â—uâ—sâ—ia Verendia in which Vexio or Wexo is the chiefe Town Also Meringia and the Isle of Oâ—land fortified with the Castle Borgholm Other Provinces there are that belong to Swethland specially so called as Oplandia in which is Vpsal in the very centre of Swethland heere are an Archbishops seat publick Schooles and many sepulchres of the Kings of Swethland magnificently and fairely built Also Stocholm a faiâ—e Mart Towne and one of the Kings places of residence being fortified both by Nature and Art It is seated in a marshie fenny place like Venice and is named as aforesaid because it is built upon stakes There is a passage to it out of the Easterne Sea by a deepe channell through the jawes of Mâ—lerus and it doth let the sea flow so farre into it that ships of great but then may easily come with full sayles into the Haven But the towre Waxholme on the one side and Digna on the other side doe so straighten the entrance that no ships can come in or goe forth against the Governours will who keepe watch there On the Southerne banke of Mâ—leâ—â—â— lyeth Sudermannia whose townes are Tolgo Strengenes the seate of a Bishop and the Castle Gripsholme In the third place is Nâ—â—â—ctâ— in which is the castle Orebo toward the West the countrie of Westmannia and the cities Arosia neere to which there is such excellent silver that Artificers can extract out of fifteene pounds of silver one pound of gold and Arboga doe lye neere unto a Lake From thence toward the West doe lye Westerne Dalia the Easterne and Solâ—es Dalia so called from the Lake Solâ—on which three Provinces together with the greater part of the mountainous Provinces are under the Bishop of Saâ—â—â—sâ— Heere are minerall veines which stretch themselves Eastward to the Baltick Sea and to the Bay of Helsingâ—a and toward the West they runne almost without interruption through Wermeland to the Westerne Ocean so that in every part there is digged up some kinde of mettall as Silver Coppresse Lead Iron Steele or Sulphure Toward the North neere unto Opland are these Countries first Gestricia then Helsing after that Midelpadia and beyond that the Northerne and Southerne Angermannia Then is there North-Botnia divided into West-Botnia and East-Botnia both of them being large Provinces and after these towards the North lye Scricfinnia Lapland and Biarmia These or most of these ancient Provinces of the Kingdome of Swethland the Botnick Bay stretched forth from the Balthick straight Northward to Toronia beyond the Artick Circle doth divide from Finland a large Peninsula at the Southward point whereof are the Islands of Alandia or Alant and Abo a Bishops Seate and on the North point Withurgeum Finland is divided into the Northerne Southerne Finland to which the higher and lower Natagundia Savolosia Tavastia all very large countries are adjoyned From thence beyond the Finnick Bay is Corelia the Metropolis whereof is Hexholme or Kexholme and toward the West Wotichonia in which is the mouth of the River Lovat that glideth by Novogardia which the Inhabitants call Ny above Copora is Ingria in which standeth the Forts Iamagrod and Solonseia wherein standeth Ivanogrod over against Nerva or Narva confining upon these toward the South are the provinces of Lieflandia or Civonia extended even from Nerva to Revalia or Revel and Prenovia or Parniew as first Allantacia wherein Nerva is a Bishops See then Wiria whereof Wesemberg is a Bishops See besides Wichia wherein Habsay is a Bishops seate and the Isle Dagen or Dachlen most of which Countries beyond the Finnick Bay were added to the Kingdome of Swethland in the yeare 1581 by the valour and good successe of King Iohn the third after that Revalia had willingly yeelded it selfe to Ericus the fourteenth King of Swedes Anno 1561. Swethland hath many fishing-waters and many rivers gliding through it The Countrey it selfe is rugged being full of mountaines and woods The subjects are partly Church-men partly Lay-men the Lay-men are either Nobles or Commons The chiefe title of Nobility is Knighthood which is solemnly conferr'd by the King as a reward of vertue The provinces are governed by the natives If the Inhabitants be compar'd with the Germans they have lesse civilitie but are more industrious and witty so that every countrey-fellow with them hath skill almost in all trades and all mechanick Arts. THE STATE POLITICK OF THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE DENMARKE is a large and populous Kingdome commonly called Danemarch as it were the Countrie of the Danes But whence the originall of the Danes came they themselves doe not know Some doe fetch it from Danus their first King and some from the Dahi a people of Asia Dudo de S. Quintino an ancient Writer as Camden reporteth doth affirme that they came out of Scandia into the ancient seats of the Cimbrians But they seeme to be so called from the waters because AHA with them signifies a River and they doe call themselves Daneman that is as it were River-men or Water-men All Denmarke is a Peninsula as the Description sheweth and is divided into 184 Prefectships or Provinces which they call Horret and they are governed by so many Prefects skilfull in the Danish Lawes It hath a King rather by election of the Nobles than by succession of birth the ancient manner of chusing him was that when they gave their voyce they stood in the open field upon stones devoting by the firme stabilitie of the stones under them the constancy of their election The Kings are crowned at Hafnia in the Church of the blessed Virgine Mary before the Altar and are led into the aforesaid Church by the Senatours of the Kingdome the ensignes of regality being carried before them as the Sword Globe and Crown Neither are these things attributed to speciall Families as it is in most Countries but as every one excelleth in vertue and dignitie so is hee chosen to that place First the King is compelled to sweare that he will observe certaine written Articles and that hee will strictly defend the Christian Religion and the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome Afterward hee is anoynted by the Bishop of Roeschild and first the Crowne is set upon his head by all the Senatours who then take their oath to his Majestie if they have not done it before the Coronation and then the King maketh out of the Gentry some Knights by the light stroke of a sword for some service done either in peace or warre Thus the ancient Danes did establish an excellent Politicall State and Monarchie neither hath any Nation ever brought them into subjection or tooke away their Country Rites and Priviledges But on the contrary the Northerne people as the Danes Swedens Norwegians have wasted almost Europe and in some places have established Kingdomes For the expedition of the Cimbrians against Italie is knowne unto all Historiographers as also the Gothes subjecting of Spaine the Longobards establishing
hath not vines everywhere but where wine is wanting it supplies the defect thereof with drinke made of fruits This for here I cannot refraine from praising it is the mother of the Conquerours of the World Here Macedon did heretofore bring forth Alexander Italie the Romanes who in a certaine succession God in his Eternall Providence so decreeing did conquer the whole World so farre as it was knowne and Germany doth at this day bring forth Princes of great Prowes Have not here beene borne many noble Heroes which have added to their Empire America unknowne as the most do suppose to the Ancients and the better and stronger parts of Asia and Africke Is it not the onely mother of many Kings and Princes fighting in Christs cause This our Europe besides the Romane Empire hath above eight and twentie Kingdomes instructed in Christian Religion if we adde the foureteene which Damianus à Goes reckons to be in Spaine whence wee may estimate the dignitie of this Countrie what shall I speake of the populousnesse and renowne of the cities thereof Heretofore Africa hath beene proud of her Carthage Asia hath beene puffed up with her three Cities Babilon Ninivie and Hierusalem America doth glory at this day in Cusco and new Spaine in Mexico but who seeth not in these times the like and greater almost in every Countrie of Europe Let any one in his minde onely walke over Italy for this doth afford an example of all the rest the sumptuous magnificence of Rome the Royall wealth of Venice the honourable Nobilitie of Naples the continuall commerce and traffique of Genoa the happie and fertile pleasantnesse of Millaine and the famous wonders and commodities of other places So that the other parts of the World may be silent for none are equall to Europe The Countries in it as they are now called are Spaine France Germanie Italie Hungarie Transilvania Dalmatia Greece Poland Lithuania Moscovie Russia Denmarke Swethland Norway besides the Isles in the Northerne Ocean which are England Scotland Ireland Island Frisland and others in other places and those in the Mediterranean Sea as the Baleares which are two Isles in the Spanish Sea called Majorica and Minorica also Corsica Sardinia Sicilia with the Isles of Malta Corfu Creete and many others And as for the Lakes standing Pooles Rivers and Waters having diverse vertues in them which beside their fish whereof they yeeld an incredible company are as it were a wall unto Countries who can number them What should I mention the Seas it would be tedious in this place to reckon up their commodities profits and delights these things shall therfore be unfolded in their proper places Europe doth not want Mountaines among which the Pirenean hills and the Alpes are alwaies white with continuall snow and it hath many woods and forrests which afford pasturage for cattell and have few harmefull beasts in them What should I speake of the private or publique workes both sacred and profane that are in this part of the World Here are innumerable magnificent Temples innumerable Abbies many famous Pallaces of Kings innumerable faire and magnificent houses belonging to Noble-men and Princes and many rare buildings both publique and private We have here Justice and Lawes we have the dignitie of Christian Religion we have all the delights of mankinde we have the strength of Armes innumerable Senators Men venerable both for Wisedome and Learning and if you please to compare famous men together there was never so great a company of Heroes and Noble men in other parts of the World as in any one part of Europe Besides this part of the World is so studious of Arts and Sciences that for the invention and preservation of many things it may worthily be called the Mother and Nurse of Wisedome In this are many excellent and flourishing Universities but in other Countries there is nothing but meere Barbarisme It would be too much to reckon up the vertues of the Inhabitants but as for the vices as who is without some they are noted in some short sayings which I will here adde The people of Franconia are foolish rude and vehement The Bavarians are prodigall gluttons and railers The Grisons are light talkative and braggers The Turingi are distrustfull and contentious The Saxons dissemblers craftie selfe-willed The Low-country-men are horsemen delicate and tender The Italians proud desirous of revenge and wittie The Spaniards haughtie wise covetous The French eloquent intemperate and rash The People of Denmarke and Holsteine are great of stature seditious and dreadfull The Sarmatians great eaters proud and stealers The Bohemians inhumane new-fangled and robbers The Illyrians unconstant envious seditious The Pannonians cruell and superstitious The Greekes miserable And there is another saying no lesse pleasant A Bridge in Poland a Monke of Bohemia a Knight of the South a Nunne of Suevia the Devotion of Italie the Religion of Prutenicks the Fasts of Germans and the Constancie of Frenchmen are nothing worth AFRICKE AFRICKE followes which was so called if we beleeve Nisias from Afer a companion of Hercules who accompanied him even as faire as Calis But if we trust Iosephus and Isidorus from one of the posteritie of Abraham whose name was Afer or as Festus doth suppose from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies cold for it is free from cold because the most part of it is situated betweene the Tropicks The Arabians doe call it Fricchia from the word Farruca which with them signifies to divide for Africke is almost divided from the other parts of the Earth Or else it was so called from Ifricus a King of Arabia Foelix who they report did first inhabite this Country The Greekes call it Libya either from Libya the daughter of Epathus or from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies stonie or because Libs or the Southwest-wind bloweth from thence In the Scriptures it is called Chamesia the Arabians and Aethiopians doe call it Alkebula and the Indians Besechath The Aequinoctiall Circle doth almost cut the middle part of Africke The AFRICKE AFRICAE DESCRIPTIO Tropicks passe not beyond it either Northward or Southward but it is stretched out beyond either of them ten degrees and more It is bounded towards the North with the Mediterranean Sea and the Streights of Hercules towards the East with the Arabian Bay or the Erythraean Sea and with the Isthmus which is betweene the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Bay to the South it is washed with the Aethiopian Ocean and on the West with the Atlanticke It hath the forme of a Peninsula which is joyned to Asia by the Isthmus above mentioned And though the length thereof which lyeth from West to East is shorter then the length of Europe yet the length thereof from the North toward the South is such as Europe can hardly be compared with it for it taketh up almost 70 degrees
hath the best smell which was cheape at the first the next are the yellow and waxe-colour the yellow is the best of all having a translucent shining colour like flames of fire There is some which is as soft as boyled or decocted Honey and therefore is called Honey-Amber there is much used of this Amber in many things being heated with rubbing it draweth unto it chaffe and drie leaves as the Load-stone doth Iron Borussia hath also woods which were never cut whence great store of wood is carryed away for the building of shippes and houses they have streight trees to make Mastes for Shippes which are carried from thence into farre Countries and lastly they have other riches of their owne from which the Inhabitants receive great profit as Bees and wilde Beasts of which wee spoke before The Country is divided at this day into Russia Regis and Russia Ducalis The King of Poland doth immediatly possesse either banke of the River Vistula even to the mouth therof Also the Island which is enclosed with Vistula and Nogo the Towns and Castles to the new Bay as Elbing Tolkenit Frawenberg and Brunsberg even to the mouth of Passaria and the whole Diocese of Warmia being large toward the South and adorned with Townes and fields hanging like a Bladder in the middle part of Borussia But although Borussia be immediatly subject to the King and is but one Kingdome with Poland yet it hath a publike Councell Lawes and Judgements an Exchequer and the management of warres peculiar to it selfe There are two Bishops in it one of Warmia who hath his residence at Brunsburg and the other at Culmes There are three Palatines as the Palatine of Culmes of Marienburg and of Pomeran Three Castles as the Castle of Culmes Elbing and Gedane commonly called Dantzick and so many Under-chamberlaines There are three chiefe and prime Cities Turuma Elbing Dantzick These assemble themselves together to deliberate and give Judgement in matters of controversie twice every yeare in the moneth of May at Margenburg and at Michaelmas at Graudents There are eighteene Captaines or Prefects of the Kings Castles and revenues As in the Palatinate of Marienburg the Captaine of Stuma Gneva Meva Stargardia In Pomeran the Captaine of Slochovia above Tuchol neare the River Bro the Captaine of Sueza Tuchol Dernias and Puske In the Palatinate of Culmes the Captaines of Brodnicke Graudents Radine or Reden Colba Rogosna Rogenhausen and three others The Dukedome of Borussia belonged heretofore to the Germane Order or the order of the Crosse being converted into an hereditary Dukedome by Albert of Brandenburg Master of the Order and being rent away from the Germane Empire it came into the protection and obedience of the King of Poland in the yeare 1525. The Prince thereof taking his place in all Counsells meetings and assemblies next to the King If any contention arise betweene the King and the Duke it is decided at Marienburg or Elbing by the Kings Counsell who are sworne by a new oath to Judge rightly But the Nobles or others having an action against the Duke doe commence it before the Dukes Vassalls being deputed and appointed by the Duke to give judgement and from them an appeale is permitted to the Kings and the Dukes Counsell residing at Martenburg Every one ought there to be called into judgement where his goods are or where hee dwelleth neither can he be compelled to stand to forraine tryalls and so be kept from his right The Judges are so placed in the Provinces that out of three named by every Province the Duke chuseth one to judge according to the Law of Culmes and the Institutions of the Province But if the Duke doe any thing against then Priviledges Lawes or customes and upon suite made doe not heare their grievances it is in the choice of the chiefe men in the Province without being thought to be rebellious and seditious to flie unto the protection of the Kings Majestie of Poland and by the vertue of some covenants and agreements betweene the King and the Duke may request him to defend their Priviledges There are in the Dukedome of Borussia two Bishops one of Sambia who hath his residence at Kings Mount commonly called Konningsperg the other of Pomesania whose seat is at Marienwender and these have all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction in their owne power Concerning the Religion and Rites of the ancient Borussians Meletius telleth wonderfull things in his tenth Epistle to Georgius Sabinus They worshipped Divells saith he instead of Gods and now also in many places doe secretly worship them They Religiously worshipped severall uncleane creatures namely Serpents and Snakes as if they had beene the servants and messengers of the Gods for these they kept within their houses and sacrific'd unto them as unto their houshold Gods They held that the Gods did dwell in Woods and Groves and that they were to please them by sacrificing unto them in those places and to pray unto them to send them raine or faire weather They held that all wilde Beasts especially the Alces living in these Woods were to be reverenced as the servants of the Gods and therefore they were to abstain from injuring of them They beleeved that the Sunne and Moone were the chiefest of all the Gods They did worship Thunder and Lightning according to the opinion of the Heathens and were of opinion that they might by prayers raise or calme stormes and tempests They used a Goate for their sacrifice in regard of the generative and fruitfull nature of that creature They said that the Gods did inhabite in excellent faire trees as Oakes and the like wherefore they would not cut downe such trees but did religiously worship them as the houses and seates of the Gods In such account also was the Elder tree and many others They were heretofore barbarous ignorant of Learning so that they would have thought it an incredible thing if any one should have told them that men could make knowne their mindes one to another by the sending of letters But of these things enough hee that desireth to know more let him have recourse to Erasmus Stella his antiquities of Borussia in his second booke thereof LIVONIA OR LIEFLAND IN my method Livonia or Levonia commonly called Liefland doth follow concerning the originall of whose name I dare affirme no certainty But Althamerus writeth thus of it It may be saith hee that the Livonians the farthest people of Germanie toward the Venedick shore dwelling under the Parallel of the Island Scandinavia which is called Gothland were derived from the Lemovians but I had rather derive them from the Efflui for that they are commonly called Eyslenders Ptolemie also mentioneth the Levonians in his second Booke cap. 11. And a litle after speaking of the Aestii hee saith that Beatus Rhenanus did correct the corrupt reading of Tacitus and did againe rightly set downe the Nation of the Aestii In as much as Rhenanus saith
bee invented or used And on the besieged side you might have seene men women and children with great courage of minde sustaine the furious assaults of their enemies and with constancie and cheerfulnesse repaire the ruines of the wals keepe down those that would have ascended up drive back their enemies to their trenches pursue them and at last fight it out for the most part with good successe Moreover you might have beheld them wearying the besiegers with daily sallying out upon them and lastly subsisting after nine assaults in which though their enemies did fight valiantly yet they were enforced to retire with great losse At length the Ambassadours of Polonia comming the 15 of Iune that they might bring with them Henry Duke of Anjou whom the States of the Kingdome had chosen for King God used this as a meanes to free Rochelle being now exhausted and drawne drie of Corne and being weakned in warlike fortifications besides the losse of many thousand men for now the King by Articles of peace confirmed by his royall solemne edicts did grant that Rochelle Montalban Nemansum and other Cities which did defend themselves should bee free to use their owne Religion such an event had this grievous siege which endured almost for seven moneths In which time more than twentie thousand men perished in conflicts sallies besieges by wounds hunger and sicknesse Rochelle is a constant Seate for presidiall Senatours and other Lawyers The other Cities Townes of note in Santonia are commonly called S. â—ean d' Angely Ponts or Pont l' Oubleze Blaye Taillebourg Borbesieux Brovage and Iosac S. Iean d' Angely otherwise called Angeliacum and S. Ioannes de Angeria is a new Citie although it be one of the speciallest and greatest of all Santonia It renewed its name from an Abbey which was built in that place to the honour of S. Iohn the Baptist the foundation whereof happened to be in the reigne of King Pipin who kept his Court in the Pallace of Angeria neere the River commonly called Boutonne in the Countrie of Alnia for hither as they say came certaine Monkes out of the Holy Land who brought with them the head of S. Iohn Baptist by whose comming the King obtained a famous victorie over his enemies and therefore in remembrance thereof hee built in that place where was the Pallace of Angeria the Abbey of Saint Iohn there placing religious men and endowing them with great revenues that they might there devote themselves to the service of God now by this meanes people flocking thither and building round about the Abbey by degrees it began to be a Citie as it is now at this day and was called by the name of S. Iohn All these things happened about the yeare of our Lord seven hundred sixtie eight while Pipin waged warre against Gaifer King of Aquitania whom hee overcame as it may bee read in the Historie of the Foundation of this Abbey This Citie the Duke of Andegavium or Aniou did besiege in the yeare 1569 and it was yeelded to him after 50 dayes siege the King granting the Citizens thâ—se conditions That they should march forth of the Citie with their Armour Horses and Colours displayed Santonia raiseth great store of money by its Corne which the Spaniards every yeare doe transport from thence or Merchants which fell it unto them And the Citie of Rochelle is very rich in regard of its neerenesse to the Sea and especially because of the traffick of the English and Dutch whose shipping doe often arrive there AQVITANIA AQVITANIA whose Southerne part is delineated in this Table some would have so called from the waters wherewith it doth abound and some derive it from the Towne Aquis or Aqs. It was extended according to Ptolemie from the Pyrenaean Mountaines even to Liger But now as Ortelius witnesseth from the River Garumna to the Ocean and the Pyrenaean Hils Towards the North-West it hath the Ocean which is called the Aquitanick Bay on the West Spaine on the North Gallia Lugdunensis and on the South Gallia Narbonensis In it according to Mercators account there are five Dukedomes twentie Counties and sixe Seigniories The Dukedomes are Vasconia or Guienna Avernia the Countrie of Engoulesme Berrie and Turonia Vasconia or Guienna being situated neere the Sea betweene Bayon and Burdeaux yeeldeth great store of wine which is transported from thence into other parts of Europe The chiefe Citie in it is Burdigala or Burdeaux the other Cities as Nerac Condom Mirande Nogerat Orthes Bazes and Dax are of no great note yet Dax is famous for her hot Fountaines Salt-pits and Iron-mettle Burdigala so called by Ptolemie is situated in a marsh which the overflowing of Garumna maketh and is adorned both with a Parliament and an University in which the Professours of all Arts and Sciences doe instruct Youth Avernia or the Dutchie of Avergne is partly a plaine and partly a mountainous Countrie It hath on the East Forest on the South Languedock on the West Quercy Perigort and Lemosin and on the North Berry and Bourbon Avernia is two-fold the Higher and the Lower The Higher which is called Le hault pays d' Avergne and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Avernia hath one prime Citie in it called S. Flour being seated on a high Rock the other Townes are commonly called Orillac Carlatum Muratum Buillons le Puy c. There is also in it the Territorie and Bayliwick of Beaucaire The Lower is rich and very fertile being full of excellent Wine Fruit Honey Saffron Cattell Wooll Medowes and Woods The Metropolis of it is Clarimontium commonly called Clermont It is proude of her Castle and is a Bishops Seate The other Cities or Townes are 13 in number of which Rion Monferrat and Isoire doe excell the rest Engoulesme on the North joyneth to Poictou on the West to Santonia on the South to Perigort and on the East to Lemosin It hath abundance of very good Wine fruit and Hempe The Metropolis of it is Inculisma now called Engoulesme being an ancient Citie It is seated on a hill which hangeth over the River Charente in a remote place from the Kings high way The lesser Towns are those which are commonly called Marton Chasteau Neuff Blaisac Chabannes Confollant Cuffec Aigres Gourville la Roche-Foucault Marveil Lanzac Villebois Momberon and Bouteville Concerning the Countrie of Berry wee will speake in a Table by it selfe Turonia commonly called Touraine beginneth somewhat beyond the Citie Amboise towards Belsia and endeth at the towne which is commonly called la Chapelle Blanche AQVITANIA AQUITANIA being subject in spirituall matters to the Bishops of Anjou and Chousai For they appoint and set downe limits betweene the Turonians and Andigavians The sweetnesse of the Ayre doth make this pleasant country more delightfull so that it is called the Garden and Orchard of France It is fruitfull in Wine and Corne and hath woods convenient to hunt in The Metropolis or
him even untill our times Hungary did professe the Christian Religion Hungary doth containe all the whole Country of Iazigus Metanastarum which Ptolemy circumscribeth or boundeth with Danubius â—ibiscus and the Sarmatian Mountaines There are some ruines yet remaining which by contracting the word are commonly called â—az But they inhabit those parts which Plâ—â— describeth and their speech differs from the Hungarian language The first King of Hungary after the Christian Religion was established therein was Stephen surnamed the Holy after whom there followâ—d his Coâ—â—a Peter his Kinsman Andreas also Bela Salomon Geysa Ladislaus Almus Stephanus the II. Bela Caecus Geysa the II. Stephen the III. Bela the III Emericus Ladislaus the II. and others even untill the time of the Emperour Rudolphus King of Hungary The King of Hungary doth governe his Kingdome by two Magistrates the higher is devided into three Magistrates the first of which governeth the Kingdome in the Kings name in which are the Palatine of the Kingdome who is next to the King and judgeth the King if he be accus'd whom the people of the Kingdome doe chuse neither is it an heriditary office Also the Judge of the Court who is one of the ordinary Judges of the Kingdome The Chancellor who is the Metropolitan of Strigonium who is called the Primate and Secretary of the Kingdome and he hath power to annoynt the King that is chosen and he keepeth the Privie Seale The Master of the Court doth follow the Kings and is one of his Privie Counsell The Master of the Regallities doth judge of all matters concerning Mines of Gold and Saltpits and lastly all matters which appertaine to the Exchequer Secondly those which sit in Judgement of which there are certaine Officials three of greater authority as the Vice-Palatine of the Kingdom the Judge of Personall Presence The Vice-Palatines Protonotary or chiefe Clarke the Vice-Judges Protonotary They are all called Masters and have these assistants or associates joyned to them the Archbishop of Strigoniums Secretary who is called the Secretary of the Exchequer twelve Assistants and some sworne Clarkes Thirdly those that serve the King as the Treasurer the Master of the Bed-chamber the Cup-bearer the Master of the Pantry the Master Porter and other lesser offices Moreover because the Country is large there are severall Judges appointed thorow the Provinces which the Hungarians call Counties And they are these beyond Danubius on the West of the River Tibiscus Posoniensis Nitriensis Cepusiensis Gewinariensis Posthiensis Semliniensis Comariensis Leptoniensis Novigradiensis Abavivariensis Bathiensis Vâ—gensis Traachimensis Barsiensis Hontensis Borsodiensis Bodroghtensis Peregriensis Turoezensis Omuzolis Tornensis Heweciensis Zolnocensis Moramarusiensis Above Danubius on the East of Tibiscus there are Vgoghiensis Bihoriensis Zatmariensis Oradiensis Zabolciensis Temesiensis Betweene the Rivers Danubius and Dravus there are Musunensis Zaladiensis Tolnensis Rhab or Iauriensis Vespriniensis Strigoniensis Soponiensis Albensis Sinigiensis Castriferrensis Pelisiensis Waranlensis Betweene Dravus and the River Savus there are Valkonensis Rifiensis Syrimiensis Warasdiensis Prosegiensis and Zagrabiensis The Ecclesiasticall government belongeth to the two Archbishops of Gran or Strigonia the Popes Legate and Primate of the Kingdome It hath under it Agriensis Vaciensis Nitriensis Quinque Ecclesiensis Vespriniensis who is the Queenes Chancellor and crowneth her and the Bishop Iauriensis commonly called Rab Colosensis or Colotz under whom are Sagabriensis Transilvaniensis Voceadrensis Visemburgensis Sulniensis Cenadiensis or Chonad and Bosnensis All Hungary is devided into the hither-most and the farther The hither-most Hungary doth containe all that Country which is on this side Danubius the farther-most doth containe that Country which is beyond Danubius and Tibiscus THE KINGDOME OF HVNGARY HUNGARIA glideth thorow the middle of it The Metropolis and Mother Citty of this Kingdome is Buda which was so denominated as the most doe suppose from Buda the builder of it who was Brother to King Artila or as others write from the Budines a People of Scythia of whom Herodotus maketh mention If you consider the Situation of this Citty it is seated partly on a Mountaine and fortified with strong Bulwarkes so that it is the strongest and pleasantest Citty in all Hungaria it hath many faire buildings both publike and private It standeth in a fruitfull soyle Soliman the Turkish Emperour tooke it from the Christians in the yeere 1526. on the 20. day of August The Next is Posonium commonly called Prezborgh which is a noble Citty Here the River Leyta deviding the higher Pannonia from the lower doth mingle it selfe with the River Istrus It is an ancient faire Citty having a pleasant ayre and situation and doth therein excell all the Citties of Pannonia It hath Mountaines planted with Vines which are also full of Wood. In the Suburbs it hath a Castle seated on the top of a high Rocke There is also Belgâ—ad at the meeting or confluence of the Rivers Savus and Danubius it is commonly called Alba Graeca the ancients called it Taurunum and the Germanes Griechs Weissenburgh Soliman the Turke tooke it in the yeere 1520. and having beene before a Towne of defence against the cruell enemy of Christianity now it is the Turkish Emperours seat A little lower downe the River Danubius there is Singidunum which was taken by the Turke in the yeere 1439. In the midst betweene these two Citties there is a Field famous for the victory of Hunniadus against Mâ—homet the Turkish Emperour they call this Field Maxons This Battle was fought in the yeere 1456. Downe the River there are many places where the Christians have received many fatall overthrowes The Citty Valpo was taken in the yeere 1543. Quinque Ecclesiae by Dravus in the yeere 1543. Zigetha was taken in the yeere 1566. Buda wee have mentioned before Strigonium by Danubius commonly called Gran was heretofore an Archbishops seat but it is now in the Turkes hands Alba Regalis or Stulweyssenburg is famous in regard the Kings are crowned and buried here it was taken in the yeere 1543. In the same Country there is Stridon where Saint Hierom was borne There is also the Citty Comara in an Iland of the same name which the Turkes in vaine attempted Iaurinum commonly called Raab is an impregnable Citty by the River Danubius I passe by the other Townes There are also in Hungaria many famous Lakes the chiefe whereof is Balaton which the Germanes call Platze being 40. Italian miles broad and 8. Hungarian miles The chiefest Rivers are Danubius Savus Dravus and Tibiscus the three former are common to other Countries but Tibiscus runneth onely thorow Hungary It riseth in Maramusia in the high cliffes of Carpatus and for plenty of Fish it exceedeth all the Rivers in Hungary for it hath abundance of all kindes of Fish as great Pikes Lampreys and Sturgeons There are also other Rivers besides these which have great store of excellent Fish as Trowts Salmons Perches Lampreys Barbels and others and those Rivers have gold veines in them The chiefe Woods and Mountaines beyond
Basket or Pannier on which they strew warme ashes the heate whereof in some few dayes doth hatch the Egges This Country is under one King and Monarch whom the people call Lord of the World and sonne of Heaven There are in it 250. chiefe Citties whose names doe end in Fu which signifies a Citty as Cotonfu Panquinfu And their Townes which are many doe end in Cheu There are innumerable sort of Villages which are inhabited by reason of their continuall tillage and Husbandry All the Citties are situate by the banke of some Navigable River fortified with strong walls and deepe ditches There are many pleasant Lakes as the round Lake in the Province of Sancius which was made by an Inundation in the yeere 1557. which is memorable in regard that 7. Citties besides Townes and Villages and a great number of people were drowned in it onely one Boy saved in the body of a Tree The Rivers and the Seas are full of Fish And this Country because it bordereth on the Sea and hath many Navigable Rivers is very populous both by Sea and Land The Gates of their Citties are very magnificent and stately built The streetes are as strait as if they were made by a line and so broad that 10. or 15. men may ride together in a ranke and these are distinguisht and severd one from another with triumphall Arches which doe grace the Citty very much The Portugals doe report that they saw in the Citty Fuchus a Towre which was built on 14. Marble Pillars which were 40. hand breadth high and 12. broade This is such a curious beautifull and costly worke that it farre exceedeth all the proud and magnificent structures in Europe They have faire Temples both in their Citties and in the Countrey The King of China hath a Governour under him who is as it were a Viceroy whom they call Tutan Hee judges and determines all suites and controversies within the Kingdome and is very severe in administring Justice Theeves and murtherers are kept continually in prison untill they dye with whipping and with hunger and cold For though they are condemned to dye which is for the most part by whipping yet the execution is so long delayd after the sentence is given that the most part of those which are condemned doe die in prison Hence it comes to passe that there are so many prisoners in every Citty So that there are sometimes a thousand Prisoners in the Citty Canton Theft than which no crime is more hatefull in these parts is punisht with whipping and cruell stripes And this is the manner of their whipping They set a man with his face bending downeward with his hands bound behind him and then they whipp him on the THE KINGDOME OF CHINA· CHINA thighs with a whipp made of Reedes and Canes which giveth such a vehement stroke that the first blow will make the blood spring forth and the second blow will so torment the malefactor that he cannot stand upon his feete Two Beadles doe whipp him on both his thighs with such vehemency that the most of them do dye at the 50. or 60. stroke for al their sinewes are broken The Portugals report that every yeere above 2000. men are put to death in this manner Their whipp is 5. fingers thick and one broade which they wet continually with water that it may be more flexible and may give the stronger blow It is lawfull for the men to have many wives one of which they keepe at home and the rest in other places They punish adultery with death In the Citties there are no Brothells for all the whores are banisht into the Suburbs They celebrate their Nuptiall Feasts and weddings at the time of the new Moone and commonly in the Moneth of March which is the first day of their new yeare And they doe keepe these Festivalls with great solemnity and for many dayes together with Organs Musick and Comicall Playes The Chinoans have for the most part broad faces thin beards flat Noses and little Eyes yet some of them are well favoured enough Their colour and complexion is like the Europeans but they are somewhat browne and swarfie that dwell about Canton They seldome or never goe out of their owne Countrey neither doe they admit any stranger to come into the innermost parts of their Countrey unlesse the King give him leave They are as stout drinkers as the Germaines and Dutchmen Concerning the Religion of this Countrey they beleeve that all things were created that all things here below are governd from above and from the Heaven which they beleeve to be the greatest of al the Gods whom they expresse by the first Character of their Alphabet They doe worship the Sunne the Moone and the starres and the Divell whom they painte in the same manner as the Europaeans doe least hee should doe them harme as they say The Chinoans are so neate in making all kind of household stuffe that they seeme rather the workes of nature then of Art The use of Ordinance and the Art of Printing is here of such antiquity that they know not the first Inventor thereof The Portugalls doe write much concerning their sagacitie and craftinesse and that they have Coaches which will goe with Sayles which they know so well how to guide that they will make them in a short time carry them by Land whither the list Neither can I omit their cleare white kind of Potters ware which wee call China ware which they make in this manner They mingle Sea snales or Periwinkles with egge-shells and putting some other things to them they beate them till they become one substance Then they lay it under the ground and there they let it lye to season and ripen 80. or 100. yeare and they leave it to their heyres as a precious treasure so that they commonly do come to use that which their Grandfathers first laid to ripen And it is an ancient custome observd amongst them that he that takes away the old must lay new in the place Here is much commerce and trading especially for sweete spices and â—ilkes For out of Malacca Bengala and other places Pepper Saffron Muske Nutts Cassia and other kindes of sweete Spices are brought into China But their chiefest trading is in Silke For Iohn Barrius in his Decads of Asia doth write that at the Citty Nimpo which some doe call Liampo that hee saw some Portugals in three moneths space that carried away by Shippin 166000. pound waight of silke Also Antonius Pigiafetta doth afirme that Muske is brought from hence into other parts of the World and Andreas Corsalis saith that Rheubarb and Pearles are brought from hence THE EAST INDIES THE Indies is the greatest Country in Asia it is so called from the River Indus Ptolemie devideth it into two parts namely India on this side Ganges and India beyond Ganges It is thought that the latter is called in the sacred Scriptures Hevila or as some write Havilah or Evilath and the
of Portugall and confirmed by Pope Iohn the 22th Aunt 1321. The names and whence so called The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertilitie of thâ— Soyle The ancient Government Å¿ A people of â—â—usitaâ—â— called also Turdecans t So called because as some say Vlysses in his ten yeares travels comming hither built it The Rivers The commodities of the Sea The Havens The Mountaines The publick sacred workes The Universities u The Masters of this Vniversitie made the Commentarie upon most part of Aristotle called Schoks Commbricensis Their manners Their traffick Algarbia whence so called The Situation The Towneâ— The ancient Government The Situation The 〈…〉 of the Soyle The Cities Leon. The Situation Asturia a This Citie is called by Moletius Asturum Lucus and by Tarapha Brâ—gentium The Countrie whence so called The Situation The temper of the Aire The fruitfulnes of the Soyle The varietie of living creatures r Whence the Country was called Cantabria The ancient Government The Townes The traffick The Countrie The names The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertilitie of the Soyle y This is also called Testosages by Ptolemy and by Martialis Palladia The River Chalybs The Havens The Mountaines z Some suppose that Navarre had its name from a Towne among the Mountains called Navarrin The Country whence so called 〈…〉 The fertility of the 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Government The Câ—â—â—es Thâ—◠〈…〉 is built 〈…〉 rather â—â—part by Nugno Bâ—lidâ—â—a German 〈◊〉 contendeth with Toledo 〈◊〉 the Pâ—â—maâ—â—ship of Spaine b This is a famous Universitie and instituted by Ferdinand the second of Castile Anno 1240. c Here Tostatus was Bishop New Castile The Situation The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities The publick seates d Quade reporteth that it hath eleven severall Quadrangles and every one incloystered The Universities The Trades Mechanicke Arts. The name and whence derived The Situation The temper of the aire and fertilitie of the Soyle The Ancient Government e It is â— miles in compasse f Here likewise studied Avicen Pope Silvester the second and Leâ—nder g From hence comes our Cordoâ—an leather h Here was borne Lucan the Poet the two Seneca's i Whose Duke was Captainâ— Generall of the Invincible Aâ—madâ— A. 1â—â—8 k So called bâ—cause Tariffa the Lâ—â—dâ— of the Moâ—â—nto Spaine here landed l Hard by this Towne was fought the notable battle betweene Caesar and the sonnes of Pompey The Countrie whence so called The Situation The temper of the Ayre The fertility of the Soyle The ancient Government m Heâ—â—e â— Dominick Father of the Dominican Friars studied The Rivers The Mountaines The publick workes The Trades The traffick The Countrie whence so called The Situation The qualitie of the Soyle The Cities The ancient Government The names The Situation The temper of the Aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The varietie of living Creatures The ancient Inhabitants Their ancient valour and vertue The Rivers The Mountaines The publick private workes The manner of government The Schooles The Trades a It was called Austrasia either from one Austrasius a President whoÌ„ Iustinian the Emperour let ovâ—â— this couâ—trey or from the world Ausâ—â—â— because it is moâ—â— Eastward thâ—n â—nâ— other part of France How by the Mappe to finde out the Longitude and Latitude t A River breaking out of the Alpeâ— and now called Dâ—â—nia u Nine navigable streames saith Heylin p. 84. w Which now they also call Isara x On this River stand the Citie Orleans Nantes and many others y That is the Inhabitants of Gallia Narbonensis which comprehends the Provinces of Languedock Provence and Daulphine and this Countrie was so called from Narbone a Citie in Languedock z This River is called by Marcellinus Sangona or Saugonna by Polybius Scoraâ— and anciently Brigulus as some have written a Lib. 26. 30 b Lib. 43. c A people of Gallia Lugdunensis d A people of Gallia Lugdunensis The publick workes The manner of Government e So called from the words Sâ— Aliqua so often mentioned therein f Some also say that these Paâ—rries were erected by Hugh Capet but others more truly think theÌ„ to be instituted by Lewis le Ieune Anno 1171 to ayde and assist the King in his Councell The Universities The 〈◊〉 Their manners Their Habit. The Countrie whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The ancient Government The Cities g This Citie is by some called also Corbilum The Rivers The Sea The Havens Their manners The fertility of the Soyle The Situation The Citâ—â—â— i It was anciently called Genabum but in these times Aurelia for that in the year 276. The Emperour Aurelius built it out of the ruines of old Genabum The names whence so called The Situation k It is called Limosin quasi in â—imo sâ—a The qualitie of the Soyle The ancient Government The Cities The Families The Nobles Their manners The Countrey whence so called The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle l This River is called by Ptolemie Canentelum m This Citie is called by some Maluasoâ— n Then freedome is now lost for they were lately compelled by the now King of France to receive a Garrison of Souldiers in the City and to undergoe the voake of subjection o Now the Rochellers are compell'd by the now King of France to exercise their Religion without the Citie The Countrie whence so called Vasconia The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Cities Avernia The Situatioâ— The Cities and Townes p This Citie is called by Ptolomie Râ—â—esâ—â—m and 〈◊〉 and by Merâ—aâ—eâ— Riâ—â—â— q This Citie was anciently called Arverna and Gergobia r Called by Antoninus Sâ—rion and by others Serion Engoulesme The Situation The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The Cities Townes Turonia The Situation The Cities The State Ecclesiastick Sabaudia whence so called The Situation The fertility of the Soyle Å¿ This Citie is in compasse about two English miles and is supposed to containe about 17000 Soules Daulphine whence so called t Some say it had its name from Dolphine wise to Guâ—gne the second Prince of this Province The Situation The Cities The Countrie whence so called The Sâ—tuation The tempâ—â— of the Ayre The fruitfulnesse of the Soyle The ancient Government u In this town was called a Councell by Constantine An. 313. for the quiet establishing of the Church w This Towne is now called Venza The Countrie whence so calâ—led 〈…〉 The fertilitie of the Soyle 〈…〉 〈…〉 In this Church Edward the â— King of England did homage to Philip de Valâ—â— for the Dutchie of Guienna y Oâ—telius thinkes it probable that this is that Citie which Caesar in his Commentaries calls Noviodunum The Coâ—â—â—â— whence so called The Situation The temper of the aire The fertilitie of the Soyle The Cities z This Citie is also called by Gregorius Turonensis â— Trecaâ— a This Citie was called Rhemes from the Rhemag◠〈◊〉 a potent Nâ—tion of these parts See Hâ—ylen pag. 120. The
Countrie of Pecerra doth plentifully yeeld they kill not onely Pheasants and Ducks with them but also Swannes and Cranes The Countries of Russia or Moscovia are very large All the Cities Townes Castles Villages Woods fields Lakes and Rivers are under the command and government of one Prince whom RVSSIA OR MVSCOVIA Russia cum Confinijs the Inhabitants do call the great Czar that is King or Emperour and all the revenues that arise from them are brought into the Princes exchequer There are no Dukes or Counts which can possesse any thing by a Tenure of Freehold or can passe the same unto their heires Hee doth bestow some villages and Townes upon some but yet hee useth the labour of the husbandman and when he list taketh them away againe So that hee hath absolute command over his Subjects and againe his Subjects honour and reverence him as a God and do shew obedience to him in all things without any refusall The chiefe Metropolis or mother Citie of the whole Kingdome is Moscovia commonly called Moschwa being conveniently situated as it is thought in the middle of the Countrie It is a famous Citie as for the many Rivers which meete there so for the largenesse and number of the houses and for the strength of the Castle For it lyeth neere the River Moschus with a long row of houses The houses are all of wood and divided into Parlers Kitchings and Bed-chambers all of them have private gardens both for profit and for pleasure The severall parts of the Citie have severall Churches It hath two Castles one called Kataigorod the other Bolsigorod both which are washed with the Rivers Moschus and Neglinna Moreover in Russia there are many Countries as first the Dukedome of Volodimiria which title the Great Duke doth assume to himselfe it is named fom the chiefe citie Volodomire being seated on the bankes of the River Desma which runneth into Volga This Province is of so fruitfull a soile that the increase of one bushell of wheat being sowne is oftentimes twentie bushells Secondly Novogrodia which though it be inferiour unto the aforenamed Countrie in pasturage yet not in the fruitfulnes of the soile It hath a woodden citie called by the same name with the whole Dukedome Novogrod being seated where the Rivers Volga and Occa do flow one into another This citie had alwaies the chiefe preheminence in regard of the incredible number of houses for the commoditie of a broad and fishie Lake and in regard of an ancient Temple much reverenced by that Nation which about five hundred yeares agoe was dedicated to S. Sophia Here is a memorable Castle built of stone upon a rocke at the great Charge of the Duke Basilius This Citie is distant from the Citie Moscovia an hundred Polish miles and from Riga the next haven towne it is little lesse than five hundred Thirdly Rhezan which is a Province betweene the River Occa and Tanais having store of Corne Honey Fish and Fowle it hath these Cities built of wood Rhezan seated on the banke of Occa Corsira Colluga and Tulla neare to which are the Spring-heads of the River Tanais Fourthly the Dukedome of Worotinia which hath a Citie and a Castle of the same name Fifthly Severia which is a great Dukedome abounding with all things it hath great desart fields and many Towns among which the chiefe are these Starodub Stewiarkser and Czernigow The bees in the woods do yeeld them great store of honey The Nation in regard of their continuall warres with the Tartarians is accustowed to armes and ready of hands Sixthly the Dukedome of Smolenâ—â—o which being seated neare the River Borysthenes hath a Citie of the same name watered on the one side with Borysthenes and on the other side environed with deepe ditches and rampiers armed A MORE PARTICVLAR DESCRIPTION OF SOME PROVINCES OF MOSCOVIA MOSCOVIA with sharpe stakes There are also these Dukedomes and Provinces Mosatâ—kia Bâ—elskia Rescovia Tweria Pleskovia Vodzka Correllia Bieleâ—zioro Wolochda Vstiuga Iarosâ—avia Rostow Dwina Susdali Wrathka Permia Sibior Iugra Petzora and Novogrodia the Greater which they call Novogrod Wiâ—lki in which is a very great Citie of the same name bigger than Rome it selfe Petzora taketh its name from the River which the mountaines and rockes do hemme in on both sides There are spacious countries which pay Tribute to the great Duke lying northward in a great space of Land as Obdora in which is the Idoll called Zolota Baba that 〈…〉 Golden old woman also Condora Lucomoria and Lappia There are many great Lakes in Moscovia as Ilmen or Ilmer also Ladoga and the White Lake which the Inhabitants call Bieleâ—ezioro There are also many lane Rivers as first Borâ—sthenes or Pripetus commonly called Nioper and Nestâ—r oâ— by the addition of a letter Dnieper Dnester Secondly Tuâ—â—â—tâ—â— which is that same with Ptolemie which Herbersterntus calleth Rubo but the Inhabitants Duina and Oby Thirdly the River Rha which Ptolemie mentions and is now called Volga and Edel. There is in this countrie the River Ianais which the Italians call Tana the Inhabitants Don. Beside the river Occa and the lesser Duina called likewise Onega c. Here are the Moates Hyperboret or Riphaean mountaines mentioned by Pliny in his 4 Booke Chap. 12. and by Mela in his 3 Booke which are impassable because they are cover'd over with continuall snow and ice The wood Hercyma which Isidorus calleth the Riphaean wood taketh up a great part of Moscovia it is inhabited having some few scattering houses in it now by long labour is made so thinne that it cannot as most suppose shew such thick woods impenetrable forrests as heretofore Moscovia hath innumerable costly Temples or Churches and very many Monasteries The Duke lookes to matters of government and administration of Justice by the helpe and assistance of twelve Counsellors who are daily present in the Court. Among them the Preâ—ecâ—uâ—e ships of all the Castles and Cities are distributed and they receive the letters and Petitions which are directed to the Prince and do answer them in his name For the Prince himselfe receiveth no letters neither doth hee set his hand to any that are written to his Subjects or any forraine Prince The Bishops are chosen out of the Friars as men of a sanctimonious and holy life There are many Monasteries of these Friars in the Kingdome of Moscovia and yet all of the same habit and Order of which they say that S. Basil was the first founder There are in the whole Kingdome of Moscovia eleven Bishops which they call Wladdicks that is in their language Stewards or Dispensers They call their Priests Poppes or Aâ—â—hipoppes The Metropolitan Bishop liveth in Moscovia who was heretofore confirmed by the Patriarch of Constantinople but now being chosen by the great Duke onely he is consecrated by two or three Bishops and is displaced at the Kings pleasure Under this Metropolitan are two Archbishops the one at Nâ—vogarais
the Greater neare the River Lowâ—a the other at Rodovia There are no Universities or Colledges in all the Empire of Mâ—â—â—otia The Moscoviâ—es are of the Greek religion which they received in the yeare of our Lord 987. They suppose that the Holy Spirit being the third person in the Trinitie doth proceed from the Father alone They tooke the Sacrament of the Eucharist with leavened bread and permit the people to use the Cuppe They beleeve not that Priests Dirges or the pietie or godlinesse of kindred or friends can be avaleable to the dead and they beleeve that there is no Purgatorie They read the Scripture in their owne language and do not deny the people the use thereof They have Saint Ambrose Augustine Hierome and Gregorie translated into the Illyrian tongue and out of these as also out of Chrysostome Basil and Nazianzenus the Priests do publikely read Homilies instead of Sermons for they hold it not convenient as Iovius saith to admit of those hooded Orators who are wont to Preach too curiously subtlely to the people concerning divine matters because they thinke that the rude mindes of the ignorant may sooner attaine to holinesse and sanctitie of life by plaine Doctrine than by deepe interpretations and disputations of things secret They make matrimoniall contracts and do permit Bigamie but they scarcely suppose it to be lawfull marriage They do not call it adulterie unlesse one take and keepe another mans wife They are a craftie and deceitfull Nation and delighting more in servitude than libertie For all do professe themselves to be the Dukes servants The Moscovite line rather prodigally than bountifully for their tables are furnished with all kinde of luxurious meats that can be desired and yet not costly For they sell a Cocke and a Duck oftentimes for one little single piece of silver Their more delicate provision is gotten by hunting and hawking as with us They have no wine made in the Countrie and therefore they drinke that which is brought thither and that onely at Feasts and Bankets They have also a kinde of Beere which they coole in Summer by casting in pieces of ice And some delight in the juice prest out of sowre cherries which hath as cleare and pure a colour and as pleasant a tast as any wine The Moscovites do send into all parts of Europe excellent Hempe and Flaxe for rope-making many Oxe-hides and great store of Waxe THE DVKEDOME OF LITHVANIA Samogitia Blacke-Russia and Volhinia SOME would have Lithuania so called from the Latine word Lituus that is a Hunters horne because that Country doth use much hanting Which opinion Mathias a Michou rejecteth and delivers another concerning the Etymologie thereof for he saith that certaine Italians forsaking Italy in regard of the Roman dissentions entred into Lithuania calling the Country Italie and the Nation Italians and that the sheepheards began first to call it Litalia and the Nation Litalians by prefixing one letter But the Ruthenians or Russians and the Polonians their neighbours changing the word more at this day doe call the Country Lithuania and the people Lithuanians It is a very large Country and next to Moschovia It hath on the East that part of Russia which is subject to the great Duke of Moscovy on the West it hath Podlassia Masovia Poland and somewhat towards the North it bounds on Borussia but full North it looketh toward Livonia and Samogitia and on the South toward Podolia and Volâ—â—nia The aire here is cold and the winter sharpe Here is much waxe and honey which the wilde Bees doe make in the Woods and also much Pitch This Country also affordeth abundance of corne but the harvest seldome comes to maturity and ripenesse It hath no wine but that which is brought hither from forraine Countries nor salt but such as they buy and fetch out of Brittaine It bringeth forth living creatures of all kindes but small of growth In the Woods of this Country there are Beastes called by the Latines Vri and others called Alces besides Buffes wilde Horses wilde Asses Hartes Does Goates Boares Beares and a great number of such other Here is great plenty of Birds and especially of Linnets Besides in this Country and Moscovia there is a ravenous devouring beast called Rossemaka of the bignesse of a Dogge in face like a Cat in the body and tayle resembling a Foxe and being of a black colour The Nation of the Lithuanians in former yeares was so unknowne and despised by the Russians that the Princes of Kiovia did require nothing from them but Corke-trees and certaine garments as a signe of their subjection in regard of their poverty and the barrennesse of their soyle untill Vithenes Captaine of the Lithuanians growing strong did not onely deny tribute but having brought the Princes of Russia into subjection compelled them to pay tribute His successors did invade the neighbour Nations and by hostile and suddaine incursions did spoyle them untill the Teutonick order of the Crosse began to warre against them and to oppresse them which THE DVKEDOME OF LITHVANIA LITHUANIA they did even to the dayes of Olgerdus and Keystutus Captains of the Lithuanians But at last â—agello who afterward was called Vlaâ—â—slaus was made great Duke of Lithuania This man being oftentimes oppressed by those of the order of the Crosse and by Christian Armies did at last encline to the Polanders and having embraced the Christian Religion and married Hedingiâ— the Queene of Polonia hee was made King of Polonia committing the government of the Country of Lithuania to his Cozen German Skirgellon as to the supreame Duke of Lithuania The great Dukedome of Lithuania is now divided into ten speciall Palatinates or Provinces the first whereof is the Palatinate of the Metropolis or chiefe Citie Vilna which the Inhabitants call Vilenski but the Germans commonly Die Wilde it was built at the confluence or meeting of Vilia and Vilna by Duke Gediminus in the yeare 1305 and is the Seat of a Bishop subject to the Archbishop of Leopolis and also of the Metropolitan of Russia who hath seven Bishops under him that bee of the Greeke Religion as the Bishop of Polocia Volodomiria Luca in Volhinia Luckzo Pinsca neare to the River Pripetus Kiovia Praemislia and Lepolus Vilna or Wilna is a populous large and famous Citie being encompassed with a wall and gates which are never shut The Churches thereof for the most part are built of stone and some of wood there is in it a curious Monasterie of the Bernardines being a famous structure of squared stone as also the Hall of the Ruthenians in which they sell their commodities which are brought out of Moscovia The second Palatinate is the Procensian the Townes whereof are Grodna by the River Cronus where Stephen King of Poland dyed And Lawna at the confluence of Cronus and Villia or Willia also Kowno Iada and Vpita The third Palatinate is the Minscensian wherein is the Citie
walled Castle on a Rocke by which the River BÃsura glideth Cujavia or Vladislavia is a faire Citty being a Bishops seate Bidgostia is subject unto it which is seated by the navigable River Buda Brestia hath under it Radzieiow Crusphicia and Cowalow Crusphicia is the chiefe Citty of Poland next to Gnesna it is built of wood with a slated Castle by the Lake Golpo Rava is a wodden Citty situate by a River of the same name Ploczko is a pleasant Citty seated on a Hill by the River Vistula in which there was a Castle which the Crucigerians did demolish In the lesser Polonia the chiefe Citties are these Cracovia Sandomiria and Lublinum Cracovia is built on a Plaine neere the River Vistula being fortified with a double wall and a deep ditch It hath a Castle on a high Rockâ— which they call Vanel in this Citty the Kings of Poland keepe their residence and are buried It hath a famous Schoole for the study of Philosophie The Castellanus of Cracovia taketh place of the Palatine in the Senate but in other Provinces the Palatine is preferd before the Castellanus Moreover there are three Citties neere unto Cracovia Clepardia Stradomia and Cassimiria It hath two Dukedomes under it Zarocensis and Oswiecimensis It hath many Townes under it Sandomiria is a principall Citty walled about and situate on a Hill by the River Vistula being 22. miles distant from Cracovia It hath an ancient Castle well fortified under it there are Checiny in a Plaine which is famous for Mines of Blue in which there is Silver also found also Korezin Malogast and other Townes Lublinum is a Citty beyond Vistula being fortified with a Wall a Ditch a Lake and a Castle In which there are 3. Faires every yeere unto which both Turkes Armenians Grecians Germanes Muscovites and Lithuavians doe resort The Iewes doe ininhabite a great part of the Suburbs and have a Sinagogue there The River Bystizna doth runne by the Castle Poland as we said before is a plaine Country the most part of it is coverd with Woods and it yeeldeth good store of Barley Wheate and Pulse It hath abundance of Cattle It hath Lakes which are full of all kindes of Fish The chiefe Rivers are Vistula Viadrus commonly called Odera Tyres now Niester Hypanis which is called Bugh Vistula now called die Weixel was heretofore called Vandalus some call it Issula and Vissula This River riseth in the Carpathian Mountaines and before it commeth to Cracovia it is enlarged by the receit of many Rivers and afterward being growne very deepe and broad before it come to Dantiscum it dischargeth it selfe into the Codan Bay Boristhenes so well knowne of old is now called Nieper It hath a few Mountaines and those Southward where it looketh toward Hungaria The State of the Kingdome consisteth of the Clergie and Nobles The Ecclesiastick Order hath two Bishops the Bishop of Ghesnia who is Primate of the Kingdome who doth also crowne the King and the Bishop of Leopolis in blacke Russia The Bishops are of Cracovia in lesser Poland the Bishop of Posnia in the greater Poland and in other Provinces the Bishops Plocensis Chelmensis Vilnensis Kioviensis Lucensis Ianoucensis Samogitiensis Warmensis Culmensis Sambiensis Pomasaniensis Rigensis and others The Politick order of the Nobles hath 26. Palatines 60. Counts 4. Marshals a Chancellor and a Vicechancellor two Generals or Captaines in the lesser Poland there are forty common Captaines in the greater 30. in Massovia 12. So that the Kings when occasion requires can raise 200000. Nobles He that desires to know more concerning the state of this Kingdome let him have recourse to Stanislaus Kizistanowie his POLAND POLONIA description of the State of the Kingdome of Poland or to Guagninus or Boterus their description of Germany and Neugebaverus his Polonian History There are also in Poland Mines of Salt by Bochnia and Veliscus which doe exceed all others Veliscum is 8. miles distant from Cracovia Bochina is a faire Towne with a Castle where the Governour of rhe Saltpits dwels who is called Zupparius The Country round about is barren but this Country maketh a greater revenue out of these Mines then some Countries doe out of Gold and Silver Mines The people of Poland especially the Nobles doe now differ much from the Scythian barbarisme of the ancient Sarmatians They have no Robberies so that in Summer time they ride in Waggons and in Winter time in Coaches safely and without danger Most of the Nobility are very sharpe witted and doe get experience and languages by travelling into forraine Countries They are couragious and will not shun the stoutest enemy if any one bee wronged by the Nobles all their kindred and friends doe joyne together in revenging it and doe never cease untill they have revenged it or lost their owne lives Lastly they are not so liberall as prodigall both in their frequent Banquets and in the great retinue and number of Servants which they keepe and clothe THE KINGDOME OF HVNGARY HUNGARIA commonly called Hongeren which name it received from the Huns or Hungarians who came out of Scythia and did inhabit it doth containe Pannonia and the Countries of Iazigus and the Dacians beyond Danubius On the South it hath the River Savus which devideth it from Croatia and Servia which are a part of Illyrici over against the Adriatick Sea On the North it hath Poland and Russia which are disjoyned by the Mountaine Carpatus On the West it hath Austria which was heretofore the head of the higher Pannonia together with Moravia and Styria on the East Mysia which they now call Rhetiana It is an excellent Country both for the goodnesse of the soyle and the pleasantnesse of the Situation The Country is very fruitfull and fertill and yeeldeth Pearles Gold Silver Colours and Salt which are to be digged out of the Earth It hath abundance of Grasse Wheate Pulse and Fruit. That Country which is by Danubius doth yeeld excellent wine even from the Country of the five Churches to Taurunus or Belgrad But there is no Oyle and excepting that it is adorned with all the gifts of nature It hath divers kindes of living Creatures having such great plenty both of Oxen and Sheepe that great Droves are carried into other Countries especially into Italy and Germany It hath also abundance of wilde beasts as Hares Does Goats Harts Wolves Beares and the like And also great store of Birds especially Thrushes Partridges and Pheasants The Paeonians or Pannonians did first inhabit this Country afterward the Gothes who were expulsed by the Huns and the Huns by the Longobards who were seated here 13. yeeres But the Huns came in againe under the conduct of their Captaine Attila after whose death Charles the Great tooke it into his owne possession But in the yeere 700. the Huns comming out of Scythia in the Raigne of the Emperour Arnulph possessed those parts being Pagans untill King Stephen whom they called the holy was inaugurated and made King And after