Montferrat

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

THe Territories of MONTFERRAT lie between those of Piedmont to the North and West, the State of Genoa to the South, and the Dutchy of Milan to the East. Its Extent from North to South consists of about 62 Miles, and 48 from East to West. It is a very fruitful Country, including within its limits almost 200 Towns, Boroughs, and Castles, and enjoys the Title of a Marquisate and Dutchy. The Hills bring forth Corn plentifully, and Grapes, whereof are made excellent Wines, more-especially Muscadines. Moreover, in the Campaign of Alba and Acqui, is found good store of Patridges and Pheasants. This Country hath remain'd under the Dominion of its proper Lords ever since the beginning of the X. Century, until, by virtue of a Treaty concluded at Cherasco, A. D. 1631. it was divided between Two Soveraigns: for that Part thereof, which is extended on the hither side of the River Po, and beyond the Tanaro, was granted to Victor Amadeo, Duke of Savoy; and the rest of the Province appertains to the Jurisdiction of the Duke of Mantua, excepting Casal, which the present French King, Lewis XIV. purchas'd of the latter, A. D. 1682. as it appears more plainly in the ensuing Table:

Appertaining to

The D. of Savoy,	The D. of Mantua,	The French.
Alba, Bish.	Acqui, Bish. Cap.	CASAL, Bish. & Fort.
Turin	Ripalia
Legorn	Occimiano
Bianza	Belzola
Salugio
Verolongo

CASAL, Casale, or Bodincomagus, situated on the River Po, is the Metropolis of Montferrat, and one of the strongest Holds of Italy. Pope Sixtus IV. erected it into an Episcopal See, A. D. 1474. at the Request of Gulielmus Palaeologus, Marquis of Montferrat; who having abandoned his Seat at Occimiano, began to reside in this City, which is distant 38 Miles East of Turin, 42 West of Milan, and 56 almost North-West of Genoa. It is commonly call'd in Italian, Casale di St. Vaso for St. Evasio, from St. Evasius, the Patron thereof, to distinguish it from some other Towns of the same Name. It is defended on one side by a strong Citadel compos'd of 6 Bastions, with deep Ditches, firm Walls, Ramparts, and Half-Moons; and on the other side, by a Castle flanked with 4 large Towers, and as many lined Half-Moons that cover the Flanks, together with a wide Trench, a Counterscarp, and a Corridor. The Town is very pleasant, as being adorn'd with divers well-built Churches, and other fair Structures, but not much frequented, by reason of the unwholsomness of the Air. More-over, Casal is Famous on the account of the Sieges which it hath of late sustain'd, and for the Slaughter of the Spaniards; to whom it hath prov'd, as it were, a Stumbling-block: For their Forces, under the Command of Gonzales, besieg'd it in the beginning of the Year 1629. but were oblig'd to retire in the Night on the approach of the Army of the French King Lewis XIII. In the Year ensuing, they beleager'd it a second time under the Conduct of Ambrosio Spinola; but it was vigorously defended by the Marquis de Toiras. In 1640. the Spaniards being conducted by the Marquis de Leganez, appear'd again before Casal; but the Count de Harcourt put them to flight on the 29th. of April, and seiz'd on their Standards, Artillery, and Baggage, after having slain 2000 Men, and taken as many Prisoners. However, they were more Fortunate in 1652. during the Commotions of France, and made themselves absolute Masters of this City, which was afterward surrender'd to the Duke of Mantua, who kept a Garrison therein for some time, and at length sold it to the present French King, Lewis XIV. on the 30th. of September, 1681. In this late War, the Duke of Savoy block'd it up from March to October, 1693. although he wanted Troops to recruit his Army after the Battel of Marseillene.

Alba, Alba Pompeia, is water'd with the Streams of the River Tanaro, and affords a Seat to a Prelate suffragan to the Archbishop of Milan. It hath been often fortify'd, but is always commanded by the adjacent Hills, as well as Turin; insomuch that it hath lately suffer'd considerable Damage, and at present is inhabited by very few People. This Town is distant 15 Miles South-west of Asti, 23 South-east of Turin, and 24 West of Acqui.

Acqui, Aquae Statellae, or Statiellae, seated on the Banks of the River Bromia, near the Apennine, is in like manner an Episcopal See, subject to the Metropolitan of Milan, being distant 22 Miles South-east of Asti, 30 North-west of Genoa, and 27 South of Casal. It hath been much impair'd during the last Italian War, and began to decline ever since the Foundation of Alexandria della Paglia, which depended on its Jurisdiction. However, this Town is famous for its Baths of Hot Waters impregnated with Sulphur, whereto many Persons resort from divers Places, in the Months of May and September.