Catalonia

Sources from old books

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

Catalonia commonly called Catalunna followeth. Volaterranus thinketh that it was so called by the Gothes and Alanes, and that it should be written Gothalania, Beatus Rhenanus (lib. 1. Rerum German.) supposeth that it was called Cattalania from the Catti and Alans, who joyning together broke into this part of Spaine. Some thinke it was called so from the Castellans, the ancient people of Spaine, who seated themselves in these places; and there are others who thinke it was called Cathalonia from Othogerius Cathalon,* 1.7 of whom Marinaeus Siculus lib. 9. De rebus Hispanicis: and L. Valla de Ferdinando Aragon: Rege lib. 1. have written much.* 1.8 It is bounded with the Pyrenaean Mountaines, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Rivers Iberus and Cinga. The Countrie it selfe is, for the most part, barren, and hath nothing but some wilde fruit in it. The Metropolis at this day is Barcelona, a faire Citie, which being situated on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea,* 1.9 doth declare her antiquity, by the proofe and witnesse of many ancient buildings. The most of the Spaniards doe report, that the builder thereof was Amilcar surnamed Barcha, the Sonne of Hannibal Captaine of the Carthaginians: who being overcome at Sea, was hanged by the enemie) and the Father of Hannibal the great Emperour: it is called by Ptolemie Barcinon, by Paulinus Barcinus, by Iornandus Barcilona, and anciently Faventia (as Plinie witnesseth.) Marinaeus Siculus lib. 13. de Rebus Hispanicis doth praise this Citie largely, and describeth the situation of it lib. 15. It was heretofore much lesse than it is now, being a furlong off from the Sea. It had foure Gates, which looked to the foure corners of the world, equally distant one from an other, and are yet to bee seene in the heart of the Citie, having Oxe heads carved upon them, in token of peace and quiet tillage, as some would have it. In processe of time it was encompassed with double strong Wals and Towres, and it grew to be so great, that it is worthily now thought to be the chiefe Citie of Catalonia. Concerning the Earles of Barcelona, and their originall, wee must have recourse to Rodericus Toletanus, lib. 6. de Rebus Hisp. cap. 3. and L. Marinaeus lib. 9. Next to this Citie followes the Citie Tarraco, which Ptolemie and Strabo call Tarracon, it is now called Tarragona: It was a Citie so famous heretofore, that the better part of Spaine was denominated from it. And Mela in his 2^d Booke calleth it the richest of all the Sea-Townes. Secondly Vigua, commonly called Vicque or Vich, and by Ptolemie Ausa. Thirdly the Citie Girona, which Plinie and Antoninus call Geronda, and Ptolemie Geroundes. Fourthly Tortosa, which Ptolemie cals Dertoosa, an ancient Stone Dertosa, Antoninus Derdosa, and Strabo Dertossa, Plinie mentioneth a people called Dertosani. Fifthly Lerida, which Ptolemie, Stephanus and others call Ilerda, the situation whereof is thus described by Lucan, lib. 4. Belli Pharsalici:

* 1.10A litle hill, not steepe, of fertile landsSwels up, on which the old Ilerda stands;Before the Towne flowes Sicoris soft streameAmong Spaines Rivers of no small esteeme,On which a Bridge of stone high-arched stoodT'endure the violence of a Winters flood.

Other matters are also entreated of concerning this Citie, as the victories obtained there by M. Petreius, and L Afranius, Pompey his Generals: concerning which Caesar hath fully written in his first Booke of the Civill Warre. Sixthly the Towne which Silius, lib. 3. Polybius lib. 3. and Ptolemie doe call Emporia; Stephanus Emporion, but is commonly called Empurias or Ampurias. Seventhly Blanda, so called by Pomponius & Ptolemie, but commonly called Blanes, as Beuterus, Florianus, and Navigierus will have it. Eigthly. Manresa, which Florianus thinketh Livie doth call Athanagia. Ninthly Rosae, commonly called Roses, Livie cals it Rhoda, Stephanus Rhode, Strabo Rhodope, and Ptolemie Rhodipolis. 10^ly Colibra, which Ptolemie and Plinie call Iliberis, Strabo Ilberris, and Pomponius Eliberri. It is a Village which was heretofore part of a great Citie; some would have Iliberis not to be Colibra, but an other Towne, Paldus would have it to be Salsulae, Olivarius Euna, and Mercator Illa. There where Catalonia is now, heretofore stood Iulia Lybica, of which some ruines onely remaine, not farre from the Towne Linca; also neere the Pyrenaean hils, a Towne which Antoninus calleth Cinniana, and the Town called by Ptolemie Deciana. Iohannes Gerundensis lib. 1. Paralipom. disputeth and proveth, that the Countrie of Ruscilion among the Pyrenaean Mountaines, belongeth to Catalonia, wherein was a Towne which Plinie cals Ruscino, Strabo Royskinoon, Ptolemie Roysinoon, and Avienus Ruscinus. Some parts of it doe remaine not farre from a Towne called Perpignan, neere to a Towre of the same name: for they call it the Towre of Roscilion. Catalonia hath a famous and ancient Universitie called Ilerda, which (it is thought) Horace did point out Lib. 1. Epist. ult. in these words.

Aut fugies Vticam, aut unctus mitteris Ilerdam:From Utica thou either now shalt flee,Or else sent to Ilerda thou shalt bee.

Heere Pope Calixtus the third taught publickly the knowledge of the Law, as Platina witnesseth. These things may suffice which have beene spoken hitherto concerning Spaine. But yet I thinke it fit to adde, by way of conclusion, the excellent testimonie of a French-man concerning this Kingdome, wherein whatsoever wee have hitherto said in praise and commendation thereof, is briefly and pithily repeated by way of recapitulation. This French-man whom I mentioned, was called in Latine Pacatus, who writ a most learned Panegyrick to Theodosius the Emperour being a Spaniard, in which hee speaketh to this purpose.

Now it will appeare, that hee is declared Prince, who ought to bee chosen of all men, and out of all men. For first, Spaine is thy Mother, a Land more happie than all other Countries, (the great Fabricator and Maker of all things hath beene more favourable, in enriching and adorning this Countrie, than the Countries of others Nations) for it is neither obnoxious to the Summers heate, nor subject to the Northerne cold, but is seated in the temperate Climate, and by the witty diligence of Nature, it is, as it were, an other world, as being enclosed on one side with the Pyrenaean Mountaines, heere with the Ocean, and there with the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Besides, adde to this the many famous Cities which are therein, the whole Countries being either tilled, or full of fruites and flocks, the gold-bearing Rivers that water it, and the sparkling pretious stones that enrich it; I know that Poets in their Fables which they have invented to please the eare, have attributed miraculous things to some Nations, which whether they are true or not, yet are very strange: neither doe I now seeke out the truth: Let Gargara (as it is written) yeeld a great increase of corne: let Menavia be praysed for her flocks, Campania for the Mountaine Gaurano, Lydia for the River Pactolus, Spaine hath every thing that is praise-worthy. It bringeth forth hardie Souldies, expert Captaines, eloquent Oratours, and famous Poets. This Country is the Mother of Judges and Princes: this Countrie yeelded the Emperours Trajan and Adrian, and the Empire is beholding to this Countrie for thee. Let Crete, which boasteth of Iupiters being nursed in it when hee was a childe, give place to this Countrie: let Delos, honoured by the birth of two Gods, and noble Thebes of Hercules who was brought up there, yeeld unto it. We know not whether you beleeve what you have heard, but Spaine hath lent us this God-like Emperour who is now present, & whom we see.

Hee that desires to know more concerning Spaine, let him consult and have recourse to Iohannes Vasaeus, Marinaeus Siculus, Marius Aretius, Damianus â Goes, Franciscus Tarapha, the Bishop of Gerunda, Annius Viterbiensis, Florianus à Campo in Spanish, Ambrosius Moralis and others. Amongst the Ancients also wee may consult and have recourse to Caesar, Strabo, and others, whom Damianus à Goes sheweth in his Booke entituled Hispania.

CATALONIA MORE PARTICVLARLY DESCRIBED. (Book Catalonia)

CATALONIA was heretofore called Marcha Hispanica, Comitatus Barcinonae, and Hispaniarum Marchionatus.* 1.1 This Countrie of Spaine lyeth farthest Eastward of all the rest. It hath on the West the Valentinians & Aragonians neere unto it; from the former it is separated by the River Alcanar or Cenia, from the later in some places by the River Arnesius, in other parts by the Rivers Iberus, Sicoris, and Nogvera. On the South it stretcheth it selfe lengthward toward the Mediterranean Sea:* 1.2 On the East, neere to the Lake Salsulae or Salsas, and a Castle of the same name built there by the Emperour Charles the fifth, over against the impregnable Castle of Leocata, which is upon the Frontiers or entrance into France, it toucheth Aquitania: Lastly on the North it is bounded with the Pyrenaean Hils. It is more than eight hundred Italian miles in compasse. It is in length from the Lake Salsulae to Valentia two hundred and fiftie miles, and in breadth from the Vale of Caralis or Calaris to the shore of Barcinon ninety foure miles. In Summer it hath every where a good wholsome Ayre, and is temperate in Winter, especially toward the Sea shore, which lyeth Southward.* 1.3 For that part which is Northward is cold, and hath many snowes. The whole Countrie, unlesse it bee in some parts, is very mountainous, and yet it hath many greene Medowes, flourishing Pastures and very fruitfull Valleyes. The Countrie in generall hath such store of Corne and Pulse, but especially Apples, Wine, and Oyle, that it is inferiour unto none.* 1.4 Neither doth it want Mynes of Gold, Silver, and other mettals, which the River Sicoris declareth by those fragments or sands of gold and silver which it casteth up when it overfloweth; as also some other Rivers of Catalonia. The best Iron is digged forth heere in great plenty, besides Brasse, Steele, and Lead. Of late there was found neere Signimont a fruitfull veine of shining pretious Stones, which are of a blew or Violet-colour, called Amethysts. There is also found neere unto the Towne of Tivica the Onix, which resembleth a mans nayle in whitenesse, having some veines which runne through it, which are in colour like the Sardonix or Iasper: Blood-stones also which have a great vertue to stay blood are found on the East side of Rubricatum or Lobregat. The Dertosians have many Quarries of Iasper, which shineth & is of many colours, as purple greene, pale, Rose-colour, white, and duskish. At Tarraconia and Benda divers kindes of Marble are digged up out of the bowels of the Earth: and in some places shining and translucent Alablaster is digged forth, of which they make windowes to let in the light, and to keepe out the winde; these are the stones with which Plinie confesseth that the higher Spaine doth abound. Many places in Catalonia doe yeeld Alume, and Coblers Inke or Blacking: also Hempe for Rope-making, which (as Plinie witnesseth) is as white and fine as any flaxe, by reason of the nature of the water wherein it is steeped. And seeing I am fallen into this matter, I cannot but in praise of the plenty of all things which Catalonia hath, make mention how that this Countrie doth build Ships of great burthen, even from the Keele to the highest Sayles, but especially Galleys;* 1.5 and having furnished them with all warlike provision, they lanch them forth into the Sea neere to Barcinona: Besides, innumerable wilde Beasts doe wander through the Forrests of this Countrie, & great store of Cattell every where.* 1.6 The Ancients did place divers sorts of people in this part of Spaine, as first the Castellani, whom Ptolemie cals 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Villanovanus and Verrerius doe call them Ducatus Cardone. 2 Those whom Avienus cals Indigeti: Ptolom. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Stephanus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 3 Those whom Livie and Ptolemie call Ilergetes, and Polybius lib. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Fourthly those whom Martial cals Laletani, Ptolemie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Strabo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Fifthly those which Aimonius cals Cempsi, and Dionysius and Eusthathius 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Sixthly, those whom Plinte calleth Cerretani, Iuliani, and Augustini, Ptolemie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Strabo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Silius Ceretani, Avienus Ceretes, and Stephanus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of whom there appeares and are yet remaining some tokens in Cerveira, Puigcerda, and Condado de Cerdania. Seventhly those whom Xilander calleth Vetteres an ancient people in Tarraconia, dwelling betweene the River Iberus and the Pyrenaean Hils, neere to the Sea, and called by Strabo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, though Causabone would have them called Secerrae, whom Antoninus maketh mention of. Eigthly the Ligyes, whom Thucidides lib. 6. and Halicarnassus lib. 1. doe call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, who dwelt neere to the River Sicanis, and are those perhaps whom Avienus cals Ligures. Ninthly those whom Livie and Pliny call Ansetani, and Ptolemie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 10, Those whom Plinie cals Larnenses, neere to the River Larnus, at the rootes of the Pyrenaean Mountaines. And lastly, those whom Ptolemy cals 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, neere to the Citie Dortosa, Livie Ilercaonenses, and Caesar Ilurgavonenses.

Catalonia is famous both for strong and wise men, for wonderfull atchievements, and for many victories gotten by divers Nations. For in Catalonia the Carthaginians heretofore contended against the Inhabitants,* 1.7 the Romans against the Carthaginians, the Gothes against the Romans, the Saracens against the Gothes, and the French against the Saracens, besides the contentions which afterward happened betweene the surviving remainder of the Gothes, and the Earles of Barcinon: Who can relate the warres which the Sons of the Earles of Barcinon, being Kings of Aragon, did wage with other Nations? and the great victories which were gotten to the admiration of all men? The Baleares (commonly called Majorica and Minorica) Ebusa, Murcia, Valentia, Sardinia, Sicilie, Naples, Athens, and Neopatria can onely declare them. Concerning the Metropolis or chiefe Citie of Catalonia, and the other Cities & Towns, looke into the former description. On the very top of the high Mountaine Canus in the Countie of Roscellion, there is a certaine great Lake which hath abundance of those great fishes in it which we call Turturs: into which if any one cast a stone, the water is presently troubled, and sendeth forth vapours, which being condensed and converted into cloudes doe cause a tempest immediately to follow with thunder, lightning, and haile. The Countrie of Balneole or Aquae Voconis hath a Fountaine of a golden colour, so that you may see any thing that is cast into it. And there is a wholesome Fountaine in Catalonia, the water whereof being drunke often and in great abundance, doth not onely not oppresse the stomack, but also miraculously cures men of many diseases: they fabulously report, that S. Maginus after some prayers to God to give it that vertue, did digge and open it with his staffe, being in a drie mountanous and stonie place. Over against the Towne Aulotum there are about 12 Fountaines arising or springing from brasse mynes, which both day and night all Winter and Summer doe, as it were, breathe out a thinne vapour, warme in Winter, but so cold in Summer, that no man can endure it for any while; and the water, if the Inhabitants doe set any bottles into it (as they often doe) maketh them as cold as Ice, so that the water which is in these bottles affordeth a delicate drinke to coole the heate of the stomack. There are also many Fountaines alwayes hot, which shewes, that there is some fire there which lyes hidden in the bowels of the Earth. There are more than foure such hot Fountaines in Catalonia, and all of them very excellent to helpe divers kindes of diseases, wherefore many that have griefes and infirmities doe resort unto them from all parts. Catalonia doth abound with Rivers, for it hath almost fiftie which runne through it,* 1.8 and all of them very full of Fish: some are small, but yet very pleasant streames, some are of a midle size, and lastly there are some very faire ones, as namely Tettus, (which is also called Ruscison) Techum (which is also called Tetrum) Fluvianus (otherwise called Clovianus and Plumialbus) Tardera (otherwise called Tarnum) Besotium (which is also called Bisocto and Betulo) Rubricatus, Cinga, Sicoris, and Iberus. All of them doe flow and runne into the Sea except Cinga and Cicorus, the former whereof runneth into Sicoris, the later into Iberus, which being much enriched with the watry tribute of these and other Rivers becommeth one of the greatest Rivers in all Spaine. The best Corall groweth in the Catalonian Sea on the East thereof. There are Mountaines and very high hils every where in Catalonia,* 1.9 and those so cloathed with the constant liverie of greene bushes, shrubs, and many kindes of trees, that the most of them are full of woods and thickets. There are many Beech-trees on them, many Pine-trees, abundance of Oakes, many Holme-trees, innumerable Maple, abundance of Hasel, Nut, and Chesse-nut-trees, and infinite store of Corke-trees, whose barke is very thick, and being bark't and taken off, groweth againe. Chrystall is found in the Mountains of Nuria, on the Cardonensian rocks. And that which any one will wonder at, as being worthy of admiration, there is found at the Towne of Cardona a Mountaine having very wholesome salt growing in it, and shining against the Sunne with a great deale of variety and delight to the eye, out of which (as Pliny reports of the Mountaine Oromenus in India) salt is daily cut and digged, and yet groweth againe; yea the Mountaine still groweth so much the higher, by how much the more salt is cut out of the pits that are in it. There is also an other thing very wonderfull, and that is, whereas places where salt is found are barren, and produce or beare nothing, yet this Mountaine hath many Pine-trees and Vines upon it. In the Bishoprick of Gerunda on the South side thereof, there is a Hill of white small sand, which (as in Lybia) the winde carries heere and there, and makes great driftes of it, which are very perillous and dangerous for those that travell that way. Heere I cannot but mention the Mountaine called Mount Serrato, being distant toward the East seven leagues from Barcinona, it is very rockie and cliffie, in manner of a rugged Saw, and so high, that from thence the Pyrenaean Mountaines, and the farthest Mountaines of the Island Majorica may bee seene. This Mountaine is full of great shining Stones like Iaspers. There are some Fountaines which spring and flow out of it: it produceth many hearbs which have speciall and soveraigne vertues: and it is watered toward the North with the River Lubricatus, and at length like Soractus in Italie, and Tabor in Galile, it here raiseth up it selfe, wherefore it is very delightfull to behold. Now let us come to the publick and private Workes.* 1.10 There are every where many Churches in this Countrey, and many famous Monasteries, especially that memorable Church of S. Michael à Fago, (built betweene a Cave and an ancient Friarie of the Benedictines) over the top whereof there runneth a litle Rivulet, which the Inhabitants call Tanez, & from thence it presently rusheth downe, so that the sound arising from the fall of the water doth much delight those which stand by it. There are besides so many faire-built-houses disjoyned from the Citie & Towns, and so scatter'd through all the plaines, fields, valleyes, hils, mountains, woods, & groves that are in the Countrie that all Catalonia may seeme to be one Citie. It hath every where strong Castles and Towres, which are fortified not onely by Nature and the situation of the place, but by Art. Catalonia is a Principalitie,* 1.11 and containeth in it the Archbishoprick of Tarraconia, eight Bishopricks, to wit, the Bishoprick of Barcinona, Gerunda, Vrgell, Vicke, Ilerda, Dertosa, Herlua, and Celsona; two Dukedomes, the one of Mont Albo, and the other of Cardona: five Marquesates, namely of Ilerda, Dertosa, Pellearia, Camaras, and Itona: eighteene Counties, the Countie of Barcinon (which doth farre exceede all other honours belonging to Catalonia) the Countie of Gerunda, of Vrgella, of Ceretania, of Bisuldinum, of Rossellion, of Emporia, of Ausonia, of Minorisa, of Prata, of Palmosium, of Petraelata, of S. Columba à Queralto, of S. Columba à Scintilliis, of Savallanium, of Vallisfogona, of Guimeranum, and and Mont acuto. It would bee too tedious to the Reader to reckon heere the number of the Vicounties and Baronies.* 1.12 It hath sixe Universities famous for all Arts and Sciences. It subsisteth, for the most part, by wool-dressing, and handy-craft-trades,* 1.13 by which the Inhabitants doe live, pay their debts, sustaine their Families, get that estate which they have, and keepe that which they have gotten. But let so much suffice concerning Catalonia, let us passe to other Countries.