Strasburg

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Strasburg, Argentoratum, the Capital City of Alsatia in Germany, and one of the fairest and greatest Cities thereof. It is a Bishops See under the Archbishop of Mentz, and was for many Ages a Free and Imperial City, seated in the midst of a great Plain upon the River Ill, where it falls into the Breusche about one Mile from the Rhine, over which it hath a Timber Bridge of great Length, and is a Place of great Strength and Wealth, eight German Miles from Brisach to the North, twelve from Spire, fourteen from Basil, fifteen from Bipont, and twenty from Nancy and Mentz. This City is so very ancient, that it is said by some to be built A. M. 1955. The Arsenal and Town-House do well deserve the View of Strangers, and the Cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, their Admiration, not only for the Magnificence and Vastness of the Structure, and its Gates of Brass, but more particularly for its Steeple, which is Pyramidal, and of a Structure that lies all open and pervious to the Light, being the most esteemed for its Workmanship and Height of any other Steeple in Christendom. But that which is most of all admired in this Steeple is the Clock-Work, which besides the Hours of the Day represents the Motions of all the Planets. In the Year 1440, or thereabouts, the Art of Printing was first invented by one John Guttenburg a Citizen of Strasburg, who yet removed about the same time to Mentz, and there mostly used and improved this noble Art; so that a mighty Contest had been managed for many Ages between Haerlem, Strasburg, and Mentz, which of them shall have the Honour of this Invention. The noblest Place on the Rhine, saith Dr. Burnet, is Strasburg, a Town of huge Extent, which has a double Wall and two Ditches all round it. The inner Wall is old, and of no Strength, nor is the outward Wall very good. It hath a Faussebraye that is faced with Brick 12 or 15 Foot above the Ditch, but the Counterscarp is in ill Condition; so that it could have made no long Resistance: but the French have fortified it very strongly. There is a Cittadel built on that side that goes to the Rhine, that is much such a Fort as that of Huninghen; and towards the Bridge there is a Horn-Work that runs a great way, with Out-Works belonging to it: There are also two small Forts at the two chief Gates, which lead toward Alsatia; so that in case of a Revolt they can cut off all Communication with the Country, the Bridge being so well fortified. There are also Forts in some Islands of the Rhine, and some Redoubts; so that all round this Place there is one of the greatest Fortifications in Europe. The Capitulations made with the French have not been hitherto well observed; but there is not above two hundred Romish Converts. The Pride and Folly of this Town, together with their over-great Love of Liberty, betrayed it into the hands of the French, by refusing five hundred Men the Emperor offered them for their Security. It is already sunk in its Trade, and will sink more when the Fortifications are finished. Dietrick who was look'd upon as the chief Man that betrayed the Town, was the first Man that was banished contrary to the Capitulation, because he would not change his Religion. In 1529 this City embraced the Protestant Religion, and the Year following entred a League with the Reformed Cantons for her Defence; but in September 1681 the French King having before possessed himself of all Alsatia, suddenly surprized this important Place in a time of Peace, when no Body suspected it. Long. 29. 26. Lat. 48. 25.