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. VIII. The Empire of GERMANY.

THE eighth prize out of this great lottery of * 1.1 the world, is proclaimed for the Emperor of Germany & king of the Romans, to which the house of Austria is (as it should seeme, or at least would bee) enfeoffed. For at this houre, the sonnes of the olde Arch-Duke haue thus raised the throne of imperiousnesse: Ro∣dulphus Emperour, yet famous for nothing but peaceable desires, and a priuate sequestration scarce affecting the de∣fence of his owne territories, much lesse the expatiating of any military proiect against the enemy of Christendome. Matthias after much repining and a great expectation, King of Hungary, out of which hee hopeth (if occasion serue) to step into his brothers chaire, and command Eu∣rope, or at lest so much as the Pope and King of Spaine can support him in. Maximilian, Arch-Duke of Austria, and powerfull enough in being commander of Vienna, from whence the Turks with 200000. souldiers was valiantly repulsed. Albertus, first Arch-Bishop of Toledo, then Car∣dinall, next dispensed with, and married to the Infanta of Spaine his cozen german, and last of all Arch-Duke of Bur∣gundy, and Commander of the Low-Countries, or at least so many as are brought so low, that hee standeth like a Colossus ouer them: and Ernestus called the Cardinall of Austria, but whether filius naturalis, or no, I dispute not on; so that if the father were now aliue, to see this bundle

of arrowes so well, so strong, and so gloriously bound to∣gether, he would flatter himselfe with an opinion, that the Emperials either would not, or durst not startle from their resolutions of corroborating the Diadem in his familie. But although the Germanes haue thus raised vp the princi∣pall tree, wherein the double neckt Eagle doth build her airy: yet is it farre from any royall florishing, or Monar∣chall supremacy. For neither is it hereditary, nor after inauguration can he commaund, as other Kings, or like the briefe of Samuels Oratory to the rebellious Israelites, shew the reciprocall duties betweene Prince and Subiect: but by no meanes is he powerfull enough to ouerthrow the priuiledges of the Empire, because the Princes be so many, so mighty, so beloued, that they attend in Court at pleasute, raise their forces at pleasure, contest with the Emperor in many cases at pleasure, and supply his wants and demands for impositions at pleasure. The Townes againe are so strong, so priuiledged, so populous, that out of obstinate finding fault with taxes and imperious re∣straints, they many times oppose against their principall lords, and in hostile manner exclude them from the bene∣fit of commaunding, like royall Princes indeed, witnesse the many contentions of Colleine with the Noble men and Byshops, and at last with the Byshop and the people, the power of the DVKE of Saxony in maintaining of LV∣THER against both Pope and Emperor: the repining of diuers Cities, and Princes, when the Lantsgraue of Hesse was imprisoned vnder Charles the 5. The last contention betweene the Duke of Brunswicke and the Citie, and the generall cause of the Protestants protected in euery place inuita fortuna, yea against Ecclesiasticall curses and tem∣porall menaces.

Of all Europe it is the greatest Countrey with the best and richest store of Cities, Townes, Castels, and religious * 1.2 places, in that decorum, and order (for in a manner view one Towne and view all) as if there were a vniuersall con∣sent to raise our admiration from their vniformity: To which is added a secret of Nature, that the people gene∣rally for honesty of conuersation, probity of manners, as∣surance of loyaltie, and confidence of disposition (setting apart their imperfect customes of drinking) exceede our beliefe, as being vnoffensiue, conuersable, maintainers of their honours, and families, wherein they step so farre, as if true Gentry were incorporate with them, and had his principall mansion in Germany. And although they re∣pine at any strangers intrusion, and will not suffer new Nations to bring in new customes, no not artificers; and seeme withall fantastique in apparrell, and gaudy with de∣uises: yet doe they hate formalitie of Courtiers, and of all other things beware of that horrible deceit of vaparous * 1.3 promises, common protestations, open embraces, palpa∣ble flattery, and hypocriticall bindings of obseruation from inferiours: when the heart is corrupted, yea ready to leape into his Masters mouth, and tell him, that he lies, when it heares him sweare, what he neuer meant: thus can they with Lucan exclaime:

Exeat aula Qui vult esse pius, virtus & summa potestas non coeunt.

and thus doe they endeauour themselues in all honest courses to liue of themselues, which questionlesse pro∣ceedes from some worthy caution concerning their mise∣rie, who eate meate vnder the repining eyes of another, and herein no doubt they lay a great imputation on ma∣ny

English, whose profession of libertie by base and ser∣uile attendancy is ouerthrowne: or if they seeme glorious in casting off the yoake of obedience; yet are they be∣smeered * 1.4 with the frothy corruptions of verball & vaine∣glorious Courtiers, who haue with the viciousnesse of time so abused this profession of moralitie, that an honest and vnsubiected heart is afraid to come neere them. For although Liberalitie and Charity haue equall properties to the opening, if it were possible, the gates of heauen: al∣though the fauour of Kings must be purchased by duty and obsequiousnesse, and although the maiestie of a Court must not be depressed by admitting euery man at plea∣sure: yet hath the errors of life so traduced worthy men for swelling too bigge with wealth and aduancement, that their power and authoritie growes tedious, and the depen∣ding on another is a very excruciation of minde, which made the Poet exclaime against the protraction of good deedes with Gratia ab officio, quod mora tardat, abest: which made the Italians murmure with Dono molto aspettato è venduto è non donato: which made Berzelay say vnto the King, I am old I will go a litle way ouer Iordan, but returne to my owne house, liue with my people, and be buried in the se∣pulchre of my fathers. In these things are the Germans worthy of all commendation: yet me thinkes wanting an hereditarie succession of Princes, and hauing an Em∣peror sometimes by partiality of election, sometimes by factious strength, and sometimes by the absolute com∣maund of the Pope, they should a little abate their osten∣tation concerning his MAIESTIE, or their owne glory. As for their formall custome of denominating all the sons of Arch-Dukes Dukes, Earles, & Barons, according to their fathers titles, and paternall honours, it keepes co∣respondencie with the name of Caesar amongst them, and

the Italians hold it so ridiculous, that in their facetiae, as we terme it, they ieast it thus: The Earles of Germany; the Dons of Spaine; the Monsiers of France; the Byshoppes of Italy; the Knights of Naples; the Lardes of Scotland; the Hidalgos of Portugall; the Noblemen of Hungary; and the younger brethren of England make a very poore company.

But if you are curious indeed, and would search in na∣tures storehouse for the furniture, that Germany holds, or know in what manner she distributeth her blessings, you shall finde corne, vines, riuers of fish, fruite, hot waters, bathes, minerals, mines of all sorts, and very good cattle. If ambition transport you to view the palace of Honour, they can bring you into well fortified Cities, wherein you shall haue munition, armor, and the very Burgers trained with martiall discipline: they can cary you into the fields of Bellona, and delight you with a beautifull sight of 20000. horse diuided into seuerall batalions and squa∣drons with cornets, penons, and sufficient equipage: they can conduct you into the very walkes of Princelines, and show stately palaces, pleasant hunting and hawking, tur∣niaments, iusts, riding horses, and other exercises befit∣ting a Gentleman. If you descend to more moderate expectations, you shall then haue notice, how most men eate vnder their owne vines, how the Citizen liueth in quiet, how the women are blessed in their children, how faults are pardoned, scandals remooued, and euery man appeares like a faire shining Planet in his owne Orbe with∣out disturbance.

On the north from Callis to Dantske in Prussia lieth part of the seuenteene Prouinces, and Pomerania: On the East Brandenburg and Silesia, I might haue named Hunga∣rie,

and Transiluania: to the South as farre as the Alpes, Austria, Bauaria, Sweuia, and Heluetia: on the West •…•…ran∣conia, Hessia, and Munsterland: as a core in the midst West∣phalia, Saxonia, Brunswicke, Thuringia, Misina, the well compacted kingdome of Bohemia, circumcepted with •…•…∣gra, Silua, and Morauia, with many other diuisions of Principats, Dukedomes, Lordships, and Clergie men, that to number them would be more tedious, then satis∣factorie; consider Munster their owne Countrey-man h•…•…th * 1.5 described them at full, and taken so much paines there•…•…n, as if he studied nothing more, then to set out the honour and dignitie of the Nation, wherein hee was borne. A∣mongst these are seuen Princes sequestred to a speciall lifting vp the Emperor into his throne: the three Byshops of Colleine, Ments, or as some will haue it •…•…agunse, and Treuers: the three Seculars, Duke of Saxony, Marqu•…•…, of Brandenburge, and Count Pallatine of the Rhene; the binding voice is allowed the King of Bohemia, who was once so absolute, that he triumphed in the three•…•…old City of Prage with repining, when the Emperor challenged ei∣ther submission or prostitution: but now the Pope and Austria haue subuerted such immunities, and vnder the danger of fulmination, and Church discipline terrifie them all from contradicting their wilfulnes.

The Cities of this spacious Countrey are many, and haue as many descriptions from seuerall Authors, whom if you finde contrary to one another, you must mod•…•… your anger, and remember how diuers 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 with sicke bodies, that although they li•…•… with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of learned men, yet shall not any, two agree, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 causes, nor the remedie of the disease, le•…•… 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 vnderstand the same neuer so well: So fareth it 〈◊〉〈◊〉

quarians and Chronographers, they shew you such faces, as they themselues beheld, or wrote as priuate affection and information induced, and so the next age enlarged her talent; and the last opposeth against the former. But if you will be contented with my manner of Cosmography, and vnderstand, that my meaning in this cursory iourney is to runne onely away with Titles, you shall then finde vpon the Rhene a riuer comming out of Heluetia, and 800. mile together, gathering many confederates of springs and brookes to shew himselfe well accompanied at the Court of the maine Ocean: Constance, Basill famous in her ori∣ginall vpon the Serpent found in her foundation; Stras∣borough beautifull in her name, and for her high steeple, Spires, Ments, Hidelburge the Court of the Palatine, Franck∣furt glorious in her Marts, Coblents and Coleine; these be principall Cities, either supporting the chaires of Byshops, or maintaining their owne freedomes with royall iuris∣diction, or submitting to the controule of some worthy Prince; as for other Townes, which are both walled, and fortified they are infinite, and would fill vp too much roome to ioyne them here together. Vpon Danubius the greatest riuer of Europe, as running 1500. mile betweene the bankes of many Countries, and changeth his name into •…•…er, when he commeth into the pride of Greece, and poureth himselfe, with troupes of attendance into the lap of the black-sea: you haue Vlmms, Auspurg, or if you will Augu•…•…ta proud of her title and fortification; Ingelstade boasting of the birth of Emperors; Regenspurg, Paslaw, Vienna, Presburg, and Keimar; vpon Weserslood, that run∣•…•…eth through Brunswicke and Westphalia, Brennen, and Ca•…•…; vpon the riuer Alba, which posteth out of Bohe∣mia, as it were with glad tidings through the midst of ma∣ny

flourishing Countries into the German sea; Prag•…•…, Dresda, East Wittenberg, Brandenberg, Hanborough and Stode; vpon Odera, whose head almost meeteth with the Wexell of Poland; Neisa, Breslaw, Crossen, East Fran•…•…furt, and Stetin; this riuer running toward Brandenburg through Silesia watreth a great part of Pomerania, within the heart of this Continent, whose veines are yet filled, and life as it were refreshed with the moderate flowing and swelling goodnesse of diuers armes, hanging as it were by the maine bodies of these riuers, and may resemble kinde messages, or entercourses strengthning the amity of vn∣setled families, are scituated Norremberg the greatest of the Countrey, Wirteberg, Erfurt, Brunswick, Iger, Gorlitz, and so many other, that France and Italy both must a litle yeeld. For if a difference may tend to make a place the better, questionlesse Germany hath the preeminence; yet because it resembleth a Capitoll of so many Princes, ra∣ther then a Parliament house, where the Subiect how great soeuer, acknowledgeth his Monarch; we will allow him Emperor, as I haue said, for good manners sake; but questionlesse standing at the deuotion of his imperials, and Cities; it diminisheth his glory, and obscureth the shining of his three Crownes; witnes the busines of Col∣leine it selfe, which amongst many others of the same kind, is so subiected to the authority of the Byshop, that the name of Emperor hath sounded harshly to their obedi∣ence, and both people and Clergie haue still opposed a∣gainst all secular Princes: the story is briefly thus.

The History of COLLEINE.

COlleine is a famous Towne, and one principall of the Vbij before CHRIST, which questionlesse the * 1.6 Romanes made great account of as a receptacle for their garrisons, when they had warre against the Swedians, who •…•…nged then all ouer Germany, especially in Saxonia. In the time of Iulius Caesar there was a wodden bridge made ouer the R•…•…ene for the better transporting his armie, which was after transhap't into stone, but the miracle pro∣ceeded from the power of money, and industry of man; but because many murthers, rapes, and robberies were committed on the same, Bruno the Byshoppe by the Em∣peror O•…•…os commaundement ruined, and quite subuerted it: so it should seeme it was then called Vbiopolis, vntill a commutation into Colonia Agrippina of Marcus Agrippa sonne in law to Augustus Caesar, who reedified and beau∣tified the same; yet Tacitus extracteth the title from a daughter of Augustus borne here, and leaueth it as a place of great consequence vnder the iurisdiction of ma∣ny worthy Commaunders; but it should seeme, they en∣tertained Christianity betimes, and quickly cast away the authoritie of the Romanes: For thus they record it. A∣bout the yeere 70. Maternus the Disciple of Saint Peter conuerted the Vbij, who admitted their spirituall saluati∣on with such gladnesse, that they likewise determined the preseruation of their liberty and bodies, and so proiected to be free of themselues, had not afterward diuers Em∣perors, setled the Duke of Saxony, and Earles of the Em∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 established greatness both ouer Citie and Coun∣•…•…, vntill againe the Pope wrested the supremacie ouer

the European Princes, and confirmed the Archbishops in the ostentation of a Count Palatine, and absolute power of the gouernment of all, which yet the secular Noble men not onely repined at, but sought by noble courses to preuent; and at last, when no deuise could make gentill the hard wound pullies of the Clergies ambition, they were resolute to effectuate it by force of armes, so that many contentions arose betweene the Byshoppe, Nobles, and Citizens, which ended not without effusion of blood, and ouerthrow of whole armies drawne into the field by particeans, whereby the Citie it selfe felt the smart of war∣like scourges, and saw her walles and houses puld on heapes of rubbish, according to the nature of rage and fu∣ry the end of tumultuous vprors. But at last Colleine is re∣edified, and in despight of all frets and fumes, either of Saxony, the Palatine of the Empire, or confederates of the Princes, acknowledgeth the Archbishop for supreame Gouernour, and he still ouermantleth it with a superstiti∣ous protection, so that the people are kept vnder with his blessing and cursing accordingly.

It now bendeth like a bow, as you see our great Citie from Surreies side: the key before the wall is a place of great pleasure; the ports and ramparts worth the obser∣uing, the Palace stately and magnificent, the houses beau∣tifull and comely, the streets sweet, spatious, and well or∣dered, the Inhabitants ciuill, sociable, and superstitious. For amongst the Churches they are of opinion, that the three Kings haue a memorable monument, concerning the birth of our Sauiour, when they were commaunded to returne another way home, but comming hether it was the fortune and glory of this place, not onely to be their refuge from the fury of Herod in their life; but a recep∣tacle

for their bodies after death; but how the truth would proue all this ridiculous, it were pity to dispute. Howsoeuer, as I haue said, the Citie and territories now swell with the pride of exemption from the Emperors iurisdiction, and in the same race runne many other fa∣mous Townes, whereby you may see the disioynted go∣uernment of Germany, and the poore authority the Em∣perors haue ouer the Electors, and imperiall Cities.

For although Charles the 5. had the fortune to imprison the Lantsgraue of Hesse, and by the seruice of the Duke of Burbone to possesse the Castle of Saint Angelo, and punish the Pope with a terror of vsurpation, euen ouer his spiritu∣all authoritie; yet was it a sudden greatnesse, and like the blaze of a bauin, lasted but a while. For the German Princes quickly repined, and the next Pope as quickly ra∣tified his owne conditions, so that the Emperors since haue no more to doe in Italy, then a Pilgrimme, who is ad∣mitted to see the wonders of our Lady at Loretto. But if * 1.7 you would know, how Germany is neighboured, and be∣loued of strangers, I answer as if my friend should aske me my opinion concerning anothers loue: the heart is vn∣searchable, we onely can discouer the outward counte∣nance, and formall protestations: thus is it with Topogra∣phicall descriptions, wee can say these and these be the Countries and people, but whether enuious, ambitious, reuengefull, traiterous, cowardly, or such like, it must be referred to actions and time. Toward the North lies Po∣merania, Prussia, Lithuania, Silesia, Podolia, and Poland; but Poland now stands for all, within these 300. yeeres a factious Dukedome, limited within her owne territories, now a well compacted kingdome of many Countries; yet wilfully resolute to haue no hereditary Prince amongst

them, whereby the supreame authority is subiect to the suffrages of men, and a manner of Oligarchy of Nobles limiteth the King in his royaltie, and maketh his establish∣ment but a slauish brauery. The Countrey from her plaines, as spreading it selfe abroad without mountaines, or hills, addeth to the Etymologie of the word, and hath only the great Citie of Cracow vpon the Vistula meriting discourse, but litle commendation, or wonder. Toward the East lieth the noble Kingdome of Hungary; I call it noble, because whole volumes might be writ in relating her troubles; externall with her enemy of Christendome; internall with a confused dissention: For sometimes the glory of the Kingdome elateth them; sometimes priuate reuenges diuideth them; sometimes the Clergie doth ty∣rannize ouer them; and sometimes the generall cause ex∣citeth compassion: then adioyneth what in times past you called Illiria now Transiluania and Sclauonia. Toward the South, but you must first see, what snow lieth vpon the Alpes all along the bankes of the Adriaticke sea, now Gul∣pho Venetiano, are spred abroad the Prouinces of Friaull in times past forum Iulij, Histria, Croatia, Dacia, Dalmatia, as farre as Ragusa once Epidaurus, all full of prety Townes, the shores beautified with Ilands, and the sea beating on diuers rockes seruing yet for many vses, as the Venetians can tell, who are the Commaunders of these people, and places for the most part. Toward the West, what wee now nicke-name the Wallons, Loraine with the memorable Towne of Mets, and in a prety corner Heluetia, containing the 13. Cantons of Switzerland euen amongst the Alpes, which remaine with freedome of both religions in des∣pight of Pope and other turbulent Princes, and can shew Bazill, Bern, and Zuricke as fine and delicate Townes, as

any in the pride of Italy; but withall you must vnder∣stand, that both the Emperour, France, and Spaine haue diuers times attempted the subiection of these people, especially Geneua, which belongeth to Sauoy: yet failed, as the Romans did with the Parthians con∣cluding a corroboration of friendshippe rather then a pub∣lication of their shame to be propulsed, which appeared in the time of Charles the fift, who was mightily incen∣sed * 1.8 against them, had not the blunt reprehension of a foole diuerted him. For when diuers fiery spirits had brought fuell to set on flame these guiltlesse people, and that hee determined to ouerrunne them as it were with one speedinesse. I, I, saith the foole, you all con∣clude well for going into the Countrey, but vnacquain∣ted with the terrible passages of the Alpes, you litle con∣sider the difficultie of comming out againe. Vpon which pithy and compendious obiurgation, a new de∣batement of matters set vp another loome of retrac∣tion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The eighth part of the worlds bra∣uery.
• * 1.2

  Germany the greatest Countrey of Europe.
• * 1.3

  Germanes haters of deceit.
• * 1.4

  Errors of Courtiers.
• * 1.5

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.
• * 1.6

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.7

  How Ger∣many is neighbored.
• * 1.8

  Fooles may giue good counsell.