Lithuania

Sources from old books

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

SOME would have Lithuania so called from the Latine word Lituus, (that is) a Hunters horne, because that Country doth use much hanting. Which opinion Mathias a Michou rejecteth, and delivers another concerning the Etymologie thereof: for he saith that certaine Italians, forsaking Italy in regard of the Roman dissentions, entred into Lithuania, calling the Country Italie, and the Nation Italians; and that the sheepheards began first to call it Litalia, and the Nation Litalians, by prefixing one letter. But the Ruthenians or Russians, and the Polonians their neighbours changing the word more, at this day doe call the Country Lithuania, and the people Lithuanians. It is a very large Country, and next to Moschovia: It hath on the East that part of Russia, which is subject to the great Duke of Moscovy: on the West it hath Podlassia, Masovia, Poland, and somewhat towards the North it bounds on Borussia; but full North it looketh toward Livonia and Samogitia: and on the South toward Podolia and Vol••nia. The aire here is cold, and the winter sharpe. Here is much waxe and honey which the wilde Bees doe make in the Woods, and also much Pitch. This Country also affordeth abundance of corne, but the harvest seldome comes to maturity and ripenesse. It hath no wine but that which is brought hither from forraine Countries, nor salt, but such as they buy and fetch out of Brittaine. It bringeth forth living creatures of all kindes, but small of growth. In the Woods of this Country there are Beastes called by the Latines Vri, and others called Alces, besides Buffes, wilde Horses, wilde Asses, Hartes, Does, Goates, Boares, Beares, and a great number of such other. Here is great plenty of Birds, and especially of Linnets Besides in this Country and Moscovia there is a ravenous devouring beast called Rossemaka, of the bignesse of a Dogge, in face like a Cat, in the body and tayle resembling a Foxe, and being of a black colour. The Nation of the Lithuanians in former yeares was so unknowne and despised by the Russians, that the Princes of Kiovia did require nothing from them but Corke-trees, and certaine garments as a signe of their subjection in regard of their poverty, and the barrennesse of their soyle, untill Vithenes Captaine of the Lithuanians growing strong, did not onely deny tribute, but having brought the Princes of Russia into subjection, compelled them to pay tribute. His successors did invade the neighbour Nations, and by hostile and suddaine incursions did spoyle them, untill the Teutonick order of the Crosse began to warre against them, and to oppresse them, which they did even to the dayes of Olgerdus and Keystutus Captains of the Lithuanians. But at last •agello, who afterward was called Vla••slaus, was made great Duke of Lithuania. This man being oftentimes oppressed by those of the order of the Crosse, and by Christian Armies, did at last encline to the Polanders, and having embraced the Christian Religion, and married Hedingi• the Queene of Polonia, hee was made King of Polonia, committing the government of the Country of Lithuania to his Cozen German Skirgellon, as to the supreame Duke of Lithuania. The great Dukedome of Lithuania is now divided into ten speciall Palatinates or Provinces, the first whereof is the Palatinate of the Metropolis or chiefe Citie Vilna, which the Inhabitants call Vilenski, but the Germans commonly Die Wilde: it was built at the confluence or meeting of Vilia and Vilna by Duke Gediminus, in the yeare 1305: and is the Seat of a Bishop, subject to the Archbishop of Leopolis, and also of the Metropolitan of Russia, who hath seven Bishops under him, that bee of the Greeke Religion, as the Bishop of Polocia, Volodomiria, Luca in Volhinia, Luckzo, Pinsca, neare to the River Pripetus, Kiovia, Praemislia, and Lepolus. Vilna or Wilna is a populous large and famous Citie, being encompassed with a wall and gates which are never shut. The Churches thereof for the most part are built of stone, and some of wood: there is in it a curious Monasterie of the Bernardines, being a famous structure of squared stone: as also the Hall of the Ruthenians, in which they sell their commodities which are brought out of Moscovia. The second Palatinate is the Procensian, the Townes whereof are Grodna by the River Cronus, where Stephen King of Poland dyed. And Lawna at the confluence of Cronus, and Villia or Willia, also Kowno, Iada, and Vpita. The third Palatinate is the Minscensian, wherein is the Citie Minsko, and the Castle •••lanaw, also Radoscowice, Borissow, Lawisko or Liwsko, Swislo•z, Bobreisko, and Odruck The fourth Palatinate is the Novogrodian, in which is Novogrodeck, a large Citie, and built of wood: also Slonim, Wolkowi•z, and many other Townes. The fift Palatinate is the Briestian, so called from the Citie Briesti, being large, and built of wood, and here is the Citie of Pinsko. The sixt is the Palatinate of Volhinia, in which is Luezko, the Seate of a Bishop: also Voladamire, and Kerzemenesia. The seventh Palatinate is Kiovia, in which there was heretofore a large and ancient Citie of the same name, seated by the River Boristhenes, as the ruines which lie sixe miles in length doe easily demonstrate. There are also the Townes Circasia or Kerkew, Kamova and Moser. The eighth is the Palatinate of Miceslow, neare to the Rivers Sosa and Borysthenes in the borders of Moscovie, wherein are the Townes of Miceslaw, Dubrowna, 〈◊〉, and Sklow; beside Mohilow, By•how, ••czycza, and Strissin with their Castles. The ninth Palatinate is the Witebscian, in which is the Citie Witebsk situated by the River Duna, and Orsa, neare Borysthenes. The tenth Palatinate is the Polocensian, which is so called from Poloteska, a Citie lying neare to the confluence of the River Polota and Duna, betweene Witsbek and Livonia: There are also the Townes, Disna, Drissa, and Dr•••a, with their Castles. These things being explained, let us speake something of the Rivers of Lithuania. On the East side Lithuania is bounded with the Rivers Oscol, Ingra, and the lesser Tanais, all which with many others doe runne into great Tanais. There is also in Lithuania the River Borysthenes, which arising out of a plaine marish ground, and running through Russia, doth vent it selfe at last into the Euxine Sea: and the Rivers Wilia and Niemen, the latter whereof runneth a great way with a very crooked winding streame, and at last disburthens it selfe into the Prutenick or Finnish Sea: also Duina and other Rivers, beside Lakes, and standing waters, of which the Country is full, and all these do afford great plenty of fish, which are very delectable & pleasant in taste. Moreover the Country is covered with very great and spacious woods. Sigismund that happie and auspicious King of Poland, did unite the Palatines and Castellans of the Provinces of Lithuania into one body of a Common-wealth with the Polanders, and did designe a certaine place and order in the Senate of the Kingdome, to all the Noble men, Bishops, and Palatines of this Country, so that out of the Kingdome of Poland, and the Provinces united unto it, there are in the Senate fifteene Bishops, one and thirty Palatines, thirty of the greater Castellans or governours of Castles, and fiftie of the lesse, beside those who are called the Officials of the Kingdome; as the Marshalls, the Chancellours, the Vicechancellors, and the Treasurers, of which wee will speake more largely in the description of Poland. Marriages amongst the Lithuanians are easily dissolved by mutuall consent, and they marry againe and againe. The wives have openly men-concubines by their husbands permission, whom they call connubij adjutores, i. helpers in marriage; but on the contrary, for men to follow whores is counted a reproach. When any one is condemned to die, he is commanded to punish himselfe, and to hang himselfe with his owne hands, which if he refuse to doe, hee is threatned and beaten with stripes untill he kill himselfe. Their flockes doe afford them great store of milke for their food. The common bread which they use is very blacke, being made of Rye or Barley together with the branne: but the rich mens bread is very white, being baked and made of pure Wheat. They seldome use any wine, for the common people drinke water, and such as are of abilitie drinke Ale, which they brew of divers sorts of corne, as Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oates, and Millet, but such as is unsavory. They have abundance of thicke and thinne Mede boyled in divers manners, and with it they make themselves merrie, and oftentimes drunke. Lithuania seemeth almost to be inaccessible, as being almost all overflowne with waters: but in Winter there is more convenient trafficking with the Inhabitants, and the wayes are made passable for Merchants, the Lakes and standing waters being frozen over with yee, and spread over with snow. Their chiefe wealth is the skins of beasts, as of Weesills, Foxes, and those which are more precious, as Martens, and Scythian Weesills. Of these they make a great profit, as also of their Waxe, Honey, Ashes, and Pitch. The best Wainscot is cut here and brought into Germany through the Balthick and Germane Sea, and out of this Country all woodden Architecture both publique and private through all Germany, and the Low countries is made, as also for the most part such woodden housholdstuffe as belongeth to houses: but enough of Luthuania, we will now adde something concerning the rest. There followes in our Title Samogitia (which in their language signifies the Lower land) the Russians call it Samotzekasemla, it is a Northerne Country, and very large, being next to Lithuania, and environed with Woods and Rivers. On the North it hath Livonia, on the West it is washed with the Balthick or Germane Sea, which is properly called the Balthick Bay, and towards the Northwest Borussia joyneth unto it. It aboundeth with the best, whitest,* 1.15 and purest Honey, which is found in every hollow tree. It hath no Towne nor Castle; the Nobles live in Lodges, the Country people in Cottages. The people of this Country are of a great and large stature, rude in behaviour, living sparingly, drinking water, and seldome any drinke or Mede; they knew not untill of late the use of Gold, Brasse, Iron, or Wine. It was lawfull with them for one man to have many wives, and their father being dead to marrie their step-mother, or the brother being dead to marrie his wife. The Nation is much enclined to Fortune telling and Southsaying. The God which they chiefly adored in Samogitia was the fire, which they thought to be holy and everlasting, and therefore on the top of some high mountaine the Priest did continually cherish and keepe it in by putting wood unto it. In the third place is Russia, by which name in this place wee understand the Southerne or Blacke-Russia, whose chiefe Country is Leopolis or Lemburg built by Leo a Moscovite: it is famous by reason of the Mart kept there, and the Bishops Seat. Beside the Country of Leopolis there are three other in this Russia, to wit, the Country of Halycz, Belz, and Praemislia. In the fourth place is Volhinia, which is situate betweene Lithuania, Podolia, and Russia; it aboundeth with fruits in regard of the fertility of the soile. The Inhabitants are strong and warlike, and doe use the Ruthenian language. This Country did pertaine once to the great Duke of Lithuania, but now it is joyned to the Kingdome of Polonia. It hath three divisions, the Lucensian, Wolodomiriensian, and Cremenecensian, and there are three Provinciall Cities, Lucko, Wolodomiria, and Kerzemenec, which have many Townes and places of Defence under them. Here are many Lakes and standing waters full of fish, and woods full of wilde beasts. There is also in this Table Podolia, situated by the River Tyras. It is a most fertile Country, being sowed once, and reaped thrice: the meddowes are so proud and ranke, that the Oxens hornes as they graze can scarce bee seene above the grasse. The chiefe Cities are Camienies, Bar, Medziboz, Brezania, and Braslaw. But let these things which have beene spoken hitherto, suffice concerning this table, we passe now to Transylvania.

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

The Grand Dutchy of LITHUANIA, Ducatus Lithuaniae.

LITHƲANIA, call'd Litwa by the Inhabitants, and Litewski by the Polanders, lies between Moscovy on the East, Livonia and the Baltick Sea on the North, Masovia and Poland proper on the West, and Podolia on the South, being extended 260 German Miles in length, that is to say, from the River Polota in the Confines of Livonia and Moscovy, as far as the Town of Dassow toward the Euxine Sea, and 80 in breadth, between the River Niemen or Memel and the Nieper. It is a flat Country beset with a great number of Woods, Forests and Marshes, that afford great quantities of Honey, Pitch, Tar and Timber, with good store of Fish; but the Air is unhealthly, which renders many places little inhabited and almost desert. This large Province hath been possess'd at several times by different Princes and Dukes, and after divers Revolutions was inseparably united to the Kingdom of Poland, under the Reign of Sigismund Augustus, by a Diet held at Lublin, A.D. 1569. However it retains its own peculiar Laws and Privileges, and constitutes a part of the Common-wealth, so that no important Affairs can be trans•cted without the concurrence of these States, which are usually divided into two large parts, viz. Those of Lithuania properly so called, and those of Lithuanick Russia. Within these two Provinces, are also compris'd many Palatinates, as it appears from the ensuing Table.

Lithuania, divided into 2 Provinces, viz

• 1. Lithuania proper, in 3 Palatinates.
  • 1. Of Vilna, in which are,
    • Vilna, Bish. Cap.
      • ...Wilkomitoz,
      • ...Dusiasy.
    • ...Osmiana,
  • 2. Of Troki, in which are,
    • Troki, Cap.
    • ...Couno,
      • ...Grodno,
      • ...Mereck.
    • ...Lida,
  • 3. Of Briescia, or Polesia, in which are,
    • ...Briescia,
    • ...Pinsko,
    • ...Caminiec,
    • ...Koden,
      • ...Zunia,
      • ...Dubruvica,
      • ...Kolno,
      • ...Tarow,
      • ...Davidow,
      • ...Horodach.
    • ...Motol,
    • ...Pohost,
• 2. Lithuanick Russia, in 7 Palatinates.
  • 1. Of Novogrodek, in which are,
    • Novogrodek, Cap.
    • ...Slonim,
      • ...Miss,
      • ...Lacowisk.
    • ...Wolkowiska,
  • 2. Of Minski, in which are,
    • Minski, Cap.
      • ...Zuislocs.
    • ...Boriisow,
  • 3. Of Poloco, or Poloczk, in which are,
    • Poloco, Cap.
    • ...Wielisk,
      • ...Drissa,
      • ...Drina,
      • ...Cosian.
    • ...Ʋsalza,
  • 4. Of Witebsko, in which are,
    • Witebsko, Cap.
    • ...Surass,
      • ...Sussa,
      • ...Kzanislaw,
      • ...Woronocz.
    • ...Ʋla,
  • 5. Of Mscislaw, in which are,
    • Mscislaw, Cap.
    • ...Modzic,
    • ...Mehilow,
      • ...Mazy,
      • ...Bichow,
      • ...Rzeczica,
      • ...Roaczow.
    • ...Orssa,
    • ...Bobroisko.
  • 6. Of Zlucz, in which are.
    • Zlucz, Cap.
      • ...Petrilow,
      • ...Krodano.
    • ...Laban,
  • 7. Of Braslaw, in which are,
    • Braslaw, Cap.
      • ...Miadzial.
    • ...Nawcz,

VILNA, Vilna, called also Vilenski by the Inhabitants, and Wildaw, or Die Wilde by the Germans, is situated near the Confluence of the Rivers Wilia & Wiln, from whence its name is deriv'd, at the distance of 130 Polish Miles from Cracow to the North-east, 48 from Riga to the South, 70 from Warsaw, and 100 from Smolensko to the West. It is a large and very populous City, and was founded by Gediminus, Grand Duke of Lithuania, A.D. 1305, but the Houses are generally low and mean, all built of Wood, excepting the Palace and Castle. However the greater part of the Churches are of Stone, as are also some of the foreign Merchants Houses, particularly a neat Structure er•cted by the Moscovian Company, for a Repositoy of Furs, Ermins, and other rich Merchandise brought from Moscow. In the Grand Duke's Palace is a Guard-Chamber, furnisht with all sorts of Arms, and about two English Miles from Vilna stands another Ducal Palace, call'd from its Situation Wersupa, i. e. near the Water. It is entirely built with Wood, and beautify'd with a Park, pleasant Gardens, Orchards, &c. Vilna is dignified with the Title of an Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Gnesna, and an University founded by King Stephen, in 1579. The Moscovites found means to make themselves Masters of this City, A. D. 1655, but it was afterward recover'd by the Polanders, and is as yet subject to their dominion.

TROKI, Troccum aut Trocum, is seated on a point of Land that shoots forth into a Lake about four Miles from Vilna to the West, being encompass'd on one side with the River Brazala, & defended on the other with a strong Fortress, erected in the midst of the Lake. Gediminus, Grand Duke of Lithuania, laid the Foundation of this Town, and kept his Court there for some time; but it was storm'd, pillag'd, and set on fire by the Moscovites, in 1655.

BRIESCIE, Brescium aut Brescia, a small Town, nevertheless the Capital of Polesia, stands on the banks of the River Bug, and is guarded with a Castle built on the Top of a steep Rock, being distant 25 Miles from Lublin, and 30 from Warsaw to the East.