Piedmont

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Piedmont, Piedmontium, Pedemontium, is a Province of Italy, towards France and Switzerland; called by the French Piedmont; by the Spaniards Piamonte; by the Germans Das Pemund; by the English Piedmont; which signifies the foot of the Hills. It has the honour to be stiled a Principality: under the Duke of Savoy; having been of old called Gallia Subalpina. Great, well watered, fruitful, and populous; extended between the Dukedoms of Milan and Montferrat to the East; the States of Genoua, and the County of Nizza to the South; the Dauphine and Savoy to the West; the Dukedom of Auostor, (Osta) and a small part of Milan to the North. It contains the Marquisate of Saluzzo, the County d' Asti, the Territories of Verellese, Biellese, Albesano, and Piedmont (properly so called,) together with a part of the Dukedom of Montferrat. The Capital of this Province is Turin, Torino: the other Cities are Asti, Biela, Jurea, Fossano, Mondovi, Pignerol (under the French), Saluzzo, Susa (lately taken by the French) and Verelli. Under the Lombards this was called the Dukedom of Turin. The History of it belongs properly to Savoy; of which this is but a Province. The Taurini, Salassii, Segusiani, &c. were the ancient Inhabitants thereof in, and before the Roman times. Now the eldest Sons of the Dukes of Savoy are styled Princes of Piedmont.