Paris

Sources from old books

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

FRANCE. (Book France) THis Country, of which wee doe entreate doth comprehend under it the Prefectureship and Country (or as some would have it the Viecountship) of Paris, the Dukedome of Valois, and the Territories of Heurepois, and Gastinois. The Praefectureship of Paris, or la Provesté & Conte de Paris, is devided into Territories, Paris, Goella, the Ile of France, and Vexinum Francicum. We call that Parisium which is commonly called le Parisis. It contained heretofore whatsoever is beyond the Gate of Paris, even to the Bridge called Pontorse, and from thence even to Claya, toward Prye. The name thereof is almost worne out, but that some Villages, as Louvres, Cormeille, Escova, and others, which the Parisians call en Parisis, & some taxations of the Parisian Parliament, as also a certaine Coyne commonly called Sols & Deniers Parísis, doe keep it in memory. Some thinke that the Parisian Gate was so called, because it was in the way to Parisium. The chiefe City of this Parisium, and the Metropolis of all France is Lutetia, so called by Caesar.* 1.1 Ptolemy calleth it Leucotetia: Iulianus Lutetia: Marcellinus, Castellum Parisiorum: Zosimus Parisium, and latter Writers Lutetia Parisius. But it is now commonly called Paris. Some derive the name of Lutetia a Luto, from Mudde in regard of the Marishes neere unto it, and some from the Plaister-pits neere adjoyning, quasi Leukoteichia, for it is built for the most part with Plaister-worke. Paris was heretofore farre lesse than it is now, standing onely on the Iland which the River Seyne encompasseth, so that this great Citty was very small at the beginning. But so small an Iland could not at last receive such a multitude of men as daily repaired thither. So that Colonies as it were being drawne thither, and placed on either side of the Continent, Suburbs were added thereunto, whence it was so enlarged by degrees, that now it is the greatest Citty of all France. It is devided into three parts, the greatest whereof lying North-East on the right hand Banke of the River, is the lowest, and is commonly called la Ville: the lesser part on the left hand towards the South-west is raised somewhat higher by little Hills whereon it is seated, and it is called l'Vniversite; the middle is in the Iland, which they call la Cité: It is encompassed round with the River, being joyned with two Bridges to the lesser part, and with three to the greater part. Architremus an English Poet hath formerly celebrated the praise thereof in these Verses:

At length a place doth come within your sight,* 1.2Which is another Court of Phoebus bright,For men it hath Cyrrhaea may compare,Chrysaea tis for Mettalls that there are.Tis Greece for Bookes, for Students Inda, byAthens it selfe judge its Philosophy. Tis Rome for Poets which have there beene found,It is the sweete Balme of the world so round,And its sweete fragrant Rose you would it thinke,A Sidonis for Clothes, for meate and drinke.The Soyle is rich and yeelds much Wine, yea more,Tis fitt for Tillage, and hath Corne great store.Tis very strong, and good Lawes it can shew,The ayre is sweet, their site is pleasant too.It hath all goods, and is in all things neate,If fortune onely made these goods compleate.

Not farre from Paris is a pretty Towne commonly called le Pont Charenton where the River Matrona mingleth it selfe with the Seyne. Here is an Eccho that will answere thirteene times one after another, (and which is more wonderfull) it will retort a word of foure syllables plainely and perfectly, foure or five times. So much concerning Paris: Goella followes, or la Goelle. The ancient bounds thereof are worne out of knowledge, and onely some places named from Goella doe keepe it yet in memory. There is in it la •onte de dam-Martin, so named from a famous Towne heretofore called Dam-Martin, though now it is become a small Village, seated on a little Hill. L'Isle de Fraunce as the Frenchmen doe limit it, doth comprehend all the Country from S. Denis to Passiacum and Mommorantium, which lyeth betweene the corners and windings of Seyne, on the one side toward Pica•dy, and on the other side toward Normandy. Others doe give it other bounds. S. Denis in Fran•e is a pleasant pretty Towne, which the ignorant of Antiquity and those that are credulous to beleeve Monkes dreames, doe suppose was so called from Dionysius Areopagita. P•ss•a•um or Poissy is a faire Towne;* 1.3 where there is a Castle which the Kings of France heretofore much delighted in. In this Castle before the Castle of S. Germane was built, the Queenes of France were brought to Bed and delivered, and the Kings Children educated and brought up. Betweene Possiacum and Paris there is a Towne consecrated to D. Germane, commonly call'd S. Ge•mane en Laye. The ancient Towne Mommorantium is called in French Mommoran•y. Next to the Iland is Vexinum Francicum, Vexin, or (as others call it) Vulxin le Francois. It containeth all the Country from the River Aesia or Oyse, even to Claromont, towards Picardy. The memory thereof had beene quite extinguisht, but that it is preserv'd in certaine ancient Charters and Records. So much concerning the Praefectureship of Paris, and the foure Territories thereof. The other part commonly called le •ais de V•lois was so called from the pleasant Valleyes, which are the pride of this Country. Others derive the name otherwise. It was heretofore a County but is now a Dukedome. The first Earle of Valois was Charles the Sonne of Philip the third, King of France, and brother to Philip the Faire: and afterward Philip the sixth being the Kings Sonne did by propagation adde many branches to the Stocke of the Valesia• Earles. The Dukedome of Valois doth extend it selfe even to Picardy. The chiefe Towne (besides Crespy) is Sentis, called by the〈◊〉 as some suppose Silvan••tum, because it is joyned to a Wood. 〈◊〉 an ancient Towne having besides a Bishop, a Provost, and a Baily 〈◊〉. The Pr•fectureship of •i•van••tum hath enriched the Dukedome of Valois, with the Lordships which are commonly called •ierr•sens, Bethisi and V••b••ie and the Townes Arg• l• Pent. S. Maxen••, (which is encompast with Ma••sh•s, and is the bounds betweene France and Picardie) 〈◊〉, B•nville▪ &c. The same Praefectureship doth also con•aine 〈…〉 a Princes S• some call it Car•l•p• 〈…〉, who enlarged the Pr••in•ts thereof and fortified it. 〈…〉 are the Townes Mag•, Thor•••e and Cre•l▪ 〈◊〉 doth also containe the •wick•, •ureship, and Vicounty of 〈…〉 commonly call'd 〈◊〉▪ and by some Per••s•ur• under which 〈…〉. Beside, 〈…〉 is under Silvan•, being an ancient Provostship, under which are Pe•••ng and Metu. Lastly under Si••an•ctum and the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 there is the County of Bellova•um which the 〈…〉 or Beau••sin. The Metropolis thereof 〈…〉 commonly called Beau• Caesa• (as 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 and the same 〈◊〉 faith that the 〈◊〉 did nominat•• and call i• •••aromagrum. But 〈◊〉 to speak the truth 〈…〉 thinketh to bee the Towne which is now called Gra•vi•l••, or G•a•••••n•e▪ • some call it 〈◊〉 and Vigen••• Beaum•n••n O•se. The City of 〈…〉 pleasant situation▪ and fruitfull Mountaine• adioyning to it which are no• very high but fit for Tillage. It hath also good 〈◊〉 of Wines, 〈…〉 King of ••an▪ in the yeer •4•• 〈◊〉 great priviledges to the Inhabitants thereof, special 〈…〉 men▪ becau•• they 〈…〉 Duke of 〈…〉 without doing any thing. No• 〈…〉 Towne 〈…〉 •ortifi•• with a 〈◊〉. So 〈…〉 third part of 〈◊〉 followes called 〈…〉 and •o 〈◊〉 the little Bridge of 〈…〉 River to 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉, where the River 〈◊〉 do ••parate it from Ga••in•••. It cleaveth to •ay• toward 〈…〉 the Melo•••ersian Vi••ounty and Bayliwick 〈◊〉 Metropolis thereof is Me••dunum, called 〈…〉 of the Commentari•s of the French we•• Meti•scaum▪ but 〈…〉. The Towne is •eated 〈◊〉 an Iland in S••• like Paris, and 〈…〉 strong Castle. The Towne •ow commonly called Corbu•▪ and 〈◊〉 the life of S. Pep•s Taran•asius. Corb•lium a place famous for Fish▪ but ••••ciall for sweete Crabs and hath a strong Castle. There is in Heu• Towne called Pon• Bellae-Aquae, in French Fountaine Bellea• wh••• the King hath a pleasant Palace. Heretofore it was the Mans• 〈◊〉 Ludovi•us▪ afterward of Philip, and lastly of Francis o• 〈…〉 are many varieties in it. I have given the fourth place 〈…〉 Country of the Gasti•ensians commonly called •as••n•: 〈…〉 from Heure••• by the River Verina. I• on 〈…〉 the Dukedome• of ••siampes and Nemous•, the Cou•ty 〈…〉 and others. The Towne of Stampae commonly called 〈◊〉 in the mid-war betweene Paris and ••rc••an•nsium, or 〈…〉 the River Iunna or Iu•••, which as C•r•o••um dischargeth 〈…〉 was heretofore a County, but now a Dukedome: The Towne N•m• is seated neere the River ••niu• which ranneth into Seane little below M••ctum. It is one of the chiefe Dukedomes of Fra•ce. Rup•S •ertis, called by the French Robe••e••, hath the 〈◊〉 of a County. In the Territory of Gastin•, besides Milly and M••er (which is the bounds betweene Gastin• and Heurep••) there is M•n••gium, so called, quasi Mens ag••, that is, the Mountaine of the Field, as some doe argue, because it hath a faire prospect round about it. It was wasted by fire 1518. and afterward as re-edified. There are Castles in the two former Townes, and there is also in this, in which there is painted a Story concerning a Hound that revenged his Masters death by killing him that had slaine him.

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of Paris, and the Trade thereof.

PAris being the principall Citie of France, and the ordinary residence of the Kings, is esteemed to be ten miles in compasse, through which the River of Sei•… doth gently runne, and so to Roven, thence to New•…aven or Haure de grace, and thence to our Brittish Ocean. It is not of great consequence in matter of trade, as neither affoording commodities to be exported, nor yet venting store of commodities imported, though an ignorant French-man, which had not seene further then this City, call it the greatest in the world for the trade found therein, and for the multitude of Merchants, which I imagine he understood shopkeepers; some Cloth, Lead, Tin, Baies, and Stockings it venteth from England, Sattins, and other silke, and 〈◊〉 from Italy, some small wares from Germany, and that is all the most important. It is one of the three Cities in France, where Exchanges have beene placed, Roven and Lions being the other two, and though I have divers times bin here, yet I could never find any remarkeable observations in Trade, which indeed is no where in France much practised, because of the base esteeme the French •…tion doe hold of Merchants and Merchandising, every Cobler honoring his old shoes with the title of sa marchandise, with as great confidence as he that never handled any commodity but Silkes or Iewels, in which foolish humor I will leave them, and come to my purpose.

Paris giving rule in matter of Coine to all other Cities of France, I have purposely referred it heere to avoide the reiteration in any other City of this Kingdome.

The least peece then of Coine currant in France is a Deneire, two whereof makes a Double, and twelve thereof is a Souls; and Souls, twenty makes a Liver, which some call a Franke, and thus in Livers, Souls and Deneires their accounts are kept.

Their common Coines are peeces of 8. Sol. which is the ⅛ of a French Crowne in Silver: a peece of 16. Sold. which is the quarter Crowne, 4. of which makes 64. Sold, accounted for a French Crowne, and 4. Solds which is of 3. Livers Turnois. They have also peeces of 21. Sold, 4. Deniers, being the 〈◊〉 of the said Crowne, called by some Testons, and the ½ and ¼ thereof, and as the quarter Crownes were at first raised from 15. Sold to 16. Sold, and thereby the 60. Sold to 64. Sold, so were the said Testons also in proportion raised accordingly. The Gold coines are only two, which is the common Crowne, of 3. Livers or 60. Sold, and the Crowne of the 〈◊〉, being 3. Livers 16. Sols, or 76. Sol.

All which Coines in their first coinage, bare this true worth and value, and then were conceived to hold equality with England: thus 10. Sold to make 12. pence starling.

20. Sold to make 2. shillings starling, which is their Liver.

60. Sold to make 6. shillings, or 72. pence, which is the French Crowne.

But these in hanced to such rates as the necessities of the 〈◊〉 or commerce inforce them, finde not now any setled ra•…e, but according to the will of the paier and receiver, for hee that sels his Commodities in France now for ready monies, must contract if hee bee wise, at what rate he must have these Coines in paiment, least he imagine he sell to good profit, and yet by experience find he sells the same to a great losse and disadvantage.

And note that since the writing of the abovesaid, the peece of 16. Sol, is raised to 20. Sol. ⅕ in the whole, which I place heere as a Caveat for such as shall have occasion to traffique into these Kingdomes, that he be inquisitive and circumspect to informe himselfe in the true worth and valew thereof er•… •…ee part with his Comm•…dities.

The Quintall of Paris is 100. li. which hath beene •…ound to produce in London neere 100. li. sutle. 2. per cent. more or lesse, which

in Lions renders of 16. ounces	116. li.
In Venetia sotile	144. li.

100. li. sotile in Venetia making in Paris 62½ li. of 15. ounces per li. The Carge or great Quintall in Paris is 300. li. of 12. ounces per li. which makes in Florence 487. li. but the ordinary Quintall of 100. li. before named is of 15. ounces to a pound.

Wine is sold by the Cesterne, 96. making a T•…e, and each Cesterne containes 8. pints, so that it may be accounted two Con•… of Florence, which is () gallons English, see London.

They have two measures in length, one for Silkes, and another for Linnens, the which are () But note that all Merchants selling Silke stuffes in grosse in Paris, the same is sold by the pound waight, which is better for the buyer, for thereby hee discerneth the waight of the silke hee hath for his money.

Paris doth Exchange with many places, which I heere omit, and place the same amongst the Exchanges in generall in the Tract following at the end of this Booke in the Chapters 277. and 302.

It may bee imagined that this Kingdome, considering the riches thereof should abound in Trade and Navigation, but the better sort of men medling not with traffique, as conceiving the same to bee * 1.8 both ignoble and base, and consequently unfit for them; leave the same to such whose spirits are elevated to that ripenesse that they can but onely be sorry for their erroneous opinions: their Navigation also is not farre, the Marselians greatest voyage being to Turkie, and the inhabitants of Rochell, Saint Mallo and Rochell, seldome sailing into any regions further then Spaine, their ill successe in Americaes plantations, peradventure disswading them, but he that shall wisely looke into the beautie of their inland Townes, the riches of the Country it selfe, and especially the plenty of Corne, Wines, Linnens and Sal•… that France produceth; and how much these commodities are prised and sought after by other Nations, will be more willing to excuse the French for their so little desire to traffique into remote Regions.

The next Province is la Beause, wherein is Orleans a pleasant Citie, and where the nearest and most Elegant French tongue is conceived to be spoken, seated on the Loyer, but affording little matter of Trade or commerce, save that it is found to bee a great through-faire for all such commodities as doth enter into the heart of the Country, as to Lio•…s and other Cities, upon the River of Loyer and by this way and hath a growth of good Wines about it.

The next is Berry, wherein is Bourges seated as the prime and principall Towne, who are much addicted to Clothing, and where great aboundance of Sheepe are found to pasture and feed.

The next is Burbon, wherein is contained Burbon, Nevers and Mollins, wherein I never saw any commodities worth relation, save those excellent instruments of Iron in small cases here made in great aboundance, called est•…us, and dispersed thence over all Christendome.

The next is Bevois, the chiefe towne is Villa franche.

The next is Avergne, the principall City is Clerem•…nt.

The next is Limosin, the principall City is L•…moges.

The next is Perigort, the chiefe towne is Perigeux.

The next is Quercu, the chiefe towne is Mo•…lbon, one of the cautionary townes in the Protestants possession, and now lately by the French King reduced to his subjection.

The next is Daulphine, honoured with the title of the Princes of France, wherein is found Vienna, excelling in the art of making sword blades: Valencia, a fine City, watered with the Rhoane; and lastly Lions, once the principall towne of traffique in all these parts, where having occasion of residence 1616. I noted these particulars following in Trade.

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

Paris, Leutetia, Luotetia, Lucetia, Leucotetia, Parisii, and Lutetia Parisiorum, the Capital City of the Kingdom of France; boasted by Baudrand, to be the greatest City of Europe; with a Nemine reclamante, no body denying it to be so. This was a celebrated City in the Times of the Roman Empire. Julian the Apostate (whilst he was Caesar only) resided here in the Reign of Constantius: and adorned it with Baths and a Palace. But its greatest Rise was from the Franks: Clodoveus settling the Royal Throne in this City, about the year 458. Julius Caesar is the first that mentions it; it was then very small; being wholly contained in an Island in the Seyne, not exceeding forty Acres, which had then a Wooden Bridge over the River. In this Isle the Cathedral Church now is, and the Palace of the first French Kings. From the times of Clodoveus the first Christian King, as long as that Race lasted, it grew mightily, and became very considerable. But under the Caroline Line it was very little improved; those Princes not fixing here, or in any other place. In the year 585, it happened to be almost all burnt. In 845, 856, 886, and 890, the Normans, by Sieges and Incursions, did extremely endamage it. In 896, it was very hardly preserved out of the Hands of the Normans, as to the Island; what stood out of the Island was redeemed from Ruin by Money. The Posterity of Hugh Capet on the other side fixed here; and bestowed great Sums of Money in enlarging and adorning this City. Charles the Great, about the year 796, at the Request of Alcuinus, a Saxon, opened an University here; to whose further Grandeur King Lewis the Seventh, and Philip the August, contributed very much. The College of Sorbonne holds the first place therein. In the year 1034, it suffered another Fire; and in 1206, a terrible Inundation of the River Seine. In 1420, Henry V. of England, possessed himself of this City, by marrying Catharine the Daughter of Charles VI. of France. In the year 1422, Henry VI. (Son of this Victorious, but short lived Prince) was crowned King of France in Paris. And again in 1431. After this it remained in the Hands of the English till the year 1435. The Divisions of England under Henry VI. made way for the l•ss of France. The year 1572 brought great and unparallel'd Infamy and Calamity upon this potent City; 10000 Gentlemen being assassinated within her Walls who came thither upon the Publick Faith to the Celebration of a Marriage) in cold, Blood, and in a time of Peace. In 1588, the Inhabitants became almost as infamous by the Baracades against Henry III whereby the Life of that Prince was indangered, and he driven out of his Royal Palace by a Seditious Subject, who made himself the Head of a Faction under the Pretence of Preserving the Religion of his Country. In 1589, Henry III. was stabbed by James Clement▪ a Dominican Fryar, under the Walls of Paris; just as he was upon the point of revenging the Insolence of the Baracades. The year 1590 was no less miserable: this City being by a Siege reduced by Henry IV. to so dreadful a Famine, as is scarce any where else to be read of. In the year 1610, the same Streets were stained with the Blood of Henry IV. slain by R•villac, another Enthusiastick Monk, on the same Pretence that his Predecessor was. In the year 1649, they suffered the Calamities of another Siege; and were forced to comply with the Queen Mother of France by Famine. In the year 1622, at the request of King Lewis XIII. Pope Gregory XV. raised the Bishop of Paris to the Honour of an Archbishop, with three Suffragans under him; the Bishops of Chartres, Meaux, and Orleans. In 1674, the Diguity of a Dukedom and Peerdom was added to the Archbishoprick by the present King Lewis XIV. This great City is seated on the Seyne; forty five Leagues from the British Sea. Long. 23. 20. Lat. 48. 38. Charles V. Emperor (others write Sigismond) used to say, he had seen in France, one Village, Poictiers; one City, Orleans; and one World, Paris. The City-Walls have eight Gates; those of the University, nine. The Houses are computed to about fifty thousand: there is a great number of Hospitals, Abbeys, Monasteries, Ecclesiastical Seminaries, Churches, and Palaces; amongst which latter the Louvre obtain• the Preeminence, begun by King Philip the August, in 1214; and since by times, gloriously enlarged and adorned by Charles V. Francis I. Henry II. Charles IX. Henry IV. Lewis XIII. and XIV. Many Councils have been celebrated here; whereof the eldest, and one of the most remarkable, is that about the year 362, against the Arrians, held by S. Hilary Bishop of Poictiers. The Territory about this City has the name of Parisis: reaching heretofore as far as to Pontoise one way, and to Claye towards la Brie another. And our Author reports, that the Villages and Castles in the space of ten Leagues round, amount to the number of ten thousand.