Franconia

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THE DVKEDOME OF FRANCONIA. (Book Franconia)

• 1.1THuringia a Countrie of high Germanie being thus described, there followeth next Franconia or East France. Which was so called from the Frenchmen. Some say that the originall of this name came from Francus, whom others call Francio, fabulously supposed to bee the sonne of Hector, and the first founder of this Nation. And Peter Ronsard the Poet writeth, that the auncients did call him Astyanacta Francum, as it were Hastigerum, that is, the speare-bearer. Others, as Gaguinus and Aeneus Pius, doe affirme that the Emperour Valentine gave that name to Franconia, because the Frenchmen in the Northerne Language where called fierce; or from the remission of tribute, and their freedome, they were called Franci, that is, Free-men. Albeit I doe more approve of a latter Etymologie, that they were called Franci, as it were Frioncy, because they were free from taxes and impositions which •y signifies; or else they were so called, as it were fry¦ansi Fransi; for Ansi being a word proper to the Gothish speech, doth signifie those who excell others in fortune and riches. And are next to Heroes or Semigods, that are above the condition of mortalls: whence they corruptly call Great Noble men Ansos, and with an aspiration Hansos. But to the matter; the Frenchmen after they grew wealthy, and weary of the Romane yoke of subjection, encouraged by the desire of rule, got their liberty, and thereby gained the name of Franci, insteed of the old name of Germaines. Fronconia on the South is neere to Suevia and Bavaria, on the West to the Rhene, on the East it hath Bohemia; on the North it hath Hassia and Thuringia. The ayre of this Countrie is pure and wholesome. The Country it selfe, except it be that part which is called Norica and is neere unto the Rivers, is not very sandy, as Aeneas Silvius writeth, nor yet very stony. But it is generally very fruitefull, and doth yeeld a great increase of Barly, Wheate, and all kinde of graine and pulse which is sowed there. There are no where greater and better Turnips and Onions than heere in this Countrie. And in many places there are hills planted with Vines, of which excellent wine is made, & transported to other Countries. The Country of Babenberg, doth yeeld such great store of Liquerize that whole Cart loades of them are carried through Germanie. This Country also hath many faire Orchards and pleasant meddowes; it hath great store of tame Cattle and wilde beasts. The Princes doe cherish the wilde beasts, who have many Dens in the Woods, where they live in the winter time, and doe house themselves as it were from the stormie weather. It is not lawfull for any private man to take them, or hunt them. It is manifest that the Germanes were originally and aunciently called Germanes as appeares by others writings, as also out of Procopius Caesariensis, who was a sharpe sighted and judicious writer. The first Prince of Franconia was Genebaldus, who was governour thereof thirtie yeares. After him there succeeded Marcomirus, Dagobert, Ludovicke the first, Marcomirus the second, Waramund alias Pharamund, who being made King of France left his Dukedome to his brother Marcomer: also Prunmesser, Genebald the second, Suno, Luitemarus, Hugbalaus, Helmericus, Gotefrid, Genebald the third, Ludovick the third, after whom there followed Erebar•, Ludovicke the fourth, Gospert the second, and Hetacus the last Duke, who dying without an heyre, he left the Dukedome to Wituninus King of France, who was also called Pepin, which afterward his sonne Charles the Great, gave to Burchard the first Bishop of Viceburg, and to his successors after him, and so bestowed it on the Church, in the yeare 752. It is now a Dukedome which tittle the Bishop of Herbipolis assumeth to himselfe. Yet all Franc•nia is not subject unto him. For Kitzinga and Bristadium are subject to the Marquesse of Brandenburg, and Gralingiacum to the Bishop of Babenberg. Also Chronacum, Forchimium, Staphelsteinium, •ochstadium are under the bishop of Herbipolis. Koningspergum, Oxenfordia, Carolastadium, Hasfordia, and Bischofsheim, Alderburg, Middleburg, and some other townes are subject to the Bishop of Moguntinum. Colburg belongeth to the Duke of Saxonie. Wirceburg; which Conradus Corta calleth Erebipolis, Ligurinus Herbipolis, Spanhemius Marcopolis, Ptolemaeus, Artaunum, and the inhabitants Wirtzburg, from a sweete kinde of wort or drinke, which the Countrie of Herbipolis doth yeeld: is the Metropolis and Mother Cittie of East France, in which Boniface Archbishop of Moguntinum in the yeare of Christ 751 erected a Bishopricke. It is situated on a plaine, being encompassed on every side with faire hills, pleasant gardens, and fruitefull Meddowes, and also well fortified with ditches, rampires, walls, Towers, and Bulwarkes. It is full of Cittizens, and hath many faire buildings. On the West Moenus runneth by it, which is a navigable River, and it hath a stone bridge standing over it, which is built on strong piles. Neere the River Moenus there is a Castell seated on the Mountaine, which hath held out many seiges, and therefore seemes to be impr•gnable. At the foote of the Mountaine there is a Monasterie; which was built by Burchard, at the cost and charges of Cumbert King of France, in honour of the great confessor. But it would not bee much from our present purpose, to know the forme and order of the inauguration and consecration of the Bishops and Dukes of Wirceburg. After the decease of the former Bishop, the Bishop that is designed entreth into the Cittie with a great troupe of horse. Being come into the Cittie he alighteth from his horse, and having put off his richest roabe, foure Earles doe bring him into our Saviours Church, or house, bare headed, and barefooted, in a poore weede or habit, girt about with a little cord. The officiall Earles are the Lords of Hennenbergh, Castel, Werthein, and Reineck. Then the Deane together with the Clergie goeth forth to meete him, and asketh him what he seekes? or what hee desireth? And then he answereth very submissively, That though unworthy he is now ready to take upon him that office, unto which he was chosen, and to discharge it faithfully. Then the Deane saith; In the name of the Chapter I doe here commit unto thy charge the house of the Saviour of the world, and the Dukedome annexed to it, in the Name of the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. Afterward he followeth the Clergie into our Saviours house, and having put on the Pontificall roabe, he first heares Masse, and afterward hath a banket, but first the body of the Bishop deceased is emboweld and set downe in the Chappell of the Castle: and his heart being tooke out is put in a glasse vessell. The next day he is brought out of the Castle into Saint Iames his Monasterie, holding in his right hand a Crozier, and in his left a sword; the third day they goe againe to our Saviours house, where after Dirges and prayer, he is at last buried with a Crozier and a sword. The other Citties are that which Ptolemie calls Bamberg; Peter Appianus calleth it Granionarium, and Granionarion in a Greeke booke: it was at first called Balemberg, that is, the Mountaine of Baba, from Baba the daughter of Otto Duke of Saxome, and wife to Albert Earle of Babemberg: others doe call this Cittie Psawenberg; it is a very pleasant Cittie, situated by the River Regnuz. It hath many Mountaines, Hills, and Gardens, and a very fruitfull soyle, where great store of Musmillians and Liquerize doe grow. It is an Episcopall Seate; and as it hath bread many happy wits, so it glorieth chiefely in Ioachim Camerarius a man famous for all kind of learning, as appeareth by his workes set out by him, which are read with much admiration. There is also Francosort, or Francoford, by the River Moene, which is commonly called Franck Furtam Mayn, to distinguish it from the other Franckofort which is situated by Odera. Munster writeth that it was heretofore called Helenopolis, but he doth not shew when or from whence it was so called. Henry Stephanus calleth it in his Emconion of this Cittie, the Academie of the Muses, the Athens of Franckford, the Muses Mercuriall Faires, and the Compendium or Epitome of all the Marts of the world. This Cittie is divided into two parts by the River Moenus, and joyned together againe with a stone Bridge. It is now an Emperiall Cittie, and famous through the whole world for two Marts or Faires. Heere the Electors doe chuse the Romaine Emperours, and if there be competitors that stand for the Empire, they doe here sight for it, and try it by battell. There is also Moguntia commonly called Mentz, some call it Moguntiacum. Ptolomie Lib. 2. cap. 8. tab. 3. calls it Neomagum. Moguntia is so called from the River Maenus, which some doe call Moganus and others Mogus. It is an Episcopall and Metropolitan Cittie. It hath a fruitefull soyle on either side of the River Rhene, which yeeldeth great store of wine. It is large and well fortified, and very populous on that side which is toward Rhe••▪ but on the other side it hath few inhabitants; it is very long but narrow. There are faire houses built after the Romane fashion, and magnificent Collegiate Churches, with the Bishops Castle. Here was an Vniversity erected by Bishop Theodoricke, and it is thought that the Art of Printing was invented here. It is subject to the Archbishop who is elector, and Chanceller of the Empire. There is also Mons Regius commonly called Conigsperg, where Iohn de Monte Regio, a great Mathematician was borne, whose Commentaries upon Ptolomies Almagest are yet extant. Schweinfordia is situated by the River Moene in the middle almost of Franconia. There are also Kitzinga, and Fridberg an Imperiall Cittie, and others. Moreover the first Circle of the Empire is in Franconia, in which these are called to Councell, first the Clergie, as the Bishops of Bamberg, of H•rbipolis, of Wirtzburg Duke of Franconia, of Eichstett; der Teutsch Ordens Master: the Provost of Camberg, the Abbot of Saint Gilgen: Secondly the secular Princes, as the Marquesse of Brandenburg, Burgervom Nurenberg: the Countes of Hennonberg, of Castel, of Wertheim, of Rhemecke, of Hohenloe: the Lords of Reichelsperg, and Limpurg; and the Countes of Horpach and Schwartzenburg: Thirdly the free Citties, as Norunberg, Rottenburg, Winshaim, and Schweinfurt. Many Rivers which be full of fish doe water this Country, the chiefe whereof are Moenus, and Sala accompanied with eight lesser Rivers: also Sinna, Rhadiantia, A•stus, Tubera, and some other. It hath these woods, Speshart, Ottoes wood, and other parts of Hercinia, which doe enclose it as it were round about with a growing wall. It is a warlike Nation, Noble, witty, and laborious. Men and women doe both plant Vines, so that none are suffered to be idle.

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

Franconia, by the Germans das Francken, and Franckeudland, is a large Province in Germany, which in the Writers of the middle Age, is called Francia Orientalis, though it be but a small part of it. This is now the first Circle in the Empire, upon the River Mayn; between Misnia and Thuringia to the North; Nortgow, or the Ʋpper Palatinate to the East; Bavaria, the Circle of Schwaben, the Bishopricks of Wurtsburg, Bamberg and Aichstad to the South; and Mentz to the West. Wurtsburg is the Capital City of this Circle: the other Cities are Bamberg, Nuremberg, Rotenberg, Schweinfurt, Weisemberg and Weinsheim. This Country, anciently inhabited by the Sicambri, in the times of Valentinian the Emperour, having subdued the Alani, took the Name of Franckenland, that is, Freedland. But in after times being perpetually exagitated with the Incursions of the Goths, they resolved to seek a new Habitation; and under Marcomir their King or Duke, settled about 433. in Friseland, Guelderland, and the adjoining Countries: before which (faith my Author) the Name of Franks was scarce known. This Country is partly Level, and partly Mountainous: yet the Mountains in it are not high, nor is the Soil overfruitful, it being Sandy for the most part; yet the Hills produce grateful Wine, especially about Wurtsburg. Of the Dukes of Franconia, these obtained the Empire; Conradus I. in 912. Conradus II. in 1026. Henry III. in 1039. Henry IV. in 1056. Henry V. in 1108. Besides the Cities before named, Hoffman reckons Coburg, Culembach, Franckfort, Mentz, Anspack.

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

THE Dutchy of Franconia, call'd by the Germans Frankenland, and heretofore Franconia Orientalis, one of the chief of the Ten Circles of the Empire, is bounded on the North by Thuringen and Hessen, on the South by Schwaben, on the East by the Palatinate of Bavaria, and on the West by that of the Rhine; extending from North to South about 130 miles, and from East to West 140. The Soil of it in some parts mountainous and barren, but in others very fruitful in Corn, Wine, Liquorish, Saffron and Fruits: Here are also several Forests, well stockt with Game, and Rivers abounding in Fish. This Province is suppos'd to have been the ancient Seat of the Franks or French, from whence they set forth under Pharamond, to their Conquest of Gaul; and also that the famous Salique Law was made upon the Banks of the River Sala: Besides which, the chief Rivers here are the Main, the Tauber, the Kednitz, the Pegnitz and the Altmutz. Several Sovereign Princes have the Dominion of this Country, which is the reason that several Religions are predominant in several parts; but the Lutherans are most numerous.

Franconia hath these States and Chief Towns, viz.

• The Bishopricks
  • of Wurtzburg,
    • ...Wurtzburg,
    • ...Ochsenfurt,
    • ...Konigshoven.
    • ...Bischoffsheim,
  • of Bamberg,
    • ...Bamberg,
    • ...Cronach,
    • ...Weisman,
    • ...Forcheim,
  • of Aichstat.
    • ...Aichstat,
    • ...Ornbaw.
• The Estate of the Master of the Teutonick Order,
  • ...Margenthem.
• The Marquisates of
  • ...Culembach,
    • ...Culembach,
    • ...Weisinstat,
    • ...Bertrut.
  • ...Ohnspach,
    • ...Ohnspach,
    • ...Kregling.
• The Counties of
  • ...Holach,
  • ...Cash
  • ...Schwartzburg,
  • ...Sensheim,
  • ...Limpurg,
  • ...Lewenstein,
  • ...Wertheim,
  • ...Erpach,
  • ...Hennelberg,
  • ...Coburg.
• The Imperial Cities of
  • ...Francfort,
  • ...Nuremburg,
  • ...Rotemburg,
  • ...Schieveinfurt,
  • ...Weinsheim,
  • ...Weissemburg.

WƲRTZBƲRG, Herbipolis, is the Capital of Franconia, and seated on the Banks of the River Main, at the distance of 80 miles from Mentz, and 60 from Francfurt to the East, 80 from Cassel to the South, 40 from Bamberg to the West, and 30 from Rotemburg to the North. The City is divided into two parts by the River, which are again joyn'd by a fair Bridge; besides the Main several little Brooks run through the Streets, and pleasantly water the Town. It is adorn'd with an University, and one of the richest and most magnificent Hospitals of Europe, And defended by a strong Castle, built on a Hill, which is joyned to the Town by a Wall, flanked with four Bastions. This was formerly an Imperial City, but has been subjected to the Bishop. To S. Burcard the first Bishop of this See, the Emperor Charlemaign granted the Country of Francia Orientalis, upon which account his Successors assumed the Title of Duke of Franconia. This Prelate is very Potent, being Secular as well as Spiritual Lord of 400 Villages and Towns, and able to raise an Army of 15000 Men. He judges Causes, and Condemns Criminals, in token whereof at Solemn occasions, he hath a naked Sword born before him.

FRANCFƲRT, Francofurtum aut Francofordia, being the Foord of the Franks, and heretofore Helenopolis: Now commonly for distinction call'd Francofurtum ad Maenum. It is seated on both sides the Main, if the Suburb of Saxenhausen on the Southside of the River be consider'd as part of it, that as well as the City being strongly Fortified with Bastions, large Moats, Counterscarps, and other Outworks; and also joined to the City by a Bridge, which is a noble Work, being built of Stone, and composed of many Arches. It is a large, populous, rich and well traded City, Imperial and Free, and govern'd by its own Counsels, Senators and Sheriffs, chosen by the Trades-men. In the Church of S. Bartholomew here the Election of the Emperor is made, being expresly so ordained in the Golden Bull, or Grand Charter of Germany, made by the Emperor Charles IV. Which Golden Bull is also it self laid up in the Town-house of this City. Here is also an Imperial Palace, call'd the Braunsfeld, a Mansion-house of the Knights of the Tutonick Order, which with the Port, the Fortress, the Bridge between two Towers, and several Houses of Noblemen, together with the Bridge over the Main above-mention'd, are good Ornaments to the Town. The private Houses are of Wood Plaister'd and Painted over. Francfort is conveniently seated for Trade; for the Main receives several smaller Rivers, and it self falls into the Rhine about 20 miles from hence, whereby Goods are easily brought to it, especially at the two great Annual Marts in April and September, when great quantities of all sorts of Commodities, especially Books, brought from all parts of Europe, are Vended here, to the great profit of the Town. The Inhabitants are generally of the Lutheran Religion, and were the first that demanded the free exercise of it; the refusal of which in the year 1525 made them revolt against the Clergy and Senate, and chuse themselves new Magistrates: And in 1530, the Ausburg Confession was Established; however other Religions are tolerated; and among the rest, the Jews, who are pretty numerous here, but confin'd to live in one Street, which is lock'd up every Night. A Monument is to be seen here of a very Notorious Fact that three of that Nation were guilty of, for which they were tied up in Sacks and thrown into the Main, and a Memorial of there lewd Action painted over one of the Gates. Francfort stands in the Latitude of 50 deg. and in the Longitude of 28 deg. 10 min.

Aschaffemburg on the South-side of the Main, with the Counties of Reineck and Lohn, are reckon'd part of this Circle, but belonging to the Arch-bishop of Mentz. They are already spoken of in the account of that Electorate.

NƲREMBERG, or NƲRNBERG, Nuremberga, aut Noricorum Mons, one of the largest, richest and most populous Cities of Garmany, stands at the bottom of a Hill near the confluence of the Rivers Rednitz and Pegnitz, at the distance of 55 miles from Wurtzburg to the East, 40 from Bamberg to the South, as many from Ingolstadt to the North, and 50 from Ratisbon to the North-west. It is a very considerable place on account of its two annual Fairs, its Traffick and Manufactures; the Clocks and small Wares made here being especially admired. The Houses are all built of Free-stone and four or five Stories high, the Streets are large, and the publick Places very regular: The Town-house, or Guild-hall is very magnificent: Here are eleven Stone-bridges over the Pegnitz, whereof that of one Arch is most artificially and admirably built. The other publick Works are 12 Fountaines, 26 Wells, and a large Arsenal, containing 300 pieces of Canon, and Arms for 1500 men, a strong Castle, and 6 Gates, each defended with a large Tower. In this City the Emperor is obliged to hold the first Dyet after his Coronation, and for that purpose, the Regalia or Imperial Ornaments, viz. the Imperial Crown of Charlemaigne, the Dalmatica or Mantle of the same Charles, together with his Cloak, Sword, Belt, Gloves, &c. are here laid up. It was made an Imperial City by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and purchas'd its Liberty of Frederick I. Elector of Brandenburg; and it is now Govern'd by its own Senators. The Inhabitants are of the Lutheran Religion, the Roman Catholicks having only one Church. A Peace was concluded here between the Princes of Germany in year 1649,

The City of Nuremberg hath a Territory belonging to it of about 20 miles extent, wherein about 15 miles to the South stands

Altorf, a small Town, but made considerable by an University in it, first established in 1578, but improv'd in 1623, and does now contain at least 200 Students.

BAMBERG, Bamberga, aut Babenberga, took its Name from Baba, the Daughter of the Emperor Otho. It stands about 40 miles from Wurtzburg to the East, and 30 from Nuremberg to the North, in a Country abounding with rich Fruits and Plants, and is Water'd by the River Rednitz, which a little below falls into the Main. It was formerly Imperial and Free, but now subject to its Bishop, who depends on no Metropolitan but the Pope, and is not only Lord of this See (which is 60 miles in length, and thirty in breadth) but also of divers Mannors in Carinthia, and the Castles of Cronach and Forkheim, besides several Royalties elsewhere, whereby he has the Honour to have four of the Electors, viz. The King of Bohemia, and the Electors of Bavaria, Saxony and Brandenburg, his Dependents for some parts of their Estates. The Bishop's Palace here is a splendid Building, and adorn'd with fair Gardens and Orchards: The Cathedral Church has a high Steeple with four Spires, which with the Jesuits Church and the Castle, are worth a Travellers View.

MERGENTHEIM, or MARIENDAL, the Capital of the small Territory of the Great Master of the Teutonick Order, and the usual place of his Residence, is a small Town, and not very considerable. It stands upon the River Golach 20 miles South-west from Wurtzburg.

OHNSPACH, or ANSPACH, Onoldium, and Onspachium, is the Capital of a Marquisate of pretty large extent, which belongs to a Prince of the Family of Brandenburgh; it is Fortified, and hath a Castle, situate about 25 miles from Nuremberg to the West, and 20 from Rotemburg to the East,

The Bishoprick of AICHSTAT lyes between the Marquisate of Ohnspach and the Burgraviate of Nuremberg on the North, the County of Oeting and Dutchy of Neuburg on the South, and the Palatinate of Bavaria on the East. It extends about 30 miles from East to West and in some parts of it 15 or 16, in others not above 7 or 8 from North to South. The Bishop is Temporal as well as Spiritual Lord of it; and the chief City whence it is nam'd stands upon the River Altmul, 25 miles South from Nuremberg, and 8 or 9 North from the Danube.

ROTEMBƲRG, Rotemburgum, a Free Imperial City, seated in the limits of the Marquisate of Ohnspach upon the River Tauber, 20 miles from that Town, 30 from Nuremberg to the West, and 40 from Wurtzburg to the South. It obtained its Freedom of the Emperor Frederick I. in the Year 1163.

WINTZHEIM, another small Imperial City, stands also in this Marquisate upon the River Aisch, about 16 miles North from Rotemburg, and 20 Northwest from Ohnspach.

The County of HOLACH lies next to Ohnspach to the South-west,

The Barony of LIMPƲRG adjoins to Holach on the South.

The small County of LEWNSTEIN, lies also South from Holach, and West from Limpurg.

The County of WERTHEIM lies on both sides the Main, West from the Bishoprick of Wurtzburg; 'tis of about 20 miles extent, of a square form, and a very fruitful Country, affording besides Corn and Pasture, very good Wines, the making whereof is the Trade of the chief Town, which stands on the Banks of the Main, where it receives the Tauber, and is distant 20 miles from Wurtsburg to the West.

ERPACH, the Capital of another County, which lies on the South side of the Main, stands 30 miles South-east from Francfort, and 20 North from Heidelberg; it is a place of no great Trade, nor considerable, but for giving Title to a Count of the Empire.

SCHWEINFƲRT, an Imperial Free City, is seated on the Main, 30 miles from Wurtsburg to the North, and near as many from Bamberg to the East. This City suffer'd much in the German Wars, having been taken by the Swedes, and afterwards seiz'd by the Marquess of Brandenburg, in 1553, but being besieg'd the next Year, he plunder'd and deserted it.

The Marquisate of CƲLEMBƲRG is reckon'd part of this Circle, tho' it be subject to the Duke of Brandenburg. It is a Country of 50 miles in length from North to South, and 30 miles in breadth, lying next the Bishoprick of Bamberg to the East: The chief Town, which gives name to the County, is seated on the Main, 25 miles East from Bamberg.

The RIVER MAIN arises in two Springs in Mount Fichtelberg on the East-side of this Marquisate, which unite near the Town of Cullembech, and flowing Westward, receives the Rednitz, Warres, and other Rivers; and in a Serpentine course runs through the middle of Franconia, passing by Schweinfurt, Wurtzburg, Wertheim, Aschaffemburg and Francfurt; and falls into the Rhine a little above Mentz, after a course of 110 miles: Its breadth at Francfort is reckon'd by English Travellers about half as much as the Thames at London.