Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden maonachi Cestrensis; together with the English translations of John Trevisa and of an unknown writer of the fifteenth century.

Of Speyne. Trogus, libro ultimo, et Isidorus, libro quinto decimo. Capitulum vicesimum nonum.

TROGUS rehersethe that Speyne is iij. cornerde, or hau|enge iij. corners, whom the hilles Pirene conioynethe of the northe parte to Fraunce Narbonense, made on euery other parte as an yle thro the compassenge of the occean and of the see Tirene. Neuerthelesse there be ij. [folio 47] Speynes. The nyer Speyne to theis costes begynnethe from the hilles Pirene, and is endede at Carthago Spartaria. The forther Spayne conteynethe the weste parte to the see Gaditan, where the pillers of Hercules haue prospecte

towarde the mownte Atlantike. That Spayne is a pleyne londe, plentuous of castelles, horses, of hony, and of me|talle; somme tyme callede Hesperia, of the sterre Hesperia directenge the Grekes to hit. After that hit was callede Hiberia, of the floode callede Hiberus. But at the laste hit was callede Hispania, after the floode callede Hispalus. Spayne hathe vj. prouinces, that is to say Terraconense Lucitany, Gallicea, Bethlike, Tingitine, Astury, and Arro|gany. Isidorus, libro quinto decimo, capitulo secundo. This Carthago of Spayne was callede Spartaria vn to the dif|ference of Grete Carthago, whiche is in Affrike, whom Scipio the consul of Rome destroyede, but this Cartago Spartaria was made of men of Affrike under Duke Hanibal, but after that hit was destroyede of the Gothes, whiche hade possession longe in Speyne, and specially in the tymes of Honorius themperoure. The Saracenes brekenge furthe from Affrike after the tymes of Heraclius thempe|roure ouercome the Gothes. Whiche Saracenes were de|victe

of Grete Charles, and losenge the weste partes of Spayne, whiche be callede Gallicia Lucitania, receyuede oonly to theyme the este partes of Speyne.