it exceeding pleasant and the Inhabitants have the glory of making the best Compasses and most exact Quadrants of the World as also all other Instruments necessary to Astrology as well as the Sea It is about 35 Miles from Roüen and 62 from Hastings in England Lon. 20.4 Lat. 49.59 Havre de Grace HAvre de Grace is a Fortress built by Francis the First to oppose the English and to make a Haven of to serve as a Retreat for the Merchants of the Nation and a Magazine of Ships of War 'T is said that it is capable of holding 2000 Sail and more if so it must be one of the most considerable Ports in Europe It has a strong Castle and stands nigh the Mouth of the River Seine about 48 Miles from Roüen Lon. 28.44 Lat. 44.42 Bayeux BAieux the Civitas Baiocassium of Antoninus remarkable of a long time for a Bishops See One of the Bishops whereof called Odo Brother to William the Conqueror by the Mothers side was by him created Earl of Kent and afterwards upon some displeasure made Prisoner for which when reprimanded by the Pope the Clergy being then exempted from the Secular Authority he returned this Answer that he had committed the Earl of Kent not the Bishop of Baieux by which distinction he avoided the Pope's Displeasure It stands nigh the Sea about 16 Miles off Caen 45 off Coutances and 84 off Roüen Lon. 17.49 Lat. 49.28 Coutances COutances and Auranches are both memorable upon the account of their Episcopal Sees from the former the Country thereabouts hath the Name of Coutantin The latter is Situate upon a Rock with a fair prospect over the English Channel within 28 Miles of each other The Lon. of the former is 16.45 the Lat. 49.9 Evreux EVreux and Lisieux are Bishops Sees the former being the Mediolanium of Ptolomy and still a rich and flourishing Town being the Third in estimation of all this Province The First is about 27 Miles from Roüen and 58 from Paris The last about 45 from Roüen and Evreux Seez also is an Episcopal See and stands on the Fountains of the River Orne about 13 Miles from Alenson 33 off Lisieux and 64 off Roüen The Lon. of the former is 20.4 Lat. 49.2 What the Revenues of this Dukedom might amount to in former times is not easie to affirm That they were very fair and large appears by the Testimony of Philip de Comines who says that he had seen raised in Normandy 95000 l. Sterling which was a Prodigious Sum of Mony in those times Now they amount to as much as the King's Toll-Masters are pleased to exact 3. Of the Isle of FRANCE IF this Government is the least exteâ—sive of the Twelve which we haâ—â— observed in the Division of France yâ—â— it is without contradiction the most aâ—â—vantagious and charming not only uâ—â— on the account of its natural Beauâ—â— and the stately Houses of Pleasure whiâ—â— are to be met with therein but also 〈◊〉 the advantage of enjoying for the mâ—â— part the Presence of the King aâ—â— Court The Isle of France to speak wiâ—â— propriety is comprised between the Pâ—â— vers of Seine Marne Oise and Aisneâ— but there is added to in some parts 〈◊〉 the adjoyning Provinces whereof iâ— Government is composed to accompanâ— somewhat better the Metropolis of thâ— Kingdom It is 〈◊〉 the Isle of Francâ— to distinguish it from the main Contâ—nent of 〈◊〉 and is made to extenâ— 10 〈…〉 from East to West viz. fro◠〈…〉 upon the Aisne to Gisonâ— and as many from North to South from beyond Noyon to Courteny in Gâ—stinois It is bounded on the North with Picardy Bounds on the East with Champagne and la Brie on the South with Gastinois and la Beausse and on the West with Normandy The Soil is very Fruitful in excellent Corn Soil and produces a sufficient quantity of Wine and Fruits A Country generally very Delectable and so Fertile withal that the Hills are equal to the Vallies in most Places of Europe Amongst the Rivers are remarked the Seine which receives the Marne Rivers and the Oise which is encreased by the Waters of the Aisne which runs by Soissons and the Terrain which washes the Walls of Beauvais It was formerly part of the Province of Belgica Secunda and Lugdunensis quarta Division and is now divided into Four parts namely 1. The Dukedom of Valois 2. Gastinois 3. Heurepois and 4. That which is properly called the Isle of France by some the County of Paris Paris PAris in the Isle of France properly so called is the Metropolis not only of this Government but of the whole Kingdom It is in Compass about Eighâ— Miles of an Orbicular Form agreeablâ— seated on the Divisions of the Seine a Fair Large and Populous City but faâ— short of the Ostentations of the French one of whose Authors coming to mention London says that it is with as Emphasis as large as Paris the Suburâ— comprehended Whereas if the trutâ— were impartially delivered Londâ—â— would be found to exceed the other 〈◊〉 was thought in Lewis the Eleventh time time to contain 500000 People 〈◊〉 all sorts of Ages which must be considerably encreased since that Kingâ— time The Fortifications are of nâ— good assurance insomuch that when once a Parisian bragg'd that their Town was never taken by Force an English-Man replied that the reason of iâ— was because on the least Calamity iâ— used to Capitulate It has the conveniency of Boats and Barges served by the River Seine as the Thame Westward doth London It has anâ— Arch-Bishop and an University of great repute consisting of 52 Colledges whereof 40 are of little use It is aâ— Parliament City and the usual Seat of the French King when absent from Versailles It is about 170 Miles from Antwerp 208 from London 250 from Amsterdam 600 from Vienna Lon. 21.30 Lat. 48.45 Soissons THE City of Soissons is very ancient and was heretofore of great Repute It is seated upon the River Aisne in a very agreeable Plain encompassed with Fruiful Mountains Ptolomy calls it Augusta Suessonum and before him Caesar in his Commentaries speaks of Galba one of its Kings and says that in his time it was very powerful commanded Twelve Cities and could set our an Army of 50000 Men. It is easie to judge that it was the most considerable of Gaul Belgick since the Praetors made it their residing Place It is a Bishops See a Generality a Bayliwick a Presidial c. about 28 Miles from Rheims 33 off St. Quintin and 48 off Paris Lon. 22.32 Lat. 49.19 Laon. LAon is an Episcopal City the Bishop whereof is one of the Twelve Peers of France and Earl of Laon in Latin Laodunum situated upon a Mountain of difficult access about 24 Miles from Rheims 15 from Soissons and 66 from Paris Long. 22.48 Lat. 49.30 Noyon near the River Oyse Beauvais upon the Terrain and Senlis on the River Nonette are also Bishops Sees 4. Of the
to it is that of the Year 1627 where Cardinal Richlieu ordered the Erection of that famous Bank in the Sea which has served as an Admiration to the whole World The remainders of it are yet to be seen when the Sea retires It stands on thâ— Ocean where is an excellent Bay About 68 Miles from Nantes 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 230 from Paris Lon. 17.17 Lat. 46.7 Angouleme THe Capital City of Angomois very ancient and strong both together Francis the First erected it into a Duchy for his Third Son This King was Earl of Angouleme when he came to the Crown The Bishop stiles himself Arch-Chaplain to the King and Baron de Lâ— Paine which is a Lordship within the City It has this advantage as well as Poitiers that its Mayor and Sheriffs are enobled with their Descendents by the Priviledges which King Charles the Fifth has granted to them It stands on the River Charente 65 Miles from Rochelle and 210 from Paris Lon. 18.14 Lat. 45.46 7. Of the Government of BURGUNDY THis is but the Eighth part of the Antient Kingdom of Burgundy although this alone has vulgarly retained â—he Name This Kingdom compreâ—ended Savoy Suisserland the Dutchy of Zeringhen Provence Dauphine Lyonnois the Dutchy and County of Burgundy known under the Name of Franche-County Now there is but Two Provinces that bear the Name of Burgundy both which are at present French Dominions viz. that which belonged to the Spaniard which is called Franche-County Vpper Burgundy and even Imperial Burgundy by the Germans and French Burgundy which has born the Title of Dutchy time out of Mind and is called the Royal and Lower Burgundy The Name of Burgundy proceeds from the Burgundiones Name a People of Germany who took the place of the antient Adui the sincere Friends of the Romans in this Province Some Etymologists make it come from the Town of Ougne which is to be found towards the Source of the River Tille 'T is of the Dutchy and la Bresse which is annexed to it that I design 〈◊〉 speak It s antient Dukes were formerly very powerful and able to sustain long and vigorous Wars against their Neighbours They possessed this Province for almost Six Hundred Years The last was killed before Nancy in 1477 and left no other Issue than a Daughter who was Married to Maximilian Arch-Duke of Austria who since was Emperor So Lewis the Eleventh King of France re-united this Flower to his Crown as a Masculine Fee It extends it self from East to West above 90 Miles Extent from Fontaine-Francoise towards the Franche-County to Güaine in Auxerrois and about 135 from South to North from Semeur in Briennois to Chaleau-Villain in Champagne without comprehending la Bresse which yet advances near 30 Miles more towards the South It is bounded in the North by Champagne in the East by Franche-County Bounds and Savoy in the South by Dauphine and Lyonncis and in the West by Bourbonnois and Niverneis It s Situation makes it one of the Largest most Fruitful and most Populous Province of the Kingdom The Wines are incomparable Quality and the other Conveniencies of Life are so considerable here that it is called the Mother of Corn Wines and Waters There are also many pleasant Woods and Forests where there is most excellent Hunting The delicious Medows and sine Pasture-Grounds nourish a sufficient number of Cattel Here is to be found some Mines of Iron c. The most considerable of its Rivers is the Saone the Yonne passes by Auxerre Rivers the Ain through Bresse the Seine Armenson and Arroux take their Originals from hence Dijon UPon the River Ouche Capital is the Capital of the Province 'T is a very antient City adorned with a Parliament a Generality and a Mint but it has no Bishop and depends upon that of Langres in Bassigny for the Spirituality Near this City is to be seen the Village of Fontanes where St. Bernard was Born amongst the chief Edifices oâ— Dijon they make great account of â— Holy Chappel and several Halls buiâ— in the time of the Dukes of Burgundy for the Lords of the Neighbourhood It is about 40 Miles from Autun 55 from Besanson 146 from Paris Lon. 24.5 Lat. 43.37 Autun UPon the River Arroux is an Episcopal City very antient and that of all France which has the finest Relicks of Antiquity It is also famous for the Institution of the Order of the Fleece It s Bishop presides over the States of Burgundy which are held every Three Years Near this City Julius Caesar overcame the Switzers who designed to establish themselves in Gaul about 32 Miles from Challon 50 from Nevers and 145 from Paris Lon. 23.20 Lat. 46.38 Auxerre Chalon and Mascon are considerable for their Episcopal Sees the first renowned for its excellent Wines La Bresse to which I will add the Bayliwick of Gex is bounded on the East with Savoy on the West with Lyonnois on the North with Charolois in the Dutchy of Burgundy and some part of the Franche-County and on the South with Dauphine The Country is very Fruitful and pleasant embraced between the Rivers Saone and Rhône with which 't is plentifully Watered Bourg en Bresse THE Capital of the whole Province was heretofore a Bishops See Its Cittadel was so strong a Fortress before it was demolished that it was esteemed little inferior to St. Katharines or Montmeillan in Savoy The Church of Brou is an Admirable Structure It contains the Tombs of several Dukes of Savoy it stands on the River Resouse about 34 Miles from Lyons and 48 from Geneva Lon. 24.31 Lat. 45.54 Bellay THE Capital of Bugey is a Bishops See who stiles himself Prince of the Empire and Temporal Lord of his City One of its late Bishops has been one of the most Copious Writers of France It stands on the River Rhone 18 Miles from Chambery and 40 from Lyons Lon. 25.8 Lat. 45.28 The Principality of Dombes lies within the bounds of Bresse Mademoiselle d'Orleans to whom it belongs has coined Mony in the City of Trevoux upon the Saone which is the Capital thereof 8. Of the Government of LYONNOIS BEhold the ancient Celtick Gaul or at least the greatest part whereof M. d'Vrfe has said so many Wonders in his Romance of Astraea Its Druids and the exactness wherewith they observed here the antient Religion of the Gauis has rendered it famous in these remote â—â—es One comprehends in this Government Lyonnois in particular Beaujolois Forez l'Auvergne la Marche and Bourbonnois It extends it self from East to West Extent about 210 Miles from Lyons to the extremity of La Marche even beyond the River Vienne and above 150 from South to North from the extremity of Auvergne to Neron de la Guierche towards Berry It is bounded in the North by Berry and Nivernois Bounds in the East by Bresse and Dauphine in the South by Cevennes and Rouergue and in the West by Quercy Limosin and Angoumois
the East one â—â—nds le Cominge to which may be joyned le Conserans Bourdeaux UPon the Garomne is the Capital of the Government of Guyenne a very ancient large and beautiful City wherein is made a very considerable Commerce by reason of the conveniences of its noble Port. It has all the Qualities and all the Prerogatives that may render a City remarkable It is the See of an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primate of Aquitaine it has a Parliament a Gonerality a Mint an University and Admiralty It is one of the most noted Empories of all the Kingdom and used to be very much frequented by the Dutch and English for Gascoign Wines About 84 Miles from Rochelle and 120 from Toulouse Lon. 17.50 Lat. 44.50 Agen UPon the River Garomne the Capital of Agenois holds the first Rank after Bourdeaux and is situated in a Soil whose Fertility makes the Inhabitants idle It is a Bishops See 〈◊〉 bears the Title of Earl but he has 〈◊〉 other Lordly Right in the City 〈◊〉 Lords of Exale descended from 〈◊〉 Princes of Verone have had their Râ—dence in Agen. About 20 Miles 〈◊〉 Condom and 35 from Aux Long. 〈◊〉 12. Lat. 44.13 Bazas upon the Vâ—sane is the Capital of Bazadois a haâ—som City and stands about 25 Mâ—â— from Bourdeaux Cahors THE River Lot during its course 〈◊〉 this Province forms Six or Seâ— indifferent large Peninsula's in one 〈◊〉 which stands Cahors the Capital 〈◊〉 of all Quercy Henry the Great gaâ— here some Testimonies of his Condoâ— and Valour by a Battle which he oâ— stinately fought during three days 〈◊〉 cessively to render himself Master 〈◊〉 the City Some look upon it as 〈◊〉 ancient Vxelodunum which defended â— self a long time against Julius Caesaâ— Pope John the 22d was born heâ— who was called before James of Câ—hors 'T is a very ancient City honou◠〈◊〉 with an Episcopal See a Presidial 〈◊〉 a famous University It has also 〈◊〉 Remainders of an Amphitheatre 〈◊〉 Bishop takes upon him the Title of â—arl Near to Cahors is to be seen the â—sidue of an Aquaeduct which was â—eretofore above Nine Miles in Length About 38 Miles from Alby and 55 from Toulouse Lon. 20.6 Lat. 44.23 Rhodez UPon the River Aveyron is received for the Capital of all Roüergue It is a very ancient City but has lost much of its Grandeur and Beauty by the Prisals and Reprisals which the Goths Sarrazens and French have made in different times It has a Bishop and a Presidial and stands about 48 Miles from Mende 74 from Toulouse and 80 from Narbone Long. 21.20 Lat. 44.7 Perigueux UPon the River Lille the Capital of Perigort is more ancient than it is fine as one may judge by the Remainders of an Amphitheatre which is 〈◊〉 be seen there with many other Monâ—ments of Antiquity In its Neighbouâ— hood Pepin the Short obtained a signâ— Victory over Gayfer Duke of Aquitaiâ— Anno 768. It is honoured with an â— piscopal See and a Presidial It is moâ— sweetly situated in a pleasant Valleâ— about 42 Miles from Limoges and 6â— from Bourdeaux Longitude 19.18 Latitude 45.12 Limoges UPon the River Vienne is the Capitaâ— of all Limosin with a Bishoprick and a Generality The City is very populous and rich by reason of it Trade Its Artisans are particularly famous for curious Enamel-Work ' Tiâ— a neat but no large City inhabited by a People of so great Industry that they compel every one to work and is there fore termed by the French the Prison of Beggars At the taking of it wheâ— revolted Edward the Black Prince could by no means be allured to pity the unfortunate Citizens till pursuing his Enemies he saw Three French Gentlemen oppose his whole Army the consideration of whose Courage and Bravery induced him to Compassion whereas before he had vowed Revenge About 68 Miles from Poitiers and 100 from Bourdeaux Lon. 20.00 Lat. 45.40 Tulles seated in a rough and hilly Country is a Bishop's See it stands about 33 Miles from Limoges Saintes BY Ptolemy called Mediolanium seated upon the Charente isâ— the Capital of Saintonne 't is a very ancient City and is honoured with an Episcopal See and a Presidial It is about 32 Miles from Rochelle and 40 from Angoulesme Lon. 17.44 Lat. 45.42 Aux UPon the River Gez anciently called Augusta Ausciorum an Archbishops See The Income whereof is said to be greater than any Prelates of France reckoned at no less than an Hundred Thousand Livres per annum It stands about 38 Miles from Toulouse 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 320 from Paris Lon. 18.50 Lat. 43.40 Lectoure A Bishops See called in our Modeâ— Lectodurum of old Lestoracium â— Town so well fortified when in thâ— possession of the Earls of Armagnac thaâ— it maintained it self three Months against the Strength of France But since iâ— came into the Power of the French Kings so strengthened according to the Modern Art of Fortifications that it 〈◊〉 esteemed the strongest Bulwork of the Kingdom on this side and securest Fortress against Spain It stands upon aâ— Hill about 14 Miles from Condon 〈◊〉 from Agen and 20 from Aux Longitude 19.4 Latitude 43.58 Aire upon the River Adour is an Episcopal City and stands about 38 Miles from Dax and 44 from Condom Condom SItuated on the Confluence of the Rivers Baise and Gele is the Capiâ—â—l of Condomois It is an Episcopal City whose last Bishop has been acnowledged as a Person of an extraorâ—inary Merit insomuch that he was â—hosen for the Dauphin's Tutor by the King It has also a Senechalsy and a Presidial About 20 Miles from Agen and 22 from Aux Long. 18.48 Lat. 44.00 Dax and Bayonne are also Biâ—â—op's Sees seated upon the River Aâ—dour within 32 Miles of each other the former being the Capital of Les-Landes the latter of the Country of Labourd There is a Mountain near Bayonne from whose top 't is said one may discern three Kingdoms to wit France Spain and Navarre Pau THE Principality of Bearn is situated at the Foot of the Pyrenees where they joyn to Languedoc and has the Glory of giving Life to King Henry 〈◊〉 Great Pau upon the River Gave is 〈◊〉 Principal of all the Province honouâ—â— with a Parliament or Court of Judicâ— ture for all the Country and a fair Pâ—lace built by Henry of Albret King 〈◊〉 Navarre and Lord of Bearn It stanâ— 26 Miles from Aire and 86 from Boâ—deaux Lon. 17.40 Lat. 43.23 Olerâ—â— mounted upon an high Hill and Laseâ—â— upon the Gave are also Bishops Sees Gathe UPon the River Ardour is the Capital of the Earldom of Begorre It is honoured with a strong Castle and Episcopal See and the Senechalsy for aâ— the Country of Begorre It is abouâ— 24. Miles from Pau and 26 from Auâ— Lon. 18.14 Lat. 43.18 Saint Beâ—trand upon Garomne Capital of Comingeâ— is also a Bishops See as is likewise Sainâ— Lizer upon the River Salat and Lombez upon the Save this last but of late erection 10.
Vandals passed into Africk but in the mean time Vallia King of the Visigoths who fought for the Romans utterly extirpated the Silinges and reduced the Alains to that extremity that being unable to subsist any longer by themselves they went and submitted to Gunderic King of the Vandals The Sueves maintained themselves near Two Ages in Spain and at length their Kingdom was also extinguished by Leuvilgild King of the Visigoths in the Year 588. All these Barbarians were divided into several Bands or Parties who had each their Captain and made Incursions and Ravages without intermission So far they proceeded that there was seen at the same time People of the same Nation in Places far remote one from the other and in Interests directly opposite In the Year 408 Stilicon Honorius's Lieutenant who was accused for introducing them is massacred by the Order of Honorius the Emperor Alaric King of the Visigoths his good Friend to revenge his Death besieged the City of Rome Three times and the last takes it by Treason on the Twentieth Day of August in the Year 410. About the end of the same Year he died in Calabria as he was preparing to pass into Africk Ataulfe his Cousin succeeded him and espoused Placidia Sister of the Emperor Honorius whom he had taken in Rome In the Year 412 Ataulfe passed into Gaul Narbonnoise and makes himself Master of Narbonne He remained there but Three Years The Count Constantius who was since Emperor and married Placidia his Widow compelled him to go into Spain where he was killed by his own People in Barcelone towards the Month of September in the Year 415. They elected Sigerick in his Place and gave him the same entertainment on the Seventh Day Vallia his Successor was remanded into Gaul by Constantius who gave him the Second Aquitain with some Cities in the adjacent Provinces amongst others that of Toulouze where he established his Royal Seat in the Year 419. But he died in few Months after and Theodorick succeeded him Under this King and under Evaric or Eurick the Visigoths became Masters of all the Three Aquitaines and the Two Narbonnoises During the great Revolt of the Maritime People to wit those upon the Coasts of Flanders Picardy Normandy and Bretagne which happened in the Year 412 the French being joyned with them seized upon that part of Second Germany which was called Ripuaire and the people Ripuarians or Ribarols The Romans by Treaty or otherwise left them the free possession of it A little after which Faramond began to reign We find in the Historians of those times that the French had enjoyed several Kings before him as Genebaud and Alec in the Year 288 who came to Treves to sue for a Peace of Maximilian As also Ascaric and Radagaise in the Year 307 whom Constantine took Prisoners in War and exposed them to Wild Beasts in the Arena for having taken up Arms notwithstanding their Faith given to Constantius his Father In the Year 374 one Mellobaudes who being great Master of the Militia and Count of the Palace of the Emperor Gâ—ian killed and subdued Macrian King of the Germans and rendred many other Services to the Empire Towards the Year 378 one Richemer who had such another Charge near Gratian as Mellobaudes had In the Year 382 one Priam or Priarius whom some would have to be the Father or Grandfather of Faramond besides Marcomir and Sunnon Brethren in 397 the First of which Stilicon banished into Tâ—scany and made the other be Massacred by his own Creatures when he attempted to be â— motion to revenge the Exile of â— Brother And in the Year 414 or â— one Theodemer Son of Richemer whâ— had his Head cut off with his motheâ— Ascila for some Undertakings againâ— the Empire Notwithstanding the common Opâ—nion has always begun to reckon tâ— King 's of France by Faramond whether â— be because his Predecessors had not theâ— fixed residence in Gaul or that he estâ— blished Royalty amongst the Frencâ— In effect it seems that the Romans haâ— in some fashion subdued this Nation anâ— since the entertainment of Marcomirâ— Sunnon and Theodomer they would noâ— longer permit them to have their Kings Faramond began to reign in the Year 418 according to the common Opinion a Year very remarkable by a Great Eclipse of the Sun From whom to Lewis the Fourteenth the present King of France are computed no less than 65 Kings THE Geographical Description OF FRANCE FRANCE then Name which was heretofore called Gaul hath received its Name from that of the ancient People called Franks who came from a part of Germany to inhabit there in the time of its first Kings It is Scituated in the midst of the Temperate Zone Situation between the Forty Second and Fifty First Degree of Latitude extending it self from the Fifteenth Degree of Longitude to the Twenty Ninth insomuch that it may be computed to have 460 Miles English from South to North from the Pyreneans to Calais upon the Channel and 600 in its greatest extent from East to West Extent from the point of Conquet in Bretagne to Saralbe in Lorrain It is bounded in the North by the Channel and the Low-Countries Bounds in the East by Germany Suisserland Savoy and Piedmont from which it is separated by the Alps in the South by the Mediterrancan Sea and the Pyrenean Mountains which separate it from Spain and in the West by the Ocean The Air is recreative and wholsome Quality the Soil extraordinary Fertile in Corn Wines Fruits and Hemp. One meets there with Delicious Medows Pleasant Forests and most agreeable Plains in which one may observe a great number of Cattle and Wild Fowl as Horses Oxen Sheep and Goats Stags Wild-boars partridges Woodcocks Plovers Quails and other Volatils Several Authors as Strabo and Botero speak of its Mines of Gold and Silver If they are rare those of Iron Lead Coals and other Minerals are frequent enough There are Quarries of most Beautiful Stone and Slat exceeding proper for Buildings Towards the South there are several Fountains of Hot and Mineral Waters very relieving for many Distempers Upon the Coasts is made a great quantity of very good Salt Botero says that France produces Four Load-stones which have the vertue to attract the Gold and Silver of Strangers These Four Load-Stones are Corn Wine Salt and Hemp. In a Word there is all that can be desired in order to pass ones Life after a most agreeable manner Amongst the great Number of Râ—vers which fructify this Country Rivers Four are particularly observed to wit the Loire the Seine the Garomne and the Rhone all of them take their rise herein but the last which proceeds from the Mount St. Gothard in the Country of the Grisons and passes through the Lake of Geneva France is divided according to the Twelve great Governments which appeared to the General Assembly of the States held in 1614 Division after the majority of Lewis the
Thirteenth but we must now make an addition of Lorrain and the French-County which are in its dependance so that we will divide it in Fourteen principal parts Four of these Governments to wit Picardy Normandy the Isle of France and Champagne are Situated to the North of the Loire and about the Seine except the First which is more Northerly than the other Three Those of Bretagne Orleanois Bourgogne and Lyonois are about the Loire and the other Four are to the South of the same River to wit Guyenne and Languedoc about the Garomne Dauphine and Provence to the East of the Rhone one towards the North and the other towards the South Lorrain and the French-County are directly Scituated to the East of this Kingdom The Capital City of France is Paris Capital seated in the midst of the Isle of France upon the River Seine It passes for a Vast Rich and Populous City one of the Noblest in Christendom and a Parliament City subject to the king of France and his ordinary Seat It is an Archbishops See and is adorned with a Famous university and Three illustrious Academies embelished with a great number of Magniâ—cent Churches and Stately Buildings about Two Hunâ—â—â—â— and Eight Miles almoit S. E. of 〈◊〉 The French are full of Spirit Manners active and ingenious enough in Arts and Sciences polite and agreeable in Convrsation complaisant to the Ladies and courteous to Strangers but withal very unconstant and very rash ut sunt subita Gallorum ingenia is one of the Remarks of Caesar A French Gentleman was one Day speaking advantagiously of the Free Genteel Humour of his Countrymen to an Italian and said that there was no Nation could deny but that the French were the most tractable and sincere People in the World to which the Italian answered that the thing from which he pretended to draw all his Advantages passed with them for a weakness and an effect of their imprudence I don't admire replied the French-man coldly that you make so disadvantagious a Judgment of our best Qualities because your Politicks believe that without being a Cunning Knave one can never make a Gallant Man As to the Persons of this People they are commonly of a Middle Stature and for the most part of a slight making their Complexion being generally hot and moist which makes them very subject to the heats of Lust and easily inclinable to those Diseases which are its Concomitants Their chief Exercises are Tennis and Dancing Exercise to the last of which they are so generally affected that were it noâ— so much exclaimed against by their rigid Ministers it is thought that many more of the French Catholicks had been of the Reformed Religion For so extreamly are they bent upon this Diversion that no interruption whatsoever neither Age Sickness nor even Poverty shall retain their Heels when they hear the Musick Their Language is very smooth and pleasant Language but rather Elegant than Copious and therefore much troubled for want of Words to find out Periphrases besides that a great deal of it is expressed in the Action the head and Shoulders move as significantly towards it as the Lips and Tongue and he that pretends to speak it with a good grace must have somewhat in him of the Buffoon It is enriched with variety of Proverbs which is a great help to the French Humour of Scoffing a Language so naturally disposed for Courtship as makes all the people Complemental The Laws of this Kingdom are either Temporary Laws and alterable at pleasure or Fundamental which neither King nor parliament as they say can alter Of this last fort the Principal are the Salick Law and the Law of Apennages By the Salick Law the Crown of France may not descend unto the Females or fall from the Launce to the Distaff as their Saying is which Law one undertaking to justify out of Holy Writ urged that Text of St. Matthew where it is said Mark the Lillies which are the Arms of France and see how they neither labour nor spin By that of the Apennage the younger Sons of the King are not to have a share in the Kingdom with their Elder brother which Law was made by Charles the Great before whose time we find the Children of the Kings stated in their several Thrones and the Realm divided amongst them into many Kingdoms But by this Law they are to be entituled to some Dutchy or County with all the Rights and proâ—ts belonging thereto all matters of Regality as Levying Taxes Coynage and the like excepted only which upon the failing of the Masculine Line return again to the Crown The Name thereof derived from Abannage a German Word signifying a Portion The King of France has the Titlâ— of Most Christian King and Eldeâ— Son of the Church the Eldest Son oâ— the king is called the Dauphin and iâ— the presumptive Heir of the Kingdomâ— The Dutchies of Orleans Anjou Alencon and Berry as also the Earldom oâ— Evreux have been the ordinary Titles of the other Sons of France The number of the Peers of France formerly consisted but of Twelve viz. The Archbishop and Duke of Rheims The Bishop and Duke of Lâon The Bishop and Duke of Langres The Bishop and Earl of Beauvais The Bishop and Earl of Noyon The Bishop and Earl of Chaalons The Duke of Burgundy The Duke of Guyenne The Duke of Normandy The Earl of Toulouse The Earl of Champagne The Earl of Flanders The Six First were Ecclesiasticks and the rest Laicks each with his particular Function The Institution of these Twelve peers is attributed by some to Charlemain by others to Hugues-Capet the Number of them is at present no more in use except on the Coronation-day and that of the Laick Peers is much greater than it was France is governed by an Absolute King Government The Crown is hereditary to his Family and is so far Particular that the Legitimate Males alone can pretend to it by the Institution of the Salick Law which absolutely excludes Females as we have intimated before One may reckon at present Twelve Paliaments in the States of France since the Conquest of the French County One may also reckon Twenty Three Generalties or Offices of the Exchequer Twenty Five Mints and Fourteen Universities Whose Seats I shall observe in the particular Discourse of each City where they are established It is pretended that the Parliament of Paris was Instituted by Pepin Paris Father of Charlemagne and that it was ambulatory till Philip the Fair made it fixt in 1302. The Courts of Justice of the Isle of France Champagne the whole Government of Orleanois and all Lyonois are under its Jurisdiction That of Toulouse Toulouse was Instituted bâ— the same Philip the Fair in the samâ— Year and was not fixed till under Charleâ— the Seventh in 1443. That of Rouen Rouen was Instituted by thâ— same Charles the Seventh in the samâ— Year and was fixed in 1503. undeâ—
and became very powerful by their great Alliances The last of its Dukes dying left only a Daughter who was married to Charles the Eighth and afterwards to Lewis the Twelfth Kings of France Thus this Dukedom was united to the Crown from which it has not been dismembred since Bretagne was anciently called Armerique Name as being situated along the Sea Some pretend that its new Name was given to it by some People of Great Britain who came to inhabit there or else from Brutus King of the Gauls but there is more probability that this Name proceeds from an old Gaulish word called Brit which signifies painted because its ancient Inhabitants used to paint their Beards and their Hair This Province has about 180 Miles from East to West Extent from beyond Vitrey to the Point of Conquet and 120 from South to North from the Isle of Boüin to the Mouth of the River Coüonon towards St. Michael's Mount It is bounded on the East by Anjou and Main Bounds advancing it self towards the West like a Peninsula to the Ocean which confines it on the other sides The Soil abounds in excellent Pasturage and Cattel Quality from whence they furnish themselves with very good Butter They have good store of Corn some Wine Linnen and Fruits in a great quantity They make Salt upon the Coasts and abound in excellent Fish Here also are the best Sea-Ports of the whole Kingdom Amongst the Number of Rivers which water this Country Rivers is observed the Loire the Villaine which receives the Ouste Those of Blavet Auffen Trieux and Rance Yet these laft are no where considerable but at their Mouths The Government of Bretagne is limited in this single Province Division which is divided into Upper and Lower this towards the West and the other towards the East They that consider the different Languages of the Province divide it into three parts they attribute to the Bishopricks of Dol Rennes and St. Malo the use of the French Tongue they say that the British Tongue which is a remainder of the Gaulish is received amongst the Inhabitants of the Bishopricks of Cornoüaille St. Pol de Leon and Trequier They give a mixt Language to the Bishopricks of Nantes Vennes and St. Brieux These Nine Bishopricks are under the Archbishop of Tours Rennes UPon the Villaine is the largest City Capital and Capital of the whole Province the usual Residence of a Bishop and Parliament It is seated in the Upper Bretagne and has the Privilege of coining Mony about 50 Miles from Nantes 115 from Rochelle c. Long. 16.30 Lat. 48.3 Nantes UPon the Loire is the strongest and more commodious for Traffick by the means of the Loire over which it has a very fine Bridge and by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea Under the Name of Cardivicum and Corbilo it is esteemed one of the three most ancient Cities of 〈…〉 has a Generality a Mint and 〈…〉 It was the Habitation of 〈…〉 Dukes of Bretagne and 〈…〉 of their Eldest Sons under 〈…〉 of Earls as also Dinan◠〈◊〉 of their Youngest It is a Bishops 〈…〉 as St. Malo Dol and St. Brieux about 44 Miles from Anger 's 68 from Rochelle Long. 16.48 Lat. 47.13 St. Malo THe strong Situation of St. Malo upon the Sea and its vast Correspondence in Foreign Countries render it one of the most considerable places of the Kingdom It is guarded at Night by very fierce Dogs of an English Breed which go the Rounds of the City The Discovery of Canada is owing to one of its Inhabitants called James Cartier In the year 1661. it suffered a great Loss by a Fire which consumed a part of the Houses about 12 Miles from Dol and 42 from Rennes Long. 16.8 Lat. 48.40 Dol. IT stands in a Marshy Ground and is said to contain some Family who bear the Name of Devils perhaps because they are the Remainders of the ancient People Diablintes Some Dukes of Bretagne had a design to have erected the Bishoprick of Dol into an Archbishoprick About 33 Miles from Rennes Long. 16.22 Lat. 48.34 St. Brieux a Bishops See was the only City which preserved it self during the Wars between the Families of Blois and Mont for t it stands on the Sea about 55 Miles from Rennes The Five foregoing Cities are in the Upper Bretagne Brest IN a Gulf where the Sea makes Four different Entries is esteemed one of the best Sea-Ports of Europe Indeed the Ships are always afloat there were they of Two Thousand Tun. It is the principal Magazine of the Admiralty of France for Vessels which go upon the Ocean seated in the Lower Bretagne About 125 Miles from Rennes 120 from St. Malo 320 from Paris Long. 13.18 Lat. 47.58 Blavet BLavet aliás Port-Loüis was formerly given to the Spaniards by those of the Ligue and during the War against those of the Reformed Religion the Sieur de Soubise had a design to render himself Master of it This and Brest bear the Lawrel from all the rest by reason of their strong Fortifications together with the Goodness and Greatness of their Ports It stands in the Lower Bretagne about 82 Miles from Rennes and 60 from Brest Long. 14.42 Lat. 47.23 In the Sea of Gascogne under the 17th Degree of Latitude there is an Island which is called Bell-Isle which extends it self about 21 Miles in Length 9 in Breadth and about 54 in Circumference It is considerable for the Passage of Ships along its Coasts and for its strong Castle which the Hollanders attak'd in vain An. 1674. notwithstanding their puissant Naval Army for that Effect Oüessant a little Island nearer the Shoar towards the West has the Title of Marquisat as well as Bell-Isle 6. Of the Government of ORLEANOIS THis is one of the best and most agreeable Countries of France as also the most extensive of its Governments for it comprehends Fourteen or Fifteen Provinces or Countries It is called the Government of Orleanois Name because Orleans is the most remarkable among the Cities It has near 300 Miles from East to West Extent from beyond Chinon-Castle in Nivernois to the Extremity of Poisou and near 204 from South to North from Monbrun in Angoumois to Nonan-court in Normandy It is bounded in the East by Burgundy and Champagne Bounds in the North by the Isle of France and Normandy in the West by Bretagne and the Sea and in the South by Saintonge Perigord la Marche and Bourbonnois The Soil is very fertile in Corn Quality Wine Cattle and in a word all things that may conduce to the satisfaction of Life Amongst other Woody parts it to be seen the Forest of Orleans that contains 70000 Acres an◠'t is said that in the time of Francis th◠First it contained 140000. There i◠no Country in France where one mee◠with so many Paved Ways as here It is watered with a great number o◠Rivers Rivers amongst which
The Soil is not generally Fertile Quality by reason of the great Number of Mountains and Forests which are to be met with in some of its Provinces The Rhône the Saone the Loire Rivers and the Allier are the most celebrated Rivers that water the extent of this Government Lyonnois is one of the most agreeable Countries of France being diversified with Plains and delicious Hills which produce very good Corn excellent Wines and great store of different Fruits particularly Chesnuts which ar◠transported all over Europe Lyons ONE of the most ancient and celebrated Cities of Gaul is a Noble City since its Situation is exceeding pleasant its Climat very Healthful its Places and Edifices most Magnificent It is at present one of the Richest and most Populous Cities of the Kingdom in Merchants Trading in several Places by means of the Loire the Saone and the Rhône There are Banks and Correspondencies for Africa Asia and all the principal states of Europe all sorts of Manufactures and Impressions of Books It was formerly a Colony of the Romans It s Mayor and Sheriffs are ennobled and transmit their Honour to their Posterity The Canons of the Cathedral Church are to be Noble in the Fourth Race and bear the Title of Earls It has an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primat of the Gauls There is also a Generality a Mint and a Presidial See It is seated on the Confluence of the Rhône and the Saone about 16 Miles from Vienne 70 from Geneva 150 from Turin 200 from Orleans and 230 from Paris Lon. 24.8 Lat. 45.24 Beaujeu UPon the Ardiere is the Capital of Beaujolois There is nothing recommendable in this City but a very antient work of Embroidery which represents the Sacrifice of a Hog a Sheep and a Bull which is to be seen over the Portal of the Principal Church The Romans called these Sacrifices Suovetauralia It stands on the Brow of a Hill about 30 Miles from Lyons and 14 from Mascon Lon. 23.50 Lat. 45.50 Mont-Brison UPon the Vezise passes for the Capital of Forez It is famous for an Admirable Piece of Clock-work about 43 Miles from Lyons Lon. 23.10 Lat. 45.14 Clermont THis City is not only the Capital o◠Lower Auvergne but of the whole Province It is renowned in History for the holding of several Councils Under King Philip the First the Voyage of the Holy Land was here resolved on Here is said to be a Fountain which has the vertue to Petrify for with the single course of its Waters which seem to be thick and bituminous it has made a Wall 200 Yards long and 4 yards high with a Bridge which they are obliged to cut down sometimes to prevent its too great encrease King Charles the Ninth had the curiosity to go and see it in his Journy to Bayonne It is an Episcopal See and stands on a little Hill about 50 Miles from Moulins 90 from Lyons and 200 from Paris Lon. 22.00 Lat. 45.28 Saint Flour is the Capital of Upper Auvergne remarkable for its Bishops See about 45 Miles from Clermont Riom Capital of the Dutchy of Auvergne holds the Second Rank after Clermont It is adorned with a Generality a Mint Presidial and other Prerogatives about 7 Miles from Clermont Moulins THis City is the Capital of the Province of Bourbonnois accompanied with a Castle considerable for its strength and building It has likewise very sine and large Suburbs where is made the best sort of Knives and Scissars which are Transported from thence It has a Generality upon which depend the Elections of Montlucon Gannat and Esvaon and some others of Nivernois and the Upper Marche The Inhabitants have the reputation of being Civil and Officious It stands nigh the Center of all France on the River Allier about 28 Miles from Nevers 96 from Lyons and 90 from Dijon Lon. 22.14 Lat. 46.16 Gueret with its Royal Jurisdictions is the Capital of the Upper Marche it stands on the River Cruse about 32 Miles from Limoges Dorat is the Capital of the Lower Marche about 26 Miles from Limoges and 47 from Poitiers 9. Of the Government of GUYENNE THis Country was antiently called the Kingdom of Aquitain ab Aquis because of the great number of Springs and Fountains of Hot Water Eleanor Inheritrix of this Province and Wife of Loüis the Young King of France having been Divorced espoused Henry King of England to whom she brought for a Dowry this Guyenne which Loüis had rendred to her This was a Firebrand that kindled between the Two Crowns a War which lasted near 300 years and finished but in 1443. The Government of Guyenne is full as spacious as Orleanois Extent since it extends it self from East to West above 240 Miles from St. John de Breüil Frontier of Languedoc to the Sea and from South to North above 225 from the Port of Albe in Cominge to Niort in Poitou It is bounded in the North by Poitou Angoumois Bounds and la Marche in the East by Auvergne and Languedoc in the South by the Pyrenaean Mountains which separate it from Spain and in the West by the Ocean The Air is generally wholesom enough Quality the Soil fertile in Corn Wine and Fruits except in the Lands towards the Coasts and the Pyrenaeans where it produces nothing but Broom and Pasturage which feed a good number of Cattel Fountains of hot Water are generally to be found here It is watered with a great Number of Rivers Rivers amongst which is remarked the Garomne the Lot the Dordonne l'Adour and the Charnte The Confluence of the Garomne and the Dordonne which is made at the Mouth of Ambez is very dangerous It is to be observed that from the Mouth of Ambez to the Sea this River is called Gironde and not Garomne as Sanson has marked in all his Maps It is divided into two principal Parts whereof one that is towards the North retains the Name of Guyenne and the other which is towards the South is called in general Gascogne Guyenne distinguisht into Eight little Countries First of all one observes observes Guyenne properly so called and Bazadois about the Garomne Agenois Quercy and Roüergue which are to be found in order upon the Lot in ascending to its Rise on the Northern side Limosin is seated to the North of the Dordonne Perigord about the same River and Xaintogne about the Charente and upon the Coasts of the Ocean Gascogne is likewise divided into several little Countries First Armagna◠is distinguished in the midst which extends it self to the Pyrenaean Mountains and is subdivided into several little Jurisdictions as the Upper and Lower Armagnac the Countries of Riviere Verdun Lomagne c. towards the North Condommois and les Landes towards the West the same Lands and the Land of Labourd on the South one meets with in order along the Pyrenaeans the lower Navarre with the Vicounty of Soul Bearn and Bigorre after which one rejoyns the upper Armagnac and towards
Of the Government of LANGUEDOC CAEsar after the Conquest of Provence still advances into Gaul distinguishâ—d the Province which we call Langueâ—oc by the Name of Gaul Narbonoise â—n the declining of the Empire it was â—surped upon the Romans by the Goths who gave it the Name of Gothia establishing therein the Kingdom of the Visigoths whereof Toulouse was the Capital and which was absolutely extinguished since Charles Martel Some Authors pretend and not without cause that Languedoc took its Denomination from the Goths who reigning long in the Country left behind them a smack of their Language and therefore it was called Languegotia Name and now Euphoniae gratiâ termed Languedotia or Languedoc that is the Goths Language Ortelius conjectures this to be the reason whereas the other French-men in an Affirmation say Oüy these of this Country say Oc and therefore called Languedoc The Government of Languedoc Extent which comprehends les Cevennes extends it self from East to West about 210 Mileâ— And near 240 from South to North-Eâ—â— from Aiqs in the Earldom of Foix â— Annonay towards Lyonnois The Rhône separates it towards thâ— East from Dauphine and Province Bounds â—onnis Auvergne Roüergue and Querâ— bound it towards the North Gascogâ— that is to say Armagnac and le Coming towards the West and Catalonia witâ— the Mediterranean Sea towards the Soutâ— Languedoc passes for one of the moâ—â— agreeable and fertile Provinces of thâ— Kingdom having the Advantages oâ— Olives Raisons Figs Oranges and other Fruits not ordinary but here and in the adjoyning Province Quality The People have somewhat in them of the ancienâ— Goths and come nearer to the Humonâ— of the Spaniards than any other of the French as being esteemed very devour great Boasters of themselves affecting Gallantry above their Estates not caring how they pinch it on Workydays or at home in private provided they may make a Figure in the Street and be fine on Holydays The Temper of the Women too but in them 't is more excusable The Soil of Cevennes is very mounâ—â—inous and infertile in many places â—n others it poduces Wine Millet Ches-â—uts and other Fruits It s greatest Ferâ—ility is in Pasturage which makes the Country abound in Cattel especially in â—heep and Mules Here is a great store of Wildsowl c. Besides the Rhône which I have alâ—eady mentioned there are several other Rivers amongst which one observes the Tarn which passes by Montauâ—an and mingles its Waters with those of the Garomne beyond Moissac The Ariege the Aude which passes by Careassone in which the Tresquel discharges it self which is joyned by a Canal with the little Lers which goes to discharge it self into the Garomne 'T is the Canal of Languedoc which has been so much talkt of for the Communication of the two Seas the Ocean and the Mideterranean Mr. Du Val has made a particular Map thereof Languedoc is divided into upper and lower the one towards the West Division and the other towards the East upon the Mideterranen Sea The first comprehends Toulousan Albigeois Lauragais and the Earldom of Foix. The other is distinguished into Three Parts to wâ—â— Narbonne Beziers and Nismes which are to be found thus in order going from West to East Les Cevennes which is seated to the North of the Lower Languedoc is also distinguished into Three Countries which are Gevaudan Vivarais and Vellay The First is towards the West the Second towards the East along the Rhône and the Last to the North of these Two Cholouse SEated upon the Garomne is the Capital City of this Government It passes for one of the ancientest and finest Cities of all France It was the Seat of the ancient Tectosages whâ— made so many Conquests in Asia and Greece It was one of the Colonies oâ— the Romans and since that Capital of the Kingdom of the Visigoths and afterwards that of Aquitain then of a particular and very powerful County whose Titular was Peer of France It is now adorned with an Archiepiscopal See a Parliament a Seneschalsey a Generality a Mint and a University It enjoys several Monuments of Antiquity as a Capitol an Amphitheatre Aqueduct ancient Temples and many other Curiosities several Churches here and most part of the Houses are built with Brick It is about 21 Miles from Montauban 42 from Aux and 54 from Chaors Lon. 19.48 Lat. 43.29 Alby SEated upon the Tarn is the Capital of Albigeois It was erected but of late to an Archbishoprick by Pope Innocent the Eleventh It s Archbishop is Lord of the City Remarkable in Church-History for those great Opposites to the Corruptions and Errors of the Church of Rome called the Albigenses against whom the War was made under Philip Augustus Loüis the Eighth and Saint-Loüis It stands about 35 Miles from Rodes and 42 from Toulouse Lon. 20.40 Lat. 43.43 Narbon SEated on the Mouth of the River Aude the first Roman Colony after Carthage out of Italy This Narbon was in the Infancy of the Roman Empire the greatest and most populous Town of all France Insomuch that from it all this part was called Galliâ— Narbonensis a Province of which Plinâ— afforded us this Censure that for Fettility of Soil and Civility of People it was inferiour to none in the Roman Empire It had formerly a Capitol an Amphitheatre and several ancient Monuments whose Remainders are to be seen at this day It is an Archbishops See who presides over the States of Languedoc and is at present well Fortified as a Town of War frontiering Catalonia and the Land of Rousillon It is about 35 Miles from Perpignan 60 from Mompelier and 88 from Toulouse Lon. 21.35 Lat. 42.48 Nimes IN Latin Nemausus anciently a Roman Colony now a Bishops See where there remain some Marks of the Roman Greatness especially the Ruins of a spacious Palace built by the Emperor Adrian It was very much esteemed by the Emperors Between Nîmes and Vsez is to be found the Bridge du Gard upon the River Gardon which passes in this place betwixt two Mountains which are joyned by this Bridge 'T is one of the noblest Monuments that is left us of the Romans It has Three Stories of Arches one upon another and the last was an Aqueduct It s Structure imprints Horror and Respect at the same time Nîmes stands about 18 Miles from Arles 22 from Avignon and 24 from Mompelier Lon. 22.25 Lat. 43.16 Mompelier THis City was scarce any thing 700 Years ago but now 't is one of the fairest of France seated on a high Mountain as the Name imports some 12 Miles distant from the Sea It is honoured with an Episcopal See a Generality a Mint a Presidial and a famous University where Physick holds the first Rank and for that very happily seated the Country round about affording great variety of Medicinal Herbs The Royal Garden of Plants is a great Curiosity Of late one of the strongest Holds which those of the Reformed Religion possessed in this
Country and remarkable for the notable Resistance it made against the whole Forces of Lewis the Thirteenth in the last Civil Wars concerning Religion It is about 37 Miles from Arles 5â— from Orange and 60 from Narbon Lon. 22.52 Lat. 43.8 Le Puy IS accounted the greatest City of Languedoc after Toulouse The Bishop who stiles himself Earl of Vellay where of it is Capital depends immediately oâ— the Pope and is subordinate to 〈◊〉 Archbishop It stands on the River Loyre about 30 Miles from Mende 56 from Viviers and 68 from Lyons Lon. 22.58 Lat. 44.33 Mende and Viviers in the Province of les Cevennes are remarkable for nothing but their Episcopal Sees the Bishops whereof are stiled Earls 11. Of the Government of DAUPHINE THis Province which made part of the ancient Allobroges was afterwards comprised in the Kingdom of Burgundy which Charlemagne joyned to the other Members of France The Emperor Henry the Fourth being at Variance with Pope Gregory the Seventh was so persecuted by his own Children that divers Lords taking the Advantage of their Divorce and deriding him as a deprived King carried away each a Piece of this Kingdom Oâ—â—o Earl of Flanders had Franche-County Berald of Saxoâ—y possessed himself of Savoy Provence fell to Bâ—enger and Dauphiné to the Occupation of Guigue le Gras who gave to it this Name Name upon the account of Dauphin Earl of Viennois whose Daughter had espoused his Son It should be incongruous methinks Original of the Name of Dauphin to intimate here the original of the Name of Dauphin which has been the Title of the Eldest Son of France for above 300 Years Imbert or Humbert Earl Dauphin of Viennois having lost his Son in the faral Battel of Crecy and unhappily let his last Child fall out of a Window of which he dyed seeing himself insulted by Amedée Earl of Savoy his irreconcilable Foe and finding himself unable to resist him resolved to procure him a more powerful Neighbour For this effect he offered his Country to Philip of Valois King of France for him and his Successors upon condition that the Eldest Son of France should bear the Title of Dauphin and that his Armâ— should be quartered with those oâ— France Which Proposal was accepted of by the King to the great Displeasure of the Savoyard So Charles the Fifth the Grand-Son of Philip was the first that bore the Name of Dauphin in the Year 1350. Dauphiné extends it self from East to West Extent about 129 English Miles from Pignerol to Valence And 111 from North to South from Lanieu upon the Rhône in Bresse to le Buis in las-Baronnies It is bounded in the North by Bresse and Savoy Bounds In the East by Piémont In the South by Provence And in the West 't is separated by the Rhône from Languedoc and Lyonnois The Soil Quality although very Mountainous produces excellent Wine and very good Corn in some Places as in those Parts about Greenoble and Die and along the Rhône but in general it brings forth Rye Oats Barley and a little Wine There is one thing here particular enough in respect of a certain Holâ— which is in a great Rock near Nions There goes out a Wind which one is scarce sensible of when near it and even boisterous at 20 or 30 Paces distance It s greatest Rivers are the Isere Rivers which receives the Drac below Grenoble and the Durance which takes its Rise from hence and runs toward Provence Dauphine is divided into Upper and Lower The First Division which is towards the East comprehends Gresivaudan Diois lés-Baronies Gapensois Ambrunois and Briansonois The other which extends it self towards the West along the Rhône comprises Viennois Valentinois and Tricastin Grenoble UPon the River Isere in Gresivandan is the Capital City of the whole Country in Latin Gratianopolis the chief Seat heretofore of the Accusiani 'T is a very ancient populous and well-built City embellished by the Emperour Gratian who gave it its Name It is much resorted to by the Noblity upon the account of the Court of parliament erected here in the Year 1453. It has been an Episcopal See for above 1200 Years and has besides a Generality and a Mint Equally distant viz. abou 30 Miles from Vienné Die and Valence Lon. 25.4 Lat. 44.54 Ambrun THE Capital of Ambruncis an Arch-Bishops See seated upon a very high Rock in the midst of a pleasant Valley surrounded with Mountains under which runs the River Durance The Arch-Aishop here shares the Jurisdicton with the King insomuch that their Judges in the Bayliwick are alternative The hilly Country hereabouts is the highest of France About 48 Miles from Pignerol 46 from Susa c. Lon. 26.5 Lat. 44.10 Vienne SEated upon the Rhône is a famous and very ancient City as one may see by divers Monuments of Antiquity whose Vestigia are still in being It is honoured with an Archiepiscopal See and a Bayliwick It had a Bridge over the Rhône which is broken and whose Passage is very dangrrous for Boats It is situated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 17 M. from Lyons 43 from Grenoble and 68 from Geneva Lon. 14.8 Lat. 45.7 Valence UPon the River Rhône is a handsome and populous City the Capital of Valentinois Its Bishoprick is united to that of Die The Bishop qualifies himself Bishop and Earl of Valence and Die and the Bayliwick is depending upon this Prelate It has given honorary Title to two Persons of more Fame than Honour The first of which was Caesar Borgia the Son of Pope Alexander the Sixth who was made Duke of Valentinois by Charles the Eighht The other Madam Diana the Mistress of Henry the Second who governed the Affairs of France under him and honoured with the Title of Dutchess hereof About 38 Miles from Vienne and 43 from Grenoble Lon. 27.12 Lat. 44.32 Brianson THE Capital of Briansonpis is seated upon a very high Mountain It is a Bishops See and a Bayliwick It stands about 22 Miles from Ambrun and 36 from Pignerol Lon. 26.22 Lat. 44.30 Saint-Pol-Trois-Châteaux is the Capital of Tricastin It is a flourishing City seated in the lower Dauphiné upon an advanced Cliff near the Rhône It is a Bishops See who stiles himself Earl under the Arch-Bishop of Arles It stands about 16 Miles from Orange and 72 from Grenoble Lon. 24.2 Lat. 43.53 Gap THe Capital of Gapensois is adorned with an Episcopal See and a Bayliwick It s Bishop is qualified Earl It has a very strong and noble Cittadel It stands about 18 Miles from Ambrun and 23 from Sisteron Lon. 25.40 Lat. 44.6 Die upon the Drome was an ancient Colony of the Romans heretofore the See of a particular Bishop but at present joyned to that of Valence It is seated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 36 Miles from Grenoble Le Buis upon the Aurese is the Principal City of les Barronies and a Bayliwick 12. Of the Government of PROVENCE THis
Province made part of Gaul Narbonois and was the First Conquest of Caesar in Gaul He called it the Province 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by excellency Name over the other Parts which he had reduced under the Obedience of the Romans It was the First of the ancient Kingdom of Burgundy some of whose Kings have born the particular Title of Kings of Arles It extends it self from East to West above 150 Miles Extent from the Mouth of the Var to the Rhône And from South to North near 120. From the Cape Ceerchiez towards Toulon as far as the Durance 9 Miles beyond Ambrun It is bounded in the North by Dauphine in the East in part by Piemont Bounds from which it is divided by the Alps and the County of Nice and in part by the Mediterranean Sea In the South by the same Sea and in the West by the Rhône which separates it from Languedoc The whole is much of the same nature with Languedoc Quality but is one part thereof to wit between Marseilles and Arles different from all the rest of France By the French usually called le Crau by the elder Writers Campi Lapidei because all in a manner overspread with Stones In this Province is said to be made the best Oyl of the Kingdom and very good Salt at Berre and Pecais Besides the Rhône Rivers one observes amongst its Rivers the Durance which receives the Verdon and the Hubaye the Argens the Var and the Arc which take their Original all Three from hence Here are also several Gulphs as that of Marseille Hyeres Grimaut Lerins c. Between la Crau and the Durance is to be found Five or Six Lakes The Mouths or Channels of the Rhône are called Graus in the Language of the Country Upon the Coasts one meets with the Iâ—ands of Martegue Pomegue Hyeres or Stecades the Isles of Lerins in their Gulf which were heretofore renowned by the Conquest which the late Earl of Harcourt made here with a handful of Men. Although Provence is divided into Vpper Middle and Lower Division yet it will be better distinguished by its Diocesses which I will endeavour to put in the easiest order imaginable First of all in the Middle one finds the Diocesses of Aix Riez Senez and Digne the First about the Durance the other Three about the Verdun in ascending to its Spring which is in the last Upon the Coasts the Diocesses of Arles Marseille Toulon Trejuls Grace and Vence which are to be met with thus in order going from West to East The Diocess of Glandeve is about the Var. Towards the North those of Sisteron and Apt with the County of Venaissin with the Principality of Orange Aix Near the little River of Arc is the Metropolis of Provence and was that of Narbonensis Secunda and at that time called Aquae Sextiae from Cajus Sextius who brought hither a Roman Colony and the Hot Baths here It is now and has been of a long time an Archbishops See and adorned with a Court of Parliament for this Country An. 1501. also a Generality and a Mint It is a very neat and populous City memorable in History for the great Defeat of the Cimbri by C. Marius Eâ victoriâ visus meruisse ne ejus nati Rempublicam poeniteret by this Victory and this alone obliging the Romans as Vellejus has it not to be sorry for his Birth About 14 Miles from Marseille and 36 from Toulon Lon. 24.40 Lat. 43.4 Arles UPon the Rhône by Ausonius called the Rome of France and in those times so highly valued that Constantinus Flavius being chosen Emperor by the British Legions in the declining times of the Western Empire designed to have made it his Imperial Seat It is a very ancient City where the Romans established their Sixth Colony It has yet the Remainders of an Amphitheatre an Obelisk all of Stone and some other Monuments It s Bridge of Boats over the Rhône passes for a very Noble Work It has a low and marshy Situation which natural Strength seconded by the new Works of King Henry the Fourth have made it one of the most assured Bulworks of France on this side the Kingdom It has been the Regal Seat of the French Kings of Burgundy who from hence were stiled Kings of Arles Between this City and the Sea but on the other side of the River runs a deep Channel cut with infinite Charge and Industry by C. Marius for Conveyance of Victuals into his Camp in his War against the Cimbri before mentioned It is an Archbishops See c. about 44 Miles from Aix as many from Marseilles and 16 from Nîmes Lon. 33.38 Lat. 43.5 Marseille A Known Port on the Mideterranean and a very ancient City which flourished in the time of Caesar by whom it was forced and made a Colony It was governed as a Republick and had a famous Academy It is an Episcopal See and one of the Admiralty It s Port passes for one of the securest of the Mediterranean See the Ships of France retire hither for the mosh part 't is a place of the greatest Resort by the Levantins and has a very considerable Traffick For which reason it must be very populous It stands about 14 Miles from Aix 38 from Toulon and 44 from Arles Lon. 24.35 Lat. 42.47 Coulon IS also an Episcopal City by Ptolemy called Tauroentium and by some Tholone beautified with a fair and capacious Haven one of the best of the Mediterranean which serves also for a Retreat to the French Ships of War Gallies and many other Vessels It is well stored with Oyl great quantity of Salt conveyed hither from the Isle of Ere 's about 9 Miles off and a sort of Almonds called Provence Almonds made by this means one of the most frequented Ports of the Miditerranean About 38 Miles from Marseilles 43 from Aix c. Lon. 25.22 Lat. 42.34 Salon A Little City which is renowned for being the Birth-place of the famous Nostradamus whose Tomb is still to be seen here enclosed in the Wall of the Church with his Pourtraiture upon it Of the County of VENAI SIN THis Country has been in the Dependance of the Holy See ever since the Year 1228. Pope Clement the Fourth having translated the Pontifical See to Avignon in the Year 1305. Clement the Sixth purchased this City 38 Years after together with the County and his Successors made their Peaceble Residence here to the year 1380. when Gregory the Eleventh returned again to Rome Avignon UPon the Rhône is the Capital of the County the ordinary Seat of the Popes Vice-Legat an Archbishop aâ— Inquisition and an University In this City are said to be Seven Palaces Seven Parish-Churches Seven Monasteries Seven Nunneries Seven Inns and Seven Gates There is one thing remarkable in Relation to this City and very necessary to be known by Travellers which is very incommodious about Avignon Namely that the Gates of this City are exactly shut at Sun-set