his birth and education S. Iago GAllicia is a region lying on the northwest side of Spaine and maketh a headland or promontarie farre out into the sea commonlie called Capo de finisterre or the north Cape which seemeth in a manner violentlie to seperate the sea of Bisca from the Isles of Bayona neare to the promontary standeth the cittie of Compostella vulgarly called S. Iago more noble and famous by reason of many pilgrimages made thether by persons of great place and qualitie then for any other matter worth the obseruing therin contayned We read in ancient histories of the church that S. Iames after theascention of our Sauior trauelled into Spain preached the Gospel to the inhabitaÌ„ts therof being as yet Pagans infidels But reaping there smal fruit of his excessiue labour paines by reason of the iniquitie and naughtinesse of those times he returned againe to Hierusalem where at the commandement of Herode being slaine he obtained a glorious crowne of martirdomes Vnto this Saint the Spaniards ascribing their first conuersion caused in honor and remembrance of him a rich and sumptuous temple to be erected in Compostella where his reliques are at this day visited with a wonderfull concourse of people and worshipped with incredible deuotion This Church was by Pope Calixtus the second highly aduanced and honored in the yeare of our Lord 1122. whence it proceedeth that this Church is immediately subiect vnto the Pope and to no other prelate or gouernor The Emperour Charles the great founded herein a goodly Colledge now gruerned after the rule of S. Isidore He also caused this Church to bee accounted among the seates Apostolique where is to bee vnderstood that in Christendome are three seates called Apostolique which before all other places of the worlde the Christian religion hath alwaies held in greater esteeme that is to say S. Peters at Rome S. Iohns at Ephesus and S. Iames at Ceâ—postella This cittie of ancient historiographers was called in time passed Brigantium from whence the Irish nation the Scots in Galloway our Northerne Yorkeshire men called in old authors Brigantes glory boast that they haue receiued the first originall of their race Valladolit ON the East side of Gallicia bordereth the kingdome of Legio which endured the cruell and heauie yoke of seruitude vnder the Sarracens aboue three hundred yeares and was restored vnto libertie in the yeare of grace 1216. by the kinges of Arragon Castile Portugall and Nauarre who assembling a mightie and puissant armie made here against Hilminolmius the king of the Moores returning from Auinion in Fraunce whither hee passed before as a conquerour harrying and spoiling the countrey as hee went with fire and sword and after a sharpe and bloudy battell vanquished his armie and recouered this kingdome In this realme is Valladolit named in olde authors Pintia a cittie though of no great circuite nor spaciousnesse yet of much and long antiquitie It was wont to be numbred among the seuen most auncient vniuersities of Spaine It hath beene long drowned in obscuritie euen vntill the dayes of king Phillip late deceased who because he was there borne did restore vnto it the antique priuiledges and prerogatiues thereto belonging and did his vttermost endeuors to raise it to his former dignitie He there hath lately erected a Colledge for the institution of yong English Gentlemen which haue abandoned their countrey Alcala de Henares VNto the kingdome of Legio is adioyned Caslile an Earledome which was by Ferdinand the third sonne to the Earle of Castile raised to a kingdome in the yeare 1017. vnited to the realme of Legio Among many great and goodly cities in that kingdome Complute which of the Spaniard is commonly called Alcala de Henares is not the meanest An vniuersitie was herein erected and instituted by an Archbishop of Toledo named Franciscus Xinerieâ—sis who was by profession a Franciscan Frier in the yeare 1317. Salamanca IN this kingdome of Castile lyeth that worthy and famous cittie Salamanca situated on the banke of the Riuer Thormes which falleth into the maine Riuer Duero in Portingall Although concerning the first erection and institution of this vniuersitie few writers as saith Sarabellus affirme any thing for certainetie yet are there not wanting some which hold for vndoubted truth that it first was founded in the yeare of Christs in carnation 1404. which in these our daies hath gotten great fame and credite and is well knowne throughout Christendome by reason of diuers and sundry priuiledges wherewith many kings and high Bishoppes of Rome haue liberally adorned the same Pope Clement the sift in a councell held at Vienna made a decree that the Hebrewe Arabicke and Chaldie tongus should in this Academie be continually taught Iohn Goropius affirmeth that for magnificent and sumptuously builded colledges scarce any vniuersitie of Europe may therewith worthely be paragond The which Pope hauing in his court certaine young Gentlemen of Spaine which he desired should bee trained vp in some place where they most might profit in vertue and good literature thought no Academie in Christendome so fit for that purpose as Salamanca because all kind of learning was there by most excellent men with incredible industrie professed In this Academie Pope Adrian the sixt before his Papacie liuing in Spaine tooke great pleasure and delight and after his election he held it in great price and estimation adorning amplifying and authorizing the same with many great and vnusuall prerogatiues Ignatius Loyola first founder of the societie of Iesu was in this vniuersitie a student Saragossa IN the extreamest confines of this kingdome of Castile euen on the banke or shore of the riuer Ebro wherewith it is diuided from Nauarre and Aragon standeth an auncient Cittie called of the Romaines Caesaraugustana or Augusta Caesariae which of the inhabitants is named Saragossa wherein the kings of Arragon are vsually accustomed to be crowned This Church was by Pope Iohn the 22. who was alwaies thereunto exceedingly well affected eleuared to the dignitie of an Archbishopricke by him also were the priuiledges of the vniuersitie restored and ratified Because in this Cittie had beene shed the bloud of many holy Martirs which suffered for the constant profession of the Christian faith during the raigne of those bloudie vnmercifull and impiously tirannous idolaters Datian and Richiouarus whose inexpleble thirst was neuer satiated with the bloude of innocent Christians it is at this day commonly entituled Saragossa the holy Siguença SIguença is also a cittie of Castile lying three daies iourney from Saragossa and three leagues from Medinacoeli wherein is an vniuersitie much frequented but concerning the foundation thereof or donation of the priuiledges thereto I haue not in any author read ought which I dare set downe for certainty Lerida ARragone is that part of Spaine which lyeth at the foote of the Pyraenean mountaine betweene Nauarre and Catallonia and is separated
order of priesthood into this societie can no man be admitted that is not a gentleman or a Doctor or licentiate In this Church of Saint Lambert among diuers other rich iewels and reliques is to be seene a great image of Saint George on horsebacke all of pure gold which Charles Duke of Burgundie gaue for amendes of his rough handling this citie when he wan it by force Also in this towne are foure rich Abbeyes hauing euerie one a goodly librarie the principall whereof is the Abbey of S. Laurence there are three Nunneries and all the foure orders of Fryers some of the which haue two couentes There are 32. parish churches so many other chappels monasteries and hospitals within and without the towne that the whole number of Churches amounteth in all to one hundred Further in this citie are 32. companies which haue so great authoritie in the gouernment of the state that without their consent nothing can bee concluded or agreed on Ernestus Duke of Bauaria and Archbishop of Colen is at this day Bishop of that Sea The Bishopricke of Leige was first erected by Hubert sonne to Bertrand Duke of Aquitaine who being at Rome was made by the Pope Bishop of Maestricht in the place of Saint Lambert whome the people of Maestricht had murthered in the yeare 710. But he being come to take possession of this citie so much detested the inhabitants thereof for the foresaid impious and most haynous murther that he transported his Episcopall Sea to Liege and there built the Church of Saint Lambert and the Colledge afore mentioned all which he did with Pope Constantines consent about the yeare 713. and here at Liege he died and was after canonized for a Saint Since whome are numbred 57. Bishops of Leige The Bishop is chosen by the Chapter of S. Lambert confirmed by the people and lastly approued by the Pope He is not onely a Bishop but also a Prince of the Empire Duke of Buillon Marquesse of Francimont and Earle of Lootes and Hasbaine The reuenews of this Bishopricke are aboue 30000. Duckats by the yeare besides the beneuolence of his sâ—biectes which is a matter of no small importance if he vse them well and his spirituall iurisdiction and an infinite number of Prebends benefices and offices which he bestoweth at his pleasure Leiden LEiden is one of the sixe capitall Townes of Holland and chiefe of Rheineland situate in a flat and low countrey full of ditches and channels is beautified with many pleafant medows gardens arbors walks round about it Within it are enclosed 31. Ilands from one of the which to the other men go by boates and ouer and aboue these there are nine or ten other Ilands from the one of the which to the other bridges are built to passe ouer so that in this Towne are 145. bridges whereof 104. are of stone and the rest of wood In this Citie was erected an vniuersitie about the yeare 1564. by William late Prince of Orenge who was in the yeare 1584. suddenly slaine with a pistoll This Academie doth at this day exceedingly flourish and therein are with liberall stipendes maintained sundry learned professors of the liberall sciences In Leiden is a strong Castle which was said to bee founded by Hengist returning from the conquest of England and therein is a notable Well from whence the ancient family of Wassenar taketh name This Cittie hath vnder it 49. Boroughes and villages the most part whereof once a weeke bring all their good victuailes to sell in the towne which causeth it to abound with all thinges arising of the earth It hath also great plentie of fish both sea fish and fresh water fish and of water fowle beyonde all measure The women are excellently faire and the aire passing holsome But a little league from Leiden is the famous abbey of Reinsburge consisting of Nunnes all of noble houses the Abbesse whereof hath iurisdiction spirituall and temporall and the Abbey is endowed with so great reuenewes that euerie day aboue 2000. persons come thither to receiue reliefe Another such like Abbey of Ladies is also neere to Leiden called Terlee In all these Monasteries of Ladies and gentlewomen they may vntill they be entred into profession come forth and marrie and ordinarily they liue there many yeares before they professe themselues obseruing notwithstanding in the meane time their rules and orders very duely soberly and religiously Copenhagen in Denmarke IN the mouth or entrance of the Sounde called by Latine writers Sâ—nus Venedicus which diuideth the two kingdomes of Denmarke and Sweden lyeth an Iland named Selandia wherein are many strong townes and Castles and among the rest Coppenhagen the feare of the King and Metropolis of the Realme In this Citie was erected an vniuersitie by Christian Earle of Oldenburge in the yeare of saluation 1478. after he had gained the Regall Diademe For the which he obtained at the hands of Pope Sixtus the 4. the priuiledges of Bonònia This Academie was afterward augmented and enlarged by King Christian the third in the yeare 1498. and after him Fredericke the second in the yeare 1549. We reade that in the time of King Erec the sonne of Siwardus Anscharius Bishop of Hamburge caused the Gospell to be preached in Denmarke which the inhabitants for a short time seemed willingly to embrace but their King deceasing they againe returned as a dogge to his vomit to their infideâ—ity and Paganisme wherein they liued vntill the raigne of Swenotto father to Canutus the great so called because hee vanquished held in subiection fiue kingdomes namely Sweden Norway England Denmarke and Normandie About those times Poppo a religious man comming into the Countrey againe instructed them in the principles and rudiments of Christian religion which from that time vntill this day they haue retained The Vniuersities of Italie Rome ALllearned historiographers do with one common consent agree that Rome was so named from Romulus the sonne of Numitor Rhea Siluia who layed thereof the first foundation How the inhabitants thereof in processe of time by warlike chiualry dilated their Empire dominion ouer al the westerne world whosoeuer is desirous to know I must refer him to the learned Decades of Titus Liuius and sundry other ancient writers who haue alreadie filled the world with whole volumes of Romaine histories It being a matter of greater import then wel can be conteined in the breuitie of my vndertaken taske Wherefore although I find recorded in auncient hystories that the Romaines foreseeing the great vtilitie that would ensue by nourishing the artes receiued into their citie in the first infancie of their greatnesse with singular admiration the profession of learned sciences and that therein hath flourished a renowned Academie of long continuance erected 700. yeares before our Sauiours incarnation yet mine onely intent and purpose is to write of such patrones and benefactors as haue promoted and furthered the same and such priuiledges as haue thereunto beene graunted since it
in the base courtwherof are 6 schooles faire and large the first for Grammer the second for Poetrie the third for Rhetorique the fourth for Philosophie the fift for Diuinitie the sixt for cases of conscience named of schoolemen Positiua Theologia Therein also are many faire and spacious roomes purposely prouided for publike disputations This cittie containeth many goodly Monasteries especially one belonging to the Friers Bernardines of most curious and excellent Architecture Therein also is allowed one church for the Protestants because the Woywod or Count Palatine thereof the noblest of the Radziuilli professeth if any that religion An other church in like manner is granted vnto the professors of Luther anisme with a peculiar place of buriall The religion in this citie generally professed is that of the Russes who haue there many sumptuous temples They hold in all points the religion of the Grecians which because in some few articles it differeth from the Romaine faith is by the Catholiques helde as schismaticall The Iewes also are here permitted to haue their Sinagogue wherein weekely they solemnize their Sabbothes Neere vnto this cittie namely in the suburbs thereof and villages neere vnto adioyning dwel great multitudes of Tartars which vse their natiue Tartarian language and the Mahumetane religion They serue as cariers for the inhabitants Marchants of the countrey to transport wares from one cittie vnto another and from one kingdome to another In one of these Tartars sleddes which are wagons without wheeles I trauelled from Reuell in Leifland vnto this citie where hauing spent fiue weekes in my iourney I arriued about the latter end of October and stayed there vntill the Easter following The reason that I trauelled in winter was because the countrey is in the spring and summer time so full of fennes and marishes proceeding from the dissolution of the snow which all the winter long couereth the grounde that the passages through the same are then most difficile laborious but in the depth of winter the riuers the marishes as also the snow is by the cold Northerne wind so harde congealed that the cariages most heauily laden haue then their easiest passages the grounde at that season being all white with snow is not vnlike to the Ocean wherein the trauellers are constrained to vse the sunne by day and obserue the stars by night for their direction There are in Vilna two castles at the Northeast end of the towne the one old and â—uinous standing on the top of a hill the other new lying in the plaine at the foot thereof where is also the kings pallace The Lithuanians Polonians Russians and Muscouites vse all one manner of attire and armes though in language they all differ the one from the other their apparrell is like vnto the Turkes which vse altogether long robes their armes are launces and short semitares their armies consist altogether of horsemen footmen in that countrey being able to performe smal seruice They vse in their dyet immoderate gluttonie and drunkennesse though the whole countrey is voide of wine their drink is an excellent kind of meade wherewith euery priuate mans house is plenteously furnished The reason why this countrey yeeldeth such plenty therof proceedeth from the innumerable multitudes of Bees which of themselues breed in the forrests of Fyrretrees in so much that I haue seene aboue 1000. trees in one place burnt to ashes onely for the honie which they contained THE VNIVERSITIES of Bohemia and Morauia Prage PRage is a great and renowned citie lying in the middle or center of Bohemia whilome a Dukedome exalted to a kingdome by the Emperous Henry the fourth in a dyet or generall assembly of the Princes of Germany at Ments where Vladislaus was declared King This Citie containeth foure seuerall townes euery Towne hauing their peculiar market places prisons Magistrates lawes and customes The chiefe and principall is that which they call the old towne a place adorned with many ancient and goodly edifices a faire and spacious market place with a stately and sumptuous Senate house whereunto is annexed a clocke of curious and costly workemanship which Clocke hath on the top this inscription in great Romaine letters PRAGA CAPVT REGNI And vnderneath Hoc monumentum S. P. Q. Pragensis aeternitati dicauit The second part they name the new Towne which is diuided from the old with a ditch of great depth widenesse it hath also a market place of huge and incredible largenesse called the Oxe market at the west ende thereof is also a strong and well builded Senate house with a clocke curiously wrought yet not so full of cost nor cunning as the former At the West end is a monasterie of incredible antiquitie called Emaus contayning many goodly pictures most artificially limmed in this Cloister the people are by the Popes indulgence permitted to receiue the Sacrament of the Altar vnder both kindes The third part because in magnitude and spaciousnes it is inferior vnto the two former though in sumptuousnes of buildings it exceedeth both of them is called the little towne which diuideth it selfe from the old towne with a costly and magnificent bridge of free stone ouer the Multaue containing 24. arches which was erected at the cost and charges of Vladislaus before mentioned on the South side of this bridge lyeth a small Iland called by the inhabitants little Venice wherein the citizens on Sundaies holidaies for their recreation vse all manner of pastimes gaming This riuer in winter season though it bee fully as broade or broader then the Thames at London is yearely so hard frozen that carts loden do dayly passe ouer the same at which time the citizens do fill their sellers with the ice thereof which in summer time they drinke mingled with their wines This part of the towne hath also his peculiar lawes customes magistrates prisons market place and Senate house and is inuironed on all partes saue on that side which with the riuer is sufficiently defended with a wall of great circumference contayning within the same many waste grounds and vineyardes This part of the Cittie lyeth at the foote of a hill called the Rachine whereon are many faire and beautifull pallaces of sundry noble men On the top thereof standeth the castle wherein the Emperour is continually resident ouer looking with great maiestie the whole cittie lying vnderneath Vnto this Castle adioyneth the Cathedrall church consecrated to S. Vite wherein is to bee seene the shrine of the said Saint together with the tombes and sepultures of many Kinges and Emperours At the westerne end of this church is erected a little Chappell built of rich Iasper stone with most curious and costly workemanship wherein is enshrined the bodie of S. Vinceslaus before whose sepulcher diuine seruice is dayly celebrated The memory of this Saint is to this day among the Bohemians held in great regard and estimation He was sonne to Vladislaus the second Christian Duke after whose
Wainsflet Bishop of Winchester builded Magdalen Colledge hee builded also a great parte of Eaton Colledge before begunne by king Henry the sixt William Smith Bishop of Lincolne during the raigne of king Henry the seauenth layed the foundation of Brasen nose in the yeare 1513. the which hath beene lately by that reuerende olde man Alexander Nowel Deane of S. Paules Church in London much helped increased During the raigne of the saide king Henry the seauenth Richarde Foxe Bishop of Winchester founded Corpus Christi Colledge himselfe hauing before beene a fellow of Pembrooke hall in Cambridge the which colledge of his in the yeare 1516. hee endowed with forty pound eight shillinges two pence yearely rent for euer In the time of king Henry the eight Thomas Wolsey Cardinall of Rome Archbishoppe of Yorke and Lorde high Chancelor of England beganne in sumptuous manner to lay the foundation of a most ample and spatious Colledge but falling into the kinges heauie displeasure before the same could bee brought to perfection the king after his decease enriched the same with many goodly reuenewes annexing thereunto Canterburie colledge which had beene before erected in the time of Edward the 3. by Simon Islep Archbishop of Canterburie This worthy King of famous memory the more to grace adorne the citie erected therein a Bishops sea and out of his treasurie appointed yearely to be paid certaine annuities for the perpetuall maintenance of publique readers in each seuerall schoole In the raigne of Queene Mary Sir Thomas Pope reedified Duresme Colledge which was in former ages erected by Thomas of Hatfield Bishop of Duresme and now by continuance of time exceedingly decayed by which knight the name therof being altered it is now called Trinitie Colledge Not long since Hugh Prise Doctor of the ciuill law hath founded a new colledge which in honour of our Sauiour is knowne by the name of Iesu colledge Many other rare and excellent ornamentes there are wherewith this famous and farre renowned Academie exceedingly is beautified as churches libraries publique schooles and many sumptuous priuate edifices the which to auoid prolixitie I will omit imagining that such triuiall things must of necessitie bee famialiarly knowne to euery learned reader wherefore with this assertion I will finally conclude that more pietie in religion more profoundnesse in learning more strictnes in discipline more integritie in life is not to be found in any one vniuersitie in whatsoeuer part or region of the world Cambridge COncerning the first originall and foundation of the cittie and vniuersitie of Cambridge among the learned searchers of antique lustories two seuerall and discrepant opinions strongly are maintained Iohn Caius in his booke of the antiquity of Cambridge with many arguments laboureth to proue the foundation thereof to haue beene laide and the name deriued from one Cantabar a Prince of Spaine brother to Partholinus King of Ireland and sonne in law to Gurguntius king of Britaine in the yeare 4317. after the worlds first creation which was 539. yeares before our Sauiours natiuitie For proofe of which opinion hee alleadgeth the authoritie of Iohn Lidgat Monke of Berriâ— and scholler to that famous Poet and onely Homer of our English nation Geffrey Chaucer whose verses in old English as I found them written I haue here vnderneath set downe By true record of the Doctor Bede That sometime wrote so mickle with his hand And specially remembring as I reade In his Chronicles made of England Among other things as we shall vnderstand Whom for mine author I dare alleadge Sith the translation and building of Cambridge With him according Aâ—fred the chronicler Seriously who list his bookes for to see Made in the time when he was Thresurer Of Beuerley an old famous cittie Affirme and saine the vniuersitie Of Cambridge and studie first began By their writing as I report can He rehearsing first for commendation By their writing how that old cittie Was strongly walled with towers many one Built and finished with great libertie Notable and famous of great authoritie As their authors according saine the same Of Cantabar taking first his name Like as I find report I can none other This Cantaber time of his liuing To Partholine he was Germane brother Duke in those daies in Ireland a great king Chiefe and principall cause of that building The wall about and towers as they stood Was set and built vpon a large floud Named Cantebro a large broad riuer And after Cante called Cantebro This famous citie this write the Chronicler Was called Cambridge rehearsing eke also In their booke these authors both two Touching the date as I rehearse can Fro thilke time that the world began Foure thousand complete by account cleare And three hundred by computation Ioyned thereto eight and fortie yeare When Cantebro gaue the foundation Of this Cittie and this famous towne And of this noble vniuersitie Set on this riuer which is called Cante And fro the great transmigration Of Kings reckoned in the Bible old Fro Ierusalem to Babilon Two hundred winter thirtie yeares told Thus to write mine author maketh me bold Then Cantebro as it well knoweth At Athens schooled in his youth All wits greatly did apply To haue acquaintance by great affection With folke expert in Philosophie From Athens he brought with him downe Philosophers most soueraigne of renowne Vnto Cambridge plainely this is the cause Anaximander and Anaxagoras With many other mine authors doth fare To Cambridge fast can him speed With Philosophers and let for no cost spare In the schooles to studie and to reede Of whose teaching great profit that gan spread And great increase rose of his doctine Thus of Cambridge the name gan first shine As chiefe schoole and Vniuersitie Vnto this time fro the day it began By cleare report in many a far countrey Vnto the raigne of Cassibelan A worthy prince and full knightly man As saine chronicles who with mighty hand Let Iulius Caesar to arriue in this land Fiue hundreth yeare ful thirty yere twenty Fro Babilons transmigration That Cassibelan raigned in Britaine Which by his notable royall discreation To encrease that studie of great affection I meane of Cambridge the Vniuersitie Franchised with many a libertie By meane of his royall fauor From countries about many a one Diuers schollers by diligent labour Made their resort of great affection To that studie great plentie there came downe To gather fruites of wisedome and science And sundrie flowers of sugred eloquence And as it is put eke in memorie How Iulius Caesar entring this region One Cassibelan after his victorie Tooke with him Clearkes of famous renowne FroÌ„ Cambridge led them â—â— Rome towne Thus by processe remembred heretoforne Cambridge was founded long ere Christ was borne Fiue hundred yere thirty eke nine In this matter ye get no more of me Rehearse I will no more at this time These remembrances haue great authority To be preferd of long antiquitie