Aquitania

Sources from old books

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

AQVITANIA, (whose Southerne part is delineated in this Table) some would have so called from the waters wherewith it doth abound;* 1.1 and some derive it from the Towne Aquis, or Aqs. It was extended (according to Ptolemie) from the Pyrenaean Mountaines even to Liger: But now (as Ortelius witnesseth) from the River Garumna to the Ocean, and the Pyrenaean Hils. Towards the North-West it hath the Ocean, which is called the Aquitanick Bay; on the West Spaine, on the North Gallia Lugdunensis, and on the South Gallia Narbonensis. In it (according to Mercators account) there are five Dukedomes, twentie Counties, and sixe Seigniories.* 1.2 The Dukedomes are Vasconia or Guienna, Avernia, the Countrie of Engoulesme, Berrie, and Turonia. Vasconia or Guienna being situated neere the Sea,* 1.3 betweene Bayon and Burdeaux, yeeldeth great store of wine,* 1.4 which is transported from thence into other parts of Europe. The chiefe Citie in it is Burdigala or Burdeaux; the other Cities as Nerac, Condom, Mirande, Nogerat, Orthes, Bazes, and Dax are of no great note: yet Dax is famous for her hot Fountaines, Salt-pits, and Iron-mettle. Burdigala, so called by Ptolemie, is situated in a marsh, which the overflowing of Garumna maketh, and is adorned both with a Parliament and an University, in which the Professours of all Arts and Sciences doe instruct Youth.* 1.5 Avernia, or the Dutchie of Avergne is partly a plaine,* 1.6 and partly a mountainous Countrie. It hath on the East Forest, on the South Languedock; on the West Quercy, Perigort, and Lemosin, and on the North Berry and Bourbon. Avernia is two-fold, the Higher and the Lower. The Higher, which is called Le hault pays d' Avergne, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Avernia,* 1.7 hath one prime Citie in it called p 1.8 S. Flour, being seated on a high Rock: the other Townes are commonly called Orillac, Carlatum, Muratum, Buillons, le Puy, &c. There is also in it the Territorie and Bayliwick of Beaucaire. The Lower is rich and very fertile, being full of excellent Wine, Fruit, Honey, Saffron, Cattell, Wooll, Medowes, and Woods. The Metropolis of it is q 1.9 Clarimontium, commonly called Clermont: It is proude of her Castle, and is a Bishops Seate. The other Cities or Townes are 13 in number, of which r 1.10 Rion, Monferrat, and Isoire doe excell the rest. Engoulesme on the North joyneth to Poictou, on the West to Santonia, on the South to Perigort, and on the East to Lemosin. It hath abundance of very good Wine, fruit and Hempe. The Metropolis of it is Inculisma now called Engoulesme, being an ancient Citie. It is seated on a hill which hangeth over the River Charente, in a remote place from the Kings high way. The lesser Towns are those which are commonly called Marton, Chasteau, Neuff, Blaisac, Chabannes, Confollant, Cuffec, Aigres, Gourville, la Roche-Foucault, Marveil, Lanzac, Villebois, Momberon, and Bouteville. Concerning the Countrie of Berry wee will speake in a Table by it selfe. Turonia commonly called Touraine, beginneth somewhat beyond the Citie Amboise, towards Belsia, and endeth at the towne which is commonly called la Chapelle Blanche, being subject in spirituall matters to the Bishops of Anjou and Chousai. For they appoint and set downe limits betweene the Turonians and Andigavians. The sweetnesse of the Ayre doth make this pleasant country more delightfull, so that it is called the Garden and Orchard of France. It is fruitfull in Wine and Corne, and hath woods convenient to hunt in.* 1.12 The Metropolis or Mother-citie of this Dukedome is Caesarodunum Turonum, called in French Tours. This Citie excelleth for wealth, and faire edifices or buildings. On the East side the River Ligeris or Liger, on the South and West sides the River Idra doe flow neere unto it. The lesser Townes in it are Amboise, Langes, Chinon, and others. The Counties of Aquitaine are Tholouse, Narbonne, Albret, Armignac, Bigorre, Bear, Estrac, Commingcois, and Foix. Also Ventadour, Pompadour, Montignac in Poicton,* 1.13 Perigort, Fronssac, Esparre, Lymosin, Touraine, Marche, the Vicountie of Aulnay, and Basque. The Signories or Lordships are Planes, Grave, Chaloces, Saintonge, and Auluis. There are moreover five Archbishops, first the Archbishop of Narbon, under whom are these suffragans, to wit, the Bishops of Carcassone, Agde, of S. Pont de Tomieres, Alet, Mompelier, E•ne, Besiers, Lodeut, Nismes, and Vse•z. Secondly the Bishop of Bourges, under whom are ten Bishops, namely the Bishop of Clermont, of Rhodes, of Lymoges, of Mande, of Alby, of Cahors, of Castres, of Tulies, of S. Flour, and of le Puy. Thirdly the Bishop of Burdeaux, under whom there are eight Bishops, namely of Poictiers, of Lucon, of Matlezais, of Sainctes, of Engoulesme, of Agen, of Codon, and of Sarlac. Fourthly the Bishop of Tholouse, which hath these Bishops under him, the Bishop of Pamiers, of Mirepoys, of Montauban, of La Vour, of Rieux, of Lombes, and of Papons. Fifthly, the Bishop of Aux, under whom are the Bishops of Aqs, of Comminge▪ of Tarbe, of Basas, of Lescure, of Lictoure, of Conserans, of Oleron, of Ba•one, and of Adure, which some call Ayre.