Middlesex and Essex with part of Hartfordshire after Malmesburiensis or the Diocese of London hauing vpon the East the Germane Ocean vpon the South the river Thames dividing it from the kingdomes of Kent and of the South-Saxons vpon the West the Kingdome of Mercia and vpon the North the kingdome of the East-Angles It was begun about the yeare 527 raigne of Eisc king of Kent by Erchenwyn descended after Huntingdoniensis from Woden the common progenitour of all the Saxon Princes It continued about the space of 300 yeares and ended in the yeare 827 and Suthred the last king thereof warred vpon and chased out by Egbert king of the West-Saxons by whom it was vnited to the Dominion of the West-Saxons The Princes hereof were Erchenwin now mentioned the first king in the yeare 527 raigne of Eisc the second king of Kent Sledda son to Erchenwin He had to wife Ricula daughter to Ermeric king of Kent Sebert son to Sledda and Ricula the first Christian king of the East-Saxons converted thorough the pious endeavours of Ethelbert king of Kent and Monarch of the English succeeding in the yeare 596. By the godly zeale aemulation of those two Christian Princes were first founded the auncient and renowned Churches of S. Pauls in London and S. Peters of Westminster Selred Seward and Sigebert Pagan and idolatrous Princes sons to Sebert ioint kings of the East-Saxons overthrowne slain in fight by Kingils Quinchelin kings of the West-Saxons about the yeare 623. Segebert the second son to Seward son to king Sebert Segebert the third son to Segebald brother to Sebert son to Sledda Ricula his Kentish Queene He restored the forsaken Catholique Religion in the kingdome of the East-Saxons by the speciall instigation of Oswye king of Northumberland assisted in this blessed worke by holy Cedda brother to S. Ceadda or Chad Bishop of the Meircans Swithelme brother to Segebert the third baptized by S. Cedda Apostle Bishop of the East-Saxons Sighere Sebba whereof the first was son the other was brother vnto Segebert the second joinct kings of the East-Saxons after Swithelme Sighere deceasing Sebba is sole king after thirty yeares holy just raigne quitting his kingdome turning religious in the Monastery of S. Pauls in London His tomb is yet showne in the walls of the North I le of the Chancell of that Church Sigheard son to holy Sebba succeeding in the yeare 694. Seofrid brother to Sigheard son to Sebba Offa son to Sigheard He enriched with buildings large endowments the Church of S. Peter in Westminster Abandoning the vaine pleasures of this temporary world he departed vnto Rome with Kenred King of the Mercians where he tooke vpon him the habit of Religion Selred the second Suthred son to Selred the second the last king of the East-Saxons about the yeare 828 driuen out by Egbert the potent king of the West-Saxons vniting the countries hereof with his kingdome of the West-Saxons None of the princes hereof attayned to the Monarchy or chiefe commaund of the English-Saxons THE KINGDOME OF THE EAST-ANGLES IT tooke the name from its more Easterne situation and the people of the English from whom after Beda with the Mercians and Northumbrians the Dutch inhabitants hereof were descended It contayned the greatest part of the countrie of the Iceni of Tacitus after Malmesburiensis Cambridgeshire Norfolke and Suffolke or the two Dioceses of Elie and Norwijch It had vpon the South the kingdome of the East-Saxons vpon the East the German Ocean vpon the North the sea Metaris of Ptolomy or the Washes vpon the West the kingdome of the Mercians begun by Vffa a Saxon Captaine about the yeare 575 and ending with the Martyrdome of S t Edmund about the yeare 886 possessed afterward for many yeares by the Danes and lastly by Edward the first of the name king of the West-Saxons or English the Danes expulsed about the yeare 914 incorporated with the English kingdome Monarchie The princes follow Vffa the first king of the East-Angles about the yeare 575. From this prince after Hunting doniensis the East-Angles for a long time were named the Vffingae Titulus king of the East-Angles son to Vffa Redwald son to Titulus succeeding in the yeare 593. After the decease of Ethelbert the first Christian king of Kent he got the Soveraignety or chiefe rule of the English-Saxons the seaventh Monarch of the English With this prince Malmesburiensis beginneth the order of the kings of the East-Angles Erpenwald son to Redwald the first Christian king of the East-Angles converted thorow the godly zeale friendly exhortation of Edwin restored to the kingdome of Northumberland by his father Redwald succeeding in the yeare 624. Hee was slaine by a conspiracie of his wicked idolatrous subiects exasperated against him by meanes of his Christian Catholique profession Sigebert son to the wife of Redwald by a former husband neither of whose names we find descended of the blood royall of the East-Angles during the raigne of Redwald jealous of his ambition to the Crowne and of Erpenwald his successour liuing exiled in forreine countries after the decease of Erpenwald returning from banishment and succeeding in the kingdome of the East-Angles about the yeare 636. He restored the Christian Religion amongst the East-Angles wherein he had beene taught baptized during his exile in France For the more firme rooting of Christianity amongst his East-Angles hee founded after Beda a schoole for the trayning vp of youth appointing teachers to instruct them in religion and good literature The learned of Cambridge deriue from hence the beginning of their auncient famous Vniversitie Beda from whose authoritie more especially they ground their assertion mentioneth a schoole but not the place where this should be erected as neither doe any other auncient and approved authours Leaving the kingdome to Egrick he turned Religious in the Monastery of Cumbrebury forced out of his Cel not long after by his distressed subjects against Penda the Pagan king of the Mercians by whom he was slaine or rather martyred in battaill Egrick kinsman to Sigebert after foure yeares raigne with Sigebert slaine in fight by Penda the Mercians Anna son to Eny after Malmesburiensis brother to Redwald son to Titulus succeeding in the yeare 642. He likewise felt the rage of Penda and the Mercians slaine by them in a great battaill about the yeare 654. His son Erkenwald with fiue daughters such was the zeale of that devout age Ethelrid Sexburg Withgith Ethilburg and Edelburg put on the habit of Religion obtayning after their decease the repute and name of Saints Ethelherd brother to king Anna. He was slaine in the quarrell of Penda against the Saxons or English of Northumberland Edelwald brother to Ethelherd Aldulf son to Ethelherd Elswolf son to king Ethelherd and brother to Aldulfe Beorn son to Ethelherd and brother to Aldulfe and Elswolfe Ethelred kinsman to Beorn
and the preceeding kings Ethelbert son to Ethelred He was treacherously murthered by Offa the great king of the Mercians invited to his Court vpon pretence of marriage with his daughter Elfrid After Echelbert the East-Angles for a long time became a prey to the Mercians West-Saxons Kentish Saxons without kings or mentioned in Authours By great Egbert with the rest of the Heptarchie they became subject to the English name and Monarchy vnder a substituted king of their owne not named by Huntingdoniensis my Author as neither are any other of their princes vntill Edmund descended from Anna succeeding about the yeare 780. Saint Edmund the last Saxon king of the East-Angles substituted or governing vnder the West-Saxons invaded by Hungar and Hubba two Pagan Danish Captaines and after sundry torments with great constancy sustayned for his faith profession tyed to a stake and shot to death with their arrowes canonized for a Saint and Martyr whose rich and much honoured shrine gaue occasion of the name of Saint Edmundsbury in Suffolke Saint Edmund thus martyred after 9 yeares vacancy and spoile by the Danes Guthrum or Godrun a Danish Captaine succeedeth in the kingdome hereof of the East-Saxons to whome Eohric of the same nation succeedeth By Edward the first Monarch of the English Saxons the Danes are lastly driven out and the countrie is immediatly vnited to the rest of the English Empire THE KINGDOME OF MERCIA IT was so named after our best antiquaries from the word Mearc signifying with the Dutch or English a bounder called thus since confining in a manner withall the rest of the Saxon kingdomes lying in the heart and middle part of the Iland Better Etymologies we know not It contayned in its greatest extent the Countries of the Dobuni Catycâ—chlani Coritani and Cornavij of Ptolemy with part of the Iceni and Silures or after Malmes buriensis the moderne countries of Lincolne Nottingham Rutland Leicester Huntingdon Bedford Northampton Buckingham Oxford Glocester Warwijck Stafford Darby Worcester Hereford Chester and Shropshire with part of Hartfordshire the largest of all the seaven kingdomes bounded vpon the East with the East-Saxons and East-Angles with part of the German Ocean betwixt the Metaris or the Washes of Lincolneshire and the mouth of Humber vpon the South with the riuer Thames from the West-Saxons vpon the West with Offa's-Ditch from the Welsh with part of the Irish Ocean betwixt the Dee and Mersey and vpon the North with the riuer Mersey and Humber from the kingdome of Northumberland It comprehended the North South Mercia the riuer of Trent parting these two devisions after Mat. of VVestminster It was begun by Crida or Creodda a Saxon Captaine in the yeare 585 after my authour descended from prince VVoden enlarged by the victories of Wibba Penda and Offa. By great Egbert it was subjected to the vassalage of the West-Saxon Monarchs about the yeare 886 ending in Burdred a substitute of the West-Saxons tyred with long warres and molestations of the Danes departing vnto Rome after whom the Danes who had now vsurped it being expulsed it was vnited to the West-Saxon kingdome The Kings were Crida or Creodda aforesaid about the yeare 585 the first king of the Mercians Wibba son to Crida Ceorl son to Kinemund brother to VVibba Penda son to VVibba succeeding in the yeare 626. He slew in battaill Edwin and Oswald kings of Northumberland and Sigebert Egfrid and Anna kings of the East-Angles and droue out of his kingdome Kenwald of the VVest-Saxons noted for his bloudy fierce and violent raigne many victories and much cruelty against the neighbouring Christian English Himselfe was lastly slaine at a great memorable overthrow given by Oswy king of the Northumbrians After this the country for a time was made subject to Oswy and the Northumbrian Saxons Peada son to Penda by Oswy king of Northumberland vpon the marriage of Alkfled his naturall daughter set ouer the part of Mercia lying South of the riuer Trent with condition that hee should become Christian the first Christian king of the Mercians The part of Mercia vpon the North of Trent Oswy joyned to the immediate government of the Northumbrians He was slaine after Beda by the treason of his wife Alkfled after others by his mother Kinswith wife to Penda After Peada the Mercians shook off the yoke of the Northumbrians and Wulfhere is advanced to the kingdome Wulfhere son to Penda and brother to Peada Oswy the Northumbrians thrust out king of the Mercians By his great valour happie exploites after Oswy he obtayned the Soveraignety or chiefe rule of the Saxons continued in his successours vntill Kenelme and the Monarchy of Egbert and the VVest Saxons the eleventh Monarch of the English He founded the Church Monastery of Medesham or Peter borough begun by his brother Peada converted to Christianity by holy Chad the Apostle or first Bishop of Lichfield and the Mercians He deceased in the yeare 674. Amongst other issue he had Wereburg a professed Nun in the Monastery of Elye appointed afterwards by king Ethelred visitour of all the Monasteries in the kingdome of Mercia which charge she vnderwent with great zeale and opinion of sanctity whose dead corps or reliques remoued afterwards to the City of Chester occasioned there the Church of Saint VVereburg since the Cathedrall of that Diocese founded by Leofrike Earle of Chester in her honour Ethelred brother to Peada and VVulshere and son to Penda king of Mercia and the twelft Monarke of the English He founded the Monasterie of Bardney in Lincolneshire where relinquishing the kingdome himselfe became Monke and afterwards Abbat Kenred son to Wulfhere Ethelred resigneing king of Mercia and Monarch of the English Having raigned foure yeares he likewise gaue ouer the kingdome and with Offa king of the East-Saxons went to Rome where Constantine the first being Pope they together put on the Coule habit of religion Chelred son to Ethelred king of Mercia and Monarch of the English He had warres with Ina king of VVest-Saxons growne great through his late victories ouer the Kentish and South-Saxons and aspiring to the Monarchy managed with aequall fortunes Ethelbald of the blood royall of the kings of Mercia descended from Crida king of the Mercians Monarch of the English in the time of S t Winifrid or Boniface the Apostle of the Germans and Archbishop of Mentz reprehended by him for his vnmarried yet most lascivious and vnchast life He was slaine by his mutinous subjects stirred vp by Bernred ayming hereby at the kingdome Offa descended from Wibba after some vacancy the death of the Tyrant Bernred whom he slew in battaill king of Mercia and Monarch of the English renowned for his great victories archieved against the bordering Welsh Saxons He drew Offaes Ditch before described the bounder betwixt him the Welsh and subjected his English to atribute of the sea of Rome called Romscot and Peter-pence He likewise founded the great
Egbert and through their owne intestine broyles and in the yeare 819 by the decree of Egbert at an assembly of the states at VVinchester joyned into one entire state or common name of England continued through many successions of princes vnto our times The order of the kings of the VVest-Saxons followeth vntill the Heptarchy determined and the vnion and name of England Cerdic before mentioned the first king of the West-Saxons about the yeare 502 and 43 yeares after the first arrivall of Hengist After Ella of the South-Saxons he attayned to the chiefe rule or soueraignety amongst the Saxon princes the third Monarch of the English continued in his successours for two descents Kenrik king of the West-Saxons and Monarch or chiefe king of the English son to Cerdic Cheulin king of the West-Saxons chiefe king or Monarch of the English son to Kenrik After sundry conquests and great victories against the Britons and Kentish Saxons he was lastly ouerthrowne and driuen out by a joynt warre of the Welsh and his seditious subjects discontented with his insolent government drawne on through the treason and ambition of his nephew Cealic Cealic king of the West-Saxons son to Cuthwolf brother to Cheulin and son to Kenric He lost the Monarchy or chiefe rule of the English vnto Ethelbert king of the Kentish men Chelwolf king of the VVest-Saxons son to Cuth brother to Cheulin Kingils son to Chel brother to Chelwolfe king of the VVest-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 612. He first of the VVest-Saxon princes embraced the Christian Religion won to the faith by the preaching of Berinus an Italian the first Bishop of Dorchester in Oxfordshire and through the holy zeale and endeavours of Oswald king of Northumberland He tooke for his companion in the government his son Quincheline who deceased before him Kenwald king of the VVest-Saxons son to Kengils he founded the rich abbey of Malmesburie and the great Church of VVinchester He deceasing without issue his wife Segburg a manly woman for a time mannaged the affaires of the kingdome succeeded vnto by Eskwin Eskwin king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cerdic Kenwin king of the VVest-Saxons brother to Kenwald and son to Kingils He much enlarged the kingdome of the VVest-Saxons vpon the Bordering Britons or VVelsh Ceadwalla king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Kenric He slew in fight Edilwalch the last king of the South-Saxons After much cruelty and outrage committed against the neighbouring South and Kentish-Saxons to expiate his sinnes following the manner of those superstitious times he departed on holy pilgrimage to Rome baptized there by Sergius Bishop of that sea where shortly after he dyed Ina king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin He annexed to his dominions the Countrie of the South-Saxons and founded the Colledge of Wels and the great Monastery of Glastenbury Ambitious of the honour of his predecessour hee went to Rome and put on the habit of religion deceasing in a private fortune hauing first subjected his kingdome to the payment of Peter-pence to that sea Ethelard king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin Cuthred king of the West-Saxons brother to Ethelard About this time after Beda the dead corps of the deceased begun first to bee enterred within townes and cities formerly after the manner of the Turkes at this day buried in the fields Sigebert of vnknowne parentage king of the West-Saxons driven out by his seditious subjects pretending his tyrannie and many vices Kenwulf king of the West-Saxons descended from Cerdic He was slaine by Kineard brother to Sigebert Brithric descended from Cerdic king of the West-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 784. In the time hereof and yeare 787 the Danes first arriue and discover the Westerne coasts of the Iland followed with greater forces in the raigne of Egbert and the succeeding English Monarches He was poysoned by his Queene Ethelburga daughter to Offa the great king of the Mercians In regard of this treason the wiues of the succeeding West-Saxon Monarches were by law afterwards excluded from all state place and title of princes Egbert king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cheulin and succeeding in the yeare 800. He subdued the Cornish Britons and the Kentish and East-Saxons with those of Mercia East-England and Northumberland Of these Kent and the East-Saxons with the Cornish Britons he immediatly incorporated with his kingdome of the West-Saxons The rest which were Northumberland with the East-Angles and Mercians he commaunded by his substitutes or Vice-royes All notwithstanding he vnited into one entire Monarchie which he named of England from the Angli or English of whom himselfe was descended or in regard of the greater extent of that people contayning after Beda the Mercians Northumbrians and Mercians or some two thirds of the whole Dutch Nation whereof he was Crowned king in the yeare 819 some 370 yeares after the arrivall of Hengist In this sort the Heptarchy extinguished the whole Southerne part of the Iland tooke the name of England Wales the Britons of Cumberland excepted whose fortunes vntill the returne hereof into the vnion of Britaine vnder Lames out late Soveraigne of happy memory remaine in the next place to bee related THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND THis was begun by Egbert aforesaid The manner and yeare wee haue even now shewed It was bounded more aunciently with the German Ocean vpon the East vpon the South with the English channell from France vpon the West with the Welsh and Britons of Cumberland with part of the Westerne or Irish Ocean from Ireland and vpon the North with the river Tweede from the Picts or Scotland King William surnamed the Conquerour added Cumberland and VVestmoreland parts of the auncient kingdome of the Cumbri wrested from the Scots His son Rufus and the succeeding princes of the Norman bloud added VVales By the raigne of king Edward the first VVales then being totally subdued the accompt and name of England enlarged ouer all the part of the Iland lying vpon the South of the river Tweede and Solway Frith the present extent of the kingdome It hath suffered sundry changes since this its first name and erection being twise conquered by forreine power and made subject to three different successions of Monarches 1 Of the race of the VVest-Saxons 2. Of the Danes 3 and of the Normans THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND VNDER THE VVEST-SAXONS THe Kings of England follow of the house of the West-Saxons and vntill the Danish subiection Egbert king of the West-Saxons the Heptarchy destroyed crowned king of England at a Parliament of the states held at Winchester in the yeare 819. In the raigne of this prince the Danes begin their fierce invasions of the English continued with variable successe during the whole time of Englands Monarches of the race of the West-Saxons and vntill the yeare 1016 and conquest of the whole by Canutus He deceased in the yeare 836. Ethelwolf and Athelstan sons to Egbert succeeding to their father in the kingdome of England and the Danish warres Of these
sea and Bailliage vpon the Seine The citty is rich faire strong and well traded honoured by some with the title of the daughter of Paris the chiefest in Champeigne after Reims The country about Trois were the Tricassij of Ptolemy the Trecasses of Plinie the Tricasses of Antoninus Ivigny vpon the river Yonne Sens civitas Senonum of Antoninus vpon the Yonne and Arch-bishops sea Le Pais Senonois or the country of Sens were part of the Senones of Caesar Ptolemy Plinie and Strabo for they seemed to haue beene extended much farther from whom descended those warlike Senones of Gaule Cisalpina vnder Brennus taking and sacking Rome Langres Andomatunum of Ptolemy a Bishops sea and Pairrye in the mountainous part of the Vauge frontiring vpon the Dukedome of Burgundy Le Pais Langroin or the hilly country hereof were the Lingones of Caesar Strabo and Plinie the Longones of Ptolemy Vand'oeuvre a strong towne and fortresse in the same mountainous region neere to Langres coniectured from the name to haue beene build by the Vandals Neere herevnto is the head of the great riuer of the Seine BRIE IT is a coing of land betwixt the rivers Seine and Marne and the countries of Champaigne and France Special It is like to Champaigne plaine and fruitfull but more close and full of woods in regarde of their shade the shelter they yeeld seeming to haue giuen the name herevnto The townes of better note are Provins Agendicum of Caesar and Agedicum of Ptolemy a Bailliage vpon the river Yonne seated in a most healthful and pleasant country amongst other fragrant plants and flowers abounding with roses transplanted for their fairenesse into neighbouring regions and named Provins roses The country about Provins were part of the Senones before mentioned Montereau a strong towne and castle at the confluence of the rivers Seine and Yonne Chasteau-Thierry a Bailliage vpon the Marne the chiefe towne in Hault Brie Meaux Iatinum of Ptolemy and civitas Melduorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage vpon the Marne Nere herevnto is Monceaux a magnificent Palace built by the Queene-mother Katherine de Medices The country about Meaux were the Meldae of Caesar Strabo and Ptolemie the Meldi of Plinie the Meldui of Antoninus FRANCE SPECIAL HAving vpon the North Normandy and part of Picardy vpon the East Champaigne and Brie and vpon the South and West Beausse The country is plaine for the most part yet here and there distinguished with hils and woods generally very fruitfull and pleasant Gastinois excepted which part is drie barren and ill inhabited It containeth the Prevoste or County of Paris the Duchy of Valois Heurepoix Gastinois Chiefer townes are Senlis Silvanectum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Bailliage the chiefe of Valois seated in a shady and woody country The country about Senlis were the Subanecti of Ptolemie the Vlbanectes of Plinie the Silvanectes of Antoninus Forte-Meillon vpon the river Ourq Compeigne vpon the riuer Oyse an ancient seiour of the first French kings invited thorough the pleasure and commodity of hunting which the neighbouring forests and woods afford Beauvois Caesaromagus of Ptolemy and civitas Bellovacorum of Antoninus a Bishops sea and Pairrye vpon the river Losne The towne is faire large and well traded Le Pais Beauvoisin or the country of Beauvois were anciently but of larger extent the Bellovaci of Caesar Strabo Pliny Ptolemy and Antoninus It is now part of the greater country and more generall name of Valois S. Denys the chiefe towne in the Isle of France part of the Prevoste of Paris In the faire Abbey church hereof the French kings lie enterred Poissy vpon the Seine in the Isle of France Vpon the Seine nere vnto Poissy standeth S. German en Laye one of the royall houses of the French kings Paris Lutetia of Caesar and Strabo and Lucotecia of Ptolemie vpon the Seine the chiefe Parliament and cittie of the kingdome and the ordinarie residence of the kings of France honoured with an Episcopall sea and with an ancient famous Vniversity founded by Charles the Great whose first Professours were Alcuinus and the English Through so many advantages the citty for greatnesse populousnesse state and all kinde of magnificence chalengeth now the seconde place in Europe containing some sixe miles in compasse about the walles lying almost in a round forme and by the Seine divided into La ville which is the greatest part situated vpon the right shore of the Seine beautified chiefelie with the Louvre the royall palace and residence of the kings L' Vniversite vpon a more high and rising ground vpon the South and left shore of the riuer the part dedicated to the Muses containing some 50 Colleges and La Cite comprehending the Iland of the Seine betwixt these two the auncient Lutetia of Caesar the rest of the towne accrewing since the fixt residence here of the kings adorned chiefely with the faire magnificent Cathedrall Church of Nostre Dame and the greater Palace the seat of the Parliament and courts of Iudicature Le Parisis or the country hereof were the Parisij of Caesar and Ptolemy the Parrhisij of Pliny and Parrisij of Strabo Corbueil at the confluence of the riuers Seine and Essone Melun Melodunum of Caesar vpon the Seine the Bailliage and chiefe towne in Heurepoix Not farre off is Fountaine-belle-eau one of the roiall houses of the kings named thus from the fresh streames and springs of water amongst the which it is seated standing otherwise in a solitary and barren country forrest-like stored cheifely with woods seruing for hunting These three lye in Heurepoix Nemours the chiefe towne in Gastinois vpon the riuer Loing The towne is meane as in a barren soile Estampes also in Gastinois in the mid way betwixt Paris and Orleans BEAVSSE BOunded vpon the East with France Speciall vpon the North with Normandie vpon the West with Bretaigne vpon the South with Poictou Berry and Nivernois It is divided into the Higher Beausse containing Le Pais Chartrain Perche Maine and Aniou the Middle Beausse whose parts are Touraine the Dutchie of Vendosme the Countie Dunois and the Countries Blesien and Tonneres and the Lower Beausse containing Orleannois Lorris and Soulogne Of these Touraine is extraordinarily fruitfull pleasant and happy as is the whole tract of the Loire Aniou is more hilly yet very fruitfull and no lesse pleasant affording plentie of white wines whose hills send out almost infinite streames and riuers receaued into the Loire accounted at some 40 greater besides lesser rivulets The rest of Beausse is commonly more dry then the ordinary of France yet abounding in corne especially le Pais Chartrain Chiefer townes here are Montfort l' Amaulry a Bailliage neere vnto France Speciall Dreux vpon the riuer Eureux supposed to haue beene thus named from the ancient Druides the seat of their Parliaments or sessions for matters of
warres or more honourable and gainefull conquests Towards the waine of the Romans Empire they are named the Scots the occasion or reason hereof we finde not subduing the neighbouring Picts and Caledonians and giuing the name of Scotland to the Northern part of the Brittish Continent Leauing there this new affected name they lastly resume and returne here vnto their first and more wonted name of Irish. Their gouerment anciently was vnder many petty kings or tyrants In the raigne of king Henry the second occasioned through the quarrels hereof they are first made subiect to the English whose princes were stiled Lords of Ireland King Henry the eight by the good likeing of the natiues first assumed the title of King continued euer since in his successours More lately they were distinguished into the Irish and the English Pales or the Wild and Civill Irish whereof these obeyed the English lawes the other were let loose to their barbarous customes and liuing The happy successe of the last warres against Tir-oën and the wisdome and zeale of King Iames of happy memory put an end to this diuision the country being now every where planted with ciuill inhabitants and the whole reduced to an English Province The lawes whereby the people are governed are their Acts of Parliament and the Municipall or Common Lawes of England executed by the Lord Deputy or Vice-roy for the king Presidents Iudges Sheriffs other English names of Magistrates Their Religion which only is allowed is the Reformed or Protestant yet where the pretended Catholique or Roman doth more prevaile amongst the vulgar through their discontent or an inbred and rooted superstition Their Cleargie are Archbishops Bishops and Inferiour rankes whose Primate is Armagh and first Apostle S. Patricius or Patrick in the yeare 432 and the raigne of the Emperour Valentinian the third a Scot or Irishman after my author nephew to S. Martin Bishop of Tours and Disciple to S. German The Religious of this nation Monkes of an ancient institution haue been no lesse deseruing then their neighbours of Great Brittaine chast and holy Seminaries of pietie and religion during the Primitiue times of the English French and Dutch Churches but who passing vnder the generall name of the Scots for both then were thus called are oftentimes mistaken by their readers for the Scots of the Continent The country is divided into 5 greater names or Provinces petty kingdomes sometimes of the Irish Vlster Leinster Meth. Conaght Mounster VLSTER BOunded vpon the East North and West with the Ocean and vpon the South with Leinster Meth and Conaght The country is large the soil good deepe pasturages but otherwise vntill the English last plantation lesse fruitfull through the sloathfulnesse of the wild natiues overgrowne with vast and thicke woods bogs lakes and marishes Chiefe townes are Knocfergus in Antrim within a spacious bay Vinderius of Ptolemie a garrison towne and a commodious Port neere to Cantire and Scotland Vpon the same Easterne shore and in Louth Carlingford Dundalk Tredah at the mouth of the riuer Boine a faire and populous towne the next to Leinster Within Armagh neere to the river Kalin an Archbishops sea the Primate of the kingdome The Province containeth ten shires or counties Louth Cavon Fermanagh encompassing the great Lake Erne Monaghan Armagh Down Antrim Colran Tir-oen and Tir conell or Donegall The ancient inhabitants were the Darnij Voluntij Robognij and Erdini of Ptolemy LEINSTER EXtended along the Irish Ocean from Tredah Vlster and the river Boine vnto the Neure and Mounster vpon the South and bounded towards the West with Meth and the riuer Shaâ—on from Canaght The soile is fruitfull better manured and lesse encombred with woods the inhabitants more civill descended for a great part from the English and conforming to their habit and custome of living Chiefe townes are Dublin Eblana of Ptolemie vpon the Ocean at the fall of the river Liff Libnius of Ptolemy an Archbishops sea and the seat of the Lord Deputy or Viceroy of the kingdome rich strong populous and beautified with faire buildings Without standeth a College consecrated to the Muses and the name of the holy Trinitie a small Vniversitie founded by Queene Elizabeth of happy memory Weisford Menapia of Ptolemie at the mouth of the Slane the river Modona of the same author the first place in Ireland subdued by the English and peopled with their Colonies Within the land Kildare a Bishops sea Kilkenny vpon the river Neure the best towne of all the inland parts The whole containeth 7 divisions or shires Dublin Weisford Kildare Kings-Countie Queenes countie or the Lease Caterlogh and Kilkenny The ancient inhabitants were the Menapij Cauci Blanij and Brigantes of Ptolemy METH SEated in the middle of the Iland betwixt Leinster Conaught and Vlster It containeth East-Meth West-Meth and the countie of Longford Towns here are Trim in East-Meth vpon the river Boyne and Molingar in West-Meth The ancient inhabitants were part of the Blanij of Ptolemy CONAGHT BOunded vpon the West with the Irish Ocean vpon the North with Vlster and vpon the East and South with Meth Leinster and Mounster by the great river Shanon Senus of Ptolemie arising out of the mountaines of Letrim and after a long course hauing made sundry great lakes by the way falling into the Westerne Ocean some 60 miles below Limerick In the North hereof rise Curlew Mountaines fatall to the English by their slaughter and overthrow during the late Irish warres It containeth 6 shires or Counties Letrim Roscoman Slego Maio Galway and Twomund The chiefe towne and the third citty of the kingdome is Galway a Bishops sea a faire rich and well frequented Port neere vnto the fall of the great lake or river Corbes into the Westerne Ocean The ancient inhabitants were the Gangani Auteri and Nagnatae of Ptolemie MOVNSTER BOunded vpon the South-East and West with the Ocean and vpon the North with Leinster and the river Shanon from Conaght divided amongst 6 Counties Limerick Tipperarie Corck Waterford Desmond and Kerry Chiefe townes are Limerick in an Iland encompassed with the riuer Shanon a Bishops sea and a well traded Empory Waterford a rich Port and the second citty of the kingdome vpon the river Suire Corck a Bishops sea Kinsale a walled towne and a commodious Port at the mouth of the river Bany The ancient inhabitants were the Velibori Vodiae Vterni and Coriondi of Ptolemie Other more noted Ilands of Great Brittaine are 1 those of Orkney 2 those of Schetland lying in 63 degrees of Latitude 3 the Westerne Ilands belonging to the Crowne of Scotland 5 Subject to the English Crowne Man 6 Those of Silly 7 Wight and Holy Iland c. THE FIFTH BOOKE COntayning the present bounds situation and quality of Spaine The Inhabitants Their manners languages and religion The institution power and courts of their Inquisition The number and order of their Bishops The Religious del
Libora of Ptolemy Toledo Toletum of Pliny Antoninus then the chiefe city of the Carpetani mounted vpon a steepe and vneven rocke vpon the right shore of the river Taio with whose circling streames it is almost round encompassed By the Gothes it was made the chamber and royall seate of their Kings Vnder the Moores it became a petty kingdome the strongest hold the Infidels had in those parts after 5 yeares siege in the yeare 1085 recovered from them by Alfonsus the sixt King of Castille Leon. It is now the chiefe city of the country an Vniversity and an Arch-bishops Sâ—e of especiall revenue the Bishop whereof is the Primate of Spaine and the Chancelour of the kingdome The towne by meanes of its situation is very strong rather great then faire the private buildings being meane the streets narrow close hilly and vneven very troublesome to walke goe vpon Madrid Mantua of Ptolemy vpon the river Guadarrama in the heart and center of Spaine The towne by meanes of the Court is become of late yeares one of the most faire and populous places of the kingdome Some 8 miles from hence standeth the magnificent stately monastery of S. Laurence founded by King Philip the second Alcala de Henares Complutum of Ptolemy and Antoninus vpon the riuer Henares Here now flourisheth a famous Vniversity especially for the study of Divinity founded in the raigne of King Ferdinand the fift by Francisco Ximenes Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo Guadalaiara vpon the same riuer Caracca of Ptolemy naming the Charracitani a people mentioned by Plutarch in the life of Sertorius The country hitherto were the Carpetani of Strabo and Ptolemy Calatrava vpon the riuer Guadiana Here begun and was first named the famous military order of Calatrava Nere hereunto where is the Chappell of Nuestra Senora d'Oreto stood sometimes Oretum Germanorum of Ptolemy occasioning the name of the Oretani of the same author Segura Alcaraz giuing the names to the mouÌ„tainous tracts of Sierra de Alcaraz Monte de Segura parts of the Orospeda of Strabo Not far from Alcaraz vpon an inaccessible mountaine surrounded with deepe vallyes standeth Castona la Veia Castulon of Ptolemy Castulo of Antoninus and Castaon of Strabo then a chiefe City of the Oretani and the country sometimes of Himilce the wife of the great Hannibal at this day a poore and ignoble village The part of Sierra Morena from hence or Alcaraz extending towards Cordova was named hereof by Caesar Saltus Castulonensis Cuença a Bishops See and seate of the Inquisition situated vpon the top of a steepe and abrupt hill amongst the mountaines of Orospeda neere to the heads of the riuer Xucar and Huecar and not far from that of the Taio first built by the Moores whom it a long time served as an invincible fortresse against the neighbouring Christians secured by the asperous site thereof and the straite craggy and vneasie wayes vnto it wanting onely water which is altogether conveyed hither by conduit pipes from the neighbouring mountaines won from them in the yeare 1177 by Sanctius the second king of Castille The part here of the Orospeda is named from hence Monte de Cuença Melina From hence the adjoyning mountainous tract of the Orospeda is now called Monte de Molina Siguença a Bishops See beautified with a faire Cathedrall Church Condabora of Ptolemy a city of the Celtiberi ESTREMADVRA HAuing the mountaines of Castille vpon the North vpon the South Sierra Morena and Andaluzia vpon the East Castillia la Nueva vpon the West the kingdome of Portugal The aire here is extraordinarily cleare and for that cause in Summer very hot and scorching The country is plaine and good pasture ground especially that grassie bridge vnder the which the riuer Guadiana is hidden yet in regard of the heate very dry and scarse of waters as of inhabitants hauing few cities and townes for so large an extent and those little and ill inhabited Chiefer here amongst are Placenza a Bishops See enioying a sweet and pleasant situation neere vnto the mountaines of Castille In a solitary place not farre from this city standeth the Monasterie of S. Iustus whither the mighty Prince Charles the fift tyred with sicknes and the burden of a troublesome Empire some few yeares before his death quitting the world voluntarily retired spending there the rest of his dayes in prayers and divine meditation Alcantara vpon the right shore of the Taio Norba Caesarea of Ptolemy and Norba Caesariana of Pliny then a colony of the Romans It was afterwards the seate of the Knights of the order of Alcantara from thence thus named Merida Emerita of Mela and Antoninus and Augusta Emerita of Ptolemy and Pliny a Roman colony and iuridicall resort and the chiefe city of Lusitania seated vpon the riuer Guadiana and named thus from the Emeriti milites or Legionary Souldiers of the Romans who had serued out their time in the warres whereof it was a Colony Ausonius preferreth it in his time before the rest of the cities of Spaine The towne now is very ruinous meane and empty of people shewing nothing worthy of its auncient greatnesse sauing onely a goodly bridge ouer the Taio built as appeareth by the inscription by the Romans Badaios a Bishops See frontiring vpon Portugal Medelino Neete hereunto the riuer of Guadiana hideth it selfe vnder ground for the space often miles breaking out againe neere vnto the towne of Villaria Guadalupe vpon the pleasant bankes of the riuer thus called shaded here on both sides with thicke and tall groues of poplar trees Heere is visited with great and thronging devotion the much honoured Image of our Lady of Guadalupe of the like grand esteeme with this Nation as is that of Madona de Loretto with the Italians affirmed to be the same which Gregory the great carried about with him in a solemne procession he made in Rome in the time of a fierce and generall pestilence then raging in Christendome ceasing hereupon giuen afterwards by him to S. Leander Bishop of Sivilla religiously there kept vntill the Moorish invasion then carryed from thence secretly hidden and about the yeare 1336 miraculously discovered by a neate-heard and a Chappell erected thereunto the occasion of the Towne Birtius notwithstanding and Montanus place here the towne named Caecilia Gemelliana by Ptolemy and Castra Caecilia by Antoninus The auncient inhabitants of Estremadura were the Celtici and part of the Turditani and Lusitani lying in both provinces of Baetica and Lusitania ANDALVZIA BOunded vpon the North with the mountaines of Sierra Morena and with Estremadura Castillia la Nueva vpon the West with Algarve in Portugal vpon the East with Granado and vpon the South with the Straights of Gibraltar and seas Mediterranean Atlantique extended betwixt the mouth of the rivers Guadiana and Guadalantin The country is most fruitfull pleasant flourishing aswell the mountaines as plaines with a continuate greenes of vines oliues and
Flanders Holland and Zealand The cities hereof were civ Agrippinensis the Metropolis and civ Tungrorum now Colen and Tongeren Provincia Maxima Sequanorum COntayning now the Free country of Burgundy and Switzerland The cities hereof were civ Vesontiensis the Metropolis now Besançon and civ Equestrium now Lausanne civ Eluntiorum now Avanches civ Basiliensium id est Basilea now Basil civ Noidenolex Aventicus Castrum Vindonise Castrum Argentariense now Colmar and Castrum Rauracense id est Abucina Provincia Alpium Graiarum Paeninarunt COntayning now Wallislandt and part of Savoy The cities hereof were civ Centronum id est Tarantasia the Metropolis now Tarantaise and civ Valensium id est octodurus now S. Mauris or Maâ—tinach Provincia Vienniensis COntayning now Daulphinic Provinçe and Vivaretz with part of Savoy The cities were civ Vienniensium the Metropolis now Vienne and civ Gennaveâ—sium civ Gratianopolitana civ Albensium civ Vivario civ Decensium civ Valentinorum civ Avenicorum civ Arelatensium civ Carpentoratensis civ Massiliensium civ Ricartinorum civ Vasionensium civ Arausinorum and civ Cabellicorum now Geneve Grenoble Alby Viviers Die Valence Avignon Arles Carpentras Marscilles S. Antony de Tricastin Vaison Aurange and Cavaillon Provincia Alpium Maritimarum COntayning now parts of Daulphinie and Provençe The cities hereof were civitas Ebroduno the Metropolis now Ambrun and civ Diniensium now Digne civ Saniciensium id est Sanicisio now Senas civ Clannetena now Glandeves civ Venciensium id est Ventio now S. Paul de Vençes civ Rigomagensium civ Solliniensium and civ Cemetenensium Provincia Narbonensis prima COntayning now Languedoc The cities hereof were civitas Narbonensium the Metropolis now Narbonne and civitas Tolosatum id est Tolosa civ Beterrensium civ Agatensium civ Nemausensium civ Megalonensium civ Lutuensium id est Lutava castrum and civ Vcetiensis now Tholouse Beziers Agde Nismes Magalone Lodesve and Vsets Provincia Narbonensis Secunda COntayning now part of Provence The cities hereof were civitas Aquensium the Metropolis now Aix and civ Aptensium civ Retensium id est Reias civ Foro-Iuliensium civ Appencensium civ Segesterorum and civ Antipolitana now Apt Ries Feriuls Gap Cisteron and Antibe Provincia Aquitania prima COntayning now Berry Auvergne Rovergne Quercy Limousin with Gevaudan and Velay in Languedoc The cities hereof were civitas Bituricum now Bourges the Metropolis and civ Arvernorum civ Rotenorum civ Albigensium civ Cadorcorum civ Lemavicum civ Gabalum and civ Vellaunorum now Clermont en Auvergne Rodes Alby Cahors Limoges Mende and le Puy en Velay Provincia Aquitania secunda COntayning now Poictou Xantoigne Engoulmois and Perigort with Bourdelois and Agennois in Gascoigne and Guienne The cities hereof were civ Burdegalensium the Metropolis now Bourdeaux and civ Agennensium civ Etolisnensium civ Santonum civ Pictavorum and civ Petrogoriorum now Agen Engoulesme Sainctes Poictiers and Perigueux Provincia Novem-populonia COntayning the rest of Guienne and Gascoigne with the Principality of Bearn The cities hereof were civ Ausciorum the Metropolis now Auchs and civ Aquensium civ Lastoracium civ Convenarum civ Consantanorum civ Boatum quod est Bot civ Beranensium id est Benainas civ Aturensium civ Vasatica civ Tursaubica Tralugorra civ Elleronensium and civ Ellosaticum now D'acqs Lactoure Cominges Coserans le pais de Buchs and Bearn Aire Basats Tarbe Oleron and Euse en Gascoigne Of these Viennensis Lugdunensis prima Germania prima Germania Secunda Belgica prima and Belgica secunda according to the Authour of the Notitia were Consulary Provinces The rest were Praesidiall Rufus Festus accompteth only 14 Provinces differing from the Authour of the Notitia in that he maketh but two Lugdunenses and onely one Narbonensis The INVASION and DOMINION of the NORTHERN and BARBAROVS Nations SVch was the estate of Gaule during the subiection hereof vnto the Romans quite changed by the invasion and conquests of the Northern and Barbarous Nations and becomming divided into sundry new kingdomes and names that more auncient of the Gaules extinguished These were the Britons Burgundians Visigothes Almans and Frenchmen whos 's first entrance raigne continuance and successon and the Estates occasioned from them follow in order THE BRITONS THese not vnprobably were a remainder of the auncient Gaules shut vp within Gaule Armorique thorough the conquests and invasion of the French and other barbarous intruders and named thus either from the Britanni a people mentioned by Pliny in the neighbouring Gaule Belgique or thorough an after mistake in regard of their common language with the Britons of the Iland which after Caesar and Tacitus was the same of both nations More certainely otherwise not to contradict the vsuall and received opinion although without the assertion of more auncient Greeke and Latine Authours who liued about those times a beliefe grounded only vpon the authority of Gal. Monumeth and other late English French Historians they were no other then a colony of the Britons Insulaires about the yeare 385 and in the raignes of the Emperours Gratian and Theodosius the first brought hither and planted in Gaule Armorique by Maximus Liefetenant of the Iland for the Romans then rebelling vsurping the Westerne Empire against Gratians to secure thereby his retreate into that Iland if by chance of warre or otherwise he should be forced againe to leaue the continent The tyrant Maximus shortly after being vanquished and slaine by the Emperour Theodosius they became a free estate loose from all forraine subjection neglected by the Romans and the succeeding Frenchmen busied with other greater and more weightie affaires and reinforced not long after with other great disbourdments of the same nation avoyding the furie of the English and Saxons wasting and destroying their countrey Their dominion here contayned the part before mentioned of Gaule Armorique extended betwixt the Ocean and the rivers Loire Maine and Covesnon since from hence called Bretaigne In the yeare of Christ 766 and the raigne of the Emperour Charles the Great weakened by civill dissentions they were first made subject to forraine and the French commaund subdued by Astolphus his Seneschall or gouernour of the Marches hereof In the next raign of the Emperour Lewis the Godly they againe notwithstanding recovered their lost kingdome and liberty which the French being still interessed and detayned at home by civill broiles they for a long time after maintayned vntill Duke Peter de Dreux who overmatched by the power of the French and fearing their greatenes made the country first subject to the vassallage of Lewis the ninth French king followed by all his successours In the late memorie of our ancestours Francis the first French King and in the right of his wife Claude Duke hereof to present all future claime and disvnion which might happen by consent
seated vpon the river Martha remarkable for the fate and disaster of Charles surnamed the Fighter the last Duke of Burgundie of the house or name of Valois ouerthrowne and slaine here in a memorable battaile by the ioinct armes of Reâ—ner Duke of Lorraine and of the Switzers S. Nicolas vpon the same riuer founded and occasioned through the superstitious worship of some pretended reliques of S. Nicolas sometimes bishop of Mira in Lycia in the lesser Asia preserued here and thronged vnto from all parts with great deuotion Toal Tullum of Ptolomie and Ciuitas Leucorum and Tullo of Antoninus a Bishops sea and a towne imperiall seated vpon the riuer Moselle The country lying about this towne and Nancy were the Leuci of Strabo Ptolomie and Antoninus the Leuci Liberi of Pliny Metz Diuodurum of Ptolomie and Tacitus and Diuodurum Metis and Ciuitas Mediomatricum of Antoninus the royall seate sometimes of the French kings of Austrasia now a citty Imperiall a Bishops sea rising in a spacious and pleasant plaine at the confluence of the riuers Mosselle and Sora. The auncient inhabitants of the neighbouring country were the Mediomatrices of Strabo and Ptolemie the Mediomatrici of Plinie and Tacitus Verdun Civitas Veredonensium of Antoninus a towne Imperiall and a Bishops sea seated vpon the river Meuse These three last townes haue of late yeares beene surprised by Henry the second and the Frenchmen detained now by this meanes and lopped off from the Dutch Empire and held vnder the French subjection The rest of the country is in a maner wholy subject to the Dukes of Lorraine The language of the inhabitants is the French These three countries although held of the Empire yet at this day come not to the Diets neither obey the Edicts and authority hereof governed by their priâ—ces in nature of soveraigne and absolute states and in regard of their language by the most accompted French THE DIOCESE OF TRIER EXtended along the course of the Moselle from the confines of Lorraine vnto the great river of the Rhijn bounded vpon the other sides with Lutzenburg and Westreich The country is rather pleasant then fruitfull hilly and full of woods rich chiefly in minerals especially of Iron and lead The more fruitfull parts are about the towne of Trier and neere vnto the Rhijn The more wilde and barren lie towardes Lorraine and Lutzenburg The aire for those transmarine parts is very close and rainie moistned by continuall fogs and vapours ascending from the shady wet and vndreyned woodlands and hils hereof Chiefer townes here are Sarbrucken Pons Sarvix of Antoninus a towne Imperiall seated vpon the river Sar neere vnto the meetings thereof with the Moselle and the border of Lorraine Trier Colonia Treuerorum of Tacitus Augusta of Mela Augusta Treuerorum of Ptolemie Augusta Libera of Pliny Treueris of Saluianus Ciuitas Treuerorum of Antoninus the Metropolis then of the first Belgica and residence of the Vicar Generall of Gaule seated vpon the Moselle It is now an Archbishops sea and the chiefe towne of the country subiect to the Bishops Veldentz Trâ—rbach Ceel Beilstein all standing vpon the same river of Moselle Cobolentz Legio Prima Traiana of Ptolemie Confluentes of Antoninus seated at the meeting of the river Rhijn and the Moselle The towne is populous and fairely built belonging to the Electours of Triers The country about it is very pleasant and fertill Vpon the other side of the Rhijn standeth mounted vpon the top of an high hill the strong Castle of Ernbretstein subject to the Bishops and commanding the towne and riuer Boppart Baudobrica of Antoninus and Bodobrica of the Notitia after Birâ—ius one of the 50 Castles erected by Drusus vpon the Rhijn occasioning the towne situated vpon the Rhijn Meien Arburg in the particular country of Eysell The ancient inhabitants hereof were the famous Treveri of Caesar Tacitus Ptolemie and others The country is subject to the Archbishops and Electours of Trier THE BISHOPPRICK OF LVICK BOunded vpon the East with the countries of Gulick and Limburg vpon the South with Lutzenburg and Namur and vpon the West and North with Brabant The country is very healthy and pleasant called by a common proverb the Paradise of Priests for such are the Lordes thereof and in regard of the great number there of Monasteries and religious persons no small part of the inhabitants The more champian and fruitfull parts are those towards the North and Brabant stored with corne and all other necessary provision wines excepted which here grow but in few places The Southerne lying towards France and Lutzenburg are more barren swelling with hills and shady Forrests the remainders of the great Ardenne abounding chiefly with Mineralls especially of Marble of sundrie sorts Sea-coale and Iron of exceeding hardnesse Here are reckned 25 walled townes and 1700 Villages hauing Churches Places of chiefer note are Dinant vpon the Meuse and borders of Hainault Huy vpon the same river towards Namur Luick pleasantly seated amongst sundry streames and rivulets parts of the Meuse wat'ring the many streets hereof the seat and residence of the Bishops and the chiefe towne of the country The citty is faire open and large containing foure Italian miles in compasse and some 32 parishes The Churches here for their number riches and beauty excell all others in both kingdomes of France Germany the Cathedrall whereof is dedicated to S. Lambert the patron of the citty whose Canons are the Bishops Counsellours all nobly descended Doctors or Licentiats Ecclesiasticall partly Secular whereof these later may marry Here are besides 8 Collegiate Churches endowed with great reuenues besides almost infinite Religious houses and Monasteries wherewith the towne seemeth in a manner almost wholy to be peopled Here also yet flourisheth an ancient Vniversity wherein nine sons of Kings 24 of Dukes and 29 of Earles are reported at one time to haue beene students Mastreich vpon the Meuse Of this towne only the one halfe lieth in Luick the rest in Brabant Peer Bissen Hasselt vpon the river Demer Horck S. Truden Borckloe Tongeren civitas Tungrorum of Ptolemie Here flourished in the time of the Romanes an ancient Bishops sea after the invasion and spoile of Attilas and the Huns by whom the towne was sacked and destroied in the yeare 498 by S. Servatius removed vnto Mastreich afterwards in the yeare 713 by S. Hubert vnto Luick where now it resteth Borckworm Francimont Buillon an ancient castle mounted vpon the top of an high hill whereof sometimes was named that famous Godfrey of Buillon Duke of Lorraine and the first of the Latines king of Hierusalem The ancient inhabitants were the Eburones of Caesar and Strabo whose name yet seemeth to be preserved in a little village called Ebure distant about a Dutch mile from Luick The country is wholy subject in matters both temporall and ecclesiasticall to the Bishops of Luick The language hereof is the Wallon a corrupt kinde of
the Easterne nations otherwise lasie and idle more addicted vnto warres then to trades and manuall occupations poore through their sloath and the oppression of their Lords the Turkes and German Emperours Their language is a kinde of Sclavonian differing from the Poles In the parts neighbouring vnto Germany the Dutch likewise is spoken Their Religion is the Romish Catholicke and that of the Reformed Churches for both are tolerated The reformed lesse prevaileth in the countries subject to the Turkes through a iealousie of that nation forbidding all new opinions quarrells and disputes of faith which might cause innouations troubles of the State This was sometimes a flourishing and great kingdome the bulwarke of Christendome against the Infidells After long warres sundry victories and braue resistance it is now for the greatest part enthralled to the Turke The rest containing some third part obeyeth the German Emperours of the house of Austria now kings for what is left of Hungarie descended from Anne sister to Lewis the second the last natiue Prince slaine by Soliman at the battle of Mohacz It is divided by the Danow into the vpper Hungary lying North of the riuer and the Lower Hungary lying towards the South containing together before the Turkish subiection 50 juridicall resorts which they called counties 24. betwixt the Tissa Danow and Germany 8. East of the Tissa in the same diuision 12. betwixt the Danow the Dra and 6 betwixt the Danow and the Saw towards Greichs-Weissenburg The parts vnder the Turkes are gouerned by their Bassaes and other names of Magistrates after the custome of that Empire Chiefer townes in the vpper Hungary are Presburg enioying a pleasant and healthfull situation vpon the left shore of the Danow neere to vinie mountaines and the confines of Oosten-reich defended with a strong castle mounted vpon a hill the chiefe towne subiect to the German Emperours Vaccia vpon the Danow a Bishops sea Pest vpon the Danow opposite to Buda Colocza vpon the Danow an Archbishops sea Bath vpon the same shore of the Danow North of the riuer Segedin vpon the right shore of the river Tissa Agria a Bishops sea Newsol a strong towne vpon the riuer Gran. Nitri a Bishops sea vpon the river Boch Transchin vpon the riuer Wag. Tirnau East of the Tissa Debreczen Temeswar vpon the riuer Temez Varadin Beyond the Danow in the Lower Hungary Belgrade or Greichs-Weissenburg Taururum of Ptolemie a strong towne of warre hemmed in vpon the East with the Danow and vpon the South with the Saw where it is emptied hereinto defended on the other sides with strong walls deepeditches sometimes the gate and entrance into Hungary and the fortresse of the kingdome against the Infidells surprised by Soliman Emperour of the Turkes Buda or Ofen Curta of Ptolemie vneuenly seated vpon the right shore of the Danow a faire and strong towne the seat of the principall Bassa of the Turkes and the chiefe citty of the kingdome Here are bathes and springs of hot waters Gran vpon the same shore of the Danow opposite to the fall or mouth of the riuer Gran out of the higher Hungary from whence it hath beene thus named a strong towne of warre and an Archbishops sea the Primate hereof Comora vpon the Danow in an Iland Rab a Bishops sea and a strong towne of warre vpon the right shore and confluence of the Danow and the Rab naming the towne and distinguishing anciently the Higher and the Lower Pannonies Betwixt the Danow and the Dra Stul-Weissenburg strongly but vnwholsomely seated in the midst of a great Lake or inaccessable marish ioyned to the firme land with three high and broad causies built with houses and blocked vp at their ends with great Bulwarks garded in time of warre and defending these suburbs Here the kings of Hungary were crowned as likewise enterred Betwixt this and the Dra lyeth the great lake Balaton containing 24 Italian miles in length Zigeth a strong towne standing in a marish vpon the North side of the river Dra famous for the death of Soliman the mighty Emperour of the Turkes during his siege hereof Fiefkirken vpon the Dra so named from such a number of Churches a Bishops sea Vnto the crowne of Hungary belonged sometimes as they doe partly at this day the countries of Transylvania Walachia Rascia Servia Bosna Windischlandt Croatia and Dalmatia gouerned by the deputies of the kings hereof or held by their princes vnder their tribute and soveraigne right The fowre first since lying wholy within the ancient Dacia and Maesia pertaine not to this division The descriptions of the other remaine after that first brieflie I haue related the ancient estates of Illyricum whereof they were sometimes partes togither with the many changes and successions of people and Lords commaunding herein vnto this present occasioning the present estate and names ILLYRICVM THE name hereof Solinus fabulously deriveth from Illyrius son to the one-ey'd monster Polyphaemus and Galataea commanding sometimes the country The bounds are diversly set downe by ancient authours Florus and Plinie continue the name along the coast of the sea Adriaticke betwixt the rivers Arsia and Titius or the countries Histria and Dalmatia Ptolemie including Dalmatia enlargeth the accompt hereof vnto the riuer Drilon and borders of Macedonia confining vpon the other sides with Histria the two Pannonyes and the Higher Mysia Strabo extendeth it along the sea-coast towards Greece and the South-East vnto the mountaines Ceraunij inwards towards the North and West vnto the riuer Danow and the Lake of the Rhaetians or Acronius besides the parts before mentioned comprehending Rhaetia Noricum Pannonye Histria and Dardania with the part of Macedonia where lay the townes of Dyrrachium Apollonia and Oricum Vnto these of Strabo wee finde added in Appian the Tribali and Mysij reaching Eastwards along the course of the Danow vnto the sea Euxinus now Maggiore The Emperour Constantine the Great hauing diuided the Romane Empire into 4 supreme iurisdictions or gouerments vnder the Praetorio praefecti of Italy Gaule Asia and Illyricum we read afterwards by this occasion all the parts of Europe subiect to that Empire and lying East of Gaule and Italie Thrace onely and the Lower Maesia excepted to haue beene contained vnder the generall name hereof called thus after the title or name of the chiefe prefect or province of the division Sextus Rufus liuing in the time of the Emperour Honorius reckoneth 17 provinces of Illyricus or Illyricum two of Noricum two of Pannonia Valeria Savia Dalmatia Maesia two of Dacia Macedonia Thessalia Achaia two of Epirus Prevalis and Crete Iornandes nameth 18 prouinces two of Noricum two of Pannonia two of Valeria Suevia Dalmatia the Higher Maesia Dardania two of Dacia Macedonye Thessalye Epirus Crete Praevalis and Achaia The authour of the Notitia with some difference nameth likewise 18 provinces but accompteth only 17 in the grosse six of Macedonye which were Achaia Macedonia