Relations of the most famous kingdomes and common-wealths thorowout the world discoursing of their situations, religions, languages, manners, customes, strengths, greatnesse, and policies. Translated out of the best Italian impression of Boterus. And since the last edition by R.I. now once againe inlarged according to moderne observation; with addition of new estates and countries. Wherein many of the oversights both of the author and translator, are amended. And unto which, a mappe of the whole world, with a table of the countries, are now newly added.

Navarre.

TO the Title and Armes of France wee see these of Navarre annexed; notwithstan∣ding that this Kingdome lies Westward of the P••rencan mountaines, touching upon Arragon on its South, and Biscar on its North part, two of the Spanish Provinces. The old Inhabitants were the Vascones, the Berones, &c. The present name of Navarre, it hath either from the Spanish word Navas, signifying a Campagnia, or woodlesse champaigne Country or field, naturally fenced with trees round about, of which divers are in this King∣dome: or else from Navarrin, a towne in the mountaines, and a chiefe Fort against the Moores of old time. About the yeare 716. Garcia Ximenes, freeing it from the Moores, gained it the honour of a petty Kingdome; which his An∣cestors so well increased, that within three hundred yeares after Sancho the great wrote himselfe King of Spaine, for Leon he held by force, Arragon had beene before united by marriage; and himselfe obtained Castile in right of his wife: out of other parts hee had driven the Moores also. But this union himselfe againe disjoynted, by a division of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amongst his owne sonnes. Navarre thus againe disseve∣red, came about the yeare 1483. unto Katherine Countesse of ••••ix and Bigorre, and Princesse of Bearne; who unhap∣pily marrying with Iohn Earle of Albret, (a French Coun∣•••••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those three of his wives also) lost the Kingdome to the Spaniard. The quarrell was this; Lewis the twelfth of France falling at warres with the Spaniards, Venetians, and Germans, was seconded by this Iohn of Albret, and both for this opposed and excommunicated by the Pope Iulius t••e se••o••d; Navarre being by a Bull exposed to the Invader. Vpon this hint Ferdinand of Spaine puts in; demands pas∣sage thorow Navarre for his Army pretended against the

Moores: which upon deniall of his request, he turnes upon Navarre: and before the slow succours could come out of France, carries the whole Kingdome, not so much as a box on the eare being given in resistance. Thus the Spaniard ga•• the possession, though Henry of Albret (sonne to Katherine and Iohn aforesaid) retaines the title: from whom also the French King challengeth it; as being descended of this Hen∣ry, and his wife Margaret of Valois, Sister to King Francis of France: from whom came Ioan Albret, Queen of Navarre, whose husband was Anthony Duke of Burbon: whose son was Henry the great, King of Navarre first, and of France afterward, whose sonne in Lewis the thirteenth, the present King of France.

The chiefe Citie of Navarre is Pampelona: the strength is made use of by the Spaniard, as a Bulwarke against France; there being but two passages thorow the Pyrenean moun∣taines out of this kingdome into Bearne in France, which he easily keepes fortified.