Samogitia

Sources from old books

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

SAMOGITIA, Samogitia, and CURLAND, Curlandia.

SAMOGITIA takes its name from its Situation, which is low and wet, Samogitz in the Language of the Inhabitants denoting a marshy Ground, whence it is call'd Samo•zkasemla by the Moscovites. It is bounded on the North by Curland, on the South by Ducal Prussia on the East by Lithuania, and on the West by the Baltick Sea. This Province is beset with Woods, Lakes, and inaccessible Mountains, yet affords great quantities of Honey, purer than any either in Lithuania or Liefland, and breeds Horses that are much admir'd for their Swiftness. It is divided into three Governments, which take their names from the like number of principal Towns, viz: 1. Rosienia on the River Dubiss, 2. Mednick, on the Wirwitz. 3. Ponieviess. Here is also establish'd the See of a Prelate, who is Suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Gnesna, and resides for the most part at Mednick, or Womiz; nevertheless many of the Inhabitants, who differ little in Manners, Habit or Language from the Lithuanians, are much addicted to Idolatrous Superstitions, especially in the desert parts of this Country, where they worship a four-footed Serpent, about three Hands long, under the name of Givosit; and you'll scarce find a Family without one of these Lares or Houshold Gods; nay even at this day in many Villages, both of Lithuania and Prussia, the poor Peasants, altho' profest Christians, keep Adders in their Houses, whereto they pay a more than Ordinary Veneration, imagining that some great Mis•hief will befal them if these domestick Idols should take any harm.

The Dutchy of CURLAND has the Gulph of Riga for its Northen Bounds, Samogitia on the South, Semigallia on the East, and the Baltick Sea on the West.

SEMIGALLIA is a Territory depending on the Dutchy of Curland, from whence it is separated to the East by the River Musza. The Duke of Curland is not so absolute a Sovereign in his Dominions, as the Princes of the Empire; for the Noble-men in like manner enjoy many Privileges that render them very potent. The Provinces of Curland and Semigallia, are under the Direction of the Council of State, consisting of a Governor, a Burgrave, a Chancellor and a Marshal, who are the Prince's chief Officers. The Administration of Justice is perform'd in divers Courts, from which an Appeal lies to the Duke's Council, as also from thence to that of the King of Poland, as supreme Lord of the Fee.

Samogitia divided into Three Parts, viz.

• 1. Samogitia, in which are these Towns, viz.
  • Rosienia, Cap.
  • Mednick, Bish.
  • ...Vielona,
  • ...Villeja,
  • ...Fragola,
  • ...Patagen,
  • ...Kroze,
  • Brisa, Dutchy.
  • ...Sarlat,
  • ...Swieta,
  • ...Schwndon,
  • ...Kieydani,
  • ...Ponieviess.
• 2. Curland, in which are,
  • Goldingen, Cap.
  • ...Liba,
  • ...Erwalen,
  • Window, Bish.
  • ...Piltin,
  • ...Angermund.
• 3. Semigallia, in which are,
  • Mitaw, Cap.
  • ...Doblin,
  • ...Ratziwiliski,
  • ...Selburg,
  • ...Bauske.

ROSIENIA, Rosienia is a small and ill built Town, altho' the chief of the Province of Samogitia, being seated on the Dubiss, at the distance of 12 Polish Miles from Cowno to the North, 30 from Riga, and 27 from Vilna to the West.

GOLDINGEN, Goldinga stands on the banks of the River Wete, about 7 German Miles from Windaw to the West, and 15 from Mittaw.

MITTAW, Mittavia aut Muttovia, the principal Town of Semigallia, and the usual place of residence of the Dukes of Curland, is water'd by the River Musza, and adorn'd with a stately well fortified Castle, being distant 6 Polish Miles from Riga to the South, and only 4 from the Frontiers of Samogitia. It hath been twice taken of late by the Swedes, but was afterward re-gain'd, and is as yet subject to the Jurisdiction of the Duke of the Family of Ketler

A TABLE, shewing the Chronological Succession of the Dukes, Princes and Kings of Poland. XV. Dukes or Princes of Poland.

	A. C.
1. Leschus I.	550	died without issue.
2. Cracus	700
3. Lechus slain by his Brother.
4. Cracus II.		Years.
5. Venda daughter of Cracus.	750	Reigned 10
6. Lechus II.	760	44
7. Lechus III.	804	6
8. Lechus or Leschus IV.	810	5
9. Popiel I.	815	8
10. Popiel I. sir-nam'd Bald-head.	823	Reigned 1
11. Piastus.	842	19
12. Zremovitus.	861	32
13. Leschus. V.	892	21
14. Zremonislus, or Ziemovislaus.	913	51
13. Micislaus, or Miesko, first Christian Prince of Poland.	994	35

Kings of Poland.

	A. C.		Years.
16. Bolislaus, sir-nam'd Choribius	999	Reign'd	25
17. Micislaus II.	1025		9
18. Casimir I.	1034		25
19. Boleslaus II. the Hardy and the Cruel.	1059		22
20. Ladislaus, or Ʋladislaus I.	1082		20
21. Bolislaus III, the Wry-lipt.	1102		57
22. Ʋladislaus II.	1139		7
23. Boleslaus IV, the Frisled.	1146		27
24. Micislaus III, the Old.	1173		4
25. Casimir II, the Just.	1177		17
26. Leschus V, White.	1149		8
27. Ladislaus III, Gross-legs.	1202		4
28. Leschus VI, re-establish'd.	1206		20
29. Boleslaus V, the Chaste.	1226		53
30. Leschus VI, the Black.	1279		10
31. Boleslaus Duke of Massovia.		2 Regents.	48
32. Henry Duke of Ʋratislavia.
33. Primislaus King.	1295	8 Months.
34. Ladislaus III.	1296		4
35. Wenceslaus King of Bohemia.	1300		5
36. Ladislaus III, re-establish'd	1305	Reign'd	28
37. Casimir III, the Great.	1333		37
38. Lewes King of Hungary.	1370		12
39. Hedwigia married to Jagelon Duke of Lithuania, or Ladislaus IV.	1382		4
40. Ladislaus IV.	1386		48
41. Ladislaus V. K. of Hungary	1434		10
42. Casimir IV.	1444		48
43. John Albert.	1492		9
44. Alexander.	1501		5
45. Sigismund I.	1506		42
46. Sigismund II, Augustus.	1548		24
47. Henry of France Duke of Anjou.	1573	5 Months.
48. Stephen Bathori, Prince of Transylvania.	1575		11
49. Maximilian of Austria, elected by some Polanders, and afterward defeated.	1587
50. Sigismund III. K. of Sweden.	1587		45
51. Ladislaus Sigismund.	1632		15
52. John Casimir.	1648		20
53. Michael Koribut Wiesnowiski	1669		4
54. John Sobieski.	1674	Reigning.