A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 168 – Subpart 170
Germany described.
The compass of this spacious Country is two thousand and six hundred English miles: The Inhabitants are little addicted to Venus, but very much to Bacchus; they are of strong constitutions, and much inclining to fatnesse. The titles of the Fathers descend to all their Children, every son of a Duke, being a Duke, and every Daughter a Dutchess. The soil for the most part is healthful, and profitable, yeelding several Minerals, Corn, and Wine, together with Linnen, Quicksilver, Allom, &c. The chief Rivers are, 1. Danubius, which rising out of Nigra sylva, receiveth threescore navigable Rivers into it, and having run a course of one thousand and five hundred miles, emptieth it self at seven mouths into the Euxine Sea. 2. Rhene, which arising in Helvetia, and running through Germany, and Belgia, after a course of eight hundred miles, falleth into the German Ocean. 3. Albis, rising on the skirts of Bohemia, passing by Magdenbourg, Brunswick, and Denmark, after four hundred miles course, falls into the same Sea. 4. Oder, arising in Silesia, runs through Brandenbourg, and Pomerania about three hundred miles, and so falls into the Baltick Sea. 5. Maenus or the Main. 6. Weser.
The Empire of Germany is not hereditary, but elective: and when the Emperor is dead, the Arch-Bishop of Mentz, writes to the rest of the Electors to meet at Frankfurt within three months, either in person, or to send their Ambassadors: In the vacancy, the Elector Palatine is the Vicar; and hee who is elected King of the Romans is declared heir. The three Ecclesiastical Electors, are the Arch-Bishops of Mentz, Trevers, and Colein: the others are the King of Bohemia, the Elector Palatine ▪ the Duke of Saxony, and the Marquiss of Brandenburg: to whom was lately added the Duke of Bavaria. Being assembled at Frankfurt, they make oath to chuse a fit person: they are obliged to finish the choice within thirty dayes, and may not go out of the Town till it bee accomplished. If the voices happen to bee equal, hee who hath the King of Bohemia's vote, is proclaimed Emperour.
The three states of the Empire are, 1. That of the aforesaid Electors, wherein the Ecclesiasticks have the precedency. The second state consists of four Arch-Bishops, as Magdeburg, Salsburgh, Bremen, and Bezanson: after whom follows the great Master of the Teutonick Order; and then one and thirty Bishops; ten Abbots with the title of Princes; and some Abbesses; and lastly the Counts, and Barons, whereof there are many. The third State is made up of the Imperial Towns, which are in number threescore and five: the four principall are, Lubeck, Metz, Auspurgh, and Aixe, or Aquisgra…e.
Another Union there is for the preservation of Trade, and commerce, the chief Cities whereof are, Lubeck, Colein, Brunswick, and Dansick. These are called Hanse-Towns.
The Empire is distributed into ten circles; Franconia, Bavaria, Austria, Swevia: That of the upper Rheyn; that of the four Electors towards the Rheyn, Westphalia, Saxony, Low Saxony, and Burgundy.
Come wee now in particular to the chief Provinces of Germany, which are fifteen. As,
1. East-Friezland having on the West the River Ems, on the East the Weser, on the South Westphalia, and on the North the Sea: The chief Towns are, 1. Emden. 2. Ammer Dun. 3. Oldenbourg.
2. Westphalia, which is bounded on the East with Brunswick, on the West with Belgia, on the South with Hassia, and on the North with the Sea. The soil is fruitful, the trees yeeld abundance of sweet Acorns which feed our Westphalia Bacon: The Northern part is called Bremen, from the chief City of that name: the next parts belong to the Duke of Saxony, the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Clappenbourg. 2. Exenberg. 3. Alsdorpe, &c. The other part belongs to the Bishopricks of Collen, Munster, and Triers. In that of Collen are, 1. Collen, the Bishops seat. 2. Anderna…h. 3. Lentz seated on the Rhene. 4. Bonna. 5. Mondenand.
The chief towns under the Bishop of Munster are, 1. Warendorp. 2. Herverden. 3. Munster, seated on the River Ems. Here the frantick Anabaptists seated themselves, Anno Christi 1522. till they were deservedly punished and destroyed
The chief Towns in the Bishoprick of Triers are, 1. Bopport on the Mosel. 2. Engers. 3. Coblents. 4. Triers on the Mosel also.
3. Cleveland, which Dutchy contains Cleve, Gulick, and Berge. It joyns to Gelderland, and the chief Cities are, 1. Cleve. 2. Calkar. 3. Wesel. 4. Emerick.
In Gulick the chief Cities are, 1. Aquisgraue, or Aken. 2. Gulick. 3. Dulken. 4. Newis.
The chief Towns in Berge are, 1. Dusseldorp. 2. Hattingen. 3. Arusberg.
4. Alsatia, which hath on the West Lorrain, on the South Helvetia, on the East the Rhene, and on the North, the Palatinate. The chief Towns are, 1. Strasbourg, where is a Tower five hundred seventy and eight paces high: It stands on the Rhene. 2. Psaltburg. 3. VVeisenberg. On the South end of Alsatia stand Colmer, Hagenaw, and Selestade, three fair Cities belonging to the Empire.
5. Franconia which is bounded on the East with Bohemia: on the West with Elsas: on the North with Hassia, and on the South with Swevia, Bavaria, and Helvetia. Its divided betwixt the Palatine of Rhene, the Duke of VVittenberg, the Marquess of Anspach▪ and Baden, the Bishops of Mentz, Bamberg, VVestberg, and the Emperour, of which in order.
The Palatinate of Rhene is in length from North to South, threescore and twelve miles; in breadth from East to West, fourscore and sixteen. In which compass are some Towns of the Empire, and some Lordships belonging to the Bishops of VVormes, and Spires, both seated on the Rhene. The Palatinate hath store of fruits, mettals, and Rhenish Wines: Hath many gallant Towns, as 1. Mospotch. 2. Heidelberg, an University. On the banks of Rhene stand 1. Bacharach, whence come the best Rhenish Wines called Bachrach. 2. Coub. 3. Oppenheim. 4. Cruitznack. 5. Frankendale. 6. Germensheim. 7. Mainhem, &c. There are in this Country fourteen other walled Towns.
VVittenberg, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Turbing, an University. 2. Stutguard, the Dukes seat. 3. Marback. 4. Caustat, &c.
Anspach, the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Anspach. 2. Ha…lbrun. 3. Plenifelt.
Baden, a fruitful Country lying between the Rivers Rhene, and Neccar: The chief Towns are, 1. Durlach. 2. Pfortshaime. 3. Baden, a neat Town seated on the Rhene, having hot Baths in it.
Mentz, seated where the Main emptieth it self into the Rhene, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Lanstein. 2. Bing, seated on the Rhene.
Bamberg, which is a fair City seated on the Main, the other chief Towns are Schestlites, and Forchiam.
VVirtzberg, a Bishops seat, formerly called Herbipolis, the other Towns belonging to it are Schwinfurt on the Main, and Arnsteme.
The Emperors part contains the free, and imperial Cities seated in the Palatinate, and VVittenberg, the chief whereof are, 1. Norenberg, situated in the very center of Germany. 2. Frankfurt on the Main, where the two great book Marts are held in Midlent, and Mid-September.
6. Helvetia, or Switzerland, which is bounded on the East with Tyrol, on the West with France, on the North with Lorraine, and Elsas, and on the South with Italy. It contains thirteen Cantons▪ as 1. Zurick. 2. Bern. 3. Lucern. 4. Urania. 5. Glaris. 6. Zugh. 7. Basil. 8. Friburg. 9. Underwalt. 10. Soloure. 11. Schaffhausen. 12. Apensol. 13. Swits. The chief Towns are, 1. Zurick, or Tygure. 2. St. Gall. 3. Basil. where is a famous University. 4. Constance seated on the Lake Bodenzee; it belongs to the house of Austria. 5. Bern. 6. Baden; where are good Bathes. 7. Lucerne, situate on the banks of a great Lake, bearing the same name. The Country is in length two hundred and forty, and in breadth one hundred and fourscore miles: In it are the heads of…those four famous Rivers, Poe, Danow, Rhene, and Rhone, that run East, West, North, and South. These people were sometimes under the Emperor; but being over-burthened by the Tyranny of their Governours, they shaked off the yoak, and entring into an offensive, and defensive league, cantoned themselves under a new Government.
These Helvetians are shut up within Mountains, and great Lakes, which make their Country unaccessible. The tyranny of some Governours, as aforesaid, caused them to shake off the yoak, not only of the house of Austria, but of their own Nobility also. Their first league was begun by three Country Peasants, which in a short time was much augmented, by the aversion of the people from the abovesaid Government. Let no man trust to his own power, and maintain it by rigour, for enemies often come from whence they are least expected. So soon as this league was made, they seized upon the Castles of their Governours, and drove them out of their Country Anno Christi 1307. But Arch-Duke Leopold being puffed up by some conquests hee had made, and being provoked by the solicitations of the expulsed Nobility, led his forces against the Villages, but was defeated in the Mountains, near Morgarten. This victory of the Switzers produced the perpetual alliance of the three Villages, to which the rest shortly after adjoyned themselves; yea, and many imperial Towns near them have so leagued themselves with them, that now they have no enemie that they need fear, except from among themselves: Since which time their alliance hath been sought by Popes, Kings, and Princes of Europe, and especially by France, which by keeping in with them, through a yearly pension, hath drawn no small advantages from them.
Their Republick is composed of three orders: The Villages to the number of thirteen. The Associates, or Confederates: And the Towns which depend upon their direction. They have also divers forms of Government: for that of the Villages is Democratical; and that of the Towns, Aristocratical: which mixt Common-wealth is only kept in unity by the care which shee hath of her own preservation. Their Assemblies are made by a general Convocation to treat of war, peace, &c. at which the Ambassadors from every Town are to meet. Their Religion in some of the Cantons is only Romane, in others reformed, and in some mixed. In this Marshal age of ours, bloody Mars hath as well skipped over their Mountains, as through the Seas, Des…s, and vast Forrests.
7. Suevia, which is divided into the upper, and lower. The upper is bounded on the East with Tyrol, on the West with Helvetia, on the North with lower Suevia, and on the South with Millaine: It was formerly called Rhetia, now they are called Grisons; divided into three confederations. 1. Lega Cadi Dio; whose chief City is Coyra. 2. Lega Grisa. 3. Lega Dritture, they are Papists, and Protestants mixt together.
Lower Suevia, or Schwaben hath on the East Bavaria; on the West Danubius: on the North Franconia, and on the South Tirol, and the Grisons. The chief Towns are, 1. Ulme. 2. Lindwe, on the Lake Bodenzee. 3. Auspurg on the River Leith. 4. Norlingen. 5. VVherlingen. 6. Ravensperg. 7. Dinkle spuhel. 8. Gmund.
8. Bavaria, which hath on the East Austria, and Stiria, on the West the Leike, on the North Bohemia, and part of Franconia, and on the South Tirol, and Carinthia: The chief Cities are, 1. Munchen, the Dukes seat, on the River Aser. 2. Ingolstat, on the Danow, an University. 3. Ratisbone, on the Danow also. 4. Passaw. 5. Sulesbourg, on the River Saltzach. 6. Frising. 7. Eystet, &c. being in all thirty four, and forty six walled Towns besides: the soil is fruitful.
The Northern part of Bavaria is called the Upper Palatinate, whereof the chief Towns are, 1. Amberg, where are Silver Mines. 2. Newburg. 3. Awerbach. 4. Sultzbach. 5. Weiden. 7. Castel.
9. Austria, is an Arch-Dukedome that contains the Province of Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Tirol, and Carniola: Its divided from Hungary on the East, by the Leita: From Bavaria on the West, by the Ems: From Moravia on the North, by the Tems: and from Stiria on the South, by the Muer: It was once called Pannonia superior: the chief Cities in Austria are, 1. Vienna, an University, seated on the Danow, the beautifullest City in all Germany, adorned with magnificent Churches, stately Monasteries, and a sumptuous Pallace for the Archduke 2. Emps. 3. St. Leopald. 4. Neustat. 5. Hainburg. 6. Crems.
Styria is in length one hundred and ten miles, and about sixty in breadth. It hath the River Rab on the East, Carinthia on the West, the Dravus on the South, and the Meur, and Austria on the North: the chief Cities are, 1. Marchpurg. 2. Gratz.
Carinthia is seventy five miles in length, and fifty five in breadth. It hath Stiria on the East, Tirol on the West, Bavaria on the North, and the Alps on the South. The chief towns are, 1. Villach. 2. Spittal. 3. Gurach. 4. Freisach. 5. St. Veit.
Carniola is one hundred and fifty miles long, and forty five broad. It hath on the East Sclavonia, on the West Italy, on the North Carinthia, and on the South Istria: the chief towns are, 1· Newmark, 2. Esling. 3. Marsperg. 4. Bagonock. 5. Saxenfelt, all on the River Savus, which runs through the middle of the Country.
Tirol, which is seventy two miles broad, and as many long. It hath on the East Carinthia, on the West the Grisons, on the North Schwaben, and on the South Marca Trevigeana. Its a fruitful Countrey, and full of silver Mines: the chief towns are, 1. Oenipont, or Inspurch. 2. Landeck. 3. Tirol. 4. Bolzan. 5. Trent, on the River Adesis, where the Council was held against the Protestants.
10. Bohemia, which hath annexed to it Silesia, Lusatia, and Moravia.
Bohemia is bounded on the East with Silesia, and Moravia, on the West with Franconia, on the North with Misnia, and Lusatia, and on the South with Bavaria, and is encompassed with the Hercynian Forrest. The whole Kingdome is in compasse five hundred and fifty miles, in which are contained seven hundred and eighty Cities, walled Towns, and Castles, and thirty two thousand Villages: they use the Sclavonian Language. The soil is fruitful, enriched with Mines of all sorts but Gold. Here are many Forrests, and in some of them a beast called Loris, having under its neck a bladder of scalding water, with which, when shee is hunted, shee so tormenteth the Dogs, that shee easily escapeth them. The chief Cities are. 1. Prague, in the middest of the Countrey, seated on the River Mulda: It consists of four several towns, each of them having their several Magistrates, Laws and Customes: the principal is called the Old Town, adorned with many fair buildings, a spacious Market place, and a stately Senate-house: the second is called the New-town, separated from the other by a deep and wide ditch: the third is called the Little-town, divided from the Old by the River Mulda, and joined to it by a beautiful Bridge consisting of twenty four Arches: In this Town is the hill Rachine, on whose sides are many stately houses of the Nobles, and on the top a magnificent Palace for the Kings: the fourth is that of the Jews, who have in it five Synagogues, and live after their own Laws. The second City is Egra, seated on the River Eger, on the borders towards Franconia. 3. Budwus towards Austria. 4. Melmukle, on the river Albis. 5. Weldaw. 6. Pilsen.
Silesia, is bounded with Bohemia on the West, Brandenburg on the North, Poland on the South, and Hungary, and Moravia on the East: Its in length two hundred and forty miles, and fourscore in breadth, and is equally divided by the river Oder: the chief towns are, 1. Preslaw, or Uratislavia. 2. Jagundorfe. 3. Glats. 4. Oppolen. 5. Glogaw. 6. Olderberg, all seated on the River Oder.
Lusatia, which hath on the East and North Silesia, on the West Brandenburg, and on the South Silesia: the chief Cities are, Gorlits, and Trabel on the river Nisse, Spemberg, and Gotthuse, on the River Spe, and lastly Bautsen.
Moravia, which hath on the North and East Silesia, on the West Brandenburg, and on the South Austria, and Hungary. It abounds with Corn, and hath much Myrrh, and Frankincense, which contrary to the usuall manner, grow immediately out of the Earth, not from trees: the chief towns are, 1. Brinne. 2. Olmutz, an University. 3. Terebitz. 4. Jasa. &c.
11. Brandenburg, which hath on the East Poland, on the West Saxony, on the North Pomerania, and on the South Lusatia: Its in compass five hundred and twenty miles, in which are contained fifty Cities, and sixty four walled towns: the chief are, 1. Brandenburg. 2. Frankfurt upon Oder, an University, seated in a fruitful soil abounding with Corn, and Wine. 3. Berlin, where the Prince keeps his Court, seated on the River Spre. 4. Havelburg, to this belongs part of Prussia, called Ducal, with the Dukedomes of Cleve, Juliers, and Berg, &c. So that in largenesse of territories, they exceed the Dukes of Saxony, but not in revenues.
12. Pomerania; and Meclemburg. The first is bounded on the East, wirh the River Vistula, on the VVest with Meclemburg on the North with the Baltick sea, and on the South with Brandenburg: the chief towns are, 1. Stetin, the Princes seat, and an University. 2. Wolgast. 3. VVallin. 4. Gripswald an University. 5. Newtrepton, a Sea Town.
Meclenburg, or Megalopolis stands on the West of Pomeren, the chief towns whereof are, 1. Malchaw. 2. Sternberg. 3. VVismar. 4. Rostock, an University. On the West hereof stands the fair Hans-Town of Lubeck; and about ten miles from it, Hamborough: On the further side of the River is Stoade, where the English house is to sell their wares.
13. Saxony, which hath on the East Lusatia, and Brandenburgh: On the West Hassia: On the North Brunswick; and on the South Franconia, and Bohemia. It contains the Countries of Thuringia, Misnia, Voitland, and Saxony.
The chief Cities in Thuringia are, 1. Erdford, a great City. 2. Iene, an University of Physicians. 3. Smalcald. 4. Hale. 5. VVeimar. The whole Country is in length one hundred and twenty miles, and about as much in breadth, and yet it contains two thousand Villages, and twelve Earledoms.
Misnia, environed with Bohemia, Voitland, Thuringia, and Saxony; the chief Towns whereof are, 1. Dresden, on the River Albis: the Dukes seat, and principal Magazine. 2. Lipsique, an University. 3. Rochlits. 4. Mulburg.
Voitland is a little Country South of Misnia, whose chief Towns are, 1. Olnits. 2. VVerde. 3. Cronach. 4. Culmbach. 5. Hoffe.
Saxony, lies on the North of Thuringia, and Misnia: The chief Cities are, 1. Magdeburg, formerly Parthenopolis. 2. VVorlits seated on the Albie. 3. Helderick. 4. VVittenberg, the seat of the Duke, and an University, where Luther lived: within the bounds of Saxony are the two small Principalities of Anhalt, and Mansfield.
14. Brunswick, and Luneburg, which have on the East Brandenberg: On the West Westphalia: On the North Denmark: And on the South Saxony, and Hassia. The River Ems runs through this Country: and the chief Cities are, 1. Brunswick. 2. Wolfohaiton, where the Duke keeps his Court. Halberstade. 4. Lunebourg. 5. Cella.
5. Hassia, which hath Saxony on the East, Franconia on the South, Westphalia on the West and North: The chief Towns are, 1. Dormestad. 2. Marpurg, an University. 3. Geysen. 4. Dries. 5. Frankenburg. 6. Cassels. In this Country is the VVederaw, containing the Counties of Nassaw, and Hannaw, and the free City of Friburg. In the County of Nassaw are, 1. Dillingbourg. 2. Nassaw. 3. Catzenelbagen. and 4. Herborne, an University, where Piscator, and Alstedius were Professors.
Denmark described.
Denmark contains the Cimbrick Chersoness, part of Scandia, and the Islands of the Baltick Sea: The Chersoness is in length one hundred twenty miles, and in breadth fourscore, wherein are contained eight and twenty Cities, and twenty Royal Castles, or Palaces. The cheif Provinces are,
1. Holstein, whose chief Cities are, Nyemunster, and Brumsted. 2. Ditmars, whose chief Cities are, Meldory, where they cover their houses with Copper, and Mance. 3. Sleswick, whose chief Cities are, Goterpe, and Londen a Haven Town. 4. Iuitland, whereof the chief towns are, Rincopen, Nicopen, Hol, and Arhausen.
The Islands are five and thirty, whereof the principal are, 1. Senland, or Zeland, in length threescore and four, in breadth two and fifty miles, containing seven strong Castles, and about thirteen Cities; the chief being, 1. Coppenhagen, an University. 2. Elsennour on the Sea side, where they that pass the Sound pay their customes: This Sound is in breadth three miles, and is commanded by the Castles of Elsenbourg, on Scandia side, and Cronburg in this Island. 3. Roschilt. The second Island is Fuinen. 3. Bornholme. 4. Fimera, wherein Ticho Brahe built his artificial Tower, in which are rare Mathematical Instruments.
That part of Scandia which belongs to Denmark, is divided into three Provinces. 1. Hallandia. 2. Scania, in length threescore and twelve miles, in breadth eight and forty, the pleasantest, and fruitfullest Country in all Denmark, and having Seas abounding with Herrings. 3. Blicker, where is Colmar, a strong Fortress against the Swedes.
The Province of Scania reaches up to Sweden, and Ju…land to Holstein. The Kingdome is elective, and the principal strength of it consists in good, and stately ships, not only for the defence of the Islands, but of that most important passage of the Sound, which is a streight separating Scania from Zeland, and is of huge advantage by reason of the infinite number of ships which pass through it into the Baltick Sea, and come from all the Havens of that Sea back into the Ocean. The Noble men are much inclined to the wars; zealous for their Rights and Liberties, and make no alliance by marriage with the common people: they refuse Ecclesiastical honours, as below their condition. The Gentlemen are all equal, and as it were of one family, there being neither Earl, nor Baron; only the Officers of the Crown, and Counsellers of the Kingdome have the preheminence.
Norway described.
Norway is bounded on the North with Lapland, on the East with the Do…rine Mountains; which part it from Swethl…nd: on the other parts with the Sea. Its in length one thousand and three hundred miles, in breadth not half so much. Its much troubled with certain little Beasts called Lemmers, about the bigness of a field-mouse, which, like Locusts, devoure every green thing on the earth, and at a certain time die in heaps, and with their stench poison the air; so that the people are long after troubled with the Jaundies, and a giddinesse in the head: but these beasts come not often, The soil is barren, and the common people live on dryed fish in stead of bread. The chief Commodities are stock-fish, butter, rich furrs, train Oile, pitch, masts, cables, deal-boards, &c. Towns here are few, and the houses are miserably poor: their cheif towns are, 1. Nidrosia. 2. Bergen, an ancient mart town. 3. Asloia. 4. Staffanger: On the North, and West of it, lieth Finmark, a great and populous Province, both of them are subject to Denmark. The chief towns in Finmark are, 1. Saman. 2. Hielso, both sea towns. 3. Wardhouse, a place of much trading.