Franche-Comte

Sources from old books

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

The Franche-County.

THis Country, which made part of Great-Burgundy, is known under the Name of High-Burgundy, by reason of the Course of its Rivers; and under that of Franche-Comte, by reason its Inhabitants have pretended several exemptions, and that in possessing those Lands, they might dispose of them, without having any regard to Wife, Children, or any other Relatiions. It is a Province very Populous, and wholly Roman-Catholick, whereof most of the Inhabitants are very rich by reason of Corn, Wine, and particularly by Salt, which made them formely be called, The Salted or Pickled Burgundians. The Woods raise 'em also a good Revenue, and we may say, That their Land is no less good now, than in the time of Julius Caesar. In the Year 1668. the French King, pretending the Right of the Queen his Wife, made the Conquest with a surprizing Success, it being then under the Protection of the Crown of Spain, but was bound to restore this Province, in consideration of the Peace of Aix la Chapelle. The Spaniards kept it until the Year 1674. when having declar'd War upon France, the French rendred themselves Masters of it again, and were confirm'd in their possession of it by the Peace of Nimmeghen.

This Province is divided into three parts, the High-County of Amont, the Middle one of Dole, and the Lower one of Aval; Grey is in the Upper part, Dole or Besanzon is in the Middle, Salins in the Nether. Grey is very strong upon the River Saon. Dole was the Capital of all the County, the Seat of a Parliament, wherefore the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, made it be Fortified with seven Bastions. Besanzon is both ancient and strong, now with a Cittadel: The Fertility of the Lands about it have given occasion to the calling it the Granary of the Country. Its Archbishop styles himself a Prince of the Holy-Empire, but the Germans do not grant him Session in the Imperial Diets. The City was Imperial unto the Year 1652. when it became Spanish, in exchange for the City of Frankendael, which the Spaniards restored in executing the Treaty of Munster: the French King has caused the Parliament of the Province to be transferred thither. Salins, so called from its Salt-Pits, is defended by two Castles: Its Salt-Garner is a very remarkable Building. Amongst other Towns of the Province, Chastel-Challon has the Title of Principality; Arley has sometimes serv'd for an abode to the Duke of Burgundy: Luxeul has Medicinal Waters, and Alabaster: Bleterans, the Castle of Joux, and and of Saint Anne, have been considerable for their Situation. Arbois affords delicious Wines, and which keep a long time. Saint Claud is visited by those who bear a Devotion to that Saint. Noseret has fine Fairs, and a Castle whose Terrasses are Leaded.

Near this Province, and upon the German Confines, are two Seigniories, the County of Monbelliard and the Abbey of Lure, with Towns of the same Name. Monbelliard, which is defended by a strong Cittadel, belongs to a Prince of the House of Wirtembourg, which depend thereupon. The French King is now the Chief Sovereign of it.