Maestricht

Sources from old books

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

Maestricht, Trajectum ad Mosam, Trajectum superius, is a City of Brabant; upon the Western Bank of the Maes, (which is here covered with a beautiful Stone Bridge, consisting of nine Arches) from whence it has its name, signifying the Passage over the Maes. On the Eastern Bank lies the Wyck, which is a Suburb to this City. The Bishops of Liege, and the Dukes of Brabant, heretofore divided the Jurisdiction of this City between them: but the City was in the hands of the latter, and with that Dutchy passed to the House of Austria; who injoyed it, till 1632. when it was taken by the Hollander. In 1673. it was taken after a sharp Siege by the French. In 1676. the Hollander attempted the reduction of it, without success: in 1678. they recovered it by the Treaty of Nimeguen. It is both walled, and covered with considerable outworks, after the new Mode: towards the South-East, lies a Hill that riseth gently and overlooks part of the Town, under which is one of the noblest Quarries of Stone in the World: to secure the Town from any disadvantage it might receive from this Hill, the Bastion answering to it, is built very high: there is a Horn-work within Musket shot of it, and the Wyck is rather stronger than the Town. For the distances, see Maeseyck. The Bishops See was removed from hence to Liege, by S Hubert, in 713. Long 27. 12. Lat. 50. 50.