A Brief Description of the Whole World, Part 7
Of Spruce and Poland.
IN Europe, on the East andPrussia hew scituated. North corner of Germany lyeth a Countrey called Prussia, in Latine most times Borussia, in English, Pruthen, or Spruce, of whom little is famous, saving, that they were governed by one, in a kinde of order of Religion, whom they call the Grand-Master: and that they are a meanes to keep the Moscovite, and the Turke from some other parts of Christend me.
This Country is now grown to be a Dukedome, and the Duke thereof doth admit traffick with our English, who going beyond the Hance Townes, do touch upon his country; and amongst other things, doe bring from thence a kinde of leather, which was wont to be used i Jerkins, and called by the nameSpruce Leather. of Spruce-Leather-Jerkins.
On the E…t side … Germany, between Russia and Germany, …eth Polonia or Poland, which is a …gdomeP…lands sci tu… ion. diffe…ing from others … Europe; because the King there is …osen by Election out of some of the Princes neere adjoining, as la…ely Henry the third King of France. These Elections often…mes doe make great factions there, so that in taking parts, they grow often there into Civill warre.
The King of Polonia is almost continually in warre, either with the Moscovite, who lyeth in the East and North-East of him; or with the Turke, who li…th on the South and South E…st, and some…imes also with the Princes of Germany; whereupon the Poles doe commonly desire to chule warriours to their King.
In this Country are none butTheir ii ves Reti gons. Christians: but so, that liberty of …ll Religion is p…rmitted, insomuch, …hat there be Papists, Coil…dges of …, bo…h … … & … i… opinion, …, Ar …, and di…ers others
But of … years there … beenThey hate the Iesuites … ea nest m…tions in their Par …, that their Co ledges of J…suites sh…uld be dissolved, and they ban…shed our of that K…ngdome, as of la…e they were from France. The …eason of i is, because that under colour of Religion, they doe secretly deale in … causes, and many times sow sedi …ons. and some of them have given cou…sell to murther Princes: and … ever they be, they are the only in telligencers for the Pop…, besides that, many of the Papi…s, but especially their Fryars and orders of Religion) do hate and envye them: first, for that they take upon them with such pride to be called Jesuits, as if none had to do with Jesus but they, and are more inward with Princes then the rest are. Secondly, because many of them are more learned then common Monks and Fryars. And thirdly, because they professe more strictly and severely, than others do, the Capushins only accep…ed.
This is that Country, which inTh…ir chief City. Cracovia. times past was called Sarmatia, the chiefe City whereof is named Cracovia.