A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 156 – Subpart 157
The City of Paris Described.
Paris is in compass twelve miles: It stands in a most fertile soil: The Citizens are reputed to be about five hundred thousand. Its honoured with a Parliament, to which all others may appeal, from which not one: It hath in it a famous University, counted the first in Europe, containing fifty and five Colledges, built by Charles the great, Anno Christi 800. at the perswasion of Alcuinus, an English-man. Its seated on Seine, which serves the Town with little boats, and Barges, the river ebbing and flowing no higher than Pontelarch, about seventy and five miles below Paris. It was held by the English sixteen years, and in it our King Henry the sixth was crowned King of France and England in the Church of Nostre Dame, or our Lady, which Church is threescore and five fathom long, four and twenty broad, and fifteen high, above which the Steeples are raised thirty and four fathoms.
In this Isle of France is also St. Vincents; and somewhat Eastward Soysons, then Carenton, where the Protestants have a Church: Also the Royall Palace of Fountainbleau, one of the fairest houses in Christendome.
Northward lyeth the Dukedome of Valois, whose prime City is Senlis, and next it Luzarch.
7. Berry and Burbon, which are environed with Poictou, Limosin, Avern, Burgondy, and Champain. The chief City in Berry is Bourges, well stored with sheep. Its watered with the River Cher, and hath in it thirty and three walled towns. In Bourges is a famous University. 2. Sancerre. 3. Argenton. 4. Casteau Rous.
Burbon is watered with the Rivers of Loyre, and Alliere: The Cities are, 1. Burbon. 2. Molins. 3. Nevers. To Burbon belong Beavois, and Avern: In Beavois are the Cities of Beavois, and ville Franche: In Avern the chief Citie is Clermont; then St. Floure, invincible by its situation. 3. Claudes Argues. 4. Maregnes, and 5. Aubigny.
8. Limosin, is environed with Berry, Poictou, Xantoigne, and Avergne. Its watered with the Rivers Vienne, and Vexerew. The chief Cities are, 1. Tulles. 2. Tuviers. 3. Maignai. 4. Limoges. 5. Chalue. South-West to Limosin are the …ttle Countries of Perigort, and Quercu, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Mountalbon, situated on the Garond: A strong hold of the Protestants. 2. Cahors, a beautiful rich City. In Perigort are the Cities of Perigeux, and Sarlat.
9. Daulphine, is environed with Avergne on the West, Provence on the South, Savoy on the East, and Bresse on the North. The Rhoan runs through this Countrey, and meeting with Zone it washeth the walls of Lyons, a famous mart Town, and University. 2. Valence. 3. Vienna. 4. Grenoble, where is a Parliament.
In the mountains bordering on this Country, and lying between it, Savoy, Provence, and Piedmont, dwell the Waldenses, many times formerly, and now of late grievously persecuted by the Popish Party.
10. Languedoc, is environed with the Pyrenean hills, Gascoin, the River Rhoan, and the Mediterranean Sea: the chief Cities are, 1. Narbon. 2. Montpelier on the sea side, which is a famous University for the study of Law, and Physick. 3. Nismes. 4. Agde. 5. Lodove.
11. Provence, is bounded with Languedoc, Dauphine, Piedmont, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its divided into three parts: one whereof belongs to the Pope, the Metropolis whereof is Avignion, seated on the River Rosne, wherein the Popes made their residence seventy years together; in it is an University. The second part belongs to the Prince of Orang, wherein the chief City is Orang, famous for her rare and wonderful Antiquities. The third and greatest part belongs to the King of France: wherein are 1. Marseleis, a famous mart Town. 2. Aix, where is a Parliament. 3. Arles, wherein was held a Councill by Constantine, Anno Christi 313.
12. Picardy, and Champaigne, are environed about with Normandy, Belgia, Lorayn, Burgundy, Berry, Burbon, and France: Its divided into the higher, and lower: In the higher is 1. Callis, taken by our Edward the third after eleven Months sieg, Anno 1347. and suddenly lost by Queen Mary, Anno 1557. after it had been English two hundred years, 2. Bullen, taken by our King Henry the eight, 3. Terwin, taken by the same King, Maximilian the Emperor of Germany serving under his ensigns.
In the lower Picardy are, 1. St. Quintins. 2. Abbeville, strong frontire Towns, 3. Peronne, 4. Amience, 5. Monstreville, 6. Guise.
Campaigne hath in it, 1. Rheimes, where the Kings of France are Crowned, and anointed. In it is an University, and one Colledge for the entertainment of English fugitives. 2. Troys, 3. Brie. 4. Montargis, 5. Sens, 6. Auxerre. 7. Chalons.
13. The Dutchy of Burgundy, is bounded with Champaign, Bresse, and Burbonoys: The chief Cities whereof are, 1 Dijon, where is a Parliament, 2 Autun, 3 Beaulne, 4 Verdune, 5 Sologne, 6 Chalons, belonging to the Prince of Orange, 7 Alice: Its watered with ten Rivers.
All these Provinces are under the King of France, and besides Cities, have in them thirty and four good Havens.
Within the limits of France are three other Countries, which are not subject to the King of France, as
1 Savoy, 2 Lorrain, 3 the County of Burgundy, which last is bounded with Champaigne, Lorrain, Switzerland, and Bresse, and the Dutchy of Burgundy. The length of it is ninety miles, the breadth sixty: The Inhabitants are a warlike people, called commonly Walloons: The soil is exceeding fruitfull: its watered with the Rivers Soan, Love, Dayne, and Doux, upon whose banks stands the fair, and strong City of Bezanson, an University. Dole also stands on the same River, a strong, rich, and beautiful City, and an University, wherein the Jesuits have a Colledge. 3. Salines. 4. Gray. 5. Arbois. 6. Boutenant. 7. Chastilion, and above three and twenty more walled Towns.
2 Lorrain, which is environed with part of Belgia, Alsatia, the County of Burgundy, and Champaigne: It abounds with Corn, Wine, Mines, Salt, Fish, and an excellent race of horses The people are hardy and politick, and are governed by a Duke: In it are store of Lakes well replenished with Fish, one whereof is fourteen miles in compasse: The chief Rivers are, 1. The Meure, 2. Mosa, 3. Mosella: The chief Cities are, 1. Nancy seated on the Meure, 2. St. Nicholas, well seated, neatly built, and very populous, but not walled about: 3. Vausoleur, 4. Pont Moson, 5. Neufa Chateau, 6. Vaudemant. Unto this Countrey belongs the County of Barrois, environed with the two streams of the River Marne: the chief Towns are, Barleduc, Lamot, Arg, and Ligni.
3. Savoy, which is bounded with Dauphine, Bress, Switzerland, and Piedmont. Within the limits of this Countrey stands the famous City of Geneva, being but two English miles in circuit, and the territories thereof stretch but two leagues and an half of each side. At the end of the City is the lake Lemannus, and the River Rhoan divides it into two parts.
This little Common-wealth by the assistance of God, resisted a great siedg laid against it by the Duke of Savoy, Anno Christi 1589: As also another attempt made by Charles Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, to have taken her by surprise. Hee secretly listed one thousand and two hundred men, under the command of Mounsieur d' Aubigny, who by means of great store of Ladders, and other instruments got to the number of two hundred into the Town, whilst the Duke was following with some Regiments for recruit: But being discovered, and the Citizens running to their Arms, it pleased God to strike those which were entered with such a Pannick fear, that they returned the same way they came, without having been able so much as to seize upon one gate, to let in the other Forces. Thus this great design so long premeditated, so secretly carried on, so successefully begun, and almost compleatly executed, was by the watchful eye of Gods Providence over his people, prevented: and this hot Camisado hath made them of Geneva stand better upon their guard ever since.
They use to punish Adultery with death, and if any malefactor fly thither for refuge, they punish him after the custome of the country where the crime was committed. The chief Cities of Savoy, are 1. Chambery the Dukes seat: It stands in a pleasant valley amongst the Mountains, and is beautified with many neat houses, well fortified with a strong Castle, and some outworks. 2. Tarentaise, which commands the passage into Italy through the hills Geneura. 3. Bramont. 4. Aquibelle. 5. Carboneirs. 6. Maurienne. On the North East of Savoy is the County of Bresse: the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Chattillion 2. Mont Real, 3. Bourg, well seated and fortified.
The Marquisat of Saluzzes is seated in Piedmont, a part of Italy. Piedmont it self, being bounded with Millaine on the East, Savoy on the West, Switzerland on the North, and the Mediterranean on the South: A fruitful Country compared with Savoy, but inferior to the rest of Italy. It hath in it one hundred and sixty walled places, and is very populous: It hath in it fifty Earldomes, and fifteen Marquisates: Its divided betwixt the Dukes of Savoy, and Mantua, the River Tenarus parting their possessions: The chief Towns belonging to the Savoyard are, 1. Turin built on the banks of the River Duria: In it is the Palace of the Duke of Savoy, and an University. 2. Aoste. 3. Vercelli, a strong Town. 4. Inurea, &c.
The Alps described.
The Mountains of the Alpes, which require five dayes to bee ascended, divide France, and Germany from Italy: they are alwayes covered with Snow: Hanibal made a way through them with fire, and Vineger. They begin at Savona, and having run a good space in a continued hill, are at last divided into many parts: There are five passages over them into Italy: three out of France, and two out of Germany: The first out of France is through Provence, close upon the Tyrenean Seas, and so through Liguria, which is the easiest. The second through the Hills called Geneura, into the Marquisat of Saluzzes, and so into Lombardy: The third is over Mount Cenis, through the Country of Turin. The first way out of Germany is through the Grisons Country, by the Town of Valtolin; the other way is through the Country of Tyrol, by the Towns of Inspurg, and Trent.