Hessen

Sources from old books

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

HASSIA or the Landgraviate of HESSEN. (Book Hassia)

Hassia hath great store of Nobilitie and Noble places, which it would be convenient to know; but I could discover nothing hitherto of them, nor of the state of the government. I have onely found out that there are two Counties, Solms, 30.15.50.35. and Witgenstein. 30.17.50.50.

The Meridians are distant according to the proportion of the 510 Parallel to the great circle.

AFter the Dukedome of Brunswicke, our method layeth open Hassia: It is doubtfull whence the name thereof is derived. Some from the Mountaine Hessus, but this Mountaine is neither found in Hassia, nor no where else, unlesse it be that which is at Noviomagum, which is somewhat likely. For some doe relate that one Bato the sonne of the King of the Cattians (who both enlarged, reedified, and walled Noviomagum) had a sonne called Hesus, who for the love of his native Country, called it after his owne name. Whence also the Mountaine Hesus, was so called. Others would have it so named from the Cattians, who (as they report) did inhabit this Country, by changing the Letters, whence it is yet called Catzen Elbogen, which sheweth the antiquitie of this Nation. Beatus Rhenanus, Li. 1. of the Germaine affaires saith, that the Hessians comming out of high Gremanie, and having expeld the Catti did possesse these parts, and did call them after their owne name. This Country hath Turingia on the East, on the South Franconia, on the West Westphalia: and on the North it hath the Dukedome of Brunswicke, the Bishopricke of Minden, and other Principalities. The ayre of this Countrie is wholesome, having great plentie of wheate, pulse, and fruite: But hath no Wine, except it be by the Rhene. There are also faire Meddowes for fatting of cattell, in which there are great heards of Oxen and young beasts. The woods also are full of wilde beasts, and especially of Harts, which doe afford the Nobility good sport in hunting. It hath also in some places Mettalls, as Brasse, and blacke Lead. It hath no salt pits, but salt Fountaines. All the writers of our age are perswaded that the Catti did formerly inhabite this Countrey, which was then a County, but now it is a Landgraviate, although Crantzius be against them, who in stead of the Catti, maketh them to be the Saxones: Ptolomie calls them Chattae; who afterward, as Tacitus mentioneth did passe into the Island of Batavia, where some memory of their name doth still remaine in two Townes of one name, the one by the Sea, and the other by the Rhene. Concerning their Etymologie the most learned Iunius writeth thus: The Catti, whom both ours and the former age did call Hessians, were so named from Catts, in regard of fiercenesse in assailing their enemies. For who knoweth not the violent fiercenesse of that beast, which though it bee domesticke; yet will flye in his throate, that persues him closely: or else from their sudden stratagems and ambushments by which they suddainely came upon their enemies as Catts doe leape upon the Mice. For such the nature and disposition of the warlike and fierce Nation of the Catti seemeth to be. Hither also may be referred the word Hessius, which among the Huesdenians doth signifie a Catt. Truely the vertue, and excellencie of this Nation doth no where appeare more, than in Tacitus, who for militarie discipline doth preferre them before the other Germaines, &c. So that this name did most fitly expresse the nature and disposition of those people. But Hassia was heretofore onely a County, and subject to the Lordship of •uringia, which appeareth in the booke of Turnaments, in which we reade that in the yeare of Christ 1042 Ludovicke Earle of Hassia was at a Tourneament at Hallis. You may reade the Genealogie of the Landgrave of Hassia. There are moreover in Hassia besides other smal•er Townes, two chiefe Citties, Marpurgum, and Cassula. Marpurgum which Ptolomie calls Amasia, and Amisia Lib. 8. Geogr. is commonly called Martpurg: some would have it so called from Marcomirus Prince of France. Histories doe report that this Cittie was heretofore a Village: the famous River Lona floweth by it. The Cittie is famous for the Princes seate, and a free schoole, built in the yeere of Christ 1526 by Ludovick Bishop of Munster. Iohn Oldendorp, the most famous Lawyer of Germanie: also Iohn Draco, and Andrew Hiperius, famous Divines lived heere. Cassula is one of the chiefe Citties of Hassia, so called as it were Castellum or a Castell, Ptolomie calleth it Ste•eontium: they report that it was heretofore onely a Castell. The Cittie is watered with the Rivers Fulda, Ana, and Trusula, and hath a fruitfull soyle, and pastures for feeding and breeding of Cattell. So that the chiefe trading and trafficke of this Cittie consists in wooll. Not farre from Marpurg is Franckenberg, which is a neate Towne, both for situation and building, and also venerable for antiquitie, being se•ted by the River Edera: it was so called from the Frenchmen who there pitched their Tents against the Saxones. King Theodoricke began to build it in the yeare of Christ 520. and afterward it was enlarged by Charles the great, 804. There are also other Townes: as Eschwega seated on a hill, it hath a very fertile soyle round about it, and is watered with the river Werra, so that the hearbe Isatis, which Plinnie calls Glastum, and a kinde of dye made of it, which groweth also plentifully in Thuringia, a mile from this Towne, is first put in boates, and so carried to Minda, and from thence by the River Visurgis which receiveth Werra, it is carried by boate to Brema, and through all Ostland. Histories doe make no mention concerning the first originall of Eschwega, in regard it was three times wasted with fire in the time of the Hungarian warres. But the Chronicle of Franciburg sheweth that Charles the Great, about the yeare 796, did institute divers Bishoprickes, and founded many M•nasteries and Churches in divers Townes; and doth mention also that Gauffinga not farre from Cassela, and also that Eschewega was built by him. Also the Emperour Henry the second was a great benef•ctor to this Towne, who reedified it when it was ruinated and wasted by the Hungarian inroades and incursions, and did enlarge it with new edifices and buildings. It was grievously aflicted againe in the yeare 1377, in the waries betweene Adolph Archbishop of Moguntinum, and the Landgrave of Hassia, at what time it came under the government of Hassia. Fristaria also is a famous Towne of Hassia, commonly called Fritzlar, it is pleasantly seated by the River Egra: and walled round about; but it is not levell, nor the Country it selfe which is here and there mountainous; yet it hath a fruitefull soyle round about it, both for wheate, pulse, and fruites, and some wine. And albeit Frislaria be in Hassia, yet it belongeth to the Archbishop of M•guntinum, so that it hath often tryed the doubtfull chance of warre, but the Dake of Hassia did often infest it, and the Saxons tooke it, and afterward burnt it. I passe by many other Townes of this Landgraviate. Divers Rivers doe water, and glide through this Country, the chiefe whereof are the Rhene which runneth South West: Visurgis or We•s•rt whose spring Wetra riseth in the Toringian wood: also Lupia which runneth into Westphalia: There is also the River which Tacitus calleth Adriana, and Historians Aderna; Althamerus calleth it Aedera, and Ritheimerus Rhoer: Iunius in his Nomenclator nameth it Eder, and doth adde that it is a River of the Catti, and that it falls into the River Ada. But in his Batavia he writeth that it runneth into Fulda, and this appeareth to be true by the Tables. The lesser Rivers are Lanus or Lona, which riseth in the County of Witgenstein, and so glideth by the Castle of Widekind sometime Prince of England, it watereth Lasphe a Town in the same County: there is also the River Fulda, and others. The Country is every where Mountainous, but the most noted are Melibocus, and Abnobus. The other Mountaines have divers names, as Kesselperg, and Geyne &c. There are many woods which are peeces of the wood Hyrcinia. But let so much suffice concerning Hassia we will onely adde for conclusion that which Aelius Eobanus Hessus, in his verses gratulatory for the victory of the Landgrave Phillip, delivers concerning the nature and situation of the Country, and the manners of the inhabitants.

Qualis Hyperborcum prospectans Thrasa Booten,Gradivi domus ad Rhodopen, Hemum que nivalemCircumfusa jacet, gelidis assucta pruinis,G•gnit in arma viros duratos frigore, quiqueAut Hebrum Nestum que bibunt, aut Strymonis undas:Talis & ipsa situ, talis regione locorum•t fluvus, Silvisque frequens, & montibus altisHassia: Natura similes creat alma locorum•eu natos in bella viros, quibus omnis in armis Vita placet: nonulla juvat sine Marte, nec ullamEsse putant vitam, quae non assueverit armis.Quod si tranquillae vertantur ad ocia pacis,Ocia nulla terunt sine magno vana labore,Aut duro patrios exercent vomere colles,Aequatosque solo campos rimantur aratris,(Namque & planities segetum faecunda patentesExplicat innumeras, & plena messe colonosDitat, & ipsa sibi satis est) aut ardua SylvaeLustra petunt, Canibusque feras sectantur odoris.Venatu genus assuctum, Genus acre virorum:Aut leges aut Iura ferunt, aut opida condunt — Fortia, &c. As warlike Thrace looking upon the NorthBy Rhodope, and Hemus stretcheth forthIt selfe, and is mur'd to snow and cold,Breeding such men as hardy are and bold;Who of Hebrus, or of Neslus water drinks,Or of the River Strimon, yet ne're shrinke.Such for Situation, and Mountaines hieFor many woods, and Rivers gliding byIs Hassia: for the men by nature areLike those, and even borne unto the warre,Who in the warres alone doe take delightAnd all their life time are enur'd to fight:And if sometime they live in quiet peace,From toilesome labour they doe never cease.For either they the levell fields doe till,Or with the Plough they teare up the hard Hill(For this same land hath many fruitfull PlainesWhich plenteous harvests doe bring in much gainesVnto the husbandman) or else repaireTo the woods to hunt such wilde beasts as there areWith Hounds, for these same people don't contemneHunting, but are a violent kinde of men.For either they make lawes, or Townes doe buildWhich doe not onely strong defence them yeeld,In times of Warre; but in the times of peaceThey yeeld delight when as the warres doe cease.What should I here the Sacred springs commend?The Greenes and valleys which doe even contendWith the Aemonian vales, which doe excellFor fruitfulnesse? or what should I declareThose sweete and shady places which even areFit to be the Muses seates, and may right wellBecome the Goddesses therein to dwell?O yee Fountaines of my Countrie cleare, and cold!And O ye Rivers that were knowne of old:O the vales! and pleasant Caves which still did useTo be most acceptable to my Muse.

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

THE Province of Hessen lies on the North Side of the River Main, extending as far as the Weser, comprehending under this Name in general, besides the Landgraviat of the same Name, the Abbies of Fuld and Hirchsfeild, the Weteraw, in which are also compris'd several Principalities and Lord-ships, and the Landgraviat of Darmstadt, together with several Imperial Cities. The whole Country is bounded on the North by Westphalia, on the West by the Dutchy of Berg and Electorate of Trier, on the South by the Electorate of Mentz and Franconia, and on the East by the Dutchies of Weimar and Thuringen. Its utmost Extent from North to South is about 100 English Miles, and from East to West as many. The Air is healthful, the Waters wholsom, and the Soil fruitful, producing much Corn, and towards the Banks of the Rhine and Lohn Grapes; here are also large Forests, which afford store of Deer and other Game; and Mountains, wherein Mines of Copper and Lead are found. This is judged to have been the Country of the ancient Catti, mention'd by Tacitus and others.

It is divided into Hessen and Veteravia, or the Weteraw.

• In Hessen are
  • The Langraviates of
    • Hesse Cassel, which lies on the Banks of the Rivers Weser, Eder and Lohn, and hath these Towns, viz.
      • ...Cassel,
      • ...Rodemberg,
      • ...Homburg,
      • ...Witzenhausen,
      • ...Zeigenheim,
      • ...Suntra,
      • ...Geysmar,
      • ...Eschwege,
      • ...Smalcald.
    • Hesse Darmstadt, the Territories whereof are divided, part lying on the South side of the Main, and part between Hesse Cassel, Waldeck, Solms and the Rhine.
      • ...Darmstadt,
      • ...Marpurg,
      • ...Frankenburg,
      • ...Alsfeld,
      • ...Giessen,
      • ...Catzenelbogen,
      • ...Schwalbach.
  • The County of Waldeck, lying East from Hesse Cassel.
    • ...Waldeck,
    • ...Wildungen,
    • ...Corback,
    • ...Eyenberg.
  • The Territories of the Abbies of
    • ...Fuld,
    • ...Hirschfeld.
    • ...Fuld,
    • ...Hirschfeld.
  • The County of Solms,
    • ...Solms,
    • ...Brunsfeld.
  • The Imperial Cities of
    • ...Wetslar,
    • ...Fridberg.
• In the Weteraw
  • The County of Nassaw,
    • ...Nassaw,
    • Dillemberg, C.
    • Sigen, C.
    • ...Herborn,
    • Beilstein, C.
    • Dietz, C.
    • Hadamar, P.
    • Wisbaden, C.
    • Weilberg, C.
    • Idstein, C.
  • The County of Hanaw,
    • Isenberg, County
    • ...Hanaw,
    • Gelnhausen, Imp

CASSEL, Cassella, aut Cassilia, olim Castellum Cattorum, & Sterdontium, the Capital City of the lower Hessen, is seated in a pleasant Plain, on the River Fuld near the Confines of the Dutchy of Brunswick, at the distance of 50 miles from Marpurg, and as many from Fuld to the North, and 40 from Paderborn to the Southeast. It is a place of good Trade for Wool and other Merchandizes, and is well fortified with Walls, Ditches, and a strong Citadel: It is the Seat of the Landgrave, whose Palace stands without the Town, and is surrounded by Bulwarks: The Family of Hesse is one of the most ancient of Germany. This House of Cassel is the Elder, and the Landgrave, with his Subjects, are of the Calvinist Religion.

Rodemburg, a fair Town, stands on the River Fulda, 30 from Cassel to the South; it is pleasantly seated, and has a Collegiate Church with a Dean and 20 Canons nobly endow'd. Near the Town is a Quarry of white Marble.

Suntra stands 12 miles East from Rodemburg.

Homburg is 25 miles distant from Cassel to the South, and 12 from Rodemburg to the West.

Zeigenheim stands 30 miles South from Cassel. It is a small but fair City, and gives Name to a County.

Geysmar, stands 12 miles from Cassel to the North.

Witzenhausen is seated on the Weser, 12 miles from Cassel to the East.

Eschwege stands also on the Weser, 20 miles above Witzenhausen, a wall'd Town, built by Charles the Great, and repair'd by Henry II.

These are all good Towns, but not particularly remarkable.

Smalcald stands in a little Territory on the East side of the River Verra, disjoyn'd from the rest of the Lands of this Prince; it is 50 miles distant from Cassel to the South-east, 30 from Hirschfeld to the East and 20 from Eysenach to the South. It is a Town of good Trade for Iron-ware, many Mines in the Neighbourhood furnishing the Inhabitants with plenty of that Metal, which they work and send abroad to foreign Parts. This place was famous in the last Age, by the assembling of the Protestant Princes here, in the Years 1530, 1531, 1535 and 1537. to make a League for the Defence of the Augsburg Confession, against the Emperor Charles V. and the Popish Princes of Germany: Which League grew so powerful, that they forced the Emperor to a Treaty, held in 1557. at Passaw, wherein Lutheranism was establish'd in several Parts of the Empire.

Marpurg, Marpurgum, Amesia, is seated on the River Lohn, in a pleasant Country, near 50 miles from Cassel to the South-west, and 40 from Francfort to the North. It was some time a free and Imperial City, afterwards subject to its own Lords, now the Chief of the Upper Hesse, and the Seat of the supreme Court of Judicature; to which Appeals are brought from both Cassal and Darmstadt. It has a strong Castle, which stands on a Hill, and is otherwise well fortified. The great Church is a stately Building, and has in it many noble Monuments, The University here is one of the most considerable in Germany.

Frankenburg, on the River Eder, 20 miles North from Marpurg, is a large Town, said to be built by Theodorick King of France, Anno 520.

Alsfeld stands 15 miles from Marpurg to the East: It is one of the ancientest Towns of Hessen, and had formerly very great Privileges, even Power over Life; but lost their Charter in an accidental Fire many years since, so that now thay have only a Memorial of it, by the chief Magistrates having a Sword born before him. The Town-house is a fair handsom Building.

Giessen is a fair Town, seated on the River Lohn, 15 miles from Marpurg to the South, and 28 from Francfurt to the North; the Royalty whereof is divided between the two Landgraves of Cassel and Darmstadt: It is defended with a strong Wall and regular Fortifications, and hath an Armory very well furnished. The Trade of this Town lies in Dressing and Selling of Cloth.

WESTLAR, an Imperial City, stands on the Borders of the County of Solms, upon the River Lohn not above 5 miles below Giessen, 18 miles South-west from Marpurg, and 26 North from Francfort. It is an old Town, and has nothing in it worth notice but the great Church. However, it is at present the Seat of the Imperial Chamber, which was removed from Spire hither in the Year 1689, by reason that that City was taken and destroy'd by the French.

FRIEDBƲRG, a Rich and Imperial City, stands 14 miles South from Wetslar, and 15 North from Francfort: It is seated at the Foot of a Ridge of Hills, call'd de Hohe, and enjoys large Privileges, granted by the Emperor Frederick II. The Mart, now held at Francfort, was before the Year 1340. held in this Town; at which time it was remov'd, at the desire of the Merchants, and this City, in lieu, hath four annual Fairs.

DARMSTADT, Darmstadium, seu Darmostadium, a considerable City, seated on the Banks of a River of the same Name, in the Country of Geraw, otherwise call'd the Landgraviate of Darmstadt, which lies on the South Side of the Main; it is defended by a strong Castle, which is the Palace of the Landgrave; and for the better Security of the Country, there are two Forts, one on the Rhine, named Markburg, and another on the Main called Russelheim. The Town is distant 10 miles from the Rhine to the East, and 15 from Francfort on the Main to the South. This House of Darmstadt by the failure of the Second House of Marpurg, succeeded to that Lordship, together with those of Giessen and Catzenelbogen, and by that means is become more considerable than the elder House of Cassel. The Landgrave usually resides at Marpurg; he is of the Lutheran Religion, as are also most of his Subjects.

The County of Catzenelbogen lies on the Banks of the Rhine, between that River and Nassaw; the Town which gives Name to the County is but small, and is seated at the distance of 10 miles from Nassaw to the West, and about 22 from Mentz to the North. The Property of this Town and County has been much disputed between the Earls of Nassaw and the Landgraves of Hesse, the former having married the Sister of the last Earl, and the latter pretending a Donation from that Earl: In 1548, the Emperor Charles V. adjudged it to the Count of Nassaw; but that Judgment was revers'd at the Treaty of Passaw, and Count William of Nassaw surrendred it to the Landgrave Philip, who paid him 600000 Crowns for it: However, the Family of Nassaw does still retain the Title of it. In the same County stand

Schwalback, famous for many Springs of Medicinal Waters in it, which are of great virtue for curing several Distempers. It is distant 10 miles from Catzenelbogen to the South, and 12 from Mentz to the North.

The Castle of Rhinfeld, which gives Name to a small County, stands on the East-side of the Rhine, 25 miles East from Catzenelbogen, and 20 South from Coblentz.

WALDECK, Valdecum, is the Capital of a small Principality, of about 20 miles extent, situate in the North part of Hesse, beyond the River Eder, and Westward of the Landgraviate of Cassel. The Country is fruitful, affording Wine as well as Corn and Pasture, besides Mines of Copper, Lead, Quicksilver, &c. The chief Town is but small, and not very considerable; it is distant 30 miles from Marpurg to the North, and 20 from Cassel to the South-west.

The other Places of Note in this County are Wildungen, a pleasant Town built upon two Hills, in the middle of which lies a very fine Garden.

Corbach, formerly a free City, wherein is held a small University. And

Eyenberg, a very strong Castle, built upon a Hill near Corback.

The Territory of the Abbey of FƲLD, call'd by some Buchem and Fagonia, is a large rich Country, lying South of Hesse, and North of Hanaw Reineck, &c. extending about 40 miles in length. The chief Town Fuld, stands upon a River of the same name 40 miles East from Marpurg, and 45 North-east from Hanaw: The Monastery is of the Benedictine Order, and one of the noblest in all Europe; it was founded in the Year 744, by S. Boniface, and endowed with great Privileges by several Emperors. The Abbot is Lord of this Town and Country, Primate of all the Abbots in Germany, a Prince of the Empire, and sits in the general Diets at the Emperor's Feet. There are many other Towns in this Territory.

The Monastery of HIRCHFELD stands on the River Fulda, at the distance of 20 miles from Fuld to the North. It is a very noble Structure, artificially built upon an Arch, supported by 16 Pillars. It was founded by Sturmius Abbot of Fulda, and a Territory of about 12 miles extent, given to it. Alcuinus, who was Tutor to Charles the Great, was Abbot of this Monastery, and lies buried in its Church. The Revenues of this Abbey have been in the Hands of the Landgrave of Hesse ever since 1606.

The WETERAW, Veteravia, is the general name of the Country, lying between Hesse on the North, the River Main on the South, the River Rhine on the West, and the County of Reineck on the East; wherein are contained the Estates of the Counts of Nassaw, Solms and Hanaw, &c. who are constant Confederates for their mutual Defence.

NASSAW, as it is now encreas'd by the accession of the Counties of Weilburg, Idstein, Wisbaden, Dillenberg, Beilstein, Geilberg, Sigen and Hadamar, is bounded on the North by Westphalia, on the East by Hesse and Solms, and on the West by Berg, Trier and the Rhine. This Country is fruitful in Corn and Pasturage, abounds with Cattle and Venison, and hath Mines of Iron, Lead and Copper. It was at first only a County, but was made a Principality by the Emperor Ferdinand II. Anno 1653, and is subject to its own Princes, a very Ancient and Honourable Family; from which descended Adolphus, chosen Emperor A. D. 1292. Engelbert, the Seventh Earl of this Family, acquir'd by Marriage the Barony of Breda, and other Estates in the Netherlands; and Henry, his Great-grandson, married Claude de Chalons, Sister and Heir to Philibert Prince of Orange, whose Son Rene, in 1530, succeeded in that Principality; which Honour hath ever since remain'd in this Family. These Princes have in all Ages been celebrated for their Bravery, especially in the last, when they so zealously defended the Belgic States, and by their Courage and Wisdom rescued them from the Spanish Cruelty, and acquired the Dignity of Hereditary Stadtholder, and Captain General of all the Forces of the Ʋnited Netherlands: Which great Honours being possess'd by William of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, King Charles I. chose him for a Husband to his eldest Daughter Elizabeth; by whom he had issue William Henry, who married Mary the eldest Niece of Charles II. our late Queen of blessed Memory, and is at present King of Great Britain.

NASSAW, Nassovia, that gives name to this Principality, is a small Town and Castle seated on the River Lohn, 8 miles from the Rhine to the East, 12 from Coblentz to the South-east, and 35 from Francfort to the North-west. It was the usual Seat of the first Branch of this Illustrious Family.

Dillemberg, stands on the River Dilla, 40 miles from Nassaw to the North-east, and 16 from Marpurg to the West. It is a Town of good Trade, and hath two annual Fairs. Here is a Castle standing on the top of a Hill, which commands the Neighbourhood, and was the Seat of a Branch of the Family of Nassaw, who had the Title of Counts of Dillemberg: In it is a large Armory, very compleatly furnish'd.

Sigen, on the River Siega, 18 miles from Dillemberg, is seated on the top of a rocky Hill, and defended with a strong Wall and regular Fortifications, and gives Name to a County. Near the Town is a Mine of Iron.

Herborn stands upon the River Dilla, but five miles South from Dillemberg; it is a City of pretty good Trade in Woollen Cloths, and hath an University of good Repute, endow'd with the Lands of some dissolved Monasteries, and hath bred some considerable Scholars; particularly J. Piscator, H. Martinius, G. Passor and H. Alstedius. This City is wall'd round and has a Castle.

Beilstein, gives Name to a County, which was the Inheritance of a younger Branch of the Family of Nassaw. It is an old Town seated among rocky Hills, at the distance of 10 miles from Herborn to the South, and hath a Castle and a fair Church.

Dietz, the Capital of another County, is pleasantly seated upon the River Lohn, 10 miles from Nassaw to the West; it is wall'd, and hath two Towers standing upon two Hills in the Town.

Hademar, a small Town, the Capital of a Territory, which hath the Title of a Principality, stands upon the Lohn, at the distance of 14 miles from Coblentz to the East, and 20 from Mentz to the North.

Weilberg, which gives name to another County, stands also on the Lohn, 35 miles from Nassaw to the West.

Wisbaden, the Capital of a County also, stands five miles North from Mentz, and 20 South-east from Nassaw; it is an ancient Town, and much frequented by reason of famous Hot Baths in it, which give name to the Place.

Idstein, a Town and County, lies next to Wisbaden to the North.

The County of Isenburg lies between Solms on the West, Hanaw on the East, the Lands of the Abbey of Fuld on the North, and Nassaw on the South. It is about 20 miles in length, and 8 or 9 in breadth.

Budingen, the chief Town of it is about 30 miles North-east from Francfort. And

The Castle of Ronenburg, a noble old Fort, a few miles from Gelnhausen, was anciently the place of Residence of the Counts.

SOLMS, the Capital of another County, subject also to its own Lord, and situate on the South of Hesse Marpurg. The Town stands in the most Northern part of the County, at the distance of 15 miles from Marpurg to the South-west, and 35 from Francfort to the North. The usual Residence of the Count is in the Castle of Brunsfeld, which stands 15 miles South from Solms.

The County of HANAW is bounded on the North and East by the Territory of Fuld, and on the West by the Estates of Nassaw and the County of Isenberg: It extends from the River Main North-east, about 40 miles, and is subject to its own Earl. The chief Town

Hanaw, Hanovia, stands upon the River Kuntz, near the Banks of the Main, 15 miles East from Francfort, 12 from Aschaffemburg to the North-west, and 40 from Marpurg to the South: It is a fair, well-built Town, neat and uniform; and a Place of Trade, and much resorted to by Foreign Merchants; insomuch that the French and Dutch have Churches here. It is now defended by strong Walls and modern Fortifications, but was twice taken, viz. in 1631 by the Swedes, and in 1658 by the Germans, after a long Siege, both times, and not without Treachery and Stratagem at last.

GELNHAƲSEN, an Imperial City, stands in the Limits of this County, on the River Kintzing, 12 miles North-east from Hanaw, 15 North from Aschaffemburg, and 20 East from Friedburg: It is now but a poor City, though very considerable, and inhabited by many Noblemen and Gentlemen before the German Wars.