Munster

Sources from old books

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

THE BISHOPRICK OF MVNSTER. (Book Munster) THe Bishopricke of Munster is situated in a fertile soyle, abounding with all kindes of fruites: on the North it hath the Countie Benthemium: on the East the Bishopricke of Padelbrum; on the South the Counties of Zutphan and Marcan. Charles the Great, Emperour of Rome, and King of France, which conquered lower Saxonie, which is now called Westphalia, did institute this Bishopricke, and called it Mimingerodensis, or Mimingardevorensis. Afterward hee called it Munster from a Monastery which he built there, in the honour of the blessed Virgin Mary. Hermannus was the first Bishop thereof. The Cittie is strongly fortified both by nature and Art, especially since the faction of the Anabaptists ceased: it is situated on a plaine having five faire Canonicall Colledges, and a schoole famous for learning and Arts. The inhabitants are laborious and industrious, and doe transport their commodities into forraine Countries. But after that the Spaniards had warres with the Low Countries, they were prohibited and forbidden to trade and traffique with the united Provinces. And after the reigne of Ferdinand the first, all that were not of the Romaine religion were enforced to leave the Cittie, to their great losse and dammage. It was governed formerly and now also by Bishops, their Catalogue followeth. The first Bishop was Ludgerus Frisius, brother to Hildegrine Bishop of Halberstadt, who dyed in the yeere of Christ 809. after whom there followed Godfry, Alfrid, Lubbertus, and Bertoldus, in the reigne of the Emperour Arnulph: and in the yeare 895, and afterward, William Richard, Reinolds, Hildebald, Dodo, Suederus, Theodore, Sigefride, and Hermann the first, who built a Monastery beyond the water, whence the Towne was called Munster, in the yeare 1025, whose successors were called the Bishops of Munster: namely Robert, Fredericke, the brother of the Marquesse of Misnia, Erpo, Theodoricke of Wintzenburg, Henry, Egbert, Wernerus, Henry, Ludovicke, Godescal, a Saxon, who dyed in the yeare 1200. Hermann the second, Count of Catznelbogen, Otto Count of B•nth•m, Theodoricke, Ludolphus Count of Holte, Otto the second Count of Lippe, William the second Baron of Holte; Gerard Count of Marca; Everhard Count of Deest, Otto the third Count of Retberge; Conradus, Ludovicke Count of Hassia, Adolphus Count of Marca, in the yeere 13•5. Iohn Count of Virnenburch, translated to Vltrajectum; Florentius Count of Vevelichoven, Paro Bohemus, Henry Wulf, Otto the fourth Count of Hoya, Henry Count of Mursium, Walramus brother to Henry, Iohn Bavarus, Henry Bishop of Bremes, Conrade Count of Retberg, Eric elected Duke of Saxonie in the yeare 1508. Fredericke Count of Weda; Eric Count of Grubenhager, Franciscus Count of Waldeck, in whose reigne, the Anabaptists, did make a great tumult or faction, having one Iohn of Leiden for their Captaine, who would needes bee called King of Israel. After Waldeck there were William Ketler, Bernard Raesvelt, and Iohn Comes of Hoya, who dyed in the yeare 1574. Iohn William Duke of Cleveland, who resigned to Ernest Duke of Bavaria and Bishop of Colen, after whose decease his Nephew Ferdinand succeeded.

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

The Bishoprick of Munster, called by the Germans, das Bisthum buon Munster; is a Province in the Circle of Westphalia, in the German Empire; which has its name from its Capital. Bounded on the West with Overyssel, on the North with the Earldoms Embden and Oldenburgh; on the South with the Dukedom of Westphalia, and the County of Marck: on the East by the Bishoprick of Osnaburgh, and the Counties of Diepholt and Ravensperg. Almost an hundred Miles in length from North to South; but not of equal breadth: and divided into thirteen Bailiwicks. The principal Cities, are Munster, Meppen, Vecht, and Varendorp. It is extremely full of Woods and Marshes: fitter for the production of Cattle, than Habitation of Men.