The glory of England, or A true description of many excellent prerogatiues and remarkeable blessings, whereby she triumpheth ouer all the nations of the world vvith a iustifiable comparison betweene the eminent kingdomes of the earth, and herselfe: plainely manifesting the defects of them all in regard of her sufficiencie and fulnesse of happinesse. By T.G.

CHAP. X. The description of ITALY, as in times past.

WHereas you partly heard, that the house of Austria obtaining the Empire euen * 1.1 with the Popes grudging, did also intrude it selfe into the pleasant fields of Italy, whereby the King of Spaine would haue his head empaled indeed with one of the Imperiall Dia∣demmes of the world: we will steppe thether, and see with what fashion her countenance is made cheerefull, and how her curtesie is prepared to entertaine vs. I will therefore desist from any former ampliation of absolute beginnings, least I should wrong the labours of ther men, and speake indeede their owne words more imperfectly, onely I must somewhat abstrusely and abstractly to helpe your memory with some things, that sauour of antiquity, and shall assist your comparatiue bringing them face to face in these moderne times. Vnderstand then, that it was the first Countrey inhabited of Europe by Ianus, or Iaphet the sonne of Noe, whose history giueth life to many strange and fabulous relations: How presently followed the possession of many Nations, whose loue to the Coun∣trey changed her name into Oenotria, Ausonia, Hesperia, Saturnia, Italia; and some others of lesse consequence, some significantly according to the goodnes of the place,

some metonimically either pars pro toto, or totum pro parte; some ironically for idle actions, or Poeticall fictions, and some iudicially according to the vertue of the Inhabi∣tants, excellency of the soile, or honour of the first explo∣rator, or Redacter to gouernment, and thus it was sud∣denly diuided into Prouinces, as Liguria, Hetruria, Vmbria, * 1.2 Latium, Campania foelix, Lucania, Brutia or Magna graecia, Salentitij or Salentini, Appuleia Peucetia, Appuleia Daunia, Samnites, Pisenum, Aemilia or Galsia transalpina, now Lom∣bardy; and forum Iulij or Friaul, now Venetorum regio; Some say 15. Blondus 18. and Leander 19. parts. * 1.3

How Rome became the metropolitane Citie of Italy, * 1.4 and Queene of the world, so that the Emperors amplified the same with magnificent structures and monuments, and in diuiding, or rather translating their seates to Con∣stantinople left all to the Exarchat of Rauenna, and vsur∣pation of Byshoppes; who by a higher stile at last made themselues Popes, and with the cuppe of abomination, like the whore in the Apocalips, poisoned the westerne Kingdomes.

How the Venetians beganne their Citie and State, and * 1.5 about anno 700. constituted a DVKE, boasting indeede that they were the poore remainder of the Roman Nobi∣lity, as it were sequestred into certaine remote Ilands, which the Goths respected not, nor Lombards regarded: yet hath Time you see raised a glorious flame from the poore dispersed imbers, almost extinguished, either from heate, or light.

How Millane was incorporated to a principalitie: First built by the Frence, after subuerted by the Vandalls, then * 1.6 reedified, next made a Duchy; fiftly, strengthned with the band of Sforza; sixtly, possessed by the French againe,

and now by the Spaniard.

How Genoa boasteth of her antiquitie from Ianus, and * 1.7 about 1237. constituted a DVKE like vnto Venice, but daring not to trust her owne foundation entertained the noble assistance of the Spanish castells.

How Turine or Taurinum was an Academy, the chiefe * 1.8 Citie of Piemont, and now giueth so much aire to Sauoy, that he breatheth with one of the noblest Dukedomes of the world.

How Papia or Pauy in times past Ticinum by reason of * 1.9 the riuer, that runnes round about it, was vnited to the Duchy of Millane by Iohannes Galeazius the first Duke.

How Padoa boasteth of her neighbourhood to the ri∣uer Padus, her Vniuersitie, Antenors foundation, fertillity * 1.10 of ground, strong ramparts, and repineth at her subiecti∣on to Venice.

How Cremona is very auncient, and flourished with orderly strength and prosperity, vntill it was burnt in the * 1.11 warres betweene Vitellius and Otho.

How Verona is pleased with the common enterpretati∣on * 1.12 of her name quasi vera vna, with the orderly accesse of Italians nobles, with the ruines of her Amphitheater so goodly a structure, that I dare be bold to say, it would containe 80000. people to behold the spectacles, presen∣ted to the Inhabitants for triumphs of Emperors, and fa∣mous Consuls, and being once free was subiected to the Venetians about anno. 1405.

How Mantua was first a Marquisate, but by the marri∣age of the onely daughter of Montisferate raised to a Du∣chy * 1.13 by the Emperor, and thrust warme vnder the mantell of Gonzaga by the Pope.

How Mirandula was fortified, besieged by the Emperor * 1.14

and Pope, assisted onely by the French, and at last vnited to the principate of Parma.

How Ferrara was first subiect to the Byshoppe of Ra∣uenna, then vnder the family of Est, made a Marquisate; * 1.15 lastly, a Dukedome, and now vsurped by the Pope, as part of Saint Peters patrimonie.

How Parma boasteth of antiquitie, suffered many con∣cussions, * 1.16 fell into the blessing of the Clergy, and with the Coronet of a Duke was presented to Alexander Fernesius.

How Bononia was once ruled by an Exarchate, as a place * 1.17 of greatnesse, and important conueniency for the gouern∣ment of the Countrey: after giuen to the Church by King Pepin, and Carolus magnus, and hath now a famous Vniuersitie.

How Rauenna boasteth of antiquitie, was the principall * 1.18 seate of the Vicegerents, for the Emperors of Constanti∣nople, and after surrendred into the Popes hands by the name of Romandiolas territories.

How Vrbine was famous for courtshippe, and made a * 1.19 Dukedome 1476. by Pope Sixtus in the family of Frede∣ricus Vbaldinensis, who were once citizens of Florence, but for their vertue raised to this honour, so that the family extinguished, it is returned to the possession of the Pope againe.

How Ancona is an old walled Towne and port in the * 1.20 Adriaticke sea, now Gulpho Venetiano, is knowne by her white cliffe, inuiteth you to come on land, and see the wonders of our Lady at Loretto; and obeyeth the Pope in his temporall iurisdiction.

How Florence suffered many alterations, increased in wealth, buildings, state, populousnesse, was honored in * 1.21 the house of Medices, and aduanced her fame with the best

through the valour and well-deseruing of that valiant Co∣simo, by the stile of Magnus Dux Hetruriae, and hath since boasted of two Queenes of France from her daughters, who haue filled the Courts of all the Princes in Europe with strange reports. How Pisa was once Mistresse of Ma∣iorca, * 1.22 had an Acedemy, was sold to the Florentines, by the Vicount Iohannes Galeasius, and bought of the Empe∣rour Charles, 1369. by Petrus Gambacurta, for 12000. peeces of gold. How Leuca was made a Seignory, and had * 1.23 many Gouernours, but at last obtained their freedome by donation of a Cardinall, who distributed for the same 25000. Checkinos. How Sienna boasteth of the birth of * 1.24 Aeneas Siluius, called Pope Pius, of the Vniuersity of Phy∣sicians, is delicately scited, was tossed, or rather tormented in the factions of the Guelphs and Gibellines, submitted to the Spanyard, then to the French, next to the Cardinall M•…•…ndoza, and at last 1558. yeelded to the Duke of Flo∣rence. How Naples encreased in glory, and raised her * 1.25 dignity next to Lombardy, of all the Principats of Italy, to a Kingdome, suffred many alterations, had Princes of se∣uerall families, filled the world with the occurrences of her troubles; and at last, by example of Sicilia, prostituted it selfe to Spaines insulting. Of all which to discourse at large were another Gordion: and with the Preacher a man may cry out, all things are so hard to be knowen, that no creature can expresse them, the eye is not satisfied with sight, the eare not filled with hearing, the thing that hath beene, commeth to passe againe, and there is no new thing vnder the Sunne: and therefore I will desist from further tormenting my selfe or you, because many worthy au∣thors are opposite to one another, in vnfolding the secrets of antiquity, and hee which striueth to please all readers

with satisfaction, must transforme himselfe into all shapes, especially with Ianus looke two contrary waies, and study the arts both of detracting and flattery: yet there is but one truth, if a man did liue in such a blessed age, that he might maintaine the same with worthy boldnesse, speaking what he thinkes, thinking what he knowes, and knowing nothing, but honest certainties: wherein not to be corrupted, is a glory exceeding report, and a worke of wonder indeed: therefore as neere as I can, I will reiect all impossible reports and authorities, and tie my selfe to pro∣babilities and truth, or at least so much, as is either receiued for currant in iustifiable relations: or my poore experience dare warrant from mine owne endeauours: and so I will shew you with what face Italy lookes vp to heauen at this houre, and may with Heraclitus weepe for the vanities and miseries of the earth: yet is cheerefull, and thus like a strumpet is knowne by the pride of her eyes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Italy diui∣ded.
• * 1.2

  Countries.
• * 1.3

  Cities.
• * 1.4

  Rome.
• * 1.5

  Venice.
• * 1.6

  Millane.
• * 1.7

  Genoa.
• * 1.8

  Turine.
• * 1.9

  Pauy.
• * 1.10

  Padoa.
• * 1.11

  Cremona.
• * 1.12

  Verona.
• * 1.13

  Mantua.
• * 1.14

  Mirandula.
• * 1.15

  Ferrara.
• * 1.16

  Parma.
• * 1.17

  Bononia.
• * 1.18

  Rauenna.
• * 1.19

  Urbine.
• * 1.20

  Ancona.
• * 1.21

  Florence.
• * 1.22

  Pisa.
• * 1.23

  L•…•…uca.
• * 1.24

  S•…•…a.
• * 1.25

  Naples.