Rotchell

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of Rotchell, and the Trade thereof.

ROTCHELL hath beene of long time accounted the strongest and best fortified Citie in France, and was 〈◊〉 of late yeares in possession of the Protestants, and was ever found as a Sanctuary for them in their greatest dangers, it is commodiously seated for Trade on the Aquitaine Ocean, thesea every tide flowing into the Citie, and carrying thereinto shippes of a reasonable burthen: within these late yeares the French King hath besieged it, and after a long Siege starved the Inhabitants, and by that meanes enforced the reduction, therefore what Trade it now hath I am ignorant of, but Anno 1611. there was a great concourse of Merchanti, as being the staple for all Spanish and English commodities for these parts of France.

Their coines currant and forme of Accounts are the same as throughout all France, and their Weights are these.

The 100. lib. of Rotchell hath made in London 96. lib. English, and by observation in Lions of poids de la ville 94. li.

The Measure is the Alne, common in name with all France, but in many places is found to differ, making here 44. inches English.

From England is sent hither Butter, Calves skinnes, Herings, Newfound land fish, and some English manufactuaries of cloth, &c. and hence is returned a small Wine called Rotchell Wine, but more properly Cogniacke, also Salt from the Isle of Re, Oleron, &c. and some Prunes and other commodities.

Poictou is the next Province, the principall Citie hereof is Poiters, famous for the study of the Civill Law, and next to Paris for greatnesse in all France, but of no note in matter of Trade.

Anjou is the next, yeelding the best Wines in France, the principall Towne is Angiers and Sanmar, the onely Protestant Vniversity in France.

Maine is the next, the principall Towne is Mans.

Touraine is the next, the principall Cities are Blois, Ambois, and Tours famous for giving a beginning to the Protestants of France, and which is noted for many excellent fabriques and Manufactuaries of silkes here daily made, knowne to us by the names of Taffe•…ies, Plushes, and Tabins of Tours.

Britanie is the next, wherein is found Nantes for the situation pleasant, Rhemes a Parliament seate; and lastly, Saint Mallo seated commodiously for Trade upon the British Ocean.

Giberoy a great Faire for these Countries, and Morlais affording that Linnen in great quantity knowne to us by the names of Locrams.

S. Mallos and Morlais comprehending these three knowne sorts of Dowlas, Tregar, and grasse-cloth, also Noialls for saile-cloth, and some of other sorts here daily bought up for ready monies, and hence dispersed into Spaine, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The next is Normandy, in which are found many principall Townes of Trade, as being commodiously seated by the neighbourhood of the British Ocean; the chiefe is Cane, Deepe, Newhaven, Constance, and lastly Roven, under the title whereof I shall comprehend the Trade of the rest.