Brabant

Sources from old books

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

THE DVKEDOME OF BRABANT. (Book Brabant) BRabant for the most part doth containe the Countrie of the Advatians, Ambivaritians, and Tungrians:* 1.1 but it is uncertaine at what time this Country was called Brabant, some deriving it from Brennus a Frenchman; some from a Cittie of that name, of which there is no mention neither in the Country nor in histories: some derive it from Bratuspandium a towne of the Bellovacians, which Caesar mentioneth Lib. 2. Some doe mention a Captaine called Salvius Brabon, an Arcadian, who came with Caesar into the Low Countries, whose wife Suana was Caesars Nephew. Some also thinke that it was called Barbantia, from Gotefridus Barbatus Earle of Lovaine, and afterward Brabant. I had this name of late, which is manifest, but the originall thereof is unknowne. The length of Brabant from Gemblours,* 1.2 even to the holy Mountaine of S. Gertrud, is about 22 miles. The breadth from Helmontium to Bergae, is 20 Miles. And the compasse of it is 80 miles. It hath on the North the River Mosa, which parteth Gelderland, from Holland. On the South Hannonia, the Countie of Namurcum, and the Leodiensian Bishopricke, which confineth on it on the East. On the West is the River Scaldis, with the countrie Alost.* 1.3 It hath a wholesome ayre, and a fertile soyle, abounding with all sorts of fruites, but yet the countrie of Kempen, is barren by reason of the sands; which part yet is not altogether unfruitfull. There are 26 Citties in this Dukedome. As Lovanium, or Loven, which is an auncient Cittie, and the first seate of the Grudians, in which the Duke doth binde himselfe by taking the Sacrament. It is a pleasant Cittie, and now somewhat enlarged, the compasse of it within the walls is foure miles. It is watered with the River Dela. Brussells is a faire great Cittie, fortified with a double wall, and situate in a fertile soile, abounding with all things. It is a wonderfull thing that this Citty could yeeld plentie of provision to serve the Dukes Court, the strangers, and forreine Princes which lay there with their whole trayne. There is also Antwerpe which they commonly call Antwerpen, the French call it Anvers, the Italians Anversa, the Germaines Antorff. Peter Appian thinketh that it is the same with that which Ptolemie and Caesar, doe call Atuacutum. It is supposed that this Cittie was so called from the casting forth of hands. For a certaine Giant called Druo who dwelt in these parts before C. Caesars comming, when any travellers came by, if they did not pay him the halfe of their commodities, he caus'd their right hands to be cut off, and to be cast into the River: which appeareth by the armes of this Cittie, and certaine great bones of this Giant Druo, which are kept untill this day; some say he was called Antigonus. But these things are fabulous. But it is more likely that the inhabitants called it so from the heape or rifing of Earth neere Scaldis, which the Lowcountrimen doe call Antwerpen; for by making banckes on both sides they straitned the River, and made the channell deeper. It is situate by the deepest part of the River, under the 26 degrees of Longitude, and 42 minuts. And 51 of Latitude and fiftie eight minutes. It is 4 miles distant from the Sea, and as many from Mechlin, 7 miles from Lovaine: 10 miles from Gandavum, 15 miles from Bruges, 8 miles from Brussells, threescore miles from London: 29 from the Agrippine Colonie, 60 miles from Franckford. It was thrice walled. First with a narrower wall, Anno 1221: afterward with a larger wall Anno 1314, which yeare there was a great famine, and the next a great pestilence. Lastly, the suburbs were enlarged toward the North, Anno 1543. The compasse of it without the walls is 4 miles, and eight hundred and twelve paces. There are eight ditches which are brought into the Cittie out of the River, and are able to receive many great shippes. It is a great Cittie for traffique. Guicciardine giveth an estimate, that the yeerely trading in this Cittie doth amount to above twelve thousand Crownes, which was lesse than it came to when the Cittie of Antwerpe flourished. And therefore Iulius Scaliger doth worthily praise it thus:

Oppida quot spectant oculo me torvasinistro,Tot nos invidiae pallida tela petunt.Lugdunum omnigenum est, operosa Lutetia, RomaIngens, ro• Venetum vasta, Tolosa potens.Omnimodae merces, artes priscae{que} novae{que},Quorum insunt alijs singula, cuncta mihi. Looke how many Townes doe lye on our left side,Even by so many Townes we are envide.Leyden and Paris painefull are, Rome great,Venice is rich, Tolouse in power compleate.All wares, and strange inventions that there be,In severall Citties, are all found in me.

There are two and forty religious houses in Antwerp, also Churches, Monasteries, and Hospitalls. The chiefe Cathedrall Church is dedicated to the blessed Virgin Marie. It is a faire and sumptuous worke, and hath a famous Tower steeple, which is all built of free stone curiously carved, and is foure hundred and twenty Antwerp feete, that is, two hundred Florentine Ells in height, so that it is very beautifull to behold, and yeeldeth a faire prospect: for from it you may behold not onely all the Cittie, and the pleasant fields and gardens lying round about it, but also you may cleerely discerne some Citties that are afarre off, as Mechlin, Bruxells, Lovaine, Gandavum, and moreover you may see to the end of the River, and discover the Sea, and the Zeland Islands. In this Tower there are threescore and eight Bells, some greater some lesser, some of which like musicall Instruments will yeeld an harmonious sound of foure or five parts. The greatest of them, which is of a wonderfull great weight, was named by the Emperour Charles the fifth, which is not rung but upon some extraordinary occasion. There are foure and twenty Cannons bebelonging to that Church, over whom there is a Deane, and a Bishop, who was first instituted in the yeare 1567. This Church is kept very bravely, & the revenues belonging to it are great, and the Priviledges & immunities belonging to the Priests. Buscoducum or Silva Ducis, which is called in Dutch's Hertogenbosch, and in French Bolduc, is so called from the Woods: it is a faire pleasant Cittie, strongly fortified, being seated by the River Disa, being a mile from Mosa, and twelve from Antwerpe. And these are the foure chiefe Citties, the first three whereof together with Nivella, doe make the Marquiship of the sacred Empire. Some reckon Mechlin to be in Brabant, yet indeede it is parted from it, being a faire, and neate Cittie: having an Archbishopricke, and a faire Councell, unto which the last appeale in Belgia, may be made. Moreover there are these Citties in Brabant, Tra•ectum neere Mosa, commonly called Maestricht, Lira, Vilvord•, Gemblacum, or Gemblours, Ioudoigne, Hannut, Landen, Halen, Le••wen, Schienen, Herentals, Eindoven, Helmont, Grave. There are also many free Townes unwalled, as Oostenrije, Oorschot, Turnhout, Duffel, Waelem, Merchtem, Asche, Vveren, Duisburch, Hulpen, Waure, Breine, Genape, Ghecle, Arendone, Dormal and Isca. There are also 700 Villages. There are refered to Brabant the Lordship of Ravestein, the Dukedome of Limburg, with the Lordship of Dale and Vacklenburg. The Lakes and Rivers are very commodious and profitable to Brabant. The chiefe Rivers are Mosa and Scaldis, and there are also other lesser Rivers. This Country hath many Woods, the chiefe whereof are five, Somensis, Saventerloo, Grootenhout, Grootenheist and Meerdal. Heere are many publicke workes both sacred and prophane. The chiefe whereof is the Church at Lovaine, consecrated to Saint Peter, being very faire and sumptuous. The Churches at Bruxells are very sumptuous, being beautified with faire and rich ornaments. Also Antwerpe, hath many Churches, of which S. Maries Church is the fairest and largest. I passe by other Churches, which are innumerable in other places. There are also many prophane workes: as Pallaces, noblemens houses, Castells, Towers, and the like. Moreover the Politicke state of Brabant hath three members: the Clergie, which are the Abbots, Afflighemensis, Grimbergensis, Tongerloo, Grunendalensis, of S. Gertrud at Lovaine, of Saint Bernard, of Vileer, of Dielegem, Parckensis neere Lovanium, Vlierlikensis neere Lovanium. The great Prior of the order of S. Augustine in Leeuwee, the Prior of Gemblours. The Nobles, which are, the Abbot of Gemblacum an Earle, the Duke Arscotensis, the Marquesse of Bergen neere the little River Some: The Barons, Diestensis, of Braeda, Boxtelensis, Gaesbeeckensis, of Wesemacl,, Petersem, Perweys, Hoochstratensis now an Earle, of Renes: the Lords Aschensis, Merchtensis, Vuerne, Gheel, Lummen, Thurnout, Oosterwi•e, S. Oedenroy, Walem, Duffel. The foure principall Citties are Lovaine, Bruxells, Antwerpe, Buscoducum. Concerning the state Ecclesiasticke it is partly under the Leodiensian Bishop, and partly under the Camaracensian Bishop: the Leodiensian keepeth his Ecclesiasticall Court at Lovaine. The Camaracensian at Bruxells: Lovaine hath a famous Academie or Vniuersitie: of which wee will speake more largely in the generall description of the Low Countries. The Babanters, are merry, jesting, and full of comicall conceits, as Lemnius witnesseth. Besides Brabant, there are conteined in this Table, the Dukedome of Iuliacum and Cliveland. The Politicke state whereof we will describe out of Mercator. The politicke state of Iuliacum doth consist likewise of three members, which are the Clergie, as namely the Abbots, the Colledges and Monasteries: the Nobilitie, the Cittizens. There are 24 Lordships in this Countrie Caster, Brugge, Born, Boisseler, Euskirchen, Munstereyfell, Moniou, Eschwiler, Grevenbroich, Wassinberg, Geilenkirchen, Hensbergh, Durem, Thonberg, Berchem, Heimbach, Wilhemstein, Gladbach, Millen, Rangenrayd, Norvenich, the Counties of Nuenar, Iuliacum, and Nideken. In like manner Cliveland doth conteine three orders, the Clergie, the Nobility, and the Citties. But the governour of the Province of Cleveland hath these eight Cittties under him. Cliva the Metropolis, Calcaria, Sonsbeke, where he hath his residence, also Santen, Buric, Vdem, Griet, Griethusen. Here are 14 Lordships, Cranenburg, Duffel, Gennep, Goch, Orsoy, Huessen, neere Arnhem, Lymers, Emmeric, Hetter, Aspel, Ringenburg, Bisselic, Dinslaken, in which are five Citties, Dinslaken, Wesel, Duysburg, Schermbeke, Holte. The Lordship of Ravesteyn is joyned and annexed to the Court of Cliveland.

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

The Dutchy of BRABANT, Brabantia.

THIS Country lies in form of an Island encompassed round about with Rivers, having the Maes to the East and North, the Demer to the South, and the Scheld to the West, together with the Ocean on the side of Breda and Bergen op Zoom; that is to say, it is bounded on the North by Holland, and part of the Dutchy of Guelderland; on the East by part of the same Dutchy, and the Bishoprick of Liege; on the South by Hainault and the County of Namur; and on the West by Flanders and part of Zeeland. Its extent from South to North consists of about 70 miles; from West to East, in its broadest part, near as many. The Air is exceeding temperate, and the Soil no less fruitful; besides the Rivers Scheld, Maes, Dile, Demer, Aa, Ischer, Domel, the greater and lesser Nephre, and the Mert wherewith it is water'd; many Lakes, Marshes and Pools are found in its Territories; 26 walled and fortified Towns are also comprehended therein, not to mention a great number of others of lesser consequence. In Brabant are compriz'd the Marquisate of the Holy Empire, the Capital City whereof is Antwerp, the Lordship of Malines, the Dutchy of Arschot, the Marquisate of Bergues, the Earldom of Oostreten, the State of Maestricht, formerly of Liege, and 19 Baronies. In fine, the whole Province may be thus divided into four parts, viz.

1. Spanish Brabant, properly so call'd, in which are included these principal Cities and Towns.

• Bruxells, Cap.
• ...Louvain.
• ...Arschot.
• ...Nivelle.
• ...Tillemont.
• ...Gemblours.
• ...Lire.
• ...Diest.
• ...Vilvorde.
• ...Herentals.
• ...Judoigne.
• ...Sichem.
• ...Leuwe.
• ...Landen.
• ...Hannuye.
• ...Santvliet.
• ...Hochstraet.
• ...Turnhout.
• ...Arendonck.
• ...Scerpenhewel.
• ...Moll.
• ...Walheim.
• ...Waure.
• ...Genap.
• ...Vuernen.
• ...Assche.
• ...Cantecroy.
• ...Perwys.
• ...Sombreff.
• ...Tilly.
• ...Revez.
• ...Heverlee.
• ...Gnesbeck.
• ...Lew.
• ...Gesta Virompt.
• ...Lummen.

2. The Marquisate of the Holy Empire.

• ...Antwerp.

3. The Lordship of Malines, in which are,

• Malines, Archbish.
• ...Heist.

4. Dutch Brabant, in which are,

• Bois-le-Duc, Cap.
• ...Breda.
• ...Bergen-op Zoom
• ...Grave.
• ...Ravenstein.
• ...Maestricht.
• ...Helmont.
• ...S. Ʋtier.
• ...Eydenhoven.
• ...Lillo.
• ...Meghem.
• ...Steenbergen.
• ...Sevenbergen.
• ...Cuyck.
• ...Oirschot.
• ...Oosterwick.
• ...Eersel.
• ...Oudenbos.
• ...Rosendal.

The County of Horne,

• ...Horne,
• ...Wiert.

BRƲSSELLS or BRƲXELLS, is the Capital City not only of Brabant but of all the Spanish Netherlands; the place of Residence of the Dukes of Burgundy anciently, and now of the Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. It is the richest and most populous City of these Countries, and tho' not so large as Gaunt and Louvain, is however much more considerable. It is situated in a most pleasant Country on the Banks of the small River Sinne, which is join'd to the Scheld by a Channel six leagues in length, cut with great Labour and the Expence of 500 thousand Crowns by Charles V. and his Son Philip, and finish'd in 1560. by which the Commerce of the Inhabitants with several places, especially Antwerp, was much advanc'd.

This City in general is very well built, the Streets large, handsom and convenient, and secured by double Walls of Brick, and a Ditch quite round the Town. The publick Buildings are, the Palace, which is seated upon a Hill in the upper Town and is a magnificent and stately Structure, and so large that several Crown'd Heads were at one time Lodged and Entertain'd in it, viz. Charles V. and his Son Philip King of Spain, Maximilian King of Bohemia and his Queen, the Queens of France and Hungary, and an African King. Adjoining to this Palace is a pleasant Park, well stor'd with Deers, also fine Gardens, Water-works, Grotto's and pleasant Walks. The Senate-house, a noble Building with a high Tower, whereon stands a large Statue of S. Michael in Brass, and the Church of S. Gudula, which hath 2 Towers of five hundred Steps high. Several other of the Buildings of Brussels deserve particular Descriptions, especially the Gallery which repeats an Eccho 15 times, the magnificent Palaces of divers Noble Men, the Royal Stable which holds 120 Horses, together with the Hospitals and Religious Houses; but for these the Reader must consult Blaeu, Guicciardin, &c. The private Citizens Houses are very fine, and are particularly pleasant by means of the Gardens they are almost all furnished with, which they are extravagantly curious in Cultivating, Flowers being excessively priz'd here, The whole City is divided into the Upper and Lower, whereof the latter is the more pleasant, and adorn'd with artificial Fountains and Canals, with many fair Bridges. The Residence of the Court, and the pleasantness of the place, makes almost all the Gentry of these Countries dwell here, which very much encreases the Trade of the Town. Here also is kept the Court of Chancery for Brabant, the Assembly of the States of these Provinces, and the Treasury for War. Brussels is distant 64 miles from Newport and 28 from Ghent to the East, 55 from the River Maes to the West, 25 miles from Antwerp to the South, and as many from the River Sambre to the North. A little way from Brussels to the S. begins the pleasant Wood of Soignies, which extends very far.

Niville, about 12 or 14 miles South from Brussels, is a good wall'd Town and formerly well fortified, and enjoys great Privileges: Great quantities of very fine Linnen Cloth is made here; the Church of S. Gertrude is a fair Building, and the Convent of 42 Nuns, all of noble Extraction, is considerable.

Vilvoerden, seated upon the River Sinne about 6 miles North from Brussels, is a wall'd Town, and by its situation reasonably strong: Here is an old Castle, wherein formerly Prisoners of Quality were kept, and also the Records of greatest concern belonging to the Dutchy of Brabant.

Senef, a small Village, 2 miles South of Nivelle and near the Borders of Hainault, not at all considerable, but for a memorable Battle fought there in the month of August, 1674. between the Confederate Forces commanded by the Prince of Orange, his present Majesty of Great Britain, and the French commanded by the Prince of Conde.

LOƲVAIN or LOEVEN, Louvanium, is a City of a very large Extent, its Walls being 6 miles in compass, but include many Meadows, Corn-fields, Vine-yards and Gardens, besides the Houses of the Inhabitants. It is seated in a pleasant Country, upon the Banks of the River Dyle, at the distance of 15 miles from Brussels to the East, and 15 from Mechlin, forming a Triangle with those two Cities; as also 26 miles South from Antwerp, and 24 North from Namur. The private Buildings here are but ordinary. The publick ones are, The Stadt-house or Guild-hall, which is a very handsom, stately Pile. The Castle, which is seated on a high Hill, in the midst of Vineyards and Gardens, and in a very wholsome Air, which together with the noble Prospect it affords, make it a most pleasant Seat, and therefore heretofore frequently made the place of Residence of the Dukes and their Children, and particularly the Emperor Charles V. was brought up here. These, as also the Churches, Religious Houses and Hospitals, are worth a Stranger's View. But that which Louvain is chiefly noted for, is the University, which was founded, as some say, in the year, 926. but not confirm'd till 1425. when John IV. Duke of Brabant endowed it. At present it is in a very flourishing State, and Golnitz says, exceeds Colen for number of Students and neatness of Building: It hath 45 Colleges and a vast number of Students, over whom the Rector is chief Governor, and hath great Honour and Respect paid him, even by the highest Magistrate of the Town. In this City are 11 Market-houses, 4 publick Fountains, 12 principal Streets, and above 100 small ones. The Walls are strongly built, being rais'd from the bottom of the Ditch, and upon 'em are several Towers, whereof one is very fine, and was built by the Citizens in 1364. who design'd six more, but by reason of the great Expence were deterr'd; wherefore this hath got the name of Verloen Kost, or Lost Expence. The Weaving Trade was formerly very great in this City, insomuch, that about the year, 1530. there are said to have been 4000 Weaver's Shops, and in each 30 or 40 Men at Work. And of the exceeding populousness of this place, Lipsius gives us a notable Instance, viz.

That when the Bell rung at 11 a Clock at Noon for the Workmen to leave off, the Women in great haste snatch'd their Children out of the Streets, lest they should be bore down by the great Crowd.

But at present the Trade is not very considerable, some Manufactures of Linnens and Stuffs is the chief of it; which, together with the Entertaintment of the Students, afford the Inhabitants a good Support.

Aerschot, seated on the River Demer, 10 miles North from Louvain, is a good large wall'd Town, dignified with the Title of a Dukedom by the Emperor Charles V. and hath a small Territory depending on it.

Sichem stands about 4 miles from Aerschot to the East: It is a small wall'd Town, but not very strong; however, made a notable Resistance when attack'd by the Prince of Parma in the time of the Low Country War.

Diest or Diestheim, is a large neat Town and of good Trade for several Manufactures, especially of Cloth, stands on the River Demer, 3 miles from Sichem to the East. It giveth the Title of a Barony to the Prince of Orange, and hath a large Territory its dependant, It is also wall'd and reasonably strong. As it is also

Halem, seated on the River Velpe, hardly 3 miles East from Diest, which tho' a small Town enjoys large Privileges granted to it at several times.

Leue, stands about 6 miles South from Halem upon the River Geet; is a small Town, but being near the Borders of Liege it is well fortified: It enjoys great Privileges, and the Inhabitants make great profit by a sort of Beer they brew, which is esteem'd and much bought by the neighbouring Towns. Here is a great Priory of the Order of S. Austin, whose Prior is one of the Noblemen of the Province.

Tienen or Tilmont, is seated on the River Geet, 6 miles West from Leue, and 8 East from Louvain, and was formerly a very large and well-traded City enjoying great Dignity and Privileges; but having suffer'd much by Wars, was much decay'd before the French destroy'd it in 1675. so that at present it is not very considerable.

Landen, though small, is reckoned among the ancientest Towns of the Province; it is distant about 3 miles from Tienen to the East, and as many from Leue to the South. Near this Town a Battle was fought on the 29th of July, 1693. between the Confederate Forces under the Command of his Majesty of Great Britain, and the French commanded by the Mareshal de Luxemburgh.

Hannuye, a small wall'd Town, the Capital of a Mayorie or small Jurisdiction, is seated in a pleasant and rich Country, 5 miles South from Landen.

Judoigne or Geldenake, a wall'd Town, larger than Hannuye, and the Capital of a Mayorie also, stands upon the River Geet, in a very pleasant Country, 7 miles West from Hannuye, and about 14 South-east from Louvain, and hath an old Castle, wherein some of the Brabantine Princes have been nurs'd.

Gemblours or Giblou, is a good wall'd Town, the Capital of a County, and seated on a steep Hill, environ'd with Precipices, near the small River Lorn, which 6 miles below falls into the Sambre, and is distant 20 miles from Hannuye to the East, and 15 from Nivelle to the West. Here is a famous Monastery of Benedictines, whose Abbot is Lord of the Town. Near this place was fought a notable Battle, in the year 1578, between the King of Spain's Army and that of the States General, wherein the former obtain'd a very advantageous Victory.

ANTWERP, Antwerpia, Andoverpum, in Flemish Antwerpen, in High-Dutch Antort, in French Anvers, is advantagiously situated on the Banks of the Schelde, at the distance of about 60 miles from the Ocean, 26 from Bruxels to the North, 26 from Gaunt to the East, and about 30 from Flackeren, one of the Islands of Zeeland to the South. Its Name (to omit the Fabulous Stories of some Authors) is derived from Werve a Bank or Wharf, as seated aen het Werve, on the Bank of the River. It is the Capital of the Marquisate of the Holy Empire, the Sea of a Prelate, Suffragan to the Archbishop of Mechlin, and a very large, rich and well fortified City, enclosing within its compass 200 Streets, 22 publick Places, a great number of fair Houses, and many stately Churches; among these the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is more especially remarkable. It is in length above 500 foot, and 240 in breadth; within this noble Fabrick are contain'd 66 Chappels, enrich'd with Marble Columns and Statues, all different and, adorn'd with most curious Paintings, as is also the Body of the Church, into which the Entry is through three large Doors of Marble gilt. The Steeple is made very beautiful by its curious Carvings: In it hang 6 or 8 very large Bells, the biggest whereof hath the name of Charles, from the Emperor; these, together with near 30 more, make the most melodious Chimes in the World. The Tower is reckon'd 425 foot high, besides the Cross at top, of 16 more. The Jesuits Church is extreamly magnificent, being paved with Marble, and the Roofs, (which are curiously painted) supported with 56 Pillars of the same Stone, and the Walls all lined with rich Stone, so that nothing is to be seen in the in-side but Marble, Jasper, Porphery and Gold, or excellent Paintings, drawn by by the accurate Hand of the famous Rubens. In this City are also remarkable, the Stadthuyse or Senate-house, which having been destroy'd by Fire; was magnificently rebuilt about the year 1576. and hath 4 several rows of Apartments: The House of the Oosterlings, or Merchants of the Baltick Sea. The Exchange, which is a noble Building, 180 foot long and 140 broad, with covered Walks all round, the Roof whereof is supported by 43 Marble-pillars: And the Citadel or Castle, which is a very strong and regular Fortification, built by the Duke d' Alva, in 1567, It is a Pentagon, or hath five Bastions, together with Ravelins and other Out-works, and is reckon'd among the best Fortifications of Europe.

The River Schelde being found a convenient Haven, was much resorted to by Merchant-ships from all Nations; and therefore upon the Disturbances and Wars in Flanders, the Trade of Bruges and other places thereabouts removed to Antwerp, which increased to that degree, that in its most flourishing State (about the years 1556, to 68) there were often seen to lye in the River 2500 Ships together, and 3 or 400 Vessels have frequently come up in one Tide; also 200 Waggons came in every day, laden with Passengers from the neighbouring Countries, and near 1000 every Week with Germans, French and other Foreigners; and 10000 Country Carts were continually, employed in carrying Goods to and from the City. By this means the number of the Houses and Inhabitants grew exceeding great: Guicciardin tells us, That Antwerp contain'd 13500 Houses, and the number of the People was reckon'd no less than 200000. But this Grandeur quickly declin'd, and is now extreamly diminish'd, for the Wars reaching this place also; Antwerp was Sack'd, and 700 of its Inhabitants kill'd by the mutinous Spaniards in the year 1576. and afterwards taken by the Prince of Parma, after a remarkable Siege of no less than 12 Months durance. These Calamities, together with the growing power of the Ʋnited Netherlands, who by the possession of Zeeland, were able to stop the Passage of the Schelde, and oblige the Ships to come into their Ports, did quite break the Trade of Antwerp; which removing to London and Amsterdam, hath left this City empty of Inhabitants; and though it be still as populous and rich as many others in the Netherlands, it is by no means comparable to what it has been. The Houses are all of Brick and uniform, and the Streets large and neat, many particular Houses very stately, and the publick Buildings magnificent. The City is built in form of a Bow on the east side of of the Schelde, which is near 400 yards broad, and 22 foot deep at the lowest Tide, so that Vessels of the greatest Burden can come up and unlade upon the Keyes, which lay al-a-long before 8 of the 13 Gates. From the River there are 8 Canals that run through the Town, which are deep enough for Vessels of good Burden to come up; and over these Canals there are 74 Bridges. In fine, Antwerp is so beautiful a place, that being compar'd to Florence, it hath had the Preference by those that have seen both.

About 10 miles from Antwerp to the North, and as many from Bergon op zoom, stands the strong Fortress of Sautvliet.

MECHLIN, or Malines, Mechlinia seated on the River Dile, is the Metropolis of the Lordship of the same name, reckon'd one of the XVII Provinces, though of but small extent, being not above 3 Leagues from West to East, and one and an half from South to North. It is the Seat of an Archbishop, whom Pope Paul IV. establish'd there, A. D. 1559, and dignified with the Title of a Primate of the Low Countries. The Grand Royal Council instituted by Charles Duke of Burgundy in 1473, is held here, as is also the Sovereign Court of all the Spanish Netherlands, establish'd in the year 1503. The City stands in the midst of the Province of Brabant, between Antwerp; Bruxels and Louvain, almost at the equal distance of 13 miles from each of them. It was formerly subject to the Dominion of its proper Lords until the year 1336, when it became Free. Afterward it fell into the possession of the House of Burgundy, and at length escheated to that of Austria, in 1477. The Inhabitants were freed from paying Taxes, for the signal Services they performed to Charles the Hardy, Earl of Flanders, at the Siege of Nuis on the Rhine. It is a large City and very well built, and is even so neat as to have obtained the Epithete of Fair. It is also a strong Place, having besides the Fortifications, a natural Security by the flatness of the Country round about, which by that means is easily laid under Water. The Trade of this Town is pretty considerable, consisting in Linnen, Lace, Tanning, Casting great Guns, &c. The Tide flows up beyond the Town, by which means Boats come up from Antwerp, and the Commodities of this City are Exported. Weavers were formerly very numerous here, but upon a Riot by them committed, were deprived of their Privileges, by which the Trade decayed.

The Cathedral Church of S. Rumbald is a beautiful Building, and hath a very high Tower; besides which, here are 7 other Churches belonging to the 7 Parishes that the City is divided into. The Mostery of the Franciscans is a curious and stately Building; and the Nunnery of S. Clara is very fine. A Magazine is kept here that was formerly exceeding well furnish'd. Some particular Companies of the Traders of this City enjoy grat Privileges, especially the Tanners, who are very numerous. Other things of Mechlin may deserve a Traveller's Observation, whereof we cannot spare room for a particular Description.

Lire, Liere, is a neat and pleasant Town, seated on the River Nethe, 7 or 8 miles from Mechlin to the North, and 10 from Antwerp to the South-east; it is a good large place and strongly fortified. The Collegiate Church of S. Gummanus, is a magnificent Building, and the Market-place is remarkable for its largeness and the curious Buildings that surround the Religious Houses, especially that of the Carthusians, are very fine. This Town is Inhabited by People of Quality, and rich Merchants retired from Business.

Herentals stands 10 miles East from Lire on the River Nethe also; it is a wall'd Town, and the Capital of a Mayerie.

Dutch BRABANT.

BOIS-LE-DƲC, or BOLDƲC, Boscum Ducis, aut Sylva Ducis, call'd by the Inhabitants, S. Hertogenbusch, and by abbreviation, the Bosch, is the Capital City of the Dutch Brabant, and the Seat of its supreme Court of Justice, standing on the Banks of the River Dromele, which having there receiv'd into its Chanel the Waters of the Aade, and then those of the Diese falls into the Maes about 2 Leagues from thence, at the very Place where the Island of Bomel is form'd. It is distant only 5 miles from the River Maes, or Mose, as also from the Confines of Holland and Guelderland, near 30 miles from Antwerp to the North-east, 54 miles from Maestricht to the North, about 40 from the River Rhine, and 20 from the Grave to the East. The Name thereof was taken from a certain Wood, where the D••es of Brabant were wont heretofore to divert themselves by Hunting; which being cut down by Duke Henry to facilitate the March of his Army against the Guelderlanders, in the year 1172. this City was built in its place by Duke Geffry, and wall'd round by Henry his Son, in 1196. Pope Paul IV. erected an Episcopal See, and Franciscus Sonnius was the first Bishop; but when Bois-le-duc was taken by the Hollanders in 1629. these Prelates were oblig'd to remove their Station to Goldorp. It is a good large Town and well Fortified, having strong Walls, wherein are 7 large Bastions, a deep Ditch, with Ravelins, Counterscarp and other excellent Fortifications, and is seated upon a Hill amidst Marshes, which are easily laid under Water, and thereby the Town made Inaccessible, but by artificial Causeys, which too are all commanded by Forts, so that 'tis in a manner Impregnable. This being an important Frontire, the Hollanders take care always to keep a good Garison in it. It is a place of pretty good Trade for its Manufactures of Woollen and Linnen Cloath, Knives, and other Steel-ware, &c. The Church of S. John which was the Cathedral, is a sumptuous Building. The Market-place, seated at the meeting of 10 Streets, the chief of the Town, is surrounded with very good Buildings: several Canals run through the Town, which bring in Vessels of good Burthen; over these are 51 Stone-Bridges, besides others of Wood. In the defection of the Netherlanders, the Bosch took part with the Confederates, and in 1579, embrac'd the Union of Ʋtrecht, but was afterwards Taken by the Prince of Parma, and remained under the Spaniard till 1629, when the Prince of Orange Re-took it, after a very difficult Siege. In 1672 it was invested by the French, but they marched off the next Month without Taking it.

BREDA, Breda stands in a marshy Ground, which is often overflow'd on the side of the River Merch, in Dutch Brabant, at the distance of 18 miles from Antwerp to the North, 8 South from Gertruydenburg, 24 from Bois-le-duc to the West, and 22 from Bergen-op-zoom to the East. It is considerably large, populous and well-built, and is one of the strongest Places of the Low Countries. It is dignified with the Title of a Barony, comprehending 17 Villages under its Jurisdiction, which in the year 1212 belonged to Geffry Lord of Bergues, but descended to the House of Nassaw, in 1404, by the Marriage of Mary, the Daughter and Heir of Philip Lord of Leck and Baron of Breda, with Egbert Earl of Nassaw, in whose Descendants it hath ever since continued, except in the time that the Spaniards were Masters of it, viz. from 1581, when it was Surpriz'd by the help of the Roman Catholicks in the Town, to the year 1590, when it was re-gain'd by a notable Stratagem, for a Boat seemingly laden with Turf for Fuel, but indeed with Armed Men, passed into the Castle undiscover'd, and forced the Garison to surrender. And again, from 1625, when the Marquess Spinola took it, after a long Siege and Blockade, till 1637, when Frederick Prince of Orange recover'd it. The Soil of the adjacent Country is very fertile in Corn, Pasture and Copies. An Academy for Education of Youth is h•ld here under 4 Professors, establish'd by Prince Frederick abovemention'd. The Prince of Orange hath a Palace and Castle in the Town, where a Treaty was held, and a Peace concluded between his late Majesty King Charles II. and the States General, A. D. 1667.

Bergen-op-zoom, Berga ad Zomam, aut Bereiz•ma; by Guicciardin said to have its name from the little River running by it, which he names Zoom, which Blaeu contradicts, and says, the River hath no such name, except from the Town; and that the Town is call'd Bergen from the Hill on which it stands, and opzoom, on the Soam, because seated on the edge of the Province. It is conveniently situated between Brabant, Flanders, Holland and Zealand, within half a League of a branch of the Ooster Schelde, 18 miles from Antwerp to the North, 20 from Breda to the West, and as many from Middleburg to the East. It had the Title of a Marquisate given by the Emperor Charles V. and was formerly a place of good Trade, 'til eclips'd by Antwerp: For the convenience of its Trade a Canal was cut through to the Hont, or Wester Schelde. The Country about it is very low and marshy, by which the Town is much secured, as well as by very strong and well contriv'd Fortifications, which the Dutch have built round it, with Forts upon the Channel, and other convenient places. The Buildings are fair, the Church of S. Lambert and the Marquess's Palace especially. Here are 3 spacious Market-places and a large Hospital for the Sick, which was formerly a Nunnery. This Town was subject to its own Lords, from 1212, till 1567, when it was delivered into the hands of the Hollanders; from whom the Prince of Parma endeavour'd to recover it in 1588. But they defended themselves so couragiously that he was forced to raise the Siege. Again, in 1622 Spinola Besieg'd it, but had no better Fortune; for after 70 or 80 days furiously attacking it, he was glad to leave it, upon the approach of the Dutch Forces under Prince Maurice.

Grave, Gravia, termed Graeff by the Inhabitants, is situated on the South-side of the Maes, the Waters whereof fill the large Trenches that environ the Bulwarks, in a Plain on the Frontiers of Guelderland, at the distance of 18 miles from Bolduc to the East, 7 from Nimeguen to the South, and about 50 from Maestricht to the North. It is a small Town, but very neat and pleasant, and esteem'd the strongest and easiest to be defended of any in the Netherlands. It is the Capital of the small Earldom of Cuyck which belongs to the Prince of Orange, as doth the Town it self. The Country about it is Meadow, and affords Pasture to a good Body of Horse that are always kept here: The Town is exceeding well fortified with Ravelins, Counterscarp, Palisado, and a very strong Horn-work, and besides, secured by the River on one side, and a Morass on another. It was taken in 1586 by the Prince of Parma, and recover'd in 1602 by Prince Maurice. In 1672 the French took it, and upon their being forced to quit Holland, had made this their grand Magazine, and therefore defended it for a long time, when it was Besieg'd by the Prince of Orange, his present Majesty, to whom, however, they were obliged to Surrender it, with all the Artillery and Ammunition, on the 28th of September, 1674.

These four Towns make a very strong Frontier on this side to the Dominions of the States General.

Ravestein, a neat but not large Town, is seated on the River Maes, about 5 or 6 miles below the Grave, and 16 North-east from the Bosch; it is defended by a strong Castle, and hath a Jurisdiction of 4 miles broad, and extended about 12 miles South from the Maes, towards

Helmont, the Capital of the Country call'd Peelland: It is a good walled Town, seated on the little River Aa, that falls into the Maes a little beyond the Bosch, and is distant 17 miles from the Grave to the South.

Eindhoven, a good wall'd Town also, and the Capital of the Country call'd Kempen Land, stands upon the River Dommel, 10 miles West from Helmont, and 14 South from the Bosch.

Maestricht, tho' seated in the middle almost of the Bishoprick of Liege, is reckon'd part of this Province of Brabant, because formerly that Duke had one part, as the Bishop of Liege had the other part of the Jurisdiction of it; but since 1633. it hath belonged to the States General. It stands on the River Maes, at a place where was always a Ferry or Passage, which the word Trecht in Dutch signifies; it is call'd in Latin, Trajectum ad Mosam & Trajectus inferior, to distinguish it from Ʋtrecht. It stands on the Westside of the River, but hath a fair Suburb nam'd the Wick, on the other side, which is join'd to the City by a beautiful Stone-bridge of 9 Arches. The old Buildings are but ordinary, but those built since the Hollanders have had the Town, are of Brick and very fair, particularly the Stadt-house; the Streets are large, and Houses cover'd with Slate. Here are three Dutch Churches, and one for the English and French; that of S. Servatius was formerly a Collegiate, and had the honour to have the Duke of Brabant always one of its Canons: It was also a Cathedral, built in honour of that Saint, who planted the Christian Faith here, was the first Bishop, and died A. C. 395. from whom a Succession of 20 Bishops ruled in this City; but upon the Martyrdom of S. Lambert, the See was translated to Liege in the year 713. The City is large, being reckon'd 4 English miles in circuit, but not very populous. It is very strongly fortified, having besides a good Wall and Trench, many Out-works of modern Form, well contriv'd to oppose the Advantages Besiegers may have by the nature of the Earth, convenient for Mines and Trenches, and by a Hill a little distant, that would command the Town if the Bastion to the South-east were not built very high. At the top of that Hill stands an old Castle, and in the Bowels of it is a Quarry of Stone, of which vast quantities are transported to other Countries. This City descended with Brabant to the King of Spain, but in the War-time taking part with the States; it was Besieged by the Prince of Parma in 1579. and though they made a very vigorous defence, were forced to submit, and continued under the Spaniard till 1633. when the Prince of Orange besiged and took it; and in the succeeding Peace of Munster, it was yielded to the Hollanders. In 1672, the French besieged and took it: They sat down before it on the 11th of June, the King of France himself, with the Dukes of Orleans and Monmouth, commanding the large Army that attacked it with great Fury, till the end of that Month; at which time the Burghers mutinying, and the Garison being much weakned, the Governor was forced to Capitulate, and on the 2d. of July the Town was surrendred, and continued under the French till by the Peace of Nimeguen it was restored to the States General, who still possess it.

On the South-east of Dutch Brabant lyes the County of Horn, which is a Territory of about 20 miles extent, bounded on the East by the River Maes, on the North-west by Peel-land in Brabant, and on the South-west by the Bishoprick of Liege: It was formerly subject to its own Earls of the Family of Montmorency, of whom Philip and Florent were eminent for their Zeal, in opposing the Tyranny of the Duke d' Alva, and assisting the Prince of Orange in asserting the Liberty of their Country; but had both the misfortune to lose their Lives, by the practices of d'Alva.

Horn, that gives Name to the County, is a small Town with a Castle, seated near the Maes, 24 miles South-east from Helmont, 25 North from Maestricht, and 4 or 5 West from Ruremond.

Weert, the Chief Town, stands 12 miles West from Horn, 16 South from Helmont, and 25 North from Maestricht.