France

Sources from old books

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

THE DESCRIPTION OF FRANCE. To the studious and curteous READER. (Book France)

SEeing wee are not borne for our selves alone, but as much as every one can doe for the common good, so much the benificent Framer and Maker of mankinde doth require of him, I thought it meete to accommodate and fit this Geographicall Worke, part whereof wee heere present, as much as I could to the utility & benefit of the Common-wealth. The use and utility of Geographie in reading Histories and retaining them, is greater than that I neede to make any admonition or description of; but there is an other greater dignitie belonging unto it, if it be directed to its proper end, and rightly used, and that is, it doth much availe to the knowledge of Politick Government, when the situation of a place is not onely described, but also the nature and condition thereof, which is sometimes the office of a Geographer to doe. And as that Painter doth not satisfie himselfe in his profession, which delineates a man according to the proportion of his limbes, but doth not with colours and physiognomicall shadowes expresse his nature and affections; so hee shall but figure out an unpleasing and, as it were, a dead Geographicall body or carcasse, who having set downe places according to their symmetrie and proportion, shall not shew their Politicall respect which they beare one to an other. Wherefore I esteem'd it as a thing chiefly to be respected, that in every severall Countrie the nature and order of Government appendant thereunto, should be prefixed before the Tables themselves, whereby I might somewhat benefit those who are studious of politicall and publick affaires. If our writing be in many places imperfect, defective, or erronious, the Reader needes not wonder, for the formes of things throughout all Nations are not extant, neither have I found all that are, purposely described by any Author; yet even as I could gather them out of Histories, I have collected them, whereby thou maist partly understand the order and manner of every government, and so maist supply and correct that which is wanting in thy owne Countrie, which if every one would doe, how profitable would Geographie be to Students? There are three heads especially to be considered in the administration of Kingdomes, Principalities, and Provinces, namely the Ecclesiasticall State, the Politicall State, and the Administration of Iustice: first therefore according to the title of the Countrie described in the Table, I will reckon up how many members or parts there are of the Politicall State thereof, according to the order of dignitie as they are observed there. Secondly in distinguishing Noble-mens places (sith the whole government is in the hands of the Nobilitie) I will in the first place reckon those who are Feudals to the Prince, and afterward those that are free, descending still in order from the highest degree of Nobilitie, as Dukes, Earles, Barons, and Lords. Thirdly, I will shew into what Prefectures the Countrie is divided: and I suppose that by these three things the Politicall State will be sufficiently declared. In the administration of Iustice, the juridicall Diocesses shall be noted, and the higher Senates to which appeale may be made. Lastly, in the Ecclesiasticall State, the Archbishops, if there be any, shall bee placed first, and then the suffragan Bishops which are under them, as also those which are suffragans to others. To reckon up all these things requires much stud•e, but seeing for want of matter it may be briefly delivered, I will performe what I may, that so I may stirre up lovers of their countrie to emulate a greater perfection in their writings. The severall places shall be noted with numbers, that they may be straight-way found out in the following Table; the first number shall containe the degrees and minutes of Longitude, which shall be sought out in the Northerne or Southerne side of the Table, the later shall have the numbers of Latitude, which are to be sought on the Westerne or Easterne side. From these bounds, heere by the direction of the Meridian, and there of the Parallel of Latitude, you shall come at last to their intersection, and so finde out the place propounded. The situation of those places which are in the description of the generall Tables ought to be sought from thence. But if so be that some names are not found in the table following, it was the fault of the Chorographer who delineated it, for the right designing and placing of principalities and dominions is not to be omitted. The rule and government of Countries is in the power of the Nobilitie, and therefore it is both profitable and delightfull to know and distinguish their severall degrees, and the proper conditions of them. The highest degree is that of Emperour or King, whom in order doe follow the degrees of Duke, Earle, Baron, the militarie Tribune, whom the Low-country-men call Banderheer, quasi Bendae, that is, Lord of the Troupes, which he leadeth under his Banner. After him is the Knight, or hee that hath attained to be of the Horsemans Order, whom the French-men doe call Chevalier, and the Low-country-men Ridder. In the last place is vn Escuyer, who beareth Armes, but hath attained to no publick dignitie. There are three degrees of Earles, the first whereof the French-men call Viconte, who excelleth the rest in dignity & priviledges, Ludovic. Guic. would have him now called a Burgrave. And though this Order of Earles in time hath remitted something of its honour, yet in the beginning it was of more excellent dignitie, as the description thereof shall by and by declare. In the second degree is the Earle Provinciall, who is called in Dutch, Landgrave. In the third degree is the Marquesse, or Marckgrave. These are the speciall degrees and orders of Nobilitie, among which the government of every Countrie is divided. There are also some differences in these degrees which might occasion a subdivision, but such as are distinguisht rather by priviledges than by forme of government. Yet moreover I will deliver the lawfull differences and conditions of every order which I have mentioned, as I have found them in a certaine French Booke, entituled La division du monde: deducing their creation from the lowest degree of Nobility, whence their proprieties and order of government doe most clearely appeare. A Knight, saith this author, or a Chevalier shall be thus created of one that was a Squire before, and bore armes in his Escutcheon. If hee, having long followed the warres, exercised armes, beene present at many conflicts, hath sufficient meanes to maintaine the state of his degree, and commeth of a great, noble, and rich Familie; then in any skirmish hee shall make knowne his request to the Generall of the Army, or to some valiant generous Knight, and when the battell is ended, hee shall come unto the said Generall or Knight, and entreate him in the name of God and S. George, to give him the Order of Knighthood. Whereupon hee shall draw out his Sword and strike him thrice with it, saying: I make thee a Knight (or Chevalier) in the name of God and S. George, faithfully to defend the Faith, Iustice, the Church, Widowes, and Orphanes. But if the supplicant, although he be valiant, yet be poore, hee shall not bee admitted, unlesse so much yearely revenues be assigned and given unto him, as is necessarie to preserve and maintaine the honour and dignitie of his Order. And this is the first degree of Nobility arising from the lowest. A militarie Tribune called een Bander-heer shall be made of a Knight, if having long followed the warres hee hath lands and revenues enough to keepe and maintaine fiftie Gentle-men in pay, that is, one Band of horse men which shall follow his colours in the war. For no man can set up a Colours or standerd of his owne, unlesse hee can bring into the field at his owne charge a Troupe or Band at the least of fiftie Gentlemen who receive pay from him. A Baron may bee created of a Knight, or also of a Noble Squire, which hath foure Castles in his dominion, and all power within himselfe, for then the King may conferre a Baronrie upon him: yet hee cannot give him this honour, unlesse he hath behaved himselfe valiantly in the warres. Therefore after the first conflict or battell he is made a Knight, after the second a militarie Tribune, and after the third a Baron. The degree of an Earle is the next, and first an Earle of the Marches, whom wee call a Marquesse, that is, Marcgrave. And hee may be created one, who hath two or three Baronies included in one Dukedome, and that by the Duke in whose precincts they lye. Hee may be made a Provinciall Earle, that is a Landgrave, who hath foure Baronies in one Dukedome, by the Duke or the King, by the instance or permission of the Duke. Hee may bee made a Vicount, who hath five Counties or more within one Dukedome, or which are joyned together by vicinitie of situation. And (by the Kings permission) he may be created by the Duke with great solemnitie. But if the King himselfe be present the Principality is more honourable. The Duke who is to be made of an Earle, must first possesse in the Kingdome wherein hee is to bee crowned, foure principall Counties, and must have in every one of them foure other Counties or Baronies, which must bee bound to doe fealtie and service to them. But he must be crowned by the King or Emperour whose subject hee is, his Hatt being adorned with pearles and pretious Stones, in the most flourishing Citie of his territories, and that in a great assembly of Princes, Dukes, Earles, and Barons, a solemne festivall being also held, as it is the custome as the Coronation of Kings. Hee that is to bee King, must have foure Dukedomes lying neere together subject unto him, and in every Dukedome foure Cities, which hee alone governeth, in every one of these foure Cities one Archbishop, and under euery one of these againe ten Provinciall Bishops. Hee being endowed and adorned with these dominions and dignities shall come unto the Emperours Majestie as to his superiour, or shall invite him by an honourable Embassage to come unto him, and so desire to be crowned by him. But this seemes to be a later manner of electing the Kings and other Princes, for as long as those wandring Nations of the Gothes, Vandals, Longobardes, and many others did bring in their Kings with them, they did not measure the royall dignitie by large possession of lands, but by the multitude and strength of the people which they brought in. Neither was there any other choise of Dukes, who first began to bee instituted by Longinus Governour of Ravenna in the yeare 569, and afterward by the Longobards, than for their valour and wise atchievements. Adde to this that which Paulus Aemilius witnesseth, namely, that Dukes and Earles were in the beginning made Prefects by the King over Nations and Cities on this condition, onely that as often as there was occasion they should bee dismissed or changed. Now how could the afore said Lawes of creating Princes (which are measured by, and doe claime the hereditarie possession of Lands) be in force at that time, seeing Dukedomes and Counties were conferr'd by Kings and Emperours as a temporary bountie? Therefore though the precise time of the Institution of them cannot be shewed (for that French Booke doth mention nothing of it) yet it is very likely, that under Otto the second Emperour, or about the yeare one thousand, or a litle after, that manner of constituting and confirming dignities was ordained by the Monarches. For even untill Otto the second, every Prince according to his power and ambition, did aspire to greater dignitie and royall Majestie. So out of one Kingdome of Lotharingia or Lorreine, which being extended from the Rhene even to the River Scaldis, was bounded with the Friesland Sea, and belonged to Lotharius the Sonne of Lodovicus Pius, more Kingdomes did afterward arise, namely the transjurane Burgundie, which being extended from the Mountaine Jura even to the Alpes, did containe all Helvetia, the Rauraci, the Allobroges, and the transjurane Burgundians: and the Kingdome of Provence which did certaine some part of Burgundie and Sabaudia, and was afterward called the Kingdome of Arelatum, of which at this day the Elector of Trevers is called the Archchan••liour. It did also containe the Kingdome of Lotharingia, now also called Lotharingia, and other Kingdomes betweene the Rhene and Scaldis, even to the Friesland Sea; and heretofore it was called the Kingdome of a 1.1 Austrasia. Againe, this Kingdome of Lotharingia, Charles the bald, and his Brother Lodovick did part betweene them, both of them preserving the title of a King in all places. I omit the other Kingdomes which sprung up in that agely the desire and asseciation of Soveraignty. But the Emperour Otto the second did divide Lotharingia, having tooke away the name of a Kingdome, into nine Dukedomes and Earledomes, as it were, into members pulled and separated from the body, as Cuspinian hath it, and having made a division thereof Anno 981, be first made Charles the Brother of Lotharius King of France, Duke of that Countrie which is now called Lotharingia, a• Richardus Wissenburgius doth speake more at large. It seemeth that after that time the ar•itrarie erection and raising of Kingdomes and Principalities did f••le, the Monarches now contriving how to establish a setled Empire, which consisteth in the just proportion and harmonie of its parts, as in man the parts of the body to the head. Therefore that some order might be perpetually kept in Principality and in government; I suppose that at length about the same time which I mentioned before, these afore-said Lawes were devised. And so, Reader, thou hast the distinct Degrees of all the Nobilitie, and the differences of their dignities. Now if thou observe how Provinces in every Kingdome are divided in respect of them, how the government and administration of the whole, and in what proportion it is distributed among these degrees, what is every ones peculiar office, what is the habitude or relation which they have one to an other, and especially to their head, you shall behold either an excellent harmony tending to the preservation of peace and tranquillity, strength and power, riches and state, vertue and wisedome to the Majestie of a Kingdome, and the enlarging of territories; or a confused disorder tending to instabilitie, declination, destruction or inundation, according as there are divers kindes of government. If those matters which thou shalt see or judgest did succeed ill, thou maist consider whence that ill successe proceeded; but if thou finde any prosperous and successefull event, search the cause thereof, so thou shalt behold which is the best policie in governing of Common-weales, and shalt studie Geographie with more profit.

An Admonition concerning the use of the Tables following.

WHen it was my purpose to reduce all Geographie to the consideration of the Heavens, that the just symmetrie of places, as they lye in the Sphericall figure of the Earth, might as neere as could be observed in plano or on a plaine superficies, a due proportion of degrees of Longitude was to be set down, according to the degrees of Latitude. Seeing therefore the Table could containe but a few degrees of Latitude, I have reduced the proportion thereof almost to the midle Parallel of the Table, so that what the proportion is of that Parallel to the Meridian, the same should be the proportion of the degrees of Longitude in the same Parallel to the degrees of Latitude, and so all the Meridians are Parallels one to an other. But seeing there were more degrees of Latitude, because there is a great difference of proportion in the Parallels both in the top and the bottome unto the Meridian, lest the symmetric of places should not be true, I have chosen two Parallels almost equally distant from the midle and the extreames, to the proportion whereof, I have drawne the Meridians to designe and note out the degrees of Longitude, which are not then Parallels, but according to the greater or lesser distance of the assumed Parallels, they doe encline more or lesse one to an other and to the midle Meridian of the Table.

Moreover thou shalt finde the degrees of Latitude and Longitude designed and set forth on the sides of the Tables, and for the most part, the degrees of Latitude on either side of the Table, and of Longitude on the top and bottome, seeing according to the usuall manner of Geographers wee place the North on the higher part. But if the Countrie to be described be more extended toward the South and North, than toward the East and West, then commonly wee place the West upward. Howsoever it be made the East and West sides shall alwayes represent unto thee the degrees of Latitude, the other two sides the degrees of Longitude. And all the degrees are divided into 60 partes which they call minutes, sometimes into single parts, when the magnitude will permit, sometimes into two, five, or ten. This foundation being laid, wee have followed the best descriptions in delineating of Countries, in which I had much helpe from a famous Measurer of Countries, and a most diligent Geographer to the King of Spaine called Christianus Grothenius, who had viewed many Countries, and described them more largely and exactly than any other, and also from a most diligent Geographer to the King of Spaine Abraham Ortelius, who was candor and curtesie it selfe, and who, in evidence thereof, liberally communicated unto mee what Tables soever hee had gotten, though he had the same purpose that I intended. Those who besides did helpe mee any thing at all, I will mention in due place, so that Students may give them their deserved praise, and I may not bee found ungratefull. And whatsoever hath beene offerr'd mee by others, and I found out by my owne diligent search, I have compar'd together, that as neere as may bee I might set forth accurate descriptions: yet in one thing which I chiefly desired I am defective, namely in an exact numbring and reckoning up of Principalities & Noble-mens places, which are much sought for in Tables that are set forth: therefore (READER) thou must pardon that defect, and vouchsafe to helpe mee in describing the Politicall Order of the Nobilitie, and in shewing their places, names, and qualities, which will be an honour and grace unto thy name. Litle round circles doe shew the true situation of every place, from whence their distance is to be taken, and these have some markes whereby places are distinguisht one from an other. The Villages are marked onely by round circles: where wee meete with a Castle, wee marke it in this manner 〈☐〉, and where with Friaries with a Crosse thus 〈☐〉: Townes have two Towres at least, and Villages of note where Noble-men reside one. These things wee observed as notes. And wee have taken easie markes for distinction, that so any may supply those things which are omitted.

If any one would finde out the Longitude and Latitude of any place,* 1.2 hee shall do it where the Meridians are Parallels, by taking with a paire of Compasses the distance thereof from the one side of the Table, and by applying the Compasse so opened to the other side. If you have taken the distance from the East side, the Compasse from the same side in the North side will shew the degree and minute of Longitude. But if you have the distance from the North side, it will shew you the Latitude in the East side. When the Meridians are not Parallels, the Latitude of a place shall bee found out in the same manner, as in universall Tables, where the Parallels are circular, for the distance of the place taken from the next Parallel will shew the same in the East side. But the Longitude is to be sought out with a thread or ruler laid upon the place, and turned about, untill on the North and South side the same minute of the same degree be on either side designed, and whatsoever that is, is the Longitude of the place assumed.

The miles in divers Countries do differ much, therefore if you please to compare them one to an other, bring them with your Compasses to the degrees of the Meridian, and then finde out how many miles are comprehended in one degree, and you shall see how many miles of one countrie, and how many miles of an other countrie doe make up one degree; so you shall finde the common German miles (fifteene whereof are in one degree) foure times larger than the Italian miles, and double as much to the Swethish and Westphalian miles.

Sometimes you shall find a line joyned to a litle Circle, thus 〈☐〉 〈☐〉 〈☐〉 which sheweth the name pertaining to the place, being therefore added that you may know what name belongs to every place.

An Index of the Tables in FRANCE. (Book maps of France)

• 1 Gallia universalis, or France in generall.
• 2 Brittanie, Normandie, &c.
• 3 Lemovicium.
• 4 Santonia.
• 5 Aquitania.
• 6 Provincia.
• 7 France, Picardie, and Campagnia.
• 8 Francia.
• 9 Picardia.
• 10 Campania.
• 11 The Countrie of the Bellovacians.
• 12 Bolonia.
• 13 Aniou.
• 14 The Dukedome of Berry.
• 15 The Dukedome of Burbon.
• 16 Bourdelois.
• 17 The Countrie of Perch.
• 18 Touraine.
• 19 Poictou.
• 20 Cardureium.
• 21 Bresse.
• 22 Lionnois Forest.
• 23 Northerne Langue dock.
• 24 Dauphine.
• 25 Lotharingia the Northerne.
• 26 —and Southerne part.
• 27 The Dukedome of Burgundie.
• 28 The Countie of Burgundie.
• 29 Sabaudia.
• 30 The generall Table of Helvetia.
• 31 Zurich.
• 32 Wiflispurgergou.
• 33 The Lake of Geneva.
• 34 Argou.
• 35 Rhaetia.
• 36 A Table of all the Low-Countries.
• 37 Flanders.
• 38 The Easterne part of Flanders.
• 39 Brabant.
• 40 Holland.
• 41 Zeland.
• 42 Gelderland.
• 43 Zutphania.
• 44 Vltrajectum.
• 45 Mechlinia.
• 46 Groeninga.
• 47 Transisulania.
• 48 Artesia.
• 49 Hanonia.
• 50 Namurcum.
• 51 Lutzenburg.
• 52 Limburg.

IHave described Spaine and the speciall Provinces thereof,* 1.1 now passing over the Pyrenaean Mountaines, France offers it selfe, which I will delineate as faithfully as I can. That part of Europe which is now called France (as many doe report) was heretofore called Galatia, from Gala,* 1.2 which in English signifies Milke, because it produceth men of a white milkie colour, for that the Mountaines (for this also they adde) doe keepe off the violent heate of the Sunne. Diodorus writeth, that it had that name from Galata the Daughter of Hercules. Others doe deliver b 1.3 other opinions. Ptolemie in his second Booke, and other Grecians doe call it Celtogalantium. Some thinke it was named Gallia from c 1.4 Gallatia, which word others derive otherwayes. But these things are not of so great moment, as that they should detaine the Reader with a large discourse. 'Tis certaine that the name of Gallia was used by the Latine Writers, as wee shall understand more fully by that which followes. Postellus and d 1.5 Arias Montanus doe write, that the Hebrewes did call it Tzarphat. It is now called France from the Francks, a people of Germanie neere the Rhene, who possest themselves of this Countrie by force of Armes: it is commonly called Le Royaulme de France. The Grecians did call the French-men in generall Celtae and Galatae: and they were also (as Iosephus witnesseth) heretofore called Gomeritae. And so much briefly concerning the name. The Situation and quantitie followes. I will unfold it according to the bounds, the longitude, the latitude, and the compasse thereof. Concerning the bounds of the Kingdome of France, on the North, on which side it looketh toward the Low-Countries, it is bounded by a line drawne from Callice unto Argentoratum or Strasburg,* 1.6 which on the left hand leaveth Artesia, Hannonia, Lutzenburg, and other Countries; and on the right hand Picardie and Lotharingia: but that part which lyeth against England, the great Brittish Ocean doth beate on; as likewise on the West, making a great Bay into Aquitania. On the South, where it cleaveth to Spaine, it hath the Pyrenaean Mountaines, and that part of the Mediterranean Sea, which is called the French Sea. Lastly, on the East it is separated by the Alpes from Italie, by Iura from the Helvetians, and by the Rhene from the Germans. Gallia or France (for I will use these words indifferently) is more than 300. G. French miles long from the West straight forward unto the East: or from the South-South-West unto the South-South-East above 330. In breadth it is almost 285 miles; the compasse of it is above a thousand and twentie; and this is the quantity of it, the quality followeth. It lyeth under part of the fifth Climate, all the sixth and seventh, and part of the eigth, betweene the degrees of latitude fortie one and fiftie three, and of longitude 20 and 38. And although in generall it lye very much open to the Northerne windes, yet it may be reckon'd with the best Countries of Europe for the wholesomnesse and temper of the Ayre. Claudianus calleth it a happie Soyle, Caesar lib. 3. Bel. Civ. calleth it a wholesome Soyle, and Strabo the fruitfull Mother of e 1.7 Men (lib. 2. de Bel. Gal.) The Countrie, for the most part, is plaine, and yet having in some places pleasant hils, and betweene them delightfull valleyes, both of them wonderfull fruitfull. The fields are well tilled, and doe bring forth great store of f 1.8 Wheate and other Corne. France (as Strabo witnesseth) hath great store of Corne and Acornes. There is no place unoccupied, but where there are Marishes or woods. It aboundeth with the best Wine, which they transport to Brittany, Normandie, Picardie, Germanie, the L•w-Countries, England, and other Countries where Grapes can attaine to no maturitie or ripenesse, by reason of the coldnesse of the Ayre. Also Athenaeus and Strabo doe witnesse, that France had Mynes of Gold and Silver, but now they are supposed to bee exhausted. That part of the Countrie which is occupied by tillage, doth feede and bring up all kinde of Cattell, by reason whereof it aboundeth with Flesh, Milke, Butter, Cheese, Wooll, and other things. The French-men did peaceably possesse all France, under the reigne of King Clodoveus, who first of all was made g 1.9 Monarch of all France, and first of all professed the Christian Faith, which the Kings of France doe use even unto this day. Hee did beare for his Armes the three h 1.10 Lillies or Flower de lises, which some doe suppose were given him from i 1.11 heaven. After him, as they write, there reigned now in a right succession, now in a collaterall Childebertus, Clotarius the first, Cherebertus, Childericus the second, Clotarius the second, Dagobertus Magnus, Clodoveus the second, Clotarius the third, Childericus the third, Theodoricus, Clodoveus the third, Childebertus the second, Dagobertus the second, Childericus the fourth, Theodericus the second, and Childericus the fifth. Hee in the eleventh yeare of his raigne, and in the yeare of Christ 75, by the authoritie and command of Pope Zacharie, (to whom Pipine in a Booke sent unto him had painted out his opprobrious and reproachfull life) was deprived of his Kingdome, and enforced to become a Monke. In his place his Accuser Pipine was made King, the Sonne of Charles Martel, otherwise called k 1.12 Pipin, surnamed the Short, being before Prefect. After him there followed Charles the Great, Ludovicus Pius, Carolus calvus or Charles the bald, Ludovicus Balbus, Ludovicus the third, Charles the grosse, l 1.13 Odo, Charles the simple, Rudolphus, Burgundio, Lodovicus the fourth, Clotharius, and Ludovick the fifth, being the last of the posteritie of Charles the great, who being poysoned, the Kingdome was translated to Hugh Capet, a chiefe man of France, Earle of Paris, and titulary Duke of France and Burgundie. After Capet there succeeded Robert surnamed Pius, Henry the first, Philip the first, Ludovicus the sixth, Ludovicus the seventh, Philip the second, Ludovicus the eigth, Ludovicus the ninth, Philip the third, Philip the Faire being the fourth, Ludovicus Huttinus the 10, * 1.14 Philip the fifth surnamed the Long, Charles the fourth surnamed the Faire, who dying without any male Issue * 1.15 Philip of Valoys was chosen in his place, being the Sonne of Charles the first Earle of Valoys. After him there followed o 1.16 Iohn of Valoys, Charles the fifth called the Wise, Charles Bene-natus the sixth, Charles the seventh, Ludovick the 11, Charles the eigth, Ludovicus the 12, Francis of Valoys the Sonne of Charles the first Earle of Angelime, p 1.17 Henry of Valoys the second, Francis the second, q 1.18 Charles the ninth, Henry the third, who being slaine by the hand of a Iacobine Monke, r 1.19 Henry of Burbon the fourth, being the Sonne of Anthony Duke of Burbon was proclaimed lawfull Successour to him, and the most Christian King of Navarre and France. The French-men are cheerfull and enclined to warres. Concerning their valour, it will be worth our labour to heare Strabo a skilfull man, by birth a Capadocian, by learning a Grecian, in judgement ancient, and that had travell'd through many Countries. The whole Nation (saith hee) of those people which are now called the French or the Galatae, delighteth in Martiall affaires, and is of a couragious stomack, hot at the first on-set: They are of a curteous and faire condition, and doe abhorre all wicked manners; so that being provok't by any injurie, they will presently fight and quarrell, without any respect of the danger ensuing. Also no man is ignorant how great a terrour the name of the French•men was once to the Romans, the Grecians, and the Asiaticans, when heretofore they came from their owne Countrie to spoyle and destroy the Oracle of Apollo Pythius, unto which they resorted from all parts of the world. Also when they tooke Rome and set it on fire; when they besieged the Capitoll, and when they built Cities in Italie, as Mediolanum, Comum, Brixia, Verona, Bergomum, Tridentum, and Vincentia. France now is not so large as it was heretofore, for that part of Italie which lyeth between the Alpes and Ancona was called heretofore Gallia Cisalpina, but now it is called Lumbardie: and a great part of Belgia or the Low-Countries now belongeth to Germanie, which by the description of Caesar, Ptolemie, and ancient Writers did once appertaine to France. For they divided Gallia s 1.20 Transalpina, or that part of France which is beyond the Alpes, called by Plinie Comata, and by Ptolemy Celtogallia, into three parts, Celtica, Belgica, and Narbonensis: Ptolemie divideth it into foure parts, Aquitania, Lugdunensis, which is the same with that which Caesar cals Celtica, Belgica, and Narbonensis. They bounded it then with the Pyrenaean Mountaines, the Rhene, the Ocean, and the Alpes, when now all that which lyeth from Cales Eastward, is reckon'd as part of Germany not of France; and the Germans doe challenge a great deale on either side of the Rhene. The chiefest Cities are Lutetia Parisiorum or Pari•, Massils, Narbon, Iaons, Pictavium, Burdeaux, Naeomagus, Iuliomagus, Orleance, Rothomagus, Rupella, and many others, of which wee will speake more largely in the particular descriptions. France hath many Lakes, and the chiefe of them all,* 1.21 is that which they call in Latine Lemanus, and the most doe call the Lake of France. Concerning which, seeing it is described in a particular Table of this Volume, I will adde nothing more in this place, but referre the Reader thither. Not farre from a Towne called Bessum there is a Mountaine & on it a great Lake, being so deepe that it is thought to have no bottome, no water, as farre as may be discerned, doth flow into it; if any one cast any thing into it, hee shall straight-way heare it thunder, and see it lighten, beside much raine and haile will fall afterward. Not farre from thence is the Lake Crypta, the round mouth whereof is commonly called Creux de Soulcis, being a deepe Abysse, whose depth cannot bee found out: and if a man cast a stone into it and afterward lay his eare unto it, hee shall heare a great murmuring noise, like as if it thunderd a farre off. In the Summer time, though nothing bee cast into it, yet a noyse is heard in the hollow cavernes of it. And it is supposed that there are windes in them, which doe warre, as it were, one against an other. Abitacum or Avitacum, being a place in Avernia neere Claromont, is so lively described by Sidonius in his second Booke, Epist. 2. as if it were delineated in these times. Concerning the Lake Rubressus, you may reade Pomponius Mela lib. 2. in the Chapter wherein Narbon is painted forth; Plinie cals it the Rubrensian Lake, but Strabo and Stephanus name it Limne Narbonitis. France hath innumerable Rivers both great and litle. Ausonius Eidyllio 3 doth reckon up many of them, where hee speaketh thus of Mosella:

Non tibi se Liger anteferet, non Axona praeceps, &c. Liger shall not preferre her selfe 'fore thee,Nor yet Axona, whose swift waters beeStill running on, nor Matrona that doth glide'Twixt France and Belgia lying on each side:Nor yet Carantonus, the which doth flow,And back to the Santonick Bay doth goe:Yea France shall make her Tarnis come behinde,Though sands of gold are unto it assign'd.And her Aturnus, though it madly runneInto the purple Sea, yet will not shunne,But first adore the River Mosel, asIts Mistresse ere 'twill to the Ocean passe.

And a litle after.

Both t Druna and Druentia which doth flow'Tweene crooked bankes, and so doth winding goe,Shall reverence and adore thee, and so shallThe Rivers that downe from the Alpes doe fall.And Rodanus, who as shee along doth glide,Doth name that Banke which lyes on the right side:Thee with blew Lakes, with streames that greatest are,And with Sea-like Garumna Ile compare.

But the chiefe Rivers are Sequana, Ligeris, Garumna, and Rodanus. That which is called in Latine Sequana, Ptolemie cals Zekouana, Strabo Zekouanos, Stephanus Zekoanos, and Benjamin Siban; but it is commonly called Seyne. It riseth in the Dukedome of Burgundie, and having visited Paris, where it maketh a litle Isle, and Rotomagum or Roan, at last with a great mouth it breaketh into the Brittish or Norman Sea. It hath a very dangerous harbour for ships to ride in, and it requires much care to passe out of it, or come into it. The Normans doe commonly call it la Bare: for Seyne having entred into the Sea straight•way, contrary to the nature of other Rivers, doth flow back againe, rising up with a horrible noyse as high as any speare. Heere those that are carelesse and negligent doe run themselves upon unexpected dangers. The Seyne as it runneth along, doth receive u 1.23 divers Rivers, of which the chiefest and most noted by the Ancients, are Matrona, commonly called Marne, Esia, w 1.24 Yse, commonly Ayse, Axona commonly called Ayne, Aisne or Esne. Liger, which I named in the second place, is a River famoused by Caesar and others. It is called Ligeros (or as it is better in some copies Ligeris) by Strabo in his fifth Booke, and by Ptolemie, but now it is called Loire and x 1.25 Leire. The head thereof is at the Towne Velaunum, which is called commonly la Font de Leiro. It is larger than the rest, so that it is worthily called the Father of the Rivers of France. And having runne with a cleare streame through divers Countries, (for it did anciently divide the y 1.26 Celtae from the Aquitani, as Strabo noteth) it doth exonerate and disburthen it selfe into the Westerne Ocean, by a mouth almost foure leagues wide, but somewhat troubled with sands. Two leagues and a halfe within, there are rocks, which are called the Hogges. It receiveth into it many great navigable Rivers, as Elaver commonly called Allier, Carus now called Cher, Vigenna now Vienne, Viane, and Vignane, Meduana now called Mayne, and others. Garumna followeth, by which Caesar divideth Gallia from Aquitania: Strabo lib. 4. calleth it Gorounas, Ptolemie Garuna, and Frontinus Garonna, which name it still retaineth from its head, even to the Castle Blavia, but afterward it is called Geronde and Girond. Gulielmus Brito calleth it Gerunna. It riseth out of the Pyrenaean Mountaines, not farre from a Towne which is commonly called Guadalup• And so having visited Tholous, Burdeaux, and other places, mingles it selfe with the Aquitanian Sea, by a mouth of two leagues breadth: at the entrance whereof there are some rocks, which are called the Asses. The Dutch Mariners doe call the Northerne side Noorder-Esel, the Southerne side Suyder-Esel, having a high watch-tower on it, which is commonly called la Tour Cordan. It receiveth these navigable Rivers; Tarnis commonly called Lo Tarn, in French le Tar: Egercius, which the Vascones doe call Gers; Oldus commonly called Ooldt, or with an Article le Old; Duranius now sometimes called la Dordogne, sometimes Dordonne, and others. I have given the last place to Rodanus: This River was knowne by all Writers both the Greeke, who called it Podanos, and the Latine. The French-men call it le Rosne, but the Inhabitants le Ros: Oppianus in Halieuticis lib. 4. and Philostratus in the lives of the Sophisters, doe call it Eridamus. Plinie writeth, that it was named from Roda a Colonie of the Rhodians in that Countrie. It riseth not farre from the Fountaines of Danubius, Rhene, Arola, Ticinus and others, neere a Mountaine which is commonly called Briga; and having entred into the Lake Lemanus, neere to the Towne Nova-villa, or Neuf-ville, it runneth through it, so as it preserveth its colour, and so proceeding to the Towne of Geneva, it runneth afterward with a violent course into the Mediterranean Sea, with seven mouths or inlets, as Apollonius writeth in his Argonauticks; with five, as Diodorus thinketh and others; with three, as Artimedorus in Strabo, Plinie, and Ammianus suppose; with two, as Polybius and Ptolemy thinke; with many, as Livie wisely doth report, lest hee might be convinced of falshood in a particular enumeration: at this day the Inhabitants doe name five and more, as Gras Neuf, Gras de Orgon, Gras Paulet, Gras Graunt, Gras d' Enfer, and Gras de Passon, which being toward Massilia, Plinie calleth Mossaleoticum, and Polybius Massalioticum: Rodanus doth receive Arva; and z 1.27 Araris, now called Saone or Sone; also Isaris now called Isere: also Druna, which is now called Dronia or Drosne; and Druentia now called Durance. But so much shall suffice concerning the Rivers for the present. The Brittish Ocean, where it lyeth against England beateth on France on the North, and also on the West, as wee said before; but on the South the Mediterranean Sea: toward both these Seas there are many famous Bayes; on the Ocean side is that which Aethicus, and others call Sinus Aquitanicus, and Lucan most elegantly cals Tarbellicus Ancon. There are also many other famous Bayes in the same Sea, in whose inward parts are seated the Townes of Diepe, Constantia, and others. Toward the Mediterranean Sea there are two Bayes called the Greater and the Lesse. That part of the Mediterranean is called the Greater, where Rodanus doth powre it selfe into it. Marcus Portius Cato calleth it Angulus Gallicus, or the French Corner, but a 1.28 Livie, b 1.29 Iustine and others call it, for the excellence of it, the French Bay. Strabo writeth that the Lesser was neere the Pyrenaean Promontorie, which is called Promontorium Aphrodisium, and this Bay Mela calleth Salsus. Antoninus placeth also the Gamblacian Bay in Gallia Narbonensis. France had heretofore, as also it hath now, many famous Havens, of which Lucas Aurigarius hath written fully in his fifth Chart, and the foure following, the chiefe whereof are Staliocanus, Vindana, Brivates and others, named by the Ancients. That which Ptolemie cals Staliocanus, some suppose to be that of S. Paul de Lyon in Brittaine, but others Roscou, to whom I am induced to subscribe, because the later is more safe and convenient than the former, for though it hath the Island commonly called De Bas lying over against it, yet it affordeth a safe comming in for ships of seven Ells deepe. Over against the former lyeth threatning Taurus (an Island commonly called Le Taureau) which hath innumerable rocks lying round about it, some being hidden and some standing forth, that are very dangerous to Marriners, except they take heede. Not farre from thence in the same Britannie towards the South, behinde the bending of the Promontorie called Gobaeum, is the Bay of Vindana, which is now called Fenstiers, or Conquest; Iovius (though erroniously) calleth it Brest; for that Haven which Ptolemy calleth Briovates, is now called Brest. Plinie maketh mention also of the Haven Zetoor, which is now called Lusson or Luxo. And of the Haven which Ptolemie cals Santonum, but now is called la Rochelle, as Villanovanus supposeth. The Mountains and Woods now follow. Concerning the Mountaines, France is more mountainous in some places than in others. The highest parts are Daulphine, Provincia, Subaudia, and Burgundia. The Andegavensian Countrie hath also some Mountaines, which doe runne out into the borders of Brittanie and Poictou. Ancient Writers doe chiefly celebrate these Mountaines of France, namely Cebenna, Vogesus, and Iura. Cebenna is a Mountaine, which, as Caesar writeth, divideth those of Avergne from those of Vivareiz; Plinie cals it Gebenna, Lucan and Ausonius doe name it Gebennas, and Mela Gebennicos. The true and genuine writing of it, as Scaliger noteth in his letters to Merula, is Cebenna with a C: for they are called at this day Montaignes de Cebenes & Cevenes: Ptolemie and Strabo call them Cemmeni, some Latines doe call them Cebenna, Venetus cals them Cevennae, and Villanovanus calleth them Montaignes d' Auvergne: part of these Mountaines is now called Tarara (as Guileelmus Budaeus witnesseth in his fourth Book de Asse) which lyes in the way to Lyons; on the top whereof there is a seate cut in a rock, into which they set those Merchants, who have not formerly used to trade at Lyons. It is commonly called la Chere de la verité, for they are enforced to sweare the truth, whether they have ever beene at Lyons or not, and to promise afterward to make them a feast in honour of the Citie. There is also a Mountaine which Caesar lib. 4. de bell. Gall. Lucan. lib. 1. Pliny, and others doe call Vogesus. Tacitus in the first Booke of his Historie doth corruptly call it Vocetus or Vocetius, as it is noted by learned men. Stephanus in his fourth Booke calleth it by the name of the Alpes, now it is called Mont de Faucilles, and it hath also other names. It doth separate Burgundie and Alsatia from Lotharingia; it doth send forth the River Mosella, as Caesar witnesseth, and infinite other Rivers, the most whereof doe runne into the Rhene. That part from whence Mosella floweth is called Kratzer: which Ortelius writeth, hee understood out of a Booke written by Magnus Gruberus, in which he describeth Rhene: adding withall, that in the Chorographicall Table of Lotharingia, accurately delineated by Iohannes Scyllius, by the Dukes command and charge, this Countrie is called in French Estaye, and Auff der Stay: and the same Scyllius doth witnesse, that there groweth nothing there but the hearbe Asarum. Vogesus in the Valley Leberia doth yeeld pure silver, but (as Munster noteth) not very much. I know not whether I shall call Iura a Mountaine of France or of Germanie: heeretofore it was all of it, together with Helvetia, esteemed to bee in France, but now a great part is thought to be in Germanie. The beginning thereof is placed on the confines of Basil, neere the Rhene, over against Waldzhut. It is high, and raised up with many great stones. Caesar, Plinie, and others doe mention it, Ptolemie cals it Iurassus, Strabo Iurasius and Ioras. In our times the Inhabitants in divers places doe call it by divers names. Not farre from the Castle of Hasburg, neere Burg, (which is a litle Towne, so called in the German Language from the Bridge which is there built on one arch over the River Arola) it is called Botzberg, from the Village Botzen, which, together with many orhers, is seated at the foote of the Mountaine. Munster, Scudus, Lazius, and others doe thinke, that this part of Iura was that which Cornelius Tacitus called Vo••tus or V•ce••••. But O•telius thinketh, that it should be read in Tacitus Vogesus. There is also by this part of this Mountaine a great Valley called •rickthal, from a certaine Village therein of the same name. And here and there are other Valleyes, as Lauffen-thal, S. Imers-thal, and the like, but none of them doe crosse the Mountaine, so that wheresoever you would passe over it, you must clime very high• Moreover betweene Araris and Farspurg this Mountaine is called Schaffmat, which in Latine is as much to say as Ovinum Pratum, or the Sheepe pasture. Betweene the Towne Olten and the Prefectureship of Humburg it is called Nider-Hawenstein, or the Lower-Cut-Stone, for that there is a way made through the rocks. Betweene Walnburg and Balstalium it is called Ober-Hawenstein, or the Higher-Cut-stone, where loaden Carts are let downe with ropes from the steepe parts of the Mountaine. Toward the West it is called Wasser-val, that is, the Ruine of Water. And as you goe farther it is called by the Sabaudians Iurten. That arme thereof which extendeth it selfe toward Basil, and neere to the River Byrsa, is called Blowen; and it growes higher and ruggeder untill you come to Delsperg, where againe it openeth into a Plaine. A litle farther, as you goe to the French Monasterie of Bellele, it riseth againe in heigth, and afterward not farre from thence it lesseneth and growes very low: from thence againe the Mountaine extendeth it selfe from the East Westward with a stone ridge: which (as it is reported) Iulius Caesar did first make passible, by digging, as it were, a Gate through the stones: Some doe name this Gate Pierreport, others the Rock-Gate, and some doe call it Pierre-pertus, and Petra pertusa: Merula who once passed by it witnesseth, that it is truly and accurately described by Sebastian Munster. And the same Merula mentioneth a faire Inscription over the Gate, but that the letters of the first word are more worne out than the rest. This is it,

N:::.. Augusti via ducta per ardua montisFecit iter Petram scindens in margine fontis. This is the way which once Augustus madeThrough this Mountaine which his power obey'd.Hee cut a way quite through this rocky mountaine,Even neere unto the brim of a faire Fountaine.

By this Fountaine the Poët understandeth the River Byrsa, which breaketh there out of a rock with a violent streame of water. From thence Iura runneth Northwestward, betweene the Helvetians and the Sabaudians, and then by Burgundia, which it leaveth upon the South-South-west (whence Caesar saith in his first Booke, that Iura in two places divideth the Sequani from the Helvetians) and by divers Lakes, the chiefe whereof is Lemanus, where the Mountaine of S. Claudius running farre and wide, at last endeth neere to the River Rhodanus. Concerning other Mountaines which doe also belong to France, and namely the Pyrenaean Mountaines, I have spoken in the Description of Spaine: and I will discourse of the Alpes when I come to entreate of Italie. I will therefore now speake something of the Woods in France, which are many, yet not so great or thick of trees, bushes, and briars as in other Countries: there are many among the c 1.30 Cenomanni, as Les Forests de Versay, Longoulney, Persi, Sille, Charnay, Audain, Maine, Concise: In Lower Brittaine there are le Forest de Bostblanc, de Toriant, & de Guierche: Amongst the Picts in Poictou, there are le Forest de Mouliore, Dyne, Bresse, Ligne, and others. Amongst Bituriges in Berry, the wood Roberto may be seene with others. And amongst the d 1.31 Andegavi, there are the Forests of Loursaie and Marson. The whole Countrie of Bononia is, as it were, one entire wood, the parts whereof are Le Bois de Surene, Celles, Hardelot, Dalles, and Boursin. Among the Verumandui, not farre from Perona, there are the woods Recoigne and Bouhan. In Picardia there are Bois de Baine, de Beaulieu, de la Fere, and de Coussi. Neither doth Lotharingia want woods, as Warned-wald, le Banbois, Bois de Moudon, de Heyde, de S. Benoyt, de la Voyge, Mortaigne, and Doseyne. In Burgundie there are many woods, whose names I cannot now rehearse. I passe by also the other woods which are dispersed all over France. Also for the Forrest of Arduenna, the chiefest part of it is in Low-Germany, and therefore it is to be described there, though Claudian call it the French Wood; and Caesar lib. 6. de bell. Gall. call it the great wood of France. Not onely ancient Monuments & Records, but also Churches, and other places dedicated to Religion, of which there is a great number in the Cities and Townes of France, doe witnesse, that the French-men were very much addicted to Religion, and were the chiefe of those that embraced the Christian Faith. In the Citie of Paris alone there are 69 Churches,* 1.32 but the fairest of them is the Cathedrall Church, dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary, the foundation whereof being long before laid, it began to bee built in the reigne of Ludovicus, in the yeare 1257, and is the chiefe wonder of France. It is borne up by an hundred and twenty Pillars: the length is 174 paces, the breadth threescore, and the heigth an hundred. The Quire is built of faire Stone, on which are engraven divers Histories out of the Old and New Testament. It hath in the whole compasse of it 45 Chappels, strengthened with Iron Grates: the Gates are eleven in all. On the front of the Church there are three double Gates, beautified and adorned with the Statues of 28 Kings. On the sides there are Towres, or rather Steeples, which are 34 Cubits high. The greatest Bell, which taketh its name from the Virgin Mary, requireth twenty men to ring it: and the second thereof, when the ayre is cleare, may be easily heard seven leagues. It were an infinite thing to describe the other Churches, which are heere and in other places, or to reckon up the Abbyes, the Friaries, the Monasteries, the Hospitals for strangers, the Hospitals for the sick, the Hospitals for the poore, and the Hospitals for Orphans. What should I speake of the Castles, or of the Kings faire Pallaces? What of the faire houses belonging to Noblemen and Knights? What of the other publick and private buildings? Concerning these matters I had rather be silent than speake too litle. The State of France is now Monarchicall:* 1.33 which kinde of government Aristotle thought was most ancient and divine. The King thereof is borne, not chosen by suffrages; and none can governe but one of the Masculine Sexe, as the e 1.34 Salick Law doth require. The Subjects doe so love, adore, and reverence their King, as nothing more. The arbitrating and judging of all matters is in his power. There is in France a Colledge of twelve Peeres, instituted by f 1.35 Charles the great, in his warre against the Saracens, and they are commonly called les Pairs de France, because they were next &, as it were, equall in dignitie to the King. They have power to consecrate the King, and put him into possession of the Kingdome. Sixe of these are commonly called Laicks, the rest are called Ecclesiasticks, or Clergy-men: The Laicks are Dukes or Earles, as the Dukes of Burgundie, Normandie, and Guienne: the Earles of Campania, Flanders, and Tholouse. The Ecclesiasticks also are Dukes and Earles; the Dukes are the Archbishop of Remes, the Archbishop of Laon, and the Archbishop of Langers: the Earles are the Bishop of Chaulons, of Noyon, and Beavois. There are also eight chiefe Senates in France, which they commonly call Parliaments; from which it is unlawfull to make any appeale, as the Parliament of Paris, of Tholouse, of Rotamagum or Roven, of Grenoble, of Burdeaux, of Dijon, of Aix, and of Bretaigne. As concerning the Ecclesiastick State, there are twelve Archbishopricks in France, to wit, the Archbishop of Lyons (which is the Primate) of Aix, of Vienna, of Rhemes, of Narbone, of Tholouse, of Burdeaux, of Aux, of Bourges, of Tours, of Roen, and of Sene. There are these Universities in the Kingdome, to wit,* 1.36 Paris, Poictiers, Bourges, Tholouse, Burdeaux, Nantes, Lyons, Orleans, Mompellier, Cahors, Grenoble, Valens, Rhemes, Angiers, Caen, Avenion, Dol, and Massils, which is the ancientest of them all, and founded by the Grecians. Out of these, as it were, out of so many Trojan Horses, an innumerable sort of learned men both Divines, Lawyers, Physicians, and others have come forth, whom if I should endeavour to number, I should take upon my selfe a great taske, and should be tedious to the Reader. The Nobilitie of France doe in generall follow the studies of good learning, with earnest diligence and continuall paines, so that they excell in all kindes of Disciplines and Arts. You may see there those that are of great birth, and descended of noble Families, plying their Bookes night and day, and busying themselves with the sacred Mysteries of the Muses. There are those, who, to the great admiration of those that heare them, without any premeditation, can in an admirable method, very readily discourse or speake of any matter that shall be propounded. There are many Libraries in this Kingdome, especially the Kings Librarie at Paris, and the Librarie of S. Victor. That I may omit other publick and private Libraries, furnished with the best and rarest printed Bookes, and with the choysest manuscripts. Now I come to speake of their manners: Diodorus and Strabo doe witnesse, that the French-men are very sharpe-witted, and reasonable good Schollers. Symmachus in many places doth commend their studies in good letters and learning. Marcus Portius Cato, Originum lib. 2. saith, that the most part doe follow two things very industriously, to wit, Warfare and Eloquence, that we may know that the ancient French did carrie away the glory of eloquence from other Nations. Strabo doth attribute to them a curteous Nature, voyde of malice. Iulianus an eye witnesse doth report of them, that they know not how to flatter, but that they live freely and justly with all men. They have no more knowledge of Venus and Bacchus than serveth them for marriages for procreation, and for the moderate drinking of their owne wines. Those things which some speake on the contrarie, are to be esteemed as rayling speeches, proceeding from an envious minde. For who seeth not, that hath read ancient Writers concerning the disposition of the French-men, and compar'd it with what it is at this present, that that is fals which Servius reporteth? namely, that the French-men are dull-witted; and that which Iulius Firmicus annexeth, to wit, that they are blockish; and that of Iulianus, who forgetting himselfe, saith, that they are stupid and rustick; that of Polybius, who saith, that they doe not give their mindes to Learning and good Arts. That which Diodorus, Athenaeus, and Clement Alexandrinus doe avouch, namely, that they are unfaithfull, given to gluttonie and drunkennesse; that which Livie and Polybius report, to wit, that they are soft and effeminate; that of Mela, who affirmeth, that they are desirous of gold, ambitious, proude, and superstitious; that of Solinus, who saith, that they are vaine bablers: and lastly that which Plutarch speaketh in the life of Pyrrhus, namely that they are insatiably covetous of money. Neverthelesse it is confest, that the French-men may be corrupted with many vices, by having commerce and traffique with other Nations. Florus saith lib. 3. cap. 10. that no man can say, that the French are onely fierce, seeing they deale fradulently, and by wiles. Ammianus lib. 15. sheweth, that they are quarrellous: Diodorus doth reprehend the French-men for their intemperancie in speech, and also noteth, that they use a short and obscure kind of Language, that they speake many things ambiguously of purpose, that they talke much in praise of themselves, & in disgrace of others, and that they are detracters and selfe-conceited or opinionated. Strabo also noteth their boasting, which is that French ostentation which Caesar speaketh of lib. 7. and is exemplified in many of his other Bookes: such is the boasting of Helvetius Divicon lib. 1. while he extols and magnifies the vertue of the Helvetians, and doth upbraid the Romans with the remembrance of their overthrow. So Vercingetorix braggeth, in his Oration, that hee alone would cause a Councell to be called out of all France, which the whole world could not resist. Concerning the Religion of the ancient French men, and their manner of worship which they used, Marcus Tullius is not to be regarded, who writeth thus in his Oration for M. Fonteius, The French-men are not moved with any Religion: Let us rather heare Livie, who though in other matters hee doth unjustly taxe this Nation, yet hee affirmes, that they are not negligent in matters of Religion: and Caesar lib. 7. de Bell. Gall. who knew this Nation well enough, when hee saith, that it was very much given to Religion. Caesar saith, that they especially worshipped Mercury: Max. Tyrius doth witnesse, that the Celtae or French-men did worship Iupiter, and for his sake they honoured the highest Oake. Strabo testifieth, that Diana had a Temple at Massilia; and Polybius lib. 8. as also Plutarch doe mention, that Diana was worshipped and adored by the Gallo-Grecians. Lactantius, Lucan, and Minutius Felix doe report, that the French-men had Esus or Hesus, Te•tates and Teranes for their Gods: which most of the Learned doe interpret to bee Mars, Mercurie, and Iupiter. Ausonius maketh B•l•nus to be the French-mens God, whom Herodian calleth Belis, the same perhaps with that which Tertullian cals Tibilene, whom the Greekes and others thinke to be Apollo. Also the French-men did worship Abellio, of which, as Ioseph Scaliger, writing to Ausonius, lib. 1. cap. 9. noteth, there doe still remaine some monuments. And Lucian reporteth, that they did worship Hercules by the name of Ogmius. Athenaus writeth, that when the ancient Gaules worshipped their Gods, they did turne themselves to the right hand. They did offer humane sacrifices to their Gods, especially to Mars, as Caesar witnesseth. But they never offerd any sacrifice without their Druides, as Diodorus witnesseth. These Druides were Priests, heretofore much esteemed by the French-men, as also their Bards were, of whom Lucan thus writeth:

Vos quoque qui fortes animas, bellòque peremptas, &c.Then you that valiant soules and slaine in warre Doe celebrate with praises that still areImmortall, so that vertue never dyes,You Bards securely sung your Elegies.You Druides, now freed from warre, maintaineYour barbarous Rites, and sacrifice againe.You what heaven is, and Gods alone can tell,Or else alone are ignorant; you dwellIn vast and desert woods: you teach no spiritPlutoes pale Kingdome can by death inherit.They in an other world informe againe,Death long lifes midle is (if you maintaineThe truth) the Northerne people happie areIn this their errour, whom feare greatest farreOf all feares incures not, the feare of death;Thence are they prone to warre, nor losse of breathEsteeme, and they doe thinke it is a shameTo spare a life that will returne againe.

And so much concerning the French-mens Religion, now let us adde something concerning their customes and fashions: Livie testifies, that the French men doe come to Councell in Armour; Strabo writeth, that it was the manner of the French Councels, that if any one did interrupt a Suiter, a publick Officer went to him, and drawing out his sword, did threaten him, and command him to keepe silence: and if hee did not then hold his peace, the Officer did in the same manner as formerly, the second and third time; and lastly he cut off so much of the Interrupters cloake, so that the rest was good for nothing: Caesar saith, that the French-mens Councels are rash and suddaine, and that they are unconstant in Councell, and desirous of innovation. The same Caesar noteth, that the French-men, when any matter of note happeneth, are wont by a speedie way, to notifie it unto the Countries round about, and that is by acclamations and shouting with the voyce, for from them the others receive it, and they againe by the same meanes make it knowne to their neighbours. They doe not suffer their Children (saith Caesar) when they are growne to ripenesse of yeares, to come unto them openly, because they should not neglect the service of the warres: and they thinke it an unseemely thing for the Sonne in his Childehood to sit in publick in the sight of his Father. The men doe make their wives a dowrie according to the portion which they receive with them, both which are put into one stock, so as that which ariseth from it is kept to their use: and which soever of the parties doth out-live the other, he or shee hath both parts with the use and profit which hath arisen from thence. The French women are beautifull, and like men for strength and stature, as Diodorus saith; they are fruitfull, and when they bring forth children, they give them good education. Servitude was usuall in France according to the manner of other Nations. And Caesar saith, lib. 6. that the most of them when they are oppressed either with debt or by great taxes, or by the power of great men, they betake themselves to the service of Noble-men, who have as much power over them, as Masters have over their Servants: yet they use them with more humanity and curtesie than the Romans did. For the French Lords had these Servants, or (as Caesar calleth them by a French word) Ambacti, who attended on them to increase their traine, and they us'd them in service of warre. Moreover they commonly used (as Diodorus witnesseth) thicke earthen Cups, and wrought with flowres on them. They did all suppe sitting, not on seates but on the ground, upon the skins of wolves and dogges spread thereon, the younger youths serving them at meate. And neere unto them there was a fire made, and pots of flesh set thereon, especially with Swines flesh both fresh and salt. But for the most part, as Strabo writeth, their meate was Milke. Athenaeus thus delivereth his minde out of Posidonius concerning this Nation: The French use to drinke upon a litle hay spread under them, having litle woodden Tables before them. Bread (which, as Plinie noteth, they make light with leaven) is there a common foode. They use much rosted and broyled flesh: and they take up whole joynts in both hands like Lions, tearing them in pieces with their teeth, and that which they cannot pull in pieces, they cut it with a litle knife. Those that live neere Rivers or the Sea-coasts have fish as a common service at their Table, which they broyle on fire with salt, vineger, and cummin, which they put also in the drinke. And a litle afterward he saith, The rich and wealthy men doe drinke wine which is brought out of Italie or out of Massilia, and that either pure by it selfe, or sometimes mingled with a litle water. But Plinie reporteth lib. 22. cap. ult. that they make a kinde of drunken drinke of fruite. Diodorus saith, that they made a drinke of Barley, which they called Zythum, and an other of water and honey. Concerning their habit, they wore a kinde of Cassock, as Strabo noteth, woven of thick wooll, this Garment they called Laena, by which is meant, as Ioseph Scaliger doth note, those garments which the French-men doe now call Lansanguies, quasi Laurangiae, from the figure of a Laurell or Bay-leafe, which is like unto a Rhombus. The French did use loose or straite Breeches, which Tacitus cals a barbarous covering. Strabo saith, that the French in stead of Cloakes used to weare short Coates that reached downe but to the buttocks: the shape of which Garment may be seene in that which Germans commonly call Pallatrock, or by contraction Palt rock. Diodorus saith, that they use to weare Rings on all their fingers, and without distinction: Plinie in his naturall Historie lib. 33. cap. 1. saith, that they wore them onely on their middle finger. But of these things enough, I come to the particular parts of France.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Kingdom of FRANCE, with its Estates and Provinces, as they are divided into twelve General Governments, or 3 times 4, according to their scituation, to wit,

• Four on this side the LOIRE, whose Provinces, Parts, and chief places are
  • PICARDY,
    • Higher; as
      • True Picardy,
        • Amiens.
        • St. Quintin.
      • Vermandois,
    • Lower; as
      • Ponthieu,
        • Abbeville,
        • Calais.
      • Boulenois,
      • Vexin, — Roven, or Roa•.
    • NORMANDY,
      • Higher; as
        • Caux, Havre de Grace.
        • Normandy, Lifieux.
      • Lower; as
        • Auge,
          • Caen,
          • Alenson.
        • Bessin, Bayeux.
        • Coutantin, Coutance;
    • The ISLE of FRANCE; where are
      • Isle of France, — Paris.
      • Beauvaisis, Beauvais.
      • Valois, Senlis.
      • Soissonnois, Soissons.
      • Brie, Meaux.
    • CHAMPAIGNE; where are
      • Remois, — Reims.
      • Champaigne,
        • Troyes.
        • Ch••loons.
      • Bassigny, Langres.
      • Senonois. Sen.
  • Four upon and about the LOIRE; whose Provinces, Parts, and chief places, are
    • BRETAIGNE,
      • Higher,
        • Rennes.
        • St. Maloes.
      • Mean,
        • Nantes,
        • Vennes,
      • Lower,
        • Morlaix,
        • Brest.
    • ORLEANOIS,
      • On this side the LOIRE,
        • le Maine, — le Main.
        • Perche, Mortalgne.
        • Beauce, Chartes.
      • Upon the LOIRE,
        • Nivernois, Nevers.
        • Orleanois, Orleans.
        • Blaisois, Blois.
        • Touraine, Tours.
        • Anjou, Angiers.
      • Beyond the LOIRE,
      • Poictou, Poictiers.
      • Aunis, Rochell.
      • Angoumeis, Angoulesme.
      • Berry, — Burges.
  • BOURGOGNE, or BURGUNDY,
    • Bourgogne,— Bourgogne,
      • Dijon.
      • Autun,
      • Beaune.
    • Countries adjacent,
      • Challonnois, Challon.
      • Auxerrois, Auxerre.
      • Bresse, Bourg.
  • LIONNOIS, and AUVERGNE,
    • Lionnois,
      • Lionnois, — Lions.
      • Forez. Monbrizon.
    • Auvergne,
      • Bourbonnois, Moulins.
      • Anvergne, Clermont.
      • la Marche, Gueret.
  • Four beyond the LOIRE, whose Provinces, Parts, and chief places are
    • GUIENNE, and GUASCOGNE,
      • Guienne,
        • Guienne, — Pourdeaux,
        • Saintonge, Sainter.
        • Piregort, Perigueux.
        • Limofin, Limoges.
        • Rovergue, Rodez.
        • Quercy, Cahors.
        • Agenois, Agen.
      • Guascogne,
        • Bazadois, — Bazas,
        • Albret, Nerac.
        • Condomois, Condom.
        • Armaignac, Aux.
        • Guascogne, Aire.
        • les Landes, Dax.
        • Basque, Bayone.
        • Lower Navarre, St. Palais.
        • Bearn,
          • Pau.
          • Lescar.
        • Bigorre, Tarbe.
        • Comminges, St Bertrand,
    • LANGUEDOC,
      • Higher,
        • Toulousan, — Thoulouse.
        • Carcassez, Carcassone.
        • Foix, Foix.
        • Albigeois, Alby.
      • Lower,
        • Narbone, — Narbone.
        • Beziers, Beziers.
        • Nismes,
          • Monpelier,
          • Nismes.
      • The Severnes,
        • Givaudan, — Mende.
        • Velay, le Puy.
        • Vivarais, Viviers.
      • DAUPHINE,
        • Lower,
          • Vienne,
          • Valence.
        • Higher,
          • Grenoble,
          • Embrun.
        • Part of Piedmont, — Pignerol.
      • PROVENCE,
        • Aix,
        • Arles,
        • Marscille,
        • Forcalquier,
        • Tolon, or Thoson.
    • To which at present may be added
      • LORRAINE; where are
        • Barrois,
          • Bar-le-Duc,
          • St. Michael.
        • Lorraine,
          • Metz,
          • Toul,
          • Verdun, and Nancy.
      • And divers small Estates and Principalities
        • Between Dauphin and Provence, the Country of — Avignon.
        • In the Country of Avignon, the Principality of Orange,
        • In Bresse, — the Sovereignty of Dombes, Trevoux,
        • Towards the Low Country,
          • the Principality of — Sedan.
          • the Principality of Arches, Charleville.

• FRANCE, with its Four Governments (and Provinces therein contained) on this side the Loire; which are
  • Towards the Sea; as
    • PICARDY, as it is divided in the
      • Lower; where are
        • Bousenois,
          • Calnis,
          • Ardres,
          • Boulognois.
        • Ponthieu,
          • Monstrevil,
          • Rue,
          • Abbeville,
          • St. Vallery.
      • Mean,
        • True Picardy,
          • Amient,
          • Doulens,
          • Corbie.
        • Santerre,
          • Perone,
          • Mondidier,
          • Roye.
      • Higher,
        • Vermandois,
          • St. Quintin,
          • Castelet,
          • Hem.
        • Tierrasche,
          • Guise,
          • Fere,
          • Capelle,
          • Vervins,
          • Marle.
    • NORMANDY, as it is divided into the
      • Higher; where are
        • Caux,
          • Candebes,
          • Dieppe,
          • Havre de Grace.
        • Vexin Normandy,
          • Roven, or Roan,
          • Gisors,
          • Pont de l'Arche.
        • Normandy, or Champagne,
          • Eureux,
          • Lifieux,
          • Laigle,
          • Hanfleur.
      • Lower,
        • Auge,
          • Caen,
          • Alenson,
          • Seez,
          • Falaise.
        • Bessin,
          • Bayeux,
          • St. Lo,
          • Vire.
        • Coutantin,
          • Coutance,
          • Carenten,
          • Cherbourg,
          • Granville.
        • Auranchin,
          • Auranches,
          • Mortain,
          • Pone Orson,
          • St. Michael.
  • In-land; as
    • The ISLE of FRANCE, with its parts
      • In the Middle; where are
        • Isle of France,
          • Paris,
          • St. Denis.
        • Valois,
          • Senlis,
          • Crespy in Valois.
      • Towards NORMANDY,
        • Vexin François,
          • Pont Oyse,
          • Maigny,
          • Chaumont, in Vexin.
        • François,
          • St. Germain, in Laye,
          • Poissy,
          • Mante,
          • Meulan,
          • Breux,
          • Monfort l'Amaury.
      • Towards la BEAUCE,
        • Gastinois,
          • Dourdan,
          • Narnours.
        • Hurepoix,
          • Moret,
          • Melun,
          • Corbeil.
      • Towards CHAMPAGNE, Brie Françoise,
        • Menux,
        • Chasteau Thierry.
      • Towards PICARDY,
        • Beauvaisis,
          • Beauvais,
          • Clermont in Beauvaisis.
        • Soissonnois,
          • Soissons,
          • Compeigne,
          • Noyon.
        • Laonnois,
          • Laon,
          • Chauny:
    • CHAMPAGNE, with its parts
      • Towards the LOW COUNTRY, as
        • The Principality of
          • Chasteau Regnaud,
          • Sedan,
          • Charleville.
        • Retelois, &c.
          • Retel,
          • Rocroix,
          • Donchery,
          • Messieres,
          • Mouson.
      • True CHAMPAGNE,
        • Remois,
          • Reims,
          • Fisines.
        • Champagne,
          • Troyes,
          • Chaalons,
          • Espernay.
        • Pertois,
          • Vitry le Francois,
          • St. Menehoult.
      • Towards LORRAINE,
        • Valage,
          • Bar upon Aube,
          • St. Disier.
          • Langres,
        • Bassigny,
          • Chaumont in Bassigny,
          • Joinville.
      • Towards the ISLE of FRANCE;
        • Senonols,
          • Sens,
          • Joigny,
          • St. Florentin,
          • Tonnerre,
          • Monte reau fautyoune,
        • Brie Champagnoise,
          • Provins,
          • Sesanne, in Brie.

• FRANCE, with its Four Governments (and Provinces therein contained) upon and about the LOIRE; which are
  • Below the LIRE, as
    • BRETAIGNE; which may be divided into the
      • Higher,
        • Rennes,
        • Vitray,
        • Dol,
        • St. Maloes,
        • Dinan.
      • Mean,
        • Nantes,
        • Vennes,
        • Ploermes,
        • St. Brien,
        • Lamballe,
        • Auray,
        • Hannebout,
        • Blavet, or Port Louys.
      • Lower,
        • Lantriguet, or Treguier,
        • Leondoul, or St Pol de Leon,
        • Morlaix,
        • Brest,
        • Quimpercorentia, or Cornevaille,
        • Quimperlay.
    • ORLEANOIS; under the name of which may be comprised the Provinces or Countries; as they lie
      • On this side the LOIRE; as
        • le Maine,
          • le Mains,
          • Mayenne,
          • Laval,
          • Domfront.
        • Perche,
          • Nogent le Retrou,
          • Mortaigne,
          • Vernevil,
        • la Beauce,
          • Chartes,
          • Estampes,
          • Chasteau Dun,
          • Vendosme.
        • Gastenois, — Montargis.
        • Nivernois,
          • Nerves,
          • la Charite,
          • Clamecy,
          • Donzy.
      • Upon the LOIRE, as
        • Orleanois,
          • Orleans,
          • Gien.
        • Blaisois, — Blois.
        • Touraine,
          • Tours,
          • Amboise,
          • Loches,
          • Chinon.
        • Ajou,
        • Angiers,
        • Saumur,
        • la Fleche.
    • Beyond the LOIRE, as
      • Poictou,
        • Poictiers,
        • Maillezais,
        • Luson,
        • Chastelleraud,
        • Niort,
        • Lusignan,
        • Monmorillou,
        • Partenay,
        • Touars,
        • Loudun,
        • Richelieu,
      • Aunis, — Rochell.
      • Angoumols, — Angoulesme.
      • Berry,
        • Burges,
        • Issoudun,
        • Chasteau Roux,
        • Remorentin,
        • Argenton,
        • Sancerre.
      • the Sovereignty of — Bois belle.
• Above the LOIRE, as
  • BOURGOGNE, or BURGUNDY, which may be divided in the
    • Dutchy of BOURGOGNE; where are
      • Bourgogne,
        • Dijon,
        • Autun,
        • Beaune,
        • Aussone.
      • Challonnois, — Challon.
      • Masconnois,
        • Mascon,
        • Tornus.
      • Auxois, — Semur.
      • the Country of Montagne, Chastillon upon the Seine.
    • Countries adjacent; as
      • Charollois,
      • Auxerrois,
      • Bresse,
      • Bugey, and Veromey,
      • Balliage,
        • Charolles.
        • Auxerre.
        • Bourge.
        • Belley.
        • Gex.
  • LIONNOIS, and AUVERGNE; which may be divided in
    • LIONNOIS; where are
      • Lionnois, — Lions.
      • the Sovereignty of Dombes, Trevoux.
      • Forez,
        • Monbrizon,
        • Roenne,
        • St. Estienne of Furens.
      • Beaujolois, — Ville Franche.
    • AUVERGNE, where are
      • Bourbonnois,
        • Bourbon the Archambaul,
        • Molins.
      • Nivernois in part, — St. Pierre le Moutier.
      • Auvergne,
        • Lower,
          • Cleremont in Auvergne,
          • Riom,
          • Monferrand,
          • Thiers.
        • Higher,
          • Vic le Comte,
          • St. Elour,
          • Orilhac,
          • Brioude,
          • Issoire.
      • la Marche,
        • Higher, — Gueret.
        • Lower,
          • Dorat,
          • Belac.

• FRANCE, with its Four Governments (and Provinces therein contained) beyond the Loire; which are
  • About the GARONNE, as GUIENNE, and GUASCOGNE,
    • GUIENNE; where are
      • Saintonge,
        • Saintes,
        • St. Jean of Angely,
        • Brouage.
      • Guienne,
        • Bourdeaux,
        • Blaye.
      • Perigort,
        • Perigueux,
        • Bergerac,
        • Sarlat.
      • Agenois,
        • Agen,
        • Toneina.
      • Limosin,
        • Limoges,
        • Brive,
        • Tulle.
      • Quercy,
        • Cahors,
        • Montalbon,
        • Figeac.
      • Rovergue,
        • Rhodez,
        • Ville Franche of Rovergue,
        • Vabres.
    • GUASCOGNE; where are
      • Bazados,
        • Bazas,
        • St. Foy.
      • Lanes, — Dax.
      • Guascogne,
        • Ayre,
        • St. Saver.
      • Albret, — Nerac.
      • Condomois, — Condom.
      • Armaignac,
        • Aux,
        • Lectoure.
      • Comminge,
        • St. Bertrand,
        • Lombes.
      • Conserans, — St Licer.
      • Bigorre, — Tarbe.
      • Bearn,
        • Pau,
        • Lescar,
        • Oleron,
        • Ortes.
      • Lower Navarre, — St. Palais:
      • Basque, — Bayonne.
  • Between the GARONNE, and the RHOSNE, as LANGUEDOC, which is divided into
    • Higher LANGUEDOC; where are
      • Toulousan,
        • Toulousa,
        • Montauban,
        • la Vaur.
      • Albigeoi•,
        • Alby,
        • Castres.
      • Auraguais,
        • Castelnau darry;
        • St. Papoul.
      • Foix,
        • Foix,
        • Pamie•,
        • Mirepoix,
        • Rieux.
    • Lower LANGUEDOC; where are
      • Quarter of Narbone,
        • Narbone,
        • Aleth,
        • Limouth,
        • Carcassone,
        • St. Pons de Tomiere•,
      • Quarter of Beziers,
        • Beziers,
        • Agde,
        • Pesenns,
        • Lodere.
      • Quarter of Nismes,
        • Monpellier,
        • Nismes,
        • Beaucaire,
        • Aiguesmortes,
    • SEVENNES; where are
      • Gevaudan,
        • Mende,
        • Mervcich, or Mervejoss.
      • Velay, — le Puy.
      • Vivarais,
        • Viviers,
        • le Pond St. Esprit,
        • Uzes.
  • Between the RHOSNE, and the ALPES, as
    • DAUPHINE, with its Parts
      • Towards the RHOSNE, or ROANE,
        • Viennois, — Vienna.
        • Valentinois,
          • Higher,
            • Valence,
            • Romans,
            • St. Marcelin.
          • Lower,
            • Crest,
            • Montelimar.
        • Tricastin, — St. Pol Trois chaux.
      • In the midst of the Country
        • Grisivaudan, — Grenoble.
        • Diois, Die.
        • Baronies, le Buijz,
      • Towards the Alpes,
        • Embrunois, Embrun.
        • Gapensois, Gap.
        • Briansonnois, — Brianson.
    • PROVENCE, with its Places
      • Towards the Rhosne, or Roane,
        • Arles,
        • Tarascon.
      • Upon the Sea,
        • Marseille,
        • Toulon,
        • St. Tropes,
        • Frejuls,
        • Antibe,
        • Crace,
        • Vence.
      • In the midst of the Country,
        • Aix,
        • Salon,
        • Apt,
        • Folcalquier,
        • Riell
        • Dragnignan.
      • Towards the Alpes,
        • Sisteron,
        • Digne,
        • Senez,
        • Glandeve.

• Estates, Counties, Bishopricks, Cities, &c. taken and purchased by (and in the Protection, Guard, and Possession of) the King of FRANCE, viz.
  • In the Estates of the CATHO LICK KING, to wit,
    • In SPAIN, as
      • The County of Rousillon; where are
        • Perpignan,
        • Elne,
        • Collioure,
        • Salces, &c.
      • The County of Cerdagne, — Puy, Cerda, &c.
      • The Principality of Catalogne, and County of Barcelone; where are
        • Barcelona,
        • Girona,
        • Vich,
        • Solsona,
        • Urgel,
        • Manressa,
        • Cardona,
        • Cadegues, &c.
    • In the LOW COUNTRY, as
      • Part of the County of Flanders,
        • Gravelines,
        • Wasten.
      • Part of the County of Artois,
        • Arras,
        • Hesdin,
        • Bappaumes.
      • Part of the County of Haynaut, Landrochy.
      • Part of the Dutchy of Luxenbourg.
        • Thionville,
        • Damvillers.
    • In the FRENCH COUNTY, as
      • Part of the Balliages of Gray,
        • Vesoul,
        • Lure, &c.
      • Part of the Balliages of Salins,
        • Arbois,
        • Poligny,
        • Bletterans,
        • St. Amour,
        • Joux, &c.
  • In divers Lands and Principalities, the most part of which are esteemed in the Empire of GERMANY, to wit,
    • In the Estate of LORRAIN, as
      • The Dutchy of Barrois,
        • Barle Duc,
        • Ligny,
        • St. Michael,
        • Pont a Moosson.
      • The Dutchy of Lorrain,
        • Nancy,
        • Mirecourt,
        • Newchasted on the Meuse,
        • Dieuze,
        • Sirke, &c.
      • The Bishoprick of Metz,
        • Vic,
        • Moyen-Vic,
        • Marsal,
        • St. Avold,
        • Alberstrof,
        • Espernay.
    • About LORRAIN, as
      • The Principality of — Sedan.
      • The Principality of Arches, or
        • Charleville,
        • Clermont,
        • Stenay,
        • Jametz.
      • The County of — Biche.
    • In and about the PALATINATE of the RHINE, as
      • Part of the Palatinate of the Rhine,
        • Bacharach,
        • Creutznach,
        • Altzheim,
        • Oppenheim,
        • Neustat,
        • Landau,
        • Cermosheim, &c.
      • Part of the Archbishoprick of Mayence,
        • Mayence,
        • Bingen, &c.
      • Part of the Bishoprick of Wormes, Wormes.
      • Part of the Bishoprick of Spire,
        • Spire,
        • Udenheim, or Philipsbour•.
      • Part of the Estate of Bade,
        • Baden,
        • Durlach,
        • Pfortzheim, &c.
    • In ALSACE, or ALSATIA, as
      • Low Alsace,
        • Haguenau,
        • Saverne, &c.
      • Higher Alsace,
        • Colmar,
        • Schlestat,
        • Brisach,
        • Newbourg, &c.
      • County of Pfirt, or Ferrette, and Country of Sungou,
        • Ferrette,
        • Tannes,
        • Befort,
        • Blome,
        • Landseror, &c.
    • About ALSACE, as
      • The County of — Monbeliard, &c.
      • The Bishoprick of Basle,
        • Porentru,
        • St. U•sand,
        • Dalsperg, or Delmont, &c.
      • The County of Reinfield,
        • Reinfield,
        • Lanffenbourg,
        • Waldshout.
      • In the Dutchy of Wirtenberg, Hohen-Wiel,
      • In Piedmont, — Pignerol, &c.
  • In ITALY,
    • In the Estates of the Duke of SAVOY, to wit,
      • In the Principality of Piedmont,
        • Turin,
        • Suze,
        • Avigliane,
        • Chivas,
        • Santja,
        • Ast,
        • Quierascq,
        • Coni,
        • Caours, &c.
      • In the Marquisate of Saluces,
        • Carmagnole,
        • Demont.
    • In the Estates of MONFERRAT, viz.
      • In the Dukedom of Savoy, — Trin, &c.
      • In the Dukedom of Mantoua,
        • Casal,
        • Aqui.
    • On the River of GENES, The Principality of — Monaco, or Morgues.

FRANCE.

FRANCE is esteemed the most fertil and powerful Kingdom in Europe, and the best, next to England, that can subsist without the help of others. It is seated about the 45th degrees of Latitude,* 1.134 which is in the midst of the Temperate Zone. It is washed on the East with the Rhine, together with an imaginary line drawn from Strasburgh to Calais; on the South by the Mediterranean Seas, and opens a passage to the Northern Ocean; on the West by the Aquitain Sea; and on the North by the British Ocean.* 1.135 It extends it self from the 42 degrees of Latitude unto the 51, and from the 15th of Longitude to the 29th, which makes its length and breadth to be above 200 French Leagues. It is contiguous to the Low Countries on the North, to Germany and Italy on the East, and to Spain on the South.

• 1.136It is of an extraordinary fertil Soil, affording three excellent and useful Commodities in great plenty, viz. Corn, Wine, and Salt; also Oil, Almonds, Paper, Canvass, Linnen, both fine and course, Oade, Corral, Skins, Nuts, Stuffs, and several Manufactures, Toies, and Curiosities. It is very plentiful in all Provisions.

• 1.137It is exceeding populous and crouded with Towns and Cities, once numbring 100000 Parishes, which are now reduced to a less number. The People are well proportionate, and indifferent handsom, especially the Men; they are of a ready and Mercurial wit, of a courteous Behaviour, of a hot Brain, and soon moved to Broils; they are very active, and given to Exercises; in weighty Affairs, both Civil and Martial, they are not over subtle, their first attempt being like thunder, and their end like smoak. In matters of Religion they generally follow the Church of Rome, in which they are not over strict.

It would be too tedious to observe all the different Orders and Governments in this Kingdom; we will content our selves to say, that in the Assemblies of the General Estates, where the Nobility, Clergy, and third Estate, have their Seats, it is divided into twelve several Government, of which four are on this side, or if you please, Northwards of the Loire; four upon and about the Loire, and four beyond the South of the Loire.

The four on this side are Picardy, Normandy, the Isle of France, and Champaigne; the four about the Loire are Bretaigne, Orleance, or Orlenois, Bourgogne, or Burgundy, and Lionois; and the four beyond the Loire are Guienne and Gascoigne, Languedoc, Dauphin, and Provence. In each Government are several Parts or Countries, which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of the Kingdom, of which in order.

• 1.138PICARDY is divided into the Higher and Lower, in both of which are divers good Towns; in the Lower are 1. Calais, called by Coesar, Portus Iccius, held by the English near 200 years, and was then esteemed the Key of the Kingdom; it is esteemed one of the best Ports in Picardy, seated opposite to Dover in England, from which it is distant about eight Leagues, once a place of great Trade, as being the Staple of English Wools; now only of note for its being the receipt of Passengers from this Kingdom to England, to and fro. 2. Bulloigne, a strong Frontier Town, towards the Sea. 3. Abbeville, also a strong Frontier Town. In the higher Picardy are, 1. Amiens, a Frontier City towards Flanaers, well fortified, and famous for the sudden loss, and as sudden and brave regaining it by Henry the Fourth. 2. St. Quintin, a strong Frontier Town.

• 1.139NORMANDY, well watered with Rivers, amongst which are the Seine, Anon, and Orne. It is well garnished with Cities and Towns, many of which are commodiously seated for Trade, by reason of their vicinity to the British Ocean; the chief of which are, 1. Roan, its Metropolis, seated in the higher Normandy, on the banks of the Seine, over which there is a famous Bridge of Boats. Here is held one of the Parliaments of France, and it is a place of as great Trade as any in France, being one of the three principal Towns, where Exchanges are used. Here the English have a publick Hall allowed them for the sale of English Woolen cloth, to which place at certain days they are constrained to expose them to sale. 2. Havre de Grace, or Now Haven, the strongest place in all Normandy. 3. Dieppe, also a City of some Trade, being a common Landing-place for the English in their passage into France. 4. Caen, famous for its long resistance of Henry the Fifth of England. 5. Fabais, once a strong / Town: here it was that Duke Robert passing through saw some Maids a dancing, amongst which was one Arlet, a Skinners Daughter, who so nimbly footed it, that his desires were to enjoy her, thinking she would be as active in the Bed; whereupon he sent for her, and obtained his desires; in which she so plensed him, that he begat on her William the Bastard King of England, in spight to whom, and disgrace to his Mother, the English call Whores, Harlots. 6. Charenton, famous for the Preaching of that eminent Divine Peter du Moulin: and 7. Constance.

• 1.140The Isle of FRANCE, made so by the circlings and confluences of the Seine and other little Brooks: It lieth in the heart of all France, where we shall find not only its particular glory, but that of all the Kingdom, to wit, Paris,* 1.141 which for its Riches, Power and number of Inhabitants, may justly contend with any in Europe. It is about 12 miles in circuit, if all the Suburbs are reckoned, and in form rather round than oval; seated on the Seine, and in a Soil so fertil, that not many Cities know so great plenty. It is of no great strength, nor of much consequence in matter of Trade, only contenting themselves with enough to serve the Inhabitants and Court; yet in matter of Coin it giveth rule to all Cities in France, and is another of the three Cities where Exchanges are placed; a convenience for the Nobility, Gentry, and Courtiers, as also for Strangers. The chief ornaments of it are the Palace of the Louvre, so much famoused abroad; besides so many Palaces of the Nobility, amongst the rest that of Luxembourgh, its Palace-Royal, its Church of Nostre Dame, its Ʋniversity, formed by Charlemain in Anno 800, esteemed the first in Europe, containing 55 Colledges, and particularly the Colledge of the Sorbona; also the Halls of Justice, or Courts of Parliament, being as our Courts of Judicature, are all remarkable. Next to this City may be reckoned, 1. St. Dennis, about three miles from Paris, famous for the Sepulchres of the French Kings. 2. Pont-oyse; 3. Meaux; 4. Beauvais, and 5. Soissons. In this Province is the beautiful House and Forest of Fontaine Bleau, built by Henry the Fourth, esteemed not only one of the fairest Palaces in all France, but of Christendom; here is also seated the Royal Mansion of St. Germains and Boys de Vincennes, where the puissant Henry the Fifth finished his days. In this Province is the Dukedom of Valois, whose chief places are Luzarch and Sen-lis: This Country abounds in Vineyards, which yields the sharp Wine called Vin de Paris.

• 1.142CHAMPAIGNE, so called from being a Champain Country; its chief places are, 1. Rheims, famous for being the place where the Kings of France are usually Crowned, and anointed with an Oil here kept, which they say came down from Heaven, and never decreaseth; and here is a Colledge for English Jesuits. 2. Chaaloons, 3. Langres, 4. Sens, and 5. Troyes, all places of some account.

• 1.143BRETAIGNE, or Britanny, whose chief Port-Towns are Brest, Blavet, and St. Malos; and within Land the Cities of 1. Nantes, seated on the Loire. 2. Rennes, where the Parliament for this Province is held. 3. Vennes, seated on the South-Sea. 4. Breine; and 5. Morlaix, of note for its great store of Paper so called.

Under the Government of ORLEANS, or ORLEANOIS, we comprehend divers Provinces on this side, upon, and beyond the Loire, viz.

• 1.144MAINE, whose chief places are, 1. Maine, seated on the River Magenue, which dischargeth it self into the Loire: 2. Mayenne, 3. Laval, and 4. Domfront.

• 1.145PERCHE, on the borders of Normandy, hath for its chief places Nogent le Retrou, Mortaigne, and Vernevil; which by some are esteemed in Normandy.

• 1.146LA BEAƲCE hath for its principal places, 1. Chartes, seated on the Loire, a fair and pleasant City, dignified with an Ʋniversity for the study of the Civil Laws. 2. Estampes, 3. Chàsteau Dun, and 4. Vendosme.

• 1.147GASTENOIS hath for its principal place Montargis.

• 1.148NIVERNOIS, or BƲRBON, well watered by the Loire and Allier; its chief places are, 1. Nerves, of some account for its pretty Glass-works, and is dignified with an ancient Dukedom. 2. La Charite, 3. Clamecy, and 4. Donzy.

• 1.149ORLEANOIS, whose chief City is Orleans, from whence the Government or Province took its name; a City, if Paris excepted, may contend with any in France, having once been the Seat of a King of its own. Its pleasant scituation on the Loire makes it extream delightful, and although of no considerable Trade, yet is a great Thorough-fair for such Commodities as pass to Lions, and other places in the heart of the Kingdom.

• 1.150BLASOIS hath for its chief place Blois, where, by the command of Henry the Third, the Duke of Guise, the first stirrer up of the Civil Wars in France, as also the great contriver and promoter of the grievous Massacre at Paris, was slain in the Senate-house.

• 1.151TOƲRAINE hath for its chief places, 1. Tours, where the Protestants first began, and from one of whose Gates (called Hugo's-Gate) they were called Hugonots. Nigh to this place it was that Charles Martel, Father of King Pepin, discomfited an Army of about 400000 Saracens, and slew of them about 370000. 2. Amboise, 3. Loches, and 4. Chinon.

• 1.152ANJOƲ, adjoyning to Maine, a small Province, but exceeding fertil, and affords the best Wines in France. Its chief places are 1. Angiers, dignified with an Ʋniversity. 2. Saumur, a Town delightfully seated on the Loire, and dignified with the only Protestant Ʋniversity in France: and 3. la Fleche.

• 1.153POICTOƲ, a large and populous Province, numbring about 1200 Parishes, and dignified with three Bishopricks; its principal places are 1. Poictiers, seated on the River Clavius, famous for the study of the Civil Laws, and in greatness esteemed next to Paris; but of small account as to matter of Trade. 2. Maillezais, 3. Luson, 4. Chastelleroud, 5. Niort, 6. Lusignan, and 7. Touars. This Country is very fertil, especially in good Vineyards; and in these Fields were sought that memorable Battle, between John of France and Edward the Black Prince, who contrary to all expectation gained the day.

• 1.154AƲNIS, South of Poictou, hath for its chief City Rochel, commodiously seated on the Aquitain Ocean, by reason of which it enjoyeth a great Trade; it is a place of great strength, as may appear by the resistance the Protestants there inhabiting, made against the powerful Army of the French King.

• 1.155ANGOƲMOIS, South of Guienne, hath for its chief place Angoulesme.

• 1.156BERRY, very fertil and hath rich Pastures, on which are fed abundance of Sheep, of whose Wool the Inhabitants make store of Cloth. Its, chief places are 1. Burges, dignified with a flourishing Ʋniversity; 2. Issoudun, 3: Chasteau Roux, 4. Argentum, and 5. Sancerre.

• 1.157BOƲRGOGNE, or BƲRGƲNDY, which is subdivided into several less parts, hath for its chief places 1. Dijon, built by the Emperour Aurelian, proud in her Parliament, and for giving birth to St. Bernard. 2. Autun, once the chief City in the Province, and dignified with an Episcopal See. 3. Beaune, famous for its stately Hospital, equalizing many Princes Palaces; and these places are in Bourgogne, particularly so called. 4. Challon, in Challonnois, belonging to the House of Orange. 5. Mascon, in Masconnois, where the Devil made his visits and disputes to a Minister, which story is sufficiently known, being at large treated of in a Book entituled the Devil of Mascon. 6. Semur, in Auxois; and 7. Chastillon on the Seine, in the Country of Montagne.

• 1.158Adjacent to this Province of Burgundy are the Countries of Charollois, Auxerrois, Bresse, Balliage, Beugey, and Veromey. The chief place of CHAROLLOIS, is Chorolles; of AƲXERROIS, Auxerre; of BRESSE, Bourge, a Town so well built and so strongly fortified, that it is esteemed impregnable; of BALLIAGE, which bordereth upon the Swisses and Savoy, Gex, which is not far distant from Geneve; and of BƲGEY and VEROMAY, bordering upon Dolphin and Savoy; Belly, which is a place of some account.

• 1.159LIONNOIS hath for its chief places, 1. Lions, seated upon the conjunction of the Roane with the Soane, by some esteemed the second City of France, a famous ancient Mart Town, and the See of an Archbishop, who is Primate of all France. 2. Treveux, in the Sovereignty of Dombes; Mombrizon, in the County of Forez; and 4. Ville Franche, in the Country of Beaujolois.

• 1.160AƲVERGNE hath for its chief places, 1. Bourbon the Archambaul; 2. Molins, seated on the Elaver, of note for their neat Cases of Knives and Scissers, both in the part or Country of Bourbonnois. 3. St. Pierre le Montier, in Nivernois: 4. Cleremont, the Seat of Vercingetorix, who so bravely opposed Caesar; 5. Riom, 6. Monferrand, 7. Vic le Comte, and 8. St. Flour, all in Auvergne, particularly so called. 9. Gueret, and 10. Dorat, in the Part of La Marche.

• 1.161In the Government of Guyenne and Gascogne are several Provinces and Countries, in which are seated many good Towns and Cities.

In GƲYENNE are 1. the Province of Saintonge, whose chief place is Sainctes. 2. Guienne, which hath for its principal City Bourdeaux, seated on the Banks of the Gerende, famous for being the Birth-place of King Richard the Second, at present honoured with an Ʋniversity and a Parliament. It is a place of a very great Trade, and plentifully furnished with divers good Commodities, especially Wines and Paper. 3. Prigort, hath for its chief place Perigueux, seated on the Banks of Ila; 4. Agenois, whose chief place is Agen; 5. Limosin hath for its chief places Limoges and Brive; 6. Quercy, in which are seated Cahors, a rich and beautiful City, built on the ascent of a Hill; and Montalbon, scituate on the Garond, a place of good strength; and 7. Rovergue, whose chief places are Rodez and Vabres.

• 1.162In GASCOGNE are also divers Provinces, which with its chief places are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of the four Governments beyond the Loire, beginning with Guienne and Gascogne.

• 1.163LANGƲEDOC may be divided into three quarters, in which are several parts. In the higher Langnedoc are the Cities of Toulousa, in Toulousan, a fair large City, though of no continuance, and is a place of a considerable Inland-trade. 2. Alby, in Albigeois; 3. Castellan darry, in Auraguais; and 4. Foix, in Foix. In the lower Languedoc are 1. Narbone, the first Colony planted by the Romans next to Carthage, out of Italy; 2. Aleth, 3. Limouth, all in Narbone; 4. Beziers, 5. Agde, and 6. Pemenas, in the quarter of Beziers, 7. Montpellier, esteemed the healthfullest place for a pure Air in all France; 8. Nismes, and 9. Beaucaire; all in the quarter of Nismes. In the other part called Sevennes are, 1. Mende; in the quarter of Gevaudan; 2. Le Puy, in Velay; 3. Viviers, and 4. Ʋzes, in the part of Vivarais.

• 1.164The Province of DAƲLPHINE is watered with the Roane and other Rivers, and honoured with the title of the Princes of France. It may be divided into three great parts, which are subdivided into others, viz. in the part or quarter towards the Roane are the Parts and Cities of Vienne in Viennois, of some esteem for its excellent Sword-blades here made; 2. Valence, a fine City watered with the Roane; 3. Romans, 4. St. Marcellin, 5. Crest, and 6. Montelimar; all in the higher and lower Valentinois; and St. Pol Trois Chaux, in the part of Tricastin. In the quarter in the midst of the Province are 1. Grenoble, in Grisivanden; 2. Die, in Diois; and 3. le Bujiz, in Baronies: And in the quarter towards the Alpes, 1. Embrun, in Embrunois, 2. Gap, in Gapensois, and 3. Brianson, in Briansonnois.

• 1.165PROVENCE, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, hath for its chief places towards the Roane, Arles, a Town well fortified by Henry the Fourth; and Tarascon. Upon the Sea, 1. Marseille, once a Colony of the Phoenicians, commodiously seated on the Mediterranean shoar, enjoying an excellent Haven and Road for Shipping, which renders it a place of a considerable Trade, and is well frequented by Merchants. 2. Thollon, the best Sea-port Town on the Mediterranean in all France, having a capacious and safe Haven, and is well resorted unto by Merchants. 3. St. Tropes; 4. Grace, and 5. Vence. In the midst of the Province are 1. Aix, honoured with a Parliament; 2. Salon, 3. Apt, and 4. Riez: And towards the Alpes are Sisteron, Digne, Senez, Glandeeve, &c.

To the Province of PROVENCE doth belong the Country of Avignon, and the Principality of Orange: In Avignon are many walled Towns and some Cities, the chief of which is Avignon, a fair City seated on the Roane, famous for being the ancient Seat of the Popes, till removed to Rome. This City is worthy of observation, in that here is said to be 7 Parish Churches, 7 Monasteries, 7 Nunneries, 7 Inns, 7 Palaces, and 7 Gates to its Walls; as also for being made a Ʋniversity.

• 1.166In ORANGE are several good Towns and Cities, the chief of which is Orange, seated on the Meine, of note for the wonderful and excellent Antiquities that are here to be seen; and this Country belongs to the Prince of Orange.

To the twelve Governments we ought to add LORRAINE, where are the Cities of St. Michael, Metz, Toul, Verdun, and Nancy: also part of Artois; of Haynault and Luxembourg, where are the Cities of Arras, Avesnes, Moutmedy, &c. Likewise the Principalities of Sedan and Arches, whose chief place is Charleville; also Rousillon, on the Coast of Spain, whose chief places are Perpignan, Elne, Collioure, Salces, &c. Alsatia, on the side of Germany, and the Principality of Bress, belonging to Mademoiselle d'Orleance; but being to treat of these places in Germany, and elsewhere, I shall omit the description of them here.

• 1.167All France hath 15 Archbishops, 105 Bishops, 10 Parliaments; amongst which the power of that of Paris extends as far as all the rest. Under these Parliaments are 105 and odd Balliages, or Justices-Royal, immediate dependants on these Parliaments, 24 Generalities, and about 250 Elections and Receipts of Royal-Money: And in the general Governments of the Militia, about 2 or 300 Governments.

• 1.168This Kingdom is for the generality exceedingly furnished with Rivers, the principal amongst which are the Loire, Roane, Garonne, and Seine.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

The Kingdom of France is, at this day, one of the most flourishing States of Christendom, in the midst of the Northern temperate Zone, where its People breath a very favourable Air. The French call it the Eye and Pearl of the World; and say, that it is to Europe what Europe is to other parts of the Earth: it is Rich, Fertile, very Populous, there being reckoned above four thousand good Towns in it. It's above two hundred and twenty Leagues in length, and full as many in breadth. The French-men value most of their Towns to be worth Provinces, their Provinces to be worth Kingdoms. Their Corn, Wine, Salt and Linnen, do very much enrich the Inhabitants.

France was formerly known under the name of Gaul, which was carried into several places of Europe, nay, into Asia, when the Gauls made War in that part of the World. The extent of Gaul hath been divers. The French may well boast, that this King's Conquests have not been bounded neither by the Rhine, nor the Ocean, nor the Pyrenees, nor the Alps. The Crown is Hereditary; and, according to the Salick Law, the Female never succeeds upon the Throne. The French King's eldest Son is called Dauphin. This Monarchy is said to have subsisted since the Year 420. The three Royal Races of Merovers, Charlemaigne, Hugh Capet, have furnished it with sixty five Kings. Amongst other Titles, its Princes take upon them that of Most Christian, and Eldest Son of the Church. They pretend to Precedence before all other Kings, upon a pretext of being the most Noble and the Most Ancient of Europe. Their Arms are Azure, with three Flower-de-luces d' Or, since Charles the Ninth.

The Kingdom is composed of three Orders or States, the Clergy, the Nobility, and the third Estate. There are reckoned seventeen Arch-Bishopricks, a hundred and six Bishopricks, besides the Arch-Bishopricks of Cambray, Besanzon, the Bishopricks of Arras, St. Omar, Tournay, Ipres, Perpignan; sixteen Abbayes, Heads of the Order, or of the Congregation: about fifty thousand Curates, besides other Ecclesiastical Dignities: several General and Particular Governments: Thirty two great Provinces: Twelve ancient Peerages, several of new Creation. A great number of Principalities, Dutchies, Marquisates, Counties, Baronies, and other Lordships; Eleven Parliaments, besides those of the Conquer'd Countrys, eight Chambers of Accounts, twenty two Generalities.

There are four Principal Rivers, the Seine, whose Water is esteem'd the strongest in the World, and more healthful to drink than that of Fountains; the Loire, the King of the French Rivers; la Garonne, the most Navigable; the Rhosne, the most Rapid.

Several Divisions are made of France, which regard the Church, the Nobility, the Justice, and the Finances. It is sufficient to say here, that the States-General of the Kingdom were held in the Year 1614. that then all the Provinces appear'd under twelve Great Governments; four of those Governments are towards the North, the Seine, and the Rivers which fall into it, Picardy, Normandy, the Isle of France and Champaign. Four towards the midst, near the Loire, Brittany, Orleanois, Burgundy, and Lyonnois. The four others, towards the South, and near the Garonne or the Rosne, Guyenne, Languedoc, Dauphine, Provence. With Orleanois they then conjoyned le Mains, le Perche, la Beauce, on this side the River of Loire; Nivernois, Tourain, Anjoy, above the said River; beyond it, Poictou, Angoumois, Berri. Burgundy had la Bresse, as it has still at present. Under Lyonnois, were Lyonnois, Avergne, Bourbonnois, la Marche. In Guyenne was Bearne, Gascogne, true Guyenne beyond the Garonne; and on this side Saintogne, Perigort, Limosin, Querci, Rouergue. Then, as well as now, Languedoc comprehended Cevenes. The other great Governments are not subdivided into great Provinces. Now follow the capital Cities, according to that distribution, Amiens, Rouen, Paris, Troyes, Rennes, Mans, No-gent-le-Retrou, Orleans, Nevers, Tours, Angers, Poictiers, Angoulesme, Bourges, Dijon, Bourg-en-Bresse, Lyon, Clermont, Moulins, Gueret, Pau, Auch, Bourdeaux, Saintes, Perigueux, Limoges, Cahors, Rodes, Toulouse, Viviers, Grenoble, and Aix.