of populous Cities and courtly paâ—…aces whereby a continued impression is so made and lest to posteritie that in many places they suppose the same still Wherein I cannot compare them better then to some poore Farmer who liuing in an old cottage thatcht and deformed is compelled at last to go into another Countrey as dispossessed by some wealthy Lawyer or Citizen and so relateth to his new acquaintance what a pittifull house hee came from and how miserable hee left the same little knowing how delicately yea stately it is reedified and holdeth vp such a contrary face of Maiesty that if he were to returne and view it againe he could not imagine it the same nor that any policy of man or worldly meanes had contriued the alteration If you liue discontented at home then out of a sullen and dogged humour you spare not any accusation of your countrey whether for deficiency of blessings or gouernment but hearken after euery report of strangers and are contented to be cosoned with the deceit of forraine relations and so from a wilfull neglect of our worthines wilt neither beleeue the maiesty of our honour the magnificense of our structures the variety of our happinesse the decency of our Cities the exaltation of officers the beauty of women the glory of conuersation and all other particulars tending to an absolute demonstration of our worth but dost vnkindly weigh it downe with comparison saying there are some slender commendable things amongst vs but farre inferiour to other nations If you are superstitious or would seeme affectionate to religion then vnder a pious show of deuotion you absolutely condemne all other things and sweare they are vnualuable to the pacification of the conscience and setling the soule to peace and vnderstanding the way to saluation and so without either desire or endeauours to entertaine a further truth you not onely deny those allegations which may diuert you from falshood but are an aduersarie to all commemorations of temporall matters which may giue you light to conduct you to the acquaintance of ENGLANDS merit and high exalted desert If you are terrified with the strength and warlike preparation of forraine Princes because you heare of well fortified places armies on foote treasure amassed shippes rigged Countries subiugated garisons dispersed Princes affied and the Pope blessing them Then peraduenture you may suppose that we cannot propulse such aduersaries nor haue sufficient meanes to rebate the insolencie of so high exalted Monarchs because you are either faithlesse in heart traiterous in loialty simple in apprehenâ—…ion of ouer-reached by cunning inferences of others and so remaine confounded at some common wants amongst vs disabling all things which may tend to strengthen the hopes and loue to your owne Countrey If you are desirous of wealth and corrupted with the filthinesse of lucre then it may be hearing of the infinite treasures of the GRAN SIGNIEVR the Venetian riches the many millions comming out of India into Spaine so many crownes of the sunne coined in France and the annuall entradoes of diuers Countries and Principates and troubled at home with strange rumours of penuries and wants with exportation of our gold and coine into forraine parts and some forcible convulsions of priuate men to enrich themselues you are amazed and cannot be setled with any opinion of our sufficiency and will scarce be helped with better information uide possessions by way of contribution to their children reward their seruants and endeauour to bee neere the Prince would you dispute of ciuill conuersation of a Land that floweth with milke and hony of eating vnder thy owne vineyard of receiuing the temporall blessings of encrease of solemnities at feasts of burials and mournings for the dead of martiall exequies of triumphant marriages and priuate reioycings of honest and friendly visitations of mutuall commerces of powerfull presents of detaining vs within the limits of naturall obseruation as quod tibi fieri non vis alteri ne feceris and in truth of all fundamentall principles of gouernment in the hands of the Scriptures is lifted vp a mirror to looke into without specke staine base composure or counterfeit foile Would you haue directions for maintaining a magistracie for adapting you to reciprocall duties of releeuing the poore succouring the fatherlesse and widowes suppressing the proud restraining the offensiue imparting of fauours acknowledging of friendlinesse with such like would you be thankefull when your cuppe doth ouerflow reposed when necessities knocke at the doore patient when aduersitie deiecteth moderate when prosperity â—…lateth free from repining at the glory of thine aduersary sparing insulting ouer the misery of inferiours and remember who is the distributer of all good gifts like the Master of a Comedy who sorteth out his Sceanes according to the inclination of his schollers making a poore mans childe to personate a Prince and the sonne of a lord to acte a meaner part In the Scriptures shineth the light of such vnderstanding and liueth the soule and life of the truest wisedome In a word would you know the duty to God and man the hope of saluation the mysterie of religiâ—…n the establishments of faith the preeminence of truth and 〈◊〉 sanctified calling of all Gods seruants from the Scriptures ariseth the fountaine and swelling spring flowing into riuers yea seas of abundance which in some are of bitter tast but inward sweetnesse in others pleasant in the mouth but woâ—…mewood in the belly so that if from thence proceede all lawes statutes and ordinances touching the supreame godhead the spirits vnder his throne the nature of things visible and inuisible the power
and Turditanes betweene the Celtibrians and Iberians setled nations in Spaine to the deciding of whose controuersies Marrhable and Haldruball were called out of Carthage which both made a conquest of Spaine and proiected to clip the feathers of the Roman Aegle who now began to spread her wings ouer the best inhabited fields of the world That from this emulation Rome stood on a better guard and accounted these Africans a barbarous people in respect of themselues as foretold from the prophesie of Daniel and the Sibills of her strange establishment as Queene of the world and at last shared the plenty of Spaine for impatient of any aduenturers in that voyage the Carthaginians were expelled and the royall standard of Italy aduanced That time ouer-wearied with the insulting of perpetuitie at last incited the strange nations of Gothes Vandalls and Lombards to labour in the worke of the god of alteration who pull'd this country from all Emperors and Kings and made a fearefull diuision of the same keeping themselues warme in Spaine when all other countries failed That long after Count Iulian began a new worke as if he could haue powred downe vengeance on the author of his discontents For after Rodrigo had rauished his daughter hee called in the Mores a race of Mahumetans into Spaine to be reuenged on the King by whose assistance he not onely banished the Gothes and other people into Castile but kill'd the King vsurped the country altred the gouernment and so plaied their parts in Granado Valentia and Andolozia as if they were created of purpose to shew some wonder of heauen when dissolution of Kingdomes and punishment of offences is determined so that they quickly made their owne conditions and bound the countrey euer since to the ratifying of them infecting the best families of Spaine with paganisme whereby our moderne Kings weeding them out by litle and litle haue also attempted to purge their Churches of such filthines and when they could not preuaile by precept and authority of reason they erected the office of Inquisition to discouer who were addicted to the adoration of Mahomet and durst contest against the blessednes of saluation in IESVS CHRIST whereupon the Mores haue raised many innouations in the countrey euen the last yeere to the number of a million fraighted their hearts with treason and a burning desire to set on flame the wondrous compacted peace of Spaine Here is yet no great cause of amazement For thus were the children of Israel persecuted by the Aegiptians affrighted with the Philistims maligned by the Edomites subiected and made slaues to Babylon tormented and threatned by Syrians and Graecians and at last not onely subdued but subuerted by the Romans who of all other put the axe to the tree and at one stroke laid the same on the ground leauing the holy Citie desolate as a widow cast out as an orphan despised as a vagabond and punished worse than a traiterous rebell vntill the Mahumetans by way of curtesie ridd her of her paine at once and vtterly trampled her to peeces so that now to see the people dispersed without a law common-wealth or King to view the countrey like a barren wildernes to behold nothing but rapes and robberies where so many promises had bin made from heauen where such riches and maiestie flourished where such mightines and state increased and where all prosperity triumphed would leniat an adamantine heart and raise a crying voice from commiseration with Heu cadit in quenquam tantum scelus tanta iniquitas And thus much for example concerning the seuerall alterations of Spaines gouernment now to the rest of his ostentation The whole countrey retaineth still the antient diuision of Baeticam Lusitaniam and Tarraconensem and the memory of eight seuerall Kingdomes 1. Gallicia to which Asturia and Cantabria are connected 2. Nauarra the proper inheritance of the house of Burbon in France 3. Castiles a coople boasting both of antiquitie and excellency 4. Lusitania tother day Portugall but now incorporated with the rest into the house of Austria 5. Leon extinguished long since by the greater light of Arrogon 6. Arrogon laying claime to Naples and Ierusalem and so enlarging the King of Spaines titles 7. Valencia mourning for her corruption in religion and 8. Granado to which Andolozia or the countrey of Vandalls with the former Iland of Gades are vnited Amongst these Portugall did once boast of the conquest of India Aethiopia Persia and many other places especially Taprabona or the Iland of Saint Lawrence betweene whom and Great Britaine as I haue said before at this instant of all the Ilands in the world is comparison for circuit and spatiousnes of ground But shall we let them goe on with these vaine-glorious titles of conquest and victory when they are yet but poore possessors of some harbours and townes by the sea shore and stand on their guard with more terror to lose than euer they entertained comfort in getting them I I let them alone a gods name For quarrels arise from contradiction and there is no disputing with men resolued in the vaine promises of worldly deceit nor must you be incredulous when a Portugall shall report that these exploits were carried in the current of successe without the helpe of Spaine at all as though there was euer a distinction or rather separation betweene themselues and a Castilian yea they proceeded further as if there were an Antipathy in nature For they vsed to spit at the naming a Spaniard like simple people in England after the Deuill was pronounced But to the rest if you would truely vnderstand the cause of his pride and former elation of countenance you must then take notice that he detaineth all these Kingdoms within his owne Continent as a commanding Monarch and after many convulsions begged at fortunes hands the ratification of the Royalty stiling himselfe withall King of Naples Sicilia and Hierusalem the two former gouerning by Viceroies the latter claiming by inheritance as vnwilling to lose himsele or forget the glory of his auncestors wherein he pleadeth imitation For the Emperor writeth King of the Romans not once visiting of Italy the Denmarke King of England England of France and France of Nauarre then are the Ilands of Sardinia Corsica Maiorca and Minorca entred his booke of accounts to which if you adde the noble Duchie of Millane into whose demeanor Count Fuentes looketh with prying eies for his behalfe that the state of Genoa dependeth on his protection you will say ambition set him well on worke and as well rewarded him for his daies labour As for the Low Countries he would faine shew them as feathers belonging to his broken wings and taketh the house of Burgundie for his owne hoping that the Pope which can canonize a Saint will make the daughter of Spaine a Queene especially of her owne inheritance Thus liueth and ruleth he in Europe but all this were rather burthensome vnto him considering the barren hills and
Rhodanus commeth a pace out of Burgundy it was once knowen by the name of Araris and telleth a true tale of an hundred seuerall townes dispersed on his streames and supported by his bankes The eleuenth booke of this noble countrey openeth the leaues of knowledge for Burgundy which was once a Kingdome as absolute as the King of France himselfe and is still a Dukedome and County graced with such royalties that by their owne prerogatiues they haue brought armies into the field and proclaimed the absolute freedomes of their gouernment yea in the latter times of contestation with France they held the dignity of a Parliament kept a full palace sequestred and instituted the noble order of knighthood called the golden Fleece some would annex the Dutchy of Barr vnto it which I thinke more properly belongs to Loraine and many Earledomes of estimation The petty riuers receiue augmentation from the springs of her fields and the swift Araris is sent into the sea from her mountaines Her cheefest cities are Digion and Austune maintaining regall tribunals exposing ostentous edifices boasting of great antiquity setting out the brauery of diuers monuments and palaces and supporting the necessities of many people The townes of the Dukedome would bee called Latornelle Rochpot Chalons Verdune Seure Argilly Sausieu and such like The townes of the County please the inhabitants with the titles of Iussy Gray Dole Besanson Quingay Salins Arboies Paligny Bouteuant Noseroy Vennes Chastillion and diuers others none of which but either boasteth of one excellency or other some for making salt some for fulling cloth some for spinning linnen some for mines and minerals some for excellent pastures some for vines some for cattle and all for good building plenty of Gentle-men and concourse of people The twelfth doore of this Countries enclosure is vnlocked for Loraine howeuer the Duke repineth that he is not a King with his ancestors and still protesteth he wil be as absolute within his own territories as an Emperor nay sometimes addeth the French King himselfe For louing both alike he will bee auxiliary to either and sometimes enemie to both as being such a Prince who aduanceth and diminisheth at his pleasure the Marquisate of Ponce the Earledoms of Vademont Verdune Blamont Demanche Marchen and diuers other coronets with the immunities of sundry Baronies all depending vpon his praemium poena The townes of this countrey are Metts famous for the Emperours siege and many warlike fortifications Nancy Voige Chaligy Vaudmont Dompair Rosiers Rumbelluillier and such like worthy description but as I sayd in the beginning I intend not to extenuate the endeauours of other men either in their trauels or commentaries nor tell any abrupt tales when such and so many famous Authors and Cosmographers speake so orderly and plainely Therefore I referre you thither for more ample discourses especially concerning such cities as I haue ouerpassed and yet flourish at this hower in seuerall countries it shall only suffice me to name the countries and principall places that I may prepare you the better to attend my comparison when I shall set out England to the sale with her ornaments of commendation indeed The thirteenth roome of the palace of France her Honour is appropriate to Callis and Boloigne maintaining the sea-shores ouer against Kent and the sweet breathing mouth of the Thames in England but in such emulation being so neere that either they complaine to be thus long disioynted from her gouernment or seeme offended that we euer possessed them and could keepe them no longer much of this countrey once belonged to Artoys and was diuided betweene the Emperour and France by way of composition But if you would know wherin and wherof it boasteth indeed it is for two famous Dukes of the same or if you will but Earles who by their valours and heroik endeauours obtained the noble Diadems of the world the one was Godfrey inuested King of Ierusalem and made like another Agamemnon Captaine Generall of the Christian army against the Saracens The other was Stephen sonne of Duke Williams daughter of Normandy raised to the dignity of England and maintaining the possession against Maud the Empresse and her sonne during his life The last part of this glorious Kingdome may include Vermond and Picardy whose principall townes are Guise La Fere Han St. Quintine Tornay Chatel Abeuile Amiens Auxi Peron and such like washed with the streames of the Some and Scaldis whose rivulets make the fields plentifull in corne and grasse although the inhabitants are not industrious in planting of vine-yards which I rather impute to the indisposition of the soile then their negligence Thus you see with what a glistring crowne the head of France is impaled in the chaire of Maiesty and may visit the palace of honour with more and better attendance of Princes Dukes Earles and Gentle-men then any absolute Monarch of the world yet because it hath some defects in meere matters of state according to the true prosperity of a countrey and that diuers deficiencies chance somewhat disgraciously vnto her like staines and spots to pure linnen I cannot yeeld her the pride of happinesse because you shall see in my next book of comparison wherin her fulnesse of glory is ecclipsed and how wee our selues enioy many prerogatiues before her CHAP. XV. The Description of the Low-Countries BEyond all euen to the sea which made a sea of their fields and townes lie the seuenteene Prouinces called the Low-Countries or Germania inferior For alas the name and title of Gallia Belgica is long since extinguished although as I sayd all the Countries on this side the Rhene toward France were reputed as France Of these I must vse a little ampliation because I cannot chuse but wonder how any Prince would neglect such a benefit as the peaceable possession of these places which for goodnesse greatnesse and wealth vnited with the loue of the inhabitants might haue exceeded Spaine it selfe as by their reuenewes multitude of people cities shipping traffique with all nations and home-bred commodities may appeare They are called Ditiones inferior is Germaniae diuided into Dukedomes Counties and Lordships and knowen by these Characters The Dukedomes Brabant Limburck Luzenburg and Gelderland The Counties Flanders Artoys Henault Holland Zeland Namurs and Zutphen which is but one principall towne and some small territories adiacent The Marquisate of the Empire The Lordships Freesland for you must take notice that East Freesland belongeth to a Prince of her owne and euer disclaimed to bee subiect either to Emperour or King and so holdeth vp a head of liberty accordingly Mechlin Vtrech Trans-Ysell and Groining In these are numbred 228. great townes murited with wals ramparts ditches warlike ports bridges and fortifications Besides their guards are continuall either of their owne Burgers or Souldiers lying in garison according to the proximity of the enemy importance of the place necessity of affaires or inconueniences of the time The villages or dorps are 6300.
credit to ouerbeare mischances But our glory abroad is truely expatiated when you shall know how helpefull wee haue beene to other nations both with purse and forces yea contrary to the opinion of the world concerning our penury opened the enclosures of riches and hononrably supplyed the defects of other Kingdomes Wee haue made peace betweene Denmark and Sweden and pacified those troubles long agoe We haue releeued the Estates of Holland with men money and munition vnderpropping them as if a man should vndershore a ruinous wall vntill the foundation were repaired We haue assisted the Protestant Princes of of France in their first ciuill warres and beene auxiliary to many noble houses of Germany we setled the last King in his greatnesse and lifted him vp to that honour that none of his Predecessours had their crownes shining with such a lustre We playd the Physician with Geneua and administred her such an antidote that no aconite of Pope or Sauoy could envenom her to death or contriue her destruction We brought the distressed Prince Antonio to knock at the gates of Lisbone and had he not found a fatall vicissitude of times and occasions yea the minds of inconstant men corrupted with by-respects and priuate following the stronger side we might questionlesse haue preuailed in the proiect and vpon the least filling the sailes of our expectation with the winde of home assistance brought recouery to receiue the fulnesse of life Wee haue made Spaine weary of the warres and at last desire a peace which I would be loth to resemble to still waters wherein are the deepest gulphs and most dangerous places to aduenture We returned the Polish Ambassadour with admiration at our Princes greatnesse and magnanimity We haue setled the good opinion of the Muscouite Wee haue emboldned the Venetians in their last dissentions against the Pope Wee haue accorded the Arch-Duke who not onely admitteth vs into entertainment but giueth way vnto such as yet maintaine the cause of the contrary We haue welcomed the Prince of Moldauia and as farre as policy or charity could goe brought him along into the faire fields of expectation to regaine his enheritance We haue lately ouerlooked the fields of Sweden and Russia yea thought it befitting to send a martiall supply into Denmarck and howeuer the Polander repine must in the end I beleeue determine those controuersies To conclude though it shall be no cause of ostentation wee haue prospered in so many glorious thriuings that the Spanyard in his prophanation hath sworne IESVS CHRIST to become a Lutheran and railed on report for filling the world with the sound of so many memorable actions Concerning our glory at home lay abroad our example and spare not and marke the emptiest place which we will not fill vp with comparison First the best manner of gouernment from Gods own mouth which is monarchal and philosophicall principles which is a King and morall enstructions which is a distributer of Iustice and peoples desires which is an honourable preseruer of Common-wealths all vnited in one person from a continuall descent of princely ancestours gaining the loue and obedience of many nations by excelling induments of nature as wisdom learning iudgment peaceable desires honorable liberality magnanimity such like And did it please him to add some glorious repairing or rather magnificent quadrant to his palace at White-hall being the principall place of entertainement and the eye to ouerlooke such a city as is not in the world it would come neere our example indeede For the Kings house in Ierusalem was thirteene yeere a building and no one thing addes more honour to a nation then regardable edifices and eminent workes of Maiesty being the very fruit of peace and as it were the birth-right of prosperity whether it bring forth sumptuous structures or adorning monuments And if it were not a pride elation of hart to number the people looke how many nations and languages are vnder subiection namely English Scottish Irish Welch Cornish Ments Ilanders both Hebrides and Orchades the French of Gersy and Iersy so that if the honour of a King consisteth in the multitude of his subiects what Prince hath more and such variety If you looke on his palaces where are so many and so good belonging to any Kingdome in the world If you will behold his court I hope for state good order expences entertainment and continuall attendancy other places come farre short If you will view his shipping and nauies I am sure you passe away with astonishment when you are enstructed in the secrets of their seruice and strength If you will behold his armours and munition they exceede report and the Arsenalls of other countries haue neither such equipage nor sufficiency but when you shall finde euery Noble-man and Gentle-mans house so well furnished euery Hall and Company so well prouided euery Shire so willing to continue their preparation euery Master so cheerefull in storing himselfe and euery man so ready to giue eare to any martiall summons and prepare with ioy to attend the seruice you must needs returne not louing vs with feare and trembling but affecting vs with triumph and well wishes for our preuailing against the proudest aduersary If you will number vs at sea I know there is not so many good Mariners and Saylours in Europe excepting the Low Countries If you will muster vs at land who can shew such companies of foot such troopes of horse so many worthy seruitours and so well appoynted Insomuch that I know diuers Gentle-men of England who can conduct 3000. men into the field in their King and Countries name of their owne tenants seruants and friends If you will examine our Nobility I confesse they doe not boast of factious greatnesse as in France the Princes of Germany but their number noble disposition willingnes to be obedient may passe in the best items of Fames account If you would see our Councellors prepare a reuerence and settle your estimation toward them for their orderly life probity of manners integrity in deciding controuersies affability in admitting suters though you come from the Grandes of Spaine the Principalities of Italy the Electors of Germany the Dukes of France the States of other Countries yea the ostentous pomp of Cardinals yet bee not too preiudicate nor transported with selfe-conceited wilfulnes for you shall see as great brauery retinue obseruation amongst vs as any subiects in the world dare challenge or put in practise for outward glorious ostentation nay more the order of our Garter and the ceremonies of enstalling are continued with that triumph and maiesty that no one celebration of petty Princes dare lift vp a countenance of such iollity regardable honor And if you will behold the other Courtiers they are generally so many so handsome so seruiceable of their own retinues so well prouided that I protest they so farre exceede other places both for gracefull shewes and sufficient estates that I
sauour not one word of truth in the same as you shal see in the next chapter So that I will onely relate vnto you three seuerall stories of three seuerall sects in which the absurdities of the Latin Church most plainely appeare In Rome amongst diuers others there liued a certaine Iew who had many controuersies with Christian Friers about both their religions alledging for himselfe preuailing arguments against their idolatry or worshipping of images wherein they would faine distinguish with the differences of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. praying to Saints prophaning of the Saboth incontinency of life and burning candles in the day time as it were in scorne of the glorious light of the sunne all which though they were vnanswerable yet the Frier pleading the calling of the Gentiles the destruction of the temple the disanulling of Iewish ceremonies the birth and comming of Christ as a prefixed time of another religion the authority of the same and the orders of the Church preuailed so farre with the other that he enclined a little to bee a Proselite which the Frier reioyced to heare triumphing exceedingly at the good successe of his oratory nay soft quoth the Iew it is not thy perswasion hath coapted me to this course but a certaine impression that some great and good God is protectour of this place or the prayers of an holy Patriarch as Abraham disputed with Iehoua about the sauing of Sodom and Gomorrha are acceptable to heauen in the behalfe of some vnknowne good men otherwise the sinnes of Rome are so many the liues of Priests so corrupt the wickednesse of men so abominable the villany of politicks so mischeeuous and all things so discrepant to true religion and honesty that I haue wondred a thousand times how the whole countrey especially the city hath beene protected and supported from sinking to hell At another time a sober Turke liuing in Rome and wearied with the riot of their Carneuall or Shroue-tide at his returne to Constantinople being demanded his opinion of the Christians answerered that they had some tolerable customes eat good meat weare good clothes or rather spoyled much stuffe with fantasticke slashing and cutting it and liued in good townes but they were madd twice a yeere For at one time they ranne like Diuels in a play vp and downe the streets with squibs of fire making a noyse both on horse-backe and on foot keeping a coyle with Curtezans and Bawds sporting with scurrulous and vnmanly gambols and performing actions of strange vndecencies which indeed is their time of Carneuall a time of such sluttishnesse vnrulinesse and venerious riot in all the cities of Italy that in Venice one Iceppo Marcello hath written an inuectiue against it Shortly after they went howling in the streets like dogges mourning with lamentable gestures and whipping themselues vntill the bloud came and this was on good Friday when the Penetenciaries are couered ouer with a cassocke of canuasse except two holes to looke out at and all to belash themselues vntill the blood runne downe their shoulders whereby great Princes are so impostured that contrary to a maine position of Scripture against such voluntary humiliation and ridiculous inflictings they haue entertained the penance and vndertaken the stripes witnesse Charles the 5. who left his rod of cords as a iewell of his tresury to King Philip. Duke Ioieuse called father Angelo who returned to his orders which was a bare-foot or Mendicant Capuchin Frier as soone as the league was dissolued and many other both men and women of noble families who enioyned penance by their ghostly fathers either by punishing their bodies vnsauoury pilgrimages fasts abstinence or such like endurances are very zealous in the execution and vpon confidence of some meritorious act condiscend to dangerous and laborious miseries yea terrours abhorring to nature Now to my olde woman It is well knowne that in the last dayes of Queen Mary those dayes of firy triall our roods and images in England were so palpably abused and diuellishly stored with deuices that the Priests had diuers trickes to moue either eies heads or hands yea to make them speake with variety of voyces and palpable gesture as if the Idols of Molech and Chemosh were to entertaine the presents of the people and Bell had life indeede to deuoure the Kings allowance which course is continued still in many places of Europe insomuch that a while agoe in the Froe Church at Strasborogh when certaine olde deuout women came to worship our Lady the knauish Priests caused the childe to salute them in her armes and as it were courteoufly to thanke them for making such account of his mother which they not onely wondred at but seemed in a manner offended that the sonne should bee so bolde in the presence of our Lady whereupon one more zealously angry then the rest cryed out aloud Peace I pray you young Gentle-man I haue nothing to doe with you let me heare what my good Ladie your mother sayes and so when shee had no further reply went away discontented Of this sort in our owne Kingdome of Ireland in the beginning of his Maiesties raigne when the townes were commanded to frequent the Churches I was my selfe an eare-witnesse of many strange grudgings and murmurations amongst which I yet encountred with this facete and indifferent deuotion while two neighbours of Dublin were disputing about Church-matters the one an indifferent Protestant the other a superstitious Papist and yet so seeming cunning that she durst dispute between the Popes supremacy and the Kings authority with a willing minde to satisfie either her neighbour thus aduised to goe to Church a Gods name and for the Popes sake to say Pater noster for the Kings Our Father let God take which hee will and so it was merrily concluded and the woman went accordingly to her deuotion And thus much concerning the Latine Church The parelell of which with ours would sufficiently shew our happinesse And this you may see at large deliuered in the workes of many learned Diuines of our Country to whom I referre you CHAP. XXI Another excellencie of ENGLAND exposing the noble worth of her Princes beyond other Nations WE will not be so vnciuill as to awake the drowsie eyes of antiquitie or call in question things done so long agoe that either by-opinion or the deceit of mens inventions haue bin falsified against all reason and vnderstanding but quietly maintaine the glory of our moderne Kings and plainely vphold this position that we haue had more famous and illustrious Princes since the Conquest than any gouernment of the earth If you begin with William of Normandy his actions and warlike exploits are memorable his trauels and laborious industry extraordinary his wisdome in the sedation of the tumults and factions amongst vs wonderfull his magnanimitie in setling his Court and Palace admirable and his successe in all designes vnmatchable Howeuer William Rufus was so
Monarchy without either claime or competition of forreiners vsurpation of intruders attempt of hostile invaders and desire of alteration amongst our selues whereas yet all the Kingdomes of the world especially within the reach of European knowledge within 400 yeeres haue had other titles bin subiect to strange disparitie of gouernment and religion and confronted many times with such Princes or fearefull subiects within their territories as haue made them ielous of soueraigne points yea the very losse of their cheefest crownes and dignities If you search the wounds of the Persian and Turkish gouernment as they seeme now to be healed you shall finde them badly cured and indeed festred so dangerously that they must bee better ouer-viewed or their inward putrefaction will on a sudden poyson the very entrailes For they haue bin tossed and tumbled with many alterations and euer since Tamberlaine descended out of Scithia amongst them suffred diuers concussions both in gouernment and religions so that howeuer the Persian is more noble yet he hath permitted a mixture of many barbarous people to the great disturbance of his former glory As for the Turke hee is meerely new to vs and a formidable intruder into such territories as he gripeth with a strong arme so that what you now behold amongst these Mahumetans is onely vpheld by tyrannie a band of no greater strength then power forces and reward can tye together wherein if any faile the gouernment is quickly let loose and the subiect at liberty taketh hold of euery innovation and although by tumbling and tossing like to heaps of snow rowled vp and downe they haue growne greater and greater while the frosty coldnes of our Christian Princes gaue them leaue to harden whereby they are increased to that stupendous heape you now see yet when a thaw comes and that rota fortunae is in Gyro it shall and will be subiect to diminution especially when the glorious sunne of successe shineth out the consent of our Kings to expulse them at least out of Europe if not from the vsurpation of the better parts of Asia The Kingdome of Hungary though but lately established and knowne by a different royalty from the Empires either of Greece or Germany yet as you see a prey seased on by a hawke or other tormenting vulture pull'd in peeces and cruelly rent a sunder hath suffered many dilacerations and besides the capitall enemy of Christendome her proppes sawed a sunder by some barbarous hands amongst themselues The Kingdome of Poland is not 300. yeere old For it retained in times past but the prerogatiue of a Dukes coronet and was euer in contention with Lithuania and the adioyning Princes vntill the Pope vndertooke the appeasing of those troubles and added the grace of a roiall inuesture to Sigismundus surnamed the great who at last vnited both Pomerania Prussia and Lithuania yet is not so established but the Election of the Peeres diminisheth the prerogatiue of the King and new Princes new lawes new confederacy new gouernment haue let confusion and alteration loose vpon the Countrey The Emperour Princes Electors and principalities in Germany are almost of the same nature and condition but that many liberties of Cities haue beene bought out with mony and diuers franchises purchased to redeeme themselues from the tyrannie of wanton lords so that in particular many families haue beene chopped and changed honourable houses transmuted and new names and titles haue as it were thrust the old out of doores and in generall what with the French Germanes and the house of Austria there hath not a thought passed for hereditary succession but all things haue beene subiect to instabilitie and are still hurried in the current of preuailing as either the Pope Electorum placitus or militareius filling the sailes full of winde giueth them leaue to driue the barke of the gouernment forward The Princes of Italy in worse estate then they For except the Venetians some of their Dukedomes as Ferrara and Vrbin are fallen to the Papacy some of their Kingdomes as Naples and Sicilia possessed by the Spaniard with Millane and Genoa and the rest suspitiously standing on a guard of circumspection least they should betray one another to the stronger side and whereas the Venetians doe boast of 700. yeares continuance I am sure they neuer flourished but by the dissentions of the rest and in their first inchoation these Ilands were but receptacles for banished men yea compared to cauernus for simple beasts to shroude in whom the others of prey and rapine did not looke after For the Gothes and Lombards that infested Italy made no more account of them then we did of the stragglers in the mountaines of Walles or fastnesse in Ireland but they haue beene better coadiuted and taken successe by the hand to pace out the measures of prosperity as you now see their glory riches and augmentation The Kingdome of Spaine is so new that the other day there was a King of Portugali as absolute as himselfe a King of Arragon of sufficiency to contest with Castile a King of Granado Valencia within memory subiect to Paganisme and maintaining the new sect of Mahomet a King of Nauarre as fearefull to him as the rest and sundry other abridgments tending to the diminution of Maiesty howeuer at this instant he is blowne bigge with the winde of superfluity and greatnesse The Kingdome of France but a while ago compacted For Burgundy challengeth a roialty and had afterward a Duke maintaining his owne priuiledges The Earle of Flanders writ Comes Deigratia Normandy was another mans Brittaine in a Dukes possession Gascoine Guien and Acquitane our owne Daulphin and Prouince incorporated by gift and Rhene Duke of Loraine inuested with the Toialties of Naples and thus could I runne ouer all the rest if either they were of eminence sutable to the glory of these recited or consequence to store vs with obseruations and example only England for aboue 600. yeares I might recken from Edgar but that you will answer some 400. yeeres since the Prince of WALLES was onely an Homager and SCOTLAND in continuall opposition had fedde vpon the plenty of a flourishing Monarchy and beene fatted with the well fedde dainties of an exuberant Countrie diplaying the colours of her owne roialty in such a glorious manner that shee hath not onely spread her fame with an vncontroulable hand but brought the glory of other Nations vnder the adumbration of her canopy so that if I should adde her seuerall conquests of Ireland Walles Scotland France Cyprus Ierusalem and Castile it selfe it would torment vs with remembrance of our losses or augment our iealosie for hassarding our honour by negligence and corrupted peace which was once so worthily established by the proppes and supportation of merit and vertue CHAP. XXIV Another excellency of ENGLAND consisteth in the happy life of our Countrey-man and common people IF you looke on our example you shall finde that the chiefest part of Salomons glory extended it selfe from the
aduanceth or deiecteth can attend the good houre and begge all such graces as a Princes fauour distributeth to the subiect yet haue I read of a King in England who importuned by a Yeoman to be made a Gentleman answered hee could enoble him with knighthood or the title of a Baron but not confirme him a Gentleman because true gentry had another manner of lustre from the raies of vertue and honour in a continuall discent of Auncestors illuminated from the sunne of worthy actions either in military profession or administration of ciuill gouernment But thus liueth our Countreyman by what name or title soeuer onely we were wont to interpose this difference betweene Yeoman Francklin or Farmer that the Yeoman was a landed man either Freeholder or coppieholder the Farmer onely hired another mans land paying a fine or rent and so growing rich had the denomination of the other and did not in times past murmure though you called him Good-husband or expert Plow-man yet call him what you will he is in some Countries able to lodge you richly set a peece of plate on the cupbord fiue or six dishes of meate on the Table sweete and fine linning on your bed cheerefully to welcome you and is so cunning besides that he can tell his Lawyer a formall tale and complaine to the Iustice if a farre better man doe him wrong and in this who can come neere vs CHAP. XXV Another excellencie of ENGLAND consisteth in the goodnes of our Nauy and shipping I Hope I shall now passe without contradiction especially when I bring you forward to our ports harbours and riuers shewing you the glory of our shipping whether you esteeme them as the Kings and onely purposed for magnificence state and occasion of warre or the Marchants for exploration of countries plantation of Colonies bringing in of commodities enriching of our Kingdoms and yet withall defending our selues or both together for noble actions memorable voyages extraordinary encounters and ceremonious brauery wherein wee haue bin so priuiledged that from the memorable fame of Edward the third to this instant we neuer met enemy but preuailed vpon equall termes yea great odds and when we had misfortunes it was as Sampsons death amongst the Philistims who pulld downe the Temple on their heads and slew more at that instant than in his former enterprises witnes many nauall battailes wherein what losse soeuer we susteined the aduersarie had double and treble euen when about the fourth yeere of Hen 8. the Nauies of England and France met at Britaines Bay and we lost the Regent of England wherein Sir Thomas Kneuet was Captaine with 700 men yet did they endure the wreck of many ships especially the French Carick called then the wonder of Europe in which Sir Piers Morgan with a 1100 men perished as also when Sir Richard Greenueild within our memory miscaried by a meere disastrous chance although I might honestly excuse it by ouer-great aduantage of both ships and gallies yet as they themselues haue confessed they had no great cause to boast or let any vaine-glorious insulting runne at random But how wee haue preuailed indeed let these few instances suffice About the 14 of Edw 3. the King gathered a Nauy of 200 saile against the French who in those daies were coadiuted with Flanders as a Peere of France wherein though he was mightily ouer-matched with numbers yet preuailed he in execution and had so triumphant a victorie that their owne account numbred 30000 men slaine 200 ships surprized and taken and the rest put to an ignominious flight The 20 yeere hee went into Normandy dismantled her Townes spoiled Cane and as a messenger of reuenge brought fire into the Harbours vntill the ships were consumed and set on a blase Anno 24 he encountred the power of Spaine and vnplumed their fethers of ostentation by taking 28 great ships and making the rest vnseruiceable Anno 33 he sailed into Picardy and so preuailed that the sea yeelded him safe passage and all Burgundy safe conduct Anno 41 with a memorable victory both at sea and land did the blacke Prince resettle Peter of Spaine and in despight of all the sea forces or other warlike opposition passed and repassed at pleasure In the time of Rich 2. about the 10 yeere the Duke of Lancaster sailed into Spaine but how glorious that victory was on our side and how surmounting our Nauie before theirs the wonderfull successe attested and their owne inventories record the losse with lamentable Items The next yeere following Richard Earle of Arundell and Thomas Earle of Notingham encountred at sea with an infinite number of Flemmings but victory is in the hands of God and multitudes of men faile in their ostentation For in that maritime contention were taken a 100 ships and better the successe filling our Cities with commodities and our mouthes with praises and thanksgiuing In the 5 of Henr 4 when the French came to the I le of Wight and assailed Dartmouth with a great Nauy the rusticall people preuailed against them and manning out but the fisher-boats of the country with certaine Pinaces attending the seruice tooke 16 of their best ships and compulsed the rest to be the messengers of their owne obloquy The 3. of Hen 5. was a yeere of triumph and a 1000 saile of ships filled the narrow seas cleared the passage into Normandy amased all men who had notice of our brauery and reioyced the rest of Europe with Encomians of our successe which followed presently in France In the 15 of Edw 4. it pleased the King to passe ouer to the aide of the Duke of Burgundy but howeuer his inconstancie proued vnsauory to vs at land it matters not I am sure the seas gaue vs way nor durst their Nauy presume to intercept vs. In the 5. of Hen 8. the former encounter which I named at Britaines bay was a day of terror and we tooke burnt and spoiled as many as we mustred out of harbour The next yeere threatning Turwin and Turnay our Nauy carying all afore it like a swelling riuer beating downe the slender banks there scarce appeared an opposite for the former losses were so great that they halted downe-right in their recouery and France once lamed in her shipping cannot euery yeere bring a new Nauy into the channell with good equipage or aduantage The 14 yeere the Earle of Surrey was Admirall and not onely preuailed in all encounters at sea but by vertue of our shipping conquered diuers townes both in Britaine and Picardy The 15. the Duke of Suffolke was sent into France with an army of 30000 who passed the seas yea the water of Some without battaile and so terrified the French with all their coadiutors at that time for you must vnderstand in those repining and murmuring daies against our glory France Spaine the Low-Countries and Scotland were either confederate or entertained for wages so that almost all the mercenary shipping of Europe attended on the payment of the
abundance of his people when euery man did eate vnder his owne Vine or fig-tree when Israell were many as the sand of the sea making merry one with an other when the Husbandman plowed in peace and reaped in content and when the wrongs of the common sort were as well streightned by the line of Iustice as the oppressions of the mighty reformed by the hand of authoritie In which prerogatiues I dare be bold to say that ENGLAND excells all other nations as the light of the Sunne inferiour Planets For in some places they are absolute slaues in some places denied the comfort of their owne endeauours in some places not capable of purchases in some places not permitted to marry aboue their degree and elsewhere not suffered to enioy the freedome of life or benefit of nature as for an instance In Turkie hee is with the rest a most poore and vnfortunate slaue for whether Mustleman or Christian he dare not manure his ground to the best profit of his endeauours liuing so poorely with such sluttish and drudging company that I haue pittied his fortune and commiserated his distresse In Hungary and those parts they resemble carrion to bee preied vpon by rauens who not only feed themselues till their gorges be full but call for others to consume that which is left thus liuing vnder the Turke he hath nothing of his owne and in the Christian gouernment all is taken from him either to furnish the warres or maintaine the tribute In Italy they are a little better as long as they be able to pay their rents and husband their grounds yet doe they seldome liue of their owne or execute any thing befitting the freedome of conuersation Besides in many places they are so terrified with the troublesome incursions of the Banditi who euen make a prey of their wealth and cattle that although they know of their robberies and murthers yet dare they neither detect them nor deny to entertaine or releeue them These be men proscribed by the Law and banished from their owne Inheritances for some hainous mulct or other and flying into a stranger Princes iurisdiction liue by rapine and ouer-mastering of Passengers as they doe in Arabia and most parts of Turkie remote from the great City especially in Epyrus where both Theeues and Rouers shelter themselues within the Mountaines Assassini but seldome performe any robberie without murther whereupon as we say figuratiuely all inhumane and monstrous delinquents in this kinde are called assassini But to our Italian Countrey-man againe After the pride of Italy especially the women they will be a little gaudy in the same apparell their mothers bestow vpon them or their amorosos send as a gratuity and thus I confesse I haue seene an Inne-keepers daughter go to Church in a coloured damaske gowne with Spanish sleeues laide on with gold lace and come home to dresse our dinners the men are very industrious according to the goodnesse of ground as hauing in one selfe-same field though it be but an acre of Land both corne vines and fruite trees and in his gardens about his house rootes sallets Bees and silke-wormes boasting how the Romans maintained their Colonies from the Countrey-man and supported the Farmer as a nursing father for Souldiers nay they can remember the Law Agraria when the Gracchi lost their liues about an equall distribution of the Roman territories and the maintaining the immunities of the free Italians but they sigh to recount how it was abrogated and euer after they were suppressed in their insolencies as kept from outward pompe and pleasures of frequented cities He is now called Villano from whose character we haue a contemptible tenure of land in England called villenage seruing to no other vse but to enrich his Lord feeding himselfe vpon garlike and onions and is acquainted with no good thing but superstition a few gawdy clothes and the incontinent life of curtezans In Spaine it is farre worse and the Contadini are numbred amongst the reproches of their gouernment and almost esteemed as the asses which bring their cabages melons suchlike to the market For he neither dare atempt to cheapen any thing appropriate to the vse of Gentle-men as flesh fish wheat and excellent fruit nor must hee though he haue of his owne but furnish the market with the best feeding himselfe with the worst and vildest stuffe Besides as the errour of Italy or if you will horrible abuse if the mother haue a comely daughter shee is contented for money with her prostitution and many times is her Bawd if she can happen of a good Chapman nor desisteth she so but in one house you shall sometimes haue the mother a drudge 3. or 4. daughters mercenary strumpets All France ouer the pesant is not onely beastly within doores but churlish of condition sauouring nothing but his labour either in setting forward his husbandry or dressing his vines yet how with base and seruile behauiour with poore and miserable expences with obscene and filthy lodging with iealous and malicious welcome with licentious and ill becomming liberty of speech against both Court and Common-wealth In Germany the Boore is somewhat better for he eateth good meate sometimes though vildly dressed will bee drunke and merry must be alwaies imployed and alwaies a hungry or desirous of drinke euen when he is able to drinke no more and can apparell himselfe hansomely to go to Church either on sunday or holliday but they are dangerous in their tumults and rages and not to bee trusted in their reconciliation after a wrong In Ireland he is called Churle and if we nick-name him in England we terme him Clowne He liues in great drudgery not so much for his labour as his watches For hee is compelled to guard his poore Cattle as well as he can both from Theeues and wolues insomuch that although he haue but one poore Cabine his cow and hogge lies with him in the same But if he boast of larger increases he is then compelled to bring them all night into some bawne of a castle or vnder the loop-holes of some raft or fortification For the Kerne watch all aduantages in times of peace and thinke their thefts iustifiable in defiances of warre But looke vpon vs truely as we liue indeede and you shall finde our Yeoman of England a title of estimation in regard of his wealth antiquitie and maintenance of his familie in a continued discent so that in times past hee would not alter his title of rich Yeoman for any vaine-glorious attribute of beggerly Gentlemen you shall now see them dwell in braue houses Mannors Lordships and Parkes to the annuall vallew of a thousand poundes hauing sometimes their sonnes Knighted their daughters well bestowed their other children so disperced that Lawyers Citizens and Marchants are raised through our Kingdome from sonnes and kinred of Countreymen nay you shall behold them inuited to courtly promotion and knowing that the breath of Kings