Page 130
CHAP. CXC.
Of Norimberg and the trade thereof.
NORIMBERG is seated in a barren soyle, * 1.1 yet this defect is supplyed by the industry of the inhabitants. It is absolute and of it selfe, and accounted one of the Imperiall Cities of the Empire, and the richest of all the rest: the inhabitants by their subtill inventions in Ma∣nuall workes, and cunning Arts, with the in∣couragement they daily give to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, draw thereby the riches of other countries to them. Every childe though but seven or eight yeares old, is here put to worke, and is inabled thereby to get his owne livelihood; and by this meanes is all Europe filled with the triviall commodities of this Towne, knowne by the name of Norimberg ware, which makes the Citie rich, strong and powerfull: their trade is not great otherwise, and the weights and measures in use are these.
There is here but one pound in use, as in Spiers, of which is also * 1.2 composed two severall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agreeing with it, and as there I men∣tioned, with London.
Their measure of length is the Ell, both for Linnen and Wollen, con∣trary * 1.3 to the custome of most cities of Germanie, the 100 elles where∣of hath been found to make in London 63 elles, and the 100 yards of London to have made here 138 elles.
The place is famous also for the great Exchanges that are practi∣sed * 1.4 therein, which I have at large handled in Chapter 298, with all circumstances thereto belonging.