The merchants mappe of commerce wherein, the universall manner and matter of trade, is compendiously handled. The standerd and currant coines of sundry princes, observed. The reall and imaginary coines of accompts and exchanges, expressed. The naturall and artificiall commodities of all countries for transportation declared. The weights and measures of all eminent cities and tovvnes of traffique, collected and reduced one into another; and all to the meridian of commerce practised in the famous citie of London. By Lewes Roberts, merchant. Necessary for all such as shall be imployed in the publique affaires of princes in forreigne parts; for all gentlemen and others that travell abroad for delight or pleasure, and for all merchants or their factors that exercise the art of merchandizing in any part of the habitable world.

CHAP. CXXXII.

Of Callais, and the Trade thereof.

CALLAIS formerly was the great Staple for the Woolles of England, and setled here Anno 1347. by * 1.1 Edward the Third, to make good his Conquest after eleventh moneths siege, but afterward it was hence removed, and this place lost by Queene Ma∣ry, Anno 1557. after 200. yeares possession of the English, and was by our then Kings of England ever called the Key that gave their Armies entrance into France; the place is not now of any great noted traffique, though it and Bollen adjoyning be ac∣counted the best maritime Ports in Picardy, opposite to Dover from whence this is seven leagues distant.

The Coines here currant are those in generall of France.

The Weights here in use are three. * 1.2

First, is the Weight proper of the Towne, the 100. lib. whereof is in London about 92. lib.

The second is called the Merchants Weight, the 100. lib. whereof make in London 113. lib. and the 100. sutle of London is here 88. lib.

The third is called the English Wooll-hundred, or Staple hundred, the 100. lib. whereof is in London about 89. lib. or 90. lib. about 3. per cent. different from the Towne-weight.

The Measure used here is the Alne, and makes in London() inches.

The next is Champaigne, wherein is Rhemes the principall Citie, * 1.3

where the Kings of France are annointed, and where there is a Col∣lege for the entertainment of the English, English Fugitives, Iesuites I meane

The next is Burgondy, famous for Digion, which is notable through France for good mustard, a note worthy our Tukesbury. * 1.4

The next is Bresse, Chastilion being the principall Citie, and the last that I shall handle appertaining to the King of France, or under * 1.5 his government.

The next in order according to my Methode is the Franche Count, the principall Citie thereof is Besanson, which in times past strove * 1.6 for precedency of Trade with Lions, but being an inland Towne she hath lost that honour, the Inhabitants of this Country bringing home greater and more honourable titles, as famoused abroad for good Souldiers, knowne by the name of Walloons, and now is un∣der the command of Spaine. The Exchanges of Placentia was once here seated from Cambery, but the Merchants being not well used returned to Placentia.

100. lib. of Besanson is 112. lib. English.

The next is Loraine, the principall Citie is Nancy, yeelding plen∣ty of Corne, and Wine, store of fresh water fish, and salt, and famous * 1.7 in that it was the Dukedome of Godfrey, sirnamed of Bulloigne, which wonne Ierusalem from the Saracens, and was the first Christian crow∣ned King of that Kingdome: and now to Savoy, as partaking with the French in the Trade as well as in their Garbe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Callais and the trade thereof.
• * 1.2

  Weights of Ca•…•….
• * 1.3

  Champaigne.
• * 1.4

  Burgondy.
• * 1.5

  B•…•…esse.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Loraine.